bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebellar long‐term depression requires dephosphorylation of TARP in Purkinje cells
Authors: Nomura Toshihiro , Kakegawa Wataru , Matsuda Shinji , Kohda Kazuhisa , Nishiyama Jun , Takahashi Takao , Yuzaki Michisuke
Published: January 2012

Cerebellar long‐term depression (LTD) at parallel fiber (PF)–Purkinje cell synapses is thought to play an essential role in certain forms of motor learning. Like hippocampal LTD, cerebellar LTD is mediated by the endocytosis of AMPA (α‐amino‐3‐hydroxyl‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionate) receptors at postsynaptic sites. However, similar sets of kinases and phosphatases have opposite regulatory effects on hippocampal and cerebellar LTD, although the mechanisms responsible for this difference remain largely unclear. Activity‐dependent dephosphorylation of stargazin (an AMPA receptor auxiliary protein) by calcineurin regulates hippocampal LTD, but whether and how stargazin is involved in cerebellar LTD is unknown. In this study, we showed that stargazin is highly phosphorylated at basal states and is dephosphorylated by the application of high KCl plus glutamate (K‐glu) or of a metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, (S)‐3,5‐dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), both of which chemically induced LTD in cerebellar slices. This chemically induced dephosphorylation of stargazin was specifically blocked by a calcineurin inhibitor. Indeed, inclusion of the calcineurin auto‐inhibitory peptide in the patch pipette solution completely inhibited the LTD induced by the conjunctive stimulation of PFs and Purkinje cells. Furthermore, in Purkinje cells expressing stargazin‐9D, in which all nine serine residues are mutated to aspartate, neither conjunctive stimulus nor DHPG treatment induced LTD. Finally, immunohistochemical analyses revealed that neither K‐glu nor DHPG induced the endocytosis of AMPA receptors in Purkinje cells expressing stargazin‐9D. Together, these results indicate that hippocampal and cerebellar LTD share a common pathway, namely dephosphorylation of stargazin by calcineurin.
4D Brachytherapy, a novel real‐time prostate brachytherapy technique using stranded and loose seeds
Authors: Langley Stephen E. M. , Laing Robert W.
Published: January 2012

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

There are a number of techniques used successfully to perform brachytherapy, including 2‐stage procedures and realtime techniques using loose seeds.

This study demonstrates a one‐stage realtime brachytherapy technique using stranded seeds with improved time efficiency and clinical outcome: 4D Brachytherapy.

This paper reviews the development of a new one‐stage prostate brachytherapy technique (4D Brachytherapy) using a combination of stranded and loose seeds. This novel technique utilizes a nomogram constructed from over 1000 procedures to calculate the seed requirement in advance of the implant. This allows stranded seeds to be pre‐ordered and loaded prior to the procedure rather than per‐operatively, resulting in a more efficient use of operating room time. The use of both stranded and loose seeds may reduce the risk of migration from peripherally placed seeds via the venous plexus, whilst maintaining the flexibility to optimize the dose within the prostate and especially at the apex of the gland. Prospectively collected data show significantly improved dosimetry: median D90 143 and 153 Gy (P < 0.005) and median V100 88% and 93% (P < 0.005) for the Seattle technique and 4D Brachytherapy implant technique, respectively. Also there was a reduced short‐term urinary morbidity as assessed by the change in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at 3 months and 1 year compared with the Seattle technique. Mean (sd) change in IPSS from baseline at 1 year was 2.73 (5.92) and 0.97 (5.10) for the Seattle and 4D Brachytherapy series, respectively (P < 0.049).
Brachytherapy for the treatment of recurrent prostate cancer after radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy
Authors: Gomez‐Veiga Francisco , Mariño Alfonso , Alvarez Luis , Rodriguez Ignacio , Fernandez Carlos , Pertega Sonia , Candal Arturo
Published: January 2012

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

The curative treatment of prostate cancer includes surgery, external beam radiation or interstitial radiation. However, a high percentage of patients may develop recurrent disease, which is often localised. The possibilities of treatment in these cases, including surgery or adjuvant radiotherapy, are not well defined.

Brachytherapy is a well established first‐line treatment option. We review and update the use of brachytherapy in the treatment of recurrences post‐radiotherapy, brachytherapy or radical prostatectomy as an alternative to surgery and radiotherapy, with a focus on functional and oncological outcomes.

