bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acceptance of Male Registered Nurses by Female Registered Nurses
Authors: McMillian James , Morgan Susan A. , Ament Patrick
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To investigate attitudes of acceptance toward male registered nurses by female registered nurses.

Design: Randomized descriptive design using 105 female registered nurses from a large midwestern state in the US.

Methods: Data were collected using an attitude inventory and analyzed using t test, chi square, Spearman rho, Pearson correlation, Mann‐Whitney U and multiple regression tests.

Findings: Acceptance was normally distributed. No difference in acceptance was found between rural and urban participants. The length of time working with a male nurse explained significant variance in acceptance scores. City or town of socialization was not related to acceptance scores. Rural participants were less likely than were urban participants to believe that female nurses are ready to accept large numbers of men into the profession.

Conclusions: The relationship of the distribution of acceptance of male registered nurses found in this study to the perceptions of acceptance by male registered nurses is unclear and requires further investigation.
Preventing and Terminating Unwanted Pregnancies in Turkey
Authors: Kavlak Oya , Atan Senay Unsal , Saruhan Aynur , Sevil Umran
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To determine the methods used to prevent pregnancy by women seeking abortion of unwanted pregnancy, their knowledge and use of emergency contraception, and reasons for wanting the abortion.

Design: The sample was 144 randomly selected women, who requested abortion for termination of their pregnancies at two hospitals in Izmir, Turkey, during the study period.

Methods: A questionnaire was completed by the researcher in face‐to‐face interviews.

Findings: In this sample 43.8% had had previous abortions; 77.1% used some method of family planning; 7.0% used emergency contraceptives. The methods selected after unprotected sexual intercourse by these women included vaginal douche (37.5%), waiting to see whether the menstrual cycle would begin (27.0%), going to a hospital or maternal‐child health center (24.3%), and two other alternatives (4.2%). One‐fifth of the women said that, if they get pregnant again, they will have another abortion.

Conclusions: The number of unwanted pregnancies is high and many women seek abortions as a birth control method. Women in this sample needed information about effective methods for preventing pregnancy.
Comparison of Health‐Promoting Behaviors of Noninstitutionalized and Institutionalized Older Adults in Korea
Authors: Kim Sook‐Young , Jeon Eun‐Young , Sok Sohyune R. , Kim Kwuy‐Bun
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To compare the health‐promoting behaviors of noninstitutionalized and institutionalized Korean older adults.

Design: Descriptive survey.

Methods: The study sample included 214 Korean older adults (108 noninstitutionalized and 106 institutionalized) aged 65 years or over living in Seoul and Daegu, Korea. Data were collected from April to August, 2003. Measures were the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale (RSES), and the General Self‐Efficacy Scale.

Findings: The average scores for HPLP, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy of noninstitutionalized older adults were higher than those of institutionalized participants. Noninstitutionalized participants also scored significantly higher than did the institutionalized participants on self‐esteem and self‐efficacy.

Conclusions: Studies were focused on the effects of various nursing interventions for health promotion are needed for older adults, especially those in institutions.
Dimensions of Professional Labor Support for Intrapartum Practice
Authors: Sauls Donna J.
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To define and describe the dimensions of Professional Labor Support (PLS).

Design and Methods: A factor‐analytic study was conducted with a random sample of 146 intrapartum nurses in Texas. Nurses' responses to the Labor Support Questionnaire (LSQ) were subjected to principal components analysis and descriptive analysis.

Findings: A six‐factor solution indicated the dimensions of PLS: Tangible Support, Advocacy, Emotional Support‐Reassurance, Emotional Support‐Creating Control, Security and Comfort, Emotional Support‐Nurse Caring Behavior, and Informational Support.

Conclusions: Although the presence of four dimensions was theorized, six dimensions were found. The emotional support dimension was identified by nurses as being an important component of labor support as indicated by the identification of three separate emotional support dimensions.
An Intervention Study to Prevent Relapse in Patients With Schizophrenia
Authors: Van Meijel B. , Kruitwagen C. , Van Der Gaag M. , Kahn R.S. , Grypdonck M.H.F.
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To determine whether the use of relapse prevention plans (RPPs) in nursing practice is an effective intervention in reducing relapse rates among patients with schizophrenia.

Design and Methods: Experimental design. Patients with schizophrenia (or a related psychotic disorder) and nurses from three mental health organizations were randomly assigned to either an experimental (RPP) or control condition (care as usual). The primary outcome measure was the psychotic relapses in the research groups.

Results: The relapse rates in the experimental and control groups after 1‐year follow‐up were 12.5% and 26.2%, respectively (p=.12, ns). The relative risk of a relapse in the experimental versus the control group was 0.48(ns).

Conclusions: In this study no statistically significant effects of the intervention were found. Effectiveness research in this area should be continued with larger sample sizes and longer follow‐up periods.
Perceptions of Barriers and Benefits to Physical Activity Among Outpatients in Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Authors: McDevitt Judith , Snyder Marsha , Miller Arlene , Wilbur JoEllen
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To explore perceived barriers and benefits to physical activity in people with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) who were enrolled in community‐based psychiatric rehabilitation.

