bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Topical calcineurin inhibitors compromise stratum corneum integrity, epidermal permeability and antimicrobial barrier function
Authors: Kim Minjeong , Jung Minyoung , Hong Seung‐Phil , Jeon Hyerin , Kim Min‐Jung , Cho Mee‐Yon , Lee Seung‐Hun , Man Mao‐Qiang , Elias Peter M. , Choi Eung‐Ho 
Published: August 2009

Please cite this paper as: Topical calcineurin inhibitors compromise stratum corneum integrity, epidermal permeability and antimicrobial barrier function. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 501–510.AbstractBackground:  Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) such as pimecrolimus and tacrolimus have recently been used for dermatologic diseases including atopic dermatitis instead of topical glucocorticoids, because they display comparable efficacy, but less‐frequent side effects. Although even short‐term topical glucocorticoid compromise epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis, the effects of TCI on barrier function have not yet been reported. However, viral infections such as eczema herpeticum and molluscum contagiosum, which could indicate an impaired skin barrier, continue to occur with TCI use in atopic dermatitis.Objectives:  We determined here whether TCIs disrupt epidermal permeability barrier and antimicrobial function, and whether these effects can be prevented.Methods and results:  In normal humans, topical pimecrolimus and tacrolimus applied twice‐daily for 5 days, delay barrier recovery without an increase in basal transepidermal water loss was observed. Co‐application of physiologic lipid mixture (PLM) containing an equimolar ratio of ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids normalized barrier homeostasis in the face of topical TCIs. In hairless mice, 4 days of TCI treatment also disrupted barrier function significantly. TCIs‐treated epidermis showed the decrease of epidermal lipid content, lamellar body number and secretion, and lipid synthesis‐related enzymes such as 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMG‐CoA) reductase, serine‐palmitoyl transferase and fatty acid synthase, implying decreased lipid synthesis. TCIs also suppressed expression of IL‐1α and antimicrobial peptides, CRAMP and mouse β‐defensin 3. However, these TCI‐induced abnormalities can be overridden by topical replacement with PLM.Conclusions:  Our results demonstrate that TCIs induce negative effects on the skin barrier including permeability and antimicrobial functions, which are mediated by decreasing epidermal lipid synthesis, lamellar body secretion and antimicrobial peptides expression through suppression of cytokine such as IL‐1α, therefore co‐treatment with PLM would be helpful to overcome these negative effects.
Extraction of skin lesion texture features based on independent component analysis
Authors: Tabatabaie Kaveh , Esteki Ali , Toossi Parviz 
Published: August 2009

Background/purpose: During the recent years, many diagnostic methods have been proposed aiming at early detection of malignant melanoma. The texture of skin lesions is an important feature to differentiate melanoma from other types of lesions, and different techniques have been designed to quantify this feature. In this paper, we discuss a new approach based on independent component analysis (ICA) for extraction of texture features of skin lesions in clinical images.Methods: After preprocessing and segmentation of the images, features that describe the texture of lesions and show high discriminative characteristics are extracted using ICA, and then these features, along with the color features of the lesions, are used to construct a classification module based on support vector machines for the recognition of malignant melanoma vs. benign nevus.Results: Experimental results showed that combining melanoma and nevus color features with proposed ICA‐based texture features led to a classification accuracy of 88.7%.Conclusion: ICA can be used as an effective tool for quantifying the texture of lesions.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Identification of Toll‐Like Receptors in the Rat (Rattus norvegicus): Messenger RNA Expression in the Male Reproductive Tract Under Conditions of Androgen Variation
Authors: Biswas Barnali , Narmadha Ganapathy , Choudhary Mithilesh , French Frank S. , Hall Susan H. , Yenugu Suresh 
Published: August 2009

Problem  Although the majority of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are reported in many species, some of them are not yet described in the rat. Further, factors that govern Tlr expression in the male reproductive tract have received little attention. We attempt to identify and characterize Tlrs in the rat and determine the expression profile under conditions that affect male reproductive tract gene expression.Method of study  Rat Tlr5, Tlr10, and Tlr11 transcript sequences were submitted to GenBank and in silico characterization carried out using bioinformatics tools. RT‐PCR analyses using gene specific primers for rat Tlr1–13 were carried out with RNA isolated from reproductive tract tissues of various experimental groups.Results  Tlr5, Tlr10, and Tlr11 identified in this study share features that are characteristic of the known TLRs. Abundant Tlr expression was observed in the male reproductive tract of adult and developing rats. Further, Tlr expression was also observed in the epididymides of androgen ablated rats.Conclusion  Tlr5, Tlr10, and Tlr11 are ubiquitously expressed in the rat. Tlrs seem to be expressed during male reproductive tract development and under conditions of androgen ablation, suggesting the preparedness of the male reproductive tract to detect an infection under all conditions of androgen status.
