bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bone‐conditioned medium modulates the osteoconductive properties of collagen membranes in a rat calvaria defect model
Authors: Kuchler Ulrike , Rybaczek Tina , Dobask Toni , Heimel Patrick , Tangl Stefan , Klehm Jessica , Menzel Matthias , Gruber Reinhard 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectivesCollagen membranes are not limited to be occlusive barriers as they actively support bone regeneration. However, the impact of bone‐derived growth factors on their osteoconductive competence has not been examined.MethodsTwenty adult Sprague Dawley rats were included in the study. Calvaria defects with a diameter of five millimeter were created. The defect was covered with one layer of a collagen membrane previously soaked in conditioned medium of porcine bone chips or in culture medium alone. After 4 weeks, microcomputed tomography was performed. Undecalcified thin‐ground sections were subjected to light and scanning electron microscopy. Primary outcome parameter was the bone volume in the defect. Unit of analysis was the bone‐conditioned medium (BCM).ResultsIn the central defect area of the control and the BCM group, median new bone connected to the host bone was 0.54 and 0.32 mm³, respectively (p = .10). In the ectocranial defect area, the control group showed significantly more bone than the BCM group (0.90 and 0.26 mm³; p = .02). Based on an exploratory interpretation, the control group had smaller bony islands than the BCM group. Scanning electron microscopy and histology indicate the formation of bone but also the collagen membrane to be mineralized in the defect site.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that the commercial collagen membrane holds an osteoconductive competence in a rat calvaria defect model. Soaking collagen membranes with BCM shifts bone formation toward the formation of bony islands rather than new bone connected to the host bone.
Hard and soft tissue changes around implants activated using plasma of argon: A histomorphometric study in dog
Authors: Canullo Luigi , Tallarico Marco , Botticelli Daniele , Alccayhuaman Karol Alí Apaza , Martins Neto Evandro Carneiro , Xavier Samuel Porfirio 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo histologically assess the hard and soft tissue changes after insertion of cleaned and activated titanium implants using plasma of argon.Materials and methodsEight dogs were included in this study. The mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted. For each hemi‐mandible, four implants, 7 mm long and 3.3 mm of diameter, with a ZirTi surface were used. The surface of two implants was randomly treated with argon plasma (test), while the other two implants were left untreated (control). After 1 month, the same procedure was performed in the contralateral hemi‐mandible. The amount of old bone, new bone, overall value of old bone plus new bone, and soft tissue was histologically evaluated.ResultsAfter 1 month of healing, high percentages of new bone in close contact with the implant surface were found at both the treated (60.1% ± 15.6%; 95% CI 56.5%–78.0%) and untreated (57.2% ± 13.1%; 95% CI 49.3%–67.5%) implants. Low percentages of old bone were found at this stage of healing, at both the treated (4.4% ± 3.0%; 95% CI 1.2%–5.4%) and untreated (3.4% ± 3.1%; 95% CI 0.6%–4.9%) implants. Not statistically significant differences were found between groups (p > .05). After 2 months of healing, treated implants presented a significantly higher (p = .012) new bone formation (72.5% ± 12.4%; 95% CI 69.6%–86.8%) compared to untreated sites (64.7% ± 17.3%; 95% CI 59.4%–83.3%). Controversially, no difference (p = .270) in terms of old bone was present between treated (3.1% ± 1.7%, 95% CI 1.8%–4.2%) and untreated implants (3.8% ± 1.9%, 95% CI 3.2%–5.8%). Significant differences (p = .018) in terms of total mineralized bone were found between treated (75.6% ± 13.0%, 95% CI 73.3%–91.3%) and untreated implants (68.4% ± 16.8%; 95% CI 64.2%–87.6%).ConclusionsImplants treated using plasma of argon was demonstrated to reach a higher bone‐to‐implant contact when compared to untreated implants.
Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid phosphorylated tau231 as a biomarker in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia
Authors: Kiđemet‐Piskač Spomenka , Babić Leko Mirjana , Blažeković Antonela , Langer Horvat Lea , Klepac Nataša , Sonicki Zdenko , Kolenc Danijela , Hof Patrick R. , Boban Marina , Mimica Ninoslav , Borovečki Fran , Šimić Goran 
Published: February 2018

SummaryBackgroundThe diagnosis of either Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD) is still largely based on clinical guidelines and exclusion of other diseases that may lead to dementia.AimsIn this study, we assessed whether the use of sensitive and specific biomarkers such as phosphorylated tau proteins could contribute to an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of AD and VaD, as well as to their differentiation.Material and methodsA total of 198 patients, of which 152 had AD, 28 VaD, and 18 were healthy controls (HC), were included in the analyses. We analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of total tau protein (t‐tau), tau protein phosphorylated at threonine 231 (p‐tau231), and factor score (FS) determined by combination of p‐tau231 and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) in patients with AD and VaD, as well as in HC. We tested the diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers in the CSF and FS (p‐tau231, MMSE) in differentiating AD from VaD and HC.ResultsTotal tau levels were significantly elevated in subjects with AD compared to HC, as well as in VaD subjects compared to HC.Discussionp‐tau231 levels were significantly higher in patients with ADvsHC as well in patients with VaD vsHC. p‐tau231 levels did not distinguish AD from VaD patients. Importantly, FS(p‐tau231 and MMSE) showed statistically significant differences in the distribution of subjects with AD and VaD.ConclusionThese results indicate that FS (p‐tau231 and MMSE) has a strong potential to provide an early distinction between AD and VaD.
Mental Rotation in False Belief Understanding
Authors: Xie Jiushu , Cheung Him , Shen Manqiong , Wang Ruiming 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study examines the spontaneous use of embodied egocentric transformation (EET) in understanding false beliefs in the minds of others. EET involves the participants mentally transforming or rotating themselves into the orientation of an agent when trying to adopt his or her visuospatial perspective. We argue that psychological perspective taking such as false belief reasoning may also involve EET because of what has been widely reported in the embodied cognition literature, showing that our processing of abstract, propositional information is often grounded in concrete bodily sensations which are not apparently linked to higher cognition. In Experiment 1, an agent placed a ball into one of two boxes and left. The ball then rolled out and moved either into the other box (new box) or back into the original one (old box). The participants were to decide from which box they themselves or the agent would try to recover the ball. Results showed that false belief performance was affected by increased orientation disparity between the participants and the agent, suggesting involvement of embodied transformation. In Experiment 2, false belief was similarly induced and the participants were to decide if the agent would try to recover the ball in one specific box. Orientation disparity was again found to affect false belief performance. The present results extend previous findings on EET in visuospatial perspective taking and suggest that false belief reasoning, which is a kind of psychological perspective taking, can also involve embodied rotation, consistent with the embodied cognition view.
Long‐term outcomes of 6‐mm diameter fully covered self‐expandable metal stents in benign refractory pancreatic ductal stricture
Authors: Oh Dongwook , Lee Jae Hoon , Song Tae Jun , Park Do Hyun , Lee Sung Koo , Kim Myung‐Hwan , Lee Sang Soo 
Published: February 2018

Background and AimFully covered self‐expandable metal stent (FCSEMS) placement has been tried for pancreatic ductal strictures in chronic pancreatitis. However, the long‐term outcome of this procedure remains unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the procedural and long‐term outcomes of FCSEMS placement in patients with benign refractory pancreatic ductal strictures.MethodsBetween August 2011 and September 2015, 18 patients underwent endoscopic treatment with FCSEMS for benign refractory pancreatic ductal stricture. Technical success, clinical success, radiological success, and adverse events were assessed.ResultsStent placement was successful in all patients (technical success rate, 100%). Reduction in pain score of >50% was achieved in 15 of the 18 patients (clinical success rate, 83.3%). In all patients, stents could easily be removed at a median of 7.5 months (interquartile range [IQR], 6–13.6) after their insertion. FCSEMS migration did not develop in any patient. Ductal stricture was improved in 15 patients (radiological success rate, 83.3%). After definite stent removal, 13 of the 15 (86.7%) patients who had responded to pancreatic stenting maintained the response during follow up (median of 47.3 months; IQR, 7.4–57.1).ConclusionsFCSEMS placement appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of benign refractory pancreatic ductal strictures as it can provide persistent improvement in the stricture in long‐term follow up.
