bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand‐osteoprotegerin system in pulpal and periapical disease
Authors: Belibasakis G. N. , Rechenberg D. K. , Zehnder M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimTo summarize the collective in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence of the involvement of the receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL)‐osteoprotegerin (OPG) system, a system of two molecules controlling osteoclast differentiation and hard‐tissue resorption, in pulpal and periapical pathophysiology.MethodologyA systematic search related to RANKL and/or OPG and pulp or periapical disease was conducted on Medline, Biosis, Cochrane, Embase and Web of Science databases using keywords and controlled vocabulary. No language restriction was applied. Two independent reviewers first screened titles and abstracts and then the full texts that were initially included. The reference lists of the identified publications were examined for additional titles.ResultsA total of 33 papers were identified. In vitro studies (N = 11) revealed that pulpal cells can be stimulated by various inflammatory agents to produce RANKL, whilst many studies did not consider the RANKL/OPG ratio. Animal studies (N = 9) mostly focused on the time course and development of periapical lesions in relation to the RANKL‐OPG system. Levels of RANKL and OPG in the necrotizing pulp were not investigated. Human studies (N = 13) showed a steady‐state expression of OPG in the odontoblast layer. Conflicting results have been reported regarding the role of RANKL in active apical periodontitis, again because the correlation of this molecule with its inhibitor (OPG) was often disregarded.ConclusionsThere is relatively little information currently available that would highlight the specific role of RANKL and OPG in pulpal and periapical disease. OPG may play a protective role against internal resorption, whilst an increased periapical RANKL/OPG ratio might indicate bone resorption.
Exploring reflection as a process embedded in experienced nurses' practice: a qualitative study
Authors: Asselin Marilyn E. , Schwartz‐Barcott Donna , Osterman Paulette A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimThis article is a report of a study aimed at obtaining an in‐depth description of how experienced acute care staff nurses perceive and use reflection in clinical practice.BackgroundReflection is viewed as a critical component of professional practice. The basic assumption is that reflection involves a deliberate process of thinking about a clinical situation which leads to insight and a subsequent change in practice. Several prescriptive models for reflection exist to provide a guide for reflection, however, few are grounded from an empirical examination of reflection in practice. There is a dearth of empirical data on what is actually happening in practice.DesignDescriptive, qualitative.MethodsIn‐depth interviews with 12 experienced acute care staff nurses in a community hospital in Northeastern USA was used to address the study aims. Data were collected between November 2009–May 2010.Results/findingsExamples of reflection were embedded in patient situations needing immediate nursing intervention. Reflection was a process involving four phases: Framing of the Situation, Pausing, Engaging in Reflection, and Emerging Intentions.ConclusionExperienced nurses used a process of reflection‐on‐action in practice. They gained insight and formulated intentions for change in nursing practice. Structured facilitated reflection might assist nurses in achieving a depth of reflection necessary to move from their intentions to changes in practice.
The dissonant care management of illicit drug users in medical wards, the views of nurses and patients: a grounded theory study
Authors: Monks Rob , Topping Annie , Newell Rob 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to explore how registered nurses manage and deliver care to patients admitted to medical wards and Medical Assessment Units with complications of drug use and to elicit the experiences and views of those receiving that care.BackgroundIllicit drug use is a major public health problem worldwide. The physical complications of problem drug use often result in admission to medical wards. Registered nurses working in these settings have been reported as possessing negative attitudes towards patients who use illicit drugs and lacking preparation to provide problem drug use–related care needs.DesignGrounded theory.MethodsA grounded theory approach was used to collect and analyse 41 semi‐structured interviews. Data collection and analysis were undertaken in nine medical wards in the Northwest of England in 2008. A combination of purposive and theoretical sampling was adopted to recruit registered nurses (n = 29) and medical ward patients (n = 12) admitted for physical complications of problem drug use. Data were subjected to constant comparative analysis.FindingsTwo sub‐categories emerged: ‘Lack of knowledge to care’ and ‘Distrust and detachment’ and these formed the core category ‘Dissonant care’. The combination of lack of educational preparation, negative attitudes and experience of conflict, aggression, and untrustworthiness appeared to affect negatively the nurse–patient relationship.ConclusionsThis study illuminated interplay of factors that complicated the delivery of care. The complexity of caring for patients who are pre‐judged negatively by nurses appears to engender dissonance and disparities in care delivery. Better education and training, coupled with role support about problem drug use may reduce conflict, disruption, and violence and facilitate competent care for these patients.
Shoaling as an antiparasite defence in minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed to trematode cercariae
Authors: Stumbo Anthony D. , James Clayton T. , Goater Cameron P. , Wisenden Brian D. 