The bactericidal effect of a Genius® Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Kranendonk AA , Van Der Reijden WA , Van Winkelhoff AJ , Van Der Weijden GA 
Published: August 2009

Abstract:  Purpose: To evaluate the ‘in vitro’ bactericidal effect of the Nd:YAG laser (Genius, MØlsgaard Dental, Copenhagen, Denmark) on six periodontal pathogens. Methods: Suspensions of six different periodontal pathogens (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Parvimonas micra) were prepared in small Eppendorff tubes, and exposed to a Nd:YAG laser for five different periods of time. Laser settings used: Power 6 Watt (on a scale of 1–12 W), Frequency 50 Hz, Pulse duration 250 μs. After exposure to the laser, aliquots of the suspensions were spread on blood agar plates for bacterial counting. Results: After 5 s of laser exposure, there was a decrease in total colony forming units for all six selected microorganisms. After 15, 30 and 45 s, no viable bacterial cells could be retrieved. Conclusion: In this ‘in vitro’ model, 15 s of Nd:YAG laser use was found to be effective for total killing of the six tested periodontal pathogens.
Grey Seals Red in Tooth and Claw: How Darwin Helps Model Their Population
Authors: Thomas Len 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Grey seals in Britain are a conservation success, brought back from the brink of extinction by protection in the early 20th century. The public love them. Fishermen hate them. The resurgence of the “grey guzzlers” threatens their livelihood, they say. Len Thomas shows how Charles Darwin's ideas are used to determine seal numbers and population dynamics. Surprisingly, Darwin's theories have also influenced the statistical tools that are used.
The Completeness of the Fossil Record
Authors: Benton Michael 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Fossils are the data for evolution. The fossil record was already well known 150 years ago, when Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, and it is central to Darwin's theories; yet it is commonly claimed that the fossil record is woefully incomplete. Creationists say that it does not show the missing links that evolution predicts. Michael Benton asks if the gaps are too big to fill in.
Take Five: Renaissance Literature and the Study of the Senses
Authors: Cahill Patricia A. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn recent years scholars of various critical stripes have shown a keen interest in Renaissance literature and the study of the senses. I offer an overview of such sensory scholarship, detailing the contributions of social historians, of those who work on Renaissance allegory, and of those engaged in scholarship on faculty psychology and early modern embodiment. As I trace the contours of work by literary and cultural critics on the individual senses, I note that critical explorations of vision, the sense that many Renaissance philosophers ranked at the top of the sensory hierarchy, no longer eclipse scholarship on the other senses. Rather, work on aurality has blossomed in the past decade as scholars have investigated the history of hearing and listening and have recognized the privileged position of aurality in Renaissance sensory hierarchies. Before ending, I discuss recent discussions of smell, taste, and touch, and I suggest some ways in which recent scholarship on tactility might reinvigorate the study of Renaissance drama.
Confirmation of allele HLA‐A*3116 found in a family of a leukaemia patient with Caucasian and Caribbean origin
Authors: Skrablin P. S. , Brixner V. , Richter R. , Boehme A. , Seifried E. , Seidl C. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryWe confirm allele HLA‐A*3116 that we found in the family of a leukaemia patient of mixed Caucasian and Caribbean origin by sequence based typing. This allele is closest related to HLA‐A*310102 with one nucleotide replacement at position 221 (C>T) leading to an amino acid substitution at position 50 of the mature protein from proline to leucine. As the amino acid at position 50 in the alpha 1 domain is part of the peptide‐binding region, this change could be relevant for the functionality in peptide presentation.
