bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The dangers of iron overload: Bring in the Iron Police
Authors: Lambing Angela , Kachalsky Ellen , Mueller Mary Linda 
Published: December 2011

Abstract  Purpose: To increase awareness of nurse practitioners (NPs) about the dangers of iron overload and to review common hematologic conditions where transfusions are essential, iron mechanism and transport within the body, effects of iron overload on the body, and treatment options available. Finally, the process for development of a protocol for monitoring such patients will be introduced.Data sources: Review of existing literature, myelodysplastic syndrome guidelines, sickle cell guidelines, thalassemia guidelines.Conclusions: Transfusions of packed red blood cells save lives. There are many hematologic conditions for which packed red blood cell transfusions are required as a result of bone marrow suppression. However, extended exposure to red blood cell transfusions places the patient at an additional risk of iron overload. Iron overload is a real concern for patients who become transfusion dependent, with increased risks of liver cirrhosis and cardiac arrhythmias.Implications for practice: NPs in all areas of practice can increase awareness of the dangers of transfusional iron overload, and become familiar with the treatment options available. Additionally, NPs can institute a monitoring program based on the protocol suggested here within their own practices to prevent poor outcomes for patients with transfusion‐related iron overload.
Belief‐Desire Explanation
Authors: Nottelmann Nikolaj 
Published: December 2011

AbstractTheses claiming a constitutive or necessary role for belief‐desire pairs in the rationalizing, motivation or explanation of action, are generally known as Humean. The main purpose of this short paper is clearly to present the basic versions of Humeanism and lay bare their commitments and interrelations in preparation for a short general introduction to the debate over belief‐desire explanation of action. After this, some influential arguments for and against a Humean account of action explanation are briefly discussed.
Teasing apart socially‐induced infertility in non‐reproductive female Damaraland mole‐rats, Fukomys damarensis (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)
Authors: BENNETT Nigel C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe Damaraland mole‐rat is a subterranean mammal exhibiting extreme reproductive skew with a single reproductive female in each colony responsible for procreation. Non‐reproductive female colony members are physiologically suppressed while in the colony, exhibiting reduced concentrations of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and a decreased response of the pituitary, as measured by the release of bioactive LH, to an exogenous dose of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). Removal of the reproductive female from the colony results in an elevation of LH and an enhanced response of the pituitary to a GnRH challenge in non‐reproductive females comparable to reproductive females, implying control of reproduction in these individuals by the reproductive female. The Damaraland mole‐rat is an ideal model for investigating the physiological and behavioral mechanisms that regulate the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal axis. In contrast, we know less about the control of reproduction at the level of the hypothalamus. The immunohistochemistry of the GnRH system of both reproductive and non‐reproductive female Damaraland mole‐rats has revealed no significant differences with respect to morphology, distribution or numbers of immunoreactive GnRH perikarya. We examined whether the endogenous opioid peptide beta‐endorphin was responsible for the inhibition of the release of the GnRH from the neurons indirectly by measuring LH concentrations in these non‐reproductive females following single, hourly and 8 hourly injections of the opioid antagonist naloxone. The results imply that the endogenous opioid peptide, beta‐endorphin, is not responsible for the inhibition of GnRH release from the perikarya in non‐reproductive females. Preliminary data examining the circulating levels of cortisol also do not support a role for circulating glucocorticoids. The possible role of kisspeptin is discussed.
Amyloid Generation and Dysfunctional Immunoproteasome Activation with Disease Progression in Animal Model of Familial Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Aso Ester , Lomoio Selene , López‐González Irene , Joda Laura , Carmona Margarita , Fernández‐Yagüe Núria , Moreno Jesús , Juvés Salvador , Pujol Aurora , Pamplona Reinald , Portero‐Otin Manuel , Martín Virginia , Díaz Mario , Ferrer Isidro 
Published: December 2011

