bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary MRI Quality Assessment and Device Acceptance Guidelines for a Multicenter Bioclinical Study: The GO Glioblastoma Project
Authors: Ollivro Sylvain , Eliat Pierre‐Antoine , Hitti Eric , Tran Loan , de Certaines Jacques D. , Saint‐Jalmes Hervé
Published: September 2011

It is a major challenge to guarantee homogeneous acquisition during a prospective multicenter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study that makes use of different devices. The goal of the multicenter Grand Ouest Glioblastoma Project (GOGP) was to correlate MRI quantitative parameters with biological markers extracted from image‐guided biopsies. Therefore, it was essential to ensure spatial coherence of the parameters as well as the signal intensity and homogeneity. The project included the same MRI protocol implemented on six devices from different manufacturers. The key point was the initial acceptance of the imaging devices and protocol sequences. For this purpose, and to allow comparison of quantitative patient data, we propose a specific method for quality assessment. A common quality control based on 10 parameters was established. Three pulse sequences of the clinical project protocol were applied using three test‐objects. A fourth test‐object was used to assess T1 accuracy. Although geometry‐related parameters, signal‐to‐noise ratio, uniformity, and T1 measurements varied slightly depending on the different devices, they nevertheless remained within the recommendations and expectations of the multicenter project. This kind of quality control procedure should be undertaken as a prerequisite to any multicenter clinical project involving quantitative MRI and comparison of data acquisitions with quantitative biological image‐guided biopsies.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate and assume corneal keratocyte phenotype
Authors: Liu Hongshan , Zhang Jianhua , Liu Chia‐Yang , Hayashi Yasuhito , Kao Winston W.‐Y.
Published: September 2011

It remains elusive as to what bone marrow (BM) cell types infiltrate into injured and/or diseased tissues and subsequently differentiate to assume the phenotype of residential cells, for example, neurons, cardiac myocytes, keratocytes, etc., to repair damaged tissue. Here, we examined the possibility of whether BM cell invasion via circulation into uninjured and injured corneas could assume a keratocyte phenotype, using chimeric mice generated by transplantation of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)+ BM cells into keratocan null (Kera−/−) and lumican null (Lum−/−) mice. EGFP+ BM cells assumed dendritic cell morphology, but failed to synthesize corneal‐specific keratan sulfate proteoglycans, that is KS‐lumican and KS‐keratocan. In contrast, some EGFP+ BM cells introduced by intrastromal transplantation assumed keratocyte phenotypes. Furthermore, BM cells were isolated from Kera‐Cre/ZEG mice, a double transgenic mouse line in which cells expressing keratocan become EGFP+ due to the synthesis of Cre driven by keratocan promoter. Three days after corneal and conjunctival transplantations of such BM cells into Kera−/− mice, green keratocan positive cells were found in the cornea, but not in conjunctiva. It is worthy to note that transplanted BM cells were rejected in 4 weeks. MSC isolated from BM were used to examine if BM mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSC) could assume keratocyte phenotype. When BM‐MSC were intrastromal‐transplanted into Kera−/− mice, they survived in the cornea without any immune and inflammatory responses and expressed keratocan in Kera−/− mice. These observations suggest that corneal intrastromal transplantation of BM‐MSC may be an effective treatment regimen for corneal diseases involving dysfunction of keratocytes.
Endocytosis and intracellular processing of platelet microparticles by brain endothelial cells
Authors: Faille Dorothée , El‐Assaad Fatima , Mitchell Andrew J. , Alessi Marie‐Christine , Chimini Giovanna , Fusai Thierry , Grau Georges E. , Combes Valéry
Published: September 2011

Platelet‐derived microparticles (PMP) bind and modify the phenotype of many cell types including endothelial cells. Recently, we showed that PMP were internalized by human brain endothelial cells (HBEC). Here we intend to better characterize the internalization mechanisms of PMP and their intracellular fate. Confocal microscopy analysis of PKH67‐labelled PMP distribution in HBEC showed PMP in early endosome antigen 1 positive endosomes and in LysoTracker‐labelled lysosomes, confirming a role for endocytosis in PMP internalization. No fusion of calcein‐loaded PMP with HBEC membranes was observed. Quantification of PMP endocytosis using flow cytometry revealed that it was partially inhibited by trypsin digestion of PMP surface proteins and by extracellular Ca2+ chelation by EDTA, suggesting a partial role for receptor‐mediated endocytosis in PMP uptake. This endocytosis was independent of endothelial receptors such as intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 and was not increased by tumour necrosis factor stimulation of HBEC. Platelet‐derived microparticle internalization was dramatically increased in the presence of decomplemented serum, suggesting a role for PMP opsonin‐dependent phagocytosis. Platelet‐derived microparticle uptake was greatly diminished by treatment of HBEC with cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of microfilament formation required for both phagocytosis and macropinocytosis, with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin that depletes membrane cholesterol needed for macropinocytosis and with amiloride that inhibits the Na+/H+ exchanger involved in macropinocytosis. In conclusion, PMP are taken up by active endocytosis in HBEC, involving mechanisms consistent with both phagocytosis and macropinocytosis. These findings identify new processes by which PMP could modify endothelial cell phenotype and functions.
SNARE complex‐mediated degranulation in mast cells
Authors: Woska Joseph R. , Gillespie Marc E.
Published: September 2011

