bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical quality of root fillings performed by undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Balto H. , Al Khalifah Sh. , Al Mugairin S. , Al Deeb M. , Al‐Madi E. 
Published: March 2010

Balto H, Al Khalifah Sh, Al Mugairin S, Al Deeb M, Al‐Madi E. Technical quality of root fillings performed by undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 292–300, 2010.AbstractAim  To evaluate the technical quality of root fillings performed in the undergraduate clinic of the Dental College, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia and to compare the technical quality of root canal treatment between the 4th‐ and 5th‐year students.Methodology  A random sample of 710 records of patients who had received dental treatment by undergraduate students at the College of Dentistry (Malaz University Campus), between the years of 2005–2008, was investigated. The final sample consisted of 550 root filled teeth in 459 patients. For each root filled tooth, at least three periapical radiographs were examined: preoperative, working length determination and postoperative. The length, density and taper of root fillings, as well as the presence of procedural errors, were recorded. ‘Acceptable’ filling quality was defined as having adequate length, density and taper with the absence of any procedural error. Results were evaluated statistically using chi‐square test.Results  One hundred and twenty‐five of 550 root filled teeth (23%) had a root filling that was classified as ‘acceptable’. There was no statistical significant association between the 4th‐ and 5th‐year students in terms of length (P = 0.134), density (P = 0.081) and taper (P = 0.590). Seventy‐five (14%) treated teeth had ledges, 40 (7%) had apical transportation and 37 (7%) had apical root perforation. Ledges had significant association with the level of student (P < 0.0001) and were greater in the cases of 4th‐year students (18%) compared to the 5th‐year students (8%), whilst root perforations had also significant association with level of students (P = 0.016) and were more in the 5th‐year cases (3%) compared to the 4th‐year cases (0.3%).Conclusions  The technical quality of root fillings placed by undergraduate dental students was classified as ‘acceptable’ in 23% of cases. There was little difference between 4th‐ and 5th‐year students in the overall quality of root fillings.
The extreme Beringian/Atlantic disjunction in Saxifraga rivularis (Saxifragaceae) has formed at least twice
Authors: Westergaard Kristine Bakke , Jørgensen Marte Holten , Gabrielsen Tove M. , Alsos Inger Greve , Brochmann Christian 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAim  The oceanic Saxifraga rivularis L. presents one of the most extreme disjunctions known in the arctic flora: it has a small amphi‐Beringian range and a larger amphi‐Atlantic one. It was recently suggested to have had a single allopolyploid origin in Beringia at least one glacial cycle ago, followed by gradual expansion in a more humid period and differentiation into two allopatric subspecies (the Atlantic ssp. rivularis and the Beringian ssp. arctolitoralis). Here we explore the history of its extreme disjunction.Location  The amphi‐Beringian and northern amphi‐Atlantic regions.Methods  We obtained amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and chloroplast DNA sequences from 36 populations (287 individuals) and 13 populations (15 individuals), respectively. The data were analysed using principal coordinates analyses, Bayesian clustering methods, and analyses of molecular variance.Results  Two distinctly divergent AFLP groups were observed, corresponding to the two described subspecies, but, surprisingly, four of the West Atlantic populations belonged to the supposedly Beringian endemic ssp. arctolitoralis. This was confirmed by re‐examination of their morphological characteristics. The overall AFLP diversity in the species was low (26.4% polymorphic markers), and there was no variation in the five investigated chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions. There was little geographic structuring of the AFLP diversity within each subspecies, even across the extreme disjunction in ssp. arctolitoralis, across the Bering Sea, and across the Atlantic Ocean, except that most plants from the arctic Svalbard archipelago formed a separate genetic group with relatively high diversity.Main conclusions  The extreme disjunction in S. rivularis has evidently formed at least twice. The first expansion from Beringia was followed by allopatric differentiation into one Beringian and one Atlantic subspecies, which are distinctly divergent at AFLP loci but still harbour identical cpDNA haplotypes, suggesting that the expansion was quite recent but before the last glaciation. The next expansion from Beringia probably occurred by means of several long‐distance dispersals in the current interglacial, resulting in the colonization of the western Atlantic region by ssp. arctolitoralis. The poor geographic structuring within each subspecies suggests frequent long‐distance dispersals from two main Weichselian refugia, one Beringian and one western‐central European, but it is possible that the genetic group in Svalbard originates from an additional refugium.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae Community Acquired Respiratory Distress Syndrome toxin expression reveals growth phase and infection‐dependent regulation
Authors: Kannan T. R. , Musatovova Oxana , Balasubramanian Sowmya , Cagle Marianna , Jordan Jarrat L. , Krunkosky Thomas M. , Davis Alan , Hardy Robert D. , Baseman Joel B. 
