bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impairments in Social Cognition Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: McDonald Skye
Published: January 2013

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to physical, neuropsychological, and emotional deficits that interfere with the individual's capacity to return to his or her former lifestyle. This review focuses on social cognition, that is, the capacity to attend to, recognize and interpret interpersonal cues that guide social behavior. Social cognition entails “hot” processes, that is, emotion perception and emotional empathy and “cold” processes, that is, the ability to infer the beliefs, feelings, and intentions of others (theory of mind: ToM) to see their point of view (cognitive empathy) and what they mean when communicating (pragmatic inference). This review critically examines research attesting to deficits in each of these domains and also examines evidence for theorized mechanisms including specific neural networks, the role of simulation, and non-social cognition. Current research is hampered by small, heterogeneous samples and the inherent complexity of TBI pathology. Nevertheless, there is evidence that facets of social cognition are impaired in this population. New assessment tools to measure social cognition following TBI are required that predict everyday social functioning. In addition, research into remediation needs to be guided by the growing empirical base for understanding social cognition that may yet reveal how deficits dissociate following TBI. (JINS, 2013,19, 1–16)
Die Rolle von Erwartungen zu Studienbeginn: Wie bedeutsam sind realistische Erwartungen über Studieninhalte und Studienaufbau für die Studienzufriedenheit?
Authors: Hasenberg Svea , Schmidt-Atzert Lothar
Published: January 2013

Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht den Zusammenhang zwischen Erwartungen und der allgemeinen Studienzufriedenheit. Als Stichprobe dienten 85 Biologiestudierende, die unmittelbar zu Studienbeginn sowie ein weiteres Mal am Ende des ersten Semesters befragt wurden. Die Ergebnisse liefern empirische Evidenz für die Bedeutsamkeit realistischer Studienerwartungen. Sowohl die Zufriedenheit mit den Studieninhalten als auch die Zufriedenheit mit den Studienbelastungen ließen sich im regressionsanalytischen Modell über Erwartungen zu den Naturwissenschaften vorhersagen. Je mehr die Studierenden neben den biologischen Aspekten zutreffender Weise auch physikalische, chemische und mathematische Inhalte erwarteten, desto zufriedener waren sie. Einzig für die Zufriedenheit mit den Studienbedingungen war kein Zusammenhang nachweisbar. Implikationen für die Studienberatung werden diskutiert.
Lesen, Schreiben, Rechnen – gibt es Unterschiede zwischen den Geschlechtern?
Authors: Krinzinger Helga , Günther Thomas
Published: January 2013

Geschlechtsunterschiede werden bei kognitiven Leistungen kontrovers diskutiert. Dies gilt auch für die Kulturtechniken Lesen, Schreiben und Rechnen. Hier unterscheiden sich Mädchen und Jungen teilweise hinsichtlich ihrer schulischen Fertigkeiten, was das Thema der vorliegenden narrativen Überblicksarbeit darstellt. Im mathematischen Bereich erlernen Jungen im Grundschulalter das Stellenwertsystem der mehrstelligen Zahlen früher als Mädchen. Eventuell hängt dies mit besseren räumlichen Fähigkeiten der Jungen zusammen. Im Jugendalter finden sich Leistungsunterschiede zu Gunsten der Jungen bei komplexen Textaufgaben. Im internationalen Vergleich sind diesbezügliche Geschlechtsunterschiede in jenen Ländern höher, in denen eine geringere Gleichstellung zwischen Frauen und Männern herrscht. Das Lesen und Schreiben baut hingegen auf sprachlichen Vorläuferfertigkeiten auf. Hier gibt es Hinweise darauf, dass sich Mädchen schneller entwickeln. Unterschiede werden aber vorwiegend bei jungen Kindern gefunden und werden mit zunehmendem Alter geringer. Im höheren Schulalter sind im Bereich Lesen und Schreiben meist keine Unterschiede mehr zwischen den Geschlechtern nachweisbar. Für die Diagnosen einer Lese-Rechtschreibstörung (LRS) oder Rechenstörung (Dyskalkulie) gibt es hingegen deutliche Unterschiede. Bei Jungen wird die LRS deutlich häufiger erkannt. Im Gegensatz zu den meisten anderen Entwicklungsstörungen scheinen Mädchen tendenziell öfter von einer spezifischen Rechenstörung (Dyskalkulie) betroffen zu sein, wohingegen Jungen mindestens so häufig wie Mädchen Rechenprobleme in Kombination mit anderen kognitiven Störungen aufweisen. Sowohl bei der LRS als auch bei der Dyskalkulie scheinen Umweltfaktoren mit dafür verantwortlich, dass Jungen relativ gesehen häufiger identifiziert werden als Mädchen.
Child Maltreatment and Parricide
Authors: Heide Kathleen M.
Published: January 2013

This chapter discusses various types of abuse and neglect, given the pivotal role that child maltreatment plays in many cases of youths who kill parents. It defines four types of abuse (physical, sexual, verbal, and psychological) and three types of neglect (physical, emotional, and medical). Examples from parricide cases are utilized to aid understanding. The psychological and biological effects of early and extreme childhood maltreatment are explained, given their significance in human development. Research showing that severe abuse and neglect compromise individuals' abilities to think logically, to calm themselves, and to respond adaptively, particularly in high-stress situations, might be very relevant in understanding and in defending adolescent parricide offenders in the legal system.
MATRICIDE: BASIC FACTS AND LITERATURE
Authors: Heide Kathleen M.
Published: January 2013

