bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic diversity of smooth and pustular microbial mat communities in the hypersaline lagoon of Shark Bay
Authors: ALLEN M. A. , GOH F. , BURNS B. P. , NEILAN B. A.
Published: February 2009

The bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic populations of nonlithifying mats with pustular and smooth morphology from Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay were characterised using small subunit rRNA gene analysis and microbial isolation. A highly diverse bacterial population was detected for each mat, with 16S rDNA clones related to Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Gemmatimonas, Planctomycetes, Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and candidate division TM6 present in each mat. Spirochaetes were detected in the smooth mat only, whereas candidate division OP11 was only detected in the pustular mat. Targeting populations with specific primers revealed additional cyanobacterial diversity. The archaeal population of the pustular mat was comprised purely of Halobacteriales, whereas the smooth mat contained 16S rDNA clones from the Halobacteriales, two groups of Euryarchaea with no close characterised matches, and the Thaumarchaea. Nematodes and fungi were present in each mat type, with diatom 18S rDNA clones only obtained from the smooth mat, and tardigrade and microalgae clones only retrieved from the pustular mat. Cultured isolates belonged to the Firmicutes, Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Halobacteriales. The mat populations were significantly more diverse than those previously reported for Hamelin Pool stromatolites, suggesting specific microbial populations may be associated with the nonlithifying and lithifying microbial communities of Hamelin Pool.
Role of nitrosative stress in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular dysfunction
Authors: Szabo Csaba
Published: February 2009

Here we overview the role of reactive nitrogen species (nitrosative stress) and associated pathways in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Increased extracellular glucose concentration, a principal feature of diabetes mellitus, induces a dysregulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen generating pathways. These processes lead to a loss of the vascular endothelium to produce biologically active nitric oxide (NO), which impairs vascular relaxations. Mitochondria play a crucial role in this process: endothelial cells placed in increase extracellular glucose respond with a marked increase in mitochondrial superoxide formation. Superoxide, when combining with NO generated by the endothelial cells (produced by the endothelial isoform of NO synthase), leads to the formation of peroxynitrite, a cytotoxic oxidant. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species trigger endothelial cell dysfunction through a multitude of mechanisms including substrate depletion and uncoupling of endothelial isoform of NO synthase. Another pathomechanism involves DNA strand breakage and activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). PARP‐mediated poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation and inhibition of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase importantly contributes to the development of diabetic vascular complications: it induces activation of multiple pathways of injury including activation of nuclear factor kappa B, activation of protein kinase C and generation of intracellular advanced glycation end products. Reactive species generation and PARP play key roles in the pathogenesis of ‘glucose memory’ and in the development of injury in endothelial cells exposed to alternating high/low glucose concentrations.
Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with a Mandibular and Tongue Advancement Splint (MTAS) in a Completely Edentulous Patient. A Clinical Report
Authors: Kurtulmus Huseyin , Cotert H. Serdar
Published: February 2009

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in dentate patients using a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) from mandibular repositioners has been documented in detail. Nevertheless, studies about completely edentulous patients with OSA are sparse. This clinical report describes a clinical and laboratory method for producing a functional splint combining an MAS and a tongue‐retaining device with an individualized tongue tip housing and discusses the rationale for using such a device.
Blood transfusion exposure in Denmark and Sweden
Authors: Kamper‐Jørgensen Mads , Edgren Gustaf , Rostgaard Klaus , Biggar Robert J. , Nyrén Olof , Reilly Marie , Titlestad Kjell , Shanwell Agneta , Melbye Mads , Hjalgrim Henrik
Published: February 2009

BACKGROUND: Although essential for the evaluation of blood transfusion safety, the prevalence of blood transfusion in the general population is not presently known. This study estimated the exposure to blood transfusion in the general Scandinavian population.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Population‐based registry data of more than 600,000 transfusion recipients and general population data from 2000 to 2002 in Denmark and 1996 to 2002 in Sweden were reviewed. Outcome measures were the unit exposure rate, the 1‐year period prevalence, the incidence rate, and the prevalence of exposure to blood transfusion.

RESULTS: The unit exposure rate was 71.9 per 1000 population per year in Denmark and 60.9 in Sweden, corresponding to 29 percent more blood units being transfused in Denmark than in Sweden. The 1‐year period prevalence was 8.8 and the incidence rate was 7.2 per 1000 population per year in Denmark, being 37 and 25 percent higher than in Sweden, respectively. The prevalences of blood transfusion in Danish males at 20, 40, 60, and 80 years of age were 1.9, 3.1, 7.6, and 18.1 percent, respectively. In Danish females, the corresponding prevalences were 1.6, 5.9, 11.1, and 20.5 percent. A similar but slightly lower prevalence was found in Sweden.

