bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What’s on your boots: an investigation into the role we play in protist dispersal
Authors: Perrigo Allison L. , Romeralo Maria , Baldauf Sandra L. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractD. M. Wilkinson (2010, Journal of Biogeography, 37, 393–397) suggested that anthropogenic dispersal is an understudied and potentially important factor in terrestrial protist biogeography. We investigated human footwear as a potential vector of dictyostelids, a diverse group of amoebae that includes both geographically restricted and cosmopolitan species. Eighteen pairs of boots were examined and dictyostelids were isolated from nearly all samples larger than 5.0 g. In total, six dictyostelid isolates were recovered, corresponding to four species –Dictyostelium minutum, D. sphaerocephalum, D. leptosomopsis and a new species, Polysphondylium sp. 1. Myxogastrid amoebae and acrasid‐like aggregations were also observed. Thus anthropogenic dispersal of naked amoebae appears to occur. The possible role of variations in dictyostelid fruiting body morphologies in dispersal potential is also discussed. These results support Wilkinson’s proposal and suggest that dictyostelids may be a useful group with which to study anthropogenic dispersal of terrestrial protists.
Ultrasonography reveals a high prevalence of lower spinal dysraphism in children with urogenital anomalies
Authors: KOO B.‐N. , HONG J.‐Y. , SONG H.‐T. , KIM J. M. , KIL H. K. 
Published: February 2012

BackgroundLower spinal dysraphism is frequently reported in anorectal anomaly combined with urogenital anomalies. The prevalence of the spinal dysraphism has not been comprehensively studied in children with simple urogenital anomalies. We evaluated the prevalence of the spinal dysraphism using ultrasound data of the lumbosacral area in children with urogenital anomalies.MethodsLumbosacral ultrasound images of 259 children who underwent urological surgery with simple urogenital anomalies were reviewed by an ultrasound‐specialized radiologist. The primary outcome measures were the conus medullaris (CM) level and the thickness of the filum terminale. The spinal ultrasonographic findings that were assessed in children showed abnormal spinal findings compared with the other children having normal findings. Two years later, the follow‐up telephone interviews were made with the parents of the children with abnormal findings.ResultsEighteen children were differentiated as the abnormal finding group. They were suspected of spinal cord tethering. The level of CM was lower, and the filum terminale was thicker compared to the normal group [L2lower (L) vs. L1L, 2.2 mm vs. 0.8 mm]. Of eighteen children, four were confirmed as tethered spinal cord with lipoma on magnetic resonance imaging by the time of surgery, and two were strongly suspected of occult spinal dysraphism (OSD) based on ultrasound findings and follow‐up interviews.ConclusionsThe prevalence of OSD in children under 24 months of age with simple urogenital anomaly was higher than what was reported for the general population. Ultrasound examination of spinal structures before caudal block in children with urogenital anomaly should be considered.
Laparoscopic management of the median arcuate ligament syndrome
Authors: Nguyen Tam , Neale Michael , Lane Rodney , Schiavone Vivienne , Samra Jaswinder S. , Hugh Thomas J. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  The median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is an infrequent cause of abdominal pain. This diagnosis is made after exclusion of other more common causes of upper abdominal symptoms. Mesenteric duplex and a computerized tomography mesenteric angiography demonstrate dynamic compression of the coeliac axis during expiration.Methods:  Retrospective analysis of presenting symptoms, preoperative findings and postoperative outcomes.Results:  Five consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic division of the median arcuate ligament over a 4‐year period (2006–2010) are presented. This procedure was associated with low morbidity and complete relief of symptoms in all patients.Conclusion:  A minimally invasive procedure is the treatment of choice in selected patients with MALS.
