bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment for nocturnal enuresis: The current state in Japan
Authors: Kaneko Kazunari
Published: December 2011

Nocturnal enuresis is common problem in children with a prevalence as high as 20% among children aged 5. Though nocturnal enuresis does not directly impose imminent danger to a patient's life, children with enuresis and their parents can be psychologically suffering in day‐to‐day life, including in school activities. Therefore, it is important to provide an explanation regarding the cause of nocturnal enuresis, how to approach the disorder, the course, and the outlook leading to the planned treatment. The cause of enuresis is considered to be a mismatch between nocturnal diuresis and nocturnal bladder capacity, nocturnal polyuria due to a lack of circadian change in antidiuretic hormones, and a developmental delay in the voiding mechanisms. Therefore, patients can be classified as the type associated with a large amount of urine at night (polyuria type), the type that is associated with a functionally small bladder capacity (bladder type), the type associated with both the aforementioned (mixed type), or the type that does not fall under any of these (normal type). Based on this logic, although the International Children's Continence Society has issued the standardization document, in which the enuresis alarm and desmopressin therapy are recommended as the first line treatment, a different tack has been taken in Japan, where the therapeutic strategy is plotted depending on the type of enuresis; pharmacotherapy for enuretic children aged 6 years or older includes desmopressin acetate for polyuria type, anticholinergic agents for bladder type, and a combination of these agents for mixed type.
FLCN gene‐mutated renal cell neoplasms: Mother and daughter cases with a novel germline mutation
Authors: Nagashima Yoji , Furuya Mitsuko , Gotohda Hiroko , Takagi Seiji , Hes Ondrej , Michal Michal , Grossmann Petr , Tanaka Reiko , Nakatani Yukio , Kuroda Naoto
Published: December 2011

Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome is a familial genodermatosis, of which patients frequently develop renal neoplasms, fibrofolliculomas and pneumatocele. Here, we report a mother and daughter with renal neoplasms surgically resected (69 and 46 years‐of‐age at surgery, respectively). The mother's tumor was diagnosed as an unclassified type renal cell carcinoma associated with microscopic tumorous nodules, whereas the daughter's tumor was a hybrid oncocytic/chromophobe tumor. The germline mutation analysis of the responsible gene, FCLN (the folliculin gene), showed a deletion of 18 bp in exon 5 (c.332_349del/p.H111_Q116del), predicting an alteration of the amino acid sequence of “HPSHPQ” replaced by a single amino acid, “L”. This is a novel germline mutation of the FCLN gene that has not been previously reported.
Usefulness of a novel observation method using a small‐diameter rigid telescope through the gastrostomy catheter at exchange
Authors: Konishi Hideyuki , Okano Hitoshi , Fukumoto Kohei , Miyawaki Ki‐Ichiro , Wakabayashi Naoki , Yagi Nobuaki , Naito Yuji , Yoshikawa Toshikazu
Published: December 2011

Background and Aim:  During catheter exchange for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), endoscopic or radiological observation is widely used to confirm that the catheter is placed correctly. However, to carry out these procedures in all patients at every catheter exchange costs time and money. It is therefore important to develop a reliable and safe method, which can also be used outside the clinic, to check the exchanged catheter. We examined the usefulness and safety of intragastric observation using a small‐diameter rigid telescope, which can be inserted through the catheter lumen of a PEG tube.

Methods:  Before and after catheter exchange, observation was carried out using the rigid telescope E02700 (external diameter: 2.7 mm; Nisco Co., Tokyo, Japan). After air insufflation by the novel air‐supplying adaptor, the rigid telescope was inserted through the button catheter for observation of the fistula and gastric lumen with guidewire introduction. Next, the old gastrostomy catheter was replaced by a new one, using the guidewire technique. Subsequently, the telescope was re‐inserted to check the fistula and gastric lumen.

Results:  With this technique, observation inside the stomach as well as inside the fistula was achieved without any complication during all 80 exchange trials in the 55 patients studied. A homemade adaptor was used effectively to convey air and water into the stomach during the observation.

Conclusion:  It is suggested that observation inside the stomach using a small‐diameter rigid telescope at the time of gastrostomy exchange is useful and safe for checking the location of the newly fixed catheter.
Diagnosis of depressed‐type early gastric cancer using small‐caliber endoscopy with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement
Authors: Osawa Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Hironori , Miura Yoshimasa , Ajibe Hironari , Shinhata Hakuei , Yoshizawa Mitsuyo , Sunada Keijiro , Toma Sachiko , Satoh Kiichi , Sugano Kentaro
Published: December 2011

Background and Aim:  Small‐caliber endoscopy has lower resolution than normal‐caliber endoscopy, limiting its use in routine outpatient practice. Flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) strengthens the color contrast of depressed‐type early gastric cancer without magnification. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the detection of depressed‐type early gastric cancer using small‐caliber endoscopy with the FICE system.

Methods:  Eighty‐two patients diagnosed with depressed‐type early gastric cancer by standard endoscopy and biopsy were evaluated by small‐caliber endoscopy. FICE images and conventional images were compared. Color differences in all 82 lesions were measured between malignant lesions and the surrounding mucosa using the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) 1976 color space.

