bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paracrine activation of MET promotes peritoneal carcinomatosis in scirrhous gastric cancer
Authors: Zhao Lu , Yasumoto Kazuo , Kawashima Atsuhiro , Nakagawa Takayuki , Takeuchi Shinji , Yamada Tadaaki , Matsumoto Kunio , Yonekura Kazuhiko , Yoshie Osamu , Yano Seiji
Published: October 2013

Scirrhous gastric cancer is associated with abundant stroma and frequently develops into peritoneal carcinomatosis with malignant ascites. Although malignant ascites is among the most deadly diseases worldwide, its molecular pathogenesis is poorly understood. We investigated the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the production of peritoneal carcinomatosis with malignant ascites. We examined three scirrhous and three non‐scirrhous human gastric cancer cell lines for the production of peritoneal carcinomatosis in vivo and responses to HGF in vitro. Furthermore, clinical scirrhous gastric cancer specimens were examined for HGF production. Among the six cell lines examined, only two scirrhous cell lines (NUGC4 and GCIY) produced peritoneal carcinomatosis with massive ascites after intraperitoneal injection in nude mice. Their proliferation was stimulated by exogenous HGF in vitro. On the other hand, a non‐scirrhous cell line, MKN45, with MET amplification generated peritoneal tumors but not ascites. MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors, crizotinib and TAS‐115, inhibited HGF‐stimulated proliferation of NUGC4 and GCIY as well as constitutive proliferation of MKN45. Furthermore, crizotinib and TAS‐115 prolonged the survival of mice bearing established tumors by NUGC4 or MKN45. In clinical specimens, HGF was markedly produced by stromal fibroblasts. Malignant ascitic fluids from patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis contained high levels of HGF. Our results strongly suggest that paracrine HGF‐induced activation of MET‐mediated signaling pathways plays an important role in the pathogenesis of peritoneal carcinomatosis in scirrhous gastric cancer. Thus, MET signaling pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric cancer, even without MET amplification.
Synthetic Substrates Specific to Activated Plasmin Can Monitor the Enzymatic Functional Status in Situ in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Gohda Keigo , Fujimori Ko , Teno Naoki , Wanaka Keiko , Tsuda Yuko
Published: October 2013

We here strove to overcome the limitations of expression analyses such as PCR and IHC, based on molecular recognition between target and probe molecules, by designing synthetic substrates specific to the target molecules to directly estimate the enzymatic functionality in situ. The specific substrate contains a probing unit, which is an organic fragment for specific enzyme binding, and a reactive unit, which is a natural peptide subject to catalysis. In this study, the activation of plasminogen to plasmin was examined in MDA‐MB231 breast cancer cells using the plasmin‐specific synthetic substrates designed from their inhibitors. The localization and function of the activated plasmin were successfully visualized by fluorophore combined with the specific substrate concurrently. This would be the first time for activated plasmin at work in situ by direct observation. Our concept to directly monitor the functionality of target enzymes can be used straightforwardly for other proteases such as cathepsins or caspases. Also, this substrate concept as a ‘tailor‐made substrate’ would be utilized as a novel functional molecular probe in vivo with appropriate detectable probes.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Andrographolide Derivatives as Potent Hepatoprotective Agents
Authors: Tang Chunlei , Gu Guolong , Wang Bin , Deng Xin , Zhu Xiaoyun , Qian Hai , Huang Wenlong
Published: October 2013

Poor water solubility limits the clinical use of andrographolide and its derivatives. In an attempt to develop potent hepatoprotective drugs, a strategy was proposed to improve the aqueous solubility of andrographolide. Ten andrographolide derivatives were designed, synthesized, evaluated for aqueous solubility and in vivo hepatoprotective activity against CCl4‐induced liver injury in mice. As expected, the aqueous solubility of synthetic derivatives was effectively improved. All compounds demonstrated the effect of different degrees in improving the liver enzyme (ALT and AST) activity, especially the most promising compound 9d significantly improved liver enzyme activity, with high potency to be a new lead.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Heterocyclic Carboxylic Acyl Shikonin Derivatives
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Ming , Lin Hong‐Yan , Kong Wen‐Yao , Guo Jing , Shi Jing , Huang Shou‐Cheng , Qi Jin‐Liang , Yang Rong‐Wu , Gu Hong‐Wei , Yang Yong‐Hua
Published: October 2013

