bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A step towards cinacalcet testing for the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism: comparison with the standardized intravenous calcium loading. A pilot study
Authors: Cailleux A. , Vuillermet P. , Basuyau J.P. , Ménard J.F. , Lefebvre H. , Kuhn J.M. , Prévost G. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryObjectiveA calcium load to suppress parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion can help to perform the diagnosis in some case of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) with atypical presentation. A similar test with calcimimetic, which avoids hypercalcaemia, would be of interest. Our proof of concept study was conducted to compare firstly the results of a single‐dose cinacalcet testing with those of the standardized short‐time calcium load in healthy control (HC) and secondly the results of the single‐dose cinacalcet testing in HC and in PHPT.MethodsTwelve HCs received in a random order, at a 2‐week interval, either 0·33 mmol/kg calcium gluconate intravenously for 3 h, or a single oral dose of 30 mg or 60 mg cinacalcet. Twelve PHPTs received 30 mg cinacalcet and twelve other PHPTs 60 mg cinacalcet orally. Calcaemia and serum PTH levels were measured basally and then hourly for 6 h.ResultsIn HC, plasma calcium did not significantly change after cinacalcet intake, whereas calcaemia rose up to 3·47 ± 0·05 mmol/l (mean ± SEM) at the end of the calcium load. PTH dropped from basal level to a similar extend (≥80%) with 60 mg cinacalcet and calcium load, whereas the decrease was significantly lesser (P < 0·01) with 30 mg cinacalcet. In PHPT, serum PTH levels dropped by 44·8 ± 6·9% and 58·2 ± 5·3% 1 h after the respective intake of 30 and 60 mg cinacalcet. One hour after the oral intake of 60 mg cinacalcet, serum PTH levels were <8 ng/l in HC and ≥8 ng/l in PHPT.ConclusionSixty milligrams of cinacalcet provides similar results as the standardized calcium load test; PHPT patients have a lower response to 60 mg cinacalcet than HC.
Surface micro‐structuring of zirconia dental implants
Authors: Fischer J. , Schott A. , Märtin S. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectiveSandblasting with subsequent acid etching is a potential procedure to generate microstructured surfaces on zirconia implants. The aim of the study was to systematically analyze the effect of these process steps on surface morphology and mechanical strength of the implants.Materials and methodsZirconia implant blanks (ceramic.implant, VITA) were sandblasted (105‐μm alumina, 6 bar), subsequently HF‐etched, and finally heat‐treated at 1250°C. Surface topographies were documented by SEM. Surface roughness Ra (n = 4), monoclinic volume fraction in the surface layer (n = 1), and static fracture load (n = 4) were measured.ResultsSurface roughness Ra reached a maximum of 1.2 μm after 4× sandblasting. Scratches and sharp edges dominated the surface aspect. Fracture load increased with the number of sandblasting cycles with a gain of 30% after 20 cycles. HF etching did not change the Ra values, but sharp edges were rounded and small pits created. A minor decrease in fracture load with increasing etching time was observed. Heat treatment of 1 h reduced the fracture load by 1/3. Longer heat treatment had no further effect. The roughness Ra was not modified by heat treatment. Fracture load was strongly correlated with the monoclinic fraction except for the results obtained directly after acid etching, where a constant monoclinic fraction was observed.ConclusionsSandblasting with 105‐μm alumina followed by 1 h HF etching at room temperature and 1 h heat treatment at 1250°C is a reliable and tolerant process to create a surface roughness of about Ra = 1.2 μm on zirconia implants.
