bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Search for the Mechanism Underlying the Altered MCV in Thyroid Dysfunction: A Study of Serum and Red Cell Membrane Lipids
Authors: Davidson R. J. , Cumming A. M. , Leel V. H. , How J. , Bewsher P. D. , Khir A. S.
Published: August 2010

The mean red cell volume (MCV) is increased in hypo‐ and decreased in hyperthyroidism but the underlying cause(s) is unknown. In view of the well recognised alterations in serum lipids in thyroid dysfunction, we have examined the possibility that a corresponding alteration in the amount or distribution of lipids in the red cell membrane may account for the red cell volume changes. Our findings however do not support this hypothesis.
Non‐Transferrin Plasma Iron in β‐Thalassaemia/Hb E and Haemoglobin H Diseases
Authors: Anuwatanakulchai M. , Wasi P. , Pootrakul P. , Thuvasethakul P.
Published: August 2010

Non‐transferrin plasma iron concentrations were determined in 45 normal controls and in 37 patients with Hb H disease and 104 patients with β‐thalassaemia/Hb E disease. This revealed that non‐transferrin plasma iron exists in cases with severe iron overload, more striking in β‐thalassaemia/Hb E than in Hb H disease. Non‐transferrin plasma iron is associated with higher transferrin iron saturation and higher plasma ferritin levels. The most striking finding was the significantly higher non‐transferrin plasma iron in splenectomized patients with β‐thalassaemia/Hb E disease than in the non‐splenectomized patients. In view of the potential toxicity of non‐transferrin iron, this fraction of iron may be responsible for tissue damage in these patients especially after splenectomy.
Are Young Platelets Released in Excess from the Spleen in Response to Short‐Term Physical Exercise?
Authors: Schmidt Kai Gjerløff , Rasmussen Jens Wæver
Published: August 2010

With a view to throwing some light on the age characteristics of platelets released into the blood in response to short‐term physical exercise, we conducted exercise experiments on 23 healthy subjects previously injected with different platelet populations labelled with 111In and 51Cr. Based on comparative platelet kinetic studies of pre‐ and post‐exercise platelets and on exercise experiments carried out while labelled‐platelet populations of different age composition were circulating, we cannot support the concept that the platelets released into the blood in response to exercise are enriched with young platelets. In addition, we found that simultaneously‐injected large and small platelets were released to the same extent in response to exercise, but that the sequestration patterns of large and small platelets seem to be different.
Lactoferrin receptors in normal and leukaemic human blood cells
Authors: Birgens Henrik S. , Karle Hans , Hansen Niels Ebbe , Kristensen Lars Østergaard
Published: August 2010

The binding of 125I‐lactoferrin to a variety of peripheral blood cells was examined. In the concentration range from 10−9 mol/l to 10−6 mol/l a receptor‐like binding of lactoferrin was observed in monocytes as well as in polymorphonuclear leucocytes. At the low concentrations of lactoferrin in plasma (about 10−9 mol/l) the cellular binding to monocytes was about 10 times higher than the binding to polymorphonuclear leucocytes and lymphocytes. A major result from a kinetic analysis was a lower apparent binding affinity to polymorphonuclear leucocytes (KD about 2 times 10−7 mol/l) than to lymphocytes and monocytes (KD about 2 times 10−8 mol/l). Studies in leukaemic cells showed that lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia bound lactoferrin to the same small extent as normal lymphocytes. In contrast, a larger component of binding with high affinity (KD about 2 times 10−8 mol/l) could be demonstrated to lymphoblasts as well as to myeloblasts.
Characterization of erythroid and granulocyte monocyte progenitors in human cord blood
Authors: Issaragrisil Surapol , Grilli Gualtiero , Nothdurft Wilhelm , Fliedner Theodor M.
Published: August 2010

Some characteristics of both erythroid and granulocyte monocyte progenitors in human cord blood were compared to those in adult blood and bone marrow. The number of progenitors in cord blood was higher than that in adult blood and bone marrow. Most colonies in cord blood culture were monocyte‐macrophage, whereas those from adult blood were largely eosinophilic. Cord blood progenitors had a slower sedimentation velocity than that reported for marrow, but sedimented faster than that for adult blood. A significant proportion of progenitors in cord blood as well as adult marrow was found to be in the DNA synthetic phase of the cell cycle whereas progenitors in adult blood were not. Cord blood BFU‐E were more resistant than adult blood BFU‐E but cord blood CFU‐GM were not different from adult blood CFU‐GM with regard to radiation sensitivity. Cord blood CFU‐GM appeared to be more radio‐resistant than adult marrow GFU‐GM. From these results is seems clear that progenitors in cord blood differ in some aspects from those in adult blood and bone marrow.
Remission of acquired pure red cell aplasia following plasma exchanges:
Authors: Khelif Abderrahim , Van Huan Vu , Tremisi Jean Pierre , Alfonsi Florence , Perrot Daniel , Motin Jean , Viala Jean Jacques
Published: August 2010