Design and Methods: Four focus groups, two for men and two for women, were held with a total of 34 outpatients from two program sites. The investigators used a semistructured interview guide to facilitate the discussions. Audiotapes of the discussions were transcribed and analyzed for concepts and themes.

Findings: Significant barriers to physical activity were: mental illness symptoms, medications, weight gain from medications, fear of discrimination, and safety concerns. Being in a psychiatric rehabilitation program offered comfort and belonging, but it also had the effect of leaving activity initiation up to the program staff, which some participants perceived was part of required program compliance. However, participants viewed physical activity positively, and they linked being active to improved mental health.

Conclusions: Outpatients in psychiatric rehabilitation valued physical activity, but mental illness symptoms, medication sedation, weight gain, fear of unsafe conditions, fear of discrimination, and interpretations of program compliance were barriers. Confronting how attitudes and barriers specific to this population can affect activity and reframing program compliance to include the independent initiation of activity as part of improving health might help clients of mental health services to become more active.
Transitional and Health Issues of Adults With Neural Tube Defects
Authors: Nehring Wendy M. , Faux Sandra A.
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To examine past, current, and future developmental and health care issues and concerns of Caucasian, African American, and Mexican American adults, aged 20 to 75 years, with neural tube defects (NTDs).

Design: Naturalistic inquiry.

Methods: A semi‐structured interview was used to obtain information from 16 Caucasian, 11 African American, and 15 Mexican American adults.

Findings: Three themes identified in the analysis were uncertainty about the future, access to health care and information, and advocacy.

Conclusions: Documenting the adult trajectories of chronic childhood conditions, such as NTDs, is important. Although much is known about such conditions in childhood, additional knowledge about health and developmental concerns across the lifespan enhances provision of appropriate anticipatory guidance and health care.
Factors Associated With Work Satisfaction of Registered Nurses
Authors: Kovner Christine , Brewer Carol , Wu Yow‐Wu , Cheng Ying , Suzuki Miho
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To examine the factors that influence the work satisfaction of a national sample of registered nurses in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs).

Design: A cross‐sectional mailed survey design was used. The sample consisted of RNs randomly selected from 40 MSAs in 29 states; 1,907 RNs responded (48%). The sample of 1,538 RNs working in nursing was used for analysis.

Methods: The questionnaire included measures of work attitudes and demographic characteristics. The data were analyzed using ordinary least‐squares regression.

Findings: More than 40% of the variance in satisfaction was explained by the various work attitudes: supervisor support, work‐group cohesion, variety of work, autonomy, organizational constraint, promotional opportunities, work and family conflict, and distributive justice. RNs who were White, self‐perceived as healthy, and working in nursing education were more satisfied. RNs that were more career oriented were more satisfied. Of the benefits options, only paid time off was related to satisfaction.

Conclusions: Work‐related factors were significantly related to RNs' work satisfaction.
Nurse Care Coordination in Community‐Based Long‐Term Care
Authors: Marek Karen Dorman , Popejoy Lori , Petroski Greg , Rantz Marilyn
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of a nurse care coordination program for people receiving services from a state‐funded home and community‐based waiver program called Missouri Care Options (MCO).

Design: A quasi‐experimental design was used to compare 55 MCO clients who received nurse care coordination (NCC) and 30 clients who received MCO services but no nurse care coordination.

Methods: Nurse care coordination consists of the assignment of a registered nurse who provides home care services for both the MCO program and Medicare home health services. Two standardized datasets, the Minimum Data Set (MDS) for resident care and planning and the Outcome Assessment Instrument and Data Set (OASIS) were collected at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months on both groups. Cognition was measured with the MDS Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS), activities of daily living (ADL) as the sum of five MDS ADL items, depression with the MDS‐Depression Rating Scale, and incontinence and pressure ulcers with specific MDS items. Three OASIS items were used to measure pain, dyspnea, and medication management. The Cochran‐Mantel‐Haenszel (CMH) method was used to test the association between the NCC intervention and clinical outcomes.

Findings: At 12 months the NCC group scored significantly better statistically in the clinical outcomes of pain, dyspnea, and ADLs. No significant differences between groups were found in eight clinical outcome measures at 6 months.

Conclusions: Use of nurse care coordination for acute and chronic home care warrants further evaluation as a treatment approach for chronically ill older adults.
Oxidation Mechanism of C in MgO–C Refractory Bricks
Authors: Sadrnezhaad S. K. , Mahshid S. , Hashemi B. , Nemati Z. A.
Published: February 2006

Kinetics of oxidation of MgO–C refractory bricks containing 14.3% graphite, 80.9% magnesia, and 4.8% phenolic resin is investigated comprehensively. Effect of temperature and grain size distribution on the rate of oxidation of graphite is evaluated by application of a mathematical model developed on the basis of shrinking core/progressive conversion regime to the gas–solid processes involved. Incorporation of the experimental data into the mathematical model indicates that a mixed controlling mechanism governs the oxidation rate. Three activation energies were recognized: (a) 68 kJ/mol for chemical adsorption of gas on the surface of the graphite flakes, (b) 22 kJ/mol for pore diffusion of the gases within the decarburized layer, and (c) 140 kJ/mol for internal diffusion of the reactants toward the active reaction sites. The first process was influential at all temperatures, the second was confined to the temperatures above 800°C and the third was attributed to the temperatures lower than 800°C. Empirical data indicated a much lower weight loss rate at temperatures lower than 800°C.
A Compact Furnace for Synchrotron Powder Diffraction Experiments up to 1800 K
Authors: Yashima Masatomo , Oh‐uchi Kenjiro , Tanaka Masahiko , Ida Takashi
Published: February 2006

