bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Content analysis of medical students’ seminars: a unique method of analyzing clinical thinking
Authors: Takata Yukari , Stein Gerald H , Endo Kuniyuki , Arai Akiko , Kohsaka Shun , Kitano Yuka , Honda Hitoshi , Kitazono Hidetaka , Tokunaga Hironobu , Tokuda Yasuharu , Obika Mikako , Miyoshi Tomoko , Kataoka Hitomi , Terasawa Hidekazu 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
The study of communication skills of Asian medical students during structured Problem-based Learning (PBL) seminars represented a unique opportunity to assess their critical thinking development. This study reports the first application of the health education technology, content analysis (CA), to a Japanese web-based seminar (webinar).

Methods
The authors assigned twelve randomly selected medical students from two universities and two clinical instructors to two virtual classrooms for four PBL structured tutoring sessions that were audio-video captured for CA. Both of the instructors were US-trained physicians. This analysis consisted of coding the students’ verbal comments into seven types, ranging from trivial to advanced knowledge integration comments that served as a proxy for clinical thinking.

Results
The most basic level of verbal simple responses accounted for a majority (85%) of the total students’ verbal comments. Only 15% of the students’ comments represented more advanced types of critical thinking. The male students responded more than the female students; male students attending University 2 responded more than male students from University 1. The total mean students’ verbal response time for the four sessions with the male instructor was 6.9%; total mean students’ verbal response time for the four sessions with the female instructor was 19% (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
This report is the first to describe the application of CA to a multi-university real time audio and video PBL medical student clinical training webinar in two Japanese medical schools. These results are preliminary, mostly limited by a small sample size (n = 12) and limited time frame (four sessions). CA technology has the potential to improve clinical thinking for medical students. This report may stimulate improvements for implementation.
Knowledge brokers, companions, and navigators: a qualitative examination of informal caregivers’ roles in medical tourism
Authors: Casey Victoria , Crooks Valorie A , Snyder Jeremy , Turner Leigh 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIntroductionMany studies examining the phenomena of medical tourism have identified health equity issues associated with this global health services practice. However, there is a notable lack of attention in this existing research to the informal care provided by the friends and family members who typically accompany medical tourists abroad. To date, researchers have not examined the care roles filled by informal caregivers travelling with medical tourists. In this article, we fill this gap by examining these informal caregivers and the roles they take on towards supporting medical tourists’ health and wellbeing.MethodsWe conducted 21 interviews with International Patient Coordinators (IPCs) working at medical tourism hospitals across ten countries. IPCs work closely with informal caregivers as providers of non-medical personal assistance, and can therefore offer broad insight on caregiver roles. The interviews were coded and analyzed thematically.ResultsThree roles emerged: knowledge broker, companion, and navigator. As knowledge brokers, caregivers facilitate the transfer of information between the medical tourist and formal health care providers as well as other staff members at medical tourism facilities. The companion role involves providing medical tourists with physical and emotional care. Meanwhile, responsibilities associated with handling documents and coordinating often complex journeys are part of the navigation role.ConclusionsThis is the first study to examine informal caregiving roles in medical tourism. Many of the roles identified are similar to those of conventional informal caregivers while others are specific to the transnational context. We conclude that these roles make informal caregivers an integral part of the larger phenomenon of medical tourism. We further contend that examining the roles taken on by a heretofore-unconsidered medical tourism stakeholder group sheds valuable insight into how this industry operates and that such knowledge is necessary in order to respond to the health equity debates that surround this particular global health services practice.
Prognostic and predictive value of Phospho-p44/42 and pAKT in HER2-positive locally advanced breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Huang Liang , Chen Tianwen , Chen Canming , Chen Sheng , Liu Yin , Wu Jiong , Shao Zhiming 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
To evaluate the predictive and prognostic value of various molecular factors associated with the Ras/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in HER2-positive locally advanced breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

Methods
A total of 113 patients were recruited in this retrospective study. Core needle biopsies and excision samples were assessed through immunohistochemistry for various biomarkers, including IGF-1R, Phospho-p44/42, Ki67, pAKT, PTEN, p27, and cyclinD1. The changes in these biomarkers after NAC and their predictive and prognostic values were investigated.

