bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early origins of heart disease: Low birth weight and determinants of cardiomyocyte endowment
Authors: Botting KJ , Wang KCW , Padhee M , McMillen IC , Summers‐Pearce B , Rattanatray L , Cutri N , Posterino GS , Brooks DA , Morrison JL 
Published: December 2011

Summary1. World‐wide epidemiological and experimental animal studies demonstrate that adversity in fetal life, resulting in intrauterine growth restriction, programmes the offspring for a greater susceptibility to ischaemic heart disease and heart failure in adult life.2. After cardiogenesis, cardiomyocyte endowment is determined by a range of hormones and signalling pathways that regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation, apoptosis and the timing of multinucleation/terminal differentiation.3. The small fetus may have reduced cardiomyocyte endowment owing to the impact of a suboptimal intrauterine environment on the signalling pathways that regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation, apoptosis and the timing of terminal differentiation.
Evidence of bladder oversensitivity in the absence of an infection in premenopausal women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections
Authors: Arya Lily A. , Northington Gina M. , Asfaw Tirsit , Harvie Heidi , Malykhina Anna 
Published: December 2011

Study Type – Prevalence (case control)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been implicated in the aetiology of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Prior studies have described symptoms and laboratory tests suggestive of UTI at the onset of IC/PBS as well as a significant history of childhood recurrent UTIs. However, the mechanism by which recurrent UTIs contribute to the development of IC/PBS is not clear.Our study shows that women with recurrent UTI suffer from bladder oversensitivity. Our findings have useful clinical implications. Women with bladder oversensitivity complain of urinary frequency which is often misdiagnosed as an infection and treated with unnecessary antibiotics. Additionally, there are no effective therapies for bladder oversensitivity. Therefore, women with recurrent UTI should undergo prompt evaluation and treatment of episodes of infection to prevent the development of bladder oversensitivity. Our findings also provide a possible mechanism for the development of IC/PBS. Whether women with recurrent UTI are at increased risk for developing IC/PBS in the future will need to be confirmed in future studies.OBJECTIVE
To compare the mean voided volume and bladder sensation during filling cystometry in women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and controls.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This was a case–control study including adult women seen in the urogynaecology clinic.
The cases were 49 women with at least three documented positive urine cultures >105 colonies/mL in the previous 12 months and no active infection at the time of data collection.
Controls were 53 women with stress urinary incontinence and no history of recurrent UTI or coexistent urge urinary incontinence.
We compared bladder diary variables and filling cystometry data in the absence of an active infection.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the median age, parity and body mass index of women with a history of recurrent UTI and controls.
The median number of voids per day and median number of voids per litre of fluid intake was significantly greater in women with recurrent UTI than controls (12 vs 7 voids/day and 6 vs 4 voids/L, P= 0.005 and P= 0.004 respectively).
The median average voided volume was significantly lower in women with recurrent UTI than controls (155 vs 195 mL, P= 0.008).
On filling cystometry, median volumes of strong desire to void and maximum cystometric capacity were significantly lower in women with recurrent UTI than controls (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
In the absence of an infection, premenopausal women with a history of recurrent UTI have significantly greater urinary frequency, lower average voided volume and a lower threshold of bladder sensitivity than controls.
Cellulose factories: advancing bioenergy production from forest trees
Authors: Mizrachi Eshchar , Mansfield Shawn D. , Myburg Alexander A. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryFast‐growing, short‐rotation forest trees, such as Populus and Eucalyptus, produce large amounts of cellulose‐rich biomass that could be utilized for bioenergy and biopolymer production. Major obstacles need to be overcome before the deployment of these genera as energy crops, including the effective removal of lignin and the subsequent liberation of carbohydrate constituents from wood cell walls. However, significant opportunities exist to both select for and engineer the structure and interaction of cell wall biopolymers, which could afford a means to improve processing and product development. The molecular underpinnings and regulation of cell wall carbohydrate biosynthesis are rapidly being elucidated, and are providing tools to strategically develop and guide the targeted modification required to adapt forest trees for the emerging bioeconomy. Much insight has already been gained from the perturbation of individual genes and pathways, but it is not known to what extent the natural variation in the sequence and expression of these same genes underlies the inherent variation in wood properties of field‐grown trees. The integration of data from next‐generation genomic technologies applied in natural and experimental populations will enable a systems genetics approach to study cell wall carbohydrate production in trees, and should advance the development of future woody bioenergy and biopolymer crops.
Geographic variation in the age‐ and gender‐specific prevalence and incidence of epilepsy: Analysis of Taiwanese National Health Insurance–based data
Authors: Chen Chih‐Chuan , Chen Li‐Sheng , Yen Ming‐Fang , Chen Hsiu‐Hsi , Liou Horng‐Huei 
Published: December 2011

