bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An investigation of the protective effect of alpha+‐thalassaemia against severe Plasmodium falciparum amongst children in Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Opoku‐Okrah C. , Gordge M. , Kweku Nakua E. , Abgenyega T. , Parry M. , Robertson C. , Smith C. L. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryIntroductionSeveral factors influence the severity of Plasmodium falciparum; here, we investigate the impact of alpha+‐thalassaemia genotype on P. falciparum parasitemia and prevalence of severe anaemia amongst microcytic children from Kumasi, Ghana.MethodsSeven hundred and thirty‐two children (≤10 years) with P. falciparum were categorised into normocytic and microcytic (mean cell volume ≤76 fL). Microcytic individuals were genotyped for the −α3.7deletional thalassaemia mutation and parasite densities determined.ResultsAmongst microcytic patients both parasite densities and prevalence of severe malaria parasitemia (≥100 000/μL) were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the presence of an alpha+‐thalassaemia genotype compared with non‐alpha+‐thalassaemia genotype. There was no evidence that alpha+‐thalassaemia protected against severe anaemia. The protection conferred by alpha‐thalassaemia genotype against severe P. falciparum parasitemia did not change with increasing age.ConclusionThe severity of P. falciparum parasitemia was significantly lower in both the homozygous and heterozygous alpha+‐thalassaemia groups compared with microcytic individuals with non‐alpha+‐thalassaemia genotype. The protective effect, from severe malaria, of the alpha+‐thalassaemia allele does not alter with age.
Police officers' views of absconding from mental health units in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Martin Trish , Thomas Stuart D. M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPatients regularly abscond from mental health units and at times the consequences for patients and for others can be serious. The police are involved with absconding events, but are rarely considered in the mental health literature. In most jurisdictions, the police can take missing person reports for involuntary patients whose whereabouts are unknown and there are genuine concerns for their safety or welfare. Those people remain active cases for the police until located. This paper presents extracts of 25 police officers' narratives from a qualitative research project. Officers viewed absconding as a regular event, and workload burden that was exacerbated when mental health staff rarely initiated any search for the absconded patient and abdicated responsibility too quickly to the police. The officers were concerned about communication with mental health services and reported that information about the absconded patient could be inadequate or not given to police, and police often were not informed when the patient was found or discharged. Improved liaison and cooperative working that promote effective communication could strengthen police and mental health nursing collaboration and ensure better outcomes for patients.
Age‐related changes in cellular electrophysiology and calcium handling for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Xu Guo‐Jun , Gan Tian‐Yi , Tang Bao‐Peng , Chen Zu‐Heng , Jiang Tao , Song Jian‐Guo , Guo Xia , Li Jin‐xin 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis study was to investigate whether or not the dysfunction of atrial repolarization and abnormality of the intracellular Ca2+ handling protein was augmented with ageing. Four groups of dogs were studied, adult and aged dogs in sinus rhythm (SR) and atrial fibrillation (AF) induced by rapid atrial pacing. We used whole cell patch clamp recording techniques to measure L‐type Ca2+ current in cardiomyocytes dispersed from the left atria. Expressions of the Ca2+ handling protein were measured by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blot methods. Cardiomyocytes from old atria showed longer action potential (AP) duration to 90% repolarization, lower AP plateau potential and peak L‐type Ca2+ current densities at both age groups in SR. AF led to a higher maximum diastolic potential, an increase of amplitude of phase 0, decreases of AP duration to 90% repolarization, plateau potential and peak L‐type Ca2+ current densities. Compared to the adult group, mRNA and protein expressions of the L‐type calcium channel a1c were decreased, whereas expressions of calcium adenosine triphosphatase were increased in the aged group. Compared to SR group, expressions of Ca2+ handling protein except for phospholamban were significantly decreased in both age groups with AF. We conclude that these ageing‐induced electrophysiological and molecular changes showed that general pathophysiological adaptations might provide a substrate conducive to AF.
Ethical leadership and job performance in China: The roles of workplace friendships and traditionality
Authors: Liu Jun , Kwan Ho Kwong , Fu Ping Ping , Mao Yina 
Published: July 2013

