bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of video for observing lifestyle impairments in dementia patients
Authors: YOKOKAWA Kiyoshi
Published: June 2012

People with dementia face all sorts of troubles in their daily lives. However, it is difficult to understand fully the extent of these troubles. Even spouses and family members who know their daily routines and habits have difficulty caring for those with dementia because these patients are unable to express themselves as a result of their condition. Given these problems, one must consider the capabilities of institutional caregivers to observe and understand dementia patients, as well as accurately report on their daily condition. To overcome these potential problems, a key solution could be to document patients' activities on video. If mutual trust is established between the patient and caregiver, video documentation could record the hidden daily life of dementia patients and document their daily activities and the confusion that they face. This article discusses the efficacy of using video as a means of understanding early onset dementia patients' feelings and actions by documenting their daily lives and treatment approaches based on these observations.
Tolerability, safety, and side effects of levetiracetam versus phenytoin in intravenous and total prophylactic regimen among craniotomy patients: A prospective randomized study
Authors: Fuller Karen L. , Wang Yi Yuen , Cook Mark J. , Murphy Michael A. , D’Souza Wendyl J.
Published: June 2012

Purpose: Practical choice in parenteral antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) remains limited despite formulation of newer intravenous agents and requirements of special patient groups. This study aims to compare the tolerability, safety, and side effect profiles of levetiracetam (LEV) against the standard agent phenytoin (PHT) when given intravenously and in total regimen for seizure prophylaxis in a neurosurgical setting.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, single‐center study with appropriate blinding comprised evaluation pertaining to intravenous use 3 days following craniotomy and at discharge, and to total intravenous‐plus‐oral AED regimen at 90 days. Primary tolerability end points were discontinuation because of side effect and first side effect. Safety combined end point was major side effect or seizure. Seizure occurrence and side effect profiles were compared as secondary outcomes.

Key Findings: Of 81 patients randomized, 74 (36 LEV, 38 PHT) received parenteral AEDs. No significant difference attributable to intravenous use was found between LEV and PHT in discontinuation because of side effect (LEV 1/36, PHT 2/38, p = 1.00) or number of patients with side effect (LEV 1/36, PHT 4/38, p = 0.36). No significant difference was found between LEV and PHT total intravenous‐plus‐oral regimen in discontinuation because of side effect (hazard ratio [HR] 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21–2.92, p = 0.72) or number of patients with side effect (HR 1.51, 95% CI 0.77–2.98, p = 0.22). More patients assigned PHT reached the undesirable clinical end point for safety of major side effect or seizure (HR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01–0.70, p = 0.002). Seizures occurred only in patients assigned PHT (n = 6, p = 0.01). Although not significant, trends were observed for major side effect in more patients assigned PHT (p = 0.08) and mild side effect in more assigned LEV (p = 0.09).

Significance: Both LEV and PHT are well‐tolerated perioperatively in parenteral preparation, and in total intravenous‐plus‐oral prophylactic regimen. Comparative safety and differing side effect profile of intravenous LEV supports use as an alternative to intravenous PHT.
Increased Focus on the Mouth Among Infants in the First Year of Life: A Longitudinal Eye‐Tracking Study
Authors: Tenenbaum Elena J. , Shah Rajesh J. , Sobel David M. , Malle Bertram F. , Morgan James L.
Published: June 2012

This study examines face‐scanning behaviors of infants at 6, 9, and 12 months as they watched videos of a woman describing an object in front of her. The videos were created to vary information in the mouth (speaking vs. smiling) and the eyes (gazing into the camera vs. cueing the infant with head turn or gaze direction to an object being described). Infants tended to divide their attention between the eyes and the mouth, looking less at the eyes with age and more at the mouth than the eyes at 9 and 12 months. Attention to the mouth was greater on speaking trials than on smiling trials at all three ages, and this difference increased between 6 and 9 months. Despite consistent results within subjects, there was considerable variation between subjects. This raises the question of whether a developmental “norm” of face scanning in infancy ought to be pursued. Rather, these data add to emerging evidence suggesting that individual differences in face scanning might reliably predict aspects of later development.
Managing the Trade‐off between Ambiguity and Volatility in New Product Development
Authors: Carson Stephen J. , Wu Tao , Moore William L.
Published: June 2012

