bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Software‐supported evaluation of gastric motility in MRI: A feasibility study
Authors: Bickelhaupt Sebastian , Froehlich Johannes M , Cattin Roger , Raible Stephan , Bouquet Hanspeter , Bill Urs , Patak Michael A
Published: July 2013

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of dedicated motility assessment software for quantitative evaluation of basic gastric motility and to validate it using manual measurements.

Methods

Ten patients (5 males/5 females, mean 41 years) out of a previous series of small bowel MR‐enterography examinations with well visible stomachs were included in this Institutional Reviews Board approved, retrospective study. MRI (1.5‐T, Siemens Sonata) was performed after standardised oral preparation (3% aqueous mannitol over 1 h). Coronal 2DtrueFISP (TR 283.8/TE 1.89/FOV400/10 mm slice) motility acquisitions covering the entire abdomen were performed in apnoea. For each patient, image analysis for assessment of gastric motility was performed both manually and using the dedicated software either the proximal (n = 5) or in the distal (n = 5) gastric corpus. The main quantitative endpoints (amplitude, frequency) describing gastric motility were compared using (paired) Student's t‐Test.

Results

All motility curves qualitatively matched each other (10/10). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found for amplitudes (mean: 18.17 mm manual; 17.78 mm software), contraction frequencies (5.1/min; 4.7/min) and mean lumen diameters (34.12 mm; 33.13 mm), respectively. Mean duration for a single measurement was significantly (P < 0.001) lower with the software (6.40 min manual technique; 1.40 min software assisted).

Conclusions

The software proves to be feasible for fast and accurate measurement of basic gastric motility parameters providing comparable data in comparison to manual assessment methods. It might help to reduce the time needed for assessment of relevant characteristics of gastric motility.
Fault Lines and Issue Linkages at the G20: New Challenges for Global Economic Governance
Authors: Knaack Peter , Katada Saori N.
Published: July 2013

The G20 emerged at the center stage of global economic governance in 2008. At the time, it was designed to be an inclusive and effective intergovernmental body. However, we find evidence of a slowdown of the G20's development by tracing the evolution of the G20 agenda during the seven summits held to date. We argue that the principle reason for the lack of progress is that the expansion of the issues covered by this international organization created new dividing lines among G20 members and also made preexisting ones more salient. Rather than reaching increasingly shallow consensus on a wider a range of issues, state leaders should sharpen the G20 agenda, avoid politicization, and frame issues in ways that prevent the formation of opposition along national lines.
Learning from Child Protection Systems Mapping and Analysis in West Africa: Research and Policy Implications
Authors: Krueger Alexander , Thompstone Guy , Crispin Vimala
Published: July 2013

This article presents the findings of a research process undertaken by Child Frontiers to map and assess the child protection systems of five West African countries. It highlights that the primary obstacle to the effective functioning of these systems is the lack of congruence between formal strategies, actual state capabilities and resources, and community values and priorities. The findings are discussed within the context of the emerging global debate about child protection systems. The conclusions demonstrate that policy makers at national, regional and international levels should look beyond transplanting external models to the West African context, but rather adopt long‐term processes to design systems that are culturally appropriate and operational within the boundaries of available and planned resources. Policy makers at all levels should avoid the temptation of ‘quick fixes’ but, in building and reforming child protection systems in West Africa and beyond, endeavour to promote sustained, government‐led processes that redefine the core principles and foundations of the system. The outcome will be that child protection systems function in an optimal way for children and families.
A Proposal for Truly Global Poverty Measures
Authors: Ravallion Martin , Chen Shaohua
Published: July 2013

Standard absolute poverty measures probably understate poverty rates in rich countries, given that their residents face higher welfare costs of social inclusion and relative deprivation. At the same time, standard measures of relative poverty probably understate the extent of poverty in poor countries, given that these measures attach little value to social inclusion needs at low mean income. This article provides the first estimates of a new class of truly global measures that aim to avoid these deficiencies of past measures. The results indicate that worsening distribution in the set of high‐income countries has pushed up the incidence of relative poverty since 1990, but not by as much as success against absolute poverty has swelled the ranks of the relatively poor in the developing world. The incidence of purely relative poverty is now higher in the developing world than among rich countries – reversing the historical pattern.
Islamic Feminism: Roots, Development and Policies
Authors: Eyadat Zaid
Published: July 2013

The current and future impact of Islamic feminism within the political framework of the Arab world is profound. In order to understand the current relevance of Islamic feminism, this article first examines the roots of feminism in the Arab world, analyzing the fundamental differences and commonalities that Islamic feminism has with western feminism. The diverse categories of Islamic feminism are then discussed, focusing on universalism within the framework of hermeneutic Islamic discourse. Islamic feminism is then reconstructed around its methodologies. This article asserts that the hermeneutic strain of Islamic feminism is the overarching paradigm to be employed, as it presents women's rights within the context of the Qur'an and women's right to perform ijtihad (personal interpretation based on logical reasoning), rejecting patriarchal influences. Islamic feminism and its place within the rise of modern Islam theorizing is then shown as a viable explanatory factor in the recent shaping of political and cultural discussions on the role of religion in the political sphere, especially in the context of the Arab Spring.
From “awake” to “monitored anesthesia care” thoracic surgery: A 15 year evolution
Authors: Mineo Tommaso C. , Tacconi Federico
Published: July 2013

