bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Foundations of a Starling‐Like Controller for Rotary Blood Pumps
Authors: Salamonsen Robert Francis , Lim Einly , Gaddum Nicholas , AlOmari Abdul‐Hakeem H. , Gregory Shaun David , Stevens Michael , Mason David Glen , Fraser John F. , Timms Daniel , Karunanithi Mohan K. , Lovell Nigel Hamilton
Published: May 2012

A clinically intuitive physiologic controller is desired to improve the interaction between implantable rotary blood pumps and the cardiovascular system. This controller should restore the Starling mechanism of the heart, thus preventing overpumping and underpumping scenarios plaguing their implementation. A linear Starling‐like controller for pump flow which emulated the response of the natural left ventricle (LV) to changes in preload was then derived using pump flow pulsatility as the feedback variable. The controller could also adapt the control line gradient to accommodate longer‐term changes in cardiovascular parameters, most importantly LV contractility which caused flow pulsatility to move outside predefined limits. To justify the choice of flow pulsatility, four different pulsatility measures (pump flow, speed, current, and pump head pressure) were investigated as possible surrogates for LV stroke work. Simulations using a validated numerical model were used to examine the relationships between LV stroke work and these measures. All were approximately linear (r2 (mean ± SD) = 0.989 ± 0.013, n = 30) between the limits of ventricular suction and opening of the aortic valve. After aortic valve opening, the four measures differed greatly in sensitivity to further increases in LV stroke work. Pump flow pulsatility showed more correspondence with changes in LV stroke work before and after opening of the aortic valve and was least affected by changes in the LV and right ventricular (RV) contractility, blood volume, peripheral vascular resistance, and heart rate. The system (flow pulsatility) response to primary changes in pump flow was then demonstrated to be appropriate for stable control of the circulation. As medical practitioners have an instinctive understanding of the Starling curve, which is central to the synchronization of LV and RV outputs, the intuitiveness of the proposed Starling‐like controller will promote acceptance and enable rational integration into patterns of hemodynamic management.
Microparticle detection in platelet products by three different methods
Authors: Strasser Erwin F. , Happ Sebastian , Weiss Dominik R. , Pfeiffer Alexandra , Zimmermann Robert , Eckstein Reinhold
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Standardization of platelet‐derived microparticle (PMP) enumeration by flow cytometry (FCM) is limited due to its intrinsic characteristics. Because of high clinical relevance of microparticle (MP) detection, standardization of MP assays is required.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This prospective paired study analyzed 31 healthy blood donors (18 male, 13 female) and compared pre‐ and postdonation results of donors with results of plateletpheresis products by three different methods. PMP counts were analyzed by FCM using calibrated beads of defined diameter and annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate and CD41‐phycoerythrin staining. MP activity was tested by prothrombinase assay (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) and a procoagulant phospholipid‐dependent clotting time assay (STA‐Procoag‐PPL, Diagnostica Stago S.A.S.).

RESULTS: PMP concentration was more than threefold higher in single‐platelet units (SPUs) and resulted in higher PMP yields in SPUs compared to double‐platelet units (DPUs). The ELISA and the procoagulant clotting assay also revealed a significant higher MP activity in SPUs compared to DPUs. The results of the procoagulation clotting assay correlated inversely with PMP counts obtained by FCM (r = −0.685, p < 0.001) and with the MP activity measured by ELISA (r = −0.641, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Three different methods for MP detection showed good correlations of results, albeit the basis for MP analysis was different. Even if FCM is considered the “gold standard” of MP detection there are still technical limitations concerning detection of small MP. The procoagulant STA‐Procoag‐PPL assay and the prothrombinase ELISA assay could be useful additional MP tests. Regarding the interpretation of quantitative results of MPs, preanalytical conditions must be optimized and standardized.
GSK3b‐inhibitor lithium chloride enhances activation of Wnt canonical signaling and osteoblast differentiation on hydrophilic titanium surfaces
Authors: Galli C. , Piemontese M. , Lumetti S. , Manfredi E. , Macaluso G. M. , Passeri G.
Published: May 2012

Aims

Promoting bone formation at the tissue interface is an important step to improve implant success. This study investigated whether stimulation of Wnt signaling by GSK3b inhibitor lithium chloride (LiCl) could affect the response of mesenchymal or osteoblastic cells growing on titanium surfaces with different topography and wettability, and improve their differentiation along the osteoblastic lineage.

Material and methods

Murine mesenchymal C2C12 cells were plated on Pickled, acid‐etched/sand‐blasted (SLA), and hydrophilic SLA titanium disks (modSLA) and stimulated with increasing doses of LiCl. Cell viability was measured using chemiluminescence‐based ATP quantitation and activation of Wnt canonical signaling was measured using a Luciferase‐based reporter assay. Gene expression was measured using real time PCR in C2C12 cells, murine osteoblastic MC3T3 cells or murine primary bone marrow cells.

Results

LiCl stimulated Wnt activation and expression of Wnt markers in C2C12 cells on modSLA. Addition of 1 mM LiCl increased levels for bone marker Osteocalcin in MC3T3 cells on modSLA surfaces. Similarly, LiCl potently enhanced Osteoprotegetrin levels in MC3T3 cells on modSLA. When primary bone marrow cells were stimulated with LiCl, the expression of Wnttarget genes and osteoblastic differentiation markers was increased on modSLA surfaces.

