bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recovery and identification of mature enamel proteins in ancient teeth
Authors: Porto Isabel M. , Laure Helen J. , Tykot Robert H. , de Sousa Frederico B. , Rosa Jose C. , Gerlach Raquel F. 
Published: January 2012

Porto IM, Laure HJ, Tykot RH, de Sousa FB, Rosa JC, Gerlach RF. Recovery and identification of mature enamel proteins in ancient teeth.

Eur J Oral Sci 2011; 119 (Suppl. 1): 83–87. © 2011 Eur J Oral SciProteins in mineralized tissues provide a window to the past, and dental enamel is peculiar in being highly resistant to diagenesis and providing information on a very narrow window of time, such as the developing period; however, to date, complete proteins have not been extracted successfully from ancient teeth. In this work we tested the ability of a whole‐crown micro‐etch technique to obtain enamel protein samples from mature enamel of recently extracted (n = 2) and ancient (n = 2; ad 800 to 1100) third molars. Samples were analyzed using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight/time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry, and the resulting spectra were searched against the Swiss‐Prot protein database using the Mascot software for protein identification. In our protocol, the separation of proteins in gel is not necessary. Successful identification of specific enamel proteins was obtained after whole‐crown superficial enamel etching with 10% HCl. Most protein fragments recovered from dry teeth and mummy teeth contained amino‐terminal amelogenin peptides. Only one peptide specific for the amelogenin X‐isoform was identified. In conclusion, the reported techniques allowed the successful recovery of proteins specific to dental enamel from samples obtained in a very conservative manner, which may also be important in forensic and/or archeological science.
Tuft protein: protein cross‐linking in enamel development
Authors: Robinson Colin , Hudson Jackie 
Published: January 2012

Robinson C, Hudson J. Tuft protein: protein cross‐linking in enamel development.

Eur J Oral Sci 2011; 119 (Suppl. 1): 50–54. © 2011 Eur J Oral SciTuft protein is a material associated with enamel tufts, and resides in dental enamel primarily at the enamel–dentine junction. It is located primarily at prism peripheries and extends in a very attenuated form towards the enamel outer surface. While it appears to be a mixture of components, partial sequencing and antibody studies have demonstrated the presence of amelin, a protein associated with prism boundaries. Biochemical investigations have been seriously hampered by the fact that tuft protein is extremely insoluble in a range of solvents, including mineral acids, EDTA, chaotropic agents, and detergents including SDS. This raised the question as to whether it could be chemically cross‐linked. Antibodies to γ‐glutamyl cross‐linking peptide were used to determine the presence of a cross‐linking isopeptide. In all cases examined, a positive response indicated that tuft protein does display chemical cross‐linking, which may explain the insoluble nature of this material. This may be a mechanism to prevent protein degradation at the enamel–dentine junction during the degradation of enamel matrix, which occurs during amelogenesis.
Environmental geometry and heterogeneity–diversity relationships in spatially explicit simulated communities
Authors: Smith Tyler W. , Lundholm Jeremy T. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractQuestionHow are heterogeneity–diversity relationships (HDRs) influenced by spatial structure in environmental variables, sampling grain and the extent of niche differentiation?MethodsWe developed a spatially explicit simulation model incorporating variable dispersal distances and competition strength on fractal landscapes. By varying the grain used to sample these models, we examined scaling patterns in HDR metrics at fine scales (sampling grain from 100 to 10 000 individuals, sampling extent ca. 260 000 individuals).ResultsEnvironmental geometry exerts an important influence on the ecological processes responsible for HDRs. Unique geometric characteristics of individual landscapes can greatly influence emergent community properties; field studies frequently use inadequate sample sizes to account for this phenomenon. Two opposing processes influence spatial scaling of HDRs: variance partitioning, which favours smaller‐grained samples, and mass effects, which favour larger‐grained samples. In assessing HDRs, diversity is more sensitive than species richness, and should be the preferred measure in field studies. The environmental geometry and age of a community interact: compared to high fractal dimension landscapes, low fractal dimension landscapes are slower to develop HDRs, but in the long term their HDRs will be higher.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that, despite the superficial simplicity of the concept, HDRs vary in complex and non‐intuitive ways, and warrant further theoretical and empirical study. More generally, environmental geometry is likely to exert a strong influence on many emergent community processes, but we do not yet have a firm understanding of this relationship.
