bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of mobile learning: Students' experiences in a new rural-based medical school
Authors: Nestel Debra , Ng Andre , Gray Katherine , Hill Robyn , Villanueva Elmer , Kotsanas George , Oaten Andrew , Browne Chris 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Mobile learning (ML) is an emerging educational method with success dependent on many factors including the ML device, physical infrastructure and user characteristics. At Gippsland Medical School (GMS), students are given a laptop at the commencement of their four-year degree. We evaluated the educational impact of the ML program from students' perspectives.

Methods
Questionnaires and individual interviews explored students' experiences of ML. All students were invited to complete questionnaires. Convenience sampling was used for interviews. Quantitative data was entered to SPSS 17.0 and descriptive statistics computed. Free text comments from questionnaires and transcriptions of interviews were thematically analysed.

Results
Fifty students completed the questionnaire (response rate 88%). Six students participated in interviews. More than half the students owned a laptop prior to commencing studies, would recommend the laptop and took the laptop to GMS daily. Modal daily use of laptops was four hours. Most frequent use was for access to the internet and email while the most frequently used applications were Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Students appreciated the laptops for several reasons. The reduced financial burden was valued. Students were largely satisfied with the laptop specifications. Design elements of teaching spaces limited functionality. Although students valued aspects of the virtual learning environment (VLE), they also made many suggestions for improvement.

Conclusions
Students reported many educational benefits from school provision of laptops. In particular, the quick and easy access to electronic educational resources as and when they were needed. Improved design of physical facilities would enhance laptop use together with a more logical layout of the VLE, new computer-based resources and activities promoting interaction.
A comparison of the Charlson comorbidity index derived from medical records and claims data from patients undergoing lung cancer surgery in Korea: a population-based investigation
Authors: Seo Hyun-Ju , Yoon Seok-Jun , Lee Sang-Il , Lee Kun Sei , Yun Young Ho , Kim Eun-Jung , Oh In-Hwan 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Calculating the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) from medical records is a time-consuming and expensive process. The objectives of this study are to 1) measure agreement between medical record and claims data for CCI in lung cancer patients and 2) predict health outcomes of lung cancer patients based on CCIs from both data sources.

Methods
We studied 392 patients who underwent surgery for pathologic stages I-III of lung cancer. The kappa value was used to measure the agreement between the 17 comorbidities of the CCI prevalence obtained from medical records and claims data. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between CCI and length of stay and reimbursement cost.

Results
Out of 17 comorbidities identified in the Charlson comorbidity index, ten had a higher prevalence, four had a lower prevalence and three had a similar prevalence in claims data to those of medical records. The kappa values calculated from the two databases ranged from 0.093 to 0.473 for nine comorbidities. In predicting length of stay and reimbursement cost after surgical resection for lung cancer patients, the CCI scores derived from both the medical records and claims data were not statistically significant.

Conclusions
Poor agreement between medical record data and claims data may result from different motivations for collecting data. Further studies are needed to determine an appropriate method for predicting health outcomes based on these data sources.
3D collagen type I matrix inhibits the antimigratory effect of doxorubicin
Authors: Millerot-Serrurot Emilie , Guilbert Marie , Fourré Nicolas , Witkowski Wojciech , Said Georges , Van Gulick Laurence , Terryn Christine , Zahm Jean-Marie , Garnotel Roselyne , Jeannesson Pierre 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
The cell microenvironment, especially extracellular matrix proteins, plays an important role in tumor cell response to chemotherapeutic drugs. The present study was designed to investigate whether this microenvironment can influence the antimigratory effect of an anthracycline drug, doxorubicin, when tumor cells are grown in a matrix of type I collagen, a three-dimensional (3D) context which simulates a natural microenvironment.

Methods
To this purpose, we studied the migratory parameters, the integrin expression, and the activation state of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and GTPase RhoA involved in the formation of focal adhesions and cell movement. These parameters were evaluated at non toxic concentrations which did not affect HT1080 cell proliferation.

Results
We show that while doxorubicin decreased cell migration properties by 70% in conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture, this effect was completely abolished in a 3D one. Regarding the impact of doxorubicin on the focal adhesion complexes, unlike in 2D systems, the data indicated that the drug neither affected β1 integrin expression nor the state of phosphorylation of FAK and RhoA.