This study examined the relationships between ethical leadership, as perceived by subordinates, and task performance as well as organizational citizenship behaviour towards the organization (OCBO) and towards individuals (OCBI), while lending consideration to the moderating roles of subordinates' workplace friendships and traditionality in China. The results, which were based on two‐phase data from a sample of 312 supervisor–subordinate dyads in a manufacturing firm, indicated that ethical leadership positively related to subordinates’ OCBO and OCBI. Moreover, subordinates’ workplace friendships strengthened the relationship between ethical leadership and task performance, whereas subordinates’ traditionality strengthened the relationships between ethical leadership and task performance, OCBO, and OCBI. The theoretical and managerial implications of these results were discussed.Practitioner points
Findings provide evidence that enhancing ethical leadership promotes subordinates' OCBO and OCBI.
Encouraging employees to develop friendships can enhance the positive effects of ethical leadership on task performance.
Encouraging employees to hold traditional values can enhance the positive effects of ethical leadership on task performance, OCBO, and OCBI.
Expression of molecules related to AKT pathway as putative regulators of ameloblastoma local invasiveness
Authors: Cecim Rodolpho L. , Carmo Hicso A. F. , Kataoka Maria S. S. , Freitas Vanessa M. , de Melo Alves Júnior Sérgio , Pedreira Erick N. , Jaeger Ruy G. , Pinheiro Joao J. V. 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundAmeloblastoma is an odontogenic neoplasm with local invasiveness and high recurrence. We previously suggested that growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and TIMPs influence ameloblastoma invasiveness (Pathol. Res. Pract., 208, 2012, 225; Oral. Surg. Oral. Med. Oral. Pathol. Oral Radiol. Endod., 111, 2011, 474). Signals generated by this molecular network would be transduced by ERK 1/2 pathway (Oral. Surg. Oral. Med. Oral. Pathol. Oral Radiol. Endod., 111, 2011, 474). Others signaling pathways may influence ameloblastoma biology. Here, we studied expression of AKT and related molecules in ameloblastoma.MethodsFourteen cases of solid/multicystic ameloblastomas were examined. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to detected AKT (phospho‐AKT), NF‐қB (phospho‐NF‐қB), β‐catenin, cyclin‐D1, and COX‐2 in ameloblastoma samples. These molecules were evaluated in neoplastic cells and stroma.ResultsAll proteins were detected in ameloblastoma. Expression of these markers was quantified and compared. Spearman's rank test was carried out to address positive correlations between proteins (P < 0.05). Ameloblastoma had a significant positive correlation of AKT (phospho‐AKT) with β‐catenin. β‐catenin correlated with Cyclin‐D1 and COX‐2 in neoplastic cells. AKT (phospho‐AKT) correlated with β‐catenin; β‐catenin with Cyclin‐D1; AKT (phospho‐AKT) with NF‐қB (phospho‐NF‐қB); and NF‐қB (phospho‐NF‐қB) with COX‐2 in stromal cells.ConclusionsResults suggest that proteins studied are present and probably involved in a functional pathway in neoplastic cells and stroma and may therefore influence the local invasiveness of ameloblastoma.
Centrally Mediated Erectile Dysfunction in Rats with Type 1 Diabetes: Role of Angiotensin II and Superoxide
Authors: Zheng Hong , Liu Xuefei , Patel Kaushik P. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Erectile dysfunction is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Apart from the peripheral actions, central mechanisms are also responsible for penile erection.

Aim
This study aims to determine the contribution of angiotensin (ANG) II in the dysfunction of central N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)- and nitric oxide (NO)-induced erectile responses in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic (T1D) rats.

Methods
Three weeks after streptozotocin injections, rats were randomly treated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-enalapril, or the ANG II type 1 receptor blocker, losartan, or the superoxide dismutase mimetic, tempol, or vehicle via chronic intracerebroventricular infusion by osmotic mini-pump for 2 weeks.

Main Outcome Measure
Central NMDA receptor stimulation or the administration of the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced penile erectile responses and concurrent behavioral responses were monitored in conscious rats.

