bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Imaging of intrarenal haemodynamics and oxygen metabolism
Authors: Liss Per , Cox Eleanor F , Eckerbom Per , Francis Sue T 
Published: December 2012

Summary

The interruption of blood flow results in impaired oxygenation and metabolism. This can lead to electrophysiological changes, functional impairment and symptoms in quick succession. Quantitative measures of organ perfusion, perfusion reserve and tissue oxygenation are crucial to assess normal tissue metabolism and function.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a number of quantitative methods to assess physiology in the kidney. Blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) MRI provides a method for the assessment of oxygenation. Blood flow to the kidney can be assessed using phase contrast MRI. Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI and arterial spin labelling (ASL) provide methods to assess tissue perfusion, ASL using the magnetization of endogenous water protons and thus providing a non‐invasive method to assess perfusion. The application of diffusion‐weighted MRI allows molecular motion in the kidney to be measured. Novel techniques can also be used to assess oxygenation in the renal arteries and veins and, combined with flow measures, provide an estimation of oxygen metabolism.

Magnetic resonance imaging provides a synergy of non‐invasive techniques to study renal function and the demand for these techniques is likely to be driven by the incentive to avoid the use of contrast media, to avoid radiation and to avoid complications with intervention procedures.
Relationship Between Toll‐like Receptor‐4 and mPGES‐1 Gene Expression in Local Lesions of Endometriosis Patients
Authors: Hayashi Chuyu , Chishima Fumihisa , Sugitani Masahiko , Ichikawa Go , Nakazawa‐Watanabe Teine , Sugita Kenji , Suzuki Manami , Nemoto Norimichi , Yamamoto Tatsuo 
Published: December 2012

ProblemToll‐like receptors (TLRs) are innate immune receptors that mediate the pattern recognition of, and response toward, pathogens and host‐derived danger signals. We reported that cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES) mRNA were expressed in cases of endometriosis. The relationship between COX‐2, mPGES‐1, and TLR4 in endometriotic lesions has yet to be determined.Method of studyEndometriosis samples were obtained from 37 patients with endometrial cysts. Endometrial tissues were obtained from patients undergoing surgical procedures for benign gynecological conditions. COX‐2, mPGES‐1, and TLR4 mRNA expressions were examined by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) and mPGES‐1, and TLR4 protein localization was examined by immunohistochemistry.ResultsTLR4 proteins were mostly located to the glandular epithelium. The immunoreactivities of TLR4 and mPGES‐1 from endometriosis lesions were significantly higher than those in eutopic endometrium in the proliferative phase. The expression levels of mPGES‐1 mRNA in peritoneal endometriosis were higher than those in eutopic endometrium in the proliferative phase. The expression of TLR4 mRNA correlates with that of mPGES‐1 mRNA and not with that of COX‐2 in endometriotic lesions.ConclusionRelationship between TLR4 and mPGES‐1 mRNA in endometriotic lesions indicate that innate immunity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial testing the effects of acupuncture on allergic rhinitis
Authors: Choi S. M. , Park J.‐E. , Li S.‐S. , Jung H. , Zi M. , Kim T.‐H. , Jung S. , Kim A. , Shin M. , Sul J.‐U. , Hong Z. , Jiping Z. , Lee S. , Liyun H. , Kang K. , Baoyan L. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment for allergic rhinitis.MethodsThis study was a multicenter, randomized, parallel‐controlled study. Participants were randomized to either the active acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or waitlist groups. The active and sham acupuncture groups received acupuncture treatment three times per week for 4 weeks. In the sham group, minimal acupuncture at nonacupuncture points was used. The waitlist group did not receive any acupuncture treatment.ResultsOf the 238 participants, 97, 94, and 47 individuals were assigned to the active acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and waitlist group, respectively. After the treatment, the difference in the total nasal symptom score (TNSS) was significantly reduced in the active acupuncture group compared with the sham acupuncture (difference: −1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.96, −0.09, P = 0.03) and waitlist (difference: −2.49, 95% CI: −3.68, −1.29, P < 0.0001). The active acupuncture group exhibited a significant change in the total non‐nasal symptom score (TNNSS) compared with the waitlist (difference: −0.78, 95% CI: −1.22, −0.34, P = 0.0002), but not the sham acupuncture group (difference; 0.15, 95% CI: −0.21, 0.5, P = 0.56). Both active and sham acupuncture treatments resulted in significant improvements in TNSS and TNNSS compared to baseline.ConclusionActive acupuncture showed a significantly greater effect on symptoms of allergic rhinitis than either sham acupuncture or no active treatment. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis decreased significantly after treatment in the both acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups. Acupuncture appears to be an effective and safe treatment for allergic rhinitis.
