bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk‐Based Assessment of Soil and Groundwater Quality in the Netherlands: Standards and Remediation Urgency
Authors: Swartjes Frank A.
Published: May 2006

To assess soil and groundwater quality two generic (i.e. multifunctional) risk‐based standards, Target and Intervention Value, have been developed, in the framework of the Dutch Soil Protection Act. These standards allow soil and groundwater to be classified as clean, slightly contaminated or seriously contaminated. The Target Value is basedon potential risks to ecosysystems, while the Intervention Value is based oqpotential risks to humans and ecosystems. In the case of serious soil contamination the site has, in principle, to be remediated, making it necessary to determine the remediation urgency on the basis of actual (i.e. site‐specific) risks to humans and ecosystems and, besides, actual risks due to contaminant migration.
Localization of Pyruvate:NADP+ Oxidoreductase in Sporozoites of Cryptosporidium parvum
Authors: CTRNACTA VLASTA , AULT JEFFREY G. , STEJSKAL FRANTISEK , KEITHLY JANET S.
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT. Cryptosporidium parvum contains a unique fusion protein pyruvate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (CpPNO) that is composed of two distinct, conserved domains, an N‐terminal pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFO) and a C‐terminal cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR). Unlike a similar fusion protein that localizes to the mitochondrion of the photosynthetic protist Euglena gracilis, CpPNO lacks an N‐terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence. Using two distinct polyclonal antibodies raised against CpPFO and one polyclonal antibody against CpCPR, Western blot analysis has shown that sporozoites of C. parvum express the entire CpPNO fusion protein. Furthermore, confocal immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy confirm that CpPNO is localized within the cytosol rather than the relict mitochondrion of C. parvum. The distribution of this protein is not, however, strictly confined to the cytosol. CpPNO also appears to localize posteriorly within the crystalloid body.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Nosema antheraeae (Microsporidia) Isolated from Chinese Oak Silkworm, Antheraea pernyi
Authors: WANG LIN‐LING , CHEN KE‐PING , ZHANG ZE , YAO QIN , GAO GUI‐TIAN , ZHAO YUAN
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT. The microsporidian Nosema antheraeae is a pathogen that infects the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi. We sequenced the complete small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of N. antheraeae, and compared the SSU rRNA sequences in other microsporidia. The results indicated that Nosema species, including N. antheraeae, formed two distinct clades, consistent with previous observations. Furthermore, N. antheraeae is clustered with N. bombycis with high bootstrap support. The organization of the rRNA gene of N. antheraeae is LSU–ITS1–SSU–ITS2‐5S, also following a pattern similar to the Nosema type species, N. bombycis. Thus, N. antheraeae is a Nosema species and has a close relationship to N. bombycis.
Rheological Behavior and Slip Casting of Al2O3–Ni Aqueous Suspensions
Authors: Javier Sánchez‐Herencia A. , Hernández Nicolás , Moreno Rodrigo
Published: May 2006

A strong effort has been devoted recently toward processing of metal–ceramic composites with tailored microstructure by colloidal methods. The aim of this work is to optimize the rheological behavior of concentrated Al2O3–nickel (Ni) aqueous suspensions and further slip casting in order to obtain dense green composites. Compositions with Ni relative contents ranging from 5 to 75 vol% were prepared from suspensions with high solids loadings (50 vol%) by adjusting the colloidal stability of each component in terms of pH, mobility, dissolution conditions, and influence of polyelectrolytes. The rheological properties were measured under controlled rate and controlled stress conditions at different basic pH conditions and contents of polyelectrolyte. Better rheological conditions of the mixtures were found for pH 10 and 1.0 wt% polyelectrolyte. Minimum viscosity was obtained for suspensions containing 15 vol% of Ni. The analysis of flow curves demonstrates that the suspensions form a structure at very low shear, hindering sedimentation. Homogeneous slip cast bodies with green densities up to 70% of theoretical and up to 75 vol% Ni were sintered in Ar to achieve dense biphasic composites.
Longterm follow‐up after deep sclerectomy in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma
Authors: Drolsum Liv
Published: May 2006

Purpose:  To compare the longterm results in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) following deep sclerectomy with implant.

Methods:  A total of 28 pseudoexfoliative glaucoma eyes and 27 POAG eyes were consecutively included in the study. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications were compared before surgery and at every postoperative visit. Most patients included had very advanced glaucoma and were using multiple therapies (mean 3.3 and 3.6 in the pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and POAG groups, respectively) and the duration of the disease was more than 8 years in both groups. The definition of complete success was the achievement of IOP < 19 mmHg without therapy.

Results:  After a mean follow‐up time of 45 months in the pseudoexfoliative glaucoma group and 43 months in the POAG group, 50.0% of the pseudoexfoliative glaucoma group were considered to represent complete success compared with 33.3% of the POAG group (NS). In survival analyses controlling for covariates, it was found that patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma had a higher rate of success over time than POAG patients (p = 0.014). Furthermore, the duration of glaucoma prior to surgery had a negative influence on the success rate (p = 0.034). Four years after surgery, the mean IOP was 15.5 ± 5.3 mmHg in the pseudoexfoliative glaucoma group and 13.6 ± 3.5 mmHg in the POAG group (NS). The mean number of medications used by each group at that time was 1.7 ± 1.5 and 1.2 ± 1.1, respectively (NS).

