bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of restorations on pulpal blood flow in molars measured by laser Doppler flowmetry
Authors: Chandler N. P. , Pitt Ford T. R. , Monteith B. D. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  To: (i) compare laser Doppler pulpal blood flow (PBF) signals from restored and unrestored first molar teeth, (ii) investigate PBF in teeth with large and small restorations, and (iii) to relate PBF to pulp chamber dimensions on radiographs.Methodology  Bitewing radiographs of young adults with restored first molars were obtained and pulp chamber dimensions measured. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: group A with a restored tooth and an unrestored contralateral (43 subjects) and group B, those with a molar with a small (usually occlusal) restoration whilst the contralateral tooth had an extensive occlusal restoration (or restorations) or restored proximal surface(s) and/or cuspal overlay (31 subjects). The 148 teeth responded to electric pulp testing, and their PBF was recorded using a laser Doppler flowmeter. Data were analysed using Student’s t‐test.Results  In group A the PBF in the restored teeth was significantly lower than in unrestored contralaterals (P = 0.028) and the total pulp chamber area and that in the clinical crown were smaller (P = 0.039 and 0.021 respectively). The group B molars with large restorations had significantly lower PBF than contralaterals with small restorations (P = 0.001), and their total pulp chamber area and pulp chamber width at cervix were reduced significantly (P = 0.003 and 0.032 respectively).Conclusions  In molars the size of the pulp chamber was influenced by the presence of restorations and the PBF was reduced when restorations were present. Size and extent of restorations had a significant effect on PBF.
Impact of waist circumference versus adiponectin level on subclinical atherosclerosis
Authors: Holewijn S. , Den Heijer M. , Van Tits L. J. , Swinkels D. W. , Stalenhoef A. F. H. , De Graaf J. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract.  Holewijn S, den Heijer M, van Tits LJ, Swinkels DW, Stalenhoef AFH, de Graaf J (Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands). Impact of waist circumference versus adiponectin level on subclinical atherosclerosis. A cross‐sectional analysis in a sample from the general population. J Intern Med 2010; 267:588–598.Objective.  Waist circumference is a clinical marker of obesity and an established risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. Adiponectin, an adipocyte‐derived hormone and new biomarker of obesity, was recently proposed as the missing link between obesity and increased cardiovascular risk. We evaluated waist and adiponectin in a middle‐aged population‐based cohort to compare the impact of both obesity‐markers on subclinical atherosclerosis, in relation to other CV risk factors.Design, setting & subjects.  Seven noninvasive measurements of atherosclerosis (NIMA), as surrogate markers of (subclinical) atherosclerosis, were determined in 1517 participants of the Nijmegen Biomedical Study, aged 50–70 years, who were drawn from the Dutch community.Results.  Both men and women with a high waist (M >104 cm; F >95 cm) showed increased pulse wave velocity (PWV) (M: +9.4%; F: +8.3%) and thicker intima‐media thickness (IMT) (M: +7.3%; F: +4.3%) and women also showed increased plaque thickness (+16.6%). After adjustment for other CV risk factors both men and women showed increased IMT (M: +4.8%; F: +2.8%) and men also showed increased PWV (+9.6%). Both men and women with a low adiponectin level (M <2.2 mg L−1; F <3.5 mg L−1) showed a decreased ankle‐brachial index after exercise (M: −9.5%; F: −3.9%) and increased IMT (M: +3.7%; F: +3.6%) and women also showed increased PWV (+6.8%), but after adjustment for other CV risk factors low adiponectin level was no longer associated with deteriorated outcomes of NIMA.Conclusions.  Waist circumference showed independent associations with noninvasive measurements of subclinical atherosclerosis, whereas the association of adiponectin level with subclinical atherosclerosis was not independent of other CV risk factors. Prospective studies are needed to elucidate, if the atherogenic effect of a low adiponectin level is mediated by other CV risk factors and not by low adiponectin level intrinsically.
