bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tooth Cementum Annulation for Estimation of Age‐at‐Death in Thermally Altered Remains
Authors: Gocha Timothy P. , Schutkowski Holger 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAssessment of tooth cementum annulations (TCA) is acknowledged for its potential as a more accurate method for estimating age‐at‐death than conventional macroscopic methods typically employed. Thermal alteration of remains in a forensic context is not uncommon; however, the use ofTCAin heat‐treated remains has hitherto received no quantitative assessment of accuracy. This study appliesTCAto a sample of modern teeth of known demographics after experimental heat treatment at 600, 800 and 1000°C. Cementum annulations do survive thermal alteration; however, their visibility is dependent on exposure temperature. Physical and chemical changes resulted inTCAbeing applicable to only 63.3% of samples. An overall correlation to known age ofr = 0.522 (p < 0.05) was found, while correlations ofr = 0.868 (p < 0.01),r = 0.249, andr = −0.185, were found for 600, 800, and 1000°C subsets, respectively. These results indicate that in teeth exposed to temperatures >600°C,TCAno longer yields accurate enough results to be of use in forensic investigations.
The Use of Leptodyctium riparium (Hedw.)Warnst in the Estimation of Minimum Postmortem Interval
Authors: Lancia Massimo , Conforti Federica , Aleffi Michele , Caccianiga Marco , Bacci Mauro , Rossi Riccardo 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is still one of the most challenging issues in forensic investigations, especially in cases in which advanced transformative phenomena have taken place. The dating of skeletal remains is even more difficult and sometimes only a rough determination of the PMI is possible. Recent studies suggest that plant analysis can provide a reliable estimation for skeletal remains dating, when traditional techniques are not applicable. Forensic Botany is a relatively recent discipline that includes many subdisciplines such as Palynology, Anatomy, Dendrochronology, Limnology, Systematic, Ecology, and Molecular Biology. In a recent study, Cardoso et al. (Int J Legal Med 2010;124:451) used botanical evidence for the first time to establish the PMI of human skeletal remains found in a forested area of northern Portugal from the growth rate of mosses and shrub roots. The present paper deals with a case in which the study of the growth rate of the bryophyte Leptodyctium riparium (Hedw.) Warnst, was used in estimating the PMI of some human skeletal remains that were found in a wooded area near Perugia, in Central Italy.
The Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Persistence of Common Lubricants on Skin for Cases of Sexual Assault Investigation
Authors: Tonkin Megan , Yeap Li Foong , Bartle Emma K. , Reeder Anthony 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe potential for lubricant trace evidence to be used as associative evidence is often overlooked in forensic investigations. Published studies in this area have focused on the identification of analytical techniques suitable for the detection of this evidence type. However, detection of trace lubricant is also dependent on the length of time it persists on skin and mucosal surfaces. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of environmental conditions on the persistence of oil‐ and glycerol‐based lubricants on skin surfaces. Lubricated skin samples exposed to three different test environments were swabbed at regular intervals over a 24‐h period. Compounds of interest were extracted from the swabs and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The effect of glycerol derivatization prior to GC‐MS analysis was also investigated. In general, oil‐based lubricants persisted longer than glycerol‐based. Persistence on skin was greatest in lower temperature conditions away from direct sunlight exposure. The results of this investigation are relevant in the context of sexual assault investigations given the possible detection of lubricant on the skin of the external genitalia.
