bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of zirconia abutment preparation on the fracture strength of single implant lithium disilicate crowns after chewing simulation
Authors: Mitsias Miltiadis , Koutayas Spiridon‐Oumvertos , Wolfart Stefan , Kern Matthias 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe use of all‐ceramic crowns over zirconia abutments is a well‐established esthetic treatment option in implant dentistry; however, the effect of the mechanical processing due to abutment preparation has not been investigated under functional loading. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of the zirconia abutment preparation depth and preparation mode on the fracture strength and fracture mode of lithium disilicate crowns after chewing simulation.Material and methodsSeventy single implant‐supported lithium disilicate glass‐ceramic crowns (IPS e.max Press, Ivoclar Vivadent) were adhesively cemented (Multilink Automix, Ivoclar Vivadent) onto zirconia abutments (ZirDesign, Astra Tech) using implants with a diameter of 4.5 mm and a length of 15.0 mm (Osseospeed, Astra Tech). Study design concerned the replacement of a maxillary central incisor (11.0 mm in height and 8.0 mm in width). Subgroups (n = 7) were subjected to dynamic loading (C) up to 1.2 × 106 loading cycles at 135° with 98N in a thermomechanical chewing simulator (Kausimulator, Willytech); followed by quasi‐static loading at a cross‐head speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture in a universal testing machine (Z010/TN2S, Zwick). Additional subgroups were also subjected to quasi‐static loading (S) at 135°. Lithium disilicate implant crowns were divided into five study groups (n = 14) according to the abutment preparation depth [A (control): 0.5 mm, B: 0.7 mm, C: 0.9 mm, and preparation mode [(No label): milling by the manufacturer, (P): copy‐milling by the Celay System (Mikrona)].ResultsAll specimens survived dynamic loading and mean fracture strengths (N) after quasi‐static loading were as follows: Group SA: 384 ± 84; Group CA: 403 ± 67; Group SB: 294 ± 95; Group CB: 374 ± 75; Group SC: 332 ± 52; Group CC: 373 ± 105; Group SPB: 332 ± 80; Group CPB: 499 ± 91; Group SPC: 380 ± 101; and Group CPC: 358 ± 54.ConclusionsStatistical analysis using multiple linear regression showed that both the preparation depth and mode had no influence on the fracture strength of the implant crowns (P > 0.05); however, fracture strength increased statistically significantly after 5 years chewing simulation (P = 0.01).
A focused educational program after religious services to improve organ donation in Hispanic Americans
Authors: Salim Ali , Bery Cherisse , Ley Eric J. , Schulman Danielle , Navarro Sonia , Zheng Ling , Chan Linda S. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractReligion is an important determinant in Hispanic Americans (HA) becoming organ donors as HA often believe religion forbids donation. We investigated the effect of an educational program targeting HA organ donation in places of worship. A prospective observational study was conducted at four Catholic churches with a high percentage of HA. A 45‐min “culturally sensitive” educational program, conducted in Spanish, was implemented. Organ donation awareness, knowledge, perception, and beliefs, as well as the intent to become an organ donor, were measured before and after the intervention. Differences between before and after the intervention were analyzed. A total of 182 surveys were conducted before and 159 surveys were conducted after the educational program. A significant increase was observed in organ donation knowledge (54% vs. 70%, p < 0.0001), perception (43% vs. 58%, p < 0.0001), and beliefs (50% vs. 60%, p = 0.0001). However, no significant difference was found in the willingness to discuss donation with family, intent‐to‐donate, or registering to donate after the intervention. This study demonstrates that a focused educational program in places of worship can significantly improve HA knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs regarding organ donation. Further work is needed to understand why intent‐to‐donate does not increase despite the increase in organ donation awareness.
