bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mediterranean diet or extended fasting's influence on changing the intestinal microflora, immunoglobulin A secretion and clinical outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia: an observational study
Authors: Michalsen Andreas , Riegert Markus , Lüdtke Rainer , Bäcker Marcus , Langhorst Jost , Schwickert Myriam , Dobos Gustav J 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Background
Alterations in the intestinal bacterial flora are believed to be contributing factors to many chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases including rheumatic diseases. While microbiological fecal culture analysis is now increasingly used, little is known about the relationship of changes in intestinal flora, dietary patterns and clinical outcome in specific diseases. To clarify the role of microbiological culture analysis we aimed to evaluate whether in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or fibromyalgia (FM) a Mediterranean diet or an 8-day fasting period are associated with changes in fecal flora and whether changes in fecal flora are associated with clinical outcome.

Methods
During a two-months-period 51 consecutive patients from an Integrative Medicine hospital department with an established diagnosis of RA (n = 16) or FM (n = 35) were included in the study. According to predefined clinical criteria and the subjects' choice the patients received a mostly vegetarian Mediterranean diet (n = 21; mean age 50.9 +/-13.3 y) or participated in an intermittent modified 8-day fasting therapy (n = 30; mean age 53.7 +/- 9.4 y). Quantitative aerob and anaerob bacterial flora, stool pH and concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) were analysed from stool samples at the beginning, at the end of the 2-week hospital stay and at a 3-months follow-up. Clinical outcome was assessed with the DAS 28 for RA patients and with a disease severity rating scale in FM patients.

Results
We found no significant changes in the fecal bacterial counts following the two dietary interventions within and between groups, nor were significant differences found in the analysis of sIgA and stool ph. Clinical improvement at the end of the hospital stay tended to be greater in fasting vs. non-fasting patients with RA (p = 0.09). Clinical outcome was not related to alterations in the intestinal flora.

Conclusion
Neither Mediterranean diet nor fasting treatments affect the microbiologically assessed intestinal flora and sIgA levels in patients with RA and FM. The impact of dietary interventions on the human intestinal flora and the role of the fecal flora in rheumatic diseases have to be clarified with newer molecular analysis techniques. The potential benefit of fasting treatment in RA and FM should be further tested in randomised trials.
Pain management procedures used by dental and maxillofacial surgeons: an investigation with special regard to odontalgia
Authors: Wirz Stefan , Wartenberg Hans Christian , Nadstawek Joachim 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Background
Little is known about the procedures used by German dental and maxillofacial surgeons treating patients suffering from chronic orofacial pain (COP). This study aimed to evaluate the ambulatory management of COP.

Methods
Using a standardized questionnaire we collected data of dental and maxillofacial surgeons treating patients with COP. Therapists described variables as patients' demographics, chronic pain disorders and their aetiologies, own diagnostic and treatment principles during a period of 3 months.

Results
Although only 13.5% of the 520 addressed therapists returned completely evaluable questionnaires, 985 patients with COP could be identified. An orofacial pain syndrome named atypical odontalgia (17.0 %) was frequent. Although those patients revealed signs of chronification, pain therapists were rarely involved (12.5%). For assessing pain the use of Analogue Scales (7%) or interventional diagnostics (4.6%) was uncommon. Despite the fact that surgical procedures are cofactors of COP therapists preferred further surgery (41.9%) and neglected the prescription of analgesics (15.7%). However, most therapists self-evaluated the efficacy of their pain management as good (69.7 %).

