bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are We Ready for Definitive Clinical Guidelines on Xylitol/Polyol Use?
Authors: Fontana M. , González-Cabezas C.
Published: August 2012

In the past decades, numerous studies have looked at the anticaries effects of polyols, particularly xylitol, and a great many studies have focused on xylitol’s antimicrobial properties. Researched vehicles have mostly included chewing gums, followed by lozenges/candies, toothpastes, and others ( e.g., syrup). Good evidence supports the claims that xylitol is non-cariogenic and has a dose-/frequency-dependent antimicrobial effect on dental plaque/mutans streptococci, and that polyol use is very safe. However, interpretation of caries data has been controversial, due in part to variability in study designs, formulations/dosages tested, and outcomes reported ( e.g., many caries studies have a “no gum” control, limiting the interpretation of the polyol’s benefit; few studies have compared different polyols side-by-side, or in adults). Even when the level/strength of high-quality anticaries evidence is still limited, most recent systematic reviews have consistently concluded that the habitual use of sucrose-free xylitol or polyol-combination chewing gum/ lozenges is an effective adjunct in coronal caries prevention. Consequently, many health organizations worldwide are supporting this recommendation for at-risk populations. However, most experts agree that well-designed, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials (RCTs) (focusing on efficacy, feasibility, adherence, dosage, vehicle, synergism with other preventive strategies, and cost) are still needed in target populations worldwide to reach definitive caries-preventive/therapeutic recommendations.
Light Therapy
Authors: Feuerstein O.
Published: August 2012

Conventional antibacterial treatment fails to eradicate biofilms associated with common infections of the oral cavity. Unlike chemical agents, which are less effective than anticipated, owing to diffusion limitations in biofilms, light is more effective on bacteria in biofilm than in suspension. Effectiveness depends also on the type and parameters of the light. We tested the phototoxic effects of non-coherent blue light (wavelengths, 400-500 nm) and CO2 laser (wavelength, 10.6 μm), which have different mechanisms of action on the oral bacterium Streptoccocus mutans, in biofilm and on tooth enamel. Exposure of S. mutans in biofilm to blue light had a delayed effect on bacterial viability throughout the biofilm and a sustained antibacterial effect on biofilm newly formed by previously irradiated bacteria. A synergistic antibacterial effect between blue light and H2O2 may enhance the phototoxic effect, which involves a photochemical mechanism mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. The effect of CO2 laser irradiation on the viability of S. mutans in biofilm on enamel samples appeared to be higher in the deep layers, due to heating of the enamel surface by the absorbed energy. Biofilms do not interfere with the chemical changes resulting from irradiation, which may increase the enamel’s resistance to acid attack.
Is Dental Erosion Really a Problem?
Authors: Schlueter N. , Jaeggi T. , Lussi A.
Published: August 2012

Dental erosion is the non-carious dental substance loss induced by direct impact of exogenous or endogenous acids. It results in a loss of dental hard tissue, which can be serious in some groups, such as those with eating disorders, in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and also in persons consuming high amounts of acidic drinks and foodstuffs. For these persons, erosion can impair their well-being, due to changes in appearance and/or loss of function of the teeth, e.g., the occurrence of hypersensitivity of teeth if the dentin is exposed. If erosion reaches an advanced stage, time- and money-consuming therapies may be necessary. The therapy, in turn, poses a challenge for the dentist, particularly if the defects are diagnosed at an advanced stage. While initial and moderate defects can mostly be treated non- or minimally invasively, severe defects often require complex therapeutic strategies, which often entail extensive loss of dental hard tissue due to preparatory measures. A major goal should therefore be to diagnose dental erosion at an early stage, to avoid functional and esthetic impairments as well as pain sensations and to ensure longevity of the dentition.
The Numerous Microbial Species in Oral Biofilms
Authors: ten Cate J. M. , Zaura E.
Published: August 2012

Hundreds of bacterial species inhabit the oral cavity. Many of these have never been cultivated and can be assessed only with DNA-based techniques. This new understanding has changed the paradigm of the etiology of oral disease from that associated with ‘traditional pathogens’ as being primarily responsible for all diseases. Increasingly, associations between oral bacteria and systemic diseases are being reported. The emergence of antibiotic resistance is alarming and calls for in-depth studies of biofilms, bacterial physiology, and a body-wide approach to infectious diseases. We propose that the borderline between commensal bacteria and pathogens is no longer discrete. In a field of science where so many of the established paradigms are being undermined, a thorough analysis of threats and opportunities is required. This article addresses some of the questions that can be raised and serves to identify research opportunities and needs to leverage the prevention of oral diseases through novel antimicrobial strategies.
Nanotechnology and Its Role in Caries Therapy
Authors: Hannig M. , Hannig C.
Published: August 2012

