bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection and Quantification of Dental Unit Water Line Contamination by Oral Streptococci
Authors: Petti Stefano , Tarsitani Gianfranco 
Published: May 2006

Objective.(1) To investigate the prevalence of oral streptococci (OS) and biological indicators of water contamination by oral fluids in water from dental unit water lines (DUWs) by detection and quantification and of saprophytes indigenous to the oral cavity. (2) To test whether measurement of the total cultivable mesophilic flora (TCF), the parameter commonly used to monitor water quality in DUWs, is an effective predictor for OS contamination.Design.Survey of 21 dental units equipped with antiretraction devices. Water samples were collected from air-water syringes, cup fillers, tap water, and before and during the working day.Setting.Units were from 7 public dental offices selected for convenience from among those in proximity of the microbiological laboratory.Methods.For detection of OS, samples were plated on an enriched medium, to revitalize the organisms. Colonies were subcultured on a selective medium and biochemically identified (lower detection limit, 1 cfu/mL). For measurement of the TCF, samples were plated on a nutrient-poor medium. Cultures with colony counts greater than 200 cfu/mL were considered to be TCF positive. The sensitivity and specificity of TCF positivity in predicting OS detection was calculated.Results.Prevalence rates for OS contamination and for TCF positivity were, respectively, 34.4% (11 of 32 samples) and 25.0% (8 of 32 samples) for syringes, 27.8% (10 of 36 samples) and 8.3% (3 of 36 samples) for cup fillers, and 0.0% (0 of 7 samples) for tap water. OS contamination levels ranged from 1 to 6 cfu/mL. No statistically significant differences were found between samples obtained before and during the working day. TCF positivity did not predict OS contamination effectively, because of low sensitivity.Conclusions.Given the absence of OS in tap water, the reported prevalence of OS contamination suggests that oral fluids are aspirated during dental therapy with relatively high frequency and that DUWs can potentially expose successive patients to bloodborne cross-infections.
From a radial operating theatre to a self‐contained operating table
Authors: Ofek E. , Pizov R. , Bitterman N. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryEquipment congestion and a disarray of wires, tubes and lines (the spaghetti syndrome) is a common scenario in operating theatres. The radial arrangement of input and output signals and their interconnecting lines has been identified as the main source of clutter and congestion in this environment. Our aim was to present a comprehensive design concept for reducing electrical and physical clutter in the operating theatre. Data were collected from different operating theatres, including identification and sorting of equipment, cables, tubes and lines according to the direction and the features of the transmitted information and materials. We suggest a concept of a self‐contained, ‘built‐in’ operating table as a design solution for avoiding the clutter and congestion caused by the radial configuration. The operating table will function as a central integrated unit for management of the entire process of patient flow and control of supply systems and environmental conditions.
Decision analysis in anaesthesia: a tool for developing and analysing clinical management plans
Authors: Yentis S. M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryTraditional medical decision making is unstructured and incorporates evidence haphazardly. I present a more structured approach based on decision analysis, a model that considers all relevant options and outcomes informed by evidence where appropriate. This method is useful both for planning clinical management and for analysing decisions already taken.
