bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIV infection and the pancreas: risk factors and potential management guidelines
Authors: Manfredi Roberto , Calza Leonardo
Published: March 2008

Summary

One thousand and eighty-one evaluable HIV-infected patients were assessed for pancreatic abnormalities in a prospective case–control study including the whole follow-up period of each patient (minimum 12 months). The 435 patients (40.2%), who experienced at least one episode of confirmed pancreatic laboratory abnormality had a longer duration of seropositivity, exposure to protease inhibitors, a more frequent immunodeficiency, AIDS, chronic liver and/or biliary disease and hypertriglyceridaemia, while no relation was found with antiretroviral administration, and the duration of type of nucleoside analogues, when compared with the 646 controls. High and prolonged laboratory alterations eventually associated with signs of organ involvement occurred in 166 cases (38.2%), and were related to the administration of didanosine, stavudine, lamivudine, pentamidine, cotrimoxazole or antitubercular/antimycobacterial therapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy, illicit substance or alcohol abuse, opportunistic infections, chronic liver and/or biliary disease, a protease inhibitor-based highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and hypertriglyceridaemia (usually associated with HAART administration). No difference was noticed between the 46 patients with clinical and/or imaging evidence of pancreatic involvement and the 120 asymptomatic subjects. Although recurrences of enzyme alterations involved 69.6% of patients, only in 30.1% of cases did a change of the underlying antiretroviral or antimicrobial therapy become necessary. An acute, uncomplicated pancreatitis occurred in nine of the 46 symptomatic subjects (19.6%). A two to four-week gabexate and/or octreotide administration (performed in 79 cases of 166, 47.6%), achieved a significant laboratory, clinical and imaging cure or improvement in 82.3% of cases, with a better success rate of combined (gabexate mesilate plus octreotide) vs. single (gabexate mesilate or ocreotide) therapy. Reduced disease recurrences and a better tolerability of antiretroviral regimens, were also noticed.
Transmission of Chlamydia and genital warts during sleepwalking
Authors: Mohanty Kailash
Published: March 2008

Summary

A boy aged 15 years infected a girl of 13 years with Chlamydia and genital warts. The boy has been engaged in sexual activities for the last four years. There was no dispute that the boy had had sex with the girl. He was prosecuted but acquitted by the Court on the ground of ‘defence of sleepwalking’. This is the first case where sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia and genital warts have been transmitted sexually through sleepwalking. This case also raises the issues of underage sex and issues of confidentiality.
Successful reversal of threatening carotid artery occlusion in HIV-associated non-aneurysmal vasculitis
Authors: Taylor C L , Varma A , Herwadkar A , Bonington A
Published: March 2008

Summary

We report a case of HIV-associated carotid vasculitis, causing cerebral infarction. Immediate corticosteroid treatment was followed by improvement, with radiological documentation of reversal of the vasculitic changes, preventing arterial occlusion. Vasculitis should be considered as a diagnosis in stroke in HIV and steroid treatment considered as a potentially life-saving intervention.
Empathy: improving the quality of the genitourinary medicine consultation
Authors: Sonnex Chris
Published: March 2008

Summary

The interaction between patient and practitioner remains core to the provision of medical care. Physicians who display a warm, friendly and reassuring manner during their consultations are reported to be more effective in their delivery of care, with empathy, in particular, emerging as a key factor. This paper examines the concept of empathy and discusses how this may be achieved, with particular emphasis on the genitourinary medicine consultation.
Uptake of 48-hour access appointments in genitourinary medicine
Authors: Carlin E M , Kellock D J
Published: March 2008

Summary

Timely access to genitourinary (GU) medicine services is important in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A target has been set that by March 2008, 100% of patients will be offered a GU medicine appointment within 48 hours. Strategic Health Authorities have also been asked to plan for 95% of patients to be seen within 48 hours. We sought to identify why patients decline appointments offered within 48 hours by collecting prospective data over three months. Additional data was collected over 18 working days to identify if alternative options would be acceptable to decliners. Overall, 1577 patients contacted the clinic, 1524 (96.6%) were offered a 48-hours appointment, 1108 (72.7%) accepted it, 416 (27.3%) declined it and 66.3% citing work commitments as the reason. In 118 patients, who declined the appointment offered; 43.2% indicated no alternative option was acceptable, 23.7% chose a Saturday appointment, which in 78.6% would have exceeded 48 hours. Hence, 73 (61.9%) patients would not have accepted an appointment within 48 hours. The balance of public health control, mixed service provision and informed patient choice is discussed.
Sequential Testing of Product Designs: Implications for Learning
Authors: Erat Sanjiv , Kavadias Stylianos
Published: March 2008

Past research in new product development (NPD) has conceptualized prototyping as a “design-build-test-analyze” cycle to emphasize the importance of the analysis of test results in guiding the decisions made during the experimentation process. New product designs often involve complex architectures and incorporate numerous components, and this makes the ex ante assessment of their performance difficult. Still, design teams often learn from test outcomes during iterative test cycles enabling them to infer valuable information about the performances of (as yet) untested designs. We conceptualize the extent of useful learning from analysis of a test outcome as depending on two key structural characteristics of the design space, namely whether the set of designs are “close” to each other (i.e., the designs are similar on an attribute level) and whether the design attributes exhibit nontrivial interactions (i.e., the performance function is complex).

