bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment of the Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Volarevic Vladislav , Arsenijevic Nebojsa , Lukic Miodrag L. , Stojkovic Miodrag 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent, self-renewing cells that can be found in almost all postnatal organs and tissues. The main functional characteristics of MSCs are their immunomodulatory ability, capacity for self-renewal, and differentiation into mesodermal tissues. The ability of MSCs to differentiate into several cell types, including muscle, brain, vascular, skin, cartilage, and bone cells, makes them attractive as therapeutic agents for a number of diseases including complications of diabetes mellitus. We review here the potential of MSCs as new therapeutic agents in the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic polyneuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic wounds. Also, in this review we discuss the current limitations for MSCs therapy in humans.
Characterisation of a megavoltage linear accelerator Bremsstrahlung by means of Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Valente M. , Malano F. , Pérez P. , Castro N. , Carrasco F. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis work presents a method for megavoltage X‐ray Bremsstrahlung assessment by means of Monte Carlo (MC) (PENELOPE) simulations. The proposed method provides suitable spectrum characterisation by means of a few parameters, namely the acceleration potential and incident angle of electron beam on the anode. The obtained spectra have been used as incident beam for in‐depth dose distribution determination with the aim of performing further comparisons with experimental data. This comparison procedure has been employed for Bremsstrahlung assessment optimisation. Once the Linac Bremsstrahlung is well established, it may be used as incident beam for further dosimetric purposes, such as spatial dose distribution calculations.The whole process has been applied for the characterisation of the megavoltage Bremsstrahlung from a typical Linac, namely the 10 MV Varian Clinac 18. The obtained results for in‐depth dose distributions, when compared with experimental measurements, show an overall good agreement, which may suggest the feasibility of the method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attitudes of Nigerian women toward the presence of their husband or partner as a support person during labor
Authors: Oboro Victor O. , Oyeniran Ayodeji O. , Akinola Samuel E. , Isawumi Adegboye I. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the attitudes of Nigerian women regarding the presence of a husband/partner during labor.MethodsWomen who were invited to participate in a randomized trial regarding companionship in labor at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria, were interviewed in a qualitative cross‐sectional survey. Demographic characteristics and opinions regarding the presence of a partner/husband as a support person during labor were assessed.ResultsOf the 197 women interviewed, 69 declined all forms of social companionship during labor; of the remaining 128 participants—who did not object to having a social companion—71 declined to have their husband/partner present during labor because of: personal embarrassment (28 [39.4%]); fear of loss of sexual attractiveness (19 [26.8%]); concern for their husband/partner (17 [23.9%]); and lack of privacy (15 [21.1%]). Of the 57 women whose husband/partner accompanied them during labor, 38 (66.7%) said that they would repeat the experience in subsequent labor, and 34 (59.6%) would recommend it. However, 15 (26.3%) expressed dissatisfaction.ConclusionThe issue of husband/partner companionship during labor is viewed with concern by Nigerian women, who should be allowed to make an informed decision.
Do ribosomopathies explain some cases of common variable immunodeficiency?
Authors: Khan S , Pereira J , Darbyshire P J , Holding S , Doré P C , Sewell W A C , Huissoon A 
Published: November 2010

SummaryThe considerable clinical heterogeneity of patients with common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVID) shares some similarity with bone-marrow failure disorders such as Diamond–Blackfan anaemia (DBA) and Shwachman–Diamond syndrome (SDS), now recognized as defects in ribosome biogenesis or ribosomopathies. The recognition of a patient with DBA who subsequently developed CVID lends support to our previous finding of a heterozygous mutation in the SBDS gene of SBDS in another CVID patient, suggesting that ribosome biogenesis defects are responsible for a subset of CVID. Genetic defects in the ribosomal translational machinery responsible for various bone marrow failure syndromes are recognized readily when they manifest in children, but diagnosing these in adults presenting with complex phenotypes and hypogammaglobulinaemia can be a challenge. In this perspective paper, we discuss our clinical experience in CVID patients with ribosomopathies, and review the immunological abnormalities in other conditions associated with ribosomal dysfunction. With genetic testing available for various bone marrow failure syndromes, our hypothesis that ribosomal abnormalities may be present in patients with CVID could be proved in future studies by testing for mutations in specific ribosomal genes. New knowledge might then be translated into novel therapeutic strategies for patients in this group of immunodeficiency disorders.
