bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amyloid imaging in aged and young macaques with [11C]PIB and [18F]FDDNP
Authors: Noda Akihiro , Murakami Yoshihiro , Nishiyama Shingo , Fukumoto Dai , Miyoshi Sosuke , Tsukada Hideo , Nishimura Shintaro 
Published: March 2008

Abstract[11C]PIB and [18F]FDDNP were examined on five aged and five young adult male rhesus macaques using positron emission tomography. Both tracers showed increased accumulation in the striatum, thalamus, cingulate and pons in the aged group. Compared to [11C]PIB, [18F]FDDNP showed higher accumulation in the cortical regions of aged animals as well as young animals. Although [18F]FDDNP may have possible usefulness for imaging, including other proteins, [11C]PIB may be better for amyloid imaging owing to lower non‐specific binding. Synapse 62:472–475, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo electrophysiology of dopamine‐denervated striatum: Focus on the nitric oxide/cGMP signaling pathway
Authors: Galati Salvatore , D'angelo Vincenza , Scarnati Eugenio , Stanzione Paolo , Martorana Alessandro , Procopio Teresa , Sancesario Giuseppe , Stefani Alessandro 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWithin the striatum, the gaseous neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO) is produced by a subclass of interneurons containing the neuronal NO synthase (nNOS). NO promotes the second messenger cGMP through the activation of the soluble guanyl cyclase (sGC) and plays a crucial role in the integration of glutamate (GLU) and DA transmission. The aim of this study was to characterize the impact of 6‐hydroxyDA (6‐OHDA) lesion of the rat nigrostriatal pathway on NO/cGMP system. In vivo extracellular single units recordings were performed under urethane anesthesia to avoid any potentially misleading contributions of cortically‐driven changes on endogenous NO. Hence, no electrical extrastriatal stimulation was performed and great attention was paid to the effects of 3‐morpholinosydnonimine (SIN‐1, a NO donor), N(G)‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME, a nonselective NOS inhibitor) and Zaprinast (a PDE inhibitor) delivered by iontophoresis upon the main striatal phenotypes. The latter were operationally distinguished in silent medium spiny‐like neurons (MSN), with negligible spontaneous activity but displaying glutamate‐induced firing discharge at rest and spontaneously active neurons (SAN), representing to a large extent nonprojecting interneurons. SANs were excited by SIN‐1 and Zaprinast while MSNs showed a clear inhibition during local iontophoretic application of SIN‐1 and Zaprinast. In 6‐OHDA animals, SIN‐1‐induced excitation in SANs was significantly increased (on the contrary, the inhibitory effect of L‐NAME was less effective). Interestingly, in DA‐denervated animals, a subclass of MSNs (40%) displayed a peculiar excitatory response to SIN‐1. These findings support the notion of an inhibitory modulatory role exerted by endogenous NO on control striatal projection cells. In addition, these findings suggest a functional cross‐talk between NO, spontaneously active interneurons, and projection neurons that becomes critical in the parkinsonian state. Synapse 62:409–420, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proposed Amendments to AORN Bylaws
Authors: Sanches Ruby T. , Allen Leora I. , Mock Nellie M. 
Published: March 2008

These proposed amendments to the Bylaws, prepared by the National Bylaws Committee in consultation with qualified parliamentarians, will be brought before the House of Delegates at the Fifteenth Annual Congress in Boston. The proposed amendments deal with Article VIII, Section 3, regarding credentials, and Article X, regarding the collection of dues. Both the current Bylaws and the proposed amendments are printed side by side, with the proposed amendments appearing in the tinted areas.A discussion of the reasons for the proposed amendment on collection of dues and the advantages it offers to the membership follows in detailed outline.The Bylaws Committee presents this data in detail here in order that every member will have an opportunity to review, study and weigh the changes suggested and the advantages contemplated. We ask you to seriously examine these amendments and to be prepared to instruct your delegates to act at the Congress. These amendments will be presented to the House of Delegates at the first meeting on Sunday and voted upon at the second meeting of the House of Delegates on Wednesday.The Bylaws Committee urges your consideration and support in this matter.
Erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents and other methods to enhance oxygen transport
Authors: Elliott S 
Published: March 2008