Delayed blood pressure recovery after head‐up tilting during sleep in preterm infants
Authors: WITCOMBE NICOLE B. , YIALLOUROU STEPHANIE R. , WALKER ADRIAN M. , HORNE ROSEMARY S. C. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryDramatic changes in cardiovascular control occur in sleep during infancy, when sleep time is at a lifetime maximum. In infants born preterm there are significant cardiovascular complications later in life, and also an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), possibly a result of inadequate compensation to a cardiorespiratory challenge in sleep. We aimed to examine the consequences of preterm birth on heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) responses to head‐up tilting (HUT) during sleep in infants. Preterm (n = 25) and term (n = 20) infants were studied using daytime polysomnography at 2–4 weeks’, 2–3 months’ and 5–6 months’ term‐corrected age (CA). BP was recorded using a photoplethysmographic cuff (Finometer™); 15° HUTs were performed during both quiet and active sleep. Preterm infants responded to HUT with increased HR and BP, followed by a bradycardia and a subsequent return of HR and BP to baseline. Overall, HUT responses were similar between term and preterm infants at matched ages. Notably, however, return of BP to baseline was considerably delayed in preterm infants (∼37 beats post‐tilt) compared with term infants (∼23 beats post‐tilt) at both 2–4 weeks’ and 2–3 months’ CA (P < 0.05). Our study has demonstrated that preterm infants respond to a BP perturbation with changes in HR that match those of term infants. However, delayed recovery of BP during sleep in the preterm infant may be indicative of underlying deficits or immaturity in vascular function or control, which may contribute to their vulnerability to SIDS and cardiovascular complications later in life.
Colony kin structure and host‐parasite relatedness in the barnacle goose
Authors: ANDERHOLM SOFIA , WALDECK PETER , VAN DER JEUGD HENK P. , MARSHALL RUPERT C. , LARSSON KJELL , ANDERSSON MALTE 
Published: November 2009

AbstractConspecific brood parasitism (CBP), females laying eggs in the nest of other ‘host’ females of the same species, is a common alternative reproductive tactic among birds. For hosts there are likely costs of incubating and rearing foreign offspring, but costs may be low in species with precocial chicks such as waterfowl, among which CBP is common. Waterfowl show strong female natal philopatry, and spatial relatedness among females may influence the evolution of CBP. Here we investigate fine‐scale kin structure in a Baltic colony of barnacle geese, Branta leucopsis, estimating female spatial relatedness using protein fingerprints of egg albumen, and testing the performance of this estimator in known mother‐daughter pairs. Relatedness was significantly higher between neighbour females (nesting ≤ 40 metres from each other) than between females nesting farther apart, but there was no further distance trend in relatedness. This pattern may be explained by earlier observations of females nesting close to their mother or brood sisters, even when far from the birth nest. Hosts and parasites were on average not more closely related than neighbour females. In 25 of 35 sampled parasitized nests, parasitic eggs were laid after the host female finished laying, too late to develop and hatch. Timely parasites, laying eggs in the host’s laying sequence, had similar relatedness to hosts as that between neighbours. Females laying late parasitic eggs tended to be less related to the host, but not significantly so. Our results suggest that CBP in barnacle geese might represent different tactical life‐history responses.
Recombination and lineage‐specific gene loss in the aflatoxin gene cluster of Aspergillus flavus
Authors: MOORE GEROMY G. , SINGH RAKHI , HORN BRUCE W. , CARBONE IGNAZIO 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAflatoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus are potent carcinogens that contaminate agricultural crops. Recent efforts to reduce aflatoxin concentrations in crops have focused on biological control using nonaflatoxigenic A. flavus strains AF36 (=NRRL 18543) and NRRL 21882 (the active component of afla‐guard®). However, the evolutionary potential of these strains to remain nonaflatoxigenic in nature is unknown. To elucidate the underlying population processes that influence aflatoxigenicity, we examined patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) spanning 21 regions in the aflatoxin gene cluster of A. flavus. We show that recombination events are unevenly distributed across the cluster in A. flavus. Six distinct LD blocks separate late pathway genes aflE, aflM, aflN, aflG, aflL, aflI and aflO, and there is no discernable evidence of recombination among early pathway genes aflA, aflB, aflC, aflD, aflR and aflS. The discordance in phylogenies inferred for the aflW/aflX intergenic region and two noncluster regions, tryptophan synthase and acetamidase, is indicative of trans‐species evolution in the cluster. Additionally, polymorphisms in aflW/aflX divide A. flavus strains into two distinct clades, each harbouring only one of the two approved biocontrol strains. The clade with AF36 includes both aflatoxigenic and nonaflatoxigenic strains, whereas the clade with NRRL 21882 comprises only nonaflatoxigenic strains and includes all strains of A. flavus missing the entire gene cluster or with partial gene clusters. Our detection of LD blocks in partial clusters indicates that recombination may have played an important role in cluster disassembly, and multilocus coalescent analyses of cluster and noncluster regions indicate lineage‐specific gene loss in A. flavus. These results have important implications in assessing the stability of biocontrol strains in nature.
