bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Group Cognitive‐Behavioural Treatment for Men with Intellectual Disabilities at Risk of Sexual Offending
Authors:   Sex Offender Treatment Services Collaborative – Intellectual Disabilities (SOTSEC‐ID)
Published: May 2010

Background  For non‐disabled men, group cognitive‐behaviour therapy is a successful form of treatment when men have committed sexual offences. However, men with intellectual disabilities and sexually abusive behaviour are rarely offered treatment for their sexual behaviour and little research data on the effectiveness of such treatment has been collected.

Method  Nine collaborating sites ran 13, 1‐year long cognitive‐behavioural treatment groups for men with intellectual disabilities and sexually abusive behaviour. The men came from both community and secure provision and were assessed for sexual knowledge, victim empathy and cognitive distortions before and after the group treatment. Treatment was guided by a common treatment manual.

Results  Forty‐six men consented to take part in the research. Most men (83%) had engaged in more than one incident of sexually abusive behaviour but only 57% of the men who came for treatment were required by law to attend. Almost all the men (92%) who began treatment (and consented to take part in the research) completed treatment 1 year later, indicating considerable motivation amongst the men to get treatment for their difficulties. Over the period of treatment, the men showed statistically significant increases in sexual knowledge and victim empathy, as well as reductions in cognitive distortions. These changes were still significant at 6‐month follow‐up for sexual knowledge and cognitive distortions. Few men showed further sexually abusive behaviour during the 1‐year period when they were attending treatment (three men) or during the 6‐month follow‐up period (four men). Only the presence of autistic spectrum disorders appeared to be related to re‐offending (though this result should be treated with caution, given the small numbers who re‐offended).

Conclusions  This large treatment trial provides some evidence of the effectiveness of such treatment for men with intellectual disabilities but there remains a need for a longer follow‐up period and a randomized controlled trial.
Mitochondrial biology in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis
Authors: Galindo María F. , Ikuta Ichiro , Zhu Xiongwei , Casadesus Gemma , Jordán Joaquín
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 933–945.

Despite the increasing knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) management with novel pharmacologic agents, most of them are only transiently fixing symptomatic pathology. Currently there is rapid growth in the field of neuroprotective pharmacology and increasing focus on the involvement of mitochondria in this devastating disease. This review is directed at understanding the role of mitochondria‐mediated pathways in AD and integrating basic biology of the mitochondria with knowledge of possible pharmacologic targets for AD treatment in an attempt to elucidate novel mitochondria‐driven therapeutic interventions useful to both clinical and basic research.
Antagonist‐D2S‐dopamine receptors interactions in intact Chinese recombinant ovary cells
Authors: Packeu Ann , Béghin Tim , De Backer Jean‐Paul , Vauquelin Georges
Published: May 2010

D2‐type dopamine receptors are major recognition sites for antipsychotic drugs. There are two splice variants: D2Sand D2Lwith an additional 29 amino acid sequence in the third intracellular loop. Only little comparative information is hitherto available about their pharmacological properties and none of these studies dealt with intact cell systems. This prompted us to investigate the binding properties of [3H]‐raclopride, a hydrophilic benzamide, and [3H]‐spiperone, a highly hydrophobic butyrophenone, to intact CHO cells expressing recombinant human D2L‐receptors. Presently, we have repeated and extended this experimental approach to the human D2S‐receptors in the same cell system. Except for a slower dissociation of [3H]‐spiperone from D2S, the binding properties of these and other antagonists were not significantly different for both isoforms (P > 0.05). The very slow dissociation of the atypical antipsychotic clozapine was surprising in light of its low affinity. Two experiments pointed out the existence of non‐competitive interactions between raclopride and spiperone for D2Sas well as D2L(A. Packeu, J. P. De Backer & G. Vauquelin, in preparation). Alongside the different physicochemical properties of these ligands, this finding fits with a model wherein the hydrophilic raclopride approaches the D2L‐receptor from the aqueous phase, while the hydrophobic spiperone approaches the receptor by lateral diffusion between the membrane lipids. These different modes of approach could imply the existence of topologically distinct ligand binding sites at D2‐receptors.
Report of the Editor‐in‐Chief
Authors: Harvey David
Published: May 2010

2009 has seen a further increase in submissions to the Journal, which continue to show an increasingly international pattern, although with no corresponding increase in accepted papers. Response times continue to meet our target of four months, with fewer regrettable lapses, and an improvement in mean time to decision from 2008. The JAE’s citation impact factor has improved to 1.2 in 2008. Wiley‐Blackwell continue to provide a strong publishing platform with the full archive of JAE papers now online.
Exsolution of dolomite and application of calcite–dolomite solvus geothermometry in high‐grade marbles: an example from Skallevikshalsen, East Antarctica
Authors: MIZUOCHI H. , SATISH‐KUMAR M. , MOTOYOSHI Y. , MICHIBAYASHI K.
Published: May 2010

