bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medical Management of the Consequences of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Incident
Authors: Hachiya Misao , Tominaga Takako , Tatsuzaki Hideo , Akashi Makoto 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA huge earthquake struck the northeast coast of the main island of Japan on March 11, 2011, triggering a tsunami with 14–15 meter‐high waves hitting the area. The earthquake was followed by numerous sustained aftershocks. The earthquake affected the nuclear power plant (NPP) in Fukushima prefecture, resulting in large amounts of radioactive materials being released into the environment. The major nuclides released on land were 131I, 134Cs, and 137Cs. Therefore, almost 170 000 people had to be evacuated or stay indoors. Besides the NPP and the telecommunications system, the earthquake also affected infrastructures such as the supplies of water and electricity as well as the radiation monitoring system. The local hospital system was dysfunctional; hospitals designated as radiation‐emergency facilities were not able to function because of damage from the earthquake and tsunami, and some of them were located within a 20 km radius of the NPP, the designated evacuation zone. Local fire department personnel were also asked to evacuate. Furthermore, the affected hospitals had not established their evacuation plans at that time. We have learned from this “combined disaster” that the potential for damage to lifelines as well as the monitoring systems for radiation in case of an earthquake requires our intense focus and vigilance, and that hospitals need comprehensive plans for evacuation, including patients requiring life support equipment during and after a nuclear disaster. There is an urgent need for a “combined disaster” strategy, and this should be emphasized in current disaster planning and response.
Molecular Dynamics Guided Design of Tocoflexol: A New Radioprotectant Tocotrienol with Enhanced Bioavailability
Authors: Compadre Cesar M. , Singh Awantika , Thakkar Shraddha , Zheng Guangrong , Breen Philip J. , Ghosh Sanchita , Kiaei Mahmoud , Boerma Marjan , Varughese Kottayil I. , Hauer‐Jensen Martin 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Preclinical Research

There is a pressing need to develop safe and effective radioprotector/radiomitigator agents for use in accidental or terrorist‐initiated radiological emergencies. Naturally occurring vitamin E family constituents, termed tocols, that include the tocotrienols, are known to have radiation‐protection properties. These agents, which work through multiple mechanisms, are promising radioprotectant agents having minimal toxicity. Although α‐tocopherol (AT) is the most commonly studied form of vitamin E, the tocotrienols are more potent than AT in providing radioprotection and radiomitigation. Unfortunately, despite their very significant radioprotectant activity, tocotrienols have very short plasma half‐lives and require dosing at very high levels to achieve necessary therapeutic benefits. Thus, it would be highly desirable to develop new vitamin E analogues with improved pharmacokinetic properties, specifically increased elimination half‐life and increased area under the plasma level versus time curve. The short elimination half‐life of the tocotrienols is related to their low affinity for the α‐tocopherol transfer protein (ATTP), the protein responsible for maintaining the plasma level of the tocols. Tocotrienols have less affinity for ATTP than does AT, and thus have a longer residence time in the liver, putting them at higher risk for metabolism and biliary excretion. We hypothesized that the low‐binding affinity of tocotrienols to ATTP is due to the relatively more rigid tail structure of the tocotrienols in comparison with that of the tocopherols. Therefore, compounds with a more flexible tail would have better binding to ATTP and consequently would have longer elimination half‐life and, consequently, an increased exposure to drug, as measured by area under the plasma drug level versus time curve (AUC). This represents an enhanced residence of drug in the systemic circulation. Based on this hypothesis, we developed a new class of vitamin E analogues, the tocoflexols, which maintain the superior bioactivity of the tocotrienols with the potential to achieve the longer half‐life and larger AUC of the tocopherols.