SummaryPurpose:  We studied geographic variation in age‐ and gender‐specific prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in four different areas of Taiwan.Methods:  By using large‐scale, National Health Insurance (NHI)–based data from 2000–2003 in Taiwan, we identified 131,287 patients diagnosed with epilepsy (ICD code 345) receiving at least of one of 11 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Information on age, gender, and location were also collected. The multivariable Poisson regression analysis was used to assess the heterogeneity of the morbidity of epilepsy in different regions. External data validation was also performed to assess the accuracy of capturing epilepsy cases through our NHI data set.Key Findings:  The age‐adjusted prevalence and incidence of epilepsy were 5.85 (per 1,000) between 2000 and 2003 and 97 (per 100,000 person‐years) during the follow‐up time from 2001 to 2003 in Taiwan. The sensitivity and specificity of ICD‐9 coding for epilepsy in the NHI data set were 83.91% and 99.83%, respectively, resulting in a slight overestimation. Male patients had a higher probability of having epilepsy than did females. East Taiwan had significantly higher prevalence and incidence than did other areas. The age‐specific incidence pattern in east Taiwan was atypical in that it revealed clustering in young and middle‐aged groups.Significance:  Our study demonstrated geographic variation in epidemiologic patterns of epilepsy within Taiwan. The findings are informative and provide insight into the clinical management of epilepsy based on consideration of different target groups in different areas.
Gray matter loss correlates with mesial temporal lobe neuronal hyperexcitability inside the human seizure‐onset zone
Authors: Staba Richard J. , Ekstrom Arne D. , Suthana Nanthia A. , Burggren Alison , Fried Itzhak , Engel Jerome , Bookheimer Susan Y. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryPurpose:  Patient studies have not provided consistent evidence for interictal neuronal hyperexcitability inside the seizure‐onset zone (SOZ). We hypothesized that gray matter (GM) loss could have important effects on neuronal firing, and quantifying these effects would reveal significant differences in neuronal firing inside versus outside the SOZ.Methods:  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computational unfolding of mesial temporal lobe (MTL) subregions was used to construct anatomic maps to compute GM loss in presurgical patients with medically intractable focal seizures in relation to controls. In patients, these same maps were used to locate the position of microelectrodes that recorded interictal neuronal activity. Single neuron firing and burst rates were evaluated in relation to GM loss and MTL subregions inside and outside the SOZ.Key Findings:  MTL GM thickness was reduced inside and outside the SOZ in patients with respect to controls, yet GM loss was associated more strongly with firing and burst rates in several MTL subregions inside the SOZ. Adjusting single neuron firing and burst rates for the effects of GM loss revealed significantly higher firing rates in the subregion consisting of dentate gyrus and CA2 and CA3 (CA23DG), as well as CA1 and entorhinal cortex (EC) inside versus outside the SOZ where normalized MRI GM loss was ≥1.40 mm. Firing rates were higher in subicular cortex inside the SOZ at GM loss ≥1.97 mm, whereas burst rates were higher in CA23DG, CA1, and EC inside than outside the SOZ at similar levels of GM loss.Significance:  The correlation between GM loss and increased firing and burst rates suggests GM structural alterations in MTL subregions are associated with interictal neuronal hyperexcitability inside the SOZ. Significant differences in firing rates and bursting in areas with GM loss inside compared to outside the SOZ indicate that synaptic reorganization following cell loss could be associated with varying degrees of epileptogenicity in patients with intractable focal seizures.
Activation of the prolyl‐hydroxylase oxygen‐sensing signal cascade leads to AMPK activation in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Yan Hong , Zhang Dong‐Xia , Shi Xiaohua , Zhang Qiong , Huang Yue‐Sheng 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe proline hydroxylase domain‐containing enzymes (PHD) act as cellular oxygen sensors and initiate a hypoxic signal cascade to induce a range of cellular responses to hypoxia especially in the aspect of energy and metabolic homeostasis regulation. AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is recognized as a major energetic sensor and regulator of cardiac metabolism. However, the effect of PHD signal on AMPK has never been studied before. A PHD inhibitor (PHI), dimethyloxalylglycine and PHD2‐specific RNA interference (RNAi) have been used to activate PHD signalling in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Both PHI and PHD2‐RNAi activated AMPK pathway in cardiomyocytes effectively. In addition, the increased glucose uptake during normoxia and enhanced myocyte viability during hypoxia induced by PHI pretreatment were abrogated substantially upon AMPK inhibition with an adenoviral vector expressing a dominant negative mutant of AMPK‐α1. Furthermore, chelation of intracellular Ca2+ by BAPTA, inhibition of calmodulin‐dependent kinase kinase (CaMKK) with STO‐609, or RNAi‐mediated down‐regulation of CaMKK α inhibited PHI‐induced AMPK activation significantly. In contrast, down‐regulation of LKB1 with adenoviruses expressing the dominant negative form did not affect PHI‐induced AMPK activation. We establish for the first time that activation of PHD signal cascade can activate AMPK pathway mainly through a Ca2+/CaMKK‐dependent mechanism in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, activation of AMPK plays an essential role in hypoxic protective responses induced by PHI.
What happens below the canopy? Direct and indirect influences of the dominant species on forest vertical layers
Authors: Yuan Zuoqiang , Gazol Antonio , Wang Xugao , Xing Dingliang , Lin Fei , Bai Xuejiao , Zhao Yuqiang , Li Buhang , Hao Zhanqing 
Published: December 2011

