bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heat‐washout measurements compared to distal blood pressure and perfusion in orthopaedic patients with foot ulcers
Authors: Midttun M. , Azad B. B. S. , Broholm R. , Jensen L. T. , Svarer C. , Jensen P. E.
Published: August 2015

Distal blood pressure and local skin perfusion pressure were compared to measurement of blood flow rate (BFR) measured by the heat‐washout method in orthopaedic patients with and without diabetes, all with a foot ulcer in one foot, compared to healthy controls. The correlation was good between heat‐washout and distal blood pressure in patients with diabetes with and without an ulcer (P = 0·024 and 0·059, respectively). The correlation was weak in patients without diabetes with and without an ulcer, most probably due to power problems (P = 0·118 and 0·116, respectively). The correlation in the healthy controls was poor (P = 0·333 and 0·685 for right and left 1. Toe, respectively) probably because not all measurements were performed under optimal conditions with maximally dilated arterioles and warm hands and feet. The patients already have maximally dilated arterioles to extract the maximal amount of oxygen from the surrounding tissue, and therefore, measurements are easier made in these subjects. BFR in the first toe increased significantly in all patients when the foot was moved from heart level to 50 cm below heart level (P = between 0·03 and 0·05) as previously seen in patients with claudication. There was no statistical difference in the healthy controls, consistent with previous findings. These results may indicate that the heat‐washout method can be used as an alternative to strain gauge blood pressure in the evaluation of peripheral artery disease and wound healing potentials. Furthermore, the heat‐washout measurements can be used bedside.
Comparison of basal insulin therapies with regard to the risk of acute myocardial infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes: an observational cohort study
Authors: Kollhorst B. , Behr S. , Enders D. , Dippel F.‐W. , Theobald K. , Garbe E.
Published: August 2015

Aims

To assess the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with long‐acting insulin analogues in comparison with other basal insulin therapy.

Methods

We used German insurance claims data from the years 2004–2009 to conduct a study in a retrospective cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes. Naïve insulin users were defined as patients who had an insulin‐free history before the first prescription of long‐acting analogue insulin, human NPH insulin or premixed insulin and who were pretreated with oral antidiabetic drugs. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of AMI and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using sex‐stratified Cox models. Propensity‐score‐matched analyses were conducted as sensitivity analyses.

Results

We identified 21 501 new insulin users. Patients treated with premixed insulin were older than patients treated with analogue or NPH insulin (mean age 70.7 vs. 64.1 and 61.6 years, respectively) and had more comorbidities. Regarding the risk of AMI, adjusted HRs showed no statistically significant difference between NPH and analogue insulin (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.74–1.19), but a higher risk for premixed than for analogue insulin (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.02–1.58). Contrary to the primary analysis, the propensity‐score‐matched analysis did not show an increased risk for premixed insulin.

Conclusions

In contrast to a former database study, no difference was observed for the risk of AMI between long‐acting analogue and NPH insulin in this study. Neither long‐acting analogue insulin nor premixed insulin appears to be associated with AMI in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Health impacts of Facebook usage and mobile texting among undergraduate dental students: it's time to understand the difference between usage and an excessive use
Authors: Lee Y. L. , Verma R. K. , Yadav H. , Barua A.
Published: August 2015

Background

Facebook and mobile texting are prevalent in the lives of almost every student. However, little is known about the relationship between Facebook usage or mobile texting and their impacts on health amongst undergraduate dental students. In this study, excessive Facebook use and excessive mobile texting were studied as they relate to impacts on health.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted at a private university in Malaysia. A total of 188 undergraduate dental students were interviewed using a pre‐tested and self‐rated questionnaire. Data collected from participants were analysed using SPSS version 18.0. Chi‐square test, Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression analyses were applied to study the relationship between explanatory variables and excessive Facebook use and excessive mobile texting.

Results

The prevalence of excessive Facebook use and excessive mobile texting amongst undergraduate dental students was found to be 33.2% and 33.0%, respectively. According to a multivariate analysis, texting habits, such as the presence of daytime sleepiness after texting late at night (aOR = 2.682, 95% CI = 1.142–6.301) and the presence of anxious feelings if students failed to receive a timely response (aOR = 3.819, 95% CI = 1.580–9.230), were determined to be significant predictors of excessive mobile texting. Excessive Facebook use was found to be significantly related to three variables as follows: fewer numbers of close friends (aOR = 2.275, 95% CI = 1.057–4.898), the checking of updates on the Facebook walls of their friends (aOR = 2.582, 95% CI = 1.189–5.605) and the absence of active and vigorous feelings during Facebook use (aOR = 3.401, 95% CI = 1.233–9.434).

