bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluoride in still bottled water in Australia
Authors: Mills K , Falconer S , Cook C 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground:  This study measured the fluoride content in a range of still bottled waters available in Australia. Increasing decay rates in children have prompted speculation that bottled water consumption may be impacting on dental caries rates. International studies have demonstrated that the fluoride levels in bottled water are often negligible, however there is little information about the fluoride content of still bottled water in Australia.Methods:  One hundred different brands (300 samples) of still bottled water were obtained in Australia and tested using ion chromatography and an ion‐selective electrode method.Results:  The tested fluoride levels ranged from <0.1 to 1.6 mg/L. Nine per cent of the samples reported fluoride levels within the range recommended for reticulated water in Australia, providing a dental health benefit. One per cent of samples recorded fluoride values greater than this range, from 1.2 to 1.6 mg/L. The majority of samples (91%) recorded fluoride levels below 0.6 mg/L.Conclusions:  Better information about the fluoride levels in bottled water is of value, particularly for communities lacking access to a fluoridated drinking water supply.
The University of Newcastle’s first cohort of Bachelor of Oral Health students: a social profile
Authors: Wallace LG , Cockrell DJ , Taylor JA 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground:  This paper reports on the socio‐demographic characteristics of the first year cohort of 52 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Oral Health programme at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales.Methods:  Forty students completed paper‐based questionnaires.Results:  Results show that the cohort is predominantly female (94%), the mean age of students was 26.3 years and 72.5% of students had worked as dental chairside assistants prior to enrolment as mature‐entry students.Conclusions:  This study provided a unique opportunity to compare and contrast the socio‐demographic profile of first year BOH students with similar research on first year dentistry students at the University of Sydney. Aspects of the study included age, gender, type of school attended, post‐secondary qualifications and work experience, ethnicity, parents’ level of education and occupation, and career choice motivation.
Regenerative endodontics – biologically‐based treatment for immature permanent teeth: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Thomson A , Kahler B 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground:  A paradigm shift in the treatment of immature, necrotic teeth has occurred with biologically‐based principles and regenerative endodontic protocols replacing traditional ‘apexification’ procedures. Preliminary research suggests that stem and progenitor cells from the pulp and/or periodontium contribute to continued root development when regenerative procedures are followed.Methods:  A mandibular premolar tooth with a chronic periapical abscess was irrigated with sodium hypochlorite with minimal instrumentation and then dressed with tri‐antibiotic paste consisting of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and amoxicillin. At a subsequent visit a blood clot was evoked in the canal by irritating periapical tissues and the canal sealed with mineral trioxide aggregate, glass ionomer cement and composite resin.Results:  Resolution of apical periodontitis and the draining sinus, continued root maturation and apical closure occurred over an 18‐month period. The tooth became responsive to pulp sensibility testing.Conclusions:  It is important that dentists recognize the potential of regenerative endodontics in the treatment of necrotic, immature teeth. Initial management should involve irrigation with sodium hypochlorite only. Intra‐canal medicaments, such as calcium hydroxide, are contraindicated as they inhibit further root growth. This report uses a variation of the tri‐antibiotic paste currently recommended for regenerative procedures that avoided the discolouration of the crown associated with current protocols. Regenerative endodontics with continued root growth may reduce the risk of fracture and premature tooth loss associated with traditional ‘apexification’ procedures where the root remains thin and weak.
Optimizing Customer Forecasts for Forecast‐Commitment Contracts
Authors: Durango‐Cohen Elizabeth J. , Yano Candace A. 
Published: December 2010

We study a “Forecast‐Commitment” contract motivated by a manufacturer's desire to provide good service in the form of delivery commitments in exchange for reasonable forecasts and a purchase commitment from the customer. The customer provides a forecast for a future order and a guarantee to purchase a portion of it. In return, the supplier commits to satisfy some or all of the forecast. The supplier pays penalties for shortfalls of the commitment quantity from the forecast, and for shortfalls of the delivered quantity from the customer's final order (not exceeding the commitment quantity). These penalties allow differential service among customers. In Durango‐Cohen and Yano (2006), we analyzed the supplier's problem for a given customer forecast. In this paper, we analyze the customer's problem under symmetric information, both when the customer is honest and when he strategically orders more than his demand when doing so is advantageous. We show that the customer gains little from lying, so the supplier can use his control over the contract parameters to encourage honesty. When the customer is honest, the contract achieves (near‐)coordination of the supply chain in a great majority of instances, and thus provides both excellent performance and flexibility in structuring contracts.
