bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Timing structures' neuronal activity during preparation for action
Authors: Kilavik Bjørg Elisabeth , Riehle Alexa 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis chapter examines different ways in which timing and probability affect neuronal activity in motor tasks. It describes neuronal data from the motor cortex and analyses the spiking activity of individual neurons during implicit and explicit timing. It investigates the precise spike synchrony and local field potentials of collective activity across multiple neurons and suggests that time is clearly represented in motor cortex, albeit in a context-dependent way.
The neural basis of temporal prediction and the role of dopamine
Authors: Fiorillo Christopher D. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis chapter describes the model of how individual neurons may process temporal information. It discusses the results of experiments on dopamine neurons that provide some insight into temporal aspects of predictions at the systems and behavioural levels. It explains how the plastic regulation of a neuron's non-synaptic ion channels could provide a neuron with the ability to learn to make predictions based on prior temporal information and suggests that temporal uncertainty in reward prediction is high at both the neuronal and behavioural levels.
Electrophysiological markers of foreperiod effects
Authors: Praamstra Peter 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis chapter examines the electroencephalographic (EEG) markers of brain activity used to investigate the brain-based timing mechanisms that presumably underlie temporal preparation as manifested in foreperiod effects. These markers are the contingent negative variation (CNV) and the modulation of sensory-evoked potentials. This chapter discusses the implicit timing effects on the CNV, sensory-evoked potentials, and oscillatory activity and describes the models of timing and the neural representation of timing processes.
Neural bases of rhythm prediction
Authors: Schubotz Ricarda I. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis chapter examines the role of the inferior ventral premotor cortex in rhythm prediction. It discusses the results of studies which used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique to understand the neural basis for rhythm prediction. These studies analysed brain activation during the prediction of upcoming stimuli and the moment of sequential deviance. These findings suggest that the characteristic neuronal tuning in the inferior ventral premotor cortex only result from its position in a specific networking that involves the cerebellar cortex and the parietal projection sites.
How can temporal expectations bias perception and action?
Authors: Nobre Anna C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis chapter examines how temporal expectation can bias action and perception. It explains that the brain continuously generates predictions about expected relevant events to guide perception and action. The chapter describes how these predictions incorporate the temporal dimension to anticipate the timing of events. It also describes studies concerning the neural systems and mechanisms by temporal expectations bias perception and action and discusses the notion that temporal expectations are mediated via networks closely associated with spatial and motor control.
Leucocyte recruitment in inflammation and novel endogenous negative regulators thereof
Authors: Chavakis Triantafyllos 
Published: April 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (6): 686–691AbstractBackground  The process of extravasation of leucocytes from the vasculature into an infected, inflamed or injured tissue, designated the leucocyte adhesion cascade, is a major process in innate and adaptive immunity. In every immune process, both agonists and inhibitors, that is, positive and negative regulators, exist.Materials and methods  It was only recently that endogenous inhibitors of the leucocyte adhesion cascade were identified, whereas many selectin, integrin and immunoglobulin superfamily adhesion receptors as well as chemokines and chemokine receptors promoting leucocyte recruitment have been described over the last three decades. Endogenous negative regulators include for instance pentraxin‐3 (PTX‐3) that blocks selectin‐dependent leucocyte rolling, or the endothelium‐derived developmental endothelial locus‐1 (Del‐1) that antagonizes beta2‐integrin‐mediated firm adhesion of leucocytes to the endothelium.Conclusions  As leucocyte infiltration is a major therapeutic target in inflammatory and autoimmune disease, it becomes obvious that such endogenous anti‐adhesive and anti‐inflammatory agents may represent an attractive novel therapeutic platform for inflammatory and immune disorders. This review focuses on these novel endogenous inhibitors of leucocyte recruitment.
A questionnaire study to derive information on the working environment, clinical training, use of ancillary staff and optimization of patient radiation dose within UK dental practice
Authors: Orafi I. , Rushton V. E. 
