bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Communication and Intimacy-Enhancing Interventions for Men Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and Their Partners
Authors: Nelson Christian J. , Kenowitz Joslyn 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The sexual dysfunction following prostate cancer treatments often leads to a reduction in intimate contact for couples. A number of psychosocial interventions have been developed to enhance intimacy in these couples. This paper reviews three of these interventions and is a summary of a presentation given as part of a symposium at the 2011 Cancer Survivorship and Sexual Health Meeting.

Aim
The goal of this presentation was to: (i) review three types of psychosocial interventions; and (ii) describe the methodological issues highlighted by these interventions.

Main Outcome Measures
Validated measures of relationship intimacy and communication.

Methods
To be selected, the interventions had to be: a randomized control trial, focus on a couples approach to therapy, and report at least one relationship outcome.

Results
The results were not consistent within or across studies, and suggest that some specific aspects of the interventions may be helpful for the patient, while other aspects of the studies may be helpful for the partner. The Northouse et al. study suggests that partners may benefit from a focus on couple work, as compared to the patient. The Canada et al. study indicates that when focusing on sexual functioning, working with a couple did not show significant benefit compared to working with a man alone. The study did show, however, that a sexual-based intervention can improve the use of erectile dysfunction treatments and suggests patients may benefit from specific focus on side effects of treatment. The Manne et al. study highlights the importance of targeting these interventions to couples who report distress, and for distressed couples, an intervention can show positive results.

Conclusions
Intimacy enhancing interventions can be effective for couples, while the partners may benefit more from couples work; the patients may benefit more from focus on specific side effects.
An evaluation of the FDA Responder Endpoint for IBS‐C clinical trials: analysis of data from linaclotide Phase 3 clinical trials
Authors: MacDougall J. E. , Johnston J. M. , Lavins B. J. , Nelson L. M. , Williams V. S. L. , Carson R. T. , Shiff S. J. , Shi K. , Kurtz C. B. , Baird M. J. , Currie M. G. , Lembo A. J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundOur objective was to evaluate the performance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Responder Endpoint for clinical trials in IBS‐C, using data from two large Phase 3 clinical trials of linaclotide. The FDA interim endpoint requires that, for 50% of trial weeks, patients report ≥30% decrease in Abdominal Pain at its worst and (in the same week) an increase in Complete Spontaneous Bowel Movements (CSBMs) of ≥1 from baseline.MethodsAnchor‐based methodology was used to estimate thresholds of clinically meaningful change using symptom‐specific patient rating of change questions (PRCQs) and symptom severity questions. The diagnostic accuracy of the FDA Responder Endpoint was assessed using sensitivity/specificity‐based methods.Key ResultsUsing anchor‐based methods, the estimates of the clinically meaningful improvement thresholds for Abdominal Pain ranged from 25.9% to 32.4% and thresholds for increase in weekly CSBM rate ranged from 1.4 to 1.6 CSBMs per week. Compared with the symptom‐specific PRCQs for patient rating of relief, the FDA Responder Endpoint has a sensitivity of 60.7%, a specificity of 93.5%, and an accuracy of 82.0%. Changing the number of weeks required to be a responder or the percentage improvement in the Abdominal Pain criteria did not result in notable improvement in the accuracy of the FDA Responder Endpoint.Conclusions & InferencesThe FDA Responder Endpoint for IBS‐C clinical trials represents clinically meaningful improvements in IBS‐C symptoms for patients with excellent specificity and reasonable sensitivity.
Responses of belowground carbon allocation dynamics to extended shading in mountain grassland
Authors: Bahn Michael , Lattanzi Fernando A. , Hasibeder Roland , Wild Birgit , Koranda Marianne , Danese Valentina , Brüggemann Nicolas , Schmitt Michael , Siegwolf Rolf , Richter Andreas 
Published: February 2013

Summary

Carbon (C) allocation strongly influences plant and soil processes. Short‐term C allocation dynamics in ecosystems and their responses to environmental changes are still poorly understood.