This chapter examines available knowledge on matricide. It begins by presenting basic information about matricide and stepmatricide victims, offenders, and incidents over the 32-year period of 1976–2007. Data shows that most female parricide victims were killed in single-victim, single-offender homicides. Multiple-victim and multiple-offender incidents were rare. However, three findings with respect to multiple-offender situations are important. First, juveniles were significantly more likely than adults to be involved in multiple-offender incidents involving mothers. Second, female juveniles and female adults were significantly more likely to use accomplices in matricides than their male counterparts. Third, female juveniles were significantly more likely to act with codefendants in killing stepmothers than male juveniles. The chapter also reviews the literature on matricide, focusing first on studies of adult or predominantly adult male matricide offenders, followed by studies of female parricide offenders that provided data on victim type, and then case studies of adult female matricide offenders.
Sensory and Motor Brain Areas Supporting Biological Motion Perception
Authors: Saygin Ayse Pinar
Published: January 2013

This chapter summarizes recent research on biological motion perception using structural brain imaging and lesion-mapping techniques in brain-lesioned patients. It also explores how these findings complement research using functional neuroimaging in the healthy human brain and neurophysiological studies on nonhuman primates. Such converging methods have allowed for the identification of a network of brain areas that are involved in the perception of biological motion and areas that are causally linked to deficits in biological motion perception.
When Warrant Transmits
Authors: Pryor James
Published: January 2013

The chapter takes issue with Wright’s diagnosis of Moore’s Proof of an external world. Wright maintains that the Proof exhibits a failure of transmitting warrant from the premise to the conclusion. The first concern of the chapter is to show that there is only one kind of transmission failure due to the fact that prior warrant for the conclusion of an argument is needed in order to have warrant for its premises in the first place. Hence, the dogmatist about perception, in order to make his case, needs only to show that the Proof does not fail to transmit warrant in this sense. The second part of the chapter argues for this idea by rejecting the idea that transmission failure would arise when warrant for the conclusion of an argument is required in order to be warranted in believing that one has warrant for the premises.
Replies Part III: Truth, Objectivity, Realism, and Relativism
Authors: Wright Crispin
Published: January 2013

The third reply here contains a discussion of the chapters of Blackburn, Shapiro, and Rovane on the topics of truth, objectivity, and relativism and offers an opportunity to revisit some of the main features of Wright's treatment of these issues in Truth and Objectivity.
Collectives in the intersection of mass and count nouns: A cross‐linguistic account
Authors: Wiese Heike
Published: January 2013

Nouns like cattle and furniture, which in this chapter is called ‘collectives’ for short, constitute an exception in the English mass/count domain: they refer to countable objects (‘count’), but can appear in bare NPs and do not pluralize (‘mass’). However, while exceptional in English, collectives are the rule in so-called ‘classifier languages’ (e.g., Mandarin) and also in some Indo-European languages (e.g., Persian), pointing to a general, systematic option for nouns, rather than an idiosyncratic phenomenon. The chapter discusses collectives from a cross-linguistic point of view, and show that they are located at an intersection of mass and count nouns that indicates an autonomy of syntactic and conceptual features, rather than the one-to-one correlation suggested by such noun pairs as cows (reference to subjects, marked for number) vs. beef (reference to substance, no number marking). This autonomy supports a cross-linguistic mass/count distinction that is independent of the availability of syntactic plural marking in a language.
3 The encoding of motion events in Estonian
Authors: Pajusalu Renate , Kahusk Neeme , Orav Heili , Veismann Ann , Vider Kadri , Õim Haldur
Published: January 2013

The chapter deals with the analysis of sentence structure on the layer where semantic role categories such as AGENT, PATIENT, OBJECT, etc. play a crucial role. The main objective is to find out which regularities prevail in categorization of spatial characteristics of motion events in Estonian in terms of these categories, and which morphosyntactic means are used to encode them. For the analysis a (mini) corpus containing sentences with a motion verb as predicate was automatically created. First, a brief overview of verbs of motion in Estonian is given. After that, the chapter concentrates on the analysis of semantic roles and their encoding in motion sentences in Estonian. We found it necessary to differentiate between the following roles: SOURCE, GOAL, ROUTE, LOCATION. The realization of each category by morphosyntactic means of Estonian is described in detail: NPs in certain case forms, PPs, adverbs. One of the results of the chapter is the fact that there is a statistical asymmetry in the use of SOURCE, GOAL, and LOCATION: GOAL is the most frequently encoded category of these three.
Materiality: What are the Consequences?
Authors: Pentland Brian T. , Singh Harminder
Published: January 2013

This chapter offers an approach to materiality that is grounded in pragmatism, a philosophical perspective that emphasizes context and consequences, rather than intrinsic properties. The chapter draws inspiration from the concept of materiality as it is used, in practice, by financial and information systems auditors. The argument entails a reversal of figure and ground from some perspectives on materiality because we focus on actions, rather than different kinds of artifacts or actors.
Rough-and-Tumble Play and the Cooperation–Competition Dilemma: Evolutionary and Developmental Perspectives on the Development of Social Competence
Authors: Flanders Joseph L. , Herman Khalisa N. , Paquette Daniel
Published: January 2013

