bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rediscovering contact inhibition in the embryo
Authors: STRAMER B.M. , DUNN G.A. , DAVIS J.R. , MAYOR R. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe cellular reaction called contact inhibition of locomotion was initially characterised by Michael Abercrombie more than 60 years ago. In his most general definition, it is defined as the stopping of the continued locomotion of a cell in the direction which has produced a collision with another cell. This deceptively simple response has been widely studied in vitro in a number of cell types over the years, yet it is still often misunderstood by the scientific community. Abercrombie spent much of his life studying the failure of the response shown by cancer cell types and how this might lead to malignant invasion of normal tissue. However, since Abercrombie's time, a role for this response in living organisms has been left to the realm of speculation. Here, we discuss the history of contact inhibition research, clarify some of the misconceptions about the response and reclaim misused terminology. We will also highlight our recent work, which for the first time elucidates a functional role for contact inhibition in vivo during embryogenesis.
The relationship between sagittal curvature and extensor muscle volume in the lumbar spine
Authors: Meakin Judith R. , Fulford Jonathan , Seymour Richard , Welsman Joanne R. , Knapp Karen M. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractA previous modelling study predicted that the forces applied by the extensor muscles to stabilise the lumbar spine would be greater in spines that have a larger sagittal curvature (lordosis). Because the force‐generating capacity of a muscle is related to its size, it was hypothesised that the size of the extensor muscles in a subject would be related to the size of their lumbar lordosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were obtained, together with age, height, body mass and back pain status, from 42 female subjects. The volume of the extensor muscles (multifidus and erector spinae) caudal to the mid‐lumbar level was estimated from cross‐sectional area measurements in axial T1‐weighted MRIs spanning the lumbar spine. Lower lumbar curvature was determined from sagittal T1‐weighted images. A stepwise linear regression model was used to determine the best predictors of muscle volume. The mean lower lumbar extensor muscle volume was 281 cm3 (SD = 49 cm3). The mean lower lumbar curvature was 30 ° (SD = 7 °). Five subjects reported current back pain and were excluded from the regression analysis. Nearly half the variation in muscle volume was accounted for by the variables age (standardised coefficient, B = −3.2, P = 0.03) and lower lumbar curvature (B = 0.47, P = 0.002). The results support the hypothesis that extensor muscle volume in the lower lumbar spine is related to the magnitude of the sagittal curvature; this has implications for assessing muscle size as an indicator of muscle strength.
An investigation of the dynamic relationship between navicular drop and first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsal excursion
Authors: Griffin Nicole L. , Miller Charlotte , Schmitt Daniel , D'Août Kristiaan 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe modern human foot is a complex biomechanical structure that must act both as a shock absorber and as a propulsive strut during the stance phase of gait. Understanding the ways in which foot segments interact can illuminate the mechanics of foot function in healthy and pathological humans. It has been proposed that increased values of medial longitudinal arch deformation can limit metatarsophalangeal joint excursion via tension in the plantar aponeurosis. However, this model has not been tested directly in a dynamic setting. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that during the stance phase, subtalar pronation (stretching of the plantar aponeurosis and subsequent lowering of the medial longitudinal arch) will negatively affect the amount of first metatarsophalangeal joint excursion occurring at push‐off. Vertical descent of the navicular (a proxy for subtalar pronation) and first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsal excursion were measured during steady locomotion over a flat substrate on a novel sample consisting of asymptomatic adult males and females, many of whom are habitually unshod. Least‐squares regression analyses indicated that, contrary to the hypothesis, navicular drop did not explain a significant amount of variation in first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsal excursion. These results suggest that, in an asymptomatic subject, the plantar aponeurosis and the associated foot bones can function effectively within the normal range of subtalar pronation that takes place during walking gait. From a clinical standpoint, this study highlights the need for investigating the in vivo kinematic relationship between subtalar pronation and metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion in symptomatic populations, and also the need to explore other factors that may affect the kinematics of asymptomatic feet.
