bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of biological debris on endodontic instruments after cleaning and sterilization procedures
Authors: Popovic J. , Gasic J. , Zivkovic S. , Petrovic A. , Radicevic G. 
Published: March 2010

Popovic J, Gasic J, Zivkovic S, Petrovic A, Radicevic G. Evaluation of biological debris on endodontic instruments after cleaning and sterilization procedures. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 336–341, 2010.AbstractAim  To examine the presence of biological debris and the level of contamination on reusable endodontic instruments those were subjected to different cleaning methods prior to sterilization.Methodology  One hundred and eighty endodontic instruments from eighteen dental practices were analysed. These practices used different decontamination protocols for reusable instruments. The presence of organic debris was detected by the use of Van Gieson’s stain. Forty‐eight new stainless steel hand instruments were used as controls. The samples were examined by light microscopy.Results  Residual biological debris was observed in 96% of the samples. The mean value of maximum biological contamination was 34% in the group in which the instruments were brushed manually and immersed in alcohol, 25% in the group in which commercially available disinfectants were used and 5% in the group in which the instruments were cleaned ultrasonically. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean values with respect to the cleaning protocol applied (P < 0.001).Conclusions  The methods used to clean endodontic instruments appear to be generally ineffective for the removal of biological debris. The best method was the one that included mechanical, chemical and ultrasonic cleaning of instruments.
Contrasting patterns of nuclear microsatellite genetic structure of Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica between northern and southern populations in Japan
Authors: Hu Li‐Jiang , Uchiyama Kentaro , Saito Yoko , Ide Yuji 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAim  The aim of this study is to detect extant patterns of population genetic structure of Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica in Japan, and to provide insights into the post‐glacial history of this species during the Holocene.Location  Hokkaido and Honshu islands, Japan (including the Oshima and Shimokita peninsulas).Methods  We examined nine polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci to assess genetic variation within and among 15 populations across almost the entire range of the species in Japan. Extant patterns of geographical structure were analysed using Bayesian clustering, Monmonier’s algorithm, analysis of molecular variance, Mantel tests and principal coordinates analysis. Recent bottlenecks within populations and regional genetic variation were also assessed.Results  Northern populations (Hokkaido Island and the Shimokita Peninsula) formed a single homogeneous deme, maintaining the highest level of allelic diversity on the Oshima Peninsula. By contrast, southern populations (Honshu Island) demonstrated strong substructure on both coasts. Specifically, populations on the Pacific side of Honshu exhibited significant bottlenecks and erosion of allelic diversity but preserved distinct subclusters diverging from widespread subclusters on the Japan Sea side of this island.Main conclusions  Genetic evidence and life history traits suggest that F. mandshurica occupied cryptic northern refugia on the Oshima Peninsula during the Last Glacial Maximum, which is reflected in the species’ extant northern distribution. Strong geographical structure in southern populations, in agreement with fossil pollen records, suggests geographical isolation by mountain ranges running north–south along Honshu. Given that this tree species is cold‐adapted and found in riparian habitats, populations on the Pacific side of Honshu probably contracted into higher‐elevation swamps during warm post‐glacial periods, leading to a reduction of effective population sizes and rare allelic richness.