Published: July 2012

Summary1. Individuals that live in groups benefit from increased foraging success and decreased predation. Protection from some types of parasites may provide an additional benefit of group‐living. For fish, the extent to which shoaling can reduce an individual's risk of exposure to the infective stages of parasites is unknown.2. We tested for antiparasite benefits of shoaling in fathead minnows exposed to larvae (cercariae) of two of their most common species of trematode, Ornithodiplostomum ptychocheilus and Posthodiplostomum minimum. As developing stages (metacercariae) of these trematodes cause reductions in minnow activity, growth and survival, natural selection should favour the evolution of cercariae‐avoidance behaviours.3. We evaluated shoal dimensions in groups of minnows exposed to O. ptychocheilus and to other chemical/physical stimuli within aquaria. To compare risk of exposure in shoaling vs. non‐shoaling fish, we confined groups of minnows into mesh cages in outdoor mesocosms, exposed them to cercariae, then compared mean worm numbers in grouped vs. solitary fish. Lastly, we tested whether fish located within the centre of an artificial shoal reduced their risk of cercariae exposure compared with those along peripheral edges.4. Minnows distinguished infective cercariae from other potential aquatic threats and responded with activity that reduced the 2‐dimensional area of their shoals 15‐fold compared with water‐only controls. Fish confined within artificial shoals had 3‐fold fewer worms than single fish and minnows located within the centre of artificial shoals had significantly fewer worms than those without peripheral minnows.5. These results show that shoaling reduces a minnows' risk of exposure to cercariae, either directly via detection of cercariae in the water column followed by behavioural avoidance or indirectly via behaviour‐mediated differences in exposure between shoaling vs. non‐shoaling fish.
Variation in the level of aggression, chemical and genetic distance among three supercolonies of the Argentine ant in Europe
Authors: BLIGHT O. , BERVILLE L. , VOGEL V. , HEFETZ A. , RENUCCI M. , ORGEAS J. , PROVOST E. , KELLER L. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn their invasive ranges, Argentine ant populations often form one geographically vast supercolony, genetically and chemically uniform within which there is no intraspecific aggression. Here we present regional patterns of intraspecific aggression, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) and population genetics of 18 nesting sites across Corsica and the French mainland. Aggression tests confirm the presence of a third European supercolony, the Corsican supercolony, which exhibits moderate to high levels of aggression, depending on nesting sites, with the Main supercolony, and invariably high levels of aggression with the Catalonian supercolony. The chemical analyses corroborated the behavioural data, with workers of the Corsican supercolony showing moderate differences in CHCs compared to workers of the European Main supercolony and strong differences compared to workers of the Catalonian supercolony. Interestingly, there were also clear genetic differences between workers of the Catalonian supercolony and the two other supercolonies at both nuclear and mitochondrial markers, but only very weak genetic differentiation between nesting sites of the Corsican and Main supercolonies (FST = 0.06). A detailed comparison of the genetic composition of supercolonies also revealed that, if one of the last two supercolonies derived from the other, it is the Main supercolony that derived from the Corsican supercolony rather than the reverse. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of conducting more qualitative and quantitative analyses of the level of aggression between supercolonies, which has to be correlated with genetic and chemical data.
Negative regulation of CCaMK is essential for symbiotic infection
Authors: Liao Jinqiu , Singh Sylvia , Hossain Md S. , Andersen Stig U. , Ross Loretta , Bonetta Dario , Zhou Yonghong , Sato Shusei , Tabata Satoshi , Stougaard Jens , Szczyglowski Krzysztof , Parniske Martin 
Published: July 2012

SummaryOne of the earliest responses of legumes to symbiotic signalling is oscillation of the calcium concentration in the nucleoplasm of root epidermal cells. Integration and decoding of the calcium‐spiking signal involve a calcium‐ and calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) and its phosphorylation substrates, such as CYCLOPS. Here we describe the Lotus japonicus ccamk‐14 mutant that originated from a har1‐1 suppressor screen. The ccamk‐14 mutation causes a serine to asparagine substitution at position 337 located within the calmodulin binding site, which we determined to be an in vitro phosphorylation site in CCaMK. We show that ccamk‐14 exerts cell‐specific effects on symbiosis. The mutant is characterized by an increased frequency of epidermal infections and significantly compromised cortical infections by Mesorhizobium loti and also the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus Rhizophagus irregularis. The S337 residue is conserved across angiosperm CCaMKs, and testing discrete substitutions at this site showed that it participates in a negative regulation of CCaMK activity, which is required for the cell‐type‐specific integration of symbiotic signalling.