A series of shikonin derivatives (1–13) that were acylated selectively by various thiophene or indol carboxylic acids at the side chain of shikonin were synthesized, and their biological activities were also evaluated as potential tubulin inhibitors. Among them, compound 3 ((R)‐1‐(5,8‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐dioxo‐1,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐2‐yl)‐4‐methylpent‐3‐enyl 3‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)propanoate) and compound 8 ((R)‐1‐(5,8‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐dioxo‐1,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐2‐yl)‐4‐methylpent‐3‐enyl 2‐(thiophen‐3‐yl)acetate) exhibited good antiproliferative activity of A875 (IC50 = 0.005 ± 0.001 μm, 0.009  ± 0.002 μm) and HeLa (IC50 = 11.84 ± 0.64 μm, 4.62  ± 0.31 μm) cancer cell lines in vitro, respectively. Shikonin (IC50 = 0.46 ± 0.002 μm, 4.80 ± 0.48 μm) and colchicine (IC50 = 0.75 ± 0.05 μm, 17.79 ± 0.76 μm) were used as references. Meanwhile, they also showed the most potent growth inhibitory activity against tubulin (IC50 of 3.96  ± 0.13 μm and 3.05 ± 0.30 μm, respectively), which were compared with shikonin (IC50 =  15.20 ± 0.25 μm) and colchicine (IC50 = 3.50 ± 0.35 μm). Furthermore, from the results of flow cytometer, we found compound 3 can really inhibit HeLa cell proliferation and has low cell toxicity. Based on the preliminary results, compound 3 with potent inhibitory activity in tumor growth may be a potential anticancer agent.
Skype Me! Socially Contingent Interactions Help Toddlers Learn Language
Authors: Roseberry Sarah , Hirsh‐Pasek Kathy , Golinkoff Roberta M.
Published: October 2013

Language learning takes place in the context of social interactions, yet the mechanisms that render social interactions useful for learning language remain unclear. This study focuses on whether social contingency might support word learning. Toddlers aged 24–30 months (N = 36) were exposed to novel verbs in one of three conditions: live interaction training, socially contingent video training over video chat, and noncontingent video training (yoked video). Results suggest that children only learned novel verbs in socially contingent interactions (live interactions and video chat). This study highlights the importance of social contingency in interactions for language learning and informs the literature on learning through screen media as the first study to examine word learning through video chat technology.
How European American and Taiwanese Mothers Talk to Their Children About Learning
Authors: Li Jin , Fung Heidi , Bakeman Roger , Rae Katharine , Wei Wanchun
Published: October 2013

Little cross‐cultural research exists on parental socialization of children's learning beliefs. The current study compared 218 conversations between European American and Taiwanese mothers and children (6–10 years) about good and poor learning. The findings support well‐documented cultural differences in learning beliefs. European Americans mentioned mental activities and positive affect more, whereas Taiwanese mentioned learning virtues and negative affect more. Mothers, especially European American, reciprocated their children's talk about mental activities, learning virtues, and negative affect. Children, especially Taiwanese, reciprocated their mother's talk about positive affect. Mothers invoked more mental activities and positive affect when discussing good learning, but more learning virtues and negative affect when discussing poor learning. These findings reveal a source of cultural differences in beliefs and potential enculturation.
Trends in oral health in young people in the Netherlands over the past 20 years: a study in a changing context
Authors: Schuller A.A. , van Dommelen P. , Poorterman J.H.G.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

From 1 January 2006, the distinction between the health insurance fund and private insurance was abolished and a basic insurance package was agreed for everyone in the Netherlands. Dental treatment for young people below the age of 18 is reimbursed under the terms of this basic package. Dental treatment for adults is not covered in this basic insurance package. Basic principles for nonreimbursing dental care for adults were that any health and financial risks for individual citizens in the future should be acceptable for them with the corollary that the oral health of young adults when they make the switch ‐ from collectively financed care to care to be paid for individually ‐ should be at such a level that the needed oral health care is affordable. To meet this requirement, it is important to have knowledge of the prevalence of oral diseases and trends in oral health in young people from a public health perspective. The aim of this article is to describe trends in caries experience in young people in the Netherlands from 1990 to 2009, taking into account the challenge in methodology concerning this changing social context.

Methods

To describe caries experience in young people, a repeated cross‐sectional study design was used. The study consisted of a clinical oral examination and a questionnaire survey. Data were sampled from 8, 14 and 20‐year‐olds in 1990 and 1996, and 9, 15 and 21‐year‐olds in 2003 and 2009, living in Alphen a/d Rijn, Gouda, Breda and ‘s‐Hertogenbosch. The DMF index was used for describing caries experience. The trends were studied separately in high and low socioeconomic status (SES) groups. SES was operationalized as the dichotomous variable of educational level of the mother or the adolescent. Multiple imputation was applied to predict the DMFS for missing ages for certain years, which made it possible to test the trends. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to study the trends through the years.

Results

This study showed, according to different age‐ and SES groups, either declines or no statistically significant changes in caries experience over the last two decades.

Conclusions

No deterioration was shown. However, there is still room for further improvement in oral health in children. Dental professionals and politicians should develop a vision on to what extent caries experience is acceptable in a public health perspective in young people.
Community‐based oral health promotion practices targeted at children and adolescents in Finland – developing an assessment tool
Authors: Blomqvist Pia , Ojala Ellinoora , Kettunen Tarja , Poskiparta Marita , Kasila Kirsti
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To develop an assessment tool for evaluating oral health promotion practices and to evaluate community‐based oral health promotion practices targeted at children and adolescents with this tool.

