bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attention in Children and Adolescents With Headache
Authors: Riva Daria , Usilla Arianna , Aggio Federica , Vago Chiara , Treccani Chiara , Bulgheroni Sara
Published: November 2011

Objective.— The previous studies reporting consistent visual reaction times slowing in patients with migraine prompted us to verify if headache could be associated to a broader impairment of attention. This study aims to undertake a thorough investigation of attentional performance by extending the evaluation to children with primary headache of different types.

Methods.— We compared 62 children with headache (14 migraineurs with aura, 29 without aura and 19 with tension type headache) and 52 controls without headache, matched for age, sex, and intelligence using Conners' Continuous Performance Test.

Results.— The 3 clinical groups did not differ in attentional measures. The headache patients, collapsed in 1 single sample, had mean scores in Hit Reaction Time significantly different from those of controls and also had a higher percentage of atypical scores in 2 indices of the Conners' Continuous Performance Test (faster mean reaction time and more commissions).

Conclusions.— Our results confirm the presence of an association between attentional problems and headache that may impact academic learning and daily activities on the long term. The finding that the 3 clinical groups did not show significant differences in attentional performance supports the hypothesis that migraine and tension headache form a continuum that may share the same pathophysiological mechanisms. These results are discussed considering that neurotransmitters and the cerebral circuits subserving headache, personality profile, and attention could overlap, thus predisposing these children to even mild attention malfunctioning.

(Headache 2012;52:374‐384)
Recovery, survival, and function of transfused platelets and detection of platelet engraftment after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Vetlesen Annette , Holme Pål André , Lyberg Torstein , Kjeldsen‐Kragh Jens
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND: Recovery and survival of transfused platelets (PLTs) are usually assessed by radioisotope labeling methods for evaluation of transfusion efficacy and new progress in the processing of PLT concentrates. Alternative, nonradioactive methods are warranted.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A multicolor flow cytometry method was developed for simultaneous studies of recovery, survival, and function of transfused PLTs. Eight consecutive patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (TX) were transfused with apheresis PLTs of nonself human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class I types, and HLA Class I discrepancy between donor and recipient was used to identify transfused PLTs. Hematologic status and HLA Class I surface expression were analyzed immediately before transfusion, 1 and 6 hours after transfusion, and daily during the subsequent week. PLT activation was assessed by surface expression of CD63, CD62P, or CD42a, before and after stimulation with thrombin receptor agonist peptide.

RESULTS: PLT recovery was 43, 41, and 31% for fresh (5‐72 hr old) and 30, 27, and 17% for stored (73‐148 hr old) PLTs, after 1, 6, and 15 to 28 hours, respectively. Survival of fresh versus stored PLTs were 160 and 105 hours, respectively. Spontaneous PLT activation and residual activation potential were almost equal for fresh and stored PLTs. PLT engraftment was detected between Day 7 and Day 9, which was significantly earlier than first sign of neutrophil engraftment (Days 11‐19; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Flow cytometry is an attractive alternative to radiolabeling of PLTs for simultaneous studies of survival, recovery, and function of transfused PLTs and early detection of PLT engraftment after allogeneic stem cell TX.
Evidence Maps: Communicating Risk Assessments in Societal Controversies: The Case of Engineered Nanoparticles
Authors: Wiedemann Peter , Schütz Holger , Spangenberg Albena , Krug Harald F.
Published: November 2011

The transparent and fair characterization of scientific evidence for reporting the results of a hazard assessment is a demanding task. In this article, we present an approach for characterizing evidence—the evidence map approach. The theoretical starting point is to view evidence characterization as a form of argumentation. Thus, evidence maps are designed to depict the evidence base, the pro and con arguments, and the remaining uncertainties, which together lead experts to their conclusions when summarizing and evaluating the scientific evidence about a potential hazard. To illustrate its use, the evidence maps approach is applied to characterizing the health‐relevant effects of engineered nanoparticles. Empirical data from an online survey suggests that the use of evidence maps improves the reporting of hazard assessments. Nonexperts prefer to receive the information included in an evidence map in order to come to an informed judgment. Furthermore, the benefits and limitations of evidence maps are discussed in the light of recent literature on risk communication. Finally, the article underlines the need for further research in order to increase quality of evidence reporting.
Europe Faces Crisis Brazil Solved
Authors: CARDOSO FERNANDO HENRIQUE
Published: November 2011

The sovereign debt problem in Europe, ignited by Greece, has morphed into an economic crisis challenging the solvency of major banks and countries as well as a generalized crisis of governance. Lacking the legitimacy of public support, the leaders of the European Union's fledgling institutions have been indecisive and unable to contain the looming danger of financial contagion. Along with the economic slowdown in the United States, instability and volatility in Europe threaten to derail the fragile global recovery.

In this section, several former European leaders as well as political figures from the emerging economies offer their ideas on how to fix Europe and stem the global threat.
The G‐20 Must Get Serious About Its Commitments
Authors: ZEDILLO ERNESTO , GONZALEZ FELIPE
Published: November 2011

The sovereign debt problem in Europe, ignited by Greece, has morphed into an economic crisis challenging the solvency of major banks and countries as well as a generalized crisis of governance. Lacking the legitimacy of public support, the leaders of the European Union's fledgling institutions have been indecisive and unable to contain the looming danger of financial contagion. Along with the economic slowdown in the United States, instability and volatility in Europe threaten to derail the fragile global recovery.

