bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between being overweight and oral health in Serbian schoolchildren
Authors: Markovic Dejan , Ristic‐Medic Danijela , Vucic Vesna , Mitrovic Goran , Nikolic Ivosevic Jelena , Peric Tamara , Karadzic Ivana
Published: December 2014

Background

Childhood obesity, dental caries, and periodontal disease are major public health problems due to their adverse impact on the growth and development of children.

Aim

To examine the association between nutritional status, oral health, and lifestyle habits among schoolchildren in Serbia.

Design

This cross‐sectional study assessed 422 children and adolescents aged 6–18 years with the following dental indexes analyzed: DMF/dmf (decayed, missed, and filled teeth), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI). Depending on their nutritional status, the subjects were categorized, as being ‘normal weight,’ ‘at risk of overweight,’ and ‘overweight.’ Logistic regression was applied to study the association between the dental indexes and independent variables: gender, age, toothbrushing, nutritional status, and lifestyle factors.

Results

Being overweight positively correlated with GI, but negatively correlated with the DMF/dmf index among the participants. Multivariate analysis showed a strong association between the weight category and toothbrushing with GI and PI. Overweight children (6–11 years) were less likely to have caries, whereas in older children/adolescents (12–18 years), caries was associated with the intake of sugar‐sweetened juices.

Conclusions

Being overweight was found to be significantly associated with a higher probability of developing gingivitis and negatively associated with caries prevalence in Serbian children and adolescents.
Influence of professional experience on detection and treatment decision of occlusal caries lesions in primary teeth
Authors: Bussaneli Diego Girotto , Boldieri Thalita , Diniz Michele Baffi , Lima Rivera Luciana Monti , Santos‐Pinto Lourdes , Cordeiro Rita De Cássia Loiola
Published: December 2014

Aim

To evaluate the influence of examiner's clinical experience on detection and treatment decision of caries lesions in primary molars.

Design

Three experienced dentists (Group A) and three undergraduate students (Group B) used the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) criteria and bitewing radiographs (BW) to perform examinations twice in 77 primary molars that presented a sound or carious occlusal surface. For the treatment decision (TD), the examiners attributed scores, analyzing the teeth in conjunction with the radiographs. The presence and the depth of lesion were validated histologically, and reproducibility was evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the ROC curve values were calculated for ICDAS and BW. The associations between ICDAS, BW, and TD were analyzed by means of contingency tables.

Results

Interexaminer agreement for ICDAS, BW, and TD were excellent for Group B and moderate for Group A. The two groups presented similar and satisfactory performance for caries lesion detection using ICDAS and BW. In the treatment decision, Group A was shown to have a less invasive approach than Group B.

Conclusion

The examiner's experience was not determinant for the clinical and radiographic detection of occlusal lesions in primary teeth but influenced the treatment decision of initial lesions.
The dental health of children subject to a child protection plan
Authors: Keene Emily J. , Skelton Ruth , Day Peter F. , Munyombwe Theresa , Balmer Richard C.
Published: December 2014

Background

In the United Kingdom, child maltreatment is an area of increased awareness and concern.

Aim

To compare the dental health of children subject to child protection plans with controls.

Design

Children had to be aged between two and 11 years, medically healthy, and subject either to a child protection plan or attending the paediatric outpatient orthopaedic or general surgery clinics (control group). All children had a standardized oral examination.

Results

Seventy‐nine children were examined in each group. Children with child protection plans had statistically higher levels of primary tooth decay than controls (mean dmft 3.82 and 2.03, Mann–Whitney U test P = 0.002). After adjusting for socioeconomic status, the incidence rate ratios for the occurrence of dental caries in the primary dentition in children with a child protection plan was 1.76 (95% CI: 1.44–2.15) relative to the controls. There was no statistical difference in the levels of permanent tooth decay between the study and control groups (mean DMFT 0.71 and 0.30, respectively). The care index was significantly lower (P = 0.008, Mann–Whitney U test) in the study group (1.69%) compared to the control group (6.02%).

Conclusions

Children subject to child protection plans had significantly higher levels of dental caries in the primary dentition.
Croatian dentists' knowledge, experience, and attitudes in regard to child abuse and neglect
Authors: Cukovic‐Bagic Ivana , Dumancic Jelena , Kujundzic Tiljak Mirjana , Drvaric Iva , Boric Biserka , Kopic Vlatko , Krupic Ivana , Bakarcic Danko , Budimir Marijo , Welbury Richard R.
Published: December 2014

Background

Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a widespread social phenomenon encompassing all forms of maltreatment with serious lifelong consequences. Dentists and dental team members are in the unique position to identify the symptoms of CAN often visible in craniofacial region.

Aim

To evaluate Croatian dentists' level of knowledge, experience, and attitude towards CAN issue.

Design

Investigation was conducted in five major Croatian cities (Zagreb, Varaždin, Osijek, Rijeka, and Split). A previously used questionnaire regarding knowledge and experience in child protection was adopted to Croatian terminology and distributed to 544 dentists.