CONCLUSION: Exposure to blood transfusion is frequent in Denmark and Sweden. At age 80 years, approximately one in five persons in the general population had received blood at least once.
Therapeutic plasma exchange reduces ABO titers to permit ABO‐incompatible renal transplantation
Authors: Tobian Aaron A.R. , Shirey R. Sue , Montgomery Robert A. , Tisch Daniel J. , Ness Paul M. , King Karen E.
Published: February 2009

BACKGROUND: Thousands of patients with chronic renal failure die yearly without a kidney transplant due to the severe shortage of donors. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is performed to permit ABO‐incompatible (ABO‐I) kidney transplants, but little is known about how well TPE reduces ABO antibodies or complications related to TPE in this clinical setting.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 46 individuals that received TPE to permit ABO‐I kidney transplant. The number of TPE treatments was based on a goal ABO titer at the anti‐human globulin (AHG) phase of 16 or less before surgery.

RESULTS: Before TPE, the median titer of recipient was 32 (range, 2‐128) at room temperature (RT) phase and 64 (range, 4‐1024) at AHG phase. The first TPE reduced the total agglutination reactivity score at AHG phase by 10.2 percent. Before transplantation, there was a mean of 6.2 ± 2.5 TPE treatments and total agglutination reactivity score at AHG phase was reduced by 53.5 percent. The median titer remained reduced at 3 to 6 months after transplantation at 4 (range, 0‐64) at RT phase and 8 (range, 1‐64) at AHG phase. TPE complications were minimal. During at least one procedure, 15 (32.6%) individuals had either urticaria or pruritis, 18 (39.1%) individuals experienced mild citrate‐induced hypocalcemia, 5 (10.2%) individuals had hypotension, 6 (13.0%) individuals had nausea or vomiting, and 1 (2.2%) individual had West Nile virus encephalitis.

CONCLUSIONS: With current infectious disease blood screening protocols, TPE has minimal complications and can reduce ABO antibody titers to permit ABO‐I renal transplantation.
Bayesian Nonparametric Nonproportional Hazards Survival Modeling
Authors: De Iorio Maria , Johnson Wesley O. , Müller Peter , Rosner Gary L.
Published: February 2009

SummaryWe develop a dependent Dirichlet process model for survival analysis data. A major feature of the proposed approach is that there is no necessity for resulting survival curve estimates to satisfy the ubiquitous proportional hazards assumption. An illustration based on a cancer clinical trial is given, where survival probabilities for times early in the study are estimated to be lower for those on a high‐dose treatment regimen than for those on the low dose treatment, while the reverse is true for later times, possibly due to the toxic effect of the high dose for those who are not as healthy at the beginning of the study.
Local Influence for Generalized Linear Models with Missing Covariates
Authors: Shi Xiaoyan , Zhu Hongtu , Ibrahim Joseph G.
Published: February 2009

SummaryIn the analysis of missing data, sensitivity analyses are commonly used to check the sensitivity of the parameters of interest with respect to the missing data mechanism and other distributional and modeling assumptions. In this article, we formally develop a general local influence method to carry out sensitivity analyses of minor perturbations to generalized linear models in the presence of missing covariate data. We examine two types of perturbation schemes (the single‐case and global perturbation schemes) for perturbing various assumptions in this setting. We show that the metric tensor of a perturbation manifold provides useful information for selecting an appropriate perturbation. We also develop several local influence measures to identify influential points and test model misspecification. Simulation studies are conducted to evaluate our methods, and real datasets are analyzed to illustrate the use of our local influence measures.
A Bayesian Hidden Markov Model for Motif Discovery Through Joint Modeling of Genomic Sequence and ChIP‐Chip Data
Authors: Gelfond Jonathan A. L. , Gupta Mayetri , Ibrahim Joseph G.
Published: February 2009

Summary We propose a unified framework for the analysis of chromatin (Ch) immunoprecipitation (IP) microarray (ChIP‐chip) data for detecting transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) or motifs. ChIP‐chip assays are used to focus the genome‐wide search for TFBSs by isolating a sample of DNA fragments with TFBSs and applying this sample to a microarray with probes corresponding to tiled segments across the genome. Present analytical methods use a two‐step approach: (i) analyze array data to estimate IP‐enrichment peaks then (ii) analyze the corresponding sequences independently of intensity information. The proposed model integrates peak finding and motif discovery through a unified Bayesian hidden Markov model (HMM) framework that accommodates the inherent uncertainty in both measurements. A Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is formulated for parameter estimation, adapting recursive techniques used for HMMs. In simulations and applications to a yeast RAP1 dataset, the proposed method has favorable TFBS discovery performance compared to currently available two‐stage procedures in terms of both sensitivity and specificity.
Comparing Species Assemblages Via Species Accumulation Curves
Authors: Xuan Mao Chang , Li Jun
Published: February 2009

Summary Comparing species assemblages given incidence‐based data is of importance in ecological studies, often done by a visual inspection of estimated species accumulation curves or by an ad hoc use of 95% pointwise confidence bands of these curves. It is shown that comparing species assemblages is a challenging problem. A χ2 test is proposed. An adjustment using an eigenvalue decomposition is proposed to overcome computational difficulties. The bootstrap method is also suggested to approximate the distribution of the proposed test statistic. The eigenvalue adjusted (Eva) χ2 test and the Eva‐bootstrap test are assessed by a simulation study. Both the Eva‐χ2 and the Eva‐bootstrap tests are applied to a study that involves two woody seedling species assemblages.
Group Testing Regression Models with Fixed and Random Effects
Authors: Chen Peng , Tebbs Joshua M. , Bilder Christopher R.
Published: February 2009