Salvage therapeutic options following radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy for patients with local relapse of prostate cancer include radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, brachytherapy or cryotherapy. Salvage radical prostatectomy following radiotherapy failure is associated with a 5‐year PSA relapse‐free rate of 30–40%. Biochemical relapse‐free survival rates after salvage radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy failure range from 10% to 77% after a follow‐up of 22–60 months. A number of studies have evaluated salvage brachytherapy for radiotherapy failure and 5‐year biochemical disease‐free survival (bDFS) rate results reported are of the order of 20–87%; one study reported a 10‐year bDFS rate of 54%. Fewer studies in small numbers of patients and with shorter follow‐up have been conducted on brachytherapy for radical prostatectomy failure and bDFS rates reported include 25.8% at a median of 29 months to 70% at a median of 20 months. The side‐effects were as expected for brachytherapy. A newer initiative conducted in Spain in a larger series of 42 patients with failure following radical prostatectomy involves brachytherapy with RAPID Strand™125I seeds and real‐time placement. The 5‐year bDFS rate was 88.6% and cancer‐specific survival was 97%; complication rates were low. Optimization of salvage brachytherapy is under way and involves accurate placement of seeds, dose optimization and optimal patient selection.
THE CAUSES OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY: A SURVEY
Authors: Papoutsi Georgia S. , Drichoutis Andreas C. , Nayga Rodolfo M.
Published: January 2012

Childhood obesity rates are rapidly rising in many countries. Because it is highly likely that obesity will persist into adulthood, current rates undermine the health and future of people in developed as well as developing countries. This public health epidemic carries significant economic, social as well as individual‐level consequences and has become a research topic of significant interest in various disciplines including economics. We survey the literature in economics and related disciplines associated with the causes of childhood obesity and synthesize the results to provide a better understanding of the explanations for the rising childhood obesity rates. This is an important step in crafting effective policies to combat global childhood obesity trends.
Agenda Setting and Democratic Innovation: The Case of the Sustainable Communities Act (2007)
Authors: Bua Adrian
Published: January 2012

This article suggests that a common feature among democratic innovations is the lack of an agenda setting function. First, it argues that a lack of control over their own agendas opens democratic innovations to manipulation by elites. Second, it argues that democratic innovations focused on setting the policy agendas of public authorities can serve to democratise the policy process by providing citizens with a tool to place issues on the public agenda. The article analyses a series of actual and potential institutional designs that divert from the dominant ‘direct-democratic’ nature of agenda setting innovations. It finishes with a discussion of the UK Sustainable Communities Act (2007), a process designed to allow communities to propose policy to government through their councils.
What the Publicity Condition Means for Justice
Authors: Endo Chikako
Published: January 2012

Thomas Christiano argues that the link between justice and democracy lies in ‘public equality’. The publicity condition of equality leads to democratic procedures as the best, if not the only, acceptable way to promote people's interests equally in a visible way. This article argues that the link between justice and democracy lies in equally respecting people as autonomous agents rather than in equal consideration for everyone's interests.
Depoliticising the Polls: Voting Abstention and Moral Disagreement
Authors: González-Ricoy Iñigo
Published: January 2012

Do citizens have a duty to abstain from voting when they cannot vote well? Jason Brennan has recently argued that, since citizens have a duty not to engage in harmful activities and bad voting is a harmful activity, citizens have a duty to abstain from voting badly. In this reply, I argue that Brennan dismisses the moral disagreements that unavoidably pervade the very idea of bad voting in a democratic society and provides a de-politicised and incomplete account of what voting badly means. Without a sound definition of bad voting, Brennan's argument fails.
A Minimalist Approach to the Development of Episodic Memory
Authors: RUSSELL JAMES , HANNA ROBERT
Published: January 2012

Episodic memory is usually regarded in a Conceptualist light, in the sense of its being dependent upon the grasp of concepts directly relevant to the act of episodic recollection itself, such as a concept of past times and of the self as an experiencer. Given this view, its development is typically timed as being in the early school‐age years (Perner, 2001;Tulving, 2005). We present a minimalist, Non‐Conceptualist approach in opposition to this view, but one that also exists in clear contrast to the kind of minimalism (‘episodic‐like’) espoused byClayton and Dickinson (1998)with regard to memory in food‐caching birds. While emphasising the nonconceptual elements of episodic memory (in common with the ‘episodic‐like’ approach) we also insist on the essentially phenomenological nature of the memory (as does the Conceptualist approach). We propose the third year of life as a plausible onset period. Our view is rooted in Kantian assumptions about the spatiotemporal content of experience (and thus of re‐experience) and about the synthetic unity of experience—and thus of re‐experience. We answer two objections to this position.
Laparoscopic skills training using inexpensive box trainers: which exercises to choose when constructing a validated training course
Authors: Jansen FW , Hiemstra E
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Jansen F, Hiemstra E. Laparoscopic skills training using inexpensive box trainers: which exercises to choose when constructing a validated training course. BJOG 2012;119:263–265.
Development of de novo prolapse in untreated vaginal compartments after prolapse repair with and without mesh: a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Withagen MI , Milani AL , de Leeuw JW , Vierhout ME
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Withagen M, Milani A, de Leeuw J, Vierhout M. Development of de novo prolapse in untreated vaginal compartments after prolapse repair with and without mesh: a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. BJOG 2012;119:354–360.

Objective  To compare the de novo prolapse rate in the untreated vaginal compartments following conventional vaginal prolapse repair and tension‐free vaginal mesh repair.

Design  Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Setting  Thirteen centres in the Netherlands.

Population  Women with recurrent pelvic organ prolapse stage II or higher.

Methods  Random assignment to either conventional vaginal native tissue repair or vaginal mesh insertion.

