bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Sexual Functioning and Depressive Symptomatology in Postpartum Women: A Pilot Study
Authors: Chivers Meredith L. , Pittini Richard , Grigoriadis Sophie , Villegas Laura , Ross Lori E.
Published: December 2010

Introduction

Previous research on postpartum sexuality has primarily focused on the impact of physical factors on the resumption and frequency of sexual intercourse; fewer studies have focused on the impact of psychological factors on women’s sexual functioning.

Aim

The aim of this study is to assess current sexual functioning and sexual behavior in women with and without symptoms of postpartum depression using validated measures of postpartum depression and sexual functioning.

Methods

Women attending postpartum appointments were consecutively recruited over a 12-month period and completed questionnaires assessing sexual functioning, current sexual behavior, and mental health.

Main Outcome Measures

The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and items assessing current sexual behaviors.

Results

A total of 77 women returned completed questionnaire packages (mean postpartum weeks: 13, range 3–24). Of these, 57 women (74%) had engaged in sexual activity with a partner in the 4 weeks prior to completing the questionnaire. The mean FSFI score was 23.0 (range 6–34), with 37 women (65%) scoring in the range associated with clinical sexual dysfunction. Women with elevated EPDS scores had significantly lower total FSFI, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction FSFI subscale scores (all P values <0.005) than nondepressed women, suggesting more problematic sexual functioning. Desire, lubrication, and pain FSFI subscale scores were not significantly associated with depression status.

Conclusions

A substantial proportion of women experience sexual problems in the postpartum period; these problems are particularly pronounced among women with symptoms of postpartum depression. Longitudinal research is needed to better understand the relationship between sexual dysfunction and depression among postpartum women, and to identify implications for prevention and treatment of both conditions.
Male Infertility and Depression: A Neglected Problem in the Middle East
Authors: Ahmadi Hamed , Montaser-Kouhsari Laleh , Nowroozi Mohammad R. , Bazargan-Hejazi Shahrzad
Published: December 2010

Introduction

Little attention has been paid to the psychological status of infertile men from developing countries who have been traditionally stigmatized as feeble and ineffective.

Aim

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of depression and its socio-demographic correlates in a sample of Iranian infertile men.

Methods

One hundred and fourteen infertile men filled out the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory. Men who scored ≥17 were considered depressed and those with the score ≤16 were assumed to be nondepressed.

Main Outcome Measures

(i) Comparison between depressed and non-depressed men regarding age, education level, economic status, ethnicity, age at time of marriage, duration, and type of infertility and regular cigarette smoking. (ii) Independent risk factors for depression.

Results

The mean age of participants was 34.1 ± 7.1 years. The diagnosis of depression was made in 42.9% of infertile men. Current age, age at marriage, economic status, and type of infertility were not statistically different between two groups (P > 0.05). Statistically significant association was detected between depression symptoms and education (P < 0.001), cigarette smoking (P < 0.008), and duration of infertility (P < 0.03). In an adjusted multiple regression model, education (odds ratio [OR] 0.2; confidence interval [CI] 0.06–0.5, P < 0.003), ethnicity (OR 4.5; CI 1.5–13.3, P < 0.006), and cigarette smoking (OR 5.1; CI 1.4–18.5, P < 0.01) retained their significance, while duration of infertility lost its power.

Conclusion

Depression among Iranian infertile men is remarkably higher in comparison with Western countries. Azaris, cigarette smokers, and individuals with low educational level are at higher risk of developing depression among infertile men.
Use of non‐anthracycline regimens in early stage breast cancer in Australia
Authors: DE BOER Richard H , CHAN Arlene , TRAN Ben , WILCKEN Nicholas
Published: December 2010

Various factors have recently prompted a re‐evaluation of the role of non‐anthracycline regimens in early stage breast cancer (ESBC). Since 1990 anthracyclines have been a key component of chemotherapy regimens. However, there is increased understanding of the long‐term, irreversible toxicities associated with these therapies, including cardiac failure and secondary leukemia. The development of the taxanes in the 1990s led to new adjuvant chemotherapy regimens and trials of various combinations in an effort to further increase survival and reduce toxicity. Concerns about cardiac toxicity were reinforced with the emergence of trastuzumab for the treatment of HER2‐positive breast cancer. Trastuzumab alone causes cardiac toxicity and increases the risk of cardiac toxicity when combined with anthracyclines. These data, combined with recent results demonstrating the efficacy of non‐anthracycline regimens in various disease settings, have generated interest in utilizing these therapies in patients with both HER2‐positive and ‐negative tumors. This review outlines the evidence for the use of non‐anthracycline adjuvant regimens in ESBC, including cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5‐fluoruoracil, docetaxel, carboplatin and trastuzumab and docetaxel and cyclophosphamide, which have demonstrated equivalent efficacy and reduced toxicity compared to anthracycline‐based regimens in various trials. The review also examines evidence for the use of non‐anthracycline regimens in patients who previously had restricted access to these therapies due to their negative lymph node status. The wider availability of these regimens increases options when deciding upon adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with ESBC, especially in patients with a high risk of cardiac toxicity.
Comparison of daily filgrastim and pegfilgrastim to prevent febrile neutropenia in Asian lymphoma patients
Authors: CHAN Alexandre , LENG Xue Zhen , CHIANG Joen YL , TAO Miriam , QUEK Richard , TAY Kevin , LIM Soon Thye
Published: December 2010

Aim:  Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a highly prevalent complication of chemotherapy, particularly in patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of filgrastim and pegfilgrastim in Asian lymphoma patients by evaluating the incidence of FN and associated complications.

