bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ottawa, an urban identity in need of definition: examining media's perceptions of the national capital
Authors: Ramirez Caroline , Benali Kenza 
Published: October 2014

RésuméDepuis sa désignation comme capitale en 1857, Ottawa n'a cessé d'être l'objet de polémique, remettant en cause sa capacité à incarner le Canada. Cet article se propose d'analyser un débat médiatique récent sur l'image de la ville, initié par la publication dans le journal The Ottawa Citizen d'extraits du livre The Unfinished Canadian d'Andrew Cohen. Vingt‐quatre intervenants—journalistes, citoyens, politiciens et acteurs communautaires—ont pris position dans cet échange, dressant l'image d'une ville déchirée entre deux rôles : d'une part, être une capitale représentative des Canadiens et, d'autre part, être un lieu de vie agréable pour ses habitants. Une question cruciale sous‐tend cette tension permanente, question qui a influencé considérablement l'aménagement d'Ottawa et s'avèrera tout aussi fondamentale lors des choix de développements futurs de la ville : comment dépasser la contradiction flagrante entre l'image monumentale que les planificateurs tentent de projeter sur la capitale et celle que les citoyens se font réellement de leur ville ? Est‐il possible de réconcilier ces deux visions ?
Obesity and atopy
Authors: Boulet L.‐P. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThe prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide, and weight gain has been shown to influence the development and clinical expression of various conditions including asthma. The relationships between atopy and obesity remain uncertain, both in adults and in children. Although there are physiopathologic mechanisms which could explain how obesity could influence the immune system and promote the process of sensitization, evidences in favour of a possible role of obesity on the development of atopy have been inconsistent. Furthermore, the bulk of evidence suggests that atopy does not mediate the relationship between obesity and asthma, although in some populations, particularly in children and women, such association has been reported. Such lack of relationship has also been found with rhinoconjunctivitis although it has been observed for atopic dermatis. Several factors may explain these variable results, including populational or environmental characteristics, socioeconomic status, confounding factors, in addition to sample size, and methodology of the performed studies. The possibility that obesity influences atopy through its effects on sex hormones is suggested by a more frequent link between atopy and obesity in women, particularly postpuberal. Further research should be conducted on the influence of weight gain on atopy and atopic diseases.
Abrogation of airway hyperresponsiveness but not inflammation by rho kinase insufficiency
Authors: Kasahara David I. , Ninin Fernanda M. C. , Wurmbrand Alison P. , Liao James K. , Shore Stephanie A. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBackgroundMajor features of allergic asthma include airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), eosinophilic inflammation, and goblet cell metaplasia. Rho kinase (ROCK) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates the actin cytoskeleton. By doing so, it can modulate airway smooth muscle cell contraction and leucocyte migration and proliferation. This study was designed to determine the contributions of the two ROCK isoforms, ROCK1 and ROCK2, to AHR, inflammation and goblet cell metaplasia in a mast cell‐dependent model of allergic airways disease.Methods and ResultsRepeated intranasal challenges with OVA caused AHR, eosinophilic inflammation, and goblet cell hyperplasia in wild‐type (WT) mice. OVA‐induced AHR was partially or completely abrogated in mice haploinsufficient for ROCK2 (ROCK2+/‐) or ROCK1 (ROCK1+/−), respectively. In contrast, there was no effect of ROCK insufficiency on allergic airways inflammation, although both ROCK1 and ROCK2 insufficiency attenuated mast cell degranulation. Goblet cell hyperplasia, as indicated by PAS staining, was not different in ROCK1+/− vs. WT mice. However, in ROCK2+/− mice, goblet cell hyperplasia was reduced in medium but not large airways. Maximal acetylcholine‐induced force generation was reduced in tracheal rings from ROCK1+/− and ROCK2+/− vs. WT mice. The ROCK inhibitor, fasudil, also reduced airway responsiveness in OVA‐challenged mice, without affecting inflammatory responses.ConclusionIn a mast cell model of allergic airways disease, ROCK1 and ROCK2 both contribute to AHR, likely through direct effects on smooth muscle cell and effects on mast cell degranulation. In addition, ROCK2 but not ROCK1 plays a role in allergen‐induced goblet cell hyperplasia.