This chapter examines how humans and other mammals develop the competence necessary to adapt to the complexities of group living. The authors argue that rough-and-tumble (R&T) play promotes the development of social competence, social cognition, and self-regulation by providing young mammals with embodied practice in activities that involve both cooperation and competition. Evidence for this argument is reviewed from research in evolutionary, developmental, and clinical psychology, which highlights the roles of fathers in the development of social adaptation in human children.
Ordination (Pabbajj ā) as Going Forth?
Authors: Samuels Jeffrey
Published: January 2013

This chapter examines the processes by which boys living in Sri Lanka become Buddhist novices (sāmaera). Providing a detailed description of a pabbajjā ordination ritual as well as examining the factors that led one participant to become a novice, the author highlights the role that social relationships and affective bonds play in the recruiting and socialization process. Along with challenging the tendency to reduce monastic ordination to a person’s or family’s desire for upward social and economic mobility, the author questions the tendency of interpreting pabbajjā as “going forth” by illustrating how monastic ordination functions as a ritual through which an ordinand’s ties and social bonds become altered and expanded to include multiple communities of lay people and monastics.
The Psychological and Moral Consequences for Israeli Society of the Occupation of Palestinian Land
Authors: Greenbaum Charles W. , Elizur Yoel
Published: January 2013

The chapter examines the effects of the occupation on moral thinking, mental health and violence in Israeli society. It suggests that the occupation has exposed Israelis of all ages to trauma, leading to a variety of stress reactions, including increasingly violent behavior both within Israeli society and by the Israeli soldiers and settlers in the occupied territories toward Palestinians. Occupation leads to violence by the occupied, leading to repression by the occupier. The occupier copes with the stress of the occupation and his fear reaction by behaving aggressively not only to the occupied people, but also to his compatriots. New norms of behavior are established in the occupier society that allow higher levels of aggression in the civilian society as well as in the military than those that are usually tolerated. The occupier uses defense mechanisms such as justification, rationalization and dissonance reduction to justify his behavior.
A Fasciclin-Like Arabinogalactan Protein, GhFLA1, Is Involved in Fiber Initiation and Elongation of Cotton
Authors: Huang Geng-Qing , Gong Si-Ying , Xu Wen-Liang , Li Wen , Li Peng , Zhang Chao-Jun , Li Deng-Di , Zheng Yong , Li Fu-Guang , Li Xue-Bao
Published: January 2013

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are involved in many aspects of plant development. In this study, biochemical and genetic approaches demonstrated that AGPs are abundant in developing fibers and may be involved in fiber initiation and elongation. To further investigate the role of AGPs during fiber development, a fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein gene (GhFLA1) was identified in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Overexpression of GhFLA1 in cotton promoted fiber elongation, leading to an increase in fiber length. In contrast, suppression of GhFLA1 expression in cotton slowed down fiber initiation and elongation. As a result, the mature fibers of the transgenic plants were significantly shorter than those of the wild type. In addition, expression levels of GhFLAs and the genes related to primary cell wall biosynthesis were remarkably enhanced in the GhFLA1 overexpression transgenic fibers, whereas the transcripts of these genes were dramatically reduced in the fibers of GhFLA1 RNA interference plants. An immunostaining assay indicated that both AGP composition and primary cell wall composition were changed in the transgenic fibers. The levels of glucose, arabinose, and galactose were also altered in the primary cell wall of the transgenic fibers compared with those of the wild type. Together, our results suggested that GhFLA1 may function in fiber initiation and elongation by affecting AGP composition and the integrity of the primary cell wall matrix.
Binge Ethanol and Liver: New Molecular Developments
Authors: Shukla Shivendra D. , Pruett Stephen B. , Szabo Gyongyi , Arteel Gavin E.
Published: January 2013

Binge consumption of alcohol is an alarming global health problem. Binge (acute) ethanol (EtOH) is implicated in the pathophysiology of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). New studies from experimental animals and from humans indicate that binge EtOH has profound effects on immunological, signaling, and epigenetic parameters of the liver. This is in addition to the known metabolic effects of acute EtOH. Binge EtOH alters the levels of several cellular components and dramatically amplifies liver injury in chronically EtOH exposed liver. These studies highlight the importance of molecular investigations into binge effects of EtOH for a better understanding of ALD and also to develop therapeutic strategies to control it. This review summarizes these recent developments.
Allergic rhinitis and risk of erectile dysfunction – a nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Su V. Y.‐F. , Liu C.‐J. , Lan M.‐Y. , Chen Y.‐M. , Su K.‐C. , Lee Y.‐C. , Chen T.‐J. , Chou K.‐T.
Published: January 2013

Background

A growing body of evidence has disclosed that allergic rhinitis (AR) is a systemic inflammatory disease. Inflammatory mediators and cells involved in AR have also been reported to be implicated in the process of atherosclerosis, which is relevant to the occurrence of erectile dysfunction (ED). Our objective was to explore the relationship between AR and future ED events.

Methods

From 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2008, we identified male patients, who were aged 18–55 years and newly diagnosed with AR from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. A control cohort without AR, which was matched for age, comorbidities and medications, was selected for comparison. The two cohorts were followed up until 31 December 2009 and observed for occurrence of ED by registry of ED diagnosis in the database.

Results

Of the 128 118 sampled male patients (64 059 AR patients vs 64 059 matched controls), 1455 (1.16%) experienced ED during a mean follow‐up period of 5.82 years, including 844 (1.32% of the AR patients) from the AR cohort and 611 (0.95%) from the controls. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a tendency of AR patients to develop ED (log‐rank test, P < 0.001). After adjusting confounder variables by Cox regression, subjects with AR experienced a 1.37‐fold (95% CI, 1.24–1.52; P < 0.001) increase in incident ED. The risk of ED was higher in cases with more frequent clinical visits for AR and in cases needing medication more than 4 weeks.

