bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Left Main Occlusion During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Associated with Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia with Thrombosis Syndrome
Authors: ZIAKAS ANTONIOS , GAVRILIDIS STAVROS , MAKRIS PANTELIS , LOURIDAS GEORGE
Published: May 2005

A 76‐year‐old male was admitted with Braunwald IIIB unstable angina and treated with intravenous heparin. Coronary angiography 20 days later revealed a severe stenosis in the left circumflex artery. During coronary angioplasty thrombus developed in the circumflex artery, extended in the left main and lead to its occlusion. Normal left coronary artery patency and flow were achieved after intracoronary and intravenous administration of abciximab, and multiple stenting. Platelet‐count decrease and an ELISA assay documented the presence of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis syndrome (HITTS). HITTS should be suspected after acute thrombus formation during coronary angioplasty.
Nursing Leadership in Genomics for Health and Society
Authors: Feetham Suzanne , Thomson Elizabeth J. , Hinshaw Ada Sue
Published: May 2005

Purpose: This article is part of the series regarding genomics and nursing practice, science, education, and policy. Issues in genetic testing, genetic information and the lessons learned through applications of genetic and genomic science are analyzed and discussed.

Framework: Scientists, scholars, and members of the public have articulated a vision to guide genomics research and scholarship. The three overarching themes of this conceptual framework are genomes to biology, genomes to health, and genomes to society.

Conclusions: Nurses can promote the use of genomic research technologies and information in the context of health, biology, and society, as well as in nursing research, practice, education, and policy.
Quality of Life and the Concept of “Living Well” With HIV/AIDS in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Phaladze Nthabiseng A. , Human Sarie , Dlamini Sibusiso B. , Hulela Elsie B. , Mahlubi Hadebe Innocent , Sukati Nonhlanhla A. , Makoae Lucy Nthabiseng , Seboni Naomi Mmapelo , Moleko Mary , Holzemer William L.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

: To increase understanding of the meaning of quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS in four countries in sub‐Saharan Africa: Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland.

Methods

: Using a cross‐sectional design and convenience sample, we administered a survey and collected data on demographic characteristics, measures of severity of illness, and perceptions of quality of life. The purposefully selected sample (N=743) consisted of community‐based people living with HIV/AIDS in 2002. Based on the Wilson and Cleary framework for organizing variables related to quality of life, a hierarchical multiple regression was conducted with quality of life as the dependent variable.

Results

: The sample of 743 persons was 61.2% female with a mean age of 34 years. Approximately 62% of the sample reported having received an AIDS diagnosis. Ten predictor variables explained 53.2% of the variance in life satisfaction. Those participants with higher life satisfaction scores were less educated, had worries about disclosure and finances, did not have an AIDS diagnosis or other comorbid conditions, had lower symptom intensity, had greater functioning, and had fewer health worries. None of these participants was taking antiretroviral medications at the time of this study.

Conclusions

: Several dimensions of the Wilson and Cleary model of quality of life were significantly related to life satisfaction for people living with HIV/AIDS in sub‐Saharan Africa. Quality of life for this sample was primarily defined as overall functional ability and control over symptom intensity. These findings are similar to studies in developed countries that have shown the significant relationships among functional abilities, symptom control, and perceived quality of life. As antiretroviral medications become more available in these areas, community members and care providers can help clients realize the possibility of living well with HIV/AIDS, and can work with clients to improve functional ability and control symptom intensity to make living well a reality.
Effects of Nasogastric Tube Feeding on Serum Sodium, Potassium, and Glucose Levels
Authors: Oh HyunSoo , Suh YeonOk , Hwang SunKyung , Seo WhaSook
Published: May 2005

Purpose

: To examine whether significant alterations in serum sodium, potassium, and glucose levels occurred after nasogastric tube feeding with iso‐osmolar formula in acute brain infarction patients.

Design and Methods

: Serum sodium, potassium, and glucose levels were analyzed by a retrospective medical record review of 85 nasogastric tube‐fed patients.

Findings

: The mean values of serum sodium and potassium levels on the day before, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of nasogastric feeding were within the normal range. Alterations in the incidence rates of high, normal, and low level of serum sodium and potassium after tube feeding were not statistically significant. The mean blood glucose levels on the day before, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of tube feeding were above normal, and the increase after tube feading was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

: Enteral tube feeding using iso‐osmolar formula did not significantly alter serum sodium and potassium balance. However, most participants were hyperglycemic before and after tube feeding, indicating that hyperglycemia can be induced in the acute stages of brain infarction regardless of tube feeding.
Parent ratings of school behaviour in children at risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Sayal K. , Taylor E.
Published: May 2005

Objective:  To investigate whether parents are accurate informants of child hyperactivity symptoms and impairment at school.

Method:  Parents of a community sample of 93 children with pervasive hyperactivity completed rating scales about their child's behaviour at home and school. These were compared with teacher ratings.

Results:  Parent ratings about school correlate more closely with parent (home) than teacher ratings. Such ratings systematically under‐estimate teacher ratings and are influenced by the child's behaviour at both home and school as well as parental mental health. However, a parental report of impairment for the child at school is likely to be accurate.

