bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fracture of LiF‐MgF2 Precipitated Composites
Authors: KRSTIC VLADIMIR D. , NICHOLSON PATRICK S.
Published: June 2006

The precipitation reaction in LiF‐MgF2 solid solutions was successfully used to toughen this composite. Incoherent, stable, rod‐shaped MgF2 precipitates were produced in the LiF matrix by quenching and aging treatments. They increased the fracture toughness of the system to >12 times that of undoped LiF single crystals. The maximum toughness was observed with 3 wt% MgF2 after quenching and aging at 280°C for°300 min. The large toughness increase is attributed to pulling out of the incoherent MgF2 rods and microcracking ahead of the primary crack.
Temperature Dependence in Air of Fe2+ Concentration and Its Relation to Electrical Conductivity in a Natural Eastern Coal Slag
Authors: WHITE G. S. , HOSLER W. R. , CASTELLANO T. J.
Published: June 2006

Ferrous iron concentration in a coal slag obtained from Bow, New Hampshire, was studied as a function of heat treatment in air. Results indicate that the concentration varies continuously between 1300° and 1600°C, the slag becoming more oxidized as the temperature drops from 1600°C. For lower temperatures at which the slag is solid or highly viscous, oxidation still occurs between 1300° and 900°C when the coal slag is cooled slowly from temperatures above 1300°C. No such change is observed for fast quenches. This interpretation is consistent with observed dc electrical conductivity data obtained from similar samples.
Computer Simulation of Float Glass Stretching
Authors: NARAYANASWAMY O. S.
Published: June 2006

Manufacture of thin float glass entails stretching glass from its equilibrium thickness of ≃ 7 mm. The glass ribbon is stretched mainly in the longitudinal dimension. However, when edge rollers are used, significant stretching occurs in the lateral dimension also and an earlier one‐dimensional analysis of stretching cannot model this more complex process. This paper presents a two‐dimensional computer model of stretching and the results of a typical simulation based on this model. These results demonstrate the model's ability to simulate stretching and flow in two dimensions. The present model can be used to perform computer experiments to study the effects of various operating conditions on the dimensions and quality of float glass.
The High‐Silica Liquidus Surface of the System Na2O‐B2O3‐SiO2
Authors: Rockett Thomas J. , Foster W. R.
Published: June 2006

The liquidus surface for the high silica (>60 wt%) portion of the ternary system Na2O‐B2O3‐SiO2 is presented. Determinations were made by quench runs and solubility studies. The compound, reedmergnerite, NaBSi3O8 was not observed. Tridymite is the major primary phase.
Initial Sintering of ZnO
Authors: WHITTEMORE O. J. , VARELA J. A.
Published: June 2006

ZnO compacts were sintered in air from 450° to 700° C. By mercury porosimetry, pore size distributions, surface areas, densities, and porosities were determined. No shrinkage occurred below 550°C and, from a surface loss model, the mechanism was concluded to be surface diffusion. Activation energies are compared with those reported by other authors.
Preparation of High‐Density Si3N4 by a Gas‐Pressure Sintering Process
Authors: GRESKOVICH C.
Published: June 2006

Si3N4 compacts, containing ≅7 wt% of both BeSiN2 and SiO2 as densification aids, can be reproducibly sintered to relative densities >99% by a gas‐pressure sintering process. Nearly all densification takes place via liquid‐phase sintering of transformed β‐Si3N4 grains at T=1800° to 2000°C. Compacts with high density are produced by first sintering to the closed‐pore stage (≅92% relative density) in 2.1 MPa (20 atm) of N2 pressure at 2000°C and then increasing the N2 pressure to 7.1 MPa (70 atm) where rapid densification proceeds at T= 1800° to 2000°C. The experimental density results are interpreted in terms of theoretical arguments concerning the growth (coalescence) of gas‐filled pores and gas solubility effects. Complex chemical reactions apparently occur at high temperatures and are probably responsible for incomplete understanding of some of the experimental data.
Increased neutrophil membrane expression and plasma level of proteinase 3 in systemic vasculitis are not a consequence of the − 564 A/G promotor polymorphism
Authors: Abdgawad M , Hellmark T , Gunnarsson L , Westman K W A , Segelmark M
Published: June 2006

