bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wound healing assessment using 20 MHz ultrasound and photography
Authors: Dyson M. , Moodley S. , Verjee L. , Verling W. , Weinman J. , Wilson P. 
Published: November 2004

Background/aims To compare two non‐invasive techniques of assessing wound healing, photography and high resolution ultrasound (HRUS) scanning, in experimentally induced full‐thickness human skin wounds.Methods Punch biopsy wounds, 4 mm in diameter, were made aseptically through locally anaesthetised skin on the anterior (volar) surface of the non‐dominant forearm, 3 cm below the base of the cubital fossa, of 20 human participants. The wounds were treated with a topical antibiotic and covered for 3 days with Mepore sterile dressings. Wound healing was assessed on post‐operative days 3, 7, 14 and 21 from photographs and HRUS B‐scans. All photographs were taken of the wound site and adjacent intact skin under standardised conditions. The prints obtained were examined visually and digitised. Digital HRUS B‐scans were taken through the centre of the wound bed and the adjacent intact skin parallel to the epidermis. Using the scanner's calibrated linear measurement capability, the wound width was measured adjacent to the deep surface of the scab, at the base of the wound, and midway between these two levels.Results The wound margins were more clearly defined in the HRUS scans than in the photographs of the wounds; in some of the latter the scab masked the wound margins. Changes in the surface width of the wound were affected by the time of scab dehiscence, which varied between volunteers. There was less individual variation in the width of the base of the wound, as measured from the HRUS scans.Conclusions In contrast to photography, which allows recording of changes in the superficial aspect of the wound only, HRUS scanning permits the quantitative assessment of structural changes deep within the wound. Temporal changes in the width of the base of the wound can be used as an indication of the progress of repair.
Automated epiluminescence microscopy—tissue counter analysis using CART and 1‐NN in the diagnosis of Melanoma
Authors: Gerger Armin ,   Wilhelm Stolz, Pompl Rene , Smolle Josef 
Published: November 2004

Background/purpose: In tissue counter analysis, digital images are overlayed with regularly distributed measuring masks (elements) of equal size and shape, and the digital contents (grey level, colour and texture parameters) of each element are used for statistical analysis. In this study we assessed the applicability of tissue counter analysis and machine learning algorithms on tumour segmentation and diagnostic discrimination of benign and malignant melanocytic skin lesions.Methods: A total of 369 standardised dermatoscopic images (93 melanomas, 276 benign nevi) were evaluated. The Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis was performed in order to differentiate between melanocytic skin lesions and surrounding skin. Instance‐based learning (1‐NN) was tested for differentiating between benign and malignant tumour elements. For diagnostic assessment, only the percentage of elements suggestive for malignancy in each lesion was used.Results: Evaluation of a total of 369 melanocytic skin lesions showed a suitable segmentation of the tumour portion in 97.6%. When instance‐based learning was applied to an independent test set, a threshold value of 27.4% of elements suggestive for malignancy recognised 35 out of 35 melanomas and 100 out of 101 nevi (sensitivity 100%, specificity 99%, positive predictive value 97.2%, negative predictive value 100%).Conclusion: Tissue counter analysis combined with machine learning algorithms turned out to be a useful method for diagnostic purposes in epiluminescence microscopy.
Exfoliative cytology: a helpful tool for the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis
Authors: Cardoso SV , Moreti MM , Costa IM , Loyola AM 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE: To describe the main cytological findings associated with smears collected from oral lesions of paracoccidioidomycosis and to appraise the use of cytology as a diagnostic tool for the disease.STUDY DESIGN: Cytological smears and biopsies were collected from 40 lesions with a clinical suspicion of paracoccidioidomycosis. Evaluation of the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy and the positive likeness ratio of the oral smear when compared with the histological diagnosis, was performed. The latter is considered the ‘gold standard’ for comparison.RESULTS: The main morphological findings were the rounded‐shaped, birefringent and multiple‐budded fungi, Langhans' giant cells and epithelioid cells. The following associative measures were found: sensitivity, 67.9%; specificity, 91.7%; positive predictive value, 95.0%; negative predictive value, 55.0%; accuracy, 75.0%; and positive likeness ratio, 8.14.CONCLUSION: The cytological findings of paracoccidioidomycosis are characteristic and cytology is accurate in the diagnosis of the disease. Positive patients should be treated. Negative patients should be submitted to biopsy to confirm or to dismiss the diagnosis of this mycosis.