A retrospective and prospective look at medical education in the United States: trends shaping anatomical sciences education
Authors: Drake Richard L. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractDuring the last decade of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century, curricular reform has been a popular theme. In fact, reform on the current scale has not occurred since the early 1900s, when Abraham Flexner released his landmark report ‘Medical Education in the United States and Canada’. His report, suggesting major changes in how physicians were educated, became the norm and few changes occurred until the last quarter of the 20th century. During this period increased demands on medical school curriculums due to the explosion of knowledge in biomedical sciences and the pressure to add additional clinical experiences increased the momentum for curriculum reform. In 1984 an Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) report, ‘Physicians for the Twenty‐First Century: The Report of the Panel on the General Professional Education of the Physician (GPEP) and College Preparation for Medicine’, discussed many items related to reforming medical education including the value of integration, increased use of active learning formats, more self‐directed learning, improved communication skills and increased problem‐solving activities. This was followed by a report released in 1993 entitled ‘Educating Medical Students: Assessing Change in Medical Education – The Road to Implementation’ (ACME‐TRI), which identified educational problems by surveying medical school deans, suggested ways to deal with these issues and presented a plan of action. Recently, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching released ‘Education Physicians: A Call for Reform of Medical School and Residency’ with additional suggestions. At this point the question that might be asked is – Where is all this going and how is it going to affect anatomy education?
Relative contribution of restorative treatment to tooth extraction in a teaching institution
Authors: Alomari Q. D. , Khalaf M. E. , Al‐Shawaf N. M. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryTeeth can be extracted due to multiple factors. The aim of this retrospective cross‐sectional study was to identify the relative contribution of restorative treatments to tooth loss. The study reviewed records of 826 patients (1102 teeth). Patient's gender, age and education were obtained. In addition to the main reason for extraction (caries, periodontal disease, pre‐prosthetic extraction, restorative failure and remaining root), the following information was collected about each extracted tooth: type, the status of caries if any (primary or secondary) and pulpal status (normal or reversible pulpitis, irreversible pulpitis, necrotic or root canal treated) and type and size of restoration, if present. Following data collection, descriptive analysis was performed. A log‐linear model was used to examine the association between restorative treatment and tooth loss and between reasons for tooth loss and type of tooth. Lower molars followed by upper molars were the most commonly extracted teeth. Teeth with no restorations or with crowns were less likely to be extracted (P < 0·001). Lower and upper molars and lower premolars were more likely to be extracted due to restorative failure, while lower anterior teeth were more likely to be extracted due to periodontal disease (P < 0·05). Twenty two per cent of the extractions was due to restorative failure, and at least 65·9% of these teeth had secondary caries. Gender, age and educational level were factors that affect tooth loss. In conclusion, teeth receiving multiple restorative therapies were more likely to be extracted.
Update on the investigation of children with delayed development
Authors: Silove Natalie , Collins Felicity , Ellaway Carolyn 
Published: April 2013

AbstractChildren develop in the domains of cognition, speech and language, motor, personal skills, social skills and activities of daily living in a predictable and organised manner. Between 3000 and 9000 Australian children born in any one year may be diagnosed with global developmental delay. Paediatricians are often faced with the dilemma of ‘who’ and ‘how’ to investigate, as the yield is often considered to be low. ‘Best practice’ guidelines on the investigation of global developmental delay have been published, but the evidence available for the specific recommendations varies significantly and is based mostly on levels III and IV evidence (non‐experimental descriptive studies and expert opinions). This paper discusses the current views and suggests a possible algorithm for clinical practice in Australia.
Postharvest Fruit rot of Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) in Spain Caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Neofusicoccum spp.
Authors: Palou Lluís , Montesinos‐Herrero Clara , Besada Cristina , Taberner Verònica 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThree different fungi (isolates IVIA QCV‐1, IVIA QCV‐3 and IVIA QCV‐4) were isolated as potential causal agents of postharvest decay losses observed on sweet persimmons (Diospyros kaki L.) cv. ‘Rojo Brillante’ from commercial packinghouses in the Valencia area (Spain). Disease symptoms were irregular brownish and soft lesions mainly located under and surrounding the fruit calyx (stem‐end) that expanded rapidly at room temperature and turned to dark brown or black colour producing apparent and in some cases abundant white to grey mycelium. The identification of Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Neofusicoccum mediterraneum and Neofusicoccum luteum by macroscopic and microscopic morphological observations was confirmed with the amplification and subsequent sequencing of the ribosomal DNA ITS2 region. Representative nucleotide sequences were deposited in GenBank. Pathogenicity of all three isolates was demonstrated by fulfilling Koch's postulates.
