bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dalits and local labour markets in rural India: experiences from the Tiruppur textile region in Tamil Nadu
Authors: Carswell Grace
Published: May 2012

This article asks how labour markets are changing in the context of wider transformations in the rural economy. Drawing on evidence from two villages in southern India, which are both close to, and deeply affected by, a major textile industry cluster, the article examines local labour markets, arguing that labour market segmentation is not simply caste‐based. While some Dalits from one village have gained access to jobs in export markets, the same group of Dalits from another village have not. Furthermore, different groups of Dalits have had very different experiences of accessing jobs in urban areas, and the article shows that barriers to entry are located more in the rural social economy than in the urban industry. It is argued that villages only a few miles apart have very different local labour markets because they are uniquely and variously embedded in local institutions that interact with economic transformations in contingent ways. The article shows that having an industry on your doorstep means very different things for different people.
The oligopeptide DT‐2 is a specific PKG I inhibitor only in vitro, not in living cells
Authors: Gambaryan Stepan , Butt Elke , Kobsar Anna , Geiger Joerg , Rukoyatkina Natalia , Parnova Rimma , Nikolaev Viacheslav O , Walter Ulrich
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE cGMP is involved in the regulation of many cellular processes including cardiac and smooth muscle contractility, aldosterone synthesis and inhibition of platelet activation. Intracellular effects cGMP are mediated by cGMP‐dependent PKs, cGMP‐regulated PDEs and cGMP‐gated ion channels. PKG inhibitors are widely used to discriminate PKG‐specific effects. They can be divided into cyclic nucleotide‐binding site inhibitors such as Rp‐phosphorothioate analogues (Rp‐cGMPS), ATP‐binding site inhibitors such as KT5823, and substrate binding site inhibitors represented by the recently described DT‐oligopeptides. As it has been shown that Rp‐cGMPS and KT5823 have numerous non‐specific effects, we analysed the pharmacological properties of the oligopeptide (D)‐DT‐2 described as a highly specific, membrane–permeable, PKG inhibitor.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Specificity and potency of (D)‐DT‐2 to inhibit PKG activity was evaluated using biochemical assays in vitro and by substrate phosphorylation analysis in various cell types including human platelets, rat mesangial cells and rat neonatal cardiomyocytes.

KEY RESULTS Despite potent inhibition of PKGI in vitro, (D)‐DT‐2 lost specificity for PKG in cell homogenates and particularly in living cells, as demonstrated by phosphorylation of different substrates. Instead, (D)‐DT‐2 modulated activity of other kinases including ERK, p38, PKB and PKC, thereby inducing unpredicted and often opposing functional effects.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We conclude that DT‐oligopeptides, as other inhibitors, cannot be used to specifically inhibit PKG in intact cells. Therefore, no specific pharmacological PKG inhibitors are available, and reliable studies of PKG signalling can only be made by using RNA knockdown or genetic deletion methods.
Activation of PAC1 and VPAC receptor subtypes elicits differential physiological responses from sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the anaesthetized rat
Authors: Inglott Melissa A , Lerner Ethan A , Pilowsky Paul M , Farnham Melissa MJ
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) is an excitatory neuropeptide with central and peripheral cardiovascular actions. Intrathecal PACAP increases splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity and heart rate, but not mean arterial pressure (MAP). We hypothesize that the three PACAP receptors (PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2) have different actions in central cardiovascular control, and that their summed effect results in the lack of MAP response observed following intrathecal PACAP injection.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effects of the PACAP receptors on baseline cardiovascular parameters were investigated using selective agonists and antagonists administered into the intrathecal space of urethane‐anaesthetized, vagotomized and artificially ventilated male Sprague‐Dawley rats.

KEY RESULTS Selective activation of the PACAP receptors had different effects on MAP. When activated by maxadilan, PAC1 receptors increased MAP. The VPAC receptors decreased MAP when both were activated with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or when only VPAC1 receptors were activated. The PAC1 and VPAC2 receptor antagonist PACAP(6–38) had no cardiovascular effects, suggesting that PACAP is not tonically released.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS PACAP neurotransmission was not responsible for the moment‐to‐moment tonic regulation of central cardiovascular control mechanisms. Nevertheless, PACAP release within the spinal cord may have pleiotropic effects on sympathetic outflow depending on the postsynaptic receptor type. PAC1 and VPAC receptor subtypes produced opposing changes in blood pressure when activated by intrathecal PACAP‐38 in the anaesthetized Sprague‐Dawley rat, resulting in no net change in MAP.
Transfusion of cryopreserved human red blood cells into healthy humans is associated with rapid extravascular hemolysis without a proinflammatory cytokine response
Authors: Hult Andreas , Malm Christer , Oldenborg Per‐Arne
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Transfusion of stored red blood cells (RBCs) can be associated with adverse side effects. Recent studies in mice transfused with stored RBCs showed that a strong proinflammatory cytokine storm was induced due to extravascular hemolysis already at 2 hours after transfusion. Therefore, we here investigated if transfusion of 2 units of cryopreserved autologous RBCs induced a proinflammatory response in healthy human volunteers.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two units of autologous RBCs, cryopreserved for 16 weeks, were transfused into 10 healthy human volunteers. Serum and blood samples taken at 2 hours before and at 2 and 48 hours after transfusion were analyzed for signs of extravascular hemolysis and the presence of proinflammatory cytokines.

