bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contamination of Joints with Tissue Debris and Hair after Arthrocentesis: The Effect of Needle Insertion Angle, Spinal Needle Gauge, and Insertion of Spinal Needles with and without a Stylet
Authors: Wahl Kevin , Adams Stephen B. , Moore George E.
Published: March 2012

Objective

To assess fetlock joint contamination with tissue debris and hair after arthrocentesis.

Study Design

Experimental.

Animals

Fetlock joint tissues (n = 10 horses).

Methods

Soft tissue flaps including the joint capsule were dissected from the dorsal fetlock joints of 7 anesthetized horses leaving an intact proximal base. Needles inserted through the tissue flaps were flushed into tissue cell culture plates and examined for debris. Studies were repeated on excised fetlock tissue preparations after being stored for 5 days. Variables included gauge and type of needle, insertion of spinal needles with and without a stylet, angle of insertion, length of hair, and ante‐ and postmortem needle insertion. Tissue fragments collected from 3 horses were cultured for bacteria.

Results

Compared to 20 g disposable needles inserted perpendicularly through unclipped skin, the odds ratios (ORs) for hair contamination were significantly greater for 20 g spinal needles without a stylet, and significantly less for 22 g spinal needles inserted with a stylet and for angled insertion of disposable needles. Tissue contaminationORwas significantly less for 20 g spinal needles inserted without a stylet, angled insertion, and clipped hair. Bacteria were isolated from 2.6% of tissue fragments.

Conclusions

Angled needle insertion reduces joint contamination with tissue and hair. Spinal needles should be inserted with a stylet in place and 22 g spinal needles are preferable to 20 g spinal needles. Joints may be contaminated with bacteria after routine surgical preparation of skin.
Weight‐Based Volume of Injection Influences Cranial to Caudal Spread of Local Anesthetic Solution in Ultrasound‐Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks in Canine Cadavers
Authors: Bruggink Sean M. , Schroeder Kristopher M. , Baker‐Herman Tracy L. , Schroeder Carrie A.
Published: March 2012

Objective

To determine if the volume of injected local anesthetic solution affects cranial to caudal spread when performing ultrasound‐guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks in dogs.

Study Design

Prospective experimental study.

Animals

Adult Beagle cadavers (n = 20)

Methods

Bilateral TAP blocks using ultrasound guidance was performed in 20 Beagle cadavers (mean ± SD weight, 9.3 ± 1.4 kg) using a 1:1 solution of methylene blue/bupivacaine injected at volumes of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mL/kg. Cadavers were dissected to determine injectate spread within the transversus abdominis fascial plane.

Results

The transversus abdominis fascial plane was adequately identified by ultrasonography, injected, and dissected in 38 beagle hemi‐abdominal walls; injectate was not identified in 2 hemi‐abdominal walls. Dermatomal spread (number of ventral nerve roots saturated by injected solution) was volume dependent (P = .026, Kruskal Wallis): 2.9 ± 0.74 nerve roots for 0.25 mL/kg; 3.4 ± 1.1 for 0.5 mL/kg; 4.0 ± 0.67 for 0.75 mL/kg; and 4.2 ± 1.2 for 1 mL/kg.

Conclusion

In Beagle cadavers, the volume of injected local anesthetic solution significantly affects cranial to caudal spread within the TAP during ultrasound‐guided TAP blocks. The volume of local anesthetic injected could potentially be used to augment the spread of analgesic coverage for a given surgical procedure in dogs.
Climatic change is advancing the phenology of moth species in Ireland
Authors: O’Neill Bridget F. , Bond Ken , Tyner Angus , Sheppard Ralph , Bryant Tony , Chapman Jason , Bell James , Donnelly Alison
Published: March 2012

Recent increases in global temperatures have contributed to advancing phenology of plants and animals. These increases in temperature have been shown to affect the phenological phases (phenophases) of plants and birds in Ireland, but less is known about the effect on the phenophases of Irish insects. Records of the flight periods of 59 species of Irish moths over the past 35 years (1974–2009) were obtained from a public monitoring group. Observations were analysed across the country using generalized additive models (GAMs) weighted by total yearly population numbers for each species. The results of the statistical analyses showed that 45 of the 59 species studied have a significantly earlier first sighting date now than when observations began. With this earlier emergence, 44 of the 59 species also have a significantly longer flight season over the same 35‐year period. The extent of these changes varies across the country and by species life history. In particular, species emerging in spring are advancing at a much faster rate than species emerging during the summer. Many of these changes in first sighting are negatively correlated with rising temperatures in Ireland, particularly in late spring and early summer (May and June). The variation in phenological advancement in the moth species of Ireland is extremely complex and may be influenced more by species life history than by the phenology of interacting species, such as host plants.
Preclinical in vivo research in implant dentistry. Consensus of the eighth European workshop on periodontology
Authors: Berglundh Tord , Stavropoulos Andreas ,   on behalf of Working Group 1 of the VIII European Workshop on Periodontology*
Published: March 2012

Guidelines for improving the reporting in preclinical in vivo research (ARRIVE) have been recently proposed.

