bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dendrimer‐mediated siRNA delivery knocks down Beclin 1 and potentiates NMDA‐mediated toxicity in rat cortical neurons
Authors: Pérez‐Carrión María D. , Pérez‐Martínez Francisco C. , Merino Sonia , Sánchez‐Verdú Prado , Martínez‐Hernández José , Luján Rafael , Ceña Valentín 
Published: October 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 259–268.AbstractAutophagy is an important process which plays a key role in cellular homeostasis by degrading cytoplasmic components in the lysosomes, which facilitates recycling. Alterations to normal autophagy have been linked to excitotoxicity, but the mechanisms governing its signal transduction remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of autophagy in neuronal excitotoxic death by delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA) to rat cortical neurons, using a dendrimer to silence the autophagy‐related gene 6 (beclin 1) and to determine the role of autophagy in excitotoxicity. We have found that the dendrimer is very efficient to deliver siRNA to rat cortical neurons, leading to almost complete removal of the target protein Beclin 1. In addition, NMDA increases autophagy markers, such as the protein levels of Beclin 1, the microtubule‐associated light chain 3 (LC3) B‐II/LC3B‐I ratio, and monodansylcadaverine (MDC) labeling in rat cortical neurons. Moreover, NMDA also increases the formation of autophagosomes observed under a transmission electron microscope. Silencing beclin 1 expression blocked NMDA‐induced autophagy. Moreover, Beclin 1 removal potentiated NMDA‐induced neuronal death indicating that autophagy plays a protective role during excitotoxicity and suggesting that targeting autophagy might be a helpful therapeutic strategy in neurodegenerative diseases.
The professional nursing practice environment and nurse‐reported job outcomes in two European countries: a survey of nurses in Finland and the Netherlands
Authors: Hinno Saima , Partanen Pirjo , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri 
Published: October 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2012; 26; 133–143The professional nursing practice environment and nurse‐reported job outcomes in two European countries: a survey of nurses in Finland and the NetherlandsThe working environment of nurses is receiving international interest, because there is a growing consensus that identifying opportunities for improving working conditions in hospitals is essential to maintain adequate staffing, high‐quality care, nurses’ job satisfaction and hence their retention. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nurse work environment characteristics and nurse‐reported job outcomes in hospital settings in Finland and the Netherlands and to compare these results. A comparative cross‐sectional nurse survey was conducted. Data were collected from the two countries randomly sampling the countries’ National Nurses Association’ membership databases. In this paper, the results from Registered Nurses working in hospital settings are used. In total, 869 hospital nurses participated: 535 from Finland and 334 from the Netherlands with the response rate of 44.9 and 33.4%, respectively. Fifty‐five items from the Nursing Work Index‐Revised were used as a main tool for the practice environment. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify a set of internally consistent subscales. Further, logistic regression analysis and T‐tests were used. Three practice environment characteristics were identified: adequacy of resources, supportiveness of management and assurance of care quality via collaborative relationships. Favourable evaluations of the adequacy of resources and supportiveness of management were positively correlated with nurse‐assessed quality of care and job‐related positive feelings and negatively correlated with intentions to leave a unit, organization or the entire profession. In neither of the participating countries were adverse incidents affecting nurses related to nurses’ evaluations of their current professional practice environment. Compared with Finland, in the Netherlands, RN appears to evaluate the majority of work environment characteristics more positively; nevertheless, to some extent, the results were uniform as adequacy of resources and supportiveness of management were main predictors for nurse‐reported job outcomes considered.
Can Cool Japan save Post‐Disaster Japan? On the Possibilities and Impossibilities of a Cool Japanology
Authors: ABEL JONATHAN E. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis article considers Cool Japan in light of catastrophe, first theoretically through a phenomenological analysis of Cool Japan and Cool Japanology, suggesting that the study of Cool Japan itself is way of uncooling the object of inquiry, itself a reaction to the apocalyptic realities of everyday life since the dawn of the modern world. The article finishes with a sociological reflection on current events through a détourner of the sekai kei genre in Summer Wars' inclusion of two sociological types in its rendition of catastrophe. This article then is intended as a preliminary step to understanding the specificity and commonalities of Japanese cool power through an understanding of the phenomenon of cool and the contents to which cool often refers.
