bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of oral hygiene education and motivation on removable partial denture wearers: longitudinal study
Authors: Ribeiro Daniela Garcia , Pavarina Ana Cláudia , Giampaolo Eunice Teresinha , Machado Ana Lucia , Jorge Janaina Habib , Garcia Patrícia Petromilli Nordi Sasso
Published: May 2009

Objectives:  The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two different preventive oral hygiene education and motivation programmes on the plaque and gingival index, as well as denture hygiene of patients provided with removable partial denture (RPD) during a 12‐month follow‐up.

Material and methods:  A total of 53 partially edentulous patients were recruited for this study. The presence or absence of plaque and gingival bleeding by gentle probing was scored on all tooth surfaces at the preliminary visit. The plaque and gingival indexes were measured using the Löe index. Following treatment, the patients were randomly divided into three groups. In Control Group I, subjects were instructed to continue their personal oral hygiene routine. In Group II, participants were given verbal instructions and a self‐educational manual on oral hygiene without illustrations. In Group III, oral hygiene guidance was delivered using a combination of verbal instructions and a self‐teaching manual. To evaluate the effect of the different modes of instruction, the presence or absence of plaque and gingival bleeding was scored on all tooth surfaces (day zero examination) and re‐examined 7, 15 and 30 days, 3, 6 and 12 months following RPD placement. The state of denture hygiene was evaluated 7, 15 and 30 days and 3, 6 and 12 months following rehabilitation. Parametric statistics was applied to dental plaque and gingival indexes. For accumulation of plaque and calculus on the RPD, non‐parametric statistic was applied.

Results:  The frequency of plaque found during the preliminary visit was higher than that found in the other periods. With regard to gingival index, significant difference was found between the preliminary visit examination and other periods. There was a significant difference in the plaque accumulation on the denture surface between groups I and III.

Conclusion:  The different methods of oral hygiene instruction used in this study indicate that the type of education was not of significant importance.
Effects of cytomegalovirus infection on embryogenesis and brain development
Authors: Tsutsui Yoshihiro
Published: May 2009

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a significant cause of brain disorders, such as microcephaly, mental retardation, hearing loss and visual disorders in humans. The type and severity of brain disorder may be dependent on the stage of embryonic development when the congenital infection occurs. Developmental disorders may be associated with the type of embryonic cells to which CMV is susceptible and the effects of the infection on the cellular functions of these cells. Early murine embryos, including embryonic stem (ES) cells, are not susceptible to CMV infection. A part of the embryonic cells acquire susceptibility during early development. Mesenchymal cells are the targets of infection at midgestation, affecting organogenesis of the brain, eyes and oral‐facial regions. In contrast to ES cells, neural stem progenitor cells (NSPC) from fetal brains are susceptible to murine CMV (MCMV) infection. The viral infection inhibits proliferation and differentiation of the NSPC to neuronal and glial cells in addition to induction of neuronal cell loss. These cellular events may cause brain malformations, such as microcephaly and polymicrogyria. Furthermore, MCMV persists in neuronal cells in developing brains, presumably resulting in neuronal dysfunction.
Isolated levocardia: Prenatal diagnosis and management
Authors: Katsuya Satoko , Yamada Shigehito , Ukita Masayo , Nishimura Hiromi , Matsumura Noriomi , Fukuhara Ken , Sato Yukiyasu , Shiota Kohei , Konishi Ikuo
Published: May 2009

Isolated levocardia (IL) is a rare condition of situs anomaly in which there is a normal left‐sided heart (levocardia) with dextro position of the abdominal viscera. IL has been reported in children and adults with complex cardiac defects, whereas there are only few published reports regarding the prenatal diagnosis of IL. We report two prenatal cases of IL diagnosed by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In both cases, fetal cardiac function remained within the normal range throughout pregnancy, and no treatment for the heart was required after birth. For the dextro position of abdominal viscera, one case was followed without any surgical procedure, but the other case required prophylactic operation due to malrotation of the small intestine. Although the prognosis of IL largely depends on the severity of associated cardiac anomaly, future bowel obstruction caused by intestinal malrotation may also be life‐threatening. In this respect, prenatal diagnosis of IL is important, even when there is no associated cardiac structural anomaly. If IL is suspected in routine fetal ultrasonography, MRI may be recommended to obtain more detailed information on the anatomy of abdominal viscerae, and careful observation for bowel problems is required, especially after oral nutrition is started.
Specific ultrasound findings associated with fetal chromosome abnormalities
Authors: Shimada Shigeki , Yamada Hideto , Hoshi Nobuhiko , Kobashi Gen , Okuyama Kazuhiko , Hanatani Kaoru , Fujimoto Seiichiro
Published: May 2009