Functional genomics of the evolution of increased resistance to parasitism in Drosophila
Authors: WERTHEIM BREGJE , KRAAIJEVELD ALEX R. , HOPKINS MEIRION G. , WALTHER BOER MARK , GODFRAY H. CHARLES J. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractIndividual hosts normally respond to parasite attack by launching an acute immune response (a phenotypic plastic response), while host populations can respond in the longer term by evolving higher level of defence against parasites. Little is known about the genetics of the evolved response: the identity and number of genes involved and whether it involves a pre‐activation of the regulatory systems governing the plastic response. We explored these questions by surveying transcriptional changes in a Drosophila melanogaster strain artificially selected for resistance against the hymenopteran endoparasitoid Asobara tabida. Using micro‐arrays, we profiled gene expression at seven time points during development (from the egg to the second instar larva) and found a large number of genes (almost 900) with altered expression levels. Bioinformatic analysis showed that some were involved in immunity or defence‐associated functions but many were not. Previously, we had defined a set of genes whose level of expression changed after parasitoid attack and a comparison with the present set showed a significant though comparatively small overlap. This suggests that the evolutionary response to parasitism is not a simple pre‐activation of the plastic, acute response. We also found overlap in the genes involved in the evolutionary response to parasitism and to other biotic and abiotic stressors, perhaps suggesting a ‘module’ of genes involved in a generalized stress response as has been found in other organisms.
The power and politics of collaboration in nurse practitioner role development
Authors: Burgess Judith , Purkis Mary Ellen 
Published: November 2010

BURGESS J and PURKIS ME. Nursing Inquiry 2010; 17: 297–308 The power and politics of collaboration in nurse practitioner role developmentThis health services study employed participatory action research to engage nurse practitioners (NPs) from two health authorities in British Columbia, Canada, to examine the research question: How does collaboration advance NP role integration within primary health‐care? The inquiry was significant and timely because the NP role was recently introduced into the province, supported by passage of legislation and regulation and introduction of graduate education programs. In separate and concurrent inquiry groups, the NPs discussed their practice patterns, role development progress and understanding of collaboration and role integration. The inquiry revealed the political nature of the NP role and the extent to which NPs relied on collaborative relations at all levels of the health system to advance role integration. Given that NP role development is still at an early stage in this province, as well as other provinces in Canada, this study provides important insights into the power and politics of role development, and offers direction for future role advancement.
Hypospadias in a Friesian Gelding
Authors: Brink Palle , Schumacher Jim 
Published: November 2010

Objective: To report clinical signs and management of hypospadias in a horse.Study Design: Clinical report.Animal: A 6‐year‐old, Friesian gelding.Methods: Partial phallectomy was performed to resolve contact dermatitis of the pelvic limbs and abnormal behavior during urination. Subsequent urethral meatal stenosis was treated by revision.Results: Hypospadias and chordee caused altered direction of urine flow, contact dermatitis of the pelvic limbs, and abnormal behavior. Partial phallectomy and subsequent revision after meatal stenosis resolved urine direction, flow and abnormal behavior.Conclusions: Abnormalities of the urinary tract associated with hypospadias can result in urine‐induced, contact dermatitis and distress during urination, but these complications can be resolved by partial phallectomy.
Sticks or Carrots? Optimal CEO Compensation when Managers Are Loss Averse
Authors: DITTMANN INGOLF , MAUG ERNST , SPALT OLIVER 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes optimal executive compensation contracts when managers are loss averse. We calibrate a stylized principal‐agent model to the observed contracts of 595 CEOs and show that this model can explain observed option holdings and high base salaries remarkably well for a range of parameterizations. We also derive and calibrate the general shape of the optimal contract that is increasing and convex for medium and high outcomes and that drops discontinuously to the lowest possible payout for low outcomes. Finally, we identify the critical features of the loss‐aversion model that render optimal contracts convex.