In this section, several former European leaders as well as political figures from the emerging economies offer their ideas on how to fix Europe and stem the global threat.
Commentary: Freedom to Marry: Touching the Hearts and Expanding the Dreams of Youth
Authors: Wolfson Evan
Published: November 2011

Young people dream of a life together with a committed partner, and the fight for the freedom to marry has a direct and positive effect on their self‐esteem and sense of empowerment as the research compiled and analyzed by Michelle A. Marzullo and Gilbert Herdt shows. Not surprisingly, young people across the board overwhelmingly support the freedom to marry and are helping fuel the momentum for ending marriage discrimination.
Dehydroxylation and Rehydroxylation Mechanisms in Fired Clay Ceramic: A TG‐MS and DRIFTS Investigation
Authors: Clegg Francis , Breen Chris , Carter Margaret A. , Ince Ceren , Savage Shaun D. , Wilson Moira A.
Published: November 2011

Selected instrumental techniques [dilatometry, thermogravimetry – mass spectrometry (TG‐MS), and variable temperature – diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (VT‐DRIFTS)] have been used to investigate the role of moisture in the rehydroxylation reaction which causes expansion and mass gain in fired clay ceramics. The temperature range over which adsorbed water molecules and structural hydroxyl groups are desorbed from fired clay ceramic as it is reheated, and the nature of the structural hydroxyls that are formed as the ceramic is cooled and then held under controlled conditions have been explored. The mass chromatogram for m/z = 18, supported by VT‐DRIFTS, showed that physisorbed water molecules were removed from the ceramic at about 105°C, whereas strongly bound molecules of water and structural hydroxyls were held to ≤500°C. Dilatometry revealed a marked contraction of the ceramic between 200°C and 330°C which corresponded to loss of strongly bound molecules of water. The VT‐DRIFTS also showed that the interaction of water molecules with the ceramic body following reheating occurred in two stages and confirmed the kinetic law previously derived from mass gain and moisture expansion in fired clay ceramics.
Blue‐White‐Green Tunable Luminescence of Ce3+, Tb3+ Co‐Doped Sodium Silicate Glasses for White LEDs
Authors: Wei RongFei , Zhang Hao , Li Fang , Guo Hai
Published: November 2011

Highly transparent Ce3+, Tb3+ co‐doped sodium silicate glasses were prepared by melt‐quenching technique. The luminescent properties of Ce3+, Tb3+ single‐doped and co‐doped glasses, energy transfer process from Ce3+ to Tb3+ were systemically investigated through excitation spectra, emission spectra, decay curves, and energy level diagram. Tuning the content of Tb3+ can generate the varied hues from blue to white and eventually to yellowish green. Our results suggest that Ce3+, Tb3+ co‐doped sodium silicate glasses could be used as converting phosphors for Near‐ultraviolet LED chips to generate W‐LEDs.
Synthesis and Electromagnetic Shielding Property of Pyrolytic Carbon‐Silicon Nitride Ceramics with Dense Silicon Nitride Coating
Authors: Li Xiangming , Zhang Litong , Yin Xiaowei
Published: November 2011

Pyrolytic carbon‐silicon nitride ceramics with dense silicon nitride coating (PyC‐Si3N4/Si3N4) were fabricated by chemical vapor infiltration of PyC into porous Si3N4 ceramics combined with chemical vapor deposition of Si3N4 at their surface. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (SE) of PyC‐Si3N4/Si3N4 increases with the increase of PyC content and specimen thickness. When the content of PyC is 11.7 vol% and the thickness of specimen is 2.8 mm, the mean total SE of PyC‐Si3N4/Si3N4 reaches 43.2 dB in the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz. Due to the excellent sealing effect of dense Si3N4 coating, the mean total SE of PyC‐Si3N4/Si3N4 remains unchanged even after oxidation at 1100°C for 10 h in air.
Microstructures, Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Bulk Ti2AlC Synthesized by Self‐Propagating High‐Temperature Combustion Synthesis with Pseudo Hot Isostatic Pressing
Authors: Bai Yuelei , He Xiaodong , Zhu Chuncheng , Chen Guiqing
Published: November 2011

