bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct activation phenotype of a highly conserved novel HLA‐B57‐restricted epitope during dengue virus infection
Authors: Townsley Elizabeth , Woda Marcia , Thomas Stephen J. , Kalayanarooj Siripen , Gibbons Robert V. , Nisalak Ananda , Srikiatkhachorn Anon , Green Sharone , Stephens Henry A.F. , Rothman Alan L. , Mathew Anuja
Published: August 2013

Variation in the sequence of T‐cell epitopes between dengue virus (DENV) serotypes is believed to alter memory T‐cell responses during second heterologous infections. We identified a highly conserved, novel, HLA‐B57‐restricted epitope on the DENV NS1 protein. We predicted higher frequencies of B57‐NS126–34‐specific CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals undergoing secondary rather than primary DENV infection. However, high tetramer‐positive T‐cell frequencies during acute infection were seen in only one of nine subjects with secondary infection. B57‐NS126–34‐specific and other DENV epitope‐specific CD8+ T cells, as well as total CD8+ T cells, expressed an activated phenotype (CD69+ and/or CD38+) during acute infection. In contrast, expression of CD71 was largely limited to DENV epitope‐specific CD8+ T cells. In vitro stimulation of cell lines indicated that CD71 expression was differentially sensitive to stimulation by homologous and heterologous variant peptides. CD71 may represent a useful marker of antigen‐specific T‐cell activation.
A POSITIVE APPROACH TO ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
Authors: Van Tiggelen C.J.M.
Published: August 2013

Despite its past anonymity, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type is a disease with a major impact on our ageing society. It affects a considerable percentage of old and very old people (some 20% of people over the age of eighty), causing distress and discomfort for the sufferers and the carers; it causes close to 50% of all nursing home admissions and costs the nation probably more than $2 billion annually; it is, with cardiovascular diseases and cancer, a leading cause of death.

One of the particular difficulties with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) is that the diagnosis only can be confirmed in the post‐mortem — during life the diagnosis can only be made with a limited degree of certainty by following established inclusion and exclusion criteria (Glen and Christie 1979); that is, by ruling out other known causes of dementia in a patient with a dementia syndrome it is concluded that it must be senile dementia of the Alzheimer type.

One other interesting aspect is that in SDAT, a disease which I compared before with cancer and cardio‐vascular disease, a defeatist attitude amongst the medical profession is frequently noticed. Had the same attitude been adopted in the past towards cancer and cardio‐vascular disease, progress in diagnosis and treatment of these diseases would never have happened.

I am suggesting that it is possible to adopt a less defeatist and more positive attitude towards SDAT and this then stimulates the development of working strategies and working hypotheses. A working hypothesis can never claim to be a final solution to the problem, it is merely a frame of thought that directs step by step research working towards piecemeal solution of the problem.

A working hypothesis is presented, describing SDAT as a multi‐factorial condition, in which genetic factors, toxic factors and nutritional factors are interacting and may play an accelerating role in the development of SDAT.

Depression, frequently co‐existing with SDAT, contributes to symptomatology and can be considered as playing an accelerating role.

A tremendous amount of research has to be done.

A working strategy at present could be:

1. Increase research.

2. Maintenance of a good nutritional status in the individual patient is mandatory. Nutritional research deserves high priority, based on early indications that secondary changes in nutritional condition may accelerate the process.

3. More attention should be given, before the verdict of “Alzheimer” is pronounced, to the possibility that toxic factors have been contributing to the condition. Extra attention should be given to careful prescription of medication.

4. Prevention, early recognition and vigorous treatment of depression seems to be a most important factor.

The importance of psycho‐social stimulation should be recognised. The influence of the depression‐like state on the blood‐brain barrier function and on nutritional status of the brain should have high priority in future research.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN IMPROVEMENT WORK
Authors: Crisp Helen
Published: August 2013

The Health Foundation is an independent charity working to improve healthcare in the UK, so that we have a system of the highest possible quality—safe, effective, person‐centred, timely, efficient and equitable. We believe that in order to achieve this, health services need to continually improve the way they work.

The Foundation conducts research and evaluation, puts ideas into practice through improvement programmes, develops leaders and shares evidence to drive wider change. The work is a focused around two priority areas: patient safety and person‐centred care.

The Foundation has supported work to improve services for patients with kidney disease and, in common with other quality improvement projects, there have been challenges to overcome. Awareness of these common challenges can help others to be more prepared when planning service improvements.
Temporal divergence of percent body fat and body mass index in pre‐teenage children: the LOOK longitudinal study
Authors: Telford R. D. , Cunningham R. B. , Abhayaratna W. P.
Published: August 2013

What is already known about this subject

The index of body mass related to stature, (body mass index, BMI, kgm–2), is widely used as a proxy for percent body fat (%BF) in cross‐sectional and longitudinal investigations.

BMI does not distinguish between lean and fat mass and in children, the cross‐sectional relationship between %BF and BMI changes with age and sex.

What this study adds

While BMI increases linearly with age from age 8 to 12 years in both boys and girls, %BF plateaus off between 10 and 12 years.

Repeated measures in children show a systematic decrease in %BF for any given BMI from age 8 to 10 to 12 years.

Because changes in BMI misrepresent changes in %BF, its use as a proxy of %BF should be avoided in longitudinal studies in this age group.

