bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct in situ measurement of cell turgor in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) berries during development and in response to plant water deficits
Authors: THOMAS TYLER R. , MATTHEWS MARK A. , SHACKEL KEN A. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT Vitis vinifera L. berries are non‐climacteric fruits that exhibit a double‐sigmoid growth pattern, and at the point known as ‘veraison’, which is just before the beginning of the second period of rapid fruit growth, these berries undergo several abrupt physiological changes. Cell pressure probe was used to examine the in situ turgor (P) of cells in the mesocarp during berry development and in response to plant water deficits. Initial tests comparing attached and detached berries demonstrated that cell P was stable for up to 48 h after detachment from the vine, provided that water loss from the berry was prevented. Cell P at pre‐dawn was on the order of 0.25 MPa pre‐veraison (PreV) and was reduced by an order of magnitude to 0.02 MPa post veraison (PostV). Cell P declined slightly but significantly with depth from the berry surface PreV, but not PostV. When water was withheld from potted vines, cell P declined about 0.2 Mpa, as pre‐dawn vine water potential declined about 0.6 MPa over 12 d, whereas cell P was completely insensitive to a 1.10 MPa decrease in pre‐dawn vine water potential after veraison. Rewatering of stressed plants also resulted in a 24 h recovery of cell P before, but not after veraison. The substantial decline in cell P around veraison is consistent with the decline in berry firmness that is known to occur at this time, and the PostV insensitivity of P to changes in vine water status is consistent with current hypotheses that the PostV berry is hydraulically isolated from the vine. The fact that a measurable P of about 0.02 MPa and typical cell hydraulic/osmotic behaviour were exhibited in PostV berries, however, indicates that cell membranes remain intact after veraison, contrary to many current hypotheses that veraison is associated with a general loss of membrane function and cellular compartmentation in the grape berry. We hypothesize that cell P is low in the PostV berry, and possibly other fleshy fruits, because of the presence of regulated quantities of apoplastic solutes.
From English to Italian: Aesthetic Restorative Course By Distance Learning
Authors: Millar B , Reynolds PA. , Paganelli P , Gastaldi G 
Published: April 2006

Aims  To provide a new online course translated into Italian entitled ‘Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry’ based on selected units from the e‐MClinDent (Master of Clinical Dentistry in Prosthodontics) of the University of London, UK.Materials and Methods  The M.Clin.Dent. (Prosthodontics) is intended for dental practitioners who wish to enhance their knowledge of fixed and removable prosthodontics. The online four year course is run through the External Programme of London University. http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/dentistry. To make the course more available to countries where English is not the first language, and as part of the Anglo‐Italian Collaboration, a pilot short course selected 8 of the 72 modules of the degree. Copyright permission was granted from London University. Two units were translated by an Italian restorative specialist working in the UK and checked for accuracy by the Italian Director. The units were uploaded onto the virtual learning environment (WebCT) with rich media and references hyperlinked. Assessment is by online multiple choice questionnaires and online assignments marked by Italian staff. This poster describes the process and progress of the development of the short course.Results  Following initial consultations between the two Schools, four sections were identified: Section 1 ‐ Treatment options: Diagnosis, treatment planning and options, Section 2 – Techniques: Tooth preparation, impressions, soft tissue management, temporary restorations Section 3 – Materials Section 4 – Optional hands‐on training for credit rated certification The first two Units have been translated, verified and uploaded. An online feedback questionnaire was devised to assess the educational, assessment and presentational issues. Initial response from prospective Italian students has been positive and the remaining Units are being processed.Conclusions  The planning, translation and production of the first two Units has brought a very positive response. Completion of the short course and launch in 2006 with translation into other languages such as Spanish is planned.
An Approach to Interdisciplinary Training in Postgraduate Education
Authors: Brodin P , Espeland L , Stenvik A 
Published: April 2006

Aims  A primary goal for clinical graduate training is to provide the student with the expertise required for specialist treatment in the actual discipline. At the same time there is an increasing need for a broader perspective on specialist care and the students should be aware of the limitations inherent in own specialty. In order to plan treatment in the best interest of the patient, and to be prepared to take part in treatments involving other specialties, the students should be exposed to interdisciplinary cooperation throughout the training. An approach to joint academic and clinical training with the purpose of providing graduate students with a broader perspective on specialist care is described and discussed.Material and methods  During their first year graduate students in the 7 different disciplines complete a joint Core Curriculum consisting of 8 different courses to stimulate a scientific approach to their profession and understanding of basic biologic mechanisms. To create a learning environment focusing on the development of interdisciplinary competence, a joint clinic has been established. Teams of students from different disciplines have been organized in order to establish ‘partnership’ for the treatment of patients with complex problems. The students also take part in the sessions held by a faculty Team of experts for assessment and treatment planning of referred patients with complex problems. Furthermore, faculty members conduct courses and seminars for students from other disciplines and students also participate in selected parts of the regular program in other disciplines.Results  Formal evaluation has so far been conducted for the Core Curriculum. Most students respond that they are satisfied with the courses, and the curriculum has also been adjusted based on the comments. The students report that treatment of patients in need of interdisciplinary treatment has been facilitated by having ‘partners’ in other disciplines. Participation in the Team of expert's sessions has been appreciated, and the attendance at interdisciplinary courses and seminars has been good.Conclusions  Based on the experience over the last 5 years, the interdisciplinary aspects of graduate training should be expanded to stimulate a holistic approach also to specialist treatment.
Different Structures of European Postgraduate Programmes
Authors: Eaton KA 
Published: April 2006