Results

A total of 510 dentists who returned a questionnaire with valid data 26.27% reported to have had suspicion of CAN during professional career and 5.1% reported their suspicion within the last 6 months, mostly to social services and police. Fear of violence towards the child and uncertainty about observations were the most frequently reported barriers towards referring and only 11.4% knew the procedure. About 80% of respondents want further training in identifying and reporting of physical abuse.

Conclusions

Study showed a lack of knowledge and uncertainty in recognizing and reporting CAN cases in Croatian dentists. They expressed the need for undergraduate and post‐graduate continuing education on this issue.
Influence of Particle Size on Nonisothermal Crystallization in a Lithium Disilicate Glass
Authors: Marques Leyliane E. , Costa Alberth M. C. , Crovace Murilo C. , Rodrigues Ana C. M. , Cabral Aluisio A.
Published: December 2014

In this study, lithium disilicate (LS2) glass samples with different particle sizes ranging from less than 105 to 850 μm were prepared. These specimens were inserted in a Pt‐Rh DSC crucible and heated to 850°C at different rates (ϕ = 0.5–30 K/min) to identify their crystallization peaks. The activation energies for the overall crystallization (E) and the Avrami coefficient (n) were evaluated using different nonisothermal models. Specifically, n was evaluated using the Augis–Benett model and the Ozawa method, and E was evaluated using the Kissinger and Ligero methods. As expected, the coarse particles mainly crystallized in the volume, while surface crystallization was predominant in the samples with particle sizes of less than 350 μm. This result was confirmed through SEM analysis of the double stage heat‐treated samples. In contrast with previous studies, our results demonstrated that the activation energy decreased as the particle size increased. In addition, no clear correlation between the peak intensity (δTp) and the particle size was observed.
Instability in patient and nurse characteristics, unit complexity and patient and system outcomes
Authors: Duffield Christine M. , Roche Michael A. , Dimitrelis Sofia , Homer Caroline , Buchan James
Published: December 2014

Aims

To explore key factors related to nursing unit instability, complexity and patient and system outcomes.

Background

The relationship between nurse staffing and quality of patient outcomes is well known. The nursing unit is an important but different aspect that links to complexity and to system and patient outcomes. The relationship between the instability, complexity and outcomes needs further exploration.

Design

Descriptive.

Methods

Data were collected via a nurse survey, unit profile and review of patient records on 62 nursing units (wards) across three states of Australia between 2008–2010. Two units with contrasting levels of patient and nurse instability and negative system and patient outcomes, were profiled in detail from the larger sample.

Results

Ward A presented with greater patient stability (low occupancy, high planned admissions, few ICU transfers, fewer changes to patient acuity/work re‐sequencing) and greater nurse instability (nurses changing units, fewer full‐time staff, more temporary/casual staff) impacting system outcomes negatively (high staff turnover). In contrast, Ward B had greater patient instability, however, more nurse stability (greater experienced and permanent staff, fewer casuals), resulting in high rates for falls, medication errors and other adverse patient outcomes with lower rates for system outcomes (lower intention to leave).

Conclusion

Instability in patient and nurse factors can contribute to ward complexity with potentially negative patient outcomes. The findings highlight the variation of many aspects of the system where nurses work and the importance of nursing unit managers and senior nurse executives in managing ward complexity.
Therapeutic inferences for individual patients
Authors: Flores Luis
Published: December 2014

Rationale, aims and objectives

Increased awareness of the gap between controlled research and medical practice has raised concerns over whether the special attention of doctors to probability estimates from clinical trials really improves the care of individuals. Evidence‐based medicine has acknowledged that research results are not applicable to all kinds of patients, and consequently, has attempted to overcome this limitation by introducing improvements in the design and analysis of clinical trials.

Methods

A clinical case is used to highlight the premises required to support reasonable extrapolations from controlled research to individuals. Then, the prospects of two key methodological improvements – pragmatic randomized controlled trials and subgroup analysis – are critically appraised.

Results

A principle to guide therapeutic inferences is suggested. According to this principle, the probabilities of interest for purposes of therapeutic decision making are those of the set defined by everything that is relevant to the patient and the outcome of interest at the time of the decision. It is argued that the conditions necessary to authorize automatic extrapolations of research results to specific patients are highly demanding. Furthermore, these requirements are rarely accomplished in real practice, even in the event that probability estimates come from samples generally taken as representative and are derived from specific subsets of patients.