Cytogenetic amniocentesis (CA) has been performed as a reliable prenatal diagnostic method for decades. The aims of the present study were to reveal the frequency of fetal chromosome abnormalities according to medical indications of CA, and to assess the risks of specific abnormal ultrasound findings. Data on chromosome karyotypes of fetuses from 5043 Japanese mothers were collected. Group I comprised 4626 fetuses whose mothers underwent CA due to a variety of parental reasons. Group II comprised 417 fetuses whose mothers underwent CA due to fetal abnormality, abnormality of amniotic fluid volume and fetal growth restriction. The frequency of chromosome abnormalities in Group II (17.7%) was significantly higher than in Group I (1.8%). The frequencies of chromosome abnormalities in Group II singleton fetuses with fetal abnormality, polyhydramnios and fetal growth restriction were 21.5, 22.9 and 19.6%, respectively. By multivariate analyses, we found that cystic hygroma (odds ratio 5.6, 95% CI 2.7–11.6), abnormal extremity (5.0, 1.7–14.4) and cardiovascular abnormality (3.3, 1.1–10.1) were significant variants associated with fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Information revealed in the present study constitutes a beneficial reference for genetic counseling.
Anatomical exploration of a dicephalous goat kid using sheet plastination (E12)
Authors: Elnady Fawzy , Sora Mircea‐Constantin
Published: May 2009

A dicephalous, 1‐day‐old, female goat kid was presented for anatomical study. Epoxy plastination slices (E12) were used successfully to explore this condition. They provided excellent anatomic and bone detail, demonstrating organ position, shared structures, and vascular anatomy. Sheet plastination (E12) was used as an optimal method to clarify how the two heads were united, especially the neuroanatomy. The plastinated transparent slices allowed detailed study of the anatomical structures, in a non‐collapsed and non‐dislocated state. Thus, we anatomically explored this rare condition without traditional dissection. The advantages of plastination extended to the preservation at room temperature of this case for further topographical investigation. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first published report of plastination of a dicephalous goat.
Chorangiosis and placental oxygenation
Authors: Suzuki Kazunao , Itoh Hiroaki , Kimura Satoshi , Sugihara Kazuhiro , Yaguchi Chizuko , Kobayashi Yukiko , Hirai Kyuya , Takeuchi Kinya , Sugimura Motoi , Kanayama Naohiro
Published: May 2009

Chorangiosis is a vascular hyperplasia in the terminal chorionic villi, usually diagnosed histologically using the criteria of Altshuler. Its true etiology has not been fully identified, but chorangiosis has been proposed to result from a longstanding, rather low‐grade hypoxia in the placental tissue. To clarify a possible association of placental oxygenation status with the development of chorangiosis, we measured placental tissue oxygen index (TOI) values using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) before delivery and retrospectively compared them to the detection of placental chorangiosis, in a total of 47 (46 singleton and one set of dichorionic diamniotic twins) pregnant women. Small for gestational age (SGA) and/or maternal complications were observed in all cases of placental chorangiosis. Placental TOI values were significantly elevated in cases of chorangiosis. This indicates high oxygen saturation in the intervillous spaces because placental TOI values are expected to represent the oxygenation of maternal blood in the placental tissue. A possible preceding low efficiency of oxygen transfer to the fetal circulation in the villi might not only augment the oxygen saturation of maternal blood in intervillous spaces, but also cause rather low oxygenation in the capillaries of the villi and result in chorangiosis.
Severe upper airway stenosis in a boy with partial monosomy 16p13.3pter and partial trisomy 16q22qter
Authors: Yamada Keitaro , Uchiyama Atsushi , Arai Mayuki , Kubodera Kuniko , Yamamoto Yutaka , Orii Koji O. , Nagasawa Hiroyuki , Masuno Mitsuo , Kohno Yoshinori
Published: May 2009

We report the case of a boy with a de novo partial monosomy 16p13‐pter and partial trisomy 16q22‐qter detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization using subtelomeric probes for 16p and 16q. The boy had facial characteristics, skeletal features, congenital heart defects, an imperforate anus, urogenital malformations, pre/postnatal growth retardation, and psychomotor retardation, most of which have been reported both in partial monosomy 16p and partial trisomy 16q. In addition, he suffered from upper airway stenosis due to possible laryngeal stenosis with subglottic webs. The upper airway stenosis could be a rare complication of partial monosomy 16p or partial trisomy 16q, or a nonspecific malformation resulting from chromosomal abnormalities.
Mandibular distraction in a tracheostomized patient with Pierre‐Robin sequence
Authors: Horta Ricardo , Marques Marisa , Gomes Virgilia , Rebelo Marco , Reis Jorge , Amarante José
Published: May 2009

The triad of glossoptosis, micrognathia, and cleft palate characterizes the Pierre Robin sequence (PRS). Complications can be severe and the clinical manifestations are very heterogeneous, but airway obstruction is almost present and may be life threatening. To avoid tracheostomy or allow for early decannulation in severely affected children, external or biorebsorbable internal distraction devices can be applied to repair mandibular deficiences. We report a case of a children submitted to bilateral mandibular distraction with external nonresorbable devices. After optimal lengthening of mandibles, laringotracheoplasty was performed to close the tracheostomy with improvement of respiratory pattern and quality of life this child. Biorebsorbable internal distraction devices offers some advantages, but complications include device failure to support resistance. Distraction osteogenesis has become a safe, less‐invasive procedure with a negligible risk of infection making it effective to substitute tracheostomy as first choice in treatment of patients with Pierre Robin Sequence and life threatening airway obstruction.
Isolation and molecular characterization of a noveld‐hydantoinase fromJannaschiasp. CCS1
Authors: Cai Yuanheng , Trodler Peter , Jiang Shimin , Zhang Weiwen , Wu Yan , Lu Yinhua , Yang Sheng , Jiang Weihong
Published: May 2009

