bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The passage of breakthrough ideas: organisation insights from the Darwinian revolution
Authors: Rothberg Glenn
Published: May 2004

Successful ideas break through and get implemented in organisation and in society. This article proposes a Breakthrough Model as a new framework for understanding the passage of breakthrough ideas. It accommodates and moves beyond mainstream management thinking in identifying the factors and processes that contribute to ideas breaking through. Drawing on illustrative insights from the Darwinian revolution, and the literature, it suggests that organisations can make substantially better use of their existing human skills and improve performance through the management of the passage of breakthrough ideas
Capturing essential meaning
Authors: Borredon Liz
Published: May 2004

This article explains the process and results of distilling meaning from the book Mentoring Executives and Directors by David Clutterbuck and David Megginson, published by Butterworth Heinemann in 1999. Capturing meaning requires a method that suits the context of study. In this case the context is book that contains a number of illustrative accounts of being mentor and mentee within the private, public and voluntary sectors of business. The method permitted capturing ideas contained in the contexts described, and then associating these ideas in order to gain insights into the very nature of mentoring.
Developing mentors
Authors: Garvey Bob , Alred Geof
Published: May 2004

The article is in three parts. The first, based on survey data, looks at the extent of and the provision for development for mentors and those interested in mentoring. The second part is a discussion about ideas on learning and their relationship to mentoring. It draws on some issues raised by the survey material and highlights the need for a mentor development based on specific contexts and a learner‐centred approach. The third element of the article offers a development programme for mentors devised and used by the authors.
To match or mis‐match? The dynamics of mentoring as a route to personal and organisational learning
Authors: Hale Richard
Published: May 2004

This article reviews mentoring literature and presents the findings emerging from research into the dynamics of mentoring and how similarities and differences between mentor and mentee influence learning for both parties and the organisation. The principal organisations contributing to the research, Scottish Hydro‐Electric and Skipton Building Society, used different approaches to matching mentor and mentee. Theoretical models are developed from the findings that suggest that similarity will support the development of rapport whereas contrasts support learning. However, the importance of personal values should not be ignored.
“Cracking the tough nuts”: mentoring and coaching the managers of small firms
Authors: Devins David , Gold Jeff
Published: May 2004

A recent learning programme funded by Sheffield TEC, targeted specifically at “tough nuts”, i.e. small organisations with no history of formal training and development for those in management positions, is examined. The background to the approach based on mentoring and coaching is explained. Findings from an impact study of 20 case organisations are presented.
Current issues in mentoring
Authors: Megginson David
Published: May 2004

The article provides an overview of current issues in mentoring. After drawing on suggestions from participants at a mentoring conference, the article moves on to examine some key emerging questions concerning the value of formal mentoring, the role of training and the experience of mentroing in different countries. The article concludes with a consideration of methodology and how we can come to know what people’s experience is of mentoring.
Organisational climate and corporate performance: an empirical investigation
Authors: Kangis Peter , Gordon D. , Williams S.
Published: May 2004

Interest in organisational climate and its link with corporate performance is gaining momentum. The aim of this paper is to contribute to this discourse by examining the extent to which “above” and “below” average performing companies also exhibit different climate measurements. A survey was conducted on a sample of electronic component manufacturers, as a sunrise industry in a growth phase, and hosiery and knitwear manufacturers, as a sunset industry, in decline. In turn, sub‐samples of companies that performed above or below average for each of these sectors were selected. Climate dimension measurements collected from staff of the sample companies were analysed against corporate performance measurements. The results showed a consistent association between climate and performance. Independently of sector, companies performing above average showed higher values on climate dimensions than those performing below average. Although a link was shown to exist between climate and performance, it would be premature to conclude that this connection is causal and, if so, in which direction.
Making education and training work: case studies of good practice
Authors: Pollitt David
Published: May 2004

Covers a special issue of this journal (E+T) which looks at various ways of keeping the workforce data specific and able to adapt. States that some of the articles explore the relationship between employers and the education world of business. Draws on experiences from the USA, the UK and Europe; and among the businesses discussed are: Microsoft; IBM; Maytag corp.; Vauxhall; St John Ambulance; McDonald‘s; Bradford Management Centre; Bayer; Newcastle upon Tyne City Council and the University of Northumbria; University of Leuven (Belgium); and Stanford University Office of Technology licensing. Proposes that the overriding theme herein is that the lethargy within UK companies must be overcome if the UK is to remain an economy with competitiveness as its catchword. Concludes that the recruitment of the right people, allied to training, will lead to retainment of the staff and increases in creativity and productivity.
The DBA: what is it for?
Authors: Bareham Jon , Bourner Tom , Ruggeri Stevens Geoff
Published: May 2004

