bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attitude to organ donation among healthcare workers in Nigeria
Authors: Esezobor Christopher I. , Disu Elizabeth , Oseni Saheed B. A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIntroductionAs transplantation services are scaled up in Nigeria so will the need for organ donation. Crucial to the success of organ donation is the attitude of healthcare workers (HCW); this was determined in the present study.MethodsHCW participating in three workshops were requested to complete a pretested questionnaire structured to elicit their attitude to organ donation. Predictors of willingness to donate were also determined.ResultsOf the 205 questionnaires distributed, 182 (88.8%) were returned; 10 were excluded for incomplete responses. The mean age of the respondents was 39.9 (8.9) yr. The majority were females (76.7%), Christians (87.8%), and worked in tertiary hospitals (77.3%). Medical doctors made up 55% of the respondents. Of the 172 respondents, 102 (59.3%) reported willingness to donate an organ. The majority of Muslims respondents willing to donate would prefer living donation. Being a medical doctor (odds ratio of 2.64 [1.17–5.94]) was the strongest predictor of willingness to donate an organ. The most common reasons for unwillingness to donate were “fear of complications” (44.9%) and “mistrust of the health sector” (20.6%).ConclusionThe majority of the HCW are favorable to organ donation. Being a medical doctor is highly predictive of willingness to donate an organ.
Effect of Propranolol as Antiadhesive Therapy in Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: De Castro Laura M. , Zennadi Rahima , Jonassaint Jude C. , Batchvarova Milena , Telen Marilyn J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSickle red blood cells (SSRBCs) adhere to both endothelial cells (ECs) and the extracellular matrix. Epinephrine elevates cyclic adenosine monophosphate in SSRBCs and increases adhesion of SSRBCs to ECs in a β‐adrenergic receptor and protein kinase A‐dependent manner. Studies in vitro as well as in vivo have suggested that adrenergic stimuli like epinephrine may contribute to vaso‐occlusion associated with physiologic stress. We conducted both animal studies and a Phase I dose‐escalation study in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients to investigate whether systemically administered propranolol inhibits SSRBC adhesion and to document the safety of propranolol in SCD. Systemically administered propranolol prevented SSRBC adhesion and associated vaso‐occlusion in a mouse model. In patients receiving a single oral dose of 10, 20, or 40 mg propranolol, SSRBC adhesion to ECs was studied before and after propranolol, with and without stimulation with epinephrine. Propranolol administration significantly reduced epinephrine‐stimulated SSRBC adhesion in a dose dependent manner (p = 0.03), with maximum inhibition achieved at 40 mg. Adverse events were not severe, did not show dose dependence, and were likely unrelated to drug. No significant heart rate changes occurred. These results imply that β‐blockers may have a role as antiadhesive therapy for SCD. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 437–444
Perceived stress and incidence of Type 2 diabetes: a 35‐year follow‐up study of middle‐aged Swedish men
Authors: Novak M. , Björck L. , Giang K. W. , Heden‐Ståhl C. , Wilhelmsen L. , Rosengren A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimTo explore incident cases of diagnosed diabetes over 35 years of follow‐up in relation to self‐perceived stress at baseline.MethodsThis was a population‐based random sample of 7251 men derived from the Primary Prevention Trial Study, aged 47–56 years at baseline and without prior history of diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke. Incident diabetes was identified from hospital discharge and death registries as principal or secondary diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the potential association between stress and diabetes.ResultsDuring a 35‐year follow‐up, a total of 899 men were identified with diabetes. The crude incidence was 5.2 per 1000 persons‐years. At baseline, 15.5% men reported permanent stress related to conditions at work or home. After adjusting for age and competing risk of death, the estimated 35‐year conditional probability of diabetes in men with permanent stress was 42.6%, compared with 31.0% for those with periodic stress and 31.2% with no stress. In age‐adjusted Cox regression analysis, men with permanent stress had a higher risk of diabetes [hazard ratio 1.52 (95% CI 1.26–1.82)] compared with men with no (referent) or periodic stress [hazard ratio 1.09 (95% CI 0.94–1.27)]. The association between stress and diabetes was slightly attenuated but remained significant after adjustment for age, socio‐economic status, physical inactivity, BMI, systolic blood pressure and use of anti‐hypertensive medication [hazard ratio 1.45 (95% CI 1.20–1.75)]. When examining principal diagnosis of diabetes cases separately from secondary diagnoses cases, the excess risk of diabetes associated with permanent stress remained significant both in age (only) and multivariable adjusted models.ConclusionSelf‐perceived permanent stress is an important long‐term predictor of diagnosed diabetes, independently of socio‐economic status, BMI and other conventional Type 2 diabetes risk factors.
