bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An analysis of the geographic distribution of recently graduated dentists from the University of Western Australia: The world’s most isolated dental school
Authors: Gurbuxani Amit , Kruger Estie , Tennant Marc
Published: July 2012

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine the geographic distribution of all new dentists who graduated over a period of six years. Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, is one of the world’s most isolated cities, with a population of approximately 1.6 million people, situated over 2000km from its nearest next major capital city. It has a single dental school graduating between 25 and 50 graduates per year.

Design:

Retrospective analysis.

Setting:

Western Australia.

Method:

Using data from open access sources, the practice locations of dental graduates from 2004–2009 were located. All practice locations were mapped against variables such as entry type (standard and non-standard) and year of graduation using ArcGIS, and the distribution was analyzed based on a concentric boundary approach, using the dental school as the centre point.

Results:

Over the period of six years, there were 228 graduates with an almost equal proportion of males (49%) and females. In total, 83% of all local graduates continue to practice in the state of Western Australia. Around 15% of recent graduates (last two years) and 35% of experienced graduates (five and six years post-graduation) work within the 10km radius of their dental school. Over a period of six years, approximately 20% of the non-standard graduates and 30% of the standard graduates practice dentistry in more urbanized areas associated with the place of graduation.

Conclusion:

An apparent association exists between graduation year, type of enrollment and practice location, with a larger proportion of standard graduates working in urbanized areas than their non-standard counterparts.
Attitudes of school administrators and teachers towards the ‘smoke-free air zone’ policy in Turkish schools
Authors: Banoğlu Köksal
Published: July 2012

Objective:

Schools are likely to be better able to achieve compliance with smoke-free regulations if principals and teachers perceive the importance of a smoke-free policy. The purpose of this study was to measure teacher and administrator attitudes towards the smoke-free policy in Turkish schools, which promotes a total smoking ban.

Method:

The target population of the study was from primary and high schools on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. Data were collected from 373 teachers and administrators from 134 schools. Variance and discriminant analyses were used to examine the data for associations of attitude with gender, occupation, smoking status, and other characteristics.

Results:

It was found that overall teacher and administrator attitudes towards the ban on smoking in schools fell in the ‘undecided’ range. Smokers and those with a high level of nicotine addiction had less positive attitudes towards the smoke-free regulation compared to nonsmokers and those with a lower level of nicotine addiction. It was determined that the most discriminative items in the questionnaire for teacher and administrator attitudes had to do with strict implementation of the regulation and enforcement with fines. Regardless of smoking status and nicotine addiction, teachers and administrators affirmed that ‘it is needed to allow an open area for smokers’.

Conclusions:

In light of these results, it appears the smoke-free policy is viewed not only in terms of teachers’ behaviour as role models but also in terms of their personal rights.
Ethics, alterity and the rationality of leadership justice
Authors: Rhodes Carl
Published: July 2012

This article provides a critical review and re-evaluation of dominant approaches to leadership justice, arguing that they appropriate justice as a rational means to achieve organizational effectiveness. It is shown that in contemporary management thinking justice is a formal rationality rather than a substantive one. This rationalization of justice belies its masculinization and as a result human values such as love and care are sidelined. The ethical theories of Emmanuel Levinas are drawn on to consider how pre-rational affective relations between people form the basis of ethically informed justice. It is proposed that justice is not a particular variety of leadership behaviour but rather that leadership is the practice of justice. Justice is not here regarded as something to be achieved through particular leadership practices, but is an ongoing condition – an unanswerable question whose response defines the ethical quality of leadership.
Evaluation of the thermal performance of an innovative prefabricated natural plant fibre building system
Authors: Shea Andy , Wall Katharine , Walker Pete
Published: July 2012

Energy efficient new and retrofit building construction relies heavily on the use of thermal insulation. A focus on the environmental performance of current construction materials with regards to both embodied energy and energy in-use has resulted in a growing interest in the use of natural fibre insulation materials. The results of heat flow meter thermal conductivity tests on a range of straw samples of different densities are presented. The innovative use of straw in the development of a prefabricated straw-bale panel and the results of guarded hot-box testing are presented. In common with most building materials, there is a degree of uncertainty in the thermal conductivity due to the influences of temperature, moisture content and density; however, from evaluation of a range of the literature and experimental data, a value of 0.064 W/m·K is proposed as a representative design value for straw bales at the densities used in building construction. Computer simulation and experimental testing suggest that the overall heat transfer coefficient ( U-value) for the complete prefabricated panel is approximately 0.178 W/m2·K. This article also briefly discusses the use of this innovative unit in a highly instrumented test building constructed at the University of Bath.

