bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of l‐DOPA production by Brevundimonas sp. SGJ using response surface methodology
Authors: Surwase Shripad N. , Patil Sushama A. , Jadhav Shekhar B. , Jadhav Jyoti P. 
Published: September 2012

Summaryl‐DOPA (3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl‐l‐alanine) is an extensively used drug for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In the present study, optimization of nutritional parameters influencing l‐DOPA production was attempted using the response surface methodology (RSM) from Brevundimonas sp. SGJ. A Plackett–Burman design was used for screening of critical components, while further optimization was carried out using the Box–Behnken design. The optimized levels of factors predicted by the model were pH 5.02, 1.549 g l−1 tryptone, 4.207 g l−1 l‐tyrosine and 0.0369 g l−1 CuSO4, which resulted in highest l‐DOPA yield of 3.359 g l−1. The optimization of medium using RSM resulted in a 8.355‐fold increase in the yield of l‐DOPA. The anova showed a significant R2 value (0.9667), model F‐value (29.068) and probability (0.001), with insignificant lack of fit. The highest tyrosinase activity observed was 2471 U mg−1 at the 18th hour of the incubation period with dry cell weight of 0.711 g l−1. l‐DOPA production was confirmed by HPTLC, HPLC and GC‐MS analysis. Thus, Brevundimonas sp. SGJ has the potential to be a new source for the production of l‐DOPA.
Counseling on Early Childhood Caries transmission by dentists
Authors: Milgrom Peter , Huebner Colleen E. , Mancl Lloyd , Garson Gayle , Grembowski David 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjective: High levels of Streptococcus mutans on teeth of young children are predictive of Early Childhood Caries (ECC). Transmission from mother‐to‐child is common and studies have demonstrated treatment of the mother results in less ECC. The objective of this study was to determine how dentists have adopted the practice of counseling about ECC.Methods: In 2006 as part of a larger study on dental care for pregnant women, we surveyed 829 general dentists in Oregon. The questionnaire contained questions to capture the extent to which general dentists have adopted counseling pregnant women about ECC transmission, to describe personal and practice characteristics, and examine how dentists' views on the ease of adopting of new procedures related to ECC counseling. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify separate and additive effects of demographic and practice characteristics, attitudes, and beliefs.Results: The adjusted odds of a dentist who strongly believed in the link between mothers and babies and provided ECC counseling were 1.60 (95% CI 1.3‐2.0, P < 0.01). The odds of a dentist who reported discussing ECC with staff members and provided counseling were 2.7 (95% CI 1.7‐4.3, P < 0.01). Male dentists were less likely to counsel patients than female dentists (Adjusted OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3‐1.0, p < 0.05).Conclusions: The strongest predictors of counseling patients about ECC were dentists' belief in the evidence of caries transmission and dentists' discussion of ECC during staff meetings.
Racial/ethnic disparities in provision of dental procedures to children enrolled in Delta Dental insurance in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Authors: Bhagavatula Pradeep , Xiang Qun , Eichmiller Fredrick , Szabo Aniko , Okunseri Christopher 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectives: Most studies on the provision of dental procedures have focused on Medicaid enrollees known to have inadequate access to dental care. Little information on private insurance enrollees exists. This study documents the rates of preventive, restorative, endodontic, and surgical dental procedures provided to children enrolled in Delta Dental of Wisconsin (DDWI) in Milwaukee.Methods: We analyzed DDWI claims data for Milwaukee children aged 0‐18 years between 2002 and 2008. We linked the ZIP codes of enrollees to the 2000 US Census information to derive racial/ethnic estimates in the different ZIP codes. We estimated the rates of preventive, restorative, endodontic, and surgical procedures provided to children in different racial/ethnic groups based on the population estimates derived from the US Census data. Descriptive and multivariable analysis was done using Poisson regression modeling on dental procedures per year.Results: In 7 years, a total of 266,380 enrollees were covered in 46 ZIP codes in the database. Approximately, 64 percent, 44 percent, and 49 percent of White, African American, and Hispanic children had at least one dental visit during the study period, respectively. The rates of preventive procedures increased up to the age of 9 years and decreased thereafter among children in all three racial groups included in the analysis. African American and Hispanic children received half as many preventive procedures as White children.Conclusion: Our study shows that substantial racial disparities may exist in the types of dental procedures that were received by children.
