bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Significance and causes of abnormal preoperative coagulation test results in children
Authors: SAMKOVÁ A. , BLATNÝ J. , FIAMOLI V. , DULÍČEK P. , PAŘÍZKOVÁ E.
Published: October 2011

Summary.  To prevent bleeding related to adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy, coagulation screening tests were, until recently, performed routinely in the Czech Republic for all paediatric patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate benefit of preoperative coagulation screening tests in children. We retrospectively analysed laboratory and clinical data of children referred for abnormal preoperative coagulation test results (aPTT, PT) to the outpatient haematology clinic. A total of 274 paediatric patients were retrospectively evaluated due to abnormal preoperative coagulation tests results. In 140 of 274 patients (51.1%), coagulation tests were normal on repeated testing in a specialized haematology clinic. Ten patients had decreased factor XII. Five patients had a suspected bleeding disorder which was confirmed in two of them. One patient had low levels of von Willebrand factor, and one patient had mild factor VII deficiency. Both these patients had positive personal and/or family history of bleeding. Each case history was taken individually, without use of standardized questionnaires. Bleeding complications were not observed, and coagulation factor replacement was not needed perioperatively in our cohort. The majority of abnormal findings in aPTT and PT appeared only transiently. All the bleeding disorders found in our cohort of patients were mild in nature. Our findings provide supportive evidence for the current national Czech recommendation: laboratory coagulation screening should be performed only in patients with positive family and/or personal bleeding history.
Structural and biophysical determinants of αβ T‐cell antigen recognition
Authors: Bridgeman John S. , Sewell Andrew K. , Miles John J. , Price David A. , Cole David K.
Published: October 2011

The molecular rules that govern MHC restriction, and allow T‐cells to differentiate between peptides derived from healthy cells and those from diseased cells, remain poorly understood. Here we provide an overview of the structural constraints that enable the T‐cell receptor (TCR) to discriminate between self and non‐self peptides, and summarize studies that have attempted to correlate the biophysical parameters of TCR/peptide–major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) binding with T‐cell activation. We further review how the antigenic origin of peptide epitopes affects TCR binding parameters and the ‘quality’ of a T‐cell response. Understanding the principles that govern pMHC recognition by T‐cells will unlock pathways to the rational development of immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of infectious disease, cancer and autoimmunity.
Intra‐arterial blood pressure reading in intensive care unit patients in the lateral position
Authors: Aries Marcel JH , Aslan Adnan , Elting Jan Willem J , Stewart Roy E , Zijlstra Jan G , De Keyser Jacques , Vroomen Patrick CAJ
Published: October 2011

Background.  Routine lateral turning of patients has become an accepted standard of care to prevent complications of immobility. The haemodynamic and oxygenation effects for patients in both lateral positions (45°) are still a matter of debate. We aimed to study the effect of these positions on blood pressure, heart rate and oxygenation in a general intensive care population.

Design.  Observational study.

Method.  Twenty stable intensive care unit patients had intra‐arterial blood pressure recordings in the supine and lateral positions with the correction of hydrostatic height compared with a fixed reference point (phlebostatic level). A multilevel model was used to analyse the data.

Results.  Mean arterial pressure readings in the lateral positions were, on average, 5 mmHg higher than in the supine position (p < 0·001). There were no significant differences between mean arterial pressure recordings in the left and right lateral position (p = 1·0). No important differences in oxygenation and heart rate were observed. After correction for covariates, the effects persisted.

Conclusion.  Our study demonstrated an increase, albeit small, in blood pressure in the lateral positions. No major differences between the left and right lateral position were found. No important differences in oxygenation and heart rate were observed.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Turning haemodynamically stable patients in the intensive care unit has no important effects on blood pressure measurements when continuous hydrostatic height correction is applied.
Segmentation of virus particle candidates in transmission electron microscopy images
Authors: KYLBERG G. , UPPSTRÖM M. , HEDLUND K.‐O. , BORGEFORS G. , SINTORN I.‐M.
Published: October 2011

In this paper, we present an automatic segmentation method that detects virus particles of various shapes in transmission electron microscopy images. The method is based on a statistical analysis of local neighbourhoods of all the pixels in the image followed by an object width discrimination and finally, for elongated objects, a border refinement step. It requires only one input parameter, the approximate width of the virus particles searched for. The proposed method is evaluated on a large number of viruses. It successfully segments viruses regardless of shape, from polyhedral to highly pleomorphic.
Detection of specific antibodies to HCV‐ARF/CORE+1 protein in patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin
Authors: Karamitros T. , Kakkanas A. , Katsoulidou A. , Sypsa V. , Dalagiorgou G. , Mavromara P. , Hatzakis A.
Published: October 2011

