bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TP53 mutations in astrocytic gliomas: an association with histological grade, TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and p53 expression
Authors: Faria Mario H. G. , Neves Filho Eduardo H. C. , Alves Markenia K. S. , Burbano Rommel M. R. , de Moraes Filho Manoel O. , Rabenhorst Silvia H. B.
Published: May 2012

TP53
mutations and polymorphisms have been widely related to many cancers as long as these alterations may impair its capacity to induce cell cycle arrest, DNA repair mechanisms, and apoptosis. Although TP53
alterations have been studied in astrocytic tumors, there is a lack of analysis considering specific TP53
mutations and their associations with p53 immunostainning, polymorphisms and their significance among the histological grades. Thus, we analyzed TP53
alterations in exons 2–11, including the codon 72 polymorphism, using DNA sequencing in 96 astrocytic gliomas (18 grade I, 20 grade II, 14 grade III, and 44 grade IV). Also, immunohistochemistry was assessed to evaluate the p53 protein expression. In this study, we found that the higher histological grades were statistically associated with TP53
mutations. Some of these mutations, such as TP53 P98T and TP53 G244S, seemed to be a specific marker for the higher grades, and the TP53 E286K mutation appears to be a World Health Organization grade III–IV progression marker. Also, the TP53 P98T mutation, in exon 4, is very likely to be important on the stabilization of the p53 protein, leading to its immunopositivity and it is potentially associated with the TP53 72Pro/Pro genotype.
No link between rosacea and Propionibacterium acnes
Authors: Jahns Anika C. , Lundskog Bertil , Dahlberg Ida , Tamayo Natalia Curiche , McDowell Andrew , Patrick Sheila , Alexeyev Oleg A.
Published: May 2012

Rosacea is a common skin disease in adults affecting mainly the facial skin. Although inflammation appears to play a pathogenic role in rosacea, initiating factors are largely unknown. Microbial involvement in the development of rosacea has been suggested previously. We aimed to visualize Propionibacterium acnes in the skin compartments of rosacea patients. Facial skin biopsies from 82 rosacea patients and 25 controls were stained with a P. acnes‐specific monoclonal antibody (QUBPa3). Seven of 82 patients (8.5%) tested positive for P. acnes which was present either as a biofilm (57% of positive) or a microcolony (43%) in colonized patients. Our results suggest that P. acnes does not play a major role in the pathogenesis of rosacea.
An evaluation of CPD activity of dentists in Wales
Authors: Bailey S. E. R. , Bullock A. D. , Cowpe J. G. , Thomas H. S. , Yuen‐Lee F. , Wood M. , Newcombe R. G.
Published: May 2012

Introduction

Ongoing professional education is essential for dental professionals to maintain and update their clinical skills and knowledge. There is a current trend towards mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for dentists within Europe and beyond. Mandatory CPD will ensure high professional standards and enable mobilisation of the dental workforce within Europe. In 2002, the UK General Dental Council (GDC) implemented a system of mandatory CPD for dentists practicing in the UK. The Wales Deanery is situated in the School of Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education, Cardiff University. It provides verifiable CPD courses for dentists and dental care professionals (DCPs) currently practicing in Wales and has recorded professionals' attendance on these courses since 2001. The project aimed to investigate the CPD activity of dentists in Wales, using these data.

Methods

The Wales Deanery database holds data on the CPD courses undertaken by 1178 dentists working in Wales since 2001. A number of hypotheses were investigated using a variety of statistical methods.

Results

Dentists were undertaking significantly fewer hours of CPD in Mid and West Wales compared to the North and South of the principality. Sole practitioners were found to engage in less CPD than those in group practices, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. Dentists who employed a hygienist or therapist completed more hours of CPD than those who didn't employ either. There were no gender differences in engagement in CPD. CPD participation was consistently and significantly higher in mid and late career than in early career.

Conclusions

This study provides a greater understanding of the CPD habits of the dental workforce in Wales. Practice staffing levels, location of practice and time since graduation were found to have the greatest impact on engagement in CPD activity. These findings will be used by the Deanery to inform future education provision for dental professionals in Wales.
Collinearity: a review of methods to deal with it and a simulation study evaluating their performance
Authors: Dormann Carsten F. , Elith Jane , Bacher Sven , Buchmann Carsten , Carl Gudrun , Carré Gabriel , Marquéz Jaime R. García , Gruber Bernd , Lafourcade Bruno , Leitão Pedro J. , Münkemüller Tamara , McClean Colin , Osborne Patrick E. , Reineking Björn , Schröder Boris , Skidmore Andrew K. , Zurell Damaris , Lautenbach Sven
Published: May 2012