Several findings link proteinase 3 (PR3) to small vessel vasculitis. Besides being a major target of anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA), previous findings have shown increased circulating levels of PR3 in vasculitis patients, increased levels of neutrophil membrane-PR3 (mPR3) expression and a skewed distribution of the − 564 A/G polymorphism in the promotor region of the PR3 gene. In this study we elucidate how these three findings relate to each other. The plasma concentration of PR3 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), mPR3 expression by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) and the gene polymorphism by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We compared results from 63 patients with ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis (AASV) with 107 healthy blood donors. In accordance with previous reports, AASV patients had increased plasma concentrations of PR3 compared to healthy controls (mean 224 µg/l versus 155 µg/l, P < 0.0001). They also showed an increased number of mPR3-positive neutrophils (60%versus 42%, P < 0.001). However, contrary to a previous report, we found no skewed distribution of the polymorphism in PR3 gene. There was a weak correlation between mPR3 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and plasma PR3 among healthy controls and myeloperoxidase–ANCA (MPO–ANCA)-positive patients (r = 0.24, P = 0.015 and r = 0.52, P = 0.011, respectively). In conclusion, increased plasma PR3 and high expression of mPR3 are associated with small vessel vasculitis, but neither of them is a consequence of the − 564 A/G polymorphism of the PR3 gene promotor.
Experimental habitat fragmentation increases linkage disequilibrium but does not affect genetic diversity or population structure in the Amazonian liverwort Radula flaccida
Authors: ZARTMAN CHARLES E. , MCDANIEL STUART F. , SHAW A. JONATHAN
Published: June 2006

Habitat fragmentation increases the migration distances among remnant populations, and is predicted to play a significant role in altering both demographic and genetic processes. Nevertheless, few studies have evaluated the genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation in light of information about population dynamics in the same set of organisms. In a 10 000‐km2 experimentally fragmented landscape of rainforest reserves in central Amazonia, we examine patterns of genetic variation (amplified fragment length polymorphisms, AFLPs) in the epiphyllous (e.g. leaf‐inhabiting) liverwort Radula flaccida Gott. Previous demographic work indicates that colonization rates in this species are significantly reduced in small forest reserves. We scored 113 polymorphic loci in 86 individuals representing five fragmented and five experimentally unmanipulated populations. Most of the variation (82%) in all populations was harboured at the smallest (400 m2) sampling unit. The mean (± SD) within‐population genetic diversity (Nei's), of forest remnants (0.412 ± 0.2) was indistinguishable from continuous (0.413 ± 0.2) forests. Similarly, FST was identical among small (1‐ and 10‐ha) and large (≥ 100‐ha) reserves (0.19 and 0.18, respectively), but linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was significantly elevated in fragmented populations relative to those in continuous forests. These results illustrate that inferences regarding the long‐term viability of fragmented populations based on neutral marker data alone must be viewed with caution, and underscore the importance of jointly evaluating information on both genetic structure and demography. Second, multilocus analyses may be more sensitive to the effects of fragmentation in the short term, although the effects of increasing linkage disequilibrium on population viability remain uncertain.
The disease resistance gene Dm3 is infrequent in natural populations of Lactuca serriola due to deletions and frequent gene conversions at the RGC2 locus
Authors: Kuang Hanhui , Ochoa Oswaldo E. , Nevo Eviatar , Michelmore Richard W.
Published: June 2006

Resistance genes can exhibit heterogeneous patterns of variation. However, there are few data on their frequency and variation in natural populations. We analysed the frequency and variation of the resistance gene Dm3, which confers resistance to Bremia lactucae (downy mildew) in 1033 accessions of Lactuca serriola (prickly lettuce) from 49 natural populations. Inoculations with an isolate of Bremia lactucae carrying avirulence gene Avr3 indicated that the frequency of Dm3 in natural populations of L. serriola was very low. Molecular analysis demonstrated that Dm3 was present in only one of the 1033 wild accessions analysed. The sequence of the 5′ region of Dm3 was either highly conserved among accessions, or absent. In contrast, frequent chimeras were detected in the 3′ leucine‐rich repeat‐encoding region. Therefore low frequency of the Dm3 specificity in natural populations was due to either the recent evolution of Dm3 specificity, or deletions of the whole gene as well as variation in 3′ region caused by frequent gene conversions. This is the most extensive analysis of the prevalence of a known disease resistance gene to date, and indicates that the total number of resistance genes in a species may be very high. This has implications for the scales of germplasm conservation and exploitation of sources of resistance.
Automated red cell collection – quality and value
Authors: Harrison J. F.
Published: June 2006

summary.  Automated red cell collection was initially used largely for therapeutic purposes. New technology has rendered the procedure safer for donors and easier for machine operators. Optimal additive solution can be automatically added and the red cells filtered to provide a leucodepleted product. Two units of red cells may be collected during a single procedure from individuals who have a high enough red cell mass, whilst a single unit of red cells plus platelets or plasma can be collected from smaller donors.

In vitro studies suggested that red cells collected by automated methods would be of better quality than those collected by gravity. This was not confirmed in vivo, but red cells collected by automated methods have the major advantage of consistency in terms of haemoglobin content, volume and haematocrit, compared with red cells collected by gravity. This standardised product is of particular value for transfusion dependent patients as the patient's haemoglobin can be maintained within narrow limits. The use of a double dose red cell product for transfusion to a single patient also confers benefit in terms of reduction in donor exposure.
Platelets do not adsorb HLA class I molecules during storage of pooled platelet concentrates
Authors: Zeiler T. , Heim M. , Dempfle A. , Kretschmer V.
Published: June 2006

summary.  The origin of HLA class I molecules on platelets is still under discussion. Adsorption of HLA molecules on platelets using specific experimental conditions has been described. The study presented investigates whether there is a significant elution and adsorption of HLA class I molecules on platelets during storage of pooled random platelet concentrates (PRPC) under routine conditions.

