bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Specificity of the Cyanobacterial Orange Carotenoid Protein: Influences of Orange Carotenoid Protein and Phycobilisome Structures
Authors: Jallet Denis , Thurotte Adrien , Leverenz Ryan L. , Perreau François , Kerfeld Cheryl A. , Kirilovsky Diana 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Cyanobacteria have developed a photoprotective mechanism that decreases the energy arriving at the reaction centers by increasing thermal energy dissipation at the level of the phycobilisome (PB), the extramembranous light-harvesting antenna. This mechanism is triggered by the photoactive Orange Carotenoid Protein (OCP), which acts both as the photosensor and the energy quencher. The OCP binds the core of the PB. The structure of this core differs in diverse cyanobacterial strains. Here, using two isolated OCPs and four classes of PBs, we demonstrated that differences exist between OCPs related to PB binding, photoactivity, and carotenoid binding. Synechocystis PCC 6803 (hereafter Synechocystis) OCP, but not Arthrospira platensis PCC 7345 (hereafter Arthrospira) OCP, can attach echinenone in addition to hydroxyechinenone. Arthrospira OCP binds more strongly than Synechocystis OCP to all types of PBs. Synechocystis OCP can strongly bind only its own PB in 0.8 m potassium phosphate. However, if the Synechocystis OCP binds to the PB at very high phosphate concentrations (approximately 1.4 m), it is able to quench the fluorescence of any type of PB, even those isolated from strains that lack the OCP-mediated photoprotective mechanism. Thus, the determining step for the induction of photoprotection is the binding of the OCP to PBs. Our results also indicated that the structure of PBs, at least in vitro, significantly influences OCP binding and the stabilization of OCP-PB complexes. Finally, the fact that the OCP induced large fluorescence quenching even in the two-cylinder core of Synechococcus elongatus PBs strongly suggested that OCP binds to one of the basal allophycocyanin cylinders.
Anisotropic permeability in fractured reservoirs from frequency‐dependent seismic Amplitude Versus Angle and Azimuth data
Authors: Ali Aamir , Jakobsen Morten 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTAttempts have previously been made to predict anisotropic permeability in fractured reservoirs from seismic Amplitude Versus Angle and Azimuth data on the basis of a consistent permeability‐stiffness model and the anisotropic Gassmann relations of Brown and Korringa. However, these attempts were not very successful, mainly because the effective stiffness tensor of a fractured porous medium under saturated (drained) conditions is much less sensitive to the aperture of the fractures than the corresponding permeability tensor. We here show that one can obtain information about the fracture aperture as well as the fracture density and orientation (which determines the effective permeability) from frequency‐dependent seismic Amplitude Versus Angle and Azimuth data. Our workflow is based on a unified stiffness‐permeability model, which takes into account seismic attenuation by wave‐induced fluid flow. Synthetic seismic Amplitude Versus Angle and Azimuth data are generated by using a combination of a dynamic effective medium theory with Rüger's approximations for PP reflection coefficients in Horizontally Transversely Isotropic media. A Monte Carlo method is used to perform a Bayesian inversion of these synthetic seismic Amplitude Versus Angle and Azimuth data with respect to the parameters of the fractures. An effective permeability model is then used to construct the corresponding probability density functions for the different components of the effective permeability constants. The results suggest that an improved characterization of fractured reservoirs can indeed be obtained from frequency‐dependent seismic Amplitude Versus Angle and Azimuth data, provided that a dynamic effective medium model is used in the inversion process and a priori information about the fracture length is available.
Political Connections and the Cost of Bank Loans
Authors: HOUSTON JOEL F. , JIANG LIANGLIANG , LIN CHEN , MA YUE 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes whether the political connections of listed firms in the United States affect the cost and terms of loan contracts. Using a hand‐collected data set of the political connections of S&P 500 companies over the 2003–2008 time period, we find that the cost of bank loans is significantly lower for companies that have board members with political ties. We consider two possible explanations for these findings: a Borrower Channel in which lenders charge lower rates because they recognize that connections enhance the borrower's credit worthiness and a Bank Channel in which banks assign greater value to connected loans to enhance their own relationships with key politicians. After employing a series of tests to distinguish between these two channels, we find strong support for the Borrower Channel but no direct evidence supporting the Bank Channel. Finally, we demonstrate that political connections reduce the likelihood of a capital expenditure restriction or liquidity requirement commanded by banks at the origination of the loan. Taken together, our results suggest that political connections increase the value of U.S. companies and reduce monitoring costs and credit risk faced by banks, which, in turn, reduces the borrower's cost of debt.
