bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Definite multiple sclerosis and uveitis: a two cases report
Authors: Chebel S. , Boughammoura A. , Hizem Y. , Frih‐Ayed H.
Published: August 2005

Uveitis has infrequently been described as a manifestation of ocular inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Two patients with pre‐existing definite MS and uveitis were described. The first patient had features of intermediate uveitis, and the second case had a features of retinal periphlebitis. However, each patient had neurologic signs consistent with MS and a negative laboratory tests for inflammatory and infectious diseases. The presence of neurological involvement with uveitis need a sequential diagnostic search.
The effects of isotonic and isokinetic muscle stretch on the excitability of the spinal alpha motor neurones in patients with muscle spasticity
Authors: Bakheit A. M. O. , Maynard V. , Shaw S.
Published: August 2005

To examine the effect of isotonic (with and without weight bearing) and isokinetic muscle stretch on the excitability of the spinal alpha motor neurones (αMN) in patients with spasticity and to establish whether this effect is maintained for at least 24 h after the intervention. A single 20‐min session of isotonic muscle stretch (with or without weight bearing) or isokinetic stretch was delivered to the ankle plantar flexors in patients with post‐stroke lower limb spasticity and healthy control subjects. The effect of these types of muscle stretch on the excitability of αMN was assessed by measuring the latency of the Hoffmann reflex (H‐reflex) and the ratio of the amplitude of the maximum H‐reflex (Hmax) to that of the maximum action motor potential of the soleus muscle (Mmax). Sixty‐six hemiplegic stroke patients and 21 healthy control subjects were recruited and completed the trial. The Hmax:Mmax ratio was significantly higher in patients with spasticity than in healthy control subjects. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the H‐reflex latency or the change in Hmax:Mmax ratio between the baseline values and those recorded immediately after the therapy intervention or 24 h later for each type of muscle stretch. Similarly, there were no significant differences in these variables between the interventions. In the present study neither isotonic muscle stretch (with or without weight bearing) or isokinetic stretch had a statistically significant effect on the excitability of the αMN in patients with muscle spasticity. This suggests that the previously reported reduction in spasticity after muscle stretch is because of mechanisms other than the direct effect on αMN. However, the lack of a demonstrable benefit of treatment may be due the fact that we examined the effects of a single, rather than repeated treatment cycles.
Stroke and pulmonary thromboembolism after a long flight
Authors: Belvís R. , Masjuan J. , García‐Barragán N. , Cocho D. , Martí‐Fàbregas J. , Santamaría A. , Leta R. G. , Martínez‐Castrillo J. C. , Fernández‐Ruiz L. C. , Gilo F. , Martí‐Vilalta J. L.
Published: August 2005

In the economy class syndrome (ECS) the patient presents a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) with or without pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) during or after a long trip as a result of prolonged immobilization. Economy class stroke syndrome is an infrequent ECS variant in which ischemic stroke is associated with a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Few cases have been published in the literature to date. We present a patient who suffered a PTE and an ischemic stroke immediately after a transoceanic flight. A 36‐year‐old woman with no significant medical or familial history flew economy class from Lima, Peru, to Madrid, Spain. On disembarkation she presented sudden dyspnea and a depressed level of consciousness, global aphasia, and right hemiparesis. A pulmonary scintigraphy showed a PTE and a cranial MRI revealed an ischemic infarct in the left middle cerebral artery territory. We simultaneously performed a transesophageal echocardiography and a transcranial Doppler and observed a massive right‐to‐left shunt through a PFO. The patient was a heterozygous carrier of the C46T mutation of coagulation factor XII. The appearance of a stroke following a long trip is suggestive of paradoxical embolism through a PFO, mainly if it is associated with a DVT and/or a PTE. The cause of the initial event, the DVT, could be a prothrombotic state.
Increasing the daily water intake for the prophylactic treatment of headache: a pilot trial*
Authors: Spigt M. G. , Kuijper E. C. , van Schayck C. P. , Troost J. , Knipschild P. G. , Linssen V. M. , Knottnerus J. A.
Published: August 2005

Dehydration is commonly believed to result in headache, but the effectiveness of increasing the water intake in patients who frequently suffer from headaches has not been studied thus far. In a pilot study, we examined the possible effects and feasibility of increased water intake in headache patients. Eighteen headache patients (all had migraine, two also had tension‐type headache) were randomly allocated to placebo medication, or the advice to additionally drink 1.5 l of water per day, for a period of 12 weeks. Effect measurements consisted of a 2 weeks headache diary and the Migraine Specific Quality of Life (MSQOL) questionnaire. The advice to increase the daily fluid intake by 1.5 l increased the fluid intake in the intervention group by approximately 1 l. This reduced the total hours of headache in 2 weeks by 21 h (95% CI: −48 to 5). Mean headache intensity decreased by 13 mm (95% CI: −32 to 5) on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The effects on MSQOL, number of headache episodes, and medication seemed to be small. The data of the present study suggest a reduction in the total number of hours and intensity of headache episodes after increased water intake. Our results seem to justify larger scaled research on the effectiveness of increased water intake in headache patients.
EFNS guidelines on cognitive rehabilitation: report of an EFNS task force
Authors:   Members of the Task Force on Cognitive Rehabilitation, Cappa S. F. , Benke T. , Clarke S. , Rossi B. , Stemmer B. , van Heugten C. M.
Published: August 2005