Main outcome measures  Primary outcome: de novo pelvic organ prolapse stage II or higher in the untreated vaginal compartments at 12 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes: de novo pelvic organ prolapse at and beyond the hymen, de novo prolapse beyond the hymen and prolapse domain scores of the Urogenital Distress Inventory.

Results  At 12 months ten of 59 women (17%) in the conventional group versus 29 of 62 women (47%) in the mesh group were diagnosed with a de novo pelvic organ prolapse stage II or higher in the untreated compartment (P < 0.001, odds ratio 4.3, 95% confidence interval 1.9–10.0). Additional apical support to a mesh‐augmented anterior repair significantly reduced the de novo prolapse rate. Women with a de novo prolapse in the mesh‐treated group demonstrated significantly higher mean bother scores on the domain genital prolapse of the Urogenital Distress Inventory score (13.1 ± 24.2) compared with those without de novo prolapse (2.9 ± 13.9) (P = 0.03).

Conclusion  Mesh‐augmented prolapse repair in only one vaginal compartment is associated with a higher de novo prolapse rate in the untreated compartments compared with conventional vaginal native tissue repair in women with recurrent pelvic organ prolapse.
Candidacy for Kidney Transplantation of Older Adults
Authors: Grams Morgan E. , Kucirka Lauren M. , Hanrahan Colleen F. , Montgomery Robert A. , Massie Allan B. , Segev Dorry L.
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVES

To develop a prediction model for kidney transplantation (KT) outcomes specific to older adults with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and to use this model to estimate the number of excellent older KT candidates who lack access to KT.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of data collected by the United Network for Organ Sharing and U.S. Renal Disease System.

SETTING

Retrospective analysis of national registry data.

PARTICIPANTS

Model development: Medicare‐primary older recipients (aged ≥ 65) of a first KT between 1999 and 2006 (N = 6,988). Model application: incident Medicare‐primary older adults with ESRD between 1999 and 2006 without an absolute or relative contraindication to transplantation (N = 128,850).

MEASUREMENTS

Comorbid conditions were extracted from U.S. Renal Disease System Form 2728 data and Medicare claims.

RESULTS

The prediction model used 19 variables to estimate post‐KT outcome and showed good calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow P = .44) and better prediction than previous population‐average models (P < .001). Application of the model to the population with incident ESRD identified 11,756 excellent older transplant candidates (defined as >87% predicted 3‐year post‐KT survival, corresponding to the top 20% of transplanted older adults used in model development), of whom 76.3% (n = 8,966) lacked access. It was estimated that 11% of these candidates would have identified a suitable live donor had they been referred for KT.

CONCLUSION

A risk‐prediction model specific to older adults can identify excellent KT candidates. Appropriate referral could result in significantly greater rates of KT in older adults.
An Empirical Investigation of Student Evaluations of Instruction—The Relative Importance of Factors
Authors: Nargundkar Satish , Shrikhande Milind
Published: January 2012

We analyzed over 100,000 student evaluations of instruction over 4 years in the college of business at a major public university. We found that the original instrument that was validated about 20 years ago is still valid, with factor analysis showing that the six underlying dimensions used in the instrument remained relatively intact. Also, we found that the relative importance of those six factors in the overall assessment of instruction changed over the past two decades, reflecting changes in the expectations of the current millennial generation of students. The results were consistent across four subgroups studied—Undergraduate Core, Undergraduate Noncore, Graduate Core, and Graduate Noncore classes, with minor differences. Student Motivation (the instructor's ability to motivate students) and grading/assignments (fairness and objectivity of grading practices) have superseded presentation ability in relative importance as indicators of overall teaching effectiveness. Our study has implications for teachers in terms of the appropriate areas to focus on for improving their teaching practices.
E‐Textbooks and Students’ Learning Experiences
Authors: Sun Jun , Flores Javier , Tanguma Jesus
Published: January 2012

The contribution of the e‐textbooks can be enormous considering their additional supporting features, but adoption has not crystallized yet. This study examines the relevant experiences of college students in terms of how the use of e‐textbooks may enhance their learning. A survey study was conducted to measure the perceptions of each student on how helpful an e‐textbook is for facilitating learning (i.e., E‐book Helpfulness), how well it promotes his/her involvement in learning (i.e., Student Involvement), and how much improvement it makes on learning outcome (i.e., Learning Outcome). Results indicate that e‐textbooks are perceived as enhancers of student learning experiences in two complementing routes: (1) E‐textbook Helpfulness enhances students’ learning outcomes directly and (2) Student Involvement plays an important mediating role between E‐textbook Helpfulness and Learning Outcome if students use e‐textbooks in class. These findings suggest that the successful adoption of e‐textbooks requires schools to provide necessary resources (e.g., computer labs) and instructors to actively engage students in using e‐textbooks.
Using Continuous Improvement to Enhance an Online Course
Authors: Aggarwal Anil K. , Lynn Susan A.
Published: January 2012

