bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and testing of revised practice belief scales among private general dental practitioners
Authors: Brennan DS , Spencer AJ 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground:  Practice beliefs have been related to service rate variation and appropriateness of care. The aim of this paper was to further develop practice belief scales by adding new items to an existing set and testing associations with dentist and practice characteristics, and services provided.Methods:  Practice belief items were recorded on a five‐point Likert scale using mailed questionnaires from a random sample of dentists in 2004 (response rate = 76.8 per cent).Results:  Factor analysis yielded five factor‐based scales, with three having adequate or near adequate internal consistency: Professional Autonomy (α = 0.72), Patient Focus (α = 0.71) and Preventive Orientation (α = 0.59). Responses were skewed towards strongly agree (scores 1–<2) for Professional Autonomy (60.6 per cent), Patient Focus (71.7 per cent) and Preventive Orientation (46.3 per cent). Higher percentages of dentists with strong agreement on Patient Focus were aged 30–39 and 60+ years, while lower percentages of dentists with strong agreement on Preventive Orientation were male (Chi‐square, P < 0.05). Those strongly agreeing with the scales (scores 1–<2) had (Poisson regression; P < 0.05): lower rates of restorative, a rate ratio (RR) of 0.93, dentures (RR = 0.72) and extractions (RR = 0.63) for Professional Autonomy; higher rates of dentures (RR = 1.32), crowns (RR = 1.46) and extractions (RR = 1.47) for Patient Focus; and lower rates of restorative (RR = 0.88), dentures (RR = 0.78), crowns (RR = 0.72), extractions (RR = 0.50), endodontics (RR = 0.80), but a higher rate of scaling (RR = 1.13) for Preventive Orientation.Conclusions:  The findings confirmed some of an earlier factor structure of practice beliefs, extended the potential practice belief domains, and demonstrated associations with service rates.
Dental service provision in Victorian residential aged care facilities
Authors: Hopcraft MS , Morgan MV , Satur JG , Wright FAC 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground:  The Australian population is ageing, and a growing proportion of elderly Australians are now living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). These residents are at high risk of developing dental diseases, have more teeth present now than at any time in the past 50 years and often have difficulty maintaining adequate oral hygiene. Traditionally, dental service provision has been problematic and sporadic for these residents.Methods:  A postal survey of a random sample of Victorian general dentists and Directors of Nursing (DONs) of Victorian RACFs was undertaken in 2006 to ascertain the participation of dentists in the provision of dental care and to identify factors impacting on the organization and provision of dental care for residents.Results:  The response rate for dentists was 57.3 per cent, and for DONs 64.4 per cent. Half of the dentists reported that they had provided care to residents of aged care facilities in the past 12 months, and they spent an average of one hour per month providing care. Overall, dentists were concerned with their level of undergraduate education and training in various aspects of dentistry for residents of aged care facilities. DONs reported significant difficulty obtaining adequate dental care for their residents. Common problems identified by both dentists and DONs included a preference for dentists to treat residents in their own practice, dentists not willing to go to RACFs and a lack of portable dental equipment for dentists to use.Conclusions:  There were low levels of interest and participation from Victorian dentists in providing dental care for residents of aged care facilities. Dentists had a strong preference for treating patients at their own practice, and there were a number of significant barriers that appeared to impact on the provision of dental care in RACFs.
Facial fractures in road cyclists
Authors: Lee KH , Chou H‐J 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground:  Despite the safety devices worn by bicycle riders and the road safety measures designed to protect them, road cycling is still associated with frequent traumas, notably to the extremities. Maxillofacial injuries are common, especially when road traffic accidents occur. There is a paucity of literature on the epidemiology of bicycle‐related facial fractures in New Zealand.Methods:  A retrospective database of patients presenting to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit at Christchurch Hospital during an 11‐year period was reviewed. Variables examined included demographics, types of fracture, mode of injury, and treatment delivered.Results:  Sixty‐three patients were identified as having road bicycle‐related facial fractures, with no increase in prevalence over the study period. Male to female ratio was 3:1, with 76 per cent involving patients aged between their first and third decade. Fall was the most common mechanism of injury, followed by collision. Fifty‐two per cent of patients were hospitalized and 40 per cent required surgical intervention. The highest incidence of injury was during January.Conclusions:  Road bicycle‐related fractures accounted for a small proportion of the workload at our unit. They predominantly affected young male adults. More than half of the patients were hospitalized and a major proportion of these required surgery.
Early detection of white spot lesions with digital camera and remineralization therapy
Authors: Iijima Y 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground:  In this paper, the characteristics of the early stage of dental caries are discussed and the methods we used to treat the early stage of dental caries to increase the number of caries‐free patients are presented. Studies from in vitro to in situ experiments and a clinical study were carried out to support clinical remineralization therapy.Methods and results:  To clarify the effect of time for remineralization, the degree of remineralization was assessed at 2 days, 6 days, and 10 days after 2‐day demineralization in 0.01 M/L lactic acid buffer (pH 4.0 at 37°). The remineralization solution contained 3.0 mM/L Ca, 1.8 mM/L P, and 3 ppm fluoride adjusted to pH 7.0. A 10‐day continuous remineralization with a 3 ppm fluoride resulted in a high fluoride concentration. To evaluate mineral loss from sound tooth structure and white spot lesions, thin sections (about 90 μm) including white spots (WS) were prepared and exposed to oral conditions for 2 weeks continuously. The mineral loss from sound tooth structure was found to be twice that from WS. In another experiment during the remineralization period, enamel samples were immersed in three different bicarbonate solutions; 0.5, 5.0 and 50 mM/L for 30 minutes, two times per day. Both the bicarbonate and fluoride applied groups showed higher improvement in acid resistance and the amount of remaining mineral was almost two times higher than the controls (p < 0.01). In a clinical study we demonstrated remineralization in patients who followed professional mechanical tooth cleaning and fluoride prophylaxis paste. Using this regime, in patients with deciduous caries present at baseline, over 80 per cent of permanent teeth were caries free at the age of 12 years. In these studies the digital camera with CasMaTCH™ and an image analysis system showed several advantages for monitoring in de‐ and remineralization.Conclusions:  White spot lesions, rather than intact tooth surfaces, can be mineralized through the daily clinical procedures described in this paper.
Remineralization of deep enamel dentine caries lesions
Authors: Ten Cate JM 
Published: August 2008

