bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of adrenomedullin and nitric oxide in different forms of periodontal disease
Authors: Hussain Q. A. , McKay I. J. , Gonzales‐Marin C. , Allaker R. P.
Published: April 2015

Background and Objective

The multifunctional molecules adrenomedullin (AM) and nitric oxide (NO) are both involved in the host response to microbial challenge during periodontal disease. Whether they coexist in periodontal inflammation and if equally produced in the different forms of periodontal disease has not previously been investigated. The aims of this study were to describe the locations of AM and NO in healthy and inflamed gingival tissues and to determine and compare their levels in the gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of patients with gingivitis, chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis.

Material and Methods

AM and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were immunolocalized in clinically healthy and inflamed gingival tissue sections. The cells expressing AM and iNOS were characterized using immunocytochemistry with different markers for macrophages [cluster differentiation (CD)68 and CD14)], dendritic cells (CD83), neutrophils [neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (nGAL)] and natural killer cells (CD56). In an initial study, the levels of AM and NO were also measured in samples of gingival crevicular fluid and saliva obtained from patients with a diagnosis of gingivitis (n = 9), chronic periodontitis (n = 9) and aggressive periodontitis (n = 9) using an ELISA and the nitrate/nitrite (NO metabolites) Griess assay, respectively.

Results

Low levels of AM‐ and iNOS‐expressing cells were detected in healthy gingival tissues in comparison with three‐fold higher levels of these cells in inflamed tissues. These cells were localized mainly in the epithelial layer but were also present in deeper connective tissue. AM and iNOS were co‐localized in particular cells within inflamed tissues, namely CD68+(52%) and CD14+ (36%) macrophages, but also in nGAL+ neutrophils (16%) and CD83+ dendritic cells (14%). Interestingly, AM and NO levels in saliva were both found to be higher (p < 0.01) in patients with aggressive periodontitis than in patients with chronic periodontitis or gingivitis. In contrast, in gingival crevicular fluid, the levels of NO showed marked differences among patients with chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis and gingivitis (p < 0.01), and the levels of AM were higher (p < 0.01) in both chronic and aggressive periodontitis compared with gingivitis alone.

Conclusion

The data presented demonstrate a functional linkage between AM and NO in periodontal disease, with salivary and gingival crevicular fluid levels possibly associated with different forms and severities of periodontal disease. Exacerbated production of both AM and NO in saliva suggests their potential use as salivary markers of aggressive periodontitis.
Right hemisphere neural activations in the recall of waking fantasies and of dreams
Authors: Benedetti Francesco , Poletti Sara , Radaelli Daniele , Ranieri Rebecca , Genduso Valeria , Cavallotti Simone , Castelnovo Anna , Smeraldi Enrico , Scarone Silvio , D'Agostino Armando
Published: April 2015

The story‐like organization of dreams is characterized by a pervasive bizarreness of events and actions that resembles psychotic thought, and largely exceeds that observed in normal waking fantasies. Little is known about the neural correlates of the confabulatory narrative construction of dreams. In this study, dreams, fantasies elicited by ambiguous pictorial stimuli, and non‐imaginative first‐ and third‐person narratives from healthy participants were recorded, and were then studied for brain blood oxygen level‐dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging on a 3.0‐Tesla scanner while listening to their own narrative reports and attempting a retrieval of the corresponding experience. In respect to non‐bizarre reports of daytime activities, the script‐driven recall of dreams and fantasies differentially activated a right hemisphere network including areas in the inferior frontal gyrus, and superior and middle temporal gyrus. Neural responses were significantly greater for fantasies than for dreams in all regions, and inversely proportional to the degree of bizarreness observed in narrative reports. The inferior frontal gyrus, superior and middle temporal gyrus have been implicated in the semantic activation, integration and selection needed to build a coherent story representation and to resolve semantic ambiguities; in deductive and inferential reasoning; in self‐ and other‐perspective taking, theory of mind, moral and autobiographical reasoning. Their degree of activation could parallel the level of logical robustness or inconsistency experienced when integrating information and mental representations in the process of building fantasy and dream narratives.
A jack of all trades: the multiple roles of the unique essential second messenger cyclic di‐AMP
Authors: Commichau Fabian M. , Dickmanns Achim , Gundlach Jan , Ficner Ralf , Stülke Jörg
Published: April 2015

