bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of raloxifene on vascular endothelial growth factor expression in breast carcinomas of postmenopausal women
Authors: Da Silva B. B. , Dos Santos A. R. , Pires C. G. , Lopes‐Costa P. V. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective:  This study aimed to evaluate the effect of raloxifene on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in breast carcinomas of postmenopausal women.Materials and methods:  Sixteen postmenopausal patients with operable stage II, oestrogen receptor‐positive, infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma were treated with raloxifene at a dose of 60 mg/day, for a period of 28 days prior to definitive surgery. Tumour size varied from 3 to 5 cm (mean 3.7 cm) and mean age of patients was 61.8 years (range 49–72 years). Tumour samples were obtained by incisional biopsy at the time of diagnosis and again at the time of surgery. Immunohistochemical evaluation of VEGF expression was assessed semiquantitatively based on fraction of stained tumour cells and on intensity of staining. McNemar's test of symmetry was used to evaluate agreement between positive or negative classification of VEGF expression prior to and following raloxifene treatment (P < 0.05).Results:  Fourteen of the 16 patients (88%) were classified as positive for VEGF expression prior to raloxifene treatment, while only 5 (31%) were classified as positive following treatment (P < 0.007).Conclusion:  Raloxifene significantly reduced VEGF expression in these oestrogen receptor‐positive breast carcinomas of postmenopausal women.
Retention of nurses in the primary and community care workforce after the age of 50 years: database analysis and literature review
Authors: Storey Claire , Cheater Francine , Ford Jackie , Leese Brenda 
Published: May 2009

AbstractTitle.  Retention of nurses in the primary and community care workforce after theage of 50 years: database analysis and literature review. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore strategies for retaining nurses and their implications for the primary and community care nursing workforce.Background.  An ageing nursing workforce has forced the need for recruitment and retention of nurses to be an important feature of workforce planning in many countries. However, whilst there is a growing awareness of the factors that influence the retention of nurses within secondary care services, little is known about those that influence retention of nurses in primary and community care. Little is known about the age profile of such nurses or the impact of the ageing nursing workforce on individual nursing specialities in the England.Methods.  Nursing databases were analysed to explore the impact of age on nursing specialities in primary and community care. The nurse retention literature was reviewed from 1995 to 2006.Findings.  Workforce statistics reveal that primary and community care nurses have a higher age profile than the National Health Service nursing workforce as a whole. However, there are important gaps in the literature in relation to the factors influencing retention of older primary and community care nurses. Specific factors exist for older nurses within primary care that are unique. Implications for their retention are suggested.Conclusion.  Particular attention needs to be paid to factors influencing retention of older nurses in primary and community care. These factors need to be incorporated into local and national policy planning and development.
Resource allocation in a social wasp: effects of breeding system and life cycle on reproductive decisions
Authors: JOHNSON ELIZABETH L. , CUNNINGHAM TYLER W. , MARRINER SARAH M. , KOVACS JENNIFER L. , HUNT BRENDAN G. , BHAKTA DIMPAL B. , GOODISMAN MICHAEL A. D. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractOrganisms must make important decisions on how to allocate resources to reproduction. We investigated allocation decisions in the social waspVespula maculifronsto understand how social insects make reproductive choices. We first determined how annual colonies apportioned resources to growth and reproduction by analysing developing brood. In contrast to expectations, colonies invested in both growth (workers) and reproduction (males) simultaneously. In addition, colonies showed evidence of producing males in pulses and reversing their reproductive choices by decreasing investment in males late in the season. This reversal is consistent with theory suggesting that colonies decrease production in males if fitness of late emerging males is low. To further investigate reproductive decisions within colonies, we determined if the male mates of multiply‐mated queens varied in their reproductive success over time. Sperm use by queens did vary over time suggesting that male success may depend on sperm clumping within the female reproductive tract. Finally, we tested if colony sex ratio conformed to expectations under kin selection theory that nestmate relatedness would positively correlate with investment in new queens if workers controlled sex allocation. Surprisingly, the proportion of queens produced by colonies was negatively correlated with nestmate relatedness, suggesting that allocation may be shaped by advantages arising from increased genetic diversity resulting from multiple mating by queens. Overall, our study suggests that the reproductive decisions of colonies are flexible and may depend both on environmental cues arising from energetic needs of the colony and genetic cues arising from mating behaviours of queens.