The purpose of this review is to highlight recent nanotechnological developments for remineralization of incipient caries lesions as well as biomimetic strategies for enamel synthesis based on the application of nanotechnology. Analysis of in vitro data indicates that apatite nanoparticles might be effective in reversing lesion progression in the outer but not in the deeper part of early caries lesions. To control caries-induced demineralization, investigators have developed calcium and phosphate or fluoride ion-releasing nanofillers, enabling resin composites to release ions, if the pH decreases under in vitro conditions. Extensive in vitro investigations of apatite crystallization have been performed to mimic the hierarchical topology of natural enamel. Strategies for formation of highly organized biomineralized structures include oriented aggregation of nanocrystallites or the assembly of apatite nanoparticles mediated by organic scaffolds. Despite all these promising in vitro experiments, the effectiveness of such strategies for the control of demineralization processes as well as for caries therapy still needs validation by clinical studies.
The Role of Remineralizing and Anticaries Agents in Caries Management
Authors: Featherstone J.D. , Doméjean S.
Published: August 2012

The first ICNARA conference (International Conference on Novel Anticaries and Remineralizing Agents) was held in Chile in January, 2008, and the proceedings were published in Advances in Dental Research (Volume 21, 2009). That issue of Advances summarized the state of the science and set a research agenda for the future for two key components of caries management, namely, antibacterial agents and remineralizing agents. The second conference (ICNARA 2, January 2012) provided an update on science and new directions for research and clinical practice. Over the past decade, renewed efforts have been made across the world to establish proven methods of caries risk assessment and to provide direction for improved methods of caries management based upon risk levels. Evidence-based caries risk assessment tools are now available. The need for improved therapy to reduce the bacterial challenge that initiates the caries process, and to enhance remineralization, is now very clear. Fluoride therapy alone is insufficient to control the caries process in high-risk individuals. New remineralizing and anticaries products and new delivery systems are in development, and ICNARA 2 presents future technology for the management of dental caries.
Delivery of Active Agents from Chewing Gum for Improved Remineralization
Authors: Dodds M.W.J. , Chidichimo D. , Haas M.S.
Published: August 2012

Most surrogate measures of caries were developed to test products containing fluoride, typically at relatively high and closely controlled oral concentrations. However, since the primary mechanism for the remineralization of early enamel caries lesions by chewing gum is through stimulation of saliva, delivering Ca and Pi to the demineralized enamel lesion, established methods may lack the sensitivity to detect the additional benefit of an active agent without the strong remineralizing potential of fluoride. Issues related to the release of active agents from the gum matrix, dilution in the saliva, and limited oral retention time, along with taste, safety, regulatory, and cost concerns, impose further limitations. This paper reviews the efficacy of some active agents used in chewing gum for improved remineralization and includes results from in situ testing of calcium-containing gums, including calcium lactate, tetracalcium phosphate/dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, calcium citrate/encapsulated phosphate, and a calcium lactate/sodium phosphate blend. Despite promising in vitro data from these agents, they did not provide consistently superior results from in situ testing. There is a need to develop better predictive in vitro models for chewing gum, as well as improved sensitivity of in situ models to discriminate relatively small amounts of remineralization against a background of high biological variability.
Multidisciplinary Research Agenda for Novel Antimicrobial Agents for Caries Prevention and Treatment
Authors: Maltz M. , Beighton D.
Published: August 2012

Antimicrobial methods to augment fluoride-mediated caries inhibition are necessary. Several methods are described here, but none was considered likely to be as effective as fluoride usage. None had been tested in effective models to demonstrate their ability to act either additively or synergistically with fluoride-containing toothpastes. Dental caries is a biofilm-mediated disease: The composition of the biofilm associated with caries initiation and progression is diverse. Caries-associated taxa – including mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and yeasts – may be useful surrogate markers for in vivo investigations. In vitro testing should progress from single-species planktonic cells to multi-species biofilms prior to essential testing in randomized control trials (RCTs). Modern high-throughput sequencing techniques need to be applied to the study of bacterial acquisition from birth and of the composition of the biofilm associated with the formation of white-spot lesions. The determination of the functions of the biofilm and the phenotype of the bacterial components may be determined by RNA-seq techniques, since they must be conserved between caries lesions and will include the ability to produce acids and survive and proliferate in acidic conditions. The application of such methods will significantly improve our understanding of the etiology and progression of dental caries.
Approaches to Caries Prevention and Therapy in the Elderly
Authors: Walls A.W.G. , Meurman J.H.
Published: August 2012