This study explicitly considers the design space structure and the resulting correlations among design performances, and examines their implications for learning. We derive the optimal dynamic testing policy, and we analyze its qualitative properties. Our results suggest optimal continuation only when the previous test outcomes lie between two thresholds. Outcomes below the lower threshold indicate an overall low performing design space and, consequently, continued testing is suboptimal. Test outcomes above the upper threshold, on the other hand, merit termination because they signal to the design team that the likelihood of obtaining a design with a still higher performance (given the experimentation cost) is low. We find that accounting for the design space structure splits the experimentation process into two phases: the initial exploration phase, in which the design team focuses on obtaining information about the design space, and the subsequent exploitation phase in which the design team, given their understanding of the design space, focuses on obtaining a “good enough” configuration. Our analysis also provides useful contingency-based guidelines for managerial action as information gets revealed through the testing cycle. Finally, we extend the optimal policy to account for design spaces that contain distinct design subclasses.
Antecedents and Outcomes of Retaliation Against Whistleblowers: Gender Differences and Power Relationships
Authors: Rehg Michael T. , Miceli Marcia P. , Near Janet P. , Van Scotter James R.
Published: March 2008

Whistle-blowing represents an influence attempt in which organization member(s) try to persuade other members to cease wrongdoing; sometimes they fail; sometimes they succeed; sometimes they suffer reprisal. We investigated whether women experienced more retaliation than men, testing propositions derived from theories about gender differences and power variables, and using data from military and civilian employees of a large U.S. base. Being female was correlated with perceived retaliation. Results of structural equation modeling showed significant gender differences in antecedents and outcomes of retaliation. For men, lack of support from others and low whistleblower's power were significantly related to retaliation; for women, lack of support from others, serious wrongdoing, and the wrongdoing's direct effect on the whistleblower were significantly associated with retaliation. Retaliation in turn was negatively related to relationships with the supervisor for both men and women, and positively related to women's—but not men's—decisions to blow the whistle again, using external channels. We finish by discussing implications for theory and practice.
Two-Dimensional Correlation Infrared Spectroscopic Study on the Crystallization and Gelation of Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) in Cyclohexanone
Authors: Peng Yun , Sun Bingjie , Wu Peiyi
Published: March 2008

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) converts easily into a thermo-reversible gel through crystallization by standing at room temperature in cyclohexanone. In this study, the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra were measured continuously at room temperature during the conversion of the solution into a gel. The IR difference spectra derived from these spectra by absorbance subtraction clearly indicate the presence of PVDF α-crystallites in the gel due to the presence of absorption bands corresponding to the TG+TG− conformation of the α-phase. In the time interval from 25 to 45 min after the beginning of the experiment, the IR bands of PVDF increased dramatically, indicating the conversion of polymer chains from random statistical coils to the ordered TG+TG− conformation (α-form). In the time interval from 45 to 90 min, the IR bands of PVDF increased slowly, reflecting no further crystallization. Using two-dimensional (2D) IR analysis, it could be shown that the v(C=O)) absorption band of cyclohexanone changed during the gelation process. During the conformational ordering process (25–45 min), the v(C=O) absorption band of the cyclohexanone dimer (1707 cm−1) decreased while the corresponding band of the monomer at 1718 cm−1 increased. Furthermore, a new band at 1695 cm−1 increased, which could be assigned to C=O groups of the solvent interacting with the CF2 groups in the polymer chain. The bands of the crystalline PVDF share positive cross-peaks with the bands of cyclohexanone, which indicates that the chain of PVDF changed prior to the cyclohexanone molecules during the conformational ordering process. However, these positive cross-peaks disappeared during the crystallization process, which means that the chain of PVDF changed synchronously with the solvent molecules. As for the bands of PVDF chains, the band at 762 cm−1 varied prior to the bands at 873 cm−1 and 796 cm−1 during the conformational ordering process. The 762 cm−1 absorption is assigned to the CF2 group of PVDF, the 873 cm−1 absorption involves the C–C group of PVDF, and the 796 cm−1 band is attributed to the CH2 groups of PVDF. Thus, the CF2 functionalities change faster than the C–C and CH2 groups. However, the correlation cross-peaks between 762 cm−1 and 873 cm−1 and at 796 cm−1 disappeared during the later state of the gelation process. At the same time, the bands of PVDF and solvent still varied, which suggests that it is a physical interaction process between PVDF chain and solvent.
Guest Aggregation within Poly(L-lactic Acid)/Pluronic P104 Thin Films
Authors: Steves Jordan M. , Tan Loraine T. , Gardella Joseph A. , Hard Robert , Hicks Wesley L. , Cartwright Alexander N. , Koc Bahattan , Bright Frank V.
Published: March 2008

Rhodamine 6G (R6G) doped thin films composed of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and Pluronic P104 were spin cast onto glass microscope slides and characterized by ultraviolet–visible, steady-state, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The results show that R6G aggregation within the film increases as the R6G concentration and P104 loading increases. These results suggest an approach for studying drug distributions (monomers, aggregates) within biodegradable polymer formulations.
Bacillus Spore Classification via Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Guicheteau J. , Argue L. , Emge D. , Hyre A. , Jacobson M. , Christesen S.
Published: March 2008

