bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of arsenic exposure on DNA methylation in cord blood samples from newborn babies and in a human lymphoblast cell line
Authors: Intarasunanont Ponpat , Navasumrit Panida , Waraprasit Somchamai , Chaisatra Krittinee , Suk William A , Mahidol Chulabhorn , Ruchirawat Mathuros 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Accumulating evidence indicates that in utero exposure to arsenic is associated with congenital defects and long-term disease consequences including cancers. Recent studies suggest that arsenic carcinogenesis results from epigenetic changes, particularly in DNA methylation. This study aimed to investigate DNA methylation changes as a result of arsenic exposure in utero and in vitro.

Methods
For the exposure in utero study, a total of seventy-one newborns (fifty-five arsenic-exposed and sixteen unexposed newborns) were recruited. Arsenic concentrations in the drinking water were measured, and exposure in newborns was assessed by measurement of arsenic concentrations in cord blood, nails and hair by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In the in vitro study, human lymphoblasts were treated with arsenite at 0-100 μM for two, four and eight hours (short-term) and at 0, 0.5 and 1.0 μM for eight-weeks period (long-term). DNA methylation was analyzed in cord blood lymphocytes and lymphoblasts treated with arsenite in vitro. Global DNA methylation was determined as LINE-1 methylation using combined bisulfite restriction analysis ( COBRA) and total 5-methyldeoxycytidine (5MedC) content which was determined by HPLC-MS/MS. Methylation of p53 was determined at the promoter region using methylation-specific restriction endonuclease digestion with MspI and HpaII.

Results
Results showed that arsenic-exposed newborns had significantly higher levels of arsenic in cord blood, fingernails, toenails and hair than those of the unexposed subjects and a slight increase in promoter methylation of p53 in cord blood lymphocytes which significantly correlated with arsenic accumulation in nails (p < 0.05) was observed, while LINE-1 methylation was unchanged. Short-term in vitro arsenite treatment in lymphoblastoid cells clearly demonstrated a significant global hypomethylation, determined as reduction in LINE-1 methylation and total 5-MedC content, and p53 hypermethylation (p < 0.05). However, a slight LINE-1 hypomethylation and transient p53 promoter hypermethylation were observed following long-term in vitro treatment.

Conclusions
This study provides an important finding that in utero arsenic exposure affects DNA methylation, particularly at the p53 promoter region, which may be linked to the mechanism of arsenic carcinogenesis and the observed increased incidence of cancer later in life.
New iterative schemes for a finite family of nonself uniformly quasi-Lipschitzian mappings in Banach spaces
Authors: Wang Chao , Li Jin , Hu Liang-gen 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
In this article, we introduce the concept of nonself uniformly quasi-Lipschitzian mapping and consider a new iterative scheme with errors to converge to a common fixed point for a finite family of nonself uniformly quasi-Lipschitzian mappings in Banach spaces. The results of this article improve and extend many known results.
HIV taken by STORM: Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy of a viral infection
Authors: Pereira Cândida F , Rossy Jérémie , Owen Dylan M , Mak Johnson , Gaus Katharina 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
The visualization of viral proteins has been hindered by the resolution limit of conventional fluorescent microscopes, as the dimension of any single fluorescent signal is often greater than most virion particles. Super-resolution microscopy has the potential to unveil the distribution of proteins at the resolution approaching electron microscopy without relying on morphological features of existing characteristics of the biological specimen that are needed in EM.

Results
Using direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) to achieve a lateral resolution of 15–20 nm, we quantified the 2-D molecular distribution of the major structural proteins of the infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) before and after infection of lymphoid cells. We determined that the HIV-1 matrix and capsid proteins undergo restructuring soon after HIV-1 infection.

Conclusions
This study provides the proof-of-concept for the use of dSTORM to visualize the changes in the molecular distribution of viral proteins during an infection.
Sternal reconstruction for unusual chondrosarcoma: innovative technique
Authors: Nosotti Mario , Rosso Lorenzo , Mendogni Paolo , Tosi Davide , Palleschi Alessandro , Parafioriti Antonina , Santambrogio Luigi 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The authors report a clinical case of a primary sternal chondrosarcoma, presented as a mass in the anterior mediastinum. The patient was treated with subtotal sternectomy and sternal transplantation followed by radiotherapy. Twelve months after surgery, the patient is in good clinical condition, without any sign of tumor relapse and with normal respiratory mechanics.
Primary malignant tumors of the sternum are uncommon and a presentation mimicking thymoma is rare and unreported. The stermal replacement with a cryopreserved allograft sternum is an innovative technique that overcomes the problems related to the prosthetic biocompatibility or to the bone autograft.
A quantitative structure- property relationship of gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric retention data of 85 volatile organic compounds as air pollutant materials by multivariate methods
Authors: Sarkhosh Maryam , Ghasemi Jahan B , Ayati Mahnaz 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
A quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) study is suggested for the prediction of retention times of volatile organic compounds. Various kinds of molecular descriptors were calculated to represent the molecular structure of compounds. Modeling of retention times of these compounds as a function of the theoretically derived descriptors was established by multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN). The stepwise regression was used for the selection of the variables which gives the best-fitted models. After variable selection ANN, MLR methods were used with leave-one-out cross validation for building the regression models. The prediction results are in very good agreement with the experimental values. MLR as the linear regression method shows good ability in the prediction of the retention times of the prediction set. This provided a new and effective method for predicting the chromatography retention index for the volatile organic compounds.
Respiratory syncytial virus outbreak in neonatal intensive care unit: Impact of infection control measures plus palivizumab use
Authors: Silva Camila de A , Dias Lívio , Baltieri Sandra R , Rodrigues Tatiane T , Takagi Neusa Brandolise , Richtmann Rosana 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
The occurrence of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) outbreak in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is related to unfavorable outcomes, as this infection can lead to respiratory distress and death in premature in infants. Report the successful control of an outbreak that occurred in April 2010 in a NICU.

