bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the NMI01 Marker for a Population Database of Cannabis Seeds
Authors: Shirley Nicholas , Allgeier Lindsay , LaNier Tommy , Coyle Heather Miller
Published: December 2012

We have analyzed the distribution of genotypes at a single hexanucleotide short tandem repeat (STR) locus in a Cannabis sativa seed database along with seed‐packaging information. This STR locus is defined by the polymerase chain reaction amplification primers CS1F and CS1R and is referred to as NMI01 (for National Marijuana Initiative) in our study. The population database consists of seed seizures of two categories: seed samples from labeled and unlabeled packages regarding seed bank source. Of a population database of 93 processed seeds including 12 labeled Cannabis varieties, the observed genotypes generated from single seeds exhibited between one and three peaks (potentially six alleles if in homozygous state). The total number of observed genotypes was 54 making this marker highly specific and highly individualizing even among seeds of common lineage. Cluster analysis associated many but not all of the handwritten labeled seed varieties tested to date as well as the National Park seizure to our known reference database containing Mr. Nice Seedbank and Sensi Seeds commercially packaged reference samples.
Success rate of BladderScan‐assisted suprapubic aspiration
Authors: Buntsma Davina , Stock Amanda , Bevan Catherine , Babl Franz E
Published: December 2012

Objective

Suprapubic aspiration (SPA) is the gold standard for obtaining uncontaminated urine specimens in young febrile children. The use of real‐time ultrasound (RTUS) has been shown to increase the success rate of SPA. The BladderScan (BSUS) Verathon® is an alternative portable ultrasound device designed to provide automated measurement of bladder volume. Although simple and requiring minimal training, there are no data on the success rate of SPA using the device.

Methods

An audit of current SPA practice using BSUS in the ED of a tertiary referral children's hospital was conducted. We assessed the success rate of SPA to obtain urine and correlate with BSUS readings and techniques.

Results

Sixty SPAs (mean age 5.0 months) were observed over an 8‐month period between August 2009 and March 2010. The audit showed an overall success rate of 53% (32/60) [95% confidence interval 41–66%]. Success rates were 63%, 32%, 82% and 63% for the largest BSUS readings of 0–9 mL (n = 8), 10–19 mL (n = 25), 20–29 mL (n = 11) and 30+ mL (n = 16), respectively, or 39% at <20 mL and 70% at ≥20 mL (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

The success rate of SPA in ‘real‐life’ non‐standardised clinical practice was low at 53% overall. The BSUS‐assisted SPA success rate was higher in patients with readings ≥20 mL. These rates are lower than success rates reported using RTUS. Parameters for using BSUS to assist SPA should be established.
Distribution of sleeping sites of the Yunnan snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) in the Samage Forest, China
Authors: LI Dayong , GRUETER Cyril C. , REN Baoping , LI Ming , PENG Zhengsong , WEI Fuwen
Published: December 2012

Sleeping site locations are important to free‐ranging primate groups. Sites are strategically selected by primates so as to optimize security, comfort and foraging efficiency. Data were collected on the distribution of sleeping sites of the Yunnan snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) between Sep 2005 and Sep 2006 at Gehuaqing in Baimaxueshan Nature Reserve, China. We identified 54 sleeping sites, which were used 137 times during the study period. These sleeping sites were distributed throughout the monkey group's total home range. R. bieti preferred certain sleeping sites over others: 63% of the sleeping sites were used 2 or more times in 13 months. Groups reused locations in an unpredictable long‐term pattern, but avoided using the same sleeping site on consecutive nights. To reduce the time and energetic costs of travel, monkeys preferred sleeping near commonly used feeding sites. We recorded 124 feeding sites in the home range, which were used 174 times. A total of 27 sleeping sites were also feeding sites, and all remaining sleeping sites were close to feeding sites. There was a positive correlation between the intensity of use of sleeping sites and feeding sites. The present study suggests that the availability and the location of immediate sources of food is a key factor in the choice of sleeping sites.
Is NSAIDs‐related gastrointestinal damage preventable?
Authors: Gargallo Carla J. , Lanas Angel
Published: December 2012

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are some of the most commonly used drugs worldwide; however, they are not innocuous. The spectrum of upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract damage caused by NSAIDs has been well established, and strategies to prevent this have been widely studied and implemented. Removing modifiable risk factors, the selection of less toxic NSAIDs and treatment with gastroprotective drugs, if necessary, are the main strategies employed. However, injury of the NSAIDs‐related lower GI tract remains poorly characterized. In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in this field and the search for effective preventive treatments is under way. Use of cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor, prostaglandin, antibiotic or drugs that are not yet commercially available such as nitric oxide‐releasing and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)‐releasing NSAIDs compounds seem to reduce lower GI injury, but more evidence are needed before any of them are recommended in high‐risk patients.
Polarization of tumor‐associated macrophage is associated with tumor vascular normalization by endostatin
Authors: Peng Qian , Li Mei , Wang Zi , Jiang Ming , Yan Xi , Lei Song , Zhang Hui , Zhang Wei , Liu Yan‐Yang , Luo Feng
Published: December 2012

Background

Vascular normalization is an emerging concept in cancer treatment, but its precise mechanisms are not completely understood. The polarization of tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) is important in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. However, little is known about the effect of anti‐angiogenic agents on the polarization of tumor‐associated macrophages. Therefore, we explore the changes of TAMs polarization in the development of tumor vascular normalization induced by endostatin.