Practical application: Knowledge of the thermal properties of building materials is necessary for evaluation of energy performance of the building envelope and appraisal of retrofit fabric improvements. The presentation of robust data for the thermal properties of straw will be of interest to designers developing projects employing this natural fibre insulation material.
Chinese and American children’s perceptions of popularity determinants: Cultural differences and behavioral correlates
Authors: Li Yan , Xie Hongling , Shi Junqi
Published: July 2012

The present study aimed to investigate cultural construction of children’s perceptions of popularity determinants using a cross-cultural approach. This study examined 327 Chinese and 312 American fifth-graders’ perceptions of what individual characteristics and peer relationships would make a peer popular. Consistent with cultural emphases, Chinese children primarily endorsed prosocial behaviors and academic competence and perceived opposite gender interactions unfavorably. In contrast, American children endorsed more social connections, appearance and opposite gender interactions. Compared with American children, Chinese children perceived antisocial behaviors more unfavorably. For both cultural groups, children’s popularity status and behavioral characteristics, as measured by peer nominations, related to their perceptions of popularity determinants. Discussions regarding cultural implications of these findings are provided.
Quantifying the quality difference between L1 and L2 essays: A rating procedure with bilingual raters and L1 and L2 benchmark essays
Authors: Tillema Marion , van den Bergh Huub , Rijlaarsdam Gert , Sanders Ted
Published: July 2012

It is the consensus that, as a result of the extra constraints placed on working memory, texts written in a second language (L2) are usually of lower quality than texts written in the first language (L1) by the same writer. However, no method is currently available for quantifying the quality difference between L1 and L2 texts. In the present study, we tested a rating procedure for enabling quality judgments of L1 and L2 texts on a single scale. Two main features define this procedure: 1) raters are bilingual or near native users of both the L1 and L2; 2) ratings are performed with L1 and L2 benchmark texts. Direct comparisons of observed L1 and L2 scores are only warranted if the ratings with L1 and L2 benchmarks are parallel tests and if the ratings are reliable. Results showed that both conditions are met. Effect sizes ( Cohen’s d) indicate that, while score variances are large, there is a relatively large added L2 effect: in the investigated population, L2 text scores were much lower than L1 text scores. The tested rating procedure is a promising method for cross-national comparisons of writing proficiency.
A comparison of the anticipated and pharmacological effects of alcohol on cognitive bias, executive function, craving and ad-lib drinking
Authors: Christiansen Paul , Rose Abigail K , Cole Jon C , Field Matt
Published: July 2012

Acute alcohol administration alters automatic processing of alcohol-related cues, impairs executive functions and increases alcohol seeking. Few studies have investigated the effects of expecting to receive alcohol on these measures. Thirty-one social drinkers completed three experimental sessions receiving either 0.65 g/kg alcohol, a placebo and a control beverage (which they knew was not alcoholic) before reporting craving and completing a test battery including a measure of automatic alcohol-approach tendencies (stimulus response compatibility task), a measure of executive function (Controlled Oral Word Association Task (COWAT)) and a taste test assessing ad-lib drinking. Results indicated that alcohol administration impaired performance on the COWAT and increased ad-lib drinking; however, there were no significant differences on these measures after administration of placebo versus control beverages. Craving was increased after alcohol and (to a lesser extent) after placebo. Automatic alcohol-approach tendencies were pronounced after both alcohol and placebo compared to the control beverage, with no difference between alcohol and placebo. Results suggest craving is sensitive to the anticipated and pharmacological effects of alcohol, alcohol-approach tendencies are particularly sensitive to the anticipated effects of alcohol, and measures of executive function and ad-lib drinking are affected by the pharmacological, but not the anticipated, effects of alcohol.
Diagnostic criteria for headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Schiffman Eric , Ohrbach Richard , List Thomas , Anderson Gary , Jensen Rigmor , John Mike T , Nixdorf Donald , Goulet Jean-Paul , Kang Wenjun , Truelove Ed , Clavel Al , Fricton James , Look John
Published: July 2012

Aims: We assessed and compared the diagnostic accuracy of two sets of diagnostic criteria for headache secondary to temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Methods: In 373 headache subjects with TMD, a TMD headache reference standard was defined as: self-reported temple headache, consensus diagnosis of painful TMD and replication of the temple headache using TMD-based provocation tests. Revised diagnostic criteria for Headache attributed to TMD were selected using the RPART (recursive partitioning and regression trees) procedure, and refined in half of the data set. Using the remaining half of the data, the diagnostic accuracy of the revised criteria was compared to that of the International Headache Society’s International Classification of Headache Diseases (ICHD)-II criteria A to C for Headache or facial pain attributed to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

Results: Relative to the TMD headache reference standard, ICHD-II criteria showed sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 33%. The revised criteria for Headache attributed to TMD had sensitivity of 89% with improved specificity of 87% ( p < 0.001). These criteria are (1) temple area headache that is changed with jaw movement, function or parafunction and (2) provocation of that headache by temporalis muscle palpation or jaw movement.

