bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results of vision screening of 6‐year‐olds at school: a population‐based study with emphasis on screening limits
Authors: Hård Anna‐Lena 
Published: January 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate newly introduced vision screening of 6‐year‐olds in the preschool class with special regard to screening criteria.Methods:  Monocular visual acuity (VA) testing in 6‐year‐olds by school nurses as part of preventive health care was introduced in Sweden 2003. Children with VA < 0.8 (logMAR 0.1) or symptoms are referred to eye clinics where VA testing, cover testing, cycloplegic autorefraction and ophthalmoscopy are performed. The present screening limit of 0.8 (logMAR 0.1) was evaluated in relation to a limit of 0.65 (logMAR 0.2). All children in the City of Gothenburg starting preschool class in 2003 were included.Results:  A total of 127 schools with 3885 pupils participated. Of these, 255 pupils (6.6%) were referred and 236 underwent an ophthalmological examination. Children with a VA of 0.65 (logMAR 0.2) in the worse eye constituted 74.5% of those who had failed the screening; more than half of these were found to have VA ≥ 0.8 (logMAR 0.1) in the clinic. Many were not refracted in cycloplegia and only 6.7% were found to have significant ametropia. The criteria for the prescription of glasses varied; 13.4% of these children were prescribed glasses for insignificant refractive errors.Conclusions:  Six‐year‐olds with VA of 0.65 (logMAR 0.2) rarely have defects that require treatment and the screening criterion of 0.8 (logMAR 0.1) is probably too demanding for effective utilization of available resources. Retest before referral and refraction in cycloplegia of all children with reduced VA or visual symptoms are recommended.
Associations between peri‐implant crevicular fluid volume, concentrations of crevicular inflammatory mediators, and composite IL‐1A –889 and IL‐1B +3954 genotype: A cross‐sectional study on implant recall patients with and without clinical signs of peri‐implantitis
Authors: Lachmann Stefan , Kimmerle‐Müller Evi , Axmann Detlef , Scheideler Lutz , Weber Heiner , Haas Robert 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjectives: To assess possible relationships between peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) volumes, biochemical markers of the peri‐implant immune response, and periodontitis‐associated genotype.Material and methods: PICF samples from 29 implant maintenance patients, 24 wearing overdentures, five having single crowns and bridgework (11 patients with peri‐implantitis and 18 individuals with healthy peri‐implant conditions), were analyzed for per site and per crevicular‐fluid‐volume concentrations of interleukin‐1β, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2, and prostaglandin E2 by ELISA. Associations between the three substance concentrations and to crevicular fluid flow rate were analyzed by linear regression analysis. The possible differentiating influence of the composite interleukin‐1A and ‐1B genotype on the patients' peri‐implant health and biochemical inflammatory status was checked formally with t‐test statistics and the Wilcoxon' test. One implant per patient was chosen for analysis.Results: In patients with healthy peri‐implant conditions, genotype‐positive individuals showed elevated crevicular fluid flow rates and at the same time reduced mediator concentrations. In patients with an implant affected from peri‐implantitis, no statistically significant influence of the periodontitis‐associated genotype around the fixture can be stated. There was no statistical difference between per site and per crevicular‐fluid‐volume concentration analyses. All three mediator concentrations were positively related to each other, while there was a strong negative correlation between crevicular fluid volume and plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 or prostaglandin E2.Conclusions: The Interleukin‐1 polymorphism investigated exerted only little influence on the peri‐implant crevicular immune response, and this influence appeared to be of limited impact in sites with established peri‐implantitis lesions.
