bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of tongue position and resulting vertical dimension on masticatory muscle activity. A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Valdés C. , Gutiérrez M. , Falace D. , Astaburuaga F. , Manns A.
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study was to: (a) compare the tonic electromyographic (EMG) activity of the temporalis and masseter muscles between two tongue positions, (b) compare the vertical dimension (VD) resulting from each tongue position and (c) determine the influence of the VD on the tonic EMG activity for each tongue position. Thirty‐three healthy dental students with natural dentition and bilateral molar support, between the ages of 18 and 22 years, with no prior history of oro‐facial injury, or current or past pain in the jaw, mouth, or tongue participated in the study. Tonic masseteric and temporalis EMG activities were recorded using surface electrodes. Subjects were instructed to passively place the tongue either on the anterior hard palate or in the floor of the mouth. At each tongue position, the resulting EMG and VD were recorded. No significant difference in EMG activity was found for either the masseter (P‐value = 0·5376) or temporalis muscle (P‐value = 0·7410), between the two tongue positions. However, there was a significant difference in the VD resulting from the two different tongue positions, being greater with the tongue placed in the floor of the mouth. There was no statistically significant correlation between VD and EMG activity for both tongue positions. In spite of the lack of difference in the effect of both tongue positions on the masseteric and temporalis EMG activity, an increment of the VD was registered for the floor of mouth–tongue position. However, VD was not correlated with EMG activity for both tongue positions.
A functional natural dentition for all – and for life? The oral healthcare system needs revision
Authors: Fejerskov O. , Escobar G. , Jøssing M. , Baelum V.
Published: July 2013

The cost of dental care adds to the costs of the already overburdened health sector. Do we – as patients and as society –receive oral health care that is both aligned with the actual disease experience and also, critically based on up‐to‐date scientific knowledge about the major oral diseases? In many places, the practice of dentistry reflects a response to disease patterns that once existed and is based on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that are no longer valid. Instead, a new cadre of dental professionals is needed, one that is capable of meeting the actual health needs of our populations. This cadre should ensure that patients maintain a functioning dentition from cradle to grave based on cost‐effective disease control principles. There is an urgent need to: (i) reconsider the roles of the different oral health cadres involved in the provision of oral health care; (ii) integrate oral health into general healthcare services; and (iii) restructure the training of oral health personnel. We advocate a radical reform of the oral healthcare system involving the training of two new types of professionals integrated with the general healthcare system: The oral healthcare provider – a highly skilled professional specialised in the diagnosis and control of oral diseases and with a profound understanding of oral health as part of general health – and the oral clinical specialist – whose role is the provision of advanced oral rehabilitation, able also to treat people with complex chronic diseases and multiple medications.
Swallowing frequency in elderly people during daily life
Authors: Tanaka N. , Nohara K. , Kotani Y. , Matsumura M. , Sakai T.
Published: July 2013

Disuse atrophy of swallowing‐related organs due to an excessive decrease in swallowing frequency is suspected to occur in patients with poor oral intake, especially elderly people. However, swallowing frequency in daily life has not previously been examined in the elderly. This study examined swallowing frequency in elderly people and compared these findings to those in a younger population and differences in the degree of activity in daily life. (i) We compared swallowing frequency in 20 elderly people (82·0 ± 8·3 year) and 15 healthy young people (26·5 ± 3·5 year). (ii) 20 elderly people were divided into two groups according to the degree of activity in daily life: a semi‐bedridden group and bedridden group; the swallowing frequency was compared between these groups. (i) The swallowing frequency in the elderly people was 2–19 times per hour and the mean was 9·4 ± 4·9, and that in the healthy young people was 16–76 times per hour and the mean was 40·7 ± 19·5. Swallowing frequency in elderly people was significantly lower than that in young healthy people (P < 0·0001). (ii) The swallowing frequency in bedridden group was 2–11 times per hour and the mean was 6·8 ± 3·3, and that in semi‐bedridden group was 3–19 times per hour and the mean was 11·9 ± 5·1. Swallowing frequency in bedridden group was significantly lower than that in semi‐bedridden group (P < 0·05). These results indicate that in daily life, elderly people tend to swallow less frequently than young people. In addition, swallowing frequency was lower in elderly subjects with a low degree of activity in daily life.
Increasing Fundraising Success by Decreasing Donor Choice
Authors: BARBIERI STEFANO , MALUEG DAVID A.
Published: July 2013

