bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross‐talk between L‐type Ca2+ channels and mitochondria
Authors: Viola Helena M , Hool Livia C 
Published: August 2009

Summary1. Calcium is necessary for myocardial function, including contraction and maintenance of cardiac output. Calcium is also necessary for myocardial energetics and production of ATP by mitochondria, but the mechanisms for calcium regulation by mitochondria are still not fully resolved.2. The cytoskeleton plays an important role in maintaining a cell’s integrity. It is now recognized that cytoskeletal proteins can also assist in the transmission of signals from the plasma membrane to intracellular organelles. Cytoskeletal proteins can regulate the function of the L‐type Ca2+ channel and alter intracellular calcium homeostasis.3. Recent evidence suggests that calcium influx through the L‐type Ca2+ channel is sufficient to alter a number of mitochondrial functional parameters, including superoxide production, NADH production and metabolic activity, assessed as the formation of formazan from tetrazolium salt. This occurs in a calcium‐dependent manner.4. Activation of the L‐type Ca2+ channel also alters mitochondrial membrane potential in a calcium‐independent manner and this is assisted by movement of the auxiliary β2‐subunit through F‐actin filaments.5. Because the L‐type Ca2+ channel is the initiator of contraction, a functional coupling between the channels and mitochondria may assist in meeting myocardial energy demand on a beat‐to‐beat basis.
The effect of micro‐incision and small‐incision coaxial phaco‐emulsification on corneal astigmatism
Authors: Wang Jun , Zhang En‐Kui , Fan Wen‐Ying , Ma Jian‐Xin , Zhao Peng‐Fei 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To evaluate the effect of micro‐incision (2.2 mm) and small‐incision (2.6 mm or 3.0 mm) coaxial phaco‐emulsification on surgically induced astigmatism (SIA).Methods:  Cataract patients (n = 83, 129 eyes) were randomized into three groups: 43 eyes in the 2.2‐mm incision group, 42 eyes in the 2.6‐mm group and 44 eyes in the 3.0‐mm group. Torsional phaco‐emulsification was followed by intraocular lens implantation via the Monarch II injector with the C cartridge (Alcon Laboratories Inc., Fort Worth, TX, USA). Corneal astigmatism, SIA and uncorrected distance visual acuity were assessed 30 and 90 days after cataract surgery.Results:  At 30 and 90 days postoperative, SIA of the 3.0‐mm group was greater than SIA of the 2.2‐mm and 2.6‐mm groups (P ≤ 0.015), but SIA was similar between the 2.2‐mm group and the 2.6‐mm group. Timewise, mean SIA at 30 days was greater than SIA at 90 days in the 3.0‐mm group (P = 0.04), while SIA did not change with time for the 2.2‐mm and 2.6‐mm groups. Postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity tended to be better with the smaller incisions, but this trend did not reach stastical significance (P ≥ 0.07).Conclusion:  Incision size contributed to postoperative corneal astigmatism. When incision size was reduced from 3.0 mm to 2.6 mm, SIA was reduced and refractive stabilization was faster. Reduction of incision size from 2.6 mm to 2.2 mm offered no greater reduction of SIA when using the C cartridge; however, the D cartridge (designed for 2.2‐mm incisions) should be evaluated.
Laryngeal mask airways – to inflate or to deflate after insertion?
