bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Attitude Functions and Self-Monitoring in Predicting Intentions to Register as Organ Donors and to Discuss Organ Donation With Family
Authors: Wang Xiao
Published: October 2011

This project investigates the mechanism underlying one’s intentions to register as organ donors and to engage in family discussion about organ donation. Based on survey data collected from 306 undergraduate students, results reveal that for the donor registration model, respondents’ utilitarian and value-expressive functions predicted intentions to register, regardless of their self-monitoring tendency. For intentions to discuss organ donation with family, self-monitoring was a significant moderator such that for low self-monitors (vs. high), the utilitarian function was a more important predictor of intentions, whereas for high self-monitors (vs. low), the value-expressive attitudes were more important. The ego-defensive function was negatively associated with intentions to register but was positively associated with intentions to discuss organ donation. Both theoretical and practical implications of the findings are provided.
Meta-Analytic Review of Employee Turnover as a Predictor of Firm Performance
Authors: Hancock Julie I. , Allen David G. , Bosco Frank A. , McDaniel Karen R. , Pierce Charles A.
Published: October 2011

Previous research has primarily revealed a negative relationship between collective employee turnover and organizational performance. However, this research also suggests underlying complexity in the relationship. To clarify the nature of this relationship, the authors conduct a meta-analytic review in which they test and provide support for a portion of Hausknecht and Trevor’s model of collective turnover. The authors’ meta-analysis includes 48 independent samples reporting 157 effect size estimates ( N = 24,943), tests six hypothesized moderator variables, and provides path analyses to test alternative conceptualizations of the turnover–organizational performance relationship. Results indicate that the mean corrected correlation between turnover and organizational performance is −.03, but this relationship is moderated by several important variables. For example, the relationship is stronger in manufacturing and transportation industries (−.07), for managerial employees (−.08), in midsize organizations (−.07), in samples from labor market economies (−.05), and when organizational performance is operationalized in terms of customer service (−.10) or quality and safety (−.12) metrics. In addition, proximal performance outcomes mediate relationships with financial performance. The authors discuss implications of their results for theory and practice and provide directions for future research.
TOEFL iBT speaking test scores as indicators of oral communicative language proficiency
Authors: Bridgeman Brent , Powers Donald , Stone Elizabeth , Mollaun Pamela
Published: October 2011

Scores assigned by trained raters and by an automated scoring system (SpeechRaterTM) on the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT™ were validated against a communicative competence criterion. Specifically, a sample of 555 undergraduate students listened to speech samples from 184 examinees who took the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Oral communicative effectiveness was evaluated both by rating scales and by the ability of the undergraduate raters to answer multiple-choice questions that could be answered only if the spoken response was understood. Correlations of these communicative competence indicators from the undergraduate raters with speech scores were substantially higher for the scores provided by the professional TOEFL iBT raters than for the scores provided by SpeechRater. Results suggested that both expert raters and SpeechRater are evaluating aspects of communicative competence, but that SpeechRater fails to measure aspects of the construct that human raters can evaluate.
Factor structure of the revised TOEIC® test: A multiple-sample analysis
Authors: In’nami Yo , Koizumi Rie
Published: October 2011

This study examined the factor structure of the listening and reading sections of the revised Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC®) test. The data from the TOEIC IP (institutional program) test taken by 569 English learners were randomly split into two samples ( n = 285 vs. 284). Four models (higher-order, correlated, uncorrelated, and unitary) were hypothesized on the basis of the literature and were tested with each sample. The results from confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the correlated model fit the data best in both samples. Further, multiple-sample analysis using the two samples supported an invariance of factor loadings, measurement error variances, factor variances, and factor covariances for the correlated model in the revised TOEIC test. The presence of distinctive factors of listening and reading skills supports the reporting of separate scores for each skill, whereas the relatively high correlation between the two factors may support single score reporting. This is in accordance with the formats used to report revised TOEIC test scores. The results of the current study provide empirical support for the reporting practice of the revised TOEIC test and thus for test interpretation based on the test scores.
Note-taking quality and performance on an L2 academic listening test
Authors: Song Min-Young
Published: October 2011

This study investigated the relationships among the quality of L2 test takers’ notes evaluated in terms of different levels of information and test takers’ performance on open-ended listening tasks tapping into different comprehension subskills. In addition, this study examined the invariance of the structural relationships among the variables across two different note-taking formats, that is, a blank format and an outline format, by employing a multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The results indicated that note quality measures, in particular the number of topical ideas found in the notes and the organization of these notes, may be good indicators of test takers’ second language academic listening proficiency. It was also found that despite the invariance of structural relationships among variables across the two note-taking formats, the associations between the open-ended listening measures and note quality measures were slightly stronger in the outline format than in the blank format. The implications of these results for L2 academic listening assessment are considered.
Long-term use of the CentriMag® Ventricular Assist System as a right ventricular assist device: a case report
Authors: Griffith KE , Jenkins E , Stulak J , Paugh T , Pagani FD
Published: October 2011

