bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral and dental manifestations of young asthmatics related to medication, severity and duration of condition
Authors: ERSIN NAZAN KOCATAS¸ , GÜLEN FIGEN , ERONAT NESRIN , COGULU DILSAH , DEMIR ESEN , TANAÇ REMZIYE , AYDEMIR S¸ÖHRET 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackground: The aim of this study was to investigate the caries risk of asthmatics in relation to dental plaque indices, salivary flow rate, pH and buffer capacity, saliva composition and salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans compared with healthy subjects and also to evaluate these parameters within different groups of asthmatics according to their medication, duration and severity of the disease.Methods: The study group composed of 106 asthmatics and 100 healthy controls with the same age and social background aged between 6 and 19‐years‐old. For dental examinations, World Health Organization criteria and for plaque indices the Silness and Löe plaque index was used. All data were analyzed using t‐test, χ2‐test, Spearman rank correlation, Kruskal– Wallis, Mann–Whitney U‐tests and Logistic Regression Anaylsis with Forward Stepwise Likelihood ratio method.Results: A statistically significant decrease in the salivary flow rate and pH were found in the asthmatic group. The children in the asthmatic group aged between 6 and 10 years had significantly higher caries prevalence compared with the control group at the same age. There was a negative correlation between the duration of medication and the salivary pH and a positive correlation between duration of illness and the salivary levels of S. mutans in the asthmatics.Conclusion: It was found that asthma, through its disease status and its pharmacotherapy, carries some risk factors including decreased salivary flow rate and pH for caries development. It was also demonstrated that the duration of medication and illness had significant influences on the risk of caries in asthmatics.
Evaluating the uncertainty in estimates of the economic impacts of Bovine‐Leukosis virus in U.S. dairy cows
Authors: Losinger Willard C. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAn examination of the economic impacts of Bovine‐Leukosis virus indicated that reduced milk production, attributed to the presence of Bovine‐Leukosis virus in dairy cows, reduced consumer surplus by 2.7 ± 2.3 billion US$ (bUS$), and resulted in a total partial equilibrium loss of 720 ± 560 million US$ (mUS$) to the U.S. economy in 1996. Most of the economic surplus lost by consumers was transferred to producers, whose economic surplus increased by 2.0 ± 1.8 bUS$ as a result of reduced milk production attributed to the presence of Bovine‐Leukosis virus in dairy cattle. Uncertainty analysis showed that an estimate of the milk‐production decline per percent increase in the prevalence of Bovine‐Leukosis virus in dairy cows accounted for most of the uncertainty in the economic‐impact estimates. If Bovine‐Leukosis virus had not been present in U.S. dairy cows, then milk production would have increased by 2.0 billion ± 1.5 billion kg, the price would have fallen by 3.8 ± 3.2 cents/kg, and the value of the milk produced would have decreased by 2.1 ± 1.9 bUS$. Guidelines delineated by the International Organization for Standardization, for evaluating and expressing uncertainty in measurement, are discussed and proposed for use in the context of broad national estimates, for which the economic impacts of Bovine‐Leukosis virus serve as an example. The principal advantages of the methodology are the clarity and transparency of results, and the ability clearly to identify major uncertainty contributors.
The complex dynamics of smallholder technology adoption: the case of SRI in Madagascar
Authors: Moser Christine M. , Barrett Christopher B. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis article explores the dynamics of smallholder technology adoption, with particular reference to a high‐yielding, low external input rice production method in Madagascar. We present a simple model of technology adoption by farm households in an environment of incomplete financial and land markets. We then use a probit model and symmetrically censored least squares estimation of a dynamic tobit model to analyze the decisions to adopt, expand, and disadopt the method. We find that seasonal liquidity constraints discourage adoption by poorer farmers. Learning effects—both from extension agents and from other farmers—exert significant influence over adoption decisions.