Methods

A murine xenograft model of lung cancer was treated with endostatin for 10 days. The morphology and function of tumor vasculature was examined using various techniques. Flow cytometry was carried out to assess the TAMs, and immunofluorescence was used to examine Tie‐2‐expressing monocytes (TEMs) in tumors. Levels of the histidine‐rich glycoprotein (HRG) in tumors were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

Results

Tumor vessels became more normal and mature on day six in the endostatin‐treated mice. During vascular normalization, the number of M2‐like TAMs and TEMs in the tumors was significantly reduced, whereas the number of M1‐like TAMs showed an increase on day six after endostatin treatment, although the latter was not statistically significant. The HRG in the tumors accumulated at an early stage after endostatin administration.

Conclusions

The polarization of TAMs is associated with tumor vascular normalization induced by endostatin. These observations may be useful in the exploration of new strategies for anti‐angiogenic treatment.
Genome‐Wide Significant Association Signals in IPO11‐HTR1A Region Specific for Alcohol and Nicotine Codependence
Authors: Zuo Lingjun , Zhang Xiang‐Yang , Wang Fei , Li Chiang‐Shan R. , Lu Lingeng , Ye Liefu , Zhang Heping , Krystal John H. , Deng Hong‐Wen , Luo Xingguang
Published: December 2012

Background

Alcohol and nicotine codependence can be considered as a more severe subtype of alcohol dependence. A portion of its risk may be attributable to genetic factors.

Methods

We searched for significant risk genomic regions specific for this disorder using a genome‐wide association study. A total of 8,847 subjects underwent gene–disease association analysis, including (i) a discovery cohort of 818 European American cases with alcohol and nicotine codependence and 1,396 European American controls, (ii) a replication cohort of 5,704 Australian family subjects with 907 affected offspring, and (iii) a replication cohort of 449 African American cases and 480 African American controls. Additionally, a total of 38,714 subjects of European or African descent in 18 independent cohorts with 10 other nonalcoholism neuropsychiatric disorders were analyzed as contrast. Furthermore, 90 unrelated HapMap CEU individuals, 93 European brain tissue samples, and 80 European peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples underwent cis‐acting expression quantitative locus (cis‐eQTL) analysis.

Results

We identified a significant risk region for alcohol and nicotine codependence between IPO11 and HTR1A on chromosome 5q that was reported to be suggestively associated with alcohol dependence previously. In the European American discovery cohort, 381 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this region were nominally associated with alcohol and nicotine codependence (p < 0.05); 57 associations of them survived region‐ and cohort‐wide correction (α = 3.6 × 10−6); and the top SNP (rs7445832) was significantly associated with alcohol and nicotine codependence at the genome‐wide significance level (p = 6.2 × 10−9). Furthermore, associations for 34 and 11 SNPs were replicated in the Australian and African American replication cohorts, respectively. Among these replicable associations, 4 reached genome‐wide significance level in the meta‐analysis of European Americans and European Australians: rs7445832 (p = 9.6 × 10−10), rs13361996 (p = 8.2 × 10−9), rs62380518 (p = 2.3 × 10−8), and rs7714850 (p = 3.4 × 10−8). Cis‐eQTL analysis showed that many risk SNPs in this region had nominally significant cis‐acting regulatory effects on HTR1A or IPO11 mRNA expression. Finally, no markers were significantly associated with any other neuropsychiatric disorder examined.

Conclusions

We speculate that this IPO11‐HTR1A region might harbor a causal variant for alcohol and nicotine codependence.
Methods for lion monitoring: a comparison from the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
Authors: Brink Henry , Smith Robert J. , Skinner Kirsten
Published: December 2012

The Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania is believed to contain Africa's largest population of lions (Panthera leo), making it a popular destination for trophy hunters and photographic tourists. However, a lack of recent data has raised concerns about the conservation status of this iconic population, so we collected two types of population data between 2006 and 2009. First, we identified 112 individual animals in an 800 km2 study area in the photographic tourism part of Selous, giving a density of 0.14 individuals km−2. This density estimate was similar to results using the same method from 1997 to 1999, but the adult sex ratio has decreased from 1 male : 1.3 female in 1997 to 1 male : 3 females in 2009. Second, using buffalo calf distress calls, we conducted call‐up surveys to census lions in three hunting sectors in the west, east and south of Selous and in the northern photographic area. Estimated adult lion densities varied from 0.02 to 0.10 km−2, allowing an overall population estimate of 4,300 (range: 1,700–6,900). Our results highlight the value of call‐ups in surveying cryptic hunted carnivores but stress the importance of long‐term projects for calibrating the responses to call‐ups and for measuring trends in demography and population size.
Adhesion of klotho‐deficient eryptotic erythrocytes to endothelial cells
Authors: Abed M. , Towhid S. T. , Feger M. , Schmidt S. , Kuro‐o M. , Gawaz M. , Lang F.
Published: December 2012

Aim

Suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage and phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface. Eryptotic erythrocytes may adhere to the vascular wall by binding of phosphatidylserine to endothelial CXC chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16). Triggers of eryptosis include osmotic shock or energy depletion. Susceptibility to eryptosis is modified by Klotho, a protein with profound effect on ageing and lifespan. Klotho deficiency leads to accelerated ageing and early death. The percentage of eryptotic erythrocytes is significantly larger in klotho‐deficient mice (klotho−/−) than in their wild‐type littermates (klotho+/+). The present study explored whether the accelerated eryptosis of klotho‐deficient mice is paralleled by enhanced adhesion.

