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Highlights: [•] Structural properties of cerebral cortex could account for human intelligence. [•] Considering several structural indices together was helpful in providing complementary information from multiple perspectives. [•] Partial least square (PLS) regression was used to overcome multicollinearity among cortical measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cortical surface area has been largely overlooked in genetic studies of human brain morphometry, even though phylogenetic differences in cortical surface area between individuals are known to be influenced by differences in genetic endowment. In this study, we examined the relative contribution of genetic and environmental influences on cortical surface areas in both the native and stereotaxic spaces for a cohort of homogeneously-aged healthy pediatric twins. Bilateral hemispheric surface and all lobar surface areas except the occipital lobes in native space showed high heritable estimates, while the common environmental effect on bilateral occipital lobes reached statistical significance. The proportion of genetic variance for cortical surface areas measured in stereotaxic space was lower than that measured in native space, whereas the unique environmental influences increased. This is reasonable since whole brain volume is also known to be heritable itself and so removing that component of areal variance due to overall brain size via stereotaxic transformation will reduce the genetic proportion. These findings further suggest that cortical surface areas involved in cognitive, attention and emotional processing, as well as in creating and retaining of long-term memories are likely to be more useful for examining the relationship between genotype and behavioral phenotypes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Genetically Williams syndrome (WS) promises to provide essential insight into the pathophysiology of cortical development because its ∼28 deleted genes are crucial for cortical neuronal migration and maturation. Phenotypically, WS is one of the most puzzling childhood neurodevelopmental disorders affecting most intellectual deficiencies (i.e. low-moderate intelligence quotient, visuospatial deficits) yet relatively preserving what is uniquely human (i.e. language and social-emotional cognition). Therefore, WS provides a privileged setting for investigating the relationship between genes, brain and the consequent complex human behaviour. Methods We used in vivo anatomical magnetic resonance imaging analysing cortical surface-based morphometry, (i.e. surface area , cortical volume , cortical thickness , gyrification index ) and cortical complexity , which is of particular relevance to the WS genotype-phenotype relationship in 22 children (2.27-14.6 years) to compare whole hemisphere and lobar surface-based morphometry between WS ( n = 10) and gender/age matched normal controls healthy controls ( n = 12). Results Compared to healthy controls, WS children had a (1) relatively preserved Cth; (2) significantly reduced SA and CV; (3) significantly increased GI mostly in the parietal lobe; and (4) decreased CC specifically in the frontal and parietal lobes. Conclusion Our findings are then discussed with reference to the Rakic radial-unit hypothesis of cortical development, arguing that WS gene deletions may spare Cth yet affecting the number of founder cells/columns/radial units, hence decreasing the SA and CV. In essence, cortical brain structure in WS may be shaped by gene-dosage abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The quality of reporting in congress abstracts is likely to influence clinical decision-making. Hypothesis The quality of reporting in sports injury prevention abstracts has increased over the last 3 years, as did the number of randomised controlled trials (RCT). Methods 154 abstracts from the 2005 and 186 abstracts from 2008 World Conferences on Sports Injury Prevention in Norway were analysed. Main outcome measures Scores of 17 Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) criteria for RCT, or 22 Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria for observational studies were determined. Results Improvement in reporting was evident in RCT (CONSORT score 5.8±0.9 vs 8.6±2.9, p=0.001, CI -4.29 to -1.43) as well as for observational studies (STROBE score 7.9±1.6 vs 9.9±1.7, p<0.001, CI -2.34 to -1.53) between 2005 and 2008. RCTs were published in 9.1% in 2005 versus 10.2% in 2008 (p=0.727). RCT demonstrated a significant improvement in main outcome (0% vs 57.9%, p<0.001). For observational studies, a significant improvement was reported in rationale (53.5% vs 98.2%, p<0.001), objectives (82.2% vs 95.1%, p=0.012), study design (25.2% vs 65%, p<0.001), setting (43.7% vs 65.6%, p=0.002), variables (20.7% vs 74.2%, p<0.001), participants (0.7% vs 10.4%, p=0.001) and funding (0% vs 5.5%, p=0.006). Conclusion While the percentage of published RCTs in abstracts at the World Congress of Sports Injury Prevention remained unchanged, an improvement in reporting of abstracts was evident from 2005 to 2008, as determined by CONSORT/STROBE criteria. However, substantial and comprehensive use of the CONSORT and STROBE criteria might further increase the quality of reporting of sports injury conference abstracts in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers are commonly used in the perioperative phase • ACE-I/ARB on the day of surgery did not increase the risk of intraoperative hypotension upon induction of general anesthesia • The decision to continue or hold ACE-I or ARBs preoperatively cannot be answered with this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The World Congress of Sports Injury Prevention initiates in Oslo in 2005 as a unique and comprehensive sports medicine prevention conference. Objective The number and quality of presented abstracts published in BJSM followed by a full paper in the subsequent years is unknown. Hypothesis Randomised controlled trials (RCT) are more likely to be published as full paper versus observational studies following the conference presentation. Design All 154 oral abstracts of the World Congress of Sports Injury Prevention 2005 Oslo and the potential subsequent full text were analysed. Main outcome measures Frequency of publication, time to publication, impact factor, score of CONSORT criteria for RCTs and STROBE for observational studies, as well as minor and major inconsistencies. Results Overall, 76 of the 154 (49%) presented abstracts were published in a peer-reviewed journal with an impact factor of 1.946±0.812. There was no significant difference between the impact factor for RCTs (2.122±1.015) versus observational studies (1.913±0.765, p=0.469). The full paper of RCTs abstracts was published after 17±13 months and after 12±14 months in observational studies (p=0.323) There was a trend towards more observational abstracts being published as a full paper rather than RCTs (71% vs 47%, p=0.078). All of the published abstracts had at least one minor inconsistency while 65% had at least major inconsistencies. Results changed in 90% versus 68% (p=0.158), data were added in 60% versus 30% (p=0.065), and deleted in 40% versus 30%, (p=0.534). An opposite result was published in 0% versus 5% (p=0.481). Conclusion There was no significant difference in the likelihood between RCTs and observational studies being published as full papers after the World Congress of Sports Injury Prevention 2005, neither for impact factor and time to publication. Only about half of the presented abstracts get published in a peer-reviewed journal within 4 years after the conference presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Reporting quality of clinical trials has been addressed by the CONSORT group for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) first in 1996 with updates in 2001 and 2010. Objective We hypothesised that the quality of reporting in sports injury prevention abstracts has increased from 2005 to 2008 as did the amount of RCTs at the 1st versus 2nd World Congress of Sports Injury Prevention in Oslo vesus Tromsø. Design Analysis of the published abstracts of the 2005 and 2008 World Conference on Sports Injury Prevention, two independent analysts. Setting 154 abstracts from the 2005 and 186 abstracts from 2008 World Conferences were analysed. Main outcome measures Evidence-based study design, scores of 17 CONSORT criteria for RCT. Results RCTs were published in 9.1% in 2005 versus 10.2% in 2008 (p=0.727) of all published abstracts. Improvement in reporting was evident for RCTs in the CONSORT score 5.8±0.9 versus 8.6±2.9 (p=0.001, CI −4.29 to −1.43). Detailed description of main outcomes demonstrated the most significant improvement in reporting in the abstracts of RCTs (0% vs 57.9%, p<0.001). Study design mentioned in the title, trial design, participants, blinding, number analysed, outcome and funding tended to but did not improve significantly in the reporting RCTs in conference abstracts. No improvement at all over the 3 years was noted for reporting quality of the title randomised, authors, intervention, objectives/hypothesis, randomisation, numbers randomised, recruitment, and number analysed, harms and trial registration. Conclusion While the percentage of published RCTs in abstracts at the World Congress of Sports Injury Prevention remained mainly unchanged, improvement in reporting of abstracts was evident from 2005 to 2008 determined by CONSORT criteria. Further substantial and comprehensive use of the recently updated CONSORT 2010 criteria might further increase the quality of