Calcite–dolomite solvus geothermometry is a versatile method for the estimation of metamorphic temperature because of its simplicity. However, in medium‐ to high‐grade metamorphic rocks the accuracy of estimating temperature by the integration of unmixed dolomite and calcite is hampered by the heterogeneous distribution of unmixed dolomite, difficulties in distinguishing between preexisting and exsolved dolomite and demarcating grain boundaries. In this study, it is shown that calcite–dolomite solvus thermometry can be applied to calcite inclusions in forsterite and spinel for the estimation of peak metamorphic temperature in granulite facies marbles from Skallevikshalsen, East Antarctica. The marbles are comprised of a granoblastic mineral assemblage of calcite + dolomite + forsterite + diopside + spinel + phlogopite ± apatite, characteristic of granulite facies metamorphic conditions. Forsterite, spinel and apatite frequently contain ‘negative crystal’ inclusions of carbonates that display homogeneously distributed dolomite lamellae. On the basis of narrow ranges of temperature (850–870 °C) recorded from carbonate inclusions compared with the range from matrix carbonate it is regarded that the inclusion carbonates represent a closed system. Furthermore, this estimate is consistent with dolomite–graphite carbon isotope geothermometry, and is considered to be the best estimate of peak metamorphic temperature for this region. Matrix calcite records different stages of retrograde metamorphism and re‐equilibration of calcite that continued until Mg diffusion ceased at ∼460 °C. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) results together with morphological features of unmixed coarse tabular dolomite suggest anisotropic diffusion and mineral growth are influenced by crystallographic orientation. Identification of sub‐grain boundaries and formation of fine‐grained unmixing in calcite rims suggest the presence of grain boundary fluids in the late retrograde stages of metamorphic evolution. These results, thus, demonstrate the usefulness of carbonate inclusion geothermometry in estimating the peak metamorphic temperatures of high‐grade terranes and the application of EBSD in understanding the unmixing behaviour of minerals with solid solutions.
Mössbauer spectroscopy studies of the valence state of iron in chromite from the Luobusa massif of Tibet: implications for a highly reduced deep mantle
Authors: RUSKOV T. , SPIROV I. , GEORGIEVA M. , YAMAMOTO S. , GREEN H. W. , McCAMMON C. A. , DOBRZHINETSKAYA L. F.
Published: May 2010

Mössbauer spectroscopy was applied to study the valence state of iron in chromite from massive, nodular and disseminated podiform chromitite ores of the Luobasa ophiolite massif of Tibet. The results show that Fe3+/ΣFe = 0.42 in chromite from massive ore, and Fe3+/ΣFe = 0.22 in chromite from nodular and disseminated ores. The massive ore records traces of ultra high pressure mineralogical assemblages, such as diamond inclusions in OsIr alloys, exsolution lamellae of coesite and diopside in chromite, inclusions of metal‐nitrides, native iron and others, which suggests a strongly reducing environment. In contrast, chromite from nodular and disseminated ore contains abundant low‐pressure OH‐bearing mineral inclusions whose formation requires a more oxidizing environment. The high value of Fe3+/ΣFe in the ‘reduced’ massive ore is explained by crystallographic stabilization of Fe3+ in a high‐pressure polymorph of chromite deep in the upper mantle despite low ambient fO2 conditions. The presence of high‐pressure phases within the massive chromitite ore requires that the latter, together with its host peridotite, was transported in the solid state from a highly reduced deep mantle environment to shallow depths beneath an ocean spreading centre. It is suggested that in the low‐pressure environment of the spreading centre, the deep‐seated, reduced, massive chromitites partially reacted with their host peridotite in the presence of hydrous melt, yielding the nodular and disseminated chromitite ores. The preponderance of evidence suggests that the latter interaction involved boninitic melts in a supra‐subduction zone environment as proposed previously.
Retrograde melt–residue interaction and the formation of near‐anhydrous leucosomes in migmatites
Authors: WHITE R. W. , POWELL R.
Published: May 2010

Considering physical segregation of melt from its residue, the chemical potentials of the components (oxides) are the same in both when segregation occurs. Then, as P–T conditions change, gradients in chemical potential are established between the melt‐rich domains and residue permitting diffusional interaction to occur. In particular, on cooling, the chemical potential of H2O becomes higher in the melt segregation than in the residue, particularly when biotite becomes stable in the residue assemblage. Diffusion of water from the melt to the residue promotes crystallization of anhydrous products from the melt and hydrous products in the residue. This diffusive process, when coupled with melt loss from the rocks subsequent to some degree of crystallization, can result in a significant degree of anhydrous leucosome being preserved in a migmatite with only minor retrogression of the residue. If H2O can diffuse between the melt segregation and all of the residue, then no apparent selvedge between the two will be observed. Alternatively, if H2O can diffuse between the melt segregation and only part of the residue, then a distinct selvedge may be produced. Diffusion of H2O into the residue may be in part responsible for the commonly anhydrous nature of leucosomes, especially in granulite facies migmatites. Diffusion of other relatively mobile species such as Na2O and K2O has a lesser effect on overall melt crystallization but can change the proportion of quartz, plagioclase and K‐feldspar in the resultant leucosome. The diffusion of H2O out of the melt results in the enhanced crystallization of the melt in the segregation and increases the amount of resulting anhydrous leucosome relative to the amount produced if melt crystallized in chemical isolation from the residue. For high residue:melt ratios, the proportion of resulting near‐anhydrous leucosome can approach that of the proportion of melt present at the onset of cooling with only minor loss of melt from a given segregation required. Crystallization of melt segregations via the diffusion of H2O out of them into the host may also play a major role in driving melt‐rich segregations across key rheological transitions that would allow the expulsion of remaining melt from the system.
When clinical trials make history: Demonstrating efficacy of new antiepileptic drugs as monotherapy
Authors: Perucca Emilio
Published: May 2010

