bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of interdental brushes on plaque and parameters of periodontal inflammation: a systematic review
Authors: Slot DE , Dörfer CE , Van der Weijden GA 
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  Aim:  The aim of the study was to asses the effect of the use of interdental brushes (IDB) in patients as an adjunct to toothbrushing compared with toothbrushing alone or other interdental oral hygiene devices on plaque and the clinical parameters of periodontal inflammation.Material and methods:  MEDLINE–PubMed and the Cochrane Central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL) were searched through November 2007 to identify appropriate studies. Clinical parameters of periodontal inflammation such as plaque, gingivitis, bleeding and pockets were selected as outcome variables.Results:  Independent screening of the titles and abstracts of 218 MEDLINE–PubMed and 116 Cochrane papers resulted in nine publications that met the eligibility criteria. Mean values and standard deviations were collected by data extraction. Descriptive comparisons are presented for brushing alone or brushing and woodsticks; meta‐analyses were also performed for the floss comparison.Conclusion:  As an adjunct to brushing, the IDB removes more dental plaque than brushing alone. Studies showed a positive significant difference using IDB with respect to the plaque scores, bleeding scores and probing pocket depth. The majority of the studies presented a positive significant difference in the plaque index when using the IDB compared with floss.
The effect of cetylpyridinium chloride‐containing mouth rinses as adjuncts to toothbrushing on plaque and parameters of gingival inflammation: a systematic review
Authors: Haps S , Slot DE , Berchier CE , Van der Weijden GA 
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  Objective:  To review the literature concerning cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) containing mouth rinses as effective adjuncts to toothbrushing in the prevention of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.Materials and methods:  Medline and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to January 2008 to identify appropriate studies. The primary outcome measurements were plaque accumulation and gingivitis.Results:  Independent screening of titles and abstracts of 3250 papers resulted in eight publications that met the criteria of eligibility. Mean values and standard deviations were obtained by data extraction. Descriptive comparisons are presented for brushing only or brushing and rinsing. Meta‐analyses were performed when possible.Conclusions:  The existing evidence supports that CPC containing mouth rinses, when used as adjuncts to either supervised or unsupervised oral hygiene, provide a small but significant additional benefit in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.
Crop traits and the tolerance of wheat and barley to foliar disease
Authors: Bingham I.J. , Walters D.R. , Foulkes M.J. , Paveley N.D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe relationship between yield loss and disease severity can differ widely between crops. This has given rise to the concept of disease tolerance, with some crops exhibiting a smaller yield loss under a given severity of disease than others. Genetic improvement to minimise yield loss under disease is an attractive goal, as it exerts little or no selection pressure on pathogen populations, and could form a useful component of durable disease management programmes. However, progress towards this end requires a thorough understanding of the phenotypic traits that influence the response of yield to disease, their genetic control and the possible trade‐offs involved with other desirable agronomic characteristics. This paper examines the candidate crop traits that may confer tolerance of foliar disease in wheat and barley and reviews evidence of genetic variation in their expression. In wheat grown under the relatively low light conditions of North‐West Europe, post‐anthesis source (assimilate supply) and grain sink capacity (capacity for dry matter accumulation) appear to be closely balanced. Traits associated with maintaining post‐anthesis radiation interception and radiation use efficiency in spite of disease may confer tolerance. The most promising traits include a larger flag leaf and compensatory increases in photosynthetic rate in non‐infected parts of leaves. In barley, yield is often more strongly sink limited, and early‐season disease management is required to protect the formation of potential grain sites. A wider range of potential traits may influence tolerance including compensatory adjustments in leaf growth and morphology, and differences in the sensitivity of tiller and spikelet mortality to photoassimilate supply. Different methods for quantifying tolerance are suggested depending on the trait of interest.
Distinct physiological responses of two rice cultivars subjected to iron toxicity under field conditions
Authors: Stein R.J. , Duarte G.L. , Spohr M.G. , Lopes S.I.G. , Fett J.P. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIron toxicity is recognised as the most widely distributed nutritional disorder in lowland and irrigated rice, derived from the excessive amounts of ferrous ions generated by the reduction of iron oxides in flooded soils. Rice cultivars with variable degrees of tolerance to iron toxicity have been developed, and cultural practices such as water management and fertilisation can be used to reduce its negative impact. However, because of the complex nature of iron toxicity, few physiological data concerning tolerance mechanisms to excess iron in field conditions are available. To analyse the physiological responses of rice to iron excess in field conditions, two rice cultivars with distinct tolerance to iron toxicity [BR‐IRGA 409 (susceptible) and IRGA 420 (tolerant)] were grown in two areas, with a well‐established history of iron toxicity (in Camaquã, RS, Brazil) and without iron toxicity (in Cachoeirinha, RS, Brazil). Plants from the susceptible cultivar grown in the iron‐toxic site showed lower levels of chlorophylls and soluble proteins (together with higher carbonyl levels) indicating photooxidative and oxidative damage. The toxic effects observed were because of the accumulation of high levels of iron and not because of any indirectly induced shoot deficiency of other nutrients. Higher activities of antioxidative enzymes were also observed in leaves of plants from the susceptible cultivar only in the iron‐toxic site, probably as a result of oxidative stress rather than because of specific involvement in a tolerance mechanism. There was no difference between cultivars in iron accumulation in the symplastic and apoplastic space of leaves, with both cultivars accumulating 85–90% of total leaf iron in the symplast. However, susceptible plants accumulated higher levels of iron in low‐molecular‐mass fractions than tolerant plants. The accumulation of iron in the low‐molecular‐mass fraction probably has a direct influence on iron toxicity, and the adaptive strategy of tolerant plants may rely on their capacity to buffer the iron amounts present in the low mass fraction, a new parameter to be considered when evaluating tolerance to iron excess in field‐cultivated rice plants.