RESULTS: At 2 hours after transfusion, transferin‐bound serum iron, as well as transferin saturation and total bilirubin, were already significantly increased. These measures all returned back toward that in pretransfusion samples at 48 hours after transfusion. No increases in the production of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, monocyte chemotactic protein‐1, macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β, or tumor necrosis factor‐α were detected at any time point after transfusion.

CONCLUSION: Although a significant level of extravascular hemolysis already occurred at 2 hours after transfusion of cryopreserved RBCs, there were no signs of proinflammatory cytokine production up to 48 hours after transfusion.
Optimizing megakaryocyte polyploidization by targeting multiple pathways of cytokinesis
Authors: Avanzi Mauro P. , Chen Amanda , He Wu , Mitchell W. Beau
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Large‐scale in vitro production of platelets (PLTs) from cord blood stem cells is one goal of stem cell research. One step toward this goal will be to produce polyploid megakaryocytes capable of releasing high numbers of PLTs. Megakaryocyte polyploidization requires distinct cytoskeletal and cellular mechanisms, including actin polymerization, myosin activation, microtubule formation, and increased DNA production. In this study we variably combined inhibition of these principal mechanisms of cytokinesis with the goal of driving polyploidization in megakaryocytes.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Megakaryocytes were derived from umbilical cord blood and cultured with reagents that inhibit distinct mechanisms of cytokinesis: Rho‐Rock inhibitor (RRI), Src inhibitor (SI), nicotinamide (NIC), aurora B inhibitor (ABI), and myosin light chain kinase inhibitor (MLCKI). Combinations of reagents were used to determine their interactions and to maximize megakaryocyte ploidy.

RESULTS: Treatment with RRI, NIC, SI, and ABI, but not with MLCKI, increased the final ploidy and RRI was the most effective single reagent. RRI and MLCKI, both inhibitors of MLC activation, resulted in opposite ploidy outcomes. Combinations of reagents also increased ploidy and the use of NIC, SI, and ABI was as effective as RRI alone. Addition of MLCKI to NIC, SI, and ABI reached the highest level of polyploidization.

CONCLUSION: Megakaryocyte polyploidization results from modulation of a combination of distinct cytokinesis pathways. Reagents targeting distinct cytoskeletal pathways produced additive effects in final megakaryocyte ploidy. The RRI, however, showed no additive effect but produced a high final ploidy due to overlapping inhibition of multiple cytokinesis pathways.
Small deletions within the RHD coding sequence: a report of two novel mutational events and a survey of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms
Authors: Chen Jian‐Min , Fichou Yann , Jamet Déborah , Dupont Isabelle , Cooper David N. , Le Maréchal Cédric , Férec Claude
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Some 270 variants in the RHD gene have so far been identified. Of these, approximately 6% (n = 17) are small (≤20 bp) deletions occurring within the gene's coding sequence. Fourteen of these small deletions disrupted the reading frame of the RHD gene, resulting almost invariably in a D– phenotype.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two subjects who displayed D phenotype ambiguity or a genotype‐phenotype discrepancy were referred to our laboratory for RHD genetic analysis. Hemizygosity for the most common 70‐kb RHD deletion was first determined in both subjects by long‐range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by PCR amplification and sequencing of all 10 exons of the RHD gene in the nondeleted allele individually.

RESULTS: Two novel lesions in the RHD gene were identified on the nondeleted alleles, a 14‐bp frameshifting deletion within Exon 1 (i.e., c.29_42delGGCGCTGCCTGCCC) and an 11‐bp frameshifting deletion within Exon 3 (i.e., c.361_371delTTGTCGGTGCT), in Subjects 1 and 2, respectively.

CONCLUSION: By reference to previously reported small deletions in the RHD gene, the 11‐bp deletion in Exon 3 may be safely regarded as a bona fide D– variant. Although the association of the 14‐bp deletion in Exon 1 with a weak D phenotype appears to be genuine, the underlying molecular mechanism still remains to be clarified. Evaluation of all known small RHD deletions points to slippage mutagenesis as the major underlying mutational mechanism. [Correction statement added after online publication 21‐May2012: The spelling of bona has been updated.]
The Value of Environmental Information without Control of Subsequent Decisions
Authors: von Winterfeldt Detlof , Kavet Robert , Peck Stephen , Mohan Mayank , Hazen Gordon
Published: May 2012

