bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient barrier for charge injection in polyethylene by silver nanoparticles/plasma polymer stack
Authors: Milliere L. , Makasheva K. , Laurent C. , Despax B. , Teyssedre G.
Published: September 2014

Charge injection from a metal/insulator contact is a process promoting the formation of space charge in polymeric insulation largely used in thick layers in high voltage equipment. The internal charge perturbs the field distribution and can lead to catastrophic failure either through its electrostatic effects or through energetic processes initiated under charge recombination and/or hot electrons effects. Injection is still ill-described in polymeric insulation due to the complexity of the contact between the polymer chains and the electrodes. Barrier heights derived from the metal work function and the polymer electronic affinity do not provide a good description of the measurements [Taleb et al., IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul. 20, 311–320 (2013)]. Considering the difficulty to describe the contact properties and the need to prevent charge injection in polymers for high voltage applications, we developed an alternative approach by tailoring the interface properties by the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)/plasma polymer stack, deposited on the polymer film. Due to their small size, the AgNPs, covered by a very thin film of plasma polymer, act as deep traps for the injected charges thereby stabilizing the interface from the point of view of charge injection. After a quick description of the method for elaborating the nanostructured layer near the contact, it is demonstrated how the AgNPs/plasma polymer stack effectively prevents, in a spectacular way, the formation of bulk space charge.
Correlation of atomic packing with the boson peak in amorphous alloys
Authors: Yang W. M. , Liu H. S. , Liu X. J. , Chen G. X. , Dun C. C. , Zhao Y. C. , Man Q. K. , Chang C. T. , Shen B. L. , Inoue A. , Li R. W. , Jiang J. Z.
Published: September 2014

Boson peaks (BP) have been observed from phonon specific heats in 10 studied amorphous alloys. Two Einstein-type vibration modes were proposed in this work and all data can be fitted well. By measuring and analyzing local atomic structures of studied amorphous alloys and 56 reported amorphous alloys, it is found that (a) the BP originates from local harmonic vibration modes associated with the lengths of short-range order (SRO) and medium-range order (MRO) in amorphous alloys, and (b) the atomic packing in amorphous alloys follows a universal scaling law, i.e., the ratios of SRO and MRO lengths to solvent atomic diameter are 3 and 7, respectively, which exact match with length ratios of BP vibration frequencies to Debye frequency for the studied amorphous alloys. This finding provides a new perspective for atomic packing in amorphous materials, and has significant implications for quantitative description of the local atomic orders and understanding the structure-property relationship.
Fragmentation of brittle plates by localized impact
Authors: Falcão Rebeca C. , Parisio Fernando
Published: September 2014

We address the fragmentation of thin, brittle layers due to the impact of high-velocity projectiles. Our approach is a geometric statistical one, with lines and circles playing the role of cracks randomly located over the surface and following distributions that come from an analysis of how the energy input propagates and dissipates over the material. The cumulative mass distributions F(m) we obtain are in excellent agreement with the data produced by Kadono [Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 1444 (1997)]. In the small mass regime we get F(m) ∼ m−α, with 0.1 < α < 0.3 for a broad range of dissipation strengths and total number of fragments. In addition we obtain the fractal dimension of the set of cracks and its correlation to the exponent α that account for the experimental results given by Kadono and Arakawa [Phys. Rev. E 65, 035107(R) (2002)].
Optimal risk-based strategy of distributed generation-owning retailer in the day-ahead electricity market: Chance constraint optimization approach
Authors: Khojasteh Meysam , Jadid Shahram
Published: September 2014

This paper presents a risk-based decision-making framework for the Distributed Generation (DG)-owning retailer to determine the optimal participation level in the forward and the day-ahead electricity markets, as well as the optimal scheduling of DG units. The energy price in the day-ahead market is very volatile and varies every hour. Also, unpredicted failures of DG units may impose a great financial loss on the retailer. Therefore, the retailer has to evaluate the effects of uncertain parameters to hedge the financial loss. In this paper, the financial risk associated with the uncertain prices is evaluated using the chance constraint optimization method. The normal density function is applied to model the probabilistic realizations of uncertain prices, and scenarios are generated via the scenario tree technique. Moreover, the availability of generation units is modeled by the availability probability. The proposed risk-based framework allows the retailer to determine the optimal strategy at the given risk level. The objective-function of the presented model is based on maximizing the expected profit in a way that ensures the specific profit constraint will be satisfied at the operation period with a defined probability. The performance and efficiency of the presented decision-making framework are analyzed on the sample DG-owning retailer, and the optimal framework is simulated under different risk levels.
Assessment of primary energy conversions of oscillating water columns. II. Power take-off and validations
Authors: Sheng Wanan , Alcorn Raymond , Lewis Anthony
Published: September 2014

