bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of fluoride in amalgam on secondary caries incidence
Authors: Skartveit Liv , Riordan Paul J. , al Dallal Ebtisam
Published: May 2006

Abstract – Caries incidence is falling in many developed countries but is believed to be increasing in developing countries. Insofar as treatment for caries is provided, ordinary amalgam restorations are usually the standard choice. These carry a risk of failing due to secondary caries. The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of secondary caries adjacent to fluoride‐containing amalgam with that adjacent to a conventional amalgam under Held conditions in Bahrain. Children (n=4l5) aged 6‐14 yr who required occlusal restorations in two homologous contralateral permanent molar teeth were identified. Using the split‐mouth design, one tooth received a fluoride‐containing amalgam filling and the other a conventional amalgam restoration. A random method was used to determine which type of filling was placed on each side. After 4 yr, 357 children were still available for examination; of these 5 had to be eliminated from analysis for various reasons. Of the 704 teeth in the analysis, secondary caries had occurred in 135 (86 conventional amalgam. 49 fluoridated amalgam). By comparison with the conventional amalgam, the effectiveness of the fluoride amalgam was 43% (95% C.I. 24.4%, 57.1%) and the net gain 10.3% (95% C.I. 4.75%, 16.3%). The relative risk was 0.570 (95% C.I. 0.444%, 0.731%). Since fluoride amalgam has identical handling properties to conventional amalgam, performs similarly under clinical conditions and costs about the same, it should be the amalgam of choice for restorations in communities where the incidence of secondary caries is high.
Radiographic caries diagnosis by clinicians in Norway and Western Australia
Authors: Espelid Ivar , Tveit Anne Bjørg , Riordan Paul J.
Published: May 2006

Abstract In connection with continuing education courses in Norway and Western Australia (WA), dealing with caries diagnosis and treatment decisions, pre‐tests were conducted. The pre‐tests involved 433 dentists in Norway (ND), and 62 dentists (WAD) and 108 dental therapists (WAT) in WA, altogether 603 clinicians. Radio‐graphs of 68 approximal surfaces were to be diagnosed and a treatment proposal was requested for each surface. ND showed the best overall diagnostic quality measured by the area beneath ROC‐curve (p < 0.00001). The frequency of false‐positive diagnoses (over‐registrations) on sound surfaces varied between 7.1% (ND) and 11.9% (WAT) while the frequency of true‐positive scores for lesions in the outer half of dentine varied from 57.4% (ND) to 48.1% (WAT). The mean numbers of restorations suggested by the three groups of clinicians were: ND: 14.3; WAD: 13.0; and WAT: 14.5. None of the differences was statistically significant. The proportion of sound surfaces proposed filled varied considerably between the groups, from 4.3% among Norwegian dentists to 10.6% among WAT (P < 0.0001). Of the lesions penetrating the outer half of dentine, the ND group would have restored 34.5% and the Australian clinicians somewhat fewer: WAD 25.6% and WAT 26.5%. The 11.3% of the ND who proposed more than two fillings on sound surfaces were responsible for 51.2% of the total number of filling proposals on sound surfaces. The corresponding numbers in the Australian group were 19.4% (WAD) and 33.3% (WAT) who made 73.6% and 75.7% of the restorative proposals on sound surfaces respectively. When the WA clinicians made a positive caries diagnosis in enamel, they suggested a restoration in about 10% of the cases on average; the corresponding value was nearly 20% for the Norwegian dentists. When Norwegian dentists diagnosed a dentine lesion, in about 94% of cases they also suggested operative treatment; for the WA clinicians this proportion was about 90%. The WA clinicians seem to have a more wait‐and‐see approach with regard to instituting restorative therapy based on their radiographic interpretation. This difference in treatment philosophy may be due to different experiences of caries progression. In WA most drinking water is fluoridated and caries prevalence is much lower than in Norway.
Changing time trend in caries prevalence in Norwegian children and adolescents
Authors: Haugejorden Ola
Published: May 2006

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to determine whether or not the decline in caries prevalence had continued among Norwegian 5‐, 12‐ and 18‐yr‐olds from 1985 to 1991. The analysis was carried out at national, county and dental district level based on the annual census reports from public dental officers. Caries decline continued at national level. Some counties exhibited increases from 1 year to the next, more so in the last 3 years than in the first 3 years of observation, but not consistently. There was stronger evidence for a leveling out or reversal of caries trend at district than at county level. Reversal affected more 5‐ than 15‐yr‐olds and more 12‐ than 18‐yr‐olds. The chief dental officers in districts reporting a reversal of trend in caries prevalence and in comparison districts showing continued caries decline were interviewed by telephone concerning factors which might explain the observed caries trend. The interviews revealed no obvious explanation why caries prevalence increased in some dental districts while it continued to decline in others. It is concluded that a reversal in caries trend has occurred in some Norwegian dental districts between 1985 and 1991 and that there is a need for a more detailed study of the situation.
Relationship of caries with socioeconomic status in 14‐year‐old children from communities with different fluoride histories
Authors: Treasure Elizabeth T. , Dever J. Garth
Published: May 2006

