bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Poor compliance with Standard Precautions against infections during minor gynaecological procedures
Authors: Maharaj Dushyant , Lawton Beverley , Garrett Sue 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundSplash injuries occurring during minor surgical procedures are associated with a significant infective risk to the operator. It is a common misconception that minor operations carry low risks.AimTo determine the prevalence of the practice of Standard Precautions by medical staff in the obstetric and gynaecology (O & G) units of two hospitals in New Zealand, and to assess self‐observed splash injury rates.MethodA cross‐sectional survey of all doctors working in the O & G units of two public hospitals servicing a population of 435 000. A self‐administered questionnaire was provided to 43 doctors with questions related to the use of Standard Precautions, perceived likelihood of infection from a splash and splash injuries sustained during procedures.ResultsThe response rate was 76.6% (n = 33/43). Of the respondents, only 30.3% (n = 10) used Standard Precautions during minor procedures. Sixty‐four per cent (n = 21) routinely used goggles/visor for eye protection. Forty‐five per cent (n = 15) thought they were likely to get an infection from a splash, and 55% (n = 18) of clinicians had experienced a splash injury. Of the minor procedures during which splash injuries had occurred, repair of episiotomy 45.8% (n = 11) was the commonest.ConclusionsThis survey shows poor compliance with guidelines for Standard Precautions to protect from infection despite self‐reported rates of splash injury being high at 55%. Effective interventions are needed to increase compliance and prevent infection.
Metamorphism and deformation of mafic and felsic rocks in a magma transfer zone, Stewart Island, New Zealand
Authors: VERNON R. H. , COLLINS W. J. , COOK N. D. J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn the mingled mafic/felsic Halfmoon Pluton at The Neck, Stewart Island (part of the Median Batholith of New Zealand) some hornblende gabbros and diorites retain magmatic structures, whereas others show evidence of major changes in grain and inclusion shapes, and still others are amphibolite‐facies granofelses with few or no igneous relicts. These mafic to intermediate magmas crystallized in felsic magma relatively quickly, with the result that most deformation occurred at subsolidus conditions. It is suggested that mafic‐intermediate rocks with predominantly igneous microstructures spent less time in the magmatic system. The metamorphism of the mafic rocks appears to be ‘autometamorphic’, in the sense that elevated temperatures were maintained by magmatic heat during subsolidus cooling. Elevated temperatures were maintained because of repeated sheet injection and subconcordant dyke injection of hot basaltic and composite mafic‐felsic magmas, into a dominantly transtensional, km‐scale, outboard‐migrating, magmatic shear zone that operated semi‐continuously for between c. 140 and c. 130 Ma. Complete cooling occurred only when the system evolved to transpressional and the locus of magmatism migrated inboard (southward) between c. 130 and c. 120 Ma, associated with solid‐state mylonitic deformation. Intermingled granitic rocks escaped metamorphism, because they remained magmatic to lower temperatures, and experienced shorter and lower‐temperature subsolidus cooling intervals. However, the felsic rocks underwent relatively high‐temperature solid‐state deformation, as indicated by myrmekite replacing K‐feldspar and chess‐board subgrain patterns in quartz; locally they developed felsic mylonites. The felsic rocks were deformed in the solid state because of their high proportion of relatively weak minerals (quartz and biotite), whereas the mafic rocks mostly escaped subsolidus deformation, except in local high‐strain zones of hornblende‐plagioclase schist, because of their high proportion of relatively strong minerals (hornblende and plagioclase). We suggest that such contrasting microstructural features are diagnostic of long‐lived syntectonic magma transfer zones, and contrast with the more typical complex, batholith‐scale magma chambers of magmatic arcs.
