bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The McGill pain questionnaire in patients with myogenic facial pain and TMJ disorders
Authors: MONGINI F. , RAVIOLA F. , ITALIANO M. 
Published: March 2003

The assessment of pathologies characterized by pain situated at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or cheek, consequent on disorders of the TMJ itself and/or of the craniofacial or masticatory muscles is still controversial. As verbal pain assessment techniques are of help in discriminating between different pain sensations, our purpose was to assess the discriminative capacity of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) in patients with TMJ disorders or with myogenous facial pain (MP).The MPQ was administered to 57 TMJ and 28 MP patients. Weighted MPQ item scores, subscale Pain Rating Indexes (PRI), total PRI and the number of words chosen were calculated. Mean scores were tested for significant differences (Student's t) and the frequency with which each descriptor was chosen by the patients of both groups was also analysed. Furthermore, the data were processed through two systems based on a counter‐propagation neural network: the Self Organising Map (SOM) system, and a cluster‐like analysis.In the MP group 16 of 20 mean MPQ item scores and all mean PRI were significantly higher than those of the TMJ group. The SOM analysis was able to distribute the two groups in the two different halves of the map; only two of 28 MP cases (7%) and 12 of 57 TMJ cases (21%) were misplaced. The cluster‐like analysis based on the 20 MPQ item scores was able to correctly recognize 94·73% TMJ patients and 89·28% MP patients. In conclusion, the MPQ showed a consistent discriminative capacity between TMJ and MP patients.
Permeability of the petrotympanic fissure
Authors: CHIARINI M. , GAJISIN S. 
Published: March 2003

The communicating canal through the petrotympanic fissure of the glenoid fossa is about 2 mm long in the new‐born, but may measure up to 15 mm in the adult. It connects the middle ear with the fossa. Little is known about its permeability.After defreezing, 20 temporomandibular joints were extracted from 10 freeze preserved cadavers (seven females and three males, mean age >65 years at death), with a circular cutter from lateral following a transversal axis. The cylindrical tissue sample contained the external auditory meatus, parts of the petrous bone with the middle and inner ear, the styloid process and the complete temporomandibular joint with condyle, disc and part of the attached lateral pterygoid muscle.The soft tissue except the disc was removed manually and thereafter India ink was percolated into the middle ear directly by introducing a needle through the tympanic membrane, without pressure. The perfusion was stopped once the India ink started to flow out from the tuba auditiva. In the following the samples were cooled again and the tympanic chamber was opened from above to gain a free view on the ossicles. Thereafter, the petrotympanic canal was carefully opened under magnification (magnifier, operating microscope) and checked for percolated India ink. It resulted that in three of the 20 joints, the ink had percolated from the middle ear to the glenoid fossa through the petrotympanic fissure. The question arises whether infectious diseases of the middle ear could possibly reach the retrodiscal pad and therefore the temporomandibular joint, although such a situation has never been described up to nowadays.
Alteration in mandibular posture by vibration of posterior fibres of the temporalis muscle
Authors: DICKSON M. , LYONS M. F. , MURRAY C. A. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction: Vibration causes reflex muscle shortening because of excitation of muscle spindle primary afferents. Although this is subordinate to voluntary control, responses have been demonstrated in jaw elevator and (unexpectedly) in jaw depressor muscles. Forward posturing of the mandible is a common habit. The only part of the perioral musculoskeletal system that actively retrudes the mandible is the posterior part of the temporalis muscle. This study set out to investigate the effect of vibration of this area on the horizontal position of the mandible during a jaw registration procedure. Method: In a randomized cross‐over study, the posterior fibres of both left and right temporales of 17 subjects were vibrated synchronously at 180 Hz. Interocclusal wax jaw registrations were recorded for each subject with and without vibration applied. Position of the mandible was assessed by mounting pairs of casts using these registrations and measuring their position relative to intercuspal position. Results: In 17 subjects, the effects of vibration on mandibular posture were: no change in one; protrusion in two; and retrusion in 14. A sign test returned a value of P < 0·01. Discussion: Reasons for the protrusion seen in two subjects are discussed. These may be anatomical or methodological. However, vibration of the posterior part of the temporalis muscle retruded the mandible in a significant majority of cases.
Psychological distress in chronic craniomandibular and cervical spinal pain patients
Authors: VISSCHER C. M. , LOBBEZOO F. , BOER W. De , VAN DER MEULEN M. J. , NAEIJE M. 
Published: March 2003

