bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Apigenin induces apoptosis via downregulation of S‐phase kinase‐associated protein 2‐mediated induction of p27Kip1 in primary effusion lymphoma cells
Authors: Hussain A. R. , Khan A. S. , Ahmed S. O. , Ahmed M. , Platanias L. C. , Al‐Kuraya K. S. , Uddin S. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractObjective:  The mechanisms that regulate mitogenic and antiapoptotic signals in primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) are not well known. In efforts to identify novel approaches to block the proliferation of PEL cells, we assessed the effect of apigenin (4′,5,7‐trihydroxyflavone), a flavonoid on a panel of PEL cell lines.Materials and methods:  We studied the effect of apigenin on four PEL cell lines. Apoptosis was measured by annexin V/PI dual staining and DNA laddering. Protein expression was measured by immunoblotting.Results:  Apigenin induced apoptosis in PEL cell lines in a dose dependent manner. Such effects of apigenin appeared to result from suppression of constitutively active kinase AKT resulting in down‐regulation of SKP2, hypo‐phosphorylation of Rb and accumulation of p27Kip1. Apigenin treatment of PEL cells caused dephosphorylation of p‐Bad protein leading to down regulation of the anti‐apoptotic protein, Bcl‐2 and an increase in Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Apigenin treatment also triggered Bax conformational change and subsequently translocation from cytosole to mitochondria causing loss of mitochondrial membrane potential with subsequent release of cytochrome c. Released cytochrome c onto the cytosole activated caspase‐9 and caspase‐3, followed by polyadenosin‐5′‐diphosphate‐ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Finally, treatment of PEL cells with apigenin down‐regulated the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAPs).Conclusions:  Altogether, these data suggest a novel function for apigenin, acting as a suppressor of AKT/PKB pathway in PEL cells, and raise the possibility that this agent may have a future therapeutic role in PEL and possibly other malignancies with constitutive activation of the AKT/PKB pathway.
ADHD and academic performance: why does ADHD impact on academic performance and what can be done to support ADHD children in the classroom?
Authors: Daley D. , Birchwood J. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis paper reviews the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and academic performance. First, the relationship at different developmental stages is examined, focusing on pre‐schoolers, children, adolescents and adults. Second, the review examines the factors underpinning the relationship between ADHD and academic underperformance: the literature suggests that it is the symptoms of ADHD and underlying cognitive deficits not co‐morbid conduct problems that are at the root of academic impairment. The review concludes with an overview of the literature examining strategies that are directed towards remediating the academic impairment of individuals with ADHD.
Effect of applying a treatment threshold in a population. An example of pulmonary tuberculosis in Rwanda
Authors: Van den Ende Jef , Mugabekazi Julie , Moreira Juan , Seryange Eric , Basinga Paulin , Bisoffi Zeno , Menten Joris , Boelaert Marleen 
Published: January 2010

AbstractPurpose  Clinicians often think treatment thresholds should be adapted to the setting. We intended to explore the effect in terms of harm because of false negatives and true and false positives of the application of a treatment threshold for pulmonary tuberculosis from a patient's perspective at different prevalence levels in a developing country.Methods  In a cohort of 300 patients with chronic cough, we estimated the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis, and the sensitivity and specificity of key predictors with latent class analysis (LCA). We computed the post‐test probability of individual patients based on these data. With disease‐ and treatment‐related mortality and morbidity, and without cost or regret, we calculated the break‐even point of disease probability where treating versus not treating resulted in similar total harm from the patient's perspective. We estimated the total harm of applying this threshold to the cohort, and to hypothetical settings with different disease prevalence.Results  The threshold was computed at 0.026, suggesting treatment for all patients of the cohort. Hypothetically lowering the prevalence showed that the lowest total harm in the cohort always coincides with this threshold, but that numbers of treated patients drop considerably.Conclusion  For pulmonary tuberculosis a decision threshold solely based on utilities without cost or regret leads to a very low threshold. The lowest total harm is found always at this disease probability, irrespective of the distribution of the patients. Although these findings might suggest an excess prescription at reference level, this is not the case in settings with lower prevalence.