Effects of multiple matings on reproductive fitness of male and female Diaeretiella rapae
Authors: Kant R. , Trewick S.A. , Sandanayaka W.R.M. , Godfrey A.J.R. , Minor M.A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMating frequency and the amount of sperm transferred during mating have important consequences on progeny sex ratio and fitness of haplodiploid insects. Production of female offspring may be limited by the availability of sperm for fertilizing eggs. This study examined multiple mating and its effect on fitness of the cabbage aphid parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae McIntosh (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae). Female D. rapae mated once, whereas males mated with on average more than three females in a single day. The minimum time lag between two consecutive matings by a male was 3 min, and the maximum number of matings a male achieved in a day was eight. Sperm depletion occurred as a consequence of multiple mating in D. rapae. The number of daughters produced by females that mated with multiple‐mated males was negatively correlated with the number of matings achieved by these males. Similarly, the proportion of female progeny decreased in females that mated with males that had already mated three times. Although the proportion of female progeny resulting from multiple mating decreased, the decrease was quicker when the mating occurred on the same day than when the matings occurred once per day over several days. Mating success of males initially increased after the first mating, but then males became ‘exhausted’ in later matings; their mating success decreased with the number of prior matings. The fertility of females was affected by mating with multiple‐mated males. The study suggests that male mating history affects the fitness of male and female D. rapae.
A Web‐based tool for personalized prediction of long‐term disease course in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Galea I. , Lederer C. , Neuhaus A. , Muraro P. A. , Scalfari A. , Koch‐Henriksen N. , Heesen C. , Koepke S. , Stellmann P. , Albrecht H. , Winkelmann A. , Weber F. , Bahn E. , Hauser M. , Edan G. , Ebers G. , Daumer M. 
Published: October 2012

Background and purposeThe Evidence‐Based Decision Support Tool in Multiple Sclerosis (EBDiMS) is the first Web‐based prognostic calculator in multiple sclerosis (MS) capable of delivering individualized estimates of disease progression. It has recently been extended to provide long‐term predictions based on the data from a large natural history cohort.MethodsWe compared the predictive accuracy and consistency of EBDiMS with that of 17 neurologists highly specialized in MS.ResultsWe show that whilst the predictive accuracy was similar, neurologists showed a significant intra‐rater and inter‐rater variability.ConclusionsBecause EBDiMS was consistent, it is of superior utility in a specialist setting. Further field testing of EBDiMS in non‐specialist settings, and investigation of its usefulness for counselling patients in treatment decisions, is warranted.
A diverse set of family 48 bacterial glycoside hydrolase cellulases created by structure‐guided recombination
Authors: Smith Matthew A. , Rentmeister Andrea , Snow Christopher D. , Wu Timothy , Farrow Mary F. , Mingardon Florence , Arnold Frances H. 
Published: October 2012

Sequence diversity within a family of functional enzymes provides a platform for elucidating structure–function relationships and for protein engineering to improve properties important for applications. Access to nature's vast sequence diversity is often limited by the fact that only a few enzymes have been characterized in a given family. Here, we recombined the catalytic domains of three glycoside hydrolase family 48 bacterial cellulases (Cel48; EC 3.2.1.176) – Clostridium cellulolyticum CelF, Clostridium stercorarium CelY, and Clostridium thermocellum CelS – to create a diverse library of Cel48 enzymes with an average of 106 mutations from the closest native enzyme. Within this set, we found large variations in properties such as the functional temperature range, stability, and specific activity on crystalline cellulose. We showed that functional status and stability were predictable from simple linear models of the sequence–property data: recombined protein fragments contributed additively to these properties in a given chimera. Using this, we correctly predicted sequences that were as stable as any of the native Cel48 enzymes described to date. The characterization of 60 active Cel48 chimeras expands the number of characterized Cel48 enzymes from 13 to 73. Our work illustrates the role that structure‐guided recombination can play in helping to identify sequence–function relationships within a family of enzymes by supplementing natural diversity with synthetic diversity.
