bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of psychophysics and electroencephalography during offset analgesia
Authors: Nilsson M. , Piasco A. , Nissen T.D. , Graversen C. , Gazerani P. , Lucas M.‐F. , Dahan A. , Drewes A.M. , Brock C. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundOffset analgesia (OA) is a pain‐inhibiting mechanism, defined as a disproportionately large decrease in pain perception in response to a discrete decrease in noxious stimulus intensity. Hence, the aims were (1) to investigate whether psychophysics and electroencephalography (EEG) can be assessed simultaneously during OA and (2) to assess whether OA is reproducible within the same day as well as between different days.MethodsTwo separate studies investigated OA: Study I (13 healthy volunteers; seven men; 25.5 ± 0.65 years) aimed at determining the feasibility of recording psychophysics and EEG simultaneously during OA. Study II (18 healthy volunteers; 12 men; 34 ± 3.15 years) assessed reproducibility of OA in terms of psychophysics and EEG. Subjects were presented to a 30‐s OA heat stimulus paradigm on the volar forearm and psychophysics, and EEG recordings were obtained throughout the procedure. Reproducibility was assessed within the same day and between different days, using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Additionally, the reproducible psychophysical parameters were correlated to relevant EEG frequency bands.ResultsSimultaneous recording of psychophysics and EEG affects the frequency distribution in terms of alpha suppression. Reproducibility was proven for the psychophysics and EEG frequency bands both within the same day (all ICCs > 0.62) and between different days (all ICCs > 0.66, except for the delta band). Correlations between psychophysics and EEG were found in the theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz) and gamma (32–80 Hz) bands (all p < 0.01).ConclusionOA is a robust and reproducible model for experimental pain research, making it suitable for future research.
The impacts of openness on air quality in China
Authors: Li Pei , Tu Yong 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThis paper investigates how openness resulting from the adoption of the open-door policy influences air quality in urban China. City-level information is used to minimise the impacts of data inconsistency and data measurement problems. The intensity of international trade is used as a proxy for openness to examine how freer trade influences urban air quality. Several alternative measures of openness are adopted to investigate how different forms of openness can influence urban air quality. Our findings show that technique effects are the key to reversing the degradation of urban air quality and that openness is not necessarily a problem for urban air quality in China.
Knockout of an endogenous mannosyltransferase increases the homogeneity of glycoproteins produced in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Krainer Florian W. , Gmeiner Christoph , Neutsch Lukas , Windwarder Markus , Pletzenauer Robert , Herwig Christoph , Altmann Friedrich , Glieder Anton , Spadiut Oliver 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe yeast Pichia pastoris is a common host for the recombinant production of biopharmaceuticals, capable of performing posttranslational modifications like glycosylation of secreted proteins. However, the activity of the OCH1 encoded α-1,6-mannosyltransferase triggers hypermannosylation of secreted proteins at great heterogeneity, considerably hampering downstream processing and reproducibility. Horseradish peroxidases are versatile enzymes with applications in diagnostics, bioremediation and cancer treatment. Despite the importance of these enzymes, they are still isolated from plant at low yields with different biochemical properties. Here we show the production of homogeneous glycoprotein species of recombinant horseradish peroxidase by using a P. pastoris platform strain in which OCH1 was deleted. This och1 knockout strain showed a growth impaired phenotype and considerable rearrangements of cell wall components, but nevertheless secreted more homogeneously glycosylated protein carrying mainly Man8 instead of Man10 N-glycans as a dominant core glycan structure at a volumetric productivity of 70% of the wildtype strain.
Economic Loss and Alcohol Consumption and Problems During the 2008 to 2009 U.S. Recession
Authors: Mulia Nina , Zemore Sarah E. , Murphy Ryan , Liu HuiGuo , Catalano Ralph 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundThere is some evidence that individual‐level job loss can lead to greater alcohol consumption and problems. While other forms of economic loss were common during the recent recession, these are rarely investigated in studies of macroeconomic decline. This study examined the relationship between types of economic loss in the 2008 to 2009 recession and alcohol outcomes, and whether this varied by gender and age.MethodsData are from the 2009 to 2010 U.S. National Alcohol Survey (N = 5,382). We used multivariable regression to estimate associations between economic loss and alcohol volume, monthly drunkenness, negative drinking consequences, and alcohol dependence in the overall sample and within gender and age groups (18 to 29, 30 to 49, 50+), controlling for demographic and alcohol history covariates.ResultsIn the overall sample, severe economic loss (job or housing loss) was positively associated with negative drinking consequences, alcohol dependence, and (marginally) drunkenness, whereas moderate loss (loss of retirement savings, reduced work hours/wages, or trouble paying the rent/mortgage) was unassociated with alcohol outcomes. Important gender and age differences were observed. Women reporting retirement loss, reduced hours/wages, and job loss consumed 41 to 70% more alcohol than women unaffected by the recession, and men who experienced job loss and housing problems had increased risk for drunkenness, drinking consequences, and dependence. Middle‐aged Americans affected by partial or complete job loss and housing problems also had greater risk of drunkenness and alcohol‐related problems, and older adults who lost retirement savings drank 42% more alcohol than their peers unaffected by the recession. With the exception of negative drinking consequences, young adult alcohol outcomes were largely unrelated to recessionary loss.ConclusionsThis study highlights the adverse effects of recession‐induced economic losses on alcohol use and problems in demographic subgroups. As men and middle‐aged Americans were at risk for multiple, adverse alcohol outcomes, these groups may warrant special alcohol screening and intervention efforts in future macroeconomic crises.
The Place of Additional Individual Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Alcoholism: A Randomized Controlled Study in Nonresponders to Anticraving Medication—Results of the PREDICT Study
Authors: Berner Michael M. , Wahl Sonja , Brueck Rigo , Frick Katrin , Smolka Robert , Haug Monika , Hoffmann Sabine , Reinhard Iris , Leménager Tagrid , Gann Horst , Batra Anil , Mann Karl ,   the PREDICT study group
Published: November 2013

