bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regime Network Restructuring in Akron, Ohio, 1975–2009: A Longitudinal Social Network Analysis
Authors: DE SOCIO MARK 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impacts of extra‐local economic and political forces on the business community participants of the governing regime coalition in Akron, Ohio, and in turn, how other regime partners responded to and engaged with the changing constitution of Akron's business community. Unlike the UK where municipalities receive substantial fiscal support from regional and national governments, American cities are more readily forced into regime partnerships with other public and private actors for fiscal solvency, including, primarily, the local business community. In the case of Akron, the local business community experienced a prolonged and ongoing period of comprehensive deindustrialization and economic restructuring, forcing the city into partnerships with less traditional non‐private sector actors as Akron's business community structure continues to transform. A secondary objective is to forward the utility of social network analysis in regime theory applications. Social network analysis offers a way to situate arguably the most influential actors in a regime coalition. Utilizing the directories of Standard and Poor's Index of Corporations and Directors from 1975 through 2006, social network analysis is performed on the interlocking network of corporations and civic organizations based in Akron for each decade, allowing a longitudinal view of the changing business community partners of Akron's governing coalition.
Coenzyme Q10 enhances dermal elastin expression, inhibits IL‐1α production and melanin synthesis in vitro
Authors: Zhang M. , Dang L. , Guo F. , Wang X. , Zhao W. , Zhao R. 
Published: February 2012

SynopsisCoenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a well‐known antioxidant and has been used in many skincare products for anti‐ageing purpose. However, the molecular mechanisms of CoQ10 function in skin cells are not fully understood. In this paper, we compared the effects of CoQ10 on primary human dermal fibroblasts from three individuals, including adult. We demonstrated that CoQ10 treatment promoted proliferation of fibroblasts, increased type IV collagen expression and reduced UVR‐induced matrix metalloproteinases‐1 (MMP‐1) level in embryonic and adult cells. In addition, CoQ10 treatment increased elastin gene expression in cultured fibroblasts and significantly decreased UVR‐induced IL‐1α production in HaCat cells. Taken together, CoQ10 presented anti‐ageing benefits against intrinsic ageing as well as photo damage. Interestingly, CoQ10 was able to inhibit tyrosinase activity, resulting in reduced melanin content in B16 cells. Thus, CoQ10 may have potential depigmentation effects for skincare.
Cognitive dysfunction is worse among pediatric patients with bipolar disorder Type I than Type II
Authors: Schenkel Lindsay S. , West Amy E. , Jacobs Rachel , Sweeney John A. , Pavuluri Mani N. 
Published: February 2012

Background:  Impaired profiles of neurocognitive function have been consistently demonstrated among pediatric patients with bipolar disorder (BD), and may aid in the identification of endophenotypes across subtypes of the disorder. This study aims to determine phenotypic cognitive profiles of patients with BD Type I and II.Methods:  Subjects (N = 79) consisted of BD I (n = 27) and BD II (n = 19) patients and demographic and intellectually matched healthy controls (HC; n = 33) that completed a battery of neurocognitive tasks.Results:  Bipolar disorder Type I patients performed significantly more poorly compared to HC on all domains of cognitive function including attention, executive function, working memory, visual memory, and verbal learning and memory. BD I patients also performed more poorly compared to BD II patients on all domains of cognitive functioning with the exception of working memory, whereas BD II patients did poorly relative to HC only on verbal learning and memory.Conclusions:  Findings from the current study indicate that BD I patients are characterized by more severe cognitive impairment relative to BD II patients who show an intermediate pattern of performance between BD I patients and HC. Verbal learning and memory may effectively differentiate pediatric BD patients and controls, regardless of the subtype of BD, and may serve as a cognitive endophenotype for the disorder. Additionally, these findings move us closer to developing effective cognitive interventions tailored to specific subtypes of pediatric BD patients.