Piezosurgical treatment of crestal bone: quantitative comparison of post‐extractive socket outcomes with those of traditional treatment
Authors: Spinato Sergio , Rebaudi Alberto , Bernardello Fabio , Bertoldi Carlo , Zaffe Davide 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe study aimed to quantitatively compare, for the first time, the clinical outcomes of crestal bone volume resorption in sockets undergoing traditional extraction technique (TET) or piezosurgical extraction technique (PET), also considering the influence of buccal plate thickness.Material and methodsIn this prospective study, 19 sockets were randomly treated with TET, and 18 sockets were randomly treated with PET. Furthermore, patients were split into subgroup A, with buccal bone plate thickness (BPT) ≤1 mm, and subgroup B, with BPT>1 mm. Buccal (BCH) and palatal (PCH) cortex height, bucco‐palatal ridge (BPR) width were monitored at tooth extraction and after the 4‐month post‐extractive period of natural healing.ResultsAfter 4 months, BCH, PCH and BPR width decreased more in the TET than in the PET group, but only the BPR decrease was statistically significant (P = 0.034) after ANOVA test. In both TET and PET groups, all B subgroup patients showed a lower decrease than A subgroup patients for both BCH, PCH and BPR, statistically significant for PCH (P = 0.019) and BPR (P < 0.001) of TET group, and BPR (P = 0.002) of PET group, after ANOVA. Both A and B subgroups of PET showed a statistically significant lower decrease than the corresponding subgroups of TET, comparing A (P = 0.005) and B (P = 0.037) subgroups for BPR, after ANOVA.ConclusionsWith both thin and thick buccal plates, the piezosurgical extraction technique of teeth significantly decreases the horizontal resorption of the hard tissue ridge, but not the vertical resorption. Moreover, buccal plate thickness seems to be a key factor in post‐extractive bone resorption: the thinner the buccal plate the greater the horizontal crestal bone loss.
The correlation between lipoprotein ratios and hearing outcome in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients
Authors: Lin H.‐C. , Wang C.‐H. , Chou Y.‐C. , Shih C.‐P. , Chu Y.‐H. , Lee J.‐C. , Chen H.‐C. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveRecent reports have identified hypercholesterolaemia as a significant risk factor for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Therefore, we investigated whether lipid profiles and lipoprotein ratios are correlated with the prognosis of hearing recovery in ISSNHL patients.DesignA retrospective cohort study.Main outcome measuresPatients with ISSNHL were classified into four groups (complete, partial, slight and no recovery) according to their degree of hearing recovery using Siegel's criteria and the Sudden Deafness Research Group (SDRG) criteria developed by the Japanese Ministry of Welfare. All patients' lipid profiles were analysed, including total cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. We calculated the ratios of TC/HDL‐C and LDL‐C/HDL‐C and used statistical methods to evaluate correlations between lipid profiles and lipoprotein ratios and ISSNHL prognosis.ResultsHearing recovery was observed in 103 (62.0%) of 166 cases using Siegel's criteria and in 114 (68.7%) of 166 cases using SDRG's criteria. Among the three recovery groups (i.e. excluding the no recovery group), the ratio of LDL‐C/HDL‐C was found to be associated with recovery outcome by showing the ratio on an upward trend from complete recovery to slight recovery group, and the difference is statistically significant (P = 0.016 by Siegel's criteria, P = 0.041 by SDRG's criteria). Multiple linear regression analysis further revealed a significantly higher LDL‐C/HDL‐C ratio in slight hearing recovery group compared with complete recovery group (P = 0.007 by Siegel's criteria, P = 0.031 by SDRG's criteria).ConclusionWe suggested that lipoprotein ratio of LDL‐C/HDL‐C may be a prognostic factor for hearing recovery in ISSNHL patients. Further studies should be conducted to determine whether hearing outcomes in ISSNHL can be improved by changing patients' lipid profiles via antilipidemic treatment.
Validation of the Greek version of Mini Tinnitus Questionnaire as a Brief Screening Test for Assessment of Tinnitus‐related Distress: our experience in 301 adult patients
Authors: Panagiotopoulos G. , Galanakis M. , Varvogli L. , Chrousos G. , Darviri C. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesValidation of the Greek version of Mini Tinnitus Questionnaire (Mini‐TQ‐GR) as a Brief Screening Test for Assessment of Tinnitus‐related Distress.DesignQuestionnaire study.Setting401 General Military Hospital of Athens/Department of Audiology – Neurootology, Athens, Greece.ParticipantsThree hundred and one participants have anonymously completed the Mini‐TQ‐GR, comparing it to the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 14) and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MΗLoC) from November 2013 until May 2014.Main outcome measureMini‐TQ‐GR, compared to PSS 14 and MΗLoC.ResultsFactor analysis, has shown that the Mini‐TQ‐GR includes three main factors (Distress, Health pre‐occupation and Depression), which explains the 59.05% of the total variance. The Cronbach alpha index was 0.865 approaching the respective reliability factor of the original validation (0.9). The test–retest correlation (intraclass correlation coefficient) was 0.9 (P < 0.01), close to the results of the original study (0.89). We found a positive correlation between tinnitus and perceived stress (r = 0.349**) and negative correlation between tinnitus and external locus of control (r = −0.124*, r = −0.198**) (chance, others).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the Mini‐TQ‐GR has good internal consistency and reliability becoming a useful, validated measurement tool for tinnitus‐induced distress.
