bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrochemical characterization of a coal mine plume detected by an airborne geophysical survey
Authors: BEAMISH D. , KLINCK B. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractA trial airborne electromagnetic (AEM) geophysical survey was carried out across a 13 × 9 km area of the northern Nottinghamshire (UK) coalfield. One of the objectives was to examine the influence of coal mines (collieries) and associated spoil heaps situated above the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone aquifer. The conductivity models obtained from the AEM survey revealed extensive zones of enhanced subsurface conductivity in the vicinity of all the collieries in the survey area. The present study provides information regarding subsequent investigations (ground geophysics and borehole) to confirm the AEM results and to investigate the geochemical nature of the conductive zone identified in the vicinity of one of the collieries.Following ground geophysical confirmation of the airborne results, three boreholes were drilled into one of the conductive zones to the east of a working colliery. Geophysical logs and analysis of pore fluid geochemistry demonstrate that there is a very strong correlation between the borehole induction logs (formation conductivity), total dissolved solids (TDS) and chloride in the pore waters. The three cored boreholes have confirmed that there is a groundwater plume with high concentrations of TDS, compared with background, moving east from the Thoresby Colliery on a hydraulic gradient of 0.023. Porewater geochemistry obtained from core has been compared with that of local aquifer waters and with samples obtained from the colliery. The results indicate that the plume chemistry could result from the mixing of a typical Sherwood Sandstone composition with colliery spoil leachate. The AEM conductivity models have been successfully correlated with ground geophysical models, borehole induction logs, TDS and chloride in the pore waters. By implication, the geophysical results obtained over a larger area indicate the wider extent of such impacts in relation to both former and current mining activities.
Structure of grain boundaries in wet, synthetic polycrystalline, statically recrystallizing halite – evidence from cryo‐SEM observations
Authors: SCHENK O. , URAI J. L. , PIAZOLO S. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIt is well known from nature and experiments that the presence of brine strongly affects the microstructural evolution and the mechanical and transport properties of halite. Existing interpretations of the grain boundary structure in deformed, wet, salt samples annealed statically at room temperature are based on indirect evidence from reflected light microscopy and conventional scanning electron microscopy. This paper presents direct observations of fluid‐filled grain boundaries using the cryogenic‐scanning electron microscope (cryo‐SEM) in which the grain boundary fluids were frozen before breaking the samples. The rapid cooling transforms the brine into two phases, i.e. ice and hydrohalite, which are easily recognized from characteristic segregation patterns. We studied samples of wet, synthetic, polycrystalline halite annealed under static conditions at room temperature. In coarse‐grained samples, fine‐scale segregation patterns were observed at the boundaries of the primary recrystallizing grains. These points indicate the existence of fluid films with a thickness in the range of 30 nm, but the finer scale structure of the fluid remains unknown. In fine‐grained samples, the distribution and reorganization of fluids with annealing time is recorded by the combination of contact healing and successive accumulation of fluids in triple junction tubes. The contact healing is attributed to the small initial grain size, such that the fluid film necks down by accumulating the fluids into previously existing triple junctions via neck growth. Electron backscatter diffraction measurements of both primary and secondary recrystallized grains indicate that they are euhedral, i.e. the grain growth morphology is controlled by the anisotropy of the grain boundary energy of the growing grain, which results in planar growth faces.
Endocrine targets for pharmacological intervention in aging inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Gill Matthew S. 
Published: January 2006

SummaryStudies in the nematodeCaenorhabditis eleganshave been instrumental in defining genetic pathways that are involved in modulating lifespan. Multiple processes such as endocrine signaling, nutritional sensing and mitochondrial function play a role in determining lifespan in the worm and these mechanisms appear to be conserved across species. These discoveries have identified a range of novel targets for pharmacological manipulation of lifespan and it is likely that the nematode model will now prove useful in the discovery of compounds that slow aging. This review will focus on the endocrine targets for intervention in aging and the use ofC. elegansas a system for high throughput screens of compounds for their effects on aging.
