bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐Term Efficacy of Single Procedure Remote Magnetic Catheter Navigation for Ablation of Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia: A Retrospective Study
Authors: DINOV BORISLAV , SCHÖNBAUER ROBERT , WOJDYLA‐HORDYNSKA AGNIESKA , BRAUNSCHWEIG FRIEDER , RICHTER SERGIO , ALTMANN DAVID , SOMMER PHILIPP , GASPAR THOMAS , BOLLMANN ANDREAS , WETZEL ULRIKE , ROLF SASCHA , PIORKOWSKI CHRISTOPHER , HINDRICKS GERHARD , ARYA ARASH 
Published: February 2012

Long‐Term Efficacy of Single Procedure Remote Magnetic Catheter Navigation.
Background:
Remote magnetic navigation (RMN) aims to reduce some inherent limitations of manual radiofrequency (RF) ablation. However, data comparing the effectiveness of both methods are scarce. This study evaluated the acute and long‐term success of RMN guided versus manual RF ablation in patients with ischemic sustained ventricular tachycardia (sVT).
Methods:
One hundred two consecutive patients (age 68  ± 10 years, LVEF 32  ± 12%, 88 men) with ischemic sVT were ablated with RMN (Stereotaxis; 49%) or manually (51%) using substrate and/or activation mapping (Carto) and open‐irrigated‐tip catheters. All received implantable defibrillators or loop recorders. Acute success was defined as noninducibility of any sVT at the end of the ablation procedure and long‐term success as freedom from VT upon follow‐up.
Results:
There was no difference in the baseline characteristics between the groups. Three patients died in hospital. Acute success rate was similar for RMN and manual ablation (82% vs 71%, P = 0.246). RMN was associated with significantly shorter fluoroscopy time (13  ± 12 minutes vs 32  ± 17 minutes, P = 0.0001) and RF time (2337.59  ± 1248.22 seconds vs 1589.95  ± 1047.42 seconds, P = 0.049), although total procedure time was similar (157  ± 40 minutes vs 148  ± 50 minutes, P = 0.42). There was a nonsignificant trend toward better long‐term success in RMN group: after a median of 13 (range 1–34) months, 63% in the RMN and 53% in the manual ablation group were free from VT recurrence (P = 0.206).
Conclusion:
RMN guided RF ablation of ischemic sustained VT is equally efficient compared with manual ablation in terms of acute and long‐term success rate. These results are achieved with a significantly reduced fluoroscopy time and shorter RF time. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol Vol. 23, pp. 499‐505, May 2012)
Glyoxylate Reductase Isoform 1 is Localized in the Cytosol and Not Peroxisomes in Plant Cells
Authors: Ching Steven L. K. , Gidda Satinder K. , Rochon Amanda , van Cauwenberghe Owen R. , Shelp Barry J. , Mullen Robert T. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractGlyoxylate reductase (GLYR) is a key enzyme in plant metabolism which catalyzes the detoxification of both photorespiratory glyoxylate and succinic semialdehdye, an intermediate of the γ‐aminobutyrate (GABA) pathway. Two isoforms of GLYR exist in plants, GLYR1 and GLYR2, and while GLYR2 is known to be localized in plastids, GLYR1 has been reported to be localized in either peroxisomes or the cytosol. Here, we reappraised the intracellular localization of GLYR1 inArabidopsis thalianaL. Heynh (ecotype Lansberg erecta) using both transiently‐transformed suspension cells and stably‐transformed plants, in combination with fluorescence microscopy. The results indicate that GLYR1 is localized exclusively to the cytosol regardless of the species, tissue and/or cell type, or exposure of plants to environmental stresses that would increase flux through the GABA pathway. Moreover, the C‐terminal tripeptide sequence of GLYR1, ‐SRE, despite its resemblance to a type 1 peroxisomal targeting signal, is not sufficient for targeting to peroxisomes. Collectively, these results define the cytosol as the intracellular location of GLYR1 and provide not only important insight to the metabolic roles of GLYR1 and the compartmentation of the GABA and photorespiratory pathways in plant cells, but also serve as a useful reference for future studies of proteins proposed to be localized to peroxisomes and/or the cytosol.
Solid-phase C60 in the peculiar binary XX Oph?
Authors: Evans A. , van Loon J. Th. , Woodward C. E. , Gehrz R. D. , Clayton G. C. , Helton L. A. , Rushton M. T. , Eyres S. P. S. , Krautter J. , Starrfield S. , Wagner R. M. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTWe present infrared spectra of the binary XX Oph obtained with the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope. The data show some evidence for the presence of solid C60– the first detection of C60 in the solid phase – together with the well-known ‘unidentified infrared’ emission features. We suggest that, in the case of XX Oph, the C60 is located close to the hot component, and that in general it is preferentially excited by stars having effective temperatures in the range 15 000–30 000 K. C60 may be common in circumstellar environments, but unnoticed in the absence of a suitable exciting source.
Bereavement care for older people in healthcare settings: qualitative study of experiences
Authors: Stephen Audrey I. , Wilcock Sylvia E. , Wimpenny Peter 
Published: February 2012

