bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Need of minimal important difference for oral health‐related quality of life measures
Authors: Masood Mohd , Masood Yaghma , Saub Roslan , Newton Jonathan Timothy 
Published: September 2012

AbstractDemand and use for oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) instruments have increased in recent years in both research and clinical settings. These instruments can be used to measure patient's health status or detect changes in a patient's health status in response to an intervention or changes in disease trajectory. Ensuring universal acceptance of these measures requires easy interpretation of its scores for clinicians, researchers, and patients. The most important way of describing and interpreting this significance of changes in OHRQoL is through the establishment of minimal important difference (MID). The minimally important difference represents the smallest improvement considered worthwhile by a patient. A comprehensive search of published literature identified only 12 published articles on establishment of MID for OHRQoL measures. This scarcity of published studies on MID encourages the need of appropriate interpretation and describing patient satisfaction in reference to that treatment using MID. Anchor‐ and distribution‐based methods are the two general approaches that have been proposed and recommended to interpret differences or changes in OHRQoL. Both of these methods of determining the MID have specific shortcomings; therefore, it is proposed to adopt triangulation approaches in which the methods are combined. The objective of this review is to summarize the need for, importance of, and recommendations for methods of establishing MID for OHRQoL measures.
Effect of genistein, a natural soy isoflavone, on the pharmacokinetics and intestinal toxicity of irinotecan hydrochloride in rats
Authors: Yokooji Tomoharu , Kawabe Yoshihiro , Mori Nobuhiro , Murakami Teruo 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Objectives
The effect of genistein, a natural soy isoflavone, on pharmacokinetics and intestinal toxicity, or late-onset diarrhoea, of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) was examined in rats.

Methods
Probenecid, a typical inhibitor of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) 2, was also employed for comparison with genistein. Plasma concentration, biliary excretion and intestinal secretion of CPT-11, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) and SN-38 glucuronide (SN-38G) were determined in untreated, genistein-treated and probenecid-treated rats. CPT-11 was administered repeatedly by intravenous injection (60 mg/kg/day for 4 days), and the effects of genistein and probenecid on CPT-11-induced intestinal toxicity were evaluated by measuring body weight, induction of diarrhoea, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the intestinal mucosal membranes.

Key findings
Genistein, as well as probenecid, significantly suppressed the MRP2-mediated biliary and intestinal secretion of CPT-11 and its metabolites and increased their plasma concentrations. Multiple administration of CPT-11 reduced body weight and ALP activity, and induced watery diarrhoea. Genistein, as well as probenecid, significantly suppressed the loss in body weight and the reduced mucosal ALP activity in the ileum, and ameliorated the symptoms of diarrhoea induced by CPT-11.