Assessment is becoming important from many different perspectives. Universities are planning, developing, and testing various assessment models to satisfy stakeholders. Many accrediting agencies are also requiring assessment plans and their implementation from universities for reaccreditation. This article describes how assessment was used to continuously improve a database course in a Web MBA program, and combines Deming's Plan‐Do‐Check‐Act (PDCA) cycle with Bloom's taxonomy to develop rubrics for problem solving learning objectives in an online course. Results from direct and indirect measurements are used to improve the course. Specifically, two semester results are compared for course assessment. Results show some improvement; however, the course requires continuous improvement to meet benchmarks. The model presented here is generic in nature and should be useful for all educators who plan to initiate or continue the assessment and continuous improvement process. Instead of reinventing the wheel, educators can learn from our experiences and use the results as a starting point for their own assessment programs.
Collateral Consequences in the American States*
Authors: Ewald Alec C.
Published: January 2012

Objective

This article seeks to analyze varying collateral‐consequences policies—laws restricting the rights and privileges of people who have had contact with the criminal‐justice system, particularly those with conviction records—in the American states.

Methods

State policies in eight areas are examined, coded, and combined into an eight‐point scale, which then serves as the dependent variable for a regression analysis. The analysis models such restrictions as products of ideological and partisan, racial, and criminal‐justice‐based predictors.

Results

Neither Democratic Party influence nor crime levels appear to influence significantly state collateral‐sanctions levels; more liberal citizen ideology predicts slightly more lenient policies, while harsher restrictions accompany rising state incarceration rates. Racial variables press in opposite directions: within the model, scores rise as a state's black population increases, but fall as the percentage of African Americans in the state legislature rises.

Conclusion

Formally creatures of civil rather than criminal law, these “collateral” restrictions appear to possess important affinities with other punitive policies in the United States, yet also resist unambiguous linkage to ideological, criminal‐justice, and racial predictors.
They Just Do Not Vote Like They Used To: A Methodology to Empirically Assess Election Fraud*
Authors: Hood M. V. , Gillespie William
Published: January 2012

Objectives. In contemporary U.S. elections there is no shortage of allegations concerning election fraud. These claims are, however, based in large part on anecdotal evidence, unsubstantiated assertions, or the study of reported complaints. The absence of a general methodology to actively search for evidence of election fraud has resulted in policy arguments devoid of empirical data and systematic analyses. Methods. In this article, we present a general methodology to study contemporary election fraud based on the Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) process. We then apply this approach to a case study of a particular type of fraud. Results. After examining approximately 2.1 million votes cast during the 2006 general election in Georgia, we find no evidence that election fraud was committed under the auspices of deceased registrants. Conclusion. In this article, we have introduced a general methodology for the scientific study of election fraud. We urge social scientists to make use of such a framework to investigate the prevalence of different types of fraud across varying election cycles and jurisdictions.
Teacher Gender as a Moderator of the On‐the‐Job Embeddedness–OCB Relationship1
Authors: LEV SMADAR , KOSLOWSKY MENI
Published: January 2012

Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), a popular outcome measure in traditional work settings, was examined in a school context. On‐the‐job embeddedness (ONJE)—a component of a recently introduced antecedent of different organizational outcomes—and gender were included in a moderated regression analysis for predicting teacher OCB. ONJE and OCB scales were adapted for the present study and were administered to junior and senior high school teachers in Israel. The findings supported our hypotheses that ONJE predicts OCB and gender moderates this relationship such that high ONJE women scored higher on OCB than did low ONJE women. Men did not show any difference by ONJE level. The need for further research regarding other gendered occupations is discussed.
Associations Between Hypochondriacal Symptoms and Illness Appraisals, and Their Moderation by Self‐Focused Attention
Authors: WAGNER SEBASTIAN A. , BROWN STEPHEN L.
Published: January 2012

Hypochondriacal symptoms are associated with cognitive biases in the ways that illness is appraised. Self‐focused attention (SFA) may augment or reduce these biases. Using a healthy sample, this study examined relationships between hypochondriacal symptoms, assessed using the Illness Attitudes Scale; and illness appraisals, assessed using the Illness Perception Questionnaire–Revised. Participants were exposed to an SFA manipulation or a non‐SFA control, were given a health message about influenza, and were asked to imagine having the disease. Hypochondriacal symptoms were linked to higher symptom perceptions, greater perceptions of personal and treatment control, and higher disease coherence. SFA augmented the relationship between hypochondriacal symptoms and personal control. Findings are discussed in terms of illness appraisal biases and attentional components of these biases.
Re‐Acculturation and Adaptation Among Adolescents From Returned Portuguese Immigrant Families1
Authors: NETO FÉLIX
Published: January 2012

The aims of this study were to investigate the degree of psychological and sociocultural adaptation among adolescents from returned Portuguese immigrant families and the factors that may predict adaptation. The study sample consisted of 360 adolescents from returned Portuguese immigrant families who answered a self‐report questionnaire. A control group involving 217 Portuguese youths was also included in the study. Adolescents from returned immigrant families revealed similar levels of psychological adaptation and better sociocultural adaptation in comparison with peers who have never migrated. Predictive factors—sociodemographic and intercultural contact variables—were significantly linked to youths' adaptation. It is concluded that perceived discrimination plays an essential role in re‐acculturation outcomes.
Deconstructing Organizational Commitment: Associations Among Its Affective and Cognitive Components, Personality Antecedents, and Behavioral Outcomes1
Authors: KELL HARRISON J. , MOTOWIDLO STEPHAN J.
Published: January 2012

