bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Student and staff opinion of electronic capture of data related to clinical activity
Authors: Oliver Richard G. 
Published: January 2011

Objective: To seek the opinion of staff and students of a new electronic method for collection of data related to student clinical activity.Design: Questionnaire survey.Setting: Staff and students in the Department of Child Dental Health, Dental School, Cardiff, and staff in the Community Dental Service who undertake clinical supervision.Method: A questionnaire was circulated to all 2nd and 3rd clinical year dental undergraduate students seeking their opinion on a range of issues associated with the recently introduced bar code system of data gathering of their clinical activity and achievement. A similar questionnaire was circulated to staff who have responsibility for clinical supervision of these students.Results: A total of 102 replies were received. With the exception of 2 aspects, there was no disagreement between staff and students. An overall majority preferred the use of bar codes to other methods of data collection; bar codes were perceived to be more accurate and reliable than other methods; students were satisfied with the method of quality assessment; staff were dissatisfied (P < 0.05). Staff were strongly in favour of extension of the use of bar codes to other clinics, whereas students were less strongly in favour (P < 0.001); there was little enthusiasm to extend bar codes for recording attendance at lectures, seminars and other such activity.Conclusion: The new system has been accepted by staff and students alike. It has proven to be satisfactory for its intended purpose. As a result of this survey, minor adjustments to procedures will take place, and the method of assessment of clinical work will be reconsidered.
Patient satisfaction in a Dental School
Authors: Lafont Britta E. , Gardiner Diana M. , Hochstedler J 
Published: January 2011

Purpose: The objective of this study was to measure patients' satisfaction with the facility, services and treatment received at a dental school clinic.Method: The 31‐item questionnaire consisted of demographic items and items in a 5‐point Likert‐type format addressing issues such as security, satisfaction with the facility, helpfulness of the staff, progress of treatment, fees, universal precautions taken, quality of care and treatment with dignity and compassion. The questionnaire also asked whether the patient would recommend the school to others seeking dental care. In 1997, patients completed the survey in the clinic waiting room prior to their dental appointment for that day. The survey was conducted over 3 months until 500 patients had participated, representing about 16% of the active patient population. %s of responses were computed and cross tabulations were used to compare responses based on demographics.Results: The most frequently reported reason for wanting to be a patient at the dental school was low cost (67%) followed by up‐to‐date care (19%). 45% of patients indicated that a friend, neighbour or relative referred them, followed by 34% indicating referral by a dentist. More than 90% responded positively to the items concerning issues related to treatment except for satisfaction with progress of treatment and comparison of care received at the school to care elsewhere. For these 2 items, at least 80% responded positively. 99% indicated they would recommend the dental school to others seeking dental care.Conclusion: Results indicate that the vast majority of the patients surveyed are satisfied with the facility, services and treatment received. Comments that addressed areas of concern included the length of time to get an appointment and the length of time the appointment took, and it was recommended that the process of treatment be expedited.
A skills audit for the dental curriculum
Authors: McDonald Diane C. , Godfrey Joyce 
Published: January 2011

Objectives: To identify the core skills required of dental graduates, and to identify if and when these skills had been acquired.Design: Postal questionnaire containing a stimulus list of clinical, technical and professional skills.Subjects and setting: General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) registered as vocational trainers, Vocational Dental Practitioners (VDPs) starting their vocational training (VT) year and VDPs ending their VT year in the NHS Trent Region of England.Method: The list of skills on the questionnaire was formulated following discussion with a group of 4 clinical academics and 5 GDPs working in the University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry. The questionnaire was sent to the total population of GDPs and VDPs, and responses were requested on an anonymous basis. The purpose mirrored that of a previous survey undertaken in the University of Sheffield Medical School to identify core skills (1), initially in this present survey, defined as skills required by the majority of GDPs (>50%) and/or used by VDPs (>50%) in their VT year.Results: 45 of the skills were identified by GDPs as those they expected of the new graduate. All these core skills had been acquired by >50% of VDPs commencing their VT year with 32 of the skills acquired by >75% of that group. Of the group ending their VT year, 90% and above had acquired the majority of these skills. At the time of graduation >50% of VDPs had acquired 10 skills not expected by GDPs. At the end of the VT year, 6 of these unexpected skills had been acquired by >75% of VDPs.Conclusions: The survey enabled us to audit the skills required at the end of the undergraduate course and provided the basis for monitoring skills development in undergraduate dental students.