Successful pregnancy in a patient suffering from recurrent mid‐trimester miscarriage with C9 deficiency after receiving cervical cerclage followed by clindamycin and progesterone: A case report
Authors: Watanabe Noriyoshi , Suzuki Tomo , Kitano Etsuko , Kitamura Hajime , Hatanaka Michiyo , Sago Haruhiko 
Published: February 2012

AbstractComplement component 9 (C9) deficiency is relatively common, especially in Japan. Here we present the case of a 27‐year‐old Japanese woman whose obstetric history involved three mid‐trimester miscarriages (at 22 weeks', 18 weeks' and 21 weeks' gestation) and one early spontaneous miscarriage. Her fifth pregnancy was successfully managed by cervical cerclage at 13 weeks' gestation, followed by clindamycin administration (600 mg/day for 7 days) and progesterone injections (250 mg/week). She gave birth to a healthy 3326‐g male infant at 40 weeks and 1 day gestation after natural onset of labor. After delivery, the serum complement components were analyzed. C9 protein and activity were undetectable in the patient's serum. We suggest that an immunologic disorder such as C9 deficiency should be considered as a potential complication of undiagnosed recurrent miscarriages.
Angiotensin II receptor antagonist reduces subsequent uterine arterial dysfunction in pregnant offspring of protein‐restricted rat dams
Authors: Saito Tomomi , Musha Yuka , Miyakawa Miho , Itoh Shigeru , Ohtsuji Mareki , Hanson Mark A. , Takeda Satoru 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAim:  A low‐protein diet (LPD) during pregnancy induces vascular dysfunction and hypertension in the offspring, prevented by administration of an angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist in early life to the offspring. Whether such protection extends to subsequent pregnancy is unknown; we therefore hypothesized that administration of a specific AT1 receptor antagonist (losartan) in early life to offspring of LPD dams would improve vascular dysfunction in their uterine arteries when they, in turn, were pregnant.Methods:  Pregnant rats were randomly divided into two dietary groups fed a control (C) or protein‐restricted (R) diet throughout pregnancy. Between two and 10 weeks postnatally, female offspring (F1) were randomly assigned to drink either pure tap water (CO, RO) or water with losartan (CL, RL). Offspring were mated and killed on gestational day 19 or 20 in order to investigate uterine artery function.Results:  In pregnant offspring, vasoconstriction of the uterine arteries to phenylephrine (PE) and the thromboxane A2 mimetic U46619 was greater in RO than CO (F1). Responses to both antagonists were suppressed in RL (F1). Relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was increased in RO versus CO and suppressed in RL versus RO (F1).Conclusion:  Administration of an AT1 receptor antagonist to offspring during the suckling and juvenile period improves the uterine vascular dysfunction in pregnancy induced by prior maternal LPD during their development. Such treatment may contribute to decreasing the transmitted risks of maternal malnutrition from offspring to the subsequent generation.
Primary diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in the third trimester of pregnancy: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: El‐Safadi Samer , Wuesten Oliver , Muenstedt Karsten 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTo the best of our knowledge, we are presenting the first documented primary diagnosis of a 32‐year‐old pregnant patient at 29 + 4 weeks' gestation with poorly differentiated, metastatic scirrhous breast cancer, with negative hormone receptors, HER‐2/neu receptor overexpression and metastases in the lumbar spine. The patient was administered neoadjuvant chemotherapy with vinorelbine and trastuzumab, and received ibandronate for the bone metastases. The tumor responded well to treatment; however, treatment was associated with anhydramnios, probably related to the trastuzumab treatment. Delivery was planned for 33 + 5 weeks' gestation by cesarean section due to concurrent breech presentation and anhydramnios, and the infant is in good health. After delivery, the patient underwent a mastectomy. Following completion of six courses of vinorelbine and ongoing treatment with trastuzumab and ibandronate, the patient's tumor went into regression and currently the patient does not present with any clinical evidence of disease.
Mitochondrial fission proteins in peripheral blood lymphocytes are potential biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Wang S. , Song J. , Tan M. , Albers K. M. , Jia J. 