Introduction

SNARE function in membrane fusion events

Expression of SNAREs and SNARE complexes in mast cells

Functional studies implicating specific SNAREs or SNARE complexes in mast cell degranulation

RNA interference studies, SNARES and mast cells

Regulation of mast cell SNAREs

Conclusions

Mast cell function and dysregulation is important in the development and progression of allergic and autoimmune disease. Identifying novel proteins involved in mast cell function and disease progression is the first step in the design of new therapeutic strategies. Soluble N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) are a family of proteins demonstrated to mediate the transport and fusion of secretory vesicles to the membrane in mast cells, leading to the subsequent release of the vesicle cargo through an exocytotic mechanism. The functional role[s] of specific SNARE family member complexes in mast cell degranulation has not been fully elucidated. Here, we review recent and historical data on the expression, formation and localization of various SNARE proteins and their complexes in murine and human mast cells. We summarize the functional data identifying the key SNARE family members that appear to participate in mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, we discuss the utilization of RNA interference (RNAi) methods to validate SNARE function and the use of siRNA as a therapeutic approach to the treatment of inflammatory disease. These studies provide an overview of the specific SNARE proteins and complexes that serve as novel targets for the development of new therapies to treat allergic and autoimmune disease.
Incidence of cervical cancer and age‐specific survival of small cell cervical carcinoma in Taiwan
Authors: HUANG CHAO‐YUAN , YOU SAN‐LIN , CHEN CHIEN‐JEN , CHENG WEN‐FANG , LUO HUI‐CHUN , HSIEH CHANG‐YAO
Published: September 2011

Objective. To determine the incidence of cervical cancer and the age‐specific survival from small cell cervical carcinoma in Taiwan. Design. Retrospective study. Setting. Taiwan. Population. Women diagnosed with cervical cancer from 1991 to 2005. Methods. Analysis of data from the National Cancer Registration System and National Death Certification System. Main Outcome Measures. Incidence and age at diagnosis of cervical carcinoma and age‐specific and overall survival from small cell cervical carcinoma. Results. During the study period, 36 122 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 81.8% had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). For the periods 1991–1995, 1996–2000 and 2001–2005, the mean age at diagnosis increased from 53.9±13.3 to 55.0±14.9 and then to 56.7±14.7 years, respectively. The incidence of SCC decreased from 1991 to 2005. During the same period, non‐significant increases of adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma were noted. For SCC, occurrence peaked in 1991–1995 in patients 50–59 years of age. From 1996 to 2005, it peaked in patients 40–49 years of age. For cervical adenocarcinoma, occurrence peaked in patients 40–49 years of age, with a steady increase in this age group from 1991 to 2005. Occurrence of small cell cervical carcinoma peaked in the period 1991–1995 in patients 30–39 years of age. During the 15 years of the study, the overall mortality rate of the 198 patients with small cell cervical carcinoma was 65.7%. Conclusions. In Taiwan, the incidence of small cell cervical carcinoma and adenocarcinoma tended to increase, but the incidence of squamous cell cervical carcinoma significantly decreased during the period 1991–2005.
Labor progress among women attempting a trial of labor after cesarean. Do they have their own rules?
Authors: FARANESH RITA , SALIM RAED
Published: September 2011

Objective. To examine the pattern of labor progression among second parous women who had a vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC) compared with primiparous and multiparous women who delivered vaginally. Design. Case–control study. Setting. University hospital in Israel, August 2005 through November 2008. Population. The cases were all 137 second parous women who had a VBAC during the study period. The control groups were: (1) 136 primiparous women; and (2) 137 women who had a second repeated vaginal delivery. Methods. Data were extracted from the electronic medical records at admission, labor charts and medical records at discharge. Controls were frequency‐matched to the study group for maternal age, gestational age and the work shift during which the delivery occurred. Main Outcome Measures. Length of the active phase of labor. Secondary outcomes were length of the second stage and incidence of vacuum extraction deliveries. Results. The length of the active phase was 176±116, 207±121 and 110±66 minutes in the study, first and second control groups, respectively. The active phase and stage 2 of the study group were significantly shorter than in the first control group (p=0.02 and p=0.007, respectively) and longer than in the second control group (p=0.001 in both stages). The incidence of vacuum deliveries was higher (p=0.001) in the study group (13.9%) compared with the second control group (1.5%). Conclusions. The results suggest that the pattern of labor progression among second parous women undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean differs from second parous women undergoing a repeated vaginal delivery. Recognizing this dissimilarity may help in avoiding unnecessary, occasionally deleterious, interventions.
Delayed local responses of downy birch to damage by leafminers and leafrollers
Authors: Kozlov Mikhail V. , Lanta Voitĕch , Zverev Vitali E. , Zvereva Elena L.
Published: September 2011