Results
Significant decreases in Ki67, Phospho-p44/42, and pAKT expression were observed after treatment (30.7% vs. 18.1%, 36.4% vs. 18.9%, and 35.1% vs. 16.4%, respectively). The decreases in Phospho-p44/42, pAKT, and Ki67 expression were strongly associated with the response to anthracycline treatment (P = 0.027, P = 0.031, and P = 0.008, respectively). In a multivariate survival analysis, Phospho-p44/42 expression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and lymph node status were significant independent prognostic factors of both relapse-free survival and overall survival.

Conclusions
Reductions in Ki-67, Phospho-p44/42, and pAKT expression are related to the clinical response to anthracycline-based NAC in HER2-positive breast cancer patients. High pAKT expression prior to NAC had a better clinical response. Phospho-p44/42 expression and lymph node status after NAC could be useful for determining relapse-free survival and overall survival.
Surgical techniques and results of the pulmonary artery reconstruction for patients with central non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ma Qianli , Liu Deruo , Guo Yongqing , Shi Bin , Tian Yanchu , Song Zhiyi , Zhang Zhenrong , Ge Bingsheng , Wang Xiaofei , D’Amico Thomas A 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
It is difficult to achieve a margin-negative resection (R0) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with infiltration of the pulmonary artery. We report our experience of the pulmonary artery reconstruction with regard to long-term survival.

Methods
Clinical records of 118 patients with NSCLC who underwent partial or circumferential pulmonary artery resection during a 21-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Techniques and survival outcomes were analyzed.

Results
We performed 22 pulmonary artery sleeve resections, 51 reconstructions by autologous pericardial patch, 36 tangential resections, 3 left main pulmonary artery (PA) angioplasties during pneumonectomy without cardiopulmonary bypass, and 6 by only preserving the apical and anterior (1st) branch of pulmonary arterial trunk. In 41 patients, bronchial sleeve resection was associated; in 7 cases, superior vena cava reconstruction was also required. Thirty-one patients received induction therapy. Thirteen patients had stage IB disease, 41 stage II, 53 IIIA, and 11 IIIB. Ninety-three patients had squamous cell carcinoma, 22 adenocarcinoma, 2 mixed and 1 large cell carcinoma. Negative vascular margins were achieved in all. 5 positive bronchial margins were due to limited lung function. The analysis of 118 cases yielded follow-up data in 94 cases. The mean follow-up was 70 months (range 1–156 months). There was no in hospital death, and the overall 5-year survival was 50.2%. Five-year survivals for stages I and II versus III were 63.9% versus 37.0% (p = 0.0059). Multivariate analysis yielded non-squamous cell carcinoma, stage III and patch pulmonary arterioplasty as negative prognosis factors. PA reconstruction associated with bronchial sleeve resection was the positive prognostic factor.

Conclusions
Pulmonary artery resection and reconstruction is feasible and safe, with favorable long-term survival. Our results support this technique as an effective alternative to selected patients with infiltration of the pulmonary artery, such as stage I and II and those who proved down-staged from stage III. Accurate preoperative evaluation, precise and suitable surgical techniques are crucial to achieve good results. Only preserving the anterior and apical pulmonary arteries and reconstruction of the main pulmonary artery by using the artery conduit technique without cardiopulmonary bypass in association with left pneumonectomy can be performed successfully. Postoperative anticoagulation is unnecessary.
Indoxyl sulfate promotes apoptosis in cultured osteoblast cells
Authors: Kim Young-Hee , Kwak Kyung-Ah , Gil Hyo-Wook , Song Ho-Yeon , Hong Sae-Yong 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Indoxyl sulfate (IS), an organic anion uremic toxin, promotes the progression of renal dysfunction. Some studies have suggested that IS inhibits osteoclast differentiation and suppresses parathyroid hormone (PTH)-stimulated intracellular cAMP production, decreases PTH receptor expression, and induces oxidative stress in primary mouse calvaria osteoblast cell culture. However, the direct effects of IS on osteoblast apoptosis have not been fully evaluated. Hence, we investigated whether IS acts as a bone toxin by studying whether IS induces apoptosis and inhibits differentiation in the cultured osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1.

