bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological, genetic and epigenetic aspects of the research on healthy ageing and longevity
Authors: Montesanto Alberto , Dato Serena , Bellizzi Dina , Rose Giuseppina , Passarino Giuseppe 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Healthy ageing and longevity in humans result from a number of factors, including genetic background, favorable environmental and social factors and chance.
In this article we aimed to overview the research on the biological basis of human healthy ageing and longevity, discussing the role of epidemiological, genetic and epigenetic factors in the variation of quality of ageing and lifespan, including the most promising candidate genes investigated so far. Moreover, we reported the methodologies applied for their identification, discussing advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches and possible solutions that can be taken to overcome them. Finally, we illustrated the recent approaches to define healthy ageing and underlined the role that the emerging field of epigenetics is gaining in the search for the determinants of healthy ageing and longevity.
Visual categorisation of the arch index: a simplified measure of foot posture in older people
Authors: Menz Hylton B , Fotoohabadi Mohammad R , Wee Elin , Spink Martin J 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundFoot posture is considered to be an important component of musculoskeletal assessment in clinical practice and research. However, many measurement approaches are not suitable for routine use as they are time‐consuming or require specialised equipment and/or clinical expertise. The objective of this study was therefore to develop and evaluate a simple visual tool for foot posture assessment based on the Arch Index (AI) that could be used in clinical and research settings.MethodsFully weightbearing footprints from 602 people aged 62 to 96 years were obtained using a carbon paper imprint material, and cut‐off AI scores dividing participants into three categories (high, normal and low) were determined using the central limit theorem (i.e. normal = +/− 1 standard deviation from the mean). A visual tool was then created using representative examples for the boundaries of each category. Two examiners were then asked to use the tool to independently grade the footprints of 60 participants (20 for each of the three categories, randomly presented), and then repeat the process two weeks later. Inter‐ and intra‐tester reliability was determined using Spearman's rho, percentage agreement and weighted kappa statistics. The validity of the examiner's assessments was evaluated by comparing their categorisations to the actual AI score using Spearman's rho and analysis of variance (ANOVA), and to the actual AI category using percentage agreement, Spearman's rho and weighted kappa.ResultsInter‐ and intra‐tester reliability of the examiners was almost perfect (percentage agreement = 93 to 97%; Spearman's rho = 0.91 to 0.95, and weighted kappas = 0.85 to 0.93). Examiner's scores were strongly correlated with actual AI values (Spearman's rho = 0.91 to 0.94 and significant differences between all categories with ANOVA; p < 0.001) and AI categories (percentage agreement = 95 to 98%; Spearman's rho = 0.89 to 0.94, and weighted kappas = 0.87 to 0.94). There was a slight tendency for examiners to categorise participants as having higher arches than their AI scores indicated.ConclusionsFoot posture can be quickly and reliably categorised as high, normal or low in older people using a simplified visual categorisation tool based on the AI.
Ratio of involved/uninvolved immunoglobulin quantification by Hevylite™ assay: clinical and prognostic impact in multiple myeloma
Authors: Koulieris Efstathios , Panayiotidis Panayiotis , Harding Stephen J , Kafasi Nikolitsa , Maltezas Dimitris , Bartzis Vassiliki , Tzenou Tatiana , Dimou Maria , Georgiou George , Mirbahai Ladan , Bradwell Arthur R , Kyrtsonis Marie-Christine 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
HevyLite™ is a new, recently developed method that facilitates separate quantification of the kappa- and lambda-bounded amounts of a given immunoglobulin (Ig). Using this method, we measured intact immunoglobulin (heavy/light chain; HLC) IgG-kappa, IgG-lambda, IgA-kappa, IgA-lambda individually, as well as their deriving ratios (HLCR) in a series of IgG or IgA multiple myeloma (MM) patients, to investigate and assess the contribution of these tests to disease evaluation.

Patients and methods
HevyLite™ assays were used in sera from 130 healthy individuals (HI) and 103 MM patients, at time of diagnosis. In patients, the level of paraprotein was IgG in 78 (52 IgG-kappa, 26 IgG-lambda) and IgΑ in 25 (13 IgΑ-kappa, 12 IgΑ-lambda). Durie-Salmon and International Staging System stages were evenly distributed. Symptomatic patients (n = 77) received treatment while asymptomatic ones (n = 26) were followed. Patients' median follow-up was at 32.6 months. HLCR was calculated with the involved Ig (either G or A) as numerator.