Population pharmacokinetics of tipifarnib in healthy subjects and adult cancer patients
Authors: Perez‐Ruixo Juan Jose , Piotrovskij Vladimir , Zhang Steven , Hayes Siobhan , Porre Peter De , Zannikos Peter 
Published: May 2006

AimsTo characterize the population pharmacokinetics of tipifarnib.MethodsA total of 1083 subjects treated orally with a solution, capsule or tablet formulations of tipifarnib, given as a single dose or as multiple twice‐daily doses (range 25–1300 mg) were combined with data from 1, 2 and 24 h intravenous infusions. A total of 3445 concentrations in the index data set were fitted by an open three‐compartment linear disposition model with sequential zero‐order input into the depot compartment, followed by a first‐order absorption process, and lag time, using NONMEM V. The effect of patient covariates on tipifarnib pharmacokinetics was explored. The model was evaluated using goodness of fit plots and relative error measurements for 3894 concentrations in the test data set. Computer simulations were undertaken to evaluate the effect of covariates on tipifarnib pharmacokinetics.ResultsTipifarnib oral bioavailability (26.7%) did not differ between the formulations. The absorption rate from the solution was faster than from the solid forms. Whereas the absorption rate and systemic clearance were more rapid in healthy subjects, the extent of absorption and the steady‐state volume of distribution were comparable in cancer patients and healthy subjects. Systemic clearance in cancer patients (21.9 l h−1) exhibited a statistically significant relationship with total bilirubin. The typical volume of the central compartment in cancer patients (54.6 l 70 kg−1) was directly proportional to body weight. The clinical relevance of these covariates in cancer patients is questionable as there was a substantial overlap in simulated concentration‐time profiles across a wide range of covariate values.ConclusionsA population PK approach has been used to integrate data gathered during clinical development and to characterize the pharmacokinetics of tipifarnib. Individualization of dose based on body weight or total bilirubin concentration in adult cancer patients is not warranted.
Interrelated overexpression of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases, endothelin‐1 and angiogenic factors in human papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Donckier Julian E. , Michel Luc , Delos Monique , Havaux Xavier , Van Beneden Ronald 
Published: May 2006

SummaryObjective  Nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) are involved in carcinogenesis. Overexpression of the ET‐1 axis has been demonstrated in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This study investigated the expression of NO synthases (NOS) and their relationship with expression of ET‐1 and angiogenic markers in PTC.Design and Patients   Expression of NOS, angiogenic markers [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin‐1 and angiopoietin‐2] and their receptors was studied in surgical thyroid samples obtained from 22 patients aged 15–68 years. Three groups were constituted: normal thyroid (n = 5), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (n = 9) and PTC (n = 8). Results   Immunohistochemistry disclosed NOS2 and NOS3 immunoreactivity in PTC cells, the percentage of positive cells being greater than normal (P < 0·02). Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTQ‐PCR) showed that NOS2 and NOS3 mRNA levels were, respectively, increased (P < 0·02) by 2·6 ± 0·6 and 4·2 ± 1·1 times in PTC. RTQ‐PCR demonstrated that VEGF, its receptors VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2, and angiopoietin‐2 and its receptor (Tie2) were also overexpressed (P < 0·05) in PTC. Correlations were found between ET‐1 expression and that of NOS2, angiopoietin‐1 and ‐2 (P < 0·05). NOS2 mRNA levels also correlated with those of NOS3 and angiopoietin‐2 (P < 0·05). In thyroiditis, NOS2 immunoreactivity was observed in inflammatory cells whereas NOS2 mRNA levels were 12·1 ± 1·6 times higher than normal (P < 0·005).Conclusions   This study revealed an activation of the NO pathway in thyroid carcinoma, which is interrelated to the ET‐1 axis, both systems being overexpressed in concert with angiogenic factors. This global system might play a role in carcinogenesis and constitutes a potential target for anticancer therapy.
Anisotropic shrinkage and swelling of some organic and inorganic soils
Authors: Peng X. , Horn R. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryShrinkage and swelling affect hysteretic changes of soil volume as a function of water content. The processes complicate the precise description of changes to soil structure during cycles of wetting and drying, particularly the interpretation for pore structure from water retention characteristics. We investigated soil shrinkage and swelling curves and the hysteresis of void ratio as a function of moisture ratio of four soils (Eutric Histosol, Histic Gleysol, Calcic Gleysol and Dystric Gleysol), and illustrated the anisotropy of soil shrinkage and swelling in two dimensions. We used a model we had developed previously to fit and to define the endpoints of different shrinkage or swelling ranges. The two organic‐rich soils showed only structural and proportional shrinkages, whereas the two inorganic Gleysols covered all four shrinkage ranges. Of all the shrinkage ranges, proportional shrinkage contributed to 60.2–96.8% of total decrease in volume. A typical soil swelling curve was composed of two distinct parts, which were defined as virgin swelling and residual swelling with separation of the wet‐side maximum curvature. The virgin swelling accounted for 81.2–91.9% of the total increase in soil volume. We found pronounced hysteresis during shrinkage and swelling. A single cycle of wetting and drying lost 10–78% of the soil volume. Shrinkage of the organic‐rich soils was significantly greater than that of inorganic Gleysols. The geometry factor, depicting the relationship between the vertical and horizontal deformation, increased from 1.0 to 3.2–4.0 during drying but decreased from 4.6–21.7 to 3.5–5.6 during wetting. The dependence of water content on the geometry indicates anisotropic shrinkage and swelling of the soils. Our results improve the understanding of the alteration of soil structure during shrinkage and swelling and can be also applied to predict hydraulic properties more accurately.