Conclusion
Often ambulatory dental and maxillofacial surgeons do not follow guidelines for COP management despite a high prevalence of severe orofacial pain syndromes.
Pharmacokinetics of 7-carboxymethyloxy-3‘,4’,5-trimethoxy flavone (DA-6034), a derivative of flavonoid, in mouse and rat models of chemically-induced inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Kim Eun J , Chung Mi Y , Son Mi W , Kwon Jong W , Yoo Moohi , Chung Hye J , Lee Myung G 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
The pharmacokinetics (including distribution in the gastrointestinal tract) of 7-carboxymethyloxy-3‘,4’,5-trimethoxy flavone (DA-6034) has been investigated in several mouse and rat models of chemically-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the female ICR mouse model, IBD was induced by dextran sulfate and the mice administered 30 mg kg−1 DA-6034 intravenously or orally. In the male SJL mouse model of IBD induced by oxazolone, 30 mg kg−1 DA-6034 was administered orally. In the male Sprague—Dawley rat model of IBD induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), 10 mg kg−1 DA-6034 was administered intravenously and orally. After intravenous administration, the total area under the plasma concentration—time curve from time zero to the last measured time, t, in plasma (AUC0-t) values were comparable between control and dextran sulfate-induced IBD mice, and between control and TNBS-induced rats. This suggested that the disposition of DA-6034 was not affected considerably by dextran sulfate in mice and TNBS in rats. However, after oral administration in mice and rats with IBD, the AUC0-t values were greater compared with the respective controls. This could have been due to an increase (slow) in the gastrointestinal transit time (in IBD mice and rats, the percentages of the oral dose recovered from the rinsing fluid of the small intestine and large intestine as unchanged drug were greater and smaller, respectively), and an increase in intestinal permeability.
Allograft reconstruction for bone sarcoma of the tibia in the growing child
Authors: Ramseier L. E. , Malinin T. I. , Temple H. T. , Mnaymneh W. A. , Exner G. U. 
Published: December 2005

The outcome of tibial allograft reconstruction after resection of a tumour is inconsistent and has a high rate of failure. There are few reports on the use of tibial allografts in children with open growth plates. We performed 21 allograft reconstructions (16 osteoarticular, five intercalary) in 19 consecutive patients between seven and 17 years of age. Two had Ewing’s sarcoma, one an adamantinoma and 16 osteosarcoma, one with multifocal disease. Five patients have died; the other 14 were free from disease at the time of follow-up. Six surviving patients (eight allograft reconstructions) continue to have good or excellent function at a mean of 59 months (14 to 132). One patient has poor function at 31 months. The other seven patients have a good or excellent function after additional procedures including exchange of the allograft and resurfacing or revision to an endoprosthesis at a mean of 101 months (43 to 198). The additional operations were performed at a mean of 47 months (20 to 84) after the first reconstruction. With the use of allograft reconstruction in growing children, joints and growth plates may be preserved, at least partially. Although our results remain inconsistent, tibial allograft reconstruction in selected patients may restore complete and durable function of the limb.
A comparison of bilateral uncemented total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Hutchinson J. R. M. , Parish E. N. , Cross M. J. 
Published: December 2005

In a series of 1304 patients (1867 knees), the results of simultaneous and staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty were compared with each other and with unilateral total knee arthroplasty. The bilateral procedures had a significantly higher rate of complications than unilateral procedures, almost entirely because of thromboembolic problems. However, this did not correspond to an increase in mortality. If a bilateral procedure was indicated, then a simultaneous procedure had no increased risk over a staged procedure. There was no increase in cardiovascular complications, the rate of deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism or mortality. The rate of infection was lower with a bilateral procedure and the overall revision rate was less than 1% in all groups. The prosthesis functioned as well in all groups in the medium and longer term periods. We feel that simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty is a safe and successful procedure when compared with a staged bilateral procedure. It also has the added benefit of single anaesthetic, reduced costs and decreased total recovery time when compared to a staged bilateral procedure. For these reasons it should be considered as an option in the presence of bilateral knee joint disease.
Histomorphometric and mechanical analysis of the hydroxyapatite-bone interface after electromagnetic stimulation
Authors: Fini M. , Giavaresi G. , Giardino R. , Cavani F. , Cadossi R. 
Published: December 2005