Conclusion: Having significantly better specificity than the ICHD-II criteria A to C, the revised criteria are recommended to diagnose headache secondary to TMD.
Rationale for the Development of 2-Aminobenzamide Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Therapeutics for Friedreich Ataxia
Authors: Soragni Elisabetta , Xu Chunping , Plasterer Heather L. , Jacques Vincent , Rusche James R. , Gottesfeld Joel M.
Published: July 2012

Numerous studies have pointed to histone deacetylase inhibitors as potential therapeutics for various neurodegenerative diseases, and clinical trials with several histone deacetylase inhibitors have been performed or are under way. However, histone deacetylase inhibitors tested to date either are highly cytotoxic or have very low specificities for different histone deacetylase enzymes. The authors’ laboratories have identified a novel class of histone deacetylase inhibitors (2-aminobenzamides) that reverses heterochromatin-mediated silencing of the frataxin ( FXN) gene in Friedreich ataxia. The authors have identified the histone deacetylase enzyme isotype target of these compounds and present evidence that compounds that target this enzyme selectively increase FXN expression from pathogenic alleles. Studies with model compounds show that these histone deacetylase inhibitors increase FXN messenger RNA levels in the brain in mouse models for Friedreich ataxia and relieve neurological symptoms observed in mouse models and support the notion that this class of molecules may serve as therapeutics for the human disease.
Cardiac Involvement in Hereditary Ataxias
Authors: Moore Sean , Raman Subha V.
Published: July 2012

Although much attention has been focused on the neurological sequelae of the hereditary ataxias, patients with these conditions also may develop cardiac complications that represent a significant cause of disability and even death. In this article, the authors describe the hereditary ataxias with known cardiac involvement, discuss underlying causes, and review guidelines for screening and treatment. Continued progress will require coordinated clinical trial networks, interdisciplinary care teams, and team science.
Thermomechanical analysis of the drum of a steam generator using the finite element method
Authors: Avelino Juan Carlos Prince , Chacon Guillermo Efren Ovando , Martinez Alberto Servín , Lamadrid Gilberto Ochoa , Quezada Rodolfo Muñoz
Published: July 2012

In electric power plants, the boiler drum has the function of generating steam for its later use in the turbines. Because of the steam inside the drum, this component is subjected to high temperatures and pressure during the startup of the boiler, causing temperature gradients through the wall of the drum generating thermal stresses coupled with the mechanical stresses induced by the steam pressure. The thermomechanical analysis of the drum presented here was carried out by means of the finite element method and using actual measurements of the starting-up process of a power plant boiler up to the drum temperature is stabilized. The simulation includes the temperature distribution through the wall of the drum and the effect of temperature gradients in the thick walls up to the temperature steady state is reached. In addition the drum stresses caused by the vapor pressure coupled with those generated by the temperature distribution in the wall of the drum were also analyzed. Finally, the simulation of the performance of the drum for a long period to evaluate deformations caused by creep is also presented, since the operation of the boiler has the conditions that can cause this phenomenon.
Multi-objective trade-off analysis of an integrated cold gas propulsion system
Authors: Banazadeh Afshin , Gol Hossein Abdollahi
Published: July 2012

The overall design of cold gas propulsion systems is pretty complicated when considering the mission requirements, operating constraints and functional limitations imposed by the mechanical components. To address this complication, a precise design process is proposed, which attempts to optimize the cost of operation as well as to minimize the waste volume and weight by using multi-objective trade-off analysis. This analysis is based on a set of ordinary differential equations that are solved iteratively to describe the optimal behavior of the system. Therefore, a numerical code is being developed to give insight on the design sensitivity with respect to uncertainties on the design variables. Consequently, the most favorite operating media, nozzle inlet pressure and tank charging pressure are determined. Moreover, the advantages of electric heater for the storage tank are studied for a specified mission. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics analysis is employed to accurately simulate the flow conditions inside the nozzle. The accuracy of the simulation is verified by correlation with experimental results obtained from a non-vacuum test set-up. The experimental results have revealed acceptable performance and agreement with the simulation, within 7% in error.
Agreement in Mother and Father Acceptance-Rejection, Warmth, and Hostility/Rejection/ Neglect of Children Across Nine Countries
Authors: Putnick Diane L. , Bornstein Marc H. , Lansford Jennifer E. , Chang Lei , Deater-Deckard Kirby , Di Giunta Laura , Gurdal Sevtap , Dodge Kenneth A. , Malone Patrick S. , Oburu Paul O. , Pastorelli Concetta , Skinner Ann T. , Sorbring Emma , Tapanya Sombat , Tirado Liliana Maria Uribe , Zelli Arnaldo , Alampay Liane Peña , Al-Hassan Suha M. , Bacchini Dario , Bombi Anna Silvia
Published: July 2012

