bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Invariant NKT cells with chimeric antigen receptor provide a novel platform for safe and effective cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Heczey Andras , Liu Daofeng , Tian Gengwen , Courtney Amy N. , Wei Jie , Marinova Ekaterina , Gao Xiuhua , Guo Linjie , Yvon Eric , Hicks John , Liu Hao , Dotti Gianpietro , Metelitsa Leonid S.
Published: July 2014

Key Points

GD2-specific CAR renders NKT cells cytotoxic against NB cells and results in potent in vivo antitumor activity without graft-versus-host disease. The 4-1BB-containing CAR constructs induce T helper 1–like polarization in NKT cells.
Metric fixed point theory for nonexpansive mappings defined on unbounded sets
Authors: Alghamdi Maryam A , Kirk William A , Shahzad Naseer
Published: July 2014

It is standard practice in metric fixed point theory to reduce fixed point questions for mappings defined on unbounded sets to the bounded case. Many of these results are couched in a Banach space framework and involve bounded orbits. We examine these results in a somewhat broader metric context here.

MSC:54H25, 47H09.
The Canadian Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome (CHILDNEPH) Project: Overview of Design and Methods
Authors: Samuel Susan , Scott Shannon , Morgan Catherine , Dart Allison , Mammen Cherry , Parekh Rulan , Nettel-Aguirre Alberto , Eddy Allison , Flynn Rachel , Pinsk Maury , Wade Andrew , Arora Steven , Benoit Geneviève , Bitzan Martin , Erickson Robin , Feber Janusz , Filler Guido , Geier Pavel , Girardin Colette , Grisaru Silviu , Tee James , Kemp Kyle , Zappitelli Michael
Published: July 2014

Background:

Nephrotic syndrome is a commonly acquired kidney disease in children that causes significant morbidity due to recurrent episodes of heavy proteinuria. The management of childhood nephrotic syndrome is known to be highly variable among physicians and care centres.

Objectives:

The primary objective of the study is to determine centre-, physician-, and patient-level characteristics associated with steroid exposure and length of steroid treatment. We will also determine the association of dose and duration of steroid treatment and time to first relapse as a secondary aim. An embedded qualitative study utilizing focus groups with health care providers will enrich the quantitative results by providing an understanding of the attitudes, beliefs and local contextual factors driving variation in care.

Design:

Mixed-methods study; prospective observational cohort (quantitative component), with additional semi-structured focus groups of healthcare professionals (qualitative component).

Setting:

National study, comprised of all 13 Canadian pediatric nephrology clinics.

Patients:

400 patients under 18 years of age to be recruited over 2.5 years.

Measurements:

Steroid doses for all episodes (first presentation, first and subsequent relapses) tracked over course of the study. Physician and centre-level characteristics catalogued, with reasons for treatment preferences documented during focus groups.

Methods:

All patients tracked prospectively over the course of the study, with data comprising a prospective registry. One focus group at each site to enrich understanding of variation in care.

Limitations:

Contamination of treatment protocols between physicians may occur as a result of concurrent focus groups.

Conclusions:

Quantitative and qualitative results will be integrated at end of study and will collectively inform strategies for the development and implementation of standardized evidence-based protocols across centres.
Prosthetic valve endocarditis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Natsheh Ayman , Vidberg Michal , Friedmann Reuven , Ben-Chetrit Eli , Yinnon Amos M , Zevin Shoshana
Published: July 2014

Introduction

In the pre-antibiotic era up 10% of cases of infective endocarditis were due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, but this association is currently exceedingly rare.

Case description

Since 1997 we have diagnosed three patients, all aged >70, with endocarditis due to S. pneumoniae. One of these three cases involved a prosthetic valve, another a prosthetic ring. All three patients completely recovered with antibiotic treatment only.

Discussion and evaluation

During the same period there were 1694 cases of pneumococcal bacteremia, of whom 395 (23%) after age 70. Therefore, after age 70 the prevalence of endocarditis out of all cases of pneumococcal bacteremia was 0.7%. A literature review detected another 16 cases of pneumococcal PVE. The mean age of these 17 patients was 64±14; 10 were female and 7 male. In most instances, symptom duration was short, < 6 days. Valve surgery was performed in 5 cases (29%) and 13 patients (76%) survived.

Conclusions

Endocarditis due to S. pneumoniae is rare in the antibiotic era; even in patients with prosthetic valves its course is evidently not more virulent than with other low-virulent organisms.
Erratum to: Cross-country variation in additive effects of socio-economics, health behaviors, and comorbidities on subjective health of patients with diabetes
Authors: Assari Shervin
Published: July 2014

The acknowledgment section of the manuscript [1] should read: Publication of this manuscript was possible with the Cornely Fellowship awarded by the Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health (CRECH), University of Michigan School of Public Health to the author.
Re-contacting participants for inclusion in the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP): Findings from three case-control studies of lung cancer
Authors: Cote Michele L , Harrison M Jay , Wenzlaff Angela S , Schwartz Ann G
Published: July 2014

Background

Since January 2008, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has required that all investigators who receive NIH support submit de-identified high-throughput genomic data to the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP). The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of re-consenting participants from three inactive studies, conducted from 2000 through 2009, to submit their data to dbGaP.