Comparative pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of urocortins 1, 2 and 3 in healthy sheep
Authors: Patel K , Rademaker MT , Kirkpatrick CMJ , Charles CJ , Fisher S , Yandle TG , Richards AM 
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The urocortin (Ucn) peptides are emerging as potential therapeutic targets for heart disease. However, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data are lacking. Therefore, we investigated the PK/PD for all three Ucns.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Seven sheep received 1 µg·kg−1 boluses of Ucn1, Ucn2 and Ucn3. Population PK/PD models were developed to describe the time course of the haemodynamic effects.RESULTS The population estimate for Ucn1 clearance (0.486 L·h−1) was lower than that for Ucn2 (21.7 L·h−1) and Ucn3 (220 L·h−1), while steady‐state volumes of distribution were similar for Ucn1 and Ucn2 (∼8 L) but substantially larger for Ucn3 (23.5 L). Ucn1 disposition was adequately described by a two‐compartment model, with a one‐compartment model required for Ucn2 and Ucn3. The half‐life for Ucn1 was 2.9 h (α phase) and 8.3 h (β phase), and 15.7 and 4.4 min for Ucn2 and Ucn3 respectively. All Ucns produced significant increases in heart rate, cardiac output and left ventricular systolic and mean arterial pressures, and decreases in left atrial pressure and peripheral resistance. Delayed‐effect pharmacodynamic models best described the time course of haemodynamic responses, with effects more rapid and less prolonged for Ucn2 and Ucn3 than Ucn1. Similar and physiologically plausible estimated baseline (E0) effects were exhibited by all Ucns, whereas EC50 values were generally greater for Ucn1.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Relative to Ucn1, both the PK and haemodynamic responses to Ucn2 and Ucn3 occurred more rapidly. Our data provide important comparative information, useful to the rational design of future clinical studies.
Contribution of PARP to endothelial dysfunction and hypertension in a rat model of pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Walsh SK , English FA , Crocker IP , Johns EJ , Kenny LC 
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under conditions of increased oxidative stress, such as pre‐eclampsia and diabetes, overstimulation of PARP leads to endothelial dysfunction. Inhibition of PARP has been demonstrated to reverse the vascular dysfunction associated with diabetes in vivo. The present study was carried out to investigate the role of PARP in mediating the endothelial dysfunction associated with pre‐eclampsia.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Uteroplacental perfusion was surgically reduced in pregnant rats to produce the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of pre‐eclampsia and the PARP inhibitor, PJ34, was administered either before or after surgery. Mean arterial BP and vascular function were measured in normal pregnant (NP) and both control and PJ34‐treated RUPP rats. Mesenteric vessels from NP rats were incubated with either 3% RUPP or NP plasma alone or in combination with PJ34. Finally, immunohistochemical staining was carried out to measure nitrotyrosine (byproduct of peroxynitrite) immunoreactivity.KEY RESULTS RUPP rats were characterized by hypertension, fetal growth restriction and endothelial dysfunction when compared with NP rats. PJ34 administered in vivo before, but not after, surgery prevented the development of both endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. RUPP plasma‐induced impaired vasorelaxation was prevented following co‐incubation with PJ34 in vitro. Furthermore, the protective effect of PARP inhibition in vivo was accompanied by a reduction in nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS PJ34 prevented the development of both endothelial dysfunction and hypertension and reduced vascular nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity, thus suggesting a role for oxidative–nitrosative stress/PARP activation in the aberration in both vascular and haemodynamic function in this rat model of pre‐eclampsia.