Conclusions

Stimulation of the canonical Wnt pathway promoted osteoblast differentiation on hydrophilic modSLA surfaces. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Wnt activators such as LiCl should be further tested as a possible approach to improve implant osseointegration.
Consequences of occupational food‐related hand dermatoses with a focus on protein contact dermatitis
Authors: Vester Lotte , Thyssen Jacob P. , Menné Torkil , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: May 2012

Background. Protein contact dermatitis is a frequent disorder among hand eczema patients who have occupational food contact. Knowledge about the consequences of having protein contact dermatitis is lacking.

Objectives. To investigate the consequences of having occupational skin disease on the hands resulting from food handling, with a focus on protein contact dermatitis.

Material and methods. One hundred and seventy‐eight patients who were identified as having skin disease related to occupational food exposure and who answered a questionnaire concerning the consequences of their skin disease were included in the study. The patients were consecutively examined at Gentofte Hospital, Denmark between 2001 and 2010.

Results. Seventy‐five per cent of patients with protein contact dermatitis had to wear gloves at work, and 62.5% reported sick leave lasting for >3 weeks, as compared with 60.2% and 30%, respectively, of the patients with other occupational food‐related hand dermatoses (p = 0.02). Sixty‐two per cent and 43%, respectively, had to change job because of skin problems (p = 0.02). Atopic dermatitis was equally common in the two groups.

Conclusion. We found that the patients with protein contact dermatitis experienced more severe and frequent consequences than patients with other food‐related hand dermatoses.
High frequency of false‐positive reactions in attempted patch testing with acrylate/methacrylate mixes
Authors: Goon Anthony T.‐J. , Bruze Magnus , Zimerson Erik , Goossens An , Goh Chee‐Leok , Isaksson Marléne
Published: May 2012

Background. Although acrylate/methacrylate allergy has been frequently reported, until now patch testing with this group of allergens has been unwieldy, requiring the application of large supplementary series in most centres.

Objectives. To formulate and evaluate two mixes of acrylate/methacrylate allergens in three centres (Malmö, Singapore, and Leuven).

Patients/materials/methods. All patients tested with the baseline series during the study period were also patch tested with the mixes. Mix 1 consisted of: triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TREGDA) 0.1% wt/wt, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2‐HEMA) 1.0% wt/wt and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate 1.0% wt/wt in petrolatum. Mix 2 consisted of: TREGDA 0.1% wt/wt and 2‐HEMA 2.0% wt/wt in pet. The separate components of the two mixes were also tested simultaneously.

Results. There were 25 (5 males; 20 females) positive reactions to mix 1 with 16 in Malmö, 8 in Singapore, and 1 in Leuven. Positive reactions to mix 2 were seen only in Malmö, in 8 female patients. Thus, the positive reaction rate for mix 1 was 8.3% overall (Malmö 7.7%, Singapore 18.6%, and Leuven 2.1%), and that for mix 2 was 2.7% overall (Malmö 3.8%, Singapore 0%, and Leuven 0%). Of the 16 positive reactions to mix 1 in Malmö, only 4 were considered to be true allergic reactions, as the component allergen testing gave totally negative results in 12/16. For mix 2, only 3/8 positive reactions were considered to be true allergic reactions, as the component testing was negative in 5/8. Many doubtful (10–20%) and positive but non‐allergic reactions were recorded, leading to early termination of the study.

Conclusions. Although this was an unsuccessful attempt to formulate an acrylate/methacrylate mix, our experience will be useful for those embarking on future attempts to do this.
Topical antioxidants protect the skin from chemical‐induced irritation in the repetitive washing test: a placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study
Authors: Schempp Christoph M. , Meinke Martina C. , Lademann Jürgen , Ferrari Yvonne , Brecht Thomas , Gehring Wolfgang
Published: May 2012

Background. There is increasing evidence that reactive oxygen species play an important role in the development of both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis.

Objectives. To assess the potential of topical antioxidants to prevent the development of experimentally induced irritant contact dermatitis.

Methods. We evaluated the effect of a cream containing a combination of antioxidants on sodium lauryl sulfate‐induced irritant contact dermatitis in the repetitive washing test. As readout parameters for skin barrier function and cutaneous inflammation stratum corneum hydration, cutaneous blood flow and transepidermal water loss were assessed in 25 volunteers with bioengineering methods.

Results. In comparison with the cream base and a frequently used barrier cream, the antioxidant cream had high radical scavenging activity and effectively protected the skin from chemical‐induced irritation.

Conclusions. The superiority of the cream with antioxidants to the cream base suggests that reactive oxygen species, at least in part, play a role in the development of irritant contact dermatitis.
Scandinavian Fellowship for Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine: guidelines for oral pathology and oral medicine in the dental curriculum
Authors: Kragelund C. , Reibel J. , Hietanen J. , Hadler‐Olsen E. , Johannessen A. C. , Kenrad B. , Nylander K. , Puranen M. , Salo T. , Syrjänen S. , Søland T. M. , van der Waal I. , van der Wal J. E. , Warfvinge G.
Published: May 2012

