bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of the Takeda Three Colors Combination Test as a screening test for dementia
Authors: TAKEDA Shinya , NAKAGOME Kazuyuki , TAJIME Kayo , SAITO Motoi
Published: March 2009

Background:  The aged population is increasing worldwide and it is expected that dementia, for which aging is a risk factor, will increase as well. A critical issue then becomes a community's capacity for the early detection of dementia among its senior citizens. In the present paper, we report on the development and potential use of a screening test for dementia that can be administered and assessed easily in a short period of time by non‐specialist clinicians and represents no burden for those undergoing the screening.

Methods:  Three hundred and sixty senior citizens, over 60 years of age, participated in the study. Of these, 126 had Alzheimer's disease (AD), 60 had vascular dementia (VaD), 41 had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 133 were healthy volunteers (control group). A screening test for dementia, which consisted of a colored cards configuration memory task (the Takeda Three Colors Combination Test; TTCC) was examined for sensitivity, specificity, reliability and criterion‐related validity.

Results:  Sufficient sensitivity and specificity were demonstrated for each clinical group (AD, VaD) and the control group. The sensitivity of the TTCC was 0.94, 0.82, and 0.71 for the AD, VaD, and MCI groups, respectively; specificity was 0.83. In addition, sufficient reliability and validity were established. Administration of the TTCCand assessment procedures required only 1 or 2 min.

Conclusion:  Satisfactory sensitivity and specificity were indicated for both the AD and VaD groups, with sufficient reliability and validity also indicated. Thus, the TTCC is an effective dementia screening test.
Five cases of frontotemporal dementia with behavioral symptoms improved by Yokukansan
Authors: KIMURA Takemi , HAYASHIDA Hideki , FURUKAWA Hitomi , MIYAUCHI Daisuke , TAKAMATSU Junichi
Published: March 2009

Herein, we present five cases with frontotemporal dementia whose behavioral symptoms were improved by Yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo). All five patients were prescribed Yokukansan (7.5 g/day) to reduce their symptoms. The patients' symptoms were evaluated comprehensively using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Stereotypy Rating Inventory (SRI) before and 4 weeks after Yokukansan treatment. The mean (± SD) scores on the NPI and the SRI before treatment were 55.6 ± 5.4 and 22.2 ± 6.5, respectively. After treatment, these scores were 30.0 ± 7.8 and 11.6 ± 7.5, respectively. Yokukansan was effective for the treatment of clinical symptoms in all five patients without adverse effects and significant changes in laboratory data. Although antipsychotic drugs have been used to control behavioral symptoms, their associated adverse effects frequently impact on the activities of daily living and quality of life of treated patients. The present cases suggest significant improvement of behavioral symptoms in frontotemporal dementia with Yokukansan treatment, leading to probable benefit of the use of Yokukansan in individuals with frontotemporal dementia.
Psychogeriatric services for outpatients undergoing long‐term care at Mental Silver Clinic
Authors: WAKAE Norihiko
Published: March 2009

Background:  The Wakae Clinic opened its Mental Silver Clinic in May 2002 to provide psychogeriatric services for outpatients with long‐term care insurance, and medical services and care for patients with senile mental disorders, mainly dementia.

Methods:  The present report describes a study of 100 patients who received services from the Mental Silver Clinic over 5 years, from January 2003 to December 2007. It compares the age of first diagnosis and age of onset disorder with confirmed diagnosis, results of the initial Mini‐Mental State Examination, and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), as well as other parameters.

Results:  Sixty‐three of the patients (63%) were diagnosed with dementia. The most problematic behaviors are identified, the most frequent of which was delusion, followed by hallucination, reversed day and night or insomnia, negligence of fire, and delirium.

Conclusions:  The number of VaD patients was smaller than DLB patients at mental clinic.
Mandibular overdentures supported by two or four endosseous implants: a 10‐year clinical trial
Authors: Meijer Henny J. A. , Raghoebar Gerry M. , Batenburg Rutger H. K. , Visser Anita , Vissink Arjan
Published: March 2009

Objective: The aim of this 10‐year clinical trial was to evaluate the treatment outcome (condition of hard and soft peri‐implant tissues, patient satisfaction, surgical and prosthetic aftercare) of mandibular overdentures supported by two or four implants.

Materials and methods: Sixty edentulous patients with a mandibular height between 12 and 18 mm participated. Thirty patients were treated with an overdenture supported by two IMZ implants (group A) and 30 patients were treated with an overdenture supported by four IMZ implants (group B). Standardised clinical and radiographic parameters were evaluated 6 weeks after completion of the prosthetic treatment and after 1, 5 and 10 years of functional loading. Prosthetic and surgical aftercare was scored during the evaluation period, as well as patient satisfaction.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences with regard to any of the studied clinical or radiographic parameters of the peri‐implant tissues between the groups. In addition, no differences in satisfaction and aftercare were observed between the groups.