In chronic craniomandibular disorders, a relationship with psychological distress has often been investigated, with contradictory results. Recent studies on chronic pain patients have shown that the level of psychological distress is related to the number of painful body areas. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse differences in psychological distress between craniomandibular pain patients with or without cervical spinal pain, taking the number of painful body areas below the cervical spine also into account. Based on an oral history and, independently performed, dynamic/static tests, the presence or absence of a painful CMD or CSD was recognized. To assess the level of psychological distress, the Dutch version of the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL‐90) was used. The number of painful body areas was indicated on the body drawing of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ‐DLV).From the initial 250 participants, 103 persons could unequivocally be classified as having or not having a painful CMD and/or CSD and fully completed both questionnaires. Patients with both craniomandibular and cervical spinal pain showed higher levels of psychological distress than patients with only local craniomandibular pain and persons without pain (ancova and t‐tests, P=0·026–0·000). Further, persons with more painful body areas below the cervical spine showed higher SCL‐90 scores (ancova and t‐tests, P=0·045–0·000). In conclusion, chronic craniomandibular pain patients with a coexistent cervical spinal pain show more psychological distress than patients with only local craniomandibular pain and asymptomatic persons. (Supported by the IOT)
A 50‐Hz electromagnetic field impairs sleep
Authors: ÅKERSTEDT TORBJÖRN , ARNETZ BENGT , FICCA GIANLUCA , PAULSSON LARS‐ERIK , KALLNER ANDERS 
Published: March 2003

SummaryIn view of reports of health problems induced by low frequency (50–60Hz) electromagnetic fields (EMF), we carried out a study in 18 healthy subjects, comparing sleep with and without exposure to a 50Hz/1μTesla electrical field. We found that the EMF condition was associated with reduced: total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency, stages 3+4 slow wave sleep (SWS), and slow wave activity (SWA). Circulating melatonin, growth hormone, prolactin, testosterone or cortisol were not affected. The results suggest that commonly occurring low frequency electromagnetic fields may interfere with sleep.
Transient total sleep loss in cerebral Whipple's disease: a longitudinal study
Authors: Voderholzer Ulrich , Riemann Dieter , Gann Horst , Hornyak Magdolna , Juengling Freimut , Schumacher Martin , Reincke Martin , Von Herbay Axel , Nishino Seiji , Mignot Emmanuel , Berger Mathias , Lieb Klaus 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYA case with transient, almost complete sleep loss caused by cerebral manifestation of Whipple's disease (WD) is presented. Cerebral WD is rare and in most cases occurs after gastrointestinal infection. In our case, a progressive and finally almost complete sleep loss was the initial and predominant symptom. Polysomnographic studies in several consecutive nights and over 24 h showed a total abolition of the sleep–wake cycle with nocturnal sleep duration of less than 15 min. Endocrine tests revealed hypothalamic dysfunction with flattening of circadian rhythmicity of cortisol, TSH, growth hormone and melatonin. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypocretin was reduced. [18F]Deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) revealed hypermetabolic areas in cortical and subcortical areas including the brainstem, which might explain sleep pathology and vertical gaze palsy. In the course of treatment with antibiotics and additional carbamazepine for 1 year, insomnia slowly and gradually improved. Endocrine investigations at 1‐year follow‐up showed persistent flattening of circadian rhythmicity. The FDG‐PET indicated normalized metabolism in distinct regions of the brain stem which paralleled restoration of sleep length. The extent of sleep disruption in this case of organic insomnia was similar to cases of familial fatal insomnia, but was at least partially reversible with treatment.
Mepivacaine: its pharmacological effects and their relationship to analytical findings in the horse
Authors: Harkins  , Karpiesiuk  , Woods  , Lehner  , Mundy  , Rees  , Dirikolu  , Bass  , Carter  , Boyles  , Tobin  
Published: March 2003