Methods
We assessed the direct effect of IS on osteoblast differentiation and apoptosis in the MC3T3-E1 cell line. We examined caspase-3/7 activity, apoptosis-related proteins, free radical production, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mRNA expression of type 1 collagen and osteonectin. Furthermore, we investigated the uptake of IS via organic anion transport (OAT).

Results
We found that IS increased caspase activity and induced apoptosis. Production of free radicals increased depending on the concentration of IS. Furthermore, IS inhibited the expression of mRNA type 1 collagen and osteonectin and alkaline phosphatase activity. The expression of OAT, which is known to mediate the cellular uptake of IS, was detected in in the MC3T3-E1 cell line. The inhibition of OAT improved cell viability and suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that IS is transported in MC3T3-E1 cells via OAT, which causes oxidative stress to inhibit osteoblast differentiation.

Conclusions
IS acts as a bone toxin by inhibiting osteoblast differentiation and inducing apoptosis.
Expression and localization of aromatase during fetal mouse testis development
Authors: Borday Caroline , Merlet Jorge , Racine Chrystèle , Habert René 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Both androgens and estrogens are necessary to ensure proper testis development and function. Studies on endocrine disruptors have highlighted the importance of maintaining the balance between androgens and estrogens during fetal development, when testis is highly sensitive to environmental disturbances. This balance is regulated mainly through an enzymatic cascade that converts irreversibly androgens into estrogens. The most important and regulated component of this cascade is its terminal enzyme: the cytochrome p450 19A1 (aromatase hereafter). This study was conducted to improve our knowledge about its expression during mouse testis development.

Findings
By RT-PCR and western blotting, we show that full-length aromatase is expressed as early as 12.5 day post-coitum (dpc) with maximal expression at 17.5 dpc. Two additional truncated transcripts were also detected by RT-PCR. Immunostaining of fetal testis sections and of gonocyte-enriched cell cultures revealed that aromatase is strongly expressed in fetal Leydig cells and at variable levels in gonocytes. Conversely, it was not detected in Sertoli cells.

Conclusions
This study shows for the first time that i) aromatase is expressed from the early stages of fetal testis development, ii) it is expressed in mouse gonocytes suggesting that fetal germ cells exert an endocrine function in this species and that the ratio between estrogens and androgens may be higher inside gonocytes than in the interstitial fluid. Furthermore, we emphasized a species-specific cell localization. Indeed, previous works found that in the rat aromatase is expressed both in Sertoli and Leydig cells. We propose to take into account this species difference as a new concept to better understand the changes in susceptibility to Endocrine Disruptors from one species to another.
Transcriptome and proteome quantification of a tumor model provides novel insights into post‐transcriptional gene regulation
Authors: Jüschke Christoph , Dohnal Ilse , Pichler Peter , Harzer Heike , Swart Remco , Ammerer Gustav , Mechtler Karl , Knoblich Juergen A 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Background
Genome‐wide transcriptome analyses have given systems‐level insights into gene regulatory networks. Due to the limited depth of quantitative proteomics, however, our understanding of post‐transcriptional gene regulation and its effects on protein‐complex stoichiometry are lagging behind.

Results
Here, we employ deep sequencing and the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology to determine transcript and protein expression changes of a Drosophila brain tumor model at near genome‐wide resolution. In total, we quantify more than 6,200 tissue‐specific proteins, corresponding to about 70% of all transcribed protein‐coding genes. Using our integrated data set, we demonstrate that post‐transcriptional gene regulation varies considerably with biological function and is surprisingly high for genes regulating transcription. We combine our quantitative data with protein‐protein interaction data and show that post‐transcriptional mechanisms significantly enhance co‐regulation of protein‐complex subunits beyond transcriptional co‐regulation. Interestingly, our results suggest that only about 11% of the annotated Drosophila protein complexes are co‐regulated in the brain. Finally, we refine the composition of some of these core protein complexes by analyzing the co‐regulation of potential subunits.