Right ventricular failure (RVF) following implantation of a left ventricular assist system (LVAS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. 1 - 4 Numerous centers have reported short-term use of the CentriMag® Ventricular Assist System (CVAS) (Levitronix LLC, Waltham, MA) for treatment of cardiogenic shock, decompensated heart failure and right ventricular failure (RVF) following LVAS implantation. 5 - 9 The present report reviews the clinical course of a patient requiring long-term right ventricular support utilizing the CVAS, following a HeartMate® II LVAS (Thoratec Corp. Pleasanton, CA) implantation. Elevated cytotoxic antibody levels complicated the patient’s treatment plan by precluding orthotropic heart transplantation. The CVAS operated for 304 days without mechanical difficulty until replaced with the HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System (HeartWare Inc. Miramar, FL).
Network political ecology
Authors: Birkenholtz Trevor
Published: October 2011

This paper argues for the development of ‘network political ecology’, drawing on the insights from regional political ecology and recent advancements in network theories of scale, to meet the challenges of investigating the meso-scale problem of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. ‘Network political ecology’, attentive to scale as socio-ecologically produced and grounded in a regional resource use system, is one such approach that fills this gap in middle-range theory necessary to understand the complex processes through which vulnerability manifests and adaptive capacity is produced. This method is exemplified through the case of groundwater-dependent irrigating farmers in Rajasthan, India.
Chelation of aluminum by combining deferasirox and deferiprone in rats
Authors: Saljooghi Amir Shokooh
Published: October 2011

The hypothesis that two known chelators deferasirox and deferiprone (L1) might be more efficient as combined treatment than as single therapies in removing aluminum from the body was tested in a new acute rat model. Seven-week-old male Wistar rats received chelators: deferasirox (orally [p.o.]), L1 (p.o.) or deferasirox + L1 as 100 or 200 mg/kg dose half an hour after a single intraperitoneal administration of 6 mg Al/kg body weight in the form of chloride. Serum aluminum concentration, urinary aluminum and iron excretions were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Both chelators were effective only at the higher dose level. While deferasirox was more effective than L1 in enhancing urinary aluminum excretion, L1 was more effective than deferasirox in enhancing urinary iron excretion. In the combined treatment group, deferasirox did not increase the L1 effect on aluminum and L1 did not increase the effect of deferasirox on iron elimination. Our results support the usefulness of this animal model for preliminary in vivo testing of aluminum chelators. Urinary values were more useful due to the high variability of serum results.
Numerical modelling of the effective thermal conductivity of heterogeneous materials
Authors: Chikhi Mourad , Agoudjil Boudjemaa , Haddadi Manel , Boudenne Abderrahim
Published: October 2011

The effective thermal conductivity of several series of polymer composite materials constituting two polymeric matrixes: ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) filled with micrometric particles of barium titanate (BaTiO3) and polypropylene (PP) filled with copper (Cu) particles were investigated. The finite-element software COMSOL 3.5a was used to model the thermal heat transport for an elementary cell in order to estimate the effective thermal conductivity of the composites. The effect of the filler concentrations and the nature of the particles on the effective thermal conductivity were also numerically investigated. The present work compares the numerically calculated and the measured thermal conductivities for various samples.
Spiritual Expressions of African Americans and Whites in Cancer Pain
Authors: Buck Harleah G. , Meghani Salimah H.
Published: October 2011

Background: Spiritual practices are one way that individuals cope with cancer pain. Purpose: Describe and contrast expressions and values about the use of spirituality for pain in African American (AA) and White (WH) oncology patients. Methods: Six groups (3 AA; 3 WH; n=42; mean age 58) were conducted. Focus group and qualitative methodology with a cultural interpretive lens was utilized. The Model of Integrated Spirituality provided the conceptual framework for understanding the narratives. Findings: AAs and WHs did not differ on demographics, pain status, or integrative therapies. Three spirituality themes emerged: 1) pain and distress as antecedents to the use of spirituality; 2) active and existential attributes of the use of spirituality; and 3) mobilization of internal and external resources as outcomes. There were commonalities between AAs and WHs but greater frequency of certain subthemes and keywords in AAs. Conclusions: Future studies should examine whether differences in overt expressions translate into different types and levels of spiritual usage. Implications for Practice: Clinicians should recognizing similar as well as different uses and descriptions of spirituality between African Americans and Whites.
Unaccompanied Hospitalized Children
Authors: Roberts Cristine A. , Messmer Patricia R.
Published: October 2011

