bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The oral health of street‐recruited injecting drug users: prevalence and correlates of problems
Authors: Laslett Anne‐Marie , Dietze Paul , Dwyer Robyn 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTAims  To examine the effects of a series of injecting drug users' (IDU) characteristics and drug use behaviours upon the self‐reported oral health of a sample of IDU.Design  Cross‐sectional survey.Setting  Melbourne, Australia.Participants  A total of 285 IDU recruited through needle and syringe programmes, snowballing and outreach across six sites.Measurements  Structured survey that collected information on current drug use patterns, self‐reported blood‐borne virus status and general health factors, including open‐ended questions on past‐year dental health problems.Findings  Sixty‐eight per cent of the sample reported dental problems that were commonly severe and caused dental pain. Despite these reported problems, almost half the sample had not visited the dentist in the 12 months prior to the survey. Participants who were older, and reported homelessness, not eating every day and more common injection of amphetamines rather than heroin in the previous month, were more likely to report having a past‐year dental problem.Conclusions  Dental problems in IDUs are common but few receive treatment. Further, those using amphetamines, with poor housing, hygiene and poor nutrition, are most at risk. Programmes designed to improve the oral health of IDU need to be developed and implemented in a manner amenable to the varying social circumstances of this marginalized group in the community.
Cross‐sectional and longitudinal association of the secretoglobin 1A1 gene A38G polymorphism with asthma phenotype in the Perth Infant Asthma Follow‐up cohort
Authors: Laing I. A. , De Klerk N. H. , Turner S. W. , Judge P. K. , Hayden C. M. , Landau L. I. , Goldblatt J. , Le Souëf P. N. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryBackground
Associations between Clara cell secretory protein gene variants (SCGB1A1, also known as CC16, CC10, CCSP and uteroglobin) and the asthma phenotype have been found in five out of eight studies world‐wide. No study has investigated the contribution of SCGB1A1 polymorphisms to the development and/or persistence of the asthma phenotype in a birth cohort followed over time.Objective
The aim of this study was to determine the role of the SCGB1A1 gene in the development of the asthma phenotype.Methods
The Perth Infant Asthma Follow‐up (PIAF) cohort (n=231 unrelated infants, unselected for asthma and recruited at birth) were seen at 1 month, 6 and 11 years of age, and had a questionnaire, lung function, airway responsiveness (AR) and skin prick tests (SPTs) completed. Blood was taken at 6 and 11 years for total and specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and DNA extraction. SPT positivity had at least one positive SPT. SIgE>4 kU/L had at least one sIgE above 4 kU/L. SCGB1A1 A38G (rs3741240), that alters gene transcription, was genotyped using Sau96I restriction digestion of exon 1 PCR products.Results
At 6 and 11 years of age, 33.0% and 29.7% of those genotyped had doctor‐diagnosed asthma, and 35.8% and 52.1% had SPT positivity. In cross‐sectional analyses, children with 38G/38A or 38A/38A had increased AR at 1 month (1.72‐fold, P=0.013); sIgE>4 kU/L [odds ratio (OR)=6.95, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.35–35.91, P=0.021]; house dust mite (HDM) SPT positivity (OR=7.21, 95% CI=1.09–47.78, P=0.041) and sIgE (4.57‐fold, P=0.045) at 6 years; and doctor‐diagnosed asthma (OR=3.93, 95% CI=1.24–12.47, P=0.02) and cat SPT positivity (OR=4.34, 95% CI=1.01–18.77, P=0.049) at 11 years. Longitudinal analyses of 6 and 11 years paired data showed that children with 38A/38A had increased persistent sIgE>4 kU/L (OR=11.87, 95% CI=1.97–71.53, P=0.007) and persistent HDM SPT positivity (OR=7.84, 95% CI=1.04–58.92, P=0.045).Conclusion
SCGB1A1 A38G may play a role in the development and persistence of the asthma phenotype in childhood.
Comparative virulence of Infectious salmon anaemia virus isolates in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.