Methods

Participants were those enrolled in one of three prior population-based case-control studies of lung cancer who had given a DNA sample. Consent to release de-identified data to dbGaP took place via mailed forms and follow-up phone calls. Chi-squared tests were used to examine differences in re-contact and consent proportions between groups.

Results

A total of 2,471 participants were initially eligible for re-contact. Six hundred and thirty-eight participants were found to be deceased (n = 627) or did not give permission to re-contact (n = 11). Of the 1,833 remaining participants, 42.3% provided written consent, 37.0% could not be located, 13.7% verbally agreed to have their data released but never returned written consent, 5.3% refused, and 1.6% were too ill at the time of contact. There were significant differences in ability to locate participants by age, race, gender, and case-control status; however, once located, there were no differences in re-consent rates.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that while most previous study participants agreed to release data, a small proportion are opposed to submitting their data to dbGaP. In addition, it demonstrates the difficulty studies based on existing samples may have in locating inactive participants for re-consent.
African Americans With Cancer Pain Are More Likely to Receive an Analgesic With Toxic Metabolite Despite Clinical Risks: A Mediation Analysis Study
Authors: Meghani Salimah H. , Kang Youjeong , Chittams Jesse , McMenamin Erin , Mao Jun J. , Fudin Jeffrey
Published: July 2014

Purpose

Renal impairment is highly prevalent among patients with cancer, and many patients have undiagnosed chronic kidney disease (CKD) from underlying disease, treatment, or both. African American individuals have disproportionate risk factors (diabetes, hypertension) predisposing them to CKD. We investigated whether African American patients are more likely than white patients to receive morphine with 3- and 6-glucuronide metabolites, which are known to be neurotoxic and accumulate in CKD; whether insurance type mediates the relationship between race and the prescriber's opioid selection; and whether the chosen opioid has a resultant negative effect according to race.

Patients and Methods

Patients (N = 182) were recruited from oncology clinics within the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Inclusion was based on self-identified African American or white race, age older than 18 years, and the presence of cancer-related pain plus a prescription for morphine or oxycodone. Kidney function was estimated using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula.

Results

Patients with CKD who received morphine reported a greater severity of analgesic-related adverse effects than patients with CKD who received oxycodone (P = .010). Controlling for health insurance type, African American patients had 71% lower odds of receiving a prescription of oxycodone than white patients (P < .001). Limiting analysis to those with CKD, the effect of private insurance became insignificant. However, race still remained a significant predictor of the prescribed opioid selection. Race was a strong predictor of adverse effect severity in the presence of CKD, and the type of opioid selection partially mediated this relationship.

Conclusion

Reducing racial disparities in the type of opioid prescription and understanding mechanisms of disproportionate opioid-related adverse effects in African American patients might decrease the clinical disparities in cancer pain outcomes.
Disparate Changes in Kisspeptin and Neurokinin B Expression in the Arcuate Nucleus After Sex Steroid Manipulation Reveal Differential Regulation of the Two KNDy Peptides in Rats
Authors: Overgaard Agnete , Ruiz-Pino Francisco , Castellano Juan M. , Tena-Sempere Manuel , Mikkelsen Jens D.
Published: July 2014

Kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin A are coexpressed in a population of neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), termed KNDy neurons, which were recently recognized as important elements for the generation of GnRH pulses. However, the topographic distribution of these peptides and their regulated expression by sex steroids are still not well understood. In this study, detailed examination of NKB and kisspeptin immunoreactivity in the rat ARC was carried out, including comparison between sexes, with and without sex steroid replacement. Neurons expressing kisspeptin and NKB were more prominent in the caudal ARC of females, whereas neurons expressing NKB, but not kisspeptin, were the most abundant in the male. Sex steroid manipulation revealed differential regulation of kisspeptin and NKB; although kisspeptin immunoreactive (ir) cells increased in response to gonadectomy, NKB remained unchanged. Furthermore, the number of NKB-ir cells increased upon sex steroid replacement compared with gonadectomy, whereas kisspeptin did not, suggesting that sex steroids differently regulate these peptides. In addition, only in females did the density of kisspeptin- and NKB-ir fibers in the ARC increase upon sex steroid replacement in relation to sham and ovariectomy, respectively, suggesting sex-specific regulation of release. In conclusion, our observations reveal sex differences in the number of kisspeptin- and NKB-ir cells, which are more prominent in the caudal ARC. The divergent regulation of kisspeptin and NKB peptide contents in the ARC as a function of sex and steroid milieu enlarge our understanding on how these neuropeptides are posttranscriptionally regulated in KNDy neurons.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Glucose Homeostasis: The Acute Hyperglycemic and Chronic Insulin-Sensitive Effects of Nicotine Suggest Dual Opposing Roles of the Receptors in Male Mice
Authors: Vu Christine U. , Siddiqui Jawed A. , Wadensweiler Paul , Gayen Jiaur R. , Avolio Ennio , Bandyopadhyay Gautam K. , Biswas Nilima , Chi Nai-Wen , O'Connor Daniel T. , Mahata Sushil K.
Published: July 2014