Results
Two weeks of enalapril, losartan, or tempol treatment significantly improved the erectile responses to central microinjection of both NMDA and SNP in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of conscious T1D rats (NMDA responses—T1D+enalapril: 1.7±0.6, T1D+losartan: 2.0±0.3, T1D+tempol: 2.0±0.6 vs. T1D+vehicle: 0.6±0.3 penile erections/rat in the first 20 minutes, P &lt;0.05; SNP responses—T1D+enalapril: 0.9±0.3, T1D+losartan: 1.3±0.3, T1D+tempol: 1.4±0.4 vs. T1D+vehicle: 0.4±0.2 penile erections/rat in the first 20 minutes, P &lt;0.05). Concurrent behavioral responses including yawning and stretching, induced by central NMDA and SNP microinjections, were also significantly increased in T1D rats after enalapril, losartan, or tempol treatments. Neuronal NO synthase expression within the PVN was also significantly increased, and superoxide production was reduced in T1D rats after these treatments.

Conclusions
These data strongly support the contention that enhanced ANG II mechanism/s within the PVN of T1D rats contributes to the dysfunction of central NMDA-induced erectile responses in T1D rats via stimulation of superoxide.
Chronic Stress and Sexual Function in Women
Authors: Hamilton Lisa Dawn , Meston Cindy M. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Chronic stress is known to have negative effects on reproduction, but little is known about how it affects the sexual response cycle. The present study examined the relationship between chronic stress and sexual arousal and the mechanisms that mediate this relationship.

Aim
The aim of this study is to test the relationship between chronic stress and sexual arousal and identify mechanisms that may explain this relationship. We predicted that women experiencing high levels of chronic stress would show lower levels of genital arousal and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) and higher levels of cortisol and cognitive distraction compared with women with average levels of stress.

Methods
Women who were categorized as high in chronic stress (high stress group; n = 15) or average in chronic stress (average stress group; n = 15) provided saliva samples and watched an erotic film while having their genital and psychological arousal measured.

Main Outcome Measures
Main outcome measures were vaginal pulse amplitude, psychological arousal, salivary cortisol, salivary DHEAS, and heart rate and compared them between women with high and average levels of chronic stress.

Results
Women in the high stress group had lower levels of genital, but not psychological arousal, had higher levels of cortisol, and reported more distraction during the erotic film than women in the average stress group. The main predictor of decreased genital sexual arousal was participants’ distraction scores.

Conclusions
High levels of chronic stress were related to lower levels of genital sexual arousal. Both psychological (distraction) and hormonal (increased cortisol) factors were related to the lower levels of sexual arousal seen in women high in chronic stress, but distraction was the only significant predictor when controlling for other variables.
Nationwide Emergency Department Visits for Priapism in the United States
Authors: Stein Daniel M. , Flum Andrew S. , Cashy John , Zhao Lee C. , McVary Kevin T. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The epidemiology of priapism is not well characterized. A small number of studies based on inpatient data or small population samples have estimated the incidence to range from 0.34 to 1.5 cases per 100,000 males.

Aim
To estimate the current epidemiology and impact on resource utilization of priapism in the United States (US).

Main Outcome Measures
Rate of emergency department encounters for priapism in the US.

Methods
Emergency department (ED) visits for priapism were analyzed using discharge data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). Priapism encounters were identified by ICD9 code. Priapism encounters were analyzed for patient and hospital characteristics, associated diagnoses, and hospital charge. Established weighting in the sample was used to calculate nationwide estimates.

Results
A total of 8,738 ED encounters for priapism were identified between 2006 and 2009 in the NEDS. This translated to an estimated 39,964 encounters out of a total of 496,195,793 ED visits, or 8.05 per 100,000 ED visits (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.59–8.51). 21.1% of patients had a concurrent diagnosis of sickle cell disease (SCD). 72.1% of all patients were discharged home from the ED, while only 49.6% of patients with SCD were discharged home. A concurrent diagnosis of SCD was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.84 (95% CI 3.65–4.05) for admission to the hospital when controlling for age, region, hospital and payer type. The mean hospital charge was $1,778 per encounter if discharged home and $41,909 per encounter if admitted. The estimated mean total annual charge for priapism was $123,860,432 with 86.8% of charges attributed to inpatient admissions.

