bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of holmium laser for removal of an intraluminal ureteric suture
Authors: LAWRENTSCHUK NATHAN , ROGERSON JOHN , BOLTON DAMIEN M.
Published: October 2004

Abstract  Foreign bodies placed into the ureter are uncommon. Unintentionally placed sutures may cause obstruction and stone formation. If not recognized, the patient may become symptomatic. A diagnosis of a suture in the ureter is best made and subsequently dealt with endoscopically. We report on laser ablation of the suture as a safe technique for its removal.
Urethral condyloma acuminata following urethral instrumentation in an elderly man
Authors: SUMINO YASUHIRO , MIMATA HIROMITSU , NOMURA YOSHIO
Published: October 2004

Abstract  A 70‐year‐old man had undergone urethral dilatation with bougie for 8 months following transurethral resection of the prostate and complained papillary masses at the urethral meatus. Physical and endoscopic examination revealed multiple tumors from the urethral meatus to the bulbous urethra. These tumors were resected transurethrally and 5‐FU cream was instilled into urethra. Microscopic examination revealed urethral condyloma acuminata. Human papillomavirus types 6/11 were detected in the condylomas.

As high prevalence rate of genital human papillomavirus was reported in penile skin of healthy men, urethral instrumentation including transurethral surgery might cause dissemination of penile skin human papillomavirus into the urethral lumen.
Co‐texting, chronotope and ritual: a Bakhtinian framing of talk in therapy
Authors: Seltzer Michael , Seltzer Wencke J.
Published: October 2004

This article employs a set of concepts developed by Mikhail Bakhtin in analysing the significance of language in therapeutic work. Employing his theoretical constructs, sequences of a videotaped transcript of a therapy session are analysed by a multidisciplinary team. This is combined with the notion of co‐texted ritual in working with a woman who attempted suicide prior to this session. The findings suggest that co‐texting gives direction to the meaning of ritual as well as the outcome of the therapeutic process. Bakhtinian concepts are found to be helpful in guiding, analysing and widening therapeutic processes. The findings also indicate that there is a need for a closer examination of ritual both as a constitutive and expanding force in narrative therapy. Finally, it is suggested that current assumptions about egalitarian relationships between therapists and clients require rethinking.
Forming criteria for assessing the coherence of clients' life stories: a narrative study
Authors: Androutsopoulou Athena , Thanopoulou Kia , Economou Efi , Bafiti Tsabika
Published: October 2004

Promoting self‐narrative coherence is seen in this paper as one of the key tasks in therapy. In our narrative study, we attempted to form specific coding criteria for assessing coherence based on the intelligibility of ‘life stories’. Thirty clients (‘graduates’ and beginners) in family‐oriented group therapy took part. We conducted an informal autobiographical interview and asked clients to write a self‐description. Our qualitative analysis focused mainly on narrative form. We created a coding system of four coding criteria, ‘acknowledging/explaining contradictions’, ‘thinking in a relational manner’, ‘acknowledging/responding to the needs of the audience’, and ‘being in touch with emotions’. The latter criterion was further explored and a secondary coding system developed for the emotional assessment of narratives. Two case studies are used as exemplars. The variations as to the degree of self‐narrative incoherence are discussed. Proposals are made for using the four coding criteria as a ‘subjective’ assessment tool for monitoring therapy progress.
Supplement at the Origin: Trinity, Eschatology and History
Authors: Leithart Peter J.
Published: October 2004

Abstract:  The Christian scriptures, in contrast to many ancient and modern mythologies, present a comic eschatology, in which history moves from a garden to a glorified garden‐city. Christian faith is also unique in confessing faith in a Triune God. This article explores the systematic connections between these two confessions to raise the question, Is the Christian account of history comic because the Christian God is Triune? After establishing the uniqueness of the comic vision of history found in scripture, the article makes use of Jacques Derrida's writings on ‘origin’ and ‘supplement’ to argue that the Triune life itself has a ‘comic’ structure. There is no tragic degeneration from the Father (origin) to the Son (supplement), but perfect equality in power and glory; indeed the Son ‘glorifies’ the Father. So also in history there is no tragic degeneration from origin to supplement, but a comic progression from glory to glory, from First to Last Adam, from garden to city.
Barth's First Commentary on Romans (1919): An Exercise in Apophatic Theology?
Authors: Brazier Paul
Published: October 2004

Abstract:  Barth's first commentary on Paul's Epistle to the Romans is paradigmatic of his use of apophatic language and theology in the development away from the liberal neo‐Protestant theology of his teachers. This negation is for a purpose – the assertion of the truths of the human condition and God's solution in Christ that were posited by the apostle Paul. Methodologically this is a supplementary apophatic–cataphatic dialectic (within which is a further dialectic: Diesseits–Jenseits), comparable with the way eternity reaches into and transforms the fallen and broken human world. The evidence for negation in Römerbrief1 is examined, showing how Barth seeks to refute the domestication of God in the self‐satisfaction of our language, allowing for biblical‐Christian truth to stand.
The Resurrection of the Son of God
Authors: Williams Stephen N.
Published: October 2004

A Review Article on  N.T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God. London: SPCK, 2003, xi + 817pp. £55.00 hb., £35.00 pb.
CD14‐positive hepatic monocytes/macrophages increase in hereditary hemochromatosis
Authors: Leicester Katherine L. , Olynyk John K. , Brunt Elizabeth M. , Britton Robert S. , Bacon Bruce R.
Published: October 2004

Abstract: Background/Aims: Iron overload in hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) may result in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis, primarily due to collagen production by hepatic stellate cells that become activated to myofibroblasts. Endotoxin‐responsive monocytes/macrophages (CD14‐positive) are potential sources of profibrogenic factors. The aims of this study were to determine (1) whether CD14‐positive monocytes/macrophages are present in the livers of patients with HH and (2) the potential relationship between CD14‐positive cells and hepatic fibrosis in HH.