Methods

Phosphatidylserine‐exposing erythrocytes were identified by measurement of annexin V binding and adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) from trapping of labelled erythrocytes in a flow chamber.

Results

Annexin V binding was higher in klotho−/− erythrocytes than in klotho+/+ erythrocytes. Osmotic shock for 1 h (addition of 550 mm sucrose) and energy depletion (12‐h glucose depletion) increased annexin V binding to values again significantly larger in klotho−/− erythrocytes than in klotho+/+ erythrocytes. klotho−/− erythrocytes were particularly sensitive to osmotic shock. Both osmotic shock and energy depletion enhanced erythrocyte adhesion, an effect again more pronounced in klotho−/− erythrocytes than in klotho+/+ erythrocytes. The adhesion was significantly decreased by coating of phospatidylserine with annexin V (5 μL mL−1) or by coating of CXCL16 with neutralizing antibodies (4 μg mL−1).

Conclusions

klotho−/− erythrocytes are particularly sensitive to osmotic shock, and enhanced eryptosis of klotho−/− erythrocytes is paralleled by enhanced adhesion to endothelial CXCL16.
Mechanisms of renal NaCl retention in proteinuric disease
Authors: Svenningsen P. , Friis U. G. , Versland J. B. , Buhl K. B. , Møller Frederiksen B. , Andersen H. , Zachar R. M. , Bistrup C. , Skøtt O. , Jørgensen J. S. , Andersen R. F. , Jensen B. L.
Published: December 2012

In diseases with proteinuria, for example nephrotic syndrome and pre‐eclampsia, there often are suppression of plasma renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system components, expansion of extracellular volume and avid renal sodium retention. Mechanisms of sodium retention in proteinuria are reviewed. In animal models of nephrotic syndrome, the amiloride‐sensitive epithelial sodium channel ENaC is activated while more proximal renal Na+ transporters are down‐regulated. With suppressed plasma aldosterone concentration and little change in ENaC abundance in nephrotic syndrome, the alternative modality of proteolytic activation of ENaC has been explored. Proteolysis leads to putative release of an inhibitory peptide from the extracellular domain of the γ ENaC subunit. This leads to full activation of the channel. Plasminogen has been demonstrated in urine from patients with nephrotic syndrome and pre‐eclampsia. Urine plasminogen correlates with urine albumin and is activated to plasmin within the urinary space by urokinase‐type plasminogen activator. This agrees with aberrant filtration across an injured glomerular barrier independent of the primary disease. Pure plasmin and urine samples containing plasmin activate inward current in single murine collecting duct cells. In this study, it is shown that human lymphocytes may be used to uncover the effect of urine plasmin on amiloride‐ and aprotinin‐sensitive inward currents. Data from hypertensive rat models show that protease inhibitors may attenuate blood pressure. Aberrant filtration of plasminogen and conversion within the urinary space to plasmin may activate γ ENaC proteolytically and contribute to inappropriate NaCl retention and oedema in acute proteinuric conditions and to hypertension in diseases with chronic microalbuminuria/proteinuria.
A regulatory perspective of clinical trial applications for biological products with particular emphasis on Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)
Authors: Jones David R. , McBlane James W. , McNaughton Graham , Rajakumaraswamy Nishanthan , Wydenbach Kirsty
Published: December 2012

The safety of trial subjects is the tenet that guides the regulatory assessment of a Clinical Trial Authorization application and applies equally to trials involving small molecules and those with biological/biotechnological products, including Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products. The objective of a regulator is to ensure that the potential risk faced by a trial subject is outweighed by the potential benefit to them from taking part in the trial. The focus of the application review is to assess whether risks have been identified and appropriate steps taken to alleviate these as much as possible. Other factors are also taken into account during a review, such as regulatory requirements, and emerging non‐clinical and clinical data from other trials on the same or similar products. This paper examines the regulatory review process of a Clinical Trial Authorization application from the perspectives of Quality, Non‐Clinical and Clinical Regulatory Assessors at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. It should be noted that each perspective has highlighted specific issues from their individual competence and that these can be different between the disciplines.
Validation of suicide and self‐harm records in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink
Authors: Thomas Kyla H. , Davies Neil , Metcalfe Chris , Windmeijer Frank , Martin Richard M. , Gunnell David
Published: December 2012

Aims

The UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) is increasingly being used to investigate suicide‐related adverse drug reactions. No studies have comprehensively validated the recording of suicide and nonfatal self‐harm in the CPRD. We validated general practitioners' recording of these outcomes using linked Office for National Statistics (ONS) mortality and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) admission data.