The authors assessed whether mothers’ and fathers’ self-reports of acceptance-rejection, warmth, and hostility/rejection/neglect (HRN) of their preadolescent children differ cross-nationally and relative to the gender of the parent and child in 10 communities in 9 countries, including China, Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States ( N = 998 families). Mothers and fathers in all countries reported a high degree of acceptance and warmth, and a low degree of HRN, but countries also varied. Mothers reported greater acceptance of children than fathers in China, Italy, Sweden, and the United States, and these effects were accounted for by greater self-reported warmth in mothers than in fathers in China, Italy, the Philippines, Sweden, and Thailand and less HRN in mothers than in fathers in Sweden. Fathers reported greater warmth than mothers in Kenya. Mother and father acceptance-rejection were moderately correlated. Relative levels of mother and father acceptance and rejection appear to be country specific.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Children
Authors: Mannarino Anthony P. , Cohen Judith A. , Deblinger Esther , Runyon Melissa K. , Steer Robert A.
Published: July 2012

This study presents the findings from 6- and 12-month follow-up assessments of 158 children ages 4–11 years who had experienced sexual abuse and who had been treated with Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with or without the inclusion of the trauma narrative (TN) treatment module and in 8 or 16 treatment sessions. Follow-up results indicated that the overall significant improvements across 14 outcome measures that had been reported at posttreatment were sustained 6 and 12 months after treatment and on two of these measures (child self-reported anxiety and parental emotional distress) there were additional improvements at the 12-month follow-up. Higher levels of child internalizing and depressive symptoms at pretreatment were predictive of the small minority of children who continued to meet full criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder at the 12-month follow-up. These results are discussed in the context of the extant TF-CBT treatment literature.
Spectral properties of a 2D scalar wave equation with 1D periodic coefficients: Application to shear horizontal elastic waves
Authors: Kutsenko Anton A , Shuvalov Alexander L , Poncelet Olivier , Norris Andrew N
Published: July 2012

The paper provides a rigorous analysis of the dispersion spectrum of shear horizontal elastic waves in periodically stratified solids. The problem consists of an ordinary differential wave equation with periodic coefficients, which involves two free parameters ω (the frequency) and k (the wavenumber in the direction orthogonal to the axis of periodicity). Solutions of this equation satisfy a quasi-periodic boundary condition which yields the Floquet parameter K. The resulting dispersion surface ω( K, k) may be characterized through its cuts at constant values of K, k and ω that define the passband (real K) and stopband areas, the Floquet branches and the isofrequency curves, respectively. The paper combines complementary approaches based on eigenvalue problems and on the monodromy matrix M. The pivotal object is the Lyapunov function [Formula: see text] which is generalized as a function of two variables. Its analytical properties, asymptotics and bounds are examined and an explicit form of its derivatives obtained. Attention is given to the special case of a zero-width stopband. These ingredients are used to analyse the cuts of the surface ω( K, k). The derivatives of the functions ω( k) at fixed K and ω( K) at fixed k and of the function K( k) at fixed ω are described in detail. The curves ω( k) at fixed K are shown to be monotonic for real K while they may be looped for complex K (i.e. in the stopband areas). The convexity of the closed (first) real isofrequency curve K( k) is proved thus ruling out low-frequency caustics of group velocity. The results are relevant to the broad area of applicability of ordinary differential equation for scalar waves in 1D phononic (solid or fluid) and photonic crystals.
Effects of chitosan coatings on physicochemical and nutritional quality of clementine mandarins cv. ‘Oronules’
Authors: Contreras-Oliva A , Pérez-Gago MB , Rojas-Argudo C
Published: July 2012

A commercial solution of chitosan was applied on mandarins ‘Oronules’ at different solid content (0.6%, 1.2% and 1.8%). Additionally, one group of mandarins was coated with a polyethylene-shellac commercial wax, and another group remained uncoated (control). Mandarins were stored at 5 °C up to 28 days followed by 7 days at 20 °C simulating retail conditions. One group of mandarins was stored at 20 °C for 9 days simulating direct retail conditions. The commercial wax decreased weight and firmness loss of mandarins compared to uncoated samples, whereas the chitosan coating did not effectively decrease weight loss of mandarins. Chitosan-coated mandarins at the highest solid content retained firmness after cold storage and contained more phenolics than uncoated ones. Although all the coatings restricted gas exchange and modified the internal atmosphere of the mandarins, with a greater effect at higher chitosan concentration, sensory quality was not affected. In general, the internal quality and the health-related properties of mandarins were not negatively affected by coating application. However, there is a need to further improve the water barrier properties of the chitosan coating.
Oil sorption mechanism and capability of cattail fiber assembly
Authors: Cui Yunhua , Xu Guanbiao , Liu Yijie
Published: July 2012

The cattail fiber assembly used as a sorbent for the sorption of engine and vegetable oils was investigated. The internal factors governing the oil sorption of cattail fibers were discussed. The analysis for the adsorption mechanism of cattail fiber assembly indicated that the tuft of cattail fibers has a down-like structure and, thus, its surface area and retaining space are large. The high surface waxiness and small surface free energy enabled the cattail fiber to have excellent oleophilic–hydrophobic property. The experimental results indicated that the oil-sorption rates of cattail fiber assemblies to engine oil and vegetable oil were 13.4 g/g and 14.6  g/g, respectively, and the oil retention capability to both engine oil and vegetable oil after 24 hours was over 95%. The cattail fibers have similar oil sorption capability with those of nonwoven wool materials, however, nature sorbents such as kapok fibers are superior to the cattail fibers.
Performing dialogical truth and transitional justice: The role of art in the becoming post-apartheid of South Africa
Authors: Buikema Rosemarie
Published: July 2012