Unintended consequences or ambivalent policy objectives? Conflict minerals and mining reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Diemel J. A. , Hilhorst D. J. M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSince the early 2000s, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the international community have initiated a reform process in the artisanal mining sector to break the linkages between mineral extraction and violent conflict. Research on the reforms reaches different conclusions about their impact on conflict, governance and livelihoods, and usually focuses on one aspect of the reforms, accepting the objectives of the policy at face value. This discourse analysis of the objectives of reform policies aims to understand how they represent the problem, the solutions they envision and their proposed plans. The study applied the method of interpretive policy analysis to four policy documents issued between 2010 and 2012: the UN Group of Experts report, the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict‐Affected and High‐Risk Areas, and the International Conference on the Great Lake Region (ICGLR) Regional Certification Mechanism (RCM) Manual. The study finds that the policies hinge on two seemingly commensurate objectives, varying between conflict‐free sourcing and promoting peace. We find that, in reality, these objectives may not align. We also find that much reform practice is geared towards conflict‐free sourcing, and is far less appropriate when it comes to promoting peace. This includes the tendency to implement the policies in conflict‐free zones, their narrow scope, the reliance on the government and their indifference to the impact of the reforms for poor miners. The findings suggest that exercising due diligence has become a goal in itself. This raises the question of whether giving buyers a clear conscience and developing a traceable and conflict‐free product has received more attention than improving the situation of the Congolese population.
Psychosocial student functioning in comprehensive dental clinic education: A qualitative study
Authors: Moore R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe aims were to describe first‐year clinical dental students’ psychosocial experiences in a known well‐functioning comprehensive clinic teaching group (F+Grp) and a known dysfunctional group (Dys‐Grp) and, thus, discover and describe phenomena related to psychosocial functioning of students. These groups were compared and contrasted regarding negative stress symptoms, perfectionism and coping with stress.MethodsEight female dental students (mean 26 years old), four in each group, were interviewed after the first clinical year about learning and emotional experiences. The students also rated their perceived stress using a 0‐10 scale, where 0 is no stress, and 10 is highest stress. Qualitative analyses involved searching for recurring themes and discovery of categories of clinical and social functioning. All 8 students were revisited as dentists after 8 years and filled out a 15‐item survey as longitudinal validation of their first‐year clinical experiences and to estimate group consensus and informant accuracy.ResultsBoth groups suffered from negative stress symptoms attributed to lack of time for clinical tasks, worries about work quality with confusion about their own expectations and worries about how others perceived them. Dys‐Grp experienced higher negative stress and maladaptive perfectionism and described crying behaviours, withdrawal and unwillingness to cooperate with others. In contrast, students in F+Grp provided rich content about mutual cooperation related to social networking and positive support. The 8 subjects exhibited high internal consistency (α = .98) in their responses to the follow‐up survey about their first year of clinic.ConclusionsThe comprehensive care teaching clinic environment with students working in groups appeared to provide a possibility for students to support each other for improved stress coping. Unfortunately, the opposite also occurred. Positive, supportive teacher supervision of student challenges related to perfectionism and stress is crucial and requires specific attention.
Daratumumab resistance is frequent in advanced‐stage multiple myeloma patients irrespective ofCD38 expression and is related to dismal prognosis
Authors: Pick Marjorie , Vainstein Vladimir , Goldschmidt Neta , Lavie David , Libster Diana , Gural Alexander , Grisariu Sigal , Avni Batia , Ben Yehuda Dina , Gatt Moshe E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveDaratumumab is a promising new antimyeloma agent. We report a single center “real‐world” series of multiple myeloma (MM) and amyloidosis (AL) patients treated with daratumumab.MethodsForty‐one patients were included: 7 second‐lineMM, 30 heavily pretreated (median number of therapies of 5) advancedMM, and 4 withAL.ResultsSecond‐line patients and advancedALshowed high rate of durable overall responses. However, advancedMMpatients had a dismal prognosis with an overall response rate (ORR) of 36%, and a short median progression‐free and overall survival of 2.3 and 6.6 months, respectively. Responses were particularly poor in patients with extramedullary plasmacytomas. Neither the addition of another agent to daratumumab nor changing to the next line of therapy produced significant durable responses in this patient population. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated thatCD38 expression level was not predictive of response. We show thatCD38 expression dynamics by a commercially available anti‐CD38 antibody after daratumumab administration was hindered by competitive binding of daratumumab.ConclusionsResponses to daratumumab and combinations in patients with advancedMM, particularly with extramedullary disease, are low and short‐lived, stressing the administration of this agent should be early in the course of the disease.