Disorders of language, spatial perception, attention, memory, calculation and praxis are a frequent consequence of acquired brain damage [in particular, stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI)] and a major determinant of disability. The rehabilitation of aphasia and, more recently, of other cognitive disorders is an important area of neurological rehabilitation. We report here a review of the available evidence about effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation. Given the limited number and generally low quality of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in this area of therapeutic intervention, the Task Force considered, besides the available Cochrane reviews, evidence of lower classes which was critically analysed until a consensus was reached. In particular, we considered evidence from small group or single cases studies including an appropriate statistical evaluation of effect sizes. The general conclusion is that there is evidence to award a grade A, B or C recommendation to some forms of cognitive rehabilitation in patients with neuropsychological deficits in the post‐acute stage after a focal brain lesion (stroke, TBI). These include aphasia therapy, rehabilitation of unilateral spatial neglect (ULN), attentional training in the post‐acute stage after TBI, the use of electronic memory aids in memory disorders, and the treatment of apraxia with compensatory strategies. There is clearly a need for adequately designed studies in this area, which should take into account specific problems such as patient heterogeneity and treatment standardization.
The Effect of Short Sale Constraint Removal on Volatility in the Presence of Heterogeneous Beliefs*
Authors: Kraus Alan , Rubin Amir
Published: August 2005

We evaluate the effect of short sale constraint removal on a stock market. The intuition is derived from simple geometry. We show that the price curve as a function of the uncertain future payoff changes when investors are able to act on the belief that the price of the share is relatively high. In a very simple model we show that volatility can either increase or decrease, depending on the variability of news about final payoffs. As an empirical illustration, we consider data from the Israeli stock market. The data show that volatility increased following the initiation of index options, consistent with the fact that short sales were prohibited in Israel when index options were introduced.
A behavioural genomic analysis of DNA markers associated with general cognitive ability in 7‐year‐olds
Authors: Harlaar Nicole , Butcher Lee M. , Meaburn Emma , Sham Pak , Craig Ian W. , Plomin Robert
Published: August 2005

Background:  Five DNA markers (single‐nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) have recently been found to be associated with general cognitive ability (‘g’) in a sample of 7414 7‐year‐old twins. These children have also been studied at 2, 3, 4, and 7 years of age on measures of cognitive and language development and behaviour problems; family environment was also assessed.

Methods:  We used these data to conduct a behavioural genomic analysis of the five SNPs and a composite of them (‘SNP set’) that explored developmental, multivariate, and genotype–environment (GE) issues.

Results:  The ‘g’ SNP set identified at 7 years yielded significant associations with ‘g’ as early as 2 years. In multivariate analyses at 7 years, the ‘g’ SNP set was more strongly associated with verbal than nonverbal ability and with reading more than mathematics performance. GE correlations were found between the SNP set for ‘g’ at 7 years and preschool proximal measures of the family environment (chaos and discipline) rather than distal measures (maternal education and father's occupational class), suggesting evocative rather than passive GE correlation. Significant GE interactions were found for discipline, education and occupation in which the association between the SNP set and ‘g’ at 7 years is stronger in low‐risk environments.

Conclusions:  Although the effect sizes of the five SNP associations are very small, behavioural genomic analyses using a ‘g’ SNP set illustrate how developmental, multivariate and GE questions can be addressed as more DNA associations are identified for complex traits such as ‘g’.
Translocation of 15N indicates nitrogen recycling in the mat‐forming lichen Cladonia portentosa
Authors: Ellis C. J. , Crittenden P. D. , Scrimgeour C. M. , Ashcroft C. J.
Published: August 2005

Nitrogen translocation was measured in Cladonia portentosa during 2 yr growth in Scottish heathland. Translocation was predicted to occur if N is resorbed from senescent basal tissue and recycled within the thallus.

15N was introduced into either the lower (TU thalli) or upper (TD thalli) 25 mm of 50‐mm‐long thalli as 15N‐NH4+, 15N‐NO3− or 15N‐glycine. Labelled thalli were placed within intact lichen cushions, either upright (TU) or inverted (TD). Vertical distribution of label was quantified immediately following labelling and after 1 and 2 yr.

Independently of the form of introduced label, 15N migrated upwards in TU thalli, with new growth being a strong sink. Sink regions for 15N during year 1 (including new growth) became sources of 15N translocated to new growth in year 2. Upward migration into inverted bases was minimal in TD thalli, but was again marked in new growth that developed from inverted apices.

