bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of inhibitors of hydrogen sulphide synthesis on rat colonic motility
Authors: Gil V , Gallego D , Jiménez M 
Published: April 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The role of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) as a putative endogenous signalling molecule in the gastrointestinal tract has not yet been established. We investigated the effect of D,L‐propargylglycine (PAG), an inhibitor of cystathionine γ‐lyase (CSE), amino‐oxyacetic acid (AOAA) and hydroxylamine (HA), inhibitors of cystathionine β‐synthase (CBS) on rat colonic motility.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Immunohistochemistry, H2S production, microelectrode and organ bath recordings were performed on rat colonic samples without mucosa and submucosa to investigate the role of endogenous H2S in motility.KEY RESULTS CSE and CBS were immunolocalized in the colon. H2S was endogenously produced (15.6 ± 0.7 nmol·min−1·g−1 tissue) and its production was strongly inhibited by PAG (2 mM) and AOAA (2 mM). PAG (2 mM) caused smooth muscle depolarization and increased spontaneous motility. The effect was still recorded after incubation with tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 µM) or Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine (L‐NNA, 1 mM). AOAA (2 mM) caused a transient (10 min) increase in motility. In contrast, HA (10 µM) caused a ‘nitric oxide‐like effect’, smooth muscle hyperpolarization and relaxation, which were antagonized by 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐α]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ, 10 µM). Neither spontaneous nor induced inhibitory junction potentials were modified by AOAA or PAG.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We demonstrated that H2S is endogenously produced in the rat colon. PAG and AOAA effectively blocked H2S production. Our data suggest that enzymatic production of H2S regulates colonic motility and therefore H2S might be a third gaseous inhibitory signalling molecule in the gastrointestinal tract. However, possible non‐specific effects of the inhibitors should be considered.
Conversations in end‐of‐life care: communication tools for critical care practitioners
Authors: Shannon Sarah E. , Long‐Sutehall Tracy , Coombs Maureen 
Published: April 2011

Background: Communication skills are the key for quality end‐of‐life care including in the critical care setting. While learning general, transferable communication skills, such as therapeutic listening, has been common in nursing education, learning specific communication tools, such as breaking bad news, has been the norm for medical education. Critical care nurses may also benefit from learning communication tools that are more specific to end‐of‐life care. Strategy: We conducted a 90‐min interactive workshop at a national conference for a group of 78 experienced critical care nurses where we presented three communication tools using short didactics. We utilized theatre style and paired role play simulation. The Ask‐Tell‐Ask, Tell Me More and Situation‐Background‐Assessment‐Recommendation (SBAR) tools were demonstrated or practiced using a case of a family member who feels that treatment is being withdrawn prematurely for the patient. The audience actively participated in debriefing the role play to maximize learning. The final communication tool, SBAR, was practiced using an approach of pairing with another member of the audience. At the end of the session, a brief evaluation was completed by 59 nurses (80%) of the audience. Summary: These communication tools offer nurses new strategies for approaching potentially difficult and emotionally charged conversations. A case example illustrated strategies for applying these skills to clinical situations. The three tools assist critical care nurses to move beyond compassionate listening to knowing what to say. Ask‐Tell‐Ask reminds nurses to carefully assess concerns before imparting information. Tell Me More provides a tool for encouraging dialogue in challenging situations. Finally, SBAR can assist nurses to distill complex and often long conversations into concise and informative reports for colleagues.
Should Ribavirin Be Used to Treat Hepatitis C in Dialysis Patients?
