bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lack of in vitro constitutive activity for four previously reported TSH receptor mutations identified in patients with nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism and hot thyroid carcinomas
Authors: Jaeschke Holger , Mueller Sandra , Eszlinger Markus , Paschke Ralf 
Published: September 2010

SummaryObjective  Constitutively activating mutations (CAMs) of the TSHR are the major cause for nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism. Re‐examination of constitutive activity previously determined in CHO cell lines recently demonstrated the caveats for the in vitro determination of constitutive TSHR activity, which leads to false positive conclusions regarding the molecular origin of hyperthyroidism or hot thyroid carcinomas.Design  Mutations L677V and T620I identified in hot thyroid carcinomas were previously characterized in CHO and in 3T3‐Vill cell lines, respectively, stably expressing the mutant without determination of TSHR expression. F666L identified in a patient with hot thyroid nodules, I691F in a family with nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism and F631I identified in a hot thyroid carcinoma were not characterized for their in vitro function. Therefore, we decided to (re)evaluate the in vitro function of these five TSHR variants by determination of cell surface expression, and intracellular cAMP and inositol phosphate levels and performed additionally linear regression analyses to determine basal activity independently from the mutant’s cell surface expression in COS‐7 and HEKGT cells.Results and Conclusions  Only one (F631I) of the five investigated TSHR variants displayed constitutive activity for Gαs signalling and showed correlation with the clinical phenotype. The previous false classification of T620I and L677V as CAMs is most likely related to the fact that both mutations were characterized in cell lines stably expressing the mutated receptor construct without assessing the respective receptor number per cell. Other molecular aetiologies for the nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism and/or hot thyroid carcinomas in these three patients and one family should be elucidated.
Oxidative stress as a life‐history constraint: the role of reactive oxygen species in shaping phenotypes from conception to death
Authors: Metcalfe Neil B. , Alonso‐Alvarez Carlos 
Published: September 2010

Summary1. Oxidative stress is usually defined as an imbalance arising when the rate of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceeds the capacity of the antioxidant defence and repair mechanisms, leading to oxidative damage to biomolecules, but the concept can be expanded to include the disruption of reduction : oxidation (redox) reactions involved in cellular signalling. In this review, we consider how the need to circumvent oxidation may shape the phenotypes of organisms throughout their life and that of their offspring, underpinning a diverse range of life‐history trade‐offs.2. A recent explosion of interest in this field has shown that both ROS production and the capacity of animals to deal with it change from early development through to adulthood, and vary with environmental conditions and lifestyle. Oxidative stress may both stimulate and be caused by reproduction, although direct evidence of either process is surprisingly weak. Many forms of secondary sexual traits may signal the individual’s oxidative balance to potential mates, but the underlying mechanisms are still debated.3. Germline cells may be especially vulnerable to oxidative stress, leading to transgenerational effects on offspring viability and possible consequences for the evolution of mate choice.4. Both antioxidant defences and the ability to repair oxidative damage tend to decline with old age, contributing to cellular and whole organism senescence. This increasing vulnerability to oxidative stress, although little studied, appears especially marked in sexually selected traits.5. Challenges for the future include the incorporation of longitudinal approaches into experiments that analyse oxidative balance over an individual’s lifetime (preferably under near‐natural conditions), the exploration of the genetic basis for trade‐offs involving oxidative stress, the assimilation of current redox signalling knowledge, and the study of the consequences of heritable oxidative damage to germline DNA.
Ecological, biomedical and epidemiological approaches to understanding oxidative balance and ageing: what they can teach each other
Authors: Cohen Alan A. , de Magalhães João Pedro , Gohil Kishorchandra 
Published: September 2010

Summary1. Oxidative stress and antioxidants have been studied in a number of disciplines, but these disciplines have not always been informed by each other’s work.2. Here, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of oxidative stress and antioxidant research in the areas of (i) ecology, (ii) ageing research, (iii) epidemiology, and (iv) physiology of model organisms, with an emphasis on what ecologists can learn from and bring to other fields.3. We find that physiologists provide an essential role in clarifying basic mechanisms, but that many of their findings are context‐dependent. Ecologists and epidemiologists bring strengths in understanding the relevance of context, whether it is across species, environments, or diets. Ageing research has helped to provide a clear theoretical framework for all fields and has thus spurred much of the research to date.4. Comprehensive understanding of the complexity of oxidative balance systems will rely on integration of knowledge of physiological pathways from studies of model organisms, knowledge of long‐term interactions of many parameters from epidemiological studies, and knowledge of specificity and generality of results across species and conditions as gleaned from ecological studies.5. Studies of ageing have helped to show that all fields of antioxidant/oxidative stress research should focus not on individual markers of oxidative damage or antioxidant status, but on how they integrate into oxidative balance systems. Free radicals can have beneficial roles in signalling as well as causing damage and should not be interpreted out of context.
Disentangling the effects of predator body size and prey density on prey consumption in a lizard
Authors: González‐Suárez Manuela , Mugabo Marianne , Decencière Beatriz , Perret Samuel , Claessen David , Le Galliard Jean‐François 
Published: September 2010