A 22‐year‐old woman had an idiopathic pure red cell aplasia that failed to respond to high doses of corticosteroids. After a series of 10 plasma exchange procedures, bone marrow erythropoiesis and reticulocyte blood count returned to normal; the haematological remission has been now persistent for 12 months. The place of plasma exchange in the management of pure red cell aplasia and its mode of action will be discussed.
THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF VARIOUS LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF IRON DEFICIENCY
Authors: Rybo Elisabeth , Bengtsson Calle , Hallberg Leif
Published: August 2010

Regression analysis was performed on a number of haematological variables obtained from a population sample of 38‐year‐old women. The correlation coefficients were higher between the blood haemoglobin concentration on the one hand and serum iron concentration, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, sideroblast count, iron absorption and menstrual blood loss on the other than between packed cell volume or erythrocyte count and the same haematological variables mentioned above. The correlation coefficients between transferrin saturation and the above haematological variables were higher than the correlation coefficients between serum iron concentration or total iron binding capacity and the same variables. The highest correlation coefficients with the above mentioned haematological variables were found for reticuloendothelial iron in the bone marrow. The prevalence of women with a lack of reticuloendothelial iron in the bone marrow was high when haemoglobin concentrations and mean corpuscular haemoglobin values were within the lowest two decentiles defined as a haemoglobin concentration below 127 g/l and a mean corpuscular haemoglobin below 31 pg/erythrocyte. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin and transferrin saturation were relatively low in women with an iron absorption above 80 % and a menstrual blood loss above 40 ml per menstrual cycle.
Relationship of mean platelet volume to platelet count in morphologic evaluation of thrombopoiesis
Authors: Jansson Leif
Published: August 2010

A graph of the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (TPK) was constructed out of 158 haematologically normal individuals, 19 patients with thrombocytopenia and 63 patients with thrombocytosis. Patients with thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis whose bone marrows were found to show adequate or increased, morphologically normal, thrombopoiesis were included in the graph. The graph was found to exhibit the previously known inverse relationship between TPK and MPV extended into thrombocytopenic values and is thought to represent an intact marrow function capable of meeting the increased demands of thrombopoiesis. On the other hand, 15 patients whose bone marrows were showing evidence of hypoplastic thrombopoiesis fell outside the region representing intact marrow function. The position of an individual's values of MPV vs TPK in a coordinate system with these variables on the axes correlates well with the morphologic evaluation of thrombopoietic function and seems to be clinically useful.
Haemolysis after T‐cell depleted bone marrow transplantation involving minor ABO incompatibility
Authors: Hazlehurst Geoffrey R. , Brenner Malcolm K. , Wimperis Jennifer Z. , Knowles Susan M. , Prentice H. Grant
Published: August 2010

9 recipients of T‐cell depleted allogeneic bone marrows (8 group A, 1 group AB) from group 0 donors were monitored after transplantation. Free anti‐A/B was demonstrable in 8 of the 9 recipients 10–19 d post‐transplant, 5 patients developed a positive direct anti‐globulin test and 7 showed a rise in bilirubin. The presence of antibody was generally unrelated to the infusion of incompatible plasma, although 2 patients who also received anti‐CMV immunoglobulin subsequently shown to contain high titre IgG anti‐A/B were more severely affected, sustaining a fall in Hb of up to 2 g/d. These observations suggest that, after T‐cell depleted bone marrow transplantation, immunocompetent B lymphocytes of donor origin are transferred, secrete antibody in the recipient, and may be responsible for self‐limiting haemolytic episodes.
Effect of C3 depletion on the genesis of thrombocytopenia induced in rats by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Authors: Nakato Hidekazu , Shinomiya Keisuke , Mikawa Haruki
Published: August 2010

The role of complement in the pathogenesis of marked thrombocytopenia induced in rats by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (E. rhusiopathiae) was examined. In cobra venom factor (CoF)‐treated rats thrombocytopenia was not induced by the bacterium. The content of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) in platelets was decreased significantly after inoculation only in untreated rats. E. rhusiopathiae could bind C3 and generate platelet‐bacteria aggregation when incubated in the plasma diluted with veronalbuffered saline containing calcium and magnesium (VBS+ +) or gelatin‐VBS containing magnesium and ethyleneglycol tetra‐acetic acid (GVB‐Mg‐EGTA), but not when incubated in GVB‐ethylenediamine tetra‐acetic acid (GVB‐EDTA) diluted plasma or in CoF‐treated or anti rat C3‐treated plasma. When platelets were preincubated with activated zymosan, no bacteria could bind to platelets. From the results, we speculate that the alternative complement pathway, activated by E. rhusiopathiae, appears to mediate the formation of platelet‐bacterial aggregations that may accelerate the removal of platelets from circulating blood.
Prothrombin Segovia: A new congenital abnormality of prothrombin
Authors: Rocha E. , Paramo J. A. , Bascones C. , Fisac P. R. , Cuesta B. , Fernandez J.
Published: August 2010