Conclusion: There is no difference in the clinical and radiographical state of patients treated with an overdenture on two or four implants during a 10‐year evaluation period. Patients of both groups were evenly satisfied with their overdentures and received the same amount of aftercare. For reasons of cost‐effectiveness, a two‐implant overdenture is advised for patients with a Cawood classes IV–VI resorption of the mandible and complaints concerning retention and stability of the lower denture.
Isolation and characterization of 18 new polymorphic microsatellite loci for the swordfish, Xiphias gladius
Authors: KASAPIDIS P. , PAKAKI V. , KOTOULAS G. , MAGOULAS A.
Published: March 2009

Eighteen microsatellite loci (13 di‐ and 5 tri‐repeats) were isolated from swordfish and characterized in two populations from the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 29 and the observed heterozygosity from 0.302 to 0.953. All but one locus conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations and there was no evidence for linkage disequilibrium between loci.
NUMBER SYSTEMS AND THE INJECTIVITY PROBLEM FOR MATRIX REPRESENTATIONS OF FREE MONOIDS
Authors: HONKALA JUHA
Published: March 2009

We show that injectivity is decidable for matrix representations of free monoids in upper-triangular 2 × 2 matrices of a restricted form.
COMBINATION OF FUZZY ARITHMETIC AND A FAST BOUNDARY ELEMENT METHOD FOR ACOUSTIC SIMULATION WITH UNCERTAINTIES
Authors: JUNGE M. , BRUNNER D. , BECKER J. , MAESS M. , ROSEIRA J. , HANSS M.
Published: March 2009

A so-called FuzzBEM methodology for analyzing the influence of uncertain acoustic and structural parameters on the radiated sound field of vibrating structures combining fuzzy arithmetic and fast multipole boundary element method is introduced. Uncertainties in acoustic properties may result from uncertain parameters of the vibrating mechanical structures, e.g. material density or geometry, as well as from uncertainties in the acoustic domain, e.g. sound velocity. The use of the transformation method in the proposed approach allows to employ simulation tools based on the crisp number arithmetic by appropriate preprocessing of the fuzzy numbers modeling the uncertain input parameters and postprocessing of the simulation results to determine the fuzzy numbers for the considered output quantities.

In this contribution, the proposed FuzzBEM procedure is applied to a sound radiating, vibrating stiffened cylindrical shell where the investigated uncertainties include the shell wall thickness and the driving frequency of a monofrequency point load and the air density and sound velocity. As exemplary output quantities of acoustic performance, the acoustic pressure at multiple field points and the radiated sound power are evaluated.

The proposed coupling of fuzzy arithmetic and acoustic boundary elements yields run times two orders of magnitudes or more longer than a single BEM calculation. Nevertheless, the systematic parameterization obtained by the proposed fuzzy analysis has the potential to reveal input–output relationships difficult to identify with individual conventional BEM simulation runs.
SIMULATION OF ACTIVE NOISE CONTROL IN ENCLOSURES USING DIRECT SOUND FIELD PREDICTION
Authors: PROVATIDIS CHRISTOPHER G. , MOUZAKITIS SPIRIDON T. , CHARALAMPOPOULOS GEORGE N.
Published: March 2009

This paper is concerned with the active control of sound fields in enclosures. Specifically, the numerical problem of determining the optimum locations of control sensors and actuators is addressed. A new method for determining the optimum secondary sources strength is proposed, based on the explicit prediction of the sound field, which makes the simulation of realistic acoustical applications feasible, in terms of the enclosure's boundary conditions. The irregular geometry of a car cabin with complex boundary conditions is used in order to demonstrate the application of the new method to a test case where the existing methods cannot theoretically apply without resolving to significant numerical error. The new method of determining the secondary sources strength is combined with a modified genetic and a gradient optimization algorithm so as to locate the optimum positions of active noise control transducers for global sound field control. The overall algorithm, constituting of the method for calculating the secondary sources' strength and the optimization algorithms, is adjusted with computational improvements for better performance.
SOME GEOMETRIC AGGREGATION FUNCTIONS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO DYNAMIC MULTIPLE ATTRIBUTE DECISION MAKING IN THE INTUITIONISTIC FUZZY SETTING
Authors: WEI G. W.
Published: March 2009

The intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) characterized by a membership function and a non-membership function, was introduced by [K. Atanassov, "Intuitionistic fuzzy sets", Fuzzy Sets and Systems20 (1986) 87–96] as a generalization of Zadeh' fuzzy set [L. A. Zadeh, "Fuzzy sets", Information and Control8 (1965) 338–356] to deal with fuzziness and uncertainty. In this paper, the dynamic multiple attribute decision making (DMADM) problems with intuitionistic fuzzy information are investigated. The notions of intuitionistic fuzzy variable and uncertain intuitionistic fuzzy variable are defined, and two new aggregation operators called dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy weighted geometric (DIFWG) operator and uncertain dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy weighted geometric (UDIFWG) operator are proposed. Moreover, a procedure based on the DIFWG and IFWG operators is developed to solve the dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy multiple attribute decision making problems where all the decision information about attribute values takes the form of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers collected at different periods, and a procedure based on the UDIFWG and IIWG operators is developed for uncertain dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy multiple attribute decision making problems under interval uncertainty in which all the decision information about attribute values takes the form of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers collected at different periods. Finally, an illustrative example is given to verify the developed approach and to demonstrate its practicality and effectiveness.
SPLINE APPROXIMATION FOR ZADEH'S EXTENSIONS
Authors: CHALCO-CANO Y. , MISUKOSHI M. T. , ROÁN-FLORES H. , FLORES-FRANULIC A.
Published: March 2009