SummaryGroup testing, where subjects are tested in pools rather than individually, has a long history of successful application in infectious disease screening. In this article, we develop group testing regression models to include covariate effects that are best regarded as random. We present approaches to fit mixed effects models using maximum likelihood, investigate likelihood ratio and score tests for variance components, and evaluate small sample performance using simulation. We illustrate our methods using chlamydia and gonorrhea data collected by the state of Nebraska as part of the Infertility Prevention Project.
Assessing Nonsuperiority, Noninferiority, or Equivalence When Comparing Two Regression Models Over a Restricted Covariate Region
Authors: Liu W. , Bretz F. , Hayter A. J. , Wynn H. P.
Published: February 2009

SummaryIn many scientific problems the purpose of the comparison of two regression models, which describe the relationship between a same response variable and several same covariates for two different groups, is to demonstrate that one model is no higher than the other by a negligible amount, or to demonstrate that the models have only negligible differences and so they can be regarded as describing practically the same relationship between the response variable and the covariates. In this article, methods based on one‐sided pointwise confidence bands are proposed for assessing the nonsuperiority of one model to the other and for assessing the equivalence of two regression models. Examples from QT/QTc study and from drug stability study are used to illustrate the methods.
A Probit Latent Class Model with General Correlation Structures for Evaluating Accuracy of Diagnostic Tests
Authors: Xu Huiping , Craig Bruce A.
Published: February 2009

SummaryTraditional latent class modeling has been widely applied to assess the accuracy of dichotomous diagnostic tests. These models, however, assume that the tests are independent conditional on the true disease status, which is rarely valid in practice. Alternative models using probit analysis have been proposed to incorporate dependence among tests, but these models consider restricted correlation structures. In this article, we propose a probit latent class model that allows a general correlation structure. When combined with some helpful diagnostics, this model provides a more flexible framework from which to evaluate the correlation structure and model fit. Our model encompasses several other PLC models but uses a parameter‐expanded Monte Carlo EM algorithm to obtain the maximum‐likelihood estimates. The parameter‐expanded EM algorithm was designed to accelerate the convergence rate of the EM algorithm by expanding the complete‐data model to include a larger set of parameters and it ensures a simple solution in fitting the PLC model. We demonstrate our estimation and model selection methods using a simulation study and two published medical studies.
Risperidone long‐acting injection: a 6‐year mirror‐image study of healthcare resource use
Authors: Taylor D. , Fischetti C. , Sparshatt A. , Thomas A. , Bishara D. , Cornelius V.
Published: February 2009

Objective:  To evaluate naturalistic use of risperidone long‐acting injection (RLAI) and its effect on healthcare resource use.

Method:  Mirror‐image comparison of healthcare resource use for 3 years before RLAI initiation and 3 years after.

Results:  In total, 211 of 277 patients consecutively prescribed RLAI were evaluable over the full 6‐year study period. Median days in hospital/patient increased significantly in the 3 years after RLAI initiation [87 days (inter‐quartile range 25–236) before vs. 192 days (47–426) after; P < 0.001]. Those 34 patients who continued RLAI for 3 years showed no change in median bed days [64 days (6.5–182) before vs. 64 days (12–180) after] and median number of admissions was decreased [1.5 (1–2.25) before vs. 1.00 (0–1.25) after; P = 0.001]. Healthcare costs more than doubled for the whole cohort (P < 0.001) and discontinuers (P < 0.001) and increased significantly for continuers (P = 0.010).

Conclusion:  RLAI did not decrease either time spent in hospital or overall healthcare costs in this patient cohort.
Randomized controlled clinical trial of customized zirconia and titanium implant abutments for canine and posterior single‐tooth implant reconstructions: preliminary results at 1 year of function
Authors: Sailer Irena , Zembic Anja , Jung Ronald Ernst , Siegenthaler David , Holderegger Claudia , Hämmerle Christoph Hans Franz
Published: February 2009

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test whether or not customized zirconia abutments exhibit the same survival rates in canine and posterior regions as titanium abutments, and to compare the esthetic result of the two abutment types.

Material and methods: Twenty‐two patients with 40 implants in posterior regions were included and the implant sites were randomly assigned to 20 customized zirconia and 20 customized titanium abutments. All‐ceramic (AC) and metal–ceramic (MC) crowns were fabricated. In all except two cases, the crowns were cemented on the abutments using resin or glass‐ionomer cements. Two zirconia reconstructions were screw retained. At baseline, 6 and 12 months, the reconstructions were examined for technical and biological problems. Probing pocket depth (PPD), plaque (Pl) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were assessed and compared with natural control teeth. Furthermore, the difference of color (ΔE) of the peri‐implant mucosa and the gingiva of control teeth was evaluated by means of a spectrophotometer (Spectroshade). The data were analyzed with Student's unpaired t‐test, ANOVA and regression analyses.