Methods: HH was diagnosed using standard clinical, biochemical and genotypic parameters. Liver specimens from HH patients and control subjects were immunostained for CD14, CD68 and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and the number of cells expressing these antigens was determined. Fibrosis was assessed by routine histological methods.

Results: The total number of hepatic CD68‐positive monocytes/macrophages was similar in HH patients and control subjects; however, there was a nine‐fold increase in the number of CD14‐positive monocytes/macrophages in HH patients. Control subjects had very low levels of hepatic CD14 expression. In HH livers with advanced fibrosis, CD14‐positive monocytes/macrophages were often associated with fibrous septa containing myofibroblasts expressing α‐SMA.

Conclusions: There was a substantial increase in hepatic CD14‐positive monocytes/macrophages in HH and, in livers with advanced fibrosis, these cells were often associated with fibrous septa and septal myofibroblasts. The total number of monocytes/macrophages was similar in HH and control livers. In control human liver, Kupffer cells had a very low expression of CD14. These findings suggest that CD14‐positive monocytes/macrophages may contribute to the process of hepatic fibrogenesis in HH.
Hepatopulmonary syndrome
Authors: Gaines David I. , Fallon Michael B.
Published: October 2004

Abstract: The hepatopulmonary syndrom occurs when pulmonary microvacular dilatation causes hypoxemia in cirrhosis. It is found in between 15–20% of patients with chronic liver diseases and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dyspnea or abnormal arterial oxygenation in this group. The presence of HPS appears to significantly increase mortality in affected patients with cirrhosis. The mediators of intrapulmonary vasodilatation and HPS are not fully characterized although pulmonary nitric oxide overproduction appears to be a key event in human and experimental models. Contrast echocardiography is the best screening test for pulmonary vasodilatation. Currently there are no effective medical therapies for HPS, although liver transplantation results in reversal of HPS in most cases. However, mortality is higher in patients with HPS undergoing transplantation relative to those without HPS.
Lymphocyte T helper‐specific reactivity in sustained responders to interferon and ribavirin with negativation (seroreversion) of anti‐hepatitis C virus
Authors: Marinho Rui T. , Pinto Ruth M. , Santos Maria L. , De Moura Miguel Carneiro
Published: October 2004

Abstract: Background:Seroreversion, negativation of anti‐hepatitis C virus previously positive, is sometimes found in some chronic hepatitis C‐sustained responders (SRs) to antiviral therapy.

Aims:To determine the probability of seroreversion in SR treatment with Interferon and Ribavirin, and lymphocyte T helper (CD4+) reactivity to HCV antigens.

Methods:Thirty SR were followed on average for 54.8 months. Anti‐HCV was tested by third generation test. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from venous blood and cultured to evaluate CD4+ proliferation in response to 2 μg/ml of eight HCV recombinant antigens from core, NS3, NS4, NS5 regions.

Results:Seroreversion was verified in 23% of patients (7/30), appearing at 47.5±24.0 months. The probability of anti‐HCV loss in this group was 25% at 56 months after ending therapy. In 57% (4/7), anti‐HCV returned to positive. These 7 SR patients with seroreversion also showed weaker CD4+ reactivity in 5% of tests (3/56) than the remaining 23 anti‐HCV‐positive SRs who showed stronger reactivity in 18% of tests (33/184),P=0.036.

Conclusions:One‐quarter of the SR showed seroreversion of anti‐HCV and weaker CD4+ specific HCV proliferation than those who remained anti‐HCV positive. The data suggest that complete viral eradication is a possible and achievable clinical objective.
Can inclusion of serum creatinine values improve the Child–Turcotte–Pugh score and challenge the prognostic yield of the model for end‐stage liver disease score in the short‐term prognostic assessment of cirrhotic patients?*
Authors: Giannini Edoardo , Botta Federica , Fumagalli Alessandra , Malfatti Federica , Testa Emanuela , Chiarbonello Bruno , Polegato Simone , Bellotti Michele , Milazzo Sara , Borgonovo Giacomo , Testa Roberto
Published: October 2004

Abstract: Background: The model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score is a useful tool to assess prognosis in critically ill cirrhotic patients. However, its short‐term prognostic superiority over the traditional Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) score has not been definitely confirmed. The creatinine serum level is an important predictor of survival in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Aims: To evaluate and compare the short‐term prognostic accuracy of the CTP, the creatinine‐modified CTP, and the MELD scores in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: CTP, creatinine‐modified CTP, and MELD scores were calculated in a cohort of 145 cirrhotic patients. The creatinine‐modified CTP was calculated as follows: we assessed the mean creatinine serum level and standard deviation (SD) of the 145 study patients, then assigned a score of 1 to patients with creatinine serum levels ≤ to the mean, a score of 2 to patients with creatinine levels between the mean and the mean+1 SD, and a score of 3 to patients with creatinine levels above the mean+1 SD. The creatinine‐modified CTP was then calculated by simply adding each patients' creatinine score to their traditional CTP scores. We calculated and compared the accuracy (c‐index) of the three parameters in predicting 3‐month survival.