Building the Strategic National Stockpile Through the NIAID Radiation Nuclear Countermeasures Program
Authors: Rios Carmen I. , Cassatt David R. , DiCarlo Andrea L. , Macchiarini Francesca , Ramakrishnan Narayani , Norman Mai‐Kim , Maidment Bert W. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe possibility of a public health radiological or nuclear emergency in the United States remains a concern. Media attention focused on lost radioactive sources and international nuclear threats, as well as the potential for accidents in nuclear power facilities (e.g., Windscale, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima) highlight the need to address this critical national security issue. To date, no drugs have been licensed to mitigate/treat the acute and long‐term radiation injuries that would result in the event of large‐scale, radiation, or nuclear public health emergency. However, recent evaluation of several candidate radiation medical countermeasures (MCMs) has provided initial proof‐of‐concept of efficacy. The goal of the Radiation Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (National Institutes of Health) is to help ensure the government stockpiling of safe and efficacious MCMs to treat radiation injuries, including, but not limited to, hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, cutaneous, renal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. In addition to supporting research in these areas, the RNCP continues to fund research and development of decorporation agents targeting internal radionuclide contamination, and biodosimetry platforms (e.g., biomarkers and devices) to assess the levels of an individual's radiation exposure, capabilities that would be critical in a mass casualty scenario. New areas of research within the program include a focus on special populations, especially pediatric and geriatric civilians, as well as combination studies, in which drugs are tested within the context of expected medical care management (e.g., antibiotics and growth factors). Moving forward, challenges facing the RNCP, as well as the entire radiation research field, include further advancement and qualification of animal models, dose conversion from animal models to humans, biomarker identification, and formulation development. This paper provides a review of recent work and collaborations supported by the RNCP.
Evaluating the Toxicity of Novel Zn‐DTPA Tablet Formulation in Dogs and Rats
Authors: Shankar Gita N. , Potharaju Suresh , Green Carol E. 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Preclinical Research

The purpose of this research work is to evaluate toxicity of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid zinc trisodium salt (Zn‐DTPA) tablets, a novel oral solid dosage form containing permeation enhancers in beagle dogs and Sprague Dawley rats. (Zn‐DTPA) in tablet dosage form was administered once daily for 7 days to beagle dogs at low (840 mg/dog/day), mid (2520 mg/dog/day), or high (7560 mg/dog/day). On day 8, all treated and control groups were necropsied. The novel Zn‐DTPA tablet formulation showed rapid absorption with the Tmax at 1 h. Plasma concentrations as high as 270 μg/mL were observed after 7 days of administration. Exposure to DTPA, based on area under the curve (AUClast) and maximum concentration (Cmax), was dose dependent but not dose proportional. No biologically relevant changes in hematology or clinical chemistry that were related to DTPA exposure were observed, and there were no changes in body weight in treated dogs compared with controls. Zn‐DTPA was well tolerated, with minor toxicological effects of emesis and diarrhea, following oral tablet administration for 7 consecutive days. Based on the endpoints evaluated in this study, the maximum tolerated dose is considered to be greater than 7560 mg/dog/day (2535 μmol/kg/day, 1325 mg/kg/day), and the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level (NOAEL) is considered to be approximately 1325 mg/kg/day per oral when given to male and female beagle dogs. For rats, the NOAEL was estimated to be greater than 1000 mg/kg/day when administered by oral gavage of the crushed Zn‐DTPA tablets as suspension once daily (qd) to male and female Sprague Dawley rats.
What is an expert? A systems perspective on expertise
Authors: Caley Michael Julian , O'Leary Rebecca A. , Fisher Rebecca , Low‐Choy Samantha , Johnson Sandra , Mengersen Kerrie 
Published: December 2013

AbstractExpert knowledge is a valuable source of information with a wide range of research applications. Despite the recent advances in defining expert knowledge, little attention has been given to how to view expertise as a system of interacting contributory factors for quantifying an individual's expertise. We present a systems approach to expertise that accounts for many contributing factors and their inter‐relationships and allows quantification of an individual's expertise. A Bayesian network (BN) was chosen for this purpose. For illustration, we focused on taxonomic expertise. The model structure was developed in consultation with taxonomists. The relative importance of the factors within the network was determined by a second set of taxonomists (supra‐experts) who also provided validation of the model structure. Model performance was assessed by applying the model to hypothetical career states of taxonomists designed to incorporate known differences in career states for model testing. The resulting BN model consisted of 18 primary nodes feeding through one to three higher‐order nodes before converging on the target node (Taxonomic Expert). There was strong consistency among node weights provided by the supra‐experts for some nodes, but not others. The higher‐order nodes, “Quality of work” and “Total productivity”, had the greatest weights. Sensitivity analysis indicated that although some factors had stronger influence in the outer nodes of the network, there was relatively equal influence of the factors leading directly into the target node. Despite the differences in the node weights provided by our supra‐experts, there was good agreement among assessments of our hypothetical experts that accurately reflected differences we had specified. This systems approach provides a way of assessing the overall level of expertise of individuals, accounting for multiple contributory factors, and their interactions. Our approach is adaptable to other situations where it is desirable to understand components of expertise.