Authors: Ritchie R J , McDonald J T , Glebe B , Young‐Lai W , Johnsen E , Gagné N 
Published: October 2008

AbstractInfectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) surveillance in the Bay of Fundy has identified the existence of a large number of genetically distinct ISAV isolates which appear to be of variable virulence. Genetically distinct isolates are currently being designated based on sequencing of the hyper polymorphic region (HPR) of genomic segment 6, which encodes the haemagglutinin–esterase protein, but it has been difficult to elucidate a clear association between these molecular variations and variations in virulence. This has hampered the establishment of proactive management decisions regarding infected fish, and ISAV infections, regardless of type, must be treated as one. Field data of ISAV infections is difficult to collect and to compare between infections because of a wide range of confounding factors including time of year, fish stock, cage site location, mitigating factors and stressors. An important tool in determining the relationship between molecular differences and virulence comes from analysis of quarantine studies. The goal of this study was to compare the virulence, by co‐habitation and intraperitoneal injection, of four regionally common and recent ISAV isolates in a controlled environment. We found significant differences in mortality between ISAV molecular isolates, and present data showing that survival of ISAV infection confers significant resistance to re‐infection with a different ISAV isolate. These findings, if borne out in field studies, will significantly alter the way ISAV infections are managed in the Bay of Fundy and elsewhere.
The CR1 C5507G polymorphism is not involved in susceptibility to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in two European populations
Authors: Kubistova Z. , Mrazek F. , Lympany P. A. , Lagan A. L. , Arakelyan A. , Kriegova E. , Welsh K. I. , Kolek V. , Zatloukal J. , Hutyrova B. , Du Bois R. M. , Petrek M. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a severe lung disease with unknown aetiology, is thought to have an important genetic component. Single nucleotide polymorphism, C5507G, of the complement receptor 1 (CR1) gene, which affects the number of CR1 molecules on erythrocytes, has been associated with susceptibility to IPF in a single European population. To replicate this finding, 53 Czech IPF patients with 203 Czech healthy control subjects and 70 English IPF patients with 149 English controls were investigated. In both populations, there were no significant differences in distribution of CR1 C5507G variants between IPF patients and their appropriate control groups. In conclusion, the association of the CR1 C5507G polymorphism with susceptibility to IPF was not reproducible in Czech and English populations.
Effect of chromium nanocomposite supplementation on growth hormone pulsatile secretion and mRNA expression in finishing pigs
Authors: Wang M. Q. , Xu Z. R. , Li W. F. , Jiang Z. G. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe study was conducted to investigate the effect of chromium nanocomposite (CrNano) on growth hormone (GH) pulsatile secretion and pituitary GH mRNA expression in finishing pigs. Fifty‐four crossbred pigs (65.57 ± 1.05 kg initial weight) were randomly allotted to one of the three treatments, with three replicate pens per treatment and six pigs per pen. Pigs were offered one of the four diets including a control diet or a control diet supplemented with 200 μg/kg chromium from either chromium chloride (CrCl3) or CrNano for 35 days. During the trial, all pigs were given free access to feed and water. After completion of the feeding trial, blood samples were taken via auriculares at 15 min intervals for 3 h and three pigs from each treatment were slaughtered to collect pituitary to determine GH mRNA level. The results of GH dynamic secretion showed that supplemental CrNano increased the mean level, the lowest value, peak value and peak duration of GH significantly, while there was no significant effect on peak amplitude. Pituitary mRNA expression of GH was improved significantly in pigs fed diet containing Cr from CrNano. These results indicated that CrNano increased GH mRNA expression and secretion in finishing pigs.