The population of the world is aging. A greater proportion of older people are retaining increasing numbers of natural teeth. Aging is associated with changes in oral architecture and muscle weakness, making personal oral hygiene more difficult, particularly for the oldest and most frail individuals. Furthermore, there is exposure of root dentin with its higher pH for demineralization in addition to enamel as a substrate for caries. Aging is also associated, for many in the developed world, with taking multiple medications, with the associated risk of dry mouth. These variables combine to increase caries risk in older vulnerable populations. Caries occurs on both the crowns of teeth (predominantly around existing restorations) and the exposed roots. Prevention needs to be aggressive to control disease in this combination of circumstances, with multiple strategies for limiting the damage associated with caries in this population. This paper explores the evidence that is available supporting preventive strategies, including fluorides in various forms, chlorhexidine, and calcium phosphate supplementation.
Calcium Phosphopeptides — Mechanisms of Action and Evidence for Clinical Efficacy
Authors: Cochrane N.J. , Reynolds E.C.
Published: August 2012

Phosphoproteins/phosphopeptides with clusters of acidic residues are found throughout nature, where they aid in the prevention of unwanted precipitation of solid calcium phosphates. The acidic residues, particularly phosphoserine, interact with calcium and stabilize clusters of calcium and phosphate. Saliva and milk are two examples of biological fluids that contain such phosphoprotein/phosphopeptide-stabilized calcium phosphates, and both share a similar evolutionary pathway. Saliva has been shown to have remineralization potential and is of critical importance in maintaining the mineral content of teeth in the oral environment. Milk can be enzymatically modified to release casein phosphopeptides that contain the clusters of residues that allow milk to stabilize high concentrations of calcium and phosphate. These casein phosphopeptide-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate nanocomplexes (CPP-ACP) can stabilize even higher concentrations of calcium and phosphate than milk and can be considered a salivary biomimetic, since they share many similarities to statherin. The mechanisms of action and the growing body of scientific evidence that supports the use of CPP-ACP to augment fluoride in inhibiting demineralization and enhancing the remineralization of white-spot lesions are reviewed.
The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Dental Erosion
Authors: Buzalaf M.A.R. , Kato M.T. , Hannas A.R.
Published: August 2012

This review discusses the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the development of dentin erosion and the protective effects of MMP inhibitors, based on recent evidence from in vitro and in situ studies. MMPs are present in both dentin and saliva and play an important role in dentin erosion progression. Enzymatic removal of the organic matrix by MMPs increases the demineralization process, since the demineralized organic matrix has been shown to hamper ionic diffusion after an acidic challenge. Recent evidence from in vitro and in situ studies has shown a protective role of MMP inhibitors against dentin erosion and erosion plus abrasion. The inhibitors tested were green tea and its active epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG), ferrous sulfate, and chlorhexidine. They have been tested in dentifrices, solutions, and gels. The latter led to a more pronounced protective effect against dentin erosion and erosion plus abrasion. The protection was long-lasting and could be observed after up to 10 days of severe erosive and erosive-plus-abrasive challenges in situ. Thus, the use of MMP inhibitors has emerged as an important preventive tool against dentin erosion. Clinical studies should be conducted to confirm the results obtained and to give support to the establishment of clinical protocols of use.
The Effects of Working at Gaining Employment Skills on the Social and Vocational Skills of Adolescents With Disabilities
Authors: Murray Christopher , Doren Bonnie
Published: August 2012

The current investigation was designed to evaluate the effects of the Working at Gaining Employment Skills (WAGES) curriculum on the social and occupational skills of adolescents with disabilities. Adolescents with disabilities were assigned to either an intervention or control condition. Youth in the intervention group were exposed to the WAGES curriculum for approximately 4.5 months, whereas students in the control group received “business-as-usual” within special education settings. Students and teachers completed brief measures pertaining to prevocational/occupational skills as well as measures pertaining to students’ social skills prior to and following the intervention. Results indicated that after controlling for pretest differences on outcome variables, students participating in the intervention had greater vocational outcome expectations, greater occupational skills, and greater social skills (i.e., empathy, cooperation, and assertiveness) than did students with disabilities in the control condition following the intervention. These findings provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the WAGES curriculum.
2011 Hans O. Mauksch Address
Authors: Zipp John F.
Published: August 2012

In this article, I ask for whom is our teaching developed? Although we typically think that it is developed for our students, there appears to be a considerable gap between how our curriculum, especially Introductory Sociology is organized, and what we know about current college students. Drawing on data on enrollment in sociology and overall in colleges and universities along with recent scholarly portraits of college students by Nathan (2005), Clydesdale (2007), and Arum and Roska (2011), I offer the following argument: (1) Our “students” are primarily those who take Introductory Sociology, and this class, indeed, is our public face for most nonacademics; (2) given where U.S. college students matriculate, all too often, Introductory Sociology is likely being taught by someone not as well connected as we might like to our main professional organization; (3) comprehensive textbooks dominate the Introductory Sociology market and contain more information that can reasonably be covered in one semester; (4) college students are “practical credentialists” who spend relatively little time outside of the classroom on their studies; and (5) whether or not we as sociologists agree on what needs to be covered in Introductory Sociology and other courses, we have derived these understandings among ourselves, paying little attention to what skills and knowledge our students want and/or need. If Introductory Sociology really is our public face, we clearly need to spend a considerable amount of time in making sure that this is how we want to be seen.
Assessing Personalized Medicines in Australia
Authors: Merlin Tracy , Farah Claude , Schubert Camille , Mitchell Andrew , Hiller Janet E. , Ryan Philip
Published: August 2012