Methods

A theoretical framework about health promotion planning, implementation and evaluation was made on the basis of a literature review. Then, information about Finnish community‐based oral health promotion practices (n = 12) targeted at children and adolescents was collected using semi‐structured interviews. Also, related documents, for example action plans and reports, were collected when available. Next, an assessment tool based on the theoretical framework was developed, and the recorded and transcribed interview data and other documents were evaluated with this tool.

Results

The assessment tool proved to be practical: it pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of the practices. The tool revealed strengths in the implementation and deficiencies in the planning and evaluation of oral health promotion practices. One‐quarter of the 12 practices assessed could be considered ‘good practices’.

Conclusions

There is a need to improve the planning and evaluation of oral health promotion practices. The assessment tool developed in this study might be useful for practitioners both in the field of oral health promotion and general health promotion.
The role of family functioning in childhood dental caries
Authors: Duijster Denise , Verrips G.H.W. , van Loveren Cor
Published: October 2013

Objectives

This study investigated the relationship between family functioning and childhood dental caries. Further objectives were (i) to explore whether oral hygiene behaviours could account for a possible association between family functioning dimensions and childhood dental caries and (ii) to explore whether family functioning could mediate the relationship between sociodemographic factors and childhood dental caries.

Methods

A random sample of 630 5‐ to 6‐year‐old children was recruited from six large paediatric dental centres in the Netherlands. Children's dmft scores were extracted from personal dental records. A parental questionnaire and the Gezinsvragenlijst (translation: Family Questionnaire) were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, oral hygiene behaviours and family functioning. Family functioning was assessed on five dimensions: responsiveness, communication, organization, partner‐relation and social network. Associations with dmft were analysed using multilevel modelling.

Results

Bivariate analysis showed that children from normal functioning families on the dimensions responsiveness, communication, organization and social network had significantly lower dmft scores compared with children from dysfunctional families. Poorer family functioning on all dimensions was associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in less favourable oral hygiene behaviours. Children with lower educated mothers, immigrant children and children of higher birth order were more likely to come from poorer functioning families. In multivariate analysis, organization remained a significant predictor of dmft after adjusting for the other family functioning dimensions and the mother's education level, but it lost statistical significance after adjustment for oral hygiene behaviours.

Conclusion

A relationship between family functioning and childhood dental caries was found, which may have operated via oral hygiene behaviours. Family functioning modestly explained socioeconomic inequalities in child oral health. Organization appeared to be the most important dimension of family functioning that influenced children's caries experience.
Diesel exhaust particle exposure increases severity of allergic asthma in young mice
Authors: Acciani T. H. , Brandt E. B. , Khurana Hershey G. K. , Le Cras T. D.
Published: October 2013

Background

Epidemiologic studies have reported an association between diesel exhaust particle (DEP) exposure, allergic sensitization, and childhood wheezing, although the mechanisms remain unclear. While DEP is known to augment allergic responses in adult animal models, its effects on sensitization and asthma severity in young animals is unknown.

Objective

To examine the impact of different doses of DEP and allergen co‐exposure on allergic sensitization and asthma characteristics in young mice, and whether Th17 as well as Th2 responses are induced.

Methods

Lungs of 3‐week‐old wild‐type Balb/c mice were exposed by pharyngeal aspiration nine times over 3 weeks to DEP at 1.2 or 6.0 mg/kg body weight, house dust mite (HDM) at 0.8, 1.2 or 6.0 mg/kg of DEP in combination with HDM, or the same volume (50 μL) of 0.9% sterile saline.

Results

In young mice, exposure to 1.2 mg/kg of DEP caused no detectable lung inflammation, but 6.0 mg/kg of DEP induced neutrophilic influx. Compared to HDM or DEP alone, mice exposed to either dose of DEP together with HDM demonstrated increased allergen‐specific IgE, lung inflammation, airway hyperreactivity, goblet cell metaplasia, Th2/Th17 cytokines, dendritic cells, activated T cells, effector T cells, and IL‐17pos and IL‐13pos/IL‐17Apos T effector cells.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

In young mice, co‐exposure to DEP and HDM together exacerbated allergic sensitization and induced key characteristics of more severe asthma, including IL‐17A, IL‐17pos and IL‐13pos/IL‐17Apos T effector cells. While exposure to 1.2 mg/kg DEP alone caused no detectable changes, it did exacerbate allergic sensitization and asthma characteristics to a similar degree as a five‐fold higher dose of DEP. This study demonstrates that exposure to DEP, even at a dose that alone causes no inflammation, exacerbates allergic asthma in young animals and suggests the importance of preventive measures to reduce the exposure of children to traffic related air pollution.
Invariant natural killer T cells in children with eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Jyonouchi S. , Smith C. L. , Saretta F. , Abraham V. , Ruymann K. R. , Modayur‐Chandramouleeswaran P. , Wang M. ‐L. , Spergel J. M. , Cianferoni A.
Published: October 2013