The microRNA miR171h modulates arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of Medicago truncatula by targeting NSP2
Authors: Lauressergues Dominique , Delaux Pierre‐Marc , Formey Damien , Lelandais‐Brière Christine , Fort Sébastien , Cottaz Sylvain , Bécard Guillaume , Niebel Andreas , Roux Christophe , Combier Jean‐Philippe 
Published: July 2012

SummaryMost land plants live symbiotically with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Establishment of this symbiosis requires signals produced by both partners: strigolactones in root exudates stimulate pre‐symbiotic growth of the fungus, which releases lipochito‐oligosaccharides (Myc‐LCOs) that prepare the plant for symbiosis. Here, we have investigated the events downstream of this early signaling in the roots. We report that expression of miR171h, a microRNA that targets NSP2, is up‐regulated in the elongation zone of the root during colonization by Rhizophagus irregularis (formerly Glomus intraradices) and in response to Myc‐LCOs. Fungal colonization was much reduced by over‐expressing miR171h in roots, mimicking the phenotype of nsp2 mutants. Conversely, in plants expressing an NSP2 mRNA resistant to miR171h cleavage, fungal colonization was much increased and extended into the elongation zone of the roots. Finally, phylogenetic analyses revealed that miR171h regulation of NSP2 is probably conserved among mycotrophic plants. Our findings suggest a regulatory mechanism, triggered by Myc‐LCOs, that prevents over‐colonization of roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by a mechanism involving miRNA‐mediated negative regulation of NSP2.
Living kidney donor relationship in caucasian and African American populations and implications for targeted donor education programs
Authors: Cooper Matthew , Kramer Andrew , Barth Rolf , Phelan Michael 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPurposeThe opportunities for living kidney donation vary greatly among socioeconomic and racial groups. We reviewed our series of living donors to evaluate donor relationships in various groups.Materials and methodsDonor and recipient records for 1000 patients were reviewed. An additional 857 records of potential recipients presenting with a donor were analyzed. We compared the relationship of the recipient to initial donor and individual who underwent nephrectomy.ResultsThere were 693 CC and 263 AA live kidney donors. In the AA population donors were first‐degree 71%, second‐degree 10%, and unrelated 19%. In the CC population donors were first‐degree 57%, second‐degree 6%, and unrelated 37% (p < 0.0001 for unrelated CC vs. AA). Spousal donation is more common in CC donors (13%) than AA donors (6%), p = 0.001. Donation from child to parent is more common in AA (33%) than CC donors (15%), p < 0.0001. AA recipients predominantly identified a child as a donor in 63% and 48% were cleared for donation. In contrast, 69% of CC recipients identified a spouse as a donor yet only 23% became donors, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001.ConclusionsThere is a higher incidence of unrelated donors in the caucasian population, vs. first degree relatives often being living donors in the AA population.
Transfusion practice and complications after laparotomy – an observational analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Nielsen K. , Meyhoff C. S. , Johansson P. I. , Jorgensen L. N. , Rasmussen L. S. ,   PROXI Trial Group
Published: July 2012

Background  Transfusion of allogeneic red blood cells (RBC) may be associated with side effects. This study aimed to assess whether an association could be detected between transfusion practice and the occurrence of complications after laparotomy.Study design and methods  This study is an observational analysis of data from a randomized trial in 1400 patients who underwent laparotomy. A subgroup of 224 transfused patients with an intraoperative blood loss ≥200 ml were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate risk factors for postoperative complications. The ratio of intraoperative RBC transfusion to blood loss was computed, and patients grouped by the median into a liberal transfusion practice (ratio equal to or above the median) and a restrictive transfusion practice group (ratio below the median).Results  Surgical site infection occurred in 27% of patients in the liberal group vs. 20% of patients in the restrictive group with an OR of 1·5 [95% CI: 0·8–2·9] (P = 0·18) and an OR of 1·2 [95% CI: 0·5–2·9] (P = 0·73) when adjusting for known confounding variables. Pneumonia occurred in 14% vs. 8% in the liberal and restrictive group, respectively (adjusted P = 0·07), and admission to the intensive care unit was 15% vs. 7%, respectively (adjusted P = 0·02), but no other significant differences were found.Conclusion  A liberal transfusion practice was not significantly associated with postoperative complications, but pneumonia tended to be more common in the liberal group, which was more often admitted to the intensive care unit.