Authors: Von UNGERN‐STERNBERG BRITTA S. , ERB THOMAS O. , CHAMBERS NEIL A. , HEANEY MAIREAD 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground:  Hyperinflation of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) cuff is known to be a risk factor for airway morbidity and increased leakage around the LMA. While the manufacturers’ recommendation is to inflate the cuff with the maximum recommended volumes and/or to adjust the cuff pressure to <60 cmH2O, cuff pressures below 40 cmH2O have been shown to be associated with a minimal rate of sore throat and minimal leakage. However, it remains to be determined whether inflation or deflation is needed to achieve favorable pressures. Therefore, we assessed the need for cuff‐volume adjustment following insertion of the LMA unchanged straight from the sterile packaging in a prospective audit.Methods:  One thousand children (0–16 years) undergoing elective surgery were consecutively included in this quality of care audit. After taking the LMA from its sterile packaging, the LMA cuff was emptied and the amount of air recorded. Then, the same amount of air was returned into the LMA, the LMA was inserted into the patient, and the cuff pressure was measured using a calibrated cuff manometer.Results:  Following insertion of the LMA (without further inflation or deflation of the cuff), 20.5% of children had cuff pressures ≥60 cmH2, while 55.7% had LMA cuff pressures <40 cmH2O. Cuff pressures were also significantly higher in size 1 LMAs (66.6% had cuff pressures ≥60 cmH2O and 2% <40 cmH2O) compared with all other sizes (P < 0.05). Furthermore, cuff pressures in LMAs with a poly vinyl chloride (PVC) surface were higher compared to LMAs with a silicone surface (65.2%≥60 cmH2O and 9.3% <40 cmH2O vs 9%≥60 cmH2O and 67.6% <40 cmH2O, respectively).Conclusions:  This study demonstrates that LMAs, particularly when using small‐sized LMAs or LMAs with a more rigid PVC surface, need to be deflated following insertion of the device rather than inflated to avoid cuff hyperinflation. Hence, cuff pressures should be measured routinely using a manometer to minimize potential pressure‐related airway complications.
Hemostatic consequences of a non‐fresh or reconstituted whole blood small volume cardiopulmonary bypass prime in neonates and infants
Authors: HORNYKEWYCZ STEPHAN , ODEGARD KIRSTEN C. , CASTRO ROBERT A. , ZURAKOWSKI DAVID , PIGULA FRANK , DINARDO JAMES A. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryObjectives:  Despite aggressive measures to miniaturize the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit in neonates and infants, the CPB prime volume is often at least as large as the patients’ blood volume. We conducted an observational study to characterize the hemostatic consequences of a CPB prime consisting of either non‐fresh or reconstituted whole blood.Methods:  Hematocrit, fibrinogen, platelet count, plasminogen, anti‐thrombin III (AT‐III), and factors (F) II, V, VII, IX, and X of 30 neonates and infants undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB utilizing either a non‐fresh or reconstituted whole blood prime were prospectively evaluated at eight time points. Following protamine administration, microvascular bleeding was treated by protocol.Results:  The hemostatic composition of the CPB prime was the same following the use of either non‐fresh or reconstituted whole blood. The CPB prime platelet count (mean ± sd) was 5.87 ± 2.84 × 103 μl−1 when compared to a preoperative platelet count of 298 ± 142 × 103 μl−1 (P < 0.0001). Twenty patients received 17.3 ± 9.2 ml·kg−1 (0.86 ± 0.46 units·kg−1) of platelets with significant improvement in platelet count. Nine patients received 16.7 ± 13.4 ml·kg−1 (0.84 ± 0.67 units·kg−1) of cryoprecipitate with significant improvements in FVIII and fibrinogen.Conclusions:  Non‐fresh or reconstituted whole blood as a component of a small volume CPB prime in neonates and infants induces clinically significant dilutional thrombocytopenia in conjunction with less significant reductions in fibrinogen, FII, FV, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, plasminogen, and AT‐III.
O‐acetyltransferase gene neuO is segregated according to phylogenetic background and contributes to environmental desiccation resistance in Escherichia coli K1
Authors: Mordhorst Ines L. , Claus Heike , Ewers Christa , Lappann Martin , Schoen Christoph , Elias Johannes , Batzilla Julia , Dobrindt Ulrich , Wieler Lothar H. , Bergfeld Anne K. , Mühlenhoff Martina , Vogel Ulrich 
Published: August 2009

Summary Escherichia coli K1 causes disease in humans and birds. Its polysialic acid capsule can be O‐acetylated via phase‐variable expression of the acetyltransferase NeuO encoded by prophage CUS‐3. The role of capsule O‐acetylation in ecological adaptation or pathogenic invasion of E. coli K1 is largely unclear. A population genetics approach was performed to study the distribution of neuO among E. coli K1 isolates from human and avian sources. Multilocus sequence typing revealed 39 different sequence types (STs) among 183 E. coli K1 strains. The proportion of the ST95 complex (STC95) was 44%. NeuO was found in 98% of the STC95 strains, but only in 24% of other STs. Grouping of STs and prophage genotypes revealed a segregation of prophage types according to STs, suggesting coevolution of CUS‐3 and the E. coli K1 host. Within the STC95, which is known to harbour both human and avian pathogenic isolates, CUS‐3 genotypes were shared irrespective of the host species. Functional analysis of a variety of strain pairs revealed that NeuO‐mediated K1 capsule O‐acetylation enhanced desiccation resistance. In contrast, NeuO expression led to a reduced biofilm formation in biofilm positive E. coli K1 isolates. These findings suggest a delicate ecological balance of neuO‘on’/‘off’ switching.
