bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prostate histotripsy: evaluation of prostatic urethral treatment parameters in a canine model
Authors: Schade George R. , Styn Nicholas R. , Ives Kimberly A. , Hall Timothy L. , Roberts William W. 
Published: October 2013

Objective
To assess the impact of histotripsy treatment parameters (pulse number and pulse‐repetition frequency [PRF]) on the efficiency of histotripsy induced homogenisation of the prostatic urethra.
Materials and Methods
In all, 34 transabdominal prostate histotripsy treatments were applied along a perpendicular plane traversing the prostatic urethra of 21 dogs.
Prostate histotripsy was applied with (i) escalating pulse number with fixed PRF or (ii) at fixed pulse number with varying PRFs.
The development of urethral homognisation ≤14 days of histotripsy was evaluated endoscopically and confirmed histologically.
Results
Within 14 days of histotripsy 50%, 83%, 83%, and 100% of dogs receiving 12 500, 25 000, 50 000, and 100 000 pulses/mm of treatment path (delivered at 500 Hz PRF), respectively developed prostatic urethral disintegration.
Delivery of 100 000 pulses/mm was required to achieve urethral disintegration in all dogs within 24 h of histotripsy treatment.
Increasing histotripsy PRF from 50 to 500 to 2000 Hz while applying a constant dose of 25 000 pulses/mm treatment was associated with increased rate of urethral disintegration (50% vs 75% vs 100% at 14 days, respectively).
Conclusions
Increasing the number of histotripsy pulses and/or increasing the PRF of histotripsy treatment applied to the urethra may improve the rate and efficiency of prostatic urethral disintegration in the canine model.
This understanding will aid in the development of treatment strategies for prostate histotripsy for benign prostatic hyperplasia in human trials.
Changes of Marginal Bone Level in Patients with “Progressive Bone Loss” at Brånemark System® Implants: A Radiographic Follow‐Up Study over an Average of 9 Years
Authors: Jemt Torsten , Sundén Pikner Solweig , Gröndahl Kerstin 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundPatients have in many studies been identified with progressive bone loss and peri‐implantitis problems, but few studies are available where these groups of patients have been followed up.PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study further progression of bone loss in a cohort of 182 patients that have been reported to suffer from “progressive” bone loss and peri‐implantitis.Materials and MethodsAltogether, 182 patients that have earlier been identified to suffer from “progressive” bone loss formed the present study group. Data from patients' files have been retrieved, and intraoral radiographs have been analyzed for further bone level changes. Bone loss has been measured from time of inclusion into the present group to last available radiographs. Within each patient, one or several implants were diagnosed to suffer from “progressive” bone loss (affected), whereas others are not (unaffected).ResultsAltogether, 145 patients (80%) were radiographically followed up on an average of 9.1 years (SD3.77) after inclusion. Twenty‐four implants (3.1%) were lost in 16 patients (11%). Marginal bone loss was on an average 0.3 mm (SD0.75) at stable implants with only small differences between “affected” and “unaffected” implants. In total, 67 implants (8.6%) presented an annual bone loss of >0.2 mm. Oral hygienist treatment and/or peri‐implantitis surgery did not neither reduce implant failure rate nor marginal bone loss in 88 treated patients as compared with untreated patients.ConclusionsLess than one‐third of the patients identified with “progressive bone loss” showed one or more implants as failures or with high annual bone loss (>0.2 mm) during follow‐up (11.6% of implants). Treated patients (oral hygienist and/or surgery) did not perform better than untreated patients with regard to bone loss or implant failure.
Community‐acquired skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus: What is the role of the Panton‐Valentine leukocidin toxin?
