bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of fluoride and calcium in plaque biofilms after the use of conventional and low‐fluoride dentifrices
Authors: Pessan Juliano Pelim , Alves Karina Mirela Ribeiro Pinto , Italiani Flávia de Moraes , Ramires Irene , Lauris José Roberto Pereira , Whitford Gary Milton , Toumba Kyriacos Jack , Robinson Colin , Buzalaf Marilia Afonso Rabelo
Published: October 2013

Background

The distribution of fluoride and calcium in plaque after the use of fluoride dentifrices has not yet been determined.

Aim

To evaluate fluoride and calcium distribution in sections of biofilms generated in situ after the use of conventional and low‐fluoride dentifrices.

Design

Children (n = 11, 8–10 years old) brushed with placebo (fluoride‐free), low‐fluoride (513 mgF/kg), and conventional (1072 mgF/kg) dentifrices twice daily for 1 week, following a double‐blind, cross‐over protocol. Biofilms were generated using Leeds in situ devices, which were collected 1 and 12 h after brushing, and sectioned through their depth. Sections were grouped (10 × 5 μm) for fluoride and calcium analysis. Sections 4 μm thick were used for image analysis and determination of biomass fraction. Results were analysed by anova, Tukey's test, and linear regression analysis (P < 0.05).

Results

Fluoride and calcium were mostly located at the outer sections of biofilms for all dentifrices tested, and these ions were directly correlated throughout most of biofilm's sections. Results for conventional dentifrice were significantly higher than for the placebo, but did not differ from those for the low‐fluoride dentifrice.

Conclusions

The use of a low‐fluoride dentifrice did not promote a higher fluoride uptake in inner biofilms' sections, as hypothesized. As plaque fluoride was significantly elevated only after the use of the conventional dentifrice, the recommendation of low‐fluoride formulations should be done with caution, considering both risks and benefits.
A new hybrid parallel genetic algorithm for the job‐shop scheduling problem
Authors: Spanos Athanasios C. , Ponis Stavros T. , Tatsiopoulos Ilias P. , Christou Ioannis T. , Rokou Elena
Published: October 2013

The job‐shop scheduling problem (JSSP) is considered one of the most difficult NP‐hard problems. Numerous studies in the past have shown that as exact methods for the problem solution are intractable, even for small problem sizes, efficient heuristic algorithms must achieve a good balance between the well‐known themes of exploitation and exploration of the vast search space. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid parallel genetic algorithm with specialized crossover and mutation operators utilizing path‐relinking concepts from combinatorial optimization approaches and tabu search in particular. The new scheme relies also on the recently introduced concepts of solution backbones for the JSSP in order to intensify the search in promising regions. We compare the resulting algorithm with a number of state‐of‐the‐art approaches for the JSSP on a number of well‐known test‐beds; the results indicate that our proposed genetic algorithm compares fairly well with some of the best‐performing genetic algorithms for the problem.
A multilocus evaluation of ermine (Mustela erminea) across the Holarctic, testing hypotheses of Pleistocene diversification in response to climate change
Authors: Dawson Natalie G. , Hope Andrew G. , Talbot Sandra L. , Cook Joseph A.
Published: October 2013

Aim

We examined data for ermine (Mustela erminea) to test two sets of diversification hypotheses concerning the number and location of late Pleistocene refugia, the timing and mode of diversification, and the evolutionary influence of insularization.

Location

Temperate and sub‐Arctic Northern Hemisphere.

Methods

We used up to two mitochondrial and four nuclear loci from 237 specimens for statistical phylogeographical and demographic analyses. Coalescent species‐tree estimation used a Bayesian approach for clade divergence based on external mutation rate calibrations. Approximate Bayesian methods were used to assess population size, timing of divergence and gene flow.

Results

Limited structure coupled with evidence of population growth across broad regions, including previously ice‐covered areas, indicated expansion from multiple centres of differentiation, but high endemism along the North Pacific coast (NPC). A bifurcating model of diversification with recent growth spanning three glacial cycles best explained the empirical data.

Main conclusions

A newly identified clade in North America indicated a fourth refugial area for ermine. The shallow coalescence of all extant ermine reflects a recent history of diversification overlying a deeper fossil record. Post‐glacial colonization has led to potential contact zones for multiple lineages in north‐western North America. A model of diversification of ermine accompanied by recent gene flow was marginally less well supported than a model of divergence of major clades in response to the most recent glacial cycles.
Atrioesophageal Fistula During Cryoballoon Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: LIM HAE W. , COGERT GREGORY A. , CAMERON CRAIG S. , CHENG VICTOR Y. , SANDLER DAVID A.
Published: October 2013

Atrioesophageal Fistula During Cryoballoon Ablation

To date, there is 1 case report publication of AE fistula during the employment of the first‐generation cryoballoon (Gen‐1). Recently the Arctic Front Advance system (second‐generation cryoballoon) was introduced into the US and EU markets. For the purpose of peer education, we report a case of AE fistula that occurred during the utilization of the second‐generation cryoballoon (Gen‐2). Additionally, we review current best practices that may reduce the risk of AE fistula during any AF ablation procedure.
Comparison of 44‐Hour and Fixed 24‐Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Liu Wenjin , Ye Hong , Tang Bing , Sun Zhiping , Wen Ping , Wu Wenhui , Bian Xueqing , Shen Xia , Yang Junwei
Published: October 2013