In Scandinavia, as in many European countries, most patients consult their general dentist once a year or more. This gives the dentist a unique opportunity and an obligation to make an early diagnosis of oral diseases, which is beneficial for both the patient and the society. Thus, the dentist must have knowledge of clinical symptoms, local and systemic signs and clinical differential diagnoses to make an accurate diagnosis. The dentist must be competent in selecting appropriate diagnostic tests, for example, tissue biopsy and microbiological samples, and conducting them correctly, as well as in interpreting test results and taking appropriate action accordingly. Furthermore, the dentist must be aware of diseases demanding multidisciplinary cooperation and be able to recognise his/her professional limitation, and to refer to other specialists when required. The dental curriculum changes over time as new approaches, treatments and diagnostic possibilities develop. Likewise, the role of the dentist in the community changes and may vary in different countries. As members of the Scandinavian Fellowship for Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine and subject representatives of oral pathology and oral medicine, we feel obliged to contribute to the discussion of how the guidelines of the dental curriculum support the highest possible standards of dental education. This article is meant to delineate a reasonable standard of oral pathology and oral medicine in the European dental curriculum and to guide subject representatives in curriculum development and planning. We have created an advisory topic list in oral pathology and oral medicine.
Prevalence of traumatic injuries to permanent dentition and its association with overjet in a Swiss child population
Authors: Schatz Jean‐Paul , Hakeberg Magnus , Ostini Enrico , Kiliaridis Stavros
Published: May 2012

Objective

Dental trauma is a very common issue in dentistry and its occurrence has been related to many factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in the permanent dentition among Swiss children and its association with overjet.

Material and methods

A sample of 1900 children aged 6–13 years was prospectively evaluated to determine the number and types of injuries, the influence of overjet on the risk of suffering trauma and the relationships between trauma, age, gender and life conditions.

Results

The observed prevalence of trauma was higher for boys, with a slight risk increase with age and a peak frequency at the age of 10 years. Most of the injuries (91.2%) involved the upper front teeth; 87.2% of all injuries were hard tissue injuries (enamel or dentin fractures), and 12.8% only subluxation and luxation injuries. Children with an overjet of 6 mm or more had a four times higher risk of suffering trauma, compared with those with less overjet.

Conclusion

This cross‐sectional study confirmed most of the results from earlier studies dealing with epidemiological factors of dental injuries to the permanent dentition. Of all the variables analysed, overjet stood out as the most significant risk factor: an increased overjet of 6 mm or more had a major impact on the risk of trauma, which would speak in favour of early orthodontic correction of an increased overjet to reduce the prevalence of dental trauma.
Inhibition of mechanical stress‐induced NF‐κB promotes bone formation
Authors: Zhou S , Zhang J , Zheng H , Zhou Y , Chen F , Lin J
Published: May 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 19, 59–64

Objective:  Nuclear factor kappaB (NF‐κB) plays an important role in osteogenesis. This study was performed to investigate the effects of mechanical force on NF‐κB activity in osteoblast‐like cells.

Materials and methods:  U2OS cells were harvested at specific time points after mechanical loading. U2OS nuclear extracts were prepared for Western blot assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Total RNA was isolated using TRIzol for real‐time PCR.

Results:  P‐p65 (Ser536) expression in the nucleus was significantly higher after loading force on U2OS cells. The amount of nuclear NF‐κB also increased. Ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate(PDCT) inhibited compressive force‐induced NF‐κB activity in EMSA. Further, PDTC attenuated the transcriptional inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), RUNX‐2 and Osteocalcin by down‐regulating NF‐κB activity.

Conclusions:  Mechanical force enhances NF‐κB activity in osteoblast‐like cells, and compressive force affects the downstream bone marker genes through NF‐κB.
Fatty acid composition in the mature milk of Bolivian forager‐horticulturalists: controlled comparisons with a US sample
Authors: Martin Melanie A. , Lassek William D. , Gaulin Steven J.C. , Evans Rhobert W. , Woo Jessica G. , Geraghty Sheela R. , Davidson Barbara S. , Morrow Ardythe L. , Kaplan Hillard S. , Gurven Michael D.
Published: May 2012

Breast milk fatty acid (FA) composition varies greatly among individual women, including in percentages of the long‐chain polyunsaturated FAs (LCPUFA) 20:4n‐6 (arachidonic acid, AA) and 22:6n‐3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), which are important for infant neurological development. It has been suggested that owing to wide variation in milk LCPUFA and low DHA in Western diets, standards of milk FA composition should be derived from populations consuming traditional diets. We collected breast milk samples from Tsimane women at varying lactational stages (6–82 weeks). The Tsimane are an indigenous, natural fertility, subsistence‐level population living in Amazonia Bolivia. Tsimane samples were matched by lactational stage to samples from a US milk bank, and analysed concurrently for FA composition by gas‐liquid chromatography. We compared milk FA composition between Tsimane (n = 35) and US (n = 35) mothers, focusing on differences in LCPUFA percentages that may be due to population‐typical dietary patterns. Per total FAs, the percentages of AA, DHA, total n‐3 and total n‐6 LCPUFA were significantly higher among Tsimane mothers. Mean percentages of 18:2n‐6 (linoleic acid) and trans FAs were significantly higher among US mothers. Tsimane mothers' higher milk n‐3 and n‐6 LCPUFA percentages may be due to their regular consumption of wild game and freshwater fish, as well as comparatively lower intakes of processed foods and oils that may interfere with LCPUFA synthesis.
Cluster‐randomized trial on complementary and responsive feeding education to caregivers found improved dietary intake, growth and development among rural Indian toddlers
Authors: Vazir Shahnaz , Engle Patrice , Balakrishna Nagalla , Griffiths Paula L. , Johnson Susan L. , Creed‐Kanashiro Hilary , Fernandez Rao Sylvia , Shroff Monal R. , Bentley Margaret E.
Published: May 2012