Aim

The aim was to assess to what extent the ARRIVE guidelines were considered in preclinical in vivo studies in implant dentistry.

Material and Methods

Four comprehensive systematic reviews evaluated to what extent the ARRIVE guidelines were considered in preclinical in vivo studies in implant dentistry. Studies on the influence of implant material, surface and design on tissue integration to implants placed in pristine bone, in locally compromised sites and/or systemically compromised animals, as well as on peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis were evaluated. The four reviews introduced different modifications to the ARRIVE guidelines dedicated to the specific assignment of the review.

Results

A large variation in the frequency of reporting with regard to the items of the modified ARRIVE guidelines was observed. The reviews revealed that relevant information, e.g. sample size calculation, blinding of the assessor etc., was often not reported. It was also identified that several items in the ARRIVE guidelines may be less – if at all – applicable to research in implant dentistry.

Conclusion

It is suggested that researchers implement, whenever relevant, the ARRIVE guidelines during planning and reporting of preclinical in vivo studies related to dental implants.
Systematic review of animal models for the study of implant integration, assessing the influence of material, surface and design
Authors: Stadlinger Bernd , Pourmand Pedram , Locher Michael C. , Schulz Matthias C.
Published: March 2012

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the scientific literature in terms of pre‐clinical studies evaluating the influence of material, surface and design on the integration of an implant by hard and soft tissues. The included publications were analysed with regard to the frequency of reporting of criteria being derived from the ARRIVE guidelines. This served to trace elements within animal studies, where the quality of reporting needs to improve.

Material and Methods

The literature search was performed in Ovid Medline and included English literature from January 1990 to July 2011. A list of 24 criteria derived from the ARRIVE guidelines for animal research was adjusted to implant studies on osseointegration in pristine bone and was applied to all included study manuscripts. Each criteria was graded by “0” (not reported) or “1” (reported) and the frequency of reporting for each criteria was recorded.

Results

A total of 271 studies were included into this review. Generally the quality of reporting increased with time. Low frequencies of reporting were achieved for criteria like “randomisation of animals”, “reasons for the animal model” and “relevance to humans”.

Conclusions

The frequency of reporting showed high percentages for most criteria. However, the quality of reporting in pre‐clinical studies needs to improve in areas like the reporting of statistical information, study setup and the possible translation of the results to humans.
Clinical research on peri‐implant diseases: consensus report of Working Group 4
Authors: Sanz Mariano , Chapple Iain L. ,   on behalf of Working Group 4 of the VIII European Workshop on Periodontology
Published: March 2012

Background

Two systematic reviews have evaluated the quality of research and reporting of observational studies investigating the prevalence of, the incidence of and the risk factors for peri‐implant diseases and of experimental clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Materials and Methods

For the improvement of the quality of reporting for both observational and experimental studies, the STROBE and the Modified CONSORT recommendations were encouraged.

Results

To improve the quality of research in peri‐implant diseases, the following were recommended: the use of unequivocal case definitions; the expression of outcomes at the subject rather than the implant level; the implementation of study validation tools; the reporting of potential sources of bias; and the use of appropriate statistical methods.

Conclusions

In observational studies, case definitions for peri‐implantitis were agreed. For risk factor determination, the progressive use of cross‐sectional and case–control studies (univariate analyses), to prospective cohorts (multilevel modelling for confounding), and ultimately to intervention studies were recommended. For preventive and interventional studies of peri‐implant disease management, parallel arm RCTs of at least 6‐months were encouraged. For studies of non‐surgical and surgical management of peri‐implantitis, the use of a composite therapeutic end point was advocated. The development of standard control therapies was deemed essential.
Quality assessment of reporting of animal studies on pathogenesis and treatment of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis. A systematic review using the ARRIVE guidelines
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Iglhaut Gerhard , Becker Jürgen
Published: March 2012

Objectives

To address the following focused question: What is the quality of reporting of pre‐clinical research for the study and treatment of mucositis/peri‐implantitis?

Materials and Methods

Electronic databases of the PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched for animal studies reporting on pathogenesis or therapy of either peri‐implant mucositits or peri‐implantitis and completed by dual manual searches in duplicate between 1992 and May 2011. Quality assessment (i.e. grading of a checklist of 20 items in different categories) of selected full‐text articles was performed according to the Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) guidelines.

Results

Following screening, 75 publications were eligible for the review. For publications reporting on pathogenesis (n = 7) and therapy (n = 1) of peri‐implant mucositis, minimum gradings were assigned to items 5 (Methods/Ethical Statement), 9 (Methods/Housing and husbandry), 11 (Methods/Allocation animals to experimental groups), 14 (Results/Baseline data), and 17 (Results/Adverse events). For publications reporting on pathogenesis (n = 34) and therapy (n = 33) of peri‐implantitis, minimum grades were mainly assigned to items 9, 11, 14, and 17.