Individualized care scale – nurse version: a Finnish validation study
Authors: Suhonen Riitta , Gustafsson Marja‐Liisa , Katajisto Jouko , Välimäki Maritta , Leino‐Kilpi Helena 
Published: January 2010

AbstractRationale  Nurses' work is inextricably linked to the evaluation of the quality of care provision in health care. Within this evaluation, individualized care is a topical theme in western countries. Currently, there is no suitable instrument to measure the level of individualized care from the nurses' point of view.Aim  To report the development process of the individualized care scale – nurse (ICS‐Nurse) and to ensure its validity and reliability.Methods  A methodological design was used. Data were obtained from 544 nurses (N = 923, response rate 59%) from inpatient wards in one university, two regional and two psychiatric hospitals as well as four health centres. Three expert analyses were used to ensure content validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficients and item analysis were used to examine internal consistency reliability. A principal components analysis, Spearman's correlation coefficients, multiple regression analysis and structural equation modelled by LISREL were conducted to evaluate construct validity.Results  The expert analyses provided good content validity evidence. The ICS‐Nurse was easy to administer and able to be completed quickly. There were few missing data. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged 0.72–0.84. All item‐to‐total correlations were acceptable (>0.30), but some of the inter‐item correlations were high. The principal components analysis supported the three‐component structure explaining 52% of the variance in ICS‐A‐Nurse and 56% in ICS‐B‐Nurse. LISREL supported the theoretical model.Conclusions  The ICS‐Nurse is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to measure nurses' perceptions of individualized nursing care in inpatient wards. There is a need to test instrument further, both nationally and internationally.
Degradation of the TBC system during the static oxidation test
Authors: MOSKAL G. , SWADŹBA L. , MENDALA B. , GÓRAL M. , HETMAŃCZYK M. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThis study was done on the IN‐738 type alloy with thermal barrier coatings. On the basic surface of the NiCoCrAlY superalloy, VPS‐sprayed powder was applied as the bond‐coat. In addition, ZrO2× 8%Y2O3 powder was used for a deposition outside the top surface of a ceramic layer by the APS method. Appropriate control of the spraying process parameters permitted to obtain a gradient of porosity on the thickness of the ceramic coating. Then a static oxidation test at 1100°C and for 1100 h was performed. The basic conclusions of that testing showed that main degradation modes of the gradient thermal barrier coating system were connected with formation of porous NiAl2O4 oxides in the thermally grown oxide area and, consequently, formation of micro‐cracks, delamination of a ceramic layer and final spallation of a ceramic top‐coat.
Microstructure of friction stir welded joints of 2017A aluminium alloy sheets
Authors: MROCZKA K. , DUTKIEWICZ J. , PIETRAS A. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThe present study examines a friction stir welded 2017A aluminium alloy. Transmission electron microscope investigations of the weld nugget revealed the average grain size of 5 μm, moderate density of dislocations as well as the presence of nanometric precipitates located mostly in grains interiors. Scanning electron microscope observations of fractures showed the presence of ductile fracture in the region of the weld nugget with brittle precipitates in the lower part. The microhardness analysis performed on the cross‐section of the joints showed fairly small changes; however, after the artificial ageing process an increase in hardness was observed. The change of the joint hardness subject to the ageing process indicates partial supersaturation in the material during friction stir welding and higher precipitation hardening of the joint.
The evolution from females to hermaphrodites results in a sexual conflict over mating in androdioecious nematode worms and clam shrimp
Authors: Chasnov J. R. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans and the clam shrimp Eulimnadia texana are two well-studied androdioecious species consisting mostly of self-fertilizing hermaphrodites and few males. To understand how androdioecy can evolve, a simple two-step mathematical model of the evolutionary pathway from a male–female species to a selfing-hermaphrodite species is constructed. First, the frequency of mutant females capable of facultative self-fertilization increases if the benefits of reproductive assurance exceed the cost. Second, hermaphrodites become obligate self-fertilizers if the fitness of selfed offspring exceeds one-half the fitness of outcrossed offspring. Genetic considerations specific to C. elegans and E. texana show that males may endure as descendants of the ancestral male–female species. These models combined with an extensive literature review suggest a sexual conflict over mating in these androdioecious species: selection favours hermaphrodites that self and males that outcross. The strength of selection on hermaphrodites and males differs, however. Males that fail to outcross suffer a genetic death. Hermaphrodites may never encounter a rare male, and those that do and outcross only bear less fecund offspring. This asymmetric sexual conflict results in an evolutionary stand-off: rare, but persistent males occasionally fertilize common, but reluctant hermaphrodites. A consequence of this stand-off may be an increase in the longevity of the androdioecious mating system.
