bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-dose glycine impairs the prepulse inhibition measure of sensorimotor gating in humans
Authors: O’Neill BV , Croft RJ , Mann C , Dang O , Leung S , Galloway MP , Phan KL , Nathan PJ 
Published: July 2010

An impaired capacity to filter or ‘gate’ sensory information is a core deficit in cognitive function associated with schizophrenia. These deficits have been linked in part to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor dysfunction. An association between high levels of glycine, a positive allosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor, and sensorimotor gating impairments (i.e. prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficit) have been reported in animal models of schizophrenia as well as patients with schizophrenia.This study examined the acute effects of modulating the glycine site of the NMDA receptor (with high-dose glycine) on sensory gating as measured by PPI. Sixteen healthy male subjects (final sample size of 12) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design in which each subject was tested under two acute treatment conditions separated by at least a 5-day washout period; placebo and 0.8 g/kg glycine. PPI was recorded 45 min post treatment using electromyography of the eye-blink response.Relative to placebo, high-dose glycine significantly impaired sensorimotor gating as demonstrated by a decrease in PPI ( t(11) = −2.983, p < 0.05).Administration of a high dose of glycine is associated with impairments in PPI supporting earlier observations in animals and patients with schizophrenia. This result, when taken together with findings in patients, suggests that high synaptic levels of glycine may have some clinically relevant detrimental effects and suggests a potential dissociation of clinical symptomatology and sensory information processing as a function of NMDA receptor modulation in schizophrenia.
Spatiotemporal organization, regulation, and functions of tractions during neutrophil chemotaxis
Authors: Shin Myung Eun , He Yuan , Li Dong , Na Sungsoo , Chowdhury Farhan , Poh Yeh-Chuin , Collin Olivier , Su Pei , de Lanerolle Primal , Schwartz Martin A. , Wang Ning , Wang Fei 
Published: July 2010

AbstractDespite recent advances in our understanding of biochemical regulation of neutrophil chemotaxis, little is known about how mechanical factors control neutrophils' persistent polarity and rapid motility. Here, using a human neutrophil-like cell line and human primary neutrophils, we describe a dynamic spatiotemporal pattern of tractions during chemotaxis. Tractions are located at both the leading and the trailing edge of neutrophils, where they oscillate with a defined periodicity. Interestingly, traction oscillations at the leading and the trailing edge are out of phase with the tractions at the front leading those at the back, suggesting a temporal mechanism that coordinates leading edge and trailing edge activities. The magnitude and periodicity of tractions depend on the activity of nonmuscle myosin IIA. Specifically, traction development at the leading edge requires myosin light chain kinase-mediated myosin II contractility and is necessary for α5β1-integrin activation and leading edge adhesion. Localized myosin II activation induced by spatially activated small GTPase Rho, and its downstream kinase p160-ROCK, as previously reported, leads to contraction of actin-myosin II complexes at the trailing edge, causing it to de-adhere. Our data identify a key biomechanical mechanism for persistent cell polarity and motility.
A compendium of myeloma-associated chromosomal copy number abnormalities and their prognostic value
Authors: Walker Brian A. , Leone Paola E. , Chiecchio Laura , Dickens Nicholas J. , Jenner Matthew W. , Boyd Kevin D. , Johnson David C. , Gonzalez David , Dagrada Gian Paolo , Protheroe Rebecca K. M. , Konn Zoe J. , Stockley David M. , Gregory Walter M. , Davies Faith E. , Ross Fiona M. , Morgan Gareth J. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
To obtain a comprehensive genomic profile of presenting multiple myeloma cases we performed high-resolution single nucleotide polymorphism mapping array analysis in 114 samples alongside 258 samples analyzed by U133 Plus 2.0 expression array (Affymetrix). We examined DNA copy number alterations and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) to define the spectrum of minimally deleted regions in which relevant genes of interest can be found. The most frequent deletions are located at 1p (30%), 6q (33%), 8p (25%), 12p (15%), 13q (59%), 14q (39%), 16q (35%), 17p (7%), 20 (12%), and 22 (18%). In addition, copy number-neutral LOH, or uniparental disomy, was also prevalent on 1q (8%), 16q (9%), and X (20%), and was associated with regions of gain and loss. Based on fluorescence in situ hybridization and expression quartile analysis, genes of prognostic importance were found to be located at 1p (FAF1, CDKN2C), 1q (ANP32E), and 17p (TP53). In addition, we identified common homozygously deleted genes that have functions relevant to myeloma biology. Taken together, these analyses indicate that the crucial pathways in myeloma pathogenesis include the nuclear factor-κB pathway, apoptosis, cell-cycle regulation, Wnt signaling, and histone modifications. This study was registered at http://isrctn.org as ISRCTN68454111.
Evolution and thermodynamics of the slow unfolding of hyperstable monomeric proteins
Authors: Okada Jun , Okamoto Tomohiro , Mukaiyama Atsushi , Tadokoro Takashi , You Dong-Ju , Chon Hyongi , Koga Yuichi , Takano Kazufumi , Kanaya Shigenori 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background
The unfolding speed of some hyperthermophilic proteins is dramatically lower than that of their mesostable homologs. Ribonuclease HII from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakaraensis (Tk-RNase HII) is stabilized by its remarkably slow unfolding rate, whereas RNase HI from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus (Tt-RNase HI) unfolds rapidly, comparable with to that of RNase HI from Escherichia coli (Ec-RNase HI).

