bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression profiling of G‐protein‐coupled receptors in human urothelium and related cell lines
Authors: Ochodnický Peter , Humphreys Sian , Eccles Rachel , Poljakovic Mirjana , Wiklund Peter , Michel Martin C.
Published: May 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Urothelium emerged as a crucial integrator of sensory inputs and outputs in the bladder wall, and urothelial G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) may represent plausible targets for treatment of various bladder pathologies. Urothelial cell lines provide a useful tool to study urothelial receptor function, but their validity as models for native human urothelium remains unclear. We characterize the mRNA expression of genes coding for GPCRs in human freshly isolated urothelium and compare the expression pattern with those in human urothelial cell lines.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the mRNA expression pattern of genes coding for G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) in human freshly isolated urothelium.

To compare GPCR expression in human urothelium‐derived cell lines to explore the suitability of these cell lines as model systems to study urothelial function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Native human urothelium (commercially sourced) and human urothelium‐derived non‐cancer (UROtsa and TERT‐NHUC) and cancer (J82) cell lines were used.

For mRNA expression profiling we used custom‐designed real‐time polymerase chain reaction array for 40 receptors and several related genes.

RESULTS

Native urothelium expressed a wide variety of GPCRs, including α1A, α1D and all subtypes of α2 and β adrenoceptors. In addition, M2 and M3 cholinergic muscarinic receptors, angiotensin II AT1 receptor, serotonin 5‐HT2A receptor and all subtypes of bradykinin, endothelin, cannabinoid, tachykinin and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptors were detected. Nerve growth factor and both its low‐ and high‐affinity receptors were also expressed in urothelium.

In all cell lines expression of most GPCRs was markedly downregulated, with few exceptions.

In UROtsa cells, but much less in other cell lines, the expression of β2 adrenoceptors, M3 muscarinic receptors, B1 and B2 bradykinin receptors, ETB endothelin receptors and several subtypes of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptors was largely retained.

CONCLUSIONS

Human urothelium expresses a wide range of receptors which enables sensing and integration of various extracellular signals.

Human urothelium‐derived cell lines, especially UROtsa cells, show comparable mRNA expression to native tissue for several physiologically relevant GPCRs, but lose expression of many other receptors.

The use of cell lines as model systems of human urothelium requires careful validation of suitability for the genes of interest.
LIMITED LIABILITY, MORAL HAZARD, AND RISK TAKING: A SAFETY NET GAME EXPERIMENT
Authors: FÜLLBRUNN SASCHA , NEUGEBAUER TIBOR
Published: May 2012

We model the safety net problem as a social dilemma game involving moral hazard, risk taking, and limited liability. The safety net game is compared to both an individual decision task involving full liability and the deterministic public goods game. We report experimental data to show that limited liability leads to higher risk taking in comparison to full liability; nevertheless, the difference is much smaller than predicted by theory. In the safety net game, subjects behave as if socially responsible for the losses they impose on the group. With repetition, nevertheless, a gradual emergence of the moral hazard problem arises. (JEL C9, D7, D8, H4, I1, I3)
OPTIMONOTONE MEASURES FOR OPTIMAL RULE DISCOVERY
Authors: Le Bras Yannick , Lenca Philippe , Lallich Stéphane
Published: May 2012

Many studies have shown the limits of the support/confidence framework used in Apriori ‐like algorithms to mine association rules. There are a lot of efficient implementations based on the antimonotony property of the support, but candidate set generation (e.g., frequent item set mining) is still costly. In addition, many rules are uninteresting or redundant and one can miss interesting rules like nuggets. We are thus facing a complexity issue and a quality issue. One solution is to not use frequent itemset mining and to focus as soon as possible on interesting rules using additional interestingness measures. We present here a formal framework that allows us to make a link between analytic and algorithmic properties of interestingness measures. We introduce the notion of optimonotony in relation with the optimal rule discovery framework. We then demonstrate a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of optimonotony. This result can thus be applied to classify the measures. We study the case of 39 classical measures and show that 31 of them are optimonotone. These optimonotone measures can thus be used with an underlying pruning strategy. Empirical evaluations show that the pruning strategy is efficient and leads to the discovery of nuggets using an optimonotone measure and without the support constraint.
MANAGING TEMPORAL CYCLES IN PLANNING PROBLEMS REQUIRING CONCURRENCY
Authors: Cooper Martin C. , Maris Frédéric , Régnier Pierre
Published: May 2012

To correctly model certain real‐world planning problems, it is essential to take into account time. This is the case for problems requiring the concurrent execution of actions (known as temporally expressive problems). In this paper, we define and study the notion of temporally cyclic problems, that is problems involving sets of cyclically dependent actions. We characterize those temporal planning languages, which can express temporally cyclic problems. We also present a polynomial‐time algorithm, which transforms a temporally cyclic problem into an equivalent acyclic problem. Applying our transformation allows any temporal planner to solve temporally cyclic problems without explicitly managing cyclicity. We first present our results for temporal PDDL (Planning Domain Description Language) 2.1 and then extend them to a language that allows conditions over arbitrary intervals and effects at arbitrary instants.
Assessing Data Completeness of VGI through an Automated Matching Procedure for Linear Data
Authors: Koukoletsos Thomas , Haklay Mordechai , Ellul Claire
Published: May 2012