Authors: Waldenburger Stefanie , Vogel Ulrich , Goebeler Matthias , Kolb‐Mäurer Annette 
Published: October 2013

SummaryBackgroundThe data concerning frequency and relevance of the toxin Panton‐Valentine leukocidin (PVL) in skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus is controversial. The objective of the study was the identification of the role of the toxin in community‐acquired skin infections caused by S. aureus.Patients and MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 112 patients with the diagnosis of skin infections caused by S. aureus. Frequency of PVL was investigated by PCR for the lukSF gene. Risk factors and severity of the disease were analyzed. Furthermore, spa typing was done in 55 of the isolated S. aureus.ResultsPVL occurred in 45 % of patients with skin infections caused by methicillin‐susceptible S. aureus; methicillin‐resistant strains were positive in 63 %. Mean age was 30.9 years in PVL‐positive infections and thus statistically highly significantly lower than in PVL‐negative infections. There was no correlation between presence of PVL and severity and course of skin infections or presence of special risk factors. The spa types showed a high variability in PVL‐positive as well as in PVL‐negative strains.ConclusionsIn our study the PVL status of S. aureus isolated from skin infections was neither correlated with methicillin‐resistance nor with the severity of disease. Remarkably, PVL‐positive S. aureus strains appeared to be more frequent in younger than in older patients. Our results demonstrate that routine determination of PVL status is not required since the outcome has no diagnostic or therapeutic consequences in daily dermatological practice.
For Richer, for Poorer: Marriage and Casualized Sex in East African Artisanal Mining Settlements
Authors: Bryceson Deborah Fahy , Jønsson Jesper Bosse , Verbrugge Hannelore 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTMigrants to Tanzania's artisanal gold mining sites seek mineral wealth, which is accompanied by high risks of occupational hazards, economic failure, AIDS and social censure from their home communities. Male miners in these settlements compete to attract newly arrived young women who are perceived to be diverting male material support from older women and children's economic survival. This article explores the dynamics of monogamy, polygamy and promiscuity in the context of rapid occupational change. It shows how a wide spectrum of productive and welfare outcomes is generated through sexual experimentation, which calls into question conventional concepts of prostitution, marriage and gender power relations.
Genetics, genomics and metabolomics: new insights into maternal metabolism during pregnancy
Authors: Lowe W. L. , Karban J. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMaternal glucose metabolism during pregnancy differs from the non‐gravid state to allow the mother to meet her own and the growing fetus's energy needs. New insights into the mechanisms underlying maternal metabolism during pregnancy are being gained through the use of new ‘omics’ technologies. This review focuses on the application of genetics/genomics and metabolomics to the study of maternal metabolism during pregnancy. Following the identification of susceptibility genes for Type 2 diabetes through genome‐wide association studies, association has been demonstrated of some Type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes with gestational diabetes mellitus, suggesting that the genetic architecture of Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes are, in part, similar. More recent genome‐wide association studies examining maternal metabolism during pregnancy have demonstrated overlap of genes associated with metabolic traits in the gravid and non‐gravid population, as well as genes that appear to be relatively unique to pregnancy. Metabolomics has also been used to profile the metabolic state of women during pregnancy through the multiplexed measurement of many low molecular weight metabolites. Measurement of amino acids and conventional metabolites have demonstrated changes in mothers with higher insulin resistance and glucose similar to changes in non‐gravid, insulin‐resistant populations, suggesting similarities in the metabolic profile characteristic of insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia in pregnant and non‐pregnant populations. Metabolomics and genomics are but a few of the now available high‐throughput ‘omics’ technologies. Future studies that integrate data from multiple technologies will allow an integrated systems biology approach to maternal metabolism during pregnancy.
Drug treatment for diabetes in nursing home residents
Authors: de Souto Barreto P. , Sanz C. , Vellas B. , Lapeyre‐Mestre M. , Rolland Y. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to describe drug treatment for diabetes in a large sample of nursing home residents and to compare subjects' health outcomes according to the anti‐diabetic agents used.MethodsThe cross‐sectional data of 6275 residents [average age 86 years (± 8.2); 73.7% women] from 175 nursing homes in France were analysed. Participants were divided into one of the following four groups: diabetes non‐drug treatment, diabetes hypoglycaemic (e.g. insulins, sulphonylurea) treatment, diabetes non‐hypoglycaemic (e.g. metformin) treatment and no diabetes. Group comparisons were made on functional ability (activities of daily living score) and on the prevalence of the following variables (yes vs. no): emergency department visits, falls and fractures.ResultsOf the participants, 1076 (17.1%) had diabetes: 222 participants in the non‐drug treatment group, 722 in the hypoglycaemic group and 132 in the non‐hypoglycaemic group. The remaining 5199 participants made up the group without diabetes. Insulin and metformin were used by 549 and 185 participants, respectively. Activities of daily living scores differed across the four groups, with those in the non‐drug treatment group being the most disabled. Adjusted multivariate analyses showed that, compared with the group without diabetes, those in the hypoglycaemic group had a higher probability of emergency department visits (odds ratio 1.26, 95% CI 1.03–1.54) and increased the incidence rate ratios (1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04) of disability (activities of daily living score), whereas the non‐hypoglycaemic group was not significantly associated with these outcomes.ConclusionsThe use of hypoglycaemic drugs was associated with poor health outcomes in nursing home residents. Therefore, more attention must be paid to adapting anti‐diabetic treatment in this complex population.