Background

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an atopic disease characterized by eosinophilic inflammation in which dietary antigens (in particular, milk) play a major role. EoE is most likely a mixed IgE and non‐IgE food‐mediated reaction in which overexpression of Th2 cytokines, particularly IL‐13, play a major role; however, the cells responsible for IL‐13 overexpression remain elusive. Th2‐cytokines are secreted following the ligation of invariant natural killer T cell receptors to sphingolipids (SLs). Sphingolipids (SLs) are presented via the CD1d molecule on the INKTs surface. Cow's milk‐derived SL has been shown to activate iNKTs from children with IgE‐mediated food allergies to milk (FA‐MA) to produce Th2 cytokines. The role of iNKTs and milk‐SL in EoE pathogenesis is currently unknown.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of iNKTs and milk‐SL in EoE.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 10 children with active EoE (EoE‐A), 10 children with controlled EoE (EoE‐C) and 16 healthy controls (non‐EoE) were measured ex vivo and then incubated with α‐galactosylceramide (αGal) and milk‐SL. INKTs from peripheral blood (PB) and oesophageal biopsies were studied.

Results

EoE‐A children had significantly fewer peripheral blood iNKTs with a greater Th2‐response to αGal and milk‐SM compared with iNKTs of EoE‐C and non‐EoE children. Additionally, EoE‐A children had increased iNKT levels in oesophageal biopsies compared with EoE‐C children.

Conclusion

Milk‐SLs are able to activate peripheral blood iNKTs in EoE‐A children to produce Th2 cytokines. Additionally, iNKT levels are higher at the site of active oesophageal eosinophilic inflammation.

Clinical Relevance

This study suggests that sphingolipids (SLs) contained in milk may drive the development of EoE by promoting an iNKT‐cell‐mediated Th2‐type cytokine response that facilitates eosinophil‐mediated allergic inflammation.
Incidence of fatal food anaphylaxis in people with food allergy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Umasunthar T. , Leonardi‐Bee J. , Hodes M. , Turner P. J. , Gore C. , Habibi P. , Warner J. O. , Boyle R. J.
Published: October 2013

Background

Food allergy is a common cause of anaphylaxis, but the incidence of fatal food anaphylaxis is not known. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of fatal food anaphylaxis for people with food allergy and relate this to other mortality risks in the general population.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis, using the generic inverse variance method. Two authors selected studies by consensus, independently extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies using the Newcastle‐Ottawa assessment scale. We searched Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science, LILACS or AMED, between January 1946 and September 2012, and recent conference abstracts. We included registries, databases or cohort studies which described the number of fatal food anaphylaxis cases in a defined population and time period and applied an assumed population prevalence rate of food allergy.

Results

We included data from 13 studies describing 240 fatal food anaphylaxis episodes over an estimated 165 million food‐allergic person‐years. Study quality was mixed, and there was high heterogeneity between study results, possibly due to variation in food allergy prevalence and data collection methods. In food‐allergic people, fatal food anaphylaxis has an incidence rate of 1.81 per million person‐years (95%CI 0.94, 3.45; range 0.63, 6.68). In sensitivity analysis with different estimated food allergy prevalence, the incidence varied from 1.35 to 2.71 per million person‐years. At age 0–19, the incidence rate is 3.25 (1.73, 6.10; range 0.94, 15.75; sensitivity analysis 1.18–6.13). The incidence of fatal food anaphylaxis in food‐allergic people is lower than accidental death in the general European population.

Conclusion

Fatal food anaphylaxis for a food‐allergic person is rarer than accidental death in the general population.
Natural killer (NK) cell deficit in coronary artery disease: no aberrations in phenotype but sustained reduction of NK cells is associated with low-grade inflammation
Authors: Backteman K , Ernerudh J , Jonasson L
Published: October 2013

Although reduced natural killer (NK) cell levels have been reported consistently in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), the clinical significance and persistence of this immune perturbation is not clarified. In this study we characterized the NK cell deficit further by determining (i) differentiation surface markers and cytokine profile of NK cell subsets and (ii) ability to reconstitute NK cell levels over time. Flow cytometry was used to analyse NK cell subsets and the intracellular cytokine profile in 31 patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMI), 34 patients with stable angina (SA) and 37 healthy controls. In blood collected prior to coronary angiography, the proportions of NK cells were reduced significantly in non-STEMI and SA patients compared with controls, whereas NK cell subset analyses or cytokine profile measurements did not reveal any differences across groups. During a 12-month follow-up, the proportions of NK cells increased, although not in all patients. Failure to reconstitute NK cell levels was associated with several components of metabolic syndrome. Moreover, interleukin (IL)-6 levels remained high in patients with sustained NK cell deficit, whereas a decline in IL-6 (P < 0·001) was seen in patients with a pronounced increase in NK cells. In conclusion, we found no evidence that reduction of NK cells in CAD patients was associated with aberrations in NK cell phenotype at any clinical stage of the disease. Conversely, failure to reconstitute NK cell levels was associated with a persistent low-grade inflammation, suggesting a protective role of NK cells in CAD.
Induction of a type I interferon signature in normal human monocytes by gadolinium-based contrast agents: comparison of linear and macrocyclic agents
Authors: Wermuth P J , Jimenez S A
Published: October 2013