AbstractEnamel remineralization is generally studied in superficial (up to 100 μm) lesions, but in vivo caries lesions may be tenfold deeper. This article addresses the question whether deep lesions, and extending into dentine, can be remineralized under optimal conditions and if this process is influenced by agents affecting calcium phosphate precipitation and dissolution. Lesions through enamel into dentine were first formed in thin sections and then continuously remineralized for periods up to 200 days. With longitudinal assessment by transversal microradiography it was showed that remineralization throughout the depth of the lesion and into the dentine was possible, although this process is very slow. Fluoride and bisphosphonate treatments affected mainly the deposition in the outer enamel. Although it was assumed that this would affect the diffusion of ions to deeper layers, the treatments had no impact on remineralization in the inner enamel or dentinal parts of the lesions. These findings are discussed with relevant theoretical considerations, and in their possible clinical implications.
The effects of N‐acetylcysteine on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 in hepatic fibrosis in bile duct ligated rats
Authors: Rezaei Arezou , Ardestani Sussan Kaboudanian , Forouzandeh Mehdi , Tavangar Seyed Mohammad , Khorramizadeh Mohammad Reza , Payabvash Seyedmehdi , Nezami Behtash Ghazi , Jahanshiri Zahra , Tavakoli Zahra , Shariftabrizi Ahmad , Dehpour Ahmad Reza 
Published: August 2008