New, free and fast growing spatial data sources have appeared online, based on Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI). OpenStreetMap (OSM) is one of the most representative projects of this trend. Its increasing popularity and density makes the study of its data quality an imperative. A common approach is to compare OSM with a reference dataset. In such cases, data matching is necessary for the comparison to be meaningful, and is usually performed manually at the data preparation stage. This article proposes an automated feature‐based matching method specifically designed for VGI, based on a multi‐stage approach that combines geometric and attribute constraints. It is applied to the OSM dataset using the official data from Ordnance Survey as the reference dataset. The results are then used to evaluate data completeness of OSM in several case studies in the UK.
Towards Usability Engineering for Online Editors of Volunteered Geographic Information: A Perspective on Learnability
Authors: Jones Catherine E. , Weber Patrick
Published: May 2012

This article presents one of the first systematic usability investigations for a Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) editor. This research is motivated by the fact that although VGI is now widely consumed, contribution rates are lagging considerably. Compared to traditional GIS interfaces, with complex interfaces resulting in high cognitive loads and barriers to participation, VGI tools and interfaces need to be easy to use and learn to encourage and facilitate contributions. This article develops a case study of OpenStreetMap, one of the most successful VGI projects, and its default editor, Potlatch2. Ten participants with no prior experience of VGI contribution, were instructed to contribute data to OSM in a structured exercise, while being monitored using an eye tracker and audio/video screen capture software. Each participant was asked to Think Aloud, i.e. describe what they were thinking and doing as they completed the tasks. The results highlight significant usability issues impacting learnability, especially from the perspective of a new contributor: hidden functionality, lack of user feedback between interactions and the inefficient and inconsistent placement of functionality and map controls. The facilitation of VGI contributions clearly depends on designing targeted interfaces, optimized to the needs of specific levels of contributors with defined goals and expectations.
Improved adherence to modern antiretroviral therapy among HIV‐infected injecting drug users
Authors: Mann B , Milloy M‐J , Kerr T , Zhang R , Montaner J , Wood E
Published: May 2012

Objectives

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among injecting drug users (IDUs) is often suboptimal, yet little is known about changes in patterns of adherence since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy in 1996. We sought to assess levels of optimal adherence to ART among IDUs in a setting of free and universal HIV care.

Methods

Data were collected through a prospective cohort study of HIV‐positive IDUs in Vancouver, British Columbia. We calculated the proportion of individuals achieving at least 95% adherence in the year following initiation of ART from 1996 to 2009.

Results

Among 682 individuals who initiated ART, the median age was 37 years (interquartile range 31–44 years) and 248 participants (36.4%) were female. The proportion achieving at least 95% adherence increased over time, from 19.3% in 1996 to 65.9% in 2009 (Cochrane–Armitage test for trend: P < 0.001). In a logistic regression model examining factors associated with 95% adherence, initiation year was statistically significant (odds ratio 1.08; 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.13; P < 0.001 per year after 1996) after adjustment for a range of drug use variables and other potential confounders.

Conclusions

The proportion of IDUs achieving at least 95% adherence during the first year of ART has consistently increased over a 13‐year period. Although improved tolerability and convenience of modern ART regimens probably explain these positive trends, by the end of the study period a substantial proportion of IDUs still had suboptimal adherence, demonstrating the need for additional adherence support strategies.
Tort, Insurance and Ideology: Further Thoughts
Authors: Merkin Rob
Published: May 2012

This article explores the impact of insurance arrangements on the development of the law of obligations. It is accepted orthodoxy that the existence or otherwise of a duty of care in tort should be determined independently of the parties' underlying insurance arrangements. This article suggests that the traditional analysis is of limited value only, in that it fails to take full account of contractual arrangements which rest upon risk allocation backed by insurance; of the circumstances in which duties of care may arise; and of the relevance of insurance to the determination of the standard of care and causation principles. It is further suggested that insurance has a much greater part to play in the spreading of losses arising out of private suits than has to date been fully appreciated.
Sentencing Councils and Victims
Authors: Edwards Ian
Published: May 2012

This article explores the place victims have, and should have, in bodies that formulate sentencing guidelines, with particular reference to sentencing guidelines in England and Wales and the Sentencing Council's obligation under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to have regard to ‘the impact of sentencing decisions on victims of offences’ when devising guidelines. The issues are situated in political and penological contexts; the place of victims in sentencing commissions or advisory bodies in the USA, England and Australia is analysed and the meaning and significance of the Sentencing Council's obligation towards victims is considered, relating the specific obligation to broader issues concerning the place of victims within bodies that formulate sentencing guidelines. While incorporating victims within sentencing commissions might undermine commissions’ aims, it can play an important role in helping to boost public confidence in criminal justice, a touchstone for all western governments’ criminal justice policies.
Rectifying the Course of Rectification
Authors: Davies Paul S.
Published: May 2012