In this paper we show an approximation for [Formula: see text], where u is a fuzzy interval and [Formula: see text] is obtained from a continuous function f applying the Zadeh's extension principle. In this process, we used a decomposition for u and the linear spline function for the approximation of f. A bound for the error in the approximation is given. Also, some examples are presented.
THE TSUNAMI-RESILIENT COASTAL COMMUNITY
Authors: BERNARD EDDIE N.
Published: March 2009

The concept of a tsunami-resilient coastal community is a proactive way to change attitudes from "tsunamis will not affect our community" to "preparing for the next tsunami." The three elements of a tsunami-resilient coastal community include:

(1) hazard assessment, the evaluation of the written, oral, and geological history of the community to assess the extent of the tsunami hazard for a specific community;

(2) community preparedness, the building of a tsunami-resilient community that functions before, during, and after the tsunami;

(3) warning guidance, the acceptance of responsibility for receiving the warnings and taking appropriate action.

Communities that adopt these measures will not only save lives, but will recover faster from the next tsunami. The tsunami-resilient coastal community will survive the next tsunami.
Attachment Representation in Mothers of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Kissgen Ruediger , Krischer Maya , Kummetat Vanessa , Spiess Ralf , Schleiffer Roland , Sevecke Kathrin
Published: March 2009

Attachment research so far rarely has focused on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study is the first to examine the distribution of the attachment representation in mothers of children with ADHD. Considering results of clinical attachment studies we formulated the following hypothesis: the prevalence of maternal insecure and unresolved attachment representations increases with the degree of severity of children’s ADHD symptoms. Therefore it is highest in mothers of children with ADHD who are treated clinically (group A). It is expressed less strongly in mothers of children with ADHD symptoms without need for clinical treatment (group B). In a control group of mothers whose children have no ADHD diagnosis (group C), there is the lowest prevalence of insecure and disorganized attachment representations. Within a period of 6 months from a total of 72 recruited children and their mothers screened according to participation criteria (e.g. ICD-10: F90 Hyperkinetic disorders), 13 mothers could be assigned to group A, 19 mothers to group B, and 19 mothers to group C. The attachment representation was assessed using the Adult Attachment Projective. To test the sequence order hypothesis we used the Jonckheere-Terpstra test (u = 3.78; p < 0.001). The increasing clinical conspicuity in the groups obviously is connected to a reduced prevalence of the autonomous attachment representations as well as to an increase of the insecure and unresolved attachment representations of the mothers. We interpret this result with respect to the treatment of children with ADHD as a vote for considering the family context as well as early intervention strategies which aim at the improvement of the quality of maternal sensitivity.
Development of Bipedal Walking in Humans and Chimpanzees: A Comparative Study
Authors: Kimura Tasuku , Yaguramaki Naoko
Published: March 2009

Development of bipedal walking from the very early stage of walking was studied longitudinally in infant humans and chimpanzees. In contrast to adults, infants of neither species could walk steadily and rhythmically step by step. Short braking duration and small recovery of mechanical energy were demonstrated in infants of both species. The trunk was inclined forwards, the extension of lower limb joints was limited and the accelerating force was not strongly activated. Potential energy was not efficiently used in progression. Walking in adult chimpanzees still showed a forward-inclined trunk, short braking duration, small recovery of energy and large variance of parameters compared to the unique human adult bipedalism. The locomotor characteristics of presumed pre-bipedal ancestors are discussed.
Early Plasma Exchange for Progressive Liver Failure in Recipients of Adult-to-Adult Living-Related Liver Transplants
Authors: Yamamoto Ryohei , Nagasawa Yasuyuki , Marubashi Shigeru , Furumatsu Yoshiyuki , Iwatani Hirotsugu , Iio Kenichiro , Matsui Isao , Dono Keizo , Imai Enyu , Monden Morito , Isaka Yoshitaka
Published: March 2009

Background/Aims: Little information is available concerning the effectiveness of plasma exchange for progressive liver failure in liver transplant recipients. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effectiveness of plasma exchange and discuss its indication. Methods: Forty-six ABO-compatible recipients of living-related liver transplants operated on in Osaka University hospital were retrospectively studied. Results: Total bilirubin was identified as the most accurate predictor of the short-term prognosis of 46 recipients (optimal cut-off point: 13.3 mg/dl). Eleven patients received 14 plasma exchange sessions. Elevation of total bilirubin was significantly suppressed after plasma exchange in the patients with total bilirubin below the median (24 mg/dl), whereas total bilirubin significantly increased even after plasma exchange in those with total bilirubin above the median. Conclusion: Plasma exchange improved liver function in recipients with progressive liver failure and appears to be indicated in patients with total bilirubin levels ranging between 13 and 24 mg/dl.
Different Effects of L/N-Type and L-Type Calcium Channel Blockers on the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in SHR/Izm
Authors: Konda Tomoyuki , Enomoto Azusa , Aritomi Shizuka , Niinuma Kazumi , Koganei Hajime , Ogawa Tetsuya , Nitta Kosaku
Published: March 2009

