bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poor Health‐Related Quality of Life of Patients with Indication for Chronic Cardiac Pacemaker Therapy
Authors: MARTIJN VAN ECK J.W. , VAN HEMEL NORBERT M. , KELDER JOHANNES. C. , VAN DEN BOS ARJAN A. , TAKS WILLIAM , GROBBEE DIEDERICK E. , MOONS KAREL G.M. ,   on behalf of the FOLLOWPACE investigators
Published: March 2008

Background:

Studies on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients awaiting pacemaker (PM) implantation are scarce, or executed in specific patient subgroups (regarding age or specific cardiac rhythm disorders). The purpose of this study was to systematically assess the HRQoL in a large unselected cohort of patients with a conventional indication for PM therapy.

Methods:

Pre‐PM implantation HRQoL (measured with the SF‐36 questionnaire, completed at hospital admission) of 818 consecutive Dutch patients included in the FOLLOWPACE study was compared with the HRQoL in a sample of the general Dutch population, and with several cohorts of patients with other conditions. Linear regression analysis was performed to analyze determinants of this HRQoL.

Results:

Almost all SF‐36 subscale scores were substantially and significantly lower in the PM patients compared to the general population, with P‐values < 0.001 in all SF‐36 subscales except for “pain” and “general health perception.” In the PM patients, presence of comorbidities, gender, and age were significantly associated with the overall physical component summary score (mean 38.8 ± 27 standard deviation) whereas the overall mental component summary score (46.8 ± 27.0) was associated with gender and age.

Conclusion:

The HRQoL of patients before first PM implantation is significantly lower than that of a general population and also various other patient populations. Physicians should be aware of this unfavorable condition and keep the time interval between the diagnosis of a cardiac rhythm disorder requiring PM implantation and the implantation procedure as short as possible.
Infraatrial Supraventricular Tachycardias: Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Management
Authors: LAU ERNEST W.
Published: March 2008

Tachycardias are traditionally classified as either ventricular tachycardia (VT) or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). VT can be defined as a tachycardia which requires only ventricular structures for perpetuation. SVT is defined in terms of exclusion of VT and hence is any tachycardia which requires participation of at least one supraventricular structure for perpetuation. Certain SVTs require only participation of the atrioventricular node (AVN) and the His bundle (HB) but not the atrial myocardium or any of the great thoracic veins for perpetuation and hence can be described as “infraatrial.” The three main mechanisms of infraatrial SVTs are: (1) intranodal atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia; (2) junctional ectopic tachycardia; and (3) nodoventricular reentrant tachycardia. The clinical significance of infraatrial SVTs is that they are compatible with any A:V ratio and even atrioventricular (AV) dissociation. Infraatrial SVTs are often suspected when a narrow complex tachycardia presents with apparent AV dissociation and a counterintuitive A:V ratio of < 1:1. However, if the same tachycardia is conducted with aberrant conduction or preexcitation, a broad complex tachycardia with an A:V ratio of < 1:1 will arise and that can be easily mistaken for VT. The possible patterns of electrical association and dissociation between different cardiac structures are examined, and how individual types of infraatrial SVT can be diagnosed and managed are reviewed.
Biventricular Device Implantation in a Patient with Congenitally Corrected Transposition and Left‐Sided Superior Vena Cava
Authors: ROGERS DOMINIC P.S. , WALKER FIONA , CHOW ANTHONY W.C. , LAMBIASE PIER D.
Published: March 2008

An increasing number of patients with congenital heart disease are surviving into adulthood and some have indications for device therapy. Complex anatomical abnormalities may hinder the operator and require the adaptation of standard implantation techniques. We present the first report of successful biventricular ICD implantation in a patient with mesocardia, congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, pulmonary atresia, and a left superior vena cava draining into the coronary sinus. This case posed challenges in lead placement due to both complex anatomy and the risk of inappropriate device therapies secondary to far‐field oversensing.
Comparing Trends in Cancer Rates Across Overlapping Regions
Authors: Li Yi , Tiwari Ram C.
Published: March 2008