Authors: Carrion Andres F. , Fabrizi Fabrizio , Martin Paul 
Published: April 2011

AbstractHepatitis C virus infection adversely affects outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing maintenance dialysis. Pegylated interferon and ribavirin, the standard‐of‐care treatment in patients with intact renal function, is associated with severe side effects, toxicity, and high dropout rates in this population. Ribavirin has an important role in maintaining antiviral response following completion of therapy and increases sustained viral response (SVR) rates. However, the use of ribavirin in dialysis patients has been limited by the high frequency of severe hemolytic anemia and is currently reserved for study protocols and highly selected candidates treated at experienced centers. Encouraging data from small trials have shown a significant increase in SVR rates with the use of different dosing regimens of ribavirin in addition to interferon‐based therapy and aggressive erythroid‐stimulating agent support in dialysis patients. Use of ribavirin in selected dialysis patients, particularly renal transplant candidates, by experienced clinicians is appropriate.
A Large Pleural Effusion in a Patient Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Tapawan Karen , Chen Elaine , Selk Natalie , Hong Edward , Virmani Sumeet , Balk Robert 
Published: April 2011

AbstractHydrothorax as a complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a rare but recognized event. Proposed mechanisms for the development of a pleuro‐peritoneal communication include congenital diaphragmatic defects, acquired weakening of diaphragmatic fibers caused by high intra‐abdominal pressures during peritoneal dialysis, and impairments in lymphatic drainage. Pleural fluid analysis and diagnostic imaging assist in differentiation from other causes of pleural effusion. Nearly 50% of patients with this diagnosis have resolution of hydrothorax after temporary cessation of PD with interim hemodialysis for 2–6 weeks. Historically, other treatment options have included conventional pleurodesis and open thoracotomy with direct repair, producing variable results. With the advent of video‐assisted thoracoscopy (VATS), surgical repairs and pleurodesis are now frequently performed under direct visualization with minimal invasiveness. We report a case of hydrothorax in a patient after recent introduction to peritoneal dialysis. Pleuro‐peritoneal communication was documented with thoracentesis and radionuclide scanning. VATS pleurodesis with talc was performed. Repeat scintigraphy performed 1 week after the procedure revealed no residual communication, and patient was able to resume PD without further complications.
Performance and Risks of Open‐End Life Settlement Funds
Authors: Braun Alexander , Gatzert Nadine , Schmeiser Hato 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn this article, we comprehensively analyze open‐end funds dedicated to investing in U.S. senior life settlements. We begin by explaining their business model and the roles of institutions involved in the transactions of such funds. Next, we conduct the first empirical analysis of life settlement fund return distributions as well as a performance measurement, including a comparison to other asset classes. Since the funds contained in our data set cover a large fraction of this relatively young segment of the capital markets, representative conclusions can be derived. Even though the empirical results suggest that life settlement funds offer attractive returns paired with low volatility and are virtually uncorrelated with other asset classes, we find latent risk factors such as liquidity, longevity, and valuation risks. Since these risks did generally not materialize in the past and are hence largely not reflected by the historical data, they cannot be captured by classical performance measures. Thus, caution is advised in order not to overestimate the performance of this asset class.
Effects of pyriproxyfen on ovarian development and fecundity of Rhagoletis pomonella flies
Authors: Duan Jian Jun , Prokopy Ronald J. , Yin Chin‐Ming , Bergweiler Chris , Oouchi H. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThree‐day old female apple maggot flies, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), were topically exposed to different doses (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg per fly) of a juvenile hormone mimic, pyriproxyfen, in the laboratory. Pyriproxyfen had little lethal effect on females except at the extremely high dose of 100 μg. It also had no significant effect on egg viability of treated females. A non‐lethal dose of 1 μg per fly did, however, enhance significantly the fecundity (egg production) as well as the ovarian development (number of eggs in ovaries and length of egg folicles) of treated flies. We conclude that pyriproxyfen could be a useful aid in exploring endocrine regulation of feeding and reproductive physiology behavior in R. pomonella, about which current knowledge is scant.