Conclusions

Clinicians should generally avoid unreflective extrapolations from research and address, as explicitly as possible, the challenge of estimating probabilities for individual patients. A key element of this task is the integration of data from research and non‐research sources.
ScatterJ: An ImageJ plugin for the evaluation of analytical microscopy datasets
Authors: ZEITVOGEL F. , SCHMID G. , HAO L. , INGINO P. , OBST M.
Published: December 2014

We present ScatterJ, an ImageJ plugin that allows for extracting qualitative as well as quantitative information from analytical microscopy datasets. A large variety of analytical microscopy methods are used to obtain spatially resolved chemical information. The resulting datasets are often large and complex, and can contain information that is not obvious or directly accessible. ScatterJ extends and complements existing methods to extract information on correlation and colocalization from pairs of species‐specific or element‐specific maps. We demonstrate the possibilities to extract information using example datasets from biogeochemical studies, although the plugin is not restricted to this type of research. The information that we could extract from our existing data helped to further our understanding of biogeochemical processes such as mineral formation or heavy metal sorption. ScatterJ can be used for a variety of different two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) datasets such as energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy maps, 3D confocal laser scanning microscopy maps, and 2D scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy maps.
Side of ovarian endometrioma does not affect the outcome of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection in infertile women after laparoscopic cystectomy
Authors: Yu Hsing‐Tse , Huang Hong‐Yuan , Lee Chyi‐Long , Soong Yung‐Kuei , Wang Chin‐Jung
Published: December 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the laterality of ovarian endometrioma on pregnancy outcome of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) in infertile patients undergoing laparoscopic cystectomy.

Material and Methods

A total of 103 IVF/ICSI cycles in patients who had undergone laparoscopic cystectomy for unilateral endometriomas were reviewed retrospectively from January 2005 through December 2009. There were 41 cycles where laparoscopic cystectomy had been carried out for right endometriomas and 62 cycles after left‐side surgery. Primary outcome measures were ovarian reserve and ovarian response. Secondary outcome measures were the implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate.

Results

There was no difference among the two groups with regard to antral follicle count, number of oocytes retrieved, the dosage of gonadotrophin, estradiol level on human chorionic gonadotrophin day, good‐quality embryos for transfer, and fertilization rate. The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were similar between the two groups; however, the implantation rate was significantly lower in the cycles with left‐side ovarian endometrioma compared to the right counterpart (10.1% vs 20.2%; P = 0.015).

Conclusion

There were no associations among the laterality of ovarian endometrioma, ovarian reserve and ovarian response in IVF/ICSI cycles. However, left ovarian endometrioma after laparoscopic cystectomy may impair implantation rate as compared to right ovarian endometrioma.
Vaginal carcinoma in a young woman who underwent fertility‐sparing treatment involving chemotherapy and conservative surgery
Authors: Mabuchi Yasushi , Yahata Tamaki , Kobayashi Aya , Tanizaki Yuko , Minami Sawako , Ino Kazuhiko
Published: December 2014

Vaginal carcinoma is a rare gynecological malignancy that is usually treated by radiation therapy and/or surgery combined with chemotherapy. Here, we report a case of invasive vaginal carcinoma in a young woman who underwent fertility‐sparing treatment involving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and conservative surgery. A 36‐year‐old non‐parous woman had a solid tumor in the vagina. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed a tumor in the vagina with high FDG uptake (SUV = 17.33) but no metastatic lesions. The patient was diagnosed with vaginal squamous cell carcinoma, FIGO stage I, T1N0M0. Because she wished to retain her fertility, neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of irinotecan hydrochloride and nedaplatin was initiated. After four courses of chemotherapy, partial vaginectomy was carried out and the pathological diagnosis of the residual lesion was VAIN 3. Following two further courses of the same chemotherapy, she obtained complete response, and has shown no evidence of disease for 14 months.
Decreased β‐catenin expression in first‐trimester villi and decidua of patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion
Authors: Li Shuhong , Li Ning , Zhu Peng , Wang Yanwei , Tian Yongjie , Wang Xietong
Published: December 2014

Aim

We aimed to study the relation between Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway and recurrent spontaneous abortion through investigating the expression of β‐catenin and Dickkof‐1 in first‐trimester villi and decidua of recurrent spontaneous abortion patients.

Material and Methods

Villous and decidual tissues were collected from 40 women (20 patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion and 20 patients with normal, early pregnancy). Western blots were used to measure the protein levels of β‐catenin in villi and decidua, and the localization of β‐catenin was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the mRNA levels of β‐catenin and Dickkof‐1 in villi and decidua, respectively.

Results

Our results indicated that β‐catenin was expressed predominantly in plasma membranes of the villous cytotrophoblasts and glandular epithelium. What's more, its expression significantly decreased at both mRNA and protein levels, whereas the mRNA levels of Dickkof‐1 significantly increased in villi and decidua of the recurrent spontaneous abortion group compared with the normal control group.

Conclusion

We therefore speculated that the downregulated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway might be associated with the process of the pathogenesis of recurrent spontaneous abortion.
Conservative adenomyomectomy with transient occlusion of uterine arteries for diffuse uterine adenomyosis
Authors: Kwon Yong‐Soon , Roh Hyun Jin , Ahn Jun Woo , Lee Sang‐Hun , Im Kyong Shil
Published: December 2014

Aim

This study aimed to determine the feasibility and safety of adenomyomectomy with transient occlusion of uterine arteries (TOUA) in patients with symptomatic diffuse uterine adenomyosis.

