bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reintroduction of a Rare Plant (Gladiolus imbricatus) Population to a River Floodplain—How Important is Meadow Management?
Authors: Jõgar Ülle , Moora Mari
Published: August 2008

In seminatural grasslands, the success of reintroduction of locally extinct rare plant species may depend on the ambient management regime. We aimed to study to what extent the success of the restoration of a rare species (Gladiolus imbricatus) depends on management conditions. A management experiment with traditional cutting by scythe and hay removal, mowing (machine cutting and hay removal), mulching (machine cutting without hay removal), spring burning, and unmanaged control, combined with reintroduction of seeds of Gladiolus, was conducted in an Estonian flooded meadow in which the species had become extinct. Seeds were reintroduced in 2003 in all management treatments and populations monitored until 2006. Mulching, mowing, and traditional management resulted in the greatest establishment, whereas the subsequent mortality was not influenced greatly by management regime. The population started to increase in mulching treatment in the third season due to vegetative growth. The results indicate that the establishment of G. imbricatus is primarily seed limited under current conditions, whereas favorable management significantly enhances establishment in a river floodplain meadow. Successful restoration depends on seed addition and proper grassland management—mowing to a height of approximately 15 cm and mulching.
High Dielectric Properties of Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5O7 Thin Films Fabricated at Room Temperature
Authors: Ryu Jungho , Kim Kun‐Young , Choi Jong‐Jin , Hahn Byung‐Dong , Yoon Woon‐Ha , Park Dong‐Soo , Park Chan
Published: August 2008

Paraelectric, pyrochlore thin films of Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5O7 were fabricated on platinized silicon and Ni‐plated Cu foil by aerosol deposition at room temperature for embedded capacitor applications. The highly dense films thus obtained showed superior dielectric properties without any heat treatment. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of tan δ of the films at 100 kHz were over 160 and less 0.05, respectively. Furthermore, the films showed markedly superior capacitance density (>100 nF/cm2) and low leakage current density (10−4–10−7 A/cm2 at 3.0 V). The results demonstrated the promising potential for embedded passive components in printed circuit board applications.
New Cementitious Materials Based on Alkali‐Activated Fly Ash: Performance at High Temperatures
Authors: Fernández‐Jiménez Ana , Palomo Angel , Pastor José Y. , Martín Antonia
Published: August 2008

This paper reports on a comparative study of the mechanical performance at different temperatures of a commercial Portland cement, used as a control, and a new cementitious material made from an 8M‐NaOH activated fly ash and containing no OPC. Two types of mechanical tests were conducted: (i) high temperature mechanical tests, to determine the strength and fracture toughness of the two materials between 25° and 600°C, and (ii) post‐thermal treatment tests, to evaluate the residual strength after 1 h of exposure to different temperatures (200°, 400°, 600°, 800°, and 1000°C). In both cases, the results showed that the new cementitious material performed significantly better at high temperatures than the Portland cement control. Differential thermogravimetry (DTG)/TG, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X‐ray diffraction analyses were also conducted to analyze the mineralogical and microstructural variations taking place in the material as a result of high temperature exposure. The results of these tests were correlated with the mechanical behaviour observed.
Fabrication and Properties of Cf/SiC–ZrC Composites
Authors: Wang Zhen , Dong Shaoming , Zhang Xiangyu , Zhou Haijun , Wu Dingxing , Zhou Qing , Jiang Dongliang
Published: August 2008

ZrC particles are introduced into carbon fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites to improve their high‐temperature performances. Composites without interphases have higher densities than those with interphases and most ZrC particles remain in the fiber interbundle areas. All composites show typical noncatastrophic fracture behavior regardless of the existence of the interphases. However, the addition of interphases will increase the bending strength and the length of fiber pullouts. A bending strength of 749±15 MPa is achieved when ∼100 nm PyC interphase is deposited. The surfaces of pulled‐out fibers without interphases are rough, while those with interphases are smoother. For composites with PyC/SiC interphase, the pulled‐out fibers keep their original surface morphology.
Monitoring quality in work: European Employment Strategy indicators and beyond
Authors: DAVOINE Lucie , ERHEL Christine , GUERGOAT‐LARIVIERE Mathilde
Published: August 2008

Within the framework of the European Employment Strategy, the European Union has defined a set of indicators to monitor employment quality — the so‐called Laeken indicators. This article discusses and implements these indicators. From a theoretical perspective, it shows that the concept of work quality encompasses several dimensions, which are likely to be related to national institutions, particularly industrial relations and welfare systems. It then proceeds with a comparative analysis of quality in work across the 27 Member States, which confirms the existence of several models in Europe and suggests that the Laeken indicators should be supplemented by additional measures.
Corneal graft survival after therapeutic keratoplasty for Acanthamoeba keratitis
Authors: Kashiwabuchi Renata T. , De Freitas Denise , Alvarenga Lenio S. , Vieira Luiz , Contarini Patrícia , Sato Elcio , Foronda Annette , Hofling‐Lima Ana Luísa
Published: August 2008

Purpose:  To describe corneal graft survival and visual outcome after therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty in patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) that is unresponsive to clinical treatment.