Effects of Salting Processes and Time on the Chemical Composition, Textural Properties, and Microstructure of Cooked Duck Egg
Authors: Kaewmanee Thammarat , Benjakul Soottawat , Visessanguan Wonnop 
Published: January 2011

Abstract:  Chemical composition, textural properties, and microstructure of cooked duck egg salted by 2 methods (coating and immersing) were determined during 4 wk of salting. As the salting time increased, moisture content increased and salt content decreased for both cooked salted egg white and yolk. Oil exudation of cooked yolk and expressible water content of cooked egg white obtained from both salting methods increased as salting proceeded (P < 0.05). After cooking, oil exudation accompanied by the solubilized pigments, especially at the outer layer of yolk, was obtained. At week 3 of salting, egg yolk from coating method had the higher egg exudation than that from immersing method. As the salting times increased, the lower hardness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience with higher adhesiveness and cohesiveness were generally found in cooked salted egg white (P < 0.05), irrespective of salting methods. Conversely, the hardness of cooked yolk increased continuously and reached the maximum at week 2 and 2 to 3 for immersing and coating method (P < 0.05), respectively. Confocal laser scanning micrographs revealed the smaller yolk granules with more release of free lipid in salted egg after heating, compared with the fresh counterpart. As visualized by scanning electron microscope, gel of cooked salted egg white was coagulum type with larger voids. Salting methods determined oil exudation in egg yolk and texture profile of egg white gel after cooking; however, those attributes were also governed by the salting time.Practical Application:  Salted duck egg can be made by 2 methods (coating and immersing) affecting the characteristic of salted egg white and yolk after cooking. Desirable cooked salted egg having the red yolk with hardness and high oil exudation could be obtained when salting was carried out for 3 and 4 wk for immersing and coating method, respectively.
Effect of Microwave Heating during Alkaline‐Cooking of Aflatoxin Contaminated Maize
Authors: Pérez‐Flores G.C. , Moreno‐Martínez E. , Méndez‐Albores A. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract:  To evaluate the effectiveness of maize detoxification achieved with a modified tortilla‐making process (MTMP), maize contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) at levels of 22.46, 69.62, and 141.48 ng/g (AFB1+ AFB2) was processed into tortillas. Aflatoxin content was determined according to the 991.31 AOAC official method. Based on the results obtained with spiked samples (0.78 to 25 ng/g), the mean recovery was 92%, with a standard error of 1.2, and a coefficient variation value of 4.4%. The MTMP caused 68, 80, and an 84% decrease in aflatoxin content, respectively. Extract acidification (as occurs during digestion) prior to mycotoxin quantification caused some reformation of the aflatoxin structure in tortillas (up to 3%). According to these results, the MTMP seems to be safe for decontamination since a low percentage of the initial aflatoxin concentration can be reverted to the original fluorescent form upon acidification.Practical Application:  The potential presence of aflatoxins in maize destined for human consumption is a serious problem to the Mexican food supply, as these toxic compounds may persist during the traditional alkaline‐process for tortilla elaboration. Consequently, new detoxification procedures are needed that eliminate or at least minimize the aflatoxin risk, through lowering aflatoxin concentration in maize‐based products. Under these considerations, the use of MTMP is recommended, since it has definite advantages including non‐production of wastewater and reduced energy/time consumption.
