bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BRAF V600E and KRAS G12S mutations in peripheral nerve sheath tumours
Authors: Serrano César , Simonetti Sara , Hernández‐Losa Javier , Valverde Claudia , Carrato Cristina , Bagué Silvia , Orellana Ruth , Somoza Rosa , Moliné Teresa , Carles Joan , Huguet Pere , Romagosa Cleofé , Ramón y Cajal Santiago 
Published: September 2012

AimsBenign (BPNST) and malignant (MPNST) peripheral nerve sheath tumours occur either sporadically or are related to neurofibromatosis (NF). The mechanisms involved are well known in NF‐related tumours, but still remain unclear in sporadic cases. Somatic BRAF and KRAS mutations represent the most frequent genetic events in melanocytic neoplastic lesions. Because melanocytes and Schwann cells both derive from neural crest cells, we hypothesized that BRAF and KRAS mutations might influence BPNST and MPNST development.Methods and resultsBRAF exon 15 and KRAS exons 2 and 3 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing was performed in formalin‐fixed/paraffin‐embedded samples of 99 BPNST and MPNST, related and non‐related to NF types 1 and 2. Oncogenic BRAF V600E mutations were found in four of 40 schwannomas (including one acoustic neuroma) and one of 13 MPNST, not associated with NF. A KRAS G12S mutation was also evident in one sporadic schwannoma.ConclusionOur findings suggest that RAS pathway activation due to BRAF V600E and KRAS mutations is an important event in a subset of peripheral nerve sheath tumours not related to NF.
Characterization of neutralizing mouse‐human chimeric and shuffling antibodies against botulinum neurotoxin A
Authors: Mukamoto Masafumi , Maeda Hiroaki , Kohda Tomoko , Nozaki Chikateru , Takahashi Motohide , Kozaki Shunji 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTMouse‐human chimeric monoclonal antibodies that could neutralize botulinum neurotoxins were developed and an attempt was made to establish mouse hybridoma cell clones that produced monoclonal antibodies that neutralized botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A). Four clones (2–4, 2–5, 9–4 and B1) were selected for chimerization on the basis of their neutralizing activity against BoNT/A and the cDNA of the variable regions of their heavy (VH) and light chains (VL) were fused with the upstream regions of the constant counterparts of human kappa light and gamma 1 heavy chain genes, respectively. CHO‐DG44 cells were transfected with these plasmids and mouse‐human chimeric antibodies (AC24, AC25, AC94 and ACB1) purified to examine their binding and neutralizing activities. Each chimeric antibody exhibited almost the same capability as each parent mouse mAb to bind and neutralize activities against BoNT/A. From the chimeric antibodies against BoNT/A, shuffling chimeric antibodies designed with replacement of their VH or VL domains were constructed. A shuffling antibody (AC2494) that derived its VH and VL domains from chimeric antibodies AC24 and AC94, respectively, showed much higher neutralizing activity than did other shuffling antibodies and parent counterparts. This result indicates that it is possible to build high‐potency neutralizing chimeric antibodies by selecting and shuffling VH and VL domains from a variety of repertoires. A shuffling chimeric antibody might be the best candidate for replacing horse antitoxin for inducing passive immunotherapy against botulism.
Pain management and satisfaction in postsurgical patients
Authors: Tocher Jennifer , Rodgers Sheila , Smith Margaret AC , Watt Deborah , Dickson Lesley 
Published: September 2012

Aims and objectives.  To examine the relationship between patient satisfaction and the incidence of severe and enduring pain through a health board wide hospital satisfaction questionnaire.Background.  The incidence and management of acute postoperative pain and its relationship to patient satisfaction have been of great interest to clinicians over the last 20 years. Evidence suggests that despite many moves to address this problem with the advent of acute pain nurse specialists and dedicated pain teams, severe and enduring pain continues to be a problem. However, patients appear to report high satisfaction levels.Design.  The study design was a postal questionnaire the results of which were analysed statistically.Methods.  The postal questionnaire was sent to patients who had been discharged from acute hospitals in one health board in the previous two weeks. A total of three large acute hospitals were included. The data were analysed to produce descriptive statistics for all patients on the pain questions and then for patients with severe and enduring pain on the variables of age, gender, ethnic group, responses to pain questions and type of admission.Results.  Twenty‐six percent of patients reported having pain all or most of the time. Patients suffering from severe and enduring pain were younger females.Conclusion.  Acute postoperative pain continues to be a problem, although patients continue reporting moderate satisfaction levels.Relevance to clinical practice.  Acute postoperative pain is an ongoing issue for postsurgical patients. It is crucial to understand and recognise issues that can adversely contribute to increased pain severity.
Transportin 1 colocalization with Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) inclusions is not characteristic for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis‐FUS confirming disrupted nuclear import of mutant FUS and distinguishing it from frontotemporal lobar degeneration with FUS inclusions
Authors: Troakes C. , Hortobágyi T. , Vance C. , Al‐Sarraj S. , Rogelj B. , Shaw C. E. 
Published: August 2012