BackgroundGoal of the presented study is to evaluate whether alcohol‐dependent patients given additional individual psychotherapy after a heavy relapse during pharmacotherapy remain abstinent for longer than those who continue with pharmacotherapy alone.MethodsIn a randomized, multicenter study, 109 alcohol‐dependent patients who had suffered a heavy relapse either while receiving anticraving medication or placebo were randomized into 2 groups. One group received medication, medical management, and additional individual, disorder‐specific, cognitive‐behavioral psychotherapy, while the control group received medication and medical management only. Main outcome was defined as days until first heavy relapse.ResultsFifty‐four patients were randomized to the psychotherapy group, 55 to the control group. Intention‐to‐treat and completer analyses found no differences between groups, whereas as‐treated analyses (patients who actually received psychotherapy compared with those who did not) found a significant effect of psychotherapy.ConclusionsOur data indicate that patients that are willing to attend psychotherapy benefit from receiving psychotherapy in addition to pharmacotherapy. We suggest that it may be beneficial to consider patients' preferences concerning psychotherapy at an earlier stage during treatment.
Seeing what's happening on the inside: Patients' views of the value of diagnostic cardiac computed tomography angiography
Authors: Devcich Daniel A. , Ellis Christopher J. , Waltham Natasha , Broadbent Elizabeth , Petrie Keith J. 
Published: November 2013

ObjectivesCardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a commonly used diagnostic test for coronary artery disease. Despite its considerable clinical value, few studies have explored the psychological value of CCTA from the perspective of patients undergoing testing. This study aimed to investigate the patient‐perceived value of diagnostic CCTA testing, specifically in relation to patients' perceptions of their heart health and health behaviours.DesignThe study used a qualitative methodology incorporating thematic analysis before and after testing.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were conducted before and after the receipt of CCTA test results among 13 non‐acute patients attending a heart clinic in New Zealand for diagnostic CCTA. Data analysis followed a thematic analysis approach applied at each interview time point.ResultsThree themes were identified from the pre‐diagnostic interviews: expectations that testing would facilitate heart‐related understanding; the role of CCTA as an essential requirement for considering the use of cardiac medication; and awareness of the importance of heart‐healthy behaviours. Post‐diagnostic interview analysis identified four themes: positive psychological responses to cardiac diagnosis; perceived value of viewing scan images; the potential impact of testing on health behaviour intentions; and patients' reflections on the procedure.ConclusionsThese results suggest that CCTA has the potential to meet knowledge‐gaining expectations that patients bring to clinic and may increase motivation of health‐protective behaviours. Diagnostic CCTA may therefore provide an ideal opportunity to address patients' illness understanding and behavioural intentions. The effective utilization of scan images as a supplement to consultation may enhance such practice objectives and warrants further investigation.Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is an advanced diagnostic test that is particularly useful for early diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Cardiac computed tomography angiography is able to produce highly detailed images of the formation and build‐up of calcium deposits in coronary vasculature, thus providing a window into an otherwise unseen disease process.

Although CCTA is increasingly utilized by clinicians, little is known about its psychological value for cardiac patients undergoing the test.

What does this study add?