Background. Since the mapping of the human genome in 2003, the development of biomarker targeted therapy and clinical adoption of “personalized medicine” has accelerated. Models for insurance subsidy of biomarker/test/drug packages (“codependent technologies” or technologies that work better together) are not well developed. Our aim was to create a framework to assess the safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of these technologies for a national coverage or reimbursement decision. Methods. We extracted information from assessments of recent Australian reimbursement applications that concerned genetic tests and treatments to identify items and evidence gaps considered important to the decision-making process. Relevant international regulatory and reimbursement guidance documents were also reviewed. Items addressing causality theory were included to help explain the relationship between biomarker and treatment. The framework was reviewed by policy makers and technical experts, prior to a public consultation process. Results. The framework consists of 5 components—context, clinical benefit, evidence translation, cost-effectiveness, and financial impact—and a checklist of 79 items. To determine whether the biomarker test, the drug, both, or neither should be subsidized, we considered it crucial to identify whether the biomarker is a treatment effect modifier or a prognostic factor. To aid in this determination, the framework explicitly allows the linkage of different types of evidence to examine whether targeting the biomarker varies the likely clinical benefit of the drug, and if so, to what extent. Conclusions. The first national framework to assess personalized medicine for coverage or reimbursement decisions has been developed and introduced and may be a suitable model for other health systems.
Single-Case Intervention Research Design Standards
Authors: Kratochwill Thomas R. , Hitchcock John H. , Horner Robert H. , Levin Joel R. , Odom Samuel L. , Rindskopf David M. , Shadish William R.
Published: August 2012

In an effort to responsibly incorporate evidence based on single-case designs (SCDs) into the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) evidence base, the WWC assembled a panel of individuals with expertise in quantitative methods and SCD methodology to draft SCD standards. In this article, the panel provides an overview of the SCD standards recommended by the panel (henceforth referred to as the Standards) and adopted in Version 1.0 of the WWC’s official pilot standards. The Standards are sequentially applied to research studies that incorporate SCDs. The design standards focus on the methodological soundness of SCDs, whereby reviewers assign the categories of Meets Standards, Meets Standards With Reservations, and Does Not Meet Standards to each study. Evidence criteria focus on the credibility of the reported evidence, whereby the outcome measures that meet the design standards (with or without reservations) are examined by reviewers trained in visual analysis and categorized as demonstrating Strong Evidence, Moderate Evidence, or No Evidence. An illustration of an actual research application of the Standards is provided. Issues that the panel did not address are presented as priorities for future consideration. Implications for research and the evidence-based practice movement in psychology and education are discussed. The WWC’s Version 1.0 SCD standards are currently being piloted in systematic reviews conducted by the WWC. This document reflects the initial standards recommended by the authors as well as the underlying rationale for those standards. It should be noted that the WWC may revise the Version 1.0 standards based on the results of the pilot; future versions of the WWC standards can be found at http://www.whatworks.ed.gov .
Connecting the Forgotten Half
Authors: Ling Thomson J. , O'Brien Karen M.
Published: August 2012

While previous research has examined the school-to-work transition of noncollege-bound youth, most have considered how a limited set of variables relate to job attainment at a single point in time. This exploratory study extended beyond the identification of constructs associated with obtaining a job to investigate how several factors, collected longitudinally in adolescence, related to employment stability and job quality with a diverse, nationally representative sample of non-college-bound youth. Logistic regression and structural equation modeling were used to determine the predictors of an adaptive school-to-work transition over time. Depression, substance use, adolescent educational attainment, and employment in adolescence were associated positively with obtaining employment. Adolescent educational attainment and employment in adolescence were associated positively with stability of employment. Depression, adolescent educational attainment, employment in adolescence, and income were positively associated with job quality. Substance use and parental education level were negatively associated with job quality.
Money Makes the World Go Round
Authors: Hustinx Lesley , Van den Bosch Dries , Delcour Chloë
Published: August 2012

In the current debate on social capital, a key issue relates to the growing popularity of more passive forms of involvement at the expense of active participation in voluntary associations. While some authors claim that this trend leads to a decline in social capital, others call for a reevaluation of the role of passive involvement. This article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between passive involvement and social capital. Using data from a representative survey of the Dutch-speaking population in Belgium, we assess the relationship between passive membership, financial support, and social capital. We find that financial support is a distinct form of participation that generates the strongest link with social capital. This indicates that voluntary associations, in addition to their socialization function, also perform an important representation function. This conclusion supports the institutional approach to social capital.
Determination of optimum cooling conditions for continuous casting by a meshless method
Authors: Khosravifard A , Hematiyan MR , Marin L
Published: August 2012

