bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Farnesyl diphosphate synthase, the target for nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate drugs, is a peroxisomal enzyme in the model system Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Nuttall James M. , Hettema Ewald H. , Watts Donald J. 
Published: August 2012

NBP (nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate) drugs protect against excessive osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. After binding to bone mineral, they are taken up selectively by the osteoclasts and inhibit the essential enzyme FDPS (farnesyl diphosphate synthase). NBPs inhibit also growth of amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum in which their target is again FDPS. A fusion protein between FDPS and GFP (green fluorescent protein) was found, in D. discoideum, to localize to peroxisomes and to confer resistance to the NBP alendronate. GFP was also directed to peroxisomes by a fragment of FDPS comprising amino acids 1–22. This contains a sequence of nine amino acids that closely resembles the nonapeptide PTS2 (peroxisomal targeting signal type 2): there is only a single amino acid mismatch between the two sequences. Mutation analysis confirmed that the atypical PTS2 directs FDPS into peroxisomes. Furthermore, expression of the D. discoideum FDPS–GFP fusion protein in strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae defective in peroxisomal protein import demonstrated that import of FDPS into peroxisomes was blocked in a strain lacking the PTS2-dependent import pathway. The peroxisomal location of FDPS in D. discoideum indicates that NBPs have to cross the peroxisomal membrane before they can bind to their target.
Protective role of AT2 and B1 receptors in kinin B2-receptor-knockout mice with myocardial infarction
Authors: Xu Jiang , Carretero Oscar A. , Zhu Liping , Shesely Edward G. , Rhaleb Nour-Eddine , Dai Xiangguo , Wang Luchen , Yang James J. , Yang Xiao-Ping 
Published: August 2012

AT2Rs [AngII (angiotensin II) type 2 receptors] contribute to the cardioprotective effects of angiotensin II receptor blockers, possibly via kinins acting on the B1R (B1 receptor) and B2R (B2 receptor). Recent studies have shown that a lack of B2R up-regulates B1R and AT2R; however, the pathophysiological relevance of such an event remains unclear. We hypothesized that up-regulation of AT2R and B1R compensates for the loss of B2R. Blockade of AT2R and/or B1R worsens cardiac remodelling and dysfunction following MI (myocardial infarction) in B2R−/− (B2-receptor-knockout mice). B2R−/− mice and WT (wild-type) controls were subjected to sham MI or MI and treated for 4 weeks with (i) vehicle, (ii) a B1R-ant (B1R antagonist; 300 μg/kg of body weight per day), (iii) an AT2R-ant [AT2 receptor antagonist (PD123319); 20 mg/kg of body weight per day], or (iv) B1R-ant+AT2R-ant. B2R−/− mice had a greater MCSA (myocyte cross-sectional area) and ICF (interstitial collagen fraction) at baseline and after MI compared with WT controls. Cardiac function and increase in macrophage infiltration, TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1) expression and ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) phosphorylation post-MI were similar in both strains. Blockade of AT2R or B1R worsened cardiac remodelling, hypertrophy and dysfunction associated with increased inflammation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and decreased NO excretion in B2R−/−mice, which were exacerbated by dual blockade of B1R and AT2R. No such effects were seen in WT mice. Our results suggest that, in the absence of B2R, both B1R and AT2R play important compensatory roles in preventing deterioration of cardiac function and remodelling post-MI possibly via suppression of inflammation, TGFβ1 and ERK1/2 signalling.
Knowledge of genetics and the role of the nurse in genetic health care: a survey of Italian nurses
Authors: Godino Lea , Turchetti Daniela , Skirton Heather 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAimTo report a study of Italian nurses' understanding of genetics. The objectives were to explore nurses' basic knowledge of genetics, their perceptions of the relevance of genetics and their opinions about the role of the genetic nurse.BackgroundAs the knowledge of the genetic basis for disease has developed, pressure to give genetic healthcare services for a larger number of individuals has increased.Specialist genetic nurses currently work in many countries; however, there are very few specialist genetic nurses in Italy and the preparedness of Italian nurses to give care for people with or at risk for genetic conditions is unclear.DesignA cross‐sectional survey.MethodsThe survey was administered over 3 months during 2011. Registered Nurses aged 21–65 years were recruited via the website of the Italian nurse registration body, social network sites, hand‐distributed flyers and email. Three hundred and eight‐five (90%) nurses completed the survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal‐Wallis tests for distribution and Spearman's Rho analysis of correlations.ResultsThe majority of respondents correctly answered at least four of five genetics knowledge questions. There were no statistically significant difference between knowledge scores when analysed according to age, but scores were positively correlated with higher academic qualifications and previous genetics education. A minority of respondents believed genetics was highly relevant to the nursing role.ConclusionIt is essential to ensure that educational provision for nurses includes not only the genetic concepts underpinning health and disease, but also how these are applied to nursing care.