Although general anesthesia still represents the standard when performing thoracic surgery, the interest toward alternative methods is increasing. These have evolved from the employ of just local or regional analgesia techniques in completely alert patients (awake thoracic surgery), to more complex protocols entailing conscious sedation and spontaneous ventilation. The main rationale of these methods is to prevent serious complications related to general anesthesia and selective ventilation, such as tracheobronchial injury, acute lung injury, and cardiovascular events. Trends toward shorter hospitalization and reduced overall costs have also been indicated in preliminary reports. Monitored anesthesia care in thoracic surgery can be successfully employed to manage diverse oncologic conditions, such as malignant pleural effusion, peripheral lung nodules, and mediastinal tumors. Main non‐oncologic indications include pneumothorax, emphysema, pleural infections, and interstitial lung disease. Furthermore, as the familiarity with this surgical practice has increased, major operations are now being performed this way. Despite the absence of randomized controlled trials, there is preliminary evidence that monitored anesthesia care protocols in thoracic surgery may be beneficial in high‐risk patients, with non‐inferior efficacy when compared to standard operations under general anesthesia. Monitored anesthesia care in thoracic surgery should enter the armamentarium of modern thoracic surgeons, and adequate training should be scheduled in accredited residency programs.
Differentially expressed wheat genes in response to powdery mildew infection
Authors: Li C.X. , Hu L. , Xu W.G. , Zhang L. , Dong H.B. , Wang H.W.
Published: July 2013

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is an important foliar disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) worldwide. The PmHNK gene confers a high level of resistance to several races of Bgt in the Henan Province, China. To identify differentially expressed transcripts during host–pathogen interaction, two bulks of F3 plants contrasting in the presence of PmHNK derived from cross Zhoumai 22 × Zhoumai 19 were inoculated with a Bgt isolate 08B1. Wheat tissue from each bulk was collected at 24 and 48 h after inoculation and characterised for gene expression patterns during the R‐gene‐mediated compatible and incompatible interactions using the Affymetrix Wheat GeneChip. A total of 289 up‐regulated and 154 down‐regulated transcripts were identified in the incompatible interaction, and 218 up‐regulated and 167 down‐regulated transcripts were found in the compatible interaction. Among the differentially expressed transcripts, only 100 were unique for the incompatible interaction and 42 were unique for the compatible interaction. In addition, 34 PmHNK regulated and 15 Pmhnk regulated transcripts were constitutively expressed. Annotation of the induced transcripts revealed that the presence of PmHNK resulted in a resistance response involving salicylic acid and ethylene signalling pathways and defence‐related transcripts, including hypersensitive response (HR) specific transcripts. These findings will provide new insights in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlining wheat resistance to powdery mildew.
Current use of nitrous oxide in public hospitals in Scandinavian countries
Authors: HUSUM B. , STENQVIST O. , ALAHUHTA S. , SIGURDSSON G. H. , DALE O.
Published: July 2013

Background

The use of nitrous oxide in modern anaesthesia has been questioned. We surveyed changes in use of nitrous oxide in Scandinavia and its justifications during the last two decades.

Methods

All 191 departments of anaesthesia in the Scandinavian countries were requested by email to answer an electronic survey in SurveyMonkey.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐five (64%) of the departments responded; four were excluded. The 121 departments provided 807.520 general anaesthetics annually. The usage of nitrous oxide was reported in 11.9% of cases, ranging from 0.6% in Denmark to 38.6% in Iceland while volatile anaesthetics were employed in 48.9%, lowest in Denmark (22.6%) and highest in Iceland (91.9%). Nitrous oxide was co‐administered with volatile anaesthetics in 21.5% of general anaesthetics [2.4% (Denmark) −34.5% (Iceland)]. Use of nitrous oxide was unchanged in five departments (4%), decreasing in 75 (62%) and stopped in 41 (34%). Reasons for decreasing or stopping use of nitrous oxide were fairly uniform in the five countries, the most important being that other agents were ‘better’, whereas few put weight on its potential risk for increasing morbidity. Decision to stop using nitrous oxide was made by the departments except in four cases. Of 87 maternity wards, nitrous oxide was used in 72, whereas this was the case in 42 of 111 day‐surgery units.

