bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethanol Affects Differentiation‐Related Pathways and Suppresses Wnt Signaling Protein Expression in Human Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Vangipuram Sharada D. , Lyman William D. 
Published: December 2011

Background:  Prenatal exposure of the fetus to ethanol (EtOH) can be teratogenic. We previously showed that EtOH alters the cell fate of human neural stem cells (NSC). As Wnt signaling plays an important role in fetal brain development, we hypothesized that EtOH suppresses Wnt signaling protein expression in differentiating NSC and thereby contributes to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.Methods:  NSC isolated from fetal human brains were cultured in mitogenic media to induce neurospheres, which were dissociated into single‐cell suspensions and used for all experiments. Equal numbers of NSC were cultured on lysine/laminin‐coated plates for 96 hours in differentiating media containing 0, 20, or 100 mM EtOH. Total mRNA was isolated from samples containing 0 or 100 mM EtOH and changes in expression of 263 genes associated with neurogenesis and NSC differentiation were determined by Oligo GEArray technology. The biological impact of gene changes was estimated using a systems biology approach with pathway express software and KEGG database. Based on the pathways identified, expression of Wnt proteins (Wnt3a and Wnt5a), Wnt‐receptor complex proteins (p‐LRP6, LRP6, DVL2, and DVL3), Wnt antagonist Naked‐2 (NKD‐2), and downstream Wnt proteins (β‐catenin, Tyr‐p‐GSK3β, Ser‐p‐GSK3β) were analyzed by Western blot.Results:  Of the 263 genes examined, the expressions of 22 genes in differentiating NSC were either upwardly or downwardly affected by EtOH. These genes are associated with 5 pathways/cellular processes: axon guidance; hedgehog signaling; TGF‐β signaling; cell adhesion molecules; and Wnt signaling. When compared to controls, EtOH, at both 20 and 100 mM concentrations, suppressed the expression of Wnt3a and Wnt5a, receptor complex proteins p‐LRP6, LRP6 and DVL2, and cytoplasmic proteins Ser‐p‐GSK3β and β‐catenin. Expression of NKD‐2 and DVL3 remained unchanged and the expression of active Tyr‐p‐GSK3β increased significantly.Conclusions:  EtOH can significantly alter neural differentiation pathway‐related gene expression and suppress Wnt signaling proteins in differentiating human NSC.
Glass Formation in LaO3/2–TiO2 Binary System by Containerless Processing
Authors: Kaneko Masashi , Yu Jianding , Masuno Atsunobu , Inoue Hiroyuki , Vijaya Kumar M. S. , Odawara Osamu , Yoda Shinichi 
Published: December 2011

Using containerless processing with an aerodynamic levitation furnace, LaO3/2–TiO2 binary glasses were synthesized in bulk form. Glass‐forming region was found in the vicinity of eutectic point, which is approximately 29.5% LaO3/2 and 70.5% TiO2 in molar ratio. The glass transition temperature Tg and the crystallization onset temperature Tx of the obtained glasses were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal stability was evaluated by ΔT (=Tx − Tg). Our experimental results were compared with phase diagram of the LaO3/2–TiO2 binary system. Glass compositions with highest ΔT corresponded to single‐phase compound of La4Ti9O24 and the eutectic point.
Factors influencing oral hygiene behaviour and gingival outcomes 3 and 12 months after initial periodontal treatment: an exploratory test of an extended Theory of Reasoned Action
Authors: Jönsson Birgitta , Baker Sarah R. , Lindberg Per , Oscarson Nils , Öhrn Kerstin 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAimThe aim was to empirically test the extended Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the prospective direct and indirect role of attitudes, beliefs, subjective norms, self‐efficacy, and a cognitive behavioural intervention in adult's oral hygiene behaviour and gingival outcomes at 3‐ and 12‐month follow‐up.Materials and MethodsData were derived from an RCT evaluating the effectiveness of oral hygiene educational programs integrated in non‐surgical periodontal treatment (n = 113). Before baseline examination, participants completed a self‐report questionnaire. Structural equation modelling using maximum likelihood estimation with bootstrapping was used to test the direct and indirect (mediated) pathways within the extended TRA model.ResultsThe extended TRA model explained a large amount of variance in gingival outcome scores at 12 months (56%). A higher level of self‐efficacy at baseline was associated with higher frequencies of oral hygiene behaviour at 3 months. Being female was linked to more normative beliefs that, in turn, related to greater behavioural beliefs and self‐efficacy. Gender was also related to behavioural beliefs, attitudes and subjective norms. Both frequency of oral hygiene behaviour at 3 months and the cognitive behavioural intervention predicted gingival outcome at 12 months.ConclusionsThe model demonstrated that self‐efficacy, gender and a cognitive behavioural intervention were important predictors of oral hygiene behavioural change.
Force and complexity of tongue task training influences behavioral measures of motor learning
Authors: Kothari Mohit , Svensson Peter , Huo Xueliang , Ghovanloo Maysam , Baad‐Hansen Lene 
Published: December 2011