Background

Body mass index (BMI, kgm–2) is commonly used as an indicator of pediatric adiposity, but with its inability to distinguish changes in lean and fat mass, its use in longitudinal studies of children requires careful consideration.

Objective

To investigate the suitability of BMI as a surrogate of percent body fat (%BF) in pediatric longitudinal investigations.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, healthy Australian children (256 girls and 278 boys) were measured at ages 8.0 (standard deviation 0.3), 10.0 and 12.0 years for height, weight and percent body fat (%BF) by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.

Results

The patterns of change in the means of %BF and BMI were different (P < 0.001). While mean BMI increased linearly from 8 to 12 years of age, %BF did not change between 10 and 12 years. Relationships between %BF and BMI in boys and girls were curvilinear and varied with age (P < 0.001) and gender (P < 0.001); any given BMI corresponding with a lower %BF as a child became older.

Conclusion

Considering the divergence of temporal patterns of %BF and BMI between 10 and 12 years of age, employment of BMI as a proxy for %BF in absolute or age and sex standardized forms in pediatric longitudinal investigations is problematical.
Salicylic Acid and Abiotic Stress Responses in Rice
Authors: Pál M. , Kovács V. , Szalai G. , Soós V. , Ma X. , Liu H. , Mei H. , Janda T.
Published: August 2013

Among plant species rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaves can be characterised with a very high level of salicylic acid content; however, its exact role is still poorly understood. In the present work, rice genotypes with different levels of drought tolerance have been subjected to PEG‐induced drought or cold stress at 10 °C in order to find relationship between the salicylic acid metabolism and the level of stress tolerance; and between the salicylic acid level and other protective mechanisms. Although the drought‐sensitive genotypes usually contained slightly higher amount of salicylic acid than the tolerant ones, there was no strong correlation between the salicylic acid contents and the degree of drought tolerance. Because the expression pattern of the chorismate synthase and isochorismate synthase genes did not correlate with the level of salicylic acid, but there was a correlation between the levels of salicylic acid and ortho‐hydroxy‐cinnamic, it is assumed that the salicylic acid synthesis via ortho‐hydroxy‐cinnamic acid may play a more decisive role than the chorismate–isochorismate–salicylic acid pathway in rice. While the activity of the glutathione reductase enzyme did not show correlation with drought tolerance, the glutathione S‐transferase activities were usually higher in the leaves of the drought‐tolerant varieties than in the sensitive ones. The salicylic acid contents in the leaves were not substantially affected by the applied stress conditions; however, other stress‐related compounds polyamines showed marked, stress‐specific responses. Correlation data suggest that there is no direct link between the abiotic stress‐induced polyamine changes and the salicylic acid metabolism in rice.
International prevalence measurement of care problems: results
Authors: Halfens Ruud J.G. , Meesterberends Esther , van Nie‐Visser Noémi C. , Lohrmann Christa , Schönherr Silvia , Meijers Judith M.M. , Hahn Sabine , Vangelooven Christa , Schols Jos M.G.A.
Published: August 2013

Aim

This report describes the results from the last international prevalence measurement of care problems in the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland, including the course of the prevalence rates during the past 4 years.

Background

Basic care problems such as pressure ulcers, malnutrition and falls occur frequently in healthcare organizations. Measuring these care problems provides insight into their occurrence, and, while a measurement is included of the prevention, treatment and structural quality indicators, this gives institutions the possibility of improving their care regarding these care problems.

Design

An annual cross‐sectional multicentre study.

Method

The prevalence measurement of care problems is conducted annually on one specific day in different healthcare settings, among which are hospitals and care homes. Data are collected by means of a comprehensive, standardized questionnaire that comprises three levels: institutional, ward/department and patient level.

Results

Besides general characteristics of patients, results are presented for prevalence rates, prevention, treatment and quality indicators regarding each care problem for each country.
Genome‐wide association study of chronic periodontitis in a general German population
Authors: Teumer Alexander , Holtfreter Birte , Völker Uwe , Petersmann Astrid , Nauck Matthias , Biffar Reiner , Völzke Henry , Kroemer Heyo K. , Meisel Peter , Homuth Georg , Kocher Thomas
Published: August 2013

Aim

To identify loci associated with chronic periodontitis through a genome‐wide association study (GWAS).

Materials and Methods

A GWAS was performed in 4032 individuals of two independent cross‐sectional studies of West Pomerania (SHIP n = 3365 and SHIP‐TREND n = 667) with different periodontal case definitions. Samples were genotyped with the Affymetrix Genome‐Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 or the Illumina Human Omni 2.5 array. Imputation of the HapMap as well as the 1000 Genome‐based autosomal and X‐chromosomal genotypes and short insertions and deletions (INDELs) was performed in both cohorts. Finally, more than 17 million SNPs and short INDELs were analysed.

Results

No genome‐wide significant associations were found for any periodontitis case definition, regardless of whether individuals aged >60 years where excluded or not. Despite no single SNP association reached genome‐wide significance, the proportion of variance explained by additive effects of all common SNPs was around 23% for mean proximal attachment loss. Excluding subjects aged >60 years increased the explained variance to 34%.

Conclusions

No single SNPs were found to be genome‐wide significantly associated with chronic periodontitis in this study.
Clinical and microbiological effects of Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Teughels Wim , Durukan Andaç , Ozcelik Onur , Pauwels Martine , Quirynen Marc , Haytac Mehmet Cenk
Published: August 2013

Aim

The aim of this randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri‐containing probiotic lozenges as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP).