This study tests whether measurement of the cognitive aspect of organizational commitment can explain variance in behavioral expressions of commitment beyond Allen & Meyer's (1990) measure of the affective component of commitment. This cognitive component was measured by an index of belief accentuation. Undergraduates (N = 110) completed a questionnaire that measured all variables. Results show that students who polarize their judgments about the appropriateness of behavior at the university support the university more by defending it from criticism and praising it. This effect holds even after controlling for personality and demographic variables. Results also show that extraversion and agreeableness explain variance in the affective element of commitment and that conscientiousness explains variance in the cognitive element of commitment.
Linkages Between Racioethnicity, Appraisal Reactions, and Employee Engagement
Authors: VOLPONE SABRINA D. , AVERY DEREK R. , McKAY PATRICK F.
Published: January 2012

Because diversity is vital to many businesses, it is important to understand prospective racioethnic differences in employee engagement. Using survey data collected from a large (N = 5,537), diverse sample of retail employees, we found that more favorable appraisal reactions corresponded with more favorable psychological diversity climate perceptions; thus, higher levels of engagement. This indirect relationship was significantly stronger for ethnic minority employees (Blacks and Hispanics) than for White employees, indicating that members of traditionally disadvantaged groups respond differently to perceptions of appraisal systems. Finally, an exploratory assessment found that the hypothesized effects for racioethnicity do not generalize to sex, as the indirect effect of appraisal reactions on engagement was slightly, but not significantly stronger for women than for men.
Primary drug resistance to anti‐tuberculosis drugs in major towns of Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: YIMER SOLOMON ABEBE , AGONAFIR MULUALEM , DERESE YOHANNES , SANI YUSUF , BJUNE GUNNAR A , HOLM‐HANSEN CAROL
Published: January 2012

Yimer SA, Agonafir M, Derese Y, Sani Y, Bjune GA, Holm‐Hansen C. Primary drug resistance to anti‐tuberculosis drugs in major towns of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. APMIS 2012; 120: 503–9.

Drug resistance is a major obstacle to effective TB control program performance. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of primary drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. A total of 112 Mtb isolates from cases with newly diagnosed pulmonary TB were subjected to drug susceptibility testing (DST) in a cross‐sectional study. Isolates were tested for sensitivity to isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and streptomycin using the MGIT 960 protocol. A total of 93 Mtb isolates yielded valid DST results and 28 (30.1%) were resistant to one or more of first line anti‐TB drugs. One isolate (1.0%) was multi‐drug resistant (MDR), five (5.4%) were classified as poly‐resistant and 22 showed single drug resistance to either streptomycin (n = 19) or isoniazid (n = 3). Isolates from HIV‐positive patients were more likely to be resistant to at least one of the four anti‐TB drugs compared with HIV‐negative individuals (odds ratio 2.76, 95% confidence interval 1.06–7.22; p = 0.03). The study showed a high prevalence of primary drug resistance. Even though the prevalence of MDR was low, conditions that can contribute to the development of MDR are increasing. Therefore, regular monitoring of drug resistance and enhanced implementation of TB/HIV collaborative activities in the study region are imperative.
Immunohistochemical verification of ductal differentiation in prostate cancer
Authors: TARJÁN MIKLÓS , LENNGREN ANNA , HELLBERG DAN , TOT TIBOR
Published: January 2012

Tarján M, Lenngren A, Hellberg D, Tot T. Immunohistochemical verification of ductal differentiation in prostate cancer. APMIS 2012; 120: 510–8.

Recent studies have shown that patients with prostate carcinomas exhibiting ductal differentiation have an unfavourable prognosis compared with those with purely acinar adenocarcinomas. We studied the expression of nine immunohistochemical markers to evaluate their value in delineating carcinomas with and without ductal differentiation. Thirteen tumours showing cellular characteristics and growth patterns typical of ductal differentiation were identified among 110 analysed prostatectomy specimens. The levels of cytoplasmic expression of chromogranine A (69% vs 19%, p = 0.0003) and nuclear expression of p53 (76% vs 12%, p < 0.0001) as well as nuclear expression of Ki‐67 (69% vs 26%, p = 0.0047) in the tumour cells, were found to be statistically significantly different in the two tumour categories. Assessment of chromogranine A, p53 and Ki‐67 in prostate carcinoma may serve as useful adjunctive diagnostic tools for delineating more aggressive prostate cancer cases exhibiting ductal differentiation.
An appraisal of the current and potential value of Web 2.0 contributions to continuing education in oral implantology
Authors: Knösel M. , Engelke W. , Helms H.‐J. , Bleckmann A.
Published: January 2012

Objective:  To systematically assess the informational value, quality, intention, source and bias of web 2.0 footage whose aim is peer‐to‐peer education about oral implantology.