The 1990s have seen the emergence and development of professional doctorates in the UK and, in particular, the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). This article identifies the rationales offered for DBA programmes and their intended learning outcomes. Research findings are based on programme documentation produced by the 16 universities offering the DBAs in 1999. Analysis of these documents shows that these programmes have been designed to provide research‐based career development for experienced and senior professionals in management positions. Whereas the PhD is aimed at developing professional researchers, the DBA aims to develop researching professionals. Rather than viewing research as an end itself, the new DBAs have placed research at the service of the development of professional practice and the development of professional practitioners. The learning outcomes of the DBA programmes identified in this paper are appreciably broader than the intended learning outcomes of the traditional PhD in business/management.
Realistic protein–protein association rates from a simple diffusional model neglecting long‐range interactions, free energy barriers, and landscape ruggedness
Authors: Schlosshauer Maximilian , Baker David
Published: May 2004

We develop a simple but rigorous model of protein–protein association kinetics based on diffusional association on free energy landscapes obtained by sampling configurations within and surrounding the native complex binding funnels. Guided by results obtained on exactly solvable model problems, we transform the problem of diffusion in a potential into free diffusion in the presence of an absorbing zone spanning the entrance to the binding funnel. The free diffusion problem is solved using a recently derived analytic expression for the rate of association of asymmetrically oriented molecules. Despite the required high steric specificity and the absence of long‐range attractive interactions, the computed rates are typically on the order of 104–106 M−1 sec−1, several orders of magnitude higher than rates obtained using a purely probabilistic model in which the association rate for free diffusion of uniformly reactive molecules is multiplied by the probability of a correct alignment of the two partners in a random collision. As the association rates of many protein–protein complexes are also in the 105–106 M−1 sec−1 range, our results suggest that free energy barriers arising from desolvation and/or side‐chain freezing during complex formation or increased ruggedness within the binding funnel, which are completely neglected in our simple diffusional model, do not contribute significantly to the dynamics of protein–protein association. The transparent physical interpretation of our approach that computes association rates directly from the size and geometry of protein–protein binding funnels makes it a useful complement to Brownian dynamics simulations.
Activation and inhibition of cyclin‐dependent kinase‐2 by phosphorylation; a molecular dynamics study reveals the functional importance of the glycine‐rich loop
Authors: Bártová Iveta , Otyepka Michal , Kříž Zdeněk , Koča Jaroslav
Published: May 2004

Nanoseconds long molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories of differently active complexes of human cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 (inactive CDK2/ATP, semiactive CDK2/Cyclin A/ATP, fully active pT160‐CDK2/Cyclin A/ATP, inhibited pT14‐; pY15‐; and pT14,pY15,pT160‐CDK2/Cyclin A/ATP) were compared. The MD simulations results of CDK2 inhibition by phosphorylation at T14 and/or Y15 sites provide insight into the structural aspects of CDK2 deactivation. The inhibitory sites are localized in the glycine‐rich loop (G‐loop) positioned opposite the activation T‐loop. Phosphorylation of T14 and both inhibitory sites T14 and Y15 together causes ATP misalignment for phosphorylation and G‐loop conformational change. This conformational change leads to the opening of the CDK2 substrate binding box. The phosphorylated Y15 residue negatively affects substrate binding or its correct alignment for ATP terminal phospho‐group transfer to the CDK2 substrate. The MD simulations of the CDK2 activation process provide results in agreement with previous X‐ray data.
Identification of the catalytic motif of the microbial ribosome inactivating cytotoxin colicin E3
Authors: Walker Daniel , Lancaster Lorna , James Richard , Kleanthous Colin
Published: May 2004

Colicin E3 is a cytotoxic ribonuclease that specifically cleaves 16S rRNA at the ribosomal A‐site to abolish protein synthesis in sensitive Escherichia coli cells. We have performed extensive mutagenesis of the 96‐residue colicin E3 cytotoxic domain (E3 rRNase), assayed mutant colicins for in vivo cytotoxicity, and tested the corresponding E3 rRNase domains for their ability to inactivate ribosome function in vitro. From 21 alanine mutants, we identified five positions where mutation resulted in a colicin with no measurable cytotoxicity (Y52, D55, H58, E62, and Y64) and four positions (R40, R42, E60, and R90) where mutation caused a significant reduction in cytotoxicity. Mutations that were found to have large in vivo and in vitro effects were tested for structural integrity through circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy using purified rRNase domains. Our data indicate that H58 and E62 likely act as the acid–base pair during catalysis with other residues likely involved in transition state stabilization. Both the Y52 and Y64 mutants were found to be highly destabilized and this is the likely origin of the loss of their cytotoxicity. The identification of important active site residues and sequence alignments of known rRNase homologs has allowed us to identify other proteins containing the putative rRNase active site motif. Proteins that contained this active site motif included three hemagglutinin‐type adhesins and we speculate that these have evolved to deliver a cytotoxic rRNase into eukaryotic cells during pathogenesis.
Strophe Length in Spontaneous Songs Predicts Male Response to Playback in the Hoopoe Upupa epops
Authors: Martín‐Vivaldi Manuel , Palomino José J. , Soler Manuel
Published: May 2004