Kothari M, Svensson P, Huo X, Ghovanloo M, Baad‐Hansen L. Force and complexity of tongue task training influences behavioral measures of motor learning.

Eur J Oral Sci 2012; 120: 46–53. © 2011 Eur J Oral SciRelearning of motor skills is important in neurorehabilitation. We investigated the improvement of training success during simple tongue protrusion (two force levels) and a more complex tongue‐training paradigm using the Tongue Drive System (TDS). We also compared subject‐based reports of fun, pain, fatigue, and motivation between paradigms. Three randomized sessions and one control experiment were performed. Sixteen healthy subjects completed two different 1‐h sessions of simple tongue training with 1 N and 3 N, respectively, and one TDS session. After 1 wk, six out of 16 subjects participated as experienced subjects with six naive subjects in a control experiment with 2 × 5‐min TDS training separated by a 30‐min rest. Performance improved during training in all sessions. The mean ± SEM relative increase in success was 80 ± 12% (1 N), 52 ± 11% (3 N), and 285 ± 45% (TDS). In the control experiment the experienced group performed equal to the last 5 min of their first TDS session and neither group improved during rest. Training with the TDS was rated as more fun, less painful, less fatiguing, and more motivating compared with simple tongue training. In conclusion, force level and complexity of tongue training influences behavioral aspects of tongue motor learning.
A household‐level sweet potato‐based infant food to complement vitamin A supplementation initiatives
Authors: Amagloh Francis K. , Hardacre Allan , Mutukumira Anthony N. , Weber Janet L. , Brough Louise , Coad Jane 
Published: December 2011

AbstractVitamin A deficiency (VAD) prevalence in Sub‐Saharan Africa is high in spite of vitamin A supplementation programmes among children in most countries. Plant‐based complementary foods remain the key source of nutrients in addition to breast milk for infants in lower income countries. Cereal‐legume blends are superior in protein and energy densities compared with maize, millet or sorghum‐only porridge. However, unfortified cereal‐legume and cereal‐only porridges are low in vitamin A. A household‐level sweet potato‐based infant food, rich in vitamin A, has been developed to complement vitamin A supplementation initiatives in Sub‐Saharan Africa. A composite flour containing sweet potato, soybean, soybean oil and fishmeal was processed as complementary food by oven toasting (denoted oven‐toasted ComFa). The oven‐toasted ComFa and enriched Weanimix (processed from dehulled maize, dehulled soybean, groundnut and fishmeal) were assessed for suitability as complementary food based on the nutrient composition using specifications in the Codex Standard (CS) as a reference. The sweet potato‐based formulation and enriched Weanimix met the energy, protein, fructose and fat specifications but barely met the amino acid score as indicated in the CS. However, only the oven‐toasted ComFa met the calcium and almost half the vitamin A levels as specified in the CS. Oven‐toasted ComFa was slightly lower in energy, protein and fat by a difference not greater than 4.0% but was higher by more than 100% in fructose and vitamin A levels. Therefore, the sweet potato‐based complementary food is likely to support vitamin A supplementation initiatives in low‐income countries better than the cereal‐based formulation.
AFGE'S MINORITY‐UNION CAMPAIGN AND THE LARGEST U.S. ORGANIZING VICTORY IN DECADES: TSA WORKERS' JOURNEY FOR RIGHTS AND UNION REPRESENTATION
Authors: Pinnock Sharon 
Published: December 2011

