bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
WNT‐5A, but not matrix metalloproteinase 3 or β‐catenin protein, expression is related to early stages of lip carcinogenesis
Authors: Xavier Flávia Caló Aquino , Rodini Camila Oliveira , Ramalho Luciana Maria Pedreira , Mantesso Andrea , Nunes Fabio Daumas 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Oncogenic Wnt/β‐catenin signaling occurs in numerous types of cancers, but little is known about the role of the Wnt protein family member, WNT‐5A, in lip carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate WNT‐5A, β‐catenin, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐3 protein expression in actinic cheilitis (AC), and lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).Methods:  Twenty‐one cases of AC, and fifty‐one cases of LSCC were analyzed, with normal lip mucosa used as a control. Qualitative and semi‐quantitative analyses of WNT‐5A, β‐catenin, and MMP‐3 immunostaining pattern and cellular distribution were performed.Results:  WNT‐5A was observed in more than 50% of the cells, scattered in all layers of AC, in contrast to the absence of immunostaining in normal lip mucosa. AC presented a higher level of WNT‐5A expression than LSCC (P = 0.0289, Fisher test), while MMP‐3 immunoexpression was statistically more significant in LSCC than in AC (P = 0.0285, Fisher test). Immunolabeling of β‐catenin protein was differentially distributed between samples; the majority of AC cases (61.90%) demonstrated a membranous‐cytoplasmic pattern, while a considerable number of LSCC cases (29.41%) revealed a cytoplasmic pattern, instead of the usual membranous pattern.Conclusions:  The present results suggest that WNT‐5A may be an important marker during initial events of AC malignant transformation, in which non‐canonical and canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathways could be involved. Additionally, WNT‐5A might recruit other events in LSCC, such as MMP‐3 protein synthesis, as its presence is increased in established malignant processes without β‐catenin dependency.
Oral distribution of Candida species and presence of oral lesions in Brazilian leprosy patients under multidrug therapy
Authors: De Araújo Navas Edna Aparecida Ferraz , Inocêncio Aline Cássia , Almeida Janete Dias , Back‐Brito Graziella Nuernberg , Mota Adolfo José , Jorge Antonio Olavo Cardoso , Querido Silvia Maria Rodrigues , Balducci Ivan , Koga‐Ito Cristiane Yumi 
Published: July 2009

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Candida spp. and presence of oral lesions in Brazilian leprosy patients under multidrug therapy (MDT).Methods:  Thirty‐eight individuals (18 males and 20 females, median age 53 years) clinically and microbiologically diagnosed as leprosy (lepromatous variant), and under MDT for at least 45 days were studied. The control group constituted by 38 healthy individuals (median age 53.5), matched to the test group in relation to age, gender and oral conditions. Oral rinses were collected and the Candida identification was performed by phenotypic tests. The existence of Candida dubliniensis among the isolates was analyzed using a validated multiplex PCR assay. Twenty‐nine leprosy patients were examined intra‐orally for the presence of lesions. Data were analyzed by z‐ and Mann–Whitney tests (α = 5%).Results:  Yeast carriage rate between leprosy patients (65.8%) and controls (47.4%) was similar (P = 0.099), and no significant difference between yeast counts was observed (P = 0.1004). Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species in both groups. In the leprosy group, Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis were also identified. In the control group, we additionally identified Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata and Candida kefyr. Candida dubliniensis was not detected. No leprosy‐related oral lesion was registered.Conclusion:  Within the limits of the study, we concluded that Brazilian leprosy patients under MDT showed similar levels of carriage and Candida species distribution in relation to the controls.
Metallothionein and p‐Akt proteins in oral dysplasia and in oral squamous cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Pontes H. A. R. , De Aquino Xavier F. C. , Da Silva T. S. P. , Fonseca F. P. , Paiva H. B. , Pontes F. S. C. , Dos Santos Pinto Jr D. 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the main potentially malignant lesion of the oral cavity, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for more than 95% of all malignant neoplasms in the oral cavity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the immunoexpression of p‐Akt and Metallothionein (MT) proteins in dysplasic and neoplasic oral lesions.Methods:  Immunohistochemical studies were carried out on 10 normal epithelium, 30 OL and 15 OSCC paraffin‐embedded samples. Immunoperoxidase reaction for p‐Akt and MT proteins was applied on the specimens, and the positivity of the reactions was calculated for 1000 epithelial cells.Results:  Using the ANOVA and the Tukey’s post hoc statistical analyses, it was observed a significant difference in the immunoexpression for p‐Akt and MT when the OSCC samples were compared with normal and dysplasic epithelial groups. In addition, the Pearson’s correlation test showed a significant correlation between the proteins’ expression.Conclusion:  Based on the data obtained, p‐Akt and MT activation may play an important role in the conversion of a potentially malignant oral lesion to a malignant carcinoma since its earlier stages.
Use of quantum dots to detect human papillomavirus in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xue J. , Chen H. , Fan M. , Zhu F. , Diao L. , Chen X. , Fan L. , Li P. , Xia D. 
Published: July 2009