Regulatory requirements to demonstrate the efficacy of novel antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) as monotherapy differ between Europe and the United States. European regulators require a comparison with an established, optimally dosed AED, typically using a noninferiority design, whereas the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demands demonstration of superiority versus a comparator. Because placebo cannot be used as sole therapy and it is unrealistic to expect that a new AED will be more efficacious than established agents at full dosages, superiority monotherapy trials in epilepsy have traditionally relied on inclusion of controls treated with a suboptimal (low‐dose) comparator. In the most common design, refractory patients are randomized to conversion to monotherapy with a full dose of the investigational agent or a low‐dose active control, and are required to exit the trial if seizures deteriorate. Efficacy is demonstrated when exit rates are lower in the full‐dose group than in controls. Although this design is efficient in demonstrating superiority, the use of suboptimal treatments has been increasingly criticized on ethical grounds. A meta‐analysis has now demonstrated that patients randomized to suboptimal treatments in all previous trials had similar outcomes, thereby allowing the build up of a dataset of historical controls against which response to investigational AEDs can be compared in future trials. Use of historical controls has been accepted by the FDA, subject to compliance with rigorous methodologic requirements. Although the avoidance of suboptimal treatments in future trials is a welcome development, the conversion‐to‐monotherapy design is still far from being fully satisfactory and is not exempt from methodologic concerns.
Acute encephalopathy with a truncation mutation in the SCN1A gene: A case report
Authors: Takayanagi Masaru , Haginoya Kazuhiro , Umehara Naoki , Kitamura Taro , Numata Yurika , Wakusawa Keisuke , Hino‐Fukuyo Naomi , Mazaki Emi , Yamakawa Kazuhiro , Ohura Toshihiro , Ohtake Masatoshi
Published: May 2010

A girl aged 1 year 9 months had recurrent episodes of febrile status epilepticus. She recovered completely after the first three episodes. However, at 9 months she developed acute encephalopathy resulting in severe neurologic sequelae. Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse high‐intensity signals over the cortex and subcortical white matter in the acute phase and severe diffuse cerebral atrophy in the chronic phase. Mutations were detected in the neuronal voltage‐gated sodium channel alpha subunit type 1 (SCN1A) gene. SCN1A sequence analysis revealed a truncation mutation: ex1‐c.126Adel (D43fs). Our patient was likely afflicted by severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy, and the fourth episode of status epilepticus was similar to acute encephalopathy. This report provides further insight into the molecular pathophysiology underlying acute encephalopathy.
Control Yourself: Alcohol and Impulsivity
Authors: Potenza Marc N. , De Wit Harriet
Published: May 2010

Impulsivity represents a complex, multifaceted construct with relevance to alcohol use, abuse, and dependence. Researchers are refining the definitions and assessment of different subtypes of impulsive behavior and relating these to the causes and consequences of alcohol‐related behaviors and disorders. A satellite symposium on alcohol and impulsivity was held at the 2009 convention of the Research Society on Alcoholism. This article provides an overview of the rationale for the symposium, a synopsis of review and original research articles emanating from the symposium, and a description of the implications of the work and possible future research directions.
Strain Differences in Behavioral Inhibition in a Go/No‐go Task Demonstrated Using 15 Inbred Mouse Strains
Authors: Gubner Noah R. , Wilhelm Clare J. , Phillips Tamara J. , Mitchell Suzanne H.
Published: May 2010

Background: High levels of impulsivity have been associated with a number of substance abuse disorders including alcohol abuse. Research has not yet revealed whether these high levels predate the development of alcohol abuse.

Methods: The current study examined impulsivity in 15 inbred strains of mice (A/HeJ, AKR/J, BALB/cJ, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, C57L/J, C58/J, CBA/J, DBA/1J, DBA/2J, NZB/B1NJ, PL/J, SJL/J, SWR/J, and 129P3/J) using a Go/No‐go task, which was designed to measure a subject’s ability to inhibit a behavior. Numerous aspects of response to ethanol and other drugs of abuse have been examined in these strains.

Results: There were significant strain differences in the number of responses made during the No‐go signal (false alarms) and the extent to which strains responded differentially during the Go and No‐go signals (d′). The rate of responding prior to the cue did not differ among strains, although there was a statistically significant correlation between false alarms and precue responding that was not related to basal activity level. Interstrain correlations suggested that false alarms and rate of responding were associated with strain differences in ethanol‐related traits from the published literature.

Conclusions: The results of this study do support a link between innate level of impulsivity and response to ethanol and are consistent with a genetic basis for some measures of behavioral inhibition.
Mapping Subchondral Bone Density of Selected Donor and Recipient Sites for Autologous Osteochondral Transplantation in the Canine Stifle Joint Using Computed Tomographic Osteoabsorptiometry
Authors: Böttcher Peter , Zeissler Markus , Grevel Vera , Oechtering Gerhard , Maierl Johann
Published: May 2010

Objective: To characterize donor and recipient sites for autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) in the canine stifle joint with respect to maximal subchondral bone density (mSBD).

Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Sample Population: Femora (n=15) of dogs (>20 kg).

Methods: mSBD at selected donor sites within and outside the femoropatellar joint and at potential recipient sites for both femoral condyles was assessed using nonvolumetric computed tomographic osteoabsorptiometry and normalized to values obtained at the central weight‐bearing aspect of the lateral femoral condyle.

Results: Only transplants harvested at the axial aspects of the lateral and medial trochlear ridge had a normalized mSBD comparable with the lateral and medial femoral condyle. Grafts from outside the femoropatellar joint, at the most proximal aspect of the medial femoral condyle and at the most distal aspect of the trochlea (the notch area) had mSBD values 13.8–24.4% less than at the femoral condyles.

Conclusions: Choosing between donor sites within or outside the femoropatellar joint may significantly affect subchondral bone quality of harvested transplants.

Clinical Relevance: Donor sites abaxial to the femoropatellar joint and at the most proximal aspect of the medial femoral condyle may provide transplants of suboptimal bone morphology, challenging their use as primary donor sites for AOT in dogs. However, this statement is based on nonvolumetric assessment of bone density, necessitating verification using volumetric density analysis to finally infer the biomechanical value of different grafts.
A functional AQP1 allele producing a Co(a–b–) phenotype revises and extends the Colton blood group system
Authors: Arnaud Lionel , Helias Virginie , Menanteau Cécile , Peyrard Thierry , Lucien Nicole , Ripoche Pierre , Lapègue Régine , Pham Bach‐Nga , Le Pennec Pierre‐Yves , Moulds John J. , Cartron Jean‐Pierre
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND: The Colton blood group system currently comprises three antigens, Coa, Cob, and Co3. The latter is only absent in the extremely rare individuals of the Colton “null” phenotype, usually referred to as Co(a–b–), which lack the water channel AQP1 that carries the Colton antigens. The discovery of a Co(a–b–) individual with no AQP1 deficiency suggested another molecular basis for the Co(a–b–) phenotype.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Red blood cells were analyzed by stopped‐flow light scattering and Western blotting and typed by hemagglutination and flow cytometry. Genotyping by sequencing and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied. An expression system for Colton antigens was developed in mammalian cells.

RESULTS: Although Co(a–b–), the proband expressed fully functional AQP1 and had developed a novel Colton alloantibody. Sequencing of AQP1 revealed a homozygous nucleotide change (140A>G) encoding the single‐amino‐acid substitution Q47R. A second case was identified due to the presence of this novel Colton alloantibody. By generating an expression system for Colton antigens in K‐562 cells, the Q47R substitution was shown to inhibit the expression of both Coa and Cob antigens. Other naturally occurring single‐amino‐acid substitutions, that is, A45T, P38L, and N192K, were also studied in this Colton antigen expression system.

CONCLUSIONS: The Co(a–b–) phenotype can be generated by a functional AQP1 allele, that is, AQP1 140G encoding AQP1 (Q47R) and allowing the development of a novel Colton alloantibody. This study also shows that the Cob antigen can be produced by at least two different substitutions at Amino Acid Position 45, that is, A45V and A45T.
Advanced glycation end products on stored red blood cells increase endothelial reactive oxygen species generation through interaction with receptor for advanced glycation end products
Authors: Mangalmurti Nilam S. , Chatterjee Shampa , Cheng Guanjun , Andersen Emily , Mohammed Aishat , Siegel Donald L. , Schmidt Ann Marie , Albelda Steven M. , Lee Janet S.
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that storage‐induced alterations of the red blood cell (RBC) are associated with adverse consequences in susceptible hosts. As RBCs have been shown to form advanced glycation end products (AGEs) after increased oxidative stress and under pathologic conditions, we examined whether stored RBCs undergo modification with the specific AGE N‐(carboxymethyl)lysine (Nε‐CML) during standard blood banking conditions.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Purified, fresh RBCs from volunteers were compared to stored RBCs (35‐42 days old) obtained from the blood bank. Nε‐CML formation was quantified using a competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) was detected in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC‐L) by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured by the use of 5‐(and 6‐)chloromethyl‐2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester–based assays.

RESULTS: Stored RBCs showed increased surface Nε‐CML formation when compared with fresh RBCs. HMVEC‐L showed detectable surface RAGE expression constitutively. When compared to fresh RBCs, stored RBCs triggered increased intracellular ROS generation in both human umbilical vein endothelial cells and HMVEC‐L. RBC‐induced endothelial ROS generation was attenuated in the presence of soluble RAGE or RAGE blocking antibody.