The two most commonly used strategies to evaluate dialysis patients' blood pressure (BP) level are 44‐hour and 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The objective of this study was to find an appropriate 24‐hour period that correlated well with the 44‐hour BP level and determine the differences between these strategies. In a group of 51 dialysis patients, the authors performed 44‐hour ABPM and extracted data for a fixed 24‐hour ABPM. The fixed 24‐hour ABPM started at 6 am on the nondialysis day. A strong correlation was found between all parameters of 44‐hour and the fixed 24‐hour ABPM, with paired sample t test showing only small magnitude changes in a few parameters. Both 24‐hour ABPM and 44‐hour ABPM were superior to clinic BP in predicting left ventricular mass index (LVMI) by multiple regression analysis. It was found that 44‐hour ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI), but not 24‐hour AASI, had a positive association with LVMI (r=0.328, P=.021). However, after adjustment for 44‐hour systolic blood pressure, this association disappeared. Fixed 24‐hour ABPM is a good surrogate of 44‐hour ABPM to some extent, while 44‐hour ABPM can provide more accurate and detailed information.
Musashi2 predicts poor prognosis and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma by driving epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: He Lu , Zhou Xinke , Qu Chen , Hu Lijuan , Tang Yunqiang , Zhang Qiong , Liang Min , Hong Jian
Published: October 2013

The high incidence of recurrence and the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) necessitate the discovery of new predictive markers of HCC invasion and prognosis. In this study, we evaluated the expression pattern of two members of a novel oncogene family, Musashi1 (MSI1) and Musashi2 (MSI2) in 40 normal hepatic tissue specimens, 149 HCC specimens and their adjacent non‐tumourous tissues. We observed that MSI1 and MSI2 were significantly up‐regulated in HCC tissues. High expression levels of MSI1 and MSI2 were detectable in 37.6% (56/149) and 49.0% (73/149) of the HCC specimens, respectively, but were rarely detected in adjacent non‐tumourous tissues and were never detected in normal hepatic tissue specimens. Nevertheless, only high expression of MSI2 correlated with poor prognosis. In addition, MSI2 up‐regulation correlated with clinicopathological parameters representative of highly invasive HCC. Further study indicated that MSI2 might enhance invasion of HCC by inducing epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Knockdown of MSI2 significantly decreased the invasion of HCC cells and changed the expression pattern of EMT markers. Moreover, immunohistochemistry assays of 149 HCC tissue specimens further confirmed this correlation. Taken together, the results of our study demonstrated that MSI2 correlates with EMT and has the potential to be a new predictive biomarker of HCC prognosis and invasion to help guide diagnosis and treatment of post‐operative HCC patients.
Intragrain oxygen isotope zoning in titanite by SIMS: Cooling rates and fluid infiltration along the Carthage‐Colton Mylonite Zone, Adirondack Mountains, NY, USA
Authors: Bonamici C. E. , Kozdon R. , Ushikubo T. , Valley J. W.
Published: October 2013

Oxygen isotopes are an attractive target for zoning studies because of the ubiquity of oxygen‐bearing minerals and the dependence of mineral 18O/16O ratios on temperature and fluid composition. In this study, subtle intragrain oxygen isotope zoning in titanite is resolved at the 10‐μm scale by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The patterns of δ18O zoning differ depending on microstructural context of individual grains and reflect multiple processes, including diffusive oxygen exchange, partial recrystallization, grain‐size reduction, and grain growth. Using the chronological framework provided by structural relations, these processes can be related to specific events during the Grenville orogeny. Titanite was sampled from two outcrops within the Carthage‐Colton Mylonite Zone (CCMZ), a long‐lived shear zone that ultimately accommodated exhumation of the Adirondack Highlands from beneath the Adirondack Lowlands during the Ottawan phase (1090–1020 Ma) of the Grenville orogeny. Titanite is hosted in the Diana metasyenite complex, which preserves three sequentially developed fabrics: an early NW‐dipping protomylonitic fabric (S1) is crosscut by near‐vertical ultramylonitic shear zones (S2), which are locally reoriented by a NNW‐dipping mylonitic fabric (S3). Texturally early titanite (pre‐S2) shows diffusion‐dominated δ18O zoning that records cooling from peak Ottawan, granulite‐facies conditions. Numerical diffusion models in the program Fast Grain Boundary yield good fits to observed δ18O profiles for cooling rates of 50 ± 20 °C Ma−1, which are considerably faster than the 1–5 °C Ma−1 cooling rates previously inferred for the Adirondack Highlands from regional thermochronology. High cooling rates are consistent with an episode of rapid shearing and exhumation along the CCMZ during gravitational collapse of the Ottawan orogen at c. 1050 Ma. Texturally later titanite (syn‐S2) has higher overall δ18O and shows a transition from diffusion‐dominated to recrystallization‐dominated δ18O zoning, indicating infiltration of elevated‐δ18O fluids along S2 shear zones and continued shearing below the blocking temperature for oxygen (~≤500 °C for grain sizes at the study site). The texturally latest titanite (post‐S3) has growth‐dominated δ18O zoning, consistent with porphyroblastic grain growth following cessation of shearing along the Harrisville segment of the CCMZ.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Secretion from Pituitary Folliculostellate Cells: Role of KATP Channels
Authors: Budzik J. , Omer S. , Morris J. F. , Christian H. C.
Published: October 2013