Platelet‐rich plasma activity on maxillary sinus floor augmentation by autologous bone
Authors: Consolo Ugo , Zaffe Davide , Bertoldi Carlo , Ceccherelli Giovanni 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjectives: This work aims to evaluate the regenerative potential of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) on an implant site of peculiar clinical impact, such as sinus augmentation.Material and methods: Sixteen consenting patients (11 females and five males), with symmetrical maxillary sinus atrophy, underwent bilateral sinus floor augmentation, using autologous (iliac crest) bone on one side and PRP plus autologous bone contralaterally. Implants were inserted 4, 5, 6 and 7 months after surgery in the patients randomly split into four groups. Orthopantomographies, computed tomography with transverse image digital reconstructions and densitometries were used to monitor the treatment progress. A core biopsy was performed at the site of implant.Results: Clinical performance across both sites showed no statistical significance (P=0.414). Densitometric values were higher at PRP sites (mean Hounsfield units ∼+57%), even if densitometry converged in the two sites 8 months after surgery. Histology documents enhanced bone activities in sites treated with PRP, 4 months after surgery. Reduced bone activity was observed in both sites 5, 6 and 7 months after surgery. Bone amount, higher in sites treated with PRP (mean trabecular bone volume ∼+37%), decreased in both sites over time.Conclusions: Our results seem to indicate a certain regenerative potential of PRP when used with autologous bone. The effect of this enhancement of bone regeneration appeared to be restricted to shorter treatment times. A progressive extinguishment of the PRP effect is recorded after an interval longer than 6–7 months.
The definition and assessment of vitiligo: a consensus report of the Vitiligo European Task Force
Authors: Taïeb Alain , Picardo Mauro ,   on behalf of the other VETF members
Published: January 2007

SummaryVitiligo is the most common depigmenting disorder, which affects 0.5–1% of the worldwide population, causing disfigurement and serious disturbances in well being. There is a current lack of consensus in definition and methods of assessment of this disorder, which makes it generally impossible to compare the outcomes of different studies of the same treatment. This report summarizes the work carried out by the Vitiligo European Task Force to propose a consensus definition of the disease and to assess treatment outcomes using a system which combines analysis of extent, stage of disease (staging), and disease progression (spreading). In summary, extent is evaluated using the rule of 9. Staging is based on cutaneous and hair pigmentation in vitiligo patches, and the disease is staged 0–3 (revised version) on the largest macule in each body region, except hands and feet, which are assessed separately and globally as one unique area. Assessment of spreading is based on Wood's lamp examination of the same largest macule in each body area. Wood's lamp is useful for a combined assessment of staging and spreading in the same selected area. This study reports a workshop which validated the clinical use of the assessment form performed at several European University clinics, and showed an overall good concordance among panelists using the proposed scoring system. This system can be easily handled in clinical practice. However, variations between scorer profiles indicate a need for training to decrease interobserver variability. Further steps are envisaged, namely: (i) build a global index including staging and spreading for the initial assessment of vitiligo patients, usable as a guidance for therapeutic indications and prognosis, which could be interpreted as an equivalent of the TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) system for cancer; (ii) implement large‐scale tests necessary for clinical trials (to check reproducibility and sensitivity); (iii) carry out studies of automated devices to assess extent more accurately; (iv) set up a teaching tool for scoring vitiligo, which could be posted on a website; and (v) set up an international conference on classifying, staging and scoring vitiligo, through the IFPCS Special Interest Group on Vitiligo.