Second messengers are key components of many signal transduction pathways. In addition to cyclicAMP, ppGpp and cyclic di‐GMP, many bacteria use also cyclic di‐AMPas a second messenger. This molecule is synthesized by distinct classes of diadenylate cyclases and degraded by phosphodiesterases. The control of the intracellular c‐di‐AMPpool is very important since both a lack of this molecule and its accumulation can inhibit growth of the bacteria. In many firmicutes, c‐di‐AMPis essential, making it the only known essential second messenger. Cyclic di‐AMPis implicated in a variety of functions in the cell, including cell wall metabolism, potassium homeostasis,DNArepair and the control of gene expression. To understand the molecular mechanisms behind these functions, targets of c‐di‐AMPhave been identified and characterized. Interestingly, c‐di‐AMPcan bind both proteins andRNAmolecules. Several proteins that interact with c‐di‐AMPare required to control the intracellular potassium concentration. InBacillus subtilis, c‐di‐AMPalso binds a riboswitch that controls the expression of a potassium transporter. Thus, c‐di‐AMPis the only known second messenger that controls a biological process by interacting with both a protein and the riboswitch that regulates its expression. Moreover, inListeria monocytogenesc‐di‐AMPcontrols the activity of pyruvate carboxylase, an enzyme that is required to replenish the citric acid cycle. Here, we review the components of the c‐di‐AMPsignaling system.
Below‐ground abiotic and biotic heterogeneity shapes above‐ground infection outcomes and spatial divergence in a host–parasite interaction
Authors: Tack Ayco J. M. , Laine Anna‐Liisa , Burdon Jeremy J. , Bissett Andrew , Thrall Peter H.
Published: April 2015

We investigated the impact of below‐ground and above‐ground environmental heterogeneity on the ecology and evolution of a natural plant–pathogen interaction.

We combined field measurements and a reciprocal inoculation experiment to investigate the potential for natural variation in abiotic and biotic factors to mediate infection outcomes in the association between the fungal pathogen Melampsora lini and its wild flax host, Linum marginale, where pathogen strains and plant lines originated from two ecologically distinct habitat types that occur in close proximity (‘bog’ and ‘hill’).

The two habitat types differed strikingly in soil moisture and soil microbiota. Infection outcomes for different host–pathogen combinations were strongly affected by the habitat of origin of the plant lines and pathogen strains, the soil environment and their interactions. Our results suggested that tradeoffs play a key role in explaining the evolutionary divergence in interaction traits among the two habitat types.

Overall, we demonstrate that soil heterogeneity, by mediating infection outcomes and evolutionary divergence, can contribute to the maintenance of variation in resistance and pathogenicity within a natural host–pathogen metapopulation.
Betalain induction by l‐DOPA application confers photoprotection to saline‐exposed leaves of Disphyma australe
Authors: Jain Gagandeep , Schwinn Kathy E. , Gould Kevin S.
Published: April 2015

The capacity to synthesize betalains has arisen in diverse phylogenetic lineages across the Caryophyllales, and because betalainic plants often grow in deserts, sand dunes, or salt marshes, it is likely that these pigments confer adaptive advantages. However, possible functional roles of foliar betalains remain largely unexplored and are difficult to test experimentally. We adopted a novel approach to examine putative photoprotective roles of betalains in leaves for which chloroplast function has been compromised by salinity.

Responses of l‐DOPA‐treated red shoots of Disphyma australe to high light and salinity were compared with those of naturally red‐ and green‐leafed morphs. Betalain content and tyrosinase activity were measured, and Chl fluorescence profiles and H2O2 production were compared under white, red or green light.

Green leaves lacked tyrosinase activity, but when supplied with exogenous l‐DOPA they produced five betacyanins. Both the naturally red and l‐DOPA‐induced red leaves generated less H2O2 and showed smaller declines in photosystem II quantum efficiency than did green leaves when exposed to white or green light, although not when exposed to red light.

Light screening by epidermal betalains effectively reduces the propensity for photoinhibition and photo‐oxidative stress in subjacent chlorenchyma. This may assist plant survival in exposed and saline environments.
Varied tastes: home range implications of foraging‐patch selection
Authors: Seidel Dana P. , Boyce Mark S.
Published: April 2015

Despite evidence of home range behaviour across many taxa, the mechanisms underlying the development of home ranges are still unknown. Recently, models have been developed to explore these mechanisms for both territorial and non‐ territorial species. One such model for a generic forager suggests animal memory and optimal foraging theory as underlying mechanisms driving forager movement and the development of stable home ranges. Although this is a promising model for ungulate home range development, assumptions of the model have yet to be evaluated. Using GPS relocation data from two populations of elk, we explored how foraging patch selection might influence the structure and development of home ranges in elk Cervus elaphus. During the summer growing season, we identified and sampled foraging patches used by elk. Points along elk paths not used for foraging were sampled identically for comparison. We contrasted ‘patch’ and ‘nonpatch’ data points, to identify foraging selection differences across herd, sex and season using a combination of directly sampled and remotely sensed covariates. In general, elk selected patches with higher biomass, cover, slope and lower traffic on the nearest road. These patch‐selection results speak directly to differences between foraging areas and other areas used by elk and demonstrate that both physiographic and anthropocentric features influence foraging patch selection. Our results offer insight as to what defines a valuable foraging patch for elk and how these patches might influence the development and structure of home ranges in a free‐ranging ungulate.
Hysteresis in an experimental phytoplankton population
Authors: Faassen Elisabeth J. , Veraart Annelies J. , Van Nes Egbert H. , Dakos Vasilis , Lürling Miquel , Scheffer Marten
Published: April 2015