Results:  Most cancers were readily detected as reddish lesions on FICE images. Lines of demarcation between the malignant lesion and the surrounding mucosa were easily identified with FICE images, as such cancers could be clearly distinguished from the surrounding atrophic mucosa. Greater median color differences between malignant lesions and the surrounding mucosa were present in FICE images compared with conventional images, resulting in images with better contrast (27.2 vs 18.7, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:  Small‐caliber endoscopy with the FICE system provides better color contrast of depressed‐type early gastric cancers than conventional small‐caliber endoscopy, and the FICE system may facilitate the diagnosis of this type of cancer as a new endoscopic modality.
Effects of physical exercise prescribed by a medical support team on elderly lower extremity osteoarthritis combined with metabolic syndrome and/or type 2 diabetes
Authors: Yokochi Masahiro , Watanabe Tomoyuki , Ida Kunio , Yoshida Kazuhito , Sato Yuzo
Published: December 2011

Aim:  The aims of the present study were to investigate the effectiveness of exercise intervention provided by a medical support team specializing in lifestyle‐related diseases in the treatment of elderly lower extremity osteoarthritis and to examine the influence of bodyweight decrease on changes in the evaluation indexes.

Methods:  Participants were 61 patients (57 women and 4 men, aged 68.3 ± 9.6 years) with lower extremity osteoarthritis (109 total diseased joints) and either one or more of the following diseases: obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Indexes relating to metabolic diseases, orthopedic disorders, lifestyle activity level and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) were obtained before and after exercise intervention.

Results:  The numbers of patients with obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis were 56, 49, 32, 56 and 9, respectively. The mean intervention period was 4.7 ± 1.6 months (2–10.8 months). Indexes relating to metabolic diseases and orthopedic disorders, activity level and HRQOL were all significantly improved after intervention (P < 0.05). Bodyweight decreased by 10.3% and showed a correlation with other evaluated items. Five explanatory variables were extracted through multiple regression analysis that bodyweight reduction rate was set as the criterion variable: changes of bodyweight, body mass index, percent body fat, glycated hemoglobin and total energy expenditure per bodyweight.

Conclusion:  The exercise intervention provided by our medical support team clearly improved indexes relating to metabolic diseases and orthopedic disorders. In addition, decreased bodyweight was related to improvements in metabolic factors, motor function and HRQOL. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 446–453.
Assessment of lifestyle effect on oxidative stress biomarkers in free‐living elderly in rural Japan
Authors: Muzembo Basilua Andre , Narongpon Dumavibhat , Ngatu N'landu Roger , Eitoku Masamitsu , Hirota Ryoji , Suganuma Narufumi
Published: December 2011

Background:  Oxidative stress is believed to play a crucial role in aging and age‐related diseases, and is widely thought to increase morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Assessment of biomarkers of oxidative stress, such as 8‐isoprostane and 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine, are considered to be useful in predicting disease risks at the population level.

Objective:  The aim of the present study was to assess the health status of the elderly by comparing their lifestyles and levels of oxidative stress biomarkers.

Methods:  We carried out a cross‐sectional study where urine samples from a total of 100 elderly men and women were assayed for 8‐isoprostane, 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine, selenium, cadmium and creatinine. They were asked to answer a questionnaire that included questions about their lifestyle.

Results:  Most of the participants were prehypertensive, non‐alcohol users and on a rich plant‐based diet. There were no differences in any biomarkers of oxidative stress between men and women. 8‐Isoprostane was found to correlate positively with systolic blood pressure in women, but not in men. There was a slight increase of 8‐isoprostane in participants with a poor intake of vegetables, and a decrease of 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine in participants who consumed fish. Multiple regression analysis showed that oxidative stress biomarkers were positively associated with cadmium, and negatively associated with selenium and fish intake in all participants, 89% of which were non‐smokers.

Conclusion:  Results from the present study show that fish intake has the potential of decreasing oxidative stress among elderly persons. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 547–554.
Host species and strain combination determine growth reduction of spruce and birch seedlings colonized by root‐associated dark septate endophytes
Authors: Reininger Vanessa , Grünig Christoph R. , Sieber Thomas N.
Published: December 2011

Interactions of Betula pendula and Picea abies with dark septate endophytes of the Phialocephala fortinii–Acephala applanata species complex (PAC) were studied. PAC are ubiquitous fungal root symbionts of many woody plant species but their ecological role is largely unknown. Sterile birch and spruce seedlings in monoculture and mixed culture were exposed to four PAC strains, added either singularly or paired in all possible combinations at 18°C and 23°C. Plant and fungal biomass was determined after 4 months. The most significant factors were strain and host combination. One of the strains significantly reduced biomass gain of spruce but not of birch. Plant biomass was negatively correlated with total endophytic fungal biomass in half of the strain – plant combinations. Endophytic PAC biomass was four times higher in spruce (≈ 40 mg g−1 drw) than in birch (≈ 10 mg g−1 drw). Competition between strains was strain‐dependent with some strains significantly reducing colonization density of other strains, and, thus, attenuating adverse effects of ‘pathogenic’ strains on plant growth in some strain – plant combinations. Biomass gain of spruce but not of birch was significantly reduced at higher temperature. In conclusion, host, fungal genotype, colonization density and presence of a competing PAC strain were the main determining factors for plant growth.
Using the Johns Hopkins’ Aggregated Diagnosis Groups (ADGs) to predict 1‐year mortality in population‐based cohorts of patients with diabetes in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Austin P. C. , Shah B. R. , Newman A. , Anderson G. M.
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 1134–1141 (2012)