Results: The creatinine‐modified CTP score showed better prognostic accuracy as compared with the traditional CTP (P=0.049). However, the MELD score proved to be better at defining patients' prognosis in the short‐term as compared with both the traditional CTP score (P=0.012) and the creatinine‐modified CTP (P=0.047). The excellent short‐term prognostic accuracy of the MELD score was confirmed even when patients with abnormal creatinine serum levels were excluded from the analysis (c‐index=0.935).

Conclusions: Adding creatinine values to the CTP slightly improves the prognostic usefulness of the traditional CTP score alone. The MELD score has a short‐term prognostic yield that is better than what is provided by both the CTP and CTP creatinine‐modified scores, even in cirrhotic patients who are not critically ill. The positive results obtained by using the MELD score were confirmed even after excluding patients with impaired renal function.
Halofuginone can worsen liver fibrosis in bile duct obstructed rats
Authors: Van de Casteele Marc , Roskams Tania , Van der Elst Ingrid , Van Pelt Jos F. , Fevery Johan , Nevens Frederik
Published: October 2004

Abstract: Background/aims: Halofuginone (HF) is an antifibrotic agent in rat models of liver fibrosis caused by repetitive intoxications. A beneficial effect of HF on a biliary type of liver fibrosis has not been proven yet.

Methods: Bile duct‐obstructed rats were given HF from the moment of obstruction onwards and compared with no treatment. After 3 weeks, respectively, 6 weeks, aminopyrine breath test (ABT) and haemodynamic measurements including of portal pressure were carried out. Liver pieces were taken for Sirius red quantitative scoring, as well as for semiquantitative determinations of collagen type I and III RNA levels.

Results: ABT was significantly worse in HF‐treated rats as compared with no treatment (P=0.02). Haemodynamic data and collagen type I and III determinations were not significantly different between groups. Biliary fibrosis scores were significantly higher in HF‐treated rats as compared with no treatment (P=0.03). More Sirius red staining was associated with more proliferation of bile ductules.

Conclusions: HF may worsen biliary fibrosis. This contrasts sharply with antifibrotic effects in other models of liver fibrosis. Distinctive cellular mechanisms in biliary fibrosis may explain this discrepancy. One should be cautious for chronic application of HF in man with cholestasis.
Incomplete septal cirrhosis: an enigmatic disease
Authors: Schinoni Maria I. , Andrade Zilton , De Freitas Luiz A.R. , Oliveira Rubem , Paraná Raimundo
Published: October 2004

Abstract: Incomplete septal cirrhosis is a form of macronodular cirrhosis characterized by fine and incomplete septa, which delimit rudimentary regeneration nodules. Its etiopathogeny is uncertain and is associated with various diseases such as regenerative nodular hyperplasia, idiopathic portal hypertension, and partial non‐cirrhotic nodular transformation, as well as with progression and regression of cirrhosis of any etiology. Few studies are available in the literature describing the clinical and biological characteristics of incomplete septal cirrhosis.

Goal: The objective of the present descriptive study was to study this entity in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and to compare the histopathological, biological and clinical data obtained with those reported in the specialized literature.

Materials and Methods: We reviewed eight cases of incomplete septal cirrhois of varieties etiologies. Hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and criptogenic liver disease were present in our cases. Fibrosis progression as well as cirrhosis regression could be identified in these patients.

Conclusions: We concluded that Incomplete septal cirrhosis is not a disease itself but it could be considered as a stage of progression and regression of liver fibrosis.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites
Authors: Moreau Richard , Delègue Paul , Pessione Fabienne , Hillaire Sophie , Durand François , Lebrec Didier , Valla Dominique‐Charles
Published: October 2004

Abstract: Background: In patients with cirrhosis, refractory ascites is associated with a poor prognosis and is an indication for liver transplantation. However, factors that determine prognosis remain unclear.

Aims: To investigate the predictive factors of prognosis in patients with refractory ascites.

Methods: Seventy‐five patients with refractory ascites were followed‐up for 18±13 months (mean±SD) and survival was analyzed.

Results: The 1‐year probability of survival was 52%. Univariate analyses showed that older patients, hepatocellular carcinoma and diabetes, all assessed at entry, were associated with significantly increased risk ratios of death. The risk ratio of death was significantly lower in abstinent alcoholics than in patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis. The risk ratio of death did not significantly differ between patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis and nonabstinent alcoholics. Child–Pugh score at entry had no prognostic value. Multivariate analysis showed that older age, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes and abstinence were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusions: In patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites, older age, hepatocellular carcinoma and diabetes, but not Child–Pugh score at entry, were independent predictive factors of poor survival while abstinence was an independent predictive factor of good survival. These findings should be taken into account when deciding on liver transplantation in patients with refractory ascites.
Cardiac troponin‐I and its prognostic significance in a dialysis population
Authors: Hussein Magdi , Mooij Jaap , Roujouleh Haysam , AL Shenawi Omer
Published: October 2004

Background:  The objective was to study the prevalence and specificity of elevated levels of cardiac troponin‐I (cT‐I) in patients on maintenance hemodialysis in relation to creatine kinase (CK), the CK‐MB fraction, and the ratio CK‐MB of total CK and to assess its significance for the long‐term prognosis in these patients, compared to other parameters known to influence the outcome.