Visual acuity in a population with regular screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus and eye disease
Authors: Olafsdottir Eydis , Andersson Dan K. , Stefánsson Einar 
Published: November 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  Regular screening for both diabetes mellitus and diabetic eye disease should be the gold standard in preventing diabetic blindness. In the community of Laxå, County of Örebro, Sweden, such screening has been carried out since 1983. We evaluate visual impairment and blindness in this population.Methods:  All persons in the community of Laxå with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 276) participated in the study. An age‐ and gender‐matched control group (n = 259) was assembled. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was tested in all participants, and a detailed eye examination performed by an ophthalmologist.Results:  No significant statistical differences were seen between the diabetes and control groups regarding visual acuity (VA). In all, 2.9% of the diabetes patients and 1.2% of the controls had BCVA ≤ 0.1. Only one person in the diabetes group was blind as a result of diabetic retinopathy. In both groups the leading cause of blindness was age‐related macular degeneration. In a logistic regression analysis we found that in both the diabetes and the control populations, increasing age was related to worsening BCVA (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–1.16 versus OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.13–1.19), as was female gender in the diabetes group only (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.69–4.40).Conclusions:  In a population that is carefully screened for diabetes mellitus and provided with regular screening for diabetic retinopathy, the loss of vision from diabetic retinopathy is uncommon.
Ophthalmic and adnexal complications of radiotherapy
Authors: Durkin Shane R. , Roos Daniel , Higgs Braden , Casson Robert J. , Selva Dinesh 
Published: November 2006

Abstract.The role of radiotherapy in ophthalmic practice continues to grow. This growth has seen an expansion of indications for radiotherapy, a refinement of the modalities that can be used and a reduction in the ocular and adnexal complications that result from this form of therapy. The compendium of indications for radiotherapy in ophthalmology continues to grow and now includes many conditions such as the treatment of lid and adnexal disease, ocular surface disorders and both benign and malignant disease of the posterior segment and optic pathways. The radiotherapeutic modalities employed to manage these conditions are numerous and include both radioactive plaques (brachytherapy) and external beam radiation techniques. New techniques such as stereotactic radiosurgery are delivering benefits in the management of conditions such as optic nerve sheath meningioma, where the treatment of this blinding and occasionally life‐threatening intracranial neoplasm now results in fewer adverse affects. The purpose of this review is to give a brief overview of the indications and treatment modalities, and a more in‐depth discussion of the potential side‐effects when radiotherapy is used for ocular and periorbital disease.
ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS PRETREATMENT TO SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF SOYBROKENS FOR ENHANCED OIL AVAILABILITY AND EXTRACTABILITY
Authors: KASHYAP MAM C. , AGRAWAL YOGESH C. , GHOSH PRABAL K. , JAYAS DIGVIR S. , SARKAR BHABESH C. , SINGH BIRESHWARI P.N. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT Response surface analysis of enzymatic hydrolysis of soybrokens was conducted and the parameters were optimized to enhance both the oil availability and the oil extractability. The parameters, with their levels investigated, were: moisture content during hydrolysis (18.1–27.9% wet mass basis), enzyme concentration (7.1–16.9% volume/weight of sample) and hydrolysis period (2.1–21.9 h). For soybrokens, the enzymatic hydrolysis pretreatment increased both the oil availability by 1–2 percentage points and the oil extractability by 1.3–4 percentage points. The effect of enzymatic concentration was insignificant. The recommended parameter values are: 24–25% w.b. moisture during hydrolysis, 7.1% v/w enzyme concentration and 13.5–14.5 h hydrolysis period.
Molecular Epidemiology of VIM-4 Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing
Pseudomonas
sp. Isolates in Hungary
Authors: Libisch Balázs , Muzslay Mónika , Gacs Mária , Minárovits János , Knausz Márta , Watine Joseph , Ternák Gábor , Kenéz Éva , Kustos Ildikó , Rókusz László , Széles Klára , Balogh Boglárka , Füzi Miklós 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

VIM metallo-β-lactamase-producing serotype O11 or O12
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates infecting or colonizing 19 patients from seven hospitals in Hungary were characterized between October 2003 and November 2005. Macrorestriction analysis revealed the involvement of hospitals from three different towns in northwest Hungary in an outbreak caused by VIM-4-producing
P. aeruginosa
.
