bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of Porphyromonas gingivalis (fimA), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and red complex in coronary plaque
Authors: Mahendra Jaideep , Mahendra Little , Felix John , Romanos Georgios E.
Published: February 2013

Aim

The objective of the present study was to detect the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (fimA), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and red complex in the coronary plaque of patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods

The study population consisted of 51 patients with chronic periodontitis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. DNA was extracted from subgingival and coronary atherosclerotic plaque samples. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the part of 16S rRNA gene to detect the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis (fimA), Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola.

Results

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis (fimA), and Treponema denticola were detected in 0%, 31.4%, 45.1%, 39.2%, and 51% of the atherosclerotic plaque samples, respectively. In both subgingival and coronary atherosclerotic plaque samples, Tannerella forsythia was detected in 19.6%, Porphyromonas gingivalis in 39.2%, Porphyromonas gingivalis (fimA) in 33.3%, and Treponema denticola in 35.3% of the samples.

Conclusion

The study confirmed the detection of red complex bacteria in coronary plaque samples. However Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans could not be detected in these samples.
Diversity, Social Justice, and Intersectionality Trends in C/MFT: A Content Analysis of Three Family Therapy Journals, 2004–2011
Authors: Seedall Ryan B. , Holtrop Kendal , Parra‐Cardona José Ruben
Published: February 2013

In this study, we analyzed the amount of attention given to diversity, social justice, and an intersectional approach to social inequalities over an 8‐year period (769 articles) in three family therapy journals. Overall, 28.1% of articles addressed at least one diversity issue, and a social justice framework was utilized in 48.1% of diversity articles. A systemic, intersectional approach to conceptualizing and analyzing multiple social inequalities was utilized in 17.6% of diversity articles. The most common goals addressed in diversity articles, articles using a social justice framework, and articles using an intersectional approach are also identified. Findings indicate that, despite important work being carried out, more work remains to further identify how addressing diversity issues can improve client outcomes.
Chemotaxis and oospore formation in Phytophthora sojae are controlled by G‐protein‐coupled receptors with a phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase domain
Authors: Yang X. , Zhao W. , Hua C. , Zheng X. , Jing M. , Li D. , Govers F. , Meijer H. J. G. , Wang Y.
Published: February 2013

G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key cellular components that mediate extracellular signals into intracellular responses. Genome mining revealed that Phytophthora spp. have over 60 GPCR genes among which a prominent class of 12 encoding novel proteins with an N‐terminal GPCR domain fused to a C‐terminal phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPK) domain. This study focuses on two GPCR‐PIPKs (GKs) in Phytophthora sojae. PsGK4 and PsGK5 are differentially expressed during the life cycle with the highest expression in cysts and during cyst germination, and at late infection stages. In P. sojae transformants that constitutively express RFP‐tagged PsGK4 and PsGK5, the fusion proteins in hyphae reside in small, rapidly moving vesicular‐like structures. Functional analysis using gene silencing showed that PsGK4‐silenced transformants displayed higher levels of encystment and a reduced cyst germination rate when compared with the recipient strain. Moreover, GK4 deficiency (or reduction) resulted in severe defects in zoospore chemotaxis towards isoflavones and soybean roots. In contrast, PsGK5‐silenced transformants exhibited no obvious defects in asexual development but oospore production was severely impaired. Both, PsGK4‐ and PsGK5‐silenced transformants showed reduced pathogenicity. These results point to involvement of GKs in zoospore behaviour, chemotaxis and oospore development, and suggest that PsGK4 and PsGK5 each head independent signalling pathways.
Pain, fentanyl consumption, and delirium in adolescents after scoliosis surgery: dexmedetomidine vs midazolam
Authors: Aydogan Mustafa S. , Korkmaz Mehmet F. , Ozgül Ulkü , Erdogan Mehmet A. , Yucel Aytac , Karaman Abdurrahman , Togal Turkan , Durmus Mahmut , Colak Cemil
Published: February 2013

Background

The study aim was to compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine vs midazolam for sedation during the early postoperative period in adolescents who underwent scoliosis surgery.

Methods

We performed a prospective, randomized trial in an intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary care center. In this study, 42 patients (American Society of Anesthesiology physical status I and II) who underwent scoliosis surgery were divided into two groups according to sedation protocols: group dexmedetomidine (DEX) (n = 22) and group midazolam (MDZ) (n = 20). Adolescents (12–18 years) requiring mechanical ventilation underwent a continuous infusion of either dexmedetomidine (group DEX; starting dose, 0.4 μg·kg−1·h−1) or midazolam (group MDZ; starting dose, 0.1 mg·kg−1·h−1) with intermittent fentanyl, as needed. The efficacy of sedation was assessed using the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS). Quality of pain relief was measured using the Numeric Visual Analog Scale (NVAS). Delirium was determined in patients in the RASS range of −2 to +1 using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM‐ICU). Fentanyl consumption, incidence of delirium, NVAS scores, and hemodynamics were recorded postoperatively at 2, 4, 6, and 24 h in the ICU.