Hoopoe (Upupa epops, Coraciformes) males produce a very simple song during the breeding season in order to attract females and repel intruders. Strophes vary in length (i.e. number of elements) both within and between males, and previous studies have shown that this song cue is positively correlated with male condition and breeding success. In the present study we tested whether strophe length of males influences male behaviour during intra‐sexual contests, in a colour‐ringed population in southeast Spain. Paired males were presented with a recorded song with long strophes during the pre‐laying period, while they were near their mates, in order to provoke male mate‐defence behaviour. Most males responded to the playback, but the strategy of defence adopted depended on their own strophe length in spontaneous songs recorded before the experiments. While singing responses were common to most of the males, only those using long strophes adopted the most risky strategy of approaching the loudspeaker. However, the males that approached produced abnormal songs during playback, that were shorter and with fewer strophes than those of males that did not approach, and used shorter strophes in comparison with spontaneous songs before the experiment. These differences in quality of the song produced in response to the playback suggest that long‐strophe males were basing their response mainly on attacking rather than singing, while short‐strophe males tried to resolve the contest at a distance by means of their song. These results show that strophe length reflects some component of the competitive ability of males (either physical strength or aggressiveness) in the hoopoe, which together with previous results regarding its role for female choice, show that it is a sexual signal with dual function.
Feeding on Profitable and Unprofitable Prey: Comparing Behaviour of Growth‐Enhanced Transgenic and Normal Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
Authors: Fredrik Sundström L. , Lõhmus Mare , Devlin Robert H. , Johnsson Jörgen I. , Biagi Carlo A. , Bohlin Torgny
Published: May 2004

We compared the performance of normal and growth hormone‐transgenic coho salmon feeding on surface drifting edible and inedible novel prey items in various social environments. With an inherently higher appetite, we predicted that transgenic fish would be more willing to feed on novel prey, and that visual company with another fish would enhance this difference further. Transgenic and normal fish, of similar size and age, were equally willing to attack both the edible (live insects) and inedible (artificial angling lure flies) prey, but transgenic fish did so faster and were more likely to make repeated attacks. Transgenic fish managed to seize and consume the edible prey after fewer attacks than did normal fish. However, swallowing of prey took longer than for normal fish. More transgenic individuals interacted with the inedible prey compared with normal salmon, and initially, transgenic fish in visual company with another fish also interacted more with the prey than single transgenic or any constellation of normal focal fish. With repeated exposures, the number of individuals attacking and the number of interactions with the prey decreased. These responses were stronger in transgenic fish, partly explained by the initially low response in normal fish. The observed differences are most likely the consequences of elevated levels of growth hormone in transgenic fish generating enhanced feeding motivation and reinforcement capacity. In a natural environment, the performance of a growth hormone‐transgenic fish may therefore depend on the relative abundance of profitable vs. unprofitable prey, as well as the presence of other transgenic individuals.
Phenotypic Reaction and Genetic Analysis Using AFLP‐derived SCARs for Resistance to Apple Scab
Authors: Huaracha E. M. , Xu M. L. , Gasic K. , Pauwels E. , van den Putte A. , Keulemans J. W. , Korban S. S.
Published: May 2004

Six sequence‐characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers linked to the apple scab resistance gene Vf were evaluated for their utility in marker‐assisted selection (MAS) in apple breeding. Of the six SCARs used in this study, ACS‐6 was located left of the Vf gene, ACS‐7 and ACS‐9 co‐segregated with Vf, and ACS‐8, ACS‐4, ACS‐5 were located right of the Vf gene. Three families derived from crosses between scab‐resistant and scab‐susceptible cultivars, including ‘Liberty’ × ‘Deljub’, ‘Liberty’ × ‘Delcorf’, and ‘Florina’ ×‘Delcorf’, previously screened for scab resistance following greenhouse inoculation with the fungal pathogen Venturia inaequalis, were genotyped and compared with phenotypic reactions to scab infection in the field. For each family, a subset progeny of 30 seedlings (propagated onto Malling 9 rootstock and of 7 years old) was selected based on fungal sporulation according to the following scheme. Ten seedlings with no visible scab sporulation on leaves were given phenotypic scores of 0 (deemed resistant); 10 seedlings with moderate scab sporulation were given phenotypic scores of 1.0 (deemed moderately resistant); and 10 seedlings with heavy sporulation were given phenotypic scores of 2.0 (deemed susceptible). DNA was isolated from leaf tissue collected from all 90 seedlings, parents and Malus floribunda 821, the original source of the Vf gene, and screened with all six SCARs. All six SCARs were present in the two scab‐resistant parents, ‘Liberty’ and ‘Florina’, and M. floribunda 821; while, the two scab‐susceptible parents, ‘Deljub’ and ‘Delcorf’, lacked all SCARs. All SCARs were either present or absent in varying numbers of seedlings in each progeny with phenotypic ratings of either 0 (resistant) or 1.0 (moderately resistant); while all seedlings with phenotypic ratings of 2.0 (susceptible) lacked all SCARs. The inconsistencies between phenotypic scab ratings and SCAR marker data are discussed.
Isozyme Analysis and Soluble Mycelial Protein Pattern in Iranian Isolates of Several formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Mohammadi M. , Aminipour M. , Banihashemi Z.
Published: May 2004