Platelet concentrates (PCs) from whole blood were prepared from HLA‐A2‐positive and HLA‐A2‐negative donors, pooled and stored under routine conditions. In addition, platelets from HLA‐A2‐negative donors were pelleted and resuspended in cell‐free plasma from HLA‐A2‐positive donors. HLA‐A2‐positive PCs (positive control), HLA‐A2‐negative PCs (negative control) and HLA‐A2‐negative platelets in plasma from HLA‐A2‐negative donors were stored simultaneously. Binding of FITC‐conjugated monoclonal murine antihuman HLA‐A2 antibodies (anti‐HLA‐A2‐mab) was measured during 5‐day storage by flow cytometry.

An increased binding of anti‐HLA‐A2‐mab during storage was found on HLA‐A2‐negative platelets (P < 0·005) independently whether they were incubated with cell‐free plasma or platelets from HLA‐A2‐positive donors or autologous HLA‐A2‐negative cell‐free plasma. However, non‐specific binding of IgG controls increased equally, whereas anti‐HLA‐A2‐mab binding to platelets from HLA‐A2‐positive donors did not decrease during storage.

This study suggests that there is no significant elution and adsorption of HLA class I antigens of platelets in pooled PCs during storage under the usual conditions for platelet storage. Increased anti‐HLA‐A2‐mab signal was due to non‐specific binding. Therefore, HLA class I compatible platelets should maintain their compatibility for an immunized patient when stored in a pool with HLA incompatible platelets and shortened survival after transfusion should not be expected.
Rituximab alone or in association with corticosteroids in the treatment of acquired factor VIII inhibitors: report of two cases
Authors: Berezné A. , Stieltjes N. , Le‐Guern V. , Teixeira L. , Billy C. , Roussel‐Robert V. , Flaujac C. , Horellou M.‐H. , Guillevin L. , Mouthon L.
Published: June 2006

summary.  Acquired haemophilia is a factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency due to autoantibodies directed against FVIII that can be responsible for severe haemorrhage. The therapeutic approach, in addition to the treatment of bleeding episodes with clotting factor infusion, relies on corticosteroids (CS), cyclophosphamide (CYC), and/or high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg). However, the efficacy of IVIg is limited, and CS and CYC may cause a number of adverse effects. Recently, rituximab has been proposed, alone or in combination with CS and immunosuppressants in a small number of patients with acquired anti‐FVIII antibodies with a good efficacy. We report here on two patients, aged 74 and 81, respectively, who developed acquired haemophilia, with high titre FVIII inhibitors and severe haemorrhage, in the absence of a detectable cause. Both of them received rituximab as a first line therapy with a marked and prolonged efficacy.
Dermatoscopy of pigmented actinic keratosis – A striking similarity to lentigo maligna
Authors: Pock Lumír , Drlík Lubomír , Hercogová Jana
Published: June 2006

Background  Pigmented actinic keratosis (PAK) resembles lentigo maligna (LM) clinically and histopathologically in some cases.

Objectives  To describe the dermatoscopical characteristics of this uncommon variant of actinic keratosis and evaluate whether these characteristics show common features with LM.

Observations  We had the opportunity to examine a 78‐year‐old woman who presented with a PAK lesion on her face dermatoscopically and histopathologically. The pigmented pseudo‐network had black and gray dust in some areas, which were the main dermatoscopical features. The pigmented pseudo‐network was formed by an unhomogenous brown background interrupted by regularly distributed hair follicules. The hyperpigmentation was based not only on an increased presence of melanin within the keratinocytes in the basal and spinous layers of epidermis, but also an intensive apoptosis of keratinocytes connected to numerous melanophages.

Conclusions  The dermatoscopical picture of PAK in this patient was practically indistinguishable from the early stage of LM. The authors considered that the pigmented atypical melanocytes’ role in LM presenting as black dots in the dermatoscopical picture was displayed by the individually pigmented keratinocytes in PAK. The groups of melanophages presenting as gray dust were present in PAK similarly to their presentation in LM. The character of the pigmented pseudo‐network is the same in the both afflictions. There is a need to examine other cases of PAK in order to decide whether our case represents a general pattern of the dermatoscopical picture.
α‐Lipoic acid modulates gut inflammation induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid in rats
Authors: Kolgazi Meltem , Jahovic Nermina , Yüksel Meral , Ercan Feriha , Alican İnci
Published: June 2006

Background and Aim:  α‐Lipoic acid (ALA) has been shown to combat oxidative stress by quenching a variety of reactive oxygen species. It is involved in the regeneration of exogenous and endogenous antioxidants, chelation of metal ions, and repair of oxidized proteins. This study aimed to evaluate the potential beneficial effect of ALA on trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)‐induced gut ileitis and colitis in rats.