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the caries prevalence of 14‐yr‐old children living in two fluoridated communities, a non‐fluoridated community, and a community that discontinued fluoridation 5 yr before the children were examined and to relate the caries prevalence to socio‐economic status. Clinical examinations were completed on 413 children of whom 227 had been continuously resident in their towns. Children living in the fluoridated communities had significantly lower mean CMFT and DMFS scores than those in the non‐fluoridated town. The children from the town that had discontinued fluoridation 5 yr earlier had mean DMFT and DMFS score that occupied an intermediate position. The differences were greater when only the continuous residents were examined. There were significant differences in the mean DMFT and DMFS when comparing socioeconomic status and fluoridation of the water supply. No interaction effect was demonstrated between these two factors.
Validity of a brief questionnaire in screening asymptomatic subjects from subjects with tension‐type headaches or temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Gerstner Geoffrey E. , Clark Glenn T. , Goulet Jean‐Paul
Published: May 2006

Abstract Clinical investigations of temporomandibular disorders require objective, repeatable methods for screening diseased subjects from non‐diseased control subjects. This study evaluated whether information gathered from a short, public domain questionnaire was useful in distinguishing temporomandibular disorder subjects (n= 216) from non‐temporomandibular disorder controls (n= 69) and tension‐type headache subjects (n= 22). The questionnaire consisted of eight questions relating to jaw pain (i.e., location of pain, precipitating factors, and temporal pattern of pain) and five questions relating to jaw function (i.e., joint noises, locking, and difficulty in opening). There were five possible answers to each question which ranged from 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (unbearable or constant symptoms). The total scores for the eight pain questions and the five jaw function questions were used to determine the questionnaire's sensitivity and specificity in each group, and ROC curves were plotted to identify the best cutoff point for disease presence or absence. Results showed that the questionnaire reliably distinguished between the control group and tempormandibular disorder group with 90.3% 97.7% sensitivity and 95.7%–100% specificity at cutoff values between 5 and 9. These results support the use of the questionnaire as a primary screening tool for general practice and as a supplementary screening tool for clinical temporomandibular disorder studies. However, results also showed that the questionnaire was unable to distinguish easily between TMD subjects and temporalis region tension‐type headache subjects.
Incidence of edentulousness, reasons for full clearance, and health status of teeth before extractions in rural finland
Authors: Takala Liisa , Utriainen Pekka , Alanen Pentti
Published: May 2006

Abstract Incidence of edentulousness, reasons for full clearance, and clinical status before extractions were studied in a longitudinal setting in 47 rural communities in Finland. The annual incidence of total loss of teeth was 50/100 000 inhabitants and loss of maxillary teeth 20/100 000 inhabitants. The rates were about twice as high for men as for women. Of the teeth to be extracted, 70% were roots or decayed, 20% were affected by severe periodontal disease and 10% were extracted for prosthetic reasons without caries or periodontal disease. The incidence rates indicate that the number of dentulous subjects in Finland is growing very rapidly.
Dental anxiety, optimism–pessimism, and dental experience from childhood to adolescence
Authors: Neverlien Per Otto
Published: May 2006

Abstract 94 adolescents, 58% of the original study group, participated in a 5‐yr follow‐up questionnaire study to assess the predictive power of self‐reported dental anxiety, optimism–pessimism dimension, and previous dental experience on dental anxiety level over the 5‐yr period. The mean values on Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and Dental Anxiety Question (DAQ) had increased for the girls and remained stable for the boys. The predictive power of DAS and DAQ on anxiety levels as measured by these same scales 5 yr later was weak to moderate, although statistically significant. The optimism–pessimism dimension and dental treatment experiences did not have any effect on dental anxiety changes from childhood to adolescence. DAS had an independent, weak, but statistically significant negative effect on optimistic disposition over the period. The internal reliability of DAS was high and highly similar results using DAS and DAQ were found. Except for significantly more dental experience in the drop‐out group (n= 69) than in the current study group in the first study, there were no satistically significant differences in mean scores between the groups with respect to self‐reported and clinical dental anxiety, and optimism. Methodological complications are discussed.
Fluoride supplements: current effectiveness, side effects, and recommendations
Authors: Ismail Amid I.
Published: May 2006

Abstract – A critical review of the literature was conducted to determine the current effectiveness of fluoride supplements in caries prevention and their role as risk factors for dental fluorosis. Use of fluoride supplements by young children is idiosyncratic and all of the studies which investigated the effectiveness of this regimen suffered from a significant drop in the number of participants receiving daily supplements. The scientific evidence supports the efficacy of fluoride supplements in caries prevention but there is weaker support for their effectiveness. Fluoride supplements are a risk factor for dental fluorosis. though their contribution to the increase in fluorosis prevalence is less than that of water fluoridation and fluoridated dentifrices because of their more limited and shorter use. There is also evidence that fluoride supplements are used inappropriately in fluoridated areas. The availability of optimal levels of fluorides in beverages in non‐fluoridated communities raises the question of whether fluoride supplements are needed in the 1990s, and whether it is time to consider the total fluoride intake not only from water but also from foods, beverages, and dentifrices, when recommending supplements. A re‐evaluation of the need for and dosage schedules of fluoride supplements is warranted.
Recall intervals, dental hygienists and quality in child dental care
Authors: Wang Nina J. , Riordan Paul J.
Published: May 2006