Aims  There are limited validated methods to ascertain comorbidities for risk adjustment in ambulatory populations of patients with diabetes using administrative health‐care databases. The objective was to examine the ability of the Johns Hopkins’ Aggregated Diagnosis Groups to predict mortality in population‐based ambulatory samples of both incident and prevalent subjects with diabetes.

Methods  Retrospective cohorts constructed using population‐based administrative data. The incident cohort consisted of all 346 297 subjects diagnosed with diabetes between 1April 2004 and 31 March 2008. The prevalent cohort consisted of all 879 849 subjects with pre‐existing diabetes on 1 January, 2007. The outcome was death within 1 year of the subject’s index date.

Results  A logistic regression model consisting of age, sex and indicator variables for 22 of the 32 Johns Hopkins’ Aggregated Diagnosis Group categories had excellent discrimination for predicting mortality in incident diabetes patients: the c‐statistic was 0.87 in an independent validation sample. A similar model had excellent discrimination for predicting mortality in prevalent diabetes patients: the c‐statistic was 0.84 in an independent validation sample. Both models demonstrated very good calibration, denoting good agreement between observed and predicted mortality across the range of predicted mortality in which the large majority of subjects lay. For comparative purposes, regression models incorporating the Charlson comorbidity index, age and sex, age and sex, and age alone had poorer discrimination than the model that incorporated the Johns Hopkins’ Aggregated Diagnosis Groups.

Conclusions  Logistical regression models using age, sex and the John Hopkins’ Aggregated Diagnosis Groups were able to accurately predict 1‐year mortality in population‐based samples of patients with diabetes.
CAN SECRET INTERVENTION BE COMPATIBLE WITH A NON‐PROFITMAKING CENTRAL BANK AND A FUNDAMENTAL‐CONSISTENT TARGET?
Authors: LEE HSIU‐YUN
Published: December 2011

The coexistence of secret intervention operations and “the signaling channel” (Mussa. The Role of Official Intervention, 1981) seems confusing. Vitale ( Journal of International Economics, 49, 1999, 245–267) resolves this puzzle by employing an asymmetric information framework and an assumption of a fundamental‐inconsistent target for the exchange rate. Ferré and Manzano ( International Journal of Finance and Economics, 14, 2009, 378–393) follow Vitale's microstructure framework and argue that the central banks' profitability motivation offers a rationale for their secret intervention even under a target consistent with the fundamentals. However, that the authority uses its superior information to obtain speculative profits through secret intervention in the market is not a typical goal for central banks. To theoretically explain the opaqueness in non‐profitmaking central banks' exchange rate policies, we employ a model of a central bank's optimization by considering that no bank really knows the exact fundamental rate and they take into account the possible bad consequences of announcing the intervention. We also show that, in passing the bank's private information to market participants, a bank's announcement of the intervention size is equivalent to revealing its target rate. (JEL E58, F39)
LABOR MARKET DISCRIMINATION AND CAPITAL: THE EFFECTS OF FAN DISCRIMINATION ON STADIUM AND ARENA CONSTRUCTION
Authors: BODVARSSON ÖRN B. , HUMPHREYS BRAD R.
Published: December 2011

We investigate the possibility that labor market discrimination affects capital. Previous research indicates that discrimination affects wages and employment in labor markets. However, the effects of discrimination on other inputs to production are not known. We develop a model of the optimal capital stock in the presence of customer discrimination and test this model using data on sports facility construction. The empirical evidence suggests that teams in cities with a larger white population and more racial segregation put less capital in place, confirming the predictions of the model about the effect of customer discrimination on capital inputs. (JEL J7, D24, L83)
Category Stretching: Reorienting Research on Categories in Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Organization Theory
Authors: Durand Rodolphe , Paolella Lionel
Published: December 2011

abstract

We advocate for more tolerance in the manner we collectively address categories and categorization in our research. Drawing on the prototype view, organizational scholars have provided a ‘disciplining’ framework to explain how category membership shapes, impacts, and limits organizational success. By stretching the existing straightjacket of scholarship on categories, we point to other useful conceptualizations of categories – i.e. the causal‐model and the goal‐based approaches of categorization – and propose that depending on situational circumstances, and beyond a disciplining exercise, categories involve a cognitive test of congruence and a goal satisfying calculus. Unsettling the current consensus about categorical imperatives and market discipline, we suggest also that audiences may tolerate more often than previously thought organizations that blend, span, and stretch categories. We derive implications for research about multi‐category membership and mediation in markets, and suggest ways in which work on the theme of categories in the strategy, entrepreneurship, and managerial cognition literatures can be enriched.
Using behaviour contracts to decrease antisocial behaviour in four boys with an autistic spectrum disorder at home and at school
Authors: Hawkins Emma , Kingsdorf Sheri , Charnock Jackie , Szabo Mariann , Middleton Edi , Phillips Jo , Gautreaux Grant
Published: December 2011