Methods:  This was a single‐center, retrospective cohort study in Asian lymphoma patients who received chemotherapy with primary prophylactic granulocyte colony‐stimulating factors support between January 2008 and August 2009. Data were analyzed using an intent‐to‐treat approach, which aimed to reflect actual prescribing practices.

Results:  A total of 204 Asian lymphoma patients were included in this study, with 81 patients in the filgrastim arm and 123 patients in the pegfilgrastim arm. Overall, the incidence of breakthrough FN was similar between the two groups of patients (13.6%: filgrastim arm vs 16.3%: pegfilgrastim arm; P = 0.69). Neutropenic complications such as chemotherapy treatment delay and chemotherapy dose reduction were similar between the two arms.

Conclusion:  In Asian patients, pegfilgrastim prophylaxis did not show a therapeutic advantage for preventing neutropenic outcomes compared with filgrastim prophylaxis.
Capecitabine monotherapy as salvage treatment after failure of chemotherapy containing oxaliplatin and irinotecan in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: KIM Seung T , CHOI Yoon J , PARK Kyong H , OH Sang C , SEO Jae H , SHIN Sang W , KIM Jun S , KIM Yeul H
Published: December 2010

Aim:  There has been limited data on capecitabine monotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who were previously treated with both oxaliplatin/5‐fluorouracil(FU)/leucovorin (FOLFOX) and irinotecan/5‐FU/leucovorin (FOLFIRI).

Methods:  We analyzed 20 patients between August 2002 and March 2008 with metastatic CRC who had been treated with capecitabine monotherapy after the failure of FOLFOX and FOLFIRI.

Results:  Overall, one partial response was observed (overall response rate, 5%) and stable disease was observed in 11 patients (55.0%). The disease control rate was 60.0%. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 2.3 months (95% CI 1.9–2.7) and the median overall survival (OS) was 5.3 months (95% CI 4.6–6.0). Patients without ascites had longer PFS than those with ascites (P = 0.02). Patients with more than three metastatic sites had poorer OS than those with less than two (P = 0.01). Grade 3 or 4 non‐hematological toxicities included hand–foot syndrome in one patient. There were no grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicities or treatment‐related deaths.

Conclusion:  The capecitabine monotherapy had a moderate disease control rate and a tolerable toxicity profile as third‐line or fourth‐line treatment for metastatic CRC patients who were refractory to standard chemotherapy with no further treatment options.
Lymphoid and fibroblastic cell lineages from radiosensitive cancer patients: Molecular analysis of DNA double strand break repair by major non‐homologous end‐joining sub‐pathways
Authors: MCKAY Michael J , WITHANA Nimali , DAVEY Deborah S , BISHOP Danial , CHAO Michael , SPRUNG Carl N
Published: December 2010

Aims:  Radiation therapy (RT) is used in the treatment of approximately half of all cancer patients. Although there have been great improvements in tumor localization and the technical accuracy of RT delivery, some RT patients still have idiosyncratic hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR) in their normal tissues. Although much effort has been expended in the search for assays that could detect radiosensitive individuals prior to treatment and facilitate tailored therapy; a suitable and clinically practical predictive assay has yet to be realized. Since DNA double‐strand breaks (DSB) are a major lesion caused by IR, we hypothesized that radiation hypersensitive individuals might be deficient in the repair of such lesions.

Methods:  To test this hypothesis we quantitatively and functionally characterized DSB repair of the two major non‐homologous end‐joining (NHEJ) sub‐pathways in a pilot study using a plasmid repair reconstitution assay in lymphoblastoid and fibroblast cell lines from radiosensitive cancer patients and controls. Experiments using well‐characterized mammalian DSB repair mutants demonstrated the ability of the assay to distinguish NHEJ sub‐pathways. The proportion of direct end‐joining repair compared with that of microhomology‐directed repair was used as a functional end‐point of DSB repair competence in the different cell lines.

Results:  We found that the overall level of NHEJ sub‐pathway repair competency was similar in cell lines from radiosensitive patients and controls.

Conclusion:  These data suggest that this assay in these cell lineages has limited usefulness as a predictive screen for the endogenous DNA DSB repair competency of radiosensitive cancer patients' cells but can usefully characterize major cellular DSB repair phenotypes.
Congestive heart failure in two pet rabbits
Authors: Lord B. , Devine C. , Smith S.
Published: December 2010

This case report describes congestive heart failure with pleural effusion in two middle‐aged, pet house rabbits. Both had a history of acute onset dyspnoea, weakness and weight loss. Bi‐atrial enlargement was seen on echocardiography in both rabbits. One rabbit had atrial fibrillation and ventricular premature complexes identified on electrocardiography. There was a radiographically evident pleural effusion in both rabbits and thoracocentesis was undertaken in one rabbit. These findings were confirmed on post‐mortem examination. The aetiology for the underlying heart disease was not found, but the potential types of cardiomyopathies are discussed.
The role played by natural selection on Mendelian traits in humans
Authors: Quintana‐Murci Lluis , Barreiro Luis B.
Published: December 2010