Recent findings suggest that impacts of endemic herbivory on forest ecosystems over the long term may exceed impacts of herbivore outbreaks. However, responses of trees to minor and local damage imposed by small arthropod herbivores, especially by those mining or skeletonising individual leaves, remain poorly understood. We studied the delayed effects of injuries by several leafmining and leafrolling insects on the performance of downy birch shoots. Insect feeding did not affect survival of shoots or survival of individual axillary buds in long shoots. In the year following the damage, shoots produced an average of 13.8% more biomass than undamaged shoots of the same tree. The magnitude of this effect increased with an increase in the leaf area injured during the previous year, but it did not differ among four localities in subarctic and boreo‐nemoral forests, between herbivore feeding guilds, or among herbivores imposing damage in early, mid and late summer. We also found that herbivores attacked the next‐year foliage produced by damaged shoots less frequently than they attacked the next‐year foliage produced by undamaged shoots of the same tree. Thus, our study demonstrated delayed local compensatory growth and increased antiherbivore defence in downy birch shoots following local damage by insect feeding. We suggest that this pattern reflects evolutionary adaptations of plants to permanently acting minor, dispersed and spatially unpredictable damage imposed by endemic herbivory. Local responses are less costly and represent a more sustainable strategy to maintain plant fitness under low levels of herbivory than constitutive resistance or systemic responses.
Evaluation of immunohistochemical expression of p53, p21, p27, cyclin D1, and Ki67 in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Perisanidis Christos , Perisanidis Beata , Wrba Fritz , Brandstetter Anita , El Gazzar Sabine , Papadogeorgakis Nikolaos , Seemann Rudolf , Ewers Rolf , Kyzas Panayiotis A. , Filipits Martin
Published: September 2011

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 40–46

Background:  The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the immunohistochemical expression of p53, p21, p27, cyclin D1, and Ki67 can predict therapy response and survival in patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with preoperative chemoradiation.

Methods:  Biomarker expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded pretreatment biopsies of 111 homogenously treated patients. We assessed the association between clinicopathological variables including response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy as well as the survival of the patients and the expression of the biomarkers as both dichotomized (positive vs. negative) and continuous variables.

Results:  Biomarker overexpression on the basis of pre‐selected cutoff points was seen in 66 of 111 (59%) cases for p53, in 77 (69%) for p21, in 48 (43%) for p27, in 81 (73%) for cyclin D1, and in 54 (49%) cases for Ki67, respectively. None of the examined biomarkers was able to predict response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy or was associated with survival outcome. Post‐treatment pathologic TNM stage (P < 0.001), pathologic response (P < 0.001), and perineural invasion (P < 0.001) were the only factors having a significant effect on recurrence‐free survival. Post‐treatment pathologic N stage (P = 0.005), post‐treatment pathologic TNM stage (P < 0.001), pathologic response (P < 0.001), and perineural invasion (P = 0.001) had a significant impact on overall survival.

Conclusions:  Our results suggest that the biomarkers p53, p21, p27, cyclin D1, and Ki67 have no impact on treatment response and survival in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiation.
The prevalence of dysplasia and malignant lip lesions in transplant patients
Authors: Nolan Anita , Girdler Nick M. , Seymour Robin A. , Mark Thomason J.
Published: September 2011

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 113–118

Background:  Solid organ transplant patients are at an increased risk of developing lip malignancies. The role of HLA mismatch as a risk factor for such changes has only been described in skin.

Methods:  Lip lesions were evaluated in 403 solid organ transplant patients (immunosuppressed for at least 3 months) and findings compared to age and sex matched, otherwise healthy patients who acted as controls. HLA typing was provided for the transplant patients. All patients provided details of smoking history, alcohol consumption, skin type, as assessed by ease of burning to sunlight, and exposure to sunlight or other forms of ultraviolet radiation.

Results:  Lip lesions were identified in 36 transplant patients and 29 were biopsied. Fourteen of the biopsies confirmed dysplastic or malignant changes. For the control patients, one lesion was identified as dysplastic. The prevalence of dysplastic and malignant lip lesions was significantly higher (P = 0.006) in the transplant patients when compared to controls. Risk factors for dysplastic/malignant changes in the transplant group included age (P = 0.01), smoking (P = 0.033) and HLA‐B mismatch (P = 0.001). Lip covering provided a significant reduction (P = 0.045) in the development of lip changes.

Conclusion:  All transplant patients should be regularly screened for lip malignancies and consulted on smoking and sunlight exposure. HLA‐B mismatch does appear to make these patients more susceptible to dysplastic/malignant changes.
Cytoprotective effects of melatonin on astroglial cells subjected to palmitic acid treatment in vitro
Authors: Wang Zhen , Liu Dexiang , Wang Juntao , Liu Shangming , Gao Ming , Ling Eng‐Ang , Hao Aijun
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  Melatonin, an endogenously produced neurohormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland, has a variety of physiological functions and neuroprotective effects. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) have been known to induce neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in central nervous system injuries and neurodegenerative pathologies. However, the effect of melatonin on SFAs‐induced cytotoxicity in astroglial cells, if any, has remained to be explored. This study reports that in primary cultured astroglial cells, melatonin significantly attenuated palmitic acid (PA)‐induced cytotoxicity in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. Additionally, melatonin effectively suppressed PA‐induced reactive oxygen species generation and prevented PA‐induced apoptosis whereby the rise in Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio and caspase‐3 activation in astroglial cells was inhibited. However, it did not appear to exert an obvious effect on PA‐induced intracellular calcium overload. Luzindole, a nonselective melatonin receptor antagonist, attenuated melatonin’s promotion effect of cell survival and Stat3 phosphorylation, indicating that melatonin exerts its protective property in astroglial cells, at least in part, through the activation of membrane receptors and then Stat3 signaling pathway. Finally, melatonin had an inhibitory effect on the pro‐inflammatory cytokine gene expression. The results suggest that melatonin may be an effective cytoprotective agent against PA‐based cytotoxicity through modulating cell survival and inflammatory response in astroglial cells.
Assessment of melanocytic skin lesions with a high‐definition laser Doppler imaging system
Authors: Hunger Robert E. , Torre Rocco Della , Serov Alexandre , Hunziker Thomas
Published: September 2011

