bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant behaviour and communication
Authors: Karban Richard 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPlant behaviours are defined as rapid morphological or physiological responses to events, relative to the lifetime of an individual. Since Darwin, biologists have been aware that plants behave but it has been an underappreciated phenomenon. The best studied plant behaviours involve foraging for light, nutrients, and water by placing organs where they can most efficiently harvest these resources. Plants also adjust many reproductive and defensive traits in response to environmental heterogeneity in space and time. Many plant behaviours rely on iterative active meristems that allow plants to rapidly transform into many different forms. Because of this modular construction, many plant responses are localized although the degree of integration within whole plants is not well understood. Plant behaviours have been characterized as simpler than those of animals. Recent findings challenge this notion by revealing high levels of sophistication previously thought to be within the sole domain of animal behaviour. Plants anticipate future conditions by accurately perceiving and responding to reliable environmental cues. Plants exhibit memory, altering their behaviours depending upon their previous experiences or the experiences of their parents. Plants communicate with other plants, herbivores and mutualists. They emit cues that cause predictable reactions in other organisms and respond to such cues themselves. Plants exhibit many of the same behaviours as animals even though they lack central nervous systems. Both plants and animals have faced spatially and temporally heterogeneous environments and both have evolved plastic response systems.
Direct photographic documentation of ileal mucosa in routine colonoscopy is not an independent valid or reliable proof of completion: quality assurance issues for the national colorectal cancer‐screening programme
Authors: Baraza W. , Brown S. , Shorthouse A. J. , Tiffin N. , Hurlstone D. P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIntroduction  The implementation of bowel cancer screening in the UK requires the maintenance of high standards in colonoscopy. Part of this quality control requires the reliable documentation of complete colonoscopy that can be externally audited and assessed. It has been suggested that terminal ileal biopsy is the only definitive and reliable method of confirming caecal intubation, but it is not cost‐effective and may now be contraindicated because of potential prion infection.Objective  To determine how reliable routine terminal ileal images were as an independent predictor of complete colonoscopy and whether their interpretation was aided with water insufflation or indigo‐carmine dye‐spraying.Method  Forty‐nine histologically confirmed terminal ileal images were obtained from a single endoscopist’s database; 19 were conventional white‐light images, 15 were taken with water insufflation and 15 were taken using chromoscopy enhancement. The images were transferred onto CD‐ROM and sent as a questionnaire to 42 colonoscopists who were asked to identify the images as terminal ileum or not.Results  Twenty questionnaires were returned resulting in a total of 980 responses. Overall, the accuracy of positive identification was 53.4%. Water insufflation and chromoscopy improved the accuracy to 68.3% and 63% respectively. Experience of (> 1000 colonoscopies) did not increase overall accuracy. Less experienced endoscopists had an increased accuracy rate with dye‐spraying (76.7%vs 59.3%, P < 0.05) but experienced endoscopists had an increased accuracy rate with water insufflation (67.4%vs 63.3%, P > .05).Conclusion  Currently, terminal ileal imaging is not a reliable mode of documenting complete colonoscopy. Using water insufflation or dye‐spraying coupled with modifications in image acquisition technique may improve its reliability but these methods require further investigation before they can replace the use of caecal landmarks as completion parameters.
Free radical activity and lipid soluble anti‐oxidant vitamin status in patients with long‐term ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis
Authors: El Muhtaseb M. S. , Talwar D. , Duncan A. , St J O’reilly D. , Mckee R. F. , Anderson J. H. , Foulis A. , Finlay I. G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective  Ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the operation of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis. Free radical activity and the status of lipid soluble antioxidant vitamins have not been previously assessed in patients with IPAA. The aim of the present study was to measure the plasma concentrations of lipophyllic antioxidants and free radical activity in IPAA patients and compare them with normal subjects.Method  Forty‐eight IPAA patients and 50 healthy controls were studied. A dietary assessment of vitamin E (α‐tocopherol) and carotene was undertaken and plasma antioxidant status was assessed. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured to assess the extent of free radical damage. In IPAA patients, association between the degree of inflammation in the pouch mucosa and the plasma concentration of lipophyllic antioxidants and extent of free radical activity was investigated.Results  The dietary intake of carotene was similar in both groups. Intake of vitamin E was significantly lower in patients than controls (P = 0.01). In the IPAA group plasma concentrations of α‐carotene, β‐carotene and lycopene were significantly lower (P < 0.001) and α‐tocopherol:cholesterol ratio significantly higher (P < 0.001). Free radical damage was significantly greater in patients than controls (P < 0.01). There were no significant correlations between the degree of inflammation in the pouch and plasma concentrations of MDA, carotenoids, α‐tocopherol:cholesterol ratio or intake of vitamins.Conclusion  Compared with normal subjects, patients with IPAA have significantly lower plasma concentrations of lipophyllic antioxidants α‐carotene, β‐carotene and lycopene and higher free radical activity suggesting increased oxidative stress. These differences do not appear to be related to diet and do not correlate with histological severity of pouch inflammation.