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell mitogen responsible for physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Abnormal regulation of VEGF expression in anterior pituitary folliculostellate (FS) cells has been implicated in pituitary tumour progression. FS and endocrine cells express VEGF, which is considered to be secreted by the constitutive pathway. The present study investigated the mechanism of VEGF secretion in TtT/GF cells, a mouse FS cell line. TtT/GF cells were shown to express VEGF164, the most potent and bioavailable isoform of VEGF. Immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy localised VEGF to the cytoplasm and small electron‐lucent vesicles. Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP), a well‐documented stimulant of VEGF secretion, caused a robust increase in VEGF secretion over 24 h. Glyburide, an ABCA1 and KATP channel blocker, also caused an increase in VEGF secretion when applied alone, and amplified the response to PACAP. Other ABCA1 transport blockers did not affect VEGF secretion. Exposure of TtT/GF cells to cycloheximide with PACAP or glyburide inhibited the increased secretion of VEGF, consistent with control of secretion at the transcription level. The SUR2B/Kir6.1 form of KATP channels was shown to be expressed by TtT/GF cells. Diazoxide, a KATP activator, inhibited PACAP‐ and PACAP + glyburide‐stimulated VEGF secretion but not that of glyburide alone. These data suggest that KATP channels are expressed by FS cells and play a significant role in the control of VEGF secretion, and also that activation of KATP channels inhibits the secretion of VEGF at the level of transcription.
Is carpal tunnel decompression warranted for HNPP?
Authors: Earle Nicholas , Zochodne Douglas W.
Published: October 2013

The role of carpal tunnel decompression surgery for patients that have hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) is currently unknown. Since recovery from carpal tunnel compression is often associated with remyelination or nodal reconstruction rather than axonal regeneration, it is uncertain whether the PMP22 deletion associated with HNPP interrupts myelin or nodal reconstitution. We describe two patients with genetically confirmed HNPP and symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome that had clinical and electrophysiological improvement after surgical decompression. The findings indicate a capacity for conduction repair in HNPP. They also suggest a need for further investigation and discussion around whether to offer carpal tunnel decompression to symptomatic HNPP patients.
Family meals and the well‐being of adolescents
Authors: Utter Jennifer , Denny Simon , Robinson Elizabeth , Fleming Theresa , Ameratunga Shanthi , Grant Sue
Published: October 2013

Aim

The current study describes the relationships between family meals and family connectedness, parental monitoring and parent–child communication and determines if frequent family meals are associated with better mental well‐being and fewer risktaking behaviours among adolescents.

Methods

Data were collected as part of Youth'07, a nationally representative survey of the health and well‐being of secondary school students in New Zealand (n = 9107).

Results

Frequent family meals were positively associated with better indicators of family relationships (P < 0.001). Likewise, frequent family meals were significantly associated with higher well‐being scores (P < 0.001), lower depression scores (P < 0.001) and fewer risk‐taking behaviours (P < 0.001), even after controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, family connectedness, parental monitoring and parental communication.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that family meals may provide a unique opportunity for building stronger families and young people. Creating environments where frequent family meals are normative, valued and feasible for families may result in benefits for young people that extend beyond good nutrition.
DLJ14, a novel chemo-sensitization agent, enhances therapeutic effects of adriamycin against MCF-7/A cells both in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zheng Bei-Bei , Wang Hong-Yuan , Chen Jin-Hua , Liu Xin-Yong , Guo Xiu-Li
Published: October 2013

Objectives

We investigated the chemo-sensitization of a ligustrazine derivate, (E)-2-(2, 4-dimethoxystyryl)-3, 5, 6-trimethylpyrazine (DLJ14) on Adriamycin (Adr, Wanle, Shenzhen, China)-resistant human breast cancer (MCF-7/A) cells both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

The antitumour effects of DLJ14 and Adr was observed in MCF-7/A cells by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in vitro and was evaluated by MCF-7/A xenografts in nude mice. The intracellular Adr accumulation was assessed by mean fluorescence intensity of Adr. The messenger RNA level of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST)π in MCF-7/A cells was determined by real-time reverse transcription PCR assay. The expression of GSTπ, c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphor-JNK (p-JNK) was detected by Western blotting method.

Key findings

The MTT results showed that DLJ14 exhibited a weak inhibition on proliferation of both MCF-7 and MCF-7/A cells, in contrast with the strong inhibition of verapamil. When DLJ14 is combined with Adr, the inhibitory effect on MCF-7/A cells and MCF-7/A xenografts was enhanced significantly through increasing intracellular accumulation of Adr by inhibition of GSH level and the activity of GSH peroxidase and GST. Moreover, DLJ14 could downregulate the expression of GSTπ and increase the expression of JNK and p-JNK in MCF-7/A cells or in xenografts.