Sensitivity of Magnaporthe grisea to the Sterol Demethylation Inhibitor Fungicide Propiconazole
Authors: Fang Minyan , Yan Leiyan , Wang Zhengyi , Zhang Degang , Ma Zhonghua 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBaseline sensitivity of Magnaporthe grisea to a sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) propiconazole was determined using 52 wild‐type single‐spore isolates. The 50% effective concentrations of these 52 isolates to propiconazole ranged from 0.145 to 1.446 μg/ml. Among the 52 isolates, two (07–82 and 04–006) were hypersensitive to propiconazole. The propiconazole‐hypersensitive (PHS) isolates were also hypersensitive to another DMI fungicide triadimefon, but not to a benzimidazole fungicide carbendazim. Compared with the propiconazole‐sensitive (PS) isolates, the PHS isolates retained normal pathogenicity. Real‐time PCR analysis showed that expression of cyp51 gene in the PHS isolates was not significantly different from that in the PS isolates. Analysis of DNA sequence of cyp51 gene showed that the PHS isolates 07–82 and 04–006 had an amino acid substitution at the codon position 234 and 450, respectively, where the amino acids were conserved in the CYP51 of other fungi, which indicated that the substitutions in CYP51 might be related to hypersensitivity of M. grisea to DMI fungicides.
Genetic variability analysis in five populations of the sea cucumber Stichopus (Apostichopus) japonicus from China, Russia, South Korea and Japan as revealed by microsatellite markers
Authors: Chang Yaqing , Feng Zhigang , Yu Jiaping , Ding Jun 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe genetic structure of populations of the sea cucumber Stichopus (Apostichopus) japonicus was investigated using 10 microsatellite markers. In all, 152 individuals from five natural populations were collected from Aomori, Japan (JA and JR), Yosu, South Korea (KY), Dalian, China (CD) and Vladivostock, Russia (RV). A total of 145 alleles were found at 10 loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 9 at PSC03 to 20 at SCZ06, with an average of 14.5. Average Ho and He ranged from 0.260 (JR) to 0.434 (JA) and from 0.654 (RV) to 0.778 (KY), respectively. No significant differences at A, Ho and He were found, indicating similar genetic diversity in the five populations. A single allele was found at the PSC05 locus in the RV population. Of the 50 loci, 42 significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, all showing heterozygote deficiency. The genetic distances were all relatively great, ranging from 0.497 (between JA and KY) to 1.029 (between KY and JR). This suggests the five populations are genetically distinct. Cluster analysis indicated that JA, KY and CD form one branch and RV and JR another in the UPGMA tree. A hypothesis is proposed for the evolution of the Japanese red sea cucumbers and the genetic relationship among the populations.
Detection of Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy in Equine Spermatozoa Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
Authors: Bugno M , Jablonska Z , Tischner M , Klukowska‐Rötzler J , Pienkowska‐Schelling A , Schelling C , Slota E 
Published: May 2009

ContentsThe aim of our study was to diagnose aneuploidy in equine spermatozoa by multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique using specific molecular probes for equine sex chromosomes and autosome pair four (EGFR probe) labeled by different fluorochromes. These were applied on decondensed spermatozoa of four stallions. In total, more than 8800 sperm cells were examined. The total frequency of aberrant cells was 0.496%: aneuploidy of XX (0.135%), YY (0.023%), XY (0.102%), diploidy (0.057%), lack of sex chromosome (0.18%). In one stallion the ratio of normal X‐ and Y‐bearing cells was different from the expected 1 : 1 ratio (p = 0.0002), in all three other stallions this ratio was close to 1 : 1. The present study demonstrated that the FISH technique is a powerful method to identify sex chromosome aberrations in equine spermatozoa and allows for the determination of the ratio between X–Y‐spermatozoa.
