bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Orofacial diseases in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Petti S , Polimeni A , Berloco PB , Scully C 
Published: March 2012

Oral Diseases(2012)19, 18–36Objective: Solid organ transplant (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at risk of several diseases, principally attributable to immunosuppression. This global overview of SOT/HSCT‐associated orofacial diseases is aimed at providing a practical instrument for the oral healthcare management of SOT/HSCT recipients.Methods: Literature search was made through MEDLINE. The associations between orofacial diseases and SOT/HSCT were assessed using observational studies and case series and were classified into ‘association’, ‘no association’, and ‘unclear association’.Results: Lip/oral cancers, drug‐induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO), infections, including hairy leukoplakia and, less frequently, post‐transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) and oral lichenoid lesions of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), were associated with SOT. Lip/oral cancers, GVHD, mucositis, DIGO, infections and, less frequently, PTLDs were associated with HSCT. Associations of orofacial granulomatosis‐like lesions and oral mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue‐type lymphoma with SOT, and of pyogenic granuloma and hairy leukoplakia with HSCT were unclear. Periodontal disease and dental caries were not associated with SOT/HSCT. For none of the local treatments was there a strong evidence of effectiveness.Conclusions: Solid organ transplant/HSCT recipients are at risk of orofacial diseases. Adequate management of these patients alleviates local symptoms responsible for impaired eating, helps prevent systemic and lethal complications, and helps where dental healthcare has been neglected.
Application of MIKE SHE modelling system to set up a detailed water balance computation
Authors: Rahim Bahaa‐eldin E. A. , Yusoff Ismail , Jafri Azmi M. , Othman Zainudin , Abdul Ghani Azman 
Published: March 2012

AbstractEstimation of total water balance is a substantial issue for watershed modelling in order to simulate the major components of the hydrological cycle to determine the stress of different anthropogenic activities on the available water resources within a catchment. In this context, the fully distributed physically based MIKE SHE modelling system was used to simulate the individual hydrological components of the total water balance for the Paya Indah Wetlands (PIW) watershed in the west of Peninsular Malaysia. Results reveal that the overall water balance is predominantly controlled by climate variables. Application of the model to the PIW watershed provides detailed estimation of the total water balance for a first‐order catchment in which actual evapotranspiration (ET) represents approximately 65 and 58%, while overland flow (OL) to the PIW lake system represents 12.38 and 12.3% of the total rainfall during the calibration and validation periods, respectively. The difference of the inflow and outflow was taken as storage in depth. Overall, the model gives a reasonable output of total error of less than 1% of the total rainfall, which in turn indicates that the interaction among components is satisfactorily sustained.
Overexpression of Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 2 suppresses transforming growth factor‐β mediated liver fibrosis
Authors: CAI Yu , ZHOU Chao Hui , FU Da , SHEN Xi Zhong 
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE:  To determine the function of Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2) on the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.METHODS:  In vivo Smurf2 expression in fibrotic and cirrhotic rat and human liver tissues were measured using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry. In vitro Smurf2 levels were determined in LX‐2 cell line with or without transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 treatment; I, III, IV collagen and laminin levels were determined by ELISA. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1‐Smurf2 was transfected into LX‐2 cells, and WB and ELISA were utilized to analyze the expression of TGF‐β receptor type I (TβRI), Smad7, collagens and laminin with or without proteasome inhibitor MG‐132. Coimmunoprecipitation was utilized to characterize the interactions among these factors and the ubiquitination levels. pcDNA3.1‐Smad7 vector was transfected and subsequent examinations were conducted just as Smurf2.RESULTS:  Smurf2 levels were elevated in the early period of fibrotic rat liver and TGF‐β1‐treated LX‐2 cells but were reduced in the cirrhotic livers. Smurf2 overexpression in LX‐2 cells reduced TβRI and Smad7 levels, which was accompanied by decreased collagen and laminin levels. Coimmunoprecipitation demonstrated that Smurf2 interacted with TβRI and Smad7, which increased TβRI and Smad7 ubiquitin levels. Smad7 overexpression reduced the TβRI level and was accompanied by decreased collagen and laminin levels. MG‐132 could antagonize these effects.CONCLUSION:  Smurf2 interacts with Smad7 to suppress TGF‐β‐mediated liver fibrosis through the ubiquitin‐dependent degradation of TβRI during the early period of liver fibrosis.
Adenocarcinoma (NOS) of buccal mucosa metastasising to lung and frontal lobe of the brain: report of a rare case
Authors: Rajeev R. , Beena V.T. , Choudhary K. , Divya G. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground:  Adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (ANOS), is a malignant salivary gland tumor that exhibits ductal differentiation but lacks any of the histomorphological features that characterize the other defined types of salivary carcinoma.Case presentation:  This article describes a case of ANOS of the buccal mucosa rapidly metastasizing to the right lung and frontal lobe of brain.Conclusion:  Even though metastatic adenocarcinomas in the oral cavity from other primary sites are a common inclusion among the metastatic tumor of oral cavity, the distant metastasis from an ANOS is a rare finding.
The Interplay Between Gesture and Speech in the Production of Referring Expressions: Investigating the Tradeoff Hypothesis
Authors: de Ruiter Jan P. , Bangerter Adrian , Dings Paula 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe tradeoff hypothesis in the speech–gesture relationship claims that (a) when gesturing gets harder, speakers will rely relatively more on speech, and (b) when speaking gets harder, speakers will rely relatively more on gestures. We tested the second part of this hypothesis in an experimental collaborative referring paradigm where pairs of participants (directors and matchers) identified targets to each other from an array visible to both of them. We manipulated two factors known to affect the difficulty of speaking to assess their effects on the gesture rate per 100 words. The first factor, codability, is the ease with which targets can be described. The second factor, repetition, is whether the targets are old or new (having been already described once or twice). We also manipulated a third factor, mutual visibility, because it is known to affect the rate and type of gesture produced. None of the manipulations systematically affected the gesture rate. Our data are thus mostly inconsistent with the tradeoff hypothesis. However, the gesture rate was sensitive to concurrent features of referring expressions, suggesting that gesture parallels aspects of speech. We argue that the redundancy between speech and gesture is communicatively motivated.
Modeling Listeners’ Emotional Response to Music
Authors: Eerola Tuomas 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAn overview of the computational prediction of emotional responses to music is presented. Communication of emotions by music has received a great deal of attention during the last years and a large number of empirical studies have described the role of individual features (tempo, mode, articulation, timbre) in predicting the emotions suggested or invoked by the music. However, unlike the present work, relatively few studies have attempted to model continua of expressed emotions using a variety of musical features from audio‐based representations in a correlation design. The construction of the computational model is divided into four separate phases, with a different focus for evaluation. These phases include the theoretical selection of relevant features, empirical assessment of feature validity, actual feature selection, and overall evaluation of the model. Existing research on music and emotions and extraction of musical features is reviewed in terms of these criteria. Examples drawn from recent studies of emotions within the context of film soundtracks are used to demonstrate each phase in the construction of the model. These models are able to explain the dominant part of the listeners’ self‐reports of the emotions expressed by music and the models show potential to generalize over different genres within Western music. Possible applications of the computational models of emotions are discussed.
Making heads or tails of probability: An experiment with random generators
Authors: Morsanyi Kinga , Handley Simon J. , Serpell Sylvie 
Published: March 2012