Hydantoinases (HYDs) are important enzymes for industrial production of optically pure amino acids, which are widely used as precursors for various semi‐synthetic antibiotics. By a process coupling genomic data mining with activity screening, a new hydantoinase, tentatively designated HYDJs, was identified fromJannaschiasp. CCS1 and overexpressed inEscherichia coli. The specific activity of HYDJsond,l‐p‐hydroxyphenylhydantoin as the substrate was three times higher than that of the hydantoinase originating fromBurkholderia pickettii(HYDBp) that is currently used in industry. The enzyme obtained was a homotetramer with a molecular mass of 253 kDa. The pH and temperature optima for HYDJswere 7.6 and 50 °C respectively, similar to those of HYDBp. Kinetic analysis showed that HYDJshas a higherkcatvalue ond,l‐p‐hydroxyphenylhydantoin than HYDBpdoes. Homology modeling and substrate docking analyses of HYDJsand HYDBpwere performed, and the results revealed an enlarged substrate binding pocket in HYDJs, which may allow better access of substrates to the catalytic centre and could account for the increased specific activity of HYDJs. Three amino acid residues critical for HYDJsactivity, Phe63, Leu92 and Phe150 were also identified by substrate docking and site‐directed mutagenesis. Application of this high‐specific activity HYDJscould improve the industrial production of optically pure amino acids, such asd‐p‐hydroxyphenylglycine. Moreover, the structural analysis also provides new insights on enzyme–substrate interaction, which shed light on engineering of hydantoinases for high catalytic activity.
Analysis of Lsm1p and Lsm8p domains in the cellular localization of Lsm complexes in budding yeast
Authors: Reijns Martin A. M. , Auchynnikava Tatsiana , Beggs Jean D.
Published: May 2009

In eukaryotes, two heteroheptameric Sm‐like (Lsm) complexes that differ by a single subunit localize to different cellular compartments and have distinct functions in RNA metabolism. The cytoplasmic Lsm1–7p complex promotes mRNA decapping and localizes to processing bodies, whereas the Lsm2–8p complex takes part in a variety of nuclear RNA processing events. The structural features that determine their different functions and localizations are not known. Here, we analyse a range of mutant and hybrid Lsm1 and Lsm8 proteins, shedding light on the relative importance of their various domains in determining their localization and ability to support growth. Although no single domain is either essential or sufficient for cellular localization, the Lsm1p N‐terminus may act as part of a nuclear exclusion signal for Lsm1–7p, and the shorter Lsm8p N‐terminus contributes to nuclear accumulation of Lsm2–8p. The C‐terminal regions seem to play a secondary role in determining localization, with little or no contribution coming from the central Sm domains. The essential Lsm8 protein is remarkably resistant to mutation in terms of supporting viability, whereas Lsm1p appears more sensitive. These findings contribute to our understanding of how two very similar protein complexes can have different properties.
Health Risk Behavior of Youth in Foster Care
Authors: Gramkowski Bridget , Kools Susan , Paul Steven , Boyer Cherrie B. , Monasterio Erica , Robbins Nancy
Published: May 2009

PROBLEM:   Many adolescent health problems are predominantly caused by risk behavior. Foster adolescents have disproportionately poor health; therefore, identification of risk behavior is critical.

METHOD:   Data from a larger study were analyzed to investigate the health risk behavior of 56 youth in foster care using the Child Health and Illness Profile–Adolescent Edition.

FINDINGS:   Data indicated that youth in foster care had some increased risk behavior when compared with a normative adolescent population. Younger adolescents and those in relative placement had less risky behavior. Risk behavior was increased for youth in foster care when they were in group homes, had experienced a parental death, or had a history of physical or emotional abuse or attempted suicide.

CONCLUSIONS:   These results point to areas of strength and vulnerability for youth in foster care and suggest areas for clinicians and caregivers of these adolescents to focus interventions towards harm reduction and enhancement of resiliency.
The Effects of Exposure to Community Violence on Aspects of Adolescent Identity Development
Authors: Burdett Schiavone Deborah
Published: May 2009

PROBLEM:   A gap exists in our understanding of the impact of exposure to community violence on identity development. The purpose of this study was to explore how exposure to community violence affects adolescents’ identity development. Data were collected to describe the perceptions, interpretations, and meanings adolescents ascribe to their experiences with community violence.

METHODS:   Male and female inner‐city adolescents (13–18 years) were invited to share their personal stories about exposure to community violence. A constant comparative approach was employed to analyze data from personal narratives.

RESULTS:   All adolescents in this study reported exposure to violence and shared stories about living and coping with the prevalence of violence. Aspects of identity development that emerged in the data included self‐perceptions, coping patterns, efficacy, and a moral self. Some stories revealed psychological distress that had potential for long‐term developmental consequences. Personal strengths and positive attributes of the participants were also evident in the data.