A total of 13 representative isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM) from Iran, USA and France, eight isolates of seven formae speciales from Iran and one isolate of F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum from the USA were compared based on isozyme analysis and soluble mycelial protein pattern. Isozyme analyses of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), catalase (CAT), esterase (EST), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) revealed polymorphism among the F. oxysporum isolates in which 22 electrophoretic phenotypes (EP) were determined. At least 10 putative loci for these six enzymes were detected and they were all polymorphic. Maximum genetic diversity was observed in CAT, EST and XDH loci. Using UPGMA, the 22 isolates were separated into three main groups with one of the groups divided into two subgroups. Group I included isolates belonging to five formae speciales from Iran, whereas group II that included FOM isolates from both Iran and the USA was divided into two subgroups each containing the vast majority of the respective isolates from either country. Group III constituted FOM isolates from France and one pathogenic isolate on pepper from Iran. FOM isolates representing five different geographical regions from Iran belonged to two different races of 1 and 1,2Y and one vegetative compatibility group (VCG)0134 and thus were genetically homologous. Isozyme polymorphism in these isolates was highly correlated with VCG and geographical origins and to a lesser extent with races. Variations in soluble protein profile in FOM isolates were correlated with genetic distances determined in isozyme analysis. This study suggests that isozyme analysis could be a useful tool for identifying genetic diversity not only in FOM but also several formae speciales of F. oxysporum.
Differences in Pathogenicity between two Genetically Distinct Groups of Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli on Cucurbit Hosts
Authors: Walcott R. R. , Fessehaie A. , Castro A. C.
Published: May 2004

Using DNA fingerprinting by pulse‐field gel electrophoresis and repetitive extragenic pallindromic (REP)‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR), two distinct groups were confirmed among 64 Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli strains collected from a range of cucurbitaceous hosts in the USA, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Israel. Eighty‐two percent of the group I strains were recovered from non‐watermelon hosts and the subspecies type strain was the only member of this group that utilized l‐leucine as a sole carbon source. On the contrary, 94% of the group II strains were recovered from watermelon and 96% of them utilized l‐leucine. Two‐week‐old watermelon cv. Crimson sweet, cantaloupe cv. Athena, pumpkin cv. Lumina and squash cv. Early yellow crookneck seedlings were susceptible to A. avenae subsp. citrulli strains representing each group with the exception of the subspecies type strain. Overall, seedlings of watermelon cv. Crimson Sweet were most susceptible to A. avenae subsp. citrulli infection followed by cantaloupe, pumpkin and squash. Group II strains were more aggressive watermelon than on other hosts. On the contrary, group I strains were moderately aggressive on all cucurbit hosts tested.
Identification and Nucleotide Sequence of a Tobacco rattle virus RNA‐1 Variant that Causes Spraing Disease in Potato cv. Bintje
Authors: Robinson D. J.
Published: May 2004

An isolate of Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) obtained from a site in the Netherlands induced symptoms of spraing disease in tubers of the potato variety Bintje, which is generally considered to be resistant to infection by TRV. The isolate contained two phenotypically distinguishable RNA‐1 variants, one of which was shown to carry the determinant for the ability to cause spraing in cv. Bintje. The nucleotide sequence of the coding region of this RNA‐1 was determined and found to differ at 5.2–5.4% of positions from other TRV RNA‐1 sequences in the database. The amino acid sequences of the predicted translation products were between 92 and 99% identical to those of a TRV RNA‐1 that did not cause spraing in cv. Bintje, with P1b being the most divergent and the replicase read‐through domain the least.
Leaf Symptoms on Plum, Coffee and Citrus and the Relationship with the Extent of Xylem Vessels Colonized by Xylella fastidiosa
Authors: Alves E. , Marucci C. R. , Lopes J. R. S. , Leite B.
Published: May 2004

Leaf petioles of plum, coffee and sweet orange were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of Xylella fastidiosa in the samples was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis. The number of vessels colonized by X. fastidiosa was determined by SEM in petiole areas that were transversally sectioned under liquid nitrogen. The percentage of colonized vessels in petioles of coffee was higher than in petioles of plum and citrus whether trees were exhibiting mild symptoms (MS) or severe symptoms (SS). The percentage of vessels colonized varied from 10.9 (MS) to 38.0% (SS), 26 (MS) to 51.6% (SS), and 8 (MS) to 11.8% (SS) for plum, coffee and citrus, respectively, and did not vary by position within the petiole. Severity of symptoms consistently reflected higher proportion of colonized vessels in coffee and plum, but not in citrus.
Induction and Impact of Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes in Nutrient Solution of Closed Hydroponic Systems
Authors: Brand T. , Alsanius B. W.
Published: May 2004

The potential of the microflora in nutrient solutions to produce cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDE) was investigated by adding glucose or substrates of CWDE, such as chitin, cellulose, curdlan and preparations of fungal mycelia (0, 0.01 and 0.1%, w/v). The results indicate the potential of the microflora in nutrient solutions to produce proteolytic, chitinolytic, cellulolytic as well as β‐1,3‐glucanolytic enzymes. All enzyme complexes were induced by addition of preparations of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cyclaminis (Focy) and Pythium ultimum, respectively. In contrast, addition of glucose to nutrient solution resulted in only slight increase of protease and chitinase. No correlation between increased activity of CWDE and survival of Focy was found.
Rhetoric, facts and self‐fulfilling prophecies: exploring practitioners’ perceptions of progress in implementing HRM
Authors: Caldwell Raymond
Published: May 2004