Uterus Cryopreservation: Maintenance of Uterine Contractility by the Use of Different Cryoprotocols
Authors: Dittrich R , Beckmann MW , Mueller A , Binder H , Hoffmann I , Maltaris T 
Published: October 2008

ContentsCryopreservation of cells and even tissue is feasible. New exciting findings arise in the promising field of cryobiology, e.g. the cryopreservation of whole ovaries. Uterus cryopreservation would be advantageous not only for experimental biology, but also for transplantation surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate various cryopreservation protocols as well as various storage temperatures in cryopreservation of whole swine uteri. The used freezing protocol was slow (0.2°C/min) after arterial perfusion with 1%, 5% or 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution for 10 min and equilibration in this solution for 30 min. Viability of the organs was tested by histological examination, biochemical parameters and by the capability of rhythmical contractions in a perfusion system. Eighty swine uteri were cryopreserved. All uteri that were frozen with 10% and 5% DMSO were viable after thawing for at least 1 h, whereas only 40% survived with the use of 1% DMSO and 0% with the use of 0.5% DMSO, respectively. There was no difference regarding the survival rates after various cryostorage periods for up to 16 weeks or after cryostorage for 2 weeks in −70°C or −130°C. The cryopreservation of a whole organ such as the swine uterus is a valuable method for the study of cryoprotective agents and freezing protocols. This study demonstrates clearly that the perfusion of the organ with cryoprotectants is the only factor which allows the uterus to contract.
Microalbuminuria as a possible marker of risk of Balkan endemic nephropathy
Authors: IMAMOVIC GORAN , BATUMAN VECIHI , SINANOVIC OSMAN , TRNACEVIC SENAID , MESIC ENISA , ZEREM ENVER , OSMANOVIC ENES 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  To evaluate whether microalbuminuria could be a marker of early tubular damage in individuals at risk of developing Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN).Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was used to determine urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR) in a test group of 61 participants from a BEN endemic region and control group of 64 participants from a nearby non‐endemic region, both recruited from the general population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The correlation between UACR and urinary b2 microglobulin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UBCR) and the receiver operating characteristic curve for UACR were analyzed in the test groups of 58 participants. The correlation analysis was also performed in a subset of nine subjects with elevated UBCR.Results:  Medians, interquartile ranges and confidence intervals (CI) for medians of UACR in the test and control groups were 2 mg/mmol, 0.975–8.247 mg/mmol, 1.3472–3.2691 mg/mmol and 1 mg/mmol, 0.695–1.41 mg/mmol, 0.8466–1.2053 mg/mmol, respectively (P = 0.0001). Microalbuminuria was found in 30 of the 61 examinees in the test group, in contrast to six of the 64 examinees in the controls (P < 0.0001). Participants from the endemic region had 9.3 times the odds of having microalbuminuria in contrast to participants from the non‐endemic region. Pearson's correlation coefficients r of the log‐transformed ratios and Kendall–tau coefficients of rank correlation in the group of 58 and in a subset of nine subjects with elevated UBCR were: 0.55 (P < 0.0001); 0.317 (P = 0.0005) and 0.59 (P = 0.045); 0.48 (P = 0.037), respectively. The area under the curve for UACR was 0.882 (P = 0.0001), sensitivity 100% and specificity 67.3%.Conclusion:  Microalbuminuria may be a useful marker of early tubular injury in individuals at risk of developing BEN.
Ability of low‐molecular‐weight heparin to alleviate proteinuria by inhibiting respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: GUO YANNAN , WANG ZHENG , DONG LIQUN , WU JIN , ZHAI SONGHUI , LIU DESONG 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  Low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) is a negatively charged glycoprotein and has a very similar structure to that of cell surface heparin sulfate (HS). Thus, LMWH, an analog of HS, may inhibit positively charged respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection through cooperative electrostatic association.Methods:  In this study, rats were respectively treated with 400 IU/kg LMWH before, during or after being inoculated with 6 × 106 plaque‐forming unit (PFU) RSV. RSV and normal control groups were respectively inoculated by RSV and virus‐free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM). HeLa cells in vitro were pretreated with LMWH, elastase (ELA), heparinase (HpaIII) and protamine before being inoculated with 6 × 101 PFU RSV. RSV infectivity was determined by in situ hybridization and plaque assay.Results:  After inoculation, the urinary protein excretion and serum parameters in LMWH‐treated rats were significantly lower than those in the RSV group. No abnormalities of glomerular structure were observed in LMWH‐treated groups whereas swelling and slight hypercellularity in minority glomeruli and foot process effacement were observed in the RSV group. RSV RNA of LMWH‐treated rats had weaker expression than that of the RSV group. In vitro, RSV infection in RSV + LMWH, HpaIII + ELAI, protamine + ELAI, ELAI, HpaIII and protamine treatment cells were significantly lower than that of the RSV control, and that in RSV + LMWH was the least. There were no significant differences in RSV infection between ELAI + LMWH and RSV control.Conclusion:  Our study confirmed that there is a correlation between RSV and proteinuria in rats. LMWH can alleviate proteinuria in rats through inhibiting RSV from binding with HS which plays an important role in the onset of RSV infection.