Conclusions
Intravenous genistein was effective in ameliorating CPT-11-induced late-onset diarrhoea, by suppressing MRP2-mediated biliary excretion of CPT-11 and its metabolites.
The potential role of fatty liver in paediatric metabolic syndrome: a distinct phenotype with high metabolic risk?
Authors: Nobili V. , Bedogni G. , Berni Canani R. , Brambilla P. , Cianfarani S. , Pietrobelli A. , Agostoni C. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryBackgroundThe prevalence of obesity and its metabolic consequences has dramatically increased in the last two decades urging physicians to find a reliable definition for early detection, treatment and possibly prevention of metabolic syndrome (MS). MS could be diagnosed in adult patients in the presence of a large waist circumference and ≥2 of the following features: high serum triglycerides, low serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high blood pressure and high fasting glucose. The definition of MS in children is more problematic, and the potential role of its single components on metabolic risk remains largely undefined. Recent evidence strongly suggests not only a relationship between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and MS in obese children, adolescents and adults, but also the key role exerted by liver fat deposition in the pathogenesis of MS.ConclusionWe propose that NAFLD should be routinely checked in obese subjects because early lifestyle changes may be effective in reducing the overall risk of MS.
Multiplied Modernities and Modernisms?
Authors: Wang Ning 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThere are different forms of modernity or modernism since there is no such thing as the so‐called “singular modernity” or modernism. The paper illustrates how Chinese modernity or modernism has formed to deconstruct the “singular modernity” and Westcentric form of modernism. As an alternative modernity or modernism, the rise of Chinese modernity or modernism has not only contributed to the grand narrative discourse of global modernity or modernism but also paved the way for different forms of modernity or modernism in the current world.
A disproportionate role for mtDNA in Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities?
Authors: Burton Ronald S. , Barreto Felipe S. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractEvolution in allopatric populations can lead to incompatibilities that result in reduced hybrid fitness and ultimately reproductive isolation upon secondary contact. The Dobzhansky–Muller (DM) model nicely accounts for the evolution of such incompatibilities. Although DM incompatibilities were originally conceived as resulting of interactions between nuclear genes, recent studies have documented cases where incompatibilities have arisen between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA). Although mtDNA comprises only a tiny component (typically ≪0.01%) of an organism's genetic material, several features of mtDNA may lead to a disproportionate contribution to the evolution of hybrid incompatibilities: (i) essentially all functions of mtDNA require interaction with nuclear gene products. All mtDNA‐encoded proteins are components of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system and all mtDNA‐encoded RNAs are part of the mitochondrial protein synthetic machinery; both processes require interaction with nuclear‐encoded proteins for function. (ii) Transcription and replication of mtDNA also involve mitonuclear interactions as nuclear‐encoded proteins must bind to regulatory motifs in the mtDNA to initiate these processes. (iii) Although features of mtDNA vary amongst taxa, metazoan mtDNA is typically characterized by high nucleotide substitution rates, lack of recombination and reduced effective population sizes that collectively lead to increased chance fixation of mildly deleterious mutations. Combined, these features create an evolutionary dynamic where rapid mtDNA evolution favours compensatory nuclear gene evolution, ultimately leading to co‐adaptation of mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. When previously isolated lineages hybridize in nature or in the lab, intergenomic co‐adaptation is disrupted and hybrid breakdown is observed; the role of intergenomic co‐adaptation in hybrid breakdown and speciation will generally be most pronounced when rates of mtDNA evolution are high or when restricted gene flow results in significant population differentiation.
Peptidoglycan maturation enzymes affect flagellar functionality in bacteria
Authors: Roure Sophie , Bonis Mathilde , Chaput Catherine , Ecobichon Chantal , Mattox Austin , Barrière Charlotte , Geldmacher Nina , Guadagnini Stéphanie , Schmitt Christine , Prévost Marie‐Christine , Labigne Agnès , Backert Steffen , Ferrero Richard L. , Boneca Ivo G. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryThe flagellar machinery is a highly complex organelle composed of a free rotating flagellum and a fixed stator that converts energy into movement. The assembly of the flagella and the stator requires interactions with the peptidoglycan layer through which the organelle has to pass for externalization. Lytic transglycosylases are peptidoglycan degrading enzymes that cleave the sugar backbone of peptidoglycan layer. We show that an endogenous lytic transglycosylase is required for full motility of Helicobacter pylori and colonization of the gastric mucosa. Deficiency of motility resulted from a paralysed phenotype implying an altered ability to generate flagellar rotation. Similarly, another Gram‐negative pathogen Salmonella typhimurium and the Gram‐positive pathogen Listeria monocytogenes required the activity of lytic transglycosylases, Slt or MltC, and a glucosaminidase (Auto), respectively, for full motility. Furthermore, we show that in absence of the appropriate lytic transglycosylase, the flagellar motor protein MotB from H. pylori does not localize properly to the bacterial pole. We present a new model involving the maturation of the surrounding peptidoglycan for the proper anchoring and functionality of the flagellar motor.
Why only some plants emit isoprene
Authors: MONSON RUSSELL K. , JONES RYAN T. , ROSENSTIEL TODD N. , SCHNITZLER JÖRG‐PETER 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTIsoprene (2‐methyl‐1,3‐butadiene) is emitted from many plants and it appears to have an adaptive role in protecting leaves from abiotic stress. However, only some species emit isoprene. Isoprene emission has appeared and been lost many times independently during the evolution of plants. As an example, our phylogenetic analysis shows that isoprene emission is likely ancestral within the family Fabaceae (= Leguminosae), but that it has been lost at least 16 times and secondarily gained at least 10 times through independent evolutionary events. Within the division Pteridophyta (ferns), we conservatively estimate that isoprene emissions have been gained five times and lost two times through independent evolutionary events. Within the genus Quercus (oaks), isoprene emissions have been lost from one clade, but replaced by a novel type of light‐dependent monoterpene emissions that uses the same metabolic pathways and substrates as isoprene emissions. This novel type of monoterpene emissions has appeared at least twice independently within Quercus, and has been lost from 9% of the individuals within a single population of Quercus suber. Gain and loss of gene function for isoprene synthase is possible through relatively few mutations. Thus, this trait appears frequently in lineages; but, once it appears, the time available for evolutionary radiation into environments that select for the trait is short relative to the time required for mutations capable of producing a non‐functional isoprene synthase gene. The high frequency of gains and losses of the trait and its heterogeneous taxonomic distribution in plants may be explained by the relatively few mutations necessary to produce or lose the isoprene synthase gene combined with the assumption that isoprene emission is advantageous in a narrow range of environments and phenotypes.
Crack Detection in a Rotor Dynamic System by Vibration
Monitoring—Part II: Extended Analysis and Experimental Results
Authors: Varney Philip , Green Itzhak 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
An increase in the power-to-weight ratio demand on rotordynamic systems causes increased susceptibility to transverse fatigue cracking of the shaft. The ability to detect cracks at an early stage of progression is imperative for minimizing off-line repair time and cost. The vibration monitoring system initially proposed in Part I is employed herein, using the 2X harmonic response component of the rotor tilt as a signature indicating a transverse shaft crack. In addition, the analytic work presented in Part I is expanded to include a new notch crack model to better approximate experimental results. To effectively capture the 2X response, the crack model must include the local nature of the crack, the depth of the crack, and the stiffness asymmetry inducing the gravity-forced 2X harmonic response. The transfer matrix technique is well suited to incorporate these crack attributes due to its modular nature. Two transfer matrix models are proposed to predict the 2X harmonic response. The first model applies local crack flexibility coefficients determined using the strain energy release rate, while the second incorporates the crack as a rectangular notch to emulate a manufactured crack used in the experiments. Analytic results are compared to experimental measurement of the rotor tilt gleaned from an overhung rotor test rig originally designed to monitor seal face dynamics. The test rig is discussed, and experimental angular response orbits and 2X harmonic amplitudes of the rotor tilt are provided for shafts containing manufactured cracks of depths between 0% and 40%. Feasibility of simultaneous multiple-fault detection of transverse shaft cracks and seal face contact is discussed.
Characterization of aortic remodeling following Kawasaki disease: Toward a fully developed automatic biparametric model
Authors: Maurice Roch L. , Dahdah Nagib 
Published: September 2012

