bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased dietary fruit intake was associated with lower burden of carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chan H.‐T. , Yiu K.‐H. , Wong C.‐Y. , Li S.‐W. , Tam S. , Tse H.‐F.
Published: August 2012

Background  Previous studies demonstrated that high fruit consumption was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the relationship between fruit intake and carotid atherosclerosis in these patients is unknown. We studied the relationship between dietary fruit intake and carotid intima‐media thickness in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  A total of 255 Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes were recruited. Dietary fruit intake was assessed by a validated food‐frequency questionnaire, and carotid intima‐media thickness was measured by high‐resolution ultrasonography.

Results  Among patients with three different tertiles of fruit intake (14.5 ± 8.6 vs. 41.5 ± 7.1 vs. 92.6 ± 39.7 g/day), there was no difference in their clinical characteristics (all P > 0.05). Patients with the highest tertile of fruit intake had a significantly higher BMI and diastolic blood pressure than those with the lowest tertile intake. Furthermore, serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, 8‐isoprostane and superoxide dismutase were similar among the three tertiles of patients (all P > 0.05). However, patients with the highest tertile of fruit intake had lower carotid intima‐media thickness (0.97 ± 0.02 vs. 1.08 ± 0.03 mm, P = 0.046) and prevalence of carotid plaque (11.76 vs. 1.18%, P = 0.022) than those with the lowest tertile of fruit intake. Multivariate regression analysis revealed the highest tertile of fruit intake (β = −0.086, P = 0.049) was independently associated with carotid intima‐media thickness.

Conclusions  Our results demonstrated that, in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes, higher dietary fruit intake was associated with a lower burden of carotid atherosclerosis as reflected by lower carotid intima‐media thickness and prevalence of carotid plaque.
Changes in physical activity and modelled cardiovascular risk following diagnosis of diabetes: 1‐year results from the ADDITION‐Cambridge trial cohort
Authors: Barakat A. , Williams K. M. , Prevost A. T. , Kinmonth A.‐L. , Wareham N. J. , Griffin S. J. , Simmons R. K.
Published: August 2012

Diabet. Med. 30, 233–238 (2013)

Aims  To describe change in physical activity over 1 year and associations with change in cardiovascular disease risk factors in a population with screen‐detected Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  Eight hundred and sixty‐seven individuals with screen‐detected diabetes underwent measurement of self‐reported physical activity, cardiovascular disease risk factors and modelled cardiovascular disease risk at baseline and 1 year (n = 736) in the ADDITION‐Cambridge trial. Multiple linear regression was used to quantify the association between change in different physical activity domains and cardiovascular disease risk factors at 1 year.

Results  There was no change in self‐reported physical activity over 12 months. Even relatively large changes in physical activity were associated with relatively small changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors after allowing for changes in self‐reported medication and diet. For every 30 metabolic equivalent‐h increase in recreational activity (equivalent to 10 h/brisk walking/week), there was an average reduction of 0.1% in HbA1c in men (95% CI −0.15 to −0.01, P = 0.021) and an average reduction of 2 mmHg in systolic blood pressure in women (95% CI −4.0 to −0.05, P = 0.045).

Conclusions  Few associations were observed between change in different physical activity domains and cardiovascular disease risk factors in this trial cohort. Cardiovascular disease risk reduction appeared to be driven largely by factors other than changes in self‐reported physical activity in the first year following diagnosis.
Intrapersonal HbA1c variability and the risk of progression of nephropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Rodríguez‐Segade S. , Rodríguez J. , García López J. M. , Casanueva F. F. , Camiña F.
Published: August 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1562–1566 (2012)

Aim  To investigate the association between nephropathy and HbA1c variability (assessed as the standard deviation of each patient’s HbA1c measurements) among patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  Albumin excretion rate and HbA1c were measured in 2103 patients followed up for a mean 6.6 years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine the influence of HbA1c variability on the risk of progression of nephropathy after adjustment for age, sex, duration of diabetes, baseline condition (two cohorts defined by duration of diabetes, retinopathy and albumin excretion rate), baseline HbA1c, insulin use, BMI, use of anti‐hypertensive agents, smoking, lipid status, retinopathy, updated mean HbA1c and number of HbA1c measurements.

Results  Nephropathy progressed in 18.3% of subjects. HbA1c variability was significantly greater among progressors than among non‐progressors (12 vs. 10 mmol/mol; 1.12 vs. 0.90%; P < 0.0001) and was a significant predictor of progression of nephropathy even after adjustment for updated mean HbA1c and other risk factors (hazard ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.12–1.69).

Conclusion  In patients with Type 2 diabetes, the risk of progression of nephropathy increases significantly with HbA1c variability, independently of the influence of updated mean HbA1c.
Eating problems in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes: a systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Young V. , Eiser C. , Johnson B. , Brierley S. , Epton T. , Elliott J. , Heller S.
Published: August 2012

Diabet. Med. 30, 189–198 (2013)

Aims  We report a systematic review to determine (1) prevalence of eating problems compared with peers and (2) the association between eating problems and glycaemic control in young adults with Type 1 diabetes.

