bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluorescent nanoparticle probes for imaging of cancer
Authors: Santra Swadeshmukul , Malhotra Astha 
Published: April 2011

AbstractFluorescent nanoparticles (FNPs) have received immense popularity in cancer imaging in recent years because of their attractive optical properties. In comparison to traditional organic‐based fluorescent dyes and fluorescent proteins, FNPs offer much improved sensitivity and photostability. FNPs in certain size range have a strong tendency to enter and retain in solid tumor tissue with abnormal (leaky) vasculature—a phenomenon known as Enhanced Permeation and Retention (EPR) effect, advancing their use for in vivo tumor imaging. Furthermore, large surface area of FNPs and their usual core–shell structure offer a platform for designing and fabricating multimodal/multifunctional nanoparticles (MMNPs). For effective cancer imaging, often the optical imaging modality is integrated with other nonoptical‐based imaging modalities such as MRI, X‐ray, and PET, thus creating multimodal nanoparticle (NP)‐based imaging probes. Such multimodal NP probes can be further integrated with therapeutic drug as well as cancer targeting agent leading to multifunctional NPs. Biocompatibility of FNPs is an important criterion that must be seriously considered during FNP design. NP composition, size, and surface chemistry must be carefully selected to minimize potential toxicological consequences both in vitro and in vivo. In this article, we will mainly focus on three different types of FNPs: dye‐loaded NPs, quantum dots (Qdots), and phosphores; briefly highlighting their potential use in translational research. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2011 3 501–510 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.134This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Impact of Minimally Invasive Techniques in Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Young‐Fadok Tonia M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractMinimally invasive techniques have had a marked impact on colorectal surgery despite the limited adoption of such techniques. Patients stay in the hospital a shorter time, experience less pain, and have less chance of developing a wound infection, an incisional hernia, a bowel obstruction, or difficulty becoming pregnant. Training courses have undergone metamorphosis from ad hoc animate courses to highly defined educational opportunities, and fellowships have had to respond to the educational demands of trainees demanding to be exposed to minimally invasive techniques.
Frequency of Ectopic and Supernumerary Intrathymic Parathyroid Glands in Patients with Renal Hyperparathyroidism: Analysis of 461 Patients Undergoing Initial Parathyroidectomy with Bilateral Cervical Thymectomy
Authors: Schneider Ralph , Waldmann Jens , Ramaswamy Annette , Fernández Emilio Domínguez , Bartsch Detlef K. , Schlosser Katja 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe frequency of intrathymic parathyroid glands (IPGs) in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism (rHPT) varies considerably between 14.8% and 45.3%. Total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and subtotal parathyroidectomy are the most accepted surgical procedures to treat patients with rHPT. However, routine bilateral cervical thymectomy (BCT) is still discussed, although controversially.MethodsFrom a prospective database of patients who underwent parathyroid surgery for rHPT between 1975 and 2009, patients with routine BCT at initial PTX were further analyzed regarding the frequency of ectopic and supernumerary IPGs. Duration of hemodialysis and stage of chronic kidney disease were correlated with the frequency of supernumerary IPGs to elucidate a potential role of long‐standing proliferation stimuli to any surplus parathyroid tissue.ResultsInitial parathyroidectomy with BCT was performed in 461 patients. IPGs were resected in 205 of them (44.5%). They were ectopic in 181 (39.3%) and supernumerary in 30 patients (6.5%). The frequency of supernumerary IPGs in patients on permanent hemodialysis was 7.4% (29/392), 3.9% (1/26) in predialysis patients, and 0% (0/43) in patients after successful kidney transplantation. This differences reached no statistical significance.ConclusionsBCT is essential in patients with fewer than four parathyroid glands identified at typical positions. Because of the low frequency of supernumerary IPGs and a suspected low proliferation stimulus, the relevance of BCT after resection of four glands in predialysis patients and those after successful kidney transplantation must be questioned. Nevertheless, routine BCT seems to be acceptable and can be recommended in patients on permanent hemodialysis not awaiting kidney transplantation until proven otherwise by prospective trials.
