bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental Evaluation of an Automated Endoscope Reprocessor With In Situ Generation of Peracetic Acid for Disinfection of Semicritical Devices
Authors: Sattar Syed A. , Kibbee Richard J. , Tetro Jason A. , Rook Tony A. 
Published: October 2006

Objective.To evaluate the effectiveness of a high-level disinfection solution generated inside an endoscope processing system for decontaminating external and internal surfaces of experimentally contaminated heat-sensitive medical devices.Methods.The American Society for Testing and Materials Simulated-Use Test protocol (E1837-02), which incorporates a soil load in each inoculum, was used to evaluate the efficacy of the system when processing 4 common types of endoscopes contaminated separately with 5 types of nosocomial pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), spores of Clostridium difficile (ATCC 9689), a glutaraldehyde-resistant strain of Mycobacterium chelonae, a vancomycin-resistant strain of Enterococcus faecalis, and a methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. Rinse solution samples from channels and from surfaces of the processed endoscopes were tested for any microbicidal residues.Results.For all organisms tested, the baseline level of contamination of the endoscopes ranged from 5 log10 to greater than 7 log10 at each external surface site and internal channel. All tests showed reductions in viability of the test organisms to undetectable levels. All rinse solution samples from external and internal sites of the endoscopes proved to be free of any residual microbicidal activity.Conclusions.The endoscope reprocessor, with its processor-generated high-level disinfection solution, successfully reduced the numbers of selected, clinically relevant pathogens to undetectable levels both in the channels and on the outside surfaces of the 4 representative endoscopes tested in this study.
PROTERAN: animated terrain evolution for visual analysis of patterns in protein folding trajectory
Authors: Zhou Ruhong , Parida Laxmi , Kapila Kush , Mudur Sudhir 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSummary: The mechanism of protein folding remains largely a mystery in molecular biology, despite the enormous effort from many groups in the past decades. Currently, the protein folding mechanism is often characterized by calculating the free energy landscape versus various reaction coordinates such as the fraction of native contacts, the radius of gyration and so on. In this paper, we present an integrated approach towards understanding the folding process via visual analysis of patterns of these reaction coordinates. The three disparate processes (1) protein folding simulation, (2) pattern elicitation and (3) visualization of patterns, work in tandem. Thus as the protein folds, the changing landscape in the pattern space can be viewed via the visualization tool, PROTERAN, a program we developed for this purpose. We first present an incremental (on-line) trie-based pattern discovery algorithm to elicit the patterns and then describe the terrain metaphor based visualization tool. Using two example small proteins, a β-hairpin and a designed protein Trp-cage, we next demonstrate that this combined pattern discovery and visualization approach extracts crucial information about protein folding intermediates and mechanism.Contact: ruhongz@us.ibm.comSupplementary information:
Delay in fishery management: diminished yield, longer rebuilding, and increased probability of stock collapse1
Authors: Shertzer Kyle W. , Prager Michael H. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractShertzer, K. W., and Prager, M. H. 2007. Delay in fishery management: diminished yield, longer rebuilding, and increased probability of stock collapse. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 149–159. When a stock is depleted, catch reductions are in order, but typically they are implemented only after considerable delay. Delay occurs because fishery management is political, and stricter management, which involves short-term economic loss, is unpopular. Informed of stock decline, managers often hesitate, perhaps pondering the uncertainty of scientific advice, perhaps hoping that a good year class will render action moot. However, management delay itself can have significant costs, when it exacerbates stock decline. To examine the biological consequences of delay, we simulated a spectrum of fisheries under various degrees of delay in management. Increased delay required larger catch reductions, for more years, to recover benchmark stock status (here, spawning-stock biomass at maximum sustainable yield). Management delay caused stock collapse most often under two conditions: (1) when the stock–recruitment relationship was depensatory, or (2) when catchability, unknown to the assessment, was density-dependent and fishing took juveniles. In contrast, prompt management resulted in quicker recoveries and higher cumulative yields from simulated fisheries. Benefits to stock biomass and fishery yield can be high from implementing management promptly.