CONCLUSIONS:   Exposure to community violence affected the identity development of these adolescents. When working with adolescents, it is important for nurses to assess for community violence exposure and promote coping strategies that reduce distress and foster healthy intimacy.
MODELLING THE ONSET OF VAPORIZATION IN FRYING PROCESSES WITH NO MECHANICAL DEFORMATION
Authors: FASANO A. , MANCINI A.
Published: May 2009

We present a mathematical model describing the process of frying by immersion in hot edible oil with specific reference to some experimental situation considered in the literature. The model includes one interface separating a water‐saturated region from a fully vaporized region. Temperature and pressure on the interface satisfy Clapeyron's law and are free to evolve, providing the pressure gradient ultimately driving the vapor out of the sample. Particular attention is devoted to the early stage of vaporization, predicting the correct behavior of the interface. This detail proves to be crucial in performing numerical simulations. The comparison with experimental data is quite satisfactory.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The mathematical model presented here can effectively describe the process of frying in the absence of mechanical deformation, as confirmed by comparison with a set of experimental data taken from the literature. Despite its limitations (one‐dimensional geometry, temperature of oil constant, absence of mechanical deformations) the model is flexible enough to be extended to the more complex situations characterizing industrial processes. In particular, the simplifications made possible by the comparison of the timescales involved can be greatly advantageous from the computational point of view.
MANUFACTURING COST OF SUPERCRITICAL‐EXTRACTED OILS AND CAROTENOIDS FROM AMAZONIAN PLANTS
Authors: PRADO JULIANA M. , ASSIS ANDRÉ R. , MARÓSTICA‐JÚNIOR MÁRIO R. , MEIRELES M. ANGELA A.
Published: May 2009

The objective of this work was to study the economical viability of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of oil and carotenoids from three Amazonian palm trees: buriti, pupunha and pressed palm fiber (PPF). Literature experimental SFE data were used to estimate the cost of manufacturing (COM) of oils and carotenoids present in the crops, considering five main costs: fixed cost of investment, operational labor, utilities, waste treatment and raw material. SFE at 40C/300 bar, 50C/250 bar and 45C/300 bar presented the lowest COM for buriti, pupunha and PPF oils, respectively. The time of extraction determined the concentration of carotenoids in the oils. Under the conditions studied, the prices of SFE oils were higher than the selling prices of pressed oils, not because of the investment cost, but because of the raw material cost. Nevertheless, it is known that SFE oils are generally richer in carotenoids, which should determine higher selling prices and special uses for the product.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Oils extracted from the pulp and shell of Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) and Guilielma speciosa (pupunha) and from the pressed fiber of Elaes guineensis (palm oil), all of which are Amazonian palm fruits, are rich in carotenoids. Recent studies have shown that supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) may be economically viable to obtain vegetable extracts. However, it is important to study the economical viability of this technology, because the investment costsare usually pointed as the main reason why there are still no SFE industrial plants in Latin America. Studies showing SFE viability and each cost impact for Amazonian plants may be decisive in order to influence South American companies to invest in this green technology.
THE INTERACTION OF PROTEIN AND POLYPHENOL SPECIES IN READY TO DRINK BLACK TEA LIQUOR PRODUCTION
Authors: WU D. , BIRD M. R.
Published: May 2009

Haze and tea cream generation is a serious problem in the production of ready‐to‐drink (RTD) black tea liquors. Such precipitates consist primarily of proteins and polyphenols. Tea protein and tea polyphenol have been separated successfully in this study. The interactions of (1) tea protein and mixed TF; and (2) tea protein and total tea polyphenol were studied by ITC. A series of techniques, including gel filtration chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, CBB assay and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), have been used to determine the quantity and properties of proteins isolated from black tea powder. The molecular mass of the tea protein was detected to be approximately 11 kD at pH 5.0. The purity of this protein isolate was 51.4 wt % and a possible β‐sheet secondary structure was indicated from FTIR spectra. The total phenols in the tea polyphenol sample separated by Zn

2+ precipitation under alkali conditions (pH 7.5) was increased to approximately 65 wt % of the sample tested. The binding mechanism of tea protein and TF was somewhat different from that of tea protein and total tea polyphenol, although both interactions were successfully fitted using a sequential sites binding model.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

In black tea liquor production, polyphenols tend to interact with proteins, caffeine and metal cations to form colloidal suspensions of haze and “tea cream”, which are detrimental to product appearance and taste. This is a key concern in the production of ready‐to‐drink (RTD; iced tea) beverages, which are typically made from reconstituted spray dried tea powders and stored at low temperatures (potentially leading to precipitation). Tea cream and haze are traditionally removed by dissolution through pH adjustment. The size of haze and tea cream aggregates means that membrane technology can offer an alternative nonchemical separation option.

To facilitate the removal of haze and tea cream in commercial RTD tea production, it is important to increase the level of understanding of polyphenol or tea protein interactions that occur in black tea liquor. Such interactions are the focus of this paper.
EFFECT OF UHP ON ENZYME, MICROORGANISM AND FLAVOR IN CANTALOUPE (CUCUMIS MELO L.) JUICE
Authors: MA YONGKUN , HU XIAOSONG , CHEN JILUAN , ZHAO GUANGHUA , LIAO XIAOJUN , CHEN FANG , WU JIHONG , WANG ZHENGFU
Published: May 2009