Expression of Eps8 correlates with poor survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: CHU Pei‐Yi , LIOU Jia‐Hung , LIN Yueh‐Min , CHEN Chih‐Jung , CHEN Mu‐Kuan , LIN Shu‐Hui , YEH Chung‐Min , WANG Hsin‐Kai , MAA Ming‐Chei , LEU Tzeng‐Horng , CHANG Nai‐Wen , HSU Nicholas C. , YEH Kun‐Tu 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAims:  Epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (Eps8) is a signaling protein implicated in the development of many human cancers including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study examined the expression of Eps8 and assessed its significance in patients with OSCC.Methods:  Immunohistochemical staining for Eps8 was conducted in 205 cases of OSCC collected over 7 years. The results were analyzed and correlated with patients' clinical outcomes.Results:  We identified Eps8 expression in 186 of the 205 cases of OSCC (91%) and the aberrance occurred primarily in the cytoplasm of OSCC cells. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with Eps8 expression had significantly poorer 5‐year overall survival (OS) than those without it (43% vs 74%, P = 0.014). Eps8 expression was also identified as an independent predictive factor for poorer OS by a multivariate analysis in regression modeling (P = 0.021, HR = 2.7). A Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with positive Eps8 expression had a significantly poorer OS than patients with negative/low Eps8 expression (P = 0.038). The difference in disease‐free survival between positive Eps8 expression and negative/low Eps8 expression nearly reached statistical significance (P = 0.051).Conclusion:  Eps8 is frequently expressed in OSCC. The aberrant expression of Eps8 closely correlated with poor survival in patients with OSCC.
Pilot study evaluating the role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in monitoring adjuvant trastuzumab therapy for breast cancer
Authors: LAWLEY Claire , WAINWRIGHT Camilla , SEGELOV Eva , LYNCH Jodi , BEITH Jane , MCCROHON Jane 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim:  To explore the incidence of subclinical cardiotoxicity in women treated with adjuvant trastuzumab in the early breast cancer setting using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI).Methods:  The cardiac function and myocardial tissue characteristics of 25 women who had completed adjuvant trastuzumab therapy greater than 6 months previously was evaluated using MRI and comparing this with symptoms and routine echocardiography.Results:  Evidence of myocardial tissue damage was seen in two women in the absence of functional change or previous cardiac symptoms.Conclusion:  Tissue characterization using cMRI may provide a useful tool in defining trastuzumab induced cardiotoxicity.
Preoperative taxane‐based chemotherapy in a standardized protocol for locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: CHAN Arlene , WILLSHER Peter C , HASTRICH Diana J , ANDERSON James , BARHAM Tony , LATHAM Bruce , REDFERN Andrew , VAN DER SCHAAF Agatha , THOMSON Jacqui , JOSEPH David , INGRAM David 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAims:  To assess the feasibility of a standardized multidisciplinary protocol for the management of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). We also evaluated the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) in predicting the extent of residual disease.Methods:  Patients with LABC were offered preoperative chemotherapy of docetaxel 75 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 (TAC), every 21 days for six cycles, until progression or intolerable toxicity. MRI and PET were performed at baseline and six cycles. Patients underwent a mastectomy or complete local excision, followed by radiotherapy. Trastuzumab and endocrine treatment were recommended where appropriate.Results:  Between April 2005 and October 2006, 51 patients were included from three institutions, and 50 received TAC (90% commenced within 35 days of diagnosis), with 44 patients completing six cycles (88%). Pathological complete response was seen in 10 patients (19.6%); all had invasive ductal carcinoma. No patient with invasive lobular carcinoma achieved pathological complete response. MRI was the most accurate method of assessing the extent of residual cancer. In total, 45 (88%) patients underwent surgery within the protocol‐specified time and 12 (23%) patients had breast conservation surgery. At a median follow‐up of 41.3 months, there were three local recurrences. Ten patients (19.6%) developed distant metastases, resulting in an 80% actuarial disease‐free survival.Conclusion:  This regimen of TAC is effective and well‐tolerated and is likely to result in improved outcomes since patients can receive optimal multimodality treatments.
Low Temperature Sintering and Dielectric Properties of Alumina‐Filled Glass Composites for LTCC Applications
Authors: Rajesh Surendran , Jantunen Heli , Letz Martin , Pichler‐Willhelm Sabine 
Published: January 2012

Glass + ceramic composites using lead‐free ultralow‐softening point glass matrices (brand names G018‐249 and G018‐250) with alumina fillers are investigated. The composites show good densification with near zero shrinkage at very low sintering temperature and do not show either the formation of secondary crystalline phases or dissolution of alumina. They further show no reactivity with the silver electrodes at a sintering temperature of 650°C and have permittivities of 9.5 and 8.8, loss tangents of 0.0068 and 0.0087 at 1 MHz for the samples containing G018‐249 glass and G018‐250 glass, respectively.
