bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inefficacy of a Highly Selective T‐Type Calcium Channel Blocker in Preventing Atrial Fibrillation Related Remodeling
Authors: KATO TAKESHI , IWASAKI YU‐KI , DUKER GORAN , FJELLSTROM OLA , GIORDANETTO FABRIZIO , SUNDQVIST MONIKA , WALLIN ANITA , WANG QING‐DONG , NATTEL STANLEY 
Published: December 2013

Effects of T‐Type Calcium Channel Blockade on AFBackgroundThe T‐type Ca2+ channel (ICaT) blocker mibefradil prevents AF‐promoting remodeling occurring with atrial tachycardia, an action that has been attributed to ICaT inhibition. However, mibefradil has other effects, including ability to inhibit L‐type Ca2+ channels, Na+ channels and cytochromes. Thus, the relationship between ICaT inhibition and remodeling protection in AF is still unknown.ObjectiveTo assess the effects of a novel highly selective Cav3 (ICaT) blocker, AZ9112, on atrial remodeling induced by 1‐week atrial tachypacing (AT‐P) in dogs.MethodsMongrel dogs were subjected to AT‐P at 400 bpm for 7 days, with atrioventricular‐node ablation and right‐ventricular demand pacing (80 bpm) to control ventricular rate. Four groups of dogs were studied in investigator‐blinded fashion: (1) a sham group, instrumented but without tachypacing or drug therapy (n = 5); (2) a placebo group, tachypaced but receiving placebo (n = 6); (3) a positive control tachypacing group receiving mibefradil (n = 6); and (4) a test drug group, subjected to tachypacing during oral treatment with AZ9112 (n = 8).ResultsOne‐week AT‐P decreased atrial effective refractory period (ERP) at 6 of 8 sites and diminished rate‐dependent atrial ERP abbreviation. Mibefradil eliminated AT‐P‐induced ERP‐abbreviation at 4 of these 6 sites, while AZ9112 failed to affect ERP at any. Neither drug significantly affected AF vulnerability or AF duration.ConclusionsICaT blockade with the highly selective compound AZ9112 failed to prevent rate‐related atrial remodeling. Thus, prevention of atrial electrophysiological remodeling by mibefradil cannot be attributed exclusively to ICaT blockade. These results indicate that ICaT inhibition is not likely to be a useful approach for AF therapy.
Does enamel matrix derivative application provide additional clinical benefits in residual periodontal pockets associated with suprabony defects? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Graziani Filippo , Gennai Stefano , Cei Silvia , Ducci Francesco , Discepoli Nicola , Carmignani Alessandro , Tonetti Maurizio 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo review the effectiveness of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in the treatment of periodontal pockets of suprabony defects.MethodsRandomized Clinical Trials comparing open flap debridement (OFD) versus EMD in periodontal suprabony defects were identified through electronic and manual search. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted. The primary outcome measures were tooth survival (TS) and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain. Pocket probing depth (PPD) reduction and recession (REC) increase were secondary outcome measures. Information concerning clinical and radiological bone gain was also collected.ResultsThe search identified 1170 studies, three articles reporting on (99 subjects/358 teeth) met the inclusion criteria and were included. No tooth was lost during follow‐up (8–12 months). The adjunctive mean benefit of EMD was: 1.2 mm for CAL gain [confidence interval (CI): (0.9, 1.4), p < 0.00001, I2 = 66%], 1.2 mm for the PPD reduction (CI: [0.8, 1.5], p < 0.0001, I2 = 0%), −0.5 mm for the REC increase (CI: [−0.8, −0.2], p = 0.003, I2 = 0%). Potential risk of bias was identified.ConclusionsNo differences were noted in TS but EMD application resulted in clinical and radiographic additional benefits compared to OFD alone. Nevertheless, the paucity of data, the risk of methodological and potential publication bias suggests caution in interpreting these results while supporting multicenter studies for this specific application.