Sexual dimorphism and seasonal changes of leaf gas exchange in the dioecious treeIlex paraguariensisgrown in two contrasted cultivation types
Authors: Rakocevic M. , Medrado M.J.S. , Martim S.F. , Assad E.D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractYerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis, Aquifoliaceae) is a subtropical, evergreen, dioecious, South American tree. In one preliminary study, it was observed that the functional strategy of yerba mate females, aiming to finish reproductive process, was increased transpiration relative to photosynthetic rates compared with males, on self‐shaded leaves. We hypothesised that the long‐term gas exchange response of males and females can evolve independently of phenological stage and cultivation type. In this spirit, the primary aim of the study was to analyse the physiological sexual dimorphism of this species, evaluating fluctuations of gas exchanges related to microclimate and phenological stages. A field study was conducted on adult plants of yerba maté cultivated in monoculture (MO) and in forest understorey (FUS), and measurements carried outin situon microclimate and leaf gas exchange parameters. The photosynthetic photon flux density that was attained at leaf level in FUS was reduced roughly 10‐fold compared with that in MO. Various leaf age populations were observed during a 2‐year period at 2‐month intervals and grouped into four categories: young, young‐fully‐expanded, fully‐expanded and old. Young and young‐fully‐expanded leaves were the most active in photosynthesis. Leaves of female plants showed greater photosynthetic rate than those of male plants, which was expressed on all leaf age categories in MO, but only during vegetative stages previous to flowering and fruit ripening. The photosynthesis of young‐fully‐expanded leaves of females grown in FUS was superior to males but only during winter growth pause. The stomatal conductance differed in relation to cultivation type and leaf age but did not show the sexual differentiation. Physiological sexual dimorphism in yerba mate is shown to be plastic, responding to environmental conditions. The cost associated to the reproduction of yerba maté could be most easily met showing physiological differentiation of both sexes. A higher reproductive investment of females might be compensated for by exhibiting greater leaf photosynthesis than males that occurs in vegetative stages that precede flowering and fruit ripening.
Effects of Glycerol on the Fluorescence Spectra and Chloroplast Ultrastructure ofPhaeodactylum tricornutum(Bacillariophyta)
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Juan , Duan Shun‐Shan , Li Ai‐Fen , Sun Kai‐Feng 
Published: November 2008

AbstractResponses of the photosynthetic activity ofPhaeodactylum tricornutum(Bacillariophyta) to organic carbon glycerol were investigated. The growth rate, photosynthetic pigments, 77 K fluorescence spectra, and chloroplast ultrastructure ofP.tricornutumwere examined under photoautotrophic, mixotrophic, and photoheterotrophic conditions. The results showed that the specific growth rate was the fastest under mixotrophic conditions. The cell photosynthetic pigment content and values of Chla/Chlcwere reduced under mixotrophic and photoheterotrophic conditions. The value of carotenoid/Chlawas enhanced under mixotrophic conditions, but was decreased under photoheterotrophic conditions. In comparison with photoautotrophic conditions, the fluorescence emission peaks and fluorescence excitation peaks were not shifted. The relative fluorescence of photosystem (PS) I and PS II and the values of F685/F710 and F685/F738 were decreased. Chloroplast thylakoid pairs were less packed under mixotrophic and photoheterotrophic conditions. There was a strong correlation between degree of chloroplast thylakoid packing and the excitation energy kept in PS II. These results suggested that the PS II activity was reduced by glycerol under mixotrophic conditions, thereby leading to repression of the photosynthetic activity.
