bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are citizens willing to pay for agricultural multifunctionality?
Authors: Kallas Zein , Gómez‐Limón José A. , Arriaza Manuel 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAgricultural multifunctionality is the recognition of the joint exercise of economic, environmental, and social functions by the agricultural sector. In order to make the concept operative for the design of public policies, it is necessary to estimate the social demand for such functions. The main objective of this article is to present an empirical application in this sense. For this purpose, we have adopted the agricultural system of cereal steppes in Tierra de Campos in Spain as a case study. The economic valuation technique used is the Choice Experiment. The results suggest the existence of a significant demand for the different functions, although the demand is heterogeneous, depending on the socioeconomic characteristics of the individuals surveyed.
Does human capital raise farm or nonfarm earning more? New insight from a rural Pakistan household panel
Authors: Satriawan Elan , Swinton Scott M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis study explores how human capital affects farm household earnings using two tools to refine measurement of human capital effects. First, it employs a two‐sector model to allow the allocation of family labor between farm and nonfarm activities. Second, it accounts for village fixed effects to evaluate whether results from panel data differ meaningfully from a cross‐sectional data analysis with local binary variables. The results show that education has a negligible effect on farm earnings; instead, experience appears to be the principal channel by which human capital affects agricultural performance in a traditional rural setting. Our results also suggest that prior models that fail to separate nonfarm activities spuriously exaggerated the effect of education to the farm sector. In addition, typical cross‐sectional analyses that ignore fixed effects may cause the effects of education on rural household earnings to be significantly overstated. The fact that panel data regressions accounting for village‐level fixed effects found only one instance of education raising earnings—the effect of literacy on nonfarm income—suggests that considerable heterogeneity may have been ignored in cross‐sectional data analyses, especially ones that omitted village‐level effects.
Neuronal adaptation in the human retina: a study of the single oscillatory response in dark adaptation and mesopic background illumination
Authors: Lundström Anna‐Lena , Wang Ling , Wachtmeister Lillemor 
Published: May 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  The single oscillatory response in complete dark adaptation (DA) and the effect of mesopic illumination were studied in order to investigate the behaviour of the neuronal adaptation system as reflected in the oscillatory potentials (OPs) of the electroretinogram (ERG).Methods:  The rapid oscillatory and slow components (a‐ and b‐waves) of single ERGs were simultaneously recorded in nine healthy, young subjects in response to first flash after both DA of 45 mins and light adaptation to a steady background light (BGL) of low mesopic intensity.Results:  Two low‐amplitude oscillatory peaks were present in the single response to the first flash recorded in DA. There was no increase in the summed amplitudes of the OPs (SOP) when recorded in the single response to the first flash in mesopic BGL. However, the morphology of the oscillatory response altered. The first OP was reduced and a third oscillatory peak appeared.Conclusions:  We conclude that early, scotopically related OPs may indeed be activated in the single response to the first flash in DA (i.e. without using conditioning flashes). Secondly, on its own, adaptation to mesopic BGL does not seem to trigger enhancement of the overall oscillatory response. The altered single oscillatory response to the first flash apparent in the mesopic BGL comprises a third cone‐associated OP and seems to reflect a reorganization of the retinal microcircuitry from a predominantly rod‐activated system to one of mixed rod/cone neuronal activity in the inner part of the retina at the level at which individual OPs have their respective origins.
Increased serum levels of CXCL8 chemokine in acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis
Authors: Gonçalves Roberto Martins , Rodrigues David Henrique , Camargos da Costa Alinne Maria , Teixeira Mauro Martins , Ribeiro Campos Wesley , Oréfice Fernando , Teixeira Antônio Lúcio 
Published: May 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  Chemokines have been implicated in the control of leucocyte infiltration in uveitis and in modulating angiogenesis in several ocular conditions. Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is a common cause of posterior uveitis. This study aimed to evaluate the serum concentrations of CC and CXC chemokines in patients with acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.Methods:  The levels of five chemokines (CCL2, CCL11, CXCL9, CXCL8 and CXCL10) were evaluated in the serum of patients with active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (n = 55) and control subjects (n = 40). In a subset of patients (n = 18), a second measure of serum levels of chemokines was performed after the completion of oral treatment with pyrimethamine (25 mg/day), sulphadiazine (1 g, four times per day), folinic acid (7.5 mg/day) and prednisone (initial dose: 1 mg/kg/day) for approximately 30 days.Results:  Patients with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, notably those presenting with vasculitis, had increased serum levels of CXCL8 (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM] 35.1 ± 6.5 pg/ml) compared with control subjects (mean ± SEM 16.0 ± 2.3 pg/ml; p = 0.01). There were no differences between patients and controls in serum levels of the other chemokines measured. The size of ocular lesions correlated significantly with serum levels of CXCL8 and CXCL9. After treatment, there was a significant reduction in serum levels of CXCL8. Severity of vitreous opacities did not correlate with serum levels of these chemokines.Conclusions:  These data suggest a role for CXCL8 in the inflammatory process of acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Furthermore, CXCL8 may be a useful marker for patient follow‐up.
Lipid peroxidation levels and total oxidant status in serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid in patients with chronic periodontitis
Authors: Akalιn Ferda Alev , Baltacιoğlu Esra , Alver Ahmet , Karabulut Erdem 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjectives: Increased levels of reactive oxygen species lead to oxidative stress. Recent data suggest increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and oxidative stress in periodontitis. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a significant LPO product, increases in oxidative stress. In this study, MDA levels and total oxidant status (TOS) in serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were investigated in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP).Materials and Methods: Thirty‐six CP patients and 28 periodontally healthy controls were included in the study. Following clinical measurements and samplings, MDA and TOS levels were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography and a novel automatic colorimetric method, respectively.Results: While the saliva and GCF MDA levels, and serum, saliva and GCF TOS values were significantly higher in the CP group than the control group (p<0.05), no significant difference in serum MDA levels was found (p>0.05). Strong positive correlations were observed between periodontal parameters and MDA and TOS levels (p<0.05).Conclusions: The results revealed that LPO significantly increased locally in the periodontal pocket/oral environment, while TOS displayed both systemic and local increases in periodontitis. The findings suggest that increased LPO and TOS may play an important role in the pathology of periodontitis, and are closely related to the clinical periodontal status.
TLR2 Arg753Gly, TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile gene polymorphisms are not associated with chronic periodontitis in a Turkish population
Authors: Berdeli Afig , Emingil Gülnur , Han Saygan Buket , Gürkan Ali , Atilla Gül , Köse Timur , Baylas Haluk 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim: Toll‐like receptor (TLR) gene polymorphisms could affect the host's ability to respond to microbial pathogens. In this case–control study, the association of TLR2 and TLR4 gene polymorphisms with chronic periodontitis (CP) was investigated.Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was obtained from the peripheral blood of 83 patients with CP and 106 periodontally healthy subjects. The TLR2 Arg753Gly, Arg677Trp and TLR4 Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile gene polymorphisms were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The data were analysed by a χ2 test, logistic regression analysis and the Mann–Whitney U test.Results: The 753Gln allele was found in 6.1% of the CP patients as compared with 6.6% in the control group (p>0.05). The frequency of the 299Gly and 399Ile allele was 2.4% and 1.8% in CP patients. For the healthy subjects, the frequency was 2.8% for the 299Gly and 2.5% for the 399Ile allele (p>0.05). None of the CP patients or healthy subjects showed homozygosity for the TLR2 and TLR4 alleles. Percentage of sites with bleeding on probing and plaque were significantly higher in 299Gly‐positive patients compared with 299Gly‐negative patients (p<0.05).Conclusion: These results showed that the TLR2 and TLR4 gene polymorphisms studied are not associated with susceptibility to CP in Turkish patients.
Microbiological findings after periodontal therapy using curettes, Er:YAG laser, sonic, and ultrasonic scalers
Authors: Derdilopoulou Foteini V. , Nonhoff Jörg , Neumann Konrad , Kielbassa Andrej M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim: To evaluate and compare the microbiological effects of hand instruments, Er:YAG‐laser, sonic, and ultrasonic scalers in patients with chronic periodontitis. Patient perception of each treatment was documented.Material and Methods: From 72 patients, bacterial samples were collected from the deepest pocket in each quadrant (total: 288 sites). A polymerase chain reaction kit estimated the amount of Aggregatibacter (Actinobacillus) actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Tannerella forsythensis (Tf), and Treponema denticola (Td) at baseline as well as 3 and 6 months after therapy. One quadrant in each patient was randomly assigned to curettes (H‐group), Er:YAG laser (L‐group), sonic device (S‐group), or ultrasonic device (U‐group).Results: Three months post‐operatively, the amounts of Pg, Pi, Tf, and Td were significantly reduced in all groups. Laser and sonic instrumentation failed to reduce Aa. Six months after therapy, significant differences were still detected for Pg (L‐ and U‐group), for Pi and Tf (S‐group), and for Td (L‐, S‐ and U‐group). Patients rated ultrasonic treatment as more preferable than hand and laser instrumentation.Conclusion: The various treatment methods resulted in a comparable reduction of the evaluated periodontal pathogens, and bacterial increase was only partially different 6 months post‐operatively. Ultrasonic instrumentation caused less discomfort.
Tooth mortality in smokers and nonsmokers in a selected population in Sana'a, Yemen
Authors: Al‐Bayaty F. H. , Wahid N. A. A. , Bulgiba A. M. 
Published: May 2007