Cigarette smoking causes insulin resistance. However, nicotine induces anti-inflammation and improves glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant animal models. Here, we determined the effects of nicotine on glucose metabolism in insulin-sensitive C57BL/J6 mice. Acute nicotine administration (30 min) caused fasting hyperglycemia and lowered insulin sensitivity acutely, which depended on the activation of nicotinic-acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and correlated with increased catecholamine secretion, nitric oxide (NO) production, and glycogenolysis. Chlorisondamine, an inhibitor of nAChRs, reduced acute nicotine-induced hyperglycemia. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the liver and muscle express predominantly β4 > α10 > α3 > α7 and β4 > α10 > β1 > α1 mRNA for nAChR subunits respectively, whereas the adrenal gland expresses β4 > α3 > α7 > α10 mRNA. Chronic nicotine treatment significantly suppressed expression of α3-nAChR (predominant peripheral α-subunit) in liver. Whereas acute nicotine treatment raised plasma norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (Epi) levels, chronic nicotine exposure raised only Epi. Acute nicotine treatment raised both basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). After chronic nicotine treatment, basal insulin level was elevated, but GSIS after acute saline or nicotine treatment was blunted. Chronic nicotine exposure caused an increased buildup of NO in plasma and liver, leading to decreased glycogen storage, along with a concomitant suppression of Pepck and G6Pase mRNA, thus preventing hyperglycemia. The insulin-sensitizing effect of chronic nicotine was independent of weight loss. Chronic nicotine treatment enhanced PI-3-kinase activities and increased Akt and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β phosphorylation in an nAChR-dependent manner coupled with decreased cAMP response element–binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation. The latter effects caused suppression of Pepck and G6Pase gene expression. Thus, nicotine causes both insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity depending on the duration of the treatment.
Cnr2 Deficiency Confers Resistance to Inflammation-Induced Preterm Birth in Mice
Authors: Sun Xiaofei , Cappelletti Monica , Li Yingju , Karp Christopher L. , Divanovic Senad , Dey Sudhansu K.
Published: July 2014

Infection-induced inflammation, frequently associated with increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, is considered a significant contributor to preterm birth. A G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), encoded by Cnr2, is expressed in various immune cells and was shown to modulate immune responses. We show here that Cnr2, but not Cnr1, deficient mice are resistant to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-driven preterm birth and suppression of serum progesterone levels. After LPS challenge, Cnr2−/− mice exhibited increased serum levels of IL-10 with decreased IL-6 levels. These changes were associated with reduced LPS-induced Ptgs2 expression at the maternal-conceptus interface on day 16 of pregnancy. LPS stimulation of Cnr2−/− dendritic cells in vitro resulted in increased IL-10 with reduced IL-6 production and correlated with increased cAMP accumulation. Collectively, our results suggest that increased IL-10 production occurring via augmented cAMP accumulation represents a potential mechanism for the resistance of Cnr2−/− mice to LPS-induced preterm birth. These results may have clinical relevance, because currently, there are limited options to prevent preterm birth.
Transient Estrogen Receptor Binding and p300 Redistribution Support a Squelching Mechanism for Estradiol-Repressed Genes
Authors: Guertin Michael J. , Zhang Xuesen , Coonrod Scott A. , Hager Gordon L.
Published: July 2014

Proper gene regulation is essential for proper organismal development and appropriate responses to external stimuli. Specialized factors, termed master regulators, are often responsible for orchestrating the molecular events that result from signaling cascades. Master regulators coordinate the activation and repression of specific gene classes. Estrogen receptor α (ER) precipitates the signaling cascade that results from endogenous or exogenous estrogen hormones. ER is a classic transcriptional activator and the mechanisms by which ER coordinates gene activation are well characterized. However, it remains unclear how ER coordinates the immediate repression of genes. We integrated genomic transcription, chromosome looping, transcription factor binding, and chromatin structure data to analyze the molecular cascade that results from estradiol (E2)-induced signaling in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells and addressed the context-specific nature of gene regulation. We defined a class of genes that are immediately repressed upon estrogen stimulation, and we compared and contrasted the molecular characteristics of these repressed genes vs activated and unregulated genes. The most striking and unique feature of the repressed gene class is transient binding of ER at early time points after estrogen stimulation. We also found that p300, a coactivator and acetyltransferase, quantitatively redistributes from non-ER enhancers to ER enhancers after E2 treatment. These data support an extension of the classic physiological squelching model, whereby ER hijacks coactivators from repressed genes and redistributes the coactivators to ER enhancers that activate transcription.
The F-box protein Slmb restricts the activity of aPKC to polarize epithelial cells
Authors: Skwarek Lara C. , Windler Sarah L. , de Vreede Geert , Rogers Gregory C. , Bilder David
Published: July 2014