Relocation of N to regions of growth could facilitate internal N recycling, a process postulated to explain the ecological success of mat‐forming lichens.
Electrophysiological correlates of threat processing in spider phobics
Authors: Kolassa Iris‐Tatjana , Musial Frauke , Mohr Alexander , Trippe Ralf H. , Miltner Wolfgang H. R.
Published: August 2005

The electrocortical correlates of the processing of feared/fear‐relevant and neutral stimuli were investigated in a pictorial emotional Stroop paradigm with spider phobic, social phobic, and nonphobic subjects. Subjects identified either the color of red or blue pictures of spiders, birds, or flowers (emotional Stroop task) or the object itself (identification task) by pressing different buttons. No emotional Stroop interference was found for spider phobic subjects when identifying the color of spiders as opposed to neutral stimuli. However, in the object identification task, spider phobic subjects identified spiders significantly faster than birds or flowers. Parietal P300 and P400 amplitudes were enhanced independent of task in spider phobic but not in nonphobic subjects when viewing pictures of spiders, which is consistent with previous studies showing that highly unpleasant and arousing pictures affect parietal late positive potentials.
Stability of emotion‐modulated startle during short and long picture presentation
Authors: Larson Christine L. , Ruffalo Dante , Nietert Jennifer Y. , Davidson Richard J.
Published: August 2005

Following reports on improved test–retest reliability of emotion‐modulated startle during a 6‐s picture presentation when different pictures are presented at each assessment (Larson et al., 2000) and data suggesting that brief picture presentations also elicit affective blink modulation (Codispoti, Bradley, & Lang, 2001), we assessed test–retest reliability of blink modulation during brief picture presentations. At two acoustic startle sessions (4 weeks apart) subjects viewed different IAPS pictures for either 6 s (long group) or 300 ms (short), with emotion modulation assessed at three different points in time during and following picture viewing. Group ANOVAs revealed emotion modulation for both short and long groups. In addition, comparable and, in some cases, greater stability of emotion modulation was found for short compared to long picture presentations. Stability was generally low for individual probe times for both groups.
An electrophysiological study of cross‐modal repetition priming
Authors: Holcomb Phillip J. , Anderson Jane , Grainger Jonathan
Published: August 2005

Few studies have focused on language processing across modalities. Two experiments examined between‐modality interactions across three prime–target intervals (0, 200, and 800 ms) in a cross‐modal repetition priming paradigm. Event‐related potentials were recorded to auditory targets following visual primes (Experiment 1) or visual targets following auditory primes (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1 robust repetition effects were found for auditory targets as early as 100 ms, and continued through the N400 epoch. Moreover, these visual–auditory repetition effects were large across all three prime–target intervals although they onset 200 ms later at the shortest interval. In Experiment 2 repetition effects to visual targets started later (at 200 ms), but also offset relatively later (∼1000 ms). These auditory–visual repetition effects were both smaller overall and absent for the two shortest prime–target intervals during the typical N400 window.
The Myth of Female Passivity: Thirty Years of Revelations about Female Aggression
Authors: Richardson Deborah South
Published: August 2005

This article reviews an extensive program of research that has examined gender differences in aggressive behavior. Early research in the aggression laboratory that was designed to explain why females were nonaggressive actually revealed that females did respond to provocation and that they could not accurately be depicted as passive individuals. Subsequent studies that examined both indirect and direct aggression revealed that women were at least as likely as men to employ indirect aggressive strategies and that the nature of relationship is a better determinant of aggressive action than gender. Directly relevant to the theme of this volume, the later research revealed that males and females reported equally high levels of direct aggression in interaction with romantic partners.
Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrated by College Women within the Context of a History of Victimization
Authors: Graves Kelly N. , Sechrist Stacy M. , White Jacquelyn W. , Paradise Matthew J.
Published: August 2005

Using a longitudinal design, the current study explored intimate partner violence perpetration among 1,300 college women within the context of one's history of physical and sexual victimization across 4 years of college. Structural equation modeling indicated that sexual victimization does not predict concurrent use of women's intimate partner violence but does predict subsequent use of women's intimate partner violence during the later years of college. In contrast, physical victimization is associated positively with concurrent use of women's intimate partner violence but is negatively associated with subsequent use of women's intimate partner violence for women. Furthermore, the negative relationship of victimization to subsequent perpetration primarily is due to those with high levels of victimization histories. The present study provides the first model of intimate partner violence within the context of victimization history using longitudinal data. The findings indicate that women's intimate partner violence perpetration is not context-free, but rather is influenced by their own physical and sexual victimization histories.
An Investment Model Analysis of Relationship Stability among Women Court-Mandated to Violence Interventions
Authors: Rhatigan Deborah L. , Moore Todd M. , Stuart Gregory L.
Published: August 2005