Background: The L/N-type calcium channel blocker (CCB) cilnidipine has been demonstrated to suppress sympathetic nerve activity. In the present study, we investigated the effects of cilnidipine on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in SHR/Izm rats to confirm differences from the effects of L-type CCB. Methods: Male SHR/Izm rats received vehicle, cilnidipine (0.3, 3 mg/kg) or amlodipine (0.3, 3 mg/kg) by gavage for systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurement. For biochemical analyses, the experiments were performed under anesthesia. Results: Low doses of cilnidipine or amlodipine had no effect on SBP or RAAS parameters. A high dose of either drug produced similar effects on SBP levels. Although cilnidipine had no effect on plasma renin activity or the plasma angiotensin II level, amlodipine significantly increased these parameters as compared to levels in the vehicle group. The cilnidipine group had a significantly lower plasma aldosterone level and renal cortical tissue norepinephrine level than the vehicle group. Conclusions: Cilnidipine had effects different from those of L-type CCB on the RAAS in SHR/Izm rats. Our results indicate that suppression of RAAS hyperactivity by cilnidipine can be partly explained by its sympatholytic action.
Osteoprotegerin and Soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB Ligand and Risk for Coronary Events
Authors: Semb Anne G. , Ueland Thor , Aukrust Pål , Wareham Nicholas J. , Luben Robert , Gullestad Lars , Kastelein John J.P. , Khaw Kay-Tee , Boekholdt S. Matthijs
Published: March 2009

Objective—

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and future coronary artery disease (CAD) in apparently healthy individuals. The identification of OPG as a novel cardiovascular risk marker suggests an association between mediators of bone homeostasis and cardiovascular disease.

Methods and Results—

Serum levels of OPG and RANKL were analyzed in a prospective case–control study nested in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Norfolk) study, a cohort study of 25 663 men and women, where 951 apparently healthy individuals who developed a coronary event during 6 years’ follow-up were matched by sex and age with 1705 healthy controls. Baseline OPG, but not RANKL, was higher in cases than in controls, and OPG was higher in women than in men. Both men and women in the highest OPG quartile had a higher risk for future CAD. These associations were independent of established cardiovascular risk factors, and when using OPG as a continuous variable, also after adjustment for CRP. In contrast, RANKL showed no association with coronary events.

Conclusion—

OPG is associated with the risk of future CAD in apparently healthy men and women, independent of established cardiovascular risk factors.
Role of 3β-Hydroxysteroid-Δ24 Reductase in Mediating Antiinflammatory Effects of High-Density Lipoproteins in Endothelial Cells
Authors: McGrath K.C.Y. , Li X.H. , Puranik R. , Liong E.C. , Tan J.T.M. , Dy V.M. , DiBartolo B.A. , Barter P.J. , Rye K.A. , Heather A.K.
Published: March 2009

Objective—

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) to upregulate genes with the potential to protect against inflammation in endothelial cells.

Methods and Results—

Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were exposed to reconstituted HDLs (rHDLs) for 16 hours before being activated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) for 5 hours. rHDLs decreased vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) promoter activity by 75% (
P
<0.05), via the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) binding site. rHDLs suppressed the canonical NF-κB pathway and decreased many NF-κB target genes. Suppression of NF-κB and VCAM-1 expression by rHDLs or native HDLs was dependent on an increase in 3β-hydroxysteroid-Δ24 reductase (DHCR24) levels (
P
<0.05). The effect of HDLs on DHCR24 is dependent on SR-BI but not ABCAI or ABCGI. Silencing DHCR24 expression increased NF-κB (1.2-fold,
P
<0.05), VCAM-1 (30-fold,
P
<0.05), and NF-κB p50 (4-fold,
P
<0.05) and p65 subunits (150-fold,
P
<0.05). TNF-α activation of siDHCR24-treated cells increased expression of VCAM-1 (550-fold,
P
<0.001) and NF-κB (9-fold,
P
<0.001) that could no longer be suppressed by rHDLs.

Conclusions—

Results suggest that antiinflammatory effects of rHDLs are mediated partly through an upregulation of DHCR24. These findings raise the possibility of considering DHCR24 as a target for therapeutic modulation.
RANKL Increases Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Calcification Through a RANK-BMP4–Dependent Pathway
Authors: Panizo Sara , Cardus Anna , Encinas Mario , Parisi Eva , Valcheva Petya , López-Ongil Susana , Coll Blai , Fernandez Elvira , Valdivielso Jose M.
Published: March 2009