Severity of pneumococcal versus non‐pneumococcal acute otitis media in children
Authors: Ovnat Tamir S. , Roth Y. , Goldfarb A. , Grotto I. , Marom T. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundPneumococcal acute otitis media (AOM) has been previously considered as a more severe disease than that caused by other otopathogens, based on clinical and/or otologic scores. We sought to test this hypothesis in the pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV) era.MethodsChildren <6 years who presented with ‘severe’ AOM episodes with middle ear fluid (MEF) cultures during 2008–2013 were retrospectively identified. ‘Severe’ AOM episodes were considered if tympanocentesis was required or if spontaneous otorrhea was present. Data were extracted for demographics, clinical and laboratory tests. Children were categorised according to their PCV status as ‘unimmunised’ or ‘PCV7/PCV13 immunised’ and according to their MEF culture results into the ‘pneumococcal’ or the ‘non‐pneumococcal’ group. Leukocytosis was defined as white blood cells (WBC) count >15 000/μL, and elevated C‐reactive protein (CRP) level was considered as >50 mg/L.ResultsOf 295 eligible AOM episodes, 106 (36%) were culture positive. Children in the pneumococcal group (65, 61%) had a significantly higher WBC counts and higher CRP levels, were more often <2 years old and were more prone to complicate with acute mastoiditis (AM), compared to children in the non‐pneumococcal group, P = 0.03, P = 0.02, P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively. In the pneumococcal group, unimmunised children had higher WBC counts when compared with PCV13‐immunised children (P = 0.04), but there were no appreciable differences in CRP levels between unimmunised and PCV7/PCV13‐immunised children.ConclusionPneumococcal AOM is associated with higher leukocytosis and CRP levels than non‐pneumococcal AOM. Circulating Streptococcus pneumoniae strains causing ‘severe’ AOM in PCV13‐immunised children yielded lower inflammatory responses when compared with unimmunised children.
Tumorstammzellen im Melanom
Authors: Roesch Alexander 
Published: January 2015

ZusammenfassungDas Tumorstammzellkonzept bietet eine wichtige Erweiterung unseres Verständnisses der Biologie des Melanoms. Es sollte aber keinesfalls isoliert, sondern als Teil eines holistischen Krebsmodells betrachtet werden, in welchem auch die genetische Evolution von Tumorzellen und die Variabilität von Zellphänotypen innerhalb eines dynamischen Tumormikromilieus miteinbezogen werden müssen. Die biologische Komplexität, aber auch methodische Schwierigkeiten behindern derzeit die direkte Translation experimenteller Ergebnisse zu Tumorstammzellen und deren Biomarker in die Klinik. Interessanterweise ermöglichen aber gerade die methodischen Unzulänglichkeiten bei der Identifikation von Tumorstammzellen einen neuen Blickwinkel auf die phänotypische Heterogenität des Melanoms, die wesentlich geprägt zu sein scheint von der Plastizität von Zellphänotypen. Die Entwicklung neuer therapeutischer (Kombinations‐)Ansätze, insbesondere zur Umgehung von Therapieresistenzen, könnte in besonderem Maße von der zielgerichteten Elimination von Zellsubpopulationen mit Tumorstammzelleigenschaften profitieren.