Who Blows the Whistle on Corporate Fraud?
Authors: DYCK ALEXANDER , MORSE ADAIR , ZINGALES LUIGI 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTTo identify the most effective mechanisms for detecting corporate fraud, we study all reported fraud cases in large U.S. companies between 1996 and 2004. We find that fraud detection does not rely on standard corporate governance actors (investors, SEC, and auditors), but rather takes a village, including several nontraditional players (employees, media, and industry regulators). Differences in access to information, as well as monetary and reputational incentives, help to explain this pattern. In‐depth analyses suggest that reputational incentives in general are weak, except for journalists in large cases. By contrast, monetary incentives help explain employee whistleblowing.
Acute abdomen in SLE
Authors: MALAVIYA Anand N. , SHARMA Amit , AGARWAL Divya , KAPOOR Sanjiv , GARG Shriram , SINGH Sadhana , RAWAT Roopa 
Published: November 2010

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune connective tissue disease with protean manifestations. Most often it presents with mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal or renal involvement. In comparison, gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of SLE are far less common. The case presented here highlights the differential diagnosis of GI manifestations of SLE that range from non‐life‐threatening to serious life‐threatening complications, including some of the complications of on‐going drug treatments. While some of them present as ‘acute abdomen’, others are more subacute or chronic, yet serious enough to be life‐threatening. The serious GI manifestations of SLE include mesenteric vasculitis causing perforation or hemorrhage with peritonitis, acute pancreatitis and intestinal pseudo‐obstruction. The patient in this paper had clinical features, imaging findings and laboratory parameters that helped the treating physician to narrow down the diagnostic possibilities and finally, in making the diagnosis of lupus‐pancreatitis. She was treated with intravenous ‘bolus’ (i.v.‐pulse) methylprednisolone for 3 days, i.v.‐pulse cyclophosphamide 750 mg (one dose) along with oral methylprednisolone and other supportive measures including blood transfusions. This led to prompt and complete recovery.
Australian opinions on water fluoridation: do Queenslanders believe differently?
Authors: Akers Harry F. , Armfield Jason M. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractAim:  To test whether residents of Queensland differ from residents elsewhere in Australia with respect to support for water fluoridation.Methods:  Questionnaire data were obtained from an Australia‐wide sample of 517 adults. The study occurred in 2008, shortly after the state government mandated fluoridation across Queensland.Results:  There were no significant differences in fluoridation support or in beliefs regarding the benefits and harms of fluoridation between Queensland and non‐Queensland residents. However, respondents from Queensland were more resistant to changing their minds regarding their fluoridation stance, more distrusting of public health officials, and more supportive of decisions to introduce fluoridation being made by the people via a referendum. After controlling for potentially confounding variables, Queenslanders demonstrated significantly more support for water fluoridation than non‐Queenslanders.Conclusions:  Perceived Queensland characteristics, which political scientists have used to explain aberrant political behavior or public policy, were not relevant to the longstanding pre‐2009 disparity in water fluoridation coverage between Queensland and the rest of Australia. The findings of this investigation do not support the assumption that Queenslanders are more opposed to fluoridation than residents elsewhere in Australia.