Evaluation of skin cancer chemoprevention potential of sunscreen agents using the Epstein–Barr virus early antigen activation in vitro assay
Authors: Kapadia G. J. , S. Rao G. , Takayasu J. , Takasaki M. , Iida A. , Suzuki N. , Konoshima T. , Tokuda H. 
Published: October 2012

SynopsisIn our continuing search for novel cancer chemopreventive compounds of natural and synthetic origin, we have evaluated 14 commonly used ultraviolet (UV) sunscreen agents (designated UV‐1 to UV‐14) for their skin cancer chemoprevention potential. They belong to 8 different chemical categories: aminobenzoate (UV‐5, UV‐7, UV‐8 and UV‐14), benzophenone (UV‐1, UV‐2, UV‐3 and UV‐13), benzotriazole (UV‐10), benzyloxyphenol (UV‐9), cinnamate (UV‐6), quinolone (UV‐4), salicylate (UV‐11) and xanthone (UV‐12). In the in vitro assay employed, the sunscreens were assessed by their inhibition of the Epstein–Barr virus early antigen (EBV‐EA) activation induced by the tumour promoter 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) in human lymphoblastoid Raji cells. All sunscreens tested were found to exhibit anti‐tumour promoting activity: listed in decreasing order, moderate (UV‐11, UV‐2, UV‐7, UV‐12, UV‐3, UV‐9 and UV‐14) to weak (UV‐1, UV‐6, UV‐8, UV‐16, UV‐5, UV‐4 and UV‐10) with octyl salicylate (UV‐11) as the most potent and drometrizole (UV‐10) as the least potent among the compounds evaluated. A plausible relationship between the antioxidant property of sunscreens and their ability to promote anti‐tumour activity was noted. The results call for a comprehensive analysis of skin cancer chemoprevention potential of currently used UV sunscreen agents around the globe to identify those with the best clinical profile.
Biodegradable polymers as encapsulation materials for cosmetics and personal care markets
Authors: Ammala Anne 
Published: October 2012

SynopsisThe topical and transdermal delivery of active cosmetic ingredients requires safe and non‐toxic means of reaching the target sites without causing any irritation. Preservation of the active ingredients is also essential during formulation, storage and application of the final product. As many biologically active substances are not stable and sensitive to temperature, pH, light and oxidation, they require encapsulation to protect against unwanted degradation and also to target specific and controlled release of the active substance. The use of biodegradable polymers as encapsulation materials offers several advantages over other carrier materials. Encapsulation of active ingredients using biodegradable polymeric carriers can facilitate increased efficacy and bioavailability and they are also removed from the body via normal metabolic pathways. This article reviews current research on biodegradable polymers as carrier or encapsulation materials for cosmetic and personal care applications. Some of the challenges and limitations are also discussed. Examples of biodegradable polymers reviewed include polysaccharides, poly α‐esters, polyalkylcyanoacrylates and polyamidoamine dendrimers.
Peak provoked craving: an alternative to smoking cue‐reactivity
Authors: Sayette Michael A. , Tiffany Stephen T. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSmoking cue‐exposure research has provided a powerful tool for examining cravings in the laboratory. A key attraction of this method is that tightly controlled experimental procedures can model craving experiences that are presumed to relate to addiction. Despite its appeal, key assumptions underlying the clinical relevance of smoking cue‐reactivity studies have been questioned recently. For both conceptual and methodological reasons it may be difficult to tease apart cue‐based and abstinence‐based cravings. Moreover, conventional cue‐reactivity procedures typically generate levels of craving with only minimal clinical relevance. We argue here that sometimes it is unfeasible—and in some instances conceptually misguided—to disentangle abstinence‐based and cued components of cigarette cravings. In light of the challenges associated with cue‐reactivity research, we offer an alternative approach to smoking cue‐exposure experimental research focusing on peak provoked craving (PPC) states. The PPC approach uses nicotine‐deprived smokers and focuses on urges during smoking cue‐exposure without subtracting out urge ratings during control cue or baseline assessments. This design relies on two factors found in many cue‐exposure studies—nicotine deprivation and exposure to explicit smoking cues—which, when combined, can create powerful craving states. The PPC approach retains key aspects of the cue‐exposure method, and in many circumstances may be a viable design for studies examining robust laboratory‐induced cravings.