Background. The equiprobability bias is a tendency for individuals to think of probabilistic events as ‘equiprobable’ by nature, and to judge outcomes that occur with different probabilities as equally likely. The equiprobability bias has been repeatedly found to be related to formal education in statistics, and it is claimed to be based on a misunderstanding of the concept of randomness.Aims. The aim of the present study was to examine whether experimenting with random generators would decrease the equiprobability bias.Sample. The participants were 108 psychology students whose performance was measured either immediately after taking part in a training session (n= 55), or without doing any training exercises (n= 53).Method. The training session consisted of four activities. These included generating random sequences of events, and learning about the law of large numbers. Subsequently, the participants were tested on a series of equiprobability problems, and a number of other problems with similar structure and content.Results. The results indicated that the training successfully decreased the equiprobability bias. However, this effect was moderated by participants’ cognitive ability (i.e., higher ability participants benefitted from the training more than participants with lower cognitive ability). Finally, the training session had the unexpected side effect of increasing students’ susceptibility to the representativeness heuristic.Conclusions. Experimenting with random generators has a positive effect on students’ general understanding of probability, but the same time it might increase their susceptibility to certain biases (especially, to the representativeness heuristic). These findings have important implications for using training methods to improve probabilistic reasoning performance.
Composting for Avian Influenza Virus Elimination
Authors: Elving Josefine , Emmoth Eva , Albihn Ann , Vinnerås Björn , Ottoson Jakob 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTEffective sanitization is important in viral epizootic outbreaks to avoid further spread of the pathogen. This study examined thermal inactivation as a sanitizing treatment for manure inoculated with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H7N1 and bacteriophages MS2 and ϕ6. Rapid inactivation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H7N1 was achieved at both mesophilic (35°C) and thermophilic (45 and 55°C) temperatures. Similar inactivation rates were observed for bacteriophage ϕ6, while bacteriophage MS2 proved too thermoresistant to be considered a valuable indicator organism for avian influenza virus during thermal treatments. Guidelines for treatment of litter in the event of emergency composting can be formulated based on the inactivation rates obtained in the study.
The Variable Subdomain of Escherichia coli SecA Functions To Regulate SecA ATPase Activity and ADP Release
Authors: Das Sanchaita , Grady Lorry M. , Michtavy Jennifer , Zhou Yayan , Cohan Frederick M. , Hingorani Manju M. , Oliver Donald B. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Bacterial SecA proteins can be categorized by the presence or absence of a variable subdomain (VAR) located within nucleotide-binding domain II of the SecA DEAD motor. Here we show that VAR is dispensable for SecA function, since the VAR deletion mutant
secA
Δ
519
–
547
displayed a wild-type rate of cellular growth and protein export. Loss or gain of VAR is extremely rare in the history of bacterial evolution, indicating that it appears to contribute to
secA
function within the relevant species in their natural environments. VAR removal also results in additional
secA
phenotypes: azide resistance (Azi
r
) and suppression of signal sequence defects (PrlD). The SecAΔ(519–547) protein was found to be modestly hyperactive for SecA ATPase activities and displayed an accelerated rate of ADP release, consistent with the biochemical basis of azide resistance. Based on our findings, we discuss models whereby VAR allosterically regulates SecA DEAD motor function at SecYEG.
Identification of the HetR Recognition Sequence Upstream of
hetZ
in Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120
Authors: Du Ye , Cai Yan , Hou Shengwei , Xu Xudong 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