Oxygen is essential for life, and the body has developed an exquisite method to collect oxygen in the lungs and transport it to the tissues. Hb contained within red blood cells (RBCs), is the key oxygen‐carrying component in blood, and levels of RBCs are tightly controlled according to demand for oxygen. The availability of oxygen plays a critical role in athletic performance, and agents that enhance oxygen delivery to tissues increase aerobic power. Early methods to increase oxygen delivery included training at altitude, and later, transfusion of packed RBCs. A breakthrough in understanding how RBC formation is controlled included the discovery of erythropoietin (Epo) and cloning of theEPOgene. Cloning of theEPOgene was followed by commercial development of recombinant human Epo (rHuEpo). Legitimate use of this and other agents that affect oxygen delivery is important in the treatment of anaemia (low Hb levels) in patients with chronic kidney disease or in cancer patients with chemotherapy‐induced anaemia. However, competitive sports was affected by illicit use of rHuEpo to enhance performance. Testing methods for these agents resulted in a cat‐and‐mouse game, with testing labs attempting to detect the use of a drug or blood product to improve athletic performance (doping) and certain athletes developing methods to use the agents without being detected. This article examines the current methods to enhance aerobic performance and the methods to detect illicit use.British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)154, 529–541; doi:fn1; published online 24 March 2008
Flurazepam effect on GABAergic currents depends on extracellular pH
Authors: Wójtowicz T , Wyrembek P , Lebida K , Piast M , Mozrzymas J W 
Published: March 2008

Background and purpose: Benzodiazepines (BDZs) are widely used in clinical practice and are known as positive modulators of GABAergic currents. BDZs increase binding affinity and recently they were found to affect GABAA receptor gating, including desensitization. Binding and desensitization are also strongly modulated by extracellular pH, a factor that may be severely altered in a pathological brain. It is thus of interest to examine the combined action of BDZ and protons.Experimental approach: Pharmacokinetic analysis was based on patch clamp recordings of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) and current responses to GABA applications in rat cultured hippocampal neurons. High temporal resolution of currents evoked by exogenous GABA was achieved by using an ultrafast perfusion system (exchange time ca. 80 μs).Key results: At acidic pH, flurazepam produced a stronger enhancement of mIPSC amplitudes than at physiological pH. At low GABA concentrations, flurazepam markedly enhanced current amplitudes both at normal and acidic pH, but at the latter, the relative effect was larger. In contrast, at saturating GABA concentrations, flurazepam reduced current amplitudes at both pH 7.2 and 6.0. The slowing of deactivation kinetics by flurazepam decreased with GABA concentration, but at pH 6.0, this trend was shifted toward a higher GABA concentration.Conclusions and implications: Acidification of extracellular medium may significantly affect the susceptibility of phasic and tonic components of GABAergic currents to modulation by BDZs. Quantitative analysis and model simulations indicate that protons and flurazepam additively affect binding and desensitization of GABAA receptors.
Multiple pathways for regulation of σS (RpoS) stability in Escherichia coli via the action of multiple anti‐adaptors
Authors: Bougdour Alexandre , Cunning Christofer , Baptiste Patrick Jean , Elliott Thomas , Gottesman Susan 
Published: March 2008

SummaryσS, the stationary phase sigma factor of Escherichia coli and Salmonella, is regulated at multiple levels. The σS protein is unstable during exponential growth and is stabilized during stationary phase and after various stress treatments. Degradation requires both the ClpXP protease and the adaptor RssB. The small antiadaptor protein IraP is made in response to phosphate starvation and interacts with RssB, causing σS stabilization under this stress condition. IraP is essential for σS stabilization in some but not all starvation conditions, suggesting the existence of other anti‐adaptor proteins. We report here the identification of new regulators of σS stability, important under other stress conditions. IraM (inhibitor of RssB activity during Magnesium starvation) and IraD (inhibitor of RssB activity after DNA damage) inhibit σS proteolysis both in vivo and in vitro. Our results reveal that multiple anti‐adaptor proteins allow the regulation of σS stability through the regulation of RssB activity under a variety of stress conditions.
A giant catastrophic mud‐and‐debris flow in the Miocene Makran
Authors: Burg Jean‐Pierre , Bernoulli Daniel , Smit Jeroen , Dolati Ashgar , Bahroudi Abbas 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe challenge the former interpretation of the ‘sedimentary mélange’ of the Makran accretionary complex as a tectonic mélange diapirically emplaced from below and provide evidence for its sedimentary gravitational emplacement from the north during Tortonian–Messinian times (between 11.8 and 5.8 Ma). It is an olistostrome that includes blocks of ophiolites and oceanic sediments derived from the ‘coloured mélange’ to the north, and reworked chunks of the turbidites on which it rests with an erosional truncation. The chaotic scattering of blocks of any size and lithology and the weak, soft‐sediment deformation of the matrix argue against a tectonic emplacement of the chaotic formation. Its size and internal structure, together with the size of the individual blocks, make the olistostrome a fossil equivalent of the large, gravitationally emplaced debris flows observed along present‐day continental margins and unstable volcanic edifices.
Hormone Profiles of Mares Affected by the Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome
Authors: Volkmann D , Zent W , Little T , Riddle T , Durenbereger J , Potenza K , Sibley L , Roser J 
Published: March 2008