A family with a new congenital dysprothrombinemia is presented. The propositus is a 21‐yr‐old man who presented simultaneously with hemartrosis of the left knee and an extensive hematoma following a minor trauma. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were prolonged. Prothrombin activity was very low when measured by biological assay using physiological activators (7% by one‐stage method and 20% by two‐stage method) or a Russel's viper venom‐cephalin mixture (23%), Notechis scutatus scutatus venom (15%) and Echis carinatus venom (17%); in contrast, the level was found to be borderline to normal using Taipan viper venom (64%) and normal by both staphylocoagulase and immunologic methods. Family studies revealed consanguinity between the propositus' mother and father and both presented a 50% reduced prothrombin level when physiological activators or Echis carinatus viper venom were used. A line of identity between normal and abnormal prothrombin was observed on immunodiffusion. The migration of the abnormal prothrombin was less anodic and was not changed by the addition of calcium. The patient's serum showed 3 bands in the bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis system, whereas normal serum showed only 2 bands. The term prothrombin Segovia is proposed to define this new prothrombin abnormality.
The incidence of phagocytizing plasma cells in malignant plasma cell dyscrasias
Authors: Kanoh Tadashi , Fujii Hiroshi
Published: August 2010

Bone marrow smears from 401 patients with malignant plasma cell disorders (MPCD) were examined to evaluate the incidence of phagocytosis by plasma cells and to elucidate the pathogenesis of this phenomenon. Phagocytizing plasma cells were observed in 6 patients (1.6%), 1 of whom had plasma cell leukaemia, from a pool of 382 patients with multiple myeloma that included 7 with plasma cell leukaemia, but not in those with other types of MPCD. In 1 of the 6 cases, the plasma cells acquired phagocytizing ability in the terminal stage of the illness. The incidence of phagocytizing plasma cells in multiple myeloma was higher than might have been expected, judging from a small number of previous reports concerning phagocytosis by plasma cells. The incidence of phagocytizing plasma cells in plasma cell leukaemia (1:7) was not stastistically greater than that in non‐leukaemic multiple myeloma (5:375).
In vitro and in vivo analysis of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory effects of weak and strong contact allergens
Authors: Lass Christian , Merfort Irmgard , Martin Stefan F.
Published: August 2010

Please cite this paper as: In vitro and in vivo analysis of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory effects of weak and strong contact allergens. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 1007–1013.

Abstract:  Inflammation is a crucial step in the development of allergic contact dermatitis. The primary contact with chemical allergens, called sensitization, and the secondary contact, called elicitation, result in an inflammatory response in the skin. The ability of contact allergens to induce allergic contact dermatitis correlates to a great extent with their inflammatory potential. Therefore, the analysis of the sensitizing potential of a putative contact allergen should include the examination of its ability and potency to cause an inflammation. In this study, we examined the inflammatory potential of different weak contact allergens and of the strong sensitizer 2,4,6‐trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) in vitro and in vivo using the contact hypersensitivity model, the mouse model for allergic contact dermatitis. Cytokine induction was analysed by PCR and ELISA to determine mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Inflammation‐dependent recruitment of skin‐homing effector T cells was measured in correlation with the other methods. We show that the sensitizing potential of a contact allergen correlates with the strength of the inflammatory response. The different methods used gave similar results. Quantitative cytokine profiling may be used to determine the sensitizing potential of chemicals for hazard identification and risk assessment.
Clinical, microbiological and ultrastructural features of angular cheilitis lesions in Southern Chinese
Authors: Dias AP , Samaranayake LP
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: To obtain basetine data on angular cheilitis in Southern Chinese.

DESIGN: A cross‐sectional investigation of the clinical, microbiological and ultrastructural features of the condition.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirty six Chinese adults with angular cheilitis; 28 controls matched for age and sex, with no inflammation. Clinical examination, swabs of lesions for microbiology, impressions of lesions for ultra‐structure, using replica technique.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severity of lesions, associated signs and symptoms, incidence and type of microorganisms, ultrastructural features. RESULTS: Of a total 68 lesions 32 were bilateral and four unilateral. Forty four (65%) were mild (Type I) and the remaining 24 (35%) moderate (Type 11). Infective agents were isolated from 37 (54%) lesions; pure growth of Candida spp and Staph. aureus was noted in nine lesions each; a mixed growth of the two in I I, beta‐haemolytic streptococci in three and a mixed flora including coliforms in the other five. Candida spp were present in one control, beta‐haemolytic streptococci in two and coliforms in four others. Scanning etectron microscopy revealed natural topography of the angular skin with sparse colonisation by bacteria and yeasts.

CONCLUSIONS: Angular cheilitis in Southern Chinese seems to be characterised by a milder clinical presentation and classic infective agents of the disease: Candida spp and Staph. aureus.
Diabetic periodontitis: possible lipid‐induced defect in tissue repair through alteration of macrophage phenotype and function
Authors: Iacopino AM
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem in the United States affecting approximately 13 million people. The five ‘classic’ complications which have historically been associated with the condition are microangiopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, microvascu‐lar disease, and delayed wound healing. Recently, per‐iodontal disease (PD) has been declared the ‘sixth’ major complication of diabetes as diabetics demonstrate an increased incidence and severity of PD. The cellular and molecular basis for diabetic PD is unknown.

