bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severity of Periodontal Disease and Number of Remaining Teeth Are Related to the Prevalence of Myocardial Infarction and Hypertension in a Study Based on 4,254 Subjects
Authors: Holmlund Anders , Holm Gunnar , Lind Lars
Published: June 2006

Background: During the past 15 years, mounting evidence for the association between periodontal and cardiovascular disease has been presented in epidemiological studies. The aim of this study was to investigate how the severity of periodontal disease and number of remaining teeth relates to myocardial infarction (MI) and hypertension (HT).

Methods: Self‐reported history of HT and MI was collected in 3,352 patients referred to the Department of Periodontology, Gävle County Hospital, and in 902 subjects randomly selected from the general population. Severity of periodontitis was estimated by a combination of the amount of bone loss around each tooth investigated from a full‐mouth x‐ray, the presence or absence of bleeding on probing (BOP), and involvement of furcations.

Results: The severity of periodontitis was significantly associated with HT (prevalence 16%; P <0.0005), even after adjustment for age, gender, number of teeth, and smoking in the total sample, and with MI (prevalence 1.7%, P <0.03) after above‐mentioned adjustments, but in middle‐aged (40 to 60 years) subjects only. The number of diseased periodontal pockets was related to HT only (P <0.0001), and this relationship remained after the above‐mentioned adjustments. The number of teeth was associated with MI (P <0.03) even after correction for age, gender, and smoking but was not related to hypertension.

Conclusions: The severity of periodontal disease was related to HT independent of age but to the prevalence of MI in middle‐aged subjects only. The number of diseased pockets was significantly related to HT only. On the other hand, the number of teeth was associated with the prevalence of MI independent of age but not to HT. These data support the view that oral health is related to cardiovascular disease in a dose‐dependent manner.
Gingival Recession Treatment With Connective Tissue Grafts in Smokers and Non‐Smokers
Authors: Erley Kenneth J. , Swiec Gary D. , Herold Robert , Bisch Frederick C. , Peacock Mark E.
Published: June 2006

Background: Cigarette smoking can adversely affect the results of many periodontal procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cigarette smoking affects wound healing of subepithelial connective tissue grafts.

Methods: Seventeen systemically healthy patients with 22 Miller Class I or II mucogingival defects were divided into a non‐smoker group or smoker group. Patients were regarded as smokers if they reported smoking 10 to 20 cigarettes per day. The following parameters were documented at the surgery date and 3 and 6 months postoperatively: recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), keratinized gingiva height measured apico‐coronally (KG), relative attachment level (RAL), probing depths (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and the full‐mouth plaque score (FMP). Salivary cotinine samples were taken at the surgery to confirm the smoking history and to quantify cigarette use.

Results: Non‐smokers (0‐ to 10‐ng/ml cotinine level) healed with statistically more recession coverage than the smokers (>10‐ng/ml cotinine level) (98.3% versus 82.3%, respectively; P = 0.001). Six months postoperatively, the non‐smokers healed with a 0.2‐mm mean recession depth compared to a 1.0‐mm mean recession depth for the smokers. This difference in recession depth was statistically significant (P = 0.014).

Conclusions: Root coverage with connective tissue grafts appears to be negatively associated with cigarette smoking. Smokers should consider smoking cessation or reducing the use of cigarettes for optimal results with connective tissue grafts.
Periodontal Status in Men With Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism: Effects of Testosterone Deficiency
Authors: Daltaban Özlem , Saygun Işıl , Bolu Erol
Published: June 2006

Background: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the possible influence of testosterone hormone on common clinical measurements of periodontal disease in men with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.

Methods: Twenty‐four hypergonadotropic hypogonadal men (H) and 24 systemically healthy men (S) were divided into two groups as chronic periodontitis and clinically healthy controls after clinical examinations and radiographs. The H group consisted of 12 control (H/C) and 12 chronic periodontitis (H/P) patients, and the S group consisted of 12 control (S/C) and 12 chronic periodontitis (S/P) patients. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) scores were recorded.

Results: The mean of all clinical parameters (PI, GI, BOP, PD, and CAL) were significantly (P <0.05) higher in periodontitis groups (H/P and S/P) than controls (H/C and S/C). There were no significant differences in the PD and CAL scores between periodontitis groups (S/P and H/P). The mean of GI and BOP scores were statistically higher in the H/P group than the S/P group (P <0.05). There was a negative correlation between GI and free testosterone levels (r= −0.794; P <0.05).

Conclusion: According to these results, serum testosterone levels may possibly influence periodontal disease in men, and testosterone may have an inhibitory effect on gingival inflammation.
Surgical Versus Non‐Surgical Periodontal Treatment: Psychosocial Factors and Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Kloostra Paul W. , Eber Robert M. , Wang Hom‐Lay , Inglehart Marita R.
Published: June 2006

Background: This research explored how patients with surgical versus non‐surgical periodontal treatment differ in trait anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and well‐being on the day of surgery and in their reported pain and use of pain medication 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. In addition, it was investigated how psychosocial factors affected reported pain, use of pain medication, and wound healing.

