bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interventions for Shared Decision‐Making About Life Support in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kryworuchko Jennifer , Hill Elina , Murray Mary Ann , Stacey Dawn , Fergusson Dean A. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTBackgroundHealthcare professionals and families make decisions about the use of life support for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), including decisions to withhold or withdraw life support at the end‐of‐life. Best practice guidelines recommend using a shared decision‐making (SDM) approach to improve the quality of end‐of‐life decision‐making but do not describe how this should be done in practice.AimsTo know what elements of SDM had been tested to improve communication between healthcare professionals, patients, and their family about the decision. Trials relevant to our review assessed whether these interventions were more effective than usual care.MethodsA systematic review of randomized controlled trials of SDM interventions for the decision about using life support, limiting the use of life support, or withdrawing life support for hospitalized patients. We searched databases from inception to January 2011.ResultsOf 3,162 publications, four unique trials were conducted between 1992 and 2005. Of four trials, three interventions were evaluated. Two studies of interventions including three of nine elements of SDM did not report improvements in communication. Two studies of the same ethics consultation, which included eight of nine elements of SDM, did not evaluate the benefit to communication. The interventions were not harmful; they decreased family member anxiety and distress, shortened intensive care unit stay, but did not affect patient mortality.Implications for Research and PracticeFew studies have evaluated interventions to improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients/families when facing the decision about whether or not to use life support in the ICU. Interventions that include essential elements of SDM need to be more thoroughly evaluated in order to determine their effectiveness and health impact and to guide clinical practice.
WNT2 Locus is Involved in Genetic Susceptibility of Peyronie’s Disease
Authors: Dolmans Guido H. , Werker Paul M. , de Jong Igle J. , Nijman Rien J. , LifeLines Cohort Study  , Wijmenga Cisca , Ophoff Roel A. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a fibromatosis of the penis, with a pathology very similar to what is seen in the hand (palmar fascia) in Dupuytren’s disease (DD). Recently, we performed a genome-wide association study and identified nine genetic loci containing common variants associated with DD. Seven of these loci mapped within or near genes of the canonical WNT pathway and each locus yielded relatively large odds ratios (ORs) for DD disease status.

Aim
Given the clinical overlap between PD and DD, we examined whether the nine DD susceptibility loci are also involved in PD.

Methods
An association study was performed using a case/control design. From 2007 to 2010, we prospectively included 111 men who had been clinically diagnosed with PD. Control subjects (N = 490 males) were randomly drawn from a population-based cohort from the same region of the Netherlands. Allele frequencies in the 111 PD cases and 490 controls were compared using a 1-degree-of-freedom basic chi-square test. A P value &lt; 0.05 after Bonferroni correction for the nine tested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was considered statistically significant (i.e., P &lt; 0.0056).

Main Outcome Measure
Association of genetic markers (SNPs) with PD.

Results
We observed significant association with SNP rs4730775 at the wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 2 (WNT2) locus on chromosome 7 (P = 0.0015, OR 0.61), but found no evidence for the other eight loci being involved with PD despite the large effect size seen for some of these variants in DD. The WNT2 association was even more significant after we removed 15 patients with comorbid DD.

Conclusions
WNT2 is a susceptibility locus for PD and our finding provides evidence for a partly shared genetic susceptibility between PD and DD.
The Somatic and Autonomic Innervation of the Clitoris; Preliminary Evidence of Sexual Dysfunction After Minimally Invasive Slings
Authors: Bekker Milou D. , Hogewoning Cornelis R.C. , Wallner Chris , Elzevier Henk W. , DeRuiter Marco C. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Vaginal sling procedures may have a negative effect on sexual function due to damage to vascular and/or neural genital structures. Even though autonomic innervation of the clitoris plays an important role in female sexual function, most studies on the neuroanatomy of the clitoris focus on the sensory function of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris (DNC). The autonomic and somatic pathways in relationship to sling surgery have up to the present not been described in detail.

Aim
The aim of this study is to reinvestigate and describe the neuroanatomy of the clitoris, both somatic and autonomic, in relation to vaginal sling procedures for stress urinary incontinence.