In Daventry District Council v Daventry & District Housing Ltd [2011] EWCA Civ 1153, the majority of the Court of Appeal held that a contract should be rectified because of a common mistake. This note discusses that decision and recent developments in the law of rectification. It is argued that the approach of the majority in Daventry is unsatisfactory, and that an emphasis upon ascertaining whether the parties have objectively made a common mistake may be inappropriate: rectification should only be granted in order to reflect the parties’ subjective intentions. Such an approach might help to distinguish common mistake rectification from unilateral mistake rectification.
Normalised Root Mean Square and Amplitude of Sidebands of Vibration Response as Tools for Gearbox Diagnosis
Authors: Rzeszucinski P. J. , Sinha J. K. , Edwards R. , Starr A. , Allen B.
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  Quick assessment of the condition of gearboxes used in helicopters is a safety requirement. One of the most widely used helicopter on‐board‐mounted condition monitoring system these days is the Health and Usage Monitoring System. It has been specifically designed to monitor the condition of all safety‐critical components operating in the helicopter through calculation of so‐called condition indicators (CIs) – signal processing routines designed to output a single number that represents the condition of the monitored component. Among number of available parameters, there is a couple of CIs that over the years of testing have earned a reputation of being the most reliable measures of the gear tooth condition. At the same time, however, it has been observed that in some cases, those techniques do not properly indicate the deteriorating condition with the propagation of a gear tooth fault with the period of operation. Hence, three more robust methods have been suggested, which are discussed in this article.
Studies on quinoline type dyes and their characterisation studies on acrylic fabric
Authors: Lam Pik‐ling , Kan Chi‐wai , Yuen Marcus Chun‐wah , Cheung Siu‐yung , Gambari Roberto , Lam Kim‐hung , Tang Johnny Cheuk‐on , Chui Chung‐hin
Published: May 2012

Nitrogen heterocyclic fluorescent compounds and their possible dyeing pathway on acrylic fabrics was investigated. Their chemical spectral properties, including fluorescence and ultraviolet–visibility, were evaluated in this work. The colour fastness properties of these dyes attributable to light reflection and washing were examined. The CIE L*, a* and b* values after the dyeing process were studied and the colour fastness properties were also determined. Two quinoline derivatives showed stronger fluorescence properties and were also demonstrated to be non‐cytotoxic towards human HaCaT skin keratinocytes at a reasonable dose. These results led to speculation that these two compounds could be further used as dyes in various textile applications.
Modification of the SF‐36 for a Headache Population Changes Patient‐Reported Health Status
Authors: Magnusson Jane E. , Riess Constance M. , Becker Werner J.
Published: May 2012

Background.— Using standard quality of life and disability measures may not accurately capture these constructs in specific health populations such as headache patients. Modifying the wording of standard measures such as the Short‐Form 36 (SF‐36) should be considered in order to make them more applicable to specific patient populations.

Objective.— To investigate the possibility that headache patients may not consider their headaches when responding to SF‐36 questions pertaining to health, physical health, pain, and bodily pain.

Methods.— The wording of several SF‐36 questions were adapted for a headache population by making specific reference to “headaches” when asking people to rate the impact of health issues on their life. The results of the modified “Headache” SF‐36 were compared with a similar population of transformed migraine patients who had completed the “Standard” SF‐36.

Results.— Significant differences were found between scores for the “Standard” SF‐36 group and the “Headache” SF‐36 group across all SF‐36 variables except for “General Health.”

Conclusions.— Misinterpretation of the concepts of “health,”“physical health,”“pain,” and “bodily pain,” although commonly used by the SF‐36 in many populations, could influence responses on this measure, as respondents may not relate their head/headaches to these constructs. To ensure that accurate data are obtained in relation to the quality of life of headache patients, consideration should be given to using a form of the SF‐36 that has been modified to allow appropriate interpretation of the questions completed by headache patients.
Depressive and anxiety disorders in epilepsy: Do they differ in their potential to worsen common antiepileptic drug–related adverse events?
Authors: Kanner Andres M. , Barry John J. , Gilliam Frank , Hermann Bruce , Meador Kimford J.
Published: May 2012

Purpose:  To compare the effect of anxiety disorders, major depressive episodes (MDEs), and subsyndromic depressive episodes (SSDEs) on antiepileptic drug (AED)–related adverse events (AEs) in persons with epilepsy (PWE).

Methods:  The study included 188 consecutive PWE from five U.S. outpatient epilepsy clinics, all of whom underwent structured interviews (SCID) to identify current and past mood disorders and other current Axis I psychiatric diagnoses according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM‐IV‐TR) criteria. A diagnosis of SSDE was made in patients with total Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II) scores >12 or the Centers of Epidemiologic Studies‐Depression (CES‐D) > 16 (in the absence of any DSM diagnosis of mood disorder. The presence and severity of AEs was measured with the Adverse Event Profile (AEP).

Key Findings:  Compared to asymptomatic patients (n = 103), the AEP scores of patients with SSDE (n = 26), MDE only (n = 10), anxiety disorders only (n = 21), or mixed MDE/anxiety disorders (n = 28) were significantly higher, suggesting more severe AED‐related AEs. Univariate analyses revealed that having persistent seizures in the last 6 months and taking antidepressants was associated with more severe AEs. Post hoc analyses, however, showed that these differences were accounted for by the presence of a depressive and/or anxiety disorders.