‘FAIR BENEFITS’ ACCOUNTS OF EXPLOITATION REQUIRE A NORMATIVE PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS: RESPONSE TO GBADEGESIN AND WENDLER, AND EMANUEL ET AL.
Authors: BALLANTYNE ANGELA 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTIn 2004 Emanuel et al. published an influential account of exploitation in international research, which has become known as the ‘fair benefits account’. In this paper I argue that the thin definition of fairness presented by Emanuel et al, and subsequently endorsed by Gbadegesin and Wendler, does not provide a notion of fairness that is adequately robust to support a fair benefits account of exploitation. The authors present a procedural notion of fairness – the fair distribution of the benefits of research is to be determined on a case‐by‐case basis by the parties involved in each study. The fairness of the distribution of benefits is not assessed against an independent normative standard. Emanuel et al.'s account of fairness provides a framework for objecting only to transactions that occur without the fully informed consent of the weaker party. As a result, a debate about exploitation collapses into a debate about consent. This is problematic because, as the proponents of the fair benefits framework acknowledge, neither the trial participants' consent nor the host community's consent preclude exploitation. Attempts to stipulate normative standards of fairness to protect research subjects in developing countries have been controversial and divisive, and it is therefore understandable that bioethicists would be tempted to develop accounts of exploitation that are independent of such prescriptive principles. I conclude, however, that the utility of the fair benefits model of exploitation as a policy tool will ultimately depend on whether a substantive principle of fairness can be developed to underpin it.
Modelling the cost‐effectiveness and capacity impact of changes to colposcopy referral guidelines for women with mild dyskaryosis in the UK Cervical Screening Programme
Authors: Hadwin R , Eggington S , Brennan A , Walker P , Patnick J , Pilgrim H 
Published: April 2008

Objective  To evaluate the capacity implications and health economic impact of new guidelines recommending referral to colposcopy after one mild result during cervical screening rather than after two consecutive mild results.Design  A mathematical model of the country’s colposcopy services and the clinical pathways from smear result through to treatment is constructed. The model incorporates national questionnaire data on referral numbers and management practices, routine data and published research results.Setting  All English NHS colposcopy services.Population  Women aged 25 to 64 years.Methods  The national average workload impact of the change in referral guidelines is predicted, and the impact in differing local circumstances is evaluated within the model. A long‐term health economic model examines the resulting costs and predicted change in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs).Main outcome measures  Colposcopy workload implications for single mild dyskaryosis referral and cost per QALY analysis.Results  We found that single mild dyskaryosis referral implies, on average, a 21% increase in colposcopy workload for services not currently operating this policy. The health economic model predicted a cost per QALY gained as a result of the implementation of the new referral guidelines of around £7,500.Conclusions  Referral after one mild result will increase workload at colposcopy; however, it may be possible to counterbalance the additional workload by altering other clinical practice. The change to referral guidelines would be considered cost‐effective in comparison with many interventions routinely available on the NHS.
