bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diffusion‐limited binding explains binary dose response for local arterial and tumour drug delivery
Authors: Tzafriri A. R. , Levin A. D. , Edelman E. R. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  Local drug delivery has transformed medicine, yet it remains unclear how drug efficacy depends on physicochemical properties and delivery kinetics. Most therapies seek to prolong release, yet recent studies demonstrate sustained clinical benefit following local bolus endovascular delivery.Objectives:  The purpose of the current study was to examine interplay between drug dose, diffusion and binding in determining tissue penetration and effect.Methods:  We introduce a quantitative framework that balances dose, saturable binding and diffusion, and measured the specific binding parameters of drugs to target tissues.Results:  Model reduction techniques augmented by numerical simulations revealed that impact of saturable binding on drug transport and retention is determined by the magnitude of a binding potential, Bp, ratio of binding capacity to product of equilibrium dissociation constant and accessible tissue volume fraction. At low Bp (< 1), drugs are predominantly free and transport scales linearly with concentration. At high Bp (> 40), drug transport exhibits threshold dependence on applied surface concentration.Conclusions:  In this paradigm, drugs and antibodies with large Bp penetrate faster and deeper into tissues when presented at high concentrations. Threshold dependence of tissue transport on applied surface concentration of paclitaxel and rapamycin may explain threshold dose dependence of in vivo biological efficacy of these drugs.
Wolbachia induces strong cytoplasmic incompatibility in the predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus
Authors: Machtelinckx T. , Van Leeuwen T. , Vanholme B. , Gehesquière B. , Dermauw W. , Vandekerkhove B. , Gheysen G. , De Clercq P. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract Macrolophus pygmaeus is a heteropteran predator that is widely used in European glasshouses for the biological control of whiteflies, aphids, thrips and spider mites. We have demonstrated that the insect is infected with the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis. Several gene fragments of the endosymbiont were sequenced and subsequently used for phylogenetic analysis, revealing that it belongs to the Wolbachia supergroup B. The endosymbiont was visualized within the ovarioles using immunolocalization. Tetracycline treatments were used to cure M. pygmaeus from its infection. Although a completely cured line could not be obtained by this approach, the application of a constant antibiotic pressure over 13 generations resulted in a line with a significantly reduced Wolbachia concentration. Crosses performed with this tetracycline‐treated line revealed that the endosymbiont causes severe cytoplasmic incompatibility. This is the first report of a reproductive effect induced by Wolbachia in an economically important heteropteran predator that may have vital implications for its commercial production and use in biological control.
Effects of temperature, ultraviolet radiation and pectin methyl esterase on aerobic methane release from plant material
Authors: Bruhn D. , Mikkelsen T. N. , Øbro J. , Willats W. G. T. , Ambus P. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis study examines the effects of different irradiance types on aerobic methane (CH4) efflux rates from terrestrial plant material. Furthermore, the role of the enzyme pectin methyl esterase (PME) on CH4 efflux potential was also examined. Different types of plant tissue and purified pectin were incubated in glass vials with different combinations of irradiation and/or temperature. Purified dry pectin was incubated in solution, and with or without PME. Before and after incubation, the concentration of CH4 was measured with a gas chromatograph. Rates of CH4 emission were found to depend exponentially on temperature and linearly on UV‐B irradiance. UV‐B had a greater stimulating effect than UV‐A, while visible light had no effect on emission rates. PME was found to substantially reduce the potential for aerobic CH4 emissions upon demethylation of pectin.