Aim: N‐acetylcysteine can inhibit the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen intermediates. Cellular redox state plays a role in regulating the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase‐2. We investigated the effects of N‐acetylcysteine on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐2.Methods: Bile duct ligated rats were used as a model of hepatic fibrosis. We compared the level of gene expression (using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT–PCR]), liver function parameters, hepatic reactive oxygen production, lipid peroxidation and glutathione state in experimental groups.Results: N‐acetylcysteine treatment significantly improved liver function parameters including the plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase and bilirubin. In addition, significant improvement of glutathione state and reactive oxygen production were observed. Hepatic lipid peroxidation was reversed by N‐acetylcysteine treatment. Although N‐acetylcysteine treatment did not completely normalize the increased matrix metalloproteinase‐2 expression, it significantly decreased its level by 65%. N‐acetylcysteine treatment also significantly decreased matrix metalloproteinase‐2 activity and normalized tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 expression.Conclusion: Collectively, N‐acetylcysteine showed inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 expression and activity. In addition, administration of N‐acetylcysteine was associated with downregulation of the expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and amelioration of oxidative stress in the liver of bile duct ligated rats.
In vivo interferon system assessed by 2′‐5′ oligoadenylate synthetase activity in chronic hepatitis C virus patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin
Authors: Shindo Michiko , Hamada Kazushige , Morikawa Teruhisa , Harano Yuichi , Nakajima Tomoaki , Okuno Tadao 
Published: August 2008

Aim:  2′,5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (2‐5AS), an enzyme induced by interferon, is an accurate indicator of the antiviral effect of interferon. We measured it during pegylated interferon based therapies in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in order to determine the dynamics of antiviral status in vivo and the relationship between the response to exogenous interferon and the outcome of therapy.Methods:  A total of 160 patients with chronic HCV were treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2a or 2b or non‐pegylated interferon, with or without ribavirin. Serum 2‐5AS activity was measured by radioimmunoassay assay kits every 2 weeks.Results:  In 60 patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2a or 2b, 2‐5AS levels increased to 7–40 times (average 235 pmol/dL) above the pretreatment levels (30 pmol/dL), which were significantly higher than the levels during non‐pegylated interferon therapy. Ribavirin did not enhance 2‐5AS levels. 2‐5AS levels between sustained virological response (SVR) and non‐SVR, including null responders to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy were not significantly different.Conclusion:  2‐5AS levels were significantly higher in patients treated with pegylated interferon than in those treated with non‐pegylated interferon, suggesting that pegylated interferon is more potent at inducing interferon response genes resulting in an improved antiviral effect. Ribavirin did not appear to be related to interferon response gene induction.
Hepatic oxidant/antioxidant status in cholesterol‐fed rabbits: Effects of garlic extract
Authors: Arhan Mehmet , Öztürk H. Serdar , Turhan Nesrin , Aytac Bilal , Güven M. Cengiz , Olcay Ekmel , Durak İlker 
Published: August 2008

Aim: The investigation of oxidant/antioxidant status in hepatic tissues from cholesterol‐fed rabbits and the establishment of possible protective effects of aqueous garlic extract on cholesterol‐induced hepatic steatosis.Methods: Twenty‐two of 31 white New Zealand rabbits were given cholesterol (0.5 g/kg/day) for 4 months. Seven of them were then killed (cholesterol group). The remaining 15 animals were divided into two groups. Seven were fed on a normal laboratory diet (normal diet group) and the others (extract group) on a normal diet plus garlic extract (1.5 ml/kg/day) for an additional 3 months. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), catalase (CAT) enzyme activities, antioxidant potential (AOP) value, malondialdehyde (MDA), cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the liver tissues and total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum samples were measured. An histological evaluation was also done.Results: An impaired antioxidant system, reduced antioxidant defence potential and increased peroxidation were found in hepatic steatotic tissues from cholesterol‐fed animals. Treatment with garlic extract caused a significant increase in antioxidant potential and partly eliminated peroxidation damage in the hepatic tissue. Additionally, the extract caused significant reductions in the cholesterol levels of blood and hepatic tissues. The histological evaluations were in accordance with these results.Conclusion: The results suggest that cholesterol‐induced steatosis leads to a weakened antioxidant defence system and causes peroxidation in the hepatic tissue. Treatment with garlic extract may contribute to significant amelioration in the hepatic steatosis and peroxidation processes.
Liver regeneration is impaired by FK778 in partially hepatectomized rats, while supplemental uridine restores both liver growth and hepatocyte proliferation
Authors: Biglarnia Ali‐Reza , Lorant Tomas , Lee Hyon‐Soek , Tufveson Gunnar , Tötsch Martin , Malagó Massimo 
Published: August 2008