An In Vitro Investigation of a Comparison of Bond Strengths of Composite to Etched and Air‐Abraded Human Enamel Surfaces
Authors: Gray G.B. , Carey G.P.D. , Jagger D.C. 
Published: January 2006

Purpose:
The purposes of the study were to measure the tensile bond strength of composite resin to human enamel specimens that had been either etched or air‐abraded, and to compare the quality of the marginal seal, through the assessment of microleakage, of composite resin to human enamel specimens that had been either etched or air‐abraded.
Materials and Methods:
Thirty mandibular molar teeth were decoronated and sectioned mesio‐distally to produce six groups, each containing ten specimens that were embedded in acrylic resin using a jig. In each of the four treatment groups, the specimen surfaces were treated by either abrasion with 27 or 50 μm alumina at 4 mm or 20 mm distance, and a composite resin was bonded to the treated surfaces in a standardized manner. In the two control groups the specimens were treated with 15 seconds exposure to 36% phosphoric acid gel and then similarly treated before being stored in sterile water for 1 week. All specimens were then subjected to tensile bond strength testing at either 1 or 5 mm/min crosshead speed. For the microleakage study, the degree of dye penetration was measured 32 times for each treatment group, using a neutral methylene blue dye at the interface between composite and either 27 or 50 μm air‐abraded tooth structure or etched enamel surfaces.
Results:
The mean bond strength values recorded for Group 1 (phosphoric acid etch, 5 mm/min crosshead speed) was 25.4 MPa; Group 2 (phosphoric acid etch, 1 mm/min), 22.2 MPa; Group 3 (27 μm alumina at 4 mm distance), 16.8 MPa; Group 4 (50 μm alumina at 4 mm distance), 16.9 MPa; Group 5 (27 μm alumina at 20 mm distance), 4.2 MPa; and for Group 6 (50 μm alumina at 20 mm distance) 3.4 MPa. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated significant differences among the groups, and a multiple comparison test (Tukey) demonstrated that conventionally etched specimens had a greater bond strength than air‐abraded specimen groups. No significant difference in dye penetration could be demonstrated among the groups (p= 0.58).
Conclusions:
Composite resin applied to enamel surfaces prepared using an acid etch procedure exhibited higher bond strengths than those prepared with air abrasion technology. The abrasion particle size did not affect the bond strength produced, but the latter was adversely affected by the distance of the air abrasion nozzle from the enamel surface. The crosshead speed of the bond testing apparatus had no effect on the bond strengths recorded. The marginal seal of composite to prepared enamel was unaffected by the method of enamel preparation.
Factors Associated with Masticatory Performance in Unilateral Distal Extension Removable Partial Denture Patients
Authors: Tumrasvin Wacharasak , Fueki Kenji , Ohyama Takashi 
Published: January 2006

Purpose:
Masticatory performance of denture patients is an outcome of the intricate inter‐relationship between patient characteristics and denture construction. This study aimed to identify both patient‐ and denture‐related factors associated with masticatory performance in unilateral distal extension removable partial denture patients (RPDs).
Materials and Methods:
Seventy‐two patients (25 male and 47 female, mean age 63.4 ± 6.7 years) with unilateral distal extension RPDs were included in the study. The Mixing Ability Index (MAI) obtained from a chewing test using standard two‐colored wax cubes, determined masticatory performance. The effect of each evaluated factor on masticatory performance was first determined by an independent t‐test or one‐way analysis of variance. The statistically significant factors were entered in a model of multivariate linear regression analysis to estimate the independent effect on MAI.
Results:
The MAI ranged from −3.06 to 0.80 (Mean −0.71 ± 0.86). Univariate analyses identified male gender, high maximum bite force, more functional tooth units, and natural dentition opposing RPDs as patient factors increasing the MAI. Multivariate analysis (adjusted R2= 0.346) revealed that gender (p < 0.001), maximum bite force (p= 0.02), and number of functional tooth units (p= 0.03) were independent predictors for masticatory performance. None of the denture‐related factors had a significant influence on MAI.