Method  We conducted a systematic literature search via electronic databases and meta‐analysis. Cohen’s d (the mean difference score between Type 1 diabetes and comparison groups) was calculated for 13 studies that met inclusion criteria.

Results  Eating problems [both disordered eating behaviour (39.3 and 32.5%; d = 0.52, 95% CI 0.10–0.94) and eating disorders (7.0 and 2.8%; d = 0.46, 95% CI 0.10–0.81)] were more common in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes compared with peers and both were associated with poorer glycaemic control (d = 0.40, 95% CI 0.17–0.64). In restricted analyses involving measures adapted for diabetes, associations between eating problems and poorer glycaemic control remained (d = 0.54, 95% CI 0.32–0.76). Disordered eating behaviour (51.8 and 48.1%; d = 0.06, 95% CI −0.05 to 0.21) and eating disorders (6.4 and 3.0%; d = 0.43, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.91) were more common in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes compared with peers, but differences were non‐significant.

Conclusions  Eating problems are common among this age group. Future work in populations with Type 1 diabetes should develop sensitive measures of eating problems and interventions, and establish predictors of eating problems. Screening in clinics is recommended.
Innovations in Maudsley family‐based treatment for anorexia nervosa at the Children's Hospital at Westmead: a family admission programme
Authors: Wallis Andrew , Alford Colleen , Hanson Aimee , Titterton Joanne , Madden Sloane , Kohn Michael
Published: August 2012

The family admission programme is an innovation in the implementation of Maudsley family‐based treatment (MFBT) and increases the level of therapeutic intensity compared to standard outpatient MFBT. The 2‐week, hospital‐based residential programme is designed as a step down from usual in‐patient care or a step up if outpatient treatment is stalling. The programme targets families who are responding poorly to standard MFBT treatment because of complex family dynamics, the severity of the illness or their remote location. Through a structured daily programme and a shift in the locus of control from hospital staff to the child's parents the programme aims to reduce length of stay in the acute in‐patient environment, reduce readmission rates and improve outcomes for patients and families.
Estimating Archimedean Copulas in High Dimensions
Authors: HERING CHRISTIAN , STADTMÜLLER ULRICH
Published: August 2012

Abstract.  This article presents a novel estimation procedure for high‐dimensional Archimedean copulas. In contrast to maximum likelihood estimation, the method presented here does not require derivatives of the Archimedean generator. This is computationally advantageous for high‐dimensional Archimedean copulas in which higher‐order derivatives are needed but are often difficult to obtain. Our procedure is based on a parameter‐dependent transformation of the underlying random variables to a one‐dimensional distribution where a minimum‐distance method is applied. We show strong consistency of the resulting minimum‐distance estimators to the case of known margins as well as to the case of unknown margins when pseudo‐observations are used. Moreover, we conduct a simulation comparing the performance of the proposed estimation procedure with the well‐known maximum likelihood approach according to bias and standard deviation.
A New 3‐D Solar Radiation Model for 3‐D City Models
Authors: Hofierka Jaroslav , Zlocha Marian
Published: August 2012

Estimates of solar radiation distribution in urban areas are often limited by the complexity of urban environments. These limitations arise from spatial structures such as buildings and trees that affect spatial and temporal distributions of solar fluxes over urban surfaces. The traditional solar radiation models implemented in GIS can address this problem only partially. They can be adequately used only for 2‐D surfaces such as terrain and rooftops. However, vertical surfaces, such as facades, require a 3‐D approach. This study presents a new 3‐D solar radiation model for urban areas represented by 3‐D city models. The v.sun module implemented in GRASS GIS is based on the existing solar radiation methodology used in the topographic r.sun model with a new capability to process 3‐D vector data representing complex urban environments. The calculation procedure is based on the combined vector‐voxel approach segmenting the 3‐D vector objects to smaller polygon elements according to a voxel data structure of the volume region. The shadowing effects of surrounding objects are considered using a unique shadowing algorithm. The proposed model has been applied to the sample urban area with results showing strong spatial and temporal variations of solar radiation flows over complex urban surfaces.
Modelling Flow Routing in Permafrost Landscapes withTWI: An Evaluation against Site‐Specific Wetness Measurements
Authors: Persson Andreas , Hasan Abdulghani , Tang Jing , Pilesjö Petter
Published: August 2012

In northern peatlands the thawing of permafrost increasing the active layer depth and changing the hydrology may lead to feedbacks in the climate system through changes in the biogeochemistry of carbon. We are examining this association on theStordalen peatland complex in subarcticSweden by analyzing aDEMderived fromLiDAR‐data and the calculatedTWI. TheDEM, with a spatial resolution of 1 m, and theTWIare evaluated against two seasons of water level measurements from 30 sites in the peatland. TheTWIis calculated with a form‐based flow routing algorithm which produces a natural flow routing pattern. In permafrost wetlands the topography is the major driver and is very important even though its magnitude is low. Site‐specific wetness (SSW) measurements from the sites were compared with the different peatland types that occur in the study area, i.e. fen, internal fen and palsa. The results showed a strong correlation between theTWIand the palsa. TheTWIwas better at describing general patterns than site‐specific hydrology. The evaluation of spatial patterns ofTWIagainst SSW reveal the resolution required to develop the technique to be useful for climate change studies.
The Normativity of Automaticity
Authors: BROWNSTEIN MICHAEL , MADVA ALEX
Published: August 2012