A mosaic of phenotypic variation in giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida): Local‐ and continental‐scale patterns in a range‐expanding agricultural weed
Authors: Hovick Stephen M. , McArdle Andrea , Harrison S. Kent , Regnier Emilie E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSpatial patterns of trait variation across a species' range have implications for population success and evolutionary change potential, particularly in range‐expanding and weedy species that encounter distinct selective pressures at large and small spatial scales simultaneously. We investigated intraspecific trait variation in a common garden experiment with giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), a highly variable agricultural weed with an expanding geographic range and broad ecological amplitude. Our study included paired populations from agricultural and natural riparian habitats in each of seven regions ranging east to west from the core of the species' distribution in central Ohio to southeastern Minnesota, which is nearer the current invasion front. We observed trait variation across both large‐ and small‐scale putative selective gradients. At large scales, giant ragweed populations from the westernmost locations were nearly four times more fecund and had a nearly 50% increase in reproductive allocation compared to populations from the core. The degree of surface texture on fruits also declined from east to west. Greater fecundity in the west represents a putative trade‐off between fruit size and fruit number across the study region, although no such trade‐off was found across individual plants. This pattern may effectively result in greater propagule pressure closer to the invasion front. At smaller spatial scales, plants from agricultural populations emerged later and were smaller than plants from riparian populations. However, because plants from agricultural populations allocated more biomass to reproduction, total fecundity did not differ across habitats. Our emergence data are consistent with previous observations showing delayed emergence in agricultural compared to natural populations; thus evolutionary change may be predictable as giant ragweed continues spreading into agricultural fields throughout North America. These shifts in life‐history strategy apparently bear no fecundity cost, suggesting that giant ragweed's success can be attributed at least in part to its substantial adaptive potential.
Significance of mitochondria on cardiometabolic syndromes
Authors: Anupama Nair , Sindhu Ganapathy , Raghu Kozhiparambil Gopalan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMetabolic syndromes (MS) are a cluster of disorders such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS), a branch of MS, is a group of diseases affecting cardiovascular, renal, metabolic, prothrombotic, and inflammatory abnormalities due to defects in energy metabolism. Since the emergence of molecular biology and the discovery of pathogenic mitochondrial DNA defect in the 1980s, research advances have revealed a number of common human diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction. One of the major defects in CMS and its associated diseases is excess cellular oxidative stress and oxidative damage to mitochondrial components. In this study, we overview specific aspects of mitochondrial biology that have contributed and likely will continue enhance the progress of development of therapeutics for CMS. During the last decade, however, increasing evidence has emerged supporting the role of mitochondrial functional parameters in the genesis of various metabolism‐related disorders. The biochemical pathways which modulate various mitochondrial functional indicators such as mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial membrane potential, electron transport chain and ATP synthesis, intramitochondrial oxidative stress, and mitochondria‐mediated cell death have been recognized in diagnosis and prognosis of various disorders associated with energy metabolism and heart function.
Haiti's connection to early America: Beyond the revolution
Authors: Johnson Ronald Angelo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHaiti's independence and development as a republic are important to the history of the early United States. The intellectual reconceptualization of the Haitian Revolution from a Caribbean slave revolt to a major Atlantic World event has led to a progressive change in the use of Haiti to enrich early U.S. historiography. This essay calls for more monograph‐length studies on the shared history of the early Haitian and American republics. The embrace of the rich historical literature by Haitian scholars, along with expanding research opportunities and analytical methods, can equip scholars based in North America to publish more books that illuminate the inextricable significance of Haiti's history, beyond its revolution, to the development of early American life and politics.
Option contract strategies with risk‐aversion and emergency purchase
Authors: Yuan Xiaoyong , Bi Gongbing , Zhang Baofeng , Yu Yugang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis paper considers a one‐period supply chain consisting of a risk‐averse retailer and a risk‐neutral supplier. As a Stackelberg leader, the supplier produces short life‐cycle products to the retailer and determines the option price. The newsvendor‐like retailer orders call option from the supplier with an emergency order opportunity. The analytical model shows that when the emergency purchase price is low, the risk‐averse retailer's optimal order quantity is less than that of a risk‐neutral retailer and independent of the retail price. It is surprising that when it is moderate or high, the risk‐averse retailer may order less than, equal to, or more than a risk‐neutral one. Computational studies are given to investigate the key parameters on optimal decisions and profits. It shows a risk‐averse retailer may get higher profit than a risk‐neutral one. The retailer benefits from a low emergency purchase price, while it harms the supplier.