bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcium Hydroxide Dressing Influences the Obturation of Simulated Lateral Canals
Authors: Jorge Karin Milena , de Carvalho Roberta Ferreira , Vieira Verena Luzia Bredt , Gabardo Marilisa Carneiro Leão , Gonçalves Letícia Machado , Deonizio Marili Doro Andrade
Published: October 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of calcium hydroxide dressing on the filling of simulated lateral canals by different obturation techniques.

Materials and methods

Sixty single-root-premolars were instrumented. Simulated lateral canals were drilled on each third of the roots. The teeth were divided into four groups: no dressing and obturation by lateral condensation technique (G1), dressing with calcium hydroxide and obturation by lateral condensation technique (G2), no dressing and obturation by hybrid technique (G3) and, dressing with calcium hydroxide and obturation by hybrid technique (G4). The teeth were maintained at 37°C in 100% humidity for 7 days, and obturation techniques were performed. Radiographs were taken and filled or unfilled lateral canals were counted. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's test (α = 5%).

Results

The hybrid technique filled large number of lateral canals as compared to lateral condensation technique, regardless the use of intracanal medication (p < 0.05). Calcium hydroxide decreased the number of lateral canals filled for both lateral and hybrid techniques (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed when comparing the number of filled and unfilled lateral canals in the same root third of each group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Regardless the obturation technique, calcium hydroxide dressing reduced the penetration of filling material in simulated lateral canals.

Clinical significance

The persistence of calcium hydroxide residues reduces the penetration of filling material in simulated lateral canals, possibly representing a potential cause of failure in the future.

How to cite this article

Jorge KM, de Carvalho RF, Vieira VLB, Gabardo MCL, Gonçalves LM, Deonizio MDA. Calcium hydroxide Dressing Influences the Obturation of Simulated Lateral Canals. J Contemp Dent Pract 2015;16(6):468-473.
A Study on Duration of Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Therapy on Whole Saliva Flow
Authors: Bhasin Neha , Reddy Sreedevi , Nagarajappa Anil Kumar , Kakkad Ankur
Published: October 2015

Background

Saliva is a complex fluid, whose important role is to maintain the well being of oral cavity. Salivary gland hypofunction or hyposalivation is the condition of having reduced saliva production which leads to the subjective complaint of oral dryness termed xerostomia.7 Management of xerostomia includes palliative therapy using topical agents or systemic therapy. Electrostimulation to produce saliva was studied in the past and showed moderate promise but never became part of mainstream therapy. Hence, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on whole salivary flow rate in healthy adults and to evaluate how long this effect of TENS lasts on salivary flow.

Materials and methods

One hundred healthy adult subjects were divided into five age groups with each group containing 20 subjects equally divided into males and females in each group. Unstimulated saliva was collected using a graduated test tube fitted with funnel and quantity was measured. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit was activated and stimulated saliva was collected. Saliva was again collected 30 minutes and 24 hours post stimulation.

Results

The mean unstimulated whole saliva flow rate for all subjects (n = 100) was 2.60 ml/5 min. During stimulation, it increased to 3.60 ± 0.39 ml/5 min. There was 38.46% increase in salivary flow. Ninety six out of 100 responded positively to TENS therapy. Salivary flow remained increased 30 minutes and 24 hours post stimulation with the values being 3.23 ± 0.41 ml/5 min and 2.69 ± 0.39 ml/5 min respectively. Repeated measures One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test showed that the difference between these values were statistically significant.

Conclusion

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy was effective for stimulation of whole saliva in normal, healthy subjects and its effect retained till 30 minutes and a little up to 24 hours. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation may work best synergistically with other sialagogues and can be used for the management of xerostomia.

