bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neoangiogenesis in laryngeal carcinoma: angiogenin and CD105 expression is related to carcinoma recurrence rate and disease‐free survival
Authors: Marioni Gino , Marino Filippo , Blandamura Stella , D’Alessandro Emiliano , Giacomelli Luciano , Guzzardo Vincenza , Lionello Marco , De Filippis Cosimo , Staffieri Alberto 
Published: October 2010

Marioni G, Marino F, Blandamura S, D’Alessandro E, Giacomelli L, Guzzardo V, Lionello M, de Filippis C & Staffieri A (2010) Histopathology57, 535–543 Neoangiogenesis in laryngeal carcinoma: angiogenin and CD105 expression is related to carcinoma recurrence rate and disease‐free survivalAims:  Angiogenin regulates angiogenesis supporting primary and metastatic tumour growth. CD105 is a proliferation‐associated protein expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time angiogenin expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and to evaluate the relationship between angiogenin and CD105 expression, clinicopathological and prognostic parameters.Methods and results:  A total of 108 consecutive operable LSCCs were studied. Angiogenin expression was determined immunohistochemically in both carcinoma cells and intratumoral vessels. CD105 expression was evaluated in endothelial cells of LSCC and calculated by a computer‐based image analysis system. The percentage of the fields occupied by CD105‐assessed microvessels was determined. Angiogenin expression in carcinoma cells was higher in LSCC patients who experienced loco‐regional recurrence of disease (P = 0.032). Disease‐free survival (DFS) was shorter in cases with carcinoma cells showing angiogenin expression >21.0% (P = 0.035). Angiogenin expression in carcinoma cells was correlated strongly with the angiogenin score in endothelial cells of intratumoral vessels (P = 0.0000). Higher loco‐regional carcinoma recurrence rate and shorter DFS in patients with high CD105 expression were found (P = 0.0004, P = 0.0001).Conclusions:  Angiogenin expression in laryngeal carcinoma cells and CD105 expression can be considered as potentially useful to detect LSCC patients with higher risk of disease recurrence who might benefit from more aggressive therapy.
Comparative evaluation of nm23 and p16 expression as biomarkers of high‐risk human papillomavirus infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ lesions of the uterine cervix
Authors: Benevolo Maria , Terrenato Irene , Mottolese Marcella , Marandino Ferdinando , Muti Paola , Carosi Mariantonia , Rollo Francesca , Ronchetti Livia , Mariani Luciano , Vocaturo Giuseppe , Vocaturo Amina 
Published: October 2010