Abstract Decline in dental disease and the need to provide dental care efficiently suggest changes in clinical and administrative routines in public dental care provision for children. A field project in Norway demonstrated productivity gains after the introduction of individualized recall intervals and using dental hygienists to conduct recall examinations. The purpose of the present study was to assess changes in the quality of dental health outcome and changes in the quality of the process of dental care provision. Recall intervals were increased from a target of 12 months to 16 and 18 months in two districts. Dental hygienists undertook all recall examinations and referred to dentists those patients who required operative care. Bitewing radiographs were inspected for all 18‐yr‐olds who were examined in 1989, 1990 and 1991 (n=956) and for those who were examined before the changes were implemented in 1987 (n=300). For each child, approximal caries on 24 surfaces was scored according to a 4‐point severity scale. Clinical records were examined to determine what treatment had been provided. For each year after the changes were implemented, the quality of health outcome was assessed by comparing the radiographic caries prevalence and the number of sound surfaces with 1987 data. Quality in the process of care provision was indicated by the treatment decisions for approximal caries and by the proportion of uninterpretable surfaces on radiographs for each study year. The mean number of sound surfaces increased over time. A declining proportion of sound surfaces was restored over the study period, and almost all caries lesions extending deep into dentine were restored. Radiographic quality improved during the project period. The overall finding was that the changes to clinical and administrative routines were not associated with major changes in the quality of care provided in the short run.
Effects of glass ionomer cement, resin‐based pit and fissure sealant and HF applications on occlusal caries in a developing country field trial
Authors: Songpaisan Yupin , Bratthall Douglas , Phantumvanit Prathip , Somridhivej Yuvade
Published: May 2006

Abstract The aim of this community‐oriented study was to evaluate different methods to prevent fissure caries. The following products and measures were tested: 1) glass ionomer cement (GIC) applied by dentist; 2) same material applied by short term (3 days) trained personnel (teachers); 3) application of a 0.5% HF solution three times; 4) an established autopolymerized resin based sealant (Delton). The study was performed in Bangkok, Thailand, a city in a developing country experiencing increasing caries prevalence. Children with at least three sound permanent molars from two age groups, 7–8 and 12–13‐yr‐olds respectively were chosen from very low to medium socioeconomic level families. 1264 children were systematically assigned to experiment or control groups based on school and DMFT. For the younger age group, the 2 yr mean DFS occlusal increment in the Control group was 0.66 surfaces. Significantly lower increments were observed in the GIC experimental group: O.I7 surfaces applied by the teachers and 0.32 applied by dentist, corresponding to 74% and 52% reductions, respectively. The mean increment in the HF group was 0.44 surfaces, a 33% reduction in relation to the Control group. For the 12–13‐yr‐olds, the mean occlusal surface DF increment was 0.70 surfaces in the Control group. Almost no occlusal increment was found in the Delton group, 0.05 DFS, a 93% reduction. In the GIC Dentist group, the DFS increment was 0.48 and in the Teacher group 0.56, corresponding to 31% and 20% reduction, respectively. A slight and nonsignificant increase of caries in relation to the Control group was observed in the HF group. Retention of Delton sealant was high, 92% after 6 months, retention of the GIC sealants was low. At the 6‐months checkup, only 2–8% of these sealants were still present and also after reapplication, a majority was lost.
Regulation of uterine function by cytokines in cows: Possible actions of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1α and interferon‐τ
Authors: OKUDA Kiyoshi , SAKUMOTO Ryosuke
Published: May 2006

When animals do not become pregnant, regression of the corpus luteum (CL) is essential for normal cyclicity because it allows the development of a new ovulatory follicle. Luteal regression is caused by a pulsatile release of prostaglandin (PG) F2α from the uterus in the late luteal phase in most mammals including cattle. Although it has been proposed in ruminants that pulsatile PGF2α secretion is generated by a positive feedback loop between luteal and/or hypophyseal oxytocin and uterine PGF2α, the bovine endometrium may possess other mechanisms for initiation of luteolytic PGF2α secretion. There is increasing evidence that several cytokines mainly produced by immune cells modulate CL and uterine function in many species. Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) stimulates PGF2α output from bovine endometrium not only at the follicular phase but also at the late luteal phase. Administration of TNF‐α at a high concentration prolongs luteal lifespan, whereas administration of a low concentration of TNF‐α accelerates luteal regression in cows. The data obtained from the authors’ previous in vitro and in vivo studies strongly suggest that TNF‐α is a crucial factor in regulating luteolysis in cows. The authors’ recent study has shown that interleukin‐1α mediates PG secretion from bovine endometrium as a local regulator. Furthermore, interferon‐τ (IFN‐τ) suppresses the action of TNF‐α on PGF2α synthesis by the bovine endometrium in vitro, suggesting that IFN‐τ plays a luteoprotective role by inhibiting TNF‐α‐induced PGF2α production in early pregnancy. The purpose of the present review is to summarize current understanding of the endocrine mechanisms that regulate uterine function by cytokines during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in cows.
Influence of feeding regime on timing of parturition in beef cattle and the relationship of vaginal temperature to parturition
Authors: AOKI Mari , KIMURA Koji , SUZUKI Osamu
Published: May 2006