Purpose:Mechanical properties of the arteries are essential in assessing cardiovascular diseases. New imaging modalities that allow mapping strain, shear and elasticity distributions within the arterial wall are rapidly evolving. Very recently, our group introduced an iterative optical flow‐based elastography method devoted to B‐mode data. In this paper, the authors propose an adaptation of the optical flow method to investigate aortic remodeling following Kawasaki disease, an early childhood vasculitis. Namely, displacement and strain of the aortic wall are used to assess aortic stiffness in this human disease model. The authors also introduce a fully developed automatic method to support postprocessing data analysis.Methods:The sequalae of Kawasaki disease on the ascending aorta were examined in children. The pathologic population (n = 4) was 15.00 ± 2.45 years old, while the healthy control population (n = 5) was 13.13 ± 0.18 years old. B‐mode data were digitally recorded with commercially available cardiac echocardiography machines.Results:Kawasaki disease had a very significant impact on the aortic stiffness. Indeed, pathologic subjects’ aortic wall strain estimate was significantly lower compared to healthy controls (2.75% ± 0.56% versus 4.24% ± 0.65%, respectively;p < 0.001). Similarly, displacement of the aortic wall was also significantly lower compared to controls (p < 0.001).Conclusions:The potential of the optical flow‐based method to quantify aortic wall remodeling in a human disease model was demonstrated. The authors now intend to extend this investigation to a larger pathologic cohort with various degrees of vasculitis severity.
Three‐dimensional radiobiological dosimetry of kidneys for treatment planning in peptide receptor radionuclide therapy
Authors: Baechler Sébastien , Hobbs Robert F. , Boubaker Ariane , Buchegger Franz , He Bin , Frey Eric C. , Sgouros George 
Published: September 2012