Uncertainty is widely recognized to be a key contingency influencing optimal new product development processes. However, extant new product research treats uncertainty in a largely unidimensional manner. Even in studies where multiple dimensions of uncertainty are measured, they are hypothesized to behave in a similar manner. This paper advances a theory describing how ambiguity and volatility place different and conflicting demands on new product development processes. Drawing on ideas from the organization theory and learning literatures, the theory suggests that more ambiguous environments favor slower development processes based on larger samples of data and interpretations whereas more volatile environments favor faster and more flexible development processes. Five hypotheses are advanced suggesting that as the level of ambiguity increases (decreases) relative to the level of volatility, firms should respond by decreasing (increasing) the role of top management in new product development, increasing (decreasing) front‐end and back‐end participation, allocating more (less) time and effort to ideation, and using more (less) aggressive screening processes. Some of these hypotheses are highly intuitive (participation and screening) while others are counterintuitive (top management involvement and screening aggressiveness). The theory is tested using primary data on the development of 120 new products and their subsequent performance collected from firms in U.S. manufacturing industries. The data largely confirm the hypotheses and provide strong evidence of a trade‐off between ambiguity and volatility that can be managed to improve new product performance. The exception is back‐end participation, which should be lower in relatively more ambiguous environments, in contrast to the hypothesis. A comparison with three alternative models shows that ambiguity generally has a larger impact on appropriate new product development processes and success than either the level of volatility or the overall level of environmental uncertainty. A detailed examination of the estimated relationships shows that for ideation and screening, the relative level of ambiguity and volatility determines optimal new product development processes, whereas for top management involvement and participation, processes can be designed based primarily on the level of ambiguity alone, with less concern over the degree of volatility. The study highlights the importance of considering the composition of uncertainty in addition to its overall level in contingent approaches to new product development. Real‐world examples of highly ambiguous and highly volatile new product development contexts are discussed.
Success Factors of Product Innovation: An Updated Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Evanschitzky Heiner , Eisend Martin , Calantone Roger J. , Jiang Yuanyuan
Published: June 2012

Assessing factors that predict new product success (NPS) holds critical importance for companies, as research shows that despite considerable new product investment, success rates are generally below 25%. Over the decades, meta‐analytical attempts have been made to summarize empirical findings on NPS factors. However, market environment changes such as increased global competition, as well as methodological advancements in meta‐analytical research, present a timely opportunity to augment their results. Hence, a key objective of this research is to provide an updated and extended meta‐analytic investigation of the factors affecting NPS.

Using Henard and Szymanski's meta‐analysis as the most comprehensive recent summary of empirical findings, this study updates their findings by analyzing articles published from 1999 through 2011, the period following the original meta‐analysis. Based on 233 empirical studies (from 204 manuscripts) on NPS, with a total 2618 effect sizes, this study also takes advantage of more recent methodological developments by re‐calculating effects of the meta‐analysis employing a random effects model. The study's scope broadens by including overlooked but important additional variables, notably “country culture,” and discusses substantive differences between the updated meta‐analysis and its predecessor.

Results reveal generally weaker effect sizes than those reported by Henard and Szymanski in 2001, and provide evolutionary evidence of decreased effects of common success factors over time. Moreover, culture emerges as an important moderating factor, weakening effect sizes for individualistic countries and strengthening effects for risk‐averse countries, highlighting the importance of further investigating culture's role in product innovation studies, and of tracking changes of success factors of product innovations. Finally, a sharp increase since 1999 in studies investigating product and process characteristics identifies a significant shift in research interest in new product development success factors.

The finding that the importance of success factors generally declines over time calls for new theoretical approaches to better capture the nature of new product development (NPD) success factors. One might speculate that the potential to create competitive advantages through an understanding of NPD success factors is reduced as knowledge of these factors becomes more widespread among managers. Results also imply that managers attempting to improve success rates of NPDs need to consider national culture as this factor exhibits a strong moderating effect: Working in varied cultural contexts will result in differing antecedents of successful new product ventures.
The Effect of Acute Versus Delayed Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Reperfusion Induced Ventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: DOW JOAN , BHANDARI ANIL , SIMKHOVICH BORIS Z , HALE SHARON L. , KLONER ROBERT A.
Published: June 2012

Remote Ischemic Preconditioning and Cardiac Arrhythmias.

Introduction:
The effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on arrhythmias in in vivo models is unknown. Our purpose was to determine effects of both acute and delayed RIPC on arrhythmias.

Methods and Results:
In the acute protocol anesthetized open chest rats were exposed to 5 minutes of proximal left coronary artery occlusion (CAO) and 10 minutes of reperfusion. Rats were either untreated (ischemia/reperfusion, IR group, n = 17) or received RIPC (n = 14) with 5 minutes bilateral femoral occlusions followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion times 3, started 30 minutes before CAO. At reperfusion, onset of ventricular tachycardia (VT) was delayed in RIPC group (25.7 seconds) versus IR (8.8 seconds; P = 0.04). Number of episodes of VT was 17.0 in IR versus 3.0 in the RIPC group (P = 0.01) and duration of VT was 54.1 seconds in IR versus 4.9 seconds in RIPC (P = 0.019). Number of ventricular premature complexes (VPC) was 26.0 in IR and 10.0 in RIPC rats (P = 0.04). Levels of reperfusion injury salvage kinases (RISK), that is, phospho‐Akt and phospho‐p70S6 in the risk area of IR and RIPC hearts were similarly higher compared to the nonischemic areas both at 1 and 10 minutes into reperfusion. Delayed RIPC was induced on day 1 and on day 2, myocardial IR was induced. Delayed RIPC did not affect VT or VPC.

Conclusion:
Acute RIPC of the lower limbs induced a powerful delay in/and reduction in IR induced ventricular arrhythmias, but without evoking the RISK pathway; a late protective phase of RIPC on arrhythmias did not occur. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1374‐1383, December 2012)
Incidence and Significance of Early Recurrences Associated with Different Ablation Strategies for AF: A STAR‐AF Substudy
Authors: ANDRADE JASON G. , MACLE LAURENT , KHAIRY PAUL , KHAYKIN YAARIV , MANTOVAN ROBERTO , MARTINO GIUSEPPE DE , CHEN JIAN , MORILLO CARLOS A. , NOVAK PAUL , GUERRA PETER G. , NAIR GIRISH , TORRECILLA ESTEBAN G. , VERMA ATUL
Published: June 2012

Early Recurrence in STAR‐AF.