Modification of Enrofloxacin Treatment Regimens for Poultry Experimentally Infected withSalmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium DT104 To Minimize Selection of Resistance
Authors: Randall Luke P. , Cooles Sue W. , Coldham Nick C. , Stapleton Ken S. , Piddock Laura J. V. , Woodward Martin J. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTWe hypothesized that higher doses of fluoroquinolones for a shorter duration could maintain efficacy (as measured by reduction in bacterial count) while reducing selection in chickens of bacteria with reduced susceptibility. Chicks were infected withSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium DT104 and treated 1 week later with enrofloxacin at the recommended dose for 5 days (water dose adjusted to give 10 mg/kg of body weight of birds or equivalence, i.e., water at 50 ppm) or at 2.5 or 5 times the recommended dose for 2 days or 1 day, respectively. The dose was delivered continuously (ppm) or pulsed in the water (mg/kg) or by gavage (mg/kg). In vitro in sera, increasing concentrations of 0.5 to 8 μg/ml enrofloxacin correlated with increased activity. In vivo, the efficacy of the 1-day treatment was significantly less than that of the 2- and 5-day treatments. The 2-day treatments showed efficacy similar to that of the 5-day treatment in all but one repeat treatment group and significantly (P< 0.01) reduced theSalmonellacounts. Dosing at 2.5× the recommended dose and pulsed dosing both increased the peak antibiotic concentrations in cecal contents, liver, lung, and sera as determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. There was limited evidence that shorter treatment regimens (in particular the 1-day regimen) selected for fewer strains with reduced susceptibility. In conclusion, the 2-day treatment would overall require a shorter withholding time than the 5-day treatment and, in view of the increased peak antibiotic concentrations, may give rise to improved efficacy, in particular for treating respiratory and systemic infections. However, it would be necessary to validate the 2-day regimen in a field situation and in particular against respiratory and systemic infections to validate or refute this hypothesis.
Emergence of Multidrug-Resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Isolates Producing VIM-4 Metallo-β-Lactamase, CTX-M-15 Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase, and CMY-4 AmpC β-Lactamase in a Tunisian University Hospital
Authors: Ktari Sonia , Arlet Guillaume , Mnif Basma , Gautier Valérie , Mahjoubi Fouzia , Ben Jmeaa Mounir , Bouaziz Mounir , Hammami Adnane 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Klebsiella pneumoniae
clinical isolates resistant to carbapenems were recovered from 11 patients in the hospital of Sfax, Tunisia. The isolates were closely related as shown by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and they produced VIM-4 metallo-enzyme, CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum β-lactamase, and CMY-4 AmpC enzyme. The
bla
VIM-4
gene is part of a class 1 integron.
Role of Asp104 in the SHV β-Lactamase
Authors: Bethel Christopher R. , Hujer Andrea M. , Hujer Kristine M. , Thomson Jodi M. , Ruszczycky Mark W. , Anderson Vernon E. , Pusztai-Carey Marianne , Taracila Magdalena , Helfand Marion S. , Bonomo Robert A. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Among the TEM-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), an amino acid change at Ambler position 104 (Glu to Lys) results in increased resistance to ceftazidime and cefotaxime when found with other substitutions (e.g., Gly238Ser and Arg164Ser). To examine the role of Asp104 in SHV β-lactamases, site saturation mutagenesis was performed. Our goal was to investigate the properties of amino acid residues at this position that affect resistance to penicillins and oxyimino-cephalosporins. Unexpectedly, 58% of amino acid variants at position 104 in SHV expressed in
Escherichia coli
DH10B resulted in β-lactamases with lowered resistance to ampicillin. In contrast, increased resistance to cefotaxime was demonstrated only for the Asp104Arg and Asp104Lys β-lactamases. When all 19 substitutions were introduced into the SHV-2 (Gly238Ser) ESBL, the most significant increases in cefotaxime and ceftazidime resistance were noted for both the doubly substituted Asp104Lys Gly238Ser and the doubly substituted Asp104Arg Gly238Ser β-lactamases. Correspondingly, the overall catalytic efficiency (
k
cat
/

K
m

) of hydrolysis for cefotaxime was increased from 0.60 ± 0.07 μM
−1
s
−1
(mean ± standard deviation) for Gly238Ser to 1.70 ± 0.01 μM
−1
s
−1
for the Asp104Lys and Gly238Ser β-lactamase (threefold increase). We also showed that (i)
k
3
was the rate-limiting step for the hydrolysis of cefotaxime by Asp104Lys, (ii) the

K
m

for cefotaxime of the doubly substituted Asp104Lys Gly238Ser variant approached that of the Gly238Ser β-lactamase as pH increased, and (iii) Lys at position 104 functions in an energetically additive manner with the Gly238Ser substitution to enhance catalysis of cephalothin. Based on this analysis, we propose that the amino acid at Ambler position 104 in SHV-1 β-lactamase plays a major role in substrate binding and recognition of oxyimino-cephalosporins and influences the interactions of Tyr105 with penicillins.