Gene polymorphism in transforming growth factor‐beta codon 10 is associated with susceptibility to Giardiasis
Authors: Taherkhani H. , Hajilooi M. , Fallah M. , Khyabanchi O. , Haidari M. 
Published: August 2009

SummarySecretory immunoglobulin A (S‐IgA) antibodies have a central role in anti‐Giardial defence. It has been demonstrated that transforming growth factor‐beta1 (TGF‐β1) stimulates B lymphocytes to produce and secrete S‐IgA. We sought to determine the association between TGF‐β1 polymorphism (T+869C) with susceptibility to Giardiasis. The TGF‐β1 genotypes and levels of salivary (S‐IgA) were analysed in individuals with Giardiasis (97 symptomatic and 57 asymptomatic) and controls (n = 92). Individuals with symptomatic Giardiasis had the lowest levels of S‐IgA compared to individuals in asymptomatic Giardiasis and control groups (97%, 73% and 43%, <1 g L−1, respectively, P = 0.002). The frequency of allele C and CC genotypes of TGF‐β1 polymorphism was significantly higher among symptomatic patients than asymptomatic and control groups. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the individuals homozygous for allele C of TGF‐β1 had a significantly higher risk for symptomatic Giardiasis with odds ratio of 2.76 (95% CI: 3.88, 1.71, P = 0.007). Among the participants with TT genotype per cent of individuals with S‐IgA level of more than 1 g L−1 was almost twice the percentage in CC genotype individuals (14% versus 7% respectively P = 0.01). Our data suggest that CC genotype of TGF‐β1 polymorphism at codon 10 is associated with occurrence of Giardiasis.
Silicon‐augmented resistance of plants to herbivorous insects: a review
Authors: Reynolds O.L. , Keeping M.G. , Meyer J.H. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSilicon (Si) is one of the most abundant elements in the earth's crust, although its essentiality in plant growth is not clearly established. However, the importance of Si as an element that is particularly beneficial for plants under a range of abiotic and biotic stresses is now beyond doubt. This paper reviews progress in exploring the benefits at two‐ and three‐trophic levels and the underlying mechanism of Si in enhancing the resistance of host plants to herbivorous insects. Numerous studies have shown an enhanced resistance of plants to insect herbivores including folivores, borers, and phloem and xylem feeders. Silicon may act directly on insect herbivores leading to a reduction in insect performance and plant damage. Various indirect effects may also be caused, for example, by delaying herbivore establishment and thus an increased chance of exposure to natural enemies, adverse weather events or control measures that target exposed insects. A further indirect effect of Si may be to increase tolerance of plants to abiotic stresses, notably water stress, which can in turn lead to a reduction in insect numbers and plant damage. There are two mechanisms by which Si is likely to increase resistance to herbivore feeding. Increased physical resistance (constitutive), based on solid amorphous silica, has long been considered the major mechanism of Si‐mediated defences of plants, although there is recent evidence for induced physical defence. Physical resistance involves reduced digestibility and/or increased hardness and abrasiveness of plant tissues because of silica deposition, mainly as opaline phytoliths, in various tissues, including epidermal silica cells. Further, there is now evidence that soluble Si is involved in induced chemical defences to insect herbivore attack through the enhanced production of defensive enzymes or possibly the enhanced release of plant volatiles. However, only two studies have tested for the effect of Si on an insect herbivore and third trophic level effects on the herbivore's predators and parasitoids. One study showed no effect of Si on natural enemies, but the methods used were not favourable for the detection of semiochemical‐mediated effects. Work recently commenced in Australia is methodologically and conceptually more advanced and an effect of Si on the plants' ability to generate an induced response by acting at the third trophic level was observed. This paper provides the first overview of Si in insect herbivore resistance studies, and highlights novel, recent hypotheses and findings in this area of research. Finally, we make suggestions for future research efforts in the use of Si to enhance plant resistance to insect herbivores.
