bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered Left Ventricular Contraction Pattern during Right Ventricular Pacing: Assessment Using Real‐Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography
Authors: WOLBER THOMAS , HAEGELI LAURENT , HUERLIMANN DAVID , BRUNCKHORST CORINNA , LÜSCHER THOMAS F. , DURU FIRAT 
Published: October 2010

Background:
Chronic right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing has been associated with increased risk of heart failure and adverse outcome. The acute effects of RVA pacing on three‐dimensional (3D) ventricular function and mechanical dyssynchrony are not well known. We performed a real‐time 3D echocardiographic (RT3DE) study to assess global and regional left ventricular function during RVA pacing.
Methods:
Twenty‐six patients with implanted cardiac devices and normal intrinsic atrioventricular conduction were included in the study. RT3DE was performed during intrinsic sinus rhythm and during RVA pacing. Quantification of global and regional left ventricular function was performed offline by time‐volume analysis of 16 myocardial segments. Time to reach minimum regional volume was calculated for each segment as a percentage of the cardiac cycle. The systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) was defined as the standard deviation of these time periods. Longitudinal function was assessed by time‐volume analysis of apical, midventricular, and basal segments.
Results:
During RVA pacing, a reversed apical‐to‐basal longitudinal contraction sequence was observed in 58% of all patients. RVA pacing was associated with increased left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony (SDI increase from 4.4 ± 2.2% to 6.3 ± 2.4%, P = 0.001) and reduced LV ejection fraction (decrease from 53 ± 13% to 47 ± 14%, P = 0.05).
Conclusion:
RT3DE assessment of LV function provides evidence that pacing from the RVA results in acute alterations in LV contraction sequence and increased LV dyssynchrony. Further studies are warranted to assess the potential of RT3DE to identify patients who might be at increased risk of pacing‐induced heart failure or who might benefit from alternate‐site or multisite pacing. (PACE 2011; 76–81)
Low‐Level Vagosympathetic Nerve Stimulation Inhibits Atrial Fibrillation Inducibility: Direct Evidence by Neural Recordings from Intrinsic Cardiac Ganglia
Authors: YU LILEI , SCHERLAG BENJAMIN J. , LI SHUYAN , SHENG XIA , LU ZHIBING , NAKAGAWA HIROSHI , ZHANG YING , JACKMAN WARREN M. , LAZZARA RALPH , JIANG HONG , PO SUNNY S. 
Published: October 2010

Intrinsic Cardiac Ganglia Activity Inhibited by Low‐Level Vagal Stimulation. Introduction: We hypothesized that low‐level vagosympathetic stimulation (LL‐VNS) can suppress atrial fibrillation (AF) by inhibiting the activity of the intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system (ICANS).
Methods and Results:
Wire electrodes inserted into both vagosympathetic trunks allowed LL‐VNS at 10% or 50% below the voltage required to slow the sinus rate or atrioventricular conduction. Multielectrode catheters were attached to atria, atrial appendages and all pulmonary veins. Electrical stimulation at the anterior right and superior left ganglionated plexi (ARGP, SLGP) was used to simulate a hyperactive state of the ICANS. Effective refractory period (ERP) and window of vulnerability (WOV) for AF were determined at baseline and during ARGP+SLGP stimulation in the presence or absence of LL‐VNS. Neural activity was recorded from the ARGP or SLGP. ARGP+SLGP stimulation induced shortening of ERP, increase of ERP dispersion and increase of AF inducibility (WOV), all of which were suppressed by LL‐VNS (10% or 50% below threshold) at all tested sites. Sham LL‐VNS failed to induce these changes. The effects of LL‐VNS were mediated by inhibition of the ICANS, as evidenced by (1) LL‐VNS suppression of the ability of the ARGP stimulation to slow the sinus rate, (2) the frequency and amplitude of the neural activity recorded from the ARGP or SLGP was markedly suppressed by LL‐VNS, and (3) the spatial gradient of the ERP and WOV from the PV‐atrial junction toward the atrial appendage was eliminated by LL‐VNS.
