bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The wish to hasten death: a review of clinical studies
Authors: Monforte‐Royo Cristina , Villavicencio‐Chávez Christian , Tomás‐Sábado Joaquín , Balaguer Albert 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIt is common for patients who are faced with physical or psychological suffering, particularly those in the advanced stages of a disease, to have some kind of wish to hasten death (WTHD). This paper reviews and summarises the current state of knowledge about the WTHD among people with end‐stage disease, doing so from a clinical perspective and on the basis of published clinical research. Studies were identified through a search strategy applied to the main scientific databases.Clinical studies show that the WTHD has a multi‐factor aetiology. The literature review suggests—perhaps in line with better management of physical pain—that psychological and spiritual aspects, including social factors, are the most important cause of such a wish. One of the difficulties facing clinical research is the lack of terminological and conceptual precision in defining the construct. Indeed, studies frequently blur the distinction between a generic wish to die, a WTDH (whether sporadic or persistent over time), the explicit expression of a wish to die, and a request for euthanasia or physician‐assisted suicide.A notable contribution to knowledge in this field has been made by scales designed to evaluate the WTHD, although the problems of conceptual definition may once again limit the conclusions, which can be drawn from the results. Studies using qualitative methodology have also provided new information that can help in understanding such wishes.Further clinical research is needed to provide a complete understanding of this phenomenon and to foster the development of suitable care plans. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring cancer patients' reasons for their information preference: construction of the Considerations Concerning Cancer Information (CCCI) questionnaire
Authors: ter Hoeven Claartje L. , Zandbelt Linda C. , Fransen Sanne , de Haes Hanneke , Oort Frans , Geijsen Debby , Koning Caro , Smets Ellen 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectives: This paper describes the further development and psychometric properties of an instrument to measure cancer patients' reasons to want complete or limited information: the Considerations Concerning Cancer Information questionnaire (CCCI). Understanding cancer patients' reasons to want complete or limited information will provide the physician with information that enables him or her to tailor information giving.Methods: CCCI's content validity, internal structure, and convergent validity were investigated among 145 cancer patients, new to radiotherapy.Results: Underlying reasons for information preference among cancer patients were derived from existing qualitative studies, narratives, and interviews. This resulted in the CCCI containing two parts: reasons to favor complete information disclosure and reasons to prefer only limited information about disease and treatment. The four identified dimensions to prefer information consist of: sense of control, expectations of others, anxiety, and autonomy. The four dimensions for reasons to give up on acquiring information consist of: avoidance, optimism, comprehension, and not wanting to be a burden. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the measurement model provided good fit to the data. Scales had good internal consistency, satisfactory item‐total correlations corrected for overlap and satisfactory convergent validity.Conclusions: These findings confirm evidence of the reliability and validity of the CCCI for use in cancer care. Researchers and health‐care providers can use the instrument to assess cancer patients' reasons to want complete or limited information and provide tailored care. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperature dependence of dark current in a p–i–n photodiode incorporating a resonant tunneling structure
Authors: Sellai Azzouz , Henini Mohamed , Ouennoughi Zahir 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAnalyses of the slope variations, as a function of temperature, of the dark current–voltage curves obtained in the case of p–i–n diodes incorporating in their intrinsic region a double barrier single quantum well (QW) structure indicate that below the flat band condition a conduction mechanism by tunneling assisted by recombination centers prevails over most of the temperature range considered (20–300 K). Above the flat band condition and for temperatures below 180 K, negative differential resistance (NDR) regions displaying Z‐shaped bistability were observed. The appearance of these NDRs is attributed to resonant tunneling of holes via the lowest light‐hole subband in the QW and electrons via the second quasi‐bound level in the conduction band.
