bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is there life after Buckley's Formocresol? Part I – A narrative review of alternative interventions and materials
Authors: SRINIVASAN V. , PATCHETT C. L. , WATERHOUSE P. J. 
Published: January 2006

Summary.Objectives. (1) To present a narrative review of the currently available alternative interventions and materials to formocresol pulpotomy for the management of extensive caries in the primary molar, and (2) to produce a clinical protocol for pulp therapy techniques in the extensively carious primary molar.Introduction. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently classified formaldehyde as carcinogenic to human beings. Since Buckley's Formocresol contains 19% formaldehyde in its full strength and, therefore, 1% in a 20% dilution, a safer alternative should be identified.Methods. A narrative review of the published literature for primary molar pulp therapy techniques was undertaken following an extensive and appropriate literature search. A specialist group of paediatric dentists was formed to arrive at a consensus and establish an evidence‐based protocol for the management of extensively carious primary molar teeth. Part I of this paper explores the currently available alternative interventions and materials to formocresol in the form of a narrative review. The second part of the paper will present the formation of a specialist group to arrive at a consensus and establish an evidence‐based protocol for the management of the extensively carious primary molar.Conclusions. After consideration of a review of extensively searched literature, a protocol and key points document have been developed to assist clinicians in their treatment planning. Further long‐term studies with the highest level of evidence (i.e. randomized controlled trials) are required to enable us to identify acceptable alternatives which can replace formocresol.
A survey of specialist paediatric dental services in Sweden: results from 2003, and trends since 1983
Authors: KLINGBERG G. , DAHLLÖF G. , ERLANDSSON A.‐L. , GRINDEFJORD M. , HALLSTRÖM‐STALIN U. , KOCH G. , LUNDIN S.‐Å. 
Published: January 2006

