bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extent of lymphadenectomy does not improve the survival of patients with renal cell carcinoma and nodal metastases: biases associated with the handling of missing data
Authors: Sun Maxine , Trinh Quoc‐Dien , Bianchi Marco , Hansen Jens , Abdollah Firas , Tian Zhe , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Montorsi Francesco , Perrotte Paul , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: March 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

A recent population‐based analysis suggested a potential survival benefit with respect to performing lymph node dissection at nephrectomy in node‐positive patients with RCC.

The findings of the present study failed to corroborate the association of a survival benefit with the performance of lymph node dissection at nephrectomy.

Objective

Previous studies showed no survival benefit with respect to performing lymph node dissection (LND) at nephrectomy, whereas a recent population‐based analysis suggested otherwise, although the latter relied on imputation. To reconcile the findings of that study by critically evaluating the handling of missing data.

Patients and Methods

Study participants comprised patients diagnosed with non‐metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of all stages who underwent LND at nephrectomy (n = 10 596).

Multivariable Cox regression models were performed to predict cancer‐specific mortality (CSM), where the primary variable of interest was the extent of LND.

To examine differences in approaches with respect to handling missing data, separate analyses were performed: (i) imputed population; (ii) exclusion of patients with missing data; and (iii) inclusion of patients with missing data as a sub‐category.

Results

Overall, 2916 (28%) patients had missing tumour grade.

In multivariable analyses, our findings showed that increasing the extent of LND was associated with a significant protective effect on CSM in patients with pN1 after imputation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82; P = 0.04).

By contrast, the extent of LND was no longer significantly associated with a lower risk of CSM after excluding patients with a missing tumour grade (HR, 0.83; P = 0.1) or when including patients with missing tumour grade as a sub‐category (HR, 0.82; P = 0.05).

Conclusions

The findings of the present study failed to corroborate the association of a survival benefit with increasing extent of LND at nephrectomy.

The different methodologies employed to account for missing data may introduce important biases.

Such considerations are non‐negligible with respect to the interpretation of results for investigators who rely on administrative cohorts.
A new view on Nematothallus: coralline red algae from the Silurian of Gotland
Authors: SMITH MARTIN R. , BUTTERFIELD NICHOLAS J.
Published: March 2013

Abstract:  The thalloid carbonaceous fossil Nematothallus Lang, 1937, has been widely interpreted as an early Palaeozoic land‐plant, despite the absence of a convincing modern analogue. Exceptionally well‐preserved nematophyte cuticle from the Late Silurian Burgsvik Sandstone Formation, Gotland provides additional insight into the organism’s anatomy, phylogenetic affiliations and ecology. Because this material exhibits additional characters not present in the type material we assign it to Nematothallopsis gotlandii gen. et sp. nov. The organism was constituted of a close‐packed layer of palisade‐like filaments covered by a cuticle that bears a characteristic pseudocellular pattern on its inner surface. Apertures in this cuticle are often encircled by a ring of multicellular filaments, which are sometimes associated with spheroidal, spore‐like entities. In the light of the conspicuous similarity of the palisade layers to the pseudoparenchymatous tissue of coralline red algae, and of the filament‐fringed apertures to their reproductive conceptacles, we reconstruct the Nematothallopsis organism as an extinct rhodophyte and re‐evaluate the putative terrestrial habit of cuticular nematophytes in general.
The ontogeny of cinctans (stem‐group Echinodermata) as revealed by a new genus,GraciaCystis, from the middle Cambrian of Spain
Authors: ZAMORA SAMUEL , RAHMAN IMRAN A. , SMITH ANDREW B.
Published: March 2013

Abstract: A new cinctan echinoderm,Graciacystis ambiguagen. et sp. nov. from Cambrian Series 3 rocks of Spain, is described based on more than 100 articulated specimens that range from 6 to 14.5 mm in thecal length. This material shows thatGraciacystis ambigua, while plastic in thecal shape, is highly conservative in its thecal construction, with a fixed number of marginal plates and very limited addition of plates in the stele and ventral membrane through ontogeny. Ventral swellings on marginal elements are absent from the smallest specimens and become gradually more marked during growth. A cladistic analysis showsGraciacystisto be a basal cinctan, more derived thanSotocinctusand the Trochocystitidae and as sister group to a large clade formed by Sucocystidae + Gyrocystidae. The determinate growth pattern seen inGraciacystisseems to be the general pattern for all cinctans.
Being angry for different reasons: the role of personality in distributive justice
Authors: Stouten Jeroen , Kuppens Peter , Decoster Stijn
Published: March 2013

The present research examines personality predictors of anger in response to unfavorable and favorable outcomes with regard to violations of the distributive justice principle of equality. Two studies showed that feelings of anger in response to equality violations were related to neuroticism and agreeableness, albeit for different reasons. Depending on whether the equality violation was favorable or not, anger could be predicted by either feelings of threat or guilt for neuroticism and perceptions of responsibility for agreeableness. These findings add to the literature on boundary conditions of justice and reveal how core personality dimensions contribute to emotional reactions in distributively unjust situations, even if the outcome is personally favorable.
Of mice and mammoths: generality and antiquity of the island rule
Authors: Lomolino Mark V. , van der Geer Alexandra A. , Lyras George A. , Palombo Maria Rita , Sax Dov F. , Rozzi Roberto
Published: March 2013

Aim

We assessed the generality of the island rule in a database comprising 1593 populations of insular mammals (439 species, including 63 species of fossil mammals), and tested whether observed patterns differed among taxonomic and functional groups.