Suggested contributions, membership categories, and discrete, incremental thank you gifts are devices often used by benevolent associations that provide public goods. Such devices focus donations at discrete levels, thereby effectively limiting the donors' freedom to give. We study the effects on overall donations of the trade‐off between rigid schemes that severely restrict the choices of contribution on the one hand, and flexible membership contracts on the other, taking into account the strategic response of contributors whose values for the public good are private information. We show flexibility dominates when (i) the dispersion of donors' taste for the public good increases, (ii) the number of potential donors increases, and (iii) there is greater funding by an external authority. Our theoretical results are consistent with three basic patterns we discover in the membership schemes of National Public Radio stations: stations offer a larger number of suggested contribution levels—a proxy for flexibility—as (i) the incomes of the population served become more diverse, (ii) the population of the coverage area increases, and (iii) there is greater external support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The Relationship Between Sexual Concordance and Interoception in Anxious and Nonanxious Women
Authors: Suschinsky Kelly D. , Lalumière Martin L.
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Sexual concordance refers to the association between physiological and self-reported sexual arousal. Women typically exhibit lower sexual concordance scores than men. There is also a sex difference in interoception—awareness of (nonsexual) physiological states or responses—such that women, compared with men, tend to be less aware of and less accurate at detecting changes in their physiological responses. Women with anxiety problems tend to have better interoceptive abilities than nonanxious women.

Aim

To investigate whether women's lower sexual concordance is associated with interoception using a sample likely to show high variation in interoceptive abilities.

Method

Sixteen anxious and 15 nonanxious women were presented with twelve 90 seconds sexual and nonsexual film clips while their genital response, heart rate, and respiration rate were measured. A heartbeat mental tracking task was also employed.

Main Outcome Measures

Genital response was measured with a vaginal photoplethysmograph. Heart rate was measured with an electrocardiogram and respiration rate with a thermistor. Participants estimated their physiological responses after each film. A mental tracking task was also used to assess participants' awareness of heart rate. Within-subject correlations were computed for each physiological/self-reported response combination.

Results

Overall, sexual concordance (i.e., the correlation between genital responses and perceptions of genital response) was not significantly associated with heart rate awareness or respiration rate awareness. Anxious women did not exhibit significantly higher sexual concordance or heart rate awareness than nonanxious women; the nonanxious women actually exhibited higher respiration rate awareness.

Conclusion

The results suggest that sexual concordance may be a distinct phenomenon from interoception and in need of its own explanation.
Manual‐guided cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia delivered by ordinary primary care personnel in general medical practice: a randomized controlled effectiveness trial
Authors: Bothelius Kristoffer , Kyhle Kicki , Espie Colin A. , Broman Jan‐Erik
Published: July 2013

Chronic insomnia is a prevalent problem in primary health care and tends to be more serious than insomnia in the general population. These patients often obtain little benefit from hypnotics, and are frequently open to exploring various options for medical treatment. However, most general practitioners (GPs) are unable to provide such options. Several meta‐analyses have shown that cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) for insomnia results in solid improvements on sleep parameters, and a few studies have demonstrated promising results for nurse‐administered CBT in primary care. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness of manual‐guided CBT for insomnia delivered by ordinary primary care personnel in general medical practice with unselected patients. Sixty‐six primary care patients with insomnia were randomized to CBT or a waiting‐list control group. The CBT group improved significantly more than the control group using the Insomnia Severity Index as the outcome. The effect size was high. Sleep diaries showed a significant, medium‐sized treatment effect for sleep onset latency and wake time after sleep onset. However, for all measures there is a marked deterioration at follow‐up assessments. Almost half of the treated subjects (47%) reported a clinically relevant treatment effect directly after treatment. It is concluded that this way of delivering treatment may be cost‐effective.
Frugivory and seed dispersal by crocodilians: an overlooked form of saurochory?
Authors: Platt S. G. , Elsey R. M. , Liu H. , Rainwater T. R. , Nifong J. C. , Rosenblatt A. E. , Heithaus M. R. , Mazzotti F. J.
Published: July 2013

Saurochory (seed dispersal by reptiles) among crocodilians has largely been ignored, probably because these reptiles are generally assumed to be obligate carnivores incapable of digesting vegetable proteins and polysaccharides. Herein we review the literature on crocodilian diet, foraging ecology, digestive physiology and movement patterns, and provide additional empirical data from recent dietary studies ofAlligator mississippiensis. We found evidence of frugivory in 13 of 18 (72.2%) species for which dietary information was available, indicating this behavior is widespread among theCrocodylia. Thirty‐four families and 46 genera of plants were consumed by crocodilians. Fruit types consumed by crocodilians varied widely; over half (52.1%) were fleshy fruits. Some fruits are consumed as gastroliths or ingested incidental to prey capture; however, there is little doubt that on occasion, fruit is deliberately consumed, often in large quantities. Sensory cues involved in crocodilian frugivory are poorly understood, although airborne and waterborne cues as well as surface disturbances seem important. Crocodilians likely accrue nutritional benefits from frugivory and there are noa priorireasons to assume otherwise. Ingested seeds are regurgitated, retained in the stomach for indefinite and often lengthy periods, or passed through the digestive tract and excreted in feces. Chemical and mechanical scarification of seeds probably occurs in the stomach, but what effects these processes have on seed viability remain unknown. Because crocodilians have large territories and undertake lengthy movements, seeds are likely transported well beyond the parent plant before being voided. Little is known about the ultimate fate of seeds ingested by crocodilians; however, deposition sites could prove suitable for seed germination. Although there is no evidence for a crocodilian‐specific dispersal syndrome similar to that described for other reptiles, our review strongly suggests that crocodilians function as effective agents of seed dispersal. Crocodilian saurochory offers a fertile ground for future research.
Retracted: Heterozygosity, sexual ornament and body size in the crested newt
Authors: Herdegen M. , Nadachowska‐Brzyska K. , Konowalik A. , Babik W. , Radwan J.
Published: July 2013