The timing of parturition was recorded for a total of 56 beef cattle (Japanese Black × Holstein Friesian) on different dietary treatments. The rate of calving during daylight hours in cows night‐fed (18.00 hours) with a roughage diet was significantly higher than that in cows night‐fed with a high concentrate diet (79.2% vs 38.5%, P < 0.05). Subsequently, the vaginal temperature (VT) of these cows was analyzed using a cosinor method. When the feeding schedule was changed from twice daily (08.30 and 15.30 hours) to night feeding, the periodicity, the acrophase and the bathyphase, which were the parameters of the cosine curve, were unstable from the first day of night feeding until after day 6 (P < 0.05). Prior to parturition, the midline‐estimating statistic of rhythm (MESOR) and the amplitude for the cows that were fed a high‐roughage diet at night and that calved at night‐time were lower and larger, respectively, than that for the other treatments (P < 0.01). Based on these results, the time of parturition in most of the beef cows was influenced by feeding time and diet composition. Those cows that calved at night‐time in spite of night feeding had lower vaginal temperatures.
Effects of supplemental lauric acid‐rich oils in high‐grain diet on in vitro rumen fermentation
Authors: YABUUCHI Yuki , MATSUSHITA Yoji , OTSUKA Hiroshi , FUKAMACHI Keiji , KOBAYASHI Yasuo
Published: May 2006

A series of in vitro studies were performed to evaluate the effects of lauric acid (LA)‐rich oils on rumen fermentation with a high‐grain diet. Soy oil (SO) and palm oil (PO) as long‐chain fatty acid triglycerides, palm kernel oil (PKO), coconut oil (CO), powdered coconut oil (pCO) and coconut oil calcium salt (COCa) as medium‐chain LA‐rich oils were used as tested additives. Rumen fluid from steers fed high‐grain diet was incubated with ground corn with or without oil supplementation (2.0 g/L) for 6 h at 39°C to monitor rumen products. Methane production decreased, while hydrogen production increased on LA‐rich oils except COCa. All the LA‐rich oils increased total volatile fatty acids (VFA) production and molar proportion of propionate. Also, amylase activity in culture was higher when these oils were added. The most potent additives, pCO and free LA, were further tested to determine dose–response of rumen fermentation. Powdered coconut oil and LA altered rumen fermentation toward more propionate production by supplementation at 1.2 and 0.3 g/L, respectively. These results suggest that some LA‐rich oils and free LA could be used for improving rumen fermentation under high‐grain diet feeding conditions.
Basal levels and responses to glucose infusion of plasma glucose and insulin in beef steer before and after the end of the growing phase on pasture
Authors: AOKI Yasuhiro , NAKANISHI Naoto , YAMADA Tomoya
Published: May 2006

We examined the effect of grazing during the growing phase on plasma glucose and insulin behavior at the end of the growing phase and at the early stage of the subsequent fattening phase in beef steers. From 13 to 45 weeks of age (growing phase), crossbred beef steers were grazed with minimal supplement (group G: n = 5) or housed while being fed on hay and concentrate (group H: n = 5). Following this phase, both groups were housed for finishing (fattening phase). At the end of the growing phase, group G showed faster plasma glucose disappearance after intravenous glucose infusion, with a smaller plasma insulin response, compared with group H. At the third week of the fattening phase, group G still showed higher glucose tolerance, although they experienced abrupt changes in nutritional and environmental factors. The results suggest that grazing during the growing phase probably improves the glucose tolerance and insulin response to glucose infusion in steers compared with animals that were housed during the corresponding period, and the improved properties may persist at least a few weeks after the commencement of fattening.
Effects of an environmental enrichment using a drum can on behavioral, physiological and productive characteristics in fattening beef cattle
Authors: ISHIWATA Toshie , UETAKE Katsuji , ABE Naoshige , EGUCHI Yusuke , TANAKA Toshio
Published: May 2006

To evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment on behavioral, physiological and productive characteristics, 71 Japanese Black × Holstein steers (8 months of age; 299.5 ± 22.6 kg) were allocated to three pens in two repetitive experiments. Pen C (n = 11 and 12) consisted of a feeding alley for grain feed, a trough for dry hay, a water bowl and a resting space as a control pen. Pen D (n = 12 and 12) included a drum can (58 cm diameter × 90 cm height) containing hay. Pen GD (n = 12 and 12) included a drum can that was placed around artificial plastic turf (30 × 120 cm) for grooming. The drum cans were removed after 5 months of installation. Behavioral observations were made for 2 h at 10 min intervals after feeding on three successive days each month for 10 months. Agonistic interactions were also continuously observed for 1 h after feeding to assess the dominance order (DO). Sampling blood and measuring bodyweight were performed bimonthly. The steers used the drum can frequently for 3 months after installation (1st, 2nd, 3rd months vs 4 months, all P < 0.05). The frequency of total eating of grain feed and hay was higher in pen D and pen GD than in pen C (both P < 0.01), while it was lowest in pen GD after removal of the drum can (P < 0.05). Grooming at the drum can was observed more frequently in pen GD than in pen D (P < 0.05). After they finished eating the grain feed, they ate hay at the drum can that contained additional hay rather than at the trough for hay (P < 0.01). Plasma dopamine concentrations were higher in pen D than in pen C (P < 0.05), and serum triglyceride concentrations were higher in pen C than in pen GD (P < 0.05) during the installation of the drum can. After removal of the drum can, serum total cholesterol concentrations became higher in pen D and GD than in pen C (both P < 0.05). Average daily gain correlated positively with the frequency of eating hay at the drum can in pen D (rs = 0.52, P < 0.01). In pen GD, the frequency of using the drum can correlated negatively with DO (rs = −0.59, P < 0.01). Carcass belly fat was thicker in pens D and GD than in pen C (both P < 0.01). In pen GD, the frequency of eating hay (rs = 0.79, P < 0.01) and grooming at the drum can (rs = 0.63, P < 0.05) correlated positively with the marbling score. Although social factor affected the steers using the drum can, installing it in the early fattening stage encouraged the steers to eat and groom there and resulted in better carcass characteristics through the prolonged physiological positive effects.
Choice of attractive conditions by beef cattle in a Y‐maze just after release from restraint: Effect of sheep
Authors: ISHIWATA Toshie , KILGOUR Robert J. , UETAKE Katsuji , EGUCHI Yusuke , TANAKA Toshio
Published: May 2006