While the causal contributions of so‐called ‘automatic’ processes to behavior are now widely acknowledged, less attention has been given to their normative role in the guidance of action. We develop an account of the normativity of automaticity that responds to and builds upon Tamar Szabó Gendler's account of ‘alief’, an associative and arational mental state more primitive than belief. Alief represents a promising tool for integrating psychological research on automaticity with philosophical work on mind and action, but Gendler errs in overstating the degree to which aliefs are norm‐insensitive.
Genetic Representation Explains the Cluster of Innateness‐Related Properties
Authors: SHEA NICHOLAS
Published: August 2012

The concept of innateness is used to make inferences between various better‐understood properties, like developmental canalization, evolutionary adaptation, heritability, species‐typicality, and so on (‘innateness‐related properties’). This article uses a recently‐developed account of the representational content carried by inheritance systems like the genome to explain why innateness‐related properties cluster together, especially in non‐human organisms. Although inferences between innateness‐related properties are deductively invalid, and lead to false conclusions in many actual cases, where some aspect of a phenotypic trait develops in reliance on a genetic representation it will tend, better than chance, to have many of the innateness‐related properties. The account also shows why inferences between innateness‐related properties sometimes fail and argues that such inferences are especially misleading when applied to human psychology and behaviour because human psychological development is especially reliant on non‐genetic inherited representations.
PRICE DYNAMICS, FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND ANTICIPATED SHOCKS IN A TOURISM ECONOMY
Authors: CHAO CHI‐CHUR , HU SHIH‐WEN , LU LEE‐JUNG
Published: August 2012

Using a dynamic model of an open monetary economy, this paper examines the effects of tourism‐related anticipated shocks on goods prices and foreign exchange reserves. Foreign tourists consume mainly non‐traded goods in holiday destinations, converting them into exportable goods. This gives rise to a tourism terms‐of‐trade effect that affects the accumulation of foreign exchange. Announcements of anticipated events bring tourist visits forward, resulting in an initial under‐adjustment or an over‐adjustment in the prices of the non‐traded goods when the tourism terms‐of‐trade effect is positive or negative. This leads to an increase or a decrease in foreign reserves in the long run.
SAILING THROUGH THIS STORM? CAPITAL FLOWS IN ASIA DURING THE CRISIS
Authors: TILLE CÉDRIC
Published: August 2012

The 2007–2009 crisis has led to an unprecedented collapse in international capital flows. Asian economies were, however, relatively unaffected: the contraction in their capital flows was limited to the most acute phase of the crisis in late 2008, followed by a rapid rebound. We show that this reflects both Asia's structural characteristics, such as limited reliance on international banking, and Asian specificities in the form of a limited impact of international bank exposure on capital flows. We also find evidence of a connection between the use of reserves and variations in net private capital inflows.
Trends in Financial Innovation and their Welfare Impact: an Overview
Authors: Allen Franklin
Published: August 2012

There is evidence that financial innovations are sometimes undertaken to create complexity and exploit the purchaser. Thus financial innovation does have a dark side. As far as the financial crisis is concerned, securitisation and subprime mortgages may have exacerbated the problem. However, financial crises have occurred in a very wide range of circumstances, where these and other innovations were not important. There is evidence that financial liberalisation has been more of a problem. There are many financial innovations that have had a significant positive effect including venture capital and leveraged buyouts and innovations to fund environmental and health improvements.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphism is not associated with pemphigus vulgaris in Iranian patients
Authors: Saeedi M. , Amoli M.M. , Robati R.M. , Sayahpour F. , Namazi N. , Toossi P.
Published: August 2012

Background  Promoter polymorphisms of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene are associated with increased production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Elevated levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor have been observed in the sera of patients with pemphigus vulgaris. More than this, macrophage migration inhibitory factor promoter gene polymorphism has been found to confer increased risk of susceptibility to chronic inflammatory diseases.

Objective  We investigated whether there is an association between promoter polymorphism of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene and pemphigus vulgaris.

Methods  One hundred and six patients with pemphigus vulgaris, and a control panel of one hundred healthy volunteers were genotyped for a single nucleotide polymorphism identified in the 5′‐flanking region at the position −173 of the gene, using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length analysis.

Results  We found a notably high prevalence of C/C genotype in our nation but no significant difference was observed between patients and controls.

Conclusion  The result of this study using a large and well documented trial of patients showed that macrophage migration inhibitory factor −173G‐C polymorphism is not associated with pemphigus vulgaris; but as the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the inflammatory process has not been delineated in detail and the prevalence of C/C genotype is notably higher in our nation, this finding merits more consideration.
Severe mood problems in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Simonoff Emily , Jones Catherine R.G. , Pickles Andrew , Happé Francesca , Baird Gillian , Charman Tony
Published: August 2012

Introduction:  Severe mood dysregulation and problems (SMP) in otherwise typically developing youth are recognized as an important mental health problem with a distinct set of clinical features, family history and neurocognitive characteristics. SMP in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have not previously been explored.