Inadequate feeding and care may contribute to high rates of stunting and underweight among children in rural families in India. This cluster‐randomized trial tested the hypothesis that teaching caregivers appropriate complementary feeding and strategies for how to feed and play responsively through home‐visits would increase children's dietary intake, growth and development compared with home‐visit‐complementary feeding education alone or routine care. Sixty villages in Andhra Pradesh were randomized into three groups of 20 villages with 200 mother–infant dyads in each group. The control group (CG) received routine Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS); the complementary feeding group (CFG) received the ICDS plus the World Health Organization recommendations on breastfeeding and complementary foods; and the responsive complementary feeding and play group (RCF&PG) received the same intervention as the CFG plus skills for responsive feeding and psychosocial stimulation. Both intervention groups received bi‐weekly visits by trained village women. The groups did not differ at 3 months on socioeconomic status, maternal and child nutritional indices, and maternal depression. After controlling for potential confounding factors using the mixed models approach, the 12‐month intervention to the CFG and RCF&PG significantly (P < 0.05) increased median intakes of energy, protein, Vitamin A, calcium (CFG), iron and zinc, reduced stunting [0.19, confidence interval (CI): 0.0–0.4] in the CFG (but not RCF&PG) and increased (P < 0.01) Bayley Mental Development scores (mean = 3.1, CI: 0.8–5.3) in the RCF&PG (but not CFG) compared with CG. Community‐based educational interventions can improve dietary intake, length (CFG) and mental development (RCF&PG) for children under 2 years in food‐secure rural Indian families.
Low maternal vitamin B12 status during pregnancy is associated with reduced heart rate variability indices in young children
Authors: Sucharita Sambashivaiah , Dwarkanath Pratibha , Thomas Tinku , Srinivasan Krishnamachari , Kurpad Anura V. , Vaz Mario
Published: May 2012

Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in neuronal development, particularly in myelinogenesis. Demyelination of the autonomic nervous system occurs early in vitamin B12 deficiency. However, the impact of maternal vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy on neuronal function in the offspring is poorly documented. The objective of this study was to assess cardiac autonomic nervous activity in children born to mothers with low vitamin B12 status during pregnancy using heart rate variability (HRV) indices in the frequency domain. Seventy‐nine healthy children between 3 and 8 years of age were evaluated from an ongoing birth cohort. The blood sample of the mother had been stored and was analysed for plasma vitamin B12 following enrolment of the child. Subjects were divided, based on the median maternal first trimester vitamin B12 status (114 pmol L−1), into lower (n = 40) and higher (n = 39) vitamin B12 status groups. A lead II electrocardiogram was recorded in the supine posture and subjected to HRV analysis. Low‐frequency HRV in absolute units was reduced significantly in children of the lower vitamin B12 status group (P = 0.03) and was 53% that of the higher vitamin B12 status group. There was a significant association between low‐frequency and total power HRV with cord blood vitamin B12 levels (ρ = 0.31 and 0.30, both P = 0.03). In summary, children born to mothers with a lower vitamin B12 status have a reduced cardiac sympathetic activity. The long‐term implication of this needs to be evaluated by follow‐up studies.
Development of a Decision Tree Analysis model that predicts recovery from acute brain injury
Authors: OH Hyun Soo , SEO Wha Sook
Published: May 2012

Aim:  The present study was conducted to identify significant demographic, illness‐related, and physiological factors associated with recovery at 1 month after brain injury, and to develop and evaluate a Decision Tree Analysis‐based prediction model.

Methods:  This study was conducted using a prospective study design. The study subjects were 190 adult patients with brain injury admitted to the neurological intensive care unit of a university hospital located in Incheon, South Korea. Degree of recovery from brain injury was evaluated 1 month after admission using the Glasgow Outcome Scale.

Results:  A prediction model was developed using Decision Tree Analysis. The most significant predictor of recovery at 1 month after brain injury using the devised model was Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission, and its optimum cut‐off value for the differentiation of good and poor recovery was 8.5. The next best predictors were age and blood glucose level on admission, which had cut‐off values of 49.5 years and 155 mg/dL, respectively. In addition, hematoma volume, systolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate on admission were also found to predict 1 month recovery significantly, with corresponding cut‐off values of 44 cc, 168 mmHg, and 29/min, respectively.

Conclusion:  The developed model includes common and routinely used monitoring parameters as significant predictors, and proposes cut‐off values for these predictors. This model appears to be useful for predicting 1 month recovery in various brain injury types. The authors believe that the devised model provides a basis for the evidence‐based nursing care of brain injured patients during the acute stage.
Chloroplast phylogeography of a temperate tree Pteroceltis tatarinowii (Ulmaceae) in China
Authors: LI Xiao‐Hong , SHAO Jian‐Wen , LU Chang , ZHANG Xiao‐Ping , QIU Ying‐Xiong
Published: May 2012