Conclusions

Patients with AR appeared to be at higher risk of future ED, possibly in a severity‐dependent manner.
Blood eosinophil counts rarely reflect airway eosinophilia in children with severe asthma
Authors: Ullmann N. , Bossley C. J. , Fleming L. , Silvestri M. , Bush A. , Saglani S.
Published: January 2013

Background

The inflammatory phenotypes of severe asthma in adults may be reflected in peripheral blood. If this were true in children with severe therapy‐resistant asthma (STRA), invasive tests could be avoided. At the moment there is no conclusive evidence in children.

Methods

All patients underwent blood tests, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), sputum induction, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and endobronchial biopsy (EB).

Results

Sixty‐three (71.6%) patients had a normal blood profile and only 1/88 had a combined blood eosinophilia and neutrophilia. 76/88 (86%) had normal blood eosinophils, but of these, 84% had airway eosinophilia in either BAL (n = 43;66%) or EB (n = 41;79%). In children with STRA blood eosinophilia was associated with airway eosinophilia. However, normal blood eosinophil levels did not exclude airway eosinophilic inflammation.

Conclusions

Peripheral blood counts are not reliable in characterising airway inflammation in severe asthmatic children exposed to high dose steroid therapy, therefore bronchoscopy with BAL should be considered.
Risk assessment – can we achieve consensus?
Authors: Twetman Svante , Fontana Margherita , Featherstone John D.B.
Published: January 2013

Objective

The object of this conference paper was to review and discuss caries risk assessment in general practice from the questions i) ‘Why’, ii) ‘When’, and iii) ‘How’.

Method

Narrative review.

Results

i) Patient caries risk assessment is the basic component in the decision‐making process for adequate prevention and management of dental caries and for determination of individual recall intervals. ii) Caries risk assessment should always be performed at a child's first dental visit and then regularly throughout life, and especially when social or medical life events are occurring. iii) There are several risk assessment methods and models available for but the evidence for their validity is limited. Although there is no clearly superior method for predicting future caries, the use of structured protocols combining socioeconomy, behavior, general health, diet, oral hygiene routines, clinical data, and salivary tests or computer‐based systems are considered best clinical practice. The accuracy ranges between 60% and 90%, depending on age. Caries risk assessment is more effective in the selection of patients at low risk than those with high caries risk.

Conclusion

As evidence suggests that past caries experience is far from ideal but the most important single risk component for more caries at all ages, any clinical sign of likely active demineralization on smooth, occlusal, and proximal tooth surfaces should be taken as a signal for the implementation of individually designed preventive and disease management measures.
Early-life hygiene-related factors affect risk of central nervous system demyelination and asthma differentially
Authors: Hughes A-M , Lucas R M , McMichael A J , Dwyer T , Pender M P , van der Mei I , Taylor B V , Valery P , Chapman C , Coulthard A , Dear K , Kilpatrick T J , Williams D , Ponsonby A-L
Published: January 2013

The increasing prevalence of immune-related diseases, including multiple sclerosis, may be partly explained by reduced microbial burden during childhood. Within a multi-centre case–control study population, we examined: (i) the co-morbid immune diseases profile of adults with a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD) and (ii) sibship structure in relation to an autoimmune (FCD) and an allergic (asthma) disease. FCD cases (n = 282) were aged 18–59 years; controls (n = 558) were matched on age, sex and region. Measures include: history of doctor-diagnosed asthma; sibling profile (number; dates of birth); and regular childcare attendance. FCD cases did not differ from controls with regard to personal or family history of allergy, but had a greater likelihood of chronic fatigue syndrome [odds ratio (OR) = 3·11; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·11, 8·71]. Having any younger siblings showed reduced odds of FCD (OR = 0·68; 95% CI: 0·49, 0·95) but not asthma (OR = 1·47; 95% CI: 0·91, 2·38). In contrast, an increasing number of older siblings was associated with reduced risk of asthma (P trend = 0·04) but not FCD (P trend = 0·66). Allergies were not over-represented among people presenting with FCD. Sibship characteristics influence both FCD and asthma risk but the underlying mechanisms differ, possibly due to the timing of the putative ‘sibling effect’.
Intrinsic hyporesponsiveness of invariant natural killer T cells precedes the onset of lupus
Authors: Yang J-Q , Kim P J , Halder R C , Singh R R
Published: January 2013

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) display reduced numbers and functions of invariant natural killer T (iNK T) cells, which are restored upon treatment with corticosteroids and rituximab. It is unclear whether the iNK T cell insufficiency is a consequence of disease or is a primary abnormality that precedes the onset of disease. To address this, we analysed iNK T cell function at different stages of disease development using the genetically lupus-susceptible NZB × NZW F1 (BWF1) model. We found that iNK T cell in-vivo cytokine responses to an iNK T cell ligand α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) were lower in BWF1 mice than in non-autoimmune BALB/c and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched NZB × N/B10.PL F1 mice, although iNK T cell numbers in the periphery were unchanged in BWF1 mice compared to control mice. Such iNK T cell hyporesponsiveness in BWF1 mice was detected at a young age long before the animals exhibited any sign of autoimmunity. In-vivo activation of iNK T cells is known to transactivate other immune cells. Such transactivated T and B cell activation markers and/or cytokine responses were also lower in BWF1 mice than in BALB/c controls. Finally, we show that iNK T cell responses were markedly deficient in the NZB parent but not in NZW parent of BWF1 mice, suggesting that BWF1 might inherit the iNK T cell defect from NZB mice. Thus, iNK T cells are functionally insufficient in lupus-prone BWF1 mice. Such iNK T cell insufficiency precedes the onset of disease and may play a pathogenic role during early stages of disease development in SLE.
PLP1 gene analysis in 88 patients with leukodystrophy
Authors: Martínez‐Montero P , Muñoz‐Calero M , Vallespín E , Campistol J , Martorell L , Ruiz‐Falcó MJ , Santana A , Pons R , Dinopoulos A , Sierra C , Nevado J , Molano J
Published: January 2013

Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease (PMD) is caused in most cases by either duplications or point mutations in the PLP1 gene. This disease, a dysmyelinating disorder affecting mainly the central nervous system, has a wide clinical spectrum and its causing mutations act through different molecular mechanisms. Eighty‐eight male patients with leukodystrophy were studied. PLP1 gene analysis was performed by the Multiplex Ligation‐dependent Probe Amplification technique and DNA sequencing, and, in duplicated cases of PLP1, gene dosage was completed by using array‐CGH. We have identified 21 patients with mutations in the PLP1 gene, including duplications, short and large deletions and several point mutations in our cohort. A customized array‐CGH at the Xq22.2 area identified several complex rearrangements within the PLP1 gene region. Mutations found in the PLP1 gene are the cause of PMD in around 20% of the patients in this series.
A Novel Approach to Monitoring Pulmonary Congestion in Heart Failure: Initial Animal and Clinical Experiences Using Remote Dielectric Sensing Technology
Authors: Amir Offer , Rappaport Dan , Zafrir Barak , Abraham William T.
Published: January 2013

Despite current therapies and disease management approaches, rates of heart failure (HF) rehospitalization remain high. New tools are needed to assess preclinical (asymptomatic) pulmonary congestion to enable outpatient management. Hence, a novel monitoring system based on noninvasive remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) technology was developed. Validation of the ReDS technology was conducted in preclinical and clinical studies. In a porcine HF model, acute fluid overload followed by administration of diuretics were performed. Changes in ReDS values were correlated to serial computed tomographic (CT) assessments of lung fluid concentrations. In hospitalized decompensated HF patients, changes in ReDS values were correlated to net fluid balance changes. A nearly linear pattern between the changes in ReDS and CT fluid concentration values was observed in 6 discrete experiments (Intraclass correlation=0.95). Results from 24 patients demonstrated a reduction in ReDS values of 17.53%±11% throughout hospitalization, consistent with a reduction in pulmonary congestion. This finding strongly correlated with changes in net fluid balance (Pearson correlation=0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.68–0.94; R2=0.74). These findings suggest that ReDS technology accurately quantifies lung fluid concentration and has potential for monitoring HF patients through hospitalization and possibly at home.
In Vivo Regenerative Properties of Coralline‐Derived (Biocoral) Scaffold Grafts in Human Maxillary Defects: Demonstrative and Comparative Study with Beta‐Tricalcium Phosphate and Biphasic Calcium Phosphate by Synchrotron Radiation X‐Ray Microtomography
Authors: Giuliani Alessandra , Manescu Adrian , Larsson Emanuel , Tromba Giuliana , Luongo Giuseppe , Piattelli Adriano , Mangano Francesco , Iezzi Giovanna , Mangano Carlo
Published: January 2013

Background

In recent years, there has been interest on the fabrication of systems using particulates or block‐based approach for bone tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds, possessing porous interconnected structures. In fact, these particular morphologies greatly increase the surface area for more chemical and biological reactions to take place.

Purpose

This study was designed to demonstrate the unique capability of the synchrotron radiation x‐ray microtomography (micro‐CT) in offering an advanced characterization of coralline‐derived (Biocoral) biomaterials placed in human maxillary defects as it allows, in a nondestructive way, a complete, precise, and high‐resolution three‐dimensional analysis of their microstructural parameters. Moreover, the comparison between Biocoral and other biomaterials was explored to understand the mechanism of their biological behavior as bone substitute.

Materials and Methods

Implant survival, bone regeneration, graft resorption, neovascularization, and morphometric parameters (including anisotropy and connectivity index of the structures) were evaluated by micro‐CT in Biocoral and the other biomaterials after 6 to 7 months from implantation in human maxillary bone defects.

Results

After the in vivo tests, a huge amount of bone was detected in the retrieved Biocoral‐based samples, coupled with a good rate of biomaterial resorption and the formation of a homogeneous and rich net of new vessels. The morphometric parameters were comparable to those obtained in the biphasic calcium phosphate‐based control, with the exception of the connectivity index for which this control exhibited the most well‐connected structure. This last result, together with those referred to the poor performances of the β‐tricalcium phosphate block‐based sample, suggests that the particular scaffold morphology may play a role in the hunt the optimal scaffold structure to be implanted.

Conclusion

In this limited study, implant success rate seems not strictly dependent on the biomaterial that is used, but on the scaffold morphology. Micro‐CT technique was demonstrated to play a fundamental role in advanced characterization of bone TE constructs.
Colonic electrical stimulation: potential use for treatment of delayed colonic transit
Authors: Sallam H. S. , Chen J. D. Z.
Published: January 2013

Aim

Recently there has been an increased interest in using electrical stimulation to regulate gut motility generally and particularly for the treatment of slow‐transit constipation. In this preliminary canine study, we aimed to study the effects of colonic electrical stimulation (CES) on colonic motility and transit.