Aim:  The impact of mandatory immunosuppression on liver regeneration after segmental liver transplantation is of clinical importance. FK778, a novel immunosuppressant, inhibits pyrimidine biosynthesis and prevents rejection after organ transplantation in a dose‐dependent manner. We investigated the effect of FK778 at a highly effective dose on liver regeneration in a small animal model.Methods:  Inbred Lewis rats were subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) and treated with saline (n = 28), uridine (n = 16), FK778 alone (n = 28) or in combination with uridine (n = 16). FK778 was given intravenously daily at a dose of 25 mg/kg bodyweight (bw) and uridine was given daily intraperitoneally at a dose of 250 mg/kg bw. Liver bodyweight ratio (LBR), hepatocyte proliferation index (PI), blood chemistry and morphological analysis were incorporated. PI was determined by Ki‐67 immunostaining. De Ritis ratio was calculated to assess the extent of liver damage.Results:  In FK778‐treated animals PI was decreased at 24 h and 72 h and LBR was lower at 48 h and 72 h (P < 0.05) after the PH. In addition, morphological analysis showed confluent central lobular necrosis at 72 h in four of seven animals. Uridine supplementation restored PI, LBR and the de Ritis ratio in FK778‐treated animals and no confluent necroses were observed.Conclusion:  FK778 is antihepatotrophic as well as antiproliferative during rat liver regeneration. Both liver growth and hepatocyte proliferation are completely restored by supplementation with uridine. In addition, supplemental uridine markedly reduces the severity of morphological abnormalities consistent with FK778 toxicity.
Frequency and distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes among eastern Indian voluntary blood donors: Association with precore and basal core promoter mutations
Authors: Biswas Avik , Chandra Partha K , Datta Sibnarayan , Panigrahi Rajesh , Banerjee Arup , Chakrabarti Shekhar , Biswas Kalidas , Patra Dipak , Bhattacharya Prasun , Biswas Kuntal , Chakravarty Runu 
Published: August 2008

Aim:  To screen hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and associated basal core promoter (BCP; T1762/A1764) and precore (PreC; A1896) mutations among the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) positive voluntary blood donors in eastern India.Methods:  HBV genotypes, BCP and PreC mutations of 141 HBsAg positive voluntary blood donors were determined by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method and a phylogenetic tree was constructed from surface (S) gene region sequences of representative HBsAg positive donors to confirm the results.Results:  HBV/D was the most predominant (79, 56.0%) genotype followed by HBV/C (33, 23.4%) and HBV/A (29, 20.6%). HBV/C infected blood donors are mostly young (18–25 years). The occurrence of BCP mutation was found to be significantly higher in HBV/C (24, 72.7%) than in HBV/A (7, 24.1%, P < 0.001) and HBV/D (17, 21.5%, P < 0.001), whereas PreC mutation was more frequent in HBV/D (28, 35.4%) than in HBV/C (9, 27.3%). However, the simultaneous presence of BCP and PreC mutations was more common in HBV/C (8/33, 24.2%), followed by HBV/D (6/79, 7.6%).Conclusion:  In addition to HBV/D and HBV/A, a significant proportion of HBV/C (23.4%) was also present among the voluntary blood donors from eastern India, most frequently in the 18–25 year age group. BCP mutation was more common in HBV/C infected donors.
Effect of porto‐systemic shunting on NOS expression after extended hepatectomy in rats
Authors: Hayashi Hironori , Shimizu Koichi , Tani Takashi , Takamura Hiroyuki , Takeshita Masaki , Nakamura Keishi , Ninomiya Itasu , Fushida Sachio , Harada Shin‐ichi , Kayahara Masato 
Published: August 2008