Location

Islands world‐wide.

Methods

We measured museum specimens (fossil mammals) and reviewed the literature to compile a database of insular animal body size (Si = mean mass of individuals from an insular population divided by that of individuals from an ancestral or mainland population, M). We used linear regressions to investigate the relationship between Si and M, and ANCOVA to compare trends among taxonomic and functional groups.

Results

Si was significantly and negatively related to the mass of the ancestral or mainland population across all mammals and within all orders of extant mammals analysed, and across palaeo‐insular (considered separately) mammals as well. Insular body size was significantly smaller for bats and insectivores than for the other orders studied here, but significantly larger for mammals that utilized aquatic prey than for those restricted to terrestrial prey.

Main conclusions

The island rule appears to be a pervasive pattern, exhibited by mammals from a broad range of orders, functional groups and time periods. There remains, however, much scatter about the general trend; this residual variation may be highly informative as it appears consistent with differences among species, islands and environmental characteristics hypothesized to influence body size evolution in general. The more pronounced gigantism and dwarfism of palaeo‐insular mammals, in particular, is consistent with a hypothesis that emphasizes the importance of ecological interactions (time in isolation from mammalian predators and competitors was 0.1 to > 1.0 Myr for palaeo‐insular mammals, but < 0.01 Myr for extant populations of insular mammals). While ecological displacement may be a major force driving diversification in body size in high‐diversity biotas, ecological release in species‐poor biotas often results in the convergence of insular mammals on the size of intermediate but absent species.
Contribution of Glomerular Filtration Rate to 10‐Year Cardiovascular and Mortality Risk Among Hypertensive Adults: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Mohebi Reza , Bozorgmanesh Mohammadreza , Sheikholeslami Farhad , Azizi Fereidoun , Hadaegh Farzad
Published: March 2013

The authors tested the hypotheses that (1) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD) or mortality risk among hypertensive patients, (2) associations are curvilinear, and (3) diabetes modifies these associations. Data from a 10‐year follow‐up of 3179 hypertensive patients 18 years and older were analyzed. Measurements included eGFR and CVD risk factors, and outcomes were CVD and mortality. Cox models were developed to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for different endpoints for a 1‐standard deviation (SD) increment in eGFR. The nonlinearity in associations was examined by cubic spline method. Mean (SD) age of the participants (59.0% women) was 56.3 (12.3) years. During follow‐up (10‐year), 629 incident cases of CVD (296 women) and 320 deaths (130 women) were documented. The incidence rate of different outcomes decreased across increasing eGFR quintiles. Among men, irrespective of their diabetes status, eGFR was inversely associated with risk of mortality. Among women, irrespective of their diabetes status, eGFR did not predict mortality. Neither among men nor among women did eGFR predict CVD or coronary heart disease. No evidence was found for nonlinearity in these associations. eGFR was independently associated with mortality among hypertensive men with or without diabetes. When information on traditional CVD risk factors was available, eGFR provided no additional predictive value for CVD.
Priming mesenchymal stem cells boosts stem cell therapy to treat myocardial infarction
Authors: Carvalho Juliana L. , Braga Vinicius B. A. , Melo Marcos B. , Campos Ana Carolina D. A. , Oliveira Maira S. , Gomes Dawidson A. , Ferreira Anderson J. , Santos Robson A. S. , Goes Alfredo M.
Published: March 2013

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally and are projected to remain the single leading cause of death. Treatment options abounds, although efficacy is limited. Recent studies attribute discrete and ephemeral benefits to adult stem cell therapies, indicating the urge to improve stem cell based–therapy. In this study, we show that priming mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) towards cardiomyogenic lineage enhances their beneficial effects in vivo as treatment option for acute phase myocardial infarction. MSC were primed using cardiomyogenic media for 4 days, after which peak expression of key cardiomyogenic genes are reached and protein expression of Cx‐43 and sarcomeric α‐actinin are observed. MSC and primed MSC (pMSC) were characterized in vitro and used to treat infarcted rats immediately after left anterior descending (LAD) occlusion. Echocardiography analysis indicated that MSC‐treated myocardium presented discrete improvement in function, but it also showed that pMSC treatment lead to superior beneficial results, compared with undifferentiated MSC. Seven days after cell injection, MSC and pMSC could still be detected in the myocardium. Connexin‐43 expression was quantified through immunoblotting, and was superior in pMSC, indicating that this could be a possible explanation for the superior performance of pMSC therapy.
Changes of lysosomes in the earliest stages of the development of atherosclerosis
Authors: Bobryshev Yuri V. , Shchelkunova Tatyana A. , Morozov Ivan A. , Rubtsov Petr M. , Sobenin Igor A. , Orekhov Alexander N. , Smirnov Alexander N.
Published: March 2013

