bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
White matter abnormalities differentiate severe from benign temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Labate Angelo , Cherubini Andrea , Tripepi Giovanni , Mumoli Laura , Ferlazzo Edoardo , Aguglia Umberto , Quattrone Aldo , Gambardella Antonio
Published: June 2015

Objective

Temporal and extratemporal white matter abnormalities have been identified frequently in patients with refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (rMTLE). However, the identification of potential water diffusion abnormalities in patients with drug‐responsive, benign MTLE (bMTLE) is still missing. The aim of this study was to identify markers of refractoriness in MTLE.

Methods

The study group included 48 patients with bMTLE (mean age 42.8 + 13.5 years), 38 with rMTLE (mean age 41.7 + 14.1 years) and 54 healthy volunteers. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed to measure mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in a regions‐of‐interest analysis comprising hippocampi and temporal lobe gray and white matter regions. The presence of hippocampal sclerosis (Hs) was assessed using automated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. For statistics we used chi‐square test; two‐tailed, two‐sample t‐test; and stratified linear regression.

Results

The significant demographic differences between the two patient groups were sex (p = 0.003), duration of epilepsy (p = 0.003) and complex febrile convulsions (p = 0.0001). In rMTLE, temporal white matter MD was higher and FA lower, as compared to bMTLE. The analysis of diagnostic accuracy (area under the receiver operator characteristic [ROC] curve [AUC]) showed that FA had an AUC for discriminating patients affected from those unaffected by refractory MTLE of 74.0% (p < 0.001), a value that was higher than that of temporal MD (64.0%), hippocampus volume (65.0%), and Hs (66.0%).

Significance

We performed DTI measurements in MTLE and found a significant reduction of FA along the white matter of the temporal lobes in rMTLE, suggesting it as a valuable measure of refractoriness in MTLE.
Animal models to evaluate anti‐atherosclerotic drugs
Authors: Priyadharsini Raman P.
Published: June 2015

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial condition characterized by endothelial injury, fatty streak deposition, and stiffening of the blood vessels. The pathogenesis is complex and mediated by adhesion molecules, inflammatory cells, and smooth muscle cells. Statins have been the major drugs in treating hypercholesterolemia for the past two decades despite little efficacy. There is an urgent need for new drugs that can replace statins or combined with statins. The preclinical studies evaluating atherosclerosis require an ideal animal model which resembles the disease condition, but there is no single animal model which mimics the disease. The animal models used are rabbits, rats, mice, hamsters, mini pigs, etc. Each animal model has its own advantages and disadvantages. The method of induction of atherosclerosis includes diet, chemical induction, mechanically induced injuries, and genetically manipulated animal models. This review mainly focuses on the various animal models, method of induction, the advantages, disadvantages, and the current perspectives with regard to preclinical studies on atherosclerosis.
Influence of shot peening parameters on high‐cycle fatigue strength of steel produced by powder metallurgy process
Authors: Akyıldız H. K. , Kulekci M. K. , Esme U.
Published: June 2015

In this study, the effect of shot peening parameters on fatigue strength of steel manufactured by powder metallurgy (PM) was investigated. Steel material obtained from Höganas ASC 100.29 in chemical composition of Fe–0.5% C–2% Cu was produced by using a single action press PM process. To determine the effect of shot peening parameters on fatigue performance, fatigue tests were performed on 20 unpeened and 80 shot‐peened samples, which were machined from sintered steel. Furthermore, shot‐peened samples were peened at different peening intensities, 100% and 200% saturation and full coverage conditions. Fatigue performance of steel, produced by PM process, was improved by surface peening process. For the studied PM steel, the best fatigue performance was obtained with the samples that were shot peened at 20 Almen intensity and 100% saturation. Fatigue strength and limit of the samples, however, were reduced after a certain cold work level. Higher intensity and saturation levels of peening process thus deteriorated the beneficial effect on fatigue strength and limit.
Bacterial degradability of white patches on primary feathers is associated with breeding date and parental effort in a migratory bird
Authors: Ruiz‐De‐Castañeda Rafael , Burtt Edward H. , González‐Braojos Sonia , Moreno Juan
Published: June 2015

We compared thein vitrobacterial degradability of the white patch and melanized area of primary feathers of breeding male and female Pied FlycatchersFicedula hypo‐leucaand related this variation to laying date, brood size and brood mass. Bacterial degradability of male and female white feather patches, but not of melanized areas, was positively correlated with laying date. Male Pied Flycatchers showed a positive correlation between bacterial degradability of the white patch, though not of the melanized patch, and brood size and brood mass. Feather degradability appears to be negatively related to individual quality and positively related to reproductive effort.
Sensory factors affecting female consumers' acceptability of nail polish
Authors: Sun C. , Koppel K. , Adhikari K.
Published: June 2015

Synopsis

Objective

The objectives of this study were to determine what sensory factors impact consumers' acceptability of nail polishes, to explore how these sensory factors impact consumers' acceptability of nail polishes, to investigate whether there are any consumer segments according to their overall acceptability on different nail polishes and to scrutinize how the consumer segments are related to the sensory factors.

