bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Significant association of close homologue of L1 gene polymorphism rs2272522 with schizophrenia in Qatar
Authors: Shaltout Taher E. , Alali Khalid Abdulla , Bushra Sumbul , Alkaseri Aisha Mubarak , Jose Elizabeth Divya , Al‐Khainji Mozza , Saleh Randah , Salama Dahir Amany , Shaltout Hany , Al‐Abdullah Maged , Rizk Nasser M.
Published: November 2012

Introduction

Previous reports have found that polymorphisms in the close homologue of L1 (CHL1) gene located on chromosome 3p26 are associated with schizophrenia among different ethnic populations. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CHL1 gene locus, including rs2055314 (C/T), rs2272522 (C/T) and rs331894 (A/G), with schizophrenia in the Qatari population.

Methods

An association case control study was carried out on 86 Qatari schizophrenic patients from the Psychiatry Hospital, Hammed Medical Corporation, Qatar and 88 Qatari unrelated, healthy, control subjects. Schizophrenia was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition (DSM‐IV) criteria for schizophrenia by two independent psychiatrists. Genotyping of the SNPs rs2055314 (C/T), rs2272522 (C/T) and rs331894 (A/G) was conducted using the 5′ nuclease assay with the TaqMan MGB probe and an ABI 7500.

Results

Individuals with the rs2272522 TT genotype had approximately 4.2 times greater risk of schizophrenia compared to individuals with the CC genotype (OR = 4.21; 95% CI: 1.12–15.53; P = 0.047). In addition, individuals carrying a T allele of the rs2272522 SNP had a significantly increased risk of schizophrenia (1.78 times) among the population (P = 0.028). SNPs rs2055314 and rs331894 had no significant association with schizophrenia. Pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the three polymorphisms was modest in the schizophrenic group.

Discussion

The rs2272522 polymorphism was found to exhibit a highly significant association with schizophrenia in the Qatari population. This finding supports the hypothesis that cell adhesion molecules may be involved in the etiology of this disease among Qatari patients.
Romiplostim dose–response in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Perez Ruixo Juan Jose , Doshi Sameer , Wang Yow‐Ming C. , Mould Diane R.
Published: November 2012

Aim

To characterize the romiplostim dose–response in subjects with low or intermediate‐1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) receiving subcutaneous romiplostim.

Methods

Data from 44 MDS subjects receiving subcutaneous romiplostim (dose range 300–1500 μg week−1) were used to develop a pharmacodynamic model consisting of a romiplostim‐sensitive progenitor cell compartment linked to the peripheral blood compartment through four transit compartments representing the maturation in the bone marrow from megakaryocytes to platelets. A kinetics of drug effect model was used to quantify the stimulatory effect of romiplostim on the proliferation of sensitive progenitor cells and pharmacodynamics‐mediated disposition was modelled by assuming the kinetics of drug effect constant (kDE) to be proportional to the change in platelet count relative to baseline.

Results

The estimated values (between subject variability) for baseline platelet count, mean transit time, and kDE were 24 × 109 l−1 (47%), 9.6 days (44%) and 0.28 days−1, respectively. MDS subjects had a shorter platelet lifespan (42 h) than healthy subjects (257 h). Romiplostim effect was described for responders (78%) and non‐responders (22%). The average weekly stimulatory effect of romiplostim on the production rate of sensitive progenitor cells at baseline was 269% per 100 μg week−1 for responders. Body weight, age, gender and race were not statistically related to romiplostim pharmacodynamic parameters. Visual predictive checks confirmed the model adequacy.

Conclusion

The time course of platelet counts in MDS subjects receiving subcutaneous administration of escalating doses of romiplostim was characterized and showed a linear dose–response for romiplostim responders to increase the platelet counts.
Total white matter hyperintensity volume in bipolar disorder patients and their healthy relatives
Authors: Tighe Sarah K , Reading Sarah A , Rivkin Paul , Caffo Brian , Schweizer Barbara , Pearlson Godfrey , Potash James B , DePaulo J Raymond , Bassett Susan S
Published: November 2012

Tighe SK, Reading SA, Rivkin P, Caffo B, Schweizer B, Pearlson G, Potash JB, DePaulo J Raymond, Bassett SS.  Total white matter hyperintensity volume in bipolar disorder patients and their healthy relatives.  Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 888–893. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Objectives: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are more common in subjects with bipolar disorder (BP) than in healthy subjects (HS). Few studies have examined the effect of the diagnostic type of bipolar illness on WMH burden, and none have approached this question through a direct measurement of the volume of affected white matter in relationship to familiality. In this pilot study, we utilized a volumetric measurement of WMH to investigate the relationship between the total volume of WMH and the familiality and type of BP.

Methods: Forty‐five individuals with bipolar I disorder (BP‐I) with psychotic features, BP‐I without psychotic features, or bipolar II disorder (BP‐II), seven of their unaffected relatives, and 32 HS were recruited for participation. T‐2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained on all subjects, and the total volume of all WMH for each subject was measured in cubic centimeters. The significance of difference between groups was tested using ANOVA with post‐hoc adjustment for multiple comparisons. Further, we used logistic regression to test for trends between symptom load and total WMH volume.