Using in situ 13CO2 pulse labeling, we studied the effects of 1 wk of shading on the transfer of recent photoassimilates between sugars and starch of above‐ and belowground plant organs and to soil microbial communities of a mountain meadow.

C allocation to roots and microbial communities was rapid. Shading strongly reduced sucrose and starch concentrations in shoots, but not roots, and affected tracer dynamics in sucrose and starch of shoots, but not roots: recent C was slowly incorporated into root starch irrespective of the shading treatment. Shading reduced leaf respiration more strongly than root respiration. It caused no reduction in the amount of 13C incorporated into fungi and Gram‐negative bacteria, but increased its residence time.

These findings suggest that, under interrupted C supply, belowground C allocation (as reflected by the amount of tracer allocated to root starch, soil microbial communities and belowground respiration) was maintained at the expense of aboveground C status, and that C source strength may affect the turnover of recent plant‐derived C in soil microbial communities.
Biosynthesis, function and metabolic engineering of plant volatile organic compounds
Authors: Dudareva Natalia , Klempien Antje , Muhlemann Joëlle K. , Kaplan Ian 
Published: February 2013

SummaryPlants synthesize an amazing diversity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that facilitate interactions with their environment, from attracting pollinators and seed dispersers to protecting themselves from pathogens, parasites and herbivores. Recent progress in ‐omics technologies resulted in the isolation of genes encoding enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of many volatiles and contributed to our understanding of regulatory mechanisms involved in VOC formation. In this review, we largely focus on the biosynthesis and regulation of plant volatiles, the involvement of floral volatiles in plant reproduction as well as their contribution to plant biodiversity and applications in agriculture via crop–pollinator interactions. In addition, metabolic engineering approaches for both the improvement of plant defense and pollinator attraction are discussed in light of methodological constraints and ecological complications that limit the transition of crops with modified volatile profiles from research laboratories to real‐world implementation.

Contents

Summary
16

I.
Biosynthesis of volatile plant secondary metabolites and its interconnection with primary metabolism
16

II.
Regulation of volatile emission in plants
22

III.
Functions of plant volatile organic compounds
23

IV.
Metabolic engineering of plant volatiles
25

V.
Conclusions
27

Acknowledgements
28

References
28
Allopolyploidy has a moderate impact on restructuring at three contrasting transposable element insertion sites in resynthesized Brassica napus allotetraploids
Authors: Sarilar Véronique , Palacios Paulina Martinez , Rousselet Agnès , Ridel Céline , Falque Matthieu , Eber Frédérique , Chèvre Anne‐Marie , Joets Johann , Brabant Philippe , Alix Karine 
Published: February 2013

Summary

The role played by whole‐genome duplication (WGD) in evolution and adaptation is particularly well illustrated in allopolyploids, where WGD is concomitant with interspecific hybridization. This ‘Genome Shock’, usually accompanied by structural and functional modifications, has been associated with the activation of transposable elements (TEs). However, the impact of allopolyploidy on TEs has been studied in only a few polyploid species, and not in Brassica, which has been marked by recurrent polyploidy events.

Here, we developed sequence‐specific amplification polymorphism (SSAP) markers for three contrasting TEs, and compared profiles between resynthesized Brassica napus allotetraploids and their diploid Brassica progenitors. To evaluate restructuring at TE insertion sites, we scored changes in SSAP profiles and analysed a large set of differentially amplified SSAP bands.

No massive structural changes associated with the three TEs surveyed were detected. However, several transposition events, specific to the youngest TE originating from the B. oleracea genome, were identified.