In this article I elaborate on the potential role of the arts in the becoming post-apartheid of South Africa. As the close readings of discursive and visual artefacts such as Country of my Skull (Antjie Krog), The Man who Sang and the Woman who kept Silent (Judith Mason), and Indlovukati (Nandipha Mntambo) underline, articulating the memory of trauma in order to be able to create something new is not a linear and finite process but a cycle that has to be reiterated, time and again. Art’s dialogical character, materiality, and medium specificity allow it to perform contested truths and articulate complexities, in such a way as to help constitute new and multilayered communities.
New treatment options for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Field Stephen K. , Fisher Dina , Jarand Julie M. , Cowie Robert L.
Published: July 2012

Despite the development of effective treatments, tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem. TB continues to infect new victims and kills nearly 2 million people annually. The problem is much greater in resource-limited countries but is present worldwide. Inadequate public health resources, cost, the obligatory long treatment period, and adverse drug effects contribute to treatment failures and relapses. Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains arise spontaneously and are propagated by inadequate treatment. According to World Health Organization global data, 17% of MTB strains in new, previously untreated cases are resistant to at least one drug. Approximately, 3.3% of new MTB cases are resistant to both isoniazid and rifampin, also called multidrug resistant (MDR), and rates of MDR-TB are greater than 60% in previously treated patients in some countries. Approximately 5% of cases of MDR-TB are also resistant to fluoroquinolones and to injectable drugs, and are called extensively drug resistant (XDR). Recently, XDR strains have been isolated that are also resistant to all standard second-line anti-TB medications. Successful drug treatment of TB with complex resistance profiles is virtually impossible with currently available drugs. There is a desperate need for new compounds that cure strains resistant to currently available drugs and for drugs that are better tolerated and will shorten treatment regimens. In the short term, new strategies for the management of drug-resistant TB with currently available drugs are being explored. These include the use of high-dose isoniazid, substitution of rifabutin in a small proportion of rifampin-resistant cases, linezolid, fluoroquinolones, and phenothiazines. A number of novel drugs are undergoing clinical testing and will hopefully be available in the near future. These include the newer oxazolidinones, diarylquinolines, nitroimidazopyrans, ethenylenediamines, pyrroles, and benzothiazinones.
Current approaches to bone-targeted therapy in genitourinary malignancies
Authors: Mulders Peter F.
Published: July 2012

Bone metastases in patients with genitourinary cancers are associated with increased risk for skeletal-related events including pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, and the requirement for surgery or palliative radiotherapy to bone. The nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate zoledronic acid and the monoclonal antibody against RANK, denosumab, are approved for the prevention of skeletal-related events in genitourinary cancers. These agents have different mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetic profiles, and while both are effective in reducing the risk of skeletal-related events, other clinical effects differ. There is evidence for direct and indirect anticancer activity with zoledronic acid from preclinical studies and emerging data from clinical studies suggesting an effect on patient survival. Potential anticancer mechanisms include inhibition of angiogenesis, enhanced immune surveillance via stimulation of γδ T cells, and reduction of circulating tumor cells. A synergistic effect of chemotherapy plus zoledronic acid has also been suggested. Further research is ongoing regarding the roles of these antiresorptive therapies in patients with bone metastases or at high risk for malignant spread to skeletal sites.
Applications of differential subordinations for certain classes of p-valent functions associated with generalized Srivastava-Attiya operator
Authors: Aouf MK , Mostafa AO , Shahin AM , Madian SM
Published: July 2012

The object of the present paper is to investigate some inclusion relations and other interesting properties for certain classes of p-valent functions involving generalized Srivastava-Attiya operator by using the principle of differential subordination.

MSC:30C45.
Immunosuppressive activity enhances central carbon metabolism and bioenergetics in myeloid-derived suppressor cells in vitro models
Authors: Hammami Ines , Chen Jingkui , Murschel Frederic , Bronte Vincenzo , De Crescenzo Gregory , Jolicoeur Mario
Published: July 2012

Background

The tumor microenvironment contains a vast array of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines that alter myelopoiesis and lead to the maturation of immunosuppressive cells known as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Incubating bone marrow (BM) precursors with a combination of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) generated a tumor-infiltrating MDSC-like population that impaired anti-tumor specific T-cell functions. This in vitro experimental approach was used to simulate MDSC maturation, and the cellular metabolic response was then monitored. A complementary experimental model that inhibited L-arginine (L-Arg) metabolizing enzymes in MSC-1 cells, an immortalized cell line derived from primary MDSCs, was used to study the metabolic events related to immunosuppression.

