bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating the benefits of community water fluoridation using the willingness‐to‐pay technique: results of a pilot study
Authors: Dixon Simon , Shackley Phil 
Published: March 2007

Abstract – Objectives: To estimate the health and non‐health effects of fluoridation on well‐being using the willingness‐to‐pay technique. Methods: A pilot study of 100 people was undertaken in which the willingness‐to‐pay technique was used to estimate the welfare effects of community water fluoridation in the city of Sheffield, in the United Kingdom. In view of the pilot nature of the study, it was decided to use quota sampling based on age and sex rather than random sampling. Reasons for respondents' answers and their previous knowledge of fluoridation were also noted. Results: Sixty‐two percent of respondents were in favour of fluoridation, 31% were opposed, and 7% were unsure. Thirty‐one respondents re‐fused to answer the willingness‐to‐pay questions. The mean willingness to pay for those in favour of fluoridation was less than that for those opposed to fluoridation. The main reasons given for opposing fluoridation were its impact on freedom of choice and the desire for pure water. Nineteen percent of the sample held incorrect information on the effects of fluoridation. Conclusions: The study illustrates how a simple referendum can miss important information regarding the intensity of individuals' preferences. An important aspect of the willingness‐to‐pay technique is its ability to identify ‘losers’ and quantify their welfare loss. This issue has been ignored by all previous economic evaluations of fluoridation. Further investigation is required to replicate this work on a larger sample of individuals, and to develop the willingness‐to‐pay technique.
Deprivation and dental caries status of 5‐year‐old children in Scotland
Authors: Sweeney Patrick C. , Nugent Zoann , Pitts Nigel B. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract – Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the dental caries status of 5‐year‐old children in Scotland and deprivation, as assessed by the Carstairs score and its DEPCAT categories, which are composite descriptors of socio‐economic status. Methods: Anonymous records, including postcode sector of residence, from the 1995/96 Scottish Health Board's Dental Epidemiological Programme 5‐year‐old survey were linked though a multi‐stage process to their corresponding Carstairs scores and DEPCAT categories. The data were analysed to investigate the relationship between d3t, mt, ft, d3mft, proportion ‘free’ of caries experience and socio‐economic status for Scotland. Results: When analysed by DEPCAT the mean d3mft ranged from 1.48 for children resident in the most affluent postcode areas (DEPCAT 1) to 4.87 for those in DEPCAT 7. The mean d3mft from the 1995/96 survey of 5‐year‐old children in Scotland was 2.93. For the percentage ‘free’ of caries experience (d3mft=0) the findings in this study ranged from 62.4% (DEPCAT 1) to 19.8% (DEPCAT 7). The d3t and mt components of d3mft and mean d3mft showed a strong positive association with increasing deprivation. The proportion of 5‐year‐olds experiencing decay was also significantly associated with a more deprived Carstairs score. The f component showed no association with deprivation. The Care Index (ft/d3mft×100%) ranged from 10.8% (DEPCAT 1) to 2.9% (DEPCAT 7). Conclusions: There was a striking association between increasing deprivation and increasing caries experience. Children from the most deprived areas had significantly more untreated decay and missing teeth. In a population with low levels of restorative intervention, no association was found between deprivation and the amount of restorative care received by Scottish 5‐year‐old children.
The tyrosinase enhancer is activated by Sox10 and Mitf in mouse melanocytes
Authors: Murisier Fabien , Guichard Sabrina , Beermann Friedrich 
Published: March 2007

SummaryThe terminal differentiation of melanocytes is associated with the transcriptional activation of genes responsible for pigment production such as tyrosinase. Pigment cell‐specific transcription factors, such as Mitf, as well as specific proximal and distal regulatory elements (DRE) are implicated in the tight control of tyrosinase expression during development and adulthood. Proper tyrosinase expression in melanocytes depends upon the presence of a DRE that is located at −15 kb and provides enhancer activity via a central element termed core‐enhancer. In this report, we show that the transcription factors Sox10, Mitf and USF‐1 are able to activate the core‐enhancer in luciferase reporter assays. Comparative sequence analysis identified evolutionarily motifs resembling Sox10 binding sites that were required for full enhancer activity in melanoma cells and in tyrosinase::lacZ transgenic mice. Sox10 was able to bind the DRE in vitro and mutation of the conserved motifs abolished the enhancer transactivation mediated by Sox10. In addition, two highly conserved CAGCTG E‐box motifs were identified that were also required for enhancer activity and for transactivation by Mitf. The results suggest that Sox10 directly, and Mitf, most likely indirectly, activate the tyrosinase enhancer, underlining the contribution of Sox10 to tyrosinase gene regulation in melanocytes.