Method:  We studied a longitudinal, population‐based cohort of adolescents with ASD in which we collected parent‐reported symptoms of SMP that included rage, low and labile mood and depressive thoughts. Ninety‐one adolescents with ASD provided data at age 16 years, of whom 79 had additional data from age 12. We studied whether SMP have similar correlates to those seen in typically developing youth.

Results:  Severe mood problems were associated with current (parent‐rated) and earlier (parent‐ and teacher‐rated) emotional problems. The number of prior psychiatric diagnoses increased the risk of subsequent SMP. Intellectual ability and adaptive functioning did not predict to SMP. Maternal mental health problems rated at 12 and 16 years were associated with SMP. Autism severity as rated by parents was associated with SMP, but the relationship did not hold for clinician ratings of autistic symptoms or diagnosis. SMP were associated with difficulty in identifying the facial expression of surprise, but not with performance recognizing other emotions. Relationships between SMP and tests of executive function (card sort and trail making) were not significant after controlling for IQ.

Conclusions:  This is the first study of the behavioural and cognitive correlates of severe mood problems in ASD. As in typically developing youth, SMP in adolescents with ASD are related to other affective symptoms and maternal mental health problems. Previously reported links to deficits in emotion recognition and cognitive flexibility were not found in the current sample. Further research is warranted using categorical and validated measures of SMP.
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia and serotonin transporter promoter gene polymorphisms: Taking a triallelic approach makes a difference
Authors: Vulturar Romana , Chiş Adina , Ungureanu Loredana , Miu Andrei C.
Published: August 2012

It has been recently reported in Psychophysiology that carriers of the short allele of an insertion/deletion (ins/del) functional polymorphism in the promoter region (5‐HTTLPR) of the serotonin transporter gene may display decreased resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). However, this region hosts another functionally connected single‐nucleotide polymorphism (rs25531), which should also be genotyped in order to correctly categorize the low‐ and high‐expressing alleles of 5‐HTTLPR. The present study investigated resting RSA in an ethnically homogenous sample (N = 143) of participants genotyped for both the ins/del and rs25531 polymorphisms in 5‐HTTLPR. In contrast with the biallelic genotypes, based only on the ins/del alleles, the triallelic 5‐HTTLPR genotypes (i.e., including rs25531) showed no association with resting RSA. Taking a triallelic approach to 5‐HTTLPR is thus necessary in order to avoid false positive results.
Adding insult to injury: consumer experiences of being denied credit
Authors: Jennett Charlene , Brostoff Sacha , Malheiros Miguel , Sasse M. Angela
Published: August 2012

To inspire confidence in consumer credit and improve outcomes for consumers, negative experiences such as being denied credit must be handled appropriately. We conducted an online survey with 298 UK citizens who had a credit application denied to gain a better understanding of their experience of being denied credit. We found that privacy issues make this experience more upsetting for consumers than necessary. When being denied credit, respondents are most concerned about (1) being denied credit ‘in public’; and (2) not being informed about the reasons why they are denied. Only 23% of our respondents knew why they had been denied; 116 (62%) believed they had been denied credit because of their credit record, but 28% had never checked it. Out of the 194 respondents who had checked their record, 38 identified errors in their credit reports, and in 14 of these cases (38%) debts that they had paid off were incorrectly listed as outstanding. Based on our findings, we propose several changes to the credit application process: (1) providing sensitive but helpful information in a private manner, e.g. a preview of their credit score before they commit a loan application; (2) credit denial notifications with information on what to do next; and (3) giving applicants more information about checking their credit report and who to contact for correcting errors.
Financial literacy and the cost of borrowing
Authors: Huston Sandra J.
Published: August 2012

This research investigates the relation between financial literacy and the cost of borrowing via credit cards and mortgage loans among US consumers. This is a departure from previous studies that have focused on levels of debt in relation to human capital, either financial knowledge or education. Data from the Consumer Finance Monthly (CFM) survey are used to specifically examine the effect of financial literacy on borrowing rates for credit cards and mortgages controlling for other human capital influences. The CFM is a national survey, rich in American consumer credit information, and includes a comprehensive instrument specifically designed to measure financial literacy. Results indicate that those who are financially literate are about twice as likely to have lower costs of borrowing for both credit cards and mortgage loans.
The increasing financial obligations burden of US households: who is affected?
Authors: Hanna Sherman D. , Yuh Yoonkyung , Chatterjee Swarn
Published: August 2012

The purpose of this paper is to examine factors associated with changes in the proportion of households with high financial obligations ratios in the United States. The proportion of households paying more than 40% of income for debt, rent, vehicle leases, property taxes and homeowners’ insurance, which we refer to as having a heavy burden, increased from 18% in 1992 to 27% in 2007. Multivariate analysis of a combination of six Survey of Consumer Finances data sets indicates that the likelihood of having a heavy burden was positively associated with homeownership, self‐employment and retirement status. Those with an optimistic 5‐year expectation of the economy were more likely to be in a household with a heavy burden. Education was positively related to having a heavy burden, suggesting that having a heavy burden is not simply a cognitive error.
Cheek Bumper Prosthesis for a Patient with a Neurofibromatous Lesion in the Left Cheek
Authors: Mohamed Kasim , Kumar V. Anand , Padmanabhan T. V. , Deora Nitin , Mohan Suchitra
Published: August 2012