Background

Early detection is a major goal in the management of malignant melanoma. Besides clinical assessment many noninvasive technologies such as dermoscopy, digital dermoscopy and in vivo laser scanner microscopy are used as additional methods. Herein we tested a system to assess lesional perfusion as a tool for early melanoma detection.

Methods

Laser Doppler flow (FluxExplorer) and mole analyser (MA) score (FotoFinder) were applied to histologically verified melanocytic nevi (33) and malignant melanomas (12).

Results

Mean perfusion and MA scores were significantly increased in melanoma compared to nevi. However, applying an empirically determined threshold of 16% perfusion increase only 42% of the melanomas fulfilled the criterion of malignancy, whereas with the mole analyzer score 82% of the melanomas fulfilled the criterion of malignancy.

Conclusion

Laser Doppler imaging is a highly sensitive technology to assess skin and skin tumor perfusion in vivo. Although mean perfusion is higher in melanomas compared to nevi the high numbers of false negative results hamper the use of this technology for early melanoma detection.
Cutaneous resonance running time is decreased in psoriatic lesions
Authors: Lv Chengzhi , Song Shunpeng , Luo Wenhai , Elias Peter M. , Man Mao‐Qiang
Published: September 2011

Background/aims

Psoriasis is characterized by lower stratum corneum (SC) hydration and dermal inflammation. Both SC hydration and cutaneous inflammation influence cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT). However, the characteristics of CRRT in psoriatic lesions are largely unknown. In the present study, we assessed whether changes in CRRT occur in psoriatic lesions in Chinese.

Methods

A Reviscometer RVM600 and Corneometer CM 825 were used to measure CRRTs and SC hydration, respectively, in psoriatic lesions (psoriasis vulgaris) on the extensor of forearm in 111 subjects (58 men, 53 women), aged 23–80 years (50.42 ± 1.23 years). The contralateral uninvolved sites served as control.

Results

In comparison with contralateral uninvolved sites, CRRTs in psoriatic lesions were reduced significantly in all directions. There was neither gender nor age difference in the extent of reduction in CRRTs. However, the reduction of CRRTs varied with measurement directions. Positive correlations of SC hydration with CRRTs were found at some directions in uninvolved and involved sites in young men whereas CRRTs in psoriatic lesions were not correlated with SC hydration in either aged or young women. Moreover, CRRT at 0–6 o'clock direction was positively correlated with SC hydration in involved sites of aged men.

Conclusion

Cutaneous resonance running times are decreased in psoriatic lesions. Reduction of CRRTs varies with measurement directions, but not gender or age. Measurement of CRRTs could be another valuable approach to assess the severity of psoriasis and the efficacy of its treatment.
Primary succession trajectories on pumice at Mount St. Helens, Washington
Authors: del Moral Roger , Thomason Lindsay A. , Wenke Anthony C. , Lozanoff Natasha , Abata Mario D.
Published: September 2011

Questions

Does vegetation become less variable over time? Do floristic trajectories converge during succession? Can either allogenic (external) or autogenic (internal) factors predict species patterns during succession?

Location

Pumice Plain of Mount St. Helens (46.23449°N; 122.15929°W, 1230 m a.s.l.), which was sterilized in 1980 by a direct volcanic blast, then buried in pumice.

Methods

We monitored a grid of 200 100‐m2 contiguous plots annually (1989–2010) and classified the 2010 data into five community types (CTs). We characterized plots using external (e.g. distance from relict sites) and internal (e.g. moisture) factors and clustered plots by position and habitat factors to assess trajectories. We used redundancy analysis (RDA) to assess relationships between vegetation and these variables over time. Mantel tests, similarity changes and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate successional trends.

Results

Five CTs were weakly related to habitats at this scale. Over time, vegetation became more homogeneous and successional trajectories of plots clustered by position and habitat factors became more similar or developed in parallel. The succession rate slowed fitfully as persistent species became dominant, while Lupinus fluctuated. Mantel tests indicated that relationships between species and environment were maximized using only autogenic factors. RDA found that autogenic factors were stronger than allogenic ones, while explained variance did not increase after 1992 and factor correlations to species stabilized by 1996.