Method:  After 48 h of fasting, Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent a laparotomy under ether anesthesia. TNBS solution 30 mg/mL in 40% ethanol (1 mL) was injected into the lumen, 10 cm proximal to the ileocolonic junction to induce ileitis or intrarectally 8 cm proximal to the anal sphincter to induce colitis. ALA (25 mg/kg intraperitoneally, twice a day) was given after induction of inflammation and continued for 3 days. All animals were decapitated 3 days after induction of the inflammation. The mucosal lesions of the ileum and colon were scored macroscopically and microscopically. Samples were taken for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, tissue‐associated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and luminol‐ or lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence (CL).

Results:  Macroscopic scores, morphological changes and increased tissue lipid peroxidation with a concomitant reduction in GSH of the ileitis or colitis groups were all reversed by treatment with ALA. ALA treatment was also effective in improving tissue MPO activity and CL values, which were elevated in untreated ileitis or colitis groups.

Conclusion:  ALA is beneficial in TNBS‐induced gut inflammation in rats via suppression of neutrophil accumulation, preservation of endogenous glutathione and inhibition of reactive oxidant generation.
Lipids
Authors: Johnson David
Published: June 2006

Date written: February 2004

Final submission: July 2004
Uric acid
Authors: Johnson David
Published: June 2006

Date written: February 2004

Final submission: July 2004
Specific management of IgA nephropathy: role of steroid therapy
Authors: Thomas Merlin
Published: June 2006

Date written: July 2005

Final submission: September 2005
Specific management of IgA nephropathy: role of tonsillectomy
Authors: Thomas Merlin
Published: June 2006

Date written: July 2005

Final submission: September 2005
Membranous nephropathy: role of cyclosporin therapy
Authors: Thomas Merlin
Published: June 2006

Date written: July 2005

Final submission: September 2005
Application of a new cleavage fracture criterion for fracture toughness prediction for RPV steels
Authors: MARGOLIN B. Z. , SHVETSOVA V. A. , GULENKO A. G. , KOSTYLEV V. I.
Published: June 2006

In the present paper, approaches for prediction of cleavage fracture proposed by authors over recent years are briefly reviewed. A new local criterion of cleavage fracture and its application are considered.

Local criterion of cleavage fracture formulated in a probabilistic manner consists of cleavage microcrack nucleation condition and condition for their start and propagation through various barriers such as microstresses, grain and dislocation substructure boundaries. As distinct from universally accepted criterion in which microcrack nucleation occurs on the plastic deformation beginning(σeq=σY), cleavage microcrack nucleation according to the formulated condition depends on the maximum principal stress, plastic strain and temperature.

On the basis of the proposed criterion, a probabilistic model for fracture toughness prediction (known now as Prometey model) was developed and verified by application to reactor pressure vessels (RPV) materials in the initial, moderately irradiated and highly embrittled states. The Prometey model and other applications of the proposed criterion are briefly considered. The predicted results are compared with test results and the Master Curve.
Conditional effects of interventions in note‐taking procedures on learning: A meta‐analysis
Authors: KOBAYASHI KEIICHI
Published: June 2006

Abstract:  A meta‐analysis was conducted on 17 studies (27 separate samples and 73 effect sizes) examining the effects of interventions in the note‐taking procedures on learning from lectures or texts. The overall mean weighted effect size (d) for the intervention groups versus the no intervention groups was 0.02. To explore what factors influence the intervention effects, moderator analyses were conducted separately for intervention type, schooling level, presentation method, publication source, and publication year. The results indicated that students at a lower schooling level gained some benefits from the interventions, whereas students at a higher schooling level did not. Also, the intervention effects were greater for journal articles than for doctoral dissertations and Education Resources Information Center reports. Other variables did not significantly account for the variance in effect sizes.
Magnetoencephalography in Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis and Localization‐related Epilepsy
Authors: Kamimura Takanori , Tohyama Jun , Oishi Makoto , Akasaka Noriyuki , Kanazawa Osamu , Sasagawa Mutsuo , Kato Mitsuhiro , Ohno Kousaku , Masuda Hiroshi , Kameyama Shigeki , Uchiyama Makoto
Published: June 2006

Summary: Purpose:To clarify the usefulness of magnetoencephalography (MEG) for diagnosis of the spatial relations between spike foci and suspicious epileptogenic tubers on MRI in patients with tuberous sclerosis (TS) and to compare MEG spike foci with single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings.

Methods:We analyzed magnetic fields of epileptic spike discharges in 15 patients with TS and localization‐related epilepsy (LRE) by using MEG (a whole‐head 204‐channel magnetometer system). We investigated the spatial relation between the equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) of interictal spike discharges and visible cortical tubers on MRI. We also compared results of MEG and MRI with SPECT findings.

Results:MEG detected a cluster of ECDs around one cortical tuber in six of 15 patients and clusters of ECDs around two cortical tubers in five patients. Interictal SPECT was disappointing in detection of epileptic foci in TS. However, MEG spike foci showed spatial consistency with ictal hyperperfusion areas in two patients. Three patients with single ECD clusters underwent surgical treatment: two have been seizure free, and one has obtained seizure reduction of >90%.