Vascular calcification commonly associated with several pathologies and it has been suggested to be similar to bone mineralization. The axis RANKL-OPG (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand–osteoprotegerin) finely controls bone turnover. RANKL has been suggested to increase vascular calcification, but direct evidence is missing. Thus, in the present work, we assess the effect of RANKL in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification. VSMCs incubated with RANKL showed a dose-dependent increase in calcification, which was abolished by coincubation with OPG. To test whether the effect was mediated by signaling to its receptor, knockdown of RANK was accomplished by short hairpin (sh)RNA. Indeed, cells lacking RANK showed no increases in vascular calcification when incubated with RANKL. To further elucidate the mechanism by which RANK activation increases calcification, we blocked both nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation pathways. Only IKKα inactivation inhibited calcification, pointing to an involvement of the alternative NF-κB activation pathway. Furthermore, RANKL addition increased bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)4 expression in VSMCs, and that increase disappeared in cells lacking RANK or IKKα. The increase in calcification was also blunted by Noggin, pointing to a mediation of BMP4 in the calcification induced by RANKL. Furthermore, in an in vivo model, the increase in vascular calcium content was parallel to an increase in RANKL and BMP4 expression, which was localized in calcified areas. However, blood levels of the ratio RANKL/OPG did not change. We conclude that RANKL increases vascular smooth muscle cell calcification by binding to RANK and increasing BMP4 production through activation of the alternative NF-κB pathway.
Boundary Spanning in Homeless Children’s Education
Authors: Miller Peter M.
Published: March 2009

Purpose: This From the Field article describes an emerging model of boundary spanning leadership in homeless education. Drawing from the pilot program that is being implemented in conjunction with the Homeless Children’s Education Fund in Pittsburgh, the article identifies areas of promise and potential limits to university faculty involvement with schools, shelters, and other community institutions as they engage pressing issues related to the schooling of students who are homeless. Implications: Situated within the rapidly declining economic situation—where numbers of homeless students are skyrocketing—this area of leadership inquiry and practice is especially significant. This article suggests that boundary spanning individuals and systems can facilitate efficient homeless education practice within and among schools, universities, and shelters.
Effects of Mandibular Advancement on Growth after Condylectomy
Authors: Nakano M. , Fujita T. , Ohtani J. , Kawata T. , Kaku M. , Motokawa M. , Tsuka N. , Hayashi H. , Tanne K.
Published: March 2009

Previous studies have indicated that an injured condyle during adolescence is a causative factor for reduced mandibular growth and resulting asymmetry of the mandible. The aim of this study was to examine the nature of mandibular growth after unilateral condylectomy and to elucidate the effects of mandibular advancement. Sixty growing mice were subjected to unilateral condylectomy, and then one-half of them underwent treatment with a functional appliance. After 4 wks, a unilateral condylectomy produced reduced growth of the mandible and a subsequent lateral shift to the affected side. However, reduced growth and a lateral shift of the mandible were eliminated by a functional appliance, and prominent regeneration of the condyle was also demonstrated. It was shown that mandibular advancement provides for the regeneration of cartilaginous tissues on injured condyles and recovery of reduced mandibular growth, leading to correction of the lateral shift of the mandible.
Benefits of Periodontal Therapy When Preterm Birth Threatens
Authors: Radnai M. , Pál A. , Novák T. , Urbán E. , Eller J. , Gorzó I.
Published: March 2009

There is growing evidence that chronic periodontitis may be a risk factor for pre-term birth. The goal of this intervention study was to determine the effect of periodontal treatment on the pregnancy outcome in women with threatening pre-term birth and initial localized chronic periodontitis. Forty-one women with a singleton pregnancy were enrolled in the study. For this treatment group, oral hygiene instruction and periodontal therapy were provided in the third trimester, while those in the control group (42 persons) did not receive any periodontal treatment. In the treatment group, the mean weight of newborns was 3079.0 g, compared with the control group mean of 2602.4 g. The incidence of pre-term birth and low birthweight in the treatment group was significantly less than in the control group ( p = 0.015). Periodontal treatment completed before the 35th week appeared to have a beneficial effect on birth weight and time of delivery.
Candidate Gene Strategy Reveals ENAM Mutations
Authors: Kang H.-Y. , Seymen F. , Lee S.-K. , Yildirim M. , Tuna E. Bahar , Patir A. , Lee K.-E. , Kim J.-W.
Published: March 2009

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous genetic disorder affecting tooth enamel without other non-oral syndromic conditions. Based on a review of the literature, the authors constructed a candidate-gene-based mutational analysis strategy. To test the strategy, they identified two Turkish families with hypoplastic enamel without any other non-oral syndromic phenotype. The authors analyzed all exons and exon/intron boundaries of the enamelin ( ENAM) gene for family 1 and the DLX3 and ENAM genes for family 2, to identify the underlying genetic etiology. The analysis revealed 2 ENAM mutations (autosomal-dominant g.14917delT and autosomal-recessive g.13185–13186insAG mutations). A single T deletion in exon 10 is a novel deletional mutation (g.14917delT, c.2991delT), which is predicted to result in a frameshift with a premature termination codon (p.L998fsX1062). This result supports the use of a candidate-gene-based strategy to study the genetic basis for AI.
Odontogenic Potential of Post-natal Oral Mucosal Epithelium
Authors: Nakagawa E. , Itoh T. , Yoshie H. , Satokata I.
Published: March 2009