Rivastigmine patch for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in clinical practice in Thailand
Authors: KULKANTRAKORN Kongkiat , TANYAKITPISAL Panas , TOWANABUT Somchai , DEJTHEVAPORN Charungthai , RANGSEEKAJEE Poonsri , PONGPAKDEE Sunsanee , LAPTIKULTHAM Somsak , RODPRASERT Kritsada , SETTHAWATCHARAWANICH Suwanna , THINKHAMROP Bandit 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor for treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. The new patch formulation was recently made available. We assessed the safety, tolerability, and cognitive outcome of rivastigmine patch in treatment of mild to moderate AD in clinical practice in Thailand.Methods:  A multicentre, hospital‐based, prospective observational study was conducted in nine hospitals across Thailand. Patients with probable mild to moderate AD who received the rivastigmine patch were enrolled. Data were collected data at baseline, weeks 4–8 and after week16.Results:  A total of 116 AD patients were screened, and three were excluded. Of 113 patients, 62.8% were women with a mean age of 73.3 ± 9.2 years; 79.7% were newly diagnosed. One‐third of all patients had been using antipsychotic or antidepressant medication. Common comorbidities were hypertension and dyslipidemia. The Thai Mental State Examination score significantly increased from 18.6 to 20.3 (weeks 4–8) and 20.4 (week 16+) (P < 0.001). Scores based on physicians’ (Clinical Global Impression) and caregivers’ (Patients’ Caregiver Global Impression of Change) impressions of improvement suggested minimal improvement. Because of adverse events, seven patients's dosages were reduced 10 cm2 to 5 cm2 or from 5 cm2 to nothing. Itching was the most common adverse symptom.Conclusions:  During the first 16 weeks after initiation of rivastigmine patch therapy, patients with probable mild to moderate AD had statistically significant improvement in cognitive function, but clinically marginal benefit. Rivastigmine was safe and well tolerated.
Clinically significant red blood cell antibodies in chronically transfused patients: a survey of Chinese thalassemia major patients and literature review
Authors: Cheng C.K. , Lee C.K. , Lin C.K. 
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization is reported to occur at an incidence of 5.2% to 23.5% among patients with thalassemia requiring chronic transfusion. With very limited data on alloimmunization among the Chinese population, a territory‐wide study has been performed to look at its prevalence among Chinese thalassemia major patients.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing RBC request records for patients with thalassemia major in Hong Kong from 2006 to 2009. Demographic information and serologic data were retrieved for analysis.RESULTS: A total of 382 patients were identified and consisted of 190 males and 192 females with a median age of 23 ± 10.4 (range, 0.25 to 52) years. Eighty‐eight patients (23.0%) were reported to have RBC antibodies. Of them, 114 alloantibodies, 18 autoantibodies, and 19 unidentified antibodies were identified. Anti‐E (42, 39.3%), anti‐Mia/Mur (33, 30.85%), anti‐c (14, 13.1%), and anti‐Jka (seven, 6.55%) were the commonest antibodies reported. However, one case of anti‐K (0.9%) and two cases of anti‐Fyb (1.9%) were reported. Seven of the 18 patients with autoantibodies contained a total of 13 alloantibodies. They were anti‐E (five, 38.4%), anti‐Mia/Mur (four, 30.8%), anti‐Jka (two, 15.4%), anti‐c (one, 7.7%), and anti‐Fyb (one, 7.7%).CONCLUSION: It is the first comprehensive study on Chinese thalassemia major patients. Clinically significant alloantibodies are different from those observed in the Western population, although antibodies developed against Rh antigens are still common. Chinese patients are less likely to have antibodies against Kell and Duffy blood group antigens, but are more prone to develop antibodies against the Miltenberger antigens.
An Academic‐Health Service Partnership in Nursing: Lessons From the Field
Authors: Granger Bradi B. , Prvu‐Bettger Janet , Aucoin Julia , Fuchs Mary Ann , Mitchell Pamela H. , Holditch‐Davis Diane , Roth Deborah , Califf Robert M. , Gilliss Catherine L. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract Purpose: To describe the development of an academic‐health services partnership undertaken to improve use of evidence in clinical practice.Approach: Academic health science schools and health service settings share common elements of their missions: to educate, participate in research, and excel in healthcare delivery, but differences in the business models, incentives, and approaches to problem solving can lead to differences in priorities. Thus, academic and health service settings do not naturally align their leadership structures or work processes. We established a common commitment to accelerate the appropriate use of evidence in clinical practice and created an organizational structure to optimize opportunities for partnering that would leverage shared resources to achieve our goal.Findings: A jointly governed and funded institute integrated existing activities from the academic and service sectors. Additional resources included clinical staff and student training and mentoring, a pilot research grant‐funding program, and support to access existing data. Emergent developments include an appreciation for a wider range of investigative methodologies and cross‐disciplinary teams with skills to integrate research in daily practice and improve patient outcomes.Conclusions: By developing an integrated leadership structure and commitment to shared goals, we developed a framework for integrating academic and health service resources, leveraging additional resources, and forming a mutually beneficial partnership to improve clinical outcomes for patients.Clinical Relevance: Structurally integrated academic‐health service partnerships result in improved evidence‐based patient care delivery and in a stronger foundation for generating new clinical knowledge, thus improving patient outcomes.Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2011; XX:X, XXX–XXX. ©2011 Sigma Theta Tau International.