School Engagement Among Aboriginal Students in Northern Canada: Perspectives From Activity Settings Theory
Authors: Davison Colleen M. , Hawe Penelope 
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: Educational disengagement is a public health concern among Aboriginal populations in many countries. It has been investigated previously in a variety of ways, with the conventional focus being on the children themselves. Activity settings are events and places, theorized in terms of their symbols, roles, time frame, funds, people, and physical location. According to the theory, particular behaviors and experiences are shaped by different configurations among these elements. This study explored how activity settings theory might provide new insight on school engagement.METHODS: Ethnographic study was undertaken at a grades primary to 12 school in a remote First Nations community in Canada's Northwest Territories. We collected data through interviews, focus groups, archival material, and field notes from 7 months of participant observation. An activity settings model acted as template for data collection and interpretation.RESULTS: Different aspects of the school's physical layout, routines, procedures, transport systems, mix of people, and rules were able to be systemically assessed and classified as either creating or eroding engagement.CONCLUSION: This study applies an activity setting analysis to school engagement, thereby allowing researchers to investigate the dynamic and nested nature of context or environmental influences on engagement. It provides grounded observations that invite direct opportunities for action on dimensions that teachers and practitioners might not otherwise “see.”
Challenges to Collaboration in School Mental Health and Strategies for Overcoming Them
Authors: Weist Mark D. , Mellin Elizabeth A. , Chambers Kerri L. , Lever Nancy A. , Haber Deborah , Blaber Christine 
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: This article reviews challenges to collaboration in school mental health (SMH) and presents practical strategies for overcoming them.METHODS: The importance of collaboration to the success of SMH programs is reviewed, with a particular focus on collaboration between school‐ and community‐employed professionals. Challenges to effective collaboration between school‐ and community‐employed professionals in SMH are considered. Strategies for overcoming challenges to effective collaboration are presented.RESULTS: Marginalization of the SMH agenda, limited interdisciplinary teamwork, restricted coordination mechanisms, confidentiality concerns, and resource and funding issues are key challenges to collaboration. Strategies targeted toward each of these challenges may help improve the effectiveness of SMH programs and ultimately student outcomes.CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration between school‐ and community‐employed professionals is critical to the success of SMH programs. Despite its promise, the success of SMH programs can be jeopardized by ineffective collaboration between school‐ and community‐employed professionals. Strategies to overcome marginalization, promote authentic interdisciplinary teamwork, build effective coordination mechanisms, protect student and family confidentiality, and promote policy change and resource enhancements should be addressed in SMH improvement planning.
Strategies to Potentiate Antimicrobial Photoinactivation by Overcoming Resistant Phenotypes†
Authors: Vera Domingo Mariano Adolfo , Haynes Mark H. , Ball Anthony R. , Dai Tianhong , Astrakas Christos , Kelso Michael J. , Hamblin Michael R. , Tegos George P. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractConventional antimicrobial strategies have become increasingly ineffective due to the emergence of multidrug resistance among pathogenic microorganisms. The need to overcome these deficiencies has triggered the exploration of alternative treatments and unconventional approaches towards controlling microbial infections. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was originally established as an anticancer modality and is currently used in the treatment of age‐related macular degeneration. The concept of photodynamic inactivation requires cell exposure to light energy, typically wavelengths in the visible region that causes the excitation of photosensitizer molecules either exogenous or endogenous, which results in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS produce cell inactivation and death through modification of intracellular components. The versatile characteristics of PDT prompted its investigation as an anti‐infective discovery platform. Advances in understanding of microbial physiology have shed light on a series of pathways, and phenotypes that serve as putative targets for antimicrobial drug discovery. Investigations of these phenotypic elements in concert with PDT have been reported focused on multidrug efflux systems, biofilms, virulence and pathogenesis determinants. In many instances the results are promising but only preliminary and require further investigation. This review discusses the different antimicrobial PDT strategies and highlights the need for highly informative and comprehensive discovery approaches.
Outdoor adventure for young people with a mental illness
Authors: Schell Lori , Cotton Sue , Luxmoore Marni 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim: The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an Outdoor Adventure Group (OAG) for young people with a mental illness. It was hypothesized that participating in OAG would result in an increase in self‐esteem, sense of mastery and social connectedness, compared with those who attended other Psychosocial Recovery Group Program groups based at Orygen Youth Health. In addition, those in the OAG would show an improved performance of personal goals.Methods: Twenty‐one youths (aged 15 to 25) participated in the OAG and 12 participated in other Psychosocial Recovery Group Program groups and served as the comparison group. Pre‐ and post‐evaluation measures included (i) Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale; (ii) Mastery Scale; (iii) Social Connectedness Scale; and (iv) personal goals for attending the OAG, rated 1–10 on current performance. The groups were based at Orygen Youth Health, Melbourne, Australia and run over an 8 to 10‐week period.Results: Participants of the OAG experienced an improvement in self‐esteem (P = 0.001) and mastery (P = 0.001); these changes were not observed in the controls. There were a total of 80 personal goals for the OAG, with an average of 3.81 per person, and performance significantly improved in 66 (82.5%) goals. There were 10 categories of goals; the most common goals were related to self‐improvement and social skills development.Conclusions: Increased self‐esteem and mastery, and achievement of personal goals gained through the OAG, may facilitate, or be a precursor to, a young person's psychosocial recovery.