To provide useful information on how to moderate post‐handling stress, Angus heifers (n = 157) were individually allowed to enter a choice area after 2 min of restraint in a crush and to choose between two pens. After the animal had chosen a pen, free access was given to both test pens and the choice area for a further 5 min. The behaviors during choice and after the first choosing were observed. In experiment 1, each heifer was given one of the following choices: pen with three familiar heifers (peers) versus pen with six sheep (sheep; n = 30); peers versus the bare pen (bare; n = 30); sheep versus bare (n = 30). When the choice combination was peers versus bare, more heifers than expected by chance chose the peers pen (χ2 = 4.80; P < 0.05). However, when one of the other choice combinations was given, there was no significant difference between the number choosing a pen and the expected value. After the first choice, more heifers entered the peers pen than the bare pen (P < 0.05) or the sheep pen (P < 0.10). In experiment 2, another 67 heifers were given one of the following choices: peers versus pen with a novel object (NO; n = 19); sheep versus NO (n = 22); bare versus NO (n = 26). There was no significant difference between the number of heifers choosing a pen and the expected value in any choice combination. However, more heifers entered the peers pen than the NO pen (P < 0.01). It is concluded that sheep were not as attractive as peers, but sheep were not fearful animals for cattle.
Cardiovascular malformations induced by prenatal exposure to phenobarbital in rats
Authors: Okuda Hirokazu , Nagao Tetsuji
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT  The effects of prenatal exposure to phenobarbital (PB) on the cardiovascular system were examined in rat fetuses and pups. PB was administered at a dose of 80 or 120 mg/kg/day by gavage to Sprague Dawley (SD) rats on two consecutive gestational days (GD): 7–8, 8–9, 9–10, or 10–11. Fetuses were examined for cardiovascular malformations on GD 20. In addition, pups were examined for PB‐induced cardiovascular malformations. Incidences of ventricular septal defect (VSD), overriding aorta, double outlet right ventricle and transposition of great arteries were significantly increased in the fetuses whose dams were administered PB at 120 mg/kg on GD 8–9, 9–10 or 10–11. GD 8–11 was the critical period for the cardiovascular malformations associated with administration of PB in rats. Various types of cardiovascular malformations were detected in pups from the PB‐administered dam. Severe cardiovascular malformations induced by PB caused deaths on early postnatal days. However, slight malformations such as isolated VSD persisted until weaning, and did not affect postnatal viability.
Discrepancies in cytogenetic results between amniocytes and postnatally obtained blood: trisomy 9 mosaicism
Authors: Kosaki Rika , Hanai Sae , Kakishima Hiroki , Okada Michiyo A. , Hayashi Satoshi , Ito Yushi , Takahashi Takao , Kosaki Kenjiro , Okuyama Torayuki
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT  When amniocentesis reveals a mosaic karyotype and the baby presents with multiple malformations, an analysis of the baby’s peripheral blood typically reveals a mosaic karyotype. We present a boy who was prenatally diagnosed by amniocentesis as having trisomy 9 mosaicisim but who had normal G‐banding results on postnatal blood karyotyping; the patient also exhibited multiple malformations, including a diaphragmatic hernia, arthrogryposis, undescended testes, and characteristic facies. Because of the discrepancy between the phenotype and karyotype, we repeated the chromosomal studies on multiple occasions. Interphase FISH performed on abdominal wall muscle tissue revealed a mosaic trisomy 9 karyotype: 47,XY, + 9(159)/46,XY (19). Based on these findings, we finally diagnosed the patient as having trisomy 9 mosaicism and counseled the parents that the risk of recurrence was low. We conclude that it is important to be aware of the possibility that the patient can have a normal postnatal blood karyotype and an abnormal phenotype with multiple malformations when trisomy 9 mosaicism is detected prenatally. When the baby’s phenotype is abnormal, karyotyping on multiple tissues is useful for confirming clinical impression as well as determining the prognosis and providing accurate genetic counseling.
An alternative pathway of vitamin D2 metabolism
Authors: Slominski Andrzej , Semak Igor , Wortsman Jacobo , Zjawiony Jordan , Li Wei , Zbytek Blazej , Tuckey Robert C.
Published: May 2006