The human epidermal differentiation complex: cornified envelope precursors, S100 proteins and the ‘fused genes’ family
Authors: Kypriotou Magdalini , Huber Marcel , Hohl Daniel 
Published: February 2012

Abstract: The skin is essential for survival and protects our body against biological attacks, physical stress, chemical injury, water loss, ultraviolet radiation and immunological impairment. The epidermal barrier constitutes the primordial frontline of this defense established during terminal differentiation. During this complex process proliferating basal keratinocytes become suprabasally mitotically inactive and move through four epidermal layers (basal, spinous, granular and layer, stratum corneum) constantly adapting to the needs of the respective cell layer. As a result, squamous keratinocytes contain polymerized keratin intermediate filament bundles and a water‐retaining matrix surrounded by the cross‐linked cornified cell envelope (CE) with ceramide lipids attached on the outer surface. These cells are concomitantly insulated by intercellular lipid lamellae and hold together by corneodesmosmes. Many proteins essential for epidermal differentiation are encoded by genes clustered on chromosomal human region 1q21. These genes constitute the ‘epidermal differentiation complex’ (EDC), which is divided on the basis of common gene and protein structures, in three gene families: (i) CE precursors, (ii) S100A and (iii) S100 fused genes. EDC protein expression is regulated in a gene and tissue‐specific manner by a pool of transcription factors. Among them, Klf4, Grhl3 and Arnt are essential, and their deletion in mice is lethal. The importance of the EDC is further reflected by human diseases: FLG mutations are the strongest risk factor for atopic dermatitis (AD) and for AD‐associated asthma, and faulty CE formation caused by TG1 deficiency causes life‐threatening lamellar ichthyosis. Here, we review the EDC genes and the progress in this field.
Disease distribution and characterisation of a new macluravirus associated with chirke disease of large cardamom
Authors: Mandal B. , Vijayanandraj S. , Shilpi S. , Pun K.B. , Singh V. , Pant R.P. , Jain R.K. , Varadarasan S. , Varma A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractLarge cardamom (Amomum subulatum), an important spice crop grown in eastern sub‐Himalayan mountains of India, is affected by a viral disease commonly known as ‘chirke’, which is characterised by light and dark green streaks on the leaf lamina. Although chirke has been known to affect large cardamom for over 50 years, its distribution in large cardamom growing regions and aetiology have remained unaddressed. In this study for the first time, distribution of chirke in the major large cardamom growing regions in India has been determined. North Sikkim and eastern region of Darjeeling hills were endemic region with average disease incidence of 19.2–35%, whereas, Mirik region of Darjeeling hills were free from the disease. Suckers, the commonly used planting material, were the major source for spread of the disease. The virus was sap transmissible to the popular large cardamom cultivars Golsey, Ramsey, Swaney and Varlangey and vectored by Rhopalosiphum maidis and Myzus persicae in a non‐persistent manner. Flexuous virus particles measuring 625–650 × 12.5 nm were observed consistently associated with the diseased samples. Polyclonal antiserum to the purified virus showed serological affinity with a macluravirus, cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV) associated with a similar disease known as katte disease of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) occurring in southern India. The 3′ terminal genome sequence (1776 nucleotides) of the virus was determined, which revealed a close sequence identity and phylogenetic relationships with the members of the genus Macluravirus. The deduced amino acid sequence of putative coat protein (CP) gene showed maximum similarity of 65.7% with the CdMV. Phylogenetic analysis based on CP and 3′ UTR showed that the virus was closer to Alpinia mosaic virus, CdMV and Chinese yam necrotic mosaic virus subclade. The results suggest that the virus associated with the chirke disease of large cardamom is a new species under the genus Macluravirus in the family Potyviridae for which the name large cardamom chirke virus (LCCV) is proposed.