Accident in Implant Dentistry: Involuntary Screwdriver Ingestion during Surgical Procedure. A Clinical Report
Authors: de Souza João Gustavo Oliveira , Filho Guenther Schuldt , Neto Armando Rodrigues Lopes Pereira , Lyra Humberto Fenner , Bianchini Marco Aurélio , Cardoso Antônio Carlos 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAlthough unusual, foreign body ingestion occurs in dentistry and may result in serious complications, such as intestinal perforation. The presence of the foreign body should be confirmed with the use of radiographs. The exam will allow the correct diagnosis and the treatment to be conducted according to the specific situation of the object in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The orientation of the patient as well as the awareness of the patient's medical history are key factors in preventing serious complications. Generally, instruments that enter the GI tract pass asymptomatically and atraumatically within 4 days to 2 weeks. Sometimes, a surgical approach is necessary to remove the instrument when there is bleeding, obstruction, or impaction in the GI tract. Thus, a correct diagnosis is vital to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions. The aim of this article is to report an accidental ingestion of a screwdriver by a patient who had previously undergone a hemi‐mandibulectomy and its medical resolution.
Ultrasound Appearance of Forearm Muscles in 18 Patients With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1 of the Upper Extremity
Authors: Vas Lakshmi Champak , Pai Renuka , Radhakrishnan Mahesh 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective:  To explore the potential diagnostic utility of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (USG) changes in complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS‐1) of the upper extremity.Methods:  With informed consent, 18 consecutive patients referred to our institution with CRPS‐1 of the upper limb were examined with ultrasound scanning of both upper limbs. Qualitative comparison of the scan of the forearm muscles of the affected side with the unaffected side was made.Results:  The muscles affected by CRPS‐1 demonstrated increased echogenecity. The outlines of the muscles were either indistinct or completely obliterated. A group of several muscles appeared like one homogenous, hyperechoic mass, with loss of normal architecture. Compared with the unaffected side, the muscle thickness on the CRPS‐1 side measured by calipers on ultrasound was reduced irrespective of the duration of disability or disuse of the hand. The flexors and extensor muscles of the forearm were maximally affected.Conclusion:  Ultrasonography provides useful anatomical information, regarding structure, kinesiology, and gross pathological changes of muscle, that may prove useful in understanding the motor impairment associated with CRPS‐1. USG shows promise as a cost‐effective bedside tool for the diagnosis of CRPS‐1 and in guiding physical therapy.
Restoring Sinus Rhythm Results in Blood Pressure Reduction in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation and a History of Hypertension
Authors: SANDERS NATALIE A. , BERTOLONE CRISTINA , JETTER TAWNI L. , WASMUND STEPHEN L. , CROCI FRANCESCO , SOLANO ALBERTO , BRIGNOLE MICHELE , HAMDAN MOHAMED H. 
Published: April 2012

Effects of Rhythm Control on Blood Pressure.Introduction: The long‐term effects of atrial fibrillation (AF) on blood pressure (BP) in patients with hypertension (HTN) remain unclear. We hypothesized that restoration of normal sinus rhythm (NSR) results in a decrease in BP despite the expected increase in cardiac output.Methods and Results: Twenty‐four‐hour BP measurements were obtained during AF, and on Day 1 and Day 30 post‐successful cardioversion in 18 patients with AF and HTN (cardioversion group), and another 22 patients with AF and HTN with no immediate plans for cardioversion (control group). Except for the duration of AF, the clinical characteristics and use of medications were similar between the groups. In the cardioversion group, a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean blood pressure (MBP) were noted on Day 1 post‐cardioversion with no significant change in systolic blood pressure (SBP): 117/74/88 ± 13/9/9 mmHg during AF and 116/70/85 ± 13/9/10 mmHg during Day 1 post‐cardioversion (P = 0.68; <0.01 and 0.04 for SBP, DBP, and MBP, respectively). In the 13 subjects who remained in NSR at Day 30, DBP and MBP decreased further on Day 30 when compared to Day 1 with no significant change in SBP: 118/76/90 ± 13/7/8 mmHg during AF; 119/72/88 ± 12/8/9 mmHg during Day 1; and 118/69/86 ± 10/8/7 mmHg during Day 30 post‐cardioversion (P = 0.97; <0.001 and 0.03 for SBP, DBP, and MBP, respectively). In the control group, no significant changes in BP were noted.Conclusion: Restoring NSR in patients with AF and HTN resulted in a sustained decrease in DBP and MBP. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that maintenance of NSR improves BP control in patients with AF and HTN. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 722‐726, July 2012)
