bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative transcriptome analysis of transporters, phytohormone and lipid metabolism pathways in response to arsenic stress in rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Yu Lu‐jun , Luo Ying‐feng , Liao Bin , Xie Li‐juan , Chen Liang , Xiao Shi , Li Jin‐tian , Hu Song‐nian , Shu Wen‐sheng 
Published: April 2012

Summary
Arsenic (As) contamination of rice (Oryza sativa) is a worldwide concern and elucidating the molecular mechanisms of As accumulation in rice may provide promising solutions to the problem. Previous studies using microarray techniques to investigate transcriptional regulation of plant responses to As stress have identified numerous differentially expressed genes. However, little is known about the metabolic and regulatory network remodelings, or their interactions with microRNA (miRNA) in plants upon As(III) exposure.
We used Illumina sequencing to acquire global transcriptome alterations and miRNA regulation in rice under As(III) treatments of varying lengths of time and dosages.
We found that the response of roots was more distinct when the dosage was varied, whereas that of shoots was more distinct when the treatment time was varied. In particular, the genes involved in heavy metal transportation, jasmonate (JA) biosynthesis and signaling, and lipid metabolism were closely related to responses of rice under As(III) stress. Furthermore, we discovered 36 new As(III)‐responsive miRNAs, 14 of which were likely involved in regulating gene expression in transportation, signaling, and metabolism.
Our findings highlight the significance of JA signaling and lipid metabolism in response to As(III) stress and their regulation by miRNA, which provides a foundation for subsequent functional research.
Concurrent blockade of free radical and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase‐1‐mediated PGE2 production improves safety and efficacy in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Shin Jin Hee , Lee Young Ae , Lee Jae Keun , Lee Yong Beom , Cho Woong , Im Doo Soon , Lee Jin Hwan , Yun Bok Sun , Springer Joe E. , Gwag Byoung Joo 
Published: April 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 952–961.AbstractWhile free radicals and inflammation constitute major routes of neuronal injury occurring in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), neither antioxidants nor non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs have shown significant efficacy in human clinical trials. We examined the possibility that concurrent blockade of free radicals and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)‐mediated inflammation might constitute a safe and effective therapeutic approach to ALS. We have developed 2‐hydroxy‐5‐[2‐(4‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐ethylaminobenzoic acid] (AAD‐2004) as a derivative of aspirin. AAD‐2004 completely removed free radicals at 50 nM as a potent spin‐trapping molecule and inhibited microsomal PGE2 synthase‐1 (mPGES‐1) activity in response to both lipopolysaccharide‐treated BV2 cell with IC50 of 230 nM and recombinant human mPGES‐1 protein with IC50 of 249 nM in vitro. In superoxide dismutase 1G93A transgenic mouse model of ALS, AAD‐2004 blocked free radical production, PGE2 formation, and microglial activation in the spinal cords. As a consequence, AAD‐2004 reduced autophagosome formation, axonopathy, and motor neuron degeneration, improving motor function and increasing life span. In these assays, AAD‐2004 was superior to riluzole or ibuprofen. Gastric bleeding was not induced by AAD‐2004 even at a dose 400‐fold higher than that required to obtain maximal therapeutic efficacy in superoxide dismutase 1G93A. Targeting both mPGES‐1‐mediated PGE2 and free radicals may be a promising approach to reduce neurodegeneration in ALS and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases.
Supporting a caring fatherhood in cyberspace – an analysis of communication about caring within an online forum for fathers
Authors: Eriksson Henrik , Salzmann‐Erikson Martin 
Published: April 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 63–69

Supporting a caring fatherhood in cyberspace – an analysis of communication about caring within an online forum for fathers
Background:  Today’s parents seek out social support on the Internet. A key motivation behind the choice to go online is the need for more experience based information. In recent years, new fathers have increasingly taken on an active parental role. Men’s support for their caring activities for infants on the Internet needs attention.Aim:  The aim was to describe communication about caring activities for infants among men who visited an Internet‐based forum for fathers and elaborate on the dimensions of support available in the forum.Method:  An archival and cross‐sectional observational forum study was undertaken using principles for conducting ethnographic research online: “nethnography”. A total of 1203 pages of data from an Internet forum for fathers were gathered and analysed.Result:  Support for a caring fatherhood in cyberspace can be understood as fathers’ communicating encouragement, confirmation and advice. The findings show that important ways of providing support through the forum included a reciprocal sharing of concerns – how to be a better father – in relation to caring for an infant. Concerns for their child’s well‐being and shared feelings of joy and distress in everyday life were recurrent supportive themes in the communication. Information gained from contacting others in similar situations is one important reason for the fathers’ use of the Internet.Discussion:  Support offered in this kind of forum can be considered as a complement to formal support. Professionals can use it to provide choices for fathers who are developing themselves as caregivers without downplaying the parental support offered by formal health care regimes.Further research:  Online support will probably be one of the main supporting strategies for fathers in Scandinavia. Caring and nursing researchers need to closely monitor support activities that develop, and over time, as these ill likely become an important source of support for people.