Conclusions

Approximately one‐third of undergraduate dental students in this study experienced excessive Facebook use and/or excessive mobile texting. Health education and promotion should be instituted to create awareness, whilst students should be advised to practise self‐control with respect to both mobile texting and Facebook usage.
The δ18O signatures of HCl‐extractable soil phosphates: methodological challenges and evidence of the cycling of biological P in arable soil
Authors: Amelung W. , Antar P. , Kleeberg I. , Oelmann Y. , Lücke A. , Alt F. , Lewandowski H. , Pätzold S. , Barej J. A. M.
Published: August 2015

Soil phosphates exchange oxygen atoms rapidly with soil water once recycled by intracellular enzymes, thereby approaching an equilibrium δ18OP signature that depends on ambient temperature and the δ18OW signature of soil water. We hypothesized that in the topsoil, phosphates reach this equilibrium δ18OP signature even if amended by different fertilizers. In the subsoil, however, there might be phosphates with a smaller δ18OP value than that represented by the isotopic equilibrium value, a condition that could exist in the case of limited biological P cycling only. We tested these hypotheses for the HCl‐extractable P pool of the Hedley fractionation scheme of arable soil in Germany, which integrates over extended time‐scales of the soil P cycle. We sampled several types of fertilizer, the surface soil that received these fertilizer types and composites from a Haplic Luvisol depth profile under long‐term agricultural practice. Organic fertilizers had significantly smaller δ18OP values than mineral fertilizers. Intriguingly, the fields fertilized organically also tended to have smaller δ18OP signatures than other types of surface soil, which calls into question full isotopic equilibrium at all sites. At depths below 50 cm, the soil δ18OP values were even depleted relative to the values calculated for isotopic equilibrium. This implies that HCl‐extractable phosphates in different soil horizons are of different origins. In addition, it supports the assumption that biological cycling of P by intracellular microbial enzymes might have been relatively inefficient in the deeper subsoil. At depths of 50–80 cm, there was a transition zone of declining δ18OP values, which might be regarded as the first evidence that the degree of biological P cycling changed at this depth interval.
DNAJC13 p.Asn855Ser mutation screening in Parkinson's disease and pathologically confirmed Lewy body disease patients
Authors: Lorenzo‐Betancor O. , Ogaki K. , Soto‐Ortolaza A. I. , Labbe C. , Walton R. L. , Strongosky A. J. , van Gerpen J. A. , Uitti R. J. , McLean P. J. , Springer W. , Siuda J. , Opala G. , Krygowska‐Wajs A. , Barcikowska M. , Czyzewski K. , McCarthy A. , Lynch T. , Puschmann A. , Rektorova I. , Sanotsky Y. , Vilariño‐Güell C. , Farrer M. J. , Ferman T. J. , Boeve B. F. , Petersen R. C. , Parisi J. E. , Graff‐Radford N. R. , Dickson D. W. , Wszolek Z. K. , Ross O. A.
Published: August 2015

Background

Recently, a novel mutation in exon 24 of DNAJC13 gene (p.Asn855Ser, rs387907571) has been reported to cause autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD) in a multi‐incident Mennonite family.

Methods

In the present study the mutation containing exon of the DNAJC13 gene has been sequenced in a Caucasian series consisting of 1938 patients with clinical PD and 838 with pathologically diagnosed Lewy body disease (LBD).

Results

Our sequence analysis did not identify any coding variants in exon 24 of DNAJC13. Two previously described variants in intron 23 (rs200204728 and rs2369796) were observed.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the region surrounding the DNAJC13 p.Asn855Ser substitution is highly conserved and mutations in this exon are not a common cause of PD or LBD among Caucasian populations.
The effect of 7.2% hypertonic saline solution on echocardiographic parameters of healthy horses
Authors: Tavanaeimanesh H. , Dezfouli M. R. M. , Vajhi A. , Rostam A. , Akbarinejad V. , Sadeghian Chaleshtori S. , Corley K. T. T.
Published: August 2015

Reasons for performing study

The cardiovascular effects and duration of action of hypertonic saline are not yet fully understood in the horse.

Objective

To determine the effects of hypertonic saline on cardiac measurements derived from echocardiography over a period of 90 min after infusion in euvolaemic and healthy horses.

Study design

Experimental study.

Methods

Five healthy conscious euvolaemic horses were infused with 5 ml/kg bwt hypertonic saline via a jugular catheter over 1 h. Immediately prior to infusion and at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 90 min after the completion of the infusion, echocardiographic images were obtained from the right parasternal window. The left ventricular internal diameter at end diastole and left ventricular internal diameter in peak systole were measured and ventricular volume measurements were calculated by the Teicholz method. Data were analysed using a mixed effects model, which included horse as a random effect. The effect of observation time was assessed accounting for correlation between observations.

Results

Fractional shortening and ejection fraction increased significantly 40 min after completion of infusion. Left ventricular internal diameter at end diastole, end diastolic volume and stroke volume all followed the same pattern and were increased at 20, 40 and 60 min compared to preinfusion values. There were also significant differences between the 0 and 40, 40 and 90, 60 and 90 time points. Other parameters did not differ significantly between time points.