How to cite this article

Bhasin N, Reddy S, Nagarajappa AK, Kakkad A. A Study on Duration of Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Therapy on Whole Saliva Flow. J Contemp Dent Pract 2015;16(6):479-485.
The influence of synoptic weather regimes on UK air quality: regional model studies of tropospheric column NO2
Authors: Pope R. J. , Savage N. H. , Chipperfield M. P. , Ordóñez C. , Neal L. S.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Synoptic meteorology can have a significant influence on UK air quality. Cyclonic conditions lead to the dispersion of air pollutants away from source regions, while anticyclonic conditions lead to their accumulation over source regions. Meteorology also modifies atmospheric chemistry processes such as photolysis and wet deposition. Previous studies have shown a relationship between observed satellite tropospheric column NO2 and synoptic meteorology in different seasons. Here, we test whether the UK Met Office Air Quality in the Unified Model (AQUM) can reproduce these observations and then use the model to explore the relative importance of various factors. We show that AQUM successfully captures the observed relationships when sampled under the Lamb weather types, an objective classification of midday UK circulation patterns. By using a range of idealized NOx-like tracers with different e-folding lifetimes, we show that under different synoptic regimes the NO2 lifetime in AQUM is approximately 6 h in summer and 12 h in winter. The longer lifetime can explain why synoptic spatial tropospheric column NO2 variations are more significant in winter compared to summer, due to less NO2 photochemical loss. We also show that cyclonic conditions have more seasonality in tropospheric column NO2 than anticyclonic conditions as they result in more extreme spatial departures from the wintertime seasonal average. Within a season (summer or winter) under different synoptic regimes, a large proportion of the spatial pattern in the UK tropospheric column NO2 field can be explained by the idealized model tracers, showing that transport is an important factor in governing the variability of UK air quality on seasonal synoptic timescales.
Evaluation of stem rot in 339 Bornean tree species: implications of size, taxonomy, and soil-related variation for aboveground biomass estimates
Authors: Heineman K. D. , Russo S. E. , Baillie I. C. , Mamit J. D. , Chai P. P.-K. , Chai L. , Hindley E. W. , Lau B.-T. , Tan S. , Ashton P. S.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Fungal decay of heart wood creates hollows and areas of reduced wood density within the stems of living trees known as stem rot. Although stem rot is acknowledged as a source of error in forest aboveground biomass (AGB) estimates, there are few data sets available to evaluate the controls over stem rot infection and severity in tropical forests. Using legacy and recent data from 3180 drilled, felled, and cored stems in mixed dipterocarp forests in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, we quantified the frequency and severity of stem rot in a total of 339 tree species, and related variation in stem rot with tree size, wood density, taxonomy, and species' soil association, as well as edaphic conditions. Predicted stem rot frequency for a 50 cm tree was 53 % of felled, 39 % of drilled, and 28 % of cored stems, demonstrating differences among methods in rot detection ability. The percent stem volume infected by rot, or stem rot severity, ranged widely among trees with stem rot infection (0.1–82.8 %) and averaged 9 % across all trees felled. Tree taxonomy explained the greatest proportion of variance in both stem rot frequency and severity among the predictors evaluated in our models. Stem rot frequency, but not severity, increased sharply with tree diameter, ranging from 13 % in trees 10–30 cm DBH to 54 % in stems ≥ 50 cm DBH across all data sets. The frequency of stem rot increased significantly in soils with low pH and cation concentrations in topsoil, and stem rot was more common in tree species associated with dystrophic sandy soils than with nutrient-rich clays. When scaled to forest stands, the maximum percent of stem biomass lost to stem rot varied significantly with soil properties, and we estimate that stem rot reduces total forest AGB estimates by up to 7 % relative to what would be predicted assuming all stems are composed strictly of intact wood. This study demonstrates not only that stem rot is likely to be a significant source of error in forest AGB estimation, but also that it strongly covaries with tree size, taxonomy, habitat association, and soil resources, underscoring the need to account for tree community composition and edaphic variation in estimating carbon storage in tropical forests.
ENSO flavors in a tree-ring δ18O record of Tectona grandis from Indonesia
Authors: Schollaen K. , Karamperidou C. , Krusic P. , Cook E. , Helle G.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Indonesia's climate is dominated by the equatorial monsoon system, and has been linked to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events that often result in extensive droughts and floods over the Indonesian archipelago. In this study we investigate ENSO-related signals in a tree-ring δ18O record (1900–2007) of Javanese teak. Our results reveal a clear influence of Warm Pool (central Pacific) El Niño events on Javanese tree-ring δ18O, and no clear signal of Cold Tongue (eastern Pacific) El Niño events. These results are consistent with the distinct impacts of the two ENSO flavors on Javanese precipitation, and illustrate the importance of considering ENSO flavors when interpreting palaeoclimate proxy records in the tropics, as well as the potential of palaeoclimate proxy records from appropriately selected tropical regions for reconstructing past variability of. ENSO flavors.
Technical Note: Estimating unbiased transfer-function performances in spatially structured environments
Authors: Trachsel M. , Telford R. J.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Conventional cross-validation schemes for assessing transfer-function performance assume that observations are independent. In spatially-structured environments this assumption is violated, resulting in over-optimistic estimates of transfer-function performance. H block cross-validation, where all samples within h km of the test samples are omitted is a method for obtaining unbiased transfer function performance estimates. In this study, we assess three methods for determining the optimal h. Using simulated data, we find that all three methods result in comparable values of h. Applying the three methods to published transfer functions, we find they yield similar values for h. Some transfer functions perform notably worse when h block cross-validation is used.
Three-dimensional slope stability problem with a surcharge load
Authors: Cheng Y. M. , Li N. , Yang X. Q.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. A semi-analytical solution for the three-dimensional stability analysis of the ultimate uniform patched load on top of a slope is developed by the limit analysis using kinematically admissible failure mechanisms. The failure mechanism which is assumed in the analytical solution is verified by three-dimensional strength reduction analyses and laboratory model test. Furthermore, the proposed method and the results are further compared with some published results for illustrating the applicability of the proposed failure mechanism.
Assessing the performance of regional landslide early warning models: the EDuMaP method
Authors: Calvello M. , Piciullo L.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. The paper proposes the evaluation of the technical performance of a regional landslide early warning system by means of an original approach, called EDuMaP method, comprising three successive steps: identification and analysis of the Events (E), i.e. landslide events and warning events derived from available landslides and warnings databases; definition and computation of a Duration Matrix (DuMa), whose elements report the time associated with the occurrence of landslide events in relation to the occurrence of warning events, in their respective classes; evaluation of the early warning model Performance (P) by means of performance criteria and indicators applied to the duration matrix. During the first step, the analyst takes into account the features of the warning model by means of ten input parameters, which are used to identify and classify landslide and warning events according to their spatial and temporal characteristics. In the second step, the analyst computes a time-based duration matrix having a number of rows and columns equal to the number of classes defined for the warning and landslide events, respectively. In the third step, the analyst computes a series of model performance indicators derived from a set of performance criteria, which need to be defined by considering, once again, the features of the warning model. The proposed method is based on a framework clearly distinguishing between local and regional landslide early warning systems as well as among correlation laws, warning models and warning systems. The applicability, potentialities and limitations of the EDuMaP method are tested and discussed using real landslides and warnings data from the municipal early warning system operating in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
Wind tunnel experiments: cold-air pooling and atmospheric decoupling above a melting snow patch
Authors: Mott R. , Paterna E. , Horender S. , Crivelli P. , Lehning M.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. The longevity of perennial snow fields is not fully understood but it is known that strong atmospheric stability and thus boundary layer decoupling limits the amount of (sensible and latent) heat that can be transmitted to the snow surface. The strong stability is typically caused by two factors, (i) the temperature difference between the (melting) snow surface and the near-surface atmosphere and (ii) cold-air pooling in topographic depressions. These factors are almost always a prerequisite for perennial snow fields to exist. For the first time, this contribution investigates the relative importance of the two factors in a controlled wind tunnel environment. Vertical profiles of sensible heat fluxes are measured using two-component hot wire and one-component cold-wire anemometry directly over the melting snow patch. The comparison between a flat snow surface and one that has a depression shows that atmospheric decoupling is strongly increased in the case of topographic sheltering but only for low to moderate wind speeds. For those conditions, the near-surface suppression of turbulent mixing was observed to be strongest and drainage flows were decoupled from the surface enhancing atmospheric stability and promoting the cold-air pooling over the single snow patch. Further work is required to systematically and quantitatively describe the flux distribution for varying terrain geometry, wind speeds and air temperatures.
Echocardiographic Characteristic Of Left Ventricular Geometry Of 12-17 Years Athletes
Authors: Bartkevičienė Aldona
Published: October 2015