Ecological biogeography of Malagasy non‐volant mammals: community structure is correlated with habitat
Authors: Muldoon Kathleen M. , Goodman Steven M. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAim  To examine the relationship between ecoregions, as a proxy for regional climate and habitat type, and mammalian community structure, defined by species composition and richness (e.g. taxonomic structure) and ecological diversity (e.g. ecological structure) of non‐volant species.Location  Madagascar.Methods  Faunal lists of non‐volant mammal species occurring in 35 communities from five World Wildlife Fund ecoregions were collected from published and unpublished sources. Species were assigned to ecological groups defined by trophic status, locomotor habits, activity cycle and body mass. We used Mantel tests, cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis to evaluate geographic patterning in taxonomic composition and species richness. We used stepwise multiple discriminant analysis to characterize patterns in the ecological diversity of the mammalian communities from each ecoregion. Communities from transitional habitats (e.g. representing more than one ecoregion) were used to test the predictive power of the analyses.Results  Non‐volant mammal communities divided into clusters that correspond to ecoregions. There was a strong distance effect in the taxonomic structure of communities across the island and within both humid and dry forest communities, but this effect was weak within humid forest communities. Mammalian species richness was significantly lower in dry forest than in humid forest communities. The ecological structure of communities was also correlated with ecoregions. Changes in the relative percentages of omnivory, arboreal quadrupedalism, terrestrial/arboreal quadrupedalism and two body mass classes accounted for 98.1% of the variation in ecological structure. Transitional communities were projected in intermediate positions by the discriminant model.Main conclusions  Our analysis demonstrates that the broad‐scale habitat and climate variables captured by the ecoregion model have shaped the assembly of non‐volant mammal communities in Madagascar over evolutionary time. The spatial pattern is consistent with ecological sorting of species ranges along environmental gradients. Historical processes, such as recent extinction and migration, may have also affected the structure of mammal communities, although these factors have played a secondary role.
Lauraceae fossils from a volcanic Palaeocene oceanic island, Ninetyeast Ridge, Indian Ocean: ancient long‐distance dispersal?
Authors: Carpenter Raymond J. , Truswell Elizabeth M. , Harris Wayne K. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAim  Geological and fossil records are critical for historical biogeography studies. A plant fossil assemblage from a small, well‐dated, transient late Palaeocene island was re‐investigated with regard to regional geology and vicariance versus dispersal hypotheses.Location  Deep Sea Drilling Program Leg 22, Site 214 on the Ninetyeast Ridge (NER) in the mid‐Indian Ocean region.Methods  Leaf cuticular material was recovered from residues from a previous palynofloral study of Site 214 sediments during the 1970s and identified. The palynoflora was reassessed.Results  The only leaf cuticular material recovered with stomata can be placed in crown‐group Lauraceae. It is confirmed that the palynoflora reflects the presence of a low‐diversity island flora in the late Palaeocene, comprising ferns and mostly herbaceous angiosperms with readily dispersible propagules, and perhaps austral podocarps. Other pollen taxa of almost certain local origin were arecoid palms and taxa related to Chloranthaceae. The strong overall similarity of the palynoflora to Australo‐Antarctic and New Zealand assemblages is also confirmed.Main conclusions  Foliar fossils of Lauraceae demonstrate the occurrence of one of the world’s largest, most widely distributed woody plant families on a late Palaeocene island. The presence of plants on this island could be explained by vicariance via a vegetated Upper Cretaceous Kerguelen Plateau, in part because crown‐group Lauraceae may be at least this old. However, there are records of other taxa in the Kerguelen region that are anomalous with vicariance, plus evidence for a catastrophic biotic extinction event centred in the area in the latest Cretaceous. Plants were therefore most likely to have reached the island by means of dispersal. This suggests either the presence of presently unknown vegetated land nearby in the Kerguelen region in the late Palaeocene, or long‐distance dispersal, probably from the Australian region. The dispersal of viable seeds could have been facilitated by birds or perhaps by ocean‐surface drift with or without the assistance of ocean‐going animals. The fossils allow that even small, short‐lived islands could have acted as ‘stepping stones’ for biotic interchange between Australia and Africa, and perhaps other regions.