The road to recovery of a deteriorated system is often different, and fraught with more barriers, than the path to the system's deterioration. This phenomenon is called hysteresis, and is inherent to systems presenting alternative stable states. In such systems, the stability of a given state is the product of positive feedback loops. A broad range of natural systems have been predicted to show hysteretic behaviour, but hysteresis has so far only been unambiguously demonstrated at cellular or metabolic levels, not yet at the population or ecosystem level. To extend our understanding of hysteresis at the population level, we performed an experiment on light‐stressed cyanobacteria and found hysteresis between alternative stable states. Furthermore, during the experiment, the cyanobacteria adapted physiologically to high light levels, and deviated from their theoretically predicted pathway of hysteresis, therewith also avoiding extinction. Our experiment confirmed that a population that loses resilience due to deteriorating external conditions can show a delayed – hysteretic – recovery‐response when conditions are improved. This population‐level study also indicates that the slowness of these systems may obscure the true state they are in, which is important to factor into ecosystem monitoring. Additionally, we show that adaptation can drastically alter the systems’ predicted behaviour to ecosystem management. Flexibility of species and slowness should, therefore, be included in the monitoring and prediction of ecosystem responses to environmental changes.
Warming the tundra: reciprocal responses of invertebrate herbivores and plants
Authors: Barrio Isabel C. , Bueno C. Guillermo , Hik David S.
Published: April 2015

Rapid warming in northern ecosystems is simultaneously influencing plants, herbivores and the interactions among them. Recent studies suggest that herbivory could buffer plant responses to environmental change, but this has only been shown for vertebrate herbivores so far. The role of invertebrate herbivory in tundra ecosystems is often overlooked, but can be relevant in determining the structure and dynamics of tundra plant communities and may also affect how plants respond to warming. Invertebrate herbivores are also likely to respond more rapidly to warming than vertebrates because their behaviour and life cycles strongly depend on temperature. We investigated the effects of current season warming on Arctic moth caterpillars, their herbivory rates, and the subsequent responses of two common tundra plants, Salix arctica and Dryas octopetala. We manipulated both herbivore presence and temperature in a full‐factorial field experiment at two elevations, using enclosures and passive warming chambers. Changes in temperature achieved through elevation and/or experimental warming directly affected caterpillars, herbivory and the responses of plants. Caterpillars performed worse (higher respiration rates and lower growth rates) in warmer, lower elevation plots and shifted their diets towards more nutritious foods, such that the relative intensity of herbivory changed for the two studied plants. Within‐season responses of both forage plant species were weak, but invertebrate herbivores affected the responses of plants to elevation or experimental warming. Our results suggest that increased temperatures can reduce the performance of cold‐adapted invertebrate herbivores, with potential consequences to the longer term responses of tundra plants to warming due to changes in herbivory rates and selective foraging.
Ontogenetic and interspecific scaling of consumption in insects
Authors: Maino James L. , Kearney Michael R.
Published: April 2015

The uptake of resources from the environment is a basic feature of all life. Consumption rate has been found to scale with body size with an exponent close to unity across diverse organisms. However, past analyses have ignored the important distinction between ontogenetic and interspecific size comparisons. Using principles of dynamic energy budget theory, we present a mechanistic model for the body mass scaling of consumption, which separates interspecific size effects from ontogenetic size effects. Our model predicts uptake to scale with surface‐area (mass2/3) during ontogenetic growth but more quickly (between mass3/4 and mass1) for interspecific comparisons. Available data for 41 insect species on consumption and assimilation during ontogeny provides strong empirical support for our theoretical predictions. Specifically, consumption rate scaled interspecifically with an exponent close to unity (0.89) but during ontogenetic growth scaled more slowly with an exponent of 0.70. Assimilation rate (consumption minus defecation) through ontogeny scaled more slowly than consumption due to a decrease in assimilation efficiency as insects grow. Our results highlight how body size imposes different constraints on metabolism depending on whether the size comparison is ontogenetic or inter‐specific.

Synthesis

One of the most robust patterns in biology is the effect of body size on metabolism – a relationship that underlies the rapidly emerging field of metabolic ecology. However, the precise energetic constraints imposed by body size have been notoriously difficult to entangle. Here we show that the constraints imposed on metabolism by body size are different depending on whether the size comparison is ontogenetic or interspecific. Using a single unifying theory of animal metabolism and a newly compiled data set on insect consumption and assimilation rates, we show that interspecific comparisons generally lead to the estimation of higher scaling exponents compared with ontogenetic comparisons. Our results help to explain large variation in estimated metabolic scaling exponents and will encourage future studies in metabolic ecology to make the important distinction between ontogenetic and evolutionary size changes.
The Biographical Imagination in Moritz's Anton Reiser
Authors: Cusack Andrew
Published: April 2015

