bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Available chlorine consumption from NaOCl solutions passively placed in instrumented human root canals
Authors: Ragnarsson K. T. , Rechenberg D. K. , Attin T. , Zehnder M.
Published: June 2014

Aim

To monitor chlorine consumption from nonagitated aqueous sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solutions in human root canals using a recently developed assay, which can determine the order of magnitude of available chlorine in small volumes of liquid.

Methodology

The root canals of 80 extracted single‐rooted human teeth were instrumented to ProTaper Universal F4 and irrigated using 1% NaOCl. Subsequently, canals were irrigated with copious amounts of deionized water to rinse out the residual chlorine. Subsequently, the teeth were sealed externally and placed in a water bath of 37 °C. Root canals were filled with NaOCl of 1%, 2.75%, 5.5%, or distilled water for 1, 10, 100 or 1000 min (n = 5 teeth per solution and time). Consumption of chlorine was measured using paper points pre‐impregnated with 15% potassium iodide. Colour change of the paper points was determined photo‐electronically, assessing their red value after absorbing solutions from root canals. Measurements were compared to a standard series of NaOCl down to 0.001% (n = 5 paper points per concentration).

Results

Red values of the paper points inserted into the root canal were affected by initial NaOCl concentration and time (two‐way anova, P < 0.05). If NaOCl concentrations above 0.1% are considered to be clinically relevant, then 5.5% NaOCl retained its activity in the root canal for more than 100 min, whereas 1% NaOCl lost its activity between 10 and 100 min.

Conclusions

Nonagitated NaOCl solutions can remain biologically active in human root canals for extended time periods.
Resiniferatoxin for treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation: A preliminary study
Authors: Shi Bentao , Li Xuesong , Chen Jing , Su Boxing , Li Xianxin , Yang Shangqi , Guan Zhichen , Wang Run
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of resiniferatoxin in the treatment of patients with lifelong premature ejaculation.

Methods

A total of 41 outpatients (mean age 26.14 ± 4 years) with premature ejaculation completed the present study. They were randomly separated into the resiniferatoxin group and the placebo group. The resiniferatoxin group included 11 patients with redundant prepuce and 10 patients without redundant prepuce, whereas the placebo group contained 10 patients with redundant prepuce and 10 patients without. For the treatment, the glans were respectively soaked in 30 mL of resiniferatoxin with a concentration of 100 nmol/L or 10% alcohol solution for 30 min before sexual intercourse. Clinical efficacy was assessed by using the Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation‐5 and the intravaginal ejaculation latency time before or 4 weeks after the treatment. The side‐effects were also evaluated.

Results

In the resiniferatoxin group, the effective rate of patients with redundant prepuce was 63.6%, and both the intravaginal ejaculation latency time and Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation‐5 significantly increased (P < 0.05). However, the effective rate of patients without redundant prepuce was 20%, and there were no significant changes of their intravaginal ejaculation latency time and Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation‐5 before and after the resiniferatoxin treatment (P > 0.05). The total effective rate of patients treated with resiniferatoxin was 42.9%. In the placebo group, the effective rate of patients with or without redundant prepuce was 20% and 10%, respectively. The total effective rate of patients treated with placebo was 15%, and there were no significant changes of their intravaginal ejaculation latency time and Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation‐5 before and after the placebo treatment (P > 0.05). The side‐effects included a slight burning sensation for the glans penis and dysuria.

Conclusions

These preliminary results show that resiniferatoxin might be suitable for treating patients with lifelong premature ejaculation and particularly those with redundant prepuce.
Conceptualizing Transnational Engagements: A Structure and Agency Perspective on (Hometown) Transnationalism
Authors: Lacroix Thomas
Published: June 2014

This paper unfolds a conceptual framework of migrants’ transnational engagements. It combines three elements: a concept of social agent apprehended in its plurality of roles and social embedding; the Habermas theory of communicative action accounting for the communicative dimension of transnational engagements; a concept of social institution explaining the role of migrant organizations in framing transnational activities. This framework is applied to the analysis of cross border engagements of Moroccan, Algerian and Indian hometown organizations in the development of their respective sending areas.
Beyond Distraction: Virtual Reality Graded Exposure Therapy as Treatment for Pain‐Related Fear and Disability in Chronic Pain
Authors: Trost Zina , Parsons Thomas D.
Published: June 2014

The current review describes a novel virtual reality (VR) paradigm intended to optimize graded exposure treatment for pain‐related fear and associated disability in chronic musculoskeletal pain, focusing on chronic low back pain. By combining an established treatment protocol with the innovativeKinect system by Microsoft, virtual reality graded exposure therapy (VRGET) addresses several central limitations of traditional exposure andVRapproaches to pain/disability treatment. In addition to mitigating costs associated with traditional exposure protocols, theVRGETplatform facilitates patient treatment engagement, provides real‐time assessment of valuable outcome variables such as affective response and kinematic adaptation, and promotes generalizability of treatment gains across clinical and home environments. The current review provides an overview of current and future clinical directions for this new technology.
An Overview of Cold Resistance in Plants
Authors: Chen L.‐J. , Xiang H.‐Z. , Miao Y. , Zhang L. , Guo Z.‐F. , Zhao X.‐H. , Lin J.‐W. , Li T.‐L.
Published: June 2014