We investigated the effect of stimulation with a pulsed electromagnetic field on the osseointegration of hydroxyapatite in cortical bone in rabbits. Implants were inserted into femoral cortical bone and were stimulated for six hours per day for three weeks. Electromagnetic stimulation improved osseointegration of hydroxyapatite compared with animals which did not receive this treatment in terms of direct contact with the bone, the maturity of the bone and mechanical fixation. The highest values of maximum push-out force (Fmax) and ultimate shear strength (σu) were observed in the treated group and differed significantly from those of the control group at three weeks (Fmax; p < 0.0001; σu, p < 0.0005).
Osteogenic potential of cells in vitro derived from haemarthrosis of the knee induced by injury to the anterior cruciate ligament
Authors: Lee S. Y. , Miwa M. , Sakai Y. , Kuroda R. , Niikura T. , Kurosaka M. 
Published: December 2005

We have investigated whether cells derived from haemarthrosis caused by injury to the anterior cruciate ligament could differentiate into the osteoblast lineage in vitro. Haemarthroses associated with anterior cruciate ligament injuries were aspirated and cultured. After treatment with β-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid and dexamethasone or 1,25 (OH)2D3, a significant increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase was observed. Matrix mineralisation was demonstrated after 28 days and mRNA levels in osteoblast-related genes were enhanced. Our results suggest that the haemarthrosis induced by injury to the anterior cruciate ligament contains osteoprogenitor cells and is a potential alternative source for cell-based treatment in such injury.
Who is the ideal candidate for autologous chondrocyte implantation?
Authors: Krishnan S. P. , Skinner J. A. , Bartlett W. , Carrington R. W. J. , Flanagan A. M. , Briggs T. W. R. , Bentley G. 
Published: December 2005

We investigated the prognostic indicators for collagen-covered autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI-C) performed for symptomatic osteochondral defects of the knee. We analysed prospectively 199 patients for up to four years after surgery using the modified Cincinnati score. Arthroscopic assessment and biopsy of the neocartilage was also performed whenever possible. The favourable factors for ACI-C include younger patients with higher pre-operative modified Cincinnati scores, a less than two-year history of symptoms, a single defect, a defect on the trochlea or lateral femoral condyle and patients with fewer than two previous procedures on the index knee. Revision ACI-C in patients with previous ACI and mosaicplasties which had failed produced significantly inferior clinical results. Gender (p = 0.20) and the size of the defect (p = 0.97) did not significantly influence the outcome.
An equinus deformity of the ankle accounts for only a small amount of the increased forefoot plantar pressure in patients with diabetes
Authors: Orendurff M. S. , Rohr E. S. , Sangeorzan B. J. , Weaver K. , Czerniecki J. M. 
Published: December 2005

