bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved outcome of EAN, an animal model of GBS, through amelioration of peripheral and central inflammation by minocycline
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Yuan , Zhang Zhiren , Fauser Uwe , Schluesener Hermann J.
Published: April 2008

Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is a widely used animal model of the human acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, which is the most common subtype of Guillain‐Barré Syndrome. EAN is pathologically characterized by breakdown of the blood‐nerve barrier, infiltration of reactive immune cells, local inflammation, demyelination in the peripheral nervous system and mechanical allodynia. Minocycline is known to have neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory effects. Furthermore, relieve of neuropathic pain following minocycline administration was observed in a variety of animal models. Here, we investigated the effects of minocycline on rat EAN. Suppressive treatment with minocycline (50 mg/kg body weight daily immediately after immunization) significantly attenuated the severity and duration of EAN. Macrophage and T‐cell infiltration and demyelination in sciatic nerves of EAN rats treated with minocycline were significantly reduced compared to phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS)‐treated EAN rats. mRNA expressions of matrix metallopeptidase‐9, inducible nitric oxide synthase and pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1 β and tumour necrosis factor‐α in EAN sciatic nerves were greatly decreased by administration of minocycline as well. Furthermore, minocycline attenuated mechanical allodynia in EAN rats and greatly suppressed spinal microglial activation. All together, our data showed that minocycline could effectively suppress the peripheral and spinal inflammation (immune activation) to improve outcome in EAN rats, which suggests that minocycline may be considered as a potential candidate of pharmacological treatment for autoimmune‐mediated neuropathies.
Systematic review of implant outcomes in treated periodontitis subjects
Authors: Ong Constantine T. T. , Ivanovski Saso , Needleman Ian G. , Retzepi Maria , Moles David R. , Tonetti Maurizio S. , Donos Nikolaos
Published: April 2008

Objectives: To determine implant outcomes in partially dentate patients who have been treated for periodontitis compared with periodontally healthy patients.

Material and Methods: All longitudinal studies (until March 2006) of endosseous dental implants of at least 6 months of loading were searched. Studies presented with one or more of the outcome measures (implant survival, success, bone‐level change, peri‐implantitis) were included. Screening, data abstraction and quality assessment were conducted independently and in duplicate.

Results: From 4448 citations, 546 full‐text papers were screened and nine studies were included. Overall, the non‐periodontitis patients demonstrated better outcomes than treated periodontitis patients. However, the strength of evidence showed that the studies included were at a medium to high risk of bias, with lack of appropriate reporting and analysis of outcomes plus lack of accounting for confounders, especially smoking. Furthermore, the studies showed variability in the definitions of treated and non‐periodontitis, outcome criteria and quality of supportive periodontal therapy. Meta‐analysis could not be performed due to heterogeneity of the chief study characteristics.

Conclusions: There is some evidence that patients treated for periodontitis may experience more implant loss and complications around implants than non‐periodontitis patients. Evidence is stronger for implant survival than implant success; methodological issues limit the potential to draw robust conclusions.
Periodontal parameters and cervical root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement
Authors: Giannopoulou Catherine , Dudic Alexander , Montet Xavier , Kiliaridis Stavros , Mombelli Andrea
Published: April 2008

Objectives: To assess the relationship between periodontal parameters and cervical root resorption in orthodontically moved teeth.

Material and Methods: In a standardized experimental tooth movement in 16 periodontally healthy subjects, 29 pre‐molars were tipped buccally for 8 weeks. Eighteen contralateral pre‐molars not subjected to orthodontic movement served as controls. Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), probing depth and bleeding on probing were assessed three times before and six times during the experimental phase. Teeth were extracted and scanned in a micro‐computed tomography scanner. The presence or absence, and the severity of cervical root resorption were evaluated on the three‐dimensional reconstruction of the scans by two calibrated examiners.

Results: Overall, periodontal parameters were not different between the test and the control teeth. Clear signs of buccal cervical resorption were detected on 27 of 29 orthodontically moved teeth and on one control tooth. Ten subjects had perfect oral hygiene and no gingivitis, whereas six subjects showed a moderate level of plaque and gingivitis (>20% occurrences of PI or GI with >0). No relationship could be demonstrated between resorption and periodontal parameters.

Conclusions: Nearly all orthodontically moved teeth showed signs of cervical resorption. Periodontal parameters were unrelated to this important side effect of orthodontic treatment.
Interleukin‐11, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐12 and the pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal diseases
Authors: Yücel Özlem Özer , Berker Ezel , Gariboğlu Semra , Otlu Harika
Published: April 2008

Objectives: The balance between pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines may be crucial for determining the immunopathology of gingivitis (G) and periodontitis. This study aimed to analyse interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐11 and IL‐12 levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with G and chronic periodontitis (CP).