A new electric furnace has been designed and fabricated for measurements of the high‐resolution synchrotron radiation powder diffraction profiles from materials at high temperatures up to 1807 K in air, suitable for the multiple‐detector system installed at the BL‐4B2 experimental station of the Photon Factory, Tsukuba, Japan. In the present study, at 1703 K in air, the whole powder pattern of National Institute of Standard and Technology ceria powder was step scanned at a step interval of 0.004° in 2θ, by the counting time of 1.5 s/step and with a monochromatized 1.205363(5) Å X‐ray, in just 7 h. The full width at half‐maximum of the 111 reflection of the ceria was narrow (0.0139°). The δd/d resolution of the ceria ranged from 0.058% to 0.126% at 1703 K, where d and δd are the lattice spacing and peak width, respectively. Precise unit‐cell parameter 5.51259(1) Å and the atomic displacement parameters were refined by the Rietveld analysis of the powder data measured at 1703 K. An electron‐density map of ceria at 1703 K was obtained by the maximum‐entropy method.
Solvothermal Reaction of Rare‐Earth Metals in 2‐Methoxyethanol and 2‐Aminoethanol
Authors: Kobayashi Takeo , Hosokawa Saburo , Iwamoto Shinji , Inoue Masashi
Published: February 2006

In a previous paper, we reported that the reaction of cerium metal in 2‐methoxyethanol yielded a transparent colloidal solution of ultrafine (2 nm) ceria particles [M. Inoue, M. Kimura, T. Inui, Chem. Commun., 957 (1999)]. In this paper, the solvothermal reaction of other rare‐earth metals in 2‐methoxyethanol has been examined. Reactions of Sm and Yb metals in 2‐methoxyethanol at 300°C yielded transparent colloidal solutions of Sm2O3 and Yb2O3 particles. However, the reaction of rare‐earth metals of Y, Eu, Gd, and Tb in 2‐methoxyethanol at 300°C resulted in recovery of the starting materials. Transparent colloidal solutions of the oxides of these elements were obtained by reaction in the presence of a small amount of acetic acid. The solvothermal reaction of rare‐earth metals in 2‐aminoethanol was also examined.
Microstructural Evolution and Formation Mechanism of the Interface Between Titanium and Zirconia Annealed at 1550°C
Authors: Lin Kun‐Lin , Lin Chien‐Cheng
Published: February 2006

The diffusional reaction between titanium and zirconia was carried out isothermally at 1550°C in argon. The distinct reaction layers in the reaction‐affected zone between Ti and ZrO2 were investigated using analytical scanning electron microscopy, analytical transmission electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalyses. In the metal side, there existed five reaction layers in a sequence of α‐Ti(O), Ti2ZrO+α‐Ti(O, Zr), Ti2ZrO+α‐Ti(O, Zr)+β′‐Ti (O, Zr), α‐Ti (O, Zr)+β′‐Ti (O, Zr), and β′‐Ti (Zr, O) after cooling. In the zirconia side, two reaction layers were found: near the original interface, β′‐Ti coexisted with fine spherical c‐ZrO2−x and Chinese‐script‐like c‐ZrO2−x, which dissolved a significant amount of Y2O3 in solid solution; further away from the original interface, the coarsened intergranular α‐Zr was excluded from metastable ZrO2−x, resulting in the lenticular t‐ZrO2−x and ordered c‐ZrO2−x. An attempt was made to determine and propose the microstructural evolution and formation mechanism of the reaction layers between titanium and zirconia isothermally annealed at 1550°C.
Yodel: A Yield Stress Model for Suspensions
Authors: Flatt Robert J. , Bowen Paul
Published: February 2006

A model for the yield stress of particulate suspensions is presented that incorporates microstructural parameters taking into account volume fraction of solids, particle size, particle size distribution, maximum packing, percolation threshold, and interparticle forces. The model relates the interparticle forces between particles of dissimilar size and the statistical distribution of particle pairs expected for measured or log‐normal size distributions. The model is tested on published data of sub‐micron ceramic suspensions and represents the measured data very well, over a wide range of volume fractions of solids. The model shows the variation of the yield stress of particulate suspensions to be inversely proportional to the particle diameter. Not all the parameters in the model could be directly evaluated; thus, two were used as adjustable variables: the maximum packing fraction and the minimum interparticle separation distance. The values for these two adjustable variables provided by the model are in good agreement with separate determinations of these parameters. This indicates that the model and the approximations used in its derivation capture the main parameters that influence the yield stress of particulate suspensions and should help us to better predict changes in the rheological properties of complex suspensions. The model predicts the variation of the yield stress of particulate suspensions to be inversely proportional to the particle diameter, but the experimental results do not show a clear dependence on diameter. This result is consistent with previous evaluations, which have shown significant variations in this dependence, and the reasons behind the yield stress dependence on particle size are discussed in the context of the radius of curvature of particles at contact.
Levels of immunoglobulin A1 and messenger RNA for interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α in total saliva from patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 with chronic periodontal disease
Authors: Gomes Marcio A. B. , Rodrigues Flavio H. , Afonso‐Cardoso Sandra R. , Buso Antonio M. , Silva Adriano G. , Favoreto Silvio , Souza Maria A.
Published: February 2006