Cardiac computed tomography angiography testing can be a potentially important experience for cardiac patients in understanding their cardiac health.

Cardiac computed tomography angiography could provide an opportune time to address patients' health behaviour intentions and treatment beliefs.

Effective utilization of CCTA scan images in consultation may help to enhance consultation objectives.
Beneficial effects of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blockade in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Authors: MAINI R N , ELLIOTT M J , BRENNAN F M , FELDMANN M 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARYThe biological properties of TNF-α make it a candidate therapeutic target in RA. Our studies have demonstrated that TNF-α and its receptors are up-regulated and co-expressed in the synovium and cartilage-pannus junction of RA joints. Neutralizing TNF-α antibodies reduce the production of the many pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), produced by mononuclear cells from RA in culture. When injected into DBA/1 mice with collagen-induced arthritis and TNF-α transgenic mice with arthritis, anti-TNF MoAbs decrease inflammatory damage of joints. Clinical trials employing cA2, a chimaeric anti-TNF-α MoAb, in open-label and randomized placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated a dose-dependent efficacy with impressive improvement in disease activity and acute-phase responses lasting several weeks. We conclude that TNF-α is a critical mediator of inflammation in RA, and is an important therapeutic target in this disease.
Autoantibodies to malondialdehyde-modified epitope in connective tissue diseases and vasculitides
Authors: AMARA A , CONSTANS J , CHAUGIER C , SEBBAN A , DUBOURG L , PEUCHANT E , PELLEGRIN J-L , LENG B , CONRI C , GEFFARD M 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARY
Malondialdehyde (MDA), a peroxidative end-product released during polyunsaturated fatty acid degradation, reacts strongly with lysine residues of cellular proteins. MDA-modified proteins become immunogenic and may elicit specific autoantibody formation. We hypothesized that systemic diseases in which inflammatory events occur, could be an interesting model for studying oxidative stress. A few studies have suggested that MDA-modified proteins may exist in systemic diseases, and that autoantibodies to MDA-modified structures might reflect this oxidative process. Autoantibodies to MDA-modified epitope(s) were therefore assayed in sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n = 29), scleroderma (SCL, n = 11), giant cell arteritis (GCA, n = 11), periarteritis nodosa (PAN, n = 10), rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 9), and healthy subjects (HS, n = 32). Significantly increased anti-MDA-modified epitope(s) autoantibodies were found in patients with SLE and also in other systemic diseases such as PAN and SCL. Autoantibodies to MDA-modified epitope(s) were predominantly of IgM isotype, with low levels of IgG and no IgA activity. In SLE, anti-MDA-modified epitope(s) autoantibody titres correlated strongly with systemic lupus activity measure (SLAM, r = 0·702, P = 0·0001), anti-nuclear antigen autoantibodies (ANA, r = 0·4, P = 0·029), IgG anti-cardiolipin (r = 0·558, P = 0·03) and the steroid drug regimen (r = 0·52, P = 0·004). Autoantibodies to MDA-modified epitope(s) may reflect oxidative modifications occurring in systemic diseases, and might be useful as clinical markers of SLE activity if further investigated.
Avidity of antibody responses toActinobacillus actinomycetemcomitansin periodontitis
Authors: O'DELL D S , EBERSOLE J L 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARYWe designed a study to examine the serum IgG antibody avidity characteristics in: (i) normal subjects (N); (ii) Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans-infected adult periodontitis (AP Aa+); (iii) A. actinomycetemcomitans-infected localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP Aa+); and (iv) AP subjects (AP) with various antibody patterns and disease presentation. Although there were significant elevations in antibody levels for AP Aa+ and LJP Aa+ patients compared with AP and normal patients (P &lt; 0·0001), there were no significant differences in the avidity indices (AI). Correlations of antibody levels to avidity revealed that functional activity of the antibody as measured by avidity was independent of antibody levels. Increasing antibody levels correlated with an increase in the number of infected sites, yet there was a trend for AI to decrease with increased infection. Avidity indices for all patient groups did not appear to show a strong biologic relationship to plaque; however, in AP Aa+ and LJP Aa+ patients there was a generally positive relationship between avidity and bleeding on probing or pocket depth. In AP Aa+ and LJP Aa+ patients, and in AP patients there was a positive relationship of avidity through a threshold of ∼8 active disease sites. This study hypothesized that antibody avidity to A. actinomycetemcomitans could help to explain the relationship between the active host response and chronic infection with this pathogen. The results provide evidence that both antibody levels and avidity may contribute to the variation in host resistance to infection and disease associated with A. actinomycetemcomitans.
Clinical applications of palifermin: amelioration of oral mucositis and other potential indications
Authors: Vadhan‐Raj Saroj , Goldberg Jenna D. , Perales Miguel‐Angel , Berger Dietmar P. , van den Brink Marcel R.M. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractMucositis is one of the most significant toxicities in cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic treatment. It can have a negative impact on both quality of life and health economics. Severe oral mucositis can contribute to hospitalization, need for narcotic analgesics, total parentral nutrition, suboptimal delivery of anti‐neoplastic treatment, and morbidity and mortality. Palifermin, a recombinant derivative of human keratinocyte growth factor, is the first active agent approved by the FDA for the prevention of severe oral mucositis in patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Several studies have also shown significant reduction in the incidence, severity and/or duration of oral mucositis in other high‐risk settings such as concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CT/RT) for patients with head and neck cancer, and use of mucotoxic chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin in sarcoma and fluorouracil for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The reduction in mucositis has translated into amelioration of symptoms and improvement in daily functioning as measured by patient‐reported outcome in multiple studies. The clinical response to palifermin appears to be related in part to epithelial proliferation and mucosal thickening. Palifermin also has other potential clinical applications including the acceleration of immune reconstitution and inhibition of graft‐versus‐host disease in patients undergoing HSCT, and mitigation of dysphagia in lung cancer patients treated with concurrent CT/RT. Palifermin is generally well tolerated with mild‐to‐moderate skin and oral adverse events. Future studies may expand the use of palifermin into other areas that would benefit from its cytoprotective and regenerative effects.
Immunoablation of cells expressing the NG2 chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan
Authors: Leoni Giampaolo , Rattray Marcus , Fulton Daniel , Rivera Andrea , Butt Arthur M. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractExpression of the transmembrane NG2 chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG) defines a distinct population of NG2‐glia. NG2‐glia serve as a regenerative pool of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the adult central nervous system (CNS), which is important for demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and are a major component of the glial scar that inhibits axon regeneration after CNS injury. In addition, NG2‐glia form unique neuron–glial synapses with unresolved functions. However, to date it has proven difficult to study the importance of NG2‐glia in any of these functions using conventional transgenic NG2 ‘knockout’ mice. To overcome this, we aimed to determine whether NG2‐glia can be targeted using an immunotoxin approach. We demonstrate that incubation in primary anti‐NG2 antibody in combination with secondary saporin‐conjugated antibody selectively kills NG2‐expressing cells in vitro. In addition, we provide evidence that the same protocol induces the loss of NG2‐glia without affecting astrocyte or neuronal numbers in cerebellar brain slices from postnatal mice. This study shows that targeting the NG2 CSPG with immunotoxins is an effective and selective means for killing NG2‐glia, which has important implications for studying the functions of these enigmatic cells both in the normal CNS, and in demyelination and degeneration.
Facing the Conundrum: How Useful Is the “Developmental State” Concept in South Africa?
Authors: Burger Philippe 
Published: November 2013