Material and Methods: Fourty subjects including 12 CP, 14 G and 14 controls (C) were enrolled. GCF samples were collected from six maxillary sites per patient and analysed for IL‐1β, IL‐11 and IL‐12 by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Significantly lower concentrations of IL‐11 were detected in CP compared with both G and C groups (p<0.05). The CP group had a significantly higher total amount of IL‐12 and IL‐1β compared with the C group (p<0.05). The IL‐11:IL‐1β cytokine ratio was higher in both G and C groups compared with the CP group. The IL‐11:IL‐1β ratio became progressively lower with increasing probing depth (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Our data showed that IL‐11 levels are significantly decreased in GCF from sites with periodontitis compared with G and healthy sites. Because of the possible preventive effect of IL‐11 on inflammation, IL‐11 may be an important factor in the therapeutic modulation of periodontal disease.
Trends over 30 years, 1973–2003, in the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease
Authors: Hugoson Anders , Sjödin Bengt , Norderyd Ola
Published: April 2008

Aim: The present investigation presents findings of the prevalence and distribution of gingivitis and periodontitis in a Swedish population over the 30 years 1973–2003.

Material and Methods: Four cross‐sectional epidemiological studies in 1973, 1983, 1993, and 2003 were performed in Jönköping, Sweden. Random samples of individuals aged 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 years were examined clinically and radiographically. Diagnostic criteria were edentulousness, number of teeth, plaque, gingival status, probing pocket depth, gingival recession, alveolar bone level, and classification according to periodontal disease status.

Results: In all age groups, the number of edentulous individuals decreased dramatically and the number of teeth increased. Oral hygiene improved considerably. Over the 30 years, the proportion of periodontally healthy individuals increased from 8% in 1973 to 44% in 2003 and the proportion of individuals with gingivitis and moderate periodontitis decreased. There was a non‐significant trend for the proportion of individuals with severe periodontal disease experience (Group 4) to decrease, while the proportion of individuals with advanced periodontitis (Group 5) remained unchanged.

Conclusion: Oral hygiene and periodontal health improved significantly in the 20–80‐year age groups over the 30 years 1973–2003.
Severe periodontitis in young adults is associated with sub‐clinical atherosclerosis
Authors: Cairo Francesco , Castellani Sergio , Gori Anna Maria , Nieri Michele , Baldelli Giorgia , Abbate Rosanna , Pini‐Prato Giovan Paolo
Published: April 2008

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between severe periodontitis and sub‐clinical atherosclerosis in young (40 years) systemically healthy individuals.

Material and Methods: Ninety systemically healthy subjects, 45 affected by severe periodontitis (mean age 36.35±3.65 years) and 45 controls without a history of periodontal disease (mean age 33.78±3.28 years), were enrolled in this study. Patients and controls were paired for age, gender, body mass index and smoking habits. Carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) was bilaterally assessed by ultrasonography at the level of common carotid artery. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors for atherosclerosis were also evaluated.

Results: The overall mean carotid IMT was 0.82±0.13 mm in the test group and 0.72±0.07 mm in the control group ( p<0.0001). Stepwise regression analysis showed that periodontitis ( p<0.0001) and regular physical activity ( p=0.0009) were predictor variables of overall mean carotid IMT. When considering an IMT0.82 mm as the critical index of increased cardiovascular risk, periodontal patients overcame this threshold compared with healthy patients by an odds ratio=8.55 [confidence interval 95%: 2.38; 39.81]. No investigated haemostatic variable was associated with increased carotid IMT.

Conclusion: Severe periodontitis is associated with sub‐clinical atherosclerosis in young systemically healthy patients.
AP‐1 and AP‐3 Mediate Sorting of Melanosomal and Lysosomal Membrane Proteins into Distinct Post‐Golgi Trafficking Pathways
Authors: Chapuy Björn , Tikkanen Ritva , Mühlhausen Chris , Wenzel Dirk , Von Figura Kurt , Höning Stefan
Published: April 2008

The adaptor complexes AP‐1 and AP‐3 are localized to endosomes and/or the trans Golgi network (TGN). Because of limitations in analysing intracellular adaptor function directly, their site of function is a matter of ongoing uncertainty. To overcome this problem and to analyse adaptor sorting at the TGN, we reconstituted vesicle formation from Golgi/TGN‐enriched membranes in a novel in vitro budding assay. Melanocytes were metabolically labelled followed by a 19°C temperature block to accumulate newly synthesized proteins in Golgi membranes, which were then enriched by subcellular fractionation and used as donor membranes for vesicle formation in vitro. The incorporation of the melanosomal proteins tyrosinase and tyrosinase‐related protein 1 (TRP‐1) as well as Lamp‐1 and 46 kDa mannose‐6‐phosphate receptor (MPR46) into Golgi/TGN‐derived vesicles was temperature, nucleotide, cytosol, ADP ribosylation factor 1 and adaptor dependent. We show that sorting of TRP‐1 and MPR46 was AP‐1 dependent, while budding of tyrosinase and Lamp‐1 required AP‐3. Depletion of clathrin inhibited sorting of all four cargo proteins, suggesting that AP‐1 and AP‐3 are involved in the formation of distinct types of clathrin‐coated vesicles, each of which is characterized by the incorporation of specific cargo membrane proteins.
REVIEW ARTICLE: NK Cell Tolerance and the Maternal–Fetal Interface
Authors: Riley Joan K. , Yokoyama Wayne M.
Published: April 2008

