bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the relative efficacy of cognitive and non‐cognitive factors as predictors of dental anxiety
Authors: Carrillo‐Diaz Maria , Crego Antonio , Armfield Jason M. , Romero‐Maroto Martin 
Published: January 2012

Carrillo‐Diaz M, Crego A, Armfield JM, Romero‐Maroto M. Assessing the relative efficacy of cognitive and non‐cognitive factors as predictors of dental anxiety.

Eur J Oral Sci 2012; 120: 82–88. © 2012 Eur J Oral SciAlthough previous research has successfully tested the usefulness of cognitive and non‐cognitive factors to predict dental anxiety, they have rarely been jointly analysed. This study therefore aimed to compare the relative predictive power of a set of cognitive and non‐cognitive factors in accounting for dental anxiety scores. A sample of 167 Spanish undergraduate students (81.4% women; mean age 21.2 yr) completed a questionnaire comprising measures of dental anxiety, non‐cognitive antecedents of dental anxiety (i.e. past aversive dental experiences, exposure to dentally fearful relatives, and trait‐based negative mood), and cognitive variables (i.e. dental‐related cognitive vulnerability, probability/aversiveness expectancies, and dental cognitions and beliefs). In multiple linear regression analyses, cognitions were found to significantly increase the proportion of variance accounted for in dental fear scores (ΔR2 = 0.15, maximum ΔR2 = 0.35). Cognitive factors were found to be the best individual predictors of dental fear (β‐values ranging from 0.23–0.66). Furthermore, scores for past aversive treatment experiences and negative mood were not significant predictors of scores for dental anxiety when cognitive variables were included in the models. The analysis of cognitive mechanisms involved in dental anxiety is revealed as a potentially important point in better understanding this problem.
Prevalence and factors associated to actinic cheilitis in beach workers
Authors: de Souza Lucena EE , Costa DCB , da Silveira EJD , Lima KC 
Published: January 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 575–579Objectives:  Assess the prevalence and potential factors associated to actinic cheilitis (AC) in workers exposed to the sun.Materials and methods:  Workers assigned to urban beaches in a city in Northeastern Brazil completed a questionnaire containing personal and health data. Lips were examined to identify AC.Results:  A total of 362 workers, of which 15.5% exhibited AC, were examined. Among those with AC, there was a prevalence of males (86%), aged 37 years or older (61.4%) and light‐skinned (52.6%). They were undocumented (96.5%), exposed to the sun (84.2%), worked up to 6 h daily (57.9%), five or more times per week (52.6%), and for more than 8 years (54.4%). Photoprotection was used by 89.5%, including sunscreen (42.0%), lip protector (17.5%), and cap/hat (87.7%). Approximately 30% smoked and 29.8% consumed alcohol, 56.2% over two standard shots per day. Most (91.2%) ate healthy food five or more times per week. Being male, aged 37 years or older, having up to 6 years of schooling, being light‐skinned, wearing a cap/hat, and using sunscreen were factors associated to AC.Conclusion:  A high prevalence of actinic AC was observed. Special attention should be given to individuals chronically exposed to UV radiation, with the institution of educational, preventive, and curative measures.
Crystal structures of the Chromobacterium violaceumω‐transaminase reveal major structural rearrangements upon binding of coenzyme PLP
Authors: Humble Maria S. , Cassimjee Karim E. , Håkansson Maria , Kimbung Yengo R. , Walse Björn , Abedi Vahak , Federsel Hans‐Jürgen , Berglund Per , Logan Derek T. 