Purpose: To explore the experiences and feelings of pediatric nurses who care for hospitalized children that are unaccompanied by their parents. Design and Methods: This phenomenological study consisted of interviews with 12 pediatric nurses. Verbatim transcriptions were reviewed with participants and analyzed. Findings: Pediatric nurses viewed the circumstances of unaccompanied hospitalized children through the perspective of their own life-worlds. They used both cognitive and emotional constructs to describe the phenomenon. Nurses’ perceptions were affected by day-to-day contingencies of their life worlds which come through the four dimensions of space, mind/body, time, and relationships. These perceptions affected their assessment of parents’ situated contexts. Nurses’ assessments could lead to negative judgments of parents because they worried about ill effects on the unaccompanied children. Meanwhile,nurses often perceived that parents demonstrated trust when they relegated their child’s care to them. Conclusions: Pediatric nurses dealt with increased emotional work while remaining compassionate with their patients. Nurses indicated that they needed to understand their own life-worlds andthatparents’ day-to-day contingenciesmay affect parents’ ability to remain with their hospitalized children. Participants were aware of judgmental attitudes which could interfere with the development of therapeutic relationships with parents, and therefore, with hospitalized children.
Climate and glacier fluctuations at Jostedalsbreen and Folgefonna, southwestern Norway and in the western Alps from the ‘Little Ice Age’ until the present: The influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Imhof Patrizia , Nesje Atle , Nussbaumer Samuel U.
Published: October 2011

Glacier length, though an indirect and delayed signal of climate conditions, can be used to determine the relationship between climate and glacier response. This study discusses glacier length change of eight outlet glaciers of Jostedalsbreen and Folgefonna (southern Norway), from the ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA) until the present. A climate index was calculated from meteorological data from Bergen to determine the specific frontal time lags of the individual glaciers. Short and steep outlet glaciers, such as Briksdalsbreen, react rapidly to changes in climatic conditions, whereas long and gently descending glaciers, such as Nigardsbreen, need longer time to adjust to changes in temperature and/or precipitation. The time lag of Briksdalsbreen was about twice as long during the LIA as today. The correlations between North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and climate conditions and glacier fluctuations in Norway and the European western Alps were analysed. As the influence of the NAO on glacier fluctuations is most pronounced during winter, only the winter NAO index was considered. Fluctuations of maritime Norwegian glaciers are highly correlated with the NAO, whereas variations of more continental glaciers in the European western Alps are only partly influenced by the NAO and tend to be anti-correlated. However, the (anti-)correlation with the NAO is not constant during the record, and significantly weaker or even inversed during some periods. A comparison of the LIA glacier fluctuations in southern Norway and the European western Alps suggests that the asynchronous LIA maxima in the two regions may partly be attributed to multidecadal trends in the NAO.
Mid- and late-Holocene sedimentary process and palaeovegetation changes near the mouth of the Amazon River
Authors: Guimarães José Tasso Felix , Cohen Marcelo Cancela Lisboa , Pessenda Luiz Carlos Ruiz , França Marlon Carlos , Smith Clarisse Beltrão , Nogueira Afonso César Rodrigues
Published: October 2011

The integration of sedimentary facies, pollen, spores, carbon and nitrogen isotopes records, C/N ratio and radiocarbon dates allowed the identification of changes in vegetation and the sources of organic matter accumulated on tidal flats near the mouth of the Amazon River during the mid and late Holocene. Data from the margin of Amazon River indicate marine influence related to mangrove presence over a tidal mud flat between 5560–5470 cal. yr BP and 5290–5150 cal. yr BP. Afterward, the mangrove area shrank following the return of more humid conditions and increase of Amazon River discharge. A common reworking process of the tidal flat through the lateral migration of a meandering creek occurred in the study site, with later development of transitional vegetation under freshwater influence. Following the natural vegetation succession under stable climate and hydrological conditions, the expansion of ‘várzea’ (flooded freshwater vegetation) forests occurred since 600–560 cal. yr BP until the present. Furthermore, regarding the tidal flats located west of the mouth of Amazon River, these stable conditions also allowed the mangrove maintenance over mudflats with deposition of marine organic matter during at least the last 2350–2300 cal. yr BP.
Tools for Creating Accessible, Tiered, and Multilingual Web-Based Curricula
Authors: Edyburn Dave L. , Edyburn Keith D.
Published: October 2011

Although inclusion has provided access to the general education classroom for students with disabilities, there are significant questions about whether these students have gained full access to the curriculum. To design curricula for diverse learners, designers must have a clear picture of the obstacles and barriers that some students encounter. This article describes a design process that was used to create a web-based tool that allows teachers to created tiered web-based curricula for their classroom without any programming knowledge. The goal is to allow educators to quickly and easily develop digital instructional materials that are simultaneously accessible, flexible, and engaging for diverse learners such that supports are embedded into the curriculum for all students to use as needed. This article describes the steps, and missteps, along an instructional design journey.
International School Children’s Health Needs
Authors: Hansson Annika , Clausson Eva , Janlöv Ann-Christin
Published: October 2011

