bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endothelial dysfunction, increased inflammation, and activated coagulation in HIV‐infected patients improve after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Arildsen H , Sørensen KE , Ingerslev JM , Østergaard LJ , Laursen AL
Published: May 2012

Objectives

Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation have been demonstrated to be markers of cardiovascular risk. We investigated the effects of HIV infection per se and the antiretroviral treatment prescribed on the levels of risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 20 treatment‐naïve, nonsmoking, HIV‐positive patients examined before and after 3 months of treatment with a protease inhibitor (PI)‐containing regimen followed by 3 months of treatment with nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐containing therapy. Parameters of inflammation, endothelial function and coagulation were examined. The results were compared with those for an age‐ and gender‐matched, nonsmoking, healthy control group.

Results

Compared with controls, treatment‐naïve HIV‐infected patients exhibited endothelial dysfunction [flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) 108 vs. 111% for HIV‐infected vs. control groups, respectively; P < 0.05] and activation [von Willebrand factor 2.0 vs. 0.9 U/l; soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM) 313 vs. 211 ng/L, respectively; P < 0.01]. Inflammation [C‐reactive protein (CRP) 24 vs. 8.6 nmol/L; fibrinogen 9.4 vs. 8.6 μmol/L, respectively; P < 0.05] and coagulation/fibrinolysis (D‐dimers 0.55 vs. 0.23 μg/mL, respectively; P < 0.01) were increased. Initiating therapy resulted in normalization of FMD and a significant decrease in endothelial activation and CRP.

Conclusion

Endothelial dysfunction together with increased inflammation and coagulation were more prevalent in untreated HIV‐infected patients compared with controls. These cardiovascular risk factors improved with treatment, although not all parameters normalized after 6 months.
Impact of a weight loss program on migraine in obese adolescents
Authors: Verrotti A. , Agostinelli S. , D'Egidio C. , Di Fonzo A. , Carotenuto M. , Parisi P. , Esposito M. , Tozzi E. , Belcastro V. , Mohn A. , Battistella P. A.
Published: May 2012

Background and purpose

Increased headache frequency and severity have been observed in obese populations, but the real impact of a weight loss treatment on headache has not been studied. We investigated this issue in a sample of obese adolescents.

Methods

In all, 135 migraineurs, aged 14–18 years, with body mass index (BMI) ≥97th percentile, participating in a 12‐month‐long program, were studied before and after treatment. The program included dietary education, specific physical training, and behavioral treatment.

Results

Decreases in weight (P < 0.01), BMI (P < 0.01), waist circumference (P < 0.01), headache frequency (P < 0.01) and intensity (P < 0.01), use of acute medications (P < 0.05), and disability (P < 0.05) were observed at the end of the first 6‐month period and were maintained through the second 6 months. Both lower baseline BMI and excess change in BMI were significantly associated with better migraine outcomes 12 months after the intervention program.

Conclusions

Significant improvements in both adiposity and headache data were observed in obese adolescents with migraine who participated in a 12‐month‐long interdisciplinary intervention program for weight loss. Initial body weight and amount of weight loss may be useful for clinicians to predict migraine outcomes.
Depressive traits in essential tremor: impact on disability, quality of life, and medication adherence
Authors: Louis E. D. , Huey E. D. , Gerbin M. , Viner A. S.
Published: May 2012

Background

There is growing study of the psychiatric features of essential tremor. Depressive symptoms occur in a considerable number of patients. Yet their impact, as a primary factor, has received almost no attention. We assessed whether, independent of tremor severity, patients with more depressive symptoms have more perceived tremor‐related disability, lower tremor‐related quality of life, and poorer compliance with tremor medication.

Methods

On the basis of their Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale score, we stratified 70 essential tremor patients into three groups: 41 with minimal depressive symptoms, 24 with moderate depressive symptoms, and five with severe depressive symptoms. Importantly, the three groups had similar tremor severity on neurological examination. We assessed self‐reported tremor‐related disability, tremor‐related quality of life (Quality of Life in Essential Tremor) (QUEST) score, and medication compliance.

Results

Cases with minimal depressive symptoms had the lowest QUEST scores (i.e., highest quality of life), cases with moderate depressive symptoms had intermediate scores, and those with severe depressive symptoms had the highest QUEST scores (i.e., lowest quality of life) (P < 0.001). Depressive symptoms were a stronger predictor of tremor‐related quality of life than was the main motor feature of essential tremor (ET) itself (tremor). Self‐reported medication compliance was lowest in cases with severe depressive symptoms and highest in cases with minimal depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

The physical disability caused by the tremor of ET has traditionally been regarded as the most important feature of the disease that causes distress, and it has received the most attention in the management of patients with this disease. Our data indicate that this may not be the case.
Diagnostic role of microRNA expression profile in the serum of pregnant women with fetuses with neural tube defects
Authors: Gu Hui , Li Hui , Zhang Li , Luan Hong , Huang Tianchu , Wang Lili , Fan Yang , Zhang Yi , Liu Xiaomei , Wang Weilin , Yuan Zhengwei
Published: May 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 641–649.