Methods:  Predialysis blood samples were taken from 93 asymptomatic hemodialysis patients for cT‐I, total CK, the CK‐MB fraction, and the ratio of CK‐MB to total CK. cT‐I was measured by a microparticle enzyme immunoassay. The patients were followed for 1 year, after which baseline levels of cT‐I and age, duration of dialysis, and the presence of diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease were correlated by linear regression analysis with the outcome parameter all‐cause mortality.

Results:  None of the patients had a cT‐I level higher than the manufacturer's indicated cutoff point of 2.0 ng/mL for myocardial infarction, indicating a specificity of 100%. Nine of the 93 patients (9.7%) had detectable cT‐I levels (>0.0 ng/mL). Twelve patients died within 1 year, among which 4 had baseline cT‐I levels above 0 ng/mL. From the study variables, an elevated baseline cT‐I was found to be the only factor that significantly correlated with the outcome all‐cause mortality (p = 0.029).

Conclusions:  cT‐I has a high specificity for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction in dialysis patients. Despite the relatively low number of positive test results, cT‐I was found to be significantly correlated with the outcome all‐cause mortality at 1 year.
The opposing actions of the two parathyroid hormones, 1‐84 PTH and 7‐84 PTH: Improvement in renal bone and calcium metabolism management
Authors: Cantor Thomas L
Published: October 2004

Bone biopsy, while invasive, is the gold standard for assessing bone status. According to published bone biopsy studies, half of the end‐stage renal disease patients have adynamic bone disease. Compared to high‐bone‐turnover disease, adynamic bone disease has the higher mortality and is associated with arterial calcification. The treatment for high‐bone‐turnover disease is divergent from the treatment for adynamic bone disease. The parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay has been relied on as the routine, noninvasive diagnostic method to assess bone status. According to bone biopsy studies, the intact PTH assay has been demonstrated as ineffective at differentiating adynamic bone disease from normal and high‐bone‐turnover disease. For example, bone biopsy studies found the normal range for iPTH to be 451 to 1339 pg/mL and the range for adynamic bone disease to be 400 to 919 pg/mL. Intact PTH measures the sum of the two PTH hormones 1‐84 PTH and 7‐84 PTH. Specific 1‐84 PTH assays neglect the role of the 7‐84 PTH hormone, which is to lower bone turnover. According to independent bone biopsy studies, the 1‐84 PTH/7‐84 PTH ratio is 94% accurate in identifying adynamic bone disease and 94% accurate in assessing bone‐turnover status.
Convective renal replacement therapies for acute renal failure and end‐stage renal disease
Authors: Huang Zhongping , Li Baochun , Zhang Weiming , Gao Dayong , Kraus Michael A , Clark William R
Published: October 2004

Although hemodialysis remains the primary treatment modality for the management of patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), its clearance of relatively large‐sized uremic toxins is limited due to its primarily diffusive nature. Moreover, recent studies suggesting conventional, diffusion‐based therapies may be limited in their ability to influence outcome in ESRD patients indicate the need for alternative chronic dialysis approaches, an example of which is convective therapies. In an analogous manner, a reassessment of the dialytic management of critically ill patients with acute renal failure (ARF) has also occurred recently based on clinical evidence that high‐dose continuous hemofiltration improves survival. These recent clinical results suggest the utilization of convective therapies in both ARF and ESRD will increase in the future. This article provides a review of convective therapies, with an initial discussion of the determinants of convective solute removal. This is followed by a comprehensive overview of the manner in which hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration are applied clinically.
Ultra‐high‐pressure (UHP) marble and eclogite in the Su‐Lu UHP terrane, eastern China
Authors: KATO T. , ENAMI M. , ZHAI M.
Published: October 2004

A large mass of dolomitic marble including many eclogite blocks occurs in orthogneisses of the Rongcheng area of the Su‐Lu province, eastern China. The marble consists mainly of dolomite, calcite (formerly aragonite), graphite, forsterite, diopside, talc, tremolite and phlogopite. Aggregates of talc and calcite occur at the boundary between dolomite and diopside. Tremolite is a reaction product between talc and calcite. Eclogite blocks are rimmed by dark green amphibolite. The primary mineral assemblage in the core of eclogite is Na‐bearing garnet (up to 0.2 wt% Na2O), omphacitic pyroxene, clintonite and rutile. Secondary minerals are pargasitic/edenitic amphibole, plagioclase, sodic diopside, chlorite, zoisite and titanite. The peak metamorphic conditions, based on stability of the dolomite+forsterite+aragonite (now calcite)+graphite assemblage, under conditions where tremolite is unstable, are estimated at T =610–660 °C and P=2.5–3.5 GPa (for XCO=0.001). A reaction between dolomite and diopside to form talc under tremolite‐unstable conditions indicates a temperature decrease under ultra‐high‐pressure conditions (P >2.4 GPa, XCO<0.0013). The formation of secondary tremolite is consistent with a nearly adiabatic pressure decrease post‐dating the ultra‐high‐pressure metamorphism. The temperature decrease under ultra‐high‐pressure conditions preceding decompression may reflect the underplating of a cold slab, and the rapid decompression probably corresponds to the upwelling stage promoted by the delamination of a downwelling lithospheric root. The P–T  conditions of the amphibolitization stage are estimated at <0.9 GPa and <460 °C, and are similar to conditions recorded by the surrounding orthogneisses.
Ultra‐high‐temperature metamorphism and multistage decompressional evolution of sapphirine granulites from the Palni Hill Ranges, southern India
Authors: RAITH M. , KARMAKAR S. , BROWN M.
Published: October 2004