Aim.  This study aimed to explore the experiences of healthcare staff of caring for bereaved older people, and older people’s experiences of bereavement care.Background.  Loss through death of close family members, partners and friends inhibits the physical, emotional and social well being of older people. The rising population of older people and pressure on healthcare services to reduce costs indicate the necessity of developing strategies that enable coping and independence.Design.  A qualitative design drawing on phenomenological methodology was used to understand interactions between healthcare staff and bereaved older people. The study was set in hospital wards, general practice and community nursing teams, and care homes. Healthcare staff and a sample of recently bereaved older people participated.Methods.  Purposive sampling took place to recruit staff with a range of roles, and older people who were 65 years of age or more, and bereaved of a family member or friend for between 6 months and 5 years. Participants took part in in‐depth interviews, and data were analysed systematically.Results.  Thirty‐nine participants were recruited, and three key themes arose from the data: (i) Bereavement care depends on an established relationship between healthcare staff and the patient’s relatives; (ii) Preparation for the relative’s death may not equate to being prepared for bereavement; (iii) The ‘Open Door’ to bereavement care is only slightly ajar.Conclusions.  The study identified the interactions of healthcare staff with bereaved older people in terms of the bereavement journey. Staff demonstrated awareness of difficulties the bereaved person may encounter and showed commitment to providing support. However, lack of flexibility in services restricts meaningful interactions.Implications for Practice.  (i) Healthcare staff may identify gaps in services in terms of preparing relatives and follow‐up post‐bereavement; (ii) Therapeutic relationships between staff and relatives enable ongoing support; (iii) Development of practice guidelines is a key consideration.
Demographic history of an elusive carnivore: using museums to inform management
Authors: Holbrook Joseph D. , DeYoung Randy W. , Tewes Michael E. , Young John H. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractElusive carnivores present a challenge to managers because traditional survey methods are not suitable. We applied a genetic approach using museum specimens to examine how historical and recent conditions influenced the demographic history of Puma concolor in western and southern Texas, USA. We used 10 microsatellite loci and indexed population trends by estimating historical and recent genetic diversity, genetic differentiation and effective population size. Mountain lions in southern Texas exhibited a 9% decline in genetic diversity, whereas diversity remained stable in western Texas. Genetic differentiation between western and southern Texas was minimal historically (FST = 0.04, P < 0.01), but increased 2–2.5 times in our recent sample. An index of genetic drift for southern Texas was seven to eight times that of western Texas, presumably contributing to the current differentiation between western and southern Texas. Furthermore, southern Texas exhibited a >50% temporal decline in effective population size, whereas western Texas showed no change. Our results illustrate that population declines and genetic drift have occurred in southern Texas, likely because of contemporary habitat loss and predator control. Population monitoring may be needed to ensure the persistence of mountain lions in the southern Texas region. This study highlights the utility of sampling museum collections to examine demographic histories and inform wildlife management.
Scanning SNPs from a large set of expressed genes to assess the impact of artificial selection on the undomesticated genetic diversity of white spruce
Authors: Namroud Marie‐Claire , Bousquet Jean , Doerksen Trevor , Beaulieu Jean 
Published: February 2012