Material and Methods

Twenty‐six patients with symptomatic diffuse uterine adenomyosis underwent adenomyomectomy with TOUA by a single surgeon at Ulsan University Hospital between May 2011 and September 2012. Surgical outcomes included operative time, intraoperative injury to blood vessels, nerves, and pelvic organs and operative blood loss. We assessed the degree of improvement in dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia at the 4‐month follow‐up after completion of adjuvant gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone agonist.

Results

The mean age of patients was 37.73 years (range, 27–49 years). The mean total surgical time was 95.0 min (range, 60–145 min; SD, 34.49). The mean estimated blood loss was 191.54 mL (range, 80–400 mL; SD, 110.91) and there were no cases of injury to the uterine arteries or pelvic nerves. The mean time of TOUA was 9.79 min (range, 6–16 min; SD, 2.74). The mean duration of hospital stay was 5.65 days (range, 4–7 days; SD, 0.85). There were no major complications requiring reoperation or readministration during the mean follow‐up period of 13.5 months. At the 7‐month follow‐up after adenomyomectomy with TOUA, complete remission of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia was observed in 94.4% and 100% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Adenomyomectomy with TOUA could be a safe and effective surgical method in women with symptomatic diffuse uterine adenomyosis to preserve fertility.
Comparison of molar intrusion efficiency and bone density by CT in patients with different vertical facial morphology
Authors: Ding W.H. , Li W. , Chen F. , Zhang J. F , Lv Y. , Chen X.Y. , Lin W.W. , Fu Z. , Shi J.J.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between molar intrusion efficiency and bone density in patients with different vertical facial morphology. Thirty‐six female patients, with overerupted upper first molars, were divided into two groups according to mandiblular plane angle (FH‐MP): hyperdivergent, FH‐MP>30° (G1), hypodivergent, FH‐MP<22° (G2). Mini‐screw implants with elastic chains were used to intrude upper first molars. Spiral CT was used to measure the intrusion degree of upper first molar and bone density, and molar intrusion efficiency was calculated as amount/duration (mm month−1). In addition, each tooth was divided into three portions (cervical, furcation and apical) to measure the bone density. It was found in this study that treatment duration was 3·13 and 4·71 months in G1 and G2 and that the intrusion efficiency was 1·57 and 0·81 in G1 and G2 with significant difference (P < 0·05). There were significant differences in cervical, furcation and apical bone density between two groups (P < 0·05). The bone density was significantly reduced after molar intrusion. In addition, the bone density change was greater in G1 than in G2 (P < 0·05). It was concluded that molars were more easily to be intruded in hyperdivergent than in hypodivergent patients. The difference of bone density and bone density changes during intrusion may account for the variation of molar intrusion efficiency.
Limiting Amino Acids in Practical Diets for California Yellowtail, Seriola lalandi
Authors: Jirsa Dave O. , Stuart Kevin R. , Salze Guillaume P. , Rhodes Melanie A. , Davis D. Allen , Drawbridge Mark A.
Published: December 2014

Three trials were run to identify the limiting dietary amino acids in practical, soy‐based formulations for California yellowtail juveniles. In the first trial, four diets were formulated with 20% fish meal and 43% soy protein concentrate. The basal diet was supplemented with methionine, lysine, and taurine (MLT), and each supplement was then individually deleted in three additional diets (LT, MT, and ML). A significant decrease in growth was only seen in fish fed the ML diet. The second and third trials were designed to test graded levels of dietary taurine and methionine, respectively. Dietary taurine ranged from 0.32 to 1.5%, and methionine levels ranged from 0.95 to 1.19% of the diet with constant levels of cysteine (0.73%). While weight gains were considered adequate to detect a dietary amino acid deficiency, there was no significant effect of graded levels of either taurine or methionine on final weights, growth rates, survival, or feed efficiency. In conclusion, the practical diets tested required taurine supplementations, but did not require lysine or methionine supplementation. While these data are insufficient to determine the taurine or methionine requirement of California yellowtail, it provides minimum levels likely to meet these requirements. Additional research is necessary to determine taurine and methionine requirements precisely in this species.
Characterization of l‐type Amino Acid Transporter 2 from Crucian Carp, Carassius auratus
Authors: Liu Zhen , Zhou Yi , Wang Yonghong , Lu Shuangqing , Zhao Qiong , Wu Qin , Xiong Gang , Hao Guang , Zhang Jianshe
Published: December 2014

l‐Type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2), a key subunit in the y+L system, plays an important role in amino acid transportation in the intestine. In this study, we isolated cDNA of LAT2 from crucian carp and characterized its transcript levels in response to diets of different protein levels, protein sources, Clostridium butyricum, and Lys additive. The full‐length cDNA of LAT2 is 2709 bp long which encodes a protein of 530 amino acids in length. Tissue distribution study showed that LAT2 is abundantly expressed in the foregut and midgut. We found a dose‐dependent effect of dietary protein levels on LAT2 expression. Fish showed high levels of LAT2 after fed with diets of 37 and 42% protein levels. In addition, LAT2 exhibited a higher level of expression after fish meal intake compared with soybean meal intake. C. butyricum intake induced a different effect with different additive levels on LAT2 expression in the foregut of crucian carp. We also demonstrated that in fish fed with Lys additive diet, the LAT2 expression levels increased significantly after 5 h. These results suggest that LAT2 gene expression in the foregut of crucian carp is regulated by dietary proteins and feed additives, providing new strategies for optimizing diet formula for crucian carp.
Congenital Melanotic Macules of the Tongue. A Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Savoia Francesco , Ricci Lorenza , Patrizi Annalisa , Gaddoni Giuseppe
Published: December 2014