Abstract  Pteroceltis tatarinowii Maxim. (Ulmaceae), one of the most widespread temperate canopy trees in mainland China, is the sole representative of the genus Pteroceltis. To illuminate the biogeographic and demographic history of this temperate tree species, we carried out a survey of chloroplast DNA sequence variation (trnS‐trnG and psbA‐trnH) within and among 28 populations (284 individuals in total) representing most of the distributional range of the species. Based on a total of 13 haplotypes identified, P. tatarinowii was found to harbor surprisingly high levels of haplotype and nucleotide diversity (hT= 0.71; πT= 2.83 × 10−3), possibly associated with its long evolutionary history and wide‐scale geographical distribution. Significant chloroplast DNA population subdivision was detected (GST= 0.898; NST= 0.938), suggesting low levels of recurrent gene flow through seeds among populations and significant phylogeographical structure (NST > GST, P < 0.05). The ancestral haplotypes show clear‐cut geographical distribution, and most regions possess a unique set of haplotypes, suggesting multiple potential refugia of the species occurring in montane areas of South China. The haplotype mismatch distributions analysis indicates that populations from North China underwent a spatial northward expansion, which might reflect one of the repeated Pleistocene south‐to‐north shifts of temperate deciduous forest in North China following cold periods.
A revision of the genus Pternopetalum Franch. (Apiaceae)
Authors: WANG Li‐Song
Published: May 2012

Abstract  A revision of the East Asian genus Pternopetalum Franch. is presented recognizing 15 species and proposing 14 new synonyms. Pternopetalum filicinum (Franch.) Hand.‐Mazz., P. asplenioides (H. Boissieu) Hand.‐Mazz., P. heterophyllum Hand.‐Mazz., and P. tanakae var. fulcranium Y. H. Zhang are merged with P. tanakae (Franch. & Savatier) Hand.‐Mazz. Pternopetalum wolffianum (Fedde ex H. Wolff) Hand.‐Mazz., P. yiliangense Shan & Pu, P. vulgare var. strigosum Shan & Pu, and P. vulgare var. acuminatum C. Y. Wu ex Shan & Pu are reduced to P. vulgare (Dunn.) Hand.‐Mazz. Pternopetalum botrychioides var. latipinulatum Shan and P. affinum (Fedde ex H. Wolff) M. Hiroe are combined with P. botrychioides (Dunn) Hand.‐Mazz. Pternopetalum longicaule Shan and P. mairei (Diels ex H. Wolff) Hand.‐Mazz. are merged with P. delavayi (Franch.) Hand.‐Mazz. Pternopetalum trachycarpum C. Y. Wu ex Shan & Z. H. Pan is reduced to P. trichomanifolium (Franch.) Hand.‐Mazz. An identification key, descriptions, and distribution maps are provided.
Platelet‐rich fibrin increases cell attachment, proliferation and collagen‐related protein expression of human osteoblasts
Authors: Wu C‐L , Lee S‐S , Tsai C‐H , Lu K‐H , Zhao J‐H , Chang Y‐C
Published: May 2012

Background:  Platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) prepared by Choukroun’s technique is derived from an autogenous preparation of concentrated platelets without any manipulation. PRF was found to increase osteoblast growth and proliferation. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet completely understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of PRF on cell attachment, proliferation, phosphorylated Akt, heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) and lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression on human osteoblasts.

Methods:  Blood collection was carried out from 10 healthy volunteers. Cell attachment and proliferation were measured by colorimetric assay with WST‐1 and alamar blue in human osteoblast cell line U2OS cells, respectively. Western blot was employed to evaluate the expression of p‐Akt, HSP47 and LOX.

Results:  PRF alone was found to stimulate U2OS cell attachment compared with untreated controls (p < 0.05). PRF was found to increase osteoblast proliferation during a 5‐day incubation period (p < 0.05). PRF was found to increase Akt phosphorylation in a time‐dependent manner (p < 0.05). Collagen‐related proteins HSP47 and LOX were significantly elevated by stimulation with PRF compared with untreated controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:  It is suggested that PRF is capable of increasing osteoblast attachment, proliferation and simultaneously upregulating collagen‐related protein production. These actions in combination would effectively promote bone regeneration.
Investigation of interfacial oxidation control using sacrificial metallic Al and La passivation layers on InGaAs
Authors: Brennan Barry , Milojevic Marko , Contreras-Guerrero Roccio , Kim Hyun-Chul , Lopez-Lopez Maximo , Kim Jiyoung , Wallace Robert M.
Published: May 2012

The ability of metallic Al and La interlayers to control the oxidation of InGaAs substrates is examined by monochromatic x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and compared to the interfacial chemistry of atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3 directly on InGaAs surfaces. Al and La layers were deposited by electron-beam and effusion cell evaporators, respectively, on In0.53Ga0.47As samples with and without native oxides present. It was found that both metals are extremely efficient at scavenging oxygen from III–V native oxides, which are removed below XPS detection limits prior to ALD growth. However, metallic Ga/In/As species are simultaneously observed to form at the semiconductor–metal interface. Upon introduction of the samples to the ALD chamber, these metal bonds are seen to oxidize, leading to Ga/In–O bond growth that cannot be controlled by subsequent trimethyl-aluminum (TMA) exposures. Deposition on an oxide-free InGaAs surface results in both La and Al atoms displacing group III atoms near the surface of the semiconductor. The displaced substrate atoms tend to partially oxidize and leave both metallic and III–V oxide species trapped below the interlayers where they cannot be “cleaned-up” by TMA. For both Al and La layers the level of Ga–O bonding detected at the interface appears larger then that seen following ALD directly on a clean surface.
Sensitivity analysis for lexicographic ordering in radiation therapy treatment planning
Authors: Long T. , Matuszak M. , Feng M. , Fraass B. A. , Ten Haken R. K. , Romeijn H. E.
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

To introduce a method to efficiently identify and calculate meaningful tradeoffs between criteria in an interactive IMRT treatment planning procedure. The method provides a systematic approach to developing high‐quality radiation therapy treatment plans.