High school rugby players’ understanding of concussion and return to play guidelines
Authors: Sye Garry , Sullivan S John , McCrory Paul 
Published: November 2006

Objective:To document high school players’ understanding and attitudes towards concussion return to play guidelines.Methods:A questionnaire based survey was performed of national high school rugby players as to their knowledge of existing concussion return to play guidelines.Results:A total of 600 male players were surveyed, and 477 responded (response rate 80%). Half (237/477) were aware of concussion guidelines, and 60% (288/477) identified the mandated stand down period that is part of the regulations governing rugby football. Players obtained their information primarily from: teachers/coaches (239 responses), medical personnel (200), and other players (116). Of those players who suspected that they had been concussed (296/477, 62%), only 66 returned to play after medical clearance.Conclusions and implications:This sample of high school players showed a limited knowledge of the concussion guidelines covering their sport, and even when concussed did not follow recommended protocols. This indicates the need for an increased focus on player education.
Dominant-Negative Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Expression Enhances Antitumoral Potency of Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus in Neural Tumors
Authors: Liu Ta-Chiang , Zhang Tingguo , Fukuhara Hiroshi , Kuroda Toshihiko , Todo Tomoki , Canron Xavier , Bikfalvi Andreas , Martuza Robert L. , Kurtz Andreas , Rabkin Samuel D. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Purpose: Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (HSV) appear to be a promising platform for cancer therapy. However, efficacy as single agents has thus far been unsatisfactory. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is important for the growth and migration of endothelial and tumor cells. Here, we examine the strategy of arming oncolytic HSV with a dominant-negative FGF receptor (dnFGFR) that targets the FGF signaling pathway.
Experimental Design: A mouse Nf1:p53 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cell line expressing dnFGFR was generated by transfection. The effects of dnFGFR expression on cell growth and migration in vitro and tumor formation in vivo were determined. The dnFGFR transgene was then inserted into oncolytic HSV G47Δ using a bacterial artificial chromosome construction system. Antitumoral and antiangiogenic activities of bG47Δ-dnFGFR were examined.
Results: MPNST 61E4 cells expressing dnFGFR grew less well than parental control cells. bG47Δ-dnFGFR showed enhanced killing of both tumor (human U87 glioma and F5 malignant meningioma cells and murine MPNST 61E4 and 37-3-18-4 cells) and proliferating endothelial cells (human umbilical vascular endothelial cell and Py-4-1) in vitro compared with the control vector bG47Δ-empty without inhibiting viral replication. In vivo, bG47Δ-dnFGFR was more efficacious than its nonexpressing parent bG47Δ-empty at inhibiting tumor growth and angiogenesis in both human U87 glioma and mouse 37-3-18-4 MPNST tumors in nude mice.
Conclusions: By using multiple therapeutic mechanisms, including destruction of both tumor cells and tumor endothelial cells, an oncolytic HSV encoding dnFGFR enhances antitumor efficacy. This strategy can be applied to other oncolytic viruses and for clinical translation.
Vascular Targeted Nanoparticles for Imaging and Treatment of Brain Tumors
Authors: Reddy G. Ramachandra , Bhojani Mahaveer S. , McConville Patrick , Moody Jonathan , Moffat Bradford A. , Hall Daniel E. , Kim Gwangseong , Koo Yong-Eun L. , Woolliscroft Michael J. , Sugai James V. , Johnson Timothy D. , Philbert Martin A. , Kopelman Raoul , Rehemtulla Alnawaz , Ross Brian D. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Purpose: Development of new therapeutic drug delivery systems is an area of significant research interest. The ability to directly target a therapeutic agent to a tumor site would minimize systemic drug exposure, thus providing the potential for increasing the therapeutic index.
Experimental Design: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the uptake of a sensitizer by the cancer cells followed by photoirradiation to activate the sensitizer. PDT using Photofrin has certain disadvantages that include prolonged cutaneous photosensitization. Delivery of nanoparticles encapsulated with photodynamic agent specifically to a tumor site could potentially overcome the drawbacks of systemic therapy. In this study, we have developed a multifunctional polymeric nanoparticle consisting of a surface-localized tumor vasculature targeting F3 peptide and encapsulated PDT and imaging agents.
