bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal self‐efficacy and 1–5‐year‐old children's brushing habits
Authors: Finlayson Tracy L. , Siefert Kristine , Ismail Amid I. , Sohn Woosung 
Published: July 2007

Abstract –  Objectives:  This study investigates the relationships between maternal cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial factors and brushing practices in low‐income African‐American preschool children.Methods:  Data are from a population‐based sample of 1021 African‐American families with at least one child <6 years of age and living in the 39 low‐income Census tracts in Detroit, Michigan. Analyses were limited to 1–5‐year‐old children and their mothers (n = 719). Mothers were surveyed about oral health‐related self‐efficacy (OHSE), knowledge about appropriate bottle use (KBU), knowledge about children's oral hygiene (KCOH), oral health fatalism (OHF), their own toothbrushing behavior, depressive symptoms (CES‐D), parenting stress, practical social support, and their child's dental history. Children's 1‐week reported brushing frequency was the main outcome measure. Analyses were conducted in sudaan to account for the complex sampling design.Results:  Children's 1‐week brushing frequency (range 0–40) averaged 8.50 times per week among 1–3‐year olds and 9.75 among the 4–5‐year olds. Maternal OHSE was a strong and significant predictor of children's brushing frequency; for each unit increase in OHSE, 1–3‐year olds were expected to brush 18% more frequently on average during 1 week [incidence density ratios (IDR) = 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.28; P < 0.001], and 4–5‐year olds were expected to brush 9% more often (IDR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.00–1.19; P < 0.10). Mothers’ KCOH score was also significantly positively associated with brushing frequency; for each unit increase on the KCOH scale, 1–3‐year olds were expected to brush 22% more frequently (IDR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.10–1.35; P < 0.001) and 4–5‐year olds were expected to brush 13% more frequently (IDR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.02–1.26; P < 0.05). If a mother brushed her own teeth at bedtime during the week, her 1–3‐year old child's brushing frequency was expected to increase by one‐third (IDR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.12–1.60; P < 0.01) and among the 4–5‐year olds, the child's frequency was expected to increase by one‐quarter (IDR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.12–1.42; P < 0.001). Availability of help with transportation and financial support were also relevant variables for 1–3‐year olds. Higher family income and dental insurance coverage were both positively associated with brushing among 4–5‐year olds.Conclusions:  Several maternal cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial factors were associated with young children's brushing practices. Oral health‐specific self‐efficacy and knowledge measures are potentially modifiable cognitions; findings suggest that intervening on these factors could help foster healthy dental habits and increase children's brushing frequency early in life.
Effect of fear on dental utilization behaviors and oral health outcome
Authors: Meng Xiaoxian , Heft Marc W. , Bradley Margaret M. , Lang Peter J. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract –  Objectives:  This paper assesses the effect of fear on a number of dental utilization behaviors and oral heath outcome in a sample of adult Floridians.Methods:  A telephone survey was conducted in 2004 among 504 adult Floridians. Data collected included sociodemographic factors, specific fear of dental pain (FDP), global FDP, global dental fear, three measures of dental utilization behaviors, and one measure of oral health outcome. Chi‐squared tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted to quantify the individual and multivariate associations between fear factors and four behavior and outcome measures.Results:  Global FDP was significantly associated with putting off making a dental appointment and approach to dental treatment. Global dental fear showed an independent negative impact on all four behavior and outcome measures; reports regarding specific fear of painful dental events were not significantly associated with four behavior and outcome measures.Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that: (i) dental fear and FDP have independent negative effects on dental utilization behaviors and oral health outcome after controlling for other sociodemographic and general health factors; and (ii) global dental fear encompasses broader components than FDP.
The effect of fluoride gel on incipient carious lesions in a low‐caries child population
Authors: Truin Gert‐Jan , Van't Hof Martin 
Published: July 2007

Abstract –  Objectives:  Secondary analyses were performed to study the cariostatic efficacy of semi‐annual professional fluoride gel application on incipient carious lesions in low‐caries children initially aged 9.5–11.5 years.Methods:  Double‐blind randomized controlled clinical trial.Results:  The mean treatment effect of fluoride gel for enamel and dentinal caries lesions after 4 years’ follow‐up was 0.92 D2,3FS and 0.20 D3FS, respectively. When enamel lesions were included in the DFS count (i.e. D2,3FS), the preventive fraction (PF) showed borderline significance (23%; P = 0.05). No significant treatment effect of professionally applied fluoride gel was found for D2,3FS and D3FS scores of the second molars. The PF for D2,3FS of occlusal, approximal, buccal and lingual surfaces and for buccal and palatal pits and fissures differed not significantly.Conclusion:  Professionally applied fluoride gel showed no statistically significant caries‐inhibiting effect on both enamel and dentine lesions in the permanent dentition of low‐caries children.
