bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 10‐Year Survey of US Deans: Trends, Challenges, and Mentoring in Prosthodontics. Part 2
Authors: Chang Brian M. , Munoz Deborah M. , Donoff R. Bruce , Kinnunen Taru , Wright Robert F.
Published: September 2011

Purpose: Part 2 of this survey reports on the 2009 survey findings distributed to the deans of US dental schools. A national, electronic survey of 58 dental school deans was distributed by e‐mail to evaluate an interest in specialty training, an interest in specialty training in prosthodontics, faculty shortage issues, predoctoral curriculum in prosthodontics, ideology regarding dental specialties, and the administrative position of prosthodontics within the schools.

Materials and Methods: The survey data were transferred to an online spreadsheet program for statistical analysis (Key Survey, Inc. http://www.keysurvey.com, Braintree, MA). The opinions of dental school deans were viewed as legitimate indicators of change within predoctoral and postdoctoral prosthodontic education. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica Version 9.1 (Statsoft, Tulsa, OK).

Results: Of the 58 deans, 42 deans responded, for a 72.4% response rate. Twenty‐three deans reported an increase in the number of students seeking specialty training after dental school. Only three deans reported a decrease in those seeking specialty training. In the 2009 survey, 45% the deans responded that there was an increased interest in prosthodontics. One or more open faculty positions in prosthodontics existed at 24 (59%) of the dental schools, and 30 (71%) offered at least one incentive or a variety of incentives to recruit faculty. The 2009 respondents to the deans’ survey revealed predoctoral student exposure to prosthodontists was high, and exposure to advanced education in prosthodontics students was low. A survey of internal school programs that might have an impact on an increased interest in prosthodontics revealed the presence of a predoctoral mentoring program for prosthodontics in 36 (88%) of the institutions. The clinical curriculum included treatment of a variety of cases including complex cases as defined by a diagnostic classification system. The 2009 survey respondents reported an increase in the number of schools where prosthodontics is a separate entity or department.

Conclusion: Deans reported an increased interest in prosthodontics in the 2009 survey. Open faculty positions in prosthodontics existed in the majority of dental schools, and most schools offered incentives to recruit faculty. The survey of deans found a very high level of exposure of dental students to full‐time prosthodontists and a very low exposure level to students enrolled in advanced education in prosthodontics. The establishment of mentoring programs in prosthodontics was reported by most deans, and the predoctoral curriculum included treating complex cases. Most deans stated that dual‐specialty training in prosthodontics and periodontics would be beneficial. The 2009 survey reported an increase in the number of departments of prosthodontics in US schools.
Comprehensive analysis of RHD alleles in Argentineans with variant D phenotypes
Authors: Brajovich Melina E. Luján , Trucco Boggione Carolina , Biondi Claudia S. , Racca Amelia L. , Tarragó Marcel , Nogués Núria , Muñiz‐Díaz Eduardo , Cotorruelo Carlos M.
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: The serologic assignment of the RhD status may be hindered in patients with weak D expression. A comprehensive study of RHD alleles occurring in the mixed population of Argentina is necessary to evaluate the most suitable DNA typing strategy.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 18,379 patients from two stratified groups, Group 1 (G1; public hospital) and Group 2 (G2; private laboratory), were RhD phenotyped, and 88 samples with reduced D expression underwent molecular characterization.

RESULTS: The frequencies of D+, D–, and variant D phenotypes differed significantly (p < 0.001) between G1 and G2 (94.49% vs. 87.66%, 5.15% vs. 11.58%, and 0.36% vs. 0.75%, respectively). Eleven alleles were responsible for the weak D expression. Approximately 60% of the variant D phenotypes from G1 and G2 were weak D Types 1 through 4.0/4.2 and 25% were DVII. RHD alleles associated with African ancestry were encountered in G1. A new −282G>A mutation within the promoter region of DAU‐4 and DOL alleles was identified. Three weak D Type 1 samples on R0 haplotypes were found in G1.

CONCLUSIONS: The D phenotype distribution in G2 resembles that in Europeans while the frequencies in G1 account for the Amerindian and African genetic contribution. The genotyping strategy described here is suitable to study D variants in the overall population and could allow a better use of the few available D– units and a rational administration of anti‐D immunoprophylaxis. The results also show that weak D Type 1 alleles do not exclusively segregate with a Ce allele, as assumed until present.
Changes in coagulation factor activity and content of di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate in frozen plasma units during refrigerated storage for up to five days after thawing
Authors: Sheffield William P. , Bhakta Varsha , Mastronardi Cherie , Ramirez‐Arcos Sandra , Howe David , Jenkins Craig
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: Thawed plasma is typically transfused to supply coagulation factors but factor activity declines during refrigerated storage. Refrigerating thawed plasma for longer than 24 hours could reduce plasma wastage and make plasma more readily available for emergency transfusions. We measured coagulation factor activity and di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) concentration in frozen plasma (FP) thawed and stored at 1 to 6°C for up to 5 days.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: FP units prepared using “top‐and‐bottom” collection sets were thawed, refrigerated, and sampled aseptically at 0, 24, 72, and 120 hours after thawing (n = 54). Clotting factor activities and prothrombin times (PTs) were measured using an automated coagulation factor analyzer. DEHP was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography after hexane extraction (n = 11). Unit sterility was confirmed using an automated microbial detection system.