Background: Early recurrences of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ERAT) are common after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, and predict late recurrences (LR). We sought to determine the impact of different ablation strategies on ERAT and LR.

Methods and Results: The STAR‐AF trial randomized 100  patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF to ablation of complex fractionated electrograms (CFAE) alone, pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone, or combined PVI + CFAE. Patients were followed for 12  months. ERAT was defined as any recurrence of AF, atrial tachycardia, or flutter (AT/AFL) >30 seconds during the first 3  months of follow‐up. LR was defined as any recurrence of AF/AT/AFL >30 seconds 3–12  months post. Forty‐nine patients experienced ERAT. The index ablation strategy was the only independent predictor of ERAT on multivariate analysis (HR 2.24 PVI vs PVI + CFAE; and HR 2.65 CFAE vs PVI + CFAE). Fifty‐two patients experienced LR. The presence of ERAT (HR 3.23), the use of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) in the first 3  months postablation (HR 2.85), and the index ablation strategy were independently associated with LR (HR 3.42 PVI vs PVI + CFAE; HR 4.72 CFAE vs PVI + CFAE). Thirty‐five of 49 (71%) patients with ERAT and 17 (33%) of 51  patients without ERAT had LR (P  < 0.0001). Among patients with ERAT, increased left atrium size (HR 1.08), the use of AAD in the first 3  months postablation (HR 2.86) and the index ablation strategy were independently associated with LR (HR 4.77 PVI vs PVI + CFAE; HR 4.45 CFAE vs PVI + CFAE).

Conclusion: ERAT is common following AF ablation and is strongly associated with LR. Although CFAE ablation alone results in higher rates of early and LR, the addition of CFAE to PVI results in increased long‐term success without an increase in ERAT. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1295‐1301, December 2012)
Simvastatin downregulates the expression of hepcidin and erythropoietin in HepG2 cells
Authors: Chang Chia‐Chu , Chiu Ping‐Fang , Chen Hung‐Lin , Chang Tzu‐Lan , Chang Yu‐Jun , Huang Ching‐Hui
Published: June 2012

Statin therapy may improve responsiveness to erythropoietin‐stimulating agents in patients with end‐stage renal disease. Although statins increase hepatic iron uptake and storage capacity in cholestatic rats, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Therefore, we examined the effects of a statin (simvastatin) on the expression of hepcidin, erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) and erythropoietin (EPO) in cultured HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells (6–6.5 × 105 cells) were seeded in 6‐cm dishes and incubated overnight. The cells were then treated with 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, or 10 μM simvastatin, and the mRNA expression of hepcidin, EPOR, and EPO was determined. Data were collected from three independent experiments. The cDNA extracted from the cells was used as a template for real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and each sample was tested in duplicate. Significant differences (P < 0.05) among groups were determined using one‐way analysis of variance with Fisher's least significant difference post hoc test. Data were adjusted using Bonferroni's method. The relative mRNA expression of hepcidin in HepG2 cells treated with 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 μM simvastatin, relative to the control group, was 0.7273, 0.3303, 0.2418, 0.4131, and 0.4064, respectively. The relative mRNA expression of EPOR was 0.5196, 0.2319, 0.2398, 0.4253, and 0.1245, respectively, while that of EPO was 0.9751, 0.4712, 0.4613, 0.4875, and 0.1654. There was a reverse dose‐dependent effect of simvastatin. These results suggest that statins increase erythropoiesis by targeting hepcidin and iron regulatory pathways, independent of erythropoietin.
Antibiotic lock solutions allow less systemic antibiotic exposure and less catheter malfunction without adversely affecting antimicrobial resistance patterns
Authors: Onder Ali Mirza , Billings A. A. , Chandar Jayanthi , Nield Linda , Francoeur Denise , Simon Nancy , Abitbol Carolyn , Zilleruelo Gaston
Published: June 2012

There are current concerns that antibiotic lock solutions (ABL) can induce antimicrobial resistance in long‐term hemodialysis patients. Retrospective chart review of 157 children on hemodialysis between January 1997 and June 2006 was performed. In ERA I, only systemic antibiotics were used. In ERA II, ABL were added to systemic antibiotics when needed. In ERA III, ABL were used for treatment of all cases of catheter‐related bacteremia (CRB) and for CRB prophylaxis in high‐risk patients. The study includes 111,325 catheter days. The CRB incidence was 3.9 CRB/1000 catheter days. There was significant decrease for the total systemic antibiotic exposure (P = 0.0484) and the percentage of catheters lost to malfunction (P = 0.001) in ERA III. Protocol ABL exposure was associated with a trend to increased tobramycin‐gentamicin resistance for gram‐positive CRBs (P = 0.2586) but with improved tobramycin‐gentamicin resistance for gram‐negative (P = 0.0949) and polymicrobial CRBs (P = 0.1776) and improved vancomycin resistance for gram‐positive CRBs (P = 0.0985). This retrospective analysis does not support the premise that ABL use will promote antimicrobial resistance in the hemodialysis population. The decreased exposure to systemic antibiotics by vigorous ABL use may even improve the antimicrobial resistance patterns in this population in the long term.
Measures of blood pressure and cognition in dialysis patients
Authors: Giang Lena M. , Tighiouart Hocine , Lou Kristina V. , Agganis Brian , Drew David A. , Shaffi Kamran , Scott Tammy , Weiner Daniel E. , Sarnak Mark J.
Published: June 2012