Elevated ozone induces jasmonic acid defense of tomato plants and reduces midgut proteinase activity in Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Ren Qin , Sun Yucheng , Guo Huijuan , Wang Chenzhu , Li Chuanyou , Ge Feng 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAs a consequence of membrane lipid peroxidation, foliar defense compounds are changed by elevated ozone (O3), which in turn affects the palatability and performance of insect herbivores. The induced defense of two tomato [Solanum esculentum L. (Solanaceae)] genotypes, namely jasmonic acid (JA) pathway‐deficient mutant spr2 and its wild‐type control, was studied in response to cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), as well as the digestive adaptation of these insects under elevated O3 in open‐top field chambers. Our data indicated that elevated O3 increased foliar JA and salicylic acid (SA) levels simultaneously and up‐regulated proteinase inhibitors (PIs) and lipoxidase activities in wild‐type plants, regardless of H. armigera infestation. In contrast, only the O3+H. armigera treatment increased free SA levels in spr2 plants, but did not affect JA level or PI activities. Additionally, the lower activity of midgut digestive enzymes, including active alkaline trypsin‐like enzyme and chymotrypsin‐like enzyme, was observed in the midgut of cotton bollworms after they consumed wild‐type plants treated for 2 h with elevated O3. With temporary increases at 8 h, all four digestive enzymes of interest in the insect midgut dropped when they were fed with wild‐type plants under elevated O3 treatment. Increases in atmospheric O3 are thought to increase JA signaling and consequently reduce the activities of midgut digestive enzymes in H. armigera, therefore enhancing plant resistance against insect herbivores.
Changes in the density and growth of brown trout (Salmo trutta) after intensive removal of sympatric Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in the sub‐Arctic lake Møkkelandsvatn, Norway
Authors: Svenning Martin A. , Hanssen Øyvind K. , Elliott J. Malcolm 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis study tests the basic hypothesis that the removal of charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), would cause an increase in both the growth and density of a sympatric trout population, Salmo trutta L. The charr population was characterised by slow‐growing individuals, with a high proportion of mature fish, that is typical for so‐called overpopulated populations. A total of 31,000 charr was removed from the lake in the period 1990–1992, and the density of younger trout (1+, 2+), but not older trout (3+, 4+), increased. The growth of older trout (3+, 4+) increased, but the evidence for similar growth increases of younger trout (1+, 2+) was limited. From 1989 to 1990, the proportion of trout increased from 30 to only 40% of the total catch, but from 1991 to 1994, it was significantly higher (60–80%) than that of charr. Total trout biomass increased to a maximum in 1992 and then decreased so that the biomass of 1994 was nearly similar to that of 1989, that is before the start of the charr removal. Back‐calculated lengths of trout from otoliths showed that 2+ and 3+ trout caught in the pelagic were growing consistently faster over previous years than those caught in the littoral, while this was not the case for the 4+ fish. Therefore, the hypothesis was partially supported; the growth rate of trout increased (age groups 1+ to 4+), while the density of juvenile trout (1+, 2+), but not the older trout (3+, 4+), increased after the removal of charr.
Climate change and shrinking salamanders: alternative mechanisms for changes in plethodontid salamander body size
Authors: Connette Grant M. , Crawford John A. , Peterman William E. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAn increasing number of studies have demonstrated relationships between climate trends and body size change of organisms. In many cases, climate might be expected to influence body size by altering thermoregulation, energetics or food availability. However, observed body size change can result from a variety of ecological processes (e.g. growth, selection, population dynamics) or imperfect observation of biological systems. We used two extensive datasets to evaluate alternative mechanisms for recently reported changes in the observed body size of plethodontid salamanders. We found that mean adult body size of salamanders can be highly sensitive to survey conditions, particularly rainfall. This systematic bias in the detection of larger or smaller individuals could result in a signature of body size change in relation to reported climate trends when it is simply observation error. We also identify considerable variability in body size distributions among years and find that individual growth rates can be strongly influenced by weather. Finally, our study demonstrates that measures of mean adult body size can be highly variable among surveys and that large sample sizes may be required to make reliable inferences. Identifying the effects of climate change is a critical area of research in ecology and conservation. Researchers should be aware that observed changes in certain organisms can result from multiple ecological processes or systematic bias due to nonrandom sampling of populations.