Self‐reported health and physical activity among community mental healthcare users
Authors: LASSENIUS O. , ÅKERLIND I. , WIKLUND‐GUSTIN L. , ARMAN M. , SÖDERLUND A. 
Published: August 2012

Accessible summary
The aim of the study was to get a picture of the self‐reported health and physical activity among persons with psychiatric disabilities who were community healthcare users in a community in Sweden. This was carried out through a questionnaire.
Out of 319 eligible persons, 103 persons answered the questionnaire. The answers from the questionnaire showed that this group has a high impact of unhealthy risk factors, such as excess weight, low amount of physical activity and a low perceived state of health.
About 20% of the participants wanted help with filling out the questionnaire. This was because of difficulties apprehending some of the questions. Helping these participants with the answering process showed complications with this given questionnaire but also highlighted the special considerations related to cognitive difficulties entailed with mental illness. This underlines the need for reflection upon what questions we ask, to whom and how.
The results of this study point out that persons with psychiatric disabilities constitute a vulnerable group, in need of adequate health‐promoting activities based upon the individual's conditions.
AbstractThe aim of the study was to survey the self‐reported health and physical activity in a sample of community mental healthcare users in a city of Sweden. The study was conducted through a cross‐sectional design with participants requested to fill out a self‐report questionnaire. Participants (n = 103) were persons with psychiatric disabilities living in residential psychiatric settings and/or participating in daily activities provided by community mental healthcare services. The results showed that the group is affected with serious risk factors, such as high body mass index, low rated extent and frequency of physical activity and low self‐estimated general state of health. Even though some difficulties associated with the answering process of this questionnaire emerged, these self‐reported results clearly confirm the fact that persons with psychiatric disabilities constitute a vulnerable group in need for health‐promoting caring activities and interventions.
Single‐session ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy for multiple stones
Authors: Takazawa Ryoji , Kitayama Sachi , Tsujii Toshihiko 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMultiple stones are found in 20–25% of patients with urolithiasis. The stone multiplicity is a powerful adverse factor influencing the treatment outcome after shockwave lithotripsy, although guidelines for the treatment of multiple stones have not been well established yet. Herein we report our most recent experience of a single‐session ureteroscopy for multiple stones. Between September 2008 and December 2011, 51 patients with multiple stones (total 146 stones) in different locations (37unilateral, 14 bilateral) underwent a total of 65 ureteroscopic procedures. Operative time, stone‐free rates and complications were evaluated. Stone‐free status was defined as no fragments in the ureter and the absence of >2 mm fragments in the kidney. The mean stone number per patient was 2.9 ± 1.7 and the mean stone burden (cumulative stone length) was 21.5 ± 11.6 mm. The mean number of procedures was 1.3 ± 0.6. Overall, the stone‐free rate after a single session was 80% (41/51). In patients with stone burden <20 mm and ≥20 mm, stone‐free rates after a single session were 92% (23/25) and 69% (18/26), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the stone burden and the presence of impacted stones were the factors significantly influencing the treatment outcome. Stone location did not have a strong influence on the outcome. No major intraoperative complications were identified. Our findings suggest that ureteroscopy is an efficient treatment for multiple stones. For patients with stone burden <20 mm, either unilaterally or bilaterally, a single session of ureteroscopy is a favorable treatment option with a high stone‐free rate.
Philosophical Aspects of Quantum Field Theory: II
Authors: Ruetsche Laura 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAccording to a regnant criterion of physical equivalence for quantum theories, a quantum field theory (QFT) typically admits continuously many physically inequivalent realizations. This, the second of a two‐part introduction to topics in the philosophy of QFT, continues the investigation of this alarming circumstance. It begins with a brief catalog of quantum field theoretic examples of this non‐uniqueness, then presents the basics of the algebraic approach to quantum theories, which discloses a structure common even to ‘physically inequivalent’ realizations of a QFT. Finally, it introduces and evaluates a handful of strategies for interpreting quantum theories in the face of the non‐uniqueness of their Hilbert space representations.
Philosophical Aspects of Quantum Field Theory: I
Authors: Ruetsche Laura 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis is the first of a two‐part introduction to some interpretive questions that arise in connection with quantum field theories (QFTs). Some of these questions are continuous with those familiar from the discussion of ordinary non‐relativistic quantum mechanics (QM). For example, questions about locality can be rigorously posed and fruitfully pursued within the framework of QFT. A stark disanalogy between QFTs and ordinary QM – the former, but not the latter, typically admit infinitely many putatively physically inequivalent realizations – prompts relatively novel questions, questions about how to understand and adjudicate different strategies for equipping quantum theories with content. Part I sketches the fate of locality and related notions in QFT, then documents the non‐uniqueness unprecedented in ordinary QM but rampant in QFT. Part II presents foundations issues raised by non‐uniqueness.