Ultrastructure of sensory receptors on the labium of the cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile Ferrero
Authors: Le Rü B. , Renard Sophie , Allo Marie‐Rose , Le Lannic J. , Rolland J. P. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe ultrastructure of the sensory receptors located on the labium of the cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti Matile‐Ferrero (Homoptera, Pseudococcidae) was studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopes. Trichoid hairs of probable mechanoreceptive function are distributed over the labium. Uniporous chemosensilla which possess a mechanoreceptive dendrite, multiporous chemosensilla and mechanoreceptive pegs are present on the tip of the labium. The presence of contact and olfactory chemoreceptors on the labial tip of P. manihoti suggests that tapping it on the cassava leaf provides the pest with information about the chemical nature of the leaf surface.
The interaction of surface and dust particle size on the pick‐up and grooming behaviour of the German cockroach Blattella germanica
Authors: El‐Awami I. O. , Dent D. R. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe relationship between the particle size of an inert silica dust, its up‐take from different surfaces and the grooming behaviour of males, gravid females, and fifth and sixth instar nymphs of the German cockroach Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) (L.) was investigated. The normal grooming behaviour of gravid females, nymphs and males differed according to sex and age. The gravid females and nymphs exhibited greater grooming activity than the males, especially of the antennae and the legs. Gravid females, nymphs, and adult males exhibited increased grooming activity after exposure to dust in the size range 0.5–63 μm, but there was no significant difference in grooming behaviour from the control when cockroaches were exposed to dust sizes greater than 70 μm. Antennal grooming by males was greater than leg grooming when exposed to all dust sizes, except size particles ranging 4.5–7.5 μm. A dust pick‐up experiment indicated that the average amount of dust transferred to B. germanica is affected by particle size, the porosity of the treated surface, and the sex and age of the cockroaches. Gravid females picked up greater amounts of dust than fifth and sixth instar nymphs, which in turn picked up more dust than males. Silica dust particles (0.5–7.5 μm) were picked up more effectively than larger particle sizes, by all three categories, males, females and fifth and sixth instar nymphs of cockroach on all three test surfaces plastic, ceramic and unpainted plywood. Plywood was the least effective surface for transfer of dust, of all sizes, to males, females and nymphs.
Marine omega‐3 fatty acids and mood disorders – linking the sea and the soul
Authors: Hegarty B. D. , Parker G. B. 
Published: April 2011

Hegarty BD, Parker GB. Marine omega‐3 fatty acids and mood disorders – linking the sea and the soul.Objective:  While there has long been interest in any nutritional contribution to the onset and treatment of mood disorders, there has been increasing scientific evaluation of several candidate nutritional and dietary factors in recent years. In this inaugural study of our ‘Food for Thought’ series, we will overview the evidence for any role of omega‐3 fatty acids (FA) in regulating mood.Method:  Relevant literature was identified through online database searches and cross‐referencing.Results:  Plausible mechanisms exist by which omega‐3 FA may influence neuronal function and mood. Cross‐sectional studies demonstrate an association between omega‐3 fatty acid deficiency and both depressive and bipolar disorders. Studies investigating the efficacy of omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation for mood disorders have however provided inconsistent results. The proportion of treatment studies showing a significant advantage of omega‐3 supplementation has dropped over the last 5 years. However, the vast heterogeneity of the trials in terms of constituent omega‐3 FAs, dose and length of treatment makes comparisons of these studies difficult.Conclusion: More research is required before omega‐3 supplementation can be firmly recommended as an effective treatment for mood disorders. Whereas increased omega‐3 FA intake may alleviate depressive symptoms, there is little evidence of any benefit for mania.
Antisperm Contraceptive Vaccines: Where We Are and Where We Are Going?
Authors: Naz Rajesh K. 