This article describes how a behaviour contract has been implemented to achieve positive and enduring results for four boys with a diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Four case studies are described which address reductions in behaviours such as assaultive and destructive behaviour, out‐of‐seat behaviour, inappropriate contact with others and loud vocalisations, while also increasing the following of directions in the classroom and at playtimes. The common thread across all of the case studies is the use of the behaviour contract and the link that is built between home and school. The authors suggest that it is this contingent link that is the basis for the success in each of these studies. Based on their research, they believe that the behaviour contract can be considered an important and useful tool in helping address challenging behaviours in children with an ASD. Emma Hawkins is the Director of Education at The Jigsaw CABAS® School and oversees the implementation of strategies at the school to improve the behaviour of the pupils. Grant Gautreaux, from Nicholls State University in Louisiana, consults at The Jigsaw CABAS® School and is a member of the CABAS® Board. All of the remaining authors work at The Jigsaw CABAS® School and have successfully implemented the behaviour contract in their classrooms.
Legal Innovation for Social Change: Exploring Change and Resistance to Different Types of Sustainability Laws
Authors: Castro Paula
Published: December 2011

In this article I argue that a desirable future direction for political psychology would be to pay more attention to social‐psychological processes involved in the response to innovative laws, in particular those devised with sustainability and environmental protection aims. This involves taking into account the following premises: (1) innovation and change are not unitary phenomena; instead there are different types of innovation; (2) legal and policy innovation is a specific type and is highly central in an era when global challenges are increasingly dealt with by global treaties which are then translated into national laws with a call to transform local practices; (3) offering attention to the reception of such innovation involves developing specific conceptual tools; (4) devising a typology of legal innovation is one step in this direction; (5) furthering our comprehension of how people, groups, and institutions receive—i.e., accept, contest—legal innovation for sustainability is important for helping to push forward sustainability goals, which are legislated but far from attained.

The present article outlines theoretical tools for addressing psychosocial processes involved in the reception of legal innovation, drawing mostly on the approach of social representations and the literature of environmental psychology, and offers three criteria for a typology of laws. Finally I present some examples of responses to subtypes of legal innovation from the sustainability domain, taken as an illustrative case, and discuss differences and commonalities in the processes of acceptance and resistance that each mobilizes.
Who Wants to Redistribute? An Analysis of 14 Post‐Soviet Nations
Authors: Habibov Nazim
Published: December 2011

We investigate population groups' attitude regarding inequality reduction in post‐Soviet transitional countries of the Baltic, Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as the Slavic countries and Moldova. Empirical evidence presented in this article demonstrates that despite skyrocketing inequality, erosion of social provisions and efforts to introduce an individualistic market economy ideology during the last 15 years, overall support for redistribution and welfare state efforts to counterbalance rising inequality remained strongly legitimized among citizens in all post‐Soviet countries. Nevertheless, there are differences between population groups in attitude: the older, the less educated, the poor and women express more support for redistribution; while the younger, the better educated, the rich and men tend to not support redistribution. Populations in transitional countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia that face higher inequality and less effective redistribution policies expressed a strong desire for more redistribution and more active social welfare policies.
Alasdair MacIntyre's Analysis of Tradition
Authors: Angier Tom
Published: December 2011

I argue that, in analysing the structure and development of moral traditions, MacIntyre relies primarily on Kuhn's model of scientific tradition, rather than (as is held by at least two influential commentators) on Lakatos' model. I unpack three foci of Kuhn's conception of the sciences, namely: the ‘crisis’ conception of scientific development, what I call the ‘systematic conception’ of scientific paradigms, and the view that successive paradigms are incommensurable. I then show that these three foci are integrated into MacIntyre's account of the development of moral traditions with a surprising degree of faithfulness to Kuhn. And crucially, I argue against the overall cogency of his account, given the disparities I pinpoint between scientific and moral traditions. My overall critique is, however, fundamentally friendly, since nothing I have to say invalidates the very notion of a moral tradition, and all I am calling for are less problematic construals of that notion.
Effect of Lenient Steam Injection (LSI) heat treatment of bovine milk on the activities of some enzymes, the milk fat globule and pH
Authors: DICKOW JONATAN A , NIELSEN MARTIN T , HAMMERSHØJ MARIANNE
Published: December 2011

This study investigated the effects of Lenient Steam Injection (LSI) treatment at temperatures 70–150 °C on the enzymatic activities of the indigenous milk enzymes alkaline phosphatase, lactoperoxidase (LPO), xanthine oxidase (XO), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and plasmin in comparison with two reference heat treatments of 63 °C for 30 s and of 72 °C for 15 s by indirect heating. Milk fat globule (MFG) size distributions and pH were also monitored. Alkaline phosphatase, LPO, XO and LPL activities decreased with increasing LSI temperature. Plasmin activity was increased at temperatures <80 °C and decreased at temperatures above 90 °C. Milk fat globule homogenisation was observed at temperatures above 110–130 °C.
Estimating the influence of land management change on weed invasion potential using expert knowledge
Authors: Smith Carl , van Klinken Rieks D. , Seabrook Leonie , McAlpine Clive
Published: December 2011

Aim  To develop and test a general framework for estimating weed invasion potential (suitability and susceptibility) that utilized expert knowledge of dispersal, establishment and persistence and considered the influence of land management.