The Par-3/Par-6/aPKC complex is the primary determinant of apical polarity in epithelia across animal species, but how the activity of this complex is restricted to allow polarization of the basolateral domain is less well understood. In Drosophila, several multiprotein modules antagonize the Par complex through a variety of means. Here we identify a new mechanism involving regulated protein degradation. Strong mutations in supernumerary limbs (slmb), which encodes the substrate adaptor of an SCF-class E3 ubiquitin ligase, cause dramatic loss of polarity in imaginal discs accompanied by tumorous proliferation defects. Slmb function is required to restrain apical aPKC activity in a manner that is independent of endolysosomal trafficking and parallel to the Scribble module of junctional scaffolding proteins. The involvement of the Slmb E3 ligase in epithelial polarity, specifically limiting Par complex activity to distinguish the basolateral domain, points to parallels with polarization of the C. elegans zygote.
A Superhydrophobic Copper Mesh with Microrod Structure for Oil–Water Separation Inspired from Ramee Leaf
Authors: Zhu Huan , Guo Zhiguang
Published: July 2014

It is well known that superhydrophobic surfaces with unitary microstructures (such as the lotus leaf) have better surface mechanical properties than those with binary micro- and nanostructures (such as the ramee leaf). Rodlike unitary structured films are fabricated on copper meshes via a facile and simple chemical vapor corrosion method. Following the surface modification of 1-decanethiol (C10H22S), the resultant films exhibiting superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity can be applied to separate the oil–water mixture.
Resolving the paradox for protein aggregation diseases: NMR structure and dynamics of the membrane-embedded P56S-MSP causing ALS imply a common mechanism for aggregation-prone proteins to attack membranes
Authors: Qin Haina , Lim Liangzhong , Wei Yuanyuan , Gupta Garvita , Song Jianxing
Published: July 2014

Paradoxically, aggregation of specific proteins is characteristic of many human diseases and aging, yet aggregates have increasingly been found to be unnecessary for initiating pathogenesis. Here we determined the NMR topology and dynamics of a helical mutant in a membrane environment transformed from the 125-residue cytosolic all-β MSP domain of vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB) by the ALS-causing P56S mutation. Despite its low hydrophobicity, the P56S major sperm protein (MSP) domain becomes largely embedded in the membrane environment with high backbone rigidity. Furthermore it is composed of five helices with amphiphilicity comparable to those of the partly-soluble membrane toxin mellitin and α-synuclein causing Parkinson's disease. Consequently, the mechanism underlying this chameleon transformation becomes clear: by disrupting the specific tertiary interaction network stabilizing the native all-β MSP fold to release previously-locked amphiphilic segments, the P56S mutation acts to convert the classic MSP fold into a membrane-active protein that is fundamentally indistinguishable from mellitin and α-synuclein which are disordered in aqueous solution but spontaneously partition into membrane interfaces driven by hydrogen-bond energetics gained from forming α-helix in the membrane environments. As segments with high amphiphilicity exist in all proteins, our study successfully resolves the paradox by deciphering that the proteins with a higher tendency to aggregate have a stronger potential to partition into membranes through the same mechanism as α-synuclein to initially attack membranes to trigger pathogenesis without needing aggregates. This might represent the common first step for various kinds of aggregated proteins to trigger familiar, sporadic and aging diseases. Therefore the homeostasis of aggregated proteins in vivo is the central factor responsible for a variety of human diseases including aging. The number and degree of the membrane attacks by aggregated proteins may act as an endogenous clock to count down the aging process. Consequently, a key approach to fight against them is to develop strategies and agents to maintain or even enhance the functions of the degradation machineries.
The effects of extremes of pH on the growth and transcriptomic profiles of three haloarchaea
Authors: Moran-Reyna Aida , Coker James A.
Published: July 2014

The halophilic archaea (haloarchaea) live in saline environments which are found across the globe.  In addition to salinity, these niches can be quite dynamic and experience extreme conditions such as low oxygen content, radiation (gamma and UV), pH and temperature.  However, of all the naturally occurring stresses faced by the haloarchaea, only one, pH, has not been previously reported on. Therefore, we endeavored to determine the responses of the transcriptomes of three haloarchaea (Hla, Hvo, and NRC-1) to growth under acidic and alkaline pH. Our observations showed that the transcriptomes of Hvo and NRC-1 respond in a similar manner to each other as well as other prokaryotes when grown in an acidic environment, while the pattern for Hla was dissimilar. For alkaline stress, all three haloarchaea responded in a manner similar to well-studied archaea and bacteria and had four-times more significantly regulated transcripts in common, compared to acidic growth. Additionally, we performed an analysis on the changes in the transcriptomes of the three haloarchaea when shifting from one pH extreme to the other. The results showed that the transcriptomes of all three haloarchaea respond more similarly when moving from alkaline to acidic conditions compared to moving from an acidic to alkaline environment. Interestingly, our studies also showed that individual genes of multiple paralogous gene families (tbp,tfb,orc/cdc6, etc.) found in the haloarchaea were regulated under specific stresses thereby providing evidence that they modulate the response to various environmental stresses. The studies described here are the first to catalog the changes in the haloarchaeal transcriptomes under growth in extreme pH and help us understand how life is able to thrive under all conditions present on Earth and, if present, on extraterrestrial bodies as well.
Operating room fires in head and neck surgery
Authors: Smith Lee P. , Roy Soham
Published: July 2014