Decreased importance of environmental risk factors for childhood asthma from 1996 to 2006
Authors: Bjerg A. , Hedman L. , Perzanowski M. , Wennergren G. , Lundbäck B. , Rönmark E. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBackgroundThe large increase in asthma prevalence continues in several, but not all areas. Despite the individual risk factors that have been identified, the reasons for the observed trends in prevalence are largely unknown.ObjectiveThis study sought to characterize what trends in risk factors accompanied trends in asthma prevalence.MethodsTwo population‐based cohorts of 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children from the same Swedish study areas examined by expanded International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood questionnaires were compared 10 years apart. In 1996 and 2006, 3430 (97% participation) and 2585 (96% participation) questionnaires were completed, respectively. A subset was skin‐prick‐tested: in 1996 and 2006, 2148 (88% participation) and 1700 (90% participation) children, respectively. The adjusted population‐attributable fraction (aPAF) was calculated using the prevalence and multivariate odds ratio of each risk factor.ResultsThe prevalence of current asthma and wheeze was similar in 1996 and 2006. Allergic sensitization, however, increased from 21% to 30%. The prevalence of parental asthma increased from 17% to 24%, while respiratory infections and maternal smoking decreased (60% to 29% and 32% to 16%, respectively). The aPAFs of non‐environmental risk factors for current asthma increased in 1996–2006: allergic sensitization from 35% to 41%, parental asthma from 27% to 45% and male sex from 20% to 25%. Conversely, the aPAFs of environmental risk factors decreased: respiratory infections from 36% to 32% and damp home and maternal smoking from 14% and 19%, respectively, to near zero in 2006.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceFrom 1996 to 2006, the non‐environmental risk factors parental asthma, allergic sensitization and male sex had an increasing or constant importance for current asthma in 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children. The importance of the environmental exposures damp home, respiratory infections and maternal smoking decreased. This counterbalancing in risk factors may explain the level of prevalence of current asthma.
The accuracy of guided surgery via mucosa‐supported stereolithographic surgical templates in the hands of surgeons with little experience
Authors: Van de Wiele Gerlinde , Teughels Wim , Vercruyssen Marjolein , Coucke Wim , Temmerman Andy , Quirynen Marc 
Published: October 2014

AbstractObjectivesThis prospective study analyzed the accuracy of implant placement with mucosa‐supported stereolithographic guides, executed by inexperienced surgeons supervised by an experienced colleague.Material and methodsFor the accuracy analysis, 75 OsseoSpeed implants™, placed in 17 fully edentulous jaws (16 patients) using a mucosa‐supported stereolithographic guide (IMPLANT SAFE Guide, DENTSPLY Implants) and the Facilitate™ protocol, were included. DICOM images of the pre‐surgical planning and the post‐surgical CBCT were matched using the Mimics® software (Materialise Dental). These data were compared with the data (12 jaws, 52 implants) of an experienced surgeon (Vercruyssen et al. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2014; doi:10.1111/jcpe.12231).ResultsThe global deviation at the coronal and apical point was 0.9 mm (SD 0.5) and 1.1 mm (SD 0.5), respectively. Depth deviations were 0.5 mm (SD 0.5) and 1.1 mm (SD 0.5), respectively, and the angular deviation was 2.8° (SD 1.5°). These deviations were statistically not inferior to the deviations of the experienced surgeon and also within the range of deviations reported by several systematic reviews.ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study and for the above‐mentioned surgical protocol, inexperience of the surgeon had no influence on the accuracy of implant placement in fully edentulous jaws, when all steps needed for the procedure are supervised by experienced dentists.
Predicted maximal heart rate for upper body exercise testing
Authors: Hill M. , Talbot C. , Price M. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryAge‐predicted maximal heart rate (HRMAX) equations are commonly used for the purpose of prescribing exercise regimens, as criteria for achieving maximal exertion and for diagnostic exercise testing. Despite the growing popularity of upper body exercise in both healthy and clinical settings, no recommendations are available for exercise modes using the smaller upper body muscle mass. The purpose of this study was to determine how well commonly used age‐adjusted prediction equations for HRMAX estimate actual HRMAX for upper body exercise in healthy young and older adults. A total of 30 young (age: 20 ± 2 years, height: 171·9 ± 32·8 cm, mass: 77·7 ± 12·6 kg) and 20 elderly adults (age: 66 ± 6 years, height: 162 ± 8·1 cm, mass: 65·3 ± 12·3 kg) undertook maximal incremental exercise tests on a conventional arm crank ergometer. Age‐adjusted maximal heart rate was calculated using prediction equations based on leg exercise and compared with measured HRMAX data for the arms. Maximal HR for arm exercise was significantly overpredicted compared with age‐adjusted prediction equations in both young and older adults. Subtracting 10–20 beats min−1 from conventional prediction equations provides a reasonable estimate of HRMAX for upper body exercise in healthy older and younger adults.