Location  The semi‐arid Desert Channels Region of Queensland, Australia (476,000 km2).

Methods  We developed a general framework that integrated knowledge and empirical data of the environmental and land management variables influencing the dispersal, establishment and persistence of the invasive shrub parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata) using a Bayesian network linked to a Geographic Information System (GIS). We evaluated the influence of different land management scenarios on landscape suitability for parkinsonia. Model performance was assessed by comparing predicted landscape suitability with mapped parkinsonia locations and estimated parkinsonia density.

Results  Our predictions of moderate to high suitability corresponded reasonably well with mapped parkinsonia locations (71% match) and areas of common to abundant estimated density (92% match). They also suggested that parkinsonia has not reached its potential distribution within the study region. Under current land management conditions, 77,000 km2 of land was found to be highly or moderately suitable for parkinsonia. Scenario analysis indicated that maintaining moderate herbaceous ground cover levels, and using sheep to browse juvenile parkinsonia, reduced the predicted moderate to high suitability area to 27,000 km2, offering a potential management strategy for limiting parkinsonia invasion.

Main conclusions  Weed invasion potential can be reasonably estimated using expert knowledge of dispersal, establishment and persistence, integrated using a Bayesian network linked to a GIS. This modelling approach can be an alternative to process‐based and phenomenological modelling, which can be problematic for modelling new and emerging weed invasions, particularly where data are patchy. The modelling approach also allows the influence of land management change on invasion potential to be investigated through scenario analysis.
Relationships among soil fertility, native plant diversity and exotic plant abundance inform restoration of forb‐rich eucalypt woodlands
Authors: Prober Suzanne M. , Wiehl Georg
Published: December 2011

Aim  Water and nutrient availability are major limits to productivity in semi‐arid ecosystems; hence, ecological restoration often focuses on conserving or concentrating soil resources. By contrast, nutrient enrichment can promote invasion by exotic annuals, leading to restoration approaches that target reduction of soil nutrients. We aimed to explore potential biodiversity trade‐offs between these approaches by investigating relationships among soil nutrients, exotic annuals and native plant diversity and composition. In particular, we investigated the hypothesis that native plant diversity in semi‐arid to temperate woodlands reflects the productivity–diversity hypothesis, leading to hump‐backed relationships with soil nutrients such that (1) native plant diversity declines with increasing nutrient enrichment and (2) native diversity is limited at the lowest levels of soil fertility.

Location  Fragmented, long‐ungrazed Eucalyptus loxophleba subsp. loxophleba (York gum)–Acacia acuminata (jam) woodlands in the wheatbelt of South‐Western Australia.

Methods  We conducted stratified surveys of floristic composition and topsoil nutrient concentrations in 112 woodland patches. We used generalized linear models, structural equation models and ordinations to characterize relationships among soil nutrients, rainfall, exotic annuals and patch‐scale (100 m2) native plant composition and diversity.

Results  Patch‐scale native plant diversity declined strongly with increasing exotic abundance. This was partly related to elevated soil nutrient concentrations, particularly total nitrogen and available phosphorus. By contrast, there was little evidence for positive correlations between soil nutrients and native diversity, even at very low soil nutrient concentrations.

Main conclusions  Minimizing weed invasions is crucial for maximizing native plant diversity in E. loxophleba woodlands and could include nutrient‐depleting treatments without substantially compromising the functional capacity of soils to maintain native plant richness and composition. More broadly we emphasize that understanding relationships among ecosystem productivity, plant diversity and exotic invasions in the context of associated theoretical frameworks is fundamental for informing ecological restoration.
Photomixotrophic growth of Rhodobacter capsulatus SB1003 on ferrous iron
Authors: KOPF S. H. , NEWMAN D. K.
Published: December 2011

This study investigates the role iron oxidation plays in the purple non‐sulfur bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus SB1003. This organism is unable to grow photoautotrophically on unchelated ferrous iron [Fe(II)] despite its ability to oxidize chelated Fe(II). This apparent paradox was partly resolved by the discovery that SB1003 can grow photoheterotrophically on the photochemical breakdown products of certain ferric iron–ligand complexes, yet whether it could concomitantly benefit from the oxidation of Fe(II) to fix CO2 was unknown. Here, we examine carbon fixation by stable isotope labeling of the inorganic carbon pool in cultures growing phototrophically on acetate with and without Fe(II). We show that R. capsulatus SB1003, an organism formally thought incapable of phototrophic growth on Fe(II), can actually harness the reducing power of this substrate and grow photomixotrophically, deriving carbon both from organic sources and from fixation of inorganic carbon. This suggests the possibility of a wider occurrence of photoferrotrophy than previously assumed.
A suggestion of reference data for flow distribution at ankle and foot level using quantitative 99Tc‐HDP three‐phase bone scintigraphy
Authors: Tøndevold Niklas , Reving Sofie , Møller Nette , Zerahn Bo
Published: December 2011

Aim:  To determine reference intervals for quantitative 99mTc‐hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (99mTc‐HDP) three‐phase bone scintigraphy regarding flow distribution at ankle and mid‐foot level.