Methods

We identified cases of suicide and self‐harm recorded using appropriate Read codes in the CPRD between 1998 and 2010 in patients aged ≥15 years. Suicides were defined as patients with Read codes for suicide recorded within 95 days of their death. International Classification of Diseases codes were used to identify suicides/hospital admissions for self‐harm in the linked ONS and HES data sets. We compared CPRD‐derived cases/incidence of suicide and self‐harm with those identified from linked ONS mortality and HES data, national suicide incidence rates and published self‐harm incidence data.

Results

Only 26.1% (n = 590) of the ‘true’ (ONS‐confirmed) suicides were identified using Read codes. Furthermore, only 55.5% of Read code‐identified suicides were confirmed as suicide by the ONS data. Of the HES‐identified cases of self‐harm, 68.4% were identified in the CPRD using Read codes. The CPRD self‐harm rates based on Read codes had similar age and sex distributions to rates observed in self‐harm hospital registers, although rates were underestimated in all age groups.

Conclusions

The CPRD recording of suicide using Read codes is unreliable, with significant inaccuracy (over‐ and under‐reporting). Future CPRD suicide studies should use linked ONS mortality data. The under‐reporting of self‐harm appears to be less marked.
Hydrogen sulphide‐induced relaxation of porcine peripheral bronchioles
Authors: Rashid S , Heer JK , Garle MJ , Alexander SPH , Roberts RE
Published: December 2012

Background and Purpose

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter. Although it has been shown to elicit responses in vascular and other smooth muscle preparations, a role for endogenously produced H2S in mediating airway tone has yet to be demonstrated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether H2S is produced within the airways and to determine the functional effect on airway tone.

Experimental Approach

Small peripheral airways (<5 mm in diameter) from porcine lungs were set up in isolated tissue baths, pre‐contracted with the muscarinic agonist carbachol, and then exposed to either the H2S donor sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), or the precursor L‐cysteine. H2S production from L‐cysteine or 3‐mercaptopyruvate in tissue homogenates was measured by the methylene blue assay. Expression of the H2S‐synthesizing enzymes cystathionine β‐synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ lyase (CSE) and 3‐mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase (3‐MST) were measured by Western blotting.

Key Results

NaHS caused a large relaxation of the airways, which was inhibited partially by pre‐contraction with KCl or exposure to tetraethylammonium, but not glibenclamide, paxilline or 4‐aminopyridine. L‐cysteine also caused a relaxation of the airways which was inhibited by the CBS inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid. Tissue homogenates from airways exposed to L‐cysteine or 3‐mercaptopyruvate in vitro showed a significant production of H2S. Western blotting demonstrated immunoreactivity to CBS, CSE and 3‐MST enzymes in the airways.

Conclusions and Implications

These data demonstrate that H2S can be produced endogenously within porcine airways causing relaxation. The mechanism of relaxation depends, in part, on K+ channel activity.
Anxiety symptoms in adolescents at risk for psychosis: a comparison among help seekers
Authors: Granö Niklas , Karjalainen Marjaana , Edlund Virve , Saari Erkki , Itkonen Arja , Anto Jukka , Roine Mikko
Published: December 2012

Background

Several studies have reported on how anxiety disorders and anxiety symptoms are already present before the onset of psychosis. However, anxiety disorders are typically studied in these studies at diagnosis‐level. The aim of present study was to investigate the profile of anxiety symptoms in subjects at risk of developing psychosis and to compare the anxiety profile with those who are not at risk.

Method

Data were collected at Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH) by an early detection and intervention team. Of 185 help‐seeking respondents, between 12 and 18 years of age, 59 adolescents were classified as being at risk of psychosis and 126 as not being at risk via an interview conducted by a validated at‐risk assessment tool (PROD). Anxiety was measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).

Results

The anxiety total sum score was higher in the at‐risk group for psychosis (mean 8.33 vs. 13.34, p = .000). Both subfactors of the anxiety scale, cognitive anxiety (p = .000) and somatic anxiety (p = .000), differed significantly by risk status. After using the Bonferroni correction for multiple analysis, items of relax (p = .000), nervous (p = .002), losing control (p = .000) and faint (p = .002) had statistically significant higher mean scores in the group at risk of psychosis. In logistic regression analysis, being female (p = .015) and the subfactor relating to cognitive anxiety (p = .044) significantly explained the at‐risk status for psychosis.

Conclusions

Adolescents at risk for psychosis have a higher level of anxiety compared with other help‐seeking adolescents. These results should be considered in clinical practice.
Virtual Screening of CB2 Receptor Agonists from Bayesian Network and High‐Throughput Docking: Structural Insights into Agonist‐Modulated GPCR Features
Authors: Renault Nicolas , Laurent Xavier , Farce Amaury , El Bakali Jamal , Mansouri Roxane , Gervois Philippe , Millet Régis , Desreumaux Pierre , Furman Christophe , Chavatte Philippe
Published: December 2012