Temperate forests are one of the most important ecosystems in the world, and thus disentangling the factors that drive diversity within these ecosystems is of major concern. However, due to the complex interactions among forests layers, topography and soil factors, discovering the drivers of diversity is often complicated. In this study, we tested three a priori hypotheses about the effect of the dominant competitor (Pinus koraiensis) on the different forest layers in a 25 ha full mapped plot of temperate forest in the Changbai Mountain of northeastern China. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to study the direct and indirect interactions between four vertical forest layers (dominant competitor, canopy composition, sub‐canopy diversity and shrub diversity), topographic factors, edaphic factors to discover sub‐canopy and shrub diversity drivers. Our results suggest that the dominant competitor (Pinus koraiensis) is a key factor explaining canopy variation, and sub‐canopy diversity and shrub diversity, and that this competitor can act directly (through shading) and indirectly (through the modification of the soil). Topographic heterogeneity also had significant effects on the soil variation and the diversity of the sub‐canopy and shrub layers. Finally our results indicate that the influence of canopy composition on the diversity of the rest of forest layers is indirect and positive, suggesting that the dominant competitor is the main factor limiting diversity.In conclusion, we have found strong evidence that the dominant species of the canopy can influence, both directly and indirectly, the diversity of the different vertical forest layers. Patterns of diversity in forests are driven by a multiplicity of factors that are inherently related.
Local variations in turnover of periodontal collagen fibers in rats
Authors: Henneman S. , Reijers R. R. , Maltha J. C. , Von den Hoff J. W. 
Published: December 2011

Henneman S, Reijers RR, Maltha JC, Von den Hoff JW. Local variations in turnover of periodontal collagen fibers in rats. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 383–388. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/SBackground and Objective:  The exact cause of orthodontic relapse is still unclear, although it is often suggested to be caused by periodontal collagen fibers. We hypothesize that long‐lived collagen fibers in the periodontium cause relapse. The aim was to determine the half‐life of periodontal collagen fibers around rat molars.Material and Methods:  Thirty weanling rats were repeatedly injected with 3H‐proline, and autoradiography of histological sections was performed at 1, 4, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, 57, 78 and 113 d after labeling. Grain densities determined in specific areas of the periodontium were used to calculate collagen half‐life.Results:  The half‐life (t½) was found to decrease from the supra‐alveolar region to the apical periodontal ligament region. It was longer in the supra‐alveolar region (1.39 ± 0.14 wk) compared with the deeper regions (p < 0.05). The t½ of the upper periodontal ligament region (0.78 ± 0.20 wk) was longer than that of the inter‐radicular periodontal ligament region (0.42 ± 0.07 wk, p < 0.05). The t½ of the apical periodontal ligament region was 0.61 ± 0.15 wk.Conclusion:  The data indicate that long‐lived collagen fibers do not exist in the soft tissues of the periodontium, and are probably not responsible for relapse. The differences in collagen half‐life might be caused by local variations in compressive strain induced by normal function.
Solution structure of a truncated anti‐MUC1 DNA aptamer determined by mesoscale modeling and NMR
Authors: Baouendi Meriem , Cognet Jean A. H. , Ferreira Catia S. M. , Missailidis Sotiris , Coutant Jérome , Piotto Martial , Hantz Edith , Hervé du Penhoat Catherine 
Published: December 2011