Materials and methods:  Fifty patients referred to bone scintigraphy without known or suspected pathology in the legs or hips were included. Quantitative three‐phase bone scintigraphy was performed in all patients. A processing protocol with standardized size regions of interests (ROIs) was used to quantify the distribution of flow and blood pool at ankle and level mid‐foot levels. Patients were divided into three groups: <60 years (n = 20), 60 years or older (n = 17) and finally a group (n = 13) with pedal foci (PF).

Results:  Blood pool distribution varied between the two age groups, with younger having the narrowest confidence interval at mid‐foot level but the widest at ankle level. Blood flow distribution confidence intervals were wider in the presence of PF, whereas blood pool distribution intervals were independent of PF. Both blood flow distribution and blood pool at ankle and mid‐foot level were independent of gender and referral status being either cancer or skeletal complaints.

Conclusion:  As there was no evident increase in blood flow distribution at ankle and mid‐foot level with age, we suggest the use of pooled data from both age groups. Subsequently, the confidence interval for the relative distribution of blood flow at ankle level is 37/63 and 33/67 at mid‐foot level. For blood pool, the corresponding intervals are 43/57 and 40/60, respectively. Blood flow distribution appears to be influenced by the presence of PF, whereas blood pool distribution is not.
Triple therapy with boceprevir for HCV genotype 1 infection: phase III results in relapsers and nonresponders
Authors: Bacon Bruce R. , Khalid Omer
Published: December 2011

This is an excellent time for patients with hepatitis C virus infection who have failed past treatment with standard of care (SOC) peginterferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). New treatments have been shown to increase sustained virological response (SVR) rates. Previous relapsers and those with some responsiveness to interferon will clearly benefit from protease inhibitor‐based therapy. Patients with little interferon response may not be suited for these regimens, but can be treated by careful selection on a case‐by‐case basis. Resistance needs to be carefully monitored as these newer and more potent drugs are added to IFN and RBV backbone drugs. Adverse events will be more frequent and will require special attention.
Future treatment of patients with HCV cirrhosis
Authors: Bourlière Marc , Khaloun Asma , Wartelle‐Bladou Claire , Oules Valérie , Portal Isabelle , Benali Souad , Adhoute Xavier , Castellani Paul
Published: December 2011

Of all hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients, those with cirrhosis are most in need of treatment because of increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment with pegylated‐interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) (PR) has definitely shown the benefits of successful treatment by improving fibrosis, causing the regression of cirrhosis and reducing and preventing cirrhosis‐related complications. However, the sustained virological response (SVR) is lower in patients with cirrhosis. First generation protease inhibitors (boceprevir and telaprevir) in combination with PR are a major advancement in the treatment of both naïve and treatment‐experienced genotype 1 patients. In naïve patients, the SVR rate with the triple regimen with boceprevir was increased by 14% in patients with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis compared with PR. This benefit was lower than that observed in patients with mild or moderate fibrosis (30%). The SVR rate of the triple regimen with telaprevir was increased by 10–30% compared with PR in patients with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis compared with nearly 30% in patients with mild or moderate fibrosis. In treatment‐experienced patients, previous relapsers have the highest increase in SVR with the triple regimen compared with PR, whatever the status of fibrosis. Previous partial or non‐responder patients with cirrhosis had lower SVR rates than those without cirrhosis. However, the benefits of telaprevir and boceprevir vs PR was maintained. Previous non‐responder patients with cirrhosis benefited the least from treatment. The relapse rate was always higher and side effects were more frequent in patients with cirrhosis compared with those without. First generation protease inhibitors plus PR appear to be a new step forward in the management of HCV genotype 1 patients with cirrhosis.
Future treatment of chronic hepatitis C with direct acting antivirals: is resistance important?
Authors: Halfon Philippe , Sarrazin Christoph
Published: December 2011