Conclusion:
Gender, maximum bite force, and number of functional tooth units were the main factors influencing masticatory performance of unilateral distal extension RPD patients.
Prosthodontics as a Specialty Private Practice: Net Income of Private Practitioners
Authors: Nash Kent D. , Pfeifer David L. 
Published: January 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to use data from a survey of prosthodontists in the US to examine average net earnings of prosthodontists in private practice.
Materials and Methods: A survey of 2500 prosthodontists in the US was used to estimate the net earnings of practicing prosthodontists. The national average net earnings of prosthodontists in private practice was estimated along with average earnings for subgroups of prosthodontists. Estimates for private practitioners by age, gender, size of practice, full‐time/part‐time status, practice ownership, and by type of treatment procedures rendered by the practitioner were also included.
Results: Average earnings for prosthodontists in private practice on a primary or secondary basis were estimated to be $215,300 and for prosthodontists who own or share in the ownership of a private practice, $233,920. Reported earnings estimates ranged from $96,160 for nonowners of a private practice and $103,350 for part‐time private practitioners to $233,920 for practice owners and $275,170 for prosthodontists in practice with two prosthodontists. The average earnings of prosthodontists who are practice owners were estimated to be 35% higher than the corresponding general practitioners.
Conclusion: Average net earnings are often used to examine the current economic health of a profession. The average net earnings of prosthodontists in private practice exceed the average net income reported by the American Dental Association for all dentists and all general practitioners and they are competitive with earnings among all specialty groups. This evaluation of the net earnings of prosthodontists shows that prosthodontics offers a competitive career opportunity for the general dentist with a personal desire to pursue advanced dental education in a specialty as a profession.
Proteomics as a tool for assessment of therapeutics in transfusion medicine: evaluation of prothrombin complex concentrates
Authors: Brigulla Matthias , Thiele Thomas , Scharf Christian , Breitner‐Ruddock Susanne , Venz Simone , Völker Uwe , Greinacher Andreas 
Published: January 2006

BACKGROUND:  Proteomic technologies are evolving tools to analyze complex protein patterns that to date have been rarely applied to transfusion medicine. The analysis of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) was used as a model to evaluate to what extent these technologies can detect differences in blood‐derived therapeutics beyond that of standard quality control.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Three PCCs (two batches each) were individually analyzed for differences in protein content by functional assays, two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry. The results were compared to a pool of 72 normal plasma samples.RESULTS:  A highly complex protein pattern was found that varied considerably among the three PCCs: 192 spots comprising 40 different proteins were identified. Factor (F) IX activities of the three PCCs were comparable, but their F IX protein contents differed considerably. Many proteins were present in multiple spots (e.g. FII, FX, protein C, vitronectin), indicating a high degree of posttranslational modifications. In comparison with untreated pooled plasma, PCCs displayed several low‐molecular‐weight variants of proteins that likely constitute potential degradation products.CONCLUSION:  Proteomic technologies allow the identification of potentially modified proteins in clotting factor concentrates, indicating that they could become a useful tool for transfusion medicine to assess the impact of processing on the integrity of blood‐derived therapeutics.