Summary.  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause for chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. The HCV‐ARF/core+1 protein is an alternative product of HCV core‐encoding sequence of unknown biological function. Highly purified HCV core and ARF/core+1 recombinant proteins from HCV genotype 1a and HCV‐ARF/core+1 recombinant protein from HCV genotype 3a were expressed in Escherichia coli. Using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, we assessed the prevalence of anti‐ARF/core+1 antibodies in 90 chronic hepatitis C patients infected with HCV genotypes 1a/1b or 3a, treated with pegylated interferon (Peg‐IFN‐a‐2a) plus ribavirin. Samples derived from 92 healthy blood donors were used as negative controls. All HCV‐RNA‐positive serum samples reacted with core 1a antigen, while 15 (37.5%) of 40 and 14 (28%) of 50 patients infected with HCV‐1a/1b and HCV‐3a, respectively, were found to have anti‐ARF/core+1 antibodies into their serum before treatment initiation. These antibodies were persistently present during treatment follow‐up and linked to elevated levels of HCV‐RNA at baseline.
Intraspecific variation in host susceptibility and climatic factors mediate epidemics of sudden oak death in western US forests
Authors: Hüberli D. , Hayden K. J. , Calver M. , Garbelotto M.
Published: October 2011

Umbellularia californica is one of the key infectious hosts of the exotic Phytophthora ramorum, which causes sudden oak death (SOD) in California and Oregon forests. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiologically relevant parameters for SOD in California and southern Oregon, including potential differences between the two states. Experimental infection of U. californica leaves was optimal when leaves were wet for 6–12 h, temperature was approximately 19°C and pathogen concentration was approximately 2·7 × 104 zoospores mL−1. Seasonal variation in host susceptibility and disease incidence was examined for two populations by inoculating detached leaves at 12 dates and by monitoring naturally infected leaves, respectively. Susceptibility of U. californica and disease incidence varied significantly in time and the variation was highest for both in spring. Susceptibility of trees from 17 natural populations from California and southern Oregon was assessed in detached leaf inoculations. One California and three southern Oregon populations had significantly and repeatable lower average susceptibility in artificial inoculations, but differences among three selected California and Oregon populations were not significant in inoculations of seedlings grown from seed in a common garden. This study concludes that U. californica susceptibility has a large environmental component, yet still predicts potential disease severity in different sites especially where infestations are young or the pathogen has not yet arrived. The accuracy and utility of predictive risk models for P. ramorum will be enhanced by the inclusion of both the environmental and host susceptibility components.
Resistance to Wheat streak mosaic virus– a survey of resources and development of molecular markers
Authors: Fahim M. , Mechanicos A. , Ayala‐Navarrete L. , Haber S. , Larkin P. J.
Published: October 2011

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) has been newly documented in Australia. The vulnerability of contemporary Australian elite wheat germplasm prompted a survey for effective resistance against an Australian isolate, WSMV‐ACT. This study confirms the effectiveness of previously reported sources of resistance and shows that new sources of resistance also confer protection. The resistance derived from Thinopyrum intermedium (Wsm1) as a 4D translocation and a new 4A translocation, and two bread wheat resistances, Wsm2 and the new source c2652, were effective against WSMV‐ACT in glasshouse experiments. Wsm1 was effective at lower temperatures but ineffective above 20°C, a temperature sensitivity shared with many of the derivatives of Wsm2 except for one new selection which was effective at 26°C. True wheats c2652 and Wsm2 selection CA745, and amphiploids Zhong1, Zhong2, Zhong4, Zhong5, TAF46, Summer1, Ot38 and OK7211542 were uniformly resistant at 20, 25 and 28°C. New sources of resistance were identified in a Th. scirpeum‐wheat amphiploid, B84‐994, and in chromosome addition lines Z2, Z6 and TAi27, derived from wheat‐Th. intermedium partial amphiploids. Several new, tightly linked SSR, RAPD and EST‐ILP PCR markers were developed for tracking the various Th. intermedium translocations associated with Wsm1, including the smaller translocations on wheat chromosome 4AS and 4DS. Three markers for the 4A‐Wsm1 translocation were validated on a segregating breeding population.
The vertical turbulence structure of experimental turbidity currents encountering basal obstructions: implications for vertical suspended sediment distribution in non‐equilibrium currents
Authors: EGGENHUISEN JORIS T. , McCAFFREY WILLIAM D.
Published: October 2011

Large roughness features, caused by erosion of the sea floor, are commonly observed on the modern sea floor and beneath turbidite sandstone beds in outcrop. This paper aims to investigate the effect of such roughness elements on the turbulent velocity field and its consequences for the sediment carrying capacity of the flows. Experimental turbidity currents were run through a rectangular channel, with a single roughness element fixed to the bottom in some runs. The effect of this roughness element on the turbulent velocity field was determined by measuring vertical profiles of the vertical velocity component in the region downstream of the basal obstruction with the Ultrasonic Doppler Velocity Profiling technique. The experiments were set up to answer two research questions. (i) How does a single roughness element alter the distribution of vertical turbulence intensity? (ii) How does the altered profile evolve in the downstream direction? The results for runs over a plane substrate are similar to data presented previously and show a lower turbulence maximum near the channel floor, a turbulence minimum associated with the velocity maximum, and a turbulence maximum associated with the upper flow interface. In the runs in which the flows were perturbed by the single roughness element, the intensity of the lower turbulence maximum was increased between 41% to 81%. This excess turbulence dissipated upwards in the flow while it travelled further downstream, but was still observable at the most distal measurement location (at a distance ca 39 times the roughness height downstream of the element). All results point towards a similarity between the near bed turbulence structure of turbidity currents and free surface shear flows that has been proposed by previous authors, and this proposition is supported further by the apparent success of a shear velocity estimation method that is based on this similarity. Theory of turbulent dispersal of suspended sediment is used to discuss how the observed turbulent effects of a single large roughness element may impact on the suspended sediment distribution in real world turbidity currents. It is concluded that this impact may consist of a non‐equilibrium net‐upwards transport of suspended sediment, counteracting density stratification. Thus, erosive substrate topography created by frontal parts of natural turbidity flows may super‐elevate sediment concentrations in upper regions above equilibrium values in following flow stages, delay depletion of the flow via sedimentation and increase their run‐out distance.
A dual regulatory role of Arabidopsis calreticulin‐2 in plant innate immunity
Authors: Qiu Yongjian , Xi Jing , Du Liqun , Roje Sanja , Poovaiah B.W.
Published: October 2011