One of hypotheses of atherosclerosis is based on a presumption that the zones prone to the development of atherosclerosis contain lysosomes which are characterized by enzyme deficiency and thus, are unable to dispose of lipoproteins. The present study was undertaken to investigate the characteristics and changes of lysosomes in the earliest stages of the development of atherosclerosis. Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry revealed that there were certain changes in the distribution of CD68 antigen in lysosomes along the ‘normal intima‐initial lesion‐fatty streak’ sequence. There were no significant changes found in the key mRNAs encoding for the components of endosome/lysosome compartment in initial atherosclerotic lesions, but in fatty streaks, the contents of EEA1 and Rab5a mRNAs were found to be diminished while the contents of CD68 and p62 mRNAs were increased, compared with the intact tissue. The study reinforces a view that changes occurring in lysosomes play a role in atherogenesis from the very earlier stages of the disease.
Gingival labial recessions in orthodontically treated and untreated individuals: a case – control study
Authors: Renkema Anne Marie , Fudalej Piotr S. , Renkema Alianne A. P. , Abbas Frank , Bronkhorst Ewald , Katsaros Christos
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the long‐term development of labial gingival recessions during orthodontic treatment and retention phase.

Material and Methods

In this retrospective case–control study, the presence of gingival recession was scored (Yes or No) on plaster models of 100 orthodontic patients (cases) and 120 controls at the age of 12 (T12), 15 (T15), 18 (T18), and 21 (T21) years. In the treated group, T12 reflected the start of orthodontic treatment and T15 – the end of active treatment and the start of retention phase with bonded retainers. Independent t‐tests, Fisher's exact tests and a fitted two‐part “hurdle” model were used to identify the effect of orthodontic treatment/retention on recessions.

Results

The proportion of subjects with recessions was consistently higher in cases than controls. Overall, the odds ratio for orthodontic patients as compared with controls to have recessions is 4.48 (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 2.61–7.70).

Conclusions

Within the limits of the present research design, orthodontic treatment and/or the retention phase may be risk factors for the development of labial gingival recessions. In orthodontically treated subjects, mandibular incisors seem to be the most vulnerable to the development of gingival recessions.
Empathic responsiveness in amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex in youths with psychopathic traits
Authors: Marsh Abigail A. , Finger Elizabeth C. , Fowler Katherine A. , Adalio Christopher J. , Jurkowitz Ilana T. N. , Schechter Julia C. , Pine Daniel S. , Decety Jean , Blair R. J. R.
Published: March 2013

Background

Psychopathic traits are associated with increases in antisocial behaviors such as aggression and are characterized by reduced empathy for others' distress. This suggests that psychopathic traits may also impair empathic pain sensitivity. However, whether psychopathic traits affect responses to the pain of others versus the self has not been previously assessed.

Method

We used whole‐brain functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure neural activation in 14 adolescents with oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder and psychopathic traits, as well as 21 healthy controls matched on age, gender, and intelligence. Activation in structures associated with empathic pain perception was assessed as adolescents viewed photographs of pain‐inducing injuries. Adolescents imagined either that the body in each photograph was their own or that it belonged to another person. Behavioral and neuroimaging data were analyzed using random‐effects analysis of variance.

Results

Youths with psychopathic traits showed reduced activity within regions associated with empathic pain as the depicted pain increased. These regions included rostral anterior cingulate cortex, ventral striatum (putamen), and amygdala. Reductions in amygdala activity particularly occurred when the injury was perceived as occurring to another. Empathic pain responses within both amygdala and rostral anterior cingulate cortex were negatively correlated with the severity of psychopathic traits as indexed by PCL:YV scores.

Conclusions

Youths with psychopathic traits show less responsiveness in regions implicated in the affective response to another's pain as the perceived intensity of this pain increases. Moreover, this reduced responsiveness appears to predict symptom severity.
Relationship between parathyroid hormone and subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with severe psoriasis
Authors: Zhao C.‐T. , Yeung C.‐K. , Siu C.‐W. , Tam S. , Chan J. , Chen Y. , Chan H.‐H. , Tse H.‐F. , Yiu K.‐H.
Published: March 2013

Background

Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease although the mechanism remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that such patients have a high prevalence of vitamin D (vit‐D) deficiency and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) level. We hypothesized that vit‐D deficiency and/or elevated PTH in psoriasis may contribute to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

Methods

Seventy‐four patients with severe psoriasis with no known cardiovascular disease and 53 age‐ and gender‐matched controls were recruited. All patients underwent detailed transthoracic echocardiography, including speckle tracking derived strains, and plasma levels of 25‐hydoxyvitamin D (25‐OHD), PTH and cardiac biomarkers including high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), high sensitive troponin I (hs‐TNI) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured.