Seasonal nitrogen dynamics of Miscanthus×giganteus and Panicum virgatum
Authors: HEATON EMILY A. , DOHLEMAN FRANK G. , LONG STEPHEN P. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThere is a tradeoff to consider when harvesting perennial biomass crops: harvest too late and yield declines, harvest too early and risk higher mineral contents, particularly nitrogen (N). Allowing the crop to completely senesce and recycle nutrients has several advantages, including improved feedstock quality and reduced fertilizer requirements, but it comes at a risk, particularly in temperate climates where snow and ice can reduce or destroy harvestable biomass. The effect of harvest time on the N concentration ([N]) and biomass of Panicum virgatum and Miscanthus×giganteus was evaluated at three sites in Illinois over two years. In both species [N] of standing biomass significantly declined with time (P<0.0001). Interestingly, there was no significant interaction effect of species and sample date on [N] (P=0.2888), but there was a highly significant interaction effect on the total N in standing biomass (P<0.0001). The amount of standing N was directly related to biomass yield. Seasonal changes in standing N differed among locations, suggesting that harvest time recommendations for N management depend on location. P. virgatum would have potentially removed as much as 187 kg N ha−1 if harvested green, and as little as 5 kg N ha−1 if harvested in late winter. Because of higher biomass yields, M. ×giganteus standing N ranged from 379 kg N ha−1 in June to <17 kg N ha−1 in February. Importantly, there was little overall change in [N] between an early winter (December) harvest and a late winter (February/March) harvest, indicating the benefits of N cycling in the system can be realized by end of the growing season and thus, at least from an N economy perspective, there is no reason to risk yield losses by delaying harvest over the winter.
The cervical wedge‐shaped lesion in teeth: a light and electron microscopic study
Authors: Daley TJ , Harbrow DJ , Kahler B , Young WG 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground:  The cervical non‐carious wedged‐shaped lesion is controversial in that its aetiology may involve attrition, erosion, abrasion and stress‐corrosion (abfraction). This study examined the histopathology of anterior teeth with cervical wedge‐shaped lesions by light and electron microscopy to elucidate their pathogenesis.Methods:  Ten undecalcified human teeth with cervical lesions were available for investigation. Patency of the dentine tubules was tested using red dye penetration from the pulp chamber. The morphology of normal and sclerotic dentine adjacent to the cervical wedge‐shaped lesions was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The numbers and diameters of dentinal tubules were measured at different levels beneath the surfaces of the lesions.Results:  The gross and microscopic features of the worn teeth were described. Red dye penetration tests showed white tracts of sclerotic tubules contrasted with red tracts of patent tubules. Numbers of tubules per square area and diameters of patent and sclerotic tubules varied at different levels within the dentine due to deposits of intratubular dentine.Conclusions:  The cervical wedge is shaped by interactions between acid wear, abrasion and dentinal sclerosis. No histopathological evidence of abfraction was found. Clinical diagnosis, conservation and restoration of non‐carious cervical lesions need to take into account the extent of sclerotic dentine beneath wedge‐shaped lesions.
Physical‐mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements indicated for atraumatic restorative treatment
Authors: Bonifácio CC , Kleverlaan CJ , Raggio DP , Werner A , De Carvalho RCR , Van Amerongen WE 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground:  This study evaluated mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements (GICs) used for atraumatic restorative treatment. Wear resistance, Knoop hardness (Kh), flexural (Fs) and compressive strength (Cs) were evaluated. The GICs used were Riva Self Cure (RVA), Fuji IX (FIX), Hi Dense (HD), Vitro Molar (VM), Maxxion R (MXR) and Ketac Molar Easymix (KME).Methods:  Wear was evaluated after 1, 4, 63 and 365 days. Two‐way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests (P = 0.05) analysed differences in wear of the GICs and the time effect. Fs, Cs, and Kh were analysed with one‐way ANOVA.Results:  The type of cement (p < 0.001) and the time (p < 0.001) had a significant effect on wear. In early‐term wear and Kh, KME and FIX presented the best performance. In long‐term wear, Fs and Cs, KME, FIX and HD had the best performance. Strong explanatory power between Fs and the Kh (r2 = 0.85), Cs and the Kh (r2 = 0.82), long‐term wear and Fs of 24 h (r2 = 0.79) were observed.Conclusions:  The data suggested that KME and FIX presented the best in vitro performance. HD showed good results except for early‐term wear.