Moritz's fictionalized autobiography Anton Reiser is a psychological novel primarily concerned with the significance of the imagination in personal development, pedagogy and identity formation. By clarifying the influence of the experience of time and space on the imagination, Moritz's analysis of the imagination makes a significant contribution to empirical psychology. Bakthin's theory of the chronotope is applied in this reading in order to show that the realism of the novel consists in its evocation of the protagonist's experience of his own situatedness, and to illuminate the architectonics of the novel, those processes by which it is constituted as an aesthetically formed whole. The reading demonstrates the full implications of Moritz's decision to make the novel – an aesthetic form – the vehicle for a pursuit of psychological insight in which the reader's imagination is enlisted in the process of enlightenment.
The role of phagocytosis, oxidative burst and neutrophil extracellular traps in the interaction between neutrophils and the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Jayaprakash K. , Demirel I. , Khalaf H. , Bengtsson T.
Published: April 2015

Neutrophils are regarded as the sentinel cells of innate immunity and are found in abundance within the gingival crevice. Discovery of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) within the gingival pockets prompted us to probe the nature of the interactions of neutrophils with the prominent periopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. Some of the noted virulence factors of this Gram‐negative anaerobe are gingipains: arginine gingipains (RgpA/B) and lysine gingipain (Kgp). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of gingipains in phagocytosis, formation of reactive oxygen species, NETs and CXCL8 modulation by using wild‐type strains and isogenic gingipain mutants. Confocal imaging showed that gingipain mutants K1A (Kgp) and E8 (RgpA/B) induced extracellular traps in neutrophils, whereas ATCC33277 and W50 were phagocytosed. The viability of both ATCC33277 and W50 dwindled as the result of phagocytosis and could be salvaged by cytochalasin D, and the bacteria released high levels of lipopolysaccharide in the culture supernatant. Porphyromonas gingivalis induced reactive oxygen species and CXCL8 with the most prominent effect being that of the wild‐type strain ATCC33277, whereas the other wild‐type strain W50 was less effective. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed a significant CXCL8 expression by E8. All the tested P. gingivalis strains increased cytosolic free calcium. In conclusion, phagocytosis is the primary neutrophil response to P. gingivalis, although NETs could play an accessory role in infection control. Although gingipains do not seem to directly regulate phagocytosis, NETs or oxidative burst in neutrophils, their proteolytic properties could modulate the subsequent outcomes such as nutrition acquisition and survival by the bacteria.
TALEN‐mediated targeted mutagenesis produces a large variety of heritable mutations in rice
Authors: Zhang Hui , Gou Feng , Zhang Jinshan , Liu Wenshan , Li Qianqian , Mao Yanfei , Botella José Ramón , Zhu Jian‐Kang
Published: April 2015

CRISPR/Cas9 and TALEN are currently the two systems of choice for genome editing. We have studied the efficiency of the TALEN system in rice as well as the nature and inheritability of TALEN‐induced mutations and found important features of this technology. The N287C230 TALEN backbone resulted in low mutation rates (0–6.6%), but truncations in its C‐terminal domain dramatically increased efficiency to 25%. In most transgenic T0 plants, TALEN produced a single prevalent mutation accompanied by a variety of low‐frequency mutations. For each independent T0 plant, the prevalent mutation was present in most tissues within a single tiller as well as in all tillers examined, suggesting that TALEN‐induced mutations occurred very early in the development of the shoot apical meristem. Multigenerational analysis showed that TALEN‐induced mutations were stably transmitted to the T1 and T2 populations in a normal Mendelian fashion. In our study, the vast majority of TALEN‐induced mutations (~81%) affected multiple bases and ~70% of them were deletions. Our results contrast with published reports for the CRISPR/Cas9 system in rice, in which the predominant mutations affected single bases and deletions accounted for only 3.3% of the overall mutations.
Helminths and the microbiota: parts of the hygiene hypothesis
Authors: Loke P. , Lim Y. A. L.
Published: April 2015

In modern societies, diseases that are driven by dysregulated immune responses are increasing at an alarming pace, such as inflammatory bowel diseases and diabetes. There is an urgent need to understand these epidemiological trends, which are likely to be driven by the changing environment of the last few decades. There are complex interactions between human genetic factors and this changing environment that is leading to the increasing prevalence of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Alterations to human gut bacterial communities (the microbiota) and lowered prevalence of helminth infections are potential environmental factors contributing to immune dysregulation. Helminths have co‐evolved with the gut microbiota and their mammalian hosts. This three‐way interaction is beginning to be characterized, and the knowledge gained may enable the design of new therapeutic strategies to treat metabolic and inflammatory diseases. However, these complex interactions need to be carefully investigated in the context of host genetic backgrounds to identify optimal treatment strategies. The complex nature of these interactions raises the possibility that only with highly personalized treatment, with knowledge of individual genetic and microbiota communities, will therapeutic interventions be successful for a majority of the individuals suffering from these complex diseases of immune dysregulation.
Animal models for periodontal regeneration and peri‐implant responses
Authors: Kantarci Alpdogan , Hasturk Hatice , Van Dyke Thomas E.
Published: April 2015