A double‐blinded randomised controlled study of the value of sequential intravenous and oral magnesium therapy in patients with chronic low back pain with a neuropathic component
Authors: Yousef A. A. , Al‐deeb A. E. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryPersistent mechanical irritation of the nerve root sets up a series of events mediating sensitisation of the dorsal roots and dorsal horns in the spinal cord. Current evidence supports the role of magnesium in blocking central sensitisation through its effect on N‐methyl–d‐aspartate receptors. We studied the role of sequential intravenous and oral magnesium infusion in patients with chronic low back pain with a neuropathic component. We recruited a cohort of 80 patients with chronic low back pain with a Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Signs and Symptoms pain scale score ≥ 12, who were receiving a physical therapy programme. All patients were treated with anticonvulsants, antidepressants and simple analgesics; in addition 40 patients received placebo for 6 weeks (control group), while the other 40 patients received an intravenous magnesium infusion for 2 weeks followed by oral magnesium capsules for another 4 weeks (magnesium group). Patients were asked to rate their pain using a numerical rating scale. Lumbar spine range of motion was also determined using a long‐arm goniometer. In the magnesium group, the patients’ numerical rating scales revealed a significant reduction in pain intensity. The mean (SD) pre‐treatment value was 7.5 (2.2) compared with 4.7 (1.8) at 6 months (p = 0.034). The reduction in pain intensity was accompanied by significant improvement in lumbar spine range of motion during the follow‐up period. The mean (SD) values of flexion, extension and lateral flexion movements before treatment and at 6‐month follow up were 22.2 (8.4) vs 34.7 (11.5) (p = 0.018), 11.8 (3.4) vs 16.9 (3.5) (p = 0.039), 11.4 (3.6) vs 17.2 (4.4) (p = 0.035), respectively. Our findings show that a 2‐week intravenous magnesium infusion followed by 4 weeks of oral magnesium supplementation can reduce pain intensity and improve lumbar spine mobility during a 6‐month period in patients with refractory chronic low back pain with a neuropathic component.
Temperature‐size relations from the cellular‐genomic perspective
Authors: Hessen Dag O. , Daufresne Martin , Leinaas Hans P. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTA family of empirically based ecological ‘rules’, collectively known as temperature‐size rules, predicts larger body size in colder environments. This prediction is based on studies demonstrating that a wide range of ectotherms show increased body size, cell size or genome size in low‐temperature habitats, or that individuals raised at low temperature become larger than conspecifics raised at higher temperature. There is thus a potential for reduction in size with global warming, affecting all levels from cell volume to body size, community composition and food webs. Increased body size may be obtained either by increasing the size or number of cells. Processes leading to changed cell size are of great interest from an ecological, physiological and evolutionary perspective. Cell size scales with fundamental properties such as genome size, growth rate, protein synthesis rates and metabolic activity, although the causal directions of these correlations are not clear. Changes in genome size will thus, in many cases, not only affect cell or body size, but also life‐cycle strategies. Symmetrically, evolutionary drivers of life‐history strategies may impact growth rate and thus cell size, genome size and metabolic rates. Although this goes to the core of many ecological processes, it is hard to move from correlations to causations. To the extent that temperature‐driven changes in genome size result in significant differences among populations in body size, allometry or life‐cycle events such as mating season, it could serve as a fast route to speciation. We offer here a novel perspective on the temperature‐size rules from a ‘bottom‐up’ perspective: how temperature may induce changes in genome size, and thus implicitly in cell size and body size of metazoans. Alternatively: how temperature‐driven enlargement of cells also dictates genome‐size expansion to maintain the genome‐size to cell‐volume ratio. We then discuss the different evolutionary drivers in aquatic versus terrestrial systems, and whether it is possible to arrive at a unifying theory that also may serve as a predictive tool related to temperature changes. This, we believe, will offer an updated review of a basic concept in ecology, and novel perspectives on the basic biological responses to temperature changes from a genomic perspective.