Conclusions:ECDs were located around visible tuber nodules. MEG enabled precise localization of the epileptic foci and provided crucial information for surgical treatment in patients with TS and partial epilepsy. TS patients showing a single ECD cluster on MEG may be appropriate candidates for surgical treatment.
Perioral Reflex Myoclonias: A Controlled Study in Patients with JME and Focal Epilepsies
Authors: Mayer Thomas A. , Schroeder Frauke , May Theodor W. , Wolf Peter T.
Published: June 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Perioral reflex myoclonias (PORM) are obvious, frequent, but often unobserved focal seizures in different epileptic syndromes and the leading seizure type in reading epilepsy. PORMs remain often undiagnosed because the patients are not aware that these are epileptic seizures and fail to report them. Their semiology is not fundamentally different in various epileptic syndromes.

Methods: We studied the frequency of PORM in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) compared with patients with focal epilepsies. Twenty‐five patients with JME were investigated with a standardized neuropsychological test program and compared with 25 matched patients with focal epilepsies. Statistical significance was calculated by using Fisher's exact test.

Results: We found significant differences between the groups regarding both frequency of PORM and activation of epileptic discharges. These observations seem to indicate that PORM, like praxis‐induced seizures, are typical traits in JME.

Conclusions: PORM are more frequent in JME compared with focal epilepsies. The distinction between focal and generalized epileptic ictogenesis may be less clear than is traditionally believed.
Pain in Severe Dementia: Self‐Assessment or Observational Scales?
Authors: Pautex Sophie , Michon Agnès , Guedira Monia , Emond Héloise , Lous Paulette Le , Samaras Dimitrios , Michel Jean‐Pierre , Herrmann François , Giannakopoulos Panteleimon , Gold Gabriel
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of self‐assessment scales in severely demented hospitalized patients and to compare it with observational data.

DESIGN: Prospective clinical study.

SETTING: Geriatrics hospital and a geriatric psychiatry service.

PARTICIPANTS: All patients who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria for dementia, with a Mini‐Mental State Examination score less than 11 and a Clinical Dementia Rating score of 3.

MEASUREMENTS: Three self‐assessment tools—the verbal, horizontal visual, and faces pain scales—were administered in randomized order. A nursing team independently completed an observational pain rating scale. Main outcomes were comprehension (ability to explain scale use and correctly indicate positions for no pain and extreme pain, on two separate occasions), inter‐ and intrarater reliability, and comparison of pain intensities measured by the different scales.

RESULTS: Sixty‐one percent of 129 severely demented patients (mean age 83.7, 69% women) demonstrated comprehension of at least one scale. Comprehension rates were significantly better for the verbal and the faces pain scales. For patients who demonstrated good comprehension, the inter‐ and intrarater reliability of the three self‐assessment scales was high (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.88–0.98). Correlation between the three self‐assessment scales was moderate to strong (Spearman correlation coefficient (r)=0.45–0.94; P<.001). Observational rating correlated at least moderately with self‐assessment (r=0.25–0.63), although for patients reporting pain, the observational rating scale underestimated severity compared with all three self‐assessment scales.

CONCLUSION: Clinicians should not apply observational scales routinely in severely demented patients, because many are capable of reliably reporting their own pain.
The Influence of Latent Viral Infection on Rate of Cognitive Decline over 4 Years
Authors: Aiello Allison E. , Haan Mary N. , Blythe Lynn , Moore Kari , Gonzalez Jeffrey M. , Jagust William
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus type‐1 (HSV‐1) are associated with cognitive decline over a 4‐year period and to assess whether C‐reactive protein (CRP) modifies these relationships.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study over a 4‐year period.

SETTING: Community‐dwelling elderly population.

PARTICIPANTS: The sample was a subset (1,204/1,789) of participants in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (SALSA) aged 60 to 100.

MEASUREMENTS: Participants were screened annually over a 4‐year period for cognitive function and episodic memory. Cognitive function was assessed using the modified Mini‐Mental State Examination, and episodic memory was assessed using a word list‐learning test of delayed recall. Baseline serum samples were assayed for levels of immunoglobulin G antibodies to CMV and HSV‐1 and for levels of CRP.

RESULTS: There was a significantly higher rate of cognitive decline over the 4‐year period in subjects with the highest CMV antibody levels at baseline than in individuals with the lowest levels (β=−0.053, standard error =0.018; P=.003), after controlling for age, sex, education, income, and chronic health conditions. There was no association between HSV‐1 antibody levels and cognitive decline. CRP did not modify the relationship between viral antibody levels and cognitive decline.

CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show that individuals with higher levels of antibody to CMV experience a more‐rapid rate of cognitive decline than those with lower levels. Understanding the mechanisms by which CMV influences cognition may aid development of intervention strategies targeting infection, viral reactivation, and immune response over the life course.
Biopsy vs. superficial scraping: detection of human papillomavirus 6, 11, 16, and 18 in potentially malignant and malignant oral lesions
Authors: Furrer V. E. , Benitez M. B. , Furnes M. , Lanfranchi H. E. , Modesti N. M.
Published: June 2006

Background:  Several epidemiologic studies have shown a broad variation in the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in oral precancerous tissues and oral carcinomas.