Conclusion:  There are limitations in relying on parental accounts of school behaviour if teacher ratings are unavailable. As such ratings may under‐identify children with ADHD and discrepancies between parent and teacher ratings may reflect actual differences in behaviour, this suggests that ratings are required from both sets of informants.
Sertraline in generalized anxiety disorder: efficacy in treating the psychic and somatic anxiety factors
Authors: Dahl A. A. , Ravindran A. , Allgulander C. , Kutcher S. P. , Austin C. , Burt T.
Published: May 2005

Objective:  The objective was to study the efficacy of sertraline on symptoms of psychic and somatic anxiety in patients suffering from moderate‐to‐severe generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Method:  Out‐patients with DSM‐IV GAD were randomized to 12 weeks of double‐blind treatment with placebo. The psychic and somatic anxiety factors of the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM‐A) and the Quality of Life, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire were analyzed.

Results:  Treatment with sertraline resulted in significantly greater last observation carried forward (LOCF)‐endpoint improvement than placebo on both the HAM‐A psychic and somatic anxiety factors. At LOCF‐endpoint, all items on the HAM‐A psychic factor were more improved on sertraline than placebo, as were three of seven items on the somatic factor. Reduction of secondary depressive symptoms was more correlated with endpoint improvement in quality of life than either psychic‐ or somatic anxiety.

Conclusion:  Sertraline treatment demonstrated efficacy for both the psychic and somatic anxiety symptoms of GAD.
The outcome of anxiety disorders in older people at 6‐year follow‐up: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam
Authors: Schuurmans J. , Comijs H. C. , Beekman A. T. F. , de Beurs E. , Deeg D. J. H. , Emmelkamp P. M. G. , van Dyck R.
Published: May 2005

Objective:  To examine long‐term outcome of late‐life anxiety disorders and utilization of mental health care services.

Method:  A cohort of subjects (aged ≥55 years) with an anxiety disorder (n = 112) was identified in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (n = 3107). At 6 year follow‐up, the rate of persistence and prognostic factors for persistence of anxiety were established.

Results:  Six years after baseline 23% of our sample met the criteria for an anxiety disorder. Another 47% suffered from subclinical anxiety symptoms. Persistence of anxiety was associated with a high score on neuroticism at baseline. Use of benzodiazepines was high (43%), while use of mental health care facilities (14%) and anti‐depressants (7%) remained low in those with persistent anxiety.

Conclusion:  Results indicate that those high in neuroticism are at greater risk for persistence of anxiety. Efforts to enhance appropriate referral of anxious older adults do not seem to have had the desired effect.
Adjunctive bright light in non‐seasonal major depression: results from patient‐reported symptom and well‐being scales
Authors: Martiny K. , Lunde M. , Undén M. , Dam H. , Bech P.
Published: May 2005

Objective:  In this study, we tested the efficacy of bright light therapy as an adjunct to antidepressant treatment (sertraline) in patients with non‐seasonal major depression.

Method:  In a randomized double‐blind controlled trial, 102 patients were treated for 5 weeks with either white bright light (10.000 lx, 1 h/day) or red dim light (50 lx, 30 min/day). All patients received sertraline in a dosage of 50 mg daily. The self‐assessment scales used were the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), the Psychological General Well‐Being Scale (PGWB) and the Symptom Check List (SCL‐90R).

Results:  On all three questionnaires the score differences between baseline and endpoint were greatest in the bright light group. On the SCL‐90R, the difference reached statistical significance. Results and effect sizes are compared with results from Danish national population studies applying PGWB and SCL‐90R.

Conclusion:  The results advocate the use of bright light as an adjunct treatment of non‐seasonal depression.
Effects of UV radiation on the vertical distribution of vendace [Coregonus albula (L.)] larvae in Finnish lakes
Authors: Ylönen O. , Huuskonen H. , Karjalainen J.
Published: May 2005

Abstract – Positively phototactic vendace larvae may be vulnerable to enhanced springtime UV levels unless they are able to avoid them. Experimental results, however, suggested that UV avoidance can exist. In this study field data from eight Finnish lakes with different characteristics were analysed. The aim of the study was to determine whether vendace larvae stayed deeper in the water column during sunny than during cloudy periods because thick cloud cover considerably reduces UV irradiance. In addition, avoidance behaviour of larvae was studied in acrylic tubes placed in a lake and under laboratory conditions. The avoidance of high UV‐B exposure existed both in the littoral and pelagic zone of the lakes and in laboratory with low UV attenuation. In the lakes with high UV attenuation, avoidance behaviour did not exist. Vendace larvae may use visible light as an indirect indicator of harmful UV‐B irradiance.
Interactions between juvenile roach or perch and their invertebrate prey in littoral reed versus open water enclosures
Authors: Okun N. , Mehner T.
Published: May 2005