Natural killer (NK) cells play a fundamental role in the innate immune response through their ability to secrete cytokines and kill target cells without prior sensitization. These effector functions are central to NK cell anti‐viral and anti‐tumor abilities. Due to their cytotoxic nature, it is vital that NK cells have the capacity to recognize normal self‐tissue and thus prevent their destruction. In addition to their role in host defense, NK cells accumulate at the maternal‐fetal interface and are thought to play a critical role during pregnancy. The close proximity of uterine NK (uNK) cells to fetal trophoblast cells of the placenta would seemingly lead to catastrophic consequences, as the trophoblast cells are semi‐allogeneic. A fundamental enigma of pregnancy is that the fetal cells constitute an allograft but, in normal pregnancies, they are in effect not perceived as foreign and are not rejected by the maternal immune system. Although the mechanisms involved in achieving NK cell tolerance are becoming increasingly well‐defined, further clarification is required, given the clinical implications of this work in the areas of infection, transplantation, cancer and pregnancy. Herein, we discuss several mechanisms of NK cell tolerance and speculate as to how they may apply to uNK cells at the maternal–fetal interface.
REVIEW ARTICLE: Human NK Cells in Pregnant Uterus: Why There?
Authors: Le Bouteiller Philippe , Piccinni Marie‐Pierre
Published: April 2008

Human Natural Killer (NK) cells are present in great number in pregnant uterine mucosa. They must be there for specialized functions, but which ones? This review discusses important recent observations that further contribute to this fascinating debate. Firstly, an array of corroborating findings indicates that uterine NK cell proliferation is synchronized with the cyclic surge of progesterone. Secondly, uterine NK cells are unlikely to exert a direct control on the embryo implantation. Thirdly, these NK cells influence the uterine vascular remodeling in early pregnancy but might not be the single key element that control trophoblast invasion. Finally, uterine NK cells are likely to be an important component of the local maternal immune response to pathogen infections.
Association of unipolar depression with gene polymorphisms in the serotonergic pathways in Han Chinese
Authors: Shi Mei , Hu Jian , Dong Xuesong , Gao Yue , An Ganghui , Liu Wei , Chen Li , Sun Xueying
Published: April 2008

Objective:

The present study aims to investigate the association of unipolar depression (UPD) with six serotonergic gene polymorphisms in Han Chinese.

Methods:

One hundred and thirty-two UPD patients and 180 healthy controls were genotyped for polymorphisms of six serotonergic genes, including tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH1 A218C), serotonin transporter promoter region (5-HTTLPR), serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT2AR −1438G/A), serotonin receptor 2C (5-HT2CR Cys23Ser), serotonin receptor 6 (5-HT6R C267T) and serotonin receptor 1Dβ (5-HT1DβR T371G). Symptomatic clusters were evaluated by the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD).

Results:

The frequencies of S/S genotype and S allele in 5-HTTLPR polymorphism were significantly higher in UPD patients than in healthy controls. There was a significant difference in distributions of genotypes in 5-HT2CR Cys23Ser polymorphism between UPD patients and control subjects, but the difference became no significant when the data were further stratified by gender. The patients with genotypes G/G and T/G of 5-HT1DβR T371G polymorphism had significantly lower scores of diurnal variation evaluated by HAMD than those with genotype T/T, while the patients with genotype T/G had significantly higher scores of hopelessness than those with genotypes G/G and T/T. There were no significant differences in genotypic and allelic distributions of TPH1 A218C, 5-HT2AR −1438G/A or 5-HT6R C267T polymorphisms between the case and control groups.

Conclusion:

The study demonstrates that 5-HTTLPR and 5-HT2CR Cys23Ser polymorphisms might contribute to susceptibility of UPD, and the genotype T/T in 5-HT1DβR T371G polymorphism might be a risk factor for diurnal variation, while T/G might be a protective factor against hopelessness in Han Chinese populations.
Does climate change affect the incidence of skin and allergic diseases in Germany?
Authors: Augustin Jobst , Franzke Nadine , Augustin Matthias , Kappas Martin
Published: April 2008

Background: Skin diseases have great socio‐economic importance in Germany due to their high and in some cases still‐increasing prevalence. Little attention has yet been paid to the influence of the change in climate on these diseases.

Objective: Clarify the evidence of the effects of climate change on the prevalence of skin diseases and allergies in Germany.

Methods: First, a theoretical model of the possible mechanisms and influence factors of climate and weather was created for different disease groups (skin malignancies, allergies, skin infections). Then, a systematic online and manual literature search was made for model‐derived key words.The relevant publications were selected and evaluated according to a priori criteria.

Results: From a total of n = 31,221 hits, n = 320 publications remained for evaluation.Changes in the following parameters can be regarded as essential climatologic factors influencing the prevalence of skin and allergic diseases: temperature, UV radiation, precipitation/humidity, cloudiness, and general weather conditions.There were only a few original articles addressed to this topic. Most of them address recurring phenomena (especially levels of airborne pollen), UV radiation or ozone (and the ozone hole). Quantitative statements, prognosis models and climate scenarios have not yet been published for Germany with respect to skin diseases.