Methods:  YouTube (http://www.youtube.com) was scanned on 15 October 2010 for oral implantology‐related videos using an adequately pre‐defined search query. Search results were filtered with the system‐generated category ‘education’ and the additional criterion ‘most viewed’. Only those videos with at least 1000 views were included (total 124, of which 27 were excluded because they were not related to implantology). Filtered videos were discussed and rated with particular regard to the educational needs of potential groups of addressees [(i) undergraduates and laymen, (ii) dentists without or currently undergoing a specialisation in oral implantology and (iii) dentists who have completed a specialisation in the field of oral implantology] by a jury consisting of (i) an accredited post‐graduate university instructor with 22 years of professional teaching experience in the field of implantology, (ii) a university lecturer in dentistry/orthodontics with 10 years teaching experience and (iii) a university haematologist/oncologist. They were required to fill out a questionnaire for each video. The data were statistically analysed using non‐parametric ANOVA (α = 5%) and a sign test (α = 0.05/3 = 0.017).

Results:  The YouTube scan produced 1710 results in the category ‘EDU’. The analysis revealed that there is a wide range of instructional footage on this topic, but with highly variable range in quality and informational value. Footage intention was to large proportions (47.4%) a mixture of education and advertisement. Its usefulness differed significantly for the three groups of addressees, offering greater novelty to undergraduates and post‐graduates.

Conclusion:  YouTube and similar social media websites may have a potential capacity and value in complementing continuing education in the technique of oral implantology. As a means of achieving an acceptable level of knowledge about the topic when used alone, it should not be considered to be suitable at this point in time.
Influence of calcium hydroxide intracanal medication on bond strength of two endodontic resin‐based sealers assessed by micropush‐out test
Authors: Carvalho Ceci Nunes , Bauer Jose , Ferrari Patricia Helena Pereira , Souza Soraia Fatima Carvalho , Soares Silvio Peixoto , Loguercio Alessandro Dourado , Bombana Antonio Carlos
Published: January 2012

Abstract –  Aim:  To evaluate the influence of calcium hydroxide (CH) paste used as intracanal medication on the bond strength of AH Plus (AH) and Epiphany (EP) sealers to root dentin.

Methodology:  Sixty palatal canals were prepared in human maxillary first molars, using a rotary system. Half of the specimens received distilled water, and the other ones received intracanal medication with CH for 14 days. Thereafter, the CH was removed and both groups were further divided into two subgroups, filled with either AH or EP. The test specimens were submitted to the micropush‐out test at a speed of 0.5 mm min−1. Results were statistically analyzed with anova and Tukey’s test at a 95% confidence level.

Results:  The use of CH had statistically significant (P < 0.05) influence on AH only, increasing its bond strength from 19.7 ± 4.5 to 23.8 ± 2.5 (mean ± SD in MPa). In both EP groups, with (1.8 ± 0.5 MPa) and without (1.5 ± 0.9 MPa) CH, the bond strength values were statistically significantly lower than in either of the AH groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  Calcium hydroxide used as intracanal medication for 14 days had a positive influence on the bond strength of AH to root dentin whereas the effect on EP was insignificant. Regardless of the intracanal medication used, AH showed considerably higher bond strength values compared with EP sealer.
Overexpression of extracellular superoxide dismutase has a protective role against hyperoxia‐induced brain injury in neonatal mice
Authors: Zaghloul Nahla , Nasim Mansoor , Patel Hardik , Codipilly Champa , Marambaud Philippe , Dewey Stephen , Schiffer Wynne K. , Ahmed Mohamed
Published: January 2012

There is increasing evidence that hyperoxia, particularly at the time of birth, may result in neurological injury, in particular to the susceptible vasculature of these tissues. This study was aimed at determining whether overexpression of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC‐SOD) is protective against brain injury induced by hyperoxia. Transgenic (TG) mice (with an extra copy of the human extracellular superoxide dismutase gene) and wild‐type (WT) neonate mice were exposed to hyperoxia (95% of Fio2) for 7 days after birth versus the control group in room air. Brain positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with fludeoxyglucose (FDG) isotope uptake was performed after exposure. To assess apoptosis induced by hyperoxia exposure, caspase 3 ELISA and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining were performed. Quantitative western blot for the following inflammatory markers was performed: glial fibrillary acidic protein, ionized calcium‐binding adaptor molecule 1, macrophage‐inhibiting factor, and phospho‐AMP‐activated protein kinase. PET scanning with FDG isotope uptake showed significantly higher uptake in the WT hyperoxia neonate brain group (0.14 ± 0.03) than in both the TG group (0.09 ± 0.01) and the control group (0.08 ± 0.02) (P < 0.05). Histopathological investigation showed more apoptosis and dead neurons in hippocampus and cerebellum brain sections of WT neonate mice after exposure to hyperoxia than in TG mice; this finding was also confirmed by TUNEL staining. The caspase 3 assay confirmed the finding of more apoptosis in WT hyperoxia neonates (0.814 ± 0.112) than in the TG hyperoxic group (0.579 ± 0.144) (P < 0.05); this finding was also confirmed by TUNEL staining. Quantitative western blotting for the inflammatory and metabolic markers showed significantly higher expression in the WT group than in the TG and control groups. Thus, overexpression of EC‐SOD in the neonate brain offers significant protection against hyperoxia‐induced brain damage.
Evaluation of Endothelial Function with Brachial Artery Ultrasound in Men with or Without Erectile Dysfunction and Classified as Intermediate Risk According to the Framingham Score
Authors: Averbeck Márcio Augusto , Colares Carla , de Lira Gislano Heverton Soares , Selbach Tiago , Rhoden Ernani Luis
Published: January 2012

Introduction

Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery is a noninvasive tool used for endothelial function evaluation. There is increasing evidence that endothelial dysfunction is a common etiological factor for erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular events.