Calreticulin (CRT) is an endoplasmic reticulum‐resident calcium‐binding molecular chaperone that is highly conserved in multi‐cellular eukaryotes. Higher plants contain two distinct groups of CRTs: CRT1/CRT2 and CRT3 isoforms. Previous studies have shown that bacterial elongation factor Tu receptor (EFR), a pattern‐recognition receptor that is responsible for pathogen‐associated molecular pattern‐triggered immunity, is a substrate for Arabidopsis CRT3, suggesting a role for CRT3 in regulating plant defense against pathogens. Here we report that Arabidopsis CRT2 is another regulator of plant innate immunity. Despite significantly increased salicylic acid levels and constitutive expression of the systemic acquired resistance‐associated marker genes PR1, PR2 and PR5, transgenic plants over‐expressing CRT2 displayed reduced resistance to virulent Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (PstDC3000). A 45Ca2+ overlay assay and a domain‐swapping experiment further demonstrated that the negatively charged C‐terminal tail of CRT2 is responsible for its high calcium‐binding capacity and function in regulating the endogenous salicylic acid level. In addition, over‐expression of the His173 mutant of CRT2 greatly enhanced plant defense against PstDC3000, supporting the existence of a self‐inhibition mechanism that can counteract the effects of salicylic acid‐dependent immune responses. These results suggest that CRT2 functions through its N‐terminal domain(s) as a self‐modulator that can possibly prevent the salicylic acid‐mediated runaway defense responses triggered by its C‐terminal calcium‐buffering activity in response to pathogen invasion.
Polar development of preprophase bands and cell plates in the Arabidopsis leaf epidermis
Authors: Lucas Jessica Regan , Sack Fred David
Published: October 2011

Preprophase bands are belts of cortical microtubules that appear at the end of interphase and predict where cell plates will fuse with parental walls during division. Phragmoplasts are microtubule‐rich arrays that orchestrate the growth and guidance of cell plates during cytokinesis. Descriptions of the development of these arrays often assume non‐polar formation, with preprophase bands developing more or less simultaneously around the cell circumference. Phragmoplasts are often described as initiating at the cell center and then expanding evenly outwards until fusion with parent cell walls. We analyzed the spatio‐temporal development of both arrays because initial observations of array growth in the Arabidopsis leaf epidermis revealed directional variability. Almost all preprophase bands formed in a polar fashion, with initiation and maturation occurring first in the cell cortex near the inside of the leaf, and later in the outer cell cortex. A similar polarity developed in phragmoplasts and cell plates, raising the possibility that polarized division is common in plants. Together, these findings identify additional polar features of the epidermis, and thereby provide a visually accessible system for identifying new proteins and subcellular components involved in the development of cell division and the previously formed division site.
Variables involved in the cue modulation of the startle reflex in alcohol‐dependent patients
Authors: Rubio Gabriel , Borrell José , Jiménez Mónica , Jurado Rosa , Grüsser Sabine M. , Heinz Andreas
Published: October 2011

Cue modulation of the startle reflex is a paradigm that has been used to understand the emotional mechanisms involved in alcohol dependence. Attenuation of the startle reflex has been demonstrated when alcohol‐dependent subjects are exposed to alcohol‐related stimuli. However, the role of clinical variables on the magnitude of this response is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between a number of clinical variables—severity of alcoholism, family history of alcoholism (FHA+), personality traits related to the sensitivity to reward—and the startle reflex response when subjects with alcohol dependence were viewing alcohol‐related cues. After detoxification, 98 participants completed self‐report instruments and had eye blink electromyograms measured to acoustic startle probes [100‐millisecond burst of white noise at 95 dB(A)] while viewing alcohol‐related pictures, and standardised appetitive, aversive and neutral control scenes. Ninety‐eight healthy controls were also assessed with the same instruments. There were significant differences on alcohol‐startle magnitude between patients and controls. Comparisons by gender showed that women perceived alcohol cues and appetitive cues more appetitive than men. Male and female patients showed more appetitive responses to alcohol cues when compared with their respective controls. Our patients showed an appetitive effect of alcohol cues that was positively related to severity of alcohol dependence, sensitivity to reward and a FHA+. The data confirmed that the pattern of the modulation of the acoustic startle reflex reveals appetitive effects of the alcohol cues and extended it to a variety of clinical variables.
Imidazoline receptor antisera‐selected/Nischarin regulates the effect of agmatine on the development of morphine dependence
Authors: Li Fei , Wu Ning , Su Ruibin , Chen Ying , Lu Xinqiang , Liu Yin , Li Jin
Published: October 2011