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can provide rapid fingerprinting of biomaterial in a nondestructive manner. The adsorption of colloidal silver to biological material suppresses native biofluorescence while providing electromagnetic surface enhancement of the normal Raman signal. This work validates the applicability of qualitative SER spectroscopy for analysis of bacterial species by utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) to show discrimination of biological threat simulants, based upon multivariate statistical confidence limits bounding known data clusters. Gram-positive Bacillus spores ( Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus anthracis, and Bacillus thuringiensis) are investigated along with the Gram-negative bacterium Pantoea agglomerans.
Multipass Capillary Cell for Enhanced Raman Measurements of Gases
Authors: Pearman William F. , Carter J. Chance , Angel S. Michael , Chan James Wai-Jeung
Published: March 2008

A simple Raman multipass capillary cell (MCC) is described that gives 12-to 30-fold signal enhancements for non-absorbing gases. The cell is made by coating the inside of 2-mm inner diameter silica capillary tubes with silver. The device is very small and suitable for remote and in situ Raman measurements with optical fibers. Application of the MCC is similar to previously described liquid core waveguides but, unlike the latter devices, the MCC is generally more applicable to a wide range of non-absorbing gases.
Estimating and Correcting Mie Scattering in Synchrotron-Based Microscopic Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra by Extended Multiplicative Signal Correction
Authors: Kohler A. , Sulé-Suso J. , Sockalingum G. D. , Tobin M. , Bahrami F. , Yang Y. , Pijanka J. , Dumas P. , Cotte M. , van Pittius D. G. , Parkes G. , Martens H.
Published: March 2008

We present an approach for estimating and correcting Mie scattering occurring in infrared spectra of single cells, at diffraction limited probe size, as in synchrotron based microscopy. The Mie scattering is modeled by extended multiplicative signal correction (EMSC) and subtracted from the vibrational absorption. Because the Mie scattering depends non-linearly on α, the product of the radius and the refractive index of the medium/sphere causing it, a new method was developed for estimating the Mie scattering by EMSC for unknown radius and refractive index of the Mie scatterer. The theoretically expected Mie contributions for a range of different α values were computed according to the formulae developed by Van de Hulst (1957). The many simulated spectra were then summarized by a six-dimensional subspace model by principal component analysis (PCA). This subspace model was used in EMSC to estimate and correct for Mie scattering, as well as other additive and multiplicative interference effects. The approach was applied to a set of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) absorbance spectra measured for individual lung cancer cells in order to remove unwanted interferences and to estimate ranges of important α values for each spectrum. The results indicate that several cell components may contribute to the Mie scattering.
Discrimination of Soil-Borne Fungi Using Fourier Transform Infrared Attenuated Total Reflection Spectroscopy
Authors: Linker Raphael , Tsror(LAHKIM) Leah
Published: March 2008

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy was used to discriminate five commonly encountered soil-borne fungi that cause severe economic damage to agriculture: Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Verticillium. Contrary to previous studies related to microorganism discrimination using FT-IR-ATR spectroscopy, the pathogen samples were not dried on the ATR crystal, which is a time-consuming operation. Rather, after removing some pathogen filaments from the solution using tweezers, these were placed directly on a flat ATR crystal and pressure was applied using a pressure clamp. Following water subtraction, baseline correction, and normalization of the spectra, principal component analysis was used as a data-reduction step and canonical variate analysis was used for discrimination. Discrimination was performed at the genus level and at the strain level for Colletotrichum. For discrimination between the five fungi at the genus level, the success rate for the validation samples ranged from 75% to 89%. For discrimination between the two Colletotrichum strains, the success rate was 78%. Comparison with spectra of similar fungi dried on the ATR crystal showed that both types of spectra were very similar, indicating that drying the samples on the ATR crystal is not required and can be replaced by mathematical post-processing of the spectra. For routine analyses that involve rapid screening of very large amounts of samples, this approach allows for increasing significantly the number of samples that can be analyzed daily.
Nitrogen Gas Purging for the Deoxygenation of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Solutions in Cyclohexane for Routine Fluorescence Analysis
Authors: Pagano Todd , Biacchi Adam J. , Kenny Jonathan E.
Published: March 2008

During routine fluorescence analysis, the presence of dissolved oxygen in solutions can result in the dynamic quenching of a fluorophore's emission through collisional deexcitation of the fluorophore's excited state. In order to avoid this type of fluorescence quenching, dissolved oxygen is often removed from solutions by an inert gas purging procedure. However, the details and quantification of this purging process are often limited in fluorescence studies. In this work, standard 10 mm × 10 mm fluorescence cuvettes are filled with polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) solutions in cyclohexane and purged using nitrogen gas, and the experimental purging parameters (nitrogen flow rate, amount of volatile solvent loss, and rate of oxygen removal) are measured and analyzed. For experimental conditions similar to those used in this study, we are able to provide useful guidelines for the deoxygenation of solutions, specifically the purge times required for solutions of fluorophores with various fluorescence lifetimes. Enhancement factors, or F0/ F values (the ratio of fluorescence intensity of a completely deoxygenated solution to the fluorescence intensity of an aerated solution), for chrysene, phenanthrene, naphthalene, and pyrene solutions in cyclohexane were found to be 3.61 ± 0.02, 4.17 ± 0.02, 7.63 ± 0.07, and 21.81 ± 0.35, respectively.
New Raman Spectrometer Using a Digital Micromirror Device and a Photomultiplier Tube Detector for Rapid On-Line Industrial Analysis. Part I: Description of the Prototype and Preliminary Results
Authors: Quyen Nguyen The , Da Silva Edouard , Dao Nguyen Quy , Jouan Michel D.
Published: March 2008