Clinical efficacy of lidocaine, mepivacaine, and articaine for local infiltration
Authors: Srisurang Suttapreyasri , Narit Leepong , Prisana Pripatnanont 
Published: November 2010

AbstractAim:  To assess and compare the efficacy of single buccal and palatal infiltration of lidocaine, mepivacaine, or articaine with 1:100 000 epinephrine by maxillary anesthetic injection.Methods:  A double‐blinded, randomized, clinical trial was conducted with 33 patients undergoing upper premolar extraction. The patients were randomly allocated into one of three groups, according to the local anesthetic agent used: 2% lidocaine, 2% mepivacaine, or 4% articaine, all with 1:100 000 epinephrine, and were blinded to the anesthetic used. The extent of anesthetization, pulpal anesthetization in adjacent teeth, pain on injection, and adverse effects of the anesthetic agents were assessed.Results:  The extent of anesthetization produced by 4% articaine (42 mm) was statistically more significant (P ≤ 0.05) than 2% lidocaine (33 mm) and 2% mepivacaine (32.5 mm). The successful anesthetization of adjacent teeth occurred more often in the articaine group than in the lidocaine and mepivacine groups, although not to a statistically‐significant extent. The pain scores for the injections were comparable between the three groups.Conclusions:  Local anesthetization using 4% articaine with 1:100 000 epinephrine covers a wider area of soft tissue and adjacent teeth than 2% lidocaine or 2% mepivacaine with 1:100 000 epinephrine, which is sufficient for the extraction of one or two teeth.
The effectiveness of middle and high school-based suicide prevention programmes for adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: Cusimano Michael D , Sameem Mojib 
Published: November 2010

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of middle and high school-based suicide prevention curricula.Data sourcesThe following were searched: Ovid MEDLINE(R) in-process and other non-indexed citations and Ovid MEDLINE(R), Ovid Healthstar, CINAHL, PsycINFO, all EBM reviews—Cochrane DSR, ACP Journal Club, DARE, CCTR, CMR, HTA, and NHSEED, and the ISI Web of Science, until October 2009; government web pages for statistics and other demographic data in countries where they were available; citation lists of relevant articles.Review methodsRandomised controlled studies, interrupted time series analyses with a concurrent comparison group, studies with follow-up examinations (post-test questionnaires and monitoring suicide rates), and middle to high school-based curriculum studies, including both male and female participants, were included.Results36 potentially relevant studies were identified, eight of which met the inclusion criteria. Overall, statistically significant improvements were noted in knowledge, attitude, and help-seeking behaviour. A decrease in self reported ideation was reported in two studies. None reported on suicide rates.ConclusionAlthough evidence exists that school-based programmes to prevent suicide among adolescents improve knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviours, no evidence yet exists that these prevention programmes reduce suicide rates. Further well designed, controlled research is required before such programmes are instituted broadly to populations at risk.
MHC variation and risk of childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Hosking Fay J. , Leslie Stephen , Dilthey Alexander , Moutsianas Loukas , Wang Yufei , Dobbins Sara E. , Papaemmanuil Elli , Sheridan Eamonn , Kinsey Sally E. , Lightfoot Tracy , Roman Eve , Irving Julie A. E. , Allan James M. , Taylor Malcolm , Greaves Mel , McVean Gilean , Houlston Richard S. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
A role for specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) variants in the etiology of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been extensively studied over the last 30 years, but no unambiguous association has been identified. To comprehensively study the relationship between genetic variation within the 4.5 Mb major histocompatibility complex genomic region and precursor B-cell (BCP) ALL risk, we analyzed 1075 observed and 8176 imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms and their related haplotypes in 824 BCP-ALL cases and 4737 controls. Using these genotypes we also imputed both common and rare alleles at class I (HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C) and class II (HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQA1, and HLA-DQB1) HLA loci. Overall, we found no statistically significant association between variants and BCP-ALL risk. We conclude that major histocompatibility complex-defined variation in immune-mediated response is unlikely to be a major risk factor for BCP-ALL.