The microstructure and the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of bulk Ti2AlC synthesized by self‐propagating high‐temperature combustion synthesis with pseudo hot isostatic pressing (SHS/PHIP) were investigated in detail. The plate‐like Ti2AlC grains distribute irregularly, with the grain size of around 6 μm in length and 1 μm in width. With increasing temperature, the electrical resistivity increases linearly from room temperature (RT) to 900°C, but the thermal conductivity decreases slightly. The RT electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity are 0.40 ± 0.03 μΩ·m and 27.0 W·(m·K)−1, respectively. The electronic component of the thermal conductivity is the dominant mechanism at all temperatures, and the phonon contribution almost can be neglected above 873 K. With increasing temperature, the flexural strength increases first, then decreases above 550°C, at which it reaches the maximum value of 539 ± 36 MPa. The brittle‐to‐plastic transition temperature falls in the temperature range of 750°C–950°C. The Ti2AlC synthesized by SHS/PHIP process exhibits an anisotropic compressive strength. The work of fracture of Ti2AlC is estimated to be 200 ± 7 J/m2, which is much higher than that of traditional ceramics.
Multiple Stable Isotope Characterization as a Forensic Tool to Distinguish Acid Scavenger Samples*
Authors: Moran James J. , Kreuzer Helen W. , Carman April J. , Wahl Jon H. , Duckworth Douglas C.
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  Acid scavengers are frequently used as stabilizer compounds in a variety of applications. When used to stabilize volatile compounds such as nerve agents, the lower volatility and higher stability of acid scavengers make them more persistent in a post‐event forensic setting. Compound‐specific isotope analysis of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen in three acid‐scavenging compounds (N,N‐diethylaniline, tributylamine, and triethylamine) were used as a tool for distinguishing between different samples. Combined analysis of multiple isotopes improved sample resolution, for instance differentiation between triethylamine samples improved from 80% based on carbon alone to 96% when combining with additional isotope data. The compound‐specific methods developed here can be applied to instances where these compounds are not pure, such as when mixed with an agent or when found as a residue. Effective sample matching can be crucial for linking compounds at multiple event sites or linking a supply inventory to an event.
Experimental Rhodotorulosis infection in rats
Authors: WIRTH FERNANDA , GOLDANI LUCIANO Z.
Published: November 2011

Wirth F, Goldani LZ. Experimental Rhodotorulosis infection in rats. APMIS 2012; 120: 231–5.

The low pathogenicity of Rhodotorula spp. is probably related to its reduced ability to grow at 37 °C, an attribute typically enhancing virulence of pathogenic strains. Animal experimentation is a valuable tool to study the pathogenesis of unusual human mycosis, such as Rhodotorula infection. The authors describe the first experimental model of disseminated Rhodotorula infection described in the literature and comment the relevant histopathologic aspects of the infection. Our results showed that the most affected organs by R. mucilaginosa were the lungs, spleen, and especially the liver which presented severe degree of infection. Considering the animals were highly immunocompromised, histopathology of the involved affected organs revealed few epithelioid cells and multinuclear giant cells in association with abundant yeast forms with occasional granuloma formation.
Do hairdressers in Denmark have their hand eczema reported as an occupational disease? Results from a register‐based questionnaire study
Authors: Lysdal Susan H. , Søsted Heidi , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: November 2011

Background. Occupational hand eczema is common in hairdressers, owing to wet work and chemicals.

Objectives. To estimate whether hairdressers in Denmark have their hand eczema reported as an occupational disease and to clarify the reasons for not reporting.

Methods. A register‐based study was performed, comprising trained hairdressers (n = 7840), using a self‐administered postal questionnaire including questions on hand eczema and it being reported as an occupational disease. A response rate of 67.9% (n = 5324) was obtained.

Results. Overall, 2186 respondents ever had hand eczema; 71.3% were apprentices at the time of hand eczema onset. The majority (61.9%) had had hand eczema several times and 21.3% (almost) all of the time, but only 20.7% had reported their hand eczema as being occupational to the National Board of Industrial Injuries (Denmark). A positive association between severity of hand eczema and filing a report was found (odds ratio 19.2; 95% confidence interval 8.18–45.06). The main reasons for not reporting were ‘I thought it would eventually get better’ (40.4%) and ‘My doctor didn't tell me it was possible to report it' (26.6%).

Conclusions. Hand eczema is considerably under‐reported as an occupational disease; the perception of hand eczema among hairdressers and the lack of reporting from doctors are the main reasons for this.
Clinicopathological evaluation of carcinoma cuniculatum: a variant of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sun Yan , Kuyama Kayo , Burkhardt Arne , Yamamoto Hirotsugu
Published: November 2011

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 303–308

Carcinoma cuniculatum (CC) is a rare neoplasm of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and remains a histopathological challenge to pathologists because of its low incidence and unique architecture. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to illustrate the clinicopathological findings and biological behavior about this distinctive lesion. Clinical and follow‐up information were retrieved from medical charts, and histopathological analyses were performed. Our series included 15 cases of CC, and the study included seven men and eight women, age 44–92. The tongue and mandible were the most frequently affected sites. There were three lymph node metastasis cases, and three local recurrences; one of the patients died of lung metastasis from oral CC. Histopathologically, the point of differential diagnosis with other subtypes of OSCC included unique, cuniculatum architecture and branching crypts. Because of its well‐differentiated status, the prognosis of CC is usually optimistic. However, recurrent cases in our study might have possessed invasive biological characters that were not well controlled by conventional treatment; in one case, a portion of the CC transformed into conventional squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This might suggest that transformed CC rather than primary CC should be further emphasized.
Continuous ultra‐low‐intensity artificial daylight is not as effective as red LED light in photodynamic therapy of multiple actinic keratoses
Authors: Wiegell Stine Regin , Heydenreich Jakob , Fabricius Susanne , Wulf Hans Christian
Published: November 2011

Background/Purpose

Daylight‐mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a simple and tolerable treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer. It is of interest which light intensity is sufficient to prevent accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and effectively treat actinic keratoses (AKs). We compared the efficacy of PDT with light‐emitting diode (LED) to daylight‐mediated PDT with very low‐intensity artificial daylight (‘daylight’) in the treatment of multiple AKs in the face or scalp.