Conclusions

Hypertonic saline increases end‐diastolic and stroke volume for approximately 1 h after completion of a 60 min infusion in euvolaemic horses. This adds to the evidence available to clinicians regarding the duration of action of hypertonic saline.
Net ecosystem exchange of CO2 with rapidly changing high Arctic landscapes
Authors: Emmerton Craig A. , St. Louis Vincent L. , Humphreys Elyn R. , Gamon John A. , Barker Joel D. , Pastorello Gilberto Z.
Published: August 2015

High Arctic landscapes are expansive and changing rapidly. However, our understanding of their functional responses and potential to mitigate or enhance anthropogenic climate change is limited by few measurements. We collected eddy covariance measurements to quantify the net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 with polar semidesert and meadow wetland landscapes at the highest latitude location measured to date (82°N). We coupled these rare data with ground and satellite vegetation production measurements (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index; NDVI) to evaluate the effectiveness of upscaling local to regional NEE. During the growing season, the dry polar semidesert landscape was a near‐zero sink of atmospheric CO2 (NEE: −0.3 ± 13.5 g C m−2). A nearby meadow wetland accumulated over 300 times more carbon (NEE: −79.3 ± 20.0 g C m−2) than the polar semidesert landscape, and was similar to meadow wetland NEE at much more southerly latitudes. Polar semidesert NEE was most influenced by moisture, with wetter surface soils resulting in greater soil respiration and CO2 emissions. At the meadow wetland, soil heating enhanced plant growth, which in turn increased CO2 uptake. Our upscaling assessment found that polar semidesert NDVI measured on‐site was low (mean: 0.120–0.157) and similar to satellite measurements (mean: 0.155–0.163). However, weak plant growth resulted in poor satellite NDVI–NEE relationships and created challenges for remotely detecting changes in the cycling of carbon on the polar semidesert landscape. The meadow wetland appeared more suitable to assess plant production and NEE via remote sensing; however, high Arctic wetland extent is constrained by topography to small areas that may be difficult to resolve with large satellite pixels. We predict that until summer precipitation and humidity increases enough to offset poor soil moisture retention, climate‐related changes to productivity on polar semideserts may be restricted.
Agrarian Inequality and Civil War Revisited
Authors: Gutierrez Francisco
Published: August 2015

The paper maps the trajectory of the proposition according to which agrarian inequality is somehow associated with the onset and persistence of civil wars. This proposition was dominant in many disciplines in the 1960s and 1970s but was radically challenged by economic/individualistic interpretations of war, which forced it out from the research agenda. However, it has made a strong comeback, allowing many classical themes to be reconsidered. But the present way of linking agrarian inequality to civil war involves new themes and a more complex political economy of violent conflict, as well as different understandings of the relevant inequalities and of the role of institutions, actors, and space. This, in turn, poses complex research questions and methodological challenges.
Porcine recombinant factor VIII (Obizur; OBI‐1; BAX801): product characteristics and preclinical profile
Authors: Lillicrap D. , Schiviz A. , Apostol C. , Wojciechowski P. , Horling F. , Lai C. K. , Piskernik C. , Hoellriegl W. , Lollar P.
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Acquired haemophilia A (AHA) is a rare, often severe, auto‐immune bleeding disorder caused by the development of inhibitory antibodies (inhibitors) to factor VIII (FVIII). Bypassing agents, recombinant activated FVII or activated prothrombin complex concentrate, are currently recommended as first‐line treatments to control bleeding events in patients with AHA.

Aim

A plasma‐derived porcine FVIII (Hyate:C, Ipsen, UK) was used as a first‐line treatment for AHA but was discontinued in 2004 due to viral safety concerns. A recombinant pFVIII (rpFVIII), Obizur (OBI‐1; BAX801), which is expected to have a similar efficacy profile to Hyate:C but with a superior safety profile was developed and recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of AHA.

Methods

Obizur manufacturing begins with the expression of B domain deleted rpFVIII by genetically modified baby hamster kidney‐derived cells. The final purified and lyophilized drug product has a negligible risk of viral contamination and contains no animal‐derived plasma proteins. Obizur was evaluated for immunogenicity, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and bleeding times in preclinical models including in haemophiliac dogs, cynomolgus monkeys and FVIII‐knockout mice.

Results

Preclinical animal studies show that the efficacy and immunogenicity of Obizur are similar to that of Hyate:C and that Obizur has a more favourable safety profile.

Conclusions

Obizur is a highly purified recombinant porcine FVIII drug product that has been demonstrated to have a favourable safety and efficacy profile when compared with Hyate:C and can be a valuable treatment option for control of bleeding in AHA patients.
Sterilization of rotary NiTi instruments within endodontic sponges
Authors: Chan H. W. A. , Tan K. H. , Dashper S. G. , Reynolds E. C. , Parashos P.
Published: August 2015

Aim

To determine whether the following can be sterilized by autoclaving – endodontic sponges, rotary nickel–titanium (NiTi) instruments within endodontic sponges, and rotary NiTi instruments with rubber stoppers.