Significance:  Depressive and anxiety disorders worsen AED‐related AEs even when presenting as a subsyndromic type. These data suggest that the presence of psychiatric comorbidities must be considered in their interpretation, both in clinical practice and AED drug trials.
The effect of seizure focus on regional language processing areas
Authors: Duke Elizabeth S. , Tesfaye Mekdem , Berl Madison M. , Walker Jennifer E. , Ritzl Eva K. , Fasano Rebecca E. , Conry Joan A. , Pearl Phillip L. , Sato Sususmu , Theodore William H. , Gaillard William D.
Published: May 2012

Purpose:  To determine the effect of seizure focus location within the left hemisphere on the expression of regional language dominance.

Methods:  In this cross‐sectional study we investigated 90 patients (mean age 23.3 ± 12.9 years) with left hemisphere focal epilepsy (mean age onset 11.7 ± 8.3 years). Eighteen patients had a frontal lobe focus and 72 had a temporal lobe focus (43 mesial; 29 neocortical). Subjects performed an auditory word definition language paradigm using 3 Tesla blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) EPI functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Data were analyzed in SPM2. Regional laterality indices (LIs) for inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and Wernicke’s area (WA), were calculated using a bootstrap method. Categorical language dominance and mean LI were analyzed.

Key Findings:  Mean WA LI was lower for subjects with a mesial temporal focus compared with a frontal focus (p = 0.04). There was a greater proportion of atypical language in WA for subjects with a mesial temporal focus compared with a frontal focus (χ2 = 4.37, p = 0.04). WA LI did not differ for subjects with a neocortical focus compared with a mesial focus or a frontal focus. Mean IFG LI and proportion of atypical language in IFG were similar across seizure focus groups. Age and age of onset were not correlated with mean laterality in WA or IFG. Epilepsy duration tended to be negatively correlated with WA LI (r = −0.18, p = 0.10), but not IFG LI.

Significance:  Temporal lobe foci have wide‐ranging effects on the distributed language system. In contrast, the effects of a frontal lobe focus appear restricted to anterior rather than posterior language processing areas.
Successful use of fenfluramine as an add‐on treatment for Dravet syndrome
Authors: Ceulemans Berten , Boel Marc , Leyssens Katrien , Van Rossem Carolin , Neels Pieter , Jorens Philippe G. , Lagae Lieven
Published: May 2012

Purpose:  Despite the development of new antiepileptic drugs, Dravet syndrome frequently remains therapy resistant and is a catastrophic epilepsy syndrome. Fenfluramine is an amphetamine‐like drug that has been used in the past as a part of antiobesity treatments. Because of the possible cardiac adverse effects (valve thickening, pulmonary hypertension) associated with use of fenfluramine, it was withdrawn from the market in 2001. In Belgium, a Royal Decree permitted examination of the potential anticonvulsive effects of fenfluramine in a clinical trial consisting of a small group of patients diagnosed with Dravet syndrome.

Methods:  Herein, we report 12 patients, 7 female and 5 male, with a genetically proven (11 of 12) diagnosis of Dravet syndrome who received fenfluramine as add‐on therapy.

Key Findings:  Their ages at their last evaluation ranged from 3–35 years. The mean dosage of fenfluramine was 0.34 (0.12–0.90) mg/kg/day. Exposure duration to fenfluramine ranged from 1–19 years. Seven of the patients who were still receiving the fenfluramine treatment at the time of the last visit had been seizure‐free for at least 1 year. In total, patients had been seizure‐free for a mean of 6 (1–19) years. In seven patients, the fenfluramine treatment was interrupted once during the follow‐up; seizures reappeared in three of the seizure‐free patients. Subsequent reintroduction of fenfluramine controlled the seizures in these three patients again. Only two patients exhibited a mild thickening of one or two cardiac valves without clinical significance.

Significance:  Compared with a recent long‐term follow‐up series in which a maximum of 16% of patients with Dravet syndrome were seizure‐free, our result of 70% of patients with Dravet syndrome remaining seizure‐free is noteworthy. Given the limitations of this observational study, a larger prospective study should be undertaken to confirm these promising results.
Major depression and generalized anxiety disorder among human T‐lymphotropic virus Types I– and II–infected former blood donors
Authors: Guiltinan Anne M. , Kaidarova Zhanna , Behan Dee , Marosi Cheryl , Hutching Sheila , Kaiser Mandi , Moore Elane , DeVita Deborah , Murphy Edward L. ,   for the HTLV Outcomes Study (HOST)
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Other studies have reported high rates of depression and anxiety among human T‐lymphotropic virus Type I (HTLV‐I)‐infected subjects and have even suggested that HTLV‐I causes psychiatric disease.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We interviewed HTLV‐I, HTLV‐II, and demographically similar HTLV‐seronegative blood donors with the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Prevalences of major depression and generalized anxiety disorder in each group were calculated and compared to published US population data. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) controlling for educational achievement, alcohol intake, and self‐reported health status were calculated with multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS: Major depression was diagnosed in five (5.4%) of 93 HTLV‐I–positive subjects (aOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 0.63‐7.55) and 17 (6.6%) of 256 HTLV‐II–positive subjects (aOR, 1.61; 95% CI, 0.66‐3.927), compared to 12 (2.1%) of 585 HTLV‐seronegative blood donors. The prevalence of major depression among infected subjects was comparable to the 6.7% prevalence in the US general population. Generalized anxiety disorder was diagnosed in five (5.4%) HTLV‐I–positive subjects (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 0.74‐7.26) and 12 (4.7%) HTLV‐II–positive subjects (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.68‐4.01), compared to 15 (2.6%) seronegative subjects and 3.1% in the US general population.