The relevance of CB2‐mediated therapeutics is well established in the treatment of pain, neurodegenerative and gastrointestinal tract disorders. Recent works such as the crystallization of class‐A G‐protein‐coupled receptors in a range of active states and the identification of specific anchoring sites for CB2 agonists challenged us to design a reliable agonist‐bound homology model of CB2 receptor. Docking‐scoring enrichment tests of a high‐throughput virtual screening of 140 compounds led to 13 hits within the micromolar affinity range. Most of these hits behaved as CB2 agonists, among which two novel full agonists emerged. Although the main challenge was a high‐throughput docking run targeting an agonist‐bound state of a CB2 model, a prior 2D ligand‐based Bayesian network was computed to enrich the input commercial library for 3D screening. The exclusive discovery of agonists illustrates the reliability of this agonist‐bound state model for the identification of polar and aromatic amino acids as new agonist‐modulated CB2 features to be integrated in the wide activation pathway of G‐protein‐coupled receptors.
What Are We So Afraid of? How Early Attention Shapes Our Most Common Fears
Authors: LoBue Vanessa
Published: December 2012

Fear is one of our most salient emotions, and one that is shared among humans and nonhumans alike. Traditional and modern views of how we acquire fear suggest that it is learned through conditioning or observation. However, an interesting aspect of human fears is that they are not all created equal—some fears are more likely to be experienced than others. In this article, I discuss some recent developmental research that sheds new light on why we are more likely to experience certain fears over others, and how attention and learning might work together to produce some of our most common fears and anxieties.
Survival of Double‐Crown‐Retained Dentures Either Tooth‐Implant or Solely Implant‐Supported: An 8‐Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Schwarz Stefanie , Bernhart Gunda , Hassel Alexander Jochen , Rammelsberg Peter
Published: December 2012

Purpose

To compare survival and incidence of complications for solely implant‐supported double‐crown‐retained dentures (DCRDs) and combined tooth‐implant‐supported DCRDs for restoration of a complete jaw.

Materials and Methods

Patients were consecutively admitted to treatment at the Department of Prosthodontics, University of Heidelberg, during a time period from 2003 to 2011. Schedule and unscheduled visits were recorded on standardized documentation forms. Age, gender, location of implants, number of abutment teeth, jaw, and antagonist were assessed as possible factors affecting the number of complications per patient.

Results

Fifty‐five patients with 66 DCRDs on 209 implants and 102 teeth were included. Of these, 30 dentures on 129 implants were solely implant‐supported whereas the other 36 were combined tooth–implant‐supported. During an observation period of up to 8.3 years (mean 3.4 years; SD 1.9) superstructure survival was 93.3% for the solely implant‐supported DCRDs and 100% for the combined tooth–implant‐supported DCRDs. Survival without major complications was 86.7% and 83.3%, respectively. Gender and location of both superstructure and implants were statistically associated with a greater number of complications.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this exploratory retrospective study, not only solely implant‐supported DCRDs but also superstructures combining remaining teeth and implants within DCRDs might be a reliable treatment option for elderly patients. Prospective randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm this, however.
Evaluation of “All‐on‐Four” Concept and Alternative Designs with 3D Finite Element Analysis Method
Authors: Özdemir Doğan Derya , Polat Nilufer Tulin , Polat Serkan , Şeker Emre , Gül Esma Başak
Published: December 2012

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the forces on the implant and supporting alveolar ridge in “all on four” concept and alternative designs using finite element analysis.

Materials and Methods

Different treatment alternatives with various implant designs were performed in an edentulous mandible. In Design 1, implants were placed according to “All‐on‐Four” concept; Design 2, two long (13 mm long, 4 mm diameter) and two short (7 mm long, 4 mm diameter) implants; Design 3, four long and two short implants; and Design 4, two long and four short implants were placed vertically. A force of 100 N for each tooth, a total of 300 N load was applied. Finite element analysis was used to evaluate and compare the different designs.

Results

The stress concentration within the cortical bone was significantly higher than the trabecular bone around the neck of the implants. The maximum stress values were located around the cortical bone of the distal implant for all designs. The reduction in the number of implants did not diminish the success of the design.

Conclusions

In the presence of vertically resorbed posterior mandibula, although the “all on four” concept is a feasible approach clinically, short implants had decreased the amount of force transmitted to the supporting bone.
A Research Mentor Training Curriculum for Clinical and Translational Researchers
Authors: Pfund Christine , House Stephanie , Spencer Kimberly , Asquith Pamela , Carney Paula , Masters Kristyn S. , McGee Richard , Shanedling Janet , Vecchiarelli Stephanie , Fleming Michael
Published: December 2012

Purpose

To design and evaluate a research mentor training curriculum for clinical and translational researchers. The resulting 8‐hour curriculum was implemented as part of a national mentor training trial.

Method

The mentor training curriculum was implemented with 144 mentors at 16 academic institutions. Facilitators of the curriculum participated in a train‐the‐trainer workshop to ensure uniform delivery. The data used for this report were collected from participants during the training sessions through reflective writing, and following the last training session via confidential survey with a 94% response rate.

Results

A total of 88% of respondents reported high levels of satisfaction with the training experience, and 90% noted they would recommend the training to a colleague. Participants also reported significant learning gains across six mentoring competencies as well as specific impacts of the training on their mentoring practice.