Published: February 2012

Background and purpose:  Expression of the mitochondrial fission proteins dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp1), S‐nitrosylated Drp1 (SNO‐Drp1), and Fis1 has been found to be altered in brain tissues and skin fibroblasts from patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of this study was to determine whether these proteins are also changed in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of AD patients and whether these changes are specific and sensitive enough for AD diagnosis.Methods:  Western blot analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to quantify relative levels of Drp1, SNO‐Drp1, and Fis1 in PBL obtained from 91 controls, 82 AD, 26 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 12 Parkinson’s disease (PD), and 36 vascular dementia (VaD) patients. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to measure diagnostic accuracy of these proteins.Results:  Compared with controls, SNO‐Drp1 and Fis1 levels were remarkably increased in PBL of AD and MCI patients, and Drp1 was significantly decreased in AD, MCI, and PD. None of these proteins were changed in VaD patients. Disease severity or duration had no major effects on levels of these proteins in AD PBL. ROC curve analysis showed that the specificity and sensitivity were 81% and 73% for Drp1, 84% and 82% for SNO‐Drp1, and 89% and 80% for Fis1 in identifying AD patients from control subjects.Conclusions:  Altered mitochondrial fission proteins Drp1, SNO‐Drp1, and Fis1 in PBL were relatively sensitive and specific in identifying AD patients and could be serving as a biomarker in the procedure of diagnosis.
‘Beer and Britannia’: public‐house culture and the construction of nineteenth‐century British‐Welsh industrial identity
Authors: Pritchard Ian 
Published: February 2012

AbstractPrior to industrialisation, there was a nebulous and fragmented Welsh national character or mass collective identity. Industrialisation engendered significant sociocultural upheaval and change, and for this ‘new’ society to function effectively a cohesive Welsh identity had to emerge. Because the impetus behind industrialisation had occurred primarily in a British context, any newly formed Welsh identity would ultimately have to be reconciled to the nation's industrial import within a ‘United Kingdom’. Mass cultural commonalities and the role played by leisure in this procedure is a core element in the establishment of industrial modernist nation‐states. Therefore, this article argues that public‐house culture played a central role in the construction of a new industrial Welsh national ideology that was ultimately allied to, and a constituent of, a British imperial agenda designed to exploit both the natural resources and workforce of the area to its maximum extent.
Health education for Somali Bantu refugees via home visits
Authors: Eisenhauer Elizabeth R. , Mosher Elaine C. , Lamson Karen S. , Wolf Helen Ann , Schwartz Diane G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  Somali Bantu refugees, with unique health information needs, created challenges for health and social service providers.Objectives:  A service innovation was developed (i) to raise awareness, especially among local health and social service providers, about the Bantu refugees’ presence in the community, their culture, and their information needs and (ii) to deliver needed health information, emphasizing child health, to the Bantu mothers in their homes.Methods:  The project consisted of: (i) a community conference targeting local health and social service providers, describing the refugees’ presence in the community, their culture, and information needs. (ii) Focus groups conducted with members of the Bantu population elicited additional information needs. (iii) Curriculum was developed based on identified needs, and (iv) the curriculum was delivered to the refugees in their homes. A clinical informationist and MP3 technology enhanced the project.Findings:  Conference attendees’ evaluation responses indicated improved understanding of Bantu culture. Focus groups’ identification of health information needs provided a framework for the health education curriculum. A project website made educational materials available to other healthcare providers.Conclusions:  The project raised awareness of the Bantus’ presence, culture, and information needs. Identification of other unmet needs demonstrated that additional support for refugees is required.