The immunosuppressant tributyltin oxide blocks the mTOR pathway, like rapamycin, albeit by a different mechanism
Authors: Osman Ahmed M. , van Loveren Henk 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTWe treated the thymoma cell line (EL4) with two model immunosuppressants, rapamycin and tributyltin oxide (TBTO), and compared their effects on the expression levels of proteins that are downstream targets of mTOR kinase 1 (mammalian target of rapamycin, known also as mechanistic target of rapamycin): p70 ribosomal S6 kinase1 and 4E‐binding protein 1, a repressor of the cap‐binding protein eIF4E. In addition, we evaluated the levels of ribosomal protein S6, p‐eIF4B, substrates of p70S6 kinase1, matrin 3 and ribonucleotide reductase, subunit RRM2. The levels of these proteins were evaluated in cell lysates by immunoblot. We found that both compounds inhibited the phosphorylation state of p70S6 kinase 1 and its substrates; however, TBTO, in contrast to rapamycin, reduced the level of the total p70S6k1. Besides, we detected a band with a molecular weight of c. 32 kDa only in the TBTO‐treated lysates. This band was detected with a monoclonal antibody specific for S6k1, suggesting that this band might be a degradation product of the kinase. Further, TBTO and rapamycin differentially affected 4E‐binding protein 1; the former compound stimulated its phosphorylation state whereas the latter inhibited it. The two immunosuppressants did not affect the level of ribonucleotide reductase, but TBTO downregulated matrin3, in agreement with a previous report, whereas rapamycin had no effect on the expression level of this latter protein. We conclude that TBTO inhibits, like rapamycin, the p70 S6 kinase 1 pathway, but with a different mechanism. However, in contrast to rapamycin, which inhibits the cap‐dependent translation, TBTO increases the phosphorylation of 4E‐binding protein1. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intergranular pitting corrosion of CoCrMo biomedical implant alloy
Authors: Panigrahi Pooja , Liao Yifeng , Mathew Mathew T. , Fischer Alfons , Wimmer Markus A. , Jacobs Joshua J. , Marks Laurence D. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractCoCrMo samples of varying microstructure and carbon content were electrochemically corroded in vitro and examined by scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction techniques. The rate of corrosion was minimized (80% reduction from icorr = 1396 nA/cm2 to icorr = 276 nA/cm2) in high‐carbon CoCrMo alloys which displayed a coarser grain structure and partially dissolved second phases, achieved by solution annealing at higher temperatures for longer periods of time. The mechanism of degradation was intergranular pitting corrosion, localized at phase boundaries and grain boundaries of high energy (high‐angle and low lattice coincidence, Σ11 or higher); grain boundaries of lower energy did not appear to corrode. This suggests the possibility of grain boundary engineering to improve the performance of metal implant devices. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 850–859, 2014.