Our study supports the hypothesis that TE responses to allopolyploidy are highly specific. The changes observed in SSAP profiles lead us to hypothesize that they may partly result from changes in DNA methylation, questioning the role of epigenetics during the formation of a new allopolyploid genome.
Gossypiboma following mandible surgery: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Jamjoom F.Z. , Kallukaran F. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundGossypiboma, a foreign‐body granuloma induced by a retained surgical sponge, has rarely been reported in relation to the facial bones. The aim of this article is to draw attention to this potentially serious complication.Case presentationA 37‐year‐old Middle Eastern female reported to the clinic because of pain, mild swelling and paraesthesia in the anterior mandible area. Her symptoms started 2 years earlier shortly after chin implant surgery that was complicated by a local infection requiring removal of the implant. On clinical examination, there was mild swelling and tenderness in the anterior mandible region. A panoramic radiograph, a computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral well‐defined cystic lesions in the parasymphyseal area of the mandible. The patient underwent trephine bone biopsy followed by complete excision of the lesion. Histopathological examination revealed foreign‐body granuloma with foreign bodies consistent with gauze, typical findings of gossypiboma. The patient made unremarkable post‐operative recovery and her preoperative symptoms subsided completely.ConclusionGossypiboma is a rare complication of mandibular surgery. It should be considered in patients with persistent post‐operative complaints. CT scan and MRI are the imaging methods of choice in suspected cases. Complete surgical excision is adequate to alleviate the patient's symptoms.
Bad Sports: Explaining Sport Related Deviance
Authors: Sefiha Ophir 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWhile sometimes dismissed as an unimportant subject for analysis, the study of sport has offered important insights into our social world. Yet the academic study of sport‐related deviance has not kept pace with the explosion of popular media products regarding deviance in sport over the past four decades. This can be explained in part by the sheer diversity of sport related deviance which defies applying a singular theoretical explanation. A number of approaches from the sociology of sport and other social sciences offer useful ways of making sense of sport related rule‐breaking while also providing valuable insights into larger questions regarding crime and deviance. This paper reviews three contemporary perspectives used in the study of sport deviance: deviant overconformity, moral panics and consumptive deviance. Drawing from exemplary studies of performance‐enhancing drug use, hooligan violence, and sport celebrity scandals, I highlight the ways in which these perspectives offer a “sociological corrective” to media misrepresentations as well as insights that extend beyond sport and into contemporary social issues including race and gender relations, economic inequalities, crime, youth violence, and celebrity culture. I conclude by addressing new developments and avenues for future research.
Framing in Mass Communication Research – An Overview and Assessment
Authors: Vliegenthart Rens 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis article provides an overview of the use of the framing concept in mass communication research. It focuses on the questions what a frame is and how it is measured, how variation in framing can be explained and what the effects of media framing are. Specific attention will be paid to the sociological origins of framing. The article concludes with recommendations for future research. It argues that a more systematic and conceptually precise measurement of framing is warranted and suggests how the scope of frame‐building and framing‐effects studies can be extended.
The effectiveness of birth plans in increasing use of skilled care at delivery and postnatal care in rural Tanzania: a cluster randomised trial
Authors: Magoma Moke , Requejo Jennifer , Campbell Oona , Cousens Simon , Merialdi Mario , Filippi Veronique 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the effectiveness of birth plans in increasing use of skilled care at delivery and in the postnatal period among antenatal care (ANC) attendees in a rural district with low occupancy of health units for delivery but high antenatal care uptake in northern Tanzania.MethodsCluster randomised trial in Ngorongoro district, Arusha region, involving 16 health units (8 per arm). Nine hundred and five pregnant women at 24 weeks of gestation and above (404 in the intervention arm) were recruited and followed up to at least 1 month postpartum.ResultsSkilled delivery care uptake was 16.8% higher in the intervention units than in the control [95% CI 2.6–31.0; P = 0.02]. Postnatal care utilisation in the first month of delivery was higher (difference in proportions: 30.0% [95% CI 1.3–47.7; P < 0.01]) and also initiated earlier (mean duration 6.6 ± 1.7 days vs. 20.9 ± 4.4 days, P < 0.01) in the intervention than in the control arm. Women's and providers' reports of care satisfaction (received or provided) did not differ greatly between the two arms of the study (difference in proportion: 12.1% [95% CI –6.3–30.5] P = 0.17 and 6.9% [95% CI –3.2–17.1] P = 0.15, respectively).ConclusionImplementation of birth plans during ANC can increase the uptake of skilled delivery and post delivery care in the study district without negatively affecting women's and providers' satisfaction with available ANC services. Birth plans should be considered along with the range of other recommended interventions as a strategy to improve the uptake of maternal health services.
Protamine‐induced immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Singla Atul , Sullivan Mia J. , Lee Grace , Bartholomew John , Kapadia Samir , Aster Richard H. , Curtis Brian R. 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundProtamine is widely used to reverse the anticoagulant effects of heparin. Although mild thrombocytopenia is common in patients given protamine after cardiac procedures, acute severe thrombocytopenia has not been described. We encountered a patient who experienced profound thrombocytopenia and bleeding shortly after administration of protamine and performed studies to characterize the responsible mechanism.Study Design and MethodsPatient serum was studied for antibodies that recognize protamine, heparin‐protamine complexes, and platelets (PLTs) treated with protamine using flow cytometry, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and serotonin release from labeled PLTs.ResultsA high‐titer immunoglobulin G antibody was detected in patient serum that recognizes protamine in a complex with heparin or PLT surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and activates PLTs treated with protamine at concentrations achieved in vivo after protamine infusion. The antibody is distinctly different from those found in patients with heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia on the basis of its failure to recognize heparin in a complex with PLT factor 4 (PF4) and to release serotonin from labeled PLTs in the absence of protamine.ConclusionsFindings made suggest that the patient's antibody is specific for conformational changes induced in protamine when it reacts with heparin or a PLT surface GAG. Development of severe thrombocytopenia after treatment of this patient with protamine defines a previously undescribed mechanism of drug‐induced immune thrombocytopenia. Patients given protamine who produce this type of antibody may be at risk of experiencing thrombocytopenia if given the drug a second time while antibody is still present.
Immunoproteasom: drug development for xenotransplantation
Authors: Groll Michael 
Published: February 2013