Published: April 2011

Citation Naz RK. Antisperm contraceptive vaccines: where we are and where we are going? Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66: 5–12This is a review of current status and future perspectives on the development of antisperm contraceptive vaccines (CV) and immunocontraceptives. The development of antisperm CV is an exciting proposition. There is a strong rationale and recent data indicating that this proposition can translate into reality. The search for novel sperm‐specific antigens/genes, that can be used for CV, continues using various recent developing technologies. Various approaches of proteomics, genomics, reproductive biology, mucosal immunity and vaccinology and several novel technologies such as gene knockout technology, phage display technology, antibody engineering, differential display technique, subtractive hybridization, and hybridoma technology are being used to delineate sperm‐specific antigens and construct CV. Various sperm antigens/genes have been delineated, cloned, and sequenced from various laboratories. Vaccination with these sperm antigens (recombinant/synthetic peptide/DNA) causes a reversible contraceptive effect in females and males of various animal species, by inducing a systemic and local antisperm antibody response. The efficacy is enhanced by combination vaccination, including peptides based on various sperm antigens. Several human novel scFv antibodies with unique complementarity‐determining regions (CDRs), that react with specific well‐defined fertility‐related sperm antigens, have been synthesized. These human infertility‐related antibodies may find application in the development of novel immunocontraceptives. Besides finding the novel sperm antigens, the present and future focus is on enhancing the immunogenicity, bioefficacy, and on obliterating the inter‐individual variability of the immune response, and proceeding for primate and human clinical trials. Multi‐epitope vaccines combining sperm proteins involved in various steps of fertilization cascade have been found to enhance the immunogenicity and bioefficacy of the contraceptive effect. The in vitro synthesis of infertility‐related human scFv antibodies may provide unique once‐a‐month immunocontraceptives, the first of its kind, for human use. The multi‐epitope CV and preformed engineered human antibodies of defined specificity may obliterate the concern related to inter‐individual variability of the immune response.
Comparing modelling approaches at two levels of biological organisation – Climate change impacts on selected Natura 2000 habitats
Authors: Bittner Torsten , Jaeschke Anja , Reineking Björn , Beierkuhnlein Carl 
Published: April 2011

AbstractQuestion: Habitats are characterized by their plant species composition. Therefore, climate change impacts on habitats can be assessed by two complementary statistical approaches: either directly by modelling the climate envelope of the habitat, or indirectly by modelling the habitat in terms of its plant species. How do these approaches differ in their projected habitat distribution? What are the consequences for nature conservation?Location: Europe.Methods: Potential climate change impacts on the distribution of European protected Natura 2000 sites were modelled for five natural and semi‐natural grassland habitat types, defined by the EU Habitats Directive, using data from the Atlas Florae Europaeae and reports on Natura 2000 sites. We used random forests (RF) and logistic regression (GLM) to model current and potential future distributions for 2050.Results: All habitats are projected to lose between 22% and 93% of their range in the ‘no dispersal’ scenario. In the ‘unrestricted dispersal’ scenario, almost all habitats gain suitable climate space, between 5% and 100% of their current range. In the direct habitat approach, both model algorithms have high discriminatory performance on test data and are well calibrated. In the indirect species approach, only GLM shows high model performance; RF models are overfitted. Projections of occurrence probabilities differ more strongly between model approaches (‘direct’ versus ‘indirect’) than between model algorithms (GLM versus RF).Conclusions: Habitats are complex entities. Because of their dynamic nature, particularly in the face of climate change, we suggest modelling the future distribution of habitat types not exclusively based on their current definitions and mapped distributions, but also based on their constituent elements, and in particular their characteristic plant species.