There are few reports on the relationship of blood pressure with cognitive function in maintenance dialysis patients. The Cognition and Dialysis Study is an ongoing investigation of cognitive function and its risk factors in six Boston area hemodialysis units. In this analysis, we evaluated the relationship between different domains of cognitive function with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and intradialytic changes in systolic blood pressure, using univariate and multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, race, education, and primary cause of end‐stage renal disease. Among 314 participants, mean age was 63 years; 47% were female, 22% were African American, and 48% had diabetes. The mean (SD) of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and intradialytic change in systolic blood pressure were 141 (21), 73 (12), 68 (15), and −10 (24) mmHg, respectively. In univariate analyses, the performance on cognitive tests primarily assessing executive function and processing speeds was worse among participants with lower diastolic blood pressure and higher pulse pressure. These relationships were not statistically significant, however, in multivariable analyses. There was no association between cognitive function and systolic blood pressure or intradialytic change in systolic blood pressure in either univariate or multivariable analyses. We found no association between different measures of blood pressure and cognitive function in cross‐sectional analysis. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these results.
A closer look at frailty in ESRD: Getting the measure right
Authors: Painter Patricia , Kuskowski Michael
Published: June 2012

Patients treated with dialysis have low levels of physical functioning and activity. Whether this translates into frailty or not may depend on how the frailty phenotype is operationalized. This is a secondary analysis of data from the Renal Exercise Demonstration Project to evaluate two methods of operationalizing the Fried phenotype for frailty: Using measured walking speed and muscle weakness (FRAILmeas) and using substitution of the Physical Function Scale (PF) from the SF‐36 questionnaire for walking speed and muscle weakness (FRAILsubst). Complete data for both measures were available for 188 hemodialysis patients. The frailty score (FRAILmeas) was the sum of criteria scores for measured gait speed, chair stand, body mass index, vitality, and physical activity. The frailty score (FRAILsubst) substituted the PF scale score (<75) as a surrogate measure for gait speed and for weakness. The frailty score ranged from 0 to 5. Scores ≥3 were categorized as frail, and <3 as not frail. The substitution of the PF score for walking speed and muscle weakness resulted in 78% of patients being categorized as frail compared to 24% using actual measured walking speed and muscle weakness (P < .001). The component of frailty that had the highest prevalence was low physical activity (average 54% of subjects). Frailty (using the FRAILmeas) was higher in patients with increasing age, female gender, and lower self‐reported PF. Frailty is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients; however, measured constructs of the components of frailty should be used to report the frailty phenotype.
Itineraries of Identity in Undergraduate Science
Authors: Bucholtz Mary , Barnwell Brendan , Skapoulli Elena , Lee Jung‐Eun Janie
Published: June 2012

Building on recent linguistic‐anthropological work that investigates the temporalities of educational processes, the article examines how a marginalized classroom identity is interactionally formed over time in an undergraduate chemistry laboratory. The analysis demonstrates how social marginalization is enacted along multiple temporal scales via stance taking, participation frameworks, and intertextuality. The findings indicate that the paths that identities travel may not be mapped out entirely in accordance with scholarly expectations. [identity, interaction, science, teasing, undergraduates]
When the Macro Facilitates the Micro: A Study of Regimentation and Emergence in Spoken Interaction
Authors: Warriner Doris S.
Published: June 2012

In moments of “dispersion, diaspora, and reterritorialization” (Amy Shuman 2006), the personal, the interactional, and the improvised (the “micro”) cannot be separated analytically from circulating ideologies, institutional norms, or cultural flows (the “macro”). With a focus on the emergence of identities within social interaction, specifically within the qualitative research interview, this article examines the power of the micro to transform regularities in ways that are locally relevant and globally influenced at the same time.[narrative, interaction, identity, performance]
Geometrically Complex Silicon Carbide Structures Fabricated by Robocasting
Authors: Cai Kunpeng , Román‐Manso Benito , Smay Jim E. , Zhou Ji , Osendi María Isabel , Belmonte Manuel , Miranzo Pilar
Published: June 2012

Geometrically complex, three‐dimensional (3‐D) structures of SiC were produced by a colloidal printing method known as robocasting, followed by low‐pressure spark plasma sintering (SPS) to produce dense ceramic bodies. A concentrated, aqueous colloidal ink consisting of SiC, Al2O3, and Y2O3 particles in a dilute polymer solution with a total solids volume fraction of 0.44 was developed to have pseudoplastic behavior with yield stress rheology. Lattice structures consisting of extruded filaments deposited in an overall cylindrical or cuboid shape were printed through nozzles ranging in diameter from 150 to 330 μm. After printing, drying and calcining processes, the structures were sintered at 1700°C in argon by SPS. The final average grain size was 1–2 μm and samples displayed above 97% of theoretical density, showing ~22.8% linear shrinkage from green to sintered state.
Electrical Properties of Nb‐, Ga‐, and Y‐Substituted Nanocrystalline Anatase TiO2 Prepared by Hydrothermal Synthesis
Authors: Hopper E. Mitchell , Sauvage Frédéric , Chandiran Aravind Kumar , Grätzel Michael , Poeppelmeier Kenneth R. , Mason Thomas O.
Published: June 2012