Highly specific responses to amine odorants of individual olfactory receptor neurons in situ
Authors: Gliem S. , Schild D. , Manzini I. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe main olfactory system of larval Xenopus laevis is made up of at least two subsystems consisting of subsets of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) with different transduction mechanisms. One ORN subset lacks the canonical cAMP transduction pathway and responds to amino acid odorants. The second subset has the cAMP transduction pathway but as yet suitable odorants are unknown. Here we report the identification of amines as proper olfactory stimuli for larval X. laevis using functional Ca2+ imaging and slice preparations of the olfactory system. The response profiles of individual ORNs to a number of amines were extremely complex and mostly highly specific. The great majority of amine‐sensitive ORNs responded also to forskolin, an activator of the olfactory cAMP transduction pathway. Most amine‐induced responses could be attenuated by the cyclic nucleotide‐gated channel inhibitor LY83583. This confirms that most amine‐responsive olfactory receptors (ORs) are coupled to the cAMP‐dependent transduction pathway. Furthermore, we show that trace amine‐associated receptors (TAARs), which have been shown to act as specific ORs for amines in mammals, are expressed in the olfactory organ of X. laevis. The TAARs expressed in Xenopus cannot, however, explain the complex responses of individual ORNs to amines because there are too few of them. This indicates that, in addition to TAARs, there must be other receptor families involved in the detection of amines.
On the mechanism of action of muscle fibre activity in synapse competition and elimination at the mammalian neuromuscular junction
Authors: Favero M. , Massella O. , Cangiano A. , Buffelli M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractActivity‐dependent competition plays a crucial role in the refinement of synaptic connections in the peripheral and central nervous system. The reduction in number of axons innervating each neuromuscular junction during development, i.e. synapse elimination, appears to be one such competitive activity‐driven event. Recently, we showed that asynchronous firing of competing presynaptic terminals is a key player in synapse elimination. Although some previous studies suggested that activity of the postsynaptic cell may be an intermediary in the disposal of redundant presynaptic inputs, the mechanism involved remains unknown. In the present study, in order to assess the role of evoked muscle activity in this process, we inhibited the generation of postsynaptic action potentials in muscle fibers in vivo, through the overexpression of inwardly rectifying Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 channels, via electroporation of the soleus muscle in the mouse hindlimb. Electrophysiological and morphological data show that overexpression of potassium channels in the endplate region of neonatal muscle fibres induces membrane hyperpolarization and an increase in conductance, inhibition of the action potential mechanism and prolonged persistence of polyneuronal innervation. These changes are not seen in muscle fibres with overexpression of a non‐conducting Kir2.1 mutant. Our results are compatible with the interpretation that the block of action potential generation, even in single endplates, can inhibit synapse elimination through local signalling.
The impact of content area focus on the effectiveness of a web‐based simulation
Authors: Adcock Amy B. , Duggan Molly H. , Watson Ginger S. , Belfore Lee A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis paper describes an assessment of a web‐based interview simulation designed to teach empathetic helping skills. The system includes an animated character acting as a client and responses designed to recreate a simulated role‐play, a common assessment method used for teaching these skills. The purpose of this study was to determine whether learning gains found in previous evaluations would transfer to students needing similar skill sets but in different areas of study. Findings indicate a positive trend in learning gains across both areas of study (human services and counselling) with no significant differences in skill acquisition. Developers of the system conclude that the system is effective in the general training of empathetic helping skills regardless of the students' area of study.