Methods: Data were collected from 70 dental patients (34 males and 36 females; average age: 54.79 years; SD = 13.206) on the day of their periodontal treatment and 2 and 4 weeks after this treatment. The psychosocial factors (i.e., trait anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and well‐being) were measured with standardized scales. The patients' providers assessed their wound healing 2 weeks after treatment.

Results: On the day of treatment, non‐surgical patients had higher anxiety, depression, and stress, and poorer well‐being than surgical patients. However, surgical patients reported a higher level of pain during the second week, and greater consumption of analgesics during the second and fourth week. Anxiety, depression, stress, and well‐being correlated with the reported level of pain, the use of pain medication, and wound healing after periodontal treatment.

Conclusions: Psychosocial factors (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress, and well‐being) can affect the patients' quality of life on the day of periodontal treatment and the pain experience and medications used after surgical and non‐surgical periodontal therapy (4‐week period). Patient‐provider communication should address the role of these factors in the treatment process.
Distribution of FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIb Genotypes in Patients With Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis
Authors: de Souza Rodrigo C. , Colombo Ana Paula V.
Published: June 2006

Background: Polymorphisms in FcγR have been associated with different forms of periodontitis. This study determined the frequency of FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIb alleles/genotypes in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP).

Methods: Thirty‐one GAgP and 49 periodontally healthy Brazilian subjects participated in the study. Full‐mouth periodontal examinations were carried out, and mouthwash samples were collected for human DNA isolation. FcγR genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and hybridization with allele‐specific oligonucleotide probes. Significant differences between groups were sought by Mann‐Whitney, χ2, and Fisher exact tests and configural frequency analysis.

Results: FcγRIIa‐H131 (53.8%) and FcγRIIIb‐NA1 (75%) were the most prevalent alleles in this sample population. A significant overrepresentation of FcγRIIIb‐NA2 was observed in the GAgP group, whereas FcγRIIIb‐NA1 was detected more often in healthy individuals (odds ratio, 32.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.6 to 99.8; P <0.001). No significant differences in the distribution of the FcγRIIa genotypes were observed between the groups. The prevalence of FcγRIIIb‐NA2/NA2 was higher in GAgP patients, whereas FcγRIIIb‐NA1/NA1 was predominant in the healthy group (χ2 = 45.1; P <0.001). The combination of the genotypes FcγRIIIb‐NA2/NA2 plus FcγRIIa‐H/H131 was observed more frequently in GAgP subjects than expected from marginal frequencies (χ2 = 12.5; P <0.001).

Conclusions: The data suggest that the FcγRIIIb‐NA2 allele and/or FcγRIIIb‐NA2/NA2 genotype and the composite genotype FcγRIIIb‐NA2/NA2 plus FcγRIIa‐H/H131 may be associated with GAgP, whereas FcγRIIIb‐NA1 and/or FcγRIIIb‐NA1/NA1 may be related to periodontal health in this sample of the Brazilian population.
Effect of Interleukin‐1β on Transforming Growth Factor‐Beta and Bone Morphogenetic Protein‐2 Expression in Human Periodontal Ligament and Alveolar Bone Cells in Culture: Modulation by Avocado and Soybean Unsaponifiables
Authors: Andriamanalijaona R. , Benateau H. , Barre P.E. , Boumediene K. , Labbe D. , Compere J.F. , Pujol J.P.
Published: June 2006

Background: In periodontal disease, interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β) is responsible for the matrix breakdown through excessive production of degrading enzymes by periodontal ligament fibroblasts and osteoblasts. Transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) plays an important role in tissue regeneration as one of the factors capable of counteracting IL‐1β effects. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effect of avocado and soya unsaponifiables (ASU) on the expression of TGF‐β1, TGF‐β2, and bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) by human periodontal ligament (HPL) and human alveolar bone (HAB) cells in the presence of IL‐1β.

Methods: HPL and HAB cells were incubated for 48 hours with ASU (10 μg/ml) in the presence or absence of IL‐1β (10 ng/ml). The steady‐state levels of TGF‐β1, TGF‐β2, and BMP‐2 mRNAs were determined by Northern blot or reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The amounts of TGF‐β1 and TGF‐β2 proteins were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: The data indicated that IL‐1β strongly decreases the expression of TGF‐β1 and TGF‐β2 by HPL cells. ASU were capable of opposing the cytokine effect. In HAB cells, TGF‐β1 and BMP‐2 mRNA levels were downregulated by the cytokine. ASU were found to reverse the IL‐1β–inhibiting effect. In contrast, the cytokine stimulated the production of TGF‐β2 in alveolar bone cells, with no significant effect of ASU.

Conclusions: The results indicate that the IL‐1β–driven erosive effect in periodontitis could be enhanced by a decreased expression of members of the TGF‐β family. The ASU stimulation of TGF‐β1, TGF‐β2, and BMP‐2 expression may explain their promoting effects in the treatment of periodontal disorders, at least partly. These findings support the hypothesis that ASU could exert a preventive action on the deleterious effects exerted by IL‐1β in periodontal diseases.
The Effects of Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Abuse on Gingival Tissues
Authors: Ozcelik Onur , Haytac M. Cenk , Seydaoglu Gulsah
Published: June 2006

Background: Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) is the familiar name for synthetic derivatives of the male sex hormone, testosterone. A large number of young adults abuse AAS to enhance performance and physical appearance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AAS abuse on the gingival tissues in a group of bodybuilders and weight lifters.