Efficacy of laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy in the management of menorrhagia: 400 consecutive cases
Authors: Erian J , Hassan M , Pachydakis A , Chandakas S , Wissa I , Hill N 
Published: April 2008

Study objective  To assess the safety and patient satisfaction of laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy (LSH) using a standardised surgical technique.Design  Prospective observational study.Setting  Princess Royal University Hospital, Chelsfield Park Hospital and Sloane Hospital, Kent, UK.Patients and materials  Four hundred consecutive women with menorrhagia underwent LSH. The procedure was performed using the Plasma Kinetic Bipolar Diathermy (Gyrus International Ltd, Berkshire, UK) for pedicle ligation and the Lap Loop system (Roberts Surgical Healthcare Ltd, Kidderminster, UK) to detach the cervix. An electromechanical morcellator (Morcellex; Ethicon Women’s Health and Urology, Cincinnati, OH, USA) was used to remove the uterus from the abdominal cavity.Main outcome measures  Patient satisfaction, morbidity rates and readmission rates.Results  A total of 400 LSH were performed between February 2003 and November 2006. The principal clinical indication for hysterectomy was menorrhagia. The mean duration of surgery was 46.4 minutes. The mean operative blood loss was 126 ml. Concurrent surgery was performed in 141 women. Minor and major perioperative complications were encountered in 5% (n= 20) of women. The major complication rate was 1.2% (n= 5): three women (0.75%) with bladder perforation, two women (0.5%) with bowel injury and one woman (0.25%) with a vesicocervical fistula. Eight women (2%) suffered from cyclical vaginal bleeding postoperatively.Conclusions  LSH is a safe and effective treatment for menorrhagia and other menstrual disorders when hysterectomy is indicated. Women appreciate the quick recovery period, reduced time off work and faster return to normal activity. Our data suggest that LSH can replace abdominal hysterectomy in selected cases.
Maternal depression and medication exposure during pregnancy: comparison of maternal retrospective recall to prospective documentation
Authors: Newport DJ , Brennan PA , Green P , Ilardi D , Whitfield TH , Morris N , Knight BT , Stowe ZN 
Published: April 2008

Objective  Outcome investigations of prenatal maternal depression and psychotropic exposure rely extensively on maternal retrospective recall. This study compared postnatal recall to prospective documentation of illness and medication exposures.Design  Prospective cohort and retrospective case–control studies.Setting  Emory Women’s Mental Health Program (prospective study) and Emory University Department of Psychology (retrospective study).Sample  A total of 164 women who participated in both the prospective and retrospective studies.Methods  Women with a history of mental illness were followed during pregnancy for prospective prenatal assessments of depression and medication exposures. At 6 months postpartum, some of these women also participated in a retrospective study during which they were asked to recall prenatal depression and medication use. Agreement between prospective and retrospective documentation of exposures was analysed.Main outcome measures  Occurrence of maternal depression during pregnancy and maternal use of pharmacological agents during pregnancy.Results  There was only moderate agreement (k = 0.42) in prospective versus retrospective reporting of prenatal depression. Positive predictive value for recalling depression was 90.4%; however, negative predictive value for denying depression was only 53.8%. Participants accurately recalled psychotropic use but significantly underreported use of nonpsychotropic medications.Conclusions  Studies using retrospective data collection may be susceptible to systematic recall bias with underreporting of maternal depression and use of nonpsychotropic agents during pregnancy.
Expression of microRNAs and their precursors in synaptic fractions of adult mouse forebrain
Authors: Lugli Giovanni , Torvik Vetle I. , Larson John , Smalheiser Neil R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe have characterized the expression of microRNAs and selected microRNA precursors within several synaptic fractions of adult mouse forebrain, including synaptoneurosomes, synaptosomes and isolated post‐synaptic densities (PSDs), using methods of microRNA microarray, real time qRT‐PCR, Northern blotting and immunopurification using anti‐PSD95 antibody. The majority of brain microRNAs (especially microRNAs known to be expressed in pyramidal neurons) are detectably expressed in synaptic fractions, and a subset of microRNAs is significantly enriched in synaptic fractions relative to total forebrain homogenate. MicroRNA precursors are also detectable in synaptic fractions at levels that are comparable to whole tissue. Whereas mature microRNAs are predominantly associated with soluble components of the synaptic fractions, microRNA precursors are predominantly associated with PSDs. For seven microRNAs examined, there was a significant correlation between the relative synaptic enrichment of the precursor and the relative synaptic enrichment of the corresponding mature microRNA. These findings support the proposal that microRNAs are formed, at least in part, via processing of microRNA precursors locally within dendritic spines. Dicer is expressed in PSDs but is enzymatically inactive until conditions that activate calpain cause its liberation; thus, we propose that synaptic stimulation may lead to local processing of microRNA precursors in proximity to the synapse.