A simple, low‐cost stereographic video capture and viewing solution for teaching psychomotor skills using online delivery
Authors: White Ian 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIt is recognised that the teaching of complex psychomotor skills using online delivery is difficult without the support of either face‐to‐face coaching and tuition or a stereoscopic viewing system that provides users with a feel for the spatial nature of the skills being taught. To date, the limitations of bandwidth, and the high cost and sophistication of existing three‐dimensional video production and viewing technologies have limited the use of stereoscopic video imaging to highly funded fields, such as sports and medical research or military applications. The advent of desktop video editing software, along with personal video players (such as the Apple iPod and iPhone) with small screens utilising efficient video codecs, means that high‐quality video podcasts can now be effectively created and delivered via the Internet. Combining these new video technologies with a conventional analogue stereo viewing and capture system makes the production of stereoscopic video potentially much more accessible to educators as a practical teaching tool. This paper seeks to alert educational designers to an exploratory study into a potentially useful methodology for the capture, production, dissemination and viewing of stereoscopic video images using existing, low‐cost technologies. Aside from the production of a simple viewer, the process is straightforward and requires only basic and readily available equipment. Applications in education as well as vocational and sports training are self‐evident.
Bilateral innervation of syringeal muscles by the hypoglossal nucleus in the jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)
Authors: Tsukahara Naoki , Kamata Naoki , Nagasawa Miyuki , Sugita Shoei 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBird vocalizations are produced by contractions of syringeal muscles, which are controlled by the hypoglossal nucleus. In oscines, syringeal muscles are controlled by the hypoglossal nucleus ipsilaterally, whereas syringeal innervation is bilateral in non‐oscines. We have determined the course of hypoglossal nerves in the jungle crow Corvus macrorhynchos. Our results indicate a cross‐over of the hypoglossal nerve from the left side to the right side on the trachea 7 mm rostral to the Musculus sternotrachealis. We also investigated the innervation of the syringeal muscles of jungle crows from the hypoglossal nucleus using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method. After HRP was injected into the syringeal muscles on each side, HRP‐labeled cells were found bilaterally in the hypoglossal nerve. These results suggest that the syringeal muscles of jungle crows are innervated bilaterally from the hypoglossal nucleus, although these birds are categorized as oscines.
Real‐time visualization of cytoplasmic calpain activation and calcium deregulation in acute glutamate excitotoxicity
Authors: Gerencser Akos A. , Mark Karla A. , Hubbard Alan E. , Divakaruni Ajit S. , Mehrabian Zara , Nicholls David G. , Polster Brian M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAlthough calpain (EC 3.4.22) protease activation was suggested to contribute to excitotoxic delayed calcium deregulation (DCD) via proteolysis of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 3 (NCX3), cytoplasmic calpain activation in relation to DCD has never been visualized in real‐time. We employed a calpain fluorescence resonance energy transfer substrate to simultaneously image calpain activation and calcium deregulation in live cortical neurons. A calpain inhibitor‐sensitive decline in fluorescence resonance energy transfer was observed at 39 ± 5 min after the occurrence of DCD in neurons exposed to continuous glutamate (100 μM). Inhibition of calpain by calpeptin did not delay the onset of DCD, recovery from DCD‐like reversible calcium elevations, or cell death despite inhibiting α‐spectrin processing by > 90%. NCXs reversed during glutamate exposure, the NCX antagonist KB‐R7943 prolonged the time to DCD, and significant NCX3 cleavage following 90 min of glutamate exposure was not observed. Our findings suggest that robust calpain activation associated with acute glutamate toxicity occurs only after a sustained loss in calcium homeostasis. Processing of NCX3 or other calpain substrates is unlikely to be the primary cause of acute excitotoxicity in cortical neurons. However, a role for calpain as a contributing factor or in response to milder glutamate insults is not excluded.