The discovery of placental microRNAs (miRNAs) in maternal serum has opened up new possibilities for non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis. However, the expression of miRNAs in the serum of pregnant women with fetuses with neural tube defects (NTDs) has not been characterized. In this article, we explored serum miRNAs as potential biomarkers in the serum of pregnant women with NTD fetuses. By using a miRNA microarray that covers 887 human miRNAs, we revealed 17 miRNAs with significant change in expression in serum of pregnant women with NTD fetuses and women with normal pregnancies. Quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) analysis validated that the expression for six miRNAs (miR‐142‐3p, miR‐144, miR‐720, miR‐575, miR‐765, and miR‐1182) was up‐regulated and that for miR‐1275 was down‐regulated. To determine whether these miRNAs were related to pregnancy, we compared the miRNA levels in pre‐ and post‐delivery maternal serum samples. Six of these miRNAs were rapidly reduced in post‐delivery serum (p < 0.05). Moreover, by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of combining these six miRNAs was 0.803 (p < 0.001). Thus, we reveal six pregnancy‐associated miRNAs that are deregulated in the serum of pregnant women with NTD fetuses and highlight the clinical potential of serum miRNAs as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognostication of fetal NTDs.
The treatment of infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome: a brief update
Authors: Costello Michael F. , Misso Marie L. , Wong Jennifer , Hart Roger , Rombauts Luk , Melder Angela , Norman Robert J. , Teede Helena J.
Published: May 2012

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility. Lifestyle change alone is considered the first‐line treatment for the management of infertile anovulatory PCOS women who are overweight or obese. First‐line medical ovulation induction therapy to improve fertility outcomes is clomiphene citrate, whilst gonadotrophins, laparoscopic ovarian surgery or possibly metformin are second line in clomiphene citrate‐resistant PCOS women. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend aromatase inhibitors over that of clomiphene citrate in infertile anovulatory PCOS women in general or specifically in therapy naive or clomiphene citrate‐resistant PCOS women. IVF/ICSI treatment is recommended either as a third‐line treatment or in the presence of other infertility factors.
Fundamentals of randomized clinical trials in wound care: Design and conduct
Authors: Eskes Anne M. , Brölmann Fleur E. , Sumpio Bauer E. , Mayer Dieter , Moore Zena , Ågren Magnus S. , Hermans Michel , Cutting Keith , Legemate Dink A. , Ubbink Dirk T. , Vermeulen Hester
Published: May 2012

The care for chronic and acute wounds is a substantial problem around the world. This has led to a plethora of products to accelerate healing. Unfortunately, the quality of studies evaluating the efficacy of such wound care products is frequently low. Randomized clinical trials are universally acknowledged as the study design of choice for comparing treatment effects, as they eliminate several sources of bias. We propose a framework for the design and conduct of future randomized clinical trials that will offer strong scientific evidence for the effectiveness of wound care interventions. While randomization is a necessary feature of a robust comparative study, it is not sufficient to ensure a study at low risk of bias. Randomized clinical trials should also ensure adequate allocation concealment and blinding of outcome assessors, apply intention‐to‐treat analysis, and use patient‐oriented outcomes. This article proposes strategies for improving the evidence base for wound care decision making.
Novel models for bacterial colonization and infection of full‐thickness wounds in rats
Authors: Asada Mayumi , Nakagami Gojiro , Minematsu Takeo , Nagase Takashi , Akase Tomoko , Huang Lijuan , Yoshimura Kotaro , Sanada Hiromi
Published: May 2012

An animal model is needed to study the pathophysiology of wound infections; however, an animal model that is reproducible and clinically relevant has not previously been available. In addition, an animal model of wound colonization generated in a manner similar to the wound infection model would be useful. Here, we describe new animal models of the wound infection continuum for the characterization of essential host–pathogen relationships. We determined the conditions needed to establish rat models of stable wound colonization and infection, without the use of disturbing factors (e.g., foreign bodies or induction of diabetes mellitus). We found that the age of the rats, bacterial inoculum size, and wound location were important elements in generating reproducible, obvious, spreading wound infections. We inoculated approximately 6‐month‐old rats with 2.06 × 109 or 4.12 × 109 colony‐forming units of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to generate the wound colonization and wound infection models, respectively. Wounds were made 2 cm cranial to the greater trochanter. These clinically relevant and highly reproducible animal models can be used to investigate the mechanisms of wound infection and monitor the effect of therapeutic agents in vivo.
Erythema Multiforme in a Newborn Associated with Acute Acquired Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Cieza‐Díaz Deysy E. , Campos‐Domínguez Minia , Santos‐Sebastián María del Mar , Fernández‐Antón Martínez María del Carmen , Ceballos‐Rodríguez María del Carmen , Navarro‐Gómez María Luisa , Suárez‐Fernández Ricardo
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  Erythema multiforme is exceptional in newborns, and none of the few available reports has revealed a clear etiologic agent, not even herpes simplex virus. Immunocompetent patients rarely present with cutaneous cytomegalovirus involvement, and few cases of cytomegalovirus‐associated erythema multiforme have been described, none of them in newborns. We report the first case of erythema multiforme in a newborn associated with cytomegalovirus infection.
Dermoscopy Distinction of Eruptive Vellus Hair Cysts with Molluscum Contagiosum and Acne Lesions
Authors: Alfaro‐Castellón Patricia , Mejía‐Rodríguez Silvia Anett , Valencia‐Herrera Adriana , Ramírez Susana , Mena‐Cedillos Carlos
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  Eruptive vellus hair cysts are benign lesions that can be difficult to distinguish from other skin conditions, including molluscum contagiosum and acne vulgaris. Diagnosis can be corroborated with histopathology. We emphasize differing dermoscopy features to help distinguish eruptive vellus hair cysts from molluscum contagiosum or acne.
Reclamation from Absence? Luce Irigaray and Women in the History of Philosophy
Authors: Tyson Sarah
Published: May 2012