Method
Serially sectioned and histochemically stained pelves from 11 female fetuses (10–27 weeks of gestation) were studied, and three-dimensional reconstructions of the neuroanatomy of the clitoris were prepared. Fourteen adult female hemipelves were dissected, after a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) (7) or tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) (7) procedure had been performed.

Main Outcome Measures
Three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction and measured distance between the clitoral nerve systems and TVT/TVT-O.

Results
The DNC originates from the pudendal nerve in the Alcock’s canal and ascends to the clitoral bodies. In the dissected adult pelves, the distance of the TVT-O to the DNC had a mean of 9 mm. The cavernous nerves originate from the vaginal nervous plexus and travel the 5 and 7 o’clock positions along the urethra. There, the autonomic nerves were found to be pierced by the TVT needle. At the hilum of the clitoral bodies, the branches of the cavernous nerves medially pass/cross the DNC and travel further alongside it. Just before hooking over the glans of the clitoris, they merge with DNC.

Conclusions
The DNC is located inferior of the pubic ramus and was not disturbed during the placement of the TVT-O. However, the autonomic innervation of the vaginal wall was disrupted by the TVT procedure, which could lead to altered lubrication-swelling response.
Relative expression of γδ T‐cell receptor gene families detected by RT–PCR and capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Tesarova L. , Koutna I. , Dvorakova M. , Klabusay M. 
Published: April 2012