Results: The mean total volume of WMH in BP‐I patients with psychotic features was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of HS. Further, we observed a positive linear trend by familiality and type of affectedness when comparing mean total WMH volume of HS, unaffected family members, subjects with BP‐II, and BP‐I with and without a history of psychosis (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Based on a quantitative technique, WMH burden appears to be associated with familiality and type of BP. The significance of these findings remains to be fully elucidated.
The Global Compact: an analysis of the motivations of adoption in the Spanish context
Authors: Arevalo Jorge A. , Aravind Deepa , Ayuso Silvia , Roca Mercè
Published: November 2012

In the 10 years after the launch of the United Nations Global Compact (GC), there have been very few empirical assessments of the initiative in the academic literature. In this study, drawing from institutional theory and the resource‐based view of the firm, we examine motivations of business participants to adopt the GC principles in the Spanish context. Using survey data from Spain – the country reporting the highest volume of business participants in the GC – we find that external institutional forces as well as internal organisational resources shape motivations for adopting GC principles. In particular, we find that early and late adopters are motivated similarly by the perceived opportunity of achieving image gains, while late adopters are motivated more by economic gains than early adopters. We further find that regardless of the extent of internal intangible resources possessed, firms are similarly motivated by economic gains. The results also show that companies with more intangible resources are motivated more by image gains than those with fewer resources. Our findings indicate that contrary to its earlier days, economic gains have emerged as an important motivator for the adopters of the GC principles with image gains still being an important motivator.
Inspiring action, building understanding: how cross‐sector partnership engages business in addressing global challenges
Authors: Wadham Helen , Warren Richard
Published: November 2012

Existing research highlights the role of partnerships between business and non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) in addressing poverty, climate change, disease and other challenges. But less is known about how such partnerships may also challenge our very understanding of the nature of those problems. This paper draws on Habermas' theoretical ideas about communicative action and deliberative democracy, applying them to an ethnographic study of Concern Universal, an international NGO with a particular focus on working collaboratively with business. The focus of the study is the seam between two apparently different ‘worlds’, along which alternating processes of ‘colonisation’ and resistance are played out. Partnership emerges as an arena for both instrumental and communicative encounters, in which slow progress is occasionally punctuated by leaps in partners' understanding of both themselves and the challenges they seek to address. As such, despite the evolutionary ambitions of participants, partnership emerges as a potential catalyst of social change.
Promoting fruit and vegetable consumption: The role of message framing and autonomy
Authors: Churchill Sue , Pavey Louisa
Published: November 2012

Objective

Previous studies have shown that gain‐framed messages (vs. loss‐framed messages) are more effective when advocating ‘low‐risk’ prevention behaviours (e.g., diet, exercise, dental flossing) that minimize the risk of a health problem.The objective of the reported research was to explore whether autonomy moderated the effectiveness of gain‐framed vs. loss‐framed messages encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption.

Design

A prospective design was used for this study.

Method

At time 1, participants (N = 177) completed a measure of autonomy and read either a gain‐framed message (describing the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption) or a loss‐framed message (describing the disadvantages of not eating fruit and vegetables). At time 2, participants reported their fruit and vegetable consumption over the preceding 7 days.

Results

Autonomy moderated the effect of message framing. Gain‐framed messages only prompted fruit and vegetable consumption amongst those with high levels of autonomy.

Conclusion

The study identifies a key role for autonomy in shaping recipients' responses to framed messages promoting fruit and vegetable consumption.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject? Previous studies have shown that gain‐framed messages (vs. loss framed messages) are more effective when advocating low‐risk prevention behaviours (e.g., diet, exercise, dental flossing) that minimize the risk of a health problem.

What does this study add? The current study is the first to demonstrate that the success of a gain‐framed message to promote fruit and vegetable consumption is dependent on recipients' level of autonomy.
Identification and profiling of CXCR3–CXCR4 chemokine receptor heteromer complexes
Authors: Watts AO , van Lipzig MMH , Jaeger WC , Seeber RM , van Zwam M , Vinet J , van der Lee MMC , Siderius M , Zaman GJR , Boddeke HWGM , Smit MJ , Pfleger KDG , Leurs R , Vischer HF
Published: November 2012

Background and Purpose

The C‐X‐C chemokine receptors 3 (CXCR3) and C‐X‐C chemokine receptors 4 (CXCR4) are involved in various autoimmune diseases and cancers. Small antagonists have previously been shown to cross‐inhibit chemokine binding to CXCR4, CC chemokine receptors 2 (CCR2) and 5 (CCR5) heteromers. We investigated whether CXCR3 and CXCR4 can form heteromeric complexes and the binding characteristics of chemokines and small ligand compounds to these chemokine receptor heteromers.

Experimental Approach

CXCR3–CXCR4 heteromers were identified in HEK293T cells using co‐immunoprecipitation, time‐resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer, saturation BRET and the GPCR‐heteromer identification technology (HIT) approach. Equilibrium competition binding and dissociation experiments were performed to detect negative binding cooperativity.