Conclusion: Only few scientific articles on the relationship between climate changes and the prevalence of skin diseases have been published. They do not allow a reliable statement on future developments. The outlook for changes in prevalence requires further clarification using published climate models.
E‐learning in the dermatological education at the Charité: evaluation of the last three years
Authors: Lüdert Tilman , Nast Alexander , Zielke Hendrik , Sterry Wolfram , Rzany Berthold
Published: April 2008

Background: Numerous e‐learning initiatives have been launched during the last decade. Many of them have not been continued, due to lack of acceptance on the part of the students, low quality or insufficient financial funding. Since 2002, the DEJAVU project has been integrated into the curriculum at the Department of Dermatology at Charité‐Universitätsmedizin Berlin. DEJAVU offers an online archive of recorded lectures, lecture hand outs, structured learning modules, and case reports as well as online information about the courses/classes.

Methods: Since beginning of the summer semester 2005, the student's acceptance and utilization of the online offerings was regularly surveyed, using anonymous questionnaires handed out together with the final exams. The teaching staff's opinions about e‐learning were surveyed by means of a single anonymous questionnaire.

Results: At the end of winter semester 2006/2007,93.5% of the students were aware of the existence of the e‐learning program. The average amount of time spent with the program was 14.7 hours over the course of one semester. 66.8% of the students considered the program as very useful for their dermatology training. The lecture notes were the most frequently used online resource. Among the teaching staff, 86% considered e‐learning a useful addition to traditional teaching.

Conclusions: Our results show that e‐learning is very well accepted by our students. It offers an additional way of acquiring knowledge and should be used to complement traditional ways of teaching.
Inhibition of Seminal Emission Is the Main Cause of Anejaculation Induced by a New Highly Selective α1A-Blocker in Normal Volunteers
Authors: Kobayashi Ko , Masumori Naoya , Hisasue Shin-ichi , Kato Ryuichi , Hashimoto Kohei , Itoh Naoki , Tsukamoto Taiji
Published: April 2008

Introduction

Recent studies have highlighted the influence of α1-adrenoceptor antagonists on ejaculatory function.

Aim

We evaluated the effect of a new, highly selective α1A-blocker, silodosin, on ejaculatory function of normal volunteers.

Methods

The study included 15 healthy male urologists who voluntarily participated in the study. They took 4 mg of silodosin or a placebo twice daily for 3 days in a randomized, double-blind crossover design.

Main Outcome Measures

We investigated the ejaculatory volume, sperm count in urine after ejaculation, and fructose concentration in seminal plasma before and after administration of the agents.

Results

All volunteers on silodosin had a complete lack of ejaculation. Three days after completion of silodosin, the mean ejaculatory volume recovered to the baseline level. There was no sperm in urine after ejaculation under silodosin administration in any volunteer.

Conclusions

All volunteers on silodosin had anejaculation and did not show post-ejaculate sperm in their urine. The mechanism of ejaculatory dysfunction caused by silodosin is a loss of seminal emission.
Different Testosterone Levels Are Associated with Ejaculatory Dysfunction
Authors: Corona Giovanni , Jannini Emmanuele A. , Mannucci Edoardo , Fisher Alessandra D. , Lotti Francesco , Petrone Luisa , Balercia Giancarlo , Bandini Elisa , Chiarini Valerio , Forti Gianni , Maggi Mario
Published: April 2008

Introduction

The role of testosterone (T) in pathogenesis of ejaculatory symptoms has not been completely clarified.

Aim

To evaluate the possible contribution of T and hypogonadism in the control of the ejaculatory reflex, comparing subjects with premature ejaculation (PE) or delayed ejaculation (DE) to those without ejaculatory dysfunction.

Methods

A consecutive series of 2,437 (mean age 51.9 ± 13.0 years) male patients with sexual dysfunction was studied.

Main Outcome Measure

Several hormonal and biochemical parameters were studied, along with the structured interview on erectile dysfunction (SIEDY) structured interview. Hypogonadism were defined when total testosterone (TT) was lower than 10.4 nmol/L.

Results

Among the patients studied, 714 (25.9%) and 121 (4.4%) reported PE and DE, respectively. In the youngest age band (25–40 years), subjects with PE reported higher TT and free testosterone (FT) levels when compared to the other groups (subjects with DE or those without PE and DE; P < 0.05 for both). Conversely, in the oldest age band (55–70 years), lower TT and FT levels were observed in DE subjects. Accordingly, patients with PE showed the lowest (12%) and subjects with DE the highest (26%) prevalence of hypogonadism. These differences were confirmed even after adjustment for confounders such as age and libido (HR = 0.75 [0.57–0.99] and 1.83 [1.14–3.94] for PE and DE, respectively; both P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our data seem to suggest that T plays a facilitatory role in the control of ejaculatory reflex. Both central and peripheral mechanisms have been advocated to explain this association. Clinical studies are currently in progress to further establish the role of T in the ejaculatory dysfunction, attempting to revert DE by androgen administration.
Gridlock: chaos and confusion in our prisons
Authors: Wayne Peter JM
Published: April 2008

Behind the headlines and political posturing, the prison system is in crisis, with inhumane conditions and overcrowding making a mockery of justice, argues Peter JM Wayne, who has spent over 20 years inside.
Street encounters: betrayal and belonging in youth gangs
Authors: Sauma Julia
Published: April 2008