Background and Objective:  Tobacco smoking has been shown to be a major risk factor for tooth loss. The present study was designed to examine tooth mortality and the patterns of tooth loss in smokers and nonsmokers over a wide age range in a selected population from Sana'a, Yemen.Material and Methods:  A total of 2506 persons between the ages of 15 and 64 years were examined, and every permanent tooth was assessed. Missing teeth included both extracted and missing teeth. Individuals currently smoking one or more boxes of cigarettes (20 cigarettes) a day for 5 years were considered as smokers, whereas individuals with no smoking history were considered as nonsmokers.Results:  Smokers had a higher mean tooth loss than nonsmokers. The difference was statistically significant at p < 0.001. Mean tooth loss was significantly higher in smokers across all age groups, except for those in the 45–54 years age group. Smokers had a significantly higher mean upper tooth loss than nonsmokers. Tooth loss decreased from the incisors to the canines and then increased, with peak loss in the first molars.Conclusion:  Tooth loss among smokers is significantly higher than among nonsmokers. The central incisors, lateral incisors and first molars were the most commonly missing teeth in smokers, compared with nonsmokers.
Degradation of noncollagenous components by neutrophil elastase reduces the mechanical strength of rat periodontal ligament
Authors: Ujiie Y. , Shimada A. , Komatsu K. , Gomi K. , Oida S. , Arai T. , Fukae M. 
Published: May 2007