Results: Twenty patients with 19 zirconia and 12 titanium abutments were examined at a mean follow‐up of 12.6±2.7 months. The survival rate for reconstructions and abutments was 100%. No technical or biological problems were found at the test and control sites. Two chippings (16.7%) occurred at crowns supported by titanium abutments. No difference was found regarding PPD (meanPPDZrO2 3.4±0.7 mm, mPPDTi 3.3±0.6 mm), Pl (mPlZrO2 0.2±0.3, mPlTi 0.1±1.8) and BOP (mBOPZrO2 60±30%, mBOPTi 30±40%) between the two groups. Both crowns on zirconia and titanium abutments induced a similar amount of discoloration of the soft tissue compared with the gingiva at natural teeth (ΔEZrO2 8.1±3.9, ΔETi 7.8±4.3).

Conclusions: At 1 year, zirconia abutments exhibited the same survival and a similar esthetic outcome as titanium abutments.
A study of the bone healing kinetics of plateau versus screw root design titanium dental implants
Authors: Leonard Gary , Coelho Paulo , Polyzois Ioannis , Stassen Leo , Claffey Noel
Published: February 2009

Objective: This study was designed to compare the bone healing process around plateau root from (PRF) and screw root from (SRF) titanium dental implants over the immediate 12 week healing period post implant placement.

Material and methods: 32PRF and 32SRF implants were placed in 8 beagle dogs at 12, 8, 5 and 3 weeks prior to enthanisation using a bilaterally balanced distribution. Undecalcified ground sections were prepared from the biopsies taken and histometric measurements of bone implant contact (BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO) were made on the middle 5 mm portion of each 8 mm implant root length.

Results: The analysis showed that although measurements of bone to implant contact (BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO) tended to be greater for the SRF implants at all four time points, the differences in measurements between implant types did not reach statistical significance (P=0.07, P=0.06). The effect of time on BIC and BAFO was found to be strongly significant for both implant types thus indicating a statistically significant increase in BIC and BAFO overall with time (P=0.004, P=0.002). Furthermore, both PRF and SRF implants behaved similarly over time with measurements of BIC and BAFO progressing in parallel. Histomorphologic analysis of these sections demonstrated the prominent role of woven bone (callus) in the bone healing process around PRF implants.

Conclusion: The results can be interpreted to indicate a comparable development of secondary stability for both PRF and SRF implant designs. However, as these parameters reflect the structural connection between implant and bone and not the functional properties of the bone to implant interface, they cannot be regarded as comprehensive measures of osseointegration. This particularly relevant given the reduced load bearing capacity of woven bone.
Effects of irrigation temperature on heat control in vitro at different drilling depths
Authors: Sener Bedrettin Cem , Dergin Guhan , Gursoy Bahar , Kelesoglu Ergun , Slih Imad
Published: February 2009

Purpose: Thermal injury during implant bed preparation has a major influence on implant osseointegration and survival. This study investigated the effectiveness of the temperature of the saline solution used for heat control during drilling.

Material and methods: Fresh frozen edentulous segments of bovine mandibles were sectioned into 12 × 6 cm pieces. Thermoresistors were placed 0.5 mm from the drilling cavity walls, at depths of 3, 7, and 12 mm. Signals from the three thermoresistors were analyzed using ORIGIN 5.0 software.

Results: The maximum temperatures during drilling without irrigation were 50.9, 47.4, and 38.1°C at depths of 3, 7, and 12 mm, respectively. With irrigation using saline at 25 and 10°C, the maximum temperatures at a depth of 12 mm were 37.4 and 36.3°C, respectively. All other measurements with both 25 and 10°C saline were below body temperature.

Discussion and conclusion: This experimental in vitro study showed that more heat was generated in the superficial part of the drilling cavity than at the bottom. Therefore, external irrigation at room temperature can provide sufficient cooling during drilling. Lower temperature saline was more effective in cooling the bone, and irrigation of the site should be continued between the drilling steps.
Surface microgrooves and acid etching on titanium substrata alter various cell behaviors of cultured human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Kim Su‐Yeon , Oh Namsik , Lee Myung‐Hyun , Kim Sung‐Eun , Leesungbok Richard , Lee Suk‐Won
Published: February 2009

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the influence of surface microgrooves and acid etching on titanium substrata on cell proliferation and gene expression of cultured human gingival fibroblasts.

Material and methods:Ti substrata with various dimensions of microgrooves and further acid etching comprised four experimental groups (E15/3.5, E30/5, E60/10, and E90/15), whereas smooth and acid etched Ti discs were both used as control (NE0 and E0). The chemical composition of the control and experimental cp Ti substrata was analyzed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cell proliferation, gene expression, and protein expression of cultured human gingival fibroblasts were analyzed between all groups using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) assay, reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and Western blotting, respectively.

Results:The XPS results showed that the Ti substrata used in this study showed no significant differences in the expression of surface chemical composition. BrdU assay showed that cell proliferation was significantly increased in E60/10 compared with that in any other group. In RT‐PCR, E60/10 was noted to increase the expression of various genes involved in cell‐matrix adhesion and adhesion‐dependent cell cycle progression. In Western blotting, increased expression of fibronectin and Rho A was noted in E60/10 compared with that in NE0 or E15/3.5.