Although the virtues of ‘HRM’ are widely espoused by its proponents, evidence of its widespread uptake by UK companies has invariably been disappointing. Why? A survey using questionnaires completed by 98 personnel and HR practitioners in a sample of 350 major UK companies was used to explore perceptions of ‘progress’ in implementing HRM, and this was followed‐up by interviews of 24 survey respondents. While the survey and interview evidence clearly indicate that progress towards HRM is a profoundly contradictory and unfinished process, it also raises serious questions about the ability of the HR function and role to facilitate, oversee or lead processes of implementation.
Work systems, corporate strategy and global markets: creative shop floors or ‘a barge mentality’?
Authors: Konzelmann Suzanne , Forrant Robert , Wilkinson Frank
Published: May 2004

In the US, corporate restructuring of financial and physical assets as well as work systems has been widespread. Our study examines the inter‐relationship between ‘creative’ work systems and ‘destructive’ markets, using a sample of US manufacturing firms in the metalworking, jet engine production and steel processing industries.
Trade union recognition in Britain, 1995–2002: turning a corner?
Authors: Gall Gregor
Published: May 2004

This paper examines developments in union recognition in Britain between 1995–2002 and assesses the influence of the statutory provisions for gaining recognition contained in the Employment Relations Act 1999. The paper details the significant increase in new agreements, concluding that the new law is one important factor explaining this growth. Analysis is made of the nature and circumstances of the new agreements. Finally, the paper considers whether these developments indicate the turning of a corner for trends in recognition coverage.
Social Preservationists and the Quest for Authentic Community
Authors: Brown‐Saracino Japonica
Published: May 2004

In contemporary urban and rural America there is a social process separate and distinct from gentrification: social preservation. Social preservation is the culturally motivated choice of certain people, who tend to be highly educated and residentially mobile, to live in the central city or small town in order to live in authentic social space, embodied by the sustained presence of old‐timers. Social preservationists view old‐timers as indispensable to preserving a pristine “social wilderness” and as arbiters of authentic community. For this reason, they engage in efforts to limit the displacement of those original residents they deem to be truly authentic. Ethnographic data from two Chicago neighborhoods and two small Massachusetts towns describes and analyzes the ethic and practice of social preservation.
Beyond Dollars and Cents: Using Civic Capital to Fashion Urban Improvements
Authors: Wagner William E.
Published: May 2004

I propose a new way for thinking about the decisions that cities make to improve the quality of life for their citizens. I argue that cities differ in the amount of civic capital they possess. Cities with more civic capital are better able to make quality‐of‐life decisions than cities with less civic capital. I test this argument by providing measures of civic capital and quality‐of‐life resolutions, alike, and by analyzing the differences among five major cities. The final test, which assesses the impact of civic capital on quality‐of‐life resolutions over a long span of years, uncovers a strong and decisive relationship between civic capital and quality‐of‐life resolutions: where there is an increase in civic capital there is a somewhat later increase as well in the number of quality‐of‐life resolutions made by cities.
Antibiotic resistance profile of the subgingival microbiota following systemic or local tetracycline therapy
Authors: Rodrigues Rosa Maria J. , Gonçalves Cristiane , Souto Renata , Feres‐Filho Eduardo Jorge , Uzeda Milton , Colombo Ana Paula V.
Published: May 2004

Background: Tetracyclines have been extensively used as adjunctives to conventional periodontal therapy. Emergence of resistant strains, however, has been reported. This study evaluated longitudinally the tetracycline resistance patterns of the subgingival microbiota of periodontitis subjects treated with systemic or local tetracycline therapy+scaling and root planing (SRP).

Methods: Thirty chronic periodontitis patients were randomly assigned to three groups: SRP+500 mg of systemic tetracycline twice/day for 14 days; SRP alone and SRP+tetracycline fibers (Actsite®) at four selected sites for 10 days. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from four sites with probing pocket depths (PPD)6 mm in each patient at baseline, 1 week, 3, 6 and 12 months post‐therapy. Samples were dispersed and diluted in pre‐reduced anaerobically sterilized Ringer's solution, plated on Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA)+5% blood with or without 4 μg/ml of tetracycline and incubated anaerobically for 10 days. The percentage of resistant microorganisms were determined and the isolates identified by DNA probes and the checkerboard method. Significance of differences among and within groups over time was sought using the Kruskal–Wallis and Friedman tests, respectively.

Results: The percentage of resistant microorganisms increased significantly at 1 week in the tetracycline groups, but dropped to baseline levels over time. The SRP+Actsite® group presented the lowest proportions of resistant species at 6 and 12 months. No significant changes were observed in the SRP group. The predominant tetracycline‐resistant species included Streptococcus spp., Veillonela parvula, Peptostreptococcus micros, Prevotella intermedia, Gemella morbillorum and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). A high percentage of sites with resistant Aa, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tanerella forsythensis was observed in all groups at baseline. However, T. forsythensis was not detected in any group and P. gingivalis was not present in the SRP+Actsite® group at 1 year post‐therapy. Aa was still frequently detected in all groups after therapy. However, the greatest reduction was observed in the SRP+Actsite® group.

