bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired intuition in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Remmers Carina , Topolinski Sascha , Dietrich Detlef E. , Michalak Johannes
Published: October 2014

Objectives

In daily life, many decisions of minor and major importance have to be made. Thereby, intuitive judgments serve as useful guides and help us to adapt to our environment. People with major depressive disorder (MDD) often have difficulties to come to decisions. Is their intuition impaired? Since this question has not been addressed until now, the present study explored intuition in MDD.

Methods

Depressed patients (n = 29) and healthy control participants (n = 27) completed the Judgment of Semantic Coherence Task, a well‐established paradigm used in basic cognitive research to measure intuition. Furthermore, participants' severity of depressive symptoms (BDI‐II), negative affect (PANAS), and rumination (RSQ) were assessed. All participants were interviewed with the SCID.

Results

Depressed patients showed impaired intuition compared to healthy control participants. In the depressed sample, negative affect accounts for the association between rumination and impaired intuition. Results further reveal that negative affect overall mediates the depression‐intuition relationship. Patients with diminished ability to concentrate or indecisiveness had lower intuition indices compared to patients who did not fulfil this diagnostic criterion of MDD.

Conclusions

The study introduces the phenomenon of intuition into depression research. Additionally, these results extent findings from basic research showing that induced negative mood as well difficulties to down‐regulate negative affect impair intuitive coherence judgments. Current results indicate that the negative affectivity of patients is the crucial mediator in the association between depression and impaired intuition. Limitations of the study as well as the potential etiological role of intuition in MDD are discussed.

Practitioner points

The finding that intuition is impaired in depressed patients extends our knowledge as to the cognitive profile of patients with MDD.

Patients who suffer from indecisiveness have lower intuition indices compared to patients who do not fulfill this diagnostic criterion of MDD.

Due to the cross‐sectional design, final conclusions as to the etiological role of intuition in MDD cannot be drawn.

The question remains open whether impaired intuition is specific to MDD.
US not bright but right method of thyroid volume estimation even in large and substernal extended goitres. Comparison of US and three methods of CT thyroid evaluation – prospective study
Authors: Kaniuka‐Jakubowska Sonia , Piskunowicz Maciej , Zapaśnik Adam , Lewczuk Anna , Kaniuka Aneta , Mizan‐Gross Krystyna , Kaszubowski Mariusz , Lass Piotr , Sworczak Krzysztof
Published: October 2014

Background

Ultrasound is nowadays a method of choice for thyroid volume assessment. However, its disadvantage is some inaccuracy, which is said to be higher in huge, especially substernally extended goitres.

Aims

The aim of the study was to compare the US and CT thyroid volumetric measurements: multi‐observers (CT MO) and one‐observer (CT OO) to CT planimetry results (CT Pl) in patients with large goitres.

Materials & Methods

The study material comprised 70 thyroid imaging examinations obtained from 35 patients with nontoxic goitres, scanned twice before and after radioiodine treatment. Mean thyroid volume was 88·97 ± 60·21 ml. Thirty‐three thyroid scans revealed the extension below the jugular notch (mean of 2·46 cm). Thyroid volume in US, CT MO and CT OO was estimated using the ellipsoid formula. CT Pl was established a reference method.

Results

The mean thyroid volume in CT Pl was 88·97 ml (median 80·73, range 11·81 to 315·97). US underestimates thyroid volume by 7·55 ml (7·7%) with a sufficient correlation (R2 = 0·89) and precision (20·37). CT OO is the closest and CT MO the most distant from CT Pl, with US between them in thyroid volume estimation. The percentage US bias is constant through all range of thyroid volume. There is no difference for percentage bias between US and CT Pl for goitres with (8·67%), and without (6·70%) substernal part.

Conclusion

US examination is sufficient for epidemiological studies, radioiodine activity calculation and goitre size assessment in everyday medical practice. Neither initial size of the goitre nor its substernal extension affects US assessment precision.
Acute decrease in serum testosterone after a mixed glucose and protein beverage in obese peripubertal boys
Authors: Schwartz Alexander , Patel Barkha P. , Vien Shirley , McCrindle Brian W. , Anderson G. Harvey , Hamilton Jill
Published: October 2014

Background and objectives

Delayed puberty and lower levels of testosterone (T) have been observed in adult obese males and some adolescent males. In adult men, enteral glucose ingestion results in acute lowering of serum testosterone levels; however, this has not been studied in adolescents. We aimed to examine the acute effect of a glucose/protein beverage on serum T concentration changes in obese peripubertal males. A second objective was to determine whether change in T concentration was related to appetite hormone levels.

Patients and methods

Twenty‐three overweight and obese males aged 8–17 in pre‐early (Tanner stage 1–2) and mid‐late (Tanner stage 3–5) puberty were included in this cross‐sectional study at the Clinical investigative unit at the Hospital for Sick Children. Participants consumed a beverage containing glucose and protein, and blood samples measuring pubertal hormones, ghrelin and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) were taken over 60 min.

Results

Across pubertal stages, there was a significant decrease in T levels in adolescent boys (−18·6 ± 3·1%, P < 0·01) with no proportional differences between pre‐early and mid‐late puberty (P = 0·09). Decrease in T was associated with a decrease in LH (r = 0·52, P = 0·02), and fasting T was inversely correlated with fasting ghrelin (r = −0·51, P = 0·03) with no correlation with GLP‐1.