Published: March 2010

Summary Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes acute and chronic respiratory infections, including tracheobronchitis and community acquired pneumonia, and is linked to asthma and an array of extra‐pulmonary disorders. Recently, we identified an ADP‐ribosylating and vacuolating toxin of M. pneumoniae, designated Community Acquired Respiratory Distress Syndrome (CARDS) toxin. In this study we analysed CARDS toxin gene (annotated mpn372) transcription and identified its promoter. We also compared CARDS toxin mRNA and protein profiles in M. pneumoniae during distinct in vitro growth phases. CARDS toxin mRNA expression was maximal, but at low levels, during early exponential growth and declined sharply during mid‐to‐late log growth phases, which was in direct contrast to other mycoplasma genes examined. Between 7% and 10% of CARDS toxin was localized to the mycoplasma membrane at mid‐exponential growth, which was reinforced by immunogold electron microscopy. No CARDS toxin was released into the medium. Upon M. pneumoniae infection of mammalian cells, increased expression of CARDS toxin mRNA was observed when compared with SP‐4 broth‐grown cultures. Further, confocal immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that M. pneumoniae readily expressed CARDS toxin during infection of differentiated normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Analysis of M. pneumoniae‐infected mouse lung tissue revealed high expression of CARDS toxin per mycoplasma cell when compared with M. pneumoniae cells grown in SP‐4 medium alone. Taken together, these studies indicate that CARDS toxin expression is carefully controlled by environmental cues that influence its transcription and translation. Further, the acceleration of CARDS toxin synthesis and accumulation in vivo is consistent with its role as a bona fide virulence determinant.
Representativeness of child controls recruited by random digit dialling
Authors: Bailey Helen D. , Milne Elizabeth , de Klerk Nicholas , Fritschi Lin , Bower Carol , Attia John , Armstrong Bruce K. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryBailey HD, Milne E, de Klerk N, Fritschi L, Bower C, Attia J, Armstrong BK. Representativeness of child controls recruited by random digit dialling. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2010.Recruiting control subjects who are representative of the population from which the cases are drawn is a challenge in case–control studies. This paper examines the performance of random digit dialling (RDD) in obtaining a control sample, and the sample's representativeness of the population with respect to socio‐economic status.The study subjects were recruited from 2003 to 2006 for a national, population‐based case–control study investigating causes of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children <15 years of age in Australia. Control families' addresses were linked to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2006 Collection Districts and thus to Socio‐Economic Indexes for Area scores, which are area‐based measures of socio‐economic status. These scores were compared with those of all collection districts where families lived.We estimate that 55% of eligible families in the RDD sample agreed to participate in the study. Participation was directly related to socio‐economic status with those of highest economic status most likely to participate. Completeness of participation in the components of data collection was similarly related to socio‐economic status. This evidence of selection according to socio‐economic status indicates that there may also be selection with respect to other factors potentially important in the aetiology of ALL.
Does children's energy intake at one meal influence their intake at subsequent meals? Or do we just think it does?
Authors: Hanley James A. , Hutcheon Jennifer A. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryHanley JA, Hutcheon JA. Does children's energy intake at one meal influence their intake at subsequent meals? Or do we just think it does? Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2010.It is widely believed that young children are able to adjust their energy intake across successive meals to compensate for higher or lower intakes at a given meal. This conclusion is based on past observations that although children's intake at individual meals is highly variable, total daily intakes are relatively constant. We investigated how much of this reduction in variability could be explained by the statistical phenomenon of the variability of individual components (each meal) always being relatively larger than the variability of their sum (total daily intake), independent of any physiological compensatory mechanism. We calculated, theoretically and by simulation, how variable a child's daily intake would be if there was no correlation between intakes at individual meals. We simulated groups of children with meal/snack intakes and variability in meal/snack intakes based on previously published values. Most importantly, we assumed that there was no correlation between intakes on successive meals.In both approaches, the coefficient of variation of the daily intakes was roughly 15%, considerably less than the 34% for individual meals. Thus, most of the reduction in variability found in past studies was explained without positing strong ‘compensation’. Although children's daily energy intakes are indeed considerably less variable than their individual components, this phenomenon was observed even when intakes at each meal were simulated to be totally independent. We conclude that the commonly held belief that young children have a strong physiological compensatory mechanism to adjust intake at one meal based on intake at prior meals is likely to be based on flawed statistical reasoning.