Conclusion:This study indicates that surface microgrooves 60 μm in width and 10 μm in depth, and further acid etching on Ti substrata trigger the proliferation and alter the expression of both genes and proteins in cultured human gingival fibroblasts.
Oxidised low‐density lipoprotein and arterial function in β‐thalassemia major
Authors: Stakos Dimitrios A. , Tavridou Anna , Margaritis Dimitrios , Tziakas Dimitrios N. , Kotsianidis Ioannis , Chalikias George K. , Tsatalas Kostantinos , Bourikas George , Manolopoulos Vangelis G. , Boudoulas Harisios
Published: February 2009

Objectives:  Vascular abnormalities such as endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness have been described in patients with β‐thalassemia major (β‐TM). Increased concentrations of oxidised low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (oxLDL) have been observed in those patients, but possible associations between oxLDL and arterial function in β‐TM have not been defined.

Methods:  Twenty‐six patients (11 males) with β‐TM (age 23 ± 4 yr) and 30 age and gender‐matched healthy subjects were studied. Aortic stiffness was assessed by carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc‐f) using applanation tonometry; brachio‐radial artery stiffness was assessed by carotid‐radial PWV (PWVc‐r). Flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and oxLDL (ELISA) were also measured.

Results:  Patients with β‐TM had higher oxLDL levels (68.6 ± 13.7 mU/mg vs. 50.0 ± 12.6 mU/mg, P = 0.005), decreased FMD (3.6 ± 2.5% vs. 7.3 ± 3.5%, P = 0.001) and higher PWVc‐f compared with controls (8.4 ± 1.7 vs. 7.2 ± 1.1. P < 0.002). FMD of the brachial artery was negatively associated with OxLDL concentrations in simple linear (r2 = −0.25, P = 0.001) and multiple linear regression analysis (β = −0.242, P = 0.03, R2 = 0.43, P = 0.0002). PWVc‐r was positively associated with OxLDL (r2 = 0.23, P = 0.003) and showed a tendency in multiple regression analysis (β = 0.18, P = 0.05). PWVc‐r and FMD were also significantly correlated (β = −0.213, P = 0.04) in β‐TM patients. There was no association between oxLDL and PWVc‐f.

Conclusion:  An association between oxLDL, arterial elastic properties and endothelial dysfunction of muscular arteries was found. OxLDL may represent a contributing factor for the vascular manifestations described in β‐TM patients.
Is the early cyclosporine A level predictive of the outcome of immunosuppressive therapy in severe aplastic anemia?
Authors: Song Moo‐Kon , Chung Joo‐Seop , Joo Young‐Don , Kim Yang‐Soo , Kim Sung‐Hyun , Seol Young‐Mi , Shin Ho‐Jin , Choi Young‐Jin , Cho Goon‐Jae
Published: February 2009

Immunosuppressive therapy (IST) has provided an alternative treatment option for cure of aplastic anemia patients who cannot receive bone marrow transplantation. Although there have been many recent studies on the efficacy of antithymoglobulin (ATG) combined with cyclosporine A (CsA), there is no data on the correlation between the variability of CsA levels and the response to IST. Therefore, we retrospectively assessed the factors associated with IST efficacy in patients with acquired severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Sixty‐six patients were treated with ATG combined with CsA for 6 months. In the response group, the CsA levels were increased rapidly to more than 200 ng/mL within the first 2 wk after starting the IST. However, the non‐response group had a pattern of slower increase of the CsA levels. The CsA levels, during the first and second week of treatment with IST, were significantly different in the responders and non‐responders. The factors predictive of response to IST and survival were analyzed. The univariate analysis showed that a younger age at the initiation of IST, a high absolute neutrophil count prior to starting IST, a short interval between the diagnosis and initiation of IST, and high CsA levels during the first and second week of IST treatment were positively associated with the response rate and overall survival. The multivariate analysis showed that these four factors were independent factors associated with a longer patient survival. A high response rate was associated with a short interval between diagnosis and initiation of IST as well as high CsA levels during the first and second week of IST. Therefore, early intensification of CsA levels might improve patient outcome.
Neutrophils in chronic and aggressive periodontitis in interaction with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Guentsch A. , Puklo M. , Preshaw P. M. , Glockmann E. , Pfister W. , Potempa J. , Eick S.
Published: February 2009

Background and Objective:  This study analyzed the interaction of Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Y4 with peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils taken from patients with aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis.

Material and Methods:  Peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils obtained from 12 patients with chronic periodontitis, six patients with aggressive periodontitis and 12 healthy controls were exposed to P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans following opsonization of the bacteria using the patient’s own serum. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against both periodontopathogens were measured. Phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria, as well as the extracellular human neutrophil elastase activity, were quantified. The total amount and the extracellular release of reactive oxygen species were measured using luminol‐dependent and isoluminol‐dependent chemiluminescence.