Human longevity and common variations in the LMNA gene: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Conneely Karen N. , Capell Brian C. , Erdos Michael R. , Sebastiani Paola , Solovieff Nadia , Swift Amy J. , Baldwin Clinton T. , Budagov Temuri , Barzilai Nir , Atzmon Gil , Puca Annibale A. , Perls Thomas T. , Geesaman Bard J. , Boehnke Michael , Collins Francis S. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryA mutation in the LMNA gene is responsible for the most dramatic form of premature aging, Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). Several recent studies have suggested that protein products of this gene might have a role in normal physiological cellular senescence. To explore further LMNA’s possible role in normal aging, we genotyped 16 SNPs over a span of 75.4 kb of the LMNA gene on a sample of long‐lived individuals (LLI) (US Caucasians with age ≥ 95 years, N = 873) and genetically matched younger controls (N = 443). We tested all common nonredundant haplotypes (frequency ≥ 0.05) based on subgroups of these 16 SNPs for association with longevity. The most significant haplotype, based on four SNPs, remained significant after adjustment for multiple testing (OR = 1.56, P = 2.5 × 10−5, multiple‐testing‐adjusted P = 0.0045). To attempt to replicate these results, we genotyped 3619 subjects from four independent samples of LLI and control subjects from (i) the New England Centenarian Study (NECS) (N = 738), (ii) the Southern Italian Centenarian Study (SICS) (N = 905), (iii) France (N = 1103), and (iv) the Einstein Ashkenazi Longevity Study (N = 702). We replicated the association with the most significant haplotype from our initial analysis in the NECS sample (OR = 1.60, P = 0.0023), but not in the other three samples (P > 0.15). In a meta‐analysis combining all five samples, the best haplotype remained significantly associated with longevity after adjustment for multiple testing in the initial and follow‐up samples (OR = 1.18, P = 7.5 × 10−4, multiple‐testing‐adjusted P = 0.037). These results suggest that LMNA variants may play a role in human lifespan.
Liposome‐Encapsulated Hemoglobin Improves Energy Metabolism in Skeletal Muscle Ischemia and Reperfusion in the Rat
Authors: Kurita Daisuke , Kawaguchi Akira T. , Aso Kensuke , Yamano Mariko , Minamitani Haruyuki , Haida Munetaka 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe effect of liposome‐encapsulated hemoglobin (LEH) was tested in a rodent model of limb ischemia and reperfusion—causing local reperfusion injury and a cascade of systemic responses. Intracellular pH (pHi) and phosphocreatine (PCr)/inorganic phosphate (Pi) ratio were serially monitored using 31P‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with a 2‐cm solenoid coil on a rodent hind limb. After baseline measurements, the right hind limb underwent ischemia for 70 min, followed 10 min later by intravenous administration of LEH (10 mL/kg, n = 6), homologous red blood cells (RBCs, n = 6), saline (n = 6), or no treatment (n = 6). Reperfusion was then observed for an additional 60 min. While pHi decreased precipitously after the onset of ischemia and even following reperfusion, LEH‐treated rats had significantly milder intracellular acidosis compared with all other groups during ischemia, and after reperfusion as well throughout the observation with the saline‐treated rats. In contrast, the PCr/Pi ratio decreased regardless of treatment after ischemia until reperfusion, when the ratio returned toward normal or the energy status improved only in the LEH‐treated rats, while the ratio remained depressed in the control animals receiving RBC, saline, or no treatment. Morphological studies 7 days later revealed a tendency toward suppressed mononuclear cell infiltration with preservation of muscular mass and structure in the LEH‐treated rats. LEH treatment after early limb ischemia appeared to improve intracellular energy metabolism and eventually preserve skeletal muscle in a rodent model of limb ischemia and reperfusion.
Neural Processes of an Indirect Analog of Risk Taking in Young Nondependent Adult Alcohol Drinkers—An fMRI Study of the Stop Signal Task
Authors: Bednarski Sarah R. , Erdman Emily , Luo Xi , Zhang Sheng , Hu Sien , Li Chiang‐Shan R. 