It has been over a decade since Juravich and Bronfenbrenner published their findings on public sector certification elections and employer opposition—in which they warned public sector unions to “prepare for the worst.” Since then, public sector unions have faced unprecedented attacks at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels. In 2001, responding to the tragic events of September 11, the Bush Administration created a new federal agency—the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)—with the intent of denying collective bargaining rights to the 44,000 workers it would soon employ. In March 2011, the Wisconsin State Senate successfully gutted the collective bargaining rights of the state's workforce. Illinois, Idaho, Ohio, Michigan, and Tennessee have all mounted similar assaults on the rights of public sector workers. Unions seeking to combat this disturbing trend may find hope in the recent organizing victory waged by the American Federation of Government Employees on behalf of worker rights at TSA.This article has three goals. First, it means to summarize the 9‐year organizing campaign that culminated in June 2011 with the largest union victory in the history of the federal sector—and the largest for any U.S. union in 70 years. Second, it seeks to examine current thinking about the reasons workers in the U.S. join unions. Finally, it hopes to share a few of the lessons learned from a nontraditional organizing campaign about new ways to organize and win.
Proteasome inhibitor bortezomib overcomes P‐gp‐mediated multidrug resistance in resistant leukemic cell lines
Authors: ZHENG B. , ZHOU R. , GONG Y. , YANG X. , SHAN Q. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryIntroduction:  To study the effect of bortezomib alone or in combination with daunorubicin (DNR) on an mdr1 single‐factor drug‐resistant leukemia cell line K562/MDR1, a multifactor‐resistant cell line K562/A02, a drug‐sensitive cell line K562, and primary cells from acute myeloid leukemia patients.Methods:  The cell lines were exposed to bortezomib, DNR, and bortezomib plus DNR, and cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis rate, and expression of MDR1/BCL2 were analyzed.Results:  Bortezomib potently inhibited growth and increased the apoptosis rate in the cell lines. In K562/MDR1 and K562/A02, the calcium channel blocker verapamil reduced the 50% inhibitory concentration and apoptosis rate of DNR, a P‐gp protein substrate, but not of bortezomib. Bortezomib plus DNR had synergistic effect on antiproliferation (synergistic ratio > 1). Apoptosis was substantially more increased by the combination of two drugs than by bortezomib alone. Bortezomib arrested the cell cycles of three cell lines at the G2/M stage, decreased BCL2 mRNA expression, but did not affect MDR1 mRNA levels. The antiproliferative role of bortezomib was also confirmed in primary leukemia cells.Conclusion:  Bortezomib is a promising potential therapy for acute leukemia, especially mdr1 drug‐resistant leukemia.
Habitat connectivity improves reserve performance
Authors: Olds Andrew D. , Connolly Rod M. , Pitt Kylie A. , Maxwell Paul S. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractConnectivity is now a common consideration in conservation planning, but we need further empirical evidence for the role of connectivity in catalyzing reserve function. We examined whether connectivity improved reserve performance by investigating how isolation between coral reefs and mangroves influenced fish assemblages inside and outside a reserve in Moreton Bay, Australia. Connectivity greatly enhanced reserve performance, with close reserve habitats supporting more harvested fish, and a greater abundance of both piscivores and herbivores than similar nonreserve locations. Close reserve habitats also contained fewer prey fish than nonreserve locations. In contrast, fish abundance in isolated reserve habitats did not differ from similar nonreserve locations. We demonstrate that connectivity can improve the performance of a reserve in promoting fish abundance. We highlight its importance for maintaining ecological processes in reserves and advocate the prioritization of areas of similarly connected habitat for conservation.
Rotator Cuff Disorders: A Survey of Current Uk Physiotherapy Practice
Authors: Littlewood Chris , Lowe Anna , Moore John 
Published: December 2011