Aim

To evaluate endothelial function with a high-resolution ultrasound device, to assess FMD in men diagnosed with ED and without clinical evidence of significant atherosclerotic disease, classified as “intermediate risk” according to the Framingham risk score (FRS).

Methods

This is a case-control study that included 52 consecutive men. In all men with ED evaluated by a score less than 22 on International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire (IIEF-5), clinical parameters such as blood pressure, waist circumference, hip circumference, body mass index, lipid profile, fasting glucose, and serum total testosterone were obtained. These parameters were compared with those men without diagnosis of ED (IIEF-5 score ≥ 22) (age-matched, also classified as “intermediate risk” according to the FRS). All underwent brachial artery ultrasound for assessment of FMD, as a noninvasive method to evaluate endothelial function. Statistical analysis was performed considering a P < 0.05.

Main Outcome Measures

Endothelium-dependent FMD was evaluated in the right brachial artery with a high-resolution ultrasound machine following reactive hyperemia.

Results

Thirty-four men were included in the ED group, and 18 were included in the group without ED. The mean ages were 59.61 ± 9.87 and 56.18 ± 10.93, respectively (P = 0.27). Clinical and laboratory evaluations were similar between men with and without ED (P > 0.05) except for waist circumference that was greater in patients with ED (mean = 100.85 cm vs. 96.05; P < 0.05). The percentage of FMD was higher in men without ED when compared with those with ED (mean FMD 11.33 ± 6.08% vs. 4.24 ± 7.06%, respectively; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Men without established atherosclerotic disease presenting with ED demonstrated a worse endothelial function.
A Population-Based Study on the Association Between Gastric Ulcers and Erectile Dysfunction in Taiwan
Authors: Keller Joseph J. , Lin Hsiao-Yu , Chung Shiu-Dong , Lin Herng-Ching
Published: January 2012

Introduction

While erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease have long been known to share endothelial dysfunction as a common contributory underlying mechanism, little research has been conducted taking endothelial dysfunction as common ground to investigate the potential association between ED and gastric ulcers (GUs).

Aim

This population-based case-control study aimed to investigate the association of ED with GU.

Methods

This study used data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 in Taiwan. The study group comprised 6,906 patients who visited ambulatory care centers or were hospitalized with a diagnosis of ED. The comparison group was 20,718 randomly selected enrollees. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine associations between ED and prior GU.

Main Outcome Measure

The prevalence and risk between cases and controls were calculated of having been previously diagnosed with GU.

Results

Of the sampled subjects, 3,861 (14%) were diagnosed before the index date, 1,358 (19.7%) were cases, and 2,503 (12.1%) were controls (P < 0.001). After adjusting for hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, renal disease, coronary heart disease, obesity, alcohol abuse/alcohol dependence syndrome, and socioeconomic status (SES), conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that cases were more likely to have been diagnosed with GU than controls (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.53–1.77). Stratification by age revealed that the youngest group (18–29) of ED patients had the most increased likelihood of having been previously diagnosed with GU when compared with matched controls (OR = 4.12, 95% CI = 2.41–7.03). The likelihood decreased with age, with the oldest group of ED patients having the least increased likelihood of prior GU when compared with matched controls (OR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.23–1.68).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest a positive association between prior GU and a subsequent diagnosis with ED.
Continuous and Fluctuating Leaf Phenology of Adults and Seedlings of a Shade‐tolerant Emergent Tree,Dipterocarpus sublamellatus, inMalaysia
Authors: Osada Noriyuki , Tokuchi Naoko , Takeda Hiroshi
Published: January 2012

Continuous leaf phenology, with sequential production of metamers, is usually found in pioneer species, but is rare in shade‐tolerant species. Because of the nature of ‘continuous’ growth, continuous phenology has seldom been related to meteorological factors. We studied the leaf demography of seedlings and tall trees of a shade‐tolerant emergent species,Dipterocarpus sublamellatus(Dipterocarpaceae), inMalaysia. Although leaf phenology ofD. sublamellatuswas classified as continuous, the rates of leaf production and leaf fall were not constant and greatly fluctuated during the census period. Seasonal patterns of leaf production and fall were not synchronized across tall trees in most combinations or between seedlings and tall trees. Mean number of leaves produced per month and its seasonal fluctuation were greater in tall trees than in seedlings. Moreover, relationships between leaf phenology and meteorological factors (monthly rainfall, net radiation, maximum and minimum temperature, and minimum relative humidity) differed among trees. This suggests that endogenous rhythms,i.e., differences in allocation of resources to growth and storage among trees, are important to fluctuations in leaf phenology. These patterns are in contrast to patterns found in various pioneer species with continuous phenology, in which rates of leaf production and fall are generally constant. Different patterns might be caused by differences in allocation to growth and storage between pioneer and shade‐tolerant species, and might be related to their regeneration strategies.
TeVeS/MOND is in harmony with gravitational redshifts in galaxy clusters
Authors: Bekenstein Jacob D. , Sanders Robert H.
Published: January 2012