The gadolinium-based contrast agent (GdBCA) Omniscan activates human macrophages through Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and TLR-7 signalling. To explore the mechanisms responsible we compared the ability of linear and macrocyclic GdBCA to induce a type I interferon signature and a proinflammatory/profibrotic phenotype in normal human monocytes in vitro. Expression of genes associated with type I interferon signalling and inflammation and production of their corresponding proteins were determined. Both linear and macrocyclic GdBCA stimulated expression of multiple type I interferon-regulated genes and the expression of numerous chemokines, cytokines and growth factors in normal human peripheral blood monocytes. There was no correlation between the magnitude of the measured response and the Gd chelate used. To explore the mechanisms responsible for GdBCA induction of fibrosis in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in vitro, normal human dermal fibroblasts were incubated with GdBCA-treated monocyte culture supernatants and the effects on profibrotic gene expression were examined. Supernatants from monocytes exposed to all GdBCA stimulated types I and III collagen, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in normal dermal fibroblasts. The results indicate that the monocyte activation induced by GdBCA may be the initial step in the development of GdBCA associated fibrosis in NSF.
Efficacy of medical treatment in Cushing's disease: a systematic review
Authors: Gadelha Mônica R. , Vieira Neto Leonardo
Published: October 2013

Objective

Reported rates of response to medical therapies used in Cushing's disease (CD) vary widely. The aim of this review is to analyse systematically the efficacy of medical therapies for CD and to assess the strength of the supporting evidence.

Methods

Systematic PubMed searches identified studies of medical treatment in CD. The GRADE criteria were imposed to assess the strength of evidence supporting each medication.

Results

Fifteen studies were included. Ten studies specifically reported response rates for patients with CD. Pasireotide was the only treatment to be assessed in a randomized trial and was supported by a ‘moderate’ level of evidence. Response rates with pasireotide from three prospective studies were 17–29%. The remaining medications were supported by a ‘low’ or ‘very low’ level of evidence. The highest response rates were reported in small retrospective studies of metyrapone (75%, one study) and mitotane (72%, one study). Response rates were 25–50% for cabergoline (four studies) and 45% for ketoconazole (one study). Among studies that included patients with other forms of Cushing's syndrome, response rates were 53–88% for ketoconazole (three studies), 70% for mitotane (one study), 57% for metyrapone (one study) and 38–60% for mifepristone. Again, all of these medications are supported by a ‘low’ level of evidence.

Conclusions

There is a paucity of high‐quality studies of medical therapy in CD, with only one medication achieving a ‘moderate’ level of evidence. Caution should be employed when comparing efficacy rates owing to the variability in study design and quality.
How genetic studies have advanced our understanding of age‐related macular degeneration and their impact on patient care: a review
Authors: Baird Paul N , Chakrabarti Subhabrata
Published: October 2013

The last 10 years have seen an unprecedented explosion in our knowledge regarding the genomic basis of age‐related macular degeneration. This has come about through major advances in computing power, microfabrication of large numbers of molecular markers on chips and improved statistical algorithms for analysis. In tandem, it has become clear that age‐related macular degeneration appears to be a multifactorial disease with influences from genetic and structural variants, as well as epigenetic involvement. The combination of these factors with known environmental determinants indicates the highly complex nature of this disease, but at the same time also offers insights into risk prediction and disease stratification through genotype profiling.
Comparison of anterior segment morphology following prophylactic laser peripheral iridotomy in Caucasian and Chinese eyes
Authors: Lee Roland Y , Kasuga Toshimitsu , Cui Qi N , Huang Guofu , He Mingguang , Lin Shan C
Published: October 2013

Background

To compare anterior segment biometric parameters between Caucasians and Chinese before and after laser peripheral iridotomy.

Design

Prospective clinical cohort study.

Participants

Caucasian and Chinese primary angle‐closure suspects.

Methods

Anterior segment optical coherence tomography images captured before and after laser peripheral iridotomy were analysed to measure anterior segment biometric parameters. Paired Student's t‐tests were used for within‐ethnic group comparisons. Univariate and linear mixed‐effect regression models were used for between‐ethnic group comparisons.

Main Outcome Measures

Angle opening distance, angle recess area, iris thickness, iris curvature, anterior chamber area, anterior chamber volume and anterior chamber width.