Risk for the development of atherosclerosis in women with a high level of dental plaque and severe gingival inflammation
Authors: Söder B. , Yakob M. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract  Introduction:  Chronic infection and inflammation are considered to be risk factors in the development of cardiovascular diseases; the chronic inflammatory and microbial burden caused by the dental plaque in these individuals may predispose them to atherosclerotic process.Aims:  The aims were to study the involvement of a high level of dental plaque, severe gingival inflammation and periodontitis in the development of early atherosclerotic process in women.Methods:  Forty‐six randomly chosen women with periodontitis and 21 periodontally healthy women were subjected to a comprehensive clinical oral examination, including oral hygiene status and level of gingival inflammation. Atherosclerotic risk factor analysis and carotid ultrasonography were performed. Common carotid artery intima‐media thickness (IMT) and lumen diameter were measured and intima‐media area (cIMA) was calculated. The following statistical methods were used: analysis of variance, chi‐squared tests and multiple logistic regression analysis.Results:  There were highly significant differences between the patients and controls in the amount of dental plaque, gingival inflammation as well as bleeding on probing and pocket depth. The mean values of IMT and cIMA were significantly higher in women with periodontal disease than in controls. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified periodontitis as a principal‐independent predictor of both the common carotid artery cIMA and IMT.Conclusions:  The present results indicate that a high amount of dental plaque, severe gingival inflammation as well as periodontitis seem to be associated with the development of atherosclerotic lesions in women already at its early and subclinical stages.
Screening for resistance against Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae among wild Solanum
Authors: Le Roux V. , Campan E.D.M. , Dubois F. , Vincent C. , Giordanengo P. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAs a consequence of selection for productive traits, the genetic diversity of Solanum tuberosum cultivars has been drastically reduced. With the goal to develop aphid‐resistant potato cultivars, our objective was to quantify the resistance of 14 accessions belonging to five wild potato species (Solanum chomatophilum, Solanum stoloniferum stoloniferum, Solanum bukasovii, Solanum marinasense and Solanum medians) against two aphid pests, Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae. Aphids were reared under controlled conditions in microcages clipped on the abaxial face of mature leaves of the Solanum species. The five wild Solanum species induced more than 90% of nymph mortality in M. persicae. The mortality rate of Ma. euphorbiae was also >90% on all S. chomatophilum, S. stoloniferum and S. medians accessions and on S. bukasovii‐PI 414155. When enough adult aphids emerged, that is for Ma. euphorbiae on three S. bukasovii and three S. marinasense accessions, the prereproductive period, the adult survival and fecundity were assessed. These parameters allowed us to calculate the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm), the finite rate of increase and the population doubling time (DT). The rm and the finite rate of increase were significantly reduced, whereas the population’s DT was significantly enhanced for most (five out of six) wild Solanum accessions. All accessions of S. chomatophilum, S. stoloniferum and S. medians and S. bukasovii‐PI 414155 were highly resistant to both M. persicae and Ma. euphorbiae. In conclusion, S. chomatophilum‐PI 310943 and ‐PI 310990, and S. stoloniferum‐PI 195167, ‐PI 201855 and ‐PI 275248, can be amenable for potato breeding programmes.
Farmers’ perceptions and knowledge of cassava pests and diseases and their approach to germplasm selection for resistance in Ghana
Authors: Manu‐Aduening J.A. , Lamboll R.I. , Mensah G. Ampong , Gibson R.W. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractCassava farmers in 10 villages in Ghana had specific names for large or colony‐forming pests but Bemisia tabaci, the relatively inconspicuous whitefly vector of cassava mosaic disease (CMD), was not mentioned and farmers used descriptors borrowed from other circumstances to identify cassava diseases, different farmers sometimes describing the same symptoms using different terms. Disease susceptibility was rarely a main reason for abandoning a landrace and few farmers were aware of the disease resistance of modern varieties although they were aware that their spreading habit enabled them to shade out weeds. While weeds were generally well controlled, CMD was common and appeared to be the main biotic constraint to cassava yields. Cassava anthracnose disease and brown leaf spot, although present, were generally not severe. In on‐farm collaborative breeding trials, high yield – an indirect measure of pest and disease resistance – was the farmers’ main selection criterion; those directly involving pest, disease or weed resistance were less commonly mentioned. Despite this, farmers selected for accessions with no or only mild CMD, perhaps through the effect CMD had on yield. These insights about farmers’ perceptions of cassava pests and diseases provide a basis for further collaborative germplasm development in Africa.