Summaryγδ T cells are intensively studied because their function in infection, allergy, autoimmune disease, cancer and post‐transplant period is not yet fully understood. PCR‐based techniques were established to study the γ variable (Vγ) and δ variable (Vδ) gene families. PCR product evaluation is routinely carried out by Southern blot analysis or the third complementarity‐determining region spectratyping, but a fast and simple assessment of Vγ and Vδ gene family expression is missing. The aim of our study was to test capillary electrophoresis as a potential method for evaluating the composition of the γδ T‐cell population. This report provides optimized PCR conditions for γδ T‐cell receptor amplification. Further, it describes the utilization of capillary electrophoresis in the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer to evaluate the relative expression of Vγ and Vδ gene families after their amplification. An application of the methodology to peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from patients during haemato‐oncological treatment is shown. The described methodology is fast and simple to operate and is therefore suitable as a first screening of the γδ T‐cell population composition in tissues of interest.
Analysis of KIR gene frequencies and HLA class I genotypes in prostate cancer and control group
Authors: Portela P. , Jobim L. F. , Salim P. H. , Koff W. J. , Wilson T. J. , Jobim M. R. , Schwartsmann G. , Roesler R. , Jobim M. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryProstate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, with a significant increase in incidence and mortality in men over 50 years of age. Natural killer cells (NK) are part of the innate immune system recognizing class I HLA molecules on target cells through their membrane receptors, called killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR). The aim of our study is to evaluate the association between the KIR genes and HLA alleles in patients with prostate cancer and healthy controls. Two hundred patients with prostate cancer and 185 healthy controls were typed for HLA class I and KIR genes by PCR‐SSP. When both groups were compared, no significant differences were found for HLA‐C group 1 and group 2, HLA‐Bw4, HLA‐A3 and A11. No difference was seen either in KIR frequency between patients with prostate cancer and controls. In conclusion, our data suggest no potential role for the KIR gene system in prostate cancer.
Identification and characterisation of differentially expressed leaf proteins among Vitis species
Authors: Katam R. , Basha S.M. , Parks C. , Sakata K. , Latinwo L.M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractGrapes are commercially grown worldwide for fresh fruit and wine. They are mainly classified into bunch and muscadine grapes. These species differ in their sugar content and composition, photosynthetic efficiency and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Grape berry relies on carbohydrates produced during photosynthesis to support its development and composition. In view of the unique physiology and genetic make‐up of muscadine grape, a proteomics study was performed to increase our knowledge of Vitis leaf proteome in order to improve enological and disease tolerance characteristics of grape species. A high throughput two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) was conducted on muscadine, bunch and hybrid bunch leaf proteins. The differentially expressed proteins were excised from 2‐DE gels, subjected to in‐gel trypsin digestion, and analysed in MALDI/TOF mass spectrometer. The mass spectra were collected and protein identification was performed by searching against Viridiplantae database using Matrix Science algorithm. Proteins were mapped to universal protein resource to study gene ontology. We have discovered >255 proteins with pIs between 3.5 and 8.0 and molecular weight between 12 and 100 kDa among the Vitis species. Comparative analysis of leaf proteome showed that 54 polypeptides varied qualitatively and quantitatively among the three Vitis species studied. Of these, seven proteins were unique to muscadine, two proteins were present in both muscadine and bunch, while 28 proteins were common to all the three species. Bioinformatic analysis of these proteins showed that they are involved in signal transduction pathway, transport of metabolites, energy metabolism, protein trafficking, photosynthesis and defence. We have also identified proteins unique to muscadine grape that are involved in defence and stress tolerance. In addition, photosynthesis‐related proteins were found to be more abundant in Vitis vinifera grape compared to other Vitis species.
Genetic diversity of maize landraces from lowland and highland agro‐ecosystems of Southern South America: implications for the conservation of native resources
Authors: Bracco M. , Lia V.V. , Hernández J.C. , Poggio L. , Gottlieb A.M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe North of Argentina is one of the southernmost areas of maize landrace cultivation. Two distinct centres of diversity have been distinguished within this region: Northwestern Argentina (NWA), and Northeastern Argentina (NEA). Nowadays, maize landraces from this area are faced with two main risks. On the one hand, significant structural and functional changes have modified the rural environment with the boundaries of cropland areas experiencing a rapid expansion at the expense of northern natural forests and rangelands; and on the other, native gene pools are increasingly threatened by hybrids and commercial varieties which are more attractive relative to landraces. The first step towards any conservational action is the acquisition of an inclusive knowledge of the biological resources. For this purpose, our study assesses the genetic diversity and population dynamics of maize landraces from Northern Argentina using microsatellite markers. The Northeastern lowland region (NEA) was represented by 12 landraces (19 populations). In addition, six landraces (eight populations) from the Northwestern highland region (NWA) were used for comparison. For the NEA data set, a total of 126 alleles were found, with an average of 10.5 alleles per locus. Mean Ho, He and Rs were 0.350, 0.467 and 2.72, respectively. Global fit to Hardy–Weinberg proportions was observed in 7 of 19 populations. Global estimates of FST revealed significant differentiation among populations. Bayesian analyses of population structure allowed the recognition of two main gene pools (popcorns versus floury landraces). When NWA was added to the analysis, three clusters were distinguished: NEA popcorns, NEA flours and NWA racial complexes. Additional information on the relationships among these groups was retrieved from cluster analyses. This study shows that lowland landraces from Northern Argentina harbour considerable levels of genetic diversity, with contributions from different gene pools. Further studies encompassing a larger number of populations from the NEA region will certainly help to detect additional genetic variation, which may prove highly valuable in germplasm conservation and management. Future conservation efforts should focus on preserving NEA popcorns, NEA floury and NWA racial complexes as different management units.
Effect of signalment on the presentation of canine patients suffering from cranial cruciate ligament disease
Authors: Guthrie J. W. , Keeley B. J. , Maddock E. , Bright S. R. , May C. 
Published: April 2012

