bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and tolerability between an olmesartan/amlodipine fixed‐dose combination and an amlodipine double dose in mild to moderate hypertension
Authors: Lin Tsung‐Hsien , Tsai Cheng‐Dao , Pan Ju‐Pin , Hou Charles Jia‐Yin , Hsia Chien‐Hsun , Tsai Jui‐Peng , Lai Wen‐Ter
Published: December 2012

Fixed‐dose combinations (FDCs) are one of the options for improving blood pressure (BP) goal attainment. We enrolled 141 patients and evaluated the efficacy and safety between a fixed dose of olmesartan/amlodipine (OA) and a double dose of amlodipine (DA) for treating mild to moderate hypertension after amlodipine monotherapy failure. After at least 2 weeks of monotherapy failure, the patients were randomized to receive either OA or DA for 8 weeks. We compared the systolic blood pressure (SBP)‐lowering efficacy of the OA and DA using both an office BP and an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) device. The intent‐to‐treat analysis found that the early (2nd week) and final visit (8th week) SBP reductions were significantly greater in those patients receiving OA (n = 70) than DA (n = 71) (17.57 ± 15.49 vs. 10.46 ± 13.36 and 24.89 ± 14.09 vs. 17.03 ± 13.27 mmHg, p = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). Among those using ABPM, the patients with 8‐week OA had a greater SBP‐lowering effect in comparison with those on DA (14.08 ± 10.74 vs. 6.32 ± 10.21, p = 0.018). Both treatment strategies were well tolerated. This study showed that an OA FDC is more effective than DA in reducing SBP for mild to moderate hypertension after the failure of amlodipine monotherapy.
Complications of urologic laparoscopic surgery: A center surgeon's experience involving 601 procedures including the learning curve
Authors: Akin Yigit , Ates Mutlu , Celik Orcun , Ucar Murat , Yucel Selcuk , Erdogru Tibet
Published: December 2012

When indications for laparoscopy were expanded to include a variety of urologic diseases, this increased the importance of prevention of complications, especially during the surgeons' learning curve period. Therefore, we evaluated the complications of urologic laparoscopic surgery in the course of one surgeon's experience including the learning curve after completing his long‐term fellowship program. From December 2004 to August 2010, a total of 601 urologic laparoscopic surgical procedures were performed by a single surgeon who had finished a 9‐month fellowship program at an experienced center. The intra‐ and postoperative complications of these cases were documented and graded according to the modified Clavien classification system, and then compared with the first and second 3‐year periods. Of these 601 laparoscopic procedures, 47 complications occurred in 38 patients, resulting in a total complication rate of 7.8%. Conversion to open surgery occurred in four (0.6%) patients. Clavien grades I and II accounted for minor complications and occurred in 36 (5.9%) patients, whereas grades III, IV, and V accounted for major complications, which occurred in 11 (1.8%) patients. The annual complication rates formed a plateau in the 3rd year. Complication rates were significantly lower in the second 3‐year period compared with the first 3 years (p < 0.05). Despite the well‐organized training program and transferability, surgeons must practice caution in the early years until they become more experienced. In spite of the presence of experienced laparoscopic surgeons, the surgical team needs time to gain experience. These factors cause complication rates to form a plateau in terms of time and experience.
Are Implicit Causality Pronoun Resolution Biases Consistent Across Languages and Cultures?
Authors: Hartshorne Joshua K. , Sudo Yasutada , Uruwashi Miki
Published: December 2012

The referent of a nonreflexive pronoun depends on context, but the nature of these contextual restrictions is controversial. For instance, in causal dependent clauses, the preferred referent of a pronoun varies systematically with the verb in the main clause (Sally frightens Mary because she … vs. Sally loves Mary because she …). Several theories claim that verbs with similar meanings across languages should show similar pronoun resolution effects, but these claims run contrary to recent analyses on which much of linguistic and nonlinguistic cognition is susceptible to cross-cultural variation, and in fact there is little data in the literature to decide the question one way or another. Analysis of data in eight languages representing four historically unrelated language families reveals consistent pronoun resolution biases for emotion verbs, suggesting that the information upon which implicit causality pronoun resolution biases are derived is stable across languages and cultures.
Finding Our Way in the Social World
Authors: Pattyn Sven , Rosseel Yves , Van Hiel Alain
Published: December 2012

People readily use social categories in their daily interactions with others. Although many scholars have focused on social categorization, they have largely neglected the cognitive representation of stimuli as a basis of this process. The present work aims to determine what dimensions are commonly used to organize the social world. The main dimensions of the social mental map are extracted from sorting data pertaining to a wide variety of social stimuli. Dimensions reflecting conventionalism, age, gender, physical versus cognitive orientation, warmth, and deviance are revealed. Furthermore, we show important individual differences in the extent to which each of these dimensions are attended to. We also establish the stability and reliability of our findings in a follow-up and a replication study.
Processing of Social Identity Threats
Authors: de Hoog Natascha
Published: December 2012