Conclusions

This systematic review has identified missing information in the publications on pre‐clinical research for the study and treatment of mucositis/peri‐implantitis.
An evidence‐based review of patient‐reported outcome measures in dental implant research among dentate subjects
Authors: McGrath Colman , Lam Otto , Lang Niklaus
Published: March 2012

Aim

To conduct an evidence‐based review of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) in dental implant research among dentate patients so as to gain an understanding of the use of such measures, and the potential evidence that can be gleaned from such studies.

Material and Methods

A structured literature search was carried out in the MEDLINE database. Patient‐related end‐points in dental implant research were categorized with respect to type of outcome and reviewed.

Results

The initial search identified 3397 publications; full texts were obtained for 133 papers, and ultimately 31 ‘effective papers’. PROMs were primarily concerned with assessment of patient satisfaction/preference (71%, 22). A range of prosthetic treatments associated with dental implants were identified. Few studies were prospective studies that included pre‐treatment assessments. There was a lack of standardization in the assessment of patient‐related outcomes.

Conclusions

There is an increasing use of PROMs in dental implant research among dentate patients for a range of prosthetic treatments. For the most part studies have been concerned with the assessment of patient satisfaction/preference but fail to employ standardized outcome assessment methods, which hampers understanding of the benefit of dental implant therapy from patients’ perspectives.
Clinical research in implant dentistry: study design, reporting and outcome measurements: consensus report of Working Group 2 of the VIII European Workshop on Periodontology
Authors: Tonetti Maurizio , Palmer Richard ,   on behalf of Working Group 2 of the VIII European Workshop on Periodontology
Published: March 2012

Aims

The objective of this working group was to assess and make specific recommendations to improve the quality of reporting of clinical research in implant dentistry and discuss ways to reach a consensus on choice of outcomes.

Material and Methods

Discussions were informed by three systematic reviews on quality of reporting of observational studies (case series, case‐control and cohort) and experimental research (randomized clinical trials). An additional systematic review provided information on choice of outcomes and analytical methods. In addition, an open survey among all workshop participants was utilized to capture a consensus view on the limits of currently used survival and success‐based outcomes as well as to identify domains that need to be captured by future outcome systems.

Results

The Workshop attempted to clarify the characteristics and the value in dental implant research of different study designs. In most areas, measurable quality improvements over time were identified. The Workshop recognized important aspects that require continued attention by clinical researchers, funding agencies and peer reviewers to decrease potential bias. With regard to choice of outcomes, the limitations of currently used systems were recognized. Three broad outcome domains that need to be captured by future research were identified: (i) patient reported outcome measures, (ii) peri‐implant tissue health and (iii) performance of implant supported restorations. Peri‐implant tissue health can be measured by marginal bone level changes and soft tissue inflammation and can be incorporated in time to event analyses.

Conclusions

The Workshop recommended that collaboration between clinicians and epidemiologists/clinical trials specialists should be encouraged. Aspects of design aimed at limitation of potential bias should receive attention by clinical researchers, funding agencies and journal editors. Adherence to appropriate reporting guidelines such as STROBE and CONSORT are necessary standards. Research on outcome measure domains is an area of top priority and should urgently inform a proper process leading to a consensus on outcome measures in dental implant research.
Can easy‐to‐use software deliver effective e‐learning in dental education? A randomised controlled study
Authors: Woelber J. P. , Hilbert T. S. , Ratka‐Krüger P.
Published: March 2012

Introduction:  For the production of computer‐based learning environments, a wide range of software solutions can be used which differ not only in their functionality but also vary in cost and ease to program. The aim of our study was to evaluate the overall efficiency and student′s perception of two case‐based e‐learning programs that were produced with either an easy‐to‐use or a complex software.

Materials and Methods:  Eighty‐five dental students were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups. One group studied with a laborious, high‐interactive e‐learning program (complex‐software group). The second group studied within a low‐interactive learning environment (easy‐software group) that was easy to be programmed. Both programs identically referred to a case report on localised aggressive periodontitis. Learning outcome was tested by a pre‐ and post‐test. Furthermore, questionnaires on workload, motivation, perceived usefulness and perceived learning outcome were used.

Results:  Learners in the easy‐software group showed better results in the post‐test F(1, 82) = 4.173, P < 0.044).

Discussion:  Even easy‐to‐use software tools have the potential to be beneficial in dental education. Students were showing a high acceptance and ability in using both e‐learning environments.