Detecting whether and how natural selection has targeted regions of the human genome represents a complementary strategy for identifying functionally important loci and variants involved in disease resistance and adaptation to the environment. In contrast with most complex diseases or traits, the genetic architecture of most Mendelian traits is relatively well established. Most mutations associated with Mendelian disease‐related traits are highly penetrant and kept at low population frequencies because of the effects of purifying selection. However, this is not always the case. Here, we review several examples of Mendelian mutations—associated with various disease conditions or other traits of anthropological interest—that have increased in frequency in the human population as a result of past positive selection. These examples clearly illustrate the value of a population genetics approach to unravel the biological mechanisms that have been central to our past and present survival against the selective pressures imposed by diseases and other environmental factors.
Hearing loss: a common disorder caused by many rare alleles
Authors: Raviv Dorith , Dror Amiel A. , Avraham Karen B.
Published: December 2010

Perception of sound is a fundamental role of the auditory system. Traveling with the force of their mechanical energy, sound waves are captured by the ear and activate the sensory pathway of this complex organ. The hair cells, specialized sensory cells within the inner ear, transmit the mechanical energy into electrical nerve stimuli that reach the brain. A large number of proteins are responsible for the overarching tasks required to maintain the complex mechanism of sound sensation. Many hearing disorders are due to single gene defects inherited in a Mendelian fashion, thus enabling clinical diagnostics. However, at the same time, hearing impairment is genetically heterogeneous, with both common and rare forms occurring due to mutations in over 100 genes. The crosstalk between human and mouse genetics has enabled comprehensive studies on gene identification and protein function, taking advantage of the tools animal models have to offer. The aim of the following review is to provide background and examples of human deafness genes and the discovery of their function in the auditory system.
Molybdenite Mineralization and Re‐Os Geochronology of the Escondida and Escondida Norte Porphyry Deposits, Northern Chile
Authors: Romero Bárbara , Kojima Shoji , Wong Chilong , Barra Fernando , Véliz Walter , Ruiz Joaquin
Published: December 2010

Molybdenum is an economically important subproduct of North Chilean porphyry‐type deposits, and thus spatial and temporal distribution of molybdenite as the primary Mo‐bearing mineral in the Escondida and Escondida Norte deposits were characterized using several mineralogical and chemical techniques and the Re‐Os dating method. Molybdenum is distributed extensively in the two deposits, and high molybdenum concentrations (>500 ppm) are recognized particularly in the chlorite‐sericite transitional zone between the potassic and sericitic zones. Two modes of occurrence of molybdenite are observed in the Escondida deposit: aggregates with Cu‐Fe‐sulfide minerals in fine veinlets (sulfide‐veinlet type), and monomineralic microveinlets associated with NE‐trending faults. The former and the latter yielded ages of 36.1 ± 0.2 Ma and 35.2 ± 0.2 Ma, respectively. Re‐Os dating of Escondida Norte molybdenites also show two distinct episodes, at 37.7 ± 0.3 Ma and a younger episode at 36.6 ± 0.2 Ma. These data indicate that the Escondida Norte is older than the main Escondida deposit. The Re‐Os age data combined with those of the porphyry emplacement suggest that the molybdenite mineralization in the Escondida district occurred as several short episodic pulses during the late‐magmatic to hydrothermal transition, and that the Cu‐Mo deposits were formed in a variable overall period spanning 1 to 5 m.y.
25‐Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Hypertension Rates
Authors: Bhandari Simran K. , Pashayan Shahe , Liu In Lu A. , Rasgon Scott A. , Kujubu Dean A. , Tom Thomas Y. , Sim John J.
Published: December 2010

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to cardiovascular disease and risk factors including hypertension. The authors sought to determine prevalence rates of hypertension in adults tested for 25‐hydroxyvitamin D categorized by their levels and evaluate odds ratios for hypertension at lower 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels compared with optimal levels. A cross‐sectional study was conducted January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2006, of patients aged 18 years and older within a large ethnically diverse population. Diagnosis of hypertension was determined by International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes. Patients were categorized into quartiles according to 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels: ideal (≥40 ng/mL), adequate (30–39 ng/mL), deficient (15–29 ng/mL), and severely deficient (<15 ng/mL). Prevalence rates of hypertension and odds ratios were calculated for each 25‐hydroxyvitamin D quartile, adjusting for age, sex, race, and renal insufficiency. A total of 2722 individuals met the inclusion criteria for the study. The overall prevalence of hypertension in the study population was 24%. Hypertension rates were 52%, 41%, 27%, and 20% in 25‐hydroxyvitamin D quartiles <15 ng/mL, 15 to 29 ng/mL, 30 to 39 ng/mL, and ≥40 ng/mL, respectively (P<.001). Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for hypertension adjusting for age, sex, race, and renal insufficiency were 2.7 (1.4–5.2), 2.0 (1.5–2.6), and 1.3 (1.2–1.6) for 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels <15 ng/mL, 15 to 29 ng/mL, and 30 to 39 ng/mL, respectively, compared with the ≥40 ng/mL group. This study demonstrates increased rates of hypertension in individuals who tested for lower levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D starting at levels <40 ng/mL. This retrospective analysis raises the question of whether supplementing to optimal vitamin D levels can prevent or improve hypertension. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:170–177. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DNA sampling from eggshell swabbing is widely applicable in wild bird populations as demonstrated in 23 species
Authors: MARTÍN‐GÁLVEZ DAVID , PERALTA‐SÁNCHEZ JUAN M. , DAWSON DEBORAH A. , MARTÍN‐PLATERO ANTONIO M. , MARTÍNEZ‐BUENO MANUEL , BURKE TERRY , SOLER JUAN J.
Published: December 2010