Methods
After the index case, of 18 premature infants placed in the same room 10 infants were infected. Of those 10, 6 developed mild to moderate respiratory symptoms, 4 persisted asymptomatic and no death occurred. Contact and respiratory precautions were rapidly initiated, the infants were cohorted in 3 different rooms and palivizumab was administered to all contacts.

Results
The outbreak was controlled and no new cases were subsequently indentified.

Conclusion
Standard infection control measures plus palivizumab prophylaxis were efficient in rapid control of the outbreak.
Prognostic and predictive value of TP53mutations in node-positive breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline- or anthracycline/taxane-based adjuvant therapy: results from the BIG 02-98 phase III trial
Authors: Fernández-Cuesta Lynnette , Oakman Catherine , Falagan-Lotsch Priscila , Smoth Ke-seay , Quinaux Emmanuel , Buyse Marc , Dolci M Stella , Azambuja Evandro De , Hainaut Pierre , Dell'Orto Patrizia , Larsimont Denis , Francis Prudence A , Crown John , Piccart-Gebhart Martine , Viale Giuseppe , Leo Angelo Di , Olivier Magali 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Pre-clinical data suggest p53-dependent anthracycline-induced apoptosis and p53-independent taxane activity. However, dedicated clinical research has not defined a predictive role for TP53 gene mutations. The aim of the current study was to retrospectively explore the prognosis and predictive values of TP53 somatic mutations in the BIG 02-98 randomized phase III trial in which women with node-positive breast cancer were treated with adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy with or without docetaxel.

Methods
The prognostic and predictive values of TP53 were analyzed in tumor samples by gene sequencing within exons 5 to 8. Patients were classified according to p53 protein status predicted from TP53 gene sequence, as wild-type (no TP53 variation or TP53 variations which are predicted not to modify p53 protein sequence) or mutant (p53 nonsynonymous mutations). Mutations were subcategorized according to missense or truncating mutations. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox-regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of outcome.

Results
TP53 gene status was determined for 18% (520 of 2887) of the women enrolled in BIG 02-98. TP53 gene variations were found in 17% (90 of 520). Nonsynonymous p53 mutations, found in 16.3% (85 of 520), were associated with older age, ductal morphology, higher grade and hormone-receptor negativity. Of the nonsynonymous mutations, 12.3% (64 of 520) were missense and 3.6% were truncating (19 of 520). Only truncating mutations showed significant independent prognostic value, with an increased recurrence risk compared to patients with non-modified p53 protein (hazard ratio = 3.21, 95% confidence interval = 1.740 to 5.935, P = 0.0002). p53 status had no significant predictive value for response to docetaxel.

Conclusions
p53 truncating mutations were uncommon but associated with poor prognosis. No significant predictive role for p53 status was detected.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00174655
The secretome of stem cells isolated from the adipose tissue and Wharton jelly acts differently on central nervous system derived cell populations
Authors: Ribeiro Carlos A , Fraga Joana S , Grãos Mário , Neves Nuno M , Reis Rui L , Gimble Jeffrey M , Sousa Nuno , Salgado António J 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Introduction
It is hypothesized that administration of stromal/stem cells isolated from the adipose tissue (ASCs) and umbilical cord (HUCPVCs) can ameliorate the injured central nervous system (CNS). It is still not clear, however, whether they have similar or opposite effects on primary cultures of neuronal populations. The objective of the present work was to determine if ASCs and HUCPVCs preferentially act, or not, on specific cell populations within the CNS.

Methods
Primary cultures of hippocampal neurons were exposed to ASCs and HUCPVCs conditioned media (CM) (obtained 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after three days of culture) for one week.

