bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Labelling and targeted ablation of specific bipolar cell types in the zebrafish retina
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Feng , Ellingsen Staale , Fjose Anders 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
Development of a functional retina depends on regulated differentiation of several types of neurons and generation of a highly complex network between the different types of neurons. In addition, each type of retinal neuron includes several distinct morphological types. Very little is known about the mechanisms responsible for generating this diversity of retinal neurons, which may also display specific patterns of regional distribution.

Results
In a screen in zebrafish, using a trapping vector carrying an engineered yeast Gal4 transcription activator and a UAS:eGFP reporter cassette, we have identified two transgenic lines of zebrafish co-expressing eGFP and Gal4 in specific subsets of retinal bipolar cells. The eGFP-labelling facilitated analysis of axon terminals within the inner plexiform layer of the adult retina and showed that the fluorescent bipolar cells correspond to previously defined morphological types. Strong regional restriction of eGFP-positive bipolar cells to the central part of the retina surrounding the optic nerve was observed in adult zebrafish. Furthermore, we achieved specific ablation of the labelled bipolar cells in 5 days old larvae, using a bacterial nitroreductase gene under Gal4-UAS control in combination with the prodrug metronidazole. Following prodrug treatment, nitroreductase expressing bipolar cells were efficiently ablated without affecting surrounding retina architecture, and recovery occurred within a few days due to increased generation of new bipolar cells.

Conclusion
This report shows that enhancer trapping can be applied to label distinct morphological types of bipolar cells in the zebrafish retina. The genetic labelling of these cells yielded co-expression of a modified Gal4 transcription activator and the fluorescent marker eGFP. Our work also demonstrates the potential utility of the Gal4-UAS system for induction of other transgenes, including a bacterial nitroreductase fusion gene, which can facilitate analysis of bipolar cell differentiation and how the retina recovers from specific ablation of these cells.
Electric pulses used in electrochemotherapy and electrogene therapy do not significantly change the expression profile of genes involved in the development of cancer in malignant melanoma cells
Authors: Mlakar Vid , Todorovic Vesna , Cemazar Maja , Glavac Damjan , Sersa Gregor 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
Electroporation is a versatile method for in vitro or in vivo delivery of different molecules into cells. However, no study so far has analysed the effects of electric pulses used in electrochemotherapy (ECT pulses) or electric pulses used in electrogene therapy (EGT pulses) on malignant cells. We studied the effect of ECT and EGT pulses on human malignant melanoma cells in vitro in order to understand and predict the possible effect of electric pulses on gene expression and their possible effect on cell behaviour.

Methods
We used microarrays with 2698 different oligonucleotides to obtain the expression profile of genes involved in apoptosis and cancer development in a malignant melanoma cell line (SK-MEL28) exposed to ECT pulses and EGT pulses.

Results
Cells exposed to ECT pulses showed a 68.8% average survival rate, while cells exposed to EGT pulses showed a 31.4% average survival rate. Only seven common genes were found differentially expressed in cells 16 h after exposure to ECT and EGT pulses. We found that ECT and EGT pulses induce an HSP70 stress response mechanism, repress histone protein H4, a major protein involved in chromatin assembly, and down-regulate components involved in protein synthesis.

Conclusion
Our results show that electroporation does not significantly change the expression profile of major tumour suppressor genes or oncogenes of the cell cycle. Moreover, electroporation also does not changes the expression of genes involved in the stability of DNA, supporting current evidence that electroporation is a safe method that does not promote tumorigenesis. However, in spite of being considered an isothermal method, it does to some extent induce stress, which resulted in the expression of the environmental stress response mechanism, HSP70.
Resistance gene expression determines the in vitro chemosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Authors: Glaysher Sharon , Yiannakis Dennis , Gabriel Francis G , Johnson Penny , Polak Marta E , Knight Louise A , Goldthorpe Zoe , Peregrin Katharine , Gyi Mya , Modi Paul , Rahamim Joe , Smith Mark E , Amer Khalid , Addis Bruce , Poole Matthew , Narayanan Ajit , Gulliford Tim J , Andreotti Peter E , Cree Ian A 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
NSCLC exhibits considerable heterogeneity in its sensitivity to chemotherapy and similar heterogeneity is noted in vitro in a variety of model systems. This study has tested the hypothesis that the molecular basis of the observed in vitro chemosensitivity of NSCLC lies within the known resistance mechanisms inherent to these patients' tumors.