Neurofibromatous lesions of the oral cavity affect the chewing cycle by interposition of cheek mucosa during contact of opposing teeth. In this report, an intraoral prosthesis was fabricated to restore and improve oral function and reduce the incidence of cheek biting on the neurofibromatous lesion. The prosthesis successfully reduced the incidence of cheek biting and improved the patient's oral competency. This report describes the procedure for making an intraoral cheek bumper prosthesis to improve patient oral function.
Effect of Three Anesthetic Induction Protocols on Laryngeal Motion during Laryngoscopy in Normal Cats
Authors: Nelissen Pieter , Corletto Federico , Aprea Francesco , White Richard A. S.
Published: August 2012

Objectives

To objectively measure and subjectively score the effect of 3 anesthetic induction protocols on arytenoid cartilage motion in normal cats.

Study Design

Randomized prospective clinical study.

Animals

Cats (n = 35) without previous history of respiratory dysfunction.

Methods

Cats were randomly assigned to administration of alfaxalone, propofol, or midazolam and ketamine to induce anesthesia after premedication with methadone. Videolaryngoscopy was performed. Still images at maximum inspiration and expiration were used to measure the area and height of the rima glottidis. Change in rima glottidis area and of normalized glottal gap area (NGGA = area/height2) was calculated. Subjective scores for arytenoid movement were obtained. Kruskal–Wallis test was performed on change of NGGA and rima glottidis area.

Results

No statistically significant difference was found between groups for age, sex, body weight, and body condition score. Percentage increase of rima glottidis area and change in NGGA were similar for all groups (P = .33 and P = .29). No significant differences were found for subjective scores between groups (P = .54). Arytenoid movement was not detected during videolaryngoscopy and subjective scoring in 3 cats anesthetized with propofol and in 3 cats anesthetized with midazolam and ketamine, despite presence of respiratory movements.

Conclusions

No difference in laryngeal motion was observed between the 3 protocols used to induce anesthesia in cats premedicated with methadone.
Synthesis of Eu3+‐Activated La2Mo2O9 Powder Phosphors by Surfactant‐Assisted Hydrothermal Approach
Authors: Shi Shikao , Gong Huili , Wu Jingjing , Luo Ming , Zhou Ji
Published: August 2012

The red‐emitting fine La2Mo2O9:Eu3+ powder phosphors have been successfully synthesized using surfactant‐assisted hydrothermal approach. After the addition of certain amounts of surfactant (polyethylene glycol, abbreviated as PEG) into the process, both the morphology and photoluminescence property of the phosphors were improved. The powder phosphors were fine (~1 μm) and mono‐dispersive in appearance, and showed a strong red emission line at 615 nm under the excitation of blue light at 465 nm. As the molar ratio of n(PEG)/n(La+Eu) was adjusted to 1:1, the sample exhibited the optimum emission intensity, which reached about threefold in comparison with that of the identical composition sample prepared by conventional solid‐state reaction. The fine powder phosphors may be potential candidates as red‐emitting materials for white LED applications.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nb‐ and Eu‐ Co‐Substituted Nanocrystalline Anatase: EuxTi1–2xNbxO2 with Photoluminescence and Photocatalytic Activity: Compositional Dependence of Multifunctional Properties
Authors: Hirano Masanori , Sato Shingo
Published: August 2012

Nanocrystalline titania (EuxTi1–2xNbxO2, x = 0–0.15) co‐substituted with europium (Eu) and niobium (Nb) having photoluminescence (PL) and photocatalytic activity was formed as a single phase of anatase‐type structure from the precursor solutions of TiOSO4, NbCl5, and EuCl3 under mild hydrothermal conditions using the hydrolysis of urea. The amount of Eu and Nb that can be co‐doped into a metastable anatase‐type TiO2 lattice under hydrothermal conditions was limited up to 15 mol%, respectively, above which the aeschynite EuTiNbO6 coexisted with anatase. The nanocrystalline titania can be excited by ultraviolet light 395 nm (f–f transition) and emits red light (611 nm) with line spectrum corresponding to 5D0–7F2 transition. The PL intensity increased with increased replacement amount of Eu and Nb. The anatase solid solution co‐doped with 5 mol% Eu and 5 mol% Nb (x = 0.05) showed a similar activity to pure anatase (x = 0) on the photodecomposition of methylene blue under UV light irradiation. The anatase‐to‐rutile phase transformation was delayed via the copresence of Eu and Nb component. In the course of heating and the growth of anatase crystallite, a part of the dopants that could not exist in the titania precipitated as euxenite phase EuTiNbO6 from the anatase at 900°C–1000°C before the phase transformation.
Arterial Spin Labeling Identifies Tissue Salvage and Good Clinical Recovery After Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Bivard Andrew , Stanwell Peter , Levi Christopher , Parsons Mark
Published: August 2012

OBJECTIVE

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a relatively new MR perfusion technique that requires validation.