Aim. To compare the type of left ventricular geometry associated with training among 12-17 years athletes currently competing in cycling, rowing and basketball playing and to determine the factors influencing left ventricular geometry. Methods. A total 167 male athletes 12-17 year-old, involved in basketball (n = 62), academic rowing (n =51) and cycling (n = 54) and 168 sedentary non-athletes, matched for age and sex were involved in this study. All participants underwent twodimensional, M-mode and Doppler echocardiography. To estimate left ventricular geometry relative wall thickness and left ventricular mass index were calculated. Left ventricular geometry was assessed as normal, eccentric ventricular hypertrophy, concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, concentric left ventricular remodeling. Results. Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 48 % of all athletes, predominantly (34 %) eccentric hypertrophy. 16% of athletes had concentric hypertrophy. Only 7% of athletes manifested concentric remodeling. The prevalence of eccentric hypertrophy was more common in cyclists (54%), concentric hypertrophy was more frequent in rowers (38%), and normal left ventricular geometry was more common in basketball players (53%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age was the important determinant of eccentric and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy also was independently associated to training volume (hour per week) and cycling sporting discipline. Conclusion. Almost half of athletes (48%) had left ventricular hypertrophy, predominantly eccentric hypertrophy, and the age was the important determinant of left ventricular hypertrophy (eccentric and concentric). Training volume and cycling sporting discipline were significantly associated with eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy.
Pacientų, sergančiųjų lėtine obstrukcine plaučių liga, slauga
Authors: Gornatkevič Olga , Šakienė Lina
Published: October 2015