Nanocrystalline anatase titanium dioxide powders were produced by a hydrothermal synthesis route in pure form and substituted with trivalent Ga3+ and Y3+ or pentavalent Nb5+ with the intention of creating acceptor or donor states, respectively. The electrical conductivity of each powder was measured using the powder‐solution‐composite (PSC) method. The conductivity increased with the addition of Nb5+ from 3 × 10−3 S/cm to 10 × 10−3 S/cm in as‐prepared powders, and from 0.3 × 10−3 S/cm to 0.9 × 10−3 S/cm in heat‐treated powders (520°C, 1 h). In contrast, substitution with Ga3+ and Y3+ had no measureable effect on the material's conductivity. The lack of change with the addition of Ga3+ and Y3+, and relatively small increase upon Nb5+ addition is attributed to ionic compensation owing to the highly oxidizing nature of hydrothermal synthesis.
Nb‐Modified 0.9BaTiO3–0.1(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 Ceramics for X9R High‐Temperature Dielectrics Application Prepared by Coating Method
Authors: Yao Guofeng , Wang Xiaohui , Zhang Yichi , Shen Zhengbo , Li Longtu
Published: June 2012

0.9BaTiO3–0.1Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3‐based (0.9BT–0.1BNT) ceramics with Tc = 180°C were prepared using a novel chemical coating method. The relationships among compositions, microstructures, and properties were investigated. TEM morphologies displayed the Nb‐coated powders, which were confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Temperature‐dependence of permittivity for Nb‐modified 0.9BT–0.1BNT ceramics measured at different frequencies showed no relaxor characteristic at high temperature, but frequency dispersion at low temperature. The microstructures were characterized by two types of grains: Nb‐rich grains and Nb‐free grains, which were responsible for temperature‐stable dielectric properties. The sample with 5 mol% Nb addition satisfied the X9R specification. The permittivity was 1934 and the dissipation factor was 1.53% at room temperature.
Preservation of crestal bone by implant design. A comparative study in minipigs
Authors: Heitz‐Mayfield L. J. A. , Darby I. , Heitz F. , Chen S.
Published: June 2012

Objectives

To compare crestal bone modeling at three bone level design implants; Astra Tech Osseospeed™ Implant (AOI), Straumann® Bone Level Implant (SBLI) and NobelReplace™ Tapered Groovy Implant (NBTI).

Materials and methods

In 12 minipigs one implant of each design was placed on each side of the mandible with submerged healing. The implant platform was placed at the level of the crest (Group 0), and 1 mm above the crest (Group + 1 mm). In addition, one Straumann® Tissue Level Implant STLI was placed as a control on each side of the mandible. At 4 weeks, six animals were sacrificed. In the remaining six animals healing abutments were connected until 12 weeks. Clinical, radiographic, and histologic analyses were made. ANOVA and Mann–Whitney U‐tests were used to evaluate differences in bone levels between implant designs.

Results

At 4 weeks there was no statistically significant difference in bone changes between implant designs. At 12 weeks implants in Group + 1 mm had minimal bone changes with no differences between implant designs. In Group 0, the AOI and SBLI preserved more crestal bone than NBTI (P < 0.01). Mean distance from the implant platform to the buccal bone was −0.1 ± 0.2 mm for AOI, −0.3 ± 0.3 mm for SBLI, and −1.0 ± 0.3 mm for NBTI. Mean radiographic bone levels from the implant platform were −0.1 ± 0.4 mm for AOI, 0.0 ± 0.3 mm for SBLI and −0.9 ± 0.8 mm for NBTI.

Conclusion

Greater bone preservation was observed for the AOI and SBLI compared with the NBTI.
The risk of blood exposure incidents in dental practices in the Netherlands
Authors: van Wijk P.T.L. , Meiberg A.E. , Bruers J.J.M. , Groenewold M.H. , van Raalten A.L. , Dam B.A.F.M. , Schneeberger P.M.
Published: June 2012

Objectives

An awareness of the risk of blood‐borne infections among dentists has been promoted by the Dutch Dental Association (NMT) as part of their quality and safety programme, and a nationally operating expert counselling centre was contracted to manage all reported incidents.

Methods

We analysed data on hepatitis B vaccination status, sex and age for all reported incidents recorded by this centre during 2008. We compared this with data collected at same time during a national survey to assess the performance of the centre. The number of blood exposure injuries among dentists and their assistants, and reporting behaviour, were also assessed.

Results

In 2008, 387 incidents were reported to the counselling centre. The percentage of high‐risk incidents was 16, with a risk of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections. In the hepatitis B cases, 12% had no or insufficient immunization. Eight per cent of those injured were unable to start HIV Post‐Exposition Prophylaxis because they reported too late. Of the 1442 surveys sent, 487 (34%) were returned. Dentists estimated levels of hepatitis B vaccination at 98%. Thirty‐two per cent reported to have had one or more injuries in their practice in 2008. Of these, 37% were counselled by the expert centre, 18% were counselled by others and 45% sought no medical attention. The performance of the counselling centre received a positive score (95%). A need for more information about vaccination and blood‐borne infections in dentistry (52%) was reported.