METHODS

One hundred patients with an acute hemispheric ischemic stroke were imaged within 6 hours of symptom onset with perfusion CT (CTP), and at 24 hours with MRI perfusion imaging, including ASL and bolus dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) imaging. Baseline CTP was used to define tissue at risk. This was used to determine persistent hypoperfusion, or hyperperfusion, on 24‐hour ASL maps.

RESULTS

Using 24 hour ASL, 48 of 100 patients showed hyperperfusion, and 41 showed persistent hypoperfusion. None of the PWI maps identified hyperperfusion. Compared to patients with persistent hypoperfusion on ASL, patients with hyperperfusion had less progression of acute CTP mismatch tissue to infarction at 24 hours (P= .05). ASL hyperperfusion was also associated with improved early clinical improvement: mean reduction in acute to 24 hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale = 12 versus 4 for ASL hypoperfusion group (P= .05), as well as 90 day modified Rankin Score (mean 2 vs. 4 for hypoperfusion group, P= .01).

DISCUSSION

Hyperperfusion of the initially ischemic area identified on ASL at 24 hours poststroke identifies patients with better tissue and clinical outcomes.
Trevo versus Solitaire a Head‐to‐Head Comparison Between Two Heavy Weights of Clot Retrieval
Authors: Mendonça Nuno , Flores Alan , Pagola Jorge , Rubiera Marta , Rodríguez‐Luna David , Miquel M Angels De , Cardona Pere , Quesada Helena , Mora Paloma , Alvarez‐Sabín José , Molina Carlos , Ribó Marc
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recent reports have indicated that mechanical thrombectomy may have potential to treat acute ischemic stroke. However, few comparative studies of neurothrombectomy devices are reported. This study aims to compare the safety and effectiveness of two retrievable stent systems in acute ischemic stroke patients.

METHODS

A prospective study comparing the clinical, radiological, and functional outcome of 33 patients with an angiographically verified occlusion of the anterior cerebral circulation. Patients were treated either with Trevo RetrieverTM or Solitaire StentTM according to the neurointerventionalist preference. Successful recanalization was defined as TICI grade 2a to 3. Good outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2 at 3 months.

RESULTS

Revascularization was achieved in 10 patients (77%) in the Trevo group and in 12 (60%) of the Solitaire group (P = .456). Rate of symptomatic ICH was 0% for Trevo versus 15% for Solitaire (P = .261). Four patients (30%) died during the 3‐month follow‐up period in the Trevo versus 5 patients (25%) in the solitaire group (P = 1.000). Rate of good outcome was 38% and 40% for Trevo and Solitaire respectively (P = .435).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed no significant differences between both stentrievers. Moderately high recanalization rates are possible with both, however larger series may depict safety‐related variations.
Changes in Cerebral Venous Sinuses Diameter After Lumbar Puncture in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Prospective MRI Study
Authors: Horev Anat , Hallevy Hen , Plakht Ygal , Shorer Zamir , Wirguin Itzhak , Shelef Ilan
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), is characterized by elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) without a clear cause. Recently it was shown that in more than 90% of the IIH patients there is stenosis of the transverse dural sinuses. In this study we assessed the changes in diameter of cerebral veins after lumbar puncture, in order to have some more insight regarding the volume and pressure influence on cerebral veins.

METHODS

We prospectively included 13 patients suspected with IIH, admitted for investigation in the Soroka medical center. All the patients had a lumbar puncture (LP) with opening pressure measurement and CSF analysis, and two MRI–MRV studies: one before the LP and one after it. Measurements of the cerebral venous sinuses diameter were performed.

RESULTS

Significant stenosis of both transverse sinuses was found before LP in IIH patients with an average diameter of 1.77 mm of the right TS, and 1.57 mm of the left TS. After the LP, there was a significant increase in all venous sinuses diameters (P < .05). There was no correlation between the changes in diameter of the venous sinuses after LP and opening pressure measured or BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support other studies and demonstrated narrowing of the transverse sinuses in IIH patients. The main finding of this study is the increase in cerebral sinuses diameter after LP. This observation should be considered when evaluating cerebral venous sinuses after LP. A larger scale study is warranted to validate our findings.
Outcomes of pregnancy in women using illegal drugs and in women who smoke cigarettes
Authors: BLACK MAIREAD , BHATTACHARYA SOHINEE , FAIRLEY TARA , CAMPBELL DORIS M. , SHETTY ASHALATHA
Published: August 2012

Objective

To compare obstetric outcomes in women using illegal drugs with women who smoke cigarettes.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Aberdeen, UK.

Population

All deliveries in Aberdeen in women using illegal drugs and women who smoked cigarettes during 1997–2007.

Material and methods

The women who used illegal drugs were identified from a database of affected pregnant women in Aberdeen. The Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank was used to identify women who smoke cigarettes and to obtain pregnancy outcome information. Sociodemographic characteristics, maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared using chi‐squared test, independent sample t‐test and logistic regression analysis.

Main outcome measures

Preterm delivery, low birthweight (standardized birthweight score <−2) and admission to the neonatal unit.