Conclusions
Our estimate of the rate of ED visits for priapism was significantly higher than prior estimates with a SCD concurrence rate lower than previously estimated.
Comparison of Generated Parallel Capillary Arrays to Three‐Dimensional Reconstructed Capillary Networks in Modeling Oxygen Transport in Discrete Microvascular Volumes
Authors: Fraser Graham M. , Goldman Daniel , Ellis Christopher G. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectiveWe compare RMN to PCA under several simulated physiological conditions to determine how the use of different vascular geometry affects oxygen transport solutions.MethodsThree discrete networks were reconstructed from intravital video microscopy of rat skeletal muscle (84 × 168 × 342 μm, 70 × 157 × 268 μm, and 65 × 240 × 571 μm), and hemodynamic measurements were made in individual capillaries. PCAs were created based on statistical measurements from RMNs. Blood flow and O2 transport models were applied, and the resulting solutions for RMN and PCA models were compared under four conditions (rest, exercise, ischemia, and hypoxia).ResultsPredicted tissue PO2 was consistently lower in all RMN simulations compared to the paired PCA. PO2 for 3D reconstructions at rest were 28.2 ± 4.8, 28.1 ± 3.5, and 33.0 ± 4.5 mmHg for networks I, II, and III compared to the PCA mean values of 31.2 ± 4.5, 30.6 ± 3.4, and 33.8 ± 4.6 mmHg. Simulated exercise yielded mean tissue PO2 in the RMN of 10.1 ± 5.4, 12.6 ± 5.7, and 19.7 ± 5.7 mmHg compared to 15.3 ± 7.3, 18.8 ± 5.3, and 21.7 ± 6.0 in PCA.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that volume matched PCA yield different results compared to reconstructed microvascular geometries when applied to O2 transport modeling; the predominant characteristic of this difference being an over estimate of mean tissue PO2. Despite this limitation, PCA models remain important for theoretical studies as they produce PO2 distributions with similar shape and parameter dependence as RMN.
Arabidopsis lipocalins AtCHL and AtTIL have distinct but overlapping functions essential for lipid protection and seed longevity
Authors: BOCA SIMONA , KOESTLER FLEUR , KSAS BRIGITTE , CHEVALIER ANNE , LEYMARIE JULIETTE , FEKETE AGNES , MUELLER MARTIN J. , HAVAUX MICHEL 
Published: July 2013

AbstractLipocalins are a group of multifunctional proteins, recognized as carriers of small lipophilic molecules, which have been characterized in bacteria and animals. Two true lipocalins have been recently identified in plants, the temperature‐induced lipocalin (TIL) and the chloroplastic lipocalin (CHL), the expression of which is induced by various abiotic stresses. Each lipocalin appeared to be specialized in the responses to specific stress conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana, with AtTIL and AtCHL playing a protective role against heat and high light, respectively. The double mutant AtCHL KO × AtTIL KO deficient in both lipocalins was more sensitive to temperature, drought and light stresses than the single mutants, exhibiting intense lipid peroxidation. AtCHL deficiency dramatically enhanced the photosensitivity of mutants (vte1, npq1) affected in lipid protection mechanisms (tocopherols, zeaxanthin), confirming the role of lipocalins in the prevention of lipid peroxidation. Seeds of the AtCHL KO × AtTIL KO double mutant were very sensitive to natural and artificial ageing, and again this phenomenon was associated with the oxidation of polyunsaturated lipids. The presented results show that the Arabidopsis lipocalins AtTIL and AtCHL have overlapping functions in lipid protection which are essential for stress resistance and survival.
DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint defects as drivers and therapeutic targets in melanoma
Authors: Pavey Sandra , Spoerri Loredana , Haass Nikolas K. , Gabrielli Brian 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe ultraviolet radiation (UVR) component of sunlight is the major environmental risk factor for melanoma, producing DNA lesions that can be mutagenic if not repaired. The high level of mutations in melanomas that have the signature of UVR‐induced damage indicates that the normal mechanisms that detect and repair this damage must be defective in this system. With the exception of melanoma‐prone heritable syndromes which have mutations of repair genes, there is little evidence for somatic mutation of known repair genes. Cell cycle checkpoint controls are tightly associated with repair mechanisms, arresting cells to allow for repair before continuing through the cell cycle. Checkpoint signaling components also regulate the repair mechanisms. Defects in checkpoint mechanisms have been identified in melanomas and are likely to be responsible for increased mutation load in melanoma. Loss of the checkpoint responses may also provide an opportunity to target melanomas using a synthetic lethal approach to identify and inhibit mechanisms that compensate for the defective checkpoints.
Wittgenstein's Lectures on Religious Belief
Authors: Satris Stephen 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn this article, I want to do two things. The first is to conduct a sympathetic yet critical review of some of the salient features of the ideas in the notes that have come to us from Wittgenstein's Lectures on Religious Belief. This requires close reading, analysis and critique. The second, which comes out of the first, is to give some indication of Wittgenstein's failure to apply to his thinking about religious and moral matters some of the insights that he had already achieved as his philosophical thinking progressed.
Imaging trematode and nematode parasites
Authors: Pearce E. J. , Lok J. B. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryRecent advances in molecular genetics and in imaging mean that it is now increasingly feasible to image biological processes within helminth parasites and to visualize interactions between worms and their hosts. Moreover, other innovative imaging approaches that are not dependent on transgenic parasites have been applied to, and or developed for, the study of helminth parasites and have provided novel and important insights into the biology of these important pathogens.
ERP to chess stimuli reveal expert‐novice differences in the amplitudes of N2 and P3 components
Authors: Wright Michael J. , Gobet Fernand , Chassy Philippe , Ramchandani Payal Nanik 
Published: July 2013