Objective:  To examine the association of oral squamous cell carcinoma with human papillomavirus (HPV) using quantum dots (QD) in situ hybridization (ISH).Methods:  Expression of HPV16/18 was analyzed in a representative collection of 21 oral squamous cell carcinomas by tissue microarrays. The presence of HPV16/18 high risk was detected by applying QDISH which is compared with conventional ISH.Results:  Seven cases out of 21 (33.3%) were positive for QDISH while 1 out of 21 (4.8%) was positive for ISH, although all of HPV DNA were localized in the nuclei in the spinous and basal cell layer of the epithelium. The difference between these two methods was significant (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  These results demonstrate that the QD might be an efficient method for determination of HPV infection and HPV‐associated oral squamous cell carcinoma.
The antibacterial effect of photodynamic therapy in dental plaque‐derived biofilms
Authors: Fontana C. R. , Abernethy A. D. , Som S. , Ruggiero K. , Doucette S. , Marcantonio R. C. , Boussios C. I. , Kent R. , Goodson J. M. , Tanner A. C. R. , Soukos N. S. 
Published: July 2009

Background and Objective:  Photodynamic therapy has been advocated as an alternative to antimicrobial agents to suppress subgingival species and to treat periodontitis. Bacteria located within dense biofilms, such as those encountered in dental plaque, have been found to be relatively resistant to antimicrobial therapy. In the present study, we investigated the ability of photodynamic therapy to reduce the number of bacteria in biofilms by comparing the photodynamic effects of methylene blue on human dental plaque microorganisms in the planktonic phase and in biofilms.Material and Methods:  Dental plaque samples were obtained from 10 subjects with chronic periodontitis. Suspensions of plaque microorganisms from five subjects were sensitized with methylene blue (25 μg/mL) for 5 min then exposed to red light. Multispecies microbial biofilms developed from the same plaque samples were also exposed to methylene blue (25 μg/mL) and the same light conditions as their planktonic counterparts. In a second set of experiments, biofilms were developed with plaque bacteria from five subjects, sensitized with 25 or 50 μg/mL of methylene blue and then exposed to red light. After photodynamic therapy, survival fractions were calculated by counting the number of colony‐forming units.Results:  Photodynamic therapy killed approximately 63% of bacteria present in suspension. By contrast, in biofilms, photodynamic therapy had much less of an effect on the viability of bacteria (32% maximal killing).Conclusion:  Oral bacteria in biofilms are affected less by photodynamic therapy than bacteria in the planktonic phase. The antibacterial effect of photodynamic therapy is reduced in biofilm bacteria but not to the same degree as has been reported for treatment with antibiotics under similar conditions.
Osteoprotegerin induces osteopontin via syndecan‐1 and phosphoinositol 3‐kinase/Akt in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Yongchaitrakul T. , Manokawinchoke J. , Pavasant P. 
Published: July 2009