This paper considered the ever growing range of European postgraduate programmes on dental topics that can lead to the award of a postgraduate degree or diploma. These programmes may be centred on general dentistry, specific clinical disciplines, research or other topics such as practice management or applied dental informatics. Some cover all these areas. Historically they have been run within dental schools or other academic institutions. However, recently some have been (and are) provided as distance learning courses.The resulting degrees or diplomas are frequently required for career progression in academic dentistry or, in countries where dental specialties are recognised, prior to recognition as a specialist. In the last decade, a number of European specialist societies, including those for Periodontology and Children's Dentistry have developed curricula for 3‐year Masters courses, approved training centres and externally validated this training. The paper concluded that there has been considerable growth in both the number and range of postgraduate dental programmes in Europe and that, although the providing institutions are in competition, it is essential that they work together to ensure that the quality of education provided is at a high level. Such collaboration may be facilitated by organisations such as the Association for Dental Education in Europe and other Pan‐European groups.
PhD Programmes
Authors: Beertsen W 
Published: April 2006

The Berlin Communiqué (2003) on The Bologna Process mentions the importance of research as an integral part of Higher Education across Europe and calls for the inclusion of doctoral level qualifications as the Third Cycle (after the Bachelor‐Master system). It is expected that incorporation of the PhD‐training programme will reinforce the link between the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area. To facilitate this process it is important to define common standards and to remove legal and other obstacles that might prohibit co‐operation among EU countries.Not all dental faculties in Europe are using a similar format for attaining the doctoral level. The varying format highlights the differences rather than the similarities among members of the EU. Based on the outcome of a trans‐continental questionnaire, an attempt was made to outline the contours of a common PhD programme for dentistry that might serve as a template for European compliance.
TNF‐α SNP haplotype frequencies in equidae
Authors: Brown J. J. , Ollier W. E. R. , Thomson W. , Matthews J. B. , Carter S. D. , Binns M. , Pinchbeck G. , Clegg P. D. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractTumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses. In all vertebrate species the genes encoding TNF‐α are located within the major histocompatability complex. In the horse TNF‐α has been ascribed a role in a variety of important disease processes. Previously two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported within the 5′ un‐translated region of the equine TNF‐α gene. We have examined the equine TNF‐α promoter region further for additional SNPs by analysing DNA from 131 horses (Equus caballus), 19 donkeys (E. asinus), 2 Grant's zebras (E. burchellii boehmi) and one onager (E. hemionus). Two further SNPs were identified at nucleotide positions 24 (T/G) and 452 (T/C) relative to the first nucleotide of the 522 bp polymerase chain reaction product. A sequence variant at position 51 was observed between equidae. SNaPSHOT™ genotyping assays for these and the two previously reported SNPs were performed on 457 horses comprising seven different breeds and 23 donkeys to determine the gene frequencies. SNP frequencies varied considerably between different horse breeds and also between the equine species. In total, nine different TNF‐α promoter SNP haplotypes and their frequencies were established amongst the various equidae examined, with some haplotypes being found only in horses and others only in donkeys or zebras. The haplotype frequencies observed varied greatly between different horse breeds. Such haplotypes may relate to levels of TNF‐α production and disease susceptibility and further investigation is required to identify associations between particular haplotypes and altered risk of disease.
Interleukin‐18 promoter polymorphism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Pawlik A. , Kurzawski M. , Czerny B. , Gawronska‐Szklarz B. , Drozdzik M. , Herczynska M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which interleukin (IL)‐18 plays an important role. However, there are controversial reports on IL‐18 promoter polymorphism as an independent marker of RA susceptibility. The aim of present study was to examine the IL‐18 promoter polymorphism in patients with RA, and its association with disease susceptibility, activity and severity. We examined 309 patients with RA from a Polish population diagnosed according to the criteria of American College of Rheumatology. An allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction was used for analysis of the polymorphisms in positions − 137 and − 607 in promoter region of IL‐18 gene. A significantly decreased number of subjects with AC/AC and AG/AG diplotypes was observed among RA patients as compared with healthy controls (OR – 0.51, 95%CI 0.28–0.95, P = 0.045) and (OR – 0.12, 95% CI 0.02–0.97, P = 0.042), respectively. Nevertheless, there was no significant association with disease activity, joint erosions, extra‐articular manifestations, rheumatoid factor. Above results suggest that IL‐18–137 and − 607 promoter polymorphisms are not the significant factors influencing RA course and severity in a Polish population.
Microscale modelling of cleavage fracture at low temperatures: influence of heterogeneities at the granular scale
Authors: MATHIEU J.‐P. , BERVEILLER S. , INAL K. , DIARD O. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTA methodology is proposed in this paper to compute local probability of fracture of a representative volume element from microstructural and fractographic information. A microscale approach is reported for cleavage fracture modelling of bainitic reactor pressure vessel steel. A fine metallographic and micro‐mechanical characterization has been performed. Morphological information has been used to generate realistic three‐dimensional (3D) aggregates and a suitable calibration process has been set up to identify an accurate crystal plasticity model for A508 bainitic steel. Simulation results have been successfully compared with macroscopic stress–strain curve. Taking benefits of a fine mechanical description of local stress and strain fields in aggregates, a post‐processing has been implemented to compute stress to failure values, for several realizations of an experimental carbides sizes distribution. A cumulative probability of fracture is proposed for this steel.
Generalized stress intensity factors due to steady and transient thermal loads with applications to welded joints
Authors: FERRO P. , BERTO F. , LAZZARIN P. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper deals with the elastic and plastic stress fields induced by thermal loads in the vicinity of sharp V‐notch tips in plates. Under the hypothesis of steady‐state heat transfer and plane‐strain conditions, the thermal and mechanical problem requires the numerical solution of an ordinary differential equation (ODE) system, obtained by extending the ‘stress function approach’. The intensity of the stress distributions ahead of V‐notch tips can be expressed in terms of thermal notch stress intensity factors (thermal NSIFs), as for external loads.The problem becomes much more demanding in the presence of transient thermal loads. The residual asymptotic stress distribution arising from the solidification of a fusion zone during an arc welding process is obtained by considering different boundary conditions. An aluminium butt‐welded joint is analysed after having modelled the weld toe region as a sharp V‐notch. A finite element (FE) simulation of the welding process is carried out by means of SYSWELD code (version 2004.1) modelling the arc welding torch by means of Goldak's source. Near the weld toe, the intensity of the residual stress field is given in terms of elastic or elastic—plastic generalized NSIFs.
Comparison of outcomes in elective partial vs radical nephrectomy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma of 4–7 cm
Authors: DASH ATREYA , VICKERS ANDREW J. , SCHACHTER LEE R. , BACH ARIADNE M. , SNYDER MARK E. , RUSSO PAUL 
Published: April 2006