Review article: Drug‐induced anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis
Authors: GAO YING , ZHAO MING‐HUI 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYA recent development in the field of vasculitis is the increasing recognition that certain medications such as propylthiouracil can induce anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV). This review focuses on the data on causal drugs, possible pathogenesis, clinical description, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of patients with drug‐induced AAV. The pathogenesis of drug‐induced AAV might be multifactorial. The clinical manifestations are similar to those of primary AAV, but ANCA with multi‐antigenicity may help to differentiate it from primary AAV. The diagnosis of drug‐induced AAV is based on the temporal relationship between clinically evident vasculitis and administration of the offending drugs, and excluding medical conditions that mimic vasculitis and other definable types of vasculitis. After the diagnosis of drug‐induced AAV was made, the offending drugs should be withdrawn immediately, and appropriate immunosuppressive therapy should be administered only for patients with vital organ involvement. The duration of immunosuppressive therapy should be much shorter than that in primary AAV and long‐term maintenance therapy might not be necessary. The prognosis of patients with drug‐induced AAV is good as long as the offending drug is discontinued in time.
Quantitative detection of HCMV‐DNA in saliva from infants and breast milk on real‐time polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Murata Hiroaki , Nii Ritsue , Ito Masahiro , Ihara Toshiaki , Komada Yoshihiro 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  The role of breast milk in viral transmission has not been fully studied. To determine the effect of breast milk on the establishment of primary human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in term infants, HCMV‐DNA was measured in breast milk and infant saliva.Methods:  The study population consisted of 48 healthy term infants and their mothers. The copy number of HCMV‐DNA in the infants' saliva and mothers' milk was measured on quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results:  HCMV‐DNA was detected in both saliva and breast milk from 21 infant–mother pairs, in milk only from four pairs, in saliva only from 12 pairs, and in neither from 11 pairs. HCMV‐DNA was first detected in the saliva of 10 infants at age 4 months, seven infants at 7 months, 13 infants at 10 months, and three infants at 12 months. The viral loads peaked 4–10 months after birth, and thereafter decreased or became negative. The peak copy number and rate of HCMV‐DNA detection in saliva were significantly related to peak copy number and rate of detection in the corresponding breast milk.Conclusion:  Thus, HCMV passed through breast milk 1–7 months after delivery affects the persistence and level of HCMV‐DNA in infant saliva and is the most important route of primary infection.
Cardiac troponin T is not increased in patients with hypothyroidism
Authors: Ness‐Abramof R. , Nabriski D. A. , Shapiro M. S. , Tripto‐Shkolnik L. , Katz B. , Weiss E. , Shenkman L. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractPatients with hypothyroidism often have increased creatine kinase (CK) levels. It is possible that there is increased production of CK, but other mechanisms, such as an increased cell membrane permeability or decreased enzyme clearance were also proposed. Recently, troponins T and I have been extensively studied because of their cardiac specificity. Cardiac troponins are sensitive and specific markers of cardiac injury. The objective of the study was to measure cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels in patients with hypothyroidism. Twenty‐five patients with primary hypothyroidism were evaluated (thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) >30 mU/L and low FT4). In all patients thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), CK, CK‐MB and cTnT were measured.There were 3 men and 22 women with a mean age of 47.5 ± 12.4 years. TSH levels ranged from 31 to 75 mIU/L and mean FT4 levels were 4.5 ± 1.9 pmol/L. CK was normal in 11 patients and increased in 14. CK levels ranged between 86 and 1221 U/L (normal levels <170 in women, <195 in men) with a mean of 322 U/L ± 279. CK‐MB was increased in 4 patients (16%) and normal in 21. All 25 patients had normal cTnT levels, < 0.01 ng/mL (normal levels 0–0.1 μg/L). Increase in CK and its MB fraction are common in patients with hypothyroidism but cTnT levels are not, even in patients with increased CK‐MB. Therefore, cTnT is a reliable marker of cardiac injury even in the hypothyroid patient.