Conclusion

The use of nitrous oxide has decreased in the Scandinavian countries, apparently because many now prefer other agents. Difference in practices between the five countries were unexpected and apparently not justified on anticipated evidence only.
Beliefs Predicting Peace, Beliefs Predicting War: Jewish Americans and the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict
Authors: Hagai Ella Ben , Zurbriggen Eileen L. , Hammack Phillip L. , Ziman Megan
Published: July 2013

Jewish Americans’ opinions on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict influence both the Israeli and the U.S. governments. Consequently, the Jewish American diaspora can act to promote or inhibit the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. Several different sociopsychological beliefs have been postulated to lead individuals to support the perpetuation of conflict. Among these beliefs are a sense of collective victimhood, dehumanization and delegitimization of the other side, a zero‐sum view on the conflict, and a monolithic narrative about the conflict. In this exploratory study we examined the role of these beliefs in predicting Jewish Americans’ rejection or support of compromise solutions to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. A survey study of 176 Jewish Americans shows that a monolithic view on the conflict, dehumanizing and delegitimizing of the other side, and a zero‐sum view on the conflict played an important role in predicting opposition to compromise solutions for the Palestinian–Israeli conflict. Beliefs about collective victimhood did not predict support for compromise solutions. Findings are discussed in terms of the centrality of narrative misrecognition in preventing agreement to concessions toward the other side.
European Integration and Pension Policy Change: Variable Patterns of Europeanization in Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium
Authors: Anderson Karen M. , Kaeding Michael
Published: July 2013

This article investigates how European welfare states respond to reform pressures arising from European integration. We focus on the field of public pensions and examine the impact of two institutional variables that mediate the impact of reform pressures: the extent of public pension provision and the number of national political veto points. We argue that, all else equal, member‐states with few veto points and a relatively small public pension sector are the most likely cases of policy change in response to Europeanization, whereas member‐states with a high number of veto points and extensive public pension commitments are the least likely candidates for policy change. We test these arguments in four cases of Europeanization in three countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy).
Impact of early vs late postoperative radioiodine remnant ablation on final outcome in patients with low‐risk well‐differentiated thyroid cancer
Authors: Tsirona Sofia , Vlassopoulou Varvara , Tzanela Marinella , Rondogianni Phoebe , Ioannidis George , Vassilopoulos Charalambos , Botoula Efthimia , Trivizas Panagiotis , Datseris Ioannis , Tsagarakis Stylianos
Published: July 2013

Objective

Postoperative radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) represents an adjunctive therapeutic modality in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The impact of late vs early RRA on the outcome of DTC is currently unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with DTC according to RRA timing.

Design Retrospective study Patients

A total of 107 TNM stage 1 DTC patients were divided into two groups. In group A (n = 50), RRA was administered in less than 4·7 months median 3·0 (range 0·8–4·7), while in group B (n = 57) in more than 4·7 months median 6 (4·8–30·3) after thyroidectomy. Remission was achieved when stimulated serum Tg levels were undetectable, in the absence of local recurrence or cervical lymph node metastases on the neck ultrasound.

Results

All patients underwent near‐total thyroidectomy. The mean age at diagnosis was 49·3 years (range: 18–79 years). There were no statistically significant differences in the histological subtype, the TNM stage, the dose of radioiodine and the time of follow‐up, between the two groups. After the RRA treatment, 44 group A patients (88%) were in remission and 6 (12%) in persistence; while in group B, 52 (91·2%) were in remission, 1 (1·8%) in persistence and 4 (7%) in recurrence. At their latest follow‐up median 87·3 (23·3–251·6 months), all patients were in remission, either as a result of further iodine radioiodine therapy (in 11 patients) or watchful monitoring.

Conclusions

The timing of RRA seems to have no effect on the long‐term outcome of the disease. Therefore, urgency for radioiodine ablation in patients with low‐risk thyroid cancer is not recommended.
Translating the ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements Project findings to the clinic: ENCODE's implications for eye disease
Authors: Sanfilippo Paul G , Hewitt Alex W
Published: July 2013

Approximately 10 years after the Human Genome Project unravelled the sequence of our DNA, the ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements (ENCODE) Project sought to interpret it. Data from the recently completed project have shed new light on the proportion of biologically active human DNA, assigning a biochemical role to much of the sequence previously considered to be ‘junk’. Many of these newly catalogued functional elements represent epigenetic mechanisms involved in regulation of gene expression. Analogous to an Ishihara plate, a gene‐coding region of DNA (target dots) only comes into context when the non‐coding DNA (surrounding dots) is appreciated. In this review we provide an overview of the ENCODE project, discussing the significance of these data for ophthalmic research and eye disease. The novel insights afforded by the ENCODE project will in time allow for the development of new therapeutic strategies in the management of common blinding disorders.
Making headway with genetic diagnostics of intellectual disabilities
Authors: Willemsen M.H. , Kleefstra T.
Published: July 2013

Until recently, the cause of intellectual disability (ID) remained unexplained in at least 50% of affected individuals. Recent advances in genetic technologies led to great new opportunities to elucidate genetic defects implicated in ID. The introduction of genome‐wide technologies that are able to detect small chromosomal copy number variations led to the identification of several microdeletion/duplication syndromes and to the subsequent identification of single causative genes. By the recent implementation of whole exome sequencing (WES) in research and diagnostics, with the potential to identify disease causing variants throughout the human exome at the base‐pair level, a new revolution has started. Several studies showed that WES is effective in the identification of ID genes. Here we provide an historical overview of the advances in diagnostics of ID and illustrate the high diagnostic potential of current technologies by presenting the diagnostic survey that we performed in a series of 253 individuals with previously unexplained ID. This is the first study that systematically evaluated the diagnostic yield of the currently available and rapidly developing genetic diagnostic arsenal. The results of our study indicate that application of present‐day genetic diagnostic technologies lead to a significant increase in the number of patients that can be diagnosed.
An Algorithm for Random Fractal Filling of Space
Authors: Shier John , Bourke Paul
Published: July 2013