Results

Caucasians had significantly greater preoperative angle recess area, anterior chamber width, and iris curvature and lower preoperative iris thickness compared to Chinese (P < 0.05). Significant postoperative increases in angle opening distance, angle recess area, anterior chamber area, anterior chamber volume, and anterior chamber width along with significant postoperative decrease in iris curvature were observed within both ethnic groups (P < 0.05). However, the amount of laser peripheral iridotomy‐induced changes in angle opening distance, angle recess area, anterior chamber area, anterior chamber volume, anterior chamber width, and iris curvature did not differ between the two ethnic groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Both Caucasian and Chinese demonstrated opening of anterior chamber angle width, expansion of anterior chamber dimensions, and flattening of iris convexity after laser peripheral iridotomy. Although certain aspects of anterior segment anatomy differed between Caucasians and Chinese preoperatively, they did not translate into significant ethnic differences in the amount of laser peripheral iridotomy‐induced changes in the anterior segment biometric parameters.
Children taken into care and custody and the ‘troubled families’ agenda in England
Authors: Hayden Carol , Jenkins Craig
Published: October 2013

Children taken into care and custody are arguably the most vulnerable and problematic groups within the wider debate and responses developing to the ‘troubled families’ agenda in England. They represent what the state most wants to avoid when it intervenes in the life of a family. This paper is based on an analysis of the service involvement and needs of the 196 children taken into care or custody over a 3‐year period (2008–2011) in one city local authority in England. The research was undertaken to inform the response to prevention of entry into care and custody which was the original focus of the most intensive part of the troubled families programme in the city. Interviews with 10 senior professionals from a range of agencies involved in setting up this local programme, explored the way the emerging troubled families agenda was shaping ideas about the understanding of and response to the needs of these children and their families. Key findings of the study illustrate the range and complexity of need as well as the sequence and amount of agency involvement. Professionals were often critical of the thinking behind the troubled families agenda, but were positive and creative about new ways of working with these families.
Examining the impact of family services on homeless children
Authors: Portwood Sharon G. , Shears Jeffrey K. , Nelson Ellissa Brooks , Thomas M. Lori
Published: October 2013

This study examined the impact on children of services delivered through a collaborative initiative designed to provide supports to working poor families who are homeless or at immediate risk of becoming homeless. Overall, a number of positive findings can serve to inform the development of promising intervention strategies for children in homeless families and highlight areas for further research. Along with improved housing status, there was a statistically significant improvement in the economic self‐sufficiency of the families served, regardless of whether they completed the full programme cycle. In addition, youth self‐report data indicated significant improvements in externalizing and internalizing behaviour. The ability to combine programme data with school data for participating children also made it possible to explore school performance outcomes. Although these results did not indicate a change in participants’ levels of attendance or reading performance, there was a statistically significant improvement in students’ math scores. Moreover, when participating children were compared with a group of students matched on their level of academic performance at baseline who had not received housing or homeless services, no significant differences were detected between groups post‐intervention, indicating that services may help reduce the risk of homeless students’ falling further behind their peers academically.
The roles of social support and family resilience in accessing healthcare and employment resources among families living in traditional public housing communities
Authors: Distelberg Brian , Taylor Sherria
Published: October 2013

This study relied on theories of family resilience to examine and differentiate the roles of community social support and family resilience in regards to access and utilization of healthcare and employment resources for public housing residents. The study assessed 234 public housing residents and used structured regressions to test the role of family resilience, internal and external community social support on outcomes associated with economic mobility. Results suggest that external community social support is associated with increased access to and use of health and employment resources. Additionally, residents with higher levels of resilience sought social support from outside of their communities to a greater degree, thereby increasing their access and use of resources. Increases in internal community support were associated with increases in external community support, but alone, limited access to and use of resources. Implications of the findings for policy, interventions, and future research are discussed.
Internationally adopted children's general and adoption‐specific stressors, coping strategies and psychological adjustment
Authors: Reinoso Marta , Pereda Noemí , Van den Dries Linda , Forero Carlos G.
Published: October 2013

We examined stress, coping and psychological adjustment of 68 children, aged 8–12, who were internationally adopted toSpain. Using theKidcope, all children were asked about the most stressful general and adoption‐related problem they experienced and the use and effectiveness of various coping strategies when dealing with the problem. For all reported problems, the nature of the problem (personal, interpersonal, regarding others), the content, the degree of stress it created and its perceived controllability were analysed. Emotional and behavioural functionings were assessed with theBehaviourAssessmentSystem forChildren. About half of the children mentioned specific problems concerning the adoption, with inracial adoptees reporting less adoption‐related problems than transracial adoptees. For general and adoption‐related problems, interpersonal problems were mentioned most often. With regard to the content, ‘relationships’ and ‘victimization’ were mentioned most often for general and adoption‐related problems, respectively. Adoption‐related problems were appraised as less controllable. No differences emerged in terms of coping with general or adoption‐related problems except for ‘self‐criticism’. Overall, the children used many coping strategies and were generally well‐adjusted. Identifying the problems and coping strategies of adoptees is important in order to help these children and their families tackle these stressors.
Making sense of common sense: examining the decision‐making of politically appointed representatives in Swedish child protection
Authors: Forkby Torbjörn , Höjer Staffan , Liljegren Andreas
Published: October 2013