Summary 1. Understanding proximate determinants of predation rates is a central question in ecology. Studies often use functional response (density dependent) or allometric (mass dependent) models but approaches that consider multiple factors are critical to capture the complexity in predator–prey interactions. We present a novel comprehensive approach to understand predation rates based on field data obtained from a vertebrate predator. 2. Estimates of food consumption and prey abundance were obtained from 21 semi‐natural populations of the lizard Zootoca vivipara. We identified the most parsimonious feeding rate function exploring allometric, simple functional response and allometric functional response models. Each group included effects of sex and weather conditions. 3. Allometric models reveal the importance of predator mass and sex: larger females have the highest natural feeding rates. Functional response models show that the effect of prey density is best represented by a Holling type II response model with a mass, sex and weather dependent attack rate and a constant handling time. However, the best functional response model only received moderate support compared to simpler allometric models based only on predator mass and sex. 4. Despite this limited effect of prey densities on feeding rates, we detected a significant negative relationship between an index of preferred prey biomass and lizard density. 5. Functional response models that ignore individual variation are likely to misrepresent trophic interactions. However, simpler models based on individual traits may be best supported by some data than complex allometric functional responses. These results illustrate the importance of considering individual, population and environmental effects while also exploring simple models.
The effect of mineral trioxide aggregate on the apexification and periapical healing of teeth with incomplete root formation
Authors: Felippe W. T. , Felippe M. C. S. , Rocha M. J. C. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAim  To evaluate the influence of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on apexification and periapical healing of teeth in dogs with incomplete root formation and previously contaminated canals and to verify the necessity of employing calcium hydroxide paste before using MTA.Methodology  Twenty premolars from two 6‐month old dogs were used. After access to the root canals and complete removal of the pulp, the canal systems remained exposed to the oral environment for 2 weeks. Canal preparation was then carried out using Hedström files, under irrigation with 1% sodium hypochlorite, 1 mm short of the radiographic apex. After drying, the canals of two premolars in each dog were left empty (control group). The other eight teeth in each animal were divided into two experimental groups. The apical thirds of the canals of group 1 were filled with MTA. In the teeth of group 2, the canals were dressed with a calcium hydroxide–propylene glycol paste. After 1 week, the paste was removed and the apical third was filled with MTA. All teeth were restored with reinforced zinc oxide cement (IRM) and amalgam. The animals were killed 5 months later, and blocks of the teeth and surrounding tissues were submitted to histological processing. The sections were studied to evaluate seven parameters: formation of an apical calcified tissue barrier, level of barrier formation, inflammatory reaction, bone and root resorption, MTA extrusion, and microorganisms. Results of experimental groups were analysed by Wilcoxon's nonparametric tests and by the test of proportions. The critical value of statistical significance was 5%.Results  Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in relation to the position of barrier formation and MTA extrusion. The barrier was formed in the interior of the canal in 69.2% of roots from MTA group only. In group 2, it was formed beyond the limits of the canal walls in 75% of the roots. MTA extrusion occurred mainly in roots from group 2. There was similarity between the groups for the other parameters.Conclusions  Mineral trioxide aggregate used after root canal preparation favoured the occurrence of the apexification and periapical healing. The initial use of calcium hydroxide paste was not necessary for apexification to occur, and has shown to be strongly related to the extrusion of MTA and formation of barriers beyond the limits of the root canal walls.
Parametric intensity and the spatial arrangement of the terrestrial mollusc herbivoresDeroceras reticulatumandArion intermedius
Authors: Bohan David A. , Glen David M. , Wiltshire Christopher W. , Hughes Louise 
Published: September 2010