Conclusion:  The present study suggests that deep sclerectomy is a safe procedure in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma. Half of the patients were regulated without therapy after 45 months.
Dental caries in 5‐, 7‐, 9‐ and 11‐year‐old schoolchildren during a 9‐year dental health campaign in The Hague
Authors: Truin G. J. , Plasschaert A. J. M. , König K. G. , Vogels A. L. M.
Published: May 2006

Abstract In the autumn of 1969, 1972, 1975 and 1978 clinical and radiographic dental examinations were carried out on about 800 children in The Hague of kindergartens, and 2nd, 4th and 6th grades of elementary schools. The aim of this investigation was to assess what changes, if any, in dental health may have taken place as a result of the campaign ‘Haagse Aktie’, based on dietary and dental health education. In the 5‐, 7‐ and 9‐year‐old children no differences in dental health were found between 1969 and 1972. The first considerable improvement was found in 1975, especially in children from high social levels. In 1978 the children showed an even better dental health, compared with 1975. In the 5‐year‐old children the average dsmfs was 6.8. The average D3MFS in children of 7, 9 and 11 years of age in 1978 was 1.8, 3.9 and 8.2. At all socioeconomic levels the improvement of dental health was due to a considerable increase in the percentage of caries free children between 1975 and 1978; 27.6%, 51.8%, 21.2% and 7.4%, respectively, of the 5‐, 7‐, 9‐ and 11‐year‐old children were caries free in 1978, compared with 10.0%, 14.2%, 3.1 % and 0.9% in 1975. However, the reason for the reduction in caries is not known: it can only be the subject of speculation.
Survival and retreatment need of abutment teeth in patients with overdentures: a retrospective study
Authors: Keltjens Herman M.A. M. , Creugers Theo J. , Mulder Jan , Creugers Nico H. J.
Published: May 2006

Abstract The retreatment need was assessed in 148 patients wearing 125 overdentures in the mandible and 56 in the maxilla. The total number of abutment teeth was 512. During the evaluation period 44 abutments were extracted. The endpoints of the survival analysis after ft yr were 89%. taking the loss of all abutments as the failure criterion for overdentures. During the clinical examination it was found that 31% of the abutments needed retreatment while the retrospective part showed a mean yearly restoration need of 17.5%. Caries was the most important reason for re‐treatment. These data demonstrated that patients with overdentures should be regarded as high risk patients for retreatment of abutments. Therefore a stringent maintenance program, including regular recall appointments and the application of a preventive regimen, is desirable.
Mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and caries experience in 12‐year‐old Icelandic urban children, 1984 and 1991
Authors: Köhler Birgitta , Bjarnason Sibilla , Finnbogason Stefan Y. , Holbrook W. Peter
Published: May 2006

Abstract In order to evaluate changes in salivary counts of cariogenic bacteria and relate these to trends in caries experience, stimulated saliva was collected from a 20% random sample of 12‐yr‐old residents of Reykjavik. Iceland (252 children) in 1991 under conditions consistent with those of a survey conducted in 1984. The mean and median counts of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli remained similar in the two studies. However, the frequency distribution at lower levels of mutans streptococci differed significantly between 1991 and 1984, e.g. in the present study 25.8% of the children had < 105 compared with 13.8% in the study 1984. The mean caries prevalence in the permanent dentition (DFStot) was 11.0, which is significantly lower than in 1984 (mean DFStot 28.8). A significant difference in caries prevalence was found at various levels of salivary mutans streptococci. Strep. mutans (serotype c/e/f) was carried by all mutans streptococci‐positive children, save one child, who carried only Strep. sobrinus. The proportion of 12‐yr‐olds who carried Strep, sobrinus had decreased significantly to 15.7% from 34.0% in 1984. Significantly more children with Strep. sobrinus showed high levels of total mutans streptococci than children with only Strep. mutans. As the case was in 1984 significantly more Strep. sobrinus carriers had a high level of salivary lactobacilli as well as higher caries prevalence than the children who did not carry this species.
Characteristics of 5410 edentulous implant candidates and the treatment they receive
Authors: Cune Marco S. , de Putter Cornelis , Hoogstraten Johan
Published: May 2006

Abstract Since 1989 implant dentistry in the Netherlands is a National Dental Insurance (NDI) benefit, thus reducing out‐of‐pocket expenditures for implant candidates considerably. A nationwide investigation was set up in order to evaluate quantitative, qualitative and financial effects of this new provision. The patient and treatment characteristics of 5410 edentulous implant candidates are discussed. Intensive monitoring of the usage of these new regulations facilitates health care policy making, including future planning. Over a 3 1/2 yr period, two out of every thousand totally edentulous NDI patients were treated in combination with dental implants. This number is being considered small, bearing in mind the number of edentulous patients in the Netherlands and the proportion of dissatisfied denture wearers. Demographic data, prosthetic and pre‐prosthetic surgical history reveal that these patients, mostly female and middle‐aged, experience severe denture‐related problems. In the majority of cases the implants are placed by an oral surgeon and the suprastructure is made by a general dentist or at a centre for special dental care. The treatment itself mostly consists of an implant retained overdenture on two or four permucosal implants and a bar‐construction.
Caries experience in Latvian nursery school children
Authors: Bjarnason Sibilla , Care Ruta , Berzina Sandra , Brinkmane Anda , Rence Inguna , Mackevica Inese , Paeglite Inese , Senakola Egita
Published: May 2006