Construction of Cuprous Oxide Electrodes Composed of 2D Single‐Crystalline Dendritic Nanosheets
Authors: Jang Ho Seong , Kim Suk Jun , Choi Kyoung‐Shin 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAn unusual anisotropic growth of Cu2O is stabilized via the electrochemical synthesis of Cu2O in the presence of Ag+ ions, which results in the formation of Cu2O electrodes composed of 2D sheetlike crystals containing complex dendritic patterns. It is quite unusual for Cu2O to form a 2D morphology since it has a 3D isotropic cubic crystal structure where the a, b, and c axes are equivalent. Each Cu2O sheet is single‐crystalline in nature and is grown parallel to the {110} plane, which is rarely observed in Cu2O crystal shapes. A various set of experiments are performed to understand the role of Ag+ ions on the 2D growth of Cu2O. The results show that Ag+ ions are deposited as silver islands on already growing Cu2O crystals and serve as nucleation sites for the new growth of Cu2O crystals. As a result, the growth direction of the newly forming Cu2O crystals is governed by the diffusion layer structure created by the pre‐existing Cu2O crystals, which results in the formation of 2D dendritic patterns. The thin 2D crystal morphology can significantly increase the surface‐to‐volume ratio of Cu2O crystals, which is beneficial for enhancing various electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties of the electrodes. The photoelectrochemical properties of the Cu2O electrodes composed of 2D dendritic crystals are investigated and compared to those of 3D dendritic crystals. This study provides a unique and effective route to maximize the {110} area per unit volume of Cu2O, which will be beneficial for any catalytic/sensing abilities that can be anisotropically enhanced by the {110} planes of Cu2O.
Functional Control of Transplantable Human ESC-Derived Neurons Via Optogenetic Targeting
Authors: Weick Jason P. , Johnson M. Austin , Skroch Steven P. , Williams Justin C. , Deisseroth Karl , Zhang Su-Chun 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Current methods to examine and regulate the functional integration and plasticity of human ESC (hESC)-derived neurons are cumbersome and technically challenging. Here, we engineered hESCs and their derivatives to express the light-gated channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) protein to overcome these deficiencies. Optogenetic targeting of hESC-derived neurons with ChR2 linked to the mCherry fluorophore allowed reliable cell tracking as well as light-induced spiking at physiological frequencies. Optically induced excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents could be elicited in either ChR2+ or ChR2− neurons in vitro and in acute brain slices taken from transplanted severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Furthermore, we created a clonal hESC line that expresses ChR2-mCherry under the control of the synapsin-1 promoter. On neuronal differentiation, ChR2-mCherry expression was restricted to neurons and was stably expressed for at least 6 months, providing more predictable light-induced currents than transient infections. This pluripotent cell line will allow both in vitro and in vivo analysis of functional development as well as the integration capacity of neuronal populations for cell-replacement strategies.
Measuring oxidative DNA damage and DNA repair using the yeast comet assay
Authors: Azevedo Flávio , Marques Filipe , Fokt Hanna , Oliveira Rui , Johansson Björn 
Published: September 2010

AbstractChromosomal DNA damage can be a result of several processes and agents of endogenous or exogenous origin. These cause strand breaks or oxidized bases that lead to strand breaks, which relax the normally supercoiled genomic DNA and increase its electrophoretic mobility. The extent of DNA damage can be assessed by single cell gel electrophoresis, where the chromosomal DNA migration distance correlates with the extent of DNA damage. This technique has been used for a variety of applications with several organisms, but only a few studies have been reported for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A possible reason for this absence is that low cellular DNA content could hamper visualization. Here we report an optimization of the comet assay protocol for yeast cells that is robust and sensitive enough to reproducibly detect background DNA damage and oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide. DNA repair was observed and quantified as diminishing comet tail length with time after oxidative stress removal in a process well described by first‐order kinetics with a tail length half‐life of 11 min at 37 °C. This is, to our knowledge, the first quantitative measurement of DNA repair kinetics in S. cerevisiae by this method. We also show that diet antioxidants protect from DNA damage, as shown by a three‐fold decrease in comet tail length. The possibility of assessment of DNA damage and repair in individual cells applied to the model organism S. cerevisiae creates new perspectives for studying genotoxicity and DNA repair. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Limited Effect of Dietary Saturated Fat on Plasma Saturated Fat in the Context of a Low Carbohydrate Diet