Determination of Acetamiprid and IM‐1‐2 in PostMortem Human Blood, Liver, Stomach Contents by HPLC‐DAD
Authors: Yeter Oya , Aydın Adnan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAn HPLC‐DAD method was developed to detect and quantify a neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid (ATP) and its metabolite IM‐1‐2 in autopsy samples of a fatal intoxication case. The postmortem blood and tissue distribution of ATP and IM‐1‐2 was determined for the first time. The method showed acceptable precisions and recoveries with relative standard deviations of <10% for ATP level and 1.38 % for IM‐1‐2. The detection and quantification limits for ATP were 0.015 μg/mL and 0.030 μg/mL for blood and were 0.035 μg/g and 0.050 μg/g for liver samples, respectively. The mean contents of ATP were 0.79 μg/g in the liver, 47.35 μg/g in the stomach contents and 2.7 μg/mL in the blood. IM‐1‐2 content was 17.0 μg/g in the stomach contents. ATP and IM‐1‐2 were not detected in the urine. The presence of ATP and IM‐1‐2 in the samples was confirmed by GC‐MS. The method can be exploited in future forensic casework.
Impact of peer‐led group education on the quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Kaya Taciser , Goksel Karatepe Altinay , Atici Ozturk Pinar , Gunaydin Rezzan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the effect of peer‐led group education on the quality of life and depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).MethodsEighty patients with definite AS were allocated randomly to either the education or control group. The education group (n = 40) was subjected to a peer‐led group education program about disease and was given an educational booklet, while the control group (n = 40) was given the educational booklet only. Levels of quality of life and depression were measured at baseline, immediately after education (fourth week) and at 6 months in both groups.ResultsThe results are based on 56 (n = 27, education group; n = 29, control group) patients. The level of quality of life and depressive symptoms were not changed except for a deterioration in the social functioning subgroup of Short From (SF)‐36 in both groups. When the groups were compared, there were no significant differences between changes in social functioning scores.ConclusionsPeer‐led education did not alter quality of life levels and depression scores. However, because of the maintainance of quality of life levels, this type of intervention may be considered as a supplementary intervention to the standard medical care for management of AS.
Clinical courses and predictors of outcomes in patients with monoarthritis: a retrospective study of 171 cases
Authors: Jeong Hyemin , Kim Ah Yeong , Yoon Hyun Jung , Park Eun‐Jung , Hwang Jiwon , Kim Hyungjin , Ahn Joong Kyong , Lee Jaejoon , Koh Eun‐Mi , Cha Hoon‐Suk 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the clinical courses and outcomes of patients with monoarthritis and to investigate the predictive factors of clinical outcomes.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed of 171 patients with chronic monoarthritis at a single tertiary hospital between January 2001 and January 2011. Baseline characteristics, radiographic findings and the clinical course were reviewed.ResultsThe most commonly involved joints were the knees (24.0%), followed by the wrists (22.8%) and ankles (18.7%). A final diagnosis was established in 74 (43.3%) patients. Thirty‐one (18.1%) patients were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 23 (13.5%) with peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA), and 19 (11.1%) with Behçet's disease (BD). Among 108 patients who were initially undiagnosed, 85 (78.7%) patients remained with undiagnosed monoarthritis, with relatively shorter symptom durations and requiring less treatment. The initially involved joint was a predictive factor for the final diagnosis: the wrist joint for RA (odds ratio [OR] 11.58, P < 0.001), the ankle joint for SpA (OR 6.19, P < 0.001), and the knee joint for BD (OR 3.43, P = 0.014). Bony erosion at baseline was associated with progression to oligo‐ or polyarthritis (OR 2.88, P = 0.030) and with radiographic progression.ConclusionsIn patients presenting with monoarthritis, a final diagnosis was established in less than half of the patients, and a majority of undiagnosed patients showed benign clinical courses. The initially involved joint and the presence of erosion at baseline were predictors of the final diagnosis and of clinical outcomes.