Collinearity refers to the non independence of predictor variables, usually in a regression‐type analysis. It is a common feature of any descriptive ecological data set and can be a problem for parameter estimation because it inflates the variance of regression parameters and hence potentially leads to the wrong identification of relevant predictors in a statistical model. Collinearity is a severe problem when a model is trained on data from one region or time, and predicted to another with a different or unknown structure of collinearity. To demonstrate the reach of the problem of collinearity in ecology, we show how relationships among predictors differ between biomes, change over spatial scales and through time. Across disciplines, different approaches to addressing collinearity problems have been developed, ranging from clustering of predictors, threshold‐based pre‐selection, through latent variable methods, to shrinkage and regularisation. Using simulated data with five predictor‐response relationships of increasing complexity and eight levels of collinearity we compared ways to address collinearity with standard multiple regression and machine‐learning approaches. We assessed the performance of each approach by testing its impact on prediction to new data. In the extreme, we tested whether the methods were able to identify the true underlying relationship in a training dataset with strong collinearity by evaluating its performance on a test dataset without any collinearity. We found that methods specifically designed for collinearity, such as latent variable methods and tree based models, did not outperform the traditional GLM and threshold‐based pre‐selection. Our results highlight the value of GLM in combination with penalised methods (particularly ridge) and threshold‐based pre‐selection when omitted variables are considered in the final interpretation. However, all approaches tested yielded degraded predictions under change in collinearity structure and the ‘folk lore’‐thresholds of correlation coefficients between predictor variables of |r| >0.7 was an appropriate indicator for when collinearity begins to severely distort model estimation and subsequent prediction. The use of ecological understanding of the system in pre‐analysis variable selection and the choice of the least sensitive statistical approaches reduce the problems of collinearity, but cannot ultimately solve them.
Ephedrine accelerates psychomotor recovery from anesthesia in macaque monkeys
Authors: Hess L. , Votava M. , Slíva J. , Málek J. , Kurzová A. , Štein K.
Published: May 2012

Background  Ephedrine is used in treatment of hypotension during anesthesia. We investigated its effects on the psychomotor recovery and its potential adverse reactions on cardiorespiratory functions in rhesus monkeys.

Methods  The monkeys received 50 μg/kg medetomidine, 2.0 mg/kg S‐ketamine with 150 IU hyaluronidase i.m. Pulse rate, blood pressure and saturation of haemoglobin were monitored for 20 minutes. Thereafter, 1 mg/kg of ephedrine or a placebo was administered i.m. and behavioural changes, pulse rate, blood pressure and saturation of haemoglobin were monitored every 5 minutes.

Results  Ephedrine shortened recovery from anaesthesia from 80.4 ± 25.8 to 14.83 ± 13.70 minutes. Ephedrine also increased oxygen saturation of haemoglobin and systolic blood pressure and caused significant decrease in pulse rate 5 minutes after its administration.

Conclusions  Ephedrine can be successfully used to accelerate psychomotor recovery after the use of common anesthetic protocols combining dissociative anesthetic agent and alpha 2‐adrenoceptor agonist in primates.
Influence of grain size and veneer firing process on the flexural strength of zirconia ceramics
Authors: Nakamura Keisuke , Adolfsson Erik , Milleding Percy , Kanno Taro , Örtengren Ulf
Published: May 2012

Nakamura K, Adolfsson E, Milleding P, Kanno T, Örtengren U. Influence of grain size and veneer firing process on the flexural strength of zirconia ceramics.   Eur J Oral Sci 2012; 120: 249–254. © 2012 Eur J Oral Sci

The aim of the present investigation was to study the influence of grain size on the strength of yttria‐stabilized zirconia upon exposure to an additional heat treatment, mimicking the veneering process. The green bodies of zirconia discs prepared by cold isostatic pressing were sintered at 1,425, 1,500, or 1,575°C to customize the grain size. The disc‐shaped specimens were highly polished and then processed with or without additional heat treatments (five times at 850–930°C). Ten specimens from each treatment group were subjected to a biaxial flexural strength test according to the ISO 6872 standard. The grain size of the specimens was analyzed by the mean linear intercept technique using scanning electron microscopy. It was demonstrated that the mechanical strength of zirconia ceramics was not reduced by the veneer firing processes when polished specimens were used, but the strength was found to decrease with increasing grain size. The raw materials and the sintering process used should be selected appropriately to avoid grain coarsening because it was found that the strength was influenced by large grains.
Development of the Chinese version of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire
Authors: He Song‐lin , Wang Jin‐hua , Wang Meng‐hong
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and the validity of the Chinese version of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ). After translation and cross‐cultural adaptation following international guidelines, 110 patients with dentine hypersensitivity were recruited to complete the questionnaire. The reliability of the Chinese version of the DHEQ was evaluated using internal consistency and test–retest methods. Construct validity was determined based on factor analysis, discriminative validity (by comparing the subscale scores difference in the degree of sensitivity being investigated), and convergent validity (by analyzing the correlation between DHEQ subscale scores and the global rating of oral health question). Cronbach's alpha value (internal reliability) for the total DHEQ score was 0.95 and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value (test–retest reliability) was 0.85. Construct validity was determined by factor analysis, extracting eight factors, accounting for 74% of the variance. All items had factor loadings of >0.40. In addition, the Chinese version of the DHEQ was found to be valid for distinguishing patients with varying degrees of dentine hypersensitivity. In terms of convergent validity, the impact scale was significantly highly correlated to the global oral health rating. The results suggest that the Chinese version of the DHEQ has satisfactory psychometric properties and is applicable for patients with dentine hypersensitivity in China.
Jaw‐movement smoothness during empty chewing and gum chewing
Authors: Minami Ichiro , Akhter Rahena , Luraschi Julien , Oogai Kazuhiro , Nemoto Tetsu , Peck Christopher C. , Murray Gregory M.
Published: May 2012