HLA‐DRB1 alleles are associated with the clinical course of disease and steroid dependence in Mexican patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yamamoto‐Furusho J. K. , Rodríguez‐Bores L. , Granados J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAim  The aim of this study was to study the association between the HLA‐DRB1 alleles and the clinical course of ulcerative colitis (UC).Method  Seventy‐five Mexican patients with UC were studied. High resolution HLA typing was performed using Polymerase Chain Reaction‐Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide PCR‐SSO reverse dot blot and Polymerase Chain Reaction‐single specific primer PCR‐SSP. Molecular typing techniques were applied to define HLA‐DRB1 alleles.Results  Seventy‐five patients (36 female patients, 39 male patients) were studied. Significant associations were found between some HLA‐DRB1 alleles and the clinical course of disease: initial active and then inactive and the HLA‐DRB1*14 allele (P = 0.03; OR = 4.63; 95% CI: 1.08–21.23); and HLA‐DRB1*08 allele (P = 0.04; OR = 4.34; 95% CI: 1.9–33.3). On the other hand, the HLA‐DRB1*07 (P = 0.001; OR = 9.76 95% CI: 1.55–65.56) was significantly associated with steroid dependence in UC patients.Conclusions  This study suggests that HLA‐DRB1 alleles were associated with the clinical course of disease and steroid dependence in UC patients.
The prognostic significance of the metastatic lymph node ratio in Dukes stage C colorectal cancer in a district general hospital
Authors: Ainsworth P. D. , Johnson M. A. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAim  Our aim was to determine if the lymph node ratio would predict overall survival and disease‐free survival in Dukes C colorectal cancer in a district general hospital setting in the UK.Method  Fifty‐six patients were analysed from a prospectively maintained colorectal cancer database. The lymph node ratio was defined as the number of positive lymph nodes divided by the total number of nodes harvested. Comparison was made between the lymph node ratio,TNM nodal status and number of positive lymph nodes by the Kaplan–Meier method. An analysis of covariates was performed by a Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.Results  A lymph node ratio of > 0.25 is prognostically significant for overall survival (P = 0.03) and disease‐free survival (P = 0.0003). The lymph node ratio was the strongest covariate in the multivariate regression analysis for recurrence (P = 0.003).Conclusion  The lymph node ratio may help clinicians determine which patients have a more aggressive tumour biology and direct appropriate more aggressive chemotherapy regimes towards these patients.
Ethnic disparity in colonic cancer outcomes in New Zealand – biology or an access issue?
Authors: Sammour T. , Kahokehr A. , Vather R. , Connolly A. B. , Hill A. G. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  There is an ethnic variation in outcomes for colonic cancer in New Zealand. Whether this disparity is caused by cancer biology or inequitable provision of treatment services after diagnosis has not been elucidated.Method  National cancer registry data from 1996 to 2003 were obtained. Incidence and mortality rates for the four major ethnic groups were age‐adjusted to the new WHO world population. The impact of age, sex, AJCC stage and site of cancer at diagnosis was compared between ethnic groups using a Cox regression analysis.Results  A total of 11 987 colonic cancer registrations were identified. The overall raw 5‐year mortality was 53.7%. The age‐adjusted incidence in Europeans was more than double that of the Maori, Asian and Pacific populations at 33.0 per 100 000 population/year. Europeans presented at a greater age, with more right sided cancers, and at an earlier stage of disease. The opposite was true for the Maori population. Pacific Islanders and Asians presented at a younger age, but with a similar site, stage and sex distribution to the rest of the population. There were no significant differences in 5 year mortality after diagnosis when age, sex, stage, and site at presentation were controlled for by cox regression analysis.Conclusion  These results suggest that age, sex, stage and site at presentation may be more important than inequality in treatment provision after diagnosis in explaining differences in outcomes between the ethnicities. Efforts need to be focused on identifying reasons for the increased risk of colonic neoplasia in Europeans and the later stage disease presentation in the Maori population.