Shareholder Value and the Performance of a Large Nursing Home Chain
Authors: Kitchener Martin , O'Meara Janis , Brody Ab , Lee Hyang Yuol , Harrington Charlene 
Published: April 2008

Objective. To analyze corporate governance arrangements and quality and financial performance outcomes among large multi‐facility nursing home corporations (chains) that pursue stakeholder value (profit maximization) strategies.Study Design. To establish a foundation of knowledge about the focal phenomenon and processes, we conducted an historical (1993–2005) case study of one of the largest chains (Sun Helathcare Inc.) that triangulated qualitative and quantitative data sources.Data Sources. Two main sets of information were compared: (1) corporate sources including Sun's Security Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 10‐K annual reports, industry financial reports, and the business press; and (2) external sources including, legal documents, press reports, and publicly available California facility cost reports and quality data.Principal Findings. Shareholder value was pursued at Sun through three inter‐linked strategies: (1) rapid growth through debt‐financed mergers; (2) labor cost constraint through low nurse staffing levels; and (3) a model of corporate governance that views sanctions for fraud and poor quality as a cost of business.Conclusions. Study findings and evidence from other large nursing home chains underscore calls from the Institute of Medicine and other bodies for extended oversight of the corporate governance and performance of large nursing home chains.
Could glucose be a proaging factor?
Authors: Kassi Eva , Papavassiliou Athanasios G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThere is an ever‐increasing scientific interest for the interplay between cell's environment and the aging process. Although it is known that calorie restriction affects longevity, the exact molecular mechanisms through which nutrients influence various cell signalling/modulators of lifespan remain a largely unresolved issue. Among nutrients, glucose constitutes an evolutionarily stable, precious metabolic fuel, which is catabolized through glycolytic pathway providing energy in the form of ATP and consuming NAD. Accumulating evidence shows that among the important regulators of aging process are autophagy, sirtuin activity and oxidative stress. In light of recent work indicating that glucose availability decreases lifespan whilst impaired glucose metabolism extends life expectancy, the present article deals with the potential role of glucose in the aging process by regulating – directly through its metabolism or indirectly through insulin secretion – autophagy, sirtuins as well as other modulators of aging like oxidative stress and advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs).
The novel adipocytokine visfatin exerts direct cardioprotective effects
Authors: Lim Shiang Y. , Davidson Sean M. , Paramanathan Ajeev J. , Smith Christopher C. T. , Yellon Derek M. , Hausenloy Derek J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractVisfatin is an adipocytokine capable of mimicking the glucose‐lowering effects of insulin and activating the pro‐survival kinases phosphatidylinositol‐3‐OH kinase (PI3K)‐protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 1 and 2 (MEK1/2)‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 (Erk 1/2). Experimental studies have demonstrated that the activation of these kinases confers cardioprotection through the inhibition of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Whether visfatin is capable of exerting direct cardioprotective effects through these mechanisms is unknown and is the subject of the current study. Anaesthetized C57BL/6 male mice were subjected to in situ 30 min. of regional myocardial ischaemia and 120 min. of reperfusion. The administration of an intravenous bolus of visfatin (5 × 10−6μmol) at the time of myocardial reperfusion reduced the myocardial infarct size from 46.1 ± 4.1% in control hearts to 27.3 ± 4.0% (n≥ 6/group, P < 0.05), an effect that was blocked by the PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin, and the MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126 (48.8 ± 5.5% and 45.9 ± 8.4%, respectively, versus 27.3 ± 4.0% with visfatin; n≥ 6/group, P < 0.05). In murine ventricular cardiomyocytes subjected to 30 min. of hypoxia followed by 30 min. of reoxygenation, visfatin (100 ng/ml), administered at the time of reoxygenation, reduced the cell death from 65.2 ± 4.6% in control to 49.2 ± 3.7%(n > 200 cells/group, P < 0.05), an effect that was abrogated by wortmannin and U0126 (68.1 ± 5.2% and 59.7 ± 6.2%, respectively; n > 200 cells/group, P > 0.05). Finally, the treatment of murine ventricular cardiomyocytes with visfatin (100 ng/ml) delayed the opening of the mPTP induced by oxidative stress from 81.2 ± 4 sec. in control to 120 ± 7 sec. (n > 20 cells/group, P < 0.05) in a PI3K‐ and MEK1/2‐dependent manner. We report that the adipocytokine, visfatin, is capable of reducing myocardial injury when administered at the time of myocardial reperfusion in both the in situ murine heart and the isolated murine cardiomyocytes. The mechanism appears to involve the PI3K and MEK1/2 pathways and the mPTP.
