bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What Were You Thinking?: Individuals at Risk for Huntington Disease Talk About Having Children
Authors: Quaid Kimberly A. , Swenson Melinda M. , Sims Sharon L. , Harrison Joan M. , Moskowitz Carol , Stepanov Nonna , Suter Gregory W. , Westphal Beryl J. ,   Huntington Study Group PHAROS Investigators and Coordinators
Published: August 2010

AbstractMost of the research on reproduction in those at risk for Huntington Disease (HD) has focused on the impact of genetic testing on reproductive decision‐making. The main goal has been to determine whether discovering one is a carrier of the HD mutation changes an individual's or couple's decision to start a family or to have more children. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine reproductive decision‐making in a sample of individuals at risk for HD who have chosen not to pursue genetic testing. PHAROS (Prospective Huntington At Risk Observational Study) is a multi‐site study that aims to establish whether experienced clinicians can reliably determine the earliest clinical symptoms of HD in a sample of individuals at 50% risk who have chosen not to pursue genetic testing. Data for this article were obtained from unstructured open ended qualitative interviews of a subsample of individuals participating in the PHAROS project. Interviews were conducted at six PHAROS research sites across the United States. In this paper, the research team used qualitative descriptive methods to construct and explore reproduction decision‐making in three groups of people: 1) those who knew of their risk and decided to have children; 2) those who had children before they knew of their risk, and 3) those who chose not to have children based on their risk. We discuss the delicate balance health care professionals and genetic counselors must maintain between the benefits of providing hope and the dangers of offering unrealistic expectations about the time in which scientific advances actually may occur.
How Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) Work in Practice in the Management of Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Survey of Oncologists and Urologists in the UK
Authors: Payne Heather A. , Bahl Amit , Kockelbergh Roger , Troup Janis ,   On behalf of the British Uro-oncology Group (BUG), the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Section of Oncology
Published: August 2010

Objective: To determine the management practices for advanced prostate cancer amongst oncologists and urologists in the UK and assess the involvement of multi-disciplinary teams. Methods: Using a postal and email questionnaire, 51 oncologists and 63 urologists who treat patients with advanced prostate cancer were surveyed in the UK. The questions sought opinions on the role and responsibilities of oncologists and urologists in management decisions, and gave three hypothetical cases to gain insights into current management practices. Results: Although most respondents stated that management decisions in advanced prostate cancer were taken jointly by oncologists and urologists, most oncologists expected the sole responsibility to lie within their own specialty. In contrast, 70% of urologists recognised a need for joint responsibility for such decisions. There was no consensus on a clear definition of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) but a view that castration-resistant prostate cancer should replace HRPC. There was greater agreement on the management decisions taken by oncologists and urologists in the hypothetical cases. Conclusion: Within an environment where treatment options for advanced prostate cancer continue to evolve, it is important that management approaches are considered by the multidisciplinary team with a focus on the patient's individual needs and circumstances.
Intranasal fentanyl spray for breakthrough cancer pain: An innovative approach to the unmet needs
Authors: Kress Hans G. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe treatment of breakthrough pain (BTP) in cancer patients is often sub‐optimal. Normal‐release oral opioid formulations have a slow onset of action, such that the episode of pain has often spontaneously subsided by the time the opioid starts to work. Other oral formulations, such as oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC), may be associated with administration problems in many cancer patients who have salivary gland dysfunction or mucositis. Thus, there is the need for a treatment that matches a typical BTP episode and that is easy to use. Intranasal fentanyl spray (INFS) has been developed as a new route of administration with a fast onset of action. INFS has been investigated in four key clinical studies involving cancer patients with BTP. Pharmacokinetic analysis has shown a dose response for maximal plasma concentrations (Cmax) of fentanyl and a short venous time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax). A dose‐ranging efficacy study demonstrated a significant improvement in pain intensity difference (PID) over placebo from as early as 10min post‐administration. A later titrated‐dose efficacy study supported these findings. In a head‐to‐head comparative trial between INFS and OTFC, significantly more patients achieved a faster onset of ‘meaningful’ pain relief with INFS than with OTFC, with INFS producing a significantly greater PID as early as 5min post‐dosing. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of patients preferred INFS over OTFC. In all clinical studies, including a 10‐month follow‐up, INFS was well tolerated. INFS should be considered a significant advance for the management of BTP.