Results
Cell viability experiments (MTS (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2(4-sulfophenyl)-2H tetrazolium) test) revealed that CM obtained from both cell populations at all time points did not cause any deleterious effects on neuronal cells. In fact, it was determined that whenever the ASCs CM were supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and B27, there was a significant increase in the metabolic viability and neuronal cell density of the cultures. On the other hand, in the absence of CM supplementation, it was the HUCPVCs secretome that had the highest impact on the metabolic viability and cell density. In an attempt to unveil which factors could be involved in the observed effects, a screening for the presence of bFGF, nerve growth factor (NGF), stem cell factor (SCF), hepatocyte growth factors (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the CM was performed. Results revealed the presence of all these factors in ASCs CM, except bFGF; in contrast, in HUCPVCs CM it was only possible to detect robust NGF expression.

Conclusions
Overall, the results confirm important differences on the secretome of ASCs and HUCPVCs, which lead to distinct effects on the metabolic viability and neuronal cell densities in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons; however, the factor(s) that promote the stronger effect of the HUCPVCs CM in neuronal survival is(are) still to be identified.
Zebrafish homologs of 16p11.2, a genomic region associated with brain disorders, are active during brain development, and include two deletion dosage sensor genes
Authors: Blaker-Lee Alicia , Gupta Sunny , McCammon Jasmine M. , DeRienzo Gianluca , Sive Hazel 
Published: May 2012

SummaryDeletion or duplication of one copy of the human 16p11.2 interval is tightly associated with impaired brain function, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual disability disorder (IDD), and other phenotypes, indicating the importance of gene dosage in this copy number variant region (CNV). The core of this CNV includes 25 genes, however, the number of genes that contribute to these phenotypes is not known. Further, genes whose functional levels change with deletion or duplication (termed 'dosage sensors'), which may associate the CNV with pathologies, have not been identified. Using the zebrafish as a tool, a set of 16p11.2 homologs was identified, primarily on chromosomes 3 and 12. Use of eleven phenotypic assays, spanning the first five days of development, demonstrates that this set of genes is highly active, such that 21 out of 22 homologs tested show loss of function phenotypes. Most genes are required for nervous system development − impacting brain morphology, eye development, axonal density or organization, and motor response. In general, human genes can substitute for the fish homolog, demonstrating orthology, and consistent with conserved molecular pathways. In a screen for 16p11.2 genes whose function is sensitive to hemizygosity, the aldolase a (aldoa) and kinesin family member 22 (kif22) genes were identified as giving clear phenotypes when RNA levels are reduced by ~50%, suggesting that these genes are deletion dosage sensors. This study leads to two major findings. The first is that the 16p11.2 region comprises a highly active set of genes, which may present a large genetic target, and may explain why multiple brain function and other phenotypes are associated with this interval. The second major finding is that there are (at least) two genes with deletion dosage sensor properties amongst the 16p11.2 set, which may link this CNV to brain disorders including ASD and IDD.
Clinical Outcomes Associated with Brand-to-Generic Phenytoin Interchange
Authors: Kinikar Shilpa A , Delate Thomas , Menaker-Wiener C Mindy , Bentley William H 
Published: May 2012

Background: Concerns that antiepileptic brand-to-generic interchange results in disruption of seizure control are widespread. However, little within-patient evidence exists examining such interchanges. Objective: To compare within-patient seizure control before and after the interchange of a branded to a single-source generic Phenytoin among patients with seizures in a managed care organization. Methods: This was a pre-post, self-controlled, retrospective study. Adults with a history of seizure who used Dilantin Kapseals 100 mg extended Phenytoin sodium, USP, capsules and whose therapy was interchanged to Taro Pharmaceuticals’ AB-rated generic extended phenytoin sodium capsules, USP, 100 mg between July 2007 and May 2008 were included. Study outcomes included the comparisons of the proportions of patients with at least emergency department (ED) visit/inpatient hospitalization and medical office visit/nonoffice consultation for acute seizure in the 6 months before and after interchange. Outcomes were confirmed with manual chart reviews and adjusted for potential confounding medication use. Results: A total of 222 patients were included in the study. Patients were primarily middle-aged (mean 56 years), equally mixed by sex (47% female); most had nonintractable seizures. The majority of patients (~70%) were on phenytoin as monotherapy and had equivalent rates of purchases for potentially confounding medications in both pre- and postinterchange time periods (all p < 0.05). Low serum concentrations were detected more often in the postinterchange study period (adjusted p < 0.001). Despite this, there were low proportions of patients with confirmed seizure events that resulted in an ED visit/inpatient hospitalization in both pre- and postinterchange periods (both 6.3%, adjusted p = 0.937). The proportion of patients with confirmed seizure events diagnosed at a medical office visit was not significantly different between the preinterchange and postinterchange periods (12.2% vs 11.3%, adjusted p = 0.545). Conclusions: NO increased proportion of seizures was observed within patients when branded phenytoin was interchanged to an AB-rated, single-source, generic equivalent. More rigorous studies should be conducted to more thoroughly evaluate patient tolerability and drug efficacy when antiepileptic drugs are interchanged from brand to generic formulations.
The Diverse Practice of Social Pedagogues: Case Examples From Denmark, Scotland, and Germany
Authors: Surel Christina , Douglas Sarah , Finley Andy , Priver Alexandra 
Published: May 2012