The distribution and abundance of wheat roots in a dense, structured subsoil – implications for water uptake
Authors: WHITE ROSEMARY G. , KIRKEGAARD JOHN A. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTWe analysed the abundance, spatial distribution and soil contact of wheat roots in dense, structured subsoil to determine whether incomplete extraction of subsoil water was due to root system limitations. Intact soil cores were collected to 1.6 m below wheat crops at maturity on a red Kandosol in southern Australia. Wheat roots, remnant roots, soil pores and root–soil contact were quantified at fresh breaks in the soil cores. In surface soil layers (<0.6 m) 30–40% of roots were clumped within pores and cracks in the soil, increasing to 85–100% in the subsoil (>0.6 m), where 44% of roots were in pores with at least three other roots. Most pores contained no roots, with occupancy declining from 20% in surface layers to 5% in subsoil. Wheat roots clumped into pores contacted the surrounding soil via numerous root hairs, whereas roots in cracks were appressed to the soil surface and had very few root hairs. Calculations assuming good root–soil contact indicated that root density was sufficient to extract available subsoil water, suggesting that uptake is constrained at the root–soil interface. To increase extraction of subsoil water, genetic targets could include increasing root–soil contact with denser root hairs, and increasing root proliferation to utilize existing soil pores.
Opposites attract: MHC‐associated mate choice in a polygynous primate
Authors: SETCHELL J. M. , CHARPENTIER M. J. E. , ABBOTT K. M. , WICKINGS E. J. , KNAPP L. A. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWe investigated reproduction in a semi‐free‐ranging population of a polygynous primate, the mandrill, in relation to genetic relatedness and male genetic characteristics, using neutral microsatellite and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotyping. We compared genetic dissimilarity to the mother and genetic characteristics of the sire with all other potential sires present at the conception of each offspring (193 offspring for microsatellite genetics, 180 for MHC). The probability that a given male sired increased as pedigree relatedness with the mother decreased, and overall genetic dissimilarity and MHC dissimilarity with the mother increased. Reproductive success also increased with male microsatellite heterozygosity and MHC diversity. These effects were apparent despite the strong influence of dominance rank on male reproductive success. The closed nature of our study population is comparable to human populations for which MHC‐associated mate choice has been reported, suggesting that such mate choice may be especially important in relatively isolated populations with little migration to introduce genetic variation.
Age Affects Over‐Marking of Opposite‐Sex Scent Marks in Meadow Voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus
Authors: Ferkin Michael H. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractModels of age‐related effects on behavior predict that among short‐lived species younger adults are more attractive and attracted to opposite‐sex conspecifics than are older adults, whereas the converse is predicted for long‐lived species. Although most studies of age‐related effects on behavior support these predictions, they are not supported by many studies of scent marking, a behavior used in mate attraction. Over‐marking, a form of scent marking, is a tactic used by many terrestrial mammals to convey information about themselves to opposite‐sex conspecifics. The present study tested the hypothesis that the age of meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus; a microtine rodent, affects their over‐ and scent‐marking behaviors when they encounter the marks of opposite‐sex conspecifics. Sex differences existed in the over‐marking behavior of adult voles among the three different age groups that were tested. Male voles that were 5–7 and 10–12 mo olds over‐marked a higher proportion of the marks of females than did 2–3 mo old male voles. Female voles that were 2–3, 5–7, and 10–12 mo old over‐marked a similar number of marks deposited by male voles. Overall, the data were not consistent with models predicting the behavior of short‐lived animals such as rodents when they encounter the opposite sex. The differences in over‐marking displayed by older and younger adult male voles may be associated with life history tradeoffs, the likelihood that they will encounter sexually receptive females, and being selected as mates.