Assessment of pain threshold in haemophilic patients
Authors: Teyssler P. , Kolostova K. , Bobek V. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryMany patients with haemophilia (PWH) live with persistent end‐stage arthritis, as a result of multiple joint haemarthrosis, and experience daily pain. For these people, pain becomes a central aspect of life. The aim of this study was to use mechanical pain thresholds (MPT) to characterize pain perception in different PWH groups. The groups tested were characterized by age, previous bleeding into joints, Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) and PAIN perception score in the HJHS scoring. A total of 23 PWH (haemophilia A) were included in this study (10 children, 13 adults). A total of 12 PWH suffered from repeated bleeding into some of the tested joints. Data were compared to those collected from 15 age‐matched control subjects. The most significant differences in MPTs were found when the PWH were compared to the controls, based on the differences in PAIN score (PAIN score 1 and 2) in all the tested joints, except for the right knee. Similarly, the difference in MPT in ankle joints was confirmed when PWH with and without bleeding were compared to controls. Summarizing the outcomes, we can emphasize the potential usefulness of MPT as an objective tool in evaluating the pain of PWH.
Distribution of fluoride and calcium in plaque biofilms after the use of conventional and low‐fluoride dentifrices
Authors: Pessan Juliano Pelim , Alves Karina Mirela Ribeiro Pinto , Italiani Flávia de Moraes , Ramires Irene , Lauris José Roberto Pereira , Whitford Gary Milton , Toumba Kyriacos Jack , Robinson Colin , Buzalaf Marilia Afonso Rabelo 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundThe distribution of fluoride and calcium in plaque after the use of fluoride dentifrices has not yet been determined.AimTo evaluate fluoride and calcium distribution in sections of biofilms generated in situ after the use of conventional and low‐fluoride dentifrices.DesignChildren (n = 11, 8–10 years old) brushed with placebo (fluoride‐free), low‐fluoride (513 mgF/kg), and conventional (1072 mgF/kg) dentifrices twice daily for 1 week, following a double‐blind, cross‐over protocol. Biofilms were generated using Leeds in situ devices, which were collected 1 and 12 h after brushing, and sectioned through their depth. Sections were grouped (10 × 5 μm) for fluoride and calcium analysis. Sections 4 μm thick were used for image analysis and determination of biomass fraction. Results were analysed by anova, Tukey's test, and linear regression analysis (P < 0.05).ResultsFluoride and calcium were mostly located at the outer sections of biofilms for all dentifrices tested, and these ions were directly correlated throughout most of biofilm's sections. Results for conventional dentifrice were significantly higher than for the placebo, but did not differ from those for the low‐fluoride dentifrice.ConclusionsThe use of a low‐fluoride dentifrice did not promote a higher fluoride uptake in inner biofilms' sections, as hypothesized. As plaque fluoride was significantly elevated only after the use of the conventional dentifrice, the recommendation of low‐fluoride formulations should be done with caution, considering both risks and benefits.
A new hybrid parallel genetic algorithm for the job‐shop scheduling problem
Authors: Spanos Athanasios C. , Ponis Stavros T. , Tatsiopoulos Ilias P. , Christou Ioannis T. , Rokou Elena 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe job‐shop scheduling problem (JSSP) is considered one of the most difficult NP‐hard problems. Numerous studies in the past have shown that as exact methods for the problem solution are intractable, even for small problem sizes, efficient heuristic algorithms must achieve a good balance between the well‐known themes of exploitation and exploration of the vast search space. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid parallel genetic algorithm with specialized crossover and mutation operators utilizing path‐relinking concepts from combinatorial optimization approaches and tabu search in particular. The new scheme relies also on the recently introduced concepts of solution backbones for the JSSP in order to intensify the search in promising regions. We compare the resulting algorithm with a number of state‐of‐the‐art approaches for the JSSP on a number of well‐known test‐beds; the results indicate that our proposed genetic algorithm compares fairly well with some of the best‐performing genetic algorithms for the problem.