Luce Irigaray's work does not present an obvious resource for projects seeking to reclaim women in the history of philosophy. Indeed, many authors introduce their reclamation project with an argument against conceptions, attributed to Irigaray or “French feminists” more generally, that the feminine is the excluded other of discourse. These authors claim that if the feminine is the excluded other of discourse, then we must conclude that even if women have written philosophy they have not given voice to feminine subjectivity; therefore, reclamation is a futile project. In this essay, I argue against such conclusions. Rather, I argue, Irigaray's work requires that philosophy be transformed through the reclamation of women's writing. She gives us a method of reclamation for the most difficult cases: those in which we have no record of women's writing. Irigaray offers this method through an engagement with the character of Diotima in Plato's Symposium. The method Irigaray demonstrates is reclamation as love.
Manganese‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging detects mossy fiber sprouting in the pilocarpine model of epilepsy
Authors: Malheiros Jackeline M. , Polli Roberson S. , Paiva Fernando F. , Longo Beatriz M. , Mello Luiz E. , Silva Afonso C. , Tannús Alberto , Covolan Luciene
Published: May 2012

Purpose:  Mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) is a frequent finding following status epilepticus (SE). The present study aimed to test the feasibility of using manganese‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) to detect MFS in the chronic phase of the well‐established pilocarpine (Pilo) rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods:  To modulate MFS, cycloheximide (CHX), a protein synthesis inhibitor, was coadministered with Pilo in a subgroup of animals. In vivo MEMRI was performed 3 months after induction of SE and compared to the neo‐Timm histologic labeling of zinc mossy fiber terminals in the dentate gyrus (DG).

Key Findings:  Chronically epileptic rats displaying MFS as detected by neo‐Timm histology had a hyperintense MEMRI signal in the DG, whereas chronically epileptic animals that did not display MFS had minimal MEMRI signal enhancement compared to nonepileptic control animals. A strong correlation (r = 0.81, p < 0.001) was found between MEMRI signal enhancement and MFS.

Significance:  This study shows that MEMRI is an attractive noninvasive method for detection of mossy fiber sprouting in vivo and can be used as an evaluation tool in testing therapeutic approaches to manage chronic epilepsy.
Distance Coursework and Coaching to Improve Nursing Home Incontinence Care: Lessons Learned
Authors: Rahman Anna N. , Schnelle John F. , Applebaum Robert , Lindabury Kate , Simmons Sandra
Published: May 2012

Objectives

To determine whether a distance coaching course on improving nursing home incontinence care could be replicated and brought to scale with a larger group of nursing homes without sacrificing outcomes.

Design

The study collected descriptive and comparative data.

Setting

Fourteen nursing homes in the original course and 34 in the replication course.

Participants

Participants in the study were supervisors and staff from enrolled nursing homes who completed the distance coaching courses on incontinence management.

Measurements

Data for both courses were collected using a resident assessment form to evaluate implementation of new practices, pre‐ and posttraining quizzes, a course evaluation survey, and a supervisor's report.

Results

There were few significant differences between the course groups with respect to course participation, knowledge transfer, and training program preferences. Although Course 1 nursing homes reported assessing more residents on average than Course 2 homes (22 vs 12), this difference is probably an artifact of differences in the reporting methodologies for the two courses.

Conclusion

This study found qualified support for using a distance coaching course to facilitate adoption of evidence‐based incontinence care practices in nursing homes. The findings also underscore the challenges associated with designing dissemination and implementation programs that are effective and feasible to implement with nursing homes. Nursing home educators should consider this study's findings when designing new training programs. Outcomes may improve if some dissemination resources are diverted to distance coaching activities that support nursing home improvement efforts over extended periods.
Pension Portfolio Choice and Peer Envy
Authors: Wise Jacqueline Volkman
Published: May 2012

Abstract

I examine the effect of envy on the portfolio allocation of workers in a defined contribution (DC) pension plan. If a worker’s DC plan performs better than his co‐worker’s, he may gloat; on the other hand, if his DC plan performs worse, he may feel envy. I model anticipated envy when workers make portfolio allocations, and find that in equilibrium, workers will mimic their co‐worker’s allocation to eliminate the disutility from envy. This portfolio allocation is riskier than that of a worker who does not exhibit envy.
Early Detection of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Using Two‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking Strain Evaluation in Healthy Subjects after Acute Alcohol Intoxication
Authors: Reant Patricia , Chasseriaud Warren , Pillois Xavier , Dijos Marina , Arsac Florence , Roudaut Raymond , Lafitte Stephane
Published: May 2012