Rapid globalization and the integration of national economies have contributed to the sharp rise in enrollment in international schools. How does this global nomadism affect international school children and their individual health needs? This study attempts to find an answer by interviewing 10 school nurses, with varying degrees of experience in international schools in Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland. Through qualitative semistructured interviews, the school nurses described that the international school children expressed common health needs similar to the ones faced by children in other school settings. However, children in the international schools expressed additional context-specific health needs related to their transient lifestyle, such as language and cultural difficulties, emotional distress, vulnerability, homesickness, alienation, and increased physical health needs related to their expatriate lifestyle. These factors often present a challenge for the school nurse whose profession is to interpret the child’s health needs, which may be obscured by cultural diversity.
Improving implicit and explicit intergroup attitudes using imagined contact: An experimental intervention with elementary school children
Authors: Vezzali Loris , Capozza Dora , Giovannini Dino , Stathi Sofia
Published: October 2011

The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of imagined intergroup contact ( Crisp & Turner, 2009 ) on elementary school children’s explicit and implicit intergroup attitudes. Italian 5th-graders participated in a 3-week intervention involving imagining meeting an unknown immigrant peer in various situations. Approximately 1 week after the last session, they completed measures of self-disclosure and behavioral intentions toward immigrants. Furthermore, they were administered a measure of implicit prejudice. Results showed that those taking part in the intervention, compared to participants in a control condition, revealed more positive behavioral intentions and implicit attitudes toward immigrants. Moreover, self-disclosure mediated the effect of imagined contact on outgroup behavioral intentions. Theoretical and practical implications of findings are discussed.
Are reporters replaceable? Literary authors produce a daily newspaper
Authors: Reich Zvi , Lahav Hagar
Published: October 2011

One of the questions dominating discourse on the changing face of the news industry and the future of journalism concerns the extent to which professional news reporters may be replaced by a series of new human and technological agents, such as bloggers, citizen journalists, user-generated content, offshore reporters and news-story composing algorithms. This article addresses a ‘quasi-experimental’ case study in which a group of international and Israeli book authors reported the news for two special issues of an elite Israeli daily, replacing the regular reporting staff. It maps authors’ weaknesses as news gatherers, describes the means the newspaper employed to mitigate these weaknesses and stipulates the challenges the paper faced nonetheless. Findings suggest that professional reporters remain largely irreplaceable, although for less predictable and less ‘heroic’ assignments.
The Architecture Machine Group’s Aspen Movie Map
Authors: Anable Aubrey
Published: October 2011

This article considers Aspen Movie Map ( AMM), its visual and textual records, and the sociohistorical context in which the Architecture Machine Group (ArcMac) created them. Rather than focusing on the well-known military provenance of AMM, this article shifts attention to how the work expresses politically specific ideas about the importance of the individual in human–computer interaction and how ArcMac formulated these ideas in response to the discourses of urban crisis and techno-paranoia circulating during the 1970s. The city in crisis provided a convenient metaphor for the staging of ideas about how human–computer interaction could dramatically extend the power of individuals to create and govern their own worlds without the assistance of any intervening social institution or government body.
A Novel Design of an Embedded Optical Device System for Laser Gun Use
Authors: Srinuanjan Kerrayoot , Kamoldilok Surachat , Tasakorn Metha , Yupapin Preecha P
Published: October 2011

We propose a novel design for high-power laser source generation using a Gaussian pulse propagating within an embedded optical device system. The system consists of a non-linear microring resonator and an add-drop filter. In principle, a Gaussian laser pulse with a specified center wavelength ranging from 0.40 to 1.50 µm is fed into the designed system. By using suitable ring parameters, the required output at the specific center wavelength and power can be obtained by controlling the coupling coefficients of the add-drop filter. The power outputs for different center wavelengths were generated, for instance, 0.8, 1.3, 1.5 µm, which can be used to form suitable operating wavelengths for various applications, such as laser guns, swords and medical tools’.
Indacaterol in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an update for clinicians
Authors: Yorgancioglu Arzu
Published: October 2011

Bronchodilation is the cornerstone of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management and is based on regular treatment with one or more long-acting β2 agonists (LABAs). A novel bronchodilator, indacaterol, satisfies the requirements of an efficacious LABA: it has a relatively longer duration of action compared with existing LABAs and a fast onset of action. This review is a presentation of data on indacaterol with respect to its molecular characteristics as well as comparisons with other long-acting bronchodilators. Data from 12 relevant trials show that once-daily indacaterol provides significant, consistent and clinically important improvements in lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), significant improvements in breathlessness and health status at least as good as or better than tiotropium, salmeterol and formoterol, and reduction in requirement for relief medication compared with tiotropium, salmeterol and formoterol.
SSRI-induced coagulopathy: is it reality?
Authors: Siddiqui Riyaz , Gawande Sushil , Shende Tanaji , Tadke Rahul , Bhave Sudhir , Kirpekar Vivek
Published: October 2011

Objectives: To study the effect of escitalopram and fluoxetine on coagulation profile in patients with major depression.