Oral health‐related quality of life among Brazilian preschool children
Authors: Scarpelli Ana Carolina , Paiva Saul Martins , Viegas Cláudia Marina , Carvalho Anita Cruz , Ferreira Fernanda Morais , Pordeus Isabela Almeida 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral health conditions on oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) in population‐based sample of Brazilian preschool children. A further aim was to identify the influence of socio‐demographic profile and perceptions regarding general health and oral health status on OHRQoL.MethodsAn epidemiological survey was carried out at public and private preschools in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The sample consisted of 1632 5‐year‐old male and female preschoolers randomly selected using a multi‐stage sampling technique and their parents/caregivers. Oral examinations of the children were performed by a single, previously calibrated examiner for the assessment of dental caries experience, malocclusion, traumatic dental injury and developmental defects of enamel. Caregivers were asked to complete the Brazilian Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B‐ECOHIS) and a form on socio‐demographic data. Descriptive, bivariate and adjusted Poisson regression model analyses were carried out.ResultsIn the child section of the B‐ECOHIS, OHRQoL was negatively impacted by decayed, missing and filled teeth [prevalence ratios (PR) = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.88–2.52], position of the child among siblings in the family (PR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.04–1.39), type of preschool (PR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.10–1.69), age of parents/caregivers (PR = 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04–1.34), monthly household income (PR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18–1.85) and perception of the child's general health status (PR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.06–1.51). In the family section, the adjusted results demonstrated a negative impact on OHRQoL associated with dental caries experience (PR = 3.40; 95% CI, 2.83–4.08), age of parents/caregivers (PR = 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01–1.33) and monthly household income (PR = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16–1.72).ConclusionsDental caries experience was the only normative criteria with a negative impact on OHRQoL. Families with low income and younger parents reported a greater impact on quality of life. According to parents' perceptions, a poor general health status rating was related to poorer quality of life among the children.
Probabilistic cue combination: less is more
Authors: Yurovsky Daniel , Boyer Ty W. , Smith Linda B. , Yu Chen 
Published: December 2012

AbstractLearning about the structure of the world requires learning probabilistic relationships: rules in which cues do not predict outcomes with certainty. However, in some cases, the ability to track probabilistic relationships is a handicap, leading adults to perform non‐normatively in prediction tasks. For example, in thedilution effect, predictions made from the combination of two cues of different strengths are less accurate than those made from the stronger cue alone. Here we show thatdilutionis an adult problem; 11‐month‐old infants combine strong and weak predictors normatively. These results extend and add support for theless is morehypothesis: limited cognitive resources can lead children to represent probabilistic information differently from adults, and this difference in representation can have important downstream consequences for prediction.