Conclusion

DLJ14 is a promising chemo-sensitization candidate for the reversal of multidrug resistance in cancers.
Effects of nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation on maternal and foetal hepatic and small intestinal energy utilization
Authors: Prezotto L. D. , Lemley C. O. , Camacho L. E. , Doscher F. E. , Meyer A. M. , Caton J. S. , Awda B. J. , Vonnahme K. A. , Swanson K. C.
Published: October 2013

To determine how nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation influence ewe and foetal hepatic and small intestinal energy use, 32 primiparous ewes on d 50 of gestation were fed 60% (RES) or 100% (ADQ) ofNRCrecommendations with 0 (CON) or 5 mg/d (MEL) of dietary melatonin. On d 130 of gestation, small intestine and liver were weighed and collected. Data were analysed as a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Liver weight (g/kgEBW) decreased (p = 0.02) inRESewes. Jejunum weight (g/kgBW) increased (interaction p = 0.04) inADQ‐MELewes compared with all other treatments. Totalin vitroO2consumption (mol/min/tissue) and total citrate synthase activity (mol/min/tissue and mol/min/kgEBW) in liver decreased (p ≤ 0.03) inRESewes. Oxygen consumption (mol/min/kgEBW) increased (interaction p = 0.02) in jejunum ofADQ‐CONversusRES‐MELandADQ‐CON. Citrate synthase activity (mol/min/kg ofEBW) increased (interaction p = 0.03) in jejunum ofADQ‐MELcompared withRES‐MELandADQ‐CON. Foetal liver weight (g/kgBW) decreased (p = 0.02) inRESversusADQ. Foetal small intestine weight (g/kgBW) decreased (interaction p = 0.05) inRES‐MELversusADQ‐MEL. Total O2consumption (mol/min/tissue) and total citrate synthase activity (mol/min/kg ofBW) in foetal liver decreased (p ≤ 0.05) inRESversusADQ. Foetal small intestinal O2consumption (mol/min/kg ofBW) was greater (interaction p = 0.03) inRES‐CONandADQ‐MELthanRES‐MELandADQ‐CON. Maternal nutrient restriction had a greater effect than melatonin supplementation on liver and jejunum mass and energy utilization in dams and foetuses. Because intestinal mass and energy utilization were more responsive to melatonin supplementation in ewes fed adequate nutrition compared with restricted ewes, melatonin may have limited use as a therapeutic supplement to help overcome potential negative effects of nutrient restriction.
Short- and Long-Term Clinical Skin Effects of Testosterone Treatment in Trans Men
Authors: Wierckx Katrien , Van de Peer Fleur , Verhaeghe Evelien , Dedecker David , Van Caenegem Eva , Toye Kaatje , Kaufman Jean Marc , T'Sjoen Guy
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Our knowledge concerning the effects of testosterone (T) therapy on the skin of trans men (female-to-male transsexuals) is scarce.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term clinical effects of T treatment on the skin of trans men.

Methods

We conducted a prospective intervention study in 20 hormone naive trans men and a cross-sectional study in 50 trans men with an average of 10 years on T therapy.

Main Outcome Measures

Acne lesions were assessed using the Gradual Acne Grading Scale, hair patterns using the Ferriman and Gallwey classification (F&G), and androgenetic alopecia using the Norwood Hamilton Scale.

Results

T treatment increased facial and body hair growth. The F&G score increased progressively from a median value of 0.5 at baseline to a value of 12 after 12 months of T administration. After long-term T treatment, all but one trans man achieved an F&G score indicative of hirsutism in women, with a median value of 24. Only one trans man acquired mild frontotemporal hair loss during the first year of T treatment, whereas 32.7% of trans men had mild frontotemporal hair loss and 31% had moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia after long-term T therapy. The presence and severity of acne increased during the first year of T therapy, and peaked at 6 months. After long-term T treatment, most participants had no or mild acne lesions (93.9%). Dermatological outcome was not demonstrably related to individual serum T or dihydrotestosterone levels.

Conclusions

T treatment increased facial and body hair in a time-dependent manner. The prevalence and severity of acne in the majority of trans men peaked 6 months after beginning T therapy. Severe skin problems were absent after short- and long-term T treatment.
The Gender Composition of Establishments' Workforces and Gender Gaps in Wages and Leadership Positions
Authors: Pfeifer Christian
Published: October 2013

Linked employer–employee data from the German Federal Statistical Office are used to estimate differences in gender wage gaps and gender gaps in holding leadership positions between establishments with male‐ and female‐dominated workforces. Main findings are: (i) the gender wage gap for workers in non‐leadership positions is smaller in establishments with male‐ and female‐dominated workforces than in establishments with a more equal gender composition of the workforce, (ii) the gender wage gap for workers in leadership positions is smallest in male‐ and largest in female‐dominated establishments, and (iii) the gender position gap is smallest in male‐ and largest in female‐dominated establishments.
How to Construct a Minimal Theory of Mind
Authors: BUTTERFILL STEPHEN A. , APPERLY IAN A.
Published: October 2013