Congenital melanotic macules of the tongue (CMMT) are a rare and benign condition that is probably underestimated. We report the case of an African infant with multiple congenital hyperpigmented macules of the tongue. To avoid a difficult‐to‐perform procedure such as a tongue biopsy, focused clinical monitoring was performed every 3 months for 30 months to detect significant changes. A clinical diagnosis of CMMT was made in the absence of concomitant systemic diseases using the clinical findings, the location on the tongue, the negative family history for melanoma, and the absence of drugs and toxic exposure. Clinical follow‐up may be sufficient to monitor CMMT rather than performing a tongue biopsy.
Large Multifocal Cutaneous Hemangioma Along Lines of Blaschko with Cardiac Failure Treated with Propranolol
Authors: Khanna Deepshikha , Chakravarty Payal , Arora Pooja , Jain Rahul , Mittal Medha
Published: December 2014

Hemangiomas are classified as focal or segmental according to the morphology and distribution of lesions. Congestive cardiac failure is frequently encountered in diffuse hepatic hemangiomas due to high‐volume shunting and rarely in hemangiomas confined to the skin. We report here the case of a large multifocal hemangioma along the lines of Blaschko with high‐output cardiac failure, with improvement in cutaneous and hemodynamic symptoms after propranolol therapy. Presentation along the lines of Blaschko raises the possibility of hemangiomas arising as a result of mosaicism.
Unveiling the Triplet State of a 4‐Amino‐7‐Nitrobenzofurazan Derivative in Cyclohexane
Authors: Sveen Christopher , Macia Nicolas , Zaremberg Vanina , Heyne Belinda
Published: December 2014

The nitrobenzofurazan (NBD) moiety has gained tremendous popularity over the last decades due to its fluorogenic nature. Indeed, upon interaction with aliphatic amines, it generates a stable fluorescent adduct, which has been used for protein and lipid labeling. In fact the 4‐amino substituted NBD belongs to the broad family of intramolecular charge transfer molecules, with the amino group acting as an electron donor upon photoexcitation, and the nitro group as an electron acceptor. Although the singlet excited state of 4‐amino NBD derivatives has been abundantly studied, investigation of its triplet manifold is scarce and even the absence of intersystem crossing for this type of molecules has been suggested. However, intramolecular charge transfer molecules are known to undergo intersystem crossing and high phosphorescence quantum yields have been reported in a nonpolar solvent. In the present paper, we have investigated the photophysical and photochemical properties of N‐hexyl‐7‐nitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]xadiazole‐4‐amine. We have shown the existence of a triplet state for this molecule in cyclohexane via nanosecond laser flash photolysis. Interestingly, deactivation of the triplet state leads to photoproducts formation, which are only present in the absence of oxygen.
Response of Growth and Photosynthesis of Emiliania huxleyi to Visible and UV Irradiances under Different Light Regimes
Authors: Xing Tao , Gao Kunshan , Beardall John
Published: December 2014

Microalgae are capable of acclimating to changes in light and ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm). However, little is known about how the ecologically important coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi responds to UVR when acclimated to different light regimes. Here, we grew E. huxleyi under indoor constant light or fluctuating sunlight with or without UVR, and investigated its growth, photosynthetic performance and pigmentation. Under the indoor constant light regime, the specific growth rate (μ) was highest, while fluctuating outdoor solar radiation significantly decreased the growth rate. Addition of UVR further decreased the growth rate. The repair rate of photosystem II (PSII), as reflected in changes in PSII quantum yield, showed an inverse correlation with growth rate. Cells grown under the indoor constant light regime exhibited the lowest repair rate, while cells from the outdoor fluctuating light regimes significantly increased their repair rate. Addition of UVR increased both the repair rate and intracellular UV‐absorbing compounds. This increased repair capability, at the cost of decreased growth rate, persisted after the cells were transferred back to the indoor again, suggesting an enhanced allocation of energy and resources for repair of photosynthetic machinery damage by solar UVR which persisted for a period after transfer from solar UVR.
Pilot intervention study of a low‐salt diet with monomagnesium di‐L‐glutamate as an umami seasoning in psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Kawano Rumiko , Ishida Mayumi , Kimura Eiichiro , Matsumoto Hideki , Arai Heii
Published: December 2014

Background

Schizophrenia patients have an elevated prevalence of stroke and cardiovascular risk factors, such as elevated body mass index, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia. This pilot study investigated the influence of a low‐sodium diet using umami seasoning on food intake and clinical parameters in schizophrenia patients.