Methods

Twenty patients were treated with conventional methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) PDT in one area. Another area was, after half an hour of occlusive treatment with MAL, illuminated for 2.5 h with low‐intensity ‘daylight’ (0.5 mW/cm2–3.7 mW/cm2) that corresponds to midday outdoor intensity in the Scandinavian winter.

Results

After 3 months, with a response rate of 52%, low‐dose artificial daylight was less effective than conventional LED‐PDT (63%) (P = 0.0017). The mean PpIX light dose during ‘daylight’ exposure was 2.23 J/cm2 and the lower the PpIX light intensity, the higher the accumulation of PpIX (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Even very low‐intensity/dose artificial daylight‐mediated PDT of multiple AKs resulted in a response rate of more than 50%. However, to ensure efficacies equivalent to conventional LED‐PDT, the treatment should not be conducted on very overcast days.
The effect of frequency of calcium hydroxide dressing change and various pre‐ and inter‐operative factors on the endodontic treatment of traumatized immature permanent incisors
Authors: Yassen Ghaeth H. , Chin Judith , Mohammedsharif Ahmed G. , Alsoufy Saif S. , Othman Samer S. , Eckert George
Published: November 2011

Abstract –  Aim:  The objectives of this clinical study were as follows: (i) to determine the effect of frequency of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] dressing change on the apical barrier formation in immature permanent incisors with necrotic pulps and (ii) to investigate the effect of various clinical factors before and during treatment that may be associated with the frequency of Ca(OH)2 dressing changes.

Methods:  The study involved 21 healthy subjects, 8–12 years old. Twenty‐three immature traumatized permanent maxillary central incisors were treated using Ca(OH)2 powder mixed with barium sulfate and distilled water. The progress of barrier formation was reviewed after 6 months of first placement of Ca(OH)2 and then every 3 months until the detection of an apical barrier. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed before and after treatment. Data were evaluated using a chi‐square test.

Results:  Apical barrier formation was successful for all 23 teeth. Seventeen teeth (74%) needed only a single application of Ca(OH)2, while six teeth (26%) required more than one application. The average time of apical barrier formation was 30 weeks, and the mean number of Ca(OH)2 dressing changes was 1.3. A significant positive association was found between teeth that presented with displacement and the number of Ca(OH)2 dressing changes (P = 0.004).

Conclusion:  An initial 6‐month application of Ca(OH)2 dressing followed by 3‐month replacements (usually in teeth presenting with displacement and/or sinus tracts) may be successfully used in apexification treatment. This would assist in reducing the number of Ca(OH)2 dressing changes, number of appointments, cost of treatment and radiation exposure.
Improving wound score classification with limited remission spectra
Authors: Schmidt Jana , Hapfelmeier Andreas , Schmidt Wolf‐Dieter , Wollina Uwe
Published: November 2011

The classification of wounds into healing states depending on their absorption spectrum of visible and near infrared light remains an important task in dermatology. Moreover, a reduction of the spectrum that is used in the classification task to fewer but important wavelengths is desirable, as each measured wavelength increases the examination costs without necessarily providing further information to the classification of wound healing states. This paper addresses two aspects: First the improvement of the classification of wounds into healing states and second, a cost reduction by choosing only important wavelengths. Standard Data Mining methods are evaluated for their classification accuracy (CA) and compared to their performance when applying feature selection techniques that are used to reduce the amount of necessary wavelengths. The results indicate that the 1‐nearest‐neighbor approach (IB1 algorithm) comes up with the best CA, while only relying on a fraction (4%) of the standard wavelength spectrum.
The dynamical state of galaxy groups and their luminosity content
Authors: Martínez Héctor J. , Zandivarez Ariel
Published: November 2011

We analyse the dependence of the luminosity function (LF) of galaxies in groups on group dynamical state. We use the Gaussianity of the velocity distribution of galaxy members as a measurement of the dynamical equilibrium of groups identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 by Zandivarez & Martínez. We apply the Anderson–Darling goodness-of-fit test to distinguish between groups according to whether they have Gaussian or non-Gaussian velocity distributions, i.e. whether they are relaxed or not. For these two subsamples, we compute the 0.1r-band LF as a function of group virial mass and group total luminosity. For massive groups, , we find statistically significant differences between the LF of the two subsamples: the LFs of groups that have Gaussian velocity distributions have a brighter characteristic absolute magnitude (∼0.3 mag) and a steeper faint-end slope (∼0.25). We detect a similar effect when comparing the LF of bright [ Gaussian and non-Gaussian groups. Our results indicate that, for massive/luminous groups, the dynamical state of the system is directly related to the luminosity of its galaxy members.
Return of Results: Towards a Lexicon?
Authors: Knoppers Bartha Maria , Dam Amy
Published: November 2011