HYPOTHESIS: Recent evidence suggests that PD and delayed dermal wound healing may be manifestations of the same general systemic deficit in diabetes involving impairment of the cellular and molecular signal of wounding via alterations in macrophage phenotype. Diabetes‐induced hyperlipidemia may interfere with the normal cellular and molecular signal of wounding by alteration of macrophage function and subsequent dysregulation of cytokines at the wound site.

RESULTS: Preliminary data in both animal models and humans suggests that hyperglycemia, in combination with elevations of serum low density lipoproteins and tri‐glycerides, leads to formation of advanced glycation end products (AGES) which may alter macrophage phenotype. This may be responsible for dysregulation of macrophage cytokine production and increased inflammatory tissue destruction and alveolar bone loss.

IMPLICATIONS: Future investigations will consider diabetic PD in the context of a generalized systemic wound healing deficit that manifests as PD in the face of constant pathologic wounding of the gingiva (bacterial plaque) or delayed dermal wound healing in instances of periodic traumatic wounding to other parts of the body. These types of studies will provide information concerning defective tissue repair in diabetics that will have clinical relevance for the understanding of PD and delayed dermal healing as well as applications of appropriate and specific therapies.
Dental attendance patterns in renal transplant recipients
Authors: King GN , Thornhill MH
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVES: Renal transplant recipients (RTR) represent a large and growing population of individuals on potent immunosuppressant therapy who are at significantly greater risk of developing lip and oral mucosal disease, including lip cancer. The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of RTR receiving regular dental treatment, the dental services they used, and the relationship between the prevalence of lip and intraoral lesions and dental attendance.

DESIGN: The lip and oral mucosa of 159 RTR and 160 controls were examined. Subjects were asked questions about frequency of dental attendance and which service they used.

RESULTS: 57.9% RTR attended a dentist regularly compared with 51.3% controls. Among the RTR who attended a dentist regularly, 54.3% visited their general dental practitioner, and 45.6% attended a dental hospital for treatment. This was significantly different from controls where 92.7% of regular attenders used their general dental practitioner (P<0.001). Although the prevalence of oral lesions in RTR (54.7%) was more than twice as many as controls (19.4%). no significant difference was observed between RTR regular dental attenders and non‐attenders.

CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates a clear need for oral health care and screening to be focused on RTR.
Aetiological factors for oral manifestations of HIV
Authors: Palmer GD , Robinson PG , Challacombe SJ , Birnbaum W , Croser D , Erridge PL , Hodgson T , Lewis D , McLaren A , Zakrzewska JM
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVES: Describe the oral diseases in HIV‐infected individuals in London, UK and identify social and medical factors related to the presence of specific oral diseases.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional analytic study.

SETTING: Dental clinics.

SUBJECTS: Consecutive sample of 456 patients with HIV infection.

METHODS: Social and medical history and clinical examinations. Univariate and logistic regression analysis.

OUTCOMES: Presence of HIV‐associated oral disease.

RESULTS: 80% of patients with AIDS and 50% of patients with HIV had a specific oral disease. The most common diseases were hairy leukoplakia (30%), erythematous candidiasis (24%), pseudomembranous candidiasis (14%), angular chielitis (6%), necrotising periodontal disease (8%) and non‐recurrent ulceration (6%).

CONCLUSIONS: The presence of erythematous candidiasis was not related to advanced HIV disease. Pseudomembranous candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia and mucosal ulceration were significantly associated with advanced HIV disease. Smoking was also identified as a strong aetiological factor in oral diseases. Longitudinal studies are required to further explore the prognostic significance of oral diseases in HIV infection.
Paraffin‐embedded tissue as a source of RNA for gene expression analysis in oral malignancy
Authors: Cairns MT , Church S. , Johnston PG , Phenix KV , Marley JJ
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of using archival oral mucosal tissue to examine gene expression at the ribonucleic acid (RNA) level.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe the isolation of RNA from 8 nm sections of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded oral mucosal tissue. RNA was reverse transcribed and three candidate genes amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The ribosomal protein S14 gene is a housekeeping gene which has been used as an internal standard in several quantitative PCR protocols. The thymidine kinase (TK) gene is expressed at low levels in most tissues and, with a well‐documented genomic organisation, is a useful tool for discrimination between genomic DNA and cDNA. The RIa gene is reported to be overexpressed in many cancer cell lines, in malignant tissue and in vitro transformed cellS. RESULTS: The S14 gene, the TK gene and the RIα gene of the cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) were amplified successfully from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue sections. The TK primer pair is a useful additional tool in the unambiguous identification of RNA‐derived species.