Results

Of the 561 illegal drug users, 96% were also cigarette smokers. Compared with women who smoke cigarettes with no reported illegal drug use, they were significantly more likely to have a preterm delivery [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–2.1)], low birthweight baby [aOR 1.9 (95%CI 1.4–2.6)], baby admitted to the neonatal unit [aOR 13.3 (95%CI 10.9–16.3)], deep vein thrombosis [aOR (95%CI 8.8–50.8)] and antepartum hemorrhage [aOR (95%CI 1.2–2.1)]. They were less likely to be at the extremes of age, or to develop pregnancy‐induced hypertension [aOR 0.3 (95%CI 0.2–0.4)].

Conclusion

Illegal drug use in pregnancy appears to increase the risk of adverse outcomes, over and above that related to cigarette smoking, but appears to be associated with lower prevalence of gestational hypertension.
Effects of delayed compared with early umbilical cord clamping on maternal postpartum hemorrhage and cord blood gas sampling: a randomized trial
Authors: Andersson Ola , Hellström‐Westas Lena , Andersson Dan , Clausen Jesper , Domellöf Magnus
Published: August 2012

Objective. To investigate the effect of delayed cord clamping (DCC) compared with early cord clamping (ECC) on maternal postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and umbilical cord blood gas sampling. Design. Secondary analysis of a parallel‐group, single‐center, randomized controlled trial. Setting. Swedish county hospital. Population. 382 term deliveries after a low‐risk pregnancy. Methods. Deliveries were randomized to DCC (≥180 seconds, n = 193) or ECC (≤10 seconds, n = 189). Maternal blood loss was estimated by the midwife. Samples for blood gas analysis were taken from one umbilical artery and the umbilical vein, from the pulsating unclamped cord in the DCC group and from the double‐clamped cord in the ECC group. Samples were classified as valid when the arterial–venous difference was −0.02 or less for pH and 0.5 kPa or more for pCO2. Main outcome measures. PPH and proportion of valid blood gas samples. Results. The differences between the DCC and ECC groups with regard to PPH (1.2%, p = 0.8) and severe PPH (−2.7%, p = 0.3) were small and non‐significant. The proportion of valid blood gas samples was similar between the DCC (67%, n = 130) and ECC (74%, n = 139) groups, with 6% (95% confidence interval: −4%−16%, p = 0.2) fewer valid samples after DCC. Conclusions. Delayed cord clamping, compared with early, did not have a significant effect on maternal postpartum hemorrhage or on the proportion of valid blood gas samples. We conclude that delayed cord clamping is a feasible method from an obstetric perspective.
Use of Bakri balloon tamponade in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: a series of 50 cases from a tertiary teaching hospital
Authors: GRÖNVALL MAIJU , TIKKANEN MINNA , TALLBERG ERIKA , PAAVONEN JORMA , STEFANOVIC VEDRAN
Published: August 2012

Objective. Massive postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the most serious complications during delivery. Hysterectomy is commonly performed when other conventional treatment attempts fail. Bakri balloon tamponade (BBT) is a novel conservative management option for PPH. Little is known of the effectiveness of this procedure. We report a large case series from a tertiary teaching hospital. Design. Retrospective case series (October 2008–June 2011). Setting. University teaching hospital. Population. Forty‐four women with massive PPH (blood loss >1000 mL) and six other women with expected high risk of PPH (blood loss <1000 mL) managed by BBT. Methods. Chart review. Main outcome measures. Achievement of definitive hemostasis by BBT among the study population. Results. Among the women treated with BBT, the cause of PPH was uterine atony (16%), cervical rupture (14%), vaginal rupture and/or paravaginal hematoma (22%), placenta previa (18%) and placental retention (30%). The overall success rate was 86%. Seven of the 50 patients needed additional procedures. Of the seven failures, supravaginal uterine amputation or hysterectomy was required in four cases and embolization of the uterine arteries in three cases. Conclusions. BBT is a simple, readily available, effective and safe procedure for the management of PPH in selective cases. BBT does not exclude the use of other procedures if necessary. Even if BBT failed, it may provide temporary tamponade and time to prepare for other interventions or transportation from local hospital to tertiary centre. We suggest that BBT should be included in the PPH protocol.
Production of carcinogenic acetaldehyde by Candida albicans from patients with potentially malignant oral mucosal disorders
Authors: Gainza‐Cirauqui M. L. , Nieminen M. T. , Novak Frazer L. , Aguirre‐Urizar J. M. , Moragues M. D. , Rautemaa R.
Published: August 2012

Objectives

Production of carcinogenic acetaldehyde by Candida has been suggested to contribute to epithelial dysplasia and oral carcinogenesis. Oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid lesion (OLL) and oral leukoplakia (OL) are potentially carcinogenic oral diseases where colonisation by Candida is common, but acetaldehyde production by Candida has not been studied.

Study Design

Acetaldehyde production in ethanol (11 mM), glucose (100 mM), ethanol–glucose (11 mM and 100 mM) or red wine (1200 mM ethanol) incubation by Candida albicans from patients with OLL (n = 6), OLP (n = 16), OL (n = 6) and controls (n = 6) was measured by gas chromatography. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their smoking habits and alcohol consumption.