Summary Monitoring and comparing trends in cancer rates across geographic regions or over different time periods have been major tasks of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program as it profiles healthcare quality as well as decides healthcare resource allocations within a spatial–temporal framework. A fundamental difficulty, however, arises when such comparisons have to be made for regions or time intervals that overlap, for example, comparing the change in trends of mortality rates in a local area (e.g., the mortality rate of breast cancer in California) with a more global level (i.e., the national mortality rate of breast cancer). In view of sparsity of available methodologies, this article develops a simple corrected Z‐test that accounts for such overlapping. The performance of the proposed test over the two‐sample “pooled”t‐test that assumes independence across comparison groups is assessed via the Pitman asymptotic relative efficiency as well as Monte Carlo simulations and applications to the SEER cancer data. The proposed test will be important for the SEER * STAT software, maintained by the NCI, for the analysis of the SEER data.
Genetic, Morphological, and Ecological Diversity of Spatially Separated Clones of Meseres corlissi Petz & Foissner, 1992 (Ciliophora, Spirotrichea)
Authors: WEISSE THOMAS , STRÜDER‐KYPKE MICHAELA C. , BERGER HELMUT , FOISSNER WILHELM
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. We investigated the intraspecific variation of the spirotrich freshwater ciliate Meseres corlissi at the level of genes (SSrDNA, ITS), morphology (14 characters), and ecophysiology (response to temperature and pH). Five of the eight clonal M. corlissi cultures isolated from five localities on four continents were studied at all levels. The null hypothesis was that geographic distance plays no role: M. corlissi lacks biogeography. The intraspecific variation was low at the genetic level (0%–4%), moderate at the morphological level (5%–15%), and high at the ecophysiological level (10%–100%). One clone, isolated from subtropical China, differed significantly at all levels from all other clones, suggesting limited dispersal and local adaptation among M. corlissi. However, other clones from distant areas, such as Australia and Austria, were genetically identical and differed only slightly in morphology and temperature response. We speculate that our findings may be typical for rare species; the chances may be equally high for both global dispersal of most and local adaptation of some populations in areas where dispersal has been permanently or temporarily reduced.
Balamuthia mandrillaris, Agent of Amebic Encephalitis: Detection of Serum Antibodies and Antigenic Similarity of Isolates by Enzyme Immunoassay
Authors: SCHUSTER FREDERICK L. , YAGI SHIGEO , WILKINS PATRICIA P. , GAVALI SHILPA , VISVESVARA GOVINDA S. , GLASER CAROL A.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. We report the development of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting antibodies to Balamuthia mandrillaris, a free‐living ameba that is an etiologic agent of granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE). As part of the California Encephalitis Project (CEP), we have tested serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from a subgroup of 130 hospitalized encephalitis patients (out of ∼430 samples) over a 16‐month period. Case criteria were based on clinical, laboratory, and occupational/recreational histories. All serum samples initially underwent screening by immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) staining with results ranging from no detectable ameba antibodies to titers of 1:256. In addition to the 130 samples tested prospectively, sera and/or CSF from 11 previously confirmed cases of balamuthiasis, six healthy individuals, and earlier CEP submissions with high IFA antibody titers were also tested retrospectively. Among the 130 samples, two cases of balamuthiasis were identified by ELISA and confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The availability of sera from human and animal cases and from varied geographic areas allowed comparisons of serologic similarities of the different Balamuthia strains and human sera. All sera, whether from human or other mammals, reacted with all strains of Balamuthia, as they did with Balamuthia amebae from different geographic areas. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay results were consistent with the IFA results. Differences between readings were likely due to cross‐reactivity between Balamuthia antigens and unidentified antibodies in serum.
Analysis of a Kink Pair Model Applied to a Peierls Mechanism in Basal and Prism Plane Slips in Sapphire (α‐Al2O3) Deformed Between 200° and 1800°C
Authors: Rodríguez Miguel Castillo , Castaing Jacques , Muñoz Antonio , Veyssière Patrick , Rodríguez Arturo Domínguez
Published: March 2008

A model based on dislocation glide controlled by the nucleation and propagation of kink pairs in a high Peierls stress crystal is revisited and modified to account for changes in dislocation densities and segment lengths with temperature and stress. It is applied to the critical‐resolved shear stress (CRSS) for basal and prism plane slip in sapphire (α‐Al2O3). According to agreed‐upon knowledge on dislocations in sapphire, basal slip and prism plane slip are modeled with undissociated and dissociated dislocations, respectively. In the latter case, partial dislocations move independently. Among a number of sets of fitting parameters, good fits between experimental and modeled CRSS's are obtained in the long segment limit over the whole range of temperatures by making use of physically sound parameters, including a stress dependence of the dislocation density.
Hafnium Reactivity with Boron and Carbon Sources Under Non‐Self‐Propagating High‐Temperature Synthesis Conditions
Authors: Blum Yigal D. , Marschall Jochen , Hui David , Adair Brian , Vestel Michael
Published: March 2008

The homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions of hafnium (Hf) with boron (B) or carbon (C) powders were studied under non‐self‐propagating high‐temperature synthesis (SHS) conditions in searching for chemically aided processes of ultra‐high‐temperature ceramics at mild and practical conditions. The threshold interactions of the Hf/B and Hf/C powder mixtures consisting of relatively large Hf particles occur at 700° and 800°C, respectively, with no observation of particle melting as previously postulated for igniting SHS reactions. A microscale melting phenomenon at the Hf surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy analysis in heterogeneous reactions between Hf metal strips and B or C powders at the temperature range of 1100°–1200°C, more than 1000°C below the incipient melting point of the metal. The non‐SHS conditions allow halting the reactions at intermediate stages for analytical purposes. Kinetic studies of the homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions, heat transfer model analyses, and their association with the investigation of microstructural phenomena were used to postulate the mechanism involved in the observed reactions.
Influence of Co‐Doping on the Sintering Path and on the Optical Properties of a Submicronic Alumina Material
Authors: Bernard‐Granger Guillaume , Guizard Christian , Addad Ahmed
Published: March 2008

