bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acral lesions of vitiligo: why are they resistant to photochemotherapy?
Authors: Esmat S.M. , El‐Tawdy A.M. , Hafez G.A. , Zeid O.A. , Abdel Halim D.M. , Saleh M.A. , Leheta T.M. , ElMofty M. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground  Acral lesions of vitiligo are usually resistant to conventional lines of treatment as well as surgical interventions.Objective  To clarify causes underlying resistance of acral lesions to pigmentation in vitiligo by studying some of the factors associated with mechanisms of repigmentation following photochemotherapy.Methods  The study included twenty patients with active vitiligo. Skin biopsies were taken from lesional and perilesional skin of areas expected to respond (trunk and proximal limb) and skin of acral areas, before and after PUVA therapy. Sections were stained with H and E, Melan‐A, MHCII, CD1a, SCF and c‐kit protein.Results  Before treatment acral areas showed significantly lower hair follicle density, melanocyte density, Langerhans cell (LC) density, epidermal MHCII expression, lesional SCF expression and perilesional c‐kit expression. Following treatment with PUVA in both non‐responsive acral and repigmenting non‐acral lesions identical immunohistochemical changes in the form of significant decrease in LC density, epidermal MHC‐II and SCF expression were observed.Conclusion  The surprisingly similar histochemical changes in response to PUVA in acral and non‐acral lesions did not manifest with clinical repigmentation except in non‐acral ones. Factors such as inherent lower melanocyte density, lower melanocyte stem cell reservoirs and/or lower baseline epidermal stem cell factor may be considered as possible play makers in this respect.
Pupillary responses and event‐related potentials as indices of the orienting reflex
Authors: Steiner Genevieve Z. , Barry Robert J. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThis study examined skin conductance responses, the late positive complex of the event‐related potential, and pupillary dilation responses as autonomic and central correlates of the orienting reflex (OR) in the context of indifferent and significant stimuli. In particular, we aimed to clarify the inconsistencies surrounding the pupillary dilation response as an OR index. An auditory dishabituation paradigm was employed, and physiological measures were recorded from 24 participants. Response decrement to a repeated stimulus, response recovery to a change stimulus, and subsequent dishabituation were assessed. Findings confirmed expectations that the skin conductance response and the late positive complex are indices of the OR. The pupillary dilation response, however, demonstrated an unexpected sensitivity to stimulus novelty only, while the prestimulus measure of tonic pupil diameter showed the significance effect that was expected of the phasic measure. Together, these findings argue against the suggestion that the pupillary dilation response is an OR index. The diverse results obtained from this experiment contribute to our understanding of the OR, and provide impetus for further research with a variety of paradigm manipulations.
Island biogeography is not a single‐variable discipline: the small island effect debate
Authors: Triantis Kostas A. , Sfenthourakis Spyros 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIn some island systems, an ‘anomalous’ feature of species richness on smaller islands, in comparison with larger ones, has been observed. This has been described as the small island effect (SIE). The precise meaning of the term remains unresolved, as does the explanation for the phenomenon and even whether it exists. Dengler (2010; Diversity Distrib, 16, 256–266.) addresses a number of conceptual and methodological issues concerning the nature and the detection of the SIE but fails to settle conclusively most of the issues he raises. We contend that his approach is theoretically flawed, especially in its treatment of habitat diversity. We offer a few suggestions of what is needed to advance understanding of the SIE.
Greenhouse gas mitigation potential of agricultural land in Great Britain
Authors: Fitton N. , Ejerenwa C. P. , Bhogal A. , Edgington P. , Black H. , Lilly A. , Barraclough D. , Worrall F. , Hillier J. , Smith P. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of croplands and grasslands in Great Britain under different management practices. We consider the feasible land management options for grass and cropland using county level land‐use data with estimates of per‐area mitigation potential for individual and total GHGs, to identify the land management options with the greatest cost‐effective mitigation potential. We show that for grasslands, uncertainties still remain on the mitigation potential because of their climatic sensitivity and also their less intensive management. For croplands in Great Britain, the technical mean GHG mitigation potentials for all cropland management practices range from 17 Mt CO2‐eq. per 20 yr to 39 Mt CO2‐eq. per 20 yr. There are significant regional variation in all cases, with the greatest potentials in England, negligible potential in Wales and intermediate potential in Scotland, with country differences largely driven by the areas of cropland and grassland in each country. Practices such as agronomic improvement and nutrient management are the most promising options because of their impact on N2O emissions and also their larger potential at low cost. In terms of annual emissions from agriculture, calculated mitigation potentials are small, where the technical mitigation potential of agronomy and nutrient management strategies are ca. 4.5 and 3.8%, respectively (agricultural emissions account for ca. 9% or 47.7 Mt CO2‐eq., of total Great Britain GHG emissions, Department of Energy and Climate Change, UK). However when compared with the land use, land‐use change and forestry sector (LULUCF) emissions, nutrient management would reduce further emission reductions by approximately half of the 2005 LULUCF sink (i.e. −1.6 Mt CO2‐eq. per year).