Background Shoulder pain is a common problem and disorders of the rotator cuff are considered to be the commonest cause of this pain. Despite this, there is a paucity of high-quality research upon which to base practice. There is a clear need to determine the range of current practice as a basis upon which to inform future research. Objectives To describe current physiotherapy practice in relation to the assessment and management of rotator cuff disorders and to gain an insight into the perceived research needs of physiotherapists in the UK. Methods An electronic survey was developed and responses were sought in relation to a case report considered to represent a patient with a typical rotator cuff disorder. Results A total of 110 surveys were completed. The respondents stated that they would undertake a range of diagnostic tests, offer a wide variety of interventions and offer a broad prediction of prognosis. Conclusion Current physiotherapy practice in relation to rotator cuff disorders is variable, which might reflect the lack of high-quality evidence available. There is a clear need for high-quality research to inform physiotherapy practice in this burdensome area.
Periodontal pathogens affect the level of protease inhibitors in gingival crevicular fluid
Authors: Laugisch O. , Schacht M. , Guentsch A. , Kantyka T. , Sroka A. , Stennicke H.R. , Pfister W. , Sculean A. , Potempa J. , Eick S. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryIn periodontitis, an effective host‐response is primarily related to neutrophils loaded with serine proteases, including elastase (NE) and protease 3 (PR3), the extracellular activity of which is tightly controlled by endogenous inhibitors. In vitro these inhibitors are degraded by gingipains, cysteine proteases produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of selected protease inhibitors in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in relation to periodontal infection. The GCF collected from 31 subjects (nine healthy controls, seven with gingivitis, five with aggressive periodontitis and 10 with chronic periodontitis) was analyzed for the levels of elafin and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), two main tissue‐derived inhibitors of neutrophil serine proteases. In parallel, activity of NE, PR3 and arginine‐specific gingipains (Rgps) in GCF was measured. Finally loads of P. gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola were determined. The highest values of elafin were found in aggressive periodontitis and the lowest in controls. The quantity of elafin correlated positively with the load of P. gingivalis, Ta. forsythia and Tr. denticola, as well as with Rgps activity. In addition, NE activity was positively associated with the counts of those bacterial species, but not with the amount of elafin. In contrast, the highest concentrations of SLPI were found in periodontally healthy subjects whereas amounts of this inhibitor were significantly decreased in patients infected with P. gingivalis. Periodontopathogenic bacteria stimulate the release of NE and PR3, which activities escape the control through degradation of locally produced inhibitors (SLPI and elafin) by host‐derived and bacteria‐derived proteases.
It's never too late for ‘us’ to meet ‘them’: Prior intergroup friendships moderate the impact of later intergroup friendships in educational settings
Authors: Al Ramiah Ananthi , Hewstone Miles , Voci Alberto , Cairns Ed , Hughes Joanne 
Published: December 2011

Background. In this paper, we focused on mixing in educational settings between members of Catholic and Protestant ethnoreligious groups in Northern Ireland.Aims. In Study 1, we examined whether opportunities for contact at home and at university were associated with greater actual out‐group friendships, and whether this friendship was associated with a reduction in prejudice. We also assessed whether the impact of out‐group friendships at university was moderated by experience of out‐group friendships outside university, such that the prejudice‐reducing effect of university friendships was stronger for those with fewer friendships at home. In Study 2, we assessed opportunities for contact and actual out‐group friendships at prior stages of the educational system and their relationship with prejudice.Sample(s). In both studies, our participants were students at universities in Northern Ireland (Study 1 N= 304 and Study 2 N= 157).Methods. We analysed the data using multiple regression and structural equation modelling.Results. First, opportunities for contact were positively associated with self‐reported out‐group friendships in all domains and stages of the educational system. Second, having more out‐group friends was associated with reduced prejudice. Finally, the relationship between out‐group friendships and current levels of prejudice was moderated by prior levels of out‐group friendships (at home in Study 1; and at secondary and primary school in Study 2).Conclusions. Contact, in the form of out‐group friendships, was more powerful when it was a novel feature in a person's life. We discuss these findings in terms of the impact of mixing in educational contexts, especially in Northern Ireland, and outline suggestions for future research.
Trends and inequalities in late-life health and functioning in England
Authors: Martin Linda G , Schoeni Robert F , Andreski Patricia M , Jagger Carol 
Published: December 2011