The majority of cellular proteins are degraded by proteasomes within the ubiquitin‐proteasome ATP‐dependent degradation pathway. Products of proteasomal activity are short peptides which are further hydrolysed by proteases to single amino acid. Some peptides though can escape the degradation, being selected and uptaken by MHC class I molecules for presentation to the immune system on the cell surface. MHC class I molecules are highly selective and specific in terms of ligand binding. Variability of peptides produced in living cells is created by a variety of ways which allow ensuring fast and efficient immune response. Substitution of constitutive proteasomal subunits with immuno‐subunits leads to conformational changes in the substrate binding channels and result in modified protein cleavage patterns and consequently, in the generation of new antigenic peptides. The proteasome (core particle, CP) represents an attractive drug target due to its central functional role in biological processes. It has been extensively investigated during the last decade and validated with the approval of the drug bortezomib by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Currently, several optimized second‐generation CP inhibitors are being explored as anti‐cancer drugs in clinical trials and most of them equally target constitutive proteasomes (cCPs) and immunoproteasomes (iCPs). However, selective inhibition of the iCP, a distinct class of proteasomes predominantly expressed in immune cells, appears to be a promising therapeutic rationale for the treatment of autoimmune disorders and organ rejection. Although few selective agents have already been identified, the recently determined crystal structure of the iCP [1] will further promote the development and optimization of iCP‐selective compounds [2,3].References:  1. Huber EM, Basler M, Schwab R, Heinemeyer W, Kirk C, Groettrup M, Groll M. Constitutive and immunoproteasome crystal structures reveal differences in substrate and inhibitor specificity. Cell 2012; 148: 727–738.2. Huber E, Groll M. Inhibitors for the immuno‐ and constitutive proteasome: current and future trends in drug development. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012; 51 (1): DOI: 10.1002/anie.201201616.3. Gallastegui N, Beck P, Arciniega M, Huber R, Hillebrand S, Groll M. Hydroxyureas as noncovalent proteasome inhibitors. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012; 51 (1): 247–249.
IgM‐dependent activation of the lectin pathway of complement in xenotransplantation
Authors: Bongoni Anjan K. , Rieben Robert 
Published: February 2013