Purpose:Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) delivers high absorbed doses to kidneys and may lead to permanent nephropathy. Reliable dosimetry of kidneys is thus critical for safe and effective PRRT. The aim of this work was to assess the feasibility of planning PRRT based on 3D radiobiological dosimetry (3D‐RD) in order to optimize both the amount of activity to administer and the fractionation scheme, while limiting the absorbed dose and the biological effective dose (BED) to the renal cortex.Methods:Planar and SPECT data were available for a patient examined with111In‐DTPA‐octreotide at 0.5 (planar only), 4, 24, and 48 h post‐injection. Absorbed dose and BED distributions were calculated for common therapeutic radionuclides, i.e., 111In, 90Y and 177Lu, using the 3D‐RD methodology. Dose‐volume histograms were computed and mean absorbed doses to kidneys, renal cortices, and medullae were compared with results obtained using the MIRD schema (S‐values) with the multiregion kidney dosimetry model. Two different treatment planning approaches based on (1) the fixed absorbed dose to the cortex and (2) the fixed BED to the cortex were then considered to optimize the activity to administer by varying the number of fractions.Results:Mean absorbed doses calculated with 3D‐RD were in good agreement with those obtained with S‐value‐based SPECT dosimetry for90Y and 177Lu. Nevertheless, for 111In, differences of 14% and 22% were found for the whole kidneys and the cortex, respectively. Moreover, the authors found that planar‐based dosimetry systematically underestimates the absorbed dose in comparison with SPECT‐based methods, up to 32%. Regarding the 3D‐RD‐based treatment planning using a fixed BED constraint to the renal cortex, the optimal number of fractions was found to be 3 or 4, depending on the radionuclide administered and the value of the fixed BED. Cumulative activities obtained using the proposed simulated treatment planning are compatible with real activities administered to patients in PRRT.Conclusions:The 3D‐RD treatment planning approach based on the fixed BED was found to be the method of choice for clinical implementation in PRRT by providing realistic activity to administer and number of cycles. While dividing the activity in several cycles is important to reduce renal toxicity, the clinical outcome of fractionated PRRT should be investigated in the future.
The effects of incidence angle on film dosimetry and their consequences in IMRT dose verification
Authors: Srivastava R. P. , Wagter C. De 
Published: September 2012

Purpose:The dosimetric accuracy of EDR2 radiographic film has been rigorously assessed in regular and intensity modulated beams for various incidence angles, including the parallel and perpendicular orientation. There clearly exists confusion in literature regarding the effect of film orientation. The primary aim is to clarify potential sources of the confusion and to gain physical insight into the film orientation effect with a link to radiochromic film as well.Methods:An inverse pyramid IMRT field, consisting of six regular and elongated 3 × 20 cm2 field segments, was studied in perpendicular and parallel orientation. Assessment of film self‐perturbation and intrinsic directional sensitivity were also included in the experiments. Finally, the authors investigated the orientational effect in composite beams in the two extreme orientations, i.e., perpendicular and parallel.Results:The study of an inverse pyramid dose profile revealed good agreement between the perpendicular film and the diamond detector within 0.5% in the low‐scatter regions for both 6 and 18 MV. The parallel oriented film demonstrated a 3% under‐response at 5‐cm (6 MV) depth against the perpendicular orientation, but both orientations over responded equally in the central region, which received only scattered dose, at both 5‐ and 20‐cm depths. In a regular 6‐MV 5 × 5 cm2 field, a 4.1% lower film response was observed in the parallel orientation compared to perpendicular orientation. The under response gradually increased to 6% when reducing the field size to 0.5 × 5 cm2. On the other hand, the film showed a 1.7% lower response in parallel orientation for the large field size of 20 × 20 cm2 at 5‐cm depth but the difference disappeared at 10 cm. At 18 MV, similar but somewhat lower differences were found between the two orientations. The directional sensitivity of the film diminishes with increasing field size and depth. Surprisingly a composite IMRT beam consisting of 20 adjacent strip segments also produced a significant orientational dependence of film response, notwithstanding the large total field size of 20 × 20 cm2.Conclusions:This analysis allowed the development of a hypothesis about the physics behind the orientational dependence of film response in general and to formulate precautions when using film dosimetry in the dosimetric verification of multibeam treatments.
Detecting Causality in Complex Ecosystems
Authors: Sugihara George , May Robert , Ye Hao , Hsieh Chih-hao , Deyle Ethan , Fogarty Michael , Munch Stephan 
Published: September 2012