Background:  Diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease have high incidence in the general population and are associated with various degrees of dysfunction in the immune system. It has been shown that diabetic patients with severe periodontal disease have more complications of diabetes and less effective metabolic control compared with diabetic patients with healthy gingiva. Patients with diabetes and severe periodontal disease present higher levels of serous immunoglobulin A (IgA). Elevation of the IgA1 isotype is thought to contribute to this phenomenon. Another important event in the diabetes–periodontitis association is the disturbance in local and systemic production of inflammatory cytokines.

Objective:  In this study we tested the hypothesis that type 2 diabetic patients with chronic moderate periodontal disease have differences in salivary IgA1 titers and cytokine expression when compared with the chronic severe periodontal disease cases.

Methods:  We utilized a jacalin–IgA capture assay to determine the IgA1 titers in total saliva and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction to detect mRNA for interferon γ (IFN‐γ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) in total saliva samples of 13 patients with chronic moderate periodontal disease and 10 with chronic severe periodontal disease.

Results and conclusions:  We observed a predominance of IgA1 titers of 64 (45.5%) in saliva samples from chronic severe periodontal disease patients and titers averaging 512 (30.8%) in chronic moderate periodontal disease patients. We detected mRNA for IFN‐γ in six out of 10 chronic severe periodontal disease subjects and in two out of 13 chronic moderate periodontal disease patients. TNF‐α expression was similar in both groups. Our data suggest that higher levels of IgA1 may exert partial protection of the periodontal tissue in chronic moderate periodontal disease diabetic patients when compared to severe periodontal disease. Despite the small number of patients, IFN‐γ expression had a trend association with severity of periodontitis and TNF‐α gene expression did not correlate with severity of periodontal disease.
Effect of smoking on crevicular polymorphonuclear neutrophil function in periodontally healthy subjects
Authors: Güntsch A. , Erler M. , Preshaw P. M. , Sigusch B. W. , Klinger G. , Glockmann E.
Published: February 2006

Background:  Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) represent the first line of cellular defences in the gingival crevice. Smoking, as probably the most important environmental risk factor for periodontitis, has been shown to adversely affect many neutrophil functions.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of smoking on PMN numbers and function in periodontally healthy smokers and non‐smokers.

Methods:  Sixty subjects were recruited: 15 non‐smokers, 15 light smokers (< 5 cigarettes/day), 15 moderate smokers (5–15 cigarettes/day) and 15 heavy smokers (> 15 cigarettes/day). Full mouth plaque index, sulcus bleeding index and probing depths were measured. Crevicular washings were obtained from all subjects to harvest PMNs. Numbers of PMNs, percentage viability, and percentage phagocytosis of opsonized Candida albicans were recorded.

Results:  Mean plaque scores and probing depths were (non‐significantly) increased in smokers compared to non‐smokers. Mean sulcus bleeding index scores were significantly lower in moderate (0.10 ± 0.10) and heavy (0.07 ± 0.11) smokers compared to non‐smokers (0.14 ± 0.13) (p < 0.05). Compared to non‐smokers (1.73 ± 1.08 × 106/ml), the numbers of PMNs were higher in light (1.98 ± 0.96 × 106/ml) and moderate (2.03 ± 1.43 × 106/ml) smokers and were lower in heavy smokers (1.68 ± 1.18 × 106/ml), though there were no significant differences in PMN counts between the groups (p > 0.05). Percentage viability of PMNs was significantly lower in light (77.6 ± 7.8%), moderate (76.5 ± 8.2%) and heavy (75.0 ± 6.5%) smokers compared to non‐smokers (85.5 ± 6.0%) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ability of PMNs to phagocytose was significantly impaired in light (58.3 ± 4.1%), moderate (51.9 ± 2.33%) and heavy (40.9 ± 3.5%) smokers compared to non‐smokers (74.1 ± 4.1%) (p < 0.05), with evidence of a dose–response effect.