Conclusion
This study suggests the lack of antiinvasive effect of doxorubicin in a 3D environment which is generally considered to better mimic the phenotypic behaviour of cells in vivo. Consistent with the previously shown resistance to the cytotoxic effect in a 3D context, our results highlight the importance of the matrix configuration on the tumor cell response to antiinvasive drugs.
Optimization strategies for metabolic networks
Authors: Domingues Alexandre , Vinga Susana , Lemos João M 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
The increasing availability of models and data for metabolic networks poses new challenges in what concerns optimization for biological systems. Due to the high level of complexity and uncertainty associated to these networks the suggested models often lack detail and liability, required to determine the proper optimization strategies. A possible approach to overcome this limitation is the combination of both kinetic and stoichiometric models. In this paper three control optimization methods, with different levels of complexity and assuming various degrees of process information, are presented and their results compared using a prototype network.

Results
The results obtained show that Bi-Level optimization lead to a good approximation of the optimum attainable with the full information on the original network. Furthermore, using Pontryagin's Maximum Principle it is shown that the optimal control for the network in question, can only assume values on the extremes of the interval of its possible values.

Conclusions
It is shown that, for a class of networks in which the product that favors cell growth competes with the desired product yield, the optimal control that explores this trade-off assumes only extreme values. The proposed Bi-Level optimization led to a good approximation of the original network, allowing to overcome the limitation on the available information, often present in metabolic network models. Although the prototype network considered, it is stressed that the results obtained concern methods, and provide guidelines that are valid in a wider context.
Evidence that adiponectin receptor 1 activation exacerbates ischemic neuronal death
Authors: Thundyil John , Tang Sung-Chun , Okun Eitan , Shah Kausik , Karamyan Vardan T , Li Yu-I , Woodruff Trent M , Taylor Stephen M , Jo Dong-Gyu , Mattson Mark P , Arumugam Thiruma V 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background-
Adiponectin is a hormone produced in and released from adipose cells, which has been shown to have anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory actions in peripheral cells. Two cell surface adiponectin receptors (ADRs) mediate the majority of the known biological actions of adiponectin. Thus far, ADR expression in the brain has been demonstrated in the arcuate and the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus, where its activation affects food intake. Recent findings suggest that levels of circulating adiponectin increase after an ischemic stroke, but the role of adiponectin receptor activation in stroke pathogenesis and its functional outcome is unclear.

Methods-
Ischemic stroke was induced in C57BL/6 mice by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1 h, followed by reperfusion. Primary cortical neuronal cultures were established from individual embryonic neocortex. For glucose deprivation (GD), cultured neurons were incubated in glucose-free Locke's medium for 6, 12 or 24 h. For combined oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), neurons were incubated in glucose-free Locke's medium in an oxygen-free chamber with 95% N2/5% CO2 atmosphere for either 3, 6, 9, 12 or 24 h. Primary neurons and brain tissues were analysed for Adiponectin and ADRs using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunoblot and immunochemistry methods.

Results-
Cortical neurons express ADR1 and ADR2, and that the levels of ADR1 are increased in neurons in response to in vitro or in vivo ischemic conditions. Neurons treated with either globular or trimeric adiponectin exhibited increased vulnerability to oxygen and glucose deprivation which was associated with increased activation of a pro-apoptotic signaling cascade involving p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).

Conclusions-
This study reveals a novel pathogenic role for adiponectin and adiponectin receptor activation in ischemic stroke. We show that cortical neurons express ADRs and reveal a pro-apoptotic role for ADR1 activation in neurons, which may render them vulnerable to ischemic death.
Early combination disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy and tight disease control improve long-term radiologic outcome in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: the 11-year results of the Finnish Rheumatoid Arthritis Combination Therapy trial
Authors: Rantalaiho Vappu , Korpela Markku , Laasonen Leena , Kautiainen Hannu , Järvenpää Salme , Hannonen Pekka , Leirisalo-Repo Marjatta , Blåfield Harri , Puolakka Kari , Karjalainen Anna , Möttönen Timo ,   the FIN-RACo Trial Group
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Introduction
Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been shown to retard the development of joint damage for a period of up to 5 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiologic progression beyond that time in patients with early RA initially treated with a combination of three disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or a single DMARD.

Methods
A cohort of 199 patients with early active RA were initially randomized to receive treatment with a combination of methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine with prednisolone (FIN-RACo), or treatment with a single DMARD (initially, sulfasalazine) with or without prednisolone (SINGLE). After 2 years, the drug-treatment strategy became unrestricted, but still targeted remission. The radiographs of hands and feet were analyzed by using the Larsen score at baseline, 2, 5, and 11 years, and the radiographs of large joints, at 11 years.

Results
Sixty-five patients in the FIN-RACo and 65 in the SINGLE group had radiographs of hands and feet available at baseline and at 11 years. The mean change from baseline to 11 years in Larsen score was 17 (95% CI, 12 to 26) in the FIN-RACo group and 27 (95% CI, 22 to 33) in the SINGLE group (P = 0.037). In total, 87% (95% CI, 74 to 94) and 72% (95% CI, 58 to 84) of the patients in the FIN-RACo and the SINGLE treatment arms, respectively, had no erosive changes in large joints at 11 years.