The yin and yang of chemokine receptor activation
Authors: O'Boyle Graeme 
Published: October 2011

Chemokines represent a class of cytokines that control the migration of leucocytes. The human chemokine system comprises 44 ligands and 21 receptors that have evolved to control leucocyte migration. Although chemokines are an attractive therapeutic target for anti‐inflammatory intervention, clinical trials of small molecule receptor antagonists have failed to demonstrate efficacy. One often cited explanation for this is the apparent redundancy within the chemokine system, wherein several ligands bind and activate each receptor. The work of Scholten et al. and Nedjai et al. reported in this issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology demonstrates that this redundancy does not exist at the molecular level and provides a powerful insight into the complex nature of chemokine receptor activation.LINKED ARTICLES This article is a commentary on Scholten et al., pp. 898–911 of this issue and Nedjai et al., pp. 912–923 of this issue. To view Scholten et al. visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01648.x and to view Nedjai et al. visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01660.x
Full‐length recombinant choline transporter–like protein 2 containing arginine 154 reconstitutes the epitope recognized by HNA‐3a antibodies
Authors: Kanack Adam J. , Peterson Julie A. , Sullivan Mia J. , Bougie Daniel W. , Curtis Brian R. , Aster Richard H. 
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have shown that the HNA‐3a leukocyte antigen, a target for antibodies that cause severe transfusion‐related acute lung injury, correlates with an arginine 154 (rather than glutamine) polymorphism in choline transporter–like protein 2 (CTL2) but did not show directly that R154 determines HNA‐3a. CTL2 peptides containing R154 are recognized by only half of HNA‐3a antibodies studied to date. Constructs that react with all HNA‐3a antibodies are needed to fully define the HNA‐3a epitope.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: HEK293 cells were transfected with cDNA encoding full‐length CTL2 linked to green fluorescent protein (GFP). Transfectants were selected for GFP expression and tested with antibodies specific for HNA‐3a and ‐3b.RESULTS: Each of 20 HNA‐3a antibodies reacted preferentially with HEK293 cells expressing the R154 CTL2 construct. An HNA‐3b antibody reacted only with CTL2 (Q154).CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide direct evidence that R154 in the context of full‐length CTL2 is both necessary and sufficient to create the HNA‐3a epitope but suggest that posttranslational modifications of the protein, for example, S‐S bonds or addition of glycans, are necessary for recognition of HNA‐3a by many antibodies. This could complicate development of an assay for large‐scale screening of blood donors to detect anti‐HNA‐3a.
Impact of Adenosine‐Provoked Acute Dormant Pulmonary Vein Conduction on Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: MIYAZAKI SHINSUKE , KUWAHARA TAISHI , KOBORI ATSUSHI , TAKAHASHI YOSHIHIDE , TAKEI ASUMI , SATO AKIRA , ISOBE MITSUAKI , TAKAHASHI ATSUSHI 
Published: October 2011

Impact of ATP Reconduction on AF Recurrence. Introduction: Adenosine can be associated with acute recovery of conduction to the pulmonary veins (PVs) immediately after isolation. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the response to adenosine predicts atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after a single ablation procedure in patients with paroxysmal AF.Methods and Results:
A total of 109 consecutive patients (61 ± 10 years; 91 males) with drug‐refractory paroxysmal AF who underwent AF ablation were analyzed. After PV antrum isolation (PVAI), dormant PV conduction was evaluated by an administration of adenosine in all patients. No acute reconnections were provoked by the adenosine in 70 (64.2%) patients (Group‐1), but they were provoked in at least one side of the ipsilateral PVs in 39 (35.8%) patients (Group‐2). All adenosine‐provoked dormant conductions were successfully eliminated by additional ablation applications. By 12 months after the initial procedure, 72 (66.1%) patients were free of AF recurrences without any antiarrhythmic drugs. A Cox regression multivariate analysis of the variables including the adenosine‐provoked reconductions, age, gender, duration of AF, presence of hypertension or structural heart disease, left atrial size, left ventricular ejection fraction, and body mass index demonstrated that adenosine‐provoked reconductions were an independent predictor of AF recurrence after a single ablation procedure (hazard ratio: 1.387; 95% confidence interval: 1.018–1.889, P = 0.038). At the repeat session for recurrent AF, conduction recovery was observed similarly in both groups (P = 0.27).Conclusion:
Even after the elimination of any adenosine‐provoked dormant PV conduction, the appearance of acute adenosine‐provoked reconduction after the PVAI was an independent predictor of AF recurrence after a single AF ablation procedure.