Effectiveness of tropical grass species as sediment filters in the riparian zone of Lake Victoria
Authors: WANYAMA J. , HERREMANS K. , MAETENS W. , ISABIRYE M. , KAHIMBA F. , KIMARO D. , POESEN J. , DECKERS J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe effectiveness of tropical grass species in strips of different length in trapping sediment from cropland was assessed, and the influence of filter length was determined. The assessment was made under natural rainfall which induced sheet and rill erosion in run‐off plots and then using simulated run‐off which caused concentrated erosion. The evaluated grasses were elephant grass, lemon grass, paspalum and sugarcane. Run‐off plots were on a 10% slope in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Filter lengths were 2.5, 5 and 10 m against a 10‐m‐long sediment source area planted with maize on a clay loam soil. The results show that sediment trapping effectiveness (TE) increases nonlinearly with increasing filter length for all grasses. Under natural rainfall, more than 70% of sediment was trapped in the first 5 m, and lengthening the strip to 10 m only resulted in a marginal increase in TE. With concentrated run‐off, more than 70% of sediment was trapped in the first 5 m and lengthening the strip to 10 m resulted in a significant increase in TE. Paspalum and lemon grass performed significantly better than other grasses (P < 0.05), owing to their spreading growth pattern over the soil surface. Paspalum also has the highest root density in the upper 0.3‐m layer of the soil followed by lemon grass, hence offering the greatest resistance to erosion from concentrated flow. The results demonstrate that tropical grass filter strips provide a viable means for reducing the sediment flux from cropland.
Honokiol promotes non‐rapid eye movement sleep via the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor in mice
Authors: Qu Wei‐Min , Yue Xiao‐Fang , Sun Yu , Fan Kun , Chen Chang‐Rui , Hou Yi‐Ping , Urade Yoshihiro , Huang Zhi‐Li 
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Decoctions of the Chinese herb houpu contain honokiol and are used to treat a variety of mental disorders, including depression. Depression commonly presents alongside sleep disorders and sleep disturbances, which appear to be a major risk factor for depression. Here, we have evaluated the somnogenic effect of honokiol and the mechanisms involved.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Honokiol was administered i.p. at 20:00 h in mice. Flumazenil, an antagonist at the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor, was administered i.p. 15 min before honokiol. The effects of honokiol were measured by EEG and electromyogram (EMG), c‐Fos expression and in vitro electrophysiology.KEY RESULTS Honokiol (10 and 20 mg·kg−1) significantly shortened the sleep latency to non‐rapid eye movement (non‐REM, NREM) sleep and increased the amount of NREM sleep. Honokiol increased the number of state transitions from wakefulness to NREM sleep and, subsequently, from NREM sleep to wakefulness. However, honokiol had no effect on either the amount of REM sleep or EEG power density of both NREM and REM sleep. Honokiol increased c‐Fos expression in ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO) neurons, as examined by immunostaining, and excited sleep‐promoting neurons in the VLPO by whole‐cell patch clamping in the brain slice. Pretreatment with flumazenil abolished the somnogenic effects and activation of the VLPO neurons by honokiol.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Honokiol promoted NREM sleep by modulating the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor, suggesting potential applications in the treatment of insomnia, especially for patients who experience difficulty in falling and staying asleep.
Race, ABO blood group, and venous thromboembolism risk: not black and white
Authors: Fang Chunhui , Cohen Hillel W. , Billett Henny H. 