Methods

Ninety‐eight females participated in a nail polish consumer study at Kansas State University. Eight commercial products belonging to four categories – regular (REG), gel (GEL), flake (FLK) and water‐based (WAT) – were evaluated. Each nail polish sample was evaluated twice by each participant in two different tasks – a task devoted to applying and evaluating the product and a task devoted to observing the appearance and evaluating the product. Pearson's correlation analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), external preference mapping, cluster analysis and internal preference mapping were applied for data analysis.

Results

Participants' scores of overall liking of the nail polishes were similar in the application task and in the observation task. In general, participants liked the REG and GEL product samples more than the FLK and WAT samples. Among all the sensory attributes, appearance attributes were the major factors that affected participants' overall liking. Aroma seemed to be a minor factor to participants' overall liking. Some sensory attributes, such as runny, shininess, opacity, spreadability, smoothness, coverage and wet appearance, were found to drive participants' overall acceptability positively, whereas others such as pinhole, fatty‐edges, blister, brushlines, pearl‐like, flake‐protrusion, glittery and initial‐drag impacted participants' overall acceptability negatively. Four clusters of participants were identified according to their overall liking scores from both the application task and the observation task.

Conclusions

Participants' acceptability, based on different sensory attributes, could help a nail polish manufacturer modify or improve their nail polish formulas. Nail polish manufacturers could use the consumer cluster information to improve their marketing strategies for specific categories of their products and to target their advertising on particular consumer groups.
The effect of piezoelectric ultrasonic instrumentation on titanium discs: a microscopy and trace elemental analysis in vitro study
Authors: Tawse‐Smith A , Atieh MA , Tompkins G , Duncan WJ , Reid MR , Stirling CH
Published: June 2015

Aim

To evaluate in vitro topographical and composition changes by piezoelectric ultrasonic instrumentation with metallic and plastic tips on machined and moderately roughened titanium surfaces.

Methods

Twenty machined and moderately roughened laser‐marked titanium discs were ultrasonically instrumented with metallic and plastic tips. Surface instrumentation was carried out with controlled pressure for 20 and 30 seconds at two power settings. For each time and power setting, instrumentation was repeated four times with one instrumentation per disc quadrant. Surface topography analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Surface roughness measurements were compared between instrumented and non‐instrumented surfaces. Surface element composition and rinsing solutions were evaluated using energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and trace elemental analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), respectively.

Results

SEM photomicrographs and CLSM 3D surface plot images of instrumented machined and moderately roughened surfaces demonstrated severe surface topographical alterations with metallic tips and mild to moderate changes for plastic tip instrumented sites. ICPMS analysis of the rinsing solutions identified titanium and other metal traces with the use of metallic tips, and mainly titanium and carbon when plastic tips were used. Surface EDS analysis showed elemental traces of the ultrasonic tips.

Conclusion

Ultrasonic instrumentation with metallic or plastic tips created surface topographical and compositional changes. Different changes in surface topography were noted between the surfaces, as the roughness of the machined surfaces increased while the extent of roughness of the moderately roughened surfaces decreased. The clinical relevance of these changes is yet to be determined.
One‐session root canal treatment with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT): an in vivo study
Authors: Borsatto M. C. , Correa‐Afonso A. M. , Lucisano M. P. , Bezerra da Silva R. A. , Paula‐Silva F. W. G. , Nelson‐Filho P. , Bezerra da Silva L. A.
Published: June 2015

Aim

To evaluate the response of the apical and periapical tissues of dog teeth with apical periodontitis after one‐session root canal treatment with and without antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) compared with the use of an intracanal dressing.

Methodology

Sixty root canals with an induced periapical lesion were instrumented and assigned to three groups: I, two‐session root canal treatment using antibacterial dressing with calcium hydroxide‐based paste; II, one‐session root canal treatment using aPDT; and III, one‐session root canal treatment in which the root canals were filled immediately after biomechanical preparation. The animals were euthanized after a 90‐day experimental period. The maxillas and mandibles with teeth were submitted to histotechnical processing and haematoxylin–eosin staining. Descriptive microscopic analysis of the apical and periapical region characteristics was performed, as well as morphometric assessment of the periapical lesion areas in fluorescence microscopy. Quantitative data were analysed statistically by the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn's post‐test (α = 0.05).

Results

Group I was characterized by progressive repair, with the presence of fibres, cells and blood vessels. Group II had periodontal ligaments with the presence of collagen fibres and residual inflammatory cells. Group III had a dense inflammatory infiltrate with extensive oedematous areas and fibrillar dissociation, suggesting a persistent inflammatory and resorptive condition. Regarding periapical lesion size, group I had significantly smaller lesions (P < 0.05) than groups II and III, which did not differ significantly from each other.