We report an alternative, hydroxylating pathway for the metabolism of vitamin D2 in a cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc; CYP11A1) reconstituted system. NMR analyses identified solely 20‐hydroxyvitamin D2 and 17,20‐dihydroxyvitamin D2 derivatives. 20‐Hydroxyvitamin D2 was produced at a rate of 0.34 mol·min−1·mol−1 P450scc, and 17,20‐dihydroxyvitamin D2 was produced at a rate of 0.13 mol·min−1·mol−1. In adrenal mitochondria, vitamin D2 was metabolized to six monohydroxy products. Nevertheless, aminoglutethimide (a P450scc inhibitor) inhibited this adrenal metabolite formation. Initial testing of metabolites for biological activity showed that, similar to vitamin D2, 20‐hydroxyvitamin D2 and 17,20‐dihydroxyvitamin D2 inhibited DNA synthesis in human epidermal HaCaT keratinocytes, although to a greater degree. 17,20‐Dihydroxyvitamin D2 stimulated transcriptional activity of the involucrin promoter, again to a significantly greater extent than vitamin D2, while the effect of 20‐hydroxyvitamin D2 was statistically insignificant. Thus, P450scc can metabolize vitamin D2 to generate novel products, with intrinsic biological activity (at least in keratinocytes).
A Real‐Time, Interactive Steering Environment for Integrated Ground Water Modeling
Authors: Li Shu‐Guang , Liu Qun
Published: May 2006

We present in this note an innovative software environment, called Interactive Ground Water (IGW), for unified deterministic and stochastic ground water modeling. Based on efficient computational algorithms, IGW allows simulating three‐dimensional (3D) unsteady flow and transport in saturated media subject to systematic and “random” stresses and geological and chemical heterogeneity. Adopting a new computing paradigm, IGW eliminates the fragmentation in the traditional modeling schemes and allows fully utilizing today’s dramatically increased computing power. For many problems, IGW enables real‐time modeling, visualization, mapping, and analysis. The software environment functions as a “numerical laboratory” in which an investigator may freely explore the following: creating visually an aquifer system of desired configurations, interactively applying stresses and boundary conditions, and then investigating and visualizing on the fly the geology and flow and transport dynamics. At any time, a researcher can pause to interact dynamically with virtually any aspects of the modeling process and then resume the integrated visual exploration; he or she can initiate, pause, or resume particle tracking, plume modeling, subscale modeling, stochastic modeling, monitoring, and budget analyses. IGW continually provides results that are dynamically processed, overlaid, and displayed. It dynamically merges modeling inputs and outputs into composite two‐dimensional/3D images—integrating related data to provide a more complete view of the complex interplay among the geology, hydrology, flow system, and transport. These unique capabilities of real‐time modeling, steering, analysis, and mapping expand the utility of models as tools for research, education, and professional investigations.
A Visual Basic Spreadsheet Macro for Recession Curve Analysis
Authors: Posavec Kristijan , Bačani Andrea , Nakić Zoran
Published: May 2006

A Visual Basic program for an Excel spreadsheet was written to construct a master recession curve (MRC), using the adapted matching strip method, for recession analysis of ground water level time series. The program uses five different linear/nonlinear regression models to adjust individual recession segments to their proper positions in the MRC. The program can also be used to analyze the recession segments of other time series, such as daily stream discharge or stage. Some examples of field data from Croatia are used to illustrate the usefulness of its application.
Queer Intersections: Sexuality and Gender in Migration Studies
Authors: Manalansan Martin F.
Published: May 2006

This essay examines the historical and theoretical development of sexuality in migration research. Noting gaps and omissions in the literature, the essay proposes a dual notion of sexuality including one that is produced by the intersection of other social identities such as class and race, and a queer studies-derived idea of the sexual that goes against the normalizing of heterosexual institutions and practices. Utilizing a case study of Filipina migrant workers, the essay demonstrates the pivotal role of sexuality in the future of gender and migration research through a critique of the implicit normative assumptions around family, heterosexual reproduction, and marriage that abound in this body of literature, and how a critical notion of sexuality enables a more inclusive and accurate portrait of global gendered migration.
Fluorescent styryl dyes FM1‐43 and FM2‐10 are muscarinic receptor antagonists: intravital visualization of receptor occupancy
Authors: Mazzone Stuart B. , Mori Nanako , Burman Miriam , Palovich Michael , Belmonte Kristen E. , Canning Brendan J.
Published: May 2006