Conclusions

The strength of links between vegetation and environment were weak at this scale, yet explained variation stabilized early in succession. As substantial vegetative variation persisted and convergence was far from complete due to weak links to habitat factors, habitat variation and stochastic establishment should be considered by vegetation managers.
Management of Provisional Restorations' Deficiencies: A Literature Review
Authors: PATRAS MICHAEL , NAKA OLGA , DOUKOUDAKIS SPYRIDON , PISSIOTIS ARGIRIS
Published: September 2011

Provisional restorations are designed in order to protect oral structures and promote function and esthetics for a limited period of time, after which they are to be replaced by a definite prosthesis. They play a particular role in diagnostic procedures and continued evaluation of the treatment plan, as they should resemble the form and function of the definite rehabilitation that they precede. Therefore, interim treatment should satisfy the criteria of marginal adaptation, strength, and longevity. In complicated treatment plans that intend to last for extended periods of time, the function of provisional prostheses involves the possibility of relining, modification, or repair. These adjustments raise considerations regarding the strength of the resultant bond. Chemical composition of the base and repair material, surface characteristics of fracture parts, and time elapsed since the initial set of the rehabilitation should be considered in the decision of the appropriate repair material and technique. Proper pretreatment of the provisional components' surfaces is essential to ensure bonding as well.

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the management of provisional restorations' deficiencies. This article highlights possible failures of custom‐fabricated provisional restorations, describes methods to prevent their occurrence, and discusses clinical techniques for their management. Finally, the proper combination of materials and surface preparation to achieve the optimum treatment outcomes are presented.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Provisional restorations' failures and other deficiencies are encountered by clinicians on a daily basis. Adequate laboratory techniques and material combinations presented herein may contribute to their efficient and predictable modifications and repairs.

(J Esthet Restor Dent 24:26–39, 2012)
Sexual Behaviors and Situational Characteristics of Most Recent Male-Partnered Sexual Event among Gay and Bisexually Identified Men in the United States
Authors: Rosenberger Joshua G. , Reece Michael , Schick Vanessa , Herbenick Debby , Novak David S. , Van Der Pol Barbara , Fortenberry J. Dennis
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Recent nationally representative studies documenting event-level sexual behavior have included samples that are predominantly heterosexual, resulting in limited information on the sexual repertoire of gay and bisexually identified men.

Aim

This study sought to document the sexual behaviors that gay and bisexually identified men report during their most recent male-partnered sexual event and to describe the situational characteristics and participants' evaluation of these events.

Methods

Via an internet-based survey, data were collected from 24,787 gay and bisexually identified men (ages 18–87 years) from 50 US states and the District of Columbia.

Main Outcome Measures

Measures included items related to sociodemographics, recent sexual behavior history, situational characteristics, orgasm, and ratings of arousal and pleasure.

Results

Participants' mean age was 39.2 years; ethnicities included white (84.6%), Latino (6.4%), and African American (3.6%); and most men (79.9%) identified as homosexual. The most commonly reported behavior was kissing a partner on the mouth (74.5%), followed by oral sex (72.7%), and partnered masturbation (68.4%). Anal intercourse occurred among less than half of participants (37.2%) and was most common among men ages 18–24 (42.7%). Sex was most likely to occur in the participant's home (46.8%), with less frequently reported locations including hotels (7.4%) and public spaces (3.1%). The number of behaviors engaged in during last sexual event varied with most (63.2%) including 5–9 different sexual behaviors.

Conclusions

These data provide one of the first examinations of sexual behaviors during the most recent male-partnered sexual event among gay and bisexually identified men in the United States. Findings from this study suggest that gay and bisexually identified men have a diverse sexual repertoire and that partnered sexual behaviors are not limited solely to acts of penile insertion.
Use of Pelvic Floor Ultrasound to Assess Pelvic Floor Muscle Function in Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome in Men
Authors: Davis Seth N. , Morin Melanie , Binik Yitzchak M. , Khalife Samir , Carrier Serge
Published: September 2011

Introduction

An important cause or maintaining factor for pain in Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (UCPPS) may be pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunction, which may also be implicated in sexual dysfunction and influenced by psychosocial factors. Pelvic floor ultrasound is a noninvasive, reliable, and relatively simple method to assess PFM morphology and function and can be assessed by the anorectal angle (ARA) and levator plate angle (LPA).

Aims

The aim of the present study was to examine PFM morphology in men with UCPPS as compared with controls and to examine the correlation with pain and psychosocial measures.

Methods

Our participants were 24 men with UCPPS and 26 controls. A GE Voluson E8 ultrasound probe was placed on the perineum, and three-dimensional images were taken at rest and during PFM contraction.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcomes were ARA and LPA at rest and contraction. Participants also completed the National Institute of Health (NIH) Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, Male Sexual Health Questionnaire, State Anxiety Inventory, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale.

Results

Men with UCPPS had more acute ARAs than controls both at rest and during contraction. The two groups did not differ in LPA at rest; however, men with UCPPS had significantly more acute angles during contraction and LP excursion. Acute ARAs were positively correlated with greater pain report and sexual dysfunction. Anxiety was correlated with more acute ARAs and more obtuse LPAs.