Method: This was a prospective, open-label, single-centre study in 40 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The patients were diagnosed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria. Twenty patients receiving escitalopram 10 mg per day and 20 patients receiving fluoxetine 20 mg per day participated in the study and were followed up for 3 months. Coagulation parameters – bleeding time, clotting time, platelet count, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin kaolin time – were evaluated at baseline and after 3 months.

Results: At the end of 3 months, a significant increase in bleeding time was seen in patients receiving fluoxetine, but within the normal range. No rise was seen in the group given escitalopram.

Conclusion: In patients with depression, fluoxetine increases bleeding time whereas escitalopram has no effect on coagulation profile. However, both the drugs can be used safely for long-term treatment.
Early and late effects of the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin in a rat model of post-myocardial infarction heart failure
Authors: Yin Meimei , Silljé Herman HW , Meissner Maxi , van Gilst Wiek H , de Boer Rudolf A
Published: October 2011

Background

Progressive remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Recently, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 was shown to have cardioprotective effects, but treatment with GLP-1 is limited by its short half-life. It is rapidly degraded by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), an enzyme which inhibits GLP-1 activity. We hypothesized that the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin will increase levels of GLP-1 and may exert protective effects on cardiac function after MI.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were either subjected to coronary ligation to induce MI and left ventricular (LV) remodeling, or sham operation. Parts of the rats with an MI were pre-treated for 2 days with the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin (MI-Vildagliptin immediate, MI-VI, 15 mg/kg/day). The remainder of the rats was, three weeks after coronary artery ligation, subjected to treatment with DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin (MI-Vildagliptin Late, MI-VL) or control (MI). At 12 weeks, echocardiography and invasive hemodynamics were measured and molecular analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed.

Results

Vildagliptin inhibited the DPP-4 enzymatic activity by almost 70% and increased active GLP-1 levels by about 3-fold in plasma in both treated groups (p < 0.05 vs. non-treated groups). Cardiac function (ejection fraction) was decreased in all 3 MI groups compared with Sham group (p < 0.05); treatment with vildagliptin, either early or late, did not reverse cardiac remodeling. ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) and BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) mRNA levels were significantly increased in all 3 MI groups, but no significant reductions were observed in both vildagliptin groups. Vildagliptin also did not change cardiomyocyte size or capillary density after MI. No effects were detected on glucose level and body weight in the post-MI remodeling model.

Conclusion

Vildagliptin increases the active GLP-1 level via inhibition of DPP-4, but it has no substantial protective effects on cardiac function in this well established long-term post-MI cardiac remodeling model.
Quantification of compensatory processes of postnatal hypoxia in newborn piglets applying short-term nonlinear dynamics analysis
Authors: Schulz Steffen , Reulecke Sina , Eiselt Michael , Schwab Karin , Witte Herbert , Walter Bernd , Bauer Reinhard , Voss Andreas
Published: October 2011

Background

Newborn mammals suffering from moderate hypoxia during or after birth are able to compensate a transitory lack of oxygen by adapting their vital functions. Exposure to hypoxia leads to an increase in the sympathetic tone causing cardio-respiratory response, peripheral vasoconstriction and vasodilatation in privileged organs like the heart and brain. However, there is only limited information available about the time and intensity changes of the underlying complex processes controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

Methods

In this study an animal model involving seven piglets was used to examine an induced state of circulatory redistribution caused by moderate oxygen deficit. In addition to the main focus on the complex dynamics occurring during sustained normocapnic hypoxia, the development of autonomic regulation after induced reoxygenation had been analysed. For this purpose, we first introduced a new algorithm to prove stationary conditions in short-term time series. Then we investigated a multitude of indices from heart rate and blood pressure variability and from bivariate interactions, also analysing respiration signals, to quantify the complexity of vegetative oscillations influenced by hypoxia.

Results

The results demonstrated that normocapnic hypoxia causes an initial increase in cardiovascular complexity and variability, which decreases during moderate hypoxia lasting one hour (p < 0.004). After reoxygenation, cardiovascular complexity parameters returned to pre-hypoxic values (p < 0.003), however not respiratory-related complexity parameters.

Conclusions

In conclusion, indices from linear and nonlinear dynamics reflect considerable temporal changes of complexity in autonomous cardio-respiratory regulation due to normocapnic hypoxia shortly after birth. These findings might be suitable for non-invasive clinical monitoring of hypoxia-induced changes of autonomic regulation in newborn humans.
Identification of the estrogen receptor GPER in neoplastic and non-neoplastic human testes
Authors: Rago Vittoria , Romeo Francesco , Giordano Francesca , Maggiolini Marcello , Carpino Amalia
Published: October 2011

Background

Estrogen signaling is mediated by estrogen receptor beta isoforms in normal and neoplastic human testes. Recently, a G-protein-coupled-receptor (GPER) has been suggested as being involved in rapid responses to estrogens in different normal and tumor cells.

Methods

This study investigated the GPER expression in paraffin-embedded samples from non neoplastic and neoplastic human testes (sex-cord stromal and germ cell tumors) by immunohistochemical and Western Blot analyses.