A multilocus evaluation of ermine (Mustela erminea) across the Holarctic, testing hypotheses of Pleistocene diversification in response to climate change
Authors: Dawson Natalie G. , Hope Andrew G. , Talbot Sandra L. , Cook Joseph A. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimWe examined data for ermine (Mustela erminea) to test two sets of diversification hypotheses concerning the number and location of late Pleistocene refugia, the timing and mode of diversification, and the evolutionary influence of insularization.LocationTemperate and sub‐Arctic Northern Hemisphere.MethodsWe used up to two mitochondrial and four nuclear loci from 237 specimens for statistical phylogeographical and demographic analyses. Coalescent species‐tree estimation used a Bayesian approach for clade divergence based on external mutation rate calibrations. Approximate Bayesian methods were used to assess population size, timing of divergence and gene flow.ResultsLimited structure coupled with evidence of population growth across broad regions, including previously ice‐covered areas, indicated expansion from multiple centres of differentiation, but high endemism along the North Pacific coast (NPC). A bifurcating model of diversification with recent growth spanning three glacial cycles best explained the empirical data.Main conclusionsA newly identified clade in North America indicated a fourth refugial area for ermine. The shallow coalescence of all extant ermine reflects a recent history of diversification overlying a deeper fossil record. Post‐glacial colonization has led to potential contact zones for multiple lineages in north‐western North America. A model of diversification of ermine accompanied by recent gene flow was marginally less well supported than a model of divergence of major clades in response to the most recent glacial cycles.
Atrioesophageal Fistula During Cryoballoon Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: LIM HAE W. , COGERT GREGORY A. , CAMERON CRAIG S. , CHENG VICTOR Y. , SANDLER DAVID A. 
Published: October 2013

Atrioesophageal Fistula During Cryoballoon AblationTo date, there is 1 case report publication of AE fistula during the employment of the first‐generation cryoballoon (Gen‐1). Recently the Arctic Front Advance system (second‐generation cryoballoon) was introduced into the US and EU markets. For the purpose of peer education, we report a case of AE fistula that occurred during the utilization of the second‐generation cryoballoon (Gen‐2). Additionally, we review current best practices that may reduce the risk of AE fistula during any AF ablation procedure.
Musashi2 predicts poor prognosis and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma by driving epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: He Lu , Zhou Xinke , Qu Chen , Hu Lijuan , Tang Yunqiang , Zhang Qiong , Liang Min , Hong Jian 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe high incidence of recurrence and the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) necessitate the discovery of new predictive markers of HCC invasion and prognosis. In this study, we evaluated the expression pattern of two members of a novel oncogene family, Musashi1 (MSI1) and Musashi2 (MSI2) in 40 normal hepatic tissue specimens, 149 HCC specimens and their adjacent non‐tumourous tissues. We observed that MSI1 and MSI2 were significantly up‐regulated in HCC tissues. High expression levels of MSI1 and MSI2 were detectable in 37.6% (56/149) and 49.0% (73/149) of the HCC specimens, respectively, but were rarely detected in adjacent non‐tumourous tissues and were never detected in normal hepatic tissue specimens. Nevertheless, only high expression of MSI2 correlated with poor prognosis. In addition, MSI2 up‐regulation correlated with clinicopathological parameters representative of highly invasive HCC. Further study indicated that MSI2 might enhance invasion of HCC by inducing epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Knockdown of MSI2 significantly decreased the invasion of HCC cells and changed the expression pattern of EMT markers. Moreover, immunohistochemistry assays of 149 HCC tissue specimens further confirmed this correlation. Taken together, the results of our study demonstrated that MSI2 correlates with EMT and has the potential to be a new predictive biomarker of HCC prognosis and invasion to help guide diagnosis and treatment of post‐operative HCC patients.