Conclusion

Three implications can be drawn from the findings. First, ARA at rest and during contraction as well as LP angle during contraction and LPA excursion separates men with UCPPS from controls. Second, ARA at rest and during contraction was correlated with pain and sexual dysfunction, while LPA at rest was related to anxiety. Third, pelvic floor ultrasound has the potential to be a useful and objective method of assessing PFM morphology in UCPPS.
Characterization of Erectile Function in Elastin Haploinsufficicent Mice
Authors: Hidalgo-Tamola Josephine , Luttrell I.n. , Jiang Xiaogang , Li Dean , Mecham Robert P. , Chitaley Kanchan
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Elastin fibers confer passive recoil to many tissues including the lung, skin, and arteries. In the penis, elastin is present in sinusoids, arterioles, and in the tunica albuginea. Although decreased penile elastin has been reported in men with erectile dysfunction, the exact role of elastin in physiologic processes integral to erection remains speculative.

Aim

The aim of this study was to characterize erectile function in elastin-deficient mice.

Methods

Elastin haploinsufficient mice (Eln+/−) and aged match Eln+/+ (Wt) mice were used. Cavernosum was removed from some mice for quantification of elastin, collagen, and smooth muscle actin. Ex vivo assessment of contractile force generation was performed by myography. In vivo assessment of intracorporal pressure normalized to mean arterial pressure in response to electrical stimulation of the cavernosal nerve was measured. Veno-occlusive function was determined by cavernosography.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measures of this study were the in vitro and in vivo assessment of cavernosal vasoreactivity, veno-occlusive function and erection in mice deficient in elastin.

Results

Eln +/− mice exhibited ∼33% less penile elastin than Wt mice, with no change in collagen. Cavernosal tissue from Eln+/− mice has a significantly heightened contractile response, explained in part by increased smooth muscle cell content. Veno-occlusive function was significantly altered in Eln+/− mice. Interestingly, erectile function was impaired only at submaximal voltage (1 V) stimulation (there was no impairment during the higher 2-V stimulus).

Conclusion

Eln +/− mice display a cavernosal phenotype consistent with developmental changes attributable to the loss of elastin. These alterations confer a degree of altered erectile function that is able to be overridden by maximal stimulatory input. Altogether, these data suggest that elastin is important for erectile function.
Age‐stage, two‐sex life tables of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) with a discussion on the problem of applying female age‐specific life tables to insect populations
Authors: Huang Yu‐Bing , Chi Hsin
Published: September 2011

Abstract  Age‐stage, two‐sex life tables of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), reared on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica Roem) and a carrot medium (mashed Daucus carota L. mixed with sucrose and yeast hydrolysate) were constructed under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1°C, 65%± 0.5% relative humidity, and a photoperiod 12 : 12 h (L : D). The intrinsic rates of increase of B. cucurbitae were 0.144 6, 0.141 2 and 0.068 8 days on cucumber, sponge gourd, and carrot medium, respectively. The highest net reproduction rate was 172 offspring per fly reared on sponge gourd. The mean generation times of B. cucurbitae ranged from 34 days reared on cucumber to 56 days reared on carrot medium. The life history raw data was analyzed using the traditional female age‐specific life table and compared to results obtained using the age‐stage, two‐sex life table. When the age‐specific female life table is applied to an age‐stage‐structured two‐sex population, survival and fecundity curves will be improperly manipulated due to an inability to include variation in preadult development time. We discussed different interpretations of the relationship between the net reproductive rate and the intrinsic rate of increase to clarify possible misunderstanding in the literature.
Radio jets from stellar tidal disruptions
Authors: van Velzen Sjoert , Körding Elmar , Falcke Heino
Published: September 2011

A star that passes too close to a massive black hole will be torn apart by tidal forces. The flare of photons emitted during the accretion of the stellar debris is predicted to be observable, and candidates of such events have been observed at optical to X-ray frequencies. If a fraction of the accreted material is fed into a jet, tidal flares should be detectable at radio frequencies too, thus comprising a new class of rare radio transients. Using the well-established scaling between accretion power and jet luminosity and basic synchrotron theory, we construct an empirically rooted model to predict the jet luminosity for a time-dependent accretion rate. We apply this model to stellar tidal disruptions and predict the snapshot rate of these events. For a small angle between the observer and the jet, our model reproduces the observed radio flux of the tidal flare candidate GRB 110328A. We find that future radio surveys will be able to test whether the majority of tidal disruptions are accompanied by a jet.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Aromatic and Heteroaromatic Amino Alcohols
Authors: de Almeida Camila G. , Reis Samira G. , de Almeida Angelina M. , Diniz Claudio G. , da Silva Vânia L. , Le Hyaric Mireille
Published: September 2011

Two series of aromatic and heteroaromatic amino alcohols were synthesized from alcohols and aldehydes and evaluated for their antibacterial activities. All the octylated compounds displayed a better activity against the four bacteria tested when evaluated by the agar diffusion method and were selected for the evaluation of minimal inhibitory concentration. The best results were obtained for p‐octyloxybenzyl derivatives against Staphylococcus epidermidis (minimal inhibitory concentrations = 32 μm).
Alleviation of Adverse Effects of Drought Stress on Growth and Some Potential Physiological Attributes in Maize (Zea mays L.) by Seed Electromagnetic Treatment
Authors: Javed Namra , Ashraf Muhammad , Akram Nudrat Aisha , Al‐Qurainy Fahad
Published: September 2011