RESULTS: Factor (F)V and FVIII, but not FVII, declined significantly within 24 hours. By Day 5, mean losses were 20, 14, and 41%, in FV, FVII, and FVIII, respectively; fibrinogen activity did not change. PT values were prolonged by 9% on Day 5. Mean DEHP levels increased from 22 ppm at thaw to 66 ppm on Day 5.

CONCLUSIONS: The bulk of coagulation factor activity losses during storage occurred in the first 24 hours. Coagulation factor activities remaining in FP after 5 days did not differ from those previously reported in similar products frozen within 24 hours of phlebotomy. While DEHP levels in 5‐day‐thawed FP are not of concern for adult patients, for infants, DEHP levels can be minimized by using FP refrigerated for no more than 24 hours.
Allergic agonists in apheresis platelet products are associated with allergic transfusion reactions
Authors: Savage William J. , Savage Jessica H. , Tobian Aaron A.R. , Thoburn Chris , Hamilton Robert G. , Schroeder John T. , Ness Paul M.
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms that underlie allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs) are not well characterized, but likely involve recipient, donor, and product factors. To assess product factors associated with ATRs, we investigated candidate mediators in apheresis platelet (PLT) products associated with ATRs and controls.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Using bead‐based and standard enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, we tested supernatants from 20 consecutive apheresis PLT transfusions associated with ATRs and 30 control products for concentrations of mediators in three categories: acute inflammatory mediators, direct agonists of basophils and mast cells, and growth and/or priming factors of basophils and mast cells.

RESULTS: Median concentrations of the direct allergic agonists C5a, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and CCL5 (RANTES) were 16.6, 41.8, and 13.9% higher, respectively, in the supernatant of apheresis PLT products that were most strongly associated with ATRs (p < 0.05 for each mediator). Other direct agonists (macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α, monocyte chemotactic protein‐1, eotaxin‐1, interleukin‐8) were similar between groups. Concentrations of acute inflammatory mediators and basophil growth and/or priming factors were also similar between groups (p > 0.2 for all associations).

CONCLUSION: The allergic agonists C5a, BDNF, and CCL5 may be mediators of ATRs in apheresis PLT products. Acute inflammatory proteins and basophil and/or mast cell growth and priming factors do not appear to be associated with apheresis PLT products that cause ATRs.
Red blood cell transfusions and tissue oxygenation in anemic hematology outpatients
Authors: Yuruk Koray , Bartels Sebastiaan A. , Milstein Dan M.J. , Bezemer Rick , Biemond Bart J. , Ince Can
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: There is little clinical evidence that red blood cell (RBC) transfusions improve oxygen availability at the microcirculatory level. We tested the hypotheses that anemia in chronically anemic patients with relatively healthy microcirculation would be associated with low tissue hemoglobin (Hb) and tissue oxygenation levels and that these conditions would be improved after RBC transfusions.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to determine tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) and tissue Hb index (THI; an index of the amount of Hb in the NIRS measurement volume) in the thenar eminence and sublingual tissue before and 30 minutes after RBC transfusions in 20 chronically anemic hematology outpatients. Data are presented as median (25%‐75%).

RESULTS: The patients received three (two to three) bags of RBCs in saline‐adenine‐glucose‐mannitol with an age of 21 (7‐21) days, which was infused intravenously at the rate of 0.7 bag/hr. RBC transfusions significantly increased hematocrit level from 26% (24%‐28%) to 32% (30%‐34%; p < 0.0001), Hb level from 8.2 (7.6‐8.9) g/dL to 11.0 (9.9‐11.8) g/dL (p < 0.0001), whole blood viscosity from 3.4 (3.1‐3.5) mPa/sec to 4.2 (4.0‐4.5) mPa/sec (p < 0.0001), thenar StO2 from 81% (80%‐84%) to 86% (81%‐89%; p = 0.002), thenar THI from 11.2 (9.3‐13.3) AU to 13.7 (9.7‐15.3) AU (p = 0.024), sublingual StO2 from 86% (81%‐89%) to 91% (86%‐92%; p < 0.0001), and sublingual THI from 15.2 (13.0‐17.4) AU to 17.2 (13.5‐19.7) AU (p = 0.040).

CONCLUSION: Although anemia in chronically anemic hematology outpatients was not associated with low StO2 and THI levels, RBC transfusions were successful in improving these variables.
Cost‐effectiveness of additional blood screening tests in the Netherlands
Authors: Borkent‐Raven Barbara A. , Janssen Mart P. , van der Poel Cees L. , Bonsel Gouke J. , van Hout Ben A.
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: During the past decade, blood screening tests such as triplex nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) and human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type I or I (HTLV‐I/II) antibody testing were added to existing serologic testing for hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). In some low‐prevalence regions these additional tests yielded disputable benefits that can be valuated by cost‐effectiveness analyses (CEAs). CEAs are used to support decision making on implementation of medical technology. We present CEAs of selected additional screening tests that are not uniformly implemented in the EU.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Cost‐effectiveness was analyzed of: 1) HBV, HCV, and HIV triplex NAT in addition to serologic testing; 2) HTLV‐I/II antibody test for all donors, for first‐time donors only, and for pediatric recipients only; and 3) hepatitis A virus (HAV) for all donations. Disease progression of the studied viral infections was described in five Markov models.