Loss of Raf‐1 kinase inhibitor protein expression is associated with lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Eun Young Gyu , Kim Sung Wan , Kim Youn Wha , Kwon Kee Hwan 
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVERaf‐1 kinase inhibitor protein has potential as a molecular determinant of tumor metastasis and may serve as a prognostic marker. The aim of this study is to analyze the correlation between Raf‐1 kinase inhibitor protein expression and the clinicopathologic characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer.STUDY DESIGNImmunohistochemical analysis. SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty‐nine patients with papillary thyroid cancer underwent total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection. Using specimens from total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection, we performed immunohistochemistry for Raf‐1 kinase inhibitor protein and evaluated associations between Raf‐1 kinase inhibitor protein expression and lymph node metastasis, tumor size, number of tumors, extrathyroidal invasion, angiolymphatic invasion, and status of the tumor border.RESULTSWe found significantly low Raf‐1 kinase inhibitor protein expression in papillary thyroid cancer with lymph node metastasis. However, Raf‐1 kinase inhibitor protein expression was not associated with tumor size, multifocality, extrathyroidal invasion, or status of the tumor border.CONCLUSIONThe loss of Raf‐1 kinase inhibitor protein expression is associated with lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer but not with the progression of primary tumors.
Supplemental β-carotene increases IgA-secreting cells in mammary gland and IgA transfer from milk to neonatal mice
Authors: Nishiyama Yoshitaka , Sugimoto Miki , Ikeda Shuntaro , Kume Shinichi 
Published: August 2010

Mortality of neonates continues to be a major problem in humans and animals. IgA provides protection against microbial antigens at mucosal surfaces. Although β-carotene supplementation has been expected to enhance retinoic acid-mediated immune response in neonates, the exact mechanism by which β-carotene enhances IgA production is still unclear. We investigated the effect of supplemental β-carotene for maternal mice during pregnancy and lactation on IgA antibody-secreting cells (ASC) in mammary gland and guts and on IgA transfer from milk to neonatal mice. Pregnant mice were fed untreated or 50 mg/kg β-carotene-supplemented diets from 6·5 d postcoitus (dpc) to 14 d postpartum (dpp). Supplemental β-carotene increased the numbers of IgA ASC in mammary gland (P < 0·05) and ileum (P < 0·001), and also mRNA expression of IgA C-region in ileum (P < 0·05) of maternal mice at 14 dpp, but few IgA ASC were detected in mammary gland at 17·5 dpc. IgA concentration in stomach contents, which represents milk IgA level, was significantly higher (P < 0·01) in neonatal mice born to β-carotene-supplemented mothers at 7 and 14 dpp, and IgA concentration in serum, stomach contents and faeces increased (P < 0·001) drastically with age. These results suggest that β-carotene supplementation for maternal mice during pregnancy and lactation is useful for enhancing IgA transfer from maternal milk to neonates owing to the increase in IgA ASC in mammary gland and ileum during lactation.
Perception of and adaptation to climate change by farmers in the Nile basin of Ethiopia
Authors: DERESSA T. T. , HASSAN R. M. , RINGLER C. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYThe present study employed the Heckman sample selection model to analyse the two- step process of adaptation to climate change, which initially requires farmers' perception that climate is changing prior to responding to changes through adaptation. Farmers' perception of climate change was significantly related to the age of the head of the household, wealth, knowledge of climate change, social capital and agro-ecological settings. Factors significantly affecting adaptation to climate change were: education of the head of the household, household size, whether the head of the household was male, whether livestock were owned, the use of extension services on crop and livestock production, the availability of credit and the environmental temperature.
Third mobile window associated with suspected otosclerotic foci in two patients with an air–bone gap
Authors: Van Rompaey V , Potvin J , van den Hauwe L , Van de Heyning P 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective:To demonstrate the need for computed tomography imaging of the temporal bone in patients clinically suspected of otosclerosis who present with atypical symptoms or audiological findings.Case reports:We present two patients with bilateral conductive hearing loss and suspected otosclerosis in whom third mobile window lesions were revealed. The first patient had bilateral large vestibular aqueducts and bilateral fenestral otosclerotic foci. Computed tomography imaging of the second case revealed bilateral superior semicircular canal dehiscence and bilateral cochlear clefts, mimicking an otosclerotic focus in the fissula ante fenestram.Conclusion:Differentiating third mobile window lesions from otosclerosis as the cause of a conductive hearing loss is essential before considering stapes surgery, as such treatment would be unnecessary and potentially harmful.
Generation of macro-operators via investigation of action dependencies in plans
Authors: Chrpa Lukáš 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThere are many approaches for solving planning problems. Many of these approaches are based on ‘brute force’ search methods and they usually do not care about structures of plans previously computed in particular planning domains. By analyzing these structures, we can obtain useful knowledge that can help us find solutions to more complex planning problems. The method described in this paper is designed for gathering macro-operators by analyzing training plans. This sort of analysis is based on the investigation of action dependencies in training plans. Knowledge gained by our method can be passed directly to planning algorithms to improve their efficiency.