Both genome‐wide heterozygosity and heterozygosity at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are often associated with higher fitness. Recent theoretical work indicates that sexual ornaments may reveal information about individual heterozygosity, and that preference for such ornaments may benefit females via the increased heterozygosity of their progeny. Here, we used path analysis to investigate the direct and indirect (via body size used as an index of condition) effects of heterozygosity at six microsatellite loci and the MHC class II DAB gene on the size of a sexual ornament, the crest, in the crested newt Triturus cristatus. We found that microsatellite heterozygosity, but not MHC heterozygosity, significantly predicted male body size, and that male body size significantly predicted crest height. However, there was no direct effect of MHC or microsatellite heterozygosity on crest height. Furthermore, microsatellite heterozygosity significantly increased with age, indicating that it had a positive effect on survival. Overall, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that heterozygosity determines condition, and that variation in condition is expressed as variation in sexual ornamentation.
Risk Factors for Urinary Incontinence in Japanese Elderly Women
Authors: HARAI Mika , OURA Asae , MORI Mitsuru
Published: July 2013

Objectives

The aim of this study is to clarify risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI) in elderly Japanese women.

Methods

We randomly selected 1600 women, aged between 65 and 74 years, from the resident registration of Sapporo City and we analyzed 746 women, who responded twice on surveys in 2010 and 2011. UI was defined as frequent UI when it occurred at least once a week in both 2010 and 2011.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the past maximum body weight, smoking index, past history of bladder disease or hemorrhoids, and the participant's mother's history of UI were significantly associated with an increased risk of UI.

Conclusion

Lifestyle habits such as weight gain and smoking habits were associated with an increased risk of UI in Japanese women. Further study is needed, because modification of these risk factors may possibly result in reducing risk of UI.
Ecological speciation in anemone‐associated snapping shrimps (Alpheus armatus species complex)
Authors: Hurt C. , Silliman K. , Anker A. , Knowlton N.
Published: July 2013

Divergent natural selection driven by competition for limited resources can promote speciation, even in the presence of gene flow. Reproductive isolation is more likely to result from divergent selection when the partitioned resource is closely linked to mating. Obligate symbiosis and host fidelity (mating on or near the host) can provide this link, creating ideal conditions for speciation in the absence of physical barriers to dispersal. Symbiotic organisms often experience competition for hosts, and host fidelity ensures that divergent selection for a specific host or host habitat can lead to speciation and strengthen pre‐existing reproductive barriers. Here, we present evidence that diversification of a sympatric species complex occurred despite the potential for gene flow and that partitioning of host resources (both by species and by host habitat) has contributed to this diversification. Four species of snapping shrimps (Alpheus armatus, A. immaculatus, A. polystictus and A. roquensis) are distributed mainly sympatrically in the Caribbean, while the fifth species (A. rudolphi) is restricted to Brazil. All five species are obligate commensals of sea anemones with a high degree of fidelity and ecological specificity for host species and habitat. We analysed sequence data from 10 nuclear genes and the mitochondrial COI gene in 11–16 individuals from each of the Caribbean taxa and from the only available specimen of the Brazilian taxon. Phylogenetic analyses support morphology‐based species assignments and a well‐supported Caribbean clade. The Brazilian A. rudolphi is recovered as an outgroup to the Caribbean taxa. Isolation–migration coalescent analysis provides evidence for historical gene flow among sympatric sister species. Our data suggest that both selection for a novel host and selection for host microhabitat may have promoted diversification of this complex despite gene flow.
Structure of the transcriptional network controlling white‐opaque switching in Candida albicans
Authors: Hernday Aaron D. , Lohse Matthew B. , Fordyce Polly M. , Nobile Clarissa J. , DeRisi Joseph L. , Johnson Alexander D.
Published: July 2013