Corrosion and tribocorrosion of hafnium in simulated body fluids
Authors: Rituerto Sin J. , Neville A. , Emami N. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractHafnium is a passive metal with good biocompatibility and osteogenesis, however, little is known about its resistance to wear and corrosion in biological environments. The corrosion and tribocorrosion behavior of hafnium and commercially pure (CP) titanium in simulated body fluids were investigated using electrochemical techniques. Cyclic polarization scans and open circuit potential measurements were performed in 0.9% NaCl solution and 25% bovine calf serum solution to assess the effect of organic species on the corrosion behavior of the metal. A pin‐on‐plate configuration tribometer and a three electrode electrochemical cell were integrated to investigate the tribocorrosion performance of the studied materials. The results showed that hafnium has good corrosion resistance. The corrosion density currents measured in its passive state were lower than those measured in the case of CP titanium; however, it showed a higher tendency to suffer from localized corrosion, which was more acute when imperfections were present on the surface. The electrochemical breakdown of the oxide layer was retarded in the presence of proteins. Tribocorrosion tests showed that hafnium has the ability to quickly repassivate after the oxide layer was damaged; however, it showed higher volumetric loss than CP titanium in equivalent wear‐corrosion conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1157–1164, 2014.
The spectacle of the ball python (Python regius): A morphological description
Authors: Da Silva Mari‐Ann O. , Heegaard Steffen , Wang Tobias , Nyengaard Jens R. , Bertelsen Mads F. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTA detailed morphological description of the spectacle of the ball python (Python regius) is provided. The eyes of 21 snakes were examined by light microscopy and/or transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, eyes of nine live snakes were examined using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Scheimpflug scanning (Pentacam). The spectacle consists of three layers: outer epithelium, stroma and inner epithelium. The outer epithelium is made up of flat basal cells overlaid by keratin, the stroma consists of organized layers of collagen fibrils with interweaving nerve fibers and blood vessels, and the inner epithelium holds squamous cells containing vesicles and microvilli. At the rim of the spectacle, there is a transition zone, where the spectacle merges with the epidermis and dermis of the periocular scales. This zone is characterized by a greater height of the basal cells of the outer epithelium and a less orderly organization of the stroma compared with the spectacle proper. The thickness of the spectacle was uniform throughout. It averaged 96 ± 10 µm in histological specimens and 108 ± 13 µm using OCT. The subspectacular space was extremely narrow in the live snakes; however, the space was visible at the periphery of the spectacle with OCT. J. Morphol. 275:489–496, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impacts of comparative anatomy of electric rays (Batoidea: Torpediniformes) on their systematic hypotheses
Authors: Claeson Kerin M. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThe Comparative anatomy of the 11 recognized genera within Torpediniformes is described, systematically categorized, and illustrated in a comprehensive photo‐atlas. Data are compiled into a character matrix and cladistically analyzed using parsimony to test hypotheses about the previously recognized subfamilies, while reconstructing the possible evolutionary history of Torpediniformes. Results are consistent with the previous rank‐based classifications, regardless of the parsimony criteria used to generate the phylogenetic hypothesis, with one notable exception: a monophyletic Narcininae was never recovered. Torpedinoidea (=Hypnos + Torpedo) is supported by the presence of long, slender, flexible jaw cartilages, absence of a large rostral fontanelle, presence of suprascapular antimeres that are each shorter than the scapular process of the scapulocoracoid, antorbital cartilages that articulate on the anterior aspect of the nasal capsules and absence of a frontoparietal fontanelle. Subfamilial names Hypninae and Torpedininae are redundant with the genus namesHypnosandTorpedoand are not adopted here. Narcinoidea (=nontorpedinoid torpediniforms) is supported by unambiguous character transformations to the presence of a divided lower lip, labial cartilages, laterolingually compressed palatoquadrates, bifurcated antorbital cartilages, a rostral fontanelle, ventrally projecting nasal capsules, a dorsal rim of the synarcual mouth posterior to occipital condyle, posteriorly positioned lateral stays, and obtuse anterior margins of lateral stays. Narkidae is supported by unambiguous character transformations to the presence of an uncovered eye that protrudes above dorsal surface, a shared rim between the spiracle and the eye, an anterior nasal turret that projects ventrally, a nasal curtain that covers the upper lip and dentition when the mouth is closed, tab‐like prepelvic processes, a mesopterygium that is shorter than propterygium but longer than metapterygium, a slender median rostral cartilage, and a basibranchial cartilage with an anterior margin that is depressed medially and a posterior margin that tapers. J. Morphol. 275:597–612, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radioguided localisation of impalpable breast lesions using 99m‐Technetium macroaggregated albumin: Lessons learnt during introduction of a new technique to guide preoperative localisation