Operating room fires pose a significant risk of harm to surgical patients, particularly in head and neck surgical procedures. Surgical fires occur when three essential elements are present (the so-called ‘fire triad’): an ignition source, a fuel, and an oxidising agent. The authors have performed a number of research trials investigating the risk factors involved in the development of fires during endoscopic, oropharyngeal, and airway surgeries. This review explores the results of those studies and examines the risk factors for operating room fire with an emphasis on prevention. Careful control of the oxidiser, ignition source, and attention to potential fuels in the operating room can significantly reduce the risk of operating room fire formation and improve patient safety.
Perioperative physiology and the stress response
Authors: Lay Ryan
Published: July 2014

An understanding of normal and altered physiology is essential in identifying risk factors in patients undergoing surgery and allows appropriate interventions to be implemented. This article explores a fictional case study to examine the physiological responses throughout the patient's perioperative journey, primarily through discussion of typically observed clinical monitoring data. Particular attention will be given to the role of the cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems in maintaining homeostasis through their interactions with other body systems. The physiological stress response will be described, highlighting its effects on these homeostatic mechanisms.
Bullying: the implication for ODPs
Authors: Barber Chris
Published: July 2014

Bullying of health-care workers in the workplace has been a long standing issue and has attracted some attention over the years. This article will highlight the likelihood that bullying is systematic, systemic and widespread, and that it is just as likely to occur in operating departments, and affect those working in such departments, as anywhere else. A brief definition of bullying, its effects and its costs will be discussed in the context of a ‘post-Francis’ NHS, as will the implications for operating department practitioners (ODPs).
CPD: preparing for the 2014 audit cycle
Authors: Harper Mick , Joyce Penny
Published: July 2014

Continuing professional development (CPD) is an expected, continuous activity for all registered ODPs, moreover any registrant with 2 years or more on the register could be selected for audit and have to demonstrate their CPD activities. The profession is approaching its fourth round of CPD audits this year. While ODPs are inherently good at adapting to evolving situations in a professional way, in line with the needs of service users and the profession, they often struggle to formally demonstrate their CPD activity. This article aims to remind registrants of their mandatory requirements for completing and recording CPD activity, and uses a case study approach to explore what CPD is and how it can be easily demonstrated.
Temporary lines versus permanent access for haemodialysis patients
Authors: Allen Lyn
Published: July 2014

Despite arteriovenous fistulae being the first choice of haemodialysis vascular access in the UK, a high number of patients commence and continue dialysis with alternative types. Choice of access can have a major impact on the morbidity and mortality of renal patients, and can also add significantly to the burden of dialysis. Lyn Allen reflects on the role of renal nurses in access decision-making.
Morphine overdose in a patient on haemodialysis with stage 5 chronic kidney disease
Authors: Coleman Adrian , Chai Mee Onn
Published: July 2014

Mrs MO, a 76-year-old woman who regularly receives dialysis, was admitted to her hospital's orthopaedic ward after fracturing her neck of femur. Adrian Coleman and Mee Onn Chai discuss the use of morphine in those with end-stage renal disease and why it is contraindicated in this patient group.
NICE guidance update on chronic kidney disease classification
Authors: Jenkins Karen
Published: July 2014

Partially updated national guidelines on the identification and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) have recently been published. The 2014 guidelines focus on diagnostic investigations, pharmacotherapy, self-management and acute kidney injury. Karen Jenkins gives renal health professionals an overview of the important changes in CKD classification and testing.
Investing in science and raising awareness of transplantation
Authors: Lumsdon Angela
Published: July 2014

Kidney Research UK supports and invests in research focused on kidney disease, organ donation and transplantation. With National Transplant Week having recently taken place, Angela Lumsdon outlines the research into transplantation the charity is currently funding and how it is raising awareness of organ donation in the South Asian community.
A look ahead at the EDTNA/ERCA conference on 6–9 September
Authors: Dainton Marissa
Published: July 2014

This year's European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association Conference ‘Patient Centred Renal Care—A Multidisciplinary Approach’ will be held in Riga, Latvia, from 6–9 September 2014. The association's UK Brand Ambassador, Marissa Dainton, gives renal nurses insight into what to expect from the conference and why it is beneficial to attend.
Variation of morphology, karyotype and protein band pattern of adenium (Adenium obesum) varieties
Authors: HASTUTI DWI , SURANTO SURANTO , SETYONO PRABANG
Published: July 2014