In this study, we investigated the change of the flavor, enzyme activities and microorganism survival in cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) juice after UHP treatments, and found the corresponding kinetic models. After the treatment at 500 MPa for 20 min, the pressurized juice can reach the safety standards, i.e., below 100 cfu/100 mL in concentration stipulated for beverage by Chinese national standard; and the activities of POD, PPO and LOX in the juice decreased to about 78, 9 and 5%, respectively. Sensory evaluation indicated that no significant change was observed after UHP treatments. The above findings indicated that UHP treatment is a promising way to process the cantaloupe juice.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Cantaloupe is a favorable fruit with unique aroma produced around the world. However, because there is no effective deep‐processing, a lot of cantaloupes rot away in the farmland every year. The production of freshly squashed juice is a best way to raise the merchandise rate of cantaloupe and to prolong its industrial chain. However, freshly squashed cantaloupe juice has a very short shelf life because it will quickly succumb to microorganism attack if nothing is done. The sterilization of its juice is a difficult issue because the juice is heat sensitive. Therefore, nonthermal processing is desirable. UHP technology used in this study was proven to be a promising way to maintain the flavor and to inactivate enzymes and microorganisms in the cantaloupe juice.
The use and abuse of taxonomy
Authors: Low Kelvin FK
Published: May 2009

The late Professor Birks made an immense contribution to the study and development of the common law in devising his taxonomy, derived from the Roman classification of Justinian's Institutes. The utility of the taxonomy has always been the subject of controversy and its value has been increasingly questioned since his untimely death. Some of the criticisms are undoubtedly valid but it is seriously arguable that the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction. This paper seeks to highlight the common abuses of the taxonomy and demonstrate that, even taking account of its limitations, the taxonomy continues to be a useful device for our study and development of the common law.
Orexins and the regulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐testicular axis
Authors: Nurmio M. , Tena‐Sempere M. , Toppari J.
Published: May 2009

Orexins (OX), OX‐A and OX‐B, were initially identified as hypothalamic neuropeptides primarily involved in the control of food intake and states of arousal. Thereafter, orexins have been substantiated as putative pleiotropic regulators of a wide diversity of biological systems, including different neuroendocrine axes. Among the latter, compelling experimental evidence has recently been documented that orexins, mainly OX‐A, may act at different levels of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis to modulate reproductive function. These actions are likely to include regulatory effects on the hypothalamic centres governing the HPG axis, as well as direct actions at the gonadal level. We review herein the experimental evidence, gathered in recent years, supporting a reproductive ‘facet’ of orexins, with special emphasis on our current knowledge of their patterns of expression and potential functional roles in the testis. Overall, the available data strongly suggest that, by acting at different levels of the HPG axis, orexins may operate as putative neuroendocrine and autocrine/paracrine regulators of gonadal function.
Applications and Analyses of Satellite‐borne L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar Data in Coastal Environments
Authors: Wang Yong , Liao Mingsheng , Wang Changcheng
Published: May 2009

There is rapid population growth in coastal environments. Development and competing demands for resources and natural hazards offer an additional threat to coastal communities. Remote sensing provides a means of monitoring the intra‐ and inter‐annual variability both natural and human impacts cause. In this article, we review the application of satellite‐borne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to the coastal zone and provide two examples, seasonal inundation mapping on coastal floodplains at the regional scale in eastern North Carolina, USA, and shoreline delineation and change in estuary of Pamlico Peninsula, Dare County, North Carolina. The results SAR data provide are reliable and repeatable, and can potentially be used to identify critical areas in coastal environments where there is a need to respond to the pressures caused by population growth, land use and land cover change, natural hazards and sea level rise that may be brought about by global climate change.
Neuropathogenesis of Naturally Occurring Encephalitis Caused by Listeria monocytogenes in Ruminants
Authors: Oevermann Anna , Di Palma Stefano , Doherr Marcus G. , Abril Carlos , Zurbriggen Andreas , Vandevelde Marc
Published: May 2009

Listeriosis is a serious food‐borne disease with increasing frequency in humans and ruminants. Despite the facts that in both hosts, listeriosis can occur as rhombencephalitis and ruminants are a reservoir of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) strains pathogenic for humans, little work has been done on the pathogenesis in ruminants. This study investigates the neuropathogenesis of listeric encephalitis in over 200 natural cases in cattle, sheep and goats by analyzing anatomical distribution, severity, bacterial load and temporal evolution of the lesions. Our results suggest that LM gains access to the brainstem of all three species via axonal migration not only along the trigeminal nerve, but also along other nerves. The ensuing encephalitis does not remain restricted to the brainstem. Rather, LM spreads further from the brainstem into rostral brain regions likely by intracerebral axonal migration. Significant differences in severity of the lesions and bacterial load were found between cattle and small ruminants, which may be caused by species‐specific properties of antibacterial immune responses. As histopathological lesions of human rhombencephalitis caused by LM strongly resemble those of ruminants, the disease likely has a similar pathogenesis in both hosts.
Expression of the DNA Repair Enzyme, Photolyase, in Developmental Tissues and Larvae, and in Response to Ambient UV‐R in the Antarctic Sea Urchin Sterechinus neumayeri
Authors: Isely Nikolas , Lamare Miles , Marshall Craig , Barker Mike
Published: May 2009