Methodology

Sixty‐four samples of eight different endodontic sponges (n = 512) were placed into brain heart infusion broth (BHI) for 72 h. An aliquot of this was then spread onto horse blood agar and cultured aerobically and anaerobically to test sterility at purchase. Bacterial suspensions of Enterococcus faecalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Geobacillus stearothermophilus in BHI were used to contaminate sterile sponges and rotary NiTi instruments (with and without rubber stoppers) inserted into sponges. The various samples were autoclaved and then cultured aerobically and anaerobically. Success of sterilization was measured qualitatively as no growth. The experiment was repeated with clinically used rotary NiTi instruments (n = 512). All experiments were conducted in quadruplicate.

Results

No sponges on purchase had microbial growth when anaerobically cultured but some did when aerobically cultured. All autoclaved sponges and instruments (within or without sponges, and with or without rubber stoppers) were associated with no microbial growth. All nonautoclaved positive control samples showed microbial growth.

Conclusions

Autoclaving was effective in the sterilization of sponges and endodontic instruments. Endodontic sponges should be autoclaved before clinical use. For clinical efficiency and cost‐effectiveness, rotary NiTi instruments can be sterilized in endodontic sponges without removal of rubber stoppers.
Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and antibacterial effectiveness of a bioceramic endodontic sealer
Authors: Candeiro G. T. M. , Moura‐Netto C. , D'Almeida‐Couto R. S. , Azambuja‐Júnior N. , Marques M. M. , Cai S. , Gavini G.
Published: August 2015

Aim

To compare the characteristics of bioceramic endodontic sealer EndosequenceBCsealer with those ofAHPlus sealer.

Methodology

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were analysed on human gingival fibroblasts submitted to cell culture medium conditioned by sealers using theMTTreduction assay and micronucleus formation test (MNT), respectively. Cells grown on fresh medium served as controls. Cell viabilities were measured at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. The antibacterial activity was analysed on anEnterococcus faecalisstrain (ATCC29212) using both on agar diffusion test (ADT) and a direct contact test (DCT). The inhibition zones inADTwere measured after 48 h and the colony‐forming units counting in theDCTafter 1, 24, 72 and 168 h. Data were compared byanovaand Tukey's test andMNTby Fisher's exact test (P < 0.05).

Results

Cultures submitted to EndosequenceBCsealer had a significantly higher number of viable cells (P < 0.01) and less micronucleus formation (P < 0.05) thanAHPlus sealer. EndosequenceBCsealer exhibited significantly smaller inhibition zones (6.00 ± 0.03 mm) thanAHPlus sealer (10.31 ± 0.21 mm) (P < 0.05). Moreover, EndosequenceBCsealer had significantly smaller antibacterial activity thanAHPlus sealer up to 1 h of direct contact (P < 0.05). On other exposure times, both materials had similar antibacterial effectiveness (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Bioceramic‐based sealer had less cytotoxicity and genotoxicity and similar antibacterial effect againstE. faecalisin comparison withAHPlus sealer.
Pap smear screening, pap smear abnormalities and psychosocial risk factors among women in a residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility
Authors: Soccio Jacqui , Brown Margaret , Comino Elizabeth , Friesen Emma
Published: August 2015

Aim

To compare rates of late‐ screening, abnormal Pap smears and prevalence of psychosocial factors for cervical cancer between women in the community and women attending a residential drug and alcohol facility.

Background

Women with drug and alcohol addiction experience higher rates of abnormal Pap smears, late‐ or under‐ screening and psychosocial risk factors including domestic violence and sexual assault.

Design

A descriptive cross‐sectional study of women attending publically funded women's health clinics in the community or in a live‐in residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.

Methods

The study was approved in May 2012. Data were collected between October 2012–December 2013 using standardized women's health questionnaires, domestic violence screening tools and Pap smear tests.

Results

Women attending the rehabilitation facility had higher rates of abnormal Pap smears (16·7% vs. 1·6%) and self‐reported history of abnormal Pap smears (44·4% vs. 20·6%). They also reported higher rates of smoking (72·2% vs. 29·2%), experience of sexual assault (44·1% vs. 16·9%), experience of domestic violence (65·7% vs. 10·9%) and other psychosocial risk factors, than women living in the general community. Unexpectedly, women in the rehabilitation facility reported similar levels of late screening as women in the community (52·8% vs. 55·4%).

Conclusion

Women with drug and alcohol addiction have significantly higher incidence of risk factors for cervical cancer and abnormal Pap smears. Provision of opportunistic cervical cancer screening during residential treatment appears to reduce incidence of late‐screening. Roles of Women's Health Nurses in providing services to vulnerable women should be explored further.
The impact of persistence with bisphosphonates on health resource utilization and fracture risk in the UK: a study of patient records from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink
Authors: Ferguson Samara , Feudjo Tepie Maurille , Taylor Andrew , Roddam Andrew , Critchlow Cathy , Iqbal Mazhar , Spangler Leslie , Bayly Jonathan
Published: August 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Clinical trial data suggest that patients who have received bisphosphonates continue to benefit from them after discontinuation. However, data from real‐world clinical practice are inconclusive. We assessed the impact of persistence and discontinuation on health resource utilization (HRU) and fracture rate in women who were prescribed oral bisphosphonates.