Erosive potential of beverages sold in Australian schools
Authors: Cochrane NJ , Cai F , Yuan Y , Reynolds EC 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground:  Dental erosion is an increasingly prevalent problem in Australia. The aim of this study was to analyse the composition and erosive potential of beverages sold for consumption in Victorian schools.Methods:  Fifteen drinks were selected and analysed to determine their pH, titratable acidity and ionic composition (calcium, fluoride and inorganic phosphate). The erosive potential of the beverages was measured by analysing weight loss, surface loss and the release of calcium ions from human enamel following a 30‐minute or 24‐hour exposure. The association of the chemical parameters with the measures of erosion was determined using Spearman’s rank correlation.Results:  All beverages tested except the milks and the bottled water produced significant dental erosion in vitro. The only chemical parameter that correlated significantly with all measures of erosion was the initial pH of the beverage (p < 0.01). Levels of fluoride similar to those of Australian reticulated water were found in the carbonated beverages.Conclusions:  The majority of the tested beverages sold from school canteens exhibited erosive potential.
Periosteal pedicle graft for the treatment of gingival recession defects: a novel technique
Authors: Mahajan A 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground:  The periosteum is a highly cellular connective tissue with rich vascularity and regenerative potential. These qualities make it a suitable autogenous graft. A technique utilizing autogenous periosteal pedicle graft (PPG) for the treatment of gingival recession defects is described.Methods:  Four patients with Miller Class I and II recessions ≥ 3 mm were treated utilizing PPG.Results:  At the end of one year, all defects were completely covered.Conclusions:  The PPG technique can be used for the treatment of gingival recession defects successfully.
Early load mandibular hybrid prosthesis using the Ohio State University acrylic frame requiring no final impression
Authors: Turkyilmaz I , Suarez JC , Company AM , McGlumphy EA 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground:  Although immediate/early loading protocols for dental implants have presented encouraging outcomes, immediate loading procedures may cause discomfort to the patient and may increase the possibility of damage to the surgical site during the impression procedures. The aim of this study was to describe an alternative technique to fabricate a mandibular hybrid prosthesis in three or four days without making any final impression and to evaluate the outcomes of this technique.Methods:  Seven patients aged 41 to 71 years (mean age, 58 ± 11) were considered for this study. Each patient received five implants for the reconstruction of the edentulous mandible. These implants were placed in the anterior region of an edentulous mandible and restored with a final mandibular hybrid prosthesis in four days using the Ohio State University (OSU) acrylic frame requiring no final impression procedure. The patients were followed up to 19 months after implant placement.Results:  No implants were lost, no technical complications were observed and only minor marginal bone loss was noted after an average 15 months.Conclusions:  This clinical study shows that the OSU acrylic frame, which can easily be customized and accommodates variability in arch form, may be an alternative method to restore any edentulous mandible with an early load mandibular hybrid prosthesis.
SMACK
Authors: Dutta Aveek , Saha Dola , Grunwald Dirk , Sicker Douglas 
Published: August 2009

Network protocol designers, both at the physical and network level, have long considered interference and simultaneous transmission in wireless protocols as a problem to be avoided. This, coupled with a tendency to emulate wired network protocols in the wireless domain, has led to artificial limitations in wireless networks.
In this paper, we argue that wireless protocols can exploit simultaneous transmission to reduce the cost of reliable multicast by orders of magnitude. With an appropriate application interface, simultaneous transmission can also greatly speed up common group communication primitives, such as anycast, broadcast, leader election and others.
The proposed method precisely fits into the domain of directly reachable nodes where many group communication mechanisms are commonly used in routing protocols and other physical-layer mechanisms. We demonstrate how simultaneous transmission can be used to implement a reliable broadcast for an infrastructure and peer-to-peer network using a prototype reconfigurable hardware. We also validate the notion of using simple spectrum sensing techniques to distinguish multiple transmissions. We then describe how the mechanism can be extended to solve group communication problems and the challenges inherent to build innovative protocols which are faster and reliable at the same time.