Patients with diabetes mellitus may develop plantar flexion contractures (equinus) which may increase forefoot pressure during walking. In order to determine the relationship between equinus and forefoot pressure, we measured forefoot pressure during walking in 27 adult diabetics with a mean age of 66.3 years (sd 7.4) and a mean duration of the condition of 13.4 years (sd 12.6) using an Emed mat. Maximum dorsiflexion of the ankle was determined using a custom device which an examiner used to apply a dorsiflexing torque of 10 Nm (sd 1) for five seconds. Simple linear regression showed that the relationship between equinus and peak forefoot pressure was significant (p < 0.0471), but that only a small portion of the variance was accounted for (R2 = 0.149). This indicates that equinus has only a limited role in causing high forefoot pressure. Our findings suggest caution in undertaking of tendon-lengthening procedures to reduce peak forefoot plantar pressures in diabetic subjects until clearer indications are established.
Fullerene-tethered oligothiophenes as advanced molecular electronics materials
Authors: Otsubo Tetsuo , Aso Yoshio , Takimiya Kazuo 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
This article reviews the recent progress of fullerene-tethered oligothiophenes as advanced molecular electronics materials. By covalent linkage with fullerenes, oligothiophenes can be modified into intelligent functional materials. In addition to the characteristics of oligothiophenes as well as fullerenes, these linkage systems show intriguing physical properties such as photoinduced electron transfer, energy transfer, and ambipolar conductivity, caused by interactions between both components. These properties are of great use for the wide applications of the linkage compounds to devices. Their practical uses for photovoltaic cells and field effect transistors are demonstrated.
New chiral phosphorus ligands with spirobiindane backbone for asymmetric hydrogenations
Authors: Xie Jian-Hua , Zhu Shou-Fei , Fu Yu , Hu Ai-Guo , Zhou Qi-Lin 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Chiral spiro phosphorus ligands including monophosphoramidites and diphosphines, which contained 1,1'-spirobiindane as a backbone, were designed and synthesized. These spiro ligands were proven to be highly efficient for rhodium- and ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenations of prochiral olefins and ketones with excellent enantioselectivities.
Simulating the Collaborative Cross: Power of Quantitative Trait Loci Detection and Mapping Resolution in Large Sets of Recombinant Inbred Strains of Mice
Authors: Valdar William , Flint Jonathan , Mott Richard 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
It has been suggested that the collaborative cross, a large set of recombinant inbred strains derived from eight inbred mouse strains, would be a powerful resource for the dissection of complex phenotypes. Here we use simulation to investigate the power of the collaborative cross to detect and map small genetic effects. We show that for a fixed population of 1000 individuals, 500 RI lines bred using a modified version of the collaborative cross design are adequate to map a single additive locus that accounts for 5% of the phenotypic variation to within 0.96 cM. In the presence of strong epistasis more strains can improve detection, but 500 lines still provide sufficient resolution to meet most goals of the collaborative cross. However, even with a very large panel of RILs, mapping resolution may not be sufficient to identify single genes unambiguously. Our results are generally applicable to the design of RILs in other species.
The Evolution of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Types: Integrating Segregation, Inbreeding and Outbreeding
Authors: Engelstädter Jan , Charlat Sylvain , Pomiankowski Andrew , Hurst Gregory D D 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is a reproductive incompatibility induced by maternally transmitted bacteria of the genera Wolbachia and Cardinium. In the simplest form of CI, offspring from infected males and uninfected females suffer from increased mortality. However, it has been noted that crosses between males and females carrying different strains of infection are often also incompatible. The evolutionary processes leading to the emergence of new CI-compatibility types are still not resolved. Here, we develop a model that extends previous theoretical approaches by including segregation of bacterial strains during transmission as well as a continuum of breeding systems ranging from inbreeding (complete sib mating) to outbreeding (complete sib-mating avoidance). Our results demonstrate that (1) with segregation of strains, evolution is unlikely to lead to new CI types that co-occur as a double infection with the preexisting one, (2) inbreeding substantially hampers the evolution of new CI types, and (3) outbreeding facilitates the evolution of new CI types. Our model also provides a hypothesis on the evolutionary origin of CI.
New Method of Sedation in Oral Surgery
Authors: Juodzbalys Gintaras , Giedraitis Rimvydas , Mačhiulskienė Vita , Huys Luc W. J. , Kubilius Ricardas 
Published: December 2005