Conclusion:  Cigarette smoking adversely affected PMN viability and function in this periodontally healthy population.
Injury pattern in youth team handball: a comparison of two prospective registration methods
Authors: Olsen O.‐E. , Myklebust G. , Engebretsen L. , Bahr R.
Published: February 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine the injury incidence and pattern of injuries in youth female and male team handball players using two different prospective registration methods; match reports (90 teams, 1080 players) and coach reports (34 teams, 428 players). A total of 118 injuries were recorded by the coach report, of which 93 (79%) were acute injuries (incidence training: 0.9±0.16 injuries/1000 player hours; matches: 9.9±1.26; rate ratio vs training: 10.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.0–16.6]; P<0.0001) and 25 (21%) were overuse injuries. Knee (26%) and ankle (24%) injuries accounted for half of the acute injuries (training: 0.5±0.12 injuries/1000/h; matches: 4.4±0.84; rate ratio vs training: 8.0 (95% CI 4.5–14.5); P<0.0001). No gender difference was found in the injury rate (rate ratio female vs male: 1.3 (95% CI 0.8–2.1); P=0.40). Most of the injuries occurred in the attacking phase by back or wing players doing a plant‐and‐cut, landing or turning movement, and more than half in contact situations with the opponent. Similar results were observed for acute match injuries in the match report. These results indicate that the rate of injuries in youth team handball is as high as at the senior level, and prevention should focus on knee and ankle injuries. The coach report seems to be the best method to register injuries in youth team handball to provide a full spectrum of injuries according to their type, incidence and severity.
Maximum physical capacity testing in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: qualitative findings from an exercise program
Authors: Knutsen L. , Quist M. , Midtgaard J. , Rorth M. , Adamsen L.
Published: February 2006

Background: Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in the field of physical exercise in rehabilitation of cancer patients, leading to requirements for objective maximum physical capacity measurement (maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and one‐repetition maximum (1RM)) to determine dose–response levels in different cancer diagnoses.

Aim: To explore the patients' experiences of maximum physical capacity testing while concurrently undergoing chemotherapy and participating in a 6‐week, 9 h weekly multidimensional exercise program.

Design and method: Prospective, exploratory study using semi‐structured qualitative interviews conducted prior to and at termination of the program. The study included 100 patients (18–65 years, median 42 years) with or without residual disease and with mixed diagnoses.

Results: Following the intervention, cancer patients felt significantly safer in performing maximum physical capacity tests as these motivated them through self‐perceived competitiveness and set a standard that served to encourage peak performance.

Conclusion: The positive attitudes in this sample towards maximum physical capacity open the possibility of introducing physical testing early in the treatment process. However, the patients were self‐referred and thus highly motivated and as such are not necessarily representative of the whole population of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.
Injuries and preventive actions in elite Swedish volleyball
Authors: Augustsson S.R. , Augustsson J. , Thomeé R. , Svantesson U.
Published: February 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of injury and the extent of preventive actions in elite Swedish volleyball players. Injuries to players in the elite male and female Swedish division, during the 2002–2003 season, were registered by using a questionnaire. Of the 158 volleyball players (70% response rate), a total of 82 players (52%) reported 121 injuries, during a total exposure time of 24 632 h, representing an overall incidence of 0.77 injuries per player. The majority of the injuries were located in the ankle (23%), followed by the knee (18%) and the back (15%). Most injuries (62%) were classified as being of minor severity. Most injuries occurred during training (47%), and 41% of the injuries had a gradual onset. Fifty‐four percent of the injuries that could be related to a specific court situation occurred during blocking, and 30% during spiking. Most players (96%) participated in injury prevention training of some kind, generally performed without supervision (58%).

Although most players took part in some kind of preventive action, one out of two players incurred an injury during the season, which indicates that the risk of suffering an injury in elite volleyball is relatively high.
Number VII Behçet's disease (Adamantiades syndrome)
Authors: Escudier M , Bagan J , Scully C
Published: February 2006

Behçet's syndrome (BS; Adamantiades syndrome) is the association of the triple symptom complex of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) with genital ulceration, and eye disease (especially iridocyclitis) though a number of other systemic manifestations may also be seen. BS mainly affects young adult males, and there is an association with HLA‐B5 and HLA‐B51 (B5101). Features such as arthralgia and leucocytoclastic vasculitis suggest an immune‐complex mediated basis, which is supported by finding circulating immune complexes and, although the antigen responsible is unidentified, heat shock proteins have been implicated. An inflammatory disorder, BS is now considered as a systemic vasculitis, characterised by a very wide spectrum of clinical features and by unpredictable exacerbations and remissions.
Statins and bone metabolism
Authors: Horiuchi N , Maeda T
Published: February 2006

3‐Hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are potent inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. Cholesterol‐lowering therapy using statins significantly reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. However, extensive use of statins leads to increases of other undesirable as well as beneficial effects, so‐called pleiotropic effects. With respect to these effects, statins augment the expression of bone morphogenetic protein‐2, a potent simulator of osteoblast differentiation and its activity, and promote mineralization by cultured osteoblasts, indicating that statins have an anabolic effect on bone. Chronic administration of statins in ovariectomized (OVX) rats modestly increases bone mineral density (BMD) of cancellous bone but not of compact bone. In clinical studies, there are conflicting results regarding the clinical benefits of this therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis. Observational studies suggest an association between statin use and reduction in fracture risk. Clinical trials reported no effect of statin treatment on BMD in hip and spine, and on bone turnover. Statins also may influence oral osseous tissues. Administration of statins in combination with osteoporosis therapy appears to improve alveolar bone architecture in the mandibles of OVX rats with maxillary molar extraction. Statins continue to be considered as potential therapeutic agents for patients with osteoporosis and possibly with periodontal disease. Development of new statins that are more specific and potent for bone metabolism will greatly increase the usefulness of these drugs for the treatment of bone diseases.
Oral health related quality of life is affected by disease activity in Behçet's disease
Authors: Mumcu G , Inanc N , Ergun T , Ikiz K , Gunes M , Islek U , Yavuz S , Sur H , Atalay T , Direskeneli H
Published: February 2006

Objectives:  This study aimed to investigate oral and general health related quality of life (QoL) in patients with Behçet's Disease (BD) and to assess the performance of Turkish versions of oral health related quality questionnaires.