Lėtinė obstrukcinė plaučių liga – lėtai progresuojanti, iš dalies išnykstanti kvėpavimo takų obstrukcija, atsirandanti dėl nenormalaus uždegiminio plaučių atsako į žalingas su oru įkvepiamas daleles ar dujas. Lėtinė obstrukcinė plaučių liga užima dvyliktą vietą tarp dažniausių pasaulio ligų. Nors šiuo metu prieinamomis priemonėmis ligos nepavyksta visiškai išgydyti, tačiau galima sušvelninti simptomus, pagerinti kvėpavimo funkciją, sumažinti paūmėjimų skaičių. Teigiama, kad pagrindinis slaugytojų darbo tikslas yra pakeisti pacientų fizinę ir psichinę būseną, suteikti jiems ramybės, aiškumo, optimizmo, pasiryžimo pasveikti. Tyrimo tikslas – išanalizuoti sergančiųjų lėtine obstrukcine plaučių liga slaugą. Tyrimo metodika. Atliktas kiekybinis tyrimas, naudojant autorinę anoniminę anketinę apklausą raštu. Buvo apklausti 60 slaugytojų, dirbančių Vilniaus apskrities Viešosios gydymo įstaigos intensyviosios terapijos ir reanimacijos, terapijos ar palaikomojo gydymo ir slaugos skyriuose. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad sergančiajam lėtine obstrukcine plaučių liga pokyčiai įvyksta visose [12] gyvybinėse veiklose: iškyla slaugos problemų, atsiranda specialių paciento slaugos poreikių. Pagrindiniai slaugos tikslai: užtikrinti visišką fizinę, emocinę ir psichinę ramybę, sumažinant nerimą, baimę, skausmą, sumažinti stresą paciento aplinkoje, rūpintis galimų komplikacijų prevencija. Svarbu į pagalbą įtraukti paciento artimuosius, komandinis darbas, stiprinti žmogaus motyvaciją bei tvirtinti viltį ir tikėjimą. Išvada. Pagrindinės pacientų, sergančių lėtine obstrukcine plaučių liga, slaugos problemos gyvybinėse veiklose, slaugytojų nuomone: žinių deficitas, bendravimo problemos, judėjimo sutrikimas, aktyvumo netoleravimas, gausus skrepliavimas, šlapimo nelaikymas, skausmas krūtinės ląstoje, savipriežiūros deficitas, kosulys, dusulys, išsekimas, bejėgiškumas ir beviltiškumas, socialinė izoliacija, nerimas ir nemiga. Slaugytojas, norėdamas padėti LOPL (lėtine obstrukcine plaučių liga) sergantiems pacientams, visų pirma turi įvertinti pokyčius gyvybinėse veiklose, socialinę ir kt. aplinką, numatyti slaugos problemas.
De Nederlandse wetgever en andere normenstelsels: op zoek naar het recht der werkelijkheid
Authors: Smits Jan
Published: October 2015

The Dutch legislator and other normative systems

It is well known that the role of the national legislator in setting legally relevant norms is rapidly changing under the influence of increasing Europeanization, globalization and privatization. Today the national legislator is only one of the relevant norm-setters. This contribution considers the role that the Dutch legislator sees for itself in this emerging multilevel legal order. To this end, six themes of fundamental importance in a multilevel order are explored: (1) the question of when government regulation is to be preferred over private regulation; (2) the question of at which level of government (national, European, sub-national or supranational) a topic is preferably dealt with; (3) the role of the national legislator in realizing the cognoscibility and coherence of law; (4) the preferred way of implementing EU directives; (5) the question of whether the national legislator must refer to codes of conduct, certification and norms of standards bodies, and if so how; (6) the question of whether the national legislator must position its own national law on the international ‘law market.’
Developing a Provincial Centralized Intake Process for a Knowledge Resource Service Part 1: Literature Search Requests
Authors: Vaska Marcus , Aitken Elizabeth , Varney Janice , Stevens Spencer
Published: October 2015

N/A
Health Literacy Training for Family Medicine Residents
Authors: Szwajcer Andrea , Macdonald Kerry , Kvern Brent
Published: October 2015

N/A
Lost in Translation: Supporting learners to search comprehensively across databases
Authors: Parker Robin MN , Neilson Maggie J
Published: October 2015

Abstract: Introduction: Health sciences librarians play the key role of expert searcher for knowledge synthesis research projects. When students and trainees conduct systematic reviews as academic assignments, academic librarians train learners to search comprehensively for evidence in multiple sources. Description: The authors created an electronic toolkit with handouts and a video tutorial to support instruction on translating search strategies to various databases. Outcomes: The toolkit was well received by users, who provided constructive feedback and reported an increase in comfort with translating searches. Refinements based on the assessment results will improve the tools and supplemental resources will address some gaps in coverage. Most users still expressed the need to consult with a librarian for further training and review of their searches. Discussion: Trainees who need to conduct their own comprehensive searches for academic work will benefit from a variety of training tools to suit different levels of experience and learning styles. Electronic instructional resources such as handouts and videos can effectively supplement hands-on training and feedback from a health sciences librarian.
Short-term fertilizer application alters phenotypic traits of symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria
Authors: Simonsen Anna K. , Han Shery , Rekret Phil , Rentschler Christine S. , Heath Katy D. , Stinchcombe John R.
Published: October 2015

Fertilizer application is a common anthropogenic alteration to terrestrial systems. Increased nutrient input can impact soil microbial diversity or function directly through altered soil environments, or indirectly through plant-microbe feedbacks, with potentially important effects on ecologically-important plant-associated mutualists. We investigated the impacts of plant fertilizer, containing all common macro and micronutrients on symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia), a group of bacteria that are important for plant productivity and ecosystem function. We collected rhizobia nodule isolates from natural field soil that was treated with slow-release plant fertilizer over a single growing season and compared phenotypic traits related to free-living growth and host partner quality in these isolates to those of rhizobia from unfertilized soils. Through a series of single inoculation assays in controlled glasshouse conditions, we found that isolates from fertilized field soil provided legume hosts with higher mutualistic benefits. Through growth assays on media containing variable plant fertilizer concentrations, we found that plant fertilizer was generally beneficial for rhizobia growth. Rhizobia isolated from fertilized field soil had higher growth rates in the presence of plant fertilizer compared to isolates from unfertilized field soil, indicating that plant fertilizer application favoured rhizobia isolates with higher abilities to utilize fertilizer for free-living growth. We found a positive correlation between growth responses to fertilizer and mutualism benefits among isolates from fertilized field soil, demonstrating that variable plant fertilizer induces context-dependent genetic correlations, potentially changing the evolutionary trajectory of either trait through increased trait dependencies. Our study shows that short-term application is sufficient to alter the composition of rhizobia isolates in the population or community, either directly though changes in the soil chemistry or indirectly through altered host legume feedbacks, and is potentially a strong selective agent acting on natural rhizobia populations.
Influence of explicit Phaeocystis parameterizations on the global distribution of marine dimethyl sulfide
Authors: Wang Shanlin , Elliott Scott , Maltrud Mathew , Cameron‐Smith Philip
Published: October 2015