Cold is a typical environmental stress factor that limits the geographical distribution and growth of various plants. It affects crop quality and productivity. In the contemporary years, with the plant cold‐resistant genetic engineering development, great progress was obtained in this field. This paper gave a general statement about the development of plant cold resistantance on the level of unsaturated fatty acids, protective enzymes, functional genes and regulation genes, aiming to provide some useful information and ideas to researchers who work on plant cold breeding and the mechanism of cold resistance. As research continues, we could develop further multiple resistant plant species.
Stability and Change in Sustainability of Daily Routines and Social Networks in Families of Children with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities
Authors: Wilder Jenny , Granlund Mats
Published: June 2014

Background

Children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) demand intense family accommodations from birth and onwards. This study used an exploratory and qualitative study design to investigate stability and change in sustainability of daily routines and social networks of Swedish families of children with PIMD.

Materials and methods

Eight families participated over two years in eco‐cultural family interviews and social networks interviews collected at home visits. Data were analyzed descriptively and by manifest contents analysis.

Results

Results showed variations in sustainability of daily routines over time across families. The sustainability was linked to fathers' involvement, couples' connectedness and emotional support. Stability and change of social networks were characterized by low overlap between the child and family networks, the children's communicative dependency and low density of able communication partners.

Conclusions

The results indicate that patterns of stability and change were linked both to family resources and child characteristics.
Distinctive electrophysiological characteristics of right ventricular out‐flow tract cardiomyocytes
Authors: Lu Yen‐Yu , Chung Fa‐Po , Chen Yao‐Chang , Tsai Chin‐Feng , Kao Yu‐Hsun , Chao Tze‐Fan , Huang Jen‐Hung , Chen Shih‐Ann , Chen Yi‐Jen
Published: June 2014

Ventricular arrhythmias commonly originate from the right ventricular out‐flow tract (RVOT). However, the electrophysiological characteristics and Ca2+ homoeostasis of RVOT cardiomyocytes remain unclear. Whole‐cell patch clamp and indo‐1 fluorometric ratio techniques were used to investigate action potentials, Ca2+ homoeostasis and ionic currents in isolated cardiomyocytes from the rabbit RVOT and right ventricular apex (RVA). Conventional microelectrodes were used to record the electrical activity before and after (KN‐93, a Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent kinase II inhibitor, or ranolazine, a late sodium current inhibitor) treatment in RVOT and RVA tissue preparations under electrical pacing and ouabain (Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor) administration. In contrast to RVA cardiomyocytes, RVOT cardiomyocytes were characterized by longer action potential duration measured at 90% and 50% repolarization, larger Ca2+ transients, higher Ca2+ stores, higher late Na+ and transient outward K+ currents, but smaller delayed rectifier K+, L‐type Ca2+ currents and Na+‐Ca2+ exchanger currents. RVOT cardiomyocytes showed significantly more pacing‐induced delayed afterdepolarizations (22% versus 0%, P < 0.05) and ouabain‐induced ventricular arrhythmias (94% versus 61%, P < 0.05) than RVA cardiomyocytes. Consistently, it took longer time (9 ± 1 versus 4 ± 1 min., P < 0.05) to eliminate ouabain‐induced ventricular arrhythmias after application of KN‐93 (but not ranolazine) in the RVOT in comparison with the RVA. These results indicate that RVOT cardiomyocytes have distinct electrophysiological characteristics with longer AP duration and greater Ca2+ content, which could contribute to the high RVOT arrhythmogenic activity.
Characterization of the effect of LPS on dendritic cell subset discrimination in spleen
Authors: Griffiths Kristin L , Tan Jonathan KH , O'Neill Helen C
Published: June 2014

The Gram‐negative bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent inflammatory mediator and a leading cause of bacterial sepsis. While LPS is known to activate antigen‐presenting cells, here we find that LPS down‐regulates expression of CD11c and CD11b on splenic dendritic cell subsets, thus confounding the ability to identify these subsets following treatment. This has implications with regard to tracking the response to LPS in terms of the cell subsets involved, and should be considered whenever such studies are undertaken.
Immune responses of whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), to bacterially expressed dsRNA specific to VP28 gene of white spot syndrome virus
Authors: Taju G , Madan N , Abdul Majeed S , Raj Kumar T , Thamizhvanan S , Otta S K , Sahul Hameed A S
Published: June 2014

In this study, dsRNA specific to VP28 gene of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) of shrimp was synthesized in Escherichia coli in large scale and studied the immune response of shrimp to dsRNA‐VP28. The haematological parameters such as clotting time and total haemocytes counts, and immunological parameters such as prophenoloxidase (proPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), superoxide anion (SOA) and malondialdehyde content, as well as the mRNA expression of ten immune‐related genes were examined to estimate the effect of dsRNA‐VP28 on the innate immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei. The activities of proPO, SOA and SOD significantly increased in haemocyte after dsRNA‐VP28 treatment, whereas MDA content did not change significantly. Among the ten immune‐related genes examined, only the mRNA expression of proPO, cMnSOD, haemocyanin, crustin, BGBP, lipopolysaccharides (LPs), lectin and lysozyme in haemocytes, gill and hepatopancreas of L. vannamei, was significantly upregulated at 12 h after dsRNA‐VP28 treatment, while no significant expression changes were observed in Toll receptor and tumour receptor genes. The increase of proPO and SOD activities, and SOA level and mRNA expression level of proPO, cMnSOD, haemocyanin, crustin, BGBP, LPs, lectin and lysozyme after dsRNA‐VP28 stimulation indicate that these immune‐related genes were involved in dsRNA‐VP28‐induced innate immunity in shrimp.
Isolation and screening of probiotic candidates from marron, Cherax cainii (Austin, 2002) gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and commercial probiotic products for the use in marron culture
Authors: Ambas I , Buller N , Fotedar R
Published: June 2014