Methods:  Retrospective study. Thirty‐two patients with AK who underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (tPK) from August 1996 to August 2005 were included. Data relating to clinical features, visual acuity, surgical technique, graft survival and complications were collected. Graft survival was evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method and comparisons were performed using the Log‐rank test.

Results:  Most patients (62.5%) were female. Mean age [± standard deviation (SD)] was 35 (± 13) years (range 15–68 years). All patients were contact lens wearers. Eighteen patients (56%) presented paralytic mydriasis and glaucoma during the treatment. Thirteen patients (40%) developed glaucoma after surgery; eight of them (61%) required a second PK because of graft failure. Of the 32 keratoplasty eyes, 56.2% presented graft failure at any follow‐up point. Forty‐five per cent of graft failures occurred before the 12 month follow‐up, so 55% remained clear in the first year after surgery. Twelve patients underwent a second PK; seven of them failed and 45% were clear at 1 year. Two patients presented graft recurrence of amoebic infection. There was no significant difference in graft survival when eyes with or without mydriasis were compared (P = 0.40). Eyes with glaucoma presented a significantly shorter graft survival (P = 0.01).

Conclusion:  Penetrating keratoplasty is a treatment option for eyes that are unresponsive to clinical treatment infections. However, graft survival is poor; postoperative glaucoma is frequent and is associated with shorter graft survival.
Effect of driver distraction and low alcohol concentrations on useful field of view and frequency‐doubling technology perimetry
Authors: Puell Maria Cinta , Barrio Ana
Published: August 2008

Purpose:  To investigate the effects of a mental psychometric task that simulates the distraction effect of a hands‐free mobile phone and of low alcohol concentrations (0.3–0.5 g/l) on two tests: the useful field of view (UFOV) and frequency‐doubling technology (FDT) perimetry.

Methods:  Thirty‐seven healthy young vehicle drivers aged 22 ± 3 years were subjected to a computer version of the UFOV test and FDT perimetry, undertaken according to a counterbalanced within‐subject design. The tests were performed in two sessions (an ‘alcohol session’ and a ‘sober session’), while undertaking or not undertaking a psychometric test [the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT)] to simulate the effect of distraction. Each subject was instructed to concentrate on the PASAT while taking each test.

Results:  UFOV scores were affected when the PASAT was performed simultaneously (P < 0.0001) in that longer times were required to identify a central target and the location of a peripheral target. FDT perimetry was affected by the addition of the PASAT, with a significant reduction in mean sensitivity and a localized sensitivity loss [pattern standard deviation (PSD) >6 dB]. Test times, false‐positive and negative catch trial responses were all increased. However, the UFOV test and FDT perimetry results were not significantly affected by a low alcohol concentration.

Conclusion:  Distraction significantly affects performance in the UFOV test and frequency‐doubling technology perimetry. Our findings suggest that using a hands‐free mobile phone while driving may lead to a low‐to‐moderate crash risk in young adults with normal visual function.
Pascal, ICare and Goldmann applanation tonometry – a comparative study
Authors: Jóhannesson Gauti , Hallberg Per , Eklund Anders , Lindén Christina
Published: August 2008

Purpose:  To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements by Pascal, ICare and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT), to evaluate the effects of central corneal thickness (CCT) and curvature on IOP measurement and to estimate the intra‐observer variability.

Methods:  A prospective, single‐centre study of 150 eyes with a wide range of pressures. Six masked IOP measurements/method; corneal thickness and curvature were studied for each eye. GAT was the reference.

Results:  IOPPascal and IOPICare correlated with IOPGAT (r = 0.91, 0.89). Mean ICare measurement exceeded GAT by 2 mmHg. Pascal measured higher than GAT at low IOPs and lower at high IOPs. For every 10 mmHg increase in IOP above 31 mmHg, Pascal measured 2 mmHg lower than GAT and vice versa. CCT was correlated significantly with IOPGAT (r = 0.23) and IOPICare (r = 0.43) but not with IOPPascal (P = 0.12). CCT was correlated with age. In a subgroup (>50 years), ICare and the difference between IOPGAT and IOPPascal were affected significantly by the CCT, whereas IOPGAT and IOPPascal were not. Corneal curvature was correlated significantly with IOPGAT (r = −0.27) and IOPPascal (r = −0.26) but not with IOPICare (P = 0.60). Intra‐observer variability within each set of six measurements was approximately 2 mmHg, irrespective of method.

