Evaluation of an evidence-based practice education workshop focused on critical appraisal for advanced practice nurses: A before-after intervention study.

Background: Regarding the evidence-based practice (EBP) process, nurses tend to perceive that critical appraisal of research articles is challenging. Though critical appraisal in EBP has been a frequent topic in medical education, implementing and disseminating existing EBP education for nurses are challenging in countries with limited EBP educational resources. This study aimed to evaluate changes in practice, attitude, knowledge and skills of EBP before and after an EBP workshop focused on critical appraisal among advanced practice nurses.

Total Syntheses of (+)-Villocarine A, (-)-Apogeissoschizine, and (+)-Geissoschizine.

Total syntheses of geissoschizine-type monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MTIAs) are reported. An intramolecular Pictet-Spengler cyclization was developed for the selective construction of the 3R stereocenter. The first total synthesis of (+)-villocarine A was then achieved.

Regio-divergent nickel catalysis: intramolecular [4+2] and [2+2] cycloaddition reactions between vinylallenes and alkynes.

Vinylallenes have been recognized as versatile C2 and C4 components for nickel-catalyzed intramolecular [4+2] and [2+2] cycloadditions. The former reaction was promoted by a Ni(0) complex (up to quantitative yield), and a Ni(II) salt was a key species for the latter reaction to give the corresponding regio- and stereocontrolled cycloadducts (up to 88% yield). DFT studies revealed that both reaction pathways involve a concerted mechanism through the activation of different C-C multiple bonds in the substrates.

Magnetic resonance T1w/T2w ratio in the middle cerebellar peduncle might be a sensitive biomarker for multiple system atrophy.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the use of a myelin-sensitive MRI contrast, the standardized T1-weighted/T2-weighted (sT1w/T2w) ratio, for detecting early changes in the middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) in cerebellar subtype multiple system atrophy (MSA-C) patients.

Methods: We included 28 MSA-C patients, including a subset of 17 MSA-C patients within 2 years of disease onset (early MSA-C), and 28 matched healthy controls. T1w and T2w scans were acquired using a 3-T MR system.

Natural history of noise and squeaking in cementless ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty.

Introduction: Ceramic-on-ceramic (COC) total hip arthroplasty (THA) was developed to reduce wear debris, and consequently the occurrence of osteolysis and aseptic loosening. The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence and natural history of noise including squeaking after COC THA, and to clarify whether clinical outcomes and any demographic and implant-related factors are associated with noise from these ceramic bearings.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 137 primary COC THAs between 2004 and 2009 at our institute.

Predicting reactivity for bioorthogonal cycloadditions involving nitrones.

Nitrones are useful dipoles in both synthesis and in bioorthogonal transformations to report on biological phenomena. In bioorthogonal reactions, nitrones are both small and relatively easy to incorporate into biomolecules, while providing versatility in their ability to harbor different substituents that tune their reactivity. Herein, we examine the reactivities of some common and useful nitrone cycloadditions using density functional theory (DFT) and the distortion/interaction (D/I) model.

Internal Mammary Vein Valves: A Histological Study.

It is widely accepted that the internal mammary vein (IMV) is valveless. However, few anatomical studies are available on the presence or absence of IMV valves. To test the hypothesis that the IMV is valveless, we performed microscopic histological examination of the IMV.

Comparison study of bone strength of the proximal femur with and without hip osteoarthritis by computed tomography-based finite element analysis.

Proximal femoral fractures are common in elderly osteoporosis patients; however, its prevalence is clinically rare in hip fracture patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to evaluate bone strength of the proximal femur with or without hip OA and proximal femoral fracture risk using computed tomography (CT)-based finite element analysis (FEA). A retrospective analysis was done on CT data of 20 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty for unilateral hip OA.

The synthesis of a Tc-labeled tetravalent targeting probe upon isonitrile coordination to Tc for enhanced target uptake in saturable systems.