Effects of varying preseed magnetic treatments on growth, chlorophyll pigments, photosynthesis, water relation attributes, fluorescence and levels of osmoprotectants in maize plants were tested under normal and drought stress conditions. Seeds of two maize cultivars were treated with different (T0 [0 mT], T1 [100 mT for 5 min], T2 [100 mT for 10 min], T3 [150 mT for 5 min] and T4 [150 mT for 10 min]) electromagnetic treatments. Drought stress considerably suppressed growth, chlorophyll a and b pigments, leaf water potential, photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs) and substomatal CO2 concentration (Ci), while it increased leaf glycinebetaine and proline accumulation in both maize cultivars. However, pretreated seeds with different magnetic treatments significantly alleviated the drought‐induced adverse effects on growth by improving chlorophyll a, A, E, gs, Ci and photochemical quenching and nonphotochemical quenching, while it had no significant effect on other attributes. However, different magnetic treatments negatively affected the gs and Ci particularly in cv. Agaiti‐2002 under drought stress conditions. Of all magnetic treatments, 100 and 150 mT for 10 min were most effective in alleviating the drought‐induced adverse effects. Overall, preseed electromagnetic treatments could be used to minimize the drought‐induced adverse effects on different crop plants.
Vaccination in the elderly
Authors: Derhovanessian Evelyna , Pawelec Graham
Published: September 2011

There is a general consensus that the elderly do not respond as well to vaccination as the young, but robust studies are few and far between. Most refer to influenza vaccination, but even here, adequate immunological and clinical data are surprisingly thin on the ground. The meta‐analysis by Goodwin et al. from 2006 is still the most comprehensive that we have. They reviewed 31 antibody response studies comparing influenza vaccination efficacy in groups of elderly and younger adults. They reported that the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of responses in elderly versus young adults ranged from 0.24 to 0.59 for the three influenza antigens used in the vaccines. They concluded that rather than the estimated 70–90% clinical vaccine efficacy in younger adults, this figure was only 17–53% in the elderly, depending on which viruses were prevalent that year. They stated that ‘this highlights the need for more immunogenic vaccine formulations for the elderly’. How to achieve this? There are three areas where we may consider alterations to increase vaccine efficacy: (i) make the vaccine more potent; (ii) use adjuvants to enhance immunity; and (iii) apply immune modulators or other interventions to alter host immunity generally. We will consider these three options, focusing on influenza vaccination, in this mini‐review.
Identification of activated cytokine pathways in the blood of systemic lupus erythematosus, myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma patients
Authors: HIGGS Brandon W. , ZHU Wei , RICHMAN Laura , FIORENTINO David F. , GREENBERG Steven A. , JALLAL Bahija , YAO Yihong
Published: September 2011

Aim:  To develop genomic signatures of seven cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or systemic scleroderma (SSc) that could potentially help identify patients likely to respond to therapies that target these individual cytokines.

Methods:  Over‐expressed transcripts in the whole blood (WB) were identified from 262 SLE, 44 DM, 33 PM, 38 SSc and 89 RA subjects and compared to 24 healthy subjects using Affymetrix arrays. Cytokine‐inducible gene signatures such as type I interferon (IFN), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐10, IL‐13, IL‐17, and granulosyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) were assessed in the WB of these subjects to identify subpopulations showing activation of specific cytokine pathways.

Results:  Significant activation of the type I IFN pathway in a population of five diseases studied was universally observed. The TNF‐α and IL‐1β pathways were activated in subgroups of PM and RA subjects, respectively, with another subgroup of RA subjects showing activation of the IL‐13 pathway. The GM‐CSF pathway was activated in a subgroup of SSc subjects and the IL‐17 pathway was activated in subgroups of all diseases except SLE.

Conclusions:  A novel gene expression measurement of activated cytokines in five different rheumatic diseases is presented. Characterizing the cytokine pathways most activated in specific patient subpopulations has the potential to help target the appropriate patient populations for corresponding anti‐cytokine therapies.
Characterization of reptile‐associated Borrelia sp. in the vector tick, Amblyomma geoemydae, and its association with Lyme disease and relapsing fever Borrelia spp.
Authors: Takano Ai , Fujita Hiromi , Kadosaka Teruki , Konnai Satoru , Tajima Tomoko , Watanabe Haruo , Ohnishi Makoto , Kawabata Hiroki
Published: September 2011

The genus Borrelia is arthropod‐borne infectious agents in vertebrates, and is classified into Lyme disease (LD) Borrelia spp. and Relapsing fever (RF) Borrelia spp. In addition to these Borrelia groups, we recently reported reptile‐associated (REP) Borrelia spp. from reptiles and from hard‐bodied ticks, which probably transmitted the REP Borrelia spp. In this study, we investigated the presence of REP Borrelia sp. in moulted ticks, and found that trans‐stadial transmission of REP Borrelia sp. occurred in the midgut, while it was observed that REP Borrelia sp. entered the salivary gland during blood‐feeding. This characteristic is also found in LD Borrelia spp., which are also transmitted by hard‐bodied ticks. Although phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that REP Borrelia spp. are similar to RF Borrelia spp., the ecology of the spirochaetes within the vector ticks is different for REP Borrelia spp. and RF Borrelia spp. Elucidation of the evolutionary history of the genus Borrelia and its adaptation to ticks promises to be of great interest to researchers of vector‐borne microorganisms.
Comparison of a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System with a Portable Blood Glucose Meter to Determine Insulin Dose in Cats with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Dietiker‐Moretti S. , Müller C. , Sieber‐Ruckstuhl N. , Tschuor F. , Osto M. , Franchini M. , Ackermann M. , Lutz T.A. , Reusch C.E. , Zini E.
Published: September 2011

Background:

The continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) Guardian REAL‐Time® allows the generation of very detailed glucose profiles in cats. The performance of CGMS to generate short‐term glucose profiles to evaluate treatment response has not been yet evaluated in diabetic cats.