This is the second part of the assessment of primary energy conversions of oscillating water columns (OWCs) wave energy converters. In the first part of the research work, the hydrodynamic performance of OWC wave energy converter has been extensively examined, targeting on a reliable numerical assessment method. In this part of the research work, the application of the air turbine power take-off (PTO) to the OWC device leads to a coupled model of the hydrodynamics and thermodynamics of the OWC wave energy converters, in a manner that under the wave excitation, the varying air volume due to the internal water surface motion creates a reciprocating chamber pressure (alternative positive and negative chamber pressure), whilst the chamber pressure, in turn, modifies the motions of the device and the internal water surface. To do this, the thermodynamics of the air chamber is first examined and applied by including the air compressibility in the oscillating water columns for different types of the air turbine PTOs. The developed thermodynamics is then coupled with the hydrodynamics of the OWC wave energy converters. This proposed assessment method is then applied to two generic OWC wave energy converters (one bottom fixed and another floating), and the numerical results are compared to the experimental results. From the comparison to the model test data, it can be seen that this numerical method is capable of assessing the primary energy conversion for the oscillating water column wave energy converters.
EasyStrata: evaluation and visualization of stratified genome-wide association meta-analysis data
Authors: Winkler Thomas W. , Kutalik Zoltan , Gorski Mathias , Lottaz Claudio , Kronenberg Florian , Heid Iris M.
Published: September 2014

Summary: The R package EasyStrata facilitates the evaluation and visualization of stratified genome-wide association meta-analyses (GWAMAs) results. It provides (i) statistical methods to test and account for between-strata difference as a means to tackle gene–strata interaction effects and (ii) extended graphical features tailored for stratified GWAMA results. The software provides further features also suitable for general GWAMAs including functions to annotate, exclude or highlight specific loci in plots or to extract independent subsets of loci from genome-wide datasets. It is freely available and includes a user-friendly scripting interface that simplifies data handling and allows for combining statistical and graphical functions in a flexible fashion.

Availability: EasyStrata is available for free (under the GNU General Public License v3) from our Web site www.genepi-regensburg.de/easystrata and from the CRAN R package repository cran.r-project.org/web/packages/EasyStrata/.

Contact:  thomas.winkler@ukr.de or iris.heid@ukr.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
PINBPA: Cytoscape app for network analysis of GWAS data
Authors: Wang Lili , Matsushita Takuya , Madireddy Lohith , Mousavi Parvin , Baranzini Sergio E.
Published: September 2014

Summary: Protein interaction network-based pathway analysis (PINBPA) for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has been developed as a Cytoscape app, to enable analysis of GWAS data in a network fashion. Users can easily import GWAS summary-level data, draw Manhattan plots, define blocks, prioritize genes with random walk with restart, detect enriched subnetworks and test the significance of subnetworks via a user-friendly interface.

Availability and implementation: PINBPA app is freely available in Cytoscape app store.

Contact:  pmousavi@cs.queensu.ca and sebaran@cgl.ucsf.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
CO (J = 3 → 2) observations of the starburst galaxy NGC 1808 with ASTE
Authors: Salak Dragan , Nakai Naomasa , Kitamoto Shoko
Published: September 2014

We present the first map of 12CO (J = 3 → 2) and the first detection of 13CO (J = 3 → 2) in the nearby starburst galaxy with a superwind, NGC 1808. The molecular gas is concentrated in the inner 2 kpc region of the galaxy with extended structure along the galactic bar and along the minor galactic axis. The minor-axis structure can be explained as molecular gas entrained in a galactic wind observed as a dust outflow at optical wavelengths. We have carried out a radiative transfer analysis of the excitation conditions of molecular gas in the starburst region (radius 550 pc) by using the ratios of J = 1 → 0, J = 2 → 1, and J = 3 → 2 emission lines of 12CO and 13CO, and the large velocity gradient approximation. The beam-averaged density and kinetic temperature of molecular gas can be fitted at n H2 ≃ 103.5 cm−3 and Tk ≃ 35 K, indicating the presence of warm molecular gas, close to the estimated dust temperature of Td ≃ 34–37 K. The abundance ratio of the CO isotopologues is found to be [12CO]/[13CO] ≃ 34. The calculations show that, for the derived physical parameters, J = 2 → 1 and J = 3 → 2 transitions of 12CO are optically thick, 12CO J = 1 → 0 is moderately optically thick, and all transitions of 13CO are optically thin. We have estimated an average CO–H2 conversion factor of XCO ≃ 0.8 × 1020 cm−2 (K km s−1)−1 in the central 550 pc by using a simple theoretical model assuming homogeneous, gravitationally bound gas clouds with turbulent velocities. In the same region the molecular gas mass is 3.0 × 108 M⊙ available to fuel the nuclear starburst.
Is There Any Role for the Choroid in Glaucoma?
Authors: Goharian Iman , Sehi Mitra
Published: September 2014

The choroid is part of the uveal tract and is a heavily vascularized bed that also contains connective tissue and melanin pigment. Given the role of the choroidal vasculature in the blood supply of the anterior laminar and prelaminar regions of the optic nerve head, the peripapillary choroid might be a relevant target for investigation in patients with glaucoma. The purpose of this paper is to critically review the current understanding of potential role of the choroid in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous damage.
Molecular characterization of serologically atypical provisional serovars of Shigella isolates from Kolkata, India
Authors: Dutta Shanta , Jain Priyanka , Nandy Suman , Matsushita Shigeru , Yoshida Shin-ichi
Published: September 2014