AbstractDevelopmental states are often associated with high economic growth. Japan, South Korea, China and Brazil are all examples, most of which grew at phenomenal rates. The National Development Plan in South Africa sets out the intention of the South African government to transform the government into a “capable and developmental state able to intervene to correct our historical inequities …” However, what the South African government means by the term “developmental state” is not entirely clear. To help bring some clarity, this paper distinguishes between the East Asian developmental state and the Scandinavian developmentalist welfare state. The paper furthermore draws on Bernard and Boucher's distinction between a “social investment state” and a “transfer welfare state.” The former is a more precise description of the Scandinavian developmentalist welfare state. Subsequently, the paper discusses the applicability of the developmental state framework to South Africa. Specifically, it argues that the East Asian model neither is a model that would work in South Africa, nor is it a model that South Africa would wish to apply. South Africa currently resembles more a transfer welfare state than the Scandinavian–Brazilian social investment state. The social investment state, though, is closer to what South Africa needs.
Greening the German Classroom: Starting Points for a Cultural Lesson
Authors: Becker Angelika , DeMaris Sarah Glenn , Moller‐Tank Beth 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe article presents and discusses materials for a cultural lesson about Green Germany. An introductory mini‐unit frames the over‐all student learning objective: students should be able to respond to the questions “Where are we?” and “Where are we going?” with regard to the natural environment. Three different units then help students with these questions. The first two units describe where people in Germany and the US are; the third helps them reflect on where we are going and where their generation can help take us. Although the ACTFL Standards are not addressed explicitly, implicit treatment of these can be recognized in the approach presented. Communication about this cultural topic helps students see comparisons, connections, and communities.