To read or not to read: decoding Synthetic Phonics
Authors: Davis Andrew 
Published: December 2013

In England, current government policy on children's reading is strongly prescriptive, insisting on the delivery of a pure and exclusive form of synthetic phonics, where letter sounds are learned and blended in order to ‘read’ text. A universally imposed phonics ‘check’ is taken by all five year olds and the results are widely reported.These policies are underpinned by the claim that research has shown systematic synthetic phonics to be the most effective way of teaching children to read. Andrew Davis argues that there is a basic problem with this claim. Whatever it is that empirical researchers take themselves to be doing when they investigate synthetic phonics, they are not investigating a specifiable method of teaching reading. This is for two reasons. First, there are no such things as specifiable methods of teaching. Teaching is a vastly complex human activity involving contextual and reactive practical judgments that are responsive to the myriad contingencies of classroom life. The idea that teachers might proceed by way of prescribed methods rather than practical judgments is simply a fantasy.Second, teaching children to correlate letter combinations with sounds, and to blend sounds into sequences, is not teaching them to read. Reading is a matter of grasping meaning conveyed by text. While sustained attention to letter‐sound correspondences can be helpful to some novice readers, we should neither assume that it is helpful to all nor confuse mastery of such correspondences with the ability to read.Davis's challenge to government policy on the teaching of reading, and to the empirical research that supposedly underpins it, is timely, radical and compelling. The zeal with which synthetic phonics is championed by its advocates has been remarkably effective in pushing it to the top of the educational agenda; but we should not mistake zeal for warrant.
Effectiveness of different intracanal irrigation techniques in removing intracanal paste medicaments
Authors: Chou Kenny , George Roy , Walsh Laurence J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different intracanal irrigation techniques in removing intracanal medicaments prior to obturation. A total of 168 single roots were prepared with ProTaper® rotary files and medicament pastes applied (Ledermix®, Odontopaste®, Doxypaste and Pulpdent®), left in for 2 weeks, then removed using filing followed by one of four methods: irrigation with an open‐ended notched irrigation needle (Appli‐Vac) either at the working length or 5 mm from the canal orifice, or the Max‐I‐probe or EndoActivator® at the working length. Following the removal of medicaments, the roots were split into two and the internal surfaces photographed, for digital image analysis of the overall percentage of residual medicament. With the exception of canals irrigated 5 mm apical to the root canal orifice, all four irrigation techniques achieved an average of 95% for removal of Ledermix®, Odontopaste® and Doxypaste. Calcium hydroxide paste was the most difficult medicament to remove, with no difference between irrigation techniques. Up to 27% of the Pulpdent® material remained after irrigation. No irrigation technique could completely remove all traces of medicaments. The position of the irrigational needle and the type of medicament used are key factors, which influence the effectiveness of irrigation in removing medicaments.
Medication Errors Outside Healthcare Facilities: A National Poison Centre Perspective
Authors: Lavon Ophir , Ben‐Zeev Adi , Bentur Yedidia 
Published: December 2013

AbstractMedication errors (ME) are a major concern to healthcare systems. Most studies evaluated ME occurring in healthcare facilities; only few focused on ME outside them. The objective was to characterise ME occurring outside healthcare facilities. A prospective observational follow‐up study evaluating all ME occurring outside healthcare facilities reported to a national poison information centre during a 5‐month period. For each ME case, a detailed questionnaire was filled and a follow‐up call was made within 7 days. The collected data included demographics, circumstances, type of error and outcome. Of 1381 consecutive ME cases were included; 97.8% involved a single incident and 88.3% one drug. The main characteristics of the ME were as follows: children younger than 6 years old (58.9%), parents responsible for 55.6% of cases, wrong dose 34.5% and different medication 30.1%. Analgesics (27.4%) and antimicrobials (12.2%) were the most common pharmaceuticals. The main reasons for the ME were look‐alike packaging (31.4%) and misunderstood instructions (28%). Most followed up patients (97.1%) were asymptomatic or mildly affected; there was one severe case and no mortality. Most ME occurring outside healthcare facilities are single incidents, involving young children who were administered a wrong dose or medication due to look‐alike packaging or misunderstood instructions with asymptomatic or mild outcome. Improved packaging, labelling and patient education are suggested to reduce ME.