Objectives: We evaluated the ability of two‐dimensional speckle tracking strain echocardiography to detect left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction as compared with LV ejection fraction (EF) in healthy subjects following acute alcohol intoxication. Methods and Results: In total, 25 healthy subjects were investigated using echocardiography 4–6 hours after the onset of alcohol intoxication at a regional festive gathering, and then compared to 23 healthy control subjects without alcohol consumption. Heart rate, blood pressure, blood alcohol level, LV volumes, EF, shortening fraction, E/A ratio, as well as global longitudinal strain (LS) were recorded. Mean blood alcohol level was 1.3 ± 0.3 g.L−1. Mean systolic blood pressure and heart rate were slightly increased in the alcohol group compared to controls (147.5 ± 21.8 mmHg vs 127.0 ± 9.9 mmHg, P = 0.003, and 79.7 ± 10.7 bpm vs 70.6 ± 7.6 bpm, P < 0.001, respectively). While there was no significant difference in terms of LVEF (62.9 ± 4.4% vs 64.8 ± 5.9%, P = 0.18) or shortening fraction (34.7 ± 5.9% vs 36.0 ± 4.3%, P = 0.54), global LS was significantly impaired (–17.8 ± 2.0% vs −21.2 ± 1.8%, P < 0.001). In addition, subjects who consumed alcohol had increased LV end‐diastolic (108.3 ± 20.1 mL vs 95.5 ± 14.6 mL, P = 0.037) and end‐systolic volumes (41.6 ± 11.4 mL vs 33.7 ± 6.9 mL, P = 0.024), along with depressed aortic time‐velocity integral (19.9 ± 3.2 mL vs 21.9 ± 2.5 mL, P = 0.034). According to multivariate linear regression analyses, blood alcohol level was the only factor significantly associated with global LS (β=−3.6 ± 1.0, P = 0.005). Conclusion: Alcohol intoxication around festive days induces acute LV contraction abnormalities, which may be detected using global LS by speckle tracking at an earlier stage and more accurately than LVEF decreases.
The Effect of Antithyroid Treatment on Atrial Conduction Times in Patients with Subclinical Hyperthyroidism
Authors: Nacar Alper Buğra , Acar Gürkan , Yorgun Hikmet , Akçay Ahmet , Özkaya Mesut , Canpolat Uğur , Akkoyun Murat , Tuncer Cemal
Published: May 2012

Background: Prolonged atrial conduction time measured by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) has been associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation. We aimed to evaluate the effect of subclinical hyperthyroidism (SH) and antithyroid treatment on atrial conduction time. Methods: A total of 30 patients with SH (26 females; mean age 34.8 ± 8.5 years) and 30 age‐ and gender‐matched controls were included. Using TDI, atrial conduction time was measured from the lateral mitral annulus, septal mitral annulus, and lateral tricuspid annulus. Intra‐ and interatrial conduction delay were calculated. TDI and thyroid hormone levels were studied at the time of enrollment and after achievement of euthyroid state with propylthiouracil treatment. Patients were followed for 14 ± 3 weeks. Results: Atrial conduction time at the lateral and septal mitral annulus were significantly higher in patients with SH compared to controls. Both inter‐, right, and left intraatrial electromechanical delay were prolonged in patients with SH compared to control subjects (21.3 ± 6.1 vs. 13.9 ± 4.3, P < 0.001 and 4.2 ± 3.5 vs. 2.3 ± 1.9, P = 0.014 and 17.1 ± 6.0 vs. 11.6 ± 3.8, P < 0.001, respectively). After achievement of euthyroid state, inter‐ and left intraatrial electromechanical delay were significantly decreased compared to baseline values and approximated to the values of the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: SH is associated with prolonged atrial conduction time. After achievement of euthyroid state, decrement in atrial conduction time may reveal how the antithyroid treatment may prevent the development of atrial fibrillation in these patients.
Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony and Its Effects on Cardiac Function in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Hypertension
Authors: Kırış Abdulkadir , Karaman Kayıhan , Kırış Gülhanım , Şahin Mürsel , Durmuş İsmet , Kaplan Şahin , Örem Asım , Kutlu Merih , Ayar Ahmet
Published: May 2012

Objectives: Left ventricular (LV) systolic synchrony, defined as simultaneous peak contractions of corresponding cardiac segments, is well documented to be impaired in hypertension but its effect on LV function is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of LV systolic dyssynchrony on LV function in newly diagnosed hypertensives. Methods: Forty‐eight newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and 33 controls were enrolled. All study population underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation including tissue synchrony imaging. The time to regional peak systolic tissue velocity (Ts) in LV by 12 segmental models was measured and two parameters of systolic dyssynchrony were computed. Results: Baseline demographic characteristics were similar in both study groups. Dyssynchrony parameters prolonged in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients compared to controls: the standard deviation (SD) of 12 LV segments Ts (40.2 ± 21 vs. 26.2 ± 13.4, P = 0.003); the maximal difference in Ts between any 2 of 12 LV segments (123.3 ± 61.5 vs. 79.8 ± 37.9, P = 0.001). In multivariable analysis, Ts‐SD‐12 was found to be an independent predictor for systolic function (β=–0.29, P = 0.008). But, both diastolic and global functions were not independently related to Ts‐SD‐12. Conclusion: LV synchronization is impaired in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. LV dyssynchrony is one of the independent predictors of systolic function in hypertensive patients.
Three‐Dimensional Imaging of Pannus Overgrowth after Mitral Valve Repair
Authors: Sachpekidis Vasileios , Agatziotis Michail , Styliadis Ioannis , Mosialos Lampros , Kaprinis Ioannis , Monaghan Mark J. , Adamopoulos Chris
Published: May 2012

