bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient‐based feedback control for erythroid variables obtained using in‐house automated hematology analyzers in veterinary medicine
Authors: Hammond Jeremy M. , Lee W.C. , DeNicola Dennis B. , Roche John 
Published: May 2012

BackgroundAutomated in‐house diagnostic analyzers, most commonly used for hematologic and biochemical analysis, are typically calibrated, and then control materials are used to confirm the quality of results. Although this approach provides indirect knowledge that the system is performing correctly, it does not provide direct knowledge of system performance between control runs.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to apply analysis of weighted moving averages to assess performance of hematology analyzers using animal patient samples from dogs, cats, and horses as they were analyzed and apply correction factors to mitigate instrument‐driven biases when they developed.MethodsA set of algorithms was developed and applied to sequential batches of 20 samples. Repeated samples within a batch and large populations of samples with similar abnormalities were excluded. Data for 6 hematologic variables were grouped into batches of weighted moving averages; data were analyzed with control chart rules, a gradient descent algorithm, and fuzzy logic to define and apply adjustments.ResultsA total of 102 hematology analyzers that had developed biases in RBC count, HCT, hemoglobin (HGB) concentration, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were evaluated. Following analysis, all variables except HGB concentration required adjustment, with RBC counts requiring only slight change and MCV requiring the greatest change. Adjustments were validated by comparing PCVs with the original and adjusted HCT values.ConclusionsThe proposed system provides feedback control to minimize system bias for RBC count, HCT, HGB concentration, MCV, MCH, and MCHC. Fundamental assumptions must be met for the approach to assure proper functionality.
Ideology and Television in the Eastern Arab World: 1956–1990
Authors: Hai Jamal Abdel 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis article deals primarily with the relationship between ideology and television from 1956 to 1990 in the Eastern Arab world. It allows us to see what kinds of ideological ideas circulate through television, why they are constructed, and when they are being challenged. It examines why and how television promotes ideology and disseminates political messages. It takes into account different ideological perspectives. This article is a type of qualitative analysis that focuses on why governments seek to attain hegemony over television and how television has been used successfully as a tool of ideological propaganda and subservience.
The Specialized Cities of the Gulf Cooperation Council: A Case Study of a Distinct Type of Policy Innovation and Diffusion
Authors: Khodr Hiba , Reiche Danyel 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis article examines a new phenomenon in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) referred to as specialized cities (SC). These cities, in addition to being new towns, implement innovations in selected policy areas. This article goes beyond describing the spread of SC to answering a broader question: what motivates a GCC country to adopt such policy innovation? After a quantitative overview of the phenomenon, three cases have been selected to cover three main policy areas: energy, health care, and education, in Abu Dhabi Masdar City, Dubai Healthcare City, and Qatar Education City. A preliminary analysis of each of the cases is followed by a comparative approach that aims at discovering similarities and differences, as well as developing the basis for a preliminary analytical model that explains the driving factors behind these innovations. The country adoption of a policy innovation and its diffusion are mainly the results of geographical proximity and similarity, as these proximate countries tend to have similar economic aspects and common social problems that lead to similar policy action effects. Regional competition and positive reputational mechanisms are also particularly strong determinants for diffusion. The findings suggest that in the GCC region a diffusion of the phenomena is occurring, rather than that of a specific type of SC.
Tactical Flexibility: Libyan Foreign Policy under Qadhafi, 1969–2004*
Authors: Stottlemyre Steve 
Published: May 2012