There is increasing interest in noninvasive DNA sampling techniques. In birds, there are several methods proposed for sampling DNA, and of these, the use of eggshell swabbing is potentially applicable to a wide range of species. We estimated the effectiveness of this method in the wild by sampling the eggs of 23 bird species. Sampling of eggs was performed twice per nest, soon after the clutch was laid and again at the end of egg incubation. We genotyped DNA samples using a set of five conserved microsatellite markers, which included a Z‐linked locus and a sex‐typing marker. We successfully collected avian DNA from the eggs of all species tested and from 88.48% of the samples. In most of the cases, the DNA concentration was low (ca. 10 ng/μL). The number of microsatellite loci amplified per sample (0–5) was used as a measure of the genotyping success of the sample. On average, we genotyped 3.01 ± 0.12 loci per sample (mean ± SE), and time of sampling did not seem to have an effect; however, genotyping success differed among species and was greater in those species that used feather material for lining their nest cups. We also checked for the occurrence of possible genotyping errors derived from using samples with very low DNA quantities (i.e. allelic dropout or false alleles) and for DNA contamination from individuals other than the mother, which appeared at a moderate rate (in 44% of the PCR replicates and in 17.36% of samples, respectively). Additionally, we investigated whether the DNA on eggshells corresponded to maternal DNA by comparing the genotypes obtained from the eggshells to those obtained from blood samples of all the nestlings for six nests of magpies. In five of the six magpie nests, we found evidence that the swab genotypes were a mixture of genotypes from both parents and this finding was independent of the time of incubation. Thus, our results broadly confirm that the swabbing of eggshells can be used as a noninvasive method for obtaining DNA and is applicable across a wide range of bird species. Nonetheless, genotyping errors should be properly estimated for each species by using a suite of highly polymorphic loci. These errors may be resolved by sampling only recently laid eggs (to avoid non‐maternal DNA contamination) or by performing several PCR replicates per sample (to avoid allelic dropout and false alleles) and/or by increasing the amount of DNA used in the PCR through increasing the volume of the PCR or increasing the concentration of template DNA.
Meeting report from the 7th International Melanoma Congress, Sydney, November, 2010
Authors: Hersey P. , Smalley K. S. M. , Weeraratna A. , Bosenberg M. , Zhang X. D. , Haass N. K. , Paton E. , Mann G. , Scolyer R. A.
Published: December 2010

The 2010 7th International Melanoma Congress sponsored by the Society for Melanoma Research and held in Sydney, Australia, was held together with the International Melanoma and Skin Cancer Centers group and the International Melanoma Pathology Study Group. As a consequence, there were over 900 registrants that included a wide range of clinicians (surgeons, medical oncologists, dermatologists) specialising in the management of melanoma as well as scientists and students carrying out laboratory‐based research in melanoma. There was a general consensus that this grouping of clinicians, pathologists and scientists was mutually advantageous and plans are afoot to continue this grouping in future meetings. The meeting was dominated by the advances being made in treatment of melanoma with selective BRAF inhibitors but interest in epithelial mesenchymal transition and phenotypic changes in melanoma was apparent in many of the talks. The authors have attempted to capture many of the new developments in melanoma research but apologize to those speakers and poster presenters who had equally important findings not captured in these summaries.
From Eggs to Hearts: What Is the Link between Cyclic ADP‐Ribose and Ryanodine Receptors?
Authors: Venturi Elisa , Pitt Samantha , Galfré Elena , Sitsapesan Rebecca
Published: December 2010

It was first proposed that cyclic ADP‐ribose (cADPR) could activate ryanodine receptors (RyR) in 1991. Following a subsequent report that cADPR could activate cardiac RyR (RyR2) reconstituted into artificial membranes and stimulate Ca2+‐release from isolated cardiac SR, there has been a steadily mounting stockpile of publications proclaiming the physiological and pathophysiological importance of cADPR in the cardiovascular system. It was only 2 years earlier, in 1989, that cADPR was first identified as the active metabolite of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), responsible for triggering the release of Ca2+ from crude homogenates of sea urchin eggs. Twenty years later, can we boast of being any closer to unraveling the mechanisms by which cADPR modulates intracellular Ca2+‐release? This review sets out to examine the mechanisms underlying the effects of cADPR and ask whether cADPR is an important signaling molecule in the heart.
An outpatient psychotherapy clinic for the elderly: Rationale, establishment and characteristics
Authors: Payman Vahid
Published: December 2010

Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to describe the factors informing the establishment of an outpatient psychotherapy clinic for the elderly, the first of its kind in Australia, and then to describe the characteristics of the first 51 patients to attend the clinic.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients' files was conducted to obtain data on patient demographics, diagnoses, types of psychotherapy received, and number of sessions received.