Conclusion:  This study showed a reasonable overall correlation and concordance between the IOP obtained with the three instruments. None of the methods were completely independent of the biomechanical properties of the cornea. ICare showed a significant dependency upon CCT, whereas GAT and Pascal showed a significant dependency on corneal curvature. All methods showed intra‐observer variability, which leaves room for further improvement of methods.
Advances in power driven pocket/root instrumentation
Authors: Walmsley A. Damien , Lea Simon C. , Landini Gabriel , Moses Anthony J.
Published: August 2008

Objectives: The primary aim was: “Does power‐driven pocket/root instrumentation offer a clinical advantage over hand instrumentation”? Secondary aim was to update knowledge base of power‐driven instrumentation post Tunkel et al. (2002).

Material and Methods: A literature search of power‐driven instruments (in vitro, in vivo and controlled clinical trials) was performed from April 2001 using similar criteria to Tunkel et al. (2002). Primary outcome was whether power‐driven instruments offered an advantage over hand instrumentation; secondary outcomes were effect on root surface, effectiveness of new instrument designs, and role of biophysical effects such as cavitation.

Results: From a total of 41 studies, 14 studies involved comparison of power‐driven devices with hand instrumentation for non‐surgical therapy. These were subdivided into new designs of power instrumentation, full‐mouth debridement and irrigation and patient acceptance. Use of power‐driven instrumentation provides similar clinical outcomes compared with hand instrumentation. Difficulty of pooling studies continues to hinder the drawing of definitive conclusions.

Conclusion: Newer designs of powered instruments have not shown any benefit when compared with other ultrasonic devices in non‐surgical periodontal therapy. New in vitro research shows there is variation in the performance of different tip designs and generators, but its clinical relevance remains unknown.
Laser application in non‐surgical periodontal therapy: a systematic review
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Aoki Akira , Becker Jürgen , Sculean Anton
Published: August 2008

Objectives: The primary aim was to address the following focused question: What is the clinical effect of laser application compared with mechanical debridement in non‐surgical periodontal therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis? A secondary aim was to survey the relevant literature in relation to safety of laser applications.

Material and Methods: Electronic databases of the PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched and completed by manual searches up to December 2007.

Results: Following screening, 12 publications (11 studies) were eligible for the review. A meta‐analysis could not be performed due to the heterogeneity of the studies. The results from a narrative synthesis indicate that Er:YAG laser monotherapy resulted in similar clinical outcomes, both in the short and the long term (up to 24 months), compared with mechanical debridement. There is insufficient evidence to support the clinical application of either CO2, Nd:YAG, Nd:YAP, or different diode laser wavelengths.

Conclusions: The Er:YAG laser seems to possess characteristics most suitable for the non‐surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis. Research conducted so far has indicated that its safety and effects might be expected to be within the range reported for conventional mechanical debridement. However, the evidence from the evaluated studies is weak.
Periodontal tissue engineering and regeneration: Consensus Report of the Sixth European Workshop on Periodontology
Authors: Palmer R. M. , Cortellini P. ,   on behalf of Group B of the European Workshop on Periodontology
Published: August 2008

Aim: To review the scientific preclinical background and clinical studies of current methods of periodontal regeneration in the treatment of infrabony defects and soft tissue deficiencies

Method: Five commissioned review papers including two systematic reviews were scrutinized by a group of experts in order to derive consensus conclusions, clinical relevance/implications and to propose future research requirements.

Results: The following five papers were assessed:  1. Biological mediators and periodontal regeneration: a review of enamel matrix proteins at the cellular and molecular levels.  2. Regeneration of periodontal tissues: combination of barrier membranes and grafting materials – Biological foundation and preclinical evidence.  3. Clinical outcomes with bioactive agents alone or in combination with grafting or GTR  4. Treatment of gingival recession with coronally advanced flap procedures. A systematic review.  5. Soft tissue management at implant sites
Advances in bone augmentation to enable dental implant placement: Consensus Report of the Sixth European Workshop on Periodontology
Authors: Tonetti Maurizio S. , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. ,   on behalf of the European Workshop on Periodontology Group C
Published: August 2008

Background: Bone augmentation procedures to enable dental implant placement are frequently performed in practice.

Methods: In this session the European Workshop on Periodontology discussed the evidence in support of the procedures and examined both adverse events and implant performance in the augmented bone. While the available evidence improved both in quantity and quality since previous workshops the conclusions that could be drawn were limited by elements of design and/or reporting that are amenable to improvement.

Results: With regards to lateral bone augmentation, a sizable body of evidence supports its use to enable dental implant placement. The group recognized the potential for vertical ridge augmentation procedures to allow implant placement in clinical practice but questioned the applicability of these data to a wider array of operators and clinical settings. With regards to sinus floor augmentation, perforation of the sinus membrane, graft infection and graft loss resulting in inability of implant placement were the major reported adverse events. In cases with <6 mm of residual bone height, 17% of subjects experienced implant loss in the first 3 years following lateral window augmentation. After trans‐alveolar sinus floor augmentation 11% of subjects experienced implant loss over 3 years. Significant research activity (both pre‐clinical and clinical) was identified in the area of growth factors‐induced bone augmentation. Initial clinical trials support the potential of BMP‐2.