Conclusions:  We conclude that e‐learning programs for case‐based learning do not have to be overly laborious to program to be useful. Based on our results, we want to encourage instructors to produce case‐based e‐learning tools with easy‐to‐use software.
Foraging activity of a dominant epigeal predator: molecular evidence for the effect of prey density on consumption
Authors: Schmidt J. M. , Harwood J. D. , Rypstra A. L.
Published: March 2012

Despite the widely held assumption that ‘generalist’ predators consume most prey available to them, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting otherwise. Generalists are expected to perform well in disturbed areas because they can switch between prey pathways when one food source becomes depleted. Indeed, these predators have the potential to promote diversity by switching to prey in a frequency dependent manner and consume prey groups in relation to local abundance. It is therefore important to understand how predation rates fluctuate as local availability changes. We performed open‐field and mesocosm experiments in a corn and soybean agroecosystem to delineate the role prey density plays in determining predation frequency of a dominant epigeal predator. To track trophic pathways, molecular gut‐content analysis using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to track foraging behavior of the wolf spider Pardosa milvina feeding on dipterans, flies. Extensive monitoring of foraging activity and prey populations revealed that predation varied temporally. Importantly, the frequency of individuals testing positive for flies was lower than predicted when flies were extremely abundant but higher when they were scarce, relative to the prey community as a whole. Furthermore, isolating predators in mesocosms revealed an effect of Diptera density on the likelihood of consumption, as determined by ELISA, only when flies were at low levels (12.5% of prey provided). The molecular results suggest that these spiders do not appear to be consuming flies in a frequency‐dependent manner where the decision to switch between different prey pathways is driven by relative abundance. Rather, selectivity of prey is somewhat independent of variation of other prey groups, which is indicative of their consistent reliance on dipterans and may be related to nutritional requirements and/or capture success.
GH/IGF‐I axis and matrix adaptation of the musculotendinous tissue to exercise in humans
Authors: Heinemeier K. M. , Mackey A. L. , Doessing S. , Hansen M. , Bayer M. L. , Nielsen R. H. , Herchenhan A. , Malmgaard‐Clausen N. M. , Kjaer M.
Published: March 2012

Exercise is not only associated with adaptive responses within skeletal muscle fibers but also with induction of collagen synthesis both in muscle and adjacent connective tissue. Additionally, exercise and training leads to activation of the systemic growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factor I axis (GH/IGF‐I), as well as increased local IGF‐I expression. Studies in humans with pathologically high levels of GH/IGF‐I, and in healthy humans who receive either weeks of GH administration or acute injection of IGF‐I into connective tissue, demonstrate increased expression and synthesis of collagen in muscle and tendon. These observations support a stimulatory effect of GH/IGF‐I on the connective tissue in muscle and tendon, which appears far more potent than the effect on contractile proteins of skeletal muscle. However, GH/IGF‐I may play an additional role in skeletal muscle by regulation of stem cells (satellite cells), as increased satellite cell numbers are found in human muscle with increased GH/IGF‐I levels, despite no change in myofibrillar protein synthesis. Although advanced age is associated with both a reduction in the GH/IGF‐I axis activity, and in skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) as well as in tendon connective tissue, there is no direct proof linking age‐related changes in the musculotendinous tissue to an impaired GH/IGF‐I axis.
Exercise therapy – the public health message
Authors: Blair S. N. , Sallis R. E. , Hutber A. , Archer E.
Published: March 2012

Non‐communicable chronic diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, are currently responsible for 65% of all deaths worldwide and are projected to cause over 75% of all deaths by 2030. A substantial accumulation of epidemiological and experimental evidence has established a causal relationship between NCDs and well‐known yet preventable risk factors (e.g., physical inactivity and obesity). Given that physical activity has both direct and indirect effects on the mortality and morbidity of NCDs via other risk factors (e.g., obesity, diabetes, and hypertension), it is now undeniable that sedentary lifestyles are one of the most significant public health problems of the 21st century.

In 2007, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and American Medical Association (AMA) launched the Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) initiative in recognition of the fundamental importance of physical activity to health and well‐being. EIM is on the forefront of a global movement to reduce sedentary lifestyles, foster implementation of exercise counseling into clinical practice, and disseminate exercise therapy on a global scale. If the devastating human losses and financial burden of inactivity‐induced chronic disease are to be ameliorated, the wide‐ranging cost‐effective health benefits and financial feasibility of physical activity interventions must be appreciated and promoted.
Th17 and Regulatory T cells in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Lee Sung Ki , Kim Jee Yun , Lee Millina , Gilman‐Sachs Alice , Kwak‐Kim Joanne
Published: March 2012

The immune system of pregnant women is tightly controlled to defend against microbial infections and at the same time, to accept an embryo or the fetus, which are expressing semi‐allogenic paternal antigens. Furthermore, inflammation‐like processes are crucial for tissue growth, remodeling, and differentiation of the decidua during pregnancy. Dysregulation of elaborate immune control may lead reproductive failure, such as implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), preterm birth, intrauterine fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsia. Until recent years, a balance between Th1 and Th2 cells was believed to be the key immune regulatory mechanism of T‐cell immunology especially during pregnancy. Since the identification of regulatory T cells was made, the mechanism of immune regulation has become a major issue in immunologic research. Also, the recent identification of Th17 cells has drawn our attention to a new immune effector. The balance between Th17 and regulatory T cells may explain more about the pathophysiology of reproductive failure. This review will discuss relevant human literature on regulatory T and Th17 cells in normal reproductive physiology and in women with RPL and infertility.
Mental health first aid guidelines: an evaluation of impact following download from the World Wide Web
Authors: Hart Laura M. , Jorm Anthony F. , Paxton Susan J. , Cvetkovski Stefan
Published: March 2012

Aim: Mental health first aid guidelines provide the public with consensus‐based information about how to assist someone who is developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the usefulness and impact of the guidelines on web users who download them.