Six strains of bacteria including Bacillus mycoides (A10) and Shewanella species (A12) isolated from healthy marron intestine, Bacillus species (PM1), Bacillus subtilis (PM3), Bacillus sp. (PM4) and Bacillus sp. (AQ) from commercial probiotic products were investigated for probiotic potential in marron culture. Antibiotic susceptibility tests indicated PM3 and PM4 were susceptible to all nine antibiotics evaluated. A10, A12 and AQ were resistant to class penicillins, whereas PM1 was resistant to class penicillin and macrolides. All strains were non‐pathogenic for marron. Strong inhibition against Vibrio mimicus and Vibrio cholerae non‐01 was exhibited by PM4 and PM3. A10 inhibited V. mimicus at 72 h of growth, but not V. cholerae non‐01, whereas A12 inhibited V. cholerae non‐01 but not V. mimicus, and AQ showed no inhibition activity. A wide range of enzymes were produced by A10 and AQ using the API ZYM test. Protease enzymes were produced by PM3, PM4, AQ and PM1. In order of effectiveness, the following bacteria have probiotic potential: B. subtilis (PM3), Bacillus sp. (PM4) and B. mycoides (A10). Further study is required to determine the bacterium or any combination that gives a multibeneficial effect on marron.
Milk and Dairy Consumption and Risk of Dementia in an Elderly Japanese Population: The Hisayama Study
Authors: Ozawa Mio , Ohara Tomoyuki , Ninomiya Toshiharu , Hata Jun , Yoshida Daigo , Mukai Naoko , Nagata Masaharu , Uchida Kazuhiro , Shirota Tomoko , Kitazono Takanari , Kiyohara Yutaka
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To determine the effect of milk and dairy intake on the development of all‐cause dementia and its subtypes in an elderly Japanese population.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

The Hisayama Study, Japan.

Participants

Individuals aged 60 and older without dementia (N = 1,081).

Measurements

Milk and dairy intake was estimated using a 70‐item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire grouped into quartiles. The risk estimates of milk and dairy intake on the development of all‐cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) were computed using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Over 17 years of follow‐up, 303 subjects developed all‐cause dementia; 166 had AD, and 98 had VaD. The age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidence of all‐cause dementia, AD, and VaD significantly decreased as milk and dairy intake level increased (P for trend = .03 for all‐cause dementia, .04 for AD, .01 for VaD). After adjusting for potential confounders, the linear relationship between milk and dairy intake and development of AD remained significant (P for trend = .03), whereas the relationships with all‐cause dementia and VaD were not significant. The risk of AD was significantly lower in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of milk and dairy intake than in the first quartile.

Conclusion

Greater milk and dairy intake reduced the risk of dementia, especially AD, in the general Japanese population.
One‐Year Mortality in Elderly Adults with Non‐ST‐Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome: Effect of Diabetic Status and Admission Hyperglycemia
Authors: Savonitto Stefano , Morici Nuccia , Cavallini Claudio , Antonicelli Roberto , Petronio Anna Sonia , Murena Ernesto , Olivari Zoran , Steffenino Giuseppe , Bonechi Francesco , Mafrici Antonio , Toso Anna , Piscione Federico , Bolognese Leonardo , De Servi Stefano
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To determine whether type 2 diabetes mellitus and hyperglycemia on admission should be considered independent predictors of mortality in elderly adults with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Twenty‐three hospitals in Italy.

Participants

Individuals aged 75 and older with non‐ST‐elevation ACS (NSTEACS) (mean age 82, 47% female) (N = 645).

Measurements

Diabetic status and blood glucose levels were assessed on admission. Hyperglycemia was defined as glucose greater than 140 mg/dL. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess the potential confounding effect of major covariates on the association between diabetic status, admission glucose, and 1‐year mortality.

Results

A history of diabetes mellitus was found in 231 participants (35.8%), whereas 257 (39.8%) had hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia was found in 171 participants with diabetes mellitus (70%) and 86 (21%) without diabetes mellitus. Participants with diabetes mellitus were significantly (P < .05) more likely to have had prior myocardial infarction and stroke and had lower ejection fraction and blood hemoglobin. Hyperglycemia was associated with lower (P < .05) ejection fraction and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Diabetic status and hyperglycemia were associated with greater 1‐year mortality according to univariate analysis (54 participants with diabetes mellitus died (23.4%), versus 66 (15.9%) without diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.5 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0–2.1), and 60 participants with hyperglycemia died (23.3%), versus 60 (15.5%) without hyperglycemia (HR=1.6; 95% CI = 1.1–2.2), but this association was not statistically significant after adjustment for ejection fraction, age, blood hemoglobin, and eGFR.