A distinguishing feature of Swedish child protection is the direct and indirect influence on decision‐making in individual cases by representatives appointed by their elected political parties. As members of local committees, they take the most interventionist and costly decisions themselves, informed by care proposals submitted by professional social workers. Other decisions are delegated to professional social workers. In direct decision‐making, they are supposed to act as laypersons using their own judgement and experience, not as politicians. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse these committees, their role and responsibilities, and possible influence of politics on child protection. A mixed method was used, with a survey sent to 467 representatives, structured interviews with 99 secretaries of local committees and data drawn from national statistics. The Swedish model is discussed as a hybrid system influenced not only by professional, bureaucratic, political and market governance logics but also by laypersons. One conclusion is that although child protection is directly influenced by politics, the reverse is also true. By exposing politicians to the difficult life circumstances and societal shortcomings experienced by vulnerable children, the system can, in turn, have an impact on politics at the municipal level.
Anterior urethral valves without diverticulae: A report of two cases and a review of the literature
Authors: Singh Dig Vijay , Taneja Rajesh
Published: October 2013

Two unusual cases of anterior urethral valves (AUV) without diverticulae are presented. The first case is a male child born with prenatal diagnosis of bilateral hydronephrosis. On cystoscopy, iris‐like diaphragm valves were encountered about 3 mm distal to the skeletal sphincter. In the second case, an 18‐month‐old male child was investigated for recurrent febrile urinary tract infections and obstructed urinary symptoms. Cystoscopy confirmed the presence of slit‐like valves 5 mm distal to the skeletal sphincter. Fulguration of the AUVs was performed in both cases. It may be worthwhile to review all cases of anterior urethral obstruction collectively and re‐categorize them appropriately to include the unusual AUVs without diverticulum in that classification.
Alu‐mediated large deletion of the CDSN gene as a cause of peeling skin disease
Authors: Wada T. , Matsuda Y. , Muraoka M. , Toma T. , Takehara K. , Fujimoto M. , Yachie A.
Published: October 2013

Peeling skin disease (PSD) is an autosomal recessive skin disorder caused by mutations in CDSN and is characterized by superficial peeling of the upper epidermis. Corneodesmosin (CDSN) is a major component of corneodesmosomes that plays an important role in maintaining epidermis integrity. Herein, we report a patient with PSD caused by a novel homozygous large deletion in the 6p21.3 region encompassing the CDSN gene, which abrogates CDSN expression. Several genes including C6orf15, PSORS1C1, PSORS1C2, CCHCR1, and TCF19 were also deleted, however, the patient showed only clinical features typical of PSD. The deletion size was 59.1 kb. Analysis of the sequence surrounding the breakpoint showed that both telomeric and centromeric breakpoints existed within Alu‐S sequences that were oriented in opposite directions. These results suggest an Alu‐mediated recombination event as the mechanism underlying the deletion in our patient.
Aminoacylase I deficiency due to ACY1 mRNA exon skipping
Authors: Ferri L. , Funghini S. , Fioravanti A. , Biondi E.G. , la Marca G. , Guerrini R. , Donati M.A. , Morrone A.
Published: October 2013

Aminoacylase 1 (ACY1) deficiency is a rare inborn error of metabolism of which less than 20 observations have been described. Patients exhibit urinary excretion of specific N‐acetyl amino acids and manifest a heterogeneous clinical spectrum including intellectual disability, motor delay, seizures, moderate to severe mental retardation, absent speech, growth delay, muscular hypotonia and autistic features. Here, we report the case of ACY1 enzyme deficiency in a 6‐year‐old girl presenting severe intellectual disability, motor retardation, absence of spontaneous locomotor activity and severe speech delay. Urinary excretion of N‐acetylated amino acids was present. Mutational analysis of ACY1 gene identified the new homozygous c.1001_1001+5del6 mutation, which alters the mRNA transcription leading to exon 13 skipping and inclusion of a premature stop codon (p.Lys308Glufs*7). A quantitative fluorescent multiplex‐polymerase chain reaction (QFM‐PCR) assay has been set up and confirmed homozygosity of the mutation in the patient's DNA. Biochemical analysis showed absence of ACY1 enzyme activity in the patient's fibroblasts. The structure of the mutated protein has been defined by homology modeling (HM). Our data endorse the hypothesis of a link between this inborn error of metabolism and the neurological manifestations observed in patients with ACY1 deficiency.
The psychological impact of breast and ovarian cancer preventive options in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers
Authors: Borreani C , Manoukian S , Bianchi E , Brunelli C , Peissel B , Caruso A , Morasso G , Pierotti MA
Published: October 2013

