bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Imidazoline receptor antisera‐selected/Nischarin regulates the effect of agmatine on the development of morphine dependence
Authors: Li Fei , Wu Ning , Su Ruibin , Chen Ying , Lu Xinqiang , Liu Yin , Li Jin 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTAgmatine, an endogenous ligand for imidazoline receptor, has been shown to prevent opioid dependence, but not much is known about the mechanisms of the effect of agmatine. In the present study, we investigated the function of I1 imidazoline receptor and its candidate protein imidazoline receptor antisera‐selected (IRAS)/Nischarin in morphine dependence as well as in the effect of agmatine inhibiting morphine dependence by pharmacological and molecular approaches. Results showed that inhibition of IRAS or Nischarin did not change the development of morphine dependence in vitro and in vivo under the basal condition. Agmatine could reduce the cyclic 3′, 5′ adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) overshoot at the concentration of 0.01–10 µM in the primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons and attenuated the withdrawal signals and the elevation of FosB and ΔFosB at the dose of 5 mg/kg in the morphine‐dependent mice. The effect of agmatine was inhibited by efaroxan (I1 imidazoline receptor non‐specific antagonist) and the RNA interference against IRAS or Nischarin. These findings indicate that I1 imidazoline receptor or IRAS/Nischarin mediates the effect of agmatine on morphine dependence and provide evidence that I1 imidazoline receptor may be a new target for treating morphine dependence.
Quantitative real‐time ARMS‐qPCR for mitochondrial DNA enables accurate detection of microchimerism in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Hoerning André , Kalkavan Halime , Rehme Christian , Menke Julia , Worm Karl , Garritsen Henk S. P. , Büscher Rainer , Hoyer Peter F. 
Published: October 2011

Hoerning A, Kalkavan H, Rehme C, Menke J, Worm K, Garritsen HSP, Büscher R, Hoyer PF. Quantitative real‐time ARMS‐qPCR for mitochondrial DNA enables accurate detection of microchimerism in renal transplant recipients.  Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 809–818. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  The presence of microchimerism in peripheral blood of solid organ transplant recipients has been postulated to be beneficial for allograft acceptance. Kinetics of donor cell trafficking and accumulation in pediatric allograft recipients are largely unknown. In this study, we implemented SNPs of the HVRs I and II of mitochondrial DNA to serve as molecular genetic markers to detect donor‐specific cell chimerism after pediatric renal transplantation. Serial dilution of artificial chimeric DNA samples showed a linear correlation coefficient of R > 0.98 and a detection sensitivity of 0.01% with high reproducibility. Longitudinal semiquantitative analysis of donor‐specific SNPs was then performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells samples up to two yr post‐transplant. Quantity of donor‐specific cell chimerism in peripheral blood was highest in the early post‐transplant period reaching values of ∼10% after liver–kidney and 2.8% after renal transplantation. From one wk after transplantation, renal transplant patients exhibited an amount of donor‐specific mtDNA ranging from 0.01% to 0.1%. We developed a highly accurate, sensitive, and rapid real‐time quantitative PCR method using sequence‐specific primers and fluorescent hydrolysis probes for the detection of at least 0.01% donor‐specific cells in the recipient’s peripheral blood after renal transplantation.
Immunogenicity of meningococcus C vaccination in a patient with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) on eculizumab therapy
Authors: Zlamy Manuela , Hofer Johannes , Elias Johannes , Vogel Ulrich , Frosch Matthias , Jungraithmayr Therese , Zimmerhackl Lothar Bernd , Prelog Martina 
Published: October 2011

Zlamy M, Hofer J, Elias J, Vogel U, Frosch M, Jungraithmayr T, Zimmerhackl LB, Prelog M. Immunogenicity of meningococcus C vaccination in a patient with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) on eculizumab therapy.  Pediatr Transplantation 2011. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  We report successful kidney transplantation in a 10‐yr‐old boy with aHUS and heterozygous factor H mutation using the terminal complement inhibitor eculizumab to avoid recurrence of aHUS in the renal graft. Vaccination against meningococcus C (Men C) is essential in patients with dysfunction of the complement system, as induced by eculizumab. In our patient, we report waning SBA titers but maintenance of protective SBA titers (≥1:8) after kidney transplantation under immunosuppressive therapy with mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, steroids, and eculizumab over a 27‐month observational period. Our case illustrates that a humoral immune response to conjugate Men C vaccination may be mounted and maintained despite chronic renal disease, kidney transplantation, immunosuppressive drugs, and immunomodulatory therapy with eculizumab. However, it remains unclear whether serologically defined protective SBA titers mediate true protection from invasive meningococcal disease in an immunocompromised patient, particularly under treatment with a complement inhibitor. Thus, close monitoring of SBA titers seems mandatory in this patient.
