bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of two electronic apex locators in primary teeth with and without apical resorption: a laboratory study
Authors: Tosun G. , Erdemir A. , Eldeniz A. U. , Sermet U. , Sener Y. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim  To evaluate the accuracy of the Root ZX (J Morita Corp., Kyoto, Japan) and Tri Auto ZX (J Morita Corp.) devices for measuring root canal length in primary teeth with and without apical resorption.Methodology  Thirty‐four extracted human primary molar teeth with resorption and 19 primary teeth without resorption were collected. After endodontic access preparation, the actual lengths of the teeth were determined. The teeth were then embedded in an alginate model to determine the electronic working length measurement. Statistical evaluation was completed using Student’s t‐tests.Results  For the Root ZX, there was no significant difference between those teeth with root resorption and those without. However, for the Tri Auto ZX, there was a significant difference in the electronic measurements between those teeth with root resorption and those without (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found amongst the measurements of the two apex locators (P < 0.05). For root canals with resorption, the respective accuracy rates (within ±0.5 mm) of Root ZX and Tri Auto ZX were 83.33% and 89.47%; within ±1 mm, the Root ZX and Tri Auto ZX demonstrated 98.95% and 100% accuracy, respectively. For root canals with no resorption, the percentage of measurements within ±0.5 mm of the apical construction was 89.28% for the Root ZX and 80.35% for the Tri Auto ZX. The accuracy within ±1 mm of the Root ZX and the Tri Auto ZX was 98.22% and 100%, respectively.Conclusion  Within the limitations of this laboratory study, the presence of resorption affected the performance of the Tri Auto ZX more than the Root ZX.
Neonatal vaccination with Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin elicits long‐term protection in mouse‐allergic responses
Authors: Shen H. , Huang H. , Wang J. , Ye S. , Li W. , Wang K. , Zhang G. , Wang P. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccination has been shown to inhibit allergic airway inflammation in animal models, associated with the regulation of allergen‐specific T‐cell immunity. However, little is known about whether neonatal BCG treatment could inhibit allergic inflammation by regulating allergen‐specific T‐cell response in aged mice. This study was aimed to investigate the impact of neonatal BCG treatment on allergic asthma and possible mechanism(s) underlying the action of BCG in different ages of mice.Methods:  C57BL/6 neonates were vaccinated with BCG on days 1, 7 and 14, sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) at 5 and 7 weeks of age, and then challenged with allergen at 9 or 45 weeks of age for early‐ or late‐challenged asthma. Their airway inflammation and allergen‐specific T‐cell responses were characterized.Results:  Following early‐challenge, BCG vaccination inhibited airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR), infiltration of eosinophils and mucous overproduction (P < 0.05), and shifted OVA‐specific predominant Th2‐ to Th1‐type cytokine responses in both the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the splenocyte supernatants (P < 0.05). In late‐challenged mice, neonatal BCG treatment attenuated AHR and eosinophilia (P < 0.05), but failed to modulate allergen‐specific cytokine responses.Conclusions:  Our data suggest that neonatal BCG vaccination has a long‐term effect on inhibiting AHR and eosinophilia, which is associated with the modulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine production in early‐, but not in late‐challenged mice. Thus, different mechanisms may mediate the long‐term protective effect of BCG neonatal vaccination differently in younger adult and aged mice.