Published: January 2012

The bacterial ω‐transaminase from Chromobacterium violaceum (Cv‐ωTA, EC2.6.1.18) catalyses industrially important transamination reactions by use of the coenzyme pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP). Here, we present four crystal structures of Cv‐ωTA: two in the apo form, one in the holo form and one in an intermediate state, at resolutions between 1.35 and 2.4 Å. The enzyme is a homodimer with a molecular mass of ∼ 100 kDa. Each monomer has an active site at the dimeric interface that involves amino acid residues from both subunits. The apo‐Cv‐ωTA structure reveals unique ‘relaxed’ conformations of three critical loops involved in structuring the active site that have not previously been seen in a transaminase. Analysis of the four crystal structures reveals major structural rearrangements involving elements of the large and small domains of both monomers that reorganize the active site in the presence of PLP. The conformational change appears to be triggered by binding of the phosphate group of PLP. Furthermore, one of the apo structures shows a disordered ‘roof ’ over the PLP‐binding site, whereas in the other apo form and the holo form the ‘roof’ is ordered. Comparison with other known transaminase crystal structures suggests that ordering of the ‘roof’ structure may be associated with substrate binding in Cv‐ωTA and some other transaminases.DatabaseThe atomic coordinates and structure factors for the Chromobacterium violaceumω‐transaminase crystal structures can be found in the RCSB Protein Data Bank (http://www.rcsb.org) under the accession codes 4A6U for the holoenzyme, 4A6R for the apo1 form, 4A6T for the apo2 form and 4A72 for the mixed formStructured digital abstract
‐transaminases and ‐transaminases bind by dynamic light scattering (View interaction)
‐transaminase and ‐transaminase bind by x‐ray crystallography (View interaction)
‐transaminase and ‐transaminase bind by x‐ray crystallography (View interaction)
Cell Damage Following Carbon Monoxide Releasing Molecule Exposure: Implications for Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Winburn Ian C. , Gunatunga Kishan , McKernan Robert D. , Walker Robert J. , Sammut Ivan A. , Harrison Joanne C. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe cytoprotective properties of carbon monoxide (CO) gas and CO‐releasing molecules (CORMs) are well established. Despite promising pre‐clinical results, little attention has been paid to the toxicological profile of CORMs. The effects of CORM‐2 and its CO‐depleted molecule (iCORM‐2) (20–400 μM) were compared in primary rat cardiomyocytes and two cell lines [human embryonic kidney (HeK) and Madine‐Darby canine kidney Cells (MDCK)]. Cells were assessed for cell viability, apoptosis, necrosis, cytology, mitochondrial energetics, oxidative stress and cell cycle arrest markers. In separate experiments, the anti‐apoptotic effects of CORM‐2 and i‐CORM‐2 treatment were compared against CO gas treatment in HeK and MDCK lines. H2O2‐induced cellular damage, measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from primary cardiomyocytes, was reduced by 20 μM CORM‐2; LDH activity, however, was directly inhibited by 400 μM CORM‐2. Both CORM‐2/iCORM‐2 and CO gas decreased cisplatin‐induced caspase‐3 activity in MDCK and HeK cells suggesting an anti‐apoptotic effect. Conversely, both CORM‐2 and iCORM‐2 induced significant cellular toxicity in the form of decreased cell viability, abnormal cell cytology, increased apoptosis and necrosis, cell cycle arrest and reduced mitochondrial enzyme activity. Comparison of these markers after CO gas administration to MDCK cells found significantly less cellular toxicity than in 100 μM CORM‐2/iCORM‐2‐treated cells. CO gas did not have an adverse effect on mitochondrial energetics and integrity. Release of CO by low concentrations of intact CORM‐2 molecules provides cytoprotective effects. These results show, however, that the ruthenium‐based CORM by‐product, iCORM‐2, is cytotoxic and suggest that the accumulation of iCORM‐2 would seriously limit any clinical application of the ruthenium‐based CORMs.
Investigation of JAK2, STAT3 and CCR6 polymorphisms and their gene–gene interactions in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Polgar N. , Csongei V. , Szabo M. , Zambo V. , Melegh B. I. , Sumegi K. , Nagy G. , Tulassay Z. , Melegh B. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryGenome‐wide association studies identified many loci associated with the two forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Components of the interleukin‐23 signalling pathway, such as IL23R, JAK2 and STAT3, have been implicated in both diseases. In addition, emerging evidence supports the role of IL23‐driven Th17 cells in inflammation. Here, we studied the susceptibility nature of three components of IL23 signalling and Th17 cell differentiation: JAK2 rs10758669, STAT3 rs744166 and CCR6 rs2301436 initially associated with CD in Hungarian CD and UC patients. A total of 616 unrelated subjects with either form of IBD and 496 healthy controls were genotyped with PCR‐RFLP methods. We also tested the genetic interactions of JAK2, STAT3 and CCR6 polymorphisms in a pairwise fashion with regard to disease risk. We could confirm the susceptibility of STAT3 rs744166 TT homozygotes for UC (OR: 1.483, 95% CI: 1.103–1.992, P = 0.009). Data on genetic interaction reveals that the above JAK2 and STAT3 risk alleles contribute to CD susceptibility in combination with each other (OR: 2.218; 95% CI: 1.097–4.487; P = 0.024), while the JAK2 variant shows a tendency to confer UC risk only on a wild‐type STAT3 background (OR: 1.997, 95%CI: 0.994–4.009, P = 0.049). Our results may help in understanding how these natural variants contribute to development of IBD through their genetic association.