The standard value of information approach of decision analysis assumes that the individual or agency that collects the information is also in control of the subsequent decisions based on the information. We refer to this situation as the “value of information with control (VOI‐C).” This paradigm leads to powerful results, for example, that the value of information cannot be negative and that it is zero, when the information cannot change subsequent decisions. In many real world situations, however, the agency collecting the information is different from the one that makes the decision on the basis of that information. For example, an environmental research group may contemplate to fund a study that can affect an environmental policy decision that is made by a regulatory organization. In this two‐agency formulation, the information‐acquiring agency has to decide, whether an investment in research is worthwhile, while not being in control of the subsequent decision. We refer to this situation as “value of information without control (VOI‐NC).” In this article, we present a framework for the VOI‐NC and illustrate it with an example of a specific problem of determining the value of a research program on the health effects of power‐frequency electromagnetic fields. We first compare the VOI‐C approach with the VOI‐NC approach. We show that the VOI‐NC can be negative, but that with high‐quality research (low probabilities of errors of type I and II) it is positive. We also demonstrate, both in the example and in more general mathematical terms, that the VOI‐NC for environmental studies breaks down into a sum of the VOI‐NC due to the possible reduction of environmental impacts and the VOI‐NC due to the reduction of policy costs, with each component being positive for low environmental impacts and high‐quality research. Interesting results include that the environmental and cost components of the VOI‐NC move in opposite directions as a function of the probability of environmental impacts and that VOI‐NC can be positive, even though the probability of environmental impacts is zero or one.
Context‐Specific, Scenario‐Based Risk Scales
Authors: Yu Michael , Lejarraga Tomás , Gonzalez Cleotilde
Published: May 2012

Reacting to an emergency requires quick decisions under stressful and dynamic conditions. To react effectively, responders need to know the right actions to take given the risks posed by the emergency. While existing research on risk scales focuses primarily on decision making in static environments with known risks, these scales may be inappropriate for conditions where the decision maker's time and mental resources are limited and may be infeasible if the actual risk probabilities are unknown. In this article, we propose a method to develop context‐specific, scenario‐based risk scales designed for emergency response training. Emergency scenarios are used as scale points, reducing our dependence on known probabilities; these are drawn from the targeted emergency context, reducing the mental resources required to interpret the scale. The scale is developed by asking trainers/trainees to rank order a range of risk scenarios and then aggregating these orderings using a Kemeny ranking. We propose measures to assess this aggregated scale's internal consistency, reliability, and validity, and we discuss how to use the scale effectively. We demonstrate our process by developing a risk scale for subsurface coal mine emergencies and test the reliability of the scale by repeating the process, with some methodological variations, several months later.
Decision Making for Risk Management: A Comparison of Graphical Methods for Presenting Quantitative Uncertainty
Authors: Edwards John A. , Snyder Frank J. , Allen Pamela M. , Makinson Kevin A. , Hamby David M.
Published: May 2012

Previous research has shown that people err when making decisions aided by probability information. Surprisingly, there has been little exploration into the accuracy of decisions made based on many commonly used probabilistic display methods. Two experiments examined the ability of a comprehensive set of such methods to effectively communicate critical information to a decision maker and influence confidence in decision making. The second experiment investigated the performance of these methods under time pressure, a situational factor known to exacerbate judgmental errors. Ten commonly used graphical display methods were randomly assigned to participants. Across eight scenarios in which a probabilistic outcome was described, participants were asked questions regarding graph interpretation (e.g., mean) and made behavioral choices (i.e., act; do not act) based on the provided information indicated that decision‐maker accuracy differed by graphical method; error bars and boxplots led to greatest mean estimation and behavioral choice accuracy whereas complementary cumulative probability distribution functions were associated with the highest probability estimation accuracy. Under time pressure, participant performance decreased when making behavioral choices.
Endothelial Progenitor Cell Capture Stent: Safety and Effectiveness
Authors: SETHI RISHI , LEE CHI‐HANG
Published: May 2012

The endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) capture stent is an innovative device that makes use of the ability of bone marrow–derived EPCs to migrate to injured arterial segments to facilitate healing. The EPC antibody surface, consisting of a covalently coupled polysaccharide intermediate coating with anti‐human CD34 antibodies, is attached to a stainless steel stent. Upon stent placement, the anti‐human CD34 antibodies will attract circulating EPCs, which are expected to develop into mature functional endothelium. This accelerated healing strategy aims to lower the risk of restenosis and stent thrombosis, as well as obviate prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy. Since the first‐in‐man study in 2003, a number of small‐to‐medium size registry and postmarketing studies that confirmed the good safety profile of the EPC capture stent have been published. However, due to lack of large‐scale randomized trials, its effectiveness, compared with bare metal stents and drug‐eluting stents, cannot be ascertained. Based on restudy angiographic data, instent late loss was approximately 0.7–0.9 mm, which compares unfavorably with that of drug‐eluting stents. In order to improve the effectiveness of the EPC capture stent in reducing restenosis—while maintaining its pro‐healing property—a bioengineered sirolimus‐eluting stent known as the Combo stent was recently designed to combine the EPC capture technology with the abluminal elution of sirolimus. Data from animal studies have been encouraging. The first‐in‐man study of the Combo stent has been completed and results were presented. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:493–500)
Direct Coagulation Casting of Alumina Suspension by High Valence Counter Ions Using Ca(IO3)2 as Coagulating Agent
Authors: Xu Jie , Wen Ning , Li Hexin , Qi Fei , Xi Xiaoqing , Yang Jinlong
Published: May 2012