Methods:

Treatment planners consider numerous dosimetric criteria of varying importance that, when optimized simultaneously through multicriteria optimization, yield a Pareto frontier which represents the set of Pareto‐optimal treatment plans. However, generating and navigating this frontier is a time‐consuming, nontrivial process. A lexicographic ordering (LO) approach to IMRT uses a physician's criteria preferences to partition the treatment planning decisions into a multistage treatment planning model. Because the relative importance of criteria optimized in the different stages may not necessarily constitute a strict prioritization, the authors introduce an interactive process, sensitivity analysis in lexicographic ordering (SALO), to allow the treatment planner control over the relative sequential‐stage tradeoffs. By allowing this flexibility within a structured process, SALO implicitly restricts attention to and allows exploration of a subset of the Pareto efficient frontier that the physicians have deemed most important.

Results:

Improvements to treatment plans over a LO approach were found by implementing the SALO procedure on a brain case and a prostate case. In each stage, a physician assessed the tradeoff between previous stage and current stage criteria. The SALO method provided critical tradeoff information through curves approximating the relationship between criteria, which allowed the physician to determine the most desirable treatment plan.

Conclusions:

The SALO procedure provides treatment planners with a directed, systematic process to treatment plan selection. By following a physician's prioritization, the treatment planner can avoid wasting effort considering clinically inferior treatment plans. The planner is guided by criteria importance, but given the information necessary to accurately adjust the relative importance at each stage. Through these attributes, the SALO procedure delivers an approach well balanced between efficiency and flexibility.
Temporal offset judgments for concurrent vowels by young, middle-aged, and older adults
Authors: Fogerty Daniel , Kewley-Port Diane , Humes Larry E.
Published: May 2012

Temporal processing declines with age may reduce the processing of concurrent vowels. For this study, listeners categorized vowel pairs varying in temporal asynchrony as one sound, two overlapping sounds, or two sounds separated by a gap. Two boundaries separating the three response categories, multiplicity and gap-identification, were measured. Compared to young and middle-aged listeners, older listeners required longer temporal offsets for multiplicity. Middle-aged and older listeners also required longer offsets for gap-identification. For older listeners, correlations with various temporal processing tasks indicated that vowel temporal-order thresholds were related to multiplicity, while age and non-speech gap-detection thresholds were related to gap-identification.
Hesperian Age for Western Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars
Authors: Zimbelman James R. , Scheidt Stephen P.
Published: May 2012

Counts of impact craters provide age for a region on Mars close to the landing site of rover Curiosity.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pasteurella multocida HN06, a Toxigenic Strain of Serogroup D
Authors: Liu Wenjing , Yang Minjun , Xu Zhuofei , Zheng Huajun , Liang Wan , Zhou Rui , Wu Bin , Chen Huanchun
Published: May 2012

Pasteurella multocida
is an important etiological agent that can cause many economically important diseases in a wide range of mammals and birds. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
P. multocida
HN06, a toxigenic serogroup D strain isolated from a diseased pig in China.
Genome Sequence of Rickettsia conorii subsp.indica, the Agent of Indian Tick Typhus
Authors: Sentausa Erwin , El Karkouri Khalid , Robert Catherine , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre-Edouard
Published: May 2012

Rickettsia conoriisubsp.indicais the agent of Indian tick typhus. The present study reports the draft genome ofRickettsia conoriisubsp.indicastrain ITTR (ATCC VR-597).
Draft Genome Sequence of an Antibiotic-Resistant Propionibacterium acnes Strain, PRP-38, from the Novel Type IC Cluster
Authors: McDowell Andrew , Hunyadkürti Judit , Horváth Balázs , Vörös Andrea , Barnard Emma , Patrick Sheila , Nagy István
Published: May 2012

Propionibacterium acnes
, a non-spore-forming, anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium, is most notably recognized for its association with acne vulgaris (I. Kurokawa et al., Exp. Dermatol. 18:821–832, 2009). We now present the draft genome sequence of an antibiotic-resistant
P. acnes
strain, PRP-38, isolated from an acne patient in the United Kingdom and belonging to the novel type IC cluster.
Healthcare cost usage for hospitalised injuries sustained in industrial settings in the USA
Authors: Lander Lina , Shah Rahul K , Li Yun , Mahalingam-Dhingra Aditya , Smith Lynette M , Sorock Gary
Published: May 2012

Objective

To describe characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalised for injuries occurring in industrial settings during a 1-year period.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of hospital admissions in the USA in 2006 using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample was performed. TheInternational Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification(ICD-9 CM) code E849.3 (industrial place and premises) was used to identify work-related injury admissions.

Results

A total of 5826 patients were hospitalised with injuries sustained in industrial settings (weighted, 28 354 patients). The mean age was 42.9 years (82% were men). They were 48% Caucasian, 19% Hispanic and 6% African–American. The majority were admitted from the Emergency Department (72%). Further the majority of admissions were discharged home (79%; 9% with home healthcare) and 10.7% were transferred to another facility. The mean length of stay was 4.5 days (range 0–109 days). Mean total charges per admission was US$32 254 (median US$18 364, 90th percentile US$66 607). Common diagnoses included: orthopaedic injuries (including amputations) to: finger/hand (20.9%), foot/ankle (8.2%), leg (10.2%) and spine (8.4%); infection (10.8%), pulmonary diagnosis (6.6%), soft tissue injuries (3.6%) and burns to <10% of the body (3.6%). Comorbidities included hypertension (17.0%) and diabetes mellitus (6.3%). Most common procedures performed included fracture reduction (17.6%), blood transfusions (3.1%) and spinal surgery (3%). A total of 194 (0.7%) patients died in the hospital.