Computational experiments with a simple algorithm show that it is possible to fill any spatial region with a random fractalization of any shape, with a continuous range of pre‐specified fractal dimensions D. The algorithm is presented here in 1, 2 or 3 physical dimensions. The size power‐law exponent c or the fractal dimension D can be specified ab initio over a substantial range. The method creates an infinite set of shapes whose areas (lengths, volumes) obey a power law and sum to the area (length and volume) to be filled. The algorithm begins by randomly placing the largest shape and continues using random search to place each smaller shape where it does not overlap or touch any previously placed shape. The resulting gasket is a single connected object.
Influence of presence or absence of keratinized mucosa on the alveolar bony crest level as it relates to different buccal marginal bone thicknesses. An experimental study in dogs
Authors: Bengazi Franco , Botticelli Daniele , Favero Vittorio , Perini Alessandro , Urbizo Velez Joaquin , Lang Niklaus P.
Published: July 2013

Objective

To investigate the influence of the presence or absence of keratinized mucosa on the alveolar bony crest level as it relates to different buccal marginal bone thicknesses.

Material and methods

In six beagle dogs, the mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted bilaterally. In the right side of the mandible (test), flaps were elevated, and the buccal as well as part of the lingual masticatory mucosa was removed. The flap was released coronally to allow a primary wound closure. In the left side, the wounds were left unsutured with the keratinized mucosa remaining (control). After 3 months of healing, a complete absence of keratinized mucosa was found at the test sites. Two recipient sites were prepared at each side of the mandible, one in the premolar and one in the molar region. A buccal bony ridge width of approximately 1 and 2 mm was obtained at the premolar and molar region, respectively. Implants were installed with the shoulder flush with the buccal alveolar bony crest, and abutments were connected to allow a nonsubmerged healing. At least 2 mm of keratinized mucosa was surrounding the control sites, while at the test sites, the implants were bordered by alveolar mucosa. After 3 months, the animals were euthanized and ground sections obtained.

Results

A higher vertical bony crest resorption was observed at the test compared with the control sites both at the premolar and molar regions, the differences being statistically significant. The top of the peri‐implant mucosa was located more coronally at the control compared with the test sites. The horizontal resorption measured 1 mm below the implant shoulder was similar at the test and control sites. Only limited differences were found between premolar and molar sites, with the exclusion of the horizontal resorption that was higher at the test compared with the control sites.

Conclusions

A higher alveolar buccal bony crest resorption and a more apical soft tissue marginal position should be expected, when implants are surrounded with thin alveolar mucosa at the time of installation, independently of the thickness of the buccal bony crest.
High immunohistochemical nestin expression is associated with greater depth of infiltration in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a study of 71 cases
Authors: Serra‐Guillén Carlos , Llombart Beatriz , Nagore Eduardo , Requena Celia , Traves Victor , Llorca David , Kindem Sabrina , Alcalá Rebeca , Guillén Carlos , Sanmartín Onofre
Published: July 2013

Background

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) was recently shown to express nestin, a marker that has been associated with poorer prognosis when present in high levels in certain tumors. The objective of this study is to explore the association between high nestin expression and deep invasion.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, observational study in which we evaluated the degree of nestin expression in 71 DFSP. The odds of fascial involvement was calculated before and after adjusting for the following confounders: age, sex, tumor size, time to diagnosis, tumor site, the presence of fibrosarcomatous areas, pleomorphism, number of mitotic figures and predominant histopathologic pattern. We also calculated the Spearman Rho correlation coefficient between nestin staining intensity and depth of invasion.

Results

Nestin immunopositivity was found in 98.6% of the tumors, and high expression levels were significantly associated with invasion of the fascia. The odds of fascial involvement in tumors with strong nestin staining was 6.56 (p = 0.001) before adjustment for confounders and 14.86 after adjustment (p = 0.007). The Spearman rho correlation coefficient between nestin expression and deep invasion was 0.287 (p = 0.015).

Conclusion

High inmunohistochemical nestin expression appears to be associated with deeper invasion in DFSP.
Primary cutaneous follicular helper T‐cell lymphoma: diagnostic pitfalls of this new lymphoma subtype
Authors: Buder Kristina , Poppe Lidía M. , Bröcker Eva B. , Goebeler Matthias , Rosenwald Andreas , Geissinger Eva , Kerstan Andreas
Published: July 2013