Filaggrin null mutations are associated with increased asthma exacerbations in children and young adults
Authors: Basu K. , Palmer C. N. A. , Lipworth B. J. , Irwin McLean W. H. , Terron‐Kwiatkowski A. , Zhao Y. , Liao H. , Smith F. J. D. , Mitra A. , Mukhopadhyay S. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  Filaggrin (FLG) null mutations are important genetic predisposing factors for atopic asthma and have recently been shown to influence controller and reliever medication needs in asthmatic children. Our objective was to study the role of FLG null alleles in asthma exacerbations.Methods:  FLG mutations R501X and 2282del4 were assayed in 1135 individuals ranging from 3 to 22 years old with asthma from Tayside and Dumfries, Scotland. Asthma exacerbations over the previous 6 months were also studied.Results:  The FLG mutations were significantly associated with greater risk of exacerbations in children with asthma. Exacerbations were significant for the R501X but not the 2282del4 mutation and the combined genotype compared to the wild‐type with odds ratios of 1.97 (95% CI, 1.19–3.22; P = 0.009) and 1.61 (95% CI, 1.08–2.40; P = 0.021), respectively. Individuals with FLG null alleles were more likely to require oral steroids (31.4%vs 19.5%; OR = 1.89; P = 0.021) for their exacerbations. There was also a 1.71‐fold increased risk (42.6%vs 30%; P = 0.041) of school absence owing to asthma exacerbations in asthmatic individuals with FLG null mutation. On sub‐group analysis, the effect of FLG mutations on asthma exacerbations is significant (P = 0.045) only for participants with relatively mild asthma controlled on inhaled steroids, with inhaled albuterol according to need.Conclusion:  In addition to their effect on asthma medication requirements reported previously, there is an association between the presence of FLG null mutations and the risk of asthma exacerbations in asthmatic children and young adults.
Experimental infection magnifies inbreeding depression in house mice
Authors: ILMONEN P. , PENN D. J. , DAMJANOVICH K. , CLARKE J. , LAMBORN D. , MORRISON L. , GHOTBI L. , POTTS W. K. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIt is often assumed that inbreeding reduces resistance to pathogens, yet there are few experimental tests of this idea in vertebrates, and no tests for the effects of moderate levels of inbreeding more commonly found in nature. We mated wild‐derived mice with siblings or first cousins and compared the resistance of their offspring to Salmonella infection with outbred controls under laboratory and seminatural conditions. In the laboratory, full‐sib inbreeding reduced resistance to Salmonella and survivorship, whereas first‐cousin inbreeding had no detectable effects. In competitive population enclosures, we found that first‐cousin inbreeding reduced male fitness by 57% in infected vs. only 34% in noninfected control populations. Our study provides experimental evidence that inbreeding reduces resistance and ability to survive pathogenic infection, and moreover, it shows that even moderate inbreeding can cause significant fitness declines under naturalistic conditions of social stress, and especially with exposure to infectious agents.
Existence of a pattern of reproductive character displacement inHomobasidiomycotabut not inAscomycota
Authors: GAC M. LE , GIRAUD T. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractGenerally, stronger reproductive isolation is expected between sympatric than between allopatric sibling species. Such reproductive character displacement should predominantly affect premating reproductive isolation and can be due to several mechanisms, including population extinction, fusion of insufficiently isolated incipient species and reinforcement of reproductive isolation in response to low hybrid fitness. Experimental data on several taxa have confirmed these theoretical expectations on reproductive character displacement, but they are restricted to animals and a few plants. Using results reported in the literature on crossing experiments in fungi, we compared the degree and the nature of reproductive isolation between allopatric and sympatric species pairs. In accordance with theoretical expectations, we found a pattern of enhanced premating isolation among sympatric sibling species inHomobasidiomycota. By contrast, we did not find evidence for reproductive character displacement inAscomycotaat similar genetic distances. Both allopatric and sympatric species ofAscomycotahad similarly low levels of reproductive isolation, being mostly post‐zygotic. This suggests that some phylogeny‐dependent life‐history trait may strongly influence the evolution of reproductive isolation between closely related species. A significant correlation was found between degree of reproductive isolation and genetic divergence among allopatric species ofHomobasidiomycota, but not among sympatric ones or amongAscomycotaspecies.