Results

The NVAS pain scores and fentanyl consumption at all the evaluation time points were significantly higher in group MDZ than those in group DEX (P < 0.05). Further, total fentanyl consumption in group MDZ was significantly higher than that in group DEX (P < 0.05). Delirium was significantly higher in the group MDZ than that in group DEX (31.3% vs 12.5%) when analyzed as the endpoint of CAM‐ICU (P < 0.05). The heart rate was significantly lower in group DEX compared with that in group MDZ at all the evaluation time points (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Dexmedetomidine was associated with the decreased postoperative fentanyl consumption, NVAS scores, and a decreased incidence of delirium. These findings may be beneficial for managing sedation protocols in adolescents who have undergone scoliosis surgery.
To err or to guess: An ERP study on the source of errors
Authors: Meckler Cédric , Carbonnell Laurence , Hasbroucq Thierry , Burle Boris , Vidal Franck
Published: February 2013

Given the large contribution of human error in the failure of complex systems, understanding the source of errors is an important issue. It has been proposed that, in speeded situations, responses biases induce subjects to guess which response will be required. When the guess turns out to be wrong, a fast guess error occurs. In unbiased conditions the possible contribution of fast guess errors remains an open question. We used a response‐locked event‐related potential (N‐40), assumed to reveal the presence of a response selection process during the reaction time, to probe the presence of a response selection in biased and unbiased situations. The N‐40 was present without response bias but absent in biased situations. This lends physiological support to the idea that, in a priming paradigm as used here, most errors in biased conditions are fast guesses whereas most errors result from inappropriate response selections in unbiased conditions. This reveals different sources of errors.
The utility of low frequency heart rate variability as an index of sympathetic cardiac tone: A review with emphasis on a reanalysis of previous studies
Authors: Reyes del Paso Gustavo A. , Langewitz Wolf , Mulder Lambertus J. M. , van Roon Arie , Duschek Stefan
Published: February 2013

This article evaluates the suitability of low frequency (LF) heart rate variability (HRV) as an index of sympathetic cardiac control and the LF/high frequency (HF) ratio as an index of autonomic balance. It includes a comprehensive literature review and a reanalysis of some previous studies on autonomic cardiovascular regulation. The following sources of evidence are addressed: effects of manipulations affecting sympathetic and vagal activity on HRV, predictions of group differences in cardiac autonomic regulation from HRV, relationships between HRV and other cardiac parameters, and the theoretical and mathematical bases of the concept of autonomic balance. Available data challenge the interpretation of the LF and LF/HF ratio as indices of sympathetic cardiac control and autonomic balance, respectively, and suggest that the HRV power spectrum, including its LF component, is mainly determined by the parasympathetic system.
Babesia microti real‐time polymerase chain reaction testing of Connecticut blood donors: potential implications for screening algorithms
Authors: Johnson Stephanie T. , Van Tassell Eric R. , Tonnetti Laura , Cable Ritchard G. , Berardi Victor P. , Leiby David A.
Published: February 2013

Background

Babesia microti, an intraerythrocytic parasite, has been implicated in transfusion transmission. B. microti seroprevalence in Connecticut (CT) blood donors is approximately 1%; however, it is not known what percentage of donors is parasitemic and poses a risk for transmitting infection. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of demonstrable B. microti DNA in donors from a highly endemic area of CT and compared observed rates with concurrent immunofluorescence assay (IFA) testing results.

Study Design and Methods

Blood samples from consenting donors in southeastern CT were collected from mid‐August through early October 2009 and tested by IFA for immunoglobulin G antibodies and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for B. microti DNA. IFA specificity was determined using blood donor samples collected in northwestern Vermont (VT), an area nonendemic for Babesia.

Results

Of 1002 CT donors, 25 (2.5%) were IFA positive and three (0.3%) were real‐time PCR positive. Among the three real‐time PCR–positive donors, two were also IFA positive, while one was IFA negative and may represent a window period infection. The two IFA‐ and real‐time PCR–positive donors appeared to subsequently clear infection. The other real‐time PCR–positive donor did not provide follow‐up samples. Of 1015 VT donors tested by IFA, only one (0.1%) was positive, but may have acquired infection during travel to an endemic area.

Conclusion

We prospectively identified several real‐time PCR–positive blood donors, including an IFA‐negative real‐time PCR–positive donor, in an area highly endemic for B. microti. These results suggest the need to include nucleic acid testing in planned mitigation strategies for B. microti.
The Health Burden of Orphan Zoonotic Disease in the United Kingdom, 2005–2009
Authors: Halsby K. D. , Walsh A. L. , Smith R. , Said B. , Kirkbride H. , Smyth B. , Browning L. , Larkin L. , Morgan D.
Published: February 2013

‘Orphan’ zoonotic diseases attract disproportionately low scientific and public health attention for the impact that they can have. This article pulls together information on their health burden in the UK from routine and enhanced data sources. These diseases are heterogeneous in nature; some have very low case numbers (e.g. hydatid disease), whilst others affect hundreds of patients each year (e.g. toxoplasmosis). The number of deaths attributed to orphan zoonoses is relatively low, and the majority recorded in this article were caused by toxoplasmosis. There is a clear issue of under‐reporting and under‐diagnosis in the data sets presented, and further work should be carried out to obtain more accurate estimates of the prevalence of zoonotic infections. Joint human and veterinary studies are especially important for these diseases.
KNOX2 Genes Regulate the Haploid-to-Diploid Morphological Transition in Land Plants
Authors: Sakakibara Keiko , Ando Sayuri , Yip Hoichong Karen , Tamada Yosuke , Hiwatashi Yuji , Murata Takashi , Deguchi Hironori , Hasebe Mitsuyasu , Bowman John L.
Published: February 2013

A Mossy Veil

Land plants have two distinct generations: a haploid gametophyte responsible for producing the gametes, and a diploid sporophyte, that in most land plants is the dominant form observed. However, in mosses, a basal land plant, the primary biomass is composed of the haploid gametophyte.