Key Results

We provide evidence that chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CXCR4 form heteromeric complexes in HEK293T cells. Chemokine binding was mutually exclusive on membranes co‐expressing CXCR3 and CXCR4 as revealed by equilibrium competition binding and dissociation experiments. The small CXCR3 agonist VUF10661 impaired binding of CXCL12 to CXCR4, whereas small antagonists were unable to cross‐inhibit chemokine binding to the other chemokine receptor. In contrast, negative binding cooperativity between CXCR3 and CXCR4 chemokines was not observed in intact cells. However, using the GPCR‐HIT approach, we have evidence for specific β‐arrestin2 recruitment to CXCR3‐CXCR4 heteromers in response to agonist stimulation.

Conclusions and Implications

This study indicates that heteromeric CXCR3–CXCR4 complexes may act as functional units in living cells, which potentially open up novel therapeutic opportunities.
Social Exclusion in Childhood: A Developmental Intergroup Perspective
Authors: Killen Melanie , Mulvey Kelly Lynn , Hitti Aline
Published: November 2012

Interpersonal rejection and intergroup exclusion in childhood reflect different, but complementary, aspects of child development. Interpersonal rejection focuses on individual differences in personality traits, such as wariness and being fearful, to explain bully–victim relationships. In contrast, intergroup exclusion focuses on how in‐group and out‐group attitudes contribute to social exclusion based on group membership, such as gender, race, ethnicity, culture, and nationality. It is proposed that what appears to be interpersonal rejection in some contexts may, in fact, reflect intergroup exclusion. Whereas interpersonal rejection research assumes that victims invite rejection, intergroup exclusion research proposes that excluders reject members of out‐groups to maintain status differences. A developmental intergroup social exclusion framework is described, one that focuses on social reasoning, moral judgment, and group identity.
Meconium microbiota types dominated by lactic acid or enteric bacteria are differentially associated with maternal eczema and respiratory problems in infants
Authors: Gosalbes M. J. , Llop S. , Vallès Y. , Moya A. , Ballester F. , Francino M. P.
Published: November 2012

Background

Culture‐dependent methods have shown that meconium, the newborn's first intestinal discharge, is not sterile, but the diversity of bacteria present in this material needs to be further characterized by means of more sensitive molecular techniques.

Objective

Our aims were to characterize molecularly the meconium microbiota in term infants, to assess whether it contributes to the future microbiota of the infants’ gastrointestinal tract, and to evaluate how it relates to lifestyle variables and atopy‐related conditions.

Methods

We applied high‐throughput pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to study the meconium microbiota in twenty term newborns from a Spanish birth cohort. For comparison, we characterized the microbiota in fecal samples from seven pregnant women days before delivery and in two series of infant samples spanning the first seven months of life. We also compared our data with vaginal and skin microbiota characterized in independent studies. Different types of meconium microbiota were defined based on taxonomic composition and abundance and their associations with different factors were statistically evaluated.

Results

The meconium microbiota differs from those in adult feces, vagina and skin, but resembles that of fecal samples from young infants. Meconium samples clustered into two types with different bacterial diversity, richness and composition. One of the types was less diverse, dominated by enteric bacteria and associated with a history of atopic eczema in the mother (P = 0.038), whereas the second type was dominated by lactic acid bacteria and associated with respiratory problems in the infant (P = 0.040).

Conclusions & Clinical Relevance

Our findings suggest that the meconium microbiota has an intrauterine origin and participates in gut colonization. Although based on a small population sample, our association analyses also suggest that the type of bacteria detected in meconium is influenced by maternal factors and may have consequences for childhood health.
CXCR3 axis in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis: a possible novel mechanism of the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid
Authors: Manousou P , Kolios G , Drygiannakis I , Koulentaki M , Pyrovolaki K , Voumvouraki A , Notas G , Bourikas L , Papadaki H A , Kouroumalis E
Published: November 2012

The CXC chemokines, monokine induced by interferon (IFN)-gamma (MIG) (CXCL9), IFN-gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) (CXCL10) and IFN-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC) (CXCL11), are known to attract CXCR3- (CXCR3A and CXCR3B) T lymphocytes. We investigated MIG, IP-10 and I-TAC mRNAs expression by semi-quantitative multiplex reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) in liver biopsies obtained from patients with a first diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis [(PBC) = 20] compared to patients with normal liver biopsy [normal controls (NCs) = 20]. Chemokine production was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum. Measurements were repeated 6 months after ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment in PBC patients. CXCR3A and CXCR3B mRNAs expression was examined in immunomagnetically sorted CD3+ peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) pre- and post-treatment by RT–PCR. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the expression of CXCR3+ PBLs of NCs and PBC patients. A marked mRNA expression of MIG and IP-10 was found in PBC patients. I-TAC mRNA was not detected. In serum of PBC patients there was a significant increase of MIG and IP-10 compared to NCs. Interestingly, there was a significant reduction of these proteins in patients' serum after UDCA treatment. I-TAC was not statistically different between groups. CXCR3A mRNA expression was found in PBLs from PBC patients as well as in NCs. CXCR3B mRNA was expressed in four of 20 (19%) NCs and 20 of 20 PBC patients. Flow cytometry revealed a significantly lower CXCR3 expression in NCs (13·5%) than in PBC (37·2%), which was reduced (28·1%, P < 0·01) after UDCA administration. These data suggest a possible role for CXCR3-binding chemokines and their receptor in the aetiopathogenetic recruitment of lymphocytes in PBC and a new mechanism of action for UDCA.
Knowledge of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination act among individuals affected by Huntington disease
Authors: Dorsey ER , Darwin KC , Nichols PE , Kwok JH , Bennet C , Rosenthal LS , Bombard Y , Shoulson I , Oster E
Published: November 2012