Paediatric vulval lichen sclerosus
Authors: Smith Saxon D , Fischer Gayle 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTLichen sclerosus (LS) in children is uncommon; however, it is an important differential diagnosis in any pre‐pubertal child presenting with chronic vulval symptoms. The long‐term prognosis is unknown; however, recent data suggests that the assumption that the condition will resolve at puberty may be incorrect. Children with LS require long‐term management with topical corticosteroids, which remains the treatment of choice, as well as long‐term follow up. We review the current literature on paediatric vulval LS.
Melanoma in private practice: Do dermatologists make a difference?
Authors: Cherian Paul , Tait Clare P 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTMalignant melanoma is a major contributor to Australian morbidity and mortality. In this era of resource rationalisation, we seek to address the issue of whether routine full‐skin examination by a dermatologist, rather than focussed examination of flagged lesions, will increase melanoma diagnosis. A retrospective chart review was undertaken between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008 in a private dermatology group practice in order to ascertain the number and characteristics of incidentally detected melanomas on routine skin examination. A total of 94 melanomas were detected during this 12‐month period. Of these, 57 (60.6%) were incidentally detected by the dermatologist, 41 (71.9%) were in situ melanomas and 16 (28.1%) were invasive melanoma. Of the invasive lesions, 15 (94%) were ‘thin’ (less than 1.0 mm Breslow thickness). The majority of melanomas were found in men, and were distributed in areas of high cumulative sun exposure. Nine (9.6%) lesions were clinically misdiagnosed by the dermatologists and picked up on histopathology. This audit reaffirms the usefulness of routine full‐skin examination by dermatologists in detecting de novo melanoma as part of the global strategy in reducing the burden of melanoma in Australia.
Sézary syndrome presenting with ‘leonine facies’
Authors: Nassem Shano , Kashyap Rajesh , Awasthi Namrata P , Krishnani Narendra , Kumari Neeraj 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTA 71‐year‐old man presented with erythroderma and multiple nodular skin lesions over the face, scalp, upper limbs and trunk. The facial skin was thickened, producing the rare ‘leonine facies’ appearance. Investigations revealed the presence of atypical lymphoid cells in the peripheral blood, bone marrow and skin. The atypical lymphoid cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow were positive for helper T‐cell antigens (CD4, CD2, CD5 and CD7) on immunophenotyping by flow cytometry. The histopathology of skin showed dermal infiltration by atypical small lymphocytes with epidermotropism. These cells were positive for helper T‐lymphocyte antigens on immunohistochemistry. A diagnosis of Sézary syndrome was made based on clinical, peripheral blood and immunophenotypical findings.
Cutaneous malignant melanoma arising in an acquired naevus of Ota
Authors: Patterson Clare RS , Acland Katharine , Khooshabeh Ramona 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTNaevus of Ota is a dermal melanocytosis most commonly found in black or Asian skin and is usually a benign malformation, but with a low risk of melanoma. We describe a 32‐year‐old Caucasian man with an acquired naevus of Ota with subtle pigmentation, in which a melanocytic papule developed. The lesion, deceptively, had no clinically suspicious features, but investigation revealed an aggressive cutaneous malignant melanoma, extensive orbital ring melanocytosis and metastatic brain and subsequent liver disease.
