bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Howard, Pratt and Beyond: Assessing the Value of Carceral Tours as a Comparative Method
Authors: PAKES FRANCIS 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPrison visits by academics are controversial. While they can provide an insight into penal practice, prisoner researchers warn against such visits as spectacles of degradation. In this article I examine the value of a series of prison visits for comparative research. Drawing on my own experiences and those of, among others, John Howard and John Pratt, I argue that prison visits, if ethically conducted and reflectively considered, offer benefits for investigating comparative penal practice. They can consider the self‐presentation of the prison, material conditions (including the sounds, smells and the sights), and possibly, where the script allows it, a glimpse beyond the façade of official prison discourse. As such, they have merit, in particular in the early stages of a comparative project.
A Latent Class Analysis of Psychopathic Traits in Civil Psychiatric Patients: The Role of Criminal Behaviour, Violence, and Gender
Authors: DHINGRA KATIE , BODUSZEK DANIEL , KOLA‐PALMER SUSANNA 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis study aimed to determine whether distinct subgroups of psychopathic traits exist in a sample of civil psychiatric patients, using data from the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Project (n = 810), by means of latent class analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was used to interpret the nature of the latent classes, or groups, by estimating the associations with criminal behaviour, violence, and gender. The best fitting latent class model was a 4‐class solution: a ‘high psychopathy class’ (class 1; 26.4%), an ‘intermediate psychopathy class’ (class 2; 16.0%), a ‘low affective‐interpersonal and high antisocial‐lifestyle psychopathy class’ (class 3; 31.3%), and a ‘normative class’ (class 4; 26.3%). Each of the latent classes was predicted by differing external variables. Psychopathy is not a dichotomous entity, rather it falls along a skewed continuum that is best explained by four homogenous groups that are differentially related to gender, and criminal and violent behaviour.
Trace determination of lead in lipsticks and hair dyes using microwave‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: Sharafi K. , Fattahi N. , Pirsaheb M. , Yarmohamadi H. , Fazlzadeh Davil M. 
Published: March 2015

SynopsisObjectiveA novel microwave‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (MADLLME) technique according to the solidification of a floating organic droplet (SFO) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) used for the extraction and determination of lead ions in lipsticks and hair dyes made in different countries. Lipstick and hair dye samples of different brands and colours were collected from local market in Kermanshah, Iran.MethodsAfter sample treatment with microwave‐assisted acid digestion, an appropriate mixture of acetone, 1‐undecanol and diethyl dithiophosphoric acid was injected rapidly into the aqueous sample containing lead ions, and as a result, cloudy mixture was formed. After centrifugation, the test tube was cooled for few minutes. The solidified 1‐undecanol on top of the solution was transferred into a suitable vial and injected into the analytical instrument.ResultsUnder the optimum experimental conditions (extraction solvent: 30 μL of 1‐undecanol; disperser solvent: 500 μL of acetone; ligand concentration: 0.15% (v/v); pH: ~1.5 and without salt added), the enhancement factor of 96 was obtained. The calibration graphs were linear in the range of 0.3–50 μg kg−1 with a correlation coefficient (r2) more than 0.995. The detection limit was 0.1 μg kg−1. Consequently, the developed method was successfully applied to extract and determine lead ions in the lipsticks and hair dyes, and favourable results were obtained. The proposed method which applied in cosmetics showed excellent relative recoveries (90–109.7%) with relative standard deviations <8.3% (n = 3) for all samples.ConclusionThe study revealed that the concentration of lead found in lipsticks and hair dyes on the Kermanshah market is far below the recommended limits as applied in Germany (20 mg kg−1) and Canada (10 mg kg−1) and confirmed that very low levels of lead are technically available in the final cosmetic products.