Sapphirine granulites from a new locality in the Palni Hill Ranges, southern India, occur in a small enclave of migmatitic, highly magnesian metapelites (mg=85–72) within massive enderbitic orthogneiss. They show a variety of multiphase reaction textures that partially overprint a coarse‐grained high‐pressure assemblage of Bt+Opx+Ky+Grt+Pl+Qtz. The sequence of reactions as deduced from the corona and symplectite assemblages, together with petrogenetic grid considerations, records a clockwiseP–Tevolution with four distinct stages. (1) Equilibration of the initial high‐Passemblage in deep overthickened crust (12 kbar/800–900 °C) was followed by a stage of near‐isobaric heating, presumably as a consequence of input of extra heat provided by the voluminous enderbitic intrusives. During heating, kyanite was converted to sillimanite, and biotite was involved in a series of vapour‐phase‐absent melting reactions, which resulted in the ultra‐high‐temperature assemblage Opx+Crd+Kfs+Spr±Sil, Grt, Qtz, Bt, coexisting with melt (equilibration atc.950–1000° C/11–10 kbar). (2) Subsequently, as a result of decompression of the order of 4 kbar at ultra‐high temperature, a sequence of symplectite assemblages (Opx+Sil+Spr/Spr+Crd→Opx+Spr+Crd→Opx+Crd→Opx+Crd+Spl/Crd+Spl) developed at the expense of garnet, orthopyroxene and sillimanite. This stage of near‐isothermal decompression implies rapid ascent of the granulites into mid‐crustal levels, possibly due to extensional collapse and erosion of the overthickened crust. (3) Development of late biotite through back‐reaction of melt with residual garnet indicates a stage of near‐isobaric cooling toc.875 °C at 7–8 kbar, i.e. relaxation of the rapidly ascended crust to the stable geotherm. (4) A second period of near‐isothermal exhumation up toc.6–5 kbar/850 °C is indicated by the partial breakdown of late biotite through volatile phase‐absent melting reactions. Available isotope data suggest that the early part of the evolutionary history (stages 1–3) is presumably coeval with the early Proterozoic metamorphism in the extended granulite terrane of the Nilgiri, Biligirirangan and Shevaroy Hills to the north, while the exhumation of the granulites from mid‐crustal levels (stage 4) occurred only during the Pan‐African thermotectonic event, which led to the accretion of the Kerala Khondalite Belt to the south.
Timing and exhumation of eclogite facies shear zones, Musgrave Block, central Australia
Authors: CAMACHO () A. , COMPSTON W. , McCULLOCH M. , McDOUGALL I.
Published: October 2004

Timing constraints on shear zones can provide an insight into the kinematic and exhumation evolution of metamorphic belts. In the Musgrave Block, central Australia, granulite facies gneisses have been affected, to varying degrees, by mylonitic deformation, some of which attained eclogite facies. The Davenport Shear Zone is a dominant strike‐slip system that formed at eclogite facies conditions (T ≈650 °C and P≈12.0 kbar). Sm–Nd mineral isochrons obtained from equilibrated high‐pressure assemblages, as well as 40Ar–39Ar data, show that the eclogite and greenschist facies high‐strain overprints were coeval, at c. 550 Ma. Mylonitic processes do not appear to have reset the U–Pb system in zircon, but may have partially disturbed it. The thermal gradient in the Musgrave Block crust at c. 550 Ma was c. 16 °C km−1 and at c. 535 Ma was c. 18 °C km−1, based on P–T  estimates of eclogite and greenschist facies shear zones, respectively. These estimates are similar to present‐day geothermal gradients in many stable continental shield areas, suggesting that the region did not undergo a significant transient perturbation of the geotherm. Therefore, in the Musgrave Block, cooling subsequent to eclogite facies metamorphism appears to have been controlled by exhumation, rather than by the removal of a heat source. Estimated exhumation rates in the range 0.2 to ≥1.5 mm year−1 are comparable with other orogenic belts, rather than cratonic areas elsewhere.
Ductile‐brittle transition in pre‐Alpine amphibolite facies mylonites during evolution from water‐present to water‐deficient conditions (Mont Mary nappe, Italian Western Alps)
Authors: PENNACCHIONI G. , CESARE B.
Published: October 2004