In this paper, a prototype of a new generation of Raman spectrometers, based on the use of a monochromator, a digital micromirror device as light modulator, and a photomultiplier tube as detector of the Raman light, is described. This spectrometer, containing no moving parts, is inexpensive, robust, and very precise. New in concept, this spectrometer makes it possible to record, in addition to classical Raman spectra, the intensity at several selected points of the spectrum and/or the total intensity in several selected intervals at the same time with great accuracy, thus giving new possibilities for analytical applications. Also, the work presented demonstrates the possibilities of this very simple prototype for rapid on-line industrial analysis, with an example of quantitative analysis of binary and ternary mixtures of xylene isomers. The precision obtained is satisfactory (errors of prediction ∼3% in 5–6 seconds per sample).
A Multi-Source Portable Light Emitting Diode Spectrofluorometer
Authors: Obeidat Safwan , Bai Baolong , Rayson Gary D. , Erson Dean M. , Puscheck Adam D. , Landau Serge Y. , Glasser Tzach
Published: March 2008

A portable luminescence spectrofluorometer weighing only 1.5 kg that uses multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) as excitation sources was developed and evaluated. Excitation using a sequence of seven individual broad-band LED emission sources enabled the generation of excitation-emission spectra using a light weight (<1.5 kg) spectrometer. Limits of detection for rhodamine 6G, rhodamine B, and fluorescein were 2.9, 3.2, and 11.0 nM, respectively. Generation of excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) enabled the analysis of samples containing mixtures of rhodamine B and fluorescein. Buffered saline plant and animal feed extracts were also analyzed using this instrument. These samples included the woody plants Pistacia lentiscus (Evergreen pistache or Mastic) and Philyria latifolia, and the herbaceous species Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Trifolium spp. (clover), and a feed concentrate. Application of multi-way principal component analysis (MPCA) to the resulting three-dimensional data sets enabled discernment among these various diet constituents.
Comparing Moisture Meter Readings with Measured Equilibrium Moisture Content of Gypsum Board
Authors: Greenwell Dale J. , Menetrez Marc Y.
Published: March 2008

Moisture meters routinely used in the field to determine the moisture content in gypsum wallboard are primarily designed and manufactured to measure the moisture content of wood. Often they are used to decide whether to replace wallboard by determining if moisture is qualitatively higher or lower than another location. Because the moisture meter is so widely used, it is necessary to establish methods to ensure their usefulness and dependability as an aid in wallboard moisture detection and remediation. A method was developed to create a series of gypsum wallboard moisture content reference standards by exposing wallboard sample sections to static moisture content levels. Gravimetric analysis revealed good accuracy and precision of the reference standards to their theoretical values. A moisture meter was then compared against these reference standards to determine the meter’s accuracy and precision.
Lösungsansatz für eine integrierte Automatisierung von Produktion und Logistik (Approach for an Integrated Automation of Production and Logistic)
Authors: Münnemann Ansgar , Zöller Markus
Published: March 2008

Der Beitrag beschreibt Wege und Handlungsbedarf zu einer weiteren Integration von Produktion und Logistik. Die aktuelle Automatisierungslandschaft in der Prozessindustrie wird dargestellt und ein konkretes Realisierungsbeispiel einer integrierten Abfüllautomatisierung wird erläutert. Der Beitrag zeigt die Heterogenität der zum Einsatz kommenden Systeme im Bereich der Produktionslogistik und die daraus resultierenden Integrationsherausforderungen bei der Umsetzung von systemübergreifenden Automatisierungsapplikationen. Als Ansatz für eine Verbesserung der Effizienz und Nachhaltigkeit von derartigen Automatisierungslösungen wird ein allgemeines Informationsmodell für logistische Prozesse vorgestellt, das als generische Schnittstelle zwischen System- und Applikationsebene dient.