The underlying process of reactions to social identity threat was examined from a defense motivation perspective. Two studies measured respondents’ social identification, after which they read threatening group information. Study 1 compared positive and negative group information, attributed to an ingroup or outgroup source. Study 2 compared negative and neutral group information to general negative information. It was expected that negative group information would induce defense motivation, which reveals itself in biased information processing and in turn affects the evaluation of the information. High identifiers should pay more attention to, have higher threat perceptions of, more defensive thoughts of, and more negative evaluations of negative group information than positive or neutral group information. Findings generally supported these predictions.
Noise amplification by chaotic dynamics in a delayed feedback laser system and its application to nondeterministic random bit generation
Authors: Sunada Satoshi , Harayama Takahisa , Davis Peter , Tsuzuki Ken , Arai Ken-ichi , Yoshimura Kazuyuki , Uchida Atsushi
Published: December 2012

We present an experimental method for directly observing the amplification of microscopic intrinsic noise in a high-dimensional chaotic laser system, a laser with delayed feedback. In the experiment, the chaotic laser system is repeatedly switched from a stable lasing state to a chaotic state, and the time evolution of an ensemble of chaotic states starting from the same initial state is measured. It is experimentally demonstrated that intrinsic noises amplified by the chaotic dynamics are transformed into macroscopic fluctuating signals, and the probability density of the output light intensity actually converges to a natural invariant probability density in a strongly chaotic regime. Moreover, with the experimental method, we discuss the application of the chaotic laser systems to physical random bit generators. It is experimentally shown that the convergence to the invariant density plays an important role in nondeterministic random bit generation, which could be desirable for future ultimate secure communication systems.
High sensitivity differential magneto-optical imaging with a compact Faraday-modulator
Authors: Mandal Pabitra , Chowdhury Debanjan , Banerjee S. S. , Tamegai T.
Published: December 2012

We present here the design of a sensitive compact Faraday-modulator (CFM) based optical magnetometer for imaging the distribution of weak local magnetic fields inside hysteretic magnetic materials. The system developed has a root-mean-square noise level of 50 mG Hz−1/2 at a full frame rate of 1 fps (frame per second) with each frame being of size 512 × 512 pixels. By measuring the local magnetic field distribution in different superconducting samples we show that our magnetometer provides an order of magnitude improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio at low fields as compared to ordinary magneto-optical imaging technique. Moreover, it provides the required sensitivity for imaging the weak magnetization response near a superconducting transition where a number of other imaging techniques are practically unviable. An advantage of our CFM design is that it can be scaled in size to fit into situations with tight space constraints.
Cylindric quantum wires in a threading magnetic field: A proposal of characterization based on zero bias electron transport
Authors: Onorato P.
Published: December 2012

We study the quantum transport properties of cylindrical shaped wires, with submicrometric diameters and large aspect ratio. The zero bias conductance as a function of temperature, magnetic field and disorder is calculated for different kinds of nano cylinders, from semiconductor quantum wires to carbon nanotubes. A comparison between our findings and the experimental results allows the understanding of the charge carriers' localization, in the external surface or in the core of the wires, by highlighting the basic mechanism of charge transport. We discuss how we can infer that in InAs quantum wires the carriers move in the core. We examine the Aharonov-Bohm oscillations and the quenching that should be observed in the measured magneto conductivity of InAs nano cylinders and carbon nanotubes emphasizing the role of the angle between field and tube.
Resonance frequencies and Young's modulus determination of magnetorheological elastomers using the photoacoustic technique
Authors: Daniel Macias J. , Ordonez-Miranda J. , Alvarado-Gil J. J.
Published: December 2012

A simple and reliable methodology for determining the Young's modulus of magnetorheological elastomers is proposed based on the resonance frequencies of the amplitude of the photoacoustic signal. An explicit expression for the pressure changes within a photoacoustic cell, due to the thermal expansion of the air and the elastic bending of a clamped circular elastic membrane, is derived and analyzed. It is found that the resonance behavior of the amplitude of the photoacoustic signal is due to the contribution of the axial bending of its thickness. It is also shown that the Young's modulus of the membrane is proportional to its density, the square of its resonance frequencies and the fourth power of its radius, and inversely proportional to the square of its thickness. The application of the proposed approach to membranes made up of spherical microparticles of carbonyl iron powder embedded in a matrix of silicone rubber with weight concentrations of 0%, 5.2%, and 13.7% yields accurate and reproducible results, which are in good agreement with reported data in the literature. The highest accuracy on the measurement of the resonance frequencies and therefore on the Young's modulus is found for the first resonance peak. When a magnetic field is applied to the samples to modify their stiffness, it is observed that the Young's modulus increases with the magnetic field. This novel application of the photoacoustic technique opens the possibility of performing mechanical characterization of a broad diversity of magnetorheological membranes.
Nanomechanical and optical properties of highly a-axis oriented AlN films
Authors: Jose Feby , Ramaseshan R. , Tripura Sundari S. , Dash S. , Tyagi A. K. , Kiran M. S. R. N. , Ramamurty U.
Published: December 2012