Prospective flow cytometric evaluation of nucleated red blood cells in cord blood units and relationship with nucleated and CD34+ cell quantification
Authors: Larghero Jerome , Rea Delphine , Brossard Yves , Van Nifterik Jacqueline , Delasse Veronique , Robert Isabelle , Biscay Nicole , Chantre Elisabeth , Raffoux Emmanuel , Socié Gerard , Gluckman Eliane , Benbunan Marc , Marolleau Jean‐Pierre 
Published: January 2006

BACKGROUND:  Cord blood (CB) represents an alternate source of stem cells in transplantation. Nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) are a physiological subset of CB population. Although it is important to have an accurate estimate of CD34+ cell number, NRBCs could compromise white blood cell count and interfere with CD34+ cell quantification.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A total of 826 CB units were analyzed for total nucleated cells (TNCs), NRBCs, and CD34+ cells by flow cytometry. NRBCs were also counted conventionally by manual microscopy. Percentages of CD34+ cells corrected by NRBC count (CD34+c) were determined as follows: %CD34+c = CD34+/CD45+ (×106)/(TNCs (×108) – NRBCs (×108)).RESULTS:  The mean percentages of CD34+ cells and NRBCs were 0.27 percent (range, 0.01%‐1.25%) and 7.64 percent (range, 0.13%‐84%), respectively. Comparison between flow cytometric and microscopic NRBC count showed a regression of y = 0.685 + 0.719x and a coefficient of determination of r2 = 0.721. When corrected with NRBC count, the mean percentage of CD34+ c cells was 0.295 percent (p = 0.0008 compared with CD34+%) and mean TNCc count was 14.8 × 108 (p < 10−4 compared to TNC count).CONCLUSION:  The determination of NRBCs with a flow cytometric method might represent a new strategy for providing satisfactory quality assurance controls of CB products.
Redilatation with intracameral mydriatics in phacoemulsification surgery
Authors: Bäckström Gunnie , Behndig Anders 
Published: January 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine whether intracameral mydriatics can redilate pupils that contract during phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Methods:  A total of 80 patients were included in this prospective, randomized, double‐blind study performed at Örnsköldsviks Hospital Eye Clinic. Of these, 60 patients had 0.6 µg/ml of epinephrine added to the balanced salt solution (BSS) used for irrigation and 20 patients did not. The patients in each group were randomized and given either an intracameral mydriatics (ICM) solution or placebo intracamerally after phacoemulsification and cortex cleaning. The pupil size was registered preoperatively, after cortex cleaning, 30 seconds after study injection, 2 mins after study injection and the day after surgery. Results:  No clinically relevant differences were found preoperatively. In the epinephrine material a significantly longer operation time (p = 0.023) and more procedures requiring Vision Blue™ and Kelman‐type tip in the placebo group might indicate diversity in the grade of cataract. There was a greater degree of contraction in the absence of epinephrine in the irrigation solution (2.3 ± 1.0 mm in the ICM group and 3.2 ± 0.7 mm in the placebo group) compared to in the presence of epinephrine. With no epinephrine ICM significantly redilated the pupils at 30 seconds (p ≤ 0.001) as well as at 2 mins (p = 0.015). Conclusion:  We have shown that in cases with an intraoperative pupil contraction, ICM is effective in redilating the pupil. Insufficient adrenergic stimulation of the pupil dilator appears to be a major factor causing intraoperative pupil contraction during phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
A multicentre, retrospective study of resource utilization and costs associated with glaucoma management in France and Sweden
Authors: Lindblom Bertil , Nordmann Jean‐Philippe , Sellem Eric , Chen Enping , Gold R. , Polland Werner , Williamson W. , Buchholz Patricia , Walt John G. , Groleau Danielle , Curry Alistair , Evans Stacy J. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To assess resource utilization and costs associated with glaucoma management in France and Sweden. Methods:  A total of 267 patient records (121 in France, 146 in Sweden) with diagnoses of primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OH), treated medically, were reviewed for a 2‐year period (beginning during 1997−99) for relevant clinical and resource utilization data. Economic data were applied to estimate treatment costs. Results:  The annual cost of treating glaucoma was estimated at SEK5305 (€531)/patient in Sweden and €390/patient in France. In both countries, medication costs comprised about half of the total costs. Surgical procedures and hospitalizations represented greater proportions of total cost in France (7.0% and 9.6%, respectively) than in Sweden (3.7% and 0.6%, respectively). Conclusion:  Medication costs represent a high proportion of total treatment costs. These findings highlight the relative importance of medical therapy and of assessing the cost‐effectiveness of medications in glaucoma.