The environment and the origins of islet autoimmunity and Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Eringsmark Regnéll S. , Lernmark Å. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractType 1 diabetes involves the specific destruction of the pancreatic islet β‐cells, eventually resulting in a complete dependency of exogenous insulin. The clinical onset of diabetes is preceded by the appearance of autoantibodies against β‐cell antigens. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region is the single most important genetic determinant of Type 1 diabetes susceptibility, yet variability in the HLA region has been estimated to explain only approximately 60% of the genetic influence of the disease. Over 50 identified non‐HLA genetic polymorphisms support the notion that genetics alone cannot explain Type 1 diabetes. Several lines of evidence indicate that environmental triggers may be integral in inducing the onset of islet autoimmunity in genetically susceptible individuals. The association between environmental factors and the clinical onset is complicated by observation that the rate of progression to clinical onset may be affected by environmental determinants. Hence, the environment may be aetiological as well as pathogenic. Putative inductive mechanisms include viral, microbial, diet‐related, anthropometric and psychosocial factors. Ongoing observational cohort studies such as The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study aim to ascertain environmental determinants that may trigger islet autoimmunity and either speed up or slow down the progression to clinical onset in subjects with persistent islet autoimmunity.
Do Episodic Migraineurs Selectively Attend to Headache‐Related Visual Stimuli?
Authors: McDermott Michael J. , Peck Kelly R. , Walters A. Brooke , Smitherman Todd A. 
Published: December 2012

Objective.—To assess pain‐related attentional biases among individuals with episodic migraine.Background.—Prior studies have examined whether chronic pain patients selectively attend to pain‐related stimuli in the environment, but these studies have produced largely mixed findings and focused primarily on patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Limited research has implicated attentional biases among chronic headache patients, but no studies have been conducted among episodic migraineurs, who comprise the overwhelming majority of the migraine population.Methods.—This was a case‐control, experimental study. Three hundred and eight participants (mean age = 19.2 years [standard deviation = 3.3]; 69.5% female; 36.4% minority), consisting of 84 episodic migraineurs, diagnosed in accordance with International Classification of Headache Disorders (2nd edition) criteria using a structured diagnostic interview, and 224 non‐migraine controls completed a computerized dot probe task to assess attentional bias toward headache‐related pictorial stimuli. The task consisted of 192 trials and utilized 2 emotional‐neutral stimulus pairing conditions (headache‐neutral and happy‐neutral).Results.—No within‐group differences for reaction time latencies to headache vs happy conditions were found among those with episodic migraine or among the non‐migraine controls. Migraine status was unrelated to attentional bias indices for both headache (F [1,306] = 0.56, P = .45) and happy facial stimuli (F [1,306] = 0.37, P = .54), indicating a lack of between‐group differences. Lack of within‐ and between‐group differences was confirmed with repeated measures analysis of variance.Conclusions.—In light of the large sample size and prior pilot testing of presented images, results suggest that episodic migraineurs do not differentially attend to headache‐related facial stimuli. Given modest evidence of attentional biases among chronic headache samples, these findings suggest potential differences in attentional processing between chronic and episodic headache subforms.
HyFlex nickel–titanium rotary instruments after clinical use: metallurgical properties
Authors: Shen Y. , Coil J. M. , Zhou H. , Zheng Y. , Haapasalo M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimTo analyse the type and location of defects in HyFlex CM instruments after clinical use in a graduate endodontic programme and to examine the impact of clinical use on their metallurgical properties.MethodologyA total of 468 HyFlex CM instruments discarded from a graduate endodontic programme were collected after use in three teeth. The incidence and type of instrument defects were analysed. The lateral surfaces of the defect instruments were examined by scanning electron microscopy. New and clinically used instruments were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x‐ray diffraction (XRD). Vickers hardness was measured with a 200‐g load near the flutes for new and clinically used axially sectioned instruments. Data were analysed using one‐way anova or Tukey's multiple comparison test.ResultsOf the 468 HyFlex instruments collected, no fractures were observed and 16 (3.4%) revealed deformation. Of all the unwound instruments, size 20, .04 taper unwound the most often (n = 5) followed by size 25, .08 taper (n = 4). The trend of DSC plots of new instruments and clinically used (with and without defects) instruments groups were very similar. The DSC analyses showed that HyFlex instruments had an austenite transformation completion or austenite‐finish (Af) temperature exceeding 37 °C. The Af temperatures of HyFlex instruments (with or without defects) after multiple clinical use were much lower than in new instruments (P < 0.05). The enthalpy values for the transformation from martensitic to austenitic on deformed instruments were smaller than in the new instruments at the tip region (P < 0.05). XRD results showed that NiTi instruments had austenite and martensite structure on both new and used HyFlex instruments at room temperature. No significant difference in microhardness was detected amongst new and used instruments (with and without defects).ConclusionsThe risk of HyFlex instruments fracture in the canal is very low when instruments are discarded after three cases of clinical use. New HyFlex instruments were a mixture of martensite and austenite structure at body temperature. Multiple clinical use caused significant changes in the microstructural properties of HyFlex instruments. Smaller instruments should be considered as single‐use.