Conclusions

Intake of a mixed glucose/protein beverage acutely decreases T levels in overweight and obese peripubertal boys. A potential mechanism for this decrease may be secondary to an acute decrease in LH, but this requires further evaluation.
Utilisation and outcomes of Case‐based discussion in otolaryngology training
Authors: Awad Z. , Hayden L. , Muthuswamy K. , Ziprin P. , Darzi A. , Tolley N.S.
Published: October 2014

Objectives

To assess the reliability, validity and outcomes of Case‐based Discussion (CBD) in otolaryngology training.

Design

Retrospective database analysis.

Setting

National electronic database.

Participants

North London otolaryngology trainees.

Main outcome measures

We tested the tool's reliability along with its capacity to denote trainee progress. A score was calculated (cS) and compared across core (CT) and specialty trainees (ST) at all levels. The number of items rated as “development required” (D) was also examined.

Results

One thousand four hundred and fifty‐six CBDs were submitted by 46 trainees from 2007 to 2013, averaging 13.6 per trainee per year. Items relating to knowledge, management and judgement were more popular (98% usage), and better predictors of cS compared to other parameters (rs: +0.74, +0.70 and +0.72, respectively). CBD was found to be reliable (Cronbach's α = 0.848) and highly sensitive (99%), yet not specific. cS was significantly higher in ST than CT (95.3% ± 0.6 versus 88.7% ± 1.3). pS showed a similar pattern (3.15 ± 0.4 versus 2.0 ± 0.05) (P < 0.001). cS and pS increased from CT1 to ST8 (rs: +0.60 and +0.34, respectively). The number of D‐rated items decreased with increasing year of training.

Conclusion

Case‐based discussion is a reliable and valid tool in otolaryngology training. It is highly sensitive but not specific. Trainees should be encouraged to use it at all levels.
Fiducial marker placement via conventional or electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB): an interdisciplinary approach to the curative management of lung cancer
Authors: Hagmeyer Lars , Priegnitz Christina , Kocher Martin , Schilcher Burkhart , Budach Wilfried , Treml Marcel , Stieglitz Sven , Randerath Winfried
Published: October 2014

Background and Aims

Conventional and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is generally used as a diagnostic tool in suspicious pulmonary nodules. The use of this technique for the placement of fiducial markers in patients with inoperable but early‐stage lung cancer could present an innovative approach enabling risk‐reduced therapy.

Methods

We present seven clinical cases where conventional bronchoscopy and ENB were used as part of an experimental interdisciplinary approach to clinical management and therapy planning. In each case, we analyzed the clinical indication, endoscopic procedures and post‐interventional outcome.

Results

In six patients (three females, three males) with peripheral non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), stage cT1cN0cM0, surgery and conventional stereotactic radiation therapy was not possible because of end‐stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ENB was used for fiducial marker placement prior to cyberknife radiotherapy. No procedure‐related complications were observed. Complete remission could be achieved in four cases, partial remission in two cases and no relevant complications induced by radiotherapy were observed. In one male patient, an endoluminal relapse in the right lower lobe was diagnosed following a right upper lobe resection for a NSCLC. The tumor could not be clearly identified by computerized tomography, so that the bronchoscopic placement of a fiducial marker in the tumor was performed in order to allow stereotactic radiochemotherapy, by which complete remission could be achieved.

Conclusion

Fiducial marker placement may be an interesting bronchoscopic technique in the interdisciplinary therapeutic approach to inoperable early‐stage lung cancer. In the described cases, therapy planning was successful and no procedure‐related complications were observed.
A pregnancy lifestyle intervention to prevent gestational diabetes risk factors in overweight Hispanic women: a feasibility randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hawkins M. , Hosker M. , Marcus B. H. , Rosal M. C. , Braun B. , Stanek E. J. , Markenson G. , Chasan‐Taber L.
Published: October 2014

Aims

To pilot the feasibility of a prenatal lifestyle intervention to modify physical activity and diet among pregnant overweight and obese Hispanic women, with the aim of reducing risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods

Women were randomized either to a lifestyle intervention (n = 33, 48.5%), consisting of a culturally and linguistically modified, motivationally targeted, individually tailored 6‐month prenatal programme, or to standard care (n = 35, 51.5%). Bilingual and bicultural health educators encouraged women to achieve guidelines for physical activity, decrease saturated fat and increase dietary fibre. Outcomes included gestational weight gain, infant birth weight and biomarkers associated with insulin resistance.

Results

Patient retention up to delivery was 97% in both study groups. The lifestyle intervention attenuated the pregnancy‐associated decline in moderate‐intensity physical activity, but differences between groups were not significant (mean ± se −23.4 ± 16.6 vs −27.0 ± 16.2 metabolic equivalent of task h/week; P = 0.88). Vigorous‐intensity activity increased during the course of pregnancy in the lifestyle intervention group (mean ± se 1.6 ± 0.8 metabolic equivalent of task h/week) and declined in the standard care group (−0.8 ± 0.8 metabolic equivalent of task h/week; P = 0.04). The lifestyle intervention group also had slightly lower gestational weight gain and infant birth weights compared with the standard care group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences in biomarkers of insulin resistance between groups.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that a motivationally matched lifestyle intervention is feasible and may help attenuate pregnancy‐related decreases in vigorous physical activity in a population of overweight and obese Hispanic women. The intervention protocol can readily be translated into clinical practice in underserved and minority populations.
Association between the extent of urinary albumin excretion and glycaemic variability indices measured by continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: Jin S.‐M. , Kim T.‐H. , Oh S. , Baek J. , Joung J. Y. , Park S.‐M. , Cho Y. Y. , Sohn S. Y. , Hur K. Y. , Lee M.‐S. , Lee M.‐K. , Kim J. H.
Published: October 2014

Aims

The contribution of glycaemic variability to the microvascular complication of diabetes has not been established. We examined whether there is an independent association between indices of glycaemic variability in continuous glucose monitoring and extent of albuminuria.