AbstractOn September 1, 1969, a group of junior Libyan Army officers took control of the Libyan government in a bloodless coup d'état. After the coup, the group formed the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC), chaired by Muammar al‐Qadhafi. In the four decades following, Libya faced numerous foreign policy challenges. The Qadhafi regime took on a distinctly anticolonial flavor that mirrored the revolutionary political trends of Egypt under of Gamal Abdul Nasser. This change in foreign policy posture shook Libya's relations with the United States and the United Kingdom and initiated the degradation of Libyan–Western ties.Under Qadhafi's leadership, Libya chose an ideological path for that focused on the strengthening of sovereignty while pursuing policies of unity and anti‐imperialism. This often put Libya at loggerheads with the West, and at times with its neighbors. Nevertheless, Qadhafi maintained popularity among his constituency.1 His domestic fame was the product of a carefully constructed persona that gave him the charismatic appeal necessary to maintain leadership during the latter quarter of the twentieth century and into the new millennium. Publicly, Qadhafi highlighted the similarities between himself and Libya's rural working class. He lived in a tent, and wore modest clothing. He fancied himself a devout Muslim, and praised the wisdom of the Libyan masses. He connected with his constituency through rhetoric that illustrated the stability of his policies over time, and their connection to the ideas that originally made him popular.This argues that the source of Qadhafi's charismatic power lay in his rhetoric, which connected Libya's foreign policy decisions to his foreign policy vision, the basis of his charismatic leadership. Qadhafi articulated his foreign policy vision during his first major speech to the Libyan people in September 1969, and he referred to it time and again when speaking about major Libyan foreign policy decisions. To demonstrate, this article describes the basis of Qadhafi's leadership authority and defines the parameters of his vision. Then Qadhafi's rhetoric surrounding major shifts in Libyan foreign policy is analyzed to show its congruence with his foreign policy vision. The rhetoric surrounding the Libya–Egypt war, the end of Libya's Chad intervention, Libya's surrendering of the two Lockerbie bombing suspects to be tried under Western authority, and Qadhafi's denunciation of the weapons of mass destruction programs—all major shifts in Libyan foreign policy—demonstrate how Qadhafi was able to maintain a single message, and thus his authority, over his first 35 years in power based on values established in the early days of his revolution. The flexibility of his vision enabled Qadhafi to maintain authority, while tactically adjusting Libyan foreign policy positions.
Identification and characterization of a collagen‐binding protein, Cbm, in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Nomura R. , Nakano K. , Naka S. , Nemoto H. , Masuda K. , Lapirattanakul J. , Alaluusua S. , Matsumoto M. , Kawabata S. , Ooshima T. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryStreptococcus mutans, a major pathogen of dental caries, is occasionally isolated from the blood of patients with infective endocarditis. Bacterial attachment of exposed collagen tissue in the impaired endothelium is an important step in the onset of infective endocarditis. In our previous studies, some S. mutans strains were shown to possess collagen‐binding activities and most of them had an approximately 120‐kDa cell‐surface collagen‐binding protein called Cnm. However, several strains without Cnm proteins show collagen‐binding properties. In the present study, another collagen‐binding protein, Cbm, was characterized and its coding gene cbm was sequenced in these strains. The amino acid alignment in the putative collagen‐binding domain of Cbm was shown to have approximately 80% identity and 90% similarity to the comparable region of Cnm. Cbm‐deficient isogenic mutant strains constructed by insertional inactivation of the cbm gene, lacked collagen‐binding properties, which were recovered in the complemented mutant. Analyses of a large number of clinical isolates from Japan, Thailand and Finland revealed that cbm‐positive strains were present in all of these countries and that cnm‐positive and cbm‐positive strains were detected in the oral cavity of approximately 10 and 2% of systemically healthy subjects, respectively. In addition, cnm‐positive strains were predominantly identified in the serotype f group, whereas cbm‐positive strains were frequently detected in serotype k. These results suggest that Cbm as well as Cnm are major cell surface proteins of S. mutans associated with binding to type I collagen and predominantly identified in serotype k strains.
Analytical methods for dissolution testing of nanosized drugs
Authors: Jünemann Daniel , Dressman Jennifer 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Objectives
This mini-review describes the theoretical advantages of nanosizing drugs in terms of dissolution and the characterization of their behaviour with in-vitro dissolution testing.