A new direct coagulation casting of aqueous alumina suspension was developed via controlled release of high valence counter ions from calcium iodate with increase in the temperature from 55°C to 70°C. The influence of calcium iodate on the rheology of alumina suspension was investigated. A small amount of calcium iodate increased the viscosity of the concentrated alumina suspension at high temperature and finally transformed it into a wet‐coagulated body. The mechanism of coagulation is proposed such as that the solubility of calcium iodate increases with increase in temperature. The high valence Ca2+ ions diffuse into the double electrical layer of alumina particles surface through electrostatic attraction, reduces the zeta potential, hence decreases repulsive force between particles. Also reaction between Ca2+ and citrate leads to insufficient dispersant coverage on the particle surface. Both factors contribute to the coagulation of the suspension. The coagulation time was from 1 to 4 h by maintaining the temperature in the range of 55°C–70°C. The wet‐coagulated bodies prepared from 50 vol% alumina suspension showed a high compressive strength of 2.6–3.2 MPa with uniform microstructure. The relative density of sintered sample is 99.4% at 1550 °C for 2 h with perfect microstructure.
Investigation of the Mechanisms Involved in the Sintering of Chalcogenide Glasses and the Preparation of Glass‐Ceramics by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Delaizir G. , Gueguen Y. , Hubert M. , Zhang X. H. , Monnier J. , Godart C. , Calvez L.
Published: May 2012

The sintering of the 80GeSe2–20Ga2Se3 chalcogenide glass composition as well as the preparation of the corresponding glass‐ceramics has been investigated using pulsed current electrical sintering also known as spark plasma sintering. Amorphous powder has been synthesized by mechanical alloying. Due to the electrical insulating property of this glass composition, powder is heated mostly through the heating of the graphite die. It was found that densification of glass powder occurs through a viscous flow mechanism prior to devitrification. A model has been successfully applied to determine the viscosity and activation energy of the glass. This model has been confirmed by ball penetration technique to determine the glass sample viscosity.
Eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy
Authors: Farber Michele J , La Forgia Sal , Sahu Joya , Lee Jason B.
Published: May 2012

Cutaneous involvement by an eosinophil‐rich process (eosinophilic dermatosis) may be encountered in the setting of various hematologic malignancies, including mantle cell lymphoma, acute monocytic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, large cell lymphoma, myelofibrosis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Of the various hematologic malignancies, eosinophilic dermatosis has been most frequently described in association with CLL. Published previously as insect bite‐like reaction and eosinophilic dermatosis of myeloproliferative disease, this rare dermatitis presents as a pruritic, papular and occasionally vesicular eruption associated with an eosinophil‐rich infiltrate histopathologically. Although clinical and histopathologic features are similar to insect bites, affected patients frequently deny a history of insect bites. We report a case of eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy in a patient with known history of CLL.
Vitamin D receptor, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 genes polymorphisms association with oral cancer risk and survival
Authors: Zeljic Katarina , Supic Gordana , Stamenkovic Radak Marina , Jovic Nebojsa , Kozomara Ruzica , Magic Zvonko
Published: May 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 779–787

Background:  Genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) and genes involved in vitamin D metabolism pathway, CYP27B1 and CYP24B1, may affect individual susceptibility to oral squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between VDR, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 gene polymorphisms with oral cancer risk and survival.

Methods:  Study cohort consisted of 110 patients with oral cancer and 122 healthy controls. The genotypes of the analysed genes were determined by PCR–RFLP or real‐time PCR method.

Results:  The significant decrease of oral cancer risk was observed in individuals with heterozygote genotype of CYP24A1 gene (rs2296241) (odds ratio 0.281, P = 0.000) in comparison with wild type. Patients with VDR FokI ff wild type genotype had significantly worse overall survival (P = 0.012, log rank) compared with heterozygous and mutated genotype combined. A stratified analysis by the lymph node involvement and tumour stage showed that ff is associated with poor survival in groups with and without lymph node involvement (P = 0.025, P = 0.040, respectively) and in stage III tumours (P = 0.026). Multivariate Cox’s regression analysis revealed that VDR FokI could be considered an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusion:  Our findings indicate that CYP24A1 gene polymorphism might have an influence on the susceptibility to oral cancer. VDR FokI polymorphism was associated with worse survival and could be considered as an independent prognostic marker.
No evidence of a trade‐off between drought and shade tolerance in seedlings of six coastal desert shrub species in north‐central Chile
Authors: Martínez‐Tillería Karina , Loayza Andrea P. , Sandquist Darren R. , Squeo Francisco A.
Published: May 2012

Question

Is there evidence of a trade‐off between drought and shade tolerance in coastal desert shrubs?

Location

Arid scrubland, Atacama desert, north‐central Chile.

Methods

One‐week‐old seedlings of six coastal desert shrub species (Centaurea chilensis,Encelia canescens,Flourensia thurifera,Pleocarphus revolutus,Senna cumingiiandHaplopappus parvifolius) were planted in the field under six treatment combinations: three light environments (low, intermediate and high radiation) and two water levels (natural rainfall (55.4 mm) and natural rainfall plus 100 mm irrigation). We quantified seedling survival for each species during 22 weeks, estimated relative growth rate, and examined how light and water affect whole‐plant responses, particularly specific leaf area, leaf mass ratio and root–shoot ratio.