Abstract In 1993 the dental health was assessed in 631 Latvian 3–4‐yr‐old nursery school children. Forty‐eight percent of the 3‐yr‐olds and 26% of the 4‐yr‐olds were caries free. The mean dmft for the total sample was 3.2 (2.2 and 3.8 in the 3‐and 4‐yr‐olds, respectively). Molar caries, accounting for 66% of the total dmft score, was dominant in both age groups. Sixteen percent of the children had received restorations, 38% of which manifested recurrent caries. Recurrent caries was relatively more frequent in the younger children. Concomitant with a general increase in caries level, the polarization of the disease was less pronounced in the older children. The upper 25% of the distribution for 3‐ and 4‐yr‐olds contained 74% and 40% of the dmft, respectively. Daily toothbrushing was reported for 60% of the children. Of those, 38% used fluoride‐containing dentifrice. No significant associations were found between caries experience and toothbrushing frequency, use of fluoride dentifrice or parents' education.
Caries treatment through 30 years in children and adolescents in Asker, Norway
Authors: von der Fehr Frithjof Ramm , Gropen Anne‐Marie
Published: May 2006

Abstract Asker is a capital suburb where a preventive philosophy has guided the public dental health services for decades. In the period studied the child population aged 3–13 yr increased from 3208 to 6008. In the school age groups 7–15 yr practically all children in the community have participated in the dental service programs. The objective of the paper is to present retrospectively the changes in caries status of children under near optimal dental health care conditions and to expose reported preventive activities. A considerable increase in the proportion of “caries free” pre‐school children occurred in the period 1976–88. A maximum was reached in the latter part of the eighties, where after a leveling off is suggested. For school children a rapid increase in “caries free” children took place for the lowest grades, starting before 1976. The higher grades came later and at a slower pace. The great number of fillings inserted in 1966–72, oscillating around 60 surfaces for the nine school years, decreased rapidly during the following decade and seems now to have settled around a total average of five to six surfaces. This implies a reduction of 90% in 20 yr. In most age groups these changes started before 1970. The major part of the caries decline occurred in the seventies and a leveling off is apparent during the eighties. The average number of filled surfaces per year has fallen from 6.6 in the 1955 birth cohort to 0.7 in the 1977 cohort, a reduction of 89% in 22 yr. The average number of filled surfaces (FS) in 15‐yr‐olds leaving compulsory school decreased during the period 1980–92 from 16.5 to 4.8. In 1980 20% of the children left school with more than 20 filled surfaces, as compared to only 3% in 1992. Operative treatment need has been reduced to a fairly low level among school children and adolescents, but caries is definitely not eradicated. The “caries free” situation is not permanent, but treatment need becomes evident at a later age and is more modest than before. The remarkable reduction and delay of the caries problem is most likely the result of several factors, fluorides seemingly playing the major role.
A method for adjusting caries increments for reversals due to examiner misclassification
Authors: Beck James D. , Lawrence Herenia P. , Koch Gary G.
Published: May 2006

Abstract Two types of reversals occur in longitudinal caries studies, remineralization (true reversals) and reversals due to examiner misclassification (D3 to S; F to S). Since 1966, the standard practice has been to subtract examiner reversals from the crude increment (CC1), resulting in a net caries increment (NCI). The use of the NCI has been based on the assumption that examiners make an equal number of false positive and false negative errors both at baseline and follow‐up examination. Consequently, the difference between the two caries prevalence scores would provide an unbiased estimate of caries incidence between examinations. The NCI considers all reversals to be true reversals which is an extreme strategy, particulary when the level of diagnosis is set at lower thresholds. In this study we compromised between the NCI and CCI by creating a simple formula to calculate the caries increment using a prevalence‐based adjustment for reversals. The formula is ADJCI = y2(l‐(y3/(y3+y4))), where y2=S to D or F; y3, = D or F to S; y4=D to D/F or F to F. The impact of this adjustment is illustrated using data from a random sample of 452 older black and white adults followed over a 3‐yr period. The ADJC1 was more likely to result in higher caries increments and more observed intergroup differences than the NCI, a finding that has implications for clinical trials. For example, the crude 3‐yr coronal DS increment for whites was 0.62, the NCI was 0.26 and the ADJCI was 0.56. There were significant black‐white differences for the CCI and ADJCI, but not the NCI. We conclude that the NCI was too severe of an adjustment for reversals for this study population.
Influence of exposure to fluoridated water on socioeconomic inequalities in children's caries experience
Authors: Slade Gary D. , Spencer A. John , Davies Michael J. , Stewart Judy F.
Published: May 2006