This investigation examined relationship stability among 60 women court-mandated to violence interventions by applying a general model (i.e., Rusbult's 1980 Investment Model) to predict intentions to leave current relationships. As in past research, results showed that Investment Model predictions were supported such that court-mandated women who reported lesser relationship satisfaction, greater alternatives, and fewer investments in current relationships endorsed lower levels of commitment and greater intentions to leave those relationships. Secondary analyses showed that court-mandated women's violence perpetration and experiences of being victimized were minimally related to model factors or women's intentions to leave. Taken together, results of this study provide additional evidence that general models should be used to predict relationship termination decisions among women involved in violent relationships, and violence experiences alone do not affect that decision.
Tetranucleotide microsatellites in the gecko Oedura reticulata isolated from an enriched library
Authors: HOEHN M. , SARRE S. D.
Published: August 2005

Ten tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched library for the gecko Oedura reticulata. The species is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia, known to be a habitat specialist, and exposed to severe habitat fragmentation in the Western Australian wheatbelt. These highly polymorphic markers (two to 25 alleles) will facilitate the population genetic analyses of this species. In particular, they will enable estimates of gene flow between remnant populations — a critical element in assessing extinction dynamics in fragmented populations.
Quality‐adjusted life years: how useful in medico economic studies
Authors: Brauer Carmen A. , Neumann Peter J.
Published: August 2005

Cost‐effectiveness analysis has evolved as a practical response to the need to allocate limited resources for health care. It can be used to compare interventions whose effects on health are different if the measure of effectiveness captures all the important health dimensions of the effects of the interventions. Using the quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) as the unit of effectiveness attempts to approach this ideal and is currently the approach recommended by many consensus groups. Conventional QALYs represent time spend in a series of “quality‐weighted” health states, where the quality weights reflect the desirability of living in the state. Many challenges arise when preferences are incorporated into an economic analysis. The purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the issues surrounding the use of QALYs and to encourage researchers to present their methodology in a clear and transparent way.
Sexually Abusive Behaviour by Children and Adolescents
Authors: Vizard Eileen
Published: August 2005

Recently professionals have recognised that children as well as adults may act in sexually aggressive ways towards others. This is complemented by an expanding empirical evidence base. A comprehensive appraisal of the literature is beyond the scope of this review. However, the estimated size of the problem, it's aetiology (Lee et al., 2002), outcomes and successful intervention programmes (Borduin & Schaeffer, 2002) will be discussed. The evidence base and clinical experience with this group strongly supports the need for coherent government policies in relation to sexually abusive behaviour by children and adolescents.
Flood insurance: the challenge of the uninsured
Authors: Priest Sally J , Clark Michael J , Treby Emma J
Published: August 2005

Increasing concern about flooding and its potentially socially‐devastating effects has reinforced the need for an effective mechanism to deal with the recovery of losses from these events. This paper highlights the problem of uninsurance in the UK and the potentially growing number of people who do not have flood insurance. A dual challenge of uninsurance is emerging: those who have been traditionally excluded from insurance cover due to price and a new phenomenon, those who live in high‐risk areas who may become cost‐prohibited through the introduction of risk‐related premiums.
Challenges of forest governance in Madagascar
Authors: MCCONNELL WILLIAM J , SWEENEY SEAN P
Published: August 2005

There has been a huge surge in interest in the preservation of Madagascar's forests in the past two decades, but despite the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars, the goal remains elusive. Recent legislation has given the government the authority to enter into contractual arrangements with communities for the management of the country's public forests, so it has become crucial to grapple with the significant challenges involved. This paper explores the enormity of the challenge of forest governance in Madagascar in an era of decentralization. By examining several forests in one part of the country, it reveals a dizzying range of forest types and forms of use and governance within a fairly small portion of the country. These examples make it apparent that the history of forest management in Madagascar constitutes a broad‐ranging experiment with forest governance. Simply monitoring the dynamics of the forest canopy is a significant technical challenge. However, this pales in comparison to the difficulties inherent in explaining those dynamics and assessing the sustainability and equity of different management regimes. Of the forests considered in the study, those where the Malagasy state has partnered with international conservation and development organizations seem to stand out, both in terms of stabilized, or even growing, forest cover, as well as a balance of interests among users.
Diversification of epithelial adherens junctions with independent reductive changes in cadherin form: identification of potential molecular synapomorphies among bilaterians
Authors: Oda Hiroki , Tagawa Kunifumi , Akiyama‐Oda Yasuko
Published: August 2005