Authors: Forsythe Cassandra E. , Phinney Stephen D. , Feinman Richard D. , Volk Brittanie M. , Freidenreich Daniel , Quann Erin , Ballard Kevin , Puglisi Michael J. , Maresh Carl M. , Kraemer William J. , Bibus Douglas M. , Fernandez Maria Luz , Volek Jeff S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe recently showed that a hypocaloric carbohydrate restricted diet (CRD) had two striking effects: (1) a reduction in plasma saturated fatty acids (SFA) despite higher intake than a low fat diet, and (2) a decrease in inflammation despite a significant increase in arachidonic acid (ARA). Here we extend these findings in 8 weight stable men who were fed two 6‐week CRD (12%en carbohydrate) varying in quality of fat. One CRD emphasized SFA (CRD‐SFA, 86 g/d SFA) and the other, unsaturated fat (CRD‐UFA, 47 g SFA/d). All foods were provided to subjects. Both CRD decreased serum triacylglycerol (TAG) and insulin, and increased LDL‐C particle size. The CRD‐UFA significantly decreased plasma TAG SFA (27.48 ± 2.89 mol%) compared to baseline (31.06 ± 4.26 mol%). Plasma TAG SFA, however, remained unchanged in the CRD‐SFA (33.14 ± 3.49 mol%) despite a doubling in SFA intake. Both CRD significantly reduced plasma palmitoleic acid (16:1n‐7) indicating decreased de novo lipogenesis. CRD‐SFA significantly increased plasma phospholipid ARA content, while CRD‐UFA significantly increased EPA and DHA. Urine 8‐iso PGF2α, a free radical‐catalyzed product of ARA, was significantly lower than baseline following CRD‐UFA (−32%). There was a significant inverse correlation between changes in urine 8‐iso PGF2α and PL ARA on both CRD (r = −0.82 CRD‐SFA; r = −0.62 CRD‐UFA). These findings are consistent with the concept that dietary saturated fat is efficiently metabolized in the presence of low carbohydrate, and that a CRD results in better preservation of plasma ARA.
Insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia and reproductive disorders in infertile women
Authors: Sakumoto Tetsurou , Tokunaga Yoshimitu , Tanaka Hideaki , Nohara Makoto , Motegi Emi , Shinkawa Tadahiko , Nakaza Aritoshi , Higashi Masahiro 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObesity, which disturbs lipid and glucose metabolism, is a recent medical concern. It threatens human health and also has adverse effects on reproductive functions by causing insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). For PCOS patients to prevent these adverse effects, it is important to take into account improving their lifestyles by exercise and proper diets. The relationship between insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia and reproductive disorders should be understood as fully as possible in order to provide effective treatment. It is well known that insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia can be triggered by obesity with visceral fat accumulation. Hyperinsulinemia affects granulosa cells in small follicles and theca cells. This condition induces early response to luteinizing hormones on granulosa cells of small follicles and causes premature differentiation of these cells, which eventually results in anovulation. For improvement of anovulation because of hyperinsulinemia, insulin‐sensitizing agents (biguanide and thiazolidinedione derivatives) are useful. Hyperinsulinemia may adversely affect the endometrial functions and environment, and evoke implantation disturbance. Treatment with an insulin‐sensitizing agent (metformin) improves the levels of glycodelin, insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 1, and blood flow in spiral arteries during the peri‐implantation period. It supports endometrial function, improves the endometrial environment, and facilitates embryo implantation. The rate of early pregnancy loss during the first trimester is 30–50% in women with PCOS, which is threefold higher than for normal women. Metformin treatment improves the levels of insulin, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity, and decreases early pregnancy loss. It goes without saying that lifestyle change is fundamental for improving reproductive performance in addition to treatment with insulin‐sensitizing agents.