Preparation of a Lactobacillus Plantarum Starter Culture for Cucumber Fermentations That Can Meet Kosher Guidelines
Authors: Pérez‐Díaz I.M. , McFeeters R.F. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract:  A method is described for growth of a Lactobacillus plantarum starter culture in jars of commercially available pasteurized fresh‐pack kosher dill cucumbers so that jars can be used to inoculate commercial scale cucumber fermentation tanks. A procedure is also described to transfer lactic acid bacteria from frozen storage in MRS broth into cucumber juice and commercial jars of kosher dill cucumbers so that a selected strain of lactic acid bacteria can be kosher certified for commercial fermentations in processing plants that operate under kosher certification. The strain of L. plantarum used in these experiments grew to maximum cell numbers in 4 d at 20 to 25 °C and then maintained viable cell numbers for 2 wk at >108 CFU/mL so the culture was suitable for inoculation of fermentation tanks. Refrigeration of jars of culture after they grow to maximum numbers minimizes die‐off of cells sufficiently so that a pure culture can be maintained by aseptically transferring brine containing viable bacteria to a new pH‐adjusted jar only once every 4 mo.Practical Application:  This report describes a method to prepare a lactic acid bacteria starter culture suitable for kosher vegetable fermentations.
Improvements in the Shelf Life of Commercial Corn Dry Masa Flour (CMF) by Reducing Lipid Oxidation
Authors: Márquez‐Castillo A. , Vidal‐Quintanar R.L. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract:  To improve the shelf life of commercial nixtamalized corn dry masa flour (CMF), the modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was used. Pouches (20 × 20 cm) of ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH) with 180 g of CMF were stored at 55 °C, and aw of 0.45; under Light and Dark conditions, antioxidants (0.02% TBHQ), Vacuum, and N2 and CO2, and used as treatments. Thereafter, changes in their linoleic acid (LA) concentration by GC, peroxide (PV), and anisidine values (p‐A), which were monitored for 180 d. EVOH showed a significantly lower consumption of LA by autoxidation (11.7%± 0.2% in 117 d) than polyethylene film (70.5%± 0.3% in 113 d) under the same storage temperature. The elimination of oxygen by vacuum in each pouch allowed a low consumption (16.4%± 0.1%) of LA. PV (14.5 ± 0.09 mEq/kg of fat), and p‐A (63 ± 0.16 mmol/kg) were low, and generated over 121 d of storage. CMF stored under MAP had 100% protection against oxidation of LA.Practical Application:  A combination of Vacuum and EVOH packaging extended the shelf life of CMF to 108 d with only 10% of LA loss. For retail stores, the EVOH packaging will reduce lipid oxidation of CMF and safety related to off odors and flavors from the oxidation of tortillas will increase dramatically.
Generation of Fluorescent Adducts of Malondialdehyde and Amino Acids: Toward an Understanding of Lipofuscin¶
Authors: Chowdhury Pramit K. , Haider Mintu , Choudhury Prabir K. , Kraus George A. , Desai Meera J. , Armstrong Daniel W. , Casey Thomas A. , Rasmussen Mark A. , Petrich Jacob W. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTLipofuscin is a yellow‐brown, highly fluorescent pigment that undergoes an age‐related progressive accumulation in animal cells, mainly in postmitotic cells. It is a heterogeneous, high‐molecular weight material associated with proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Lipofuscin is implicated in many aspects of human health, including aging, oxidative stress, macular degeneration, lipid peroxidation, atherosclerosis, dementia (Alzheimer's Disease) and diseases associated with prions. Although the fluorescent properties of lipofuscin have long been recognized, neither histologists nor chemists have yet isolated the pigments themselves or characterized their optical properties. We have prepared lipofuscinlike species by reacting malondialdehyde (MDA) with cysteine (Cys). MDA: Cys adducts 3:2 and 2:2 are two of those that have been identified among the many that were present in the reaction. Whereas previous attempts to synthesize lipofuscinlike species resulted in compounds that were either nonfluorescent or emitted principally in the blue, the MDA: Cys adducts reported in this study are not only fluorescent but also emit over a broader range.