In Vitro Ageing of Porcine Oocytes: Changes in Phosphorylation of the Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and Parthenogenetic Activability
Authors: Ebeling S , Labudda A , Meinecke B 
Published: March 2010

ContentsThe role of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) was investigated during ageing of porcine oocytes following in vitro maturation (IVM). Oocytes exhibiting an extruded first polar body after IVM for 46 h (79.3% metaphase II, M II) were used for the experiments. Nuclear maturation stages were not visibly altered after a further 12 h of ageing. Proportion of M II stages (42.9%) decreased significantly whereas fragmentation and degeneration of oocytes increased after an ageing time of 26 h. In vitro ageing for 12 and 26 h led to a significant reduction of MAPK phosphorylation (i.e. activation) compared to oocytes matured for 46 h. When MAPK was inhibited by U0126 in M II oocytes, 30.9% (12 h) and 39.7% (26 h) of oocytes, respectively, left metaphase II arrest and proceeded to early anaphase II. Pronuclear stages or fragmentation could be observed only sporadically (2.6–3.6%). After parthenogenetic activation of oocytes by ethanol/cycloheximide, cleavage stages were reached with rates of 51.9% (46 h IVM), 42.0% (12 h ageing) and 40.3% (26 h ageing), respectively. Furthermore, a significant higher proportion of long‐term aged oocytes (26 h) showed pronuclear formation (8.6%) and fragmentation (7.9%) compared to non‐aged oocytes (each 1.9%). It is concluded that both MAPK phosphorylation and cleavage rate after parthenogenetic activation decreased before alterations of nuclear stages could be detected during in vitro ageing of M II oocytes. A premature MAPK dephosphorylation of M II oocytes caused early anaphase II stages, but cleaved stages could not be achieved.
Increased incidence of autoantibodies to interleukin‐1α in rheumatoid arthritis with interstitial lung disease
Authors: Maniwa Koji , Ogushi Fumitaka , Tani Kenji , Ohmoto Yasukazu , Muraguchi Masahiro , Sone Saburo 
Published: March 2010

Objective:To clarify the clinical significance of autoantibodies (auto‐Ab) to interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with interstitial lung disease (ILD), we examined the IL‐1α auto‐Ab level in serum of patients with RA with/without ILD.Methodology:We investigated the level of IL‐1α auto‐Ab in serum of 70 patients with RA with/without ILD and 40 control patients (CP). Levels of IL‐1α auto‐Ab were measured by radioimmunoassay, and serum was regarded as IL‐1α auto‐Ab positive at an auto‐Ab level of more than 5 ng/mL.Results:Interleukin‐1α auto‐Ab was detected in the serum of 30 out of 70 RA patients (42.9%), and six out of 40 CP (15%) (P < 0.05). Interleukin‐1α auto‐Ab were detected in the serum of 18 out of 32 patients with RA with ILD (56.2%) and 12 out of 38 patients with RA without ILD (31.5%). The positive rate of these autoantibodies in RA with ILD was significantly higher than that in RA without ILD (P < 0.05). Although C‐reactive protein, immunoglobulin G, rheumatoid factor and rheumatoid arthritis particle agglutination levels in serum from patients with RA with ILD were not significantly different between the IL‐1α auto‐Ab‐positive and ‐negative groups, the lactate dehydrogenase level (LDH) and AaDO2 in the IL‐1α auto‐Ab‐positive group were significantly higher than those in the negative group (LDH: P < 0.001, AaDO2: P < 0.05).Conclusion:These results suggest that IL‐1α auto‐Ab are generated in response to the immuno‐inflammatory process of ILD in RA, and these autoantibodies may neutralize and regulate the IL‐1α activity.
The role of cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant‐1 in neutrophil‐mediated remote lung injury after intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion in rats
Authors: Ishii Hisao , Ishibashi Masayoshi , Takayama Masanori , Nishida Tomiaki , Yoshida Minoru 
Published: March 2010

Objective:Remote lung injury is induced by ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver following hypovolaemic shock. In the present study, the role of cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), a member of the interleukin (IL)‐8 family, in neutrophil‐mediated remote lung injury following intestinal I/R was investigated in anaesthetized rats.Methodology:The I/R group was subjected to 60 min of occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery with laparotomy, followed by 240 min of intestinal reperfusion. The sham‐operated (sham) group was subjected to the same procedures with the exception of intestinal I/R.Results:In the I/R group, the permeability index of the lung, the neutrophil count in pulmonary vascular lavage fluid and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung myeloperoxidase activity and neutrophil oxidative production were all significantly greater than those in the sham group. Cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant‐1 levels in blood and BALF were significantly increased at 240 min after intestinal reperfusion. There was a significant relationship between neutrophils in BALF and CINC‐1 level in BALF.Conclusion:These findings suggest that intestinal reperfusion was associated with activation and accumulation of neutrophils in the lung and resulted in remote lung injury with increased microvascular permeability. Thus, CINC‐1 in BALF may induce neutrophil migration from the pulmonary vessels to the interstitium and alveolar spaces in remote lung injury after intestinal I/R.