Background and Objective:  We have previously shown that increases in neutrophil elastase in periodontal ligament with chronic periodontitis results in degradation of the noncollagenous components. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the destruction of noncollagenous components by treatment with elastase in vitro causes changes in the mechanical properties of the periodontal ligament.Material and Methods:  The transverse sections of mandibular first molars, prepared from male Wistar rats at 6 wk of age, were digested with 0–50 µg/mL of neutrophil elastase at 37°C for 4 h. Then, their mechanical properties and morphological features were examined.Results:  Digestion with elastase dose‐dependently decreased the maximum shear stress and failure strain energy density of the periodontal ligament (p < 0.05–0.01). The histological observations after digestion revealed marked degradation of oxytalan fibers, but no marked changes of the collagen fibers, which was confirmed by the detection of very low quantities of hydroxyproline in the digest. The light and scanning electron micrographs showed that the elastase degraded the interfibrillar substances in the periodontal ligament and exposed individual collagen fibrils.Conclusion:  These results suggest that the increased neutrophil elastase observed in periodontal disease degrades the oxytalan fibers and interfibrillar substances in the periodontal ligament to decrease its mechanical strength.
γ‐secretase inhibitors exerts antitumor activity via down‐regulation of Notch and Nuclear factor kappa B in human tongue carcinoma cells
Authors: Yao J , Duan L , Fan M , Wu X 
Published: May 2007