The last few years have witnessed the growth of large-scale, population genomics biobanks, which serve as longitudinal, gene-environment databases for future yet unspecified research. An international consortium, the Public Population Project in Genomics (P3G), builds harmonization tools for such biobanks and has catalogued numerous studies — at least 139 with over 10,000 banked participants and 34 with over 100,000. As their potential use for translational, clinical research draws near, it is opportune to clarify the duties of such biobanks to communicate results to participants. To identify the potential obligations, some demystification of the terminology surrounding the return of results as found in international and national norms on biobanking generally is essential. On the whole, our proposed lexicon is based on a study of norms as found in national and international policies but excludes debates found in the literature.
Reforming Pharmaceutical Industry-Physician Financial Relationships: Lessons from the United States, France, and Japan
Authors: Rodwin Marc A.
Published: November 2011

Post-industrial societies confront common problems in pharmaceutical industry-physician relations. In order to promote sales, drug firms create financial relationships that influence physicians' prescriptions and sometimes even reward physicians for prescribing drugs. Three main types exist: (1) kickbacks, (2) gifts, and (3) financial support for professional activities. The prevalence of these practices has evolved over time in response to changes in professional codes, law, and markets. There are certainly differences among these types of ties, but all of them can compromise physicians' independent judgment and rational prescribing.

Drug firms have paid kickbacks for prescribing drugs, purchasing drugs, switching brands prescribed, adding a drug to a hospital formulary, enrolling patients in post-marketing clinical trials, and writing practice guidelines that encourage the use of certain drugs.
Joint estimation of contemporary seed and pollen dispersal rates among plant populations
Authors: ROBLEDO‐ARNUNCIO J. J.
Published: November 2011

There are few statistical methods for estimating contemporary dispersal among plant populations. A maximum‐likelihood procedure is introduced here that uses pre‐ and post‐dispersal population samples of biparentally inherited genetic markers to jointly estimate contemporary seed and pollen immigration rates from a set of discrete external sources into a target population. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that accurate estimates and reliable confidence intervals can be obtained using this method for both pollen and seed migration rates at modest sample sizes (100 parents/population and 100 offspring) when population differentiation is moderate (FST ≥ 0.1), or by increasing pre‐dispersal samples (to about 500 parents/population) when genetic divergence is weak (FST = 0.01). The method exhibited low sensitivity to the number of source populations and achieved good accuracy at affordable genetic resolution (10 loci with 10 equifrequent alleles each). Unsampled source populations introduced positive biases in migration rate estimates from sampled sources, although they were minor when the proportion of immigration from the latter was comparatively low. A practical application of the method to a metapopulation of the Australian resprouter shrub Banksia attenuata revealed comparable levels of directional seed and pollen migration among dune groups, and the estimate of seed dispersal was higher than a previous estimate based on conservative assignment tests. The method should be of interest to researchers and managers assessing broad‐scale nonequilibrium seed and pollen gene flow dynamics in plants.
Metaphors Reveal Preservice Elementary Teachers' Views of Mathematics and Science Teaching
Authors: Cassel Darlinda , Vincent Daniel
Published: November 2011

Typically, experiences shape one's attitudes toward the “thing” that is being experienced, whether it is a person, pet, movie, etc. Classroom experiences also shape one's attitudes toward a subject, teacher, learning, and so forth. Studies have shown that attitudes become more negative as students move from elementary to secondary schools. Elementary preservice teachers have had many classroom experiences by the time they reach their methods courses. These varied experiences have shaped their attitudes about the learning and teaching of mathematics and science.
Signaling transduction analysis in gingival epithelial cells after infection with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Umeda J.E. , Demuth D.R. , Ando E.S. , Faveri M. , Mayer M.P.A.
Published: November 2011

Periodontal diseases result from the interaction of bacterial pathogens with the host’s gingival tissue. Gingival epithelial cells are constantly challenged by microbial cells and respond by altering their transcription profiles, inducing the production of inflammatory mediators. Different transcription profiles are induced by oral bacteria and little is known about how the gingival epithelium responds after interaction with the periodontopathogenic organism Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. In the present study, we examined the transcription of genes involved in signaling transduction pathways in gingival epithelial cells exposed to viable A. actinomycetemcomitans. Immortalized gingival epithelial cells (OBA‐9) were infected with A. actinomycetemcomitans JP2 for 24 h and the transcription profile of genes encoding human signal transduction pathways was determined. Functional analysis of inflammatory mediators positively transcribed was performed by ELISA in culture supernatant and in gingival tissues. Fifteen of 84 genes on the array were over‐expressed (P < 0.01) after 24 h of infection with viable A. actinomycetemcomitans. Over‐expressed genes included those implicated in tissue remodeling and bone resorption, such as CSF2, genes encoding components of the LDL pathway, nuclear factor‐κB‐dependent genes and other cytokines. The ELISA data confirmed that granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor/colony‐stimulating factor 2, tumor necrosis factor‐α and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 were highly expressed by infected gingival cells when compared with control non‐infected cells, and presented higher concentrations in tissues from patients with aggressive and chronic periodontitis than in tissues from healthy controls. The induction in epithelial cells of factors such as the pro‐inflammatory cytokine CSF2, which is involved in osteoclastogenesis, may help to explain the outcomes of A. actinomycetemcomitans infection.
Incidence of support limb laminitis in horses treated with half limb, full limb or transfixation pin casts: A retrospective study of 113 horses (2000–2009)
Authors: VIRGIN J. E. , GOODRICH L. R. , BAXTER G. M. , RAO S.
Published: November 2011

Reasons for performing study:To determine the incidence of support limb laminitis among horses treated with half limb, full limb or transfixation pin casts and determine potential risk factors.