Cutaneous blood flow in dermatomyositis and its association with disease severity
Authors: Dawn Aerlyn , Thevarajah Suganthi , Cayce Kimberly A. , Carroll Christie L. , Duque Maria L. , Chan Yiong Huak , Jorizzo Joseph L. , Yosipovitch Gil 
Published: March 2007

Background: Several studies using nailfold capillary microscopes have demonstrated capillary changes in patients with dermatomyositis (DM); however, no previous study has examined cutaneous blood flow in this disease.Purpose: To determine cutaneous blood flow in involved and non‐involved skin surfaces of patients with DM and to assess possible correlation with clinical measures of disease severity.Methods: Using a Laser Doppler perfusion imager, cutaneous blood flow was measured at six targeted sites of involved and apparently non‐involved skin of 13 DM patients and the corresponding non‐involved sites of 13 healthy controls. Overall disease severity of DM patients was determined by physician's global assessment (PGA), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels, medical research council (MRC) scores, and the DM skin severity index (DSSI).Results: Skin blood flow was significantly elevated in involved vs. non‐involved skin of DM patients at all anatomic sites measured: periungual (P=0.001), knuckle (P=0.001), elbow (P=0.013), periorbital (P=0.015), chest (P=0.028), and back (P=0.001). Blood flow was also higher in apparently non‐involved skin of DM patients vs. skin of healthy controls at all anatomic sites, although statistical significance was not achieved. A significant negative correlation was observed between the DSSI and blood flow in involved skin of the chest (P=0.003), back (P=0.002), and knuckle (P=0.026).Conclusion: DM is associated with significantly increased cutaneous blood flow, even at sites where no erythema is evident. This suggests significant involvement of the skin vasculature in this disease process.
Fluorescent silica colloids for study and visualization of skin care products
Authors: Iyer Swaminathan , Kievsky Yaroslav , Sokolov Igor 
Published: March 2007

Background: The efficacy of skin care products depends on the time and dynamics of their absorbance by the skin, and its spatial distribution on the skin. Regular scrape‐based methods may depend on the operator and are destructive and invasive in nature. Here, we describe a novel method based on non‐contact optical measurements to trace the location and dynamics of skin care products on the skin.Methods: We use fluorescent silica colloidal particles of micron sizes at a rather small concentration as non‐invasive tracers. As an example of skin care products, we use two base materials: either glycerin or vaseline. A mixture of each product with fluorescent particles is applied on human skin. The amount of fluorescence is monitored by means of a fluorescent spectrometer. The scraping method is used to compare with the spectroscopic measurements.Results: Fluorescent tracers make the skin care product visible under UV light. This allows obtaining an optical image of the spatial distribution of the product on the skin. The quantitative data of fluorescence are well correlated with the scrape data. Comparison of the difference in the spectral and scraped mass data reveals the details of accumulation of the skin products in skin cracks and crevices.Conclusion: We described an efficient non‐invasive benign method to quantify dynamics and to perform mapping of emollients and humectants on the skin.
Influence of polyol and oil concentration in cosmetic products on skin moisturization and skin surface roughness
Authors: Kim Eunjoo , Nam Gae Won , Kim Seunghun , Lee Haekwang , Moon Seongjoon , Chang Ihseop 
Published: March 2007

Background/purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the optimum combination of polyols and oils in moisturizing cosmetic products to improve the human skin moisturization and skin surface roughness. Polyols and oils are essential ingredients in skin care products, but it is still not understood how their concentrations affect their efficacy and sensory properties on human skin. We investigated the effect of polyol and oil concentration on skin properties by noninvasive methods.Methods: The polyols consisted of glycerin and butylenes glycol in a ratio of 1:1 and the oils consisted of equal parts of hydrogenated polydecene, cethyl ethylhexanoate and pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate. All cosmetic products were made in O/W emulsions in concentrations ranging from 0% to 30% for polyols and from 0% to 35% for oils. We investigated the effect on water content and skin surface roughness on the forearm after application of the cosmetic products. The skin water contents were measured by a Corneometer® CM825 and the skin surface roughness by visual coring of skin surface biopsies in the scanning electron micrographs.Results: In the first study, we found that the water content of the skin correlated highly with the polyol (up to 30%) and oil (up to 12%) concentrations, respectively. At two hours after application, the correlation coefficients were 0.971 and 0.985, respectively (P<0.01). Skin surface roughness not only showed a strong concentration dependence on polyols and oils (up to 6%). In the second study, we investigated the optimum combination of polyols and oils to improve the skin moisturization and skin surface roughness by the Response surface methodology. The water content of the skin surface was high in the ratio of polyol to oil (30:12 and 25:30). The skin surface roughness was improved considerably in the ratio of polyols to oil (30:6 and 30:35).Conclusions: Our results indicated that the skin surface properties were improved in the different ratios of their concentrations because they are influenced by not one ingredient but the interaction between polyols and oils. In this study, we could recommend the optimum concentration of polyols and oils to improve the skin surface properties. Further studies will be performed with other ingredients such as surfactants, lipids and so on.