Methods

A total of 173 patients with Type 2 diabetes (without insulin therapy, n = 96; with insulin therapy, n = 77) who had unexplained large fluctuations in blood glucose values underwent three‐day continuous glucose monitoring. We used a multinomial logistic regression model to determine whether the indices of glycaemic variability independently affected the odds of having a spot urine albumin/creatinine ratio of 30–299 mg/g and ≥ 300 mg/g.

Results

Higher standard deviation (P = 0.002), mean of daily differences (P = 0.023) and mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion (P = 0.043) significantly increased the odds of having a urine albumin/creatinine ratio of ≥ 300 mg/g. In multivariable analysis, only higher standard deviation, but not mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion and mean of daily differences, independently increased the odds of having a urine albumin/creatinine ratio of ≥ 300 mg/g (P = 0.025). Coefficient of variation (sd/mean) was not associated with the odds of having a urine albumin/creatinine ratio of 30–299 or ≥ 300 mg/g.

Conclusions

The independent association between standard deviation and the extent of albuminuria was lost when the measures were normalized by mean glucose level. At least in terms of relative measures of glycaemic variability, we failed to demonstrate an independent association between glycaemic variability and albuminuria extent in patients with inadequately controlled Type 2 diabetes.
Relationship of intratumoural protein expression patterns to age and Epstein‐Barr virus status in classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Ludvigsen Maja , Kamper Peter , Hamilton‐Dutroit Stephen J. , Bendix Knud , Møller Michael B. , d'Amore Francesco A. , Honoré Bent
Published: October 2014

In Western countries, the age distribution of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) follows a characteristic bimodal curve showing an early and a late peak at approximately 35 and 70 yr, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of latent Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) genome in the Hodgkin Reed–Sternberg cells, the tumour cell population of classical HL (cHL), has been found to have adverse prognostic impact in elderly, but not in younger cHL patients. We have characterised the protein expression in tumour tissue samples from younger (≤55 yr) and elderly (>55 yr) cHL patients and correlated the findings with EBV status. Differentially expressed proteins according to patients’ age as well as tumoural EBV status belonged to different biological functional domains, such as apoptosis, cytoskeletal organisation, response to oxygen levels and regulation of catabolic/metabolic processes. The differential expression of selected proteins, cytosolic aminopeptidase, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K, serotransferrin and alpha‐1‐antitrypsin was further validated by Western blot analysis. Discovery‐based proteomics characterising biological features distinctive for subsets of cHL patients may be useful for the identification of novel biomarkers with potential therapeutic relevance. An evaluation of the prognostic impact of protein expression pattern in general and individually expressed proteins in particular is warranted.
Prognostic relevance of the flow cytometric count of medullar blasts in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Molteni Alfredo , Riva Marta , Cesana Clara , Speziale Valentina , Nichelatti Michele , Scarpati Barbara , Greco Rosa , Ravano Emanuele , Cairoli Roberto , Rossini Silvano , Morra Enrica
Published: October 2014

Objective

The medullar blast count is a milestone in the prognostic assessment in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The optical microscopy (OM) may sometimes be inaccurate in this disease. The aim of this work is to test the flow immunocytometric (FCM) determinations of medullar immature cells (CD45±) and the expression, among them, of CD33, CD34, and CD117 markers, for their prognostic relevance.

Methods

In a retrospective analysis of 98 patients affected by MDS, the IPSS was re‐calculated by means of the FCM determination of blasts. Survival of patients at low or intermediate‐1 IPSS risk was compared with the survival of patients at intermediate‐2 or high IPSS risk. In the 64 cases with OM blast count lower than 5%, the survival of patients with the FCM count of medullar blasts ≤2% was compared with that of patients with FCM count >2%.

Results

Each single marker had a prognostic weight comparable to the optical blast count. The FCM blast count was particularly efficient in distinguishing the risk of having up to 2% or more than 2% of blasts in patients without OM excess of blasts.

Conclusion

This method is interesting as prognostic tool, especially in patients without excess of blast.
A cost and resource utilization analysis of micafungin bridging for hemato‐oncological high‐risk patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Heimann Sebastian M. , Vehreschild Maria J.G.T. , Cornely Oliver A. , Franke Bernd , von Bergwelt‐Baildon Michael , Wisplinghoff Hilmar , Kron Florian , Scheid Christoph , Vehreschild Jörg J.
Published: October 2014

Background

Intravenous bridging strategies increase exposure of antifungal prophylaxis in high‐risk hematological patients. The cost‐effectiveness of such strategies has not been analyzed.