Conclusions:
LL‐VNS suppressed AF inducibility by inhibiting the neural activity of major GP within the ICANS. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 455‐463)
Different Patterns of Atrial Remodeling After Catheter Ablation of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: LO LI‐WEI , TSAO HSUAN‐MING , LIN YENN‐JIANG , CHANG SHIH‐LIN , HU YU‐FENG , TSAI WEN‐CHIN , TUAN TA‐CHUN , SUENARI KAZUYOSHI , HUANG SHIH‐YU , TUNG NGUYEN‐HUU , HIGA SATOSHI , TAI CHING‐TAI , UENG KWO‐CHANG , LI CHENG‐HUNG , CHAO TZE‐FAN , WU TSU‐JUEY , CHEN SHIH‐ANN 
Published: October 2010

Atrial Substrate Remodeling After Chronic AF Ablation. Background: Multiple remodeling patterns have been observed after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Objective: We aimed to clarify the electrical/structural properties associated with recurrences after ablation of chronic AF.
Methods:
After a stepwise ablation procedure in 120 consecutive patients with persistent/long‐lasting persistent AF, 36 had a recurrence of AF (Group 1/Group 2: recurrence with paroxysmal/persistent AF, n = 16/20).
Results:
During the first procedure, the left atrial (LA) bipolar voltage did not differ between the 2 groups, and the LA volume was smaller in Group 1 than in Group 2 and it was the only factor predicting the recurrent types (P = 0.009, OR = 1.04). In the second procedure, the bipolar voltage of the global left atrium increased (1.33 ± 0.11 mV vs 1.76 ± 0.16 mV, P = 0.001) in Group 1 and decreased (1.31 ± 0.14 mV vs 0.90 ± 0.12 mV, P = 0.01) in Group 2, when compared with that of the first procedure. The LA low‐voltage area (<0.5 mV) decreased in Group 1, and increased in Group 2. The LA volume (90 ± 8 cm3 vs 72 ± 8 cm3, P = 0.002) decreased in the second procedure in Group 1. It remained the same in Group 2. The right atrial substrates did not change between the procedures. After a follow‐up of 27 ± 3 months, all patients in Group 1 and 14 patients in Group 2 remained in sinus rhythm (P = 0.02).
Conclusion:
A better outcome with reverse electrical and structural remodeling occurred after the ablation of chronic AF when the recurrence was paroxysmal AF. Progressive electrical remodeling without any structural remodeling developed in those with a recurrence involving persistent AF. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 385‐393)
OSCEs in Japanese postgraduate clinical training Hiroshima experience 2000—2009
Authors: Taguchi N. , Ogawa T. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground:  Hiroshima University Hospital used the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) as a formative and summative assessment tool to evaluate trainees’ competence.Aim:  To reflect on Hiroshima University Hospital experience of OSCEs in postgraduate training in terms of OSCE structure and trainees’ perception of the OSCE they attended.Methods:  A total 27 OSCEs implemented in Hiroshima University Hospital from 2000 to 2009 were examined. The OSCE in postgraduate training, Hiroshima University Hospital, was influenced by many factors from organisational and pedagogical perspectives, and changed to meet social and curriculum needs. At each OSCE, all examinees were required to answer an anonymous questionnaire, which consisted of ten checklists, just after their experience of OSCE.Results:  Five hundred and forty trainees who attended each OSCE were required to answer a questionnaire and 510 were returned (94.4%). In the comparison between formative and summative OSCEs, the number of trainees who answered “the OSCE is meaningful” in formative OSCE was significantly higher than that in summative OSCE (P < 0.001). In the comparison between before and after the 2006/2007 academic year, trainees who indicated that OSCEs were meaningful increased after 2006/2007 (P < 0.05), and trainees who felt they were evaluated appropriately by these OSCEs increased after 2006/2007 (P < 0.01).Conclusion:  Trainees viewed OSCEs positively and appreciated their effectiveness from a pedagogical perspective, and OSCE positively affected the trainees’ approach to learning. A ten‐year process of OSCE change has helped with educational reforms because of its adaptability. Flexible attitudes to change are necessary for stakeholders to achieve the desired reforms.