The Botrytis cinerea cerato‐platanin BcSpl1 is a potent inducer of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in tobacco and generates a wave of salicylic acid expanding from the site of application
Authors: Frías Marcos , Brito Nélida , González Celedonio 
Published: October 2012

SummarySystemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a potent plant defence system that, in response to a first contact with a plant pathogen, prepares the whole plant for subsequent attacks, so that it becomes more resistant to the same and to other pathogens. BcSpl1, a cerato‐platanin family protein abundantly secreted by Botrytis cinerea, is required for full virulence and elicits the hypersensitive response in the host. Here, we report that BcSpl1 is also able to induce in tobacco systemic resistance to two plant pathogens, Pseudomonas syringae and B. cinerea, which correlates with the induction of two pathogenesis‐related genes, PR‐1a and PR‐5. Levels of salicylic acid were quantified in situ on BcSpl1 infiltration, and a wave of salicylic acid departing from the point of infiltration and running through the leaf was observed, as well as the appearance of this plant hormone in the neighbouring leaves as early as 3 days after infiltration.
Continuous glucose monitoring by intravenous microdialysis: influence of membrane length and dialysis flow rate
Authors: ROOYACKERS O. , BLIXT C. , MATTSSON P. , WERNERMAN J. 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThe benefit of tight glucose control in the intensive care unit is controversial. Part of the debate is around the frequency of glucose measurements, and therefore, a continuous glucose monitoring system is needed. Previously, we have shown that intravenous microdialysis has the potential for this purpose but that the accuracy must be improved. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the microdialysis membrane length and the perfusion rate on improving the accuracy.MethodsTwo volunteer studies were performed, one comparing intravenous microdialysis catheters with different lengths (10 and 20 mm) and one comparing different perfusion rates (0.5, 1 and 2 μl/min) with plasma glucose reference levels. Median values of seven samples taken over 70‐min periods were compared using Bland–Altman plots.ResultsWhen microdialysis membranes of 10 and 20 mm perfused at a rate of 1 μl/min were used, the differences with measured plasma glucose levels were 30% ± 21% and 14% ± 13%. In comparison, plasma glucose measured in two different veins gave a difference of 3% ± 3%. In the second study, the differences between measured plasma glucose and that estimated with a microdialysis membrane of 30 mm perfused at 0.5, 1 and 2 μl/min were 8% ± 7%, 25% ± 19% and 39% ± 28%. Bland–Altman analyses gave the best line of equality (−0.11 mM) and the lowest limits of agreement (1.13 and −1.35 mM) when using the 30‐mm membrane perfused with 0.5 μl/min.ConclusionThe agreement of the intravenous microdialysis with plasma glucose levels improved significantly when increasing the microdialysis membrane length, and thereby the membrane area, and decreasing the perfusion rate.
Hyperbaric articaine with or without fentanyl in spinal anaesthesia: patient and observer blinded comparison
Authors: KAIRALUOMA P. , BACHMANN M. , KALLIO H. , ROSENBERG P. , PERE P. 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThe rapid and short‐acting local anaesthetic articaine is a feasible spinal anaesthetic for day‐case open inguinal herniorrhaphy (OIH). We hypothesised that similarly to other spinal local anaesthetics, the addition of fentanyl may prolong articaine spinal analgesia without prolonging motor block.MethodsWe performed a randomised, controlled study in 100 adult patients undergoing OIH. Spinal anaesthesia was induced by injecting hyperbaric articaine 72 mg with (Group A + F) or without (Group A) fentanyl 10 μg with the patient in lateral decubitus position. The distribution of sensory block was tested using pinprick and controlled by tilting the operating table 10 up or down. Motor block testing was based on the patient's ability to flex knees and ankles. Rescue analgesic was intravenous (i.v.) fentanyl. Pain scores were registered, and i.v. paracetamol 1 g was given as the first post‐operative analgesic.ResultsThere were no differences (A + F vs. A) in the maximum median extension of the sensory block (T5 vs. T5), mean duration of sensory block ≥ T10 (76 min vs. 73 min), or total duration of sensory (146 min vs. 146 min) or motor block (99 min vs. 107 min). Fewer patients in Group A + F needed fentanyl (5 vs. 14, P < 0.05) perioperatively or paracetamol (3 vs. 18, P < 0.001) post‐operatively.ConclusionFentanyl 10 μg added to spinal hyperbaric articaine improved analgesia and reduced analgesic consumption during and after OIH. Fentanyl did not prolong motor block or delay recovery.
Platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB increases expression of connexin 43 in an extracellular‐regulated protein kinase‐dependent manner in bladder smooth muscle cells
Authors: Shen Wenhao , Li Longkun , Song Bo , Li Weibing , Zhou Zhansong , Guo Ruiwei 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo investigate whether platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB induces the upregulation of connexin 43 in bladder smooth muscle cells and to examine the involved signaling pathway.MethodsBladder smooth muscle cells were exposed to platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB in the presence or absence of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase, c‐jun amino‐terminal kinase or extracellular‐regulated protein kinase inhibitors. Transfection of bladder smooth muscle cells with specific small interference ribonucleic acid against platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐β gene expression was also carried out to investigate whether platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐β was involved in the signaling pathway. Expression of messenger ribonucleic acid and protein for connexin 43 was measured by real time polymerase chain reaction and western blot.ResultsThe addition of platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB in cultured bladder smooth muscle cells caused the significant upregulation of connexin 43, and the activation of extracellular‐regulated protein kinase, c‐jun amino‐terminal kinase and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase compared with the control group. This action of platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB could be abolished by the pretreatment of bladder smooth muscle cells with the extracellular‐regulated protein kinase inhibitor PD98059, whereas p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and c‐jun amino‐terminal kinase inhibitors did not have any effect on this. Platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB could induce the activation of platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐β. Transfection of bladder smooth muscle cells with small interference ribonucleic acid specific for platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐β gene resulted in the potent suppression of gene expression and inhibition of extracellular‐regulated protein kinase activation, as well as upregulation of connexin 43 induced by platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB.ConclusionsPlatelet‐derived growth factor‐BB upregulates connexin 43 expression through the activation of extracellular‐regulated protein kinase and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐β signaling pathways. This finding suggests that this signaling pathway might provide a potential target to manipulate detrusor overactivity.
Nodal metastasis microRNA expression correlates with the primary tumour in MTC
Authors: Gundara Justin S. , Zhao Jing Ting , Gill Anthony J. , Clifton‐Bligh Roderick , Robinson Bruce G. , Delbridge Leigh , Sidhu Stan B. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIntroductionLymph node metastases represent a diagnostic and management challenge in patients with disseminated medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Our understanding of microRNA (miRNA) profiles of metastatic disease also remains limited and may unveil novel therapeutic strategies for these patients.MethodsMTC patients with a history of total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection were identified from within the prospective Sydney University Endocrine Surgical Unit database. Patients with available formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tumour tissue were included and clinicopathological data were collated. Total RNA was extracted and quantitave polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis performed on the primary tumour and a corresponding lymph node metastasis for expression of miRNAs of proven significance in MTC (miR‐9*, miR‐183 and miR‐375).ResultsTissue was available for analysis in seven patients. The median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range: 22–67). Median tumour size was 18 mm (range: 6–55) and over a median follow‐up period of 34 months (range: 1–210), five further operations were undertaken for residual disease. One patient died of metastatic disease. Pairwise correlations of qPCR expression levels between primary tumours and corresponding lymph node metastases revealed significant correlations for miR‐9* (P < 0.001), miR‐183 (P = 0.001) and miR‐375 (P = 0.004).ConclusionmiRNA expression patterns in nodal metastases significantly reflect those of the primary tumour in MTC. This further validates previously reported miRNA profile analyses and reiterates the potential significance of miR‐9*, ‐183 and ‐375 in the pathophysiology of MTC. The possibility of lymph node biopsy miRNA analysis driven clinical decision making may now also be a possibility where conventional techniques are unhelpful.