Wojtak, Hansen & Hjorth have recently claimed to confirm general relativity (GR) and to rule out the tensor–vector–scalar (TeVeS) gravitational theory based on an analysis of the gravitational redshifts of galaxies in 7800 clusters. However, their ubiquitous modelling of the sources of cluster gravitational fields with Navarro–Frenk–White mass profiles is neither empirically justified out to the necessary radii in clusters, nor germane in the case of TeVeS. Using MONDian (where MOND stands for MOdified Newtonian Dynamics) isothermal sphere models consistently constructed within MOND (equivalent to TeVeS models), we can fit the determined redshifts no worse than does GR with dark haloes. Moreover, Wojtak, Hansen & Hjorth have inappropriately used the simple MOND interpolating function for the μ function of the scalar field of TeVeS; the consequent MOND effective interpolating function turns out to enhance the gravitational potential, and so contributes to the discrepancy which forms the basis of their claims.
A time-variable, phase-dependent emission line in the X-ray spectrum of the isolated neutron star RX J0822−4300
Authors: De Luca A. , Salvetti D. , Sartori A. , Esposito P. , Tiengo A. , Zane S. , Turolla R. , Pizzolato F. , Mignani R. P. , Caraveo P. A. , Mereghetti S. , Bignami G. F.
Published: January 2012

RX J0822−4300 is the central compact object associated with the Puppis A supernova remnant. Previous X-ray observations suggested RX J0822−4300 to be a young neutron star with a weak dipole field and a peculiar surface temperature distribution dominated by two antipodal spots with different temperatures and sizes. An emission line at 0.8 keV was also detected. We performed a very deep (130-ks) observation with XMM–Newton, which allowed us to study in detail the phase-resolved properties of RX J0822−4300. Our new data confirm the existence of a narrow spectral feature, best modelled as an emission line, only seen in the ‘soft’-phase interval – when the cooler region is best aligned to the line of sight. Surprisingly, comparison of our recent observations to the older ones yields evidence for a variation in the emission-line component, which can be modelled as a decrease in the central energy from ∼0.80 keV in 2001 to ∼0.73 keV in 2009–10. The line could be generated via cyclotron scattering of thermal photons in an optically-thin layer of gas, or, alternatively, it could originate in low-rate accretion by a debris disc. In any case, a variation in energy, pointing to a variation of the magnetic field in the line-emitting region, cannot be easily accounted for.
Aesthetic Testimony
Authors: Robson Jon
Published: January 2012

It is frequently claimed that we can learn very little, if anything, about the aesthetic character of an artwork (or other object of aesthetic appraisal) on the basis of testimony. Such disparaging assessments of the epistemic value of aesthetic testimony contrast markedly with our acceptance of testimony as an important (perhaps even basic) source of knowledge in many other areas. There have, however, been a number of challenges to this orthodoxy of late; from those who seek to deny that such a contrast exists (optimists) as well as attempts by those who accept the distinction (pessimists) to provide an explanation and defence of the contrast. InSection I, I outline a little of the nature and history of the debate over aesthetic testimony.Section II, focuses on the opposing positions on aesthetic testimony, optimism and pessimism, and takes steps to clarify what exactly is at issue between them. InSection III, I survey considerations which have been adduced in favour of pessimism ranging from brute appeal to intuition to complex argumentation before turning inSection IV, to look at motivations for optimism. Finally, inSection V, I consider some alternative views which claim that, for a variety of reasons, it is a mistake to construe the debate over aesthetic testimony as concerned (or at least as primarily concerned) with the epistemic standing of aesthetic beliefs formed on the basis of testimony.
Emerging topics in epigenetics: ants, brains, and noncoding RNAs
Authors: Bonasio Roberto
Published: January 2012

One of the greatest wonders in biology is the high degree of molecular organization and complexity achieved by multicellular life forms, which are typically composed by hundreds of cell types, each with a unique identity and function and all sharing the same genome. Long‐term maintenance of these distinct cell identities requires epigenetic signals, molecular signatures that regulate gene expression and can be inherited during cell division. Some epigenetic signals also appear to have an intimate connection with brain function, with important implications for neuroscience and medicine. To better understand these phenomena, new technologies must be developed and nonconventional model organisms should be studied. For example, the genomes of eusocial insects, such as ants and honeybees, specify drastically different morphologies (polyphenism) and behaviors (polyethism) that yield adult individuals belonging to different castes, which carry out separate functions inside the colony. These sharp epigenetic differences present unique opportunities for the experimental dissection of molecular pathways that may be conserved in other organisms, including humans.