Guest Editors' NoteAs a holistic way of working with children and young people to develop their learning and wellbeing, their inter-and independence, social pedagogy is widely practised across many European countries. While the ways in which it is practiced will differ — depending on the cultural context and setting — there are also common threads that connect the social pedagogic traditions found in several countries. Hämäläinen (2003) suggests that ‘social pedagogy has a certain perspective of its own [which] cannot be reduced to a set of simple pedagogical methods, but should be understood as an educational orientation in which the world, people, society, social problems and social work are observed through “social pedagogical” glasses, as it were’ (p. 76).
Youth Worker, Probably the Most Difficult Job in the World
Authors: Coussée Filip , Williamson Howard 
Published: May 2012

Guest Editors' NoteOne of the most central principles for social pedagogues is to critically examine their role and the purpose of their practice: What are the social aspects of relevance for their practice? How can they help the children they work with to develop social competences, to feel included in a social network and the wider society, to have a sense of belonging and take more responsibility for their community? To what extent must social pedagogues be advocates for those marginalised within society, be a critical voice that challenges social inequalities? And on the other hand, what pedagogical aspects are important within their work context? How can they create learning opportunities that prepare children and young people for many aspects of life? To what extent are they expected to be formative and socialise children and young people to fit in, and to what extent must their practice nurture the individual's autonomous development? These are not easy questions to answer, and they need to be asked over and over as the answers will change, depending on the individual with whom social pedagogues work, but also their work context and, importantly, the wider societal–political framework, which might make particular aspects more relevant at times.
Employees' Perceptions of the Management of Workplace Stress
Authors: Buys Nicholas , Matthews Lynda R. , Randall Christine 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore how employees perceive their organisation's efforts to address the management of stress in their workplaces and to examine differences based on demographic variables of organisational location and size. A convenience sample of 85 people at an international disability management conference completed a Management of Stress in the Workplace Questionnaire. Results of this survey indicated that employees were not positive about their organisations efforts to manage stress in either prevention or rehabilitation activities. Employees from smaller organisations rated their workplace environments more positively than larger organisations. A perceived high incidence of stress in an organisation was negatively related to perceptions about the work environment. Lower perceived levels of stress-related compensation claims were associated with higher ratings of prevention and higher workplace environment ratings. Effective disability management programs need to address a range of individual, organisational and system factors that cause and exacerbate stress injuries. In addition to the provision of a range of prevention and rehabilitation services, it is important that organisations look at ways to improve workplace culture and, by association, job satisfaction and workplace morale.
Internalising Disability Management: Using Action Research to Explore Organisational Change Processes
Authors: McAnaney Donal , Williams Blake 
Published: May 2012

AbstractInternalising disability management (DM) processes into an organisation needs careful planning and preparation particularly where the existing practice is to outsource DM services and supports to third-party providers. By using an action research methodology, the implementation process of an early intervention and rehabilitation pilot project in a large North American multisite health provider was tracked and monitored. An action researcher, who was the staff member responsible for line managing the DM pilot, kept an action research journal in which the actions taken, outcomes achieved, issues arising, insight gained and successful responses were regularly recorded over the initial phase of the pilot project. Organisational impact indicators for the pilot project were very positive. A content analysis of the action research journal revealed key components in a successful company DM program, the challenges faced when introducing a new program where pre-existing programs and policies exist, challenges arising from project implementation and mechanisms and strategies that worked well. The action research approach provided a useful insight into the day-to-day issues to be addressed when internalising DM into a large multisite organisation.
Safe to Engage: Chronic Illness and Organisational Citizenship Behaviours at Work
Authors: Kirk-Brown Andrea , Dijk Pieter Van 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study is to extend current models of employee work engagement to include chronic illness in order to better understand and predict workforce participation for the chronically ill. Using a sample of 604 participants, the current study examined the relationship between work engagement, perceptions of psychological safety at work and the performance of organisational citizenship behaviours for employees with chronic illness (N = 92) compared to a referent group of general employees (N = 512). Results indicate that for chronically ill employees, psychological safety partially mediates the relationship between engagement and the performance of organisational citizenship behaviours. These results suggest that the development of a workplace environment characterised by feelings of safety, interpersonal trust and mutual respect will foster the performance of engaged work behaviours for a group of employees vulnerable to the experience of a reduced sense of personal efficacy in the workplace and consequent premature retirement.