Translation of experimental data to the clinical setting requires the safety and efficacy of such data to be confirmed in animal systems before application in humans. In dental research, the animal species used is dependent largely on the research question or on the disease model. Periodontal disease and, by analogy, peri‐implant disease, are complex infections that result in a tissue‐degrading inflammatory response. It is impossible to explore the complex pathogenesis of periodontitis or peri‐implantitis using only reductionistin‐vitromethods. Both the disease process and healing of the periodontal and peri‐implant tissues can be studied in animals. Regeneration (after periodontal surgery), in response to various biologic materials with potential for tissue engineering, is a continuous process involving various types of tissue, including epithelia, connective tissues and alveolar bone. The same principles apply to peri‐implant healing. Given the complexity of the biology, animal models are necessary and serve as the standard for successful translation of regenerative materials and dental implants to the clinical setting. Smaller species of animal are more convenient for disease‐associated research, whereas larger animals are more appropriate for studies that target tissue healing as the anatomy of larger animals more closely resembles human dento‐alveolar architecture. This review focuses on the animal models available for the study of regeneration in periodontal research and implantology; the advantages and disadvantages of each animal model; the interpretation of data acquired; and future perspectives of animal research, with a discussion of possible nonanimal alternatives. Power calculations in such studies are crucial in order to use a sample size that is large enough to generate statistically useful data, whilst, at the same time, small enough to prevent the unnecessary use of animals.
Wound healing in immediately loaded implants
Authors: Romanos Georgios E.
Published: April 2015

The orthopedic field has accumulated ample evidence that bone formation is related to functional loading and in general to physical activity. However, despite evidence that immediately loaded implants can be predictably successful, many clinicians still use the classical (delayed loading) treatment protocol. This paper examines the effects of loading on dental implants and discusses the advantages of immediate loading. The role of loading on augmented alveolar ridges is also addressed and provides evidence that early bone resorption may be controlled when bone is functionally loaded. Similar data are emerging for advanced augmentation techniques in order to control crestal bone loss.
Influence of suturing on wound healing
Authors: Burkhardt Rino , Lang Niklaus P.
Published: April 2015

The present article describes the significance of suturing and appropriate suture materials in current periodontal and implant surgery. Synthetic, nonresorbable, monofilament threads appear to be advantageous. The physical and biological properties of such threads remain unchanged with use and, when used in small diameters (i.e. with lower breaking resistance), seem to promote passive wound closure. Wound healing at hard, nonshedding surfaces is conceptually a more complex process than is wound healing in most other sites of the oral cavity. Firm adaptation and stabilization of the flaps by optimal suturing ensures adhesion of the delicate fibrin clot to the nonshedding surface. The early formation and mechanical stability of the blood clot between the mucosal or mucoperiosteal flap and the wound bed are of paramount importance and hence suturing techniques must be considered as a key prerequisite to ensure optimal surgical outcomes. With the sophisticated surgical procedures now applied, there is a greater need for knowledge with regard to the various types of suturing techniques and materials available in order to achieve the above‐mentioned goals.
In vitro models for evaluation of periodontal wound healing/regeneration
Authors: Weinreb Miron , Nemcovsky Carlos E.
Published: April 2015

Periodontal wound healing and regeneration are highly complex processes, involving cells, matrices, molecules and genes that must be properly choreographed and orchestrated. As we attempt to understand and influence these clinical entities, we need experimental models to mimic the various aspects of human wound healing and regeneration. In vivo animal models that simulate clinical situations of humans can be costly and cumbersome. In vitro models have been devised to dissect wound healing/regeneration processes into discrete, analyzable steps. For soft tissue (e.g. gingival) healing, in vitro models range from simple culture of cells grown in monolayers and exposed to biological modulators or physical effectors and materials, to models in which cells are ‘injured’ by scraping and subsequently the ‘wound’ is filled with new or migrating cells, to three‐dimensional models of epithelial–mesenchymal recombination or tissue explants. The cells employed are gingival keratinocytes, fibroblasts or endothelial cells, and their proliferation, migration, attachment, differentiation, survival, gene expression, matrix production or capillary formation are measured. Studies of periodontal regeneration also include periodontal ligament fibroblasts or progenitors, osteoblasts or osteoprogenitors, and cementoblasts. Regeneration models measure cellular proliferation, attachment and migration, as well as gene expression, transfer and differentiation into a mineralizing phenotype and biomineralization. Only by integrating data from models on all levels (i.e. a single cell to the whole organism) can various critical aspects of periodontal wound healing/regeneration be fully evaluated.
Periodontal and peri‐implant wound healing following laser therapy
Authors: Aoki Akira , Mizutani Koji , Schwarz Frank , Sculean Anton , Yukna Raymond A. , Takasaki Aristeo A. , Romanos Georgios E. , Taniguchi Yoichi , Sasaki Katia M. , Zeredo Jorge L. , Koshy Geena , Coluzzi Donald J. , White Joel M. , Abiko Yoshimitsu , Ishikawa Isao , Izumi Yuichi
Published: April 2015