When do Non‐FamilyCEOs Outperform in Family Firms? Agency and Behavioural Agency Perspectives
Authors: Miller Danny , Le Breton‐Miller Isabelle , Minichilli Alessandro , Corbetta Guido , Pittino Daniel 
Published: December 2013

AbstractFamily firms represent a globally dominant form of organization, yet they confront a steep challenge of finding and managing competent leaders. Sometimes, these leaders cannot be found within the owning family. To date we know little about the governance contexts under which non‐family leaders thrive or founder. Guided by concepts from agency theory and behavioural agency theory, we examine the conditions of ownership and leadership that promote superior performance among non‐familyCEOs of family firms. Our analysis of 893 Italian family firms demonstrates that these leaders outperform when they are monitored by multiple major family owners as opposed to a single owner; they also outperform when they are not required to share power with co‐CEOs who are family members, and who may be motivated by parochial family socioemotional priorities.
Purring in cats during auscultation: how common is it, and can we stop it?
Authors: Little C. J. L. , Ferasin L. , Ferasin H. , Holmes M. A. 
Published: December 2013

OBJECTIVESWhen cats purr during examination it is difficult to perform auscultation. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of purring in cats during examination, and identify interventions that could be used to stop purring.METHODSCats seen at a first opinion clinic were enrolled in the study and their purring status recorded. Thirty of the purring cats were exposed to up to three different interventions in an attempt to stop purring in a randomised controlled trial including blowing at the ear, use of an ethanol‐based aerosol near the cat and proximity to a running tap.RESULTSThe 30 cats in the trial were subjected to a total of 54 attempts to stop purring, proximity to a running tap caused 17 of 21 (81%) cats to stop purring, blowing at the cat's ears worked in 2 of 15 (13%) cats, spraying an aerosol close to the cat was effective in 9 of 18 (50%) cases. In 2 cats (7%), none of the interventions interrupted purring.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThis study provides evidence that placing a purring cat near a running tap and in proximity to the discharge of an ethanol‐based aerosol are effective measures to stop purring in order to allow auscultation.
Regional environmental pressure influences population differentiation in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)
Authors: Vandamme S. G. , Maes G. E. , Raeymaekers J. A. M. , Cottenie K. , Imsland A. K. , Hellemans B. , Lacroix G. , Mac Aoidh E. , Martinsohn J. T. , Martínez P. , Robbens J. , Vilas R. , Volckaert F. A. M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractUnravelling the factors shaping the genetic structure of mobile marine species is challenging due to the high potential for gene flow. However, genetic inference can be greatly enhanced by increasing the genomic, geographical or environmental resolution of population genetic studies. Here, we investigated the population structure of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) by screening 17 random and gene‐linked markers in 999 individuals at 290 geographical locations throughout the northeast Atlantic Ocean. A seascape genetics approach with the inclusion of high‐resolution oceanographical data was used to quantify the association of genetic variation with spatial, temporal and environmental parameters. Neutral loci identified three subgroups: an Atlantic group, a Baltic Sea group and one on the Irish Shelf. The inclusion of loci putatively under selection suggested an additional break in the North Sea, subdividing southern from northern Atlantic individuals. Environmental and spatial seascape variables correlated marginally with neutral genetic variation, but explained significant proportions (respectively, 8.7% and 10.3%) of adaptive genetic variation. Environmental variables associated with outlier allele frequencies included salinity, temperature, bottom shear stress, dissolved oxygen concentration and depth of the pycnocline. Furthermore, levels of explained adaptive genetic variation differed markedly between basins (3% vs. 12% in the North and Baltic Sea, respectively). We suggest that stable environmental selection pressure contributes to relatively strong local adaptation in the Baltic Sea. Our seascape genetic approach using a large number of sampling locations and associated oceanographical data proved useful for the identification of population units as the basis of management decisions.