Results

Despite similar systolic and diastolic LV function, patients with severe psoriasis had impaired LV global longitudinal (−18.1 ± 2.6 vs.−19.6 ± 2.9%, P < 0.01) and circumferential strain (−18.7 ± 3.6 vs. −20.8 ± 4.3%, P < 0.01) compared with controls. Patients with severe psoriasis also had a significantly higher PTH (49.9 ± 18.0 vs. 40.5 ± 15.4 pmol/mL, P < 0.01) and hs‐CRP (5.7 ± 6.9 vs. 1.9 ± 2.5 pg/mL, P < 0.01), but similar levels of 25‐OHD, hs‐TNI and BNP (all P > 0.05) compared with controls. Importantly, PTH level was negatively correlated with LV global longitudinal strain (R = −0.30, P < 0.01); and higher PTH level was independently associated with impaired global LV longitudinal strain (R = −0.33, P = 0.04), independent of cardiovascular risk factors, vit‐D status and serum biomarkers.

Conclusions

Severe psoriasis patients had an elevated PTH level and suffered from subclinical LV systolic dysfunction as detected by impaired global LV longitudinal strain. Importantly, a higher PTH level was independently associated with impaired global LV longitudinal strain.
Glutathione‐S‐transferase T1 genotyping and phenotyping in psoriasis patients receiving treatment with oral fumaric acid esters
Authors: Gambichler T. , Kreuter A. , Susok L. , Skrygan M. , Rotterdam S. , Höxtermann S. , Müller M. , Tigges C. , Altmeyer P. , Lahner N.
Published: March 2013

Background

Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) are involved in detoxification of xenobiotics such as fumaric acid esters (FAE).

Objectives

To perform GSTT1 geno‐ and phenotyping in psoriasis patients treated with FAE to find out whether the responder status and/or occurrence of side‐effects are associated with allelic variants and enzymatic activity of GSTT1.

Methods

We treated 106 psoriasis patients with FAE. GSTT1 genotyping was performed using PCR, phenotyping was carried out by means of a validated high performance liquid chromatography assay at baseline and under treatment.

Results

The distribution of GSTT1 genotypes was as follows: 31% *A/*A; 49% *A/*0; 20% *0/*0. GSTT1 phenotypes as expressed in enzyme activity significantly differed between conjugators classes. (P < 0.001). GSTT1 activity under treatment was significantly (P = 0.0001) increased when compared with baseline. There were no significant associations between the aforementioned GSTT1 pheno‐ and genotypes and clinical parameters such as psoriasis area and severity index (PASI)50, adverse effects and FAE dosage (P > 0.05), except for the frequent occurrence of reduction (>50%) of circulating lymphocytes in patients with *0/*0 GSTT1 status (P = 0.036; odds ratio: 6, 95% CI: 1.1–32).

Conclusion

GSTT1 geno‐ and phenotypes significantly correlate in psoriasis patients and do not substantially differ from healthy controls. Response to FAE does likely not depend on GSTT1. However, *0/*0 GSTT1 status is a predictor for the occurrence of marked reduction of lymphocyte counts under FAE therapy. Notably, FAE seem to enhance GSTT1 enzyme activity in high and low conjugators.
Provenance matters: thermal reaction norms for embryo survival among sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka populations
Authors: Whitney C. K. , Hinch S. G. , Patterson D. A.
Published: March 2013

Differences in thermal tolerance during embryonic development in Fraser River sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka were examined among nine populations in a controlled common‐garden incubation experiment. Forcing embryonic development at an extreme temperature (relative to current values) of 16° C, representing a future climate change scenario, significantly reduced survival compared to the more ecologically moderate temperature of 10° C (55% v. 93%). Survival at 14° C was intermediate between the other two temperatures (85%). More importantly, this survival response varied by provenance within and between temperature treatments. Thermal reaction norms showed an interacting response of genotype and environment (temperature), suggesting that populations of O. nerka may have adapted differentially to elevated temperatures during incubation and early development. Moreover, populations that historically experience warmer incubation temperatures at early development displayed a higher tolerance for warm temperatures. In contrast, thermal tolerance does not appear to transcend life stages as adult migration temperatures were not related to embryo thermal tolerance. The intra‐population variation implies potential for thermal tolerance at the species level. The differential inter‐population variation in thermal tolerance that was observed suggests, however, limited adaptive potential to thermal shifts for some populations. This infers that the intergenerational effects of increasing water temperatures may affect populations differentially, and that such thermally mediated adaptive selection may drive population, and therefore species, persistence.
Marginal increment analysis: a new statistical approach of testing for temporal periodicity in fish age verification
Authors: Okamura H. , Punt A. E. , Semba Y. , Ichinokawa M.
Published: March 2013

This paper proposes a new and flexible statistical method for marginal increment analysis that directly accounts for periodicity in circular data using a circular–linear regression model with random effects. The method is applied to vertebral marginal increment data for Alaska skateBathyraja parmifera. The best fit model selected using the AIC indicates that growth bands are formed annually. Simulation, where the underlying characteristics of the data are known, shows that the method performs satisfactorily when uncertainty is not extremely high.
Can sea trout Salmotrutta compromise successful eradication of Gyrodactylus salaris by hiding from CFT Legumin (rotenone) treatments?
Authors: Davidsen J. G. , Thorstad E. B. , Baktoft H. , Aune S. , Økland F. , Rikardsen A. H.
Published: March 2013

