bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of menopause on bone mineral density and bone‐related biochemical variables in Indonesian women
Authors: Oemardi Maryantoro , Horowitz Michael , Wishart Judith M. , Morris Howard A. , Need Allan G. , O’Loughlin Peter D. , Nordin B. E. Christopher 
Published: May 2007

SummaryObjective  To determine the effects of menopause on bone‐related variables in Indonesian women and to compare them with corresponding data in Caucasian Australian women.Design  A study of bone‐related variables in women aged 45–55 years in Jakarta compared with corresponding historical data from Caucasian Australian women.Measurements  Dietary intakes, bone mineral density (BMD) and calcium‐related variables in blood and urine.Results  Dietary calcium, phosphorus and protein intakes were significantly lower in the women from Jakarta than in those from Adelaide (all P < 0·001), probably because of lower milk consumption, but energy intake was similar in the two cities. Indonesian women were shorter and lighter than Australian women (P < 0·001) but had a comparable body mass index (BMI). The Indonesians also had a lower spinal BMD than the Australians but this was accounted for by the differences in height and weight between the two populations. The differences in serum and urinary calcium and phosphate and serum alkaline phosphatase across the menopause were comparable in Indonesian and Australian women but creatinine excretion was 25% lower in Jakarta than in Adelaide (P < 0·001) and this was probably sufficient to account for higher ratios of some urinary solutes to urinary creatinine in the Indonesians. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels were significantly lower (P < 0·001) and serum PTH levels significantly higher (P = 0·0045) in Jakarta than in Adelaide.Conclusions  The differences in bone‐related biochemical variables across the menopause were similar in the two populations, but calcium and protein intake and urine creatinine were lower in Indonesian than in Australian women. Serum 25OHD was lower and PTH higher in the Indonesian women, probably because of their darker skin, their practice of avoiding direct sunlight and the heavy atmospheric pollution in Jakarta.
Tag SNP screening of the PDCD1 gene for association with Graves’ disease
Authors: Newby P. R. , Roberts‐Davies E. L. , Brand O. J. , Heward J. M. , Franklyn J. A. , Gough S. C. L. , Simmonds M. J. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryObjective  The Programmed Cell Death 1 gene (PDCD1) on chromosome 2q37.3 encodes PD‐1 which is involved in providing a negative signal to activated T cells. Large case‐control studies have shown association of PDCD1 with several autoimmune diseases although, to date, no such studies have been performed for Graves’ disease (GD). The objective of our study was to investigate eight tag SNPs representing the majority of common variation in PDCD1 within a well‐characterized large UK Caucasian GD dataset.Design  A case control association study of eight polymorphisms.Patients  2671 Graves’ disease patients and 864 controls.Measurements  Tests for association with disease.Results  No association with disease was seen for any of the +4163, +5049, +5318, +5640, +5678 and +7078 SNPs genotyped in this study. Association was detected between the +2375 SNP (P = 0·021, OR = 1·14 [95% CI = 1·01–1·29]) and GD and a small protective effect was seen with the +6799 SNP genotypes (P = 0·028, OR = 0·77 [95% CI = 0·58–1·03]).Conclusions  This study has, for the first time, shown that small effects within PDCD1 may contribute towards the development of GD, supporting the hypothesis that much of the currently unknown genetic contribution to GD could be due to several small genetic effects with ORs 1·2. Replication of this result is now needed to confirm our findings and justify more detailed fine mapping of a primary aetiological variant in this gene region.