Global Solar UV Index: Australian Measurements, Forecasts and Comparison with the UK¶
Authors: Gies Peter , Roy Colin , Javorniczky John , Henderson Stuart , Lemus‐Deschamps Lilia , Driscoll Colin 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTThe 2002 revision of the UV index (UVI) issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Meteorological Office (WMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) (World Health Organization [2002] Global Solar UV Index: A Practical Guide. WHO, Geneva) was motivated by the need to further standardize the use and presentation of the UVI. Awareness of the hazards of solar UV radiation (UVR) is generally high in Australia, but more effective use of the UVI will assist in promoting further changes to the population's sun exposure behavior. UVI levels for a number of cities around Australia as measured by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), covering the time period 1996‐2000, are presented. Also shown are UVI forecasts from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). Agreement between the BOM data and the measurements varies depending on the location but is within 2 UVI units approximately 75% of the time. UVI levels are supplied to the media, and in summer values in excess of 12‐14 are regularly recorded, although the more northerly locations occasionally reach 16 and 17. The factors affecting the solar UVR environment and the measured UVI are also discussed and compared against measurements from the UK.
Modeling the Anatomical Distribution of Sunlight¶
Authors: Streicher John J. , Culverhouse William C. , Dulberg Martin S. , Fornaro Robert J. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTOne of the major technical challenges in calculating solar irradiance on the human form has been the complexity of the surface geometry (i.e. the surface‐normal vis‐a‐vis the incident radiation). Over 80% of skin cancers occur on the face, head, neck and back of the hands. The quantification, as well as the mapping of the anatomical distribution of solar radiation on the human form, is essential if we are to study the etiology of skin cancers or cataracts or immune system suppression. Using advances in computer graphics, including high‐resolution three‐dimensional mathematical representations of the human form, the calculation of irradiance has been attained to subcentimeter precision. Lighting detail included partitioning of direct beam and diffuse skylight, shadowing effects and gradations of model surface illumination depending on model surface geometry and incident light angle. With the incorporation of ray‐tracing and irradiance algorithms, the results are not only realistic renderings but also accurate representations of the distribution of light on the subject model. The calculation of light illumination at various receptor points across the anatomy provides information about differential radiant exposure as a function of subject posture, orientation relative to the sun and sun elevation. The integration of a geodesic sun‐tracking model into the lighting module enabled simulation of specific sun exposure scenarios, with instantaneous irradiance, as well as the cumulative radiant exposure, calculated for a given latitude, date, time of day and duration. Illustration of instantaneous irradiance or cumulative radiant exposure is achieved using a false‐color rendering—mapping light intensity to color—creating irradiance or exposure isopleths. This approach may find application in the determination of the reduction in exposure that one achieves by wearing a hat, shirt or sunglasses. More fundamentally, such an analysis tool could provide improved estimates of scenario‐specific dose (i.e. absorbed radiant exposure) needed to develop dose‐response functions for sunlight‐induced disease.
Role of p38 Mitogen‐activated Protein Kinase and Caspases in UV‐B‐induced Apoptosis of Murine Peritoneal Macrophages¶
Authors: Sethi Gautam , Sodhi Ajit 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTThe mechanisms of ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B)‐induced apoptosis and the role of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) were investigated in murine peritoneal macrophages. Exposure of murine peritoneal macrophages to UV‐B irradiation induced rapid apoptosis concurrent with DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase‐3 but did not activate caspase‐1. UV‐B irradiation (100 mJ/cm2) also induced expression of phospho‐p38 and ‐c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK; however, no significant expression of phospho‐p42/44 was observed 120 min after exposure. Pretreatment of macrophages with a p38 MAPK inhibitor, 4‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1H‐imidazole (SB202190), and a caspase‐3 inhibitor, N‐acetyl‐Asp‐Glu‐Val‐Asp‐CHO, suppressed UV‐B irradiation‐induced apoptosis as observed by DNA laddering and DNA fragmentation estimation quantitatively. Pretreatment with caspase‐1 inhibitor, N‐acetyl‐Tyr‐Val‐Ala‐Asp‐CHO, had no effect. UV‐B‐induced caspase‐3 activation resulted in the cleavage of poly‐(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP), which was inhibited by the caspase‐3 inhibitor. SB202190 pretreatment also prevented activation of caspase‐3 and the cleavage of PARP. However, the caspase‐3 and ‐1 inhibitors did not affect UV‐B‐induced expression of phospho‐p38 and ‐JNK. These results suggest that activation of p38 MAPK upstream of caspases might play an important role in the apoptotic process of macrophages exposed to UV‐B irradiation.