Key findings
It is shown that the increase in dissolution rate is not commensurate with common theories. The calculation of dissolution rate by surface area increase using the Nernst–Brunner equation is inappropriate since the diffusion layer, δ, cannot be assessed. These results highlight the importance of an appropriate experimental design to assess the dissolution rate in vitro, which will then serve as a building block for establishing in vitro–in vivo correlations. Several techniques to assess the amount of released drug in dissolution testing are discussed, some through a review of current literature (dialysis, turbidity measurement methods, fibre optics, asymmetrical flow-field-flow fractionation), some through experimental experience (ion-selective electrode and syringe filters). Further methods, such as microdialysis, ultrasonic resonance technology and centrifugal filter devices, are reviewed from literature with some additional data obtained in house. The techniques are further discussed with a view to coupling the results with simulation software tools such as STELLA© to predict the in-vivo behaviour of the drug. In doing so, it is necessary to generate experimental data on the dissolution rate, since this cannot be calculated directly from the surface increase of drug particles but rather depends on further factors such as the boundary layer thickness.

Summary
It was concluded that syringe filters of appropriate pore size and the ion-selective electrode appear to be suitable for measurement of the dissolution rate of nanosized drugs.
An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the patient experience of awake craniotomy: Brain tumour diagnosis to discharge
Authors: Fletcher Kimberley J. , Nair Roshan das , Macniven Jamie A. B. , Basu Surajit , Byrne Paul 
Published: May 2012

Objectives. Previous research exploring the patient experience of awake craniotomy (AC) has yielded contrasting accounts. The current study aimed to explore the lived experience of having undergone an AC in the United Kingdom.Design. This was a qualitative, semi‐structured interview study. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).Methods. Seven participants (three males, four females) who had undergone an AC in the United Kingdom took part in the study. Ages ranged between 26 and 41 years old at the time of interview. Time since AC ranged from 5 months to 4 years.Results. Participants appeared to be satisfied with, and tolerant of, the AC experience. Three superordinate themes: use of self‐preservation strategies prior to and during AC, a bizarre yet pleasant operation experience, and the need for more concrete information prior to surgery were identified. These themes appeared to be embedded in a core theme: relationship with the neurosurgeon.Conclusions. The relationship with the neurosurgeon appears crucial to the patient experience of AC. This knowledge underscores the need for effective doctor–patient communication skills which could lead to improved delivery of care and more positive outcomes.Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?
Little is currently known about the patient experience of awake craniotomy in the United Kingdom.
Previous studies have reported a satisfactory and tolerable experience (e.g. Danks et al. 1998) however a recent exploratory study has reported an anxiety provoking experience (Palese et al. 2008).
What does this study add?
This study adds to paucity of research literature exploring the patient experience of awake craniotomy in the United Kingdom.
The findings emphasize the importance of the patients' relationship with the neurosurgeon, underscoring the need for neurosurgeons to have effective communication skills when preparing patients for, and guiding patients through, the awake craniotomy procedure.
The study highlights the need for better information provision in neurosurgery departments.
Changing the Receptor Specificity of Anthrax Toxin
Authors: Mechaly Adva , McCluskey Andrew J. , Collier R. John 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

The actions of many bacterial toxins depend on their ability to bind to one or more cell-surface receptors. Anthrax toxin acts by a sequence of events that begins when the protective-antigen (PA) moiety of the toxin binds to either one of two cell-surface proteins, ANTXR1 and ANTXR2, and is proteolytically activated. The activated PA self-associates to form oligomeric pore precursors, which, in turn, bind the enzymatic moieties of the toxin and transport them to the cytosol. We introduced a double mutation into domain 4 of PA to ablate its native receptor-binding function and fused epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the C terminus of the mutated protein. The resulting fusion protein transported enzymatic effector proteins into a cell line that expressed the EGF receptor (A431 cells), but not into a line lacking this receptor (CHO-K1 cells). Addition of excess free EGF blocked transport of effector proteins into A431 cells via the fusion protein, but not via native PA. We also showed that fusing the diphtheria toxin receptor-binding domain to the C terminus of the mutated PA channeled effector-protein transport through the diphtheria toxin receptor. PA fusion proteins with altered receptor specificity may be useful in biological research and could have practical applications, including ablation or perturbation of selected populations of cells
in vivo
.