Genetic Testing and Parkinson Disease: Assessment of Patient Knowledge, Attitudes, and Interest
Authors: Falcone Dana Clay , Wood Elisabeth McCarty , Xie Sharon X. , Siderowf Andrew , Van Deerlin Vivianna M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe most common genetic contributor to late‐onset Parkinson disease (PD) is the LRRK2 gene. In order to effectively integrate LRRK2 genetic testing into clinical practice, a strategy tailored to the PD population must be developed. We assessed 168 individuals with PD for baseline knowledge of genetics, perceived risk, and interest and opinions regarding genetic counseling and testing. Most participants felt that they were familiar with general genetics terms but overall knowledge levels were low, with an average score of 55%. The majority of participants thought it was likely they inherited a PD gene (72%), believed genetic testing for PD would be useful (86%), and were interested in genetic testing (59%) and genetic counseling (56%). However, only a few participants had heard of any genetic tests for PD (29%) or LRRK2 (10%). There appears to be a significant level of interest in genetics and genetic testing within the PD population, but a considerable deficit in genetics knowledge and an over‐estimation of risk. Genetic education and counseling tools to address these needs were developed to provide patients with the ability to make informed and knowledgeable genetic testing decisions.
The ‘Indianization’ of Southeast Asia: Reflections on the Prehistoric Sources
Authors: Mabbett I. W. 
Published: April 2011

How did Indian influence spread in Southeast Asia during the opening centuries of our era? The following quotations give some idea of the extent to which authorities are agreed:It seems almost to be a universal law, that when an inferior civilization comes into contact with a superior one, it gradually tends to be merged into the latter, the rate and extent of this process being determined solely by the capacity of the one to assimilate, and of the other to absorb. When the Hindus first settled in Suvarnabhumi and came into close association with her peoples, this process immediately set in, and produced the inevitable result.
An Ecological Interpretation of Thai History
Authors: Takaya Yoshikazu 
Published: April 2011

AbstractCentral Thailand comprises three ecologically distinctive areas, i.e. the mountain area, the floodplain and the delta, as shown in Fig. 1.These three areas relied on irrigation agriculture making full use of the distributary system of intermountain basins. The mountain area was the main stage for the traditional “Muang” during the period from the 12th to the 14th centuries.
Ageing activists: who gets involved in older people's forums?
Authors: BARNES MARIAN , HARRISON ELIZABETH , MURRAY LESLEY 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTBased on research with members of two Senior Citizens Forums in the South East of England, this article examines the biographies and motivations of those who get involved in such activities, with particular emphasis on (a) how they see themselves in relation to ‘other older people’ and (b) their relationships with the places in which they live. We address these issues in relation to the characterisation of participants in such forums as the ‘usual suspects’ whose legitimacy to speak on behalf of others may be questioned, and by reference to a growing recognition of the significance of place in the lives of older people. Whilst the locations of the two Forums studied are geographically close, culturally they are quite distinct and we identify important differences in motivations, backgrounds and priorities of forum members in the two places that are associated with these differences. Our research confirms that place-based participation tends to engage those who are fitter and who have more social and cultural capital, but questions assumptions that this means they are spaces for the pursuit of self-interest.
Pea and bean germination and seedling responses to temperature and water potential
Authors: Raveneau M.P. , Coste F. , Moreau-Valancogne P. , Lejeune-Hénaut I. , Durr C. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractLegumes are crops that develop in cropping systems with relatively low inputs and are suitable to a more sustainable agriculture. Successful crop establishment, which is crucial for reliable plant production, depends on seed quality, environmental factors and genotypes. We studied pea and bean germination and seedling growth at various temperatures (5–40°C) and water potentials ( − 0.2 to − 1.5 MPa) using winter and spring pea and two common bean seeds produced in different conditions. The germination base temperature was − 1.1°C for pea seeds, and seeds of the winter genotype germinated more rapidly than those of the spring genotype. The base temperature for bean seed germination was 5.1–9.6°C, depending on the seed lot. The germination base water potential was about − 2 MPa for both species. The base temperatures for shoot elongation were higher (3–6°C) than those for germination. A review of the literature on other legumes confirmed that the differences in the responses of the legume seeds and seedlings to different temperatures were associated with their geographic origin. These results help understanding of pea and bean crop establishment, provide crop model parameter values and contribute to the search for genetic variability.