The fluorescent styryl dyes FM1‐43 and FM2‐10 have been used to visualize the endocytic and exocytic processes involved in neurotransmission in a variety of central and peripheral nerve preparations. Their utility is limited to some extent by a poorly understood vesicular‐independent labelling of cells and tissues. We show here that one likely cause of this troublesome background labelling is that FM1‐43 and FM2‐10 are selective and competitive antagonists at both cloned and endogenously expressed muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. In radioligand binding studies, FM1‐43 and FM2‐10 bound with moderate affinity (23–220 nm) to membranes of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing cloned human muscarinic receptors (M1–M5). In functional studiesin vitro, FM1‐43 and FM2‐10 inhibited electrical field stimulation (EFS) and acetylcholine‐induced cholinergic contractions of guinea‐pig tracheal strips (IC50: FM1‐43, 0.4 ± 0.1; FM2‐10, 1.6 ± 0.1 μm; concentration of antagonist producing a 2‐fold leftward shift in the acetylcholine concentration–response curve (Kb): FM1‐43, 0.3 ± 0.1; FM2‐10, 15.8 ± 10.1 μm). Neither compound inhibited EFS‐evoked, non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic nerve‐mediated relaxations or contractions of the airways, or contractions mediated by histamine H1 receptor or tachykinin NK2 receptor activation. Incubating freshly excised tracheal whole‐mount preparations with 5 μmFM1‐43 resulted in intense fluorescence labelling of the smooth muscle that was reduced by up to 90% in the presence of selective M2 and M3 receptor antagonists. The potency of the FM dyes as muscarinic receptor antagonists is within the concentration range used to study vesicular cycling at nerve terminals. Given that muscarinic receptors play a key role in the regulation of neurotransmitter release from a variety of neurones, the anticholinergic properties of FM dyes may have important implications when studying vesicular events in the nervous system. In addition, these dyes may provide a novel tool for visualizing muscarinic receptor occupancy in living tissue or cell preparations.
Functional stabilization of weakened thalamic pacemaker channel regulation in rat absence epilepsy
Authors: Kuisle Mira , Wanaverbecq Nicolas , Brewster Amy L. , Frère Samuel G. A. , Pinault Didier , Baram Tallie Z. , Lüthi Anita
Published: May 2006

Aberrant function of pacemaker currents (Ih), carried by hyperpolarization‐activated cation non‐selective (HCN) channels, affects neuronal excitability and accompanies epilepsy, but its distinct roles in epileptogenesis and chronic epilepsy are unclear. We probed Ih function and subunit composition during both pre‐ and chronically epileptic stages in thalamocortical (TC) neurones of the Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rat from Strasbourg (GAERS). Voltage gating of Ih was unaltered in mature somatosensory TC cells, both in vivo and in vitro. However, the enhancement of Ih by phasic, near‐physiological, cAMP pulses was diminished by ∼40% and the half‐maximal cAMP concentration increased by ∼5‐fold. This decreased responsiveness of Ih to its major cellular modulator preceded epilepsy onset in GAERS, persisted throughout the chronic state, and was accompanied by an enhanced expression of the cAMP‐insensitive HCN1 channel mRNA (> 50%), without changes in the mRNA levels of HCN2 and HCN4. To assess for alterations in TC cell excitability, we monitored the slow up‐regulation of Ih that is induced by Ca2+‐triggered cAMP synthesis and important for terminating in vitro synchronized oscillations. Remarkably, repetitive rebound Ca2+ spikes evoked normal slow Ih up‐regulation in mature GAERS neurones; that sufficed to attenuate spontaneous rhythmic burst discharges. These adaptive mechanisms occurred upstream of cAMP turnover and involved enhanced intracellular Ca2+ accumulation upon repetitive low‐threshold Ca2+ discharges. Therefore, HCN channels appear to play a dual role in epilepsy. Weakened cAMP binding to HCN channels precedes, and likely promotes, epileptogenesis in GAERS, whereas compensatory mechanisms stabilizing Ih function contribute to the termination of spike‐and‐wave discharges in chronic epilepsy.
Autophosphorylation of αCaMKII is not a general requirement for NMDA receptor‐dependent LTP in the adult mouse
Authors: Cooke Sam F. , Wu Jianqun , Plattner Florian , Errington Michael , Rowan Michael , Peters Marco , Hirano Ayumi , Bradshaw Karl D. , Anwyl Roger , Bliss Timothy V. P. , Giese K. Peter
Published: May 2006

Autophosphorylation of α‐Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II (αCaMKII) at Thr286 is thought to be a general effector mechanism for sustaining transcription‐independent long‐term potentiation (LTP) at pathways where LTP is NMDA receptor‐dependent. We have compared LTP at two such hippocampal pathways in mutant mice with a disabling point mutation at the Thr286 autophosphorylation site. We find that autophosphorylation of αCaMKII is essential for induction of LTP at Schaffer commissural–CA1 synapses in vivo, but is not required for LTP that can be sustained over days at medial perforant path–granule cell synapses in awake mice. At these latter synapses LTP is supported by cyclic AMP‐dependent signalling in the absence of αCaMKII signalling. Thus, the autophosphorylation of αCaMKII is not a general requirement for NMDA receptor‐dependent LTP in the adult mouse.
Constraint-Based Techniques to Support Collaborative Design
Authors: Joan-Arinyo R. , Soto-Riera A. , Vila-Marta S.
Published: May 2006

We develop a framework to support collaborative constraint-based geometric design systems with multiple views for concurrent engineering. The framework is based on a conceptual architecture with a master view and several client views with a two-way flow of information between the master and client views. The tools in the framework are used to open a new application’s view and to maintain consistency when one of the applications changes its view by editing it and when either the master view or one of the other views must be updated. A simple case study illustrates how the tools in the framework work.
A Product Feature Evolution Validation Model for Engineering Change Management
Authors: Bouikni Nadjib , Desrochers Alain , Rivest Louis
Published: May 2006