Therapeutic potential of electromagnetic fields for tissue engineering and wound healing
Authors: Saliev T. , Mustapova Z. , Kulsharova G. , Bulanin D. , Mikhalovsky S. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAbility of electromagnetic fields (EMF) to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation has attracted the attention of many laboratories specialized in regenerative medicine over the past number of decades. Recent studies have shed light on bio‐effects induced by the EMF and how they might be harnessed to help control tissue regeneration and wound healing. Number of recent reports suggests that EMF has a positive impact at different stages of healing. Processes impacted by EMF include, but are not limited to, cell migration and proliferation, expression of growth factors, nitric oxide signalling, cytokine modulation, and more. These effects have been detected even during application of low frequencies (range: 30–300 kHz) and extremely low frequencies (range: 3–30 Hz). In this regard, special emphasis of this review is the applications of extremely low‐frequency EMFs due to their bio‐safety and therapeutic efficacy. The article also discusses combinatorial effect of EMF and mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and bone tissue engineering. In addition, we discuss future perspectives of application of EMF for tissue engineering and use of metal nanoparticles activated by EMF for drug delivery and wound dressing.
C‐peptide concentration, mortality and vascular complications in people with Type 2 diabetes. The Skaraborg Diabetes Register
Authors: Pikkemaat M. , Melander O. , Mölstad S. , Garberg G. , Boström K. B. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimTo study the prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes in primary care in relation to their baseline C‐peptide concentration.MethodsC‐peptide concentrations were determined in 399 patients aged < 65 years with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes using the Skaraborg Diabetes Register, Sweden. Data on cardiovascular complications and death were extracted from national registers and a local study of retinopathy. Statistical analyses were performed using Cox regression.ResultsAn analysis of C‐peptide concentrations in quartiles, after adjusting for confounders, showed that patients in the highest quartile had a 2.75‐fold higher risk of death from all causes compared with those in the lowest quartile (CI 1.17–6.47). By contrast, C‐peptide concentration was not associated with the incidence of cardiovascular events or the development of retinopathy.ConclusionsMeasurement of C‐peptide concentration at diagnosis could help identify patients who are at high risk and who presumably would benefit from more intensive treatment.
Beer elicits vasculoprotective effects through Akt/eNOS activation
Authors: Vilahur Gemma , Casani Laura , Mendieta Guiomar , Lamuela‐Raventos Rosa M. , Estruch Ramon , Badimon Lina 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundThere is controversy regarding the effect of alcohol beverage intake in vascular vasodilatory function in peripheral arteries. The effects of beer intake in coronary vasodilation remain unknown. We investigated whether regular beer intake (alcohol and alcohol‐free) protects against hypercholesterolaemia‐induced coronary endothelial dysfunction and the mechanisms behind this effect.Materials and methodsPigs were fed 10 days: (i) a Western‐type hypercholesterolaemic diet (WD); (ii) WD+low‐dose beer (12·5 g alcohol/day); (iii) WD+moderate‐dose beer (25 g alcohol/day); or (iv) WD+moderate‐dose alcohol‐free‐beer (0·0 g alcohol/day). Coronary responses to endothelium‐dependent vasoactive drugs (acetylcholine: receptor mediated; calcium ionophore‐A23189: nonreceptor mediated), endothelium‐independent vasoactive drug (SNP) and L‐NMMA (NOS‐antagonist) were evaluated in the LAD coronary artery by flow Doppler. Coronary Akt/eNOS activation, MCP‐1 expression, oxidative DNA damage and superoxide production were assessed. Lipid profile, lipoproteins resistance to oxidation and urinary isoxanthohumol concentration were evaluated.ResultsAlcoholic and nonalcoholic beer intake prevented WD‐induced impairment of receptor‐ and non‐receptor‐operated endothelial‐dependent coronary vasodilation. All animals displayed a similar vasodilatory response to SNP and L‐NMMA blunted all endothelial‐dependent vasorelaxation responses. Haemodynamic parameters remained unchanged. Coronary arteries showed lower DNA damage and increased Akt/eNOS axis activation in beer‐fed animals. Animals taking beer showed HDL with higher antioxidant capacity, higher LDL resistance to oxidation and increased isoxanthohumol levels. Weight, lipids levels, liver enzymes and MCP‐1 expression were not affected by beer intake.ConclusionsNon‐alcoholic‐related beer components protect against hyperlipemia‐induced coronary endothelial dysfunction by counteracting vascular oxidative damage and preserving the Akt/eNOS pathway. Light‐to‐moderate beer consumption prevents and/or reduces the endothelial dysfunction associated with cardiovascular risk factors.