AbstractA scan involving 1134 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 709 expressed genes was used to assess the potential impact of artificial selection for height growth on the genetic diversity of white spruce. Two case populations of different sizes simulating different family selection intensities (K = 13% and 5%, respectively) were delineated from the Quebec breeding program. Their genetic diversity and allele frequencies were compared with those of control populations of the same size and geographic origin to assess the effect of increasing the selection intensity. The two control populations were also compared to assess the effect of reducing the sampling size. On one hand, in all pairwise comparisons, genetic diversity parameters were comparable and no alleles were lost in the case populations compared with the control ones, except for few rare alleles in the large case population. Also, the distribution of allele frequencies did not change significantly (P ≤ 0.05) between the populations compared, but ten and nine SNPs (0.8%) exhibited significant differences in frequency (P ≤ 0.01) between case and control populations of large and small sizes, respectively. Results of association tests between breeding values for height at 15 years of age and these SNPs supported the hypothesis of a potential effect of selection on the genes harboring these SNPs. On the other hand, contrary to expectations, there was no evidence that selection induced an increase in linkage disequilibrium in genes potentially affected by selection. These results indicate that neither the reduction in the sampling size nor the increase in selection intensity was sufficient to induce a significant change in the genetic diversity of the selected populations. Apparently, no loci were under strong selection pressure, confirming that the genetic control of height growth in white spruce involves many genes with small effects. Hence, selection for height growth at the present intensities did not appear to compromise background genetic diversity but, as predicted by theory, effects were detected at a few gene SNPs harboring intermediate allele frequencies.
Three‐dimensional computer reconstructions from serial sections of cell nuclei
Authors: Geraud Gérard , Soyer Alain , Epelboin Yves 
Published: February 2012

The analysis of ultrathin serial sections as 3‐dimensional (3D) information requires interpretation and display of a large amount of data. We suggest a simple way to solve this problem; it permits presentation of a series of sections as a 3D color image of good quality. It involves a picture system with specialized hardware and software written for this purpose.3D images of cellular organelles have been drawn either by manually defining the contour of the objects or by thresholding of the volumes in the structures.These 2 methods allow rapid drawing of the image on the screen. It is possible to determine the position, shape and size of 3D structures. This interactive system allows the user to choose between several option: colors, removal of parts of the object, and cutout.
In vitro stability of pancreatic zymogen granules: roles of pH and calcium
Authors: Lebel Denis , Grondin Gilles , Paquette Jean 
Published: February 2012

Purified preparations of pancreatic zymogen granules have the peculiar property of lysing instantaneously at neutral pH, a property clearly irreconcilable with the cytoplasmic pH of the acinar cell. Two important factors known for regulating the stability of secretory granules are calcium and pH. Fluorescence microscopy of acinar cells in the presence of weak bases showed that zymogen granules have an acidic pH. In vivo, abolition of the ΔpH by NH4Cl did not induce any lysis of the granules. In vitro, with purified granules, an acidic intragranular pH was measured. This ΔpH was produced by a Donnan potential. The importance for granule stability of keeping the intragranular pH acidic has been confirmed in vitro by addition of K+ and nigericin to the suspension medium. These conditions produced alkalinization of the granule matrix and caused instantaneous solubilization of the granules.Concentrations of 15 mM total, and 10 mM free calcium were measured in purified granules. The importance of intragranular Ca2+ was evaluated by means of the ionophore A23187 which induced calcium efflux and granule lysis. The lysis induced by the calcium ionophore was in direct relation with the calcium efflux, since addition of Ca2+ to the medium, at concentrations corresponding to that measured in the granule, relieved the effect. The role of calcium‐binding sites on the cytoplasmic surface of the granules was investigated with Ca2+, EGTA, and La3+. Calcium did not have any damaging effects; EGTA induced a slight lysis, while lanthanum yielded a strong and spontaneous lysis at micromolar concentrations. In addition to calcium‐binding sites, La3+ would bind to specific sites on the granule that would be directly coupled to maintenance of its stability.These findings suggest that the intragranular acidic pH and calcium are both important for the in vitro stability of the zymogen granule and that purified granules have lost, in the course of purification, some cytoplasmic factors that in vivo, control the permeability of the membrane to protons, and chloride more particularly. Calcium‐binding sites and other specific sites probed with La3+, presumably on proteins at the surface of the granule, are also believed to have key roles in preserving the integrity of the membrane and the resulting stability of the granule.
Binucleate cells in the Ehrlich ascites tumor. Autoradiographic labeling
Authors: Pertusa Jose , Pellicer Jose A. , Alcober Vicente 
Published: February 2012