In the Austroalpine Mont Mary nappe (Italian Western Alps) discrete zones of mylonites–ultramylonites developed from coarse‐grained, upper amphibolite facies metapelites of pre‐Alpine age. The syn–mylonitic mineral assemblage is quartz–biotite–muscovite–plagioclase–garnet–sillimanite–ilmenite–graphite, and formed via the model hydration reaction: Grt1+Kfs+H2O=Bt2+Ilm2+Qtz+Ms± Sil .Grain‐size reduction of about three orders of magnitude was accompanied by extensive recrystallization of all minerals except sillimanite, and by compositional changes of garnet and biotite. Deformation took place at temperatures of 510–580 °C under low‐pressure conditions (0.25–0.45 GPa) and corresponds to the latest stages of pre‐Alpine metamorphic evolution. The pre‐Alpine mylonitization conditions were close to the brittle‐ductile transition, as indicated by syn–mylonitic generation of pseudotachylytes and high differential stress inferred from quartz grain‐size piezometry. The brittle‐ductile behaviour at a relatively high temperature, and the absence of annealing textures in quartz aggregates, are suggestive of water‐deficient conditions during mylonitization. These were accomplished through progressive consumption of water by syn–kinematic hydration reaction and by adsorption onto the greatly increased grain boundary area resulting from dynamic recrystallization.
Monazite–xenotime miscibility gap thermometry. I. An empirical calibration
Authors: HEINRICH W. , REHS G. , FRANZ G.
Published: October 2004

Rare earth element (REE) and yttrium concentrations of coexisting monazite and xenotime were determined from a suite of seven metapelites from the Variscan fold belt in NE Bavaria, Germany. The metapelites include a continuous prograde, mainly low‐P (3–5 kbar) metamorphic profile from greenschist (c. 400 °C) to lower granulite facies conditions (c. 700 °C). The LREE (La–Sm) are incorporated preferentially in monoclinic monazite (REO9 polyhedron), whereas the HREE plus Y are concentrated in tetragonal xenotime (REO8 polyhedron). The major element concentrations of both phases in all rocks are very similar and do not depend on metamorphic grade. Monazite consists mainly of La, Ce and Nd (La0.20–0.23, Ce0.41–0.45, Nd0.15–0.18)PO4, all other elements are below 6 mol%. Likewise, xenotime consists mainly of YPO4 with some Dy and Gd solid solutions (Y0.76–0.80, Dy0.05–0.07, Gd0.04–0.06). In contrast, the minor HREE concentrations in monazite increase strongly with increasing metamorphic grade: Y, Dy and Gd increase by a factor of 3–5 from greenschist to granulite facies rocks. Monazite crystals often show zonation with cores low in HREE and rims high in HREE that is interpreted as growth zonation attained during prograde metamorphism. Similarly, Sm and Nd in xenotimes increase by a factor of 3–4 with increasing metamorphic grade. Prograde zonation in single crystals of xenotime was not observed. The XHREE+Y in monazite and XLREE in xenotime of the seven rocks define two limbs along the strongly asymmetric miscibility gap from c. 400 °C to 700 °C. The empirical calibration of the monazite miscibility gap limb coexisting with xenotime is appropriate for geothermometry. Due to its contents of U and Th, monazite has often been used for U–Pb age determination. The combination of our empirical thermometer on prograde zoned monazite along with possible age determination of zoned single crystals may provide information about prograde branches of temperature–time paths.
Retinoic acid disintegrated desmosomes and hemidesmosomes in stratified oral keratinocytes
Authors: Hatakeyama S. , Hayashi S. , Yoshida Y. , Otsubo A. , Yoshimoto K. , Oikawa Y. , Satoh M.
Published: October 2004

Background:  Although it is known that retinoic acid (RA) regulates the cellular differentiation of skin keratinocytes, the effects of RA on the anchoring junction have not been clarified. The effects of all‐trans RA on cell–cell and cell–matrix connections of gingival epithelial (GE)1 cells in a multilayered culture were investigated.

Methods:  Ultrastructures of GE1 cells were observed and immunohistochemistry was used to detect keratin 4, keratin 13, and desmoglein expression. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect expression of desmosome and hemidesmosome‐associating adhesion molecules, keratin 13, and keratin14.

Results:  Retinoic acid caused immunohistochemical diminution of keratin 4, keratin 13, and desmoglein. Ultrastructurally, RA induced drastic loss of typical desmosomes and complete loss of hemidesmosomes. RA significantly decreased the transcript levels of keratin 13, keratin 14, desmoglein 1, and desmocollin 1 in a dose‐dependent manner. The 230‐kD bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPAG1) gene expression was also reduced by RA, whereas transcript levels of integrin α6, integrin β4, the 180‐kD bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPAG2), and laminin 5 were not affected.

Conclusion:  These results indicated that RA disintegrated not only desmosomes by depriving the cells of desmoglein 1, desmocollin 1, keratin 13, and keratin 4, but also hemidesmosomes by reducing the expression of BPAG1 and keratin 14 in basal keratinocytes.
Role of angiogenic and non‐angiogenic mechanisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma: correlation with histologic differentiation and tumor progression
Authors: Shieh Yi‐Shing , Lee Herng‐Sheng , Shiah Shine‐Gwo , Chu Yi‐Wen , Wu Cheng‐Wen , Chang Long‐Chang
Published: October 2004

Background:  Angiogenesis has been demonstrated to associate with various measures of tumor aggressiveness in many human malignancies. However, studies of tumor angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are still unclear. Recent studies indicate non‐angiogenesis mechanism (tumor‐lined vessel) may exist in certain tumors. Therefore, we investigate microvessel density (MVD) and tumor‐lined vessel in oral SCC.