RESULTS: In the Netherlands, the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of triplex NAT is €5.20 million per quality‐adjusted life‐year (QALY) for testing minipools of six donation samples and €4.65 million/QALY for individual donation testing. The ICER for anti‐HTLV‐I/II is €45.2 million/QALY if testing all donations, €2.23 million/QALY if testing new donors only, and €27.0 million/QALY if testing blood products for pediatric patients only. The ICER of HAV NAT is €18.6 million/QALY.

CONCLUSION: The resulting ICERs are very high, especially when compared to other health care interventions. Nevertheless, these screening tests are implemented in the Netherlands and elsewhere. Policy makers should reflect more explicit on the acceptability of costs and effects whenever additional blood screening tests are implemented.
Comparison of the in vitro storage properties of Amicus apheresis platelets collected using single‐ and double‐needle procedures from the same donors
Authors: Wagner Stephen J. , Seetharaman Shalini , Kurtz James
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: Amicus apheresis platelets (PLTs) can be collected using either a single‐ (SN) or a double‐needle (DN) procedure. To investigate whether the method of PLT collection using the same instrument influences PLT quality, the in vitro storage properties of Amicus PLTs were evaluated in the same donors collected by SN and DN procedures.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Single apheresis PLT collections with concurrent plasma were performed on donors using the Amicus with a target yield of 4 × 1011. A PLT unit was collected from a donor assigned to either a SN or a DN procedure; a subsequent donation from the same individual was collected by the other procedure (n = 10). Units were stored at 20 to 24°C with continuous agitation, assayed for 19 PLT storage variables, and analyzed by paired t test, with differences between values obtained with SN and DN collections considered significant with p values of less than 0.001.

RESULTS: PLT units collected by SN procedure had contents and concentrations similar to those collected by DN procedures (4.1 × 1011 ± 0.3 × 1011 vs. 4.0 × 1011 ± 0.3 × 1011 and 1396 × 109 ± 131 × 109 vs. 1367 × 109 ± 110 × 109 PLTs/L). On Day 7, SN and DN PLTs had comparable pH values (7.07 ± 0.09 vs. 6.99 ± 0.17), morphology (52.4 ± 18.7% vs. 56.0 ± 13.3% discoid), aggregation (87.1 ± 11.5% vs. 91.3 ± 5.4%), and activation (45.8 ± 11.9% vs. 48.2 ± 8.7% CD62P), as well as all other variables (p > 0.05; Day 7 CO2, p = 0.0304).

CONCLUSION: The in vitro storage properties of apheresis PLTs collected from the same donors using a SN and DN procedure with the Amicus instrument were maintained through 7 days of storage and yielded comparable results.
Microstructures and Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy of Nearly Stoichiometric ZrC Coating Layers for Advanced High‐temperature Gas‐Cooled Reactor Fuel
Authors: Aihara Jun , Maekawa Masaki , Ueta Shohei , Kawasuso Atsuo , Sawa Kazuhiro
Published: September 2011

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has started to study and develop zirconium carbide (ZrC)‐coated fuel particles for advanced high‐temperature gas‐cooled reactors. The ZrC‐coated particles have been fabricated at JAEA and then heat‐treated to investigate the effects of the fuel compact sintering process. Remarkable ZrC crystal grain growth occurred in one batch, but not in another, in spite of both having the same C/Zr ratio and ZrC density. TEM/STEM observation of the specimens before heat treatment clarified that considerably more free carbons or voids, which would be expected to hinder the grain growth of ZrC with heat treatment, were distributed in the ZrC layer in the batch in which the remarkable ZrC crystal grain growth did not occur than in the other batch. Differences between these batches, which could not be detected by estimating the C/Zr ratio or the ZrC density, could be detected with positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). This result indicates that there is a possibility that PAS can be applied for quality control for ZrC‐coated fuel particles in the future, as preparing specimens for PAS is much easier than for TEM/STEM observation. Moreover, PAS is much more suitable than microstructural observation for quantitative estimation. Characterization of defects detected with PAS would be the next step in this process for the investigation of the feasibility of the application of PAS to the quality control of ZrC‐coated fuel particles.
High‐Temperature Electrical Conductivity Measurements on Nanostructured Yttria‐Doped Ceria Thin Films in Ozone
Authors: Abazari Maryam , Tsuchiya Masaru , Ramanathan Shriram
Published: September 2011

We have investigated how ozone affects high‐temperature electrical properties of nanostructured yttria‐doped ceria (YDC) thin films using impedance spectroscopy. It is found that predominantly ionic conductivity in the doped‐ceria lattice is not altered upon exposure to ozone. The grain boundaries in YDC ultra‐thin films, in contrast, exhibited a substantial increase in resistance in ozone‐rich environment. While activation energy for lattice conduction in ozone was similar to air, being close to 1 eV, grain boundary activation energy increased notably from ~1.3 eV in air to 1.7 eV in ozone. Also, we have investigated kinetics of resistance change in such thin films in air and in ozone ambient using galvanostatic measurements and found that the rapid resistance change observed in ozone was reversible. Mechanisms leading to the observation and implications for ozone‐ceria film surface interactions are discussed.
Irregular Electrical Conduction Types in Tin Oxide Thin Films Induced by Nanoscale Phase Separation
Authors: Hwang Sooyeon , Kim Young Yi , Lee Ju Ho , Seo Dong Kyu , Lee Jeong Yong , Cho Hyung Koun
Published: September 2011