An international reference reagent for the detection of RHD and SRY DNA in plasma
Authors: Metcalfe P. , Rigsby P. , Tait E. , Urbaniak S. 
Published: October 2011

Background and Objectives  The determination of foetal RHD genotype using foetal DNA contained in the maternal circulation is increasingly used to manage pregnancies at risk of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN) caused by maternal anti‐D. The test is becoming increasingly reliable, and routine clinical services have been established in some centres. However, laboratories currently have no reference materials with which to determine the performance of their tests. This report describes the production and evaluation of a freeze‐dried preparation of human plasma, code 07/222, containing RHD and SRY sequences which can be used as a minimum sensitivity reagent.Materials and Methods  RhD‐positive male plasma was diluted in an excess of RhD‐negative female plasma, and 1 ml aliquots were freeze‐dried in glass ampoules. To characterise the material, 19 laboratories took part in an international collaborative study. The participants evaluated dilutions of the material using their in‐house routine assays and recorded the highest dilution where the genes could be detected.Results  When diluted 1 in 2, most laboratories were able to detect the presence of RHD and SRY sequences in the material and the participants agreed that this was an appropriate level to set as the minimum sensitivity required.Conclusions  In October 2010, the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization approved the material 07/222 as an International Reference Reagent for the detection of RHD and SRY DNA in plasma.
In vitro rumen fermentation and methane production are influenced by active components of essential oils combined with fumarate
Authors: Lin B. , Wang J. H. , Lu Y. , Liang Q. , Liu J. X. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryTwo trials were conducted to identify the optimal levels of essential oil active components (EOAC) and their combination with fumarate on in vitro rumen fermentation. In trial 1, eugenol, carvacrol, citral and cinnamaldehyde were mixed at ratios of 1:2:3:4, 2:1:4:3, 3:4:1:2, 4:3:2:1 and 1:1:1:1 to make up five combinations (EOAC1, EOAC2, EOAC3, EOAC4 and EOAC5 respectively). The mixtures were supplied at levels of 0, 50, 200 or 500 mg/l to identify the optimal combination for methane reduction. Methane production and ammonia nitrogen were decreased by adding EOAC, irrespective of component compounds, but the production of gas and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were also decreased. Hydrogen balance analysis indicated that the ratio of hydrogen consumed via methane to hydrogen consumed via VFA was lowest at 200 mg/l of EOAC5 treatment, from which the proportional change in methane was more than the change in VFA, with 31.5% of methane reduction and 12.9% of VFA reduction. In trial 2, 200 mg/l of EOAC5 was added with 0, 5, 10 and 15 mm monosodium fumarate to see whether fumarate had a further effect on rumen fermentation. The addition of fumarate had no influence on gas production, but it further decreased methane and increased the total VFA in comparison with EOAC added solely, with the greatest decrease occurring in methane (78.1%) from 10 mm of fumarate. Quantification of the microbial populations in rumen fluids by RT‐PCR showed that methanogen, protozoa, fungi, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens populations were significantly decreased by EOAC5, but were not influenced by fumarate. In summary, the addition of EOAC had consistent effects on rumen fermentation parameters, but high levels of EOAC would induce the inhibition of rumen fermentation. Adding fumarate can enhance the methane‐inhibiting effect of EOAC, and the decrease was higher than that calculated stoichiometrically.
Aberrant regulation and function of Src family tyrosine kinases: Their potential contributions to glutamate‐induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Hossain Mohammed I , Kamaruddin Mohd A , Cheng Heung‐Chin 
Published: October 2011

Summary1. Excitotoxicity, a major cause of neuronal death in acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases and conditions such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease, is initiated by overstimulation of glutamate receptors, leading to calcium overload in affected neurons. The sustained high concentration of intracellular calcium constitutively activates a host of enzymes, notably the calcium‐activated proteases calpains, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and NADPH oxidase (NOX), to antagonise the cell survival signalling pathways and induce cell death.2. Upon overactivation by calcium, calpains catalyse limited proteolysis of specific cellular proteins to modulate their functions; nNOS produces excessive amounts of nitric oxide (NO), which, in turn, covalently modifies specific enzymes by S‐nitrosylation; and NOX produces excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to inflict damage to key metabolic enzymes. Presumably, key regulatory enzymes governing cell survival and cell death are aberrantly modified and regulated by calpains, NO and ROS in affected neurons; these aberrantly modified enzymes then cooperate to induce the death of affected neurons.3. c‐Src, an Src family kinase (SFK) member, is one of the aberrantly regulated enzymes involved in excitotoxic neuronal death. Herein we review how SFKs are functionally linked to the glutamate receptors and the biochemical and structural basis of the aberrant regulation of SFKs.4. Results in the literature suggest that SFKs are aberrantly activated by calpain‐mediated truncation and S‐nitrosylation. Thus, the aberrantly activated SFKs are targets for therapeutic intervention to reduce the extent of brain damage caused by stroke.