Anthropologist Julia Sauma argues that in understanding what draws young people to gangs, UK practitioners could learn from Brazilian outreach workers and their efforts to relate to the lives of street children caught in the drug trade in Rio de Janeiro.
Should higher education course materials be free to all?
Authors: Pollak Leo
Published: April 2008

In recent months, UC Berkeley and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have, respectively, announced and achieved their intention to make entire lecture and course materials freely available online ‐ to anyone. Leo Pollak argues that while British universities lag far behind in online course provision, the UK is uniquely placed to innovate further than MIT, and to once again radically redefine the basis of opportunity, learning and social mobility.
More than just victims: the truth about human trafficking
Authors: Buckland Benjamin S
Published: April 2008

Benjamin S Buckland argues that the language used to debate human trafficking can cloud the issue itself. Exploitation is only one side of the story. Deep‐rooted socioeconomic and political reasons explain why some people fall into illegal or forced migration channels, and tackling these fundamentals requires a new language to acknowledge the agency and ambition of trafficked persons.
Beyond aid: the future of international development
Authors: Alexander Douglas
Published: April 2008

Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, argues that, if we are to tackle global poverty, then we must address the ‘failure of political will’ to tackle the underlying causes of global inequality. However, the solution lies not with government alone, but in a partnership of voluntary, state, faith and private institutions, and citizens.
Is the state against fatherhood?
Authors: Gerard Jasper
Published: April 2008

Jasper Gerard, journalist and father of two, argues that, in the infamously tangled and strangely secretive world of the family court, a great injustice is being done to British fathers.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Pharmaceuticals in the Aquatic Environment: A Review
Authors: Stamm C. , Alder A. C. , Fenner K. , Hollender J. , Krauss M. , McArdell C. S. , Ort C. , Schneider M. K.
Published: April 2008

In recent years, human and veterinary pharmaceuticals have received much attention as pollutants of water bodies or drinking water resources due to possible negative effects on humans or the ecosystem even at very low concentrations. Over the last 10 years, considerable progress has been made regarding the knowledge of the exposure of water bodies to those drugs. This review summarizes the present understanding in this broad and interdisciplinary field incorporating contributions ranging from trace analytics to spatially distributed modelling of point‐source and diffuse pollution. It discusses the main factors and processes controlling the environmental fate of pharmaceuticals from their usage to their spatial and temporal occurrence in water bodies. The current research is still rather phenomenological and further advancement of the field requires more integrated, quantitative mass flux analyses. Such analyses should also consider the explicit incorporation of uncertainties that appropriately reflect the current limited understanding and data availability.
Influence of Pressing Method on Juice Stilbene Content in Muscadine and Bunch Grapes
Authors: Leblanc M.R. , Johnson C.E. , Wilson P.W.
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT:  Juice stilbene contents of 2 muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) cultivars, Noble and Carlos, and 2 bunch grape (Vitis labrusca) cultivars, Mid South and Miss Blanc were evaluated after crushing and pressing. Four commercial pressing methods were used to produce juice: (1) cold press of fresh berries (CP); (2) hot press of fresh berries (HP); (3) cold press of frozen and thawed berries (FCP); and (4) cold press of pectolytic enzyme treated berries (ECP). Free run juice (FRJ) from the crusher without pressing was also tested. An HPLC with a UV detector was used to verify the presence and quantity of resveratrol, piceid, and their isomers. For the muscadine juices, total stilbenes were greater for HP and FCP than for FRJ and CP treatments. Trans‐resveratrol was only detected in HP juices of the muscadines at levels near the detection limits. The bunch grape cultivars behaved similar to the muscadines in the processing treatments. HP juice had the greatest total stilbene levels and was significantly greater than FRJ, CP, and FCP. Total stilbene levels in juices from the 2 bunch grape cultivars, were higher (up to 5 times greater depending on pressing method) than for the muscadine grape cultivars. Total stilbene levels in muscadine juices treated with pectinase before pressing (ECP) were similar to those of the FCP samples. Juice from FCP and ECP treated Noble muscadine had total stilbene levels greater than FRJ and CP but less than HP levels. Juices from HP‐, ECP‐, and FCP‐treated Carlos muscadine had total stilbene levels greater than for FRJ and CP juices.
Stretching the Effectiveness of Analogical Training in Negotiations: Teaching Diverse Principles for Creating Value
Authors: Moran Simone , Bereby‐Meyer Yoella , Bazerman Max
Published: April 2008

The present research adapts analogical training to teach negotiators broad concepts of creating value. Recent research has shown specific analogical training, wherein negotiators draw analogies between different cases involving the same strategy, to be effective for learning and transferring specific value‐creating strategies. The current results endorse the approach that analogical training can be a valuable tool for teaching negotiation, but argue that it can be enhanced by considering the breadth of the negotiation concepts that are learned. Diverse analogical training, wherein negotiators compare several different value‐creating strategies, was shown to be more effective for learning broad underlying value‐creating principles. This method facilitated transfer to a distinctive task and improved performance on a variety of value‐creating strategies, including some that were not previously trained. The improved performance was also accompanied by enhanced understanding of the potential to create value.
Emergent Negotiations: Stability and Shifts in Negotiation Dynamics
Authors: Olekalns Mara , Weingart Laurie R.
Published: April 2008