Material and Methods

Thirty chronic periodontitis patients were recruited and monitored clinically and microbiologically at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after therapy. All patients received one‐stage full‐mouth disinfection and randomly assigned over a test (SRP + probiotic, n = 15) or control (SRP + placebo, n = 15) group. The lozenges were used two times a day for 12 weeks.

Results

At week 12, all clinical parameters were significantly reduced in both groups, while there was significantly more pocket depth reduction (p < 0.05) and attachment gain (p < 0.05) in moderate and deep pockets; more Porphyromonas gingivalis reduction was observed in the SRP + probiotic group.

Conclusions

The results indicate that oral administration of L. reuteri lozenges could be a useful adjunct to SRP in chronic periodontitis.
Titanium‐zirconium narrow‐diameter versus titanium regular‐diameter implants for anterior and premolar single crowns: 1‐year results of a randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Benic Goran I. , Gallucci German O. , Mokti Muizzaddin , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Weber Hans‐Peter , Jung Ronald E.
Published: August 2013

Aim

To test whether titanium‐zirconium (TiZr) 3.3 mm diameter implants perform differently from titanium (Ti) 4.1 mm diameter implants with respect to marginal bone level (MBL) and clinical parameters.

Material and Methods

Forty subjects in need of a single implant‐supported crown in the anterior or premolar regions were recruited in two centres. After random allocation, either a Ti or a TiZr implant was placed. Definitive crowns were inserted 6 months after implant placement. Implant survival, change in MBL, clinical parameters and occurrence of adverse events were assessed at the 1‐year examination.

Results

At 1 year, 38 of the 40 included patients were examined (18 Ti and 20 TiZr implants). All the implants were in place and stable. From the implant placement to the 1‐year examination, the change of MBL amounted to −0.40 mm in the Ti group and −0.41 mm in the TiZr group. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the change in MBL, the clinical parameters and the occurrence of adverse events.

Conclusions

The use of TiZr implants with narrow diameter for the support of single crowns in the anterior and premolar regions leads to successful tissue integration and clinical performance over a 1‐year period.
Relationship between metabolic syndrome and diagnoses of periodontal diseases among participants in a large Taiwanese cohort
Authors: Tu Yu‐Kang , D'Aiuto Francesco , Lin Hung‐Ju , Chen Yi‐Wen , Chien Kuo‐Liong
Published: August 2013

Objective

Epidemiological studies suggested that individuals suffering from periodontitis present with greater prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and diabetes. We used a large health check‐up data set in Taiwan to investigate this association.

Design and methods

Data from 33,740 individuals, who undertook comprehensive health check‐up at a university hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, were analysed. The dental examinations were undertaken by experienced dentists, and the diagnosis of MetS was made according to the criteria defined by the Third Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounders, females and males in the periodontitis group had higher levels of blood pressure, blood glucose, triglyceride and body mass index, but lower high‐density lipoprotein compared to controls. Females in the gingivitis and periodontitis group showed greater odds ratios [1.42 (95% CI: 1.30–1.56) and 1.52 (1.41–1.63) respectively] of being diagnosed with MetS, whereas males in the gingivitis and periodontitis group presented with odds ratios of being diagnosed with MetS of 1.06 (0.94–1.18) and 1.04 (0.96–1.12) respectively.

Conclusions

A small but statistically significant association between MetS and the diagnosis of periodontal diseases was found in Taiwanese women and a weaker association in Taiwanese men.
Efficacy of a new mouth rinse formulation based on 0.07% cetylpyridinium chloride in the control of plaque and gingivitis: a 6‐month randomized clinical trial
Authors: Costa Xavier , Laguna Estefanía , Herrera David , Serrano Jorge , Alonso Bettina , Sanz Mariano
Published: August 2013

Aim

To assess the efficacy of a 0.07% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouth rinse in the control of plaque and gingival inflammation during a 6‐month period.

Material and Methods

Adult subjects with moderate gingivitis were selected [≥40% bleeding on marginal probing (BOMP)]. After retrieving microbiological samples and evaluating the clinical parameters (plaque, BOMP and stain indexes), a professional prophylaxis was performed and subjects were randomly assigned to the test (CPC mouth rinse) or to the placebo group. Subjects were re‐assessed after 3 and 6 months.

Results

A total of 67 patients (35 test, 32 placebo) were included in the analysis. At 6 months, intra‐group significant plaque reductions were observed in the test group (0.691, p < 0.001), but not in the placebo (0.181, p = 0.653). At 6 months, the mean BOMP values were lower in the test group (p = 0.052). Changes between baseline and 6 months were significantly higher in the test group both for plaque (p = 0.002) and BOMP (p = 0.037) when compared with the placebo. A microbiological impact was observed in the test group, especially for Prevotella intermedia.