Summary The adherens junction (AJ) is the most universal junction found in bilaterian epithelia and may represent one of the earliest types of cell–cell junctions. The adhesion molecules responsible for forming AJs are the classic cadherins (referred to simply as cadherins), whose extracellular domain organization displays marked variety among species examined so far. In this study, we attempted to reconstruct the evolution of cadherin by analyzing new data from several arthropods (two insects, one noninsect hexapod, three crustaceans, and one chelicerate) and previously published sequences for Drosophila melanogaster and other animals. The results of comparative analyses using the BLAST tool and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the extracellular domain organizations of a decapod, an isopod, a spider, and a starfish cadherin, which are present at AJs in the embryonic epithelia are homologous. Independent reductive changes from the ancestral state were evident in the epithelia of hexapods+branchiopod, vertebrates+urochordates, and a cephalochordate. The form of cadherins in hexapods is more closely related to that of a branchiopod than to that of malacostracan crustaceans, and one of those of vertebrates is more closely related to that of urochordates than to that of a cephalochordate. Although the sampling of taxa is limited at this stage of research, we hypothesize that the reductive events in cadherin structure related to AJ formation in the epithelia may possess information about bilaterian relationships as molecular synapomorphies.
Dissociation of expression patterns of homeodomain transcription factors in the evolution of developmental mode in the sea urchins Heliocidaris tuberculata and H. erythrogramma
Authors: Wilson Keen A. , Andrews Mary E. , Raff Rudolf A.
Published: August 2005

Summary
The direct‐developing sea urchin species Heliocidaris erythrogramma has a radically modified ontogeny. Along with gains of novel features, its entire ectoderm has been reorganized, resulting in the apparent absence of a differentiated oral ectoderm, a major module present in the pluteus of indirect‐developing species, such as H. tuberculata. The restoration of an obvious oral ectoderm in H. erythrogramma×H. tuberculata hybrids, indicates the action of dominant regulatory factors from the H. tuberculata genome. We sought candidate regulatory genes based on the prediction that they should include genes that govern development of the oral ectoderm in the pluteus, but play different roles in H. erythrogramma. Such genes may have a large effect in the evolution of development. Goosecoid (Gsc), Msx, and the sea urchin Abd‐B‐like gene (Hox11/13b) are present and expressed in both species and the hybrid embryos. Both Gsc and Msx are oral ectoderm specific in H. tuberculata, and show novel and distinct expression patterns in H. erythrogramma. Gsc assumes a novel ectodermal pattern and Msx shifts to a novel and largely mesodermal pattern. Both Gsc and Msx show a restoration of oral ectoderm expression in hybrids. Hox11/13b is not expressed in oral ectoderm in H. tuberculata, but is conserved in posterior spatial expression among H. tuberculata, H. erythrogramma and hybrids, serving as a control. Competitive RT‐PCR shows that Gsc, Msx, and Hox11/13b are under different quantitative and temporal controls in the Heliocidaris species and the hybrids. The implications for the involvement of these genes in the rapid evolution of a direct developing larva are discussed.
Major regulatory factors in the evolution of development: the roles of goosecoid and Msx in the evolution of the direct‐developing sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma
Authors: Wilson Keen A. , Andrews Mary E. , Rudolf Turner F. , Raff Rudolf A.
Published: August 2005

Summary The transcription factors Gsc and Msx are expressed in the oral ectoderm of the indirect‐developing sea urchin Heliocidaris tuberculata. Their patterns of expression are highly modified in the direct developer Heliocidaris erythrogramma, which lacks an oral ectoderm. We here test the hypothesis that they are large effect genes responsible for the loss of the oral ectoderm module in the direct‐developing larva of H. erythrogramma as well as for the restoration of an overt oral ectoderm in H.e. ×H.t. hybrids. We undertook misexpression/overexpression and knockdown assays in the two species and in hybrids by mRNA injection. The results indicate that dramatic changes of function of these transcription factors has occurred. One of these genes, Gsc, has the ability when misexpressed to partially restore oral ectoderm in H. erythrogramma. On the other hand, Msx has lost any oral function and instead has a role in mesoderm proliferation and patterning. In addition, we found that the H. tuberculataGsc is up regulated in H.e. ×H.t. hybrids, showing a preferential use of the indirect developing parental gene in the development of the hybrid. We suggest that Gsc qualifies as a gene of large evolutionary effect and is partially responsible for the evolution of direct development of H. erythrogramma. We discuss these results in light of modularity and genetic networks in development, as well as in their implications for the rapid evolution of large morphological changes in development.
A comprehensive analysis of DEL types: partial DEL individuals are prone to anti‐D alloimmunization
Authors: Körmöczi Günther F. , Gassner Christoph , Shao Chao‐Peng , Uchikawa Makoto , Legler Tobias J.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: The D antigen of the polymorphic Rh blood group system is of particular clinical importance regarding transfusion‐ and pregnancy‐induced alloimmunization. Different RhD variants with specific clinical implications have been characterized. The least expressed D variants collectively called DEL are serologically detectable only by adsorption‐elution techniques, with so far only poorly defined antigenic properties.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A comprehensive immunohematologic analysis of five of the six currently known DEL genotypes was performed. DEL phenotypes associated with the RHD(M295I), RHD(IVS3+1g>a), RHD(K409K), RHD(X418L), or RHD(IVS5‐38del4) allele were characterized with extended serology and flow cytometry.