Results

Exposure of BM cells to GM-CSF and IL-6 activated, within 24 h, L-Arg metabolizing enzymes which are responsible for the MDSCs immunosuppressive potential. This was accompanied by an increased uptake of L-glutamine (L-Gln) and glucose, the latter being metabolized by anaerobic glycolysis. The up-regulation of nutrient uptake lead to the accumulation of TCA cycle intermediates and lactate as well as the endogenous synthesis of L-Arg and the production of energy-rich nucleotides. Moreover, inhibition of L-Arg metabolism in MSC-1 cells down-regulated central carbon metabolism activity, including glycolysis, glutaminolysis and TCA cycle activity, and led to a deterioration of cell bioenergetic status. The simultaneous increase of cell specific concentrations of ATP and a decrease in ATP-to-ADP ratio in BM-derived MDSCs suggested cells were metabolically active during maturation. Moreover, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was activated during MDSC maturation in GM-CSF and IL-6–treated cultures, as revealed by the continuous increase of AMP-to-ATP ratios and the phosphorylation of AMPK. Likewise, AMPK activity was decreased in MSC-1 cells when L-Arg metabolizing enzymes were inhibited. Finally, inhibition of AMPK activity by the specific inhibitor Compound C (Comp-C) resulted in the inhibition of L-Arg metabolizing enzyme activity and abolished MDSCs immunosuppressive activity.

Conclusions

We anticipate that the inhibition of AMPK and the control of metabolic fluxes may be considered as a novel therapeutic target for the recovery of the immunosurveillance process in cancer-bearing hosts.
The quality of reporting of RCTs used within a postoperative pain management meta-analysis, using the CONSORT statement
Authors: Borg Debono Victoria , Zhang Shiyuan , Ye Chenglin , Paul James , Arya Aman , Hurlburt Lindsay , Murthy Yamini , Thabane Lehana
Published: July 2012

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are routinely used in systematic reviews and meta-analyses that help inform healthcare and policy decision making. The proper reporting of RCTs is important because it acts as a proxy for health care providers and researchers to appraise the quality of the methodology, conduct and analysis of an RCT. The aims of this study are to analyse the overall quality of reporting in 23 RCTs that were used in a meta-analysis by assessing 3 key methodological items, and to determine factors associated with high quality of reporting. It is hypothesized that studies with larger sample sizes, that have funding reported, that are published in journals with a higher impact factor and that are in journals that have adopted or endorsed the CONSORT statement will be associated with better overall quality of reporting and reporting of key methodological items.

Methods

We systematically reviewed RCTs used within an anesthesiology related post-operative pain management meta-analysis. We included all of the 23 RCTs used, all of which were parallel design that addressed the use of femoral nerve block in improving outcomes after total knee arthroplasty. Data abstraction was done independently by two reviewers. The two main outcomes were: 1) 15 point overall quality of reporting score (OQRS) based on the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and 2) 3 point key methodological item score (KMIS) based on allocation concealment, blinding and intention-to-treat analysis.

Results

Twenty-three RCTs were included. The median OQRS was 9.0 (Interquartile Range = 3). A multivariable regression analysis did not show any significant association between OQRS or KMIS and our four predictor variables hypothesized to improve reporting. The direction and magnitude of our results when compared to similar studies suggest that the sample size and impact factor are associated with improved key methodological item reporting.

Conclusions

The quality of reporting of RCTs used within an anesthesia related meta-analysis is poor to moderate. The information gained from this study should be used by journals to register the urgency for RCTs to be clear and transparent in reporting to help make literature accessible and comparable.
Cost-effectiveness of an exercise program during pregnancy to prevent gestational diabetes: Results of an economic evaluation alongside a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Oostdam Nicolette , Bosmans Judith , Wouters Maurice GAJ , Eekhoff Elisabeth MW , van Mechelen Willem , van Poppel Mireille NM
Published: July 2012

Background

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide. GDM and the risks associated with GDM lead to increased health care costs and losses in productivity. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether the FitFor2 exercise program during pregnancy is cost-effective from a societal perspective as compared to standard care.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) and simultaneous economic evaluation of the FitFor2 program were conducted. Pregnant women at risk for GDM were randomised to an exercise program to prevent high maternal blood glucose (n = 62) or to standard care (n = 59). The exercise program consisted of two sessions of aerobic and strengthening exercises per week. Clinical outcome measures were maternal fasting blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity and infant birth weight. Quality of life was measured using the EuroQol 5-D and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated. Resource utilization and sick leave data were collected by questionnaires. Data were analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputations. Bootstrapping techniques estimated the uncertainty surrounding the cost differences and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in any outcome measure. During pregnancy, total health care costs and costs of productivity losses were statistically non-significant (mean difference €1308; 95%CI €-229 - €3204). The cost-effectiveness analyses showed that the exercise program was not cost-effective in comparison to the control group for blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, infant birth weight or QALYs.

Conclusion

The twice-weekly exercise program for pregnant women at risk for GDM evaluated in the present study was not cost-effective compared to standard care. Based on these results, implementation of this exercise program for the prevention of GDM cannot be recommended.