Greater sensitivity to novelty in rats is associated with increased motor impulsivity following repeated exposure to a stimulating environment: implications for the etiology of impulse control deficits
Authors: Ferland Jacqueline‐Marie N. , Zeeb Fiona D. , Yu Katrina , Kaur Sukhbir , Taves Matthew D. , Winstanley Catharine A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractHeightened motor impulsivity and increased novelty‐seeking commonly co‐occur in psychiatric disorders, including drug addiction. However, the relationship between these two phenomena remains unclear. One‐time tests of novelty sensitivity commonly used in preclinical experiments, such as the open‐field or novel‐object test, fail to capture the fact that novelty‐seekers repeatedly experience novel, stimulating situations. The present study therefore investigated whether repeated exposure to a novel, stimulating environment (SE) altered impulsive action. Male Long‐Evans rats were trained to perform the five‐choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT) which measures motor impulsivity in the form of premature responding as well as attention and motivation. Animals were then exposed to a novel SE (1 h/day for 16 days) immediately prior to the 5CSRTT. Significant increases in premature responding were observed in a subgroup of reactive animals termed high responders (HR‐SE). These rats were not more impulsive at baseline, and levels of impulsivity normalised once exposure to the SE was discontinued. No other aspect of 5CSRTT performance was affected by the SE challenge. We also determined that HR‐SE rats were hyperactive in a novel environment. Biochemical analyses revealed changes in gene and protein expression within the dorsal hippocampus of HR‐SE rats, including decreases inmRNAencoding the dopamine D1receptor and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor. These results indicate a novel mechanism by which impulsivity and novelty‐reactivity interact that may enhance addiction vulnerability synergistically. Furthermore, studying such context‐induced impulsivity may provide insight into the process by which environmental load precipitates psychiatric symptoms in impulse control disorders.
Prediction of clay content from water vapour sorption isotherms considering hysteresis and soil organic matter content
Authors: Arthur E. , Tuller M. , Moldrup P. , Jensen D. K. , De Jonge L. W. 
Published: October 2014

SummarySoil texture, in particular the clay fraction, governs numerous environmental, agricultural and engineering soil processes. Traditional measurement methods for clay content are laborious and impractical for large‐scale soil surveys. Consequently, clay prediction models that are based on water vapour sorption, which can be measured within a shorter period of time, have recently been developed. Such models are often based on single‐point measurements of water adsorption and do not account for sorption hysteresis or organic matter content. The present study introduces regression relationships for estimating clay content from hygroscopic water at different relative humidity (RH) levels while considering hysteresis and organic matter content. Continuous adsorption/desorption vapour sorption isotherm loops were measured for 150 differently textured soils with a state‐of‐the‐art vapour sorption analyser within a RH range from 3 to 93%. The clay contents, which ranged between 1 and 56%, were measured with a combination of sieving and sedimentation methods. Two regression models were developed for both adsorption and desorption at 10 RH levels (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90%). While the first model encompasses all 150 soils regardless of organic carbon (OC) content, the second model considers only soils with OC<2.4%. Independent validation of the proposed regression models at 50, 60 and 90% RH using literature data for water vapour adsorption showed reasonably accurate (average RMSE = 5.0%, ME = 2.4%) prediction of clay contents. However, the model for soils with small OC contents showed only minor improvement when compared with recently published models. Three main sources of prediction errors, namely large OC and silt contents, and a prevalence of 1:1 clay minerals were identified for both the proposed and published models. To compensate for large OC content, an OC‐corrected model was developed and compared with the other models. The corrected model markedly improved clay prediction accuracy for OC‐rich soils when compared with all other models considered.