The presence of excess unlabeled ligands in the injectate hinders the target uptake of Tc-labeled targeting vectors. To address the issue, we previously developed a chemical design which provides a Tc-labeled trivalent RGD probe upon CN-βAla-Gly-Gly-c(RGDfK) (L) coordination to [Tc][Tc(CO)] core at pH 6.0.

Stress fracture of the midshaft clavicle associated with sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis-Case report.

Introduction: Stress fracture is generally a result of cumulative and repetitive stress in athletes, which accelerates the normal remodeling process of bones, and the most frequently involved areas are the tibia and metatarsal bones. Therefore, stress fractures of the midshaft of the clavicle are very rare.

Presentation Of Case: A 58-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of pain in the middle of the right clavicle.

A p53-stabilizing agent, CP-31398, induces p21 expression with increased G2/M phase through the YY1 transcription factor in esophageal carcinoma defective of the p53 pathway.

Restoration of p53 functions is one of the therapeutic strategies for esophageal carcinoma which is often defective of the p53 pathway. We examined effects of CP-31398 which potentially increased expression of wild-type p53 or converted mutated p53 to the wild-type. We used 9 kinds of human squamous esophageal carcinoma cells with different genotypes and examined expression of p53 and the related molecules in CP-31398-treated cells.

Changes in proinflammatory cytokines, neuropeptides, and microglia in an animal model of monosodium iodoacetate-induced hip osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the local production of proinflammatory cytokines, pain-related sensory innervation of dorsal-root ganglia (DRG), and spinal changes in a rat model of induced hip osteoarthritis (OA). Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley rats were used, including 25 controls and 50 injected into the right hip joints (sham group, injected with 25 µl of sterile saline: N = 25; and monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) group, injected with 25 µl of sterile saline with 2 mg of MIA: N = 25). We measured the local production of TNF-α, immunoreactive (-ir) neurons for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in DRG, and immunoreactive neurons for ionized-calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1) in the dorsal horn of spinal cord, on post-induction days 7, 14, 28, 42, and 56 (N = 5 rats/group/time point).

Valosin-containing Protein is a Target of 5'-l Fuligocandin B and Enhances TRAIL Resistance in Cancer Cells.

Fuligocandin B () is a novel natural product that can overcome TRAIL resistance. We synthesized enatiomerically pure fuligocandin B () and its derivative 5'-I fuligocandin B (), and found that the latter had an improved biological activity against the human gastric cancer cell line, AGS. We attached a biotin linker and photoactivatable aryl diazirine group to 5'-I fuligocandin B (), and employed a pull-down assay to identify valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97), an AAA ATPase, as a 5'-I fuligocandin B () target protein.

Testicular function among testicular cancer survivors treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to identify the clinical predictors of spermatogenesis recovery in testicular cancer (TC) patients after chemotherapy and to determine the recuperation period for spermatogenesis.

Methods: Patients treated for TC from January 1982 to November 2001 at Chiba University Hospital were retrospectively assessed. Thirty-five patients who met the following criteria were examined-(i) underwent both high orchiectomy and cisplatin-based chemotherapy; (ii) had semen analyses and hormonal measurements; and (iii) were alive with no evidence of disease.

The interaction of the ErbB4 intracellular domain p80 with α-enolase in the nuclei is associated with the inhibition of the neuregulin1-dependent cell proliferation.

We have shown that the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB4 signals neuregulin1-stimulated proliferation of human cells. Some isoforms of ErbB4 are cleaved to release the soluble intracellular domain p80; however, the function of p80 in cell proliferation remained unclear. Here we propose the possibility for p80 as a negative feedback modulator of ErbB4-mediated cell proliferation.

Changes in expression levels of oxidative stress-related genes in mouse epididymides by neonatal exposure to low-dose decabromodiphenyl ether.

Decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), one of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), is the most well-known flame retardant and is used worldwide. In a previous study, we identified adverse effects of neonatal decaBDE exposure on mouse epididymides, such as decreased epididymal weight. On the other hand, neonatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES), an artificial estrogenic compound, also causes several adverse effects on epididymides.

Regioselective hydronickelation of allenes and its application to the hydrocyanative carbocyclization reaction of allene-ynes and bis-allenes.