C. Troakes, T. Hortobágyi, C. Vance, S. Al‐Sarraj, B. Rogelj and C. E. Shaw (2013) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology39, 553–561Transportin 1 colocalization with Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) inclusions is not characteristic for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis‐FUS confirming disrupted nuclear import of mutant FUS and distinguishing it from frontotemporal lobar degeneration with FUS inclusionsAims: Transportin 1 (TNPO 1) is an abundant component of the Fused in Sarcoma (FUS)‐immunopositive inclusions seen in a subgroup of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD‐FUS). TNPO 1 has been shown to bind to the C‐terminal nuclear localizing signal (NLS) of FUS and mediate its nuclear import. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)‐linked C‐terminal mutants disrupt TNPO 1 binding to the NLS and impair nuclear import in cell culture. If this held true for human ALS then we predicted that FUS inclusions in patients with C‐terminal FUS mutations would not colocalize with TNPO 1. Methods: Expression of TNPO 1 and colocalization with FUS was studied in the frontal cortex of FTLD‐FUS (n = 3) and brain and spinal cord of ALS‐FUS (n = 3), ALS‐C9orf72 (n = 3), sporadic ALS (n = 7) and controls (n = 7). Expression levels and detergent solubility of TNPO 1 was measured by Western blot. Results: Aggregates of TNPO 1 were abundant and colocalized with FUS inclusions in the cortex of all FTLD‐FUS cases. In contrast, no TNPO 1‐positive aggregates or FUS colocalization was evident in two‐thirds, ALS‐FUS cases and was rare in one ALS‐FUS case. Nor were they present in C9orf72 or sporadic ALS. No increase in the levels of TNPO 1 was seen in Western blots of spinal cord tissues from all ALS cases compared with controls. Conclusions: These findings confirm that C‐terminal FUS mutations prevent TNPO 1 binding to the NLS, inhibiting nuclear import and promoting cytoplasmic aggregation. The presence of TNPO 1 in wild‐type FUS aggregates in FTLD‐FUS distinguishes the two pathologies and implicates different disease mechanisms.
In vitro and in planta nematicidal activity of Fumaria parviflora (Fumariaceae) against the southern root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Naz I. , Palomares‐Rius J. E. , Saifullah  , Blok V. , Khan M. R. , Ali S. , Ali S. 
Published: September 2012

Root and stem extracts of Fumaria parviflora showed strong nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita in in vitro and in planta experiments. Phytochemical screening of F. parviflora revealed the presence of seven classes of bioactive compounds (alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, steroids and phenols). Quantitative determination of the plant extracts showed the highest percentages of alkaloids (0·9 ± 0·04) and saponins (1·3 ± 0·07) in the roots and total phenolic contents in the stem (16·75 ± 0·07 μg dry g−1). The n‐hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of roots and stems at concentrations of 3·12, 6·24, 12·5, 25·0 and 50·0 mg mL−1, significantly inhibited hatching and increased mortality of second‐stage juveniles (J2s) compared with water controls. Percentage J2 mortality and hatch inhibition were directly related to exposure time. In pot trials with tomato cv. Rio Grande, root and stem extracts at concentrations of 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm, applied as soil drenches, significantly reduced the number of galls, galling index, eggs masses, eggs and reproduction factor compared with the water control. Regardless of concentration, all the extracts significantly increased the host plant growth parameters studied. The n‐hexane extracts from the roots and stem were the most active, followed by the methanol ones, at all concentrations. The in vitro and in planta results suggest that extracts from the roots and stem of F. parviflora may be potential novel nematicides.
Downregulation of the lycopene ϵ‐cyclase gene increases carotenoid synthesis via the β‐branch‐specific pathway and enhances salt‐stress tolerance in sweetpotato transgenic calli
Authors: Kim Sun Ha , Kim Yun‐Hee , Ahn Young Ock , Ahn Mi‐Jeong , Jeong Jae Cheol , Lee Haeng‐Soon , Kwak Sang‐Soo 
Published: September 2012