Validation and verification issues in a timeline-based planning system
Authors: Cesta Amedeo , Finzi Alberto , Fratini Simone , Orlandini Andrea , Tronci Enrico 
Published: August 2010

AbstractTo foster effective use of artificial intelligence planning and scheduling (P&S)systems in the real world, it is of great importance to both (a) broaden direct access to the technology for the end users and (b) significantly increase their trust in such technology. AutomatedP&Ssystems often bring solutions to the users that are neither ‘obvious’ nor immediately acceptable to them. This is because these tools directly reason on causal, temporal, and resource constraints; moreover, they employ resolution processes designed to optimize the solution with respect to non-trivial evaluation functions. Knowledge engineering environments aim at simplifying direct access to the technology for people other than the original system designers, while the integration of validation and verification (V&V) capabilities in such environments may potentially enhance the users’ trust in the technology. Somehow,V&Vtechniques may represent a complementary technology, with respect toP&S, that contributes to developing richer software environments to synthesize a new generation of robust problem-solving applications. The integration ofV&VandP&Stechniques in a knowledge engineering environment is the topic of this paper. In particular, it analyzes the use of state-of-the-artV&Vtechnology to support knowledge engineering for a timeline-based planning system called MrSPOCK. The paper presents the application domain for which the automated solver has been developed, introduces the timeline-based planning ideas, and then describes the different possibilities to applyV&Vto planning. Hence, it continues by describing the step of addingV&Vfunctionalities around the specialized planner, MrSPOCK. New functionalities have been added to perform both model validation and plan verification. Lastly, a specific section describes the benefits as well as the performance of such functionalities.
Preface to special issue on planning and scheduling
Authors: Barták Roman , Cesta Amedeo , McCluskey Lee , Salido Miguel A. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractPlanning, scheduling and constraint satisfaction are important areas in artificial intelligence (AI) with broad practical applicability. Many real-world problems can be formulated as AI planning and scheduling (P&S) problems, where resources must be allocated to optimize overall performance objectives. Frequently, solving these problems requires an adequate mixture of planning, scheduling and resource allocation to competing goal activities over time in the presence of complex state-dependent constraints. Constraint satisfaction plays an important role in solving such real-life problems, and integrated techniques that manage P&S with constraint satisfaction are particularly useful. Knowledge engineering supports the solution of such problems by providing adequate modelling techniques and knowledge extraction techniques for improving the performance of planners and schedulers. Briefly speaking, knowledge engineering tools serve as a bridge between the real world and P&S systems.
New trends in constraint satisfaction, planning, and scheduling: a survey
Authors: Barták Roman , Salido Miguel A. , Rossi Francesca 
Published: August 2010

AbstractDuring recent years, the development of new techniques for constraint satisfaction, planning, and scheduling has received increased attention, and substantial effort has been invested in trying to exploit such techniques to find solutions to real-life problems. In this paper, we present a survey on constraint satisfaction, planning, and scheduling from the Artificial Intelligence point of view. In particular, we present the main definitions and techniques, and discuss possible ways of integrating such techniques. We also analyze the role of constraint satisfaction in planning and scheduling, and hint at some open research issues related to planning, scheduling, and constraint satisfaction.
Herpes zoster in Australia: evidence of increase in incidence in adults attributable to varicella immunization?
Authors: JARDINE A. , CONATY S. J. , VALLY H. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYRates of herpes zoster (HZ) hospitalizations, antiviral prescriptions, and New South Wales emergency-department presentations for age groups <20, 20–39, 40–59 and ⩾60 years were investigated. Trends were analysed using Poisson regression to determine if rates increased following funding of varicella immunization in Australia in November 2005. The regression analysis revealed significantly increasing trends of between 2% and 6% per year in both antiviral prescriptions and emergency-department presentations in all except the <20 years age group. When considered together, the differential changes in rates observed by age group provides preliminary evidence to indicate that HZ incidence is increasing in adults aged >20 years. However, it is not possible to attribute the increasing trends in HZ observed directly to the varicella immunization programme, and continued monitoring and analyses of data for a longer duration, both pre- and post-vaccine introduction, is required.