Porosome in astrocytes
Authors: Lee Jin‐Sook , Cho Won Jin , Jeftinija Ksenija , Jeftinija Srdija , Jena Bhanu P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSecretion is a universal cellular process occurring in bakers yeast, to the complex multicellular organisms, to humans beings. Neurotransmission, digestion, immune response or the release of hormones occur as a result of cell secretion. Secretory defects result in numerous diseases and hence a molecular understanding of the process is critical. Cell secretion involves the transport of vesicular products from within cells to the outside. Porosomes are permanent cup‐shaped supramolecular structures at the cell plasma membrane, where secretory vesicles transiently dock and transiently fuse to release intravesicular contents to the outside. In the past decade, porosomes have been determined to be the universal secretory machinery in cells, present in the exocrine pancreas, endocrine and neuroendocrine cells, and in neurons. In this study, we report for the first time the presence of porosomes in rat brain astrocytes. Using atomic force microscopy on live astrocytes, cup‐shaped porosomes measuring 10–15 nm are observed at the cell plasma membrane. Further studies using electron microscopy confirm the presence of porosomes in astrocytes. Analogous to neuronal porosomes, there is a central plug in the astrocyte porosome complex. Immunoisolation and reconstitution of the astrocyte porosome in lipid membrane, demonstrates a structure similar to what is observed in live cells. These studies demonstrate that in astrocytes, the secretory apparatus at the cell plasma membrane is similar to what is found in neurons.
Smooth muscle NOS, colocalized with caveolin‐1, modulates contraction in mouse small intestine
Authors: El‐Yazbi Ahmed F. , Cho Woo Jung , Cena Jonathan , Schulz Richard , Daniel Edwin E. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractNeuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in myenteric neurons is activated during peristalsis to produce nitric oxide which relaxes intestinal smooth muscle. A putative nNOS is also found in the membrane of intestinal smooth muscle cells in mouse and dog. In this study we studied the possible functions of this nNOS expressed in mouse small intestinal smooth muscle colocalized with caveolin‐1(Cav‐1). Cav‐1 knockout mice lacked nNOS in smooth muscle and provided control tissues. 60 mM KCl was used to increase intracellular [Ca2+] through L‐type Ca2+ channel opening and stimulate smooth muscle NOS activity in intestinal tissue segments. An additional contractile response to LNNA (100 μM, NOS inhibitor) was observed in KCl‐contracted tissues from control mice and was almost absent in tissues from Cav‐1 knockout mice. Disruption of caveolae with 40 mM methyl‐β cyclodextrin in tissues from control mice led to the loss of Cav‐1 and nNOS immunoreactivity from smooth muscle as shown by immunohistochemistry and a reduction in the response of these tissues to N‐ω‐nitro‐L‐arginine (LNNA). Reconstitution of membrane cholesterol using water soluble cholesterol in the depleted segments restored the immunoreactivity and the response to LNNA added after KCl. Nicardipine (1 μM) blocked the responses to KCl and LNNA confirming the role of L‐type Ca2+ channels. ODQ (1 μM, soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor) had the same effect as inhibition of NOS following KCl. We conclude that the activation of nNOS, localized in smooth muscle caveolae, by calcium entering through L‐type calcium channels triggers nitric oxide production which modulates muscle contraction by a cGMP‐dependent mechanism.