Background and Objective:  Our previous study found that thrombin induced osteoprotegerin synthesis in human periodontal ligament cells. As elevated levels of osteoprotegerin can exert biological effects on various cell types, in the present study we investigated the effect of osteoprotegerin on the expression of osteopontin in human periodontal ligament cells.Material and Methods:  Cultured human periodontal ligament cells were treated with recombinant human osteoprotegerin (0–100 ng/mL) for 24–48 h. The expression of osteopontin mRNA and protein was analyzed using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses, respectively. Phosphoinositol 3‐kinase inhibitor, Akt inhibitor, heparinase, neutralizing antibody against receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) and syndecan‐1, and small interfering RNA against syndecan‐1, were used to determine the mechanism involved.Results:  Osteoprotegerin up‐regulated the mRNA and protein expression of osteopontin in human periodontal ligament cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Addition of neutralizing antibody against RANKL attenuated the inductive effect of osteoprotegerin on osteopontin expression. In addition, the inductive effect of osteoprotegerin was abolished by phosphoinositol 3‐kinase and Akt inhibitors, as well as by syndecan‐1 antibody or syndecan‐1 small interfering RNA. None of the inhibitors had any effect on the background level of osteopontin expression.Conclusion:  An increased level of osteoprotegerin can generate signals via a RANKL/syndecan‐1/phosphoinositol 3‐kinase/Akt pathway. The results also suggest that osteopontin is one of the downstream targets of the pathway mediated by osteoprotegerin in human periodontal ligament cells. Thus, in addition to counteracting RANKL in the RANKL–osteoprotegerin system, osteoprotegerin may play a role in periodontal tissue remodeling through modulation of the extracellular matrix.
The influence of the amount of sunscreen applied and its sun protection factor (SPF): evaluation of two sunscreens including the same ingredients at different concentrations
Authors: Schalka Sergio , Dos Reis Vitor Manoel Silva , Cucé Luis Carlos 
Published: July 2009

Background: To estimate labeled sun protection factor (SPF) for sunscreen, the amount of product applied on volunteers, according to food and drug administration (FDA) and International protocols, is 2 mg/cm2. However, different studies have shown that consumers actually apply much less product when exposed to the sun. Previous studies have reported contradictory findings in an attempt to correlate the amount applied in relation to SPF. The objective of the present study was to estimate the influence of the quantity of sunscreen applied in the determination of SPF, according to the FDA methodology.Subjects and methods: Forty volunteers were included in two groups (SPF 15 and 30). The selected sunscreen was then applied in four different quantities (2, 1.5, 1.0 and 0.5 mg/cm2). All areas were irradiated with a solar simulator. After 24 h, the minimal erythemal dose (MED) and SPF were determined.Results: In both groups, we observed that the SPF decreased when the amount of sunscreen applied was decreased. The differences between the 2 mg/cm2 area and the others were significant in both groups (P<0.001). The correlation between specified SPF and applied amount grew exponentially.Conclusion: The protection provided by sunscreen is related to the amount of product applied. It is essential to educate consumers to apply larger amounts of sunscreen for adequate photoprotection.
The role of glass as a barrier against the transmission of ultraviolet radiation: an experimental study
Authors: Duarte Ida , Rotter Anita , Malvestiti Andrey , Silva Mariana 
Published: July 2009