Conclusion

Two‐session root canal treatment using a calcium hydroxide‐based dressing was associated with significantly smaller periapical lesions at 90 days and characterized by progressive repair.
Varicocele is associated with varicose veins: A population‐based case–control study
Authors: Lai Yu‐Wei , Hsueh Thomas Y , Hu Hsiao‐Yun , Chiu Yi‐Chun , Chen Saint Shiou‐Sheng , Chiu Allen W
Published: June 2015

Objective

To analyze the association between patients with varicocele and varicose veins in Taiwan.

Methods

Between 2001 and 2010, comprehensive data were analyzed on the characteristics of patients with varicocele and varicose veins in Taiwan through a retrospective, nationwide, population‐based study. Data were obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 2727 cases with varicose veins and 10 908 randomly selected controls were included in this study. Conditional logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between varicose veins and varicocele.

Results

The prevalence of varicocele was 1.3% and 0.3% for cases (with varicose veins) and controls (without varicose vein), respectively (P < 0.001). Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio of being previously diagnosed with varicose veins for cases was 4.71 (95% confidence interval 2.87–7.89) when compared with controls after adjusting for age, diabetes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver and kidney disease, and edema. Furthermore, the odds ratio was 5.96 (95% confidence interval 2.90–12.24), 4.76 (95% confidence interval 1.68–13.48) and 1.69 (95% confidence interval 0.30–9.55) in patients aged <50 years, 51–65 years and >65 years, respectively. In addition, the prevalence of male infertility was 15.1% for patients with varicocele and varicose veins, and 14.5% for patients with varicocele only, but no significant difference was observed.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest an association between both varicocele and varicose veins. In addition, this association is higher in patients aged younger than 50 years. Evaluation of male patients with varicose veins for varicocele should be recommended.
Abundance and specificity of influenza reactive circulating memory follicular helper and non‐follicular helper CD4 T cells in healthy adults
Authors: Leddon Scott A. , Richards Katherine A. , Treanor John J. , Sant Andrea J.
Published: June 2015

CD4 T‐cell responses are functionally complex and regulate many aspects of innate and adaptive immunity. Follicular helper (Tfh) cells are CD4 T cells specialized to support B‐cell production of isotype‐switched, high‐affinity antibody. So far, studies of Tfh cells in humans have focused on their differentiation requirements, with little research devoted to their antigen specificity. Here, after separating circulating human memory CD4 T cells based on expression of CXCR5, a signature marker of Tfh, we have quantified and assayed the influenza protein antigen specificity of blood Tfh cells and CD4 T cells lacking this marker. Through the use of peptide pools derived from nucleoprotein (NP) or haemagglutinin (HA) and a panel of human donors, we have discovered that circulating Tfh cells preferentially recognize peptide epitopes from HA while cells lacking CXCR5 are enriched for specificity toward NP. These studies suggest that reactive CD4 T cells specific for distinct viral antigens may have generalized differences in their functional potential due to their previous stimulation history.
NKp30 isoforms in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Mantovani Stefania , Mele Dalila , Oliviero Barbara , Barbarini Giorgio , Varchetta Stefania , Mondelli Mario U.
Published: June 2015

Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in virus infection, their action being regulated by several activating and inhibitory receptors. The NKp30 activating receptor and its isoforms have recently emerged as important determinants of efficient NK cell responses. We determined the relative proportions of NKp30 isoforms in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and healthy donors (HD). NK cell function (degranulation and cytokine production) and correlations with clinical parameters were assessed following unsupervised hierarchical clustering of patients according to isoform expression. NKp30 receptor expression on NK cells and all isoforms were reduced in HCV‐infected patients. Patients were clustered into two groups: the HCV‐1 group had similar isoform expression to the HD group, whereas the HCV‐2 group had lower expression. The latter showed a better functional activity, and a higher proportion of the activating a isoform and of the NKp30 isoform a/c ratio compared with the HCV‐1 cluster. There was a positive correlation between the activating a isoform and liver stiffness and an inverse relationship between the immunosuppressive c isoform and the fibrosis 4 score, suggesting a potentially important role of NKp30 isoforms in influencing liver damage and ensuing fibrosis.
Profiling leucocyte subsets in tuberculosis–diabetes co‐morbidity
Authors: Kumar Nathella Pavan , Moideen Kadar , Dhakshinraj Sharmila D. , Banurekha Vaithilingam V. , Nair Dina , Dolla Chandrakumar , Kumaran Paul , Babu Subash
Published: June 2015

The immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis–type 2 diabetes mellitus (PTB‐DM) co‐morbidity. However, the phenotypic profile of leucocyte subsets at homeostasis in individuals with active or latent tuberculosis (LTB) with coincident diabetes is not known. To characterize the influence of diabetes on leucocyte phenotypes in PTB or LTB, we examined the frequency (Fo) of leucocyte subsets in individuals with TB with (PTB‐DM) or without (PTB) diabetes; individuals with latent TB with (LTB‐DM) or without (LTB) diabetes and non‐TB‐infected individuals with (NTB‐DM) or without (NTB) diabetes. Coincident DM is characterized by significantly lower Fo of effector memory CD4+ T cells in LTB individuals. In contrast, DM is characterized by significantly lower Fo of effector memory CD8+ T cells and significantly higher Fo of central memory CD8+ T cells in PTB individuals. Coincident DM resulted in significantly higher Fo of classical memory B cells in PTB and significantly higher Fo of activated memory and atypical B cells in LTB individuals. Coincident DM resulted in significantly lower Fo of classical and intermediate monocytes in PTB, LTB and NTB individuals. Finally, DM resulted in significantly lower Fo of myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in PTB, LTB and NTB individuals. Our data reveal that coincident diabetes alters the cellular subset distribution of T cells, B cells, dendritic cells and monocytes in both individuals with active TB and those with latent TB, thus potentially impacting the pathogenesis of this co‐morbid condition.
User behaviours after critical mobile application incidents: the relationship with situational context
Authors: Salo Markus , Frank Lauri
Published: June 2015

Users occasionally have critical incidents with information systems (IS). A critical IS incident is an IS product or service experience that a user considers to be unusually positive or negative. Critical IS incidents are highly influential in terms of users' overall perceptions and customer relationships; thus, they are crucial for IS product and service providers. Therefore, it is important to study user behaviours after such incidents. Within IS, the relationships between the situational context and user behaviours after critical incidents have not been addressed at all. Prior studies on general mobile use as a related research area have recognized the influence of the situational context, but they have not covered the relationships between specific situational characteristics and different types of user behaviours. To address this gap, we examine 605 critical mobile incidents that were collected from actual mobile application users. Based on our results, we extend current theoretical knowledge by uncovering and explaining the relationships between specific situational characteristics (interaction state, place, sociality and application type) and user behaviours (use continuance, word‐of‐mouth and complaints). We have found, for example, that users are less likely to engage in negative behaviours after negative incidents that take place outdoors or in vehicles than after indoor incidents. This is because users often consider indoor environments to be familiar and treat them with established expectations and low uncertainty: users are accustomed to the notion that the applications function indoors just like before. Further, we present practical implications for mobile application providers by suggesting to them which positive critical incidents are the most beneficial to promote and which negative critical incidents are the most crucial to avoid.
Role of Fuel on Cation Disorder in Magnesium Aluminate (MgAl2O4) Spinel Prepared by Combustion Synthesis
Authors: Dwibedi Debasmita , Avdeev Maxim , Barpanda Prabeer
Published: June 2015

Magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl2O4) forms an interesting system having tetrahedral and octahedral voids filled with near similar sized divalent Mg2+ and trivalent Al3+ cations. Structural disorder (e.g., Mg–Al antisite defects) can be tuned by synthetic conditions. This study reports the evolution of Mg/Al disorder in MgAl2O4 prepared by combustion synthesis using different types of fuels. The effect of nature of fuel and the final calcination temperature (600°C–900°C for 9 h) on degree of cation ordering has been investigated combining powder X‐ray (XRD) and neutron (NPD) diffraction. The results indicate very high degree of inversion in the samples crystallized at low annealing temperature, which on further annealing reduces toward the thermodynamically stable values. Raman spectroscopy, probing MgO4, and AlO4 tetrahedral bonds, confirmed the results at a local level.
Understanding Art: Preparing Generalist School Teachers to Teach Art with Artworks
Authors: Pavlou Victoria
Published: June 2015

This article focuses on ways of building preservice primary teachers' confidence in teaching art with artworks and, in particular, on how to develop their pedagogical content knowing. It is suggested that through opportunities offered for engaging in observational and reflective practices with artworks an initial groundwork is set that can challenge pre‐service teachers' preconceptions about art and promote an aesthetic form of inquiry. A qualitative approach was followed which included in‐depth interviews with twenty pre‐service teachers regarding their attitudes and knowledge towards artworks. The findings indicate that enhancing teachers' abilities to practice factual inquiries and then move on to interpretive inquiries of artworks can help them learn how to learn about artworks and how to organise meaningful art viewing activities with children. Issues relating to the participants' level of aesthetic understanding are also discussed as participants were asked to engage with artworks and their aesthetic encounters were documented.
The Timeliness of Restatement Disclosures and Financial Reporting Credibility
Authors: Hirschey Mark , Smith Kevin R. , Wilson Wendy M.
Published: June 2015

This study investigates whether prompt discovery and disclosure of earnings restatements is associated with greater post‐restatement financial reporting credibility. We measure the timeliness of restatement detection by the length of time between the end of the misstated period and the subsequent restatement announcement. We document that shorter detection periods are significantly associated with high‐quality corporate governance characteristics and executive and/or auditor turnover, but not with characteristics of restatements. We also find that firms with shorter detection periods exhibit a more moderate decline in the information content of earnings following restatement announcements relative to firms with longer detection periods, and that detection period length has an incremental effect on the information content of earnings relative to executive and/or auditor turnover alone. In addition, we find that restatement disclosures are more timely following the implementation of the SOX‐era reforms, and that only firms with shorter detection periods experience more moderate post‐restatement declines in the information content of earnings following the implementation of the SOX‐era reforms. The results from this study suggest that the timeliness of restatement detection and disclosure is associated with greater financial reporting credibility following restatements.
Land connectivity changes and global cooling shaped the colonization history and diversification of New World quail (Aves: Galliformes: Odontophoridae)
Authors: Hosner Peter A. , Braun Edward L. , Kimball Rebecca T.
Published: June 2015