What could someone represent that would enable her to track, at least within limits, others' perceptions, knowledge states and beliefs including false beliefs? An obvious possibility is that she might represent these very attitudes as such. It is sometimes tacitly or explicitly assumed that this is the only possible answer. However, we argue that several recent discoveries in developmental, cognitive, and comparative psychology indicate the need for other, less obvious possibilities. Our aim is to meet this need by describing the construction of a minimal theory of mind. Minimal theory of mind is rich enough to explain systematic success on tasks held to be acid tests for theory of mind cognition including many false belief tasks. Yet minimal theory of mind does not require representing propositional attitudes, or any other kind of representation, as such. Minimal theory of mind may be what enables those with limited cognitive resources or little conceptual sophistication, such as infants, chimpanzees, scrub‐jays and human adults under load, to track others' perceptions, knowledge states and beliefs.
Leflunomide in addition to steroids improves proteinuria and renal function in adult Henoch‐Schoenlein nephritis with nephrotic proteinuria
Authors: Zhang Yingjuan , Gao Yun , Zhang Zhengxiu , Liu Gaolun , He Hongbing , Liu Ling
Published: October 2013

Aim

Henoch‐Schoenlein nephritis (HSPN) is a severe disease in adults and may cause renal insufficiency in a large portion of patients. But its rarity has led to lack of data. There are few controlled studies on therapy with immunosuppressants in HSPN adults. This study aims to evaluate the effect of leflunomide on HSPN adults with nephrotic proteinuria.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 65 adult patients who had biopsy‐proven HSPN with nephrotic proteinuria. Twenty‐seven patients (Group P) only received steroids, and 38 (Group P + L) were treated with leflunomide in addition to steroids. The clinical features, laboratory data and pathological findings of both groups were analyzed.

Results

The two groups were well‐matched at baseline. After 24 months of treatment, urinary protein excretion of both groups decreased significantly from the baseline, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was higher in Group P + L. Four patients in Group P and three in Group P + L developed to end‐stage renal disease at the most recent follow‐up. Group P + L showed better renal outcome than Group P. The treatment group and the degree of mesangial hypercellularity were significantly related to renal prognosis.

Conclusion

Leflunomide combined with steroids is effective for treating adult HSPN with nephrotic proteinuria.
Nursing care process for releasing psychiatric inpatients from long‐term seclusion in Japan: Modified grounded theory approach
Authors: Nagayama Yutaka , Hasegawa Masami
Published: October 2013

Based on a modified grounded theory approach, in this study, we sought to elucidate the nursing care process used to guide psychiatric inpatients in long‐term seclusion towards release from seclusion. Participant observations and interviews were conducted with a total of 18 nurses from three long‐term psychiatric wards at two institutions from September 2011 to November 2012, to collect data on the nursing care they provided for psychiatric patients in long‐term seclusion. Consequently, four categories and 15 concepts were extracted. The nurses viewed “a mature therapeutic environment that utilizes flexible apportionment of care” as the foundation (i.e. the core category) in guiding psychiatric inpatients towards release from long‐term seclusion. The results revealed a care structure in which nurses in such a treatment environment provided care by flexible apportionment of three types of care: care aimed at avoiding mental and physical exhaustion, standardized care that does not confer a disadvantage to patients, and immediately responding to prevent problematic behaviors.
COX‐2 gene polymorphisms and risk of chronic periodontitis: a case–control study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Prakash G , Umar M , Ajay S , Bali D , Upadhyay R , Gupta KK , Dixit J , Mittal B
Published: October 2013

Objective

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) enzyme is a major mediator of inflammation in periodontitis, leading to loss of gingival tissues and alveolar bone supporting the teeth. Previous studies have explored the role of COX‐2 polymorphisms with the risk of periodontitis in different ethnic groups; however, findings are inconsistent. So, we aimed to investigate the association of COX‐2 polymorphisms (rs20417, rs689466, and rs5275) in susceptibility to chronic periodontitis (CP) in northern Indian population. Meta‐analysis was also carried out to precisely estimate the effect of COX‐2 polymorphisms in CP.

Materials and Methods

Genotyping of COX‐2 polymorphisms was carried out through PCR‐RFLP in 200 CP cases and 200 controls. For risk estimation, binary logistic regression was applied using SPSS, version 15.0, while meta‐analysis was carried using MIX 2.0 software.

Results

None of the COX‐2 polymorphisms independently were associated with the risk of CP. Meta‐analysis suggested a significant reduced risk of CP with rs5275+8473 C allele and rs20417 in Chinese population.

Conclusions

No association was observed in any of the studied COX‐2 polymorphisms with CP in North India. But, the study should be replicated in larger sample size to arrive at a definitive conclusion. Meta‐analysis suggested a role of rs5275 COX‐2 polymorphisms in susceptibility to overall CP, and on ethnic basis, rs20417 showed reduced risk of CP in Chinese population.
Salivary proteomics in bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw
Authors: Thumbigere‐Math V , Michalowicz BS , de Jong EP , Griffin TJ , Basi DL , Hughes PJ , Tsai ML , Swenson KK , Rockwell L , Gopalakrishnan R
Published: October 2013

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify differentially expressed salivary proteins in bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) patients that could serve as biomarkers for BRONJ diagnosis.