RESULTS: Epitope mapping with adsorption‐elution revealed a prominent D epitope loss in the RHD(IVS3+1g>a)‐associated DEL phenotype, whereas in the other four DEL types no signs of qualitative D antigen alteration were detected. The observation of alloanti‐D in two RHD(IVS3+1g>a) cases confirmed the partial nature of this DEL phenotype. The RHD(M295I) phenotype exhibited the highest D antigen expression among all investigated DEL types, as determined by a semiquantitative adsorption‐elution approach and flow cytometry.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, evidence is provided that different DEL genotypes code either for partial or complete D antigen expression and that this finding is clinically relevant.
Partial D, weak D types, and novelRHDalleles among 33,864 multiethnic patients: implications for anti‐D alloimmunization and prevention
Authors: Denomme Gregory A. , Wagner Franz F. , Fernandes Bernard J. , Li Wei , Flegel Willy A.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND:The D antigen includes category D, partial D, and weak D types, which are important because anti‐D alloimmunization can occur in some but not all persons that express a variantRHDallele. At present, there is little prospective information on the prevalence of D variants among obstetric patients and potential transfusion recipients.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:TheRHDalleles were prospectively examined in a large patient population identified on the basis of a difference in anti‐D reactivity between two reagents.

RESULTS:Fifty‐five discrepancies (0.96% of D–) were noted among 33,864 ethnically diverse patients over 18 months, of which 54 represented mutatedRHDalleles. Seven obstetric patients were assigned D– status based on serology; only 1 patient had a partialRHDallele. Ten of 25 (36%) obstetric patients and 4 of 6 (67%) female potential transfusion recipients of childbearing age or younger were assigned D+ status, and they expressed a D variant known to permit anti‐D alloimmunization. In total 20RHDalleles were identified including category,DVaorDVa‐like alleles (n = 7),DAR(n = 8), and four novelRHDalleles including two newDAUalleles.

CONCLUSION:Given the complexity of D antigen expression, it is concluded that some clinically important D variants identified by standard serologic analysis phenotype as D+ and are potentially at risk for the development of anti‐D.
Automation of the glycerolization of red blood cells with the high‐separation bowl in the Haemonetics ACP 215 instrument
Authors: Valeri C. Robert , Ragno Gina , Van Houten Paul , Rose Leslie , Rose Michael , Egozy Yair , Popovsky Mark A.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: The FDA has approved a closed‐system red blood cell (RBC) glycerolization procedure with the ACP 215 (Haemonetics), which requires a centrifuge to prepare RBCs before and after glycerolization. In the study reported here, the Haemonetics high‐separation bowl was evaluated in an attempt to automate these two concentration steps.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Ten units of nonleukoreduced citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD)‐anticoagulated whole blood were stored at 4°C for 2 to 6 days before glycerolization and freezing as nonrejuvenated RBCs. Twenty‐five units of nonleukoreduced CPD whole blood were stored at 4°C for 2 to 8 days and then biochemically treated with a solution containing pyruvate, inosine, phosphate, and adenine (PIPA) before glycerolization and freezing as indated‐rejuvenated RBC. Twenty units of leukoreduced CPD and AS‐1 RBCs were stored at 4°C for a mean of 48 days and treated with PIPA solution before glycerolization and freezing as outdated‐rejuvenated RBCs. The glycerolized RBCs were frozen for at least 2 weeks at −80°C, deglycerolized in the Haemonetics ACP 215 with the 325‐mL bowl, and stored in AS‐3 at 4°C for 21 days.

RESULTS: It took approximately 50 minutes to glycerolize the nonrejuvenated and rejuvenated RBCs. After freezing, deglycerolization, and postwash storage at 4°C in AS‐3 for 2 weeks, the quality was similar to that of RBCs processed by the current FDA‐approved method.

CONCLUSION: Processing time and need for technical expertise were significantly reduced with the completely automated functionally closed glycerolization procedure with the high‐separation bowl in the Haemonetics ACP 215 instrument.
Synthesis and Characterization of NiO–YSZ Anode Materials: Precipitation, Calcination, and the Effects on Sintering
Authors: Grgicak Catherine M. , Green Richard G. , Du Wei‐Fang , Giorgi Javier B.
Published: August 2005