An inverse technique based methodology for the optimal control of the solidification front motion in the continuous casting of pure metals with temperature-dependent material properties is proposed. In this method, to achieve specific mechanical and metallurgical properties of the final product, a predefined motion of the solidification front is selected. A history of the heat flux on the fixed boundaries of the problem is then computed, which would result in an actual motion of the solidification front representing the best match for the desired one. A sensitivity analysis of the inverse problem is efficiently carried out by a truly meshless method. The proposed inverse technique is applied for the design of the continuous casting of pure metals with temperature-dependent thermo-physical properties. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated through some numerical examples.
Artificial neural network based modelling of performance of a beta-type Stirling engine
Authors: Özgören Yaşar Önder , Çetinkaya Selim , Sarıdemir Suat , Çiçek Adem , Kara Fuat
Published: August 2012

In this article, artificial neural network has been used in order to predict the power ( P) and torque ( T) values obtained from a beta-type Stirling engine that uses air as working fluid. Experimental data have been obtained for different charge pressures and hot source temperatures using ZrO2-coated and uncoated displacers. The closest artificial neural network results to experimental torque and power values were obtained with double hidden layer 5–13–9–1 and 5–13–7–1 network architectures, respectively. The best prediction values were obtained by Levenberg–Marquardt learning algorithm. Correlation coefficient ( R2) for the torque values were 0.998331 and 0.997231 for the training and test sets, respectively, while R2 value for power values were 0.998331 and 0.997231 for the training and test sets, respectively. R2 values show that the developed artificial neural network is an acceptable and powerful modelling technique in predicting the torque and power values of the beta-type Stirling engine.
Something in the Way She Sings
Authors: Weiss Michael W. , Trehub Sandra E. , Schellenberg E. Glenn
Published: August 2012

Across species, there is considerable evidence of preferential processing for biologically significant signals such as conspecific vocalizations and the calls of individual conspecifics. Surprisingly, music cognition in human listeners is typically studied with stimuli that are relatively low in biological significance, such as instrumental sounds. The present study explored the possibility that melodies might be remembered better when presented vocally rather than instrumentally. Adults listened to unfamiliar folk melodies, with some presented in familiar timbres (voice and piano) and others in less familiar timbres (banjo and marimba). They were subsequently tested on recognition of previously heard melodies intermixed with novel melodies. Melodies presented vocally were remembered better than those presented instrumentally even though they were liked less. Factors underlying the advantage for vocal melodies remain to be determined. In line with its biological significance, vocal music may evoke increased vigilance or arousal, which in turn may result in greater depth of processing and enhanced memory for musical details.
Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy in women with breast cancer
Authors: Danilak Melanie , Chambers Carole R
Published: August 2012

Purpose:

To determine how many breast cancer patients who initiated adjuvant endocrine therapy discontinued early and to evaluate adherence in patients who persisted with therapy. Secondary objectives were to explore possible trends to see if certain factors may correlate to early discontinuation of therapy.

Methods:

A retrospective review of charts and pharmacy dispensing records was conducted, including patients who initiated adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer at the Cross Cancer Institute from 1 January to 31 December, 2006.

Results:

Out of 346 patients, 81 (22%) discontinued therapy within 2 years. Adherence rates calculated for the 265 patients who remained on therapy beyond 2 years showed that 247 (93%) of these patients had 80% or better adherence. Patients who did not undergo chemotherapy and patients with Cross Cancer Institute follow-up times of less than 1 year were significantly more likely to discontinue therapy early.

Conclusions:

The majority of patients who were prescribed adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer at the Cross Cancer Institute remained on therapy for at least 2 years and were adherent. Longer follow-up by Cross Cancer Institute practitioners may help decrease discontinuation rates.
The disappearing of ‘smart economics’? The World Development Report 2012 on Gender Equality: Some concerns about the preparatory process and the prospects for paradigm change
Authors: Chant Sylvia
Published: August 2012

This article draws on personal involvement in the World Bank’s consultation with academic ‘stakeholders’ for the World Development Report 2012 (WDR 2012) on Gender Equality and Development. The article questions the extent to which ‘smart economics’, which was the zeitgeist of the Bank’s Gender Action Plan (GAP) 2007–2010, shows signs of being replaced by a more ‘gender-sensitive’ approach in which women’s rights (rather than responsibilities) are to the fore. While the main focus of the article centres on the preparatory process for WDR 2012, brief reference is also made to the evolution and spread of ‘smart economics’ thinking, the experience of World Bank consultation, and GAP’s successor – Applying GAP Lessons: A Three-Year Road Map for Gender Mainstreaming (2010–2013).
The domestication of early childhood education plans in Finland
Authors: Alasuutari Pertti , Alasuutari Maarit
Published: August 2012