Subjects and methods:  Ninety‐four BD patients, 24 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), 113 healthy controls (HC) and 44 dental patients were investigated. QoL was assessed by oral health impact profile‐14 (OHIP‐14), oral health related quality of life (OHQoL) and short form‐36 (SF‐36) questionnaires.

Results:  OHQoL, OHIP‐14 and SF‐36 subscale scores were significantly worse in patients with BD compared with those in HC (P < 0.05). Both OHIP‐14 and OHQoL scores were significantly worse in active patients compared with inactives in BD and RAS (P < 0.05). Scores of SF‐36 Role physical, Role emotional and Vitality were also lower in active patients than in inactives in BD (P < 0.05). Scores of OHIP‐14 and OHQoL were significantly worse in patients treated with colchicine compared with those treated with immunosuppressives (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  Both oral and general QoL was impaired in BD and associated with disease activity and treatment modalities. Translated Turkish versions of OHIP‐14 and OHQoL were also observed to be valid and reliable questionnaires for further studies.
Effect of phenytoin on collagen accumulation by human gingival fibroblasts exposed to TNF‐αin vitro
Authors: Kato T , Okahashi N , Ohno T , Inaba H , Kawai S , Amano A
Published: February 2006

Objective:  Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is associated with chronic gingival inflammation and reported to induce gingival overgrowth (GO), while phenytoin (PHT) is also known to be a causative agent of GO. We examined the synergistic effect of PHT and TNF‐α on collagen metabolism in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).

Materials and methods:  HGFs were cultured with TNF‐α and PHT. Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels for collagen, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and integrin subunits. Cellular collagen endocytosis was determined using a flow‐cytometry.

Results:  The proliferation of HGFs was not affected by TNF‐α or PHT individually, whereas both synergistically increased collagen accumulation in HGFs. Further, collagen mRNA expression was not increased by TNF‐α or PHT, although together they markedly prevented cellular collagen endocytosis, associated with the suppression of α2β1‐integrin mRNA expression. The mRNA expression of MMP‐1 and‐2 was suppressed by PHT, while TIMP‐1 mRNA expression was enhanced by both TNF‐α and PHT.

Conclusion:  Our results suggest that TNF‐α and PHT together cause impaired collagen metabolism by suppression of enzymatic degradation with MMPs/TIMP‐1 and integrin‐mediated endocytosis. These synergistic effects may also be involved in TNF‐α‐ and PHT‐induced collagen accumulation, leading to GO.
Dental findings and rehabilitation in familial osteodysplasia (Anderson type): a case report
Authors: Deger S , Tabar G , Sermet B , Tanyeri H , Kurklu E
Published: February 2006

Familial osteodysplasia is a disorder of osteogenesis with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance which predominantly affects facial bones. No recent case had been reported, particularly from a dental point of view since the syndrome was first described by Anderson et al (JAMA 1972;220:1687–93). A 23‐year‐old male with familial osteodysplasia was presented in maxillofacial and dental aspects with clinical and radiological manifestations including malocclusion, abnormal teeth alignment, impacted teeth, shape disturbances including uncompleted coronal formation, root shortening with bulbous form, high angled mandible and elongation of the corpus of mandible. Recognation of the syndromal features prior to any dental intervention is of paramount importance because of increased inclination to spontaneous mandibular fractures. Hence, no surgical intervention was performed for impacted teeth. Following the extractions of severely mobile teeth, a definitive restoration was fabricated as distal‐extension removable partial dentures with conus crown telescopic system. The aesthetic and functional outcome was satisfactory for the patient. In conclusion, dentists appear to play an important role in the recognition of familial osteodysplasia, based on maxillofacial and dentoalveolar findings. Awareness of the syndromal features, especially of spontaneous fractures, would detect the limitations for dental interventions and treatment planning.
Mechanical stress induces expression of cytokines in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Yamamoto T , Kita M , Kimura I , Oseko F , Terauchi R , Takahashi K , Kubo T , Kanamura N
Published: February 2006

Objective:  Periodontal tissue has a unique structure in that the human periodontal ligament (hPDL) lies between the hard tissues of cementum and alveolar bone. Although the role of cytokines in hPDL function is not clearly understood, we investigated the effect of mechanical stress as hydrostatic pressure (HP) on cytokine expression in hPDL cells.

Materials and methods:  The hPDL cells were obtained from a healthy maxillary third molar. After the third to fourth passage, the cells were exposed to HP ranging from 1 to 6 MPa as previously described. Total RNA was extracted and the expression of cytokine mRNA was determined by RT‐PCR.