AbstractLycopene ϵ‐cyclase (LCY‐ϵ) is involved in the first step of the α‐branch synthesis pathway of carotenoids from lycopene in plants. In this study, to enhance carotenoid synthesis via the β‐branch‐specific pathway [which yields β‐carotene and abscisic acid (ABA)] in sweetpotato, the expression of IbLCY‐ϵ was downregulated by RNAi (RNA interference) technology. The RNAi‐IbLCY‐ϵ vector was constructed using a partial cDNA of sweetpotato LCY‐ϵ isolated from the storage root and introduced into cultured sweetpotato cells by Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation. Both semi‐quantitative Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) of carotenoid biosynthesis genes and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the metabolites in transgenic calli, in which the LCY‐ϵ gene was silenced, showed the activation of β‐branch carotenoids and its related genes. In the transgenic calli, the β‐carotene content was approximately 21‐fold higher than in control calli, whereas the lutein content of the transgenic calli was reduced to levels undetectable by HPLC. Similarly, expression of the RNAi‐IbLCY‐ϵ transgene resulted in a twofold increase in ABA content compared to control calli. The transgenic calli showed significant tolerance of 200 mM NaCl. Furthermore, both the β‐branch carotenoids content and the expression levels of various branch‐specific genes were higher under salt stress than in control calli. These results suggest that, in sweetpotato, downregulation of the ϵ‐cyclization of lycopene increases carotenoid synthesis via the β‐branch‐specific pathway and may positively regulate cellular defenses against salt‐mediated oxidative stress.
Improvement of Iranian nurses' competence through professional portfolio: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Bahreini Masoud , Moattari Marzieh , Shahamat Shohreh , Dobaradaran Sina , Ravanipour Mariam 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe aim of the study was to determine the effect of a portfolio‐based professional development program on nurses' competence in a university hospital in Iran. A pre‐test/post‐test, controlled, quasi‐experimental design was used. From the university hospital's 18 general wards, four wards were randomly selected. Two wards were randomly allocated as the experimental group (35 subjects) and two wards as the control group (38 subjects). Nurses in the experimental group participated in a 12‐month portfolio‐based professional development program and nurses in the control group participated in the routine professional development programs of their wards. The data were collected by the Nurse Competence Scale and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent and paired t‐tests. After intervention, the average nurses' competence in the experimental group increased significantly (P < 0.001) but these changes in the control group were not significant (P = 0.08). This study shows that the professional portfolio is an effective tool for improving nurses' competence. The professional portfolios help nurses update their knowledge, skills, and competence towards their full role as nurses.
Correlated discharges in the primate prefrontal cortex before and after working memory training
Authors: Qi Xue‐Lian , Constantinidis Christos 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe correlation of discharges between single neurons can provide information about the computations and network properties of neuronal populations during the performance of cognitive tasks. In recent years, dynamic modulation of neuronal correlations by attention has been revealed during the execution of behavioral tasks. Much less is known about the influence of learning and performing a task itself. We therefore sought to quantify the correlated firing of simultaneously recorded pairs of neurons in the prefrontal cortex of naïve monkeys that were only required to fixate, and to examine how this