Methods:Medical records of 113 horses treated with half limb, full limb or transfixation pin casts at an equine referral hospital from 2000 to 2009 were reviewed. Associations between potential risk factors and development of support limb laminitis were evaluated by bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results:Of the 113 horses that received casts, 14 (12%) developed confirmed support limb laminitis. The bodyweight of the horse and duration of casting in weeks were significantly associated with support limb laminitis. Horses requiring full limb casts or transfixation pin casts were more likely to develop this complication than horses requiring half limb casts. There were no significant associations between developing support limb laminitis and weightbearing capacity on presentation to the hospital, the limb affected (fore‐ or hind), whether there was a fracture present or breed of horse.

Conclusions:Support limb laminitis is a relatively common complication among horses treated with half limb, full limb and transfixation pin casts. Greater durations of casting and higher bodyweights increase the likelihood of developing this complication.

Potential relevance:Support limb laminitis may occur secondary to any painful unilateral lameness and is not necessarily more likely to develop in horses with severe orthopaedic conditions such as fractures. However, heavier horses, those requiring casts for longer periods of time and those that require a full limb or transfixation pin cast as opposed to a half limb cast should be considered to have an increased risk for developing support limb laminitis post operatively.
Ion beams in SEM: An experiment towards a high brightness low energy spread electron impact gas ion source
Authors: Jun David S. , Kutchoukov Vladimir G. , Kruit Pieter
Published: November 2011

A next generation ion source suitable for both high resolution focused ion beam milling and imaging applications is currently being developed. The new ion source relies on a method of which positively charged ions are extracted from a miniaturized gas chamber where neutral gas atoms become ionized by direct electron impact. The use of a very small gas chamber and a very narrow electron beam (<100 nm) allows for a very small ionization volume, which, in turn, yields a small virtual source size and low energy spread. The authors estimate that using a high current density electron beam from a Schottky electron gun the reduced brightness of this source can exceed that of the Gallium Liquid Metal Ion Sources and the energy spread can be well below 1 eV at an optimal gas pressure and gas chamber spacing while producing more than 1 nA of usable ion beam current. In a proof-of-concept study, the authors have produced ions of helium, argon, xenon, and air from a prototype gas chamber using an electron probe inside a scanning electron microscope. Using micro-channel plates and a phosphor screen, ion beam patterns have been acquired demonstrating that a beam of ions can be produced from a miniaturized gas chamber. The authors have measured up to several hundreds of pico-amperes of ion current in a Faraday cup using an input electron probe current of ∼14 nA with 1 keV incident energy. The authors have also verified that the ion beam current is dependent on the incident electron beam energy, gas chamber bias voltage, and the gas pressure inside the ionization chamber.
Metabolic Regulation of Differentiation
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: November 2011

Metabolic processes required for the differentiation of effector T cells are controlled by an orphan nuclear receptor.
Viral Control
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: November 2011

A persisting wave of the cytokine interleukin-6 allows control of chronic viral infections.
Risk factors for injuries in alpine skiing, telemark skiing and snowboarding – case-control study
Authors: Sulheim Steinar , Holme Ingar , Rødven Andreas , Ekeland Arne , Bahr Roald
Published: November 2011

Background

Alpine skiing and snowboarding have a substantial risk of injuries, but precise risk factor estimates are limited.

Objective

To determine the risk factors among skiers and snowboarders.

Study design

Case-control study.

Methods

Ski patrols reported cases (N=3277) in eight major Norwegian alpine resorts. Injury type and risk factors (age, gender, nationality, skill level, equipment, helmet use, ski school attendance, rented or own equipment) were recorded. An uninjured control group (N=2992) was obtained at the same resorts. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between individual risk factors and risk of injury.

Results

The overall injury risk was increased among beginners (OR 2.72; 2.12 to 3.47), children (OR 1.72; 1.41 to 2.13), adolescents (OR 2.16; 1.72 to 2.66) and non-Nordic skiers (OR 1.80; 1.37 to 2.36). Snowboarders had a higher overall injury risk than skiers (OR 2.11; 1.81 to 2.46). Alpine skiers (OR 2.65; 1.47 to 4.80), beginners (OR 2.50; 1.61 to 3.85), children (OR 11.1; 6.7 to 20.0) and adolescents (OR 4.17; 2.44 to 7.14) were prone to lower leg fractures. Knee injuries occurred more frequently among alpine skiers (OR 1.82; 1.39 to 2.38), females (OR 1.67; 1.38 to 2.03) and beginners (OR 3.13; 2.50 to 3.85). Males (OR 1.85; 1.45 to 2.38), telemark skiers (OR 1.70; 1.30 to 2.23), children (OR 2.22; 1.37 to 3.57) and adults (OR 1.64; 1.11 to 2.37) had an increased risk for shoulder injuries.