CONCLUSIONS: The formation of the AGE Nε‐CML on the surface of stored RBCs is one functional consequence of the storage lesion. AGE‐RAGE interactions may be one mechanism by which transfused RBCs cause endothelial cell damage.
Toward Mastering the Discourses of Reasoning: Use of Grammatical Metaphor at Advanced Levels of Foreign Language Acquisition
Authors: RYSHINA–PANKOVA MARIANNA
Published: May 2010

Situated within the framework of the systemic–functional linguistics (Halliday, 1994) and language‐based theory of learning (Halliday, 1993), this article examines a shift toward a more objectified and “scientific” representation of reality in texts written by foreign language (FL) learners at various levels of acquisition. It argues that linguistic variation in style impacting communicative effectiveness of written texts created by learners representing different levels of FL acquisition can be partly captured by means of grammatical metaphor, as a phenomenon of transcategorization, whereby processes (typically realized by verbs), attributes (typically realized by adjectives), or whole propositions (typically realized by sentences) are encoded as nouns. Based on a study conducted on 55 book reviews written by advanced American learners of German and 30 texts written by native speakers in the same genre, the article identifies various types of grammatical metaphors or approximations toward it as characteristic of various acquisition levels. It also demonstrates the role and functions of grammatical metaphor in enhancing the ability of writers to construct a logical argument or a persuasive evaluation. Comparisons to the use of grammatical metaphor in the texts produced by native writers of German show it to be a prominent feature of adult language use in literate and academic contexts, by native or nonnative language users.
Symbiotic Gesture and the Sociocognitive Visibility of Grammar in Second Language Acquisition
Authors: CHURCHILL ETON , OKADA HANAKO , NISHINO TAKAKO , ATKINSON DWIGHT
Published: May 2010

This article argues for the embodied and environmentally embedded nature of second language acquisition (SLA). Through fine‐grained analysis of interaction usingGoodwin's (2003a)concept of symbiotic gesture—gesture coupled with its rich environmental context to produce complex social action—we illustrate how a tutor, learner, and grammar worksheet interact to create perceptible links across cognition, social action, and the material world in studying English grammar. We begin by summarizing what we mean by a sociocognitive approach to SLA. We then describe the mundane‐looking grammar worksheet as a complex sociocognitive resource that enables tutor–learner interaction. Next, we provide an extended description of the tutor's repeated use of a symbiotic gesture to make her perception of the grammar instantiated in the worksheet publicly available to the learner. We conclude by arguing that SLA involves the dynamic, interactive alignment of learners, teachers, and their ever‐changing environments, suggesting that symbiotic gesture is but one example of humanly improvised resources guiding ecosocial alignment and participation in SLA.
Emotions in SLA: New Insights From Collaborative Learning for an EFL Classroom
Authors: IMAI YASUHIRO
Published: May 2010

What is the role and meaning of emotions in the second language learning process? To respond to this question, this article focuses on how learners' emotions manifest in their verbal communication over the course of a semester‐long joint task. Recognizing interpersonal, functional, and developmental aspects of emotions, I illustrate how a group of English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language learners discursively constructed and shared their emotional attitudes toward their group work and how such emotional intersubjectivity pushed the group, in their knowledge co‐construction, to challenge assigned tasks and material. I argue that emotions do not merely facilitate, filter, or hinder an individual's inner cognitive functioning; rather, they can in any forms mediate development, especially when learning is embedded in an interpersonal transaction. I end by considering implications of the study and its limitations.
How Do Teachers and Learners Perceive Corrective Feedback in the Japanese Language Classroom?
Authors: YOSHIDA REIKO
Published: May 2010

This study examined Japanese language teachers' and learners' perceptions of corrective feedback (CF), focusing on the cases in which the learners responded to the teachers' CF. Data were collected from the second‐year course of an Australian university for 1 semester by classroom observation and audio recording and stimulated recall interviews. Two teachers and 7 learners participated in the study. According to the data analysis, learners' responses to CF did not necessarily indicate their noticing or understanding of the CF. The teachers tended to overestimate “strong” students' noticing of CF and their understanding of correct forms when they responded to their CF. Implicit CF, which was much more frequently used than explicit CF, did not tend to lead to the learners noticing of CF. The learners' responses to CF without noticing the CF seemed to be related to their preference of not triggering social strain or embarrassment in the classroom. The results suggest that teachers' and learners' perceptions of CF and the learners' responses to CF are associated with the teachers' perceptions of individual learners, the learners' perceptions of classroom interactions, as well as the various types of CF.
His Bundle Extrasystoles Revisited: The Great Electrocardiographic Masquerader
Authors: AMEEN ABDUL , DHARAWAT AMITA , KHAN ABDULLAH , TURITTO GIOIA , EL‐SHERIF NABIL
Published: May 2010

A 74‐year‐old man with past history of near syncope presented with frequent periods of second‐degree atrioventricular block (2° AVB). An electrophysiological study revealed prolonged atrial‐His and His‐ventricular (HV) intervals and frequent His bundle (H) extrasystoles. The latter manifested in the surface electrocardiogram as premature atrial, junctional, or ventricular beats, as well as 2° AVB that mimicked Wenckebach or Mobitz II block. Procainamide markedly suppressed H extrasystole. However, because of the presence of prolonged HV interval and history of presyncope, a permanent pacemaker was inserted. The case illustrates the varied manifestation of H extrasystole and presents guidelines for management. (PACE 2011; e56–e59)
Preparation and Characterization of Ni–LaNbO4 Cermet Anode Supports for Proton‐Conducting Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Magrasó Anna , Haugsrud Reidar , Norby Truls
Published: May 2010