Cause or Correlation?Three centuries ago, Bishop Berkeley's 1710 classic “A treatise on the nature of human knowledge,” first spelled out the “correlation vs. causation” dilemma.Sugiharaet al.(p.496, published online 20 September) present an approach to this conundrum, and extend current discussions about causation to dynamic systems with weak to moderate coupling (such as ecosystems). The resulting method, convergent cross mapping can detect causal linkages between time series.
Differences in taste sensitivity between obese and non-obese children and adolescents
Authors: Overberg Johanna , Hummel Thomas , Krude Heiko , Wiegand Susanna 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundTaste sensitivity varies between individuals. Several studies describe differences between obese and non-obese subjects concerning their taste perception. However, data are partly contradictory and insufficient. Therefore, in this study taste sensitivity of obese and non-obese children/adolescents was analysed.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study gustatory sensitivity of n=99 obese subjects (body mass index (BMI) >97th percentile) and n=94 normal weight subjects (BMI <90th percentile), 6–18 years of age, was compared. Sensitivity for the taste qualities sweet, sour, salty, umami and bitter was analysed by means of impregnated ‘taste strips’ in different concentrations. A total score was determined for all taste qualities combined as well as for each separately. Furthermore, the possible influence of sex, age and ethnicity on taste perception was analysed. An intensity rating for sweet was performed on a 5-point rating scale.ResultsObese subjects showed—compared to the control group—a significantly lower ability to identify the correct taste qualities regarding the total score (p<0.001). Regarding individual taste qualities there was a significantly lower detection rate for salty, umami and bitter by obese subjects. Furthermore, the determinants age and sex had a significant influence on taste perception: older age and female sex was associated with better ability to identify taste qualities. Concerning the sweet intensity rating obese children gave significantly lower intensity ratings to three of the four concentrations.ConclusionsObese and non-obese children and adolescents differ in their taste perception. Obese subjects could identify taste qualities less precisely than children and adolescents of normal weight.
Growth of CuInSe2 thin films by a single-step electrodeposition technique using acetonitrile as complexing agent
Authors: Goswami Y.C. , Rajaram P 
Published: September 2012

Thin films of CuInSe2 were grown on SnO2 coated glass microslides using a single-step electrodeposition technique. The bath was made up of a mixture of aqueous solutions of CuCl2, InCl3, and SeO2 with acetonitrile (CH3CN) acting as a complexing agent. Voltametric studies suggest that acetonitrile is a suitable complexing agent, which helps in bringing the deposition potentials of Cu, In, and Se close to each other. The films were characterized by EDAX, SIMS, X-ray diffraction, and optical studies, which show that the material is CuInSe2, with a direct band gap of about 1 eV. The films were annealed in a Se atmosphere to improve their crystalline properties. X-ray diffractograms show that the peaks of CuInSe2, which are broad and of low intensity for as-grown films, become sharp and intense after annealing in Se atmosphere. SIMS depth profiles show that the films have a fairly uniform composition along the depth of the films.