Conclusions

Nationwide data show blood exposure incidents occur frequently in dental settings, with a considerable number of high‐risk incidents. Administering anaesthetics and cleaning‐up are major risk factors. There is a need to intensify measures for safe working conditions in dental care settings in the Netherlands, irrespective of the type of dental practice.
Melatonin MT1 receptor‐induced transcriptional up‐regulation of p27Kip1 in prostate cancer antiproliferation is mediated via inhibition of constitutively active nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB): potential implications on prostate cancer chemoprevention and therapy
Authors: Shiu Stephen Y. W. , Leung Wai Y. , Tam Chun W. , Liu Vincent W. S. , Yao Kwok‐Ming
Published: June 2012

Abstract:  Our laboratory has recently demonstrated a melatonin MT1 receptor‐mediated antiproliferative signaling mechanism in androgen receptor (AR)‐positive prostate epithelial cells which involves up‐regulation of p27Kip1 through dual activation of Gαs/protein kinase A (PKA) and Gαq/protein kinase C (PKC) in parallel, and down‐regulation of activated AR signaling via PKC stimulation. The aim of the present investigation was to identify the transcription factor that mediates melatonin’s up‐regulatory effect on p27Kip1 in LNCaP and 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells. Deletion mapping and reporter assays of the p27Kip1 promoter revealed that the putative melatonin‐responsive transcription factor binds to a 116 base‐pair region of the promoter sequence, which contains a potential nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) binding site. When the NF‐κB binding site was abolished by site‐directed mutagenesis, the stimulatory effect of melatonin on p27Kip1 promoter activity was mitigated. Notably, melatonin inhibited the DNA binding of activated NF‐κB via MT1 receptor‐induced PKA and PKC stimulation. Furthermore, melatonin’s up‐regulatory effect on p27Kip1 transcription and consequent cell antiproliferation were abrogated by NF‐κB activator but mimicked by NF‐κB inhibitor. The results indicate that inhibition of constitutively active NF‐κB via melatonin MT1 receptor‐induced dual activation of (Gαs) PKA and (Gαq) PKC can de‐repress the p27Kip1 promoter leading to transcriptional up‐regulation of p27Kip1. MT1 receptor‐mediated inhibition of activated NF‐κB signaling provides a novel mechanism supporting the use of melatonin in prostate cancer chemoprevention and therapy.
Complex assessment of age‐specific morphofunctional features of skin of different anatomic localizations
Authors: Shlivko I. L. , Petrova G. A. , Zor'kina M. V. , Tchekalkina O. E. , Firsova M. S. , Ellinsky D. O. , Agrba P. D. , Kamensky V. A. , Donchenko E. V.
Published: June 2012

Objective

The goal of the described study was complex assessment of age‐specific morphofunctional features of skin of different anatomic localization using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

Forty‐three healthy volunteers aging from 4 to 74 years were enrolled in the study. Optical and functional skin parameters were studied in 18 areas of the human body. All the studied areas were classified as open and closed, depending on external impact. Structural parameters of skin were determined by means of theOCTdevice equipped with a removable, flexible probe with microscanner (registration certificate no. 022a2035/2213‐05) designed and fabricated at theIAP RAS(Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) with longitudinal and transverse resolution of about 20 μm.

Results

Age‐specific morphofunctional features of skin most evident in areas exposed to external action were found. Statistically significant difference in elasticity (−0.57,P = 0.00012) in areas closed to external action (further referred to as closed areas) and in useful signal depth, hydration and elasticity in areas exposed to external action (further referred to as open areas) was assessed for different age groups. Analysis of the dependence of parameters on age showed statistically significant correlations between age and thickness of cellular layers of the epidermis (−0.33,P = 0.035), pigmentation level (−0.22,P = 0.044) and elasticity in closed areas and highly significant correlations between age and hydration and elasticity in open areas.

Conclusion

The current work is concerned with investigation of age‐specific morpho‐functional parameters of skin of different localizations.
Quantification of skin lesions with a 3D stereovision camera system: validation and clinical applications
Authors: Skvara Hans , Burnett Patrick , Jones Julie , Duschek Nikolaus , Plassmann Peter , Thirion Jean‐Philippe
Published: June 2012

Background/purpose

Three‐dimensional (3D) imaging of the skin is a challenging technique. A new 3D digital camera system has been developed that enables 3D reconstruction of the skin and subsequently allows volumetric quantification. Herein we present validation data on calibrated phantoms and the clinical application of this technology.

Methods

Absolute and relative geometric 3D measurements were validated with a static imaging phantom manufactured by a metrology institution and a dynamic imaging phantom adjustable for different volume quantities, respectively. Consecutively, in a clinical study, 3D baseline and follow up images from 27 basal cell carcinomas under topical therapy were captured for volumetric analysis.