Results: A majority of patients were between the ages of 65 and 75, female, partnerless, living alone in private accommodation, and suffering from major depression. Types of psychotherapy received were psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive‐behavior therapy, supportive psychotherapy, grief therapy, or a combination of the above. The mean number of sessions received was 11, and one in five patients terminated prematurely.

Discussion: Psychodynamic psychotherapy is suited to only a very small minority of elderly patients. Enabling factors and possible barriers to treatment are discussed. Some proposals are offered to enhance the scope and quality of the clinic.
Experiences of family caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Shamsaei Farshid , Kermanshahi Sima Mohamad Khan , Vanaki Zohre , Hajizadeh Ebrahim , Hayatbakhsh Mohammad R.
Published: December 2010

Introduction: Attention to caregiving consequences has been mainly restricted to bipolar disorder, although studies suggest that relatives of bipolar patients also experience considerable distress. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of family member caregivers of bipolar disorder patients.

Methods: In a qualitative research of phenomenological methodology, family member caregivers of bipolar disorder patients in Farshchian Psychiatric Hospital in Hamedan (Iran) were selected by purposive sampling in the year 2010. By reaching data saturation, the number of participants was 12. Data were gathered through in‐depth interviews and analyzed by van Manen method.

Results: Analysis of the interviews revealed six major themes: fears and anxiety for the future, psychosomatic impact, feeling isolated and loneliness, financial impact, change in lifestyle and family functioning, and lack of support and knowledge.

Discussion: This study highlights the need for family‐oriented mental health services to be developed and for further research to identify the specific nursing interventions that are effective in helping to sustain family caregiving.
Australian population norms for the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF‐4C)
Authors: Armfield JM
Published: December 2010

Background:  The Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF‐4C) is a theoretically derived test developed to allow clinicians and researchers to measure a person’s level of dental fear. Population norms have not previously been made available for the IDAF‐4C. The aim of this study was to provide Australian norms for the IDAF‐4C using percentile ranks and to examine associations between scores and individual‐level characteristics, dental avoidance and fear of pain.

Methods:  A stratified random sample of 1511 Australian adults yielded complete questionnaire data for 1063 individuals (70.4%). Percentile ranks were calculated for IDAF‐4C full scale scores stratified by age and gender.

Results:  IDAF‐4C mean scores varied significantly by age, gender, income, and speaking a language other than English at home. Tables to convert raw scores to percentiles showed that full scale scores varied by age and gender. Scores on the IDAF‐4C had strong and significant associations with avoidance of the dentist due to fear, average dental visiting frequency and anxiety about pain when going to the dentist.

Conclusions:  Population norms allow clinicians or researchers to compare results for an individual or subgroup to the Australian population. It is recommended that a dental fear scale be used to screen all dental patients for dental fear to enable a more tailored and effective dental treatment experience.
Microsurgical endodontic retreatment of a maxillary molar with a separated file: a case report
Authors: Kahler B
Published: December 2010

Background:  A separated instrument complicated orthograde endodontic retreatment of a maxillary molar tooth with apical periodontitis.

Methods:  The tooth was treated utilizing microsurgical techniques that employed an operating microscope, ultrasonics, micro‐instrumentation and mineral trioxide aggregate as a root‐end filling material.

Results:  Healing was evident at a 12‐month review appointment.

Conclusions:  Microsurgical techniques have significantly improved the outcomes for healing of periapical lesions when compared to traditional approaches to endodontic surgery. Success rates have been shown to be comparable with conventional orthograde treatment.
A review of the clinical implications of bisphosphonates in dentistry
Authors: Borromeo GL , Tsao CE , Darby IB , Ebeling PR
Published: December 2010

Bisphosphonates are drugs that suppress bone turnover and are commonly prescribed to prevent skeletal related events in malignancy and for benign bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Bisphosphonate associated jaw osteonecrosis (ONJ) is a potentially debilitating, yet poorly understood condition. A literature review was undertaken to review the dental clinical implications of bisphosphonates. The present paper briefly describes the postulated pathophysiology of ONJ and conditions with similar clinical presentations. The implications of bisphosphonates for implantology, periodontology, orthodontics and endodontics are reviewed. Whilst bisphosphonates have potential positive applications in some clinical settings, periodontology particularly, further clinical research is limited by the risk of ONJ. Prevention and management are reviewed, including guidelines for reducing cumulative intravenous bisphosphonate dose, cessation of bisphosphonates prior to invasive dental treatment or after ONJ development, and the use of serum beta‐CTX‐1 in assessing risk. In the context of substantial uncertainty, the implications of bisphosphonate use in the dental clinical setting are still being determined.
Promoting Design Nationally: Influential Factors
Authors: Park JongMin , Nam Ki‐Young , Chung Kyung‐won
Published: December 2010