Alterations in the biomass‐specific productivity of periphyton assemblages mediated by fish grazing
Authors: ABE SHIN‐ICHIRO , UCHIDA KAZUO , NAGUMO TAMOTSU , TANAKA JIRO 
Published: May 2007

Summary1. In an experimental flume, we examined the effects of a biomass reduction and alteration of taxonomic composition, because of grazing by the fish Plecoglossus altivelis, on the net biomass accumulation of periphyton.2. Grazed and ungrazed assemblages with different biomass and taxonomic composition were first prepared in fish enclosures and exclosures, respectively. These assemblages were then set out in the flume and incubated for 2 days under grazing‐free conditions to examine (i) the relationship between biomass and biomass accumulation rate and (ii) the effect of taxonomic composition on the relationship between these two.3. The grazed and ungrazed assemblages were dominated by upright filamentous cyanobacteria and diatoms, respectively. The rate of biomass accumulation decreased with increasing periphyton biomass in both the grazed and ungrazed assemblages, and was lower in the grazed than the ungrazed assemblages at any biomass level.4. The results showed that the reduction in biomass and the alteration of taxonomic composition due to fish grazing have opposite effects on biomass‐specific productivity. Biomass accumulation rate increased in response to biomass reduction, although a shift in dominance from diatoms to upright filamentous cyanobacteria decreased the overall productivity of the periphyton.
Attitudes and use of rubber dam by Irish general dental practitioners
Authors: Lynch C. D. , McConnell R. J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  To investigate the attitudes towards and use of rubber dam by Irish general dental practitioners.Methodology  A pre‐piloted questionnaire was distributed amongst a group of 600 dentists randomly selected from the Irish Register of Dentists. Replies from dentists working in specialist practice or the hospital dental service were excluded. Dentists were surveyed in relation to their use of rubber dam during a variety of operative and root canal treatments, as well as their attitudes to the use of rubber dam in dental practice.Results  A total of 300 replies were considered from a total of 324 that were received. Seventy‐seven per cent of respondents (n = 231) worked in general dental practice and 23% (n = 69) worked in the Irish Health Board/Community Dental Service. Rubber dam was ‘never’ used by 77% of respondents (n = 228) when placing amalgam restorations in posterior teeth, 52% (n = 147) when placing composite restorations in posterior teeth, and 59% (n = 177) when placing composite restorations in anterior teeth. Rubber dam was ‘never’ used by 39% of respondents (n = 114) when performing root canal treatment on anterior teeth; 32% (n = 84) when performing root canal treatment on premolar teeth; and 26% (n = 51) when performing root canal treatment on molar teeth. Fifty‐seven per cent (n = 171) considered rubber dam ‘cumbersome and difficult to apply’, and 41% (n = 123) considered throat pack ‘as good a prevention against inhalation of endodontic instruments as rubber dam’.Conclusions  Whilst rubber dam is used more frequently for root canal treatment than operative treatment, its use is limited. This presents quality issues, as well as medico‐legal and safety concerns for both the profession and patients.
Radiological assessment of periapical status using the periapical index: comparison of periapical radiography and digital panoramic radiography
Authors: Ridao‐Sacie C. , Segura‐Egea J. J. , Fernández‐Palacín A. , Bullón‐Fernández P. , Ríos‐Santos J. V. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  To compare the use of periapical radiographs and digital panoramic images displayed on monitor and glossy paper in the assessment of the periapical status of the teeth using the periapical index (PAI).Methodology  A total of 86 subjects were examined. All participants underwent a full‐mouth radiographic survey (14 periapical radiographs) and a panoramic radiography. The periapical status, using the PAI score, of all appraised teeth was assessed.Results  Periapical radiographs allowed the assessment of the periapical status of 87% of teeth using the PAI. On the contrary, digital radiography had a significantly reduced potential to allow assessment of the periapical status (P < 0.01). Only 57.6% and 34.1% of teeth could be appraised using digital panoramic images displayed on monitor and glossy paper respectively (P < 0.01). The total percentage of teeth with periapical pathosis was five fold higher when assessed with digital panoramic images displayed on glossy paper compared with periapical radiographs (P < 0.01).Conclusions  Teeth were best viewed on periapical radiographs except maxillary second and third molars, which were better viewed in orthopantomograms. Orthopantomograms on screen were scorable more often than when on printed images. Apical periodontitis was scored more often on paper than on screen, and more often on screen than in periapical radiographs.