SLIT2/ROBO1‐miR‐218‐1‐RET/PLAG1: a new disease pathway involved in Hirschsprung's disease
Authors: Tang Weibing , Tang Junwei , He Jun , Zhou Zhigang , Qin Yufeng , Qin Jingjing , Li Bo , Xu Xiaoqun , Geng Qiming , Jiang Weiwei , Wu Wei , Wang Xinru , Xia Yankai 
Published: March 2015

AbstractHirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a rare congenital disease caused by impaired proliferation and migration of neural crest cells. We investigated changes in expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and the genes they regulate in tissues of patients with HSCR. Quantitative real‐time PCR and immunoblot analyses were used to measure levels of miRNA, mRNAs, and proteins in colon tissues from 69 patients with HSCR and 49 individuals without HSCR (controls). Direct interactions between miRNAs and specific mRNAs were indentified in vitro, while the function role of miR‐218‐1 was investigated by using miR‐218 transgenic mice. An increased level of miR‐218‐1 correlated with increased levels of SLIT2 and decreased levels of RET and PLAG1 mRNA and protein. The reductions in RET and PLAG1 by miR‐218‐1 reduced proliferation and migration of SH‐SY5Y cells. Overexpression of the secreted form of SLIT2 inhibited cell migration via binding to its receptor ROBO1. Bowel tissues from miR‐218‐1 transgenic mice had nerve fibre hyperplasia and reduced numbers of gangliocytes, compared with wild‐type mice. Altered miR‐218‐1 regulation of SLIT2, RET and PLAG1 might be involved in the pathogenesis of HSCR.
Long non‐coding RNA MALAT1 regulates hyperglycaemia induced inflammatory process in the endothelial cells
Authors: Puthanveetil Prasanth , Chen Shali , Feng Biao , Gautam Anirudh , Chakrabarti Subrata 
Published: March 2015

AbstractTo examine whether the long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is altered in the endothelial cells in response to glucose and the significance of such alteration. We incubated human umbilical vein endothelial cells with media containing various glucose levels. We found an increase in MALAT1 expression peaking after 12 hrs of incubation in high glucose. This increase was associated with parallel increase in serum amyloid antigen 3 (SAA3), an inflammatory ligand and target of MALAT1 and was further accompanied by increase in mRNAs and proteins of inflammatory mediators, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6). Renal tissue from the diabetic animals showed similar changes. Such cellular alterations were prevented following MALAT1 specific siRNA transfection. Results of this study indicate that LncRNA MALAT1 regulates glucose‐induced up‐regulation of inflammatory mediators IL‐6 and TNF‐α through activation of SAA3. Identification of such novel mechanism may lead to the development of RNA‐based therapeutics targeting MALAT1 for diabetes‐induced micro and macro vascular complications.
Clinical, histopathological, dermatoscopic and digital microscopic features of dermatofibroma: a retrospective analysis of 200 lesions
Authors: Şenel E. , Yuyucu Karabulut Y. , Doğruer Şenel S. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundDermatology literature lacks a study investigating both histopathological and dermatoscopic features of dermatofibroma.ObjectiveTo analyse histopathological, dermatoscopic and digital microscopic features of dermatofibromas.MethodsTwo hundred dermatofibromas and 190 patients were included and retrospectively evaluated. Nine histopathological and ten dermatoscopic patterns were used to classify the lesions. We identified four different types of dermatofibroma in digital microscopy.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 42.18 ± 13.72 years. Dermatofibroma was more common in females (67%) and the male to female ratio was 1 : 1.97. The most common location was leg (41%). The most frequent histopathological variant was fibrocollagenous type (49%). Grenz zone was the most common histopathological finding (89%). The most frequent digital microscopic type was type 1 (63%).ConclusionsWe found that palisading variant displayed only pattern 6 in dermatoscopy and cellular variant showed type 3 significantly in digital microscopy.
Dental therapists’ expanded scope of practice in Australia: a 12‐month follow‐up of an educational bridging program to facilitate the provision of oral health care to patients 26+ years
Authors: Hopcraft Matthew , Martin‐Kerry Jacqueline M. , Calache Hanny 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectivesPrior to 2009, dental therapists’ scope of clinical practice in Victoria was limited to patients 25 years or younger. However, increases in dental demand by adults 26+ years required an alternative approach to service delivery. This paper outlines the self‐reported confidence and knowledge level of dental therapists at 3, 6, and 12 months postcompletion of an educational program aimed at providing them with the skills to treat adults aged 26+ years. The study also surveyed dentists in the practice about the dental therapists’ knowledge and the impact of their extended scope of practice on the clinics’ operation.MethodsAfter completion of their educational program, the dental therapists who participated were surveyed at 3, 6, and 12 months postcompletion to assess their self‐reported confidence levels and knowledge. Senior dentists at the clinic were surveyed to understand the impact of the subsequent change in practice of the dental therapists who undertook this training, as well as any concerns of perceived educational gaps.ResultsSurveys showed increased self‐reported confidence levels by the dental therapists at 3, 6, and 12 months after completion of the program. Dental therapists and mentoring dentists identified that further education was needed in areas such as oral medicine, pathology, medically compromised patients, medications, prosthodontics, and referrals.ConclusionsDental therapists felt confident and knowledgeable postprogram to treat patients 26+ years, within their scope of practice. Dentists generally felt that dental therapists, after completing the educational program, were confident and knowledgeable. Educational areas to focus on in future programs were identified.