Lamellar keratoplasty with a graft of lyophilized acellular porcine corneal stroma in the rabbit
Authors: Lin Xu‐Chu , Hui Yan‐Nian , Wang Yu‐Sheng , Meng Hao , Zhang Yong‐Jie , Jin Yan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjective  To evaluate the efficacy of lamellar keratoplasty in the rabbit using a graft of lyophilized acellular porcine corneal stroma (APCS).Animal studied  Twelve adult 2–2.5 kg Zealand white rabbits were studied.Procedure  The cell components of the porcine cornea were removed by the means of enzymatic digestion, freezing, and thawing and then APCS was lyophilized. The 6.5 mm diameter APCS was implanted on a 6.0‐mm diameter keratectomy wound each of 12 rabbits. The postoperative clinical and histological evaluations were performed in the early, intermediate, and late periods.Results  All corneal wounds healed. Ten of the 12 grafts of APCS were integrated completely with the receptive cornea except two grafts scraped partially off by the eyelid. The blepharospasm, ocular discharge, and edema of the cornea were marked 1 week after transplantation. New vessels invaded the graft after week 2 and regressed after week 8. The cornea became transparent gradually. The histological evaluation showed that the epithelium on the graft stratified normally post surgery. The keratocytes of the recipient grew into the graft and were proliferative at week 4. The inflammatory cells and new vessels were observed before week 8. The fibrosis in the graft was revealed at week 4 and lessened at week 8. The histological structure of the cornea after surgery was similar to the normal cornea at week 32.Conclusions  APCS can recover the integrity of the rabbit's cornea and become transparent in vivo. APCS is an effective graft for lamellar keratoplasty in the rabbit.
Surgical management of a progressive iris melanocytoma in a Mustang
Authors: Scotty Nicole C. , Barrie Kathleen B. , Brooks Dennis E. , Taylor David 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCase description A 7‐year‐old gray Mustang gelding weighing 454 kg was presented for evaluation of a brown mass within the left eye (OS) of 1 year's duration with recent enlargement.Clinical findings A nonpainful, 8 mm diameter, brown, vascularized mass was identified in the anterior chamber of the OS. Ocular B‐scan ultrasound confirmed iris involvement and corneal endothelial contact. Histopathology confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of a uveal melanocytic neoplasm, and revealed 1–3 mitotic figures per high power (400×) field.Treatment and outcome The mass was removed via sector iridectomy without complications, but without complete margins. Three cutaneous melanocytomas noted 1.5 months postoperatively were completely excised. No tumor regrowth was noted 15 months postoperatively, supporting a diagnosis of melanocytoma for the iridal mass.Clinical relevance Sector iridectomy is a reasonable treatment option for uncomplicated iridal melanocytomas in horses. Mitotic index and presence of cutaneous melanocytic neoplasms may be irrelevant to the prognosis of equine iridal melanocytic neoplasms.
Normal features of superficial nondesquamating cells of the rabbit corneal epithelium assessed by scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Doughty Michael J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjective  To quantitatively assess surface features of corneal epithelial cells with particular emphasis on regional differences in cell size or shape.Animals studied  Female New Zealand White rabbits, aged 11–12 weeks.Procedures  Animals were exposed to a light : dark cycle of 14 : 10 h for 2 weeks and then the corneas prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 1500 h. Images were taken at central location (C), mid‐periphery (MP), and periphery (P) of the cornea. On prints at 5000×, cell–cell borders were marked, and long (L) and short (S) dimensions measured, and the surface ring‐shaped features outlined and counted.Results  Across the epithelial surface cells had from 3 to 11 bordering cells (sides), with 5‐sided cells being more common (mean 32.7 ± 11.3%, SD). L dimensions averaged 26.7, 30.9, and 33.9 µm at the C, MP, and P locations, while S dimensions were 18.5, 21.8, and 24.0 µm, respectively. The L : S ratio was1.523, with averages of 1.567, 1.501, and 1.487 at the three locations. Using an averaged cell dimension, cell density was estimated and found to be 7376, 4405, and 3071 cells/mm2 at C, MP, and P locations. Almost all cells were decorated with ring‐shaped features (craters), with the number increasing in relation to cell size and were much higher on more peripheral cells.Conclusions  The non‐exfoliating corneal epithelial surface is composed of flat polygonal cells often with 5‐sides cells, which are progressively larger towards the peripheral cornea and more decorated with ring‐shaped features.