Method

Nine dogs, each equipped with a pair of serosal colon electrodes and a proximal colon cannula were randomized to receive: (i) sham‐CES, (ii) long pulse CES (20 cpm, 300 ms, 6 mA) or (iii) pulse train CES (40 Hz, 6 ms, 6 mA). Animals underwent assessment of colonic contractions via manometry, and of colonic transit by inserting 24 radiopaque markers via the colonic cannula and radiographically monitoring the markers at 2, 4 and 6 h following their insertion. The colonic transit was assessed by the geometric centre.

Results

We found that, compared with sham‐CES, pulse train CES, but not long pulse CES, significantly increased the overall colonic motility index twofold and accelerated the colonic transit by 104% at 2 h, by 60% at 4 h and by 31% at 6 h (P = 0.01, P = 0.02 and P = 0.03 vs sham‐CES at 2, 4 and 6 h, respectively). The accelerating effect of pulse train CES was found to be mediated via both cholinergic and nitrergic pathways.

Conclusion

CES with pulse trains has prokinetic effects on colonic contractions and transit in healthy dogs, mediated via the cholinergic and nitrergic pathways. Further clinical studies are warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of CES for slow colonic transit constipation.
Epidemiology of epilepsy in ruralBenin: Prevalence, incidence, mortality, and follow‐up
Authors: Houinato Dismand , Yemadje Luce‐Perrine , Glitho Ghislaine , Adjien Constant , Avode Gilbert , Druet‐Cabanac Michel , Preux Pierre‐Marie
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Epilepsy is a major clinical and social issue inAfrica. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and therapeutic outcome in ruralDjidja inBenin.

Methods

This was a two‐phase study with a cross‐sectional phase and 18 months of follow‐up. In the first phase, information was obtained using door‐to‐door surveys, reports from key informants, and medical sources. People were interviewed using a validated screening questionnaire for epilepsy in tropical regions. The diagnosis of epilepsy was confirmed by a neurologist. We used a capture–recapture method to estimate the number of people with epilepsy (PWE).PWEwere followed every month for 18 months after the cross‐sectional survey. We asked the health services, the general population, and village leaders in the study area to identify suspected cases of epilepsy occurring during the follow‐up. New cases were updated every month after confirmation. Antiepileptic drugs were prescribed toPWE.

Key Findings

We surveyed 11,668 subjects (male‐to‐female ratio 0.9) and identified 123PWE, yielding a prevalence of 10.5 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.8–12.6/1,000). Combining the three sources, we found 148PWEand a prevalence of 12.7 per 1,000 (95%CI10.7–14.9/1,000). After application of the capture–recapture method, the prevalence was estimated to be as high as 38.4 per 1,000 (95%CI34.9–41.9/1,000). The cumulative incidence was 104.2 per 100,000 and the mean annual incidence was 69.4 per 100,000. The mean annual mortality was 20.8 per 1,000. After treatment, 45% ofPWEhad total seizure remission and 35% had a decrease in the number of seizures.

Significance

This study shows that door‐to‐door survey findings could be improved by using information from other sources. The follow‐up suggests that epilepsy could be controlled. Continuous drug delivery and regular follow‐up are key.
Decorin induces rapid secretion of thrombospondin‐1 in basal breast carcinoma cells via inhibition of Ras homolog gene family, member A/Rho‐associated coiled‐coil containing protein kinase 1
Authors: Neill Thomas , Jones Holly R. , Crane‐Smith Zoe , Owens Rick T. , Schaefer Liliana , Iozzo Renato V.
Published: January 2013

Pathological neovascularization relies on an imbalance between potent proangiogenic agents and equally effective antiangiogenic cues. Collectively, these factors contribute to an angiogenic niche within the tumor microenvironment. Oncogenic events and hypoxia contribute to augmented levels of angiokines, and thereby activate the so‐called angiogenic switch to promote aggressive tumorigenic and metastatic growth. Soluble decorin functions as a paracrine pan‐inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases, such as Met and epidermal growth factor receptor, and thus is capable of suppressing angiogenesis under normoxia. This leads to noncanonical repression of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and concurrent induction of thrombospondin‐1. The substantial induction of endogenous tumor cell‐derived thrombospondin‐1, a potent antiangiogenic effector, led us to the discovery of an unexpected secretory phenotype occurring very rapidly (within 5 min) after decorin treatment of the triple‐negative basal breast carcinoma cell line MDA‐MB‐231. Surprisingly, the effect was not mediated by Met receptor antagonism, as initially hypothesized, but required epidermal growth factor receptor signaling to achieve swift and robust thrombospondin‐1 release. Furthermore, this effect was ultimately dependent on the prompt degradation of Ras homolog gene family member A, via the 26S proteasome, leading to direct inactivation of Rho‐associated coiled‐coil containing protein kinase 1. The latter led to derepression of thrombospondin‐1 secretion. Collectively, these data provide a novel mechanistic role for Rho‐associated coiled‐coil containing protein kinase 1, in addition to providing the first conclusive evidence of decorin exclusively targeting a receptor tyrosine kinase to achieve a specific effect. The overall effects of soluble decorin on the tumor microenvironment would cause an immediately‐early as well as a sustained antiangiogenic response in vivo.
Glycinergic transmission and postsynaptic activation of CaMKII are required for glycine receptor clustering in vivo
Authors: Yamanaka Iori , Miki Mariko , Asakawa Kazuhide , Kawakami Koichi , Oda Yoichi , Hirata Hiromi
Published: January 2013