ContentsWhile searching for the cause of the Mare Reproductive Loss syndrome (MRLS), we postulated that 1 of 3 tissues in 40–120 D pregnant mares was the likely primary target of the noxious factor that caused early abortions: The corpora lutea (CL), the endometrium or the fetus and/or its membranes. At this stage of gestation, progesterone (P4) is solely produced by luteal tissue, eCG by endometrial cups in the endometrium and oestrogens by the feto‐placental unit. We determined whether concentrations of P4, eCG and/or total conjugated oestrogens (CE) would indicate which tissue was targeted during the MRLS. P4, eCG and CE were measured in single serum samples collected from 216 mares, 60–110 D after ovulation during the 2001 MRLS outbreak. All mares had previously been confirmed pregnant by ultrasonography. The following data was obtained from each mare: Interval from ovulation, pregnancy status and normalcy of fetal fluids at the time of sampling, and pregnancy status 3 weeks after sampling and at term. There were no meaningful differences in hormone concentrations between pregnant mares that had normal and excessively echogenic fetal fluids at the time of sampling. CE were lower (p < 0.05) in mares that aborted after sample collection than in mares the carried to term. In 8 mares from which multiple samples were obtained, CE consistently decreased prior to any decreases in P4 or eCG. Arguments are presented that lead to the hypothesis that the fetal trophoblast was the primary target of the MRLS agent.
STRATEGY TO REDUCE THE RISK OF POSITIVE PANCREATIC RESECTION MARGIN AT PANCREATICO‐DUODENECTOMY
Authors: Al‐Ghnaniem Reyad , Camprodon Ricardo A. M. , Kocher Hemant M. , Portmann Bernard , Al‐Nawab Mashal , Shaikh Hizbullah , Sohail Mohammad , Patel Ameet G. 
Published: March 2008

Background:  The accuracy of histological assessment of frozen section (FS) of the pancreatic resection margin (PRM) at pancreatico‐duodenectomy can be improved by concurrent FS examination of a sample of the suspected pancreatic lesion.Methods:  A prospective trial was conducted using archived material. FS of all the PRM and suspected pancreatic lesion of 12 patients randomly selected from a historical group who underwent pancreatico‐duodenectomy for suspected malignancy were examined by five histopathologists. They were asked to examine the PRM alone and alongside the suspected lesion. The diagnosis of the PRM was ‘benign’, ‘malignant’ or ‘defer to paraffin section’. All the histopathologists were blinded to the paraffin section diagnosis.Results:  The main outcome measures were sensitivity, specificity and the incidence of deferring to paraffin section. In this respect examination of the PRM alone had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 87.5%. Concurrent FS examination of PRM with the pancreatic lesion increased the sensitivity to 90% and the specificity to 92.5%. The incidence of deferring to paraffin section was reduced from 17 to 7% (P = 0.03).Conclusion:  This policy is recommended because it improves the diagnostic accuracy of FS evaluation of the PRM resulting in a reduction of residual pancreatic cancer at the pancreatic transection line.
PANCREATODUODENECTOMY: ROLE OF DRAIN FLUID ANALYSIS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PANCREATIC FISTULA
Authors: Kong Justin , Gananadha Sivakumar , Hugh Thomas J. , Samra Jaswinder S. 
Published: March 2008