Lattice Boltzmann Models for Flow and Transport in Saturated Karst
Authors: Anwar Shadab , Sukop Michael C. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractFlow and transport simulation in karst aquifers remains a significant challenge for the ground water modeling community. Darcy’s law–based models cannot simulate the inertial flows characteristic of many karst aquifers. Eddies in these flows can strongly affect solute transport. The simple two‐region conduit/matrix paradigm is inadequate for many purposes because it considers only a capacitance rather than a physical domain. Relatively new lattice Boltzmann methods (LBMs) are capable of solving inertial flows and associated solute transport in geometrically complex domains involving karst conduits and heterogeneous matrix rock. LBMs for flow and transport in heterogeneous porous media, which are needed to make the models applicable to large‐scale problems, are still under development. Here we explore aspects of these future LBMs, present simple examples illustrating some of the processes that can be simulated, and compare the results with available analytical solutions. Simulations are contrived to mimic simple capacitance‐based two‐region models involving conduit (mobile) and matrix (immobile) regions and are compared against the analytical solution. There is a high correlation between LBM simulations and the analytical solution for two different mobile region fractions. In more realistic conduit/matrix simulation, the breakthrough curve showed classic features and the two‐region model fit slightly better than the advection‐dispersion equation (ADE). An LBM‐based anisotropic dispersion solver is applied to simulate breakthrough curves from a heterogeneous porous medium, which fit the ADE solution. Finally, breakthrough from a karst‐like system consisting of a conduit with inertial regime flow in a heterogeneous aquifer is compared with the advection‐dispersion and two‐region analytical solutions.
The epidemiology of age‐related macular degeneration in the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Woo Jyh Haur , Sanjay Srinivasan , Au Eong Kah‐Guan 
Published: November 2008

Abstract.Context:  The Indian subcontinent is one of the most populous regions in the world. Given the projected rapid population growth and ageing of the population, age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is likely to emerge as a major public health threat in the near future. However, existing literature on AMD in the region is scarce.Methods:  This paper reviews the epidemiology and risk factors of AMD in the Indian subcontinent.Results:  Data on AMD in India show prevalences ranging from 1.8% to 4.7%. Blindness prevalence studies in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal have also reported rates of 2.1% to 8.7% for all blindness attributable to AMD. Age‐related macular degeneration is therefore a significant cause of visual morbidity in these countries. To date, no reliable epidemiological data on AMD or blindness have been published for Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives or Bhutan.Conclusions:  The prevalence of AMD in the region is likely to follow a trend similar to that seen in the developed world in the coming years. Eye care policies should therefore make provisions for this chronic age‐related eye disease. In addition, there is an urgent need for more data on the epidemiology of AMD in the Indian subcontinent.
Wireless contact lens sensor for intraocular pressure monitoring: assessment on enucleated pig eyes
Authors: Leonardi Matteo , Pitchon Elie M. , Bertsch Arnaud , Renaud Philippe , Mermoud André 
Published: November 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  Assessment on enucleated pig eyes of a novel and minimally invasive method for the continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP), based on a novel wireless contact lens sensor (CLS).Methods:  The wireless CLS is a disposable silicone soft contact lens with a sensor embedded in it, allowing the wireless measurement of changes in corneal curvature induced by IOP variations. A CLS was adapted and tested on enucleated pig eyes. To demonstrate the measurement principle of the device, the enucleated pig eye was cannulated, allowing precise control of IOP. The CLS signal was then compared to the imposed IOP.Results:  First, the IOP of enucleated pig eyes was changed between 11 and 14 mmHg, simulating ocular pulsation. Then, IOP was changed with static steps of 1 mmHg between 20 and 30 mmHg to assess the reproducibility and linearity of the CLS. In both cases, measurements from the CLS and IOP showed very good correlation. A calibration graph shows that the CLS is capable of monitoring the IOP of each individual eye with a reproducibility of ± 0.2 mmHg (95% confidence interval).Conclusion:  The wireless CLS shows a good functionality to monitor the IOP on enucleated pig eyes. The device is placed in the same way as a soft disposable contact lens. This device would allow a minimally invasive and continuous monitoring of IOP over prolonged periods of up to 24 hr, regardless of patient activity, thus opening up new diagnostic and therapeutic methods to manage glaucoma.
Influence of Promoter, Gene Copy Number, and Preexisting Immunity on Humoral and Cellular Responses to a Vectored Antigen Delivered by a
Salmonella enterica
Vaccine
Authors: Saxena Manvendra , Coloe Peter J. , Smooker Peter M. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Attenuated
Salmonella
strains are currently in production as vaccines for protection of animals against salmonellosis. Such commercial strains offer the potential to deliver heterologous antigen to protect animals against other diseases. One vaccine strain, attenuated
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium (STM-1), was tested for the ability to deliver ovalbumin and to induce immune responses in mice. Two vaccine trials were performed testing the influence of promoter choice, the location of the encoding DNA (plasmid or chromosome), and the effect of preexisting homologous or heterologous immunity. The results demonstrated that humoral and T-cell responses were induced from either of two promoters, from either the plasmid or the chromosome, and that preexposure to the empty homologous vector, STM-1, or the heterologous vector,
S. enterica
serovar Enteritidis, had no detrimental effect on subsequent antigen-specific responses. In the case of homologous preexposure, responses were generally greater, and this was correlated with an increased uptake of
Salmonella
by macrophages in vitro after opsonization with immune sera.