Conclusions
Our comprehensive transcriptome and proteome data provide a valuable resource for quantitative biology and offer novel insights into understanding post‐transcriptional gene regulation in a tumor model.
NMR Investigation of the complexation of (S)-2-isopropyl- 1-(o-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl)aziridine with ï¢-cyclodextrin
Authors: Keniche Assia , Z. Slimani Mohamed , I. Miranda Jose , M. Aizpurua Jesus , Mulengi Joseph Kajima 
Published: December 2013

Â Aziridines are known to undergo hydrolysis in the presence of cyclodextrins, whereas the latter are largely investigated as potential vectors of biologically active compounds. Despite this easy cyclodextrin-induced cleavage of aziridines in aqueous medium, it was of interest to find out a model aziridine derivative that would be sufficiently water-stable and form a stable complex with b-cyclodextrin in aqueous medium, so that it could be used as a reference in future formulations or vectorization work. Among compounds we have investigated, we found out that only (S)-2-isopropyl-1-(o-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl)aziridine complied with the above-mentioned solubility and stability requirements. NMR studies of the inclusion complex of this derivative with b-cyclodextrin provided useful parameters related to the stoichiometry of the complex and the association constant Ka. The geometry of the complex was assessed by 2D-ROESY experiments, suggesting a deep insertion of the aziridine into the cavity of b-cyclodextrin.
Returning to Roissy: Kink.com’s The Upper Floor and The Training of O as adaptations of the Story of O
Authors: Harman Sarah 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
The controversial 1954 novel Histoire d’O/Story of O (Réage 1976) and its feminist reception encapsulates the socio-political debates which surround BDSM texts. Questions of objectification, agency and subjectivity are here played out over the female sexually submissive body. Beginning with an overview of the key feminist critiques of the Story of O, this article examines what’s at stake in Réage’s ‘phantasm’ ([1969] 1971: 12) of sexually submissive femininity. Second, Kink.com’s hardcore pornographic Story of O adaptations – The Training of O and to a lesser extent The Upper Floor – are analysed not only through their relation to the novel, but also through the contradictory negotiations of objectification, agency and subjectivity. This is anchored through Kink.com’s self-construction as ‘real’, ‘ethical’ and ‘consensual’. Finally, a case study cites one porn performer, Cherry Torn, as one amongst many O’s in Kink.com’s current content, offering in turn a plurality to Réage’s source text. In so doing, this article seeks to ask what Torn’s performance adds to our understanding of what it might mean to be O beyond the pages of a fictional novel, whether fleetingly, serialized digitally or indeed privately.
Prurient pleasures: Adapting fantasy to HBO
Authors: Wells-Lassagne Shannon 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
In recent years, the American premium cable channel HBO has come in for quite a bit of attention as the vanguard of ‘quality television’. Though its adaptations in miniseries form are relatively longstanding, it is only recently that they have produced series as adaptations, notably in the popular and critical favourites Game of Thrones (2011–) and True Blood (2008–), the adaptations of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire saga and Charlaine Harris’s The Southern Vampire Mysteries series. Both TV series, though critical and popular successes, have been subject to criticisms for their very explicit subject matter; as such, I propose to examine the reasons for the eroticism of the two series, as well as the function that it serves, so as to better determine the extent to which the emphasis on eros stems from their source texts, their medium, or the requirements of their production at HBO. In so doing, I hope to elucidate exactly what is meant by that very fraught term ‘quality television’, especially as it relates to the titillating nature of these series.
Review
Authors: Flanagan Kevin M. 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
NAZISPLOITATION!: THE NAZI IMAGE IN LOW-BROW CINEMA AND CULTURE, DANIEL H. MAGILOW, KRISTIN T. VANDER LUGT AND EELIZABETH BRIDGES (EDS) (2011) London: Continuum, 336 pp., ISBN: 978-1-4411-8359-0, p/bk, £17.99