The recently proposed entity of cutaneous follicular helper T (TFH) cell lymphoma (CTFHCL) harbors distinct clinical and histopathologic features. Here, diagnostic pitfalls are exemplified in a case report and by review of the literature. A 45‐year‐old patient developed rapidly growing nodules and plaques on upper arms and buttocks, which were initially misdiagnosed as primary cutaneous follicle center B‐cell lymphoma (CFCL). Consequently, systemic therapy with rituximab failed and consecutive skin biopsies revealed CTFHCL (CD3+CD4+CD10+PD‐1+bcl6+ICOS+CXCL13+). Interestingly, the prima vista PD‐1‐positive and CD10‐positive tumor cells lost PD‐1 expression in follow‐up biopsies while retaining CD10, ICOS and CXCL13 expression. All biopsy specimens displayed an identical clonal T‐cell population. Initially, nodules were controlled by local radiotherapy and oral psoralen combined with ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy. However, disease recurred and progressed rapidly with disseminated nodules. Treatment with bexarotene, methotrexate and polychemotherapy failed to stop disease progression. Finally, modified total skin electron beam radiation resulted in complete remission. Disease stabilized on maintenance therapy with bexarotene in combination with ultraviolet A (UVA) therapy. The case highlights that because of concomitant B‐cell stimulation, CTFHCL clinicopathologically is prone to be mistaken for CFCL. Importantly, CTFHCL might lose PD‐1 while retaining CD10 expression in later stages, which may lead to confusion in distinguishing CTFHCL from CFCL.
Role of the sodium channel SCN9A in genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus and Dravet syndrome
Authors: Mulley John C. , Hodgson Bree , McMahon Jacinta M. , Iona Xenia , Bellows Susannah , Mullen Saul A , Farrell Kevin , Mackay Mark , Sadleir Lynette , Bleasel Andrew , Gill Deepak , Webster Richard , Wirrell Elaine C. , Harbord Michael , Sisodiya Sanyjay , Andermann Eva , Kivity Sara , Berkovic Samuel F. , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Dibbens Leanne M.
Published: July 2013

Mutations of the SCN1A subunit of the sodium channel is a cause of genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) in multiplex families and accounts for 70–80% of Dravet syndrome (DS). DS cases without SCN1A mutation inherited have predicted SCN9A susceptibility variants, which may contribute to complex inheritance for these unexplained cases of DS. Compared with controls, DS cases were significantly enriched for rare SCN9A genetic variants. None of the multiplex febrile seizure or GEFS+ families could be explained by highly penetrant SCN9A mutations.
Economic evaluation ofHLA‐B*15:02 screening for carbamazepine‐induced severe adverse drug reactions inThailand
Authors: Rattanavipapong Waranya , Koopitakkajorn Tanunya , Praditsitthikorn Naiyana , Mahasirimongkol Surakameth , Teerawattananon Yot
Published: July 2013

Purpose

There is strong evidence of an association between the presence of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B*15:02 and two severe adverse drug reactions—Stevens‐Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)—in patients taking carbamazepine (CBZ), a common treatment for patients with epilepsy and neuropathic pain. As a result, there are calls for all patients that are due to undergoCBZtherapy to be screened for this genetic marker before commencing their therapy. This study aims to determine the value for money ofHLA‐B*15:02 screening compared to the following: (1) administeringCBZtherapy without conducting patient screening, and (2) not prescribingCBZbut alternative drugs that are less likely to result in severe reactions, but that come at a higher cost.

Method

An economic evaluation was carried out by using a decision tree and Markov models to examine the cost‐utility of providingHLA‐B*15:02 screening for all patients with either newly diagnosed epilepsy or neuropathic pain in the Thai setting. All transitional probabilities were derived from the national and international literature. The majority of the data on direct medical care costs were collected from 10 community, provincial, and regional hospitals throughout Thailand. Direct non‐medical cost and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) data were obtained from interviews that were conducted with 33 patients, some of whom had experienced severe drug reactions.

Key Findings

The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of adopting a universalHLA‐B*15:02 screening policy was estimated at 222,000Thai baht, THB/quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) gained for epilepsy patients and 130,000THB/QALYgained for patients with neuropathic pain. Furthermore, we found that 343 patients need to be tested forHLA‐B*15:02 allele to prevent one case ofSJS/TEN.

Significance

UniversalHLA‐B*15:02 screening represents good value for the money in terms of preventingSJS/TENinCBZ‐treated patients with neuropathic pain at the Thai ceiling ratio of 120,000THB/QALYgained. However, the prevalence ofCBZ‐inducedSJS/TENin the Thai population and the positive predictive value (PPV) are major factors that influence the cost‐effectiveness ofHLA‐B*15:02 screening. Therefore, an active surveillance system to make a more accurate assessment of the prevalenceCBZ‐inducedSJS/TENin the Thai population would enhance the generalizability of the results.
Procainamide and lidocaine produce dissimilar changes in ventricular repolarization and arrhythmogenicity in guinea‐pig
Authors: Osadchii Oleg E.
Published: July 2013