CONCLUSION: RNA suitable for reverse transcribed (RT)‐PCR was extracted from archival oral mucosal tissue. This should permit rapid sequence analysis of transcribed tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes in this material. Furthermore, the RT‐PCR approach described may allow quantification of gene expression in oral mucosal archival material processed in a standard fashion.
Hemostatic treatment after tooth extraction in a patient with factor V deficiency
Authors: Yokoyama T. , Tatemoto Y. , Osaki T.
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND: Factor V deficiency is a very rare hereditary coagulation disorder and tooth extraction in the patient with factor V deficiency has not been reported except in one case.

PATIENTS AND TREATMENT: A 38‐year‐old woman with factor V deficiency was referred for extraction of the impacted lower third molar. After intravenous administration of frozen fresh plasma (FFP) and recognition of an increase of factor V level from 1–31%, upper and lower third molars were extracted. Eighteen and 48 h after the extraction, factor V was intermittently supplemented by injection of 4 and 2 units of FFP, respectively, and factor V was maintained above 12%. To form fast coagula and to protect the wound, the lower extraction socket was filled with a fibrin glue composed of factor XIII and fibrinogen (Beriplast® P) and a plastic splint was applied. The wound was healed and epithelized within 2 weeks after the extraction without any bleeding or infectious consequences.

CONCLUSION: Extraction in the patient with factor V hereditary deficiency is safely performed by both supplementation of factor V and application of local hemostasis.
The use of tretinoin as oral mucositis prophylaxis in bone marrow transplantation patients: a preliminary study
Authors: Cohen G. , Elad S. , Or R. , Galili D. , Garfunkel A.A.
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: The examination of prophylactic efficacy of tretinoin on oral mucositis, post bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 11 patients undergoing BMT.Six tretinoin topically‐treated patients (0.25 mg daily of 0.1 % tretinoin cream) were matched with five non‐treated control patients comparing mucositis severity, duration and analgetic (morphine) requirementS. Concomitant follow‐up included conditioning parameters associated with mucositis and engraftment.

RESULTS: The mean of oral mucositis peak scores was significantly lower in the tretinoin‐treated patients vs the non‐treated patients (score 1.5 vs 3.6; P < 0.02). In the majority of cases the duration of the most severe phase of oral mucositis was shorter in the tretinoin‐treated group as compared with the control. Only one patient in the experimental group required morphine analgesics compared with four patients in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study indicates that the severity of oral mucositis, both objective and subjective, in BMT patients may be reduced by 0.1% topical tretinoin cream, 0.25 mg, administered daily from the beginning of the BMT conditioning regimen until marrow engraftment.
Association of cutaneous and oral diseases in HIV‐infected men
Authors: Mirowski GW , Hilton JF , Greenspan D , Canchola AJ , MacPhail LA , Maurer T , Berger TG , Greenspan JS
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVES: Mucocutaneous diseases are common in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To identify cutaneous diseases for which HIV‐infected people are at high risk, we sought those that are strongly associated with specific HIV‐related oral lesions and with progression of HIV disease.

DESIGN: A cross‐sectional study of HIV‐positive outpatients referred to a university stomatology clinic for diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. Each subject underwent both complete oral and cutaneous examinations.

RESULTS: Among 55 men, with a median age of 41 years and a median CD4 cell count of 125/ju.l (range 0–950/pil), 93% had active oral diseases or conditions, including candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia, ulcers, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), and xerostomia, and 95% had skin conditions, including onychomycosis, dermatophytosis, seborrheic dermatitis, KS, folliculitis, xerosis, and molluscum contagiosum. Seborrheic dermatitis, xerosis, skin KS, and molluscum contagiosum were associated with oral HIV‐sentinel lesions (oral candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia, and KS), with low CD4 cell counts, and with AIDS.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that xerosis and seborrheic dermatitis may be early harbingers of HIV disease progression. Their roles as predictors warrant further study, based on their associations with low CD4 cell counts and AIDS and strong co‐prevalence with one of the most common HIV‐related oral lesions, oral candidiasis.
Long‐term supplementation with alpha‐tocopherol and beta‐carotene and prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in smokers
Authors: Liede K , Hietanen J , Saxen L , Haukka J , Timonen T , Hayrinen‐Immonen R , Heinonen OP
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of alpha‐tocopherol and beta‐carotene supplementation on the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in smokers.

DESIGN: An end‐point examination of a random sample of participants in a controlled trial for 5–7 years (Alpha‐Tocopherol Beta‐Carotene Cancer Prevention Study) in Helsinki, Finland.

SUBJECTS: A total of 409 white male cigarette smokers, aged 55–74 years who received either alpha‐tocopherol (50 mg per day) or beta‐carotene (20 mg per day) supplementation, both of these or placebo capsules.

METHODS: Clinical examination of oral mucosae, histological examination of lesions showing leukoplakia and cytological examination of buccal epithelium. Statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the study groups either in the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions or in the cells of unkeratinized epithelium. Leukoplakia was present in 24 (5.9%) of the subjects. Seven lesions showed dysplasia.