AbstractDouble‐transgenic amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) mice express a chimeric mouse/human APP bearing the Swedish mutation (Mo/HuAPP695swe) and a mutant human PS1‐dE9 both causative of familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Transgenic mice show impaired memory and learning performance from the age of 6 months onwards. Double‐transgenic APP/PS1 mice express altered APP and PS1 mRNAs and proteins, reduced β‐secretase 1 (BACE1) mRNA and normal BACE1 protein, all of which suggest a particular mechanism of amyloidogenesis when compared with sporadic AD. The first β‐amyloid plaques in APP/PS1 mice appear at 3 months, and they increase in number and distribution with disease progression in parallel with increased levels of brain soluble β‐amyloid 1–42 and 1–40, but also with reduced 1–42/1–40 ratio with age. Amyloid deposition in plaques is accompanied by altered mitochondria and increased oxidative damage, post‐translational modifications and accumulation of altered proteins at the dystrophic neurites surrounding plaques. Degradation pathways are also modified with disease progression including activation of the immunoproteasome together with variable alterations of the different protease activities of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system. Present observations show modifications in the production of β‐amyloid and activation and malfunction of the subcellular degradation pathways that have general implications in the pathogenesis of AD and more particularly in specificities of FAD amyloidogenesis.
Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors (ATRTs): The British Columbia's Children's Hospital's Experience, 1986–2006
Authors: Fleming Adam J. , Hukin Juliette , Rassekh Rod , Fryer Christopher , Kim James , Stemmer‐Rachamimov Anat , Birks Diane K. , Huang Annie , Yip Stephen , Dunham Christopher 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAs “atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors” (ATRTs) may mimic “small round blue cell tumors” (SRBCT), we reexamined our ATRT experience focusing upon INI‐1 immunohistochemistry (IHC). All high‐grade pediatric brain tumors occurring from 1986–2006 at our institution underwent INI‐1 IHC. Clinicopathologic data from each INI‐1 immunonegative case were reviewed. Additional genetic, epigenetic and IHC analyses (including interrogation of INI‐1 and CLDN6) were performed on a subset of the INI‐1 immunonegative cases. Twelve INI‐1 IHC negative tumors were identified retrospectively, of which only two previously carried the diagnosis of ATRT. Overall, the clinicopathologic and genetic data supported the assertion that all 12 cases represented ATRT. Unexpectedly, three long‐term survivors (4.2, 7.0 and 8.5 years) were identified. As hypothesized, “teratoid” and “rhabdoid” histologic features were relatively infrequent despite gross total resections in some cases. Methylation specific polymer chain reaction (PCR) (MSP) revealed a uniform methylation pattern across all cases and gene promoters tested (ie, MGMT, HIC1, MLH3 and RASSF1); notably, all cases demonstrated unmethylated MGMT promoters. Our data demonstate that a primitive non‐rhabdoid histophenotype is common among ATRTs and highlights the diagnostic importance of INI‐1 IHC. Epigenetically, the MGMT promoter is usually unmethylated in ATRT, suggesting that potential temozolomide‐based chemotherapy may be of limited efficacy.
Systems biology in vaccine design
Authors: Six Adrien , Bellier Bertrand , Thomas‐Vaslin Véronique , Klatzmann David 
Published: December 2011