The contribution of fresh litter to dissolved organic carbon leached from a coniferous forest floor
Authors: Fröberg M. , Berggren Kleja D. , Hagedorn F. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe relative contributions of litter and humified organic matter as the source of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leached from organic layers of forest soils are poorly understood. In the present investigation, 13C labelled spruce litter was used to study the role of recent litter in the leaching of DOC from a coniferous forest floor in southern Sweden, while litterbags were used to quantify the total loss of C from the labelled litter. The labelled litter applied on bare lysimeters released considerable amounts of DOC during the first weeks, but the concentration of DOC originating from labelled litter decreased gradually from 176 mg litre−1 during the first sampling period in May to 5 mg litre−1 in the last sampling period in October. Only a moderate flush of DOC from the labelled litter occurred under the Oe and Oa horizons, with concentrations of 20 and 6 mg litre−1 from labelled litter, equal to 19 and 9% of the total DOC flux, respectively, during the first sampling period. Total flux of DOC from labelled litter from May to September was 16 g m−2, whereas only 2.2 and 0.9 g m−2 were captured under the Oe and Oa horizons, respectively. The almost complete loss of new DOC implies that DOC leached from the Oe and Oa horizons consists not of recent litter‐derived carbon, but of DOC produced in these two horizons themselves. Water‐extractable organic carbon from labelled litter left in litterbags in the field for 4 months consisted of about one‐third native carbon from external sources at the experimental site and two‐thirds of the labelled litter. In contrast, the 13C content of the bulk litter from the litterbags was not changed by the incubation in the field. We suggest that the soluble native carbon in water extracts originated from throughfall DOC that had been assimilated by microorganisms in the litterbags.
Occurrence, prediction and hydrological effects of water repellency amongst major soil and land‐use types in a humid temperate climate
Authors: Doerr S. H. , Shakesby R. A. , Dekker L. W. , Ritsema C. J. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryKnowledge of soil water repellency distribution, of factors affecting its occurrence and of its hydrological effects stems primarily from regions with a distinct dry season, whereas comparatively little is known about its occurrence in humid temperate regions such as typified by the UK. To address this research gap, we have examined: (i) water repellency persistence (determined by the water drop penetration time method, WDPT) and degree (determined by the critical surface tension method, CST) for soil samples (0–5, 10–15 and 20–25 cm depth) taken from 41 common soil and land‐use types in the humid temperate climate of the UK; (ii) the supposed relationship of soil moisture, textural composition and organic matter content with sample repellency; and (iii) the bulk wetting behaviour of undisturbed surface core samples (0–5 cm depth) over a period of up to 1 week. Repellency was found in surface samples of all major soil textural types amongst most permanently vegetated sites, whereas tilled sites were virtually unaffected. Repellency levels reached those of the most severely affected areas elsewhere in the world, decreased in persistence and degree with depth and showed no consistent relationship with soil textural characteristics, organic matter or soil moisture contents, except that above a water content of c. 28% by volume, repellency was absent. Wetting rate assessments of 100 cm3 intact soil cores using continuous water contact (–20 mm pressure head) over a period of up to 7 days showed that across the whole sample range and irrespective of texture, severe to extreme repellency persistence consistently reduced the maximum water content at any given time to well below that of wettable soils. For slightly to moderately repellent soils the results were more variable and thus hydrological effects of such repellency levels are more difficult to predict. The results imply that: (i) repellency is common for many land‐use types with permanent vegetation cover in humid temperate climates irrespective of soil texture; (ii) supposedly influential parameters (texture, organic matter, specific water content) are poor general predictors of water repellency, whereas land use and the moisture content below which repellency can occur seem more reliable; and (iii) infiltration and water storage capacity of very repellent soils are considerably less than for comparable wettable soils.