Conclusions

Injuries in industrial settings result in significant healthcare usage, morbidity and mortality on an annual basis in the USA. These admission levels facilitate development of targeted strategies to optimise the quality and economics of care for injuries in industrial settings.
Active transportation to school in Canadian youth: should injury be a concern?
Authors: Gropp Kathleen , Janssen Ian , Pickett William
Published: May 2012

Active transportation to school provides a means for youth to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines, and this has obvious benefits for child health. Studies of active transportation have rarely focused on the negative health effects in terms of injury. This cross-sectional study is based on the 2009/10 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children survey. A sample of children aged 11–15 years (n=20 076) was studied. Multi-level logistic regression was used to examine associations between walking or bicycling to school and related injury. Regular active transportation to school at larger distances (approximately >1.6 km; 1.0 miles) was associated with higher relative odds of active transportation injury (OR: 1.52; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.15), with a suggestion of a dose–response relationship between longer travel distances and injury (p=0.02). Physical activity interventions for youth should encourage participation in active transportation to school, while also recognising the potential for unintentional injury.
Prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections and patterns of recent HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Zagreb, Croatia
Authors: Bozicevic Ivana , Lepej Snjezana Zidovec , Rode Oktavija Dakovic , Grgic Ivana , Jankovic Patricija , Dominkovic Zoran , Lukas Davorka , Johnston Lisa Grazina , Begovac Josip
Published: May 2012

Objective

To determine the prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Zagreb, Croatia, and assess correlates of testing for HIV in the past 12 months.

Methods

The authors carried out a bio-behavioural survey using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) from September 2010 to February 2011. Participants completed a questionnaire and were asked to provide blood, urine, oropharyngeal and rectal swabs for the detection of infections. Data were analysed using RDS Analysis Tool 6.0.1 and STATA V.8.0.

Results

A total of 387 MSM were recruited at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases. The age range of recruited men was 18–57 years. HIV prevalence was 2.8% (95% CI 1.1% to 5.1%) (3.6%, unadjusted), lower than that found in the first RDS survey carried out in 2006 (4.5%, 95% 2.2% to 7.3%) (4.9%, unadjusted). The seroprevalence of herpes virus type 2 was 5.9% (6.9, unadjusted) and that of syphilis measured byTreponema pallidumhaemagglutination assay was 7.6% (6.7%, unadjusted). The authors found urethral and/or rectal infections withChlamydia trachomatisin 7.2% (8.5%, unadjusted) of men and gonoccocal in 2.7% (2.1%, unadjusted). HIV testing in the past 12 months was reported by 32.7% (38.9%, unadjusted). In the multivariate analysis, significant correlates of recent HIV testing were having more than three partners in the past 12 months and the knowledge of HIV status of a regular partner.

Conclusions

The results indicate that there might have not been a progression of an HIV and STI epidemic in the past 5 years among MSM in Croatia. Prevention should expand by providing better uptake of HIV and STI testing services, thus enabling timely treatment.
High-risk human papillomavirus prevalence is associated with HIV infection among heterosexual men in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Tobian Aaron A R , Grabowski Mary K , Kigozi Godfrey , Gravitt Patti E , Eaton Kevin P , Serwadda David , Nalugoda Fred , Wawer Maria J , Quinn Thomas C , Gray Ronald H
Published: May 2012

Objectives

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection causes genital warts, penile cancer and cervical cancer. Africa has one of the highest rates of penile and cervical cancers, but there are little data on high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) prevalence in heterosexual men. Knowledge of HR-HPV prevalence, risk factors and genotype distribution among heterosexual men is important to establish risk-reduction prevention strategies.

Methods

1578 uncircumcised men aged 15–49 years who enrolled in male circumcision trials in Rakai, Uganda, were evaluated for HR-HPV from swabs of the coronal sulcus/glans using Roche HPV Linear Array. Adjusted prevalence risk ratios (adjPRRs) were estimated using modified Poisson multivariable regression.

Results

HPV prevalence (either high risk or low risk) was 90.7% (382/421) among HIV-positive men and 60.9% (596/978) among HIV-negative men (PRR 1.49, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.58). HIV-positive men had a significantly higher risk of infection with three or more HR-HPV genotypes (PRR=5.76, 95% CI 4.27 to 7.79). Among HIV-positive men, high-risk sexual behaviours were not associated with increased HR-HPV prevalence. Among HIV-negative men, HR-HPV prevalence was associated with self-reported genital warts (adjPRR 1.57, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.31). Among all men (both HIV negative and HIV positive), HR-HPV prevalence was associated with more than 10 lifetime sexual partners (adjPRR 1.30, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.66), consistent condom use (adjPRR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.60) and HIV infection (adjPRR 1.80, 95% CI 1.60 to 2.02). HR-HPV prevalence was lower among men who reported no sexual partners during the past year (adjPRR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.94).