Results

Validation experiments have demonstrated an average accuracy for surface position of 55 μm and a precision of 8 μm, as well as excellent correlation (0.999) between injected and measured volumes. The geometric baseline analysis of 27 basal cell carcinomas exhibited a high correlation and agreement between 2D and 3D surface measurements. Under topical therapy, it was possible to gain statistically significant differences between verum‐ and vehicle‐treated basal cell carcinomas when analyzing geometric measurements of 3D volume (P = 0.01) and 3D surface (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

In our study we were able to demonstrate that this newly developed 3D camera system offers a precise objective dimensional representation of the skin. This technique is easily applicable and sensitive enough to measure small differences in area and volume before and after intervention.
Goals, dilemmas and assumptions in infant feeding education and support. Applying theory of constraints thinking tools to develop new priorities for action
Authors: Trickey Heather , Newburn Mary
Published: June 2012

Three important infant feeding support problems are addressed: (1) mothers who use formula milk can feel undersupported and judged; (2) mothers can feel underprepared for problems with breastfeeding; and (3) many mothers who might benefit from breastfeeding support do not access help. Theory of constraints (TOC) is used to examine these problems in relation to ante‐natal education and post‐natal support. TOC suggests that long‐standing unresolved problems or ‘undesirable effects’ in any system (in this case a system to provide education and support) are caused by conflicts, or dilemmas, within the system, which might not be explicitly acknowledged. Potential solutions are missed by failure to question assumptions which, when interrogated, often turn out to be invalid. Three core dilemmas relating to the three problems are identified, articulated and explored using TOC methodology. These are whether to: (1) promote feeding choice or to promote breastfeeding; (2) present breastfeeding positively, as straightforward and rewarding, or focus on preparing mothers for problems; and (3) offer support proactively or ensure that mothers themselves initiate requests for support. Assumptions are identified and interrogated, leading to clarified priorities for action relating to each problem. These are (1) shift the focus from initial decision‐making towards support for mothers throughout their feeding journeys, enabling and protecting decisions to breastfeed as one aspect of ongoing support; (2) to promote the concept of an early‐weeks investment and adjustment period during which breastfeeding is established; and (3) to develop more proactive mother‐centred models of support for all forms of infant feeding.
Florid pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia related to tattoo: a case report
Authors: de Roeck Aurelie , Joujoux Jean M , Fournier Françoise , Dandurand Michel , Meunier Laurent , Stoebner Pierre E
Published: June 2012

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia is a benign condition defined by an exuberant proliferation of the epithelium with downward progression into the dermis. It may occur in reaction to several conditions including chronic cutaneous wound. We describe an unusual case of a florid pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia mimicking a well‐differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, restricted to the red part of a rose tattoo.
A Proximal Promoter Region of Arabidopsis DREB2C Confers Tissue‐specific Expression under Heat Stress
Authors: Chen Huan , Je Jihyun , Song Chieun , Hwang Jung Eun , Lim Chae Oh
Published: June 2012

The dehydration‐responsive element‐binding factor 2C (DREB2C) is a member of the CBF/DREB subfamily of proteins, which contains a single APETALA2/Ethylene responsive element‐binding factor (AP2/ERF) domain. To identify the expression pattern of the DREB2C gene, which contains multiple transcription cis‐regulatory elements in its promoter, an approximately 1.4 kb upstream DREB2C sequence was fused to the β‐glucuronidase reporter gene (GUS) and the recombinant p1244 construct was transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. The promoter of the gene directed prominent GUS activity in the vasculature in diverse young dividing tissues. Upon applying heat stress (HS), GUS staining was also enhanced in the vasculature of the growing tissues. Analysis of a series of 5′‐deletions of the DREB2C promoter revealed that a proximal upstream sequence sufficient for the tissue‐specific spatial and temporal induction of GUS expression by HS is localized in the promoter region between −204 and −34 bps relative to the transcriptional start site. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) demonstrated that nuclear protein binding activities specific to a −120 to −32 bp promoter fragment increased after HS. These results indicate that the TATA‐proximal region and some latent trans‐acting factors may cooperate in HS‐induced activation of the Arabidopsis DREB2C promoter.
Heat shock protein genes (hsp20,hsp75andhsp90) fromPieris rapae: Molecular cloning and transcription in response to parasitization byPteromalus puparum
Authors: Zhu Jia‐Ying , Wu Guo‐Xing , Ye Gong‐Yin , Hu Cui
Published: June 2012

Abstract Most molecular work on the roles of heat shock proteins (hsps) in host‐parasite interaction has focused on vertebrates, rather than invertebrates. Here the full length complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences of three hsp genes (hsp20,hsp75andhsp90) were amplified fromPieris rapae, and their transcriptional responsiveness to parasitization by the endoparasitic waspPteromalus puparumwere investigated. The cDNA sequence analysis ofhsp20,hsp75andhsp90revealed open reading frames of 531, 2 328 and 2 157 bp in length, which encode proteins with calculated molecular weights of 19.5, 75.48 and 82.7 kDa, respectively. The comparison of amino acid sequences showed thatP. rapaehsp20 shared highly divergent homology to that of other insects, while hsp75 and hsp90 showed high homology to their counterparts of other species. The expression analysis indicated that these three genes were influenced in response to parasitization byP.puparum. Thehsp20transcripts in parasitized pupae were higher compared to non‐parasitized pupae. The expression ofhsp75andhsp90were down‐regulated following parasitization. The results indicate that hsps are involved in host‐parasitoid interactions.
Condom Use: Slippage, Breakage, and Steps for Proper Use Among Adolescents in Alternative School Settings
Authors: Coyle Karin K. , Franks Heather M. , Glassman Jill R. , Stanoff Nicole M.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: School‐based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI), and pregnancy prevention programs often focus on consistent and correct condom use. Research on adolescents' experience using condoms, including condom slippage/breakage, is limited. This exploratory study examines proper condom use and the occurrence of condom slippage/breakage among alternative school youth.