Results
To clarify whether the difference in the unfolding rate is due to differences in the types of RNase H or differences in proteins from archaea and bacteria, we examined the equilibrium stability and unfolding reaction of RNases HII from the hyperthermophilic bacteria Thermotoga maritima (Tm-RNase HII) and Aquifex aeolicus (Aa-RNase HII) and RNase HI from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii (Sto-RNase HI). These proteins from hyperthermophiles are more stable than Ec-RNase HI over all the temperature ranges examined. The observed unfolding speeds of all hyperstable proteins at the different denaturant concentrations studied are much lower than those of Ec-RNase HI, which is in accordance with the familiar slow unfolding of hyperstable proteins. However, the unfolding rate constants of these RNases H in water are dispersed, and the unfolding rate constant of thermophilic archaeal proteins is lower than that of thermophilic bacterial proteins.

Conclusions
These results suggest that the nature of slow unfolding of thermophilic proteins is determined by the evolutionary history of the organisms involved. The unfolding rate constants in water are related to the amount of buried hydrophobic residues in the tertiary structure.
Recovery of the mitochondrial COI barcode region in diverse Hexapoda through tRNA-based primers
Authors: Park Doo-Sang , Suh Soo-Jung , Oh Hyun-Woo , Hebert Paul DN 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background
DNA barcoding uses a 650 bp segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene as the basis for an identification system for members of the animal kingdom and some other groups of eukaryotes. PCR amplification of the barcode region is a key step in the analytical chain, but it sometimes fails because of a lack of homology between the standard primer sets and target DNA.

Results
Two forward PCR primers were developed following analysis of all known arthropod mitochondrial genome arrangements and sequence alignment of the tRNA-W gene which was usually located within 200 bp upstream of the COI gene. These two primers were combined with a standard reverse primer (LepR1) to produce a cocktail which generated a barcode amplicon from 125 of 141 species that included representatives of 121 different families of Hexapoda. High quality sequences were recovered from 79% of the species including groups, such as scale insects, that invariably fail to amplify with standard primers.

Conclusions
A cocktail of two tRNA-W forward primers coupled with a standard reverse primer amplifies COI for most hexapods, allowing characterization of the standard barcode primer binding region in COI 5' as well as the barcode segment. The current results show that primers designed to bind to highly conserved gene regions upstream of COI will aid the amplification of this gene region in species where standard primers fail and provide valuable information to design a primer for problem groups.
Hypoglycaemia following upper gastrointestinal surgery: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Bernard Brandon , Kline Gregory A , Service F John 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background
Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia is relatively recently recognized in persons undergoing bariatric surgery although knowledge and experience with this condition may not be commensurate with the number of such procedures being performed globally. This paper presents a novel case as an example of how such patients may present and how they may be investigated.