CONCLUSION: Major depression and generalized anxiety disorder were not significantly more prevalent among HTLV‐I– and HTLV‐II–infected former blood donors after controlling for health status and other confounding variables. HTLV‐seronegative blood donors had lower prevalences of these conditions than the US population, probably due to a “healthy blood donor effect.”
International risk sharing and commodity prices
Authors: Berka Martin , Crucini Mario J. , Wang Chih‐Wei
Published: May 2012

Abstract Cole and Obstfeld (1991) exposited a classic result where equilibrium movements in the terms of trade could make ex ante risk‐sharing arrangements unnecessary: a unity elasticity of substitution across goods and production specialization. This paper extends their model to N countries and M commodities (N > M). Here the terms of trade provides insurance against commodity‐specific shocks, not country‐specific shocks. Using commodity‐level production data at the national level and world commodity prices, we document significant terms of trade variability and positive responses of nation‐specific production to terms of trade improvements. The endogenous terms of trade insurance mechanism highlighted in CO is virtually non‐existent.
The extensive margin, sectoral shares, and international business cycles
Authors: Devereux Michael B. , Hnatkovska Viktoria
Published: May 2012

Abstract This paper documents some previously neglected features of sectoral shares at business cycle frequencies in OECD economies. We find that the non‐traded output share is as volatile as aggregate GDP and for most countries is countercyclical. While the standard international real business cycle model has difficulty in accounting for these properties of the data, an extended model that allows for sectoral adjustment along both the intensive and the extensive margins does a much better job of replicating these statistics. The model also matches better the correlation between relative consumption growth and real exchange rate changes, a key measure of international risk‐sharing.
The impact of cost on the choice of university: evidence from Ontario
Authors: Dooley Martin D. , Payne A. Abigail , Robb A. Leslie
Published: May 2012

Abstract.  This paper provides the first Canadian study of the link between cost to the student and the choice of university. Over the past two decades, there has been a substantial increase in the differences among Ontario universities in ‘net cost’ defined as tuition and fees minus the expected value to an academically strong student of a guaranteed merit scholarship. Our estimates generally indicate no relationship between net cost and the overall share of strong applicants that a university is able to attract. An increase in net cost is associated with an increase in the ratio of strong students from high‐income neighbourhoods to strong students from middle‐income and low‐income neighbourhoods in Arts and Science programs but not in Commerce and Engineering. Finally, more advantaged students are more likely to attend university, but merit aid is not of disproportionate benefit to those from more economically advantaged backgrounds, given registration. JEL classification: Health Education and Welfare
Conditional versus unconditional trade concessions for developing countries
Authors: Conconi Paola , Perroni Carlo
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe examine how trade liberalization by a large trading partner affects the ability of a small country’s government to sustain free trade through a reputational mechanism. Unconditional liberalization by the large trading partner has an ambiguous effect on the small country’s dynamic incentives. Liberalization through a reciprocal trade agreement, in which the large country lowers its tariffs conditionally on the small country doing the same, unambiguously dominates unconditional liberalization by the large country as a way of boosting trade reforms and reinforcing policy credibility in the small country. However, if capacity in the import‐competing sector can be reduced only gradually, a conditional, reciprocal agreement may require an asynchronous exchange of concessions, where the large country liberalizes before the small country does.
Computer Simulation of Clinical Electrophysiological Study
Authors: ZHU XIN , WEI DAMING , OKAZAKI OSAMU
Published: May 2012

Background:

Computer simulation is an important method for the basic researches of cardiac electrophysiology to prove the mechanisms and hypotheses of cardiac arrhythmias by reproducing body surface electrocardiograms. In this research, we extend the researches of heart models to the computer simulation of clinical electrophysiological study (EPS) as a clinical application of heart models.

Method:

Through setting the standard EPS pacing protocols, including extrastimuli and incremental pacing in the heart models, we simulated the corresponding excitation propagations in the heart and the intracardiac electrograms that would be measured with catheter electrodes.

Results:

Examples of complicated cases observed during EPS are reproduced in this research, including the induction of a Wenckebach pattern, the induction and termination of supraventricular tachycardia due to the reentry loop of antidromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia for the Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome (Type A), and the localization of an accessory pathway for the WPW syndrome (Type A).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates an application of whole‐heart modeling and computer simulation to clinical EPS. (PACE 2012; 35:718–729)
Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator in a Patient with Pectus Excavatum
Authors: HAMOUD AHMED , BARRY JAMES
Published: May 2012

Sudden cardiac arrest in young healthy adults has concerned the medical and social communities due to its fatal effect.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has been demonstrated to be an effective measure for prevention of sudden death in patients at risk of ventricular arrhythmia. Subcutaneous ICD has been developed to overcome some problems associated with transvenous leads in the conventional ICD.