Basic bio-ecological parameters of the invasive Red Palm Weevil,Rhynchophorus ferrugineus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae), inPhoenix canariensisunder Mediterranean climate
Authors: Dembilio Ó. , Jacas J.A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe invasive red palm weevil,Rhynchophorus ferrugineusOlivier (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), is one of the most destructive pests of palms in the world. Since its detection in the Mediterranean Basin, the ornamentalPhoenix canariensisHort. ex Chabaud has become its main host. This study was aimed at determining the life cycle ofR. ferrugineusin liveP. canariensispalms. Egg lethal temperature threshold and thermal constant were determined in the laboratory and resulted in 13.1°C and 40.4 degree days (DD), respectively. A semi field assay was carried out in a mesh enclosure where livingP. canariensispalms were artificially infested with neonate larvae at one-month intervals from June 2008 to May 2009 under natural conditions. Infested palms were dissected at different time intervals. Maximum mortality rates forR. ferrugineuswere observed for palms infested either in December or January (100%), whereas those infested from April through September showed maximum survival rates. Mean monthly temperatures below 10.3°C were lethal for neonate larvae, as 4.5°C were for older immature stages. All recovered larvae could be classed according to one of 13 instars. A thermal constant of 666.5 DD was estimated for complete larval development. Pupal develoment required an additional 282.5 DD. Based on these results and on the temperatures from 46 climatic stations selected in the Iberian Peninsula, less than one generation per year can be expected in areas with mean annual temperature below 15°C and more than two where mean annual temperature is above 19°C.
Distribution and dynamics of Bemisia tabaci invasive biotypes in central China
Authors: Rao Q. , Luo C. , Zhang H. , Guo X. , Devine G.J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), causes severe crop losses in many agricultural systems. The worst of these losses are often associated with the invasion and establishment of specific whitefly biotypes. In a comprehensive survey of biotypes present in central China between 2005 and 2007, we obtained 191 samples of B. tabaci from 19 districts in Hubei province and its surrounds. Biotypes were identified by RAPD-PCR and by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (mtCO1). We determined that these central Chinese haplotypes included the world's two most invasive B. tabaci biotypes (B and Q) and two indigenous biotypes (ZHJ1 and ZHJ3). The B biotype shared >99.7% identity with other Chinese B biotypes and the Q biotype shared >99.5% of its identity with Q samples from the Mediterranean, USA, Africa and East Asia. By 2007, the Q biotype was dominant over much of Hubei province and appeared to be supplanting all other biotypes, although both the invasive and indigenous biotypes existed in sympatry in some regions. The invasion and rapid establishment of the Q biotype in China mirrors events elsewhere in the world, and we suggest that this is a consequence of its reproductive isolation, its polyphagous nature and its broad-spectrum resistance to insecticides. Its dominance has severe implications for the sustainability of some insecticide groups and for the production of a number of crops.
Rostellar hook morphology of larval Echinococcus granulosus isolates from the Indian buffalo and Iranian sheep, cattle and camel
Authors: Gholami S. , Irshadullah M. , Mobedi I. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIsolates of Echinococcus granulosus from the Indian buffalo and Iranian sheep, cattle and camels were characterized on the basis of rostellar hook morphology of the protoscolices. Results obtained indicated phenotypic polymorphism among parasites isolated from different host species. Isolates from buffalo are morphologically quite different from those of the more common sheep and cattle isolates and may represent a different strain, adapted to buffalo. In the Sari region of northern Iran, two morphologically distinct forms of E. granulosus, one in sheep and one in camels, were identified. Total length and handle length of both large and small hooks were considered the most variable characteristics which could be used not only for differentiating parasite isolates from different host species but also the origin of infection in the definitive host. We therefore suggest that larval hook morphology may be considered as a valid criterion for the identification of E. granulosus strains in Iran.
Geographical association between livestock density and human Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 infections
Authors: FRIESEMA I. H. M. , VAN DE KASSTEELE J. , DE JAGER C. M. , HEUVELINK A. E. , VAN PELT W. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) bacteria can cause outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis in humans. Ruminants are seen as the main reservoir. The aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial association between reported human STEC O157 infections in The Netherlands and different livestock densities. Data were collected at the municipality level and a spatial regression analysis was performed. Between April 1999 and December 2008, 409 symptomatic sporadic cases were registered. Adding an interaction term between season, age, and livestock density showed an increased risk of STEC cases in summer for living in areas with cattle, in particular for young children. In conclusion, cattle, but not pigs or poultry, are indicated as an important source for human STEC O157 infections in rural areas. The association is probably due to direct or indirect contact with cattle, resulting in symptomatic infections, especially in young children.