Discovery of a possibly old galaxy at z= 6.027, multiply imaged by the massive cluster Abell 383
Authors: Richard Johan , Kneib Jean-Paul , Ebeling Harald , Stark Daniel P. , Egami Eiichi , Fiedler Andrew K. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
We report the discovery of a unique z= 6.027 galaxy, multiply imaged by the cluster Abell 383 and detected in new Hubble Space Telescope ACS and WFC3 imaging, as well as in Warm Spitzer observations. This galaxy was selected as a pair of i-dropouts; its suspected high redshift was confirmed by the measurement of a strong Lyman a line in both images using Keck/DEIMOS. Combining Hubble and Spitzer photometry after correcting for contamination by line emission (estimated to be a small effect), we identify a strong Balmer break of 1.5 mag. Taking into account the magnification factor of 11.4 ± 1.9 (2.65 ± 0.17 mag) for the brightest image, the unlensed AB magnitude for the source is 27.2 ± 0.05 in the H band, corresponding to a 0.4 L* galaxy, and 25.7 ± 0.08 at 3.6 µm. The UV slope is consistent with β∼ 2.0, and from the rest-frame UV continuum we measure a current star formation rate of 2.4 ± 1.1 M⊙ yr-1. The unlensed half-light radius is measured to be 300 pc, from which we deduce a star-forming surface density of ∼10 M⊙ yr-1 kpc-2. The Lyman α emission is found to be extended over ∼3 arcsec along the slit, corresponding to ∼5 kpc in the source plane. This can be explained by the presence of a much larger envelope of neutral hydrogen around the star-forming region. Finally, fitting the spectral energy distribution (SED) using seven photometric data points with simple SED models, we derive the following properties: very little reddening, an inferred stellar mass of M*= 6 × 109 M⊙, and an inferred age of ∼800 Myr (corresponding to a redshift of formation of ∼18). The star formation rate of this object was likely much stronger in the past than at the time of observation, suggesting that we may be missing a fraction of galaxies at z∼ 6 which have already faded in rest-frame UV wavelengths.
Cognitive procedural learning in early Alzheimer's disease: Impaired processes and compensatory mechanisms
Authors: Beaunieux H. , Eustache F. , Busson P. , de la Sayette V. , Viader F. , Desgranges B. 
Published: April 2011

Introduction. The aim of this study was to study cognitive procedural learning in early Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods. Cognitive procedural learning was assessed using the Tower of Hanoi (TH) task. In order to take account of possible interactions between different systems during cognitive procedural learning, we also measured non‐verbal intellectual functions, working memory, and declarative memory.Results. Our results showed an apparent preservation of cognitive procedural learning in AD and a deleterious effect of the disease on verbal intelligence and declarative memory. Correlational analyses revealed a difference between AD patients and control participants in the type of processing they applied to the task.Conclusion. The non‐involvement of declarative memory would appear to be partly responsible for a slowdown in the cognitive procedural dynamics of AD patients. As the AD patients were unable to use their declarative memory, they were still in a problem‐solving mode at the end of the learning protocol and had to implement higher order cognitive processes (i.e., compensatory mechanisms) to perform the procedural task.
Application of Polylactic Acid Coating with Antimicrobials in Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Stanley on Apples
Authors: Jin Tony , Niemira Brendan A. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract:  Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Stanley on apples as affected by application of polylactic acid (PLA) coating with antimicrobials was investigated. Golden Delicious apples were spot inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 or S. Stanley and spray coated with PLA solutions containing lactic acid (LA), disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), sodium benzoate (SB), potassium sorbate (PS), or their combination (LA + EDTA, SB + LA, SB + LA + EDTA). Apples without any coating treatment served as controls. Coating treatments were allowed to dry fully, and the apples were stored at 4 °C for 14 d. Antimicrobial coatings reduced populations of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Stanley by up to 4 log CFU/cm2 at 1 d and 4.7 log CFU/cm2 at 14 d, compared to controls. SB + LA combination had a similar effectiveness as the SB + LA + EDTA combination against both pathogens and was more effective than other coating treatments. Without antimicrobial treatment, E. coli O157:H7 and S. Stanley were able to survive on apples stored at 4 °C for up to 14 d. The antimicrobial PLA coating provides an alternative intervention to reduce the pathogens on apples.Practical Application:  Antimicrobial PLA coatings provide an alternative method to reduce pathogenic contaminations on fruit surface, and therefore, reduce the risk of food‐borne outbreaks.