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: The rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been reported to be higher in blacks compared to whites. Non‐O blood groups have also been associated with a significantly higher VTE risk. Given that a higher proportion of blacks have O blood group, one might have expected that black individuals would have fewer VTEs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this study, we analyzed race, sex, age, ABO or Rh blood group, and VTE risk in 60,982 black and white patients admitted over a span of 10 years.RESULTS: The overall occurrence of VTEs was 7.6%, higher in males (8.7% males vs. 7.2% females), higher in non‐O blood groups (8.5% non‐O vs. 6.9% O blood group), and increased with age (5.8% <65 years, 11.3% ≥65 years). No difference in VTE rate was noted with Rh antigen positivity. When stratified by age, VTE rate was consistently higher in blacks and non‐O blood groups. No difference was detected among the various non‐O blood groups. To assess the potential confounder of comorbidities, we stratified patients according to Charlson comorbidity score. In a subgroup of healthy patients with age‐independent Charlson comorbidity scores of 0 (n = 28,387), blacks still had an increased VTE risk and this risk was still higher with increasing age and in those with non‐O blood groups.CONCLUSION: We conclude that black race and non‐O blood groups have increased VTE risk when stratified for age and that associated comorbidities do not explain these differences.
Blood ordering from the operating room: turnaround time as a quality indicator
Authors: McClain Colt M. , Hughes Jonathan , Andrews Jennifer C. , Blackburn Jennifer , Sephel Stephanie , France Dan , Viele Maurene , Goodnough Lawrence T. , Young Pampee P. 
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: Quality indicators in transfusion medicine are necessary for patient safety and customer satisfaction. The turnaround time (TAT) of issuing red blood cells (RBCs) has emerged as a quality indicator but is not an established benchmark. We examined the TAT for issuing RBCs from the blood bank to the operating rooms (ORs) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and Stanford University Medical Center (SUMC).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: TAT was defined from time of request to when RBCs exited the blood bank. Cases eligible for analysis had completed type‐and‐screen results with requests for four or fewer RBC units. Patients with a positive antibody screen had serologically crossmatched units prepared and reserved for intraoperative use. We also e‐mailed surveys to academic institutions to establish the current state of TAT monitoring and to anesthesiologists at VUMC to gauge the TAT expectations of the OR.RESULTS: The mean TATs at the two institutions were comparable (VUMC, 10 ± 3.8 min; SUMC, 14 ± 7.2 min) for orders of RBCs. The most common reasons for delayed TAT were overlapping orders, medical technologists occupied by phone calls, and oversaturation of pneumatic tube stations. Only 3 of 24 surveyed institutions actively monitored RBC TAT. Surveyed anesthesiologists (n = 7) reported an expectation for RBC TAT of 5 to 15 minutes for urgent cases. Established internal TAT policies were 15 and 20 minutes at VUMC and SUMC, respectively, for crossmatched RBC requests for patients with complete diagnostic testing.CONCLUSION: Many of the surveyed institutions do not monitor stat RBC issue TAT as a quality indicator. This study serves as a starting point for establishing a benchmark for TAT for issuing RBCs from the blood bank to ORs.
High‐end Encroachment Patterns of New Products
Authors: van der Rhee Bo , Schmidt Glen M. , Van Orden Joseph 
Published: April 2012

Previous research describes two key ways in which a new product may encroach on an existing market. In high‐end encroachment, the new product first sells to high‐end customers and then diffuses down‐market; in low‐end encroachment, the new product enters at the low end and encroaches up‐market. This paper focuses on high‐end encroachment, which can further be broken down into three subtypes, which are called the immediate, the new‐attribute, and the new‐market forms of high‐end encroachment.This paper makes three key contributions. First, it provides a sound theoretical underpinning for the three distinct subtypes of high‐end encroachment—a linear reservation price curve model (LRPCM) is used to establish this theoretical foundation. Second, this paper delineates and illustrates four different ways the high‐end new‐market diffusion process may progress over time. These four are: (1) the traditional type, where the new product diffuses relatively slowly and methodically over time; (2) the fad scenario, where the new product opens a new market but then fizzles out after a relatively short period of high sales; (3) the rapid diffusion outcome, where the new product opens a new market and then rapidly diffuses down‐market; and (4) the prolonged‐niche type, where the new product purposefully restricts itself to its own niche rather than diffusing down‐market.The third key contribution of this paper is to offer managerial insights into the new‐market high‐end encroachment process by discussing two short case studies; namely, a retrospective look at the introduction of the iPhone, and a prospective look at Tesla's challenges in growing the market for its electric car. With regard to the iPhone, it helps explain why Apple precipitously dropped the price of the iPhone by one third only 68 days after its introduction. With regard to Tesla, it discusses how Tesla must leverage the revenues that stem from its current high‐end pricing power. Tesla must be able to progress down the learning curve fast enough so that it can create a virtuous cycle; a cycle in which cost reductions and technology improvements lead to price reductions and increased sales, which in turn lead to further cost reductions.At the conclusion of the paper, a step‐by‐step approach is offered to aid in determining which type of encroachment should be pursued and in determining how the encroachment pattern will eventually develop. The encroachment framework and the step‐by‐step approach are intended to help managers better assess and mitigate the risks inherent with a new product introduction.