Gene expression of the DNA repair enzyme, photolyase (E.C. 4.1.99.3) was examined in the gonads, eggs, embryos and larval stages of the Antarctic sea urchin, Sterechinus neumayeri. Partial sequencing of the gene revealed two highly conserved regions, including a 300 bp region representing the binding site for the cofactor flavin adenine dinucleotide. The second 1200 bp region, likely representing a second light‐harvesting cofactor binding site, was identified in a second sea urchin species, Strongylocentrotus frascicanus. Probes for photolyase were developed from the shorter sequence, and expression in sea urchin developmental tissue and stages, and in response to in situ exposure to ultraviolet radiation was quantified using PCR and RT‐qPCR, with concentrations of photolyase normalized to actin concentrations. Photolyase was expressed in all tissues and developmental stages examined. In controlled field‐based experiments in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, we found evidence of both constitutive expression of photolyase and induction in response to in situ exposure of embryos to UV‐R. Induction of photolyase was observed in response to greater ambient UV‐R (such as shallower water depths or sea ice‐free regions).
Oxygen Uptake in the Vitamin B2‐sensitized Photo‐oxidation of Tyrosine and Tryptophan in the Presence of Uracil: Kinetics and Mechanism
Authors: Paulina Montaña María , Blasich Néstor , Haggi Ernesto , García Norman A.
Published: May 2009

Considering the significance of visible light‐promoted reactions in complex biological media, the photo‐oxidation of the amino acids (AAs) tyrosine (tyr) and tryptophan (trp) was studied in the presence of the naturally occurring oxidative scavenger uracil (ur). The involved photoprocesses, studied at pH 7 and 9, are driven through the reactive oxygen species (ROS) singlet molecular oxygen (O2(1Δg)), superoxide radical anion (O2?−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The effect on the effectiveness of the overall photo‐oxidation process due to the presence of an added electron‐donating substrate such as ur is not straightforwardly predictable. The addition of the pyrimidine compound, a much lesser photo‐oxidizable substrate than the AAs themselves, produced different results: (1) antioxidative for tyr at pH 9, decreasing the overall rate of oxygen uptake; (2) synergistic for tyr at pH 7, increasing the oxidation rate more than the corresponding addition value of the respective individual rates and (3) no effect for trp at both pH values. The final result depends on the respective abilities of the substrates as quenchers of both the long‐lived riboflavin triplet excited state and the generated ROS and the pH of the medium. An interpretation for the different cases is attempted through a kinetic and mechanistic analysis.
Occupational Exposure to Solar UVB and Seasonal Monitoring of Serum Levels of 25‐hydroxy Vitamin D3: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Azizi Esther , Pavlotsky Felix , Vered Iris , Kudish Avraham I.
Published: May 2009

To characterize the relationship between occupational sun exposure and seasonal variations in serum 25‐OH‐D3, four consecutive measurements of 25‐OH‐D3, one per season, were taken in 122 outdoor and 104 indoor Israeli workers. Continuous UVB measurements, taken in Beer Sheva, Israel, provided the average daily standard erythema dose (SED) of ambient solar UVB. The average daily exposure of the outdoor and indoor workers to solar UVB was 4.4 ± 1.6 h (4.0–37.6 SED) and 0.9 ± 0.5 h (0.6–8.2 SED), respectively. At each season mean 25‐OH‐D3 were significantly higher among outdoor workers than among indoor workers. Mean 25‐OH‐D3 increased significantly from spring to autumn in both gender and occupational groups. Adjusting for confounders, high (>median) 25‐OH‐D3 among males was significantly associated with occupational sun exposure in the autumn (odds ratio [OR] 4.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4–13.3), and among females in the spring (OR 3.35; 95% CI 1.53–7.32). Among this working population optimal vitamin D status (≥30 ng mL−1) was approached only in summer by males working either outdoor or indoor. In the rest of the year 25‐OH‐D3 ranged between ≥20.0 and 29.0 ng mL−1. Monitoring 25‐OH‐D3 may disclose undesirable vitamin D status following reduced sun exposure for skin cancer prevention among outdoor workers.
Infrared Radiation Influence on Molt and Regeneration of Neohelice granulata Dana, 1851 (Grapsidae, Sesarminae)
Authors: Gonzalez Vinícius Cunha , Lena Alexandre Baldez , Espindola Wendel Aculha , De Souza Votto Ana Paula , Jorge Marianna Basso , De Moraes Vaz Batista Filgueira Daza , Bianchini Adalto , Sérgio Varela Antônio , Nery Luiz Eduardo Maia , Trindade Gilma Santos
Published: May 2009

This paper analyzes the influence of infrared radiation (IR) on regeneration, after autotomy of limb buds of Neohelice granulata and consequently the time molt. Eyestalks were ablated to synchronize the start of molt. Afterward, animals were autotomized of five pereopods and divided into control and irradiated groups. The irradiated group was treated for 30 min daily until molt. Limb buds from five animals of days 4, 16 and 20 were collected and histological sections were made from them. These sections were photographed and chitin and epithelium content measured. Another group was made, and after 15 days limb buds were extracted to analyze mitochondrial enzymatic activity from complex I and II. The irradiated group showed a significant reduction in molt time (19.38 ± 1.22 days) compared with the control group (32.69 ± 1.57 days) and also a significant increase in mitochondrial complex I (388.9 ± 27.94%) and II (175.63 ± 7.66%) in the irradiated group when compared with the control group (100 ± 17.90; 100 ± 7.82, respectively). However, these effects were not acompanied by histological alterations in relation to chitin and epithelium. This way, it was possible to demonstrate that IR increases complex I and II activity, reduces the time molt and consequently increases the appendage regeneration rate.
Effect of Exercise Training on 24‐Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Carvalho Vitor O. , Ciolac Emmanuel G. , Guimarães Guilherme V. , Bocchi Edimar A.
Published: May 2009

