bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aberrant expression of Fas and FasL pro-apoptotic proteins in basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Wang X.-Y. , Zhang R. , Lian S. 
Published: May 2010

Summary
Background. Fas and FasL are cell-surface receptors involved in apoptosis.
Aim. To investigate Fas and FasL expression levels in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to gain an insight into the mechanisms of Fas/FasL apoptosis and immune evasion in epidermal tumours.
Methods. Real-time PCR and streptavidin–biotin immunohistochemistry techniques were used to detect Fas and FasL expression in BCC, SCC and normal skin specimens.
Results. Fas and FasL mRNA expression and immunostaining levels were lower in the 21 BCC specimens than in normal skin, whereas they were higher in the 15 SCC specimens than in normal skin.
Conclusion. FasL immunostaining correlated with the capability of the tumour to invade and metastasize; the absent or weak immunostaining in the BCC specimens correlated with low capability, and the strong staining in the SCC specimens correlated with high capability.
From clergymen to computers—the advent of virtual palaeontology
Authors: Garwood Russell J. , Rahman Imran A. , Sutton Mark D. 
Published: May 2010

Palaeontology was established as a science in the Victorian era, yet has roots that stretch deeper into the recesses of history. More than 2000 years ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle deduced that fossil sea shells were once living organisms, and around 500 ad Xenophanes used fossils to argue that many areas of land must have previously been submarine. In 1027, the Persian scholar Avicenna suggested that organisms were fossilized by petrifying fluids; this theory was accepted by most natural philosophers up until the eighteenth century Enlightenment, and even beyond. The late 1700s were notable for the work of Georges Cuvier who established the reality of extinction. This, coupled with advances in the recognition of faunal successions made by the canal engineer William Smith, laid the framework for the discipline that would become known as palaeontology. As the nineteenth century progressed, the scientific community became increasingly well organized. Most fossil workers were gentleman scientists and members of the clergy, who self‐funded their studies in a new and exciting field. Many of the techniques used to study fossils today were developed during this ‘classical’ period. Perhaps the most fundamental of these is to expose a fossil by splitting the rock housing it, and then conduct investigations based upon the exposed surface (Fig. 1). This approach has served the science well in the last two centuries, having been pivotal to innumerable advances in our understanding of the history of life. Nevertheless, there are many cases where splitting a rock in this way results in incomplete data recovery; those where the fossils are not flattened, but are preserved in three‐dimensions. Even the ephemeral soft‐tissues of organisms are occasionally preserved in a three‐dimensional state, for example in the Herefordshire, La Voulte Sûr Rhone and Orsten ‘Fossil Lagerstätten’ (sites of exceptional fossil preservation). These rare and precious deposits provide a wealth of information about the history of life on Earth, and are perhaps our most important resource in the quest to understand the palaeobiology of extinct organisms. With the aid of twenty‐first century technology, we can now make the most of these opportunities through the field of ‘virtual palaeontology’—computer‐aided visualization of fossils.A split nodule showing the fossil within, in this case a cockroachoid insect. Fossil 4 cm long (From Garwood & Sutton, in press).image
An assessment of lifestyle video education for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Dyson P. A. , Beatty S. , Matthews D. R. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground:  Education plays a key role in the development of self‐management skills for people with type 2 diabetes, although there is limited evidence for the use of video education.Aims:  To develop a video‐based lifestyle education programme for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and to evaluate changes in knowledge, biomedical indices and quality of life.Methods:  Forty‐two newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects were recruited and randomly allocated to either a video education or control group. Data were collected at baseline and 6 months after the intervention. Subjects (43% male) had a mean (SD) age of 60.8 (9.6) years, weight 89.5 (15.5) kg, BMI 31.3 (5.1) kg