LongoVital® and herpes labialis: a randomised, double blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Pedersen A 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE: LongoVital (LV) (DK. Reg. No. 5178/75) is a herbal‐based tablet enriched with the recommended daily doses of vitamins. The present study was undertaken to investigate possible prevention of recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) during 4 months' daily intake of LV.DESIGN: Placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, randomised, clinical trial.SUBJECTS: Fifty‐two patients with a minimum of 4 yearly HL episodes.METHODS: The patients were given either LV or placebo for 4 months and followed‐up for another 4 months. The number, duration and maximal size of lesions were assessed.RESULTS: Twenty‐seven patients (Group A) received LV and 25 patients placebo (Group B). There were no statistically significant differences between Group A and Group B with respect to number, duration and size of lesions. Within Group A, however, there was a decrease in all three parameters after 2 months' intake of LV (P < 0.05). The decrease in the number of HL episodes in Group A lasted during the entire follow‐up period (P < 0.05). At the end of the medication period, significantly more patients in Group A than in Group B assessed the number and duration of recurrences to be reduced compared with before the trial (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: LV was not superior to placebo in the prevention of RHL although subjective assessment was in favour of LV, and the LV group had less episodes after 2 months on the tablets.
Effect of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans protease on the proliferation of gingival epithelial cells
Authors: Wang P‐L , Azuma Y , Shinohara M , Ohura K 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) has been implicated as an important pathogen in periodontal disease. The aim of this report is to examine the effect of in vitro application of A. actinomycetemcomitans protease on the cell growth, DNA synthesis, and fibronectin level of human gingival epithelial cells.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A. actinomycetemcomitans protease was isolated from the culture supernatant of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Human gingival epithelial cells were incubated in the presence or absence of A. actinomycetemcomitans protease (0.01, 0.1, or 1 U) for 48 h. The proliferation of cells were tested with the MTT assay and the BrdU assay. The fibronectin level was examined by flow cytometric analysis.RESULTS: The cell growth rate, DNA synthesis rate, and fibronectin level of the gingival epithelial cells that had been incubated with protease, were lower than the respective values in the untreated gingival epithelial cells; as the dose of A. actinomycetemcomitans protease increased, the cell growth rate, DNA synthesis rate, and fibronectin level of the gingival epithelial cells decreased. A. actinomycetemcomitans protease may inhibit the proliferation of human gingival epithelial cells.CONCLUSIONS: This protease may play a key role as a major virulence factor in the development of periodontal disease.
Prevalence of tongue lesions in Hungarian children
Authors: Vörös‐Balog T , Vincze N , Bánóczy J 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of tongue lesions in Hungarian children in relation to age, sex, systemic diseases and allergies. MATERIAL AND METHODS:  A total of 1017 preschool and school children aged 1–14 years were examined. The age, sex and tongue lesions diagnosed were recorded together with any history of systemic diseases and allergies. RESULTS:  Tongue lesions were found in 35.11% of all the children examined. Fissured tongue was the most frequent lesion (29.2%), apparently associated with age and sex. It occurred more commonly in boys, and in older children, than in girls and younger children. Geographic tongue was found in 5.7%, occurred more often in boys, and a relationship existed between fissured and geographic tongue. Among the children with geographic tongue 44.82% also had fissured tongue. These findings agree in general with the epidemiological data reported on population samples elsewhere in the world. Crenated tongue occurred in 0.68%, central papillary atrophy in 0.78%, and partial ankyloglossia in 0.88% of the children examined: confirming the rarity of these lesions. Although there was no obvious correlation with systemic diseases, geographic tongue appeared to be coincident with a history of allergic diathesis in some cases. CONCLUSION:  In some cases early recognition of tongue lesions may provide useful diagnostic markers for some diseases.