Conclusion

The burden of HR-HPV infection is high among heterosexual men in sub-Saharan Africa and most pronounced among the HIV-infected individuals.
Delineation of biochemical, molecular, and physiological changes accompanying bile acid pool size restoration in Cyp7a1−/−mice fed low levels of cholic acid
Authors: Jones Ryan D. , Repa Joyce J. , Russell David W. , Dietschy John M. , Turley Stephen D.
Published: May 2012

Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) is the initiating and rate-limiting enzyme in the neutral pathway that coverts cholesterol to primary bile acids (BA). CYP7A1-deficient ( Cyp7a1−/−) mice have a depleted BA pool, diminished intestinal cholesterol absorption, accelerated fecal sterol loss, and increased intestinal cholesterol synthesis. To determine the molecular and physiological effects of restoring the BA pool in this model, adult female Cyp7a1−/−mice and matching Cyp7a1+/+controls were fed diets containing cholic acid (CA) at modest levels [0.015, 0.030, and 0.060% (wt/wt)] for 15–18 days. A level of just 0.03% provided a CA intake of ∼12 μmol (4.8 mg) per day per 100 g body wt and was sufficient in the Cyp7a1−/−mice to normalize BA pool size, fecal BA excretion, fractional cholesterol absorption, and fecal sterol excretion but caused a significant rise in the cholesterol concentration in the small intestine and liver, as well as a marked inhibition of cholesterol synthesis in these organs. In parallel with these metabolic changes, there were marked shifts in intestinal and hepatic expression levels for many target genes of the BA sensor farnesoid X receptor, as well as genes involved in cholesterol transport, especially ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter A1 (ABCA1) and ABCG8. In Cyp7a1+/+mice, this level of CA supplementation did not significantly disrupt BA or cholesterol metabolism, except for an increase in fecal BA excretion and marginal changes in mRNA expression for some BA synthetic enzymes. These findings underscore the importance of using moderate dietary BA levels in studies with animal models.
Role of glutathione in lung retention of 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime in two unique rat models of hyperoxic lung injury
Authors: Audi Said H. , Roerig David L. , Haworth Steven T. , Clough Anne V.
Published: May 2012

Rat exposure to 60% oxygen (O2) for 7 days (hyper-60) or to >95% O2 for 2 days followed by 24 h in room air (hyper-95R) confers susceptibility or tolerance, respectively, of the otherwise lethal effects of subsequent exposure to 100% O2. The objective of this study was to determine if lung retention of the radiopharmaceutical agent technetium-labeled-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) is differentially altered in hyper-60 and hyper-95R rats. Tissue retention of HMPAO is dependent on intracellular content of the antioxidant GSH and mitochondrial function. HMPAO was injected intravenously in anesthetized rats, and planar images were acquired. We investigated the role of GSH in the lung retention of HMPAO by pretreating rats with the GSH-depleting agent diethyl maleate (DEM) prior to imaging. We also measured GSH content and activities of mitochondrial complexes I and IV in lung homogenate. The lung retention of HMPAO increased by ∼50% and ∼250% in hyper-60 and hyper-95R rats, respectively, compared with retention in rats exposed to room air (normoxic). DEM decreased retention in normoxic (∼26%) and hyper-95R (∼56%) rats compared with retention in the absence of DEM. GSH content increased by 19% and 40% in hyper-60 and hyper-95R lung homogenate compared with normoxic lung homogenate. Complex I activity decreased by ∼50% in hyper-60 and hyper-95R lung homogenate compared with activity in normoxic lung homogenate. However, complex IV activity was increased by 32% in hyper-95R lung homogenate only. Furthermore, we identified correlations between the GSH content in lung homogenate and the DEM-sensitive fraction of HMPAO retention and between the complex IV/ complex I activity ratio and the DEM-insensitive fraction of HMPAO retention. These results suggest that an increase in the GSH-dependent component of the lung retention of HMPAO may be a marker of tolerance to sustained exposure to hyperoxia.
Role of Nox isoforms in angiotensin II-induced oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in brain
Authors: Chrissobolis Sophocles , Banfi Botond , Sobey Christopher G. , Faraci Frank M.
Published: May 2012

Angiotensin II (Ang II) promotes vascular disease through several mechanisms including by producing oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Although multiple potential sources of reactive oxygen species exist, the relative importance of each is unclear, particularly in individual vascular beds. In these experiments, we examined the role of NADPH oxidase (Nox1 and Nox2) in Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction in the cerebral circulation. Treatment with Ang II (1.4 mg·kg−1·day−1 for 7 days), but not vehicle, increased blood pressure in all groups. In wild-type (WT; C57Bl/6) mice, Ang II reduced dilation of the basilar artery to the endothelium-dependent agonist acetylcholine compared with vehicle but had no effect on responses in Nox2-deficient (Nox2−/y) mice. Ang II impaired responses to acetylcholine in Nox1 WT (Nox1+/y) and caused a small reduction in responses to acetylcholine in Nox1-deficient (Nox1−/y) mice. Ang II did not impair responses to the endothelium-independent agonists nitroprusside or papaverine in either group. In WT mice, Ang II increased basal and phorbol-dibutyrate-stimulated superoxide production in the cerebrovasculature, and these increases were abolished in Nox2−/y mice. Overall, these data suggest that Nox2 plays a relatively prominent role in mediating Ang II-induced oxidative stress and cerebral endothelial dysfunction, with a minor role for Nox1.