Conclusions: Clinically, the consensus highlighted that bone augmentation procedures can fail and that implants placed in these areas do not necessarily enjoy the high long‐term survival rates of dental implants placed in pristine sites. The consensus emphasized the research need to answer questions on: (i) long‐term performance of dental implants placed in augmented bone; (ii) the clinical performance of dental implants placed in augmented or pristine sites; and (iii) the clinical benefits of bone augmentation with respect to alternative treatments.
Clinical outcomes of implants following lateral bone augmentation: systematic assessment of available options (barrier membranes, bone grafts, split osteotomy)
Authors: Donos Nikolaos , Mardas Nikolaos , Chadha Vivek
Published: August 2008

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes related to implants following lateral augmentation procedures (GBR, bone grafts, split osteotomy) with implants placed in pristine sites.

Material and Methods: A systematic review of all prospective studies of implants placed simultaneously or as a second surgery following lateral augmentation compared with implants placed in pristine bone with 6 months of loading was performed.

Results: From 435 potentially relevant publications, 125 full‐text publications were screened and four were identified as fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Three studies compared implants placed with simultaneous GBR or with a bone substitute and one with autogenous bone graft as a staged procedure. The implant survival at the augmented sites irrespective of the procedure used varied from 91.7% to 100% and from 93.2% to 100% at the control sites for a period between 12 and 59.1 months.

Conclusions: Within the limits of the systematic review there was evidence that the evaluated augmentation techniques result in similar implant survival between augmented and pristine sites. The small number of retrieved studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria limited the conclusions regarding the success of the augmentation and its effect on the survival of the implants. Properly designed randomized controlled clinical trials on this topic are needed.
Clinical outcomes of vertical bone augmentation to enable dental implant placement: a systematic review
Authors: Rocchietta Isabella , Fontana Filippo , Simion Massimo
Published: August 2008

Background: This review addressed the focused question of what is the predictability of vertical ridge augmentation techniques for patients, who were diagnosed with insufficient alveolar bone volume for the placement of dental implants.

Material and Methods: A systematic online review of three main databases was performed between 1966 and 1 November 2007. Four groups of vertical bone augmentation techniques have been identified and evaluated: (1) guided bone regeneration, (2) distraction osteogenesis, (3) onlay bone grafting, and (4) an array of different techniques. Data extraction was based on the following outcomes: (a) success and failure rate of the procedure (vertical bone gain/loss), (b) complication rate of the procedure, and (c) implant survival, success and failure rate.

Results: The initial search identified 189 papers from the electronic database. The review produced seven papers for GBR, 13 reporting distraction osteogenesis, five for onlay bone grafting and three describing different techniques.

Conclusions: For the concept of vertical ridge augmentation to enable dental implant placement, there are clinical and histological data supporting its potential use. Given the confined number of investigators using these techniques and the low number of patient treatments reported in the literature, the generalizability of this approach is limited at this time.
A systematic review of the success of sinus floor elevation and survival of implants inserted in combination with sinus floor elevation Part II: Transalveolar technique
Authors: Tan Wah Ching , Lang Niklaus P. , Zwahlen Marcel , Pjetursson Bjarni E.
Published: August 2008

Objectives: The objectives of this systematic review were to assess the survival rate of implants placed in sites with transalveolar sinus floor elevation.

Material and Methods: An electronic search was conducted to identify prospective and retrospective cohort studies on transalveolar sinus floor elevation, with a mean follow‐up time of at least 1 year after functional loading. Failure and complication rates were analyzed using random‐effects Poisson regression models to obtain summary estimates/ year proportions.

Results: The search provided 849 titles. Full‐text analysis was performed for 176 articles, resulting in 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Meta‐analysis of these studies indicated an estimated annual failure rate of 2.48% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.37–4.49%) translating to an estimated survival rate of 92.8% (95% CI): 87.4–96.0%) for implants placed in transalveolarly augmented sinuses, after 3 years in function. Furthermore, subject‐based analysis revealed an estimated annual failure of 3.71% (95% CI: 1.21–11.38%), translating to 10.5% (95% CI: 3.6–28.9%) of the subjects experiencing implant loss over 3 years.

Conclusion: Survival rates of implants placed in transalveolar sinus floor augmentation sites are comparable to those in non‐augmented sites. This technique is predictable with a low incidence of complications during and post‐operatively.
Definition and prevalence of peri‐implant diseases
Authors: Zitzmann Nicola U. , Berglundh Tord
Published: August 2008

Objectives: The aim of the current review was to describe the prevalence of peri‐implant diseases including peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis.

Material and Methods: A MEDLINE search (PubMed) until December 2007 was conducted and different keywords related to the prevalence of peri‐implant diseases were used. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies including 50 implant‐treated subjects exhibiting a function time of 5 years were considered.