Recent advances in molecular biology have led to the development of novel small molecules that target specific viral proteins of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle. These drugs, collectively termed directly acting antivirals (DAA), include a range of non‐structural (NS) 3/NS4A protease, NS5B polymerase and NS5A inhibitors at various stages of clinical development. Some others drugs called ‘non DAA’or indirect inhibitors are not focused on one site of the life cycle target and are still in early pre‐clinical and clinical phase I, II and III trials. The rapid replication rate of HCV, along with the low fidelity of its polymerase, results in a generation of mutations throughout the viral genome and sequence variation in the HCV population known as a quasispecies. The efficacy of DAA is limited by the presence of these mutations, resulting in amino acid substitutions within the targeted proteins which affect viral sensitivity to these compounds. Thus, attributable to the high genetic variability of HCV, variants with reduced susceptibility to DAA can occur naturally even before treatment begins, but usually at low levels. Thus it is not surprising that these changes are selected in patients that either breakthrough or do not respond to potent DAA treatment. Six major position mutations in the NS3 HCV Protease (36, 54, 155, 156, 168 and 170), fifteen in the NS5B polymerase (96, 282, 316, 365, 414, 419, 423, 448, 482, 494, 495, 496, 499, 554, 559) and five in the NS5 A region (28, 30, 31, 58 and 93) have now been reported in vitro or in vivo associated with different levels of resistance. The amino acid composition at several of the drug resistance sites can vary between the HCV genotypes/subtypes, resulting in different consensus amino acids leading to a reduction in replicative fitness as well as reduced DAA and non‐ DAA sensitivity. Information on patterns of resistance to and cross resistance between antiviral agents is increasingly available and may be important for decisions on how to combine drugs to achieve an optimum antiviral effect. This review debates the clinical relevance of resistance to direct and indirect inhibitors taking into account the future potential therapeutic strategies to help patients who do develop resistance to HCV inhibitors. Finally, this chapter treats two points of view: ‘for’ and ‘against’ the question of the importance of resistance.
Phase III results of Boceprevir in treatment naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1
Authors: Manns Michael P. , Markova Antoaneta A. , Serrano Beatriz Calle , Cornberg Markus
Published: December 2011

Introduction

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection affects approximately 2% of the world population and can result in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Until 2011, the standard of care (SOC) has been therapy with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin (PEG‐IFN/RBV). Sustained virologic response rates (SVR) after SOC in patients infected with genotype 1 have been 40–50%. The development of new direct antiviral agents (DAA) is vital. The first drugs that specifically target the HCV protease have been approved in 2011. This review summarizes the results of SPRINT‐2, a phase III double blind, placebo controlled study in which the efficacy and safety of Boceprevir, a new HCV protease inhibitor, was compared to SOC.

Design

A total of 1097 treatment‐naïve, genotype 1, chronic hepatitis C patients were randomized into three different groups. All patients received a 4‐week lead in phase with peginterferon alfa‐2b and ribavirin. A total of 363 patients were randomized to the control group and received 44 additional weeks of PEG‐IFN/RBV; of the 368 patients randomized to group 2, the response‐guided treatment regimen (RGT), patients with undetectable HCV RNA through week 8 and 24 received 24 weeks of triple therapy (PEG‐IFN/RBV/Boceprevir); patients whose HCV‐RNA was detectable between weeks 8 and 24 but undetectable at week 24 received subsequently 20 weeks of (PEG‐IFN/RBV); 366 patients in group 3 were treated with lead‐in followed by triple therapy through week 48.

Results

Treatment with Boceprevir triple therapy increased SVR to 63–66% compared to 38% receiving PEG‐IFN/RBV therapy. Non‐Black patients achieved higher SVR rates compared to Black patients. Responsiveness to interferon in the lead‐in phase was predictive for SVR. SVR rates did not differ between patients randomized to RGT with Boceprevir and those treated with a fixed duration. Anaemia was the most important adverse event leading to dose reduction of RBV in 13% of controls and 21% of Boceprevir recipients.

Conclusion

Triple therapy of Boceprevir in combination with PEG‐IFN 2b/RBV is more effective than SOC alone. RGT is possible without reducing the SVR rates. Management of anaemia has to be considered.
Rhythmic Grouping Biases Constrain Infant Statistical Learning
Authors: Hay Jessica F. , Saffran Jenny R.
Published: December 2011

Linguistic stress and sequential statistical cues to word boundaries interact during speech segmentation in infancy. However, little is known about how the different acoustic components of stress constrain statistical learning. The current studies were designed to investigate whether intensity and duration each function independently as cues to initial prominence (trochaic‐based hypothesis) or whether, as predicted by the Iambic‐Trochaic Law (ITL), intensity and duration have characteristic and separable effects on rhythmic grouping (ITL‐based hypothesis) in a statistical learning task. Infants were familiarized with an artificial language (Experiments 1 and 3) or a tone stream (Experiment 2) in which there was an alternation in either intensity or duration. In addition to potential acoustic cues, the familiarization sequences also contained statistical cues to word boundaries. In speech (Experiment 1) and nonspeech (Experiment 2) conditions, 9‐month‐old infants demonstrated discrimination patterns consistent with an ITL‐based hypothesis: intensity signaled initial prominence and duration signaled final prominence. The results of Experiment 3, in which 6.5‐month‐old infants were familiarized with the speech streams from Experiment 1, suggest that there is a developmental change in infants’ willingness to treat increased duration as a cue to word offsets in fluent speech. Infants’ perceptual systems interact with linguistic experience to constrain how infants learn from their auditory environment.
Increased nest defence of upland‐nesting ducks in response to experimentally reduced risk of nest predation
Authors: Dassow John A. , Eichholz Michael W. , Stafford Joshua D. , Weatherhead Patrick J.
Published: December 2011