Published: April 2012

Orafi I, Rushton VE. A questionnaire study to derive information on the working environment, clinical training, use of ancillary staff and optimization of patient radiation dose within UK dental practice. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 763–772, 2012.AbstractAim  To evaluate the working environment of GDPs and Endodontists and the methods used to optimize patient radiation dose.Methodology  A total of 857 GDPs and 170 specialist Endodontists were contacted. The responders, 603 of the former and 132 of the latter, completed a questionnaire covering practitioner demographics, pattern of practice, the use of radiographic techniques and the optimization of dose. Chi‐squared tests were used to compare groups at the P = 0.05 level of significance. For nonparametric data, the Mann–Whitney U‐test was employed.Results  A response rate of 73% was achieved. Overall, 79.5% of endodontic specialists used film holders compared with 65.9% of GDPs (P = 0.001). One hundred and thirty (98.5%) endodontists and 581 (96.3%) GDPs reported that they were well prepared or adequately prepared in radiographically assessing the presence of apical pathosis. The study found significant differences (P < 0.001) between the use of digital radiography by specialist endodontists 93 (70.5%) compared with general dental practitioners 167 (27.7%). Significant differences (P = 0.004) were also observed in the use of rectangular collimation between endodontic specialists 55 (42%) and GDPs 223 (37%). With regard to the use of film holders in diagnostic radiography, 105 (79.5%) of endodontic specialists employed these devices compared with 396 (65.7%) GDPs; this finding was significant (P = 0.005). For working length estimation, significant differences (P = 0.001) were noted in the use of a film holder between endodontic specialists 105 (79.5%) and GDPs 386 (64%).Conclusions  Both Endodontists and GDPs demonstrated compliance with guidelines relating to radiation protection being more significant amongst those clinicians working within specialist clinical practice.
Incorporation of chlorhexidine diacetate in provisional cements: antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans and the effect on tensile strength in vitro
Authors: Lewinstein I. , Zenziper E. , Block J. , Kfir A. 
Published: April 2012

Lewinstein I, Zenziper E, Block J, Kfir A. Incorporation of chlorhexidine diacetate in provisional cements: antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans and the effect on tensile strength in vitro. International Endodontic Journal., 45, 1010–1017, 2012.AbstractAim  To test the antibacterial capacities and tensile strengths of three commercially available provisional cements to which chlorhexidine diacetate was added and compare them to the same unmodified cements.Methodology  Sixty cylindrical samples were prepared from either three noneugenol provisional cements or the same cements modified by the addition of chlorhexidine diacetate at 7.5% w/w, with a total of 360 samples. The cements tested included Tempbond NE, Rely X Temp NE and Freegenol. Forty‐eight samples from each cement were aged in saline that was replaced twice a week for up to 96 days. Twelve of these samples were removed at either 1, 15, 30 or 96 days and assessed for antibacterial properties against Streptococcus mutans with an agar diffusion test. Twelve samples of each cement, with and without chlorhexidine diacetate, were also tested 7 days after the initial setting for their tensile strength using a diametrical tensile strength test applied with an Instron machine. The results were analysed using either one‐way or three‐way anova.Results  The addition of chlorhexidine diacetate resulted in provisional cements with antibacterial properties that persisted through ageing in saline for up to 96 days. The addition of chlorhexidine did not reduce the diametrical strength of the cements.Conclusions  The addition of chlorhexidine diacetate to provisional cements rendered all three cements antibacterial against S. mutans and this activity was maintained even after prolonged ageing of the cements, without compromising their tensile strength at 7 days.
A syn‐depositional age for Earth’s deepest δ13C excursion required by isotope conglomerate tests
Authors: Husson Jon M. , Maloof Adam C. , Schoene Blair 
Published: April 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 318–325, 2012AbstractThe most negative carbon isotope excursion in Earth history is found in carbonate rocks of the Ediacaran Period (635–542 Ma). Workers have interpreted the event as the oxidation of the Ediacaran oceans [Rothman et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA100 (2003) 8124; Fike et al., Nature444 (2006) 744; McFadden et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA105 (2008) 3197], or as diagenetic alteration of the δ13C of carbonates (δ13Ccarb) [Knauth and Kennedy, Nature460 (2009) 728; Derry, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.294 (2010) 152]. Here, we present chemo‐stratigraphic data from the Ediacaran‐aged Wonoka Formation (Fm.) of South Australia that require a syn‐depositional age for the extraordinary range of δ13Ccarb values (−12 to +4‰) observed in the formation. In some locations, the Wonoka Fm. is 700 metres (m) of mixed shelf limestones and siliclastics that record the full 16‰δ13Ccarb excursion. In other places, the Wonoka Fm. is host to deep (∼1 km) palaeocanyons, which are partly filled by tabular‐clast carbonate breccias that are sourced from eroded Wonoka canyon‐shoulders. By measuring the isotopic values of 485 carbonate clasts (an isotope conglomerate test), we show that canyon‐shoulder carbonates acquired their δ13Ccarb–δ18Ocarb values before brecciation and redeposition in the palaeocanyons.
A randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation to improve glycaemia in overweight and obese African Americans
Authors: Harris S. S. , Pittas A. G. , Palermo N. J. 
Published: April 2012

Aims: Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. African Americans tend to have poor vitamin D status and increased risk of diabetes, but effects of vitamin D supplementation on components of diabetes risk have not been tested in this group. This study was conducted to determine whether vitamin D supplementation improves insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and glycaemia in African Americans with prediabetes or early diabetes.Methods: In this randomized, placebo‐controlled trial, we examined the effect of 4000 IU/day vitamin D3, on glycaemia and contributing measures including insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and the disposition index over 12 weeks in 89 overweight or obese African Americans with prediabetes or early diabetes. Outcome measures were derived from oral glucose tolerance testing.Results: Mean plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D was about 40 nmol/l in the placebo and vitamin D groups at baseline and increased to 81 nmol/l with supplementation. Insulin sensitivity decreased by 4% in the vitamin D group compared with a 12% increase in the placebo group (p = 0.034). Insulin secretion increased by 12% in the vitamin D group compared with a 2% increase in the placebo group (p = 0.024), but changes in the disposition index were similar across groups. There was no effect of supplementation on post‐load glucose or other measures of glycaemia.Conclusions: Supplementation with 4000 IU/day vitamin D3 successfully corrected vitamin D insufficiency and had divergent effects on insulin secretion and sensitivity with no overall effect on disposition index or glycaemia. In this study, vitamin D supplementation for 3 months did not change the pathophysiology of prediabetes in overweight and obese African Americans.
Mesotherapy using dutasteride‐containing preparation in treatment of female pattern hair loss: photographic, morphometric and ultrustructural evaluation
Authors: Moftah N. , Moftah N. , Abd‐Elaziz G. , Ahmed N. , Hamed Y. , Ghannam B. , Ibrahim M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground  Treatment of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is frustrating for both patients and doctors. Mesotherapy is a novel treatment for hair fall and its efficacy in FPHL has not been evaluated.Objective  Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of mesotherapy using dutasteride‐containing preparation in treatment of FPHL.Methods  This study included 126 female patients with FPHL. They were classified into two groups; group I (86 patients) injected with dutasteride‐containing preparation and group II (40 control patients) injected with saline. Patients received 12 sessions and were evaluated at the 18th week by: photographic assessment, hair pull test, hair diameter and patient self‐assessment. Ultrastructural evaluation was done for three patients.Results  After mesotherapy with dutasteride‐containing preparation, photographic improvement occurred in 62.8% of patients compared with 17.5% in control group (P < 0.05), mean number of epilated hairs was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), mean hair diameter was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Patient self‐assessment showed statistically significant improvement compared with the controls (P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between degree of improvement and duration of FPHL (P < 0.05). Side effects were minimal with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Ultrastructural examination of pretreated hairs revealed absent cuticle in one patient and focal destruction of the cuticle in the second patient, which reappeared in both after therapy.Conclusion  We concluded that mesotherapy with dutasteride‐containing preparation was effective, tolerable and minimally invasive treatment modality in FPHL with better response for shorter duration of the disease.