Phylogenetically structured variance in felid bite force: the role of phylogeny in the evolution of biting performance
Authors: Sakamoto M. , Lloyd G. T. , Benton M. J. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
A key question in evolution is the degree to which morphofunctional complexes are constrained by phylogeny. We investigated the role of phylogeny in the evolution of biting performance, quantified as bite forces, using phylogenetic eigenvector regression. Results indicate that there are strong phylogenetic signals in both absolute and size-adjusted bite forces, although it is weaker in the latter. This indicates that elimination of size influences reduces the level of phylogenetic inertia and that the majority of the phylogenetic constraint is a result of size. Tracing the evolution of bite force through phylogeny by character optimization also supports this notion, in that relative bite force is randomly distributed across phylogeny whereas absolute bite force diverges according to clade. The nonphylogenetically structured variance in bite force could not be sufficiently explained by species-unique morphology or by ecology. This study demonstrates the difficulties in identifying causes of nonphylogenetically structured variance in morphofunctional character complexes.
Giving offspring a head start in life: field and experimental evidence for selection on maternal basking behaviour in lizards
Authors: Wapstra E. , Uller T. , While G. M. , Olsson M. , Shine R. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
The timing of birth is often correlated with offspring fitness in animals, but experimental studies that disentangle direct effects of parturition date and indirect effects mediated via variation in female traits are rare. In viviparous ectotherms, parturition date is largely driven by female thermal conditions, particularly maternal basking strategies. Our field and laboratory studies of a viviparous lizard (Niveoscincus ocellatus) show that earlier-born offspring are more likely to survive through their first winter and are larger following that winter, than are later-born conspecifics. Thus, the association between parturition date and offspring fitness is causal, rather than reflecting an underlying correlation between parturition date and maternal attributes. Survival selection on offspring confers a significant advantage for increased maternal basking in this species, mediated through fitness advantages of earlier parturition. We discuss the roles of environmentally imposed constraints and parent–offspring conflict in the evolution of maternal effects on parturition date.
No heightened condition dependence of zebra finch ornaments – a quantitative genetic approach
Authors: Bolund E. , Schielzeth H. , Forstmeier W. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
The developmental stress hypothesis offers a mechanism to maintain honesty of sexually selected ornaments, because only high quality individuals will be able to develop full ornamentation in the face of stress during early development. Experimental tests of this hypothesis have traditionally involved the manipulation of one aspect of the rearing conditions and an examination of effects on adult traits. Here, we instead use a statistically powerful quantitative genetic approach to detect condition dependence. We use animal models to estimate environmental correlations between a measure of early growth and adult traits. This way, we could make use of the sometimes dramatic differences in early growth of more than 800 individually cross-fostered birds and measure the effect on a total of 23 different traits after birds reached maturity. We find strong effects of environmental growth conditions on adult body size, body mass and fat deposition, moderate effects on beak colour in both sexes, but no effect on song and plumage characters. Rather surprisingly, there was no effect on male attractiveness, both measured in mate choice trials and under socially complex conditions in aviaries. There was a trend for a positive effect of good growth conditions on the success at fertilizing eggs in males breeding in aviaries whereas longevity was not affected in either sex. We conclude that zebra finches are remarkably resilient to food shortage during growth and can compensate for poor growth conditions without much apparent life-history trade-offs. Our results do not support the hypothesis that sexually selected traits show heightened condition dependence compared to nonsexually selected traits.