Gating behaviour of sodium currents in adult mouse muscle recorded with an improved two‐electrode voltage clamp
Authors: Fu Yu , Struyk Arie , Markin Vladislav , Cannon Stephen 
Published: December 2010

Non‐technical summaryMuscle contraction is triggered by the spread of an action potential along the fibre. The ionic current to generate the action potential is conducted through voltage‐activated sodium channels, and mutations of these channels are known to cause several human muscle disorders. Mouse models have been created by introducing point mutations into the sodium channel gene. This achievement has created the need for a high‐fidelity technique to record sodium currents from intact mouse muscle fibres. We have optimized a two‐electrode voltage clamp, using sharp microelectrodes to preserve the myoplasmic contents. The voltage‐dependent behaviour of sodium channel activation, inactivation and slow‐inactivation were characterized. The voltage range for these gating behaviours was remarkably hyperpolarized, in comparison to studies in artificial expression systems. These results provide normative data for sodium channels natively expressed in mouse muscle and illustrate the need to modify model simulations of muscle excitability to account for the hyperpolarized shift.
In VitroandIn VivoEfficacies of Mefloquine-Based Treatment against Alveolar Echinococcosis
Authors: Küster Tatiana , Stadelmann Britta , Hermann Corina , Scholl Sabrina , Keiser Jennifer , Hemphill Andrew 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTAlveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the metacestode stage of the fox tapewormEchinococcus multilocularisand causes severe disease in the human liver, and occasionally in other organs, that is fatal when treatment is unsuccessful. The present chemotherapy against AE is based on mebendazole and albendazole. Albendazole treatment has been found to be ineffective in some instances, is parasitostatic rather than parasiticidal, and usually involves the lifelong uptake of large doses of drugs. Thus, new treatment options are urgently needed. In this study we investigated thein vitroandin vivoefficacy of mefloquine againstE. multilocularismetacestodes. Treatment using mefloquine (20 μM) againstin vitrocultures of metacestodes resulted in rapid and complete detachment of large parts of the germinal layer from the inner surface of the laminated layer within a few hours. Thein vitroactivity of mefloquine was dependent on the dosage.In vitroculture of metacestodes in the presence of 24 μM mefloquine for a period of 10 days was parasiticidal, as determined by murine bioassays, while treatment with 12 μM was not. Oral application of mefloquine (25 mg/kg of body weight administered twice a week for a period of 8 weeks) inE. multilocularis-infected mice was ineffective in achieving any reduction of parasite weight, whereas treatment with albendazole (200 mg/kg/day) was highly effective. However, when the same mefloquine dosage was applied intraperitoneally, the reduction in parasite weight was similar to the reduction seen with oral albendazole application. Combined application of both drugs did not increase the treatment efficacy. In conclusion, mefloquine represents an interesting drug candidate for the treatment of AE, and these results should be followed up in appropriatein vivostudies.