VISCONTI AND THE GERMAN DREAM: ROMANTICISM, WAGNER AND THE NAZI CATASTROPHE IN FILM, DAVID HUCKVALE (2012) London: McFarland Publishers, 232 pp., ISBN: 978-0-7864-7030-3, p/bk, £39.95
Membrane potential-dependent binding of polysialic acid to lipid monolayers and bilayers
Authors: Nowotarski Krzysztof , Sapoń Karolina , Kowalska Monika , Janas Tadeusz , Janas Teresa 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPolysialic acids are linear polysaccharides composed of sialic acid monomers. These polyanionic chains are usually membrane-bound, and are expressed on the surfaces of neural, tumor and neuroinvasive bacterial cells. We used toluidine blue spectroscopy, the Langmuir monolayer technique and fluorescence spectroscopy to study the effects of membrane surface potential and transmembrane potential on the binding of polysialic acids to lipid bilayers and monolayers. Polysialic acid free in solution was added to the bathing solution to assess the metachromatic shift in the absorption spectra of toluidine blue, the temperature dependence of the fluorescence anisotropy of DPH in liposomes, the limiting molecular area in lipid monolayers, and the fluorescence spectroscopy of oxonol V in liposomes. Our results show that both a positive surface potential and a positive transmembrane potential inside the vesicles can facilitate the binding of polysialic acid chains to model lipid membranes. These observations suggest that these membrane potentials can also affect the polysialic acid-mediated interaction between cells.
The clinicopathological significance of lamin A/C, lamin B1 and lamin B receptor mRNA expression in human breast cancer
Authors: Wazir Umar , Ahmed Mai , Bridger Joanna , Harvey Amanda , Jiang Wen , Sharma Anup , Mokbel Kefah 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLamin A/C (LMNA), lamin B1 (LMNB1) and lamin B receptor (LBR) have key roles in nuclear structural integrity and chromosomal stability. In this study, we have studied the relationships between the mRNA expressions of A-type lamins, LMNB1 and LBR and the clinicopathological parameters in human breast cancer. Samples of breast cancer tissues (n = 115) and associated non-cancerous tissue (ANCT; n = 30) were assessed using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR. Transcript levels were correlated with clinicopathological data. Higher levels of A-type lamins and LMNB1 mRNA expression were seen in ANCT. Higher lamin A/C expression was associated with the early clinical stage (TNM1 vs. TNM3 — 13 vs. 0.21; p = 0.0515), with better clinical outcomes (disease-free survival vs. mortality — 11 vs. 1; p = 0.0326), and with better overall (p = 0.004) and disease-free survival (p = 0.062). The expression of LMNB1 declined with worsening clinical outcome (disease-free vs. mortalities — 0.0011 vs. 0.000; p = 0.0177). LBR mRNA expression was directly associated with tumor grade (grade 1 vs. grade 3 — 0.00 vs. 0.00; p = 0.0479) and Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI1 vs. NPI3 — 0.00 vs. 0.00; p = 0.0551). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to suggest such a role for A-type lamins, lamin B1 and LBR in human breast cancer, identifying an important area for further research.
Research Methods Coverage in Medical and Health Science Curricula in Nepal
Authors: Simkhada P , Van Teijlingen E , Pokharel T , Devkota B , Pathak RS 
Published: November 2013

Higher education institutions in Nepal have been offering different types of health sciences programmes over the last few decades. With the growing number of education institutions, the range of programmes has also increased. Currently, five higher education institutions – TU, KU, PU, PoU and BPKIHS are providing health sciences course at undergraduate and graduate level. TU being the leading university to offer most of health science programmes, there is observable influence in the curriculum contents and design of the remaining four institutions. However, a variation is observed in structure of curriculum within and between institutions. The curricula of Pokhara University are better designed and recent compared to other while the curricula of TU are less revised and comparatively old. Curricula in general health sciences are detailed and favourable to research methodology contents. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v3i3.9185 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2013;3(3): 253-258