IMPORTANCE
Bacterial toxins that act within mammalian cells have receptor-dependent mechanisms to transport their enzymatic components to the cytoplasmic compartment. By inactivating or otherwise modifying their respective intracellular targets, these intracellular effectors disrupt metabolic pathways and in some cases cause death of the cell. Our results show that the receptor specificity of the transport protein of anthrax toxin may be readily changed, raising the possibility that receptor-redirected forms of protective antigen (PA) and PA homologs may be useful for research and medical applications requiring modification or ablation of designated populations of cells.
Genistein ameliorates hyperglycemia in a mouse model of nongenetic type 2 diabetes
Authors: Fu Zhuo , Gilbert Elizabeth R. , Pfeiffer Liliane , Zhang Yanling , Fu Yu , Liu Dongmin 
Published: May 2012

While peripheral insulin resistance is common during obesity and aging in mice and people, the progression to type 2 diabetes (T2D) is largely due to loss of β-cell mass and function through apoptosis. We recently reported that genistein, a soy derived isoflavone, can improve glycemic control and β-cell function in insulin-deficient diabetic mice. However, whether it can prevent β-cell loss and diabetes in T2D mice is unknown. Our current study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplemented genistein in a nongenetic T2D mouse model. Nongenetic, middle-aged obese diabetic mice were generated by high fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin injection. The effect of dietary supplementation of genistein on glycemic control and β-cell mass and function was determined. Dietary intake of genistein (250 mg·kg–1 diet) improved hyperglycemia, glucose tolerance, and blood insulin level in obese diabetic mice, whereas it did not affect body weight gain, food intake, fat deposit, plasma lipid profile, and peripheral insulin sensitivity. Genistein increased the number of insulin-positive β-cell in islets, promoted islet β-cell survival, and preserved islet mass. In conclusion, dietary intake of genistein could prevent T2D via a direct protective action on β-cells without alteration of periphery insulin sensitivity.
Effects of resistance or aerobic exercise training on total and regional body composition in sedentary overweight middle-aged adults
Authors: Donges Cheyne E. , Duffield Rob 
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 10 weeks of aerobic endurance training (AET), resistance exercise training (RET), or a control (CON) condition on absolute and relative fat mass (FM) or fat-free mass (FFM) in the total body (TB) and regions of interest (ROIs) of sedentary overweight middle-aged males and females. Following prescreening, 102 subjects underwent anthropometric measurements, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and strength and aerobic exercise testing. Randomized subjects (male RET, n = 16; female RET, n = 19; male AET, n = 16; and female AET, n = 25) completed supervised and periodized exercise programs (AET, 30–50 min cycling at 70%–75% maximal heart rate; RET, 2–4 sets × 8–10 repetitions of 5–7 exercises at 70%–75% 1 repetition maximum) or a nonexercising control condition (male CON, n = 13 and female CON, n = 13). Changes in absolute and relative TB-FM and TB-FFM and ROI-FM and ROI-FFM were determined. At baseline, and although matched for age and body mass index, males had greater strength, aerobic fitness, body mass, absolute and relative TB-FFM and ROI-FFM, but reduced absolute and relative TB-FM and ROI-FM, compared with females (p < 0.05). After training, both female exercise groups showed equivalent or greater relative improvements in strength and aerobic fitness than did the male exercise groups (p < 0.05); however, the male exercise groups increased TB-FFM and reduced TB-FM more than did the female exercise groups (p < 0.05). Male AET altered absolute FM more than male RET altered absolute FFM, thus resulting in a greater enhancement of relative FFM. Despite equivalent or greater responses to RET or AET by female subjects, the corresponding respective increases in FFM or reductions in FM were lower than those in males, indicating that a biased dose–response relationship exists between sexes following 10 weeks of exercise training.
The effects of high-intensity resistance exercise on the blood lipid profile and liver function in hypercholesterolemic hamsters
Authors: Frajacomo Fernando Tadeu Trevisan , Demarzo Marcelo Marcos Piva , Fernandes Cleverson Rodrigues , Martinello Flávia , Bachur José Alexandre , Uyemura Sérgio Akira , Perez Sérgio Eduardo de Andrade , Garcia Sérgio Britto 
Published: May 2012