Sintering in air was performed on pure and CaO/TiO2 co‐doped slip cast α‐alumina samples. The relative density/grain size relationship, referred to as sintering path, has been obtained for each composition. Fully dense samples were obtained after an additional hot isostatic pressing (HIP) step on the pure and doped materials. After grinding and polishing, the optical properties were measured on flat windows (thickness around 1 mm) in the ultraviolet, visible, close‐infrared, and mid‐infrared ranges. The influence of a tiny residual porosity on the optical properties, impossible to quantify using standard methods, has been investigated.
Particle Size Effect on the Crystal Structure of Y2O3 Particles Formed in a Flame Aerosol Process
Authors: Guo Bing , Luo Zhi‐Ping
Published: March 2008

Y2O3 is a material with wide applications. Its cubic and monoclinic polymorphs have significantly different mechanical and optical properties. The flame aerosol technique offers unique advantages in the synthesis of Y2O3 particles, but it also faces the challenge of phase control for Y2O3. One possible strategy for Y2O3 phase control is to utilize the particle size effect that causes the formation of the monoclinic phase at atmospheric pressure. In this study, the particle size effect on crystal structure was experimentally investigated for Y2O3 particles synthesized in a high‐temperature flame aerosol process. A critical particle diameter of approximately 1.5 μm was found by single‐particle electron diffraction. At the critical diameter, the probability is 50% for a particle to be either cubic or monoclinic. Particles significantly smaller than the critical diameter were all monoclinic, while those significantly larger were all cubic. The critical diameter was interpreted using an analysis that involves the free energy of a particle, which includes the bulk Gibbs free energy and the surface energy.
Fabrication of Monodispersed Barium Titanate Nanoparticles with Narrow Size Distribution
Authors: Suzuki Keigo , Kageyama Keisuke , Takagi Hiroshi , Sakabe Yukio , Takeuchi Kazuo
Published: March 2008

Pulsed laser ablation (PLA) was used to prepare nanoparticles of barium titanate (BaTiO3). PLA using a titanium‐rich Ba–Ti–O ceramic target in oxygen ambience at 400 Pa and following online annealing at 1073 K enabled the production of BaTiO3 nanoparticles (BTNPs) with a perovskite structure having nearly stoichiometric composition. These nanoparticles were directly introduced into a differential mobility analyzer for size classification, leading to the production of monodispersed and nonagglomerated BTNPs with an average particle size of 13.5 nm. The size distribution of the size‐classified BTNPs was found to be reasonably narrow with a geometric standard deviation of 1.07.
Transparent Hafnia‐Containing β‐Quartz Glass Ceramics: Nucleation and Crystallization Behavior
Authors: Wondraczek Lothar , Pradeau Philippe
Published: March 2008

Heterogeneous nucleation and crystallization of lithium alumosilicate glasses with hafnia‐containing nucleation agents was explored. Kinetic, thermodynamic, and structural data were considered to assess nucleation efficiency and to characterize the crystallization process. It is shown how lattice parameters and, particularly, anisotropy of the nuclei phase depend on the amount of ZrO2–HfO2 substitution in a specific base glass. For a given crystallization treatment, the size of the derived crystallites of β‐quartz structure is used as a measure of nucleation rates. A nonlinear dependence of nucleation efficiency on HfO2 content was established, with the supposedly most efficient nucleation corresponding to the lowest degree of anisotropy of the nuclei crystallites, i.e., when about 20%–30% of ZrO2 was substituted by HfO2. Apparent activation energies and estimates of the Avrami coefficient were determined from nonisothermal crystallization experiments for selected compositions to highlight the differences between hafnia and zirconia. Hafnia can be used alone or in combination with other agents to nucleate nanocrystalline glass ceramics with a low coefficient of thermal expansion.
Methamphetamine‐related Emergency Department Utilization and Cost
Authors: Hendrickson Robert G. , Cloutier Robert , John McConnell K.
Published: March 2008

Objective:  To quantify the frequency, cost, and characteristics associated with emergency department (ED) visits that are related to methamphetamine use.

Methods:  This was a prospective observational study. The authors performed a training program for ED clinicians on the acute and chronic effects of methamphetamine and the signs of methamphetamine abuse. A standardized two question survey was administered to clinicians concerning the relationship between the ED visit and the patient’s methamphetamine use. The survey was embedded in the patient tracking system and was required for all ED patients before disposition. Survey results were merged with administrative data on demographics, diagnosis, disposition, and charges. Univariate analyses were used to determine patient characteristics associated with methamphetamine‐related ED visits.

Results:  The authors examined 15,038 ED visits over a 20‐week period from February 2006 to June 2006. There were a total of 353 methamphetamine‐related visits, for an average of 17.65 visits per week (2.4% of all visits). Hospital charges for methamphetamine‐related ED visits averaged $133,181 per week, for an estimated total of $6.9 M in annual charges. Methamphetamine‐related ED patients were more likely to be male (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30 to 2.01), white (OR 1.8, 95% CI = 1.38 to 2.29), and uninsured (OR 3.2, 95% CI = 2.21 to 4.69). The top four medical conditions associated with methamphetamine‐related visits were mental health (18.7%), trauma (18.4%), skin infections (11.1%), and dental diagnoses (9.6%).