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is a biogenic organosulfur compound which contributes strongly to marine aerosol mass and the determination of cloud condensation nuclei over the remote oceans. Since uncertainties in DMS flux to the atmosphere lead to large variations in climate forcing, the global DMS distribution has been the subject of increasingly complex dynamic simulations. DMS concentrations are directly controlled by marine ecosystems. Phaeocystis is a major DMS producer but is often omitted from global reduced sulfur mechanisms. Here we incorporate this phytoplankton group into the marine ecosystem‐biogeochemical module of the Community Earth System Model. To examine its role in the ocean sulfur cycle, an earlier DMS model has been enhanced to include new knowledge gained over the last few years. Results from the baseline run show that simulated Phaeocystis biomass generally agrees with observations, with high concentrations near the Antarctic continent and between 50° and 60° north. Given the new explicit Phaeocystis representation, the DMS distribution shows significant improvements, especially regarding the amplitude and location of high‐latitude peaks. The simulated global mean surface DMS value is 2.26 nM, comparable to an estimate of 2.34 nM from the latest climatology extrapolated based on observations. The total oceanic DMS source to the atmosphere is 20.4 Tg S/yr, on the low side of previous estimates. Comparisons with and without Phaeocystis show that the group dominates DMS distributions in temperate and cold waters, contributing 13% of the global flux. The proportion may increase as sea ice declines and should be considered in climate projections.
Allergic rhinitis and associated risk of migraine among children: a nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Wang I‐Chung , Tsai Jeng‐Dau , Lin Cheng‐Li , Shen Te‐Chun , Li Tsai‐Chung , Wei Chang‐Ching
Published: October 2015

Background

Increased frequency of migraine was reported in adults with allergic rhinitis (AR). Although migraine is less common in children than in adults, it can begin in early childhood and persist into adulthood. We conducted this population‐based cohort study to investigate the incidence and subsequent risk of migraine in children with AR.

Methods

From 2000 to 2007, 461,850 children with recently diagnosed AR and 460,718 non‐AR controls were included in the study. By the end of 2008, incidences of migraine in both cohorts, the AR to non‐AR cohort hazard ratios (HRs), and confidence intervals (CIs) were measured.

Results

The incidence of migraine during the study period was 3.2‐fold higher in the AR cohort (95% CI, 2.97 to 3.46) than in the non‐AR cohort (11.4 vs 3.49 per 10000 person‐years). The risk was greater for boys than for girls, and for children aged <6 years. The HR for migraine in children with AR was 1.44 (95% CI, 1.31 to 1.58) for those with ≤2 annual AR‐related medical visits, whereas, 14.8 (95% CI, 13.6 to 16.2) for those with >4 visits (p < 0.0001, the trend test). The risk of migraine development in the AR cohort was highest within the first year after AR diagnosis (HR 4.89; 95% CI, 3.98 to 6.00). Children with AR were more likely to have migraine without aura than migraine with aura.

Conclusion

Children with AR had a higher incidence and subsequent risk of migraine. Physicians should be more aware of migraine in children with AR who complain of headache.
Charge Tunneling along Short Oligoglycine Chains
Authors: Baghbanzadeh Mostafa , Bowers Carleen M. , Rappoport Dmitrij , Żaba Tomasz , Gonidec Mathieu , Al‐Sayah Mohammad H. , Cyganik Piotr , Aspuru‐Guzik Alan , Whitesides George M.
Published: October 2015

This work examines charge transport (CT) through self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of oligoglycines having an N‐terminal cysteine group that anchors the molecule to a gold substrate, and demonstrate that CT is rapid (relative to SAMs of n‐alkanethiolates). Comparisons of rates of charge transport‐using junctions with the structure AuTS/SAM//Ga2O3/EGaIn (across these SAMs of oligoglycines, and across SAMs of a number of structurally and electronically related molecules) established that rates of charge tunneling along SAMs of oligoglycines are comparable to that along SAMs of oligophenyl groups (of comparable length). The mechanism of tunneling in oligoglycines is compatible with superexchange, and involves interactions among high‐energy occupied orbitals in multiple, consecutive amide bonds, which may by separated by one to three methylene groups. This mechanistic conclusion is supported by density functional theory (DFT).
Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Chiral Pt(pppb)Cl (pppbH=1‐pyridyl‐3‐(4,5‐pinenopyridyl)benzene) Aggregate in the Excited State
Authors: Tanaka Saori , Sato Kyohei , Ichida Kyoko , Abe Taichi , Tsubomura Taro , Suzuki Takayoshi , Shinozaki Kazuteru
Published: October 2015