Sakakibara
et al.

(p.
1067
; see the Perspective by

Friedman

) analyzed loss-of-function mutants of KNOX2 (class 2 KNOTTED1-LIKE HOMEOBOX) genes in the moss
Physcomitrella patens.
Mutant plants exhibit apospory, where fertilization apparently occurs, but the normal sporophyte phase is bypassed and instead a diploid structure resembling a haploid gametophyte is produced. The results suggest that KNOX2 regulates the alternation of generations by suppressing the haploid body plan in the diploid phase.
Comment on "Lethally Hot Temperatures During the Early Triassic Greenhouse"
Authors: Goudemand N. , Romano C. , Brayard A. , Hochuli P. A. , Bucher H.
Published: February 2013

Sun
et al
. (Reports, 19 October 2012, p. 366) reconstructed Permian to Middle Triassic equatorial seawater temperatures. After correct temporal positioning of their data points, their presumed trends of temperature changes, and hence their assumption of a one-to-one relationship between putative "lethally hot" seawater temperatures and a disputable equatorial "eclipse" of some organisms, are no longer supported by their data.
Cooling a Hot Zone
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: February 2013

Two years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster, Japan is trying new approaches to decontamination while evacuees wait to go home.
Evaluation of a Rapid Device for Serological Diagnosis of Leishmania infantum Infection in Dogs as an Alternative to Immunofluorescence Assay and Western Blotting
Authors: Ferroglio E. , Zanet S. , Mignone W. , Poggi M. , Trisciuoglio A. , Bianciardi P.
Published: February 2013

In this study, we compared a rapid immunochromatographic test (Speed Leish K; BVT Groupe Virbac, La Seyne sur Mer, France) with an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT) and Western blotting (WB) for the detection ofLeishmania infantumantibodies in dogs. A total of 250 serum samples were collected from 125L. infantum-positive and 125L. infantum-negative dogs. Among the positive samples, 81 were strongly positive at low IFAT dilutions, while 44 were low-reactivity sera (IFAT titers, 1:40 to 1:80). The sensitivity and specificity of the Speed Leish K were 96.3% and 100%, respectively, compared with those of the IFAT. When IFAT low-reactivity sera (titers, 1:40 or 1:80) were tested with the Speed Leish K, using WB results as a reference, the sensitivities were 93.75% for sera with a 1:80 titer and 73.33% for sera with a 1:40 titer, and the specificity was 100%. The Speed Leish K is easy to use and performs well, so it can be considered a quick and reliable tool for the diagnosis ofL. infantuminfection in dogs.
Role of Gluten Intake at the Time of Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination in the Immune Response of Celiac Patients
Authors: Zingone F. , Capone P. , Tortora R. , Rispo A. , Morisco F. , Caporaso N. , Imperatore N. , De Stefano G. , Iovino P. , Ciacci C.
Published: February 2013

Some reports have demonstrated an inadequate response to hepatitis B vaccination in patients affected by celiac disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate hepatitis B vaccination response in relation to gluten exposure status in patients with celiac disease. To measure the gluten exposure status at the time of vaccination, we considered three groups: group A (exposed to gluten), including patients vaccinated as 12-year-old adolescents (the celiac disease diagnosis was established after vaccination); group B (not exposed to gluten), including patients vaccinated as 12-year-old adolescents on a gluten-free diet at the time of vaccination; and group C (infants), including patients vaccinated at birth. The response of celiac patients to hepatitis B vaccination was compared to that of healthy subjects, i.e., those in the control group (group D). This study included 163 celiac patients (group A, 57 patients; group B, 46 patients; and group C, 60 patients) and 48 controls (group D). An inadequate response to hepatitis B immunization was present in 43.9% of patients in group A, 34.8% of patients in group B, 58.3% of patients in group C, and 8.3% of patients in group D (group A versus group D,P< 0.001; group B versus group D,P= 0.002; group C versus group D,P= 0.001) (no significant difference for group A versus group B and group A versus group C was evident). Our data suggest that gluten exposure does not influence the response to hepatitis B immunization and that the human leukocyte antigen probably plays the main immunological role in poor responses to hepatitis B-vaccinated celiac patients.
Multicenter Clinical Evaluation of the
illumi
gene Group A Streptococcus DNA Amplification Assay for Detection of Group A Streptococcus from Pharyngeal Swabs
Authors: Anderson Neil W. , Buchan Blake W. , Mayne Donna , Mortensen Joel E. , Mackey Tami-Lea A. , Ledeboer Nathan A.
Published: February 2013