Conclusions:  Methamphetamine abuse accounts for a modest but substantial proportion of ED utilization and hospital cost. Methamphetamine‐related ED visits are most commonly related to mental illness, trauma, skin, and dental‐related problems.
Ultrasonographic Investigation of the Effect of Inguinal Compression on the Cross‐sectional Area of the Femoral Vein
Authors: Kim Jin‐Tae , Lee Nan‐Ju , Na Hyo‐Seok , Jeon Yunseok , Kim Hee‐Soo , Kim Chong‐Sung , Kim Seong‐Deok
Published: March 2008

Objectives:  The reverse Trendelenburg position increases the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the femoral vein, making it easier to cannulate, although this position is potentially harmful in hypovolemic patients. The authors hypothesized that compression above the femoral vein increases the CSA of the femoral vein during emergency cannulation.

Methods:  Ultrasound was used to measure the CSA of the femoral vein of 20 healthy volunteers. The following five measurements were made inferior to the inguinal crease: 1) in the horizontal supine position (control), 2) with inguinal compression 2 cm above the inguinal crease (at the point of arterial pulsation and its medial side), 3) in the Trendelenburg position 15°, 4) in the Trendelenburg position 15° plus inguinal compression, and 5) in the reverse Trendelenburg position 15°.

Results:  Femoral vein CSA was increased by 35% by inguinal compression in the horizontal supine position (p < 0.001) and was decreased by the Trendelenburg position (p < 0.001). However, inguinal compression increased the CSA by 66% in the Trendelenburg position (p < 0.001). The reverse Trendelenburg position also increased the CSA of the femoral vein by 50% (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Inguinal compression presents an alternative method for increasing the CSA of the femoral vein for venous catheterization in normal patients.
Safety and Clinical Effectiveness of Midazolam versus Propofol for Procedural Sedation in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hohl Corinne Michèle , Sadatsafavi Mohsen , Nosyk Bohdan , Anis Aslam Hayat
Published: March 2008

Objectives:  To synthesize the evidence comparing the adverse event (AE) profile and clinical effectiveness of midazolam and propofol for procedural sedation (PS) in adults in the emergency care setting.

Methods:  The authors conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies reporting the use of either midazolam and/or propofol for adult PS in the emergency department (ED). A systematic search strategy was developed and applied to six bibliographic reference databases. Three emergency medicine journals, the Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Newsletter, and conference proceedings were hand‐searched. Retrieved articles were reviewed and data were abstracted using standardized data collection. Trial quality was assessed using the Jadad score. The outcomes assessed were the proportion of patients with AEs and the pooled mean difference in the proportion of patients with successful PS.

Results:  Of 229 articles identified, 28 met the inclusion criteria for the analysis of AEs. Only one major AE to PS was found, resulting in no statistically significant difference in the proportion of major AEs between agents. Four studies were RCTs that met the inclusion criteria for the analysis of clinical effectiveness. Two trials met criteria for good quality. The RCTs enrolled between 32 and 86 patients, and the most common indications for PS were orthopedic reductions and cardioversions. There was a nonsignificant difference in the proportion of patients with successful PS in favor of propofol (effect difference 2.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = –6.5 to 15.2).

Conclusions:  The authors found no significant difference in the safety profile and the proportion of successful PS between midazolam and propofol for adults in the ED.
A Cost‐effectiveness Analysis of Propofol versus Midazolam for Procedural Sedation in the Emergency Department
Authors: Hohl Corinne Michèle , Nosyk Bohdan , Sadatsafavi Mohsen , Anis Aslam Hayat
Published: March 2008

Objectives:  To determine the incremental cost‐effectiveness of using propofol versus midazolam for procedural sedation (PS) in adults in the emergency department (ED).

Methods:  The authors conducted a cost‐effectiveness analysis from the perspective of the health care provider. The primary outcome was the incremental cost (or savings) to achieve one additional successful sedation with propofol compared to midazolam. A decision model was developed in which the clinical effectiveness and cost of a PS strategy using either agent was estimated. The authors derived estimates of clinical effectiveness and risk of adverse events (AEs) from a systematic review. The cost of each clinical outcome was determined by incorporating the baseline cost of the ED visit, the cost of the drug, the cost of labor of physicians and nurses, the cost and probability of an AE, and the cost and probability of a PS failure. A standard meta‐analytic technique was used to calculate the weighted mean difference in recovery times and obtain mean drug doses from patient‐level data from a randomized controlled trial. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the uncertainty around the estimated incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio using Monte Carlo simulation.

Results:  Choosing a sedation strategy with propofol resulted in average savings of $17.33 (95% confidence interval [CI] = $24.13 to $10.44) per sedation performed. This resulted in an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of –$597.03 (95% credibility interval –$6,434.03 to $6,113.57) indicating savings of $597.03 per additional successful sedation performed with propofol. This result was driven by shorter recovery times and was robust to all sensitivity analyses performed.