Agmatine, an endogenous ligand for imidazoline receptor, has been shown to prevent opioid dependence, but not much is known about the mechanisms of the effect of agmatine. In the present study, we investigated the function of I1 imidazoline receptor and its candidate protein imidazoline receptor antisera‐selected (IRAS)/Nischarin in morphine dependence as well as in the effect of agmatine inhibiting morphine dependence by pharmacological and molecular approaches. Results showed that inhibition of IRAS or Nischarin did not change the development of morphine dependence in vitro and in vivo under the basal condition. Agmatine could reduce the cyclic 3′, 5′ adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) overshoot at the concentration of 0.01–10 µM in the primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons and attenuated the withdrawal signals and the elevation of FosB and ΔFosB at the dose of 5 mg/kg in the morphine‐dependent mice. The effect of agmatine was inhibited by efaroxan (I1 imidazoline receptor non‐specific antagonist) and the RNA interference against IRAS or Nischarin. These findings indicate that I1 imidazoline receptor or IRAS/Nischarin mediates the effect of agmatine on morphine dependence and provide evidence that I1 imidazoline receptor may be a new target for treating morphine dependence.
Quantitative real‐time ARMS‐qPCR for mitochondrial DNA enables accurate detection of microchimerism in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Hoerning André , Kalkavan Halime , Rehme Christian , Menke Julia , Worm Karl , Garritsen Henk S. P. , Büscher Rainer , Hoyer Peter F.
Published: October 2011

Hoerning A, Kalkavan H, Rehme C, Menke J, Worm K, Garritsen HSP, Büscher R, Hoyer PF. Quantitative real‐time ARMS‐qPCR for mitochondrial DNA enables accurate detection of microchimerism in renal transplant recipients.  Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 809–818. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  The presence of microchimerism in peripheral blood of solid organ transplant recipients has been postulated to be beneficial for allograft acceptance. Kinetics of donor cell trafficking and accumulation in pediatric allograft recipients are largely unknown. In this study, we implemented SNPs of the HVRs I and II of mitochondrial DNA to serve as molecular genetic markers to detect donor‐specific cell chimerism after pediatric renal transplantation. Serial dilution of artificial chimeric DNA samples showed a linear correlation coefficient of R > 0.98 and a detection sensitivity of 0.01% with high reproducibility. Longitudinal semiquantitative analysis of donor‐specific SNPs was then performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells samples up to two yr post‐transplant. Quantity of donor‐specific cell chimerism in peripheral blood was highest in the early post‐transplant period reaching values of ∼10% after liver–kidney and 2.8% after renal transplantation. From one wk after transplantation, renal transplant patients exhibited an amount of donor‐specific mtDNA ranging from 0.01% to 0.1%. We developed a highly accurate, sensitive, and rapid real‐time quantitative PCR method using sequence‐specific primers and fluorescent hydrolysis probes for the detection of at least 0.01% donor‐specific cells in the recipient’s peripheral blood after renal transplantation.
Immunogenicity of meningococcus C vaccination in a patient with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) on eculizumab therapy
Authors: Zlamy Manuela , Hofer Johannes , Elias Johannes , Vogel Ulrich , Frosch Matthias , Jungraithmayr Therese , Zimmerhackl Lothar Bernd , Prelog Martina
Published: October 2011

Zlamy M, Hofer J, Elias J, Vogel U, Frosch M, Jungraithmayr T, Zimmerhackl LB, Prelog M. Immunogenicity of meningococcus C vaccination in a patient with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) on eculizumab therapy.  Pediatr Transplantation 2011. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  We report successful kidney transplantation in a 10‐yr‐old boy with aHUS and heterozygous factor H mutation using the terminal complement inhibitor eculizumab to avoid recurrence of aHUS in the renal graft. Vaccination against meningococcus C (Men C) is essential in patients with dysfunction of the complement system, as induced by eculizumab. In our patient, we report waning SBA titers but maintenance of protective SBA titers (≥1:8) after kidney transplantation under immunosuppressive therapy with mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, steroids, and eculizumab over a 27‐month observational period. Our case illustrates that a humoral immune response to conjugate Men C vaccination may be mounted and maintained despite chronic renal disease, kidney transplantation, immunosuppressive drugs, and immunomodulatory therapy with eculizumab. However, it remains unclear whether serologically defined protective SBA titers mediate true protection from invasive meningococcal disease in an immunocompromised patient, particularly under treatment with a complement inhibitor. Thus, close monitoring of SBA titers seems mandatory in this patient.
An international reference reagent for the detection of RHD and SRY DNA in plasma
Authors: Metcalfe P. , Rigsby P. , Tait E. , Urbaniak S.
Published: October 2011

Background and Objectives  The determination of foetal RHD genotype using foetal DNA contained in the maternal circulation is increasingly used to manage pregnancies at risk of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN) caused by maternal anti‐D. The test is becoming increasingly reliable, and routine clinical services have been established in some centres. However, laboratories currently have no reference materials with which to determine the performance of their tests. This report describes the production and evaluation of a freeze‐dried preparation of human plasma, code 07/222, containing RHD and SRY sequences which can be used as a minimum sensitivity reagent.