It is well established that atherogenic dyslipidemia, characterized by high levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, constitutes important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise has been associated with a reduced risk for metabolic diseases. However, studies supporting the concept that resistance exercise is a modifier of blood lipid parameters are often contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity resistance exercise on the serum levels of TG, TC, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol, glucose, and the liver function enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT, EC 2.6.1.2) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1) in golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus (Waterhouse, 1839)) fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. Sedentary groups (S) and exercise groups (E) were fed a standard diet (SS and ES) or a cholesterol-enriched diet (standard plus 1% cholesterol, SC and EC). Resistance exercise was performed by jumps in the water, carrying a load strapped to the chest, representing 10 maximum repetitions (10 RM, 30 s rest, five days per week for five weeks). Mean blood sample comparisons were made by ANOVA + Tukey or ANOVA + Kruskal–Wallis tests (p < 0.05) to compare parametric and nonparametric samples, respectively. There were no differences in blood lipids between the standard diet groups (SS and ES) (p > 0.05). However, the EC group increased the glucose, non-HDL, and TC levels in comparison with the ES group. Moreover, the EC group increased the TG levels versus the SC group (p < 0.05). In addition, the ALT levels were increased only by diet treatment. These findings indicated that high-intensity resistance exercise contributed to dyslipidemia in hamsters fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, whereas liver function enzymes did not differ in regards to the exercise protocol.
Cardiovascular drift and cerebral and muscle tissue oxygenation during prolonged cycling at different pedalling cadences
Authors: Kounalakis Stylianos N. , Geladas Nickos D. 
Published: May 2012

We hypothesized that a faster cycling cadence could exaggerate cardiovascular drift and affect muscle and cerebral blood volume and oxygenation. Twelve healthy males (mean age, 23.4 ± 3.8 years) performed cycle ergometry for 90 min on 2 separate occasions, with pedalling frequencies of 40 and 80 r·min–1, at individual workloads corresponding to 60% of their peak oxygen consumption. The main measured variables were heart rate, ventilation, cardiac output, electromyographic activity of the vastus lateralis, and regional muscle and cerebral blood volume and oxygenation. Cardiovascular drift developed at both cadences, but it was more pronounced at the faster than at the slower cadence, as indicated by the drop in cardiac output by 1.0 ± 0.2 L·min–1, the decline in stroke volume by 9 ± 3 mL·beat–1, and the increase in heart rate by 9 ± 1 beats·min–1 at 80 r·min–1. At the faster cadence, minute ventilation was higher by 5.0 ± 0.5 L·min–1, and end-tidal CO2 pressure was lower by 2.0 ± 0.1 torr. Although higher electromyographic activity in the vastus lateralis was recorded at 80 r·min–1, muscle blood volume did not increase at this cadence, as it did at 40 r·min–1. In addition, muscle oxygenation was no different between cadences. In contrast, cerebral regional blood volume and oxygenation at 80 r·min–1 were not as high as at 40 r·min–1 (p < 0.05). Faster cycling cadence exaggerates cardiovascular drift and seems to influence muscle and cerebral blood volume and cerebral oxygenation, without muscle oxygenation being radically affected.