AbstractERP experiments were conducted to analyze the underlying neural events when chess players make simple judgments of a board position. Fourteen expert players and 14 age‐matched novices viewed, for each of four tasks, 128 unique positions on a mini (4 × 4) chess board each presented for 0.5 s. The tasks were to respond: (a) if white king was in check, (b) if black knight was present, (c) if white king was not in check, and (d) if no black knight was present. Experts showed an enhanced N2 with check targets and a larger P3 with knight targets, relative to novices. Expert‐novice differences in posterior N2 began as early as 240 ms on check‐related searches. Results were consistent with the view that prolonged N2 components reflect matching of current perceptual input to memory, and thus are sensitive to experts' superior pattern recognition and memory retrieval of chunks.
Surgical Reconstructions for Posterolateral Rotatory Instability of Elbow using a Synthetic Ligament
Authors: Tawari Gautam J. K. , Lawrence Tom , Stanley David 
Published: July 2013

Background Chronic posterolateral rotatory instability occurs as a result of disruption of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow. It is usually treated by ligament reconstruction using an autogenous graft. We present our experience of reconstruction with the use of a synthetic polyester (LARS®; Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System; Surgical Implants and Devices, Arc-sur-Tille, France) ligament and discuss the advantages of this technique. Methods Ten consecutive cases of lateral ligament reconstruction using a LARS® ligament were reviewed. The mean age at the time of surgery was 30.2 years. The mean duration of instability symptoms preoperatively was 32.4 months. Three patients had generalized hyperlaxity. Three patients had previously undergone an unsuccessful autogenous graft reconstruction. Results The mean postoperative follow-up was 27 months. At review, seven of the 10 patients had stable elbows with no feelings of recurrent instability. This included two of the patients with generalized hyperlaxity. The mean postoperative arc of flexion/extension was 13° to 137°. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 87.5. Conclusions The use of a synthetic ligament for reconstruction of posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow provides satisfactory stability. It avoids the associated morbidity of using an autograft, appears to be well tolerated and is particularly valuable in the treatment of complex generalized hyperlaxity problems.
A Clinical Study of HBsAg‐Activated Dendritic Cells and Cytokine‐Induced Killer Cells During the Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Ma Y.‐J. , He M. , Han J.‐A. , Yang L. , Ji X.‐Y. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWe aim to study the therapeutic effects of HBsAg‐activated DCs and cytokine‐induced killer (CIK) cells as adoptive immunotherapy in patients with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB). Autologous HBsAg‐activated DC–CIK cells were infused into patients with CHB to evaluate their effect on HBV‐DNA, HBsAg, ALT, etc. The viral load in the treatment group decreased significantly (P < 0.001), while that in the control group did not decrease (P > 0.05). Twenty‐one patients (63.6% efficiency) in the treatment group had a viral response (≥2 log decrease in viral load), while four patients (14.8% efficiency) from the control group had a viral response. There were significant differences in the viral responses of the two groups (the control group 63.6% versus the control group 14.8%, P < 0.001). We concluded that the immunity was enhanced after HBsAg activation in DCs and CIK cells. Reinfusion of autologous HBsAg‐activated DC–CIK cells inhibited HBV proliferation in 21 of 33 (63.6%) patients.