Overcompensating plants: their expression of resistance traits and effects on herbivore preference and performance
Authors: Poveda Katja , Gómez Jiménez Maria Isabel , Halitschke Rayko , Kessler André 
Published: April 2012

AbstractOvercompensation is a plant tolerance response in which plants have higher fitness after herbivory than without damage. Although it has been demonstrated that plants are able to simultaneously express resistance and tolerance traits, it remains unclear whether overcompensating plants are also inducing resistance‐mediating secondary metabolite production and how herbivores perform on plants that overcompensate. Our previous work has shown that a potato variety [Solanum tuberosumL. cv. Pastusa Suprema (Solanaceae)] from Colombia can express overcompensatory responses to damage by larvae of the Guatemalan potato moth,Tecia solanivoraPovolny (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Here we investigated (1) whether potatoes that express overcompensatory responses also induce resistance traits and (2) how the previous damage affects Guatemalan potato moth preference and performance. Our results show that larval feeding not only systemically induces higher tuber biomass but also an increased production of resistance‐related compounds, such as phenolics and proteinase inhibitors. Pupal mass increased with increasing tuber size, whereas changes in tuber secondary metabolism did not correlate with any metric of larval performance. Oviposition preference did not change between induced and undamaged plants. Our data show that potato plants expressing overcompensatory responses also induce secondary compounds known to increase resistance against herbivores. However, the induced response was relatively small, reducing the opportunities for a negative effect on the herbivore. Hypotheses for why larvae perform better in larger tubers and are not affected by the secondary metabolism are discussed. From an ecological and agricultural point of view, our results suggest that the expression of overcompensatory traits could have positive effects on herbivore performance.
Associations between invasive eucalyptus psyllids and arthropod litter communities under tree canopies in southern California
Authors: Eatough Jones Michele , Paine Timothy D. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractHoneydew‐producing psyllids are an important pest of eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) in California, USA, and may influence surrounding litter arthropod communities. In particular, the introduced Australian psyllids Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore and Eucalyptolyma maideni Froggatt (both Hemiptera: Psyllidae) may facilitate the prevalence of invasive ant species. We examined ground‐dwelling arthropod communities under eucalyptus trees infested by psyllids. We used a model comparison approach to examine the association of psyllid infestation, ant abundance, and environmental factors with ground arthropod abundance and richness. We found a significant positive association between ant activity on eucalyptus trees and psyllid abundance. Higher psyllid abundance and higher Argentine ant abundance were associated with increased arthropod richness. Irrigation was also associated with increased arthropod richness and abundance. Regardless of location collected, arthropod communities collected in pitfall traps under trees with high psyllid abundance had high similarity to arthropod communities under trees with high ant activity. Abundance of isopods was positively associated with both ant and psyllid abundance. Other arthropod groups differed in their association with ants and psyllids. Argentine ants may exacerbate pest impacts and may also decrease the effectiveness of biological control programs for eucalyptus lerp psyllids.