In this case report, we describe the use of completely subcutaneous ICD for a young patient with pectus excavatum following presentation with out‐of‐hospital VF arrest with no complication in device or lead positioning. (PACE 2013; 36:e138–e139)
Chronic Performance of a Subcutaneous Hemodynamic Sensor
Authors: NABUTOVSKY YELENA , PAVEK TODD , TURCOTT ROBERT
Published: May 2012

Background:

A subcutaneous photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor uses light to detect changes in vascular volume from a location outside the bloodstream. Incorporation into a chronically implanted device, such as a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, may facilitate therapy optimization and disease monitoring by providing continuous assessment of hemodynamic function and arterial oxygen saturation. However, performance of a chronically placed subcutaneous sensor has not been established.

Methods:

Six dogs were implanted with 2–4 PPG sensors subcutaneously in the neck or posterior thorax. Half of the sensors were directed toward deep tissue and half toward overlying cutaneous tissue. Each sensor contained a red and an infrared light emitting diode, a photodetector, and supporting electronics, which were encapsulated in epoxy and attached to a transcutaneous connector. Data were collected at implant and every 3 ± 1 days for 4–9 months starting 3 weeks postimplant. At explant, the fibrous encapsulation was histologically analyzed.

Results:

A minimally to moderately neovascularized encapsulation formed over all sensors, consisting of fibrous and granulation tissue. Higher cardiac pulse amplitudes and direct current (DC) components were recorded in sensors oriented toward deep tissue, but no significant difference between orientations was found in respiratory wave amplitude. Cardiac pulse amplitude, respiratory wave amplitude, and DC component amplitude, as recorded by the sensor, did not significantly change over time.

Conclusions:

Despite fibrous encapsulation of PPG sensors, cardiac pulses and respiratory waves could easily be measured throughout the study and remained constant over time. These results suggest suitability of subcutaneous PPG technology for chronic applications. (PACE 2012; 35:919–926)
Flecainide Suppresses Defibrillator‐Induced Storming in Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: HONG ROBERT A. , RIVERA KAHEALANI K. , JITTIRAT ARKSARAPUK , CHOI JOON J.
Published: May 2012

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited condition associated with ventricular tachycardia (VT) triggered by exercise or sympathetic stress. Incessant VT may develop due to defibrillator‐induced storming—a condition where implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator discharges result in a hyperadrenergic state, provoking further VT and defibrillator discharge. We describe the case of a 14‐year‐old boy with CPVT caused by a calsequestrin‐2 mutation, who presented with defibrillator‐induced storming refractory to β‐blockers, calcium‐channel blockers, amiodarone, and dronedarone. Flecainide and β‐blocker use suppressed incessant VT and defibrillator‐induced storming. (PACE 2012;XX:e1–e4)
Accuracy of full guided vs. half‐guided implant surgery
Authors: Kühl S. , Zürcher S. , Mahid T. , Müller‐Gerbl M. , Filippi A. , Cattin P.
Published: May 2012

Objectives

The benefit in terms of higher accuracy for full guided implant surgery (template based guided cavity preparation and guided implant insertion) compared with half‐guided surgery (template based guided cavity preparation and free‐handed, manual implant insertion) has not been proved till now.

Material and methods

A total of 38 identical implants were inserted into five human cadaver jaws, after virtual implant planning with the coDiagnostiX™ device. All cavities were drilled using templates equipped with tubes for guidance. At random, 19 implants were inserted in a free handed way (half‐guided), whereas 19 implants were inserted in a guided way through the templates tubes (full guided). Postoperative cone beam computer tomographies (CBCT) were performed, and based on image fusion the total deviations between the virtual implant positions at the implants base and tip were determined and compared between both implantation modi.

Results

The mean difference in accuracy between both implantation modalities at the implants bases was 0.72 mm (range: 0.16–1.17 mm, SD: 0.45). The mean difference in accuracy between both modalities at the implants tips was 0.46 mm (range: 0.16–1.23 mm. SD: 0.49). Although full guided implantation showed a generally higher accuracy (mean tip: 1.54 mm, range: 0.33–3.64 mm; mean base: 1.52 mm, range: 0.4–3.54 mm) than half‐guided implantation (mean tip: 1.84 mm, range: 0.84–3.22 mm; mean base: 1.56 mm, range: 0.49–3.43 mm), the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The accuracy of half‐guided implant surgery is comparable with full guided implant surgery.
A study of 8 years' domestic salt fluoridation for prevention of caries
Authors: Tóth Károly
Published: May 2012