Conclusion

In elderly adults with NSTEACS, diabetes mellitus and hyperglycemia on admission are associated with higher mortality, mostly because of preexisting cardiovascular and renal damage.
Searching for nonlocal lithologies in the Apollo 12 regolith: A geochemical and petrological study of basaltic coarse fines from the Apollo lunar soil sample 12023,155
Authors: Alexander Louise , Snape Joshua F. , Crawford Ian A. , Joy Katherine H. , Downes Hilary
Published: June 2014

New data from a petrological and geochemical examination of 12 coarse basaltic fines from the Apollo 12 soil sample 12023,155 provide evidence of additional geochemical diversity at the landing site. In addition to the bulk chemical composition, major, minor, and trace element analyses of mineral phases are employed to ascertain how these samples relate to the Apollo 12 lithological basalt groups, thereby overcoming the problems of representativeness of small samples. All of the samples studied are low‐Ti basalts (0.9–5.7 wt% TiO2), and many fall into the established olivine, pigeonite, and ilmenite classification of Apollo 12 basaltic suites. There are five exceptions: sample 12023,155_1A is mineralogically and compositionally distinct from other Apollo 12 basalt types, with low pigeonite REE concentrations and low Ni (41–55 ppm) and Mn (2400–2556 ppm) concentrations in olivine. Sample 12023,155_11A is also unique, with Fe‐rich mineral compositions and low bulk Mg# (=100 × atomic Mg/[Mg+Fe]) of 21.6. Sample 12023,155_7A has different plagioclase chemistry and crystallization trends as well as a wider range of olivine Mg# (34–55) compared with other Apollo 12 basalts, and shows greater similarities to Apollo 14 high‐Al basalts. Two other samples (12023,155_4A, and _5A) are similar to the Apollo 12 feldspathic basalt 12038, providing additional evidence that feldspathic basalts represent a lava flow proximal to the Apollo 12 site rather than material introduced by impacts. We suggest that at least one parent magma, and possibly as many as four separate parent magmas, are required in addition to the previously identified olivine, pigeonite, and ilmenite basaltic suites to account for the observed chemical diversity of basalts found in this study.
Ancient porosity preserved in ordinary chondrites: Examining shock and compaction on young asteroids
Authors: Friedrich Jon M. , Rubin Alan E. , Beard Sky P. , Swindle Timothy D. , Isachsen Clark E. , Rivers Mark L. , Macke Robert J.
Published: June 2014

We use a combination of 2D and 3D petrographic examination and 40Ar‐39Ar analyses to examine the impact histories of a suite of seven ordinary chondrites (Baszkówka, Miller, NWA 2380, Mount Tazerzait, Sahara 98034, Tjerebon, and MIL 99301) that partially preserve their ancient, but postaccretionary, porosity ranging from 10 to 20%. We examine whether materials that seem to be only mildly processed (as their large intergranular pore spaces suggest) may have more complex shock histories. The ages determined for most of the seven OCs studied here indicate closure of the 40Ar‐39Ar system after primary accretion, but during (Baszkówka) or shortly after (others) thermal metamorphism, with little subsequent heating. Exceptions include Sahara 98034 and MIL 99301, which were heated to some degree at later stages, but retain some evidence for the timing of thermal metamorphism in the 40Ar‐39Ar system. Although each of these chondrites has olivine grains with sharp optical extinction (signaling an apparent shock stage of S1), normally indicative of an extremely mild impact history, all of the samples contain relict shock indicators. Given the high porosity and relatively low degree of compaction coupled with signs of shock and thermal annealing, it seems plausible that impacts into materials that were already hot may have produced the relict shock indicators. Initial heating could have resulted from prior collisions, the decay of 26Al, or both processes.
Overexpression of CupB5 activates alginate overproduction in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a novel AlgW‐dependent mechanism
Authors: de Regt Anna K. , Yin Yeshi , Withers T. Ryan , Wang Xin , Baker Tania A. , Sauer Robert T. , Yu Hongwei D.
Published: June 2014

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, alginate overproduction, also known as mucoidy, is negatively regulated by the transmembrane protein MucA, which sequesters the alternative sigma factor AlgU. MucA is degraded via a proteolysis pathway that frees AlgU from sequestration, activating alginate biosynthesis. Initiation of this pathway normally requires two signals: peptide sequences in unassembled outer‐membrane proteins (OMPs) activate the AlgW protease, and unassembled lipopolysaccharides bind periplasmic MucB, releasing MucA and facilitating its proteolysis by activated AlgW. To search for novel alginate regulators, we screened a transposon library in the non‐mucoid reference strain PAO1, and identified a mutant that confers mucoidy through overexpression of a protein encoded by the chaperone‐usher pathway gene cupB5. CupB5‐dependent mucoidy occurs through the AlgU pathway and can be reversed by overexpression of MucA or MucB. In the presence of activating OMP peptides, peptides corresponding to a region of CupB5 needed for mucoidy further stimulated AlgW cleavage of MucA in vitro. Moreover, the CupB5 peptide allowed OMP‐activated AlgW cleavage of MucA in the presence of the MucB inhibitor. These results support a novel mechanism for conversion to mucoidy in which the proteolytic activity of AlgW and its ability to compete with MucB for MucA is mediated by independent peptide signals.
Insecticide‐treated clothes for the control of vector‐borne diseases: a review on effectiveness and safety
Authors: BANKS S. D. , MURRAY N. , WILDER‐SMITH A. , LOGAN J. G.
Published: June 2014