Generation of High Titre Antibodies to Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (PAP) in Rabbits Using Synthetic Peptides and their Use in Detecting PAP in Transgenic Petunia and Yeast
Authors: Li Li , Li Yu , Wang Xifeng 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAntibodies are important for the study of pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), an important antiviral agent against many plant, animal and human viruses. As PAP is expressed only at a low level in pokeweed plants (Phytolacca americana L.), it is complex and time‐consuming to extract PAP from pokeweed plants for antibody preparation. Here, we describe an antigen‐designed method according to the amino acid sequence that translated from PAP gene cleaving the C‐terminus toxic region and N‐terminus signal peptide (Genbank No. AF338910); the two peptides, DC15: DISGTERQDVETTLC and CR15: CRYPTLESKAGVKSR, were synthesized for generation of antibodies. The design strategy enabled straightforward antigen production and antibody generation. The antibodies can be used to detect PAP in transgenic petunia plants (Petunia hybrida Vilm.), pokeweed plants (P. americana) and transformed yeast (Pachia pastoris), which can express the PAP gene by western blotting. These antibodies generated against synthetic peptides will be useful for various assays such as for PAP detection, immunoprecipitation, protein purification and western blot analysis.
The firing patterns of spinal neurons: in situ patch‐clamp recordings reveal a key role for potassium currents
Authors: Winlove Crawford I. P. , Roberts Alan 
Published: July 2012

AbstractNeuron firing patterns underpin the detection and processing of stimuli, influence synaptic interactions, and contribute to the function of networks. To understand how intrinsic membrane properties determine firing patterns, we investigated the biophysical basis of single and repetitive firing in spinal neurons of hatchling Xenopus laevis tadpoles, a well‐understood vertebrate model; experiments were conducted in situ. Primary sensory Rohon–Beard (RB) neurons fire singly in response to depolarising current, and dorsolateral (DL) interneurons fire repetitively. RB neurons exhibited a large tetrodotoxin‐sensitive sodium current; in DL neurons, the sodium current density was significantly lower. High‐voltage‐activated calcium currents were similar in both neuron types. There was no evidence of persistent sodium currents, low‐voltage‐activated calcium currents, or hyperpolarisation‐activated currents. In RB neurons, the potassium current was dominated by a tetraethylammonium‐sensitive slow component (IKs); a fast component (IKf), sensitive to 4‐aminopyridine, predominated in DL neurons. Sequential current‐clamp and voltage‐clamp recordings in individual neurons suggest that high densities of IKs prevent repetitive firing; where IKs is small, IKf density determines the frequency of repetitive firing. Intermediate densities of IKs and IKf allow neurons to fire a few additional spikes on strong depolarisation; this property typifies a novel subset of RB neurons, and may activate escape responses. We discuss how this ensemble of currents and firing patterns underpins the operation of the Xenopus locomotor network, and suggest how simple mechanisms might underlie the similar firing patterns seen in the neurons of diverse species.
Design‐based research on the use of a tangible user interface for geometry teaching in an inclusive classroom
Authors: Starcic Andreja Istenic , Cotic Mara , Zajc Matej 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThis design‐based research study was conducted to identify what importance of a tangible user interface (TUI) can add to teaching and learning. Over a 2‐year period, teachers (n = 39) and students (n = 145) participated in the study. The identified problem for investigation was how students, including those with low fine motor skills and those with learning difficulties, develop geometry concepts combining cognitive and physical activity. A didactical application was designed during the first iteration and implemented in inclusive classrooms during the second and third iterations. Qualitative research methods were applied. A relationship between diverse students’ needs and geometry concept learning in relation to computer‐supported learning by TUI was discovered. Two dimensions were identified: (1) TUIs support concept development, with physical and virtual representations based on dynamic geometry assisted by TUI; (2) TUI manipulative properties support students who have low motor skills and difficulties in their geometry learning as well as in their inclusion in classroom activities. The study outcomes contributed to the design process of the TUI didactical application and its implementation in inclusive classrooms, and to the body of knowledge in teaching and learning geometry concepts applied for computer‐assisted learning environments supported by TUI.
Gendering Migrant Remittances: Evidence from Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Mizanur Rahman Md 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn this study, I explore gender dimensions of remittances under conditions of temporary migration in Asia. This research argues that migrant remittances are influenced by not only gender but also the context of the remittances, and that both should be integrated and elaborated to capture the complexity of remittances and their development dynamics. On the basis of surveys of 150 migrants in the United Arab Emirates and 100 migrant households in Bangladesh, in this study I examine gender dimensions of remittances by linking both sending and receiving points and elaborating on four sites of remittances, where gender matters significantly: (i) the sending process, (ii) the receipt process, (iii) the use and control of remittances and, finally, (iv) the implications for the migrant households. The study reveals several gender‐differentiated patterns in remittance behaviour. Female migrants remit a greater share of their earnings than their male counterparts; they prefer sisters to brothers and other family members to husbands, while men prefer brothers to sisters and fathers to wives – and, interestingly, it was males, rather than females, who remitted more to females. Women have more control over remittances than men: in the migrant–spouse remittance route, more regular contact, and consultation and negotiation about management of remittances, are reported. Women show more interest in savings than men: women’s remittances tend to be invested in human capital and those of male recipients in physical capital; more females play the role of principal economic providers for the families than their male counterparts.