Results

In control testes, a positive GPER immunoreactivity was detected in Leydig and in Sertoli cells while all germ cells were immunonegative. Furthermore, neoplastic cells of the Sertoli cell tumor, Leydig cell tumor, seminoma and embryonal carcinoma samples were all immunopositive. The immunoblots of testis extracts confirmed the results.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that GPER could mediate estrogen signaling in both normal and transformed somatic cells of human testis, but they reveal a differential expression of the novel estrogen receptor in non neoplastic and neoplastic germ cells.
Research advances on flotillins
Authors: Zhao Feng , Zhang Jie , Liu Yong-Sheng , Li Li , He Ya-Li
Published: October 2011

The proteins of flotillin-1 and flotillin-2 were originally discovered in axon regeneration of goldfish retinal ganglion cells. They are generally used as marker proteins of lipid rafts and considered to be scaffolding proteins of lipid microdomains. Although they are ubiquitously expressed and well-conserved from fly to man, their exact functions remain controversial. In this review, we summarize the structure of flotillins and some functions of them, such as regulating axon regeneration, endocytosis, T cell activation, insulin signaling, membrane protein recruitment, roles in the progression of some diseases and so on.
Autophagy Impairment in a Mouse Model of Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Berliocchi Laura , Russo Rossella , Maiarù Maria , Levato Alessandra , Bagetta Giacinto , Corasaniti Maria Tiziana
Published: October 2011

Autophagy is an intracellular membrane trafficking pathway controlling the delivery of cytoplasmic material to the lysosomes for degradation. It plays an important role in cell homeostasis in both normal settings and abnormal, stressful conditions. It is now recognised that an imbalance in the autophagic process can impact basal cell functions and this has recently been implicated in several human diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer.

Here, we investigated the consequences of nerve injury on the autophagic process in a commonly used model of neuropathic pain. The expression and modulation of the main autophagic marker, the microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), was evaluated in the L4-L5 cord segment seven days after spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Levels of LC3-II, the autophagosome-associated LC3 form, were markedly higher in the spinal cord ipsilateral to the ligation side, appeared to correlate with the upregulation of the calcium channel subunit α2δ-1 and were not present in mice that underwent sham surgery. However, LC3-I and Beclin 1 expression were only slightly increased. On the contrary, SNL promoted the accumulation of the ubiquitin- and LC3-binding protein p62, which inversely correlates with autophagic activity, thus pointing to a block of autophagosome turnover.

Our data showed for the first time that basal autophagy is disrupted in a model of neuropathic pain.
Total error shift patterns for daily CT on rails image-guided radiotherapy to the prostate bed
Authors: Cavalieri Ronaldo , Gay Hiram A , Liu Jingxia , Ferreira Maria C , Mota Helvecio C , Sibata Claudio H , Allison Ron R
Published: October 2011

Background

To evaluate the daily total error shift patterns on post-prostatectomy patients undergoing image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) with a diagnostic quality computer tomography (CT) on rails system.

Methods

A total of 17 consecutive post-prostatectomy patients receiving adjuvant or salvage IMRT using CT-on-rails IGRT were analyzed. The prostate bed's daily total error shifts were evaluated for a total of 661 CT scans.

Results

In the right-left, cranial-caudal, and posterior-anterior directions, 11.5%, 9.2%, and 6.5% of the 661 scans required no position adjustments; 75.3%, 66.1%, and 56.8% required a shift of 1 - 5 mm; 11.5%, 20.9%, and 31.2% required a shift of 6 - 10 mm; and 1.7%, 3.8%, and 5.5% required a shift of more than 10 mm, respectively. There was evidence of correlation between the x and y, x and z, and y and z axes in 3, 3, and 3 of 17 patients, respectively. Univariate (ANOVA) analysis showed that the total error pattern was random in the x, y, and z axis for 10, 5, and 2 of 17 patients, respectively, and systematic for the rest. Multivariate (MANOVA) analysis showed that the (x,y), (x,z), (y,z), and (x, y, z) total error pattern was random in 5, 1, 1, and 1 of 17 patients, respectively, and systematic for the rest.

Conclusions

The overall daily total error shift pattern for these 17 patients simulated with an empty bladder, and treated with CT on rails IGRT was predominantly systematic. Despite this, the temporal vector trends showed complex behaviors and unpredictable changes in magnitude and direction. These findings highlight the importance of using daily IGRT in post-prostatectomy patients.
DENSE: efficient and prior knowledge-driven discovery of phenotype-associated protein functional modules
Authors: Hendrix Willam , Rocha Andrea M , Padmanabhan Kanchana , Choudhary Alok , Scott Kathleen , Mihelcic James R , Samatova Nagiza F
Published: October 2011

Background

Identifying cellular subsystems that are involved in the expression of a target phenotype has been a very active research area for the past several years. In this paper,cellular subsystemrefers to a group of genes (or proteins) that interact and carry out a common function in the cell. Most studies identify genes associated with a phenotype on the basis of some statistical bias, others have extended these statistical methods to analyze functional modules and biological pathways for phenotype-relatedness. However, a biologist might often have a specific question in mind while performing such analysis and most of the resulting subsystems obtained by the existing methods might be largely irrelevant to the question in hand. Arguably, it would be valuable to incorporate biologist's knowledge about the phenotype into the algorithm. This way, it is anticipated that the resulting subsytems would not only be related to the target phenotype but also contain information that the biologist is likely to be interested in.