The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans can switch between two phenotypic cell types, termed ‘white’ and ‘opaque’. Both cell types are heritable for many generations, and the switch between the two types occurs epigenetically, that is, without a change in the primary DNA sequence of the genome. Previous work identified six key transcriptional regulators important for white‐opaque switching: Wor1, Wor2, Wor3, Czf1, Efg1, and Ahr1. In this work, we describe the structure of the transcriptional network that specifies the white and opaque cell types and governs the ability to switch between them. In particular, we use a combination of genome‐wide chromatin immunoprecipitation, gene expression profiling, and microfluidics‐based DNA binding experiments to determine the direct and indirect regulatory interactions that form the switch network. The six regulators are arranged together in a complex, interlocking network with many seemingly redundant and overlapping connections. We propose that the structure (or topology) of this network is responsible for the epigenetic maintenance of the white and opaque states, the switching between them, and the specialized properties of each state.
Nursing practice environment, quality of care, and morale of hospital nurses in Japan
Authors: Anzai Eriko , Douglas Clint , Bonner Ann
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study was to describe Japanese hospital nurses' perceptions of the nursing practice environment and examine its association with nurse‐reported ability to provide quality nursing care, quality of patient care, and ward morale. A cross‐sectional survey design was used including 223 nurses working in 12 acute inpatient wards in a large Japanese teaching hospital. Nurses rated their work environment favorably overall using the Japanese version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. Subscale scores indicated high perceptions of physician relations and quality of nursing management, but lower scores for staffing and resources. Ward nurse managers generally rated the practice environment more positively than staff nurses except for staffing and resources. Regression analyses found the practice environment was a significant predictor of quality of patient care and ward morale, whereas perceived ability to provide quality nursing care was most strongly associated with years of clinical experience. These findings support interventions to improve the nursing practice environment, particularly staffing and resource adequacy, to enhance quality of care and ward morale in Japan.
Strategic Management and Performance in Public Organizations: Findings from the Miles and Snow Framework
Authors: Walker Richard M.
Published: July 2013

This article integrates the research evidence that applies Miles and Snow's strategic management framework to the performance of public agencies. Miles and Snow developed several strategy types, arguing that prospectors (searching for new approaches) and defenders (sticking with the existing pattern of services) are aligned with processes, structures, and the environment in ways that lead them to outperform reactors (awaiting for instructions from the environment), which have no consistent strategy or alignment. Six key lessons for the practice of strategic management in public organizations are provided based on a critical review. Findings point toward the importance of employing a mix of strategies in public organizations, contrary to Miles and Snow—a strong evidence base for the association between prospecting and defending and performance and for relationships between strategy types and processes and structures. However, no empirical evidence is provided for alignment across strategy, structure, process, and the environment. The findings, largely derived from the United Kingdom and United States, suggest that the most successful strategy recipe depends on the ingredients, and thus managers must pay attention to the connections between the outlined contingencies to generate the best results using the adopted strategy.
An Empirical Study of the Toxic Capsule Crisis in China: Risk Perceptions and Behavioral Responses
Authors: Feng Tianjun , Keller L. Robin , Wu Ping , Xu Yifan
Published: July 2013

The outbreak of the toxic capsule crisis during April 2012 aroused widespread public concern about the risk of chromium‐contaminated capsules and drug safety in China. In this article, we develop a conceptual model to investigate risk perceptions of the pharmaceutical drug capsules and behavioral responses to the toxic capsule crisis and the relationship between associated factors and these two variables. An online survey was conducted to test the model, including questions on the measures of perceived efficacy of the countermeasures, trust in the State FDA (Food and Drug Administration), trust in the pharmaceutical companies, trust in the pharmaceutical capsule producers, risk perception, concern, need for information, information seeking, and risk avoidance. In general, participants reported higher levels of risk perception, concern, and risk avoidance, and lower levels of trust in the three different stakeholders. The results from the structural equation modeling procedure suggest that perceived efficacy of the countermeasures is a predictor of each of the three trust variables; however, only trust in the State FDA has a dampening impact on risk perception. Both risk perception and information seeking are significant determinants of risk avoidance. Risk perception is also positively related to concern. Information seeking is positively related to both concern and need for information. The theoretical and policy implications are also discussed.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN SHIKOKU REGION BY INTER‐REGIONAL INPUT–OUTPUT TABLE
Authors: Suttinon Pongsak , Nasu Seigo , Ihara Takeo , Bongochgetsakul Nattakorn , Uemoto Kotomi
Published: July 2013

This paper proposes the use of inter‐regional input–output model for water accounts (IRIO‐Water), which combines inter‐regional input–output model and water accounts system, as a tool to evaluate water demand and water‐policy impacts among each industrial sector in Shikoku region of Japan. This IRIO‐Water model which combines a descriptive device and an analytical tool, is enumerated by combining three regions as (1) upper Shikoku, (2) lower Shikoku, and (3) the rest of Japan under conditions of rainfall pattern, geographical area, and inter‐regional trade of each region. The calculation results of water demand are compared among each industrial sector with impacts from implementation of governmental policies such as 3Rs policy (reduce‐reuse‐recycle). The results in this paper indicated that IRIO‐Water model provides a tool that allows decision makers to accurately evaluate water demand and water‐policy impacts with consideration not only of inter‐industry trade, but also of inter‐regional linkages.
Narrative retelling in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: Is there a role for nonverbal temporal‐sequencing skills?
Authors: Johnels Jakob Åsberg , Hagberg Bibbi , Gillberg Christopher , Miniscalco Carmela
Published: July 2013