Conclusions:  These results indicate that using propofol for PS in the ED is a cost‐saving strategy.
Clinicopathologic Conference: A 28‐year‐old Woman with Perioral Cyanosis and Low Oxygen Saturation
Authors: Sankoff Jeffrey , Louie Andrew D.
Published: March 2008

The authors present a case of a 28‐year‐old woman on trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for 9 months, who presented to the emergency department with weakness, shortness of breath, and cyanosis. The patient’s clinical course is outlined. A discussion of the potential etiologies, as well as the clinical management, is provided.
Adjunctive Atropine Is Unnecessary during Ketamine Sedation in Children
Authors: Brown Lance , Christian‐Kopp Sarah , Sherwin Thomas S. , Khan Aqeel , Barcega Besh , Denmark T. Kent , Moynihan James A. , Kim Grace J. , Stewart Gail , Green Steven M.
Published: March 2008

Background:  The prophylactic coadministration of atropine or other anticholinergics during dissociative sedation has historically been considered mandatory to mitigate ketamine‐associated hypersalivation. Emergency physicians (EPs) are known to omit this adjunct, so a prospective study to describe the safety profile of this practice was initiated.

Objectives:  To quantify the magnitude of excessive salivation, describe interventions for hypersalivation, and describe any associated airway complications.

Methods:  In this prospective observational study of emergency department (ED) pediatric patients receiving dissociative sedation, treating physicians rated excessive salivation on a 100‐mm visual analog scale and recorded the frequency and nature of airway complications and interventions for hypersalivation.

Results:  Of 1,090 ketamine sedations during the 3‐year study period, 947 (86.9%) were performed without adjunctive atropine. Treating physicians assigned the majority (92%) of these subjects salivation visual analog scale ratings of 0 mm, i.e., “none,” and only 1.3% of ratings were ≥ 50 mm. Transient airway complications occurred in 3.2%, with just one (brief desaturation) felt related to hypersalivation (incidence 0.11%, 95% confidence interval = 0.003% to 0.59%). Interventions for hypersalivation (most commonly suctioning) occurred in 4.2%, with no occurrences of assisted ventilation or intubation.

Conclusions:  When adjunctive atropine is omitted during ketamine sedation in children, excessive salivation is uncommon, and associated airway complications are rare. Anticholinergic prophylaxis is not routinely necessary in this setting.
Trends in Charges and Payments for Nonhospitalized Emergency Department Pediatric Visits, 1996–2003
Authors: Hsia Renee Y. , MacIsaac Donna , Palm Erin , Baker Laurence C.
Published: March 2008

Objectives:  To compare charges and payments for outpatient pediatric emergency visits across payer groups to provide information on reimbursement trends.

Methods:  Total charges and payments for emergency department (ED) visits Medicaid/State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), privately insured, and uninsured pediatric patients from 1996 to 2003 using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Average charges per visit and average payments per visit were also tracked, using regression analysis to adjust for changes in patient characteristics.

Results:  While charges for pediatric ED visits rose over time, payments did not keep pace. This led to a decrease in reimbursement rates from 63% in 1996 to 48% in 2003. For all years, Medicaid/SCHIP visits had the lowest reimbursement rates, reaching 35% in 2003. The proportion of visits from children insured by Medicaid/SCHIP also increased over the period examined. In 2003, after adjustment, charges were $792 per visit from children covered by Medicaid/SCHIP, $913 for visits from uninsured children, and $952 for visits from privately insured children.

Conclusions:  Reimbursements for outpatient ED visits in the pediatric population have decreased from the period of 1996 to 2003 in all payer groups: public (Medicaid/SCHIP), private, and the uninsured. Medicaid/SCHIP has consistently paid less per visit than the privately insured and the uninsured. Further research on the effects of these declining reimbursements on the financial viability of ED services for children is warranted.
Sinus floor augmentation with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor‐5 (rhGDF‐5): a histological and histomorphometric study in the Goettingen miniature pig
Authors: Gruber Rudolf M. , Ludwig Arwed , Merten Hans‐Albert , Achilles Mirjam , Poehling Sylke , Schliephake Henning
Published: March 2008

Aim: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that recombinant human growth and differentiation factor‐5 (rhGDF‐5) enhances bone formation in sinus floor augmentations in miniature pigs.

Material and methods: The maxillary sinus floors in 12 adult female Goettingen minipigs were augmented with β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) on one side. The contralateral test side was augmented using two concentrations of rhGDF‐5 (400 μg rhGDF‐5/g β‐TCP; 800 μg rhGDF‐5/g β‐TCP) delivered on β‐TCP (six animals each). One dental implant was inserted into each sinus floor augmentation. After 4 and 12 weeks, histological and histomorphometric assessment of non‐decalcified histological specimens was performed.

Results: The results showed significantly higher mean values of volume density (VD) of newly formed bone using the concentration of 400 μg/g β‐TCP (22.8%) compared with the respective control (8%) after 4 weeks (P=0.05).

The bone‐to‐implant contact rates were also significantly enhanced after 4 weeks between test sites (400 μg: 41.9%; 800 μg: 40.6%) and control sites (400 μg: 7.8%; 800 μg: 16.4%) (400 μg: P=0.024; 800 μg: P=0.048).