Methods

A single‐blind crossover intervention study was conducted in 15 clinical schizophrenia patients given a low‐sodium diet with or without umami seasoning, monomagnesium di‐L‐glutamate, for 2 weeks. After the initial 2‐week intervention, there was a 2‐week washout period, and then the interventions were switched. Daily body weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, and nutrient intake for each subject were determined.

Results

The results showed that subjects given monomagnesium di‐L‐glutamate had an approximately 25.9% reduction in dietary sodium. Furthermore, daily energy intake did not decrease, and no significant changes in body weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, and nutrient intake were observed.

Conclusions

The use of umami seasonings, such as monomagnesium di‐L‐glutamate, might be an effective long‐term strategy for psychiatric patients requiring restricted sodium intake.
Long‐term efficacy of donepezil for relapse of visual hallucinations in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Ukai Katsuyuki , Fujishiro Hiroshige , Iritani Shuji , Ozaki Norio
Published: December 2014

Background

The use of cholinesterase inhibitors is recommended for the treatment of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) in the guidelines of the DLB Consortium. However, no consensus regarding therapeutic approaches for DLB‐related visual hallucinations has been reached. To the best of our knowledge, an appropriate dose of donepezil for the treatment of DLB at each stage has not been discussed.

Methods

Eight patients suffering from DLB with visual hallucinations were treated with donepezil. We summarize the effects of donepezil on these visual hallucinations chronologically in all cases and discuss its efficacy and characteristics.

Results

Donepezil contributed to the complete disappearance of visual hallucinations in all cases, and its effects were maintained for more than 6 months. However, relapses of visual hallucinations also occurred in all cases. Against these relapses, an increased dose of donepezil was very effective in resolving them again in almost all cases in this study.

Conclusions

Donepezil was highly effective against visual hallucinations in DLB patients, but there were some issues regarding pharmacotherapy for DLB.
Modeling Retrospective Attribution of Responsibility to Hazard‐Managing Institutions: An Example Involving a Food Contamination Incident
Authors: Johnson Branden B. , Hallman William K. , Cuite Cara L.
Published: December 2014

Perceptions of institutions that manage hazards are important because they can affect how the public responds to hazard events. Antecedents of trust judgments have received far more attention than antecedents of attributions of responsibility for hazard events. We build upon a model of retrospective attribution of responsibility to individuals to examine these relationships regarding five classes of institutions that bear responsibility for food safety: producers (e.g., farmers), processors (e.g., packaging firms), watchdogs (e.g., government agencies), sellers (e.g., supermarkets), and preparers (e.g., restaurants). A nationally representative sample of 1,200 American adults completed an Internet‐based survey in which a hypothetical scenario involving contamination of diverse foods with Salmonella served as the stimulus event. Perceived competence and good intentions of the institution moderately decreased attributions of responsibility. A stronger factor was whether an institution was deemed (potentially) aware of the contamination and free to act to prevent or mitigate it. Responsibility was rated higher the more aware and free the institution. This initial model for attributions of responsibility to impersonal institutions (as opposed to individual responsibility) merits further development.
The Blind Spot in Risk Ethics: Managing Natural Hazards
Authors: Doorn Neelke
Published: December 2014

Many risk scholars recognize the importance of including ethical considerations in risk management. Risk ethics can provide in‐depth ethical analysis so that ethical considerations can be part of risk‐related decisions, rather than an afterthought to those decisions. In this article, I present a brief sketch of the field of risk ethics. I argue that risk ethics has a bias toward technological hazards, thereby overlooking the risks that stem from natural and semi‐natural hazards. In order to make a contribution to the field of risk research, risks ethics should broaden its scope to include natural and semi‐natural hazards and develop normative distribution criteria that can support decision making on such hazards.
Measurement of Quality of Life and Well‐Being in France: The Drivers of Subjective Well‐Being
Authors: Tavernier Jean‐Luc , Cuneo Philippe , Plateau Claire
Published: December 2014

Ever since the publication of the Stiglitz Report, France has been heavily involved in the measurement of well‐being. The French Statistical Institute (INSEE) has expanded the scope of its existing surveys. It has also launched an innovative experimental survey which, drawing upon a single statistical source, aims for the first time to explore the different dimensions of both objective and subjective quality of life, as highlighted in the Stiglitz Report. It allows us to study, at the individual level, correlations between these dimensions and the accumulation of deprivations. It has enabled us to better understand the links between determinants generally referred to as objective dimensions of quality of life (such as health or education) and subjective well‐being. This information is of paramount importance for policy makers who cannot act directly on the level of people's satisfaction but can only act upon the levers of objective dimensions. This paper presents the main findings of the experimental survey.
Time course for the recovery of physical performance, blood hemoglobin, and ferritin content after blood donation
Authors: Ziegler Andreas K. , Grand Johannes , Stangerup Ida , Nielsen Hans J. , Dela Flemming , Magnussen Karin , Helge Jørn W.
Published: December 2014

Background

It is widely accepted that blood donation negatively affects endurance performance, but data on physical recovery after a standard blood donation are scarce. This study aimed to elucidate the temporary impact of blood donation on endurance performance, measured as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and time trial (TT) performance.