Conclusion

The evaluated 0.07% CPC‐based mouth rinse, used three times per day adjunctively to mechanical tooth cleaning, prevents plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation, as compared to the placebo, for at least 6 months.
Effect of salinity and temperature on marine leech, Zeylanicobdella arugamensis (De Silva) under laboratory conditions
Authors: Kua B C , Choong F C , Leaw Y Y
Published: August 2013

The high prevalence (80–100%) of the marine leech Zeylanicobdella arugamensis (De Silva) on cage‐cultured Asian sea bass Lates calcarifer (Bloch) led us to investigate the percentage of juvenile leeches hatched from deposited cocoons, survival of juvenile and adult marine leeches at different salinity and temperature. The results showed that the hatching percentage of juvenile leeches was highest at salinity of 30 ppt (32.5 ± 2.8%) followed by 20 ppt (18.0 ± 4.3%) and 10 ppt (12.1 ± 1.4%), respectively. It was found that the adult and juvenile leeches could live up to an average range of 4–7 days at salinity ranging from 10 to 40 ppt. The juvenile leeches were able to hatch at temperature ranging from 25 to 35 °C but unable to hatch at 40 °C. The survival period of adult and juvenile leeches ranged from 11 to 16 days at 25 °C, which was comparatively longer than 5–13 days and 10 h – 5 days at 27–30 °C and 35–40 °C, respectively. The study provided the information on the physical parameters of salinity and temperature which are most optimal for the marine leech Z. arugamensis to propagate.
Experience With the Atrium Advanta Covered Stent for Aortic Obstruction
Authors: OHNO NAOKI , CHATURVEDI RAJIV , LEE KYONG‐JIN , HORLICK ERIC M. , OSTEN MARK D. , BENSON LEE N.
Published: August 2013

Introduction

We sought to assess the efficacy, safety and clinical outcomes of the Advanta V12™ covered stent in management of coarctation of the aorta (CoA).

Materials and Methods

Stent functionality was assessed by review of angiographic imaging, clinical data at admission, discharge and at the last clinic visit, stent configuration on chest roentgenogram, radiation exposure, and complications.

Results

Between October 2009 and February 2012, 17 patients underwent stent implantation. There were 9–12, 2–14, and 6–16 mm diameter stents deployed. Balloon angioplasty after implantation was required in 2 patients. Mean percent recoil in the middle of the stent for the 12, 14, and 16 mm implants was 14%, 24%, and 24%, respectively. There was improvement in CoA diameter from 6.6 ± 3.2 to 11.5 ± 1.7 mm (P < 0.0001) and a reduction in the peak pressure gradient from 23.1 ± 10.1 to 0.8 ± 3.3 mmHg (P < 0.0001). No patient had a symptomatic complication. Left arm cuff blood pressure fell 24 hours after implantation and left arm to leg blood pressure gradient fell to <20 mmHg in all (P < 0.0001). Follow‐up was a median 242 days and at the last clinic visit there were no statistically different findings from discharge. Five children (33%) required antihypertensive medications but 3 were off medication at latest follow‐up. Three patients (18%) required reintervention.

Conclusion

The implantation of the Advanta™ V12 stent for the treatment of CoA is safe and effective in the early term. However, further study is required to determine longer‐term stent efficacy.
An ORF1‐rearranged hepatitis E virus derived from a chronically infected patient efficiently replicates in cell culture
Authors: Johne R. , Reetz J. , Ulrich R. G. , Machnowska P. , Sachsenröder J. , Nickel P. , Hofmann J.
Published: August 2013

Hepatitis E is an increasingly reported disease in industrialized countries. Studies on the replication cycle of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are hampered due to the lack of efficient and robust cell culture systems for this virus. We describe the successful isolation of HEV derived from a chronically infected kidney transplant patient held under immunosuppressive therapy. Inoculation of serum sample 47832 onto the human lung carcinoma cell line A549 resulted in the replication of the virus as shown by RT‐qPCR. This novel human‐derived HEV strain is closely related to a wild boar‐derived genotype 3 strain, which did not replicate in A549 cells. It carries a 186 nucleotide insertion in the hypervariable ORF1‐region, derived from two parts of its ORF1. By passaging of the infected cells, a cell line continuously producing HEV particles was generated as demonstrated by RT‐qPCR, immuno‐electron microscopy, density gradient centrifugation and immunohistochemistry. Replication of the produced virus was demonstrated after its inoculation onto fresh A549 cells and two consecutive passages, whereas heating at 65 °C for 2 min abolished its infectivity. Several point mutations scattered along the whole genome were present in the HEV strain from the second passage; however, the ORF1 insertion was still present. Previously, cell culture isolation of two other HEV strains carrying insertions in their hypervariable regions, but originating from human ribosomal protein genes, has been described. The findings may indicate that cell culture adaptation of is mostly dependent on the length and position of the insertion, rather than from the sequence itself.
Alpha‐1 Acid Glycoprotein Reduces Hepatic Leukocyte Recruitment in Murine Models of Either Early Endotoxemia or Early Sepsis
Authors: McCurdy Teresa R. , Patrick Amanda L. , Eltringham‐Smith Louise J. , Bhakta Varsha , Sheffield William P. , Fox‐Robichaud Alison E.
Published: August 2013

Objective

To characterize the effect of systemically administered AGP on early leukocyte recruitment in the livers of endotoxemic or septic mice and to determine whether this is influenced by LPS sequestration.

Methods

Endotoxemia was induced in C57Bl/6 mice via intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Sepsis was induced in mice by cecal ligation and perforation. AGP (165 mg/kg) or saline (20 mL/kg) or HAS (200 mg/kg) was administered immediately after surgery or LPS injection and the hepatic microcirculation was examined by intravital microscopy at four hour.