A bioengineered tooth would provide a powerful alternative to currently available clinical treatments. Previous experiments have succeeded in bioengineering teeth using tooth germs from animal embryos. However, the ultimate goal is to develop a technology which enables teeth to be regenerated with the use of autologous cells. To pursue this goal, we re-associated the palatal epithelium from young mice with the odontogenic dental mesenchyme and transplanted the re-associated tissues into mouse kidney capsules. Morphologically defined teeth were formed from the re-associated cultured palatal epithelial cell sheets from mice aged up to 4 wks, but no tooth was formed when the palatal epithelium from mice after 2 days of age was directly re-associated. Our results demonstrated that post-natal non-dental oral mucosal epithelium can be used as a substitute for dental epithelium, and that epithelial cell sheet improves the ability of the oral epithelium of older mice to differentiate into dental epithelium.
Portrait of Adrian van Kaam and Humanistic Psychology
Authors: Muto Susan A. , Martin Frederick
Published: March 2009

Father Adrian van Kaam, CSSp, PhD (1920-2007) remains a pioneering force in the development of humanistic psychology. Van Kaam's humanitarian efforts in Nazi occupied Holland during World War II inspired a model for spiritual encounter and a humane science of meaning that was formed by and in turn gave form to the excursions in humanistic psychology that were to follow. When he came to America in 1954, van Kaam knew and collaborated with many key figures in the humanistic movement, which remained an indelible part of his initiation at Duquesne University of “psychology as a human science”—an intellectual lineage that continued to some degree in the Institute of Man, which he founded at the university in 1963. This center evolved by 1979 into the Institute of Formative Spirituality under which he worked to perfect his formative approach to life and world. His efforts reached their crowning phase (1979-2007) under the auspices of the Epiphany Association, an independent center of research, publication, and adult formation cofounded by him and Doctor Susan Muto in 1979. The following reconstruction of van Kaam's contribution will accentuate the humanistic rubric and redress some of the issues surrounding its meaning and place in the annals of psychology.
Hospital staff attributions of the causes of physician variation in end-of-life treatment intensity
Authors: Larochelle MR , Rodriguez KL , Arnold RM , Barnato AE
Published: March 2009

Discrepancies between patient wishes and end-of-life treatment decisions have been documented, and the determinants of end-of-life treatment decisions are not well understood. Our objective was to understand hospital staff perceptions of the role of acute care hospital medical doctors in end-of-life treatment intensity. In 11 purposively sampled Pennsylvania hospitals, we completed 108 audiotaped semistructured interviews with key informants involved in decision making or discharge planning. Using grounded theory, we qualitatively analysed transcripts using constant comparison to identify factors affecting end-of-life treatment decisions. A predominant theme identified was that end-of-life treatment intensity depends on the doctor. Communication with patients and families and collaboration with other care team members also were reported to vary, contributing to treatment variation. Informants attributed physician variation to individual beliefs and attitudes regarding the end-of-life (religion and culture, determination of when a patient is dying, quality-of-life determination and fear of failing) and to socialization by and interaction with the healthcare system (training, role perception, experience and response to incentives). When end-of-life treatment depends on the doctor, patient and family preferences may be neglected. Targeted interventions may reduce variability and align end-of-life treatment with patient wishes.
Beyond the Rhetoric
Authors: Savitch H.V. , Vogel Ronald K. , Ye Lin
Published: March 2009

Louisville’s consolidation with Jefferson County was the first large-scale merger to take place in the United States in more than 30 years. The authors examine this merger as a major institutional innovation that was supposed to enhance economic development. Proponents of consolidation claimed that institutional change would “shake up” the system and create an economic boom. The authors use actual results to determine whether this much-heralded experience warrants claims that it can be a role model, point of reference, or best practice. In doing this, they compare data from premerged and postmerged Louisville over a full 8-year period. Of central concern are whether “shake up” worked, how elites manage results as unsatisfying outcomes become apparent, and what that behavior portends for responsible governance. The authors conclude with a number of principles and policies regarding institutional change.
Negotiating Shuttling Between Transnational Experiences
Authors: Bhattacharya Kakali
Published: March 2009

Using several approaches of data collection over a period of 10 months, the author combines participant observations, conversational interviews, photoelicitations, and various other serendipitous types of information gathering in performative spaces of actions and re-actions, demonstrating the contestatory negotiations of two transnational female Indian graduate students who had been in the United States for no longer than a year. Methodologically, the author explores the role of performance ethnography informed by de/colonizing epistemologies to highlight the possibilities of working within/against/through contestatory discourses. Demonstrating the complexities of human experiences through front- and back-staged one-act plays, the author argues for opening up possibilities of scientific research that investigates the role of social structures of inequality in producing experiences of marginalization.
Application for disability pension and change in use of prescribed drugs. A regional Danish cohort study
Authors: Petersen Thomas T. , Fonager Kirsten , Bøggild Henrik , Pedersen Lars , Mortensen Jens T.
Published: March 2009