The article analyses how the implementation of early childhood education plans in Finland is linked with international trends and what happens in the process through which such worldwide ideals are domesticated to the local conditions. Through a detailed analysis of different stages of the process, the article sheds light on the question of how, to what extent and at which levels the national path of change is converged with those in other countries. The results show that the early childhood education system has not fully met its declared objectives. However, it is emphasized that declared objectives of a reform must not be confused with the ‘original’, perhaps worldwide model, which is then contrasted with actual practices. Similarly, the actual form that the new practices assume must not be mistaken for the effect of a genuinely national tradition. Rather, the ideals and objectives stated in the documents related to the reform in question must be seen as part of the political process and of a global form of governance that the reformed policy represents. Not only the model being domesticated but the rationalities, counterarguments and forms of resistance which different parties invoke to defend their interests are often transnational.
Travelling ideas and domestic policy change: The transnational politics of reproductive rights/health in Argentina
Authors: Lopreite Debora
Published: August 2012

This article examines the transnational flow of social policy ideas, in particular their importance in advancing gender equality policies in countries with strong conservative gender norms that have a history of neglecting reproductive rights. Focusing on the case of Argentina, it illustrates how internationally sanctioned ideas contributed to these important policy changes helping in the adoption of a federal programme of contraception; yet abortion remains illegal. New policies have been adopted, but important elements of the old regime have been preserved. While the study demonstrates the importance of travelling policy ideas, it is also a reminder of the continued importance of national politics and policy legacies.
Combining Notch inhibition with current therapies for breast cancer treatment
Authors: Brennan Keith , Clarke Robert B.
Published: August 2012

Over recent years, there has been an increasing interest in targeting Notch signalling for the treatment of breast cancer. This has stemmed from the realization that many Notch pathway components display altered expression in breast cancer, and that Notch signalling impacts on many of the cellular properties associated with tumour initiation and progression. Consequently, Notch pathway inhibitors are now entering the initial stages of clinical trials. However, there is a definite need to consider how best to use these inhibitors and therefore which treatment strategies are likely to yield the most promising results. In particular, recent studies suggest that the greatest success will come from combining Notch pathway inhibitors with current breast cancer therapies.
A Devil On Each Shoulder
Authors: Nordgren Loran F. , Chou Eileen Y.
Published: August 2012

This article examines how cognitive capacity influences self-control. Two studies demonstrated a cognitive capacity by visceral state interaction. Study 1 found that cognitive load impaired self-control for satiated smokers but increased self-control for craved smokers. Study 2 replicated this effect in the context of dieting. Hungry dieters who were given the opportunity to deliberate selected more unhealthy snacks compared to hungry dieters who were forced to make an immediate choice. Study 2 also demonstrated the process driving this effect. The authors found that visceral states bias information processing in ways that promote impulsive behavior, thereby turning cognition into a vehicle for impulsive action.
What Dilemma? Moral Evaluation Shapes Factual Belief
Authors: Liu Brittany S. , Ditto Peter H.
Published: August 2012

Moral dilemmas—like the “trolley problem” or real-world examples like capital punishment—result from a conflict between consequentialist and deontological intuitions (i.e., whether ends justify means). The authors contend that people often resolve such moral conflict by aligning factual beliefs about consequences of acts with evaluations of the act’s inherent morality (i.e., morality independent of its consequences). In both artificial (Study 1) and real-world (Study 2) dilemmas, the more an act was deemed inherently immoral, the more it was seen as unlikely to produce beneficial consequences and likely to involve harmful costs. Coherence between moral evaluations and factual beliefs increased with greater moral conviction, self-proclaimed topical knowledge, and political conservatism (Study 2). Reading essays about the inherent morality or immorality of capital punishment (Study 3) changed beliefs about its costs and benefits, even though no information about consequences was supplied. Implications for moral reasoning and political conflict are discussed.
Racial Identity Denied
Authors: Johnson James D. , Kaiser Cheryl R.
Published: August 2012

This experiment examined the intersection of socioeconomic status and racial identification in understanding Blacks’ reactions toward Black victims of racial discrimination. When a Black victim of racism was presented as wealthy, rather than non-wealthy, other Blacks viewed this individual as weakly racially identified and expressed little empathy for the victim. This occurred even when this Black individual faced blatant and undeniable discrimination, suggesting that for minorities, the possession of wealth can come at the cost of being perceived as disconnected from one’s racial group and unworthy of the group’s support. The effect of the wealth manipulation on empathy was mediated by the belief that wealthy Blacks are weakly racially identified. The present investigation represents one of the first experimental investigations into the intersection of socioeconomic status and perceived racial identification among Blacks and also provides insight into intragroup dynamics within minority groups.
Phase 2 study of subcutaneous omacetaxine mepesuccinate after TKI failure in patients with chronic-phase CML with T315I mutation
Authors: Cortes Jorge , Lipton Jeff H. , Rea Delphine , Digumarti Raghunadharao , Chuah Charles , Nanda Nisha , Benichou Annie-Claude , Craig Adam R. , Michallet Mauricette , Nicolini Franck E. , Kantarjian Hagop
Published: August 2012