Methods

A recent study compared the impact of oral posaconazole (POS) and oral posaconazole with intravenous micafungin bridging (POS‐MIC) as prophylactic antifungal regimens in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (aSCT). Based on data from the Cologne Cohort of Neutropenic Patients (CoCoNut), a health economic evaluation of direct treatment costs was performed to analyze the economic impact of micafungin bridging. Analysis was undertaken based on current guidelines for the German societal perspective with an annual discount rate of 5%, whereby indirect costs were disregarded due to the severity of the underlying disease. Sensitivity analysis of cost calculation with different discount rates was performed to improve robustness of our health economic evaluation.

Results

A retrospective case–control analysis of patients undergoing aSCT between 05/2006 and 07/2011 was performed; 106 patients each in the POS and POS‐MIC group were included. In the POS and POS‐MIC group, mean costs per patient for the treatment on bone marrow transplant ward were €27 228 (95% CI: €24 932–€29 525) vs. €27 894 (95% CI: €26 414–€29 375; P = 0.629), for diagnostic measures €2124 (95% CI: €1823–€2425) vs. €1269 (95% CI: €1168–€1370; P ≤ 0.001), for laboratory findings €10 612 (95% CI: €9681–€11 544) vs. €8836 (95% CI: €8198–€9475; P = 0.002), and for overall antifungal treatment €6105 (95% CI: €4703–€7508) vs. €6943 (95% CI: €5393–€8493; P = 0.428), resulting in mean overall costs per patient of €60 304 (95% CI: €53 969–€66 639) vs. €58 089 (95% CI: €51 736–64 442; P = 0.625).

Conclusions

Our health economic evaluation shows micafungin bridging in aSCT patients did not result in excess cost. Higher acquisition costs of antifungal prophylaxis were balanced by a reduced incidence of possible IFD and lower costs for empirical, preemptive, and targeted antifungal therapy as well as lower costs for diagnostic measures and laboratory tests in the micafungin bridging group.
Spatial and temporal distribution of visual information coding in lateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Kadohisa Mikiko , Kusunoki Makoto , Petrov Philippe , Sigala Natasha , Buckley Mark J. , Gaffan David , Duncan John
Published: October 2014

Prefrontal neurons code many kinds of behaviourally relevant visual information. In behaving monkeys, we used a cued target detection task to address coding of objects, behavioural categories and spatial locations, examining the temporal evolution of neural activity across dorsal and ventral regions of the lateral prefrontal cortex (encompassing parts of areas 9, 46, 45A and 8A), and across the two cerebral hemispheres. Within each hemisphere there was little evidence for regional specialisation, with neurons in dorsal and ventral regions showing closely similar patterns of selectivity for objects, categories and locations. For a stimulus in either visual field, however, there was a strong and temporally specific difference in response in the two cerebral hemispheres. In the first part of the visual response (50–250 ms from stimulus onset), processing in each hemisphere was largely restricted to contralateral stimuli, with strong responses to such stimuli, and selectivity for both object and category. Later (300–500 ms), responses to ipsilateral stimuli also appeared, many cells now responding more strongly to ipsilateral than to contralateral stimuli, and many showing selectivity for category. Activity on error trials showed that late activity in both hemispheres reflected the animal's final decision. As information is processed towards a behavioural decision, its encoding spreads to encompass large, bilateral regions of prefrontal cortex.
Assessing the utility of testing aluminum levels in dialysis patients
Authors: Sharma Ashish K. , Toussaint Nigel D. , Pickering Janice , Beeston Tony , Smith Edward R. , Holt Stephen G.
Published: October 2014

Plasma aluminum (Al) is routinely tested in many dialysis patients. Aluminum exposure may lead to acute toxicity and levels in excess of ∼2.2 μmol/L (60 μg/L) should be avoided. Historically, toxicity has been caused by excessive dialyzate Al but modern reverse osmosis (RO) water should be Al free. Nevertheless, many units continue to perform routine Al levels on dialysis patients. This single‐center study retrospectively analyzed Al levels in plasma, raw water feed, and RO product between 2010 and 2013 using our database (Nephworks 6) with the aim of determining the utility of these measurements. Two thousand fifty‐eight plasma Al tests in 755 patients (61.9% male, mean age 64.7 years) were reviewed showing mean ± SD of 0.41 ± 0.30 μmol/L. One hundred eleven (5.4%) tests from 61 patients had Al levels >0.74 μmol/L and 45 (73.8%) of these patients were or had been prescribed Al hydroxide (Al(OH)3) as a phosphate binder. Seven patients had Al concentrations >2.2 μmol/L with no source of Al identified in 1 patient. One hundred sixty‐six patients taking Al(OH)3 (78.7% of all patients on Al(OH)3) had levels ≤0.74 μmol/L, the odds ratio of plasma Al > 0.74 μmol/L on Al(OH)3 was 9. The cost of plasma Al assay is $A30.60; thus, costs were $A62,974.80 over the study period. Despite RO feed water Al levels as high as 48 μmol/L, Al output from the RO was almost always undetectable (<0.1 μmol/L) with dialyzate Al levels > 2.2 μmol/L only 3 times since 2010, and never in the last 3 years. Routine unselected testing of plasma Al appears unnecessary and expensive and more selective testing in dialysis patients should be considered.
Trustees versus Directors, Whom Do They Serve? Boards, For‐Profits and the Public Good in the United States
Authors: Fox Garrity Bonnie
Published: October 2014