Association with TGF‐β1 Gene Polymorphisms and Reproductive Performance of Large White Pig
Authors: Wu YP , Wang AG , Li N , Fu JL , Zhao XB 
Published: January 2010

ContentsAs a multifunctional cytokine, transforming growth factor‐beta1 (TGF‐β1) was detected in the utero‐placental interface during early pregnancy in the pig and believed to enhance trophoblast attachment to the endometrium. In this experiment, we selected TGF‐β1 as the candidate gene affecting litter size in pigs. Four polymorphic loci of TGF‐β1 gene were found by PCR‐SSCP (single‐strand conformation polymorphism) in Large white sows (n = 567): C→T mutation at 33nt in the intron 4; G→A mutation at 179nt in the intron 6; C→T mutation at 1043nt in the intron 6; GG→AA linkage mutations at 2490nt and 2494nt respectively. We haplotyped these SNPs as: CGCAA (denote as P) and TATGG (denote as K). The effects of three haplotypic combinations (HCs) of PP, PK and KK on litter sizes were investigated by a linear model. It was found that for the first parity litters, the least squares mean for total number born (TNB) of KK was 1.02 piglets/litter, higher than that of PK (p < 0.05), 0.49 piglets/litter higher than that of PP (p > 0.1). There were no significant differences between HCs on the second parity. The result indicated that KK HCs was significantly associated with pig litter size.
Comparison of Different Cryopreservation Techniques: Higher Survival and Implantation Rate of Frozen–Thawed Mouse Pronuclear Embryos in the Presence of Beta‐Mercaptoethanol in Post‐Thaw Culture
Authors: Bagis H , Akkoc T , Taskin C , Arat S 
Published: January 2010

ContentsThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of beta‐mercaptoethanol (β‐ME) on post‐thaw embryo developmental competence and implantation rate of mouse pronuclear (PN) embryos that were cryopreserved after slow freezing, solid surface vitrification (SSV) or open‐pulled straw (OPS) vitrification methods. Mouse PN embryos were cryopreserved by using slow freezing, SSV and OPS methods. After cryopreservation, freeze–thawed PN embryos were cultured up to blastocyst stage in a defined medium supplemented without or with 50 μmβ‐ME. The blastocyst formation rate of embryos that were cryopreserved by slow freezing method (40.0%) or vitrified by OPS method (18.3%) were lower than those vitrified by SSV method (55.6%) and fresh embryos (61.9%) in the absence of 50 β‐ME in the culture media (p < 0.05). The blastocyst formation rate of embryos that were cryopreserved by slow freezing method (53.1%) or by OPS method (41.9%) were lower than those vitrified by SSV method (79.5%) and that of fresh (85.7%) in the presence of β‐ME in the culture media (p < 0.05). The embryos transfer results revealed that the implantation rate of blastocyst derived from mouse PN embryos vitrified by SSV method (31.9% vs 51.2%) was similar to that of the control (39.0% vs 52.5%), but higher than those cryopreserved by slow freezing (28.2% vs 52.0%) and by OPS method (0.0% vs 51.2%) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of β‐ME in an in vitro culture medium was shown to increase survival of embryo development and implantation rate of frozen–thawed mouse PN embryos after different cryopreservation protocols.
Alkaline and Acid Phosphatase, β‐Glucuronidase and Electrolyte Levels in Fractionated Stallion Ejaculates
Authors: Kareskoski AM , Reilas T , Sankari S , Andersson M , Güvenc K , Katila T 
Published: January 2010

ContentsSeminal plasma (SP) is a mixture of contents from the testes, epididymides and accessory sex glands. The sperm concentration is highest in the first few jets, or fractions, of the ejaculate, and the composition of SP varies between these fractions because accessory gland secretions are released in a specific order. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of Na, Cl, K, Mg, Ca, inorganic phosphate (Pi) and the enzymes alkaline phosphatase (AP), acid phosphatase (ACP) and β‐glucuronidase (BG) in the different fractions of the ejaculate and in different stallions. All semen collections were done using a computer‐controlled phantom that collects the ejaculatory jets separately in five cups. The cups with the highest (HIGH) and the lowest (LOW) sperm concentration were analysed. In Trial I, semen was collected from three reproductively normal stallions. In Trial II, ejaculates of two reproductively normal stallions were compared to those of two subfertile stallions. In Trial III, semen was collected from seven stallions with varying reproductive history. The sperm‐rich fractions contained the highest levels of AP, ACP, BG and inorganic phosphate, and the values were positively correlated to the sperm concentration. Significant differences between the subfertile and the fertile stallions pairs in HIGH : LOW ratios were found in Pi and Cl concentrations. The highest concentrations of Ca and Mg were found in the last fractions with low sperm concentrations, with no significant differences between the fertile and the subfertile stallion pairs. The concentrations of K, Na and Cl were similar in HIGH and LOW fractions and in whole ejaculate samples. Pre‐sperm fluid contained the highest concentrations of Na and Cl. Some of the possible variation in storage tolerance between ejaculates and ejaculatory fractions could perhaps be explained by differences in the composition of SP.