Background/Purpose: Excessive exposure of the skin to sunlight may cause many symptoms and skin cancer. The aim was to measure the transmission of ultraviolet (UV) A and UVB radiation through glasses of different types, according to the distance from the light source.Methods: The baseline radiation from UVA and UVB sources was measured at different distances from the photometers. Next, the radiation from the same sources was measured at the same distances, but transmitted by different types of glass. The baseline values were compared with the results after protection using glass.Results: Laminated glass totally blocked UVA radiation, while smooth ordinary glass transmitted the highest dose (74.3%). Greater thicknesses of glass implied less radiation transmitted, but without a significant difference. Green glass totally blocked UVA radiation, while blue glass transmitted the highest dose of radiation (56.8%). The presence of a sunlight control film totally blocked UVA radiation. All glasses totally blocked UVB radiation.Conclusion: The main characteristics of glass that make it a photoprotective agent are its type (especially laminated glass) and color (especially green), which give rise to good performance by this material as a barrier against the transmission of radiation.
A time course investigation of the fluorescence induced by topical application of 5‐aminolevulinic acid and methyl aminolevulinate on normal human skin
Authors: Lesar Andrea , Ferguson James , Moseley Harry 
Published: July 2009

Background: Treatment of non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) with topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment of choice for many clinicians. The two most commonly used PDT photosensitizer precursors are 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and methyl aminolevulinate (MAL). Current PDT treatment regimes advise longer (4–6 h) application times for ALA and shorter times (3 h) for MAL.Aims: To establish the time course characteristics of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence following the application of ALA and MAL in normal skin.Methods: A total of 17 healthy volunteers were recruited, and both ALA and MAL were applied to the inner forearm for varying times (1–6 h). PpIX fluorescence was detected using a non‐invasive spectroscopy system.Results and conclusion: PpIX fluorescence (following the application of either ALA or MAL) is dependent on duration of application. Following the application of ALA for 1–3 h peak fluorescence was noted at 7 h. Longer duration times (4–6 h) resulted in sustained fluorescence, which peaked at 24 h. MAL‐induced fluorescence peaked at 7 h and was significantly decreased by 24 h for all application times. ALA induced fluorescence was shown to be significantly greater than MAL. The findings from this study have shown that potentially it would be more beneficial to apply ALA for shorter periods of time and MAL for longer than current practice.
Dilaceration among Nigerians: prevalence, distribution, and its relationship with trauma
Authors: Udoye Christopher I. , Jafarzadeh Hamid 
Published: July 2009

Abstract –  Dilaceration is the result of a developmental anomaly in which an abrupt change in the axial inclination between crown and root is observed. Its prevalence in various races is different and its association with history of trauma is controversial. This study assessed the prevalence and distribution of dilacerated teeth among Nigerians and also investigated whether there was a relation between a history of trauma and teeth that had dilaceration. A total of 465 records of adult attendees (involving 706 teeth and 256 films) were retrospectively studied. Dilacerated teeth were scored using Hamasha et al.’s criteria. Dilaceration occurred more often in the maxilla, posterior teeth and in women, though no association between a history of trauma and occurrence of dilaceration was found. Prevalence of dilaceration in the population and in all teeth was 4.5% and 2.97%, respectively. Dentists should pay detailed attention to baseline radiographs, especially in maxilla and posterior teeth.
Reversibility of acute intermediate phase bilirubin encephalopathy
Authors: Hansen Thor Willy Ruud , Nietsch Lutz , Norman Elisabeth , Bjerre Jesper Vandborg , Hascoet Jean‐Michel , Mreihil Khalaf , Ebbesen Finn 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAim:  To show the potential for reversing acute intermediate to advanced phase bilirubin encephalopathy.Methods:  Case studies.Results:  Six extremely jaundiced infants had symptoms of intermediate to advanced phase acute bilirubin encephalopathy. The infants were treated aggressively. Two patients had brain magnetic resonance imaging showing increased signals in the globus pallidus. On follow‐up, all infants are neurologically normal.Conclusions:  Intermediate‐to‐advanced stage acute bilirubin encephalopathy may occasionally be reversible. These cases provide a strong argument in favour of rapid and aggressive intervention in infants presenting with extreme jaundice and neurological symptoms.
Community‐level consequences of species interactions in an annual plant community
Authors: Rajaniemi Tara K. , Turkington Roy , Goldberg Deborah 
Published: July 2009