Postsecondary education in the United States is provided by public, not‐for‐profit and for‐profit institutions. Public and not‐for‐profit institutions are expected to serve the public good due to state control or chartering requirements; for‐profit institutions are not. Therefore, the decision to serve the public good is vested in the board. The for‐profit director's role as representative of shareholders' interests does not ensure deference to the public good. Currently, national priorities are aligned with shareholder interests creating an environment ripe for expansion of for‐profit education. However, there are implications as national priorities shift to positions that do not complement shareholder interests. Most critically, continued growth of for‐profit postsecondary education may lead to a reduction of service of the public good by all institutions. Private institutions (not‐for‐profit or for‐profit) exist in every large country; therefore, a thorough analysis of the legal distinctions among sectors is encouraged to understand the implications of growth.
Medical mistrust and patient satisfaction with mammography: the mediating effects of perceived self‐efficacy among navigated African American women
Authors: Molina Yamile , Kim Sage , Berrios Nerida , Calhoun Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2014

Background

Medical mistrust is salient among African American women, given historic and contemporary racism within medical settings. Mistrust may influence satisfaction among navigated women by affecting women's perceptions of their health‐care self‐efficacy and their providers' roles in follow‐up of abnormal test results.

Objectives

To (i) examine whether general medical mistrust and health‐care self‐efficacy predict satisfaction with mammography services and (ii) test the mediating effects of health‐related self‐efficacy.

Design

The current study is a part of a randomized controlled patient navigation trial for medically underserved women who had received a physician referral to obtain a mammogram in three community hospitals in Chicago, IL. After consent, 671 African American women with no history of cancer completed questionnaires concerning medical mistrust and received navigation services. After their mammography appointment, women completed health‐care self‐efficacy and patient satisfaction questionnaires.

Results

Women with lower medical mistrust and greater perceived self‐efficacy reported greater satisfaction with care. Medical mistrust was directly and indirectly related to patient satisfaction through self‐efficacy.

Conclusions

Preliminary findings suggest future programmes designed to increase health‐care self‐efficacy may improve patient satisfaction among African American women with high levels of medical mistrust. Our findings add to a growing body of literature indicating the importance of self‐efficacy and active participation in health care, especially among the underserved.
Artefact expression associated with several cone‐beam computed tomographic machines when imaging root filled teeth
Authors: Vasconcelos K. F. , Nicolielo L. F. P. , Nascimento M. C. , Haiter‐Neto F. , Bóscolo F. N. , Van Dessel J. , EzEldeen M. , Lambrichts I. , Jacobs R.
Published: October 2014

Aim

To evaluate the characteristic artefact patterns associated with teeth root filled with Gutta‐percha when scanned with four cone‐beam CT devices.

Methodology

Whilst using soft tissue simulation, ten root filled human premolars were placed in empty sockets in a dry human skull. Subsequently, the skull was scanned using 3D Accuitomo 170®, WhiteFox®, Cranex 3D® and Scanora 3D® following clinical protocols with the highest resolution and artefact reduction. After proper image registration in OnDemand3D® software (Cybermed, Seoul, Korea), each image slice was evaluated by three trained and calibrated dentomaxillofacial radiologists, which scored absence (0) and presence (1) of cupping artefact, hypodense halos and streak artefacts. Kappa test was performed for intra‐ and interobserver agreement.

Results

A moderate to perfect agreement for each observer (intra‐observer κ = 0.5–1.0) was found. Agreement between the different observers was moderate to almost perfect for the different artefact patterns (interobserver κ = 0.55–0.9). Cupping artefact was the most prevalent (70%), followed by a hypodense halo (35%) and streak artefacts (16%). The Chi‐squared test revealed significantly more streaks in axial slices (P < 0.0001), with some CBCT systems yielding significantly inferior results to others (P < 0.05). The dedicated EndoMode and artefact reduction did not improve the result significantly.

Conclusions

The variation of artefact expression was significantly different amongst CBCT machines for root filled teeth. Continuous efforts are needed to improve CBCT reconstruction algorithms, with a specific focus on reducing artefacts induced by dense dental materials, whilst striving for enhanced image quality at low‐radiation doses.
Fabrication and Luminescence Properties of Transparent Glass‐Ceramics Containing Eu3+‐Doped TbPO4 Nanocrystals
Authors: Hu Fangfang , Wei Xiantao , Jiang Sha , Huang Shan , Qin Yanguang , Chen Yonghu , Duan Chang‐Kui , Yin Min
Published: October 2014

Eu3+‐doped transparent phosphate precursor glasses and glass‐ceramics containing TbPO4 nanocrystals were successfully fabricated by a conventional high‐temperature melt‐quenching technique for the first time. The formation of TbPO4 nanocrystals was identified through X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected‐area electron diffraction, and photoluminescence emission spectra. The obvious Stark splitting of 5D0‐7FJ (J = 1, 2, 4) transitions of Eu3+and the increase of internal quantum efficiency indicate the incorporation of Eu3+ into TbPO4 nanocrystals. Energy transfer from Tb3+ ions to Eu3+ ions was investigated using excitation and emission spectra at room temperature. The glass‐ceramics obtained have more efficient Tb3+ to Eu3+ energy transfer than the glass, and so serve as good hosts for luminescent materials.
Treatment of paediatric scalp psoriasis with calcipotriene/betamethasone dipropionate scalp formulation: effectiveness, safety and influence on children's quality of life in daily practice
Authors: Oostveen A.M. , de Jong E.M.G.J. , Donders A.R.T. , van de Kerkhof P.C.M. , Seyger M.M.B.
Published: October 2014

Background

Evidence on efficacy and safety of topical treatments for paediatric scalp psoriasis is lacking.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of calcipotriene/betamethasone dipropionate scalp formulation for paediatric scalp psoriasis in daily clinical practice. The influence of this formulation on the quality of life (QoL) was assessed as well.