Acute pharyngitis is a nonspecific symptom that can result from a number of viral or bacterial infections. For most etiologies, symptoms are self-limited and resolve without lasting effects; however, pharyngitis resulting from infection with
Streptococcus pyogenes
(a group A
Streptococcus
[GAS]) can be associated with serious sequelae, including acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis. Rapid accurate detection of GAS in pharyngeal specimens from individuals suffering from pharyngitis aids in the management and selection of antibiotic therapy for these patients. A total of 796 pharyngeal swabs were collected at three separate clinical centers. Each specimen was analyzed using the
illumi
gene group A strep DNA amplification assay (Meridian Bioscience Inc., Cincinnati, OH). To confirm GAS identification, the results were compared to those from direct and extracted culture methods using Gram staining and a GAS-specific latex agglutination test. Discrepant results were resolved using an alternative nucleic acid amplification test. The prevalence of culture-detected GAS in this study was 12.8% (102/796 specimens). The
illumi
gene assay detected GAS in 74/74 direct culture-positive specimens (100% sensitivity) and 100/102 extracted culture-positive specimens (98.0% sensitivity). GAS was detected by the
illumi
gene assay in an additional 42 specimens that were direct culture negative (94.2% specificity) and 16 specimens that were extracted culture negative (97.7% specificity). Discrepant analysis using an alternative molecular assay detected GAS nucleic acid in 13/16 (81.3%) false-positive specimens and 1/2 false-negative specimens, resulting in a final sensitivity of 99.0% and a specificity of 99.6% for the detection of GAS in pharyngeal swabs using the
illumi
gene assay.
Suspected Goat-to-Human Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 398
Authors: Loncaric Igor , Brunthaler René , Spergser Joachim
Published: February 2013

Transmission of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) between animals and humans is widely recognized. In this study, we describe the first case of infection of a goat and suspected transmission of MRSA ST398 to a human, which resulted in colonization of animal owners by MRSA sequence type 398.
Intra-abdominal bleeding during treprostinil infusion in a patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Mindus Stephanie , Pawlowski Jacek , Nisell Magnus , Ferrara Giovanni
Published: February 2013

Medical treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is increasingly common. Prostacyclins were introduced in the early 90s, and treprostinil is one of the most frequently used drugs of this class today, owing to its long half-life and to the possibility to administer the molecule through several routes. Treprostinil is considered a safe drug and is associated with a significant improvement of exercise capacity, especially in patients with idiopathic PAH (iPAH). Systemic sclerosis-associated PAH (sc-PAH) correlates to a worse prognosis compared with that of iPAH. Despite these considerations, safety data on treprostinil are still limited and mainly derived from randomised controlled trials and retrospective studies with relatively small and heterogeneous cohorts of patients with PAH. We report the occurrence of a severe intra-abdominal bleeding during treprostinil infusion in a patient with sc-PAH.
Functional outcomes following a non-operative treatment algorithm for anterior cruciate ligament injuries in skeletally immature children 12 years and younger. A prospective cohort with 2 years follow-up
Authors: Moksnes Håvard , Engebretsen Lars , Eitzen Ingrid , Risberg May Arna
Published: February 2013

Background

The methodological quality of studies on treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in skeletally immature children after ACL injury is low, and no prospective studies have evaluated the functional outcomes following a non-operative treatment algorithm.

Purpose

To report changes in knee function and activity level in skeletally immature children following a non-operative treatment algorithm for a minimum of 2 years after ACL injury.

Study design

Prospective cohort.

Methods

46 skeletally immature children aged 12 years and younger were evaluated at baseline and subsequent yearly follow-ups using patient-reported outcome measurements, isokinetic muscle strength measurements, single-legged hop tests and clinical examinations over a minimum period of 2 years. Participation in physical activities was monitored using a monthly online activity survey, and the main leisure-time sport activity was registered at the yearly follow-ups.

Results

36 (78%) of the children did not undergo an ACL reconstruction during the follow-up. Statistically significant changes with questionable clinical relevance were discovered with the patient-reported outcome measurements or hop tests. Leg symmetry indexes were consistently above 90% for muscle strength and single legged hop tests throughout the study, and the isokinetic muscle strength improved significantly in the injured limb. Ninety-one per cent maintained participation in pivoting sports and/or physical education in school, although 38% of the ACL deficient children changed their main activity from a level 1 to a level 2 activity.

Conclusions

A non-operative treatment algorithm may be appropriate for ACL injured skeletally immature children, although a reduced participation in level 1 activities may be necessary for some children.
Developing a patient measure of safety (PMOS)
Authors: Giles Sally J , Lawton Rebecca J , Din Ikhlaq , McEachan Rosemary R C
Published: February 2013

Background

Tools that proactively identify factors that contribute to accidents have been developed within high-risk industries. Although patients provide feedback on their experience of care in hospitals, there is no existing measure which asks patients to comment on the factors that contribute to patient safety incidents. The aim of the current study was to determine those contributory factors from the Yorkshire Contributory Factors Framework (YCFF) that patients are able to identify in a hospital setting and to use this information to develop a patient measure of safety (PMOS).

Methods

Thirty-three qualitative interviews with a representative sample of patients from six units in a teaching hospital in the north of England were carried out. Patients were asked either to describe their most recent/current hospital experience (unstructured) or were asked to describe their experience in relation to specific contributory factors (structured). Responses were coded using the YCFF. Face validity of the PMOS was tested with 12 patients and 12 health professionals, using a ‘think aloud’ approach, and appropriate revisions made. The research was supported by two patient representatives.

Results

Patients were able to comment on/identify 13 of the 20 contributory factors contained within the YCFF domains. They identified contributory factors relating to communication and individual factors more frequently, and contributory factors relating to team factors, and support from central functions less frequently. In addition, they identified one theme not included in the YCFF: dignity and respect. The draft PMOS showed acceptable face validity.