Maternal immunization promotes the immune response of neonates towards hepatitis B vaccine
Authors: Zhang W. , Guo Z. , Zhang L. , Liu Z. , Li J. , Ji Z. , Xu R. , Zhao N. , Li F. , Chen X. , Yan Y. , Zhang J. , An Q. , Yang H. , Den Z. , Shao Z. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryInfants infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) face the risk of developing severe complications. Unfortunately, in spite of universal vaccination programmes, 5% or more of vaccinated newborns still do not achieve protective levels of anti‐hepatitis B virus surface antigen titres (anti‐HBs). The aim of this study was to use animal experiments and population‐based research to determine whether maternal vaccination against HBV affects the outcome of neonatal vaccination. Six sows and 53 newborn piglets were used for this study and randomly assigned to the vaccination group (three 20 μg doses of recombinant HBV vaccine). All the piglets were followed up to 10 weeks of age, and peripheral blood was withdrawn for measurement of anti‐HBs. A cross‐sectional study was also conducted on 449 mothers with infants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic, medical and maternal data, and their peripheral blood was collected for measurement of anti‐HBs. The results of animal experiments demonstrated that nonvaccinated piglets born to vaccinated sows and nonvaccinated piglets born to nonvaccinated sows were negative for anti‐HBs. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the titres of anti‐HBs in vaccinated piglets born to vaccinated sows were significantly higher than in vaccinated piglets born to nonvaccinated sows (P < 0.05). In a population‐based study, a cumulative logistic regression analysis showed that the strongest influences on neonatal anti‐HBs titres were delay of the first vaccination dose [OR = 3.02(95% CI: 1.72–5.30)] and maternal anti‐HBs titres [OR = 2.48(95% CI: 2.03–3.04)]. In conclusion, high maternal anti‐HBs titres can enhance the response to HBV vaccination in infants.
Vegetation succession on Mt. Kenya in relation to glacial fluctuation and global warming
Authors: Mizuno Kazuharu , Fujita Tomohiro 
Published: April 2013

AbstractQuestionsHow has the Mt. Kenya plant community responded to recent glacial retreat? Has the recent glacial retreat been affected by increases in temperature? How have number of plant clumps and proportion of vegetation cover changed with distance from the glacier edge (i.e. till age)?LocationFrom Tyndall Tarn to the foot of Tyndall Glacier of Mt. Kenya (0°6′ S, 37°18′ E), Kenya.MethodsThe topography, soils, vegetation and glacial distribution around the Tyndall Glacier of Mt. Kenya were investigated from 1992 to 2011. The effect of glacial retreat on the rate of movement of leading edge (upper distribution limit) of plant species was examined. The distribution of vegetation was examined in a permanent plot that was surveyed in 1996 and 2011. The effects of temperature variation on glacial retreat were assessed with a least squares regression model.ResultsTyndall Glacier retreated at a rate of ~3 m·yr−1from 1958 to 1997, which increased to 7–15 m·yr−1between 1997 and 2011. The leading edge ofSenecio keniophytum, the first pioneer species to establish after glacial retreat, advanced with glacial recession. It was sparse in 1996; by 2011, the number of clumps and proportion of cover had increased. Clump size was affected by distance from the glacier edge (i.e. till age) in areas of recent deglaciation but not in deglaciated areas >15 yr old. Monthly mean minimum temperature at Mt. Kenya increased by >2 °C from 1963 to 2011, and glacial retreat was related to increase in monthly mean minimum temperature.ConclusionThe glaciers on Mt. Kenya have diminished rapidly in recent years, and pioneer plant species have advanced in response. The movements of some species do not appear to be directly spatially related to glacial retreat but may be related to increases in air temperature, soil development, seed dispersal limitation and interval of masting. Recent unusually high temperatures and precipitation also likely caused the blooming of some species during atypical seasons.