A (New) Country Insurance Facility*
Authors: Cordella Tito , Levy Yeyati Eduardo 
Published: May 2006

AbstractTo cope with the self‐fulfilling liquidity runs that have triggered many recent financial crises, we propose the creation of a country insurance facility. The facility, which we envisage as complementary to the existing multilateral lending facilities, would provide eligible countries with automatic access to a credit line at a predetermined interest rate. Eligibility criteria should be easily verifiable, focus on debt sustainability, and take into account the currency and maturity composition of the debt. Other critical design issues considered here include the size of the facility, its duration and charges, and the exit costs for a country that loses eligibility.
Psychological health in patients with genital and oral erosive lichen planus
Authors: Lundqvist EN , Wahlin YB , Bergdahl M , Bergdahl J 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground  Erosive lichen planus is a severe, recurrent and recalcitrant disease that affects several mucosal areas, mostly the genital area and the mouth, but also, for example, the oesophagus and perianal area. The disease causes serious symptoms, because of the raw, de‐epithelialized mucosa and healing with scars/adhesions, which affect the patient's life in many ways. It causes, for example, difficulties in eating, drinking and going to the bathroom. Treatment is complicated and, so far, few therapeutic drugs other than steroids have been reported.Objectives  As the disease has severe implications on the patient's life it is important to investigate the psychological health of the patients, as well as the influence of stress on their health and wellbeing, in order to improve treatment.Study design, subjects and methods  Forty‐nine consecutive patients with erosive lichen planus were included during a 1‐year period. The study was carried out as ‘state‐of‐the‐last‐month’, and stress, state anxiety, depression and ‘erosive lichen planus factors’, i.e. symptoms affecting daily life, were assessed.Results  Eighty‐seven per cent of the patients had symptoms, severely affecting daily life. Unexpectedly, oral symptoms seemed to be the most prominent. Our results showed that depression, anxiety and stress were more common in patients with erosive lichen planus than in a control group.Discussion and conclusions  Erosive lichen planus is a severe disease with symptoms and complications affecting the patient's life. Our results indicate that their psychological health is also affected and emphasize the need for close collaboration between physicians, dentists with special knowledge in oral medicine and counsellors/psychologists to optimize handling of these patients.
SYNTHESIS OF AMINO ACIDS AND PROTEINS IN BARLEY SEEDLINGS
Authors: COCKING E. C. , YEMM E. W. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryA study has been made of the assimilation of ammonium salts by young barley seedlings grown under controlled conditions in water culture. The synthesis of amino acids, amides and proteins in the roots was traced by means of isotopic labelling with 15N. Chromatographic analysis on ion‐exchange resins was used to separate the free and combined amino acids of the root tissues.There was evidence of the synthesis of proteins in the roots under the experimental conditions. After short periods of assimilation, the soluble amides and amino acids, especially glutamine and glutamic acid, were highly labelled with 15N, indicating a rapid synthesis of these constituents. Subsequently, the abundance of 15N in the amino acids combined in the root proteins showed a marked increase. The data are consistent with the occurrence of an extensive synthesis and interconversion of amino acids and their utilization as precursors in the synthesis of proteins.The importance of glutamic acid and glutamine in the assimilation of nitrogen and synthesis of amino acids is shown by the rapid incorporation of 15N into both the amide and amino groups. Other amino acids are more slowly labelled and may be formed secondarily by transamination or interconversion. γ‐Aminobutyric acid appears to play a significant part in the metabolism of the roots, since it is formed at an early stage of assimilation. The labelling of γ‐aminobutyric acid with 15N indicates that, in barley seedlings, it is a secondary product, rather than a precursor of glutamic acid or glutamine.
OBSERVATIONS ON POPULATION STRUCTURE AND LONGEVITY OF FESTUCA RUBRA L.