Case Presentation
A 69-year-old man was assessed 3 months post-fundoplication surgery for postprandial hypoglycaemia with neuroglycopenia that became progressively severe. A 72-h fast failed to show hypoglycaemia. During a clinic visit, the patient became confused and had a low plasma glucose, high plasma insulin, and high plasma C-peptide; symptoms were relieved with glucose. No tumours were visualized on CT, MRI, or endoscopic ultrasound. A total body Indium111-octreotide scan was negative. Selective arterial calcium stimulation showed a high insulin gradient in the splenic and superior mesenteric arteries, suggesting diffuse pancreatic beta cell hyperplasia. The patient declined pancreatic resection and recurrent symptomatic hypoglycaemia was successfully prevented with low dose octreotide.

Conclusions
Although increasingly recognized following bariatric surgery, this is the first reported development of NIPHS (non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome) following fundoplication surgery, as well as the first documented use of octreotide in post-operative NIPHS. Medical management may be an alternative to surgery for patients with this rare condition.
A polymorphism in the dysbindin gene (DTNBP1) associated with multiple psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia
Authors: Voisey Joanne , Swagell Christopher D , Hughes Ian P , Connor Jason P , Lawford Bruce R , Young Ross M , Morris C Phillip 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background
A number of studies have found associations between dysbindin (DTNBP1) polymorphisms and schizophrenia. Recently we identified a DTNBP1 SNP (rs9370822) that is strongly associated with schizophrenia. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia were nearly three times as likely to carry the CC genotype compared to the AA genotype.

Methods
To investigate the importance of this SNP in the function of DTNBP1, a number of psychiatric conditions including addictive behaviours and anxiety disorders were analysed for association with rs9370822.

Results
The DTNBP1 polymorphism was significantly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as nicotine and opiate dependence but not alcohol dependence. Individuals suffering PTSD were more than three times as likely to carry the CC genotype compared to the AA genotype. Individuals with nicotine or opiate dependence were more than twice as likely to carry the CC genotype compared to the AA genotype.

Conclusions
This study provides further support for the importance of DTNBP1 in psychiatric conditions and suggests that there is a common underlying molecular defect involving DTNBP1 that contributes to the development of several anxiety and addictive disorders that are generally recognised as separate clinical conditions. These disorders may actually be different expressions of a single metabolic pathway perturbation. As our participant numbers are limited our observations should be viewed with caution until they are independently replicated.
Peripheral neuromodulation via posterior tibial nerve stimulation - a potential treatment for faecal incontinence?
Authors: Findlay John M , Yeung Justin Mc , Robinson Rachel , Greaves Helen , Maxwell-Armstrong Charles 
Published: July 2010

INTRODUCTION Faecal incontinence is a prevalent and important condition, with a range of treatment options. Neuromodulation via sacral nerve stimulators is efficacious, but expensive and associated with complications due to device implantation. Peripheral neuromodulation via posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) has been assessed in urinary incontinence, but there is minimal evidence for its use in faecal incontinence and no literature from the UK. This retrospective review aimed to assess the efficacy of PTNS in faecal incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirteen consecutive female patients with faecal incontinence of various causes (9 idiopathic, 3 obstetric, 1 surgery) underwent PTNS at a UK hospital. All were investigated with colonic imaging, anorectal physiology and endo-anal ultrasound. Prior treatments included physiotherapy (13), sphincteroplasty (3) biofeedback (3) and PTQ implants (1). PTNS was performed for 30 min, weekly for 12 weeks. RESULTS Median monthly episodes of incontinence of wind, liquid and solid reduced from 6, 10 and 18 respectively to 0 with 12 weeks' treatment (P < 0.05). Significant improvements in quality of life indices were also seen. At 1-month follow up, a sustained reduction in incontinence of wind was seen (0 episodes), with non-significant reductions of liquid and solid stool. CONCLUSIONS PTNS is a potentially efficacious, technically simple and minimally invasive alternative treatment modality for faecal incontinence. These early results are encouraging, but we await medium- and long-term follow-up, and a larger randomised trial comparing PTNS with alternative treatments and placebo.
Consenting for pelvic nerve injury in colorectal surgery: need to address age and gender bias
Authors: Nesargikar Prabhu N , Kaur Vasha , Cocker Daniel M , Lengyel John 
Published: July 2010