Effects of UVR and UVR‐induced Cytokines on Production of Extracellular Matrix Proteins and Proteases by Dermal Fibroblasts Cultured in Collagen Gels¶
Authors: Kossodo Sylvie , Wong Wen‐Rou , Simon Gabriel , Kochevar Irene E. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTSynthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and their degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are part of the dermal remodeling resulting from chronic exposure of skin to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). We have compared two alternative mechanisms for these responses, namely, a direct mechanism in which UV‐B or UV‐A is absorbed by fibroblasts and an indirect mechanism in which cytokines, produced in skin in response to UVR, stimulate production of the ECM proteins and MMP. These studies were carried out on human dermal fibroblasts grown in contracted, free‐floating 9 day old collagen gels as a dermal equivalent. Synthesis of tropoelastin, collagen, fibrillin, MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3 and ‐9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)‐1 and ‐2 were measured. Tropoelastin, collagen and fibrillin levels were stable between days 4 and 10, and MMP and TIMP decreased by day 10. Neither UV‐B (2.5–50 mJ/cm2) nor UV‐A (2–12 J/cm2) altered synthesis of ECM proteins, but UV‐A increased MMP‐1 and ‐3 production. Tropoelastin synthesis increased in response to transforming growth factor‐β1 (5 ng/mL) treatment. Both interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α (10 ng/mL) decreased fibrillin messenger RNA levels but increased MMP‐1, ‐3 and ‐9 synthesis markedly. Collagen synthesis was not modulated by UV‐B, UV‐A or cytokine treatment. These results indicate that certain cytokines may have greater effects on production of ECM proteins and MMP than absorption of UV‐B and UV‐A by fibroblasts grown in dermal equivalents and suggest that the former pathway may play a role in the dermal remodeling in photoaged skin.
Calcium Is Involved in Photomovement of Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803¶
Authors: Moon Yoon‐Jung , Park Young Mok , Chung Young‐Ho , Choi Jong‐Soon 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTThe unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (Syn6803) exhibits photomovement through gliding motility. For a better understanding of photomovement in Syn6803, we examined the effects of Ca2+ on photoorientation and motility using a computer‐assisted videomicroscope motion analysis system. When calcium ion was chelated from the basic motility medium by adding 0.5 mM ethylene glycol‐bis‐(β‐aminoethyl ether)‐N, N, N', N'‐tetraacetic acid (EGTA), the photoorientation was completely inhibited, whereas the gliding motility remained approximately 70% of the control. Photoorientation impaired by EGTA was nearly recovered within 30 min upon addition of 1 mM Ca2+. The recovery of photoorientation by Ca2+ was mimicked by either Mn2+ or Mg2+ but not by Ba2+ or Sr2+. Lanthanum ion at 10 μM completely inhibited both phototactic orientation and gliding motility of Syn6803. Furthermore, pimozide (voltage‐gated L‐type calcium channel inhibitor), orthovanadate (calcium efflux blocker) and A23187 (calcium ionophore) partially inhibited phototactic orientation and gliding motility. Interestingly, photoorientation was prevented with increasing concentrations of calmodulin antagonist such as trifluoperazine (TFP) and chlorpromazine, but gliding motility was inhibited in proportion to the concentration of TFP. The results we present strongly indicate that Ca2+ plays a significant role in regulating the photomovement of Syn6803.
Two Conceptions of Technical Malfunction
Authors: JESPERSEN BJØRN , CARRARA MASSIMILIANO 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe topic of this paper is the notion of technical (as opposed to biological) malfunction. It is shown how to form the property being a malfunctioning F from the property F and the property modifier malfunctioning (a mapping taking a property to a property). We present two interpretations of malfunctioning. Both interpretations agree that a malfunctioning F lacks the dispositional property of functioning as an F. However, its subsective interpretation entails that malfunctioning Fs are Fs, whereas its privative interpretation entails that malfunctioning Fs are not Fs. We chart various of their respective logical consequences and discuss some of the philosophical implications of both interpretations.