Laser irradiation has numerous favorable characteristics, such as ablation or vaporization, hemostasis, biostimulation (photobiomodulation) and microbial inhibition and destruction, which induce various beneficial therapeutic effects and biological responses. Therefore, the use of lasers is considered effective and suitable for treating a variety of inflammatory and infectious oral conditions. The CO2, neodymium‐doped yttrium‐aluminium‐garnet (Nd:YAG) and diode lasers have mainly been used for periodontal soft‐tissue management. With development of the erbium‐doped yttrium‐aluminium‐garnet (Er:YAG) and erbium, chromium‐doped yttrium‐scandium‐gallium‐garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) lasers, which can be applied not only on soft tissues but also on dental hard tissues, the application of lasers dramatically expanded from periodontal soft‐tissue management to hard‐tissue treatment. Currently, various periodontal tissues (such as gingiva, tooth roots and bone tissue), as well as titanium implant surfaces, can be treated with lasers, and a variety of dental laser systems are being employed for the management of periodontal and peri‐implant diseases. In periodontics, mechanical therapy has conventionally been the mainstream of treatment; however, complete bacterial eradication and/or optimal wound healing may not be necessarily achieved with conventional mechanical therapy alone. Consequently, in addition to chemotherapy consisting of antibiotics and anti‐inflammatory agents, phototherapy using lasers and light‐emitting diodes has been gradually integrated with mechanical therapy to enhance subsequent wound healing by achieving thorough debridement, decontamination and tissue stimulation. With increasing evidence of benefits, therapies with low‐ and high‐level lasers play an important role in wound healing/tissue regeneration in the treatment of periodontal and peri‐implant diseases. This article discusses the outcomes of laser therapy in soft‐tissue management, periodontal nonsurgical and surgical treatment, osseous surgery and peri‐implant treatment, focusing on postoperative wound healing of periodontal and peri‐implant tissues, based on scientific evidence from currently available basic and clinical studies, as well as on case reports.
Alveolar socket healing: what can we learn?
Authors: Araújo Mauricio G. , Silva Cléverson O. , Misawa Mônica , Sukekava Flavia
Published: April 2015

Tooth extraction induces a series of complex and integrated local changes within the investing hard and soft tissues. These local alterations arise in order to close the socket wound and to restore tissue homeostasis, and are referred to as ‘“socket healing”. The aims of the present report were twofold: first, to describe the socket‐healing process; and, second, to discuss what can be learned from the temporal sequence of healing events, in order to improve treatment outcomes. The socket‐healing process may be divided into three sequential, and frequently overlapping, phases: inflammatory; proliferative; and modeling/remodeling. Several clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that the socket‐healing process promotes up to 50% reduction of the original ridge width, greater bone resorption at the buccal aspect than at the lingual/palatal counterpart and a larger amount of alveolar bone reduction in the molar region. In conclusion, tooth extraction, once a simple and straightforward surgical procedure, should be performed in the knowledge that ridge reduction will follow and that further clinical steps should be considered to compensate for this, when considering future options for tooth replacement.
The food web of a severely contaminated site following reclamation with warm season grasses
Authors: Fetcher Ned , Agosta Salvatore J. , Moore John C. , Stratford Jeffrey A. , Steele Michael A.
Published: April 2015

We used the stable isotope 13C to distinguish between food web components that depended on warm season grasses with the C4 photosynthetic pathway and those that depended on plants with the C3 pathway. The study site was contaminated by heavy metals from a zinc smelter that operated near Palmerton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. C3 plants only contributed 1.16% of aboveground primary productivity, whereas recently seeded (5–7 year old) warm season C4 grasses contributed the remaining 98.84%. Analyses of tissue samples revealed that the carbon content of invertebrates and vertebrates did not reflect the composition of the vegetation. Of 135 samples, 48 (36%) had greater than 75% of their carbon from C4‐derived sources, while 32 (24%) of the samples had less than 25%. However, carbon from C4 grasses passed through to higher trophic levels, as shown by the abundance of predators with a high proportion of C4‐derived carbon. We document three channels of carbon flux through the food web, one based on warm season grasses, now supporting a functioning ecosystem at all key trophic levels, one based on C3 plants, and a third based on detritus. Theoretical and empirical studies have shown that relative configurations of such channels are important to ecosystem stability. Our results suggest that functional groupings of plants based on photosynthetic pathway or other plant traits likely form the basis for food web compartments. By using diverse functional groups of plants for reclamation or restoration, practitioners may be able to aid the development of channels and thereby promote desired ecosystem states.
Selection, caching, and consumption of hardwood seeds by forest rodents: implications for restoration of American chestnut
Authors: Blythe Rita M. , Lichti Nathanael I. , Smyser Timothy J. , Swihart Robert K.
Published: April 2015