Nickel oxide yttria‐stabilized zirconia (NiO–YSZ) anode materials were synthesized via hydrolysis of the corresponding chloride solutions with NH3, NH3+NaOH, and NaOH as precipitation agents. Powder properties such as crystallite size, morphology, and sintering behavior of the final NiO–YSZ materials were also studied. The mechanism of the formation of NiO–YSZ was established for the different co‐precipitation techniques by the direct observation of Ni(NH3)n+2 complexes, Ni(OH)2 and NiO at different stages of the synthesis process. A direct relationship between the precipitation agent, the order of calcination from dry sample to final product, the final composition, the crystallite sizes and particle sizes of NiO, and the sinterability of the final products was established. A comparison of the powder and individual component properties indicate that the choice of precipitation agent greatly influences the final characteristics. Ni/YSZ materials prepared by NH3+NaOH precipitation offer higher Ni dispersion and nanocrystallinity of both the Ni and YSZ phases. The conductivity of both prepared materials compares well with mixed‐oxide materials of higher Ni content.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of self‐performed mechanical plaque removal in adults with gingivitis using a manual toothbrush
Authors: Van Der Weijden G. A. , Hioe K. P. K.
Published: August 2005

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of self‐performed mechanical plaque removal in adults with gingivitis using a manual toothbrush with respect to the level of plaque and gingivitis in controlled studies of at least 6 months duration.

Search: Medline‐PubMed up to and including September 2004.

Results: Out of 3223 titles and abstracts, 33 trials were found for data extraction. A meta‐analysis was conducted of studies (n=9) in which, for the manual toothbrush group at baseline, only a professional prophylaxis provided. The weighted mean differences (WMD) between baseline and end‐trial for the Quigley & Hein plaque index was 0.28 and 0.21 for the Gingival Index (p<0.05).

Eight studies provided both a professional OHI and prophylaxis at baseline. The WMD for the Silness & Löe Plaque Index was 0.10 (ns). The WMD of the proportion of bleeding sites was 5.84% (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In adults with gingivitis the quality of self‐performed mechanical plaque removal is not sufficiently effective and should be improved. Based on studies 6 months of duration, it appears that a single oral hygiene instruction, describing the use of a mechanical toothbrush, in addition to a single professional ‘oral prophylaxis’ provided at baseline, had a significant, albeit small, positive effect on the reduction of gingivitis.
Impact of periodontal preventive programmes on the data from epidemiologic studies
Authors: Gjermo Per E.
Published: August 2005

This report provides only circumstantial evidence for the impact of programmes on periodontal epidemiology. The prerequisites for programmes and campaigns are described, and epidemiologic data on periodontal disease are compared with known changes in factors that may be affected by such activities. Unfortunately, parameters for periodontal disease as a process are not available. Only variables indicating irreversible effects on the periodontal status can be obtained. A lack of appropriate studies creates additional problems. This review indicates that preventive programmes and campaigns to improve oral hygiene have affected periodontal epidemiologic data concerning gingivitis and mild/moderate periodontitis favourably. Severe periodontitis seems not to have been influenced by such activities. Smoking is strongly associated with the severity of periodontitis. Therefore, a positive effect may be anticipated following the smoking cessation campaigns currently introduced worldwide. However, because of the irreversible nature of our epidemiologic parameters, it will take decades before any effect may be evident. It is recommended that periodontal epidemiology should be revitalized by introducing a nominalistic categorization instead of the changing essentialistic approaches used so far in order to facilitate the interpretation of data.
Potential impact of subject‐based risk factor control on periodontitis
Authors: Ramseier Christoph A.
Published: August 2005

Aims: To assess the potential impact of the control of subject‐based modifiable risk factors on periodontitis.

Background: Cross‐sectional and longitudinal data from epidemiological research indicate that risk factors can be identified and, if modified, may improve both periodontal conditions and the outcome of treatment.

Material and Methods: A search was conducted to identify factors involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. The factors identified were separated into modifiable and non‐modifiable, and control of the subject‐based modifiable risk factors were further analyzed.

Results: The analysis was limited to the influence of the control of the remaining modifiable subject‐based risk factors. It was observed that most of the subject related risk factors were hitherto not validated in controlled intervention studies. Therefore, the evidence for the efficacy of risk factor control had to be based on results from cohort studies. While the control of most of the modifiable risk factors for periodontitis was not tested, some evidence suggested that smoking cessation may retard the progression of periodontitis.

Conclusions: Although only limited evidence was available, it appeared reasonable to suggest that second to the removal of the bacterial biofilm, smoking cessation was the most important measure in the management of periodontitis.
A socio‐economic perspective on periodontal diseases: a systematic review
Authors: Klinge Björn , Norlund Anders
Published: August 2005

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to ascertain whether socio‐economic conditions increase the risk of periodontal diseases.

Methods: A MEDLINE search was conducted for the period 1965–April 2004. Only original articles were included; 47 studies remained for the final assessment. The studies were analysed regarding the outcome of the association between socio‐economic variables and periodontal disease, depending on the study design (cross‐sectional survey or longitudinal case–control) and whether smoking was included or not.