Conclusions
Targeting to remission with tight clinical controls results in low radiologic progression in most RA patients. Patients treated initially with a combination of DMARDs have less long-term radiologic damage than do those treated initially with DMARD monotherapy.

Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN18445519.
Dictyostelium possesses highly diverged presenilin/γ-secretase that regulates growth and cell-fate specification and can accurately process human APP: a system for functional studies of the presenilin/γ-secretase complex
Authors: McMains Vanessa C. , Myre Michael , Kreppel Lisa , Kimmel Alan R. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY
Presenilin (PS) is the catalytic moiety of the γ-secretase complex. PS and other γ-secretase components are well conserved among metazoa, but their presence and function in more-distant species are not resolved. Because inappropriate γ-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in humans is associated with familial Alzheimer’s disease, understanding essential elements within each γ-secretase component is crucial to functional studies. Diverged proteins have been identified in primitive plants but experiments have failed to demonstrate γ-secretase activity. We have identified highly diverged orthologs for each γ-secretase component in the ancient eukaryote Dictyostelium, which lacks equivalents of APP, Notch and other characterized PS/γ-secretase substrates. We show that wild-type (WT) Dictyostelium is capable of amyloidogenic processing of ectopically expressed human APP to generate amyloid-β peptides Aβ40 and Aβ42; strains deficient in γ-secretase cannot produce Aβ peptides but accumulate processed intermediates of APP that co-migrate with the C-terminal fragments α- and β-CTF of APP that are found in mammalian cells. We further demonstrate that Dictyostelium requires PS for phagocytosis and cell-fate specification in a cell-autonomous manner, and show that regulation of phagocytosis requires an active γ-secretase, a pathway suggested, but not proven, to occur in mammalian and Drosophila cells. Our results indicate that PS signaling is an ancient process that arose prior to metazoan radiation, perhaps independently of Notch. Dictyostelium might serve to identify novel PS/γ-secretase signaling targets and provide a unique system for high-throughput screening of small-molecule libraries to select new therapeutic targets for diseases associated with this pathway.
A linear systems analysis of the yaw dynamics of a dynamically scaled insect model
Authors: Dickson William B. , Polidoro Peter , Tanner Melissa M. , Dickinson Michael H. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYRecent studies suggest that fruit flies use subtle changes to their wing motion to actively generate forces during aerial maneuvers. In addition, it has been estimated that the passive rotational damping caused by the flapping wings of an insect is around two orders of magnitude greater than that for the body alone. At present, however, the relationships between the active regulation of wing kinematics, passive damping produced by the flapping wings and the overall trajectory of the animal are still poorly understood. In this study, we use a dynamically scaled robotic model equipped with a torque feedback mechanism to study the dynamics of yaw turns in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Four plausible mechanisms for the active generation of yaw torque are examined. The mechanisms deform the wing kinematics of hovering in order to introduce asymmetry that results in the active production of yaw torque by the flapping wings. The results demonstrate that the stroke-averaged yaw torque is well approximated by a model that is linear with respect to both the yaw velocity and the magnitude of the kinematic deformations. Dynamic measurements, in which the yaw torque produced by the flapping wings was used in real-time to determine the rotation of the robot, suggest that a first-order linear model with stroke-average coefficients accurately captures the yaw dynamics of the system. Finally, an analysis of the stroke-average dynamics suggests that both damping and inertia will be important factors during rapid body saccades of a fruit fly.
Addressing metacognitive capacity for self reflection in the psychotherapy for schizophrenia: A conceptual model of the key tasks and processes
Authors: Lysaker Paul H. , Buck Kelly D. , Carcione Antonino , Procacci Michelle , Salvatore Giampaolo , Nicolò Guiseppe , Dimaggio Giancarlo 
Published: August 2010

Purpose. Recognition that recovery from schizophrenia may involve a deepening of the experience of being in the world has led to the possibility that psychotherapy may play a key role in treatment by enhancing metacognition, or the capacity to think about thinking. While the potential of psychotherapy to enhance metacognition in non‐psychotic disorders has been discussed in depth, little has been written about how psychotherapy may systematically address metacognition in schizophrenia. Accordingly, the current paper formulates a model of how psychotherapy might address one specific element of metacognition, namely self‐reflectivity. Methods. Procedures are outlined for assessing clients' capacity for self‐reflectivity within narrative contexts during psychotherapy. Results. Targeted interventions are identified which are tailored to clients' capacities in the moment and which assist clients to think about their own thinking at the level of which they are capable. This may lead clients over time to develop a greater ability to engage in acts of increasingly complex self‐reflectivity. Conclusions. Individual psychotherapy can be modified and utilized to assist persons with schizophrenia to move towards recovery by assisting them to develop the capacity for self‐reflectivity. This may lead to clients having a fuller experience of themselves as a being in the world with a richer and more coherent personal narrative.
Non-genomic action of TCDD to induce inflammatory responses in HepG2 human hepatoma cells and in liver of C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Li Wen , Vogel Christoph F.A. , Wu Dalei , Matsumura Fumio 
Published: August 2010