Results and Conclusion: The current review revealed that only a few studies provided data on the prevalence of peri‐implant diseases. Cross‐sectional studies on implant‐treated subjects are rare and data from only two study samples were available. Peri‐implant mucositis occurred in approximately 80% of the subjects and in 50% of the implants. Peri‐implantitis was found in 28% and 56% of subjects and in 12% and 43% of implant sites.
Peri‐implant diseases: diagnosis and risk indicators
Authors: Heitz‐Mayfield Lisa J. A.
Published: August 2008

Background: Peri‐implant diseases include peri‐implant mucositis, describing an inflammatory lesion of the peri‐implant mucosa, and peri‐implantitis, which also includes loss of supporting bone.

Methods: A literature search of the Medline database (Ovid), up to 21 January 2008 was carried out using a systematic approach, in order to review the evidence for diagnosis and the risk indicators for peri‐implant diseases.

Results: Experimental and clinical studies have identified various diagnostic criteria including probing parameters, radiographic assessment and peri‐implant crevicular fluid and saliva analyses. Cross‐sectional analyses have investigated potential risk indicators for peri‐implant disease including poor oral hygiene, smoking, history of periodontitis, diabetes, genetic traits, alcohol consumption and implant surface. There is evidence that probing using a light force (0.25 N) does not damage the peri‐implant tissues and that bleeding on probing (BOP) indicates presence of inflammation in the peri‐implant mucosa. The probing depth, the presence of BOP, and suppuration should be assessed regularly for the diagnosis of peri‐implant diseases. Radiographs are required to evaluate supporting bone levels around implants. The review identified strong evidence that poor oral hygiene, a history of periodontitis and cigarette smoking, are risk indicators for peri‐implant disease. Future prospective studies are required to confirm these factors as true risk factors.
Non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis: a literature review
Authors: Renvert Stefan , Roos‐Jansåker Ann‐Marie , Claffey Noel
Published: August 2008

Objectives: To review the literature on non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis.

Material and Methods: A search of PubMed and The Cochrane Library of the Cochrane Collaboration (CENTRAL) as well as a hand search of articles were conducted. Publications and articles accepted for publication up to November 2007 were included.

Results: Out of 437 studies retrieved a total of 24 studies were selected for the review. Thus the available evidence for non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis is scarce.

Conclusions: It was observed that mechanical non‐surgical therapy could be effective in the treatment of peri‐implant mucositis lesions. Furthermore, the adjunctive use of antimicrobial mouth rinses enhanced the outcome of mechanical therapy of such mucositis lesions. In peri‐implantitis lesions non‐surgical therapy was not found to be effective. Adjunctive chlorhexidine application had only limited effects on clinical and microbiological parameters. However, adjunctive local or systemic antibiotics were shown to reduce bleeding on probing and probing depths. Minor beneficial effects of laser therapy on peri‐implantitis have been shown; this approach needs to be further evaluated. There is a need for randomized‐controlled studies evaluating treatment models of non‐surgical therapy of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis.
Surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis
Authors: Claffey Noel , Clarke Emily , Polyzois Ioannis , Renvert Stefan
Published: August 2008

Objectives: To review the literature on surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis.

Material and Methods: A search of PubMed and as well as a hand search of articles were conducted. Publications and articles accepted for publication up to November 2007 were included.

Results: A total of 43 studies were selected for the review. Only 13 of these were studies in humans and only one study directly addressed disease resolution. Thus the available evidence for surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis is extremely limited.

Animal studies: Re‐osseointegration can occur on previously contaminated surfaces. The surface characteristics are decisive for regeneration and re‐osseointegration. No single surface decontamination method appears to be distinctly superior. Open debridement with surface decontamination can achieve resolution.

Human studies: Access surgery has been investigated in one study demonstrating that resolution occurred in 58% of the lesions. No single method of surface decontamination (chemical agents, air abrasives and lasers) was found to be superior. The use of regenerative procedures such as bone graft techniques with or without the use of barrier membranes has been reported with various degrees of success. However, it must be stressed that such techniques do not address disease resolution but rather merely attempt to fill the osseous defect.
Has the prevalence of periodontitis changed during the last 30 years?
Authors: Hugoson Anders , Norderyd Ola
Published: August 2008

Aim: This paper reviews global trends in the change in prevalence of periodontitis over the last 30 years.

Material and Methods: The epidemiology of periodontal disease is briefly reviewed together with the current classification system and the clinical and radiographic diagnostic methodology in periodontal disease.

Results: This review identifies the very limited number of studies that provide prevalence data over time, and this data is discussed in comparison with those stemming from a few corresponding studies from countries outside Europe.

Conclusions: The data indicate a possible trend of a lower prevalence of periodontitis in recent years.
Prevalence and distribution of principal periodontal pathogens worldwide
Authors: Rylev Mette , Kilian Mogens
Published: August 2008

Background: Detailed genetic analysis of bacteria has demonstrated an unanticipated genetic diversity within species, which often reveals evolutionary lineages that are disproportionately associated with infection. There is evidence that some evolutionary lineages of bacteria have adapted to particular ethnic groups.