An examination of racial/ethnic disparities in children's oral health in the United States
Authors: Fisher‐Owens Susan A. , Isong Inyang A. , Soobader Mah‐J , Gansky Stuart A. , Weintraub Jane A. , Platt Larry J. , Newacheck Paul W. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjective: To assess the extent factors other than race/ethnicity explain apparent racial/ethnic disparities in children's oral health and oral health care.Methods: Data were from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, for children 2‐17 years (n = 82,020). Outcomes included parental reports of child's oral health status, receiving preventive dental care, and delayed dental care/unmet need. Model‐based survey‐data‐analysis examined racial/ethnic disparities, controlling for child, family, and community/state (contextual) factors.Results: Unadjusted results show large racial/ethnic oral health disparities. Compared with non‐Hispanic White people, Hispanic and non‐Hispanic‐Black people were markedly more likely to be reported in only fair/poor oral health [odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) 4.3 (4.0‐4.6), 2.2 (2.0‐2.4), respectively], lack preventive care [ORs 1.9 (1.8‐2.0), 1.4 (1.3‐1.5)], and experience delayed care/unmet need [ORs 1.5 (1.3‐1.7), 1.4 (1.3‐1.5)]. Adjusting for child, family, and community/state factors reduced racial/ethnic disparities. Adjusted ORs (AORs) for Hispanics and non‐Hispanic Blacks attenuated for fair/poor oral health, to 1.6 (1.5‐1.8) and 1.2 (1.1‐1.4), respectively. Adjustment eliminated disparities for lacking preventive care [AORs 1.0 (0.9‐1.1), 1.1 (1.1‐1.2)] and in Hispanics for delayed care/unmet need (AOR 1.0). Among non‐Hispanic Blacks, adjustment reversed the disparity for delayed care/unmet need [AOR 0.6 (0.6‐0.7)].Conclusions: Racial/ethnic disparities in children's oral health status and access were attributable largely to socioeconomic and health insurance factors. Efforts to decrease disparities may be more efficacious if targeted at social, economic, and other factors associated with minority racial/ethnic status and may have positive effects on all who share similar social, economic, and cultural characteristics.
Dental fear and satisfaction with dental services in Switzerland
Authors: Armfield Jason M. , Enkling Norbert , Wolf Christian A. , Ramseier Christoph A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectives: Dental satisfaction is associated with continuity of dental care, compliance with dentist advice, and positive health outcomes. It is expected that people with higher dental fear might have less dental satisfaction because of more negative dental experiences. The objective of this study was to examine satisfaction and reasons for satisfaction with dental practitioners in Switzerland and variations by dental fear.Methods: A national sample of 1,129 Swiss residents aged 15‐74 (mean = 43.2 years) completed a personal interview at their home with questions assessing dental fear, dental service use, general satisfaction with their dentist, and reasons for satisfaction or dissatisfaction.Results: Overall, 47.9 percent of participants responded that they were satisfied with their dentist and 47.6 percent that they were very satisfied. Satisfaction differed significantly by gender, language spoken, region of residence, and educational attainment. Greater dental fear was significantly associated with greater dissatisfaction with the dentist. The percentage of people who were very satisfied with the dentist ranged from 56.0 percent among people with no fear to 30.5 percent for participants with “quite a lot” of fear but was higher (44.4 percent) for people who stated that they were “very much” afraid of the dentist. The most common reasons attributed for satisfaction with dentists were interpersonal characteristics of the dentist and staff. People with “quite a lot” of fear were found to endorse these sentiments least.Conclusions: Although higher dental fear was associated with more dissatisfaction with the dentist, the level of satisfaction among fearful individuals in Switzerland is still high.