Aim: To investigate if a pending application for disability pension had an influence on the applicant's purchase of medical drugs, with a particular focus on musculoskeletal disorders and the use of painkillers. Methods: We performed a registry-based follow-up study including 12,020 applicants for disability pension in a Danish county from 1995 to 2000 and linked this information to a database of drug prescriptions. Purchase of drug was calculated for the 6-month period just before the decision and for the 6-month period 2 years later. Changes in a 2-year time period were estimated by differences in purchase rates. Furthermore, the proportion of applicants with an increased purchase of drugs and the proportion of applicants who ceased buying drugs were estimated. The results were stratified by diagnosis and result of application (awarded/rejected). The analyses were furthermore restricted to musculoskeletal disorders and the use of painkillers. Results and conclusions: At baseline 81% had a purchase and after the 2-year time period 11% ceased buying prescribed drugs. Half of all applicants increased the purchase of drugs. For musculoskeletal disorders one third had an increased purchase rate of painkillers while one fourth ceased purchase of drugs with variations in different diagnostic subgroups. The major changes of drug purchase after a pending application for disability pension are probably ascribed to characteristics of the diseases underlying the disability.
Impact of risk stratification on outcome among patients with multiple myeloma receiving initial therapy with lenalidomide and dexamethasone
Authors: Kapoor Prashant , Kumar Shaji , Fonseca Rafael , Lacy Martha Q. , Witzig Thomas E. , Hayman Suzanne R. , Dispenzieri Angela , Buadi Francis , Bergsagel P. Leif , Gertz Morie A. , Dalton Robert J. , Mikhael Joseph R. , Dingli David , Reeder Craig B. , Lust John A. , Russell Stephen J. , Roy Vivek , Zeldenrust Steven R. , Stewart A. Keith , Kyle Robert A. , Greipp Philip R. , Rajkumar S. Vincent
Published: March 2009

The outcome of patients with multiple myeloma is dictated primarily by cytogenetic abnormalities and proliferative capacity of plasma cells. We studied the outcome after initial therapy with lenalidomide-dexamethasone among 100 newly diagnosed patients, risk-stratified by genetic abnormalities and plasma cell labeling index. A total of 16% had high-risk multiple myeloma, defined by the presence of hypodiploidy, del(13q) by metaphase cytogenetics, del(17p), IgH translocations [t(4;14), or t(14;16)] or plasma cell labeling index more than or equal to 3%. Response rates were 81% vs 89% in the high-risk and standard-risk groups, respectively. The median progression-free survival was shorter in the high-risk group (18.5 vs 36.5 months, P < .001), but overall survival was comparable. Because of unavailability of all tests for every patient, we separately analyzed 55 stringently classified patients, and the results were similar. In conclusion, high-risk patients achieve less durable responses with lenalidomide-dexamethasone compared with standard-risk patients; no significant differences in overall survival are apparent so far. These results need confirmation in larger, prospectively designed studies.
Genomic regions with distinct genomic distance conservation in vertebrate genomes
Authors: Sun Hong , Skogerbø Geir , Zheng Xiaohui , Liu Wei , Li Yixue
Published: March 2009

Background

A number of vertebrate highly conserved elements (HCEs) have been detected and their genomic interval distances have been reported to be more conserved than protein coding genes among mammalian genomes. A characteristic of the human – non-mammalian comparisons is a bimodal distribution of relative distance difference of conserved consecutive HCE pairs; and it is difficult to attribute such profile to a random assortment. We therefore undertook an analysis of the human genomic regions confined by consecutive HCE pairs common to eight genomes (human, mouse, rat, chicken, frog, zebrafish, tetradon and fugu).

Results

Among HCE pairs, we found that some consistently preserve highly conserved interval distance among genomes while others have relatively low distance conservation. Using a partition method, we detected two groups of inter-HCE regions (IHRs) with distinct distance conservation pattern in vertebrate genomes: IHR1s that are bordered by HCE pairs with relative small distance variation, and IHR2s with larger distance difference values. Compared to random background, annotated repeat sequences are significantly less frequent in IHR1s than IHR2s, which reflects a correlation between repeat sequences and the length expansion of IHRs. Both groups of IHRs are unexpectedly enriched in human indel (i.e. insertion and deletion) polymorphism-variations than random background. The correlation between the percentage of conserved sequence and human IHR length was stronger for IHR1 than IHR2. Both groups of IHRs are significantly enriched for CpG islands.

Conclusion

The data suggest that subsets of HCE pairs may undergo different evolutionary paths in light of their genomic distance conservation, and that sets of genomic regions pertain to HCEs, as well as the region in which HCEs reside, should be treated as integrated domains.
Combined finite element-boundary element method modelling of elastic multi-asperity contacts
Authors: Ilincic S , Vorlaufer G , Fotiu P A , Vernes A , Franek F
Published: March 2009

A novel formulation of elastic multi-asperity contacts based on the boundary element method (BEM) is presented for the first time, in which the influence coefficients are numerically calculated using a finite element method (FEM). The main advantage of computing the influence coefficients in this manner is that it makes it also possible to consider an arbitrary load direction and multilayer systems of different mechanical properties in each layer. Furthermore, any form of anisotropy can be modelled too, where Green's functions either become very complicated or are not available at all.