Longitudinal study of veterinary students and veterinarians: family and gender issues after 20 years
Authors: Heath TJ 
Published: July 2007

Objective  To examine and compare some family issues and work experiences of males and females who graduated as veterinarians 15 years ago.Procedure   Questionnaires were completed by 134 of 137 veterinarians who graduated 15 years ago, and who had been surveyed in their first and final years as students, and 1, 5, 10 and 15 years after they graduated. Comparisons were made with official statistics, information from earlier surveys in this longitudinal study, and data from a previously published national study.Results  By 15 years after they graduated, 82% had been married or in a comparable long‐term relationship, and 23% of these were to another veterinarian. Thirteen percent of those who had been married were now separated or divorced, and 50% of them had remarried, a similar proportion to official statistics for Australians of comparable age.Approximately 20% of both males and females were doing no veterinary work, but more males (68%) than females (37%) were doing veterinary work full time. Most who were doing veterinary work were in private practice, and of these, small animals represented 76% of the work of the males and 88% of the work of the females.Females in private practice were more likely to be employees, especially if working part time, but those working full time were just as likely as males to be practice owners. In general males earned more than females.Conclusion  By 15 years after graduation, the percentages of males and females doing some veterinary work are similar, although males are more likely than females to be working full time. Females and males in full time private practice are equally likely to be practice owners, but female owners and female employees earn less than comparable males. Males and females have similar attitudes to having done the veterinary course.
Combined pantethine and probucol therapy for Japanese patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Tokushige Katsutoshi , Hashimoto Etsuko , Yatsuji Satoru , Taniai Makiko , Shiratori Keiko 
Published: July 2007

Aims:  To evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of combined pantethine and probucol therapy in Japanese patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver function, serum cytokines, serum adiponectin and liver biopsy findings were investigated.Methods:  Sixteen patients with NASH and hyperlipidemia were treated with pantethine (600 mg/day) and probucol (500 mg/day) for 48 weeks.Results:  The mean pretreatment aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were 66 IU/L and 113 IU/L, respectively, which showed a significant decrease with treatment to 33 IU/L and 51 IU/L (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), respectively. Total cholesterol was also significantlydecreased (P < 0.01). In addition, the mean serum TGF‐beta level was significantly decreased, while the mean serum level of high molecular adiponectin was increased. In eight patients, liver biopsy was performed both before and after treatment. In four of these patients, inflammation was improved, and fibrosis was improved in two patients. No side‐effects of this treatment were noted.Conclusion:  Combined pantethine and probucol therapy was safe and effective for Japanese NASH patients, with its efficacy being mediated through adiponectin and TGF‐beta.
Clinicopathological significance of antinuclear antibodies in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Niwa Hideki , Sasaki Motoko , Haratake Joji , Kasai Takahiko , Katayanagi Kazuyoshi , Kurumaya Hiroshi , Masuda Shinji , Minato Hiroshi , Zen You , Uchiyama Akio , Miwa Atsuo , Saito Katsuhiko , Sudo Yoshiko , Nakanuma Yasuni 
Published: July 2007

Aim: Serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are occasionally noted in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We examined the significance of ANA in NASH.Methods: We compared clinicopathological features in patients with ANA‐positive NASH (n = 35) and ANA‐negative NASH (n = 36). Inflammatory cell profiles and the distribution of oxidative stress markers were also examined immunohistochemically.Results: ANA‐positive NASH was significantly associated with female gender (P = 0.005), high degree of portal inflammation (P = 0.039), interface activity (P = 0.036) and hepatocellular ballooning (P = 0.0008). In addition, ANA of high titer (320‐fold or more) was significantly associated with the histological grade and stage of NASH (P = 0.02). The degree of steatosis wais rather mild in the high‐titer ANA group(P = 0.01). The analysis of inflammatory cell profiles revealed that CD3‐positive T cells were predominant and plasma cells were rather few in the portal area and hepatic lobules in both ANA‐positive and ANA‐negative groups. There was no difference in the distribution of oxidative stress markers between ANA‐positive and ANA‐negative groups.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the presence of ANA may be related to the progression of NASH and that a different type of autoimmune mechanism may be involved in the pathogenesis of NASH with ANA, compared to the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis.
Functional Antibodies to the O-Acetylated Pneumococcal Serotype 15B Capsular Polysaccharide Have Low Cross-Reactivities with Serotype 15C
Authors: Rajam Gowrisankar , Carlone George M. , Romero-Steiner Sandra 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT
The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide (Ps) vaccine offer protection against vaccine serotypes, but its cross-protection against vaccine-related serotypes is variable. We have demonstrated that the functional antibodies to serotype 15B are specific to the O-acetylated 15B-Ps and that they have low cross-reactivity with serotype 15C. Demonstration of functionally cross-reactive antibodies to vaccine-related serotypes is important for surveillance and vaccine development.