Aim

Range disjunctions are frequent in birds, but the relative roles of vicariance and long‐distance dispersal in producing them are debated. Odontophorid quail are widespread in tropical and temperate habitats in the Americas, yet recent phylogenetic studies support the view that they are sister to sub‐Saharan African Ptilopachus rather than the widespread Phasianidae as formerly believed. To understand how this 10,000 km range disjunction arose in relatively non‐vagile birds, we reconstructed colonization history and diversification of odontophorids with respect to hypothesized dry‐land connections between continents (North Atlantic, Beringian, Panamanian) that would have facilitated faunal exchange.

Location

Africa, Nearctic and Neotropics.

Methods

We inferred a fossil‐calibrated odontophorid phylogeny from DNA sequences (three mitochondrial genes and eight nuclear introns) and modelled ancestral ranges with six probabilistic biogeographical models. We used the Akaike information criterion (AIC) to select the best‐fit biogeographical model.

Results

Ptilopachus and New World quail shared an Old World ancestor c. 32 Ma. During this period, Beringia connected the Nearctic and Palaearctic, and global temperatures were high, such that presence of temperate organisms at high latitudes and direct dispersal across land connections were feasible. The extant New World quail began diversifying in Central America c. 18 Ma; timing estimates and ancestral range reconstructions support the hypothesis that New World quail colonized and diversified in South America following closure of the Isthmus of Panama.

Main conclusions

The Africa/New World range disjunction between New World quail and Ptilopachus is the result of changes in Earth and climate history, combined with range expansion and diversification in the New World, and range contraction in the Old World. We find no evidence for overwater dispersal in New World quail.
Functions of Shp2 in cancer
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Fei , Niu Ruifang
Published: June 2015

Diagnostics and therapies have shown evident advances. Tumour surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the main techniques in treat cancers. Targeted therapy and drug resistance are the main focus in cancer research, but many molecular intracellular mechanisms remain unknown. Src homology region 2‐containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (Shp2) is associated with breast cancer, leukaemia, lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, laryngeal cancer, oral cancer and other cancer types. Signalling pathways involving Shp2 have also been discovered. Shp2 is related to many diseases. Mutations in the ptpn11 gene cause Noonan syndrome, LEOPARD syndrome and childhood leukaemia. Shp2 is also involved in several cancer‐related processes, including cancer cell invasion and metastasis, apoptosis, DNA damage, cell proliferation, cell cycle and drug resistance. Based on the structure and function of Shp2, scientists have investigated specific mechanisms involved in cancer. Shp2 may be a potential therapeutic target because this phosphatase is implicated in many aspects. Furthermore, Shp2 inhibitors have been used in experiments to develop treatment strategies. However, conflicting results related to Shp2 functions have been presented in the literature, and such results should be resolved in future studies.
Role of augmented transferrin during the retraining for undeveloped left ventricle
Authors: Wei Wei , Wu Yihe , Ying Yongquan , Li Shoujun , Hu Shengshou , Zhang Hao
Published: June 2015

Transposition of great arteries (TGA) is a common congenital heart disease. Left ventricle (LV) is rapidly regressing and pulmonary artery banding (PAB) is utilized to retrain the undeveloped LV. Hence, it offered a unique human disease model to investigate the process of LV hypertrophy under pressure overload. Eight late referred children with TGA were enrolled. The plasma was collected at the 30 min. before and 48 hrs after PAB, and 25 proteins were identified as having significant change in proteomic analysis. Transferrin (TF) and ceruloplasmin were then confirmed. After 48 hrs incubation with TF, the size of human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes increased by two times as large as control. Meanwhile, protein synthesis and the expression of natriuretic peptide precursor A and B were significantly enhanced. TF treatment also activated both extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 and activated protein kinase singling pathways. Our data provided a link to molecular components and pathways that might be involved in LV retraining. TF severed as the carrier to delivery irons, and could directly stimulate cardiomyocytes hypertrophy. TF administration may hold therapeutic potential for the biological LV retraining.
Assessment of unanticipated unintended effects of genetically modified plants on non‐target organisms: a controversy worthy of pursuit?
Authors: Devos Y. , Álvarez‐Alfageme F. , Gennaro A. , Mestdagh S.
Published: June 2015