Phages limit the evolution of bacterial antibiotic resistance in experimental microcosms
Authors: Zhang Quan‐Guo , Buckling Angus 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe evolution of multi‐antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens, often resulting from de novo mutations, is creating a public health crisis. Phages show promise for combating antibiotic‐resistant bacteria, the efficacy of which, however, may also be limited by resistance evolution. Here, we suggest that phages may be used as supplements to antibiotics in treating initially sensitive bacteria to prevent resistance evolution, as phages are unaffected by most antibiotics and there should be little cross‐resistance to antibiotics and phages. In vitro experiments using the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens, a lytic phage, and the antibiotic kanamycin supported this prediction: an antibiotic–phage combination dramatically decreased the chance of bacterial population survival that indicates resistance evolution, compared with antibiotic treatment alone, whereas the phage alone did not affect bacterial survival. This effect of the combined treatment in preventing resistance evolution was robust to immigration of bacteria from an untreated environment, but not to immigration from environment where the bacteria had coevolved with the phage. By contrast, an isogenic hypermutable strain constructed from the wild‐type P. fluorescens evolved resistance to all treatments regardless of immigration, but typically suffered very large fitness costs. These results suggest that an antibiotic–phage combination may show promise as an antimicrobial strategy.
Questionnaire layout and wording influence prevalence and risk estimates of respiratory symptoms in a population cohort
Authors: Ekerljung Linda , Rönmark Eva , Lötvall Jan , Wennergren Göran , Torén Kjell , Lundbäck Bo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjective:  Results of epidemiological studies are greatly influenced by the chosen methodology. The study aims to investigate how two frequently used questionnaires (Qs), with partly different layout, influence the prevalence of respiratory symptoms.Study Design and Setting:  A booklet containing two Qs, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network Q and the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden Q, was mailed to 30 000 subjects aged 16–75 years in West Sweden; 62% responded. Sixteen questions were included in the analysis: seven identical between the Qs, four different in set‐up and five with the same layout but different wording. Comparisons were made using differences in proportions, observed agreement and Kappa statistics.Results:  Identical questions yielded similar prevalences with high observed agreement and kappa values. Questions with different set‐up or differences in wording resulted in significantly different prevalences with lower observed agreement and kappa values. In general, the use of follow‐up questions, excluding subjects answering no to the initial question, resulted in 2.9–6.7% units lower prevalence.Conclusion:  The question set‐up has great influences on epidemiological results, and specifically questions that are set up to be excluded based on a previous no answer leads to lower prevalence compared with detached questions. Therefore, Q layout and exact wording of questions has to be carefully considered when comparing studies.Please cite this paper as: Ekerljung L, Rönmark E, Lötvall J, Wennergren G, Torén K and Lundbäck B. Questionnaire layout and wording influence prevalence and risk estimates of respiratory symptoms in a population cohort. Clin Respir J 2013; 7: 53–63.
Blood puncture as a nondestructive sampling tool to obtain DNA in frogs: comparison of protocols and survival analysis
Authors: MENDOZA A. M. , GARCÍA‐RAMÍREZ J. C. , CÁRDENAS‐HENAO H. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn molecular biology studies of Anura, nondestructive methods to obtain genetic material are needed as alternatives to toe clipping. This work evaluates a nondestructive method for sampling DNA from blood puncture, comparing the performance of three different extraction protocols (Qiagen Kit, Salting‐out and Chelex). We collected 134 individuals of Eleutherodactylus johnstonei, extracting blood via puncture of the medial vein using commercial‐grade glucometer lancets. We extracted 100–1880 ng DNA, finding no differences between the extraction protocols. We compared the quality of the resulting DNA through amplification and sequencing of the 16S mitochondrial gene. Amplification was successful for the three extraction protocols, although Chelex showed better performance, making it the most recommendable protocol for extraction of DNA from blood. The resulting sequences corresponded to those registered in the GenBank for this species. Additionally, we found no significant differences in survival or weight change between the individuals that were manipulated and a control group (mean survival 66.7% treated, 62.9% untreated). Data reveal that blood samples obtained by puncture are a convenient alternative to other tissues (phalange, buccal swab, liver) that have traditionally been used as DNA sources for anurans. The technique is applicable to small and large species, covering most anuran diversity, provides enough DNA for many genetic applications and produces no noticeable effect on the survival or performance, given that it does not affect the motor parts or the dexterity of the animals.