Estimating and mapping the carbon saturation deficit of French agricultural topsoils
Authors: Angers D. A. , Arrouays D. , Saby N. P. A. , Walter C. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe concept of soil organic C (SOC) saturation suggests that the quantity of stable SOC is limited and determined by the amount of fine particles (clay + fine silt, Clay + fSilt). The difference between the theoretical SOC saturation value and the measured SOC one for the fine fraction corresponds to the soil’s saturation deficit and may represent the potential for SOC sequestration in a stable form. We calculate the saturation deficit of French arable soils based on the national soil test database and using the saturation equation. For the whole database (n = 1 454 633), the median saturation deficit was 8.1 gC/kg and this generally increased with the Clay + fSilt content to reach a maximum of 500 g/kg. National mapping of the SOC saturation deficit allowed investigation of spatial variation and controlling factors. Saturated soils were found in localities with specific land use (grassland, meadows) or farming systems (livestock production with high manure production). Smaller deficits occurred at higher altitudes, probably due to the combined effect of cooler temperature and the presence of meadows. Some very sandy soils appeared to be almost saturated, largely due to their very small fine fraction. Soils in the highly cultivated plains in the northern half of the country had a significant saturation deficit. Soils in the southern part of the country had the highest saturation deficit because of the combined effects of climatic factors (low production, high temperature) and land use (vineyards, orchards). Analysis of communal data revealed significant correlations at the national level with Clay + fSilt (r = 0.59), pH (r = 0.44) but also with the proportion of grassland in the cultivated area (r = −0.47). Some areas had apparent oversaturation which may be due to uncertainty associated with the theoretical C saturation equation because of overestimation of the stable soil C fraction. Mapping the C saturation deficit at the national scale demonstrates the influence of climate, soil parameters and land use on the SOC stabilization potential and indicates that a significant proportion of agricultural soils have potential for further SOC storage.
Earnings Volatility, Post–Earnings Announcement Drift, and Trading Frictions
Authors: CAO SEAN SHUN , NARAYANAMOORTHY GANAPATHI S. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTWe find that lower ex ante earnings volatility leads to higher Post–Earnings Announcement Drift (PEAD). PEAD is a function of both the magnitude of an earnings surprise and its persistence. While prior research has largely investigated market reactions to the magnitude of the earnings surprise, in this study we show that the persistence of the earnings surprise is equally important. A unique feature of the anomalous PEAD returns documented here concerns the association between abnormal returns and trading frictions. Besides demonstrating that firms with lower earnings volatility have higher abnormal returns, we also find that lower earnings volatility firms have lower trading frictions. Taken together, these findings imply that higher abnormal returns are associated with lower trading frictions. We exploit this implication to empirically demonstrate that PEAD returns due to earnings volatility are not concentrated in the firms with the largest trading frictions, which is in contrast to the findings in prior anomaly studies.
Evolving concepts in primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Krones Elisabeth , Graziadei Ivo , Trauner Michael , Fickert Peter 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPatients suffering from primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) show considerable differences regarding clinical manifestations (i.e. large duct versus small‐duct PSC, presence or absence of concomitant inflammatory bowel disease), disease progression, risk for malignancy and response to therapy, raising the question whether PSC may represent a mixed bag of diseases of different aetiologies. The growing list of secondary causes and diseases ‘mimicking’ or even overlapping with PSC (e.g. IgG4‐associated sclerosing cholangitis), which frequently causes problems in clear‐cut discrimination from classic PSC and the emerging knowledge about potential disease modifier genes (e.g. variants of CFTR, TGR5 and MDR3) support such a conceptual view. In addition, PSC in children differs significantly from PSC in adults in several aspects resulting in distinct therapeutic concepts. From a clinical perspective, appropriate categorization and careful differential diagnosis are essential for the management of concerned patients. Therefore, the aim of the current review is to summarize current and evolving pathophysiological concepts and to provide up‐to‐date perspectives including future treatment strategies for PSC.
Radiofrequency Ablation of Accessory Pathways in Children and Congenital Heart Disease Patients: Impact of a Nonfluoroscopic Navigation System
Authors: PAPAGIANNIS JOHN , AVRAMIDIS DIMOSTHENIS , ALEXOPOULOS CHRYSANTHOS , KIRVASSILIS GEORGE 
Published: August 2011