Cermets of nickel (Ni)‐ and Ca‐doped LaNbO4 (Ni–LCNO) with a composition ranging from 20 to 70 vol% Ni have been prepared by conventional mixing, cold‐pressing, sintering, and reducing NiO–LCNO composites. They have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, four‐point DC conductivity, and dilatometry. The conductivity of the cermets is metallic with values of 2000–4600 S/cm for 40–60 vol% Ni at 800°C, and increases with an increasing Ni content. There is no evidence of interdiffusion or the formation of secondary phases between LCNO and NiO or Ni. Thermal expansion coefficients for the cermets after reduction are reported, e.g. 16.9 × 10−6 and 12.5 × 10−6 K−1 corresponding to the low‐temperature (250–450°C) and the high‐temperature (650°–850°C) regions, respectively, for a 40% Ni–60% La0.995Ca0.005NbO4 cermet.
Electron Beam Sintering of Zirconium Diboride
Authors: Sun Chen‐Nan , Gupta Mool C. , Taminger Karen M. B.
Published: May 2010

Electron beam sintering of ultra‐high‐temperature ceramic material of zirconium diboride (ZrB2) was successfully carried out. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the sintered layer had smooth surface morphology. Significant grain growth was observed by increasing the electron beam current density. More uniform and finer microstructures could be obtained using high beam currents and short dwell times. Chemical composition analysis confirmed that sintering in a vacuum environment could minimize boron loss. X‐ray diffraction results revealed that the sintered layer mainly preserved the crystalline phase from the starting powder.
Patterns of Use of Topical Skin Adhesives in the Emergency Department
Authors: Singer Adam J. , Kinariwala Mira , Lirov Roy , Thode Jr. Henry C.
Published: May 2010

Objectives:  The objective was to determine patterns of use of topical skin adhesives (TSA) for laceration repair. The authors hypothesized that TSA use would be more common in children and facial lacerations.

Methods:  This was a structured retrospective chart review. The setting was a suburban, university‐based emergency department (ED) with an emergency medicine (EM) residency; the annual census is 85,000 visits. Charts from consecutive patients presenting with lacerations in the summer of 2008 (June 2008 through August 2008) were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, and wound characteristics were extracted from electronic medical records by trained investigators using structured data collection forms. Characteristics of lacerations repaired with TSA or other closure devices were compared with bivariate and multivariate analyses using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:  A total of 755 patients presented to the ED with lacerations over the study period, of whom primary closure was used in 667; nine were excluded because the method of closure was unknown. The most common methods of laceration closure were sutures (485), adhesives (88), and staples (86). Adhesives were used to close 27% of facial lacerations, compared to 4% of all other body locations (difference = 23%, 95% CI = 18% to 29%), and in 20% of pediatric versus 8% of adult lacerations (difference = 13%, 95% CI = 7% to 18%). Adjustment for other potential patient and wound characteristics showed that adhesives were more likely to be used to close facial lacerations (OR = 10.0 CI, 95% CI = 5.5 to 18.0) and lacerations in children (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1 to 3.0) and less likely to be used as laceration length increased (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.4 to 0.8). Adhesive use was not statistically associated with patient sex or race, laceration edges or shape, or the need for deep sutures. Forty‐three percent of adhesive wounds were closed with no anesthetic, and a topical agent was used in another 48%. In contrast, a local anesthetic agent was injected in 87% of sutured wounds (p < 0.001) and 73% of stapled wounds (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Topical skin adhesives are used more often for children, facial lacerations, and short lacerations. Use of adhesives may improve patient comfort as need for injecting a local anesthetic is reduced.

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:670–672 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
The embryonic epicardium: an essential element of cardiac development
Authors: Carmona R. , Guadix J. A. , Cano E. , Ruiz‐Villalba A. , Portillo‐Sánchez V. , Pérez‐Pomares J. M. , Muñoz‐Chápuli R.
Published: May 2010

Introduction

Origin of the epicardium: ontogeny and phylogeny

Epicardial/myocardial cellular and molecular interactions

EPDC contribute to coronary vessels and cardiac connective tissue

Epicardium as the tip of the iceberg: coelomic‐derived cells can be essential for vascularization, growth and maturation of the visceral compartment

Concluding remarks

The epicardium has recently been identified as an active and essential element of cardiac development. Recent reports have unveiled a variety of functions performed by the embryonic epicardium, as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating them. However, despite its developmental importance, a number of unsolved issues related to embryonic epicardial biology persist. In this review, we will summarize our current knowledge about (i) the ontogeny and evolution of the epicardium, including a discussion on the evolutionary origins of the proepicardium (the epicardial primordium), (ii) the nature of epicardial–myocardial interactions during development, known to be essential for myocardial growth and maturation, and (iii) the contribution of epicardially derived cells to the vascular and connective tissue of the heart. We will finish with a note on the relationships existing between the primordia of the viscera and their coelomic epithelial lining. We would like to suggest that at least a part of the properties of the embryonic epicardium are shared by many other coelomic cell types, such that the role of epicardium in cardiac development is a particular example of a more general mechanism for the contribution of coelomic and coelomic‐derived cells to the morphogenesis of organs such as the liver, kidneys, gonads or spleen.
Lack of adjunctive benefit of Er:YAG laser in non‐surgical periodontal treatment: a randomized split‐mouth clinical trial
Authors: Rotundo Roberto , Nieri Michele , Cairo Francesco , Franceschi Debora , Mervelt Jana , Bonaccini Daniele , Esposito Marco , Pini‐Prato Giovanpaolo
Published: May 2010

Rotundo R, Nieri M, Cairo F, Franceschi D, Mervelt J, Bonaccini D, Esposito M, Pini‐Prato G. Lack of adjunctive benefit of Er:YAG laser in non‐surgical periodontal treatment: a randomized split‐mouth clinical trial. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 526–533. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01560.x.