During 2000–2004, 13 Shigella strains that were untypable by commercially available antisera were isolated from children <5 years of age with acute diarrhoea in Kolkata. These strains were subsequently identified as Shigella dysenteriae provisional serovar 204/96 (n = 3), Shigella dysenteriae provisional serovar E23507 (n = 1), Shigella dysenteriae provisional serovar I9809-73 (n = 1), Shigella dysenteriae provisional serovar 93-119 (n = 1), Shigella flexneri provisional serovar 88-893 (n = 6) and Shigella boydii provisional serovar E16553 (n = 1). In this study, characterization of those provisional serovars of Shigella was performed with respect to their antimicrobial resistance, plasmids, virulence genes and PFGE profiles. The drug resistant strains (n = 10) of Shigella identified in this study possessed various antibiotic resistance genetic markers like catA (for chloramphenicol resistance); tetA and tetB (for tetracycline resistance); dfrA1 and sul2 (for co-trimoxazole resistance); aadA1, strA and strB (for streptomycin resistance) and blaOXA-1
(for ampicillin resistance). Class 1 and/or class 2 integrons were present in eight resistant strains. Three study strains were pan-susceptible. A single mutation in the gyrA gene (serine to leucine at codon 83) was present in four quinolone resistant strains. The virulence gene ipaH (invasion plasmid antigen H) was uniformly present in all strains in this study, but the stx (Shiga toxin) and set1 (Shigella enterotoxin 1) genes were absent. Other virulence genes like ial (invasion associated locus) and sen (Shigella enterotoxin 2) were occasionally present. A large plasmid of 212 kb and of incompatibility type IncFIIA was present in the majority of the strains (n = 10) and diversity was noticed in the smaller plasmid profiles of these strains even within the same provisional serovars. PFGE profile analysis showed the presence of multiple unrelated clones among the isolates of provisional Shigella serovars. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the phenotypic and molecular characterization of provisional serovars of Shigella isolates from Kolkata, India.
Klebsiella pneumoniae yfiRNB operon affects biofilm formation, polysaccharide production and drug susceptibility
Authors: Huertas Mónica G. , Zárate Lina , Acosta Iván C. , Posada Leonardo , Cruz Diana P. , Lozano Marcela , Zambrano María M.
Published: September 2014

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen important in hospital-acquired infections, which are complicated by the rise of drug-resistant strains and the capacity of cells to adhere to surfaces and form biofilms. In this work, we carried out an analysis of the genes in the K. pneumoniae yfiRNB operon, previously implicated in biofilm formation. The results indicated that in addition to the previously reported effect on type 3 fimbriae expression, this operon also affected biofilm formation due to changes in cellulose as part of the extracellular matrix. Deletion of yfiR resulted in enhanced biofilm formation and an altered colony phenotype indicative of cellulose overproduction when grown on solid indicator media. Extraction of polysaccharides and treatment with cellulase were consistent with the presence of cellulose in biofilms. The enhanced cellulose production did not, however, correlate with virulence as assessed using a Caenorhabditis elegans assay. In addition, cells bearing mutations in genes of the yfiRNB operon varied with respect to the WT control in terms of susceptibility to the antibiotics amikacin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem and meropenem. These results indicated that the yfiRNB operon is implicated in the production of exopolysaccharides that alter cell surface characteristics and the capacity to form biofilms – a phenotype that does not necessarily correlate with properties related with survival, such as resistance to antibiotics.
A reference bacterial genome dataset generated on the MinION™ portable single-molecule nanopore sequencer
Authors: Quick Joshua , Quinlan Aaron , Loman Nicholas J
Published: September 2014

Background

The MinION™ is a new, portable single-molecule sequencer developed by Oxford Nanopore Technologies. It measures four inches in length and is powered from the USB 3.0 port of a laptop computer. By measuring the change in current produced when DNA strands translocate through and interact with a charged protein nanopore the device is able to deduce the underlying nucleotide sequence.

Findings

We present a read dataset from whole-genome shotgun sequencing of the model organismEscherichia coliK-12 substr. MG1655 generated on a MinION™ device during the early-access MinION Access Program (MAP). Sequencing runs of the MinION™ are presented, one generated using R7 chemistry (released in July 2014) and one using R7.3 (released in September 2014).

Conclusions

Base-called sequence data are provided to demonstrate the nature of data produced by the MinION™ platform and to encourage the development of customised methods for alignment, consensus and variant calling, de novo assembly and scaffolding. FAST5 files containing event data within the HDF5 container format are provided to assist with the development of improved base-calling methods. Datasets are provided through the GigaDB databasehttp://gigadb.org/dataset/100102
Cooperative riboregulation in living cells through allosteric programming of toehold activation
Authors: Rodrigo Guillermo , Prakash Satya , Shen Shensi , Majer Eszter , Daròs José-Antonio , Jaramillo Alfonso
Published: September 2014

Living cells rely on small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Contrary to most protein-based activators of transcription, all known riboregulators do not exploit cooperative binding mechanisms to activate gene expression. We conceived a general strategy to design cooperative riboregulation by programming a hierarchical toehold activation cascade, which we implemented into ade novosequence design algorithm. We engineered different riboregulatory systems relying on the conditional formation of a heterotrimeric species. We characterized the specificity of each RNA-RNA interactionin vitroand the cooperative activation of gene expression inEscherichia coli. As we only rely on a biochemical model to compute allosteric regulation, our strategy could be applied to reach more complex RNA-based nanostructures regulating gene expression for synthetic biology applications.
R-spondin1 is a novel hormone mediator for mammary stem cell self-renewal
Authors: Cai Cheguo , Yu Qing Cissy , Jiang Weimin , Liu Wei , Song Wenqian , Yu Hua , Zhang Lei , Yang Ying , Zeng Yi Arial
Published: September 2014