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate inequalities in children's dental caries experience among socioeconomic status (SES) groups and to investigate effects of exposure to fluoride in water on those inequalities. Cross‐sectional data were obtained from 6704 Queensland children aged 5–12 years and 6814 South Australian children aged 5–15 years. School dental therapists and dentists recorded dmfs and DMFS data. A questionnaire to parents sought information about household SES and each child's lifetime exposure to fluoridated drinking water. SES, fluoride exposure and multiplicative interactions between the two were used as explanatory variables in least squares models in which dmfs and DMFS were dependent variables. Additive interactions were evaluated by calculating the excess rate of disease. In both states, children from low SES groups (categorized by household income or parental education) had higher mean dmfs and DMFS values than children from high SES groups (p<0.01). Independent effects of income and education remained significant (p<0.01) after controlling for exposure to fluoride in drinking water. In Queensland, there was a significant multiplicative interaction whereby SES inequalities were lower among children exposed to fluoride: dmfs ratios between low‐and high‐income groups ranged among ages from 1.54 to 3.56 for children with no exposure to fluoride and from 0.84 to 2.07 for children with lifetime exposure to fluoride. Multiplicative interactions were not statistically significant in South Australia or when DMFS was the dependent variable. However, additive interactions were consistent and most pronounced for deciduous teeth in both States. Absolute differences in caries experience between low and high SES children were greater among non‐exposed groups due to the higher underlying levels of caries experience of children with no exposure to fluoride in water.
Dental health in Dutch drug addicts
Authors: Molendijk Bert , Horst Gussje Ter , Kasbergen Marcel , Truin Gert‐Jan , Mulder Jan
Published: May 2006

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the Dental health status of a group of Dutch 20–40‐yr‐old drug addicts (n=121) and to compare the results on DMFS with data of an age‐comparable sample of the general adult population in the Netherlands (n=1532). Mean DMFT of the addicted group was 16.9. ANOVA showed that the mean DMFS of the addicted group differed statistically significantly from the DMFS of the general population of the same age (= 52.1 versus 38.9). Statistically significant differences in DMFS were also found between the various age groups. The percentage of addicted subjects with more than cervical plaque on one or more teeth was 76.5%, 82.4% and 88.2% in the three youngest age groups. In almost all addicted subjects, bleeding of the gingiva was present. Only 36% had visited the dentist less than a year ago and 18% brushed their teeth less than once a day. It is concluded that there is a large gap in dental health status and behavior between drug addicts and the general population. Dental care as an integral part of the care for drug addicts is advocated.
Ideal role behaviours as seen by dentists and patients themselves and by their role partners: do they differ?
Authors: Satu Lahti , Markku Verkasalo , Hannu Hausen , Heikki Tuutti
Published: May 2006

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine whether patients and dentists differ in their ideal role expectations concerning each others behaviour. This was done by further analysing a set of data containing responses to 124 five‐class Likertian statements about ideal role expectations and questions about the background of the respondents with regard to different aspects of the dentist‐patient relationship. The study groups consisted of a representative sample of lay people and all dentists in the Finnish Provinces Kuopio and North Karelia. To extract areas of ideal role expectations for both dentists and patients, orthogonal factor analyses were applied to the data. To evaluate the dissimilarity of the structure of the factor analyses, rotated factor matrices were used to conduct transformation analysis. Similarities between the ideal role expectations of dentists and patients were studied. When studied with transformation analysis, the ideal role expectations of dentists and patients were found to differ for both the ideal patient and the ideal dentist. However, dentists and patients shared expectations concerning one characteristic of the ideal dentist i.e. the importance of mutual communication, which was also considered the most important characteristic of the ideal dentist. For the characteristics of the ideal patient, the two groups shared the same expectations concerning the manageability of the patient. Previous research has compared dentist and patient expectations based only on single statements. No reports based on factor analysed data have been published, but transformation analysis was found to provide a useful tool for statistical evaluation of the dissimilarity of the factor structures.
Evaluation of preventive treatment by risk of caries among 13‐year‐olds
Authors: Varsio S. , Vehkalahti M.
Published: May 2006

Abstract Implementation of caries preventive treatment in relation to the risk of caries was studied among 13‐year‐olds (n=132) in two groups treated in the same public dental clinics in Helsinki: caries patients (n=100) had the greatest numbers of decayed teeth (DT+dt), 5.5 on average, whereas cavity‐free patients (n=32) had intact teeth. Data taken from patients' personal oral health records served for evaluation of individual need for caries prevention, risk of caries, and preventive treatment given to each patient. Patients with any caries lesions or erupting teeth or poor oral hygiene were considered to be at risk of caries and in need of preventive treatment. The more caries lesions a patient had, the more prevention was expected to have been given. Preventive treatment of caries was weakly or only moderately in accordance with patients' individual needs and risk of developing caries, although patients with more caries lesions tended to have been given more preventive treatment than did those with none or only a few lesions. The majority of preventive measures given were applications of fluoride varnish, whereas motivation of and instruction in oral health care habits remained weak. However, patients whom their dentists had judged to be at high risk of caries received more intensified preventive treatment than did other caries patients. As a conclusion, intensification of caries prevention among high‐risk patients is still needed. Dentists should always consider each patient's risk of developing caries to improve quality of preventive treatment.
Dental knowledge, attitudes towards oral health care and utilization of dental services among male industrial workers with or without an employer‐provided dental benefit scheme
Authors: Ahlberg Jari , Tuominen Risto , Murtomaa Heikki
Published: May 2006