Prevalence of erosive esophagitis among Japanese patients taking low‐dose aspirin
Authors: Yamamoto Takatsugu , Mishina Yuji , Ebato Tadahisa , Isono Akari , Abe Koichiro , Hattori Kengo , Ishii Taro , Kuyama Yasushi 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The risk for erosive esophagitis (EE) with low‐dose aspirin (ASA) remains unknown, especially among Japanese patients. We conducted the present study to compare the risk of EE with that of gastroduodenal mucosal injury among Japanese patients taking ASA.Methods:  From 5555 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy from January 2005 to December 2006 at Teikyo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, 159 patients (76 males and 83 females, mean age: 69.3 ± 11 years) fulfilling the following conditions were selected: (i) taking ASA (less than 100 mg/day) continuously; (ii) not taking acid suppressants; and (iii) no history of gastrointestinal tract surgery, malignancies, severe cardiac failure, or liver cirrhosis. Age‐ and sex‐matched patients not taking aspirin were randomly chosen as controls (n = 159). Two well‐experienced endoscopic examiners evaluated endoscopic records to determine the presence or absence of esophageal hiatal hernia, EE, and gastroduodenal ulcers.Results:  The prevalence of EE in patients taking aspirin (9.4%) was not different from that of the controls (6.3%, odds ratio [OR]: 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7–3.2), whereas peptic ulcers were found more frequently in the aspirin group (14%) than in the control group (4%, OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.5–8.8).Conclusion:  In Japanese patients taking ASA, EE was not as common as peptic ulcers.
Comparison of temporary stent insertion with pneumatic dilation of the same diameter in the treatment of achalasia patients: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhu Yue‐Qi , Cheng Ying‐Sheng , Tang Guang‐Yu , Li Ming‐Hua , Zhao Jun‐Gong , Li Feng 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  To retrospectively analyze and compare the clinical efficacy of temporary stent insertion with pneumatic dilation of the same diameter in the treatment of achalasia based on a long‐term follow up.Methods:  A total of 101 treated achalasia patients were divided into a pneumatic dilation group (Group A, n = 38) and a temporary stent insertion group (Group B, n = 63). The diameter of the balloon or stent used was 30 mm. The total symptom scores (TSS) and esophageal manometry were used to assess the symptoms and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure improvement. Barium swallow–esophageal studies were used to assess esophageal emptying objectively. TSS and LES pressure improvement were assessed, recorded, and compared during the regular interval follow up.Results:  Forty‐nine pneumatic dilations and 65 stent insertions were successfully performed in all patients under fluoroscopy. Complications included pain, reflux, and bleeding, which occurred in nine (23.6%), eight (21.1%), and three (8%) patients in Group A, and in 27 (42.9%), eight (12.7%), and 10 (15.9%) patients in Group B, respectively. The stent was retained approximately 4–7 days and was retrieved via endoscope. TSS, esophageal manometry, and barium esophagram post‐treatment significantly improved compared to those given pretreatment (P < 0.0001). At the end of follow up, TSS and LES pressure in Group B were 4.00 ± 1.00 and 43.67 ± 12.66 mmHg, compared to 10.20 ± 0.45 (P = 0.0096) and 58.60 ± 8.65 mmHg (P = 0.1687) in Group A. The Kaplan–Meier method revealed better symptom remission in Group B compared to Group A (log–rank test, P = 0.0212).Conclusion:  Retrievable stent placement is more effective than the same diameter pneumatic dilation for the treatment of achalasia with a long‐term follow up.