Conclusion: Local or systemically administered tetracycline results in transitory selection of subgingival species intrinsically resistant to this drug. Although the percentage of sites harboring periodontal pathogens resistant to tetracycline were quite elevated in this population, both therapies were effective in reducing their prevalence over time.
Non‐surgical periodontal treatment with a new ultrasonic device (Vector™‐ultrasonic system) or hand instruments
Authors: Sculean Anton , Schwarz Frank , Berakdar Mohammad , Romanos Georg E. , Brecx Michel , Willershausen Britta , Becker Jürgen
Published: May 2004

Objectives: The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study was to compare the effectiveness of a newly developed ultrasonic device to that of scaling and root planing for non‐surgical periodontal treatment.

Material and Methods: Thirty‐eight patients with moderate to advanced chronic periodontal disease were treated according to an “one‐stage procedure” with either a newly developed ultrasonic device (VUS) (Vector™‐ultrasonic system) or scaling and root planing (SRP) using hand instruments. Clinical assessments by plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were made prior to and at 6 months after treatment. Differences in clinical parameters were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Mann and Whitney U‐test.

Results: No differences in any of the investigated parameters were observed at baseline between the two groups. The mean value of BOP decreased in the VUS group from 32% at baseline to 20% after 6 months (p<0.001) and in the SRP group from 30% at baseline to 18% after 6 months (p<0.001).The results have shown that at moderately deep sites (initial PD 4–5 mm) mean CAL changed in the test group from 4.6±1.2 to 4.2±1.6 mm (p< 0.001) and in the control group from 4.8±1.3 to 4.4±1.5 mm (p<0.001). At deep sites (inital PD>6 mm) mean CAL changed in the test group from 8.5±1.9 to 7.9±2.4 mm (p<0.001) and in the control group from 7.9±1.6 to 7.2±2.2 mm (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences in any of the investigated parameters were found between the two groups.

Conclusion: Non‐surgical periodontal therapy with the tested ultrasonic device may lead to clinical improvements comparable to those obtained with conventional hand instruments.
An in situ model to study the toothpaste abrasion of enamel
Authors: Joiner Andrew , Pickles Matthew J. , Tanner Carolyn , Weader Elizabeth , Doyle Peter
Published: May 2004

Objectives: In order to understand the clinical relevance of dentifrice abrasivity on the dentition in vivo, an in situ enamel wear model has been developed.

Materials and Methods: Polished human enamel blocks were indented with a Knoop diamond, attached to dentures and worn by adult volunteers for 24 h per day. The blocks were brushed for 30 s, twice per day with dentifrices of known relative dentine abrasivity (RDA) and relative enamel abrasivity (REA). The dentifrices used were either dentifrice A (RDA=85, REA=3.4), dentifrice B (RDA=189, REA=2.0) or dentifrice C (RDA=132, REA=42.7). After 28 days, the blocks were removed and the geometry of each Knoop indent was remeasured. From the baseline and post‐treatment values of indent length, the amount of enamel wear was calculated from the change in the indent depth.

Results: The median values for enamel wear of dentifrices A, B and C were −0.02, 0.01 and −0.48 μm, respectively. The differences between dentifrice C and dentifrices A and B were of statistical significance.

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the usefulness of an in situ technique for investigating the relationship between the abrasivity of a dentifrice in vitro and the wear of enamel in situ.
Impact of oral health on the life quality of periodontal patients
Authors: Needleman Ian , McGrath Colman , Floyd Peter , Biddle Amanda
Published: May 2004

Objectives: To assess the impact of oral health on the life quality of a periodontal patient group.

Materials and Methods: Two hundred and five patients attending a private periodontal clinic completed a questionnaire incorporating the16‐item UK oral health‐related quality‐of‐life measure (OHQoL‐UK©), a check list of questions about their periodontal health over the past year and a comprehensive periodontal examination.

Results: The effect of oral health on quality of life was considerable, with many individuals experiencing negative impacts across a broad range of physical, social and psychological aspects of life quality. OHQoL‐UK© scores was associated with patient's self‐reported periodontal health in the past year: experiences of “swollen gums” (p<0.01), “sore gums” (p<0.01), “receding gums” (p<0.01), “loose teeth” (p<0.01), “drifting teeth” (p<0.01), “bad breath” (p<0.01) and “toothache” (p<0.01). In addition, OHQoL‐UK© scores were correlated with the number of teeth with pocket depths of 5 mm or more (rs−0.42, p<0.01). New patients had poorer oral health‐related quality of life compared with the treated maintenance group (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Periodontal status impacts on life quality. This has implications in understanding the consequences of periodontal health and in the use of patient‐centred outcomes in periodontal research.
Lack of association between the TNFα G −308 A promoter polymorphism and periodontal disease
Authors: Folwaczny Matthias , Glas Jürgen , Török Helga‐Paula , Mende Monika , Folwaczny Christian
Published: May 2004

Background: Immunorelevant gene polymorphisms might influence the susceptibility for periodontal disease. The present study assessed the frequency of a promoter polymorphism (−308G‐to‐A) of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α gene in patients with periodontitis and controls.