Discussion

Patients are able to identify factors which contribute to the safety of their care. The PMOS provides a way of systematically assessing these and has the potential to help health professionals and healthcare organisations understand and identify, safety concerns from the patients’ perspective, and, in doing so, make appropriate service improvements.
Assessment of the global trigger tool to measure, monitor and evaluate patient safety in cancer patients: reliability concerns are raised
Authors: Mattsson Thea Otto , Knudsen Janne Lehmann , Lauritsen Jens , Brixen Kim , Herrstedt Jørn
Published: February 2013

Background

Countries around the world are currently aiming to improve patient safety by means of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement global trigger tool (GTT), which is considered a valid tool for evaluating and measuring patient safety within organisations. So far, only few data on the measurement properties and utility of the GTT have been published.

Aims

To determine and evaluate the effect of interrater variation between review teams on the standard outcome measures of the GTT and to assess and quantify measurement error of the GTT.

Methods

Retrospective chart reviews were conducted on identical charts by two independent review teams in 2010 at a department of oncology in a university hospital. Standard GTT outcome measurements were obtained and compared between teams using statistical process control (SPC) charts. A Bland–Altman plot assessed measurement error and limits of agreement.

Results

Only 31% of adverse events (AE) were identified by both teams, and further differences in categorisation of identical events was found. Moderate interrater agreement (κ=0.45) between teams gave rise to different conclusions on the patient safety process when monitoring using SPC charts. The Bland–Altman plot suggests little systematic error but large random error.

Conclusions

Review teams may identify different AE and reach different conclusions on the safety process when using the GTT on identical charts. Tracking true change in the safety level is difficult due to measurement error of the GTT. The results do not encourage further use of the GTT until additional evaluation studies on the measurement properties of the GTT have been conducted.
Impacts of alcohol duty reductions on cardiovascular mortality among elderly Chinese: a 10-year time series analysis
Authors: Pun Vivian C , Lin Hualiang , Kim Jean H , Yip Benjamin H K , Chung Vincent C H , Wong Martin C S , Yu Ignatius T S , Griffiths Sian M , Tian Linwei
Published: February 2013

Background

In March 2007, the Hong Kong Government halved its heavy excise taxes on beer and wine, and 1 year later, it eliminated all duties on these beverages. This study examines the impact of such duty reductions on cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality among the elderly in Hong Kong.

Methods

Box-Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving average intervention time series analyses were applied to monthly morality data from 2001 to 2010 to quantify the impacts of duty reduction and exemption on CVD death rates among those aged 65 years or older.

Results

The alcohol duty reduction in March 2007 was associated with an estimated 13% increase (95% CI 2% to 24%) in CVD death rates among elderly men, after controlling for the other intervention, outlier, trends and seasonal variations. This was equivalent to an extra 11 CVD deaths per 100 000 elderly men each month. Much of the observed impacts on CVD death rates were found to have contributed only by that on ischaemic heart disease mortality (18% increase in rate for men (95% CI 4% to 34%); 15% increase for women (95% CI 0.4% to 31%)), not by mortality due to stroke or hypertension. The alcohol duty exemption on March 2008 was not found to have impacted the CVD death rates.

Conclusions

The increase in CVD death rates among the Chinese elderly after alcohol duty reduction suggest that the purported beneficial effect of moderate alcohol use may not apply to certain Chinese populations, adding fuel to the ongoing debate on the risks and benefits of moderate alcohol consumption on mortality.
Influence of room heating on ambulatory blood pressure in winter: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Saeki Keigo , Obayashi Kenji , Iwamoto Junko , Tanaka Yuu , Tanaka Noriyuki , Takata Shota , Kubo Hiroko , Okamoto Nozomi , Tomioka Kimiko , Nezu Satoko , Kurumatani Norio
Published: February 2013

Background

Previous studies have proposed that higher blood pressure (BP) in winter is an important cause of increased mortality from cardiovascular disease during the winter. Some observational and physiological studies have shown that cold exposure increases BP, but evidence from a randomised controlled study assessing the effectiveness of intensive room heating for lowering BP was lacking.

Objectives

The present study aimed to determine whether intensive room heating in winter decreases ambulatory BP as compared with weak room heating resulting in a 10°C lower target room temperature when sufficient clothing and bedclothes are available.

Methods

We conducted a parallel group, assessor blinded, simple randomised controlled study with 1:1 allocation among 146 healthy participants in Japan from November 2009 to March 2010. Ambulatory BP was measured while the participants stayed in single experimental rooms from 21:00 to 8:00. During the session, participants could adjust the amount of clothing and bedclothes as required. Compared with the weak room heating group (mean temperature±SD: 13.9±3.3°C), systolic morning BP (mean BP 2 h after getting out of bed) of the intensive room heating group (24.2±1.7°C) was significantly lower by 5.8 mm Hg (95% CI 2.4 to 9.3). Sleep-trough morning BP surges (morning BP minus lowest night-time BP) in the intensive room heating group were significantly suppressed to about two thirds of the values in the weak room heating group (14.3 vs 21.9 mm Hg; p<0.01).