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 was the first US legislation to address genetic discrimination. We sought to assess understanding of GINA among individuals affected by the autosomal dominant condition, Huntington disease (HD). We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of individuals with varying risk of HD to assess their familiarity with GINA. As a control, individuals were surveyed about their familiarity with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Those who reported familiarity with GINA were asked about their knowledge of specific provisions of the legislation. The survey was offered to 776 participants and completed by 410 (response rate 53%). Respondents across all groups were less familiar with GINA (41% slightly, somewhat, or very familiar) than with HIPAA (65%; p < 0.0001). Of individuals with or at risk for HD who reported some familiarity with GINA, less than half correctly identified GINA's protections, and less than 15% correctly identified its limitations. Thus, among individuals affected by HD, familiarity with and knowledge of GINA are low. The effectiveness of the legislation may be limited by this lack of knowledge.
Effect of Low Direct Current on Anaerobic Multispecies Biofilm Adhering to a Titanium Implant Surface
Authors: Sahrmann Philipp , Zehnder Matthias , Mohn Dirk , Meier André , Imfeld Thomas , Thurnheer Thomas
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Peri‐implantitis is caused by biofilm adhering to the implant. It has been shown that bactericidal electrolysis products are generated when a low direct current is applied to a titanium implant used as the anode. The hypothesis of this study was that low‐current electrolysis would eradicate viable bacteria in a simulated subgingival multispecies biofilm adhering to a titanium implant surface.

Material and Methods

Biofilms consisting of eight anaerobic species were grown on pellicle‐coated titanium discs with sand‐blasted, acid‐etched, large‐grit (SLA; Straumann, Basel, Switzerland) surface. After 40.5 hours of growth, discs were treated with 10 mA for 10 minutes in an electrolytical setup with physiological saline and gelatin.

Results

Low direct current at discs used as the cathode caused a reduction of three to four orders of magnitude in viable counts, while no viable bacteria were recovered from anode discs (Mann–Whitney U‐test, p < .01). Confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with a live/dead stain showed biofilm detachment at the cathode and reduced viability at the anode.

Conclusion

Electrochemical treatment of diseased implants appears to be promising and well worth investigating further.
Deviations between Placed and Planned Implant Positions: An Accuracy Pilot Study of Skeletally Supported Stereolithographic Surgical Templates
Authors: Stübinger Stefan , Buitrago‐Tellez Carlos , Cantelmi Gianni
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to evaluate deviations between virtually planned and placed implants by the use of skeletally supported stereolithographic templates.

Materials and Methods

Ten consecutive patients were selected for virtual three‐dimensional implant planning using the FacilitateTM software (Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden). Computer tomography images were obtained in the pre‐ and postoperative phase. Four deviation parameters (i.e. global, angular, depth, and lateral deviation) were defined and calculated between the planned and the placed implants, using the coordinates of their respective apical and coronal points.

Results

Deviations at the coronal positions appeared to be smaller (95% confidence interval: 0.15–1.0) as compared with apical positions (95% confidence interval: 0.14–1.1). But only the difference with regard to lateral measurements appeared to be statistically significant (p = .03). Except for depth (p = .01), no significant association between mesial or more distal locations could be detected concerning global (p = .07), lateral (p = .87), and angular (p = .56) values in mixed model analyses. Overall, there was a slight tendency for higher values for more distal locations.

Conclusion

As slight deviations between planned and placed implants especially may occur even with skeletal‐supported templates, the clinician should be aware not to overestimate advocated surgical safety by using static navigation tools.
Clinical Investigation on Axial versus Tilted Implants for Immediate Fixed Rehabilitation of Edentulous Arches: Preliminary Results of a Single Cohort Study
Authors: Agnini Alessandro , Agnini Andrea Mastrorosa , Romeo Davide , Chiesi Manuele , Pariente Leon , Stappert Christian F. J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this clinical investigation was to evaluate full‐arch fixed‐dental restorations supported by immediate loaded axial and tilted implants in a single‐cohort study. Survival rate of axial and tilted implants was compared.

Materials and Methods

From 2006 to 2010, 30 patients were recruited and treated with dental implants. Provisional fixed‐dental prostheses were screw‐retained over axial or axial and tilted implants within 24 hours after surgery. Follow‐ups at 6, 12, and 24 months and annually up to 5 years were scheduled, and radiographic evaluation of peri‐implant bone level changes was conducted.

Results

Thirty patients (20 females and 10 males) were followed up for an average of 44 months (range 18–67 months). Six patients received both upper and lower implant rehabilitations, resulting in 36 restorations. A total of two hundred two implants were placed (maxilla = 118; mandible = 84) and 46% of the fixtures were evaluated at the 4‐year recall. Four axial implants were lost in three patients, leading to 98.02% implant (97.56% axial implants and 100% tilted implants) and 100% prosthetic cumulative survival rate, respectively. No significant difference in marginal bone loss was found between tilted and axial implants in both jaws at 1‐year evaluation.