Subjects and Methods

Whole saliva obtained from 20 BRONJ patients and 20 controls were pooled within groups. The samples were analyzed using iTRAQ‐labeled two‐dimensional liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

Overall, 1340 proteins were identified. Of these, biomarker candidates were selected based on P‐value (<0.001), changes in protein expression (≥1.5‐fold increase or decrease), and unique peptides identified (≥2). Three comparisons made between BRONJ and control patients identified 200 proteins to be differentially expressed in BRONJ patients. A majority of these proteins were predicted to have a role in drug metabolism and immunological and dermatological diseases. Of all the differentially expressed proteins, we selected metalloproteinase‐9 and desmoplakin for further validation. Immunoassays confirmed increased expression of metalloproteinase‐9 in individual saliva (P = 0.048) and serum samples (P = 0.05) of BRONJ patients. Desmoplakin was undetectable in saliva. However, desmoplakin levels tended to be lower in BRONJ serum than controls (P = 0.157).

Conclusions

Multiple pathological reactions are involved in BRONJ development. One or more proteins identified by this study may prove to be useful biomarkers for BRONJ diagnosis. The role of metalloproteinase‐9 and desmoplakin in BRONJ requires further investigation.
Social media use by patients with glaucoma: what can we learn?
Authors: McGregor Freia , Somner John E A , Bourne Rupert R , Munn‐Giddings Carol , Shah Peter , Cross Vinette
Published: October 2013

Purpose

Much health‐related information is available on the internet but its quality is known to be variable. This research aimed to analyse the ophthalmic content of social media platforms which has yet to be formally assessed.

Methods

Five online social media platforms were selected, the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) forum, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and PatientOpinion.org.uk. A total of 3785 items were scraped from the sites, collated and analysed using simple thematic analysis by two coders.

Results

Fourteen themes were identified. The most commonly discussed topics included treatments, care experiences, promotions and support. Un‐moderated sites contain more misleading information. Complementary therapies and treatments with a poor evidence base are presented more positively than established, evidence‐based treatments.

Conclusion

Online forums give patients a space to air questions, grievances, suggestions and to provide mutual support. The information they contain may be of use to physicians by flagging adverse drug reactions, areas for service improvement or topics about which patients require more information. There is a risk of exposure to misleading content which is heightened in un‐moderated sites. Social media platforms may be an adjunct to current care models by providing a supportive and educational online community if these risks are understood.
Aberrant functional connectivity for diagnosis of major depressive disorder: A discriminant analysis
Authors: Cao Longlong , Guo Shuixia , Xue Zhimin , Hu Yong , Liu Haihong , Mwansisya Tumbwene E. , Pu Weidan , Yang Bo , Liu Chang , Feng Jianfeng , Chen Eric Y. H. , Liu Zhening
Published: October 2013

Aim

Aberrant brain functional connectivity patterns have been reported in major depressive disorder (MDD). It is unknown whether they can be used in discriminant analysis for diagnosis of MDD. In the present study we examined the efficiency of discriminant analysis of MDD by individualized computer‐assisted diagnosis.

Methods

Based on resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data, a new approach was adopted to investigate functional connectivity changes in 39 MDD patients and 37 well‐matched healthy controls. By using the proposed feature selection method, we identified significant altered functional connections in patients. They were subsequently applied to our analysis as discriminant features using a support vector machine classification method. Furthermore, the relative contribution of functional connectivity was estimated.

Results

After subset selection of high‐dimension features, the support vector machine classifier reachedup to approximately 84% with leave‐one‐out training during the discrimination process. Through summarizing the classification contribution of functional connectivities, we obtained four obvious contribution modules: inferior orbitofrontal module, supramarginal gyrus module, inferior parietal lobule‐posterior cingulated gyrus module and middle temporal gyrus‐inferior temporal gyrus module.

Conclusion

The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method is effective in discriminating MDD patients from healthy controls. Functional connectivities might be useful as new biomarkers to assist clinicians in computer auxiliary diagnosis of MDD.
Grafting‐responsive miRNAs in cucumber and pumpkin seedlings identified by high‐throughput sequencing at whole genome level
Authors: Li Chaohan , Li Yansu , Bai Longqiang , Zhang Tieyao , He Chaoxing , Yan Yan , Yu Xianchang
Published: October 2013

Grafting is an important agricultural technique widely used for improving growth, yields and tolerance of crops to abiotic and biotic stresses. As one type of endogenous, non‐coding small RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate development and responsiveness to biotic and abiotic stresses by negatively mediating expression of target genes at the post‐transcriptional level. However, there have been few detailed studies to evaluate the role of miRNAs in mediation of grafting‐induced physiological processes in plants. Cucumis sativus and Cucurbita moschata are important vegetables worldwide. We constructed eight small RNA libraries from leaves and roots of seedlings that were grafted in the following four ways: (1) hetero‐grafting, using cucumber as scion and pumpkin as rootstock; (2) hetero‐grafting, with pumpkin as scion and cucumber as rootstock; (3) auto‐grafting of cucumbers and (4) auto‐grafting of pumpkins. High‐throughput sequencing was employed, and more than 120 million raw reads were obtained. We annotated 112 known miRNAs belonging to 40 miRNA families and identified 48 new miRNAs in the eight libraries, and the targets of these known and novel miRNAs were predicted by bioinformatics. Grafting led to changes in expression of most miRNAs and their predicted target genes, suggesting that miRNAs may play significant roles in mediating physiological processes of grafted seedlings by regulating the expression of target genes. The potential role of the grafting‐responsive miRNAs in seedling growth and long‐distance transport of miRNA was discussed. These results are useful for functional characterization of miRNAs in mediation of grafting‐dependent physiological processes.
Semiparametric Inference for the Two‐way Layout Under Order Restrictions
Authors: Davidov OrI , Fokianos Konstantinos , Iliopoulos George
Published: October 2013