Signals from the niche play pivotal roles in regulating adult stem cell self-renewal. Previous studies indicated that the steroid hormones can expand mammary stem cells (MaSCs) in vivo. However, the facilitating local niche factors that directly contribute to the MaSC expansion remain unclear. Here we identify R-spondin1 (Rspo1) as a novel hormonal mediator in the mammary gland. Pregnancy and hormonal treatment up-regulate Rspo1 expression. Rspo1 cooperates with another hormonal mediator, Wnt4, to promote MaSC self-renewal through Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Knockdown of Rspo1 and Wnt4 simultaneously abolishes the stem cell reconstitution ability. In culture, hormonal treatment that stimulates the expression of both Rspo1 and Wnt4 can completely substitute for exogenous Wnt proteins, potently expand MaSCs, and maintain their full development potential in transplantation. Our data unveil the intriguing concept that hormones induce a collaborative local niche environment for stem cells.
15 Transforming Lessons from the Past into Lessons for the Future
Authors: van der Leeuw Sander E.
Published: September 2014

This paper argues that we would massively increase the value of our archaeological understanding of the past for the present if we cast it differently. Rather than use a reductionist, ex‐post approach (which explains the present by invoking the past, looking for origins), we should be using an “ex ante” approach that looks at the emergence of change, linking past and present to the future. This would allow us to learn from the past for the future. The paper examines some of the difficulties encountered in implementing such a different approach, at the level of our cognition, our scientific practices, and our paradigms, and then illustrates some of the changes in perspective such a shift would bring about by referring to the different discussions of Maya archaeology presented in this volume.
Biomarkers and insulin sensitivity in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Characteristics and predictive capacity
Authors: Cassar Samantha , Teede Helena J. , Harrison Cheryce L. , Joham Anju E. , Moran Lisa J. , Stepto Nigel K.
Published: September 2014

Objective

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with metabolic complications. Metabolic biomarkers with roles in obesity, glycaemic control and lipid metabolism are potentially relevant in PCOS. The aim was to investigate metabolic biomarkers in lean and overweight women with and without PCOS and to determine whether any biomarker was able to predict insulin resistance in PCOS.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Patients

Eighty‐four women (22 overweight and 22 lean women with PCOS, 18 overweight and 22 lean women without PCOS) were recruited from the community and categorized based on PCOS and BMI status.

Measurements

Primary outcomes were metabolic biomarkers [ghrelin, resistin, visfatin, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1), leptin, plasminogen activator inhibitor ‐1 (PAI‐1), glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and C‐Peptide] measured using the Bio‐Plex Pro Diabetes assay and insulin sensitivity as assessed by glucose infusion rate on euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp.

Results

The biomarkers C‐peptide, leptin, ghrelin and visfatin were different between overweight and lean women, irrespective of PCOS status. The concentration of circulating biomarkers did not differ between women with PCOS diagnosed by the Rotterdam criteria or National Institute of Health criteria. PAI‐1 was the only biomarker that significantly predicted insulin resistance in both control women (P = 0·04) and women with PCOS (P = 0·01).

Conclusions

Biomarkers associated with metabolic diseases appear more strongly associated with obesity rather than PCOS status. PAI‐1 may also be a novel independent biomarker and predictor of insulin resistance in women with and without PCOS.
Peri‐implant complications for posterior endosteal implants
Authors: Esquivel‐Upshaw Josephine , Mehler Alex , Clark Arthur , Neal Dan , Gonzaga Luiz , Anusavice Kenneth
Published: September 2014

Objectives

(1) To assess whether there is evidence of an association between the number of peri‐implant tissue complications and patient characteristics such as gender, diabetes status, smoking status, and bite force; (2) To assess whether there is evidence of an association between the number of peri‐implant tissue complications and location of the implant, surgical technique used, bone graft status and sinus lift status.

Materials and methods

This randomized, controlled clinical trial included a total of 176 implants (OsseoSpeed, DENTSPLY) in 67 participants with 88 fixed dental prostheses. Information was obtained from health histories, a baseline exam, surgical notes, and post‐operative exams. The data were analyzed using Fisher's exact and Mann–Whitney tests and generalized estimating equations using logistic regression with a significance level set at 0.05.

Results

All 176 implants survived within a recall period of 3 years, but 11 implants demonstrated peri‐implant tissue complications. Ten sites showed dehiscence and one case exhibited vertical bone loss. There was a statistically significant association between surgical technique used (1‐stage or 2‐stage) and the presence of soft tissue complications (P = 0.005), where 2‐stage surgery was associated with a higher frequency of peri‐implant soft tissue complications. A correlation, although not statistically significant (P = 0.077), was noted, between peri‐implant tissue complications and bone grafting, suggesting a possible role for this factor as well.