In this study, 34 anadromous brown trout (sea trout) Salmo trutta were equipped with acoustic transmitters in order to examine whether they performed avoidance behaviour in response to a CFT Legumin (rotenone) treatment in the Norwegian River Vefsna. Migratory behaviour of the S. trutta was monitored by use of 15 automatic listening stations and manual tracking in the lower part of the river, in the estuary and in the fjord. None of the studied S. trutta survived the rotenone treatment and no indications of successful avoidance behaviour were observed.
Trophic shift in young‐of‐the‐year Mugilidae during salt‐marsh colonization
Authors: Lebreton B. , Richard P. , Guillou G. , Blanchard G. F.
Published: March 2013

This study investigated the trophic shift of young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) thinlip grey mullet Liza ramada and golden grey mullet Liza aurata during their recruitment in a salt marsh located on the European Atlantic Ocean coast. Stable‐isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) of the fishes followed a pattern, having enrichments in 13C and 15N with increasing fork length (LF): δ13C in fishes < 30 mm ranged from −19.5 to −15.0‰, whereas in fishes > 30 mm δ13C ranged from −15.8 to −12.7‰, closer to the level in salt‐marsh food resources. Large differences between the δ15N values of mugilids and those of food sources (6·0‰ on average) showed that YOY are secondary consumers, similar to older individuals, when feeding in the salt marsh. YOY mugilids shift from browsing on pelagic prey to grazing on benthic resources from the salt marsh before reaching 30 mm LF. The results highlight the role of European salt marshes as nurseries for juvenile mugilids.
Body composition and vitamin D status: the Korea National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey IV (KNHANES IV)
Authors: Lee K.
Published: March 2013

Background

The present study aimed to assess the association of total and regional body fat percentage (FP) and lean mass (LM) with vitamin D deficiency {serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] <20 ng mL−1} using the data of the Fourth Korea National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV).

Methods

Subjects were participants of the KNHANES IV conducted in 2009 and were aged ≥19 years. In 6791 participants, serum 25(OH)D, body composition [body mass index, waist circumference, and total and regional (trunk and legs) FP and LM by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry] were measured. Confounders (age, residential place, housing status, occupation, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, medical history and calcium intake per day) were assessed.

Results

After adjusting for confounders, vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with FP with the odds ratios (ORs) from 1.09 to 1.20, and LM with the ORs from 0.81 to 0.87 in men. In men, serum 25(OH)D remained inversely associated with FP tertiles after adjustment for LM, and positively with LM tertiles after adjustment for FP. When FM tertiles and LM tertiles were combined in men, the OR for vitamin D deficiency was 2.2 (P < 0.05) in the combined subgroup of highest total FM tertile and lowest total LM tertile compared to the subgroup of lowest total FM tertile and highest total LM tertile. However, these associations were nonsignificant or inconsistent in women.

Conclusions

The associations of vitamin D deficiency with body fat and lean mass were significant in Korean men but were inconsistent in Korean women.
Historical Materialism and Agrarian History
Authors: Bernstein Henry
Published: March 2013

Theory as History: Essays on Modes of Production and Exploitation, byJairusBanaji. : ,2010. Volume25. Pp. xix+406. €101 (hb). ISBN 978‐90‐04‐18368‐1

The collection provides an opportunity to assess Jairus Banaji's original and provocative contributions over more than three decades. This review tries to chart a path across the range of the essays as a whole, marked by three themes and their connections and possible disconnections: what constitutes modes of production; modes of production before capitalism and their histories; and characterizing and periodizing capitalism. Banaji's emphatic arguments for long histories/trajectories of commodity production, exchange and accumulation across different times and places, especially in estate agriculture and the circuits of merchant capital, traverse these three themes.
Establishing better biological models to understand occlusion. I: TM joint anatomic relationships
Authors: Pullinger A.
Published: March 2013

Belief in and rejection of a relationship of occlusion and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle–fossa position with normal and abnormal function are still contentious issues. Clinical opinions can be strong, but support in most published data (mostly univariate) is problematic. Distribution overlap, low sensitivity and specificity are a common basis to reject any useful prediction value. Notwithstanding, a relationship of form with function is a basic tenet of biology. These are multifactor problems, but the questions mostly have not been analysed as such. This review moves the question forward by focusing on TM joint anatomic organisation as the multifactor system it is expected to be in a closed system like a synovial joint. Multifactor analysis allows the data to speak for itself and reduces bias. Classification tree analysis revealed useful prediction values and usable clinical models which are illustrated, backed up by stepwise logistic regression. Explained variance, R2, predicting normals from pooled TMJ patients was 32·6%, sensitivity 67·9%, specificity 85·7%; 37% versus disc displacement with reduction; and 28·8% versus disc displacement without reduction. Significant osseous organisational differences between TM joints with clicking and locking suggest that this is not necessarily a single disease continuum. However, a subset of joints with clicking contained characteristics of joints with locking that might contribute to symptom progression versus resistance. Moderately strong models confirm there is a relationship between TMJ osseous organisation and function, but it should not be overstated. More than one model of normals and of TM derangement organisation is revealed. The implications to clinical decision‐making are discussed.
Endogenous Persistent Occupations and Inequality
Authors: FALL FALILOU
Published: March 2013