Abstract In industrialized countries various dental benefit schemes have been implemented to improve the utilization of dental services, though few studies have demonstrated that effect. Prior to a comprehensive clinical study in southern Finland, a postal questionnaire survey of male industrial workers (age 38–65 yrs) was conducted to investigate knowledge and attitudes concerning oral health care and whether access to an employer‐provided dental benefit scheme was associated with the utilization of dental services. The response rate was 81% (n=325) in the subsidized group and 69% (n=174) in the control group. In both groups, 60% of the subjects had had their last dental visit within a year but 91% of the subsidized workers compared to 79% of the controls had visited a dentist in the past two years (p<0.001). The subjects had similar attitudes towards the importance of regular dental care and its implications for dental and general health. Subsidization explained the disparity in the current dental visiting pattern between the groups better than the possibility of using working hours for dental visits. Backward stepwise logistic regression revealed that the probability of a dental visit within the past two years was positively associated with access to an employer‐provided dental benefit scheme, tooth brushing to maintain dental health, and number of teeth, and negatively associated with number of carious teeth. Our results demonstrate a positive impact of subsidization on the utilization of dental services.
Proposed methods for improving the efficiency of the DMFS index in assessing initiation and progression of dental caries
Authors: Kingman A. , Selwitz R. H.
Published: May 2006

Abstract Recent changes in the epidemiology of dental caries and advances in the development of new diagnostic measurement techniques have stimulated interest in improved methods of assessing changes in dental caries status. Traditional methods for assessing change focus primarily on the development of new lesions at the cavitation level and incorporate incomplete information on the progression of existing cavitated lesions. A methodology to expand the clinical recording of dental caries in clinical studies to include 1) both non‐cavitated and cavitated lesions and 2) the surface area affected for restorations is suggested. New indices are proposed to estimate changes in the number of new lesions, the progression of existing carious lesions, and the total change in caries status for a subject. It is anticipated that the new indices will produce more efficient methods of assessing change in caries status in longitudinal clinical studies. The degree of improvement can be estimated directly. Improvements in efficiency may reduce the duration or number of subjects required in caries clinical trials.
Validation of the Dental Fear Scale and the Dental Belief Survey in a Norwegian sample
Authors: Kvale Gerd , Berg Einar , Nilsen Casper Meyer , Raadal Magne , Nielsen Geir Hostmark , Johnsen Tom Backer , Wormnes Bjorn
Published: May 2006

Abstract –The aim of this study was to validate the Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Scale and the Getz's Dental Belief Survey in a Norwegian sample by 1) testing their ability to discriminate between fearful (n= 151) and regular (n= 160) patients, and 2) correlating them. Both instruments were highly reliable (Cronbach's alpha >0.90). Between 81% and 95% of the fearful and regular patients were correctly assigned to their appropriate groups with both instruments. It may thus be concluded that both instruments are valid. Also, the correlation between the instruments was 0.68, indicating that they to a large extent seem to measure the same concept. The most important predictor items for both instruments were related to avoidance of dental treatment.
A comparison of the subjective oral health status of older adults from deprived and affluent communities
Authors: Tickle Martin , Craven Rebecca , Worthington Helen V.
Published: May 2006

Abstract A comparative study of the subjective oral health status of 60–65‐year‐old residents was undertaken in two Liverpool electoral wards, Vauxhall, the most deprived, and Woolton, the most affluent in the city. The measuring instrument used was the Subjective Oral Health Status Indicators (SOHSI) questionnaire devised by Locker. The questionnaire was administered by post to random samples of 250 residents from each ward. The main aim of the study was to compare the reported impact of oral conditions on the lives of individuals living in deprived and affluent communities. Responses of 59.6% for the deprived ward and 77.7% for the affluent ward were achieved. The literature suggested that significant differences could be expected between the wards in the reporting of subjective impact. However, significantly greater impact for only one functional sub‐scale and one psycho‐social sub‐scale was reported by residents from the deprived ward. Further analysis of the relationship between impact and socio‐demographic variables revealed a strong association between self‐reported general health status and the subjective oral health indicators. Finally, a stepwise regression analysis found that pain and chewing problems were the only significant predictors of psycho‐social impact. This finding confirms that the individual's socio‐economic circumstances are of secondary importance to pain and functional problems in determining the psycho‐social effects of oral conditions, as predicted by the conceptual model on which the measuring instrument is based.
The Australian public's perception of mercury risk from dental restorations
Authors: Thomson W. Murray , Stewart Judith F. , Carter Knute D. , Spencer A. John
Published: May 2006