The development of p‐channel tin oxide thin‐film‐transistors spurred the research into microstructural analysis of tin oxide phases and control of conduction type, as it is widely known that tin oxide thin films exhibit both n‐ and p‐type conduction depending on growth conditions. This study reports the relationship between the microstructural properties and the ambiguity of the electrical conduction type observed in nonstoichiometric tin oxides. Nonstoichiometric tin oxide thin films have been produced by RF magnetron sputtering with a dependence on the growth gas atmosphere. The crystal phase of the tin oxide deposited under low ambient oxygen content was mainly SnO1+x with relatively stable p‐type conduction. On the other hand, for deposition under high ambient oxygen content, phase separation with structural modulation in the tin oxide film occurred in SnO‐like and SnO2‐like regions. These phases with different conduction types caused electrically unstable dual conduction types in the tin oxide films, despite their low electrical resistivity.
Novel Preparation of Translucent Alumina Ceramics Induced by Doping Additives via Chemical Precipitation Method
Authors: Liu Wei , Xie Zhipeng , Liu GuanWei , Yang Xianfeng
Published: September 2011

In this article, we have reported a novel approach to fabricate translucent alumina ceramics induced by doping additives via chemical precipitation. For this approach, alumina powder was first mixed with metal nitrates and dispersed by PEG‐2000 as dispersant, and then the pH value was tailored by introducing the NH3∙H2O into the suspension to favor the precipitation of Mg2+ and Y3+ onto the Al2O3 matrix. It is found that the dopants are smaller and more homogeneously dispersed via chemical precipitation in the translucent alumina sample as compared with conventional ball milling. Furthermore, it is believed that the approach of chemical precipitation followed by H2 sintering at high temperature within short sintering time could make a good balance between the real in‐line transmission and the cost.
Aqueous Co‐precipitated Ti0.5Sn0.5O2 Nanopowders as Precursors for Dense Spinodally Decomposed Ceramics
Authors: Hochepied Jean‐François , Berger Marie‐Hélène , Dynys Fred , Dessombz Arnaud , Sayir Ali
Published: September 2011

Spinodal decomposition in the TiO2–SnO2 system produces TiO2 rich/SnO2 rich nano‐wide lamellae. The high density of coherent interfaces is expected to reduce thermal conductivity of the ceramic without blocking electron transport. These semiconductors could therefore be candidates for environmental friendly oxide thermo‐electrics. However, dense materials are difficult to obtain by conventional sintering from a mixture of TiO2 and SnO2 powders due to evaporation of tin oxide. The article presents a novel route to produce, by aqueous co‐precipitation, Ti0.5Sn0.5O2 nanopowders as precursors for dense ceramics. The nanostructure developed by spinodal decomposition inside the grains of the as obtained dense Ti0.5Sn0.5O2 ceramic is shown to be comparable to that of porous Ti0.5Sn0.5O2 ceramic obtained by conventional method.
Characterizing Three‐Dimensional Textile Ceramic Composites Using Synchrotron X‐Ray Micro‐Computed‐Tomography
Authors: Bale Hrishikesh , Blacklock Matthew , Begley Matthew R. , Marshall David B. , Cox Brian N. , Ritchie Robert O.
Published: September 2011

Three‐dimensional (3‐D) images of two ceramic‐matrix textile composites were captured by X‐ray micron‐resolution computed tomography (μCT) on a synchrotron beamline. Compared to optical images of sections, CT data reveal comprehensive geometrical information about the fiber tows; information at smaller scales, on matrix voids, individual fibers, and fiber coatings, can also be extracted but image artifacts can compromise interpretation. A statistical analysis of the shape and positioning of the fiber tows in the 3‐D woven architecture is performed, based on a decomposition of the spatial variations of any geometrical characteristic of the tows into non‐stochastic periodic trends and non‐periodic stochastic deviations. The periodic trends are compiled by exploiting the nominal translational invariance of the textile, a process that maximizes the information content of the relatively small specimens that can be imaged at high resolution. The stochastic deviations (or geometrical defects in the textile) are summarized in terms of the standard deviation of any characteristic at a single point along the axis of a tow and correlations between the values of deviations at two different points on the same or different tows. The tow characteristics analyzed consist of the coordinates of the centroids of a tow, together with the area, aspect ratio, and orientation of its cross‐section. The tabulated statistics are sufficient to calibrate a probabilistic generator (detailed elsewhere) that can create virtual specimens of any size that are individually distinct but share the statistical characteristics of the small specimens analyzed by X‐ray μCT. The data analysis presented herein forms the first step in formulating a virtual test of textile composites, by providing the statistical information required for realistic description of the textile reinforcement.
New Low‐Loss Microwave Dielectric Material ZnTiNbTaO8
Authors: Liao Qingwei , Li Lingxia , Ren Xiang , Ding Xiang
Published: September 2011