HetR is the master regulator of heterocyst differentiation in
Anabaena
sp. strain PCC 7120 and has been found to specifically bind to an inverted-repeat-containing region upstream of
hetP
, a heterocyst differentiation gene. However, no such inverted-repeat sequence can be found in promoters of other genes in the genome.
hetZ
is a gene involved in early heterocyst differentiation. As shown with the
gfp
reporter gene, transcription from P

hetZ

was correlated to the expression level of
hetR
and inhibition by RGSGR, the pentapeptide derived from the C terminus of PatS. As detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, a recombinant HetR showed specific binding to the region upstream of
hetZ
, and the binding was inhibited by RGSGR. Tests of a series of the upstream fragments delimited the HetR-binding site to a 40-bp region that shows similarity to that upstream of
hetP
. The introduction of substitutions of bases conserved in the two HetR-binding sites showed that at least 12 bases are required for recognition by HetR. Deletion of a 51-bp region containing the HetR-binding site completely eliminated the transcription activity of P

hetZ

. Based on the HetR recognition sequence of
hetZ
, those upstream of
hetR
and
patA
are proposed.
Postgenomic Analyses Reveal Development of Infectious Anaplasma phagocytophilum during Transmission from Ticks to Mice
Authors: Mastronunzio Juliana E. , Kurscheid Sebastian , Fikrig Erol 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTObligate intracellular bacteria of theRickettsialesorder have evolved to colonize both arthropod and mammalian hosts, but few details are known about the bacterial adaptations that occur during transmission from blood-feeding arthropods to mammals. Here we apply proteomics and transcriptome sequencing toAnaplasma phagocytophilum, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis, inIxodes scapularistick salivary glands, to detect proteins or genes expressed by the pathogen during transmission feeding by the tick. We detected expression of 139 genes, representing 11% of the open reading frames (ORFs) in theA. phagocytophilumgenome. The predominant categories of proteins were ribosomal proteins, cell surface proteins, chaperones, and uncharacterized proteins. There was no evidence of DNA replication enzymes, suggesting that most of theA. phagocytophilumcells were no longer dividing. Instead, protein expression reflected conversion to the extracellular, infectious “dense-core” (DC) form. High expression of a DC-specific marker, APH_1235, further suggested this developmental transition in ticks. We showed that blocking APH_1235 with antibodies reducedA. phagocytophiluminfection levels in mammalian cell culture. This work represents a starting point for clarifying essential proteins expressed byA. phagocytophilumduring transmission from ticks to mammals and demonstrates that the abundantly expressed, DC-associated APH_1235 protein is important duringin vivoinfection byA. phagocytophilum.
Factors predicting work status 3 months after injury: results from the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study
Authors: Lilley Rebbecca , Davie Gabrielle , Ameratunga Shanthi , Derrett Sarah 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveFew studies examine predictors of work status following injury beyond injuries presenting to a hospital or emergency department. This paper examines the combined influences of socio-demographic, occupational, injury and pre-existing health and lifestyle factors as predictors of work status 3 months after hospitalised and non-hospitalised injury in a cohort of injured New Zealand workers.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThe Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study, New Zealand.Participants2626 workforce active participants were identified from the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study; 11 participants with missing outcome responses were excluded.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome of interest was ‘not working’ at the time of interview.Results720 (27%) reported ‘not working’ 3 months after injury. The most important pre-injury predictors of not working following injury found by multidimensional modelling were as follows: low or unknown income, financial insecurity, physical work tasks, temporary employment, long week schedules, obesity, perceived threat to life and hospital admission. Contrary to expectations, workers reporting less frequent exercise pre-injury had lower odds of work absence. Pre-injury psychosocial and health factors were not associated with not working.ConclusionCertain pre-injury socio-demographic, physical work, work organisation, lifestyle and injury-related factors were associated with not working 3 months after injury. If these findings are confirmed, intervention strategies aimed at improving return to work should address multiple dimensions of both the worker and the workplace.
Identifying, understanding and overcoming barriers to medication error reporting in hospitals: a focus group study
Authors: Hartnell Nicole , MacKinnon Neil , Sketris Ingrid , Fleming Mark 
Published: March 2012