Negotiation is a dynamic process in which negotiators change their strategies in response to each other. We believe mutual adaptation is best conceptualized as an emergent process and is a critical determinant of negotiators’ abilities to identify mutually beneficial solutions. We argue that three factors drive the process of negotiation and influence the quality of agreements: alignment of negotiators’ strategies across individuals (strategy sequences), alignment of negotiators’ strategies with the negotiation‐wide dynamic (phases), and congruence of negotiators’ goals.
Prompt Assessment of WST11‐VTP Outcome Using Luciferase Transfected Tumors Enables Second Treatment and Increase in Overall Therapeutic Rate
Authors: Fleshker Shimrit , Preise Dina , Kalchenko Vyacheslav , Scherz Avigdor , Salomon Yoram
Published: April 2008

This study hypothesized that success rate assessment of vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) of solid tumors 24 h post‐treatment may allow prompt administration of a second treatment in case of failure, increasing the overall success rate. Here, we show that treatment of luciferase transfected CT26‐luc mouse colon carcinoma tumors in BALB/c mice by VTP with WST11 (a Pd‐bacteriochlorophyll‐based photosensitizer) allows fast assessment of treatment success 24 h post‐treatment, using bioluminescence imaging (BLI). WST11‐VTP was found to abolish luciferin bioluminescence in the treated tumors resulting in two types of responses. One, comprising 75% of the mice, signified successful outcome, presenting neither BLI signal nor tumor regrowth (24 h–90 days post‐VTP). The second (the remaining 25% of the mice) signified treatment failure, presenting various levels of BLI signal with subsequent tumor regrowth (24 h–90 days). Consequently, the mice that failed the first treatment were treated again. We show that treatment success rate in both VTP sessions was identical and that the cumulative success rate of the treatment increased from 75% to over 90%. These results therefore, present a fast method of assessing VTP outcome and support the feasibility of successive multiple treatments with these sensitizers in the clinical arena. The presented methodology can also be helpful in future preclinical studies, and expedite the development of VTP drugs.
The effectiveness of smoking cessation groups offered to hospitalised patients with symptoms of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Authors: Borglykke Anders , Pisinger Charlotta , Jørgensen Torben , Ibsen Hans
Published: April 2008

Introduction:  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Results from randomised trials regarding smoking cessation in hospitalised patients with COPD are few.

Objectives:  To assess the effect of smoking cessation groups (SCG) in patients with COPD admitted to hospital.

Methods:  Two hundred and twenty‐three patients admitted to hospital were assigned to either a control group (n = 102) or an intervention group (n = 121) by matter of vacancy. The smokers in the intervention group were offered participation in an SCG. Smoking status and change in self‐reported symptoms were assessed after 1 year. Smoking status was self‐reported and verified with carbohemoglobin measurement. Survival and hospital admissions were assessed after 5 years through national registers.

Results:  Forty‐eight patients participated in an SCG. After 1 year, 36 (30%) patients in the intervention group were abstinent compared with 13 (13%) patients in the control group [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.83 (1.40–5.74)]. There was a significant difference between the intervention group and the control group regarding change in self‐reported phlegm. There was a non‐significant tendency towards better survival in the intervention group (50.4%) compared with the control group (43.1%). After 3 years, the intervention group had a significantly fewer total number of days admitted to hospital and number of days hospitalised with COPD.

Conclusion:  This study shows that an intervention consisting of offering participation in an SCG to chronic patients makes it possible to obtain higher abstinence rates. Furthermore, this intervention showed impact on phlegm, survival and hospital readmissions.

Please cite this paper as: Borglykke A, Pisinger C, Jørgensen T and Ibsen H. The effectiveness of smoking cessation groups offered to hospitalised patients with symptoms of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 158–165.
Long‐term effects of a preoperative smoking cessation programme
Authors: Villebro Nete M. , Pedersen Tom , Møller Ann M. , Tønnesen Hanne
Published: April 2008

Introduction:  Preoperative smoking intervention programmes reduce post‐operative complications in smokers. Little is known about the long‐term effect upon smoking cessation.

Aim:  To discover long‐term quit rates and the reasons behind successful cessation.

Materials and Methods:  101 one of 120 smokers, randomised to smoking intervention or no intervention before hip and knee surgery, completed questionnaires concerning smoking after 1 year. We selected representative men and women for focus group interviews.

Results:  Significantly more patients from the intervention group abstained from smoking for 1 year post‐operatively [13 in 60 patients (22%) vs 2 in 60 (3%), P < 0.01]. Sex (male), low nicotine dependency, non‐smoking spouse and preoperative smoking intervention were related to smoking cessation. All patients gave the same reasons for smoking cessation: improved health and saving money. Follow‐up for 5 years showed 17% of the controls and 8% in the intervention group (P = 0.42) had died.

Conclusion:  The intervention group had a significantly higher quit rate 1 year after a preoperative smoking cessation programme.

Please cite this paper as: Villebro NM, Pedersen T, Møller AM and Tønnesen H. Long‐term effects of a preoperative smoking cessation programme. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 175–182.
Emerging treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: O'Callaghan Dermot S.
Published: April 2008

Introduction:  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, progressive disease for which no cure exists. However, improved understanding of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms has led to the development of several effective treatments that improve haemodynamics and functional status.