Background:  The classical pathway is the dominant initiator of complement activation in xenotransplantation. By amplification of C3b generation, the alternative pathway is also critical. However, little attention has been paid up to date to the involvement of the lectin pathway in xenograft rejection. Natural IgM, containing anti‐Gal, is a major initiator of classical pathway complement activation, but recently it has been shown that during ischemia/reperfusion injury, IgM also induces lectin pathway activation. Thus, the present study was focused on lectin pathway as well as interaction of IgM and MBL in a pig‐to‐human in vitro xenotransplantation model.Methods:  Cell ELISA using porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) and normal human serum (NHS) was used to assess activation of the different complement pathways. To confirm activation of the lectin pathway and to analyze the role of natural IgM in it's activation, co‐localized deposition of MBL/MASP2 with C3b/c, C4b/c & C6 and IgM with MBL & MASP2 was investigated by immunofluorescence (IF)/confocal microscopy on PAEC. Influence of IgM presence on MBL binding to PAEC was tested using IgM depleted/repleted and anti‐Gal immunoabsorbed NHS. Finally, tissue samples from ex vivo xenoperfusion of pig limbs with whole human blood were tested for IgM mediated lectin pathway activation by IF staining.Results:  Activation of all the three pathways of complement system was observed in vitro as indicated by IgM, C1q, MBL and Factor Bb binding on PAEC. MBL deposition was co‐localized with MASP2, C3b/c, C4b/c and C6, suggesting a predominant role of the lectin pathway in xenograft rejection. IgM co‐localization with MBL and MASP2 as well as dose‐dependently increased deposition of MBL on PAEC in the presence of human polyclonal IgM, further supports the idea that upon deposition of IgM a binding site for MBL is exposed. In addition, co‐localized deposition of MBL with IgM, C4b/c and C6 was also observed on ex vivo xenoperfusion samples.Conclusion:  The lectin pathway of complement activation was shown to be involved in xenotransplantation. Co‐localization of MBL / MASP2 with IgM and complement proteins indicate that lectin pathway activation in xenotransplantation is dependent on antigen recognition by naturalIgM. These findings suggest that, similar to ischemia/reperfusion injury, the lectin pathway has a functional role in endothelial damage in xenotransplantation.
Double knockout pigs deficient in N‐glycolylneuraminic acid and Galactose α‐1,3‐Galactose reduce the humoral barrier to xenotransplantation
Authors: Lutz Andrew J. , Li Ping , Estrada Jose L. , Sidner Richard A. , Chihara Ray K. , Downey Susan M. , Burlak Christopher , Wang Zheng‐Yu , Reyes Luz M. , Ivary Bess , Yin Fuqin , Blankenship Ross L. , Paris Leela L. , Tector A. Joseph 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundClinical xenotransplantation is not possible because humans possess antibodies that recognize antigens on the surface of pig cells. Galα‐1,3‐Gal (Gal) and N‐glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) are two known xenoantigens.MethodsWe report the homozygous disruption of the α1, 3‐galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) and the cytidine monophosphate‐N‐acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) genes in liver‐derived female pig cells using zinc‐finger nucleases (ZFNs). Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) was used to produce healthy cloned piglets from the genetically modified liver cells. Antibody‐binding and antibody‐mediated complement‐dependent cytotoxicity assays were used to examine the immunoreactivity of pig cells deficient in Neu5Gc and Gal.ResultsThis approach enabled rapid production of a pig strain deficient in multiple genes without extensive breeding protocols. Immune recognition studies showed that pigs lacking both CMAH and GGTA1 gene activities reduce the humoral barrier to xenotransplantation, further than pigs lacking only GGTA1.ConclusionsThis technology will accelerate the development of pigs for xenotransplantation research.