Objective:  To investigate the effect of the γ‐secretase inhibitors (GSIs) on the growth of human tongue carcinoma cells and to provide the molecular mechanism for potential application of GSIs in the treatment of tongue carcinoma.Materials and methods:  Human tongue carcinoma Tca8113 cells were cultured with the GSI L‐685 458. Cell growth was determined by the methylthiazole tetrazolium method. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry and/or confocal microscopy. RT‐PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the intracellular expression levels. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) activation was examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.Results:  L‐685,458 dose‐dependently inhibited the growth of human tongue carcinoma Tca8113 cells by inducing G0–G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The mRNA and protein levels of Hairy/Enhancer of Split‐1, a target of Notch activation, were decreased dose‐dependently by L‐685,458. Furthermore, L‐685,458 down‐regulated cyclin D1, B‐cell lymphocytic‐leukemia proto‐oncogene 2 and c‐Myc expressions, which are regulated by the transcription factor NF‐κB. Coincident with this observation, L‐685,458 induced a dose‐dependent reduction of constitutive NF‐κB activation in Tca8113 cells.Conclusions:  The GSI L‐685,458 may have a therapeutic value for the treatment of human tongue carcinoma. Moreover, the effects of L‐685,458 in tumor inhibition may act partially via the modulation of Notch and NF‐κB.
Review of linear epidermal nevus with oral mucosal involvement – series of five new cases
Authors: Haberland‐Carrodeguas C , Allen CM , Lovas JGL , Hicks J , Flaitz CM , Carlos R , Stal S 
Published: May 2007

Introduction: Linear epidermal nevi are sporadic hamartomatous alterations of the epidermis and superficial dermis that clinically appear as verrucous papules and plaques distributed in a linear pattern following Blaschko's lines. Their extent varies from unilateral involvement (nevus unius lateris) to extensive bilateral involvement (ichthyosis hystrix). Oral mucosal lesions have rarely been described.Aims: We review the literature, focusing on the rare intraoral manifestations of linear epidermal nevus.Case series: We present a series of five new cases with oral mucosal involvement. Four cases had associated cutaneous lesions and one case had oral lesions exclusively. Histopathologic evaluation of lesional tissue in four cases showed hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, epithelial hyperplasia, and papillomatosis. Dental abnormalities, consisting of enamel hypoplasia and congenitally missing teeth, were noted in one patient adjacent to the oral lesions.
Topography of ganglion cells in the retina of the duck (Anas platyrhynchos var. domesticus)
Authors: RAHMAN Mohammad Lutfur , AOYAMA Masato , SUGITA Shoei 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to define ganglion cell density, size and topography in the retina of the mallard duck. After killing adult mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos var. domesticus), their eyes were removed using pentobarbital (30 mg/kg). The retinas were isolated, whole mount specimens were prepared by staining with 0.1% cresyl violet and then fixing the tissues for study. The retinal ganglion cells were counted, mapped and measured. The mean total number of ganglion cells was estimated at approximately 1.7 × 106 and the retinal area centralis had the highest ganglion cell density with 15 820 cells/mm2. The number of ganglion cell bodies was highest in the temporal area, followed by the nasal, dorsal and ventral areas. Ganglion cell size ranged from 56 to 406 μm2. A population of small ganglion cells persisted into the central area just above the optic disc and the largest soma area was in the ventral zone of the retina. This localization of ganglion cells suggests that the quality of vision is not equal in all the areas of the duck retina and the central part may have the highest vision quality as a function of the retinal ganglion cells.
Who's Afraid of Eliza Haywood?
Authors: Case Croskery Margaret 
Published: May 2007