Research has found that despite wide differences in social and economic situations, most countries tend to adhere to the same design promotion systems, organizations, and activities. Moreover, the nature of design promotion is rarely defined clearly. It is assumed that there is no one ideal system which covers all ranges of design promotion issues. However, it is possible to identify elements of design promotion that reflect key issues and classify activities by certain aims or characteristics, so that governments and organizations can develop their own systems. This paper suggests a new typology of design promotion. Major issues were categorized by two criteria (aims and characteristics of design promotion activities), and four keywords (enlightenment, guidance, support, and encouragement). Based on this typology, elements of various types of design promotion will be analyzed through surveying 49 design promotion organizations. The aim is to suggest what design promotion organizations should consider in developing activities and how to manage those activities to achieve specific aims.
Testing the significance of canonical axes in redundancy analysis
Authors: Legendre Pierre , Oksanen Jari , ter Braak Cajo J. F.
Published: December 2010

1.Tests of significance of the individual canonical axes in redundancy analysis allow researchers to determine which of the axes represent variation that can be distinguished from random. Variation along the significant axes can be mapped, used to draw biplots or interpreted through subsequent analyses, whilst the nonsignificant axes may be dropped from further consideration.

2.Three methods have been implemented in computer programs to test the significance of the canonical axes; they are compared in this paper. The simultaneous test of all individual canonical axes, which is appealing because of its simplicity, produced incorrect (highly inflated) levels of type I error for the axes following those corresponding to true relationships in the data, so it is invalid. The ‘marginal’ testing method implemented in the ‘vegan’ R package and the ‘forward’ testing method implemented in the program CANOCO were found to have correct levels of type I error and comparable power. Permutation of the residuals achieved greater power than permutation of the raw data.

3.R functions found in a Supplement to this paper provide the first formal description of the ‘marginal’ and ‘forward’ testing methods.
Development of a Novel High Pressure Electronic Pneumatic Pressure Reducing Valve
Authors: Zhipeng Xu , Xuanyin Wang
Published: December 2010

Pressure reducing valve (PRV) is one of the critical components in high pressure pneumatic systems. Nowadays, manually operated PRVs have been widely used, but there is still no universal electronic PRV. Thus, we proposed a novel high pressure electronic pneumatic pressure reducing valve (EPPRV) whose inlet pressure (pi) is up to 31.5 MPa. The EPPRV mainly consists of a poppet structured pilot valve and a piston structured main valve. A proportional electromagnet was used as the command element, and a pressure closed loop, rather than a force closed loop controller, was designed. First, the mechanical design and functionality of the EPPRV are carefully analyzed. Then, a mathematical model is built up, and the working characteristics of pressure, flow rate, and frequency response are simulated. Finally, the test bench is introduced, and detailed experiments are carried out. Simulated and experimental results are highly consistent within output pressure (po) ranging from 8 MPa to 25 MPa and load flow rate (qld) ranging from 60 g/s to 650 g/s, which verifies the feasibility of the novel structure and the validity of the mathematic model.
The TonB Dimeric Crystal Structures Do Not Exist
In Vivo
Authors: Postle Kathleen , Kastead Kyle A. , Gresock Michael G. , Ghosh Joydeep , Swayne Cheryl D.
Published: December 2010

The TonB system energizes transport of nutrients across the outer membrane of
Escherichia coli
using cytoplasmic membrane proton motive force (PMF) for energy. Integral cytoplasmic membrane proteins ExbB and ExbD appear to harvest PMF and transduce it to TonB. The carboxy terminus of TonB then physically interacts with outer membrane transporters to allow translocation of ligands into the periplasmic space. The structure of the TonB carboxy terminus (residues ~150 to 239) has been solved several times with similar results. Our previous results hinted that
in vitro
structures might not mimic the dimeric conformations that characterize TonB
in vivo
. To test structural predictions and to identify irreplaceable residues, the entire carboxy terminus of TonB was scanned with Cys substitutions. TonB I232C and N233C, predicted to efficiently form disulfide-linked dimers in the crystal structures, did not do so. In contrast, Cys substitutions positioned at large distances from one another in the crystal structures efficiently formed dimers. Cys scanning identified seven functionally important residues. However, no single residue was irreplaceable. The phenotypes conferred by changes of the seven residues depended on both the specific assay used and the residue substituted. All seven residues were synergistic with one another. The buried nature of the residues in the structures was also inconsistent with these properties. Taken together, these results indicate that the solved dimeric crystal structures of TonB do not exist. The most likely explanation for the aberrant structures is that they were obtained in the absence of the TonB transmembrane domain, ExbB, ExbD, and/or the PMF.