Results:  The exposure to 6 MPa of HP caused no morphological changes of hPDL cells, and did not affect the cellular viability. No expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, receptor activator of NF‐λB (RANK), receptor activator of NF‐λB ligand (RANKL), or osteoprotegerin mRNA was observed in the control cells under atmospheric pressure, whereas, in hPDL cells treated with HP, a pressure‐dependent enhancement of IL‐6, IL‐8, RANKL, and OPG mRNA expression was observed between 10 and 60 min after the exposure to HP.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that hPDL cells may play a role in the production of cytokines in response to mechanical stress in vivo.
Primary parotid tuberculosis: varied clinical presentations
Authors: Sethi A , Sareen D , Sabherwal A , Malhotra V
Published: February 2006

Parotid gland tuberculosis is rare and may present in different clinical forms. We present three cases of tuberculosis of the parotid gland that presented to us with different clinico‐pathological appearances. The cases were diagnosed on the basis of histopathological evaluation and fine needle aspiration cytology. All the patients responded to four‐drug antitubercular chemotherapy.
The oral health status of dentate patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis therapy
Authors: Bots CP , Poorterman JHG , Brand HS , Kalsbeek H , Van Amerongen BM , Veerman ECI , Nieuw Amerongen AV
Published: February 2006

Objective:  The aim of this study was to compare the oral health status of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on renal replacement therapy with a matched reference population.

Design:  Cross‐sectional study.

Subjects:  Forty‐two dentate CRF patients – aged 25–52 years old – were matched with a reference group of 808 dentate subjects.

Methods:  The oral health was assessed using decayed missing filled (DMF) indices, simplified oral hygiene index and periodontal status. An oral health questionnaire was used to assess self‐reported dental problems. Student t‐tests and chi‐square tests were performed to compare the CRF patients with the controls.

Results:  All index‐scores in the CRF patients were comparable with the controls except for number of teeth covered with calculus that was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in CRF patients (4.1 ± 2.6) than in controls (3.0 ± 2.9). The self‐reported oral health questionnaire revealed a trend for increased temporomandibular complaints in CRF patients (16.7%vs 5.7% in controls; P = 0.06) as well as bad taste (31.0%vs 6.8% in controls, P = 0.08)

Conclusions:  For most dental aspects, the oral health of CRF patients is comparable with controls.
Opinions and attitudes of the UK's GDPs and specialists in oral surgery, oral medicine and surgical dentistry on oral cancer screening
Authors: Kujan O , Duxbury AJ , Glenny AM , Thakker NS , Sloan P
Published: February 2006

Objective:  To survey two broad areas of oral cancer awareness and management of patients at risk of oral cancer by specialists in oral surgery, oral medicine, surgical dentistry and general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the UK. The first of these included knowledge and awareness of aetiological factors, changing patterns of disease, and screening/detection programmes including their effectiveness. The second included oral cancer detection methods, advice on avoidance of high‐risk activity and self‐examination, and referral pattern of GDPs.

Design and method:  A pretested, 44‐item questionnaire, a covering letter, a brief outline of the research protocol and return, stamped envelope were mailed in March 2003. A sample of 200 GDPs whose names were obtained from the General Dental Council's main list and 305 dental specialist names obtained from specialist's list in surgical dentistry, oral medicine and oral surgery were selected randomly. Information on oral cancer awareness and practice, screening practice and education was obtained.

Results:  The response rate was 66.9%. The knowledge of the dental specialists was consistent with that in reports of current aetiological studies on oral cancer. However there were gaps in the GDP's knowledge and ascertainment of oral cancer risk factors. Over 70% of the dental specialists provided counselling advice on the risks of tobacco and alcohol habits compared with 41.2% of GDPs. More GDPs (52.4%) than specialists (35.4%) believed that oral cancer screening on a national basis would be effective in decreasing the mortality of oral cancer. Over 95% of all respondents used a visual examination for oral cancer screening and 89.9% of all respondents strongly believed that visual screening is effective in the early detection of oral cancer.

Conclusion:  The results showed that GDPs had knowledge gaps in their awareness of oral cancer risk factors and the application of preventive measures. Most dental health providers in the UK perform visual screening of the oral mucosa for their patients. Opinion was equivocal as to whether a nationally based screening programme similar to cervical cancer would be effective in improving the mortality and morbidity of oral cancer.
Cholinergic cells in the nucleus basalis of mice express theN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate‐receptor subunit NR2C and its replacement by the NR2B subunit enhances frontal and amygdaloid acetylcholine levels
Authors: De Souza Silva M. A. , Dolga A. , Pieri I. , Marchetti L. , Eisel U. L. M. , Huston J. P. , Dere E.
Published: February 2006