Methods:  Biopsies and superficial scrapes of lesions, clinically suspected of HPV infection, were taken from patients with potentially malignant and malignant oral lesions, and subject to HPV DNA detection by PCR–Southern blot analysis.

Results:  From 22 patients with potentially malignant and malignant lesions analyzed, 41% of the biopsies were HPV DNA positive, whereas 95–100% of the superficial scrapes were positive (McNemar, P < 0.0001). Clinical presumption of HPV infection detected 67% (P < 0.0001) of the HPV DNA positive cases compared with 48% (P < 0.0001) determined by cytology and histopathology. The prevalence of HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 in the oral mucosa was studied in 59 individuals. While 9% of normal controls were HPV DNA positive, 100% of the patients with potentially malignant and malignant lesions were HPV DNA positive, and the prevailing genotype was HPV 16 followed by HPV 18.

Conclusions:  The higher HPV DNA detection rate in superficial oral scrapes than in biopsies suggests that accurate epidemiological information on oral HPV infection/oral carcinogenesis depends not only on the DNA detection technique, but also on the tissue/cell sampling procedure.
Short‐term clinical evaluation of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for ulcerative oral lichen planus
Authors: Xia Juan , Li Chunyang , Hong Yun , Yang Linglan , Huang Yulei , Cheng Bin
Published: June 2006

Background:  Efforts are made in a continued searching for novel therapies for symptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection for ulcerative OLP.

Methods:  Forty‐five patients with clinical and histologically confirmed ulcerative OLP on bilateral buccal mucosa, one for treatment and the other for control, were studied. All participants received 0.5 ml TA (40 mg/ml) on experimental sites. Visual analogue scale score and lesion areas were recorded at the time of injection and 1‐week interval. After 2 weeks, if the treated ulceration reduced <81% in size, a second injection was given.

Results:  The treated group gave rapid relief of signs and symptoms, while the control group showed minimal decrease. 38 (84.4%) patients demonstrated complete response in ulceration size. No complications were noted with TA injections.

Conclusions:  Intralesional TA injection in ulcerative OLP is effective and safe in achieving lesion and pain regression.
Immunohistological evaluation of Ki‐67, p63, CK19 and p53 expression in oral epithelial dysplasias
Authors: Takeda T. , Sugihara K. , Hirayama Y. , Hirano M. , Tanuma J‐I. , Semba I.
Published: June 2006

Background:  Oral squamous cell carcinoma develops through a multistep of genetic mutations, and the process can be morphologically recognized as oral epithelial dysplasia. To evaluate the hypothesis that distributional alterations of proliferating and stem cells may be a useful index to estimate the grading and development of epithelial dysplasia, we examined the distribution patterns according to stratified cell layers.

Methods:  Sixty‐two oral dysplasia cases according to the histological grades were immunohistologically examined and the nuclear expression of Ki‐67 and p63 antigens was counted according to epithelial layers as labeling index.

Results:  The Ki‐67 labeling index in the basal and suprabasal layers and that of p63 in the basal layer showed a significant difference between low‐ and high‐grade groups of epithelial dysplasia.

Conclusion:  The architectural alteration of proliferating cell and stem cell distribution in the layers of epithelial dysplasias may provide useful information to evaluate the grading of oral epithelial dysplasias.
The role for ‘reminders’ in dental traumatology: 2. The effectiveness of a reminder stamp compared with the current clinical practice for documenting the diagnostic working length
Authors: Day Peter F. , Duggal Monty S.
Published: June 2006