Method: Web users who downloaded the documents were invited to respond to an initial demographic questionnaire, then a follow up about how the documents had been used, their perceived usefulness, whether first‐aid situations had been encountered and if these were influenced by the documents.

Results: Over 9.8 months, 706 web users responded to the initial questionnaire and 154 responded to the second. A majority reported downloading the document because their job involved contact with people with mental illness. Sixty‐three web users reported providing first aid, 44 of whom reported that the person they were assisting had sought professional care as a result of their suggestion. Twenty‐three web users reported seeking care themselves. A majority of those who provided first aid reported feeling that they had been successful in helping the person, that they had been able to assist in a way that was more knowledgeable, skilful and supportive, and that the guidelines had contributed to these outcomes.

Conclusions: Information made freely available on the Internet, about how to provide mental health first aid to someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis, is associated with more positive, empathic and successful helping behaviours.
Human‐impacted landscapes facilitate hybridization between a native and an introduced tree
Authors: Hoban Sean M. , McCleary Tim S. , Schlarbaum Scott E. , Anagnostakis Sandra L. , Romero‐Severson Jeanne
Published: March 2012

Spatial and temporal dynamics of hybridization, in particular the influence of local environmental conditions, are well studied for sympatric species but less is known for native‐introduced systems, especially for long‐lived species. We used microsatellite and chloroplast DNA markers to characterize the influence of anthropogenic landscapes on the extent, direction, and spatial distribution of hybridization between a native North American tree Juglans cinerea (butternut) and an introduced tree Juglans ailantifolia (Japanese walnut) for 1363 trees at 48 locations across the native range of butternut. Remarkably, admixture in anthropogenic sites reached nearly 70%, while fragmented and continuous forests showed minimal admixture (<8%). Furthermore, more hybrids in anthropogenic sites had J. ailantifolia seed parents (95%) than hybrids in fragmented and continuous forests (69% and 59%, respectively). Our results show a strong influence of landscape type on rate and direction of realized gene flow. While hybrids are common in anthropogenic landscapes, our results suggest that even small forested landscapes serve as substantial barriers to hybrid establishment, a key consideration for butternut conservation planning, a species already exhibiting severe decline, and for other North American forest trees that hybridize with introduced congeners.
Tadalafil for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Japanese Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Results from a 12‐week Placebo‐controlled Dose‐finding Study with a 42‐week Open‐label Extension
Authors: TAKEDA Masayuki , NISHIZAWA Osamu , IMAOKA Takeshi , MORISAKI Yoji , VIKTRUP Lars
Published: March 2012

Objectives: To examine the efficacy, safety, and dose response of tadalafil once daily in Japanese men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH‐LUTS).

Methods: Men ≥45 years with moderate‐to‐severe BPH‐LUTS were randomized to once‐daily placebo (N = 140), tadalafil 2.5 mg (N = 142), or tadalafil 5.0 mg (N = 140), in a 12‐week double‐blind phase, followed by a 42‐week, tadalafil 5.0 mg open‐label extension (OLE) phase (N = 394). The primary outcome was total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) change from baseline to last available observation in the double‐blind phase.

Results: The least squares (LS) mean difference between placebo and tadalafil in total IPSS change from baseline was −0.7 (P = 0.201) and −1.1 (P = 0.062) for tadalafil 2.5 and 5 mg, respectively (ANCOVA; a dose‐dependent improvement in placebo‐adjusted total IPSS for tadalafil 5 mg versus 2.5 mg of 57%). Repeated‐measures analyses identified a significant total IPSS change for tadalafil 5 mg (LS mean difference between placebo and tadalafil 5 mg: −1.2; P = 0.035), but not tadalafil 2.5 mg, at week 12. Significant improvements for tadalafil 5 mg were demonstrated (ANCOVA) for IPSS obstructive subscore (P = 0.033) and IPSS quality of life index (P = 0.022). Numerical improvements in IPSS scores were maintained over the OLE phase. Tadalafil was well tolerated with no unexpected adverse events.