Genomic tools development for Aquilegia: construction of a BAC-based physical map
Authors: Fang Guang-Chen , Blackmon Barbara P , Henry David C , Staton Margaret E , Saski Christopher A , Hodges Scott A , Tomkins Jeff P , Luo Hong 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe genusAquilegia, consisting of approximately 70 taxa, is a member of the basal eudicot lineage, Ranuculales, which is evolutionarily intermediate between monocots and core eudicots, and represents a relatively unstudied clade in the angiosperm phylogenetic tree that bridges the gap between these two major plant groups.Aquilegiaspecies are closely related and their distribution covers highly diverse habitats. These provide rich resources to better understand the genetic basis of adaptation to different pollinators and habitats that in turn leads to rapid speciation. To gain insights into the genome structure and facilitate gene identification, comparative genomics and whole-genome shotgun sequencing assembly, BAC-based genomics resources are of crucial importance.ResultsBAC-based genomic resources, including two BAC libraries, a physical map with anchored markers and BAC end sequences, were established fromA. formosa. The physical map was composed of a total of 50,155 BAC clones in 832 contigs and 3939 singletons, covering 21X genome equivalents. These contigs spanned a physical length of 689.8 Mb (~2.3X of the genome) suggesting the complex heterozygosity of the genome. A set of 197 markers was developed from ESTs induced by drought-stress, or involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis or floral development, and was integrated into the physical map. Among these were 87 genetically mapped markers that anchored 54 contigs, spanning 76.4 Mb (25.5%) across the genome. Analysis of a selection of 12,086 BAC end sequences (BESs) from the minimal tiling path (MTP) allowed a preview of theAquilegiagenome organization, including identification of transposable elements, simple sequence repeats and gene content. Common repetitive elements previously reported in both monocots and core eudicots were identified inAquilegiasuggesting the value of this genome in connecting the two major plant clades. Comparison with sequenced plant genomes indicated a higher similarity to grapevine (Vitis vinifera) than to rice andArabidopsisin the transcriptomes.ConclusionsTheA. formosaBAC-based genomic resources provide valuable tools to studyAquilegiagenome. Further integration of other existing genomics resources, such as ESTs, into the physical map should enable better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive radiation and elaboration of floral morphology.
The role of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GapA-1) in Neisseria meningitidis adherence to human cells
Authors: Tunio Sarfraz A , Oldfield Neil J , Ala'Aldeen Dlawer AA , Wooldridge Karl G , Turner David PJ 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenases (GAPDHs) are cytoplasmic glycolytic enzymes, which although lacking identifiable secretion signals, have also been found localized to the surface of several bacteria (and some eukaryotic organisms); where in some cases they have been shown to contribute to the colonization and invasion of host tissues. Neisseria meningitidis is an obligate human nasopharyngeal commensal which can cause life-threatening infections including septicaemia and meningitis. N. meningitidis has two genes, gapA-1 and gapA-2, encoding GAPDH enzymes. GapA-1 has previously been shown to be up-regulated on bacterial contact with host epithelial cells and is accessible to antibodies on the surface of capsule-permeabilized meningococcal cells. The aims of this study were: 1) to determine whether GapA-1 was expressed across different strains of N. meningitidis; 2) to determine whether GapA-1 surface accessibility to antibodies was dependant on the presence of capsule; 3) to determine whether GapA-1 can influence the interaction of meningococci and host cells, particularly in the key stages of adhesion and invasion.

Results
In this study, expression of GapA-1 was shown to be well conserved across diverse isolates of Neisseria species. Flow cytometry confirmed that GapA-1 could be detected on the cell surface, but only in a siaD-knockout (capsule-deficient) background, suggesting that GapA-1 is inaccessible to antibody in in vitro-grown encapsulated meningococci. The role of GapA-1 in meningococcal pathogenesis was addressed by mutational analysis and functional complementation. Loss of GapA-1 did not affect the growth of the bacterium in vitro. However, a GapA-1 deficient mutant showed a significant reduction in adhesion to human epithelial and endothelial cells compared to the wild-type and complemented mutant. A similar reduction in adhesion levels was also apparent between a siaD-deficient meningococcal strain and an isogenic siaD gapA-1 double mutant.

Conclusions
Our data demonstrates that meningococcal GapA-1 is a constitutively-expressed, highly-conserved surface-exposed protein which is antibody-accessible only in the absence of capsule. Mutation of GapA-1 does not affect the in vitro growth rate of N. meningitidis, but significantly affects the ability of the organism to adhere to human epithelial and endothelial cells in a capsule-independent process suggesting a role in the pathogenesis of meningococcal infection.