AbstractQuestion: How does the intensity of species interactions affect species and functional group composition of an annual plant community?Location: Sede Boqer, Negev Desert, Israel.Methods: The potential for competitive interactions in two annual plant communities (desert and coastal) from semi‐stabilized sand dunes was manipulated by varying seed bank density and therefore the number of potentially interacting individuals. Communities were exposed to three different irrigation regimes, mimicking precipitation at the desert site, the coastal site, and an intermediate precipitation level. Plots were maintained for 3 years, and percentage cover of each species in the plots was recorded at the end of each growing season. We used redundancy analysis to test for effects of initial density, irrigation, and year on the species and functional group composition of the communities.Results: Initial density had significant effects on species composition, and these effects remained significant over 3 years, even as total community percentage cover became more similar among treatments over time. Density effects did not depend on resource availability (irrigation level). Functional group identity or individual plant size did not predict which species would be good competitors, and a species' competitive ability did not predict its abundance in the field.Conclusions: Species interactions strongly affect community composition, and those effects carry over into subsequent years such that competition does not lead to convergence in community structure over time. However, the particular changes in composition observed were not predictable by some of the traits that have been found important in individual‐level experiments. We speculate that the outcome of competition in diverse communities will depend on multiple traits, in contrast to the outcome of individual‐level pairwise experiments. We also speculate that the shift in composition with density could mean that local variation in density may contribute to maintenance of diversity in this system.
The Humour of Children: Performance, Gender, and the Early Modern Children's Companies
Authors: Munro Lucy 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis article focuses on the professional and semi‐professional children's companies of early modern England. I first provide a brief overview of the children's companies, suggesting that criticism needs to provide fuller accounts of both early sixteenth‐century and mid‐seventeenth‐century experiments with children's performance. In the second section, I explore recent criticism of the children's companies and children's performance. In doing so, I suggest that one advantage of recent criticism has been its movement away from the traditional characterisation of adults’ and children's drama as ‘rival traditions’. Although there is a tradition of children's performance, it is not a monolithic, singular entity: children's performance could take on different meanings and associations at different times, and the composition and character of the children's companies was also unstable. Recent gender‐orientated criticism also suggests ways in which the juvenile performers in children's companies can be considered separately from the boy actresses of the adult companies. Finally, the article provides re‐readings of some children's company plays in relation to issues such as performance and gender, paying particular attention to the important but often‐overlooked question of age.
Prevention of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders in Youth: The Institute of Medicine Report and Implications for Nursing
Authors: Evans Mary E. 
Published: July 2009

TOPIC:  Preventing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders among Young People: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report and Implications for Nursing.PURPOSE:  The purpose of this manuscript is to review the recently released IOM report on preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders among young people and to identify some implications of this report for nursing.SOURCES:  The primary source of this information is the recently released IOM report.CONCLUSIONS:  Mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders are common among young people, and a growing research base supports preventive interventions. Nurses can play an important role in supporting the implementation and evaluation of these interventions in a variety of practice and community settings.
Improving Recruitment and Retention Rates in Preventive Longitudinal Research with Adolescent Mothers
Authors: Seed Mary , Juarez Magdalena , Alnatour Ranya 
Published: July 2009

PROBLEM:  In order to understand the risks and protective factors associated with poor health outcomes in adolescent mothers and their children, nurses need to design rigorous longitudinal research. Attrition of subjects can contribute to sampling error. Recruitment and retention efforts need to be optimized.METHODS:  In a 4‐year longitudinal study with adolescent mothers and their babies, the design for tracking included frequent phone calls, progressive monetary incentives, gifts, and one phone number of an alternative contact.FINDINGS:  Of the 97 mother–infant dyads recruited, retention was 54% at 6 months and 38% at final data collection. Successful strategies included persistence in making contacts and utilizing alternative contact numbers.CONCLUSIONS:  Retention rates for this study were low. With today's technology, many additional strategies need to be employed to improve retention rates with adolescent mothers.