A comparative analysis of the biochemical parameters used to distinguish between pleural exudates and transudates
Authors: Yilmaz Adnan , Tunaboyu Ïlknur Kiliç , Akkaya Esen , Bayramgürler Birol 
Published: March 2010

Objective:The aim of the present study was to compare the various parameters used to identify exudates.Methodology:The study included 255 patients with pleural effusions. According to aetiological diagnosis, 105 pleural effusions were labelled as transudates and 150 were labelled as exudates.Results:Using the criteria of Light et al., 94.5% of the effusions were correctly classified, yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 99.3% and 87.6%, respectively. Use of the pleural fluid/serum bilirubin ratio produced results of 92.9%, 90.7%, and 96.2%, respectively. Using pleural fluid cholesterol level yielded results of 95.7%, 95.3%, and 96.2%, respectively. When the combination of pleural fluid cholesterol level and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was used, the specificity and accuracy were found to be higher than that using the criteria of Light et al. We found that there was no significant difference among the parameters with respect to accuracy.Conclusion:When the accuracy and cost are considered, differentiation of pleural exudates and transudates can be achieved only by pleural fluid cholesterol level or LDH level; and when two parameters were used together, the accuracy and specificity were higher than that using the criteria of Light et al.
Unexpected reactions following highly active anti‐retroviral therapy in patients with HIV‐1 infection and tuberculosis
Authors: Oka S. 
Published: March 2010

Purpose:Highly active anti‐retroviral therapy (HAART) dramatically improves the prognosis of AIDS patients. However, some patients with opportunistic infections suffer from the hyperreactive inflammation (HRI) following HAART, which sometimes interferes with the continuation of HAART. In order to clarify the mechanism of HRI, we investigated the clinical course of these cases and performed in vitro and in vivo analyses.Materials and methods:AIDS patients with active opportunistic infections including miliary tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) bacteraemia, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), disseminated cryptococcosis were included in the present study. We started HAART after treatment of these opportunistic infections. Blood and clinical samples were obtained from infective sites to make the definitive diagnosis and to prove HRI. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained and stored sequentially during lymphadenitis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis were stimulated with purified protein derivative (PPD) in vitro and measured lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production.Results and conclusions:Hyperreactive inflammation occurred 3 weeks on average after starting HAART in most patients who had these opportunistic infections. Discrimination between HRI and deterioration of the infection was sometimes very difficult. If we were able diagnose HRI, we treated the patients with corticosteroid to mitigate HRI. Two‐thirds of the patients continued HAART, but the remaining cases had to have HAART suspended due to severe reactions including fever (> 40°C) and pain of lymphadenitis. In vitro study with the PPD stimulation revealed that proliferating lymphocytes existed in peripheral blood and γ‐interferon was produced from such PBMC. These results might support the fact that the infective site must have the much stronger reaction to the opportunistic pathogen. If it was true, use of steroids makes sense to control the reaction. Actually, treatment with the steroid to HRI is successful. However, how to use the steroid (e.g. how much dose and how long) is to be elucidated from future clinical observations.Acknowledgements:The following doctors are acknowledged for their contribution to this study: M. Tanaka, C. Yasuoka, Y. Takahashi, S. Ida, N. Tachikawa, Y. Kikuchi, A. Yasuoka, and Y. Hirabayashi. This study was supported by a grant for AIDS Research from the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan.