Corneal thickness after overnight wear of an intraocular pressure fluctuation contact lens sensor
Authors: Freiberg Florentina J. , Lindell Jeanette , Thederan Luisa A.‐L. , Leippi Swetlana , Shen Yanan , Klink Thomas 
Published: September 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  To assess the effect of overnight wear of a contact lens‐based sensor (CLS) for monitoring of 24‐hr intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations on central corneal thickness (CCT).Materials and Methods:  Changes in the CCT, mid‐peripheral corneal thickness and central corneal radius (CCR) during overnight CLS wear in 20 eligible patients with ocular hypertension or established glaucoma were prospectively studied using ultrasound pachymetry and topography. Corneal thickness and CCR changes were evaluated from pre‐to‐postsleep, with the fellow eye as control. Paired t‐test or Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used as appropriate and with α = 0.05. Relationship between the IOP profile recorded by the CLS and the pre‐to‐postsleep corneal thickness differences was assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficient.Results:  After CLS wear, mean CCT had changed from 523 to 537 μm (p = 0.015) in the study eye and from 518 to 522 (p = 0.206) in the fellow eye (n = 15). There was no difference in CCT change between eyes (p = 0.075). There were no statistically significant changes in horizontal or vertical CCR in either eye (p > 0.05 for all). No correlation was found between the pre‐to‐postsleep differences in the CLS signal and the pre‐to‐postsleep differences in ultrasound CCT measurements (p = 0.974).Conclusion:  The continuous IOP monitoring does not appear to be affected by differences in corneal thickness that occur during overnight CLS wear, although the CLS did induce some corneal swelling. This effect was not statistically significantly different from the control eye and does not seem to influence the CLS IOP profile.
Rare case of isolated splenic metastasis from the breast
Authors: Pailoor Kirana , Fernandes Hilda , D'Souza Clement. R. S. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTA 50‐year‐old woman, who underwent left mastectomy 2 years ago for infiltrating ductal carcinoma, came for follow up. A routine ultrasound of the abdomen detected a lesion in the spleen, which was suspected to be an abscess/metastasis. There was no apparent involvement of other organs such as liver, bone, lungs etc. The patient underwent splenectomy and recovered without any complications. On histopathological examination, it was diagnosed to be splenic metastasis from breast carcinoma. We present this case because of the rarity of the lesion and also as a reminder to be cognizant of one of the less likely differential diagnosis of an intraparenchymal solid splenic mass.
Does sex affect the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy?: A retrospective analysis of single center experience
Authors: Kamran Khawar , Afridi Zia‐ud‐din , Muqim Rooh‐ul , Khalil Jawad 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of our study was to determine the effect of sex on the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in terms of operative time, conversion to open cholecystectomy, postoperative complications and mean hospital stay.MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the medical records of 2061 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the surgical department of Khyber Teaching Hospital (Peshawar, Pakistan) between March 2008 and January 2010. χ2 test and t–test were respectively used to analyze categorical and numerical variables. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe study included 1772 female and 289 male patients. The mean age for male patients was 44.07 ± 11.91 years compared to 41.29 ± 12.18 years for female patients (P = 0.706). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successfully completed in 1996 patients. The conversion rate was higher in men (P < 0.001), and the mean operating time was longer in men (P < 0.001). Bile duct injuries occurred more frequently in men (P < 0.001). Gallbladder perforation and gallstone spillage also occurred more commonly in men (P = 0.001); similarly severe inflammation was reported more in male patients (P = 0001). There were no statistically significant differences in mean hospital stay, wound infection and port‐site herniation between men and women. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the male sex is an independent risk factor for conversion to open cholecystectomy (odds ratio = 2.65, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–6.94, P = 0.041) and biliary injuries (odds ratio = 0.95, 95% confidence interval: 0.91–0.99, P‐value = 0.036).ConclusionsLaparoscopic cholecystectomy is often challenging in men on account of more adhesions and inflammation. This leads to higher conversion rates and more postoperative complications. Optimized planning and a more experienced operating surgeon may help overcome these problems.