Methods
The chemosensitivity of a series of 49 NSCLC tumors was assessed using the ATP-based tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA) and compared with quantitative expression of resistance genes measured by RT-PCR in a Taqman Array™ following extraction of RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue.

Results
There was considerable heterogeneity between tumors within the ATP-TCA, and while this showed no direct correlation with individual gene expression, there was strong correlation of multi-gene signatures for many of the single agents and combinations tested. For instance, docetaxel activity showed some dependence on the expression of drug pumps, while cisplatin activity showed some dependence on DNA repair enzyme expression. Activity of both drugs was influenced more strongly still by the expression of anti- and pro-apoptotic genes by the tumor for both docetaxel and cisplatin. The doublet combinations of cisplatin with gemcitabine and cisplatin with docetaxel showed gene expression signatures incorporating resistance mechanisms for both agents.

Conclusion
Genes predicted to be involved in known mechanisms drug sensitivity and resistance correlate well with in vitro chemosensitivity and may allow the definition of predictive signatures to guide individualized chemotherapy in lung cancer.
Upregulation of miRNA hsa-miR-342-3p in experimental and idiopathic prion disease
Authors: Montag Judith , Hitt Reiner , Opitz Lennart , Schulz-Schaeffer Walter J , Hunsmann Gerhard , Motzkus Dirk 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
The aim of our study was to analyze the differential expression of miRNAs in the brains of BSE-infected cynomolgus macaques as a model for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression by mRNA targeting. Among other functions they contribute to neuronal development and survival. Recently, the lack of miRNA processing has been shown to promote neurodegeneration and deregulation of several miRNAs has been reported to be associated with Scrapie in mice. Therefore, we hypothesized that miRNAs are also regulated in response to human prion disease. We have applied miRNA-microarrays to identify deregulated miRNA candidates in brains of BSE-infected macaques. Shock-frozen brain sections of six BSE-infected and five non-infected macaques were used to validate regulated miRNA candidates by two independent qRT-PCR-based methods. Our study revealed significant upregulation of hsa-miR-342-3p and hsa-miR-494 in the brains of BSE-infected macaques compared to non-infected animals. In a pilot study we could show that hsa-miR-342-3p was also upregulated in brain samples of human type 1 and type 2 sporadic CJD. With respect to the reported regulation of this miRNA in Scrapie-infected mice, we propose that upregulation of hsa-miR-342-3p may be a general phenomenon in late stage prion disease and might be used as a novel marker for animal and human TSEs.
Comprehensibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Thai version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire in Thai patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Osiri Manathip , Wongchinsri Jeerapat , Ukritchon Sitthichai , Hanvivadhanakul Punchong , Kasitanon Nuntana , Siripaitoon Boonjing 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Introduction
The Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) is a commonly used instrument to assess functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Translations and adaptations of the HAQ-DI have been carried out for use with RA patients in several countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the HAQ-DI (Thai HAQ) in Thai patients with RA.

Methods
Comprehensibility of the Thai HAQ was assessed by 126 patients with RA from 6 medical centers in Thailand. Another group of 115 patients with active RA was enrolled to test the reliability (internal reliability and 1-week test-retest reliability), construct validity (correlations with other measures of RA disease activity), floor and ceiling effects, and sensitivity to change of the Thai HAQ at 3 months of treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Results
More than 98% of the patients regarded the Thai HAQ as comprehensible. The internal consistency of the Thai HAQ was satisfactory with the overall Cronbach alpha of 0.91. The test-retest reliability of the Thai HAQ was acceptable with the intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.89. Moderate correlations between the Thai HAQ and other outcomes of RA disease activity were observed, except erythrocyte sedimentation rate, with the Spearman correlation coefficients ranging from 0.42 to 0.57. The responsiveness of the Thai HAQ was moderate, with a standardized response mean of 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.56 to 0.94).