This paper describes means and needs for a further integration of production and logistics. The actual automation landscape at the process industry is presented and an example of an integrated filling process is described. The paper describes the heterogeneity of the automation system landscape and the resulting tasks for an implementation of across systems automation applications. A generic information modell for logistic processes is presented as an approach for increasing efficiency and sustainability of such automation solutions by using this information model as an interface between system layer and application layer of an integrated automation.
Propylthiouracil-induced congenital hypothyroidism upregulates vimentin phosphorylation and depletes antioxidant defenses in immature rat testis
Authors: Zamoner Ariane , Barreto Kátia Padilha , Filho Danilo Wilhelm , Sell Fabíola , Woehl Viviane Mara , Guma Fátima Costa Rodrigues , Pessoa-Pureur Regina , Silva Fátima Regina Mena Barreto
Published: March 2008

Congenital hypothyroidism was induced in rats by adding 0.05% 6-propyl-2-thiouracil in the drinking water from day 9 of gestation, and continually up to postnatal day 15. Structural alterations observed by light microscopy of seminiferous tubules and by transmission electron microscopy of Sertoli cells of treated animals were consistent with hypothyroid condition. Hypothyroidism was also associated with high phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and decreased phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 levels. Furthermore, the phosphorylation and the immunoreactivity of cytoskeletal-associated vimentin were increased without altering vimentin expression, suggesting an accumulation of insoluble and phosphorylated vimentin. These alterations in intermediate filament dynamics could result in loss of Sertoli cell cytoskeletal integrity and be somewhat related to the deleterious effects of hypothyroidism in testis. In addition, the mitochondrial alterations observed could also be related to defective cytoskeletal dynamics implying in cell damage. Moreover, we observed decreased oxygen consumption and unaltered lipid peroxidation in hypothyroid testis. However, we demonstrated decreased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses, supporting an increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, contributing to biochemical changes in hypothyroid testis. In addition, the changes in the testis histoarchitecture could be ascribed to cytoskeletal alterations, decreased antioxidant defenses, and increased ROS generation, leading to oxidative stress in the organ.
Antioestrogen-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction in breast cancer and multiple myeloma cells
Authors: Renoir Jack-Michel , Bouclier Céline , Seguin Amélie , Marsaud Véronique , Sola Brigitte
Published: March 2008

Antioestrogens (AEs) are synthetic molecules that block proliferation and induce apoptosis in breast cancer (BC) cells, principally by competing with oestradiol for binding to oestrogen receptors. Their antiproliferative activity and their pro-apoptotic capacity are well documented and a small number of molecules of this class are currently used clinically for the treatment of BC. AEs also inhibit cell cycle progression and/or induce apoptosis in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Encouraging preliminary results have been obtained with patients and on xenografts with MM, providing a rational basis for the clinical use of AEs. This review focuses on antioestrogen-mediated signalling for blocking targets involved in the cell cycle, survival and apoptosis in both BC and MM cells. Improvement in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationships between these compounds and their targets should lead to more beneficial therapeutic strategies.
Purification and characterization of an insulin-related peptide in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria: immunolocalization, cDNA cloning, transcript profiling and interaction with neuroparsin
Authors: Badisco Liesbeth , Claeys Ilse , Van Hiel Matthias , Clynen Elke , Huybrechts Jurgen , Vandersmissen Tim , Van Soest Sofie , Vanden Bosch Luc , Simonet Gert , Vanden Broeck Jozef
Published: March 2008

Members of the insulin superfamily are not restricted to vertebrates, but have also been identified in invertebrate species. In the current report, we present the characterization of Scg-insulin-related peptide (IRP), an insulin-related peptide in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. This peptide was isolated from corpora cardiaca (CC) extracts by means of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based purification strategy. Subsequent cloning and sequencing of the corresponding cDNA revealed that the encoded Scg-IRP precursor displays the structural organization that is typical for members of the insulin superfamily. Moreover, immunocytochemistry on brain tissue sections demonstrated the presence of Scg-IRP in median neurosecretory cells of the pars intercerebralis and their projections towards the storage part of the CC. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR studies revealed the presence of Scg-IRP transcripts in a variety of tissues, including nervous tissue and fat body. Furthermore, these transcripts showed a tissue- and phase-dependent, temporal regulation during the reproductive cycle of adult males and females. Finally, we demonstrated that Scg-IRP interacts in vitro with a recombinant neuroparsin, a locust protein displaying sequence similarity with vertebrate IGF binding proteins.
EMBEDDING AN IDENTITY‐MATCHING TASK WITHIN A PROMPTING HIERARCHY TO FACILITATE ACQUISITION OF CONDITIONAL DISCRIMINATIONS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Authors: Fisher Wayne W. , Kodak Tiffany , Moore James W.
Published: March 2008

Least‐to‐most prompting hierarchies (e.g., progressing from verbal to modeled to physical prompts until the target response occurs) may be ineffective when the prompts do not cue the individual to attend to the relevant stimulus dimensions. In such cases, emission of the target response persistently requires one or more of the higher level prompts, a condition called prompt dependence (Clark & Green, 2004). Reinforcement of differential observing responses (DORs) has sometimes been used to ensure that participants attend to the relevant stimulus dimensions in matching‐to‐sample (MTS) tasks (e.g., Dube & McIlvane, 1999). For 2 participants with autism, we embedded an identity‐matching task within a prompting hierarchy as a DOR to increase the likelihood that the participants attended to and discriminated the relevant features of the comparison stimuli in an MTS task. This procedure was compared with a traditional least‐to‐most prompting hierarchy and a no‐reinforcement control condition in a multielement design. Results for both participants indicated that mastery‐level acquisition of spoken‐word‐to‐picture relations occurred only under the identity‐matching condition. Findings are discussed relative to the use of DORs to facilitate acquisition of conditional discriminations in persons with autism or other conditions who do not attend to the comparison stimuli.
A COMPARISON OF MOMENTARY TIME SAMPLING AND PARTIAL‐INTERVAL RECORDING FOR EVALUATING FUNCTIONAL RELATIONS
Authors: Meany‐Daboul Maeve G. , Roscoe Eileen M. , Bourret Jason C. , Ahearn William H.
Published: March 2008