Conclusions

Snowboarders, beginners, children and adolescents had an increased injury risk.
MINING STARS WITH FP-GROWTH: A CASE STUDY ON BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA
Authors: SILVA ANDREIA , ANTUNES CLÁUDIA
Published: November 2011

Traditional data mining approaches look for patterns in a single table, while multi-relational data mining aims for identifying patterns that involve multiple tables. In recent years, the most common mining techniques have been extended to the multi-relational context, but there are few dedicated to deal with data stored following the multi-dimensional model, in particular the star schema. These schemas are composed of a central huge fact table linking a set of small dimension tables. Joining all the tables before mining may not be a feasible solution due to the usual massive number of records. This work proposes a method for mining frequent patterns on data following a star schema that does not materialize the join between the tables. As it extends the algorithm FP-Growth, it constructs an FP-Tree for each dimension and then combines them through the records in the fact table to form a super FP-Tree. This tree is then mined with FP-growth to find all frequent patterns. The paper presents a case study on bibliographic data, comparing efficiency and scalability of our algorithm against FP-Growth.
Oil composition of high-fat diet affects metabolic inflammation differently in connection with endotoxin receptors in mice
Authors: Laugerette Fabienne , Furet Jean-Pierre , Debard Cyrille , Daira Patricia , Loizon Emmanuelle , Géloën Alain , Soulage Christophe O. , Simonet Claire , Lefils-Lacourtablaise Jennifer , Bernoud-Hubac Nathalie , Bodennec Jacques , Peretti Noël , Vidal Hubert , Michalski Marie-Caroline
Published: November 2011

Low-grade inflammation observed in obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies revealed that this would be linked to gut-derived endotoxemia during fat digestion in high-fat diets, but nothing is known about the effect of lipid composition. The study was designed to test the impact of oil composition of high-fat diets on endotoxin metabolism and inflammation in mice. C57/Bl6 mice were fed for 8 wk with chow or isocaloric isolipidic diets enriched with oils differing in fatty acid composition: milk fat, palm oil, rapeseed oil, or sunflower oil. In vitro, adipocytes (3T3-L1) were stimulated or not with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) and incubated with different fatty acids. In mice, the palm group presented the highest level of IL-6 in plasma ( P < 0.01) together with the highest expression in adipose tissue of IL-1β and of LPS-sensing TLR4 and CD14 ( P < 0.05). The higher inflammation in the palm group was correlated with a greater ratio of LPS-binding protein (LBP)/sCD14 in plasma ( P < 0.05). The rapeseed group resulted in higher sCD14 than the palm group, which was associated with lower inflammation in both plasma and adipose tissue despite higher plasma endotoxemia. Taken together, our results reveal that the palm oil-based diet resulted in the most active transport of LPS toward tissues via high LBP and low sCD14 and the greatest inflammatory outcomes. In contrast, a rapeseed oil-based diet seemed to result in an endotoxin metabolism driven toward less inflammatory pathways. This shows that dietary fat composition can contribute to modulate the onset of low-grade inflammation through the quality of endotoxin receptors.
Acute activation of central GLP-1 receptors enhances hepatic insulin action and insulin secretion in high-fat-fed, insulin resistant mice
Authors: Burmeister Melissa A. , Ferre Tura , Ayala Jennifer E. , King Emily M. , Holt Rochelle M. , Ayala Julio E.
Published: November 2011

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor knockout (Glp1r−/−) mice exhibit impaired hepatic insulin action. High fat (HF)-fed Glp1r−/− mice exhibit improved, rather than the expected impaired, hepatic insulin action. This is due to decreased lipogenic gene expression and triglyceride accumulation. The present studies overcome these secondary adaptations by acutely modulating GLP-1R action in HF-fed wild-type mice. The central GLP-1R was targeted given its role as a regulator of hepatic insulin action. We hypothesized that acute inhibition of the central GLP-1R impairs hepatic insulin action beyond the effects of HF feeding. We further hypothesized that activation of the central GLP-1R improves hepatic insulin action in HF-fed mice. Insulin action was assessed in conscious, unrestrained mice using the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Mice received intracerebroventricular (icv) infusions of artificial cerebrospinal fluid, GLP-1, or the GLP-1R antagonist exendin-9 (Ex-9) during the clamp. Intracerebroventricular Ex-9 impaired the suppression of hepatic glucose production by insulin, whereas icv GLP-1 improved it. Neither treatment affected tissue glucose uptake. Intracerebroventricular GLP-1 enhanced activation of hepatic Akt and suppressed hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase. Central GLP-1R activation resulted in lower hepatic triglyceride levels but did not affect muscle, white adipose tissue, or plasma triglyceride levels during hyperinsulinemia. In response to oral but not intravenous glucose challenges, activation of the central GLP-1R improved glucose tolerance. This was associated with higher insulin levels. Inhibition of the central GLP-1R had no effect on oral or intravenous glucose tolerance. These results show that inhibition of the central GLP-1R deteriorates hepatic insulin action in HF-fed mice but does not affect whole body glucose homeostasis. Contrasting this, activation of the central GLP-1R improves glucose homeostasis in HF-fed mice by increasing insulin levels and enhancing hepatic insulin action.
A Direct Assessment of “Obesogenic”Built Environments: Challenges and Recommendations
Authors: Gasevic Danijela , Vukmirovich Ina , Yusuf Salim , Teo Koon , Chow Clara , Dagenais Gilles , Lear Scott A.
Published: November 2011