Enzymatic activity profile of a Brazilian culture collection of Candida albicans isolated from diabetics and non‐diabetics with oral candidiasis
Authors: Sanitá Paula Volpato , Zago Chaiene Evelin , Pavarina Ana Cláudia , Jorge Janaina Habib , Machado Ana Lúcia , Vergani Carlos Eduardo 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe secretion of hydrolytic enzymes is a fundamental virulence factor of Candida albicans to develop disease. The objective of this study was to characterise the virulence of 148 clinical isolates of C. albicans from oral candidiasis by assessing the expression of phospholipase (PL) and secreted aspartyl proteinase (SAP). Isolates were obtained from healthy subjects (HS) and diabetics (DOC) and non‐diabetics with oral candidiasis (NDOC). An aliquot (5 μl) of each cell suspension was inoculated on PL and SAP agar plates and incubated. Enzymes secretion was detected by the formation of an opaque halo around the colonies and enzymatic activity (PZ) was determined by the ratio between colony diameter and colony diameter plus the halo zone. Statistical comparisons were made by a one‐way anova followed by Tukey's post hoc test (α = 0.05). The clinical sources of C. albicans had significant effect (P < 0.001) on the PZ values of both enzymes. For PL, clinical isolates from NDOC and DOC had highest enzymatic activity than those from HS (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between them (P = 0.506). For SAP, C. albicans from NDOC showed the lower enzymatic activity (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between isolates from HS and DOC (P = 0.7051). C. albicans isolates from NDOC and DOC patients showed an increased production of PL.
Evaluation of trace elements, oxidant/antioxidant status, vitamin C and β‐carotene in dogs with dermatophytosis
Authors: Beigh S. A. , Soodan J. S. , Singh R. , Khan A. M. , Dar M. A. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe aim of the study was to determine zinc, copper and iron levels, erythrocyte oxidant/antioxidant status, vitamin C and β‐carotene in dogs with dermatophytosis. A total of 23 dogs with clinically established diagnosis of dermatophytosis by trichogram and positive fungal culture and six dogs as control were included in this study. On cultural examination 52.17% fungal isolates were found to be Microsporum canis, 30.43% were Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 17.39% were M. gypseum. In comparison to healthy control, the dogs with dermatophytosis had significantly lower levels of zinc (P < 0.01), copper (P < 0.05), β‐carotene and vitamin C levels (P < 0.05) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P < 0.05) and catalase (P < 0.01), whereas the iron (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.01) levels were significantly increased. On correlation analysis, SOD activity was observed to be positively correlated (P < 0.05) with zinc and copper in both healthy and dermatophytosis affected dogs. In dermatophytosis affected dogs the MDA levels were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with iron, β‐carotene levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes; SOD and catalase. Our results demonstrated that dermatophytosis in dogs is associated with significant alteration in oxidant/antioxidant balance and trace elements. It might be secondary consequence of dermatophytosis infection or contributing factor in its pathogenesis.
Do nurses feel stressed? A perspective from primary health care
Authors: Galdikienė Nijolė , Asikainen Paula , Balčiūnas Sigitas , Suominen Tarja 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis study describes nurses' experiences of stress in primary healthcare settings, and examines correlations between stress and personal factors. There were 187 nurses from 18 public primary care centers participating, drawn from one county of Lithuania. The Expanded Nursing Stress Scale was used to evaluate the study data. The study indicates that in primary healthcare centers, nurses working with adult patients experienced less stress than those working with younger patients. The most frequently reported stressors were those related to death and dying, and conflicts with physicians and patients and their families. In particular, older nurses more frequently experienced stress related to death and dying. The intensity of nurses' stress in conflict situations with physicians was related to age, however, the depth of work experience in the healthcare setting was more influential. Findings indicate that more detailed research is needed regarding stress experiences in primary health care, and especially the related impact of the social contexts involved in the setting.
Intestinal microbiota influence the early postnatal development of the enteric nervous system
Authors: Collins J. , Borojevic R. , Verdu E. F. , Huizinga J. D. , Ratcliffe E. M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundNormal gastrointestinal function depends on an intact and coordinated enteric nervous system (ENS). While the ENS is formed during fetal life, plasticity persists in the postnatal period during which the gastrointestinal tract is colonized by bacteria. We tested the hypothesis that colonization of the bowel by intestinal microbiota influences the postnatal development of the ENS.MethodsThe development of the ENS was studied in whole mount preparations of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of specific pathogen‐free (SPF), germ‐free (GF), and altered Schaedler flora (ASF) NIH Swiss mice at postnatal day 3 (P3). The frequency and amplitude of circular muscle contractions were measured in intestinal segments using spatiotemporal mapping of video recorded spontaneous contractile activity with and without exposure to lidocaine and N‐nitro‐L‐arginine (NOLA).Key ResultsImmunolabeling with antibodies to PGP9.5 revealed significant abnormalities in the myenteric plexi of GF jejunum and ileum, but not duodenum, characterized by a decrease in nerve density, a decrease in the number of neurons per ganglion, and an increase in the proportion of myenteric nitrergic neurons. Frequency of amplitude of muscle contractions were significantly decreased in the jejunum and ileum of GF mice and were unaffected by exposure to lidocaine, while NOLA enhanced contractile frequency in the GF jejunum and ileum.Conclusions & InferencesThese findings suggest that early exposure to intestinal bacteria is essential for the postnatal development of the ENS in the mid to distal small intestine. Future studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms by which enteric microbiota interact with the developing ENS.