Determination of Nickel in Food Samples by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy after Preconcentration and Microextraction Based Ionic Liquids Using Full Factorial and Central Composite Design
Authors: Zarei Zohre , Shemirani Farzaneh 
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  In this research, a microextraction technique based on ionic liquids (ILs) termed in situ solvent formation microextraction (ISFME) was used for determination of nickel in solutions. 1‐(2‐pyridylazo)‐2‐naphtol (PAN) was chosen as a complexing agent. After preconcentration, the settled IL‐phase was dissolved in 50 μL of ethanol and aspirated into the flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS) using a home‐made microsample introduction system. Injection of 50 μL volumes of analyte into an air–acetylene flame provided very sensitive spike‐like and reproducible signals.ISFME is based on phase separation phenomenon of ionic liquids in aqueous solutions. This method is simple and rapid for extraction and preconcentration of metal ions from food samples and can be applied for the sample solutions containing very high concentrations of salt. Furthermore, this technique is much safer in comparison with the organic solvent extraction because of using ionic liquid.The effective parameters such as amount of IL, salt effect, concentration of the chelating agent and ion pairing agent were inspected by a full factorial design to identify important parameters and their interactions. Next, a central composite design was applied to obtain optimum point of the important parameters. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear over the range of 2 to 80 ng/mL. The limit of detection and relative standard deviation (n= 6) were 0.6 ng/mL and 2%, respectively.
Profiling the careers of Thoroughbred horses racing in Australia between 2000 and 2010
Authors: VELIE B. D. , WADE C. M. , HAMILTON N. A. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryReasons for performing study: Research investigating trends in racehorse careers require a benchmark for accurate comparison. Currently little whole population data exists for horses racing in Australia.Objectives: To determine the range and variation in career length and number of career starts for horses racing in Australia. To document and provide evidence regarding the current differences between the sexes for career length and careers starts.Methods: Racing data were collected for Thoroughbreds over a 10‐year period. Career length, number of career starts and spells per year were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using the statistical package R.Results: A total of 2,782,774 performance records yielded career information for 164,046 horses. Median career length and number of career starts for the population were 14.7 months and 10 starts, respectively. Significant differences (P<0.001) were present between the sexes for all career outcomes. Between 2000 and 2010, the percentage of Thoroughbreds racing in Australia with careers longer than 12, 24, 36 and 48 months was 56.65, 32.35, 16.66 and 7.74, respectively.Conclusions and potential relevance: Clear differences in career outcomes exist between intact males, females and geldings racing in Australia. Future research should be conscious of these differences when analysing population data.
Monte Carlo study of in‐field and out‐of‐field dose distributions from a linear accelerator operating with and without a flattening‐filter
Authors: Almberg S. S. , Frengen J. , Lindmo T. 
Published: August 2012

Purpose:To compare dosimetric characteristics of 6 MV photon fields originating from a linear accelerator operating with (FF) and without (FFF) a flattening‐filter. The main objective is to establish a FFF model that results in similar depth‐dose and build‐up profiles as the original FF model, and subsequently estimate and compare out‐of‐field dose distributions.Methods:The EGSnrc Monte Carlo user codes BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc are used for photon beam simulations of an Elekta linear accelerator and dose calculations in a water phantom, respectively. Three beam models were analyzed: (1) the conventional linear accelerator with the flattening‐filter in place and incident electron energy 6.45 MeV (FF 6.45 MeV), (2) similar flattening‐filter‐free model (FFF 6.45 MeV), and (3) as (2) but with increased electron energy (FFF 8.0 MeV). The field size 5 × 5 cm2 was used for characterization of dose output, depth dose profiles, and photon spectrum. The field size 40 × 40 cm2 was used for characterization of cross‐field photon energy, photon fluence, and dose distributions. Out‐of‐field dose distributions were analyzed in both in‐plane and cross‐plane directions for 5 × 5 cm2 and 10 × 10 cm2 fields.Results:Comparable depth dose distributions, including the build‐up region, for FF and FFF fields were achieved by increasing the electron energy from 6.45 MeV to 8.0 MeV for the FFF beam. The FFF beams result in reduced out‐of‐field dose compared to the FF beam: the reduction was most apparent in the cross‐plane direction and more pronounced by the FFF 8.0 MeV beam compared to the FFF 6.45 MeV beam. Differences in out‐of‐field dose due to direction (in‐plane vs cross‐plane) were up to 40% for the FF beam; this effect was significantly reduced for the FFF beams. As the flattening‐filter is a major source of contaminating electrons, superficial out‐of‐field dose was expected, and was found to be, reduced for FFF beams.Conclusions:The build‐up and depth‐dose characteristics of a conventional “6 MV” beam can be maintained when changing to a flattening‐filter‐free modality by increasing the incident electron energy from 6.45 MeV to 8.0 MeV. This will at the same time reduce the out‐of‐field dose for regions up to 20 cm from the central axis by 10%–30% compared to the original FF situation.