Insecticide‐treated clothing has been used for many years by the military and in recreational activities as personal protection against bites from a variety of arthropods including ticks, chigger mites, sandflies and mosquitoes. Permethrin is the most commonly used active ingredient, but others, including bifenthrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, DEET (N,N‐diethyl‐3‐methylbenz‐amide) and KBR3023, have also been trialled. Treatment is usually carried out by home or factory dipping. However, new microencapsulation technologies which may prolong the activity of insecticides on clothing are now available and may help to overcome the inevitable reduction in efficacy over time that occurs as a result of washing, ultraviolet light exposure, and the normal wear and tear of the fabric. The aim of this article is to review the evidence base for the use of insecticide‐treated clothing for protection against bites from arthropods and its effect on arthropod‐borne pathogen transmission. Although some studies do demonstrate protection against pathogen transmission, there are surprisingly few, and the level of protection provided varies according to the disease and the type of study conducted. For example, insecticide‐treated clothing has been reported to give between 0% and 75% protection against malaria and between 0% and 79% protection against leishmaniasis. Studies vary in the type of treatment used, the age group of participants, the geographical location of the study, and the pathogen transmission potential. This makes it difficult to compare and assess intervention trials. Overall, there is substantial evidence that insecticide‐treated clothing can provide protection against arthropod bites. Bite protection evidence suggests that insecticide‐treated clothing may be useful in the prevention of pathogen transmission, but further investigations are required to accurately demonstrate transmission reduction.
POLITICS, ENVIRONMENT, AND FISHERIES: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM PACIFIC SALMON FISHERIES
Authors: BENSHOOF CHRIS , BAEK JUNGHO
Published: June 2014

Pacific salmon have always been a lucrative commodity in Alaska history. The primary contribution of this paper is to assess the effects of statewide policy changes such as the 1959 Alaska Statehood and the 1974 Limited Entry Act on the harvest of Pacific salmon in Alaska, controlling for changes in oceanic environmental conditions such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. An autoregressive distributed lag approach is employed to annual time‐series data for 1899–1996. We find that, while the 1974 Limited Entry Act has a significant effect on Alaska salmon harvests, the 1959 Alaska Statehood had little impact. In addition, the oceanic environment has an important determinant of long‐run Alaska salmon harvests.
How different do visuo‐tactile criteria assess caries lesions activity status on occlusal surfaces?
Authors: Floriano I , Bonini GC , Matos R , Novaes TF , Ekstrand KR , Mendes FM , Braga MM
Published: June 2014

Objectives

We tested the association between active caries lesions assessed by two different criteria and clinical features of these caries lesions.

Materials and methods

Three examiners examined forty‐nine 3‐ to 12‐year‐old children: one examiner used the Nyvad criteria, another examiner used the International Caries Detection and Assessment System with an additional criteria – Lesion Activity Assessment (ICDAS + LAA), and a reference examiner classified lesions regarding plaque stagnation, colour, lustre, cavities, depth and texture. Logistic regressions were used to test associations. For analyses, we grouped sound sites and inactive lesions vs active caries lesions, but also considering only inactive vs active lesions.

Results

Active lesions scored by both criteria were similarly associated with different clinical parameters tested, except when the sound sites were excluded from the analysis. In these cases, active lesions according to ICDAS + LAA were associated only with cavitation and texture. Texture was associated with divergences between criteria when differentiating sound or inactive lesions from active ones. Fewer divergences in differentiating active from inactive lesions were observed when lesions present lustre.

Conclusion

Most clinical signs associated with active caries lesions were similar, but texture and severity tend to have a greater importance when using ICDAS + LAA for distinguishing caries activity status. Attention should be given to differences due to texture and lustre when using different indices.
RHINASTHMA‐Adolescents: a new quality of life tool for patients with respiratory allergy
Authors: La Grutta Stefania , Landi Massimo , Braido Fulvio , Montalbano Laura , Ferrante Giuliana , Malizia Velia , Fassio Omar , Canonica Giorgio W. , Baiardini Ilaria
Published: June 2014

Background

Specific instruments for health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment in adolescents with rhinoconjunctivitis or asthma are available. None of them evaluates rhinitis and asthma together, although they often coexist. Our aim was to validate a HRQoL questionnaire for adolescents with rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, or both.

Methods

A pool of 38 items covering the main symptoms and problems related to respiratory allergy was generated based on literature review, clinical experience, and unstructured interviews to 54 adolescents. The items were randomly listed and presented to 88 consecutive outpatients (44 M; mean age 15.2 ± 3.1). Patients had to indicate which item they had experienced and, for each selected item, its importance on a four‐point scale (1 = not at all; 4 = very much). Twelve items were excluded from the list, because of low importance. In the validation phase, 102 patients (54 M; mean age 15.36 ± 1.12) completed the KINDL, a generic HRQoL tool, and the new questionnaire (RHINASTHMA‐Adolescents).

Results

Factor analysis revealed a five‐dimensional structure, which explained up to 71.23% of the total variance. Association between RHINASTHMA‐Adolescents and KINDL scores was all in the expected direction. Internal consistency for the extracted factors was satisfactory: Upper Airways (0.81), Lower Airways (0.89), Emotions (0.85), Social Relationship (0.79), Daily life management (0.74). Reliability was good for all factors with a Pearson coefficient ranged from 0.91 to 0.99.