reporting of sports injury conference RCTs in the future and should be endorsed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ31 and 1 wt%Ca-containing AZ31 billets fabricated using EMC (Electromagnetic Casting) and EMS (Electromagnetic Stirring) were examined. The results show a great potential of producing high-quality surface magnesium billets with fine-grained microstructure at a relatively high casting speed. Application of EMC + EMS for production of the 1 wt%Ca-AZ31 alloy billet with a diameter of 150 mm produced a reasonably homogeneous microstructure composed of fine grains with an average size of 45 μm. Attainment of the fine-grained and homogeneous microstructure by EMC + EMS was attributed to reduction of temperature gradient and fragmentation of dendrite structure under electromagnetic force. Strength of the EMC and EMC + EMS 1 wt%Ca-AZ31 billets was higher than that of the EMC AZ31 billet due to the grain size and particle strengthening effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Patients with the cerebellar variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-C) often show cognitive deficits in various cognitive domains. The association between morphometric changes in cortical and subcortical structures and cognitive impairments in MSA-C were investigated to explore the neural correlates responsible for cognitive deficits in MSA-C patients. Methods: Using surface-based morphometry, region-of-interest cortical thickness and the volumes and shapes of subcortical structures were examined in 18 patients who fulfilled the criteria of probable MSA-C and were compared to 50 healthy controls. The association between regional changes and cognitive functions in MSA-C were investigated by applying linear regression analyses after controlling for confounding factors. Results: Compared with controls, the patients with MSA-C showed significant cortical thinning in the fronto-temporo-parietal regions and volume reduction in subcortical structures with shape changes. Cerebellar volume had no significant effect on cortical and subcortical volumes. The severity of atrophic changes in the bilateral thalamus, the left cerebellum and the left pericalcarine gyrus were significantly correlated with attentional, executive and visuospatial dysfunctions. Conclusion: Cognitive impairment in MSA-C might result from functional disruption of the corticostriatal and pontocerebellar circuit mediated by primary cortical, cerebellar or thalamic pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the existence of cortical thinning in subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) with a negative 11C-Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) positron emission tomography scan and to compare the topography of cortical thinning between PiB-negative SVaD and Alzheimer's disease (AD), we enrolled 24 patients with PiB(-) SVaD, 81 clinically probable AD individuals, and 72 normal cognitive controls. Compared with controls, cortical thinning in PiB(-) SVaD was most profound in the perisylvian area, medial prefrontal area, and posterior cingulate gyri, while the precuneus and medial temporal lobes were relatively spared. When the cortical thickness of AD and PiB(-) SVaD were directly compared, PiB(-) SVaD demonstrated significant cortical thinning in the bilateral inferior frontal, superior temporal gyri, and right medial frontal and orbitofrontal lobes, while AD showed significant cortical thinning in the right medial temporal region. SVaD without amyloid burden may lead to substantial cortical atrophy. Moreover, characteristic topography of cortical thinning in PiB(-) SVaD suggests different mechanisms of cortical thinning in PiB(-) SVaD and AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high temperature stress model for continuously cast steels has been developed. The effect of dendritic morphology on the mechanical strength of carbon steels has been investigated for the first time with a thermodynamically based calculation of dendritic morphology by a phase-field model. The characteristic solid fraction at the liquid impenetrable temperature (LIT) was evaluated as 0.9 by investigating the contact behavior of secondary arms during unidirectional solidification of δ and γ phases. Geometrical hardening of the mushy zone due to the contact and combining of dendrite arms has been evaluated using a geometrical hardening parameter defined as the contact ratio between adjacent secondary arms in the transverse cross section of primary arms. The critical solid fraction at zero strength temperature (ZST) was evaluated as 0.65 from the minimum non-zero contact ratio. The calculated critical fracture strength with the stress model for steels in a mushy zone describes the measured tensile strength well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]