New and classical spoilage bacteria causing widespread blowing in Argentinean soft and semihard cheeses
Authors: QUIBERONI ANDREA , GUGLIELMOTTI DANIELA , REINHEIMER JORGE 
Published: October 2008

A total of 16 soft and semihard Argentinean cheeses, and 95 pasteurized cheese–milk samples, were analysed for microorganisms responsible for blowing. Lactic acid bacteria (starter microflora) resulted in high numbers (> 107 colony‐forming units (cfu)/g). Coliform and yeast counts were lower than 104 cfu/g. Cremoso cheeses were blown by leuconostocs, lactobacilli and Bacillus polymyxa. Mozzarella was spoiled by B. polymyxa and Bacillus macerans. Semihard cheeses were affected by spore‐forming (Clostridium and Bacillus), propionic and lactobacilli strains. Clostridia, Bacillus, leuconostocs and heterofermentative lactobacilli were detected in pasteurized milk. Bacillus strains were not previously associated with blowing in soft and semihard cheeses.
6 Changing Responsibilities and Collective Action: Examining Early North African Pastoralism
Authors: Miller Alexandra 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACT This chapter uses the concept of an economic transition point to examine and challenge assumptions about static gender roles in pastoralist societies. The transition from a hunting‐and‐gathering economy to an agro‐pastoralist economy would have forced North Africans to perform tasks related to both economic systems until the pastoralist way of life could be firmly established. The greater need for labor in these transitional societies would have discouraged the formation of strict gender divisions like those seen in today's pastoralist societies. The changing needs of the economy would have necessitated a flexible division of labor. To examine these changing needs, this chapter examines evidence from rock art, archaeological sites, and modern pastoralist ethnography.
7 Rethinking Polity Formation: A Gendered Perspective on Formative Period Household Development in the Pacific Coast Region of Guatemala
Authors: Tejeda Ana S. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACT Social complexity and polity formation involve volatile periods of political cycling with integration and decentralization occurring as elites vie for political power. Political economic interpretations, while valuable in understanding the social and political processes involved in polity formation, do not adequately trace changes in the social relations that comprise the formation of a polity. In this chapter, I examine three models (subsistence intensification, craft production, and exchange) that have been proposed to explain the political and economic development of the Pacific coast region of Guatemala during the Middle Formative period (ca. 900–600 b.c.e.) and the rise of the La Blanca polity. I contend that macroscale models obscure gendered interpretations of the past. I suggest that investigations of prehistoric gender patterns would benefit from a microscaled approach drawing attention to household activities and the diverse social and economic accommodations that must have been made by Middle Formative households. The La Blanca inhabitants may have responded to the changing political landscape by altering their daily rounds and by increasing coordination of household activities that affected all members of the household regardless of gender.
Simultaneous dental implant placement and endoscope‐guided internal sinus floor elevation: 2‐year post‐loading outcomes
Authors: Schleier Peter , Bierfreund Gerrit , Schultze‐Mosgau Stefan , Moldenhauer Franziska , Küpper Harald , Freilich Martin 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAims: To determine whether endoscope‐guided sinus elevation procedures can be consistently used to create sufficient bone support for stable implant placement and long‐term implant success.Material and methods: Sixty‐two implants were surgically placed into 30 patients (14 men and 16 women) following internal sinus elevation without the use of graft material. Panoramic radiographs were made pre‐, post‐operative and after 24 months in order to evaluate the peri‐implant bone and maxillary sinuses. Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) was used to evaluate implant stability immediately upon placement and just before prosthesis delivery.Results: The average pre‐operative height of the maxillary alveolar bone was 8.4±2.2 mm at the premolar and 7.3±3.1 mm at the molar regions. The average bone gain was 3.5±1.8 and 4.5±1.9 mm in the premolar and molar sites, respectively. Clinical parameters and the RFA (4 and 12 weeks post‐operative) outcomes show sufficient stability (ISQ=60) of the inserted implants. Three implants failed during the healing period of 12 weeks. The overall implant success rate was 94%. After loading, no further implant failure was observed. The overall success rate after beginning of implant loading was 100%.Conclusions: Sinus floor elevation is a well‐established procedure for augmentation of the atrophic maxillary posterior region. The minimally invasive internal sinus floor elevation procedure visually guided by an endoscope helped to prevent, diagnose and manage complications such as sinus membrane perforation. The clinical outcomes of this study show that endoscope‐controlled internal sinus floor elevation combined with implant placement results in low intra operative trauma, good implant stability upon placement, low incidence of post‐operative symptoms and high success rates after 24 months of loading.