Complications of laparoscopic renal surgery
Authors: Elsamra Sammy , Pareek Gyan 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis review will summarize reported complications of laparoscopic renal surgery (LRS) and provide a concise summary and clinical pathway to prevent, identify and manage complications associated with LRS. Complications are not reported in a uniform manner and we strongly encourage the use of the Clavien or other classification systems to facilitate future comparison. Comorbidities, body mass index, renal function, renal anomalies, and lack of surgeon proficiency may adversely affect outcomes whereas age does not. Trocar access, pneumoperitoneum, and patient positioning reflect aspects unique to laparoscopy that may present specific challenges to the urologist. Articles pertaining to complications in LRS are examined and discussed. Major and minor complication rates for LRS have reportedly ranged from 1–6% and 6–17%, respectively. Vascular, bowel, and ureteral injuries are reported as the most commonly encountered intraoperative complications. An appreciation for the data presented may allow the urologist to better avert complications in LRS.
Effect of the hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin on androgen response of prostate cancer under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Suzuki Yasutomo , Kondo Yukihiro , Hara Shuntaro , Kimata Ryouji , Nishimura Taiji 
Published: March 2010

Objectives:  To investigate the androgen response of hormone‐dependent prostate cancer cells under hypoxia and to examine the effect of geldanamycin (GA), a heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)‐specific inhibitor, on the androgen response.Methods:  LNCaP cells were cultured with or without GA under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Cell viability was examined in response to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Luciferase reporter gene assay was used to measure androgen response element (ARE)‐ and hypoxia response element (HRE)‐mediated transcriptional activities. Western blot was used to analyze the protein levels of androgen receptor (AR), hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and Hsp90.Results:  The DHT‐dependent growth and ARE‐mediated transcriptional activities of LNCaP cells were depressed under hypoxic conditions. However, these effects were recovered after incubation with GA. In contrast, hypoxia‐induced HRE‐mediated transcriptional activity, which was dose‐dependently increased by DHT, was suppressed by GA. The expression of AR, HIF‐1α and Hsp90 proteins were decreased under hypoxic conditions by adding GA.Conclusions:  Geldanamycin increases the androgen response regardless of AR protein in hormone‐dependent prostate cancer cells under hypoxic conditions.
Laparoendoscopic single‐site urological surgery: Initial experience in Japan
Authors: Kawauchi Akihiro , Kamoi Kazumi , Soh Jintetsu , Naitoh Yasuyuki , Okihara Koji , Miki Tsuneharu 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to report our initial experience in laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery (LESS). One patient underwent LESS varicocelectomy and another patient underwent LESS pyeloplasty. The Triport was inserted into the abdomen through the umbilical incision. In the varicocelectomy, testicular vessels were coagulated by a vessel‐sealing system, and transected. In the pyeloplasty, a 2‐mm needlescopic port was added to facilitate the procedure, and a dismembered procedure was performed. Total operative duration was 60 min for the varicocelectomy and 240 min for the pyeloplasty. Blood loss was minimal and no perioperative complications occurred. At the 3‐month follow up, no postoperative complications were observed and there was no complaint of pain. LESS varicocelectomy and pyeloplasty were successfully performed with excellent cosmetic results and no complications.
Current status and future perspectives in laparoendoscopic single‐site and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic urological surgery
Authors: Autorino Riccardo , Stein Robert J , Lima Estevão , Damiano Rocco , Khanna Rakesh , Haber Georges‐Pascal , White Michael A , Kaouk Jihad H 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjective of this study is to provide an evidence‐based analysis of the current status and future perspectives of scarless urological surgery. A PubMed search has been performed for all relevant urological literature regarding natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery (LESS). In addition, experience with LESS and NOTES at our own institution has been considered. All clinical and investigative reports for LESS and NOTES procedures in the urological literature have been considered. A wide variety of clinical procedures in urology have been succesfully completed by using LESS techniques. Thus far, experience with NOTES has largely been investigational, although early clinical reports are emerging. Further development of instrumentation and platforms is necessary for both techniques to become more widely adopted throughout the urological community.