A major goal of motor coordination is the production of a smooth movement. Jerk‐cost, which is an inverse measure of movement smoothness, has been evaluated during gum chewing in previous studies. However, the effect of the gum bolus is still unclear. The aims of this study were to compare the jerk‐cost values of normal gum chewing with those of empty chewing. Thirteen subjects undertook, empty chewing, then chewing of gum, and then a second empty chewing. Jerk‐cost was calculated from an accelerometer attached to the skin of the mentum. There was a significantly higher smoothness (i.e. lower jerk‐cost, P < 0.05) during the opening and second‐half closing phases in empty chewing compared with gum chewing. There were no significant differences in jerk‐costs (i.e. opening or closing) between the first and the second empty‐chewing sequences. These results suggest that the influence of the mechanical effects of tooth contact on jerk‐cost is not restricted just to the occlusal phase of chewing, but rather the effect influences the entire opening and closing phases of chewing.
Longitudinal study of volatile fatty acids in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with periodontitis before and after nonsurgical therapy
Authors: Qiqiang L. , Huanxin M. , Xuejun G.
Published: May 2012

Qiqiang L, Huanxin M, Xuejun G. Longitudinal study of volatile fatty acids in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with periodontitis before and after nonsurgical therapy. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 740–749. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Background and Objective:  Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are important metabolic products of subgingival organisms and their concentrations are associated with the status of inflammation. The purpose of this study was to observe and analyze the change in concentration of SCFAs in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with chronic periodontitis before and after periodontal treatment.

Material and Methods:  Gingival crevicular fluid samples were taken from 21 patients with chronic periodontitis before periodontal treatment and 2 wk, and 2, 4 and 6 mo after treatment. The concentrations of six different SCFAs in the gingival crevicular fluid were measured using high‐performance capillary electrophoresis. The presence of porphyromonas gingivalis in the same pretreatment gingival crevicular fluid samples used to measure SCFAs was analyzed using PCR amplification.

Results:  Two weeks after periodontal treatment, the concentrations of lactic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and isovaleric acid in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with chronic periodontitis had decreased to the levels found in the healthy control group. However, the concentration of formic acid had increased. Statistically significant differences were found in the levels of these SCFAs before and after treatment. In the longitudinal observation, the concentrations of butyric acid and isovaleric acid in the gingival crevicular fluid had increased to a high level 2 mo after treatment. At the last two study time‐points (4 and 6 mo after treatment), butyric acid and isovaleric acid were still present at a high level and showed a tendency to continue to increase. In contrast, the concentration of formic acid in gingival crevicular fluid showed a gradual decrease over the study period.

Conclusions:  The concentration of formic acid in the gingival crevicular fluid has an inverse relationship with the severity of periodontitis, whereas the increased concentrations of butyric and isovelaric acids during the long‐term observation period after therapy may indicate the status of recolonization of periodontal pathogens and reflect the subgingival ecology. These two fatty acids could be used as indicators for the development and progression of periodontitis.
Rab6‐Mediated Retrograde Transport Regulates Inner Nuclear Membrane Targeting of Caveolin‐2 in Response to Insulin
Authors: Jeong Kyuho , Kwon Hayeong , Lee Jaewoong , Jang Donghwan , Hwang Eun Mi , Park Jae‐Yong , Pak Yunbae
Published: May 2012

Here, we have identified a retrograde transport pathway of caveolin‐2 (cav‐2) for its regulatory function in the nucleus. Confocal microscopy analysis, photoactivation experiments and subcellular fractionation revealed that cav‐2 localized in the Golgi was transported to the inner nuclear membrane (INM) in response to insulin. Exogenous caveolin‐1 (cav‐1) and P132L‐cav‐1 expression did not affect the Golgi localization and insulin‐induced INM targeting of cav‐2. Cav‐2DKV mutant in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was unable to translocate to the INM in response to insulin. The GTP‐bound form of Rab6 promoted, but Rab6 siRNA and the GDP‐bound form of Rab6 abrogated, retrograde trafficking of cav‐2 from the Golgi to ER. Colchicine or nocodazole treatment abolished insulin‐induced INM targeting of cav‐2. Knock down of gp210 inhibited insulin‐induced import of cav‐2 from ER/outer nuclear membrane (ONM) to the INM. The INM‐targeted cav‐2 prevented heterochromatinization and promoted transcriptional activation of Elk‐1 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). The results provide molecular mechanisms for insulin‐induced INM translocation of cav‐2 initiated (i) by Golgi‐to‐ER retrograde trafficking of cav‐2 via microtubule‐based Rab6‐GTP‐dependent transport and subsequently processed (ii) by gp210‐mediated import of cav‐2 from ER/ONM to INM.
Therapy of severe atopic dermatitis in adults
Authors: Deleuran Mette S. , Vestergaard Christian
Published: May 2012