METHODS: Data are from an HIV/STI prevention trial for youth in continuation school settings (N = 776). Analyses included separate hierarchical logistic regression analyses to explore the relationship between potential correlates and each outcome variable.

RESULTS: Students' use of steps for proper condom use varied—73.8% put on the condom before sexual contact, 71.1% squeezed air from the tip, and 92.0% unrolled the condom fully. Notably, 28.5% reported condom slippage/breakage. Results from the regression analyses showed that 4 sets of variables (demographic, substance use, sexual risk behaviors, and condom psychosocial factors) were associated with putting on a condom before sexual contact; none of the variable sets were associated with the other 2 condom steps measured. For slippage/breakage, the demographic and sexual risk behaviors were significant correlates; steps for proper condom use approached statistical significance (p = .058).

CONCLUSIONS: This study extends the limited research on how adolescents use condoms, and highlights important targets for prevention interventions.
Parenting Practices and Tobacco Use in Middle School Students in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries
Authors: Poms Laura W. , Fleming Lila C. , Jacobsen Kathryn H.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Parenting practices have been shown to have a strong influence on adolescent tobacco use in high‐income countries. This study examined whether parenting practices also were associated with tobacco use by middle school students (approximately ages 13‐15) in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on data from 106,041 middle school students in 27 countries who participated in the Global School‐Based Health Survey conducted between 2003 and 2007.

RESULTS: In nearly all countries, boys and older students were significantly more likely to use tobacco than girls and younger students. In most countries, students who reported a high level of parental understanding or a high level of parental awareness of their children's activities were significantly less likely to use tobacco than other students. The children of parents who used tobacco were significantly more likely to use tobacco than children of non‐users. After adjustment for age, sex, and parental tobacco use, the associations between parental understanding and awareness were statistically significant in 16 and 24 countries, respectively, of the 26 countries with parental tobacco use data.

CONCLUSION: This multivariate analysis shows that positive parenting practices are significantly associated with decreased tobacco use among adolescents in low‐ and middle‐income countries, which matches previous findings from high‐income countries. Educating parents on the importance of their parenting practices may be an effective component of school‐based programs aimed at reducing adolescent tobacco use.
Protective Connections and Educational Attainment Among Young Adults With Childhood‐Onset Chronic Illness*
Authors: Maslow Gary , Haydon Abigail A. , McRee Annie‐Laurie , Halpern Carolyn T.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Youth with childhood‐onset chronic illness (COCI) are at risk of poor educational attainment. Specific protective factors that promote college graduation in this population have not been studied previously. In this study, we examine the role protective factors during adolescence play in promoting college graduation among young adults with COCI.

METHODS: Data were collected from 10,925 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Protective factors present before 18 years of age included mentoring, parent relationship quality, school connectedness, and religious attendance. College graduation was the outcome of interest assessed when participants had a mean age of 28 years. Analysis was stratified by presence of COCI.

RESULTS: About 2% of participants (N = 230) had 1 of 4 COCIs (cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, or heart disease). All 4 protective factors were associated with college graduation for youth without COCI. In the final multivariate model, only school connectedness was associated with college graduation for youth with COCI.

CONCLUSION: School connectedness is of particular importance in promoting educational attainment for youth with COCI.
Alcohol as a Gateway Drug: A Study of US 12th Graders
Authors: Kirby Tristan , Barry Adam E.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: The Gateway Drug Theory suggests that licit drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol, serve as a “gateway” toward the use of other, illicit drugs. However, there remains some discrepancy regarding which drug—alcohol, tobacco, or even marijuana—serves as the initial “gateway” drug subsequently leading to the use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin. The purpose of this investigation was to determine which drug (alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana) was the actual “gateway” drug leading to additional substance use among a nationally representative sample of high school seniors.

METHODS: This investigation conducted a secondary analysis of the 2008 Monitoring the Future 12th‐grade data. Initiation into alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use was analyzed using a Guttman scale. Coefficients of reliability and scalability were calculated to evaluate scale fit. Subsequent cross tabulations and chi‐square test for independence were conducted to better understand the relationship between the identified gateway drug and other substances' use.

RESULTS: Results from the Guttman scale indicated that alcohol represented the “gateway” drug, leading to the use of tobacco, marijuana, and other illicit substances. Moreover, students who used alcohol exhibited a significantly greater likelihood of using both licit and illicit drugs.

CONCLUSION: The findings from this investigation support that alcohol should receive primary attention in school‐based substance abuse prevention programming, as the use of other substances could be impacted by delaying or preventing alcohol use. Therefore, it seems prudent for school and public health officials to focus prevention efforts, policies, and monies, on addressing adolescent alcohol use.