Aim: This review analyzes to what extent observed differences in periodontal disease prevalence among ethnically or geographically distinct populations may be explained by restricted host adaptation of clones of principal periodontal pathogens.

Results: Carriage rates of several putative periodontal pathogens and particular subsets of these species vary between ethnic groups. Few of these differences can, with the limited information available, be directly related to differences in periodontal disease prevalence. Asian populations are regularly colonized with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotype c with questionable pathogenic potential. Conversely, the JP2 clone of A. actinomycetemcomitans has enhanced virulence and causes significantly higher prevalence of aggressive periodontitis in adolescents whose descent can be traced back to the Mediterranean and Western parts of Africa. Some genetically distinct types of Porphyromonas gingivalis are more associated with disease than others, but additional work is required to relate this to clinical differences.

Conclusions: Studies that take into account differences linked to the genetics of both patients and potential pathogens are likely to give better insight into the aetiology of periodontal diseases.
The Path to Replacement Fertility in Egypt: Acceptance, Preference, and Achievement
Authors: El‐Zeini Laila O.
Published: August 2008

This study draws upon data from the 2004 Slow Fertility Transition survey, a follow‐up to the 2003 Egypt Interim Demographic and Health Survey, to investigate obstacles to achieving replacement fertility. To account for the likelihood of embracing the two‐child ideal, the analysis adopts a framework with the acronym APA: Acceptance of the two‐child ideal, Preference for that ideal, and Achievement of that preference. The framework posits a hierarchy among the three and hypothesizes that each depends on a set of factors, including gender stratification, economic expectations, perception of the costs and benefits of having children, and the costs of fertility regulation. The results indicate that son preference and the perceived low cost of childrearing are major obstacles to the acceptance of the two‐child family. Son preference, other discriminatory gender attitudes, optimistic economic expectations, and fear of contraceptive side effects are associated with a low preference for and ambivalence about having only two children. Given a decisive preference, lower socioeconomic status and strong son preference are the major obstacles to the achievement of the two‐child ideal.
Domestic Violence, Contraceptive Use, and Unwanted Pregnancy in Rural India
Authors: Stephenson Rob , Koenig Michael A. , Acharya Rajib , Roy Tarun K.
Published: August 2008

This study examines the relationship between male‐to‐female physical domestic violence and unwanted pregnancy among women in three economically and culturally diverse areas of India. A central methodological focus of the study is the examination of retrospective and prospective measures of pregnancy unwantedness, contrasting their usefulness for specifying levels of unwanted pregnancy and its relationship with domestic violence. Data from India's 1998–99 National Family Health Survey and a 2002–03 follow‐up survey for which women in four states were reinterviewed are analyzed, and the factors associated with the intersurvey adoption of contraception and the experience of an unwanted pregnancy are examined. Women who experience physical violence from their husbands are significantly less likely to adopt contraception and more likely to experience an unwanted pregnancy. A prospectively measured indicator of unwanted pregnancy identifies a higher prevalence of unwanted pregnancies than do the traditionally employed retrospective measures and is more successful in establishing a relationship between unwanted pregnancies and domestic violence. The results demonstrate a clear relationship between a woman's experience of physical violence from her husband and her ability to achieve her fertility intentions. The need to improve the measurement of pregnancy intendedness is clear, and a move toward using prospective measures as the standard is necessary.
The Effects of a Communication Program on Contraceptive Ideation and Use Among Young Women in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Babalola Stella , Folda Lisa , Babayaro Hadiza
Published: August 2008

This study assesses the effects of a communication campaign designed to encourage young people in northern Nigeria to use modern family planning methods to avoid unwanted pregnancies. The analyses are based on a sample of 819 sexually experienced women. Using multivariate probit regression, we attempt to correct for possible endogeneity among campaign exposure, contraceptive ideation, and contraceptive use. Our analysis reveals that the direct effect of campaign exposure on the probability of contraceptive use is only marginally significant, but the effect of exposure on contraceptive ideation is robust, as is the effect of contraceptive ideation on contraceptive use. The findings demonstrate not only the success of the program but also the relevance of incorporating ideation into analytic models assessing the effects of communication campaigns.
North Atlantic Vibrio vulnificus surveillance from postharvest oysters at a US shellfish processing facility
Authors: La Valley Kenneth J. , DeAlteris Joseph , Rice Michael , Gomez‐Chiarri Marta
Published: August 2008

Postharvest surveillance for Vibrio vulnificus by a commercial processing facility was conducted from May 2001 to September 2003. Harvest areas included the Delaware Bay, Long Island Sound and Prince Edward Island. Occurrence followed a seasonal distribution. Low densities were observed in June, increased through August, and became rare by September. Given the ubiquitous nature of marine Vibrios, it was not surprising to find V. vulnificus everywhere, which was investigated. Observations confirmed the importance of strict time/temperature and product handling practices by shellfish harvesters, dealers and processors. Mishandling led to a potentially dangerous and uncharacteristically high V. vulnificus observation.
Consumer perceptions about seafood – an Internet survey
Authors: Hicks Doris , Pivarnik Lori , McDermott Ryan
Published: August 2008