A retrospective view on the viability of water fluoridation in South Africa to prevent dental caries
Authors: Kroon Jeroen , Van Wyk Philippus Johannes 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectivesDespite a Commission of Inquiry into water fluoridation recommending the fluoridation of public water supplies to the optimal fluoride concentration of 0.7 ppm, as well as regulations for the introduction of water fluoridation which compel water providers to fluoridate public water supplies, no artificially fluoridated water scheme exists in South Africa. In view of concerns expressed by South African local authorities about cost and reports urging further investigation into the effectiveness of water fluoridation, the aim of this study was to determine whether water fluoridation is still a viable option to reduce dental caries in South Africa.MethodsA model based on a cost evaluation of 44 communities in Florida, United States, and applied to South Africa was used as the basis for this study. Twenty‐three input variables were used to create a computerized model which was populated with 2006 and 2011 data. Per capita cost, cost‐effectiveness ratio and cost‐benefit ratio were calculated as economic outputs to facilitate decision making for projected caries reductions of 15%, 30% and 50%.ResultsThe average per capita cost of water fluoridation for all category water providers combined is US$0.28 in 2006 and US$0.35 in 2011, an increase of 23.2% over this period. The average cost‐effectiveness for all water providers combined varies from US$3.32 for a 50% to US$11.08 for a 15% caries reduction. Despite higher cost‐effective values for some cities and towns, the cost per person per year to save one Decayed, Missing or Filled Tooth (DMFT) at a projected caries reduction of at least 15% as a result of the introduction of water fluoridation, is at least 48.4% less than the cost of a two surface restoration. The average cost‐benefit for all water providers combined varies from 0.1 at a 50% to 0.34 at a 15% caries reduction. For both cost‐effectiveness and cost‐benefit ratio better results are achieved when the projected caries reduction increases.ConclusionsThe results of this study show that water fluoridation is still a viable option to prevent dental caries in communities in South Africa along with the reduction in the prevalence of dental caries and increases in economically driven variables.
Self‐reported ability to concentrate in patients with painful temporomandibular disorders compared to the general population
Authors: Schierz Oliver , Nixdorf Donald R. , Singer Susanne , Reissmann Daniel R. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectivesThis study explored whether patients with painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) differ from the general population in the frequency of self‐reported disability to concentrate, because altered processing of sensory information had been reported previously. Additionally, the correlation of the frequency of concentration problems with the dysfunctional grade of TMD pain shall be evaluated.MethodsSubjects were 286 consecutive German patients with painful TMD diagnosed using the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) and 2026 members of a representative German community sample. Concentration was measured using two questions, one from the ‘Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐49 G)' and one from the German version of ‘Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale (CES‐D)'. The dysfunctional grade of TMD pain was measured using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale.ResultsResponses between the two individual questions concerning the ability to concentrate (OHIP item and CES‐D item) correlated moderately (rSpearman = 0.58, P < 0.001). A two‐sample test of proportions revealed that patients with TMD pain reported a significantly greater frequency of ‘fairly often' or ‘very often’ occurring concentration problems, 24.0%, than did the general population subjects, 1.2% (P < 0.001). Moreover, the frequency of concentration problems correlated with an increase in dysfunctional pain grade in the patients with TMD pain (tetrachoric correlation coefficient of 0.52, P < 0.001).ConclusionsSelf‐reported frequency of concentration problems is greater in patients with TMD pain than in the general population and is reported at a higher frequency in patients with more severe dysfunctional pain grades. These findings are consistent with the concept that TMD pain is associated with changes in the central processing.
Factors influencing growth of individual brown trout in three streams of the upper Midwestern United States
Authors: Dieterman Douglas J. , Hoxmeier R. John H. , Staples David F. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractGrowth rate variation of three age groups of brown trout,Salmo truttaL. (age‐0, 1 and 2, and 3+), was quantified from recaptured, individually tagged brown trout and related to season, stream reach, relative abundance, initial length and movement to examine factors influencing growth in length in three streams in the Midwestern United States. Total variation in growth was almost five times greater for age‐0 than for age‐3+ trout. Individual trout accounted for about 13% of total variation in age‐0 growth, season about 57%, and trout initial length and relative abundance combined another 2%. The 2006 age‐0 cohort had the fastest growth rates in their second spring and summer (2007) and slowest growth in their first winter (2006–2007). About 53% of total growth variation of age‐1 and age‐2 trout was accounted for by individual trout, season, initial length and stream reach. Predicted growth rates indicated strong effects of season and initial length. A significant interaction between these two factors indicated that, although smaller trout grew faster than larger trout, this length effect was most pronounced in spring and summer. About 35% of total growth variation of age‐3+ trout was accounted for by individual trout and season. Together, season and individual trout characteristics were identified as the most important factors influencing brown trout growth in these streams.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress modulates nicotine‐induced extracellular matrix degradation in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Lee S.‐I. , Kang K.‐L. , Shin S.‐I. , Herr Y. , Lee Y.‐M. , Kim E.‐C. 