Background:

We sought to assess the impact of routine use of a nonfluoroscopic navigation system in the procedural aspects of radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways (APs) in pediatric and congenital heart disease (CHD) patients and the reduction of fluoroscopy in different pathway locations.
Methods:

This was a retrospective review of 192 patients, divided in two groups: group A (76 patients, fluoroscopic only ablation) and group B (116 patients, combined use of fluoroscopy and a nonfluoroscopic system (NavX™). Comparison of procedural aspects (procedure time, fluoroscopy time, success, complications, and recurrences) was performed.
Results:

The two groups were comparable in terms of age, AP location, and presence of CHD. The mean age was 11.34 ± 4.65 years in group A versus 10.91 ± 3.68 years in group B. The procedure duration was significantly shorter in group B than in group A (177.06 ± 62.18 vs 242.45 ± 99.07) (P < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in the fluoroscopy time in group B compared to group A (8.27 ± 8.23 vs 39.77 ± 32.65 minutes) (P < 0.001). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant in all categories of APs. The success rate was 97.4% in group A and 96.6% in group B. There were no complications directly related to the use of the nonfluoroscopic system. There was no difference in the recurrence rate.
Conclusions:

The use of a nonfluoroscopic system for catheter navigation resulted in significant reduction of total procedure and fluoroscopy time during catheter ablation of APs in pediatric and CHD patients, regardless of the location of the pathway, without a compromise in safety and efficacy. (PACE 2011; 34:1288–1296)
Sexual functioning in chronic kidney disease: The association with depression and anxiety
Authors: Theofilou Paraskevi A. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractSexual functioning is composed of both physiological and psychological factors among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the role of depression and anxiety has not yet been studied extensively. This study aimed to investigate the relation of depressive and anxiety symptoms to sexual functioning among hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis patients. A sample of 144 patients was recruited from three general hospitals in the broader area of Athens, consisting of 84 patients undergoing in‐center HD and 60 patients in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Measurements were conducted with the following instruments: the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐28), the State‐Trait Anxiety Inνentory (STAI 1/STAI 2), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The results indicated that satisfaction about sexual life had negative association with all the subscales of GHQ‐28 questionnaire (somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction, severe depression). Sexual functioning was also related negatively to depression as well as state and trait anxieties. Findings provide evidence that the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms relates significantly to the negative evaluation of sexual functioning in patients with CKD.
Dynamic Adaptation of the Peripheral Circulation to Cold Exposure
Authors: CHEUNG STEPHEN S. , Daanen HEIN A.M. 
Published: August 2011

Please cite this paper as: Cheung and Daanen (2012). Dynamic Adaptation of the Peripheral Circulation to Cold Exposure. Microcirculation 19(1), 65–77.AbstractHumans residing or working in cold environments exhibit a stronger cold‐induced vasodilation (CIVD) reaction in the peripheral microvasculature than those living in warm regions of the world, leading to a general assumption that thermal responses to local cold exposure can be systematically improved by natural acclimatization or specific acclimation. However, it remains unclear whether this improved tolerance is actually due to systematic acclimatization, or alternately due to the genetic pre‐disposition or self‐selection for such occupations. Longitudinal studies of repeated extremity exposure to cold demonstrate only ambiguous adaptive responses. In field studies, general cold acclimation may lead to increased sympathetic activity that results in reduced finger blood flow. Laboratory studies offer more control over confounding parameters, but in most studies, no consistent changes in peripheral blood flow occur even after repeated exposure for several weeks. Most studies are performed on a limited amount of subjects only, and the variability of the CIVD response demands more subjects to obtain significant results. This review systematically surveys the trainability of CIVD, concluding that repeated local cold exposure does not alter circulatory dynamics in the peripheries, and that humans remain at risk of cold injuries even after extended stays in cold environments.
Reliability and failure modes of anterior single‐unit implant‐supported restorations
Authors: Freitas Amilcar C. , Bonfante Estevam A. , Martins Leandro M. , Silva Nelson R. F. A. , Marotta Leonard , Coelho Paulo G. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPurposeFailures of implant‐abutment connections have been observed clinically, especially in single‐tooth replacements. This study sought to evaluate the reliability and failure modes of implant‐supported anterior crowns restored with different implant systems.Materials and methodsForty‐two Ti‐6Al‐4V dental implants (~4 mm diameter) were used for single anterior crown replacement and divided into two groups according to tested system: (NB) Replace Select system, Nobel Biocare (n = 21); and (IL) Internal connection system, Intra‐Lock International (n = 21). Proprietary abutments were screwed to the implants and anatomically correct maxillary central incisor metal crowns were cemented and subjected to step‐stress‐accelerated life testing in water. Use‐level probability Weibull curves and reliability for a mission of 50,000 cycles at 200 N (95% 2‐sided confidence intervals) were calculated. Polarized‐light and scanning electron microscopes were used for failure analyses.ResultsThe Beta values for NB and IL (2.09 and 2.05, respectively) indicated that fatigue accelerated the failure of both groups. The calculated reliability for the NB system (0.81) was lower than for the IL system (0.96), but no significant difference was observed between groups. Screw and abutment fracture was the chief failure mode in group NB, while screw fracture was most representative in specimens of group IL.ConclusionsReliability of implant‐supported maxillary central incisor crowns was not significantly different between NB and IL abutments. Failure modes differed between implant systems.
Clinical, histologic and histomorphometric evaluation of socket preservation using a synthetic nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite in comparison with a bovine xenograft: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gholami Gholam Ali , Najafi Babak , Mashhadiabbas Fatemeh , Goetz Werner , Najafi Siamak 
Published: August 2011