INTRODUCTION Pelvic nerve injury is a recognised complication following pelvic dissection in colorectal surgery. It can lead to urinary and sexual dysfunction in men and women, which varies from 5-40% depending on the surgery and the underlying pathology. Sexual dysfunction can manifest as erectile dysfunction in men and as dyspareunia and failure to achieve sexual arousal/orgasm in women. The aim of this study was to evaluate consent for these complications prior to surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS We carried out a retrospective audit on patients who had undergone elective colorectal surgery involving pelvic dissection over a 2-year period (June 2006 to June 2008) at University Hospital of North Staffordshire. We reviewed the consent forms and medical records of these patients, specifically looking for documentation of pelvic nerve injury, sexual dysfunction or erectile dysfunction prior to surgery. Only patients who had documented pelvic dissection in their operative notes were included in the audit, and those who were deemed unable to consent were excluded. RESULTS Medical records of 118 patients were reviewed. Of this cohort, 31% were women (n = 37). Malignancy was the indication for surgery in 79% of women and 88% of men. Consent for the procedure was obtained by a consultant in 73% (n = 86) of patients and by a middle-grade surgeon in the remaining 27% (n = 32). Only two women were consented for pelvic nerve injury whilst this number was 41 for men (5% vs 51%). Patients younger than 50 years were more consistently informed of the risks (50%) compared to the over 50-year-olds (34%). Only eight patients (males 6, females 2) were consented for urinary dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS The risk of pelvic nerve injury is not frequently stated, which is more common in women and the elderly. Overall, only 36% of patients were consented for pelvic nerve injury, while only 5% of women were consented. Is this professional discretion, or evidence that surgeons are not being assiduous enough when obtaining consent, which may leave them vulnerable to medicolegal claims? Introduction of procedure-specific consent forms would be a method to address this issue.
Minimally invasive, video-assisted thyroidectomy: first experience from the United Kingdom
Authors: Samy AK , Ridgway D , Orabi A , Suppiah A 
Published: July 2010

INTRODUCTION Minimally-invasive, video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) was developed to reduce scarring/trauma associated with cervical incisions used in open thyroidectomy. Results from various centres have been published internationally but none from the UK. This study reports the first results from the UK and compares them with other centres. We also aim to compare the results of a single-surgeon experience in a small/moderately-sized hospital to those of larger tertiary centres. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective analysis of a single surgeon experience in a district general hospital RESULTS The cohort was 55 patients (52 female, 3 male), mean age 48 years (range, 21-77 years) who had 64 MIVAT procedures. There were 49 hemithyroidectomies (HTs), 2 isthmusectomy, 4 total thyroidectomies (TTs) and 9 completion thyroidec-tomies (CTs) with median operating time of 86 min (IQR 66-110 min). Individual operating times were HT 85 min (IQR 60-110 min); TT 130 min (IQR 100-140 min) and CT 77 min (IQR 70-98 min). Median operating time was shorter in the second half of this series (76 min vs 92 min; P < 0.001). Length of stay was < 1 day in 92%. Conversions occurred in 6.3% with no haematoma or re-operation. Transient voice change was present in 7 (11%), permanent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in 2 (3%), and transient hypocalcaemia in 2 (3%). CONCLUSIONS The first results from the UK are similar to those of other international centres. A single-surgeon practice can obtain results comparable to larger tertiary centres provided there is sufficient case-load. MIVAT is safe and effective, but has a steep learning curve with rapid improvement observed within first 30 cases. Future studies should focus on objective assessment of scar/cosmesis and cost-effectiveness. MIVAT is an acceptable alternative to open surgery in highly selected patients.
Training in laparoscopic colorectal surgery – experience of training in a specialist unit
Authors: Engledow Alec H , Thiruppathy Kumaran , Arulampalam Tan , Motson Roger W 
Published: July 2010