This paper reports optical and nanomechanical properties of predominantly a-axis oriented AlN thin films. These films were deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering technique at an optimal target to substrate distance of 180 mm. X-ray rocking curve (FWHM = 52 arcsec) studies confirmed the preferred orientation. Spectroscopic ellipsometry revealed a refractive index of 1.93 at a wavelength of 546 nm. The hardness and elastic modulus of these films were 17 and 190 GPa, respectively, which are much higher than those reported earlier can be useful for piezoelectric films in bulk acoustic wave resonators.
Mechanism of reversing the Neel domain walls in the Co nanostripes with transverse magnetic anisotropy
Authors: Davydenko A. V. , Ognev A. V. , Pustovalov E. V. , Chebotkevich L. A.
Published: December 2012

We present a model of reversing the Neel domain walls (DWs) in the laminar domain structure of epitaxial Co(111) nanostripes. The laminar domain structure in nanostripes is induced by magnetic anisotropy, the easy axis of which is orthogonal to the long axis and lies in the plane of the stripes. Magnetization reversal in the DWs occurs by nucleation of vortices at the opposite ends of adjacent DWs and their subsequent propagation along the domain DWs. Vortices in adjacent DWs have opposite chirality. The out of plane component of the magnetization in the vortices cores is confirmed by micromagnetic modeling.
High efficient luminescence in type-II GaAsSb-capped InAs quantum dots upon annealing
Authors: Ulloa J. M. , Llorens J. M. , Alén B. , Reyes D. F. , Sales D. L. , González D. , Hierro A.
Published: December 2012

The photoluminescence efficiency of GaAsSb-capped InAs/GaAs type II quantum dots (QDs) can be greatly enhanced by rapid thermal annealing while preserving long radiative lifetimes which are ∼20 times larger than in standard GaAs-capped InAs/GaAs QDs. Despite the reduced electron-hole wavefunction overlap, the type-II samples are more efficient than the type-I counterparts in terms of luminescence, showing a great potential for device applications. Strain-driven In-Ga intermixing during annealing is found to modify the QD shape and composition, while As-Sb exchange is inhibited, allowing to keep the type-II structure. Sb is only redistributed within the capping layer giving rise to a more homogeneous composition.
Polarization effects on gate leakage in InAlN/AlN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors
Authors: Ganguly Satyaki , Konar Aniruddha , Hu Zongyang , Xing Huili , Jena Debdeep
Published: December 2012

Lattice-matched InAlN/AlN/GaN high electron mobility transistors offer high performance with attractive electronic and thermal properties. For high-voltage applications, gate leakage currents under reverse bias voltages remain a serious challenge. This current flow is dominated by field enhanced thermal emission from trap states or direct tunneling. We experimentally measure reverse-bias gate leakage currents in InAlN/AlN/GaN transistors at various temperatures and find that the conventional trap-assisted Frenkel-Poole model fails to explain the experimental data. Unlike the non-polar semiconductors Si, Ge, large polarization-induced electric fields exist in III-nitride heterojunctions. When the large polarization fields are accounted for, a modified Frenkel-Poole model is found to accurately explain the measured data at low reverse bias voltages. At high reverse bias voltages, we identify that the direct Fowler-Nordheim tunneling mechanism dominates. The accurate identification of the gate leakage current flow mechanism in these structures leads to the extraction of several useful physical parameters, highlights the importance of polarization fields, and leads to suggestions for improved behavior.
Streptococcus hongkongensis sp. nov., isolated from a patient with an infected puncture wound and from a marine flatfish
Authors: Lau Susanna K. P. , Curreem Shirly O. T. , Lin Cherry C. N. , Fung Ami M. Y. , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Woo Patrick C. Y.
Published: December 2012

A bacterium, HKU30T, was isolated from the infected tissue of a patient with wound infection after puncture by a fish fin. Cells are facultative anaerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, Gram-positive cocci arranged in chains. Colonies were non-haemolytic. The strain was catalase, oxidase, urease and Voges–Proskauer test negative. It reacted with Lancefield’s group G antisera and was resistant to optochin. It grew on bile aesculin agar and in 5 % NaCl. It was unidentified by three commercial identification systems. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the bacterium shared 98.2, 97.7, 97.4 and 97.1 % nucleotide identities withStreptococcus iniae,Streptococcus pseudoporcinus,Streptococcus parauberisandStreptococcus uberis, respectively. The DNA G+C content was 35.6±0.9 mol% (mean±sd). In view of the occupational exposure of the patient, an epidemiological study was performed to isolate the bacterium from marine fish. Two strains, with similar phenotypic and genotypic characteristics to those of HKU30T, were isolated from a three-lined tongue sole (Cynoglossus abbreviatus) and an olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of four additional housekeeping genes,groEL,gyrB,sodAandrpoB, showed that the three isolates formed a distinct branch among known species of the genusStreptococcus, being most closely related toS. parauberis(CCUG 39954T). DNA–DNA hybridization demonstrated≤53.8 % DNA relatedness between the three isolates and related species of the genusStreptococcus. A novel species,Streptococcus hongkongensissp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is HKU30T( = DSM 26014T = CECT 8154T).
Modelling the spatial distribution of Culicoides biting midges at the local scale
Authors: Kluiters Georgette , Sugden David , Guis Helene , McIntyre K. Marie , Labuschagne Karien , Vilar Maria J. , Baylis Matthew
Published: December 2012

Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are ubiquitous on farms in the United Kingdom (UK), but little research has explored their abundance, an important determinant of disease risk. Models to explain and predict variation in their abundance are needed for effective targeting of control methods against bluetongue virus (BTV) and other Culicoides‐borne diseases. Although models have been attempted at the national scale (e.g. Scotland), no investigations have taken place at a finer spatial scale.