Importance of pre‐anthesis anther sink strength for maintenance of grain number during reproductive stage water stress in wheat
Authors: JI XUEMEI , SHIRAN BEHROUZ , WAN JIANLIN , LEWIS DAVID C. , JENKINS COLIN L. D. , CONDON ANTHONY G. , RICHARDS RICHARD A. , DOLFERUS RUDY 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTReproductive stage water stress leads to spikelet sterility in wheat. Whereas drought stress at anthesis affects mainly grain size, stress at the young microspore stage of pollen development is characterized by abortion of pollen development and reduction in grain number. We identified genetic variability for drought tolerance at the reproductive stage. Drought‐tolerant wheat germplasm is able to maintain carbohydrate accumulation in the reproductive organs throughout the stress treatment. Starch depletion in the ovary of drought‐sensitive wheat is reversible upon re‐watering and cross‐pollination experiments indicate that the ovary is more resilient than the anther. The effect on anthers and pollen fertility is irreversible, suggesting that pollen sterility is the main cause of grain loss during drought conditions in wheat. The difference in storage carbohydrate accumulation in drought‐sensitive and drought‐tolerant wheat is correlated with differences in sugar profiles, cell wall invertase gene expression and expression of fructan biosynthesis genes in anther and ovary (sucrose : sucrose 1‐fructosyl‐transferase, 1‐SST; sucrose : fructan 6‐fructosyl‐transferase, 6‐SFT). Our results indicate that the ability to control and maintain sink strength and carbohydrate supply to anthers may be the key to maintaining pollen fertility and grain number in wheat and this mechanism may also provide protection against other abiotic stresses.
Relations of sugar composition and δ13C in phloem sap to growth and physiological performance of Eucalyptus globulus (Labill)
Authors: MERCHANT ANDREW , TAUSZ MICHAEL , KEITEL CLAUDIA , ADAMS MARK A. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTWe characterized differences in carbon isotopic content (δ13C) and sugar concentrations in phloem exudates from Eucalyptus globulus (Labill) plantations across a rainfall gradient in south‐western Australia. Phloem sap δ13C and sugar concentrations varied with season and annual rainfall. Annual bole growth was negatively related to phloem sap δ13C during summer, suggesting a water limitation, yet was positively related in winter. We conclude that when water is abundant, variations in carboxylation rates become significant to overall growth. Concentrations of sucrose in phloem sap varied across sites by up to 600 mm, and raffinose by 300 mm. These compounds play significant roles in maintaining osmotic balance and facilitating carbon movement into the phloem, and their relative abundances contribute strongly to overall δ13C of phloem sap. Taken together, the δ13C and concentrations of specific sugars in phloem sap provide significant insights to functions supporting growth at the tree, site and landscape scale.
Investigation on the effects of ciclosporin (Atopica) on intradermal test reactivity and allergen‐specific immunoglobulin (IgE) serology in atopic dogs
Authors: Goldman Candice , Rosser Jr Edmund , Petersen Annette , Hauptman Joe 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe ability to use ciclosporin (Atopica®: Novartis Animal Health, Greensboro, NC, USA) prior to intradermal testing (IDT) would help avoid exacerbation of clinical disease that can be associated with drug withdrawal. This study evaluated the effects of 30 days of administration of ciclosporin at a dose of 5 mg/kg once daily on IDT reactivity (immediate phase reactions) in a group of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) with initial positive IDT reactions. 16 dogs diagnosed with AD were included in the study. Eight dogs (group A) were treated with ciclosporin orally at 5 mg/kg once daily for 30 days. Eight dogs (group P) were treated with a placebo orally once daily for 30 days. IDT was performed at day 0 and day 30 on all dogs enrolled using a standardized panel of 45 aqueous allergens (Greer Laboratories, Lenoir, NC, USA) appropriate to our geographical region. IDT reactivity was assessed by both subjective and objective methods at 15 min post‐intradermal injection. Serum for allergen‐specific immunoglobulin (IgE) serology was obtained at day 0 and day 30. The study was designed as a double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study. Data were analysed using a split‐plot analysis of variance with the grouping factor of treatment and the repeat factor of time (SAS System for Windows). At week 4, ciclosporin did not have a statistically significant effect on IDT reactivity or serology results. It therefore appears that, no withdrawal is recommended to evaluate immediate phase reactions.
Cysteamine Supplementation ofIn vitroMaturation Media: A Review
Authors: Deleuze S , Goudet G 
Published: March 2010

ContentsUnderin vitroculture conditions, oxidative modifications of cell components via increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent a major culture induced stress. Anti‐oxidant systems such as glutathione (GSH) can attenuate the deleterious effects of oxidative stress by scavenging ROS. It has been suggested that GSH content in oocytes may serve as a reservoir protecting the zygote and the early embryos from oxidative damage before genomic activation andde novoGSH synthesis occur. Addition of low molecular weight compounds to culture media, such as cysteamine, can increase GSH levels by increasing cysteine uptake. Quite naturally, effects of supplementation ofin vitromaturation (IVM) media with low molecular weight thiols have been studied in various species. This article reviews the use of cysteamine supplementation for IVM, its effects on maturation rates and further embryo development.