ObjectivesThe under-reporting of medication errors can compromise patient safety. A qualitative study was conducted to enhance the understanding of barriers to medication error reporting in healthcare organisations.MethodsFocus groups (with physicians, pharmacists and nurses) and in-depth interviews (with risk managers) were used to identify medication error reporting beliefs and practices at four community hospitals in Nova Scotia, Canada. Audio tapes were transcribed verbatim and analysed for thematic content using the template style of analysis. The development and analysis of this study were guided by Safety Culture Theory.ResultsIncentives for medication error reporting were thematised into three categories: patient protection, provider protection and professional compliance. Barriers to medication error reporting were thematised into five categories: reporter burden, professional identity, information gap, organisational factors and fear. Facilitators to encourage medication error reporting were classified into three categories: reducing reporter burden, closing the communication gap and educating for success. Participants indicated they would report medication errors more frequently if reporting were made easier, if they were adequately educated about reporting, and if they received timely feedback.ConclusionsStudy results may lead to a better understanding of the barriers to medication error reporting, why these barriers exist and what can be done to successfully overcome them. These results could be used by hospitals to encourage reporting of medication errors and ultimately make organisational changes leading to a reduction in the incidence of medication errors and an improvement in patient safety.
Survey of the use of therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest in UK paediatric emergency departments
Authors: Scholefield Barnaby R , Lyttle Mark D , Berry Kathleen , Duncan Heather P , Morris Kevin P 
Published: March 2012

ObjectivesTo ascertain current use of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) after paediatric cardiac arrest in UK emergency departments (EDs), and views on participating in a UK randomised controlled trial (RCT) incorporating early induction of TH in ED.DesignAnonymous web-based survey of 77 UK Emergency Medicine (EM) consultants from 28 UK EDs that see children during the period April–June 2010.Results62% (48/77) of surveyed consultants responded from 21/28 (75%) EDs. All managed children post cardiac arrest. 90% (43/48) were aware of the literature concerning TH after cardiac arrest in adults. However, 63% (30/48) had never used TH in paediatric practice. All departments had at least one method of inducing TH (surface cooling; air/water blankets; intravenous cold fluid or catheters). Reasons stated for not inducing TH included no equipment available (26%; 11/42), TH not advocated by the local PICU (24%; 10/42) and not enough evidence for its use (24%; 10/42). TH was considered based on advice from the local Paediatric Intensive Care Units (68%; 17/25) or likelihood of recovery after arrest (32%; 8/25). There was strong support for a UK RCT of TH versus normothermia (85%; 40/47). The proposed RCT was felt to be ethical (87%; 40/48) with use of deferred consent acceptable (74%; 34/46).ConclusionUK EM consultants are aware of TH but infrequently initiate the therapy in children for a number of reasons. Their involvement would enable early induction of TH in EDs after paediatric cardiac arrest during a UK RCT. The authors have demonstrated the availability of suitable equipment and EM consultant support for participation in such a RCT.
‘Do you know where your cyanide kit is?’: a study of perceived and actual antidote availability to emergency departments in the South West of England
Authors: Mitchell Louisa J , Higginson Ian , Smith Jason E , Swains Liam , Farrant Jennifer , Gagg James , Lindenbaum Charlotte , Mathieu Nick 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveThe authors set out to investigate perceived and actual availability of antidotes recommended for stocking in emergency departments (EDs) by the College of Emergency Medicine in EDs in the South West of England.MethodsData collectors were asked to physically locate each relevant antidote in the ED, and check whether the recommended quantity was available. If the antidote was not available in the department, the data collector located where in the hospital stocks were available. Senior medical and nursing staff were asked to specify where they believed the antidotes were stored or who they would ask if they did not know. It was then ascertained whether their source of advice would have known the location.Results5 out of 6 departments returned data with an overall response rate from senior medical and nursing staff of 80%. Knowledge of common antidote locations was variable, and stocking of antidotes did not universally meet the College of Emergency Medicine recommendations.ConclusionStocking of important antidotes should be rationalised and simplified using central locations, preferably close to the ED. Clinically important antidotes may not be available for patients when they need them. Clear guidance should be available for staff detailing the location of antidotes. There is a need for clarification around the treatment of cyanide poisoning to facilitate rational antidote stocking for this potentially lethal condition.