Investigating Burnout and Psychological Well‐Being of Staff Working with People with Intellectual Disabilities and Challenging Behaviour: The Role of Personality
Authors: Chung Man Cheung , Harding Carly 
Published: August 2009

Background  The present research extended previous research by broadening the dimensions of personality traits, and focusing on burnout and psychological well‐being among staff working with people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour.Methods  This is a cross‐sectional survey in which 103 staff completed questionnaires measuring clients’ challenging behaviour according to staff perception, as well as staff burnout, psychological well‐being and personality traits.Results  Regression analyses showed that staff perception of challenging behaviour predicted burnout. Controlling for challenging behaviour, three personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion and conscientiousness) predicted burnout and psychological well‐being.Conclusions  Personality traits can affect the degree of burnout and poor psychological well‐being that staff may experience. Staff should be informed about the role that their personality traits can play in their well‐being. Training programmes for staff should incorporate the complex relationship between personality traits and well‐being. Further studies should aim at identifying other personality traits that could increase or decrease resilience of staff working in this area.
The DOUBLETIME protein kinase regulates phosphorylation of the Drosophila PDP1ε
Authors: Choi Changtaek , Lee Jongbin , Lim Chunghun , Jang Donghoon , Choe Joonho 
Published: August 2009

AbstractReversible phosphorylation of clock proteins plays an important role in circadian timekeeping as it is a key post‐translational mechanism that regulates the activity, stability and subcellular localization of core clock proteins. The kinase DOUBLETIME (DBT), a Drosophila ortholog of mammalian casein kinase Iε, regulates circadian phosphorylation of two essential clock proteins, PERIOD and dCLOCK. We present evidence that Par Domain Protein 1ε (PDP1ε), a transcription factor and mediator of clock output in Drosophila, is phosphorylated in vivo and in cultured cells by DBT activity. We also demonstrate that DBT interacts with PDP1ε and promotes its degradation by the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway in cultured cells. In addition, PDP1ε nuclear localization is decreased by dbt RNA interference in S2 cell system. These results suggest that DBT regulates phosphorylation, stability and localization of PDP1ε, and that it has multiple targets in the Drosophila circadian system.
THE LEBANESE PHYSICIAN: A PUBLIC'S VIEWPOINT
Authors: ARAWI THALIA 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTA physician's lack of humanity is a general complaint in public surveys. The physician‐patient relationship is viewed by the public as being reduced to a business relationship where the patient feels that she is merely a ‘client’ and the physician a healthcare ‘practitioner’ instead of a ‘care giver’. This public perception is not a phenomenon that is peculiar to Lebanon. Yet, the problem has been increasing over the years to the extent that patients feel that physicians are becoming inhumane and business oriented. While this might not characterize all physicians of the 21st century, this might be true of at least some.Responses were collected from a study that was undertaken based on a questionnaire distributed to a pool of 650 participants from different geographical areas and different social and educational backgrounds in Lebanon. Participants were all older than18 years and mentally competent. None were physicians. The questionnaire was open‐ended and initially piloted among a random sample.The physician traits most desired by the public were found to be: moral traits (41%), interpersonal traits (36%), scientific traits (19%) and other (4%). The most unwanted traits/behaviours were a lack of interpersonal traits (57%), a lack of moral traits (40%) and a lack of scientific skills (3%).The physician‐patient relationship was perceived, in general, as being a flawed one. What can be done to remedy the image of the Lebanese physician that has been projected in the minds of the patients and the public at large? Nine major recommendations are presented.
CULTURE AND GENETIC SCREENING IN AFRICA
Authors: JEGEDE AYODELE S. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAfrica is a continent in transition amidst a revival of cultural practices. Over previous years the continent was robbed of the benefits of medical advances by unfounded cultural practices surrounding its cultural heritage. In a fast moving field like genetic screening, discussions of social and policy aspects frequently need to take place at an early stage to avoid the dilemma encountered by Western medicine. This paper, examines the potential challenges to genetic screening in Africa. It discusses how cultural practices may affect genetic screening. It views genomics science as a culture which is trying to diffuse into another one. It argues that understanding the existing culture will help the diffusion process. The paper emphasizes the importance of genetic screening for Africa, by assessing the current level of burden of diseases in the continent and shows its role in reducing disease prevalence. The paper identifies and discusses the cultural challenges that are likely to confront genetic screening on the continent, such as the worldview, rituals and taboos, polygyny, culture of son preference and so on. It also discusses cultural practices that may promote the science such as inheritance practices, spouse selection practices and naming patterns. Factors driving the cultural challenges are identified and discussed, such as socialization process, patriarchy, gender, belief system and so on. Finally, the paper discusses the way forward and highlights the ethical considerations of doing genetic screening on the continent. However, the paper also recognizes that African culture is not monolithic and therefore makes a case for exceptions.