Objective:  An overview of emerging pharmacological approaches to the management of PAH is presented.

Materials and methods:  A Medline search was performed for studies describing novel treatments and potential therapeutic targets relevant to PAH.

Results:  Several different treatments that modulate abnormalities in the prostacyclin, endothelin and nitric oxide pathways have shown efficacy in randomised, controlled studies and are now licensed for use for PAH patients with advanced disease. Furthermore, there is now encouraging long‐term survival data associated with use of these agents. A number of other targets with therapeutic potential have also been identified, such as serotonin, platelet‐derived growth factor and vasoactive intestinal peptide. Recently, strategies involving combinations of different PAH‐specific agents have emerged as a promising approach for those failing monotherapy.

Conclusion:  The therapeutic options available for PAH has improved considerably in recent years and is likely to expand in the future.

Please cite this paper as: O'Callaghan DS. Emerging treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 132–140.
Interdisciplinary approach to oral health for persons with developmental disabilities
Authors: Seirawan Hazem , Schneiderman Janet , Greene Veronica , Mulligan Roseann
Published: April 2008

The aim of this interdisciplinary study was to survey the oral health among persons with developmental disabilities (PDD), and to evaluate the impact of the routine referral process at a regional center in Los Angeles, California. This study evaluated the subjects' oral health, access to care, oral health behaviors, and adherence to referrals.

The study recruited 102 subjects (74% were African American or Hispanic). Among them, 24% reported brushing their teeth less than once a day, and 68% had dental insurance. The prevalence of leukoplakia was 4% and the prevalence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking and pain were 11% and 9%, respectively. Their decayed, missing, filled (DMF) equaled 14 points with 7 missing teeth.

The subjects' DMF index was poorer compared to the general population. The routine referral process was not effective in improving the subjects' access to dental care. More sophisticated referral systems need to be developed for this population.
Death, dying and bereavement: a survey of dental practitioners
Authors: Klieb Hagen B.E. , Wiseman Michael
Published: April 2008

The dentist's role following the death of a patient in his/her practice has received little attention in the literature. This study determined the prevalence of death within a dental practice. It also investigated methods by which dentists supported grieving survivors, and how frequently dentists received formal bereavement education in dental school. A perceived need for training in death and dying was also investigated. A survey was mailed to 200 randomly selected general dental practitioners in Ontario, Canada. It was found that (1) the vast majority of respondents (86%) had experienced the death of a patient within the past 12 months; (2) support methods included sending sympathy cards (79.3%), sending flowers (34.5%), attending the funeral or wake (23%), or visiting/calling survivors (11.5%); (3) only 4% of respondents reported receiving formal bereavement education during dental school; and (4) 61% believed bereavement education should be included in the dental school curricula. While the majority of dentists in this study provided bereavement support and believed they could effectively comfort grieving persons, these dentists experienced significant stress when dealing with issues of death and bereavement. The stress may be explained by inadequate education and exposure to the issues of death and dying.
Effects of chemoreflexes on hyperthermic hyperventilation and cerebral blood velocity in resting heated humans
Authors: Fujii Naoto , Honda Yasushi , Hayashi Keiji , Kondo Narihiko , Koga Shunsaku , Nishiyasu Takeshi
Published: April 2008

We tested the hypothesis that hyperthermic hyperventilation in part reflects enhanced chemoreceptor ventilatory O2 drive, and that the resultant hypocapnia attenuates ventilatory responses and/or middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity (MCAVmean) in resting humans. Eleven healthy subjects were passively heated for 50–80 min, causing oesophageal temperature (Toes) to increase by 1.6°C. During heating, minute ventilation
increased (P < 0.05), while end‐tidal CO2 pressure (P) and MCAVmean declined. A hyperoxia test in which three breaths of hyperoxic air were inspired was performed once before heating and three times during the heating. When we observed hypocapnia (P below 40 mmHg), P was restored to the eucapnic level by adding 100% CO2 to the inspired air immediately before the last two tests. Minute ventilation was significantly reduced by hyperoxia, and that reduction gradually increased with increasing Toes. However, the percentage decrease in
from the normoxic level was small (20–29%) and unchanged during heating. When P was restored to eucapnic levels,
was unchanged, but MCAVmean was partly restored to the level seen prior to heating (28.1% restoration at Toes 37.6°C and 38.1% restoration at Toes 38.0°C). These findings suggest that although hyperthermia increases chemoreceptor ventilatory O2 drive in resting humans, the relative contribution of the chemoreceptor ventilatory O2 drive to hyperthermic hyperventilation is small (∼20%) and unaffected by increasing core temperature. Moreover, hypocapnia induced by hyperthermic hyperventilation reduces cerebral blood flow but not ventilatory responses.
A Receiver-Reactor for the Solar Thermal Dissociation of Zinc Oxide
Authors: Schunk L. O. , Haeberling P. , Wepf S. , Wuillemin D. , Meier A. , Steinfeld A.
Published: April 2008