We prepared enantiomers of chiral PtII complexes, Pt(pppb)Cl and Pt(pppb)CN (pppbH=1‐pyridyl‐3‐(4,5‐pinenopyridyl)benzene), and measured their CPL (circularly polarized luminescence) spectra for excimer and trimer emission. The contribution of the pinene moiety to CPL was considerably low for the π–π* emission of the monomer but large for MMLCT (metal‐metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer) of the excimer and trimer which had a helical structure induced in a face‐to‐face stacking fashion. The trimer CPL for (+)‐Pt(pppb)Cl was larger in intensity than that of excimer CPL; on the other hand, that for (+)‐Pt(pppb)CN was opposite in sign compared with that of excimer CPL. We conclude that differences in the excited‐state structure of the aggregate between Pt(pppb)Cl and Pt(pppb)CN account for the variation in the CPL spectra. By the aid of TD‐DFT calculations it was predicted that the dihedral angle θ(Cl‐Pt‐Pt‐Cl) was 50–60° or 110–140° for Pt(pppb)Cl aggregates and 160° for Pt(pppb)CN aggregates.
Novel N‐Substituted ((1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methylene)benzohydrazides and ((1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methylene)‐2‐phenylhydrazines: Synthesis and Antiplatelet Aggregation Activity
Authors: Kalhor Nadia , Mardani Matin , Abdollahzadeh Sepideh , Vakof Mona , Zadeh Marjan Esfahani , Tehrani Kamaleddin Haj Mohammad Ebrahim , Kobarfard Farzad , Mohebbi Shohreh
Published: October 2015

Based on our previous studies on antiplatelet hydrazone derivatives, some new indole‐based derivatives were designed and synthesized as potential antiplatelet agents. Synthesis of the derivatives was accomplished by substitution at the N – 1 position of indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde and reacting the resulting intermediates with either phenylhydrazine of benzoylhydrazide. The structure of the synthesized compounds was confirmed by different spectral methods such as mass spectrometry,
1H‐NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The derivatives were tested for their ability to inhibit human platelet aggregation, where arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine diphosphate ADP, and collagen were used as aggregation inducers. Compounds (2a–2f) showed considerable activity against AA‐induced platelet aggregation. Among them, compounds 2a, 2b, and 2f were the most potent derivatives with IC50
values comparable to that of aspirin as standard drug. Analysis of structure–activity relationship shows that with increased bulk of the substituents at indole N – 1, the antiplatelet activity is reduced, thus suggesting that steric hindrance at this position plays a major role in the activity of the tested compounds.
Convenient Reductive Methylation of Amines with Carbonates at Room Temperature
Authors: Li Yuehui , Sorribes Iván , Vicent Cristian , Junge Kathrin , Beller Matthias
Published: October 2015

Methylation of amines is a fundamental and commonly used reaction in organic synthesis. Many methods are known including various reductive methylations using formaldehyde, formic acid, or carbon dioxide in the presence of reductants. However, several of these methods suffer from limited substrate scope and chemoselectivity because of the different nucleophilicities of substrates. In this respect, the combination of carbonates and hydrosilanes is a valuable methylation source in the presence of Pt‐based catalysts. This highly tunable method allows for methylation of both aromatic and aliphatic amines, and chemoselective methylation of aminoalcohols and diamines. Notably, the in situ‐formed catalyst can also be used for the reduction of carbonates to methanol at room temperature. Mechanistic insights on intermediates formed during the reaction pathway were obtained by using ESI mass spectrometry.
Redox Active Compounds in Controlled Radical Polymerization and Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Mutual Solutions to Disparate Problems
Authors: Ballard Nicholas , Mecerreyes David , Asua José M.
Published: October 2015

Controlled radical polymerization (CRP) and dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are two fields of research that at an initial glance appear to have little in common. However, despite their obvious differences, both in application and in scientific nature, a closer look reveals a striking similarity between many of the compounds widely used as control agents in radical polymerization and as redox couples in dye‐sensitized solar cells. Herein, we review the various redox active compounds used and examine the characteristics that give them the ability to perform this dual function. In addition we explore the advances in the understanding of the structural features that enhance their activity in both CRP and DSSCs. It is hoped that such a comparison will be conducive to improving process performance in both fields.
Chiral N,N′‐Dioxide–Scandium(III)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Dearomatization of 2‐Naphthols through an Amination Reaction
Authors: Lian Xiangjin , Lin Lili , Wang Guojin , Liu Xiaohua , Feng Xiaoming
Published: October 2015