A typical risk hypothesis addressed during the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) plants for cultivation is that the novel traits intentionally introduced into GM plants do not adversely affect non‐target organisms (NTOs). However, genetic modification may potentially also lead to unintended changes in the GM plant which could raise safety concerns. Therefore, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) advocates the characterization of ecological interactions between the GM plant and representative NTOs as part of the ERA of GM plants for cultivation in the European Union. Yet, this requirement is not unanimously accepted by stakeholders. Here, we present EFSA's approach to assess potential adverse effects on NTOs and summarize some of the stakeholders' views, mostly opposing EFSA's position on scientific grounds.
Long‐term course of Crohn's disease in Japan: Incidence of complications, cumulative rate of initial surgery, and risk factors at diagnosis for initial surgery
Authors: Sato Yuho , Matsui Toshiyuki , Yano Yutaka , Tsurumi Kozue , Okado Yuki , Matsushima Yu , Koga Akihiro , Takahashi Haruhiko , Ninomiya Kazeo , Ono Yoichiro , Takatsu Noritaka , Beppu Takahiro , Nagahama Takashi , Hisabe Takashi , Takaki Yasuhiro , Hirai Fumihito , Yao Kenshi , Higashi Daijiro , Futami Kitaro , Washio Masakazu
Published: June 2015

Background and Aims:

Intestinal complications of stenosis or fistula may occur during the course of Crohn's disease (CD), and surgery is performed in a fair number of patients. The risk factors for initial surgery in a Japanese hospital‐based cohort of CD patients were evaluated.

Methods:

This study was a single‐center, retrospective, cohort study. The subjects were 520 patients who underwent inpatient and outpatient treatment at our hospital, had a definitive diagnosis of CD, and no previous surgery. Three parameters were investigated: (i) cumulative incidence of stenosis and fistula; (ii) cumulative rate of initial surgery for each disease type; and (iii) risk factors at diagnosis for initial surgery.

Results:

(i) Stenosis and fistula increased with time, with stenosis or fistula appearing in about half of the patients after 5 years. (ii) The cumulative rate of initial surgery was about 50% after 10 years. (iii) The patient factors at diagnosis of current smoker, upper gastrointestinal disease, stricturing, penetrating, moderate to severe stenosis of the jejunum, moderate to severe stenosis of the ileum, and moderate to severe stenosis of the terminal ileum were risk factors for initial surgery.

Conclusions:

Stenosis or fistula appeared in about half of the patients after 5 years from diagnosis. When upper gastrointestinal disease or complicated small intestinal lesions are seen at the time of diagnosis, the cumulative rate of initial surgery is significantly higher.
Endoscopic ultrasonography for staging depth of invasion in early gastric cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Pei Qingshan , Wang Lei , Pan Jianmei , Ling Tingsheng , Lv Ying , Zou Xiaoping
Published: June 2015

Background and Aim:

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a widely used imaging modality for detecting the depth of early gastric cancer (EGC) invasion. However, the studies pertaining to EUS for staging early gastric cancer have reported widely varied sensitivities and specificities. This study was conducted to estimate the overall diagnostic accuracy of EUS for staging the depth in EGCs.

Methods:

The literatures were identified by searching in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Knowledge databases. Two reviewers independently extracted the information from the literatures for constructing 2 × 2 table. A random‐effect model or a fixed‐effect model was used to estimate the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio. A summary receiver operating characteristic curve also was constructed. Meta‐regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore the sources of heterogeneity.

Results:

The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of EUS for M staging were 76% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74–78%), 72% (95% CI, 69–75%), 3.67 (95% CI, 2.48–5.44), and 0.31 (95% CI, 0.24–0.40), respectively. For SM staging, these results were 62% (95% CI, 59–66%), 78% (95% CI, 76–80%), 2.99 (95% CI, 2.26–3.96), and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.32–0.57), respectively. For M/SM1 staging, they were 90% (95% CI, 88–92%), 67% (95% CI, 61–72%), 3.14 (95% CI, 2.08–4.73), and 0.12 (95% CI, 0.07–0.22), respectively. The area under the curve for mucosal, submucosal, and mucosal/minimal submucosal invasion staging were 0.85, 0.82, and 0.81, respectively.

Conclusions:

Endoscopic ultrasonography only has a relatively low accuracy for staging the depth of invasion in EGCs. Accordingly, EUS may be not indispensable in the staging of EGCs.
Poor predictive value of breath hydrogen response for probiotic effects in IBS
Authors: Yao Chu K , Barrett Jacqueline S , Philpott Hamish , Chung Alvin R T , van Langenberg Daniel , Garg Mayur , Gibson Peter R
Published: June 2015

Background and Aims:

Previous observations suggested that an early rise in breath hydrogen after lactulose (ERBHAL) may identify patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) likely to respond to probiotics. Therefore, we aimed to (i) investigate whether treatment with a probiotic changes breath hydrogen response in patients with ERBHAL and (ii) whether these changes identify patients who may benefit symptomatically from probiotics.

Methods:

In a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, patients with IBS (Rome III) were randomized to either 65 mL/day fermented milk product containing probiotic (FMPP) or placebo for 6 weeks, followed by 6 weeks' open‐label treatment and 6 weeks' withdrawal. Breath hydrogen responses to lactulose (15 g) and liquid‐gastric emptying time were evaluated before and at the end of each treatment period. Symptoms were measured using a 100‐mm visual analog scale.