Materials and Methods  RhD‐positive male plasma was diluted in an excess of RhD‐negative female plasma, and 1 ml aliquots were freeze‐dried in glass ampoules. To characterise the material, 19 laboratories took part in an international collaborative study. The participants evaluated dilutions of the material using their in‐house routine assays and recorded the highest dilution where the genes could be detected.

Results  When diluted 1 in 2, most laboratories were able to detect the presence of RHD and SRY sequences in the material and the participants agreed that this was an appropriate level to set as the minimum sensitivity required.

Conclusions  In October 2010, the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization approved the material 07/222 as an International Reference Reagent for the detection of RHD and SRY DNA in plasma.
In vitro rumen fermentation and methane production are influenced by active components of essential oils combined with fumarate
Authors: Lin B. , Wang J. H. , Lu Y. , Liang Q. , Liu J. X.
Published: October 2011

Two trials were conducted to identify the optimal levels of essential oil active components (EOAC) and their combination with fumarate on in vitro rumen fermentation. In trial 1, eugenol, carvacrol, citral and cinnamaldehyde were mixed at ratios of 1:2:3:4, 2:1:4:3, 3:4:1:2, 4:3:2:1 and 1:1:1:1 to make up five combinations (EOAC1, EOAC2, EOAC3, EOAC4 and EOAC5 respectively). The mixtures were supplied at levels of 0, 50, 200 or 500 mg/l to identify the optimal combination for methane reduction. Methane production and ammonia nitrogen were decreased by adding EOAC, irrespective of component compounds, but the production of gas and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were also decreased. Hydrogen balance analysis indicated that the ratio of hydrogen consumed via methane to hydrogen consumed via VFA was lowest at 200 mg/l of EOAC5 treatment, from which the proportional change in methane was more than the change in VFA, with 31.5% of methane reduction and 12.9% of VFA reduction. In trial 2, 200 mg/l of EOAC5 was added with 0, 5, 10 and 15 mm monosodium fumarate to see whether fumarate had a further effect on rumen fermentation. The addition of fumarate had no influence on gas production, but it further decreased methane and increased the total VFA in comparison with EOAC added solely, with the greatest decrease occurring in methane (78.1%) from 10 mm of fumarate. Quantification of the microbial populations in rumen fluids by RT‐PCR showed that methanogen, protozoa, fungi, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens populations were significantly decreased by EOAC5, but were not influenced by fumarate. In summary, the addition of EOAC had consistent effects on rumen fermentation parameters, but high levels of EOAC would induce the inhibition of rumen fermentation. Adding fumarate can enhance the methane‐inhibiting effect of EOAC, and the decrease was higher than that calculated stoichiometrically.
Aberrant regulation and function of Src family tyrosine kinases: Their potential contributions to glutamate‐induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Hossain Mohammed I , Kamaruddin Mohd A , Cheng Heung‐Chin
Published: October 2011

1. Excitotoxicity, a major cause of neuronal death in acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases and conditions such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease, is initiated by overstimulation of glutamate receptors, leading to calcium overload in affected neurons. The sustained high concentration of intracellular calcium constitutively activates a host of enzymes, notably the calcium‐activated proteases calpains, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and NADPH oxidase (NOX), to antagonise the cell survival signalling pathways and induce cell death.

2. Upon overactivation by calcium, calpains catalyse limited proteolysis of specific cellular proteins to modulate their functions; nNOS produces excessive amounts of nitric oxide (NO), which, in turn, covalently modifies specific enzymes by S‐nitrosylation; and NOX produces excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to inflict damage to key metabolic enzymes. Presumably, key regulatory enzymes governing cell survival and cell death are aberrantly modified and regulated by calpains, NO and ROS in affected neurons; these aberrantly modified enzymes then cooperate to induce the death of affected neurons.

3. c‐Src, an Src family kinase (SFK) member, is one of the aberrantly regulated enzymes involved in excitotoxic neuronal death. Herein we review how SFKs are functionally linked to the glutamate receptors and the biochemical and structural basis of the aberrant regulation of SFKs.

4. Results in the literature suggest that SFKs are aberrantly activated by calpain‐mediated truncation and S‐nitrosylation. Thus, the aberrantly activated SFKs are targets for therapeutic intervention to reduce the extent of brain damage caused by stroke.
How often do patients return to the operating room after colorectal resections?
Authors: Ricciardi R. , Roberts P. L. , Read T. E. , Marcello P. W. , Hall J. F. , Schoetz D. J.
Published: October 2011

Aim  We sought to identify the rate of re‐operation after an index colorectal surgical procedure and potential contributing risk factors.