Conclusions

Participants who did not require any second‐stage surgery at the implant sites experienced fewer complications. Therefore, additional surgical procedures should be performed judiciously considering their possible effects on peri‐implant tissue health.

Clinical significance

The clinical implication of this research study is that secondary surgery should be considered with caution during implant placement and it should be performed only when other options have been exhausted, as it has been shown to have a direct adverse effect on the long‐term peri‐implant tissue health.
Influence of bone marrow on osseointegration in long bones: an experimental study in sheep
Authors: Morelli Fabrizio , Lang Niklaus P. , Bengazi Franco , Baffone Davide , Dadonim Vila Morales C. , Botticelli Daniele
Published: September 2014

Aim

To evaluate the influence of yellow bone marrow on osseointegration of titanium oral implants using a long bone model.

Material and methods

The two tibiae of eight sheep were used as experimental sites. Two osteotomies for implant installation were prepared in each tibia. At the control sites, no further treatments were performed while, at the test sites, bone marrow was removed from the osteotomy site with a curette to an extent that exceeded the implant dimensions. As a result, the apical portion of the implants at the control sites was in contact with bone marrow while, at the test sites, it was in contact with the blood clot. After 2 months, the same procedures were performed in the contralateral side. After another month, the animal was sacrificed. Ground sections were obtained for histological analysis.

Results

After 1 month of healing, no differences between test and control sites were found in the apical extension of osseointegration and the percentage of new bone‐to‐implant contact. However, after 3 months of healing, a higher percentage of new bone‐to‐implant contact was found at the test compared to the control sites in the marrow compartment. The apical extension of osseointegration, however, was similar to that found at the 1‐month healing period both for test and control sites.

Conclusions

Osseointegration appeared to be favored by the presence of a blood clot when compared to the presence of yellow fatty bone marrow. Moreover, the contact with cortical bone appeared to be a prerequisite for the osseointegration process in the long bone model.
The efficacy of BMP‐2 preloaded on bone substitute or hydrogel for bone regeneration at peri‐implant defects in dogs
Authors: Jung Ui‐Won , Lee In‐Kyeong , Park Jin‐Young , Thoma Daniel S. , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Jung Ronald E.
Published: September 2014

Objectives

The objective of this experiment was to test whether or not a synthetic bone substitute (SBS) was more effective than a polyethylene glycol hydrogel as a carrier material for bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) when attempting to regenerate bone.

Material and methods

Two identical, box‐type dehiscence defects (4 × 4 mm buccolingually and apicocoronally, and 8 mm mesiodistally) were surgically prepared on buccal sides of the left and right edentulous ridge in five beagle dogs. Following implant placement, the defects either received (i) no graft, (ii) SBS+hydrogel, (iii) SBS+BMP‐2 loaded hydrogel, and (iv) BMP‐2‐loaded SBS+hydrogel. The animals were euthanized at 8 weeks postsurgery. Radiographic and histomorphometric analyses were performed.

Results

The hydrogel alone was not able to stabilize the grafted bone particles at 8 weeks, and SBS+hydrogel group did not significantly differ from the control group in all volumetric measurements. On the other hand, extensively regenerated new bone was connected with most of the remaining SBS particles in the BMP‐2 groups. The BMP‐2 groups exhibited significantly greater new bone formation (10.65 mm3 and 1.47 mm2 in the SBS+BMP‐2‐loaded hydrogel group; 14.17 mm3 and 0.93 mm2 in the BMP‐2‐loaded SBS+hydrogel) than non‐BMP‐2 groups (1.27 mm3 and 0.00 mm2 in the control group; 2.01 mm3 and 0.19 mm2 in the SBS+hydrogel group) in volumetric and histomorphometric analyses (P < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences between both BMP‐2 groups.

Conclusion

BMP‐2 could yield enhanced bone regeneration in the critical‐size peri‐implant defects regardless of whether SBS or hydrogel is used for preloading, although the outcomes seem to be more reproducible with BMP‐2 preloaded on SBS.
Xeroderma pigmentosum: Diagnostic procedures, interdisciplinary patient care, and novel therapeutic approaches
Authors: Lehmann Janin , Schubert Steffen , Emmert Steffen
Published: September 2014

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an autosomal recessive disease, caused by a gene defect in the nucleotide‐excision‐repair (NER) pathway or in translesional DNA synthesis. At the age of eight, patients already develop their first skin cancers due to this DNA repair defect. In contrast, in the Caucasian population the first tumor formation in UV exposed skin regions occurs at a mean age of 60. The clinical picture among patients suffering from XP is highly diverse and includes signs of accelerated skin aging, and UV‐induced skin cancers, as well as ophthalmologic and neurological symptoms. Patients should therefore receive interdisciplinary care. This includes dermatologists, ophthalmologists, ENT specialists, neurologists, and human geneticists. Patients with XP are clinically diagnosed, but this may be supported by molecular‐genetic and functional analyses. These analyses allow pinpointing the exact disease‐causing gene defect (complementation group assignment, detection of the type and location of the mutation within the gene). The resulting information is already relevant to predict the course of disease and symptoms and probably will be utilized for individualized therapeutic approaches in the future. Recently, enhanced repair of UV photolesions in xeroderma pigmentosum group C cells induced by translational readthrough of premature termination codons by certain antibiotics could be demonstrated.
Local recurrence and survival in acral lentiginous melanoma comparing 3D histology and conventional histology
Authors: Schulz Claudia , Häfner Hans‐Martin , Breuninger Helmut , Leiter Ulrike
Published: September 2014

Background

Surgical treatment of acral lentiginous melanomas with wide excisional margins as recommended often requires amputation of distal extremities. The current study analyzes whether smaller excisions in combination with a complete histological evaluation of the excisional margins (3D histology) have a negative impact on the prognosis.