Melatonin enhances the occurrence of autophagy induced by oxidative stress in Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Wang Ping , Sun Xun , Wang Na , Tan Dun‐Xian , Ma Fengwang 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe beneficial effect that melatonin has against mitochondrial dysfunctioning seems to be linked to mitophagy. Roles for melatonin have been demonstrated in promoting health and preventing disease, as well as activating the process of autophagy in general. However, no reports have been made about how the application of melatonin regulates that process when plants are exposed to oxidative stress. We investigated the influence of different concentrations of melatonin (0.0, 0.5, 5.0, 10.0, or 50.0 μm) on autophagy under methyl viologen (MV)‐induced oxidative stress. Arabidopsis seedlings that were pretreated with 5 or 10 μm melatonin underwent relatively strong induction of autophagy, as evidenced by the number of monodansylcadaverine (MDC)‐stained autophagosomes in root samples. Pretreatment with 10 μm melatonin also alleviated MV‐induced photo‐oxidation damage and significantly reduced the accumulation of oxidized proteins. Those responses might have been due to the strong upregulation of genes that involved in AtATG8‐PE conjugation pathway, which enhanced the capacity for autophagy. Histochemical staining revealed that both and H2O2 were highly accumulated upon MV exposure, although the response did not differ significantly between control and melatonin‐pretreated seedlings. By contrast, exogenous melatonin upregulated the expression of two genes for H2O2‐scavenging enzymes, that is, AtAPX1 and AtCATs. The activation of autophagy by melatonin without an alteration in ROS production may be part of a survival mechanism that is enhanced by melatonin after cellular damage. Therefore, it represents a second level of defense to remove damaged proteins when antioxidant activities are compromised.
Acute atorvastatin is hepatoprotective against ischaemia‐reperfusion injury in mice by modulating eNOS and microparticle formation
Authors: Ajamieh Hussam , Farrell Geoffrey C. , McCuskey Robert S. , Yu Jun , Chu Eagle , Wong Heng‐Jian , Lam Wesley , Teoh Narci C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsSteatosis accentuates the severity of hepatic ischaemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI); ‘statins’ (HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors) protect the heart and brain against post‐ischaemic injury. We tested whether short‐term administration of atorvastatin protects fatty livers in obese mice against IRI.MethodsMice with dietary or genetic simple steatosis (SS) or non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were subjected to 60 min partial hepatic ischaemia/24 h reperfusion. Atorvastatin was injected intravenously (5 mg/kg) 1 h before IRI. Liver injury, Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4), cytokines/chemokines, iNOS/eNOS expression, eNOS activity and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) production were determined.ResultsIschaemia‐reperfusion injury was exaggerated by two‐ to five‐fold in SS and NASH compared with lean liver. Atorvastatin pretreatment conferred 70–90% hepatic protection in all animals. Atorvastatin increased post‐ischaemic eNOS mRNA/protein and strikingly enhanced eNOS activity (by phospho‐eNOS). It also attenuated microparticle (MP) production, NF‐κB activation, significantly dampened post‐ischaemic thromboxane B2 production, induction of TNF‐α, IL‐6, MIP‐1a, MCP‐1, GM‐CSF and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM), with a resultant reduction on macrophage and polymorphonuclear neutrophil recruitment. Up‐regulation of HMGB1 and TLR4 after IRI was marked in fatty livers; 1 h pretreatment with atorvastatin reduced HMGB1 and TLR4 expression in all livers.ConclusionsAcute (1 h) atorvastatin administration is highly hepatoprotective against IRI in NASH, fatty and lean livers. Key mechanisms include suppression of inflammation by prevention of NF‐κB activation, microvascular protection via eNOS activation and suppression of TXB2 and MP release. Short‐term intravenous statin treatment is a readily available and effective preventive agent against hepatic IRI, irrespective of obesity and fatty liver disease, and merits clinical trials in at‐risk patients.