GSTM1 enzyme concentration and enzyme activity in correlation to the genotype of detoxification enzymes in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
Authors: Gronau S , Koenig‐Greger D , Jerg M , Riechelmann H 
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND:  Differences in genotype and phenotype of detoxification genes could be one reason for conflicting results in studies dealing with gene polymorphisms as susceptibility factors for tobacco associated cancer. OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study was to investigate gene polymorphisms of detoxification enzymes and to determine whether the enzyme concentration and activity of glutathione S transferase

μ 1 correlates with the genotype in patients with cancer of the oral cavity. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
In 73 cancer patients and 136 matched healthy controls, the polymorphisms of glutathione S‐transferase
μ
1 and
θ (GSTM/GSTT), cytochrome p450 1A1 and CYP2D6 were detected. Simultaneously, GSTM1 protein concentration and total GSTM1‐activity were determined. RESULTS:  Only the coincidence of GSTM1 and GSTT null genotype was associated with oral cavity cancer. GSTM1 protein concentration and enzyme activity in null‐genotype patients was significantly lower than in GSTM1‐allele‐carrier. But the enzyme concentration did not correlate with the activity. CONCLUSION:  We assume that detoxification enzymes are functionally redundant and that only the simultaneous deficiency of several detoxification enzymes increases the risk for oral cancer.
Oral mucosal dysplastic lesions and early squamous cell carcinomas: underdiagnosis from incisional biopsy
Authors: Pentenero M , Carrozzo M , Pagano M , Galliano D , Broccoletti R , Scully C , Gandolfo S 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the degree and causes of underdiagnosis of incisional biopsy in oral potentially malignant lesions (PML).DESIGN: Cross‐sectional retrospective study.MATERIALS AND METHODS: All pathology slides (incisional biopsy and resection specimen) from 46 patients with oral PML were reviewed and scored blind. The provisional diagnosis was considered in order to provide underdiagnosis or overdiagnosis according to whether this score was lower or higher than the final diagnosis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concordance between the scores for provisional and final diagnoses was compared for reviewed and unreviewed assessments.RESULTS: Upon review, underdiagnosis significantly decreased from 23.9% to 4.4% (P=0.016, chi‐square with the Yates’ correction). As the underdiagnosis ratio was not significantly influenced by intra‐ or inter‐observer variability, it is likely to be related to pathologists’ interpretation difficulties when examining incisional biopsy specimens.CONCLUSIONS: The good quality of incisional biopsy samples was demonstrated, but clinicians should be conscious of the possible underdiagnosis by incisional biopsy when planning therapy in suspected early oral squamous cell carcinoma lesions.
Levels of TGFβ1 in gingival crevicular fluid during a 21‐day experimental model of gingivitis
Authors: Wright HJ , Chapple ILC , Matthews JB 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE: TGFβ1 is a multifunctional growth factor with both pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study aimed to determine levels of TGFβ1 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), serum and plasma in the early stages of gingival inflammation.DESIGN: A 21‐day experimental model of gingivitis employing a split mouth design with a soft vinyl splint used to cover test teeth during brushing.SUBJECTS: Ten healthy volunteers (mean age 21 years; five males and five females).METHODS: GCF and blood (with and without EDTA) was collected on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. GCF volumes were measured on a precalibrated Periotron 8000TM. Clinical indices of gingival inflammation and plaque levels were obtained after GCF sampling. Normal brushing resumed after GCF collection on day 21 and final samples were collected on day 35. TGFβ1 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were determined using enhanced chemiluminescent methods.RESULTS: Clinical indices and GCF volumes increased at test sites during the 21‐day test period. Concentrations of TGFβ1 and ALP in GCF (test and control), serum and plasma did not change throughout the study (P > 0.3). However, total amounts of TGFβ1 (pg sample−1) and ALP (μIU sample−1) in GCF increased at test sites and were significantly higher than baseline values at days 7, 14 and 21 (P < 0.04). Control sites showed no variation in TGFβ1 or ALP levels throughout the study period (P > 0.35). All parameters at test sites returned to control levels at day 35 (P > 0.3).CONCLUSION: The data indicate that GCF TGFβ1 levels increase early in plaque‐induced inflammation. Whether the biological consequence of this site‐specific increase is pro‐ or anti‐inflammatory in nature remains to be elucidated.