AbstractLocal anesthesia, the well-known method of sedation, usually is insufficient for dental implantation and the augmentation of the alveolar ridge, because the operations last for 1 to 2 hours and patients may experience fear and strain. This article examines a new complex sedation method using ketorolac, midazolam, and a local anesthetic 4% solution of articaine hydrochloride and epinephrine (Septanest) in combination with a vasoconstrictor. This method was applied to 67 patients operated on for dental implantation with screw implants or for the alveolar ridge augmentation with biocompatible materials. The control group, which consisted of 20 patients, received local anesthesia with articaine-epinephrine only. Most of the control patients were found to have experienced fear and strain during the aforementioned surgical procedures; their blood pressure and pulse rate increased, and more than half of them experienced pain. No disorders of hemodynamics or the psychoemotional status of the patients were observed during sedation with ketorolac, midazolam, and articaine-epinephrine. Furthermore, anterograde amnesia was determined for the 80% of the patients in the test group.
The Use of Laser-welded Titanium Framework Technology: A Case Report for the Totally Edentulous Patient
Authors: Jackson Brian J. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Laser-welded technology has become a viable alternative to the conventional lost wax-casting technique in the field of implant dentistry. Studies have demonstrated the predictable nature of laser-welded titanium frameworks for endosseous implants in the partial and totally edentulous patient. A standardized impression and fabrication procedure is required for an accurate and predictable superstructure. More long-term studies are needed for more widespread acceptance and usage by dental practitioners.
Efficient Non-Contractible Investments in Finite Economies
Authors: Cole Harold Linh , Mailath George J. , Postlewaite Andrew 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Individuals making investments typically do not have incentives to invest efficiently when they cannot contract prior to their decisions. When they bargain over the surplus generated by their investments, they will usually not obtain the full fruits of the investment. Intuitively, this hold-up problem should be ameliorated if, in the bargaining stage, each agent has alternatives to the partner he is bargaining with. We characterize the matching and division of surplus in finite economies for any initial investment decisions. We provide conditions on those decisions that guarantee that each agent will capture the change in the aggregate social surplus that results from any investment change he makes. We further show that for any given problem, there exists a bargaining rule by which pairs split their surplus that will support efficient investment choices in equilibrium. We also show, however, that overinvestment or underinvestment can occur for natural bargaining rules.
Reinforcement Learning in Repeated Interaction Games
Authors: Bendor Jonathan , Mookherjee Dilip , Ray Debraj 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
We study long run implications of reinforcement learning when two players repeatedly interact with one another over multiple rounds to play a finite action game. Within each round, the players play the game many successive times with a fixed set of aspirations used to evaluate payoff experiences as successes or failures. The probability weight on successful actions is increased, while failures result in players trying alternative actions in subsequent rounds. The learning rule is supplemented by small amounts of inertia and random perturbations to the states of players. Aspirations are adjusted across successive rounds on the basis of the discrepancy between the average payoff and aspirations in the most recently concluded round. We define and characterize pure steady states of this model, and establish convergence to these under appropriate conditions. Pure steady states are shown to be individually rational, and are either Pareto-efficient or a protected Nash equilibrium of the stage game. Conversely, any Pareto-efficient and strictly individually rational action pair, or any strict protected Nash equilibrium, constitutes a pure steady state, to which the process converges from non-negligible sets of initial aspirations. Applications to games of coordination, cooperation, oligopoly, and electoral competition are discussed.
Local Conventions
Authors: Ely Jeffrey C 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
It is shown that player mobility has important consequences for the long-run equilibrium distribution in dynamic evolutionary models of strategy adjustment, when updating is prone to small probability perturbations, i.e. “mistakes" or “mutations." Ellison (1993) concluded that the effect on the matching process of localized “neighborhoods" was to strengthen the stability of risk-dominant outcomes, originally demonstrated by Kandori, Mailath, and Rob (1993) (KMR) and Young (1993). I consider a model in which players can choose the neighborhoods to which they belong. When strategies and locations are updated simultaneously, only efficient strategies survive. The robustness of this conclusion is emphasized in a general locational model in which strategy revision opportunities are allowed to arrive at a faster rate than opportunities to change locations. The efficient strategy persists in all cases in which the locational structure is non-trivial. Moreover, even as the relative frequency of player mobility approaches zero, the efficient strategy occurs with boundedly positive relative frequency. This result is in stark contrast to the conclusions of the previous models.
Forward Discount Bias, Nalebuff's Envelope Puzzle, and the Siegel Paradox in Foreign Exchange
Authors: Edlin Aaron S. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
The bias of forward exchange rates as a predictor of future spot rates is typically explained or decomposed as (1) a risk premium and (2) a convexity term which accounts for the fact that, when there is stochastic inflation, nominal gains from forward currency speculation are higher than real ones and correspondingly losses are smaller. We use Nalebuff’s envelope puzzle to explain a third source of bias which involves real profits from foreign exchange speculation. Both the "real profit" bias and stochastic inflation bias arise from convexity of g(s)=1/s and so derive from Jensen's inequality as observed by Siegel (1972).