Hastuti D, Suranto, Setyono P. 2009. Variation of morphology, karyotype and protein band pattern of adenium (AdeniumÂ obesum) varieties. Nusantara Bioscience 1: 78-83. The aim of this research to find out the Adenium obesum variation from six varieties,Â namely: obesum, cery, red lucas, red fanta , white bigben and harry potter based on morphology, karyotype, as well as protein bandingÂ pattern. The chromosome preparation was made using semi-permanent squash method from the tip of root plant; while protein bandingÂ pattern was made using SDS-PAGE method. Qualitative data included shape and color of the leave and flower described from eachÂ variety. Data were presented in morphometry and analyzed using ANOVA and then followed by DMRT with 5% of confidence levels,Â indicated significance difference. Protein banding pattern, the root, stem, leave and all organs were analyzed using Hierarchical ClusterÂ Analysis method with Average Linkage (between Groups) using SPSS 10.0. The result of research shows that the six A. obesumÂ varieties have morphological character with no variation of light green to dark green leave, not hairy, smooth leave bone, meanwhile forÂ light red to dark red flower crown color although some of them are white and the same funnel color, yellow. All varieties of A. obesumÂ have same number of chromosome, 2n = 22 and shows the difference ranging from 2.56 to 5.13 Î¼m. In the banding pattern formedÂ qualitatively, there is variation among the six varieties.
Activity of Zymomonas mobilis on ethanol products made of cashew nut apple (Anacardium occidentale) with different sources of nitrogen
Authors: MUSTOFA AKHMAD , SURANTO SURANTO
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Mustofa A, Suranto. 2009. Activity of Zymomonas mobilis on ethanol production made of cashew nut apple (Anacardium occidentale) with different sources of nitrogen. Nusantara Bioscience 1: 105-109. This research is aimed at identifying Zymomonas mobilis in producing ethanol through batch fermentation process (in 24, 48 and 72 hours) using cashew nut apple extract (red, green and yellow variety) and urea, ammonium sulfate, extract of green peanut sprout and extract koro (Mucuna pruriens) as sources of nitrogen. The research showed that green cashew nut extract with ammonium sulfate in 24 hours of fermentation produced ethanol in optimum result. This treatment had pH of 5.87, 7.64 g/100 mL of sugar (with 48.44% of consumption), 8.0x107 amount of bacterium (µ = 0.154) and production of ethanol equal to 33.02 g/L (Ye = 90.19%).
Comparasion of iles-iles and cassava tubers as a Saccharomyces cerevisiae substrate fermentation for bioethanol production
Authors: KUSMIYATI KUSMIYATI
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Kusmiyati. 2010. Comparison of iles-iles and cassava tubers as a Saccharomyces cerevisiae substrate fermentation for bioethanol production. Nusantara Bioscience 2: 7-13. The production of bioethanol increases rapidly because it is renewable energy that can be used to solve energy crisis caused by the depleting of fossil oil. The large scale production bioethanol in industry generally uses feedstock such as sugarcane, corn, and cassava that are also required as food resources. Therefore, many studies on the bioethanol process concerned with the use of raw materials that were not competing with food supply. One of the alternative feedstock able to utilize for bioethanol production is the starchy material that available locally namely iles-iles (Amorphophallus muelleri Blum). The content of carbohydrate in the iles-iles tubers is around 71.12 % which is slightly lower as compared to cassava tuber (83,47%). The effect of various starting material, starch concentration, pH, fermentation time were studied. The conversion of starchy material to ethanol has three steps, liquefaction and saccharification were conducted using α-amylase and amyloglucosidase then fermentation by yeast S.cerevisiaie. The highest bioethanol was obtained at following variables starch:water ratio=1:4 ;liquefaction with 0.40 mL α-amylase (4h); saccharification with 0.40 mL amyloglucosidase (40h); fermentation with 10 mL S.cerevisiae (72h) producing bioethanol 69,81 g/L from cassava while 53,49 g/L from iles-iles tuber. At the optimum condition, total sugar produced was 33,431 g/L from cassava while 16,175 g/L from iles-iles tuber. The effect of pH revealed that the best ethanol produced was obtained at pH 5.5 during fermentation occurred for both cassava and iles-iles tubers. From the results studied shows that iles-iles tuber is promising feedstock because it is producing bioethanol almost similarly compared to cassava.
Diversity analysis of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) irradiated by gamma-ray based on morphological and anatomical characteristics
Authors: WIDIASTUTI ALFIN , SOBIR SOBIR , SUHARTANTO MUH RAHMAD
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Widiastuti A, Sobir, Suhartanto MR. 2010. Diversity analysis of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) irradiated by gamma-ray based on morphological and anatomical characteristics. Nusantara Bioscience 2: 23-33. The aim of this research was to increase genetic variability of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) irradiated by gamma rays dosage of 0 Gy, 20 Gy, 25 Gy, 30 Gy,35 Gy, and 40 Gy. Plant materials used were seeds collected from Cengal Sub-village, Karancak Village, Leuwiliang Sub-district, Bogor District, West Java. Data was generated from morphological and anatomical characteristics. The result indicated that increasing gamma-ray dosage had inhibited ability of seed to grow, which needed longer time and decreased seed viability. Morphologically, it also decreased plant height, stem diameter, leaf seizure, and amount of leaf. Anatomically, stomatal density had positive correlation with plant height by correlation was 90% and 74%. Gamma rays irradiation successfully increase morphological variability until 30%. Seed cleavage after irradiation increased variability and survival rate of mangosteen.
Induced mutations by gamma ray irradiation to Argomulyo soybean (Glycine max) variety
Authors: HANAFIAH DIANA SOFIA , TRIKOESOEMONINGTYAS TRIKOESOEMONINGTYAS , YAHYA SUDIRMAN , WIRNAS DESTA