Midge abundances were estimated using light traps on 35 farms in Bala, north Wales. Culicoides catches were combined with remotely sensed ecological correlates, and on‐farm host and environmental data, within a GLM model. Drivers of local‐scale variation were determined at the 1‐km resolution.

Local‐scale variation in abundance exhibited an almost 500‐fold difference (74–33 720) between farms in maximum Obsoletus Group catches. The Obsoletus Group model explained 81% of this variance and was dominated by normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). This is consistent with previous studies suggesting strong impacts of forest cover and vegetation activity on distribution, as well as shaded breeding site requirements.

The variance explained was consistently high for the Pulicaris Group, C. pulicaris and C. punctatus (80%, 73% and 74%), the other probable BTV vector species in the United Kingdom. The abundance of all vector species increased with the number of sheep on farms, but this relationship was missing from any of the non‐vector models. This is particularly interesting given that none of the species concerned are known to utilize sheep‐associated larval development sites. Performance of the non‐vector models was also high (65–87% variance explained), but species differed in their associations with satellite variables.

Synthesis and application. At a large spatial scale, there is significant variation in Culicoides Obsoletus Group abundance, which undermines attempts to record their nationwide distribution in larger‐scale models. Satellite data can be used to explain a high proportion of this variation and, if shown to be generalizable, they may produce effective predictive models of disease vector abundance. We recommend undertaking a prior survey for farms with high Culicoides catches within the sampling area and checking stability in catch size between seasons and years.
Changes in hepatic lipogenic and oxidative enzymes and glucose homeostasis induced by an acetyl‐l‐carnitine and nicotinamide treatment in dyslipidaemic insulin‐resistant rats
Authors: Ferreira Maria R , Camberos Maria del C , Selenscig Dante , Martucci Lucía C , Chicco Adriana , Lombardo Yolanda B , Cresto Juan C
Published: December 2012

Normal rats fed a sucrose‐rich diet (SRD) develop dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance. The present study examined whether administration of the mitochondrial nutrients nicotinamide and acetyl‐l‐carnitine reversed or improved these metabolic abnormalities.

Male Wistar rats were fed an SRD for 90 days. Half the rats then received daily injections of nicotinamide (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and acetyl‐ l‐carnitine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) for a further 90 days. The remaining rats in the SRD‐fed group and those in a normal chow‐fed control group were injected with an equal volume of saline solution for the same period. The following parameters were determined in all groups: (i) liver activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and carnitine‐palmitoyl transferase‐1 (CPT‐1); (ii) hepatic and skeletal muscle triacylglycerol content, plasma glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA) and triacylglycerol levels and pancreatic insulin content; and (iii) glucose tolerance.

Administration of nicotinamide and acetyl‐l‐carnitine to the SRD‐fed rats reduced dyslipidaemia, liver steatosis, muscle triacylglycerol content and hepatic FAS and ACC activities and increased CPT‐1 activity. In addition nicotinamide and acetyl‐l‐carnitine improved the glucose disappearance rate (Kg), normalized plasma glucose levels and moderately increased insulinaemia without altering pancreatic insulin content. Finally, nicotinamide and acetyl‐l‐carnitine administration reduced bodyweight gain and visceral adiposity.

The results of the present study suggest that altering key hepatic lipogenic and fatty acid oxidative enzymatic activity could improve dyslipidaemia, liver steatosis and visceral adiposity. Indeed, administration of nicotinamide and acetyl‐l‐carnitine improved glucose intolerance and normalized plasma glucose levels.
Metastasis associated protein 1 correlates with Hypoxia inducible‐factor 1 alpha expression and lymphangiogenesis in esophageal cancer
Authors: Guo Xufeng , Chen Yongbing , Fang Wentao , Yang Wentao , Shi Li , Zhu Rongying
Published: December 2012

Background

Metastasis to regional lymph nodes represents the first step of dissemination in esophageal cancer and serves as an unfavorable prognostic indicator for disease progression. The formation of tumor lymphatic microvessels is dependent on the production of lymphangiogenic growth factors by tumor cells, such as vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‐C), metastasis‐associated gene 1 (MTA1), and hypoxia inducible‐factor l alpha (HIF‐1α). The degree of intratumoral lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) by immunohistochemistry is thought to influence tumor lymph node metastasis (LNM) and prognosis in various solid tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of MTA1 and HIF‐1α in human esophageal cancer and to explore the relationship between their expression and lymphangiogenesis.

Method

The expression of MTA1 and HIF‐1α, and LMVD marked by D2‐40 were detected using immunohistochemical staining in eighty‐two human esophageal cancer cases.