The aim of this study was to evaluate the 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) response to exercise training (ET) in heart failure (HF) patients. Twelve HF patients and 15 sedentary healthy controls underwent ET for 2 months (3 times per week from 80%–90% of the ventilatory threshold). ABPM was performed before and 2 days after the last exercise season. Despite the fact that ET in HF patients was associated with significant improvements in peak oxygen consumption (pVO2), there were no significant changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR). On the other hand, controls decreased 24‐hour mean SBP (117±8–115±9 mm Hg, P=.019) and 24‐hour mean DBP (73±6–71±5 mm Hg, P=.016), mainly at nighttime SBP (107±8–103±9, P=.0004) and DBP (63±5–59±5 mm Hg, P<.0001). No changes in HR were found in controls. Values of 24‐hour blood pressure did not change with ET in HF patients.
Survival Among Patients With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Treated With Atenolol
Authors: Kapoor John R. , Heidenreich Paul A.
Published: May 2009

Metoprolol succinate, carvedilol, and bisoprolol are approved for use in heart failure. Other β‐blockers have been found to be inferior (metoprolol tartrate) or have not been studied (atenolol). The authors compared all‐cause mortality following treatment with either atenolol, carvedilol, or metoprolol tartrate for 974 patients with left ventricular function ≤40%. The unadjusted mortality at 6 months was lower with atenolol (3.2%) and carvedilol (4.2%) when compared with metoprolol tartrate (7.5%, P≤.039). However, patients with atenolol were older but had less prior heart failure. After adjustment for the propensity to be treated with atenolol, patients actually treated with atenolol had a significantly lower risk of death compared with treatment with metoprolol tartrate and comparable outcome to those treated with carvedilol. These results suggest that atenolol may be useful for patients with heart failure treatment and highlight the need for a randomized trial comparing atenolol with established β‐blockers.
Accurate heterogeneous dose calculation for lung cancer patients without high‐resolution CT densities
Authors: Saito Anneyuko I. , Li Jonathan G. , Liu Chihray , Olivier Kenneth R. , Dempsey James F.
Published: May 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the relative accuracy of megavoltage photon‐beam dose calculations employing either five bulk densities or independent voxel densities determined by calibration of the CT Houndsfield number.

Full‐resolution CT and bulk density treatment plans were generated for 70 lung or esophageal cancer tumors (66 cases) using a commercial treatment planning system with an adaptive convolution dose calculation algorithm (Pinnacle3, Philips Medicals Systems). Bulk densities were applied to segmented regions. Individual and population average densities were compared to the full‐resolution plan for each case. Monitor units were kept constant and no normalizations were employed. Dose volume histograms (DVH) and dose difference distributions were examined for all cases.

The average densities of the segmented air, lung, fat, soft tissue, and bone for the entire set were found to be 0.14, 0.26, 0.89, 1.02, and , respectively. In all cases, the normal tissue DVH agreed to better than 2% in dose. In 62 of 70 DVHs of the planning target volume (PTV), agreement to better than 3% in dose was observed. Six cases demonstrated emphysema, one with bullous formations and one with a hiatus hernia having a large volume of gas. These required the additional assignment of density to the emphysemic lung and inflammatory changes to the lung, the regions of collapsed lung, the bullous formations, and the hernia gas.

Bulk tissue density dose calculation provides an accurate method of heterogeneous dose calculation. However, patients with advanced emphysema may require high‐resolution CT studies for accurate treatment planning.

PACS number: 87.53.Tf
Verification of Varian enhanced dynamic wedge implementation in MasterPlan treatment planning system
Authors: Pasquino Massimo , Borca Valeria Casanova , Tofani Santi , Ozzello F.
Published: May 2009

This paper investigates the accuracy of the two available calculation algorithms of the Oncentra MasterPlan three‐dimensional treatment planning system (TPS) – the pencil beam method and collapsed‐cone convolution – in modeling the Varian enhanced dynamic wedge (EDW). Measurements were carried out for a dual high energy (6–15 MV) Varian DHX‐S linear accelerator using ionization chambers for beam axis measurements (wedge factors and depth doses), film dosimetry for off‐axis dose profiles measurements, and a diode matrix detector for two dimensional absolute dose distributions. Using both calculation algorithms, different configuration of symmetric and asymmetric fields varying the wedge's angle were tested. Accuracy of the treatment planning system was evaluated in terms of percentage differences between measured and calculated values for wedge factors, depth doses, and profiles. As far as the absolute dose distribution was concerned, the gamma index method (Low et al.(13)) was used with 3% and 3 mm as acceptance criteria for dose difference and distance‐to‐agreement, respectively. Wedge factors and percentage depth doses were within 1% deviation between calculated and measured values. The comparison of measured and calculated dose profiles shows that the Van Dyk's acceptance criteria (Van Dyk et al.(14)) are generally met; a disagreement can be noted for large wedge angles and field size limited to the low dose‐low gradient region only. The 2D absolute dose distribution analysis confirms the good accuracy of the two calculation algorithms in modeling the enhanced dynamic wedge.