correlation was altered after they had learned to perform a working memory task. We found that the trial‐to‐trial correlation of discharge rates between pairs of neurons (noise correlation) differed across neurons depending on their responsiveness and selectivity for stimuli, even before training in a working memory task. After monkeys had learned to perform the task, correlated firing decreased overall, although the effects varied according to the functional properties of the neurons. The greatest decreases were observed on comparison of populations of neurons that exhibited elevated firing rates during the trial events and those that had more similar spatial and temporal tuning. Greater decreases in noise correlation were also observed for pairs comprising one fast spiking neuron (putative interneuron) and one regular spiking neuron (putative pyramidal neuron) than pairs comprising regular spiking neurons only. Our results demonstrate that learning and performance of a cognitive task alters the correlation structure of neuronal firing in the prefrontal cortex.
Optical spectroscopy techniques can accurately distinguish benign and malignant renal tumours
Authors: Couapel Jean‐Philippe , Senhadji Lotfi , Rioux‐Leclercq Nathalie , Verhoest Grégory , Lavastre Olivier , de Crevoisier Renaud , Bensalah Karim 
Published: August 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
There is little known about optical spectroscopy techniques ability to evaluate renal tumours.
This study shows for the first time the ability of Raman and optical reflectance spectroscopy to distinguish benign and malignant renal tumours in an ex vivo environment. We plan to develop this optical assistance in the operating room in the near future.
Objective
To evaluate the ability of Raman spectroscopy (RS) and optical reflectance spectroscopy (ORS) to distinguish benign and malignant renal tumours at surgery.
Materials and Methods
Between March and October 2011, RS and ORS spectra were prospectively acquired on surgical renal specimens removed for suspicion of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Optical measurements were done immediately after surgery.
Optical signals were normalised to ensure comparison between spectra. Initial and final portions of each spectrum were removed to avoid artefacts.
A support vector machine (SVM) was built and tested using a leave‐one‐out cross‐validation.
Classification scores, including accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated on the entire population and in patients with tumours of <4 cm.
Results
In all, 60 nephrectomies were performed for 53 malignant tumours (41 clear‐cell, eight papillary and four chromophobe carcinomas) and seven benign tumours (four oncocytomas, two angiomyolipomas and a haemorrhagic cyst). In all, >700 optical spectra were obtained and submitted to SVM classification.
The SVM could recognise benign and malignant renal tumours with an accuracy of 96% (RS) and 88% (ORS) in the whole population and with an accuracy of 93% (RS) and 95% (ORS) in the present subset of small renal tumours (<4 cm).
Histological subtype could be determined in 80% and 88% of the cases with RS and ORS, respectively.
The SVM was able to differentiate chromophobe carcinomas and benign lesions with an accuracy of 96% in RS and 98% in ORS.
Conclusion
Benign and malignant renal tumours can be accurately discriminated by a combination of RS and ORS. In vivo experiments are needed to further assess the value of optical spectroscopy techniques.
Proteaceae from severely phosphorus‐impoverished soils extensively replace phospholipids with galactolipids and sulfolipids during leaf development to achieve a high photosynthetic phosphorus‐use‐efficiency
Authors: Lambers Hans , Cawthray Gregory R. , Giavalisco Patrick , Kuo John , Laliberté Etienne , Pearse Stuart J. , Scheible Wolf‐Rüdiger , Stitt Mark , Teste François , Turner Benjamin L. 
Published: September 2012