Conclusions

Midterm results confirmed that immediate loading of axial and tilted implants provides a viable treatment modality for the rehabilitation of edentulous arches.
Bone tissue in different parts of the edentulous maxilla and mandible
Authors: Lindhe Jan , Bressan Eriberto , Cecchinato Denis , Corrá Enrico , Toia Marco , Liljenberg Birgitta
Published: November 2012

Background

The composition of the fully healed edentulous ridge of the posterior maxilla was recently examined and was found to contain about 50% mineralized bone and 16% bone marrow.

Aim

The objective was to examine the composition of the tissue of the fully healed ridge in different portions of the maxilla and the mandible in partially dentate subjects.

Material and methods

Eighty‐seven healthy subjects were included. A trephine drill was used to harvest hard tissue specimens. The biopsies were decalcified, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, stained, and examined using a point‐counting procedure.

Results

The marginal portion of the jaws almost consistently contained a cortical cap that was significantly wider in the mandible than in the maxilla and twice as wide in the anterior as in the posterior segments of the mandible. Lamellar bone and bone marrow were the dominating tissue elements. Lamellar bone occupied about 63% of the tissue in the mandible and 46% in the maxilla. The maxilla contained about 23% bone marrow as compared to 16% in the mandible. In the mandible, 70% (anterior) and 57% (posterior) were made up of lamellar bone. In the maxilla, the proportion of lamellar bone in the anterior and posterior segments was similar (about 45%). Bone marrow occupied close to 40% of the anterior maxilla, while in the posterior maxilla and the anterior and posterior mandible marrow comprised between 13 and 18%.

Conclusion

Marked differences existed with respect to tissue composition of the edentulous ridge between the maxilla and the mandible. The cortical crest was wider in the mandible than in the maxilla, and widest in the symphysis region of the mandible. The proportion of bone marrow was greater in the maxilla than in the mandible. The maxillary front tooth region was poor in lamellar bone but rich in bone marrow, while the anterior mandible contained large amounts of mineralized bone but small amounts of bone marrow.
Accessory mental foramina: prevalence, position and diameter assessed by cone‐beam computed tomography and digital panoramic radiographs
Authors: Imada Thaís Sumie Nozu , Fernandes Luciana Maria Paes da Silva Ramos , Centurion Bruna Stuchi , de Oliveira‐Santos Christiano , Honório Heitor Marques , Rubira‐Bullen Izabel Regina Fischer
Published: November 2012

Objective

To investigate the presentation of accessory mental foramina (AMF) on cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digital panoramic examinations (PAN).

Study design

Imaging examinations (i.e., CBCT and PAN) of 100 patients (200 hemi‐mandibles) were assessed. AMF prevalence, diameter, and location related to adjacent teeth and to the mental foramen (MF) were analyzed.

Results

On CBCT images, the AMF was observed in 3% of the patients: two unilateral cases and one bilateral case, with mean diameter of 0.93 mm (±0.3); no AMF was identified on PAN. Most AMF were located between the premolars, either superiorly (two cases) or mesially (two cases) to the MF. The mean horizontal distance to the corresponding MF was 2.3 mm (±1.0) and the mean vertical distance was 4.0 mm (±0.7).

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that CBCT is an effective tool for presurgical tridimensional assessment of the neurovascular structures, such as MF and its variations; On the other hand, PAN examinations were not able to show the AMF cases assessed on CBCT.
Supercritical fluid dyeing of synthetic and natural textiles – a review
Authors: Banchero Mauro
Published: November 2012

Supercritical fluid dyeing is an interesting alternative to the conventional aqueous process because of its environmental benefits. The aim of the paper is to provide the reader with an up‐to‐date overview of this subject, covering various aspects, such as the solubility and equilibrium partitioning of the dyes, mass transfer phenomena and solvent–polymer interactions occurring during coloration, up to the most recent reports on the technology of the dyeing process. Even though the best results have been obtained in the coloration of synthetic textiles, particular attention is given to the dyeing of natural textiles, which is, at the moment, the limiting step of this technology.
Study on drug costs associated with COPD prescription medicine in Denmark
Authors: Jakobsen Marie , Anker Niels , Dollerup Jens , Poulsen Peter Bo , Lange Peter
Published: November 2012

Introduction

Spirometric studies of the general population estimate that 430 000 Danes have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is mainly caused by smoking, and smoking cessation is the most important intervention to prevent disease progression. Cost‐of‐illness studies conclude that the costs associated with COPD in Denmark are significant, but costs of prescription medicine for COPD were not analysed.

Objectives

To analyse the societal costs associated with prescription medicine for COPD in Denmark.

Methods

The study was designed as a nationwide retrospective register study of the drug costs (ATC group R03) associated with COPD in the period 2001–2010. Data were retrieved from the Prescription Database, the National Patient Register and the Centralised Civil Register. The population comprised individuals (40+ years) who had at least one prescription of selected R03 drugs and who had been either hospitalised with a COPD diagnosis or had at least one prescription for drugs primarily used for COPD.