Results

Leukocyte adhesion in the PSV was reduced by treatment with AGP in mice subjected to either LPS or CLP protocols compared to either saline or HAS treatment. AGP‐treated mice also had significantly higher sinusoidal flow in both models. Pre‐incubation of LPS with AGP reduced the ability of LPS to recruit leukocytes to the liver microcirculation.

Conclusions

AGP was more effective in limiting hepatic inflammation and maintaining perfusion than saline or HAS, in both endotoxemic and septic mice. AGP sequestration of LPS may contribute to its anti‐inflammatory effects.
Mechanisms of action of otilonium bromide (OB) in human cultured smooth muscle cells and rat colonic strips
Authors: Martínez‐Cutillas M. , Gil V. , Gallego D. , Mañé N. , Martín M. T. , Jiménez M.
Published: August 2013

Background

The pharmacological properties of otilonium bromide (OB) have been investigated using different experimental models, techniques, and conditions, and consequently, the results are not always easy to compare. The aim of the present work was to investigate the pharmacological properties of OB in human cultured colonic smooth muscle cells (HCSMCs), which is the main target of the drug ‘in vivo’. Rat colonic strips were used to confirm the pharmacological properties.

Methods

Human cultured colonic smooth muscle cells were studied using the calcium imaging technique. Microelectrodes and muscle bath experiments were performed in rat colonic strips.

Key Results

Otilonium bromide (OB) concentration dependently inhibited nifedipine‐sensitive calcium transients induced by KCl (EC50 = 3.6 μM) and BayK8644 (EC50 = 4.0 μM). All the following experiments were performed in the presence of nifedipine. In HCSMC, carbachol‐induced calcium transients were inhibited by OB (EC50 = 8.4 μM). Carbachol evoked 1—a smooth muscle depolarization (10 mV) that was antagonized by 100 μM OB; and 2—a contraction that was inhibited by OB (EC50 = 13.0 μM). ‘Non‐nitrergic (L‐NNA 1 mM) non‐purinergic (MRS2500 1 μM)’ conditions were used to elicit endogenous excitatory responses. Electrical field stimulation caused 1—an atropine‐sensitive excitatory junction potential that was inhibited by OB (EC50 = 8.9 μM) and 2—an atropine‐sensitive contraction that was inhibited by OB (EC50 = 7.3 μM). In HCSMC, neurokinin A (NKA) and CaCl2 induced calcium transients that were inhibited by OB (NKA: EC50 = 11.7 μM; CaCl2: EC50 = 17.5 μM).

Conclusions & Inferences

Otilonium bromide causes inhibition of L‐/T‐type calcium channels, muscarinic, and tachykininergic responses that acting together explain the pharmacological properties of the compound.
Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs, Gastroprotection, and Benefit–Risk
Authors: Moore Robert Andrew , Derry Sheena , Simon Lee S. , Emery Paul
Published: August 2013

Background

Gastroprotective agents (GPA) substantially reduce morbidity and mortality with long‐term nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin.

Objective

To evaluate efficacy of NSAIDs, protection against NSAID‐induced gastrointestinal harm, and balance of benefit and risk.

Methods

Free text searches of PubMed (December 2012) supplemented with “related citation” and “cited by” facilities on PubMed and Google Scholar for patient requirements, NSAID effectiveness, pain relief benefits, gastroprotective strategies, adherence to gastroprotection prescribing, and serious harm with NSAIDs and GPA.

Results

Patients want 50% reduction in pain intensity and improved fatigue, distress, and quality of life. Meta‐analyses of NSAID trials in musculoskeletal conditions had bimodal responses with good pain relief or little. Number needed to treat (NNTs) for good pain relief were 3 to 9. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and high‐dose histamine‐2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) provided similar gastroprotection, with no conclusive evidence of greater PPI efficacy compared with high‐dose H2RA. Prescriber adherence to guidance on use of GPA with NSAIDS was 49% in studies published since 2005; patient adherence was less than 100%. PPI use at higher doses over longer periods is associated with increased risk of serious adverse events, including fracture; no such evidence was found for H2RA. Patients with chronic conditions are more willing to accept risk of harm for successful treatment than their physicians.

Conclusion

Guidance on NSAIDs use should ensure that patients have a good level of pain relief and that gastroprotection is guaranteed for the NSAID delivering good pain relief. Fixed‐dose combinations of NSAID plus GPA offer one solution.
Diabetes, physical activity participation and exercise capacity in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Vancampfort Davy , De Hert Marc , Sweers Kim , De Herdt Amber , Detraux Johan , Probst Michel
Published: August 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine if in schizophrenia patients the presence of diabetes is associated with lower physical activity participation and lower exercise capacity compared to patients with pre‐diabetes and to patients without (pre‐) diabetes.

Methods

Schizophrenia patients without (pre‐)diabetes (n = 86) were compared with pre‐diabetic (n = 10) and diabetic patients (n = 10). Patients were assessed on physical activity participation using the Baecke physical activity questionnaire and on exercise capacity using a 6‐min walk test (6MWT).