Hypothesis:

Analysis of glucose profiles generated using the CGMS produces insulin dose recommendations that differ from those of profiles generated using the portable blood glucose meter (PBGM) in diabetic cats.

Animals:

Thirteen client‐owned diabetic cats.

Methods:

Prospective, observational study. Simultaneous glucose profiles were generated over an 8‐10 hour period using the CGMS, blood glucose concentration was measured every 2 hours with the PBGM. Profiles were submitted to three internal medicine specialists who used them to determine the insulin dose. Differences between insulin doses deduced from paired profiles were compared. Percentages of nadirs recorded with the CGMS that were lower, higher, or equal to those derived with the PBGM were calculated.

Results:

Twenty‐one paired glucose profiles were obtained. There was no difference of insulin doses based on CGMS and PBGM profiles (median 0 U; range: −1 to +0.5). Treatment decisions did not differ among investigators. Compared with the observed PBGM nadir, the CGMS nadir was lower, higher, or equal in 17, 2, and 2 of 21 cases, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance:

Adjustments in insulin dose based on glucose profiles generated with the CGMS are similar to those based on the PBGM. The common occurrence of lower nadirs recorded with the CGMS suggests that this device detects hypoglycemic periods that are not identified with the PBGM.
The Pharmacokinetics of Mirtazapine in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease and In Age‐Matched Control Cats
Authors: Quimby J.M. , Gustafson D.L. , Lunn K.F.
Published: September 2011

Background:

Cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often experience inappetence, and may benefit from administration of mirtazapine, an appetite stimulant. The pharmacokinetics of mirtazapine inCKDcats is unknown.

Hypothesis:

CKDdelays the clearance/bioavailability (CL/F) of mirtazapine.

Animals:

SixCKDcats and 6 age‐matched controls (AMC) were enrolled. TwoCKDcats each fromInternationalRenalInterestSociety (IRIS) stageII,IIIandIVwere included.

Methods:

Blood samples were collected before and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours after a singlePOdose of 1.88 mg of mirtazapine. Mirtazapine concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Non‐compartmental pharmacokinetic modeling was performed.

Results:

Mean age was 11 years (CKDcats) and 10.8 years (AMCcats). Mean serum creatinine concentration ± standard deviation (SD) was 3.8 ± 1.6 mg/dL(CKD) and 1.3 ± 0.4 mg/dL(AMC). Mean half‐life ± SDwas 15.2 ± 4.2 hours (CKD) and 12.1 ± 1.1 hours (AMC). Mean area under the curve (AUC) ± SDwas 770.6 ± 225.5 ng/mL•hr (CKD) and 555.5 ± 175.4 ng/mL•hr (AMC). MeanCL/F ± SDwas 0.6 ± 0.1 L/hr/kg (CKD) and 0.8 ± 0.16 L/hr/kg (AMC). A Mann‐Whitney test indicated statistically significant differences inAUC(P = 0.01) andCL/F(P = 0.04) between groups. Calculated accumulation factor for 48‐hour dosing inCKDcats was 1.15.

Conclusion:

CKDmay delay theCL/Fof mirtazapine. A single low dose of mirtazapine resulted in a half‐life compatible with a 48‐hour dosing interval inCKDcats.
Collective symbolic coping with disease threat and othering: A case study of avian influenza
Authors: Gilles Ingrid , Bangerter Adrian , Clémence Alain , Green Eva G. T. , Krings Franciska , Mouton Audrey , Rigaud David , Staerklé Christian , Wagner‐Egger Pascal
Published: September 2011

Much research studies how individuals cope with disease threat by blaming out‐groups and protecting the in‐group. The model of collective symbolic coping (CSC) describes four stages by which representations of a threatening event are elaborated in the mass media: awareness, divergence, convergence, and normalization. We used the CSC model to predict when symbolic in‐group protection (othering) would occur in the case of the avian influenza (AI) outbreak. Two studies documented CSC stages and showed that othering occurred during the divergence stage, characterized by an uncertain symbolic environment. Study 1 analysed media coverage of AI over time, documenting CSC stages of awareness and divergence. In Study 2, a two‐wave repeated cross‐sectional survey was conducted just after the divergence stage and a year later. Othering was measured by the number of foreign countries erroneously ticked by participants as having human victims. Individual differences in germ aversion and social dominance orientation interacted to predict othering during the divergence stage but not a year later. Implications for research on CSC and symbolic in‐group protection strategies resulting from disease threat are discussed.