This study was performed to describe the impact of preventive options on the psychological condition of BRCA1/BRCA2 carriers. A sample of 52 cancer‐affected (C‐A) and 27 cancer‐unaffected (C‐UN) women were enrolled after gene test disclosure (T0). Psychological evaluations were performed at T0 and 15 months later (T1). The surgical options were more likely to be chosen in C‐A women (62%), although a consistent proportion of C‐UN women (30%) also opt for these preventive measures. At the baseline, both samples had average anxiety and depression scores below the cut‐off value, restrained average cancer worry scores and a risk perception consistent with the risk percentage provided during genetic counselling. The longitudinal results indicated no clinically meaningful variations in the anxiety and depression scores in either of the two samples. Statistically significant reductions in cancer‐risk perception emerged in women who chose surgery in both C‐A and C‐UN women. In BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers, surveillance does not influence their initial psychological condition, whereas prophylactic surgery has a significant impact in reducing the perceived risk and worry about getting sick. C‐A and C‐UN women have to be considered as two separate populations of BRCA mutation carriers requiring personalized approaches to risk management.
A Survey of Volumetric Illumination Techniques for Interactive Volume Rendering
Authors: Jönsson Daniel , Sundén Erik , Ynnerman Anders , Ropinski Timo
Published: October 2013

Interactive volume rendering in its standard formulation has become an increasingly important tool in many application domains. In recent years several advanced volumetric illumination techniques to be used in interactive scenarios have been proposed. These techniques claim to have perceptual benefits as well as being capable of producing more realistic volume rendered images. Naturally, they cover a wide spectrum of illumination effects, including varying shading and scattering effects. In this survey, we review and classify the existing techniques for advanced volumetric illumination. The classification will be conducted based on their technical realization, their performance behaviour as well as their perceptual capabilities. Based on the limitations revealed in this review, we will define future challenges in the area of interactive advanced volumetric illumination.
Connective Tissue Characteristics around Healing Abutments of Different Geometries: New Methodological Technique under Circularly Polarized Light
Authors: Delgado‐Ruiz Rafael Arcesio , Calvo‐Guirado Jose Luis , Abboud Marcus , Ramirez‐Fernandez Maria Piedad , Maté‐Sánchez de Val José Eduardo , Negri Bruno , Gomez‐Moreno Gerardo , Markovic Aleksa
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To describe contact, thickness, density, and orientation of connective tissue fibers around healing abutments of different geometries by means of a new method using coordinates.

Materials and Methods

Following the bilateral extraction of mandibular premolars (P2,P3, andP4) from six fox hound dogs and a 2‐month healing period, 36 titanium implants were inserted, onto which two groups of healing abutments of different geometry were screwed: Group A (concave abutments) and Group B (wider healing abutment). After 3 months the animals were sacrificed and samples extracted containing each implant and surrounding soft and hard tissues. Histological analysis was performed without decalcifying the samples by means of circularly polarized light under optical microscope and a system of vertical and horizontal coordinates across all the connective tissue in an area delimited by the implant/abutment, epithelium, and bone tissue.

Results

In no case had the connective tissue formed a connection to the healing abutment/implant in the internal zone; a space of 35 ± 10 μm separated the connective tissue fibers from the healing abutment surface. The total thickness of connective tissue in the horizontal direction was significantly greater in the medial zone in Group B than in Group A (p < .05). The orientation of the fibers varied according to the coordinate area so that internal coordinates showed a higher percentage of parallel fibers in Group A (p < .05) and a higher percentage of oblique fibers in Group B (p < .05); medial coordinates showed more oblique fibers (p < .05); and the area of external coordinates showed the highest percentage of perpendicular fibers (p < .05). The fiber density was higher in the basal and medial areas (p < .05).

Conclusions

Abutment geometry influences the orientation of collagen fibers; therefore, an abutment with a profile wider than the implant platform favors oblique and perpendicular orientation of collagen fibers and greater connective tissue thickness.
Black Sea and World Wheat Market Price Integration Analysis
Authors: Goychuk Kateryna , Meyers William H.
Published: October 2013

In 2008–10, Russia and Ukraine together exported an average of 29 million tons of wheat per year, and have become important players in the international wheat market. This research summarizes the short‐ and long‐run wheat price dynamics between Ukraine and Russia, and other major wheat exporters—the United States, European Union (EU), and Canada—from 2004 to 2010. Tests of market price co‐integration (Johansen maximum likelihood test and residual‐based tests) as well as threshold error correction techniques were performed for this purpose. The results suggest that Russian wheat prices were co‐integrated with EU and U.S. wheat prices but not with Canadian wheat prices. Ukrainian wheat prices were found to be co‐integrated with French wheat prices only. The estimated long‐run wheat price transmission elasticities were estimated to be equal to 1.04 between Russian and French (a representative country of the EU) wheat prices, 1.16 between Russian and U.S. wheat prices, and 1.05 between Ukrainian and French wheat prices. We also found the short‐term relationships between the co‐integrated series to be statistically significant. Price adjustments in all co‐integrated prices were found to be symmetric.