Product design integrates several disciplines in a concurrent engineering (CE) environment. Each one of these disciplines has a specific point of view on the product being developed. While each discipline exerts its own expertise and methods on the definition of the product and its related processes, information must remain consistent for all disciplines and through the evolution of the product definition. This paper proposes a product feature evolution validation (PFEV) model that aims at controlling the information flow needed to support a product definition evolution (PDE) while insuring its validation by all disciplines involved. The model applies both to the product design and modification phases, i.e., before and after releasing its definition. The PFEV model thus supports CE and enables managing the product feature evolution throughout the product life cycle. The PFEV model defines an exchange protocol between the disciplines in order to preserve the consistency of the numerical model, which includes the complete numerical information characterizing the product. The model addresses two qualities of an information system: dispatching relevant PDE information to appropriate disciplines and providing this information according to specific views. This is achieved by centralizing the product numerical model and by exploiting the product’s features rather than managing product model as black boxes. Links between features are formalized in a shared product features table that is used to dynamically identify all disciplines impacted by a product feature evolution (PFE). A PFE is also characterized by its potential impact, detrimental or beneficial, on every discipline previously identified as impacted. In the case of a detrimental impact, the discipline is asked to validate the evolution. If the impact is beneficial, the discipline is simply notified about the evolution. Specific views are generated for the impacted disciplines based on feature filtering and adaptation mechanisms.
Associations in a Unified Feature Modeling Scheme
Authors: Chen G. , Ma Y.-S. , Thimm G. , Tang S.-H.
Published: May 2006

Features allow one to associate human knowledge and product geometry. The authors proposed, in earlier publications, a unified feature modeling scheme with the aim to maintain the integrity and consistency of a product model. Different application feature models within and across different product life-cycle stages are integrated, and especially, nongeometric relations (besides geometric ones) are handled. In this paper, as an improvement to the previous work, two types of associations are introduced: sharing and dependency. In the context of conceptual and detail design stages, these associations are described and the implementation is discussed in detail.
ERMM: An Engineering Requirements Management Method
Authors: Wang Nanxin
Published: May 2006

Automotive product development is a lengthy and complex process. There exists a large body of various requirements, standards, and regulations, which need to be followed by all engineering activities throughout the entire vehicle development process. The underlying relationships between these requirements are very complicated. Although most of engineering requirements can be found in various engineering databases, it is the lack of the underlying relationship between the requirements and their association with the design that makes it extremely difficult for even experienced engineers to follow the requirements in their day-to-day work. This paper introduces an engineering requirements management method that captures these interrelationships and associations using a matrix-based representation. A case study with a real automotive component is also presented.
Palmitoylation and Polymerization of Hepatitis C Virus NS4B Protein
Authors: Yu Guann-Yi , Lee Ki-Jeong , Gao Lu , Lai Michael M. C.
Published: May 2006

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) NS4B protein induces a specialized membrane structure which may serve as the replication platform for HCV RNA replication. In the present study, we demonstrated that NS4B has lipid modifications (palmitoylation) on two cysteine residues (cysteines 257 and 261) at the C-terminal end. Site-specific mutagenesis of these cysteine residues on individual NS4B proteins and on an HCV subgenomic replicon showed that the lipid modifications, particularly of Cys261, are important for protein-protein interaction in the formation of the HCV RNA replication complex. We further demonstrated that NS4B can undergo polymerization. The main polymerization determinants were mapped in the N-terminal cytosolic domain of NS4B protein; however, the lipid modifications on the C terminus also facilitate the polymerization process. The lipid modification and the polymerization activity could be two properties of NS4B important for its induction of the specialized membrane structure involved in viral RNA replication.
Neutralizing Antibody Responses against Autologous and Heterologous Viruses in Acute versus Chronic Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Evidence for a Constraint on the Ability of HIV To Completely Evade Neutralizing Antibody Responses
Authors: Deeks Steven G. , Schweighardt Becky , Wrin Terri , Galovich Justin , Hoh Rebecca , Sinclair Elizabeth , Hunt Peter , McCune Joseph M. , Martin Jeffrey N. , Petropoulos Christos J. , Hecht Frederick M.
Published: May 2006

Acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with the rapid development of neutralization escape mutations. The degree to which viral evolution persists in chronic infection has not been well characterized, nor is it clear if all patients develop high-level neutralization antibody escape. We therefore measured neutralizing antibody responses against autologous and heterologous viruses in a cohort of acutely and chronically infected subjects (
n
= 65). Neutralizing antibody responses against both autologous virus and heterologous viruses were lower among individuals with acute infection than among those with chronic infection. Among chronically infected individuals, there was a negative correlation between the level of neutralizing antibodies against autologous virus and the level of viremia. In contrast, there was a positive correlation between the level of neutralizing antibodies against a panel of heterologous viruses and the level of viremia. Viral evolution, as defined by the presence of higher neutralizing titers directed against earlier viruses than against contemporaneous viruses, was evident for subjects with recent infection but absent for those with chronic infection. In summary, neutralizing antibody responses against contemporaneous autologous viruses are absent in early HIV infection but can be detected at low levels in chronic infection, particularly among those controlling HIV in the absence of therapy. HIV replication either directly or indirectly drives the production of increasing levels of antibodies that cross-neutralize heterologous primary isolates. Collectively, these observations indicate that although HIV continuously drives the production of neutralizing antibodies, there may be limits to the capacity of the virus to evolve continuously in response to these antibodies. These observations also suggest that the neutralizing antibody response may contribute to the long-term control of HIV in some patients while protecting against HIV superinfection in most patients.