Methods: The test group was composed of 24 athletes aged between 17 and 29 years who had been using AAS for >1 year. All subjects were clinically examined for plaque levels (plaque index), gingival inflammation (gingival index), and gingival enlargement. The results were compared to a control group of 20 bodybuilders who had never used AAS drugs and who matched for age, educational level, and oral habits according to the data obtained from the test group.

Results: Although there were no statistical differences between the plaque index (P >0.05) and gingival index (P >0.05) scores of the study group and the control group, the AAS abusers had statistically higher scores of gingival thickness, extent of gingival encroachment, and total gingival enlargement scores (P <0.001 each) compared to non‐users.

Conclusions: The results of this study have revealed that the prolonged use of AAS is closely associated with significant levels of gingival enlargement. Because recreational abuse and abuse in non‐competitive sports seem to increase despite legislation, dentists and periodontists should be familiar with the adverse effects of these synthetic derivatives of testosterone on the gingival tissues.
Study Design for Calibration of Clinical Examiners Measuring Periodontal Parameters
Authors: Hill Elizabeth G. , Slate Elizabeth H. , Wiegand Ryan E. , Grossi Sara G. , Salinas Carlos F.
Published: June 2006

Background: We present an approach to examiner calibration study design where the number of calibration subjects is based on a specified margin of error (half‐width of the 95% confidence interval [CI]) of the percentage of agreement (exact and within 1 mm) for both intra‐ and interexaminer reliability assessments.

Methods: An experienced standard examiner (S) trained three dental hygienists (A, B, and C) in correct procedures for obtaining a variety of periodontal measures. Duplicate measurements of probing depth (PD [mm]) and the free gingival margin to the cemento‐enamel junction (CEJ‐GM [mm]) were obtained in a pilot study to design a formal examiner calibration study, where sample sizes were adjusted for the effects of within‐subject clustering of binary indices of agreement.

Results: Within‐subject clustering of agreement indices resulted in an approximate four‐fold increase in the variance of the estimates of percentage of agreement with the standard. PD and CEJ‐GM percentage of exact agreement measurements (95% CI) for each examiner‐standard pair, respectively, were as follows: AS = 55% (48%, 61%) and 70% (62%, 78%); BS = 52% (45%, 59%) and 73% (63%, 82%); and CS = 55% (50%, 61%) and 72% (65%, 79%). The corresponding 95% CIs unadjusted for the effects of clustering underestimated the margin of error associated with the estimates of exact agreement by as much as 57% for PD and 68% for CEJ‐GM.

Conclusion: Failure to account for dependence among site‐level agreement indices results in a false sense of precision in the resulting reliability estimates and can lead to faulty inference.
Interaction of Chlorhexidine With Smooth and Rough Types of Titanium Surfaces
Authors: Kozlovsky Avital , Artzi Zvi , Moses Ofer , Kamin‐Belsky Nurit , Greenstein Ronit Bar‐Ness
Published: June 2006

Background: Chlorhexidine (CHX) digluconate exerts plaque inhibitory efficacy in the natural dentition environment due to a superior degree of persistence at the tooth surface. The purpose of the present study was to assess the interaction of CHX with titanium surfaces to estimate its antiplaque potential in the peri‐implant environment.

Methods: Saliva‐coated machined smooth (S) and sand‐blasted acid‐etched rough (R) titanium disks were soaked in either 0.1% or 0.2% CHX solution. After 24 hours, CHX amounts that were adsorbed, washed out, and desorbed from the titanium surfaces were determined spectrophotometrically at 230 nm. The antibacterial activity of CHX‐treated titanium disks was assessed by measuring bacterial inhibition zones on Streptococcus mutans lawns.

Results: Titanium disks adsorbed 3% to 8% of the available CHX, which was significantly higher with 0.2% CHX (P <0.001) than with 0.1% CHX and two‐fold higher on the R titanium disks compared to S titanium surface (P <0.001). After rinsing with water, 2.2% of the adsorbed CHX was washed out. Over 24 hours, S‐ and R‐type disks released 1.1% and 0.6% of the adsorbed agent, respectively. Larger bacterial inhibition zones were obtained with 0.2% CHX and in R disks compared to S disks.

Conclusions: CHX displayed persistence at the titanium surface. The adsorption level and bacterial growth inhibition were affected by CHX concentration and titanium surface characteristics, with higher levels of adsorption and antibacterial activity with 0.2% CHX and rough titanium surface. The slow CHX release rate suggests persistence of this agent at the titanium‐pellicle surface, which can provide a long‐term antiplaque effect.
Evaluating Various Water Stress Calculations in RZWQM and RZ‐SHAW for Corn and Soybean Production
Authors: Kozak Joseph A. , Ma Liwang , Ahuja Lajpat R. , Flerchinger Gerald , Nielsen David C.
Published: June 2006