We present the case of a 65‐year‐old man who was diagnosed with late mitral stenosis caused by pannus formation
after Duran ring annuloplasty due to ischemicmitral regurgitation. Threedimensional echocardiography provided
signifi cant information regarding the anatomy of the valve and the estimation of the severity of mitral stenosis.
Immunofluorescence Microscopy to Assess Enzymes Controlling Nitric Oxide Availability and Microvascular Blood Flow in Muscle
Authors: COCKS MATTHEW , SHEPHERD SAM O. , SHAW CHRISTOPHER S. , ACHTEN JUUL , COSTA MATTHEW L. , WAGENMAKERS ANTON J.M.
Published: May 2012

Please cite this paper as: Cocks M, Shepherd SO, Shaw CS, Achten J, Costa ML, Wagenmakers AJM. Immunofluorescence microscopy to assess enzymes controlling nitric oxide availability and microvascular blood flow in muscle. Microcirculation 19: 642–651, 2012.

Objective:  The net production of NO by the muscle microvascular endothelium is a key regulator of muscle microvascular blood flow. Here, we describe the development of a method to quantify the protein content and phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS content and eNOS ser1177 phosphorylation) and NAD(P)H oxidase expression.

Methods:  Human muscle cryosections were stained using antibodies targeting eNOS, p‐eNOS ser1177 and NOX2 in combination with markers of the endothelium and the sarcolemma. Quantitation was achieved by analyzing fluorescence intensity within the area stained positive for the microvascular endothelium. Analysis was performed in duplicate and repeated five times to investigate CV. In addition, eight healthy males (age 21 ± 1 year, BMI 24.4 ± 1.0 kg/m2) completed one hour of cycling exercise at ∼65%VO2max. Muscle biopsies were taken from the m. vastus lateralis before and immediately after exercise and analyzed using the new methods.

Results:  The CV of all methods was between 6.5 and 9.5%. Acute exercise increased eNOS serine1177 phosphorylation (fold change 1.29 ± 0.05, p < 0.05).

Conclusions:  These novel methodologies will allow direct investigations of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the microvascular responses to insulin and exercise, the impairments that occur in sedentary, obese and elderly individuals and the effect of lifestyle interventions.
Determination of Phase Volume Fractions of Ceramic Composite by Synchrotron Radiation Computed Tomography
Authors: Han Xiang‐Jie , Guan Yong , Liu Tong , Tian Yang‐Chao , Chen Chu‐Sheng
Published: May 2012

The volume fractions of constituent phases are a rudimentary parameter for ceramic composites. Synchrotron‐radiation computed tomography (SR‐CT) is an emerging three‐dimensional characterization method, and this article is intended to explore its application in determination of the phase volume fraction for ceramic composite. The composite of yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and Sr‐doped LaFeO3 (LSF) was used as a model material to examine the validity of the method. A three‐dimensional image of the composite was obtained using the SR‐CT method. The constituent phases of the composite were discriminated by the gray level of the pixels in the image, and their volume fractions were determined by counting the number of corresponding pixels. The volume fractions for YSZ and LSF were 56.8% and 36.6%, respectively, and the volume ratio of these two phases was 1.55, slightly higher than that calculated from the composition of the starting powders. The porosity of the composite determined by SR‐CT was 6.6%, somewhat lower than that by the Archimedes method. For comparison, the phase volume fractions of the composite were also determined by analyzing its backscattered electron‐SEM images, and the results of this two‐dimensional method are in fair agreement with those of SR‐CT. It is concluded that SR‐CT with improved spatial and compositional resolution can give a fairly accurate measurement of the phase volume fraction of the ceramic composites.
Inbreeding at the edge: does inbreeding depression increase under more stressful conditions?
Authors: García‐Fernández Alfredo , Iriondo José M. , Escudero Adrián
Published: May 2012

Edge populations are frequently small and subject to stressful conditions that may compromise their long‐term viability. Inbreeding can play an important role in small populations by reducing genetic diversity, leading to the fixation of deleterious mutations and, finally, carrying populations to an extinction vortex through inbreeding depression. Although stressful conditions may enhance the intensity of inbreeding depression, evidence to date is inconclusive in marginal habitats. Local adaptation, promoting native genotypes, and gene flow, reducing allele fixation, are two factors that can have different effects on the intensity of inbreeding depression. Three populations of Silene ciliata distributed across an elevation gradient at the southernmost edge of the species distribution were used for this study. Several fitness components – germination, survival and growth rate – were compared between inbred seedlings and seedlings from within‐ and between‐population outcrosses, both in the field and controlled conditions. Overall, inbred seedlings had lower fitness than outcrossed seedlings. For most of the variables analysed, similar inbreeding depression effects were found in all three populations, but, for seed weight and seedling survival curve, inbreeding depression was only found in the low altitude population. Similarly, inbreeding depression was more evident in the field than in controlled chamber conditions. Outcrosses between populations contributed to an increase in most fitness estimates and populations, suggesting that the benefits of reducing inbreeding depression overrode the potentially deleterious effects of disrupting local adaptation. Our results suggest that inbreeding depression plays an important role in the fitness of early life stages of Silene ciliata at its southernmost distribution limit, but only provided partial support to the hypothesis that stressful conditions enhance the expression of inbreeding depression.
Organotypic culture of normal, dysplastic and squamous cell carcinoma‐derived oral cell lines reveals loss of spatial regulation of CD44 and p75NTR in malignancy
Authors: Dalley Andrew J. , AbdulMajeed Ahmad A. , Upton Zee , Farah Camile S.
Published: May 2012