Binding of a biosynthetic intermediate to AtrA modulates the production of lidamycin by Streptomyces globisporus
Authors: Li Xingxing , Yu Tengfei , He Qing , McDowall Kenneth J. , Jiang Bingya , Jiang Zhibo , Wu Linzhuan , Li Guangwei , Li Qinglian , Wang Songmei , Shi Yuanyuan , Wang Lifei , Hong Bin 
Published: March 2015

SummaryThe control of secondary production in streptomycetes involves the funneling of environmental and physiological signals to the cluster‐situated (transcriptional) regulators (CSRs) of the biosynthetic genes. For some systems, the binding of biosynthetic products to the CSR has been shown to provide negative feedback. Here we show for the production of lidamycin (C‐1027), a clinically relevant antitumor agent, by Streptomyces globisporus that negative feedback can extend to a point higher in the regulatory cascade. We show that the DNA‐binding activity of the S. globisporus orthologue of AtrA, which was initially described as a transcriptional activator of actinorhodin biosynthesis in S. coelicolor, is inhibited by the binding of heptaene, a biosynthetic intermediate of lidamycin. Additional experiments described here show that S. globisporus AtrA binds in vivo as well as in vitro to the promoter region of the gene encoding SgcR1, one of the CSRs of lidamycin production. The feedback to the pleiotropic regulator AtrA is likely to provide a mechanism for coordinating the production of lidamycin with that of other secondary metabolites. The activity of AtrA is also regulated by actinorhodin. As AtrA is evolutionarily conserved, negative feedback of the type described here may be widespread within the streptomycetes.
Secretome of gingival epithelium in response to subgingival biofilms
Authors: Bostanci N. , Bao K. , Wahlander A. , Grossmann J. , Thurnheer T. , Belibasakis G.N. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryPeriodontitis is the chronic inflammatory destruction of periodontal tissues as a result of bacterial biofilm formation on the tooth surface. Proteins secreted by the gingival epithelium challenged by subgingival biofilms represent an important initial response for periodontal inflammation. The aim of this in vitro study was to characterize the whole secreted proteome of gingival epithelial tissue challenged by subgingival biofilms, and to evaluate the differential effects of the presence of the red‐complex species in the biofilm. Multi‐layered human gingival epithelial cultures were challenged with a 10‐species in vitro biofilm model or its seven‐species variant excluding the red complex. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry for label‐free quantitative proteomics was applied to identify and quantify the secreted epithelial proteins in the culture supernatant. A total of 192 proteins were identified and quantified. The biofilm challenge resulted in more secreted proteins being downregulated than upregulated. Even so, presence of the red complex in the biofilm was responsible for much of this downregulatory effect. Over 24 h, the upregulated biological processes were associated with inflammation and apoptosis, whereas the downregulated processes were associated with the disruption of epithelial tissue integrity and impairment of tissue turnover. Over 48 h, negative regulation of several metabolic processes and degradation of various molecular complexes was further intensified. Again, many of these biological regulations were attributed to the presence of the red complex. In conclusion, the present study provides the secreted proteome profile of gingival epithelial tissue to subgingival biofilms, and identifies a significant role for the red‐complex species in the observed effects.
A Detailed View on Pacemaker Lead Parameters Remotely Transmitted after Magnetic Resonance
Authors: WOLLMANN CHRISTIAN G. , STEINER ERICH , KLEINJUNG FRANK , MAYR HARALD 
Published: March 2015

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to analyze potential influences of magnetic resonance (MR) on the course of automatically device‐based assessed lead parameters remotely transmitted in patients who were implanted with MR‐conditional permanent pacemakers (PMs) and who had nondiagnostic brain and lumbar spine MR (1.5T) within the ProMRI single center pilot study.MethodsThe ProMRI study evaluated the feasibility of the Evia PMs with Safio S leads (Biotronik SE&Co KG, Berlin, Germany) in the MR environment. All patients were equipped with remote monitoring on the day of MR. Atrial (RA) und ventricular (RV) lead parameters (sensing, pacing capture threshold [PCT], pacing impedance) were automatically assessed and remotely transmitted on a daily or event‐triggered basis for 3 months post MR. Remotely transmitted data were normalized for potential differences between at‐daytime (in‐office) and at‐night‐time (remotely) assessed parameters using the 1‐month follow‐up data for each patient. Confidence intervals of continuous data were calculated day‐wise with one sample t‐tests of post‐MR/pre‐MR differences, respectively.ResultsA total of 2,428 data sets (mean 80 ± 20 per patient) were transmitted. Mean values for the different lead parameters were (RA/RV) 3.3 ± 2.0/14.4 ± 6.9 mV for sensing, 0.65 ± 0.17/0.78 ± 0.23 V/0.4 ms for PCT, and 516 ± 60/607 ± 47 Ω for pacing impedance. No significant differences were found compared with pre‐MR measurements. No atrial PCT increases ≥0.5 V compared with pre‐MR were observed, and in only one patient the ventricular PCT increased by ≥0.5 V from day 76 post‐MR, presumably based on new antiarrhythmic therapy with amiodarone.ConclusionOur analyses of automatically assessed and remotely transmitted PM lead parameters after MR show that sensing amplitudes, PCTs, and pacing impedances are not affected in a clinically relevant way by MR.