Better understanding of water stress calculation is needed to improve crop production simulation. In this study, the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) and RZWQM‐SHAW (Simultaneous Heat And Water) (RZ‐SHAW) Hybrid Model were evaluated for simulating corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] growth and water use under a range of water conditions in the Central Great Plains. In both models, a water stress index (WSI) was calculated as a nonlinear form of the ratio between actual transpiration (AT) and potential transpiration (PT) [WSI = (AT/PT)α, 0 < α < 1]. Evapotranspiration (ET) was calculated using the Shuttleworth–Wallace approach on a daily basis (ETSW‐DAY) in RZWQM and using either the Shuttleworth–Wallace approach on hourly basis (ETSW‐HR) or the SHAW approach (ETSHAW) in RZ‐SHAW. Results showed that RZWQM using ETSW‐DAY provided similar simulation for both corn and soybean production as RZ‐SHAW using the ETSW‐HR option, given that the same plant parameters were used. However, RZ‐SHAW with ETSHAW provided less accurate simulations for corn and soybean growth. This study demonstrated that, when RZ‐SHAW is used for plant simulation, AT and PT should be calculated the same way as in RZWQM to preserve the plant parameters. Otherwise, recalibration of plant growth parameters is needed. This study also showed that the α value varied from crop to crop and among ET calculations. Based on the results, it is suggested to use α = 0.75 for corn and α = 0.5 for soybean in RZ‐SHAW with the ETSW‐HR option.
Estimation of Preharvest Fiber Content of Mixed Alfalfa–Grass Stands in New York
Authors: Parsons D. , Cherney J. H. , Gauch H. G.
Published: June 2006

Regression equations can be used to estimate the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), assisting producers in decision making at harvest time. In New York State, where most alfalfa is grown in mixed stands with grass, there are no available models to estimate NDF. The objectives of this experiment were to develop equations for estimating total mixed stand NDF with an emphasis on producer useable equations based on easily obtainable data. Stands of first‐cut alfalfa and grass (0.1–0.9 fraction grass) were sampled at two experimental sites and producers' fields in 19 New York counties during May and June 2004 and 2005. A range of plant measurements and environmental characteristics were recorded and used to develop prediction equations. For selection of two to five variable models using 899 data points, R2 ranged from 0.89 to 0.94 and root mean square error (RMSE) ranged from 21.2 to 30.1 g kg−1 dry matter (DM). The most important explanatory variables were the fraction of grass and alfalfa height. Growing degree days and day of the year improved goodness of fit but were biased between years. Categorization of the grass fraction into 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, or 0.8 allows estimation without requiring species separations. Categorization decreased R2 and increased RMSE but is a variable that could be more easily used by producers. Model validation found significant biases with some model estimates; however biases and prediction errors were small enough to suggest that the results are practically applicable to New York farms.
Interspecific Interaction and Nutrient Use in Soybean/Sorghum Intercropping System
Authors: Ghosh P. K. , Manna M. C. , Bandyopadhyay K. K. , Ajay  , Tripathi A. K. , Wanjari R. H. , Hati K. M. , Misra A. K. , Acharya C. L. , Subba Rao A.
Published: June 2006

Intercropping soybean (Glycine max L.) with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is common in the semiarid tropics of India. In most intercropping studies, little attention has been paid to belowground interaction and nutrient management other than N while assessing yield advantage. In a 5‐yr field experiment (2000–2004), we evaluated the impact of fertilizer and organic manures on below‐ and aboveground interaction, competitive ability, and economic viability of this intercropping at the Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal for deep Vertisol (isohyperthermic Typic Haplustert) of central India. Above‐ and belowground growth components as well as biological activities were greatly improved in intercropped sorghum while the value of these except nitrate reductase (NR) activity, soil microbial biomass C (SMBC), and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) were reduced in intercropped soybean indicating interspecies competition between component crops. The increased NR activity, SMBC, and DHA in intercropped soybean revealed interspecies facilitation between the component crops. This showed that interspecies competition concurred with interspecies facilitation in this system. We observed that yield and land equivalent ratio (LER) of both the intercrops increased over sole crops though based on aggressivity and relative crowding coefficient (RCC), sorghum (+) is more competitive than soybean. Interaction of yield with different components indicated that three belowground components, i.e., NR activity in root (r = 0.62, r = 0.63, P < 0.05), root length density (r = 0.36, r = 0.33, P < 0.05), and SMBC (r = 0.71, r = 0.66, P < 0.05) of both intercrop soybean and intercrop sorghum, respectively, had the greater effect on yield advantage in the intercropping system. Soybean did not benefit from intercropping to the same degree as sorghum under N–P–K. Nutrient application influenced LER, RCC, and monetary advantage index and was found in the order of N–P–K plus farmyard manure (FYM) > N–P–K plus poultry manure (PM) > N–P–K plus phosphocompost (PC) > N–P–K > control. However, based on competition ratio, yield advantage was greater under N–P–K plus PM. The results suggest that sorghum is the major contributor to the mixture yield and that the integrated use of N–P–K plus FYM or N–P–K plus PM is an important nutrient management option for sustaining this intercropping system, particularly to benefit the legume component.
Effects of an Uncomposted Municipal Waste Processing By‐Product on Prairie Grass Establishment
Authors: Busby Ryan R. , Gebhart Dick L. , Torbert H. Allen
Published: June 2006