Results:  Polymorphonuclear neutrophils from patients with chronic (62.16 ± 19.39%) and aggressive (43.26 ± 26.63%) periodontitis phagocytosed more P. gingivalis than the healthy controls (24.43 ± 19.87%) at the 30‐min time point after exposure to the bacteria (p < 0.05). High serum IgG levels against P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans were detected in subjects with periodontitis. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils from subjects with chronic and aggressive periodontitis released significantly more reactive oxygen species and demonstrated greater human neutrophil elastase activity in the absence of any stimulus than polymorphonuclear neutrophils from healthy controls (p < 0.05). Polymorphonuclear neutrophils in chronic periodontitis released significantly more reactive oxygen species when exposed to P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans than polymorphonuclear neutrophils in aggressive periodontitis.

Conclusion:  High serum IgG levels against P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans promote phagocytosis in periodontitis. The extracellular release of reactive oxygen species and neutrophil elastase by polymorphonuclear neutrophils may also contribute to damage of the surrounding periodontal tissues.
Cyclooxygenase‐2‐derived prostaglandin E2 is involved in vascular endothelial growth factor production in interleukin‐1α‐stimulated human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Bando Y. , Noguchi K. , Kobayashi H. , Yoshida N. , Ishikawa I. , Izumi Y.
Published: February 2009

Background and Objective:  Prostaglandin E2, which exerts its actions via EP receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4), is a bioactive metabolite of arachidonic acid produced by cyclooxygenase‐1 and/or cyclooxygenase‐2. Interleukin‐1α induces prostaglandin E2 production via cyclooxygenase‐2 in human periodontal ligament cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor is a key regulator of physiologic as well as pathologic angiogenesis and has been indicated to be involved in the pathology of periodontal diseases. In the present study, we investigated whether interleukin‐1α induced vascular endothelial growth factor production in human periodontal ligament cells and whether cyclooxygenase‐2‐derived prostaglandin E2 regulated interleukin‐1α‐induced vascular endothelial growth factor production.

Material and Methods:  Human periodontal ligament cells were obtained from extracted teeth of periodontally healthy subjects. After pre‐incubation with a nonselective cyclooxygenase‐1/2 inhibitor, indomethacin or a selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor (NS‐398), periodontal ligament cells were treated with or without interleukin‐1α, prostaglandin E2, various EP receptor agonists and dibutyryl cAMP (a cAMP analogue). The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and prostaglandin E2 in the culture supernatant were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression was evaluated by semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.

Results:  Interleukin‐1α induced vascular endothelial growth factor production in a dose‐dependent and time‐dependent manner. The interleukin‐1α‐induced vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and protein expression was inhibited to the same extent by indomethacin and NS‐398. Indomethacin and NS‐398 completely inhibited interleukin‐1α‐induced prostaglandin E2 production. Exogenous prostaglandin E2, butaprost (an EP2 receptor agonist) and dibutyryl cAMP abolished the inhibitory effect of indomethacin on interleukin‐1α‐induced vascular endothelial growth factor production.

Conclusion:  We suggest that interleukin‐1α induced vascular endothelial growth factor production via cyclooxygenase‐2‐derived prostaglandin E2 in human periodontal ligament cells. The interleukin‐1α/prostaglandin E2 pathway might regulate vascular endothelial growth factor production in periodontal lesions.
Periodontitis‐induced lipid peroxidation in rat descending aorta is involved in the initiation of atherosclerosis
Authors: Ekuni D. , Tomofuji T. , Sanbe T. , Irie K. , Azuma T. , Maruyama T. , Tamaki N. , Murakami J. , Kokeguchi S. , Yamamoto T.
Published: February 2009

Background and Objective:  Periodontitis is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. Recent studies indicate that oxidative mechanisms, including lipid peroxidation, are involved not only in periodontitis but also in atherosclerosis. Lipid peroxidation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, particularly during its earliest stages. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between lipid peroxidation induced by periodontitis and the initiation of atherosclerosis.

Material and Methods:  Sixteen rats were randomly divided into two groups of eight rats each. Periodontitis was ligature‐induced for 4 wk in the experimental group, whereas the control group was left untreated. After the experimental period, the mandibular first molar regions were resected and then subjected to histological analysis and measurement of hexanoyl‐lysine expression as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Descending aorta was used for measuring the levels of hexanoyl‐lysine, reactive oxygen species and lipid deposits, and for real‐time polymerase chain reaction microarray analysis. The level of hexanoyl‐lysine was also measured in serum.

Results:  In the experimental group, the levels of hexanoyl‐lysine in periodontal tissue and serum increased. Only aorta samples in the experimental group showed lipid accumulation, with increased expression of hexanoyl‐lysine, reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress‐related genes (including nitric oxide synthases 2 and 3), whereas the superoxide dismutase 1 gene level was down‐regulated.