Are sugars‐free medicines more erosive than sugars‐containing medicines? An in vitro study of paediatric medicines with prolonged oral clearance used regularly and long‐term by children
Authors: MAGUIRE ANNE , BAQIR WASIM , NUNN JUNE HEATHER 
Published: May 2007

Objective.  The reduced use of sugars‐containing (SC) liquid medicines has increased the use of other dose forms, potentially resulting in more widespread dental effects, including tooth wear. The aim of this study was to assess the erosive potential of 97 paediatric medicines in vitro.Methods.  The study took the form of in vitro measurement of endogenous pH and titratable acidity (mmol). Endogenous pH was measured using a pH meter, followed by titration to pH 7.0 with 0.1‐m NaOH.Results.  Overall, 55 (57%) formulations had an endogenous pH of < 5.5. The mean (± SD) endogenous pH and titratable acidity for 41 SC formulations were 5.26 ± 1.30 and 0.139 ± 0.133 mmol, respectively; for 56 sugars‐free (SF) formulations, these figures were 5.73 ± 1.53 and 0.413 ± 1.50 mmol (P > 0.05). Compared with their SC bioequivalents, eight SF medicines showed no significant differences for pH or titratable acidity, while 15 higher‐strength medicines showed lower pH (P = 0.035) and greater titratable acidity (P = 0.016) than their lower‐strength equivalents. Chewable and dispersible tablets (P < 0.001), gastrointestinal medicines (P = 0.002) and antibiotics (P = 0.007) were significant predictors of higher pH. In contrast, effervescent tablets (P < 0.001), and nutrition and blood preparations (P = 0.021) were significant predictors of higher titratable acidity.Conclusions.  Paediatric SF medicines were not more erosive than SC medicines in vitro; a more significant predictor of their erosive potential was dose form.
Idiopathic muscle necrosis in the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (L.): aetiology, pathology and progression to bacteraemia
Authors: Ridgway I D , Stentiford G D , Taylor A C , Atkinson R J A , Birkbeck T H , Neil D M 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe pathology and progression of idiopathic muscle necrosis (IMN) in Nephrops norvegicus and possible aetiologies have been investigated. Trawl capture, aerial exposure and handling initiate IMN, and the condition can be induced through periods of aerial exposure alone, in the absence of trawling. Within 24–48 h after trawl capture IMN progresses to a multi‐species bacterial septicaemia, with moribund animals exhibiting clinical signs. The aetiology of this condition has been examined using molecular (16S rRNA gene sequencing) and biochemical (standard taxonomic assays, BiologTM) criteria to characterize bacterial isolates from moribund and healthy animals. Histopathology of the IMN phase reveals a loss of sarcomeric structure with necrotic lesions containing pyknotic nuclei, fragments of myofibrils and connective tissue elements. In the bacterial phase there is extensive loss of abdominal muscle structure, and the presence of rod‐shaped Gram‐negative bacteria in the degrading tissues. The results demonstrate that the IMN condition is connected to stressful conditions imposed on N. norvegicus, but involves no pathogenic agents. This is followed by an opportunistic bacterial infection that causes further tissue spoilage. It is believed that the primary cause of both IMN and bacteraemia is imposed stress, but they are expressed in different time courses.
Applied behaviour analysis: does intervention intensity relate to family stressors and maternal well‐being?
Authors: Schwichtenberg A. , Poehlmann J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground  Interventions based on applied behaviour analysis (ABA) are commonly recommended for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, few studies address how this intervention model impacts families. The intense requirements that ABA programmes place on children and families are often cited as a critique of the programme, although little evidence is available to support this claim. Using Pearlin's (1999) stress process model, this study assessed: (1) whether mothers of children participating in a home‐based ABA programme reported elevated depressive symptoms; and (2) whether ABA intensity related to unmet family needs and maternal feelings of depression, personal strain and mastery.Method  Forty‐one mothers of children diagnosed with an ASD participated in this study by completing questionnaires about their child's ASD behaviours, unmet family needs, and maternal feelings of depression, personal strain and mastery. Additionally, mothers provided information about their child's intervention programme and their own level of involvement in the programme. At the time of data collection, all families had been running a home‐based ABA programme for at least 6 months.Results  Single‐sample t‐tests and multiple regression analyses were used to test the proposed hypotheses. Mothers of children participating in a home‐based ABA programme reported more depressive symptoms than mothers of children with other developmental disabilities. Comparisons revealed comparable depressive symptoms between the mothers of the present sample and those in other ASD samples. When considering weekly ABA intensity, mothers reported fewer depressive symptoms when their child was older and when their child participated in more ABA therapy hours. Conversely, mothers who were more involved in their child's ABA programme reported more personal strain.Conclusions  The findings of this study supported the hypothesis that families participating in ABA experienced elevated depressive symptoms, much like any family raising a child with an ASD, suggesting a potential area for family‐level intervention. Additionally, ABA intensity related to maternal depression and personal strain, and therefore deserves continued attention. Future studies should attempt to replicate these findings with a larger and more representative sample and seek to identify mechanisms through which ABA intensity may influence maternal and family well‐being.