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) often arise from dysplastic lesions. The role of cancer stem cells in tumour initiation is widely accepted, yet the potential existence of pre‐cancerous stem cells in dysplastic tissue has received little attention. Cell lines from oral diseases ranging in severity from dysplasia to malignancy provide opportunity to investigate the involvement of stem cells in malignant progression from dysplasia. Stem cells are functionally defined by their ability to generate hierarchical tissue structures in consortium with spatial regulation. Organotypic cultures readily display tissue hierarchy in vitro; hence, in this study, we compared hierarchical expression of stem cell‐associated markers in dermis‐based organotypic cultures of oral epithelial cells from normal tissue (OKF6‐TERT2), mild dysplasia (DOK), severe dysplasia (POE‐9n) and OSCC (PE/CA P J15). Expression of CD44, p75NTR, CD24 and ALDH was studied in monolayers by flow cytometry and in organotypic cultures by immunohistochemistry. Spatial regulation of CD44 and p75NTR was evident for organotypic cultures of normal (OKF6‐TERT2) and dysplasia (DOK and POE‐9n) but was lacking for OSCC (PE/CA PJ15)‐derived cells. Spatial regulation of CD24 was not evident. All monolayer cultures exhibited CD44, p75NTR, CD24 antigens and ALDH activity (ALDEFLUOR® assay), with a trend towards loss of population heterogeneity that mirrored disease severity. In monolayer, increased FOXA1 and decreased FOXA2 expression correlated with disease severity, but OCT3/4, Sox2 and NANOG did not. We conclude that dermis‐based organotypic cultures give opportunity to investigate the mechanisms that underlie loss of spatial regulation of stem cell markers seen with OSCC‐derived cells.
Expression of insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck
Authors: Clauditz T. S. , Wang C.‐J. , Gontarewicz A. , Blessmann M. , Tennstedt P. , Borgmann K. , Tribius S. , Sauter G. , Dalchow C. , Knecht R. , Münscher A. , Wilczak W.
Published: May 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2013)42: 125–132

Background:  Insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 (IMP3) was found overexpressed in various cancer types suggesting its possible role in carcinogenesis. Analysis of IMP3 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is rare so that we evaluated it using tissue microarray method.

Method:  Immunohistochemical analysis of IMP3 was performed on samples from over 400 patients. The expression was measured semiquantitative, subsequently divided into four categories (negative, weak, medium, or strong) and correlated with several available clinicopathologic parameters.

Results:  For HNSCC, positive IMP3 expression was observed in patients with all tumor stages (pT1–4) and nodal stages (pN0–3), showing also significant statistical correlation (P = 0.023 and P = 0.0013, respectively). No further correlations were found. Separate analysis according to tumor localization (oral cavity, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal) showed a significant correlation of positive IMP3 expression and overall survival (P = 0.038) only in patients with tumors of the oral cavity. Multivariate analysis showed IMP3 as an independent predictive marker for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC).

Conclusion:  Insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 (IMP3) expression might be used as an independent prognostic factor in the subgroup of OSCC.
Geographical and ecological differentiation of Fagus forest vegetation in SE Europe
Authors: Marinšek A. , Šilc U. , Čarni A.
Published: May 2012

Questions

What is the main syntaxonomical pattern within beech forests in SE Europe? What macroecological and ecological factors distinguish these forests?

Location

SE Europe: Balkan Peninsula, from the SE Alps in Slovenia, through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and the Republic of Macedonia to N and NE Greece and Bulgaria, covering ca. 400 000 km2 over a length of 1000 km.

Methods

With a view to differentiating beech and beech–fir forests, a data set of 5952 published and unpublished phytosociological relevés were surveyed. After stratification, 997 relevés remained. Cluster analysis of the data set was used to calculate diagnostic species for each cluster. Ecological indicator values (EIV) were used to estimate ecological conditions. Average EIV, altitude, latitude and longitude for relevés of each cluster were plotted in a detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) diagram for ecological interpretation of clusters and relationships between clusters. Correlations between DCA relevé scores and explanatory variables (EIV, portion of life forms and chorotypes, altitude, latitude and longitude) were subsequently calculated.