Severe atopic dermatitis has a profound effect on many aspects of the patient's life, and a combination of topical and systemic treatment is often necessary to control the disease. Systemic corticosteroids are rapidly effective, but should only be used short term for severe exacerbations because of their many long‐term side effects. In chronic cases, starting another systemic immunosuppres‐sant therapy while tapering off corticosteroids should be considered. The usefulness of cyclosporin A, azathioprine, and methotrexate has been documented in clinical trials. Cyclosporin A is rapidly effective, but has a narrow therapeutic index and possible renal toxicity. Azathioprine and methotrexate have a slower onset of action and are good treatment options for many patients, but are not always tolerated. Mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolate sodium and biologicals are other alternatives, but need to be assessed in larger randomized trials. Despite the available therapeutic repertoire, there remain patients with very severe disease in whom we are unable to obtain satisfactory control. The therapy for patients with severe psoriasis has been revolutionized during the last decade, due to the development of targeted biological therapy, and it is indeed the hope that a similar process is about to emerge also for patients suffering from severe atopic dermatitis.
Relationship between behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and oral health status in the elderly with vascular dementia
Authors: Fujihara Isao , Sadamori Shinsuke , Abekura Hitoshi , Akagawa Yasumasa
Published: May 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00664.x

Relationship between behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and oral health status in the elderly with vascular dementia

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and oral status in the elderly with vascular dementia.

Background:  There have been some reports of a relationship between disease symptoms and oral status in the elderly with Alzheimer’s disease, but few reports have been conducted in the elderly with vascular dementia. Until now, the relationship between BPSD and oral status has been unknown.

Materials and methods:  An investigation was conducted concerning BPSD and oral status among 57 subjects with vascular dementia (mean age, 85.7 ± 5.5 years). The wearing of dentures and oral activities of daily living (oral ADL) were examined.

Results:  Subjects with activity disturbances and those with aggressiveness had significantly lower rates of denture wearing than those without these two symptoms (p < 0.05). Significantly lower oral ADL scores were obtained from subjects with delusional ideas, hallucinations, activity disturbances and diurnal rhythm disturbances (p < 0.05), as well as those with affective disturbances (p < 0.01).

Conclusion:  This study indicated a relationship between BPSD and the wearing of dentures in the elderly with vascular dementia. The study also demonstrated relationships between BPSD and oral ADL.
Older community‐dwelling people's comparative optimism about falling: A population‐based telephone survey
Authors: Dollard Joanne , Barton Christopher , Newbury Jonathan , Turnbull Deborah
Published: May 2012

Aim:  To determine whether older community‐dwelling people underestimate their own perceived chance of falling compared with that of other older people (comparative optimism), and whether a history of falls is associated with comparative optimism.

Method:  A sample of community‐dwelling South Australians aged ≥65 years (n= 389) completed a computer‐assisted telephone interview about their 12‐month fall history, their perceived chance of falling and their rating of other older people's chance of falling.

Results:  Respondents were comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling (Z =−8.1, P < 0.001). Those who had fallen in the last 12 months had a lower comparative optimism score (Z =−3.0, P < 0.003).

Conclusion:  As older people were comparatively optimistic about their likelihood of falling, they might not find fall prevention messages relevant. When older people present with a fall, clinicians could provide fall prevention information consistent with how older people present themselves.
Targeted delivery into motor nerve terminals of inhibitors for SNARE‐cleaving proteases via liposomes coupled to an atoxic botulinum neurotoxin
Authors: Edupuganti Om P. , Ovsepian Saak V. , Wang Jiafu , Zurawski Tomas H. , Schmidt James J. , Smith Leonard , Lawrence Gary W. , Dolly J. Oliver
Published: May 2012

A targeted drug carrier (TDC) is described for transferring functional proteins or peptides into motor nerve terminals, a pivotal locus for therapeutics to treat neuromuscular disorders. It exploits the pronounced selectivity of botulinum neurotoxin type B (BoNT/B) for interacting with acceptors on these cholinergic nerve endings and becoming internalized. The gene encoding an innocuous BoNT/B protease‐inactive mutant (BoTIM) was fused to that for core streptavidin, expressed in Escherichia coli and the purified protein was conjugated to surface‐biotinylated liposomes. Such decorated liposomes, loaded with fluorescein as traceable cargo, acquired pronounced specificity for motor nerve terminals in isolated mouse hemidiaphragms and facilitated the intraneuronal transfer of the fluor, as revealed by confocal microscopy. Delivery of the protease light chain of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) via this TDC accelerated the onset of neuromuscular paralysis, indicative of improved translocation of this enzyme into the presynaptic cytosol with subsequent proteolytic inactivation of synaptosomal‐associated protein of molecular mass 25 kDa (SNAP‐25), an exocytotic soluble N‐ethyl‐maleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) essential for neurotransmitter release. BoTIM‐coupled liposomes, loaded with peptide inhibitors of proteases, yielded considerable attenuation of the neuroparalytic effects of BoNT/A or BoNT/F as a result of their cytosolic transfer, the first in situ demonstration of the ability of designer antiproteases to suppress the symptoms of botulism ex vivo. Delivery of the BoNT/A inhibitor by liposomes targeted with the full‐length BoTIM proved more effective than that mediated by its C‐terminal neuroacceptor‐binding domain. This demonstrated versatility of TDC for nonviral cargo transfer into cholinergic nerve endings has unveiled its potential for direct delivery of functional targets into motor nerve endings.
Changes in Female Sexual Function following Anterior with and Without Posterior Vaginal Mesh Surgery for the Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Authors: Long Cheng-Yu , Juan Yung-Shun , Wu Ming-Ping , Liu Cheng-Min , Chiang Po-Hui , Tsai Eing-Mei
Published: May 2012

Introduction

Comparison of female sexual function following anterior and total transvaginal mesh (TVM) surgery has never been reported.