Conclusion: Tadalafil (5.0 mg) had a favorable benefit‐to‐risk profile, supporting further investigation of tadalafil (5.0 mg) in Japanese men with BPH‐LUTS.
Processes and Pathways: How Do Mathematics and Science Partnerships Measure and Promote Growth in Teacher Content Knowledge?
Authors: Moyer‐Packenham Patricia S. , Westenskow Arla
Published: March 2012

Intense focus on student achievement results in mathematics and science has brought about claims that K‐12 teachers should be better prepared to teach basic concepts in these disciplines. The focus on teachers' mathematics and science content knowledge has been met by efforts to increase teacher knowledge through funded national initiatives focusing on mathematics and science. The purpose of the present study was to look across projects in the National Science Foundation's Math and Science Partnership Program to determine how partnerships developed processes for measuring growth in teacher content knowledge. Pre‐ and post‐testing was the most common process for measuring growth in content knowledge, with 63% of the mathematics and 78% of the science teachers showing significant gains in content knowledge. A notable difference was found between teacher outcomes when the Learning Mathematics for Teaching instrument was used in comparison with the use of other instruments measuring teacher content knowledge growth. Results revealed two pathways for promoting teacher content knowledge growth: content explicit, where the goal of growth in teacher content knowledge was explicit in the activity, and content embedded, where the goal of growth in teacher content knowledge was embedded in the activity. As a result of the analysis, a framework demonstrating the interrelationships among processes and pathways was developed.1
Lost in Translation: Examining Translation Errors Associated With Mathematical Representations
Authors: Adu‐Gyamfi Kwaku , Stiff Lee V. , Bossé Michael J.
Published: March 2012

Translation errors and conceptual misunderstandings made by students translating among graphical, tabular, and symbolic representations of linear functions were examined. The study situated student errors in the context of the “Translation‐Verification Model” developed specifically for the purpose of explaining student behavior during the process of translating relationships from one mathematical representation to another. Three distinct error types were identified to explain student performance. An examination of the error types revealed that specific translation errors tend to occur at different stages of the translation process. Translation errors are also related to “attribute density,” the amount of information inherently encoded in a given representation. The findings of the study have implications for teaching linear relationships—student weaknesses and strengths are identified.
COHERENTISM AND THE EPISTEMIC JUSTIFICATION OF MORAL BELIEFS: A CASE STUDY IN HOW TO DO PRACTICAL ETHICS WITHOUT APPEAL TO A MORAL THEORY
Authors: ENGEL JR. MYLAN
Published: March 2012

abstract

This paper defends a coherentist approach to moral epistemology. In “The Immorality of Eating Meat” (2000), I offer a coherentist consistency argument to show that our own beliefs rationally commit us to the immorality of eating meat. Elsewhere, I use our own beliefs as premises to argue that we have positive duties to assist the poor (2004) and to argue that biomedical animal experimentation is wrong (2012). The present paper explores whether this consistency‐based coherentist approach of grounding particular moral judgments on beliefs we already hold, with no appeal to moral theory, is a legitimate way of doing practical ethics. I argue (i) that grounding particular moral judgments on our core moral convictions and other core nonmoral beliefs is a legitimate way to justify moral judgments, (ii) that these moral judgments possess as much epistemic justification and have as much claim to objectivity as moral judgments grounded on particular ethical theories, and (iii) that this internalistic coherentist method of grounding moral judgments is more likely to result in behavioral guidance than traditional theory‐based approaches to practical ethics. By way of illustrating the approach, I briefly recapitulate my consistency‐based argument for ethical vegetarianism. I then defend the coherentist approach implicit in the argument against a number of potentially fatal metatheoretical attacks.
Performance of the QuantiFERON-Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Assay for Detection and Estimation of the Magnitude and Functionality of the CMV-Specific Gamma Interferon-Producing CD8+T-Cell Response in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Clari María Ángeles , Muñoz-Cobo Beatriz , Solano Carlos , Benet Isabel , Costa Elisa , Remigia María José , Bravo Dayana , Amat Paula , Navarro David
Published: March 2012

The performance of the QuantiFERON-cytomegalovirus (CMV) assay was compared to that of a flow cytometry intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) method for the detection of CMV-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing CD8+T-cell responses in allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) recipients and for estimations of their magnitude and functionality. A total of 90 whole-blood specimens from 23 allo-SCT recipients was analyzed by both methods. Overall, the percentage of specimens that yielded concordant results by both methods was 68.8% (κ = 0.691; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.548 to 0.835), and the sensitivity of the QuantiFERON-CMV assay for the detection of positive IFN-γ T-cell responses (>0.2 IU/ml), taking the ICS method as the reference, was 76.3%. The magnitude of IFN-γ-producing CD8+T-cell responses to CMV-specific peptides measured with the QuantiFERON-CMV assay correlated significantly (σ = 0.695;P= <0.001) with that of the total IFN-γ-producing CD8+T cells and dual-functional (IFN-γ/tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α] [σ = 0.652;P= <0.001] and IFN-γ/CD107a [σ = 0.690;P= <0.001]) and trifunctional (IFN-γ/TNF-α/CD107a [σ = 0.679;P= >0.001]) CMV-specific CD8+T-cell responses, as quantitated by ICS. In summary, the data indicated that the QuantiFERON-CMV assay is less sensitive than the ICS method for the detection of CMV-specific IFN-γ-producing CD8+T-cell responses in the allo-SCT setting. Nevertheless, it allowed the estimation of the total and polyfunctional CMV-specific IFN-γ-producing CD8+T-cell responses in specimens that tested positive by both methods.
Dexamethasone Treatment Has No Effect on the Formation of Pneumococcal Antibodies during Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: van Mens Suzan P. , Meijvis Sabine C. A. , Grutters Jan C. , Vlaminckx Bart J. M. , Bos Willem J. W. , Rijkers Ger T.
Published: March 2012