Methods: Eighty‐one patients with generalized chronic periodontitis and 80 healthy controls were genotyped for the −308 polymorphism of the TNFα gene by PCR amplification and subsequent restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The diagnosis of chronic periodontitis was made for each subject on basis of standardized clinical and radiographic criteria.

Results: In patients with peridontitis and controls, the frequency of the TNFα−308 A allele was comparable (19.1% [31/162] versus 13.8% [22/160]; p=0.193).

Conclusion: The present study revealed no association between the −308 TNFα gene polymorphism and periodontal disease.
Interleukin 10 gene promoter polymorphisms are associated with chronic periodontitis
Authors: Scarel‐Caminaga Raquel M. , Trevilatto Paula C. , Souza Ana P. , Brito Rui B. , Camargo Luis E. A. , Line Sergio R. P.
Published: May 2004

Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is characterized by an inflammation in the supporting tissues of the teeth caused primarily by bacterial infection. Interleukin 10 (IL10) is an anti‐inflammatory cytokine whose genetic polymorphisms may influence the expression of the protein.

Objective: In this study we investigated the hypothesis that single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter of IL10 gene might be related to CP.

Materials and Methods: DNA was obtained from n=67 CP patients and n=43 control subjects. All studied individuals were non‐smokers. The –1087 SNP was investigated by DNA sequencing, and the –819 and –592 SNPs by restriction fragment length polymorphism of PCR products.

Results: Frequencies of –819 and –592 SNPs showed differences between the control and CP groups. The ACC haplotype was more prevalent in the control group and the ATA haplotype more prevalent in the CP group. The ATA haplotype seemed to increase susceptibility to CP in women (odds ratio (OR)=2.57). The heterozygous haplotype GCC/ACC was predominant in the control group (OR=8.26; p=0.001).

Conclusions: Specific haplotypes and SNPs in IL10 gene are associated with susceptibility to CP in Brazilian patients.
Bone resorbing activity and cytokine levels in gingival crevicular fluid before and after treatment of periodontal disease
Authors: Holmlund Anders , Hänström Lennart , Lerner Ulf H.
Published: May 2004

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate bone resorption activity (BRA), interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α), IL‐1β and interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in sites with no signs of periodontol disease and in sites with horizontal or angular loss of periodontal bone. These assessments were performed before and after periodontal treatment.

Methods: GCFs were collected from 10 individuals with filter strips from two healthy sites and four sites with deep pathological periodontal pockets, two of which showed horizontal bone loss and two with angular bone loss. All diseased pockets were treated with flap surgery and systemic Doxyferm®. Twelve months later GCF was collected again and treatment outcome evaluated. BRA in GCFs was assessed in a bone organ culture system by following the release of 45Ca from neonatal mouse calvariae. The amounts of IL‐1α, IL‐1β and IL‐1ra in GCFs were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Treatment resulted in reduction of pocket depths with 3.5±0.5 mm in sites with angular bone loss and 2.8±0.3 mm in sites with horizontal bone loss. Initially, BRA, IL‐1α, IL‐1β and IL‐1ra were significantly higher in GCFs from diseased sites compared with healthy sites. No differences in BRA and cytokine levels were seen between GCFs from pockets with horizontal and angular bone losses. The levels of IL‐1α, IL‐1β and IL‐1ra were significantly reduced after treatment of diseased pockets. Pocket depths were significantly correlated to BRA only in pre‐treatment sites with angular bone loss. BRA was correlated to Il‐1α, IL‐1β, but not to IL‐1ra, in diseased sites with angular bone loss, before and after treatment. The reductions of BRA in the individual sites, seen after treatment, were not correlated to the reductions of Il‐1α, IL‐1β or IL‐1ra.

Conclusions: These data show that BRA and cytokine levels are increased in GCFs from sites with periodontal disease and that periodontal treatment results in reduction of the cytokines. Our findings further indicate that IL‐1α and IL‐1β play important roles for the BRA present in GCFs, but that other factors also contribute to this activity.
Periodontal repair in dogs: examiner reproducibility in the supraalveolar periodontal defect model
Authors: Koo Ki‐Tae , Polimeni Giuseppe , Albandar Jasim M. , Wikesjö Ulf M. E.
Published: May 2004

Background:  Histometric assessments are routinely used to evaluate biologic events ascertained in histologic sections acquired from animal and human studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the intra‐ and inter‐examiner reproducibility of histometric assessments in the supraalveolar periodontal defect model.