PR Depression Is Useful in the Differential Diagnosis of Myopericarditis and ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Porela Pekka , Kytö Ville , Nikus Kjell , Eskola Markku , Airaksinen K.E.J. 
Published: April 2012

Background: Deviation of the PR segment is a common but often ignored ECG finding in acute myopericarditis, but seems to be rare in the acute phase of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Since rapid bedside differential diagnosis of acute myopericarditis and STEMI is essential, we decided to assess the diagnostic power of PR depressions in patients presenting with ST elevations in the emergency room.Methods: Thirty‐four consecutive patients with acute myopericarditis and 46 STEMI patients presenting with ST elevations fulfilling the criteria for STEMI were included. The first ECG recorded in the emergency room was analyzed with a focus on the PR segment. The diagnoses of myopericarditis and STEMI were ascertained with clinical follow‐up together with rise in troponin levels, and in the STEMI patients also with coronary angiography.Results: In myopericarditis, the most common location for PR depression was lead II (55.9%), while this ECG finding least likely appeared in lead aVL (2.9%). PR depression in any lead had a high sensitivity (88.2%), but fairly low specificity (78.3%) for myopericarditis. The combination of PR depressions in both precordial and limb leads had the most favorable predictive power to differentiate myopericarditis from STEMI (positive 96.7% and negative power 90%).Conclusions: Our present observations show that PR segment analysis is a powerful tool in the differential diagnosis of myopericarditis and STEMI. This simple information should be added to the diagnostic workup of patients presenting with ST elevations.
The Terminal Part of the QT Interval (T peak to T end): A Predictor of Mortality after Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Erikssen Gunnar , Liestøl Knut , Gullestad Lars , Haugaa Kristina H. , Bendz Bjørn , Amlie Jan P. 
Published: April 2012

Background: The terminal part of the QT interval (T peak to T end; Tp‐e)—an index for dispersion of cardiac repolarization—is often prolonged in patients experiencing malignant ventricular arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We wanted to explore whether high Tp‐e might predict mortality or fatal arrhythmia post‐AMI.Methods: Tp‐e was measured prospectively in 1359/1384 (98.2%) consecutive patients with ST elevation (n = 525) or non‐ST elevation (n = 859) myocardial infarction (STEMI or NSTEMI) admitted for coronary angiography.Results: Tp‐e was significantly correlated with age, heart rate (HR), heart failure, LVEF, creatinine, three‐vessel disease, previous AMI and QRS and QT duration. During a mean follow‐up of 1.3 years (range 0.4–2.3),109 patients (7.9%) died; 25, 45, and 39 from cardiac arrhythmia, nonarrhythmic cardiac causes and other causes, respectively. Long Tp‐e was strongly associated with increased risk of death, and Tp‐e remained a significant predictor of death in multivariable Cox analyses (RR 1.5, 95% CI[1.3–1.7]). HR‐corrected Tp‐e (cTp‐e) was the strongest predictor of death (RR 1.6 [1.4–1.9]). Tp‐e and cTp‐e were particularly strong predictors of fatal cardiac arrhythmia (RR 1.6 [1.2–2.1] and RR 1.8 [1.4–2.4]). Findings were similar in STEMI and NSTEMI. When comparing two methods for measuring Tp‐e, one including the tail of the T wave and one not, the former had markedly higher predictive power (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Tp‐e, and in particular cTp‐e, were strong predictors of mortality during the first year post‐AMI, and should be further evaluated as prognostic factors additional to established post‐AMI risk factors.