Huntington's Disease (HD): Degeneration of Select Nuclei, Widespread Occurrence of Neuronal Nuclear and Axonal Inclusions in the Brainstem
Authors: Rüb Udo , Hentschel Matthias , Stratmann Katharina , Brunt Ewout , Heinsen Helmut , Seidel Kay , Bouzrou Mohamed , Auburger Georg , Paulson Henry , Vonsattel Jean‐Paul , Lange Herwig , Korf Horst‐Werner , den Dunnen Wilfred 
Published: December 2013

AbstractHuntington's disease (HD) is a progressive polyglutamine disease that leads to a severe striatal and layer‐specific neuronal loss in the cerebral neo‐and allocortex. As some of the clinical symptoms (eg, oculomotor dysfunctions) suggested a degeneration of select brainstem nuclei, we performed a systematic investigation of the brainstem of eight clinically diagnosed and genetically confirmed HD patients. This post‐mortem investigation revealed a consistent neuronal loss in the substantia nigra, pontine nuclei, reticulotegmental nucleus of the pons, superior and inferior olives, in the area of the excitatory burst neurons for horizontal saccades, raphe interpositus nucleus and vestibular nuclei. Immunoreactive intranuclear neuronal inclusions were present in all degenerated and apparently spared brainstem nuclei and immunoreactive axonal inclusions were observed in all brainstem fiber tracts of the HD patients. Degeneration of brainstem nuclei can account for a number of less well‐understood clinical HD symptoms (ie, cerebellar, oculomotor and vestibular symptoms), while the formation of axonal aggregates may represent a crucial event in the cascades of pathological events leading to neurodegeneration in HD.
The tail wags the dog: possible mechanism for reverse allosteric control of ligand‐activated channels
Authors: Vardy E , Kenakin T 
Published: December 2013

In this issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology, a new article by Kozuska et al. discusses the multiple salt bridges in the intracellular domain of the 5HT3A receptor. These interactions increase the overall rigidity of the receptor, stabilize its low conducting state and affect the ligand cooperativity. The authors suggest that the allosteric effects of these regions on the receptor may be involved in a possible ‘reverse’ allosteric modulation of 5HT3 receptors.Linked ArticleThis article is a Commentary on Kozuska et al., pp. 1617–1628 volume 171 issue 7. To view this paper visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.12536
Investigation of connexin 43 uncoupling and prolongation of the cardiac QRS complex in preclinical and marketed drugs
Authors: Burnham M P , Sharpe P M , Garner C , Hughes R , Pollard C E , Bowes J 
Published: December 2013

Background and PurposeProlongation of the cardiac QRS complex is linked to increased mortality and may result from drug‐induced inhibition of cardiac sodium channels (hNaV1.5). There has been no systematic evaluation of preclinical and marketed drugs for their additional potential to cause QRS prolongation via gap junction uncoupling.Experimental ApproachUsing the human cardiac gap junction connexin 43 (hCx43), a dye transfer ‘parachute’ assay to determine IC50 values for compound ranking was validated with compounds known to uncouple gap junctions. Uncoupling activity (and hNaV1.5 inhibition by automated patch clamp) was determined in a set of marketed drugs and preclinical candidate drugs, each with information regarding propensity to prolong QRS.Key ResultsThe potency of known gap junction uncouplers to uncouple hCx43 was ranked (according to IC50) as phorbol ester>digoxin>meclofenamic acid>carbenoxolone>heptanol. Among the drugs associated with QRS prolongation, 29% were found to uncouple hCx43 (IC50 < 50 μM), whereas no uncoupling activity was observed in drugs not associated with QRS prolongation. In preclinical candidate drugs, hCx43 and hNaV1.5 IC50 values were similar (within threefold). No consistent margin over preclinical Cmax (free) was apparent for QRS prolongation associated with Cx43 inhibition. However, instances were found of QRS prolonging compounds that uncoupled hCx43 with significantly less activity at hNaV1.5.Conclusion and ImplicationsThese results demonstrate that off‐target uncoupling activity is apparent in drug and drug‐like molecules. Although the full ramifications of Cx inhibition remain to be established, screening for hCx43 off‐target activity could reduce the likelihood of developing candidate drugs with a risk of causing QRS prolongation.