Long-term results and quality of life after endovascular treatment of venous malformations in the face and neck
Authors: Rautio R. , Laranne J. , Kähärä V. , Saarinen J. , Keski-Nisula Leo 
Published: November 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term results of endovascular sclerotherapy in treating venous and venocapillary malformations of the face and neck region, and to assess the quality of life after treatment. Material and Methods: Twenty consecutive patients with endovascularly treated venous and capillary-venous malformation of the face and neck were invited to attend for clinical control and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. To evaluate the quality of life after treatment, patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire which included 20 multiple-choice questions exploring 4 dimensions: psychological, physical, and social functioning, and pain. Results: In 14 patients, symptoms and MR findings improved, while in 6 patients there was no improvement. Results concerning quality of life showed that most patients did well after endovascular treatment. Patients with venous malformations of the tongue had a worse outcome. Patients under the age of 16 at the beginning of the treatment and patients clinically followed by physicians specialized in vascular malformations had a better quality of life. Conclusion: Endovascular treatment for venous malformations is effective. Results and quality of life proved to be better when the endovascular treatment was begun before puberty and the patients had regular clinical controls after therapy.
Accuracy of microCT in the quantitative determination of the degree and distribution of mineralization in developing bone
Authors: Mulder L. , Koolstra J. H. , Van Eijden T. M. G. J. 
Published: November 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy and applicability of a commercially available microCT system for comparative measurements of the degree and distribution of mineralization of developing bone. Material and Methods: Homogeneous K2HPO4 solutions with different concentrations (range 0-800 mg/cm3) were used to assess the accuracy of a microCT system equipped with a polychromatic X-ray source. Both high (45 kV) and low (70 kV) tube peak voltages were explored. The resulting attenuation was compared with calculated theoretical attenuation values to estimate the accuracy. As an example of its applicability, the method was used to assess changes in the degree of mineralization of various regions of the mandible from two pigs of different developmental age. Results: On average, the estimated error of the measured linear attenuation was 10% or less. Accuracy was dependent on the average mineral concentration, the size of the sample, and the energy of the X-ray beam. The accuracy of the microCT system appeared sufficient to distinguish regional differences in the degree of mineralization within and between specimens of developing mandibular bone. Furthermore, the resolution of the system allowed identification of different degrees of mineralization within trabeculae. Conclusion: Accuracy of microCT with polychromatic radiation can be considered adequate for assessment of the degree of mineralization of developing bone. Therefore, this method provides a three-dimensional means by which to simultaneously investigate the bone structure as well as the degree of mineralization during development in a non-destructive manner and with high resolution.
The Photogrammetric Society: 1952–2001
Authors: Atkinson K. B. , Newton I. 
Published: November 2004

A scholarly account of the formative discussions, the founding and the first 20 years of the Photogrammetric Society was published in 1971 and republished in 1974. This present review concentrates on the latter years of the life of the Photogrammetric Society prior to its merger with the Remote Sensing Society in 2001.The authors joined the Photogrammetric Society in 1960 and were conspicuous in its affairs for many years. Although both occupied the Society's presidential chair, they also fulfilled several other roles in its efficient management. Atkinson's first contribution to the Photogrammetric Record was published in 1968 and Newton's in 1971.
An Approach for Merging Plans Hierarchically in Decomposable Domains
Authors: Britanik J. , Marefat M. 