The paper argues that human capital is the leading force determining inequality persistence. We show that, in a context of a perfect capital market where agents inherit human capital and wealth, it is the inherited human capital level that determines agents' occupational choice and investment. The critical assumption is that the entrepreneurial activity is of increasing returns to scale. This creates a higher profile of revenue for entrepreneurs. Although every agent can choose to become an entrepreneur, and although there is no barrier of entry in entrepreneurship, only those who receive a relatively higher human capital will do so. Agents whose inherited human capital is lower than the human capital threshold, endogenously determined, are better off becoming workers. Even in the context of a perfect capital market, which allows less endowed agents to borrow and invest in education, it turns out that the agents who inherit a low level of human capital bear a greater utility cost in their education investment. So they are better off investing less in education, lending their savings, and working as workers. As a result, agents' occupational choice depends on the intergenerational transmission of human capital. In the long run, the population is polarized into the rich entrepreneurs and the poor workers, magnifying inequality persistence in human capital level and revenue.
The role of dissolved organic matter (DOM) quality in the growth enhancement of Alexandrium fundyense (Dinophyceae) in laboratory culture1
Authors: Cawley Kaelin M. , Koerfer Verena , McKnight Diane M.
Published: March 2013

Several algal species responsible for harmful algal blooms (HABs), such as Alexandrium fundyense, are mixotrophic under certain environmental conditions. The ability to switch between photosynthetic and heterotrophic modes of growth may play a role in the development of HABs in coastal regions. We examined the influence of humic dissolved organic matter (HDOM) derived from terrestrial (plant/soil) and microbial sources on the growth of A. fundyense. We found that a terrestrially derived HDOM, Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA), did enhance A. fundyense growth; however, a microbially derived HDOM, Pony Lake fulvic acid (PLFA) did not enhance growth. A. fundyense grows in association with bacteria in culture and we observed that bacterial cell densities were much lower in A. fundyense cultures than in bacteria‐only cultures, consistent with bacterial grazing by A. fundyense in culture. In bacteria‐only cultures with added algal exudates (EX), the addition of PLFA and SRHA resulted in a slight increase in bacterial cell density compared to cultures without HDOM added. Changes over time in the chemical quality of the HDOM in the A. fundyense cultures reflected contributions of microbially derived material with similar characteristics as the PLFA. Overall, these results suggest that the chemical differences between SRHA and PLFA are responsible for the greater effect of SRHA on A. fundyense growth, and that the differential effect is not a result of an effect on the growth of associated bacteria.
Larger Regional and Rural Areas in Victoria, Australia, Experience More Alcohol‐Related Injury Presentations at Emergency Departments
Authors: Coomber Kerri , Miller Peter G. , Livingston Michael , Xantidis Luke
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Alcohol consumption is higher in regional and rural areas compared to metropolitan locations, but it is unclear which areas suffer different levels of harm. The current study investigated the rates of alcohol‐related injury presentations at emergency departments (EDs) in Victoria, Australia, across metropolitan, regional, rural, and remote areas, and within coastal locations.

Methods

Using ED injury presentations data for Victorian hospitals from June 1999 to June 2011, the trends in alcohol‐related injury rates over time were investigated.

Findings

Compared to metropolitan locations, alcohol‐related injuries were higher in larger regional and rural areas and similar in small rural towns. The rates of alcohol‐related injuries are also significantly increasing over time for regional and rural locations. Lastly, for males, rates of alcohol‐related injuries increased in coastal areas during November to February compared to the remaining months.

Conclusions

Regional and coastal areas experience increased alcohol‐related injury rates. The causes of this have yet to be investigated and future research is required to determine why and what interventions may be most effective at reducing these harms.
A class of optimal tests for contemporaneous non‐causality in VAR models
Authors: Bramati Maria Caterina
Published: March 2013

The aim of this paper was to test for contemporaneous non‐causality defined by Granger (1969) between two groups of variables in a VAR(p) setting. Since contemporaneous correlation of the innovations is a necessary condition for contemporaneous causality (Pierce and Haugh, 1977), we focused on testing some restrictions on the covariance matrix of the noise. The class of the derived tests is locally asymptotically most stringent (in the Le Cam sense), invariant with respect to the group of block affine transformations and asymptotically invariant with respect to the group of continuous monotone radial transformations. Those tests are based on multivariate ranks of distances and multivariate signs of the o bservations and are shown to be asymptotically distribution free under very mild assumptions on the noise.
Do Transient Receptor Protein (TRP) Channels Play a Role in Oral Astringency?
Authors: Carpenter Guy H.
Published: March 2013

Astringency is the dry sensation when solutions containing polyphenols are taken into the mouth. It is believed that polyphenols interact with salivary proteins to disrupt the lubricating layer, thus causing the perceived dryness. However, some recent data have suggested that the oral epithelial cells may be directly stimulated by polyphenols by activating transient receptor protein (TRP) channels. To test this theory, TRP channels in immortalized oral epithelial cells (TR146) were incubated with TRP agonists and black tea. In addition, human oral epithelial cells were collected and stimulated. Whereas the TR146 cells responded to known TRP agonists (camphor, capsaicin and menthol), they did not respond to the tea solution. In addition, nearly all the human oral epithelial cells did not respond to either the TRP agonists or the tea solution. It is concluded that human oral epithelial cells are not directly stimulated by polyphenols during the normal drinking of black tea.