The legacy of stockless organic conversion strategies
Authors: Rollett A.J. , Sparkes D.L. , Wilson P. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractLegume‐containing leys are commonly used to improve soil fertility in the 2‐year conversion period from conventional to organic production. While in‐conversion land may be grazed, in stockless farming systems, land is effectively out of production, leading to a reduction in income and pressure on cash flow. The impacts of seven organic conversion strategies on the first organic crop (winter wheat) were previously reported. This study investigates the effect of the conversion strategies on the second (winter beans) and third (winter oats) organic crops, thereby extending the analysis throughout the first complete rotation. The strategies were (a) 2‐years’ red clover–ryegrass green manure, (b) 2‐years’ hairy vetch green manure, (c) red clover for seed production then a red clover–ryegrass green manure, (d) spring wheat undersown with red clover, then a red clover green manure, (e) spring oats, then winter beans, (f) spring wheat, then winter beans and (g) spring wheat undersown with red clover, then a barley–pea intercrop. Conversion strategy had a significant impact on organic bean yield, which ranged from 2.78 to 3.62 t ha−1, and organic oat yield, which ranged from 3.24 to 4.17 t ha−1. In the organic bean crop, weed abundance prior to harvest, along with soil texture, accounted for 70% of yield variation. For the oats, soil mineral nitrogen in November together with weed abundance in April accounted for 72% of the variation in yield. The impacts of conversion strategies on soil mineral nitrogen levels were still detectable 3 years after conversion. The results from this study indicate that the choice of conversion crop has important long‐term implications. More exploitative conversion strategies, that is those with a higher proportion of cash cropping, had an increased weed burden and decreased levels of soil mineral nitrogen, leading to reduced yields of beans and oats, 2 and 3 years after conversion.
Climate‐ameliorating measures influence photosynthetic gas exchange of apple leaves
Authors: Gindaba J. , Wand S.J.E. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractSunburn has become one of the major threats to apple fruit production in South Africa and other countries with Mediterranean climate. Some climate‐ameliorating measures have been developed to control sunburn in apples. Effects of the climate‐ameliorating measures, viz. evaporative cooling, Surround® WP and shade net, on leaf gas exchange of a 5‐year‐old orchard of ‘Cripps’ Pink’ apple were investigated during hot summer days in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Evaporative cooling increased net photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) because of its lowering of leaf temperature and leaf‐to‐air vapour pressure difference (VPD). Shade net also reduced leaf temperature because of reduction in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Quantum efficiency of photosynthesis was increased under shade net to compensate for reduced PPFD. Shade net also reduced transpiration rate more than A, resulting in increased midday water‐use efficiency. The diurnal trends of A and gs in the Surround WP and control treatments were similar, indicating limited ameliorative impact of Surround WP. Furthermore, Surround WP typically reduced maximum rate of carboxylation and the light‐saturated rate of electron transport. In all treatments, A decreased by 70% when leaf temperature increased from 35°C to 40°C. In conclusion, all treatments affected leaf photosynthetic gas exchange. Evaporative cooling enhanced leaf A and gs because of distinct ameliorative effects on leaf temperature and VPD. Shade net reduced leaf temperature with no consistent effects on leaf gas exchange attributes. Surround WP had limited or no impact on leaf temperature and negatively affected leaf gas exchange attributes.
Temperature‐dependent stomatal movement in tulip petals controls water transpiration during flower opening and closing
Authors: Azad A.K. , Sawa Y. , Ishikawa T. , Shibata H. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractTemperature‐dependent tulip petal opening and closing movement was previously suggested to be regulated by reversible phosphorylation of a plasma membrane aquaporin (Azad et al., 2004a). Stomatal apertures of petals were investigated during petal opening at 20°C and closing at 5°C. In completely open petals, the proportion of open stomata in outer and inner surfaces of the same petal was 27 ± 6% and 65 ± 3%, respectively. During the course of petal closing, stomatal apertures in both surfaces reversed, and in completely closed petals, the proportion of open stomata in outer and inner surfaces of the same petal was 74 ± 3% and 29 ± 6%, respectively, indicating an inverse relationship between stomatal aperture in outer and inner surfaces of the petal during petal opening and closing. Both petal opening and stomatal closure in the outer surface of the petal was inhibited by a Ca2+ channel blocker and a Ca2+ chelator, whereas the inner surface stomata remained unaffected. On the other hand, sodium nitroprusside, a nitric oxide donor, had no effect on stomatal aperture of the outer surface but influenced the inner surface stomatal aperture during petal opening and closing, suggesting different signalling pathways for regulation of temperature‐dependent stomatal changes in the two surfaces of tulip petals. Stomata were found to be differentially distributed in the bottom, middle and upper parts of tulip petals. During petal closing, water transpiration was observed by measuring the loss of 3H2O. Transpiration of 3H2O by petals was fivefold greater in the first 10 min than that found after 30 min, and the transpiration rate was shown to be associated with stomatal distribution and aperture. Thus, the stomata of outer and inner surfaces of the petal are involved in the accumulation and transpiration of water during petal opening.