Ocular morphology of the Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Authors: Brudenall Denise K. , Schwab Ivan R. , Fritsches Kerstin A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjective  The Leatherback sea turtle is the largest extant reptile and the sole member of the family Dermochelyidae. Here, the eye of this critically endangered marine turtle was investigated to determine the anatomy, optics, and optical sensitivity.Animals studied  Three Leatherback sea turtles, Dermochelys coriacea.Results  The eye is small in proportion to body size of the adult compared to other vertebrates, with prominence of the retractor bulbi and pyramidalis muscles. The nictitans shows extensive folding of the bulbar conjunctiva as an apparent mechanism to increase the surface area for mucus secretion. The intraocular anatomy is consistent with an eye adapted to aquatic vision with minimal curvature of the cornea, a near‐spherical lens, deep ciliary cleft and highly vascularized ciliary body. The optical sensitivity, a measure of the sensitivity to light of a given optical system, is higher than in other marine turtles studied but lower than those found in teleost fish that share a habitat with the Leatherback sea turtle.Conclusions  The Leatherback sea turtle shows ocular features that are characteristic of Chelonians with similarities to aquatic mammals. The calculated optical sensitivity suggests that compared to pelagic fishes, for instance, the Leatherback sea turtle eye is not particularly well adapted for vision in dim light even though this species is known to venture into deep, dark waters, and might feed at night.
Corneal epithelial inclusion cyst in a Llama
Authors: Pirie Chris G. , Pizzirani Stefano , Parry Nicola M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA 13‐year‐old, female Llama presented for evaluation of a limbal based corneal mass involving the OD of 4 months duration. The mass was excised en bloc by a nonpenetrating keratectomy, followed by placement of a conjunctival advancement flap covering the keratectomy site. The mass was submitted for histological evaluation. Histopathology identified the mass to be a corneal epithelial inclusion cyst filled with necrotic squamous and neutrophilic debris. Surgical excision was complete and considered curative with no signs of recurrence 3 months postoperatively. There was no known prior ocular trauma; however, a previously performed corneal biopsy for evaluation of recurrent epithelial erosions may have been an initiating cause.
Corneal transplantation for inflammatory keratopathies in the horse: Visual outcome in 206 cases (1993–2007)
Authors: Brooks D. E. , Plummer C. E. , Kallberg M. E. , Barrie K. P. , Ollivier F. J. , Hendrix D. V. H. , Baker A. , Scotty N. C. , Utter M. E. , Blackwood S. E. , Nunnery C. M. , Ben‐Shlomo G. , Gelatt K. N. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjective  To evaluate the visual outcome of three techniques of corneal transplantation surgery in treating severe inflammatory keratopathies in the horse.Design Retrospective medical records study.Animals studied  Medical records of 206 horses that received corneal transplantation surgery at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center from 1993 to 2007 were reviewed.Procedure  Data collected from the medical records included signalment, types of ocular lesions, type of transplant surgery performed, length of follow‐up, complications, and visual outcomes.Results  Full thickness penetrating keratoplasty (PK) was performed in 86 horses for melting ulcers, iris prolapse/descemetoceles, and medically nonresponsive full thickness stromal abscesses (SA). Posterior lamellar keratoplasty (PLK) and deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) are split thickness penetrating keratoplasties that were utilized for medically nonresponsive deep stromal abscesses (DSA) in 54 and 66 eyes, respectively. The most common postoperative surgical complication was graft rejection and varying degrees of graft opacification. Wound dehiscence and aqueous humor leakage was also a common postoperative problem. A positive visual outcome was achieved for PK, PLK, and DLEK in 77.9%, 98.1%, and 89.4%, respectively.Conclusions  Corneal transplantation is a tectonically viable surgery in the horse with an overall success rate of 88.5% in maintaining vision when treating vascularized and infected corneal disease in the horse.
VULNERABILITY IN RESEARCH AND HEALTH CARE; DESCRIBING THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM?
Authors: HURST SAMIA A. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTDespite broad agreement that the vulnerable have a claim to special protection, defining vulnerable persons or populations has proved more difficult than we would like. This is a theoretical as well as a practical problem, as it hinders both convincing justifications for this claim and the practical application of required protections. In this paper, I review consent‐based, harm‐based, and comprehensive definitions of vulnerability in healthcare and research with human subjects. Although current definitions are subject to critique, their underlying assumptions may be complementary. I propose that we should define vulnerability in research and healthcare as an identifiably increased likelihood of incurring additional or greater wrong. In order to identify the vulnerable, as well as the type of protection that they need, this definition requires that we start from the sorts of wrongs likely to occur and from identifiable increments in the likelihood, or to the likely degree, that these wrongs will occur. It is limited but appropriately so, as it only applies to special protection, not to any protection to which we have a valid claim. Using this definition would clarify that the normative force of claims for special protection does not rest with vulnerability itself, but with pre‐existing claims when these are more likely to be denied. Such a clarification could help those who carry responsibility for the protection of vulnerable populations, such as Institutional Review Boards, to define the sort of protection required in a more targeted and effective manner.