Capacitation status of activated bovine sperm cultured in media containing methyl-β-cyclodextrin affects the acrosome reaction and fertility
Authors: Kato Yoku , Shoei Sugita , Nagao Yoshikazu 
Published: August 2010

SummaryMammalian sperm undergo a series of biochemical transformations in the female reproductive tract that are collectively known as capacitation. One of the key processes involved in capacitation is the activation of sperm motility. Here, we investigated the capacitation and fertility status of activated sperm which had been cultured in media containing methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MBCD). In order to do this, single activated sperm were caught using a micropipette and stained with chlortetracycline (CTC). Firstly, we investigated the effects of preincubation upon motility, capacitation of activated sperm and fertility. Culture in preincubation media supplemented with MBCD increased the rates of activation and fertilization compared with sperm cultured by control methods (p < 0.05). Following capture, individual activated sperm mostly exhibited a pattern characteristic of capacitation.Secondly we examined the effects of culturing sperm in media with or without glucose (G) and pyruvate acid (P) upon activated motility, the capacitation of activated sperm and fertility. Supplementation of culture media with G and P resulted in higher proportions of activated sperm and increased fertilization rates compared to culture without G and P (p < 0.05). Most of the sperm activated by culture in G and P exhibited patterns characteristic of capacitation. Without G and P, individual activated sperm mostly exhibited patterns characteristic of the acrosome reaction (p < 0.05). In conclusion, activated sperm exhibited patterns characteristic of capacitation. In addition, sperm activated in media containing an energy source (glucose and pyruvate acid) appeared to exhibit acrosome reactiveness and fertility.
Ceramides that Mediate Apoptosis Reduce Glucose Uptake and Transporter Affinity for Glucose in Human Leukaemic Cell Lines but Not in Neutrophils
Authors: Ahmed Nuzhat , Berridge Michael V. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract:We have demonstrated that CD95‐induced apoptosis in a human leukaemic T‐cell line resulted in loss of glucose transporter function (Berridge et al. 1996). To determine whether ceramide, a mediator of CD95 and tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced apoptosis, has similar effects on glucose transport, the human leukaemic cell lines, Jurkat and U937, and human peripheral blood neutrophils were treated with ceramide or sphingomyelinase and the effects on glucose transport determined by measuring [3H]‐2‐deoxyglucose uptake. We show that in U937 and Jurkat cells, the cell permeable ceramides, C2 (N‐acetylsphingosine) and C6 (N‐hexanoylsphingosine) inhibit glucose uptake within minutes of initiating ceramide treatment, 60–70% inhibition being observed within 2 hr. Loss of glucose transport correlated with loss of proliferative response, but metabolic activity as measured by 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction, was affected to a much lesser extent. With Jurkat and U937 cells, the inhibitory effects of ceramides on glucose transport were associated with reduced affinity of glucose transporters for glucose (Km). Similar effects were observed with sphingomyelinase. With human peripheral blood neutrophils, C2 and C6‐ceramides inhibited glucose uptake by 70–80% within 30 min. without affecting transporter affinity for glucose, but the maximum velocity of uptake (Vmax) was reduced. These results show that acute regulation of glucose transport is an early effector mechanism of cell death induced by ceramides in human leukaemic cell lines and peripheral blood neutrophils. This is the first study which describes ceramide‐induced early physiological/biochemical events leading to cell death in human cells.
Studies on the Prevention of Nigericin Action in Neuroblastoma X Glioma Hybrid (NG108–15) Cells*
Authors: Doebler Jeffrey A. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract:Electrophysiological analysis of neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid (NG108–15) cells was used as an in vitro neuronal model system to evaluate antagonists of the K+‐selective carboxylic ionophore, nigericin. Changes in membrane electrical characteristics induced by nigericin with and without the simultaneous administration of antagonists were measured using intracellular microelectrode techniques. Bath application of nigericin (3 μM) produced a severe hyperpolarization and blocked the generation of action potentials in response to electrical stimulation. Simultaneous administration of nigericin plus the Na+‐K+ pump inhibitor ouabain or drugs known to influence Ca++ signaling in cells, i.e., quinidine, compound R24571, verapamil or haloperidol, was able to significantly attenuate the hyperpolarization. All antagonists acted in a concentration‐dependent manner. However, nigericin plus maximally effective concentrations of ouabain (1 μM), verapamil (3 μM) and haloperidol (3 and 10 μM) resulted in moderate‐to‐severe depolarization by the end of 24 min. superfusions, suggesting that the concentrations of antagonists were excessive and that NG108–15 cell damage had occurred. In addition, none of the compounds studied was able to effectively prevent nigericin‐induced blockade of action potentials. Thus, none of these antagonists appears suitable for transition to in vivo antidotal protection studies.