Sudden Death Due to Undiagnosed Primary Amyloidosis
Authors: Morin Jason , Schreiber William E. , Lee Carol 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAmyloidosis is a disease characterized by abnormal deposition of amyloid protein within tissues throughout the body. The site of deposition can differ between patients, and therefore, clinical presentation can vary. Here, we present a case of previously undiagnosed amyloidosis presenting with sudden death. Autopsy demonstrated amyloid infiltration of intramural myocardial vessels, in the absence of myocardial involvement, leading to acute myocardial infarction and death. Postmortem analysis on femoral blood demonstrated an increase in the concentration of free lambda light chains with a significantly decreased kappa‐to‐lambda ratio, confirming the amyloidosis to be of AL type. While cardiac involvement in AL amyloidosis is not uncommon, isolated intramural vessel involvement is rarely seen, and to our knowledge, no reported cases have resulted in sudden death. This case highlights the importance of investigating angina‐like symptoms in patients with amyloidosis. It also demonstrates that free light chain analysis can be a useful tool for diagnosing and classifying amyloidosis in postmortem investigations.
Economic impact of antidepressant treatment duration in naturalistic conditions
Authors: Tournier M. , Crott R. , Gaudron Y. , Verdoux H. 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveTo assess the economic impact of the duration of antidepressant drug treatment in a real‐life setting.MethodA historical fixed cohort study included 27 917 patients aged 18 and over with a new antidepressant treatment registered in the national insurance database. The economic impact concerned healthcare expenditure in the first 3 months after treatment discontinuation. Generalized linear models were used to compare two groups of treatment duration: <6 months and 6 months and over.ResultsAfter adjustment for care costs before and during treatment episode, gender, age, chronic diseases, welfare and prescriber specialty, total healthcare costs (in log) [−0.06 (−0.14;0.01) P = 0.11] and psychiatric care costs (in square root) [−0.08 (−0.41;0.25) P = 0.6] were similar in both groups. Non‐psychiatric care costs were significantly lower in the ‘long treatment duration’ group compared with the ‘short treatment duration’ group [−11.4 (−15.8; −7.0) P < 0.0001]. The decreases in total and non‐psychiatric care costs over the antidepressant treatment episode were larger in the ‘long treatment duration’ group compared with the ‘short treatment duration’ group.ConclusionWith regard to healthcare costs and global health, antidepressant drug treatments of short duration appear less effective than treatment of recommended duration.
Validation of a proxy for estrogen receptor status in breast cancer patients using dispensing data
Authors: Srasuebkul Preeyaporn , Dobbins Timothy A ,   Elements of Cancer Care (EoCC) Investigators, Pearson Sallie‐Anne 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimTo assess the performance of a proxy for estrogen receptor (ER) status in breast cancer patients using dispensing data.MethodsWe derived our proxy using 167 patients. ER+ patients had evidence of at least one dispensing record for hormone therapy during the lookback period, irrespective of diagnosis date and ER‐ had no dispensing records for hormone therapy during the period. We validated the proxy against our gold standard, ER status from pathology reports or medical records. We assessed the proxy's performance using three lookback periods: 4.5 years, 2 years, 1 year.ResultsMore than half of our cohort (62%) were >50 years, 54% had stage III/IV breast cancer at recruitment, (46%) were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and 23% were diagnosed before 2006. Sensitivity and specificity were high for the 4.5 year lookback period (93%, 95% CI: 86–96%; and 95%: 83–99%), respectively) and remained high for the 2‐year lookback period (91%: 84–95%; and 95%: 83–99%). Sensitivity decreased (83%: 75.2–89%) but specificity remained high (95%: 83–99%) using the 1‐year lookback period and the period is long enough to allow sufficient time for hormone therapy to be dispensed.ConclusionOur proxy accurately infers ER status in studies of breast cancer treatment based on secondary health data. The proxy is most robust with a minimum lookback period of 2 years.
Anthracycline‐based chemotherapy in metastatic endometrial carcinoma: An update
Authors: Colloca Giuseppe , Venturino Antonella 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe purpose of this review is to analyze clinical evidence about the activity and efficacy of anthracycline‐based chemotherapy in metastatic endometrial cancer and to identify the most important preclinical findings that would address future clinical trials. A literature search of published studies was undertaken. Studies were selected by predefined criteria. Clinical trials and preclinical studies were analyzed. The search identified eight phase 3 and 13 phase 2 clinical trials of patients with metastatic endometrial carcinoma treated with an anthracycline‐based regimen. The planned dose intensity of the anthracycline had no effect on response rates and survival. Survival increased for patients with a good performance status, and sometimes the duration of responses to anthracycline monotherapy can be very long‐lasting. The major findings of anthracycline resistance in preclinical models are reported. Possible future biomarkers targeting mechanisms of anthracycline resistance are suggested, and efforts to define a molecular classification of endometrial cancer are desirable.