INTRODUCTION Laparoscopic colorectal surgery, although technically demanding, is an increasingly desirable skill for coloproc-tologists. We believe that trainees with adequate supervision from an experienced trainer may perform these procedures safely with good outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS Surgical logbooks of two senior trainees were reviewed over a 2-year period. A case note analysis was then undertaken. Patient data were recorded with regards to age, sex, operation type, American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) grade, conversion, length of hospital stay and complications. Lymph node yield, resection margins and grade of total mesorec-tal excision were recorded in oncological procedures. RESULTS Over the 2-year period, trainees were involved in 140 resections (age range, 23-88 years; ASA grades I-III). Seventy patients were male. Trainees were first assistant in at least 20 cases prior to undertaking the procedures themselves. Trainees performed a total of 71 operations. Median hospital stay was 7 days (range, 2-48 days). There were three conversions. Anastomotic leaks developed in two patients, one requiring a laparotomy. One patient developed small bowel obstruction secondary to a port site hernia, which was repaired laparoscopically. There was one postoperative death. All oncological resection margins were clear with adequate lymphadenectomies. All total mesorectal excisions were Quirke grade III. CONCLUSIONS Adequately trained and supervised trainees may perform major colorectal resections without compromising outcome.
Could pre-mortem computerised tomography scans reduce the need for coroner's post-mortem examinations?
Authors: Owais Anwar E , Wilson Timothy R , Khan Shakeeb A , Jaidev Jo , Renwick Ian , Mitchell Charles , Macfie John 
Published: July 2010

Post-mortem examinations may result in considerable distress to the bereaved family. This audit was undertaken to examine whether computerised tomography (CT) scanning prior to death might reduce the need for post-mortems without compromising the accuracy of recording the cause of death. The case notes of 100 consecutive patients who had a coroner's post-mortem, because the cause of death was unknown, were reviewed by four senior clinicians. Along with the likely cause of death, the clinicians gave their opinion as to whether a CT scan would have enabled certification of death without the need for a post-mortem. Concordance between the post-mortem findings and the clinical events surrounding death was explored. It would have been possible to perform a pre-mortem CT scan on 90 of the 100 patients. A pre-mortem CT scan would have given the cause of death in 59 (66%) of these. In 30 patients, the cause of death established by the post-mortem was at variance with the clinical events surrounding death and clinically relevant information, such as recent surgery, was not recorded on the death certificates of 26 patients. The use of a pre-mortem CT scan and involvement of senior clinicians in the process of establishing cause of death will improve the accuracy and may obviate the need for a post-mortem in some patients. However, if a post-mortem is needed, the clinical notes should always be available for the pathologists and a senior member of the patient's team should attend the post-mortem to help accurate death certification.
The two-cardinal problem for languages of arbitrary cardinality
Authors: Miguel Luis , Silva Villegas 
Published: July 2010

AbstractLet ℒ be a first-order language of cardinality κ++ with a distinguished unary predicate symbol U. In this paper we prove, working on L, the two cardinal transfer theorem (κ+,κ) ⇒ (κ++, κ+) for this language. This problem was posed by Chang and Keisler more than twenty years ago.
Definability of groups in ℵ0-stable metric structures
Authors: Ben Yaacov Itaï 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe prove that in a continuous ℵ0-stable theory every type-definable group is definable. The two main ingredients in the proof are:(i) Results concerning Morley ranks (i.e., Cantor-Bendixson ranks) from [Ben08], allowing us to prove the theorem in case the metric is invariant under the group action; and(ii) Results concerning the existence of translation-invariant definable metrics on type-definable groups and the extension of partial definable metrics to total ones.
Topological properties of sets definable in weakly o-minimal structures
Authors: Wencel Roman 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe paper is aimed at studying the topological dimension for sets definable in weakly o-minimal structures in order to prepare background for further investigation of groups, group actions and fields definable in the weakly o-minimal context. We prove that the topological dimension of a set definable in a weakly o-minimal structure is invariant under definable injective maps, strengthening an analogous result from [2] for sets and functions definable in models of weakly o-minimal theories. We pay special attention to large subsets of Cartesian products of definable sets, showing that if X, Y and S are non-empty definable sets and S is a large subset of X × Y. then for a large set of tuples , where k = dim(Y), the union of fibers is large in Y. Finally, given a weakly o-minimal structure , we find various conditions equivalent to the fact that the topological dimension in enjoys the addition property.