Recent field trials on blight‐resistant hybrids (BC3F3) of American chestnut (Castanea dentata) and Chinese chestnut (C. mollissima) have intensified planning for widespread restoration of Castanea to eastern U.S. forests. Restoration will likely rely on natural seed dispersal from sites planted with chestnut; however, we do not know how dispersal agents such as granivorous rodents will respond to hybrid chestnuts. At one extreme, excessive seed consumption may impede restoration. Alternatively, scatter‐hoarding rodents might facilitate the spread of chestnut by dispersal of seeds from restoration plantings. We conducted trials with five rodent species to quantify foraging preferences and to evaluate the potential role of granivores in chestnut restoration. Specifically, we presented seeds from American and hybrid chestnuts (BC3F2) with other common mast species and recorded the proportion of seeds removed and the fates of tagged seeds. Mice, chipmunks, and flying squirrels harvested both chestnut types preferentially over larger, tougher black walnut, hickory, and red oak seeds, but fox squirrels and eastern gray squirrels preferred larger seeds to chestnuts. All rodents consumed a greater proportion of the chestnuts than other seed types. American and hybrid chestnut also differed in important ways: except for fox squirrels, rodents preferentially removed American chestnuts over hybrid chestnuts, but we estimated that fox squirrels carried a greater proportion of hybrid chestnuts beyond our tag search area, suggesting that hybrids may be dispersed farther and cached more often than American chestnut. These differences indicate that hybrid chestnut may not be functionally equivalent to American chestnut with regard to seed–granivore interactions.
Systematic Review of the Impact of Suicides and Other Critical Incidents on Railway Personnel
Authors: Bardon Cécile , Mishara Brian L.
Published: April 2015

The review summarizes current scientific knowledge on the effects of railway critical incidents on railway workers and the associated risk and protective factors. Diagnosable traumatic reactions sometimes occur after a serious incident. However, the most frequent effects are long‐term impairments that do not meet diagnostic criteria but can still profoundly affect people's lives. Risk factors that can increase the negative effects of incidents include characteristics of the employee, coping mechanisms, the type of incident, and the support and care received. Prevention and intervention programs should consider the diversity of reactions to develop relevant support programs.
Predictors of Suicidality Among Patients with Psychotic Disorders in a Partial Hospital Treatment Program
Authors: Hearon Bridget A. , Garner Lauryn , Beard Courtney , Björgvinsson Thröstur
Published: April 2015

Individuals with psychotic disorders are at increased risk for suicidality. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared in individuals with psychotic disorders reporting either high or low suicidality. Among this sample of 259 partial hospital patients, 116 (44.8%) were classified as high risk on the suicidality section of the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview, and 143 (55.2%) were considered low risk. Bivariate analyses revealed that patients classified as high risk demonstrated greater depression severity, more relationship difficulties, greater emotional lability, and more substance use problems. A logistic regression model indicated that substance use was the most powerful predictor of higher levels of suicidality. Monitoring and intervention for substance use should be targeted as a particularly important aspect of treatment for acutely ill patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders.
Characterization of feline serum–cobalt binding
Authors: Schnelle Amy N. , Barger Anne M. , MacNeill Amy L. , Mitchell Mark M. , Solter Philip
Published: April 2015

Background

Oxidative stress inhibits albumin's ability to complex with cobalt. Feline serum–cobalt binding has not been described.

Objectives

The objective was to develop a cobalt binding test for use with feline serum, and correlate the results with other biochemical and cellular constituents in blood, and with clinical diseases of cats.

Methods

A colorimetric test of cobalt binding, based on the oxidation–reduction reaction of Co+2and dithiothreitol, was developed using feline serum. The test was used to measure cobalt binding in stored serum from 176 cats presented to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital for a variety of disease conditions. Time‐matched hematology and biochemical data, and clinical information, were obtained from the medical record of each cat and correlated with the serum–cobalt binding results.

Results

Serial dilution of feline serum with phosphate‐buffered saline resulted in a highly linear decrease in serum–cobalt binding (r2 = .9984). Serum–cobalt binding of the clinical samples also correlated with albumin concentrations in a stepwise linear regression model (r2 = .425), and both cobalt binding and albumin were significantly decreased in cases of inflammation. Albumin and cobalt binding also shared significant correlations with several erythron variables, and serum concentration of total calcium and bilirubin.

Conclusions

The correlation of cobalt binding measured by a colorimetric test with albumin concentration in the clinical samples and with serum dilution is consistent with feline albumin–cobalt complex formation. Hypoalbuminemia is the likely cause of reduced serum–cobalt binding in inflammation and the correlations observed between cobalt binding and other variables.
Interleukin‐6 as a prognostic marker in dogs in an intensive care unit
Authors: Schüttler Julia , Neumann Stephan
Published: April 2015

Background

Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is involved in the acute phase reaction during inflammatory disease, including septicemia and the inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). In people, IL‐6 has been studied as a prognostic marker in intensive care medicine, where nonsurvivors had significantly higher IL‐6 concentrations than survivors.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to investigate the prognostic value of IL‐6 in dogs admitted to the intensive care unit based on sensitivity and specificity.