Conclusions

RHINASTHMA‐Adolescents is the first tool for evaluating HRQoL in patients with rhinitis and/or asthma. It provides a simple assessment and met the standards of validity, internal consistency, and reliability.
Continuous noninvasive cardiac output in children: is this the next generation of operating room monitors? Initial experience in 402 pediatric patients
Authors: Coté Charles J. , Sui Jinghu , Anderson Thomas Anthony , Bhattacharya Somaletha T. , Shank Erik S. , Tuason Pacifico M. , August David A. , Zibaitis Audrius , Firth Paul G. , Fuzaylov Gennadiy , Leeman Michael R. , Mai Christine L. , Roberts Jesse D.
Published: June 2014

Background

Electrical Cardiometry™ (EC) estimates cardiac parameters by measuring changes in thoracic electrical bioimpedance during the cardiac cycle. The ICON®, using four electrocardiogram electrodes (EKG), estimates the maximum rate of change of impedance to peak aortic blood acceleration (based on the premise that red blood cells change from random orientation during diastole (high impedance) to an aligned state during systole (low impedance)).

Objective

To determine whether continuous cardiac output (CO) data provide additional information to current anesthesia monitors that is useful to practitioners.

Methods

After IRB approval and verbal consent, 402 children were enrolled. Data were uploaded to our anesthesia record at one‐minute intervals. Ten‐second measurements (averaged over the previous 20 heart beats) were downloaded to separate files for later comparison with routine OR monitors.

Results

Data from 374 were in the final cohort (loss of signal or improper lead placement); 292 012 measurements during 58 049 min of anesthesia were made in these children (1 day to 19 years and 1 to 107 kg). Four events had a ≥25% reduction in cardiac index at least 1 min before a clinically important change in other monitored parameters; 18 events in 14 children confirmed manifestations of other hemodynamic measures; eight events may have represented artifacts because the observed measurements did not seem to fit the clinical parameters of the other monitors; three other events documented decreased stroke index with extreme tachycardia.

Conclusions

Electrical cardiometry provides real‐time cardiovascular information regarding developing hemodynamic events and successfully tracked the rapid response to interventions in children of all sizes. Intervention decisions must be based on the combined data from all monitors and the clinical situation. Our experience suggests that this type of monitor may be an important addition to real‐time hemodynamic monitoring.
Rhabdomyosarcoma Arising in a Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus
Authors: Christman Mitalee P. , Kerner Jennifer K. , Cheng Carol , Piris Adriano , Nepo Anne G. , Sepehr Alireza , Kroshinsky Daniela
Published: June 2014

A number of lesions have been documented to arise within congenital melanocytic nevi (CMNs). Although the most frequent malignancy arising within a CMN is melanoma, the association between rhabdomyosarcoma and CMN has rarely been documented. We present a case arising in a 4‐month‐old girl with a giant CMN. She presented for evaluation of a pedunculated lesion at the superior gluteal crease that had been present since birth and exhibited rapid growth. Biopsy of the lesion revealed two distinct components: an expansile proliferation of pleomorphic cells with varying degrees of cellularity and a proliferation of banal‐appearing melanocytic nevic cells. The cells of the expansile proliferation displayed a wide range of morphologic features, including nests of round cells, spindle‐shaped cells, and more differentiated rhabdomyoblasts within a myxoid, highly vascularized stroma. Cross‐striations, a marker of skeletal muscle differentiation, were present. These tumor cells were strongly immunoreactive with desmin, myo‐D1, and myogenin. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis with PAX3/7‐FKHR probes was negative. A diagnosis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in association with CMN was made. Initial excision revealed tumor at the margins, and the patient underwent reexcision with subsequent chemotherapy with vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide. She was disease‐free at the 6‐year follow‐up. It has been postulated that the combination of melanocytic and rhabdomyoblastic cells within the same lesion may imply derivation from a common pluripotent stem cell or neural crest cell. Clinicians following patients with giant CMN should consider rhabdomyosarcoma in the differential diagnosis of lesions arising within the nevus.
Long‐term adherence with non‐invasive ventilation improves prognosis in obese COPD patients
Authors: Borel Jean‐Christian , Pepin Jean‐Louis , Pison Christophe , Vesin Aurélien , Gonzalez‐Bermejo Jesus , Court‐Fortune Isabelle , Timsit Jean‐François
Published: June 2014

Background and objective

Long‐term non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) has become a widespread modality of treatment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with chronic respiratory failure. However, benefits in terms of patient‐related outcomes are still under debate. Both NIV adherence and heterogeneous responses in different COPD phenotypes may contribute to the difficulty of demonstrating NIV benefits. Our aim was to assess the impact of NIV adherence on the rate of hospitalization for acute exacerbation and death.

Methods

This is a prospective multi‐centre cohort study of COPD patients treated by long‐term NIV. Comorbidities, anthropometrics, respiratory parameters were collected at inclusion in the study. Follow‐up data included vital status, NIV adherence and hospitalizations. The influence of NIV adherence on prognosis was tested using an adjusted Cox model. Sensitivity analyses for obese and non‐obese COPD subtypes were also conducted.