BackgroundRecently, late-life disability rates have declined in several countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation, but no national-level trend analysis for England has been available. The authors provide such analysis, including measures both early and late in the disablement process, and the authors investigate the extent to which temporal trends are associated with population changes in socioeconomic position (SEP).MethodsThe authors fit logistic models of trends in self-reports and nurse measures of 16 health indicators, based on cross-sectional data from those aged 65 years and older from the 1992 to 2007 Health Survey for England.ResultsOverall, prevalence rates of limitations in seeing, hearing and usual activities declined (p<0.05); ever smoking, measured high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high C reactive protein decreased (p<0.05); and the proportion with limitations in self-care activities remained stable. But obesity and limitations in walking 200 yards and climbing stairs increased (p<0.05). Increases over time in education and non-manual social class membership were associated with declines in smoking, C reactive protein and problems with usual activities. Had the changes in SEP not occurred, the increases in problems walking and climbing would have been greater. People with less education or of manual social classes experienced relatively worse trends for hearing, mobility functions and usual activities. The opposite was true for seeing.ConclusionsRecent trends in late-life health and functioning in England have been mixed. A better understanding of which specific activities pose challenges, how the environment in which activities are conducted influences functioning and the causes of relatively worse trends for some SEP groups is needed.
Response of non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) to 15 years of harvest in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Syslo John M. , Guy Christopher S. , Bigelow Patricia E. , Doepke Philip D. , Ertel Brian D. , Koel Todd M. 
Published: December 2011

Introduced lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) threaten to extirpate native Yellowstone cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri ) in the 34 000 ha Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Suppression (and eventual eradication) of the lake trout population is deemed necessary for the conservation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. A US National Park Service gill-netting program removed nearly 450 000 lake trout from Yellowstone Lake from 1995 through 2009. We examined temporal variation in individual growth, body condition, length and age at maturity, fecundity, mortality, and population models to assess the efficacy of the lake trout suppression program. Population metrics did not indicate overharvest despite more than a decade of fish removal. The current rate of population growth is positive; however, it is lower than it would be in the absence of lake trout suppression. Fishing effort needs to increase above observed levels to reduce population growth rate below replacement. Additionally, high sensitivity of population growth rate to reproductive vital rates indicates that increasing fishing mortality for sexually mature lake trout may increase the effectiveness of suppression. Lake trout suppression in Yellowstone Lake illustrates the complexities of trying to remove an apex predator to restore a relatively large remote lentic ecosystem with a simple fish assemblage.
AUTOMATIC SEGMENTATION OF CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES USING ACTIVE APPEARANCE MODELS AND HAUSDORFF DISTANCE
Authors: AMMAR MOHAMMED , MAHMOUDI SAÏD , CHIKH MOHAMMED AMINE , ABBOU AMINE 
Published: December 2011

Active Appearance Models (AAM), have been introduced by Cootes et al. [IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, 2001], and are used to learn objects characteristics during a training phase by building a compact statistical model representing shape and texture variation of the object. This Model is used to find the object location and shape-appearance parameters, in a test set. The selection of the initial position of the construct model in a test image is a very important task in this context. The goal of this work is to propose an automatic segmentation method applied to cardiovascular MR images using an AAM based segmentation approach. The AAM model was constructed using 20 end-diastolic and end-systolic short axis cardiac magnetic resonance images (MRI). Once the model is constructed, we select the best position in order to start the search step manually in the test image. That is why; in this paper, the localization of the left ventricular cavity in the test image is used to select the initial position of the construct model developed from the training images. So we propose an automatic approach to detect this spatial position by using two methods: (1) the circular Hough transform (CHT) and (2) the evaluation of the Hausdorff distance.