TESTING RESISTANCE OF ENAMELED SURFACES TO SCRATCHING GOUGING, AND ABRASION*
Authors: Petersen F. A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSeven types of cover‐coat enamels were tested for resistance to scratching, gouging, and abrasion by various methods. These methods were (a) P.E.I. abrasion test, (b) P.E.I. gouge test, (c) variations of the gouge test, (d) Taber Abraser, and (e) a scratch test. Chemical durability and reflectance were found to have little or no correlation with the resistance of the enamels to abrasion.The bubble structure of the enamel layer seemed to have the greatest effect on abrasion and scratch resistance of the enamel layer.
Profiling of apoptosis genes allows for clinical stratification of primary nodal diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas
Authors: Muris J. J. F. , Ylstra B. , Cillessen S. A. G. M. , Ossenkoppele G. J. , Kluin‐Nelemans J. C. , Eijk P. P. , Nota B. , Tijssen M. , De Boer W. P. H. , Van De Wiel M. , Van Den Ijssel P. R. L. A. , Jansen P. , De Bruin P. C. , Van Krieken J. H. J. M. , Meijer G. A. , Meijer C. J. L. M. , Oudejans J. J. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryIntrinsic resistance of lymphoma cells to apoptosis is a probable mechanism causing chemotherapy resistance and eventual fatal outcome in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL). We investigated whether microarray expression profiling of apoptosis related genes predicts clinical outcome in 46 patients with primary nodal DLBCL. Unsupervised cluster analysis using genes involved in apoptosis (n = 246) resulted in three separate DLBCL groups partly overlapping with germinal centre B‐lymphocytes versus activated B‐cells like phenotype. One group with poor clinical outcome was characterised by high expression levels of pro‐and anti‐apoptotic genes involved in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. A second group, also with poor clinical outcome, was characterised by high levels of apoptosis inducing cytotoxic effector genes, possibly reflecting a cellular cytotoxic immune response. The third group showing a favourable outcome was characterised by low expression levels of genes characteristic for both other groups. Our results suggest that chemotherapy refractory DLBCL are characterised either by an intense cellular cytotoxic immune response or by constitutive activation of the intrinsic mediated apoptosis pathway with concomitant downstream inhibition of this apoptosis pathway. Consequently, strategies neutralising the function of apoptosis‐inhibiting proteins might be effective as alternative treatment modality in part of chemotherapy refractory DLBCL.
Co‐expression of ghrelin and its receptor in pancreatic endocrine tumours
Authors: Ekeblad Sara , Lejonklou Margareta Halin , Grimfjärd Per , Johansson Térèse , Eriksson Barbro , Grimelius Lars , Stridsberg Mats , Stålberg Peter , Skogseid Britt 
Published: October 2006

SummaryObjective  Expression of ghrelin has been reported in pancreatic endocrine tumours, but data on ghrelin receptor protein expression are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the ghrelin receptor, as well as ghrelin, in a selected series of these tumours, including multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN1) associated tumours, and to correlate data with clinical features including body mass index.Design  Immunohistochemical detection of ghrelin and its receptor was performed on frozen tissue from 31 tumours: 9 MEN1 and 22 sporadic. Twenty tumours were analysed by quantitative PCR. Plasma ghrelin was assessed in 26 patients.Results  Twenty‐one (68%) of 31 tumours showed immunoreactivity for ghrelin (8/9 MEN1) and 19/20 expressed ghrelin mRNA. Ghrelin receptor protein was detected in 21/30 (70%) tumours (4/8 MEN1), and mRNA was detected in all analysed tumours. Insulinomas had significantly higher levels of receptor mRNA than other tumours. Five patients had elevated plasma ghrelin (> 2 SD above the control group mean). No significant difference in mean plasma ghrelin levels was found between patients (908 ± 569 ng/l) and controls (952 ± 164 ng/l). Mean BMI was 24·3 kg/m2. There was no association between ghrelin or receptor expression and survival.Conclusions  We report the first immunohistochemical data on expression of the ghrelin receptor in pancreatic endocrine tumours: 70% of tumours in our material. Concomitant ghrelin and receptor expression was seen in 50% of tumours, indicating an autocrine loop. Ghrelin was expressed in 68% of tumours (8/9 MEN1). Despite frequent ghrelin expression, elevated circulating ghrelin is rare in these patients.