Abstract –  The aim of this study was to establish if a predesigned prompt in the form of a reminder stamp placed in a patient's dental records is more effective for recording the essential details of a diagnostic working length compared to the current practice without any specific prompts. Following a pilot study of current practice, a stamp was introduced. Twelve months following the introduction of the stamp, 198 patient records were examined, where endodontic treatment had been carried out mainly for traumatic injuries. The following parameters were specifically investigated whether a radiograph had been taken to establish working length and was it available for examination, whether the working length was recorded in the notes and whether a reference point for the measurements was given. The working length was conventionally recorded by 127 notes, whereas 71 used the stamp. A working length radiograph was taken and a working length recorded for 95% of the cases where no stamp had been used, compared to 100% of the stamp group. Where no stamp had been used only 83% of working length radiographs were available compared to 100% of the stamp group. Interestingly, a reference point from where the working length had been measured was only recorded in 5% of the cases where the stamp had not been used compared to 94% using the predesigned stamp. This result was statistically significant using a chi‐squared test (P < 0.001). The stamp was generally more effective than the conventional method of recording the working length for endodontics.
Attitudes, Perceived Norms, and Intentions: A Needs Assessment Study of the Influenza Immunization Intentions of Elderly Citizens in Vermont
Authors: Bosompra Kwadwo , Ashikaga Takamaru , Ruby Anne
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Context: Influenza and pneumonia rank among the 5 leading causes of death among persons aged 65 and over. Although immunization has been demonstrated to prevent influenza or reduce its incidence and associated complications among the elderly, it has been largely underutilized. Purpose: This study examined the association of attitudes, perceived norms, and intention to obtain influenza immunization among community‐dwelling rural elderly. The goal was to design an effective intervention program to increase the rate of flu immunization among the rural elderly. Methods: In spring 2000, random‐digit dialing selected 1,239 households in 2 rural Vermont counties. Telephone interviews were conducted with 799 persons aged 60 or older, resulting in a response rate of 65%. Findings: Factor analyses revealed 2 dimensions underlying attitudes and perceived norms. Subsequent regression analyses confirmed that 1 attitude construct—perceived benefits—and both normative indices were significant predictors of immunization intention, explaining 45% of its variation. Conclusions: An intervention program targeting rural elderly should emphasize the benefits and perceived side effects of immunization. The program should publicize that most elderly believe that the advantages of influenza immunization outweigh the disadvantages. These findings will inform an intervention program designed to increase immunization coverage among rural seniors in Vermont.
The Appalachia Cancer Network: Cancer Control Research Among a Rural, Medically Underserved Population
Authors: Lengerich Eugene J. , Wyatt Stephen W. , Rubio Angel , Beaulieu Joyce E. , Coyne Cathy A. , Fleisher Linda , Ward Ann J. , Brown Pamela K.
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Residents of Appalachia, especially those in rural Appalachia, are generally considered to be medically underserved. In fact, cancer mortality in Appalachia, especially in rural Appalachia, is higher than it is in the remainder of the United States. Developing from the Appalachia Leadership Initiative on Cancer, the Appalachia Cancer Network (ACN) is a network of academic and community organizations that seek to conduct surveillance, intervention, and dissemination research to reduce this excess cancer burden in Appalachia. The purpose of this report is to (1) describe the approach to cancer control research in ACN, a Special Population Network, among the medically underserved of Appalachia, and (2) to put forward observations from this experience to enhance the research of other academic and community networks among underserved populations. ACN has instituted a conceptual model, organizational structure, and other methods to foster this research and to develop junior and community‐based investigators. Important issues and questions related to the effectiveness of such research networks have also been articulated.
Improving Access to Primary Care for a Growing Latino Population: The Role of Safety Net Providers in the Rural Midwest
Authors: Blewett Lynn A. , Casey Michelle , Call Kathleen Thiede
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Context: Many rural Midwestern communities are experiencing rapid growth in Latino populations with low rates of health insurance coverage, limited financial resources, language and cultural differences, and special health care needs. Purpose: We report on 2‐day site visits conducted in 2001 and 2002 in 3 communities (Marshalltown, Iowa; Great Bend, Kansas; and Norfolk, Nebraska) to document successful strategies to meet Latino health care needs. Methods: We interviewed key informants to identify successful community strategies for dealing with health care access challenges facing the growing Latino population in the Midwest. Findings: Interventions have been developed to meet new demands including (1) use of free clinics, (2) school health programs, (3) outreach by public health, social services and religious organizations, and (4) health care providers' efforts to communicate with patients in Spanish. Strain on safety net services for Latinos is due in part to a complicated and unstable mix of public and private funds, a large but overtaxed volunteer provider base, the dependence on a limited number of community leaders, and limited time for coordination and documentation of activities. Conclusions: We suggest the development of a Rural Safety Net Support System to provide targeted funding to rural areas with growing immigrant populations. Federal community health center support could be redirected to new and existing safety net providers to support the development of a safety net monitoring system.
Organization of Care for Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rural and Urban Hospitals in Kansas
Authors: Ellerbeck Edward F. , Bhimaraj Arvind , Perpich Denise
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Context: One in 4 Americans lives in a rural community and relies on rural hospitals and medical systems for emergent care of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI). The infrastructure and organization of AMI care in rural and urban Kansas hospitals was examined. Methods: Using a nominal group process, key elements within hospitals that might influence quality of AMI care were identified, including personnel, equipment, organizational systems, and quality improvement activities. These elements were included in a survey of 45 rural and 12 urban Kansas hospitals. Findings: Though emergency 911 systems were widely available in both urban and rural communities, paramedics and advanced cardiac life support were less likely to be available in rural communities. Few rural hospitals were capable of emergent catheterization, angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass surgery; cardiologists, though readily available by phone, were rarely available on‐site. Nevertheless, most rural ambulances could not bypass local hospitals. Most rural hospitals transferred the vast majority of their patients to urban medical centers within an average distance of 78 miles. Standardized protocols were used for emergent AMI care in 67% of urban and 62% of rural hospitals. Hospitals included aspirin in 53% and beta‐blockers in 28% of either protocols or standing orders. Conclusions: Although faced with more limited resources, some rural hospitals, like their urban counterparts, have implemented protocols to address emergent care of AMI patients. Nevertheless, many of these protocols omit crucial aspects of AMI care. Rural and urban hospitals should jointly develop systems that assure consistent, rapid delivery of AMI care.
Fever and circulating cytokines induced by double‐stranded RNA in guinea pigs: dependence on the route of administration and effects of repeated injections
Authors: Voss T. , Rummel C. , Gerstberger R. , Hübschle T. , Roth J.
Published: June 2006

Aims:  The aim of this study was to characterize the properties of synthetic double‐stranded RNA to induce fever and circulating cytokines in guinea pigs with special emphasis on the route of administration and on a putative development of tolerance to this pyrogen.