Conclusions

The data suggest the described research mentor training curriculum is an effective means of engaging research mentors to reflect upon and improve their research mentoring practices. The training resulted in high satisfaction, self‐reported skill gains as well as behavioral changes of clinical and translational research mentors. Given success across 16 diverse sites, this training may serve as a national model. Clin Trans Sci 2013; Volume 6: 26–33
The spectrum of histopathologic findings in cutaneous eruptions associated with influenza A (H1N1) infection
Authors: Kaley Jennifer , Pellowski Donna M , Cheung Wang L , Hiatt Kim M.
Published: December 2012

Influenza A (H1N1), like many other viral infections, has been associated with cutaneous eruptions. Differential diagnoses in a viral exanthem generally include spongiotic dermatitis, urticaria and drug reaction. The aim of this series was to retrospectively review three cases (five biopsies) involving patients with a clinical history of H1N1 and an accompanying rash, and to evaluate whether unique histopathologic and immunohistochemical features exist among these patients' cutaneous eruptions. Findings among all cases included a sparse superficial perivascular infiltrate, and interestingly, scattered interstitial and prominent intravascular neutrophils. Two cases demonstrated mild spongiosis and mild interface change. Immunohistochemistry in all cases revealed a CD4‐predominant lymphocytic infiltrate of the dermis with a sparse intraepidermal population of admixed CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocytes. Many changes found in the cutaneous eruption associated with H1N1 are similar to those of other viral eruptions, including a mild perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate, mild spongiosis and mild interface change; however, sparse dermal and intravascular neutrophils and intraepidermal lymphocytes appear to be the features unique to these cases of H1N1‐associated cutaneous eruptions. Such a distinction may prove diagnostically important in the clinical setting and useful in the surveillance of this historically pandemic virus.
Components of metabolic syndrome and 5‐year change in insulin clearance – the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study
Authors: Lee C. C. , Lorenzo C. , Haffner S. M. , Wagenknecht L. E. , Goodarzi M. O. , Stefanovski D. , Norris J. M. , Rewers M. J. , Hanley A. J.
Published: December 2012

Aims

Cross‐sectional evidence indicates that abdominal adiposity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and glycaemia are associated with reduced metabolic clearance rate of insulin (MCRI). Little is known about the progression of MCRI and whether components of metabolic syndrome are associated with the change in MCRI. In this study, we examined the association between components of metabolic syndrome and the 5‐year change of MCRI.

Methods

At baseline and 5‐year follow‐up, we measured fasting plasma triglycerides (TG), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure (BP), waist circumference (WC) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in 784 non‐diabetic participants in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study. MCRI, insulin sensitivity (SI) and acute insulin response (AIR) were determined from frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests.

Results

We observed a 29% decline of MCRI at follow‐up. TG, systolic BP and WC at baseline were inversely associated with a decline of MCRI regression models adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption, energy expenditure, family history of diabetes, BMI, SI and AIR [β = −0.057 (95% confidence interval, CI: −0.11, −0.0084) for TG, β = −0.0019 (95% CI: −0.0035, −0.00023) for systolic BP and β = −0.0084 (95% CI: −0.013, −0.0039) for WC; all p < 0.05]. Higher HDL cholesterol at baseline was associated with an increase in MCRI [multivariable‐adjusted β = 0.0029 (95% CI: 0.0010, 0.0048), p = 0.002]. FBG at baseline was not associated with MCRI at follow‐up [multivariable‐adjusted β = 0.0014 (95% CI: −0.0026, 0.0029)].

Conclusions

MCRI declined progressively over 5 years in a non‐diabetic cohort. Components of metabolic syndrome at baseline were associated with a significant change in MCRI.
Lesion of medial prefrontal dopamine terminals abolishes habituation of accumbens shell dopamine responsiveness to taste stimuli
Authors: Bimpisidis Zisis , De Luca Maria Antonietta , Pisanu Augusta , Di Chiara Gaetano
Published: December 2012

Taste stimuli increase extracellular dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). This effect shows single‐trial habituation in NAc shell but not in core or in mPFC. Morphine sensitization abolishes habituation of DA responsiveness in NAc shell but induces it in mPFC. These observations support the hypothesis of an inhibitory influence of mPFC DA on NAc DA. To test this hypothesis, we used in vivo microdialysis to investigate the effect of mPFC 6‐hydroxy‐dopamine (6‐OHDA) lesions on the NAc DA responsiveness to taste stimuli. 6‐OHDA was infused bilaterally in the mPFC of rats implanted with guide cannulae. After 1 week, rats were implanted with an intraoral catheter, microdialysis probes were inserted into the guide cannulae, and dialysate DA was monitored in NAc shell/core after intraoral chocolate. 6‐OHDA infusion reduced tissue DA in the mPFC by 75%. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry showed that lesions were confined to the mPFC. mPFC 6‐OHDA lesion did not affect the NAc shell DA responsiveness to chocolate in naive rats but abolished habituation in rats pre‐exposed to the taste. In the NAc core, mPFC lesion potentiated, delayed and prolonged the stimulatory DA response to taste but failed to affect DA in pre‐exposed rats. Behavioural taste reactions and motor activity were not affected. The results indicate a top‐down control of NAc DA by mPFC and a reciprocal relationship between DA transmission in these two areas. Moreover, habituation of DA responsiveness in the NAc shell is dependent upon an intact DA input to the mPFC.
Rasmussen encephalitis: Incidence and course under randomized therapy with tacrolimus or intravenous immunoglobulins
Authors: Bien Christian G. , Tiemeier Henning , Sassen Robert , Kuczaty Stefan , Urbach Horst , von Lehe Marec , Becker Albert J. , Bast Thomas , Herkenrath Peter , Karenfort Michael , Kruse Bernd , Kurlemann Gerhard , Rona Sabine , Schubert‐Bast Susanne , Vieker Silvia , Vlaho Stefan , Wilken Bernd , Elger Christian E.
Published: December 2012

Purpose:  Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) leads to progressive tissue and function loss of one brain hemisphere and often intractable epilepsy. This is the first randomized prospective treatment trial in RE.