It is known that glutamatergic and cholinergic systems interact functionally at the level of the cholinergic basal forebrain. TheN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDA‐R) is a multiprotein complex composed of NR1, NR2 and/or NR3 subunits. The subunit composition of NMDA‐R of cholinergic cells in the nucleus basalis has not yet been investigated. Here, by means of choline acetyl transferase and NR2B or NR2C double staining, we demonstrate that mice express both the NR2C and NR2B subunits in nucleus basalis cholinergic cells. We generated NR2C‐2B mutant mice in which an insertion of NR2B cDNA into the gene locus of theNR2Cgene replaced NR2C by NR2B expression throughout the brain. This NR2C‐2B mutant was used to examine whether a subunit exchange in cholinergic neurons would affect acetylcholine (ACh) content in several brain structures. We found increased ACh levels in the frontal cortex and amygdala in the brains of NR2C‐2B mutant mice. Brain ACh has been implicated in neuroplasticity, novelty‐induced arousal and encoding of novel stimuli. We therefore assessed behavioral habituation to novel environments and objects as well as object recognition in NR2C‐2B subunit exchange mice. The behavioral analysis did not indicate any gross behavioral alteration in the mutant mice compared with the wildtype mice. Our results show that the NR2C by NR2B subunit exchange in mice affects ACh content in two target areas of the nucleus basalis.
Strain‐dependent regulation of neurotransmission and actin‐remodelling proteins in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Pollak D. D. , John J. , Scharl T. , Leisch F. , Schneider A. , Hoeger H. , Lubec G.
Published: February 2006

Individual mouse strains differ significantly in terms of behaviour, cognitive function and long‐term potentiation. Hippocampal gene expression profiling of eight different mouse strains points towards strain‐specific regulation of genes involved in neuronal information storage. Protein expression with regard to strain‐ dependent expression of structures related to neuronal information storage has not been investigated yet. Herein, a proteomic approach based on two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF/TOF) has been chosen to address this question by determining strain‐dependent expression of proteins involved in neurotransmission and activity‐induced actin remodelling in hippocampal tissue of five mouse strains. Of 31 spots representing 16 different gene products analysed and quantified, N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive fusion protein, N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein‐α, actin‐like protein 3, profilin and cofilin were expressed in a strain‐dependent manner. By treating protein expression as a phenotype, we have shown significant genetic variation in brain protein expression. Further experiments in this direction may provide an indication of the genetic elements that contribute to the phenotypic differences between the selected strains through the expressional level of the translated protein. In view of this, we propose that proteomic analysis enabling to concomitantly survey the expression of a large number of proteins could serve as a valuable tool for genetic and physiological studies of central nervous system function.
Genetic contributions to the association between height and intelligence: evidence from Dutch twin data from childhood to middle age
Authors: Silventoinen K. , Posthuma D. , Van Beijsterveldt T. , Bartels M. , Boomsma D. I.
Published: February 2006

A positive association between intelligence (IQ) and height has been reported previously. It is generally assumed that this association reflects the effect of childhood environment on IQ, but there is still little research supporting directly this hypothesis. We studied the association between height and IQ in 209 Dutch twin pairs at the ages of 5, 7, 10 and 12 years, 208 twin pairs at 16 and 18 years of age and 567 twin pairs and their siblings in adulthood. The heritability of height was high in all cohorts and across all ages (a2 = 0.93 − 0.96). In adulthood, heritability was also high for full‐scale IQ (FSIQ: a2 = 0.83–0.84) and somewhat lower for verbal IQ (VIQ: a2 = 0.66–0.84). In early childhood, the heritability was lower, and common environmental factors had a substantial effect on FSIQ and VIQ. A positive association of height and IQ was found in early childhood and adolescence. In adulthood, a correlation was found between height and FSIQ in young adulthood and between height and VIQ in middle age. All correlations could be ascribed to genetic factors influencing both height and IQ. Thus, these results show that the association between height and IQ should not be directly regarded as evidence for childhood living conditions affecting IQ, but the effect of genetic factors affecting independently or interacting with environmental factors should be considered as well.
Mouse inbred strain differences in ethanol drinking to intoxication
Authors: Rhodes J. S. , Ford M. M. , Yu C.‐H. , Brown L. L. , Finn D. A. , Garland T. , Crabbe J. C.
Published: February 2006

Recently, we described a simple procedure, Drinking in the Dark (DID), in which C57BL/6J mice self‐administer ethanol to a blood ethanol concentration (BEC) above 1 mg/ml. The test consists of replacing the water with 20% ethanol in the home cage for 4 h early during the dark phase of the light/dark cycle. Three experiments were conducted to explore this high ethanol drinking model further. In experiment 1, a microanalysis of C57BL/6J behavior showed that the pattern of ethanol drinking was different from routine water intake. In experiment 2, drinking impaired performance of C57BL/6J on the accelerating rotarod and balance beam. In experiment 3, 12 inbred strains were screened to estimate genetic influences on DID and correlations with other traits. Large, reliable differences in intake and BEC were detected among the strains, with C57BL/6J showing the highest values. Strain means were positively correlated with intake and BEC in the standard (24 h) and a limited (4 h) two‐bottle ethanol vs. water test, but BECs reached higher levels for DID. Strain mean correlations with other traits in the Mouse Phenome Project database supported previously reported genetic relationships of high ethanol drinking with low chronic ethanol withdrawal severity and low ethanol‐conditioned taste aversion. We extend these findings by showing that the correlation estimates remain relatively unchanged even after correcting for phylogenetic relatedness among the strains, thus relaxing the assumption that the strain means are statistically independent. We discuss applications of the model for finding genes that predispose pharmacologically significant drinking in mice.