A catalytic asymmetric dearomatization of 2‐naphthols with azodicarboxylates has been accomplished by using a N,N′‐dioxide‐scandium(III) complex as a chiral catalyst. A number of optically active β‐naphthalenone compounds with a nitrogen‐containing quaternary carbon stereocenter were obtained in up to 99 % yield and up to 99 % ee under mild reaction conditions. The reaction could be scaled up to a gram‐scale with the yield and ee maintained. Based on these experiments and on previous reports, a possible transition state was proposed.
Construction of Bridged Polycyclic Systems by Polyene Cyclization
Authors: Suzuki Keisuke , Yamakoshi Hiroyuki , Nakamura Seiichi
Published: October 2015

A stereoselective construction of bridged tri‐ and tetracyclic systems embedded in some 3,5‐dimethylorsellinic acid (DMOA)‐derived meroterpenoids was achieved by exploiting a polyene cyclization of suitably functionalized epoxyallylsilanes. Both the olefinic substituent on the epoxide and allylic trimethylsilyl (TMS) group were found to play pivotal roles in the success of the present reaction. The fact that the cyclization of monocyclized byproducts did not proceed strongly suggests that the reaction could be a concerted transformation.
Evaluating the Responsiveness to Therapeutic Change with Routine Outcome Monitoring: A Comparison of the Symptom Questionnaire‐48 (SQ‐48) with the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Outcome Questionnaire‐45 (OQ‐45)
Authors: Carlier Ingrid V. E. , Kovács Viktória , van Noorden Martijn S. , van der Feltz‐Cornelis Christina , Mooij Nanda , Schulte‐van Maaren Yvonne W. M. , van Hemert Albert M. , Zitman Frans G. , Giltay Erik J.
Published: October 2015

Assessment of psychological distress is important, because it may help to monitor treatment effects and predict treatment outcomes. We previously developed the 48‐item Symptom Questionnaire (SQ‐48) as a public domain self‐report psychological distress instrument and showed good internal consistency as well as good convergent and divergent validity among clinical and non‐clinical samples. The present study, conducted among psychiatric outpatients in a routine clinical setting, describes additional psychometric properties of the SQ‐48. The primary focus is on responsiveness to therapeutic change, which to date has been rarely examined within psychiatry or clinical psychology. Since a questionnaire should also be stable when no clinically important change occurs, we also examined test–retest reliability within a test–retest design before treatment (n = 43). A pre‐treatment/post‐treatment design was used for responsiveness to therapeutic change, comparing the SQ‐48 with two internationally widely used instruments: the Brief Symptom Inventory (n = 97) and the Outcome Questionnaire‐45 (n = 109). The results showed that the SQ‐48 has excellent test–retest reliability and good responsiveness to therapeutic change, without significant differences between the questionnaires in terms of responsiveness. In sum, the SQ‐48 is a psychometrically sound public domain self‐report instrument that can be used for routine outcome monitoring, as a benchmark tool or for research purposes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

The SQ‐48 is developed as a public domain self‐report questionnaire, in line with growing efforts to develop clinical instruments that are free of charge.

The SQ‐48 has excellent test–retest reliability and good responsiveness to therapeutic change or patient progress.

There were no significant differences in terms of responsiveness between the SQ‐48 and BSI or OQ‐45.

The SQ‐48 can be used as a routine evaluation outcome measure for quality assurance in clinical practice.

Providing feedback on patient progress via outcome measures could contribute to the enhancement of treatment outcomes.
Diabetic foot infections: Current treatment and delaying the ‘post‐antibiotic era’
Authors: Lipsky Benjamin A.
Published: October 2015

Background

Treatment for diabetic foot infections requires properly diagnosing infection, obtaining an appropriate specimen for culture, assessing for any needed surgical procedures and selecting an empiric antibiotic regimen. Therapy will often need to be modified based on results of culture and sensitivity testing. Because of excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics for treating diabetic foot infections, resistance to the usually employed bacteria has been increasing to alarming levels.

Review

This article reviews recommendations from evidence‐based guidelines, informed by results of systematic reviews, on treating diabetic foot infections. Data from the pre‐antibiotic era reported rates of mortality of about 9% and of high‐level leg amputations of about 70%. Outcomes have greatly improved with appropriate antibiotic therapy. While there are now many oral and parenteral antibiotic agents that have demonstrated efficacy in treating diabetic foot infections, the rate of infection with multidrug‐resistant pathogens is growing. This problem requires a multi‐focal approach, including providing education to both clinicians and patients, developing robust antimicrobial stewardship programmes and using new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Recently, new methods have been developed to find novel antibiotic agents and to resurrect old treatments, like bacteriophages, for treating these difficult infections.