Methods:  Germany‐wide, patients with suspected recent‐onset RE were recruited and if eligible randomized to tacrolimus or intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs). A loss of motor function or hemispheric volume by ≥15% (in patients >12 years at disease onset: ≥8%) led to study exit. Untreated patients served as a historical control group.

Key Findings:  Over 6.3 years, 21 patients with recent‐onset RE were identified. Sixteen were randomized to tacrolimus (n = 9) or IVIG (n = 7). Immunotreated patients had a longer “survival” than the historical controls. Neither treatment was more efficacious than the other. Two tacrolimus patients experienced serious adverse events. No immunotreated but several untreated patients developed intractable epilepsy. No patient with refractory epilepsy became treatment‐responsive under immunotherapy.

Significance:  The countrywide incidence rate of diagnosed RE is estimated as 2.4 cases/107 people ≤ age 18/year. Treatment with tacrolimus or IVIG may slow down tissue and function loss and prevent development of intractable epilepsy. However, immunotherapy may “arrest” patients in a dilemma state of pharmacoresistant epilepsy but too good function to be offered functional hemispherectomy. These compounds may therefore contribute to the therapeutic armamentarium for RE patients without difficult‐to‐treat epilepsies.
Recognition of Young in A Colonially Nesting Bird
Authors: Strickler Stephanie A.
Published: December 2012

Parents ought to restrict costly parental care to their genetic offspring and, particularly when the risk of misdirecting care is high, parent‐offspring recognition may evolve. I tested whether adult cave swallows, which nest in dense colonies and feed fledglings in mixed‐family groups, discriminate against unrelated young, using temporary chick transfers at two nestling ages and a cross‐fostering experiment. Temporary chick transfers indicated that parents bias feedings toward their own offspring near fledging (18 d) but not at about halfway through the nesting period (10 d). I also examined how parents learn to identify their offspring by cross‐fostering young 3 d after hatching and testing parental response 2 wks later. Adults did not favor their own offspring over unrelated nestlings when both were unfamiliar to the focal parents. However, when parents encountered two of their own offspring, one of which was reared by foster parents, they preferentially fed the familiar nestling. By recognizing young, cave swallow parents reduce some risks of misdirected parental investment (mobile fledglings) but not others (extra‐pair young and intraspecific brood parasitism).
A Comparison of the Sensory Development of Wolves (Canis lupus lupus) and Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)
Authors: Lord Kathryn
Published: December 2012

Little is known about the development of the sensory systems of wolves. The timing of sensory development in wolves is usually extrapolated from studies on dogs, since they are members of the same species. However, early developmental differences between these two subspecies have already been identified. For example, wolves tend to approach and investigate objects in their environment 2 wk before dogs. These changes in developmental timing may play an important role in the behavioral differences between adult wolves and dogs. The purpose of this study is to compare the development of the sensory systems in wolves and dogs.

Responses of seven wolf pups and 43 dog pups to familiar and novel olfactory, auditory, and visual stimuli were tested weekly from 2–7 wk of age. Eleven wolf pups were also observed for orientation towards auditory and visual stimuli during 2‐h sessions, 5 d a week, from 2–8 wk of age. These observations were supplemented by the daily records of caretakers.

The results suggest that wolves and dogs both develop olfaction by 2 wk, audition by 4 wk, and vision by 6 wk on average, despite the 2‐wk shift in their ability to explore. This means that when wolves begin to explore at 2 wk, they are blind and deaf, and must rely primarily on their sense of smell. Thus, there is a significant alteration of how these subspecies experience their environment during the critical period of socialization. These findings lead to an alternative explanation for the difference in dogs' and wolves' abilities to form interspecies social attachments, such as those with humans.
Generalization of Mimics Imperfect in Colour Patterns: The Point of View of Wild Avian Predators
Authors: Veselý Petr , Luhanová Dana , Prášková Michaela , Fuchs Roman
Published: December 2012