Patients and methods

304 patients were retrospectively evaluated. 192 patients with reduced excisional margins followed by 3D histology (group A) were compared with 112 patients treated with conventional wide margins (group B). The outcome of both groups was compared.

Results

The median tumor thickness was higher in group A (p = 0.022) and ulcerations occured more frequently (p = 0.017). The median excisional margin was 8 mm in group A and 20 mm in group B (p < 0.0001). 10.9 % (4.2 % invasive) of group A und 8.9 % (4.5 % invasive) of group B (p = 0.577) developed a local recurrence in a median of 40 months. The melanoma specific 10‐year survival was 66.8 % in group A und 63.4 % in group B (p = 0.531). There was no difference in survival of patients with or without local recurrence (p = 0.643).

Conclusions

Excision with small margins followed by 3D histology is not inferior to conventional surgery with wide margins in terms of the rate of local and has no negative impact on prognosis or the further course of the disease. Local recurrences are rare and do not influence patient survival.
Lokalrezidivraten und Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit nach 3D‐Histologie und konventioneller Histologie beim akrolentiginösen Melanom
Authors: Schulz Claudia , Häfner Hans‐Martin , Breuninger Helmut , Leiter Ulrike
Published: September 2014

Hintergrund

Die Exzision akrolentiginöser Melanome (ALM) unter Berücksichtigung der empfohlenen Sicherheitsabstände führt oft zur Teilamputation der Akren. Ziel war es, zu prüfen, ob reduzierte Sicherheitsabstände in Verbindung mit Schnittrandhistologie (3D‐Histologie) zu einer Prognoseverschlechterung führen.

Patienten und Methodik

304 Patienten mit ALM wurden retrospektiv ausgewertet. 192 Patienten mit reduziertem Resektionsabstand und nachfolgender 3D‐Histologie (Gruppe A) wurden hinsichtlich Prognose und Lokalrezidivrate verglichen mit 112 Patienten, die eine Chirurgie mit definierten Sicherheitsabständen erhalten hatten (Gruppe B).

Ergebnisse

Die Tumordicke war bei der Gruppe A größer (p = 0,022) und Ulzerationen in dieser Gruppe häufiger (p = 0,017). Der mediane Exzisionsabstand betrug 8 mm in Gruppe A und 20 mm in Gruppe B (p < 0,0001). 10,9 % (4,2 % invasiv) der Gruppe A und 8,9 % (4,5 % invasiv) der Gruppe B (p = 0,577) entwickelten ein Lokalrezidiv im Median von 40 Monaten. Die melanomspezifische 10‐Jahres‐Überlebensrate betrug 66,8 % in Gruppe A und 63,4 % in Gruppe B (p = 0,531). Das Gesamtüberleben von Patienten mit und ohne Lokalrezidiv zeigt keinen Unterschied (p = 0,643).

Schlussfolgerungen

Die vorgestellten Exzisionsmethoden haben keinen Einfluss auf die Prognose. Die Exzision mit deutlich kleineren Sicherheitsabständen und nachfolgender 3D‐Histologie ist der Chirurgie mit definierten großen Sicherheitsabständen hinsichtlich des Auftretens von Lokalrezidiven und der Gesamtüberlebenswahrscheinlichkeit nicht unterlegen. Lokalrezidive sind selten und ändern das Gesamtüberleben nicht.
Over two hundred million injuries to anterior teeth attributable to large overjet: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Petti Stefano
Published: September 2014

Background/Aim

The association between large overjet and traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) to anterior teeth is documented. However, observational studies are discrepant and generalizability (i.e. external validity) of meta‐analyses is limited. Therefore, this meta‐analysis sought to reconcile such discrepancies seeking to provide reliable risk estimates which could be generalizable at global level.

Material and Methods

Literature search (years 1990–2014) was performed (Scopus, GOOGLE Scholar, Medline). Selected primary studies were divided into subsets: ‘primary teeth, overjet threshold 3–4 mm’ (Primary3); ‘permanent teeth, overjet threshold 3–4 mm’ (Permanent3); ‘permanent teeth, overjet threshold 6 ± 1 mm’ (Permanent6). The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were extracted. To obtain the highest level of reliability (i.e. internal validity), the pooled OR estimates were assessed accounting for between‐study heterogeneity, publication bias and confounding. Result robustness was investigated with sensitivity and subgroup analyses.

Results

Fifty‐four primary studies from Africa, America, Asia and Europe were included. The sampled individuals were children, adolescents and adults. Overall, there were >10 000 patients with TDI. The pooled OR estimates resulted 2.31 (95% confidence interval – 95CI, 1.01–5.27), 2.01 (95CI, 1.39–2.91) and 2.24 (95CI, 1.56–3.21) for Primary3, Permanent3 and Permant6, respectively. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses corroborated these estimates.