Methods

Dogs suffering from different severe diseases treated in the intensive care unit were divided into 2 groups of survivors and nonsurvivors. Serum IL‐6 concentrations were measured with a canine‐specific ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) kit.

Results

Sixty‐nine dogs were included in the study, including 20 survivors, 9 nonsurvivors, and 40 control dogs. In the control group, IL‐6 serum concentrations were below the detection level (0 pg/mL). In the group of nonsurviving dogs, IL‐6 ranged from 45–4656 pg/mL (median 1398 pg/mL). The surviving dogs had a range of 0–405 pg/mL (median 84.5 pg/mL). The mean IL‐6 concentration was significantly higher (P < .001) in nonsurvivors than in survivors. Using a cutoff of 400 pg/mL, a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 95% were determined.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that IL‐6 is a useful prognostic marker for canine critical care patients with acute internal disease.
Perspectives on stem cell gene therapy for genetic disorders
Authors: Otsu M.
Published: April 2015

Gene transfer into haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has now come to the stage where it can be recognized as a form of established therapy for patients with a certain range of genetic diseases. Primary immunodeficiency disease (PID) represents an ideal pathological target for this type of genetic medicine, that is HSC gene therapy, as exemplified well by the successful cases with adenosine‐deaminase (ADA) deficiency. Other diseases including X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (X‐SCID), chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) have also been the targets of gene therapy, but the efficacy reportedly varies considerably. In addition, all those diseases except ADA deficiency have been demonstrated to be subject to an inherent risk of insertional leukaemogenesis as long as gene transfer accompanies genomic insertion. Researchers therefore should continue to aim for further improvement of HSC gene therapy to maximize both safety and efficacy. To achieve this aim, an ideal model system is desired, by which faithful recapitulation of the disease‐related pathophysiology is feasible. Recently, a new model system possibly constituting such an ideal platform has come to reality; that is, patient‐/disease‐specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). iPSCs should particularly be useful for modelling genetic disorders, because of their excellent potential to differentiate into any types of somatic cells while retaining the patient‐specific genetic mutations. These model cells should allow testing various kinds of genetic manipulation and also detailed analysis of the target cells before/after differentiation, thus providing a disease‐specific platform for preclinical studies to test safety and efficacy of each gene‐modification procedure.
Progress and challenges in platelet serology
Authors: Santoso S. , Tsuno N. H.
Published: April 2015

Human platelet antigens (HPAs) and their respective antibodies are responsible for different clinical conditions of alloimmune‐mediated thrombocytopenia. More recently, the involvement of HPA antibodies in rejection reactions to transplantation has been suggested. The detection of the causative HPA antibodies is therefore essential for the diagnosis and the implementation of preventive and therapeutic strategies. However, none of the available methods alone is presently able to detect all clinically relevant antibodies. In this review, we describe the old and new methods available for the detection of HPA antibodies, and discuss on their advantages and disadvantages.
Generation of mice expressing human RHAG and RHD blood group genes
Authors: Goossens Dominique
Published: April 2015

Anti‐RhD prophylaxis of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is highly effective, but since the suppressive mechanism remains uncertain, a mouse model of this pathology would be useful to achieve a better understanding of the processes involved. A number of highly interesting models of mice transgenic for human blood groups, producing alloantibodies through transfusion, and even pregnancy, have been developed in recent years. Expression of RhD has, however, proved difficult in mice, due to its integration into a membrane complex, a heterotrimer involving not only Rh, but also its RhAG protein partner. In our experience, RhD could be expressed from a human RHD gene on a BAC or from RHD cDNA under control of β‐globin regulatory elements, but RhD erythrocyte membrane expression was obtained only in mice transgenic for both the RHAG and RHD human genes. We here give an overview of our approach to the generation of transgenic mice co‐expressing human RhAG and RhD erythrocyte membrane proteins, and discuss further challenges to be resolved in the quest for a model of RhD alloimmunisation and HDFN.
Young donor health and safety: are we doing enough?
Authors: Steele W. R.
Published: April 2015

In some countries, blood collection is permitted from donors as young as 16 years of age. Young donors represent a unique challenge for blood collection organizations as they must balance their need for these donors against protecting the health and safety of this potentially vulnerable donor population. As young donors have become increasingly important to ensuring the adequacy of the blood supply, donor haemovigilance programmes found that they were disproportionally affected by adverse blood donation reactions. These findings served as the impetus for many blood collection organizations to implement interventions to reduce donor reaction rates in the younger age groups. While blood collectors have made great strides in reducing the rates of immediate adverse reactions of blood donation, less attention has been paid to possible long‐term consequences of iron deficiency. With increased reliance on young donors to provide a significant part of the blood supply, it is of the utmost importance that these donors have a good experience when they donate blood and do not suffer any adverse health and safety effects from their altruistic act. Adverse donor reactions and iron deficiency still pose threats to the health and safety of young donors. Continued research is needed in both of these areas to adequately protect young donors.