Antihyperalgesic effects of imidazoline I2 receptor ligands in rat models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain
Authors: Li Jun‐Xu , Thorn David A , Qiu Yanyan , Peng Bi‐Wen , Zhang Yanan 
Published: December 2013

Background and PurposeA new imidazoline I2 receptor ligand, CR4056, is effective for chronic inflammatory pain and diabetic neuropathy. However, it is unclear whether other I2 receptor ligands have similar effects and whether antinociceptive tolerance develops with repeated treatment.Experimental ApproachThe Von Frey filament test was used to measure mechanical hyperalgesia and the plantar test to measure thermal hyperalgesia in rats injected with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) treatment or had undergone surgery to induce chronic constriction injury (CCI), models of inflammatory pain and peripheral neuropathic pain respectively. The effects of morphine and I2 receptor ligands, 2‐BFI, BU224, tracizoline and CR4056, 3.2–32 mg·kg−1, i.p., on hyperalgesia or affective pain (as measured by a place escape/avoidance paradigm) were studied in separate experiments.Key ResultsMorphine and the I2 receptor ligands (2‐BFI, BU224 and tracizoline) all dose‐dependently attenuated mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in CFA‐treated rats. The anti‐hyperalgesic effects of 2‐BFI in CFA‐treated and CCI rats were attenuated by the I2 receptor antagonist idazoxan. The combination of 2‐BFI and morphine produced additive effects against mechanical hyperalgesia in CFA‐treated rats. Repeated treatment (daily for 7–9 days) with 2‐BFI or CR4056 did not produce antinociceptive tolerance in CFA‐treated or CCI rats. Morphine and the I2 receptor ligands (2‐BFI, BU224 and CR4056) were all effective at attenuating place escape/avoidance behaviour in CFA‐treated rats.Conclusions and ImplicationsImidazoline I2 receptor ligands have antihyperalgesic effects in rat models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain and may represent a new class of pharmacotherapeutics for the management of chronic pain.
Bortezomib therapy‐related lung disease in Japanese patients with multiple myeloma: Incidence, mortality and clinical characterization
Authors: Yoshizawa Kazutake , Mukai Harumi Y. , Miyazawa Michiko , Miyao Makiko , Ogawa Yoshimasa , Ohyashiki Kazuma , Katoh Takao , Kusumoto Masahiko , Gemma Akihiko , Sakai Fumikazu , Sugiyama Yukihiko , Hatake Kiyohiko , Fukuda Yuh , Kudoh Shoji 
Published: December 2013

Because of the potentially high mortality rate (6.5%) associated with bortezomib‐induced lung disease (BILD) in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, we evaluated the incidence, mortality and clinical features of BILD in a Japanese population. This study was conducted under the Risk Minimization Action Plan (RMAP), which was collaboratively developed by the pharmaceutical industry and public health authority. The RMAP consisted of an intensive dissemination of risk information and a recommended countermeasure to health‐care professionals. All patients treated with bortezomib were consecutively registered in the study within 1 year and monitored for emerging BILD. Of the 1010 patients registered, 45 (4.5%) developed BILD, 5 (0.50%) of whom had fatal cases. The median time to BILD onset from the first bortezomib dose was 14.5 days, and most of the patients responded well to corticosteroid therapy. A retrospective review by the Lung Injury Medical Expert Panel revealed that the types with capillary leak syndrome and hypoxia without infiltrative shadows were uniquely and frequently observed in patients with BILD compared with those with conditions associated with other molecular‐targeted anticancer drugs. The incidence rate of BILD in Japan remains high compared with that reported in other countries, but the incidence and mortality rates are lower than expected before the introduction of bortezomib in Japan. This study describes the radiographic pattern and clinical characterization of BILD in the Japanese population. The RMAP seemed clinically effective in minimizing the BILD risk among our Japanese population.