Method

The study used data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Women aged 50 years or older with a first prescription of oral bisphosphonate therapy between January 2000 and December 2007 were included. Multivariate modelling compared rate ratios for fracture and HRU between patients who had discontinued medication (shorter persistence group) and patients who took their medication for longer (longer persistence group). The interactions of elapsed time (measured as 6‐month intervals) with HRU and with fracture rate for all patients within paired groups were also assessed.

Results

Overall, 36 320 patients were included. Pairwise comparisons showed that HRU and fracture rates were lower in longer persistence groups than in shorter persistence groups. Analysis by 6‐month interval showed that, across all patients in persistence group pairs, HRU significantly increased for each additional 6 months elapsed; trends towards increased risk of fracture were also seen.

Conclusion

In contrast to results from clinical trials, in this patient population the protective effect of oral bisphosphonates after discontinuation was not sufficient to reduce HRU and fracture rates to the levels that would be seen if patients had continued on therapy. Reducing the rate of treatment discontinuation may decrease the burden that osteoporosis places on both patients and health care systems.
Biocontrol of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Turkish Raw Meatball by Bacteriophage
Authors: Gencay Yilmaz Emre , Ayaz Naim Deniz , Copuroglu Gizem , Erol Irfan
Published: August 2015

With an Escherichia coli O157:H7 virulent bacteriophage, M8AEC16, biocontrol efficiency of phages on a highly risky, ready‐to‐eat, traditional delicacy food called “raw meatball” under different storage conditions was investigated. Phage, belonging to the Myoviridae family, was isolated from the wastewater of a local slaughterhouse and showed a broad lytic activity toward many E. coli O157:H7 strains with high efficiency of plating and O157 specificity. Our experimental study provided favorable results, with 0.69–2.09 log colony‐forming unit (cfu)/g E. coli O157:H7 reductions in the first 5 h of the replica trials. Major reductions of viable E. coli O157:H7 counts were observed in the beginning of the storage period, reaching up to 1.85 log cfu/g. Although a significant reduction in E. coli O157:H7 was observed with increased phage concentration, storage conditions had minor effect on efficiency of phage biocontrol. This is the first study in Turkey that investigates applicability of phage biocontrol for a traditional food model.

Practical Applications

Phage addition in preparation stage of a very complex food model, ready‐to‐eat Turkish raw meatball, is a promising application in decontamination of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Although investigation of its genomic characteristics along with its stability to different food matrices must be completed for further use of the model phage M8AEC16, findings of this work were encouraging, as phages are valuable in biocontrol of important foodborne in this ready‐to‐eat Turkish delicacy.
Classification of Streptococcus thermophilus Phages Originating from Turkey
Authors: Acar‐Soykut Esra , Tunail Nezihe
Published: August 2015

In this study, 26 Streptococcus thermophilus phages were classified according to their structural protein patterns and DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism. Furthermore, sensitivities of natural and commercial S. thermophilus strains to S. thermophilus phages were investigated. All the natural strains were found to be resistant to the phages. The electrophoretic profiles of the structural proteins of S. thermophilus phages were identified according to the two common major bands at 30.6 and 27.3 kDa. Various restriction endonucleases were used to digest S. thermophilus phages that were differentiated into eight subgroups depending on the length of EcoRV digestion. A phylogenetic tree was designed using fragments of EcoRV digestion. The results showed that all phages derived from a common ancestor and some of them were differentiated from each other over time.

Practical Applications

Like other microorganisms, it is necessary to identify and classify the phages in order to follow their evolutionary development. Besides, the characterization of these phages is also important for determining the rotation program of the culture in dairy factory. In this study, the phages isolated from different dairy products were identified and classified according to their properties.
Self‐Reported Memory Failures: Associations with Future Dementia in a Population‐Based Study with Long‐Term Follow‐Up
Authors: Rönnlund Michael , Sundström Anna , Adolfsson Rolf , Nilsson Lars‐Göran
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To examine the association between self‐reported memory failures and incident dementia in individuals aged 60 and older.

Design

Longitudinal, community based.

Setting

Betula Prospective Cohort Study, a population‐based study in Umeå, Sweden.

Participants

Individuals with a mean age of 71.5 ± 8.8 (range 60–90) (N = 1,547).

Measurements

Participants rated the frequency of everyday memory failures using the 16‐item Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) and underwent objective memory testing at baseline. Participant self‐reports of complaints of poor memory by family and friends were evaluated. Dementia status was followed‐up for 10 to 12 years.

Results

Over the study period, 225 participants developed dementia (132 with Alzheimer′s disease (AD)). In Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for demographic factors, PRMQz‐scores predicted incident dementia (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.21 for all‐cause dementia; HR = 1.25 for AD, Ps < .01). The significant associations remained when depressive symptoms and objective memory performance were adjusted for, when low performers on objective memory (≥1 standard deviations below the age group mean) were excluded, and in analyses with delayed entry (survival time ≥ 5 years). Similar patterns were observed for the prospective and retrospective subscales, although including how often participants self‐reported that others complained about their poor memory eliminated the association between PRMQ scores and dementia and itself emerged as a significant predictor.