Summary.The child population in Sweden has changed dramatically during the last 20 years. Changes have also occurred within the Public Dental Service (PDS), regarding the provision of dental care to children and adolescents. All these changes may affect the referral pattern and provision of specialist dental care for children and adolescents.Objectives.  The primary aim of this study was to survey the services provided by specialists in paediatric dentistry in Sweden during 2003. A secondary aim was to compare the results with previous surveys.Methods.  A Web‐based survey was sent to all 34 specialist paediatric dentistry clinics and was answered by all clinics. Data were compared with results from the surveys performed in 1983, 1989, and 1996.Results.  The number of paediatric dentists had been relatively constant over the last 20 years, whereas the number of children referred to paediatric dentists had increased by 28% since 1983. It was estimated that 1·3% of all children in Sweden are treated at a specialist paediatric dental clinic in 2003. Dental treatment need in combination with behaviour management problems (BMP) was the main reason for referral and occurred in 37% of all referrals. The proportion of medically compromised children/children with disabilities had increased from 6% in 1983 to 22% in 2003. The number of patients treated using sedation and general anaesthesia had increased since 1983, and particularly since 1996.Conclusions.  Despite improvements in dental health among children and adolescents in Sweden during the last 20 years, an increasing number of children are referred for specialist paediatric dental treatment. There is an urgent need to increase the number of specialist paediatric dentists in Sweden in order to ensure the continuation of high quality of dental care for children and adolescents.
The immediate and long‐term outcome of enhanced external counterpulsation in treatment of chronic stable refractory angina
Authors: LOH P. H. , LOUIS A. A. , WINDRAM J. , RIGBY A. S. , COOK J. , HURREN S. , NIKOLAY N. P. , CAPLIN J. , CLELAND J. G. F. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract.Background.  Treatment of angina recalcitrant to conventional pharmacological therapy and revascularization remains problematic. Safe, effective and affordable treatments with high patient acceptability are desirable. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) may fulfil these criteria better than many other proposed interventions.Objective.  To examine the immediate and long‐term effect of EECP in treatment of chronic stable refractory angina.Design.  Prospective observational study of consecutive patients treated with EECP and follow‐up for 1 year.Setting.  Teaching hospital.Main outcome measures.  Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina grading, weekly angina frequency and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) use.Results.  Sixty‐one patients were treated with EECP and 58 completed a course of treatment. Further analysis is confined to those who completed EECP. About 52% of patients suffered from CCS III and IV angina prior to EECP. Immediately post‐EECP, angina improved by at least one CCS class in 86% and by two classes in 59%. At 1‐year follow‐up, sustained improvement in CCS was observed in 78% of the patients. The median weekly angina frequency and GTN use were significantly reduced immediately after EECP [7 (4–14) vs. 1 (0–4) episodes per week and 7 (2–16) vs. 0 (0–2) times per week respectively, P < 0.0001; data in median (interquartile range)]. The reduction was sustained at 1‐year follow‐up. In 48 patients, their mean exercise time improved significantly after EECP [301 ± 130 s vs. 379 ± 147 s, P < 0.0001]. Major adverse treatment‐related events were rare.Conclusion.  This study shows that for patients who fail to respond to conventional measures, a high proportion gain symptomatic benefit from EECP.
Medications with anticoagulant properties increase the likelihood of a negative colonoscopy in faecal occult blood test population screening
Authors: Clarke P. , Jack F. , Carey F. A. , Steele R. J. C. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjective  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of medication with anticoagulant properties on the false positive rate in a population‐based faecal occult blood test (FOBt) colorectal screening programme.Methods  Eight hundred and forty‐six consecutive individuals found to be FOBt‐positive in the Scottish arm of the national colorectal cancer screening pilot were studied. All were aged between 50 and 69 years and underwent colonoscopy. Before the procedure the participants' current medication was recorded, and correlated with the colonoscopic findings.Results  Of 846 participants, 301 (35.6%) were taking regular anticoagulant medication at the time of FOB testing. Of these, 143 (47.5%) had colorectal neoplasia found on colonoscopy, whereas of those not taking anticoagulant medication, 308 (56.5%) were found to have neoplasia. This 9% difference was statistically significant (P = 0.012).Conclusion  These results indicate that in a population screened for colorectal neoplasia by FOB testing, anticoagulant medication being taken at the time of testing is associated with an increased likelihood of a negative colonoscopy.
Rectal cancer treatment of the elderly
Authors: Endreseth B. H. , Romundstad P. , Myrvold H. E. , Bjerkeset T. , Wibe A. ,   The Norwegian Rectal Cancer Group
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjective  Life expectancy and incidence of rectal cancer have been increasing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate rectal cancer treatment among very old patients.Methods  This prospective national cohort study includes all 4875 rectal cancer patients in Norway aged over 65 years treated between November 1993 and December 2001. Patients aged 65–74, 75–79, 80–84 and over 85 years were compared for patient‐, tumour‐ and treatment‐characteristics and relative survival. Two thousand eight hundred and forty patients treated for cure with major surgery and TME technique were further evaluated for postoperative mortality, five‐year local recurrence, distant metastasis and disease‐free survival.Results  There were more palliative surgery and local procedures and less surgery for cure (47%vs 77%, P < 0.001) for patients over 85 years compared to younger patients. Five‐year relative survival was 36% for patients aged over 85 years compared to 49% for patients 80–84 years and 60% for patients 65–74 years. Among patients treated for cure with major surgery the rate of anterior resection decreased by age (67%vs 46%, P < 0.001). Postoperative mortality increased from 3% to 8% (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the rates of five‐year local recurrence, distant metastasis or relative survival.Conclusion  Although a slight increase in postoperative mortality, major rectal cancer surgery can be performed in very old patients. These patients had similar rates of local recurrence, distant metastasis and relative survival as younger patients.
Ileostomy rod – is it a bridge too far?
Authors: Speirs M. , Leung E. , Hughes D. , Robertson I. , Donnelly L. , Mackenzie I. , Macdonald A. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjective  Defunctioning loop ileostomies are used commonly to protect low colorectal anastomoses and thereby reducing the serious complications of leakage. However, they are associated with specific complications such as retraction. Traditionally, a supporting rod is placed as a bridge to support both limbs of the stoma in the hope of reducing the incidence of stomal retraction. There is little evidence in the published literature to support this practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether using an ileostomy rod would reduce the incidence of stomal retraction.Method  A prospective, randomised controlled trial was performed in 60 consecutive patients who required a defunctioning loop ileostomy. Patients were allocated to either a ‘bridge’ or ‘bridge‐less’ protocol. All the patients were assessed by dedicated stoma nurses for at least 3 months and until their stomas were closed. Their postoperative symptoms, including stoma activity and retraction rate, were recorded.Results  Between May 2001 and June 2004, 57 patients completed the study (28 bridge; 29 bridge‐less). There were no significant differences in the retraction rate between the groups. No clinical anastomotic leakage was recorded and none of the patients required early closure.Conclusions  If a loop ileostomy is constructed properly, stomal retraction is uncommon and routine use of a bridge is unnecessary.
Gaming in a 3D multiuser virtual environment: engaging students in Science lessons
Authors: Lim Cher P. , Nonis Darren , Hedberg John 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBased on the exploratory study of a 3D multiuser virtual environment (3D MUVE), known as Quest Atlantis (QA), in a series of Primary Four (10‐ to 11‐year‐olds) Science lessons at Orchard Primary School in Singapore, this paper examines the issues of learning engagement and describes the socio‐cultural context of QA's implementation. The students and teacher were observed during the lessons, interviewed after, and the completed quests were analysed to determine the level of engagement achieved. A pre‐ and posttest on the Science concepts covered was also administered. A seven‐level taxonomy of engagement was used to provide the study with a more holistic perspective of engagement, together with the attempt to concretise the element of engagement into observable traits. Although there was a significant improvement of the posttest over the pretest, the level of engagement of the students was low (between 3 and 4). The lack of engagement might be a result of the distractions in the 3D MUVE, the students’ difficulty with language used in the QA, their lack of computer competency for QA tasks, and/or their inability to complete the quests’ section on reflections. The biggest challenges to the integration of QA into the Science curriculum were the interdependent issues of time (or lack of it) and ‘buy‐in’ by the school and parents.
Disabilities Information Flow: a disabilities information management system
Authors: Ling Bin , Allison Colin , Nicholl J Ross , Moodley Luke , Roberts Dave 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe Disabilities Information Flow (DIF) project at the University of St Andrews has sought to provide a means of efficiently managing all student disabilities information within the institution and provide appropriate role‐based service interfaces for all staff who need to routinely interact with this information. This paper describes the software engineering processes used for the context analysis, design and implementation of the DIF.
Rethinking the nature of online work in asynchronous learning networks
Authors: Van Aalst Jan 
Published: January 2006