Results

We found species‐specific differences in the temporal pattern of mortality. Water and/or light levels affected seedling survival of all species, excludingC. chilensis. Relative growth rate (RGR) increased in low‐light conditions inC. chilensisandP. revolutus, but otherwise did not vary in response to differences in either light or water, independently or to their interaction. Across species, the effect of water on specific leaf area (SLA) was inconsistent, increasing both in drought conditions (C. chilensis) and in treatments with supplemental water (S. cumingii). Additionally,SLAtended to increase with decreasing light levels for most species (F. thurifera,H. parvifolius,C. chilensis). In our study, onlyF. thruriferaandC. chilensisshowed changes in leaf mass ratio (LMR) and only with respect to light levels; specifically,LMRtended to increase with decreasing light level. Biomass allocation was independent of light and water for all species exceptF. thurifera, which showed an increase in root biomass in drought conditions.

Conclusions

Overall, we did not find evidence to support a trade‐off between drought and shade tolerance during early plant establishment. Our results suggest that water is the most important resource that limits recruitment in the coastal desert. Therefore, increased aridity in this system is likely to severely hinder seedling recruitment of the native coastal desert shrubs.
OPTIMIZATION OF CONTRAST‐ENHANCED MULTIDETECTOR ABDOMINAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN SEDATED CANINE PATIENTS
Authors: Fields Erica L. , Robertson Ian D. , Brown James C.
Published: May 2012

A major disadvantage of computed tomography for abdominal screening in dogs has been the need for general anesthesia to prevent motion artifacts. With multidetector helical CT, it is possible to decrease examination time, allowing patients to be scanned under sedation. It is also desirable to decrease tube loading to prolong x‐ray tube life. To develop a protocol that will allow for examination of sedated patients with minimal image artifacts, milliamperage (mA) and helical pitch were varied, providing 16 experimental scan protocols. A standard clinical protocol was also tested, providing 17 protocols for evaluation. These protocols were tested, using a standard CT phantom, canine tissues in a water bath, and a canine cadaver. The cadaver images were scored semiquantitatively by three reviewers to determine the protocol with the best combination of speed and minimal image artifact. The optimized protocol was then applied to 27 sedated canine patients of three body weight categories. The images obtained were compared to the standard protocol by two reviewers for presence of motion, streak, and quantum mottle artifacts. There was significantly more streak artifact noted by one observer using the optimized study protocol, but no significant difference in any other category. Scanning under sedation was well tolerated in all patients, and sedated CT examination is a promising tool for screening abdominal disease in dogs.
Aetiology and therapeutics of burning mouth syndrome: an update
Authors: Spanemberg Juliana Cassol , Cherubini Karen , de Figueiredo Maria Antonia Zancanaro , Yurgel Liliane Soares , Salum Fernanda Gonçalves
Published: May 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00384.x

Aetiology and therapeutics of burning mouth syndrome: an update

Objective:  To provide a review on the aetiology and therapeutic options for the management of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

Background:  BMS is a chronic disorder that frequently affects women and is characterised by burning symptoms of the oral mucosa without clinical signs. This syndrome has a complex and multifactorial characteristics, but its aetiology remains unknown and this makes it difficult with regard to the treatment and management of such patients. Despite not being accompanied by evident organic changes and not presenting risks to health, BMS can significantly reduce the quality of life for patients.

Methods and materials:  The article reviews the literature regarding aetiologic factors, clinical implications and treatment of BMS.

Conclusion:  The involvement of neurological, emotional and hormonal alterations is proposed in BMS aetiology. However the mechanisms of its development are complex and not completely understood. Tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines and antipsychotic drugs are the most accepted options in treatment and show variable results. The correct diagnosis of BMS and the exclusion of possible local or systemic factors that can be associated with the symptoms are fundamental. It is also important to evaluate the quality of life for these patients to recognise the potential impact of this condition on their lives.
Orthodontic treatment in an elderly patient with extraction of upper premolar
Authors: Pithon Matheus Melo
Published: May 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00443.x

Orthodontic treatment in an elderly patient with extraction of upper premolar

In the past few years, life expectancy of the world’s population has gradually increased and as a result the number of elderly patients seeking orthodontic treatment is becoming higher. The objective of this work is to report a clinical case of orthodontic treatment of an elderly patient in which a dental extraction was performed to correct the relationship between upper and lower arches. The results favoured an improved dental arch relationship and promoted adequate aesthetics and function.
A 30‐year review of a geriatric dentistry teaching programme
Authors: Ettinger Ronald L.
Published: May 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00471.x

A 30‐year review of a geriatric dentistry teaching programme

Objective:  To review the development of the Geriatric Dental and Special Needs Education programme at the University of Iowa over the last 30 years.

Background:  The programme at Iowa evolved from a didactic elective programme taught by a single faculty person to a required didactic and clinical programme, which includes a Special Care Clinic in the dental school and a mobile unit with portable dental equipment which serves ten area nursing homes with comprehensive care.

Materials and methods:  Changes have been made in the programme over time based on formal and informal feedback from students and graduates, and we have also looked at the impact of the programme on dental services to our target population.

Results:  The factors influencing the curriculum development are identified and discussed.