A new low‐loss, low‐temperature sinterable microwave dielectric material ZnTiNbTaO8 was investigated for the first time. Single phase ZnTiNbTaO8 was obtained by the conventional solid‐state route and sintered at 1120°C–1200°C for 6 h. Theoretical density, packing fraction, bond valence, and oxygen octahedron distortion were calculated. The excellent microwave dielectric properties of ε = 36.3, Qf = 67 000 GHz, τf =−57.66 × 10−6/°C were obtained from the new ZnTiNbTaO8 materials sintered at 1140°C for 6 h.
Gliosarcoma Metastatic to the Leptomeninges and Dura
Authors: Mansouri Bobbak , Barboriak Daniel P. , Kilani Ramsey K.
Published: September 2011

We describe a rare case of a patient with left frontotemporal gliosarcoma, which metastasized through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the leptomeninges and pachymeninges. Pathologically confirmed, magnetic resonance imaging‐visible leptomeningeal spread of gliosarcoma via the CSF has not been previously reported.
Endovascular Cerebral Protection and Revascularization of Innominate Artery Stenosis Through Single‐Site Access, with Device Entrapment and Rescue: Technical Case Report
Authors: Gordhan Ajeet
Published: September 2011

We describe a novel technique for cerebral embolic device placement with inadvertent entrapment and subsequent rescue in the endovascular treatment of innominate artery stenosis. A 62‐year‐old female presented with symptomatic right‐sided subclavian steal syndrome. Single‐site access for revascularization of critical innominate artery stenosis with simultaneous cerebral embolic protection performed for this diagnosis has not been previously reported. Initial nontarget self‐expanding stent deployment within the right subclavian artery resulted in entrapment of the embolic protection device. The device was retrieved through snare fixation and resheathing within a 6‐French guide catheter navigated through common femoral artery access. Innominate artery balloon‐mounted stent angioplasty was performed preceded by the embolic device retrieval, with complete resolution of symptoms. Endovascular distal protection device placement for prevention of cerebral atherothromboembolism during innominate artery stent angioplasty is not without risk and utilization needs to be carefully considered.
Determination of Language Dominance: Wada Test and fMRI Compared Using a Novel Sentence Task
Authors: Gutbrod Klemens , Spring Dominik , Degonda Nadia , Heinemann Dörthe , Nirkko Arto , Hauf Martinus , Ozdoba Christoph , Schnider Armin , Schroth Gerhard , Wiest Roland
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study aimed to develop a new linguistic based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)‐sentence decision task that reliably detects hemispheric language dominance.

METHODS

FMRI was performed in 13 healthy right‐handed controls and 20 patients at 1.5 T prior to neurosurgery. The main components of language were assessed with different paradigms (rhyme, synonym, and sentence). In controls, activations were quantified by a volume of interest analysis. Four neuroimagers tested a visual rating score in the patients group. Interrater agreement and concordance between fMRI and Wada test were calculated.

RESULTS

In healthy controls, the frontal language area was activated by the sentence and synonym task in 100% and in 73% by the rhyme task. The temporal language area was activated in 100% by the sentence‐, in 64% by the synonym, and in 55% by the rhyme task.

In the patients group, interrater agreement was .90 for activations in the inferior frontal and .97 in the superior temporal gyrus. Correlation between the WADA test and fMRI was .86 for the sentence, and .89 for the synonym task.

CONCLUSIONS

The sentence task provides robust activations in putative essential language areas and can be used for visual analysis of predefined areas to facilitate interpretation of clinical fMRI.
Trichostatin A induces 5‐lipoxygenase promoter activity and mRNA expression via inhibition of histone deacetylase 2 and 3
Authors: Pufahl Laura , Katryniok Careen , Schnur Nicole , Sorg Bernd L. , Metzner Julia , Grez Manuel , Steinhilber Dieter
Published: September 2011

The 5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LO) is the key enzyme in the formation of leukotrienes. We have previously shown that the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) activates 5‐LO transcription via recruitment of Sp1, Sp3 and RNA polymerase II to the proximal promoter. To identify the HDACs involved in the regulation of 5‐LO promoter activity isoform‐specific HDAC inhibitors were applied. 5‐LO promoter activity and mRNA expression were up‐regulated by the class I HDAC inhibitors apicidin and MS‐275 but not by class II inhibitors. Knockdown of HDAC 1, 2 and 3 revealed that HDAC2 and HDAC3 but not HDAC1 is involved in the up‐regulation of 5‐LO mRNA expression. To analyse the chromatin modifications at the 5‐LO promoter associated with HDAC inhibition, the time course of 5‐LO mRNA induction by trichostatin A was investigated and the concomitant changes in histone modifications at the 5‐LO promoter in HL‐60, U937 and Mono Mac6 cells were determined. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that trichostatin A increases acetylation of histones H3 and H4 at the 5‐LO core promoter in HL‐60 and U937 cells whereas no significant changes were observed in Mono Mac6 cells. The appearance of H3 and H4 acetylation preceded the 5‐LO mRNA induction whereas in all three cell lines, induction of 5‐LO mRNA expression correlated with histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), a marker for transcriptional activity of gene promoters.
Lysophosphatidylcholine inhibits membrane‐associated SNARE complex disassembly
Authors: Shin Leah , Wang Sunxi , Lee Jin‐Sook , Flack Amanda , Mao Guangzhao , Jena Bhanu P.
Published: September 2011