Method  This is a retrospective cohort study from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. We identified all patients who either returned or did not return to the operating room after any colorectal resection from January 2005 to December 2008.

Results  From a total cohort of 635 265 patients included in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program over the 4‐year study period, we identified 54 237 patients who underwent colorectal operations. A return to the operating room was coded in 5.4 ± 0.1% of non colorectal resection patients and 7.6 ± 0.2% of colorectal resection patients (P < 0.001). The multivariate model identified patients with postoperative diagnostic codes for abdominal cavity hernia or colostomy complication as having the highest odds of return to the operating room within 30 days. Patients returning to the operating room had longer length of stay and higher overall mortality compared with those patients who did not return to the operating room.

Conclusion  Return to the operating room is a relatively common occurrence after colorectal resections, with an associated high rate of mortality. Given the association between return to the operating room and adverse patient outcomes, emphasis should be placed on determining strategies to reduce the need for return to the operating room.
PGDnet: a new problem‐solving virtual learning environment
Authors: Gómez Emilio , Rodríguez‐Marciel Cristina
Published: October 2011

The purpose of this paper was to provide information about the virtual learning environment known as PGDnet (the Spanish acronym for Plataforma de Gestión Docente or Educational Management Platform in English), which was developed by the innovative education group at the Technical University of Madrid known as “Nuevas metodologías docentes en ingeniería mecánica y fabricación” (New Teaching Methodologies in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing). This tool has been created on an ad hoc basis to cover specific teaching requirements for some engineering courses, which would be difficult to implement on general educational platforms such as Moodle or Blackboard. PGDnet was essentially created as an online engineering problem‐solving tool. These exercises are checked and corrected automatically, providing students with their final and partial scores, and with the solutions to these various sections. A stochastic programming model selects different exercises each time that an activity is performed and attaches the tables, graphs, figures and annexes that are needed for their resolution in each case. As is common with these types of tools, PGDnet provides effective management of publication and delivery dates for the proposed work, and contains records and databases, which allow the stored information to be processed. Its main features include ease of use, reliability and great versatility as a specific tool in the area of technical university education.
University students' behavioral intention to use mobile learning: Evaluating the technology acceptance model
Authors: Park Sung Youl , Nam Min‐Woo , Cha Seung‐Bong
Published: October 2011

As many Korean universities have recommended the implementation of mobile learning (m‐learning) for various reasons, the number of such tertiary learning opportunities has steadily grown. However, little research has investigated the factors affecting university students' adoption and use of m‐learning. A sample of 288 Konkuk university students participated in the research. The process by which students adopt m‐learning was explained using structural equation modeling technique and the Linear Structural Relationship (LISREL) program. The general structural model based on the technology acceptance model included m‐learning self‐efficacy, relevance for students' major (MR), system accessibility, subjective norm (SN), perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude (AT), and behavioral intention to use m‐learning. The study results confirmed the acceptability of the model to explain students' acceptance of m‐learning. M‐learning AT was the most important construct in explaining the causal process in the model, followed by students' MR and SN.
CELEBRATING ADVERSITY: INTER‐ORGANIZATIONAL DEPENDENCE AND PUBLIC SECTOR PERFORMANCE REPORTING IN THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE
Authors: LACEY DAVID , CUGANESAN SURESH , GOODE SIGI , JACOBS KERRY
Published: October 2011

Many aspects of public policy delivery involve complex networks rather than independent agencies. Yet little work has been done to understand the nature of performance measurements in settings where the performance of one agency is heavily dependent on the activities of other agencies. The issue of dependence has implications for operational and reputational risks. Our case study is focused on performance reporting by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Our findings indicate that performance reporting remains heavily focused on input and process measures with relatively few output or outcome measures. Contrary to expectation, the AFP did not claim credit for success and attribute poor performance to other stakeholders. However, a higher than expected proportion of the dependent performance measures were positively framed.
A VERY PUBLIC SEARCH FOR PUBLIC VALUE: ‘RHETORICAL SECRETARIES' IN WESTMINSTER JURISDICTIONS
Authors: GRUBE DENNIS
Published: October 2011

Senior bureaucrats in central agencies in Westminster jurisdictions frequently give keynote speeches as a part of their official function. What are these administrative leaders talking about, and to whom, and why does it matter? This paper will seek to answer those questions through the lens of public value theory by considering whether ‘public rhetorical leadership’ by senior bureaucrats is a legitimate contribution to the search for public value, and what challenges such behaviour may present to good governance. The speeches of senior bureaucrats in four Westminster jurisdictions – Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom – are examined as examples of how bureaucratic ‘public rhetorical leadership’ is currently being exercised. The paper concludes that the way in which senior bureaucrats exercise their rhetorical power can have significant implications for the implementation of policy, and for questions of bureaucratic accountability.
“Big Questions” in the Introductory Religion Classroom: Expanding the Integrative Approach
Authors: Deffenbaugh Daniel G.
Published: October 2011