Abstract – Structural complexity offered by submerged macrophytes was shown to have fundamental effects on interactions between fish and their prey. However, less information is available for littoral reed (Phragmites spp.) stands. A previous field study found juvenile roach and perch to coexist within the reed stands. It was suggested that reed serves mainly as refuge against littoral piscivores, such that coexistence of perch and roach in the reed was externally forced. Several hypotheses were raised to explain why roach nevertheless showed good growth performance. Three of the hypotheses were tested experimentally. In particular, we were interested in how the confinement of fish to one of the reed or open water habitats alters feeding and growth patterns of juvenile age‐1 perch and roach. Fish were stocked separately into littoral enclosures for a 3‐week period in densities which had been found in the surrounding lake. Development of zooplankton and macroinvertebrate biomasses was observed by sampling the enclosures three times over the experimental period. Individual consumption of prey groups by the fish was calculated with a bioenergetics model, and was compared with prey group biomass in the enclosure treatments. The confinement of fish to one littoral habitat had clear effects on diet composition and growth rates. Roach fed less zooplankton and partially switched to macroinvertebrates in the reed enclosures when compared with the open water treatments, and consequently their growth rates were lower in the reed. Perch preferred macroinvertebrates in both habitats, without any difference in growth rates between the habitats. Effects of fish predation on both zooplankton and macroinvertebrate biomass were low in open water and reed enclosures. Daily consumption rates were only in a few cases higher than 40% of the available biomass of the respective prey group, but mainly were below 10% of available biomass. Therefore, we argue that both the diel horizontal migrations of roach and the relatively low consumption rate of fish when compared with the available resource biomass allow the coexistence of juvenile roach and perch in littoral reed stands.
Assessment of winter size‐selective mortality of young‐of‐the‐year Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using otolith microstructure analysis*
Authors: Johnston P. , Bergeron N. E. , Dodson J. J.
Published: May 2005

Abstract –  The objectives of this study were, first, to assess the usefulness of otolith microstructure analysis to examine winter size‐selective mortality of young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) Atlantic salmon and, secondly, to validate various hypotheses relating to the dynamics of two populations with different winter survival. By examining otolith microstructure, we back‐calculated body size at hatching and at emergence of YOY salmon sampled in fall 2000 and in early summer 2001 on the Petite Cascapédia River and the Bonaventure River (Québec, Canada). The results of the study did not reveal any size‐selective mortality of YOY salmon in the Petite Cascapédia River, while in the Bonaventure River, size‐selective mortality of the smaller individuals of the cohort was detected. This case study allowed not only a better comprehension of the population dynamics of those rivers but demonstrated the usefulness of otolith analysis to detect winter size‐selective mortality under a natural environment.
Variation in intrinsic individual growth rate among populations of leatherside chub (Snyderichthys copei Jordan & Gilbert): adaptation to temperature or length of growing season?
Authors: Belk M. C. , Johnson J. B. , Wilson K. W. , Smith M. E. , Houston D. D.
Published: May 2005

Abstract –  Leatherside chub (Snyderichthyes copei Jordan & Gilbert) comprises two lineages (northern and southern) whose centres of geographical range differ by about 3° latitude corresponding to about 30% shorter growing season and about 2 °C lower mean temperature during the growing season. We document patterns of variation in size‐at‐age among populations of leatherside chub in nature, and we test for variation in intrinsic growth rate of juvenile chub in a common‐environment experiment to determine if lineages exhibit different intrinsic growth rates. Northern leatherside chubs at ages 1–3 were about 15% shorter in length compared with southern populations. Variation in hatching date or age at maturity could not account for differences in growth and body size, suggesting that temperature‐specific intrinsic growth rates differed among populations. Based on a common environment experiment, we found that reaction norms for temperature‐specific growth in length and mass were crossed. At the lower temperature, individuals from the north exhibited higher intrinsic growth in length, and at the higher temperature individuals from the south exhibited higher intrinsic growth in mass. Crossing reaction norms for temperature‐specific intrinsic growth rates support a model of local adaptation to thermal regime.
Small‐scale spatial variation in age and size at maturity of stream‐dwelling brown trout, Salmo trutta
Authors: Olsen E. M. , Vøllestad L. A.
Published: May 2005

Abstract – This study documents substantial small‐scale spatial variation in age and size at maturity of brown trout (Salmo trutta) found either in allopatry (above major waterfalls) or in sympatry (below waterfalls) with the Alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus) in forest streams in south‐east Norway. Within two streams, female brown trout above waterfalls tended to delay the onset of sexual maturity, as compared with females from neighbouring sites below the waterfalls. Four additional streams were represented with either an allopatric or a sympatric site. There was considerable variation in age and size at maturity among these streams, but no consistent difference between allopatric and sympatric sites. It is suggested that the spatial variation in maturity responses is influenced by local opportunities for growth, and possibly also survival. Earlier studies in these streams have linked spatial variation in brown trout behaviour and demography to the presence or absence of the Alpine bullhead.
Therapeutic and prophylactic effects of PUVA photochemotherapy on atopic dermatitis‐like lesions in NC/Nga mice
Authors: Miyauchi‐Hashimoto Hiroko , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Sugihara Akira , Horio Takeshi
Published: May 2005

Background: Psoralens and ultraviolet A radiation (PUVA) photochemotherapy has been used for severe cases of atopic dermatitis (AD). To understand the mechanisms of action is important for the choice of treatments. AD‐like lesions can be induced experimentally in NC/Nga mice.