Conclusion

Self‐reported memory failure predicted future dementia or AD independent of objective memory performance. Subjective reports of complaints by family and friends appear to be an even more‐important indicator of preclinical impairments, and physicians should not ignore them, even in the absence of objective memory deficits.
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet and New and Recurrent Root Caries Events in Men
Authors: Kaye Elizabeth K. , Heaton Brenda , Sohn Woosung , Rich Sharron E. , Spiro Avron , Garcia Raul I.
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To examine the effect of overall dietary quality on number of teeth with new or recurrent root caries events during follow‐up (root caries increment).

Design

Prospective study with dental examinations approximately every 3 years over 20 years.

Setting

Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study in greater Boston, Massachusetts, area.

Participants

Men aged 47 to 90 (N = 533).

Measurements

A single calibrated examiner assessed root caries and restorations, calculus, probing pocket depth, and attachment loss on each tooth at each examination. The adjusted root caries increment (root‐ADJCI) was computed from new and recurrent root caries events on teeth with recession of 2 mm or more. Dietary information was obtained from food frequency questionnaires. An adherence score was computed by comparing consumption frequency of 10 food groups (fruits, vegetables, total dairy, low‐fat dairy, meat, total grains, high‐fiber grains, legumes, fats, sweets) from the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet guidelines. Mean root‐ADJCIs were compared according to DASH adherence score quartile using generalized linear negative binomial regression models, controlling for age, number of teeth at risk of root caries, time at risk of root caries, calculus, presence of removable denture, history of dental prophylaxis, body mass index, and smoking status.

Results

Men with DASH adherence scores in the highest quartile had a 30% lower mean root‐ADJCI (1.86 teeth) than those in the lowest quartile (2.68 teeth) (P = .03). Root‐ADJCI was lower with greater adherence to recommendations for vegetables and total grains and greater with greater sugar‐sweetened carbonated beverage consumption. Root caries incidence rate did not vary significantly between quartiles.

Conclusion

A higher‐quality diet may reduce root caries risk in older men.
Modelling mesoporous alumina microstructure with 3D random models of platelets
Authors: WANG H. , PIETRASANTA A. , JEULIN D. , WILLOT F. , FAESSEL M. , SORBIER L. , MOREAUD M.
Published: August 2015

This work focuses on a mesoporous material made up of nanometric alumina ‘platelets’ of unknown shape. We develope a 3D random microstructure to model the porous material, based on 2D transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, without prior knowledge on the spatial distribution of alumina inside the material. The TEM images, acquired on samples with thickness 300 nm, a scale much larger than the platelets's size, are too blurry and noisy to allow one to distinguish platelets or platelets aggregates individually. In a first step, the TEM images correlation function and integral range are estimated. The presence of long‐range fluctuations, due to the TEM inhomogeneous detection, is detected and corrected by filtering. The corrected correlation function is used as a morphological descriptor for the model. After testing a Boolean model of platelets, a two‐scale model of microstructure is introduced to replicate the statistical dispersion of platelets observed on TEM images. Accordingly, a set of two‐scale Boolean models with varying physically admissible platelets shapes is proposed. Upon optimization, the model takes into account the dispersion of platelets in the microstructure as observed on TEM images. Comparing it to X‐ray diffraction and nitrogen porosimetry data, the model is found to be in good agreement with the material in terms of specific surface area.
Three‐dimensional image analytical detection of intussusceptive pillars in murine lung
Authors: FÖHST S. , WAGNER W. , ACKERMANN M. , REDENBACH C. , SCHLADITZ K. , WIRJADI O. , YSASI A.B. , MENTZER S.J. , KONERDING M.A.
Published: August 2015

A variety of diseases can lead to loss of lung tissue. Currently, this can be treated only symptomatically. In mice, a complete compensatory lung growth within 21 days after resection of the left lung can be observed. Understanding and transferring this concept of compensatory lung growth to humans would greatly improve therapeutic options. Lung growth is always accompanied by a process called angiogenesis forming new capillary blood vessels from preexisting ones. Among the processes during lung growth, the formation of transluminal tissue pillars within the capillary vessels (intussusceptive pillars) is observed. Therefore, pillars can be understood as an indicator for active angiogenesis and microvascular remodelling. Thus, their detection is very valuable when aiming at characterization of compensatory lung growth. In a vascular corrosion cast, these pillars appear as small holes that pierce the vessels. So far, pillars were detected visually only based on 2D images. Our approach relies on high‐resolution synchrotron microcomputed tomographic images. With a voxel size of 370 nm we exploit the spatial information provided by this imaging technique and present the first algorithm to semiautomatically detect intussusceptive pillars. An at least semiautomatic detection is essential in lung research, as manual pillar detection is not feasible due to the complexity and size of the 3D structure. Using our algorithm, several thousands of pillars can be detected and subsequently analysed, e.g. regarding their spatial arrangement, size and shape with an acceptable amount of human interaction. In this paper, we apply our novel pillar detection algorithm to compute pillar densities of different specimens. These are prepared such that they show different growing states. Comparing the corresponding pillar densities allows to investigate lung growth over time.
Automatic quantification of mitochondrial fragmentation from two‐photon microscope images of mouse brain tissue
Authors: LIHAVAINEN E. , KISLIN M. , TOPTUNOV D. , KHIROUG L. , RIBEIRO A.S.
Published: August 2015