Conclusion: It is concluded that rhGDF‐5 delivered on β‐TCP significantly enhanced early bone formation compared with β‐TCP alone in sinus lift procedures in miniature pigs.
Soft tissue dehiscence coverage around endosseous implants: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Burkhardt R. , Joss A. , Lang N. P.
Published: March 2008

Aim: To evaluate the healing outcome of soft tissue dehiscence coverage at implant sites.

Material and methods: Ten patients with one mucosal recession defect at an implant site and a contralateral unrestored clinical crown without recession were recruited. The soft tissue recessions were surgically covered using a coronally advanced flap in combination with a free connective tissue graft. Healing was studied at 1, 3 and 6 months post‐operatively.

Results: Soft tissue dehiscences were covered with a coronal overcompensation of the flap margin up to 1.2 mm after the procedure. After 1 month, the coverage shrank to a mean of 75%, after 3 months to 70% and after 6 months to 66%.

Conclusions: The implant sites revealed a substantial, clinically significant improvement following coronal mucosal displacement in combination with connective tissue grafting, but in none of the sites, a could complete implant soft tissue dehiscence coverage be achieved.
Resonance frequency analysis of stability on ITI implants with osteotome sinus floor elevation technique without grafting: a 5‐month prospective study
Authors: Lai Hong‐Chang , Zhang Zhi‐Yong , Wang Feng , Zhuang Long‐Fei , Liu Xin
Published: March 2008

Objective: The aim of the present study was to (1) monitor the stability changes of ITI implants placed in atrophic posterior maxillary ridges with osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) without grafting during the first 5 months of healing utilizing resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and (2) determine the factors that affect the implant stability quotient (ISQ) at placement and healings.

Material and methods: Forty‐two ITI implants were placed in the posterior maxilla in 32 patients with OSFE without bone grafting. The residual vertical bone height ranged from 4 to 8 mm (average 6.36 mm). Bone type was classified into one to four groups according to the Lekholm and Zarb index. ISQ was tested on the day of surgery and consecutively at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks by RFA.

Results: The 40 osseointegrated implants represented a survival rate of 95.2%. All the 40 implants achieved good primary stability and reached a comparably high stability at 16 weeks postoperation with a dip between 2 and 6 weeks in the stability curve. There was no significant difference of ISQ between type3 and type4 bone at implant placement and follow‐up. The mean ISQ and its changing pattern did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference according to the pretreatment vertical bone height and implant length.

Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that uneventful osseointegration may be predictable applying OSFE alone with no grafting in atrophic posterior maxilla. Residual bone height (RBH), implant length, and bone type did not seem to affect the implant stability in this clinical situation.
Effect of periodontal treatment on IL‐1β, IL‐1ra, and IL‐10 levels in gingival crevicular fluid in patients with aggressive periodontitis
Authors: Toker Hulya , Poyraz Omer , Eren Kaya
Published: March 2008

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of phase I periodontal treatment on the levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐1ra, and IL‐10 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (G‐AgP).

Material and Methods: Data were obtained from 15 patients with aggressive periodontitis and 15 healthy controls. GCF was collected from at least four pre‐selected sites (one shallow, at least two moderate, or at least one deep pockets) in patients with G‐AgP. In the healthy group, GCF samples were collected from one site. The cytokine levels were determined by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Probing depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival and plaque indices, and bleeding on probing were measured. The GCF sampling and clinical measurements were recorded at baseline and 6 weeks later after periodontal treatment.

Results: IL‐1β levels were significantly higher at the moderate and deep pocket sites compared with the shallow sites (p<0.05). After periodontal therapy, IL‐1β levels were significantly reduced in the moderate and deep pocket sites (p<0.05). IL‐1ra levels at baseline of the moderate and deep pocket sites were significantly lower than the control sites (p<0.05). IL‐10 levels were similar in all pockets and did not change after periodontal therapy.

Conclusions: The periodontal treatment improves the clinical parameters in G‐AgP, and this improvement is evident in deep pocket sites for pocket depth and CAL values. These results confirm that IL‐1β is effective for evaluating the periodontal inflammation and can thus be used as a laboratory tool for assessing the activity of periodontal disease.
Oral status and its association with obesity in Southern Brazilian older people
Authors: Hilgert Juliana Balbinot , Hugo Fernando Neves , Sousa Maria da Luz Rosário de , Bozzetti Mary Clarisse
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  The loss of a functional dentition imposes eating difficulties and food avoidance, which may be detrimental in terms of nutritional status and health. The objective of this study was to investigate whether tooth loss and edentulism that were not rehabilitated with dental prostheses were associated with obesity among elderly in Southern Brazil.

Materials and methods:  A random sample of 872 independently living elderly was evaluated by means of a cross‐sectional study. Socio‐demographic, medical history and behaviour data were assessed using a standardised questionnaire. Two trained dentists assessed the number of teeth and use of prostheses in accordance with the WHO criteria. Height and weight were assessed and used to generate body mass index (BMI = weight (kilos)/height (cm)2) data. Participants were categorised into non‐obese (BMI ≤ 30) or obese (BMI > 30). Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the relationship between number of teeth and use of dental prostheses with obesity adjusting for confounders.