Inactivated Orf virus (Parapoxvirus ovis) elicits antifibrotic activity in models of liver fibrosis
Authors: Nowatzky Janina , Knorr Andreas , Hirth‐Dietrich Claudia , Siegling Angela , Volk Hans‐Dieter , Limmer Andreas , Knolle Percy , Weber Olaf 
Published: September 2012

AimInactivated Orf virus (ORFV, Parapoxvirus ovis) demonstrates strong antiviral activity in animal models including a human hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐transgenic mouse. In addition, expression of interferon (IFN)‐γ and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) was induced after administration of inactivated ORFV in these mice. IFN‐γ and IL‐10 are known to elicit antifibrotic activity. We therefore aimed to study antifibrotic activity of inactivated ORFV in models of liver fibrosis.MethodsWe characterized ORFV‐induced hepatic cytokine expression in rats. We then studied ORFV in two models of liver fibrosis in rats, pig serum‐induced liver fibrosis and carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)‐induced liver fibrosis.ResultsORFV induced hepatic expression of IFN‐γ and IL‐10 in rats. ORFV mediated antifibrotic activity when administrated concomitantly with the fibrosis‐inducing agents in both models of liver fibrosis. Importantly, when CCL4‐induced liver fibrosis was already established, ORFV application still showed significant antifibrotic activity. In addition, we were able to demonstrate a direct antifibrotic effect of ORFV on stellate cells.ConclusionThese results establish a potential novel antifibrotic therapeutic approach that not only prevents but also resolves established liver fibrosis. Further studies are required to unravel the details of the mechanisms involved.
What Do FAS 157 “Fair Values” Really Measure: Value Or Risk?
Authors: Ronen Joshua 
Published: September 2012

AbstractFAS 157, the U.S. accounting standard that prescribes how fair values of assets and liabilities are to be measured when other U.S. GAAP standards require fair valuation, stipulates that fair values be measured as the exit values of assets and liabilities—the proceeds for assets hypothetically sold on the date of the financial report, and, correspondingly, the amount required to settle liabilities on the date of the financial report. This conceptual article argues that exit values do not reflect the value of the net assets of the firm to shareholders, which is best reflected by discounted cash flows to maturity. Moreover, exit values—biasing fair values downward when markets are illiquid—have a pernicious, systemic risk effect; specifically, they give rise to write‐downs that in turn cause contagion: prices of equities and other financial instruments of peers react negatively, leading to further write‐downs by those peers. This may have aggravated the recent financial crisis. However, while exit values are not proper measures of value to shareholders, they are useful measures of downside risk when prospects turn sour for a firm. Thus, both exit values and discounted cash flows should be presented in financial statements.
Timing of Sale, Pricing, and Cost Information: Evidence from the Airline Industry*
Authors: Hsu Sylvia H. , Lee Johnny Jiungyee 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThis study examines the association between when an airline sells its passenger seats and the pricing method (marginal cost or full cost) it employs. Prior literature suggests that when firms are able to change prices during the selling period, the optimality of full cost pricing or marginal cost pricing depends on when demand information is revealed during the period between capacity commitment decisions and time of sale. Full cost‐based pricing is appropriate in determining capacity commitment and prices simultaneously, while marginal cost provides more relevant information for pricing when capacity has been committed. Using the price and cost data from a sample of four U.S. domestic airlines, we find that full cost explains price variations of first‐day sales robustly. The adjusted R2 of the marginal cost pricing model is larger in the sample of sales two days prior to departure than in the sample of first‐day sales. In the analysis of the sample of sales two days prior to departure, we find that, based on the adjusted R2 of the full cost pricing and marginal cost pricing models, the explanatory power of marginal cost pricing is relatively weaker than full cost pricing. Our results document the use of different cost information along the dynamic change of price and provide implications in understanding the role of cost information in setting prices.