Conclusions

Reliability and generalizability of pooled ORs were high enough and made it possible to assess that the fraction of global TDIs attributable to large overjet is 21.8% (95CI, 9.7–34.5%) and that large overjet is co‐responsible for 235 008 000 global TDI cases (95CI, 104,760,000‐372,168,000). This high global burden of TDI suggests that preventive measures must be implemented in patients with large overjet.
Oral rehydration salt‐liquid as a storage medium for avulsed tooth
Authors: Subramaniam Priya , Girija Parvathy , Eswara Uma , Girish Babu Kadalagere Lakshmana
Published: September 2014

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of oral rehydration salt‐liquid as a suitable medium for maintaining the periodontal ligament cell viability over different time periods and to compare its efficacy with that of two other storage media, Hanks' balanced salt solu1tion and milk.

Materials and Methods

A total of 130 sound‐ and caries‐free premolars extracted atraumatically for orthodontic reasons were selected. Of these teeth, 120 premolars were randomly divided into three experimental groups comprising 40 teeth each, for immersion in three different experimental storage media. Each tooth was subjected to 30 or 60 min of extra oral dry time. Each experimental group was further subdivided into two groups comprising 10 teeth each, based on the immersion time of 45 and 90 min, respectively. Of the remaining 10 premolars, five teeth each formed positive and negative controls. All teeth were subjected to collagenase II and dispase assay. Trypan blue dye exclusion test was used to determine the viability of the periodontal ligament cells. The number of viable cells was counted using Neubauer's chamber. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using one‐way anova and post hoc Tukey's tests.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between Hanks' balanced salt solution and Oral Rehydration Solution‐Liquid.

Conclusion

Oral Rehydration Solution‐Liquid as a storage medium was found to be as efficient as Hanks balanced salt solution to maintain the viability of periodontal ligament cells, and it was found to be better than milk.
Assessment of custom and standard, self‐adapted mouthguards in terms of comfort and users subjective impressions of their protective function
Authors: Gawlak Dominika , Mierzwińska‐Nastalska Elżbieta , Mańka‐Malara Katarzyna , Kamiński Tomasz
Published: September 2014

Background

Various sports disciplines involve some risk of injury. Orofacial injuries constitute 4–18% of all sports‐related injuries. Mouthguards are an effective method of preventing injuries and their consequences during various sports activities, especially cycling, football, basketball, handball, skiing, and hockey. Mouthguards can cause discomfort when placed in the oral cavity, in particular due to the fact that a minimal thickness of 4 mm in the labial region is necessary to reduce the impact force of an injury.

Aim

The objective was to provide user's general clinical assessment of custom mouthguards made from various polymer materials and with various technologies (thermoforming pressing, traditional flasking, injection molding) and of standard ‘boil and bite' mouthguards available on the market in terms of general comfort and their subjective impressions of the protective function.

Materials and methods

In total, 168 mouthguards (five types of custom mouthguards and three types of standard ‘boil and bite' mouthguards) were assessed by 21 athletes practicing various disciplines, who were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding general comfort and subjective impressions of protective function based on a 5‐point scale.

Results

Custom mouthguards made with the injection technique from ethyl vinyl acetate received the best scores due to the high level of comfort and the sense of protection they provided.

Conclusions

Custom mouthguards, especially those fabricated with the injection molding technique of Corflex Orthodontic, were shown to be superior to standard mouthguards in terms of their comfort and users' subjective impressions of their protective function.
Estimating introgression in Apis mellifera siciliana populations: are the conservation islands really effective?
Authors: Muñoz Irene , Dall′Olio Raffaele , Lodesani Marco , De la Rúa Pilar
Published: September 2014

Apis mellifera siciliana is a honey bee subspecies prone to be conserved. Conservation measures include maintaining colonies on different islands to serve as parental lines for outcrossing.

Molecular diversity and genetic structure of honey bees from Sicily (main island) and Vulcano and Filicudi (conservation islands) were analysed with mitochondrial and microsatellite markers to assess the efficacy of the ongoing conservation effort. Samples from continental Italy and Sardinia island were included for comparison.

All the samples of the conservation islands were included in the African (A) evolutionary lineage, while western and northern (M) and eastern (C) European evolutionary lineages were also detected in colonies from the main island (17.1% and 22% respectively), thus highlighting introgression at the mitochondrial level.

Nuclear data from conservation and main island populations were compared to evaluate the proportion of admixed honey bees. A higher level of hybridization was found in the central and eastern areas of Sicily main island.

Our data describe the efficacy of the conservation islands, and suggest where and how to manage mating stations to further improve the present conservation strategy by recovering additional residual genetic variability of A. m. siciliana.

We also propose the establishment of a European network of conservation islands to preserve honey bee subspecies and to implement research studies of adaptation to peculiar climatic conditions.
Clinical epidemiology and predictors of outcome in children hospitalised with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in 2009: a prospective national study
Authors: Khandaker Gulam , Zurynski Yvonne , Ridley Greta , Buttery Jim , Marshall Helen , Richmond Peter C. , Royle Jenny , Gold Michael , Walls Tony , Whitehead Bruce , McIntyre Peter , Wood Nicholas , Booy Robert , Elliott Elizabeth J.
Published: September 2014

Background

There are few large‐scale, prospective studies of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in children that identify predictors of adverse outcomes.