Rapid Temporal Changes in the Expression of a Set of Neuromodulatory Genes During Alcohol Withdrawal in the Dorsal Vagal Complex: Molecular Evidence of Homeostatic Disturbance
Authors: Freeman Kate , Staehle Mary M. , Gümüş Zeynep H. , Vadigepalli Rajanikanth , Gonye Gregory E. , Nichols Carmen N. , Ogunnaike Babatunde A. , Hoek Jan B. , Schwaber James S. 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundChronic alcohol exposure produces neuroadaptation, which increases the risk of cellular excitotoxicity and autonomic dysfunction during withdrawal. The temporal progression and regulation of the gene expression that contributes to this physiologic and behavioral phenotype is poorly understood early in the withdrawal period. Further, it is unexplored in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC), a brainstem autonomic regulatory structure.MethodsWe use a quantitative polymerase chain reaction platform to precisely and simultaneously measure the expression of 145 neuromodulatory genes in more than 100 rat DVC samples from control, chronically alcohol‐exposed, and withdrawn rats. To gain insight into the dynamic progression and regulation of withdrawal, we focus on the expression of a subset of functionally relevant genes during the first 48 hours, when behavioral symptoms are most severe.ResultsIn the DVC, expression of this gene subset is essentially normal in chronically alcohol‐exposed rats. However, withdrawal results in rapid, large‐magnitude expression changes in this group. We observed differential regulation in 86 of the 145 genes measured (59%), some as early as 4 hours into withdrawal. Time series measurements (4, 8, 18, 32, and 48 hours after alcohol removal) revealed dynamic expression responses in immediate early genes, γ‐aminobutyric acid type A, ionotropic glutamate, and G‐protein coupled receptors and the Ras/Raf signaling pathway. Together, these changes elucidate a complex, temporally coordinated response that involves correlated expression of many functionally related groups. In particular, the expression patterns of Gabra1, Grin2a, Grin3a, and Grik3 were tightly correlated. These receptor subunits share overrepresented transcription factor binding sites for Pax‐8 and other transcription factors, suggesting a common regulatory mechanism and a role for these transcription factors in the regulation of neurotransmission within the first 48 hours of alcohol withdrawal.ConclusionsExpression in this gene set is essentially normal in the alcohol‐adapted DVC, but withdrawal results in immediate, large‐magnitude, and dynamic changes. These data support both increased research focus on the biological ramifications of alcohol withdrawal and enable novel insights into the dynamic withdrawal expression response in this understudied homeostatic control center.
Higher Serum Free Glycerol Levels in a Group of Alcoholics than in Controls
Authors: Maruyama Katsuya , Yokoyama Akira , Matsui Toshifumi , Mizukami Takeshi , Mizukami Yuki , Sogawa Kazuyuki , Yokosuka Osamu , Nomura Fumio , Yokoyama Tetsuji 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundThe biomarkers of excessive alcohol intake reported thus far have not always been reliable. We discovered the presence of free glycerol (FG) by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the serum of alcoholic patients but not in healthy persons, and a higher percentage of the alcoholics were positive for serum FG than for gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, mean corpuscular volume, or carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin (%CDT). Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether the same results as with HPLC could be obtained by measuring FG with an easy‐to‐use autoanalyzer and whether the serum FG measured by this method would be useful as a biomarker of excessive alcohol intake.MethodsFirst, the measurements of serum FG made by HPLC and by a biochemical method with an autoanalyzer were tested for a correlation, and then fasting serum FG was measured with the autoanalyzer in 3 groups: a group of Japanese male alcoholics who drank until just before admission, a group of Japanese male patients with chronic viral hepatitis, and a group of Japanese healthy male volunteers.ResultsThere was a strong positive correlation between the serum FG values measured by HPLC and by the autoanalyzer in the alcoholic group. The values in the alcoholic group were significantly higher than in the viral hepatitis group and healthy control group. We set the cutoff serum FG value for discriminating between the alcoholic group and the other 2 groups in the receiver operating characteristic analysis at 0.9 mg/dl, and that cutoff value provided a sensitivity of 80% for identifying the alcoholic group and a specificity of 84 and 94% in relation to the viral hepatitis group and the healthy volunteer group, respectively. Among various clinical tests in the alcoholic group, serum FG showed the highest rate of abnormally high value.ConclusionsMeasurement of serum FG with an autoanalyzer may be useful as a biomarker of excessive alcohol intake.