Intragrain oxygen isotope zoning in titanite by SIMS: Cooling rates and fluid infiltration along the Carthage‐Colton Mylonite Zone, Adirondack Mountains, NY, USA
Authors: Bonamici C. E. , Kozdon R. , Ushikubo T. , Valley J. W. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractOxygen isotopes are an attractive target for zoning studies because of the ubiquity of oxygen‐bearing minerals and the dependence of mineral 18O/16O ratios on temperature and fluid composition. In this study, subtle intragrain oxygen isotope zoning in titanite is resolved at the 10‐μm scale by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The patterns of δ18O zoning differ depending on microstructural context of individual grains and reflect multiple processes, including diffusive oxygen exchange, partial recrystallization, grain‐size reduction, and grain growth. Using the chronological framework provided by structural relations, these processes can be related to specific events during the Grenville orogeny. Titanite was sampled from two outcrops within the Carthage‐Colton Mylonite Zone (CCMZ), a long‐lived shear zone that ultimately accommodated exhumation of the Adirondack Highlands from beneath the Adirondack Lowlands during the Ottawan phase (1090–1020 Ma) of the Grenville orogeny. Titanite is hosted in the Diana metasyenite complex, which preserves three sequentially developed fabrics: an early NW‐dipping protomylonitic fabric (S1) is crosscut by near‐vertical ultramylonitic shear zones (S2), which are locally reoriented by a NNW‐dipping mylonitic fabric (S3). Texturally early titanite (pre‐S2) shows diffusion‐dominated δ18O zoning that records cooling from peak Ottawan, granulite‐facies conditions. Numerical diffusion models in the program Fast Grain Boundary yield good fits to observed δ18O profiles for cooling rates of 50 ± 20 °C Ma−1, which are considerably faster than the 1–5 °C Ma−1 cooling rates previously inferred for the Adirondack Highlands from regional thermochronology. High cooling rates are consistent with an episode of rapid shearing and exhumation along the CCMZ during gravitational collapse of the Ottawan orogen at c. 1050 Ma. Texturally later titanite (syn‐S2) has higher overall δ18O and shows a transition from diffusion‐dominated to recrystallization‐dominated δ18O zoning, indicating infiltration of elevated‐δ18O fluids along S2 shear zones and continued shearing below the blocking temperature for oxygen (~≤500 °C for grain sizes at the study site). The texturally latest titanite (post‐S3) has growth‐dominated δ18O zoning, consistent with porphyroblastic grain growth following cessation of shearing along the Harrisville segment of the CCMZ.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Secretion from Pituitary Folliculostellate Cells: Role of KATP Channels
Authors: Budzik J. , Omer S. , Morris J. F. , Christian H. C. 
Published: October 2013

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell mitogen responsible for physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Abnormal regulation of VEGF expression in anterior pituitary folliculostellate (FS) cells has been implicated in pituitary tumour progression. FS and endocrine cells express VEGF, which is considered to be secreted by the constitutive pathway. The present study investigated the mechanism of VEGF secretion in TtT/GF cells, a mouse FS cell line. TtT/GF cells were shown to express VEGF164, the most potent and bioavailable isoform of VEGF. Immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy localised VEGF to the cytoplasm and small electron‐lucent vesicles. Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP), a well‐documented stimulant of VEGF secretion, caused a robust increase in VEGF secretion over 24 h. Glyburide, an ABCA1 and KATP channel blocker, also caused an increase in VEGF secretion when applied alone, and amplified the response to PACAP. Other ABCA1 transport blockers did not affect VEGF secretion. Exposure of TtT/GF cells to cycloheximide with PACAP or glyburide inhibited the increased secretion of VEGF, consistent with control of secretion at the transcription level. The SUR2B/Kir6.1 form of KATP channels was shown to be expressed by TtT/GF cells. Diazoxide, a KATP activator, inhibited PACAP‐ and PACAP + glyburide‐stimulated VEGF secretion but not that of glyburide alone. These data suggest that KATP channels are expressed by FS cells and play a significant role in the control of VEGF secretion, and also that activation of KATP channels inhibits the secretion of VEGF at the level of transcription.