CONCLUSION: The present study on oral health does not support the hypothesis that alpha‐tocopherol or beta‐carotene supplementation plays an essential role in preventing oral mucosal changes in smokers.
The role of ascorbic acid in oral cancer and carcinogenesis
Authors: Chan SWY , Reade PC
Published: August 2010

L‐ascorbic acid is an essential dietary vitamin in humans, primates and certain mammals and is endogenously syn‐thesised in some species. Epidemiological and ecological studies have shown that L‐ascorbic acid has a protective effect against cancer, in particular non‐hormone‐dependent malignancies, such as oropharyngeal neoplasms. Experimental in vivo and in vitro studies, however, have yielded more controversial results, suggesting that the effects of L‐ascorbic acid are dose‐ and perhaps, time‐dependent with different effects depending on the species or organ studied. An update of the epidemiological and experimental evidence linking L‐ascorbic acid to oral cancer and carcinogenesis is discussed together with a brief review of the possible mechanisms of action of L‐ascorbic acid.
Role of vitamins C and E as chemopreventive agents in the hamster cheek pouch treated with the oral carcinogen‐DMBA
Authors: Sawant SS , Kandarkar SV
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of vitamins C and E as chemopreventive agents in oral carcinogenesis by optical and ultrastructural studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cheek pouch of male hamsters was treated with the oral carcinogen, dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), to induce multiple tumour formation. Vitamins C and E were applied either singly or in combination as a chemopreventive agent. Paraffin and resin‐embedded sections of the hamster cheek pouch were studied optically and ultrastructurally. RESULTS: The epithelium of control hamsters showed hyperorthokeratosis and parakeratosis, but did not develop well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (WDSCC).Ninety percent of the animals treated with DMBA alone showed WDSCC while 10% of the animals developed papillomas. There was also a marked increase in the number of cells undergoing mitosis in this group. A reduction in the yield (1.1 tumour/animal) and rate 60–80% of squamous cell carcinomas but not of papillomas (2.0 papillomas/animal) was observed in groups VI‐VIII treated with DMBA and vitamins C and E singly or in combination as compared to those of DMBA only. In animals treated with DMBA plus vitamins C and E, statistical significant decrease in the number of animals with tumours and mitotic basal cells was observed when compared with the DMBA treated group. Control animals showed normal ultrastructural morphology while tumour‐bearing animals showed basal lamina in a discontinuous, fragmented, broken and diffused basement membrane, with diminished lamina densa, fewer hemi‐desmosomes and invagination of the basal cell cytoplas‐mic processes in the subepithelium.

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that vitamin E singly or in combination with vitamin C plays a role in the inhibition of tumour cell growth.
Cytokines in temporomandibular joint arthritis
Authors: Alstergren P
Published: August 2010

As the article in the current issue by Shinoda and colleagues shows, during the last two decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the understanding of basic biology behind chronic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, inflammation and destruction. The involvement and contribution of cytokines to TMJ pain and inflammation must now be considered as established, evident and fundamental. Based on the present knowledge, it is now possible to design and investigate novel therapeutic strategies. These new and very encouraging approaches include manipulation of cytokine function, immune reactivity and the behaviour of inflammatory cells while maintaining the integrity of the affected tissue.
Complementary feeding messages that target cultural barriers enhance both the use of lipid‐based nutrient supplements and underlying feeding practices to improve infant diets in rural Zimbabwe
Authors: Paul Keriann H. , Muti Monica , Chasekwa Bernard , Mbuya Mduduzi N.N. , Madzima Rufaro C. , Humphrey Jean H. , Stoltzfus Rebecca J.
Published: August 2010

Supplementation with lipid‐based nutrient supplements (LiNS) is promoted as an approach to prevent child undernutrition and growth faltering. Previous LiNS studies have not tested the effects of improving the underlying diet prior to providing LiNS. Formative research was conducted in rural Zimbabwe to develop feeding messages to improve complementary feeding with and without LiNS. Two rounds of Trials of Improved Practices were conducted with mothers of infants aged 6–12 months to assess the feasibility of improving infant diets using (1) only locally available resources and (2) locally available resources plus 20 g of LiNS as Nutributter®/day. Common feeding problems were poor dietary diversity and low energy density. Popular improved practices were to process locally available foods so that infants could swallow them and add processed local foods to enrich porridges. Consumption of beans, fruits, green leafy vegetables, and peanut/seed butters increased after counselling (P < 0.05). Intakes of energy, protein, vitamin A, folate, calcium, iron and zinc from complementary foods increased significantly after counselling with or without the provision of Nutributter (P < 0.05). Intakes of fat, folate, iron, and zinc increased only (fat) or more so (folate, iron, and zinc) with the provision of Nutributter (P < 0.05). While provision of LiNS was crucial to ensure adequate intakes of iron and zinc, educational messages that were barrier‐specific and delivered directly to mothers were crucial to improving the underlying diet.
Prospective Follow-Up of Female Sexual Function After Vaginal Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Using Transobturator Mesh Implants
Authors: Hoda M.R. , Wagner Sigrid , Greco Francesco , Heynemann Hans , Fornara Paolo
Published: August 2010

Introduction

Although the use of transobturator mesh implants for pelvic organ prolapse repair has been shown to be safe and effective, concern exists that the presence of prosthetic material in the vagina may adversely affect sexual function.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of transobturator mesh implantation on sexual function using validated questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures

Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a validated 19-item questionnaire that assesses six domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain), was used. The questionnaire was administered preoperatively, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Clinical data were also recorded at each time point.