Objectives

We aimed to examine clinical epidemiology and predictors for adverse outcomes in children hospitalised with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Australia.

Methods

Active hospital surveillance in six tertiary paediatric referral centres (June–September, 2009). All children aged <15 years admitted with laboratory‐confirmed influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 were studied.

Results

Of 601 children admitted with laboratory‐confirmed influenza, 506 (84·2%) had influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. Half (51·0%) of children with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 were previously healthy. Hospital stay was longer in children with pre‐existing condition (mean 6·9 versus 4·9 days; P = 0·02) as was paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay (7·0 versus 2·3 days; P = 0·005). Rapid diagnosis decreased both antibiotic use and length of hospital and PICU stay. Fifty (9·9%) children were admitted to a PICU, 30 (5·9%) required mechanical ventilation and 5 (0·9%) died. Laboratory‐proven bacterial co‐infection and chronic lung disease were significant independent predictors of PICU admission (OR 6·89, 95% CI 3·15–15·06 and OR 3·58, 95% CI 1·41–9·07, respectively) and requirement for ventilation (OR 5·61, 95% CI 2·2–14·28 and OR 5·18, 95% CI 1·8–14·86, respectively). Chronic neurological disease was a predictor of admission to PICU (OR 2·30, 95% CI 1·14–4·61).

Conclusions

During the 2009 pandemic, influenza was a major cause of hospitalisation in tertiary paediatric hospitals. Co‐infection and underlying chronic disease increased risk of PICU admission and/or ventilation. Half the children admitted were previously healthy, supporting a role for universal influenza vaccination in children.
Lead Exposure Is Related to Impairment of Aortic Elasticity Parameters
Authors: Ozturk Mujgan T. , Yavuz Bunyamin , Ozkan Selcuk , Ayturk Mehmet , Akkan Tolga , Ozkan Esin , Tutkun Engin , Yılmaz Ömer H.
Published: September 2014

Arterial hypertension is one of the physical complications of chronic lead exposure. Hypertension has effects on aortic elastic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the aortic elastic properties in workers occupationally exposed to lead. Forty‐one workers who were exposed to lead and 39 healthy controls were included in the study. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography for detecting aortic elastic parameters. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the lead‐exposure group and controls. Aortic strain (9.4%±4.5% vs 12.4%±4.2%, P=.004) and aortic distensibility (0.45±0.21 cm2/dyn vs 0.55±0.20 cm2/dyn, P=.046) were decreased in patients with lead exposure compared with controls. There was a negative significant weak correlation between aortic strain and (r=−0.294, P=.008) lead levels. There was no significant correlation between aortic distensibility and any other echocardiographic parameters. This study suggests that chronic exposure to lead is related to impairment of aortic elasticity parameters.
The Role of Domain Content in Understanding Identity Development Processes
Authors: McLean Kate C. , Syed Moin , Yoder Alisha , Greenhoot Andrea F.
Published: September 2014

The current studies examined the importance of domain content in the processes of identity development using two approaches—narrative and status. We examined personal narratives for identity domain content, the co‐occurrence of different contents, and the relations between content and processes, using two approaches to identity—status and narrative. Across two studies, 762 participants (average age = 19 years) and 2214 narratives, traditional ideological and interpersonal status domains were present, but so was a novel domain: existential concerns. Narrative identity processes were more frequent in narratives with multiple contents, and relations between identity statuses processes and narrative processes were modest. We discuss theoretical implications, the importance of examining content, and the utility of narrative approaches for doing so.
A Family System Approach to Investigate Family‐Based Pathways Between Financial Stress and Adolescent Problem Behavior
Authors: Ponnet Koen , Van Leeuwen Karla , Wouters Edwin , Mortelmans Dimitri
Published: September 2014

This article proposes a family system approach to improve our understanding on family stress processes. Examining effects within (actor) and between (partner) parents, we explored family‐based pathways through which financial stress is associated with adolescent externalizing problem behavior. Data from 340 families were analyzed, with both parents rating their financial stress and parenting stress, and parents as well as adolescents rating the parent–child communication and adolescent problem behavior. The results revealed that the association between financial stress and adolescent externalizing problem behaviors was mediated by parenting stress and parent–child communication. Although our results provided evidence for both actor and partner effects, actor effects were more prominent. No parent gender differences were found in the strength of the pathways.
TheUnitedNations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Its Relevance for Adolescents
Authors: Ruck Martin D. , Keating Daniel P. , Saewyc Elizabeth M. , Earls Felton , Ben‐Arieh Asher
Published: September 2014

TheUnitedNationsConvention on theRights of theChild (CRC,UnitedNationsGeneralAssembly, 1989) is a transformative document which has already improved the lives of millions of young people worldwide. Ratified into law by the majority of the countries of the world, it is the first human rights treaty focusing specifically on the rights of individuals under 18 years of age. The rights described in the treaty, however, are often seen as more important for younger children than for adolescents. This policy statement reviews the germane research on the period of adolescence and affirms that the protections and entitlements in theCRCare as important for adolescents as for younger children. Recommendations for policy and research are included.