An assessment of rubber dam usage amongst specialists in paediatric dentistry practising within the UK
Authors: SOLDANI FRANCESCA , FOLEY JENNIFER 
Published: October 2006

Objective. Rubber dam is recommended by the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) for various restorative and endodontic procedures. To date, there has been no report of actual usage of rubber dam within the speciality of paediatric dentistry. The aim of this study was to assess the usage of rubber dam amongst paediatric dentistry specialists within the UK.Methods. A postal questionnaire was distributed to all practitioners registered on the UK General Dental Council's 2004 specialist list in paediatric dentistry.Results. Data were available for 162 questionnaires (a 75% response rate), and of these, 85% of respondents worked in the National Health Service (NHS), 4% were private practitioners and the remainder had a mixed NHS/private practice. Regarding the benefits of rubber dam, 65% and 52% of respondents quoted patient safety and moisture control, respectively. Perceived difficulties of dam usage were lack of patient cooperation and the non‐necessity for a particular treatment, as quoted in 64% and 36% of the completed questionnaires, respectively. The most common modes of isolation for anterior and posterior teeth were Dry Dam® (58%), and clamp and dam (80%), respectively.Conclusion. Current BSPD guidelines recommend rubber dam usage for many restorative procedures; however, it would appear that there is wide variability in the application, as well as under‐use, of rubber dam.
How spatial structure alters population and community dynamics in a natural plant community
Authors: TURNBULL LINDSAY A. , COOMES DAVID A. , PURVES DREW W. , REES MARK 
Published: October 2006

Summary

We quantify the effects of spatial structure on individual, population and community biomass within a natural community of annuals for two years (1994 and 1996) in which competition operated differently.
Using field‐parameterized neighbourhood models in which we had previously estimated the spatial scale and magnitude of competitive effects, we perform virtual experiments in which we manipulate spatial structure relative to that observed. We first remove segregation by randomly re‐labelling all annual plants in a focal plant's neighbourhood and then give individuals of all species the same average number of neighbours by re‐locating individuals within the overall pattern of annuals.
The natural spatial structure generally acted to promote species coexistence. In 1994, when the strength of individual‐level competition within species was already greater than that between species, the natural spatial structure enhanced this effect for six out of seven species by increasing the relative frequency of intraspecific contacts. Average plant biomass increased by 0.24–38% when spatial locations were randomized.
In 1996, when a single competitive hierarchy operated, the natural spatial structure systematically benefited small‐seeded, weakly competitive species while having weak negative effects on large‐seeded, strong competitors. Randomizing spatial locations decreased the biomass of the species with the smallest seeds by 12% but increased the biomass of the species with the largest seeds by < 1%. This asymmetry increased dramatically when we used the model to increase the competitive advantage of large seeds artificially. Randomizing spatial locations decreased the biomass of the species with the smallest seeds by 37% but increased the biomass of the species with the largest seeds by only 2.7%.
Effects of spatial structure on total community biomass were always small (maximum 7%). This was because common species always have weak spatial structure, and they draw down the effect on the community as a whole.
Our analysis, for the first time, quantifies the magnitude and direction of the effects of spatial structure in a natural community, and supports the conclusions of theoretical models that spatial structure can have substantial impacts on component species and community dynamics.