The reduction of seed-specific dehydrins reduces seed longevity in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Hundertmark Michaela , Buitink Julia , Leprince Olivier , Hincha Dirk K. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractDehydrins are late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins that accumulate during seed maturation and in response to abiotic stresses in vegetative tissues. They are thought to protect cellular components from dehydration stress. However, whether they play a role in survival in the dry state is not clear. In this study, an RNA interference (RNAi)-construct against the seed-expressed dehydrin of Arabidopsis thaliana, LEA14 (At2g21490), was introduced to wild-type plants, which led to a strong reduction in transcript abundance of the target gene as well as that of two other seed-expressed dehydrin homologues, XERO1 (At3g50980) and RAB18 (responsive to abscisic acid 18, At5g66400) in the transformants. Mature, dry seeds from the RNAi plants germinated to at least 95% after rehydration, indicating that seed desiccation tolerance was not affected, while they exhibited a twofold reduction in longevity. When stored at 75% relative humidity and 35°C, the seeds of two independent RNAi lines lost 50% of their viability in 10 d and 5 d, respectively, while it took 17 d for wild-type seeds to lose 50% viability. In addition, when seeds were imbibed in the presence of 100 mM NaCl, the seeds of RNAi plants exhibited reduced germination compared to wild-type seeds, suggesting that at least one of the three seed-specific dehydrins plays a role both against deterioration during storage at low moisture content and when imbibed tissues are submitted to salt stress at high moisture.
Geopolitics and Domestic Politics: Greece's Policy Towards the Great Powers During the Unravelling of the Inter-War Order, 1934–1936
Authors: RIZAS SOTIRIS 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis article examines the evolution of Greece's foreign policy from a position of relative detachment to an increasing involvement in international affairs that eventually led to the country's realignment with Britain during the Abyssinian crisis. It is argued that Greece's foreign policy shift was a result of an interplay between a perceived threat of Italian revisionism, Britain's reappearance in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Abyssinian crisis and domestic political dynamics that led to the defeat of Eleftherios Venizelos who favoured a foreign policy detached from combinations of great powers.
What Happens at the Journal Office Stays at the Journal Office: Assessing Journal Transparency and Record-Keeping Practices
Authors: Yoder Stephen , Bramlett Brittany H. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractDissemination of journal submission data is critical for identifying editorial bias, creating an informed scholarly marketplace, and critically mapping the contours of a discipline's scholarship. However, our survey and case study investigations indicate that nearly a decade after the Perestroika movement began, political science journals remain reserved in collecting and releasing submission data. We offer several explanations for this lack of transparency and suggest ways that the profession might address this shortcoming.
Prioritizing Active Learning: An Exploration of Gateway Courses in Political Science
Authors: Archer Candace C. , Miller Melissa K. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractPrior research in political science and other disciplines demonstrates the pedagogical and practical benefits of active learning. Less is known, however, about the extent to which active learning is used in political science classrooms. This study assesses the prioritization of active learning in “gateway” political science courses, paying specific attention to simulations, structured debates, and the case method. Nearly five hundred individual course syllabi for introductory-level political science courses are examined. Although the level of active learning prioritization is surprisingly low, the dimensions on which it varies suggest opportunities for adoption across subfields and classes of varying size.