Aim:  Several surgical procedures have been developed for reducing portal vein pressure to prevent postoperative liver injury. Nitric oxide synthase expression (NOS) induced by elevation of portal vein pressure is thought to play an important role in liver regeneration, but the details are not well understood.Methods:  Rats in the control group and in the subcutaneous splenic transposition (SST) group underwent 90% partial hepatectomy. Survival and portal vein pressure were analyzed. The serum IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatocyte proliferation and apoptosis 12 hours after hepatectomy were analyzed immunohistochemically. The protein and messenger RNA expression of inducible and endothelial NOS were analyzed using Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, respectively.Results:  The survival rate of the SST group was significantly higher. Portal vein pressure, TNF‐α level and the apoptotic index were significantly lower in the SST group. Twelve hours after surgery, liver inducible NOS (iNOS) protein expression was significantly lower in the SST group. However, protein expression of endothelial NOS was not significantly different between the groups.Conclusion:  Inducible NOS expression after extended hepatectomy is related to the effects of porto‐systemic shunting on the splanchnic circulation. Also, iNOS induction and concomitant nitric oxide generation appear to participate in the cytotoxicity of excessive portal pressure after extended hepatectomy.
Establishing action levels for EPID‐based QA for IMRT
Authors: Howell Rebecca M. , Smith Iris P. N. , Jarrio Christie S. 
Published: August 2008

Although portal dosimetry is used to provide quality assurance (QA) for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment plans, trends in agreement between the portal dose prediction (PDP) and the measured dose have not been clarified. In this work, we evaluated three scalar parameters of agreement for 152 treatment plans (1152 treatment fields): maximum gamma , average gamma , and percentage of the field area with a gamma value greater than 1.0 . These data were then used to set clinical action levels based on the institutional mean and standard deviations. We found that agreement between measured dose and PDP was improved by recalculating the fields at lower dose rates. We conclude that action levels are a useful tool for standardizing the evaluation of EPID‐based IMRT QA.PACS numbers: 87.53.Oq, 87.53.Mr, 87.53.Xd
Time‐course of effects of external beam radiation on [18F]FDG uptake in healthy tissue and bone marrow
Authors: Kesner Adam L , Lau Victoria K , Speiser Michael , Hsueh Wei‐Ann , Agazaryan Nzhde , DeMarco John J , Czernin Johannes , Silverman Daniel HS 
Published: August 2008

The utility of PET for monitoring responses to radiation therapy have been complicated by metabolically active processes in surrounding normal tissues. We examined the time‐course of [18F]FDG uptake in normal tissues using small animal‐dedicated PET during the 2 month period following external beam radiation. Four mice received 12 Gy of external beam radiation, in a single fraction to the left half of the body. Small animal [18F]FDG‐PET scans were acquired for each mouse at 0 (pre‐radiation), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 19, 24, and 38 days following irradiation. [18F]FDG activity in various tissues was compared between irradiated and non‐irradiated body halves before, and at each time point after irradiation. Radiation had a significant impact on [18F]FDG uptake in previously healthy tissues, and time‐course of effects differed in different types of tissues. For example, liver tissue demonstrated increased uptake, particularly over days 3–12, with the mean left to right uptake ratio increasing 52% over mean baseline values . In contrast, femoral bone marrow uptake demonstrated decreased uptake, particularly over days 2–8, with the mean left to right uptake ratio decreasing 26% below mean baseline values . Significant effects were also seen in lung and brain tissue. Radiation had diverse effects on [18F]FDG uptake in previously healthy tissues. These kinds of data may help lay groundwork for a systematically acquired database of the time‐course of effects of radiation on healthy tissues, useful for animal models of cancer therapy imminently, as well as interspecies extrapolations pertinent to clinical application eventually.PACs Number: 87.50.‐a