In the current study, momentary time sampling (MTS) and partial‐interval recording (PIR) were compared to continuous‐duration recording of stereotypy and to the frequency of self‐injury during a treatment analysis to determine whether the recording method affected data interpretation. Five previously conducted treatment analysis data sets were analyzed by creating separate graphic displays for each measurement method (duration or frequency, MTS, and PIR). An expert panel interview and structured criterion visual inspection were used to evaluate treatment effects across measurement methods. Results showed that treatment analysis interpretations based on both discontinuous recording methods often matched those based on frequency or duration recording; however, interpretations based on MTS were slightly more likely to match those based on duration and those based on PIR were slightly more likely to match those based on frequency.
FURTHER ANALYSIS OF ANTECEDENT INTERVENTIONS ON PRESCHOOLERS' COMPLIANCE
Authors: Wilder David A. , Zonneveld Kimberly , Harris Carelle , Marcus Alonna , Reagan Renee
Published: March 2008

Functional analyses were conducted to identify reinforcers for noncompliance exhibited by 3 young children. Next, the effects of three antecedent‐based interventions—noncontingent access to a preferred item, a warning, and a high‐probability instructional sequence—were examined. The high‐probability instructional sequence was effective for 1 child. Antecedent interventions were ineffective and extinction was necessary for the other 2 children.
Periodontal Management of Gingival Enlargement Associated With Sturge‐Weber Syndrome
Authors: Bhansali Rahul S. , Yeltiwar Ramreddy K. , Agrawal Amit A.
Published: March 2008

Background: Sturge‐Weber syndrome (encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis) is a rather uncommon congenital condition that is characterized by a combination of venous angioma of leptomeninges over the cerebral cortex and ipsilateral angiomatous lesions of the face and sometimes of the skull, jaws, and oral soft tissues. It is commonly referred to as Sturge‐Weber syndrome after Sturge and Weber who first described this affliction in 1879. This article presents a case of Sturge‐Weber syndrome associated with severe gingival enlargement, its management, and follow‐up results.

Methods: A 15‐year‐old male patient was referred to the Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, for severe gingival enlargement. A detailed dental and medical history, clinical examination, and investigations confirmed the diagnosis of Sturge‐Weber syndrome. This report reveals a classic presentation of the syndrome with emphasis on its oral manifestations. Periodontal management included thorough scaling and root planing followed by periodontal flap surgery to treat the gingival enlargement. Histopathologic examination of the excisional biopsy specimen revealed features suggestive of fibrous gingival enlargement.

Results: Reevaluation of the patient after 2 years showed remarkable (90%) reduction of the gingival enlargement in the maxillary arch and complete diminution (100%) in the mandibular arch. However, a slight recurrence was noted in the maxillary right quadrant.

Conclusions: Sturge‐Weber syndrome is clinically important to the periodontist because of its associated gingival vascular features and their complicating manifestations. Periodic systemic and oral examinations are recommended to identify and prevent any complications from the cranial and oral lesions.
Predictability of Clinical Outcomes Following Regenerative Therapy in Intrabony Defects
Authors: Aichelmann‐Reidy Mary Elizabeth , Reynolds Mark A.
Published: March 2008

Background: Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) support substantial gains in clinical attachment level (CAL), reductions in probing depth (PD), and gains in defect fill compared to open flap debridement (OFD) in intrabony defects. Although these regenerative therapies support improvements in mean clinical parameters, it is unclear whether the procedures improve the predictability of clinical outcome. The purpose of this study was to examine the relative variability in clinical outcome measures, independent of the magnitude of gains, in regenerative studies comparing DBM or GTR to OFD therapy for the management of intrabony defects. For comparative purposes, a similar analysis was performed evaluating the consistency of clinical outcomes with other (non‐DBM) bone replacement graft (BRG) materials relative to OFD alone.

Methods: Fifty‐five randomized controlled clinical trials comparing regenerative therapy (seven DBM, 22 BRG, and 26 GTR) to OFD and meeting inclusion criteria provided mean change scores (pretreatment to post‐treatment) and variance estimates for CAL, PD, and bone fill, allowing for calculation of a coefficient of variability (CV) for each measure within studies. The mean CV for each measure was submitted to an analysis of variance or covariance with repeated measures (P ≤0.05) to compare relative variation in treatment outcomes.

Results: DBM was associated with a significantly lower relative variability (mean ± SE) in CAL gain (96.3 ± 38.6 versus 137.7 ± 30.9) and defect fill (69.1 ± 11.2 versus 133.1 ± 15.3) compared to OFD alone. As a group, other BRGs were found to support significant reductions in variation in CAL and defect fill. GTR therapy was associated with significantly lower CV for CAL compared to OFD (50.6 ± 5.0 versus 68.7 ± 8.2, respectively). Variability in defect fill was similar for GTR and OFD.