Protection of Minority Communities in Kosovo: Legally Ahead of European Standards—Practically Still a Long Way to Go
Authors: Lantschner Emma 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
In this article, the author analyzes the legislative framework for the protection of minority communities in Kosovo, as it has developed from the periods before and after the declaration of independence, and its implementation in practice. She focuses in her study on four major issues: non-discrimination, education for minority communities, the use of languages, and effective participation, including issues of decentralization. The author comes to the following conclusions. First, in each field, quite advanced laws exist that in many respects are perfectly in line or even way ahead of the standards applied in other European countries. But implementation has been lacking so far. Second, on the institutional side, the author draws attention to the multitude of national (and international) actors dealing with minority issues, risking thereby an uncoordinated approach to minority issues and a failure to mainstream such matters. And, third, the reluctance of the Serb community to cooperate with the Kosovar authorities has further been identified as highly problematic, because true reconciliation requires a willingness to participate in interethnic cooperation.
Lay and professional expectations of cholinesterase inhibitor treatment in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Andersen Elizabeth , Silvius James , Slaughter Susan , Dalziel William , Drummond Neil 
Published: November 2008

The objectives of the study were to identify, compare and contrast the expectations of key stakeholders regarding cholinesterase inhibitor treatments prescribed to people with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and to examine those expectations in the light of recent findings regarding the efficacy and effectiveness of this class of drug. Participants were four older women diagnosed with early stage AD, their lay caregivers, their professional healthcare providers, and pharmacists and policy makers, making a total of 23 participants. Semi-structured interviews were performed in a conversational style designed to elicit accounts of expectations of cholinesterase inhibitors in relation to diagnosis and treatment for AD. The interviews were carried out in the participants' own homes, their places of work or by telephone. A five-member, multidisciplinary team taped, transcribed and coded the interviews using qualitative software in order to identify overarching themes. The study found that although the policy makers and physicians harbored more skeptical or negative expectations, the majority of stakeholders expected that people diagnosed with AD would reap beneficial effects through the use of cholinesterase inhibitors. The study concludes that there is still controversy about the use of cholinesterase inhibitors, particularly in terms of their cost-effectiveness. A clear and ethical argument exists in support of attempts to both modify unrealistic patient expectations where they exist, and to enhance the knowledge base of prescribers. Greater concordance between physicians', patients' and caregivers' treatment goals, and appropriate prescription of these agents in line with available research will require more complete patient and caregiver information on the one hand, and potentially a shift in emphasis to more individualized, clinically focused outcomes, on the other.
Expression and Functional Role of Urotensin-II and Its Receptor in the Adrenal Cortex and Medulla: Novel Insights for the Pathophysiology of Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Giuliani Luisa , Lenzini Livia , Antonello Michele , Aldighieri Enrico , Belloni Anna S. , Fassina Ambrogio , Gomez-Sanchez Celso , Rossi Gian Paolo 
Published: November 2008

AbstractContext: The involvement of urotensin II, a vasoactive peptide acting via the G protein-coupled urotensin II receptor, in arterial hypertension remains contentious.Objective: We investigated the expression of urotensin II and urotensin II receptor in adrenocortical and adrenomedullary tumors and the functional effects of urotensin II receptor activation.Design: The expression of urotensin II and urotensin II receptor was measured by real time RT-PCR in aldosterone-producing adenoma (n = 22) and pheochromocytoma (n = 10), using histologically normal adrenocortical (n = 6) and normal adrenomedullary (n = 5) tissue as control. Urotensin II peptide and urotensin II receptor protein were investigated with immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. To identify urotensin II-related and urotensin II receptor-related pathways, a whole transcriptome analysis was used. The adrenocortical effects of urotensin II receptor activation were also assessed by urotensin II infusion with/without the urotensin II receptor antagonist palosuran in rats.Results: Urotensin II was more expressed in pheochromocytoma than in aldosterone-producing adenoma tissue; the opposite was seen for the urotensin II receptor expression. Urotensin II receptor activation in vivo in rats enhanced (by 182 ± 9%; P &lt; 0.007) the adrenocortical expression of immunoreactive aldosterone synthase.Conclusions: Urotensin II is a putative mediator of the effects of the adrenal medulla and pheochromocytoma on the adrenocortical zona glomerulosa. This pathophysiological link might account for the reported causal relationship between pheochromocytoma and primary aldosteronism.