Objective: To determine the effect of signalment on the incidence and presentation of patients suffering from cranial cruciate ligament disease.Methods: Data relating to 426 dogs (44 breeds) that met specific selection criteria were obtained from the hospital archive (2002 to 2008). Cases were followed up for 2 years.Results: The breeds most commonly presented with cranial cruciate ligament disease were Labrador retriever (16%), Rottweiler (15%), golden retriever (12%) and boxer (9%). Rottweilers were significantly more likely (69%; P=0·05) to develop and present with (50%; P=0·03) bilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease. Rottweilers presenting with cranial cruciate ligament disease were significantly younger (median 977 days; P<0·0001) than other breeds; golden retrievers being significantly older at presentation (median 1994 days; P=0·004). Neither sex nor neutered status significantly affected the incidence of developing (P=0·77 and P=0·30, respectively) or presenting with (P=0·62 and P=0·35, respectively) bilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease. Entire dogs were significantly younger than neutered dogs at presentation (P=0·0004). Entire female dogs presented significantly younger than neutered females (P=0·0002), entire males (P=0·01) and neutered males (P=0·0001).ClinicalSignificance: Breed affects the incidence of developing and presenting with bilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease. Breed and sex both affect the age that patients present with cranial cruciate ligament disease.
Insecticidal activities ofGinkgo bilobaseed coat extracts againstSpodoptera exigua(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: SO Sang‐Sup , HWANG Tae‐Hwan , AKRAM Waseem , CHOI Jhong‐Kyung , LEE Jong‐Jin 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe present study relates to a methanol extract of the seed coat ofGinkgo biloba, and tested particularly on the third instar larvae ofSpodoptera exigua. The extract was found to have an inhibitory effect on the growth of the larvae besides bringing a change in the nutrient reserves in the body of the insect. Topical application of five different doses of the methanol extract resulted in a mortal effect to third instar larvae ofS. exiguathat is very much dependent on the dose as well as duration of exposure. Lower doses revealed lower mortality after 24 h of application. At doses of 1.00, 2.00, 4.00, 8.00 and 16.00 ng/larva, mortalities were 9.25, 26.07, 50.32, 56.28 and 92.44%, respectively. The dose for 50% mortality (LD50) of methanol extracts by applied by a topical method with 1 µL of acetone solution was 1.92 ng/larva. Nutrient reserves like protein, glycogen and lipid are known to regulate pupation and adult emergence. These reserves have been found to be lower in treated larvae, indicating the insecticidal role of methanol extracts fromG. bilobaagainst third instar larvae ofS. exigua.
Enhanced Competitive Chemiluminescent Enzyme Immunoassay for the Trace Detection of Insecticide Triazophos
Authors: Jin Maojun , Shao Hua , Jin Fen , Gui Wenjun , Shi Xiaomei , Wang Jing , Zhu Guonian 
Published: April 2012

Abstract:  A direct competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) for triazophos was developed, which was based on the anti‐THHe IgG monoclonal antibody and a heterogeneous enzyme tracer (THHu‐HRP). Several components of chemiluminescent enhanced solution (CES) were optimized. The results showed that 1 mM of p‐iodo‐phenol, 0.625 mM of luminol, and 4 mM of H2O2 had the best performance. Based on the study of CES, the influence of several factors (assay buffer, blocking substance, and solvent) on the immunoassay was investigated. The sensitivity for detection, IC50 value was 0.87 ng/mL at a practical working concentration range between 0.04 ng/mL and 5 ng/mL and the limit of detection for triazophos was 0.063 ng/mL. The average recovery of triazophos added to lettuce, carrot, apple, water, and soil were 78.71%, 67.52%, 118.3%, 117.2%, and 122.0%, respectively. Finally, comparison between the methods of CLEIA and high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrum (HPLC‐MS/MS) was performed. The results obtained from CLEIA were in agreement with those of HPLC‐MS/MS.Practical Application:  The method developed in the paper could take positive or negative test of vegetable, fruit, and environmental samples for triazophos with high sensitivity and efficiency.
Comparison of the Frying Performance of Olive Oil and Palm Superolein
Authors: Romano Raffaele , Giordano Anella , Vitiello Simona , Grottaglie Laura Le , Musso Salvatore Spagna 
Published: April 2012