Clinical Significance of Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia on Routine Monitoring of Pacemaker Patients
Authors: SETH NIKHIL , KAPLAN RACHEL , BUSTAMANTE EDUARDO , KULKARNI CHIRAAG , SUBACIUS HARIS , ROSENTHAL JAMES E. , PASSMAN ROD 
Published: March 2015

BackgroundPermanent pacemakers (PPMs) are capable of recording tachyarrhythmic events including nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), though the clinical significance of NSVT on routine PPM evaluation is unknown. Our goals: assess the prevalence of NSVT on routine PPM follow‐up and survival of PPM patients with NSVT, without NSVT, and with ventricular high rate (VHR) episodes of undefined origin.MethodsA single‐center retrospective, cohort study was performed on patients implanted with PPMs capable of recording NSVT, defined as ≥5 consecutive ventricular beats at ≥170/minutes lasting <30 seconds. Patients were categorized: (1) no NSVT; (2) NSVT; or (3) VHR episodes of uncertain etiology. The primary endpoint was all‐cause mortality within 6 months of last follow‐up.ResultsNote that in 1,125 enrollees (51.8% male, age 74.2 ± 15.5 years, ejection fraction 57.0 ± 9.0%), 742 (66%) had no NSVT, 223 had NSVT (20%), and 160 (14%) had VHR. There were no differences in ejection fraction, diabetes, hypertension, coronary disease, prior myocardial infarction, baseline creatinine, QRS duration, prevalence of left bundle branch block, or β‐blocker use among groups. “No NSVT” patients were older (P = 0.013), NSVT patients had more males (P = 0.012); atrial fibrillation and digoxin use were more prevalent in VHR patients (P < 0.01). During median follow‐up of 2.8 years there were 93 deaths within 6 months of last follow‐up with no differences in survival among groups (log rank P = 0.47). Age, ejection fraction at time of implant, and β‐blocker use were independent predictors of survival.ConclusionNSVT detected on routine PPM follow‐up in this patient population with a preserved ejection fraction is not associated with long‐term mortality.
Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Arrhythmias using a Fluoroscopy Image Integration Module
Authors: REENTS TILKO , BUIATTI ALLESSANDRA , AMMAR SONIA , DILLIER ROGER , SEMMLER VERENA , TELISHEVSKA MARTA , BOURIER FELIX , LENNERZ CARSTEN , GREBMER CHRISTIAN , KAESS BERNHARDT , KOLB CHRISTOF , HESSLING GABRIELE , DEISENHOFER ISABEL 
Published: March 2015

BackgroundThe impact of the CartoUnivu™ technology (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) on fluoroscopy exposure compared to a conventional approach using electroanatomical mapping (Carto 3™) was evaluated in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT).Methods and ResultsWe prospectively evaluated 23 patients undergoing VT ablation using the CartoUnivu™ technology. The CartoUnivu™ Module integrates fluoroscopic images and cine loops into the electroanatomical mapping system. As a control group, 23 out of 88 VT patients (ablated using conventional fluoroscopy supplemented by electromagnetic mapping with the Carto 3™ System) were matched for age, gender, body surface area, operator, redo‐procedure, presence of coronary artery disease, and left ventricular dysfunction using propensity score matching. A significant reduction in fluoroscopy exposure was observed in the CartoUnivu™ group when compared to the conventional group (10.57 ± 7.93 minutes vs 18.52 ± 11.24 minutes, P_= 0.008; 611 cGy/cm2 vs 1650 cGy/cm2, P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the CartoUnivu™ module was an independent predictor of reduced fluoroscopy use.ConclusionThis is a report on the clinical application of the CartoUnivu system for VT ablation. CartoUnivu™ markedly reduced fluoroscopy time and dose compared to conventional fluoroscopy/electroanatomical mapping.