Conclusion:  In a ligature‐induced periodontitis rat model, increased lipid peroxidation was found in serum and aorta as well as in periodontal tissue. Atherosclerosis‐related gene expression and histological changes were also stimulated. Periodontitis‐induced lipid peroxidation in the aorta may be involved in the early stage of atherosclerosis.
Secretion of Hedgehog‐Related Peptides and WNT During Caenorhabditis elegans Development
Authors: Kolotuev Irina , Apaydin Ahmet , Labouesse Michel
Published: February 2009

There is growing awareness that endocytic trafficking plays a critical role in cell–cell communication during animal development. We are beginning to understand how endocytosis can initiate, modulate or terminate signaling. In contrast, our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in secreting signaling peptides remains more limited, particularly when it comes to secretion at the apical surface in epithelial cells. In this study, we review the mechanisms that control secretion in Caenorhabditis elegans, focusing on the role of Patched family members and the V0 complex of the vacuolar‐adenosine triphosphatase (V‐ATPase) in secreting Hedgehog‐related peptides and of MIG‐14/Wls and the retromer complex in secreting EGL‐20/WNT.
Ultrastructural Study of Golgi Duplication in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Yelinek Jordan T. , He Cynthia Y. , Warren Graham
Published: February 2009

Golgi duplication in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei has been tracked using serial thin section three‐dimensional reconstructions of transmission electron micrographs. The old Golgi maintains a constant size (∼0.060 μm3) throughout the cell cycle. A morphologically identifiable new Golgi appears at ∼0.20 of the cell cycle (defined by the size of the nucleus and lasting about 9 h) and grows from ∼0.018 μm3 until it is the same size as the old Golgi (by ∼0.55 of the cell cycle). Morphologically identifiable late Golgi appear at ∼0.58 of the cell cycle, but their volume (∼0.036 μm3) did not change significantly. Cryoimmunoelectron microscopy was used to identify candidates for the earliest new Golgi structures, and these comprised clusters of vesicles containing Golgi reassembly stacking protein (GRASP) near an endoplasmic reticulum exit site. These results, combined with earlier fluorescence data, suggest that the new Golgi begins functioning before cisternal stacks are formed.
Randomised controlled trial of the efficacy of HybenX in the symptomatic treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis
Authors: Porter SR , Al‐Johani K , Fedele S , Moles DR
Published: February 2009

Background:  The treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is principally directed towards reducing the pain and duration of each episode of ulceration; however, there remain few agents for which there is definitive evidence of benefit.

Aims:  The aims of the present study were to determine the efficacy of HybenX (Epien Medical Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA), vs another device used for the treatment of RAS (Salicept; Carrington Laboratories Inc., lrving, TX, USA) to reduce the symptoms and duration of RAS and determine the safety of HybenX for this clinical application.

Material and methods:  Sixty‐three individuals (36 male, 27 female, group median age 25years, range 17.8–57.9years) were entered into a prospective randomised controlled trial of HybenX vs an occlusive covering device (Salicept oral patches; Carrington Laboratories).

Results:  Painful symptoms over a 5‐day posttreatment period were reduced by both agents although HybenX was statistically more effective at day 2 than Salicept, and there was a trend for HybenX to cause greater pain reduction than Salicept over this 5‐day period. Both agents gave rise to few adverse side effects – a total of nine adverse events in eight patients were recorded. All were unlikely to be related to the treatment devices. HybenX was only applied on one occasion to the HybenX group, while individuals in the Salicept group were able to self medicate as required. The mean number of Salicept patches used per day per subject was three (s.d. 3.3) on day 1 posttreatment, 3.4 (s.d. 3.1) on day 2 and 2.7 (s.d. 1.9) on day 3. Thereafter, the number of applications fell to a mean of 0.8 on day 7.

Conclusion:  It is concluded that HybenX safely and effectively reduces the painful symptoms of RAS.
The influence of hydrological regime and grazing management on the plant communities of a karst wetland (Skealoghan turlough) in Ireland
Authors: Moran J. , Sheehy Skeffington M. , Gormally M.
Published: February 2009

Question:What is the influence of hydrological regime, soils and management on the plant community composition and species richness of Skealoghan turlough (groundwater dependent calcareous wetland).

Location:Skealoghan turlough, County Mayo, Ireland.

Methods:Percentage cover of vascular plants and bryophytes were recorded, and data on hydrological regimes, soils and management were collected. Data were analysed using multivariate statistical techniques.

Results:A total of 69 species of vascular plants and mosses were recorded. Cluster analysis grouped the samples into two separate communities, theCirsio‐Molinietumand theRanunculo‐Potentilletum anserinaeplant communities. The plant community composition and species richness followed a main gradient down into the turlough basin, but also varied with microtopography, resulting in a mosaic of vegetation types.

Conclusions:The biodiversity and conservation value of the site is linked to the heterogeneity in its physical environment in which hydrology, soils and grazing management all play critical roles.
The use of GIS techniques to quantify the hydrological regime of a karst wetland (Skealoghan turlough) in Ireland
Authors: Moran J. , Kelly S. , Sheehy Skeffington M. , Gormally M.
Published: February 2009

Question: Can GIS and GPS technology be used to quantify the hydrological regime of different plant communities on turloughs (groundwater dependent calcareous wetlands)?

Location: Skealoghan turlough, County Mayo, Ireland.