Aim

To compare the sexual function after anterior and total TVM repair for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Main Outcome Measures

The short forms of Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Methods

One hundred and sixty-five women with symptomatic POP stages II to IV defined by the POP quantification (POP-Q) staging system underwent TVM procedures at our hospitals. Seventy women were included because they were sexually active and had complete follow-up. All subjects were divided into the anterior group (anterior TVM; N = 39) and total group (anterior and posterior TVM; N = 31). Preoperative and postoperative assessments included pelvic examination using the POP-Q system, urodynamic study, and a personal interview to evaluate urinary and sexual symptoms with the short forms of UDI-6 and IIQ-7, and the FSFI.

Results

There was no difference between the two groups as for age, parity, diabetes, hypertension, concomitant procedures, and success rates for TVM and mid-urethral sling in this study (P > 0.05). Regarding the POP-Q analysis, there was a significant improvement at points Aa, Ba, C, Ap, and Bp (P < 0.05) in both groups except for total vaginal length (P > 0.05). The preoperative scores of UDI-6 and IIQ-7 were significantly higher in the total group (P < 0.01), and the UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores showed significant decreases in both groups postoperatively (P < 0.01). After TVM surgery, the score of the dyspareunia domain worsened significantly in both groups (P < 0.05), and the deteriorated lubrication domain was noted only in the total group (P = 0.042).

Conclusions

TVM procedure creates an effective anatomical restoration of POP, but individual domains of FSFI may worsen. Compared with the anterior group, women of the total group had worse quality of life in term of urinary symptoms preoperatively, and experienced a greater sexual impairment on lubrication following surgery.
Evaluation of the willingness‐to‐pay for cancer treatment in Korean metastatic breast cancer patients: A multicenter, cross‐sectional study
Authors: OH Do‐Youn , CRAWFORD Bruce , KIM Sung‐Bae , CHUNG Hyun‐Cheol , MCDONALD Jeffrey , LEE Sang Yoon , KO Su‐Kyoung , RO Jungsil
Published: May 2012

Aims:  To evaluate the inherent value of breast cancer therapy a willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) study was conducted in Korean patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Methods:  Patients were prospectively enrolled from four study centers and completed quality of life questionnaires to reflect their status pre‐cancer and their current health status. Clinical and socioeconomic data were collected to characterize the population and utilize during modeling. Patients' WTP for breast cancer treatment was assessed using an open‐ended question following three rounds of bidding to better hone in on their maximal WTP, starting with one of three randomly assigned start bids. Predictors of patient WTP was evaluated using linear regression models. Associations between WTP and other parameters were evaluated with correlations.

Results:  Korean metastatic breast cancer patients were WTP an average of KRW 8 696 329 (US$7555) per month to return to their pre‐cancer health state, with those who were recently diagnosed as WTP the most (KRW 12 955 000 [$11 254]). WTP was closely associated with the patient's education level, income, personal financial difficulties, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and their experience of arm symptoms.

Conclusion:  The results suggest that patients are WTP significant amounts per month for treatment. Breast cancer patients are heavily burdened physically, mentally and financially, and the present study indicated this significant financial burden by disclosing its relationship with WTP. Providing a better understanding of the inherent value of treatment will allow Koreans to better evaluate treatment in the coming era of personalized medicine.
FcγRIIB‐nt645+25A/G gene polymorphism and periodontitis in Japanese women with preeclampsia
Authors: Wang Y. , Sugita N. , Kikuchi A. , Iwanaga R. , Hirano E. , Shimada Y. , Sasahara J. , Tanaka K. , Yoshie H.
Published: May 2012

FcγRIIB contains a unique immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibition motif (ITIM) and functions as a negative feedback regulator of leucocyte activation and antibody production. We have previously reported FcγRIIB‐nt645+25A/G gene polymorphism to be associated with prevalence and severity of periodontitis, FcγRIIB expression level on peripheral B lymphocytes and the serum IgG level against periodontopathic bacteria. Previous studies have reported maternal periodontal disease to be associated with an increased risk for preeclampsia. Therefore, FcγRIIB‐nt645+25A/G gene polymorphism may be associated with preeclampsia by affecting immune response to periodontopathic bacteria in pregnant women. To elucidate whether FcγRIIB‐nt645+25A/G gene polymorphism has associations with preeclampsia and/or periodontitis in pregnant Japanese women, a case–control study was carried out on women with preeclampsia (n = 13) and without preeclampsia (n = 106). Maternal periodontal parameters and bacterial data of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia in subgingival plaque were collected within 5 days of delivery. FcγR genotypes of each woman were determined using the genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood. Serum IgG levels specific for each bacteria were determined. There was a significant association between FcγRIIB‐nt645+25A/G polymorphism and preeclampsia (P = 0.013). The frequency of the FcγRIIB‐nt645+25AA genotype was higher in the preeclampsia group compared with the nonpreeclampsia group (P = 0.007). The DNA level of A. actinomycetemcomitans from subgingival plaque was shown to be higher in the preeclampsia group (P = 0.017). In conclusion, maternal FcγRIIB‐nt645+25A/G polymorphism and subgingival DNA level of A. actinomycetemcomitans were significantly associated with the prevalence of preeclampsia in a limited number of Japanese women independently with periodontal infection. Further investigations should be performed to confirm this association in a larger population and to determine the biological process of the association.
NGC 5466: a unique probe of the Galactic halo shape
Authors: Lux H. , Read J. I. , Lake G. , Johnston K. V.
Published: May 2012