Higas in rejuvenated radio galaxies: Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope observations of the DDRG J1247+6723
Authors: Saikia D. J. , Gupta Neeraj , Konar C. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe report the detection of H i absorption towards the inner double of the double-double radio galaxy (DDRG) J1247+6723 with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). The inner double is a gigahertz peaked spectrum (GPS) source with a linear size of 14 pc while the overall size defined by the outer double is 1195 kpc, making it a giant radio source. The absorption profile is well resolved and consists of a number of components on either side of the optical systemic velocity. The neutral hydrogen column density is estimated to be N(H i) = 6.73 × 1020 (Ts/100)(1.0/fc) cm−2, where Ts and fc are the spin temperature and partial coverage of the background source, respectively. We explore any correlation between the occurrence of H i absorption and rejuvenation of radio activity and suggest that there could be a strong relationship between them.
Ability of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells To Secrete Oxygen Radicals in Response to Formyl Peptide Receptor Family Agonists Compared to That of Myeloid and Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells
Authors: Karlsson Anna , Nygren Erik , Karlsson Jennie , Nordström Inger , Dahlgren Claes , Eriksson Kristina 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTWe show that human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) differ considerably from freshly isolated blood-derived myeloid and plasmacytoid DC in their abilities to produce reactive oxygen species in response to different agonists to the formyl peptide receptor family and are thus poor representatives of blood DC in this field of research.
DNA Vaccine Construct Incorporating Intercellular Trafficking and Intracellular Targeting Motifs Effectively Primes and Induces Memory B- and T-Cell Responses in Outbred Animals
Authors: Mwangi Waithaka , Brown Wendy C. , Splitter Gary A. , Davies Christopher J. , Howard Chris J. , Hope Jayne C. , Aida Yoko , Zhuang Yan , Hunter Beverly J. , Palmer Guy H. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

We developed a vaccine construct in which a BVP22 domain and an invariant-chain major histocompatibility complex class II-targeting motif capable of enhancing dendritic cell antigen uptake and presentation were fused to a sequence encoding a B- and T-cell antigen from the
Anaplasma marginale
major surface protein 1a and tested whether this construct would prime and expand immune responses in outbred calves. A single inoculation with this construct effectively primed the immune responses, as demonstrated by a significant enhancement of CD4
+
T-cell proliferation compared to that in calves identically inoculated but inoculated with a DNA construct lacking the targeting domains and compared to that in calves inoculated with an empty vector. These proliferative responses were mirrored by priming and expansion of gamma interferon-positive CD4
+
T cells and immunoglobulin G responses against the linked B-cell epitope. Priming by the single immunization induced memory that underwent rapid recall following reexposure to the antigen. These results demonstrate that DNA vaccines targeting key intercellular and intracellular events significantly enhance priming and expansion and support the feasibility of single-dose DNA immunization in outbred populations.