Methods:  Peritumoral and intratumoral MVD were measured by immunohistochemical staining. Tumor‐lined vessels were identified by double staining. Statistical analysis of peritumoral and intratumoral MVD and presence of tumor‐lined vessels with clinicopathologic parameters was performed.

Results:  The results showed peritumoral MVD increased with disease progression and further increases of intratumoral MVD was detected by CD31 and CD34. Non‐angiogenesis, tumor‐lined vessel, presented in oral SCC and correlated significantly with tumor size, stage, and histologic differentiation.

Conclusion:  Our results suggest at the initiation of oral SCC, increasing vascularity is observed at the periphery of the tumor. As the tumor continues to grow, further increases of intratumoral vascularity and the presence of tumor‐lined vessels are associated with cancer progression.
Dental hygiene in Australia: a global perspective
Authors: Luciak‐Donsberger C , Aldenhoven S
Published: October 2004

Aim:  This article reports on the practice of dental hygiene in Australia from a global perspective. The aim is to examine how access to qualified dental hygiene care could be improved and how current professional challenges might be met.

Method:  Secondary source data were obtained from a survey questionnaire presented to members of the House of Delegates of the IFDH or by fax and e‐mail to experts involved in the national professional and educational organization of dental hygiene in non‐IFDH member countries. Responses were followed‐up by interviews, e‐mail correspondence, visits to international universities, and a review of supporting studies and reference literature.

Results:  The introduction of dental hygiene in Australia was inspired by the delivery of preventive care in Great Britain. Today dental hygiene is a paramedical profession, generally studied at institutions of higher education. Study duration is 2 (diploma and associate degree programmes) and 3 years (Bachelor of Oral Health Programs). A recent trend to combine dental therapy and dental hygiene education poses the challenge to maintain a stand‐alone degree in dental hygiene as it is practiced worldwide. Low access to qualified dental hygiene care may be a result of insufficient funding for preventive services, social and cultural lack of awareness of the benefits of preventive care, and of limitations inherent in the legal constraints preventing unsupervised dental hygiene practice. These may be a result of gender politics affecting a female dominated profession and of a perception that dental hygiene is auxiliary to dental care. Changes are expected to reflect the global trend towards a decrease in supervision and towards higher education. An example of innovative practice of public health is the involvement of dental hygienists in the educational process of aboriginal health workers in order to promote access to oral health education for indigenous populations.
Evidence‐based practice and the professionalization of dental hygiene
Authors: Cobban Sandra J
Published: October 2004

The application of knowledge is fundamental to human problem solving. In health disciplines, knowledge utilization commonly manifests through evidence‐based decision making in practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of the evidence‐based practice (EBP) movement in health professions in general, and dental hygiene in particular, and to examine its relationship to the professionalization agenda of dental hygiene in Canada. EBP means integrating practitioner expertise with the best available external evidence from research. Proponents of EBP believe that it holds promise for reducing a research–practice gap by encouraging clinicians to seek current research results. Both the Canadian and American Dental Hygienists Associations support practice based on current research evidence, yet recent studies show variation in practice. Professionalization refers to the developmental stages through which an organized occupation passes as it develops traits that characterize it as a profession. The status conferred by professionalization privileges a group to make and monitor its own decisions relative to practice. Dental hygiene's success in acquiring attributes of a profession suggests that transformation to a profession is occurring. This paper compares the assumptions and challenges of both movements, and argues the need for a principal focus on the development of a culture of evidence‐based dental hygiene practice.
Knowledge on gingivitis and oral hygiene practices among secondary school adolescents in rural and urban Morogoro, Tanzania*
Authors: Masanja IM , Mumghamba EGS
Published: October 2004

Objectives:  To assess and compare knowledge on gingivitis and oral hygiene practices among rural and urban secondary school students.

Design:  A cross‐section descriptive study involving secondary school students aged between 13 and 17 years in Morogoro rural and urban districts.

Methods:  Questionnaire was used to collect information about knowledge on causes, signs, symptoms, complications, treatment modalities and prevention of gingivitis, as well as on oral hygiene practices.

Results:  A total of 196 students participated in this study, of which 58.7% were females, and 52% were from urban schools. The responses were graded into three criteria namely ‘lack of knowledge’, ‘partial knowledge’ and ‘total or full knowledge’. There was a partial knowledge about gingivitis and full knowledge of the basic oral hygiene measures among secondary school teenagers. The difference between rural and urban residence on the level of understanding was statistically significant in relation to tooth brushing practices (P = 0.0088), necessity of using toothpaste (P = 0.0204), reasons for using toothpaste (P = 0.0057), signs and symptoms of gingivitis (P = 0.0261) and treatment of gingivitis (P = 0.0106). However, there were no statistically significant differences in distribution of study participants, understanding of tooth brushing practices, reasons for tooth brushing, causes, prevention and complications of gingivitis.