Practical Applications

There is an increasing awareness of the role of transient receptor protein (TRP) receptors being important for various taste modalities. Because TRP channels occur in most epithelial cells, it was important to check to see if human oral epithelial cells have functional TRP channels. It appears that the top layer of cells does not, however, some sensory nerves and some deeper epithelial cells may have functional channels. This is important for any tastant that may affect TRP channels, particularly those described as having a trigeminal effect.
Age and diversity of Mediterranean dwarf shrublands: a dendrochronological approach along an altitudinal gradient on Crete
Authors: Zimowski Mateusz , Leuschner Hanns H. , Gärtner Holger , Bergmeier Erwin
Published: March 2013

Questions

To what extent do Mediterranean dwarf shrub species of phrygana and mountain habitats form distinct annual growth rings and are therefore suitable for further studies on the dynamics of phrygana? How are growth ring numbers and species turnover of dwarf shrub communities distributed along an altitudinal gradient of ca. 1800 m? Is the age distribution of dwarf shrub populations in high‐mountain areas different from that in the lowlands? Which environmental factors control the beta‐diversity of East Mediterranean dwarf shrub species and communities?

Location

Lefka Ori (western Crete, Greece).

Methods

Plots of 100 m2 at different altitudes were sampled for (1) composition of dwarf shrub species and environmental variables, and (2) wood samples of the root collar of all 24 phryganic dwarf shrub species occurring in the plots. Thin discs were cut, and in order to visualize cells and ring structure, surfaces were handled with razor blades. Additional cross‐sectional micro‐sections were cut with a sledge microtome. Growth rings were counted and box‐plotted in correlation with the altitudinal gradient. Beta‐diversity and environmental variables were analysed using gradient analyses.

Results

Most dwarf shrubs showed species‐specific distinct growth rings, and are accordingly suitable for age‐structure analyses and further research on the functional dynamics of phrygana. The oldest dwarf shrubs were found at high altitudes. Factors controlling beta‐diversity and species composition of dwarf shrublands were altitudinal and edaphic.

Conclusions

Growth ring analysis proved useful for age determination of Mediterranean dwarf shrubs. Our results show that dwarf shrub communities at higher elevations are older than those at low elevations, perhaps a general principle in plant ecology that is confirmed here for the East Mediterranean phrygana.
Mast Cells: A New Target in the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Authors: Dirckx Maaike , Groeneweg George , van Daele Paul L. A. , Stronks Dirk L. , Huygen Frank J. P. M.
Published: March 2013

There is convincing evidence that inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Besides inflammation, central sensitization is also an important phenomenon. Mast cells are known to be involved in the inflammatory process of CRPS and also play a role (at least partially) in the process of central sensitization. In the development of a more mechanism‐based treatment, influencing the activity of mast cells might be important in the treatment of CRPS. We describe the rationale for using medication that counteracts the effects of mast cells in the treatment of CRPS.
Auxin and its transport play a role in plant tolerance to arsenite‐induced oxidative stress in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: KRISHNAMURTHY APARNA , RATHINASABAPATHI BALA
Published: March 2013

Genetics of plant adaptations to arsenic stress are poorly understood. To probe plant responses to aresnite‐induced oxidative stress, Arabidopsis thaliana wild type, and mutants impaired in auxin transport were studied. This research showed that auxin transport is important for plant tolerance to arsenite and auxin transporter AUX1 has a positive role on plant tolerance to arsenite via ROS mediated signaling.
Lying, Deceiving, and Misleading
Authors: Stokke Andreas
Published: March 2013

This article discusses recent work on lying and its relation to deceiving and misleading. Two new developments in this area are considered: first, the acknowledgment of the phenomenon of lying without the intent to deceive (so called ‘bald‐faced lies’), and second, recent work on the distinction between lying and merely misleading. Both are discussed in relation to topics in philosophy of language, the epistemology of testimony, and ethics. Critical surveys of recent theories are offered and challenges and open questions for further research are indicated.
Feminist Philosophy of Science: Values and Objectivity
Authors: Crasnow Sharon
Published: March 2013

Feminist philosophy of science appears to present problems for the ideal of value‐free science. These difficulties also challenge a traditional understanding of the objectivity of science. However, feminist philosophers of science have good reasons for desiring to retain some concept of objectivity. The present essay considers several recent and influential feminist approaches to the role of social and political values in science, with particular focus on feminist empiricism and feminist standpoint theory. The similarities and difference, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches are explored. The essay concludes with suggestions for future research in the area of feminist epistemology and philosophy of science.
Anne Conway: Bodies in the Spiritual World
Authors: Lascano Marcy P.
Published: March 2013