Late-Life Social Activity and Cognitive Decline in Old Age
Authors: James Bryan D. , Wilson Robert S. , Barnes Lisa L. , Bennett David A. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe examined the association of social activity with cognitive decline in 1138 persons without dementia at baseline with a mean age of 79.6 (SD = 7.5) who were followed for up to 12 years (mean = 5.2; SD = 2.8). Using mixed models adjusted for age, sex, education, race, social network size, depression, chronic conditions, disability, neuroticism, extraversion, cognitive activity, and physical activity, more social activity was associated with less cognitive decline during average follow-up of 5.2 years (SD = 2.7). A one point increase in social activity score (range = 1–4.2; mean = 2.6; SD = 0.6) was associated with a 47% decrease in the rate of decline in global cognitive function (p < .001). The rate of global cognitive decline was reduced by an average of 70% in persons who were frequently socially active (score = 3.33, 90th percentile) compared to persons who were infrequently socially active (score = 1.83, 10th percentile). This association was similar across five domains of cognitive function. Sensitivity analyses revealed that individuals with the lowest levels of cognition or with mild cognitive impairment at baseline did not drive this relationship. These results confirm that more socially active older adults experience less cognitive decline in old age. (JINS, 2011, 17, 998–1005)
Changes in Amino Acid Neurotransmitters and Cerebral Blood Flow in the Ischemic Penumbral Region following Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in the Rat: Correlation with Histopathology
Authors: Takagi Kiyoshi , Ginsberg Myron D. , Globus Mordecai Y.-T. , Dietrich W. Dalton , Martinez Elena , Kraydieh Susan , Busto Raul 
Published: April 2011

We simultaneously measured neurotransmitter amino acids by the microdialysis technique and cortical CBF by laser-Doppler flowmetry in the ischemic penumbral cortex of rats subjected to 2-h normothermic (36.5–37.5°C) transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) clipocclusion. Brains were perfusion-fixed 3 days later and infarct volume measured. CBF (% of preischemic values) fell to 32 ± 2% (mean ± SD) during ischemia and rose to 157 ± 68% during recirculation. Extracellular glutamate levels increased from a baseline value of 7 ± 3 μ M to a peak value of 180 ± 247 μ M 20–30 min following onset of ischemia but subsequently returned to near baseline levels after 70 min of ischemia despite ongoing MCA occlusion. The threshold CBF for moderate glutamate release was 48%. Massive glutamate release was seen during the first 60 min of MCA occlusion in the two animals showing the largest infarcts and occurred at CBF values ≤20% of control levels. Mean CBF during ischemia exhibited an inverse relationship with infarct volume, and the magnitude of glutamate release during ischemia was positively correlated with infarct volume. Extracellular γ-aminobutyrate and glycine changes were similar to those of glutamate but showed no significant correlation with infarct volume. These results suggest that (a) accumulation of extracellular glutamate is an important determinant of injury in the setting of reversible MCA occlusion and (b) reuptake systems for neurotransmitter amino acids may be functional in the penumbra during transient focal ischemia. We have shown that during temporary MCA occlusion, penumbral levels of amino acid neurotransmitter initially rise but subsequently decline to baseline despite ongoing ischemia and that moderate extracellular glutamate release and massive release of GABA and glycine occur at a CBF threshold of 48%. It was suggested that massive glutamate release might require a lower ischemic threshold of 20%. The magnitude of glutamate release is correlated to the size of the resultant cortical infarct. These results are consistent with the impressions of previous investigations that have implicated glutamatergic mechanisms in focal ischemic injury. It is well known that MK-801 and other glutamate-related receptor antagonists are effective in reducing infarct size in focal ischemia models (Ozyurt et al., 1988; Park et al., 1988 b; Simon and Shiraishi, 1990; Buchan et al., 1991; Smith and Meldrum, 1992). While glutamate is a contributory factor, it is nonetheless unlikely to be the sole cause of infarction during transient focal ischemia, and other neurotransmitter systems as well as nonneuronal events may also participate in infarct formation (Plum, 1983; Dietrich et al., 1991; Globus et al., 1991).