Cost-Effective Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) To Screen for Dengue Virus followed by Rapid Single-Tube Multiplex RT-PCR for Serotyping of the Virus
Authors: Lai Yee-Ling , Chung Youne-Kow , Tan Hwee-Cheng , Yap Hoon-Fang , Yap Grace , Ooi Eng-Eong , Ng Lee-Ching 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

Virus detection methodology provides detection of dengue virus in the early phase of the disease. PCR, targeting cDNA derived from viral RNA, has been used as a laboratory-based molecular tool for the detection of
Dengue virus
. We report the development and use of three real-time one-step reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assays to detect dengue cases and serotype the virus involved. The first RT-PCR assay uses SYBR green I as the reporting dye for the purpose of cost-effective screening for dengue virus. The detection limit of the SYBR green I assay was 10 PFU/ml (0.01 equivalent PFU per assay) for all four dengue virus serotypes. The second RT-PCR assay is a duplex fluorogenic probe-based real-time RT-PCR for serotyping clinical samples for dengue viruses. The detection threshold of the probe-based RT-PCR format was 0.1 PFU for serotypes Dengue-1 and Dengue-2, 1 PFU for serotype Dengue-3, and 0.01 PFU for serotype Dengue-4. The third is a fourplex assay that detects any of the four serotypes in a single closed tube with comparable sensitivity. Validation of the assays with local clinical samples collected from 2004 to 2006 revealed that there was an 88% positive correlation between virus isolation and RT-PCR with regard to dengue virus detection and a 100% correlation with seroconversion in subsequent samples. The serotyping results derived from duplex and fourplex assays agree fully with each other and with that derived from immunofluorescence assays.
Multiplex Real-Time PCR Targeting the RNase P RNA Gene for Detection and Identification of
Candida
Species in Blood
Authors: Innings Åsa , Ullberg Måns , Johansson Anders , Rubin Carl Johan , Noreus Niklas , Isaksson Magnus , Herrmann Björn 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

We have developed a single-tube multiplex real-time PCR method for the detection of the eight most common
Candida
species causing septicemia:
Candida albicans
,
C. dubliniensis
,
C. famata
,
C. glabrata
,
C. guilliermondii
,
C. krusei
,
C. parapsilosis
, and
C. tropicalis
. The method developed targets the RNase P RNA gene
RPR1
. Sequences of this gene were determined for seven of the
Candida
species and showed surprisingly large sequence variation.
C. glabrata
was found to have a gene that was five times longer gene than those of the other species, and the nucleotide sequence similarity between
C. krusei
and
C. albicans
was as low as 55%. The multiplex PCR contained three probes that enabled the specific detection of
C. albicans
,
C. glabrata
, and
C. krusei
and a fourth probe that allowed the general detection of the remaining species. The method was able to detect 1 to 10 genome copies when the detection limit was tested repeatedly for the four species
C. albicans
,
C. glabrata
,
C. krusei
, and
C. guilliermondii
. No significant difference in the detection limit was seen when the multiplex format was compared with single-species PCR, i.e., two primers and one probe. The method detected eight clinically relevant
Candida
species and did not react with other tested non-
Candida
species or human DNA. The assay was applied to 20 blood samples from nine patients and showed a sensitivity similar to that of culture.
Multicenter Comparison of the VITEK 2 Yeast Susceptibility Test with the CLSI Broth Microdilution Reference Method for Testing Fluconazole against
Candida
spp
Authors: Pfaller M. A. , Diekema D. J. , Procop G. W. , Rinaldi M. G. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT

A fully automated commercial antifungal susceptibility test system (VITEK 2 yeast susceptibility test; bioMerieux, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.) was compared in three different laboratories with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) reference broth microdilution (BMD) method by testing two quality control strains and a total of 426 isolates of
Candida
spp. (103 to 135 clinical isolates in each laboratory plus 80 challenge isolates in one laboratory) against fluconazole. Reference BMD MIC endpoints were established after 24 and 48 h of incubation. VITEK 2 endpoints were determined spectrophotometrically after 10 to 26 h of incubation (mean, 13 h). Excellent essential agreement (within two dilutions) between the VITEK 2 and the 24- and 48-h BMD MICs was observed. The overall agreement values were 97.9 and 93.7%, respectively. Both intra- and interlaboratory agreement was 100%. The overall categorical agreement between VITEK 2 and BMD was 97.2% at the 24-h BMD time point and 88.3% at the 48-h BMD time point. Decreased categorical agreement at 48 h was attributed to trailing growth observed with
Candida glabrata
. The VITEK 2 system reliably detected fluconazole resistance among
Candida
spp. and demonstrated excellent quantitative and qualitative agreement with the reference BMD method.