Conclusion

Medical and political leaders have recognized the serious global threat posed by the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. By a multipronged approach that includes exerting administrative pressure on clinicians to do the right thing, investing in new technologies and encouraging the profitable development of new antimicrobials, we may be able to stave off the coming ‘post‐antibiotic era’. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The transcriptomic and evolutionary signature of social interactions regulating honey bee caste development
Authors: Vojvodic Svjetlana , Johnson Brian R. , Harpur Brock A. , Kent Clement F. , Zayed Amro , Anderson Kirk E. , Linksvayer Timothy A.
Published: October 2015

The caste fate of developing female honey bee larvae is strictly socially regulated by adult nurse workers. As a result of this social regulation, nurse‐expressed genes as well as larval‐expressed genes may affect caste expression and evolution. We used a novel transcriptomic approach to identify genes with putative direct and indirect effects on honey bee caste development, and we subsequently studied the relative rates of molecular evolution at these caste‐associated genes. We experimentally induced the production of new queens by removing the current colony queen, and we used RNA sequencing to study the gene expression profiles of both developing larvae and their caregiving nurses before and after queen removal. By comparing the gene expression profiles of queen‐destined versus worker‐destined larvae as well as nurses observed feeding these two types of larvae, we identified larval and nurse genes associated with caste development. Of 950 differentially expressed genes associated with caste, 82% were expressed in larvae with putative direct effects on larval caste, and 18% were expressed in nurses with putative indirect effects on caste. Estimated selection coefficients suggest that both nurse and larval genes putatively associated with caste are rapidly evolving, especially those genes associated with worker development. Altogether, our results suggest that indirect effect genes play important roles in both the expression and evolution of socially influenced traits such as caste.
AIRE: From promiscuous molecular partnerships to promiscuous gene expression
Authors: Abramson Jakub , Goldfarb Yael
Published: October 2015

Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is a unique transcriptional regulator that induces promiscuous expression of thousands of tissue‐restricted antigens (TRAs) in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), a step critical for the induction of immunological self‐tolerance. The past 15 years have seen dramatic progress in our understanding of how AIRE induces immunological self‐tolerance on a molecular level. This major advancement can be greatly attributed to the identification of a large variety of proteins that physically associate with AIRE, supporting and regulating its transcription‐transactivation capacity. These diverse molecular partnerships have been shown to play roles in shuttling AIRE to the nucleus, securing AIRE's interaction with nuclear matrix and chromatin, releasing RNA polymerase‐II from its stalled state and potentiating AIRE‐mediated gene expression, among others. In this review we discuss the relationship of AIRE with its vast and rather diverse repertoire of partners and highlight how such “promiscuous partnerships” contribute to the phenomenon of “promiscuous gene expression” in the thymus.
Biomarkers to predict opioid analgesia, a most difficult conundrum
Authors: Plaghki Léon
Published: October 2015

This commentary accompanies the following article: M. Gram, C. Graversen, A.E. Olesen, A.M. Drewes (2015). Machine learning on encephalographic activity may predict opioid analgesia Eur J Pain 19, 1552–1561.
Alcohol and Other Addictive Disorders Following Bariatric Surgery: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Possible Etiologies
Authors: Steffen Kristine J. , Engel Scott G. , Wonderlich Joseph A. , Pollert Garrett A. , Sondag Cindy
Published: October 2015

Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective intervention for significant and sustained weight loss in obese individuals. While patients often realize numerous improvements in obesity‐related comorbidities and health‐related quality of life, a small minority of patients have less optimal outcomes following bariatric surgery. The literature on the emergence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) following bariatric surgery has grown in the past several years and collectively provides convincing evidence that a significant minority of patients develop new‐onset AUDs following bariatric surgery. Rouxen‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has generally been associated with the risk of developing an AUD, while laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding generally has not, in several large studies. One theory that has been discussed at some length is the idea of ‘addiction transfer’ wherein patients substitute one ‘addiction’ (food) for a new ‘addiction’ (alcohol) following surgery. Animal work suggests a neurobiological basis for increased alcohol reward following RYGB. In addition, several pharmacokinetic studies have shown rapid and dramatically increased peak alcohol concentrations following RYGB. The prevalence of alcohol and other addictive disorders and potential etiological contributors to post‐operative AUDs will be explored. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Urine metabolomics of women from small villages exposed to high environmental cadmium levels
Authors: Xu Yinghua , Wang Jin , Liang Xuxia , Gao Yanhong , Chen Wencai , Huang Qiong , Liang Chunsui , Tang Liuying , Ouyang Gangfeng , Yang Xingfen
Published: October 2015

The present study aimed to identify urine metabolites in women exposed to high cadmium (Cd) levels. Twenty-one women exposed to environmental Cd and 12 age-matched controls were categorized as high exposure (urine Cd ≥ 15 μg/g creatinine; n = 9) or low exposure (15 μg/g creatinine > urine Cd > 5 μg/g creatinine; n = 12). Low–molecular weight metabolites in urine were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry after derivatization. An orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis model was constructed, and metabolites from the dimensional model were selected according to the variable importance in projection (>1). Metabolites differing significantly in abundance between different exposure groups were identified by searching mass spectral databases, and related pathways were analyzed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Approximately 110 significantly different metabolites were detected with variable importance in projection > 1, and 48 of them were found to differ markedly in abundance among the 3 groups. Twenty-seven matched with known metabolites, including 22 significantly increased and 5 markedly decreased in the high-exposure group (p < 0.01). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes results indicated that carbohydrate, amino acid, bone, and intestinal flora metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid cycle were affected by Cd exposure. The present study identified metabolites that differed in abundance in response to Cd exposure. Further studies may connect these biomarkers to early damage caused by Cd. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1268–1275. © 2015 SETAC