Results

The three groups were similar in age, sex, mean antipsychotic medication dose, negative and depressive symptoms and smoking behavior. Distance achieved on the 6MWT, however, was approximately 15% shorter (P < 0.05) in patients withdiabetes than in patients without (pre‐)diabetes (500.3 ± 76.9 m vs 590.7 ± 101.8 m). Patients with diabetes were also significantly less physically active (P < 0.05). No differences between diabetic and pre‐diabetic patients were found. Pre‐diabetic patients had a higher body mass index (BMI) than non‐diabetic patients (30.0 ± 7.3 vs 24.3 ± 4.3, P < 0.05). An interaction effect with BMI for differences in Baecke (F = 29.9, P < 0.001) and 6MWT (F = 13.0, P < 0.001) scores was seen between diabetic and non‐diabetic patients on univariate ANCOVA.

Conclusion

The additive burden of diabetes might place patients with schizophrenia at an even greater risk for functional limitations in daily life.
Development of a Tumor‐Specific Photoactivatable Doxorubicin Prodrug
Authors: Girotti Albert W. , Minotti Giorgio
Published: August 2013

This is a retrospective highlight on the publication by Ibsen and coworkers: Localized In Vivo Activation of a Photoactivatable Doxorubicin Prodrug in Deep Tumor Tissue, which appeared in a preceding issue of Photochem. Photobiol. (2013, 89:698–708). The authors describe the synthesis and properties of a novel doxorubicin (DOX) prodrug, DOX‐PCB, which contains a photocleavable linker group. Systemic administration of the prodrug to a tumor‐bearing animal followed by LED/fiber optic 365 nm light delivery allowed active DOX to be released site specifically in the tumor area. This elegant and timely study provides compelling evidence that photocleavable DOX‐PCB can eliminate many of the toxic side effects of DOX that have plagued clinical use of this highly effective antitumor drug for many years.
Moderate alcohol intake is related to increased heart rate variability in young adults: Implications for health and well‐being
Authors: Quintana Daniel S. , Guastella Adam J. , McGregor Iain S. , Hickie Ian B. , Kemp Andrew H.
Published: August 2013

Epidemiological literature indicates that the relationship between alcohol consumption and health outcomes reflects a J‐shaped curve such that moderate alcohol consumption confers a protective effect in comparison to abstinence, while heavy consumption is associated with poorer health. While heart rate variability (HRV) may underpin the relationship between drinking and poor health in heavy drinkers, it is unclear whether HRV is increased in moderate, habitual drinkers relative to nonhabitual drinkers. HRV and drinking habits were assessed in 47 volunteers. Results supported hypotheses suggesting that moderate, habitual drinking increases HRV. Although not supported by a significant interaction between drinking group and sex, planned follow‐up analysis also revealed that these findings may be specific to males. Regardless, results highlight HRV as a candidate mechanism for the findings reported in the epidemiological literature.
Nonaffective motivation modulates the sustained LPP (1,000–2,000 ms)
Authors: Gable Philip A. , Adams David L.
Published: August 2013

Past work has demonstrated that the sustained late positive potential (LPP) is modulated by motivational demands of affective content. The current experiment sought to investigate how motivational demands in nonaffective tasks would modulate the sustained LPP. Using a modified oddball paradigm, participants either counted the number of appearances of a nonaffective target or determined the duration length of the target. Results showed that targets in both the counted and duration tasks produced larger LPPs in the early window (400–1,000 ms) than the neutral standard. Only the duration target produced larger LPPs in the late time window (1,000–2,000 ms) than the neutral standard. These results suggest that the late LPP is a measure of persistent motivated attentional processing and can be modulated by nonaffective motivation.
Association between intramuscular fat in the arm following arm training and INSIG2
Authors: Popadic Gacesa J. Z. , Secher N. H. , Momcilovic M. , Grujic N. G.
Published: August 2013

Insulin‐induced gene 2 (INSIG2) single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP rs7566605) is linked to lipid metabolism, and this study assessed its potential influence on fat in the upper arm following arm training. Twenty healthy sedentary volunteers (22.0 ± 1.1 years, body mass index 25.4 ± 4.0 kg/m2; mean ± standard deviation) carried out a 12‐week two‐arm elbow extensor training (10 maximal extensions with 1 min recovery between bouts) five times per day, five times per week. For 17 volunteers, upper arm muscle and adipose tissue [subcutaneous (SCAT) and intramuscular (IMAT)] volumes were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging before, immediately after, and 12 months after training and variables were related to the subjects' INSIG2 SNP rs7566605 genotype. Muscle volume and SCAT for the upper arm, as the decrease in IMAT during training were not related to INSIG2 SNP rs7566605: GG: %IMAT 1.0 ± 0.9%; GC/CC: %IMAT 0.6 ± 0.5% (P > 0.05). However, in the year following the training, accumulation of upper arm IMAT was twice as large in participants homozygous for the G allele (GG: Δ%IMAT +2.5 ± 0.8%; GC/CC: Δ%IMAT +1.1 ± 0.7%; P < 0.01). This study suggests that the G allele in the INSIG2 SNP rs7566605 is more relevant for changes in IMAT following training than for the amount of subcutaneous fat.
Knowledge and Reasoning in Spatial Analysis
Authors: Hall Andreas , Ahonen‐Rainio Paula , Virrantaus Kirsi
Published: August 2013