Authors: Landman Joanne , Kulawansa Sagarika , McCarthy Michael , Troedson Russell , Phillips Michael , Tinning Jill , Taylor Donna 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIntroductionPreoperative wire‐guided localisation (WGL) of impalpable breast lesions is widely used but can be technically difficult. Risks include wire migration, inaccurate placement, and inadequate surgical margins. Research shows that radioguided occult lesion localisation (ROLL) is quicker, easier, and can improve surgical and cosmetic outcomes. An audited introduction of ROLL was conducted to validate the technique as a feasible alternative to WGL.MethodsFifty patients with single impalpable lesions and biopsy proven malignancy or indeterminate histology underwent WGL followed by intralesional radiopharmaceutical injection of 99m‐Technetium macroaggregated albumin. Postprocedural mammography was performed to demonstrate wire position, and scintigraphy to evaluate radiopharmaceutical migration. Lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative sentinel node biopsy were performed if indicated, followed by lesion localisation and excision using a gamma probe. Specimen imaging was performed, with immediate reexcision for visibly inadequate margins.ResultsAccurate localisation was achieved in 86% of patients with ROLL compared to 72% with WGL. All lesions were successfully removed, with clear margins in 71.8% of malignant lesions. Reexcision and intraoperative sentinel node localisation rates were equivalent to preaudit figures for WGL. ROLL was easy to perform and problems were infrequent. Inaccurate radiopharmaceutical placement necessitating WGL occurred in four patients. Minor radiopharmaceutical migration was common, but precluded using ROLL in only two cases.ConclusionsROLL is effective, simple, inexpensive, and easily learnt; however, preoperative confirmation of correct radiopharmaceutical placement using mammography and the gamma probe is important to help ensure successful lesion removal. Insertion of a backup hookwire is recommended during the initial introduction of ROLL.
Assessment of work‐integrated learning: comparison of the usage of a grading rubric by supervising radiographers and teachers
Authors: Kilgour Andrew J. , Kilgour Peter W. , Gerzina Tania , Christian Beverly 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIntroductionProfessional work‐integrated learning (WIL) that integrates the academic experience with off‐campus professional experience placements is an integral part of many tertiary courses. Issues with the reliability and validity of assessment grades in these placements suggest that there is a need to strengthen the level of academic rigour of placements in these programmes. This study aims to compare the attitudes to the usage of assessment rubrics of radiographers supervising medical imaging students and teachers supervising pre‐service teachers.MethodsWIL placement assessment practices in two programmes, pre‐service teacher training (Avondale College of Higher Education, NSW) and medical diagnostic radiography (Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW), were compared with a view to comparing assessment strategies across these two different educational domains. Educators (course coordinators) responsible for teaching professional development placements of teacher trainees and diagnostic radiography students developed a standards‐based grading rubric designed to guide assessment of students’ work during WIL placement by assessors. After ~12 months of implementation of the rubrics, assessors’ reaction to the effectiveness and usefulness of the grading rubric was determined using a specially created survey form. Data were collected over the period from March to June 2011. Quantitative and qualitative data found that assessors in both programmes considered the grading rubric to be a vital tool in the assessment process, though teacher supervisors were more positive about the benefits of its use than the radiographer supervisors.ResultsBenefits of the grading rubric included accuracy and consistency of grading, ability to identify specific areas of desired development and facilitation of the provision of supervisor feedback. The use of assessment grading rubrics is of benefit to assessors in WIL placements from two very different teaching programmes.ConclusionRadiographers appear to need more training in the rubric's use, whereas teachers are found to generally use it appropriately. There are implications drawn from this finding that are applicable to health science and medical education in general.