(J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23 p. 256‐260, March 2012.)
Spontaneous Atrial Fibrillation Initiated by Tyramine in Canine Atria with Increased Sympathetic Nerve Sprouting
Authors: NUMATA AYAKA , MIYAUCHI YASUSHI , ONO NORIHIKO , FISHBEIN MICHAEL C. , MANDEL WILLIAM J. , LIN SHIEN‐FONG , WEISS JAMES N. , CHEN PENG‐SHENG , KARAGUEUZIAN HRAYR S. 
Published: October 2011

Sympathetic Activation and Atrial Fibrillation.Background: Chronic left ventricular myocardial infarction (LVMI) promotes atrial and pulmonary veins (PV) sympathetic nerve sprouting.Objectives: To test the hypothesis that sympathetic stimulation with tyramine initiates atrial fibrillation (AF) by early afterdepolarization (EAD)‐mediated triggered activity at the left atrial PV (LAPV) junction.Methods: LVMI was created in 6 dogs and 6 dogs served as controls. Six to 8 weeks later the activation pattern of the isolated LAPV was optically mapped using dual voltage and intracellular Ca+2 (Cai2+)‐sensitive epifluorescent dyes before and after tyramine (5 μM) perfusion.Results: Tyramine initiated spontaneous AF in 5 of 6 atria but none in the control group (P < 0.01). The AF was initiated by late phase 3 EAD‐mediated triggered activity that arose from the LAPV junction causing functional conduction block in LA, reentry, and AF. The AF was subsequently maintained by mixed reentrant and focal mechanisms. The EADs arose during the late phase 3, when the Cai2+ level was 64 ± 12% of the peak systolic Cai2+ transient amplitude, a property caused by tyramine's simultaneous shortening of the action potential duration and lengthening of the Cai2+ transient duration in the LVMI group but not in the control. Tyrosine hydroxylase and growth associated protein 43 positive nerve sprouts were significantly increased in the sinus node, LAA, and the LSPV in the LVMI group compared to control (P < 0.01).Conclusions: Increased atrial sympathetic nerve sprouts after LVMI makes the LAPV junction susceptible to late phase 3 EAD‐mediated triggered and AF during sympathetic stimulation with tyramine.
Association of education level with dialysis outcome
Authors: Khattak Muhammad , Sandhu Gurprataap S. , Desilva Ranil , Goldfarb‐Rumyantzev Alexander S. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe impact of education on health care outcome has been studied in the past, but its role in the dialysis population is unclear. In this report, we evaluated this association. We used the United States Renal Data System data of end‐stage renal disease patients aged ≥18 years. Education level at the time of end‐stage renal disease onset was the primary variable of interest. The outcome of the study was patient mortality. We used four categories of education level: 0 = less than 12 years of education; 1 = high school graduate; 2 = some college; 3 = college graduate. Subgroups based on age, race, sex, donor type, and diabetic status were also analyzed. After adjustments for covariates in the Cox model, using individuals with less than 12 years of education as a reference, patients with college education showed decreased mortality with hazard ratio of 0.81 (95% confidence interval 0.69–0.95), P = 0.010. In conclusion, we showed that higher education level is associated with improved survival of patients on dialysis.