Authors: HARBERD D. J. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe basic material of this study was two collections of Festuca rubra from the local hills. The one collection was of 1481 plants all gathered from within a 100 square‐yard quadrat; the other of 340 plants was of wider distribution.Detailed morphological examination of the material growing as spaced plants suggested that relatively few genotypes were present. Further work, involving a replicated field trial and an investigation of self‐and cross‐incompatibility corroborates this view. One of the genotypes occurs abundantly within an area of more than 240 yards diameter.Among the genotypes there were considerable differences of colony size and density. There were also indications of differences in ecological requirements.In the field trials there is no indication that plant characters within a clone are in any way affected by the environment from which the material was gathered.A consideration of the presumed age of the genotypes and the vigour of their vegetative spread suggests that very little ecotypic differentiation can be taking place in F. rubra at the present time. Any observable differentiation must have taken place either before colonization or during its early stages.
ABSORPTION OF PHOSPHORUS FROM SOILS BY MYGORRHIZAL PLANTS
Authors: MORRISON T. M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryTransfer of 32P to the shoots of non‐mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal plants of Pinus radiata growing in soil and in expanded perlite has been comparedby assaying the amount reaching the shoot apex.In expanded perlite and in soils with low phosphorus‐sorption capacities movement of 32P to the shoot apex of non‐mycorrhizal plants was rapid during an initial phase but reduced in rate during a prolonged second phase. Movement of 32P to the shoot‐tip of mycorrhizal plants, however, was at a relatively steady rate, which eventually exceeded that in non‐mycorrhizal plants.In soils of high phosphorus‐sorption capacity the rate of movement was reduced but followed the same course as that from expanded perlite. Transfer of 32P to the shoots of both mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal plants was negligible over a short period from a soil of very high phosphorus‐sorption capacity.It is suggested that the apparent solubilizing effects of mycorrhizas on soil phosphorus may simply be a consequence of the rapid withdrawal of labile phosphorus by the mycorrhizal sheath.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON NATURAL CLONES IN FESTUCA OVINA*
Authors: HARBERD D. J. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryEvidence is presented in support of the hypothesis that ramets of the same natural clone of Festuca ovina in hill grazings may be collected from points up to 10 yd apart. When a reasonable estimate is made of the annual rate of growth of such clones it appears that their age is to be measured in centuries.During the first stage of the work, which is not described in detail, 1050 plants were collected from defined points within a 10‐yd square quadrat and examined morphologically. Several fairly homogeneous groups were recognized and four are described. In the second stage, experiments were conducted with these groups to determine which plants could be regarded as isoclonal.In ‘cloned clone’trials some of the characters were noticeably discontinuous in distribution and using these a more satisfactory clonal classification of the groups was achieved. From cross‐pollination tests it was concluded that morphologically distinct plants were cross‐compatible whereas morphologically similar plants were cross‐incompatible and yielded no more seed from this crossing than they did on selfing. This type of test, therefore, confirmed the reality of the morphological groupings.Characters with a more continuous distribution in the ‘cloned clone’trials behaved differently. There were statistically significant differences between isolates within supposed clones in these characters but some, and it is assumed all, of the difference could be traced to a virus infection of the material. A separate trial, where infection was introduced in a controlled manner from plants derived from the ‘cloned clone’experiments, indicated that this interpretation was not unreasonable.When allowance is made for the differences between the two species it is evident that natural clones of F. ovina closely parallel those of F. rubra in respect of their temporal and spatial distribution in hill grazings.
ETHYLENE‐STIMULATED GROWTH AND AUXIN ANSPORT IN RANUNCULUS SCELERATUS PETIOLES
Authors: MUSGRAVE ALAN , WALTERS JOHN 
Published: May 2006

Summary Ranunculus sceleratus petioles elongate rapidly when submerged or treated with ethylene. The concentration of ethylene in submerged plants is approximately 7 nl ml‐, sufficient to account for the submerged response. Ethylene (50 nl ml‐1) enhances IAA transport through petiole sections within 1 hour of treatment.