Abstract The debate about mercury and denial amalgam has been one of the longest running in dentistry, and shows no signs of abating. This study aimed to investigate perceptions about mercury in denial fillings among a representative sample of the Australian public. A random sub‐sample of participants in a national denial telephone interview survey completed a follow‐up postal questionnaire which included four items on denial mercury. The postal survey response rate was 85.2%. Concern about mercury in dental fillings was expressed by 37.5%, while 16.2% reported having requested fillings that do not contain mercury. Avoidance of dental care because of concern about mercury in fillings was reported by 5.8%, but only 4.7% reported having had fillings replaced because they contained mercury. The data indicate that there is a substantial degree of concern about mercury and dental amalgam among the Australian public, but that the dental behavioural and treatment‐pattern consequences of that concern are infrequent.
The spectrum of cutaneous lymphomas in Japan: a study of 62 cases based on the World Health Organization Classification
Authors: Yasukawa Kana , Kato Naoko , Kodama Kazuo , Hamasaka Asuka , Hata Hiroo
Published: May 2006

Background:  The relative incidence of malignant lymphoma subtypes differs according to geographic location. This study investigated the epidemiology of cutaneous lymphoma subtypes in Japan and compared it with other countries.

Methods:  Sixty‐two patients with cutaneous lymphoma attending the Department of Dermatology, National Hospital Organization Hokkaido Cancer Center were reviewed. The World Health Organization classification of hematopoietic and lymphoid malignancies was adopted.

Results:  Of the 62 patients, 31 had primary cutaneous lymphoma (PCL) and 31 had secondary cutaneous lymphoma (SCL). T‐ and natural killer (NK)‐cell lymphoma accounted for 80% of PCL, of which, mycosis fungoides accounted for almost 35%. Of the 31 patients with secondary cutaneous lymphoma, 17 patients (54%) had T‐ and NK‐cell lymphoma, including nine adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma patients, and 14 patients (46%) had B‐cell lymphoma, including 11 diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients. The majority of patients with SCL and NK‐cell lymphoma with primary or secondary skin lesions had a poor outcome.

Conclusions:  PCL in this study showed a similar incidence to that of other institutions in Japan, while also demonstrating different frequencies from that of other countries, suggesting that the relative frequency of different PCL subtypes differ according to geographical location, similar to previous reports of systemic malignant lymphoma.
Usefulness of D2‐40 immunohistochemistry for differentiation between kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and tufted angioma
Authors: Arai Eiichi , Kuramochi Akira , Tsuchida Tetsuya , Tsuneyoshi Masazumi , Kage Masayoshi , Fukunaga Masaharu , Ito Tomoo , Tada Toyohiro , Izumi Miki , Shimizu Ken , Hirose Takanori , Shimizu Michio
Published: May 2006

Background:  Recent investigations have demonstrated the utility of the monoclonal antibody D2‐40 as a marker for lymphatic endothelium. D2‐40 can be used on formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded materials. Our objective was to elucidate, using D2‐40 immunohistochemistry, the differences among capillary hemangiomas, and especially between kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) and tufted angioma (TA). We studied four cases of KHE, nine cases of TA, and 31 cases of other vascular tumors. Antibodies against CD31, CD34, factor VIII‐related antigen, and GLUT1 were also applied.

Results:  In KHE, D2‐40 was markedly reactive for three and partially for one of four cases in the peripheral area of Kaposi's sarcoma‐like proliferative capillaries and negative in the surrounding dilated vessels. In TA, D2‐40 was partially positive in the surrounding dilated vessels and negative in cannonball‐like proliferative capillaries.

Conclusions:  Our results suggest that D2‐40 is a useful antibody for immunohistochemical discrimination between KHE and TA. In addition, the difference of immunostaining pattern of D2‐40 is limited to the peripheral area of capillary proliferation and surrounding dilated vessels; therefore, it is suggested that KHE and TA may reflect different stages in the evolution of a single entity. Namely, they may originate from stem cells possessing the characteristics of both lymphatic and blood vessel endothelial lineages.
Portal vein thrombosis is a common complication following splenectomy in patients with malignant haematological diseases
Authors: Svensson Magnus , Wirén Mikael , Kimby Eva , Hägglund Hans
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  Background: Elective laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is performed with increasing frequency rather than open splenectomy (OS) because of reduced morbidity. LS is feasible also in patients with haematological diseases with splenomegaly, a group that is subject to more postoperative complications, such as bleeding, infections and portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 69 patients splenectomised for haematological diseases during a 5‐yr period at a single centre with the aim of comparing the results and complications after LS and OS. Results: Thirty‐nine patients underwent LS and 30 OS. The median durations of surgery were 138 and 115 min (ns) in the LS and OS groups respectively. Three conversions (7.7%) from laparoscopic surgery to open surgery were necessary because of bleeding and/or splenomegaly. Thromboembolic complications occurred in totally seven of 69 patients. PVT was diagnosed in five of 37 (13.5%) patients with haematological malignancies (three with indolent lymphoma and two with myeloproliferative disease), one after LS and four after OS. All patients with PVT had splenomegaly and had received thromboembolic prophylaxis with low‐molecular‐weight heparin of short duration. Two patients were diagnosed with deep vein thromboses in the lower leg. Both had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and LS. Conclusions: Patients with malignant haematological diseases and splenomegaly seem to have a high risk of developing PVT after splenectomy why careful observation and prolonged thromboprophylaxis is recommended for these patients. Ultrasonography or computerised tomography should be considered in all patients with abdominal symptoms after splenectomy.
Genetic effects in common on maximal walking speed and muscle performance in older women
Authors: Tiainen K. , Pajala S. , Sipilä S. , Kaprio J. , Koskenvuo M. , Alén M. , Heikkinen E. , Tolvanen A. , Rantanen T.
Published: May 2006