Conclusions

Intensive room heating decreased morning BP and the morning BP surge in winter.
MAGNETO-STRUCTURAL TRANSITIONS: MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS OF A UNITED-ATOM, MESOSCOPIC MODEL
Authors: BHATTACHARYA JAYEE , SINGH VIJAY , SENGUPTA SURAJIT , DASGUPTA INDRA
Published: February 2013

In this paper, we perform hybrid Langevin and molecular dynamics simulations on a two-dimensional, united-atom, mesoscopic model to obtain the phase diagram for a solid undergoing a magneto-structural transition. The interatomic exchange interactions are inspired by ab initio calculations in the Ni2MnGa system. The spins are updated with the help of Langevin soft spin dynamics. The nature of the phase diagram obtained from our simulations is similar to that obtained experimentally in Ni2+xMn1-xGa Heusler alloys showing magnetic and martensitic transitions with excess Ni stoichiometry viz. x.
DENSITY FUNCTIONAL THEORY STUDY OF H2O ADSORPTION AND DISSOCIATION ON Al (111) SURFACE
Authors: YANG LIXIA , LEI XIAOLI , FENG JUN , ZHANG YUXIN , LIU MINGXING
Published: February 2013

Comparative study about the adsorption and dissociation behaviors of H2O molecule on clean and vacancy defective Al (111) surface was conducted by extensive density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the interaction mechanisms between H2O molecule and Al (111) surface were also figured out. Geometry optimization results indicated that H2O molecule was apt to be adsorbed at top site on these two kinds of surfaces, whereas, the adsorption configurations, the adsorption type and inclination of H2O molecule planes away from the normal were different. The calculated adsorption energies demonstrated that the adsorption of H2O molecule occurred more readily on vacancy defective Al (111) surface. The electron density distribution indicated that the vacancy defect enhanced the interactions between H2O molecule and surface Al atoms. Further analysis of the density of states (DOS) showed that the vacancy defect increased the number of bonding electrons between H2O molecule and surface Al atoms. The detailed exploration of dissociation pathways demonstrated that the dissociation of H2O molecule on these two kinds of surfaces was a two-step process: (1) H2O → H + OH , (2) OH → H + O . However, for each step the dissociation pathway variations on vacancy defective Al (111) surface were different with those on clean Al (111) surface. Compared with the first step, the dissociation of hydroxyl group into O atom and H atom was kinetically difficult. The calculated lower activation energy barriers on vacancy defective Al (111) surface showed that the vacancy defect had catalytic effect for the dissociation of H2O molecule to some extent, especially for the first step.
Late Permian (Zechstein) magnetostratigraphy in Western and Central Europe
Authors: Szurlies Michael
Published: February 2013

Owing to the lack of fossils, the subdivision and correlation of the dominantly continental Permian (Rotliegend and Zechstein groups) and the overlying epicontinental Germanic Triassic (Buntsandstein, Muschelkalk and Keuper groups) from Western and Central Europe, traditionally, relies on lithological criteria. From the combination of magnetic polarity records from The Netherlands, Germany and Poland, a well-documented magnetostratigraphical composite for the Zechstein–lowermost Buntsandstein has been constructed. This interval is dominantly of normal polarity with few reversed magnetozones, allowing a reliable correlation throughout the intracontinental Central European Basin. Moreover, together with available biostratigraphical data, this integrated stratigraphical approach facilitates detailed links to the marine realm. The basal Zechstein is most probably equivalent to the uppermost lower–upper Wuchiapingian. The overlying upper Zechstein and the lowermost Buntsandstein are equivalent to the entire Changhsingian. Present bio- and magnetostratigraphical data indicate a possible duration of the Zechstein of only 2.8–3.5 Myr. A distinct climatic change accompanied by a major shift in sediment sources and a palynofloral turnover constitute important proxies for the terrestrial extinction event within the Central European Basin. A transition from a short reversed to a longer normal magnetozone within the uppermost Zechstein, which predates both the end-Permian ecological crisis and the conodont-calibrated biostratigraphical Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB), represents a prime time-marker for global correlation. Above this reverse to normal (R/N) reversal, the continental PTB is located within the lowermost Buntsandstein. The integration of magnetostratigraphy with other stratigraphical data is a prerequisite to establishing causal links between Late Permian climatic events in the sea and on land.
ICAM-1-mediated leukocyte adhesion is critical for the activation of endothelial LSP1
Authors: Hossain Mokarram , Qadri Syed M. , Su Yang , Liu Lixin
Published: February 2013