Methods

Data of children treated with the scalp formulation were extracted from a prospective observational daily clinical practice registry of children with psoriasis, called Child‐Continuous Assessment of Psoriasis Treatment Use Registry. Severity was expressed by Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index (PSSI) and the impact on the QoL was reflected by the validated Children's Scalpdex in Psoriasis (CSP).

Results

Eighty‐four treatment episodes were analysed. Significant improvements of PSSI score (18.7 ± 11.8 to 12.7 ± 9.4) were demonstrated in the first 12 weeks and this result was well maintained during 48 weeks of follow‐up. Three patients (4.1%) developed striae of the skin (arms, trunk and legs), which are possibly related to the scalp formulation. CSP scores (79.0–46.3) declined significantly after 3 months.

Conclusion

In a daily clinical practice cohort of children with scalp psoriasis, calcipotriene/betamethasone dipropionate scalp formulation was effective with a 32.1% improvement of PSSI at week 12 and a maintenance of this effect until 48 weeks of follow‐up, in combination with improvement of QoL.
Sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) bacterial infection and confinement stress acts on F‐type lectin (DlFBL) serum modulation
Authors: Parisi M G , Benenati G , Cammarata M
Published: October 2014

The F‐lectin, a fucose‐binding protein found from invertebrates to ectothermic vertebrates, is the last lectin family to be discovered. Here, we describe effects of two different types of stressors, bacterial infection and confinement stress, on the modulation of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) F‐lectin (DlFBL), a well‐characterized serum opsonin, using a specific antibody. The infection of the Vibrio alginolyticus bacterial strain increased the total haemagglutinating activity during the 16‐day testing period. The DlFBL value showed an upward regulation on the first, second and last days and underwent a slight downward regulation 4 days post‐challenge. In contrast, the effect of confinement and density stress showed a decrease in the plasma concentration of lectin, ranging from 50% to 60% compared with the control. The modulation of DlFBL is in line with the hypothesis that humoral lectins could be involved and recruited in the initial recognition step of the inflammation, which leads to agglutination, and the activation of mechanisms responsible for killing of the pathogens.
Relationships Between Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time and National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index in the Four Types of Premature Ejaculation Syndromes: A Large Observational Study in China
Authors: Gao Jingjing , Xu Chuan , Liang Chaozhao , Su Puyu , Peng Zhen , Shi Kai , Tang Dongdong , Gao Pan , Lu Zhaoxiang , Liu Jishuang , Xia Lei , Yang Jiajia , Hao Zongyao , Zhou Jun , Zhang Xiansheng
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Besides lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) and acquired premature ejaculation (APE), Waldinger and Schweitzer proposed two addition PE syndromes (variable PE [VPE] and subjective PE [SPE]).

Aim

We assessed the associations between intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) in men with different PE syndromes.

Methods

From September 2011 to September 2012, a total of 4,000 men were enrolled from the Anhui province of China. Subjects were required to complete a verbal questionnaire, including demographic information, medical and sexual history (e.g., IELT), and self-estimated scales (e.g., NIH-CPSI).

Main Outcome Measures

IELT; NIH-CPSI; the new classification of PE syndromes.

Results

Of 3,016 of the men evaluated, 25.80% complained of PE. Distribution of the four PE syndromes among men with complaints of PE was as follows: LPE, 12.34%; APE, 18.77%; VPE, 44.09%; and SPE, 24.81%. Men with complaints of PE reported worse NIH-CPSI scores and lower IELT than men without complaints of PE (P < 0.001 for all). Moreover, total and subdomain scores of NIH-CPSI were higher in men with APE, and IELT was higher in men with SPE. IELT was negatively associated with NIH-CPSI scores in men with complaints of PE. Negative relationships between total and subdomain scores of NIH-CPSI and IELT were stronger in men with APE (total scores: adjusted r = −0.68, P < 0.001; pain symptoms: adjusted r = −0.70, P < 0.001; urinary symptoms: adjusted r = −0.67, P < 0.001; quality of life impact: adjusted r = −0.64, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Men with complaints of PE reported worse NIH-CPSI scores than men without complaints of PE. Relationships between IELT and NIH-CPSI scores were strongest in men with APE.
Cervical Vertebral Trabecular Bone Mineral Density in Great Danes With and Without Osseous‐Associated Cervical Spondylomyelopathy
Authors: Armstrong J. , da Costa R.C. , Martin‐Vaquero P.
Published: October 2014

Background

Great Danes (GDs) with osseous‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) have osteoarthritis (OA) of the cervical vertebrae. OA is often associated with increases in bone mineral density (BMD) in people and dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To compare the trabecular BMD of the cervical vertebrae between clinically normal (control) GDs and GDs with osseous‐associated CSM by using computed tomography (CT). We hypothesized that the vertebral trabecular BMD of CSM‐affected GDs would be higher than that of control GDs.