The purpose was to examine whether maximal walking speed, maximal isometric knee extensor strength, and leg extensor power share genetic or environmental effects in common. The data was collected from 103 monozygotic and 114 dizygotic female twin pairs aged 63–76 years. Maximal walking speed over 10 m was measured in the laboratory corridor using photocells for timing. Isometric knee extensor strength and leg extensor power were measured using an adjustable dynamometer. The genetic models showed that strength, power, and walking speed had a genetic effect in common which accounted for 52% of the variance in strength, 36% in power, and 34% in walking speed. Strength and power had a non‐shared environmental effect in common explaining 13% of variation in strength and 14% in power. The remaining variance was accounted for by trait‐specific effects. Some people may be more prone to functional limitation in old age due to their genetic disposition, but this does not rule out that changes in the lifestyle of predisposed subjects may also have a major effect. Approximately half of the variation in each trait was explained by environmental effects, which suggests the importance of the physical activity to improve performance and prevent functional limitation.
Acute rotational trauma to the knee: poor agreement between clinical assessment and magnetic resonance imaging findings
Authors: Frobell R. B. , Lohmander L. S. , Roos H. P.
Published: May 2006

Objectives: To determine the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the general population; the pathology associated with a knee sprain verified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and the agreement between clinical findings and MRI.

Material and methods: Inclusion criterion was an acute rotational trauma to the knee associated with effusion. One hundred and fifty‐nine consecutive patients, mean age 27 years and 36% women, were included after clinical assessment at the orthopedic emergency unit. Patients were referred to an MRI examination (1.0 or 1.5 T) performed within a median of 8 days of the initial visit.

Results: The annual incidence of MRI verified ACL injuries was 0.81/1000 inhabitants aged 10–64 years. Fifty‐six percent (n=89) of those included had sustained an ACL injury of whom 38% had an associated medial meniscus tear. There was a poor agreement between initial clinical antero‐posterior laxity and MRI verified presence of an ACL tear (κ 0.281). Every second patellar dislocation was diagnosed as a ligament injury.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the incidence of ACL injuries is higher than previously described. We also show that the first clinical examination after an acute knee trauma has a low diagnostic value. Further assessment with MRI improves the chances of a correct diagnosis of intraarticular pathology and is recommended in the early phase after a rotational knee trauma.
Testosterone Undecanoate Restores Erectile Function in a Subset of Patients with Venous Leakage: A Series of Case Reports
Authors: Yassin Aksam A. , Saad Farid , Traish Abdulmaged
Published: May 2006

Introduction

Androgens are critical for maintaining penile structure and function and androgen deficiency alters the function of the corporal veno-occlusive mechanism in animal models. However, there are limited research and data supporting this association in humans.

Methods

Case reports of hypogonadal men (N = 12) with low plasma testosterone and moderate to severe erectile dysfunction are presented. Comorbidities varied, including diabetes mellitus type I or II, metabolic syndrome with possible related hypertension, dyslipidemia, or obesity. Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor therapy did not improve erectile function. Each patient underwent baseline dynamic infusion pharmacocavernosometry and cavernosography revealing various degrees of corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction. The patients underwent treatment with 1,000 mg injectable testosterone undecanoate (NebidoR) on day 1, followed by another injection after 6 weeks and every 3 months thereafter. Dynamic infusion pharmacocavernosography was repeated in all 12 patients after 3 months of treatment.

Results

Five of the 12 patients reported significant improvement in erectile function within 12–20 weeks of androgen treatment and are currently under follow-up. Compared with baseline pharmacocavernosography, repeat radiological studies in patients who reported improvement in erectile function did not show veins draining the corporal bodies. The patients who responded to androgens also noted improvement in sexual desire domain (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF] scores increased from 4 ± 0.7 to 8 ± 0.3) and erectile function domain (IIEF scores increased from 6 ± 2 to 24 ± 1).