Synaptic transmission‐dependent regulation of neurotransmitter receptor accumulation at postsynaptic sites underlies the formation, maintenance and maturation of synaptic function. Previous in vitro studies showed that glycine receptor (GlyR) clustering requires synaptic inputs. However, in vivo GlyR regulation by synaptic transmission is not fully understood. Here, we established a model system using developing zebrafish, in which GlyRs are expressed in Mauthner cells (M‐cells), a pair of giant, reticulospinal, hindbrain neurons, thereby enabling analysis of GlyR clusters over time in identifiable cells. Bath application of a glycinergic blocker, strychnine, to developing zebrafish prevented postsynaptic GlyR cluster formation in the M‐cells. After strychnine removal, the GlyR clusters appeared in the M‐cells. At a later stage, glycinergic transmission blockade impaired maintenance of GlyR clusters. We also found that pharmacological blockade of either L‐type Ca2+ channels or calcium‐/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) disturbed GlyR clustering. In addition, the M‐cell‐specific CaMKII inactivation using the Gal4‐UAS system significantly impaired GlyR clustering in the M‐cells. Thus, the formation and maintenance of GlyR clusters in the M‐cells in the developing animals are regulated in a synaptic transmission‐dependent manner, and CaMKII activation at the postsynapse is essential for GlyR clustering. This is the first demonstration of synaptic transmission‐dependent modulation of synaptic GlyRs in vivo.
Recent topics on α‐fetoprotein
Authors: Nakao Kazuhiko , Ichikawa Tatsuki
Published: January 2013

Zinc‐fingers and homeoboxes 2 (ZHX2) and zinc‐finger and BTB domain containing 20 (ZBTB20) repress the postnatal expression of α‐fetoprotein (AFP) by interacting with the AFP gene promoter regions. ZHX2 inhibits the expression of AFP and cyclins A and E. ZBTB20 is negatively regulated by CUX1, which promotes cell‐cycle progression, suggesting that AFP reactivation is closely linked to hepatocyte proliferation. A slight elevation in the serum AFP level often occurs in patients with chronic hepatitis C in the absence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is an independent risk factor for HCC development to complement the fibrosis stage. In addition, the sustained elevation of AFP after interferon therapy is a risk factor of HCC development. AFP levels are clinically useful in predicting the outcomes of liver transplantation and sorafenib therapy for HCC patients. A low preoperative AFP level is a predictor of long‐term survival and is associated with a low recurrence rate of HCC after liver transplantation. AFP response (≥20% decrease in AFP during 6–8 weeks of treatment) rather than radiological outcomes is a significant prognostic factor for survival in sorafenib‐treated HCC patients. Highly sensitive Lens culinaris agglutinin‐reactive AFP (AFP‐L3) is 5–10 times more sensitive than conventional AFP‐L3, and useful for early detection of HCC in patients with total AFP below 20 ng/mL.
Ex vivo evaluation of various instrumentation techniques and irrigants in reducing E. faecalis within root canals
Authors: Basmaci F. , Öztan M. D. , Kiyan M.
Published: January 2013

Aim

To evaluate ex vivo the effectiveness of single‐file instrumentation techniques compared with serial Ni–Ti rotary instrumentation with several irrigation regimens in reducing E. faecalis within root canals.

Methodology

A total of 81 extracted human mandibular premolar teeth with a single root canal were infected with E. faecalis before and after canal preparation. Samples were divided randomly into 9 groups, as follows: group 1‐A: sterile phosphate‐buffered saline + Self‐adjusting file, group 1‐B: 5% sodium hypochlorite + 15% EDTA + Self‐adjusting file, group 1‐C: 5% sodium hypochlorite + 7% maleic acid + Self‐adjusting file, group 2‐A: sterile phosphate‐buffered saline + Reciproc (R25), group 2‐B: 5% sodium hypochlorite + 15% EDTA + Reciproc (R25), group 2‐C: 5% sodium hypochlorite + 7% maleic acid + Reciproc (R25), group 3‐A: sterile phosphate‐buffered saline + ProTaper, group 3‐B: 5% sodium hypochlorite + 15% EDTA + ProTaper, group 3‐C: 5% sodium hypochlorite + 7% maleic acid + ProTaper. anova was used to analyse statistically the differences in terms of reduction in colony counts between the groups, and Dunn's post hoc test was used for multiple comparisons.

Results

All techniques and irrigation regimens significantly reduced the number of bacterial cells in the root canal (P < 0.001). Comparisons amongst the groups revealed significant differences between group 1A (sterile phosphate‐buffered saline + Self‐adjusting file)/group 1B (5% sodium hypochlorite + 15% EDTA + Self‐adjusting file) (P = 0.031), group 1A (sterile phosphate‐buffered saline + Self‐adjusting file)/group 2C (5% sodium hypochlorite + 7% maleic acid + Reciproc) (P = 0.003), group 2A (sterile phosphate‐buffered saline + Reciproc)/group 3B (5% sodium hypochlorite + 15% EDTA + ProTaper) (P = 0.036), group 3B (5% sodium hypochlorite + 15% EDTA + ProTaper)/group 1A (sterile phosphate‐buffered saline + Self‐adjusting file) (P < 0.001), and group 3C (5% sodium hypochlorite + 7% maleic acid + ProTaper)/group 1A (sterile phosphate‐buffered saline + Self‐adjusting file) (P = 0.033).