Study Design and Methods

VO2peak, TT performance, blood, iron, and anthropometric variables were determined before (baseline) and 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after blood donation in 19 healthy men.

Results

VO2peak was reduced by 6.5% from 49.7 ± 2 mL/kg/min at baseline to 46.3 ± 2 mL/kg/min on Day 3 (p < 0.001), and TT performance was reduced by 5.2% from 13:31 ± 00:42 to 14:13 ± 00:50 min:sec (p < 0.001). Both VO2peak and TT performance were back to baseline 14 days after blood donation. Blood hemoglobin (Hb) concentration declined 7.9% from 9.3 ± 0.11 mmol/L at baseline to 8.6 ± 0.1 mmol/L on Day 3 (p < 0.001) and was not different from baseline 28 days after blood donation. The hematocrit (Hct) was reduced from 43.8 ± 0.5% at baseline to 40.6 ± 0.6% on Day 3 (p < 0.001). On Day 28 Hct was 42.8 ± 0.5% and still reduced below baseline (p = 0.028). Ferritin concentration was reduced 46% from 113 ± 23 μg/L at baseline to a minimum of 61 ± 14 μg/L on Day 14 (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

The individual recovery was variable, but physical performance was recovered 14 days after a standard blood donation, despite blood Hb concentration remaining lower than at baseline.
THE EFFECT OF X‐IRRADIATION ON THE BASAL OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF THE RAT
Authors: Mole R. H.
Published: December 2014

1. There was no increase but probably a small decrease in the basal oxygen consumption of rats during the first three days after whole body X‐irradiation with doses of 300 r. to 1000 r.

2. The basal oxygen consumption began to increase on the fourth day after 800 r. and reached a maximum of 25‐35 per cent above the control value. These animals died between the sixth to fourteenth days after irradiation. A similar but much smaller increase was seen after a sublethal dose of 600 r.
A COMPARISON OF THE DIRECT PERIPHERAL ACTIONS UPON SYSTEMIC VENOUS PRESSURE OF k‐STROPHANTHOSID, DIGOXIN AND OUABAIN
Authors: Tyrer J. H.
Published: December 2014

1. Digoxin and k‐strophanthosid and, to a lesser extent, ouabain have a direct peripheral action on systemic venous pressure, independent of cardiac effects. These glycosides in therapeutic doses caused a rise of mean inferior and superior vena caval pressure in sheep whose pulmonary and systemic circulations were perfused at constant rates, with functional exclusion of the animal's own heart, and with central venous pressure fixed at atmospheric pressure. The only explanation is that these drugs constrict the systemic veins. This might be due to action on the vein wall itself or on venomotor nerves.

2. Digitalis caused a rise of hepatic venous pressure in perfused sheep, as reported by others in dogs.

3. In sheep with intact circulations, therapeutic doses of digoxin, k‐strophanthosid and ouabain usually caused no alteration of systemic venous pressure, but occasionally a slight fall.

4. The direct effect on venous pressure is probably not the principal action of these drugs, but should be considered in interpreting the many effects of digitalis on the intact animal.
TOTAL METABOLISM OF THE MOUSE AFTER PSEUDOPARTURITION AND PARTURITION
Authors: Dewar A. D.
Published: December 2014

1. Measurements over consecutive 24 hrs. of water and food‐stuff balances and of metabolic rate have been made on 10 mice for several days before and after parturition or pseudo‐parturition (delivery of the placentæ after earlier destruction of the fœtuses) and the similarity between these processes demonstrated.

2. A loss of water was mainly responsible for the loss of weight during the 2 to 4 days after pseudo‐ or normal parturition. The water losses (a) were accompanied by a reduction in water consumption but were not made good by subsequent restoration of normal fluid intakes, (b) bore no relation to protein losses; the ratio of water to protein lost greatly exceeded the values usual in tissue involution, and (c) correlated with irreducible losses of sodium. These observations are consistent with the view that the elimination of the placentæ terminates a water‐retaining mechanism.

3. A reduction in food intake to below maintenance levels usually accompanied the weight loss, resulting in negative fat and protein balances which, unlike the water losses, were reversible by subsequent increases in food consumption.

4. No changes in carbohydrate or fat metabolism after pseudo‐ or normal parturition were apparent; these food‐stuffs were utilised according to their availability, as determined by the quantity of food consumed in relation to the maintenance requirement.

5. A decline in average energy expenditure of about 12 per cent occurred in the 3 to 4 days after pseudo‐parturition, and the metabolic rate related to body weight was significantly higher just before pseudoparturition than in non‐pregnant mice of the same age. Similar changes were observed after normal parturition but the effects were somewhat masked by the initial presence of the fœtuses: observations on newborn mice suggest that the metabolic rate related to weight of fœtuses just before birth is at least 30 per cent lower than that of the maternal body. The results favour the hypothesis that the maternal metabolic rate is raised in pregnancy.
THE REPRESENTATION OF THE RETINA ON THE OPTIC TECTUM OF THE PIGEON
Authors: Hamdi F. A. , Whitteridge D.
Published: December 2014

1. There is point to point representation of the retina on the optic tectum in the pigeon. The upper visual field is represented on the dorsal surface.