Urinary nerve growth factor level is correlated with the severity of neurological impairment in patients with cerebrovascular accident
Authors: Liu Hsin‐Tzu , Liu An‐Bang , Chancellor Michael B. , Kuo Hann‐Chorng 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo measure urinary nerve growth factor (uNGF, essential in nerve growth and regeneration) levels in patients with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), to determine whether uNGF could be a biomarker for predicting the neurological deficits in CVA, as the level of uNGF increases in patients with idiopathic detrusor overactivity (DO) and incontinence.PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODSuNGF levels were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in normal subjects and patients with CVA and different severities of neurological impairment. Total uNGF levels were normalized to the concentration of urinary creatinine (uNGF/Cr).RESULTSThe median (interquartile range) uNGF/Cr levels were significantly higher in patients, at 0.13 (0–1.04), than in normal subjects (undetectable). The uNGF/Cr levels correlated well with the severity of neurological impairment. Patients with none/minimal neurological impairment had no detectable uNGF/Cr level, like the controls. Patients with mild/moderate impairment had levels of 0.27 (0.09–0.8) and with severe impairment level of 1.53 (0.5–3.0) (both P < 0.001), significantly greater than that of none/minimal impairment or controls. However, uNGF/Cr levels were not correlated with age, location of CVA, multiplicity of CVA, duration of CVA, urodynamic findings or the presence of urge urinary incontinence.CONCLUSIONSThe uNGF level is correlated with the severity of neurological impairment in patients with CVA but not with urge symptoms or urodynamic findings, suggesting elevated uNGF might be a result of the neurological lesion rather than lower urinary tract dysfunction in CVA.
Neuropsychological profile of children with subcortical band heterotopia
Authors: SPENCER‐SMITH MEGAN , LEVENTER RICHARD , JACOBS RANI , LUCA CINZIA DE , ANDERSON VICKI 
Published: March 2009

Aim  Subcortical band heterotopia (SBH) or ‘double cortex’ is a malformation of cortical development resulting from impaired neuronal migration. So far, research has focused on the neurological, neuroimaging, and genetic correlates of SBH. More recently, clinical reports and small sample studies have documented neuropsychological dysfunction in patients with this malformation. This study aimed to characterize further the phenotype of patients with SBH by describing the neuropsychological profiles of children.Method  Seven children (six females) aged 4 to 15 years were assessed for cognitive functioning (intellectual ability, processing speed, attention, working memory) and academic achievement (reading, spelling, arithmetic). Parents completed questionnaires examining their child’s social skills and problem behaviours. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) conducted for routine clinical follow‐up were coded by a paediatric neurologist. Genetic and seizure history were obtained from medical records.Results  There was variation in the neurological, neuroimaging, and genetic presentation of children in the sample. Impairments were observed in all areas of neuropsychological functioning examined. Intellectual ability was generally within the ‘extremely low’ range (full‐scale IQ 44–74; performance IQ 45–72; verbal IQ 57–80). Generalized impairments in cognitive skills were typical, with severe impairments (scores greater than 2SD below the test mean) reported in processing speed, working memory, and arithmetic. Impairments in academic, social, and behavioural functioning were less generalized. No clear relationship between neuroimaging and neuropsychological impairments was found.Interpretation  Children with SBH demonstrate cognitive, academic, social, and behavioural problems, with the greatest difficulties in processing speed and complex cognitive skills.
Reorienting consumer education using social learning theory: sustainable development via authentic consumer pedagogy
Authors: McGregor Sue L.T. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe paper illustrates the growing interest in understanding consumer behaviour through a social learning theory (SLT) lens, and explains the recently launched United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Then, the discussion turns to an overview of a recently developed ESD/SLT integrated theoretical framework, which is then applied to consumer education via an authentic pedagogy. The paper highlights the rich potential of authentic intellectual work in the form of observational learning by augmenting ESD within authentic consumer education curricula.
To please or to neglect your partner? Attachment avoidance and relationship‐driven self‐improvement
Authors: MING HUI CHIN , HARRIS BOND MICHAEL 
Published: March 2009

AbstractSelf‐improvement is a potential resource in sustaining relationships. A series of 2 studies with Hong Kong Chinese college samples sought to examine whether attribute‐specific, reflected regard from the partner determines self‐improvement efforts on those attributes and whether attachment avoidance moderates the association. These studies measured self‐improvement effort by retrospective self‐report (Study 1) and evaluation of objects pertinent to attribute‐specific self‐improvement goals (i.e., related self‐help books; Study 2). In general, the results showed that individuals improved their personal qualities when they perceived these qualities as relatively less favorably regarded by their partner. Moreover, attachment avoidance weakened such an association. The role of attachment avoidance in relationship‐driven self‐improvement seems to reflect strategic preference rather than a downplaying of relationship importance.