Results

In this paper we introduce a fast and theoretically guranteed method calledDENSE(Dense and ENriched Subgraph Enumeration) that can take in as input a biologist'spriorknowledge as a set of query proteins and identify all the dense functional modules in a biological network that contain some part of the query vertices. The density (in terms of the number of network egdes) and the enrichment (the number of query proteins in the resulting functional module) can be manipulated via two parameters γ andμ, respectively.

Conclusion

This algorithm has been applied to the protein functional association network ofClostridium acetobutylicumATCC 824, a hydrogen producing, acid-tolerant organism. The algorithm was able to verify relationships known to exist in literature and also some previously unknown relationships including those with regulatory and signaling functions. Additionally, we were also able to hypothesize that some uncharacterized proteins are likely associated with the target phenotype. The DENSE code can be downloaded fromhttp://www.freescience.org/cs/DENSE/
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification: rapid detection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in Pomacea canaliculata
Authors: Chen Rui , Tong QunBo , Zhang Yi , Lou Di , Kong QingMing , Lv Shan , Zhuo MingMing , Wen LiYong , Lu ShaoHong
Published: October 2011

Background

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a zoonotic parasite that causes eosinophilic meningitis in humans. The most common source of infection with A. cantonensis is the consumption of raw or undercooked mollusks (e.g., snails and slugs) harbouring infectious third-stage larvae (L3). However, the parasite is difficult to identify in snails. The purpose of this study was to develop a quick, simple molecular method to survey for A. cantonensis in intermediate host snails.

Findings

We used a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, which was performed using Bst DNA polymerase. Reactions amplified the A. cantonensis 18S rRNA gene and demonstrated high sensitivity; as little as 1 fg of DNA was detected in the samples. Furthermore, no cross-reactivity was found with other parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium falciparum, Schistosoma japonicum, Clonorchis sinensis, Paragonimus westermani and Anisakis. Pomacea canaliculata snails were exposed to A. cantonensis first-stage larvae (L1) in the laboratory, and L3 were observed in the snails thirty-five days after infection. All nine samples were positive as determined by the LAMP assay for A. cantonensis, which was identified as positive by using PCR and microscopy, this demonstrates that LAMP is sensitive and effective for diagnosis.

Conclusions

LAMP is an appropriate diagnostic method for the routine identification of A. cantonensis within its intermediate host snail P. canaliculata because of its simplicity, sensitivity, and specificity. It holds great promise as a useful monitoring tool for A. cantonensis in endemic regions.
Eight-Signature Classifier for Prediction of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survival
Authors: Wang Hai-Yun , Sun Bing-Yu , Zhu Zhi-Hua , Chang Ellen T. , To Ka-Fai , Hwang Jacqueline S.G. , Jiang Hao , Kam Michael Koon-Ming , Chen Gang , Cheah Shie-Lee , Lee Ming , Liu Zhi-Wei , Chen Jing , Zhang Jia-Xing , Zhang Hui-Zhong , He Jie-Hua , Chen Fa-Long , Zhu Xiao-Dong , Huang Ma-Yan , Liao Ding-Zhun , Fu Jia , Shao Qiong , Cai Man-Bo , Du Zi-Ming , Yan Li-Xu , Hu Chun-Fang , Ng Ho-Keung , Wee Joseph T.S. , Qian Chao-Nan , Liu Qing , Ernberg Ingemar , Ye Weimin , Adami Hans-Olov , Chan Anthony T. , Zeng Yi-Xin , Shao Jian-Yong
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Currently, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) prognosis evaluation is based primarily on the TNM staging system. This study aims to identify prognostic markers for NPC.

Patients and Methods

We detected expression of 18 biomarkers by immunohistochemistry in NPC tumors from 209 patients and evaluated the association between gene expression level and disease-specific survival (DSS). We used support vector machine (SVM) –based methods to develop a prognostic classifier for NPC (NPC-SVM classifier). Further validation of the NPC-SVM classifier was performed in an independent cohort of 1,059 patients.

Results

The NPC-SVM classifier integrated patient sex and the protein expression level of seven genes, including Epstein-Barr virus latency membrane protein 1, CD147, caveolin-1, phospho-P70S6 kinase, matrix metalloproteinase 11, survivin, and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine. The NPC-SVM classifier distinguished patients with NPC into low- and high-risk groups with significant differences in 5-year DSS in the evaluated patients (87% v 37.7%; P < .001) in the validation cohort. In multivariate analysis adjusted for age, TNM stage, and histologic subtype, the NPC-SVM classifier was an independent predictor of 5-year DSS in the evaluated patients (hazard ratio, 4.9; 95% CI, 3.0 to 7.9) in the validation cohort.