In cells, N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptors called SNAREs are involved in membrane fusion. In neurons, for example, target membrane proteins SNAP‐25 and syntaxin called t‐SNAREs present at the pre‐synaptic membrane, and a synaptic vesicle‐associated membrane protein (VAMP) or v‐SNARE, is part of the conserved protein complex involved in neurotransmission. Cholesterol and LPC (L‐α‐lysophosphatidylcholine) are known to contribute to the negative and positive curvature respectively of membranes. In this study, using purified recombinant neuronal membrane‐associated SNAREs, we demonstrate for the first time that membrane‐curvature‐influencing lipids profoundly influence SNARE complex disassembly. Exposure of cholesterol‐associated t‐SNARE and v‐SNARE liposome mixtures to NSF–ATP results in dissociated vesicles. In contrast, exposure of LPC‐associated t‐SNARE and v‐SNARE liposome mixtures to NSF–ATP, results in inhibition of t‐/v‐SNARE disassembly and the consequent accumulation of clustered vesicles. Similarly, exposure of isolated rat brain slices and pancreas to cholesterol or LPC, also demonstrates LPC‐induced inhibition of SNARE complex disassembly. Earlier studies demonstrate a strong correlation between altered plasma LPC levels and cancer. The altered plasma LPC levels observed in various cancers may in part contribute to defects in SNARE assembly–disassembly and membrane fusion, consequently affecting protein maturation and secretion in cancer cells.
Basement membrane collagen type IV expression by human mesenchymal stem cells during adipogenic differentiation
Authors: Sillat Tarvo , Saat Riste , Pöllänen Raimo , Hukkanen Mika , Takagi Michiaki , Konttinen Yrjö T.
Published: September 2011

During adipogenic differentiation human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) produce collagen type IV. In immunofluorescence staining differentiating hMSCs started to express collagen type IV when Oil Red O‐positive fat droplets appeared intracellularly. Quantitative real time‐polymerase chain reaction confirmed progressive increase of collagen type IV α1 and α2 mRNA levels over time, 18.6‐ and 12.2‐fold by day 28, respectively, whereas the copy numbers of α3–α6 mRNAs remained rather stable and low. Type IV collagen was in confocal laser scanning microscopy seen around adipocytes, where also laminins and nidogen were found, suggesting pericellular deposition of all key components of the fully developed basement membrane. Immunofluorescence staining of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2, 72 kD type IV collagenase, gelatinase A) and MMP‐9 (92 kD type IV collagenase, gelatinase B) disclosed only faint staining of MSCs, but MMP‐9 was strongly induced during adipogenesis, whereas MSC supernatants disclosed in zymography pro‐MMP‐2 and faint pro‐MMP‐9 bands, which increased over time, with partial conversion of pro‐MMP‐2 to its active 62 kD form. Differentiation was associated with increasing membrane type 1‐MMP/MMP‐14 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐2 (TIMP‐2) staining, which may enable participation of type IV collagenases in basement membrane remodelling via ternary MT1‐MMP/TIMP‐2/MMP‐2 or −9 complexes, focalizing the fully active enzyme to the cell surface. MMP‐9, which increased more in immunofluorescence staining, was perhaps preferentially bound to cell surface and/or remodelling adipocyte basement membrane. These results suggest that upon MSC‐adipocyte differentiation collagen type IV synthesis and remodelling become necessary when intracellular accumulation of fat necessitates a dynamically supporting and instructive, partly denatured adipogenic pericellular type IV collagen scaffold.
The relation of psychological distress to salivary and serum cortisol levels in pregnant women shortly after the diagnosis of a structural fetal anomaly
Authors: KAASEN ANNE , HELBIG ANNE , MALT ULRIK F. , GODANG KRISTIN , BOLLERSLEV JENS , NÆS TORMOD , HAUGEN GUTTORM
Published: September 2011

Objective. To examine the association between psychological distress and levels of salivary cortisol (SalC) and the ratio of serum cortisol to cortisol‐binding globulin (SC/CBG) in pregnant women shortly after the diagnosis of a structural fetal anomaly. Design. A prospective, observational study. Setting. Tertiary referral center for fetal medicine. Population. Pregnant women with (study group, n=126) and without a fetal structural anomaly (comparison group, n=106) were included. Gestational age (GA) was >12weeks. Methods. Psychological distress was assessed by Impact of Event Scale (IES‐22), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐28) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Salivary cortisol was measured in the evening and SC/CBG in the morning. Main Outcome Measures. Levels of SalC (in nanomoles per liter) and SC/CBG. Results. Median (range) GA at assessment was 19 (12–38) and 19 (13–22)weeks in the study and the comparison group, respectively. The study group had significantly higher psychological distress levels (p≤0.001) than the comparison group in all outcome measures. Salivary cortisol correlated with GA in both groups (p<0.004). In subanalyses including only women with GA 18–22weeks, and excluding smokers or women with chronic diseases or medication which might interfere with cortisol levels, there were no relations of SalC or SC/CBG with the psychometric variables in the study group. Conclusions. Women with detected fetal malformation had high psychological distress scores. The lack of association between psychological distress and SalC or SC/CBG suggests a blunted response of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis following recent psychological stress activation in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Placing dental clinicians within the normative base regarding vicarious response
Authors: Curtin S. , Hammond S.
Published: September 2011