Methods: Plant communities were mapped and digitised with GIS software and a digital elevation model of the site was constructed from differential GPS data. Together with records of water level fluctuations on the site from May 2001 to May 2004, these data were used to calculate hydrological variables for each plant community. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify groups of plant communities with similar hydrological regimes.

Results: 15 plant communities were mapped at Skea loghan, with the Cirsio‐Molinietum and Ranunculo‐Potentilletum anserinae being the dominant phytosociological associations. Skealoghan is subject to large temporal and spatial variation in its hydrological regime and fluctuations in water level are intrinsically linked to rainfall. The spatial variation in flooding can be linked to the vegetation zones.

Conclusions: GIS and DGPS technology can be used to quantify the hydrological regime of different plant communities on turloughs. Since the hydrological regime is a major environmental factor controlling the vegetation composition of the site, the maintenance of natural flooding regimes is a vital component for the conservation and management of the diverse vegetation mosaic at Skealoghan turlough.
Spreading of the invasive Carpobrotus aff. acinaciformis in Mediterranean ecosystems: The advantage of performing in different light environments
Authors: Traveset A. , Moragues E. , Valladares F.
Published: February 2009

Question: Do specific environmental conditions affect the performance and growth dynamics of one of the most invasive taxa (Carpobrotus aff. acinaciformis) on Mediterranean islands?

Location: Four populations located on Mallorca, Spain.

Methods: We monitored growth rates of main and lateral shoots of this stoloniferous plant for over two years (2002–2003), comparing two habitats (rocky coast vs. coastal dune) and two different light conditions (sun vs. shade). In one population of each habitat type, we estimated electron transport rate and the level of plant stress (maximal photochemical efficiency Fv/ Fm) by means of chlorophyll fluorescence.

Results: Main shoots of Carpobrotus grew at similar rates at all sites, regardless habitat type. However, growth rate of lateral shoots was greater in shaded plants than in those exposed to sunlight. Its high phenotypic plasticity, expressed in different allocation patterns in sun and shade individuals, and its clonal growth which promotes the continuous search of available resources, contributed to a good growth and photochemical efficiency of Carpobrotus in the relatively moderate shade of the understories of Mediterranean shrublands and woodlands. Each main shoot of a Carpobrotus clone (which can have several dozens main shoots) grows ca. 40 cm per year, which explains its vigorous habitat colonization capacity.

Conclusion: The highly plastic morphological response to different light regimes of this taxon contributes to a rapid colonization of heterogeneous coastal Mediterranean environments spreading well beyond the open sand dune systems where it has been often reported.
The ecological equivalence of quarry floors to alvars
Authors: Tomlinson Shannon , Matthes Uta , Richardson Paul J. , Larson Douglas W.
Published: February 2009

Question:Are the biophysical conditions of abandoned limestone quarry floors and natural alvars sufficiently similar to each other for alvars to be used as a model for quarry floor restoration?

Location:Ontario, Canada.

Methods:We measured plant species frequency and environmental and soil variables in 13 abandoned limestone quarries and used ANOVA to compare them with data previously collected from seven natural alvars. We used multivariate ordinations on the quarry floor data alone and on the combined quarry floor and alvar data to determine how plant community structure was controlled by the abiotic environment in both habitats.

Results:Except for higher levels of many nutrients, the physical characteristics were similar between quarry floors and alvars. 246 plant species were found on quarry floors as compared to 283 on alvars, with 79 species in common between the two habitat types. While quarry floors supported fewer bryophytes and more exotic vascular plants compared with alvars, five alvar endemics and 24 characteristic alvar species were found to grow there. The age of the site, nutrient levels, and presence of standing water and bare rock were important factors influencing species composition in both habitats.

Conclusions:Through natural revegetation alone, the abandoned quarry floors surveyed in this study have already taken on many physical and vegetation characteristics of natural alvars. This makes alvars very suitable as the restoration goal for abandoned limestone quarries.
Evaluation of the Implementation of Nursing Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes
Authors: Müller‐Staub Maria
Published: February 2009

PURPOSE.  This paper aims to provide insight into nursing classifications and to report the effects of nursing diagnostics implementation. This paper summarizes the results of six studies.

METHODS.  Two systematic reviews, instrument development and testing, a pre–post intervention study, and a cluster‐randomized trial were performed.

FINDINGS.  The NANDA International classification met most of the literature‐based classification criteria, and results showed the Quality of Nursing Diagnoses, Interventions and Outcomes (Q‐DIO) to be a reliable instrument to measure the documented quality of nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes. Implementation of standardized nursing language significantly improved the quality of documented nursing diagnoses, related interventions, and patient outcomes. As a follow‐up measure, Guided Clinical Reasoning (GCR) was effective in supporting nurses’ clinical reasoning skills.

CONCLUSIONS.  Carefully implementing classifications led to enhanced, accurately stated nursing diagnoses, more effective nursing interventions, and better patient outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS.  Rethinking implementation methods for standardized language and using GCR is recommended. Based on the results of this study, the inclusion of NANDA International diagnoses with related interventions and outcomes in electronic health records is suggested.