Trial registration

NTR1139
Testing the effectiveness of a self-efficacy based exercise intervention for inactive people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: design of a controlled clinical trial
Authors: van der Heijden Marion MP , Pouwer François , Romeijnders Arnold C , Pop Victor JM
Published: July 2012

Background

Sufficient exercise is important for people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), as it can prevent future health problems. Despite, it is estimated that only 30-40% of people with T2DM are sufficiently active. One of the psychosocial constructs that is believed to influence physical activity behaviour, is exercise self-efficacy. The goal of this study is to evaluate a patient-tailored exercise intervention for people with T2DM that takes exercise self-efficacy into account.

Methods/Design

This study is conducted as a non-randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients are eligible when they are diagnosed with T2DM, exercise less than advised in the ADA guideline of 150 min/week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, have an BMI >25 and are between 18 and 80 years old. Recruitment takes place at a Primary care organization of general practitioners and practice nurses in the south of the Netherlands.

Participants are allocated to three groups: An advice intervention -for participants with a high exercise self-efficacy score- in which participants receive a patient-tailored exercise intervention, an intensive intervention -for participants with a low exercise self-efficacy score- in which participants receive a patient-tailored exercise intervention accomplished by a group based intervention, and a control group in which participants receive regular Dutch diabetes care. The primary outcome measure of this study is physical activity. Secondary outcome measures are health status, (symptoms of) depression, exercise self-efficacy, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure and glycemic control.

Discussion

We aimed to design an intervention that can be implemented in Primary care, but also to design an easy accessible program. This study is innovative as it is -to our best knowledge- the first study that takes level of exercise self-efficacy of people with T2DM into account by means of giving extra support to those with the lowest exercise self-efficacy. If the program succeeds in increasing the amount of physical activity it can be implemented in regular primary care.

Trial registration

Dutch Trial Register NTR2734
Olfactory discrimination largely persists in mice with defects in odorant receptor expression and axon guidance
Authors: Knott Thomas K , Madany Pasil A , Faden Ashley A , Xu Mei , Strotmann Jörg , Henion Timothy R , Schwarting Gerald A
Published: July 2012

Background

The defining feature of the main olfactory system in mice is that each olfactory sensory neuron expresses only one of more than a thousand different odorant receptor genes. Axons expressing the same odorant receptor converge onto a small number of targets in the olfactory bulb such that each glomerulus is made up of axon terminals expressing just one odorant receptor. It is thought that this precision in axon targeting is required to maintain highly refined odor discrimination. We previously showed that β3GnT2−/− mice have severe developmental and axon guidance defects. The phenotype of these mice is similar to adenylyl cyclase 3 (AC3) knockout mice largely due to the significant down-regulation of AC3 activity in β3GnT2−/− neurons.

Results

Microarray analysis reveals that nearly one quarter of all odorant receptor genes are down regulated in β3GnT2−/− mice compared to controls. Analysis of OR expression by quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization demonstrates that the number of neurons expressing some odorant receptors, such as mOR256-17, is increased by nearly 60% whereas for others such as mOR28 the number of neurons is decreased by more than 75% in β3GnT2−/− olfactory epithelia. Analysis of axon trajectories confirms that many axons track to inappropriate targets in β3GnT2−/− mice, and some glomeruli are populated by axons expressing more than one odorant receptor. Results show that mutant mice perform nearly as well as control mice in an odor discrimination task. In addition, in situ hybridization studies indicate that the expression of several activity dependent genes is unaffected in β3GnT2−/− olfactory neurons.

Conclusions

Results presented here show that many odorant receptors are under-expressed in β3GnT2−/− mice and further demonstrate that additional axon subsets grow into inappropriate targets or minimally innervate glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. Odor evoked gene expression is unchanged and β3GnT2−/− mice exhibit a relatively small deficit in their ability to discriminate divergent odors. Results suggest that despite the fact that β3GnT2−/− mice have decreased AC3 activity, decreased expression of many ORs, and display many axon growth and guidance errors, odor-evoked activity in cilia of mutant olfactory neurons remains largely intact.
In vitro analysis of expression vectors for DNA vaccination of horses: the effect of a Kozak sequence
Authors: Ólafsdóttir Guðbjörg , Svansson Vilhjálmur , Ingvarsson Sigurður , Marti Eliane , Torsteinsdóttir Sigurbjörg
Published: July 2012

One of the prerequisite for developing DNA vaccines for horses are vectors that are efficiently expressed in horse cells.

We have analysed the ectopic expression of the human serum albumin gene in primary horse cells from different tissues. The vectors used are of pcDNA and pUC origin and include the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. The pUC vectors contain CMV intron A whereas the pcDNA vectors do not.

Insertion of intron A diminished the expression from the pcDNA vectors whereas insertion of a Kozak sequence upstream of the gene in two types of pUC vectors increased significantly thein vitroexpression in primary horse cells derived from skin, lung, duodenum and kidney.