Descriptive analysis of molecular subtypes in Tunisian breast cancer
Authors: Fourati Asma , Boussen Hamouda , El May Michéle V , Goucha Aida , Dabbabi Bouthaina , Gamoudi Amor , Sfar Rachida , Rahal Khaled , El May Ahmed , Ben Abdallah Mansour 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimThe objective is to report the correlation between pathology and molecular subtype classifications of breast cancer in Tunisian women.MethodsThis retrospective study concerned data of 966 breast cancer cases collected from 2007 to 2009 at Salah Azaiz Institute of Tunis. These cases were classified by an immunohistochemistry test for estrogen and progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in the four molecular subtypes, namely luminal A, luminal B, HER2+ and triple negative. The molecular classifications were correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumors.ResultsLuminal A (50.7% of cases) was the most common subtype, with triple negative subtype 22.5%, luminal B 13.4% and HER2+ 13.4%. Triple negative and HER2+ subtypes were significantly associated with large tumor size (>5 cm, P < 0.001), younger age (<40 years, P < 0.03) and high grade (P < 0.001). Conversely, there was no correlation with the lymph node status.ConclusionOur data demonstrated that the luminal A subtype, associated with a favorable prognosis, was the most frequent subtype in the Tunisian population; however the triple negative subtype occurred at a high incidence in Tunisia compared to Western countries. The molecular subtypes are correlated to the tumor size, histological grade and patient's age.
Is Early Sexual Debut a Risk Factor for HIV Infection Among Women in Sub‐Saharan Africa? A Systematic Review
Authors: Stöckl Heidi , Kalra Naira , Jacobi Jantine , Watts Charlotte 
Published: November 2012

ProblemIn Africa, adolescent girls have high HIV risk. Early sexual debut may be a risk factor, although evidence has not been systematically compiled.MethodsA systematic review was conducted. Quantitative studies from sub‐Saharan Africa with biologically confirmed HIV infection measures were included.ResultsA total of 128 full texts were screened. Twenty‐five met the inclusion criteria, most cross‐sectional. Half of studies, and all with large sample sizes, reported significant bivariate associations. These remained significant in all three studies controlling for socio‐demographic factors; both studies controlling for sexual activity duration and four of eight studies controlling for subsequent risk behaviour.ConclusionsHigher‐quality studies consistently find significant bivariate associations between early sexual debut and HIV. In some studies, the increase in women's HIV infection risk seems to result from women's later engagement in risky sexual behaviours, rather than being directly related to early onset of sexual debut. In other studies, the increase in risk did not seem to be due to specific behavioural risk characteristics of the respondents or their sexual partners, suggesting that the risk may relate more to the potential for biological factors, for example, genital trauma, or other factors that have not been captured by the studies in this review.