This paper outlines the challenges faced during direct built environment (BE) assessments of 42 Canadian communities of various income and urbanization levels. In addition, we recommend options for overcoming such challenges during BE community assessments. Direct BE assessments were performed utilizing two distinct audit methods: (1) modified version of Irvine-Minnesota Inventory in which a paper version of an audit tool was used to assess BE features and (2) a Physical Activity and Nutrition Features audit tool, where the presence and positions of all environmental features of interest were recorded using a Global-Positioning-System (GPS) unit. This paper responds to the call for the need of creators and users of environmental audit tools to share experiences regarding the usability of tools for BE assessments. The outlined BE assessment challenges plus recommendations for overcoming them can help improve and refine the existing audit tools and aid researchers in future assessments of the BE.
Titin‐Actin Interaction: PEVK‐Actin‐Based Viscosity in a Large Animal
Authors: Chung Charles S. , Bogomolovas Julius , Gasch Alexander , Hidalgo Carlos G. , Labeit Siegfried , Granzier Henk L.
Published: November 2011

Titin exhibits an interaction between its PEVK segment and the actin filament resulting in viscosity, a speed dependent resistive force, which significantly influences diastolic filling in mice. While diastolic disease is clinically pervasive, humans express a more compliant titin (N2BA:N2B ratio ~0.5–1.0) than mice (N2BA:N2B ratio ~0.2). To examine PEVK‐actin based viscosity in compliant titin‐tissues, we used pig cardiac tissue that expresses titin isoforms similar to that in humans. Stretch‐hold experiments were performed at speeds from 0.1 to 10 lengths/s from slack sarcomere lengths (SL) to SL of 2.15 μm. Viscosity was calculated from the slope of stress‐relaxation vs stretch speed. Recombinant PEVK was added to compete off native interactions and this found to reduce the slope by 35%, suggesting that PEVK‐actin interactions are a strong contributor of viscosity. Frequency sweeps were performed at frequencies of 0.1–400 Hz and recombinant protein reduced viscous moduli by 40% at 2.15 μm and by 50% at 2.25 μm, suggesting a SL‐dependent nature of viscosity that might prevent SL “overshoot’’ at long diastolic SLs. This study is the first to show that viscosity is present at physiologic speeds in the pig and supports the physiologic relevance of PEVK‐actin interactions in humans in both health and disease.
Reviewing the Effects of Ocean Acidification on Sexual Reproduction and Early Life History Stages of Reef-Building Corals
Authors: Albright Rebecca
Published: November 2011

Ocean acidification (OA) is a relatively young yet rapidly developing scientific field. Assessing the potential response(s) of marine organisms to projected near-future OA scenarios has been at the forefront of scientific research, with a focus on ecosystems (e.g., coral reefs) and processes (e.g., calcification) that are deemed particularly vulnerable. Recently, a heightened emphasis has been placed on evaluating early life history stages as these stages are generally perceived to be more sensitive to environmental change. The number of acidification-related studies focused on early life stages has risen dramatically over the last several years. While early life history stages of corals have been understudied compared to other marine invertebrate taxa (e.g., echinoderms, mollusks), numerous studies exist to contribute to our status of knowledge regarding the potential impacts of OA on coral recruitment dynamics. To synthesize this information, the present paper reviews the primary literature on the effects of acidification on sexual reproduction and early stages of corals, incorporating lessons learned from more thoroughly studied taxa to both assess our current understanding of the potential impacts of OA on coral recruitment and to inform and guide future research in this area.
Obscurin Depletion Impairs Organization of Skeletal Muscle in Developing Zebrafish Embryos
Authors: Raeker Maide Ö. , Russell Mark W.
Published: November 2011

During development, skeletal myoblasts differentiate into myocytes and skeletal myotubes with mature contractile structures that are precisely oriented with respect to surrounding cells and tissues. Establishment of this highly ordered structure requires reciprocal interactions between the differentiating myocytes and the surrounding extracellular matrix to form correctly positioned and well‐organized attachments from the skeletal muscle to the bony skeleton. Using the developing zebrafish embryo as a model, we examined the relationship between new myofibril assembly and the organization of the membrane domains involved in cell‐extracellular matrix interactions. We determined that depletion of obscurin, a giant muscle protein, resulted in irregular cell morphology and disturbed extracellular matrix organization during skeletal muscle development. The resulting impairment of myocyte organization was associated with disturbance of the internal architecture of the myocyte suggesting that obscurin participates in organizing the internal structure of the myocyte and translating those structural cues to surrounding cells and tissues.
Optoelectrofluidic Manipulation of Nanoparticles and Biomolecules
Authors: Hwang Hyundoo , Park Je-Kyun
Published: November 2011

This paper presents optoelectrofluidic technologies for manipulation of nanoparticles and biomolecules. Optoelectrofluidics provides an elegant scheme for the programmable manipulation of particles or fluids in microenvironments based on optically induced electrokinetics. Recent progress on the optoelectrofluidic manipulation of nanoobjects, which include nanospheres, nanowires, nanotubes, and biomolecules, is introduced. Some potential applications of the optoelectrofluidic nanoparticle manipulation, such as nanoparticles separation, nanostructures manufacturing, molecular physics, and clinical diagnostics, and their future directions are also discussed.