PACS number: 87.53.Bn, 87.55.kn, 87.56.ng
Leakage reduction for the Siemens ModuLeaf
Authors: Siochi R. Alfredo
Published: May 2009

The ModuLeaf, an add‐on miniature multileaf collimator (MMLC) for the Siemens ONCOR linear accelerator, provides high resolution field shaping with a maximum interleaf leakage dose of 1.50% at 6 MV. However, beyond the maximum treatment field size, the distribution of leakage and scatter along the y‐axis is different from that of the x‐axis, with maximum leakage values of 1.53% and 0.39%, respectively. Such differences cannot be modeled in the Pinnacle treatment planning system. Also, within the treatment region, leakage from the crack between closed leaf ends was 3.76%. To resolve these issues, gaps in the ModuLeaf frame were filled with lead sheets, and the Siemens MLC was operated in MLC mode (rather than bank mode). As a result, a rectangle of was formed with the MLC leaves closed behind the Y jaws, whose opening was 10.4 cm. This significantly reduced the difference between the leakage patterns in the x and y directions, with maximum leakage doses of 0.43% outside the treatment region and 1.67% near the crack between abutting ModuLeaf leaves. The modification also reduced the mean square error between Pinnacle profiles and measured profiles in the tail region.

PACS number: 87.56.jk
A comparative study of three CT and MRI registration algorithms in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Wang XiaoShen , Li LongGen , Hu ChaoSu , Qiu JianJian , Xu ZhiYong , Feng Yan
Published: May 2009

Objective: To evaluate the image registration accuracy and efficiency of CT and MRI fusion using three algorithms in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods and materials: Twelve sets of CT and MRI scans of 12 NPC patients were fused using three image registration algorithms, respectively: Mark‐and‐link, Interactive, and Normalized Mutual Information (NMI). Registration accuracy was evaluated by performing statistical analysis of the coordinate differences between CT and MR anatomical landmarks along the x‐, y‐ and z‐axes. The time required to complete the registration process using three algorithms was also recorded. One‐way ANOVA was used to analyze the difference of the three registration methods. Results: The mean time required for CT/MRI registration using the three different registration algorithms, mark‐and‐link, interactive, and NMI, was 6.25 min, 5.25 min, and 5.15 min, respectively. The mark‐and‐link method was more time consuming ; however no statistical difference was found between the time required using interactive and NMI methods . Mean registration errors of the three methods along the x‐axis were 0.66 mm, 0.70 mm, and 0.68 mm, respectively . Along the y‐axis, the mean registration errors were 1.03 mm, 1.04 mm, and 1.03 mm, respectively . Along the z‐axis, they were 0.58 mm, 0.64 mm, and 0.56 mm, respectively .

Conclusions: All three registration algorithms, mark‐and‐link, interactive, and NMI, can provide accurate CT/MRI registration. However the mark‐and‐link method was most time consuming.

PACS number: 87.57.nj
Delivery of four‐dimensional radiotherapy with TrackBeam for moving target using a dual‐layer MLC: dynamic phantoms study
Authors: Liu Yaxi , Shi Chengyu , Lin Bryan , Ha Chul Soo , Papanikolaou Niko
Published: May 2009

Respiratory motion has been considered a clinical challenge for lung tumor treatments due to target motion. In this study, we aimed to perform an experimental evaluation based on dynamic phantoms using MLC‐based beam tracking. TrackBeam, a prototype real‐time beam tracking system, has been assembled and evaluated in our clinic. TrackBeam includes an orthogonal dual‐layer micro multileaf collimator (DmMLC), an on‐board mega‐voltage (MV) portal imaging device, and an image processing workstation. With a fiducial marker implanted in a moving target, the onboard imaging device can capture the motion. The TrackBeam workstation processes the online MV fluence and detects and predicts tumor motion. The DmMLC system then dynamically repositions each leaf to form new beam apertures based on the movement of the fiducial marker. In this study, a dynamic phantom was used for the measurements. Three delivery patterns were evaluated for dosimetric verification based on radiographic films: no‐motion lung‐tumor (NMLT), three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), and four‐dimensional tracking radiotherapy (4DTRT). The displacement between the DmMLC dynamic beam isocenter and the fiducial marker was in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. With radiographic film analysis, the planar dose histogram difference between 3DCRT and NLMT was 48.6% and 38.0% with dose difference tolerances of 10% and 20%, respectively. The planar dose histogram difference between 4DTRT and NLMT was 15.2% and 4.0%, respectively. Based on dose volume histogram analysis, 4DTRT reduces the mean dose for the surrounding tissue from 35.4 Gy to 19.5 Gy, reduces the relative volume of the total lung from 28% to 18% at V20, and reduces the amount of dose from 35.2 Gy to 15.0 Gy at D20. The experimental results show that MLC‐based real‐time beam tracking delivery provides a potential solution to respiratory motion control. Beam tracking delivers a highly conformal dose to a moving target, while sparing surrounding normal tissue.

PACS number: 87.55.de, 87.55.ne, 87.56.nk