Methods

Prospective nonrandomized study including 96 women with pelvic organ prolapse (cystocele, rectocele, vault prolapse). Transvaginal anterior or posterior wall repair using transobturator mesh implants with or without concomitant transobturator sling procedure.

Results

Mean age was 51.4 ± 5.2 years. Mean operating time was 47.6 ± 23.4 minutes, and the mean hospitalization period was 3.8 ± 1.6 days. After initial decrease during the first 3 months, patients experienced a steady improvement in their sexual function. At 24 months postoperatively, the total mean FSFI score reached significantly higher values compared to the baseline (P = 0.023). Furthermore, pain-free intercourse improved during the follow-up reaching mean score of 4.27 ± 0.79 (P < 0.05) after 2 years. Pelvic floor examination at 2 years follow-up showed excellent surgical results with only 3.1% of the patients presenting with stage II vaginal wall prolapse.

Conclusions

Surgical repair of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse using mesh implants results in improvement of major parameters of sexual function. A worsening in pain with intercourse during the initial months postoperatively lessens after 3 months as healing is completed.
Monitoring Strategies at Phreatic Wellfields: A 3D Travel Time Approach
Authors: Peter Broers Hans , Van Geer Frans C.
Published: August 2010

Ground water quality networks for monitoring phreatic drinking water wellfields are generally established for two main purposes: (1) the short‐term safeguarding of public water supply and (2) signaling and predicting future quality changes in the extracted ground water. Six monitoring configurations with different well locations and different screen depths and lengths were evaluated using a numerical model of the 3D ground water flow toward a partially penetrating pumping well in a phreatic aquifer. Travel times and breakthrough curves for observation and pumping wells were used to judge the effectiveness of different design configurations for three monitoring objectives: (1) early warning; (2) prediction of future quality changes; and (3) evaluation of protection measures inside a protection zone. Effectiveness was tested for scenarios with advective transport, first‐order degradation, and linear sorption. It is shown that the location and especially the depth of the observation wells should be carefully chosen, taking into account the residence time from the surface to the observation well, the residual transit times to the extraction well, and the transformation and retardation rates. Shallow monitoring was most functional for a variety of objectives and conditions. The larger the degradation rates or retardation, the shallower should the monitoring be for effective early warning and prediction of future ground water quality. The general approach followed in the current study is applicable for many geohydrological situations, tuning specific monitoring objectives with residence times and residual transit times obtained from a site‐specific ground water flow model.
Optimizing Remediation of an Unconfined Aquifer Using a Hybrid Algorithm
Authors: Hsiao Chin‐Tsai , Chang Liang‐Cheng
Published: August 2010

We present a novel hybrid algorithm, integrating a genetic algorithm (GA) and constrained differential dynamic programming (CDDP), to achieve remediation planning for an unconfined aquifer. The objective function includes both fixed and dynamic operation costs. GA determines the primary structure of the proposed algorithm, and a chromosome therein implemented by a series of binary digits represents a potential network design. The time‐varying optimal operation cost associated with the network design is computed by the CDDP, in which is embedded a numerical transport model. Several computational approaches, including a chromosome bookkeeping procedure, are implemented to alleviate computational loading. Additionally, case studies that involve fixed and time‐varying operating costs for confined and unconfined aquifers, respectively, are discussed to elucidate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Simulation results indicate that the fixed costs markedly affect the optimal design, including the number and locations of the wells. Furthermore, the solution obtained using the confined approximation for an unconfined aquifer may be infeasible, as determined by an unconfined simulation.
Site Characterization in Densely Fractured Dolomite: Comparison of Methods
Authors: Muldoon Maureen , Bradbury Ken R.
Published: August 2010

One of the challenges in characterizing fractured‐rock aquifers is determining whether the equivalent porous medium approximation is valid at the problem scale. Detailed hydrogeologic characterization completed at a small study site in a densely fractured dolomite has yielded an extensive data set that was used to evaluate the utility of the continuum and discrete‐fracture approaches to aquifer characterization. There are two near‐vertical sets of fractures at the site; near‐horizontal bedding‐plane partings constitute a third fracture set. Eighteen boreholes, including five coreholes, were drilled to a depth of ∼10.6 m. Borehole geophysical logs revealed several laterally extensive horizontal fractures and dissolution zones. Flowmeter and short‐interval packer testing identified which of these features were hydraulically important. A monitoring system, consisting of short‐interval piezometers and multilevel samplers, was designed to monitor four horizontal fractures and two dissolution zones. The resulting network consisted of >70 sampling points and allowed detailed monitoring of head distributions in three dimensions.