Results

Two hundred thirteen patients (48% obese) were included with 45.5% died during 47.7 [interquartile range = 27.8; 73] months' follow‐up. Survival was better in obese COPD than non‐obese COPD. The use of NIV > 9 h/day was associated with an increased risk of death or hospitalization for acute exacerbation [HR = 1.6; 95CI: 1.1–2.4]. In obese COPD, this risk described a U‐shaped curve from >1 to >9 h/day NIV usage with an improvement in prognosis when NIV adherence was > 5 h/day [HR = 0.5; 95CI: 0.2–0.9].

Conclusions

Adherence to NIV was associated with better prognosis only in obese COPD. NIV use > 9 h/day predicted poor outcomes.
Three‐dimensional seismic analysis of sediment waves and related geomorphological features on a carbonate shelf exposed to large amplitude internal waves, Browse Basin region, Australia
Authors: Belde Johannes , Back Stefan , Reuning Lars
Published: June 2014

This study analyses the three‐dimensional geometry of sedimentary features recorded on the modern sea floor and in the shallow subsurface of a shelf to upper slope region offshore Australia that is characterized by a pronounced internal wave regime. The data interpreted comprise an extensive, >12 500 km2 industrial three‐dimensional seismic‐reflection survey that images the northern part of the Browse Basin, Australian North West Shelf. The most prominent seismic–morphological features on the modern sea floor are submarine terrace escarpments, fault‐scarps and incised channels, as well as restricted areas of seismic distortion interpreted as mass wasting deposits. Besides these kilometre‐scale sea floor irregularities, smaller bedforms were discovered also, including a multitude of sediment waves with a lateral extent of several kilometres and heights up to 10 m. These sedimentological features generally occur in extensive fields in water depths below 250 m mostly at the foot of submerged terraces, along the scarps of modern faults and along the shelf break between the outer shelf and the upper continental rise. Additional bedforms that characterize the more planar regions of the outer shelf are elongate, north‐west/south‐east oriented furrows and ridges. The formation of both sediment waves and furrow‐ridge systems requires flow velocities between 0·3 m sec−1 and 1·5 m sec−1, which could be generated by oceanic currents, gravity currents or internal waves. In the studied setting, these velocities can be best explained as being generated by bottom currents induced by internal waves, an interpretation that is discussed against oceanographic background data and modelling results. In addition to the documentation of three‐dimensional seismic–geomorphological features of the modern sea floor, it was also possible to map kilometre‐scale buried sediment wave fields in the seismic volume down to ca 500 ms two‐way‐time below the present sea floor, indicating the general potential for the preservation of such bedforms in the sedimentary record.
Starting Wages Respond to Employer's Risk
Authors: Berkhout Peter , Hartog Joop , van Ophem Hans
Published: June 2014

Firms hiring new graduates face uncertainty on the future productivity of workers. Theory suggests that starting wages reflect this, with lower pay for greater uncertainty. We use the dispersion of exam grades within a field of education as an indicator of the unobserved heterogeneity that employers face. We find solid evidence that starting wages are lower if the variance of exam grades is higher and higher if the skew is higher: employers shift the cost of productivity risk to new hires, but pay for the opportunity to catch a really good worker. Estimating the extent of risk cost sharing between firm and worker shows that shifting to workers is larger in the market sector than in the public sector and diminishes with experience.
Virus‐induced gene silencing in transgenic plants: transgene silencing and reactivation associate with two patterns of transgene body methylation
Authors: Zhao Mingmin , San León David , Delgadillo Ma. Otilia , García Juan Antonio , Simón‐Mateo Carmen
Published: June 2014

We used bisulfite sequencing to study the methylation of a viral transgene whose expression was silenced upon plum pox virus infection of the transgenic plant and its subsequent recovery as a consequence of so‐called virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS). VIGS was associated with a general increase in the accumulation of small RNAs corresponding to the coding region of the viral transgene. After VIGS, the transgene promoter was not methylated and the coding region showed uneven methylation, with the 5′ end being mostly unmethylated in the recovered tissue or mainly methylated at CG sites in regenerated silenced plants. The methylation increased towards the 3′ end, which showed dense methylation in all three contexts (CG, CHG and CHH). This methylation pattern and the corresponding silenced status were maintained after plant regeneration from recovered silenced tissue and did not spread into the promoter region, but were not inherited in the sexual offspring. Instead, a new pattern of methylation was observed in the progeny plants consisting of disappearance of the CHH methylation, similar CHG methylation at the 3′ end, and an overall increase in CG methylation in the 5′ end. The latter epigenetic state was inherited over several generations and did not correlate with transgene silencing and hence virus resistance. These results suggest that the widespread CG methylation pattern found in body gene bodies located in euchromatic regions of plant genomes may reflect an older silencing event, and most likely these genes are no longer silenced.
A flavonoid 3‐O‐glucoside:2″‐O‐glucosyltransferase responsible for terminal modification of pollen‐specific flavonols in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yonekura‐Sakakibara Keiko , Nakabayashi Ryo , Sugawara Satoko , Tohge Takayuki , Ito Takuya , Koyanagi Misuzu , Kitajima Mariko , Takayama Hiromitsu , Saito Kazuki
Published: June 2014