Oral narrative retelling is often problematic for children with communicative and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, beyond a suggested role of language level, little is known about the basis of narrative performance. In this study we examine whether oral narrative retelling might be associated not just with language level but also with skills related to nonverbal narrative temporal sequencing. A diagnostically heterogeneous sample of Swedish‐speaking children with a full scale IQ >70 was included in the study (N = 55; age 6–9 years). Narrative retelling skills were measured using the three subscores from the bus story test (BST). Independent predictors included (1) temporal sequencing skills according to a picture arrangement test and (2) a language skills factor consisting of definitional vocabulary and receptive grammar. Regression analyses show that language skills predicted BST Sentence Length and Subordinate Clauses subscores, while both temporal sequencing and language were independently linked with the BST Information subscore. When subdividing the sample based on nonverbal temporal sequencing level, a significant subgroup difference was found only for BST Information. Finally, a principal component analysis shows that temporal sequencing and BST Information loaded on a common factor, separately from the language measures. It is concluded that language level is an important correlate of narrative performance more generally in this diagnostically heterogeneous sample, and that nonverbal temporal sequencing functions are important especially for conveying story information. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
Evaluation of a continuous glucose monitoring system compared with an in‐house standard laboratory assay and a handheld point‐of‐care glucometer in critically ill neonatal foals
Authors: Hug Sophie A. , Riond Barbara , Schwarzwald Colin C.
Published: July 2013

Objective

To evaluate the applicability and accuracy of a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) in critically ill foals by comparing the performance of the CGMS, a point‐of‐care (POC) glucometer, and an in‐house standard laboratory assay (SLA).

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Seven critically ill neonatal foals requiring intensive care.

Interventions

Foals were instrumented with a CGMS that measured interstitial glucose concentration every 5 minutes for the duration of 15–79 hours. Capillary and venous blood samples were taken every 4–6 hours for POC and SLA measurements, respectively.

Measurements and Main Results

Bland–Altman analysis showed a mean bias (95% limits of agreement) of –0.1 (–3.9 to 3.5) mmol/L for comparison of CGMS versus SLA, 0.06 (–3.9 to 4.0) mmol/L for comparison of CGMS versus POC glucometer, and –0.16 (–1.8 to 1.5) mmol/L for comparison of POC glucometer versus SLA. Percent agreement and weighted kappa for classification in hypoglycemia, normoglycemia, and hyperglycemia were 68.4% and 0.296 for CGMS versus SLA, 72.4% and 0.442 for CGMS versus POC glucometer, and 80.7% and 0.568 for POC glucometer versus SLA.

Conclusions

The CGMS may be helpful for monitoring a trend in interstitial glucose concentration in critically ill neonatal foals. However, considering the wide limits of agreement between methods, the CGMS should only be used as an adjunctive device to other, more accurate and readily available methods that are able to detect acute changes in glucose concentration. Its use is further limited by the relatively high costs of the sensors, the mandatory 2‐hour initialization period, and the difficulties of keeping the transducer in place in an active foal. The POC glucometer used in this study is easy to use and proved to be sufficiently accurate for repeated, stall‐sided glucose monitoring in neonatal foals.
Assessment of circulating N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide concentration to differentiate between cardiac from noncardiac causes of pleural effusion in cats
Authors: Hassdenteufel Esther , Henrich Estelle , Hildebrandt Nicolai , Stosic Andreas , Schneider Matthias
Published: July 2013

Objective

To determine the diagnostic ability of blood N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) measurement to differentiate between congestive heart failure (CHF) and noncardiogenic causes for moderate to severe pleural effusion in cats.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Twenty‐one cats with moderate to severe pleural effusion.

Interventions

Venous blood sampling for NT‐proBNP measurement.

Measurement and Results

According to the results of echocardiographic examination, cats were classified in a group with CHF (n = 11) or noncongestive heart failure (N‐CHF, n = 10). NT‐proBNP was measured via a feline‐specific test in EDTA plasma with protease inhibitor. NT‐proBNP was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in the CHF group ( median 982 pmol/L, 355–1,286 pmol/L) than in the N‐CHF group (median 69 pmol/L, 26 – 160 pmol/L) and discriminated exactly (area under the curve = 1.0, 95% confidence interval 1.0–1.0) between both groups. Optimum cut‐off value considering all samples was 258 pmol/L.

Conclusion

In this small population of cats with pleural effusion, NT‐proBNP was able to differentiate between cats with cardiogenic and noncardiogenic causes of effusion. With the currently recommended method of measurement (ie, EDTA plasma with protease inhibitor), a cut‐off value of 258 pmol/L discriminates effectively between cats with and without CHF.
Detection of Hanganutziu–Deicher antigens in O‐glycans from pig heart tissues by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Jeong Hee‐Jin , Adhya Mausumi , Park Hae‐Min , Kim Yun‐Gon , Kim Byung‐Gee
Published: July 2013

Background

In the α1,3‐galactosyltransferase knockout (α‐GalT KO) pig era, identification of the non‐Gal epitopes is necessary for successful pig‐to‐human xenotransplantation. Recently, we successfully detected α‐Gal epitopes as well as Hanganutziu–Deicher (H‐D) antigens from the N‐glycans in the pig heart tissues, which have been considered as promising non‐Gal antigens. However, the profiling of O‐glycan from pig heart tissues had not been performed owing to the difficulty of O‐glycan preparation.