Objectives: To evaluate clinically and histologically the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of PUVA on AD‐like dermatitis using NC/Nga mice.

Methods: PUVA therapy was performed with intraperitoneal injection of 4 mg/kg of 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) and 4 J/cm2‐UVA irradiation before and after development of AD‐like lesions in NC/Nga mice which had been maintained in a conventional room (Conv‐NC/Nga mice). Clinical skin conditions were evaluated periodically by a clinical severity score defined. Lesions were histologically examined in haematoxylin–eosin or toluidine blue‐stained sections. Plasma levels of total IgE were measured at various time points.

Results: In Conv‐NC/Nga mice infested with mite, AD‐like lesions started to develop at 8 week of age and thereafter increased in severity score. PUVA therapy at lower does than minimal phototoxic dose suppressed the development of dermatitis and was also therapeutically effective against established lesions. Proliferation of dermal mast cells in AD‐like lesions was suppressed, but IgE hyperproduction was not changed after PUVA.

Conclusions: These observations suggest that PUVA photochemotherapy reveals not only therapeutic but also prophylactic effects on human AD.
The Listeria Protein Internalin B Mimics Hepatocyte Growth Factor‐Induced Receptor Trafficking
Authors: Li Ning , Xiang Guang‐Sheng , Dokainish Hatem , Ireton Keith , Elferink Lisa A.
Published: May 2005

Increased hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR) signaling correlates closely with neoplastic invasion and metastatic potential of many human cancers. Hepatocyte growth factor receptor signaling is initiated by binding the physiological ligand HGF or the internalin B (InlB) protein of Listeria monocytogenes. Subsequent degradation of endocytosed HGFR terminates receptor signaling. Previously reported discrepancies in InlB and HGF‐induced HGFR signaling could reflect differences in receptor internalization and degradation in response to these distinct ligands. We report that soluble InlB and HGF are mechanistically equivalent in triggering clathrin‐dependent endocytosis and lysosomal degradation of HGFR. After internalization, InlB and HGF colocalize with Rab5, EEA1 and the transferrin receptor in classical early endosomes. Hepatocyte growth factor receptor internalization was prevented by overexpression of dominant negative mutants of dynamin 1 and epidermal growth factor phosphorylation substrate 15, but not caveolin 1, the GTPase Arf6 or the cholesterol‐chelating drug Nystatin. Thus, HGFR internalization is principally clathrin‐mediated and is not regulated by clathrin‐ independent pathways. Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase signaling and HGF‐regulated tyrosine kinase substrate were not required for ligand‐triggered internalization of HGFR but were essential for subsequent lysosomal degradation. Thus, soluble InlB and HGF induce HGFR endocytosis and degradation by indistinguishable mechanisms, suggesting that InlB may be exploited to regulate pathogenic HGFR signaling.
An Extended Tyrosine‐Targeting Motif for Endocytosis and Recycling of the Dense‐Core Vesicle Membrane Protein Phogrin
Authors: Wasmeier Christina , Burgos Patricia V. , Trudeau Tammy , Davidson Howard W. , Hutton John C.
Published: May 2005

Integral membrane proteins of neuroendocine dense‐core vesicles (DCV) appear to undergo multiple rounds of exocytosis; however, their trafficking and site of incorporation into nascent DCVs is unclear. Previous studies with phogrin (IA‐2β) identified sorting signals in the luminal domain that is cleaved post‐translationally; we now describe an independent DCV targeting motif in the cytosolic domain that may function at the level of endocytosis and recycling. Pulse‐chase radiolabeling and cell surface biotinylation experiments in the pituitary corticotroph cell line AtT20 showed that the mature 60/65 kDa form that resides in the DCV is generated by limited proteolysis in a post‐trans Golgi network compartment with similar kinetics to the formation of the principal cargo, ACTH. Phogrin is exposed on the cell surface in response to stimuli and progressively internalized to a perinuclear compartment that overlaps with recycling endosomes marked by transferrin. Chimeric molecules of phogrin transmembrane and cytosolic sequences with the interleukin‐2 receptor α chain (Tac) were sorted to DCVs through the action of an extended tyrosine‐based motif Y654QELCRQRMA located in a 27aa sequence adjacent to the membrane‐spanning domain. A 36aa domain terminating in this sequence conferred DCV localization to Tac in the absence of any other cytosolic or luminal phogrin components. The endocytosis and DCV targeting of phogrin Y654 > A mutants correlated with the impaired binding of the phogrin cytosolic tail to the µ‐subunit of the AP2 adaptor complex in vitro.
E3 Ubiquitin Ligases as Regulators of Membrane Protein Trafficking and Degradation
Authors: d'Azzo Alessandra , Bongiovanni Antonella , Nastasi Tommaso
Published: May 2005