OBJECTIVETo compare the outcomes of patients who had a elective partial nephrectomy (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN) for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of 4–7 cm.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom March 1998 to July 2004, 45 and 151 patients underwent PN and RN, respectively, for clear cell RCC. A multivariate Cox model was constructed for disease‐free survival with adjustment for markers of disease severity, and a propensity‐score approach used as a confirmatory analysis.RESULTSIn the PN and RN cohorts the treatment failed in one and 20 patients, respectively; the median follow‐up was 21 months. The hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for PN after adjusting for disease severity was 0.36 (0.05–2.82; P = 0.3). Using planned PN as a predictor (intent‐to‐treat analysis) the hazard ratio was 1.06 (0.32–3.53; P = 0.9). In the propensity‐score model, planned PN was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.75 (0.50–6.14; P = 0.4). The serum creatinine level 3 months after surgery was significantly lower in patients who had PN, with a difference between the means of 0.36  (0.23–0.48; P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSRenal function was preserved after PN for 4–7 cm clear cell RCC tumours. When comparing the outcomes of PN and RN it is important to consider the intended operation as an independent variable. There was no clear evidence that PN was associated with worse cancer control, although a continued follow‐up of this and other cohorts is warranted.
Third‐generation cryotherapy for prostate cancer in the UK: a prospective study of the early outcomes in primary and recurrent disease
Authors: CRESSWELL JOANNE , ASTERLING SUSAN , CHAUDHARY MOAZZAM , SHEIKH NAEEM , GREENE DAMIAN 
Published: April 2006