Results: Twenty‐nine out of 36 studies with a cross‐sectional design were in favour of the association between socio‐economic factors and periodontal diseases. In the studies with a longitudinal or case–control design, there were five in favour of the association, and also six against. When smoking was included in the analysis of cross‐sectional studies, a significant association between socio‐economic variables and periodontal disease was found in 11 studies and no significance in another five studies. The corresponding figures for case–control studies showed four studies being significant, but also four studies showing no significance.

Conclusion: Based on relevant study designs and including smoking in the analysis, the socio‐economic variables associated with periodontal diseases appear to be of less importance than smoking.
Cost–benefit, cost‐effectiveness and cost–utility analyses of periodontitis prevention
Authors: Braegger Urs
Published: August 2005

Objective: The aim of this paper was to determine whether there is evidence that periodontitis prevention is economically justified.

Material and Methods: The characteristics of economic assessments such as cost–benefit, cost‐effectiveness and cost–utility analyses were first derived from the literature on health economy. A literature search was conducted using PubMed up to December 2004. Inclusion criteria required that economic analyses be based on scientific principles including a hypothesis, valid comparative groups as well as a cost/benefit, cost/effectiveness and cost/utility assessment.

Results: Only 14 papers were located, which included, in the broadest sense, economic parameters. From these papers, three were systematic reviews, three were randomized controlled studies, four were controlled studies, one was a longitudinal cohort study and three papers were based on statistical modelling. Only one paper reported actual costs for periodontal and dental treatment. Extensive programmes aimed at prevention of periodontal disease in a general population group showed no economic benefit. Adjunctive genetic/and or microbiological testing likewise showed no economic benefit.

Economic assessments and real costs are not generally available in the literature. Statistical modelling suggested that non‐surgical periodontal procedures are more economical compared with surgical interventions. The use of local delivery devices as an adjunct to Sc/RP showed no economic advantage.

Conclusion: It is suggested that economic parameters as well as patient‐centred outcomes be included in clinical trials. These data are essential for the appropriate allocation of resources for preventive measures on an individual patient and population base.
Disease progression: identification of high‐risk groups and individuals for periodontitis
Authors: Heitz‐Mayfield L. J. A.
Published: August 2005

Aims:While the role of bacteria in the initiation of periodontitis is primary, a range of host‐related factors influence the onset, clinical presentation and rate of progression of disease. The objectives of this review are (1) to present evidence for individual predictive factors associated with a patient's susceptibility to progression of periodontitis and (2) to describe the use of prognostic models aimed at identifying high‐risk groups and individuals in a clinical setting.

Methods:Relevant publications in the English language were identified after Medline and PubMed database searches. Because of a paucity of longitudinal studies investigating factors including clinical, demographic, environmental, behavioural, psychosocial, genetic, systemic and microbiologic parameters to identify individuals at risk for disease progression, some association studies were also included in this review.

Findings and Conclusions:Cigarette smoking is a strong predictor of progressive periodontitis, the effect of which is dose related. High levels of specific bacteria have been predictive of progressive periodontitis in some studies but not all. Diabetics with poor glycaemic control have an increased risk for progression of periodontitis. The evidence for the effect of a number of putative factors including interleukin‐1 genotype, osteoporosis and psychosocial factors is inconclusive and requires further investigation in prospective longitudinal studies. Specific and sensitive diagnostic tests for the identification of individuals susceptible to disease progression are not yet a reality. While factors assessed independently may not be valuable in predicting risk of future attachment loss, the combination of factors in a multifactorial model may be useful in identifying individuals at risk for disease progression. A number of multifactorial models for risk assessment, at a subject level have been developed but require validation in prospective longitudinal studies.
A systematic review of professional mechanical plaque removal for prevention of periodontal diseases
Authors: Needleman Ian , Suvan Jean , Moles David R. , Pimlott Jean
Published: August 2005

Aim: To investigate the effect of professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) on the prevention of periodontal diseases.

Methods: We searched for randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials and cohort studies from 1950 to October 2004. Screening and data abstraction were conducted independently and in duplicate. Critical appraisal of studies was based on objective criteria and evidence tables were constructed.

Results: From 2179 titles and abstracts, 132 full‐text articles were screened and 32 studies were relevant. Evidence exists that PMPR in adults, particularly in combination with oral hygiene instruction (OHI), may be more effective than no treatment judged by surrogate measures. The evidence for a benefit of PMPR+OHI over OHI alone is less clear. The optimum frequency of PMPR has not been investigated although more frequent PMPR is associated with improved markers of health. The strength of evidence for these results ranges from weak to moderate due to risk of bias, inconsistent results, lack of appropriate statistics and small sample size.

Conclusions: There appears to be little value in providing PMPR without OHI. In fact, repeated OHI might have a similar effect as PMPR. Some forms of PMPR might achieve greater patient satisfaction. There is little difference in beneficial or adverse effects of different methods of PMPR.