We report for the first time the significance of full consensus Kozak sequences for protein expression in horse cellsin vitro.
Carotenoids, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity of grapes (Vitis vinifera) cultivated in organic and conventional systems
Authors: Bunea Claudiu-Ioan , Pop Nastasia , Babeş Anca Cristina , Matea Cristian , Dulf Francisc V , Bunea Andrea
Published: July 2012

Background

Organic agriculture involve plants which are cultivated without using synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers and promotes biodiversity, biological cycles and improve the product quality. The carotenoids, total polyphenols and the antioxidant activity from skins of some wine and table grapes cultivated in organic and conventional agriculture were studied.

Results

The main carotenoids identified using high performance liquid chromatography were lutein and ß-carotene. Muscat Ottonel variety has the highest ß-carotene concentration 504.9 μg/kg for organic and 593.2 μg/kg for conventional grapes. For the organic farming, the total polyphenols content were in the range of 163.23 – 1341.37 mg GAE/kg fresh weight (FW) and 148.47 – 1231.38 mg GAE/kg FW for the conventional grapes. The highest ORAC values were obtained for blue-black variety Napoca in both farming system (43.5 ± 0.95 μmol TE/g organic; 40.4 ± 0.5 μmol TE/g conventional) and lowest for Aromat de Iaşi (16.8 ± 0.6 μmol TE/g organic; 14.7 ± 1.6 μmol TE/g conventional). Napoca variety showed also the highest antioxidant activity measured by DPPH method in both cultivated system.

Conclusion

Nine grape varieties cultivated in organic and conventional systems were compared regarding the carotenoids, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The white grape varieties have a higher carotenoids content compared with the blue-black cultivars while the blue-black varieties contain higher TPC and exhibit higher antioxidant activity (except for Muscat Hamburg-ORAC).Vitis viniferagrape skins originating from wine or table grape varieties can be used as a potential source of natural antioxidants.
One Health approach to identify research needs in bovine and human babesioses: workshop report
Authors: Pérez de León Adalberto A , Strickman Daniel A , Knowles Donald P , Fish Durland , Thacker Eileen , de la Fuente José , Krause Peter J , Wikel Stephen K , Miller Ryan S , Wagner Gale G , Almazán Consuelo , Hillman Robert , Messenger Matthew T , Ugstad Paul O , Duhaime Roberta A , Teel Pete D , Ortega-Santos Alfonso , Hewitt David G , Bowers Edwin J , Bent Stephen J , Cochran Matt H , McElwain Terry F , Scoles Glen A , Suarez Carlos E , Davey Ronald , Howell Freeman Jeanne M , Lohmeyer Kimberly , Li Andrew Y , Guerrero Felix D , Kammlah Diane M , Phillips Pamela , Pound Joe M ,   the Group for Emerging Babesioses and One Health Research and Development in the U.S.
Published: July 2012

Background

Babesia are emerging health threats to humans and animals in the United States. A collaborative effort of multiple disciplines to attain optimal health for people, animals and our environment, otherwise known as the One Health concept, was taken during a research workshop held in April 2009 to identify gaps in scientific knowledge regarding babesioses. The impetus for this analysis was the increased risk for outbreaks of bovine babesiosis, also known as Texas cattle fever, associated with the re-infestation of the U.S. by cattle fever ticks.

Results

The involvement of wildlife in the ecology of cattle fever ticks jeopardizes the ability of state and federal agencies to keep the national herd free of Texas cattle fever. Similarly, there has been a progressive increase in the number of cases of human babesiosis over the past 25 years due to an increase in the white-tailed deer population. Human babesiosis due to cattle-associated Babesia divergens and Babesia divergens-like organisms have begun to appear in residents of the United States. Research needs for human and bovine babesioses were identified and are presented herein.

Conclusions

The translation of this research is expected to provide veterinary and public health systems with the tools to mitigate the impact of bovine and human babesioses. However, economic, political, and social commitments are urgently required, including increased national funding for animal and human Babesia research, to prevent the re-establishment of cattle fever ticks and the increasing problem of human babesiosis in the United States.
Posterolateral elbow dislocation with entrapment of the medial epicondyle in children: a case report
Authors: Rodríguez Martín Juan , Pretell Mazzini Juan
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Elbow dislocations in children are uncommon injuries. Dislocations with associated fractures or so-called complex dislocations of the elbow can be challenging to diagnose and treat.

Case presentation

A 14-year-old male had a posterolateral elbow dislocation after a fall. Closed reduction with traction was performed. Radiographs after initial reduction showed a fragment entrapped into the humero-cubital joint. Computerized tomography scan showed the fragment belonging to the medial epicondyle. Open reduction and internal fixation with a 3.0 millimeter cannulated screw was performed, with restoring of the normal function of the elbow at final follow up.

Conclusion

Elbow dislocations in children can be associated with bone lesions. These injuries must be suspected to avoid misleading diagnosis and achieve good results.