Results

The positive rates of MTA1 and HIF‐1α expression were 69.5% and 59.8%, respectively. The expression of MTA1 and HIF‐1α were both correlated with LNM. In addition, MTA1 and HIF‐1α expression has a positive correlation in human esophageal cancer; LMVD correlated significantly with LNM. LMVD in MTA1 and HIF‐1α over‐expression cases was higher than that in none or weak cases, and this difference has statistical significance.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that MTA1 plays an important role in lymphangiogenesis and LNM by stabilizing HIF‐1α in esophageal cancer. The inhibition of lymphangiogenesis, MTA1, or HIF‐1α activity may have an important therapeutic benefit in the control of esophageal cancer.
Dopamine D1 Receptor Signaling System Regulates Ryanodine Receptor Expression in Ethanol Physical Dependence
Authors: Kurokawa Kazuhiro , Mizuno Koji , Ohkuma Seitaro
Published: December 2012

Background

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) amplifying activity‐dependent calcium influx via calcium‐induced calcium release play an important role in central nervous system functions including learning, memory, and drug abuse. In this study, we investigated the role and the regulatory mechanisms of RyR expression under continuous exposure of mice to ethanol (EtOH) vapor for 9 days.

Methods

The model of EtOH physical dependence was prepared as follows: 8‐week‐old male ddY mice were exposed to EtOH vapor for 9 days. Protein and mRNA of RyR‐1, RyR‐2, and RyR‐3 in the frontal cortex and limbic forebrain were determined by Western blot and real‐time RT‐PCR analysis, respectively.

Results

Exposure of mice to EtOH vapor for 9 days induced significant withdrawal signs when estimated with withdrawal score, which was dose‐dependently suppressed by intracerebroventricular administration of dantrolene, an RyR antagonist. Protein levels of RyR‐1 and RyR‐2 in the frontal cortex and limbic forebrain significantly increased during EtOH vapor exposure for 9 days with increased expression of their mRNA, whereas that of RyR‐3 in these 2 brain regions showed no changes. Increased proteins and mRNA of RyR‐1 and RyR‐2 were completely abolished by SCH23390, a selective antagonist of dopamine D1 receptors (D1DRs), but not by sulpiride, a selective antagonist of D2DRs.

Conclusions

RyRs play a critical role in the development of EtOH physical dependence and that the up‐regulation of RyRs in the brain of mouse, showing EtOH physical dependence is regulated by D1DRs.
Actual and Perceived Units of Alcohol in a Self‐Defined “Usual Glass” of Alcoholic Drinks in England
Authors: Boniface Sadie , Kneale James , Shelton Nicola
Published: December 2012

Background

Several studies have found participants pour more than 1 standard drink or unit as their usual glass. This is the first study to measure actual and perceived amounts of alcohol in a self‐defined usual glass of wines and spirits in the general population.

Methods

Participants were a convenience sample of adults who drink alcohol or who pour drinks for other people (n = 283, 54% women) at 6 sites in South East England. The survey was face to face and comprised a self‐completion questionnaire and pouring task. Estimation accuracy, categorised as correct (±0.5 units), underestimate (>0.5 units), or overestimate (>0.5 units) was the main outcome.

Results

The mean number of units poured was 1.90 (SD 0.80; n = 264) for wine and 1.93 (SD 0.78; n = 201) for spirits. The amount of alcohol in a self‐defined usual glass was estimated in 440 glasses (248 wine and 192 spirits). Overestimation took place in 42% glasses of spirit poured and 29% glasses of wine poured, and underestimation in 17 and 19%, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression found volume poured to be significantly associated with underestimating both wines and spirits, and additionally for wine only, belonging to a non‐white ethnic group and being unemployed or retired. Not having a university degree was significantly associated with overestimating both drink types.

Conclusions

This study is the first in the general population and did not identify systematic underestimation of the amount of alcohol in a self‐defined usual glass. Underestimation is significantly associated with volume poured for both drink types; therefore, advocating pouring smaller glasses could reduce underestimation of alcohol consumption.
A randomised comparison of variable‐frequency automated mandatory boluses with a basal infusion for patient‐controlled epidural analgesia during labour and delivery
Authors: Sia A. T. , Leo S. , Ocampo C. E.
Published: December 2012

This trial was conducted to compare the analgesic efficacy of administering variable‐frequency automated boluses at a rate proportional to the patient's needs with fixed continuous basal infusion in patient‐controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) during labour and delivery. We recruited a total of 102 parturients in labour who were randomly assigned to receive either a novel PCEA with automated mandatory boluses of 5 ml administered once, twice, three or four times per hour depending on the history of the parturient's analgesic demands over the past hour (Automated bolus group), or a conventional PCEA with a basal infusion of 5 ml.h−1 (Infusion group). The incidence of breakthrough pain requiring supplementation by an anaesthetist was significantly lower in the Automated bolus group, three out of 51 (5.9%) compared with the Infusion group, 12 out of 51 (23.5%, p = 0.023). The time‐weighted mean (SD) hourly consumption of ropivacaine was similar in both groups, 10.0 (3.0) mg in the Automated bolus group vs 11.1 (3.2) mg in the Infusion group (p = 0.06). Parturients from the Automated bolus group reported higher satisfaction scores compared with those in the Infusion group, 96.5 (5.0) vs 89.2 (9.4), respectively (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the incidence of maternal side‐effects and obstetric and neonatal outcomes.
Cancer cell micronucleus: an update on clinical and diagnostic applications
Authors: Bhatia Alka , Kumar Yashwant
Published: December 2012