Animals

Client‐owned GDs: 12 controls, 10 CSM affected.

Methods

Prospective study. CT of the cervical vertebral column was obtained alongside a calibration phantom. By placing a circular region of interest at the articular process joints, vertebral body, pedicles, and within each rod of the calibration phantom, trabecular BMD was measured in Hounsfield units, which were converted to diphosphate equivalent densities. Trabecular BMD measurements were compared between CSM‐affected and control dogs, and between males and females within the control group.

Results

Differences between CSM‐affected and control dogs were not significant for the articular processes (mean = −39; P = .37; 95% CI: −102 to 24), vertebral bodies (mean = −62; P = .08; 95% CI: −129 to 6), or pedicles (mean = −36; P = .51; 95% CI: −105 to 33). Differences between female and male were not significant.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study revealed no difference in BMD between control and CSM‐affected GDs. Based on our findings no association was detected between cervical OA and BMD in GDs with CSM.
Alveolar osteitis: a critical review of the aetiology and management
Authors: Veale B.
Published: October 2014

Alveolar osteitis (dry socket; AO) is a well‐recognised complication following tooth extraction where accelerated breakdown of the clot within the socket results in increased localised inflammation and severe discomfort for the patient. Conventional treatment is quick and simple, with different medicated packing available for topical treatment. Recent literature on the subject advises against some approaches to treatment, and strengthened evidence that appropriate perioperative management may significantly reduce the incidence of AO. It is the purpose of this article to review these findings and summarise what current evidence suggests to be the best approach for treatment and prevention of AO, as well as identifying key risk factors.
Assessment of three placement techniques for individualized positioning of the tip of the tracheal tube in children under the age of 4 years
Authors: Moll Jens , Erb Thomas O. , Frei Franz J.
Published: October 2014

Background

Accurate positioning of the tip of the tracheal tube (tube tip) is challenging in young children. Prevalent clinical methods include placement of intubation depth marks, palpation of the tube cuff in the suprasternal notch, or deliberate mainstem intubation with subsequent withdrawal. To compare the predictability of tube tip positions, variability of the resulting positions in relation to the carina was determined applying the three techniques in each patient.

Methods

In 68 healthy children aged ≤4 years, intubation was performed with an age‐adapted, high‐volume low‐pressure cuffed tube adjusting the imprinted depth mark to the level of the vocal cords. The tube tip‐to‐carina distance was measured endoscopically. Thereafter, placements using (I) cuff palpation in the suprasternal notch and (II) auscultation to determine change in breath sounds during withdrawal after bronchial mainstem intubation were completed in random order.

Results

Tube tip position above the carina was higher when using depth marks (mean = 36.8 mm) compared with cuff palpation in the suprasternal notch (mean = 19.0 mm). Variability, expressed as sd, was lowest with the mainstem intubation technique (5.2 mm) followed by the cuff palpation (7.4 mm) and the depth mark technique (11.2 mm) (P < 0.005).

Conclusion

Auscultation after deliberate mainstem intubation and cuff palpation resulted in a tube tip position above the carina that was shorter and more predictable than placement of the tube using depth markings.
Through the Glass Darkly: searching for safety signals in physiological monitoring
Authors: Wolf Andrew R.
Published: October 2014

Perioperative monitoring of ventilation, gas exchange, heart rate, blood pressure, and other basic physiological measures give important information on the well‐being of the child in the perioperative period. However, despite this level of surveillance, perioperative events that appear to be unheralded still occur. Improvements in alarms and alarm design combined with integrated analysis of monitored parameters that map to adverse outcomes may provide earlier warning of potential danger. Near real‐time analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability can provide information on autonomic function and cardiac reserve, while devices such as tissue oximetry may be beneficial to optimize regional and global blood flow.
Standing Laparoscopic Peritoneal Flap Hernioplasty of the Vaginal Rings does not Modify the Sperm Production and Motility Characteristics in Intact Male Horses
Authors: Gracia‐Calvo LA , Ezquerra LJ , Martín‐Cuervo M , Durán ME , Tapio H , Gallardo JM , Peña FJ , Ortega‐Ferrusola C
Published: October 2014

Contents

Laparoscopic hernioplasty techniques have been developed in the recent years to avoid the recurrence of inguinal hernias and to spare the testicles for breeding purposes in stallions. However, there have been no previous comprehensive and systematic studies of the reproductive outcomes and prognoses for stallions after inguinal hernioplasty. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the possible effects of one of these techniques (standing laparoscopic peritoneal flap hernioplasty) on the sperm production and motility characteristics of six healthy stallions that received this procedure based on 1‐year follow‐ups. There were no significant differences in the measured sperm variables (assessments based on theDSO,MOT,PMOT,VSL,VCLandVAP) during 1‐year follow‐ups.
Phosphofructokinase and Malate Dehydrogenase Participate in the In Vitro Maturation of Porcine Oocytes
Authors: Breininger E , Vecchi Galenda BE , Alvarez GM , Gutnisky C , Cetica PD
Published: October 2014