AbstractHaywood's status within academic circles is still undergoing the type of canonical redistricting that makes more transparent the ideological tensions within competing standards of literary value. The curious patterns within her reception history, both in her own day and in the present, suggest both how much and how little has changed within commodity politics since the 1700s – when Haywood's publications helped to define the novel as a literary form – and today, when the definition of the ‘literary’ is once again in productive flux.
Canadian Society for the Study of the Aging Male: Response to Health Canada's Position Paper on Testosterone Treatment
Authors: Bain Jerald , Brock Gerald , Kuzmarov Irwin ,   for the International Consulting Group
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Testosterone treatment of older symptomatic men with reduced testosterone availability is increasing. There is an expanding body of literature to support such treatment in a large subset of aging men, but there has not yet been a long-term placebo-controlled double-blind study of several thousand men to confirm the efficacy and safety of this treatment as indicated by shorter-term studies. The absence of a long-term study has been used by governmental agencies as a limiting factor in providing full access and payment for this treatment in government-sponsored health care plans. Health Canada issued a testosterone analysis document to the pharmaceutical industry, the implications of which may make it more difficult for appropriate patients to receive such treatment. The Canadian Society for the Study of the Aging Male (CSSAM) believed it had an obligation to advocate on behalf of men requiring this treatment.

Aim
To provide an international consensus on the use of testosterone treatment in appropriately selected hypogonadal men.

Main Outcome Measure
To determine whether the literature supports the use of testosterone treatment in a selected population of hypogonadal men, to achieve consensus on this point among an international consulting group, and to transmit this view to health care workers and insuring and governmental agencies.

Methods
Email communication among the consulting group to prepare a response to Health Canada, followed by a review of appropriate literature and international practice guidelines, incorporating the literature and guidelines together with the CSSAM letter and Health Canada's response.

Result
The literature and international guidelines support the initiation of testosterone therapy in symptomatic hypogonadal men, recognizing that there is no universal agreement on the criteria for the diagnosis of hypogonadism in each suspected case. The need for careful monitoring of such men is stressed.

Conclusion
CSSAM acted as an advocate for hypogonadal men who may benefit from treatment with testosterone. Short-term studies and 60 years of experience with testosterone therapy attest to its efficacy. Long-term studies are desirable, but it may take many years before results could be forthcoming. There is no evidence to suggest that testosterone treatment increases the risk of prostate cancer or cardiovascular disease. Current evidence suggests, in fact, that testosterone treatment may be cardioprotective. It is important to bring this information to the attention of governments and insuring agencies through the collaboration of groups devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of hypogonadal men.
The Birth and Development of Sexual Medicine: Reflections of My Personal Journey
Authors: Riley Alan 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The phrase “sexual medicine” has become commonplace, as there is now the International Society for Sexual Medicine, the British Society for Sexual Medicine, the European Academy for Sexual Medicine, and the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The historic origin of the phrase “sexual medicine” is somewhat obscure.

Aim
The goal of this report is to provide my own individual journey as a physician to recall the use of the phrase “sexual medicine.”

Methods
Literature review, personal historic recall.

Results
Gorm Wagner has identified three publications in the German language that include “Sexualmedizin” in the titles, the first published as early as 1908, and the other two publications were published in 1915 and 1931. I have no recollection of having heard the term “sexual medicine” before a meeting in 1970 on nonconsummation. I met Dr. Eric Trimmer, editor of “Medical News,” who discussed with me the idea of introducing a new journal devoted to sexual issues. I suggested the title “British Journal of Sexual Medicine.” The term “sexual medicine” was preferred because it encompassed both organic and psychological issues of sexual function and its problems. The British Journal of Sexual Medicine was published in 1973 to 1985. Other titles using Sexual Medicine appeared in other texts over the years.

Conclusion
From my perspective, including a search of the literature in the English language published in or before 1970 that failed to find any reference to sexual medicine, I conclude that the phase “sexual medicine” was popularized in the 1970s.