Patient Recruitment into a Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial  for Kidney Disease: Report of the Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Clinical Trial (FSGS CT)
Authors: Ferris Maria , Norwood Victoria , Radeva Milena , Gassman Jennifer J. , Al‐Uzri Amira , Askenazi David , Matoo Tej , Pinsk Maury , Sharma Amita , Smoyer William , Stults Jenna , Vyas Shefali , Weiss Robert , Gipson Debbie , Kaskel Frederick , Friedman Aaron , Moxey‐Mims Marva , Trachtman Howard 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe describe the experience of the focal segmental glomerulosclerosis clinical trial (FSGS CT) in the identification and recruitment of participants into the study. This National Institutes of Health funded study, a multicenter, open‐label, randomized comparison of cyclosporine versus oral dexamethasone pulses plus mycophenolate mofetil, experienced difficulty and delays meeting enrollment goals. These problems occurred despite the support of patient advocacy groups and aggressive recruitment strategies. Multiple barriers were identified including: (1) inaccurate estimates of the number of potential incident FSGS patients at participating centers; (2) delays in securing one of the test agents; (3) prolonged time between IRB approval and execution of a subcontract (mean 7.5 ± 0.8 months); (4) prolonged time between IRB approval and enrollment of the first patient at participating sites (mean 19.6 ± 1.4 months); and (5) reorganization of clinical coordinating core infrastructure to align resources with enrollment. A Web‐based anonymous survey of site investigators revealed site‐related barriers to patient recruitment. The value of a variety of recruitment tools was of marginal utility in facilitating patient enrollment. We conclude that improvements in the logistics of study approval and regulatory start‐up and testing of promising novel agents are important factors in promoting enrollment into randomized clinical trials in nephrology. Clin Trans Sci 2013; Volume 6: 13–20
Prescribing in pregnancy for women with diabetes: use of potential teratogenic drugs and contraception
Authors: Makda S. I. , Davies M. J. , Wilmot E. , Bankart J. , Yates T. , Varghese E. M. , Fisher H. , Anwar A. , Khunti K. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimsTo describe contraception use and the prescription of drugs that are either not recommended in pregnancy or are potentially teratogenic by diabetes type in women of child‐bearing age.MethodsRetrospective, cross‐sectional chart review undertaken in 22 general practices in Warwickshire, UK. Demographic, anthropometric, medical history, medication and contraception data were extracted from women aged 14 to 49 years with pre‐existing diabetes. Independent sample t‐test, Mann–Whitney test and χ2‐test were used to test for univariable associations and multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders.ResultsFour hundred and seventy eligible women were identified; the majority had a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes (67%). Thirty‐six per cent and 64% of women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, respectively, were prescribed drugs not recommended for use in pregnancy (P < 0.001). Less than half were using concomitant contraception (P < 0.001). No significant difference of contraception use was observed between women who were and were not taking drugs not recommended for use in pregnancy (40 vs. 41%, P = 0.4).ConclusionsUse of drugs not recommended during pregnancy in women with diabetes of child‐bearing age is common but is not associated with increased use of contraception. There is need to identify and overcome barriers to effective contraception use for this population group in order to facilitate optimal management of cardiovascular risk.
Lymphodepletion chemotherapy followed by donor leukocytes for post‐transplantation relapse of myelofibrosis after previous donor leukocyte infusion failure
Authors: Neave Emma Lucy , Schwarb Heike , Shlebak Abdurrazag , Layton David Mark , Apperley Jane F. , Pavlu Jiri 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTreatment of relapse after allogenic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) is challenging. The efficacy of donor leukocyte infusions (DLI) is excellent in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia but limited in other disorders. We present a patient who relapsed 10 months after reduced intensity conditioning allo‐SCT for a myelodysplastic/ myeloproliferative neoplasm with myelofibrosis despite receiving escalating doses of DLI for incomplete chimerism. He finally achieved complete remission with full whole blood and T‐cell donor chimerism after DLI preceded by lymphodepletion chemotherapy. This case demonstrates that chemotherapy prior to DLI is a useful approach for treating relapses of relatively slowly progressive diseases, such as myeloproliferative diseases or myelodysplastic syndromes.