An improved engineering design of a solar chemical reactor for the thermal dissociation of ZnO at above 2000K is presented. It features a rotating cavity receiver lined with ZnO particles that are held by centrifugal force. With this arrangement, ZnO is directly exposed to concentrated solar radiation and serves simultaneously the functions of radiant absorber, chemical reactant, and thermal insulator. The multilayer cylindrical cavity is made of sintered ZnO tiles placed on top of a porous 80%Al2O3–20%SiO2 insulation and reinforced by a 95%Al2O3–5%Y2O3 ceramic matrix composite, providing mechanical, chemical, and thermal stability and a diffusion barrier for product gases. 3D computational fluid dynamics was employed to determine the optimal flow configuration for an aerodynamic protection of the quartz window against condensable Zn(g). Experimentation was carried out at PSI’s high-flux solar simulator with a 10kW reactor prototype subjected to mean radiative heat fluxes over the aperture exceeding 3000suns (peak 5880suns). The reactor was operated in a transient ablation mode with semicontinuous feed cycles of ZnO particles, characterized by a rate of heat transfer—predominantly by radiation—to the layer of ZnO particles undergoing endothermic dissociation that proceeded faster than the rate of heat transfer—predominantly by conduction—through the cavity walls.
Thermal-Electric Finite Element Analysis and Experimental Validation of Bipolar Electrosurgical Cautery
Authors: Dodde Robert E. , Miller Scott F. , Geiger James D. , Shih Albert J.
Published: April 2008

Cautery is a process to coagulate tissues and seal blood vessels using heat. In this study, finite element modeling (FEM) was performed to analyze temperature distribution in biological tissue subject to a bipolar electrosurgical technique. FEM can provide detailed insight into the tissue heat transfer to reduce the collateral thermal damage and improve the safety of cautery surgical procedures. A coupled thermal-electric FEM module was applied with temperature-dependent electrical and thermal properties for the tissue. Tissue temperature was measured using microthermistors at different locations during the electrosurgical experiments and compared to FEM results with good agreement. The temperature- and compression-dependent electrical conductivity has a significant effect on temperature profiles. In comparison, the temperature-dependent thermal conductivity does not impact heat transfer as much as the temperature-dependent electrical conductivity. Detailed results of temperature distribution were obtained from the model. The FEM results show that the temperature distribution can be changed with different electrode geometries. A flat electrode was modeled that focuses the current density at the midline of the instrument profile resulting in higher peak temperature than that of the grooved electrode (105 versus 96°C).
Subnanometer Motion of Cargoes Driven by Thermal Gradients Along Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Barreiro Amelia , Rurali Riccardo , Hernández Eduardo R. , Moser Joel , Pichler Thomas , Forró László , Bachtold Adrian
Published: April 2008

An important issue in nanoelectromechanical systems is developing small electrically driven motors. We report on an artificial nanofabricated motor in which one short carbon nanotube moves relative to another coaxial nanotube. A cargo is attached to an ablated outer wall of a multiwalled carbon nanotube that can rotate and/or translate along the inner nanotube. The motion is actuated by imposing a thermal gradient along the nanotube, which allows for subnanometer displacements, as opposed to an electromigration or random walk effect.
Anisakis simplex: from Obscure Infectious Worm to Inducer of Immune Hypersensitivity
Authors: Audicana M. Teresa , Kennedy Malcolm W.
Published: April 2008

Infection of humans with the nematode worm parasiteAnisakis simplexwas first described in the 1960s in association with the consumption of raw or undercooked fish. During the 1990s it was realized that even the ingestion of dead worms in food fish can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions, that these may be more prevalent than infection itself, and that this outcome could be associated with food preparations previously considered safe. Not only may allergic symptoms arise from infection by the parasites (“gastroallergic anisakiasis”), but true anaphylactic reactions can also occur following exposure to allergens from dead worms by food-borne, airborne, or skin contact routes. This review discussesA. simplexpathogenesis in humans, covering immune hypersensitivity reactions both in the context of a living infection and in terms of exposure to its allergens by other routes. Over the last 20 years, several studies have concentrated onA. simplexantigen characterization and innate as well as adaptive immune response to this parasite. Molecular characterization ofAnisakisallergens and isolation of their encoding cDNAs is now an active field of research that should provide improved diagnostic tools in addition to tools with which to enhance our understanding of pathogenesis and controversial aspects ofA. simplexallergy. We also discuss the potential relevance of parasite products such as allergens, proteinases, and proteinase inhibitors and the activation of basophils, eosinophils, and mast cells in the induction ofA. simplex-related immune hypersensitivity states induced by exposure to the parasite, dead or alive.
Molecular Genetic Basis of Ribotyping
Authors: Bouchet Valérie , Huot Heather , Goldstein Richard
Published: April 2008

Nearly 2,000 ribotyping-based studies exist, ranging from epidemiology to phylogeny and taxonomy. None precisely reveals the molecular genetic basis, with many incorrectly attributing detected polymorphisms to rRNA gene sequences. Based on in silico genomics, we demonstrate that ribotype polymorphisms result from sequence variability in neutral housekeeping genes flanking rRNA operons, with rRNA gene sequences serving solely as conserved, flank-linked tags. We also reveal that from such an informatics perspective, it is readily feasible a priori to design an interpretable ribotyping scheme for a genomically sequenced microbial species, and we discuss limitations to the basic restriction fragment length polymorphism-based method as well as alternate PCR ribotyping-based schemes.