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Hanafiah DS, Trikoesoemaningtyas, Yahya S, Wirnas D. 2010. Induced mutations by gamma-ray irradiation to Argomulyo soybean (Glycine max) variety. Nusantara Bioscience 2: 121-125. Induced mutation by gamma-ray irradiation is one way to increase genetic variability of plants. This research used gamma-ray irradiation on low doses (micro mutation). The aim of this research was to know the response of doses level by micro mutation on gamma-ray irridation to the growing and development of Argomulyo variety of soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr]. The seeds were irradiated by gamma-ray micro mutation doses, namely 0 gray, 50 gray, 100 gray, 150 gray, and 200 gray. Variations that were obtained of each character at generation M1 and M2 influences plants growth and development either through qualitative and quantitative that finally will influence plant’s production. The average highest genetic variation at M2 generation of soybean was on 200 Gray doses. Results of the research indicated that gamma-ray irradiation on 200 Gray doses effectively caused by plant variation genetic.
Hitherto unreported Agaricus species of Central India
Authors: KARWA ALKA , RAI MAHENDRA K.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Karwa A, Rai MK. 2010. Hitherto unreported Agaricus species of Central India. Nusantara Bioscience 2: 141-145. Melghat forest region from Central India was surveyed for occurrence of medicinal and culinary mushrooms during the years 2005-2008. Out of total 153 species, ten species of Agaricus were recorded from different localities. Of these, seven species namely Agaricus bitorquis, A. subrufescens, A. augustus, A. placomyces, A. essettei, A. basioanolosus and Agaricus sp. nov (a new species) are being reported for the first time from the region. The commercial button mushroom Agaricus bisporus lacks good breeding characters due to its bisporic nature. These wild cousins of the button mushroom can definitely prove to be a good source of genetic manipulations to the existing strains and also to develop new strains with improved characters.
Multiple shoot formation in Gloriosa superba: A rare and endangered Indian medicinal plant
Authors: ADE RAVINDRA , RAI MAHENDRA
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Ade R, Rai M. 2011. Multiple shoot formation in Gloriosa superba: A rare and endangered Indian medicinal plant. Nusantara Bioscience 3: 68-72. We report in vitro growth of callus and multiple shoots and standardized the culture conditions for Gloriosa superba. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different growth media with different hormonal concentrations on callus induction and multiple shoot formation in Gloriosa superba. The results indicated that MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D 4.52 mM and BAP 13.30 mM promoted the formation of the maximum number of shoots compared to IAA, IBA and with Gamborg B5 medium supplemented with kinetin, IBA and BAP were found to be superior.
The Palestinian mammalian fauna acquired by the zoological gardens in the Gaza Strip
Authors: RABOU ABDEL FATTAH N. ABD
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Abd Rabou AFN. 2011. The Palestinian mammalian fauna acquired by the zoological gardens in the Gaza Strip. Nusantara Bioscience 3: 82-91. The Gaza Strip, which is an arid strip of the Palestinian land along the southeastern Mediterranean, harbors a considerable number of mammalian fauna due to its eco-geo-strategic position. Prior to 2006, the establishment of zoological gardens in the Gaza Strip was a sort of imagination due to Israeli constraints. These constraints were nurtured by the total Israeli destruction and demolition of the Rafah and Gaza private zoological gardens in 2004 and 2009 respectively, using heavy tanks and bulldozers. The establishment of many zoological gardens following the Israeli evacuation from the Gaza Strip in late 2005 encouraged wildlife trading. Hence, the current study comes to document the Palestinian mammalian faunistic species acquired by the zoological gardens in the Gaza Strip through frequent visits to Gaza zoological gardens and meetings with local people, wildlife hunters, and zoo owners. A total number of 17 Palestinian mammalian faunistic species belonging to 12 families and 5 orders was encountered in the zoological gardens throughout the study period. The encountered species represent a good mix of the families and sizes of mammals generally found in other parts of Palestine. Order Carnivora represents 52.94% of the caged mammals, while the orders Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Artiodactyla and Insectivora represent 47.06%. The study documented the first sight of the Greater Egyptian Gerbil Gerbillus pyramidis in the Gaza Strip. Local hunting, tunnel trade and delivery were the lonely sources of the mammals encountered in the zoological gardens. The economic deprivation under the current Israeli blockade and the poor implementation of environmental laws and legislation concerning wildlife protection have made wildlife trading as a common practice. Finally, The author recommends to improving the management process of Gaza zoological gardens under the care of the governmental authorities and the cooperation of the different parties in the Gaza Strip to enhance public ecological awareness to protect and conserve wildlife; especially mammals.
Short Communication: Variation in isozymic pattern of germplasm from three ginger (Zingiber officinale) varieties
Authors: SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI , WIRYANTO WIRYANTO , SURANTO SURANTO , BERMAWIE NURLIANI
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Setyawan AD, Wiryanto, Suranto, Bermawie N. 2014. Variation in isozymic pattern of germplasm from three of ginger (Zingiber officinale) varieties. Nusantara Bioscience 6: 86-93. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) has long been as spices, flavoring agent and raw material for herbal medicines. In Indonesia, there were three varieties based on color and size of the rhizome, i.e. gajah (big-white ginger), merah (red ginger), and emprit (small-white ginger). This research was conducted to find out: (i) isozymic pattern of three ginger varieties, and (ii) phylogenetic relationship of those three varieties. The plant materials were gathered from Wonogiri, Surakarta and Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta. Two enzyme systems, namely esterase (EST) and peroxidase (PER, PRX) were used in this study. The relationship among ginger varieties was determined by UPGMA. The result indicated that EST showed two bands (i.e. Rf 0.04 and 0.10), and PRX showed six bands (i.e. Rf 0.04, 0.05, 0.09, 0.10, 0.11, and 0.15). Peroxidase produces more numerous and more diverse isozymic bands than esterase, resulting in a more complex relationship. The data used to compile dendrogram affect the grouping; the more data used, the more obvious clustering of accessions in a population. Dendrogam generated from esterase and peroxidase banding patterns produced distinct clusters based on varieties and location.
The Keys to Governance and Stakeholder Engagement: The Southeast Michigan Beacon
Community Case Study
Authors: Des Jardins Terrisca R.
Published: July 2014