Stellar streams provide unique probes of galactic potentials, with the longer streams normally providing the cleaner measurements. In this Letter, we show an example of a short tidal stream that is particularly sensitive to the shape of the Milky Way's dark matter halo: the globular cluster tidal stream NGC 5466. This stream has an interesting deviation from a smooth orbit at its western edge. We show that such a deviation favours an underlying oblate or triaxial halo (irrespective of plausible variations in the Milky Way disc properties and the specific halo parametrization chosen); spherical or prolate halo shapes can be excluded at a high confidence level. Therefore, more extensive data sets along the NGC 5466 tidal stream promise strong constraints on the Milky Way halo shape.
Electron—positron pairs in blazar jets and γ-ray loud radio galaxies
Authors: Ghisellini G.
Published: May 2012

The matter content of extragalactic relativistic jets is still an unsolved issue. There are strong arguments against pure electron—positron pair jets, but pairs could outnumber the electrons associated with protons by a factor of 10–20. This impacts on the estimate of the jet kinetic power, by reducing it by the same factor, and on the total energy delivered to leptons by the particle acceleration mechanism. Pairs cannot be created in the same jet zone responsible for the high-energy γ-ray emission we see in blazars, because the reprocessing of the created pairs would overproduce the X-ray flux. Copious pair creation could occur in the inner zone of the still accelerating jet, where the bulk Lorentz factor is small. It is found that the inner zone can produce a sufficient number of pairs to replenish the zone of the jet where most of the luminosity is emitted, but only if the γ-ray luminosity of the inner jet is above 1044 erg s−1 at ∼1 MeV. Since the beaming is modest, this emission can be observed at large viewing angles, and detected in radio galaxies and lobe-dominated quasars at the flux level of 10−12–10−11 erg cm−2 s−1 for a source at a redshift z= 0.1.
Changes in Fat Mass in Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review
Authors: English Coralie , Thoirs Kerry , Coates Alison , Ryan Alice , Bernhardt Julie
Published: May 2012

Background

Stroke survivors have less muscle mass in their paretic limbs compared with nonparetic limbs, which may or may not be accompanied by changes in regional and/or whole body fat mass.

Aim

To examine the current evidence regarding differences in regional fat mass between paretic and nonparetic limbs and changes in whole body fat mass over time in stroke survivors.

Methods

A systematic search of relevant databases. Studies measuring whole body or regional fat mass using dual-energy X-ray absorpiometry, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging were included.

Results

Eleven trials were identified. Fat mass differences between paretic and nonparetic limbs and change in fat mass over time were not consistent. Meta-analyses were conducted using dual-energy X-ray absorpiometry-derived data from 10 trials ( n = 324). There were no differences in fat mass between paretic and nonparetic legs (pooled mean difference 31.4 g, 95% confidence interval −33.9 to 96.6, P = 0.35), and slightly greater fat mass in the paretic arms compared with nonparetic arms (pooled mean difference 84.0 g, 95% confidence interval 30.7 to 137.3, P = 0.002). Whole body fat mass did not increase significantly between one-month and six-months poststroke (pooled mean difference 282.3 g, 95% confidence interval −824.4 to 1389, P = 0.62), but there was an increase between six- and 12 months poststroke (pooled mean difference 1935 g, 95% confidence interval 1031 to 2839, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