Calcium responses in subserosal interstitial cells of the guinea‐pig proximal colon
Authors: Tamada H. , Hashitani H. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundIn the subserosal layer between the longitudinal muscle layer and mesothelium, heterogeneous populations of interstitial cells are distributed. As the distribution of nerve elements in this layer is sparse as compared with the nerve plexus layer or tunica muscularis, there may be unique communication among subserosal interstitial cells (SSICs). This study aimed to explore functional properties of SSICs.MethodsIn subserosal preparations of the guinea‐pig proximal colon, changes in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) were visualized using Fluo‐4 Ca2+ imaging. Immunohistochemistry was also performed to identify the SSICs exhibiting Ca2+ transients.Key ResultsA majority of SSICs responded to adenosine triphosphate (ATP, 10 μM) by increasing [Ca2+]i, but remained quiescent during the application of acetylcholine (10 μM). ATP‐induced Ca2+ responses were mimicked by adenosine 5′‐diphosphate (10 μM), MRS2365 (10 nM) but not α, β‐methylene ATP (10 μM) or uridine triphosphate (10 μM), and could be reproduced in Ca2+‐free solution, suggesting that ATP acts via P2Y receptors, most likely P2Y1 subtype, but not P2X receptors. Live staining of the same preparations after Ca2+ imaging indicated the ATP‐sensitive SSICs were not positive for c‐Kit antibody, a specific marker for gastrointestinal interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Immunohistochemistry identified vimentin (mesenchymal cell marker)+/Kit‐ and SK3 (fibroblast‐like cell (FLC) marker)+/Kit‐ cells that had a similar morphology to the ATP‐sensitive SSICs in Ca2+ imaging.Conclusions & InferencesA majority of the SSICs in the guinea‐pig proximal colon, presumably FLC, are capable of responding to ATP and thus may contribute to smooth muscle relaxation upon stimulation with ATP released from non‐neuronal cells.
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain after oral surgery
Authors: Coulthard P. , Bailey E. , Patel N. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimTo describe the role of paracetamol (acetaminophen) in the management of pain after oral surgery.Materials and methodsA review of the literature describing the pharmacokinetics, benefits and harms of paracetamol in terms of systematic review evidence, interactions, use in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding.ResultsParacetamol inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX)‐3 isoenzyme and reduces prostanoid release in the central nervous system. The analgesic effectiveness of paracetamol in the control of pain after oral surgery has been shown in a number of clinical trials with a number needed to treat for 1 g paracetamol of 1.87. There are few adverse events, but at toxic doses, harm to the liver may arise and paracetamol poisoning remains the commonest cause of acute liver injury in Europe and North America.ConclusionsParacetamol is an effective analgesic for mild to moderate pain and has an excellent safety record in adults and children. It is also one of the safest analgesics to use if needed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The Location of US States' Overseas Offices
Authors: Cassey Andrew J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractForty US states operated an overseas office in 2002. Treating overseas offices as sales offices, the model assumes offices facilitate exports by reducing the transaction cost of selling abroad. From theory, states operate an office if aggregate savings outweigh operating costs. Exploiting the differences in where states locate offices in the data, and controlling for aggregate characteristics, the paper estimates the impact of exports on the probability of an office existing. In addition, the average state savings from an office is 0.04–0.10% of exports, with a cut‐off threshold of US$850 million.