Micronucleus (MN) is the small nucleus that forms whenever a chromosome or its fragment is not incorporated into one of the daughter nuclei during cell division. Any form of genotoxic stress due to extraneous or internal factors leads to formation of a MN, which serves as an indicator of chromosomal instability. Chromosomal damage and formation of MN are believed to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of many malignancies. Studies have shown that MN assay can be used as a tool for risk prediction, screening, diagnosis, prognosis and as a treatment‐response indicator in cancers. With the advancements in technology, greater details are becoming available regarding the molecular events in carcinogenesis. The micronuclei (MNi) in the cancer cells are now being used as tools to understand the pathogenetics of the malignancies. However, despite large number of studies on MNi in lymphocytes or exfoliated cells of cancer patients, the data regarding a cancer cell MN remain scarce. This review article tries to unleash some of the mysteries related to the formation of MN inside the cancer cell. Also, it discusses the possible effects and the events post MN formation in the cancer cell.
Influence of forest road, road‐surfacing material and stand age on floristic diversity and composition in a nutrient‐poor environment
Authors: Bergès Laurent , Chevalier Richard , Avon Catherine
Published: December 2012

Questions

How did the presence of forest roads modify plant diversity and composition in a nutrient‐poor environment? What was the effect of the use of limestone gravel as road surfacing material? How did floristic succession vary between roadside and forest interior?

Location

State Forest of Orléans, Loiret, northern France.

Methods

We sampled 30 pairs of 2000‐m2 plots, one on a road and the other 30 m inside the forest, on two road surfacing materials (limestone gravel and bare soil) and three stand ages (young, middle‐aged and mature) in Scots and Corsican pine stands in a large managed forest. Plant diversity was analysed according to life‐history traits (protection status, indigenousness, life form, habitat and ecological preferences). We tested the effects of plot position, road type and stand age on species richness, species composition and individual species response.

Results

The species richness of all plant groups was always higher on roads compared to forest stands, and the forest plot communities were nearly completely nested within the roadside plot communities. Seven protected species and four non‐native potentially invasive species were observed on roadsides. Limestone‐gravelled roads hosted more species than bare soil roads, but acidophilous forest and grassland species richness was higher on bare soil roads. Plant composition similarity between the roadside and forest were higher at early successional stages and lower in older stages.

Conclusions

Roads have inseparable positive and negative effects on plant communities, but the negative ones are of great concern. To prevent further damage in these nutrient‐poor ecosystems, we recommend monitoring road sections hosting protected acidophilous species, not increasing road density, and replacing limestone gravel with a low pH endogenous material.
Blackmore, Paul & Kandiko, Camille ed (2012) Strategic curriculum changeRoutledge (New York & London) isbn 978‐0‐415‐80934‐4 217 pp £24.99 http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415809344/
Authors: Hammer Sara
Published: December 2012

This book examines strategic curriculum change through a study of change activities within a group of international research‐based universities. It echoes a range of concepts, processes and tools relevant to curriculum change by way of real world (even if occasionally rarefied) case studies from each of these institutions. The target readers include university leaders at all levels and academic curriculum developers.

Sara Hammer
Promoting transplantation tolerance; adoptive regulatory T cell therapy
Authors: Safinia N , Leech J , Hernandez-Fuentes M , Lechler R , Lombardi G
Published: December 2012

Transplantation is a successful treatment for end-stage organ failure. Despite improvements in short-term outcome, long-term survival remains suboptimal because of the morbidity and mortality associated with long-term use of immunosuppression. There is, therefore, a pressing need to devise protocols that induce tolerance in order to minimize or completely withdraw immunosuppression in transplant recipients. In this review we will discuss how regulatory T cells (Tregs) came to be recognized as an attractive way to promote transplantation tolerance. We will summarize the preclinical data, supporting the importance of these cells in the induction and maintenance of immune tolerance and that provide the rationale for the isolation and expansion of these cells for cellular therapy. We will also describe the data from the first clinical trials, using Tregs to inhibit graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and will address both the challenges and opportunities in human Treg cell therapy.
Time invested in the global respiratory care of cystic fibrosis paediatrics patients
Authors: Hafen Gaudenz M. , Kernen Yann , De Halleux Quentin M.
Published: December 2012

Introduction

Respiratory therapy is a keystone of the treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, but it is time consuming.

Objectives

We aimed to assess the total time spent on respiratory therapy, including chest physiotherapy (CPT) and physical activity (PA), as well as inhalation therapy (IT) and maintenance of materials (MM) to rationalise and optimise treatment.

Methods

A cross‐sectional prospective study in a paediatric CF cohort. A questionnaire was developed to look at the time spent on respiratory care over 3 months. Enrolled in this study are all CF patients aged from 6 to 16 years (the exclusion criterion was lung transplantation).

Results

Of the 40 enrolled patients, 22 participated (13 boys and 9 girls), with a mean age of 11 years. The patients spent approximately 19.46 h per week (standard deviation ± 7.53, 8.00–35.25 h) on therapy: CPT (30.58%), IT (15.11%), PA (50%) and MM (4.32%), without statistical significance between sexes.