Benevolo M, Terrenato I, Mottolese M, Marandino F, Muti P, Carosi M, Rollo F, Ronchetti L, Mariani L, Vocaturo G & Vocaturo A (2010) Histopathology57, 580–586 Comparative evaluation of nm23 and p16 expression as biomarkers of high‐risk human papillomavirus infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ lesions of the uterine cervixAims:  To investigate the clinical role of nm23 expression in identifying both high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) and high‐grade cervical lesions or carcinomas [cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ (CIN2+)], and to compare it with p16 overexpression, as this latter biomarker has already been reported widely in HR‐HPV infected cervical lesions.Methods and results:  Immunohistochemical evaluation of nm23 and p16 in 143 cervical biopsy specimens including negative, low‐ and high‐grade lesions and squamous carcinomas (SC). HR‐HPV testing by Digene hybrid capture 2 (HC2) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the cervico‐vaginal samples of the same patients. In detecting CIN2+, p16 was significantly more sensitive and specific than nm23 (96.3% versus 81.8% and 66% versus 36.4%, respectively, both P < 0.0001). Concerning HR‐HPV detection by HC2, p16 showed a significantly higher specificity than nm23 (82% versus 47%, P <0.0001), although the sensitivities were comparable (71% versus 76%). We found a significantly direct correlation between nm23 and HC2 findings. However, nm23 expression did not correlate with HPV16/18 infection. In contrast, we observed a significant association between p16 overexpression and HPV16/18 genotypes.Conclusions:  We confirm the diagnostic value of p16 overexpression. Moreover, despite in vitro data regarding the interaction with the HPV‐E7 protein, nm23 does not appear to be a more useful biomarker than p16 in identifying CIN2+ or HR‐HPV infection.
Neuropeptide precursor gene discovery in the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus
Authors: Ons S. , Sterkel M. , Diambra L. , Urlaub H. , Rivera‐Pomar R. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractWe show a straightforward workflow combining homology search in Rhodnius prolixus genome sequence with cloning by rapid amplification of cDNA ends and mass spectrometry. We have identified 32 genes and their transcripts that encode a number of neuropeptide precursors leading to 194 putative peptides. We validated by mass spectrometry 82 of those predicted neuropeptides in the brain of R. prolixus to achieve the first comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic and neuropeptidomic analysis of an insect disease vector. Comparisons of available insect neuropeptide sequences revealed that the R. prolixus genome contains most of the conserved neuropeptides in insects, many of them displaying specific features at the sequence level. Some gene families reported here are identified for the first time in the order Hemiptera, a highly biodiverse group of insects that includes many human, animal and plant disease agents.
A survey of registered nurses’ perceptions of the code of professional conduct in Hong Kong
Authors: Chau Janita P‐C , Lam Lai‐Wah , Lui May H‐L , Ip Wan‐Yim , Chien Wai‐Tong , Lee Iris F‐K , Thompson David R 
Published: October 2010

Aim.  To examine the perceptions of the code of professional conduct among practising registered nurses in Hong Kong.Background.  A code of professional conduct is intended to guide nurses in their practice and to ensure congruence with nursing goals and objectives. Such a code for nurses in Hong Kong has been in effect for two decades but, to date, no study has examined the perceptions of it among practising nurses.Design.  A survey of 320 practising registered nurses working in a hospital cluster in Hong Kong (mean postregistration experience = 11·8 years).Methods.  A questionnaire developed to assess nurses’ perceptions of the Code of Professional Conduct devised by the Nursing Council of Hong Kong.Results.  Providing safe and competent care, practising in accordance with the law and maintaining agreed standards were ranked in order as the three most important aspects. Safeguarding informed decision‐making for patients who were mentally incapacitated or unable to speak for themselves, participating in continuing nursing education and raising objections to practices that compromise safe and appropriate care were considered the most challenging aspects to achieve in professional nursing practice.Conclusions.  To educate nurses to become more assertive in safeguarding patients’ rights and to encourage and support lifelong learning remains a major challenge in professional nursing practice. The profession and statutory bodies need to consider how best to enable practising nurses to address these issues.Relevance to clinical practice.  Examining the perceptions of practising nurses about the professional code is necessary to ensure that the profession is prepared to meet the ever‐changing demands and expectations of the public whom it claims to serve.
Communication in nursing care for patients requesting euthanasia: a qualitative study
Authors: Denier Yvonne , Gastmans Chris , De Bal Nele , Dierckx de Casterlé Bernadette 
Published: October 2010

Aim.  To describe the communication during the euthanasia care process for mentally competent, terminally ill patients in general hospitals in Flanders, as seen from the perspective of the nurse.Background.  International literature shows that nurses are involved in the care process surrounding euthanasia, regardless of the legal status of euthanasia in the country being studied. In particular, research shows that communication is an important part of good euthanasia care. However, the actual way nurses’ communication contributes to the quality of the euthanasia care process remains unclear.Design.  A Grounded Theory Design was used.Methodology.  Analysis of 18 in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with nurses from nine different hospitals in Flanders (Belgium). The interviews took place during a 20‐month period in 2005–2006.Results.  The euthanasia care process for mentally competent, terminally ill patients in general hospitals in Flanders is a complex and dynamic process, the connecting thread of which is nurses’ communication. During this process, nurses perceive that they communicate often and a lot, with various people, in different contexts, in different ways and with various purposes. This communicative process is intensified by the moral and psychological weight of the theme, and its impact on everyone involved, as well as by the relatively short period of time, during which it all takes place.Conclusion.  This article adds to the growing body of literature on nursing care for patients requesting euthanasia. The findings suggest that for nurses, communication is a key instrument for realising good‐quality euthanasia care.Relevance to clinical practice.  Being the essence of nursing care for patients requesting euthanasia, nurses’ communication requires support and guidance on the level of nursing education, professional guidelines and hospital context.
Climate is a stronger driver of tree and forest growth rates than soil and disturbance
Authors: Toledo Marisol , Poorter Lourens , Peña‐Claros Marielos , Alarcón Alfredo , Balcázar Julio , Leaño Claudio , Licona Juan Carlos , Llanque Oscar , Vroomans Vincent , Zuidema Pieter , Bongers Frans 
Published: October 2010