Methods

In this study, we established the simple and sensitive method to profile O‐glycans from pig heart aortic valve, aortic wall, pulmonary valve, pulmonary wall, and cardiac muscle tissues. To liberate O‐glycans from the pig heart tissues, we used non‐reductive β‐elimination reagent and subsequently purified the glycans. After permethylation, the glycans were qualitatively analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS).

Results

The comprehensive O‐glycan analysis method was successfully validated using model glycoproteins such as bovine serum fetuin (BSF) and bovine submaxillary gland mucin (BSM) glycoproteins, and their O‐glycan profiles were in accordance with the data of previous studies. Next, we applied the method for O‐glycan release and characterization to analysis of various pig heart tissues. As a result, total 39, 33, 24, 36, and 25 of O‐glycans were detected from aortic valve, aortic wall, pulmonary valve, pulmonary wall, and cardiac muscle, respectively. Furthermore, four in aortic valve, one in aortic wall, one in pulmonary valve, one in pulmonary wall, and one in cardiac muscle were particularly determined as terminally N‐glycolylneuraminic acid‐linked O‐glycans, which is considered to be the H‐D antigens.

Conclusions

Here, we initially described the O‐glycan structures of various pig heart tissues, and additionally, the existence of H‐D antigen type O‐glycans was firstly identified. These results will be fundamental information for overcoming the xenoantigenic carbohydrate‐related immunological rejection in pig‐to‐human heart tissue xenotransplantation.
Smooth muscle cell transient receptor potential polycystin‐2 (TRPP2) channels contribute to the myogenic response in cerebral arteries
Authors: Narayanan Damodaran , Bulley Simon , Leo M. Dennis , Burris Sarah K. , Gabrick Kyle S. , Boop Frederick A. , Jaggar Jonathan H.
Published: July 2013

Key points

Intravascular pressure is reported to activate several mechanosensitive ion channels, leading to smooth muscle cell (SMC) depolarization, voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channel activation and vasoconstriction; a process known as the ‘myogenic response’.

Polycystin‐1 and ‐2 (TRPP1 and ‐2) have been shown to differentially regulate the mesenteric artery myogenic response, with TRPP2 expression attenuating vasoconstriction.

We show that TRPP2 is the major TRPP isoform expressed and that TRPP2 is located primarily in the plasma membrane in cerebral artery SMCs.

Selective TRPP2 knockdown reduced swelling‐induced non‐selective cation currents (ICat) in SMCs and myogenic tone in cerebral arteries.

These data indicate that TRPP2 activation contributes to the cerebral artery myogenic response and suggest that TRPP2 performs differential functions in different vascular beds.

Abstract  Intravascular pressure‐induced vasoconstriction is a smooth muscle cell‐specific mechanism that controls systemic blood pressure and organ regional blood flow. Smooth muscle cell polycystin‐1 and ‐2 (TRPP1 and ‐2) proteins modulate the myogenic response in mesenteric arteries, but involvement in other vascular beds is unclear. Here, we examined TRPP2 expression, cellular distribution, cation currents (ICat), and physiological functions in smooth muscle cells of rat and human cerebral arteries. We demonstrate that TRPP2 is the major TRPP isoform expressed in cerebral artery smooth muscle cells, with message levels higher than those of TRPP1. Arterial biotinylation and immunofluorescence indicated that TRPP2 is located primarily (∼88%) in the smooth muscle cell plasma membrane. RNA interference reduced TRPP2 expression by ∼55% compared to control, but did not alter levels of TRPP1, TRPC1, TRPC3, TRPC6, TRPM4, ANO1/TMEM16A, or voltage‐dependent Ca2+ (CaV1.2) channels, other ion channel proteins that modulate myogenic tone. Cell swelling induced by hyposmotic (250 osmol (l solution)−1) bath solution stimulated Gd3+‐sensitive ICat in smooth muscle cells that were reduced by selective TRPP2 knockdown. TRPP2 knockdown did not alter myogenic tone at 20 mmHg but reduced tone between ∼28 and 39% over an intravascular pressure range between 40 and 100 mmHg. In contrast, TRPP2 knockdown did not alter depolarization‐induced (60 mmol l K+) vasoconstriction. In summary, we show that TRPP2 is expressed in smooth muscle cells of resistance‐size cerebral arteries, resides primarily in the plasma membrane, and contributes to the myogenic response. Data also suggest that TRPP2 differentially regulates the myogenic response in cerebral and mesenteric arteries.
Synthesizing Parallel Flexures That Mimic the Kinematics of Serial Flexures Using Freedom and Constraint Topologies
Authors: Hopkins Jonathan B.
Published: July 2013