A garbage processing technology has been developed that sterilizes and separates inorganic and organic components of municipal solid waste. A study was initiated to evaluate the uncomposted organic by‐product of this process as a soil amendment for establishing native prairie grasses on disturbed Army training lands. The waste was incorporated into sandy soils at Fort Benning Military Reservation on two sites: a moderately degraded and a highly degraded soil. The waste material was applied at rates of 0, 17.9, 35.8, 71.6, and 143 Mg ha−1 and seeded with native prairie grasses to assess its effects on vegetation for two growing seasons, with an additional unseeded control treatment for comparison to natural recovery. The addition of uncomposted waste increased percent composition and basal cover of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) at both sites and percent composition of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) at one site. Indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash] was negatively affected by the addition of the waste material at both sites. Biomass in the 143 Mg ha−1 treatment increased 4180% compared to the seeded control at the highly degraded site. Plant uptake of P and Na increased at both sites and an apparent Fe toxicity problem was alleviated at the highly disturbed site with increasing application rates. Because perennial grass establishment improved so dramatically with increasing application rates, land application of this uncomposted waste material could be considered a viable and beneficial alternative to current waste management practices for degraded Army lands.
Changes in Long‐Term No‐Till Corn Growth and Yield under Different Rates of Stover Mulch
Authors: Blanco‐Canqui Humberto , Lal R. , Post W. M. , Owens L. B.
Published: June 2006

Removal of corn (Zea mays L.) stover for biofuel production may affect crop yields by altering soil properties. A partial stover removal may be feasible, but information on appropriate rates of removal is unavailable. We assessed the short‐term impacts of stover management on long‐term no‐till (NT) continuous corn grown on a Rayne silt loam (fine loamy, mixed, active, mesic Typic Hapludults) at Coshocton, Hoytville clay loam (fine, illitic, mesic Mollic Epiaqualfs) at Hoytville, and Celina silt loam (fine, mixed, active, mesic Aquic Hapludalfs) at South Charleston in Ohio, and predicted corn yield from soil properties using principal component analysis (PCA). The study was conducted in 2005 on the ongoing experiments started in May 2004 under 0 (T0), 25 (T25), 50 (T50), 75 (T75), 100 (T100), and 200 (T200)% of stover corresponding to 0, 1.25, 2.50, 3.75, 5.00, and 10.00 Mg ha−1 of stover, respectively. Stover removal promoted early emergence and rapid seedling growth (P < 0.01). Early‐emerging plants grew taller than late‐emerging plants up to about 50 d, and then the heights reversed at Coshocton and were comparable at other two sites. Stover management affected corn yield only at the Coshocton site where average grain and stover yields in the T200, T100, T75, and T50 (10.8 and 10.3 Mg ha−1) were higher than those in the T0 and T25 treatments (8.5 and 6.5 Mg ha−1) (P < 0.01), showing that stover removal at rates as low as 50% (2.5 Mg ha−1) decreased crop yields. Soil properties explained 71% of the variability in grain yield and 33% of the variability in stover yield for the Coshocton site. Seventeen months after the start of the experiment, effects of stover management on corn yield and soil properties were site‐specific.
Ciprofloxacin for the Management of Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Brown Patricia D
Published: June 2006

Urinary tract infections are common, especially among women. A number of agents are available for the treatment of urinary tract infections but emerging resistance to commonly used first-line therapies has impacted the selection of empirical therapy. Ciprofloxacin was the first member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics to be widely available and is effective for the management of urinary tract infections. An extended-release formulation has recently become available that allows once-daily dosing, which may improve patient adherence and convenience. Clinical trials have demonstrated that the extended-release formulation is as effective as the standard formulation in the management of acute uncomplicated cystitis, complicated urinary tract infections and acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis. The pharmacokinetics of the extended-release formulation may offer potential advantages in terms of microbial eradication and clinical response; however, this has yet to be demonstrated in clinical trials. In the USA and western Europe, overall rates of quinolone resistance among common uropathogens have remained low; however, reports of increasing resistance from certain geographical areas are of great concern. Risk factors for resistance are currently poorly defined.
Docetaxel, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (the TAC regimen): An Effective Adjuvant Treatment for Operable Breast Cancer
Authors: Martin Miguel
Published: June 2006

The introduction of taxanes in the armamentarium against breast cancer in the 1990s has been one of the landmarks in the treatment of this disease. Docetaxel in particular is considered one of the most active cytotoxic agents in metastatic breast cancer and has also been tested as adjuvant postsurgical therapy in earlier stages. A regimen including docetaxel, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (the TAC regimen) was the first combination that demonstrated the efficacy of docetaxel in the adjuvant setting. This combination has been approved by regulatory agencies for adjuvant therapy of node-positive breast cancer and is presently used worldwide. TAC is more toxic than the traditional anthracycline-containing combinations, but many of its side effects can be ameliorated with colony-stimulating growth factor support.
Yasminelle®: A New Low-Dose Combined Oral Contraceptive Containing Drospirenone
Authors: Sillem Martin
Published: June 2006