The morphology of mitochondria can inform about their functional state and, thus, about cell vitality. For example, fragmentation of the mitochondrial network is associated with many diseases. Recent advances in neuronal imaging have enabled the observation of mitochondria in live brains for long periods of time, enabling the study of their dynamics in animal models of diseases. To aid these studies, we developed an automatic method, based on supervised learning, for quantifying the degree of mitochondrial fragmentation in tissue images acquired via two‐photon microscopy from transgenic mice, which exclusively express Enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP) under Thy1 promoter, targeted to the mitochondrial matrix in subpopulations of neurons. We tested the method on images prior to and after cardiac arrest, and found it to be sensitive to significant changes in mitochondrial morphology because of the arrest. We conclude that the method is useful in detecting morphological abnormalities in mitochondria and, likely, in other subcellular structures as well.
Enlarged Optic Nerve Sheath in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage despite Normal Intracranial Pressure
Authors: Bäuerle Jochen , Niesen Wolf‐Dirk , Egger Karl , Buttler Klaus‐Jürgen , Reinhard Matthias
Published: August 2015

INTRODUCTION

This study investigates the diagnostic value of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) assessed by transorbital sonography for estimation of intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

Simultaneous measurements of the ONSD and ICP in 27 patients suffering from SAH and acute hydrocephalus after placement of an extraventricular drain.

RESULTS

Despite normal mean ICP values ONSD was significantly higher in patients with SAH compared with healthy volunteers and no relevant decline of ONSD over time could be identified. In addition, no correlation between ONSD and ICP was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with SAH and acute hydrocephalus after aneurysm rupture, the ONSD remains expanded after normalization of ICP. This is most likely due to an impaired retraction capability of the optic nerve sheath. This finding should be considered when using transorbital sonography in the neuromonitoring of aneurysmal SAH.
The predictable narwhal: satellite tracking shows behavioural similarities between isolated subpopulations
Authors: Heide‐Jørgensen M. P. , Nielsen N. H. , Hansen R. G. , Schmidt H. C. , Blackwell S. B. , Jørgensen O. A.
Published: August 2015

Comparison of behavioural similarities between subpopulations of species that have been isolated for a long time is important for understanding the general ecology of species that are under pressure from large‐scale changes in habitats. Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) east and west ofGreenland are examples of separated populations that, in different ocean parts, will be coping with similar anthropogenic and climate‐driven habitat alterations. To study this, 28 narwhals from theScoresbySound fjord system were tracked by satellite in 2010–2013. The average duration of contact with the whales was 124 days with one tag lasting 305 days and one whale recaptured <1 km from its tagging site 366 days later. All whales exhibited the same migratory pattern. The whales departed from the summering grounds inScoresbySound inSeptember and arrived at the edge of the continental shelf byNovember. Here, they stayed throughMay–June and conducted daily dives to the mesopelagic zone at ∼1000 m depth. Despite the isolation by the landmass ofGreenland and the genetic differentiation from other narwhal populations, there is still a remarkable similarity not just in behavioural traits like phenology of migrations and movements in relation to sea ice formation, but also in site fidelity, diving behaviour, feeding ecology, habitat selection, daily travel speed and even potential conflicts with fisheries forGreenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides).Greenland halibut are likely target prey during the deep dives in winter but capelin (Mallotus villosus) may, with ocean warming, become of increasing importance. The ocean‐wide predictability in culturally inherited migration patterns, size of wintering grounds and habitat selection among narwhal populations is certainly different from otherArctic cetaceans and renders narwhals more vulnerable to large‐scale changes in their restricted and specialized habitats.
Captured in ‘continental archipelago’: phylogenetic and environmental framework of cranial variation in the European snow vole
Authors: Kryštufek B. , Klenovšek T. , Amori G. , Janžekovič F.
Published: August 2015