This paper describes the development and psychometric properties of the Curtin Vicarious Response Scales (CVRS), a research tool specifically developed to evaluate emotional reponsivity in clinical practice and in undergraduate training. The measure yields scores on three substantive scales, (I) Perspective Taking, the capacity to shift perspectives and to step outside of self when dealing with other people, (II) Empathy, the ability to understand another?s mental and emotional states and (III) Emotional Lability, affective sensitivity and changeability. The construct validity of the CVRS is unequivocal and concurrent validation demonstrates its expected place within personality space. The psychometric properties of the device demonstrate its viability as a research tool in the area of Empathy and Emotional Responsivity.
Students’ satisfaction with electrical handpieces in an educational setting
Authors: Teich S. T. , Faddoul F. F. , Al‐Rawi W.
Published: September 2011

Objective:  This article presents the evaluation and outcome of improvements carried out at Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine (CWRU) based on feedback provided by students during implementation of electrical handpieces technology in the school.

Methodology:  Students were surveyed in February 2010 (first survey) regarding their satisfaction with the existing clinical set‐up for electrical handpieces. Following a change in clinical setting and integration of the control box into the dental unit in November 2010, students were administered the same survey as in February 2010 (second survey).

Results:  There was an increased level of satisfaction with electric handpieces in the new clinical setting; these levels were significant regarding the ergonomics of the handpiece and clinical setting, operation of the handpiece, and technical maintenance. There was a significant shift from those who were categorically against using electrical handpieces after graduation towards those were ‘not sure’ regarding the adoption of electric technology in their practice.

Conclusions:  Specifically improving the clinical setting of a control box for electrical handpieces can influence overall student perception regarding the quality of handpieces and their operation.
Complex effects of scale on the relationships of landscape pattern versus avian species richness and community structure in a woodland savanna mosaic
Authors: Bar‐Massada Avi , Wood Eric M. , Pidgeon Anna M. , Radeloff Volker C.
Published: September 2011

Landscape pattern metrics are widely used for predicting habitat and species diversity. However, the relationship between landscape pattern and species diversity is typically measured at a single spatial scale, even though both landscape pattern, and species occurrence and community composition are scale‐dependent. While the effects of scale on landscape pattern are well documented, the effects of scale on the relationships between spatial pattern and species richness and composition are not well known. Here, our main goal was to quantify the effects of cartographic scale (spatial resolution and extent) on the relationships between spatial pattern and avian richness and community structure in a mosaic of grassland, woodland, and savanna in central Wisconsin. Our secondary goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed tool for spatial pattern analysis, multiscale contextual spatial pattern analysis (MCSPA), compared to existing landscape metrics. Landscape metrics and avian species richness had quadratic, exponential, or logarithmic relationships, and these patterns were generally consistent across two spatial resolutions and six spatial extents. However, the magnitude of the relationships was affected by both resolution and extent. At the finer resolution (10‐m), edge density was consistently the best predictor of species richness, followed by an MCSPA metric that measures the standard deviation of woody cover across extents. At the coarser resolution (30‐m), NDVI was the best predictor of species richness by far, regardless of spatial extent. Another MCSPA metric that denotes the average woody cover across extents, together with percent of woody cover, were always the best predictors of variation in avian community structure. Spatial resolution and extent had varying effects on the relationships between spatial pattern and avian community structure. We therefore conclude that cartographic scale not only affects measures of landscape pattern per se, but also the relationships among spatial pattern, species richness, and community structure, often in complex ways, which reduces the efficacy of landscape metrics for predicting the richness and diversity of organisms.
Cytoreductive treatment with clofarabine/ara‐C combined with reduced‐intensity conditioning and allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with high‐risk, relapsed, or refractory acute myeloid leukemia and advanced myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Buchholz Stefanie , Dammann Elke , Stadler Michael , Krauter Juergen , Beutel Gernot , Trummer Arne , Eder Matthias , Ganser Arnold
Published: September 2011

The combination of cytoreductive chemotherapy with reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) is a highly effective antileukemic therapy. Purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the antileukemic efficacy and toxicity of clofarabine‐based chemotherapy followed by RIC and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for high‐risk, relapsed, or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). From May 2007 until October 2009, a total of 27 patients underwent allogeneic SCT after treatment with clofarabine and ara‐C for 5 d and RIC (4 Gy TBI/cyclophosphamide/ATG). Prophylaxis of graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) consisted of cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil. Unmanipulated G‐CSF mobilized PBSC (n = 26) or bone marrow cells (n = 1) were transplanted from unrelated (n = 21) or matched related (n = 6) donors. Non‐hematological toxicities of this regimen mainly affected liver and skin and were all reversible. Seven patients relapsed within a median time of 5.7 months. The overall survival (OS) and relapse‐free survival rates were 56% and 52% at 2 yr, respectively. In this cohort of patients, cytoreduction with clofarabine/ara‐C (ClAraC) followed by RIC allogeneic SCT was well tolerated and showed good antileukemic efficacy even in patients with high‐risk AML or MDS, with engraftment and GvHD‐incidence comparable to other RIC regimens.
Antifungal management and resource use in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia after chemotherapy – retrospective analysis of changes over 3 yr in a German hospital
Authors: Böhme Angelika , Atta Johannes , Mousset Sabine , Ehlken Birgit , Shlaen Margarita , Bug Gesine , Serve Hubert , Hoelzer Dieter
Published: September 2011