Community-based health information exchanges (HIEs) and efforts to consolidate and
house data are growing, given the advent of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) under
the Affordable Care Act and other similar population health focused initiatives. The
Southeast Michigan Beacon Community (SEMBC) can be looked to as one case study that
offers lessons learned, insights on challenges faced and accompanying workarounds
related to governance and stakeholder engagement. The SEMBC case study employs an
established Data Warehouse Governance Framework to identify and explain the necessary
governance and stakeholder engagement components, particularly as they relate to
community-wide data sharing and data warehouses or repositories. Perhaps the biggest
lesson learned through the SEMBC experience is that community-based work is hard. It
requires a great deal of community leadership, collaboration and resources. SEMBC found
that organizational structure and guiding principles needed to be continually revisited
and nurtured in order to build the relationships and trust needed among stakeholder
organizations. SEMBC also found that risks and risk mitigation tactics presented
challenges and opportunities at the outset and through the duration of the three year
pilot period. Other communities across the country embarking on similar efforts need to
consider realistic expectations about community data sharing infrastructures and the
accompanying and necessary governance and stakeholder engagement fundamentals.
The Sephardic Past in the Digital Future
Authors: Hamilton Michelle M.
Published: July 2014

This study imagines a Sephardic archive not as a physical site that houses the artifacts, texts, and history of a nation-state or Empire, but one that allows us to access those objects (or exposes their absence) and to bring artifacts from different official archives into dialogue in a different, virtual space, thus creating an additional, but not exclusionary, epistemic home, namely that of Sephardic studies. In it the author explores the potential advantages and practical limitations, as well as existing models of transnational resources—such as the Friedberg Genizah Project and the Institute of Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts, as well as del Barco and Vegas Montaner’s project of cataloguing the Hebrew manuscripts in Spanish libraries—that could be considered when thinking of what form a Sephardic archive could take. This study also explores how issues of language and identity fare when translated into the metadata used to make digitized information available.
A Brief History of the Llull DB and Its Derivatives
Authors: Bonner Anthony , Soler Albert , Badia Lola
Published: July 2014

This article explains how the Llull DB , a database devoted to Ramon Llull’s original works, apocryphal corpus, historical reception, and modern scholarship, was conceived and developed. In addition to addressing specific issues involved in the design of a database with a focus on the medieval author of a multilingual corpus that enjoyed a wide reception, this essay also shows how the Llull DB has provided the original template for a series of interconnected databases related to medieval Catalonia, and tackles the challenges posed by the need for an interoperative environment for all of them.
Foreign Encounters and Informal Diplomacy in Early Modern Japan
Authors: Howell David L.
Published: July 2014

The apparent inevitability of Tokugawa Japan’s opening to the West in 1854 has naturalized the story of how a series of overtures from the late eighteenth century onward culminated in Commodore Matthew Perry’s successful mission. This essay proposes to disrupt that teleology through an examination of the differing responses of officials and commoners to a minor incident in 1824, which brought English whalers into contact with ordinary Japanese. The analysis places the incident both within domestic foreign policy debates and in a Pacific World that existed beyond the reach of any state.
Practicing Kokugo : Teachers in Hokkaido and Okinawa Classrooms, 1895–1904
Authors: Hansen Annette Skovsted
Published: July 2014

Professionally trained teachers shifted an ideological debate to a discussion of how to increase their students’ potential to navigate within new power structures of the Japanese nation and empire. While other scholars have described how many teachers opposed the idea of kokugo not least on the periphery of nation and empire, this essay analyzes concrete recommendations made by classroom teachers. I argue that teachers trained at the new normal schools authored articles for journals of the Teikoku Kyōiku Kai (Imperial Education Society) that fundamentally changed the central discourse on kokugo by introducing theoretical and pedagogical considerations tested and inspired by classroom experiences.
The Maidan and Beyond: The Russia Factor
Authors: Shevtsova Lilia
Published: July 2014

Abstract: The Ukrainian events of late 2013 and the first half of 2014 reflect the flowing together of several different crises. The first is the crisis of the post-Soviet political model; the second is the crisis of soft authoritarian rule in Russia; and the third is the normative crisis that besets the liberal democracies and their policies. In addition, these events have not only revealed liberal civilization’s failure to defend Ukrainians’ “choice for Europe,” but have also laid bare that civilization’s inability to stand in the way of attempts to undermine the existing world order.