Abstract:  Deep‐fat frying is an important method of food preparation in which foods are immersed in hot oil. Repeated use of frying oils is a common practice, and in the presence of atmospheric oxygen it produces various undesirable reactions in used oils. Stable frying oils usually require low linolenic acid (LnA < 3%), increased oleic acid (OA > 40%), and decreased linoleic acid (LA < 50%). The aim of this study was to establish the behavior of palm superolein (PSO) (OA 45%; LA 12.5%; LnA 0.2%) and olive oil (OO) during repeated, discontinuous deep frying of French fries. The behavior of the oils under controlled heating conditions was also studied by maintaining all of the process variables the same as those in deep frying, except that there was no food in the oil. The PSO selected to be tested in this study may represent an alternative to OO as a frying medium. Although PSO presented a faster increase in some oxidation indices, such as free fatty acid and total polar compounds, for other indicators, PSO showed better behavior than OO (less formation of C8:0 and lower peroxide value).Practical Application:  The super palm olein selected for use in this study can be suggested as a suitable replacement for olive oil for frying and cooking purposes because it provides higher oxidative stability besides the beneficial effects of olive oil on human health. In fact, several studies have indicated that palm oil exhibits similar frying performance to high‐oleic oils, with the advantages of greater availability in the market and a lower price.
Determination of Tricyclazole Content in Paddy Rice by Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Tang Huirong , Fang Dongmei , Li Qingqing , Cao Peng , Geng Jinpei , Sui Tao , Wang Xuan , Iqbal Jibran , Du Yiping 
Published: April 2012

Abstract:  An ultrasensitive method based on Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been developed to determine content of a pesticide which is tricyclazole in paddy rice using sliver colloid as a substrate and pyridine as an internal standard. The peaks at 424 and 1035 cm−1 in a SERS spectrum were selected as analytic and internal peaks, respectively, and their intensity ratio It/Ip was used to calculate the regression concentration of tricyclazole. The correlation between It/Ip and concentration showed significant linear relationship with a correlation coefficient of R2= 0.995 in a concentration range of 0.05 to 0.70 mg/L and the tricyclazole solution can be detected to be low as 0.002 mg/L by SERS. The method was applied to determine tricyclazole contents of 3 real rice samples with a standard addition method in order to eliminate interference of matrix. The errors of SERS measurements for the 3 samples were 0.0008 to 0.0246, 0.0013 to 0.0028, and 0.0129 to 0.0304 mg/kg, respectively, compared with the results obtained by high performance liquid chromatography method. This also showed a good reproducibility with low values of relative standard deviation (n= 3) for the 3 samples ranged from 3.63% to 4.64%.Practical Application:  SERS is a simple, rapid, and sensitive method to detect pesticides residue in agricultural food. Our results demonstrate that coupled with silver colloid, SERS is able to rapidly determine tricyclazole residue in paddy rice, indicating that SERS can provide rapid, accurate, and reproducible results for tricyclazole determination at trace level in paddy rice.
New Highly Stable Dimeric 3‐Deoxyanthocyanidin Pigments from Sorghum bicolor Leaf Sheath
Authors: Geera Bhimalingeswarappa , Ojwang Leonnard O. , Awika Joseph M. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract:  The growing interest in natural alternatives to synthetic petroleum‐based dyes for food applications necessitates looking at nontraditional sources of natural colors. Certain sorghum varieties accumulate large amounts of poorly characterized pigments in their nongrain tissue. We used High Performance Liquid Chromatography‐Tandem Mass Spectroscopy to characterize sorghum leaf sheath pigments and measured the stability of isolated pigments in the presence of bisulfite at pH 1.0 to 7.0 over a 4‐wk period. Two new 3‐deoxyanthocyanidin compounds were identified: apigeninidin‐flavene dimer and apigenin‐7‐O‐methylflavene dimer. The dimeric molecules had near identical UV‐Vis absorbance profiles at pH 1.0 to 7.0, with no obvious sign of chalcone or quinoidal base formation even at the neutral pH, indicating unusually strong resistance to hydrophilic attack. The dimeric 3‐deoxyanthocyanidins were also highly resistant to nucleophilic attack by SO2; for example, apigeninidin‐flavene dimer lost less than 20% of absorbance, compared to apigeninidin monomer, which lost more than 80% of absorbance at λmax within 1 h in the presence of SO2. The increased molecular complexity of the dimeric 3‐deoxyanthocyanidins compared to their monomers may be responsible for their unusual stability in the presence of bisulfite; these compounds present new interesting opportunities for food applications.Practical Application:  Natural dimeric pigments concentrated in sorghum sheath retain their hue properties and stability over a wide pH range and should be explored for potential use in mildly acidic to neutral food applications.