Challenging behaviours: prevalence and topographies
Authors: Lowe K. , Allen D. , Jones E. , Brophy S. , Moore K. , James W. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground  Variations in reported prevalence of challenging behaviour indicate the need for further epidemiological research to support accurate planning of future service provision.Methods  All services providing for people with learning disabilities across seven unitary authorities, with a total population of 1.2 million, were screened to identify people with challenging behaviour. Interviews were conducted with primary carers to gain data on identified individuals' characteristics and support. Measures designed for a similar study conducted in Manchester University were incorporated to allow direct comparison with earlier findings, together with standardized tools to assess adaptive behaviour and social impairment.Results  In total, 4.5 (2.5–7.5) people per 10 000 population were rated as seriously challenging, representing 10% (5.5–16.8%) of the learning disability population; the most prevalent general form was other difficult/disruptive behaviour, with non‐compliance being the most prevalent topography. The majority showed multiple behaviours and multiple topographies within each general behaviour category. Also identified were substantial numbers of additional people reported as presenting challenging behaviours at lower degrees of severity.Conclusions  Prevalence rates for seriously challenging behaviours were comparable to those reported in the earlier studies, thus confirming previous findings. The prevalence of less serious challenging behaviour also has major clinical significance and emphasizes the need for enhanced understanding and skills among personnel within primary‐ and secondary‐tier health, education and social care services, and for strengthening the capacity of community teams to provide behavioural expertise.
Lack of conflict during queen production in the social waspVespula maculifrons
Authors: GOODISMAN MICHAEL A. D. , KOVACS JENNIFER L. , HOFFMAN ERIC A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSocial insects display extreme cooperative and helping behaviours. However, social insect colonies are also arenas of intense competitive interactions. One particularly important matter over which colony members may compete centres on the development of sexual offspring. Specifically, colony members may engage in selfish behaviours leading to reproductive competition, whereby individuals either strive to develop as sexuals or assist kin so that close relatives emerge as new reproductives. We investigated whether reproductive competition occurred in the polyandrous social waspVespula maculifrons. We genotypedV. maculifronsworkers and new queens at eight polymorphic microsatellite loci to determine if larvae of particular genotypes were reared as gynes more frequently than expected by chance. However, we found no significant evidence of reproductive competition in this species. The proportional contributions of males to workers and new queens did not vary within colonies. Moreover, male reproductive skew did not differ between workers and new queens. Finally, novel statistical techniques uncovered no evidence of patriline reversal, the phenomenon whereby males that contribute little to worker production contribute substantially to new queen production. Consequently, we conclude that individual level selection operating to increase the frequency of selfish behaviours that would lead to reproductive competition has been nullified by colony‐level selection acting to maintain colony efficiency and cooperation.