Procainamide is class Ia Na+ channel blocker that may prolong ventricular repolarization secondary to inhibition of IKr, the rapid component of the delayed rectifier K+ current. In contrast to selective INa blockers such as lidocaine, procainamide was shown to produce arrhythmogenic effects in the clinical setting. This study examined whether pro‐arrhythmic responses to procainamide may be accounted for by drug‐induced repolarization abnormalities including impaired electrical restitution kinetics, spatial gradients in action potential duration (APD), and activation‐to‐repolarization coupling. In perfused guinea‐pig hearts, procainamide was found to prolong the QT interval on ECG and left ventricular (LV) epicardial monophasic APD, increased the maximum slope of electrical restitution, enhanced transepicardial APD variability, and eliminated the inverse correlation between the local APD and activation time values determined at distinct epicardial recording sites prior to drug infusion. In contrast, lidocaine had no effect on electrical restitution, the degree of transepicardial repolarization heterogeneities, and activation‐to‐repolarization coupling. Spontaneous episodes of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia were observed in 57% of procainamide‐treated heart preparations. No arrhythmia was induced by lidocaine. In summary, this study suggests that abnormal changes in repolarization may contribute to pro‐arrhythmic effects of procainamide.
From inventory to functional mechanisms
Authors: Gerbeth Carolin , Mikropoulou Despina , Meisinger Chris
Published: July 2013

For decades, the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in the mitochondrial matrix was considered as a rare example of how protein kinases and phosphatases can regulate important functions within this organelle. During the last decade, several proteomic studies revealed that a large fraction of mitochondrial proteins are indeed phosphorylated. A surprisingly high number of phosphorylation sites was found at the preprotein import machinery, TOM, in the outer membrane that provides the central protein import gate for most mitochondrial precursors synthesized in the cytosol. This review describes current knowledge of the mitochondrial phosphoproteome and introduces the first regulatory mechanisms of protein import dynamics by reversible phosphorylation, which have been uncovered mainly in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Investigating the long‐term legacy of drought and warming on the soil microbial community across five European shrubland ecosystems
Authors: Rousk Johannes , Smith Andrew R. , Jones Davey L.
Published: July 2013

We investigated how the legacy of warming and summer drought affected microbial communities in five different replicated long‐term (>10 years) field experiments across Europe (EU‐FP7 INCREASE infrastructure). To focus explicitly on legacy effects (i.e., indirect rather than direct effects of the environmental factors), we measured microbial variables under the same moisture and temperature in a brief screening, and following a pre‐incubation at stable conditions. Specifically, we investigated the size and composition of the soil microbial community (PLFA) alongside measurements of bacterial (leucine incorporation) and fungal (acetate in ergosterol incorporation) growth rates, previously shown to be highly responsive to changes in environmental factors, and microbial respiration. We found no legacy effects on the microbial community size, composition, growth rates, or basal respiration rates at the effect sizes used in our experimental setup (0.6 °C, about 30% precipitation reduction). Our findings support previous reports from single short‐term ecosystem studies thereby providing a clear evidence base to allow long‐term, broad‐scale generalizations to be made. The implication of our study is that warming and summer drought will not result in legacy effects on the microbial community and their processes within the effect sizes here studied. While legacy effects on microbial processes during perturbation cycles, such as drying–rewetting, and on tolerance to drought and warming remain to be studied, our results suggest that any effects on overall ecosystem processes will be rather limited. Thus, the legacies of warming and drought should not be prioritized factors to consider when modeling contemporary rates of biogeochemical processes in soil.
Primary prevention of dental erosion by calcium and fluoride: a systematic review
Authors: Zini A , Krivoroutski Y , Vered Y
Published: July 2013

Background

Overviews of the current literature only provide summaries of existing relevant preventive strategies for dental erosion.

Objectives

To perform a systematic review according to the quantitative meta‐analysis method of the scientific literature on prevention of dental erosion. The focused question will address primary prevention of dental erosion by calcium and fluoride.

Materials and methods

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) regarding dental erosion prevention. The search included five databases: Embase, Cochrane database of systematic reviews, PubMed (MEDLINE), FDA publication and Berman medical library of the Hebrew University. The search included data in the English language, with effect on preventing dental erosion always presented as mean enamel loss and measured by profilometer. Statistical meta‐analysis was performed by StatsDirect program and PEPI statistical software. Fixed‐ and random‐effect models were used to analyse the data. Heterogeneity tests were employed to validate the fixed‐effect model assumption.

Results

A total of 475 articles on dental erosion prevention were located. A four‐stage selection process was employed, and 10 RCT articles were found to be suitable for meta‐analysis.

Conclusions

The number of studies on prevention of dental erosion maintaining standards of evidence‐based dentistry remains insufficient to reach any definite conclusions. The focused questions of this review cannot be addressed according to the existing literature.
Optimisation of convective drying of carrots using selected processing and quality indicators
Authors: Gamboa‐Santos Juliana , Soria Ana C. , Fornari Tiziana , Villamiel Mar , Montilla Antonia
Published: July 2013