Results

The study population comprised 166 462 individuals of which 97 916 were alive on 31 December 2010. The average annual drug costs (R03) were DKK 7842 (EUR 1055) per patient in 2010 with total costs of DKK 685 million (EUR 92 million). The average lifetime costs associated with COPD prescription medicine were estimated to be DKK 70 000–75 000 (EUR 9416–10 089) per patient (2010 prices).

Conclusion

The costs associated with prescription medicine for COPD in Denmark are significant.
Impact of diabetes mellitus onset on sickness absence from work – a 15‐year follow‐up of the GAZEL Occupational Cohort Study
Authors: Dray‐Spira R. , Herquelot E. , Bonenfant S. , Guéguen A. , Melchior M.
Published: November 2012

Aims

Previous studies do not provide an accurate estimate of the burden of diabetes on sickness absence. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of diabetes onset on absenteeism starting from the earliest occurrence of the disease.

Methods

The authors used data from a subsample of the French GAZEL cohort of 506 employees with incident diabetes and 2530 matched diabetes‐free participants. Medically certified sickness absence data were obtained from company records (1989–2007). Number of sickness absence days and incidence rates of overall and cause‐specific absence spells were compared according to diabetes status across three 5‐year periods ranging from 10 years before to 5 years after onset of cases' diabetes.

Results

The mean number of sickness absence days was persistently higher in participants with diabetes compared with those without diabetes. This difference increased from 16.4 days (95% confidence interval 7.2–25.5) during the 5‐year period preceding diabetes onset to 28.5 days (95% CI 16.1–40.9) during the following 5‐year period (P = 0.04). This was due to a steeper relative increase in the incidence of long (but not short) absence spells in participants with diabetes versus those without diabetes [incidence rate ratios 1.33 (95% CI 1.08–1.64) and 1.75 (95% CI 1.43–2.14), respectively; P = 0.02]. Diabetes onset was associated with increased rates of circulatory and metabolic absence spells.

Conclusions

Onset of diabetes is associated with a substantial increase in sickness absence. This suggests that in addition to its burden on work cessation, diabetes weighs heavily on working ability among people who manage to remain employed.
Metformin improves endothelial function in type 1 diabetic subjects: a pilot, placebo‐controlled randomized study
Authors: Pitocco D. , Zaccardi F. , Tarzia P. , Milo M. , Scavone G. , Rizzo P. , Pagliaccia F. , Nerla R. , Di Franco A. , Manto A. , Rocca B. , Lanza G. A. , Crea F. , Ghirlanda G.
Published: November 2012

Aims

Several studies have investigated the effects of metformin treatment in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). No study has hitherto examined its effects on endothelial function in these patients. In this study we sought to evaluate the effect of metformin on endothelial function in type 1 diabetic patients.

Methods

Forty‐two uncomplicated T1DM patients were randomized in a placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, 6‐month trial to treatment with either metformin or placebo. Glycometabolic and clinical parameters as well as flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) and nitrate‐mediated dilation (NMD) of the right brachial artery were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Glycaemic variability (GV, calculated from continuous glucose monitoring data) and a biomarker of oxidative stress [urinary 8‐iso‐prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)] were also assessed.

Results

Baseline data were similar in the two groups. Compared with placebo, metformin significantly reduced body weight [−2.27 kg (95% confidence interval: −3.99; −0.54); p = 0.012] whilst improved FMD [1.32% (0.30; 2.43); p = 0.013] and increased PGF2α [149 pg/mg creatinine (50; 248); p = 0.004]. Notably, the improvement of FMD did not correlate with the decrease of body weight (r2 < 1%). NMD, haemoglobin A1c, GV, daily insulin dose and other parameters did not significantly change after the treatment comparing the two groups.

Conclusions

Our pilot trial showed that, in uncomplicated type 1 diabetic subjects, metformin improved FMD and increased PGF2α, a marker of oxidative stress, irrespective of its effects on glycaemic control and body weight. Randomized, blinded clinical trials are needed to evaluate the benefits and risks of metformin added to insulin in type 1 diabetes.
Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma in a Patient with Suspected Endocarditis
Authors: Wdowiak‐Okrojek Katarzyna , Szymczyk Ewa , Szymczyk Konrad , Kasprzak Jarosław D.
Published: November 2012

Mini‐Abstract

A 30‐year‐old patient was admitted to cardiology because of a worsening exercise tolerance, with night sweats and chest pain. Echocardiography showed pericardial fluid and additional pathological masses invading left atrium, with high probability of intracardiac position. No vegetations were visualized. The patient underwent computed tomography of the chest, which showed the enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes. Detailed oncological assessment was initiated, leading to definitive diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma. The patient received chemotherapy and peripheral‐blood progenitor cells transplantation. Control positron emission tomography showed a complete regression of neoplasm, and the patient is uneventful over 30‐month follow‐up.
Transthoracic Echocardiography for Diagnosis of Right Pulmonary Artery to Left Atrial Fistula
Authors: Wu Weichun , Li Jianrong , Wang Wugang , Lin Qiongwen
Published: November 2012