AbstractTo assess the significance of the non-genomic signaling of TCDD (=dioxin) on liver of C57BL/6 mice and HepG2 human hepatoma cells, we first determined the group of markers that are susceptible to inhibition by parthenolide, a compound known to specifically suppress NF-κB-mediated inflammation. Of those, the most consistent marker turned out to be SOCS3 (a suppressor of cytokine signaling) known to respond to inflammation. An early diagnostic test on the action of TCDD on HepG2 cellsin vitrowithin 3–6 h indicated that Cox-2 and SOCS3 are mainly induced via a non-genomic route, whereas PAI-2 appears to be induced through the classical action route. More detailed diagnostic tests at later stages of action of TCDD in HepG2 cells revealed that induction of IL-1β, BAFF, and iNOS are largely mediated by the protein kinase-dependent non-genomic route. Anin vivostudy on the 7 day action of TCDD on liver of AhRNLSmice showed that several early markers (e.g., Cox-2, MCP-1 and SOCS3) are induced, but not late markers such as IL-1β. Together, these results show that the non-genomic pathway contributes significantly to the early stress response reactions to TCDD that includes inflammation in hepatoma cells as well as in the liver.
Increased γ-glutamyltransferase and decreased total bilirubin are associated with metabolic syndrome in Korean postmenopausal women
Authors: Kim Sang-Hwan , Lee Ji-Won , Im Jee-Aee , Hwang Hee-Jin 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to determine if there is an association between serum hepatic markers and the metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

Methods: This study involved 1229 postmenopausal women aged 44–85 years, who visited the Center for Health Promotion for a health check-up. We excluded subjects from the analysis if they had a daily alcohol consumption of more than 1.5 drinks (alcohol consumption ≥20 g/day) or had chronic viral hepatitis. We also excluded subjects who had abnormal hepatic function, as defined by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >100 IU/L, serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) >100 IU/L, or serum total bilirubin concentrations >2 mg/dL.

Results: Serum ALT and GGT concentrations increased in proportion to the number of elements of the metabolic syndrome (p<0.01). However, total bilirubin concentrations decreased (p=0.01). After adjusting for age, body mass index, and the presence of fatty liver in the patients with metabolic syndrome, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.38 (0.89–2.15) for log (ALT), 1.69 (1.30–2.20) for log (GGT), and 0.53 (0.33–0.86) for log (total bilirubin).

Conclusions: We found that an increase in GGT and a decrease in total bilirubin was associated with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. Hepatic enzymes could be proposed as simple clinical metabolic markers that identify the metabolic syndrome.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1623–8.
Biochemical markers of particle induced osteolysis in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Kauther Max D. , Zimmermann Christina , Bachmann Hagen , Broecker-Preuss Martina , Hilken Gero , von Knoch Marius , Wedemeyer Christian 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground:Micro-structural changes associated with ultra high molecular weight polyethylene particle (UHMWPE) induced osteolysis, the most frequent cause of aseptic loosening, have been intensively investigated in the mammalian calvarian model by histomorphometry and micro-computed tomography. However, little is known regarding the serological changes that occur during this process.Methods:Serological parameters for bone metabolism [calcium, phosphate, osteocalcin (OCN), deoxypyridinoline (DPD)/creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB] were analyzed in this animal model for particle induced osteolysis. Ten C57BL/6 mice were divided at random into sham operated and UHM-WPE implanted groups. Blood and urine samples were collected prior to and at 14 days after surgery.Results:Implantation of UHMWPE lead to a significant decrease in bone volume (p=0.027). Both groups (sham/UHMWPE) showed a significant increase in calcium (p=0.004/p=0.027) and phosphate (p=0.001/p=0.001), without correlation to particle implantation. Significantly higher concentrations of DPD/creatinine (p=0.034) and OCN (p=0.022) were found after implantation of UHM-WPE. In addition, parameters could not be correlated to particle induced osteolysis.Conclusions:DPD can be regarded as a valuable parameter for detecting UHMWPE induced osteolysis in the calvarian model. Further studies of serum parameters should focus on the clinical relevance in aseptic prosthetic loosening.Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1641–6.