Summary1.Parametric intensity and spatial arrangement analyses were used to investigate the spatial pattern of the slugsArion intermediusandDeroceras reticulatum.2.The spatial lag of sampling (distance between sampling points) was shown to be unimportant in the intensity analyses. Rather, the 0·25 m grain scale was imposed on the whole sampling. The observed slope of the variance to mean relationships was common to both species, possibly determined by egg laying in batches at 0·25 m. However, the variance of the sample, for a given mean, was lower in summer. This corresponded with a reduction in the proportion of zero counts, which could be due to slug movement, possibly increased by predator activity, acting at the 0·25 m scale.3.By contrast with the intensity analyses, the lag scale was important for spatial arrangement. At 0·25 m, in March 1997, theA. intermediusandD. reticulatumjuveniles were aggregated, presumably about where egg batches were laid. At higher scales, the arrangements ofD. reticulatumbecame spatially random, andA. intermediusresolved to a patch arrangement at the 16 m scale.4.Over time, theD. reticulatumspatial arrangements remained random and independent of the previous sampling date. From March to July 1997, theA. intermediuspatch persisted. A crash in abundance of both species, between July and October 1997, appeared to destroy the patch, but subsequent association suggested that the patch persisted until March 1998. The arrangements of the species were independent of one another on all sampling dates.5.These species‐specific spatial arrangements were independent of all measured environmental factors and consistent with differences in the local reproduction, survival and migration ofA. intermediusandD. reticulatum.6.This comparative study indicates that the terms aggregated, random and regular should have separate definitions for parametric intensity and spatial arrangement. Furthermore, spatial scale has different meaning in intensity and arrangement analyses. Spatial arrangements are not described by parametric intensity. Spatial arrangements change with spatial scale. Temporal changes in intensity need not manifest as changes in spatial arrangement.
Comparison of puberty and psychosocial adjustment between Taiwanese adolescent females with and without diabetes
Authors: Hsu Yu‐Yun Alice , Dorn Lorah D , Sereika Susan M 
Published: September 2010

Aims and objectives.  The aims of this study were to (1) determine the differences in puberty and psychosocial adjustment among Taiwanese adolescent females with and without type 1 diabetes mellitus, and (2) examine the interaction between pubertal timing and diabetes in relation to its effect on adolescent’s psychosocial adjustment.Background.  Rapid physical and sexual changes during puberty elicit a wide array of psychosocial adjustments. The effects of pubertal changes among adolescent females with type 1 diabetes mellitus on psychosocial adjustment are unknown.Design.  This study used a comparative, case‐controlled design. A total of 82 adolescent females, aged 10–17, were recruited for the study. Forty‐one adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus were age‐matched to 41 adolescents without type 1 diabetes mellitus.Methods.  Adolescents’ psychosocial adjustment, including internalising and externalising behaviours, was assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (parental report) and the Youth Self‐Report (individual self‐report). The self‐reported Pubertal Development Scale was used to measure adolescents’ puberty, including onset of menses, age at menarche and pubertal timing.Results.  When compared to their counterparts, adolescent females with type 1 diabetes mellitus reported a delayed menarche and a delayed puberty. Females with type 1 diabetes mellitus had significantly greater internalising and externalising behaviours than their counterparts according to parental reports. Onset of menses and adolescent self‐reported psychosocial adjustment were not different between the two groups. Interaction analyses showed that the association between pubertal timing and internalising behaviours was related to the presence of diabetes. According to parental reports, early pubertal timing had positive effects on internalising behaviours for adolescent females with type 1 diabetes mellitus not for adolescent females without type 1 diabetes mellitus.Relevance to clinical practice.  A multi‐informant approach is suggested when health care professionals assess adolescent psychosocial adjustment. Health care professionals must provide female teenagers with information and opportunities to discuss the impact of type 1 diabetes mellitus on their puberty and psychosocial adjustment.
Partnership‐based nursing practice for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their families: influences on health‐related quality of life and hospital admissions
Authors: Ingadottir Thorbjorg S , Jonsdottir Helga 
Published: September 2010