Results
In HI, median IgG-kappa was 6.85, IgG-lambda 3.81, IgA-kappa 1.19 and IgA-lambda 0.98 g/L. The corresponding median involving HLC values in MM patients were 25.8, 23.45, 28.9 and 36.4 g/L. HLC-IgG related to anemia, high serum free light chain ratio and extensive bone marrow infiltration, while high HLCR correlated with the same plus increased β2-microglobulin. In addition, increased HLCR and the presence of immunoparesis correlated with time to treatment. Patients with high HLCR had a significantly shorter survival (p = 0.022); HLCR retained its prognostic value in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions
HLC and HLCR quantify the precise amount of the involved immunoglobulin more accurately than other methods; moreover, they carry prognostic information regarding survival in MM patients.
High levels of RNA-editing site conservation amongst 15 laboratory mouse strains
Authors: Danecek Petr , Nellåker Christoffer , McIntyre Rebecca E , Buendia-Buendia Jorge E , Bumpstead Suzannah , Ponting Chris P , Flint Jonathan , Durbin Richard , Keane Thomas M , Adams David J 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Background
Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing is a site-selective post-transcriptional alteration of double-stranded RNA by ADAR deaminases that is crucial for homeostasis and development. Recently the Mouse Genomes Project generated genome sequences for 17 laboratory mouse strains and rich catalogues of variants. We also generated RNA-seq data from whole brain RNA from 15 of the sequenced strains.

Results
Here we present a computational approach that takes an initial set of transcriptome/genome mismatch sites and filters these calls taking into account systematic biases in alignment, single nucleotide variant calling, and sequencing depth to identify RNA editing sites with high accuracy. We applied this approach to our panel of mouse strain transcriptomes identifying 7,389 editing sites with an estimated false-discovery rate of between 2.9 and 10.5%. The overwhelming majority of these edits were of the A-to-I type, with less than 2.4% not of this class, and only three of these edits could not be explained as alignment artifacts. We validated 24 novel RNA editing sites in coding sequence, including two non-synonymous edits in the Cacna1d gene that fell into the IQ domain portion of the Cav1.2 voltage-gated calcium channel, indicating a potential role for editing in the generation of transcript diversity.

Conclusions
We show that despite over two million years of evolutionary divergence, the sites edited and the level of editing at each site is remarkably consistent across the 15 strains. In the Cds2 gene we find evidence for RNA editing acting to preserve the ancestral transcript sequence despite genomic sequence divergence.
Time-domain-induced polarization: Full-decay forward modeling and 1D laterally constrained inversion of Cole-Cole parameters
Authors: Fiandaca Gianluca , Auken Esben , Christiansen Anders Vest , Gazoty Aurélie 
Published: April 2012