Conclusion

As a powerful predictor of 5-year DSS among patients with NPC, the newly developed NPC-SVM classifier based on tumor-associated biomarkers will facilitate patient counseling and individualize management of patients with NPC.
Evidence for Sequenced Molecular Evolution of IDH1 Mutant Glioblastoma From a Distinct Cell of Origin
Authors: Lai Albert , Kharbanda Samir , Pope Whitney B. , Tran Anh , Solis Orestes E. , Peale Franklin , Forrest William F. , Pujara Kanan , Carrillo Jose A. , Pandita Ajay , Ellingson Benjamin M. , Bowers Chauncey W. , Soriano Robert H. , Schmidt Nils O. , Mohan Sankar , Yong William H. , Seshagiri Somasekar , Modrusan Zora , Jiang Zhaoshi , Aldape Kenneth D. , Mischel Paul S. , Liau Linda M. , Escovedo Cameron J. , Chen Weidong , Nghiemphu Phioanh Leia , James C. David , Prados Michael D. , Westphal Manfred , Lamszus Katrin , Cloughesy Timothy , Phillips Heidi S.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) at R132 (IDH1R132MUT) is frequent in low-grade diffuse gliomas and, within glioblastoma (GBM), has been proposed as a marker for GBMs that arise by transformation from lower-grade gliomas, regardless of clinical history. To determine how GBMs arising with IDH1R132MUT differ from other GBMs, we undertook a comprehensive comparison of patients presenting clinically with primary GBM as a function of IDH1R132 mutation status.

Patients and Methods

In all, 618 treatment-naive primary GBMs and 235 lower-grade diffuse gliomas were sequenced for IDH1R132 and analyzed for demographic, radiographic, anatomic, histologic, genomic, epigenetic, and transcriptional characteristics.

Results

Investigation revealed a constellation of features that distinguishes IDH1R132MUT GBMs from other GBMs (including frontal location and lesser extent of contrast enhancement and necrosis), relates them to lower-grade IDH1R132MUT gliomas, and supports the concept that IDH1R132MUT gliomas arise from a neural precursor population that is spatially and temporally restricted in the brain. The observed patterns of DNA sequence, methylation, and copy number alterations support a model of ordered molecular evolution of IDH1R132MUT GBM in which the appearance of mutant IDH1 protein is an initial event, followed by production of p53 mutant protein, and finally by copy number alterations of PTEN and EGFR.

Conclusion

Although histologically similar, GBMs arising with and without IDH1R132MUT appear to represent distinct disease entities that arise from separate cell types of origin as the result of largely nonoverlapping sets of molecular events. Optimal clinical management should account for the distinction between these GBM disease subtypes.
Capecitabine Versus Classical Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, and Fluorouracil As First-Line Chemotherapy for Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Stockler Martin R. , Harvey Vernon J. , Francis Prudence A. , Byrne Michael J. , Ackland Stephen P. , Fitzharris Bernie , Van Hazel Guy , Wilcken Nicholas R.C. , Grimison Peter S. , Nowak Anna K. , Gainford M. Corona , Fong Akiko , Paksec Lisa , Sourjina Tatiana , Zannino Diana , Gebski Val , Simes R. John , Forbes John F. , Coates Alan S.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

We compared oral capecitabine, administered intermittently or continuously, versus classical cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) as first-line chemotherapy for women with advanced breast cancer unsuited to more intensive regimens.

Patients and Methods

Three hundred twenty-three eligible women were randomly assigned to capecitabine administered intermittently (1,000 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 of every 21 days; n = 107) or continuously (650 mg/m2 twice daily for 21 of every 21 days; n = 107), or to classical CMF (oral cyclophosphamide 100 mg/m2 days 1 to 14 with intravenous methotrexate 40 mg/m2 and fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 28 days; n = 109). The primary end point was quality-adjusted progression-free survival (PFS); secondary end points included PFS, overall survival (OS), objective tumor response, and adverse events. Intermittent and continuous capecitabine were to be compared first and, if similar (P > .05), combined for definitive comparisons versus CMF.

Results

Quality-adjusted PFS (P = .2), objective tumor response rate (20%; P = .8), and PFS (median, 6 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.10; P = .2) were similar in women assigned capecitabine versus CMF. OS was longer in women assigned capecitabine rather than CMF (median, 22 v 18 months; HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.94; P = .02). Febrile neutropenia, infection, stomatitis, and serious adverse events were more common with CMF; hand-foot syndrome was more common with capecitabine.

Conclusion

Capecitabine improved OS by being similarly active, less toxic, and more tolerable than CMF. Capecitabine is a good first-line chemotherapy option for women with advanced breast cancer who are unsuited to more intensive regimens.