OBJECTIVETo present the early results of the use of third‐generation cryotherapy in primary and recurrent prostate cancer at one UK centre.PATIENTS AND METHODSOver a 14‐month period 51 patients underwent cryotherapy for prostate cancer. In 31 patients cryotherapy was used as the primary treatment and in 20 as a salvage treatment after radiotherapy or hormone ablation. Data were collected prospectively and the median follow‐up was 9 months.RESULTSThe prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level decreased to <0.5 ng/mL in 79% of patients undergoing primary treatment and in 67% of patients undergoing salvage treatment. A higher Gleason grade and PSA levels were associated with a poorer outcome. No patient developed a fistula, 4% developed urinary retention requiring transurethral prostatectomy and 4% had persistent incontinence. The rates of erectile dysfunction were high (86%). The median inpatient stay was 2 days.CONCLUSIONEarly results suggest that cryotherapy offers a safe alternative for primary and recurrent prostate cancer, particularly for older and less fit patients. Long‐term data are required to assess the durability of response and the effect on survival.
α‐blocker monotherapy in the treatment of nocturia in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a prospective study of response prediction
Authors: PAICK JAE‐SEUNG , KU JA HYEON , SHIN JAE WOOK , YANG JI HYUN , KIM SOO WOONG 
Published: April 2006

OBJECTIVETo determine the efficacy of an α‐adrenoceptor antagonist, terazosin, in reducing nocturia in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and to identify the factors predicting treatment outcome.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 100 patients were treated with 2 mg of terazosin once daily for the first 7 days, and continued to receive 4 mg of terazosin once daily for the following 3 weeks. The men were assessed at baseline and at the end of treatment using uroflowmetry, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the degree of nocturia estimated from a frequency‐volume chart (FVC) and objectively.RESULTSOn the FVC, 27 patients reported that the terazosin treatment reduced their nocturia by more than half, and 14 reported a reduction of 25–49%. On the IPSS, 31 patients reported that the treatment reduced their nocturia by more than half and 27 reported a reduction of 25–49%. On multivariate regression analysis, only the actual number of nightly voids on the FVC was associated with a 2.1‐fold chance of an improvement of >25% in objective nocturia (P = 0.016). Using a comparable model, a greater nocturia score on the IPSS was associated with a higher likelihood of improvement in subjective nocturia (odds ratio, 1.653; 95% confidence interval, 1.079–2.533; P = 0.021).CONCLUSIONTreatment with terazosin can reduce patients’ episodes of nocturia both subjectively and objectively in some men with LUTS. Our results suggest that both subjective and objective numbers of nocturia episodes are associated with improvements in subjective and objective nocturnal frequencies, respectively.
Renal cell carcinoma local recurrences: impact of surgical treatment and concomitant metastasis on survival
Authors: BRUNO J. JAMES , SNYDER MARK E. , MOTZER ROBERT J. , RUSSO PAUL 
Published: April 2006

The local recurrence of renal cancer is an uncommon event, but it is often tempting to remove such recurrences surgically. Authors from the USA analysed the survival benefit of such a strategy in the presence and the absence of concomitant metastatic disease. They found that, in the absence of metastases, complete surgical resection of local recurrences is associated with improved survival.Authors from the same institution compared outcomes in elective partial vs radical nephrectomy for renal cancers of 4.7 cm. They found no clear evidence that partial nephrectomy was associated with worse cancer control, but suggest that continued follow‐up of this cohort is required.OBJECTIVETo analyse the survival benefit of resecting local recurrence (LR) of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the presence and absence of concomitant metastasis.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom 1989 to 2004 we identified 34 patients with LRs (2.9%) of the 1165 radical nephrectomies performed for T1–4N0M0 disease. Of these, 18 (53%) had no evidence of metastasis (isolated LR incidence, 1.5%) and 16 (47%) had synchronous metastasis. Of the 18 patients with no metastasis, 11 had complete surgical resection (group I) and seven had nonsurgical therapy (group II). Of the 16 patients with synchronous metastasis, five had surgery (group III) and 11 did not (group IV). Survival was projected using the Kaplan–Meier method and log‐rank test for each group.RESULTSEight of the 34 patients (24%) were symptomatic. The T stage of the initial nephrectomy was T1a in two cases, T1b in six, T2 in five, T3a in six, T3b in eight, T4 in six and unknown in one; 22 patients (65%) had clear cell histology. There were no significant differences in median time to LR or the LR size among the groups. The median (range) follow‐up was 16.9 (0.5–103.6) months. Of the 11 patients in group I, three remain with no evidence of disease, three are alive with metastatic disease, and five died from disease. By contrast, 21 of the 23 patients (91%) in groups II, III and IV died from disease. The overall estimated 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year survivals were 63%, 31% and 18%. The median survival time was 71.4 months for group I, 9.9 for II, 16.3 for III, and 11.8 for IV (P < 0.01) with a 5‐year survival of 62% for group I and 0% for groups II, III, and IV.CONCLUSIONSLR after radical nephrectomy is rare (2.9%) and has a poor prognosis. The presence of synchronous metastasis and nonoperative therapy are related to these low survival rates. However, if there is no metastatic disease, complete surgical resection of LRs is associated with improved survival.