Results

Cluster analysis divided mesophilous beech forests of SE Europe into two major clusters. Beech forests can therefore be classified into two alliances, Aremonio‐Fagion and Fagion moesiacae. Further division revealed seven beech and beech–fir forest types, which we interpreted geographically and ecologically. A significant increase in the proportion of chamaephytes, hemicryptophytes and therophytes was detected along the main macroecological gradient towards the S and E. At the same time, the proportion of geophytes and phanerophytes significantly decreased in the same direction. There was also a significant increase in the proportion of Stenomediterranean, Eurymediterranean, Mediterranean‐Montane, and Eurasian species, while Boreal species, as expected, decreased toward the southeast. The main differentiation of beech forests in SE Europe is due to macroecological factors (macro‐climatic and historical development of vegetation), whereas local ecological factors (particularly temperature and moisture) are reflected in the differentiation of sub‐alliances.

Conclusions

Our study confirmed two major groups of beech forests in the research area, which could be classified into two alliances. It also revealed that there is not just an altitudinal distribution of beech forests in the SE part of the research area, but also structural and functional changes of communities as a result of the altitudinal limitation of beech forests and changed macroclimatic factors.
Proteaceae juvenile periods and post‐fire recruitment as indicators of minimum fire return interval in eastern coastal fynbos
Authors: Kraaij Tineke , Cowling Richard M. , van Wilgen Brian W. , Schutte‐Vlok AnneLise
Published: May 2012

Question

Fire management practices aimed at biodiversity conservation are often in conflict with hazard reduction requirements. Particularly in protected areas where such conflict of interest exists, the question is asked: what are the ecological thresholds within which fire should be managed?

Location

Montane proteoid fynbos shrublands, eastern coastal part of the Cape Floral Kingdom; coastal slopes of the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua Mountains, South Africa.

Methods

Estimates of optimal fire frequencies are often based on the relationship between plant age and the rate of seed accumulation of the slowest‐maturing species. We established juvenile periods and recruitment success (measured as the ratio of post‐fire recruits to the pre‐burn population) after fires at different intervals, of serotinous, reseeding shrubs in the Proteaceae. From this we estimated minimum fire return intervals (FRIs) that would allow for their persistence in eastern coastal fynbos shrublands.

Results

Juvenile periods ranged from 4 to 9 yr, which are comparable to ecologically similar proteoids elsewhere in fynbos and SE and SW Australian shrublands. There was large variability among sites and within species in the degree of flowering at given plant ages, some of which seemed related to the moisture regime. There were no consistent differences among species in their rate of maturation. Post‐fire recruitment success was near zero following a fire in 5‐yr‐old vegetation, always above replacement levels following fires in ≥7‐yr‐old vegetation, and at a maximum in old (38 yr) fynbos. There was considerable variation in post‐fire recruitment success for any particular FRI, species or site. The lack of a significant relationship between recruitment success and pre‐fire vegetation age, suggests that once a critical post‐fire age is attained, factors other than seed abundance affect recruitment success.

Conclusions

From an ecological perspective, our findings imply a minimum FRI of 9 yr for eastern coastal fynbos. This is not intended to prescribe rigid management of fire according to a fixed rotation and does not negate the need to consider site‐ or species‐specific requirements. Instead it provides a lower threshold for a range of acceptable FRIs below which a significant decline of species populations is predicted.
Changes in plant species and functional composition with time since fire in two mediterranean climate plant communities
Authors: Gosper Carl R. , Yates Colin J. , Prober Suzanne M.
Published: May 2012

Question

Do floristic composition and plant functional type (PFT) richness and dominance change with time since fire, in the directions predicted through consideration of their fire response traits?

Location

Two vegetation communities in the globally significant biodiversity hotspot of south‐western Australia: mallee, dominated by resprouters, and mallee‐heath, dominated by non‐resprouters.

Methods

Species richness and cover were sampled in replicated plots across a time since fire gradient ranging from 2 to >55 yr post‐fire, using a space‐for‐time approach. Species were allocated to PFTs according to traits relevant to the processes of vegetation change underpinning the initial floristic composition model of vegetation assembly: their capacity to resprout, the location and persistence of the seed bank, competitive stratum and longevity. Ordination and ANOVA were used to test for differences in floristic and PFT composition between young (<10 yr post‐fire), mature (18–35 yr) and old (>40 yr) vegetation in each community.

Results

Plant functional type and floristic analyses were similar, showing substantial changes in the composition of mallee‐heath vegetation with time since fire, but not in mallee. The direction of change in PFT composition in mallee‐heath was consistent with predictions, with increasing cover of non‐resprouting, serotinous PFTs, an intermediate peak in cover of PFTs with persistent soil‐stored seed banks, and decreasing cover of post‐fire ephemerals and non‐resprouting, non‐serotinous dwarf shrubs, herbs and graminoids with increasing time since fire. Success in predicting changes in PFT dominance in mallee was lower.

Conclusions

The similarity of floristic and PFT analyses suggest that these approaches are interchangeable for characterizing vegetation change with increasing time since fire. PFTs were more effective for predicting fire response trajectories in the vegetation community dominated by non‐resprouting, serotinous shrubs (mallee‐heath) than that dominated by resprouting, serotinous trees (mallee). The underlying vegetation assembly model and PFTs used appear suitable for broader application in fire‐prone communities with competitive dominance by non‐resprouting, serotinous shrubs, but less so in communities dominated by other PFTs.
Ten Years Later. Results from a Prospective Single‐Centre Clinical Study on 121 Oxidized (TiUnite™) Brånemark Implants in 46 Patients
Authors: Östman Pär‐Olov , Hellman Mats , Sennerby Lars
Published: May 2012

Background: Concerns have been raised that use of surface‐modified implants may result in peri‐implant infection and marked marginal bone loss over time.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the survival rate, marginal bone, and soft tissue conditions at surface‐modified titanium dental implants after 10 years of function.