Yasminelle® is a newly developed combined oral contraceptive that contains ethinyl estradiol 20 μg and drospirenone 3 mg. Yasminelle is unlike other low-dose ethinyl estradiol combined oral contraceptives, since drospirenone produces antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid effects that offer various benefits including a reduced potential for estrogen-induced water retention. Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic data have been derived from clinical experience with ethinyl estradiol 30 μg and drospirenone 3 mg (Yasmin®). Clinical studies with Yasminelle have shown a high degree of contraceptive efficacy, similar to that of combined oral contraceptives that contain a low dose of ethinyl estradiol combined with other progestins. These studies have also demonstrated that Yasminelle produces excellent cycle control and has a good tolerability profile, similar to that of other low-dose ethinyl estradiol combined oral contraceptives.
Current Issues in the Diagnosis and Management of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Forster Olaf , Ansari Aftab A , Sliwa Karen
Published: June 2006

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a form of heart failure that occurs in women within 1 month pre- and 5 months postdelivery. The syndrome carries a high mortality and predisposing factors are not known. The incidence and prevalence of peripartum cardiomyopathy appear to be increasing and this article aims to alert clinicians to consider a possible diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy, outlines the current treatment options, and describes recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of this condition.
Update on the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Arango Ana M , Reveille John D
Published: June 2006

The improving prognosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is due in no small part to refinements in treatment. One idea is to tailor the treatment to the specific clinical features. For example, the treatment of cutaneous lupus may require antimalarial and topical agents initially, with more severe cases requiring dapsone or even thalidomide. Conversely, renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus is better treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents such as intravenous cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine. It is very clear that comorbidities such as steroid-induced diabetes mellitus, hypertension and osteonecrosis have been responsible for a great deal of the morbidity associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and must be aggressively managed. In addition to ‘traditional’ agents, newer medications such as rituximab, abatacept and B-lymphocyte stimulator antagonists are showing great promise and will probably be an an important part of the management of severe lupus in the future.
Pain Associated with Endometriosis: Therapeutic Options
Authors: Luciano Danielle E , Luciano Anthony A
Published: June 2006

Defined as the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, endometriosis is a chronic and recurrent disease that affects 7–10% of reproductive-age women, causing pain, infertility or both, resulting in serious life disruption, emotional and physical suffering, and decreased productivity. The observation that endometriosis is more common in women with early ménarche, polymenorrhea, outflow genital tract obstruction or a family history of disease suggests that its development depends on the complex interaction of genetic, immunological, environmental and hormonal factors. Current therapies for the management of endometriosis are medical, surgical or both. Medical therapies induce a hypoestrogenic state to reduce menstrual flow and apoptosis of endometriotic lesions. They include androgenic or progestational compounds and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, which are comparably effective but have very different adverse-effect profiles. Consequently, the choice of which medical treatment to prescribe may not be based on differences in efficacy but on differences in tolerability, safety and, when everything else is equal, cost. Although surgery to remove endometriosis is effective in relieving pain and restoring fertility, recurrence of symptoms is common and repeated medical and surgical interventions are often needed. The need for additional surgery may be reduced by the thorough excision of all lesions and disease at the initial surgery, followed by the postoperative administration of hormonal suppressive therapy with progestins to induce hypomenorrhea or amenorrhea. Definitive surgery with hysterectomy and removal of ovaries is frequently curative. Future therapies should be directed at identifying women at risk for the disease and implementing interventions that will prevent disease development altogether. Ultimately, the goal is to make endometriosis a disease of the past.
Bone Mineral Density Assessment in Premenopausal Women
Authors: Khan Aliya , Syed Zeba
Published: June 2006

In the absence of fragility fractures, low bone mineral density may reflect attainment of a lower peak bone mass in comparison with the young adult mean value. It is necessary to distinguish between low peak bone mass and a systemic disorder resulting in low bone mineral density and skeletal fragility. Low peak bone mass in the absence of fragility fracture or progressive bone loss may not require pharmacological intervention. However, systemic disorders contributing to bone loss do require diagnosis and intervention. Common causes of low bone density in premenopausal women include ovulatory disturbances and low body weight. Other diseases, conditions or medications may also contribute to bone loss and these should be identified and treated if present. Fracture risk is reduced by lifestyle changes and pharmacological intervention in those with glucocorticoid-induced bone loss. Discontinuing depo medroxyprogesterone acetate use has been associated with improvements in bone mineral density. Bone mineral density alone is insufficient for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in premenopausal women in the absence of fragility fractures. Bone mineral density testing should only be performed in premenopausal women in the presence of approved indications.
Hungary: the organic and the rational traditions
Authors: Heathcote Edwin
Published: June 2006

The most memorable architectural images of the early 1990s were those of the organic architecture of Imre Makovecz. With their extraordinary, Expressionist timber forms, they encapsulated for the West the romantic possibilities of the architecture that lay behind the former Iron Curtain. Edwin Heathcote, who in 1997 wrote a monograph on Imre Makovecz for Academy Editions, here explains why ‘the organic’ counterpoised by ‘the rational’ has continued to provide such a rich dialogue for contemporary Hungarian architecture. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estonia: expanding suburbia ‐ White Neomodernist villas and beyond
Authors: Kurg Andres
Published: June 2006