SummaryVaccines are the most effective tools to prevent infectious diseases and to minimize their impact on humans or animals. Despite the successful development of vaccines that are able to elicit potent and protective immune responses, the majority of vaccines have been so far developed empirically and mechanistic events leading to protective immune responses are often poorly understood. This hampers the development of new prophylactic as well as therapeutic vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer. Biological correlates of immune‐mediated protection are currently based on standard readout such as antibody titres and ELISPOT assays. The development of successful vaccines for difficult settings, such as infectious agents leading to chronic infection (HIV, HCV. . .) or cancer, calls for novel ‘readout systems’ or ‘correlates’ of immune‐mediated protection that would reliably predict immune responses to novel vaccines in vivo. Systems biology offers a new approach to vaccine design that is based upon understanding the molecular network mobilized by vaccination. Systems vaccinology approaches investigate more global correlates of successful vaccination, beyond the specific immune response to the antigens administered, providing new methods for measuring early vaccine efficacy and ultimately generating hypotheses for understanding the mechanisms that underlie successful immunogenicity. Using functional genomics, specific molecular signatures of individual vaccine can be identified and used as predictors of vaccination efficiency. The immune response to vaccination involves the coordinated induction of master transcription factors that leads to the development of a broad, polyfunctional and persistent immune response integrating all effector cells of the immune systems.
Is woody bioenergy carbon neutral? A comparative assessment of emissions from consumption of woody bioenergy and fossil fuel
Authors: Zanchi Giuliana , Pena Naomi , Bird Neil 
Published: December 2011

AbstractUnder the current accounting systems, emissions produced when biomass is burnt for energy are accounted as zero, resulting in what is referred to as the ‘carbon neutrality’ assumption. However, if current harvest levels are increased to produce more bioenergy, carbon that would have been stored in the biosphere might be instead released in the atmosphere. This study utilizes a comparative approach that considers emissions under alternative energy supply options. This approach shows that the emission benefits of bioenergy compared to use of fossil fuel are time‐dependent. It emerges that the assumption that bioenergy always results in zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to use of fossil fuels can be misleading, particularly in the context of short‐to‐medium term goals. While it is clear that all sources of woody bioenergy from sustainably managed forests will produce emission reductions in the long term, different woody biomass sources have various impacts in the short‐medium term. The study shows that the use of forest residues that are easily decomposable can produce GHG benefits compared to use of fossil fuels from the beginning of their use and that biomass from dedicated plantations established on marginal land can be carbon neutral from the beginning of its use. However, the risk of short‐to‐medium term negative impacts is high when additional fellings are extracted to produce bioenergy and the proportion of felled biomass used for bioenergy is low, or when land with high C stocks is converted to low productivity bioenergy plantations. The method used in the study provides an instrument to identify the time‐dependent pattern of emission reductions for alternative bioenergy sources. In this way, decision makers can evaluate which bioenergy options are most beneficial for meeting short‐term GHG emission reduction goals and which ones are more appropriate for medium to longer term objectives.
DESIGNING ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS TO PROMOTE INTRA‐REGIONAL TRADE IN ACP COUNTRIES
Authors: MILNER CHRIS , MORRISSEY OLIVER , ZGOVU EVIOUS 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe final details of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union (EU) and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) are being negotiated over the next few years. This paper suggests how EPAs can facilitate intra‐regional trade, given that promoting regional integration within ACP was an objective. Specifically, ACP regions may benefit by treating products traded within the region as sensitive for EPAs, hence postponing any reductions on tariffs on imports of such products from the EU. Less directly, if the EU supports measures that enhance the productivity and competitiveness of domestic producers, supply‐side capacity can be improved.
Changes in teacher–student relationships
Authors: Gehlbach Hunter , Brinkworth Maureen E. , Harris Anna D. 
Published: December 2011

Background.Although teacher–student relationships lie at the heart of students’ schooling experience, fundamental questions regarding these relationships remain unanswered.Aims.This study investigates three related questions about these relationships: To what extent do they change from the beginning to the end of a school year? Are any emergent changes associated with shifts in students’ academic or motivational outcomes? Are certain ‘upstream’ factors associated with improvements or declines in teacher–student relationships?Sample.We investigate these questions with a sample of middle school students (N =119) and their teachers (N =30).Methods.Through a novel approach which accounts for both perspectives within teacher–student relationships, we assess these relationships at the beginning and end of the school year. Using multi‐level models, we examine how changes in these relationships are associated with changes in students’ grades, homework completion rates, self‐efficacy, and effort. In addition, we examine associations with two potential precursors to teacher–student relationships: students’ accuracy in taking their teachers’ perspective and their perceptions of similarity to their teachers.Results.We find that substantial changes occur in these relationships from the beginning to the end of the year; these changes are associated with shifts in important student outcomes; and changes in students’ social perspective taking accuracy and perceived similarity to their teachers correspond with changes in teacher–student relationships.Conclusions.Given the malleability of teacher–student relationships and their importance for key achievement and motivational outcomes, we advocate for researchers to conduct field experiments to inform how to improve these critical relationships.
Perceptual equivalence of psychological climates within groups: When agreement indices do not agree
Authors: Beus Jeremy M. , Jarrett Steven M. , Bergman Mindy E. , Payne Stephanie C. 
Published: December 2011