Recent research by Barbara Walvoord suggests a perceived disparity between faculty learning objectives and students' desire to engage “big questions” in the introductory religion classroom. Faculty opinions of such questions are varied, ranging from a refusal to employ any approach that diverts attention away from critical thinking, to a willingness to integrate personal questions of meaning and purpose into the introductory religion course. This essay argues that, in light of work currently being done by such developmental theorists as Sharon Daloz Parks and Marcia Baxter Magolda, the integrative approach has much to commend it. It concludes with suggestions for how religion faculty can expand this approach through learning covenants, service learning, and seeing the religion classroom as a gateway to various mentoring communities on campus.
Reframing Knowing, Being, and Doing in the Seminary Classroom
Authors: Cahalan Kathleen A.
Published: October 2011

Seminary education requires that students learn a complex body of theological knowledge, engage in the practices of ministry, and develop as persons of faith and vocation. Utilizing the six aspects of significant learning experiences defined by L. Dee Fink – foundational knowledge, application, integration, the human dimension, caring, and learning how to learn – the author explores teaching practices that reframe knowing, doing, and being in seminary classrooms.
Nocebo in fibromyalgia: meta‐analysis of placebo‐controlled clinical trials and implications for practice
Authors: Mitsikostas D. D. , Chalarakis N. G. , Mantonakis L. I. , Delicha E.‐M. , Sfikakis P. P.
Published: October 2011

Background:  Nocebo refers to adverse effects (AEs) generated by negative expectations that medical treatment will likely harm instead of heal and can be assessed in placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We examined AEs following placebo administration in RCTs for fibromyalgia (FM), a condition characterized by patients’ poor medication adherence, which may affect outcome and/or increase healthcare costs.

Methods:  Following a systematic Medline search for RCTs for FM pharmacologic treatment published between 2001 and 2010, we assessed percentages of placebo‐treated patients reporting at least one AE or discontinuing because of placebo intolerance and searched for factors influencing nocebo’s extent. Percentages were compared with those revealed by similar meta‐analyses of RCTs for multiple sclerosis and primary headaches.

Results:  Data were extracted from 16 RCTs fulfilling search criteria. Of 2026 placebo‐treated patients, 67.2% (95%CI: 51.0–81.5%) reported at least one AE, and 9.5% (95%CI: 8.3–10.9%) discontinued placebo treatment because of intolerance. AEs in placebo arms corresponded quantitatively and qualitatively to those in active drug arms (ρ > 0.88, P < 0.0001). Younger age and larger placebo arm size were associated with increased dropout rates. Patients with depression were more likely to withdraw from trials. Nocebo dropouts in FM trials were fourfold and twofold higher than in RCTs for multiple sclerosis treatment and migraine preventive treatment, respectively.

Conclusions:  Nocebo is remarkably prevalent in FM patients participating in RCTs. Because nocebo contributes to drug intolerance and treatment failure in clinical practice, identification of predisposing factors and efforts to prevent nocebo by educating these patients appropriately may be important for FM outcome.
Fatigue, depression, and health‐related quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis in Isfahan, Iran
Authors: Kargarfard M. , Eetemadifar M. , Mehrabi M. , Maghzi A. H. , Hayatbakhsh M. R.
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  Quality of life (QoL) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is worse than that of other chronic diseases. There is a need to examine the impact of fatigue and depression on the QoL independent of level of physical disability in MS. The aim of this study is to explore physical, psychological, and social aspects of health‐related QoL (HRQoL) of MS patients in association with physical disability, fatigue, and depression.

Methods:  In a cross‐sectional study, 281 (63.4% women, 36.6% men) patients with MS participated in the study. The HRQoL was assessed by the Persian version of the multiple sclerosis quality of life (MSQoL‐54) questionnaires. Other covariates included in the study were disease type, physical disability, fatigue, disease impact, and depression.

Results:  In univariate analysis disease type, physical disability, fatigue, disease impact, and depression were significantly associated with both physical and mental health composite summaries of MSQoL‐54. In multivariate regression analysis, patients’ physical disability remained significantly associated with both components of MSQoL‐54, whilst fatigue and depression were associated with physical and mental composite summaries, respectively.

Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that MS‐related physical disability, fatigue, and depression affect the HRQoL of MS patients, independently of each other and other potential confounding factors. Effective interventions that target fatigue and depression may help improve the QoL of patients, regardless of their disease type and level of disability.
Nevus of Ota: morphological patterns and distribution in 47 Yemeni cases
Authors: Alshami M. , Bawazir M.A. , Atwan A.A.
Published: October 2011

Background  Nevus of Ota is a rare pigmentary disorder characterized by melanocytic hamartoma of the skin along the distribution of trigeminal nerve branches.

Aim  To study the morphological features of nevus of Ota, and their relation with facial regions and trigeminal branches areas.

Methods  Patients with nevus of Ota who attended Kuwait University Hospital dermatology clinic and a private dermatology clinic in Sana’a, Yemen, between January 2008 and December 2010, were clinically evaluated. The morphology of nevus of Ota was classified to homogenous, speckled or mixed. The distribution of the lesions was assessed based on both facial regions and areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve.