Results:

Loss of ERBHAL occurred in 36% of 23 patients receiving FMPP and 41% of 22 receiving placebo (P = 1.00). Amongst 40 patients who completed open‐label FMPP treatment, ERBHAL was lost in a further 38%, continued in 25%, and regained in 10%. Similar variability occurred in the withdrawal phase. Variability was unrelated to changes in gastric emptying. No differences in symptom response were seen between treatment groups nor in relation to the loss or retention of ERBHAL.

Conclusions:

Breath hydrogen patterns after lactulose are poorly reproducible. No FMPP‐specific effects on fermentation patterns or symptoms were observed. The presence of ERBHAL is not useful to predict symptomatic response to probiotic therapy in patients with IBS.
Surface topography and bond strengths of feldspathic porcelain prepared using various sandblasting pressures
Authors: Moravej‐Salehi Elham , Moravej‐Salehi Elahe , Valian Azam
Published: June 2015

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the bond strength of composite resin to feldspathic porcelain and its surface topography after sandblasting at different pressures.

Methods

In this in vitro study, 68 porcelain disks were fabricated and randomly divided into four groups of 17. The porcelain surface in group 1 was etched with hydrofluoric acid. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were sandblasted at 2, 3 and 4 bars pressure, respectively. Surface topography of seven samples in each of the four groups was examined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The remaining 40 samples received the same silane agent, bonding agent, and composite resin and they were then subjected to 5000 thermal cycles and evaluated for shear bond strength. Data were analyzed using one‐way anova. The mode of failure was determined using stereomicroscope and SEM.

Results

The highest shear bond strength was seen in group 4. however, statistically significant differences were not seen between the groups (P = 0.780). The most common mode of failure was cohesive in porcelain. The SEM showed different patterns of hydrofluoric acid etching and sandblasting.

Conclusion

Increasing the sandblasting pressure increased the surface roughness of feldspathic porcelain but no difference in bond strength occurred.
Testing the Clinical Implications of Planned Missing Data Designs
Authors: Huff Scott C. , Anderson Shayne R. , Tambling Rachel B.
Published: June 2015

Assessment is a core element of evidence‐based practice, but thorough formal assessment can place a significant burden on clients. We evaluated the clinical viability of using planned missing data designs to reduce client burden. Data come from an archival dataset with 1342 participants. Although significant differences were found in scores with planned missing data versus real scores, the effect sizes for the differences were generally small. Scores with missing data had sensitivity and specificity scores generally above .90 when predicting real scores over clinical cutoffs and improvement in real scores. These findings offer useful information to agencies and researchers looking for ways to collect more data without losing its immediate clinical utility.
Tissue transglutaminase‐catalysed cross‐linking induces Apolipoprotein E multimers inhibiting Apolipoprotein E's protective effects towards amyloid‐beta‐induced toxicity
Authors: de Jager Mieke , Drukarch Benjamin , Hofstee Marloes , Brevé John , Jongenelen Cornelis A. M. , Bol John G. J. M. , Wilhelmus Micha M. M.
Published: June 2015

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and characterized by deposition of amyloid‐β (Aβ) protein and smooth muscle cell (SMC) death in cerebral vessel walls. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is of importance in both Aβ accumulation and Aβ‐mediated toxicity towards SMCs in the cerebral vessel wall, although its exact role in CAA pathogenesis remains unclear. Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is an enzyme capable of inducing both protein complexes and altered protein bioactivity via post‐translational cross‐linking. In CAA, tTG and its catalytic activity are associated with deposited Aβ. Furthermore, several apolipoproteins are known substrates of tTG. We therefore investigated whether ApoE is a substrate for tTG and if this affects ApoE's bioactivity. We found strong binding of different ApoE isoforms with tTG and demonstrated tTG‐catalysed ApoE multimers. In post‐mortem human AD cases, ApoE colocalized with in situ active tTG in CAA. Moreover, human brain SMCs treated with Aβ demonstrated enhanced secretion of both ApoE and tTG, and of TG cross‐links in the extracellular matrix. Interestingly, tTG‐catalysed cross‐linked ApoE failed to protect SMCs against Aβ‐mediated cytotoxicity. Together, our data demonstrate a novel tTG‐driven post‐translational modification of ApoE that might play an important role in CAA.