A Revised Conservation Assessment of Dipterocarps in Sabah
Authors: Maycock Colin R. , Kettle Chris J. , Khoo Eyen , Pereira Joan T. , Sugau John B. , Nilus Reuben , Ong Robert C. , Amaludin Nazahatul A. , Newman Mark F. , Burslem David F.R.P. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBorneo has experienced a rapid decline in the extent of forest cover, which has reduced the amount of habitat available for many plant and animal species. The precise impact of habitat loss on the conservation status of dipterocarp trees is uncertain. We use three contrasting techniques, the extent of occurrence, area of occupancy and ecological niche models derived using maxent, in conjunction with a current land‐use map of Sabah, to derive estimates of habitat loss and infer a regional IUCN Red List conservation status for 33 Sabah dipterocarp species. Estimates of habitat loss differed significantly according to the methods employed and between species on different habitat types. Proportion of habitat loss determined from the ecological niche models varied from 21 percent for Shorea micans to 99.5 percent for Dipterocarpus lamellatus. Thirty‐two of the 33 dipterocarp species analyzed in this study would have their Sabah populations classified as Threatened (equal to a habitat loss of > 30%) under the A2 IUCN Red List criterion. Dipterocarps that occur in lowland forests have experienced greater habitat loss than upland/lower montane or ultramafic species. In addition, species with the lowest predicted area within their historic distributions had the highest proportion of habitat lost, which provides a rationale for targeting conservation effort on the species with narrow distributions. We recommend the ecological niche modeling approach as a rapid assessment tool for reconstructing species’ historic distributions during conservation assessments of tropical trees.
Virus‐induced Gene Silencing in Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
Authors: Liu Haiping , Fu Daqi , Zhu Benzhong , Yan Huaxue , Shen Xiaoying , Zuo Jinhua , Zhu Yi , Luo Yunbo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractEggplant (Solanum melongena) is an economically important vegetable requiring investigation into its various genomic functions. The current limitation in the investigation of genomic function in eggplant is the lack of effective tools available for conducting functional assays. Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) has played a critical role in the functional genetic analyses. In this paper, TRV‐mediated VIGS was successfully elicited in eggplant. We first cloned the CDS sequence of PDS (PHYTOENE DESATURASE) in eggplant and then silenced the PDS gene. Photo‐bleaching was shown on the newly‐developed leaves four weeks after agroinoculation, indicating that VIGS can be used to silence genes in eggplant. To further illustrate the reliability of VIGS in eggplant, we selected Chl H, Su and CLA1 as reporters to elicit VIGS using the high‐pressure spray method. Suppression of Chl H and Su led to yellow leaves, while the depletion of CLA1 resulted in albino. In conclusion, four genes, PDS, Chl H, Su (Sulfur), CLA1, were down‐regulated significantly by VIGS, indicating that the VIGS system can be successfully applied in eggplant and is a reliable tool for the study of gene function.
Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and Biofilm Formation Inhibitory Activity of 5‐Substituted 3,4‐Dihalo‐5H‐furan‐2‐one Derivatives on Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Liu Guo‐Yong , Guo Bao‐Qin , Chen Wan‐Na , Cheng Chao , Zhang Qian‐Lan , Dai Mi‐Bei , Sun Jun‐Rong , Sun Ping‐Hua , Chen Wei‐Min 
Published: January 2012

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) colonize on most wounds and live as biofilm, which causes antibiotic resistance and wounds unhealed. To investigate the effects of 5‐substituted 3,4‐dihalo‐5H‐furan‐2‐one compounds on biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa, a set of 5‐(aryl‐1′‐hydroxy‐methyl)‐ or 5‐(aryl‐2‐methylene)‐3,4‐dihalo‐5H‐furan‐2‐one compounds were designed and synthesized. Their inhibitory activities on biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa were studied by MIC assay, quantitative analysis of biofilm inhibition, and observation of biofilm formation with SEM. It was found that compounds 2i, 3f, 3i showed remarkable effects of biofilm formation inhibition on P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed to identify the key structural features of these compounds with the binding site of LasR receptor.
Diurnal Variation of Ocular Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Based on Data from a Manikin Head
Authors: Gao Na , Hu Li‐Wen , Gao Qian , Ge Tian‐Tian , Wang Fang , Chu Chun , Yang Hui , Liu Yang 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMeasurements were conducted at San Ya, China (18.4°N, 109.7°E, altitude 18 m) to investigate the diurnal variation of ocular exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The experimental apparatus was composed of a manikin and a dual‐detector spectrometer to simultaneously measure ocular and ambient UV data. The experimental apparatus was rotated clockwise to simulate three different types of exposure. When the manikin was facing into the sun, the ocular exposure to UV radiation on a summer day was bimodally distributed. The maximum ocular UV irradiance occurred at solar elevations of around 40° and 50° for UVA and UVB respectively. The spectral irradiances were measured at specific wavelength to obtain the ocular biologically effective UV (UVBE) irradiances for photokeratitis, photoconjunctivitis and cataract, and the UV index (UVI) was calculated at the same time point for comparison. When the manikin faced the sun, the maximal ocular UVBE irradiance values were obtained at the solar elevation where the UVI value was 8. The results of this study showed that protection against ocular overexposure during outdoor activities should be taken not only at noon but also at other times.
Techniques for Self‐Measurement of Blood Pressure: Limitations and Needs for Future Research
Authors: Palatini Paolo , Frick Gerhard N. 
Published: January 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;14:139–143. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Self blood pressure measurement (SBPM) improves the overall management of hypertension provided it is implemented with methodologic care. This concerns especially the accuracy and technical requirements of blood pressure (BP) measuring devices that should be validated according to internationally accepted protocols. The use of memory‐equipped automatic home monitors is strongly recommended because they reduce observer bias, avoid patients’ misreporting, and allow fully automatic analysis by software. For current use, simple software should be worked out that allow for analysis of readings in an objective manner. Miscuffing is also a frequent source of measurement error in obese arms when oscillometric devices are used. Modern automatic devices can overcome this problem because of special software algorithms that can provide accurate measurements over a wide range of arm circumferences when coupled with a single cuff of standard dimensions. Tronco‐conical–shaped cuffs are a key component of this instrumentation because they better fit on large conical arms frequently present in obese individuals. Semi‐rigid cuffs should be increasingly used because they ensure that the proper amount of tension is applied without the intervention of the user. Continuous technology improvement of instrumentation for SBPM can be achieved through close cooperation between manufacturers and validation centers.
Life history and demographic determinants of effective/census size ratios as exemplified by brown trout (Salmo trutta)
Authors: Serbezov Dimitar , Jorde Per Erik , Bernatchez Louis , Olsen Esben Moland , Vøllestad Leif Asbjørn 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA number of demographic factors, many of which related to human‐driven encroachments, are predicted to decrease the effective population size (Ne) relative to the census population size (N), but these have been little investigated. Yet, it is necessary to know which factors most strongly impact Ne, and how to mitigate these effects through sound management actions. In this study, we use parentage analysis of a stream‐living brown trout (Salmo trutta) population to quantify the effect of between‐individual variance in reproductive success on the effective number of breeders (Nb) relative to the census number of breeders (Ni). Comprehensive estimates of the Nb/N ratio were reduced to 0.16–0.28, almost entirely due to larger than binomial variance in family size. We used computer simulations, based on empirical estimates of age‐specific survival and fecundity rates, to assess the effect of repeat spawning (iteroparity) on Ne and found that the variance in lifetime reproductive success was substantially higher for repeat spawners. Random family‐specific survival, on the other hand, acts to buffer these effects. We discuss the implications of these findings for the management of small populations, where maintaining high and stable levels of Ne is crucial to extenuate inbreeding and protect genetic variability.