Background:  Pancreatic fistula remains an important cause of death following pancreatoduodenectomy. There is still uncertainty regarding the use of drains following pancreatoduodenectomy with recent reports suggesting that it might be harmful with increased complications. We evaluated the use of drain fluid analysis in the management of patients following pancreatoduodenectomy.Methods:  A prospective study was conducted on all patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy at two hospitals between April 2004 and August 2006. Drain fluid analysis was carried out from day 3 to day 5. These data were collected with the clinical pictures of the patients and with subsequent radiological assessment.Results:  Fifty consecutive patients underwent modified extended pancreatoduodenectomy for a periampullary tumour. In patients with no clinical evidence of a fistula, the mean postoperative drain fluid amylase levels were as follows: on postoperative day 3 it was 262 U/mL (standard error of mean 69), on postoperative day 4 it was 112 U/mL (standard error of mean 47) and on postoperative day 5 it was 125 U/mL (standard error of mean 64). Only three (6/6, 50%) of these patients had clinical features suggestive of a leak and were found to have a pancreatic fistula on subsequent imaging. There was no correlation between the total or mean volumes of drainage and development of a pancreatic fistula.Conclusion:  The drain fluid analysis did not provide additional information that was not already evident from the clinical picture of the patient. Drain fluid analysis had no effect on patients with a biochemical leak only. Patients who had a significant disruption of their pancreatic anastamosis did not need biochemical analysis as the character, that is, turbidity of the drain fluid was an equally reliable indicator of the underlying pathology.
PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY BIOMARKER PROTEINS IN PANCREATIC DUCTAL ADENOCARCINOMA
Authors: Chung Jun Chul , Oh Mi Jung , Choi Seong Ho , Bae Chang Dae 
Published: March 2008

Background:  Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fifth most common cause of death from cancer in Korea. PDAC is difficult to diagnose at an early stage and even more difficult to cure. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify molecular targets for early diagnosis and effective treatment. The objectives of this study were to identify differentially expressed biomarker proteins of PDAC using proteomic analysis, to validate the identified biomarker proteins associated with carcinogenesis using western blot analysis and to evaluate clinical factors influencing expression of candidate biomarker proteins.Methods:  In the present study, we carried out proteomic analysis in 10 pairs of PDAC specimens with matching adjacent normal tissues to clarify the different patterns of protein expression. The proteins were separated by high‐resolution 2‐D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE) and the differentially expressed proteins were identified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). Differential expression of candidate biomarker proteins associated with carcinogenesis was further validated using western blot analysis. Standard statistical analysis was carried out in an attempt to establish a correlation between clinical variables and expression of candidate biomarker proteins.Results:  Analysis of PDAC and the adjacent normal tissues showed reproducibly similar proteomic patterns for each group. Approximately 700 spots each were seen by silver‐stained gels from both PDAC and normal tissues. Differentially expressed protein spots were gel digested and identified by MALDI‐TOF MS. Twenty‐five proteins were identified, of which five proteins (galectin‐1, enolase‐2, α‐1‐antitrypsin, N‐myc interactor, peroxiredoxin‐4) were previously reported as being differentially expressed either at the mRNA level or protein level in human cancer. The five proteins were selected for candidate biomarker proteins related to carcinogenesis. These proteins were further validated by western blot analysis. Among the candidate biomarker proteins, galectin‐1 expression was highly correlated to histology (P = 0.019), T stage (P = 0.047), N stage (P = 0.033) and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage (P = 0.011).Conclusion:  Differentially expressed 25 proteins in PDAC were identified using proteomic analysis and five proteins related to carcinogenesis were validated by western blot analysis. galectin‐1 expression was highly correlated to tumour histology and stage.
Evidence for cleavage of lignin by a brown rot basidiomycete
Authors: Yelle Daniel J. , Ralph John , Lu Fachuang , Hammel Kenneth E. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBiodegradation by brown‐rot fungi is quantitatively one of the most important fates of lignocellulose in nature. It has long been thought that these basidiomycetes do not degrade lignin significantly, and that their activities on this abundant aromatic biopolymer are limited to minor oxidative modifications. Here we have applied a new technique for the complete solubilization of lignocellulose to show, by one‐bond 1H‐13C correlation nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, that brown rot of spruce wood by Gloeophyllum trabeum resulted in a marked, non‐selective depletion of all intermonomer side‐chain linkages in the lignin. The resulting polymer retained most of its original aromatic residues and was probably interconnected by new linkages that lack hydrogens and are consequently invisible in one‐bond 1H‐13C correlation spectra. Additional work is needed to characterize these linkages, but it is already clear that the aromatic polymer remaining after extensive brown rot is no longer recognizable as lignin.
Chronic administration of nevirapine during pregnancy: impact of pregnancy on pharmacokinetics
Authors: Capparelli EV , Aweeka F , Hitti J , Stek A , Hu C , Burchett SK , Best B , Smith E , Read JS , Watts H , Nachman S , Thorpe EM , Spector SA , Jimenez E , Shearer WT , Foca M , Mirochnick M ,   for the PACTG 1026S and P1022 Study Teams
Published: March 2008