Conclusion:  As no dental schools are the same, some general applications are suggested from the Iowa experience.
Rehabilitation with ear prosthesis linked to osseointegrated implants
Authors: Goiato Marcelo C. , dos Santos Daniela M. , Haddad Marcela F. , Moreno Amália
Published: May 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00612.x

Rehabilitation with ear prosthesis linked to osseointegrated implants

Background:  The absence of an ear, which can be the result of a congenital malformation, surgical tumour resection or traumatic injury, is a significant aesthetic problem. Attachment of ear prostheses with adhesives can cause local irritation for the wearer and affect the colour of the prostheses. Use of implants in craniofacial reconstruction can improve the retention and stability of prostheses giving to patient greater comfort and security relative to adhesive attachment.

Objective:  The aim of this report was to present a clinical case of a mutilated patient who was rehabilitated by means of installing an ear prosthesis fixed through osseointegrated implants.

Materials and methods:  The patient had two implants installed in the mastoid region that were linked by a bar, and a clip‐type system was used. The ear prosthesis was constructed from medical‐use silicone, pigmented to match the patient’s skin colour and linked to the retention system.

Conclusion:  The patient’s rehabilitation was satisfactory from both a functional and an aesthetic point of view, making it possible for the patient to return to a normal social life and regain lost self‐esteem.
Gingival overgrowth in partially edentulous ridges in an elderly female patient with epilepsy: a case report
Authors: Dhingra Kunaal , Prakash Shobha
Published: May 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00624.x

Gingival overgrowth in partially edentulous ridges in an elderly female patient with epilepsy: a case report

Background:  Drug‐influenced gingival overgrowth is an unaesthetic overgrowth of gingiva principally associated with intake of drugs like phenytoin, cyclosporin A and nifedipine. Its occurrence in both dentate and edentulous regions of oral cavity is poorly understood.

Objectives:  This report highlights clinical and histological description, aetiology and management of gingival overgrowth in a partially edentulous (non‐denture wearer) 60‐year‐old female patient with epilepsy on phenytoin and phenobarbital drugs from past 7 years.

Materials and methods:  Patient’s intraoral examination revealed lobulated and fibrotic consistency gingival overgrowth around teeth and on partially edentulous ridges of upper and lower arches along with generalised tooth mobility. Under medical consultation, full mouth extraction, surgical excision of overgrowth followed by complete denture rehabilitation and replacement of combination drugs with sodium valproate were accomplished.

Results:  Histologically, the lesion showed fibro‐epithelial hyperplasia. Clinical results after 6 months demonstrated almost complete resolution of gingival overgrowth.

Conclusion:  The findings of present case suggest that gingival overgrowth can occur even in partially edentulous ridges (not exposed to denture wear) that could be due to persistence of gingival overgrowth, which may not resolve completely following tooth extraction or occurs because of incorporation of specific subpopulation of gingival fibroblasts in alveolar ridge mucosa.
Epithelioid Sarcoma of the Penis: A Case Report
Authors: Colombo Fulvio , Franceschelli Alessandro , Schiavina Riccardo , Gentile Giorgio , Passaretti Giovanni , Martorana Giuseppe
Published: May 2012

Introduction

Epithelioid sarcoma of the penis is a slowly growing soft tissue neoplasm that rarely arises from the penis.

Aim

The aim of this case is to describe this rare pathology and to underline the importance of differential diagnosis with benign diseases such as Peyronie's disease.

Method

We report the case of a 20-year-old man who referred the onset of a progressive left dorsolateral penile curvature (about 60°) started 3 years before. The patient was evaluated with two US examinations that revealed two sites of tunical thickening with normal hemodynamic evaluation. The physical examination demonstrated a dorsal fibrotic plaque of about 2.5 cm.

Results

A juvenile form of Peyronie's Disease was diagnosed, and the patient was scheduled for surgical treatment (plaque's incision/excision and grafting). Intraoperative appearance showed that the great part of the left cavernous body was substituted by a very tough tissue which deeply involved the erectile tissue; intraoperative frozen section was suspicious for mesenchymal epithelioid neoplasm. In order to obtain definitive histological analysis and collect proper informed consent, we preferred to proceed with our original project, applying a dual graft (buccal mucosa and allograft dermal matrix) to cover the wide excised area. The final histological report confirmed the diagnosis of epithelioid sarcoma. Postoperative CT and MRI, at 3 and 6 months from surgery, were negative for metastases. The patient underwent radical intervention after 6 months.

Conclusions

Epithelioid sarcoma of the penis and Peyronie's Disease can present with similar clinical findings although they obviously entail a different clinical progress. Since the diagnosis of neoplasm can be established only by the pathologist on biopsy specimen, in cases of unusual clinical presentation of Peyronie's disease (especially in young men suffering from a fast-growing penile induration), an early histological assessment should be performed to avoid the possibility of misdiagnosis in case of this poor-prognosis disease and to assure the definitive diagnosis.
Nursing Interventions on Sexual Health: Validation of the NISH Scale in Baccalaureate Nursing Students in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Cheng-Yi , Tsai Li-Ya , Liao Wen-Chun , Lee Sheuan
Published: May 2012

Introduction

No widely accepted tool is available to assess nursing interventions on patient’s sexual health among nursing students. Consequently, nursing school faculty cannot determine the sexual healthcare-related skills of nursing students.