Conclusions
The Thai HAQ is comprehensible, reliable, valid and sensitive to change in the evaluation of functional status of Thai patients with RA. The Thai HAQ is an essential tool to measure treatment effects and progression of disability in RA patients and should be applied in both clinical trials and routine clinical care settings.
Glucose absorption and gastric emptying in critical illness
Authors: Chapman Marianne J , Fraser Robert JL , Matthews Geoffrey , Russo Antonietta , Bellon Max , Besanko Laura K , Jones Karen L , Butler Ross , Chatterton Barry , Horowitz Michael 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Delayed gastric emptying occurs frequently in critically ill patients and has the potential to adversely affect both the rate, and extent, of nutrient absorption. However, there is limited information about nutrient absorption in the critically ill, and the relationship between gastric emptying (GE) and absorption has hitherto not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to quantify glucose absorption and the relationships between GE, glucose absorption and glycaemia in critically ill patients.

Methods
Studies were performed in nineteen mechanically-ventilated critically ill patients and compared to nineteen healthy subjects. Following 4 hours fasting, 100 ml of Ensure, 2 g 3-O-methyl glucose (3-OMG) and 99mTc sulphur colloid were infused into the stomach over 5 minutes. Glucose absorption (plasma 3-OMG), blood glucose levels and GE (scintigraphy) were measured over four hours. Data are mean ± SEM. A P-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results
Absorption of 3-OMG was markedly reduced in patients (AUC240: 26.2 ± 18.4 vs. 66.6 ± 16.8; P < 0.001; peak: 0.17 ± 0.12 vs. 0.37 ± 0.098 mMol/l; P < 0.001; time to peak; 151 ± 84 vs. 89 ± 33 minutes; P = 0.007); and both the baseline (8.0 ± 2.1 vs. 5.6 ± 0.23 mMol/l; P < 0.001) and peak (10.0 ± 2.2 vs. 7.7 ± 0.2 mMol/l; P < 0.001) blood glucose levels were higher in patients; compared to healthy subjects. In patients; 3-OMG absorption was directly related to GE (AUC240; r = -0.77 to -0.87; P < 0.001; peak concentrations; r = -0.75 to -0.81; P = 0.001; time to peak; r = 0.89-0.94; P < 0.001); but when GE was normal (percent retention240 < 10%; n = 9) absorption was still impaired. GE was inversely related to baseline blood glucose, such that elevated levels were associated with slower GE (ret 60, 180 and 240 minutes: r > 0.51; P < 0.05).

Conclusions
In critically ill patients; (i) the rate and extent of glucose absorption are markedly reduced; (ii) GE is a major determinant of the rate of absorption, but does not fully account for the extent of impaired absorption; (iii) blood glucose concentration could be one of a number of factors affecting GE.
Validation of the Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire using the brief assessment schedule depression cards in an acute stroke sample
Authors: Hacker Vicki L. , Stark Daniel , Thomas Shirley 
Published: August 2009

Objective. To validate the Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire (hospital version: SADQ H10), an observer‐rated measure of depression, against the brief assessment schedule depression cards (BASDEC) in acute stroke.Method. This naturalistic audit utilized a cross‐sectional design. As part of routine care, 125 patients on an acute in‐patient stroke unit were assessed with the BASDEC and SADQ H10.Results. The BASDEC classified 40 patients as depressed and 85 as non‐depressed. The SADQ H10 and BASDEC significantly correlated. An ROC (receiver operating curve) analysis showed that the SADQ H10 discriminated between depressed and non‐depressed acute stroke patients.Conclusions. The results support the use of the SADQ H10 as a depression screen in acute stroke.
The communicative power of metaphors: An analysis and interpretation of metaphors in accounts of the experience of addiction
Authors: Shinebourne Pnina. , Smith Jonathan A. 
Published: August 2009