Ubiquitination is a regulated post‐translational modification that conjugates ubiquitin (Ub) to lysine residues of target proteins and determines their intracellular fate. The canonical role of ubiquitination is to mediate degradation by the proteasome of short‐lived cytoplasmic proteins that carry a single, polymeric chain of Ub on a specific lysine residue. However, protein modification by Ub has much broader and diverse functions involved in a myriad of cellular processes. Monoubiquitination, at one or multiple lysine residues of transmembrane proteins, influences their stability, protein–protein recognition, activity and intracellular localization. In these processes, Ub functions as an internalization signal that sends the modified substrate to the endocytic/sorting compartments, followed by recycling to the plasma membrane or degradation in the lysosome. E3 ligases play a pivotal role in ubiquitination, because they recognize the acceptor protein and hence dictate the high specificity of the reaction. The multitude of E3s present in nature suggests their nonredundant mode of action and the need for their controlled regulation. Here we give a short account of E3 ligases that specifically modify and regulate membrane proteins. We emphasize the intricate network of interacting proteins that contribute to the substrate‐E3 recognition and determine the substrate's cellular fate.
Brl1p – A Novel Nuclear Envelope Protein Required for Nuclear Transport
Authors: Saitoh Yoh‐hei , Ogawa Kaoru , Nishimoto Takeharu
Published: May 2005

In this article, we identify a cold‐sensitive mutant of Xpo1p designated as xop1‐2 (but will be referred to from here on as xpo1‐ok) that is synthetically lethal with srm1‐1, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae RCC1 homolog. xpo1‐ok was a novel mutated allele with a single point mutation, T283P. Suppressors of xpo1‐ok were isolated, and one of them was found to encode a novel nuclear envelope integral membrane protein designated as Brl1p (Brr6 like protein no. 1). Brl1p is homologous with Brr6p at the C‐terminal domain, which is well conserved in the Brr6/Brl1 family. To characterize the function of Brl1p, a series of temperature‐sensitive mutants of Brl1p were isolated. All of brl1 mutations were localized to the conserved C‐terminal domain that is essential for a function of Brl1p. Some brl1 alleles showed defects in nuclear export of either mRNA or protein, and nuclear pore clustering, similar to brr6‐1. The cellular localization of Brl1p is also similar to that of Brr6p. The genetic analysis suggested that Brl1p functionally interacts with Brr6p. An interaction of Brl1p with Brr6p was shown by the two‐hybrid method. We hypothesize that Brl1p functions for nuclear export as a complex with Brr6p.
Is an elongated stylohyoid process prevalent in the elderly? A radiographic study in a Brazilian population
Authors: Rizzatti‐Barbosa Célia M. , Ribeiro Margarete C. , Silva‐Concilio Lais R. , Di Hipolito Oswaldo , Ambrosano Gláucia M.
Published: May 2005

Background:  Elongation and calcification of the stylohyoid ligament complex may be correlated with Eagle's syndrome. The styloid complex pathogenesis is still being debated.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of stylohyoid ligament complex elongation in panoramic radiographs of 2252 patients in a Brazilian adult, partially edentulous population, of both sexes.

Methods:  The radiographs, taken in the Semiology Department at the Dental School in Brazil, were randomly selected from January 1997 to December 2000. The stylohyoid ligament complexes were measured from the cranial base up to the osseous tip of each process. Mineralisation of the complex of more than 25 mm in length on the radiograph was considered to be abnormal. The same operator made all the measurements. The lengths of the areas of mineralisation were recorded, and whether the condition was bilateral was noted.

Results:  This abnormality was present in both sexes. A calcified complex was found in 451 of the 2252 patients. The majority of these calcified complexes (n = 248; 54.9%) were bilateral. Three hundred and fifty‐six (39.5%) of them were longer than 25 mm (and so were abnormal), and the length varied from 26.1 to 65 mm. (average length = 27.8 mm). Forty (4.4%) of the abnormalities were longer than 50 mm, and of these 36 (90%) were in the 40–59 year age group. The mean length of a mineralised stylohyoid ligament complex in patients in the 60–79 year age group was 32.75 mm.

Conclusion:  The results suggested that an anatomical variant of the stylohyoid ligament complex was more frequently found in the elderly female population, although this abnormality was present in both sexes. There was a greater tendency for the abnormality to be present in patients between 60 and 79 years of age.
Anaesthesiological risk assessment in young/adult and elderly dental patients
Authors: Ragonesi M. , Ivaldi C.
Published: May 2005

Objective:  Analysing the differences in number of diseases reported, medicines taken and American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) scores in young/adult and elderly dental patients.

Subject:  Forty‐seven young/adult and 47 elderly dental patients living in the community.

Setting:  Private dental practice.

Main outcome measures:  Age, number of systemic diseases reported during anamnesis, number of medicines taken, seriousness of pre‐existent diseases measured according to the ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologist) scale.

Study design:  Analytical study.

Results:  The differences between young/adult and elderly dental patients as far as self‐reported medical conditions, medicines taken and ASA scores were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:  The number of elderly patients’ medical conditions are greater than young/adults’. It is therefore necessary to adequately assess the elderly patient before starting any dental treatment.
Collaboration of a dentist and speech‐language pathologist in the rehabilitation of a stroke patient with dysarthria: a case study
Authors: Ono Takahiro , Hamamura Mari , Honda Kosuke , Nokubi Takashi
Published: May 2005

Objective:  To elucidate the effectiveness of the collaboration of a dentist and speech‐language pathologist (SLP) in the rehabilitation of a stroke patient with dysarthria.