Individual climate perceptions (i.e., psychological climates) are often aggregated to form group‐level climates without considering the equivalence of the meaning of climate within groups. Confirming perceptual equivalence across faultlines – within‐group dividing lines that can create subgroups based on the alignment of group member attributes (Lau & Murnighan, 1998) – is a particularly important concern given that sense‐making processes and subsequent psychological climates are likely to differ across faultlines. Using safety climate as an exemplar, we demonstrate the importance of assessing qualitative perceptual equivalence (i.e., perceptions of what a climate is) within groups instead of solely relying on traditional agreement indices (e.g., rwg, intraclass correlation [ICC]) to make aggregation decisions. Specifically, we tested for perceptual equivalence across context‐specific faultlines (hierarchical level and organizational heritage) in a large, multinational organization using multi‐group hierarchical confirmatory factor analyses and found that although traditional agreement indices universally supported aggregation decisions, tests of perceptual equivalence in 8 of 12 separate subgroup analyses failed to support aggregation. These findings confirm the importance of testing for perceptual equivalence within groups before aggregating psychological climates to the group level.Practitioner points• Our findings underscore the value for organizations to consider the potential existence of faultlines and to examine their possible influence on employee climate perceptions.• These findings also point to the need for organizations to promote qualitative equivalence of climate perceptions among employees independent of the potential existence of faultlines.
Seroprevalence of Serum Bactericidal Antibodies against Group W135 and Y Meningococci in England in 2009
Authors: Trotter Caroline L. , Findlow Helen , Borrow Ray 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT
Serological surveillance has been used in the United Kingdom to inform vaccine policy for several infections, including those with group C meningococci. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines, containing capsular groups A, W135, and Y in addition to C, are now available, but their use in the United Kingdom is restricted to at-risk groups and travelers to areas of endemicity. The aim of this study was to establish a baseline for natural immunity for groups W135 and Y. Serum samples collected in 2009 from individuals of all ages were obtained from the Health Protection Agency Seroepidemiology Unit, which collects residual sera from participating laboratories across the country. Serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) activity against two reference strains, representing groups Y (strain M03 241125) and W135 (strain M01 240070), was determined with 1,191 sera using a standardized complement-mediated SBA assay, with complement derived from baby rabbits (rSBA). The age-specific geometric mean titers (GMTs) and percentages of individuals with rSBA titers of ≥8 were calculated, together with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, 18.4% and 19.6% had rSBA titers of ≥8 for groups W135 and Y, respectively. Antibody prevalence varied by age. In general, rSBA titers were low for younger children, with serum samples from 7% and 13% of children under 5 years achieving titers of ≥8 against groups W135 and Y, respectively. GMTs peaked for 20- to 24-year-olds for group W135 (GMT, 7.1; 95% CI, 4.7, 10.9) and for 30- to 44-year-olds for group Y (GMT, 8.6; 95% CI, 5.9, 12.7). Unlike seroprevalence against group B meningococci, there was not an obvious peak in SBA titers in samples from teenagers. Natural immunity against group W135 and Y meningococci in England appears to be low.
Phase 1 Study of a Recombinant Mutant Protective Antigen of Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Bellanti Joseph A. , Lin Feng-Ying C. , Chu Chiayung , Shiloach Joseph , Leppla Stephen H. , Benavides German A. , Karpas Arthur , Moayeri Mahtab , Guo Chunyan , Robbins John B. , Schneerson Rachel 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