A generic consensus assessment of undergraduate competence in forceps exodontia in the United Kingdom
Authors: Durham J. , Balmer C. , Bell A. , Cowan G. , Cowpe J. , Crean St J. , Dawson L. , Evans A. , Freeman C. , Jones J. , Macluskey M. , McDonagh A. , McHanwell S. , Millsopp L. , Myrddin L. , Oliver R. , Renton T. , Sivarajasingam V. , Still D. , Taylor K. , Thomson P. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe assessment of competence in clinical skills has become more frequent in published healthcare curricula and syllabuses recently. There are agreed mechanisms for the assessment of competence in the post‐graduate environment, but no consensus within the undergraduate curriculum. This paper seeks to develop an agreed generic checklist for the assessment of competence in forceps exodontia.Materials and methods: A modified Delphi process was undertaken with representatives from all UK dental schools (n = 13) to develop a generic checklist for the assessment of competence in forceps exodontia. A content analysis of the assessments employed by each school was used to help discussion and inform the Delphi process.Results: Seven schools currently employ a summative assessment of competence in forceps exodontia, with the majority employing a structured clinical objective test (n = 6). From the seven assessments, there were a total of 29 putative items and 10 putative domains identified for a generic checklist. These were reduced to five domains and 19 items through the content analysis and Delphi process, and a generic overarching checklist was created.Conclusion: Using this generic checklist, it may now be possible to pool data inter‐institution to perform more powerful analyses on how our students obtain, or fail to obtain competence in forceps exodontia.
Admission systems to dental school in Europe: a closer look at Flanders
Authors: Buyse T. , Lievens F. , Martens L. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractDental education in Europe faces enormous challenges. One deals with the admission to dental school. Although admission procedures vary considerably across Europe, a characteristic of some systems is that the same procedure is used across students who will ultimately pursue different majors (medical or dental). This is based on the assumptions that there is no significant difference in these students’ scores and that the requirements for medicine and dentistry are equal. This study examines these assumptions in the admission exam ‘Medical and Dental Studies’ in Flanders. Students who pass may choose whether they start medical or dental education. Over an 8‐year period (2000–2007), admission exam scores of students starting medicine (n = 4492) were compared to those of students starting dentistry (n = 547). Second, the validity of this exam is examined for both medical and dental education. It was found that students starting dentistry had a significantly lower total score on the admission exam than students starting medicine. Differences were especially striking for the cognitive part of the admission exam. For both medical and dental students, the admission exam score was a valid predictor of academic grades in the first 3 years, although correlations were lower for dental education. These results have implications for admission procedures in countries where the same system is used for both majors. The findings that students who have a lower score choose dental education and that the validity of the exam is slightly lower for dentistry, raise questions about using the same admission exam for two obviously different majors.
Description and evaluation of a new approach on pre‐clinical implant dentistry education based on an innovative simulation model
Authors: Güth J. F. , Ponn A. , Mast G. , Gernet W. , Edelhoff D. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractIntroduction:  Predominantly theoretical courses are employed to teach German dental students in implant dentistry at pre‐clinical stage. As implant dentistry is an important part of the clinical treatment spectra, practical implementation of this field at an early stage of education seems to be appropriate. By a newly developed interdisciplinary implant dentistry course, students should assess an improved competence level as well as first practical experiences in the field of implant dentistry at the pre‐clinical stage of their education.Materials and methods:  Interdisciplinary implant dentistry education was integrated in the final pre‐clinical course Phantom II at the Department of Prosthodontics, LMU, Munich. In total 120 pre‐clinical students participated at the implant dentistry education course. After theoretical introduction into implant surgery and implant prosthetics, 30 simulation units were employed for the practical training of the participants. All important treatment steps were carried out by the students under instruction by the supervisors, including interdisciplinary planning, the use of the drilling template, the template guided insertion of two implants, as well as the integration of two ball attachments into a pre‐existing full denture. After the course participants were asked by questionnaire about the quality of the course and their personal opinion.Results:  The course received an extraordinary positive feedback. In total 108 students evaluated the course with the overall grade of 1.68 according to the German school‐mark system (1 = excellent, 6 = unsatisfactory). Also the single parts of the course were voted constantly positively.Conclusion:  The aim of this first interdisciplinary course for pre‐clinical students was to enhance competence level and practical implementation of implant dentistry at an early stage of education. Participants’ comments and suggestions on the questionnaires demonstrated the positive response and the general interest in this form of dental education, as well as the demand for further development of training in this field.