ObjectivesTo determine the impact of pregnancy on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of nevirapine (NVP) during chronic dosing in HIV‐infected women and appropriate NVP dosing in this population.MethodsTwenty‐six pregnant women participating in two open‐label Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group studies (P1022 and P1026S) were evaluated. Each patient received 200 mg NVP every 12 h and had PK evaluations during the second or third trimester; these evaluations were repeated postpartum. Paired maternal and cord blood NVP concentrations were collected at delivery in nine patients. Ante‐ and postpartum comparisons were made using pairedt‐tests and using a ‘bioequivalence’ approach to determine confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe average NVP Area Under the Curve (AUC) was 56 ± 13 mcg*h/mL antepartum and 61 ± 15 mcg*h/mL postpartum. The typical parameters ± standard error were apparent clearance (CL/F)=3.51 ± 0.18 L/h and apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F)=121 ± 19.8 L. There were no significant differences between antepartum and postpartum AUC or pre‐dose concentrations. The AUC ratio was 0.90 with a 90% CI of the mean equal to 0.80–1.02. The median (± standard deviation) cord blood to maternal NVP concentration ratio was 0.91 ± 0.90.ConclusionsPregnancy does not alter NVP PK and the standard dose (200 mg every 12 h) is appropriate during pregnancy.
Distinct Modes of the East Asian Summer Monsoon*
Authors: Wu Bingyi , Zhang Renhe , Ding Yihui , D’Arrigo Rosanne 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Resolution of a complex Hermitian matrix derived from monthly mean 850-hPa wind fields during the summer season (June–August) from 1968 to 2004 revealed four different modes of East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) variability. The leading EASM mode, accounting for 19.6% of the variance, is characterized by two different modes (M11 and M12) or their combination. Both portray a closed cyclonic or anticyclonic circulation anomaly over the western North Pacific (WNP), South China Sea (SCS), and southeastern China; corresponding anomalous geopotential height fields show a wave train structure from the WNP across Japan, the Okhotsk Sea, and Alaska to North America. Thus, the leading EASM mode characterizes the teleconnection pattern of the WNP-EASM. The correlation between M11 (M12) and the dynamic index for the WNP-EASM is 0.85 (0.51). M11 has leading spectral peaks at 15 and 3 yr, whereas M12 displays a predominant peak at 2 yr. It is found that M11 has interdecadal variations, with the transition years being circa 1973 and 1989, respectively. M11 is closely related to air–sea interactions in the SCS and the northwestern Pacific, and its association with the convective heat source over the northwestern Pacific is secondary. In contrast, M12 is closely related to the tropical convective heat source rather than tropical western Pacific sea surface temperature (SST).
The second EASM mode, accounting for 12.8% of the variance, is identified and characterized by two distinct and alternating modes or their linear combination (M21 and M22). One mode (M21) closely relates to the dual blocking high pattern detected in anomalous sea level pressure (SLP) and 500-hPa geopotential heights over the Ural Mountains and the Okhotsk Sea. The other (M22) corresponds to a dipole blocking anomaly in anomalous SLP and geopotential heights, with opposing anomalous centers in the south of Japan and the Korean peninsula, and the area between Lake Baikal and the Okhotsk Sea. M22 shows significant correlations with summer mean rainfall in southern and southeastern China. Thus, a single index of EASM is inappropriate for investigating and predicting the EASM.