Effect of prey density on behaviour and development of the predatory mosquito, Toxorhynchites towadensis
Authors: Yasuda H. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe effect of prey density on feeding behaviour, killing behaviour, and development of the predatory mosquito, Toxorhynchites towadensis, was investigated in the laboratory. The number of prey consumed per larva increased toward an upper asymptote as prey density increased. Prey consumption curves during fourth instar were concave at low prey densities but convex at high prey densities. This phenomenon was not observed during other instars. Killing without consuming any part of prey occurred at prey densities of 20 per container and over. The number of prey killed but not consumed increased linearly with the number of unconsumed prey in the container. Prey acquisition behaviour was not affected by prey densities during the prepupal period. Developmental time from first instar to adult emergence decreased with increasing prey densities, but remained constant at densities of 10 per container and over. Adult size increased with increasing prey densities but there was no effect at prey densities of 20 and over.
A national survey of UK final year students’ opinion of undergraduate oral surgery teaching
Authors: Macluskey M. , Durham J. , Bell A. , Cowpe J. , Crean St J. , Dargue A. , Dawson L. , Freeman C. , Jones J. , McDouagh A. , McHanwell S. , Marley J. , Myrddin L. , Millsopp L. , Oliver R. , Renton T. , Taylor K. , Thomson P. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground:  A national survey was undertaken to establish a baseline of our final year students’ perception of how their undergraduate oral surgery education has equipped them for key areas of general dental practice.Materials and Methods:  Questionnaires were distributed to the 13 UK schools with final year students, towards the end of the academic year in 2009. The questionnaires were completed anonymously and were optically scanned.Results:  In total, 632 questionnaires were returned, which represents 66% of the students of the graduating year. The majority (83%) of the respondents perceived that the teaching in oral surgery had given them sufficient knowledge to undertake independent practise. Most respondents (99%) felt confident to perform forceps exodontia, but confidence in the various aspects of surgical exodontia was lower. A majority (83%) had experience of an outreach scheme performing forceps exodontia (75%) and surgical exodontia (16%) in this environment. Twenty per cent indicated a desire to undertake a career in oral surgery, 6% in oral and maxillofacial surgery and 35% in another speciality.Conclusion:  This survey suggests that the majority of the students perceive that the oral surgery education has prepared them well for key areas of general practice. It also suggests that there is, however, a need to provide further improvement in the delivery of surgical skills and knowledge.
Effects of plane of nutrition on slaughtering traits and meat characteristics in Murrah graded male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves in Nepal
Authors: KUMAGAI Hajime , BARAL Bodh R. , SHIINO Tatsu , DEVKOTA Naba R. , OISHI Kazato , HIROOKA Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted using 17 male buffalo calves to assess the effects of plane of nutrition on slaughtering traits and meat characteristics. To attain 250 kg body weight (BW), the calves were allocated into three groups: high (H), low‐high (L‐H) and low (L) corresponding to concentrate levels receiving the concentrate at 1.50% of BW, 0.75% of BW until 190 kg BW and 1.50% thereafter, and 0.75% of BW, respectively. The animals had ad libitum access to urea‐treated rice straw. No significant differences of hot carcass weight, dressing percentage and lean fat–bone yields were observed among the treatment groups. The L group had heavier brisket weight and lower percentage of round weight in the hot carcass than the H and L‐H groups (P < 0.05). The H group had heavier hearts than the L group, and the H and L‐H groups had heavier livers and kidneys than the L group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of rib eye area, pH and the contents of moisture, crude protein and fat in loin meat among the groups. The findings indicated that the effects of plane of nutrition affected the weight or percentages of some cut yields in the hot carcasses and internal organs.