Comparison of a Regulated Delayed Antigen Synthesis System withIn Vivo-Inducible Promoters for Antigen Delivery by Live AttenuatedSalmonellaVaccines
Authors: Wang Shifeng , Li Yuhua , Shi Huoying , Sun Wei , Roland Kenneth L. , Curtiss Roy 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTInduction of strong immune responses against a vectored antigen in hosts immunized with live attenuatedSalmonellavaccines is related in part to the amount of antigen delivered and the overall fitness of theSalmonellavector in relation to its ability to stimulate the host immune system. Constitutive high-level antigen synthesis causes a metabolic burden to the vaccine vector strain that can reduce the vaccine strain's ability to interact with host lymphoid tissues, resulting in a compromised immune response. A solution to this problem is the use of systems that regulate antigen gene expression, permitting high levels of antigen synthesis only after the vaccine strain has reached its target tissues.In vivo-inducible promoters (IVIPs) are often used to accomplish this. We recently developed an alternative strategy, a regulated delayed antigen synthesis (RDAS) system, in which the LacI-repressible Ptrcpromoter controls antigen gene expression by adding arabinose. In this paper, we compared the RDAS system with two commonly used IVIPs, PssaGand PpagC. Three nearly identical plasmids, differing only in the promoter used to direct transcription of the pneumococcalpspAgene, Ptrc, PssaG, or PpagC, were constructed and introduced into isogenicSalmonellavaccine strains with or without arabinose-inducible LacI synthesis. Mice immunized with the RDAS strain developed slightly higher titers of mucosal and serum anti-PspA antibodies than PpagC-immunized mice, while titers in mice immunized with the PssaGstrain were 100-fold lower. Both the RDAS and PpagCstrains conferred similar levels of protection againstStreptococcus pneumoniaechallenge, significantly greater than those for the PssaGstrain or controls. Thus, RDAS provides another choice for inclusion in the live vaccine design to increase immunogenicity.
Mouse Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein PGLYRP-1 Plays a Role in the Host Innate Immune Response againstListeria monocytogenesInfection
Authors: Osanai Arihiro , Sashinami Hiroshi , Asano Krisana , Li Sheng-Jun , Hu Dong-Liang , Nakane Akio 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTThe role of mouse peptidoglycan recognition protein PGLYRP-1 in innate immunity againstListeria monocytogenesinfection was studied. The recombinant mouse PGLYRP-1 and a polyclonal antibody specific to PGLYRP-1 were prepared. The mouse PGLYRP-1 showed antibacterial activities againstL. monocytogenesand other Gram-positive bacteria. PGLYRP-1 mRNA expression was induced in the spleens and livers of mice infected withL. monocytogenes. The viable bacterial number increased, and the production of cytokines such as gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was reduced in mice when mice had been injected with anti-PGLYRP-1 antibody before infection. The levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α titers in the organs were higher and the viable bacterial number was reduced in mice injected with recombinant mouse PGLYRP-1 (rmPGLYRP-1) before infection. PGLYRP-1 could directly induce these cytokines in spleen cell cultures. The elimination of intracellular bacteria was upregulated in NMuLi hepatocyte cells overexpressing PGLYRP-1. The enhancement of the elimination ofL. monocytogenesfrom the organs was observed in IFN-γ−/−mice by rmPGLYRP-1 administration but not in TNF-α−/−mice. These results suggest that PGLYRP-1 plays a role in innate immunity againstL. monocytogenesinfection by inducing TNF-α.
Native Properdin Binds toChlamydia pneumoniaeand Promotes Complement Activation
Authors: Cortes Claudio , Ferreira V. P. , Pangburn Michael K. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTActivation of complement represents one means of natural resistance to infection from a wide variety of potential pathogens. Recently, properdin, a positive regulator of the alternative pathway of complement, has been shown to bind to surfaces and promote complement activation. Here we studied whether properdin-mediated complement activation occurs on the surface ofChlamydia pneumoniae, an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes 10 to 20% of community-acquired pneumonia. We have determined for the first time that the physiological P2, P3, and P4forms of human properdin bind to the surface ofChlamydia pneumoniaedirectly. The binding of these physiological forms accelerates complement activation on theChlamydia pneumoniaesurface, as measured by C3b and C9 deposition. Finally, properdin-depleted serum could not controlChlamydia pneumoniaeinfection of HEp-2 cells compared with normal human serum. However, after addition of native properdin, the properdin-depleted serum recovered the ability to control the infection. Altogether, our data suggest that properdin is a pattern recognition molecule that plays a role in resistance toChlamydiainfection.