Environmental factors of celiac disease: Cytotoxicity of hulled wheat species Triticum monococcum, T. turgidum ssp. dicoccum and T. aestivum ssp. spelta
Authors: Vincentini Olimpia , Maialetti Francesca , Gazza Laura , Silano Marco , Dessi Mariarita , De Vincenzi Massimo , Pogna Norberto Edgardo 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  In the present paper, the toxicity of prolamines derived from three cereals with a different genome was investigated in human colon cancer Caco‐2/TC7 and human myelogenous leukemia K562(S) cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate if species from ancient wheat could be considered as healthy food crops devoid or poor in cytotoxic prolamines for celiac disease.Methods:  Cytotoxicity was measured in terms of inhibition of cell growth, activation of apoptosis, release of nitric oxide (NO), detection of tissue transglutaminase (TG II) and alteration of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) on Caco‐2/Tc7 and K562 (S) cell agglutination. Peptic‐tryptic (PT) digest from bread wheat (T. aestivum S. Pastore) was used as a positive control.Results:  PT digests of prolamins from spelt wheat (T. aestivum ssp. spelta) were found to exert toxic effects on Caco‐2/TC7 cells and to agglutinate K562(S) cells. Increased amounts of NO and TG II expression were observed in Caco‐2/TC7 cells exposed to 1 mg/mL of spelt prolamins, suggesting that spelt wheat can induce cellular mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of celiac disease. By contrast, the PT digests from monoccum wheat (Triticum monococcum) and farro wheat (T. turgidum ssp. dicoccum) did not exhibit any negative effects on Caco‐2/TC7 and K562(S) cells.Conclusions:  The results have shown a constant and significant toxic effect of spelt wheat which is not shared by the two other ancient cereals. Future studies on celiac intestinal organ cultures are needed to increase the prospects of breeding programs aimed at developing wheat cultivars potentially tolerated by most celiac patients.
Long‐term continence after surgery for Hirschsprung's disease
Authors: Catto‐Smith Anthony G , Trajanovska Misel , Taylor Russell G 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAim:  Our aim was to examine the long‐term bowel dysfunction that followed surgery for Hirschsprung's disease.Methods:  Of 414 patients diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease between 1974 and 2002, 98 were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to provide an assessment of bowel function, medication, diet, physical and social limitations. Forty‐two completed a prospective 4‐week toileting diary and 16 underwent anorectal manometry.Results:  Four of the 98 patients had permanent stomas and 10 had Down's syndrome. Of the remaining 84 patients (mean age 12 ± 8 years, range 1.9–41.9 years), 13% (11/84) had heavy soiling by day and 17% (14/84) by night. Fifty percent reported episodic urgency, but 36% also reported episodic constipation. Stool consistency was looser in patients with a history of long segment disease. Some aspects of bowel function improved with age. Enuresis was much more frequent than expected. Sixty‐four percent reported adverse reactions to foods, particularly to fruit, vegetables, fats and diary products, and 15% limited their social activities because of fecal incontinence. There were no significant differences in manometric parameters between those patients who soiled and those who did not.Conclusions:  Fecal incontinence is common after surgery for Hirschsprung's disease and has a significant impact on social activities. Some aspects of bowel function did improve with age. Adverse reactions to food were unexpectedly frequent and need to be further studied.
Twin Data vs. Longitudinal Data to Control for Unobserved Variables in Earnings Functions – Which Are the Differences?*
Authors: Isacsson Gunnar 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis paper compares two different approaches empirically to control for unobserved characteristics when estimating the effect of marriage on male and female earnings: the longitudinal and the twins approach. The estimates were obtained by exploiting the longitudinal dimension of a large sample of Swedish twins, so that longitudinal and twin‐based estimates could be obtained in the same sample. The two approaches lead to different conclusions both regarding the role of unobserved characteristics in the cross‐sectional earnings–marriage relationship and the effect of marriage on earnings. The paper investigates three potential explanations of this difference.