Quality of hemodialysis water in a resource‐poor country: The Nigerian example
Authors: Braimoh Rotimi Williams , Mabayoje Monica Omolara , Amira Christiana Oluwatoyin , Coker Hubert 
Published: April 2012

AbstractHemodialysis (HD) patients are exposed to large volumes of water, separated from patients' blood by semipermeable membrane of dialyzers. Chemical contaminants in poorly treated water impact negatively on quality of life of these patients. This survey was carried out to assess the HD water quality in Lagos, Nigeria. Ten milliliters of feed and treated water from all six HD centers in Lagos were tested for aluminum, copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium using atomic absorption spectrometry; sodium and potassium were tested using flame photometry, fluoride with molecular photoluminescence method; sulfate using turbidimetry, nitrates measured by cadmium column reduction method, chloramines and free chlorine were measured using N, N‐diethyl‐1‐P‐phenylenediamine colorimetric method. Information on sources of feed water, frequency of testing of HD water, methods of water treatment, type of water purification system and maintenance was also obtained. All centers used borehole as main source of water supply. None of the centers met Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) guidelines for most chemical contaminants. Only chlorine (0.48 ± 0.07 mg/L) and potassium (3.9 ± 0.95 mg/L) levels met AAMI standards after treatment. Mean levels of chemical contaminants in treated water were as follows: aluminum 0.04 ± 0.01 mg/L, zinc 0.27 ± 0.08 mg/L, chloramines 0.16 ± 0.03 mg/L, fluoride 1.83 ± 0.40 mg/L, sulfate 117 ± 86.1 mg/L which were mildly elevated; calcium 126.00 ± 22.7 mg/L, sodium 179 ± 25.6 mg/L, and nitrate 70.5 ± 50.8 mg/L, which were markedly elevated; and magnesium 8.3 ± 3.38 mg/L, which was moderately elevated above AAMI recommended levels. HD water quality is poor in our environment. Concerted efforts are required to ensure good quality water for HD.
Superior patient and technique survival with very high standard Kt/V in quotidian home hemodialysis
Authors: Lockridge Robert , Ting George , Kjellstrand Carl M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe studied the association of patient and dialysis factors with patient and technique survival in a cohort of all of our 191 of patients surviving >3 months on quotidian home hemodialysis (QHHD). Eighty‐one patients were on nocturnal QHHD and 110 on short ‐daily QHHD. Weekly dialysis time was 7.5–48 hours, single pool Kt/V was 0.38–4.5 per treatment, and weekly standardKt/V was 2.1–7.5. The association of 18 patient and dialysis variables with patient and technique survival was analyzed by Kaplan‐Meier and Cox analyses. Ninety‐nine patients (52%) remained on QHHD, 34 (18%) were transplanted, 31 (16%) returned to 3/week HD, and 27 (14%) died. The 5‐year patient survival was 71% ± 6% (night: 79% ± 7%, day: 69% ± 9%, P = 0.002). The 5‐year technique survival was 80% ± 4% (night: 93% ± 3%, day: 46% ± 17%, P = 0.001). In Cox analyses, patient survival was independently associated with standard Kt/V (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.29, P < 0.0001), graduating from high school (HS) (HR = 0.11, P = 0.0002), and use of graft/fistula (HR = 0.22, P = 0.007). Technique survival was independently associated with standard Kt/V (HR = 0.50, P = 0.0003) and start of QHHD after 2003 (HR = 0.18, P = 0.007). Every increase in standard Kt/V was associated with improved survival. The highest survival occurred when standard Kt/V exceeded 5.1, only possible when weekly dialysis hours exceed 35 hours. In QHHD, higher standard Kt/V, education, and subcutaneous access are associated with better patient survival and higher standard Kt/V and longer experience of center with better technique survival. There was no upper limit of standard Kt/V, where survival plateaus. The amount of minimally “adequate” dialysis should be much increased.