IMPORTANCE
The TonB system of Gram-negative bacteria is an attractive target for development of novel antibiotics because of its importance in iron acquisition and virulence. Logically, therefore, the structure of TonB must be accurately understood. TonB functions as a dimer
in vivo
, and two different but similar crystal structures of the dimeric carboxy-terminal ~90 amino acids gave rise to mechanistic models. Here we demonstrate that the crystal structures, and therefore the models based on them, are not biologically relevant. The idiosyncratic phenotypes conferred by substitutions at the only seven functionally important residues in the carboxy terminus suggest that similar to interaction of cytochromes P450 with numerous substrates, these residues allow TonB to differentially interact with different outer membrane transporters. Taken together, data suggest that TonB is maintained poised between order and disorder by ExbB, ExbD, and the proton motive force (PMF) before energy transduction to the outer membrane transporters.
Random chromosome elimination in syntheticTriticum–Aegilopsamphiploids leads to development of a stable partial amphiploid with high grain micro- and macronutrient content and powdery mildew resistance
Authors: Tiwari Vijay K. , Rawat Nidhi , Neelam Kumari , Kumar Sundip , Randhawa Gursharn S. , Dhaliwal Harcharan S.
Published: December 2010

Synthetic amphiploids are the immortal sources for studies on crop evolution, genome dissection, and introgression of useful variability from related species. Cytological analysis of synthetic decaploid wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) –   Aegilops kotschyi Boiss. amphiploids (AABBDDUkUkSkSk) showed some univalents from the C1generation onward followed by chromosome elimination. Most of the univalents came to metaphase I plate after the reductional division of paired chromosomes and underwent equational division leading to their elimination through laggards and micronuclei. Substantial variation in the chromosome number of pollen mother cells from different tillers, spikelets, and anthers of some plants also indicated somatic chromosome elimination. Genomic in situ hybridization, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and simple sequence repeat markers analysis of two amphiploids with reduced chromosomes indicated random chromosome elimination of various genomes with higher sensitivity of D followed by the Skand Ukgenomes to elimination, whereas 1D chromosome was preferentially eliminated in both the amphiploids investigated. One of the partial amphiploids, C4T. aestivum ‘Chinese Spring’ – Ae. kotschyi 396 (2n = 58), with 34 T. aestivum, 14 Uk, and 10 Skhad stable meiosis and high fertility. The partial amphiploids with white glumes, bold seeds, and tough rachis with high grain macro- and micronutrients and resistance to powdery mildew could be used for T. aestivum biofortification and transfer of powdery mildew resistance.
Assembling a puzzle of dispersed retrotransposable sequences in the genome of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Staginnus C. , Desel C. , Schmidt T. , Kahl G.
Published: December 2010

Several repetitive elements are known to be present in the genome of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) including satellite DNA and En/Spm transposons as well as two dispersed, highly repetitive elements, CaRep1 and CaRep2. PCR was used to prove that CaRep1, CaRep2, and previously isolated CaRep3 of C. arietinum represent different segments of a highly repetitive Ty3-gypsy-like retrotransposon (Metaviridae) designated CaRep that makes up large parts of the intercalary heterochromatin. The full sequence of this element including the LTRs and untranslated internal regions was isolated by selective amplification. The restriction pattern of CaRep was different within the annual species of the genus Cicer , suggesting its rearrangement during the evolution of the genus during the last 100 000 years. In addition to CaRep, another LTR and a non-LTR retrotransposon family were isolated, and their restriction patterns and physical localization in the chickpea genome were characterized. The LINE-like element CaLin is only of comparatively low abundance and reveals a considerable heterogeneity. The Ty1-copia-like element (Pseudoviridae) CaTy is located in the distal parts of the intercalary heterochromatin and adjacent euchromatic regions, but it is absent from the centromeric regions. These results together with earlier findings allow to depict the distribution of retroelements on chickpea chromosomes, which extensively resembles the retroelement landscape of the genome of the model legume Medicago truncatula Gaertn.
The mitogenome of Paphia euglypta (Bivalvia: Veneridae) and comparative mitogenomic analyses of three venerids
Authors: Xu Xiaodong , Wu Xiangyun , Yu Ziniu
Published: December 2010

Extraordinary variation has been found in mitochondrial (mt) genome inheritance, gene content and arrangement among bivalves. However, only few bivalve mt genomes have been comparatively analyzed to infer their evolutionary scenarios. In this study, the complete mt genome of the venerid Paphia euglypta (Bivalvia: Veneridae) was firstly studied and, secondly, it was comparatively analyzed with other venerids (e.g., Venerupis philippinarum and Meretrix petechialis ) to better understand the mt genome evolution within a family. Though several common features such as the AT content, codon usage of protein-coding genes, and AT/GC skew are shared by the three venerids, a high level of variability is observed in genome size, gene content, gene order, arrangements and primary sequence of nucleotides or amino acids. Most of the gene rearrangement can be explained by the “tandem duplication and random loss” model. From the observed rearrangement patterns, we speculate that block interchange between adjacent genes may be common in the evolution of mt genomes in venerids. Furthermore, this study presents several new findings in mt genome annotation of V. philippinarum and M. petechialis, and hence we have reannotated the genome of these two species as: (1) the ORF of the formerly annotated cox2 gene in V. philippinarum is deduced by using a truncated “T” codon and a second cox2 gene is identified; (2) the trnS-AGN gene is identified and marked in the mt genome of both venerids. Thus, this study demonstrated a high variability of mt genomes in the Veneridae, and showed the importance of comparative mt genome analysis to interpret the evolution of the bivalve mt genome.
Docosahexaenoic acid increases cellular adiponectin mRNA and secreted adiponectin protein, as well as PPARγ mRNA, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Oster Richard T. , Tishinsky Justine M. , Yuan Zongfei , Robinson Lindsay E.
Published: December 2010