Objectives: To describe changes in costs of managing hospitalised patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) after chemotherapy in Germany over 3 yr, with a special focus on prophylaxis and treatment patterns as well as resource use related to invasive fungal infections (IFI). Methods: The study was conducted as a retrospective, single‐centre chart review in patients with AML hospitalised for chemotherapy, neutropenia and infections after myelosuppressive chemotherapy from January 2004 to December 2006 in Germany. The following resource utilisation data were collected: inpatient stay, mechanical ventilation, parenteral feeding, diagnostics, systemic antifungal medication and cost‐intensive concomitant medication. Direct medical costs were calculated from hospital provider perspective. Results: A total of 471 episodes in 212 patients were included in the analysis. Occurrence of IFI decreased from 5.9% in 2004 to 1.9% in 2006. Mean (±standard deviation) hospital stay decreased from 28.7 ± 17.9 d in 2004 to 22.4 ± 11.8 d in 2006. From 2004 to 2006, the use of a single antifungal drug increased from 30.4% to 46.9%, whereas the use of multiple antifungal drugs decreased from 24.4% to 13.1%. The use of liposomal amphotericin B declined between 2004 and 2006 (21.4% vs. 3.8%) and caspofungin between 2005 and 2006 (19.3% vs. 8.1%). Total costs per episode declined from €19 051 ± 19 024 in 2004 to €13 531 ± 9260 in 2006; major reductions were observed in the use of antimycotics and blood products as well as length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Analysis of real‐life data from one single centre in Germany demonstrated a change in antifungal management of patients with AML between 2004/2005 and 2006, accompanied by a decline in total costs.
Synchronicity, periodicity and bimodality in inter‐annual tree seed production along an elevation gradient
Authors: Allen Robert B. , Mason Norman W. H. , Richardson Sarah J. , Platt Kevin H.
Published: September 2011

Distinctive inter‐annual patterns of tree seed production can include spatial synchronicity, periodicity, and high variability among individuals within a population. Synchronicity and high variability are now commonly used to define mast seeding, with ‘strict’ mast seeding further distinguished by annual seed production that is either often large or nil and thus bimodal. Here we test for synchronicity, periodicity, and bimodality using 43 years of annual total and viable seed counts, along four transect lines, sampling an elevation gradient (480–1340 m) in a monospecific New Zealand mountain beech Nothofagus solandri var. cliffortioides forest. We expect most support for periodicity and bimodality at relatively high elevation sites that are most resource limited and known to have the greatest variability in seed production. While there was weak evidence for differences in viable seed counts along the elevation gradient, this was not the case for total seed counts. A significant year‐effect on seed counts provided some evidence for synchronization, but the correlations of total or viable seed counts rapidly declined (from 0.96 to 0.58) with increasing elevation difference among transect lines. Although we detected a seven‐year periodicity in total and viable seed counts at each elevation, we also detected other period lengths at most elevations. We did not find evidence for our expectation of increased period length and bimodality in relatively unproductive high elevation mountain beech forests because they would take more time to recover from seeding events. As a consequence, if resource limitation is an important driver of mountain beech seed production its influence must be strongly regulated by other factors to determine the distinctive characteristics (periodicity and synchronicity but not bimodality) of inter‐annual variation in seed production.
Competition versus facilitation: conspecific effects on pollinator visitation and seed set in the iris Lapeirousia oreogena
Authors: Johnson Steven D. , Hollens Hilke , Kuhlmann Michael
Published: September 2011

Ecological interactions between conspecific plants can range from facilitative to competitive depending on the spacing and abundance of individuals. Competitive interactions are expected when plants flower en‐masse and availability of pollinators is limited. We tested this prediction using Lapeirousia oreogena, a mass‐flowering South African iris that is pollinated by a single species of long‐proboscid fly. Controlled hand‐pollination experiments showed that L. oreogena is self‐compatible, but reliant on pollinator visits for seed set. Seed production per flower showed a significant negative relationship with patch size (and the correlated measure of number of individuals per patch), but was not affected by flower density or distance to neighbouring patches. There was a tendency for fly abundance to increase with patch size, but the rate of visits to individual flowers by flies was not affected by patch size. Seed set of hand‐pollinated flowers did not differ for plants in and out of dense patches, indicating that the large differences in seed set among patches were likely to reflect pollinator visits, rather than the genetic or physiological capacity of plants to produce seeds. The reduced fecundity of L. oreogena in large patches with a greater numbers of flowers is consistent with the idea that plants with highly specialized pollination systems can experience intra‐specific competition for pollination.