Aim: This split‐mouth, randomized, clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of erbium‐doped:yttrium–aluminium–garnet (Er:YAG) laser application in non‐surgical periodontal treatment.

Materials and Methods: A total of 27 patients underwent four modalities of non‐surgical therapy: supragingival debridement; scaling and root planing (SRP)+Er:YAG laser; Er:YAG laser; and SRP. Each strategy was randomly assigned and performed in one of the four quadrants. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Subjective benefits of patients have been evaluated by means of questionnaires.

Results: Six months after therapy, Er:YAG laser showed no statistical difference in clinical attachment gain with respect to supragingival scaling [0.15 mm (95% CI −0.16; 0.46)], while SRP showed a greater attachment gain than the supragingival scaling [0.37 mm (95% CI 0.05; 0.68)]. No difference resulted between Er:YAG laser+SRP and SRP alone [0.05 mm (95% CI −0.25; 0.36)].

Conclusions: The adjunctive use of Er:YAG laser to conventional SRP did not reveal a more effective result than SRP alone. Furthermore, the sites treated with Er:YAG laser showed similar results of the sites treated with supragingival scaling.
Mechanical non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis: a single‐blinded randomized longitudinal clinical study. II. Microbiological results
Authors: Persson G. Rutger , Samuelsson Emelie , Lindahl Christel , Renvert Stefan
Published: May 2010

Persson GR, Samuelsson E, Lindahl C, Renvert S. Mechanical non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis: a single‐blinded randomized longitudinal clinical study. II. Microbiological results. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 563–573. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01561.x

Background: Peri‐implantitis is common in patients with dental implants. We performed a single‐blinded longitudinal randomized study to assess the effects of mechanical debridement on the peri‐implant microbiota in peri‐implantitis lesions.

Materials and Methods: An expanded checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization assay encompassing 79 different microorganisms was used to study bacterial counts before and during 6 months following mechanical treatment of peri‐implantitis in 17 cases treated with curettes and 14 cases treated with an ultrasonic device. Statistics included non‐parametric tests and GLM multivariate analysis with p<0001 indicating significance and 80% power.

Results: At selected implant test sites, the most prevalent bacteria were: Fusobacterium nucleatum sp., Staphylococci sp., Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Helicobacter pylori, and Tannerella forsythia. 30 min. after treatment with curettes, A. actinomycetemcomitans (serotype a), Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus anginosus, and Veillonella parvula were found at lower counts (p<0.001). No such differences were found for implants treated with the ultrasonic device. Inconsistent changes occurred following the first week. No microbiological differences between baseline and 6‐month samples were found for any species or between treatment study methods in peri‐implantitis.

Conclusions: Both methods failed to eliminate or reduce bacterial counts in peri‐implantitis. No group differences were found in the ability to reduce the microbiota in peri‐implantitis.
Influence of frequent clinical probing during the healing phase on healthy peri‐implant soft tissue formed at different titanium implant surfaces: a histomorphometrical study in dogs
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Mihatovic Ilja , Ferrari Daniel , Wieland Marco , Becker Jürgen
Published: May 2010

Schwarz F, Mihatovic I, Ferrari D, Wieland M, Becker J. Influence of frequent clinical probing during the healing phase on healthy peri‐implant soft tissue formed at different titanium implant surfaces: a histomorphometrical study in dogs. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 551–562. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2009.01568.x.

Objectives: To investigate (i) the impact of different titanium implant surfaces on soft tissue integration over 6 months, and (ii) the influence of frequent clinical probing during the healing phase on the established mucosal seal.

Material and Methods: Standardized clinical probing was randomly performed (12 dogs, probing versus control) at different transmucosal surfaces [machined (M), sand‐blasted/acid‐etched (SLA), and chemically modified acid‐etched (modA), modSLA] at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks (i.e. 1 × , 2 × , 3 × , and 4 ×). Histomorphometrical analysis (e.g. mucosal margin (PM) – apical extension of the junctional epithelium (aJE), PM – coronal level of bone‐to‐implant contact (CBI) was performed at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks.

Results: While M and SLA groups revealed a split formation, epithelial cells and connective tissue were in close contact to modA and modSLA surfaces. Frequent clinical probing (i.e. 3 × and 4 ×) increased mean pocket depths, PM‐aJE, and aJE‐CBI values in all groups and markedly disrupted the epithelial and connective tissue attachment.