The effect of drying temperature (40–65 °C) and air rate (2–6 m s−1) on the formation of Maillard reaction indicators and vitamins content of carrots dehydrated by convection has been investigated. The range of assayed processing conditions, based on a previous central composite face design (CCD), led to moderate changes in the studied parameters, even under the most severe conditions. In addition, the drying kinetic of the process was studied taking into account the experimental quantitation of shrinkage, which allowed the determination of a first drying period with a constant rate of water evaporation per unit of exchange surface. The slope of the first drying period, the moisture loss during the first hour of drying and the level of quality parameters (Maillard reaction indicators and vitamins) were correlated with processing conditions with high accuracy. For the prototype here used, the optima temperature and air rate to maximise the desirability function (0.77) were 46 °C and 4.9 m s−1.
Effects of waxy maize and potato starches on the stability and physicochemical properties of model sauces prepared with fresh beef meat
Authors: Bortnowska Grażyna , Krzemińska Natalia , Mojka Katarzyna
Published: July 2013

Stability and physicochemical properties of model sauces containing 2.5 wt% fresh beef meat (related to raw material), 30 wt% rapeseed oil and native waxy maize starch (WMS) or potato starch (PS) at concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 4.0 wt% were assessed. Sauces thickened with WMS showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher stability than respective ones made with PS. All studied systems exhibited non‐Newtonian, pseudoplastic behaviour. The Ostwald–de Waele and Herschel–Bulkley models were used to describe the flow properties of model sauces. In comparison with control sample (prepared without starch), addition of this polysaccharide (WMS or PS) increased consistency index, yield stress and apparent viscosity and decreased flow behaviour index of model sauces. The Arrhenius equation was used to determine the effects of temperature (20–50 °C) on the apparent viscosity. The activation energy values were in ranges 7.66–10.59 kJ mol−1 and 8.87–11.82 kJ mol−1 in sauces prepared with WMS and PS, respectively. The instrumentally detected changes in consistency and whiteness of model sauces were found, which may be used as the good predictors of the perceived sensory consistency and whiteness.
A novel hAT element in Bombyx mori and Rhodnius prolixus: its relationship with miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) and horizontal transfer
Authors: Zhang H‐H. , Shen Y‐H. , Xu H‐E. , Liang H‐Y. , Han M‐J. , Zhang Z.
Published: July 2013

Comparative analysis of transposable elements (TEs) from different species can make it possible to reconstruct their history over evolutionary time. In this study, we identified a novel hAT element in Bombyx mori and Rhodnius prolixus with characteristic GGGCGGCA repeats in its subterminal region. Meanwhile, phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the elements in these two species might represent a separate cluster of the hAT superfamily. Strikingly, a previously identified miniature inverted repeat transposable element (MITE) shared high identity with this autonomous element across the entire length, supporting the hypothesis that MITEs are derived from the internal deletion of DNA transposons. Interestingly, identity of the consensus sequences of this novel hAT element between B. mori and R. prolixus, which diverged about 370 million years ago, was as high as 96.5% over their full length (about 3.6 kb) at the nucleotide level. The patchy distribution amongst species, coupled with overall lack of intense purifying selection acting on this element, suggest that this novel hAT element might have experienced horizontal transfer between the ancestors of B. mori and R. prolixus. Our results highlight that this novel hAT element could be used as a potential tool for germline transformation of R. prolixus to control the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease.
Detoxification activity and energy cost is attenuated in whiteflies feeding on Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus‐infected tobacco plants
Authors: Luan J.‐B. , Wang Y.‐L. , Wang J. , Wang X.‐W. , Liu S.‐S.
Published: July 2013

The begomovirus Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) can benefit its vector, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, through suppressing the defences of their shared host plants. However, the mechanisms of this vector−virus mutualism remain largely unknown on the insect side of the interaction. Here, we compared the transcriptional profiles of female adult whiteflies of B. tabaci Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 feeding on TYLCCNV‐free and TYLCCNV‐infected tobacco plants using the next‐generation sequencing technique and quantitative real‐time PCR. Interestingly, the genes involved in the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway and detoxification enzyme were down‐regulated in whiteflies feeding on virus‐infected plants. Decreased detoxification activity costs less energy, which may reduce OXPHOS activity. Moreover, the genes involved in redox activity were also down‐regulated, which may indicate that the reduced OXPHOS activity decreased reactive oxygen species production. Reduced detoxification activity is likely to attenuate energy costs, thereby enhancing the performance of whiteflies on virus‐infected plants. These results provide further insight into the mechanisms of the plant‐mediated whitefly−virus mutualism. Moreover, our study suggests that investigating the transcriptional profiles on the insect side of the interaction can advance our understanding of the tripartite interactions.
Wielding Soft Power in a World of Neglect: The Europeanization of Greek and Portuguese Public Employment Services
Authors: Zartaloudis Sotirios
Published: July 2013

The Europeanization literature has extensively examined the influence of the European employment strategy (EES) on Member States' employment policies. However, two least‐likely cases – Greece and Portugal – have been neglected in the literature. This article focuses on the activation of public employment services (PES), which has been one of the key elements of the EES. Based on a sample of 44 semi‐structured interviews and primary and secondary document research on seven reform episodes during 1995–2009, it finds that the EES altered Greek and Portuguese employment policies by empowering policy entrepreneurs and, when the latter were absent, through European Social Fund financial conditionality. While the literature considers policy learning as the chief EES‐Europeanization mechanism, little evidence is found herein to support such an explanation. The findings may be relevant for a number of EU policies based on voluntarism and EU funds, such as the new flagship EU initiative Europe 2020.
An Investigation into Pituitary Gonadotrophic Hormone Synthesis, Secretion, Subunit Gene Expression and Cell Structure in Normal and Mutant Male Mice
Authors: Abel M. H. , Charlton H. M. , Huhtaniemi I. , Pakarinen P. , Kumar T. R. , Christian H. C.
Published: July 2013