Streptococcus pyogenes pili promote pharyngeal cell adhesion and biofilm formation
Authors: Manetti Andrea G. O. , Zingaretti Chiara , Falugi Fabiana , Capo Sabrina , Bombaci Mauro , Bagnoli Fabio , Gambellini Gabriella , Bensi Giuliano , Mora Marirosa , Edwards Andrew M. , Musser James M. , Graviss Edward A. , Telford John L. , Grandi Guido , Margarit Immaculada 
Published: May 2007

SummaryGroup A Streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes) is a Gram‐positive human pathogen responsible for several acute diseases and autoimmune sequelae that account for half a million deaths worldwide every year. GAS infections require the capacity of the pathogen to adhere to host tissues and assemble in cell aggregates. Furthermore, a role for biofilms in GAS pathogenesis has recently been proposed. Here we investigated the role of GAS pili in biofilm formation. We demonstrated that GAS pilus‐negative mutants, in which the genes encoding either the pilus backbone structural protein or the sortase C1 have been deleted, showed an impaired capacity to attach to a pharyngeal cell line. The same mutants were much less efficient in forming cellular aggregates in liquid culture and microcolonies on human cells. Furthermore, mutant strains were incapable of producing the typical three‐dimensional layer with bacterial microcolonies embedded in a carbohydrate polymeric matrix. Complemented mutants had an adhesion and aggregation phenotype similar to the wild‐type strain. Finally, in vivo expression of pili was indirectly confirmed by demonstrating that most of the sera from human patients affected by GAS‐mediated pharyngitis recognized recombinant pili proteins. These data support the role of pili in GAS adherence and colonization and suggest a general role of pili in all pathogenic streptococci.
Viral nanomotors for packaging of dsDNA and dsRNA
Authors: Guo Peixuan , Lee Tae Jin 
Published: May 2007

SummaryWhile capsid proteins are assembled around single‐stranded genomic DNA or RNA in rod‐shaped viruses, the lengthy double‐stranded genome of other viruses is packaged forcefully within a preformed protein shell. This entropically unfavourable DNA or RNA packaging is accomplished by an ATP‐driven viral nanomotor, which is mainly composed of two components, the oligomerized channel and the packaging enzymes. This intriguing DNA or RNA packaging process has provoked interest among virologists, bacteriologists, biochemists, biophysicists, chemists, structural biologists and computational scientists alike, especially those interested in nanotechnology, nanomedicine, AAA+ family proteins, energy conversion, cell membrane transport, DNA or RNA replication and antiviral therapy. This review mainly focuses on the motors of double‐stranded DNA viruses, but double‐stranded RNA viral motors are also discussed due to interesting similarities. The novel and ingenious configuration of these nanomotors has inspired the development of biomimetics for nanodevices. Advances in structural and functional studies have increased our understanding of the molecular basis of biological movement to the point where we can begin thinking about possible applications of the viral DNA packaging motor in nanotechnology and medical applications.
Thiol‐disulphide oxidoreductase modules in the low‐GC Gram‐positive bacteria
Authors: Kouwen Thijs R. H. M. , Van Der Goot Annemieke , Dorenbos Ronald , Winter Theresa , Antelmann Haike , Plaisier Marie‐Claire , Quax Wim J. , Van Dijl January Maarten , Dubois Jean‐Yves F. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryDisulphide bond formation catalysed by thiol‐disulphide oxidoreductases (TDORs) is a universally conserved mechanism for stabilizing extracytoplasmic proteins. In Escherichia coli, disulphide bond formation requires a concerted action of distinct TDORs in thiol oxidation and subsequent quinone reduction. TDOR function in other bacteria has remained largely unexplored. Here we focus on TDORs of low‐GC Gram‐positive bacteria, in particular DsbA of Staphylococcus aureus and BdbA‐D of Bacillus subtilis. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that the homologues DsbA and BdbD cluster in distinct groups typical for Staphylococcus and Bacillus species respectively. To compare the function of these TDORs, DsbA was produced in various bdb mutants of B. subtilis. Next, we assessed the ability of DsbA to sustain different TDOR‐dependent processes, including heterologous secretion of E. coli PhoA, competence development and bacteriocin (sublancin 168) production. The results show that DsbA can function in all three processes. While BdbD needs a quinone oxidoreductase for activity, DsbA activity appears to depend on redox‐active medium components. Unexpectedly, both quinone oxidoreductases of B. subtilis are sufficient to sustain production of sublancin. Moreover, DsbA can functionally replace these quinone oxidoreductases in sublancin production. Taken together, our unprecedented findings imply that TDOR systems of low‐GC Gram‐positive bacteria have a modular composition.