Consumer knowledge of and attitude toward seafood and seafood consumption was assessed using a nationwide Internet survey. The survey was evaluated for content validity and was pilot tested by consumers. There were 1062 respondents representing the US population for age, gender, income, ethnicity and geographic location. Respondents were asked questions regarding seafood consumption frequency, sources of information about seafood and preferred formats, knowledge of key seafood issues, and barriers to seafood consumption. Consumers were asked if they had heard positive or negative information about seafood and where they heard this information. Respondents were categorized as current seafood eaters (CSE), 88%; former seafood eaters (FSE), 9%; and nonseafood eaters (NSE), 3%. While only 22% of Americans met the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommendation of two servings of seafood each week, overall, 45% ate seafood at least once a week. Only 19% of women of childbearing age ate seafood two or more times per week. The top‐ranking reason for not eating seafood or changing seafood consumption habits was taste preference (46%) for FSE and NSE respondents, and affordability (45%) for CSE. Based on the results of this survey, a better understanding of consumers’ seafood habits can be used for the development of balanced messages for consumers over a variety of demographics. Respondents chose the media (30%) and the Internet (14%) as their preferred seafood information resource.
An overview: A new era of tax enforcement – from “big stick” to responsive regulation
Authors: Leviner Sagit
Published: August 2008

Recent developments in regulation and tax administration in Australia inspired this article on tax compliance and responsive regulation. This article analyzes the economics of crime and compliance as the dominant approach to tax enforcement of the past three and a half decades. It evaluates the key advantages and disadvantages of the economic approach as well as its application to tax. The article then explores responsive regulation as an alternative method that draws on the economic paradigm but also supplements this approach with other theories, particularly those involving identity, conflict escalation, and procedural justice. Building on this analysis and a case study of Australian investors in mass marketed tax schemes, the article suggests that the broader, more balanced, and closely tailored method of regulating responsively may enable regulators to draw on the advantages of the economic model while alleviating some of its drawbacks. Responsive regulation may therefore constitute a superior method for regulating compliance.
What do we really know? The effect of reporting thresholds on inferences using environmental right‐to‐know data
Authors: Bennear Lori S.
Published: August 2008

Environmental right‐to‐know regulations require regulated entities to publicly disclose measures of environmental performance but exempt entities from these disclosure requirements if they manufacture, process, or use a chemical below some threshold level. Environmental right‐to‐know data are widely used to assess environmental performance by academics, regulators, non‐profit organizations, and the public. This paper uses data from Massachusetts to estimate the effect of reporting thresholds in environmental right‐to‐know programs on the validity of inferences using data from these programs. The analysis indicates that errors in inference introduced by reporting thresholds may be significant. Up to 40% of the observed decline in reported toxic releases in Massachusetts may be attributed to non‐reporting due to the reporting thresholds. In addition, quartile rankings of facilities may be in error up to 45% of the time when behavior around the reporting thresholds is not taken into account.
Staphylococcus aureus
PBP4 Is Essential for β-Lactam Resistance in Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Strains
Authors: Memmi Guido , Filipe Sergio R. , Pinho Mariana G. , Fu Zhibiao , Cheung Ambrose
Published: August 2008

Recent cases of infections caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) (CA-MRSA) strains in healthy individuals have raised concerns worldwide. CA-MRSA strains differ from hospital-acquired MRSAs by virtue of their genomic background and increased virulence in animal models. Here, we show that in two common CA-MRSA isolates, USA300 and MW2 (USA400), a loss of penicillin binding protein 4 (PBP4) is sufficient to cause a 16-fold reduction in oxacillin and nafcillin resistance, thus demonstrating that
mecA
, encoding PBP2A, is not the sole determinant of methicillin resistance in CA-MRSA. The loss of PBP4 was also found to severely affect the transcription of PBP2 in cells after challenge with oxacillin, thus leading to a significant decrease in peptidoglycan cross-linking. Autolysis, which is commonly associated with the killing mechanism of penicillin and β-lactams, does not play a role in the reduced resistance phenotype associated with the loss of PBP4. We also showed that cefoxitin, a semisynthetic β-lactam that binds irreversibly to PBP4, is synergistic with oxacillin in killing CA-MRSA strains, including clinical CA-MRSA isolates. Thus, PBP4 represents a major target for drug rediscovery against CA-MRSA, and a combination of cefoxitin and synthetic penicillins may be an effective therapy for CA-MRSA infections.
Dominance of
bla
CTX-M
within an Australian Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Gene Pool
Authors: Zong Zhiyong , Partridge Sally R. , Thomas Lee , Iredell Jonathan R.
Published: August 2008

bla
CTX-M
genes, particularly
bla
CTX-M-15
, are the dominant extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes among clinical isolates of
Escherichia coli
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
in Sydney, Australia, where we also found one example of
bla
CTX-M-62
, encoding a novel enzyme conferring ceftazidime resistance. ESBL genes were present in diverse community isolates and in a variety of associated conjugative plasmids.
A Plasmid-Borne
bla
OXA-58
Gene Confers Imipenem Resistance to
Acinetobacter baumannii
Isolates from a Lebanese Hospital
Authors: Zarrilli Raffaele , Vitale Domenico , Di Popolo Anna , Bagattini Maria , Daoud Ziad , Khan Asad U. , Afif Claude , Triassi Maria
Published: August 2008