Colour vision and retinal nerve fibre layer photography in patients with an Acrysof® Natural intraocular lens
Authors: Vuori Marja‐Liisa , Mäntyjärvi Maija 
Published: January 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To study colour vision and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) photographs in patients with an Acrysof® Natural intraocular lens (IOL). Methods:  We carried out a randomized double‐blind study. An Acrysof® Natural IOL (model SN60AT) was implanted in 25 eyes of 19 patients and an Acrysof® IOL (model SA60AT) was implanted in 27 eyes of 18 control patients. The patients returned for colour vision tests and fundus photography 1−6 months after the surgery. Results:  Standard pseudoisochromatic plates, part 2, were correctly interpreted and the Farnsworth−Munsell 100‐hue test (FM 100) total and individual box scores were normal in all IOL eyes. In the FM 100 hue test there were no significant differences in the results of the total error scores or the error scores of the individual boxes between the eyes with Acrysof® Natural and those with Acrysof® lenses. The yellow coloration of the Acrysof® Natural IOL did not affect the visibility of the RNFL in photographs. Conclusions:  The Acrysof® Natural IOL did not affect colour vision in the tested patients, even in the blue region of the spectrum, and can be implanted in patients who need to have normal colour vision for the purposes of their occupation. The Acrysof® Natural IOL does not interfere with RNFL photography and can also be used in patients with glaucoma.
An isotonic preparation of 1 mg/ml indocyanine green is not toxic to hyperconfluent ARPE19 cells, even after prolonged exposure
Authors: Kiilgaard Jens Folke , Nissen Mogens Holst , La Cour Morten 
Published: January 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate the in vitro toxicity of indocyanine green and infracyanine green (ICG) to cultured ARPE19 cells, in particular with respect to the concentration and time dependence of this toxicity. Methods:  ARPE19 cells were grown for at least 1 week past confluence (hyperconfluent cells) before being subjected to challenge with ICG. Cell survival was tested with the MTT assay. Results:  When applied in isotonic solutions, ICG in all concentrations (below 5 mg/ml) and at all exposure times tested (2 mins−2 hours) was found not to affect the survival of ARPE19 cells. ARPE19 cultures older than 30 days were more resistant to a 5 mg/ml hypotonic ICG solution than younger cultures. Conclusion:  When toxicity of ICG was tested in hyperconfluent ARPE19 cultures, these cells were found to be more resistant to the dye than has been previously reported for more immature ARPE19 cells.
One medial triangular Tutoplast sling as a frontalis suspension for adult myogenic blepharoptosis
Authors: Seider Nir , Beiran Itzchak , Kaltreider Sara A. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  The treatment of choice for medium to severe blepharoptosis with minimal or no levator function is frontalis suspension with a sling, using a rectangular or rhomboid sling placement technique. We describe the short‐term, follow‐up results of frontalis suspension surgery for adult myogenic blepharoptosis using Tutoplast, a commercially available fascia lata allograft. Methods:  We conducted a consecutive, interventional case study. All adult (>25 years of age) patients operated for non‐traumatic myogenic ptosis during a 1‐year period were included. All underwent frontalis suspension using one medial triangular Tutoplast sling. Success was judged according to lid position and complications. Results:  Successful surgical results were judged by lid level, lid symmetry and lid contour. During a mean follow‐up of 9 months, the success rate was 91% in all three criteria and 100% in at least two out of three. No major complications were observed. The most prevalent minor complication was the need for lubrication treatment in 26% of the operated patients. Conclusion:  The use of Tutoplast for frontalis suspension in cases of adult myogenic ptosis is safe and has a high success rate in the early postoperative period. Further large‐scale studies are necessary to ascertain the longterm results and the applicability of this material to other indications.