Children’s experiences of attitudes and rules for going to the toilet in school
Authors: Lundblad Barbro , Hellström Anna‐Lena , Berg Marie 
Published: May 2009

Scand J Caring Sci; 2010; 24; 219–223

Children′s experiences of attitudes and rules for going to the toilet in school Introduction:  School children often base their toilet habits on behavioural and social reasons. Bladder emptying problems, urinary tract infections and constipation are common health problems which are also associated with irregular toilet habits. School rules for going to the toilet have been shown to create difficulties for school children with bladder dysfunction. Aim of this study was to describe children’s experiences of school rules for going to the toilet and their significance for the children.Methods:  Individual open‐ended questions with 19 schoolchildren aged 9–16 in elementary schools.Results:  To manage the children’s toilet needs, teachers used rules designed for maintaining order in the classroom. The children saw their toilets needs as a private matter and experienced it complicated to go to the toilet during recess as time was short and the risk for violation of their integrity was at its highest. The most frustrating when to comply with rules during lessons was to be forced to, in front of all their classmates, make public the need to go to the toilet: i.e the most private was exposed to the disclosure.Conclusion:  The rules for going to the toilet came from the teachers’ need for maintaining order in the classroom and were not adapted to the children’s physical and developmental needs. To violate the integrity of children can affect their willingness to go to the school toilet which in turn affects their wellbeing during school time.
Geobiological investigations using secondary ion mass spectrometry: microanalysis of extant and paleo‐microbial processes
Authors: ORPHAN V. J. , HOUSE C. H. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe application of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has tremendous value for the field of geobiology, representing a powerful tool for identifying the specific role of micro‐organisms in biogeochemical cycles. In this review, we highlight a number of diverse applications for SIMS and nanoSIMS in geobiological research. SIMS performs isotope and elemental analysis at microscale enabling the investigation of the physiology of individual microbes within complex communities. Additionally, through the study of isotopic or chemical characteristics that are common in both living and ancient microbial communities, SIMS allows for direct comparisons of potential biosignatures derived from extant microbial cells and their fossil equivalents.
Screening for ocular dysfunction in children: Approaching a common program
Authors: Lennerstrand Gunnar , Jakobsson Peter , Kvarnström Gun 
Published: May 2009

Abstract.According to the general principles of screening, detection of visual impairment in children is worthwhile, since the condition is a serious health problem, reliable diagnostic tests are available and effective treatment is possible in most instances of ocular and visual dysfunction. However, an evaluation of the screening procedures has not been properly done and the cost‐benefit of screening has not been studied. The aim of the present study is to perform a systematic analysis of the screening programs for detection of visual dysfunction. In the screening two parts can be separated, one that concerns the more serious ocular and visual conditions which have to be discovered by general survey methods very early in life, and one that involves detection of less serious conditions, mainly amblyopia, which can be diagnosed by testing for monocular reduction of visual acuity at about 3–4 years of age. The performance characteristics of the screening programs used in Sweden and Canada were evaluated and found to be very favourable. Based on the analysis and the evaluation, recommendations are made on programs for vision screening in children that could be applied more widely. The program could involve all or parts of the following:A careful inspection of the eyes in the neonatal period and preferably also examination of the red reflex with the ophthalmoscope.Children at high risk for ocular and visual disorder, i.e. those born prematurely before 32 weeks of age, or with genetic disease, hearing deficit and/or neurological and mental disorder, should be examined at the proper age by an ophthalmologist.All staff at pediatric departments and child health care centers should be familiar with the visual development of the normal baby and should be alerted to the various symptoms and signs which first warn parents that there may be a visual defect. An inspection of the eyes to detect squint should be part of all pediatric examinations.A screening test of monocular visual acuity in 4 year‐old children can be reliably performed by non‐ophthalmic personnel after proper training. The screening test should be repeated by school nurses during the first grade of school, and at regular intervals during the school years.The children that screen positively should be seen by ophthalmologists, and in some cases by orthoptists, without undue delay for diagnosis and treatment.
Normal tension glaucoma: A ten‐year follow‐up
Authors: Giraldi J. Pecori , De Benedetti G. , Santarelli S. , Liguori A. , Mollicone A. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe authors describe the results obtained in 10 years of observation of a group of 41 eyes affected by normal tension glaucoma. An evolution of perimetric defects was found in 29.26% of the eyes examined.