Leukocyte-endothelial interaction triggers signaling events in endothelial cells prior to transendothelial migration of leukocytes. Leukocyte-specific protein 1 (LSP1), expressed in endothelial cells, plays a pivotal role in regulating subsequent recruitment steps following leukocyte adhesion. In neutrophils, LSP1 is activated by phosphorylation of its serine residues by molecules downstream of p38 MAPK and PKC. Whether leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells is required for endothelial LSP1 activation remains elusive. In addition, discrepancies in the functions of endothelial and leukocyte LSP1 in leukocyte adhesion prevail. We demonstrate that adhesion of wild-type ( Lsp1+/+) neutrophils to LSP1-deficient ( Lsp1−/−) endothelial cells was significantly reduced compared with adhesion to Lsp1+/+ endothelial cells. Immunoblotting revealed increased phosphorylated endothelial LSP1 in the presence of adherent Lsp1−/− neutrophils [stimulated by macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (CXCL2), TNF-α, or thapsigargin], but not cytokine or chemokine alone. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAPK by SB-203580 (10 μM) significantly blunted the phosphorylation of endothelial LSP1. Functionally blocking endothelial ICAM-1 or neutrophil β2-integrins diminished neutrophil adhesion and phosphorylation of endothelial LSP1. The engagement of endothelial ICAM-1 cross-linking, which mimics leukocyte adhesion, resulted in phosphorylation of endothelial LSP1. In neutrophil-depleted Lsp1+/+ mice, administration of ICAM-1 cross-linking antibody resulted in increased phosphorylation of LSP1 and p38 MAPK in TNF-α-stimulated cremaster muscle. In conclusion, endothelial LSP1 participates in leukocyte adhesion in vitro, and leukocyte adhesion through ICAM-1 fosters the activation of endothelial LSP1, an effect at least partially mediated by the activation of p38 MAPK. Endothelial LSP1, in contrast to neutrophil LSP1, is not phosphorylated by cytokine or chemokine stimulation alone.
Netrin-1 regulates colon-kidney cross talk through suppression of IL-6 function in a mouse model of DSS-colitis
Authors: Ranganathan Punithavathi , Jayakumar Calpurnia , Santhakumar Manicassamy , Ramesh Ganesan
Published: February 2013

Organ cross talk is increasingly appreciated in human disease, and inflammatory mediators are shown to mediate distant organ injury in many disease models. Colitis and intestinal injury are known to be mediated by infiltrating immune cells and their secreted cytokines. However, its effect on other organs, such as the kidney, has never been studied. In the current study, we examined the effect of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-colitis on kidney injury and inflammation. In addition, we hypothesized that netrin-1 could modulate colon-kidney cross talk through regulation of inflammation and apoptosis. Consistent with our hypothesis, DSS-colitis induced acute kidney injury in mice. Epithelial-specific overexpression of netrin-1 suppressed both colitis and colitis-induced acute kidney injury, which was associated with reduced weight loss, neutrophil infiltration into colon mucosa, intestinal permeability, epithelial cell apoptosis, and cytokine and chemokine production in netrin-1 transgenic mice colon and kidney. To determine whether netrin-1-protective effects were mediated through suppression of IL-6, IL-6 knockout mice were treated with DSS and acute kidney injury was determined. IL-6 knockout was resistant to colitis and acute kidney injury. Moreover, administration of IL-6 to netrin-1 transgenic mice did not affect the netrin-1-protective effects on the colon and kidney, suggesting that netrin-1 may reduce both IL-6 production and its activity. The present study identifies previously unrecognized cross talk between the colon and kidney, and netrin-1 may limit distant organ injury by suppressing inflammatory mediators and apoptosis.
Direct assessment of tubuloglomerular feedback responsiveness in connexin 40-deficient mice
Authors: Oppermann Mona , Carota Isabel , Schiessl Ina , Eisner Christoph , Castrop Hayo , Schnermann Jurgen
Published: February 2013

Participation of connexin 40 (Cx40) in the regulation of renin secretion and in the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) component of renal autoregulation suggests that gap junctional coupling through Cx40 contributes to the function of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. In the present experiments, we determined the effect of targeted Cx40 deletion in C57BL/6 and FVB mice on TGF responsiveness. In C57BL/6 mice, stop-flow pressure (PSF) fell from 40.3 ± 2 to 34.5 ± 2 mmHg in wild-type (WT) and from 31 ± 1.06 to 26.6 ± 0.98 mmHg in Cx40−/− mice. PSF changes of 5.85 ± 0.67 mmHg in WT and of 4.3 ± 0.55 mmHg in Cx40−/− mice were not significantly different ( P = 0.08). In FVB mice, PSF fell from 37.4 ± 1.5 to 31.6 ± 1.5 mmHg in WT and from 28.1 ± 1.6 to 25.4 ± 1.7 mmHg in Cx40−/−, with mean TGF responses being significantly greater in WT than Cx40−/− (5.5 ± 0.55 vs. 2.7 ± 0.84 mmHg; P = 0.002). In both genetic backgrounds, PSF values were significantly lower in Cx40−/− than WT mice at all flow rates. Arterial blood pressure in the animals prepared for micropuncture was not different between WT and Cx40−/− mice. We conclude that the TGF response magnitude in superficial cortical nephrons is reduced by 30–50% in mice without Cx40, but that with the exception of a small number of nephrons, residual TGF activity is maintained. Thus gap junctional coupling appears to modulate TGF, perhaps by determining the kinetics of signal transmission.
Intrinsic connections in the anterior part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
Authors: Turesson Hjalmar K. , Rodríguez-Sierra Olga E. , Pare Denis
Published: February 2013