Asthma symptoms and nasal congestion as independent risk factors for insomnia in a general population: results from the GA2LEN survey
Authors: Sundbom F. , Lindberg E. , Bjerg A. , Forsberg B. , Franklin K. , Gunnbjörnsdottir M. , Middelveld R. , Torén K. , Janson C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundAsthma and rhinitis have been related to insomnia. The aim of this study was to further analyse the association between asthma, nasal symptoms and insomnia and to identify risk factors for sleep disturbance among patients with asthma, in a large population‐based set of material.MethodIn 2008, a postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 45 000 adults in four Swedish cities. The questionnaire included questions on insomnia, asthma, rhinitis, weight, height, tobacco use and physical activity.ResultsTwenty‐five thousand six hundred and ten subjects participated. Asthma was defined as either current medication for asthma or at least one attack of asthma during the last 12 months, and 1830 subjects (7.15%) were defined as asthmatics. The prevalence of insomnia symptoms was significantly higher among asthmatics than non‐asthmatics (47.3% vs 37.2%, <0.0001). In the subgroup reporting both asthma and nasal congestion, 55.8% had insomnia symptoms compared with 35.3% in subjects without both asthma and nasal congestion. The risk of insomnia increased with the severity of asthma, and the adjusted OR for insomnia was 2.65 in asthmatics with three symptoms compared with asthmatics without symptoms. Nasal congestion (OR 1.50), obesity (OR 1.54) and smoking (OR 1.71) also increased the risk of insomnia.ConclusionInsomnia remains a common problem among asthmatics. Uncontrolled asthma and nasal congestion are important, treatable risk factors for insomnia. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking and obesity, are also risk factors for insomnia among asthmatics.
Purinergic signalling in the lower urinary tract
Authors: Burnstock G. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe aim of this review is to describe the conceptual steps contributing to our current knowledge of purinergic signalling and to consider its involvement in the physiology and pathophysiology of the lower urinary tract. The voiding reflex involves ATP released as a cotransmitter with acetylcholine from parasympathetic nerves supplying the bladder and ATP released from urothelial cells during bladder distension to initiate the voiding reflex via P2X3 receptors on suburothelial low threshold sensory nerve fibres. This mechanosensory transduction pathway also participates, via high threshold sensory nerve fibres, in the initiation of pain in bladder and ureter. Treatment of prostate and bladder cancer with ATP is effective against the primary tumours in animal models and human cell lines, via P2X5 and P2X7 receptors, and also improves the systemic symptoms associated with advanced malignancy. Acupuncture is widely used for the treatment of urinary disorders, and a purinergic hypothesis is discussed for the underlying mechanism.
Short‐term hypercaloric diet induces blunted aortic vasoconstriction and enhanced vasorelaxation via increased nitric oxide synthase 3 activity and expression in Dahl salt‐sensitive rats
Authors: Spradley F. T. , Kang K.‐T. , Pollock J. S. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimTo elucidate the role of the O2‐, H2O2 or NO pathways in aortic angiotensin (Ang)II‐induced vasoconstriction in Dahl salt‐sensitive (SS) rats compared with control SS‐13BN rats on a normal or hypercaloric diet.MethodsAortic function was assessed using wire myography in 16‐week‐old rats maintained on a normal diet or a 4‐week hypercaloric diet. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and expression was determined by the conversion of radio‐labelled arginine to citrulline and Western blot analysis respectively.ResultsOn normal diet, AngII‐induced vasoconstriction was greater in SS than SS‐13BN rats. Polyethylene glycol superoxide dismutase (PEG‐SOD) reduced the aortic AngII response similarly in both strains on normal diet. Catalase blunted, whereas Nω‐Nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) did not affect the AngII response in SS rats. In SS‐13BN rats, catalase had no effect and L‐NAME enhanced AngII response. On hypercaloric diet, aortic AngII responsiveness was reduced in SS but unaltered in SS‐13BN rats compared with their normal diet counterparts. PEG‐SOD reduced the AngII response in both rats on hypercaloric diet. Catalase treatment did not alter aortic AngII response, while L‐NAME increased the response in SS rats on hypercaloric diet. In SS‐13BN rats on hypercaloric diet, catalase reduced and L‐NAME did not alter the AngII response. Furthermore, aortic endothelial‐dependent vasorelaxation was increased in SS rats on hypercaloric diet compared with normal diet and aortic NOS3 activity and expression was increased.ConclusionA short‐term hypercaloric diet induces a blunted vasoconstrictive and enhanced vasodilatory phenotype in SS rats, but not in SS‐13BN rats, via reduced H2O2 and increased NOS3 function.