m2, glycated haemoglobin (A1c) 7.4 (1.7)%, total cholesterol 4.7 (1.2) mmol L−1, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol 1.15 (0.34) mmol L−1, triglycerides 1.8 (1.0) mmol L−1, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol 2.8 (1.0) mmol L−1, pedometer reading 5721 (3446) steps per day. There were 63.7% correct answers given to the ADKnowl questionnaire and the WHO‐5 Well‐Being score was 65.8%.Results:  At 6 months, the intervention group showed increased knowledge compared to controls (74.3% versus 56.4% correct answers, P ≤ 0.0001). Although there were no significant differences in changes over 6 months between the two groups, the intervention group showed improvements in A1c (−0.7%, P = 0.024), total cholesterol (−0.5 mmol L−1, P = 0.017), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (−0.5, P = 0.018) and increased physical activity measured by pedometer (1266 steps per day, P = 0.043) from baseline, with no significant changes in the control group.Conclusions:  A brief video intervention increased diabetes knowledge amongst those newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and may comprise an effective way of directing education to such individuals.
Attachment behaviour towards support staff in young people with intellectual disabilities: associations with challenging behaviour
Authors: De Schipper J. C. , Schuengel C. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground  Attachment research has shown the importance of attachment behaviour for the prevention of dysregulated behaviour due to emotional distress. The support of an attachment figure may be especially important for people with intellectual disability (ID), because they are less adept in dealing with stressful situations on their own. Our purpose was to examine the role of support staff as targets of attachment behaviour for young people with ID by testing the hypothesis that young people who more often engage in attachment interactions with group care staff are less at risk for challenging behaviours. The study design included professional caregivers' report of young persons' attachment behaviour across different relationships to address the relationship‐specific nature of attachment behaviour in a group care context.Methods  Support staff rated attachment behaviour of 156 young participants with moderate to severe ID who were attending a group care setting. For each participant, we asked two members of the classroom support staff to fill out the Secure Base Safe Haven Observation list. One of them also rated challenging behaviour (Abberant Behavior Checklist).Results  Young people who showed more secure attachment behaviour towards professional caregivers were less irritable, less lethargic and less stereotypic in their behaviour, even if we controlled for developmental age and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Two results point in the direction of relationship‐specific attachment behaviour: the absence of high consistency in a person's attachment behaviour towards two different caregivers and the independent contribution of each of these relationships to explaining differences in lethargy and stereotypies. A certain preference in attachment behaviour towards specific caregivers was not associated with challenging behaviour.Conclusions  Findings suggest that attachment behaviour may be part of young persons' adaptation to the stresses and challenges of group care. Furthermore, adaptation may be determined by the integration of relationships with support staff, because each relationship with a care staff member bears uniquely on challenging behaviour.
Coagulation and inflammation biomarkers may help predict the severity of community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: AGAPAKIS Dimitrios I. , TSANTILAS Dionissios , PSARRIS Panagiotis , MASSA Eleni V. , KOTSAFTIS Panagiotis , TZIOMALOS Konstantinos , HATZITOLIOS Apostolos I. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  There are limited data on the relationship between the severity of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) and biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the severity of CAP and serum levels of antithrombin III (AT‐III), protein C (P‐C), D‐dimers (D‐D) and CRP, at hospital admission.Methods:  This was a prospective observational study in 77 adults (62.3% men), who were hospitalized for CAP. The severity of CAP was assessed using the confusion, uraemia, respiratory rate ≥30 breaths/min, low blood pressure, age ≥65 years (CURB‐65) score.Results:  Forty patients (52%) had severe CAP (CURB‐65 score 3–5). Serum levels of AT‐III were lower and levels of D‐D and