Time-domain-induced polarization has significantly broadened its field of reference during the last decade, from mineral exploration to environmental geophysics, e.g., for clay and peat identification and landfill characterization. Though, insufficient modeling tools have hitherto limited the use of time-domain-induced polarization for wider purposes. For these reasons, a new forward code and inversion algorithm have been developed using the full-time decay of the induced polarization response, together with an accurate description of the transmitter waveform and of the receiver transfer function, to reconstruct the distribution of the Cole-Cole parameters of the earth. The accurate modeling of the transmitter waveform had a strong influence on the forward response, and we showed that the difference between a solution using a step response and a solution using the accurate modeling often is above 100%. Furthermore, the presence of low-pass filters in time-domain-induced polarization instruments affects the early times of the acquired decays (typically up to 100 ms) and has to be modeled in the forward response to avoid significant loss of resolution. The developed forward code has been implemented in a 1D laterally constrained inversion algorithm that extracts the spectral content of the induced polarization phenomenon in terms of the Cole-Cole parameters. Synthetic examples and field examples from Denmark showed a significant improvement in the resolution of the parameters that control the induced polarization response when compared to traditional integral chargeability inversion. The quality of the inversion results has been assessed by a complete uncertainty analysis of the model parameters; furthermore, borehole information confirm the outcomes of the field interpretations. With this new accurate code in situ time-domain-induced polarization measurements give access to new applications in environmental and hydrogeophysical investigations, e.g., accurate landfill delineation or on the relation between Cole-Cole and hydraulic parameters.
Chemical Etching Route to Prepare Nanometer-size Spherical Titania–Octadecylamine Hybrid Particles
Authors: Shiba Kota , Ogawa Makoto 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Spherical titania–octadecylamine hybrids (tens of nm to hundreds of nm) were obtained by the dissolution of presynthesized well-defined spherical particles with different size (70, 120, and 240 nm). The dissolution proceeds homogenously to give well-defined and size-controlled products when the reaction is conducted at room temperature in methanol.
Pd-complex-bound Amino Acid-based Supramolecular Gel Catalyst for Intramolecular Addition–Cyclization of Alkynoic Acids in Water
Authors: Ogata Kazuki , Sasano Daisuke , Yokoi Tomoya , Isozaki Katsuhiro , Seike Hirofumi , Takaya Hikaru , Nakamura Masaharu 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
An NCN-pincer Pd-complex-bound norvaline-based supramolecular gel showed efficient catalytic activities for the intramolecular addition–cyclization of alkynoic acid and phenol derivatives in water to afford the corresponding ene-lactones in good to excellent yields.
Biomechanical comparison of four methods of repair of the Achilles tendon
Authors: Ortiz C. , Wagner E. , Mocoçain P. , Labarca G. , Keller A. , Del Buono A. , Maffulli N. 
Published: April 2012

We tested four types of surgical repair for load to failure and distraction in a bovine model of Achilles tendon repair. A total of 20 fresh bovine Achilles tendons were divided transversely 4 cm proximal to the calcaneal insertion and randomly repaired using the Dresden technique, a Krackow suture, a triple-strand Dresden technique or a modified oblique Dresden technique, all using a Fiberwire suture. Each tendon was loaded to failure. The force applied when a 5 mm gap was formed, peak load to failure, and mechanism of failure were recorded. The resistance to distraction was significantly greater for the triple technique (mean 246.1 N (205 to 309) to initial gapping) than for the Dresden (mean 180 N (152 to 208); p = 0.012) and the Krackow repairs (mean 101 N (78 to 112; p < 0.001). Peak load to failure was significantly greater for the triple-strand repair (mean 675 N (453 to 749)) than for the Dresden (mean 327.8 N (238 to 406); p < 0.001), Krackow (mean 223.6 N (210 to 252); p < 0.001) and oblique repairs (mean 437.2 N (372 to 526); p < 0.001). Failure of the tendon was the mechanism of failure for all specimens except for the tendons sutured using the Krackow technique, where the failure occurred at the knot. The triple-strand technique significantly increased the tensile strength (p = 0.0001) and gap resistance (p = 0.01) of bovine tendon repairs, and might have advantages in human application for accelerated post-operative rehabilitation.
The double-mobility acetabular component in revision total hip replacement
Authors: Vasukutty N. L. , Middleton R. G. , Matthews E. C. , Young P. S. , Uzoigwe C. E. , Minhas T. H. A. 
Published: April 2012

We present our experience with a double-mobility acetabular component in 155 consecutive revision total hip replacements in 149 patients undertaken between 2005 and 2009, with particular emphasis on the incidence of further dislocation. The mean age of the patients was 77 years (42 to 89) with 59 males and 90 females. In all, five patients died and seven were lost to follow-up. Indications for revision were aseptic loosening in 113 hips, recurrent instability in 29, peri-prosthetic fracture in 11 and sepsis in two. The mean follow-up was 42 months (18 to 68). Three hips (2%) in three patients dislocated within six weeks of surgery; one of these dislocated again after one year. All three were managed successfully with closed reduction. Two of the three dislocations occurred in patients who had undergone revision for recurrent dislocation. All three were found at revision to have abductor deficiency. There were no dislocations in those revised for either aseptic loosening or sepsis.These results demonstrate a good mid-term outcome for this component. In the 29 patients revised for instability, only two had a further dislocation, both of which were managed by closed reduction.
Modic changes in the cervical spine
Authors: Matsumoto M. , Okada E. , Ichihara D. , Chiba K. , Toyama Y. , Fujiwara H. , Momoshima S. , Nishiwaki Y. , Takahata T. 
Published: April 2012