AbstractResearch on asynchronous learning networks (ALNs) has indicated that there are problems with both the quantity and quality of online interactions that can undermine the aim of inquiry. The goal of this paper is to offer a new way of thinking about these problems in the context of knowledge building, a specific form of collaborative inquiry supported by an ALN. Drawing from interviews with teachers following two teacher education courses that introduced teachers to knowledge building, it is argued that we need to rethink the role and purpose of online work in ALNs—as building a communal learning resource. A framework for doing this is proposed in terms of three notions: collaboration, learning how to learn and idea improvement. The framework is expected to contribute to the literature on knowledge building by providing a new way to distinguish knowledge building from other forms of collaborative inquiry.
Developing a Mental Health Guide for Families and Carers of People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Gratsa Anastasia , Spiller Mary Jane , Holt Geraldine , Joyce Theresa , Hardy Steven , Bouras Nick 
Published: January 2006

Background  Although there is already information available about caring for someone with a mental health problem, there is very little written for families and carers of people with intellectual disabilities.Materials and methods  This paper describes the development of a Guide as such a resource. The consultation stage involved interviews and focus groups with families, service users and paid carers (n = 20) to highlight their needs and preferred format. Additional carers (n = 12) completed structured questionnaires to evaluate the Guide.Results  The initial consultation showed that an easily accessible and user‐friendly information resource was needed. The evaluation showed that family carers were satisfied with the Guide, finding it easy to read and covering most of the information required. However, they did highlight areas that needed further detail.Conclusions  The involvement of carers in the development of such resources is essential, emphasizing the benefit of carers’ knowledge and experience to professionals.
Is food availability limiting African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Boulders? A comparison of foraging effort at mainland and island colonies
Authors: PETERSEN SAMANTHA L. , RYAN PETER G. , GREMILLET DAVID 
Published: January 2006