Published: February 2012

Background:  Alcohol abuse and dependence are common problems in the United States that stem from a variety of factors, one of which may be a period of high level social drinking during college and early adulthood. Extant study implicates risk taking as a cognitive factor that contributes to habitual and heavy drinking. We sought to examine the neural processes of risk taking in young, nondependent drinkers.Methods:  We compared 20 young adult social drinkers with a high level of alcohol use (AH), as defined by number of drinks per month, and 21 demographically matched drinkers with low to moderate alcohol use (ALM) in a functional magnetic resonance imaging study of the stop signal task. By contrasting risk taking (speeded) to risk aversion (slowed) trials, we examined the neural correlates of risk taking. Brain imaging data were analyzed with Statistical Parametric Mapping. Regions of interest were identified and corresponding effect sizes were examined for correlations with self‐reported alcohol use.Results:  The results showed that, compared with ALM, AH demonstrated decreased activation in right superior frontal gyrus and left caudate nucleus when contrasting risk taking and risk aversion trials at p < 0.001, uncorrected. Furthermore, examination of the effect size data showed that the extent of these decreased regional activations correlated with frequency of drinking in women, but not men.Conclusions:  These findings suggest a neural analog of nondependent, high level drinking. Specifically, high level social drinking is associated with altered activation of the caudate and superior frontal cortex, an association that appears to be stronger in women than in men and is strongly tied to the frequency of drinking. These results are relevant in understanding risk taking behavior in social drinking as well as in examining the potential path from high level social use in young adults to dangerous alcohol consumption later in life.
Parental Involvement in Neonatal Pain Management: An Empirical and Conceptual Update
Authors: Franck Linda S , Oulton Kate , Bruce Elizabeth 
Published: February 2012

Abstract Background: New findings are emerging about parental perceptions and desires for involvement in infant pain management in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting, and the importance of building greater knowledge about this aspect of the patient care is beginning to be appreciated.Objectives: The study had two aims: (a) to describe perceptions and feelings of parents who participated in a randomized controlled trial of an intervention to increase parent knowledge and involvement in infant pain management; and (b) to further refine the conceptual representation of the parental experience of involvement in infant pain management (or lack thereof) and the influencing factors.Methods: Thematic analysis was used to explore the content of parents’ written comments and to integrate the present and previous research findings.Results: Parents expressed strong preferences for more information about all aspects of infant pain care, improved timing of information giving, and involvement opportunities. They further desired increased sensitivity and consistency in infant care giving and increased use of specific pain‐relieving interventions by NICU staff. Contextual factors such as parents’ emotional state and the communication and support from NICU staff influenced parents’ ability to achieve their desired level of involvement.Discussion: The role of parents in infant pain management is a relatively new area of research. The discussion of conceptual models to guide research and practice is an important milestone representing new opportunity for further scientific developments with important clinical implications for the nursing care of critically ill infants and their families.Clinical Relevance: New data continue to emerge about parental perceptions and desires for involvement in infant pain management. A new empirically based model may be useful to nurses in providing optimal pain management for NICU infants in partnership with parents.Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2011; 44:1, XXX–XXX. ©2011 Sigma Theta Tau International.
Influence of Demographic Factors, Knowledge, and Beliefs on Jordanian Women's Intention to Undergo Mammography Screening
Authors: Othman Areej K. , Kiviniemi Marc T. , Wu Yow‐Wu B. , Lally Robin M. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of demographic characteristics, breast cancer knowledge, fatalistic beliefs, health beliefs, and subjective norms on Jordanian women's intention to participate in mammography screening.Design: A cross‐sectional survey was used to collect data at 14 comprehensive healthcare centers in Amman and Zarqa, Jordan. A convenience sample of 142 Jordanian women 40 years of age or older with no history of breast cancer and able to read and write in Arabic participated.Methods: Self‐report surveys included a combination of researcher‐designed and existing instruments to measure the study variables. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, t tests, and multiple logistic regression.Findings: Jordanian women surveyed lacked knowledge about breast cancer. Social norms and self‐efficacy highly influenced these women's intention to engage in mammography screening. Younger women were more willing to indicate intention to engage in mammographic screening.Conclusions: Self‐efficacy and the social connectedness of Jordanian society, but not religious beliefs or perceived barriers to screening, influence Jordanian women's intention to undergo mammography. Future research should examine cultural influences, rather than religious beliefs, and investigate Jordanian women's potentially unique perspectives on barriers to actual mammography screening behavior.Clinical Relevance: The prevalence of mammography screening may be enhanced by focusing interventions on Jordanian women's support systems and empowering women by providing knowledge and skills needed to engage in the procedure.Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2012; 44:1, XXX–XXX. ©2011 Sigma Theta Tau International.