The growth of suburbia around Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, epitomises the new social and economic choices that are presenting themselves to Estonians. For as Andres Kurg explains, people are choosing, in increasing numbers, to move out of their 1960s and 1970s apartment blocks into newly built single‐family houses. Architecture is taking a symbolic role in this process, as the types of design that are selected are often indicative of changing lifestyle aspirations. Kurg looks at some of the most interesting cases that have recently been built in this unexpectedly extensive suburban sprawl. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Polish architecture ‐ seeking to establish order?
Authors: Urbanska Marta A
Published: June 2006

Poland is a ‘shifting country’. In the postwar era it shifted geographically ‐ 300 kilometres (186 miles) to the west ‐ and since 1989 it has been undergoing enormous political and economic transformations. It is one of the leading ex‐Soviet bloc economies. Such huge changes, however, come at a price. The combined expiration of a comprehensive planning system and excessive bureaucracy provides difficult and uncertain conditions for architects. Marta A Urbanska explains how a generation of young, enterprising Polish architects have equipped themselves to deal with this ‘quicksand‐like situation’ by becoming great improvisers and jacks of all trades, as savvy about development, planning and finance as they are about design. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of Tomography Images of Bonded Fibre Networks to Measure Distributions of Fibre Segment Length and Fibre Orientation
Authors: Tan J. C. , Elliott J. A. , Clyne T. W.
Published: June 2006

The architecture of bonded fibre networks produced by sintering of short stainless steel fibres has been characterised using computed X‐ray microtomography. Two important characteristics of such networks are the distributions of fibre segment length and fibre orientation. These have strong influences on the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. To extract quantitative architectural data from the reconstructed fibre networks, a 3‐D skeletonisation algorithm was used to convert the reconstructed fibre surfaces into their corresponding medial axes.
Estimation of Elastic Properties of Particle Reinforced Metal‐Matrix Composites Based on Tomographic Images
Authors: Kenesei P. , Biermann H. , Borbély A.
Published: June 2006

The structure of a real particle reinforced metal‐matrix composite, Al/Al2O3, was retrieved by high resolution X‐ray tomography. The paper presents a study of the influence of local structure variability on the elastic properties of the composite. The results are in good agreement with theoretical two‐point bounds.
Aragonite in Roman Wall Paintings of the VIIIa Regio, Aemilia, and Xa Regio, Venetia Et Histria
Authors: Mazzocchin Gian Antonio , Orsega Emilio Francesco , Baraldi Pietro , Zannini Paolo
Published: June 2006

In the Roman wall paintings different white colours were used, named Paraetonium, Melinum, Anularia, Eretria, Argentaria, etc. FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and X‐Ray diffraction were applied to study different white pigments, such as calcite, aragonite, dolomite and huntite, white carbonates present in archaeological findings from roman walls in the Mediterranean region. This study showed that it is possible to distinguish and identify these components in white colours. About 450 samples of Roman wall paintings were analysed and it was observed that often aragonite is associated to precious coloured pigments. On the basis of the obtained results some considerations about the period in which the different kinds of white pigments were used are proposed.
A Preliminary Investigation of Total Organic Carbon Variation in Influent and Effluent of Isfahan (Iran) Water Treatment Plant, Urban Network and Fellman Wells
Authors: Movassaghi Karim , Hemmatian Zahra , Akbari‐Adergani Behrouz , Palmisano Giovanni
Published: June 2006

In this work a series of total organic carbon (TOC) analyses were carried out to analyse the influent and the effluent of a water treatment plant providing Isfahan city in Iran. Other analyses were focused on the determination of TOC in the urban network and Fellman wells (in Isfahan and Dehaghan cities), in order to compare the water quality soon after the treatment with that of circulating water in the city network. Since it supplies water treatment plant, TOC content of Zayandehrood River was also compared with the treated water. The obtained results revealed that there were significant differences between TOC content of effluent of water treatment plant and that of the urban network (made with eight different points). In this project all the samples were withdrawn during 2005. It is worth noting that the analyses were carried out with a high precision combustion‐infrared method with a confidence limit lower than 0.05. The mean of TOC in Isfahan and Dehaghan Fellman wells were 0.7 and 2.6 mg.l‐1, respectively. The mean of TOC in influent of water treatment plant during June, July and September were 0.703, 1.148, 1.513 mg.l‐1 respectively which after treatment process reduced to about 0.7 mg.l‐1. In conclusion it can be said that during the summer with higher consumption of water and increase in vaporizing surface waters, we have accumulation of organic compounds and therefore we have increase in TOC content of various waters.
Particulate Matter, Gas‐Phase and Particle‐Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in an Urban Environment Heavily Impacted by Vehicular Traffic (Bologna, Italy).
Authors: Stracquadanio Milena , Trombini Claudio
Published: June 2006

A set of 8 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been analysed in a traffic‐limited area in Bologna downtown, both in the gas‐phase and in the particulate phase (PM10), and gas‐to‐particle partitioning has been investigated. From Sep 2002 to May 2003, 28 high volume PM10 samplings were carried out, and in 50 % of the samplings, PM10 concentrations exceeded the limit of 50 μg/m3 established by a 1999 EU directive. A precisely defined sampling strategy was adopted to limit artifacts (8 h sampling in the same time interval) in the 28 samplings carried out in different meteorological conditions.