The African Penguin Spheniscus demersus (Vulnerable) formed three new colonies during the 1980s, two on the South African mainland (Stony Point and Boulders) and one on Robben Island. One of the mainland colonies, at Boulders, Simon's Town, is in a suburban area, resulting in conflict with humans. Growth of the Boulders colony was initially rapid, largely through immigration, but has since slowed, possibly as a result of density‐dependent effects either on land (where there has been active management to limit the spread of the colony) or at sea. We test the latter hypothesis by comparing the foraging effort of Penguins feeding small chicks at island and mainland sites, and relate this to the foraging area available to birds. Three‐dimensional foraging paths of African Penguins were reconstructed using GPS and time–depth loggers. There were no intercolony differences in the rate at which birds dived during the day (33 dives/h), in diving depths (mean 17 m, max. 69 m) or in travelling speeds. The maximum speed recorded was 2.85 m/s, with birds travelling faster when commuting (average 1.18 m/s) than when foraging (0.93 m/s) or resting at sea (0.66 m/s during the day, 0.41 m/s at night). There were strong correlations between foraging trip duration, foraging range and total distance travelled. Foraging effort was correlated with chick age at Robben Island, but not at Boulders. Contrary to Ashmole's hypothesis, birds from Boulders (c. 1000 pairs) travelled further (46–53 km) and foraged for longer (13.2 h) than did birds from Robben Island (c. 7000 pairs) and Dassen Island (c. 21 000 pairs) (33 km, 10.3 h). The mean foraging range also differed significantly between mainland (18–20 km) and island colonies (9 km). The area available to central‐place‐foraging seabirds breeding on the mainland is typically less than that for seabirds breeding on islands, but the greater foraging range of Boulders birds results in an absolute foraging area roughly twice that of island colonies, and the area per pair is an order of magnitude greater for the relatively small Boulders colony. Ashmole's hypothesis assumes relatively uniform prey availability among colonies, but our results suggest this does not apply in this case. The greater foraging effort of Boulders birds probably reflects reduced prey availability in False Bay, and thus the recent slowing in growth at the colony may be the result of differential immigration rather than management actions to limit the spatial growth of the colony.
Declining winter survival and fitness implications associated with latitudinal distribution in Norwegian Greylag GeeseAnser anser
Authors: PISTORIUS PIERRE A. , FOLLESTAD ARNE , TAYLOR FRANCES E. 
Published: January 2006

The Norwegian Greylag GooseAnser anserpopulation has been increasing steadily over the past few decades, causing increasing nuisance in terms of agricultural crop damage. This, in combination with the importance of Greylags as a hunting target, has called for demographic estimates for the population to assist in management decisions. To this end, we analysed long‐term mark–recapture data using Cormack–Jolly‐Seber models embedded in program MARK to obtain survival estimates for the population. No sex‐specific difference, or age effect on survival after juveniles had completed their first migration (3 months of age), was evident. Mean first‐year survival was reported as 0.485 and annual survival of older birds as 0.700. On a monthly basis, survival in Greylags during summer and winter was very similar over the study period. A significant linear decline in winter survival from 0.909 to 0.807 was, however, apparent during the study period. Over the second half of the study (1994–2002), summer survival was about 3% lower than in the first half (1986–94) but no linear relationship was evident. We found a significant inverse relationship between Greylag survival during summer and latitudinal distribution in Norway. A similar relationship was evident between survival and annual bag numbers. The changes in adult survival observed in this study are likely to have had a substantial impact on the growth rate of the Norwegian Greylag population.
ONTOGENY AND HETEROCHRONY IN THE EARLY CAMBRIAN ORYCTOCEPHALID TRILOBITES CHANGASPIS, DUYUNASPIS AND BALANGIA FROM CHINA
Authors: McNAMARA KENNETH J. , YU FENG , ZHIYI ZHOU 
Published: January 2006