CRP were higher in patients with severe CAP than in patients with mild CAP (CURB‐65 score 0–2) (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Levels of P‐C were lower in patients with severe CAP compared with those with mild CAP, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.459). At a cut‐off point of 85%, AT‐III showed a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 75%, as a determinant of the need for hospitalization. At a cut‐off point of 600 ng/mL, D‐D showed a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 75% and at a cut‐off point of 110 mg/L, CRP showed a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 79%, as determinants of the need for hospitalization.Conclusions:  Serum levels of AT‐III, D‐D and CRP at admission appear to be useful biomarkers for assessing the severity of CAP.
A comparison of emergence delirium scales following general anesthesia in children
Authors: BAJWA SAMIRA A. , COSTI DAVID , CYNA ALLAN M. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryBackground:  Emergence delirium (ED) is of increasing interest since the introduction of short‐acting volatiles such as sevoflurane.Methods:  We compared the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED), Watcha and Cravero scales for assessing the presence of ED in 117 of 118 consecutive children <18 years recovering from general anesthesia. The primary measure was the worst score for ED as assessed on each scale and for each patient during their PACU stay. An experienced anesthetist observer also made a subjective assessment of the presence of ED.Results:  A PAED score of ≥10 detected ED in 37 children (32%), while the Watcha detected 30 (26%) and Cravero 41 (35%). Twenty‐five patients (21%) fulfilled criteria for ED in all three scales as did all eight patients assessed by the experienced pediatric anesthetist observer. Median PAED scores (interquartile ranges) for patients assessed as having ED or not respectively were for Watcha, 12 (11,14), 7 (4,8); for Cravero, 11 (9,13), 7 (4,8); and for the experienced anesthetist observer, 14.5 (13.5,16.5), 7 (6,10).Conclusions:  All three scales correlated reasonably well with each other but have individual limitations in their potential to assess whether ED is present. In the absence of developing an improved research tool to assess ED, a PAED score >12 appears to provide greater sensitivity and specificity than a PAED score ≥10. However, the Watcha scale is a simpler tool to use in clinical practice and may have a higher overall sensitivity and specificity than the other scales.
Relationship between GLP‐1 levels and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 activity in different glucose tolerance conditions
Authors: Pala L. , Ciani S. , Dicembrini I. , Bardini G. , Cresci B. , Pezzatini A. , Giannini S. , Mannucci E. , Rotella C. M. 
Published: May 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 691–695 (2010)AbstractAim  The reduced levels of glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) after an oral glucose load in Type 2 diabetic patients could be dependent either on a reduced synthesis or an increased degradation; but GLP‐1 and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP‐IV) levels during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) have not been studied together. The aim of the present study was to investigate GLP‐1 and DPP‐IV levels during an OGTT in patients with different degrees of glucose tolerance.Methods  Fifty six subjects (34 female, 22 male) matched for sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference underwent a 75g oral glucose tolerance test. Twenty‐eight had normal glucose tolerance, 15 had impaired glucose tolerance and 13 had Type 2 diabetes mellitus. GLP‐1 assay was performed with an ELISA kit, and DPP‐IV assay using a colorimetric method.Results  At 30 min GLP‐1 levels were significantly lower in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to those with normal glucose tolerance. The area under the GLP‐1 curve was significantly different among the three groups; there was a significant decrease between subjects with normal and impaired glucose tolerance(P = 0.004) and between those with normal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. (P < 0.001), while the area under the curve for DPP‐IV showed no significant difference between the groups.Conclusions  These results suggest that an increase of GLP‐1 degradation does not play a role in the early stages of diabetes mellitus.
Sequence Patterns of Firms' Acquisition and Alliance Behaviour and their Performance Implications
Authors: Shi Weilei (Stone) , Prescott John E. 
Published: May 2010