Comparison of distributions of hydraulic head and hydraulic conductivity determined by these two approaches suggests that even in a densely fractured‐carbonate aquifer, a characterization approach using traditional long‐interval monitoring wells is inadequate to characterize ground water movement for the purposes of regulatory monitoring or site remediation. In addition, traditional multiwell pumping tests yield an average or bulk hydraulic conductivity that is not adequate for predicting rapid ground water travel times through the fracture network, and the pumping test response does not appear to be an adequate tool for assessing whether the porous medium approximation is valid.
A Simple Method for Calculating Growth Rates of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Plumes
Authors: Bekins Barbara A. , Cozzarelli Isabelle M. , Curtis Gary P.
Published: August 2010

Consumption of aquifer Fe(III) during biodegradation of ground water contaminants may result in expansion of a contaminant plume, changing the outlook for monitored natural attenuation. Data from two research sites contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons show that toluene and xylenes degrade under methanogenic conditions, but the benzene and ethylbenzene plumes grow as aquifer Fe(III) supplies are depleted. By considering a one‐dimensional reaction front in a constant unidirectional flow field, it is possible to derive a simple expression for the growth rate of a benzene plume. The method balances the mass flux of benzene with the Fe(III) content of the aquifer, assuming that the biodegradation reaction is instantaneous. The resulting expression shows that the benzene front migration is retarded relative to the ground water velocity by a factor that depends on the concentrations of hydrocarbon and bioavailable Fe(III). The method provides good agreement with benzene plumes at a crude oil study site in Minnesota and a gasoline site in South Carolina. Compared to the South Carolina site, the Minnesota site has 25% higher benzene flux but eight times the Fe(III), leading to about one‐sixth the expansion rate. Although it was developed for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, the growth‐rate estimation method may have applications to contaminant plumes from other persistent contaminant sources.
An Improved Straight‐Line Fitting Method for Analyzing Pumping Test Recovery Data
Authors: Zheng Li , Guo Jian‐Qing , Lei Yuping
Published: August 2010

Theis (1935) derived an exact solution for the residual drawdown in a well after the cessation of a pumping test by summing two drawdowns: one (s1), caused by imaginary continuation of the original pumping and the other (s2), due to an imaginary injection at the same constant rate. We approximated the Theis solution to obtain a simple linear relation for determining the transmissivity and storage coefficient from recovery data. Unlike other existing straight‐line fitting methods, in our method, we applied different approximations to the well functions in the solutions of s1 and s2. We used the well‐known Cooper‐Jacob approximation for s1, truncating the expansion of the well function in s2 to its first three terms. For the same level of truncation errors, while the Cooper‐Jacob approximation requires the argument u1≤ 0.01, the second approximation requires the argument u2≤ 0.2, thus dramatically improving the utility of short‐term recovery data. Application of our method requires only recovery data from a single observation well and no knowledge of the drawdown at the moment of pumping cessation.
An Algorithm for the Estimation of NAPL Saturation and Composition from Typical Soil Chemical Analyses
Authors: Mariner Paul E. , Jin Minquan , Jackson Richard E.
Published: August 2010

An algorithm is presented that allows estimation of the saturation and composition of a single of multi‐component NAPL within a core sample. These estimates are possible because, in addition to distributing the organic chemicals between aqueous, sorbed, air, and NAPL phases according to traditionalpartitioning equations, the algorithm incorporates equations for the conservation of mass and volume. A unique solution is obtained by solvihg the set of nonlinear equations implicitly. The algorithm is built into a code called NAPLANAL, which is tested and applied to actual core samples collected in the field.
In situ mesocosms: Denitrification in the Elk Valley aquifer
Authors: Korom Scott F. , Schlag Allen J. , Schuh William M. , Kammer Schlag Alison
Published: August 2010

Large stainless steel chambers were designed, constructed, and installed to make in situ mesocosms (ISMs) of aquifer sediments. The advantages of the ISMs over in situ microcosms, their smaller counterparts, are that ISMs may be sampled for longer times with larger sampling volumes. The former advantage makes ISMs a good tool to study the natural attenuation of contaminants with slow degradation rates. The latter advantage allows samples to be large enough that they may be analyzed for contaminants and reaction products, plus major ions normally associated with “complete” water analyses. Having such a large suite of analytes provides insights into associated mineral saturation conditions and possible reaction pathways that may not be readily apparent. As an example of their utility, a tracer test was done in a pair of ISMs to test our hypothesis that S(−I) in pyrite was a major electron donor for denitrification in the Elk Valley aquifer in eastern North Dakota. During the 9‐month experiment, sediment data, ground water saturation indices, and trends in the geochemical evolution of the bromide tracer, calcium, inorganic carbon, magnesium, nitrate, and sulfate concentrations indicate that 58% of the denitrification was caused by S(−I) as the electron donor. These data also suggest that ferrous iron and organic carbon may have served as electron donors for the denitrification. The apparent zero‐order denitrification rate was 16 mM/d (r2= 0.93) with a δ15N isotopic enrichment factor of −20.4‰ (r2= 0.998).