In this study, the effect of dexamethasone on the formation of pneumococcal antibodies during community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) was investigated. No differences between CAP patients receiving dexamethasone as additional therapy and patients receiving a placebo were found with respect to immune response rates and mean baseline and convalescent-phase antibody concentrations.
Detection of Resistance to Second-Line Antituberculosis Drugs by Use of the Genotype MTBDR
sl
Assay: a Multicenter Evaluation and Feasibility Study
Authors: Ignatyeva Olga , Kontsevaya Irina , Kovalyov Alexander , Balabanova Yanina , Nikolayevskyy Vladislav , Toit Kadri , Dragan Anda , Maxim Daniela , Mironova Svetlana , Kummik Tiina , Muntean Ionela , Koshkarova Ekaterina , Drobniewski Francis
Published: March 2012

The rate of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) has been steadily increasing in countries of the former USSR. The availability of rapid and reliable methods for the detection of drug resistance to second-line drugs is vital for adequate patient management. We evaluated the performance of the Genotype MTBDR
sl
assay compared to that of phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (Becton Dickinson Bactec MGIT 960 system) with a test panel of 200
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates at four sites in Eastern Europe. The interpretability of the Genotype MTBDR
sl
assay was over 95%. The sensitivity for the detection of resistance to fluoroquinolones, ethambutol, amikacin, and capreomycin varied between 77.3% and 92.3%; however, it was much lower for kanamycin (42.7%). The sensitivity for the detection of XDR TB was 22.6%. The test specificity was over 82% for all drugs. The assay presents a good screening tool for the rapid detection of resistance to individual second-line drugs and can be recommended for use in countries with a high burden of MDR/XDR TB. The sensitivity for the detection of kanamycin resistance needs improvement.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide Enhances Effectiveness of Skin Antiseptics and Reduces Contamination Rates of Blood Cultures
Authors: Tarrand Jeffrey J. , LaSala Paul R. , Han Xiang-Yang , Rolston Kenneth V. , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P.
Published: March 2012

Effective skin antisepsis is of central importance in the prevention of wound infections, colonization of medical devices, and nosocomial transmission of microorganisms. Current antiseptics have a suboptimal efficacy resulting in substantial infectious morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs. Here, we introduce an
in vitro
method for antiseptic testing and a novel alcohol-based antiseptic containing 4 to 5% of the polar aprotic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The DMSO-containing antiseptic resulted in a 1- to 2-log enhanced killing of
Staphylococcus epidermidis
and other microbes
in vitro
compared to the same antiseptic without DMSO. In a prospective clinical validation, blood culture contamination rates were reduced from 3.04% for 70% isopropanol–1% iodine (control antiseptic) to 1.04% for 70% isopropanol–1% iodine–5% DMSO (
P
< 0.01). Our results predict that improved skin antisepsis is possible using new formulations of antiseptics containing strongly polarized but nonionizing (polar aprotic) solvents.
Evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert Flu Assay for Rapid Identification and Differentiation of Influenza A, Influenza A 2009 H1N1, and Influenza B Viruses
Authors: Novak-Weekley S. M. , Marlowe E. M. , Poulter M. , Dwyer D. , Speers D. , Rawlinson W. , Baleriola C. , Robinson C. C.
Published: March 2012

The Xpert Flu Assay cartridge is a next-generation nucleic acid amplification system that provides multiplexed PCR detection of the influenza A, influenza A 2009 H1N1, and influenza B viruses in approximately 70 min with minimal hands-on time. Six laboratories participated in a clinical trial comparing the results of the new Cepheid Xpert Flu Assay to those of culture or real-time PCR with archived and prospectively collected nasal aspirate-wash (NA-W) specimens and nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs from children and adults. Discrepant results were resolved by DNA sequence analysis. After discrepant-result analysis, the sensitivities of the Xpert Flu Assay for prospective NA-W specimens containing the influenza A, influenza A 2009 H1N1, and influenza B viruses compared to those of culture were 90.0%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, while the sensitivities of the assay for prospective NP swabs compared to those of culture were 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The sensitivities of the Xpert Flu Assay for archived NA-W specimens compared to those of Gen-Probe ProFlu+ PCR for the influenza A, influenza A 2009 H1N1, and influenza B viruses were 99.4%, 98.4%, and 100%, respectively, while the sensitivities of the Xpert Flu Assay for archived NP swabs compared to those of ProFlu+ were 98.1%, 100%, and 93.8%, respectively. The sensitivities of the Xpert Flu Assay with archived NP specimens compared to those of culture for the three targets were 97.5%, 100%, and 93.8%, respectively. We conclude that the Cepheid Xpert Flu Assay is an accurate and rapid method that is suitable for on-demand testing for influenza viral infection.
The Bovine Immunodeficiency Virus Rev Protein: Identification of a Novel Nuclear Import Pathway and Nuclear Export Signal among Retroviral Rev/Rev-Like Proteins
Authors: Gomez Corredor Andrea , Archambault Denis
Published: March 2012