Contents

Oocyte maturation depends on the metabolic activity of cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) that performs nutritive and regulatory functions during this process. In this work, the enzymes [phosphofructokinase (PFK) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH)] were tested to elucidate the metabolic profile of porcine COCs during the in vitro maturation (IVM). Enzymatic activity was expressed in U/COC and U/mg protein (specific activity) as mean ± SEM. In vitro maturation was performed with 2‐oxoglutarate (5, 10 and 20 mm) or hydroxymalonate (30, 60 and 100 mm) inhibitors of PFK and MDH, respectively. The PFK and MDH activities (U) remained constant during maturation. For PFK, the U were (2.48 ± 0.23) 10−5 and (2.54 ± 0.32) 10−5, and for MDH, the U were (4.72 ± 0.42) 10−5 and (4.38 ± 0.25) 10−5 for immature and in vitro matured COCs, respectively. The specific activities were significantly lower after IVM, for PFK (4.29 ± 0.48) 10−3 and (0.94 ± 0.12) 10−3, and for MDH (9.08 ± 0.93) 10−3 and (1.89 ± 0.10) 10−3 for immature and in vitro matured COCs, respectively. In vitro maturation percentages and enzymatic activity diminished with 20 mm 2‐oxoglutarate or 60 mm hydroxymalonate (p < 0.05). Viability was not affected by any concentration of the inhibitors evaluated. The U remained unchanged during IVM; however, the increase in the total protein content per COC provoked a decrease in the specific activity of both enzymes. Phosphofructokinase and MDH necessary for oocyte IVM would be already present in the immature oocyte. The presence of inhibitors of these enzymes impairs the meiotic maturation. Therefore, the participation of these enzymes in the energy metabolism of the porcine oocyte during IVM is confirmed in this study.
Reliability of Using a Handheld Tablet and Application to Measure Lower-Extremity Alignment Angles
Authors: King Deborah L. , Belyea Barbara C.
Published: October 2014

Context: Landing kinematics have been identified as a risk factor for knee injury. Detecting atypical kinematics in clinical settings is important for identifying individuals at risk for these injuries. Objective: To determine the reliability of a handheld tablet and application (app) for measuring lower-extremity kinematics during drop vertical-jump landings. Design: Measurement reliability. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: 23 healthy young adults with no lower-extremity injuries and no contraindications for jumping and landing. Intervention: Subjects performed 6 drop vertical jumps that were captured with an iPad2 and analyzed with a KinesioCapture app by 2 novice and 2 experienced raters. Three trials each were captured in the frontal and sagittal planes. Main Outcome Measures: Frontal-plane projection angles, knee flexion, and hip flexion at initial contact and maximum knee flexion were measured. ICC and SEM were calculated to determine intertrial and interrater reliability. One-way ANOVAs were used to examine differences between the measured angles of the raters. Results: Average intertrial reliability ranged from .71 to .98 for novice raters and .77 to .99 for experienced raters. SEMs were 2.3-4.3° for novice raters and 1.6-3.9° for experienced raters. Interrater ICC2,1 was .39-.98 for the novice raters and .69-.93 for the experienced raters. SEMs were smallest with the experienced raters, all less than 1.5°. Conclusion: A handheld tablet and app is promising for evaluating landing kinematics and identifying individuals at risk for knee injury in a clinical setting. Intertrial reliability is good to excellent when using average trial measures. Interrater reliability is fair to excellent depending on experience level. Multiple trials should be assessed by a single rater when assessing lower-extremity mechanics with a handheld tablet and app, and results may vary with experience level or training.
Use of Adaptive Laboratory Evolution To Discover Key Mutations Enabling Rapid Growth of Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 on Glucose Minimal Medium
Authors: LaCroix Ryan A. , Sandberg Troy E. , O'Brien Edward J. , Utrilla Jose , Ebrahim Ali , Guzman Gabriela I. , Szubin Richard , Palsson Bernhard O. , Feist Adam M.
Published: October 2014

Adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) has emerged as an effective tool for scientific discovery and addressing biotechnological needs. Much of ALE's utility is derived from reproducibly obtained fitness increases. Identifying causal genetic changes and their combinatorial effects is challenging and time-consuming. Understanding how these genetic changes enable increased fitness can be difficult. A series of approaches that address these challenges was developed and demonstrated using
Escherichia coli
K-12 MG1655 on glucose minimal media at 37°C. By keeping
E. coli
in constant substrate excess and exponential growth, fitness increases up to 1.6-fold were obtained compared to the wild type. These increases are comparable to previously reported maximum growth rates in similar conditions but were obtained over a shorter time frame. Across the eight replicate ALE experiments performed, causal mutations were identified using three approaches: identifying mutations in the same gene/region across replicate experiments, sequencing strains before and after computationally determined fitness jumps, and allelic replacement coupled with targeted ALE of reconstructed strains. Three genetic regions were most often mutated: the global transcription gene
rpoB
, an 82-bp deletion between the metabolic
pyrE
gene and
rph
, and an IS element between the DNA structural gene
hns
and
tdk
. Model-derived classification of gene expression revealed a number of processes important for increased growth that were missed using a gene classification system alone. The methods described here represent a powerful combination of technologies to increase the speed and efficiency of ALE studies. The identified mutations can be examined as genetic parts for increasing growth rate in a desired strain and for understanding rapid growth phenotypes.