Therapeutic use of erythropoietin in dermatooncology
Authors: Satzger Imke , Schenck Florian , Thol Felicitas , Ganser Arnold , Kapp Alexander , Gutzmer Ralf 
Published: March 2007

SummaryErythropoietin has been successfully used in Europe since 1997 in the treatment of anemia induced by chemotherapy of solid tumors. There is only limited experience with regard to its use when treating dermatologic tumors such as metastatic melanoma.We review here current guidelines on the use of erythropoietin in cancer patients and report on our own melanoma patients treated with erythropoietin for chemotherapy‐induced anemia.
Interdisciplinary Treatment Planning for Single‐Tooth Restorations in the Esthetic Zone
Authors: Simeone Piero , De Paoli Cristiana , De Paoli Sergio , Leofreddi Giuseppe , Sgrò Salvatore 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTThis article presents a conservative approach for restoring single anterior teeth in patients with congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary treatment planning.Minor orthodontic treatment was necessary to create the space for implant placement. Once the fixtures were inserted and the temporary abutments connected to the implants, the provisionals were relined with the use of a repositioning stone key. From the diagnostic wax‐up, it was decided that in order to attain a satisfying final esthetic outcome, it was necessary to also restore the distal aspect of the central incisors and the right first premolar for anatomical and functional reasons. Finally, after having screwed the abutments on the implants, inducing a torque of 20 Ncm, the metal‐ceramic restorations were cemented with temporary cement.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThis article presents a systematic approach for restoring anterior teeth in the esthetic zone using a diagnostic additive wax‐up and an interdisciplinary approach to optimize the final esthetic outcome.
Protective Action of Amlodipine on Cardiac Negative Inotropism Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Authors: Bravo Guadalupe , Kurtansky Alexander , López‐Muñoz Francisco Javier , Hong Enrique , Rojas Guillermo , Villalón Carlos M. , Huang Fengyang 
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Amlodipine has been shown to prevent decrease in vascular responsiveness induced by injection of Salmonella typhosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS); however, there is no study reporting if this protection by amlodipine extends to ventricular contractility. Therefore, we have investigated in rat isolated right ventricle strips contracted by electrical stimulation (1 and 3 Hz and subsequently 1 Hz) whether pre‐treatment with amlodipine (15 mg/kg orally for 1 week) precludes the decrease in ventricular contractility related to the induction of nitric oxide synthase stimulated by LPS injection (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally). The induction of septic shock was confirmed in isolated aortic rings from LPS‐injected rats by verifying that the contractile response to 1 µM noradrenaline had been (i) decreased after LPS injection and (ii) markedly potentiated by the addition of 10 µM l‐arginine. The injection of saline to untreated and amlodipine‐treated rats produced a non‐significant effect on right ventricular contractility during 180 min. at 3 Hz; the recovery of the contractile response was improved when the stimulation frequency was subsequently returned to 1 Hz after 30 min. In contrast, injection of LPS to untreated and amlodipine‐treated rats (amlodipine + LPS) produced a decrease in right ventricular contractility during 180 min. at 3 Hz, an effect that was more pronounced in LPS than in amlodipine‐treated rats. These ex vivo results obtained after LPS injection suggest that amlodipine may have inhibited, at least in part, the induction of nitric oxide synthase with a resulting preclusion of the cardiovascular failure produced by septic shock.
Single-Step Pathway for Synthesis of Glucosylglycerate inPersephonella marina
Authors: Fernandes Chantal , Empadinhas Nuno , da Costa Milton S. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTA single-step pathway for the synthesis of the compatible solute glucosylglycerate (GG) is proposed based on the activity of a recombinant glucosylglycerate synthase (Ggs) fromPersephonella marina. The corresponding gene encoded a putative glycosyltransferase that was part of an operon-like structure which also contained the genes for glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase (GpgS) and glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase (GpgP), the enzymes that lead to the synthesis of GG through the formation of glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate. The putative glucosyltransferase gene was expressed inEscherichia coli, and the recombinant product catalyzed the synthesis of GG in one step from ADP-glucose andd-glycerate, withKmvalues at 70°C of 1.5 and 2.2 mM, respectively. This glucosylglycerate synthase (Ggs) was also able to use GDP- and UDP-glucose as donors to form GG, but the efficiencies were lower. Maximal activity was observed at temperatures between 80 and 85°C, and Mg2+or Ca2+was required for catalysis. Ggs activity was maximal and remained nearly constant at pH values between 5.5 and pH 8.0, and the half-lives for inactivation were 74 h at 85°C and 8 min at 100°C. This is the first report of an enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of GG in one step and of the existence of two pathways for GG synthesis in the same organism.