Participation in continuing professional development by dental practitioners in Victoria, Australia in 2007
Authors: Hopcraft M. S. , Manton D. J. , Chong P. L. , Ko G. , Ong P. Y. S. , Sribalachandran S. , Wang C.‐J. , Yong P. Y. , Jian L. F. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground:  Mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) was introduced in 2005 in Victoria, Australia to ensure that dental practitioners maintained their skills, knowledge and kept up‐to‐date with current topics in dentistry. The aim of this study was to investigate the participation, impact on practice and attitudes of Victorian dentists and dental specialists to CPD activities since the commencement of mandatory CPD.Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey of a random sample of registered dentists and dental specialists (n = 895) was conducted from May to August 2008 using an anonymous, postal, self‐administered questionnaire.Results:  The response rate was 66%. More than three quarters of practitioners believed mandatory CPD is a reasonable requirement for continued registration. Dentists reported attending an average of 30.9 h of certifiable clinical CPD whilst specialists attended an average of 33.2 h of certifiable clinical CPD over a 12‐month period. Nearly three quarters of respondents reported changing their practice as a result of CPD activities, whilst one quarter attended CPD mainly to meet the mandatory requirements.Conclusions:  Overall there was a positive attitude towards mandatory CPD and a high level of participation in CPD activities by Victorian dentists and specialists in 2007, although nearly half of the respondents attended <20 h of certified clinical CPD during 2007. A number of barriers exist, particularly for rural and female practitioners in accessing CPD, and further research is required to examine the benefits derived from mandatory CPD.
Dental nurses as trainers and assessors: vocational dental trainer attitudes
Authors: McKie A. E. , Crowe A. , McCombes W. , Freeman R. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAim:  To explore the attitudes of vocational dental trainers (VDTs) working in general dental practice to the role of dental nurses as trainers and assessors of trainee dental nurses (tDNs), vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) and vocational dental hygienist/therapists (VDHTs).Method:  This research was conducted within the context of the development of a training and assessment qualification for dental nurses. A survey was sent to all 148 VDTs in Scotland. The survey assessed VDT attitudes as to the appropriateness of dental nurses to train and assess tDNs, VDPs, VDHTs with regard to their clinical, communication‐based and administrative duties. The three sets of attitudes for tDNS, VDPS and VDHTs were assessed on a five‐point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The data were subjected to one way and repeated measures of ANOVA.Results:  A total of 126 VDTs responded giving an 85% response rate. For clinical, communication‐based and administrative activities, VDTs had significantly greater mean scores for the appropriateness of DNs to train [F(1,57) = 45.69, P < 0.001] and assess [F(1,57) = 76.94, P < 0.001] tDNs compared with VDPs and VDHTs.Conclusion:  Vocational dental trainers felt it was more appropriate for DNs to train and assess tDNs’ clinical, communication‐based and administrative activities compared with VDPs and VDHTs. Over 80% of dental trainers, however, indicated there would be benefit to their practice in having a dental nurse educated in the principles and application of training and assessment.