A linear log‐log correlation was found between gas‐particle partitioning coefficients KBP and the subcooled liquid vapour pressures pB=LB, with rP2P = 0.82 and slope = ‐ 0.59. This empirical correlation may be used to anticipate the total (gas + particle‐bound) concentration of each PAHs in this urban site, once PM10 and the particle‐bound concentration is measured. Parallel samplings of PM10 and of PM2.5 allowed us to ascertain that PM2.5 represents the gross contribution to PM10 and that most of the particle‐bound PAHs reside on the finest fraction of particulate matter.
Expedient Immobilization of TEMPO by Copper‐Catalyzed Azide‐Alkyne [3+2]‐Cycloaddition onto Polystyrene Resin
Authors: Gheorghe Alexandru , Matsuno Ai , Reiser Oliver
Published: June 2006

TEMPO was readily grafted by copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition onto polystyrene. Starting with commercially available Merrifield resin (4.3 mmol/ g) almost quantitative loading of TEMPO onto the polymer was achieved (≥ 4 mmol/ g). The so obtained PS‐CLICK‐TEMPO allowed the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes with bleach or molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant with high yields and selectivity in multiple cycles without loss of activity.
Broad exploration or precise specificity: Two basic information seeking patterns among students
Authors: Heinström Jannica
Published: June 2006

This article investigates whether information seeking patterns can be related to discipline differences, study approaches, and personality traits. A quantitative study of 305 master's thesis students' information behavior found that their information seeking tended to be either exploratory or precise. Statistical analyses showed that inner traits seemed more influential than discipline characteristics on information behavior. Exploration or specificity was manifested in terms of both the level and scope of information students wished to retrieve and the way they searched for it.
GlycoVis: Visualizing glycan distribution in the protein N‐glycosylation pathway in mammalian cells
Authors: Hossler Patrick , Goh Lin‐Tang , Lee May May , Hu Wei‐Shou
Published: June 2006

Glycosylation has profound effects on the quality of recombinant proteins produced in mammalian cells. The biosynthetic pathways of N‐linked glycans on glycoproteins involves a relatively small number of enzymes and nucleotide sugars. Many of these glycoconjugate enzymes can utilize multiple N‐glycans as substrates, thus generating a large number of glycan intermediates, and making the biosynthetic pathway resemble a network with diverging and converging paths. The N‐glycans on secreted glycoprotein molecules include not only terminal glycans, but also pathway intermediates. To better assess the glycan distribution and the potential route of their synthesis, we created GlycoVis, a visualization program that displays the distribution and the potential reaction paths leading to each N‐glycan on the reaction network. The substrate specificities of the enzymes involved were organized into a relationship matrix. With the input of glycan distribution data, the program outputs a reaction pathway map which labels the relative abundance levels of different glycans with different colors. The program also traces all possible reaction paths leading to each glycan and identifies each pathway on the map. Glycoform distribution of Chinese Hamster Ovary cell‐derived tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), and human and mouse IgG were used as illustrations for the application of GlycoVis. In addition, the intracellular and secreted IgG from an NS0 producer cell line were isolated, and their glycoform profiles were displayed using GlycoVis for comparison. This visualization tool facilitates the analysis of potential reaction paths utilized under different physiological or culture conditions, and may provide insight on the potential targets for metabolic engineering. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyrenes with Tuned Spectroscopic Properties for Two‐Point Attachment
Authors: Malinovskii Vladimir L. , Häner Robert
Published: June 2006

Pyrene derivatives find widespread use as labels and building blocks in modified nucleic acids. To increase the variety of spectroscopic applications, a synthesis of differently substituted derivatives was developed. 1,8‐Pyrenedicarboxylates bearing different substituents in the 3‐ and 6‐position were synthesized. Absorption and steady‐state fluorescence studies showed that the photophysical properties of the pyrene chromophore can be controlled by the nature of the substituents. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Simple, Single Step Potential Difference Measurement for the Determination of the Ultimate Detection Limit of Ion Selective Electrodes
Authors: Bereczki Róbert , Takács Boglárka , Gyurcsányi Róbert E. , Tóth Klára , Nagy Géza , Langmaier Jan , Lindner Ernö
Published: June 2006

A single step measurement is proposed for evaluating the ultimate detection limit of ion selective electrodes. The essence of the method is the calculation of the detection limit from a potential difference measured across a membrane in equilibrium with deionized water when it is challenged with a relatively concentrated primary or interfering ion solution on one of its sides. It is aimed for fast screening of novel ionophore candidates and for reexamining existing ones to sort out those which are adequate for selective, subnanomolar analysis. The feasibility and the practical usefulness of the method is demonstrated upon the characterization potassium ion‐selective electrodes with novel, and well‐known ionophores. The proposed potential difference‐based method is coupled to subsequent exponential dilutions for the determination the response slopes, selectivity coefficients and detection limits of the tested electrodes. This combination of electrode testing protocols provides full characterization of the studied electrodes and a back to back comparison of the indirectly calculated and directly measured detection limits. The calibration of the electrodes in dilute solutions revealed the superior dynamic response properties of the electrodes with the covalently anchored ionophore in submicromolar concentrations.