Zinc Competition among the Intestinal Microbiota
Authors: Gielda Lindsay M. , DiRita Victor J. 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Bioavailable levels of trace metals, such as iron and zinc, for bacterial growth in nature are sufficiently low that most microbes have evolved high-affinity binding and transport systems. The microbe
Campylobacter jejuni
lives in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens, the principal source of human infection. A high-affinity ABC transporter for zinc uptake is required for
Campylobacter
survival in chicken intestines in the presence of a normal microbiota but not when chickens are raised with a limited microbiota. Mass spectrometric analysis of cecal contents revealed the presence of numerous zinc-binding proteins in conventional chicks compared to the number in limited-microbiota chicks. The presence of a microbiota results in the production of host zinc-binding enzymes, causing a growth restriction for bacteria that lack the high-affinity zinc transporter. Such transporters in a wide range of pathogenic bacteria make them good targets for the development of broad-spectrum antimicrobials.

IMPORTANCE
Zinc is an essential trace element for the growth of most organisms. Quantities of zinc inside cells are highly regulated, as too little zinc does not support growth, while too much zinc is toxic. Numerous bacterial cells require zinc uptake systems for growth and virulence. The work presented here demonstrates that the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract reduces the quantity of zinc. Without a high-affinity zinc transporter,
Campylobacter jejuni
, a commensal organism of chickens, is unable to replicate or colonize the gastrointestinal tract. This is the first demonstration of zinc competition between microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract of a host. These results could have profound implications in the field of microbial pathogenesis and in our understanding of host metabolism and the microbiota.
MreA Functions in the Global Regulation of Methanogenic Pathways in Methanosarcina acetivorans
Authors: Reichlen Matthew J. , Vepachedu Venkata R. , Murakami Katsuhiko S. , Ferry James G. 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Results are presented supporting a regulatory role for the product of the MA3302 gene locus (designated MreA) previously annotated as a hypothetical protein in the methanogenic species
Methanosarcina acetivorans
of the domain
Archaea
. Sequence analysis of MreA revealed identity to the TrmB family of transcription factors, albeit the sequence is lacking the sensor domain analogous to TrmBL2, abundant in nonmethanogenic species of the domain
Archaea
. Transcription of
mreA
was highly upregulated during growth on acetate versus methylotrophic substrates, and an
mreA
deletion (Δ
mreA
) strain was impaired for growth with acetate in contrast to normal growth with methylotrophic substrates. Transcriptional profiling of acetate-grown cells identified 280 genes with altered expression in the Δ
mreA
strain versus the wild-type strain. Expression of genes unique to the acetate pathway decreased whereas expression of genes unique to methylotrophic metabolism increased in the Δ
mreA
strain relative to the wild type, results indicative of a dual role for MreA in either the direct or indirect activation of acetate-specific genes and repression of methylotrophic-specific genes. Gel shift experiments revealed specific binding of MreA to promoter regions of regulated genes. Homologs of MreA were identified in
M. acetivorans
and other
Methanosarcina
species for which expression patterns indicate roles in regulating methylotrophic pathways.

IMPORTANCE
Species in the domain
Archaea
utilize basal transcription machinery resembling that of the domain
Eukarya
, raising questions addressing the role of numerous putative transcription factors identified in sequenced archaeal genomes. Species in the genus
Methanosarcina
are ideally suited for investigating principles of archaeal transcription through analysis of the capacity to utilize a diversity of substrates for growth and methanogenesis.
Methanosarcina
species switch pathways in response to the most energetically favorable substrate, metabolizing methylotrophic substrates in preference to acetate marked by substantial regulation of gene expression. Although conversion of the methyl group of acetate accounts for most of the methane produced in Earth’s biosphere, no proteins involved in the regulation of genes in the acetate pathway have been reported. The results presented here establish that MreA participates in the global regulation of diverse methanogenic pathways in the genus
Methanosarcina
. Finally, the results contribute to a broader understanding of transcriptional regulation in the domain
Archaea
.