Flavonol 3‐O‐diglucosides with a 1→2 inter‐glycosidic linkage are representative pollen‐specific flavonols that are widely distributed in plants, but their biosynthetic genes and physiological roles are not well understood. Flavonoid analysis of four Arabidopsis floral organs (pistils, stamens, petals and calyxes) and flowers of wild‐type and male sterility 1 (ms1) mutants, which are defective in normal development of pollen and tapetum, showed that kaempferol/quercetin 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐d‐glucopyranosides accumulated in Arabidopsis pollen. Microarray data using wild‐type and ms1 mutants, gene expression patterns in various organs, and phylogenetic analysis of UDP‐glycosyltransferases (UGTs) suggest that UGT79B6 (At5g54010) is a key modification enzyme for determining pollen‐specific flavonol structure. Kaempferol and quercetin 3‐O‐glucosyl‐(1→2)‐glucosides were absent from two independent ugt79b6 knockout mutants. Transgenic ugt79b6 mutant lines transformed with the genomic UGT79B6 gene had the same flavonoid profile as wild‐type plants. Recombinant UGT79B6 protein converted kaempferol 3‐O‐glucoside to kaempferol 3‐O‐glucosyl‐(1→2)‐glucoside. UGT79B6 recognized 3‐O‐glucosylated/galactosylated anthocyanins/flavonols but not 3,5‐ or 3,7‐diglycosylated flavonoids, and prefers UDP‐glucose, indicating that UGT79B6 encodes flavonoid 3‐O‐glucoside:2″‐O‐glucosyltransferase. A UGT79B6‐GUS fusion showed that UGT79B6 was localized in tapetum cells and microspores of developing anthers.
Transfusion of fresh‐frozen plasma in critically ill patients with a coagulopathy before invasive procedures: a randomized clinical trial (CME)
Authors: Müller Marcella C. , Arbous M. Sesmu , Spoelstra‐de Man Angelique M. , Vink Roel , Karakus Atilla , Straat Marleen , Binnekade Jan M. , de Jonge Evert , Vroom Margreeth B. , Juffermans Nicole P.
Published: June 2014

Background

Prophylactic use of fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) is common practice in patients with a coagulopathy undergoing an invasive procedure. Evidence that FFP prevents bleeding is lacking, while risks of transfusion‐related morbidity after FFP have been well demonstrated. We aimed to assess whether omitting prophylactic FFP transfusion in nonbleeding critically ill patients with a coagulopathy who undergo an intervention is noninferior to a prophylactic transfusion of FFP.

Study Design and Methods

A multicenter randomized open‐label trial with blinded endpoint evaluation was performed in critically ill patients with a prolonged international normalized ratio (INR; 1.5‐3.0). Patients undergoing placement of a central venous catheter, percutaneous tracheostomy, chest tube, or abscess drainage were eligible. Patients with clinically overt bleeding, thrombocytopenia, or therapeutic use of anticoagulants were excluded. Patients were randomly assigned to omitting or administering a prophylactic transfusion of FFP (12 mL/kg). Outcomes were occurrence of postprocedural bleeding complications, INR correction, and occurrence of lung injury.

Results

Due to slow inclusion, the trial was stopped before the predefined target enrollment was reached. Eighty‐one patients were randomly assigned, 40 to FFP and 41 to no FFP transfusion. Incidence of bleeding did not differ between groups, with a total of one major and 13 minor bleedings (p = 0.08 for noninferiority). FFP transfusion resulted in a reduction of INR to less than 1.5 in 54% of transfused patients. No differences in lung injury scores were observed.

Conclusion

In critically ill patients undergoing an invasive procedure, no difference in bleeding complications was found regardless whether FFP was prophylactically administered or not.
CD4+ and CD8+ skin‐associated T lymphocytes in canine atopic dermatitis produce interleukin‐13, interleukin‐22 and interferon‐γ and contain a CD25+FoxP3+ subset
Authors: Jassies‐van der Lee Annette , Rutten Victor P. M. G. , Bruijn Jet , Willemse Ton , Broere Femke
Published: June 2014

Background

T Cells play a major role in the immunopathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). However, the significance of cutaneous regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD8+ T cells is currently unclear.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate the presence and distribution of Tregs in cAD and healthy skin and to determine the cytokine production of cutaneous CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Animals

Biopsies were taken from four dogs with cAD (lesional and nonlesional skin) and four healthy control dogs.

Methods

Distribution patterns of T‐cell subtypes in cAD lesional, nonlesional and control skin were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Phenotypic characterization of T cells from skin explant cultures and enzymatic digestions was performed using flow cytometry. Cytokine production of sorted CD4+ and CD8+ explant‐derived T cells was measured by RT‐qPCR.

Results

Regulatory T cells phenotypically characterized by CD25+FoxP3+ were found in both CD4+ and CD8+ subsets of skin explant and digestion samples. The percentages of CD4+CD25+ cells that were FoxP3+ were similar in cAD and control skin. In atopic lesional and nonlesional explant samples, lower FoxP3+ percentages of CD8+CD25+ cells were seen compared with control skin. The presence of predominantly periadnexal CD25+FoxP3+ cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in lesional, nonlesional and control skin. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio was less than one in cAD skin with both skin explant and digestion methods. CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell subsets of lesional and nonlesional cAD skin were capable of producing interleukin‐13, interleukin‐22 and interferon‐γ.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are likely to contribute to the immunopathogenesis of cAD through the production of interleukin‐13, interleukin‐22 and interferon‐γ. In both subsets, functional analysis of FoxP3+ cells is essential to determine their role.