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare a nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (NCHA), NanoBone® and a deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM), Bio‐Oss® with a collagen membrane on the horizontal ridge width alterations following tooth extraction, in addition to histologic aspects of the grafted extraction sockets.Material and methodsIn this randomized clinical trial, 28 symmetrical, non‐molar, extraction sockets using a split‐mouth design in 12 patients (eight women and four men; aged 21–60; mean 44.6 ± 11.4 years), were randomly selected in the first group to be grafted with DBBM granules covered with a collagen membrane and in the other group grafted with NCHA covered with a collagen membrane. Following extraction horizontal ridge width was measured using caliper and was blindly compared to the dimensions measured prior to implant placement, at the 6‐ to 8‐month follow‐up. Subsequently, a 2 × 6 mm trephine core was obtained with aid of acrylic stent and routine histologic preparation was performed on the specimens.ResultsThe width of the DBBM group decreased from 7.75 ± 1.55 to 6.68 ± 1.85 mm (P < 0.05), whereas the width of the NCHA group decreased from 7.36 ± 1.94 to 6.43 ± 2.08 mm (P < 0.05). The mean between‐group difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.62). Furthermore, histologic and histomorphometric analyses revealed 28.63 ± 12.53% vital bone in NCHA group vs. 27.35 ± 12.39% in DBBM group, and no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.68).ConclusionSocket preservation using either NCHA or DBBM in combination with collagen membrane, results in similar, limited horizontal ridge width alterations following tooth extraction.
Induction of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐10, IL‐8 and immunoglobulin G by Porphyromonas gingivalis HmuY in humans
Authors: Trindade S. C. , Olczak T. , Gomes‐Filho I. S. , Moura‐Costa L. F. , Cerqueira E. M. M. , Galdino‐Neto M. , Alves H. , Carvalho‐Filho P. C. , Xavier M. T. , Meyer R. 
Published: August 2011

Trindade SC, Olczak T, Gomes‐Filho IS, Moura‐Costa LF, Cerqueira EMM, Galdino‐Neto M, Alves H, Carvalho‐Filho PC, Xavier MT, Meyer R. Induction of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐10, IL‐8 and immunoglobulin G by Porphyromonas gingivalis HmuY in humans. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 27–32. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/SBackground and Objective:  Porphyromonas gingivalis, an anaerobic gram‐negative bacterium, is associated with chronic periodontitis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the production of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐8 and IL‐10 by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with P. gingivalis antigens and to assess the levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgA and IgG subclasses raised against P. gingivalis HmuY protein.Material and Methods:  PBMC from patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and from nonperiodontitis (NP) control subjects were stimulated with P. gingivalis antigens, and the cytokine levels in the culture supernatants were determined by ELISA. The specificity of serum antibodies raised against HmuY was analyzed by Western blotting and by ELISA.Results:  Compared with the NP controls, the CP patients produced higher levels of total serum IgG and IgG1 specific for P. gingivalis HmuY. No differences were found between CP and NP groups in the production of IL‐1β and IL‐8 by PBMC stimulated with total P. gingivalis antigens. Only P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced higher levels of IL‐10 in the CP group. Higher levels of IL‐1β and IL‐10 were induced by HmuY than by other antigens derived from the wild‐type P. gingivalis strains. In contrast, total antigens derived from the hmuY‐deletion mutant strain induced the production of significantly higher levels of IL‐8 and significantly lower levels of IL‐1β.Conclusion:  Our data suggest that P. gingivalis HmuY may be considered an immunogenic protein associated with host–pathogen interactions.