Adrenal androgen levels as predictors of outcome in castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients treated with combined androgen blockade using flutamide as a second‐line anti‐androgen
Authors: Narimoto Kazutaka , Mizokami Atsushi , Izumi Kouji , Mihara Shinya , Sawada Kiyoshi , Sugata Toshiaki , Shimamura Masayoshi , Miyazaki Kimiomi , Nishino Akio , Namiki Mikio 
Published: March 2010

Objectives:  To analyze the clinical effects of flutamide as a second‐line anti‐androgen for combined androgen blockade in patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) initially treated with bicalutamide as a first‐line anti‐androgen.Methods:  Our study population consisted of 16 patients with CRPC who were treated with flutamide (375 mg daily) as second‐line hormonal therapy. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, androstenediol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured to investigate the relationship between plasma androgens and outcome following treatment. Furthermore, adrenal androgen levels in a medium of adrenal cancer cell line were also measured.Results:  Second‐line hormonal therapy using flutamide resulted in a reduction of the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level in 14 (87.5%) of 16 patients. A PSA decline greater than 50% was observed in 8 (50%) of the 16 patients. The duration of median responsiveness was 6.25 months. PSA elevation of baseline androstenediol level was a predictive factor of PSA responsiveness. The lower DHEA group improved the duration of responsiveness to flutamide. In vitro, 3 µmol/L flutamide suppressed DHEA, androstenedione and androstenediol synthesis compared with bicalutamide in a medium of adrenal cancer cell line.Conclusions:  Our data show that flutamide suppresses the adrenal androgens in comparison with bicalutamide. The responsiveness and response duration of flutamide can be predicted in patients with a higher baseline androstenediol level and a lower DHEA level. Metabolites from adrenal androgens contribute to the progression of prostate cancer.
A bioregional analysis of the distribution of rainforest cover, deforestation and degradation in Papua New Guinea
Authors: SHEARMAN PHIL , BRYAN JANE 
Published: March 2010

AbstractPapua New Guinea (PNG) is an extensively forested country. Recent research suggests that despite commencing a trajectory of deforestation and degradation later than many counties in the Asia–Pacific region, PNG is now undergoing comparable rates of forest change. Here we explore the bioregional distribution of changes in the forest estate over the period 1972–2002 and examine their implications for forest protection. This is undertaken through the development of a novel bioregional classification of the country based on biogeographic regions and climatic zones, and its application to existing forest cover and forest‐cover change data. We found that degradation and deforestation varied considerably across the 11 defined biogeographic regions. We report that the majority of deforestation and degradation has occurred within all the lowland forests, and that it is these forests that have the greatest potential for further losses in the near term. The largest percentage of total change occurred in the east of PNG, in the islands and lowlands of the Bismarck, D'Entrecasteaux, East Papuan Islands and in the South‐East Papua–Oro region. The only region with a significant highlands component to undergo deforestation at a comparable magnitude to the islands and lowland regions was the Huon Peninsula and Adelbert region. Significant changes have also occurred at higher elevations, especially at the interface of subalpine grasslands and upper montane forests. Lower montane forests have experienced proportionally less change, yet it is these forests that constitute the majority of forests enclosed within the protected area system. We find that protected areas are not convincingly protecting either representative areas of PNG's ecosystems, nor the forests within their borders. We conclude by suggesting a more expansive and integrated approach to managing the national forest estate.
Ecological processes shaping Central Patagonian salt marsh landscapes
Authors: IDASZKIN YANINA L. , BORTOLUS ALEJANDRO , BOUZA PABLO J. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractPlant zonation is one of the most conspicuous ecological features of salt marshes worldwide. In this work we used a combination of field transplant and greenhouse experiments to evaluate the importance of interspecific interactions and physical stress in the determination of the major plant zonation patterns in Central Patagonian salt marshes. There, Spartina alterniflora dominates the low marsh, and Sarcocornia perennis the high marsh. We addressed two questions: (i) What prevents Spartina alterniflora from colonizing the Sarcocornia perennis‐dominated high marsh zone? and (ii) What prevents Sarcocornia perennis from colonizing the Spartina alterniflora‐dominated low marsh zone? Our experimental transplants combined with neighbour exclusion treatments showed that the presence of Sarcocornia perennis negatively affects Spartina alterniflora, preventing it from surviving and/or spreading. Complementary field transplant and greenhouse experiments showed that Sarcocornia perennis did not survive the frequent tidal submersion by approximately 1.5 m of turbid seawater in the Spartina alterniflora zone, but its survival was independent of the presence of Spartina neighbours, and of the strong soil anoxia as well. Our results suggest that Spartina alterniflora is excluded by Sarcocornia perennis towards the low marsh, where frequent and prolonged submersion limit the survival of the latter. We provide and discuss key baseline information to facilitate the future design of ecophysiological experiments designed to accurately identify the exact mechanisms acting in every situation.