Simvastatin inhibits transforming growth factor‐β1‐induced expression of type I collagen, CTGF, and α‐SMA in keloid fibroblasts
Authors: Mun Je‐Ho , Kim Young‐Mi , Kim Byung‐Soo , Kim Jae‐Ho , Kim Moon‐Bum , Ko Hyun‐Chang 
Published: December 2013

AbstractSimvastatin, a 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme‐A reductase inhibitor, is used to reduce cholesterol levels. Accumulating evidence has revealed the immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory effects of simvastatin that prevent cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the beneficial effects of statins on fibrosis of various organs have been reported. However, the functional effect of statins on dermal fibrosis of keloids has not yet been explored. The objective of this study was to determine whether simvastatin could affect dermal fibrosis associated with keloids. We examined the effect of simvastatin on transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1‐induced production of type I collagen, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF or CCN2), and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA). Keloid fibroblasts were cultured and exposed to different concentrations of simvastatin in the presence of TGF‐β1, and the effects of simvastatin on TGF‐β1‐induced collagen and CTGF production in keloid fibroblasts were determined. The type I collagen, CTGF, and α‐SMA expression levels and the Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation levels were assessed by Western blotting. The effect of simvastatin on cell viability was evaluated by assessing the colorimetric conversion of 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Simvastatin suppressed TGF‐β1‐induced type I collagen, CTGF, and α‐SMA production in a concentration‐dependent manner. The TGF‐β1‐induced Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation levels were abrogated by simvastatin pretreatment. The inhibition of type I collagen, CTGF, and α‐SMA expression by simvastatin was reversed by geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, suggesting that the simvastatin‐induced cellular responses were due to inhibition of small GTPase Rho involvement. A RhoA activation assay showed that preincubation with simvastatin significantly blocked TGF‐β1‐induced RhoA activation. The Rho‐associated coiled kinase inhibitor Y27632 abrogated TGF‐β1‐induced production of type I collagen, CTGF, and α‐SMA. However, Y27632 had no significant effect on TGF‐β1‐induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. In conclusion, the present study suggests that simvastatin is an effective inhibitor of TGF‐β1‐induced type I collagen, CTGF, and α‐SMA production in keloid fibroblasts.
Modular Koszul duality
Authors: Riche Simon , Soergel Wolfgang , Williamson Geordie 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe prove an analogue of Koszul duality for category$ \mathcal{O} $of a reductive group$G$in positive characteristic$\ell $larger than$1$plus the number of roots of$G$. However, there are no Koszul rings, and we do not prove an analogue of the Kazhdan–Lusztig conjectures in this context. The main technical result is the formality of the dg-algebra of extensions of parity sheaves on the flag variety if the characteristic of the coefficients is at least the number of roots of$G$plus$2$.
Guidelines for Volume Force Distributions Within Actuator Line Modeling of Wind Turbines on Large-Eddy Simulation-Type Grids
Authors: Jha Pankaj K. , Churchfield Matthew J. , Moriarty Patrick J. , Schmitz Sven 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe objective of this work is to develop and test a set of general guidelines for choosing parameters to be used in the state-of-the-art actuator line method (ALM) for modeling wind turbine blades in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The actuator line method is being increasingly used for the computation of wake interactions in large wind farms in which fully blade-resolving simulations are expensive and require complicated rotating meshes. The focus is on actuator line behavior using fairly isotropic grids of low aspect ratio typically used for large-eddy simulation (LES). Forces predicted along the actuator lines need to be projected onto the flow field as body forces, and this is commonly accomplished using a volumetric projection. In this study, particular attention is given to the spanwise distribution of the radius of this projection. A new method is proposed where the projection radius varies along the blade span following an elliptic distribution. The proposed guidelines for actuator line parameters are applied to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Phase VI rotor and the NREL 5-MW turbine. Results obtained are compared with available data and the blade-element code XTurb-PSU. It is found that the new criterion for the projection radius leads to improved prediction of blade tip loads for both blade designs.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Alginate-Overproducing Variants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, PAO1-VE2 and PAO1-VE13
Authors: Yin Yeshi , Withers T. Ryan , Niles Richard M. , Johnson Shannon L. , Yu Hongwei D. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACT

The small envelope protein MucE and the sensor kinase KinB are a positive and negative alginate regulator, respectively. Here, we announce the draft genome sequences of the alginate-overproducing variants
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1-VE2 (PAO1 with constitutive expression of
mucE
) and PAO1-VE13 (PAO1 with
kinB
inactivated). Both mutants were generated from a transposon mutagenesis screen.