Abstract:  Ontogenies are described for the first time for three species of Early Cambrian oryctocephalid trilobites: the oryctocephaline Changaspis elongata Lee, in Chien and the oryctocarines Duyunaspis duyunensis Chang and Chien, in Zhou et al. and Balangia balangensis Chien from the Balang Formation in eastern Ghuizhou Province, south‐west China. The complete protaspid to holaspid ontogeny for Duyunaspis duyunensis and incomplete meraspid to holaspid ontogenies for Changaspis elongata and Balangia balangensis are described. The relative degree of ontogenetic variation within the lineage Duyunaspis duyunensis–Balangia balangensis is analysed and indicates that Balangia may have evolved from Duyunaspis by paedomorphosis. Decrease in thoracic segment number and concomitant increase in pygidial segment number in the later genus mirrors the pattern seen in the evolution of another oryctocephalid genus, Arthricocephalus. In both cases, selection was probably targeting an increase in cephalic convexity. This resulted in the evolution of a larger pygidium due to increased elevation of the axis above the substrate. The ontogenetic development of Changaspis provides evidence supporting the view that the Oryctocarinae may be considered as paedomorphic descendants of the Oryctocephalinae.
Killer Immunoglobulin‐like Receptor and Human Leukocyte Antigen Expression as Immunodiagnostic Parameters for Pelvic Endometriosis
Authors: Zhang Chunbin , Maeda Nagamasa , Izumiya Chiaki , Yamamoto Yorito , Kusume Tomoaki , Oguri Hiroyoshi , Yamashita Chika , Nishimori Yoshiko , Hayashi Kazutoshi , Luo Jiabin , Fukaya Takao 
Published: January 2006

Problem  We investigated host immunologic responses to endometriosis by comparing immune cell surface antigens in peripheral blood (PB) and peritoneal fluid (PF) from women with endometriosis with those in PB and PF from other patients.Method of study  Japanese women with endometriosis (n = 56) were compared with controls with other laparoscopic diagnoses (n = 68). PB and PF were collected at the time of laparoscopy for flow cytometry.Results  No significant difference in phenotypic parameters of T cells (CD3, CD4, and CD8), B cells (CD19), natural killer (NK) cells (CD56), or monocytes/macrophages (CD14) was seen between women with and without endometriosis. However, increased killer immunoglobulin‐like receptor (CD158a) expression by NK cells and decreased human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐ABC and ‐DR expression by macrophages, all suggesting decreased functional activation were found in endometriosis. These markers showed significant association with endometriosis by odds ratio, logistic regression, and decision tree analyses.Conclusions  Increased CD158a+ NK cells in PB and PF indicated decreased NK cell cytotoxicity in endometriosis, while decreased HLA expression on PF macrophages suggested impaired antigen presentation. Thus, aberrant immune responses by NK cells and macrophages may represent risk factors for endometriosis.
The Progesterone‐Induced Blocking Factor Modulates the Balance of PKC and Intracellular Ca++
Authors: Kozma Noemi , Halasz Melinda , Palkovics Tamas , Szekeres‐Bartho Julia 
Published: January 2006

Problem  Progesterone‐induced blocking factor (PIBF) induces Th2 biased cytokine production; therefore, this study investigates the effects of PIBF on the protein kinase C (PKC)/Ca++ system – which plays a key role in Th1/Th2 differentiation.Method of study  Proteins from PIBF‐treated cells were reacted on Western blots with phospho‐specific antibodies recognizing different PKC izoforms. Intracellular free calcium was measured by flow cytometry.Results  Both interleukin (IL)‐4 and PIBF induced PKC phosphorylation, which was abrogated by anti‐IL‐4Rα or anti‐PIBF immunoglobulin G pre‐treatment. PIBF treatment did not alter intracellular Ca++ levels. Inhibition of PKCζ or PKCθ phosphorylation, but not that of PKCα/β resulted in the loss of STAT6 and Jak1 phosphorylation by PIBF.Conclusions  Our data show that PIBF phosphorylates PKC via binding to the IL‐4R, without affecting intracellular Ca++. Phosphorylation of PKCζ and PKCθ is required for Jak1 and STAT6 activation, whereas PKCα/β is not involved. These findings explain the mechanism by which PIBF supports a Th2 dominant cytokine pattern.