Current research of imperfect mimicry brings ambiguous results. Experiments simulating more natural conditions rather than laboratory experiments show lower willingness of avian predators to attack less perfect mimics. We decided to simulate a natural situation by testing responses of wild‐caught adult avian predators (Great tit – Parus major) to variously perfect mimics of the red firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus), which were in previous studies shown to elicit avoidance in Great tits. Presented mimics were perfect in all traits (firebug with its own colour pattern), imperfect in colour pattern (firebug with modified colour pattern), perfect in colour pattern, but imperfect in other visual traits (cockroach with firebug colour pattern), and imperfect in colour pattern as well as in other visual traits (cockroach with modified colour patterns). Modification of the pattern focused on the rounded spots on firebug's hemielytra, which is a conspicuous trait within the pattern. The pattern modification had no influence on the number of birds attacking the prey; nevertheless, birds spent more time observing the cockroaches that displayed the perfect firebug colour pattern than in the case of any other prey. Moreover, firebugs that displayed the perfect firebug colour pattern were observed for the shortest time (equal to that of the model – unmodified firebug). Cockroaches were attacked more often than firebugs, which suggest that birds were able to use additional visual cues (shape of legs and antennae) in prey recognition. Given these result, we conclude that differences in morphological traits characteristic for used prey taxa (true bugs, cockroaches) seem to be more important in the prey's protection than its colour pattern.
Geographic Factors Affecting the Presence of Transhipment Services in Regional Maritime Container Markets
Authors: Russo Francesco , Musolino Giuseppe
Published: December 2012

The presence of transhipment services in a region has previously been analyzed relative to ports and shippers with no consideration to the geographical factors of the sea basin serving the region. We hypothesize that attributes related to basin morphology also should be considered, as the processes involved in the maritime container freight market are comparable to processes in other transport markets. We show that transhipment services are relevant in those regions with closed sea basins. This article addresses the following issues: the traditional analytic methods used to determine, directly or indirectly, the presence of transhipment services; the role of transhipment in some geographic regions by estimating the rate of transhipment relative to throughput for each region; and the estimation of a statistical model that can determine the presence of transhipment by means of aggregate variables related to the morphology of a sea basin serving each region and to the socioeconomic characteristics of the region served.

La presencia de servicios de transbordo en una región ha sido analizada en relación a los puertos y cargadores, sin considerar los factores geográficos de las cuencas marítimas al servicio de una región. Nuestra hipótesis es que los atributos relacionados a la morfología de las cuencas también deberían tomarse en cuenta, ya que los procesos involucrados en el mercado de contenedores de carga marítima son comparables a los procesos de otros mercados de transporte. Mostramos que los servicios de transbordo son relevantes en aquellas regiones con cuencas marítimas cerradas. El presente artículo aborda los siguientes temas: los métodos analíticos tradicionales generalmente usados para determinar, directa o indirectamente, la presencia de servicios de transbordo; el rol del transbordo en algunas regiones geográficas, a partir de la estimación de las tasas de transbordo relativas a su rendimiento (throughput) en cada región; y la estimación de un modelo estadístico que pueda determinar la presencia de transbordo a partir de variables agregadas relacionadas a la morfología de la cuenca marítima al servicio de cada región, y a las características socioeconómicas de cada región.

区域海运转运服务的分析已经将港口和航运商纳入研究范畴，但忽视了区域海洋盆地地理因素的影响。由于参与海运集装箱货运市场的过程与其他运输市场的过程具有可比性，因而本文认为和海盆形态有关的属性也应考虑在内。研究结果显示，转运服务与那些靠近海盆的区域具有相关性。本文将重点对以下问题进行阐述：过去经常用来直接或间接判断转运服务的传统分析方法；通过估计一个地区相对于自身吞吐量的转运率来判断部分地理区域在转运服务中的角色；通过区域海盆形态和社会经济属性相关的综合变量，构建能够判别转运服务的统计模型.
Geographies of Contemporary Christian Mission(aries)
Authors: Brickell Claire
Published: December 2012

This paper draws together emerging literature within Geography, and from across the broader social sciences, around contemporary mission and missionaries. It argues for the importance of recognising mission organisations and missionaries not just as historic relics, but as important, active, and geographically far ranging actors in the modern world. In mapping out the little work that has been conducted, three themes are addressed, missionary geopolitics; mission, welfare and development; and transnational migration, religion and cosmopolitanism. The article highlights the potential contributions that a (re)examination of missionary lives, beliefs and praxis can make to these disparate bodies of literature, and calls for further research in these directions within geographical scholarship.
Effect of drought on biomass allocation in two invasive and two native grass species dominating the mixed‐grass prairie
Authors: Dong X. , Patton J. , Wang G. , Nyren P. , Peterson P.
Published: December 2012

Control of exotic plant species invading the native prairie relies on our understanding of the eco‐physiological mechanisms responsible for the spread of these species as they compete with native plants for soil resources. We used a greenhouse pot experiment to study vegetative biomass allocation in response to drought stress in two exotic grass species, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss), and two native species, western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve) and green needlegrass (Stipa viridula Trin.). The experiment was conducted over 3 months in 2010 and again in 2011 in a factorial design of four species and two drought treatments. The proportional data of biomass allocation to shoots, roots, rhizomes and crowns (shoot base) of grass seedlings were analysed by both the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U‐test on the original data and one‐way anova on the arcsine‐transformed data. Our data suggest a clear distinction between the two invasive and two native species in potential competitiveness in soil resource use, with the two exotic species having higher biomass allocation to roots than the two native species and the native species having a higher biomass allocation to crowns than the two exotic species. It is interesting to note that the strongly rhizomatous smooth brome did not produce rhizomes in the first season's growth, regardless of the water stress level. The effect of drought stress on biomass allocation manifested itself more on rhizomes or crowns than on roots or shoots of the four studied grass species, with the effects species‐specific in nature.