Isolation and characterization of 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus
Authors: SEYOUM SEIFU , DENISON STEVEN H. , TRINGALI MICHAEL D. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractHere we describe 13 polymorphic, dinucleotide microsatellite loci for Trachinotus carolinus (Florida pompano), isolated by using PIMA, a polymerase chain reaction‐based technique. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 3 to 29 (mean = 11.4) in 45 specimens collected from bay and nearshore waters around St Petersburg, Florida. Levels of expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.15 to 0.94 (mean = 0.69) and from 0.16 to 0.98 (mean = 0.70), respectively. No significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium expectations were observed. In exact tests for genotypic disequilibrium, there was no evidence of linkage for any pair of loci. The ability of these markers to cross‐amplify in two congeneric Trachinotus species —T. falcatus (permit) and T. goodei (palometa) — was also assessed. The loci were well‐resolved, highly polymorphic, and independently segregating in these taxa, also suggesting a general utility for intraspecific studies, species identification, and investigation of interspecific hybridization.
Doing Better to Do Good: The Impact of Strategic Adaptation on Nursing Home Performance
Authors: Zinn Jacqueline S. , Mor Vincent , Feng Zhanlian , Intrator Orna 
Published: October 2006

Objective.To test the hypothesis that a greater commitment to strategic adaptation, as exhibited by more extensive implementation of a subacute/rehabilitation care strategy in nursing homes, will be associated with superior performance.Data Sources.Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting (OSCAR) data from 1997 to 2004, and the area resource file (ARF).Study Design.The extent of strategic adaptation was measured by an aggregate weighted implementation score. Nursing home performance was measured by occupancy rate and two measures of payer mix. We conducted multivariate regression analyses using a cross‐sectional time series generalized estimating equation (GEE) model to examine the effect of nursing home strategic implementation on each of the three performance measures, controlling for market and organizational characteristics that could influence nursing home performance.Data Collection/Abstraction Methods.OSCAR data was merged with relevant ARF data.Principal Findings.The results of our analysis provide strong support for the hypothesis.Conclusions.From a theoretical perspective, our findings confirm that organizations that adjust strategies and structures to better fit environmental demands achieve superior performance. From a managerial perspective, these results support the importance of proactive strategic leadership in the nursing home industry.
Glucosinolate profile and oviposition behavior in relation to the susceptibilities of Brassicaceae to the cabbage seedpod weevil
Authors: Ulmer B. J. , Dosdall L. M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractUnderstanding how host‐plant characteristics affect behavioral and physiological responses of insect herbivores is of considerable importance in the development of resistant crop germplasm. Feeding, oviposition preference, larval development, and oviposition behavior of the cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (= Ceutorhynchus assimilis Payk.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), were investigated on eight Brassicaceae species that differed in their glucosinolate profiles. The least preferred host plants for feeding and oviposition were the Sinapis alba L. lines while the Brassica carinata L. line was most preferred. Larval development occurred most rapidly on Brassica rapa L. and slowest on S. alba. Larval weight was highest on B. napus L. and lowest on S. alba. Total glucosinolate levels did not influence C. obstrictus larval growth or development; however high levels of specific glucosinolates such as p‐hydroxybenzyl and 3‐butenyl glucosinolate were associated with increased developmental time or reduced weight. The time required for oviposition behavioral events was measured on different host‐plant species: B. rapa, B. napus, B. napus×S. alba, B. tournefortii Gouan., B. juncea (L.) Czern, B. carinata, B. nigra (L.) Koch., and S. alba. The early steps in the sequence were completed faster on more susceptible host plants (B. carinata, B. napus, and B. rapa) than on relatively resistant ones (B. tournefortii and B. juncea). Females explored pods of B. nigra and S. alba, but oviposition occurred only rarely on these species. There was no significant difference in the location on the pod on which oviposition occurred among the different plant species. Mean eggs laid per female weevil were highest on the B. napus×S. alba hybrid and lowest on B. nigra and S. alba.