Abstract— The author reports on an 8‐year study with 250 mg F/kg domestic salt fluoridation. During this period the dmft index in the 2–6 years age range decreased by 41%, the DMFT index in the 7–11 years age range decreased by 58%, and in the 12–14 years age range decreased by 36%. The proportion of cariesfree children also improved significantly, from 23% to 60%, from 4.8% to 41%, and from 2.7% to 8.4%, respectively. Urinary fluoride tests performed showed that with the concentration used, enough fluoride could not be ingested to reduce caries to the level anticipated with water fluoridation, but even so the caries reduction was significant. Experiments are now continuing with 200 mg F/kg and 350 mg F/kg domestic salt mixtures.
Enamel mottling in a non‐fluoride community in England
Authors: Goward P. E.
Published: May 2012

Abstract— In 1974–75 an assessment of mottling in incisor teeth was carried out on a random sample of 13‐ to 14‐year‐old children in Liverpool, England. The number of children examined was 463. All of these children were born and had lived in Liverpool when the fluoride content of the water supply had averaged 0.12 parts/106. The mouth prevalence of mottling was 42.5%. The tooth prevalence of mottling was 9.6%. There was no sex difference. The data obtained was compared with those of other authors and confirmed that a considerable proportion of mottling observed in fluoride and non‐fluoride communities was caused by factors other than ingested fluoride.
The roles of matrix metalloproteinases‐2, ‐7, ‐10 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus
Authors: Rubaci Asli Hayirlioglu , Kazancioglu Hakki Oguz , Olgac Vakur , Ak Gulsum
Published: May 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 689–696

Background:  The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP)‐2, Metalloproteinases‐7, Metalloproteinases‐10 and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP) disease in same tissue samples.

Methods:  Thirty‐nine individuals [29 patients with OLP (74%) and 10 healthy control subjects (25%)] were included in our study. The mean age was 48 ± 14.39 with a range of 20–75.

Results:  MMP‐2 and MMP‐7 expression was significantly different in the patient and control groups in the epithelium and the connective tissue (P < 0. 05). The ratio of MMP‐2/TIMP‐1 and MMP‐7/TIMP‐1 were higher in patient with OLP group than control group.

Conclusions:  Along with the exposure of the role of MMPs activity on diseases characterized by the tissue destruction, several studies were conducted on the pharmacological control of MMPs activity. However, understanding of the biological functions of MMPs is very important for the development and implementation of MMP inhibitors in the treatment of diseases. According to the results of this study, we suggest that MMP‐2, MMP‐7, and TIMP‐1 may be involved in the formation of OLP lesions. Further studies on MMPs may be useful for understanding and treating the diseases such as OLP.
Snail Destabilizes Cell Surface Crumbs3a
Authors: Harder Jennifer L. , Whiteman Eileen L. , Pieczynski Jay N. , Liu Chia‐Jen , Margolis Ben
Published: May 2012

During epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), cells modulate expression of proteins resulting in loss of apical‐basal polarity. Effectors of this EMT switch target the polarity protein Crumbs3a, a small transmembrane protein that is essential for generation of the apical membrane and tight junctions of mammalian epithelial cells. We previously showed that the Crumbs3 gene is a direct target of transcriptional regulation by Snail, a potent inducer of EMT. However, Snail has also been shown to have multiple non‐transcriptional roles, including regulation of cell adhesion, proliferation and survival. Using SNAP‐tag labeling, we determined that cell surface Crumbs3a has a half‐life of approximately 3 h and that this cell surface half‐life is significantly reduced when EMT is induced by Snail. We further observe that Snail induces differential glycosylation of Crumbs3a, including sialylation, suggesting a mechanism by which Crumbs3a may be destabilized. These results indicate that Crumbs3a is a post‐translational target of Snail, in addition to being a transcriptional target. We conclude that Snail's ability to post‐translationally modify and destabilize Crumbs3a augments the depolarizing process of EMT.
Practical capability of a DNA pool‐based genome‐wide association study using BovineSNP50 array in a cattle population
Authors: UEMOTO Yoshinobu , SASAGO Nanae , ABE Tsuyoshi , OKADA Hideki , MARUOKA Hitomi , NAKAJIMA Hiroaki , SHOJI Noriaki , MARUYAMA Shin , KOBAYASHI Naohiko , MANNEN Hideyuki , KOBAYASHI Eiji
Published: May 2012

Genome‐wide association mapping for complex traits in cattle populations is a powerful, but expensive, selection tool. The DNA pooling technique can potentially reduce the cost of genome‐wide association studies. However, in DNA pooling design, the additional variance generated by pooling‐specific errors must be taken into account. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate factors such as: (i) the accuracy of allele frequency estimation; (ii) the magnitude of errors in pooling construction and in the array; and (iii) the effect of the number of replicate arrays on P‐values estimated by a genome‐wide association study. Results showed that the Illumina correction method is the most effective method to correct the allele frequency estimation; pooling errors, especially array variance, should be taken into account in DNA pooling design; and the risk of a type I error can be reduced by using at least two replicate arrays. These results indicate the practical capability and cost‐effectiveness of pool‐based genome‐wide association studies using the BovineSNP50 array in a cattle population.
Impacts of acute imipramine treatment on plasma and brain amino acid metabolism in mice given graded levels of dietary chicken protein
Authors: NAGASAWA Mao , MURAKAMI Tatsuro , TOMONAGA Shozo , SATO Mikako , TAKAHATA Yoshihisa , MORIMATSU Fumiki , FURUSE Mitsuhiro
Published: May 2012