Age‐ and gender‐specific distributions of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Japanese HBV‐positive blood donors
Authors: Yoshikawa Akira , Gotanda Yuko , Suzuki Yoshiharu , Tanaka Masako , Matsukura Harumichi , Shiraishi Toshio , Matsubayashi Keiji , Kon Emi , Suzuki Ko , Yugi Hisao ,   the Japanese Red Cross HBV Genotype Research Group
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: There are an increasing number of reports on the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype distribution in acute or chronic HBV‐infected patients in Japan; however, reports on the HBV genotype of blood donors are few. To compare the HBV genotypes of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive blood donors with infected patients, all the HBsAg‐positive donors' genotypes were determined.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data on Japanese blood donors from October 2006 to September 2007 were obtained from the Japanese Red Cross database. The number of available samples was 1979, and the HBV genotypes were determined in 1887 samples. The six major genotypes of HBV (A‐F) were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The presence of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody against the HBV core antigen was determined by enzyme immunoassay among all HBsAg‐positive donors.RESULTS: A significant difference in the HBV genotype distribution between donors and patients was in the C/B genotype ratio. The ratios were low in blood donors (2.0‐3.9) and high in patients (5.3‐18.2). The genotype B ratio increases from 13.8% in teenage donors to 42.4% in those in their 50s; however; the genotype C ratio decreases from 83.1% in teenage donors to 55.1% in those in their 50s. In both IgM antibody against hepatitis B core antigen and nucleic acid test–positive donors, genotypes A and B were restricted to male donors.CONCLUSIONS: The age‐specific distribution of HBV genotypes in Japanese blood donors was observed in the B/C genotype ratio. The gender‐specific distribution of HBV genotype A, which originated from the US or Western countries, was observed in male Japanese donors.
Psychosocial impact of periodontal disease and its treatment with 24‐h root surface debridement
Authors: Jowett Adrian K. , Orr Marian T. S. , Rawlinson Andrew , Robinson Peter G. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAim: To assess the impact of periodontal disease and treatment with 24‐h root surface debridement on the oral health‐related quality of life of patients (OHQoL).Methods: Two cohorts were recruited: 20 patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease and 16 dentally healthy patients. Patients with periodontal disease were treated with 24‐h root surface debridement. OHQoL was assessed, using Oral Health Impact Profile‐14, during the initial assessment and by a telephonic interview daily for 7 days for both groups. OHQoL was also assessed at review for the treated cohort. The number of impacts each patient experienced “occasionally” or more often was analysed by non‐parametric tests.Results: Patients with periodontal disease reported significantly more impacts on their quality of life than dentally healthy patients (p<0.05). After root surface debridement the impact was significantly reduced (p<0.05) and sustained at review (p<0.05); however, the impact on quality of life was still greater than that experienced by the dentally healthy cohort (p<0.05).Conclusions: Patients with periodontal disease have worse OHQoL than healthy patients, but this impact can be partly ameliorated by periodontal treatment. This implies that periodontal disease is not “silent” and that conventional non‐surgical treatment provided in a secondary referral centre can be effective from patients' perspectives.