We conducted a prospective follow-up MRI study of originally asymptomatic healthy subjects to clarify the development of Modic changes in the cervical spine over a ten-year period and to identify related factors. Previously, 497 asymptomatic healthy volunteers with no history of cervical trauma or surgery underwent MRI. Of these, 223 underwent a second MRI at a mean follow-up of 11.6 years (10 to 12.7). These 223 subjects comprised 133 men and 100 women with a mean age at second MRI of 50.5 years (23 to 83). Modic changes were classified as not present and types 1 to 3. Changes in Modic types over time and relationships between Modic changes and progression of degeneration of the disc or clinical symptoms were evaluated. A total of 31 subjects (13.9%) showed Modic changes at follow-up: type 1 in nine, type 2 in 18, type 3 in two, and types 1 and 2 in two. Modic changes at follow-up were significantly associated with numbness or pain in the arm, but not with neck pain or shoulder stiffness. Age (≥ 40 years), gender (male), and pre-existing disc degeneration were significantly associated with newly developed Modic changes. In the cervical spine over a ten-year period, type 2 Modic changes developed most frequently. Newly developed Modic changes were significantly associated with age, gender, and pre-existing disc degeneration.
Book Reviews
Authors: Kabanova Daria , Hedling Olof 
Published: April 2012

Selected Works, Sergei Eisenstein, trans. Richard Taylor (Vol. 1), Michael Glenny (Vol. 2) and William Powell (Vol. 3); ed. Richard Taylor (Vols. 1, 2, 3) and Michael Glenny (Vol. 2), (2010) London: I.B. Tauris, 334 pp. (Vol. 1), 428 pp. (Vol. 2), 405 pp. (Vol. 3), ISBN 9781848853584
(pbk), £49.50
Hollywood and the Cultural Elite: How the Movies Became American, Peter Decherney, (2005) New York: Columbia University Press, 269 pp., ISBN 9780231133777 (pbk), $26.00
Density Functional Theory (DFT) Computations of Biological Molecules for Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Korn Michael R. , Estep Marissa L. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTTo assist in the development of biomolecule-based organic semiconductors, the current project uses DFT-based computations at the B3LYP/6-31G* and 6-31G** level to screen 24 small biomolecules for desirable HOMO, LUMO, and Eg energy levels. Biomolecules and their derivatives include purines, indigos, medicinal compounds, and thienyl-based molecules. Several promising compounds have been identified, including indigo and several of its derivatives.
The Effect of an 810‐nm Diode Laser on Postoperative Pain and Tissue Response After Modified Widman Flap Surgery: A Pilot Study in Humans
Authors: Sanz‐Moliner Javier D. , Nart José , Cohen Robert E. , Ciancio Sebastian G. 
Published: April 2012

Background: The purpose of this single‐masked pilot clinical study is to compare the tissue response and postoperative pain after the use of a diode laser (810 nm) (DL) as an adjunct to modified Widman flap (MWF) surgery to that of MWF alone.Methods: Thirteen patients with generalized severe chronic periodontitis completed the study. Control sites were randomly selected to receive an MWF and the contralateral test sites an MWF in conjunction with a DL. The study tooth/site was treated plus any additional teeth in the quadrant in which the site was located, if needed. Randomization was done using a coin flip. The DL was used to de‐epithelialize the inner part of the periodontal flap and photo‐biostimulate the surgical area. Pain scale assessment (PS), pain medication consumption (PM), tissue edema (TE), and tissue color (TC) were evaluated 1 week after surgery.Results: Statistically significant differences were seen for TE (P = 0.041), PM (P <0.001), and PS (P <0.001) favoring test sites. TC did not show a statistically significant difference (P = 0.9766). Patients rated the first surgical treatment (test or control; random assignment to first treatment) performed as more painful than the second (P <0.002).Conclusion: The use of an 810‐nm diode laser provided additional benefits to MWF surgery in terms of less edema and postoperative pain.
Mast Cells Act as Phagocytes Against the Periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Lima Heliton G. , Pinke Karen H. , Gardizani Taiane P. , Souza‐Júnior Devandir A. , Carlos Daniela , Avila‐Campos Mario J. , Lara Vanessa S. 
Published: April 2012