Association of improved outcome in acute ischaemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation who receive early antithrombotic therapy: analysis from VISTA
Authors: Abdul‐Rahim A. H. , Fulton R. L. , Frank B. , Tatlisumak T. , Paciaroni M. , Caso V. , Diener H.‐C. , Lees K. R. ,   the VISTA collaborators
Published: October 2014

Background and purposeIschaemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at risk of early recurrent stroke (RS). However, antithrombotics commenced at the acute stage may exacerbate haemorrhagic transformation, provoking symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (SICH). The relevance of antithrombotics on the patterns and outcome of the cohort was investigated.MethodsA non‐randomized cohort analysis was conducted using data obtained from VISTA (Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive). The associations of antithrombotics with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) outcome and the occurrence of RS and SICH (each as a combined end‐point of fatal and non‐fatal events) at 90 days for post‐stroke patients with AF were described. Dichotomized outcomes were also considered as a secondary end‐point (i.e. mortality and good outcome measure at 90 days).ResultsIn all, 1644 patients were identified; 1462 (89%) received antithrombotics, 157 (10%) had RS and 50 (3%) sustained SICH by day 90. Combined antithrombotic therapy (i.e. anticoagulants and antiplatelets), 782 (48%), was associated with favourable outcome on ordinal mRS and a significantly lower risk of RS, SICH and mortality by day 90, compared with the no antithrombotics group. The relative risk of RS and SICH appeared highest in the first 2 days post‐stroke before attenuating to become constant over time.ConclusionsThe risks and benefits of antithrombotics in recent stroke patients with AF appear to track together. Early introduction of anticoagulants (2–3 days post‐stroke), and to a lesser extent antiplatelet agents, was associated with substantially fewer RS events over the following weeks but with no excess risk of SICH. More evidence is required to guide clinicians on this issue.
Characteristics of epilepsy patients and caregivers who either have or have not heard of SUDEP
Authors: Kroner Barbara L. , Wright Cyndi , Friedman Daniel , Macher Kim , Preiss Liliana , Misajon Jade , Devinsky Orrin 
Published: October 2014

SummaryObjectiveDescribe the characteristics of persons with epilepsy (PWEs) and caregivers that have or have not heard of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) prior to completing a survey through the Internet or in the clinical setting.MethodsAn online survey for adult PWEs and caregivers was solicited by e‐mail and newsletter to Epilepsy Therapy Project members. A similar survey was implemented in a clinic setting of a community hospital. The survey asked about seizure characteristics, epilepsy management, fear of death, and familiarity with the term SUDEP. Respondents that never heard of SUDEP read a definition and responded to questions about their initial reactions.ResultsSurveys from 1,392 PWEs and 611 caregivers recruited through an epilepsy Website and a clinic demonstrated that Internet respondents were much more likely to have heard about SUDEP than the clinic population (71.1% vs. 38.8%; p < 0.001), and caregivers of PWEs were more likely to have heard about SUDEP than PWEs (76.2% vs. 65.2%; p < 0.001). Prior awareness was related to an increased level of education, more severe and longer duration of epilepsy, and having an epileptologist as the primary care provider. Although most PWEs and caregivers reported feelings of fear, anxiety, and sadness after first hearing of SUDEP, they wanted to discuss it with their doctor. Persons with epilepsy, and especially their caregivers, often worry that the PWEs may die of epilepsy or seizures. This worry escalated with knowledge of SUDEP and increased epilepsy severity. Approximately half of PWEs and caregivers believed that knowledge about SUDEP would influence their epilepsy management.SignificanceOur results may help epilepsy care providers determine when to facilitate a discussion about epilepsy‐related mortality and SUDEP among patients and caregivers, and to educate those at high risk about the importance of seizure control as well as reduce fears about death in patients with well‐controlled and nonconvulsive epilepsies.