Objectives. The aim of this study was to explore how participants use metaphors to express and communicate experiences and emotions that may have been previously unexpressed or unexplored, and perhaps too painful to address directly. In addition, this study investigates the potential of using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) in metaphor research.Design. Data were collected in semi‐structured interviews, designed to capture a rich and detailed description of participants' experiences of addiction and what the experiences means to them.Methods. Six participants took part in the study. The data were analysed using IPA.Results. The results capture the abundance and vividness of metaphorical expressions embedded in participants' accounts and produce insights and a richer picture of the participants' experiences.Conclusions. The study highlights the power of metaphors as tools for communicating and sharing experience, as well as the particular ways in which metaphors make sense as part of individual lives. We believe that IPA can make a valuable contribution to metaphor analysis as it attends both to the experiential dimension of metaphors through phenomenological analysis, as well as to the hermeneutic possibilities opening up through the capacity of metaphors to make connections between disparate ideas and concepts.
Genotyping for NOD2 Genetic Variants and Crohn Disease: a Metaanalysis
Authors: Yazdanyar Shiva , Weischer Maren , Nordestgaard Børge G 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Background: Arg702Trp, Gly908Arg, and Leu1007fsinsC variants of the NOD2 gene (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2; alias, CARD15) influence the risk of Crohn disease.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review to examine whether Arg702Trp, Gly908Arg, and Leu1007fsinsC are equally important risk factors for Crohn disease. In addition, we used studies for which combined information from all genotypes was available to compare risks in simple heterozygotes, compound heterozygotes, and homozygotes. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched. Seventy-five articles (18 727 cases and 17 102 controls) met the inclusion criteria and contributed data to the metaanalyses.
Results: The odds ratios per allele for Crohn disease were 2.2 (95% CI, 2.0–2.5) for Arg702Trp, 2.6 (2.2–2.9) for Gly908Arg, and 3.8 (3.4–4.3) for Leu1007fsinsC (z-test results: Arg702Trp vs Gly908Arg, P = 0.03; Arg702Trp vs Leu1007fsinsC, P &lt; 0.001; Gly908Arg vs Leu1007fsinsC, P &lt; 0.001). When all 3 genotypes were combined, odds ratios for Crohn disease were 2.4 (95% CI, 2.0–2.8) for simple heterozygotes, 9.0 (6.0–13.5) for compound heterozygotes, and 6.7 (4.1–10.9) for homozygotes, compared with noncarriers (z-test results: simple heterozygotes vs compound heterozygotes, P &lt; 0.001; simple heterozygotes vs homozygotes, P &lt; 0.001; compound heterozygotes vs homozygotes, P = 0.18).
Conclusions: The per-allele risk of Crohn disease was markedly higher for Leu1007fsinsC than for Arg702Trp and Gly908Arg. Combining all genotypes revealed the risks of Crohn disease for compound heterozygotes and homozygotes to be similar and markedly higher than for simple heterozygotes.
Unusual Enhancement of Ductility Observed During Evolution of a “Deformation Wave” in 12Cr18Ni10Ti Stainless Steel Irradiated in BN-350
Authors: Gusev M. N. , Maksimkin O. P. , Osipov I. S. , Silniagina N. S. , Garner F. A. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Whereas most previous irradiation studies conducted at lower neutron exposures in the range 100–400°C have consistently produced strengthening and strongly reduced ductility in stainless steels, it now appears possible that higher exposures may lead to a reversal in ductility loss for some steels. A new radiation-induced phenomenon has been observed in 12Cr18Ni10Ti stainless steel irradiated to 26 and 55 dpa. It involves “a moving wave of plastic deformation” at 20 and 60°C that produces “anomalously” high values of engineering ductility, especially when compared to deformation occurring at lower neutron exposures. Due to the concentrated deformation occurring at the wave front, the wave moves much faster than the mechanically applied strain rate. However, when strained at 120°C the moving wave is not observed, indicating that the phenomenon operates at lower test temperatures. Using the technique of digital optical extensometry, the “true stress–true strain” curves were obtained. It appears that the moving wave of plastic deformation occurs as a result of an increase in the strain hardening rate, dσ/dε(ε). The increase in strain hardening is thought to arise from an irradiation-induced increase in the propensity of the γ→α martensitic transformation.
Entwurf eines Flugreglers für ein vierrotoriges unbemanntes FluggerätControl Systems Design for a Quadrotor UAV
Authors: Voos Holger 
Published: August 2009