Published: April 2012

Lee S‐I, Kang K‐L, Shin S‐I, Herr Y, Lee Y‐M, Kim E‐C. Endoplasmic reticulum stress modulates nicotine‐induced extracellular matrix degradation in human periodontal ligament cells. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 299–308. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/SBackground and Objective:  Tobacco smoking is considered to be one of the major risk factors for periodontitis. For example, about half the risk of periodontitis can be attributable to smoking in the USA. It is evident that smokers have greater bone loss, greater attachment loss and deeper periodontal pockets than nonsmoking patients. It has recently been reported that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers are upregulated in periodontitis patients; however, the direct effects of nicotine on ER stress in regard to extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation are unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of nicotine on cytotoxicity and expression of ER stress markers, selected ECM molecules and MMPs, and to identify the underlying mechanisms in human periodontal ligament cells. We also examined whether ER stress was responsible for the nicotine‐induced cytotoxicity and ECM degradation.Material and Methods:  Cytotoxicity and cell death were measured by 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometric annexin V and propidium iodide staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of MMPs and ER markers were examined by RT‐PCR and western blot analysis.Results:  Treatment with nicotine reduced cell viability and increased the proportion of annexin V‐negative, propidium iodide‐positive cells, an indication of cell death. Nicotine induced ER stress, as evidenced by survival molecules, such as phosphorylated protein kinase‐like ER‐resident kinase, phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor‐2α and glucose‐regulated protein‐78, and apoptotic molecules, such as CAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). Nicotine treatment led to the downregulation of ECM molecules, including collagen type I, elastin and fibronectin, and upregulation of MMPs (MMP‐1, MMP‐2, MMP‐8 and MMP‐9). Inhibition of ER stress by salubrinal and transfection of CHOP small interfering RNA attenuated the nicotine‐induced cell death, ECM degradation and production of MMPs. Salubrinal and CHOP small interfering RNA inhibited the effects of nicotine on the activation of Akt, JNK and nuclear factor‐κB.Conclusion:  These results indicate that nicotine‐induced cell death is mediated by the ER stress pathway, involving ECM degradation by MMPs, in human periodontal ligament cells.
Implants in Reconstructed Bone: A Comparative Study on the Outcome of Straumann® Tissue Level and Bone Level Implants Placed in Vertically Deficient Alveolar Ridges Treated by Means of Autogenous Onlay Bone Grafts
Authors: Chiapasco Matteo , Casentini Paolo , Zaniboni Marco 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTPurpose: To evaluate: (1) the survival rate of Straumann® Tissue Level and Bone Level implants placed in atrophic edentulous jaws previously reconstructed by means of autogenous onlay bone grafts; (2) to compare peri‐implant bone resorption values over time.Materials and Methods: From 2005 to 2010, 50 patients presenting with vertical or tridimensional defects of the edentulous ridges were treated with autogenous bone grafts. Three to 7 months afterward, 192 implants were placed (Group A: 97 Tissue Level implants; Group B: 95 Bone Level implants) in the reconstructed areas. After a further waiting period of 2 to 3 months, patients were rehabilitated with implant‐supported fixed prostheses. The follow‐up ranged from 12 to 68 months after the start of prosthetic loading (mean: 33 months).Results: No implants were removed (survival rate: 100%), but in Group B 13 implants (8 placed in iliac grafts, 2 placed in ramus grafts, and 3 placed in calvarial grafts) presented peri‐implant bone resorption values higher than those proposed by Albrektsson and colleagues. for successful implants: the overall implant success rate was then 100% for Group A and 86.8% for Group B. No prosthetic failures were recorded, thus leading to a 100% prostheses success rate.Conclusion: No significant differences were found between the two types of implants as far as implant survival rate is concerned, but results from this study seem to demonstrate that Tissue Level implants may present better long‐term results in terms of peri‐implant bone maintenance, as compared with Bone Level implants, when placed in reconstructed areas.