The principles of the freedom and constraint topologies (FACT) synthesis approach are adapted and applied to the design of parallel flexure systems that mimic degrees of freedom (DOFs) primarily achievable by serial flexure systems. FACT provides designers with a comprehensive library of geometric shapes. These shapes enable designers to visualize the regions wherein compliant flexure elements may be placed for achieving desired DOFs. By displacing these shapes far from the point of interest of the stage of a flexure system, designers can compare a multiplicity of concepts that utilizes the advantages of both parallel and serial systems. A complete list of which FACT shapes mimic which DOFs when displaced far from the point of interest of the flexure system's stage is provided as well as an intuitive approach for verifying the completeness of this list. The proposed work intends to cater to the design of precision motion stages, optical mounts, microscopy stages, and general purpose flexure bearings. Two case studies are provided to demonstrate the application of the developed procedure.
Design and Kinematical Performance Analysis of a 3-RUS/RRR Redundantly Actuated Parallel Mechanism for Ankle Rehabilitation
Authors: Wang Congzhe , Fang Yuefa , Guo Sheng , Chen Yaqiong
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we present the design of a novel 3-RUS/RRR redundantly actuated parallel mechanism for ankle rehabilitation based on the principle from the conceptual design. The proposed mechanism can actualize the rotational movements of the ankle in three directions while at the same time the mechanism center of rotations can match the ankle axes of rotations compared with other multi-degree-of-freedom devices, owing to the structural characteristics of the special constraint limb and platform. A new actuator redundancy scheme is used, which not only still maintains all inherent advantages from actuator redundancy but also possesses the kinematic partially decouple feature that improves the flexibility of the robotic system. Kinematic performances, such as dexterity, singularity and stiffness, are analyzed based on the computed Jacobian. Then simulation is performed. All the results show that the redundant robot has no singularity, better dexterity and stiffness within the prescribed workspace in comparison with the corresponding 3-RUS/RRR nonredundant robot, and is suitable for rehabilitation exercise.
Development of Minimal Invasive SMA Multi-Transducer Unit for Blood Analysis or Drug Delivery
Authors: Yamamoto Hidetake
Published: July 2013

This research purpose is to develop minimal medical units applying heated actuations of the Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) transducers using the medical Ti-Ni material, in order to enable minimal hypodermic invasive microvolume either blood suction or drug delivery by equipping nontoxic and minimal edged microneedle to be created in my laboratory. I have focused on lymphocytes for immunotoxin and erythrocytes for glucose level in blood. This paper has reported double-action mechanisms of the compact unit in originally developing and its actions by low DC inputs. The Joule’s heating of the SMA coil spring transducer might be useful for indenting blood vessels whose diameter was larger than the microneedle because of generating indentation stroke of 2 mm and recovery force of 0.25 N 0.6 s later from heating when applied DC 2 V and 0.5 A. When applied DC 1.5 V and 2 A, the octagonal-pyramidal foil transducer for blood suction recovered as plane condition as before octagonal-pyramidal forming 8 s later from heating.
Physician-Developer Interaction in Medical Device Design
Authors: Shluzas Lauren A. , Leifer Larry J.
Published: July 2013

Industry-physician relationships have been widely reported throughout the medical device community. However, there is limited research that describes how device developers effectively interact with physicians throughout the development of new medical products. There is also limited research regarding how the process of physician-developer interaction influences the clinical and financial outcomes of early stage companies. Knowledge of such interaction is particularly relevant to the large and growing number of complex and high-risk medical devices, in which physicians are the primary end users and patients are the recipients of care.
Effects of Surgical Placement of Components in Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Evaluated With a Planar Mathematical Model
Authors: Imran Ahmed
Published: July 2013

The use of modern technology in knee arthroplasty, like minimally invasive surgery and computer assisted systems, can help in standardization of surgical procedures and improve patient recovery. However, such procedures can affect the surgeon’s ability to properly place and orient the prosthetic components on the bones. In the present study, the effects of surgical placement of components on mechanics of the joint are evaluated. A sagittal plane mathematical model of the knee with unicompartmental replacement is developed.

Anatomical data and geometries of the prosthetic components were taken similar to those in literature. Ligaments were represented as bundles of elastic fibers. Net muscle forces were represented along straight lines.

The prosthetic components were placed on the bones such that selected fibers in the cruciate ligaments remained nearly isometric and no ligament stretched during flexion. This defined the passive motion of the joint. The effects of external load, muscle activity and variations in component placement or size were superimposed.