Summary 1. Essential resources such as water, nutrients and light vary over space and time and plant growth rates are expected to vary accordingly. We examined the effects of climate, soil and logging disturbances on diameter growth rates at the tree and stand level, using 165 1‐ha permanent sample plots distributed across Bolivian tropical lowland forests. 2. We predicted that growth rates would be higher in humid than in dry forests, higher in nutrient‐rich than nutrient‐poor forests and higher in logged than non‐logged forests. 3. Across the 165 plots we found positive basal area increases at the stand level, which agree with the generally reported biomass increases in tropical forests. 4. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that climate variables, in particular water availability, were the strongest drivers of tree growth. More rainfall, a shorter and less intense dry period and higher temperatures led to higher tree growth rates. 5. Tree growth increased modestly with soil fertility and basal area growth was greatest at intermediate soil fertility. Surprisingly, tree growth showed little or no relationship with total soil nitrogen or plant available soil phosphorus. 6. Growth rates increased in logged plots just after logging, but this effect disappeared after 6 years. 7. Synthesis. Climate is the strongest driver of spatial variation in tree growth, and climate change may therefore have large consequences for forest productivity and carbon sequestration. The negative impact of decreased rainfall and increased rainfall seasonality on tree growth might be partly offset by the positive impact of increased temperature in these forests.
Gradual speciation in a global hotspot of plant diversity
Authors: PETER LINDER H. 
Published: October 2010

The speciation process that underlies recent, rapid radiations of plants is controversial, and suggested mechanisms range from pollinator or ecological niche differentiation to allopatry and nonadaptive divergence. Phylogenetic approaches to locating the most appropriate speciation models have been constrained by the low levels of molecular divergence between recently diverged species, which are typical of recent, rapid radiations. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Rymer et al. (2010) used coalescence analyses of sequence data and genome scans of Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) loci to demonstrate that in a species complex in the irid genus Gladiolus, a member of the hyper diverse Cape flora of southern Africa, speciation is a gradual process. Older divergences are genetically more differentiated, and show a greater difference in flowering time and floral morphology, than taxa that diverged more recently. There is no evidence of any abrupt events. Gene flow is limited by shifts in flowering time and floral morphology; thus, by pre‐zygotic rather than by post‐zygotic mechanisms, these evolved together with the occupation of somewhat different habitats. This research gives the first critical insight into how the remarkable diversity in a diversity hotspot could have arisen. More importantly, it demonstrates that the speciation process in recent, rapid radiations is tractable and can be investigated with suitable genetic tools.
Refugial persistence and postglacial recolonization of North America by the cold‐tolerant herbaceous plant Orthilia secunda
Authors: BEATTY GEMMA E. , PROVAN JIM 
Published: October 2010