14-3-3σ Exerts Tumor-Suppressor Activity Mediated by Regulation of COP1 Stability
Authors: Su Chun-Hui , Zhao Ruiying , Zhang Fanmao , Qu Changju , Chen Bo , Feng Yin-Hsun , Phan Liem , Chen Jian , Wang Hua , Wang Huamin , Yeung Sai-Ching J. , Lee Mong-Hong 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Constitutive photomorphogenic 1 (COP1) is a p53-targeting E3 ubiquitin ligase that is downregulated by DNA damage through mechanisms that remain obscure. Here, we report that COP1 is not downregulated following DNA damage in 14-3-3σ null cells, implicating 14-3-3σ as a critical regulator in the response of COP1 to DNA damage. We also identified that 14-3-3σ, a p53 target gene product, interacted with COP1 and controlled COP1 protein stability after DNA damage. Mechanistic studies revealed that 14-3-3σ enhanced COP1 self-ubiquitination, thereby preventing COP1-mediated p53 ubiquitination, degradation, and transcriptional repression. In addition, we found that COP1 expression promoted cell proliferation, cell transformation, and tumor progression, manifesting its role in cancer promotion, whereas 14-3-3σ negatively regulated COP1 function and prevented tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model of human cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical breast and pancreatic cancer specimens demonstrated that COP1 protein levels were inversely correlated with 14-3-3σ protein levels. Together, our findings define a mechanism for posttranslational regulation of COP1 after DNA damage that can explain the correlation between COP1 overexpression and 14-3-3σ downregulation during tumorigenesis. Cancer Res; 71(3); 884–94. ©2010 AACR.
Combination Therapy Targeting Both Tumor-Initiating and Differentiated Cell Populations in Prostate Carcinoma
Authors: Dubrovska Anna , Elliott Jimmy , Salamone Richard J. , Kim Sungeun , Aimone Lindsey J. , Walker John R. , Watson James , Sauveur-Michel Maira , Garcia-Echeverria Carlos , Cho Charles Y. , Reddy Venkateshwar A. , Schultz Peter G. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Purpose: The cancer stem cell hypothesis predicts that standard prostate cancer monotherapy eliminates bulk tumor cells but not a tumor-initiating cell population, eventually leading to relapse. Many studies have sought to determine the underlying differences between bulk tumor and cancer stem cells.
Experimental Design: Our previous data suggest that the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway is critical for the in vitromaintenance of CD133+/CD44+ prostate cancer progenitors and, consequently, that targeting PI3K signaling may be beneficial in treatment of prostate cancer.
Results: Here, we show that inhibition of PI3K activity by the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 leads to a decrease in the population of CD133+/CD44+ prostate cancer progenitor cells in vivo. Moreover, the combination of the PI3K/mTOR modulator NVP-BEZ235, which eliminates prostate cancer progenitor populations, and the chemotherapeutic drug Taxotere, which targets the bulk tumor, is significantly more effective in eradicating tumors in a prostate cancer xenograft model than monotherapy.
Conclusion: This combination treatment ultimately leads to the expansion of cancer progenitors with a PTEN E91D mutation, suggesting that the analysis of PTEN mutations could predict therapeutic response to the dual therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 16(23); 5692–702. ©2010 AACR.
Inherited Variants in the Chemokine CCL2 Gene and Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness in a Caucasian Cohort
Authors: Sun Tong , Mary Lee Gwo-Shu , Oh William K. , Freedman Matthew L. , Pomerantz Mark , Pienta Kenneth J. , Kantoff Philip W. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Purpose: Though C–C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) has been shown to play a pivotal role in prostate cancer tumorigenesis and invasion, the role of inherited variation in the CCL2 gene in prostate cancer progression and metastases remains unanswered. This study is aimed to determine the influence of CCL2 germline variants on prostate cancer aggressiveness.
Experimental Design: We performed an association study between six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the CCL2 gene and prostate cancer clinicopathologic variables in a large hospital-based Caucasian patient cohort (N = 4,073).
Results: Genetic variation at CCL2 is associated with markers of disease aggressiveness. Three SNPs, each in strong linkage disequilibrium, are associated with a higher (&gt;7) biopsy Gleason score: CCL2 −1811 A/G, −2835 A/C, and +3726 T/C (P = 0.01, 0.03, and 0.04, respectively). The CCL2 -1811 G allele is addionally associated with advanced pathologic stages in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (P = 0.04). In haplotype analysis, we found that the frequency of a common haplotype, H5, was higher among patients with D'Amico good risk features (Ppermutation = 0.04).
Conclusions: These results support the influence of CCL2 variants on prostate cancer development and progression. Clin Cancer Res; 17(6); 1546–52. ©2010 AACR.