Results:  Multivariate logistic regression revealed that edentulous persons wearing only upper dentures (OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.18–4.27) and dentate participants with one to eight teeth wearing 0‐to‐1 prosthesis (OR = 2.96, 95% CI 1.68–5.19) were more likely to be obese.

Conclusion:  The results show that a poorer oral status, represented by having fewer teeth that were not replaced by dental prostheses, was associated with obesity in Southern Brazil older people, suggesting a close relationship between poor oral status and systemic conditions that may have important clinical implications.
Food Habits and Livestock Depredation of Sympatric Jaguars and Pumas in the Iguaçu National Park Area, South Brazil
Authors: De Azevedo Fernando Cesar Cascelli
Published: March 2008

Understanding coexistence between sympatric felines with similar body sizes, such as jaguarsPanthera oncaand pumasPuma concolor, requires knowledge of the way these predators consume and partition food resources. Yet the importance of livestock predation on jaguar and puma coexistence is poorly known. I investigated food habits and patterns of livestock depredation of jaguar and pumas in the Iguaçu National Park (INP) in southern Brazil. From 1997 to 2001, I collected scats opportunistically on trails and roads in INP and visited ranches on the border of INP. I found that jaguars relied mostly on large and medium‐sized wild prey species, while pumas concentrated on medium‐sized prey species. Livestock was the fifth most frequent prey found in jaguar scats but the most important one in terms of biomass consumed. Jaguar and puma diets differed significantly when all prey items were compared and also when livestock was excluded from the jaguar diet. Jaguar predation on livestock was considerably higher than predation by pumas. However, predation was not substantial relative to availability of livestock, and cattle likely constitute an alternative source of prey for jaguars. Degree of diet overlap between jaguar and puma in INP suggests that coexistence was likely driven by exploitative competition through some degree of food partitioning. My results highlight the importance of more actions toward increasing numbers of large ungulates to preserve the population of jaguars in INP.
Multivalent Drug Design and Inhibition of Cholera Toxin by Specific and Transient Protein–Ligand Interactions
Authors: Liu Jiyun , Begley Darren , Mitchell Daniel D. , Verlinde Christophe L. M. J. , Varani Gabriele , Fan Erkang
Published: March 2008

Multivalent inhibitors of the cholera toxin B pentamer are potential therapeutic drugs for treating cholera and serve as models for demonstrating multivalent ligand effects through a structure‐based approach. A crucial yet often overlooked aspect of multivalent drug design is the length, rigidity and chemical composition of the linker used to connect multiple binding moieties. To specifically study the role of chemical linkers in multivalent ligand design, we have synthesized a series of compounds with one and two binding motifs connected by several different linkers. These compounds have affinity for and potency against the cholera toxin B pentamer despite the fact that none can simultaneously bind two toxin receptor sites. Results from saturation transfer difference NMR reveal transient, non‐specific interactions between the cholera toxin and linker groups contribute significantly to overall binding affinity of monovalent compounds. However, the same random protein–ligand interactions do not appear to affect binding of bivalent molecules. Moreover, the binding affinities and potencies of these ‘non‐spanning’ bivalent ligands appear to be wholly independent of linker length. Our detailed analysis identifies multiple effects that account for the improved inhibitory potencies of bivalent ligands and suggest approaches to further improve the activity of this class of compounds.
Exploring QSARs for Binding Affinity of Azoles with CYP2B and CYP3A Enzymes Using GFA and G/PLS Techniques
Authors: Roy Kunal , Roy Partha Pratim
Published: March 2008

Eighteen azole compounds, including some commercial fungicides, reported by Daisuke Itokawaet al.have been subjected to quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) analysis for their binding affinity with cytochrome enzymes CYP3A and CYP2B. The analyses were performed using electronic (Charge, FCharge, Apol, Dipole, HOMO, LUMO, and Sr), spatial (Radius of gyration, Jurs descriptors, Shadow indices, Area, PMI‐mag, Density, Vm), different topological parameters (E‐state index, kappa shape index, molecular connectivity index, subgraph cont, information content indices), and thermodynamic (Alog P, Alog P98, Molref) descriptors calculated usingcerius2 version 10 software. Genetic function approximation and genetic partial least squares were used as chemometric tools for modeling. The derived binding affinity models are of high statistical quality (leave‐one‐outQ2ranging from 0.946 to 0.977). The selectivity models also satisfy the statistical significance (Q2ranging from 0.680 to 0.761). The models indicate that the binding affinity of these compounds is related to topological, steric, electronic, and spatial properties of the molecules. The spline‐based genetic models indicate optimum range of different parameters. The models have also been validated by leave‐25%‐out cross‐ validation.
Intraventricular tension pneumocephalus and cervical subarachnoid pneumorrhachis in a bull mastiff dog after craniotomy
Authors: Cavanaugh R. P. , Aiken S. W. , Schatzberg S. J.
Published: March 2008