Reasoning is an essential part of any analysis process. Especially in visual analytics, the quality of the results depends heavily on the knowledge and reasoning skills of the analyst. In this study, we consider how to make the results transparent by visualizing the reasoning and the knowledge, so that persons from outside can trace and verify them. The focus of this study is in spatial analysis and a case study was carried out on a process of off‐road mobility analysis. In the case study, linked views of a map and a PCP were identified as reasoning artifacts. The knowledge used by the analyst was formed by these artifacts and the tangible pieces of information identified in them, along with the mental models of the analyst′s mind. To make the results transparent, the tangible pieces of information were marked with sketches and the mental models were presented in causal graphs because it was found that causality was central to the reasoning process in the case study. The causal graph allows the reasoning of the analyst to be studied, as well as traced back to its origin.
Priority Structures in Deontic Logic
Authors: van Benthem Johan , Grossi Davide , Liu Fenrong
Published: August 2013

This article proposes a systematic application of recent developments in the logic of preference to a number of topics in deontic logic. The key junction is the well‐known Hansson conditional for dyadic obligations. These conditionals are generalized by pairing them with reasoning about syntactic priority structures. The resulting two‐level approach to obligations is tested first against standard scenarios of contrary‐to‐duty obligations, leading also to a generalization for the Kanger‐Anderson reduction of deontic logic. Next, the priority framework is applied to model two intuitively different sorts of deontic dynamics of obligations, based on information changes and on genuine normative events. In this two‐level setting, we also offer novel takes on vexed issues such as the Chisholm paradox and modelling strong permission. Finally, the priority framework is shown to provide a unifying setting for the study of operations on norms as such, in particular, adding or deleting individual norms, and even merging whole norm systems in different manners.
Multiscale Analysis of the Roughness Effect on Lubricated Rough Contact
Authors: Demirci Ibrahim , Mezghani Sabeur , Yousfi Mohammed , El Mansori Mohamed
Published: August 2013

Determining friction is as equally essential as determining the film thickness in the lubricated contact, and is an important research subject. Indeed, reduction of friction in the automotive industry is important for both the minimization of fuel consumption as well as the decrease in the emissions of greenhouse gases. However, the progress in friction reduction has been limited by the difficulty in understanding the mechanism of roughness effects on friction. It was observed that micro-surface geometry or roughness was one of the major factors that affected the friction coefficient. In the present study, a new methodology coupling the multiscale decomposition of the surface and the prediction of the friction coefficient by numerical simulation was developed to understand the influence of the scale of roughness in the friction coefficient. In particular, the real surface decomposed in different roughness scale by multiscale decomposition, based on ridgelets transform, was used as input into the model. This model predicts the effect of scale on mixed elastohydroynamic point contact. The results indicate a good influence of the fine scale of surface roughness on the friction coefficient for full-film lubrication as well as a beginning of improvement for mixed lubrication.
Initiation and Statistical Evolution of Horizontal Slug Flow With a Two-Fluid Model
Authors: Nieckele A. O. , Carneiro J. N. E. , Chucuya R. C. , Azevedo J. H. P.
Published: August 2013

In the present work, the onset and subsequent development of slug flow in horizontal pipes is investigated by solving the transient one-dimensional version of the two-fluid model in a high resolution mesh using a finite volume technique. The methodology (named slug-capturing) was proposed before in the literature and the present work represents a confirmation of its applicability in predicting this very complex flow regime. Further, different configurations are analyzed here and comparisons are performed against different sets of experimental data. Predictions for mean slug variables were in good agreement with experimental data. Additionally, focus is given to the statistical properties of slug flows such as shapes of probability density functions of slug lengths (which were represented by gamma and log-normal distributions) as well as the evolution of the first statistical moments, which were shown to be well reproduced by the methodology.
Performance Investigation of an Automotive Car Radiator Operated With Nanofluid as a Coolant
Authors: Chavan Durgeshkumar , Pise Ashok T.
Published: August 2013

Nanofluids are suspensions of metallic or nonmetallic nanopowders in base liquid and can be employed to increase heat transfer rate at various applications. In the present study, forced convective heat transfer in an Al2O3/water nanofluid has experimentally been compared to that of pure water in automobile radiator. Five different concentrations of nanofluids in the range of 0–1.0 vol. % have been prepared by the addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles into the water. The test fluid flows through the automobile radiator consisted of 33 vertical tubes with elliptical cross section and air makes a cross flow inside the tube bank with constant speed. The test fluid flow rate has been changed in the range of 3 l/min to 8 l/min to have fully turbulent regime. Obtained results demonstrate that increasing the fluid circulating rate can improve the heat transfer performance. The application of the nanofluid with low concentration can enhance heat transfer efficiency up to 40–45% in comparison with pure water. The increase in heat transfer coefficient due to presence of nanoparticles is higher than the prediction of single phase heat transfer Dittus Boelter correlation used with nanofluid properties. These results can be implemented to optimize the size of an automobile radiator.
An Experimental Validation of Heat Release Rate Fluctuation Measurements in Technically Premixed Flames
Authors: Orawannukul Poravee , Quay Bryan , Santavicca Domenic
Published: August 2013