Conclusions: It was concluded that irrespective of the surface characteristics, a frequent clinical probing at short intervals during the healing phase was associated with dimensional and structural changes of the mucosal seal.
Northern glacial refugia for the pygmy shrew Sorex minutus in Europe revealed by phylogeographic analyses and species distribution modelling
Authors: Vega Rodrigo , Fløjgaard Camilla , Lira‐Noriega Andrés , Nakazawa Yoshinori , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Searle Jeremy B.
Published: May 2010

The southern European peninsulas (Iberian, Italian and Balkan) are traditionally recognized as glacial refugia from where many species colonized central and northern Europe after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). However, evidence that some species had more northerly refugia is accumulating from phylogeographic, palaeontological and palynological studies, and more recently from species distribution modelling (SDM), but further studies are needed to test the idea of northern refugia in Europe. Here, we take a rarely implemented multidisciplinary approach to assess if the pygmy shrew Sorex minutus, a widespread Eurasian mammal species, had northern refugia during the LGM, and if these influenced its postglacial geographic distribution. First, we evaluated the phylogeographic and population expansion patterns using mtDNA sequence data from 123 pygmy shrews. Then, we used SDM to predict present and past (LGM) potential distributions using two different training data sets, two different algorithms (Maxent and GARP) and climate reconstructions for the LGM with two different general circulation models. An LGM distribution in the southern peninsulas was predicted by the SDM approaches, in line with the occurrence of lineages of S. minutus in these areas. The phylogeographic analyses also indicated a widespread and strictly northern‐central European lineage, not derived from southern peninsulas, and with a postglacial population expansion signature. This was consistent with the SDM predictions of suitable LGM conditions for S. minutus occurring across central and eastern Europe, from unglaciated parts of the British Isles to much of the eastern European Plain. Hence, S. minutus likely persisted in parts of central and eastern Europe during the LGM, from where it colonized other northern areas during the late‐glacial and postglacial periods. Our results provide new insights into the glacial and postglacial colonization history of the European mammal fauna, notably supporting glacial refugia further north than traditionally recognized.
Biogeography of body size in Pacific island birds
Authors: Boyer Alison G. , Jetz Walter
Published: May 2010

Many insular vertebrates have undergone rapid and dramatic changes in body size compared to their mainland counterparts. Here we explore the relationship between two well known patterns of island body size – the tendency for large‐bodied species to dwarf and small‐bodied species to get larger on islands, known as the “island rule”, and the scaling of maximum and minimum body size of island assemblages with island area. Drawing on both fossil and modern data, we examined the relationship between body size and island area in Pacific island birds, both within clades and at the island assemblage level. We found that the size of the smallest bird on each island decreased with island area while the maximum body size increased with island area. Similarly, within clades the body size of small‐bodied groups decreased and large‐bodied groups increased from small to large islands, consistent with the island rule. However, the magnitude of size change within clades was not sufficient to explain the overall scaling of maximum size with island area. Instead, the pattern was driven primarily by the evolution of very large, flightless birds on large islands. Human‐mediated extinctions on islands over the past few millennia severely impacted large, flightless birds, to the effect that this macroecological pattern has been virtually erased. After controlling for effects of biogeographic region and island area, we found island productivity to be the best predictor of maximum size in flightless birds. This result, and the striking similarities in maximum body size between flightless birds and island mammals, suggests a common energetic mechanism linking body size and landmass area in both the island rule and the scaling of island body size extremes.
Urinary albumin excretion is associated with pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell disease: potential role of soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1
Authors: Ataga Kenneth I. , Brittain Julia E. , Moore Dominic , Jones Susan K. , Hulkower Ben , Strayhorn Dell , Adam Soheir , Redding‐Lallinger Rupa , Nachman Patrick , Orringer Eugene P.
Published: May 2010

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is reported to be associated with measures of renal function in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the relationship between albuminuria and both clinical and laboratory variables in SCD.

Design and methods: This cross‐sectional study was performed using a cohort of adult patients with SCD and control subjects without SCD. Spot urine for microalbumin/creatinine ratio, measures of hemolysis, inflammation and other laboratory studies were obtained. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure was determined by Doppler echocardiography, and the diagnosis of PHT was defined using age‐, sex‐ and body mass index‐adjusted reference ranges.

Results: Seventy‐three patients with SCD and 21 healthy, race‐matched control subjects were evaluated. In patients with SCD, normoalbuminuria was observed in 34 patients (46.6%), microalbuminuria in 24 patients (32.9%) and macroalbuminuria in 15 patients (20.5%). There was a significant correlation between urine albumin excretion and age. In patients with HbSS and Sβ0thalassemia, the levels of sFLT‐1, soluble VCAM and NT pro‐BNP were significantly higher in those with macroalbuminuria, compared to patients with microalbuminuria and normoalbuminura, but no significant differences were observed in the levels of laboratory measures of hemolysis. Urine albumin excretion was associated with PHT and a history of stroke.

Conclusions: Our study confirms the high prevalence of albuminuria in SCD. The association of urine albumin excretion with sFLT‐1 suggests that this vascular endothelial growth factor receptor family member may contribute to the development of albuminuria in SCD. By inducing endothelial activation and endothelial dysfunction, sFLT‐1 appears to be a link between glomerulopathy and PHT in SCD.