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Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and characterized by amyloid‐β (Aβ) protein deposition and cerebral smooth muscle cell (SMC) death. We found that, in contrast to normal vessels, in CAA apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is cross‐linked by tissue transglutaminase (tTG) resulting in stable ApoE complexes. These complexes no longer protect cerebral SMC from Aβ‐mediated toxicity. Our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism explaining the Aβ‐mediated cerebral SMC cell death characteristic of CAA in AD cases.
Speech, eating and saliva control in rare diseases – a database study
Authors: Sjögreen L. , Mogren Å. , Andersson‐Norinder J. , Bratel J.
Published: June 2015

The aim was to study the background to and the manifestations of affected intelligibility of speech and reported difficulty with eating and saliva control in rare diseases. In Sweden, a disease or disorder is defined as rare when it affects no more than 100 individuals per million population and leads to a marked degree of disability. In 1996–2008, 1703 individuals with 169 rare diseases (3–67 years) answered a questionnaire about oral health and oro‐facial function and 1614 participated in a clinical examination. A control group of 135 healthy children was included. Oromotor impairment was a frequent finding (43%) and was absent among the controls. Half the children in the youngest age group (3–6 years) had moderate/severely affected intelligibility or no speech compared with one‐third in the other age groups. The most frequent eating difficulties were related to chewing and were found in approximately 20% of the individuals in the study group. Artificial nutrition was most common in children aged 3–6 years (9·2%), followed by children aged 7–12 years (4·9%), adolescents aged 13–19 years (3·3%) and adults (1·4%). Impaired saliva control was common (31·2%) and strongly and significantly correlated with oromotor dysfunction, intellectual disability, open mouth at rest and epilepsy. In conclusion, oromotor impairment and oro‐facial dysfunctions, such as affected intelligibility, eating difficulties and impaired saliva control, are frequent in individuals with rare diseases. There is a strong correlation between oromotor impairment and affected intelligibility, eating difficulties and impaired saliva control in individuals with rare diseases.
Variables affecting the inter‐ and intra‐examiner reliability of ICDAS for occlusal caries diagnosis in permanent molars
Authors: Qudeimat Muawia A. , Alomari Qasem D. , Altarakemah Yacoub , Alshawaf Nour , Honkala Eino J.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

The aims of this study were to assess the validity and reproducibility of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) in detecting occlusal caries in permanent molars and to investigate variables that can affect the reproducibility of ICDAS.

Methods

Five experienced, trained, and calibrated investigators examined the occlusal surfaces of 142 extracted permanent molars, ranging from sound to cavitated dentine caries. All visual examinations were conducted under standard conditions. Examinations were repeated after a period of 1 and 3 months from the initial examination. After all examinations were completed, teeth were sectioned and histologic validation was undertaken. Maximum kappa statistics were used to assess bias among examiners and linear weighted kappa was used to assess inter‐ and intra‐examiners' reproducibility. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were obtained at D3 threshold.

Results

Differences in the marginal homogeneity were observed for the general dentist. Kappa for intra‐examiner reproducibility ranged between 0.66 and 0.81 and the inter‐examiner reproducibility ranged between 0.42 and 0.75. ICDAS score of ≥3 presented the best Spearman's correlation coefficient (0.69) at Downer's histologic classification D3. Corresponding sensitivity and specificity values at that level were 0.73 and 0.95, respectively. While variables like the interval of time between teeth examinations did not affect the intra‐examiner reproducibility, examiners' specialty influenced inter‐examiner's reproducibility over time.

Conclusions

ICDAS presented acceptable intra‐examiners reproducibility in detecting occlusal caries over time. However, there was a clear effect for examiner's specialty and clinical experience on the inter‐examiner's reproducibility of the ICDAS system at different time intervals.
Oxidative stress‐induced methemoglobinemia is the silent killer during snakebite: a novel and strategic neutralization by melatonin
Authors: Sharma Rachana D. , Katkar Gajanan D. , Sundaram Mahalingam S. , Paul Manoj , NaveenKumar Somanathapura K. , Swethakumar Basavarajaiah , Hemshekhar Mahadevappa , Girish Kesturu S. , Kemparaju Kempaiah
Published: June 2015

Oxidative stress‐induced methemoglobinemia remained an untouched area in venom pharmacology till date. This study for the first time explored the potential of animal venoms to oxidize hemoglobin to methemoglobin. In in vitro whole‐blood assay, methemoglobin forming ability of venoms varied as Naja naja > Ophiophagus hannah > Echis carinatus > Daboia russellii > Apis mellifera > Mesobuthus tamulus > Hippasa partita. Being highly potential, N. naja venom was further studied to observe methemoglobin formation in RBCs and in combinations with PMNs and PBMCs, where maximum effect was observed in RBCs + PMNs combination. Naja naja venom/externally added methemoglobin‐induced methemoglobin formation was in parallel with ROS generation in whole blood/RBCs/RBCs + PMNs/RBCs + PBMCs. In in vivo studies, the lethal dose (1 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) of N. naja venom readily induced methemoglobin formation, ROS generation, expression of inflammatory markers, and hypoxia‐inducible factor‐3α. Although the mice administered with three effective doses of antivenom recorded zero mortality; the methemoglobin and ROS levels remained high. However, one effective dose of antivenom when administered along with melatonin (1:50; venom/melatonin, w/w), not only offered 100% survival of experimental mice, but also significantly reduced methemoglobin level, and oxidative stress markers including hypoxia‐inducible factor‐3α. This study provides strong drive that, complementing melatonin would not only reduce the antivenom load, but for sure greatly increase the success rate of antivenom therapy and drastically minimize the global incidence of snakebite deaths. However, further detailed investigations are needed before translating the combined therapy towards the bed side.