Several studies have shown a relationship between depression and animal protein intake. To evaluate whether the difference of dietary chicken protein levels induces an antidepressant‐like effect and potentiates acute antidepressant effects, three levels of dietary chicken protein were used as the representative animal protein with imipramine used as the antidepressant. In addition, the effects of dietary chicken protein on brain metabolism were evaluated. Open field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST) were conducted on the 27th and 28th days, respectively. OFT and FST were not influenced by both imipramine and dietary protein levels. However, characteristic effects of imipramine treatment on brain monoamine metabolism were observed in the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus. In addition, dietary protein significantly increased taurine and L‐ornithine levels even though these amino acids were not contained in the diets. In conclusion, the metabolism of several amino acids in the plasma and brain were altered by dietary chicken protein.
Diagnosis of oligodendroglioma: Molecular and classical histological assessment in the twenty‐first century
Authors: MATTHEWS Slade , SUCCAR Petter , JELINEK Herbert , MCPARLAND Brent , BUCKLAND Michael , MCLACHLAN Craig S
Published: May 2012

Advances in molecular genetics are currently challenging the traditional morphological categorization of gliomas. Recurrent molecular and cytogenetic aberrations add prognostic and predictive information over and above that provided by standard histomorphological techniques and may influence decisions to re‐operate or observe, to deliver radiation or not, or to administer chemotherapy to glioma patients. The importance of routine hematoxylin and eosin (H–E pathological stains cannot be underestimated, especially in resource‐poor areas and developing countries where there is likely to be a significant economic opportunity cost for molecular diagnosis services. New research tools for image analyses of histological H–E slides, such as the precise measures of cell area, curvature and nuclear roundness, may provide an increased ability to provide an accurate classification for an inherently subjective process of histological assessment. We discuss the current trends, limitations and impact of molecular classification in this mini review.
Effects of Low and High Acyl Gellan Gums on Engineering Properties of Carrot Juice
Authors: Sherafati Marjan , Kalbasi‐Ashtari Ahmad , Mousavi Seyed Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2012

The clear juice of peeled and blanched carrot (Nantes variety) was obtained and pasteurized and its °Brix and pH were adjusted. Then different ratios (0.02, 0.025 and 0.03%) of low and high acyl (LA and HA) gellan mixed separately with carrot juice and heated up to 70C for 20 min. Later, the rheological parameters, particle size distributions, turbidities and phase decantation of each sample was evaluated after 15 days storage at 4C. The samples of LA gellan had lower turbidity, viscosity, flow indexes (n < 1) and higher consistency coefficient, surface tension, specific surface area and sediment than control. However, the rheological and sensorial characteristics of the samples with HA gellan were very similar to control. While, the LA gellan gum was not able to stabilize the carrot juice, the HA gellan with 0.03% had a great influence on stabilization of colloidal system and had the most acceptable physical and sensory characteristics in comparison with the natural pasteurized carrot juice.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The pulp of carrot juice is a rich source of phytochemicals (beta carotene, antioxidants, tannins and fibers), and it is important to keep it in suspension during juice processing, storage and handling for healthy drinking.

During the last few years, the production of gelatin from cattle bone (as a stabilizer of fruit juices) has faced with different religious restrictions such as Kosher and Halal. Also the emergence of bovine spongiform encephalo‐pathy virus in cattle‐raising has caused a sharp reduction in the production of this stabilizer.

Recently, the high acyl and low acyl gellan gums (produced by fermentation) are used as two hydrocolloids with interesting properties in various kinds of food products. This study suggested that incorporating high acyl gellan (instead of gelatin) with fresh carrot juice provides a pleasant drink with high pulp stability, good palatability (such as flavor, appearance and consistency) and long shelf life without noticeable sediment.
Growing an innovative faculty‐driven management team in a distance‐delivery NP education program: Thinking outside the box to meet the nursing education and health needs of northern British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Salyers Vincent , Tarlier Denise , Van Pelt Linda , Bailles Janet , Beaveridge Jennifer S. , Lapadat Connie‐Marie , Robertson‐Laxton Lesley
Published: May 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe how one university in northern British Columbia (BC) dealt with the issues of nurse practitioner (NP) program administration in light of its geographic context.

Data sources: Reflections of the management team during the first 2 years of implementation of the faculty‐driven approach.

Conclusions: Our experience reflects family NP (FNP) faculty shortages internationally, the challenge of attracting qualified candidates to centers outside the urban mainstream in today's competitive academic job market, as well as the need to develop NP faculty capacity in BC, Canada. The team management approach evolved organically, based on program need, available human resources, and the culture of the faculty. The team approach for program leadership and coordination is a good fit for this NP program.

Implications for practice: Implementing the team management approach has allowed the continuation of an NP program situated in a northern Canadian community that is consistent with the program's unique focus in preparing NPs to practice in often‐underserved northern, rural, remote, and Aboriginal settings. While the approach provides for continuation of a quality program, it also ensures the availability of graduates well prepared to take up practice challenges in rural and northern communities.