Conclusion

The observations made in these limited series of case reports suggest that testosterone improved erectile function in hypogonadal patients by restoring veno-occlusive function. Prospective, multi-institutional, double-blind placebo-controlled trials in hypogonadal patients are indicated.
Synthesis and Tribology of Carbide‐Derived Carbon Films
Authors: Erdemir A. , Kovalchenko A. , White C. , Zhu R. , Lee A. , McNallan M. J. , Carroll B. , Gogotsi Y.
Published: May 2006

Carbide‐derived carbon (CDC) films are produced at atmospheric pressure on the surfaces of carbide‐based ceramic materials and coatings by a high‐temperature chlorination process. These nanoporous carbon films contain carbon nano‐onions and amorphous carbon, and may contain nanocrystalline diamond and graphite as well, depending on the synthesis conditions. The combination of such diverse carbon phases in one material or coating provides unique and potentially useful properties for a wide range of engineering applications. In this paper, we will present the results of a comprehensive study on the tribological behavior of these films. The friction coefficient of CDC in open air is comparable with that of graphite and is typically in the range of 0.15–0.25. However, the friction coefficients of CDC tend to decrease with decreasing humidity. In dry nitrogen, its friction coefficient is ∼0.1 or less. Such behavior is in contrast to that of crystalline graphite, which normally exhibits low friction at high humidity, but high friction at low humidity or in vacuum. The friction coefficient of CDC becomes increasingly lower under heavier loads; however, increasing sliding velocity does not seem to affect its frictional behavior significantly. Using a hydrogenation process that removes residual chlorine from the CDC film, the friction coefficients of CDC can be further lowered to values as low as 0.03. In an attempt to understand some of the underlying mechanisms, we carried out comprehensive chemical and structural studies of the sliding surfaces as well as bulk films and correlated these findings with the friction and wear behavior of CDC films.
Landslides and Their Contribution to Land‐cover Change in the Mountains of Mexico and Central America1
Authors: Restrepo Carla , Alvarez Nora
Published: May 2006

Landsliding is a natural process influencing montane ecosystems, particularly in areas with elevated rainfall and seismic activity. Yet, to date, little effort has been made to quantify the contribution of this process to land‐cover change. Focusing on the mountains of Mexico and Central America (M‐CA), we estimated the contribution of landsliding to land‐cover change at two scales. At the scale of M‐CA, we classified the terrain into major landforms and entered in a GIS historical data on earthquake‐ and rainfall‐triggered landslides. At the scale of the Sierra de Las Minas of Guatemala, we investigated Landsat TM data to map rainfall‐triggered landslides. During the past 110 yr, >136,200 ha of land in the mountains of M‐CA have been affected by landslides, which translates into disturbance rates exceeding 0.317 percent/century. In Sierra de Las Minas, rainfall associated with hurricane Mitch affected 1765 ha of forest, or equivalently, landslides triggered by storms of this magnitude transformed between 0.196 (return time of 500 yr) and 1.290 (return time of 75 yr) percent of forest/century. Although landsliding results in smaller rates of land‐cover change than deforestation, we hypothesize that it has a stronger impact on ecosystems, both in qualitative and quantitative terms, given its influence on vegetation and soil. Moreover, interactions between landsliding and deforestation may be altering the expression of this complex process such that the few protected areas in the mountains of M‐CA may represent the only possibility for the conservation of this process.
Embodied Perception and the Economy of Action
Authors: Proffitt Dennis R.
Published: May 2006

Perception informs people about the opportunities for action and their associated costs. To this end, explicit awareness of spatial layout varies not only with relevant optical and ocular-motor variables, but also as a function of the costs associated with performing intended actions. Although explicit awareness is mutable in this respect, visually guided actions directed at the immediate environment are not. When the metabolic costs associated with walking an extent increase—perhaps because one is wearing a heavy backpack—hills appear steeper and distances to targets appear greater. When one is standing on a high balcony, the apparent distance to the ground is correlated with one's fear of falling. Perceiving spatial layout combines the geometry of the world with behavioral goals and the costs associated with achieving these goals.
Reciprocal Effects of Self-Concept and Performance From a Multidimensional Perspective: Beyond Seductive Pleasure and Unidimensional Perspectives
Authors: Marsh Herbert W. , Craven Rhonda G.
Published: May 2006

We (Marsh & Craven, 1997) have claimed that academic self-concept and achievement are mutually reinforcing, each leading to gains in the other. Baumeister, Campbell, Krueger, and Vohs (2003) have claimed that self-esteem has no benefits beyond seductive pleasure and may even be detrimental to subsequent performance. Integrating these seemingly contradictory conclusions, we distinguish between (a) older, unidimensional perspectives that focus on global self-esteem and underpin the Baumeister et al. review and (b) more recent, multidimensional perspectives that focus on specific components of self-concept and are the basis of our claim. Supporting the construct validity of a multidimensional perspective, studies show that academic achievement is substantially related to academic self-concept, but nearly unrelated to self-esteem. Consistent with this distinction, research based on our reciprocal-effects model (REM) and a recent meta-analysis show that prior academic self-concept (as opposed to self-esteem) and achievement both have positive effects on subsequent self-concept and achievement. We provide an overview of new support for the generality of the REM for young children, cross-cultural research in non-Western countries, health (physical activity), and nonelite (gymnastics) and elite (international swimming championships) sport. We conclude that future reviews elucidating the significant implications of self-concept for theory, policy, and practice need to account for current research supporting the REM and a multidimensional perspective of self-concept.