Conclusion:  Secondary school teenagers have partial knowledge about gingivitis and a good knowledge of the basic oral hygiene measures necessary to maintain proper oral health. A small difference on knowledge in specific areas was noted among rural and urban respondents.
Hopkinson bar experimental technique: A critical review
Authors: Gama Bazle A , Lopatnikov Sergey L , Gillespie John W
Published: October 2004

A critical review of three classic papers by B Hopkinson, RM Davies, and H Kolsky, and the state-of-the-art in Hopkinson bar experimental techniques is presented. The validity and applicability of the assumption made in the 1D Hopkinson bar theory are discussed. Fundamentals of the Hopkinson bar experimental procedure are outlined including bar calibration, specimen design, pulse shaping, and data analysis following the essential dispersion correction methodology. Additional data tables necessary for dispersion correction are provided to cover a wide range of Poisson’s ratio. In addition to the elastic-plastic metals, methodologies for soft and hard materials are also discussed. This paper provides the necessary information for conducting a Hopkinson bar experiment and analyzing the experimental data. This review article cites 61 references.
Stress singularities in classical elasticity–I: Removal, interpretation, and analysis
Authors: Sinclair GB
Published: October 2004

This review article has two parts, published in separate issues of this journal, which consider the stress singularities that occur in linear elastostatics. In the present Part I, after a brief review of the singularities that attend concentrated loads, attention is focused on the singularities that occur away from such loading, and primarily on 2D configurations. A number of examples of these singularities are given in the Introduction. For all of these examples, it is absolutely essential that the presence of singularities at least be recognized if the stress fields are to be used in attempts to ensure structural integrity. Given an appreciation of a stress singularity’s occurrence, there are two options open to the stress analyst if the stress analysis is to actually be used. First, to try and improve the modeling so that the singularity is removed and physically sensible stresses result. Second, to try and interpret singularities that persist in a physically meaningful way. Section 2 of the paper reviews avenues available for the removal of stress singularities. At this time, further research is needed to effect the removal of all singularities. Section 3 of the paper reviews possible interpretations of singularities. At this time, interpretations using the singularity coefficient, or stress intensity factor, would appear to be the best available. To implement an approach using stress intensity factors in a general context, two types of companion analysis are usually required: analytical asymptotics to characterize local singular fields; and numerical analysis to capture participation in global configurations. Section 4 of the paper reviews both types of analysis. At this time, methods for both are fairly well developed. Studies in the literature which actually effect asymptotic analyses of specific singular configurations will be considered in Part II of this review article. The present Part I has 182 references.
The Amino Terminus of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Nuclear Antigen 1 Contains AT Hooks That Facilitate the Replication and Partitioning of Latent EBV Genomes by Tethering Them to Cellular Chromosomes
Authors: Sears John , Ujihara Maki , Wong Samantha , Ott Christopher , Middeldorp Jaap , Aiyar Ashok
Published: October 2004

During latency, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is stably maintained as a circular plasmid that is replicated once per cell cycle and partitioned at mitosis. Both these processes require a single viral protein, EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1), which binds two clusters of cognate binding sites within the latent viral origin,
oriP
. EBNA1 is known to associate with cellular metaphase chromosomes through chromosome-binding domains within its amino terminus, an association that we have determined to be required not only for the partitioning of
oriP
plasmids but also for their replication. One of the chromosome-binding domains of EBNA1 associates with a cellular nucleolar protein, EBP2, and it has been proposed that this interaction underlies that ability of EBNA1 to bind metaphase chromosomes. Here we demonstrate that EBNA1's chromosome-binding domains are AT hooks, a DNA-binding motif found in a family of proteins that bind the scaffold-associated regions on metaphase chromosomes. Further, we demonstrate that the ability of EBNA1 to stably replicate and partition
oriP
plasmids correlates with its AT hook activity and not its association with EBP2. Finally, we examine the contributions of EBP2 toward the ability of EBNA1 to associate with metaphase chromosomes in human cells, as well as support the replication and partitioning of
oriP
plasmids in human cells. Our results indicate that it is unlikely that EBP2 directly mediates these activities of EBNA1 in human cells.
The N- and C-Terminal Domains of the NS1 Protein of Influenza B Virus Can Independently Inhibit IRF-3 and Beta Interferon Promoter Activation
Authors: Donelan Nicola R. , Dauber Bianca , Wang Xiuyan , Basler Christopher F. , Wolff Thorsten , García-Sastre Adolfo
Published: October 2004

The NS1 proteins of influenza A and B viruses (A/NS1 and B/NS1 proteins) have only ∼20% amino acid sequence identity. Nevertheless, these proteins show several functional similarities, such as their ability to bind to the same RNA targets and to inhibit the activation of protein kinase R in vitro. A critical function of the A/NS1 protein is the inhibition of synthesis of alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) during viral infection. Recently, it was also found that the B/NS1 protein inhibits IFN-α/β synthesis in virus-infected cells. We have now found that the expression of the B/NS1 protein complements the growth of an influenza A virus with A/NS1 deleted. Expression of the full-length B/NS1 protein (281 amino acids), as well as either its N-terminal RNA-binding domain (amino acids 1 to 93) or C-terminal domain (amino acids 94 to 281), in the absence of any other influenza B virus proteins resulted in the inhibition of IRF-3 nuclear translocation and IFN-β promoter activation. A mutational analysis of the truncated B/NS1(1-93) protein showed that RNA-binding activity correlated with IFN-β promoter inhibition. In addition, a recombinant influenza B virus with NS1 deleted induces higher levels of IRF-3 activation, as determined by its nuclear translocation, and of IFN-α/β synthesis than wild-type influenza B virus. Our results support the hypothesis that the NS1 protein of influenza B virus plays an important role in antagonizing the IRF-3- and IFN-induced antiviral host responses to virus infection.