Conclusion

In our cohort, CF patients spent an average of nearly 20 h a week in respiratory therapy, within a wide range of between 8 h to almost 36 h a week. PA consumes almost half of the time. Physicians have to take into consideration the burden of the treatment, to optimise the therapy.
IgG4‐related disease with hypergammaglobulinemic hyperviscosity and retinopathy
Authors: Wong Patrick C. W. , Fung Adrian T. , Gerrie Alina S. , Moloney Gregory , Maberley David , Rossman David , White Valerie , Collins David , Coupland Robert , Chen Luke Y. C.
Published: December 2012

ImmunoglobulinG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) is a recently described entity with protean manifestations. We describe a novel case ofIgG4‐RDwith hypergammaglobulinemic hyperviscosity responsive to fludarabine and rituximab. A 33‐year‐old Asian man developed bilateral lacrimal gland and submandibular salivary gland swelling with cervical lymphadenopathy. Biopsies of the affected tissues revealed reactive follicular hyperplasia. Seven years later, he presented with bilateral retinal hemorrhages due to hyperviscosity syndrome from profound polyclonal increase inIgG, including markedIgG4 elevation. Despite plasmapheresis, overproduction ofIgG continued and he was refractory to systemic steroids, azathioprine, interferon alpha, and cyclophosphamide. IgG4‐RDwas suspected following a myocardial infarction and detection of aneurysmal coronary arteries indicating large vessel vasculitis. Review of the cervical lymph node and lacrimal gland biopsies with immunohistochemical staining forIgG4‐positive plasma cells confirmedIgG4‐RD. B‐cell depletion with rituximab produced a partial response, but clinical symptoms and elevated protein levels persisted. Fludarabine was added to rituximab to suppressT‐cell activity, and this resulted in an excellent clinical and biochemical response. Combination therapy with fludarabine and rituximab inIgG4‐RDhas not previously been reported and can be considered in patients with severe refractory disease.
Upstairs/downstairs revisited: spatial pretraining‐induced rescue of normal spatial learning during selective blockade of hippocampal N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors
Authors: Inglis Jennifer , Martin Stephen J. , Morris Richard G. M.
Published: December 2012

Spatial pretraining can enable spatial learning in another environment that ordinarily requires hippocampal N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity to become independent of that activity. This study explored further the circumstances in which this training‐induced ‘rescue’ of later learning in the presence of the NMDA receptor antagonist 2‐amino‐5‐phosphonovaleric acid (D‐AP5) can occur. D‐AP5 (0, 10, 20 and 30 mm in artificial cerebrospinal fluid) was infused continuously (0.5 μL/h, from a minipump) and bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus during spatial‐reference‐memory training in a watermaze (4 trials/day, 8 days). This was preceded either by handling only or by identical spatial training in another watermaze in a separate laboratory with different extramaze cues. In naïve rats, D‐AP5 caused a dose‐related impairment in spatial reference memory acquisition that was significant at the lowest 5 nm/h infusion concentration. In pretrained rats, the dose–response function was shifted such that, in watermaze 2, spatial learning was normal at this low concentration, with a deficit at higher infusion concentrations. The induction of long‐term potentiation in the dentate gyrus in vivo was blocked at all D‐AP5 concentrations. Sensorimotor abnormalities sometimes seen with NMDA receptor antagonists were only apparent at the highest concentration. The implication of this paradoxical dissociation between hippocampal NMDA receptor‐dependent plasticity and spatial learning is discussed with reference to two rival hypotheses of the impact of pretraining.
Influence of ageing on self‐etch adhesives: one‐step vs. two‐step systems
Authors: Marchesi Giulio , Frassetto Andrea , Visintini Erika , Diolosà Marina , Turco Gianluca , Salgarello Stefano , Di Lenarda Roberto , Cadenaro Milena , Breschi Lorenzo
Published: December 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate microtensile bond strength (μTBS) to dentine, interfacial nanoleakage expression, and stability after ageing, of two‐step vs. one‐step self‐etch adhesives. Human molars were cut to expose middle/deep dentine, assigned to groups (n = 15), and treated with the following bonding systems: (i) Optibond XTR (a two‐step self‐etch adhesive; Kerr), (ii) Clearfil SE Bond (a two‐step self‐etch adhesive; Kuraray), (iii) Adper Easy Bond (a one‐step self‐etch adhesive; 3M ESPE), and (iv) Bond Force (a one‐step self‐etch adhesive; Tokuyama). Specimens were processed for μTBS testing after 24 h, 6 months, or 1 yr of storage in artificial saliva at 37°C. Nanoleakage expression was examined in similarly processed additional specimens. At baseline the μTBS results ranked in the following order: Adper Easy Bond = Optibond XTR ≥Clearfil SE = Bond Force, and interfacial nanoleakage analysis showed Clearfil SE Bond = Adper Easy Bond = Optibond XTR> Bond Force. After 1 yr of storage, Optibond XTR, Clearfil SE Bond, and Adper Easy Bond showed higher μTBS and lower interfacial nanoleakage expression compared with Bond Force. In conclusion, immediate bond strength, nanoleakage expression, and stability over time were not related to the number of steps of the bonding systems, but to their chemical formulations.
Phylogenetic relatedness and proboscis length contribute to structuring bumblebee communities in the extremes of abiotic and biotic gradients
Authors: Pellissier Loïc , Pradervand Jean‐Nicolas , Williams Paul H. , Litsios Glenn , Cherix Daniel , Guisan Antoine
Published: December 2012

Aim

To improve our understanding of how biological communities assemble, we investigated changes in bumblebee communities in space along an elevation gradient. We assessed how much deterministic abiotic and biotic factors shape community assembly. We focused on proboscis length (influencing the species' dietary regime) and phylogenetic relatedness to investigate if competition and environmental filtering occur in more and less productive climates, respectively.