Design:  A clinical case report treated in the rehabilitation hospital and dental surgery.

Subject:  A 71‐year‐old Japanese man who was admitted to the rehabilitation hospital for speech rehabilitation 2 years and 5 months after a stroke.

Methods:  Provision of prosthesis (palatal lift prosthesis + palatal augmentation prosthesis) for improving velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) and articulation by dentist, and speech behavioural management by SLP including self‐monitoring and bio‐feedback training using the See‐Scape.

Results:  Speech behavioural management proved useful for promoting improvement in speech intelligibility to a functionally sufficient level after improving VPI by prosthesis.

Conclusion:  The collaborative efforts of the dentist and SLP in the rehabilitation of post‐stroke patients with velopharyngeal incompetence should be encouraged.
Issues in the epidemiological investigation of dry mouth
Authors: Thomson W. Murray
Published: May 2005

Despite decades of research, much remains unanswered about the epidemiology of dry mouth. This review aims to provide an overview of the condition's epidemiology and the issues to consider when planning an epidemiological study of dry mouth. The latter can be broadly grouped into: study design; sampling and statistical power considerations; the measurement of dry mouth; and the selection, nature and measurement of relevant exposure measures, including medications and potential confounding variables. Each of these is discussed, in order to provide guidance for prospective researchers based on experience with past research. Finally, an agenda for further epidemiological research into dry mouth is proposed.
Relationship of number of remaining teeth to health‐related quality of life in community‐dwelling elderly
Authors: Akifusa S. , Soh I. , Ansai T. , Hamasaki T. , Takata Y. , Yohida A. , Fukuhara M , Sonoki K. , Takehara T.
Published: May 2005

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between number of remaining teeth and health‐related quality of life in community‐dwelling elderly.

Subjects:  A total of 207 participants who were community‐dwelling, 85 years of age. Data were from a population‐based study of age‐related general and oral health in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Measurements:  The Japanese version of the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF‐36).

Results:  The mental component score for the participants, from the SF‐36, was higher than the Japanese national norm for those aged ≥70 years. There were no significant differences in the mean of any scores on the SF‐36 by having spouse, living with family, or education level. The mean of the SF‐36 scores of physical functioning (PF) and of the physical component scores were significantly higher in the 85‐year‐old participants with ≥20 teeth than in those with ≤19 teeth (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). In addition, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the mean of participants with ≥20 teeth and those with ≤19 teeth after adjustment for region where the participant lived, activities of daily living (ADL), and sex. The PF (p < 0.001), role‐physical (p < 0.005), bodily pain (p < 0.001), vitality (p < 0.001), social functioning (p < 0.05), and physical component (p < 0.001) scores were significantly higher in participants with a good activities of daily living (ADL) assessment. However, ADL was not associated with the number of teeth.

Conclusions:  The findings of the present study indicated that 85‐year‐old participants with ≥20 teeth had better subjective physical health than those with ≤19 teeth.
Predicting vertical dimension with cephalograms, for edentulous patients
Authors: Brzoza D. , Barrera N. , Contasti G. , Hernández A.
Published: May 2005

Objectives:  To provide information on vertical dimension (VD), occlusal plane (OP), and size of future occlusal rims, through lateral Rx and cephalometric tracings that analyse and compare hard and soft tissue. To show that these measures are compatible with methods routinely used to prescribe for full.

Design:  Ten patients age range 53–81. Lateral Rx, with and without dentures, were taken and traced cephalograms were used to compare hard and soft tissue angles and planes.

Main outcome measures:  Based on three cephalometric analyses: Rickets, and McNamara for skeletal, and Legan‐Burstone for soft tissue, to identify the following landmarks: 13 skeletal points: N, ANS, PNS, Me, Xi, Pm, FC, Or, Po, A, B, Co, Gn and four soft tissue points: G, Gv, Sn, Me′; seven skeletal planes: HP, FP, NF, N‐ANS‐Me, A‐B, ANS‐Me, Co‐Gn, and three soft tissue planes: G‐Sn, Sn‐Me′, Sn‐Gv, and six angles: N‐FC‐A, ANS‐Xi‐Pm, 1NF, 1MP, 6NF, interincisor angle.

Results:  Stability in skeletal VD was observed with the proportion of 0.8 ± 0.2 being present, between the middle third and lower third facial heights, N‐ANS/ANS‐Me. In addition, soft tissue proportion remained near 1, G‐Sn,/Sn‐Me. The length and position of first upper molar, upper and lower incisors were used to predict the OP. When compared with cephalograms of the same patient with dentures, similar measurements were observed.

Conclusions:  It was possible to provide information on skeletal, facial proportions, VD, OP, and rim size using cephalograms for edentulous patients.
Need for gerodontology education in India
Authors: Shah N.
Published: May 2005

Objectives:  To evaluate the status and need for education in Geriatric Dentistry in India.

Materials and methods:  The status of dental education in India was studied. India has 185 dental schools producing 12 000 dental graduates every year. At postgraduate level, there are nine recognised specialities in Dentistry, and approximately 58 institutions offer 1160 places for postgraduate degree courses. Dental education is shaped and administered by the Dental Council of India.