Conclusions

No significant differences in terms of reduction in microbial counts were observed between single‐file techniques (SAF and Reciproc) and serial Ni–Ti instrumentation technique (ProTaper) in combination with irrigants.
New challenges for the welfare state: The emergence of youth unemployment regimes in Europe?
Authors: Cinalli Manlio , Giugni Marco
Published: January 2013

In this article we discuss the emergence of ‘youth unemployment regimes’ in Europe, that is, a set of coherent measures and policies aimed at providing state responses to the problem of unemployment and, more specifically, youth unemployment. We classify these measures and policies along two main dimensions: unemployment regulations and labour market regulations. Using original data, we show how seven European countries locate on these two dimensions as well as within the conceptual space resulting from the combination of the two dimensions. Our findings show cross‐national variations that do not fit the traditional typologies of comparative welfare studies. At the same time, however, the findings allow for reflecting upon possible patterns of convergence across European countries. In particular, we show some important similarities in terms of flexible labour market regulations. In this regard, the recent years have witnessed a trend towards a flexibilisation of the labour market, regardless of the prevailing welfare regime.
Metastatic castrate‐resistant prostate cancer: a discussion of the physical and psychosocial effects
Authors: Flynn Karen
Published: January 2013

Management options for metastatic castrate‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have increased in recent years resulting in more men living for longer with the disease. The implications for patients and health care services are considered through an examination of the literature in relation to the physical and psychosocial effects of mCRPC and its treatment, looking at quality of life (QoL) and service delivery implications. QoL in advanced prostate cancer has been well documented in the literature but studies involving those with mCRPC are sparse. There is a lack of evidence regarding psychological distress and effective psychological interventions for men with mCRPC. There is a need for research to understand the impact of new treatments on QoL of men and their partners, to establish effective psychological interventions for men with mCRPC and to quantify the increased demand for services with prolonged survival. The purpose of this discussion paper is to examine the physical and psychosocial effects of both disease and treatment, alongside QoL issues and consideration of the implications for service delivery.
Extending the honey bee venome with the antimicrobial peptide apidaecin and a protein resembling wasp antigen 5
Authors: Van Vaerenbergh M. , Cardoen D. , Formesyn E. M. , Brunain M. , Van Driessche G. , Blank S. , Spillner E. , Verleyen P. , Wenseleers T. , Schoofs L. , Devreese B. , de Graaf D. C.
Published: January 2013

Honey bee venom is a complex mixture of toxic proteins and peptides. In the present study we tried to extend our knowledge of the venom composition using two different approaches. First, worker venom was analysed by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and this revealed the antimicrobial peptide apidaecin for the first time in such samples. Its expression in the venom gland was confirmed by reverse transcription PCR and by a peptidomic analysis of the venom apparatus tissue. Second, genome mining revealed a list of proteins with resemblance to known insect allergens or venom toxins, one of which showed homology to proteins of the antigen 5 (Ag5)/Sol i 3 cluster. It was demonstrated that the honey bee Ag5‐like gene is expressed by venom gland tissue of winter bees but not of summer bees. Besides this seasonal variation, it shows an interesting spatial expression pattern with additional production in the hypopharyngeal glands, the brains and the midgut. Finally, our immunoblot study revealed that both synthetic apidaecin and the Ag5‐like recombinant from bacteria evoke no humoral activity in beekeepers. Also, no IgG4‐based cross‐reactivity was detected between the honey bee Ag5‐like protein and its yellow jacket paralogue Ves v 5.
Head lice: the feelings people have
Authors: Parison Julie C. , Speare Richard , Canyon Deon V.
Published: January 2013

Background  Head lice are a source of amusement for outsiders and an embarrassing nuisance to those who have to deal with them. Our study collected the emotions experienced by people dealing with head lice. An area with extremely sparse literature, our purpose is to inform the development of more effective programs to control head lice.

Methods  We asked “what were your feelings upon discovery of head lice?” as part of a study exploring the experience of those treating head lice. A short questionnaire was available via the authors’ head lice information internet site. A total of 294 eligible responses were collected over several months and analyzed, supported by QSR N6.

Results  The predominantly female (90·9%) respondents were residents of Australia (56·1%), USA (20·4%), Canada (7·2%), or UK (4·4%), and working full‐time (43·0%) or part‐time (34·2%). Reactions and feelings fell into three categories: strong (n = 320; 79% of all stated emotions), mediocre (n = 56; 20%), and neutral (n = 29; 9·8%). There were no positive emotions.

Comment  The significant negative reaction was expected. The range of feeling expressed demonstrates the stigma held for these ectoparasites within western market economies. This contrasts with conceptions of head lice in traditional societies. The negative social effects of this perception create more problematic issues than the infection itself; these include quarantine, overtreatment, and a potentially negative psychological impact. Head lice control strategies and programs that address these negative emotional reactions may prove more effective than current biomedical focus.
A firm, bluish, hemorrhagic nodule on the left heel
Authors: Kim Hee Joo , Kim Jong Yeob , Choi Jae Eun , Kye Young Chul , Ahn Hyo Hyun , Seo Soo Hong
Published: January 2013

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