Location

Western Swiss Alps.

Methods

We recorded bumblebee species in 149 plots along a 1800‐m wide elevation gradient. We contrasted two major clades of bumblebees, a short‐tongued and a long‐tongued clade. We calculated the phylogenetic and proboscis‐length diversity of the bumblebee communities and compared these observed data with a random distribution to detect clustering likely to be caused by environmental filtering or overdispersion likely to be caused by competition. We compared the prevalence of clustered and overdispersed communities along the gradients of plant species richness (biotic) and temperature (abiotic).

Results

Under colder conditions, where plant species richness is lower and floral resources are scarcer, the clade with shorter proboscides prevails over the clade with longer proboscides, and communities are functionally and phylogenetic clustered. Under warmer conditions, we found phylogenetic but not functional overdispersion in communities.

Main conclusions

We show for the first time a strong correlation between phylogenetic relatedness, proboscis length and species distribution along temperature and plant richness gradients shaping bumblebee communities. The low temperatures and low levels of plant species richness limit the dispersal of the species from the long‐tongued clade, which have more specialized diets, into high‐elevation areas. Competition under warmer conditions may produce communities composed of less closely related species that share distinct ecological preferences. Our empirical results corroborate theoretical expectation as well as experiments on the prevalence of deterministic processes in the most severe and most productive parts of environmental gradients.
Small range size and narrow niche breadth predict range contractions in South African frogs
Authors: Botts Emily A. , Erasmus Barend F. N. , Alexander Graham J.
Published: December 2012

Aim

Small range size often increases a species’ susceptibility to decline. A narrow ecological niche is one factor that may cause species to inhabit a small range. We investigated whether specialized niches have made South African amphibians more vulnerable to range contractions.

Location

South Africa.

Methods

The South African Frog Atlas Project is a comprehensive dataset that combines a recent biological survey with historical species distribution data. It provided an opportunity to quantitatively compare range sizes, niche breadth and range size changes for amphibian species. An ecological niche factor analysis supplied comparative measures of climate and habitat niche breadth for each species. Niche breadth was related to range size changes using linear regressions. Ranges of species with narrow habitat niches were spatially compared to areas of high land transformation.

Results

Small range size was a significant predictor of range contractions for South African amphibians (R2 = 0.35). Furthermore, species with narrow habitat (R2 = 0.25) and climate (R2 = 0.21) niches had experienced more severe range contractions than species with broader niches. Among only endemic species, climate specialization (R2 = 0.27) became a better predictor of range size change than habitat specialization (R2 = 0.21). Habitat specialists were concentrated within two areas of endemism that also had higher than average (P < 0.0001) levels of land transformation.

Main conclusions

Small range size increased species' likelihood of experiencing range contractions. Narrow niche breadth was also a significant predictor of range contractions, indicating that specialization may contribute to higher decline risk in small‐range species. The role of climate specialization in predicting range contractions among endemics emphasizes the potential impacts of climate change. The spatial synchrony of contracting habitat specialists in highly transformed areas of endemism suggests that conservation efforts should target specialist species and the ecosystems where many such species occur.
Does wearing dentures change sensory nerve responses under the denture base?
Authors: Ito Nana , Kimoto Suguru , Kawai Yasuhiko
Published: December 2012

Background

The standard textbook on complete dentures suggests the necessity of relief for the incisive and posterior palatine foramina of denture wearers to prevent the impingement of the nerves and vessels passing through these foramina. However, concrete evidence of the effect of dentures on the sensory function of the nerves underlying dentures is lacking.

Objective

The study aim was to investigate the influence of denture‐induced compression on sensory nerve responses to stimulations.

Materials and methods

Only partially edentulous patients of maxillary Kennedy class II who wear dentures (WD) or who never wear dentures (ND) were recruited as participants. The WD and ND groups had 15 participants with a mean age of 66.9 years and 22 participants with a mean age of 60.2 years, respectively. Current perception thresholds (CPTs) at 2000, 250 and 5 Hz, corresponding to A‐beta, A‐delta and C fibres, respectively, were measured by the Neurometer® NS3000 device and compared between groups. The data were analysed by the t‐test, the paired t‐test and analysis of covariance adjusted for age, sex and thickness of the mucosa.

Results

The CPTs showed large differences at 2000 Hz but no differences at the other frequencies when the WD and ND groups were compared. Only the CPT of the edentulous side at 2000 Hz was significantly different between groups.

Conclusion

Wearing removable partial dentures contributes to changes of responses to stimulations in the large fibre of the sensory nerve underlying the maxillary alveolar ridge.