Adiponectin, a protein secreted from adipose tissue, has been shown to have anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects, but its regulation is not completely understood. Long-chain n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA) may be involved in adiponectin regulation as they are potential ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a key transcription factor for the adiponectin gene. To examine this, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated with 125 µmol·L–1EPA, DHA, palmitic, or oleic acids complexed to albumin, or with albumin alone (control) for 24 h. Adipocytes were also incubated for 24 h with EPA and DHA plus bisphenol-A-diglycidyl ether (BADGE), a PPARγ antagonist. Both EPA and DHA increased (p < 0.05) secreted adiponectin concentration compared with the control (44% and 102%, respectively), but did not affect cellular adiponectin protein content. Incubation with BADGE and DHA inhibited increases in secreted adiponectin protein, suggesting that DHA may act through a PPARγ-dependent mechanism. However, BADGE had no effect on EPA-induced increases in secreted adiponectin protein. Only DHA enhanced (p < 0.05) PPARγ and adiponectin mRNA expression compared wtih the control. Our results demonstrate that DHA increases cellular adiponectin mRNA and secreted adiponectin protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, possibly by a mechanism involving PPARγ. Moreover, DHA increased adiponectin concentration to a greater extent (40% more, p < 0.05) compared with EPA, emphasizing the need to consider the independent actions of EPA and DHA in adipocytes.
Hydration status of rugby league players during home match play throughout the 2008 Super League season
Authors: O’Hara John Paul , Jones Benjamin Lee , Tsakirides Costas , Carroll Sean , Cooke Carlton Brian , King Roderick Frederick Gerardus Joseph
Published: December 2010

The hydration status of rugby league players during competitive home match play was assessed throughout the 2008 Super League season. Fourteen players from 2 Super League clubs were monitored (72 observations). On arrival, 2 h prior to kick off, following normal prematch routines, players’ body mass were measured following a urine void. Prematch fluid intake, urine output, and osmolality were assessed until kick off, with additional measurements at half time. Fluid intake was also monitored during match play for club B only, and final measurements of variables were made at the end of the match. Mean body mass loss per match was 1.28 ± 0.7 kg (club A, 1.15 kg; club B, 1.40 kg), which would equate to an average level of dehydration of 1.31% (mass loss, assumed to be water loss, expressed as a percentage of body mass), with considerable intra-individual coefficient of variation (CV, 47%). Mean fluid intake for club B was 0.64 ± 0.5 L during match play, while fluid loss was 2.0 ± 0.7 L, with considerable intra-individual CV (51% and 34%, respectively). Mean urine osmolality was 396 ± 252 mosm·kg−1 on arrival, 237 ± 177 mosm·kg−1 prematch, 315 ± 133 mosm·kg−1 at half time, and 489 ± 150 mosm·kg−1 postmatch. Body mass losses were primarily a consequence of body fluid losses not being completely balanced by fluid intake. Furthermore, these data show that there is large inter- and intra-individual variability of hydration across matches, highlighting the need for future assessment of individual relevance.
The Oslo Health Study: A Dietary Index estimating high intake of soft drinks and low intake of fruits and vegetables was positively associated with components of the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Høstmark Arne Torbjørn
Published: December 2010

A previous finding that soft drink intake is associated with increased serum triglycerides and decreased high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, both components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), raises the question of whether other aspects of an unhealthy diet might be associated with MetS. Main MetS requirements are central obesity and 2 of the following: increased triglycerides, low HDL, increased systolic or diastolic blood pressure, and elevated fasting blood glucose. Of the 18 770 participants in the Oslo Health Study, there were 13 170 respondents (5997 men and 7173 women) with data on MetS factors (except fasting glucose) and on the components used to determine the Dietary Index score (calculated as the intake estimate of soft drinks divided by the sum of intake estimates of fruits and vegetables). MetSRisk was calculated as the sum of arbitrarily weighted factors positively associated with MetS divided by HDL cholesterol. Using regression analyses, the association of the Dietary Index with MetSRisk, with the number of MetS requirements present, and with the complete MetS was studied. In young, middle-aged, and senior men and women, there was, in general, a positive association (p < 0.001) between the Dietary Index and the MetS estimates, which persisted in regression models adjusted for sex, age, time since the last meal, intake of cheese, intake of fatty fish, intake of coffee, intake of alcohol, smoking, physical activity, education, and birthplace. Thus, an index reflecting a high intake of soft drinks and a low intake of fruit and vegetables was positively and independently associated with aspects of MetS.
Analysis and design of steel plate walls: analytical model
Authors: Kharrazi Mehdi H.K. , Ventura Carlos E. , Prion Helmut G.L.
Published: December 2010

A simple rational model is developed in this paper to determine the structural behavior of steel plate wall (SPW) systems, and is referred to as the Modified Plate–Frame Interaction (M-PFI) model. The model considers bending and shear behavior, and the interaction of the two, for the SPW system. It is a modification of the Plate–Frame Interaction (PFI) model that only considers the shear response of the SPW system. The proposed M-PFI model can determine force and displacement values that correspond to the pre- and post-critical buckling state, the yield state, and the ultimate capacity of individual panels. In the end, design requirements for the beams and columns (also known as horizontal and vertical boundary elements) of the SPW are derived using the underlying theory of the M-PFI model.