Fragmented landscapes entail important consequences for the evolution of the species confined to them. Isolation of population fragments accelerates selection for narrow local conditions and facilitates morphological divergence. Throughout its range, the European snow vole Chionomys nivalis is restricted to fractured, rocky substrate in mountain regions, which is naturally fragmented into ‘continental archipelagos’. Consequently, its extensive morphological and genetic diversity was categorized into about 20 traditional subspecies and at least eight allopatric phylogenetic lineages. In this study, we aimed toward an integrative understanding of cranial variation throughout the European snow vole range. We analyzed seven linear cranial variables on 326 adult skulls from 27 populations belonging to eight phylogenetic lineages. We confirmed significant variation among the fragmented populations but retrieved little meaningful patterning in morphometric variability. Phenetic distances among populations were not related to the phylogenetic architecture of the species, and traditional subspecies were at odds with morphologically diagnosable populations. The lack of an association between morphometric and geographic distances argued against isolation by distance. Furthermore, mean size did not correlate with climatic variables. Morphological principal components 2 and 3 (loaded by the interorbital width and length of neurocranium, respectively) correlated significantly with geographic coordinates and climatic variables. Shape variables discriminated between the abulensis and nivalis phylogroups, and the European and Asiatic populations, but the largest phylogroups (nivalis and malyi) showed high interpopulation heterogeneity and classification accuracy was low. We suggest that cranial shape or size do not incorporate a signal that is strong enough to be of reliable use for subspecific taxonomy. Skull is seemingly prone to vary according to narrow local conditions, which distorts the underlying phylogenetic signal. A small‐scale approach, with detailed knowledge of environmental parameters within each habitat fragment, might be more appropriate for a species whose range is actually a continental archipelago.
Owl pellets: a wise DNA source for small mammal genetics
Authors: Guimaraes S. , Fernandez‐Jalvo Y. , Stoetzel E. , Gorgé O. , Bennett E. A. , Denys C. , Grange T. , Geigl E.‐M.
Published: August 2015

Pellets of raptors are an important source for the study of the taxonomy, phylogeography and ecological diversity of small vertebrates. Since birds of prey are efficient collecting agents for both rare species and those reluctant to enter traps, they offer an important complement to traditional trapping efforts in the field. The possibility of using bones and teeth recovered from pellets as a convenient alternative DNA source for genetic studies requires a more complete understanding of the DNA preservation of these partially digested remains. It is not yet clear, for example, to which degree DNA is preserved and how heterogeneous DNA preservation is in the different skeletal remains found in pellets since systematic quantitative analyses are missing. Here, we attempt to improve this knowledge by quantifying the degradation of DNA during the digestion process of raptors using 62 individual rodent bones and teeth from different pellets. We show a very high variability in DNA preservation between bones. Interestingly, variability between bones within the same pellet is much higher than that found between pellets, which has major consequences for genetic studies as it implies that bones from the same pellet that could belong to different individuals/species should be tested individually when multiple markers are analyzed. We find that neither the identity of the skeletal part nor microscopic observation of the degree of digestion are useful proxies for DNA preservation, and we thus recommend the use of screening strategies to identify the most suitable bones to include in analyses. We conclude that pellets of owls, whether freshly collected or from natural history collections, can be a practical noninvasive source for genetic studies of small vertebrates provided the design of the study takes into account the short DNA molecule length, the low quantity of DNA preserved and the heterogeneity in DNA preservation.
The Differential Earnings and Income Effects of Involuntary Job Loss on Workers with Disabilities — Evidence from Sweden
Authors: Angelov Nikolay , Eliason Marcus
Published: August 2015

People with disabilities are consistently found to face considerable difficulties in the labour market. In this study we investigated whether their earnings and income trajectories are more adversely affected in case of involuntary job loss. Earnings of those with and without disabilities began to diverge already several years prior to job loss because of larger incidence of sickness. Following job loss much more job losers with disabilities became disability retirees resulting in a considerable and seemingly permanent earnings differential. However, larger uptake of public social insurances among job losers with disabilities resulted in a much smaller income differential.
Transcriptome analysis of Streptococcus gordonii Challis DL1 indicates a role for the biofilm‐associated fruRBA operon in response to Candida albicans
Authors: Jesionowski A.M. , Mansfield J.M. , Brittan J.L. , Jenkinson H.F. , Vickerman M.M.
Published: August 2015

Multiple levels of interkingdom signaling have been implicated in maintaining the ecological balance between Candida albicans and commensal streptococci to assure a state of oral health. To better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the initial streptococcal response to the presence of C. albicans that can initiate oral surface colonization and biofilm formation, hypha‐forming cells were incubated with Streptococcus gordonii cells for 30 min to assess the streptococcal transcriptome response. A genome‐wide microarray analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation of S. gordonii transcripts identified a number of genes, the majority of which were involved in metabolic functions that were differentially expressed in the presence of hyphae. The fruR, fruB, and fruA genes encoding the transcriptional regulator, fructose‐1‐phosphate kinase, and fructose‐specific permease, respectively, of the phosphoenolpyruvate‐dependent fructose phosphotransferase system, were consistently upregulated. An S. gordonii mutant in which these genes were deleted by allelic replacement formed an architecturally distinct, less robust biofilm with C. albicans than did parental strain cells. Complementing the mutant with plasmid borne fruR, fruB, and fruA genes caused phenotype reversion, indicating that the genes in this operon played a role in dual‐species biofilm formation. This genome‐wide analysis of the S. gordonii transcriptional response to C. albicans has identified several genes that have potential roles in interkingdom signaling and responses.