To investigate brain–pituitary–gonadal inter‐relationships, we have compared the effects of mutations that perturb the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis in male mice. Specifically, serum and pituitary gonadotrophin concentrations, gonadotrophin gene expression, and gonadotroph structure and number were measured. Follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH)β knockout (FSHβKO), FSH receptor knockout (FSHRKO), luteinising hormone (LH) receptor knockout (LuRKO), hypogonadal (hpg), testicular feminised (tfm) and gonadectomised mice were compared with control wild‐type mice or heterozygotes. Serum levels of LH were similar in FSHβKO, FSHRKO and heterozygote males despite decreased androgen production in KO males. As expected, there was no detectable FSH in the serum or pituitary and an absence of expression of the FSHβ subunit gene in FSHβKO mice. However, there was a significant increase in expression of the common α and LHβ subunit genes in FSHRKO males. The morphology of FSHβKO and FSHRKO gonadotrophs was not significantly different from controls, except that the subpopulation of granules consisting of an electron‐dense core and electron‐lucent ‘halo’ was not observed in FSHβKO gonadotrophs and the granules were smaller in diameter. In the gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone deficient hpg mouse, gonadotrophin mRNA and hormone levels were significantly lower compared to control mice and gonadotrophs were correspondingly smaller, with less abundant endoplasmic reticulum and reduced secretory granules. In LuRKO, tfm and gonadectomised mice, hyperstimulation of LHβ and FSHβ mRNA and serum protein concentrations was reflected by subcellular changes in gonadotroph morphology, including more dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and more secretory granules distributed adjacent to the plasma membrane. In summary, major differences in pituitary content and serum concentrations of the gonadotrophins LH and FSH have been found between normal and mutant male mice. These changes are associated with changes in transcriptional activity of the gonadotrophin subunit genes and are reflected by changes in the cellular structure and secretory granule architecture within the gonadotroph cells.
Intensity Inhomogeneity Correction Using N3 on Mouse Brain Magnetic Resonance Microscopy
Authors: Lin Lan , Wu Shuicai , Bin Guangyu , Yang Chunlan
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Small animal neuroimaging using magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) has evolved significantly from understanding of imaging physics to widely use today as an important tool in computational neuroanatomy, while how to get optimal inhomogeneity correction for inhomogeneous mouse brain MRM has been given less attention.

METHODS

This present study investigates the ability of fine‐tuning the nonparametric nonuniform intensity normalization (N3) technique to get optimal inhomogeneity correction of mouse brain MRM. Six mice were scanned on a 7‐T scanner with a phased array surface coil of four elements. The N3 parameters such as stopping criteria, maximum iterations, down‐sampling ratio, full width at half maximum, spline distance, and brain mask have been tuned to get optimal correction result. We used coefficient of variation of the white matter and joint variation to ascertain quantitatively the correction. The data were analyzed by two‐way repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test.

RESULTS

The quantitative outcomes show that brain mask and spline distance have a significant influence on correcting performance.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates the benefit of reducing the spline distance values to 25 and tighter mask. The finding can help researches to enhance precision in studies where mouse MRM need further registration or segmentation.
Influence of the thickness of silicone registration material as a means for occlusal contact examination – an explorative study with different tooth clenching intensities
Authors: Obara R. , Komiyama O. , Iida T. , De Laat A. , Kawara M.
Published: July 2013

This study explored the influence of the thickness of silicone registration material on evaluation of the occlusal contact area and number of occlusal contact points, during increasing tooth clenching conditions in normal subjects. Twenty‐four subjects with no more than one missing tooth per quadrant participated. Surface electro‐myography was recorded from the masseter muscle. As a baseline measurement, intercuspal position was maintained with minimal force, and occlusal contact was recorded using blue silicone material. Occlusal contact was also recorded at 20% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and 40% MVC using visual feedback. The occlusal contact area and number of occlusal contact points were analysed using five levels of thickness of silicone registration material: Level 1 (0–149 μm); Level 2 (0–89 μm); Level 3 (0–49 μm); Level 4 (0–29 μm); and Level 5 (0–4 μm). The anterior part and the left and right posterior regions of the dental arch were analysed separately. At all detection levels, the occlusal contact area significantly increased from baseline to 20% MVC and to 40% MVC in the molar area (P < 0·05). In the anterior part, the occlusal contact area significantly increased from baseline to 20% MVC and to 40% MVC only when using Level 5. The number of occlusal contact points significantly increased from baseline to 20% MVC and to 40% MVC only when using Level 5 in the molar area (P < 0·05). It suggested that occlusal contacts may be different at low tooth clenching intensity with potential effects on the teeth or periodontal tissues.