Summary

Proteaceae species in south‐western Australia occur on severely phosphorus (P)‐impoverished soils. They have very low leaf P concentrations, but relatively fast rates of photosynthesis, thus exhibiting extremely high photosynthetic phosphorus‐use‐efficiency (PPUE). Although the mechanisms underpinning their high PPUE remain unknown, one possibility is that these species may be able to replace phospholipids with nonphospholipids during leaf development, without compromising photosynthesis.

For six Proteaceae species, we measured soil and leaf P concentrations and rates of photosynthesis of both young expanding and mature leaves. We also assessed the investment in galactolipids, sulfolipids and phospholipids in young and mature leaves, and compared these results with those on Arabidopsis thaliana, grown under both P‐sufficient and P‐deficient conditions.

In all Proteaceae species, phospholipid levels strongly decreased during leaf development, whereas those of galactolipids and sulfolipids strongly increased. Photosynthetic rates increased from young to mature leaves. This shows that these species extensively replace phospholipids with nonphospholipids during leaf development, without compromising photosynthesis. A considerably less pronounced shift was observed in A. thaliana.

Our results clearly show that a low investment in phospholipids, relative to nonphospholipids, offers a partial explanation for a high photosynthetic rate per unit leaf P in Proteaceae adapted to P‐impoverished soils.
Peripheral administration of prokineticin 2 potently reduces food intake and body weight in mice via the brainstem
Authors: Beale KEL , Gardiner JV , Bewick GA , Hostomska K , Patel NA , Hussain SS , Jayasena CN , Ebling FJP , Jethwa PH , Prosser HM , Lattanzi R , Negri L , Ghatei MA , Bloom SR , Dhillo WS 
Published: August 2012

Background and PurposeProkineticin 2 (PK2) has recently been shown to acutely reduce food intake in rodents. We aimed to determine the CNS sites and receptors that mediate the anorectic effects of peripherally administered PK2 and its chronic effects on glucose and energy homeostasis.Experimental ApproachWe investigated neuronal activation following i.p. administration of PK2 using c‐Fos‐like immunoreactivity (CFL‐IR). The anorectic effect of PK2 was examined in mice with targeted deletion of either prokineticin receptor 1 (PKR1) or prokineticin receptor 2 (PKR2), and in wild‐type mice following administration of the PKR1 antagonist, PC1. The effect of IP PK2 administration on glucose homeostasis was investigated. Finally, the effect of long‐term administration of PK2 on glucose and energy homeostasis in diet‐induced obese (DIO) mice was determined.Key ResultsI.p. PK2 administration significantly increased CFL‐IR in the dorsal motor vagal nucleus of the brainstem. The anorectic effect of PK2 was maintained in mice lacking the PKR2 but abolished in mice lacking PKR1 and in wild‐type mice pre‐treated with PC1. DIO mice treated chronically with PK2 had no changes in glucose levels but significantly reduced food intake and body weight compared to controls.Conclusions and ImplicationsTogether, our data suggest that the anorectic effects of peripherally administered PK2 are mediated via the brainstem and this effect requires PKR1 but not PKR2 signalling. Chronic administration of PK2 reduces food intake and body weight in a mouse model of human obesity, suggesting that PKR1‐selective agonists have potential to be novel therapeutics for the treatment of obesity.
Fabrication of a Fractured Mandibular Bar‐Retained Implant Overdenture Without Implant‐Level Impression Making: A Clinical Report
Authors: Uludag Bulent 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe most frequent mechanical complications of bar‐retained implant overdentures (IODs) are fracture of the dentures, loosening of the bar screws, and the need to reactivate the retentive clips. When a bar‐retained IOD with an acrylic resin base fractures, the existing bar attachment should be removed to fabricate a new overdenture. So far, no method has been previously described for remaking a fractured mandibular bar‐retained IOD without removing the existing bar attachment. This article describes fabrication of a fractured mandibular bar‐retained IOD with distally placed ball attachments using attachment transfer analogs. The described technique allows the patient to use the existing overdenture temporarily until the new overdenture is delivered.
Incidence of Transcortical Tibial Fractures with Self‐Tapping and Non‐Self‐Tapping Screws in a Canine TPLO Model
Authors: Boekhout Christina , Cross Alan 
Published: September 2012

ObjectiveTo compare the incidence of radiographically apparent transcortical diaphyseal tibial fractures between self‐tapping screws (STS) and non‐self‐tapping screws (NSTS) in a canine tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) model.Study DesignCase series.AnimalsDogs (n = 106) that had TPLO.MethodsNSTS (n = 107), STS titanium (n = 104), or STS stainless steel (n = 105) screws were used for TPLO. Effect of STS and NSTS were compared by reviewing postoperative craniocaudal and lateral radiographic projections taken immediately after TPLO. Three screws distal to the tibial osteotomy served as the in vivo model for canine cortical bone. A transcortical fracture was defined as the presence of a saucer‐shaped radiolucent defect on the periosteal surface of the trans‐cortex surrounding the screw and the presence of radiopaque material (bone) separate from the transcortical periosteal surface. The effect of screw type and STS material (stainless steel or titanium) on the incidence of transcortical fractures was evaluated.ResultsSTS had a significantly higher (P = .006) incidence of transcortical fractures (18.0%) compared with NSTS (0.8%). The effect of STS material on the incidence of transcortical fractures was not significant (P = .485). No cis‐cortical factures were identified.ConclusionsWe suspect the increased incidence of transcortical fractures with STS is because of the shorter cutting flutes as compared with those of a tap used with a NSTS.