Aim

The aim of this article was to develop and test a scale to assess nursing interventions on sexual health.

Methods

A 19-item instrument Nursing Interventions on Sexual Health (NISH) was developed using 10 semi-structured interviews of senior nursing students, expert review, and comparative analysis of text and field notes. A total of 198 senior nursing students were recruited from two nursing schools in central Taiwan to test the instrument. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to measure construct validity and Cronbach’s alpha to measure internal consistency.

Main Outcome Measures

Validity and reliability of the NISH scale based on the Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestion, and Intensive Therapy (PLISSIT) model.

Results

Three factors (permission, limited information, and specific suggestion) were retained after EFA of the 19 items of NISH. Cronbach’s alpha for the subscales increased from 0.71–0.93 to 0.74–0.94 and from 0.93 to 0.95 for the total scale, with 72.42% of the cumulative variance explained by these three factors. Nursing students’ age (P = 0.019) correlated positively with total score.

Conclusions

NISH is a useful and reliable scale for assessing the frequency of PLISSIT-related behaviors used by nursing students to address patient’s sexual health concerns. Nursing faculties can use this scale to assess students’ performance and find their omitted behaviors in clinical practice regarding sexual health care.
The Relationships Between Preoperative Sexual Desire and Quality of Life Following Radical Prostatectomy: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Namiki Shunichi , Ishidoya Shigeto , Nakagawa Haruo , Ito Akihiro , Kaiho Yasuhiro , Tochigi Tatsuo , Takegami Misa , Arai Yoichi
Published: May 2012

Introduction

There were few studies about the relationship between sexual desire (SD) and radical prostatectomy (RP).

Aims

We assessed the relationships between RP and quality of life (QOL) according to the preoperative SD.

Main Outcome Measure

General QOL was measured with Short Form 36. Sexual function and bother were measured with the University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (PCI). Changes of postoperative SD were also evaluated using PCI.

Methods

We analyzed data from 285 men who underwent RP and were prospectively enrolled into a longitudinal cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had SD at baseline, which is addressed in the PCI questionnaire: a low SD (LSD) group and a high SD (HSD) group. The assessments were completed before treatment and 3, 6, 12, 24, and 60 months after RP.

Results

Of the 244 men, 52% had high or a fair level of SD before RP, whereas 48% reported that the level of their SD was low. The HSD group reported better sexual function and sexual bother scores than the LSD group at baseline (both P < 0.001). Fifty-one percent of the HSD group reported that SD at 3 months was poor or very poor, which did not return to the preoperative level at all postoperative time points. Nearly 20% of the LSD group regained higher SD after RP than the baseline level. The HSD group showed worse sexual bother scores than the baseline throughout the postoperative follow-up (P < 0.001). However, the LSD group demonstrated equivalent sexual bother scores after RP compared with the baseline.

Conclusions

RP adversely affected SD as well as sexual function and sexual bother. The patients who had HSD experienced greater distress concerning their sexual dysfunction postoperatively than those with LSD.
Cryopreserved Penile Tunica Albuginea for Allotransplantation: A Morphological and Ultrastructural Investigation
Authors: Loreto Carla , Orlandi Augusto , Ferlosio Amedeo , Djinovic Rados , Basic Dragoslav , Bettocchi Carlo , Rutigliano Monica , Barbagli Guido , Vespasiani Giuseppe , Caltabiano Rosario , Musumeci Giuseppe , Sansalone Salvatore
Published: May 2012

Introduction

Peyronie’s disease, a connective tissue disorder of penile tunica albuginea (TA) associated with penile deformity, curvature, pain, and erectile dysfunction, is best managed surgically, but suitable graft biomaterials are not available.

Aim

To establish whether cryopreservation affects human TA in view of its use in allotransplants.

Methods

The effects on TA samples of the two most widely used tissue cryopreservation methods were investigated using an ad hoc panel of histochemical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural tests. Apoptotic cells were evaluated using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase method of end labeling (TUNEL) assay.

Main Outcome Measures

Assessment of tissue integrity and arrangement of collagen and elastic fibers in thawed TA.

Results

Both cryofixation methods provided TA tissue suitable for use as graft material. Significant ultrastructural changes, namely, a greater diameter of collagen fibrils, were detected in sections preserved in liquid nitrogen; nonetheless, such increase never exceeded the normal range. The comprehensive panel of assays used proved suitable to characterize the thawed tissue.