2. A response obtained from the first three layers of the optic tectum may have a latency as short as 25 msec., and show little fatigue when the stimulus is repeated at rates of not more than 5 per sec.

3. Responses from the inner layers show latencies of over 50 msec. and fatigue very rapidly.

4. Auditory responses were obtained from the nucleus mesencephalicus lateralis pars dorsalis.
THE REPRESENTATION OF CUTANEOUS SENSE IN THE THALAMUS OF THE CAT AND MONKEY
Authors: Gaze R. M. , Gordon G.
Published: December 2014

1. The electrical activity of single neural units in the thalamus of the cat and monkey has been investigated with unipolar electrodes of tip diameter 5–15 µ. The position of the electrode was always verified histologically; the great majority of the responses were recorded from the ventrolateral nuclear region.

2. The order of contralateral representation of tactile sense described by others has been confirmed, but it has been found, in addition, that a substantial anatomical overlap occurs between the regions for face, fore limb and hind limb, both in cat and monkey.

3. The thalamic representation of cutaneous sense in the hind limb has been studied in more detail, using a method by which the saphenous nerve could be stimulated and its compound action‐potential recorded, and the resulting thalamic activity recorded simultaneously. The nerve was not cut, so that the response of any thalamic unit to cutaneous stimulation could also be observed.

4. Sixty‐three thalamic units from the cat were studied by the method just described. They may be described as falling into three main groups:

(a) Those responding to electrical stimulation of α β or χ saphenous fibres, the response being but rarely affected by further increasing the stimulus (81 per cent of the total units). Twenty per cent of the group responded to stimulating at a fibre threshold. The mean latency for the group was 22·7 msec. (knee to thalamus). The majority responded to bending hairs, a few to light touch not involving hairs, and a few to strong mechanical stimuli.

(b) Those responding to stimulating saphenous δ fibres (17 per cent of the total units). The majority responded only to strong mechanical stimuli, and only one to bending hairs. The mean latency was 47·3 msec.

(c) Those responding to stimulating saphenous C fibres when the larger fibres had been blocked by cooling the nerve. The latency (630 msec.) was only measured satisfactorily for one such unit, and no skin stimulus appropriate for the unit was found.

Our failure to excite some of the units in each group by stimulating the skin is discussed, particularly in relation to the use of general anaesthesia.

5. In the cat's thalamus, no anatomical segregation could be detected amongst the different types of unit just described.

6. The main types of unit described above were also found in experiments on three monkeys, but this series was too small to justify quantitative assessment.

7. A substantial ipsilateral representation of the hind leg was found in the cat's thalamus, in a region anatomically indistinguishable from that for contralateral responses. The evidence suggested that units responding to hair movement were relatively more common in the contralateral than in the ipsilateral thalamus. Ipsilateral representation was also found to exist in the monkey's thalamus.
THE EXCHANGE OF LIPIDS BETWEEN PLASMA AND LYMPH OF ANIMALS
Authors: Courtice F. C. , Morris Bede
Published: December 2014

1. The protein and lipid composition of dog, cat, rabbit and rat lymph collected from various ducts were studied by zone electrophoresis and chemical analysis.

2. All the protein and lipoprotein fractions present in the plasma could be identified in the lymph, but were present in lower concentrations. The plasma‐lymph gradients for proteins and for lipids were similar, and were greater in the cervical duct lymph than in the thoracic duct lymph.

3. During fat absorption, the large increments of fat appearing in the thoracic duct lymph could be removed by high‐speed centrifugation (20,000 g) without significant alteration to the post‐absorptive lymph protein and lipoprotein electrophoretic patterns.

4. The possible ways in which this particulate fat, which enters the blood stream from the thoracic duct during fat absorption, escapes from the circulation have been discussed. The finding that the lymph from the cervical and leg ducts contains some chylomicrons which are greater in number during alimentary lipæmia suggests that some chylomicrons may escape through the capillary membrane without degradation to smaller lipid‐protein complexes.
CHOLINE ACETYLASE IN MAMMALIAN AND AVIAN SENSORY SYSTEMS
Authors: Hebb Catherine O.
Published: December 2014

1. The activity of choline acetylase in tissues of birds and mammals has been measured by a method which excludes possible errors due to variations in the rate of CoA acetylation.

2. By this method it has been found that the optic nerves of mammals and the chicken contain little or no choline acetylase; and the sensory roots of bullocks also contain no enzyme.

3. The chicken retina can produce more acetylcholine per unit weight of tissue in a given time than any other vertebrate tissue yet examined. The pigeon retina is also exceptionally active; and in both species the optic lobes also contain high concentration of enzyme.

4. The distribution of choline acetylase in the optic system of all species examined supports the idea that in this system cholinergic alternate with non‐cholinergic neurones.