An eight‐year‐old bull mastiff dog underwent a craniotomy for surgical excision of an olfactory lobe meningioma. Rapidly progressive neurological deficits with cervical pain developed within the early postoperative period. Intraventricular and cervical subarachnoid space air accumulation (pneumorrhachis) was identified through magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Repair of a dural defect using synthetic dura substitute resulted in gradual resolution of neurological signs attributable to the tension pneumocephalus and subarachnoid space pneumorrhachis. Regrowth of the meningioma was not observed. Postoperative intraventricular tension pneumocephalus and air accumulation within subarachnoid space are uncommon but life‐threatening complications of intracranial surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment can result in a satisfactory outcome.
Traumatic partial elbow luxation in a dog
Authors: Bongartz A. , Carofiglio F. , Piaia T. , Balligand M.
Published: March 2008

Traumatic partial elbow luxation (unilateral medial humeroulnar) was diagnosed in a 2·5‐year‐old crossbreed dog. Previous reports of traumatic elbow luxation in the dog described lateral and less frequently medial humeroradioulnar luxations. The treatment consisted of closed reduction of the affected joint under general anaesthesia. The functional outcome was excellent.
Bilateral hindlimb adactyly in an adult cat
Authors: Barrand K. R. , Cornillie P. K. L. N.
Published: March 2008

Adactyly (terminal transverse hemimelia) is a rare condition in the cat. The clinical and radiographic findings in a one‐year‐old cat with bilateral hindlimb adactyly are described. The cat was treated conservatively and appeared to cope well with its deformity.
Sublingual salivary gland sialolithiasis in a dog
Authors: Ryan T. , Welsh E. , McGorum I. , Yool D.
Published: March 2008

A case of sialolithiasis of the sublingual/mandibular salivary gland and duct complex in a dog was reported. Sialoadenectomy of the ipsilateral glands successfully treated the associated sialocele.
MicroRNAs: Biogenesis and Molecular Functions
Authors: Liu Xuhang , Fortin Kristine , Mourelatos Zissimos
Published: March 2008

Small regulatory RNAs are essential and ubiquitous riboregulators that are the key mediators of RNA interference (RNAi). They include microRNAs (miRNAs) and short‐interfering RNAs (siRNAs), classes of ∼22 nucleotide RNAs. miRNAs and siRNAs bind to Argonaute proteins and form effector complexes that regulate gene expression; in animals, this regulation occurs primarily at the post‐transcriptional level. In this review, we will discuss our current understanding of how miRNA and siRNAs are generated and how they function to silence gene expression, focusing on animal and, in particular, mammalian miRNAs.
Emotional and Physiological Responses to Social‐Evaluative Threat
Authors: Dickerson Sally S.
Published: March 2008

Social‐evaluative threat has been theorized to elicit coordinated psychological and physiological responses, including increases in self‐conscious emotions as well as increases in cortisol and proinflammatory cytokine activity. Acute laboratory stressors with social‐evaluative threat have triggered robust increases in cortisol, whereas equivalent laboratory stressors without this explicit social‐evaluative component have not elicited changes in this physiological parameter. Participants who have reported the greatest increases in self‐conscious emotions have also shown the greatest increases in cortisol activity, suggesting that these physiological changes may occur in concert with self‐conscious states. Other work has shown that social‐evaluative threat and accompanying self‐conscious emotions can influence immune parameters associated with inflammation. These findings have implications for a number of areas of research within social and personality psychology.
The Influence of Children on Their Parents’ Values
Authors: Knafo Ariel , Galansky Neta
Published: March 2008

Many parents report that their values are influenced by their children. However, few studies provide direct evidence regarding child–parent value transmission. We review this evidence and propose five main processes of child influence: (i) Passive child influences, causing change in parental values by the mere presence or development of children; (ii) Active child influences, due to children directly attempting to influence their parents’ opinions or providing parents with relevant information; (iii) Differentiation, the emergence of a distinction between parents’ own personal values and their socialization values; (iv) Reciprocal influences; in which parents’ and children’ influences are intertwined; and (v) Counter‐influences, in which parental values change in a direction opposite to that of children's values. A study on child influence illustrates some of these processes. The roles of migration, aging, and parent and child characteristics in child‐to‐parent influences are discussed.
Action Research: A Missing Component in the Emergence of Social and Cross‐Cultural Psychology as a Fully Inter‐Connected Global Enterprise
Authors: Liu James H. , Ng Sik‐hung , Gastardo‐Conaco Ma. Cecilia , Wong Dennis S. W.
Published: March 2008

Action research, as envisaged by Lewin, uses research to solve a social problem and provide theoretical knowledge. It involves a cyclical–spiral of planning, action, and evaluation with feedback between parties, taking into account power and value differences and empowering change agents. This has been all but abandoned by social psychologists today. Contemporary ‘participatory’ action research has migrated to fields like education and development and community studies that emphasize a social constructionist epistemology with a qualitative approach of recording bottom‐up processes of social change and community self‐awareness. The globalization of psychology affords new opportunities for a return to more top‐down Lewinian traditions, where academics in the developing world – embedded within a cultural milieu of interconnectedness and relatively exempt from pressures to publish or perish – can work together with academics in wealthy countries to produce a process oriented psychology that is capable of making a difference under conditions of climate change and the end of cheap oil. Asian social psychology, where strongly indigenous psychologies have taken root in growing economies, may take a leading role in this movement.