Methods:  Histometric analysis using incandescent and polarized light microscopy, an attached digital camera system, and a PC‐based image analysis system including a custom program for the supraalveolar periodontal defect model was performed on histologic sections acquired from one jaw quadrant in each of 12 dogs. The animals had received an experimental protocol including implantation of a coral biomaterial and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) barrier devices, and were evaluated following a 4‐week healing interval. Histometric parameters were recorded and repeated within a 3‐month interval by two examiners following brief training. Intra‐ and inter‐examiner reproducibility was assessed using the intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results:  Most parameters showed high intra‐examiner ICCs. Parameters including defect height, connective tissue repair, bone regeneration (height/area), formation of a junctional epithelium, positioning of the GTR device, ankylosis, root resorption, and defect area yielded an ICC0.9. The ICCs for bone density and biomaterial density were somewhat lower (0.8 and 0.7, respectively). The inter‐examiner reproducibility was somewhat lower compared to the intra‐examiner reproducibility. Nevertheless, the ICCs were generally high (ICC range: 0.6–0.9).

Conclusions:  Histometric evaluations in the supraalveolar periodontal defect model yield highly reproducible results, in particular when a single examiner performs the histometric measurements, even when the examiner was exposed to limited training.
Atmospheric contamination during ultrasonic scaling
Authors: Timmerman M. F. , Menso L. , Steinfort J. , Van Winkelhoff A. J. , Van Der Weijden G. A.
Published: May 2004

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the microbial atmospheric contamination during initial periodontal treatment using a piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler in combination with either high‐volume evacuation (HVE) or conventional dental suction (CDS).

Methods: The study included 17 treatment sessions, consisting of a 40‐min episode of continuous plaque and calculus removal using an ultrasonic unit (EMS). The treatment sessions were carried out in six patients with generalized adult periodontitis and ranged from two to four sessions per patient according to their needs. The use of HVE and CDS was randomly assigned over the sessions within each patient. Before each treatment, the operating room was not used for 15 h. To measure baseline microbial air pollution two Petri dishes containing blood agar were exposed for 10 min to the air. At the start of each treatment session, two Petri dishes were exposed for 5 min at a distance of 40 cm from the mouth of the patients. After 20 min, this procedure was repeated. At a distance of 150 cm, two Petri dishes were exposed for 20 min followed by exposure of two new Petri dishes for the rest of the session. The plates were cultured aerobically and anaerobically for 3 and 7 days, respectively.

Results: The mean colony forming units (CFU) before treatment never exceeded 0.6 colonies per plate. At 40 cm, the mean CFU, when considering a period of 40 min, was 8.0 for HVE and 17.0 for CDS. The mean CFU at 150 cm during this period was 8.1 with HVE and 10.3 with the CDS. With reference to the Air Microbial Index the operatory atmosphere was considered to be in a good condition during 40 min of continuous use of the ultrasonic scaler in combination with both HVE and CDS.

Conclusion: Within the restrictions of this study, only limited atmospheric microbial contamination is produced when using a piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler.
Association of tumor necrosis factor receptor type 2 +587 gene polymorphism with severe chronic periodontitis
Authors: Shimada Yasuko , Tai Hideaki , Endo Motohiro , Kobayashi Tetsuo , Akazawa Kohei , Yamazaki Kazuhisa
Published: May 2004

Background: Genetic polymorphisms for cytokines and their receptors have been proposed as potential markers for periodontal disease. Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) is one of the cell surface receptors for TNF‐α. Recent studies have suggested that TNFR2 gene polymorphism is involved in autoimmune and other diseases.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether TNFR2(+587T/G) gene polymorphism is associated with chronic periodontitis (CP).

Methods: One hundred and ninety‐six unrelated subjects (age 40–65 years) with different levels of CP were identified according to established criteria, including measurements of probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and alveolar bone loss (BL). All subjects were of Japanese descent and non‐smokers. Single nucleotide polymorphism at position +587(T/G) in the TNFR2 gene was detected by a polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR‐RFLP) method.

Results: The frequency and the positivity of the +587G allele were significantly higher in severe CP patients than in controls (p=0.0097; odds ratio=2.61, p=0.0075; odds ratio=3.06). In addition, mean values of PPD, CAL, and BL were significantly higher in the +587G allele positive than in the negative subjects (p=0.035, 0.022, and 0.018, respectively).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the TNFR2(+587G) polymorphic allele could be associated with severe CP in Japanese.
Effect of two toothcleaning frequencies on periodontal status in patients with advanced periodontitis
Authors: Sadoh D. R. , Watts T. L. P. , Newton J. T.
Published: May 2004

Objective:  To compare the effect of once a day toothcleaning with once in 2 days toothcleaning in patients with advanced periodontitis.

Material and Methods:  Twenty‐two patients, aged 34–54 years were given intensive oral hygiene (OH) and half their mouth root planed with re‐assessment 6 weeks later. The patients were randomised into either a once a day toothcleaning group or a once in 2 days toothcleaning group. The effects of the two cleaning regimens were assessed during a 6‐week follow‐up period. Two patients were excluded from the study. Analysis of covariance was used to test the difference between the two groups at baseline and at 6 weeks.

Results:  There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in plaque reduction (p=0.01) and reduction of probing pocket depth >6 mm (p=0.05) in the OH‐only sites. No significant difference was found between the two cleaning regimens in the combined oral hygiene with root planing sites.

Conclusion:  The present study demonstrated that in patients with advanced periodontitis, once a day toothcleaning is more effective than once in 2 days toothcleaning in otherwise untreated sites.