abstractStudying repetitive acquisition and alliance behaviours from a temporal perspective, we conceptualize a taxonomy of sequence patterns. Our approach defines sequences as the set of acquisition and alliances a firm initiates each year over its life‐course. Using optimal matching techniques and clustering analysis, we empirically identify seven different sequence patterns and demonstrate that firm and performance attributes differ across these sequences and depending on the contingent effect of a firm's stage of development. We discuss the implications of our taxonomy and findings for our understanding of the temporal management of alliance portfolios and acquisition programmes.
Pharmacokinetics, protein‐binding‐adjusted inhibitory quotients for atazanavir/ritonavir 300/100 mg in treatment‐naïve HIV‐infected patients*
Authors: Lambert‐Niclot S , Machouf N , Peytavin G , Soulie C , Wirden M , Simon A , Murphy RL , Katlama C , Thomas R , Calvez V , Marcelin A‐G 
Published: May 2010

ObjectivesStudies have shown the importance of having a high protein‐binding‐adjusted inhibitory quotient (IQ) for protease inhibitors (PIs) boosted with ritonavir. The objective of this study was to explore the virological response when combination atazanavir/ritonavir was administered to treatment‐naïve patients.MethodsProtein‐binding‐adjusted IQs were calculated in 100 treatment‐naïve patients initiating therapy with atazanavir 300 mg/ritonavir 100 mg plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.ResultsThe median atazanavir trough level was 635 ng/mL [interquartile range (IQR) 342–1000] and the median atazanavir protein‐binding‐adjusted IQ was 45 (IQR 24–71). Eighty‐four per cent of patients had a successful virological response, and those who failed did not develop resistance. The IQ for boosted atazanavir is high, resulting in rare treatment failure without resistance mutations.ConclusionsThis study showed that the protein‐binding‐adjusted IQ of atazanavir is close to those measured for lopinavir and darunavir used once daily in first‐line treatment. Finally the selection of resistance in the case of virological failure (plasma viral load >400 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL) to atazanavir/ritonavir used in first‐line therapy seems uncommon, as it is for all boosted PIs.
Acquired hepatocerebral degeneration: clinical characteristics and MRI findings
Authors: Fernández‐Rodriguez R. , Contreras A. , De Villoria J. G. , Grandas F. 
Published: May 2010

Objective:  To determine the prevalence of acquired hepatocerebral degeneration (AHD), its clinical and neuroimaging characteristics and response to treatments.Background:  Acquired hepatocerebral degeneration is a chronic encephalopathy with predominant motor signs in the context of severe liver disease. Its clinical picture is not well defined, and its prevalence and risk factors are not well known.Methods:  Review of a database of 1000 patients with cirrhosis to identify cases of AHD. Clinical and neuroimaging data, follow‐up and response to treatments, including liver transplantation, were recorded.Results:  Eight patients with AHD were identified. Its prevalence was 0.8% of patients with cirrhosis. The main risk factor for AHD was the presence of portosystemic shunts. Movement disorders, especially a combination of parkinsonism and cerebellar signs were observed in all patients. All AHD cases showed on MRI T1‐weighted images hyperintensities in the globus pallidus, and 75% had extrapallidal involvement as well. Antiparkisonian drugs and treatments to prevent acute encephalopathies were ineffective. Three patients who underwent liver transplantation did not experience neurological improvement. Persistence of portosystemic shunts was demonstrated in two cases.Conclusions:  Acquired hepatocerebral degeneration is a chronic encephalopathy which occurs in ∼1% of patients with liver cirrhosis and seems related to portosystemic shunts. Its is characterized by a combination of parkinsonism and cerebellar signs. MRI pallidal and extrapallidal lesions are seen in most patients, probably reflecting intracerebral deposits of manganese. Liver transplant did not improve the neurological signs in our patients, perhaps because of the persistence of portosystemic shunts.
Myasthenia gravis requiring pyridostigmine treatment in a national population cohort
Authors: Andersen J. B. , Engeland A. , Owe J. F. , Gilhus N. E. 
Published: May 2010

Background:  Pyridostigmine is the first drug of choice for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). The drug is not prescribed regularly to any other patient groups. We aimed to determine the prevalence, incidence and gender‐specific characteristics of patients with MG needing drug treatment in a well‐defined population cohort.Methods:  Data were retrieved from the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD) 2004–2007, containing information on all dispensed drugs in Norway. The study population comprised 677 recipients of pyridostigmine who met the following inclusion criteria (one or more): (i) More than one prescription 1 January 2004–31 December 2007, (ii) prescription from a specialist in neurology, (iii) prescription for MG being specified in NorPD.Results:  A total of 435 (64%) women and 242 men were included; female:male ratio 1.8:1. Point prevalence (1 January 2008) of symptomatic MG was 131 per million; 92 for men, 170 for women. Seventy‐four new users of pyridostigmine were registered in 2007 (42 women, 32 men), i.e. the incidence rate for 2007 being 16 per million; 14 for men, 18 for women. Mean age of incident cases was 59 years; 64 and 55 years, respectively. Prevalence and incidence were significantly higher in the age group ≥50 years than <50 years (P < 0.001), and highest at 70–79 years. Prevalence and incidence did not differ in the five geographical health regions in Norway.Conclusions:  Reported prevalence and incidence are amongst the highest found in similar studies. This may be explained by optimal case identification, higher incidence of drug requiring MG amongst the elderly, and recurrences of previous MG.
A theory of chemicals regulation and testing
Authors: Gabbert Silke , Weikard Hans‐Peter 
Published: May 2010