Published: November 2004

Recent works in domain‐independent plan merging have shown that the optimal plan‐merging problem is NP‐hard, and heuristic algorithms have been proposed to generate near‐optimal solutions. These works have shown heuristic algorithms which assume that the mergeability of two actions can be determined by considering only the actions themselves. In this paper, we show that it is often that case that the surrounding actions in the plan must also be considered when determining the mergeability of two or more actions; therefore, the context in which the actions are used affects their mergeability. To address this problem, we have developed a plan‐merging methodology that merges partial‐order plans based on the the notion of plan fragments, which encapsulate actions with the context in which they are being utilized. This methodology applies to a class of planning domains, called decomposable domains, which consist of actions that follow all or some portion of a type sequence. Merging is performed hierarchically by action type. We also investigate the previously unexplored notion of alternative actions in domain‐independent plan merging, which can improve the quality of the resulting merged plan. A novel approach is presented for removing cyclic dependencies that may occur during the plan‐merging process.A key part of the methodology is the computation of a minimum cost cover of plan fragments. We provide theoretical analyses of two optimal algorithms and a greedy‐based algorithm for computing the minimum cost cover. We support the theoretical analysis of these algorithms with experimental data to show that the greedy approach is near‐optimal and efficient.
Science And Faith: New Books with the Same Scepticism
Authors: Anderson Owen 
Published: November 2004

Books reviewed in this article:Richard A. Lee Jr., Science, the Singular, and the Question of TheologyAndrew P. Porter, By the Waters of Naturalism: Theology Perplexed Among the SciencesW. Mark Richardson, Robert John Russell, Philip Clayton, and Kirk Wegter–McNelly (eds), Science and the Spiritual Quest: New Essays by Leading ScientistsW. Mark Richardson and Gordy Slack (eds), Faith in Science: Scientists Search for Truth
Survey Evidence on Wage Rigidity and Unemployment: Sweden in the 1990s*
Authors: Agell Jonas , Lundborg Per 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe document the results of a repeat survey, which updates Agell and Lundborg (1995), on wage rigidity in a sample of 159 Swedish manufacturing firms, conducted during the severe Swedish recession of the 1990s. It is found that not even a prolonged period of very high unemployment and quite low inflation softened workers’ resistance to wage cuts. We discuss possible reasons for this. In addition, we report new evidence on underbidding, efficiency‐wage mechanisms, and unemployment persistence.
Immigration, Unemployment and Pensions
Authors: Kemnitz Alexander 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of immigration on a host country with welfare state arrangements that support both the unemployed and the elderly. It is shown that low‐skilled immigration increases the unemployment rate. Furthermore, it harms the low‐skilled native population and benefits the high‐skilled natives and pensioners. Nevertheless, as under competitive labor markets, immigration generates an unambiguous gain for the native population as a whole. However, in contrast to the findings under full employment, this gain can be dampened by an expansion of the pension system.
Endogenous Growth: A Knife Edge or the Razor's Edge?*
Authors: Dalgaard Carl‐Johan , Kreiner Claus Thustrup 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAccording to much of the recent growth literature, the dramatic worldwide decline in fertility currently taking place should ultimately lead to global economic stagnation. This pessimistic prediction is not shared by the original innovation‐based growth literature. In recent years, however, this strand of the literature has been criticized for resting on implausible knife‐edge assumptions and for its inconsistency with available evidence. In this paper, we argue that this conclusion is unwarranted.
Forecasting Composite Indicators with Anticipated Information: An Application to the Industrial Production Index
Authors: Battaglia Francesco , Fenga Livio 
Published: November 2004

Summary
Many economic and social phenomena are measured by composite indicators computed as weighted averages of a set of elementary time series. Often data are collected by means of large sample surveys, and processing takes a long time, whereas the values of some elementary component series may be available a considerable time before the others and may be used for forecasting the composite index. This problem is addressed within the framework of prediction theory for stochastic processes. A method is proposed for exploiting anticipated information to minimize the mean-square forecast error, and for selecting the most useful elementary series. An application to the Italian general industrial production index is illustrated, which demonstrates that knowledge of anticipated values of some, or even just one, component series may reduce the forecast error considerably.