Right pulmonary artery to left atrial fistula (RPA‐LAF) is a rare cardiovascular anomaly. There were no systematic and detail represent by echocardiography. We chose the patients who diagnosed with RPA‐LAF at Fuwai Hospital from 2000 to 2010. All patients underwent clinical exanimation, chest roentgenogram, laboratory testing, electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), contrast echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization. In this article, we summarize the characteristics of the TTE for diagnosing the rare cardiovascular anomaly of RPA‐LAF. We undertook a detailed review of their TTE and contrast echocardiography findings to determine the characteristic findings of this condition.
Functional Assessment of Donor and Recipient Left Atrium in Heart Transplant Patients Using Full‐Volume Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography
Authors: Ahmad Saad , Bhatti Sabha , Shizukuda Yukitaka
Published: November 2012

Background: Atrial function plays an important role in many cardiac conditions, how recipient and donor compartments of left atrium (LA) of transplanted hearts differentially contribute to overall LA function in transplanted hearts has not been described. We tested whether three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DE) could be used to calculate these compartment‐specific atrial functions. Methods and Results: We analyzed 3DE images of 22 consecutive transplant patients who had diagnostic imaging quality (ages 59 ± 16 years) using TomTec Research Arena. The contour of the recipient and total LA were traced frame by frame, and the donor LA volume was calculated as the difference of the total LA volume minus the recipient LA volume. The LA ejection fractions of total LA, donor LA, and recipient LA were also calculated as (LA atrial end‐diastolic volume − LA atrial end‐systolic volume)/LA atrial end‐diastolic volume of each compartment. Interobserver variability of LA volumes for the total, recipient, and donor compartments were 5.6 ± 2.4, 5.4 ± 2.0, and 9.3 ± 3.2 mL, respectively (n = 11). The donor LA ejection fraction was higher than that of recipient (41 ± 18% vs. 30 ± 14%, P = 0.013). When the patients were categorized as asymptomatic (New York Heart Association functional class [NYHA] functional class I) and symptomatic (NYHA functional class II–III), indexed donor LA atrial end‐diastolic volume was significantly lower in asymptomatic patients as compared with symptomatic patients. Conclusions: Compartment‐specific LA volumes can be calculated in orthotopic heart transplant patients using full‐volume 3DE. Our findings may suggest that unique contribution of each LA compartment of transplanted hearts toward the symptoms of these patients.
Affect‐specific modulation of the N1m to shock‐conditioned tones: magnetoencephalographic correlates
Authors: Bröckelmann Ann‐Kathrin , Steinberg Christian , Dobel Christian , Elling Ludger , Zwanzger Peter , Pantev Christo , Junghöfer Markus
Published: November 2012

Despite its fundamental relevance for representing the emotional world surrounding us, human affective neuroscience research has widely neglected the auditory system, at least in comparison to the visual domain. Here, we have investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of human affective auditory processing using time‐sensitive whole‐head magnetoencephalography. A novel and highly challenging affective associative learning procedure, ‘MultiCS conditioning’, involving multiple conditioned stimuli (CS) per affective category, was adopted to test whether previous findings from intramodal conditioning of multiple click‐tones with an equal number of auditory emotional scenes (Bröckelmann et al., 2011 J. Neurosci., 31, 7801) would generalise to crossmodal conditioning of multiple click‐tones with an electric shock as single aversive somatosensory unconditioned stimulus (UCS). Event‐related magnetic fields were recorded in response to 40 click‐tones before and after four contingent pairings of 20 CS with a shock and the other half remaining unpaired. In line with previous findings from intramodal MultiCS conditioning we found an affect‐specific modulation of the auditory N1m component 100–150 ms post‐stimulus within a distributed frontal–temporal–parietal neural network. Increased activation for shock‐associated tones was lateralised to right‐hemispheric regions, whereas unpaired safety‐signalling tones were preferentially processed in the left hemisphere. Participants did not show explicit awareness of the contingent CS–UCS relationship, yet behavioural conditioning effects were indicated on an indirect measure of stimulus valence. Our findings imply converging evidence for a rapid and highly differentiating affect‐specific modulation of the auditory N1m after intramodal as well crossmodal MultiCS conditioning and a correspondence of the modulating impact of emotional attention on early affective processing in vision and audition.
Downregulation of cannabinoid receptor 1 from neuropeptide Y interneurons in the basal ganglia of patients with Huntington's disease and mouse models
Authors: Horne Eric A. , Coy Jonathan , Swinney Katie , Fung Susan , Cherry Allison E. T. , Marrs William R. , Naydenov Alipi V. , Lin Yi Hsing , Sun Xiaocui , Dirk Keene C. , Grouzmann Eric , Muchowski Paul , Bates Gillian P. , Mackie Ken , Stella Nephi
Published: November 2012

Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1 receptor) controls several neuronal functions, including neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, gene expression and neuronal viability. Downregulation of CB1 expression in the basal ganglia of patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and animal models represents one of the earliest molecular events induced by mutant huntingtin (mHtt). This early disruption of neuronal CB1 signaling is thought to contribute to HD symptoms and neurodegeneration. Here we determined whether CB1 downregulation measured in patients with HD and mouse models was ubiquitous or restricted to specific striatal neuronal subpopulations. Using unbiased semi‐quantitative immunohistochemistry, we confirmed previous studies showing that CB1 expression is downregulated in medium spiny neurons of the indirect pathway, and found that CB1 is also downregulated in neuropeptide Y (NPY)/neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)‐expressing interneurons while remaining unchanged in parvalbumin‐ and calretinin‐expressing interneurons. CB1 downregulation in striatal NPY/nNOS‐expressing interneurons occurs in R6/2 mice, HdhQ150/Q150 mice and the caudate nucleus of patients with HD. In R6/2 mice, CB1 downregulation in NPY/nNOS‐expressing interneurons correlates with diffuse expression of mHtt in the soma. This downregulation also occludes the ability of cannabinoid agonists to activate the pro‐survival signaling molecule cAMP response element‐binding protein in NPY/nNOS‐expressing interneurons. Loss of CB1 signaling in NPY/nNOS‐expressing interneurons could contribute to the impairment of basal ganglia functions linked to HD.
Benefit of multiple sessions of perilesional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for an effective rehabilitation of visuospatial function
Authors: Afifi Linda , Jarrett Rushmore R. , Valero‐Cabré Antoni
Published: November 2012

Noninvasive neurostimulation techniques have been used alone or in conjunction with rehabilitation therapy to treat the neurological sequelae of brain damage with rather variable therapeutic outcomes. One potential factor limiting a consistent success for such techniques may be the limited number of sessions carried out in patients, despite reports that their accrual may play a key role in alleviating neurological deficits long‐term. In this study, we tested the effects of seventy consecutive sessions of perilesional high‐frequency (10 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of chronic neglect deficits in a well‐established feline model of visuospatial neglect. Under identical rTMS parameters and visuospatial testing regimes, half of the subjects improved in visuospatial orienting performance. The other half experienced either none or extremely moderate ameliorations in the neglected hemispace and displayed transient patterns of maladaptive visuospatial behavior. Detailed analyses suggest that lesion location and extent did not account for the behavioral differences observed between these two groups of animals. We conclude that multi‐session perilesional rTMS regimes have the potential to induce functional ameliorations following focal chronic brain injury, and that behavioral performance prior to the onset of the rTMS treatment is the factor that best predicts positive outcomes for noninvasive neurostimulation treatments in visuospatial neglect.
A survey of spinal collateral actions of feline ventral spinocerebellar tract neurons
Authors: Geborek P. , Nilsson E. , Bolzoni F. , Jankowska E.
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to identify spinal target cells of spinocerebellar neurons, in particular the ventral spinocerebellar tract (VSCT) neurons, giving off axon collaterals terminating within the lumbosacral enlargement. Axons of spinocerebellar neurons were stimulated within the cerebellum while searching for most direct synaptic actions on intracellularly recorded hindlimb motoneurons and interneurons. In motoneurons the dominating effects were inhibitory [inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in 67% and excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in 17% of motoneurons]. Latencies of mostIPSPs indicated that they were evoked disynaptically and mutual facilitation between theseIPSPs and disynapticIPSPs evoked by group Ia afferents from antagonist muscles and group Ib andIIafferents from synergists indicated that they were relayed by premotor interneurons in reflex pathways from muscle afferents. MonosynapticEPSPs from the cerebellum were accordingly found in Ia inhibitory interneurons and intermediate zone interneurons with input from group I andIIafferents but only oligosynapticEPSPs in motoneurons. MonosynapticEPSPs following cerebellar stimulation were also found in someVSCTneurons, indicating coupling between various spinocerebellar neurons. The results are in keeping with the previously demonstrated projections ofVSCTneurons to the contralateral ventral horn, showing thatVSCTneurons might contribute to motor control at a spinal level. They might thus play a role in modulating spinal activity in advance of any control exerted via the cerebellar loop.
Complementary roles of medial temporal lobes and mid‐dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for working memory for novel and familiar trial‐unique visual stimuli
Authors: Schon Karin , Ross Robert S. , Hasselmo Michael E. , Stern Chantal E.
Published: November 2012

It has been suggested that working memory (WM) for novel information requires the medial temporal lobes (MTL), but is not necessary for WM for familiar stimuli. In previous studies that directly compared WM for novel and familiar stimuli, only the novel stimuli were trial‐unique. Here, 16 young human subjects performed a Sternberg WM task with visual scenes while in a functional magnetic resonance imaging scanner. All task stimuli were trial‐unique, but were either new (Novel condition) or previously learned (Familiar condition). This design allowed investigation of whether MTL and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity is related specifically to the novelty/familiarity of the stimuli or to their trial‐unique status during WM. We observed greater hippocampal and parahippocampal activity during encoding and maintenance for novel than for familiar stimuli. In contrast, right mid‐dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC) activity was greater during encoding of familiar than novel stimuli. The mid‐dlPFC was not recruited during maintenance or for retrieval when the Familiar condition was contrasted with the Novel condition. However, left mid‐dlPFC activity was present at retrieval when correct Match trials (i.e. hits) were contrasted with correct Non‐match trials (i.e. correct rejections) for the Novel condition. The results support the hypothesis that MTL regions are required for the encoding and maintenance of novel stimuli during WM, demonstrating that the observed MTL activity is not related to the trial‐uniqueness of the stimuli per se. Furthermore, the observed activation pattern in mid‐dlPFC suggests a role for the mid‐dlPFC in executive control‐associated processes related to monitoring of scene familiarity at encoding and retrieval during WM.