Effect of reline material and denture base surface treatment on the impact strength of a denture base acrylic resin
Authors: Da Cruz Perez Luciano Elias , Machado Ana Lucia , Canevarolo Sebastião Vicente , Vergani Carlos Eduardo , Giampaolo Eunice Teresinha , Pavarina Ana Cláudia 
Published: March 2009

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00292.x

Effect of reline material and denture base surface treatment on the impact strength of a denture base acrylic resin Objective:  In this study, the effect of relining and surface treatment on the impact strength (IS) of a heat‐polymerising denture base acrylic resin (Lucitone 550‐L) was evaluated.Materials and methods:  Rectangular bars of L were made (60 × 6 × 2 mm) and relined (2 mm) with the relining resins Ufi Gel Hard (UH) and Tokuso Rebase Fast (TR). Specimens relined with L and intact L, TR and UH specimens were also made (60 × 6 × 4 mm), for comparison. Before relining, the L surface was left untreated or wetted with methyl methacrylate monomer and/or the bonding agents (BA) supplied by manufacturers of the reline resins. V‐notches were machined at the midpoint of the length of all specimens. The notches were made either across the width (Nw) or across the thickness of the specimens (Nth). The Charpy impact test was performed using a 0.5‐J pendulum, which had been specially designed and constructed. Data were analysed separately for each notch position using one‐way analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significant difference post‐hoc test (p = 0.05).Results:  The IS of L was similar to that of L/L. For the Nw notch, treating the denture base L with TR BA and relining with TR reline material produced the highest IS.Conclusion:  The IS of specimens made from heat polymerising acrylic resin Lucitone 550 was increased after relining using the hard chairside reline resin TR with its proprietary BA.
Translations of the Qur’?n into Western Languages
Authors: Elmarsafy Ziad 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis article traces the history of the translation of the Qur’?n into Western languages from the Middle Ages to the present day. The focus is primarily on translations into English and French. The author considers the problem of the translation of the Qur’?n in light of the development of Oriental studies in the West as well as the political frameworks that inform the processes of access to and interpretation of the text.
Scarring of gingiva and alveolar mucosa following apical surgery: visual assessment after one year
Authors: Von Arx T. , Salvi G.E. , Janner S. , Jensen S.S. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAim:  (1) To visually assess scarring of the gingiva and alveolar mucosa 1 year following apical surgery in the aesthetic zone; and (2) to evaluate whether scarring correlated with patient‐related or surgical parameters.Material and methods:  The material included 72 cases in the anterior maxilla. Three observers, who were blinded to the incision and flap design, independently assessed scar formation of the soft tissues. Each observer determined a pretreatment and a 1‐year follow‐up score of scarring, and mean changes were calculated.Results:  With regard to the gingiva, the type of incision had a significant (P = 0.0013) influence on scar formation; that is, submarginal incisions and papilla‐saving incisions produced more scarring than intrasulcular and papilla‐base incisions. Scarring of the alveolar mucosa was significantly (P = 0.0108) influenced by the type of surgery (first‐time vs. re‐surgery) and by gender (P = 0.0496); that is, less scar formation of the alveolar mucosa was observed in re‐surgery than in first‐time cases as well as in male compared with female patients.Conclusions:  Scar formation of the gingiva appeared to be influenced by the incision technique and use of antibiotics, whereas scar formation of the alveolar mucosa was correlated with gender and type of surgery. Possible scar formation should be discussed with the patient before surgery.
Relationship Between Periodontal Status and HbA1c in Nondiabetics
Authors: Hayashida Hideaki , Kawasaki Koji , Yoshimura Atsutoshi , Kitamura Masayasu , Furugen Reiko , Nakazato Mio , Takamura Noboru , Hara Yoshitaka , Maeda Takahiro , Saito Toshiyuki 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Objectives: Many studies have reported an association between diabetes and periodontitis. We analyzed the periodontal status and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level in nondiabetic subjects to investigate the relationship between periodontitis and glucose control in nondiabetics. Methods: Periodontal status, HbA1c, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, body mass index (BMI), and demographic variables were assessed in 141 Japanese adults. The difference in the HbA1c level was evaluated among subjects according to periodontal status. Results: After adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and smoking, alcohol, and exercise habits as covariates, the mean HbA1c was significantly elevated with periodontal deterioration (P = 0.023). Conclusions: There was a significant relationship between periodontal status and HbA1c levels in nondiabetics.