Conclusions: DBM and GTR therapy support more consistent improvements in clinical parameters; however, with the exception of defect fill following bone grafting, the reduction in variability in clinical outcomes was relatively modest compared to OFD alone. Overall, the treatment of intrabony defects is associated with a relatively high degree of variability in clinical outcome, regardless of therapeutic approach.
Clinical and Radiographic Changes Around Dental Implants Inserted in Different Levels in Relation to the Crestal Bone, Under Different Restoration Protocols, in the Dog Model
Authors: Pontes Ana Emília F. , Ribeiro Fernando S. , da Silva Vanessa C. , Margonar Rogério , Piattelli Adriano , Cirelli Joni A. , Marcantonio Elcio
Published: March 2008

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic changes that occur around dental implants inserted in different levels in relation to crestal bone under different restoration protocols.

Methods: Thirty‐six implants were inserted in the edentulous mandible of six mongrel dogs. Each implant was assigned to an experimental group according to the distance from the top of the implant to the crestal bone: Bone Level (at crestal bone level), Minus 1 (1 mm below crestal bone), or Minus 2 (2 mm below crestal bone). Each hemimandible was submitted to a restoration protocol: conventional (prosthesis was installed 120 days after implant placement, including 30 days with healing cap) or immediate (prosthesis was installed 24 hours after implant placement). Fixed partial prostheses were installed bilaterally in the same day. After 90 days, clinical and radiographic parameters were evaluated.

Results: As long as the implants were inserted in more apical positions, the first bone‐to‐implant contact (fBIC) was positioned more apically (P <0.05). However, the apical positioning of the implants did not influence the ridge loss or the position of the soft tissue margin (PSTM) (P >0.05). In addition, in immediately restored sites, the PSTM was located significantly more coronally than that in conventionally restored sites (P = 0.02).

Conclusions: Despite the more apical positioning of the fBIC, the height of the peri‐implant soft tissues and ridge was not jeopardized. Moreover, the immediate restoration protocol was beneficial to the maintenance of the PSTM. Further studies are suggested to evaluate the significance of these results in longer healing periods.
Use of Engineered Bone for Sinus Augmentation
Authors: Beaumont Christian , Schmidt Roswitha J. , Tatakis Dimitris N. , Zafiropoulos Gregory‐George
Published: March 2008

Background: Tissue‐engineered bone grafts represent an appealing alternative for maxillary sinus augmentation because they eliminate the significant drawbacks associated with extra‐ and intraoral bone‐harvesting procedures. In the present case series, we document the outcomes of sinus augmentation surgery using tissue‐engineered bone grafts.

Methods: Three patients requiring bilateral sinus augmentation received tissue‐engineered bone grafts combined with xenograft prior to implant placement. Implants were placed and loaded 6 and 12 months postaugmentation, respectively. Radiographs were taken and clinical examinations were performed preoperatively and at 4, 6, 12, and 18 months postaugmentation. Biopsies were obtained at 4 and 6 months postaugmentation. Standardized orthopantomograms were used to measure the posterior maxilla bone height.

Results: None of the patients experienced untoward complications during or following the therapeutic procedures. Ten implants were inserted into the augmented sinuses and loaded. Biopsies revealed a lack of inflammation or pathology; newly formed fibrous bone with osteoblastic activity and xenograft particles was evident. Compared to 4 months postaugmentation, augmented tissue was more mature at 6 months. The postoperative (18 months) bone height in augmented areas was significantly greater than the preoperative height (P <0.0001), representing an ∼4.5‐fold increase in bone height.

Conclusions: Sinus augmentation using tissue‐engineered bone grafts was successful in all three cases, permitting the subsequent insertion and loading of dental implants. The present cases demonstrated the feasibility of using engineered bone for sinus augmentation. Controlled clinical trials will be required to evaluate this new and evolving treatment modality.
Progression of Periodontal Disease in a Maintenance Population of Smokers and Non‐Smokers: A 3‐Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Fisher Sean , Kells Leah , Picard Jean‐Pierre , Gelskey Shirley C. , Singer David L. , Lix Lisa , Scott David A.
Published: March 2008

Background: Cigarette smoking is accepted as an important factor that increases the risk for the initiation and progress of chronic periodontitis. However, the effect of cigarette smoking on the recurrence of disease in patients undergoing regular maintenance therapy is less understood. Therefore, we set out to assess disease progression longitudinally in smoking and non‐smoking subjects with chronic periodontitis undergoing periodontal maintenance therapy every 3 to 4 months.

Methods: A total of 108 subjects undergoing regular maintenance therapy for chronic periodontitis were followed over a 3‐year period. Self‐reports of smoking status were confirmed by analysis of exhaled carbon monoxide concentrations. Clinical parameters (plaque index [PI], bleeding on probing [BOP], clinical attachment loss [CAL], probing depth [PD], and tooth loss) were recorded at yearly reevaluation visits. The study was carried out in a university hospital setting.

Results: Longitudinal measurements were obtained from 81 (75%) subjects. There were no differences in inflammatory indices at baseline or over time (PI and BOP; both P >0.05) between smokers (N = 16; age: 54 ± 6 years) and non‐smokers (N = 65; age: 59 ± 14 years). Likewise, there was no difference between the smoking groups with respect to disease progression (measured as changes in prevalence [number] and proportion [percentage] of progressing sites and as mean CAL, PD, and tooth loss; all P >0.05).