The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Regulates the Accumulation ofTurnip yellow mosaic virusRNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase during Viral Infection
Authors: Camborde Laurent , Planchais Séverine , Tournier Vincent , Jakubiec Anna , Drugeon Gabrièle , Lacassagne Emmanuelle , Pflieger Stéphanie , Chenon Mélanie , Jupin Isabelle 
Published: September 2010

AbstractReplication of positive-strand RNA viruses, the largest group of plant viruses, is initiated by viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Given its essential function in viral replication, understanding the regulation of RdRp is of great importance. Here, we show that Turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) RdRp (termed 66K) is degraded by the proteasome at late time points during viral infection and that the accumulation level of 66K affects viral RNA replication in infected Arabidopsis thaliana cells. We mapped the cis-determinants responsible for 66K degradation within its N-terminal noncatalytic domain, but we conclude that 66K is not a natural N-end rule substrate. Instead, we show that a proposed PEST sequence within 66K functions as a transferable degradation motif. In addition, several Lys residues that constitute target sites for ubiquitylation were mapped; mutation of these Lys residues leads to stabilization of 66K. Altogether, these results demonstrate that TYMV RdRp is a target of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in plant cells and support the idea that proteasomal degradation may constitute yet another fundamental level of regulation of viral replication.
Heartburn and dyspepsia: the utility of symptom analysis
Authors: RUNE S. J. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYPatients presenting with dyspepsia and heartburn are a heterogeneous group and a more precise identification of the cause of the symptoms is a prerequisite for a rational treatment. The patient's history is the basic diagnostic tool. Therefore it is important to evaluate the utility of symptoms as a predictor of any organic disease, like peptic ulcer, or as a predictor of a favourable symptomatic response to a specific drug treatment, such as omeprazole. When the history alone was used to discriminate between peptic ulcer and non‐ulcer dyspepsia half of the patients with endoscopically‐confirmed active ulcer were misdiagnosed as not having ulcers. Furthermore, in two‐thirds of the patients in whom a clinical diagnosis of peptic ulcer was made, this was not confirmed at endoscopy. Heartburn is recognized as a symptom of reflux oesophagitis, but most patients complaining of heartburn have no visible mucosal lesion at endoscopy. The predictive value of heartburn depends on its severity; one‐half of patients with severe heartburn, in fact, have oesophagitis. When symptoms of reflux oesophagitis are used in a scoring system, the diagnostic sensitivity is about 50% while the specificity is 34–85%, depending on the severity of symptoms. When a complete patient history is used as a predictor, the diagnostic value increases significantly. Patients with endoscopy‐negative dyspepsia and heartburn are a common problem and acid inhibitory drugs are widely used to manage the disease. The rationale for prescribing an acid inhibitor in this situation is the assumption that the symptoms are acid‐related, but this is only the case for a subgroup of these patients. Identification of those patients who have acid‐related symptoms is possible using omeprazole as a diagnostic tool, either in an open design or in a placebo‐controlled single‐subject trial. When heartburn is a predominant symptom, 50% of the patients respond to the acid inhibitory treatment, while this is the case for only one‐third of patients when heartburn is not the dominating symptom. It is important to identify symptoms that, when present, significantly reduce the likelihood of a specific diagnosis or condition. This is the case with the symptom of loose stools in patients with dyspepsia, where it reduces the likelihood of a symptomatic improvement during treatment with omeprazole. In conclusion, symptoms do not reliably predict the underlying disorder, whether this is an organic disease or endoscopy‐negative dyspepsia. Clusters of symptoms or the more global clinical judgement seem to have a higher discriminative value compared with a single symptom.