Improvement of the metabolic status recovers cardiac potassium channel synthesis in experimental diabetes
Authors: Torres‐Jacome J. , Gallego M. , Rodríguez‐Robledo J. M. , Sanchez‐Chapula J. A. , Casis O. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimsThe fast transient outward current, Ito,fast, is the most extensively studied cardiac K+ current in diabetic animals. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain how type‐1 diabetes reduces this current in cardiac muscle. The first one is a deficiency in channel expression due to a defect in the trophic effect of insulin. The second one proposes flawed glucose metabolism as the cause of the reduced Ito,fast. Moreover, little information exists about the effects and possible mechanisms of diabetes on the other repolarizing currents of the human heart: Ito,slow, IKr, IKs, IKur, IKslow and IK1.MethodsWe recorded cardiac action potentials and K+ currents in ventricular cells isolated from control and streptozotocin‐ or alloxan‐induced diabetic mice and rabbits. Channel protein expression was determined by immunofluorescence.ResultsDiabetes reduces the amplitude of Ito,fast, Ito,slow and IKslow, in ventricular myocytes from mouse and rabbit, with no effect on Iss, IKr or IK1. The absence of changes in the biophysical properties of the currents and the immunofluorescence experiments confirmed the reduction in channel protein synthesis. Six‐hour incubation of myocytes with insulin or pyruvate recovered current amplitudes and fluorescent staining. The activation of AMP‐K reduced the same K+ currents in healthy myocytes and prevented the pyruvate‐induced current recovery.ConclusionDiabetes reduces K+ current densities in ventricular myocytes due to a defect in channel protein synthesis. Activation of AMP‐K secondary to deterioration in the metabolic status of the cells is responsible for K+ channel reductions.
Structural organization of the toe pads in the amphibian Philautus annandalii (Boulenger, 1906)
Authors: Chakraborti Saurabh , Das Debasish , De Subrata K. , Nag Tapas C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe describe the morphology of toe pads in the Himalayan tree frog Philautus annandalii. These are expanded tips of digits and show modifications of their ventral epidermis for adhesion. The outer cells of toe pad epidermis (TPE) bear surface microstructures (0.7 × 0.2 μm), which are keratinized. Their cytoplasm contains no organelles, but pleomorphic nuclei and mucous granules (0.4–0.5 μm) that glue the keratin filaments. In the intermediate cell layer of TPE, similar keratinized microstructures as in the outer cells are present, so that when the outer layer is shed, it is ready with features for adhesion. These cells contain more keratin than the outer cells. The basal cell layer contains thin keratin bundles and usual cell organelles. The dermis contains mucous‐secreting glands, whose ducts open in the outer epidermal cell layer in channels. The dorsal epidermal cells lack surface microstructures and keratin bundles. Ultrastructural features suggest that toe pads utilize the surface microstructures for adhesion aided by mucus, in which the intermediate cell layer seems to bear the shear stress generated during locomotion. Further, TPE can expand and fit into an increased contact area of the substrate. The long, surface microstructures may also help in mechanical interlocking with rough surfaces on plants.
Presentation design for “conceptual model” learning objects
Authors: Churchill Daniel 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper discusses a set of recommendations for the presentation design of “conceptual model” learning objects. A conceptual model is a learning object designed to support conceptual learning. Often, it is interactive and multimodal and allows a learner to examine and interrogate displayed content. Presentation design is concerned primarily with the arrangement of content and screen design features that are optimized for educational purpose. The paper presents the following set of recommendations for presentation design: present information visually, design for interaction, design a holistic scenario, design for a single screen, design for small space, use audio and video only if they are the only option, use color in moderation, avoid unnecessary decorative elements, design with a single font, and use frames to logically divide the screen area. The recommendations were explicated from a study that involved a review of a collection of conceptual models by a team of five independent reviewers. These recommendations should prove useful to designers of educational multimedia resources.