High levels of circulating HMGB1 as a biomarker of acute liver failure in patients with viral hepatitis E
Authors: Majumdar Manasi , Ratho Radhakanta , Chawla Yogesh , Singh Mini P. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundViral hepatitis E clinically ranges between acute self‐limiting hepatitis (AVH) and acute liver failure (ALF). The varied clinical course of the disease possibly thought to be immune‐mediated. High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a non‐histone chromosomal nuclear protein with recently discovered pro‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory action. Its presence in abundance within hepatocytes is thought provoking in patients with hepatitis.AimThe present study was designed to elucidate the role of circulating HMGB1 and its gene expression in patients with viral hepatitis E.MethodsBlood samples were obtained from AVH (n = 38), ALF (n = 34) and healthy controls (HC, n = 30). The HMGB1 levels were estimated in serum by quantitative‐micro‐ELISA. Gene expression levels were studied in the patient's PBMCs by real‐time PCR. Lymphocyte proliferation was estimated by colorimetric‐MTT assay.ResultsMean circulating HMGB1 levels in HC, AVH and ALF patients were found to be 12.04 ± 2.23, 112.6 ± 13.33 and 225.3 ± 15.04 ng/ml respectively. The levels were significantly higher in ALF than AVH and HC (P < 0.0001). Moreover, 88.2% of ALF patients with >250 ng/ml of circulating HMGB1 had a fatal outcome. The gene expression of HMGB1 in the PBMCs of ALF and AVH patients were comparable. A positive correlation was observed between HMGB1 level and INR. A significantly low lymphocyte proliferation was observed in ALF patients (P = 0.008).ConclusionMassive necrosis of hepatocytes in ALF patients might predispose to excessive accumulation of extracellular HMGB1 leading to suppression of T‐cell proliferation. Therefore, it is proposed that excessive circulating HMGB1 might play an important role in immunosuppression and fulminant course of the disease following HEV infection.
Charlson Co‐morbidity Index and albumin significantly associated with fracture risk in peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Ma Maggie KM , Yap Desmond YH , Yip Terence PS , Lui Sing Leung , Lo Wai Kei 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPublished literature on fracture in dialysis patients seldom addressed the effect of co‐morbidity and malnutrition. In this study, we reported the incidence and risk factors for fracture in peritoneal dialysis patients. Peritoneal dialysis patients who had fractures between 2006 and 2011 were recruited. Demographic data, details of fracture, Charlson Co‐morbidity Index (CCI) and biochemical parameters were also collected. Non‐fracture controls, matched for age, gender and duration of dialysis, were also recruited at ratio 1:1 for fracture risk analysis. The incidence of fracture was 1 in 37 patient‐years. The commonest site of fracture was neck of femur (n = 16, 55.2%). Twenty‐four patients (82.8%) developed fracture after slip and fall injury. Eight out of 17 self‐ambulatory patients (47.1%) became non‐ambulatory after fracture. Infection was the commonest complication during hospitalization. Univariant analysis demonstrated high CCI (P = 0.001), hypoalbuminaemia (P < 0.001), loss of self autonomy (P = 0.006) and non‐ambulatory state (P = 0.011) significantly associated with increased fracture risk. However, only CCI (odds ratio (OR) 1.373, P = 0.028) and albumin (OR 0.893, P = 0.025) increased fracture risk significantly on multivariant analysis. Bone profile and parathyroid hormone were not significant risk factors. To conclude, fracture associated with adverse outcome in peritoneal dialysis patients. High CCI score and hypoalbuminaemia significantly increase risk of fracture.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide regulates barrier function via mast cells in human intestinal follicle‐associated epithelium and during stress in rats