Perinatal role of hepcidin and iron homeostasis in full‐term intrauterine growth–restricted infants
Authors: Briana Despina D. , Boutsikou Theodora , Baka Stavroula , Boutsikou Maria , Stamati Lamprini , Hassiakos Dimitrios , Gourgiotis Dimitrios , Malamitsi‐Puchner Ariadne 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectivesTo prospectively investigate iron homeostasis in full‐term intrauterine growth–restricted (IUGR) and appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA) infants at birth, by evaluating cord blood concentrations of hepcidin (a bioactive molecule, principal regulator of iron metabolism, downregulated by hypoxia/iron deficiency and upregulated by inflammation), erythropoietin (EPO, a marker of prolonged fetal hypoxia), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR, a marker of increased erythropoiesis and tissue iron deficiency), iron, ferritin, and unsaturated iron‐binding capacity (UIBC).MethodsSerum cord blood samples from 47 well‐defined IUGR and 104 AGA singleton, full‐term infants were analyzed for concentrations of all the aforementioned parameters by enzyme immunoassays and spectrophotometry.ResultsHepcidin concentrations were similar, while EPO concentrations were higher in IUGR cases than in AGA controls (P = 0.047). Cord blood sTfR concentrations were increased in IUGR, compared to AGA infants (P = 0.004), and negatively correlated with their customized centiles and birth weight (r = −0.238, P = 0.003 and r = −0.157, P = 0.050, respectively). Ferritin concentrations were lower in IUGR cases than in AGA controls (P = 0.039). In both groups, no correlations were observed between cord blood hepcidin concentrations and iron status indices.ConclusionsCord blood hepcidin concentrations in term IUGRs may remain unaffected, possibly due to a balance between hepcidin downregulation by chronic fetal hypoxia (indicated by higher EPO concentrations) and impaired iron metabolism (indicated by lower ferritin and higher sTfR concentrations) on the one hand, and hepcidin upregulation by the inflammatory state characterizing IUGRs, on the other. Furthermore, our findings may possibly indicate the need for regular follow‐up for detection of iron‐deficient anemia, not only in preterm but also in full‐term IUGR neonates.
Fracture mineralization and fluid flow evolution: an example from Ordovician–Devonian carbonates, southwestern Ontario, Canada
Authors: HAERI‐ARDAKANI O. , AL‐AASM I. , CONIGLIO M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPetrography, geochemistry (stable and radiogenic isotopes), and fluid inclusion microthermometry of matrix dolomite, fracture‐filling calcite, and saddle dolomite in Ordovician to Devonian carbonates from southwestern Ontario, Canada, provide useful insights into fluid flow evolution during diagenesis. The calculated δ18Ofluid, ΣREE, and REESN patterns of matrix and saddle dolomite suggest diverse fluids were involved in dolomitization and/or recrystallization of dolomite. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of dolomite of each succession vary from values in the range of coeval seawater to values more radiogenic than corresponding seawater, which indicate diagenetic fluids were influenced by significant water/rock interaction. High salinities (22.4–26.3 wt. % NaCl + CaCl2) of Silurian and Ordovician dolomite–hosted fluid inclusions indicate involvement of saline waters from dissolution of Silurian evaporites. High fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures (>100°C) in all samples from Devonian to Ordovician show temperatures higher than maximum burial (60–90°C) of their host strata and suggest involvement of hydrothermal fluids in precipitation and/or recrystallization of dolomite. A thermal anomaly over the mid‐continent rift during Devonian to Mississippian time likely was the source of excess heat in the basin. Thermal buoyancy resulting from this anomaly was the driving force for migration of hydrothermal fluids through regional aquifers from the center of the Michigan Basin toward its margin. The decreasing trend of homogenization temperatures from the basin center toward its margin further supports the interpreted migration of hydrothermal fluids from the basin center toward its margin. Hydrocarbon‐bearing fluid inclusions in late‐stage Devonian to Ordovician calcite cements with high homogenization temperatures (>80°C) and their 13C‐depleted values (approaching −32‰ PDB) indicate the close relationship between hydrothermal fluids and hydrocarbon migration.