Mechanical attachment of soft fibrous tissues to implants by using mesh structures
Authors: Asoda Seiji , Arita Takayuki , Koshitomae Hazuki , Takakuda Kazuo 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjectives: Increase of soft tissue attachment is a major concern for improving the design of novel dental implants. This study evaluated the use of mesh structures placed on the implant surface for the anchorage of fibrous tissues.Material and methods: Specimens were prepared by covering their surfaces with a nylon mesh. The following mesh spacings were used: 30, 46, 100, 200, and 500 μm. The specimens were retrieved along with the surrounding subcutaneous tissues at 4 weeks after their implantation into the dorsal subcutaneous tissues of rats. A tensile test was performed by using a material testing machine, and the load required to tear the tissue from the mesh was measured. Histological sections stained with hematoxylin–eosin or Azan were prepared and examined by performing light microscopy. The amount of fibrous tissue contributing to the mechanical attachment of the fibers to the mesh was qualitatively evaluated by performing image analysis.Results: The attachment strength was the greatest in the 200‐μm mesh‐spacing group and considerably greater than that in the 30‐μm mesh‐spacing group. In addition, the effective width of the anchoring fibrous tissues was the greatest in the 200‐μm mesh‐spacing group. As compared with the other groups, the 200‐ and 500‐μm mesh‐spacing groups exhibited a considerably greater width of the anchoring fibrous tissues.Conclusions: The efficiency of mesh structures for the attachment of soft tissues to implants was demonstrated. A mesh spacing of approximately 200 μm was observed to be favorable for the anchorage of fibrous tissues.
Stability of miniplates and miniscrews used for orthodontic anchorage: experience with 492 temporary anchorage devices
Authors: Chen Yi‐Jane , Chang Hao‐Hueng , Lin Hsing‐Yi , Lai Eddie Hsian‐Hua , Hung Hsin‐Chia , Yao Chung‐Chen Jane 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate systematically the potential factors that influence failure rates of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) used for orthodontic anchorage.Materials and methods: Data on 492 TADs (miniplates, pre‐drilling miniscrews, and self‐drilling miniscrews) in 194 patients were collected. The factors related to TAD failure were evaluated using univariate analysis and multivariate forward stepwise logistic regression analysis.Results: There were no significant differences in failure rates among the TADs for the following variables: gender, type of malocclusion, facial divergency, implantation site (buccal, lingual, or crestal/midpalatal), location (anterior or posterior), method of force application (power chain or Ni–Ti coil spring), arch (upper or lower), type of soft tissue (attached gingiva or removable mucosa), and most of the cephalometric measurements that reflect dento‐cranio‐facial characteristics. An increased failure rate was noted for the self‐drilling miniscrew type of TAD, TADs used for tooth uprighting, those inserted on bone with lower density, those associated with local inflammation of the surrounding soft tissue, those loaded within 3 weeks after insertion, and those placed in patients with greater mandibular retrusion. Failure rates of the self‐drilling miniscrews installed by an oral surgeon and by an orthodontist did not differ significantly.Conclusions: Inflammation of soft tissue surrounding a TAD and early loading within 3 weeks after insertion were the most significant factors predicting TAD failure. Both orthodontists and oral surgeons who install orthodontic TADs must undergo sufficient training to achieve clinical excellence.