There were inconsistent findings regarding changes in fat mass after stroke. Large, well-designed studies are required to further investigate the impact of body composition changes on the health of stroke survivors.
Aggressive Blood Pressure–Lowering Therapy Guided by Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Improves Target Organ Damage in Hypertensive Patients With Type 2 Diabetes/Prediabetes
Authors: Eguchi Kazuo , Hoshide Satoshi , Ishikawa Shizukiyo , Shimada Kazuyuki , Kario Kazuomi
Published: May 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:422–428. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The authors tested the hypothesis that an aggressive antihypertensive treatment is beneficial in protecting against target organ damage (TOD) in patients with type 2 diabetes/prediabetes. The authors enrolled 60 patients with uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes/prediabetes and performed clinic, home, and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring. Irbesartan, amlodipine, and indapamide were used according to a titration schedule from step 1 to 5 for target home BP level ≤125/75 mm Hg. The flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD), radial augmentation index (AI), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and urinary albumin excretion ratio (UACR), as a surrogate marker of TOD, were measured at baseline and 6 months. Compared with baseline, clinic, home, and ambulatory BP measures were significantly lower in the sixth month. FMD was increased significantly and AI, PWV, and UACR were reduced by the treatment. The extent of the changes in PWV and UACR were associated with the changes in all BP measures, but only the change in home morning BP was associated with the change in FMD. The change in AI was not associated with the change in BP levels, but was associated with the change in PWV. A very aggressive antihypertensive therapy guided by home morning BP was effective for surrogate end points in patients with diabetes/prediabetes.
Relationship of Resistant Hypertension and Treatment Outcomes With Total Arterial Compliance in a Predominantly African American Hypertensive Cohort
Authors: Bakhtar Omid , Ference Brian A. , Hedquist Lowell A. , Levy Phillip D. , Flack John M.
Published: May 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:618–622. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Resistant hypertension (RH) affects 8% to 30% of hypertensive patients. Blood pressure (BP) reflects the interaction between vascular compliance, resistance to flow, intravascular volume, and cardiac contractility. The relationship of RH with total arterial compliance index (TACI) has not been adequately explored. The RH period prevalence (RH at baseline or follow‐up) was determined in a hypertensive cohort (N=156) and compared across quartiles of TACI. Age‐ and sex‐adjusted systolic BP, diastolic BP, and antihypertensive therapeutic intensity score (TIS) were also determined at the time of first BP control. The cohort was 85.3% African American and 67.3% female. Median follow‐up was 7 months. The prevalence of RH at baseline was 14.7% while the period prevalence was 43.6%. The period prevalence of RH by ascending quartile for TACI was 66%, 36.8%, 40%, and 30.8% (P=.008). The average BP and antihypertensive TIS at first BP control across TACI quartiles was 122.3/73.4 mm Hg (2.26), 120.7/72.5 mm Hg (1.88), 122.4/75.3 mm Hg (1.71), and 120.0/79.4 mm Hg (1.64) (P=.62, P=.03, P=.13). Low TACI was linked to higher RH prevalence and antihypertensive TIS at first attainment of goal BP according to the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. TACI provides prognostic information that is clinically and perhaps pathophysiologically relevant in RH.
Occurrence of a specific dual symbiosis in the excretory organ of geographically distant Nautiloids populations
Authors: Pernice Mathieu , Boucher‐Rodoni Renata
Published: May 2012

Nautilus is one of the most intriguing of all sea creatures, sharing morphological similarities with the extinct forms of coiled cephalopods that evolved since the Cambrian (542–488 mya). Further, bacterial symbioses found in their excretory organ are of particular interest as they provide a great opportunity to investigate the influence of host–microbe interactions upon the origin and evolution of an innovative nitrogen excretory system. To establish the potential of Nautilus excretory organ as a new symbiotic system, it is, however, necessary to assess the specificity of this symbiosis and whether it is consistent within the different species of present‐day Nautiloids. By addressing the phylogeny and distribution of bacterial symbionts in three Nautilus populations separated by more than 6000 km (N. pompilius from Philippines and Vanuatu, and N. macromphalus from New Caledonia), this study confirms the specificity of this dual symbiosis involving the presence of betaproteobacteria and spirochaete symbionts on a very wide geographical area. Overall, this work sheds further light on Nautiloids excretory organ as an innovative system of interaction between bacteria and cephalopods.
Natural replacement of vertically inherited lux‐rib genes of Photobacterium aquimaris by horizontally acquired homologues
Authors: Urbanczyk Henryk , Furukawa Takashi , Yamamoto Yuki , Dunlap Paul V.
Published: May 2012

We report here the first instance of a complete replacement of vertically inherited luminescence genes by horizontally acquired homologues. Different strains of Photobacterium aquimaris contain homologues of the lux‐rib genes that have a different evolutionary history. Strain BS1 from the Black Sea contains a vertically inherited lux‐rib operon, which presumably arose in the ancestor of this species, whereas the type strain NBRC 104633T, from Sagami Bay, lacks the vertically inherited lux‐rib operon and instead carries a complete and functional lux‐rib operon acquired horizontally from a bacterium related to Photobacterium mandapamensis. The results indicate that the horizontal acquisition of the lux genes expanded the pan‐genome of P. aquimaris, but it did not influence the phylogenetic divergence of this species.
Effect of Heart Failure on Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Activity in Plasma of Dogs
Authors: Gomez N. , Matheeussen V. , Damoiseaux C. , Tamborini A. , Merveille A.C. , Jespers P. , Michaux C. , Clercx C. , De Meester I. , Mc Entee K.
Published: May 2012

Background

In congestive heart failure (HF), plasma B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) seems devoid of biological effectiveness. BNP1–32 could be truncated into BNP3–32 by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4), and BNP3–32 has reduced biological activities.

Hypothesis

Increased DPP4 activity is associated with pathophysiology of HF.

Animals

One hundred twenty‐eight client‐owned dogs and 9 experimental Beagles from the Clinical Veterinary Unit of the University of Liège.

Methods

We prospectively measured plasma DPP4 activity in 5 groups of dogs: normal growing dogs (n = 21), normal adult dogs (n = 60), healthy Beagle (n = 9), dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (n = 35), and dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 12). The final diagnosis and the severity of HF were determined by Doppler echocardiography. Plasma DPP4 activity was measured kinetically by a fluorimetric method.