Background: Evidence to date shows that mast cells play a critical role in immune defenses against infectious agents, but there have been no reports about involvement of these cells in eliminating periodontopathogens. In this study, the phagocytic ability of mast cells against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans compared with macrophages is evaluated.Methods: In vitro phagocytic assays were conducted using murine mast cells and macrophages, incubated with A. actinomycetemcomitans, either opsonized or not, with different bacterial load ratios. After 1 hour, cells were stained with acridine orange and assessed by confocal laser‐scanning electron microscopy.Results: Phagocytic ability of murine mast cells against A. actinomycetemcomitans was confirmed. In addition, the percentage of mast cells with internalized bacteria was higher in the absence of opsonization than in the presence of opsonization. Both cell types showed significant phagocytic activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans. However, the percentage of mast cells with non‐opsonized bacteria was higher than that of macrophages with opsonized bacteria in one of the ratios (1:10).Conclusions: This is the first report about the participation of murine mast cells as phagocytes against A. actinomycetemcomitans, mainly in the absence of opsonization with human serum. Our results may indicate that mast cells act as professional phagocytes in the pathogenesis of biofilm‐associated periodontal disease.
Efficacy of Using PDGF and Xenograft With or Without Collagen Membrane for Bone Regeneration Around Immediate Implants With Induced Dehiscence‐Type Defects: A Microcomputed Tomographic Study in Dogs
Authors: Al‐Hazmi Bann Ahmad , Al‐Hamdan Khalid Saleh , Al‐Rasheed Abdulaziz , Babay Nadir , Wang Hom‐Lay , Al‐Hezaimi Khalid 
Published: April 2012

Background: Use of collagen membrane (CM) with xenograft and recombinant human platelet‐derived growth factor (rhPDGF) in guided bone regeneration (GBR) is debatable. The aim of this microcomputed tomographic experiment was to assess the efficacy of using PDGF and xenograft (with or without CM) for GBR around immediate implants with dehiscence defects.Methods: Ten beagle dogs underwent atraumatic bilateral second and fourth premolar extractions from both arches. A standardized dehiscence defect (6 × 3 mm) was created on the buccal bone and immediate implants were placed in distal sockets in each site. Animals were randomly divided into three groups: 1) group 1, xenograft with rhPDGF was placed and covered with CM; 2) group 2, xenograft with rhPDGF was placed over the defects; and 3) group 3, four immediate implants were associated with dehiscence (controls). After 16 weeks, animals were sacrificed and jaw segments were assessed for buccal bone thickness (BBT), buccal bone volume (BBV), vertical bone height (VBH), and bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) using microcomputed tomography.Results: BBT was higher in group 2 (1.533 ± 0.89 mm) than group 1 (0.745 ± 0.322 mm) (P <0.001) and group 3 (0.257 ± 0.232 mm) (P <0.05). BBV was higher in group 2 (67.87 ± 19.83 mm3) than group 1 (42.47 ± 6.78 mm3) (P <0.05) and group 3 (19.12 ± 4.06 mm3) (P <0.001). VBH was higher in group 2 (6.36 ± 1.37 mm) than group 3 (0.00 ± 0.00 mm) (P <0.001). VBH was higher in group 1 (3.91 ± 2.68 mm) than group 3 (0.00 ± 0.00 mm) (P <0.05). BIC was higher in group 2 (67.25% ± 13.42%) than group 1 (36.25% ± 12.78%) (P <0.05) and group 3 (30.25% ± 7.27%) (P <0.01).Conclusion: GBR around immediate implants with dehiscence defects using PDGF and xenograft alone resulted in higher BBT, BBV, VBH, and BIC than when performed in combination with CM.
Mosasauroids from Colombia
Authors: Páramo-Fonseca María Eurídice 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
An overview of the main traits of the mosasauroid remains found in Colombia is presented. Three stratigraphic levels have been identified as mosasauroid-bearing beds. In adition to the already known Turonian material, new fossils found in Coniacian and Campanian rocks are preliminary described. The taphonomic and geological features of the findings, as well as the differences in age and anatomical morphology of the new Colombian mosasauroid remains open new perspectives for the analysis of processes of adaptation to marine life that occurred in mosasaurs during the Cretaceous.