Intrinsic connections in the anterior portion of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST-A) were studied using patch recordings and ultraviolet (UV) glutamate uncaging (GU) in vitro. UV light was delivered at small BNST-A sites in a grid-like pattern while evoked responses were monitored in different BNST-A regions. Three sectors were distinguished in the BNST-A using fiber bundles readily identifiable in transilluminated slices: the anterior commissure, dividing the BNST-A into dorsal and ventral (BNST-AV) regions, and the intra-BNST component of the stria terminalis, subdividing the dorsal portion into medial (BNST-AM) and lateral (BNST-AL) regions. Overall, GU elicited GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) more frequently than excitatory postsynaptic potentials. The incidence of intraregional connections was higher than interregional links. With respect to the latter, asymmetric connections were seen between different parts of the BNST-A. Indeed, while reciprocal connections were found between the BNST-AL and BNST-AM, BNST-AL to BNST-AM connections were more frequent than in the opposite direction. Similarly, while GU in the BNST-AM or BNST-AL often elicited IPSPs in BNST-AV cells, the opposite was rarely seen. Within the BNST-AM, connections were polarized, with dorsal GU sites eliciting IPSPs in more ventrally located cells more frequently than the opposite. This trend was not seen in other regions of the BNST. Consistent with this, most BNST-AM cells had dorsally directed dendrites and ventrally ramified axons, whereas this morphological polarization was not seen in other parts of the BNST-A. Overall, our results reveal a hitherto unsuspected level of asymmetry in the connections within and between different BNST-A regions, implying a degree of interdependence in their activity.
Corneal dry-responsive neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus respond to innocuous cooling in the rat
Authors: Kurose Masayuki , Meng Ian D.
Published: February 2013

Corneal primary afferent neurons that respond to drying of the ocular surface have been previously characterized and found to respond to innocuous cooling, menthol, and hyperosmotic stimuli. The purpose of the present study was to examine the receptive field properties of second-order neurons in the trigeminal nucleus that respond to drying of the ocular surface. Single-unit electrophysiological recordings were performed in anesthetized rats, and dry-responsive corneal units were isolated in the brain stem at the transition zone between the spinal trigeminal subnucleus caudalis and subnucleus interpolaris. Corneal units were characterized according to their responses to changes in temperature (cooling and heating), hyperosmotic artificial tears, menthol, and low pH. All dry-responsive neurons ( n = 18) responded to cooling of the ocular surface. In addition, these neurons responded to hyperosmotic stimuli and menthol application to the cornea. One-half of the neurons were activated by low pH, and these acid-sensitive neurons were also activated by noxious heat. Furthermore, neurons that were activated by low pH had a significantly lower response to cooling and menthol. These results indicate that dry-responsive neurons recorded in the trigeminal nucleus receive input from cold, sensitive primary afferent neurons, with a subset of these neurons receiving input from corneal primary afferent neurons sensitive to acid and noxious heat. It is proposed that acid-insensitive corneal neurons represent a labeled line for lacrimation in response to evaporation of tears from the ocular surface, whereas acid-sensitive neurons are involved in tearing, elicited by damaging or potentially damaging stimuli.
Tests of linearity in the responses of eye-movement-sensitive vestibular neurons to sinusoidal yaw rotation
Authors: Newlands Shawn D. , Wei Min
Published: February 2013

The rotational vestibulo-ocular reflex in primates is linear and stabilizes gaze in space over a large range of head movements. Best evidence suggests that position-vestibular-pause (PVP) and eye-head velocity (EHV) neurons in the vestibular nuclei are the primary mediators of vestibulo-ocular reflexes for rotational head movements, yet the linearity of these neurons has not been extensively tested. The current study was undertaken to understand how varying magnitudes of yaw rotation are coded in these neurons. Sixty-six PVP and 41 EHV neurons in the rostral vestibular nuclei of 7 awake rhesus macaques were recorded over a range of frequencies (0.1 to 2 Hz) and peak velocities (7.5 to 210°/s at 0.5 Hz). The sensitivity (gain) of the neurons decreased with increasing peak velocity of rotation for all PVP neurons and EHV neurons sensitive to ipsilateral rotation (type I). The sensitivity of contralateral rotation-sensitive (type II) EHV neurons did not significantly decrease with increasing peak velocity. These data show that, like non-eye-movement-related vestibular nuclear neurons that are believed to mediate nonlinear vestibular functions, PVP neurons involved in the linear vestibulo-ocular reflex also behave in a nonlinear fashion. Similar to other sensory nuclei, the magnitude of the vestibular stimulus is not linearly coded by the responses of vestibular neurons; rather, amplitude compression extends the dynamic range of PVP and type I EHV vestibular neurons.
Activation of HIF2α in Kidney Proximal Tubule Cells Causes Abnormal Glycogen Deposition but not Tumorigenesis
Authors: Fu Leiping , Wang Gang , Shevchuk Maria M. , Nanus David M. , Gudas Lorraine J.
Published: February 2013

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common primary cancer arising from the kidney in adults, with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) representing approximately 75% of all RCCs. Increased expression of the hypoxia-induced factors-1α (HIF1α) and HIF2α has been suggested as a pivotal step in ccRCC carcinogenesis, but this has not been thoroughly tested. Here, we report that expression of a constitutively activated form of HIF2α (P405A, P530A, and N851A, named as HIF2αM3) in the proximal tubules of mice is not sufficient to promote ccRCC by itself, nor does it enhance HIF1αM3 oncogenesis when coexpressed with constitutively active HIF1αM3. Neoplastic transformation in kidneys was not detected at up to 33 months of age, nor was increased expression of Ki67 (MKI67), γH2AX (H2AFX), or CD70 observed. Furthermore, the genome-wide transcriptome of the transgenic kidneys does not resemble human ccRCC. We conclude that a constitutively active HIF2α is not sufficient to cause neoplastic transformation of proximal tubules, arguing against the idea that HIF2α activation is critical for ccRCC tumorigenesis. Cancer Res; 73(9); 2916–25. ©2013 AACR.