AbstractPrevious phylogeographical and palaeontological studies on the biota of northern North America have revealed a complex scenario of glacial survival in multiple refugia and differing patterns of postglacial recolonization. Many putative refugial regions have been proposed both north and south of the ice sheets for species during the Last Glacial Maximum, but the locations of many of these refugia remain a topic of great debate. In this study, we used a phylogeographical approach to elucidate the refugial and recolonization history of the herbaceous plant species Orthilia secunda in North America, which is found in disjunct areas in the west and east of the continent, most of which were either glaciated or lay close to the limits of the ice sheets. Analysis of 596 bp of the chloroplast trnS‐trnG intergenic spacer and five microsatellite loci in 84 populations spanning the species’ range in North America suggests that O. secunda persisted through the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in western refugia, even though palaeodistribution modelling indicated a suitable climate envelope across the entire south of the continent. The present distribution of the species has resulted from recolonization from refugia north and south of the ice sheets, most likely in Beringia or coastal regions of Alaska and British Columbia, the Washington/Oregon region in the northwest USA, and possibly from the region associated with the putative ‘ice‐free corridor’ between the Laurentide and Cordilleran ice sheets. Our findings also highlight the importance of the Pacific Northwest as an important centre of intraspecific genetic diversity, owing to a combination of refugial persistence in the area and recolonization from other refugia.
Viewpoint: When the ‘non‐workable ideological best’ becomes the enemy of the ‘imperfect but workable good’
Authors: Agyepong Irène Akua , Orem Juliet Nabyonga , Hercot David 
Published: October 2010

SummaryThis brief paper addresses some of the difficulties inherent in international ideological approaches to solving the complex problems of health care financing and delivery in poor countries using Ghana as an example. It concludes with an appeal for problem solving approaches involving informed debate as to optimal ways forward to solve low income country health financing woes that are open minded about possible options rather than vested in particular positions.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 are powerful staging markers for human African trypanosomiasis
Authors: Hainard Alexandre , Tiberti Natalia , Robin Xavier , Ngoyi Dieudonné M. , Matovu Enock , Enyaru John C. K. , Müller Markus , Turck Natacha , Ndung’u Joseph M. , Lejon Veerle , Sanchez Jean‐Charles 
Published: October 2010

SummaryObjectives  A critical step before treatment of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is the correct staging of the disease. As late stage is established when trypanosomes cross the blood–brain barrier and invade the central nervous system, we hypothesized that matrix metalloproteinases and cell adhesion molecules could indicate, alone or in combination, the disease progression from the first to the second stage of HAT.Methods  We measured the levels of MMP‐2, MMP‐9, ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1 and E‐selectin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 63 Trypanosoma brucei gambiense‐infected patients (15 stage 1 and 48 stage 2). Staging was based on counting of white blood cells (WBC) and/or parasite detection in CSF. Concentrations were obtained either by ELISA or multiplex bead suspension assays, and results were compared with three known HAT staging markers (CXCL10, CXCL8 and H‐FABP).Results  ICAM‐1 and MMP‐9 accurately discriminated between stage 1 and stage 2 patients with HAT with 95% sensitivity (SE) for 100% specificity (SP), which was better than CXCL10 (93% SE for 100% SP), one of the most promising known markers. Combination of ICAM‐1 and MMP‐9 with H‐FABP provided a panel that resulted in 100% of SE and SP for staging HAT.Conclusions  ICAM‐1 and MMP‐9, alone or in combination, appeared as powerful CSF staging markers of HAT. Final validation of all newly discovered staging markers on a large multi‐centric cohort including both forms of the disease as well as patients with others infections should be performed.
Inheritance of the unpigmented plant trait in Orobanche cumana
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ‐OJEDA M I , VELASCO L , ALONSO L C , FERNÁNDEZ‐ESCOBAR J , PÉREZ‐VICH B 
Published: October 2010