Understanding the effects of inlet velocity and inlet equivalence ratio fluctuations on heat release rate fluctuations in lean premixed gas turbine combustors is essential for predicting combustor instability characteristics. This information is typically obtained from independent velocity-forced and fuel-forced flame transfer function measurements, where the global chemiluminescence intensity is used as a measure of the flame's overall rate of heat release. Current lean premixed combustors operate in a technically premixed mode where the flame is exposed to both velocity and equivalence ratio fluctuations and, as a result, the chemiluminescence intensity does not provide an accurate measure of the flame's rate of heat release. The objective of this work is to experimentally assess the validity of a technique for measuring heat release rate fluctuations in technically premixed flames based on the linear superposition of fuel-forced and velocity-forced flame transfer function measurements. In the absence of a technique for directly measuring heat release rate fluctuations in technically premixed flames, the heat release rate reconstruction is validated indirectly by comparing measured and reconstructed chemiluminescence intensity fluctuations. The results are reported for a range of operating conditions and forcing frequencies which demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of the heat release rate reconstruction technique. A variation of this technique, referred to as a reverse reconstruction, is also proposed, which does not require a measurement of the fuel-forced flame transfer function. The results obtained using the reverse reconstruction technique are presented and compared to the results from the direct reconstruction technique.
Modeling and Analysis of Micro Hybrid Gas Spiral-Grooved Thrust Bearing for Microengine
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Qing , Wang Xiao-Li , Liu Ren , Zhang Yu-Yan
Published: August 2013

The micro hybrid spiral-grooved thrust bearing is a promising candidate to support the rotating elements in power MEMS devices such as micro gas turbine engines. However, the realization of hybrid thrust bearings has encountered a number of technical challenges due to the very high rotating speed and DN number (the product of the inner diameter and the rotational speed of the bearing, mm · rpm) to achieve high power density, the super thin gas film between rotors and thrust pad, and the relative large fabrication uncertainties according to the imperfection of the fabrication technology. In this paper, the configuration of a micro hybrid spiral-grooved thrust bearing for power MEMS is designed, and the steady and dynamic characteristics of this kind of bearing are then analyzed comprehensively, with the consideration of both the rarefaction effects and the influence of potential microfabrication defects. The nonlinear equations of molecular gas-film lubrication describing the gas rarefaction effects in a micro hybrid bearing are discretized by the finite volume method and solved by the Newton–Raphson techniques. The small perturbation technique is employed to study the dynamic behavior of a micro hybrid bearing. The results show that the micro hybrid thrust bearing exhibits better steady-state and dynamic performance than the existing micro hydrodynamic and hydrostatic bearings and that the hybrid bearings are likelier to be stable than their hydrodynamic counterparts, especially when the frequency number is high. The load capacity of the micro hybrid bearing increases slightly with the number of orifices and gradually with the diameter ratio of the orifice. The microfabrication defects of clogged orifices could lessen the load capacity and the dynamic coefficients of the hybrid thrust bearing. The model developed in this paper can serve as a useful tool to provide insight into micro hybrid gas thrust bearing-rotor systems.
Rigidity-Based Stabilization of Multi-Agent Formations
Authors: Cai Xiaoyu , de Queiroz Marcio
Published: August 2013

This paper is concerned with the decentralized formation control of multi-agent systems moving in the plane using rigid graph theory. Using a double-integrator agent model (as opposed to the simpler, single-integrator model), we propose a new control law to asymptotically stabilize the interagent distance error dynamics. Our approach uses simple backstepping and Lyapunov arguments. The control, which is explicitly dependent on the rigidity matrix of the undirected graph that models the formation, is derived for a class of potential functions. Specific potential functions are then used as a demonstration inclusive of simulation results.
Metabolic Imaging of Patients with Prostate Cancer Using Hyperpolarized [1-
13
C]Pyruvate
Authors: Nelson Sarah J. , Kurhanewicz John , Vigneron Daniel B. , Larson Peder E. Z. , Harzstark Andrea L. , Ferrone Marcus , van Criekinge Mark , Chang Jose W. , Bok Robert , Park Ilwoo , Reed Galen , Carvajal Lucas , Small Eric J. , Munster Pamela , Weinberg Vivian K. , Ardenkjaer-Larsen Jan Henrik , Chen Albert P. , Hurd Ralph E. , Odegardstuen Liv-Ingrid , Robb Fraser J. , Tropp James , Murray Jonathan A.
Published: August 2013

Metabolic imaging with hyperpolarized pyruvate was used to safely and noninvasively visualize prostate tumors in patients.
Neutralizing Antibodies Against Previously Encountered Influenza Virus Strains Increase over Time: A Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Miller Matthew S. , Gardner Thomas J. , Krammer Florian , Aguado Lauren C. , Tortorella Domenico , Basler Christopher F. , Palese Peter
Published: August 2013

Antigenic variation promotes neutralizing antibodies to both seasonal and pandemic influenza A strains in humans.
A Fat Chance for Antidepressants
Authors: Gregg Christopher
Published: August 2013

Antidepressants inhibit acid sphingomyelinase to influence neurogenesis and depression-like behaviors.
Failure to obtain microbiological culture and its consequence in a mesh-related infection
Authors: Slomka Juliette M , Laker Scott , Chandrasekar Pranatharthi , Paull Douglas E
Published: August 2013

This report describes a case of a delayed diagnosis of a late-onset mesh infection due to an unexpected enteric pathogen,Enterobacter cloacae.A 62-year-old woman with a history of prior incisional hernia repair with a prosthetic mesh presented to the emergency room with signs of an abscess with surrounding cellulitis of her abdomen over a year after her hernia repair. The patient manifested minimal response to 1 month of oral antibiotics. She underwent a complicated yet successful treatment course including surgical mesh removal (with a peri-operative complication), implantation of a biological mesh for the ventral hernia defect and ultimately, antibiotics tailored to the offending pathogen identified by postoperative culture of the infected mesh.