Two Reasons Why Epistemic Reasons Are Not Object‐Given Reasons
Authors: BOOTH ANTHONY ROBERT 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn this paper I discuss two claims; the first is the claim that state‐given reasons for belief are of a radically different kind to object‐given reasons for belief. The second is that, where this last claim is true, epistemic reasons are object‐given reasons for belief (EOG). I argue that EOG has two implausible consequences: (i) that suspension of judgement can never be epistemically justified, and (ii) that the reason that epistemically justifies a belief that p can never be the reason for which one believes that p.
Accounting for missing data when assessing availability in animal population surveys: an application to ice‐associated seals in theBeringSea
Authors: Conn Paul B. , Johnson Devin S. , London Josh M. , Boveng Peter L. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryPopulation ecologists often use telemetry to estimate the probability that an animal is available for sampling (availability probability). Such estimates are paramount for generating reliable estimates of animal abundance and are sometimes of biological interest in their own right (e.g. for characterizing pinniped haul‐out behaviour or landbird singing frequency).We consider the estimation of availability probability from telemetry data when there are missing records. When records are missing‐completely‐at‐random (i.e. not influenced by whether an animal is available for sampling or other covariates), approaches that censor missing records result in unbiased estimates of availability probability. However, censoring such records can result in bias when data are not missing‐completely‐at‐random.We present a novelBayesian temporal availability model that can be used to explicitly account for the process by which missing data arise. Our approach couples an underlying model for the partially observed availability process together with an observation model that allows state‐dependent probabilities of missingness. This approach provides relatively unbiased estimates of availability probability even in the face of violations of the missing‐at‐random assumption. A new R package,TempOcc, is introduced to automate estimation.We demonstrate the utility of our approach by analysing both simulated data and hourly satellite telemetry records for 157 ice‐associated seals in theBeringSea, for which 27% of records were missing. In this case, we were interested in generating unbiased estimates of haul‐out probabilities. Such probabilities are necessary when estimating abundance from aerial survey counts and assessing possible changes in seal phenology.Our analysis indicates that the missing‐at‐random assumption is indeed violated in telemetry studies of phocid seals in theBeringSea. However, estimates of availability probability do not depend critically on this assumption.We recommend that ecologists routinely consider the implications of violating the missing‐at‐random assumption when estimating availability probabilities. Where possible, the modelling framework articulated in this study can be used to diagnose and correct for violations of the missing‐at‐random assumption.
Active halogen compounds and proteinaceous material: loss of activity of topical anti-infectives by halogen consumption
Authors: Gottardi Waldemar , Nagl Markus 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Objectives
The activity of oxidants, such as halogens and active halogen compounds, decreases generally in the presence of proteinaceous material. A quantification of consumption effects was performed to judge the suitability of different representatives as antiseptics and their compatibility with pharmaceutical additives.

Methods
An iodometric approach served to assess the temporal loss of oxidation capacity in the presence of peptone and fetal calf serum (FCS). The tested agents comprised active halogen compounds, well-known and in particular novel chloramine-based agents indicated for the topical treatment of infections.

Key findings
The decrease in oxidation capacity was higher in the presence of FCS than of peptone and correlated with the reactivity of the oxidants in both cases. The highest consumption rates were for active bromine compounds followed by hypochlorous acid and heterocyclic chlorimides, such as dichloro-isocyanuric acid, while N-chlorotaurine and related amine-based analogues were least consumed. The pH dependence was only remarkable for chloramine T.

Conclusions
The observed consumption effects are the result of the differing oxidizing (chlorinating) potencies. Since consumption and irritation are founded on the very same reactions, representatives with low reactivity (N-chloro amino acids) are regarded as more tolerable and retain more oxidative capacity, which provides a more sustained antimicrobial activity.