Two perennial legumes (Astragalus adsurgens Pall. and Lespedeza davurica S.) adapted to semiarid environments are not as productive as lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), but use less water
Authors: Guan X.‐K. , Zhang X.‐H. , Turner N. C. , Xu B.‐C. , Li F.‐M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPerennial forage legumes, particularly lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), play a significant role in crop/livestock mixed farming systems in the semiarid region of the Loess Plateau of China as stock feed and a source of nitrogen for subsequent crops. However, there is evidence that lucerne reduces soil water deep in the soil profile, thereby reducing subsequent crop productivity. From 2004 to 2010, this study evaluated the forage productivity and water use of two locally adapted perennial legume species, milk vetch (Astragalus adsurgens Pall.) and bush clover (Lespedeza davurica S.), compared with lucerne. The 7‐year total and average annual forage yield of milk vetch were 56 and 8 t ha−1 and bush clover was 42 and 6 t ha−1, respectively, significantly lower than lucerne at 91 and 13 t ha−1. However, despite lower water‐use efficiencies (16 and 12 kg ha−1 mm−1 for milk vetch and bush clover, respectively, compared to 22 kg ha−1 mm−1 for lucerne), the total 7‐year water use in milk vetch and bush clover was 3500 mm and 3490 mm, respectively, which was 135–140 mm less than lucerne. After 7 years, lucerne had extracted water from the upper 5 m soil, whereas bush clover used water mainly from the upper 2 m of the soil profile and milk vetch still had some water available below 3 m. We conclude that while the locally adapted forage legumes were not as productive as lucerne as a source of fodder in mixed cropping/livestock system in this region, they use less water, which may be advantageous in drier regions.
Seed yield variation in plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii (Vasey) Piper) populations and its relation with phenotypic characteristics and environmental factors
Authors: Biligetu B. , Schellenberg M. P. , McLeod J. G. , Wang Z. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPlains rough fescue (Festuca hallii (Vasey) Piper) is a dominant grass in the endangered Fescue Prairie of North America. Infrequent and unpredictable seed production presents a challenge for the use of this species in restoration and rangeland seeding. The objective of this study was to compare seed yield of different plains rough fescue populations and to determine the dependence of seed yield on phenotypic characteristics. Effect of weather conditions during the floral induction and initiation period of different years of the study was also compared. In 2007, a completely randomized field plot experiment was established from eleven populations of plains rough fescue at Swift Current, SK, Canada. In 2007, 2010 and 2011, individual plant seed yield, reproductive tillers, above‐ground biomass, plant height and crown diameter were measured, and plant vigour was scored. All measured variables differed significantly (P ≤ 0·05) among populations. Four populations were identified as having higher seed yield potential. Plants in these four populations also had characteristics of good plant vigour, taller stems, more reproductive tillers and greater biomass. Seed yield increased linearly with increasing plant height, crown diameter, above‐ground biomass and number of reproductive tillers (r2 ranged 0·17–0·67, P < 0·001), but number of reproductive tillers (r2 = 0·53–0·67, P < 0·001) was a better predictor for selection of lines with higher seed yield. Although seed yield varied among years, populations with higher seed yield tended to produce greater amounts of seed over the period of the study.
Effective classification of the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Mitchell Shira A. , Pagano Marcello 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjective  To present an effective classification method based on the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni in the community.Methods  We created decision rules (defined by cut‐offs for number of positive slides), which account for imperfect sensitivity, both with a simple adjustment of fixed sensitivity and with a more complex adjustment of changing sensitivity with prevalence. To reduce screening costs while maintaining accuracy, we propose a pooled classification method. To estimate sensitivity, we use the De Vlas model for worm and egg distributions. We compare the proposed method with the standard method to investigate differences in efficiency, measured by number of slides read, and accuracy, measured by probability of correct classification.Results  Modelling varying sensitivity lowers the lower cut‐off more significantly than the upper cut‐off, correctly classifying regions as moderate rather than lower, thus receiving life‐saving treatment. The classification method goes directly to classification on the basis of positive pools, avoiding having to know sensitivity to estimate prevalence. For model parameter values describing worm and egg distributions among children, the pooled method with 25 slides achieves an expected 89.9% probability of correct classification, whereas the standard method with 50 slides achieves 88.7%.Conclusions  Among children, it is more efficient and more accurate to use the pooled method for classification of S. mansoni prevalence than the current standard method.