The influence of different plasticisers and fatty acids on functional properties of basil seed gum edible film
Authors: Mohammad Amini Asad , Razavi Seyed Mohammad Ali , Zahedi Younes 
Published: January 2015

SummaryIn this study, the influence of different concentrations of plasticisers and fatty acids on functional properties of basil seed gum (BSG) films was investigated. The results revealed that glycerol and sorbitol were effective plasticisers for BSG films. Glycerol‐plasticised films exhibited hydrophilic nature with high moisture content (27–49%) and water vapour permeability (4.2–6.5 × 10−11 g Pa−1 m−1 s−1), moisture uptake higher than 100%, solubility ranging 39–50% and moderate mechanical properties. The films containing sorbitol showed lower moisture content, moisture uptake and percentage elongation compared with glycerol‐plasticised samples. Presence of fatty acids promoted an increase in hydrophobicity of samples, characterised by lower moisture uptake, solubility, water vapour permeability and higher contact angles. Among investigated fatty acids, oleic acid efficiency on improving the characteristics of films was higher than saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acid). Concluding, BSG films showed a substantial potential to be incorporated into food packaging applications, especially for those that require less hydrophilic films.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 gene polymorphism and its serum level have an impact on anthropometric and biochemical risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Indian population
Authors: Madeshiya A. K. , Singh S. , Dwivedi S. , Saini K. S. , Singh R. , Tiwari S. , Konwar R. , Ghatak A. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryMonocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), encoded by gene CCL‐2 (Chemokine C‐C motif 2), is the ligand of chemokine receptor CCR‐2. Concurrent clinical alteration in several metabolic aspects, including central obesity, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia and hypertension, is clinically characterized as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Role of MCP‐1 in each of these aspects has been established in vitro and in animal studies as well. We here report genetic association of −2518 A>G MCP‐1 (rs 1024611) gene polymorphism and level of MCP‐1 with MetS in North Indian subjects. We analysed (n = 386, controls and n = 384, MetS subjects) for MCP‐1 gene polymorphism using PCR‐RFLP, its serum level using ELISA, anthropometric (body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, waist–hip ratio and blood pressure) and biochemical (serum lipids, plasma glucose and insulin levels) variables in a genetic association study. The body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist–hip ratio, blood pressure, serum lipids, insulin and fasting plasma glucose level were significantly high in MetS subjects. Regression analysis showed significant correlation of body mass index, waist and hip circumference, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein, low‐density lipoprotein fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR with MetS. MCP‐1 allele and genotype were significantly associated with MetS. Serum MCP‐1 level was high in overall cases. In conclusions, the MCP‐1 2518A>G (rs 1024611) polymorphism has significant impact on risk of MetS, and MCP‐1 level correlates with anthropometric and biochemical risk factors of MetS.
Intergranular Nanostructure Effects on Strength and Toughness of Si3N4
Authors: Mikijelj Biljana , Nawaz Zubair , Kruzic Jamie J. , Idrobo Juan , Swab Jeffrey J. , Özcoban Husseyin , Jelitto Hans , Schneider Gerold A. , Fett Theo , Liu Yi 
Published: January 2015

Strength, toughness, microstructure, and atomic adsorption arrangement in silicon nitrides with MgO and RE2O3 additions (RE = La, Gd, Y, Lu) were examined. Mechanical properties were high for La, Gd, and equal La–Lu additions, but surprisingly were progressively lower for Y‐ and Lu‐doped samples. The lower strength and toughness were associated with fewer visible crack deflections and grain bridges. Detailed microstructural analysis of the Lu‐doped material revealed a complex intergranular nanostructure with variable Lu content and Si3N4 nanocrystals. Furthermore, the Lu‐rich areas showed an extra Lu‐adsorption site on the Si3N4 prismatic planes not previously observed in other studies. This inhomogeneous structure was attributed to grain growth impingement and higher viscosity of the Lu‐doped oxynitride glass that slows homogenization. The Y‐doped material with nearly identical glass viscosity demonstrates intermediate behavior. Finally, substituting half of the Lu2O3 with La2O3 resulted in a homogenous intergranular structure, attributed to a lower viscosity of the oxynitride glass phase, and high mechanical properties. Overall, care must be taken when adapting Si3N4 processing parameters for the smaller ionic radius rare earth dopants such as Lu and Y.