Anne Conway argues that all substances are spiritual. Yet, she also claims that all created substance has some type of body. Peter Loptson has argued that Conway didn’t carefully consider her view that all created beings have bodies for it seems God could have (and perhaps should have) created only disembodied spirits. There are several reasons to think Loptson is right. First, Conway holds that God is all‐good and will do the best for his creation. She also holds that spirit is better than body. So, how is it that creatures always have bodies? Second, although she maintains that incorporation is punishment for sin, Conway holds that some creatures can fall without acquiring visible corporality. I argue that when we examine these views more closely, we will see that not only did Conway give them careful consideration, but that there is no inconsistency. Finally, I show that Conway’s views concerning the nature and function of body provides further evidence of her carefully crafted system. Conway holds that bodies play an important role in a finite beings’ ability to change and interact with others. Even more surprising is Conway’s view that the body is the repository of thoughts, memories, and knowledge.
Advancing Social Research Relationships in Postnatal Support Settings
Authors: Tighe Maria , Peters Jane , Skirton Heather
Published: March 2013

Global trends in public health nursing (PHN) suggest the value of community‐based social research. However, it is not always clear how social research relationships may be of benefit to PHN or how such skills can best be learned and applied. To advance this understanding, we present a qualitative analysis of the development of social research relationships in PHN. Using a background literature review as a foundation, our qualitative mixed method strategy involved a comparative case‐study analysis based on the authors' participant observation in two distinct postnatal group settings. Our findings suggest that participant observation facilitates the advancement of social research relationships through practitioner‐research management of role conflict. Reflexivity and reciprocity is an emergent relational process, which relies upon a de‐professionalization of the traditional PHN role. Conversely, social research relationships help build PHN capacity for family health needs assessment. Thus, we contend that the application of participant observation enables the development of social research relationships, which advance the practice of PHN in postnatal support settings.
Relationship between airway neutrophilia and ageing in asthmatics and non‐asthmatics
Authors: Brooks Collin R. , Gibson Peter G. , Douwes Jeroen , Dalen Christine J. Van , Simpson Jodie L.
Published: March 2013

Background and objective

Increased sputum neutrophilia has been observed in asthma, but also during normal ageing in asthmatics and non‐asthmatics. It remains unclear what constitutes ‘normal’ neutrophil levels in different age groups.

Methods

We assessed the relationship between age and airway neutrophils of 194 asthmatics and 243 non‐asthmatics (age range: 6–80 years). Regression analyses were used to assess this relationship adjusted for confounders including asthma status, atopy, gender, smoking and current use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Age‐corrected reference values for different age groups were determined using the 95th percentile of non‐asthmatic participants.

Results

Age was positively associated with sputum neutrophils in both asthmatic and non‐asthmatic adults (0.46% neutrophil increase/year (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18, 0.73) and 0.44%/year (0.25, 0.64, respectively), but no association was found in the <20‐year age category. Individuals with high sputum neutrophil counts (>95th percentile of non‐asthmatic counts for any given age group) were significantly more likely to be asthmatic (odds ratio = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3, 5.0), with the greatest effect observed in the older age group. Other factors that independently associated with increased sputum neutrophil levels included atopy in non‐asthmatic adults, male gender and current use of ICS in asthmatic adults. Age‐specific reference values for neutrophil percentage were under 20 years‐76%, 20–40 years‐62%, 40–60 years‐63% and over 60 years‐67%.

Conclusions

Airway neutrophilia is related to age in adults, with a neutrophilic asthma phenotype present in older adults. The use of appropriate age‐specific reference values is recommended for future studies aimed at elucidating the role of neutrophils in asthma.
Predicting Post Renal Biopsy Complications
Authors: Sethi Imran , Brier Michael , Dwyer Amy
Published: March 2013

At our institution, kidney biopsies are performed by an interventional nephrologist with standardized guidelines using real‐time ultrasound. We hypothesized that patient factors could predict post biopsy complications. We did a retrospective review of 100 patients who underwent renal biopsy. Prebiopsy data obtained included demographics, blood pressure, laboratory studies, and kidney size. Biopsy procedure information was also recorded. Complications and post biopsy imaging was noted. A minor complication was defined as one not requiring intervention while a major complication required interventions like readmission or blood transfusion. The average age was 47 years, 41 were men, 51 were black, 30 had diabetes, 42 were obese, and 81 had hypertension. Twenty‐six patients had a complication; 14 minor and 12 major including 1 nephrectomy. Factors predictive of a complication were thrombocytopenia (p = 0.002) and inpatient status (p = 0.04). Drop in hemoglobin at 6 hours was moderately sensitive and specific for a bleeding complication with an ROC of 0.723. Thrombocytopenia and inpatient status are risk factors for complications after renal biopsy. Serum creatinine, obesity, blood pressure, kidney size, needle size, and number of passes were not predictive of a major complication in our study.