Subgroup Prevalence and Genotype Circulation Patterns of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Belgium during Ten Successive Epidemic Seasons
Authors: Zlateva Kalina T. , Vijgen Leen , Dekeersmaeker Nathalie , Naranjo Cecilia , Van Ranst Marc 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT
Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the leading viral cause of severe respiratory illness for infants and young children worldwide. Two major antigenic groups (A and B) of HRSV exist, and viruses from both subgroups can cocirculate during epidemics; however, their frequencies might differ between seasons. The subgroup prevalence and genotype distribution patterns of HRSV strains were investigated in a community in Belgium during 10 successive epidemic seasons (1996 to 2006). A regular 3-year cyclic pattern of subgroup dominance was observed, consisting of two predominant HRSV-A seasons, followed by a single HRSV-B-dominant year. HRSV infections with both subgroups were more prevalent among children younger than 6 months and had a peak incidence in December. The most frequently detected genotypes were GA5 and GB13, the latter including strains with the 60-nucleotide duplication in the G gene. Furthermore, GA5 remained the dominant HRSV genotype in two consecutive epidemic seasons twice during the study period. Additional variability was detected among the GB13 isolates, due to the usage of a novel termination codon in the G gene. Dual infections with both HRSV subgroups were detected for 9 patients, and subsequent infections with the heterologous HRSV subgroup were documented for 15 patients. Among five patients with homologous reinfections, only one was caused by HRSV-B. Our results support the hypothesis that the overall prevalence of HRSV-A over HRSV-B could be due to a more-transient subgroup A-specific immune protection.
The Amino Acid Residues at Positions 120 to 123 Are Crucial for the Antigenicity of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Authors: Tian Yongjun , Xu Yang , Zhang Zhenhua , Meng Zhongji , Qin Li , Lu Mengji , Yang Dongliang 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe major hydrophilic region (MHR) of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) harbors conformational B-cell epitopes and is the major target of neutralizing antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs). Mutant HBsAg (mtHBsAg) with amino acid substitutions such as G145R is known to affect the binding of specific anti-HB antibodies and their detection by conventional diagnostic assays. In the present study, we focused on the role of the amino acid positions 120 to 123, which are around MHR 2 according to the spectrum of recently identified, naturally occurring mtHBsAg. Strikingly, the amino acid substitution K122I abolished the reactivity of HBsAg in all immunoassays tested so far. Also, mtHBsAg G145R could be clearly detected with four different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays that were based on monoclonal anti-HB antibodies (MAbs) with high affinity. Positive immunofluorescence staining of mtHBsAg K122I was achieved only by polyclonal anti-HBs, while all MAbs tested failed. mtHBsAg T123N showed a low reactivity in immunoassays and appeared to be secretion defective. The amino acid substitution P120T reduced the binding of anti-HBs but did not completely prevent the detection of mtHBsAg by anti-HB MAbs. The testing of naturally occurring mtHBsAg confirmed that the presence of amino acid substitutions within the region of 120 to 123 is strongly associated with impaired detection in immunoassays. In conclusion, MHR 2 is essential for HBsAg antigenicity, a fact that has not been recognized before.
Molecular Typing of Beta-Hemolytic Streptococci from Two Patients with Lower-Limb Cellulitis: Identical Isolates from Toe Web and Blood Specimens
Authors: Hilmarsdóttir Ingibjörg , Valsdóttir Freyja 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Intertriginous toe webs harboring cellulitis-causing bacteria constitute a risk factor for lower-limb cellulitis. Molecular typing of
Streptococcus pyogenes
and
S. dysgalactiae
subsp.
equisimilis
isolates from blood and toe webs of two cellulitis patients revealed identical strains for each species. This finding supports the role of toe webs as a potential site of entry for cellulitis pathogens.
Stability of Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeats in
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Hopkins K. L. , Maguire C. , Best E. , Liebana E. , Threlfall E. J. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs) may evolve so rapidly that multiple profiles emerge during an outbreak. A total of 190 isolates from eight
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium outbreaks and 15 isolates from seven patients were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and VNTR typing. Small changes in loci were noted; otherwise, the VNTR profiles were stable during the course of the outbreaks.
Development and Application of a Novel Peptide Nucleic Acid Probe for the Specific Detection ofHelicobacter pyloriin Gastric Biopsy Specimens
Authors: Guimarães N. , Azevedo N. F. , Figueiredo C. , Keevil C. W. , Vieira M. J. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTIn this work, a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method for the rapid detection ofHelicobacter pyloriusing a novel peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe is reported. Laboratory testing with several different bacterial species, including otherHelicobacterspp., has shown that this probe is highly specific forH. pyloristrains. In addition, the PNA FISH method has been successfully adapted for detection of the pathogen in paraffin-embedded gastric biopsy specimens.