ONE DANGER OF BIOMEDICAL ENHANCEMENTS
Authors: RAJCZI ALEX 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTIn the near future, our society may develop a vast array of medical enhancements. There is a large debate about enhancements, and that debate has identified many possible harms. This paper describes a harm that has so far been overlooked. Because of some particular features of enhancements, we could come to place more value on them than we actually should. This over‐valuation would lead us to devote time, energy, and resources to enhancements that could be better spent somewhere else. That mistake might not be trivial. By spending too much time, energy, and resources on enhancements, we could set back our pursuit of our deepest goals such as living happily and leading ethical lives.
Embodied Technical Change and the Fluctuations of Unemployment and Wages
Authors: Reiter Michael 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA matching model where technological change is partially embodied in the job match is shown to be successful in explaining the variability of unemployment and vacancies. If we incorporate long‐term wage contracts into the model, it also explains a number of stylized facts on the dynamics of real wages, which have been found in the empirical labor literature.
Labor‐market Volatility in Matching Models with Endogenous Separations*
Authors: Mortensen Dale , Nagypál Éva 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe business‐cycle behavior of a matching model with endogenous separations is studied in this paper. We show that whether aggregate productivity shocks have a larger effect on the vacancy–unemployment ratio than in a model with exogenous separations depends on whether worker productivity stochastically increases with tenure. The difference in the response is quantitatively small, however. We also show that the cleansing effect introduced by allowing for endogenous separations can help in reconciling the model with observed fluctuations in the unemployment rate, but not with those in the vacancy rate.
The Macroeconomic Consequences of Reciprocity in Labor Relations*
Authors: Danthine Jean‐Pierre , Kurmann André 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe develop and analyze a structural model of efficiency wages founded on reciprocity. Workers are assumed to face an explicit trade‐off between the disutility of providing effort and the psychological benefit of reciprocating the gift of a wage offer above some reference level. The model provides a rationale for rent sharing—a feature that is very much present in the data but absent from previous formulations of the efficiency wage hypothesis. This firm‐internal perspective on efficiency wages has potentially important macroeconomic consequences: rent‐sharing considerations promote wage rigidity, internal amplification and differential responses to technology and demand shocks.
U.S. Labor Market Dynamics Revisited
Authors: Yashiv Eran 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe picture of U.S. labor market dynamics is opaque. This paper aims at its clarification by (i) listing data facts that can be agreed upon; these indicate that there is considerable cyclicality and volatility of both accessions to and separations from employment and hence both are important for the understanding of the business cycle; (ii) presenting the business‐cycle facts of key series; (iii) pointing to specific gaps in the data picture, showing that the definite characterization of labor market dynamics depends upon the closing of these data gaps.
Children's Attachment Relationships with Day Care Caregivers: Associations with Positive Caregiving and the Child's Temperament
Authors: De Schipper J. Clasien , Tavecchio Louis W. C. , Van IJzendoorn Marinus H. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn this study, children's attachment relationships with their professional caregivers in center day care were observed for 48 children. We explored whether more positive caregiving was associated with a more secure attachment relationship and whether this association was stronger for more temperamentally irritable children compared to less irritable children. Trained observers coded the attachment relationship in the day care setting using the attachment Q‐sort. The observational record of the caregiving environment was used to assess children's individual experience of positive caregiver–child interaction in the classroom. When caregivers showed more frequent positive caregiving behavior, children showed more secure attachment behavior toward their primary professional caregiver. Temperament was not related to attachment security, nor did it serve as a moderator. Consequently, no support for Belsky's susceptibility hypothesis was found.