C‐kit expression in spermatogonia damaged by doxorubicin exposure in mice
Authors: Tanigaki Reiko , Sueoka Kou , Tajima Hiroto , Nakabayashi Akira , Sato Kenji , Asada Hironori , Kato Shingo , Hosoi Yoshihiko , Yoshimura Yasunori 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimThe purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between chronically impaired spermatogenesis induced by exposing mice to doxorubicin (DXR) and expression of the infertility factor c‐kit.MethodEight‐week‐old male Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) mice were intraperitoneally treated with DXR (0.15 mg/kg, DXR group) or saline (0.15 mg/kg, control group) twice weekly for five weeks and were killed 14 weeks after initial exposure. The animals were sacrificed and bilateral testes were removed and weighed. The testes were stored for the mRNA assay and were fixed for immunohistochemistry. Some testicular samples were fixed in 10% formalin for histopathological examination.ResultsTesticular weight (67.6 ± 9.7 mg, P < 0.05), sperm motility (18 ± 6.0%, P < 0.05) and the fertilization rate (2‐to‐16‐cell embryos, 5%; P < 0.05) were significantly lower in the DXR group than in the control group. In the DXR group there was severe tissue damage from the spermatogonia onward, and the Sertoli cell ratio was lower in the DXR group than in the control group (38% vs. 9%, P < 0.05). In addition, there was a decrease in c‐kit protein expression, and the amount of c‐kit messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression according to a semiquantitative method was also decreased.ConclusionExpression of c‐kit in the mice with chronically impaired spermatogenesis induced by long‐term, low‐dose administration of DXR correlated with the decrease in the number of spermatogonia.
Changes of insulin resistance and β‐cell function in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and normal pregnant women during mid‐ and late pregnant period: A case–control study
Authors: Wang Yun‐Hui , Wu Hui‐Hua , Ding Hong , Li Yan , Wang Zhen‐Hua , Li Feng , Zhang Jian‐Ping 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to observe insulin resistance and β‐cell function changes among women diagnosed with gestational impaired glucose tolerance or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in mid‐pregnancy.Material and MethodsSixty‐four pregnant women receiving prenatal care underwent an oral glucose tolerance test at 20–24 weeks of gestation and an insulin release test. The GDM group included 34 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational impaired glucose tolerance or GDM, and the subjects with normal blood glucose were the control group. Insulin resistance and islet β‐cell function changes were observed with the oral glucose tolerance test and insulin release test.ResultsThe homeostatic model assessment‐β levels in late pregnancy were higher than those in mid‐pregnancy for both groups, and the primary time effect was statistically significant. The early insulin secretion index (ΔI30/ΔG30) values in mid‐ and late pregnancy were lower in the GDM group. The values of the area under the curve of blood glucose in mid‐ and late pregnancy were higher in the GDM group than those in the control group. Insulin resistance was higher in GDM patients than in normal pregnant women.ConclusionsInsulin resistance was aggravated, and β‐cell's ability to compensate for the increased insulin resistance by modulating insulin secretion was aggravated, as gestational week increased in women with gestational diabetes and normal pregnant women. Insulin resistance in women with GDM is higher than in pregnant women with normal metabolism of glucose.
Significance of maternal screening for toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus infection in cases of fetal growth restriction
Authors: Yamamoto Ryo , Ishii Keisuke , Shimada Mayumi , Hayashi Syusaku , Hidaka Nobuhiro , Nakayama Masahiro , Mitsuda Nobuaki 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimThe objective of this study was to evaluate the significance of maternal toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (TORCH) screening in cases of fetal growth restriction (FGR).Material and MethodsThe medical records of women carrying fetuses with FGR who underwent TORCH screening over a 10‐year period were retrospectively reviewed for maternal and congenital TORCH infection. Women carrying fetuses with FGR routinely underwent serologic TORCH tests and systematic ultrasound evaluation for congenital abnormalities. If a congenital CMV infection was suspected, amniotic fluid, placenta or neonatal urine was used for CMV DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction.ResultsIn 319 patients, no cases of maternal or congenital infection with toxoplasma, rubella, or herpes simplex virus were found. Conversely, six cases (1.8%) were diagnosed with congenital CMV infection, two of which had no structural abnormalities other than FGR.ConclusionsA complete maternal TORCH screening for cases of FGR appears to be unnecessary. Although a maternal CMV test can be considered, the incidence of congenital CMV infection was found to be low in FGR cases.