The Rev protein is essential for the replication of lentiviruses. Rev is a shuttling protein that transports unspliced and partially spliced lentiviral RNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm via the nucleopore. To transport these RNAs, the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Rev uses the karyopherin β family importin β and CRM1 proteins that interact with the Rev nuclear localization signal (NLS) and nuclear exportation signal (NES), respectively. Recently, we reported the presence of new types of bipartite NLS and nucleolar localization signal (NoLS) in the bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) Rev protein. Here we report the characterization of the nuclear import and export pathways of BIV Rev. By using an
in vitro
nuclear import assay, we showed that BIV Rev is transported into the nucleus by a cytosolic and energy-dependent importin α/β classical pathway. Results from glutathione
S
-transferase (GST) pulldown assays that showed the binding of BIV Rev with importins α3 and α5 were in agreement with those from the nuclear import assay. We also identified a leptomycin B-sensitive NES in BIV Rev, which indicates that the protein is exported via CRM1 like HIV-1 Rev. Mutagenesis experiments showed that the BIV Rev NES maps between amino acids 109 to 121 of the protein. Remarkably, the BIV Rev NES was found to be of the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) type instead of the HIV-1 Rev type. In summary, our data showed that the nuclear import mechanism of BIV Rev is novel among Rev proteins characterized so far in lentiviruses.
Signature Biochemical Properties of Broadly Cross-Reactive HIV-1 Neutralizing Antibodies in Human Plasma
Authors: Sajadi Mohammad M. , Lewis George K. , Seaman Michael S. , Guan Yongjun , Redfield Robert R. , DeVico Anthony L.
Published: March 2012

The common properties of broadly cross-reactive HIV-1 neutralization antibodies found in certain HIV-1-infected individuals holds significant value for understanding natural and vaccine-mediated anti-HIV immunity. Recent efforts have addressed this question by deriving neutralizing monoclonal anti-envelope antibodies from memory B cell pools of selected subjects. However, it has been more difficult to identify whether broadly neutralizing antibodies circulating in plasma possess shared characteristics among individuals. To address this question, we used affinity chromatography and isoelectric focusing to fractionate plasma immunoglobulin from 10 HIV-1-infected subjects (5 subjects with broad HIV-1 neutralizing activity and 5 controls). We find that plasma neutralizing activity typically partitions into at least two subsets of antibodies. Antibodies with restricted neutralization breadth have relatively neutral isoelectric points and preferentially bind to envelope monomers and trimers versus core antigens from which variable loops and other domains have been deleted. In comparison, broadly neutralizing antibodies account for a minor fraction of the total anti-envelope response. They are consistently distinguished by more basic isoelectric points and specificity for epitopes shared by monomeric gp120, gp120 core, or CD4-induced structures. Such biochemical properties might be exploited to reliably predict or produce broad anti-HIV immunity.
Widespread Impact of HLA Restriction on Immune Control and Escape Pathways of HIV-1
Authors: Carlson Jonathan M. , Listgarten Jennifer , Pfeifer Nico , Tan Vincent , Kadie Carl , Walker Bruce D. , Ndung'u Thumbi , Shapiro Roger , Frater John , Brumme Zabrina L. , Goulder Philip J. R. , Heckerman David
Published: March 2012

The promiscuous presentation of epitopes by similar HLA class I alleles holds promise for a universal T-cell-based HIV-1 vaccine. However, in some instances, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) restricted by HLA alleles with similar or identical binding motifs are known to target epitopes at different frequencies, with different functional avidities and with different apparent clinical outcomes. Such differences may be illuminated by the association of similar HLA alleles with distinctive escape pathways. Using a novel computational method featuring phylogenetically corrected odds ratios, we systematically analyzed differential patterns of immune escape across all optimally defined epitopes in Gag, Pol, and Nef in 2,126 HIV-1 clade C-infected adults. Overall, we identified 301 polymorphisms in 90 epitopes associated with HLA alleles belonging to shared supertypes. We detected differential escape in 37 of 38 epitopes restricted by more than one allele, which included 278 instances of differential escape at the polymorphism level. The majority (66 to 97%) of these resulted from the selection of unique HLA-specific polymorphisms rather than differential epitope targeting rates, as confirmed by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay (ELISPOT) data. Discordant associations between HLA alleles and viral load were frequently observed between allele pairs that selected for differential escape. Furthermore, the total number of associated polymorphisms strongly correlated with average viral load. These studies confirm that differential escape is a widespread phenomenon and may be the norm when two alleles present the same epitope. Given the clinical correlates of immune escape, such heterogeneity suggests that certain epitopes will lead to discordant outcomes if applied universally in a vaccine.