Results:  So far, Geriatric dentistry has not developed as a separate, independent speciality at postgraduate level. The undergraduate curriculum does not have any significant component of geriatric dentistry. The lack of training results in poor understanding of special needs of older adults in young graduates. Without adequate training and personal experience of growing old, young graduates may not be able to understand the physical, socio‐economic and psychological problems of the elderly and the complexities involved in treatment planning for patients with multiple chronic diseases and medication.

Conclusions:  It is emphasized that geriatric dentistry should be included in each of the pre‐clinical, para‐clinical and clinical subjects at the undergraduate level. Graduate students should be encouraged to treat elderly patients in clinics under supervision using a multi‐disciplinary approach. Also, postgraduate diploma and degree courses in geriatric dentistry should be developed to address the needs of the vast elderly population in India.
Is current hydrogeologic research addressing long‐term predictions?
Authors: Tsang Chin‐Fu
Published: May 2005

Hydrogeology is a field closely related to the needs of society. Many problems of current national and local interest require predictions of hydrogeological system behavior, and in a number of important cases, the period of prediction is tens to hundreds of thousands of years. It is argued that the demand for such long‐term hydrogeological predictions casts a new light on the future needs of hydrogeological research. Key scientific issues are no longer concerned only with simple processes or narrowly focused modeling or testing methods but also with assessment of prediction uncertainties and confidence, couplings among multiple physicochemical processes occurring simultaneously at a site, and the interplay between site characterization and predictive modeling. These considerations also have significant implications for hydrogeological education. With this view, it is asserted that hydrogeological directions and education need to be reexamined and possibly refocused to address specific needs for long‐term predictions.
Fractal travel time estimates for dispersive contaminants
Authors: Clarke Danelle D. , Meerschaert Mark M. , Wheatcraft Stephen W.
Published: May 2005

Alternative fractional models of contaminant transport lead to a new travel time formula for arbitrary concentration levels. For an evolving contaminant plume in a highly heterogeneous aquifer, the new formula predicts much earlier arrival at low concentrations. Travel times of contaminant fronts and plumes are often obtained from Darcy's law calculations using estimates of average pore velocities. These estimates only provide information about the travel time of the average concentration (or peak, for contaminant pulses). Recently, it has been shown that finding the travel times of arbitrary concentration levels is a straightforward process, and equations were developed for other portions of the breakthrough curve for a nonreactive contaminant. In this paper, we generalize those equations to include alternative fractional models of contaminant transport.
Minimizing factor requirements for surgery without increased risk
Authors: Schulman S. , Loogna J. , Wallensten R.
Published: May 2005

Summary.  The most common type of surgical procedure in patients with haemophilia is orthopaedic surgery on the lower limb. These procedures are of great importance for the improvement of the function and quality of life of patients with haemophilia, but in many countries resources are lacking to provide the factor concentrates needed for these operations. We have attempted to reduce the level of replacement during and after total hip or total knee replacement without jeopardizing the outcome of the procedures. The results from 30 operations in 27 patients are presented. Steady‐state levels down to 0.5 IU mL−1 did not appear to increase the amount of blood loss or cause an increased incidence of complications, compared with higher levels. In addition, we review the possibilities to reduce the amount of factor concentrate by performing a combination of orthopaedic procedures and using local haemostatic agents or antifibrinolytic agents.
Support vector machines (SVMs) for monitoring network design
Authors: Asefa Tirusew , Kemblowski Mariush , Urroz Gilberto , McKee Mac
Published: May 2005

In this paper we present a hydrologic application of a new statistical learning methodology called support vector machines (SVMs). SVMs are based on minimization of a bound on the generalized error (risk) model, rather than just the mean square error over a training set. Due to Mercer's conditions on the kernels, the corresponding optimization problems are convex and hence have no local minima. In this paper, SVMs are illustratively used to reproduce the behavior of Monte Carlo–based flow and transport models that are in turn used in the design of a ground water contamination detection monitoring system. The traditional approach, which is based on solving transient transport equations for each new configuration of a conductivity field, is too time consuming in practical applications. Thus, there is a need to capture the behavior of the transport phenomenon in random media in a relatively simple manner. The objective of the exercise is to maximize the probability of detecting contaminants that exceed some regulatory standard before they reach a compliance boundary, while minimizing cost (i.e., number of monitoring wells). Application of the method at a generic site showed a rather promising performance, which leads us to believe that SVMs could be successfully employed in other areas of hydrology. The SVM was trained using 510 monitoring configuration samples generated from 200 Monte Carlo flow and transport realizations. The best configurations of well networks selected by the SVM were identical with the ones obtained from the physical model, but the reliabilities provided by the respective networks differ slightly.
ARTIFICIAL LIFE: A NEW APPROACH TO TEXTURE CLASSIFICATION
Authors: ZHANG DUO , QIU CHEN YAN
Published: May 2005