Biocompatibility of BioAggregate and mineral trioxide aggregate on the liver and kidney
Authors: Khalil W. A. , Eid N. F. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimTo investigate and compare the systemic toxic effect of DiaRoot BioAggregate and grey ProRoot Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on the liver and kidney after 7 and 30 days.MethodologyForty‐two white albino rats were divided into two main groups. Group (1), considered the control group (n = 18), was further divided into two subgroups. The negative control subgroup (n = 6) received no treatment. The empty tube subgroup (n = 12) received empty sterile Teflon tubes. In Group (2), considered the experimental group (n = 24), the rats were divided equally into two subgroups. One subgroup received MTA, whilst the other received BioAggregate. The materials in the Teflon tubes were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal side of the rats. Blood samples were taken to investigate the change of kidney and liver functions on day 7 and day 30. The liver and kidney organs were subjected to histopathological examination and calculation of the number of inflammatory cells. Data analysis was performed using one‐way anova with post hoc multiple comparisons with the Tukey's test. Student's t‐test was used to compare the changes in liver and kidney functions amongst the groups.ResultsOn day 7, a significantly more severe inflammatory reaction was observed in both experimental subgroups compared with the control (P < 0.05); the severity decreased after 30 days. The kidney functions were not affected after 7 days but had subsequently increased after 30 days (P < 0.001). Liver functions increased after 7 days and had decreased in the BioAggregate subgroup after 30 days, whilst in the MTA subgroup, a continuous increase in the level of liver function was observed.ConclusionsMineral trioxide aggregate had adverse effects on the liver and kidney that were significantly more severe than BioAggregate but with no permanent damage.
Morpho‐anatomical and molecular characterization of the mycorrhizas of European Polygala species
Authors: Rath M. , Weber H. C. , Imhof S. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe mycorrhizas of 12 species of Polygala (Polygalaceae), including herbs, subshrubs and one shrub, collected from Germany, Mallorca (Spain) and Malta, were investigated by morpho‐anatomical and molecular methods. Aseptate hyphae, arbuscules and vesicles indicate an arbuscular mycorrhiza in all species examined. Hyphal spread in Polygala is predominantly, but not exclusively, intracellular and comprises three characteristic stages of colonization: (i) intracellular, linear hyphal growth in a cascading manner after penetration towards the penultimate parenchyma layer (layer 2), (ii) initially linear hyphal growth in the cells of layer 2 from where hyphal branches repeatedly penetrate the anatomically distinct innermost parenchyma layer (layer 1), forming arbuscule‐like structures therein which are subject to degeneration, (iii) more branches from the linear hyphae in layer 2 develop, but coil and make contact to the layer outside layer 2 (layer 3) in which arbuscule‐like structures similar to those in layer 1 form and degenerate. This general colonization pattern differs in details between the species, and critical comparisons, in particular between the woody P. myrtifolia, the herbaceous Polygala spp. and the mycoheterotrophic Epirixanthes spp. (Polygalaceae) suggest an evolutionary shift of mycorrhizal features within the family towards an optimization of plant benefit through the fungus. Based on the molecular marker 18S rDNA mycorrhizal fungi detected in roots of Polygala spp. are largely restricted to five clades of Glomeraceae 1 (Glomus Group A). This result rejects the hypothesis of a strict symbiotic specificity in Polygalaceae but may stimulate a discussion on functionally compatible groups of fungi.