Utility of regular medical examinations of occupational divers
Authors: Sames C. , Gorman D. , Mitchell S. J. , Gamble G. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe utility of regular medical fitness‐for‐diving examinations of occupational divers is unknown. The aim of this audit was to investigate the impact on the employment of occupational divers of a 5‐yearly medical examination and an annual health surveillance questionnaire administered in intervening years. The medical records of all New Zealand occupational divers registered with the Department of Labour for at least 5 years were audited (n= 336). Each record included at least two full medical examinations (mean spacing of 5.6 years). An impact on career was defined as the diver being issued with either a conditional certificate of fitness or being graded as temporarily or permanently unfit for diving. The means by which the relevant medical issue was identified was recorded. Ten (3%) of 336 divers had an assessment outcome, which had a career impact. One was considered permanently unfit, four were temporarily unfit, and five were issued with conditional certification. Two were identified by respiratory function testing and eight by way of their responses to the questionnaire; none was found by the medical interview and examination process. The questionnaire system did not ‘miss’ any divers who developed a critically important health problem, and detected most of those with less important problems. Five yearly medical examinations have a low detection rate for important health problems, but remain useful for discussion of risk understanding, acceptance and mitigation.
Rat allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells did not prolong the survival of corneal xenograft in a pig‐to‐rat model
Authors: Oh Joo Youn , Kim Mee Kum , Ko Jung Hwa , Lee Hyun Ju , Lee Jin Hak , Wee Won Ryang 
Published: November 2009

AbstractObjective  Recent reports have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can modulate/suppress immunologic responses through interactions with different immune cells. We performed this study in order to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of MSCs in corneal xenotransplantation.Animals studied  Pig and rat.Procedures  We orthotopically transplanted pig corneas into rats and topically applied allogeneic rat MSCs to the corneas for 2 h immediately after transplantation. Graft survival was clinically assessed using slit‐lamp biomicroscopy and the median survival time (MST) was calculated. The rejected grafts were histologically examined using antibodies against CD4, CD8, CD161, and CD68. The expression of IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐10, and IFN‐γ was also evaluated in the rejected grafts using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results  The survival of corneal xenografts was not significantly prolonged by MSC application (MST 10.5 days) compared with the controls (MST 9.67 days) (P = 0.4189). Histologically, the rejected grafts in both groups were massively infiltrated with neutrophils and macrophages. Some CD8+ T cells and rare NK cells were found in the rejected grafts. The levels of IL‐6 and IL‐10 were significantly increased in the rejected grafts from MSC‐treated rats compared with the grafts from MSC‐untreated rats. However, the levels of IL‐2 and IFN‐γ were not different between the two groups.Conclusions  Topical application of allogeneic rat MSCs was ineffective in prolonging corneal xenograft survival in a pig‐to‐rat model.
α‐Blockers to assist stone clearance after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhu Yefang , Duijvesz Diederick , Rovers Maroeska M. , Lock Tycho M. 
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Therapy (meta‐analysis) Level of Evidence 1aOBJECTIVETo review the evidence for the use of α‐blockers after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in enhancing the effectiveness of renal and ureteric stone clearance.METHODSWe searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library up to January 2009. All randomized controlled trials in which α‐blockers were evaluated after ESWL were eligible for the analysis. Outcome measures assessed were clearance rate (primary) and expulsion time (secondary). Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. All data were analysed using RevMan 5.RESULTSOf the 29 identified papers, seven trials with a total of 484 patients met the predefined criteria. These studies evaluated the effectiveness of the α‐blocker tamsulosin, and studied clearance rate as the primary outcome. There was large heterogeneity between trials, but their methodological quality was adequate. The pooled absolute risk difference of clearance rate was 16% (95% confidence interval 5–27%) in favour of the tamsulosin group, i.e. an average of six patients have to be treated with tamsulosin after ESWL to achieve clearance in one. Subgroup analysis for the six studies that used a dose of 0.4 mg tamsulosin showed a pooled risk difference of 19 (10–29)%. The expulsion time was analysed in three studies and the pooled mean difference was 8  (−3–20) days in favour of the tamsulosin group. Pain and analgesic usage was reported to be lower with tamsulosin. Adverse effects of tamsulosin, mainly dizziness, were reported in eight patients (3%).CONCLUSIONSTreatment with tamsulosin after ESWL appears to be effective in assisting stone clearance in patients with renal and ureteric calculi. To make a definite clinical recommendation to use tamsulosin after ESWL for renal and ureteric calculi, a high quality confirmatory trial is warranted.