Conclusion

Human TA is suitable for cryopreservation; freezing at −80°C provides better results than preservation in liquid nitrogen.
Effects of type and size of gaps created by simulation of cattle activities on the recovery and similarity of vegetation community
Authors: Okada Miya , Yoshihara Yu , Sato Shusuke
Published: May 2012

Cattle activities may affect pasture biodiversity and productivity. This study investigated the effects of type and size of gaps simulating cattle activities on the recovery and similarity of vegetation community in pastures. Two types of gaps (bare ground and mown vegetation as simulated trampling and grazing by animals, respectively) differing in size (20–100 cm in diameter) were artificially created in three vegetation communities (sown, aged sown and native pastures), and vegetation recovery in the gaps was monitored. Undisturbed patches (100 × 100 cm) were also monitored as a control. The similarity of botanical composition to the control was lowest in the 20 cm gaps, irrespective of the disturbance or vegetation types. Vegetation in the bare ground gaps tended to recover slower in 20 cm gaps than in 100 cm gaps in all vegetation types. Small gaps created by cattle activities may enhance vegetation species diversity while it may decrease productivity of pastures.
Persistence, Long Memory, and Unit Roots in Commodity Prices
Authors: Gil‐Alana Luis A. , Cunado Juncal , de Gracia Fernando Pérez
Published: May 2012

This article investigates the degree of persistence in several weekly and monthly agricultural prices (corn, soybeans, barrow and gilts, and milk) using long memory (fractional integration) techniques. The results indicate mean reversion (i.e., orders of integration smaller than one) in some of the agricultural prices like corn, milk, and barrow and gilts when the disturbances are autocorrelated. Further, we examine the stability across time in the degree of dependence, and the results indicate that the fractional differencing parameters have not remained constant across time. When we take into account a structural break we find that during the first subsamples, the series are stationary though highly persistent, with orders of integration close to 0 and with large autoregressive coefficients. However, for the periods after the break, the series seem to be nonstationary I(1).

Dans le présent article, nous avons étudié le degré de persistance des prix hebdomadaires et mensuels de plusieurs produits agricoles (maïs, soja, castrats et cochettes, lait) à l’aide de tests de mémoire longue (intégration fractionnaire). Nos résultats indiquent une stationnarité (c.‐à.‐d. des ordres d’intégration inférieurs à un) des prix de certains produits agricoles, tels que le maïs, le lait, les castrats et cochettes, lorsque les perturbations sont autocorrélées. Nous avons également étudié la stabilité du degré de dépendance à travers le temps, et nos résultats indiquent que les paramètres de différenciation fractionnaire ne sont pas demeurés constants. Lorsque nous avons tenu compte d’une rupture structurelle, nous avons trouvé que dans les premiers sous‐échantillons, les séries étaient stationnaires quoique très persistantes, avec des ordres d’intégration près de 0 et d’importants coefficients d’autorégression. Dans le cas des périodes suivant la rupture, les séries semblaient non stationnaires I(1).
A Discrete‐Time Duration Analysis of Technology Disadoption: The Case of rbST in California
Authors: An Henry , Butler Leslie J.
Published: May 2012

Technology choice is an inherently dynamic process that is best modeled as a repeated decision conditional on past decisions and the current/expected economic environment. Duration analysis recognizes this dynamic nature and focuses on the timing of economic decisions. Most duration studies assume that events occur continuously but in many cases, this is an unrealistic assumption; many events of interest occur at discrete intervals. We demonstrate the use of a discrete‐time duration model with an empirical example: the decision to use recombinant bovine Somatotropin (rbST) by California dairy producers. The results of the discrete‐time duration analysis suggest that a temporary shortage of rbST had a negligible effect on rbST use, while an rbST ban had a significant and negative effect on rbST use.

Le choix d’une technologie est un processus intrinsèquement dynamique qui est le mieux modélisé en tant que décision répétée conditionnelle aux décisions antérieures et à l’environnement économique actuel ou prévu. L’analyse de durée reconnaît cette nature dynamique et est principalement axée sur le choix du moment des décisions économiques. La plupart des analyses de durée supposent que les événements surviennent de façon continue mais dans de nombreux cas, il s’agit d’une hypothèse irréaliste; bon nombre d’événements d’intérêt surviennent à intervalles discrets. Dans la présente étude, nous avons fait la démonstration d’un modèle de durée à temps discret à l’aide d’un exemple empirique: la décision d’utiliser ou non la somatotropine bovine recombinante (STbr) chez les producteurs de lait en Californie. Les résultats de notre analyse de durée à temps discret montrent qu’une pénurie temporaire de STbr a eu un effet négligeable sur l’utilisation de cette hormone, tandis qu’une interdiction a eu un effet négatif considérable.
Food reward in the obese and after weight loss induced by calorie restriction and bariatric surgery
Authors: Berthoud Hans‐Rudolf , Zheng Huiyuan , Shin Andrew C.
Published: May 2012

Increased availability of tasty, energy‐dense foods has been blamed as a major factor in the alarmingly high prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disease, even in young age. A heated debate has started as to whether some of these foods should be considered addictive, similar to drugs and alcohol. One of the main arguments for food addiction is the similarity of the neural mechanisms underlying reward generation by foods and drugs. Here, we will discuss how food intake can generate reward and how behavioral and neural reward functions are different in obese subjects. Because most studies simply compare lean and obese subjects, it is not clear whether predisposing differences in reward functions cause overeating and weight gain, or whether repeated exposure or secondary effects of the obese state alter reward functions. While studies in both rodents and humans demonstrate preexisting differences in reward functions in the obese, studies in rodent models using calorie restriction and gastric bypass surgery show that some differences are reversible by weight loss and are therefore secondary to the obese state.