Results

In growing dogs, DPP4 activity was higher than in adults (P < .001) and inversely correlated with age (r = −0.57, P < .01). In adults, DPP4 activity increased linearly with body weight (r = 0.39, P < .01), but there was no influence of age or sex. No effect of the circadian rhythm was noted. DPP4 activity was significantly higher in HF ISACHC I (16.3 ± 1.14 U/L) compared with healthy adults (12.4 ± 0.65 U/L, P < .05) and HF ISACHC III (11.0 ± 1.50 U/L, P < .05). Mean DPP4 activity in ISACHC II was 15.1 ± 1.4 U/L.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

We did not find evidence that plasma DPP4 activity is responsible for the “BNP resistance” in overt congestive HF, but it may be implicated in early stages.
An investigation of Martian northern high‐latitude and polar impact crater interiors: Atypical interior topographic features and cavity wall slopes
Authors: FAGAN A. L. , SAKIMOTO S. E. H.
Published: May 2012

Abstract– We examine Martian northern high‐latitude and polar impact craters (NPICs) to better understand the north polar materials and polar processes. We examine topographic characteristics for 346 NPICs and compare them to global fit data (e.g., Garvin et al. 2003; Boyce and Garbeil 2007) as well as to a small set (N = 92) of southern high‐latitude and polar impact craters (SPICs). We find that the NPIC population above 57° N is significantly shallower than the global crater population. This suggests that the NPICs (1) were initially shallow due to target properties of polar geologic units; (2) were once deeper, but have been infilled due to polar processes; or (3) a combination of both. Indeed, many of the NPICs exhibit considerable noncentral peak interior topographic features (IFTs), which may be indicative of infilling processes. The NPIC IFTs also appear to display trends in their preferential orientation within the crater cavity; some SPICs display similar interior features, but do not show a clear preference in their orientation within the crater cavity. In addition, the NPIC population displays cavity wall slope trends that seem to indicate steepening of slopes with increasing crater diameter in comparison to the global slope trend (Garvin et al. 2003). These trends suggest that the NPICs are unique in their geometry when compared to the global data set as well as with the SPICs further indicating that the north polar region may exhibit target properties and polar processes not seen in the south polar region or elsewhere on Mars.
Declarative knowledge and professional vision in teacher education: Effect of courses in teaching and learning
Authors: Stürmer Kathleen , Könings Karen D. , Seidel Tina
Published: May 2012

Background. Teachers’ professional vision includes the ability to apply general pedagogical knowledge about components of effective teaching and learning to reason about significant features of classroom practice. It requires teachers to (a) describe, (b) explain, and (c) predict classroom situations. Although the acquisition of underling knowledge can be considered as a key element of university‐based teacher education programmes, to date, there has been little empirical research on teacher candidates’ development of professional vision.

Aims. This study aims to improve understanding of how different university‐based courses in teaching and learning impact the development of professional vision.

Sample. Participants were teacher candidates (N= 53) attending the same teacher education programme at a German university. They were enrolled in one of three different compulsory courses in teaching and learning, lasting one semester.

Methods. In a pre‐test–post‐test design, participants’ declarative knowledge about teaching and learning was measured with a test, professional vision with the online tool Observer. Analysis of covariance and multivariate analysis of variance were conducted.

Results. Teacher candidates in all three courses showed significant gains both in declarative knowledge and professional vision. Patterns of results differed depending on the course attended. A video‐based course with a focus on effective teaching resulted in highest gains in prediction of the consequences of observed events for student learning processes, which is the highest level of knowledge transfer.

Conclusion. The development of professional vision is a strongly knowledge‐guided process. In line with their content and aims, university‐based courses can enhance teaching‐relevant knowledge for teacher candidates.
Roton-Type Mode Softening in a Quantum Gas with Cavity-Mediated Long-Range Interactions
Authors: Mottl R. , Brennecke F. , Baumann K. , Landig R. , Donner T. , Esslinger T.
Published: May 2012

Cavity-Induced Minimum

Tuning the strength and range of interactions in cold atomic gases is crucial to their role as quantum simulators. Most atom-atom interactions are short-ranged. One way to extend the range is to couple the gas to an optical cavity, which can propagate interactions between atoms, making the interactions effectively long-ranged. This system has been used to observe a transition to a “supersolid” phase characterized by a checkerboard atomic density order.

Mottl
et al.

(p.
1570
, published online 17 May) used Bragg spectroscopy to measure the excitation spectrum of an ultracold gas of Rb-87 atoms as the interaction strength was varied. Consistent with theoretical predictions, a minimum was observed in the excitation energy, similar to that observed in roton excitations of the superfluid helium.
A NUMERICAL APPROACH TO HARMONIC NONCOMMUTATIVE SPECTRAL FIELD THEORY
Authors: SPISSO BERNARDINO , WULKENHAAR RAIMAR
Published: May 2012

We present a first numerical investigation of a noncommutative gauge theory defined via the spectral action for Moyal space with harmonic propagation. This action is approximated by finite matrices. Using Monte Carlo simulation we study various quantities such as the energy density, the specific heat density and some order parameters, varying the matrix size and the independent parameters of the model. We find a peak structure in the specific heat which might indicate possible phase transitions. However, there are mathematical arguments which show that the limit of infinite matrices can be quite different from the original spectral model.