An autoradiographic study was performed on binucleate and mitotic cells in the Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) untreated and after treatment with 5‐fluorouracil (FU).The number of binucleate cells was greater in the treated tumor than in the controls. It was also observed that the number of labeled mitoses was greater in the Fu‐treated tumor.Autoradiographic labeling showed that the cells that proved to be binucleate had previously passed through S‐phase; thus, these cells belonged to the proliferative compartment.
Translation in a cell‐free system, and in Xenopus oocytes, of mRNA which specify a cadmium‐binding protein in Nereis diversicolor (annelida, polychaeta)
Authors: Benouareth Djamal Eddine , Dhainaut‐Courtois Nicole , Porchet‐Hennere Eliane , Curgy Jean‐Jacques 
Published: February 2012

The presence in the marine worm Nereis diversicolor of a low molecular mass protein with the capacity to bind cadmium has been previously demonstrated [5].Poly(A)+‐mRNA were extracted from coelomocytes of Nereis diversicolor and were translated either in vitro, using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate, or in vivo into Xenopus laevis oocytes. Analysis of synthesized polypeptides by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by Western blotting, using a specific monoclonal anti‐MP II antibody, showed that this metalloprotein was translated both in in vitro and in vivo translation systems, with an apparent molecular mass of 11–13 kDa. Two other products, with 26.5 and 28 kDa molecular mass, cross‐reacted with the monoclonal anti‐MP II antibodies. The present work confirms that coelomocytes are sites of important synthesis of MP II‐mRNA.
Motility processes in Acantharia (protozoa) III. Calcium regulation of the contraction ‐ relaxation cycles of in vivo myonemes
Authors: Febvre Jean , Febvre‐Chevalier Collete 
Published: February 2012

The myonemes in the marine pelagic protozoa Acantharia are contractile organelles involved in buoyancy regulation. It was previously shown that they can perform three kinds of movement: rapid contraction, slow undulation and slow relaxation. They consist of a periodically striated bundle of 2–4 nm nonactin filaments that are twisted in pairs and shortened by a coiling mechanism. After permeabilization or demembranation, contraction and relaxation can still be performed by varying Ca2+ concentration and ATP is not needed.In the present paper, we have studied the role of Ca2+ and inhibitors of energy production in intact cells. Our data suggest that; (i) the in vivo rapid contraction subsequent to mechanical or electrical stimulation is triggered by Ca2+ influx across the cell membrane; (ii) the slow contraction that takes place during the undulating movement depends on Ca2+ release provided by internal calcium stores; (iii) the rapid contraction as well as the progressive shortening that occurs during the slow undulating movement are caused by Ca2+ binding to the myoneme filaments; (iv) ATP is not directly involved in the saturation by Ca2+ of Ca2+ sensitive sites located along the myoneme microstrands; (v) regulation of the movements of Ca2+ within the cytoplasm depends mainly upon the alternative pathway of ATP production; (vi) calmodulin is presumably involved in this regulation. A tentative cytophysiologic interpretation of the mechanism of contractility is proposed.
Clinical and Immunomodulatory Effects of Toceranib Combined with Low‐Dose Cyclophosphamide in Dogs with Cancer
Authors: Mitchell L. , Thamm D.H. , Biller B.J. 
Published: February 2012

BackgroundTyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and metronomic dosing of cyclophosphamide (CYC) can improve tumor control by suppression of regulatory T cells (Treg) and restoration of T cell‐mediated immune responses in mice and humans. The immunomodulatory effects of the TKI toceranib, as a single agent or in combination with metronomic CYC, have not been previously investigated in dogs.HypothesisThe primary objectives of this study were to determine the effects of toceranib and metronomic CYC treatment on lymphocyte subsets including Treg and on interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) secretion in dogs with cancer. We hypothesized that toceranib would selectively decrease Treg numbers and increase IFN‐γ production and that addition of CYC would further enhance these effects.AnimalsFifteen client‐owned dogs with advanced tumors were entered into a prospective clinical trial.MethodsDogs received toceranib at 2.75 mg/kg once every other day. After 2 weeks, oral CYC was added at 15 mg/m2 daily. Numbers of Treg and lymphocyte subsets were measured in blood by flow cytometry during the 8‐week study period. Serum concentrations of IFN‐γ were measured by ELISA.ResultsAdministration of toceranib significantly decreased the number and percentage of Treg in the peripheral blood of dogs with cancer. Dogs receiving toceranib and CYC demonstrated a significant increase in serum concentrations of IFN‐γ, which was inversely correlated with Treg numbers after 6 weeks of combination treatment.ConclusionsIn addition to antitumor effects, these data support further investigations into the immunomodulatory effects of toceranib, administered alone or in combination with CYC in dogs with cancer.
Expression Turnover Profiling To Monitor the Antifungal Activities of Amphotericin B, Voriconazole, and Micafungin against Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Zhao Yanan , Paderu Padmaja , Park Steven , Dukhan Aleksandra , Senter Meredith , Perlin David S. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Eight highly expressed candidate genes were selected for mRNA profiling to monitor the transcriptome kinetics of
Aspergillus fumigatus
strains exposed to antifungal drugs as potential biomarkers of live cells to assess treatment efficacy. Mycelia were treated with fungicidal drugs amphotericin B and voriconazole, as well as the fungistatic drug micafungin. Transcription was monitored at 0, 4, 8, and 24 h posttreatment. The expression turnover profile provides a possible tool to assess antifungal therapy effects.
bla
NDM-1
Is a Chimera Likely Constructed in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Toleman M. A. , Spencer J. , Jones L. , Walsh T. R. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Alignment of DNA sequences found upstream of
aphA6
and all
bla
NDM-1
genes displays 100% identity. This identity continues 19 bp into the
bla
NDM-1
gene such that the first 6 amino acids of
aphA6
and
bla
NDM-1
are the same. Furthermore, the percent GC content (GC%) of
aphA6
is considerably lower than that of
bla
NDM-1
and the GC% within the
bla
NDM-1
structural gene changes dramatically after the first 19 bp. This is unequivocal evidence that
bla
NDM-1
is a chimera.
Abrupt Temporal Fluctuations in the Chicken Fecal Microbiota Are Explained by Its Gastrointestinal Origin
Authors: Sekelja M. , Rud I. , Knutsen S. H. , Denstadli V. , Westereng B. , Næs T. , Rudi K. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

One of the main challenges in understanding the composition of fecal microbiota is that it can consist of microbial mixtures originating from different gastrointestinal (GI) segments. Here, we addressed this challenge for broiler chicken feces using a direct 16S rRNA gene-sequencing approach combined with multivariate statistical analyses. Broiler feces were chosen because of easy sampling and the importance for pathogen transmission to the human food chain. Feces were sampled daily for 16 days from chickens with and without a feed structure-induced stimulation of the gastric barrier function. Overall, we found four dominant microbial phylogroups in the feces. Two of the phylogroups were related to clostridia, one to lactobacilli, and one to
Escherichia/Shigella
. The relative composition of these phylogroups showed apparent stochastic temporal fluctuations in feces. Analyses of dissected chickens at the end of the experiment, however, showed that the two clostridial phylogroups were correlated to the microbiota in the cecum/colon and the small intestine, while the upper gut (crop and gizzard) microbiota was correlated to the lactobacillus phylogroup. In addition, chickens with a stimulated gizzard also showed less of the proximate GI dominating bacterial group in the feces, supporting the importance of the gastric barrier function. In conclusion, our results suggest that GI origin is a main determinant for the chicken fecal microbiota composition. This knowledge will be important for future understanding of factors affecting shedding of both harmful and beneficial gastrointestinal bacteria through feces.