Inactivation of A. ochraceus Spores and Detoxification of Ochratoxin A in Coffee Beans by Gamma Irradiation
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Kunwar Amit , Gautam Satyendra , Sharma Arun 
Published: February 2012

Abstract:  Ochratoxin A (OTA) produced in food by Aspergillus ochraceus is known to cause adverse health effects. Among the plantation products, green coffee beans are prone to fungal attack and get contaminated with OTA frequently. A fungal strain isolated from green coffee beans was characterized by morphological analyses as well as internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 5.8S rDNA sequencing, turned out to be A. ochraceus, however, nontoxigenic. Hence, additional strains of A. ochraceus were procured and characterized for toxin production. Presterilized green coffee beans were spiked with a toxigenic strain and treated with gamma radiation. Minimum inhibitory dose (MID) of gamma radiation for 104 and 108 spores of A. ochraceus strain per 10 g of green coffee beans was found to be approximately 1 and approximately 2.5 kGy, respectively. The radiation treatment (10 kGy) almost degraded the preformed or in vitro added OTA (50 ppb) in coffee beans. OTA degradation was found to be enhanced with increase in moisture content. Cytotoxicity in terms of cell viability was found to be reduced significantly for radiation treated OTA in MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazole‐2yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay as well as flow cytometric analysis when studied using human intestinal epithelial (Int‐407) cells. Similar finding was also observed with E. coli MG1655 cells. Thus the inclusion of gamma radiation treatment in the postharvest processing chain of green coffee beans could help in eliminating toxigenic fungi as well as destroying preformed OTA without affecting the sensory attributes.Practical Application:  In general, mycotoxins including ochratoxin A (OTA) are highly stable to detoxifying agents. Green coffee beans are prone to fungal attack and could get frequently contaminated with the OTA due to improper drying or rehydration during storage. Gamma radiation processing of green coffee beans was found to eliminate the A. ochraceus spores as well as inactivate OTA without affecting its sensory attributes. Thus inclusion of gamma radiation in the postharvest processing chain of green coffee beans would be very useful for consumer safety and coffee trade.
High management impact of Ga‐68 DOTATATE (GaTate) PET/CT for imaging neuroendocrine and other somatostatin expressing tumours
Authors: Hofman Michael S , Kong Grace , Neels Oliver C , Eu Peter , Hong Emily , Hicks Rodney J 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIntroduction: Ga‐68 DOTATATE (Ga‐octreotate, GaTate) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT has multiple advantages compared with conventional and In‐111 octreotide imaging for neuroendocrine tumours and other somatostatin‐receptor expressing tumours. This study assesses the management impact of incremental diagnostic information obtained from this technique compared with conventional staging.Methods: Fifty‐nine GaTate PET/CT studies were performed over an 18‐month period (52 proven or suspected gastro‐entero‐pancreatic or bronchial neuroendocrine tumours and seven neural crest/mesenchymal tumours). A retrospective blinded review was performed on the number of abnormalities (1, 2–5 or >5) within defined regions with comparison to conventional imaging to assess incremental diagnostic information. Subsequent management impact (high, moderate or low) was determined by clinical review and follow up to assess pre‐PET stage, treatment intent and post‐PET management change.Results: Eighty‐eight percent of GaTate studies were abnormal. Compared with conventional and In‐111 octreotide imaging, additional information was provided by GaTate PET/CT in 68 and 83% of patients, respectively. Management impact was high (inter‐modality change) in 47%, moderate (intra‐modality change) in 10% and low in 41% (not assessable in 2%). High management impact included directing patients to curative surgery by identifying a primary site and directing patients with multiple metastases to systemic therapy.Conclusion: GaTate PET/CT imaging provides additional diagnostic information in a high proportion of patients with consequent high management impact. GaTate PET/CT could replace 1In‐111 octreotide scintigraphy at centres where it is available given its superior accuracy, faster acquisition and lower radiation exposure. Rapid implementation could be achieved by allowing substitutional funding in the Medicare Benefit Schedule.