This paper presents a novel approach to image texture classification, which involves a model of artificial organisms i.e. Artificial Crawlers (ACrawlers) and a series of evolution curves representing the features of the texture. The distributed ACrawlers locally interact with their living environment, i.e. textured regions, and each ACrawler acts according to a set of homogenous rules for isotropic motion, energy absorption and colony formation, etc. The ACrawlers evolve through natural selection, which produces the specific curves of agent evolution, habitant settlement and colony formation as well as the scale distribution of all colonies. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method have been demonstrated by experiments.
OPTIMAL SUBSPACE ANALYSIS FOR FACE RECOGNITION
Authors: ZHAO HAITAO , YUEN PONG C. , YANG JINGYU
Published: May 2005

Fisher Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) has been successfully used as a data discriminantion technique for face recognition. This paper has developed a novel subspace approach in determining the optimal projection. This algorithm effectively solves the small sample size problem and eliminates the possibility of losing discriminative information. Through the theoretical derivation, we compared our method with the typical PCA-based LDA methods, and also showed the relationship between our new method and perturbation-based method. The feasibility of the new algorithm has been demonstrated by comprehensive evaluation and comparison experiments with existing LDA-based methods.
PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION METHOD FOR IMAGE CLUSTERING
Authors: OMRAN M. , ENGELBRECHT A. P. , SALMAN A.
Published: May 2005

An image clustering method that is based on the particle swarm optimizer (PSO) is developed in this paper. The algorithm finds the centroids of a user specified number of clusters, where each cluster groups together with similar image primitives. To illustrate its wide applicability, the proposed image classifier has been applied to synthetic, MRI and satellite images. Experimental results show that the PSO image classifier performs better than state-of-the-art image classifiers (namely, K-means, Fuzzy C-means, K-Harmonic means and Genetic Algorithms) in all measured criteria. The influence of different values of PSO control parameters on performance is also illustrated.
ANALYSIS AND RECOGNITION OF BROKEN HANDWRITTEN DIGITS BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND SKELETON
Authors: YU DONGGANG , LAI WEI
Published: May 2005

This paper presents an efficient method of reconstructing and recognizing broken handwritten digits. Constrained dilation algorithms are used to bridge small gaps and smooth some spurious points. The contours of broken handwritten digits are smoothed and linearized, and a set of structural points of digits are detected along the outer contours of digits. These structural points are used to describe the morphological structure of broken digits. The broken digits are skeletonized with an improved thinning algorithm. Spurious segments introduced during the extraction of digit fields are detected and deleted based on the structure analysis of digit fields, segment recognition, segment extension, skeleton structure and geometrical features. The broken points of the digits are preselected based on the minimum distance between the "end" points of skeletons of two neighboring regions. The correction rules of the preselected broken points are also based on the structure analysis and comparison of broken digits. Experimental results showing the effectiveness of the method are given.
COMBINATION OF MULTIPLE CLASSIFIERS BY MINIMIZING THE UPPER BOUND OF BAYES ERROR RATE FOR UNCONSTRAINED HANDWRITTEN NUMERAL RECOGNITION
Authors: KANG HEE-JOONG , LEE SEONG-WHAN
Published: May 2005

In order to raise a class discrimination power by the combination of multiple classifiers, the upper bound of Bayes error rate which is bounded by the conditional entropy of a class and decisions should be minimized. Based on the minimization of the upper bound of the Bayes error rate, Wang and Wong proposed only a tree dependence approximation scheme of a high-dimensional probability distribution composed of a class and patterns. This paper extends such a tree dependence approximation scheme to higher order dependency for improving the classification performance and thus optimally approximates the high-dimensional probability distribution with a product of low-dimensional distributions. And then, a new combination method by the proposed approximation scheme is presented and evaluated with classifiers recognizing unconstrained handwritten numerals.
ON THE GROSS–PITAEVSKII EQUATION WITH STRONGLY ANISOTROPIC CONFINEMENT: FORMAL ASYMPTOTICS AND NUMERICAL EXPERIMENTS
Authors: BAO WEIZHU , MARKOWICH PETER A. , SCHMEISER CHRISTIAN , WEISHÄUPL RADA M.
Published: May 2005

The three-dimensional (3D) Gross–Pitaevskii equation with strongly anisotropic confining potential is analyzed. The formal limit as the ratio of the frequencies ε tends to zero provides a denumerable system of two-dimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equations, strongly coupled through the cubic nonlinearities. To numerically solve the asymptotic approximation only a finite number of limiting equations is considered. Finally, the approximation error for a fixed number of equations is compared for different ε tending to zero. On the other hand, the approximation error for an increasing number of terms in the approximation is observed.
ASYMPTOTIC EXPANSIONS IN A STEADY STATE EULER–POISSON SYSTEM AND CONVERGENCE TO INCOMPRESSIBLE EULER EQUATIONS
Authors: PENG YUE-JUN , VIOLET INGRID
Published: May 2005

This work is concerned with a steady state Euler–Poisson system for potential flows arising in mathematical modeling for plasmas and semiconductors. We study the zero electron mass limit and zero relaxation time limit of the system by using the method of asymptotic expansions. These two limits are expressed by the Maxwell–Boltzmann relation and the classical drift-diffusion model, respectively. For each limit, we show the existence and uniqueness of profiles and justify the asymptotic expansions up to any order. These results also give new approaches for the convergence of the Euler–Poisson system to incompressible Euler equations, which has already been obtained via the quasi-neutral limit.