Parent birds should take greater risks defending nests that have a higher probability of success. Given high rates of mammalian nest predation, therefore, parents should risk more for nests in areas with a lower risk of mammalian predation. We tested this hypothesis using nest defence data from over 1300 nests of six species of dabbling ducks studied in an area where predation risk had been reduced through removal of mammalian predators. When predator removal reduced nest predation, the ducks increased risk taking as predicted. Also as predicted, risk taking varied inversely with body size, an index of annual survival, among species. For ducks to vary nest defence in response to variation in predation risk they must be able to assess the risk of nest predation. Because ducks modified nest defence in the breeding season immediately following predator removal, ducks may be able to assess predator abundance indirectly (e.g. by UV reflection from urine) rather than by seeing or interacting directly with the predators.
Surgical protocols for early implant placement in post‐extraction sockets: a systematic review
Authors: Sanz Ignacio , Garcia‐Gargallo Maria , Herrera David , Martin Conchita , Figuero Elena , Sanz Mariano
Published: December 2011

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the best timing for placing implants after tooth extraction, by comparing early vs. delayed implant placement and evaluating the hard and/or soft tissue ridge dimensional changes and the outcomes related with implant survival and prosthesis success.

Material and methods

An online search of the main databases including The National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE via Pubmed), Embase and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted up to February 2011. Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), prospective cohort studies and case–control retrospective studies, with a follow‐up of at least 1 month after loading of dental implants, comparing: (i) early vs. delayed implant placement, (ii) augmentation vs. no augmentation at implant placement in early placed implants and/or (iii) the comparison of various augmentation procedures at early implant placement, were conducted. A hand search of relevant journals was also performed. Screening of eligible studies, assessment of their methodological quality and data extraction were conducted in duplicate by two independent reviewers. Authors of studies were contacted for clarification or missing information.

Results

Eight studies were included, although meta‐analysis could only be performed with the data from two studies comparing early vs. delayed implant. The percentage of bone height and bone width reduction favoured the early placement, with pooled mean difference between groups of 13.11% (95% CI: from 3.83 to 22.4; P = 0.057) and 19.85% (95% CI: from 13.85 to 25.81) respectively. Implant survival demonstrated a non‐significant higher implant survival rate for the early group (RR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.96–1.1).With regard to patient satisfaction, statistically significant differences between the groups in favour of the early group for overall satisfaction and appearance with the restoration were demonstrated at 2 years, although these differences were lost at 5 years.

Conclusions

Placement of dental implants at an early timing after tooth extraction may offer advantages in terms of soft and hard tissue preservation, when compared with a delayed protocol. Nevertheless, well‐designed, high quality, randomized clinical trials, are needed, because the available evidence is today limited in terms of available studies and quality.
A systematic review on survival and success rates of implants placed immediately into fresh extraction sockets after at least 1 year
Authors: Lang Niklaus P. , Pun Lui , Lau Ka Yee , Li Ka Yan , Wong May CM
Published: December 2011

Background

Type I immediate implant placement has gained popularity because it may reduce treatment time, number of surgeries and post‐extraction bone loss. However, this is potentially challenged by inadequate keratinized mucosa for flap adaptation and difficulties in achieving primary stability. Moreover, it has been proven that post‐extraction bone loss is an inevitable biological process, which affects treatment outcomes.

Objectives

To estimate survival and success rates of implants and the implant‐supported prostheses, the prevalence of biological, technical and aesthetic complications, and the magnitude of soft and hard tissue changes following implant placement immediately into fresh extraction sockets.

Material and methods

An electronic search in MEDLINE (PubMed) and the Cochrane Library from 1991 to July 2010 was performed to include prospective studies on immediate implants with a mean follow‐up time of at least 1 year. The survival rates were computed using the STATA statistical software. Weighted means of soft and hard tissue changes were obtained by the inverse variance method.

Results

A total of 46 prospective studies, with a mean follow‐up time of 2.08 years, were included. The annual failure rate of immediate implants was 0.82% (95% CI: 0.48–1.39%), translating into the 2‐year survival rate of 98.4% (97.3–99%). Among the five factors analysed (reasons for extraction, antibiotic use, position of implant [anterior vs. posterior, maxilla vs. mandible), type of loading], only the regimen of antibiotic use affected the survival rate significantly. Lower failure rates were found in groups that were provided with a course of post‐operative antibiotics. The success of implant therapy was difficult to assess due to scarce reporting on biological, technical and aesthetic complications. Soft tissue changes occurred mostly in the first 3 months after the provision of restoration, and then stabilized towards end of the first year. Marginal bone loss predominantly took place in the first year after implant placement, with a magnitude generally less than 1 mm. Controversy on hard tissue preservation with platform‐switching technique remained unsolved.

Conclusions

Despite the high survival rate observed, more long‐term studies are necessary to determine the success of implant treatment provided immediately after tooth extraction. Special attention has to be given to aesthetic outcomes.