Aims and objectives.  To evaluate the outcome of a coherent nursing practice in the form of partnership that addresses the complexity of living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Background.  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a wide‐ranging and progressive chronic disease that not only requires relentless attentiveness of the persons having the disease but also the families involved. Particular consideration is called for in health care for those with an advanced and complicated stage of the disease. The nursing practice, grounded in the theoretical framework of ‘partnership as practice’, is participatory comprehensive, long‐term and dynamic to individual patient‐family needs.Design.  Retrospective and prospective pretest–post‐test intervention study.Methods.  Eleven men and 39 women participated (n = 50). Mean age was 66 years. The majority (n = 36) had severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (GOLD stage III and IV). Actual study period was six months (T2). Hospital admission data were collected six months prior to (T1) and six months after that period (T3), a total of 18 months.Results.  Hospital admission rate and days spent in hospital because of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were significantly reduced. Disease‐specific health‐related quality of life measured by St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire improved significantly. For those with clinical anxiety and depression, both decreased significantly. Of those who were underweight, body mass index improved significantly. Abstinence from smoking changed non‐significantly. Capability in the use of inhaler medications improved.Conclusions.  These results are in contrast to previous studies on outpatient nursing care for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The participatory nature of partnership with dialogue as central and which was uniquely implemented in this study might be of particular relevance for individuals and families living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Relevance to clinical practice.  Complex and comprehensive health needs of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their families may be effectively addressed in partnership centred on dialogue together with efficient intra‐and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Understanding coronary atherosclerosis in relation to obesity: is getting the distribution of body fatness using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry worth the effort? A novel perspective using Bayesian Networks
Authors: Foltran Francesca , Berchialla Paola , Bigi Riccardo , Migliaretti Giuseppe , Bestetti Alberto , Gregori Dario 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAim  A relative excess of fat in the upper body region has been proven to be associated with increased coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) is probably the most accurate and precise method available to study fat regional distribution and to directly measure total body fat and lean soft tissue mass. However, while several studies have investigated the abilities of obesity anthropometric measures in predicting CAD, only few studies have evaluated DXA as CAD predictor; particularly, a comparison between a model including information coming from anthropometric measurements and a model in which fat is precisely measured by DXA, is still lacking. In order to verify if CAD severity, as measured by Gensini score, is better predicted when a prognostic model includes DXA measurements rather than anthropometric measures, we compared performance obtained by two Bayesian Networks (BNs) including standard anthropometric measures and DXA, respectively.Methods  Data come from 58 consecutive patients, 79% of them having suspected and 21% known CAD. Two BNs were implemented: input variables include anamnestic information, biochemical data and obesity measures. In the first model (BN1) obesity was measured by body mass index and waist‐to‐hip ratio, while in the second one (BN2) it is quantified by DXA‐derived parameters.Results  Network graphs and results coming from sensitivity analysis show that in both models lipoproteins and biomarkers of inflammation act as proximal node, while obesity (independently of the chosen measure) appears to be a distal node acting by the intermediation of other variables. Both models show high predictive abilities, the mean percentage classification errors being, respectively, 14.13 and 18.87.Conclusions  In our study, the BN predictive ability is slightly superior when obesity is measured using anthropometric data instead of DXA measurements. The reason probably relies on the fact that in the BN the obesity role in predicting CAD is mediated by the action of other factors that appear to be more directly influencing the outcome. Thus, the necessity to dispose of a perfect measure becomes less compulsory and the huge effort to precisely estimate body composition with complex methods as DXA could be avoided when using expert system such as BN as predictive tool.
Making sense of polarities in health organizations for policy and leadership
Authors: Martin Carmel M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractMaking sense of complex adaptive clinical practice and health systems is a pressing challenge as health services continue to struggle to adapt to changing internal and external constraints. In this Forum, we begin with Dervin's Sense‐Making theories and research in communications. This provides a conceptual and theoretical context for this editions research on comparative complexity of family medicine consultations in the USA, models for adaptive leadership in clinical care and social networking to make sense of health promotion challenges for young people. Finally, a Sense‐Making schema is proposed.
Trends in the perceived complexity of primary health care: a secondary analysis
Authors: Katerndahl David , Parchman Michael , Wood Robert 
Published: September 2010

AbstractRationale  If the complexity of the patient's medical problems increases or the complexity of the interactions between the doctor and the patient, the staff or the health care system increase, then complexity of patient care will increase. This study examined trends in patient complexity, and identified doctor, practice and improvement strategy characteristics associated with perceived complexity.Methods  This secondary analysis used data from three Community Tracking Surveys with 22 134 primary care doctors completing surveys about themselves, their practice setting, practice improvement strategies and complexity of care in three consecutive 2‐year time periods (1996–1997, 1998–1999, 2000–2001). Data were analysed using hierarchical logistic regression.Results  The proportion of primary care doctors who perceived that complexity of care had increased over the past 2 years rose from 31.5% to 35.9%. Perceived complexity of patient care was consistently related to being in solo practice and the belief that they could not frequently obtain high‐quality services and referrals for patients. As availability of services increased, complexity decreased whereas as use of practice improvement strategies increased, complexity also increased.Conclusions  Understanding that we cannot determine whether respondents understood care as ‘complicated’ or ‘complex’, potential consequences of this increase in complexity include an increase in medical errors and referral rates along with decreased quality of patient care and career satisfaction.