Results: The nanoparticles specifically bound to the surface of MDA-435 cells in vitro and were internalized conferring photosensitivity to the cells. Significant magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement was achieved in i.c. rat 9L gliomas following i.v. nanoparticle administration. Serial magnetic resonance imaging was used for determination of pharmacokinetics and distribution of nanoparticles within the tumor. Treatment of glioma-bearing rats with targeted nanoparticles followed by PDT showed a significant improvement in survival rate when compared with animals who received PDT after administration of nontargeted nanoparticles or systemic Photofrin.
Conclusions: This study reveals the versatility and efficacy of the multifunctional nanoparticle for the targeted detection and treatment of cancer.
NPI-0052 Enhances Tumoricidal Response to Conventional Cancer Therapy in a Colon Cancer Model
Authors: Cusack James C. , Liu Rong , Xia Lijun , Chao Ta-Hsiang , Pien Christine , Niu Wei , Palombella Vito J. , Neuteboom Saskia T.C. , Palladino Michael A. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Purpose: In the current study, we examine the effects of a novel proteasome inhibitor, NPI-0052 (salinosporamide A), on proteasome function and nuclear factor-κB activation and evaluate its ability to enhance treatment response in colon cancer xenografts when administered orally.
Experimental Design: The effects of treatment on nuclear factor-κB activation, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis were determined. The pharmacodynamic effect of NPI-0052 on 20S proteasome function was assayed in vivo following oral and i.v. drug administration and compared with treatment with bortezomib. The effect of combined treatment with chemotherapy was determined in a colon cancer xenograft model.
Results: We found that NPI-0052 is a potent, well-tolerated proteasome inhibitor that has pharmacodynamic properties distinct from bortezomib in that it achieves significantly higher and more sustained levels of proteasome inhibition. When combined with chemotherapy, NPI-0052 increases apoptosis and shifts cells toward G2 cell cycle arrest. When added to chemotherapy in vivo [using combinations of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), CPT-11, Avastin (bevacizumab), leucovorin, and oxaliplatin], NPI-0052 significantly improved the tumoricidal response and resulted in a 1.8-fold increased response to CPT-11, 5-FU, and leucovorin triple-drug combination (P = 0.0002, t test), a 1.5-fold increased response to the oxaliplatin, 5-FU, and leucovorin triple-drug combination (P = 0.013, t test), and a 2.3-fold greater response to the CPT-11, 5-FU, leucovorin, and Avastin regimen (P = 0.00057).
Conclusions: The high level of proteasome inhibition achieved by NPI-0052 is well tolerated and significantly improves the tumoricidal response to multidrug treatment in a colon cancer xenograft model. Further evaluation of this novel proteasome inhibitor in clinical trials is indicated.
Computed Tomography–Diagnosed Emphysema, Not Airway Obstruction, Is Associated with the Prognostic Outcome of Early-Stage Lung Cancer
Authors: Ueda Kazuhiro , Jinbo Mitsutaka , Li Tao-Sheng , Yagi Takaharu , Suga Kazuyoshi , Hamano Kimikazu 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Purpose: Because both emphysema and lung cancer can arise from biological damage caused by cigarette smoking, we investigated if the development of emphysema is associated with the clinical features of smoker's lung cancer.
Experimental Design: The subjects were a consecutive series of 100 smokers who underwent lobectomy with hilar and mediastinal dissection for clinical stage I non–small cell lung cancer. We studied the relationship between the presence or absence of emphysema at the onset of the lung cancer and clinicopathologic features. Emphysema was diagnosed by measuring the low-attenuation area using computed tomography densitometry.
Results: There were no differences in clinicopathologic variables, including the degree of smoking exposure between the patients with (n = 58) and those without (n = 42) emphysema, although male gender and airflow limitation were predominant in the patients with emphysema. The presence of emphysema, but neither male gender nor airflow limitation, adversely affected both overall and disease-specific survival. According to Cox regression analysis, emphysema was an independent prognosticator among age, gender, degree of smoking exposure, tumor size, nodal status, histologic subtype, histologic grade, and microvessel invasion. These results were stabilized by a bootstrap sampling model.
Conclusions: Computed tomography–diagnosed emphysema, but not airway obstruction, is associated with poor prognosis in smokers with early-stage lung cancer. Thus, routine computed tomography densitometry in smokers with lung cancer should be mandatory.