Levels of von Willebrand factor and ADAMTS13 determine clinical outcome after cardioversion for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Bruno Veronika , Jarai Rudolf , Gruber Susanne , Höchtl Thomas , Brozovic Ivan , Farhan Serdar , Wojta Johann , Huber Kurt , Freynhofer Matthias 
Published: December 2010

SummaryVon Willebrand factor (vWF) plays an essential role in platelet adhesion and thrombus formation. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) exhibit higher plasma vWF and lower ADAMTS13 antigen levels compared to controls. Little is known about vWF and ADAMTS13 in AF patients treated with cardioversion (CV). Thus we investigated the alterations of plasma vWF and ADAMTS13 after CV and evaluated the predictive value of these parameters for recurrence of AF. In this observational study we determined plasma levels of vWF and ADAMTS13 in 77 patients before and immediately after CV, as well as 24 hours (h) and six weeks thereafter, by means of commercially available assays. The vWF/ ADAMTS13-ratio was significantly elevated immediately after CV (p=0.02) and 24 h after CV (p=0.002) as compared to baseline levels. ADAMTS13, 24 h after CV, exhibited a significant association with recurrence of AF (HR: 0.97; p=0.037). Accordingly, tertiles of ADAMTS13 showed a stepwise inverse correlation with the risk of recurrent AF (HR: 0.50; p=0.009). After adjustment for confounders, ADAMTS13 remained significant as an independent predictor of recurrent AF (HR: 0.61; p=0.047). Similarly, the vWF/ADAMTS13-ratio, 24 h after CV, was associated with rhythm stability and remained an independent predictor of recurrent AF (HR: 1.88; p=0.028). The regulation of vWF and its cleaving protease ADAMTS13 after CV might play a critical role in producing a pro-thrombotic milieu immediately after CV for AF. Since ADAMTS13 plasma concentration and the vWF/ADAMTS13-ratio are independently associated with rhythm stability, these indexes might be used for prediction of recurrence of AF.
Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection
Authors: Seale Anna N. , Uemura Hideki , Webber Steven A. , Partridge John , Roughton Michael , Ho Siew Y. , McCarthy Karen P. , Jones Sheila , Shaughnessy Lynda , Sunnegardh Jan , Hanseus Katarina , Berggren Hakan , Johansson Sune , Rigby Michael L. , Keeton Barry R. , Daubeney Piers E.F. ,   on behalf of the British Congenital Cardiac Association
Published: December 2010

Background—
Late mortality after repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is frequently associated with pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO). We aimed to describe the morphological spectrum of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection and identify risk factors for death and postoperative PVO.

Methods and Results—
We conducted a retrospective, international, collaborative, population-based study involving all 19 pediatric cardiac centers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Sweden. All infants with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection born between 1998 and 2004 were identified. Cases with functionally univentricular circulations or atrial isomerism were excluded. All available data and imaging were reviewed. Of 422 live-born cases, 205 (48.6%) had supracardiac, 110 (26.1%) had infracardiac, 67 (15.9%) had cardiac, and 37 (8.8%) had mixed connections. There were 2 cases (0.5%) of common pulmonary vein atresia. Some patients had extremely hypoplastic veins or, rarely, discrete stenosis of the individual veins. Sixty (14.2%) had associated cardiac anomalies. Sixteen died before intervention. Three-year survival for surgically treated patients was 85.2% (95% confidence interval 81.3% to 88.4%). Risk factors for death in multivariable analysis comprised earlier age at surgery, hypoplastic/stenotic pulmonary veins, associated complex cardiac lesions, postoperative pulmonary hypertension, and postoperative PVO. Sixty (14.8%) of the 406 patients undergoing total anomalous pulmonary venous connection repair had postoperative PVO that required reintervention. Three-year survival after initial surgery for patients with postoperative PVO was 58.7% (95% confidence interval 46.2% to 69.2%). Risk factors for postoperative PVO comprised preoperative hypoplastic/stenotic pulmonary veins and absence of a common confluence.

Conclusions—
Preoperative clinical and morphological features are important risk factors for postoperative PVO and survival.