There are many situations in which a researcher would like to analyse data from a two‐way layout. Often, the assumptions of linearity and normality may not hold. To address such situations, we introduce a semiparametric model. The model extends the well‐known density ratio model from the one‐way to the two‐way layout and provides a useful framework for semiparametric analysis of variance type problems under order restrictions. In particular, the likelihood ratio order is emphasized. The model enables highly efficient inference without resorting to fully parametric assumptions or the use of transformations. Estimation and testing procedures under order restrictions are developed and investigated in detail. It is shown that the model is robust to misspecification, and several simulations suggest that it performs well in practice. The methodology is illustrated using two data examples; in the first, the response variable is discrete, whereas in the second, it is continuous.
Sparse Markov Chains for Sequence Data
Authors: Jääskinen Väinö , Xiong Jie , Corander Jukka , Koski Timo
Published: October 2013

Finite memory sources and variable‐length Markov chains have recently gained popularity in data compression and mining, in particular, for applications in bioinformatics and language modelling. Here, we consider denser data compression and prediction with a family of sparse Bayesian predictive models for Markov chains in finite state spaces. Our approach lumps transition probabilities into classes composed of invariant probabilities, such that the resulting models need not have a hierarchical structure as in context tree‐based approaches. This can lead to a substantially higher rate of data compression, and such non‐hierarchical sparse models can be motivated for instance by data dependence structures existing in the bioinformatics context. We describe a Bayesian inference algorithm for learning sparse Markov models through clustering of transition probabilities. Experiments with DNA sequence and protein data show that our approach is competitive in both prediction and classification when compared with several alternative methods on the basis of variable memory length.
In Situ PLIF and Particle Image Velocimetry Measurements of the Primary Entrainment Fuel Jet in a Naturally Aspirated Water Heater
Authors: Sherwin Daniel J. , Koch Jon D.
Published: October 2013

The time-averaged characteristics of a fuel jet have been measured via acetone planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) in the primary mixing region of an operating gas-fired water heater. These measurements allow for experimental characterization of the cross-sectional scalar and velocity fields as well as the estimation of the mass entrainment as the flow enters the burner in a practical system. In these experiments, reasonable results were obtained when only the fuel jet was seeded with acetone or PIV particles rather than the entire flow, thus demonstrating the potential for simplified experimental configurations in some applications where controlling or seeding the entire flow may be difficult. The entrainment characteristics of the fuel jet are compared with benchmarks from literature. The commercial device exhibits a larger mass entrainment rate than is found in typical free jets that have been studied in the literature. This may be a result of the jet's low Reynolds number (9,600) in comparison with other literature studies, and a result of initial conditions.
A Eulerian Method for Water Droplet Impingement by Means of an Immersed Boundary Technique
Authors: Capizzano Francesco , Iuliano Emiliano
Published: October 2013

The estimation of water droplet impingement is the first step toward a complete ice accretion assessment. Numerical approaches are usually implied to support the experimental testing and to provide fast responses when designing ice protection systems. Basically, two different numerical methodologies can be found in literature: Lagrangian and Eulerian. The present paper describes the design and development of a tool based on a Eulerian equation set solved on Cartesian meshes by using an immersed boundary (IB) technique. The tool aims at computing the evolution of a droplet cloud and the impingement characteristics onto the exposed surfaces of an aircraft. The robustness of the methodology and the accuracy of the approach are discussed. The method is applying to classical two- and three-dimensional test cases for which experimental data are available in literature. The results are compared with both experiments and body-fitted numerical solutions.
The Nonlinear Roll Damping of a FPSO Hull
Authors: de Oliveira Allan C. , Carlos Fernandes Antonio
Published: October 2013

The ship-rolling problem is a subject that has been studied for a long time. Since Froude's time (in the 19th century) to nowadays, this subject was revisited several times in order to adjust the theory to changes in ship hulls, dimensions, materials, appendages, etc. On the other hand, ship analysis technological resources, including both experimental techniques and computational capacity (that did not exist in Froude's time), have also amazingly improved. But despite all those technological developments, the assessment of the nonlinear roll damping of some types of hulls still is a challenging problem. The floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) hull fitted with larger bilge keels, for instance, has behaved in such a way that it is impossible to obtain results from nowadays industry standards via decaying tests. This paper discusses an alternative way to assess the nonlinear damping behavior of FPSO hulls with large bilge keels. Since it is fairly easy to perform decaying tests, the paper also proposes an alternative way to analyze the FPSO properties through this kind of testing by grouping multiple results instead of using only a single test. This artifice brought improvements, such as an increased agreement between the alternative model and the experimental data. The paper also compares the more traditional approaches with the alternative method and finally shows the latter's applicability.
System Reliability Analysis by Monte Carlo Based Method and Finite Element Structural Models
Authors: Gaspar Bruno , Naess Arvid , Leira Bernt J. , Soares C. Guedes
Published: October 2013