Potential for Colorectal Cancer Prevention of Sigmoidoscopy Versus Colonoscopy: Population-Based Case Control Study
Authors: Brenner Hermann , Chang-Claude Jenny , Seiler Christoph M. , Stürmer Til , Hoffmeister Michael 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe aimed to estimate the proportions of colorectal cancer cases that might be prevented by sigmoidoscopy compared with colonoscopy among women and men. In a population-based case control study conducted in Germany, 540 cases with a first diagnosis of primary colorectal cancer and 614 controls matched for age, sex, and county of residence were recruited. A detailed lifetime history of endoscopic examinations of the large bowel was obtained by standardized personal interviews, validated by medical records, and compared between cases and controls, paying particular attention to location of colorectal cancer and sex differences. Overall, 39%, 77%, and 64% of proximal, distal, and total colorectal cancer cases were estimated to be preventable by colonoscopy. The estimated proportion of total colorectal cancer cases preventable by sigmoidoscopy was 45% among both women and men, assuming that sigmoidoscopy reaches the junction of the descending and sigmoid colon only and findings of distal polyps are not followed by colonoscopy. Assuming that sigmoidoscopy reaches the splenic flexure and colonoscopy is done after detection of distal polyps, estimated proportions of total colorectal cancer preventable by sigmoidoscopy increase to 50% and 55% (73% and 91% of total colorectal cancer preventable by primary colonoscopy) among women and men, respectively. We conclude that colonoscopy provides strong protection against colorectal cancer among both women and men. The proportion of this protection achieved by sigmoidoscopy with follow-up colonoscopy in case of distal polyps may be larger than anticipated. Among men, this regimen may be almost as effective as colonoscopy, at least at previous performance levels of colonoscopy. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(3):494–9)
Interactions between Insulin, Body Fat, and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis Proteins
Authors: Ahmed Rehana L. , Thomas William , Schmitz Kathryn H. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground: The etiology of hormonally related cancers, such as breast and colon, has been linked to hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, and obesity.Methods: Data from 57 women (ages 30-50 years) were used to observationally examine cross-sectional and longitudinal relations between body fat (from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), insulin, IGF-I, and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3).Results: At baseline, participants who had greater than median body fat and insulin levels, &gt;39% and &gt;4.5 microunits/mL, respectively, had 2.3- to 2.6-fold lower IGFBP-1 (P &lt; 0.004) and 1.9- to 2.0-fold lower IGFBP-2 (P &lt; 0.004) compared with other participants; IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels did not differ by body fat or insulin levels. Over 39 weeks, a 1 microunit/mL reduction in fasting insulin was associated with a 17% increase in IGFBP-1 (P = 0.02) and a 24% increase in IGFBP-2 (P = 0.02) compared with participants who did not reduce insulin; 2.0% loss of body fat over time did not alter IGFBP-1 or IGFBP-2 levels after adjustment for insulin. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 did not change in participants who lost body fat percentage or insulin over time.Conclusions: These observational associations are consistent with the hypothesis that elevated insulin and body fat are associated with decreased IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 levels cross-sectionally; they further imply that IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 levels may be altered through change in insulin over time. By contrast, no cross-sectional or longitudinal associations were noted between IGF-I and IGFBP-3 with insulin or body fat. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(3):593–7)
Multiple Cancer Prevalence: A Growing Challenge in Long-term Survivorship
Authors: Mariotto Angela B. , Rowland Julia H. , Ries Lynn A.G. , Scoppa Steve , Feuer Eric J. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Objective: The present study was designed to estimate the number of and describe the pattern of disease among cancer survivors living with a history of multiple malignant tumors in the United States.
Methods: Incidence and follow-up data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (1975-2001) were used to calculate the number of survivors with more than one malignant primary at January 1, 2002. U.S. prevalence counts were calculated by multiplying the age, sex, and race-specific prevalence proportions from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program by the corresponding U.S. populations.
Results: We estimate that 756,467 people in the United States have been affected by cancer more than once between 1975 and 2001, representing almost 8% of the current cancer survivor population. Women whose first primary in that period was breast cancer represent 25% of survivors with multiple cancers, followed by men and women (15%) whose first primary was colorectal cancer and men (13%) whose first primary was prostate cancer.
Discussion: The findings in this report have important implications for public health practice. With individuals diagnosed with cancer living longer and the aging of the U.S. population, the number who will develop multiple malignancies is expected to increase. As a consequence, there is a growing need to promote effective cancer screening along with healthy life-styles among these at-risk populations if we are to ensure optimal physical and psychosocial well-being of these long-term cancer survivors and their families. Efforts to design and evaluate effective, efficient, and equitable approaches to surveillance for second malignancies will be critical in reducing the national burden of cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(3):566–71)