Blood—Brain Barrier Permeability and Brain Concentration of Sodium, Potassium, and Chloride during Focal Ischemia
Authors: Betz A. Lorris , Keep Richard F. , Beer Mary E. , Ren Xiao-Dan 
Published: April 2011

Brain edema formation during the early stages of focal cerebral ischemia is associated with an increase in both sodium content and blood–brain barrier (BBB) sodium transport. The goals of this study were to determine whether chloride is the principal anion that accumulates in ischemic brain, how the rate of BBB transport of chloride compares with its rate of accumulation, and whether the stimulation seen in BBB sodium transport is also seen with other cations. Focal ischemia was produced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) in anesthetized rats. Over the first 6 h after MCAO, the amount of brain water in the center of the ischemic cortex increased progressively at a rate of 0.15 ± 0.02 (SE) g/g dry wt/h. This was accompanied by a net increase in brain sodium (48 ± 12 μmol/g dry wt/h) and a loss of potassium (34 ± 7 μmol/g dry wt/h). The net rate of chloride accumulation (16 ± 1 μmol/g dry wt/h) approximated the net rate of increase of cations. Three hours after MCAO, the BBB permeability to three ions (22Na, 36Cl, and 86Rb) and two passive permeability tracers {[3H]α-aminoisobutyric acid (3H]AIB) and [14C]urea} was determined. Permeability to either passive tracer was not increased, indicating that the BBB was intact. The rate of 36Cl influx was 3 times greater and the rate of 22Na influx 1.8 times greater than their respective net rates of accumulation in ischemic brain. The BBB permeability to 22Na relative to that of [3H]AIB was significantly increased in the ischemic cortex, the relative permeability to 86Rb was significantly decreased, and the relative permeability to 36Cl was unchanged. These results indicate that the stimulation in BBB sodium transport is specific for sodium. Further, chloride accumulates with sodium in brain during the early stages of ischemia; however, its rate of accumulation is low compared with its rate of transport from blood to brain. Therefore, inhibition of BBB sodium transport is more likely to reduce edema formation than is inhibition of BBB chloride transport. This study demonstrates that chloride is the principal anion that accompanies the accumulation of sodium in ischemic brain, but its rate of accumulation in brain is much less than its rate of movement into brain, and therefore inhibition of chloride uptake would have little effect on brain edema formation. There is a specific acceleration of blood-to-brain sodium transport during ischemia that is not seen with another positively charged ion, 86Rb. This is consistent with stimulation of brain capillary Na,K-ATPase activity in response to the elevated extracellular potassium concentration. Inhibition of potassium influx across the BBB would probably be more successful in lessening edema formation than accelerating potassium efflux. However, inhibition of blood-to-brain sodium transport is likely to be a more effective approach to reducing brain edema formation during the early stages of cerebral ischemia.
Effect of Cerebral Ischemia on Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Activity and Phosphorylation
Authors: Shackelford D. A. , Yeh R. Y. , Hsu M. , Buzsáki G. , Zivin J. A. 
Published: April 2011

The effects of cerebral ischemia on calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaM kinase II) were investigated using the rat four-vessel occlusion model. In agreement with previous results using rat or gerbil models of cerebral ischemia or a rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia, this report demonstrates that transient forebrain ischemia leads to a reduction in CaM kinase II activity within 5 min of occlusion onset. Loss of activity from the cytosol fractions of homogenates from the neocortex, striatum, and hippocampus correlated with a decrease in the amount of CaM kinase α and β isoforms detected by immunoblotting. In contrast, there was an apparent increase in the amount of CaM kinase α and β in the particulate fractions. The decrease in the amount of CaM kinase isoforms from the cytosol but not the particulate fractions was confirmed by autophosphorylation of CaM kinase II after denaturation and renaturation in situ of the blotted proteins. These results indicate that ischemia causes a rapid inhibition of CaM kinase II activity and a change in the partitioning of the enzyme between the cytosol and particulate fractions. CaM kinase II is a multifunctional protein kinase, and the loss of activity may play a critical role in initiating the changes leading to ischemia-induced cell death. To identify a structural basis for the decrease in enzyme activity, tryptic peptide maps of CaM kinase II phosphorylated in vitro were compared. Phosphopeptide maps of CaM kinase α from particulate fractions of control and ischemic samples revealed not only reduced incorporation of phosphate into the protein but also the absence of a limited number of peptides in the ischemic samples. This suggested that certain sites are inaccessible, possibly due to a conformational change, a covalent modification of CaM kinase II, or steric hindrance by an associated molecule. Verifying one of these possibilities should help to elucidate the mechanism of ischemia-induced modulation of CaM kinase II.