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients with the BCR-ABL T315I mutation do not benefit from therapy with currently approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Omacetaxine mepesuccinate is a protein synthesis inhibitor that has demonstrated activity in cells harboring the T315I mutation. This phase 2 trial assessed the efficacy of omacetaxine in CML patients with T315I and tyrosine kinase inhibitor failure. Patients received subcutaneous omacetaxine 1.25 mg/m2 twice daily, days 1-14, every 28 days until hematologic response or a maximum of 6 cycles, and then days 1-7 every 28 days as maintenance. Results for patients treated in chronic phase are reported here. Patients (n = 62) received a median of 7 (range, 1-41) cycles. Complete hematologic response was achieved in 48 patients (77%; 95% lower confidence limit, 65%); median response duration was 9.1 months. Fourteen patients (23%; 95% lower confidence limit, 13%) achieved major cytogenetic response, including complete cytogenetic response in 10 (16%). Median progression free-survival was 7.7 months. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity included thrombocytopenia (76%), neutropenia (44%), and anemia (39%) and was typically manageable by dose reduction. Nonhematologic adverse events were mostly grade 1/2 and included infection (42%), diarrhea (40%), and nausea (34%). Omacetaxine may provide a safe and effective treatment for CML patients with T315I mutation. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00375219.
Nontranscriptional activation of PI3K/Akt signaling mediates hypotensive effect following activation of estrogen receptor β in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of rats
Authors: Wu Kay LH , Chen Chen-Hsiu , Shih Cheng-Dean
Published: August 2012

Background

Estrogen acts on the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), where sympathetic premotor neurons are located, to elicit vasodepressor effects via an estrogen receptor (ER)β-dependent mechanism. We investigated in the present study nontranscriptional mechanism on cardiovascular effects following activation of ERβ in the RVLM, and delineated the involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathway in the effects.

Methods

In male Sprague–Dawley rats maintained under propofol anesthesia, changes in arterial pressure, heart rate and sympathetic neurogenic vasomotor tone were examined after microinjection bilaterally into RVLM of 17β-estradiol (E2β) or a selective ERα or ERβ agonist. Involvement of ER subtypes and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the induced cardiovascular effects were studied using pharmacological tools of antagonists or inhibitors, gene manipulation with antisense oligonucleotide (ASON) or adenovirus-mediated gene transfection.

Results

Similar to E2β (1 pmol), microinjection of ERβ agonist, diarylpropionitrile (DPN, 1, 2 or 5 pmol), into bilateral RVLM evoked dose-dependent hypotension and reduction in sympathetic neurogenic vasomotor tone. These vasodepressive effects of DPN (2 pmol) were inhibited by ERβ antagonist, R,R-tetrahydrochrysene (50 pmol), ASON against ERβ mRNA (250 pmol), PI3K inhibitor LY294002 (5 pmol), or Akt inhibitor (250 pmol), but not by ERα inhibitor, methyl-piperidino-pyrazole (1 nmol), or transcription inhibitor, actinomycin D (5 or 10 nmol). Gene transfer by microinjection into bilateral RVLM of adenovirus encoding phosphatase and tensin homologues deleted on chromosome 10 (5 × 108 pfu) reversed the vasodepressive effects of DPN.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that vasodepressive effects following activation of ERβ in RVLM are mediated by nongenomic activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This study provides new insight in the intracellular signaling cascades involved in central vasodepressive functions of estrogen.
Genome-wide DNA methylation analyses in the brain reveal four differentially methylated regions between humans and non-human primates
Authors: Wang Jinkai , Cao Xiangyu , Zhang Yanfeng , Su Bing
Published: August 2012

Background

The highly improved cognitive function is the most significant change in human evolutionary history. Recently, several large-scale studies reported the evolutionary roles of DNA methylation; however, the role of DNA methylation on brain evolution is largely unknown.