The rest of the contact analysis is then performed applying a custom-developed boundary element algorithm. The scheme was tested by considering the frictionless contact between a flat surface and a sphere. The obtained results are in good agreement with the analytical solution known for a Hertzian contact. Applied to either a frictionless or a frictional contact between real surfaces of different samples, our FEM-BEM method has shown that the composite roughness of surfaces in contact uniquely determines the contact pressure distribution.
A multi-scale model for fretting wear with oxidation-debris effects
Authors: Ding J , Leen S B , Williams E J , Shipway P H
Published: March 2009

A multi-scale modelling approach for fretting wear, which integrates a macro-wear simulation tool and a micro-asperity model, is presented. The finite-element -based macro-wear simulation tool predicts local distributions of contact pressure and slip and simulates material removal from the fretting interface. The former information, together with local thickness of the debris layer, forms inputs to the asperity model, so that cyclic plastic deformation underneath the debris layer can be calculated. By knowing the local plastic deformation, the movement of the debris layer into the substrate within the macro-wear simulation tool can be determined according to a plasticity-enhanced oxidation model. The constants required by the multi-scale modelling approach are identified from fretting tests and the simulated results are validated against test measurements.
Development, parameterization, and validation of a visco-plastic material model for sand with different levels of water saturation
Authors: Grujicic M , He T , Pandurangan B , Bell W C , Cheeseman B A , Roy W N , Skaggs R R
Published: March 2009

A new material model for sand has been developed in order to include the effects of the deformation rate and the degree of saturation on the constitutive response of this material. The model is an extension of the original high strain-rate compaction model for sand developed by Laine and Sandvik and an elastic—visco-plastic material model for sand recently proposed by Tong and Tuan in which these effects were neglected. The new material model was parameterized using the available experimental data for sand with different levels of saturation tested mechanically at different strain rates. The model is next used, within a non-linear-dynamics transient computational analysis, to study: (a) various phenomena associated with the explosion of shallow-buried and ground-laid mines and (b) the dynamic behaviour of a vehicle during an off-road ride. The computational results are then compared with the corresponding experimental results. This comparison suggested that the newly developed material model for sand captures the essential features of the dynamic behaviour of sand with different levels of saturation when subjected to realistic high and low strain-rate loading conditions.
Steroid Hormone Analysis by Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Soldin Steven J , Soldin Offie P
Published: March 2009

Background: New high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods are among the most successful approaches to improve specificity problems inherent in many immunoassays.

Content: We emphasize problems with immunoassays for the measurement of steroids and review the emerging role of LC-MS/MS in the measurement of clinically relevant steroids. The latest generation of tandem mass spectrometers has superior limits of quantification, permitting omission of previously employed derivatization steps. The measurement of steroid profiles in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal insufficiency, chronic pelvic pain and prostatitis, oncology (breast cancer), and athletes has important new applications.

Conclusions: LC-MS/MS now affords the specificity, imprecision, and limits of quantification necessary for the reliable measurement of steroids in human fluids, enhancing diagnostic capabilities, particularly when steroid profiles are available.
Toward Standardization of Insulin Immunoassays
Authors: Miller W Greg , Thienpont Linda M , Van Uytfanghe Katleen , Clark Penelope M , Lindstedt Patrik , Nilsson Göran , Steffes Michael W ,   for the Insulin Standardization Work Group
Published: March 2009

Background: Measurement of circulating insulin may improve the classification and management of diabetes mellitus and assist in treating people with insulin resistance.

Methods: A work group convened by the American Diabetes Association evaluated results for a panel of 39 single donor sera measured by 10 commercial insulin methods from 9 manufacturers against an isotope dilution–liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (IDMS) measurement procedure calibrated using purified recombinant insulin. We used a candidate primary (pure substance) reference material, pooled serum, and single donor sera to evaluate approaches to achieve improved agreement of results between the routine and reference measurement procedures.

Results: Four of 10 methods had ≥95% of individual serum results within 32% of the IDMS concentrations. However, the bias vs IDMS was more than 15.5% for 7 of 10 methods in 36%–100% of individual samples. A purified recombinant insulin preparation used as a common calibrator did not improve harmonization of results among routine methods but was not used as instructed by all participants. Calibration using serum pools achieved bias <15.5% for nearly all results in the concentration range covered by the pools (>60 pmol/L). Calibration using a panel of individual sera was the most effective to improve harmonization of results over the full measuring range.

Conclusions: Agreement among methods can be improved by establishing traceability to the IDMS procedure using a panel of native sera. Pooled sera may be useful as trueness control materials. The usefulness of the pure insulin primary reference material [candidate reference material for insulin (cRMI)] requires clarification of protocols used by manufacturers.
Genetic Polymorphisms of the Natriuretic Peptide System in the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Disease: What Lies on the Horizon?
Authors: Vassalle Cristina , Andreassi Maria Grazia
Published: March 2009

Background: The natriuretic peptide hormone family includes various proteins characterized by similar chemical structure and shared biological functions, with important effects on the cardiovascular system. Accordingly, these molecules are widely recognized as key clinical biomarkers in the diagnosis and monitoring of heart failure, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.

Content: Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been recently identified in genes associated with the natriuretic system. This review provides an overview of new insights into the functional role of these genetic variants, as well as their impact on cardiovascular physiopathology and drug response.

Conclusions: Noteworthy relationships between some specific polymorphisms and clinical correlates of cardiovascular disease have emerged. Nevertheless, future confirming studies are needed to substantiate the clinical relevance of such variants.