Results  Forty‐seven patients with nevus of Ota (F = 38, M = 9) were evaluated. Eighty percent of patients were females. Mixed (homogenous and speckled) appearance was seen in 47% of all patients. Periocular region was the most commonly affected facial region (67%), and the maxillary area was the most commonly involved trigeminal branch area (94%). Forty‐seven percent of cases had scleral pigmentation. Interesting features of nevus of Ota involving the nasal septum and crossing the midline of the face were noted.

Conclusions  To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that examines the distribution and morphology of nevus of Ota in Middle Eastern population. Including the morphological appearance of the nevus is practical and more clinically descriptive, and therefore should be integrated in the classification in future studies.
Phosphorus fractions in poultry litter as affected by flue‐gas desulphurization gypsum and litter stacking
Authors: Mishra A. , Cabrera M. L. , Rema J. A.
Published: October 2011

Previous research has shown that the addition of flue‐gas desulphurization (FGD) gypsum to poultry litter decreases water‐soluble P. No information is currently available, however, on extractable P fractions in poultry litter and P availability as affected by gypsum. The first objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of incubation time and rate of gypsum addition to litter alone or litter mixed with soil on total P and inorganic P in sequential extracts of H2O, 0.5 m NaHCO3, 0.1 m NaOH and 1 m HCl. Poultry litter was mixed with 25, 50, or 75% gypsum (by weight) and incubated alone or mixed with soil for 63–93 days at 25 °C, with periodic sequential extractions. For litter alone or litter mixed with soil, adding gypsum decreased total P and inorganic P in the H2O fraction and increased both P forms in the NaHCO3 fraction. These changes did not affect plant P availability as measured by Mehlich‐1 P. Increasing incubation time decreased total P and inorganic P in the H2O fraction of litter alone or litter mixed with soil, which was apparently caused by P immobilization by fungi. A second objective of this study was to evaluate P in the H2O and NaHCO3 fractions of litter as affected by stacking time and depth. Litter was stacked to a height of 1.2 m with samples taken immediately after stacking and 31 days later to be sequentially extracted for total P and inorganic P. Stacking time did not affect P in the H2O fraction, but it increased P in the NaHCO3 fraction by 25%. These results suggest that stacking poultry litter may increase the amount of labile P.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) determines the improvement of hepatic endothelial dysfunction by vitamin E in cirrhotic rats
Authors: Yang Ying‐Ying , Lee Tzung‐Yan , Huang Yi‐Tsau , Chan Che‐Chang , Yeh Yi‐Chen , Lee Fa‐Yauh , Lee Shou‐Dong , Lin Han‐Chieh
Published: October 2011

Abstracts

Background

Hepatic endothelial dysfunction (HED), which is caused by decreased hepatic nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and increased lipid peroxidation, contributes to portal hypertension, which is a characteristic of cirrhosis. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), is involved in cirrhosis‐related HED and portal hypertension.

Aims

We evaluated the effect of vitamin E treatment on the lipid peroxidation, HED and portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats.

Methods

The common bile duct ligation (BDL)‐induced cirrhotic rats were treated orally either with vehicle or with vitamin E for 1 month immediately after BDL. Systemic and portal haemodynamics, the magnitude of the increase in portal pressure induced by volume expansion, HED, oxidative stress, levels of ADMA, various proteins and mRNAs were then measured.

Results

In the vitamin E‐treated BDL rats, a decrease in portal pressure was associated with an attenuation of the increased portal pressure induced by volume expansion. In isolated and perfused BDL rat livers, the vitamin E treatment significantly inhibited the (paradoxical) vasoconstriction response to methoxamine and acetylcholine (HED), and this was abolished by the presence of NOS. Vitamin E decreased ADMA synthesizing enzyme PRMT1 expression and the level of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver, while increasing the levels of hepatic ADMA metabolizing enzyme DDAH2, eNOS, phosphor‐eNOS, ADMA level and superoxide dismutase activity.

Conclusions

The administration of vitamin E suppressed hepatic ADMA and oxidative stress in the cirrhotic liver circulation, and therefore increases NO bioavailability, which improved HED and portal hypertension.
Vitamin D and Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease: A New Paradigm?
Authors: Heaf James Goya , Joffe Preben , Marckmann Peter
Published: October 2011

Vitamin D receptor agonists (VDRA) are currently recommended for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in stage 5 CKD. They are considered to be contraindicated in the presence of low or normal (for a dialysis patient) levels of PTH due to the risk of developing adynamic bone disease, with consequent vascular calcification. However, these recommendations are increasingly at odds with the epidemiological evidence, which consistently shows a large survival advantage for patients treated with low‐dose VDRAs, regardless of plasma calcium, phosphate, or PTH. A large number of pleiotropic effects of vitamin D have been described, including inhibition of renin activity, anti‐inflammation, and suppression of vascular calcification stimulators and stimulation of vascular calcification inhibitors present in the uremic milieu. Laboratory studies suggest that a normal cellular vitamin D level is necessary for normal cardiomyocyte and vascular smooth muscle function. While pharmacological doses of VDRA can be harmful, the present evidence suggests that the level of 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol should also be more physiological in stage 5 CKD, and that widespread use of low‐dose VDRA would be beneficial. A randomized controlled trial to test this hypothesis is warranted.