Results

To test if DNA methylation has contributed to the evolution of human brain, with the use of MeDIP-Chip and SEQUENOM MassARRAY, we conducted a genome-wide analysis to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the brain between humans and rhesus macaques. We first identified a total of 150 candidate DMRs by the MeDIP-Chip method, among which 4 DMRs were confirmed by the MassARRAY analysis. All 4 DMRs are within or close to the CpG islands, and a MIR3 repeat element was identified in one DMR, but no repeat sequence was observed in the other 3 DMRs. For the 4 DMR genes, their proteins tend to be conserved and two genes have neural related functions. Bisulfite sequencing and phylogenetic comparison among human, chimpanzee, rhesus macaque and rat suggested several regions of lineage specific DNA methylation, including a human specific hypomethylated region in the promoter of K6IRS2 gene.

Conclusions

Our study provides a new angle of studying human brain evolution and understanding the evolutionary role of DNA methylation in the central nervous system. The results suggest that the patterns of DNA methylation in the brain are in general similar between humans and non-human primates, and only a few DMRs were identified.
Identification of differentially expressed genes and pathways for intramuscular fat deposition in pectoralis major tissues of fast-and slow-growing chickens
Authors: Cui Huan-Xian , Liu Ran-Ran , Zhao Gui-Ping , Zheng Mai-Qing , Chen Ji-Lan , Wen Jie
Published: August 2012

Background

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is one of the important factors influencing meat quality, however, for chickens, the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying this trait have not yet been determined. In this study, a systematic identification of candidate genes and new pathways related to IMF deposition in chicken breast tissue has been made using gene expression profiles of two distinct breeds: Beijing-you (BJY), a slow-growing Chinese breed possessing high meat quality and Arbor Acres (AA), a commercial fast-growing broiler line.

Results

Agilent cDNA microarray analyses were conducted to determine gene expression profiles of breast muscle sampled at different developmental stages of BJY and AA chickens. Relative to d 1 when there is no detectable IMF, breast muscle at d 21, d 42, d 90 and d 120 (only for BJY) contained 1310 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BJY and 1080 DEGs in AA. Of these, 34–70 DEGs related to lipid metabolism or muscle development processes were examined further in each breed based on Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. The expression of several DEGs was correlated, positively or negatively, with the changing patterns of lipid content or breast weight across the ages sampled, indicating that those genes may play key roles in these developmental processes. In addition, based on KEGG pathway analysis of DEGs in both BJY and AA chickens, it was found that in addition to pathways affecting lipid metabolism (pathways for MAPK & PPAR signaling), cell junction-related pathways (tight junction, ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, regulation of actin cytoskeleton), which play a prominent role in maintaining the integrity of tissues, could contribute to the IMF deposition.

Conclusion

The results of this study identified potential candidate genes associated with chicken IMF deposition and imply that IMF deposition in chicken breast muscle is regulated and mediated not only by genes and pathways related to lipid metabolism and muscle development, but also by others involved in cell junctions. These findings establish the groundwork and provide new clues for deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying IMF deposition in poultry. Further studies at the translational and posttranslational level are now required to validate the genes and pathways identified here.
The polyphenol oxidase gene family in land plants: Lineage-specific duplication and expansion
Authors: Tran Lan T , Taylor John S , Constabel C Peter
Published: August 2012

Background

Plant polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) are enzymes that typically use molecular oxygen to oxidize ortho-diphenols to ortho-quinones. These commonly cause browning reactions following tissue damage, and may be important in plant defense. Some PPOs function as hydroxylases or in cross-linking reactions, but in most plants their physiological roles are not known. To better understand the importance of PPOs in the plant kingdom, we surveyed PPO gene families in 25 sequenced genomes from chlorophytes, bryophytes, lycophytes, and flowering plants. The PPO genes were then analyzed in silico for gene structure, phylogenetic relationships, and targeting signals.

Results

Many previously uncharacterized PPO genes were uncovered. The moss, Physcomitrella patens, contained 13 PPO genes and Selaginella moellendorffii (spike moss) and Glycine max (soybean) each had 11 genes. Populus trichocarpa (poplar) contained a highly diversified gene family with 11 PPO genes, but several flowering plants had only a single PPO gene. By contrast, no PPO- like sequences were identified in several chlorophyte (green algae) genomes or Arabidopsis (A. lyrata and A. thaliana). We found that many PPOs contained one or two introns often near the 3’ terminus. Furthermore, N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis using ChloroP and TargetP 1.1 predicted that several putative PPOs are synthesized via the secretory pathway, a unique finding as most PPOs are predicted to be chloroplast proteins. Phylogenetic reconstruction of these sequences revealed that large PPO gene repertoires in some species are mostly a consequence of independent bursts of gene duplication, while the lineage leading to Arabidopsis must have lost all PPO genes.

Conclusion

Our survey identified PPOs in gene families of varying sizes in all land plants except in the genus Arabidopsis. While we found variation in intron numbers and positions, overall PPO gene structure is congruent with the phylogenetic relationships based on primary sequence data. The dynamic nature of this gene family differentiates PPO from other oxidative enzymes, and is consistent with a protein important for a diversity of functions relating to environmental adaptation.