Authors: Keita Å. V. , Carlsson A. H. , Cigéhn M. , Ericson A.‐C. , McKay D. M. , Söderholm J. D. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundVasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) has been implicated as a regulator of intestinal barrier function and inflammation. Our aim was to elucidate the role of VIP in follicle‐associated epithelium (FAE) and villus epithelium (VE) permeability following stress in rats and on human intestinal barrier function.MethodsRats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with VIP receptor‐antagonists (anti‐VPACs), a mast cell stabilizer, doxantrazole (DOX), or NaCl, and submitted to acute water avoidance stress. Ileal segments were mounted in Ussing chambers to assess 51chromium‐edta (51Cr‐edta) and Escherichia (E.) coli (strain K‐12) permeability. Rat ileal and human ileal and colonic segments were exposed to VIP ± anti‐VPACs or DOX. An in vitro co‐culture model of human FAE was used to study epithelial‐VIP effects. VIP/VPACs distribution was assessed by microscopy.Key ResultsStress increased 51Cr‐edta and E. coli permeability in VE and FAE. The increases were abolished by i.p. injection of DOX or anti‐VPACs. Ileal VIP‐exposure ex vivo increased bacterial passage and this was reduced by DOX. In human FAE ex vivo, VIP treatment doubled bacterial uptake, which was normalized by DOX or anti‐VPACs. No barrier effects were observed in human colonic tissue. VPACs were found in rat and human ileal follicles, with partial mast cell co‐localization. The co‐culture model confirmed VIP–mast cell–epithelial interactions in the regulation of barrier function.Conclusions & InferencesStress affects the FAE barrier by mechanisms involving VIP and VPACs on mucosal mast cells. We suggest a regulatory role for VIP in the control of ileal permeability that may be relevant to bacterial–epithelial interactions in stress‐related intestinal disorders.
Free Will, Determinism, and the Possibility of Doing Otherwise
Authors: List Christian 
Published: April 2013

AbstractI argue that free will and determinism are compatible, even when we take free will to require the ability to do otherwise and even when we interpret that ability modally, as the possibility of doing otherwise, and not just conditionally or dispositionally. My argument draws on a distinction between physical and agential possibility. Although in a deterministic world only one future sequence of events is physically possible for each state of the world, the more coarsely defined state of an agent and his or her environment can be consistent with more than one such sequence, and thus different actions can be “agentially possible”. The agential perspective is supported by our best theories of human behaviour, and so we should take it at face value when we refer to what an agent can and cannot do. On the picture I defend, free will is not a physical phenomenon, but a higher‐level one on a par with other higher‐level phenomena such as agency and intentionality.
For A New Bipolarity: China and Russia vs. America
Authors: XUETONG YAN 
Published: April 2013

A great historical transition is underway from American‐led Globalization 1.0 to Globalization 2.0—the interdependence of plural identities where no one power or alliance of powers dominates.The G‐20 is floundering as the immediate global financial crisis has receded. The United Nations and the old Bretton Woods institutions—the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO—have lost their vigor and are struggling to adjust to the global powershift with the rise of the emerging economies. While Europe is paralyzed as the historic project of integration stalls, the world's two largest economies—the United States and China—are as yet unable to figure out how to share power.The danger now is that the geopolitical vacuum will invite assertions of national self‐interest that will unravel the rules‐based order that enabled stability and prosperity over recent decades.America's leading geopolitical strategist, China's most outspoken strategic thinker and one of Asia's leading global thinkers from Singapore offer their reflections on this state of affairs.
The Great Convergence and the Logic of One World
Authors: MAHBUBANI KISHORE 
Published: April 2013

A great historical transition is underway from American‐led Globalization 1.0 to Globalization 2.0—the interdependence of plural identities where no one power or alliance of powers dominates.The G‐20 is floundering as the immediate global financial crisis has receded. The United Nations and the old Bretton Woods institutions—the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO—have lost their vigor and are struggling to adjust to the global powershift with the rise of the emerging economies. While Europe is paralyzed as the historic project of integration stalls, the world's two largest economies—the United States and China—are as yet unable to figure out how to share power.The danger now is that the geopolitical vacuum will invite assertions of national self‐interest that will unravel the rules‐based order that enabled stability and prosperity over recent decades.America's leading geopolitical strategist, China's most outspoken strategic thinker and one of Asia's leading global thinkers from Singapore offer their reflections on this state of affairs.