Results

All Candida albicans isolates produced potentially carcinogenic levels of acetaldehyde (>100 μM) in all incubations containing ethanol. The control group isolates produced the highest acetaldehyde levels. Isolates from smokers produced more acetaldehyde in all incubations than those from non‐smokers. The difference was significant in ethanol–glucose incubation. Isolates from patients who were both smokers and drinkers produced the highest amounts when incubated in ethanol, ethanol–glucose and wine.

Conclusions

Candida albicans isolated from potentially carcinogenic oral diseases can produce mutagenic amounts of acetaldehyde. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption may favour adaptational changes resulting in the upregulation of candidal acetaldehyde metabolism.
Knowledge management systems for oral health in developing and developed countries
Authors: Nattestad Anders
Published: August 2012

Knowledge management systems utilize information technology to manage knowledge in organizations with the purpose of creating, supporting, storing and disseminating information. These systems have been around for decades, but have significantly changed over time in complexity and features with the evolution of information technology and the Internet. With the development of these new technologies, the concept of knowledge management has thrived and has had significant impact on the way in which knowledge is accumulated, stored and accessed. This article will describe the historical development of knowledge management systems in oral health, illustrate the technology using examples and explore the future use of these systems with emerging technologies such as Google Wave®. One example of how knowledge management systems may affect the quality of dental education is the DentEd project, where a collaborative website was developed to coordinate dental school visitations and collection of reports from working groups, leading to several important publications. MEDLINE is another example of an effective knowledge management system in health care, providing access to health care‐related scientific literature, which is highly organized under the auspices of the United States National Library of Medicine. Another and very differently organized example of an effective knowledge management system is Wikipedia, which is a free, web‐based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia project supported by a nonprofit foundation. The final example of an effective knowledge management system is all of the social media, including Facebook and Twitter. These tools have proven very powerful in organizing and collaborating. In conclusion, the development of new technologies and the Internet have changed the way in which information is developed and accessed. This development is still ongoing and only the future will reveal how this will continue to change.
The periodontal disease–systemic health–infectious disease axis in developing countries
Authors: Enwonwu Cyril O. , Salako Nathanael
Published: August 2012

Oral health is relatively low priority in the health policy of many developing countries. These countries, particularly those in sub‐Saharan Africa, are still constrained by a wide range of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, measles and malaria, as well as by a heavy burden of intergenerational malnutrition. There is currently a disturbing trend in the rise of noncommunicable diseases in these countries. The noncommunicable diseases share many risk factors with periodontal diseases, the prevalence and severity of which are already markedly influenced by microbial infections. There are many fundamental gaps in our understanding of oral diseases, particularly in resource‐poor settings. Perhaps this is the time to integrate neglected oral diseases and the noncommunicable diseases into the relatively well‐funded global programs for the elimination of malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and malnutrition.
Probing murine methyltransfease Dnmt3a interactions with benzo[a]pyrene‐modified DNA by fluorescence methods
Authors: Minero Antonio S. , Lukashevich Olga V. , Cherepanova Natalia A. , Kolbanovskiy Alexander , Geacintov Nicholas E. , Gromova Elizaveta S.
Published: August 2012

The impact of bulky carcinogen‐DNA adducts positioned at or near recognition sites (CpG) of eukaryotic DNA methyltransferases on their catalytic activities is poorly understood. In the present study, we employed site‐specifically modified 30‐mer oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing stereoisomeric benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (B[a]PDE)‐derived guanine (B[a]PDE‐N2‐dG) or adenine (B[a]PDE‐N6‐dA) adducts of different conformations as substrates of the catalytic domain of murine Dnmt3a (Dnmt3a‐CD). The fluorescence of these lesions was used to examine interactions between Dnmt3a‐CD and DNA. In B[a]PDE‐DNA•Dnmt3a‐CD complexes, the intensity of fluorescence of the covalently bound B[a]PDE residues is enhanced relative to the protein‐free value when the B[a]PDE is positioned in the minor groove [(+)‐ and (−)‐trans‐B[a]PDE‐N2‐dG adducts in the CpG site] and when it is intercalated on the 5′‐side of the CpG site [(+)‐trans‐B[a]PDE‐N6‐dA adduct]. The fluorescence of B[a]PDE‐modified DNA•Dnmt3a‐CD complexes exhibits only small changes when the B[a]PDE is intercalated with base displacement in (+)‐ and (−)‐cis‐B[a]PDE‐N2‐dG adducts and without base displacement in the (−)‐trans‐B[a]PDE‐N6‐dA adduct. The initial rates of methylation were significantly reduced by the minor groove trans‐B[a]PDE‐N2‐dG adducts, regardless of their position in the substrate and by the intercalated cis‐B[a]PDE‐N2‐dG adducts within the CpG site. The observed changes in fluorescence and methylation rates are consistent with the flipping of the target cytosine and a catalytic loop motion within the DNA•Dnmt3a‐CD complexes. In the presence of the regulatory factor Dnmt3L, an enhancement of both methylation rates and fluorescence was observed, which is consistent with a Dnmt3L‐mediated displacement of the catalytic loop towards the CpG site.