Methods:  Changes in abdominal temperature were recorded in unrestrained animals by use of intra‐abdominally implanted radiotransmitters. Circulating concentrations of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were measured by use of specific bioassays.

Results:  The pyrogenic effect of double‐stranded RNA at a dose of 500 μg kg−1 depended on the route of its administration. Intra‐arterial (i.a.) or intraperitoneal injections of double‐stranded RNA induced pronounced fevers and strong elevations of circulating TNF‐α and IL‐6. Intramuscular injections of the synthetic pyrogen caused rather moderate febrile and cytokine responses. Administration of synthetic RNA into artificial subcutaneously implanted Teflon chambers had no pyrogenic and cytokine‐inducing effects. I.a. injections of double‐stranded RNA, repeated five times at intervals of 3 days, resulted in fevers of similar shape and duration and similar cytokine response patterns. However, the strength of fever and cytokine formation was significantly reduced, although not abolished, in response to the repeated injections compared with the first injection, indicating a partial development of tolerance.

Conclusions:  The modulation of the strength of RNA‐induced fever, dependent on the route of administration, or the state of partial tolerance to this pyrogen, may thus be related to the formation of pyrogenic cytokines.
Priming for Immunologic Memory in Adults by Meningococcal Group C Conjugate Vaccination
Authors: Vu David M. , de Boer Alberdina W. , Danzig Lisa , Santos George , Canty Bridget , Flores Betty M. , Granoff Dan M.
Published: June 2006

Meningococcal group C polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines (MCV) prime infants and children for memory anticapsular responses upon subsequent exposure to unconjugated polysaccharide. The objective of this study was to determine whether MCV primes vaccine-naïve adults and adults previously vaccinated with meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV) for memory antibody responses. Meningococcal vaccine-naïve adults were randomized to receive either MCV (MCV/naïve group) (
n
= 35) or pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (PCV/naïve group) (
n
= 34). Participants with a history of receiving MPSV were given MCV (MCV/MPSV group) (
n
= 26). All subjects were challenged 10 months later with one-fifth of the usual dose of MPSV (10 μg of each polysaccharide). Sera were obtained before the conjugate vaccination and before and 7 days after the MPSV challenge and assayed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) anticapsular antibody concentrations and bactericidal titers. The MCV/naïve group had 7- to 10-fold-higher serum IgG and bactericidal responses after the MPSV challenge than the PCV/naïve group (
P
< 0.001). The increases (
n
-fold) in anticapsular antibody concentrations in the MCV/naïve group were greatest in subjects with antibody concentrations of ≤2 μg/ml before the challenge (geometric mean increase [
n
-fold] of 8.3 versus 1.1 in subjects with concentrations of >2 μg/ml before the challenge;
P
< 0.0001). Only 3 of 11 MCV-vaccinated subjects who had received MPSV before enrollment and who had antibody concentrations of ≤2 μg/ml before the polysaccharide challenge showed more-than-twofold increases in anticapsular antibody concentration or bactericidal titer after the challenge. MCV vaccination of meningococcal vaccine-naïve adults primes for robust memory antibody responses. There was no evidence of induction of memory by MCV in adults previously vaccinated with MPSV.
Poor Performance of a Novel Serological Test for Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Bangui, Central African Republic
Authors: Kassa-Kelembho Eric , Kassa Edith , Zandanga Germain , Service Yves-Brillant , Ignaleamoko Albert , Talarmin Antoine
Published: June 2006

We assessed the performance of a serological test for tuberculosis (SDHO Laboratories Inc., Canada) in our setting. Among 68 of 99 suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients who were scored as having tuberculosis on the basis of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
-positive culture, the sensitivity of the serological test was lower than that of sputum smear microscopic examination (20.6% versus 80.9%, respectively;
P
< 0.000001).
Monocyte CD163 and CD36 Expression in Human Whole Blood and Isolated Mononuclear Cell Samples: Influence of Different Anticoagulants
Authors: Moniuszko Marcin , Kowal Krzysztof , Rusak Malgorzata , Pietruczuk Miroslawa , Dabrowska Milena , Bodzenta-Lukaszyk Anna
Published: June 2006

We investigated whether the choice of anticoagulant or the application of density gradient mononuclear cell isolation may account for conflicting published data regarding the levels of the scavenger receptors' expression in healthy individuals. We demonstrate that the detection of CD163, but not CD36, differs dramatically among the methods.