We investigated the basis of the carbapenem resistance of 17 multidrug-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
clinical isolates collected from 2004 to 2005 at the Saint George University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon.
A. baumannii
isolates were clonally related and were susceptible to colistin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, susceptible or intermediate to ampicillin-sulbactam and meropenem, and resistant to all other antimicrobials. Conjugation experiments demonstrated that resistance to imipenem could be transferred along with a plasmid containing the carbapenem-hydrolyzing oxacillinase
bla
OXA-58
gene. The plasmid that we called pABIR was 29,823 bp in size and showed a novel mosaic structure composed of two origins of replication, four insertion sequence (IS) elements, and 28 open reading frames. The
bla
OXA-58
gene was flanked by IS
18
and IS
Aba3
elements at the 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. The production of the carbapenem-hydrolyzing oxacillinase OXA-58 was apparently the only mechanism for carbapenem resistance in
A. baumannii
isolates causing the outbreak at the Lebanese Hospital.
Is 60 Days of Ciprofloxacin Administration Necessary for Postexposure Prophylaxis for
Bacillus anthracis
?
Authors: Drusano G. L. , Okusanya Olanrewaju O. , Okusanya Adedoyin , Van Scoy Brian , Brown D. L. , Kulawy Robert , Sörgel Fritz , Heine Henry S. , Louie Arnold
Published: August 2008

Sixty days of ciprofloxacin administration at 500 mg every 12 h is currently recommended for the prophylaxis of inhalational exposure to
Bacillus anthracis
. We examined
Bacillus anthracis
(Δ-Sterne strain) in our hollow-fiber infection model. We measured the ciprofloxacin concentrations achieved and the number of organisms present before heat shock (total population) and after heat shock (spore population). We fit a mathematical model to these data. Monte Carlo simulation with differing initial spore burdens (3, 5, and 6.9 log
10
CFU/ml) demonstrated that 35 days of this regimen would completely clear the spore burden in 95% of patients. Durations of 110 days did not achieve 99.9% eradication, irrespective of initial burden, because of between-patient variance in drug pharmacokinetics. Given the absence of person-to-person transmission for
Bacillus anthracis
, adverse drug effects with long-term ciprofloxacin administration, and the possibility of engendering resistance in bodily flora, shorter prophylaxis duration should be given consideration, along with careful monitoring of all exposed individuals.
Darunavir Inhibitory Quotient Predicts the 48-Week Virological Response to Darunavir-Based Salvage Therapy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Protease Inhibitor-Experienced Patients
Authors: Moltó José , Santos José R. , Pérez-Álvarez Nuria , Cedeño Samandhy , Miranda Cristina , Khoo Saye , Else Laura , Llibre Josep Maria , Valle Marta , Clotet Bonaventura
Published: August 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the virological response to darunavir-based salvage antiretroviral therapy and the darunavir genotypic and virtual inhibitory quotients (gIQ and vIQ, respectively). Thirty-seven HIV-infected patients failing protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral regimens who started salvage therapy containing darunavir-ritonavir were prospectively studied. The primary outcome of the study was a viral load (VL) of <50 copies/ml at week 48. The trough concentrations of darunavir in plasma, the number of darunavir resistance mutations, the change in the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of darunavir in the virtual phenotype, and the darunavir gIQ and vIQ were correlated with the virological outcome in regression analyses adjusted by the number of active drugs in the background regimen. The VL was <50 copies/ml in 56.8% of patients at week 48. Changes in the VL were not significantly associated with the darunavir concentration (P= 0.304), the number of darunavir resistance mutations (P= 0.695), or the change in the IC50(P= 0.750). However, patients with darunavir vIQs of ≥1.5 had a 12-fold greater chance of achieving a ≥1 log10reduction in the VL (odds ratio [OR], 12.7; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.9 to 81.6;P= 0.007), and a 5-fold greater chance of achieving a VL of <50 copies/ml (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.2 to 24.5;P= 0.028), at week 48 than patients with darunavir vIQs of <1.5. The positive and negative predictive values of this darunavir vIQ cutoff for achieving a VL of <50 copies/ml at week 48 were 70% and 69%, respectively. The darunavir vIQ predicts virological response to darunavir-based salvage therapy better than the darunavir trough concentration or resistance mutations alone. We suggest targeting a darunavir vIQ of 1.5 for achieving long-term viral suppression.