How often do patients return to the operating room after colorectal resections?
Authors: Ricciardi R. , Roberts P. L. , Read T. E. , Marcello P. W. , Hall J. F. , Schoetz D. J. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAim  We sought to identify the rate of re‐operation after an index colorectal surgical procedure and potential contributing risk factors.Method  This is a retrospective cohort study from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. We identified all patients who either returned or did not return to the operating room after any colorectal resection from January 2005 to December 2008.Results  From a total cohort of 635 265 patients included in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program over the 4‐year study period, we identified 54 237 patients who underwent colorectal operations. A return to the operating room was coded in 5.4 ± 0.1% of non colorectal resection patients and 7.6 ± 0.2% of colorectal resection patients (P < 0.001). The multivariate model identified patients with postoperative diagnostic codes for abdominal cavity hernia or colostomy complication as having the highest odds of return to the operating room within 30 days. Patients returning to the operating room had longer length of stay and higher overall mortality compared with those patients who did not return to the operating room.Conclusion  Return to the operating room is a relatively common occurrence after colorectal resections, with an associated high rate of mortality. Given the association between return to the operating room and adverse patient outcomes, emphasis should be placed on determining strategies to reduce the need for return to the operating room.
PGDnet: a new problem‐solving virtual learning environment
Authors: Gómez Emilio , Rodríguez‐Marciel Cristina 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this paper was to provide information about the virtual learning environment known as PGDnet (the Spanish acronym for Plataforma de Gestión Docente or Educational Management Platform in English), which was developed by the innovative education group at the Technical University of Madrid known as “Nuevas metodologías docentes en ingeniería mecánica y fabricación” (New Teaching Methodologies in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing). This tool has been created on an ad hoc basis to cover specific teaching requirements for some engineering courses, which would be difficult to implement on general educational platforms such as Moodle or Blackboard. PGDnet was essentially created as an online engineering problem‐solving tool. These exercises are checked and corrected automatically, providing students with their final and partial scores, and with the solutions to these various sections. A stochastic programming model selects different exercises each time that an activity is performed and attaches the tables, graphs, figures and annexes that are needed for their resolution in each case. As is common with these types of tools, PGDnet provides effective management of publication and delivery dates for the proposed work, and contains records and databases, which allow the stored information to be processed. Its main features include ease of use, reliability and great versatility as a specific tool in the area of technical university education.
University students' behavioral intention to use mobile learning: Evaluating the technology acceptance model
Authors: Park Sung Youl , Nam Min‐Woo , Cha Seung‐Bong 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAs many Korean universities have recommended the implementation of mobile learning (m‐learning) for various reasons, the number of such tertiary learning opportunities has steadily grown. However, little research has investigated the factors affecting university students' adoption and use of m‐learning. A sample of 288 Konkuk university students participated in the research. The process by which students adopt m‐learning was explained using structural equation modeling technique and the Linear Structural Relationship (LISREL) program. The general structural model based on the technology acceptance model included m‐learning self‐efficacy, relevance for students' major (MR), system accessibility, subjective norm (SN), perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude (AT), and behavioral intention to use m‐learning. The study results confirmed the acceptability of the model to explain students' acceptance of m‐learning. M‐learning AT was the most important construct in explaining the causal process in the model, followed by students' MR and SN.
“Big Questions” in the Introductory Religion Classroom: Expanding the Integrative Approach
Authors: Deffenbaugh Daniel G. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractRecent research by Barbara Walvoord suggests a perceived disparity between faculty learning objectives and students' desire to engage “big questions” in the introductory religion classroom. Faculty opinions of such questions are varied, ranging from a refusal to employ any approach that diverts attention away from critical thinking, to a willingness to integrate personal questions of meaning and purpose into the introductory religion course. This essay argues that, in light of work currently being done by such developmental theorists as Sharon Daloz Parks and Marcia Baxter Magolda, the integrative approach has much to commend it. It concludes with suggestions for how religion faculty can expand this approach through learning covenants, service learning, and seeing the religion classroom as a gateway to various mentoring communities on campus.
Reframing Knowing, Being, and Doing in the Seminary Classroom
Authors: Cahalan Kathleen A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractSeminary education requires that students learn a complex body of theological knowledge, engage in the practices of ministry, and develop as persons of faith and vocation. Utilizing the six aspects of significant learning experiences defined by L. Dee Fink – foundational knowledge, application, integration, the human dimension, caring, and learning how to learn – the author explores teaching practices that reframe knowing, doing, and being in seminary classrooms.