Conclusion: In this small population, regular maintenance treatment in a cross‐section of highly motivated subjects with chronic periodontitis seemed to be equally successful in preventing progressive periodontal tissue destruction in current smokers and current non‐smokers.
Enamel Matrix Derivative Exhibits Anti‐Inflammatory Properties in Monocytes
Authors: Sato Sunao , Kitagawa Masae , Sakamoto Kiyako , Iizuka Shinji , Kudo Yasusei , Ogawa Ikuko , Miyauchi Mutsumi , Chu Emily Y. , Foster Brian L. , Somerman Martha J. , Takata Takashi
Published: March 2008

Background: Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) is used clinically to promote periodontal tissue regeneration with variable efficacy. EMD application results in significantly higher frequencies of sites without clinical signs of inflammation; additionally, patients receiving EMD therapy report significantly less post‐treatment discomfort. However, there are few reports that focus on defining the biologic mechanisms for the observed anti‐inflammatory effects of EMD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of EMD on inflammatory‐associated markers using an in vitro monocyte assay.

Methods: Rat monocytes were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 ng/ml from Escherichia coli or Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) along with EMD (0, 50, 100, or 200 μg/ml). Levels of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in conditioned media were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the effects of exogenous PGE2 on TNF‐α production from LPS‐stimulated monocytes were determined.

Results: LPS‐stimulated monocytes exposed to EMD exhibited a decrease in TNF‐α production (0.10‐ to 0.52‐fold) and an increase in PGE2 production (1.31‐ to 2.71‐fold) compared to controls not treated with EMD. Exogenously applied PGE2 decreased TNF‐α production by LPS‐stimulated monocytes in a dose‐dependent manner, and EMD treatment enhanced this PGE2‐mediated inhibition of TNF‐α production.

Conclusion: In addition to EMD's published role in inducing proliferation, migration, adhesion, mineralization, and differentiation of periodontal ligament cells, our results indicated that EMD modulates two inflammation‐associated factors, TNF‐α and PGE2, in monocytes.
Nitrate Contamination in Groundwater at Farmlands in Nsawam, Ghana: The Role of Fractures from Azimuthal Resistivity Surveys
Authors: Boadu Fred Kofi , Owusu-Nimo Frederick , Menyeh Aboagye
Published: March 2008

The role of fractures in nitrate contamination of fractured groundwater aquifers at farmlands within the Nsawam district (Ghana) is investigated using azimuthal square-array resistivity measurements. The study covers seven farming communities where azimuthal resistivity surveys (ARS) were conducted at sites with exposed rocks (outcrops) to measure real and imaginary parts of the electrical conductivity of the rocks, which are then used to provide estimates of anisotropic coefficients and fracture porosities. At each outcrop, fracture orientations, apertures and lengths were measured and used directly to obtain the porosities and specific surface areas of the fractures. Linear regression models were then developed between the specific surface area of the fractures and the electrical parameters. At selected well locations, azimuthal resistivity surveys were performed and the developed regression models were used to estimate porosities and specific surface areas of the subsurface fractures. Groundwater samples were collected from the selected wells to determine the concentration levels of nitrates. The estimated porosities and specific surface areas of the subsurface fractures correlate with concentration levels of nitrate in the groundwater. The investigations suggest that nitrate concentration levels in groundwater in the study area tend to be higher in wells where the specific surface area of the fracture system are lower. Also, wells with lower fracture porosities tend to have lower concentration levels of nitrates. The establishment of linkages between subsurface fracture parameters obtained non-invasively from surface geophysics and nitrate concentration levels is a useful result that can be utilized in environmental impact assessment in complex fractured terrain, such as that of the study area.
Airborne and Ground-based Electromagnetic Investigations of the Freshwater Potential in the Tsunami-hit Area Sigli, Northern Sumatra
Authors: Steuer Annika , Siemon Bernhard , Eberle Detlef
Published: March 2008

The earthquake and the resulting tsunami on December 26, 2004, damaged the freshwater supply system in the coastal areas of northern Sumatra. In response to this natural disaster, the German-Indonesian HELicopter Project ACEH was initiated to assist the Indonesian government in its effort to plan and realize a sustainable reconstruction of community infrastructure by providing geophysical and hydrogeological data to serve as a basis for spatial planning. After two successful airborne geophysical surveys funded by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany, conducted on the north coast near the city of Banda Aceh and along the west coast between the towns of Calang and Meulaboh, Coca-Cola Foundation Indonesia funded an additional survey on the northeast coast around the town of Sigli. Helicopter-borne electromagnetics (HEM) revealed shallow freshwater resources up to several kilometers inland. Along the coast, however, the investigation depth of the HEM system was constrained due to near-surface saltwater. Here, ground-based transient electromagnetics was utilized on several profiles close to the town of Sigli, revealing deep coastal freshwater resources. The combination of airborne and ground-based electromagnetic techniques has proven to be highly effective to estimate the freshwater potential of the Sigli marshlands. Numerous sites for planned water wells could be identified as promising freshwater sources and approximate drilling depths provided.