New guidelines for lupus anticoagulant: sensitivity and specificity of cut‐off values calculated with plasmas from healthy controls in mixing and confirmatory tests
Authors: MARTINUZZO M. E. , CERRATO G. S. , VARELA M. L. I. , ADAMCZUK Y. P. , FORASTIERO R. R. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryIntroduction:  The updated guidelines for lupus anticoagulant (LA) diagnosis indicate locally calculate the cut‐off values of the index of circulating anticoagulant (ICA) and the clotting time in seconds (s) for mixing studies and % of correction (%C) for confirmatory tests. We assess sensitivity (SEN) and specificity (SPC) of the cut‐off values obtained as the 99th percentile from 60 plasmas of healthy individuals.Methods:  We analysed 647 plasmas from patients studied in the last 3 years, and results were revaluated according to the new criteria and cut‐off values. Four hundred and three had LA, and 75 of them were under oral anticoagulants (OA). We performed three screening tests: activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), diluted Russell viper venom time (dRVVT) and dilute prothrombin time (dPT), and previous diagnosis was carried out using our home‐made cut‐off calculated by receiver operating characteristics curves. We reanalysed the mixing and confirmatory data of APTT/dRVVT, the tests selected in the new guidelines. To evaluate SPC, 244 plasmas (160 OA and 84 congenital deficient patients) were studied.Results:  Considering mixing studies, the cut‐off values demonstrate that SEN of ICA‐APTT was 94% and of clotting time in second (s) 83%, with an SPC of 77% and 84%, respectively. For ICA‐dRVVT, SEN was 72% and for clotting time in second (s) 77%, with SPC of 98% and 84%, respectively. The cut‐off values for %C for confirmatory APTT show good SEN 82% and high SPC 96%; for confirmatory dRVVT lower SEN 77%, but a SPC of 100%.Conclusion:  The combination of mixing and confirmatory tests interpreted according to the new guidelines can clearly differentiate LA from other coagulopathies.
Muskingum optimisation used for evaluation of regionalised stormwater detention
Authors: McEnery J.A. , Morris C.D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractStrategies for flood mitigation are compared within an urbanising watershed. An approach for modelling and evaluating placement of detention in a developing watershed is presented. Effect of regionalised detention upon required detention volume is compared with localised detention. The study compares the effect of detention basins placed within the completely urbanised watershed by generating models of both the overall watershed and detailed sub‐basins. For planning within a developing watershed, this requires modelling the ultimate developed condition, with and without detention. From a watershed having 114 sub‐basins, detailed models of five selected sub‐basins are generated, representing the ultimate urbanised condition with and without local detention. Hydrologic Engineering Center – Hydrologic Modeling System optimisation is used to estimate parameters of Muskingum routing reaches resembling the effects of localised detention. Next, using Muskingum routing to replicate those effects in other sub‐basins, detained hydrographs are generated for the other sub‐basins throughout the watershed. Thus, a model of the entire watershed with localised detention is generated. The original watershed model is modified yet again, with detention applied only at selected regional sites. Regional basins are designed to reduce peak flow to values comparable with that achieved by localised detention. Regional versus localised detentions are evaluated by comparison of total required detention volume.
Groundwater flooding within an urbanised flood plain
Authors: Macdonald D. , Dixon A. , Newell A. , Hallaways A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIn Europe in recent years, there has been recognition of the need to better understand the risk from groundwater flooding. This recognition has been due both to the occurrence of major flooding events clearly attributable to groundwater and the inclusion of groundwater flooding in European and national legislation. The case study of the city of Oxford on the River Thames flood plain in UK is used to examine the mechanisms for groundwater flooding in urbanised flood plain settings. Reference is made to an extensive data set gathered during a major flood event in 2007. Groundwater flooding of a significant number of properties is shown to occur in areas isolated from fluvial flooding because of high ground created historically to protect property and the transport network from flood inundation. The options for mitigating this form of flooding are discussed; measures to increase the rate of conveyance of flood waters through Oxford, designed to reduce fluvial flood risk, have also been recognised as a means for reducing groundwater flood risk within the city.