AbstractRisk management of chemicals requires information about their adverse effects such as toxicity and persistence, for example. Testing of chemicals allows for improving the information base for regulatory decision‐making on chemicals' production and use. Testing a large number of chemicals with limited time and resources forces a prioritization of chemicals. This paper proposes a decision model that provides a ranking of chemicals according to “urgency to test”. The model adopts a value‐of‐information approach describing the expected welfare gains from regulatory actions that respond to test information. We determine the value‐of‐information of tests revealing chemicals' levels of toxicity and persistence. We compare our findings to the prioritization of chemicals in the new European Chemicals Regulation “REACH”, where several tens of thousands of chemicals are to be tested in order to fill existing information gaps and to implement more effective risk management. We find that the main lines of chemicals' prioritization under REACH receive backing from our decision model. However, prioritization for testing can be further improved by accounting for testing costs and the sensitivity of regulatory action with respect to the test information.
The validity and internal structure of the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale: data from a clinical trial of N-acetylcysteine as adjunctive therapy in bipolar disorder
Authors: Berk Michael , Dodd Seetal , Dean Olivia M , Kohlmann Kristy , Berk Lesley , Malhi Gin S 
Published: May 2010

Berk M, Dodd S, Dean OM, Kohlmann K, Berk L, Malhi GS. The validity and internal structure of the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale: data from a clinical trial of N-acetylcysteine as adjunctive therapy in bipolar disorder.Background:The phenomenology of unipolar and bipolar disorders differ in a number of ways, such as the presence of mixed states and atypical features. Conventional depression rating instruments are designed to capture the characteristics of unipolar depression and have limitations in capturing the breadth of bipolar disorder.MethodThe Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS) was administered together with the Montgomery Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) in a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial of N-acetyl cysteine for bipolar disorder (N = 75).Results:A factor analysis showed a two-factor solution: depression and mixed symptom clusters. The BDRS has strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.917), the depression cluster showed robust correlation with the MADRS (r = 0.865) and the mixed subscale correlated with the YMRS (r = 0.750).Conclusion:The BDRS has good internal validity and inter-rater reliability and is sensitive to change in the context of a clinical trial.
Starch Synthesis and Programmed Cell Death during Endosperm Development in Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack)
Authors: Li Chun‐Yan , Li Wei‐Hua , Li Cheng , Gaudet Denis A. , Laroche André , Cao Lian‐Pu , Lu Zhen‐Xiang 
Published: May 2010

Abstract Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) grains synthesize and accumulate starch as their main energy source. Starch accumulation rate and synthesis activities of ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase, soluble starch synthases, granule‐bound starch synthase and starch‐branching enzyme showed similar pattern of unimodal curves during endosperm development. There was no significant difference in activity of the starch granule‐bound protein isolated from total and separated starch granules at different developmental stages after anthesis in triticale. Evans Blue staining and analysis of DNA fragmentation indicated that cells of triticale endosperm undergo programmed cell death during its development. Dead cells within the endosperm were detected at 6 d post anthesis (DPA), and evidence of DNA fragmentation was first observed at 21 DPA. The period between initial detection of PCD to its rapid increase overlapped with the key stages of rapid starch accumulation during endosperm development. Cell death occurred stochastically throughout the whole endosperm, meanwhile, the activities of starch biosynthetic enzymes and the starch accumulation rate decreased in the late stages of grain filling. These results suggested that the timing and progression of PCD in triticale endosperm may interfere with starch synthesis and accumulation.