Nocebo in fibromyalgia: meta‐analysis of placebo‐controlled clinical trials and implications for practice
Authors: Mitsikostas D. D. , Chalarakis N. G. , Mantonakis L. I. , Delicha E.‐M. , Sfikakis P. P. 
Published: October 2011

Background:  Nocebo refers to adverse effects (AEs) generated by negative expectations that medical treatment will likely harm instead of heal and can be assessed in placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We examined AEs following placebo administration in RCTs for fibromyalgia (FM), a condition characterized by patients’ poor medication adherence, which may affect outcome and/or increase healthcare costs.Methods:  Following a systematic Medline search for RCTs for FM pharmacologic treatment published between 2001 and 2010, we assessed percentages of placebo‐treated patients reporting at least one AE or discontinuing because of placebo intolerance and searched for factors influencing nocebo’s extent. Percentages were compared with those revealed by similar meta‐analyses of RCTs for multiple sclerosis and primary headaches.Results:  Data were extracted from 16 RCTs fulfilling search criteria. Of 2026 placebo‐treated patients, 67.2% (95%CI: 51.0–81.5%) reported at least one AE, and 9.5% (95%CI: 8.3–10.9%) discontinued placebo treatment because of intolerance. AEs in placebo arms corresponded quantitatively and qualitatively to those in active drug arms (ρ > 0.88, P < 0.0001). Younger age and larger placebo arm size were associated with increased dropout rates. Patients with depression were more likely to withdraw from trials. Nocebo dropouts in FM trials were fourfold and twofold higher than in RCTs for multiple sclerosis treatment and migraine preventive treatment, respectively.Conclusions:  Nocebo is remarkably prevalent in FM patients participating in RCTs. Because nocebo contributes to drug intolerance and treatment failure in clinical practice, identification of predisposing factors and efforts to prevent nocebo by educating these patients appropriately may be important for FM outcome.
Fatigue, depression, and health‐related quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis in Isfahan, Iran
Authors: Kargarfard M. , Eetemadifar M. , Mehrabi M. , Maghzi A. H. , Hayatbakhsh M. R. 
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  Quality of life (QoL) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is worse than that of other chronic diseases. There is a need to examine the impact of fatigue and depression on the QoL independent of level of physical disability in MS. The aim of this study is to explore physical, psychological, and social aspects of health‐related QoL (HRQoL) of MS patients in association with physical disability, fatigue, and depression.Methods:  In a cross‐sectional study, 281 (63.4% women, 36.6% men) patients with MS participated in the study. The HRQoL was assessed by the Persian version of the multiple sclerosis quality of life (MSQoL‐54) questionnaires. Other covariates included in the study were disease type, physical disability, fatigue, disease impact, and depression.Results:  In univariate analysis disease type, physical disability, fatigue, disease impact, and depression were significantly associated with both physical and mental health composite summaries of MSQoL‐54. In multivariate regression analysis, patients’ physical disability remained significantly associated with both components of MSQoL‐54, whilst fatigue and depression were associated with physical and mental composite summaries, respectively.Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that MS‐related physical disability, fatigue, and depression affect the HRQoL of MS patients, independently of each other and other potential confounding factors. Effective interventions that target fatigue and depression may help improve the QoL of patients, regardless of their disease type and level of disability.
Nevus of Ota: morphological patterns and distribution in 47 Yemeni cases
Authors: Alshami M. , Bawazir M.A. , Atwan A.A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground  Nevus of Ota is a rare pigmentary disorder characterized by melanocytic hamartoma of the skin along the distribution of trigeminal nerve branches.Aim  To study the morphological features of nevus of Ota, and their relation with facial regions and trigeminal branches areas.Methods  Patients with nevus of Ota who attended Kuwait University Hospital dermatology clinic and a private dermatology clinic in Sana’a, Yemen, between January 2008 and December 2010, were clinically evaluated. The morphology of nevus of Ota was classified to homogenous, speckled or mixed. The distribution of the lesions was assessed based on both facial regions and areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve.Results  Forty‐seven patients with nevus of Ota (F = 38, M = 9) were evaluated. Eighty percent of patients were females. Mixed (homogenous and speckled) appearance was seen in 47% of all patients. Periocular region was the most commonly affected facial region (67%), and the maxillary area was the most commonly involved trigeminal branch area (94%). Forty‐seven percent of cases had scleral pigmentation. Interesting features of nevus of Ota involving the nasal septum and crossing the midline of the face were noted.Conclusions  To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that examines the distribution and morphology of nevus of Ota in Middle Eastern population. Including the morphological appearance of the nevus is practical and more clinically descriptive, and therefore should be integrated in the classification in future studies.