Increased CaVβ1a expression with aging contributes to skeletal muscle weakness
Authors: Taylor Jackson R. , Zheng Zhenlin , Wang Zhong‐Min , Payne Anthony M. , Messi María L. , Delbono Osvaldo 
Published: August 2009

SummaryCa2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) into the cytosol is a crucial part of excitation–contraction (E‐C) coupling. Excitation–contraction uncoupling, a deficit in Ca2+ release from the SR, is thought to be responsible for at least some of the loss in specific force observed in aging skeletal muscle. Excitation–contraction uncoupling may be caused by alterations in expression of the voltage‐dependent calcium channel α1s (CaV1.1) and β1a (CaVβ1a) subunits, both of which are necessary for E‐C coupling to occur. While previous studies have found CaV1.1 expression declines in old rodents, CaVβ1a expression has not been previously examined in aging models. Western blot analysis shows a substantial increase of CaVβ1a expression over the full lifespan of Friend Virus B (FVB) mice. To examine the specific effects of CaVβ1a overexpression, a CaVβ1a‐YFP plasmid was electroporated in vivo into young animals. The resulting increase in expression of CaVβ1a corresponded to decline of CaV1.1 over the same time period. YFP fluorescence, used as a measure of CaVβ1a‐YFP expression in individual fibers, also showed an inverse relationship with charge movement, measured using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique. Specific force was significantly reduced in young CaVβ1a‐YFP electroporated muscle fibers compared with sham‐electroporated, age‐matched controls. siRNA interference of CaVβ1a in young muscles reduced charge movement, while charge movement in old was restored to young control levels. These studies imply CaVβ1a serves as both a positive and negative regulator CaV1.1 expression, and that endogenous overexpression of CaVβ1a during old age may play a role in the loss of specific force.
The Essence of Islamist Resistance: A Different View of Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas
Authors: CROOKE ALASTAIR 
Published: August 2009

The Iranian revolution—the political realization of the “Great Refusal” of Western modernization—was a direct consequence a half century later of the forced secularization of the Ottoman Caliphate by Kemal Ataturk. With the superstructure of the Muslim ummah dismantled and replaced by the Turkish nation state, insurgent religious movements, from the (Sunni) Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt to the Shiite imams of Qum and Najaf, moved into the vacuum to reclaim Islam from the shadow of Western dominance.Now, history is turning again. Iran has been seized by violent turmoil as it seeks to reconcile democracy and religious rule. Secular Turkey is governed by an Islamist‐rooted party. As they struggle to regain their balance, the global economic meltdown threatens a convergence against globalization that joins the Islamist resistance with populist backlashes elsewhere.Two legendary intelligence agents, a Hezbollah leader, an Iranian dissident philosopher and Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian human rights lawyer and Nobel Laureate, examine this historical turn.
Hezbollah: Islamist Resistance Comes of Age
Authors: QASSEM SHEIKH NAIM 
Published: August 2009

The Iranian revolution—the political realization of the “Great Refusal” of Western modernization—was a direct consequence a half century later of the forced secularization of the Ottoman Caliphate by Kemal Ataturk. With the superstructure of the Muslim ummah dismantled and replaced by the Turkish nation state, insurgent religious movements, from the (Sunni) Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt to the Shiite imams of Qum and Najaf, moved into the vacuum to reclaim Islam from the shadow of Western dominance.Now, history is turning again. Iran has been seized by violent turmoil as it seeks to reconcile democracy and religious rule. Secular Turkey is governed by an Islamist‐rooted party. As they struggle to regain their balance, the global economic meltdown threatens a convergence against globalization that joins the Islamist resistance with populist backlashes elsewhere.Two legendary intelligence agents, a Hezbollah leader, an Iranian dissident philosopher and Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian human rights lawyer and Nobel Laureate, examine this historical turn.