Rodríguez‐Ojeda MI, Velasco L, Alonso LC, Fernández‐Escobar J & Pérez‐Vich B (2011). Inheritance of the unpigmented plant trait in Orobanche cumana. Weed Research51, 151–156.SummaryUnpigmented plants characterised by yellow stems and white flowers have been observed in several Orobanche spp. The objective of this research was to study the inheritance of the unpigmented plant trait in Orobanche cumana. Plants of the unpigmented line EK‐A1 that had been self‐pollinated for three generations (S3) were crossed with plants of the wild‐type line EK‐12 using hand emasculation and pollination. F1 plants showed an intermediate phenotype, characterised by a greenish stem compared with a yellow stem in EK‐A1 plants and bluish‐violet stem in EK‐12 plants. F2 plants segregated in a 1:2:1 (bluish‐violet: greenish: yellow) ratio, suggesting that plant pigmentation in O. cumana is controlled by a partially dominant allele at a single locus. Monogenic inheritance was confirmed in the F3 plant generation, which also revealed that the lack of pigmentation has no effect on O. cumana parasitism. This study demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of using hybridisation techniques for developing segregating populations in this species. Because of its simple mode of inheritance, the unpigmented plant trait may have a particular use as a morphological marker in basic and applied studies on O. cumana.
Standard protocol for assessment of colon cancer improves the quality of pathology
Authors: Buchwald P. , Olofsson F. , Lörinc E. , Syk I. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAim  Tumour stage is the most important prognostic factor in colon cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the impact on the quality of pathology of the use of a standardized pathological and anatomical (PAD) protocol.Method  A standardized PAD protocol for colorectal cancer was developed and all patients subjected to colon resection due to adenocarcinomas between 2004 and 2006 were analysed regarding lymph node status, circumferential resection margin (CRM), and intravascular and perineural growth. Moreover, usage of the PAD protocol and whether a pathologist or biomedicine analytical technician (BMA) performed the lymph node dissection was noted, and also whether the surgical procedure was elective or acute.Results  During the study period 302 colon resections were carried out. The standard protocol was employed in 68% of the cases, varying from 0% to 100% between pathologists. The median number of investigated lymph nodes was 16 ± 11. When the lymph node dissection was performed by a BMA, significantly more lymph nodes were examined; 22 ± 15 and 14 ± 9, respectively (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between application of the standard protocol and the number of analysed lymph nodes (< 0.05). Comments on CRM, perineural growth and intravascular growth were also significantly more frequent when the protocol was used. Emergency surgery did not influence the handling of the specimens.Conclusion  Minor changes in procedure in terms of a standard protocol for pathology and specimen dissection by BMAs, leading to an increased quality of the PAD‐report, may also improve the long‐term outcome for patients.
Aid Agencies: The Epistemic Question
Authors: HORTON KEITH 
Published: October 2010

abstractFor several decades, there has been a debate in the philosophical literature concerning whether those of us who live in developed countries are morally required to give some of our money to aid agencies. Many contributors to this debate have apparently taken it that one may simply assume that the effects of the work such agencies do are overwhelmingly positive. If one turns to the literature on such agencies that has emerged in recent decades, however, one finds a number of concerns about such agencies and the work they do that put that assumption in serious doubt. This situation raises a number of pressing questions, many of which have received little or no attention from philosophers. After articulating a number of those questions, I focus mainly on what I call the ‘Epistemic Question (for potential contributors to aid agencies)’: How can those of us who are not experts in international aid arrive at an estimate concerning the effects of the work aid agencies do that we have at least some good reason to believe accurate?
ERP investigation of transient attentional selection of single and multiple locations within touch
Authors: Forster Bettina , Gillmeister Helge 
Published: October 2010

AbstractMechanisms underlying pure tactile attentional selection were investigated. Tactile imperative stimuli were preceded by symbolic tactile cues directing attention to the left or right (directional cues), or to both hands (non‐directional cues). Comparison of ERP waveforms on directional and non‐directional cue trials showed that attentional modulations at N140 and P200 components reflect mainly enhancement of stimuli at the attended, while longer latency modulations reflect mainly suppression of processing of stimuli at the unattended location. This pattern of results differs from analogous studies involving other modalities suggesting that different mechanisms underlie pure tactile attention. Furthermore, ERP waveforms on non‐directional cue trials were enhanced in comparison to directional cue trials at the P100 component and at longer latencies, indicating that tactile attentional mechanisms may differ when attending to one compared to multiple locations.