Zusammenfassung
Der Beitrag beschreibt den Entwurf eines nichtlinearen Flugreglers für ein vierrotoriges unbemanntes Fluggerät, einen so genannten Quadrocopter. Die vorgeschlagene Regelung basiert auf einer Kaskadenstruktur mit einer unterlagerten Regelschleife für die Orientierung und einer überlagerten Regelschleife für die Geschwindigkeit. In der inneren Regelschleife wird das Prinzip der Linearisierung durch Zustandsrückkopplung verwendet, sodass das resultierende lineare und entkoppelte System mit einfachen linearen Reglern bei ausreichender Schnelligkeit und Dämpfung geregelt werden kann. In der äußeren Schleife zur Regelung der Geschwindigkeit wird eine Inversion zur Kompensation einer statischen Nichtlinearität durchgeführt, womit das verbleibende lineare System einfach regelbar wird. Der wesentliche Vorteil des gesamten Ansatzes besteht in der vergleichsweise einfachen Realisierbarkeit bei hoher Regelgüte und gleichzeitiger Berücksichtigung des nichtlinearen dynamischen Flugverhaltens.
Proton induced reactions on 89Y with particular reference to the production of the medically interesting radionuclide 89Zr
Authors: Omara H. M. , Hassan K. F. , Kandil S. A. , Hegazy F. E. , Saleh Z. A. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Excitation functions of the reactions 89Y(p,n) 89Zr, 89Y(p,2n) 88Zr and 89Y(p,pn) 88Y were measured from their respective thresholds up to 17.7 MeV, with particular emphasis on data for the production of the medically important radionuclide 89Zr. The conventional stacked-foil technique was used, and the samples for irradiation were prepared by the sedimentation process. The excitation functions obtained were compared with those calculated theoretically using the ALICE-IPPE code. The measured data were also compared with the available literature values. From the experimental data the theoretical yields of the investigated radionuclides were calculated as a function of proton energy. The excitation function for the 89Y(p,n) 89Zr reaction measured in the proton energy range 5.1 to 17.7 MeV shows a pronounced broad peak in the energy range 16→11 MeV. On the other hand and because of the high threshold energy of the two other reactions 89Y(p,2n) 88Zr and 89Y(p,pn) 88Y, their excitation functions were measured only in the proton energy range 14.3 to 17.7 MeV. Differential and integral yields for the production of the three radionuclides were calculated. It was found that the suitable energy range for the production of 89Zr is 14→9 MeV; over this energy range the 89Zr amounts to 58 MBq/μA h. In the proton energy range provided by MGC-20 cyclotron [E
p(max)=18 MeV], only 89Zr can be produced in a suitable activity and with a high purity. Production of 88Zr and 88Y needs proton energy higher than that provided by this type of cyclotron.
Forecasting Injector/Producer Relationships From Production and Injection Rates Using an Extended Kalman Filter
Authors: Liu Feilong , Mendel Jerry M. , Nejad Amir Mohammad 
Published: August 2009

Summary
This paper presents an adaptive method, using an extended Kalman filter (EKF), to forecast the injector/producer relationships (IPRs) between multiple injectors and a single producer on the basis of measured production and injection rates.
For this method, we used a very simple parametric model, one with two parameters per injector, so that, if a producer depends upon N injectors, our model contains exactly 2N parameters. The EKF is used to adaptively estimate the 2N parameters, from which the IPR between each injector and a producer is then estimated.
This approach was tested on synthetic, reservoir simulation, and real data. The tests for synthetic data used Monte-Carlo simulations; the tests for reservoir simulation data used blind data that were generated by a reservoir simulator; and, the tests for real data used data from a Chevron oil field. Test results on synthetic and reservoir simulation data demonstrate the feasibility of the EKF method, and test results on the real data match other field indications about the IPRs between injectors and a producer. All results confirm that this EKF method may provide a good way to infer and track the IPRs and may provide better insight about the IPRs.
Quantum counterparts of three-dimensional real Lie algebras over harmonic oscillator
Authors: Paal Eugen , Virkepu Jüri 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Operadic Lax representations for the harmonic oscillator are used to construct the quantum counterparts of three-dimensional (3D) real Lie algebras in Bianchi classification. The Jacobi operators of the quantum algebras are found.
Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Children
Authors: Mukherjee Niyati , Burkhart Craig N. , Morrell Dean S. 
Published: August 2009

CME Educational Objectives

1.
Describe the proposed etiologies for alopecia areata in children and young adults.

2.
Review the commonly employed treatment options for alopecia areata and the quality of the evidence supporting these modalities.

3.
Determine when a “watch-and-wait” approach to management of alopecia areata is most appropriate.
Prenatal Genetic Testing
Authors: Dolan Siobhan M. 
Published: August 2009

CME Educational Objectives

1.
Describe the currently available prenatal screening and diagnostic tests for Down syndrome.

2.
Recognize the autosomal recessive conditions for which carrier testing is available and determine how these should be offered to women during the preconception and prenatal period.

3.
Identify the appropriate use of genetic services during the preconception and prenatal period.