Material and Methods: Forty‐six totally and partially edentulous patients were provided with 121 Brånemark oxidized implants (TiUnite™, Nobel Biocare AB, Gothenburg, Sweden). Twenty‐four (20%) implants were immediate loaded and 97 (80%) were placed using a two‐stage procedure. A total of 22 single, 23 partial, and 7 total restorations were delivered. Clinical and radiographic checkups were carried out after 3, 6, 12 months, and thereafter annually up to 10 years. At these occasions, oral hygiene was evaluated and peri‐implant mucosa examined by probing. If needed, patients were enrolled in an individual program for hygiene controls and professional cleaning. Marginal bone loss was evaluated in intraoral radiographs taken at baseline and after 1, 5, and 10 years of function.

Results: One (0.8%) implant failed after 8 years giving a Survival Rate (SR) of 99.2% after 10 years. A total of 11 sites (9.2%) showed bleeding on probing (BP) at the 10th annual checkup. The mean marginal bone loss was 0.7 ± 1.35 mm based on 106 readable pairs of radiographs from baseline and from the 10th annual examination. Twelve (11.3%) implants showed more than 2 mm bone loss, and five (4.7%) showed more than 3 mm of bone loss after 10 years. For the latter, all patients were smokers and had poor or acceptable oral hygiene. All five implants with >3 mm bone loss showed BP and two (1.9%) showed suppuration from the pocket. For the remaining seven implants with more than 2 mm bone loss, no correlation to smoking, oral hygiene, bleeding, or pus could be seen. Time/marginal bone level plots of the 12 implants with more than 2 mm bone loss after 10 years, showed minor changes from the first annual checkup except for the two infected implants.

Conclusions: It is concluded that good long‐term clinical outcomes can be obtained with oxidized titanium dental implants. Only 1.9% of examined implants showed significant marginal bone loss together with bleeding and suppuration after 10 years of function.
Anterior Space Management: Interdisciplinary Concepts
Authors: Ittipuriphat Iyarint , Leevailoj Chalermpol
Published: May 2012

This case report describes the treatment of one patient with maxillary anterior spacing, caused by bilateral lateral peg‐shaped incisors, using a planned sequence of multidisciplinary approaches for esthetic treatment. An asymmetrical gingival line was visible when the patient smiled. To evaluate the desired gingival level and the proportion of restoration to be made using the recurring esthetic dental (RED) proportion method, a diagnostic wax‐up model was fabricated. Esthetic crown lengthening corrected the gingival line. RED proportion analysis suggested minor tooth movement prior to any restoration. Two weeks' use of an orthodontic removable appliance with finger springs achieved the proper dental proportion. Home whitening was prescribed for 2 weeks, with an additional 2‐week waiting period to ensure tooth color stability. Resin composite treatment corrected the mesial contour of the maxillary canines and reduced the space between the canines and lateral incisors. Final restoration was obtained by placing ceramic veneers on the lateral peg‐shaped incisors. The esthetic treatment achieved excellent results; after veneer cementation, the patient exhibited greater confidence with a new smile.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Esthetic dental treatment requires various disciplines to achieve the treatment goal. This case report is an example of well‐planned sequences of treatment from the beginning to complete treatment. By conservative and practical treatment approaches used in this case, the clinician will be able to manage to obtain the highest result of esthetic treatment.

(J Esthet Restor Dent 25:16–30, 2013)
Multidrug‐resistant organisms, wounds and topical antimicrobial protection
Authors: Bowler Philip G , Welsby Sarah , Towers Victoria , Booth Rebecca , Hogarth Andrea , Rowlands Victoria , Joseph Alexis , Jones Samantha A
Published: May 2012

Multidrug‐resistant organisms (MDROs) are increasingly implicated in both acute and chronic wound infections. The limited therapeutic options are further compromised by the fact that wound bacteria often co‐exist within a biofilm community which enhances bacterial tolerance to antibiotics. As a consequence, topical antiseptics may be an important consideration for minimising the opportunity for wound infections involving MDROs. The objective of this research was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of a silver‐containing gelling fibre dressing against a variety of MDROs in free‐living and biofilm states, using stringent in vitro models designed to simulate a variety of wound conditions. MDROs included Acinetobacter baumannii, community‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing bacteria. Clostridium difficile was also included in the study because it carries many of the characteristics seen in MDROs and evidence of multidrug resistance is emerging. Sustained in vitro antimicrobial activity of the silver‐containing dressing was shown against 10 MDROs in a simulated wound fluid over 7 days, and inhibitory and bactericidal effects against both free‐living and biofilm phenotypes were also consistently shown in simulated colonised wound surface models. The in vitro data support consideration of the silver‐containing gelling fibre dressing as part of a protocol of care in the management of wounds colonised or infected with MDROs.