Component mal-placement or in-appropriate size resulted in stretched/slackened ligaments, influenced the relative positions of bones, and affected joint laxity. The model calculations show general agreement with and explain the experimental/clinical observations reported in literature.
Magnetically Actuated Micromirror for Endoscopic Applications
Authors: Gunn Nicholas M. , Lai Zhian , Bachman Mark
Published: July 2013

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies are ideal for use in sub-millimeter scale actuatable transcatheter optical devices. Such technologies enable precise light path control in very small packages for applications such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and photodynamic therapies. Indeed, there have been numerous published reports of such devices that utilize silicon-based MEMS technologies and actuation methods including piezoelectric, electrostatic, thermal expansive, and electromagnetic [1–4]. We report a novel, dual axis, magnetically actuated micromirror for endoscopic applications that is fabricated from a photopatternable polymer using photolithographic techniques. Our approach provides improvements over other actuation methods and silicon-based devices.
Design and Research of Interspinous Lumbar Non-Fusion Device
Authors: Li Lei , Chang Zhaohua , Gu Xuelian , Song Chengli
Published: July 2013

Objective: Long term clinical data showed that lumbar fusion for Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) therapy could change the loads of disc and articular facet and increase the motion of adjacent segments which lead to facet arthropathy and adjacent level degeneration. This study is to design and analyze an interspinous process device (IPD) that could prevent adjacent level degeneration in the LSS and LDD therapy. Method: The IPD was designed based on anatomical parameters measured from 3D CT images directly. The IPD was inserted at the validated finite element model of the mono-segmental L3/L4. The biomechanical performance of a pair of interbody fusion cages and a paired pedicel screws were studied to compare with the IPD. The model was loaded with the upper body weight and muscle forces to simulate five loading cases including standing, compression, flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. Results: The interbody fusion cage induced serious stress concentration on the surface of vertebral body, has the worst biomechanical performance among the three systems. Pedicle screws and interbody fusion cage could induce stress concentration within vertebral body which leads to vertebral compression fracture or screw loosening. Regarding to disc protection, the IPD had higher percentage to share the load of posterior lumbar structure than the pedicel screws and interbody fusion cage. Conclusion: IPD has the same loads as pedicle screw-rod which suggests it has a good function in the posterior stability. While the IPD had much less influence on vertebral body. Furthermore, IPD could share the load of intervertebral discs and facet joints to maintain the stability of lumbar spine.
iPhone Wireless Accelerometer Application for Acquiring Quantified Gait Attributes
Authors: LeMoyne Robert , Mastroianni Timothy , Cozza Michael , Coroian Cristian
Published: July 2013

The implementation of a wireless accelerometer application for the quantification of gait may enable an autonomous strategy for the quantification of gait. A wireless accelerometer application may potentially enable the remote, autonomous, and quantified evaluation of gait beyond the confines of a clinical facility. The accuracy and reliability for the application of accelerometers for gait evaluation has been established through the selection of specific mounting positions based on the anatomy of the subject. Wireless accelerometer systems have been successfully demonstrated for establishing a quantified gait disparity for hemiparetic subjects. For example, the quantification of hemiparetic gait has been conducted using the lateral epicondyle of the femur as a mounting position [1].
Fast Real Time Binding for Surface Assays Using VCAT Coupled With SPRI
Authors: Okabe Yuka , Chen Yulin , Corn Robert , Lee Abraham
Published: July 2013

Microassays can take on the order of 1 to 72 hours due to complete the lack of mixing [1]. Various micromixers have been developed to quicken assay times, but they require bulky external equipment, difficult to fabrication and implementation, or are expensive. Robin Liu et al developed a low cost micromixer based on cavitation microstreaming which is easy to implement and has low power consumption. The device consists of small cavities or vertical cavity acoustic transducers (VCAT) located above a microfluidic chamber such that these small cavities trap air when a solution is injected into the chamber. A piezoelectric transducer (PZT) is then placed above the air cavities and is used to vibrate the air-liquid membrane to produce cavitation microstreaming within the chamber to cause mixing [2].
Evaluation of Spinal Arthrodesis Implant Designs: A Biomedicial-Legal Perspective
Authors: Gomez Mark A. , Hollis J. Marcus
Published: July 2013

A successful spinal implant design requires that it perform consistently under a known set of loading conditions. Specifically, the loading conditions experienced in the activities of everyday living must be accounted for in both the design and testing of spinal arthrodesis implants. Knowledge of these loading conditions and, in particular, those which produce implant failure, must be addressed continuously during the design, testing and even during the actual clinical use of the implant. The goals of this presentation are: 1) to provide an understanding of typical spinal implant test procedures and, 2) to understand how to utilize real world failure data to optimize the test loading conditions which would predict failure of a spinal implant. For the first goal, ASTM standards for testing of spinal implants will be described and, for the second goal, data from a clinical case with failure of a pedicle screw connector will be utilized. This will include data from the patient’s medical records, structural and material properties of the implant material, and accident reconstruction analyses. The combined data will provide a most probable cause of implant failure and failure load.
Material design and discovery with computational materials science
Authors: Sinnott Susan B.
Published: July 2013

The discovery and design of new materials to improve existing technologies or enable new applications is a driving force for much of the research that takes place in multiple disciplines,including materials scienceand engineering, condensed matter physics, and materials chemistry. This article reviews the way in which computational methods are being applied to achieve the promise of “materials by design.” In particular, the article reviews the technologies that have enabled the evolution of computational materials science as a field and its integration with cutting-edge experimental methods. Illustrative applications are discussed where traditional computational methods and materialsinformatics approaches were applied to design new materials. The article concludes with a discussion of the future outlook of computational materials science within the context of material design and discovery.