Physical exercise through mountain hiking in high‐risk suicide patients. A randomized crossover trial
Authors: Sturm J. , Plöderl M. , Fartacek C. , Kralovec K. , Neunhäuserer D. , Niederseer D. , Hitzl W. , Niebauer J. , Schiepek G. , Fartacek R. 
Published: April 2012

Sturm J, Plöderl M, Fartacek C, Kralovec K, Neunhäuserer D, Niederseer D, Hitzl W, Niebauer J, Schiepek G, Fartacek R. Physical exercise through mountain hiking in high‐risk suicide patients. A randomized crossover trial.Objective:  The following crossover pilot study attempts to prove the effects of endurance training through mountain hiking in high‐risk suicide patients.Method:  Participants (n = 20) having attempted suicide at least once and clinically diagnosed with hopelessness were randomly distributed among two groups. Group 1 (n = 10) began with a 9‐week hiking phase followed by a 9‐week control phase. Group 2 (n = 10) worked vice versa. Assessments included the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Scale of Suicide Ideation (BSI), and maximum physical endurance.Results:  Ten participants of Group 1 and seven participants of Group 2 completed the study. A comparison between conditions showed that, in the hiking phase, there was a significant decrease in hopelessness (P < 0.0001, d = −1.4) and depression (P < 0.0001, d = −1.38), and a significant increase in physical endurance (P < 0.0001, d = 1.0), but no significant effect for suicide ideation (P = 0.25, d = −0.29). However, within the hiking phase, there was a significant decrease in suicide ideation (P = 0.005, d = −0.79).Conclusion:  The results suggest that a group experience of regular monitored mountain hiking, organized as an add‐on therapy to usual care, is associated with an improvement of hopelessness, depression, and suicide ideation in patients suffering from high‐level suicide risk.
Patch testing with constituents of Compositae mixes
Authors: Paulsen Evy , Andersen Klaus E. 
Published: April 2012

Background. The development of mixes containing Compositae plant extracts has improved the diagnosis of Compositae contact allergy, but none of them has fulfilled the criteria for an ideal European plant mix.Objective. To evaluate which constituents of two commercial Compositae mixes were most useful as screening agents.Patients. These comprised 76 patients testing positive to Compositae mix 6% in petrolatum and 29 patients testing positive to Compositae mix 5% pet., all of whom were tested with constituents of the respective mixes.Results. The majority of patients tested positive to parthenolide or parthenolide‐containing extracts, followed by German chamomile, yarrow, and arnica. As German chamomile is a weak sensitizer, the results suggest cross‐reactions or reactions to unknown allergens. No one was positive to Roman chamomile.Conclusions. Even though parthenolide seems to be a suitable supplement to the baseline series, the results emphasize that it is important to patch test with extracts of native or locally grown plants, not only because of the geographical variation, but also because of the potential unknown allergens contained in short ether preparations and the variability in the individual patient's exposure and cross‐reaction patterns.
High genetic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus strains colonizing patients with epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: van der Kooi‐Pol Magdalena M. , Veenstra‐Kyuchukova Yanka K. , Duipmans José C. , Pluister Gerlinde N. , Schouls Leo M. , de Neeling Albert J. , Grundmann Hajo , Jonkman Marcel F. , van Dijl Jan Maarten 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPatients with the blistering disease, epidermolysis bullosa (EB), frequently suffer from chronic wounds that become colonized by pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. To determine S. aureus colonization rates in patients with EB, swabs were collected from the anterior nares, throats and wounds of 52 Dutch patients with EB. Swabs were also collected from nares and throats of 13 healthcare workers who occasionally meet the sampled patients with EB. All EB patients with chronic wounds and 75% of the patients without chronic wounds were colonized with S. aureus. In contrast, 39% of the sampled healthcare workers were colonized with S. aureus. Typing revealed a high degree of genetic diversity of 184 collected S. aureus isolates. Autoinoculation of S. aureus in individual patients with EB was shown to occur frequently, whereas transmission of S. aureus between patients with EB is apparently rare. There was no evidence for S. aureus transmission between patients with EB and healthcare workers.