The carbocyanative cyclization of allene-ynes and bis-allenes under nickel catalysis is described. The key steps are the regioselective hydronickelation of allenes and subsequent cyclization via carbometalation. The former step determines the reaction pathway, and the latter controls the stereochemistry of substituted olefins.

MicroRNAs in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC).

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs which regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, development, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Expression profiling of miRNAs has been performed and the data show that some miRNAs are upregulated or downregulated in cancer. Several studies suggest that the expression profiles of miRNAs are associated with clinical outcomes.

Protein profiling in pancreatic juice for detection of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

Background/aims: Malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN) has a very poor prognosis, and there is no useful biomarker for an early diagnosis at present. A biomarker is expected to allow an early diagnosis of IPMNs and consequently lead to an improvement of the patients' prognosis. Recent advances in proteomic analysis are remarkable; therefore we explored novel biomarkers for IPMN using Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption and Ionization (SELDI) Mass Spectrometry.

The therapeutic effects of Rho-ROCK inhibitors on CNS disorders.

Rho-kinase (ROCK) is a serine/threonine kinase and one of the major downstream effectors of the small GTPase Rho. The Rho-ROCK pathway is involved in many aspects of neuronal functions including neurite outgrowth and retraction. The Rho-ROCK pathway becomes an attractive target for the development of drugs for treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders, since it has been recently revealed that this pathway is closely related to the pathogenesis of several CNS disorders such as spinal cord injuries, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective assessment of the antispasmodic effect of shakuyaku-kanzo-to (TJ-68), a Chinese herbal medicine, on the colonic wall by direct spraying during colonoscopy.

Aim: To objectively evaluate the effect of TJ-68 on colonic spasms during colonoscopy.

Methods: One hundred and one patients subjected to screening colonoscopy were randomly assigned to two groups: TJ-68 in 51 subjects and saline as the control in 50. The endoscope was inserted into the sigmoid colon, then a spastic region was identified and the tip of the colonoscope was positioned at a distance of about 10 mm from the spastic region.

Synergistic antitumor effect of antiangiogenic factor genes on colon 26 produced by low-voltage electroporation.

Antiangiogenic factors are potent endothelial cell growth inhibitors that have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and tumor growth in mice. We have demonstrated the synergistic antitumor effect of antiangiogenic genes (mouse angiostatin: pBLAST-mAngio; and mouse endostatin: p-BLAST42-mEndo XV) delivered to tumors by low-voltage electroporation in mouse colon 26 models. A synergistic antitumor effect was strongly suggested by in vivo tumor growth kinetics, as well as in survival studies with the mice.

Management of blunt hepatic injury in children: usefulness of emergency transcatheter arterial embolization.

We reviewed our experience to determine the usefulness of emergency transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for severe blunt hepatic injury (BHI) in children. Between 1978 and 2000, 21 children with BHI (14 boys and 7 girls, ranging in age from 2 to 14 years) were managed according to our protocol. The patients who were hemodynamically stable, and had no other associated injury requiring laparotomy, regardless of the hepatic injury grade, were managed nonsurgically.

Anaesthesia for awake craniotomy with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.

Airway management during awake craniotomy is a crucial part of the anaesthetic technique, but it remains the subject of debate. We report two cases of anaesthesia for awake craniotomy using non-invasive positive pressure ventilation; biphasic positive airway pressure or proportional assist ventilation was employed. Both ventilatory techniques provided adequate lung ventilation, smooth transition between anaesthesia and arousal, and patient comfort.

Enhancement of bone growth in titanium fiber mesh by surface modification with hydrogen peroxide solution containing tantalum chloride.

A tight fixation between bone and implant materials is of great importance for a successful outcome of procedures such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). Surface modification of titanium metal and titanium alloy is one of the attractive methods to improve the biological affinity of orthopedic prostheses. Recent studies reported that titanium substrates were provided with bone-bonding ability, that is, osteoconductivity, through a chemical treatment with hydrogen peroxide solution containing tantalum chloride.