AFLPMax: a user‐friendly application for computing the optimal number of amplified fragment length polymorphism markers needed in phylogenetic reconstruction
Authors: GARCÍA‐PEREIRA M. J. , QUESADA H. , CABALLERO A. , CARVAJAL‐RODRÍGUEZ A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAmplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) are widely used for phylogenetic inference especially in non‐model species. Frequently, trees obtained with other nuclear or mitochondrial markers or with morphological information need additional resolution, increased branch support, or independent data sources (i.e. unlinked loci). In such cases, the use of AFLPs is a quick and cheap option. Computer simulation has shown that dominant AFLP markers lead to less accurate tree topologies than bi‐allelic codominant markers such as SNPs, but this difference becomes negligible for shallow trees when using AFLP data sets that include a sufficiently large number of characters. Thus, determining how many AFLP characters are required to recover a given phylogeny is a key issue regarding the appropriateness of AFLPs for phylogenetic reconstruction. Here, we present a user‐friendly, java‐based graphical interface, AFLPMax, which executes an automatic pipeline of different programs providing the user with the optimal number of AFLP characters needed to recover a given phylogeny with high accuracy and support. Executables for Windows, linux and MacOS X operating systems, source code and user manual are available from: http://webs.uvigo.es/acraaj/AFLPMax.htm.
Superselective ophthalmic artery infusion of melphalan for intraocular retinoblastoma: preliminary results from 140 treatments
Authors: Venturi Carlo , Bracco Sandra , Cerase Alfonso , Cioni Samuele , Galluzzi Paolo , Gennari Paola , Vallone Ignazio M. , Tinturini Rebecca , Vittori Cesare , De Francesco Sonia , Caini Mauro , D’Ambrosio Alfonso , Toti Paolo , Renieri Alessandra , Hadjistilianou Theodora 
Published: January 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  To report our experience in superselective ophthalmic artery infusion of melphalan (SOAIM) for intraocular retinoblastoma.Methods:  From June 2008 to October 2010, 38 patients (18 women, 20 men; age range at first treatment, 7 months to 22 years) with 41 eyes with retinoblastoma were scheduled for SOAIM, for 17 newly diagnosed retinoblastomas Tumour, Node and Metastasis (TNM) 7th Edition 1a (n = 1), 1b (n = 1), 2a (n = 7), 2b (n = 4) and 3a (n = 4) and 24 retinoblastomas with partial remission/relapse TNM 7th Edition 1b (n = 13), 2a (n = 1) and 2b (n = 10). Eight patients (ten eyes) have been treated by SOAIM alone. Follow‐up was 6–27 months in 28 patients (30 eyes).Results:  Ophthalmic artery cannulation failed in two patients. Thirty‐six patients underwent 140 treatments by internal (n = 112) or external (n = 28) carotid arteries. No major procedural complications occurred. Two patients have been lost to follow‐up. Remaining 34 patients (37 eyes) had no metastatic disease. Four patients suffered permanent ocular complications: chorioretinal dystrophy (n = 2), ptosis (n = 1) and strabismus/exotropia (n = 1). Eight (22%) eyes in eight (24%) patients underwent enucleation: 7/16 (43%) newly diagnosed retinoblastomas and 1/22 (4.5%) retinoblastomas undergoing partial remission/relapse. For all treated eyes, Kaplan–Meier eye enucleation‐free rates (K‐M) were 85.4% (95% CI, 73.3–97.5%), 74.4% (95% CI, 57–91.8%) and still stable at 6, 12 months and 2 years, respectively. For eyes with partial remission/relapse, and eyes at presentation, K–M at 2 years were 95.5% (95% CI, 86.9–100%) and 45.6% (95% CI, 16.6–74.6%), respectively.Conclusion:  Superselective ophthalmic artery infusion of melphalan was safe and powerful, especially following other therapies. Superselective ophthalmic artery infusion of melphalan should be added to focal therapies spectrum. In selected cases, melphalan should be combined with other chemotherapeutic agents.