A phase 1 study of a recombinant mutant protective antigen (rPA) vaccine was conducted in 186 healthy adults aged 18 to 45 years. Volunteers were randomized to receive one of three formulations of rPA (formalin treated, alum adsorbed, or both), in 10- or 20-μg dosages each, or the licensed vaccine, AVA. Three injections were given at 2-month intervals and a 4th 1 year after the 3rd. Vaccinees were examined at the clinic once following each injection, at 48 to 72 h postinjection. Adverse reactions were recorded in diaries for 7 days. Sera were collected before each injection and 1 week after the 1st, 2 weeks after the 3rd and 4th, and 1 year after the 4th. Serum anti-PA IgG was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and toxin neutralization assay (TNA). All formulations at both dosages were safe and immunogenic, inducing booster responses, with the highest antibody levels following the 4th injection (354 to 732 μg/ml). The lowest levels were induced by the formalin-only-treated rPA; there was no statistical difference between levels induced by alum-adsorbed and formalin-treated/alum-adsorbed rPA or by the two dosages. The antibody levels declined in all groups during the 1-year intervals after the 3rd and 4th injections but less so during the 2nd year, after the 4th injection (fold decreases were 10 to 25 versus 3.4 to 7.0,
P
< 0.001). There were too few AVA recipients for statistical comparisons, but their antibody levels followed those of rPA. Anti-rPA measured by ELISA correlated with TNA titers (
r
= 0.97). These data support studying alum-adsorbed rPA in children.
Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses to Yersinia pestis Infection in Long-Term Recovered Plague Patients
Authors: Li Bei , Du Chunhong , Zhou Lei , Bi Yujing , Wang Xiaoyi , Wen Li , Guo Zhaobiao , Song Zhizhong , Yang Ruifu 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Plague is one of the most dangerous diseases and is caused by
Yersinia pestis
. Effective vaccine development requires understanding of immune protective mechanisms against the bacterium in humans. In this study, the humoral and memory cellular immune responses in plague patients (
n
= 65) recovered from
Y. pestis
infection during the past 16 years were investigated using a protein microarray and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay (ELISpot). The seroprevalence to the F1 antigen in all recovered patients is 78.5%. In patients infected more than a decade ago, the antibody-positive rate still remains 69.5%. There is no difference in the antibody presence between gender, age, and infected years, but it seems to be associated with the F1 antibody titers during infection (
r
= 0.821;
P
< 0.05). Except F1 antibody, the antibodies against LcrV and YopD were detected in most of the patients, suggesting they could be the potential diagnostic markers for detecting the infection of F1-negative strains. Regarding cellular immunity, the cell number producing gamma interferon (IFN-γ), stimulated by F1 and LcrV, respectively,
in vitro
to the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 7 plague patients and 4 negative controls, showed no significant difference, indicating F1 and LcrV are not dominant T cell antigens against plague for a longer time in humans. Our findings have direct implications for the future design and development of effective vaccines against
Y. pestis
infection and the development of new target-based diagnostics.
Genotypic Diversity of Coxiella burnetii in the 2007-2010 Q Fever Outbreak Episodes in The Netherlands
Authors: Tilburg Jeroen J. H. C. , Rossen John W. A. , van Hannen Erik J. , Melchers Willem J. G. , Hermans Mirjam H. A. , van de Bovenkamp Jeroen , Roest Hendrik Jan I. J. , de Bruin Arnout , Nabuurs-Franssen Marrigje H. , Horrevorts Alphons M. , Klaassen Corné H. W. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

The genotypic diversity of
Coxiella burnetii
in clinical samples obtained from the Dutch Q fever outbreak episodes of 2007-2010 was determined by using a 6-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis panel. The results are consistent with the introduction of one founder genotype that is gradually diversifying over time while spreading throughout The Netherlands.