Latent variable approach to correct errors in radiographic measurements
Authors: Tu Yu‐Kang , Donos Nikos , Pometti Daniela , Nibali Luigi 
Published: October 2010

Tu Y‐K, Donos N, Pometti D, Nibali L. Latent variable approach to correct errors in radiographic measurements. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 642–648. © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci Radiographic outcomes are important for the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. However, the assessment of radiographic measurements is affected by many factors, and it is therefore difficult to ascertain changes in radiographic outcomes. In this study, we proposed a latent variable approach to correct for the distortion in the radiographic measurements in pairs of periapical radiographs taken before and after periodontal treatment. Clinical data from 123 patients treated with non‐surgical periodontal therapy was used to illustrate the latent variable approach in assessing radiographic changes in infrabony defect depth. Results were compared with a correction factor method. Computer simulations were also undertaken to evaluate the performance of these two methods compared with uncorrected, raw measurements by calculating their intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The example data set showed that the latent variable method (LVM) and the correction factor method (CFM) were comparable. Simulations showed that both methods achieved very high ICCs in different scenarios, whilst uncorrected raw measurements had relatively low ICCs. This study suggests that correction for errors in radiographic measurements is required for routine radiographs. Whilst both LVM and CFM achieve excellent results, LVM is more flexible in handling missing values, and may provide better results when treatment effects are large.
Effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis infection on human gingival epithelial barrier function in vitro
Authors: Groeger Sabine , Doman Eugen , Chakraborty Trinad , Meyle Jörg 
Published: October 2010

Groeger S, Doman E, Chakraborty T, Meyle J. Effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis infection on human gingival epithelial barrier function in vitro. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 582–589. © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci The gingival epithelium plays an important role in the protection of oral tissues from microbial challenge. Oral keratinocytes form various cellular contacts, including tight junctions, and thus are able to create an epithelial barrier. A measurable indicator of barrier function in vitro is the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). Porphyromonas gingivalis is recognized as a major aetiologic agent of periodontal disease and exhibits a variety of virulence factors. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect, in vitro, of infection with P. gingivalis on gingival barriers composed of primary and immortalized human keratinocytes. Primary and immortalized human gingival keratinocytes were infected with different strains of P. gingivalis. The impact of the bacterial challenge on the barrier was analysed by measuring the TER. The destructive effects of gingipains were blocked by specific enzyme inhibitors. After an initial increase of about 20–30% in infected wells, the TER decreased to zero. Gingipain inhibitors delayed the destruction of the barrier by 12 ± 4 h. In all cases, the loss of TER was accelerated if the system was infected from the basolateral side. A distinct effect of P. gingivalis on the epithelial barrier function of three‐dimensional cultured epithelial cell models was demonstrated, which can partly be attributed to the activity of gingipains.
Marathon of eponyms: 14 Noonan syndrome
Authors: Scully C , Langdon J , Evans J 
Published: October 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 839–840The use of eponyms has long been contentious, but many remain in common use, as discussed elsewhere (Editorial: Oral Diseases. 2009: 15; 185). The use of eponyms in diseases of the head and neck is found mainly in specialties dealing with medically compromised individuals (paediatric dentistry, special care dentistry, oral and maxillofacial medicine, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology and oral and maxillofacial surgery) and particularly by hospital‐centred practitioners. This series has selected some of the more recognised relevant eponymous conditions and presents them alphabetically. The information is based largely on data available from MEDLINE and a number of internet websites as noted below: the authors would welcome any corrections. This document summarises data about Noonan syndrome.
Severe reactions after the intake of soy drink in birch pollen‐allergic children sensitized to Gly m 4
Authors: Kosma Paraskevi , Sjölander Sigrid , Landgren Eva , Borres Magnus P , Hedlin Gunilla 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAim: To study the connection between reaction to soy milk and IgE sensitization to Gly m 4.Methods: Four subjects who experienced unforeseen and severe symptoms after the ingestion of soymilk were studied.Results: All children were birch pollen allergic, had high IgE responses to the PR‐10 proteins from birch and soybean, Bet v 1 and Gly m 4. All reactions took place after the ingestion of soymilk during the peak pollen season.Conclusion: This is the first time soybean‐dependant pollen‐food cross‐reaction has been reported in children experiencing reactions during the birch pollen season. These findings may well be helpful to doctors in identifying individuals at risk of severe reactions upon the ingestion of soymilk, and we foresee an increase in the number of similar cases as soy drinks are promoted for health purposes.