Mucin 1 is a well‐established target for the early diagnosis of epithelial cancers. The nucleotides of the S1.3/S2.2 DNA aptamer involved in binding to variable number tandem repeat mucin 1 peptides have been identified using footprinting experiments. The majority of these binding nucleotides are located in the 25‐nucleotide variable region of the total aptamer. Imino proton and 2D NMR spectra of truncated and total aptamers in supercooled water reveal common hydrogen‐bonding networks and point to a similar secondary structure for this 25‐mer sequence alone or embedded within the total aptamer. NMR titration experiments confirm that the TTT triloop structure is the primary binding site and show that the initial structure of the truncated aptamers is conserved upon interaction with variable number tandem repeat peptides. The thermal dependence of the NMR chemical shift data shows that the base‐paired nucleotides melt cooperatively at 47 ± 4 °C. The structure of the 25‐mer oligonucleotide was determined using a new combined mesoscale molecular modeling, molecular dynamics and NMR spectroscopy investigation. It contains three Watson–Crick pairs, three consecutive mispairs and four Watson–Crick pairs capped by a TTT triloop motif. The 3D model structures (PDB 2L5K) and biopolymer chain elasticity molecular models are consistent with both NMR and long unconstrained molecular dynamics (10 ns) in explicit water, respectively.Database
Structural data are available in the Protein Data Bank and BioMagResBank databases under the accession numbers 2L5K and 17129, respectively
Using a Strategic Environmental Assessment framework to quantify the environmental impact of bioenergy plans
Authors: Finnan John , Styles David , Fitzgerald Joanne , Connolly John , Donnelly Alison 
Published: December 2011

AbstractRenewable energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets are driving an acceleration in the use of bioenergy resources. The environmental impact of national and regional development plans must be assessed in compliance with the EU Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive (2001/42/EC). Here, we quantify the environmental impact of an Irish Government bioenergy plan to replace 30% of peat used in three peat‐burning power stations, located within the midlands region, with biomass. Four plan alternatives for supplying biomass to the power plant were considered in this study: (1) importation of palm kernel shell from south‐east Asia, (2) importation of olive cake pellets from Spain and (3) growing either willow or (4) Miscanthus in the vicinity of the power stations. The impact of each alternative on each of the environmental receptors proposed in the SEA Directive was first quantified before the data were normalized on either an Irish, regional or global scale. Positive environmental impacts were very small compared to the negative environmental impacts for each of the plan alternatives considered. Comparison of normalized indicator values confirmed that the adverse environmental consequences of each plan alternative are concentrated at the location where the biomass is produced. The analysis showed that the adverse environmental consequences of biomass importation are substantially greater than those associated with the use of willow and Miscanthus grown on former grassland. The use of olive cake pellets had a greater adverse environmental effect compared to the use of peat whereas replacement of peat with either willow or Miscanthus feedstocks led to a substantial reduction in environmental pressure. The proposed assessment framework combines the scope of SEA with the quantitative benefits of life cycle assessment and can be used to evaluate the environmental consequences of bioenergy plans.
Patient‐related risk factors for implant therapy. A critique of pertinent literature
Authors: Liddelow G , Klineberg I 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground:  Treatment planning for dental implants involves the assessment of patient‐related risk factors prior to formulation of a treatment plan. The aim of this review was to assess relevant literature and provide evidence‐based information on the successful surgical placement of dental implants.Methods:  An electronic search of Medline, PubMed and the Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews was undertaken using a combination of MeSH terms and keywords. A handsearch was also performed and cross‐referenced with articles cited in papers selected. The primary study parameter was implant failure.Results:  Forty‐three studies were selected based on specific inclusion criteria. Many studies contain confounding variables, numbers in subcategories are often too small for meaningful statistical analysis, and follow‐up times vary and are often short‐term.Conclusions:  There are many risk factors which the clinician is required to know and understand to advise patients, and consider in planning and treatment provision. Consistent evidence exists to show an increased failure rate with smokers, a history of radiotherapy and local bone quality and quantity. Weaker evidence exists to show a higher incidence of peri‐implant disease in patients with a history of periodontitis‐related tooth loss. Lack of evidence precludes definitive guidelines for patients with autoimmune disorders where expert opinion recommends caution. Osteoporotic patients show acceptable survival rates; however patients on oral bisphosphonates show a small incidence but high morbidity from osteonecrosis of the jaw. Emerging evidence suggests that there is a correlation between genetic traits and disruption of osseointegration.
Travel patterns for government emergency dental care in Australia: a new approach using GIS tools
Authors: McGuire S , Kruger E , Tennant M 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground:  Government subsidized dental care is provided as a community safety‐net to complement the private dental sector. The aim of this study was to detail the geographic catchment characteristics of three outer metropolitan government dental clinics.Methods:  Three outer metropolitan dental clinics with the greatest number of geocoded triage patients were selected for the study. In total these three facilities had 5742 patients over the 12‐week period with 2010 at clinic A, 1278 at clinic B and 2454 at clinic C. Cumulative proportions of patients’ residential address locations at distances were calculated; there was close correlation between the three clinics. A best fit curve with a correlation coefficient of 0.998 was developed.Results:  In summary, approximately 50% of patients were within 6 km of the clinic and 75% were within 10 km.Conclusions:  This study has critical outcomes for the planning of future services in developing a network model for care. The data presented will assist in the development of more evidence‐based approaches to planning new service network structures.