In principle, the reliability of complex structural systems can be accurately predicted by Monte Carlo simulation. This method has several attractive features for structural system reliability, the most important being that the system failure criterion is usually relatively easy to check almost irrespective of the complexity of the system. However, the computational cost involved in the simulation may be prohibitive for highly reliable structural systems. In this paper a new Monte Carlo based method recently proposed for system reliability estimation that aims at reducing the computational cost is applied. It has been shown that the method provides good estimates for the system failure probability with reduced computational cost. In a numerical example the usefulness and efficiency of the method to estimate the reliability of a system represented by a nonlinear finite element structural model is presented. To reduce the computational cost involved in the nonlinear finite element analysis the method is combined with a response surface model.
Energy Harvesting of Piezoelectric Stack Actuator From a Shock Event
Authors: Lee Andrew J. , Wang Ya , Inman Daniel J.
Published: October 2013

The energy harvesting performance of a piezoelectric stack actuator under a shock event is theoretically and experimentally investigated. The first method is derived from the single degree of freedom constitutive equations, and then a correction factor is applied onto the resulting electromechanically coupled equations of motion. The second approach is deriving the coupled equations of motion with Hamilton's principle and the constitutive equations, and then formulating it with the finite element method. Two experimental cases matched well with the model predictions where the percent errors were 3.90% and 3.26% for the SDOF analysis and 1.52% and 1.42% for the FEM.
Social context of the behavior and vocalizations of the gray whale Eschrichtius robustus
Authors: Rohrkasse Sarah M. , Meserve Margaret M.
Published: October 2013

Sound production and surface behavior of the gray whale were investigated at Bahia Magdalena, Mexico to determine if vocalizations have behavioral correlations or are used in specific social contexts. Fifteen-minute sessions of behavioral observations and acoustic recordings of gray whales in various social contexts were collected from February to April 2006 (n=30). Analysis of sound production included proportional use of different call types and acoustic variables of each sound type. Preliminary acoustic analysis found no correlation with social contexts or behaviors, but proportional use of different vocalizations is similar to past studies in Baja [Dahlheim et al, The Gray Whale, pp. 511–541 (1984), F. J. Ollervides, dissertation, Texas A&M University (2001)]. Initial results indicate significant differences in frequencies of high surface behaviors (p=0.0477) of groups that include mother-calf pairs. As analysis continues, possible correlations between social context and use of sounds could allow for acoustics to be an indicator of group composition, seasonal movements, and social patterns and to help determine the functions of sounds. [Work supported by SFS and NFWF.]
Look who’s talking; social communication in migrating humpback whales
Authors: Dunlop Rebecca A. , Noad Michael J. , Cato Douglas H. , Stokes Dale
Published: October 2013

A neglected area of humpback acoustics concerns nonsong vocalizations and surface behaviors known collectively as social sounds. This study describes a portion of the nonsong vocal repertoire and explores the social relevance of individual sound types. A total of 622 different sounds were catalogued and measured from whales migrating along the east coast of Australia. Aural and spectral categorization found 35 different sound types, and discriminate functions supported 33 of these. Vocalizations were analyzed from 60 pods that were tracked visually from land and acoustically using a static hydrophone array. Nonsong vocalizations occurred in all pod compositions: lone whales, adult pairs, mother/calf pairs, mother/calf/escorts, and multiple-adult pods. Thwops and wops were likely to be sex-differentiated calls with wops from females and thwops from males. Sounds similar to song-units were almost all from joining pods and yaps were only heard in splitting pods. Other low-frequency calls (less than 60 Hz) were thought to be within-pod contact calls. Higher-frequency cries (fundamental 450–700 Hz) and other calls (above 700 Hz) and presumed underwater blows were heard more frequently in joining pods displaying agonistic behaviors. This work demonstrates that humpbacks produce a great range of contextually different communication signals. [Work supported by ONR and DSTO.]
Noise separation of underwater acoustic vocalization using auditory filter bank and Poisson rate estimation
Authors: Kenny Owen P. , McPherson Craig R.
Published: October 2013

Formant vocalization tracking has been achieved using a mammalian periphery model and a Poisson rate estimator. This approach used a set of linear bandpass filters to simulate the mechanical displacement of the basilar membrane. The auditory model simulated neural firing by producing a spike at the positive going zero crossing for each filter output. Poisson intensity of the neural firing rate is controlled by the dominant frequency components of the signal present in the filter. This approach is extended by incorporating neural synchronization information to separate the formant structure from that of noise. The filter structure is designed to overlap the frequency range of adjacent filters. The presence of a formant structure in adjacent filters controls the interspike intervals of neural firing for both filters, which results in the neural firing from both filters being synchronized. If a noise-only component is present in either filter, then the spiking outputs from the adjacent filters are unsynchronized. Experimental results have shown that incorporating neural synchronization information between adjacent filters has enabled separation of signal components from noise. This technique enables easier signal and noise separation than allowed by traditional methods.