Mepivacaine is a local anaesthetic drug that is widely used in equine medicine and is classified by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) as a Class 2 foreign substance that may cause regulators to impose significant penalties if residues are identified in post‐race urine samples. Therefore, an analytical/pharmacological database was developed for this agent and its metabolites. Using an abaxial sesamoid local anaesthetic model, it was determined that the highest no‐effect dose (HNED) for its local anaesthetic effect was 2 mg. Using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening, it was determined that subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of the HNED of mepivacaine to eight horses yielded a peak urinary concentration of apparent mepivacaine of 63 ng/mL 2 h after injection.The major identified metabolite recovered from equine urine after dosing with mepivacaine is 3‐hydroxymepivacaine. Therefore, 3‐hydroxymepivacaine was synthesized, purified and characterized, and a quantitative mass spectrometric method was developed for this metabolite as isolated from horse urine. Following subcutaneous injection of the HNED of mepivacaine, the concentration of 3‐hydroxymepivacaine recovered from horse urine reached a peak of about 64.6 ng/mL at 4 h after administration as measured by GC/MS.The concentration of mepivacaine or its metabolites after administration of a HNED dose are detectable by mass spectral techniques. Within the limits of this research, the study suggests that recovery of concentrations less than about 65 ng/mL of 3‐hydroxymepivacaine from post‐race urine samples may not be associated with a recent LA effect of mepivacaine.
Changes in serum thyroxine and thyroid‐stimulating hormone concentrations in epileptic dogs receiving phenobarbital for one year
Authors: GASKILL C.L. , BURTON S.A. , GELENS H.C.J. , IHLE S.L. , MILLER J.B. , SHAW D.H. , BRIMACOMBE M.B. , CRIBB A.E. 
Published: March 2003

A multicentric prospective study was conducted to monitor the effect of phenobarbital on serum total thyroxine (T4) and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in epileptic dogs. Serum T4 concentrations were determined for 22 epileptic dogs prior to initiation of phenobarbital therapy (time 0), and 3 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after the start of phenobarbital. Median T4 concentration was significantly lower at 3 weeks and 6 months compared to time 0. Thirty‐two percent of dogs had T4 concentrations below the reference range at 6 and 12 months. Nineteen of the 22 dogs had serum TSH concentrations determined at all sampling times. A significant upward trend in median TSH concentration was found. No associations were found between T4 concentration, dose of phenobarbital, or serum phenobarbital concentration. No signs of overt hypothyroidism were evident in dogs with low T4, with one exception. TSH stimulation tests were performed on six of seven dogs with low T4 concentrations at 12 months, and all but one had normal responses.In conclusion, phenobarbital therapy decreased serum T4 concentration but did not appear to cause clinical signs of hypothyroidism. Serum TSH concentrations and TSH stimulation tests suggest that the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid axis is functioning appropriately.
Pharmacological characterization of α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes in the bovine tail artery
Authors: Ioudina M. V. , Dyer D. C. 
Published: March 2003

Ioudina, M. V., Dyer, D. C. Pharmacological characterization of α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes in the bovine tail artery. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 25, 363–369.The purpose of this study was to identify the α1‐adrenoreceptor subtypes present in the bovine tail artery which mediate contractions to adrenergic agonists. A61603, an α1A‐selective agonist, was more potent compared with norepinephrine and phenylephrine. The pKA value of A61603 was 6.93 ± 0.19 μM (n=6). Antagonists, BMY 7378, WB 4101 and 5‐methylurapidil, caused a parallel shift to the right of the concentration–response curve to A61603 with pA2 values of 6.62, 9.27 and 8.86, respectively. Prazosin, BMY 7378 and WB 4101 inhibited phenylephrine induced contraction with pA2 values of 9.47, 7.17 and 9.73, respectively. The pA2 values obtained for 5‐methylurapidil, WB 4101, BMY 7378 and prazosin against α1‐adrenoceptor agonists were significantly correlated with pKi values (Zhu, Zhang & Han, 1997, Eur. J. Pharmacol.329, 55–61) for the cloned α1a‐adrenoceptor but not with the cloned α1b‐ or α1d‐adrenoceptor. BMY 7378, a selective α1D‐adrenoceptor antagonist, was significantly more potent against the nonsubtype selective agonist phenylephrine than to A61603. Chloroethylclonidine (50 μM for 10 min) did not affect contractile responses to A61603, but caused a significant inhibition of contractile responses to phenylephrine. In conclusion, it appears that α1A‐ and α1D‐adrenoceptors play a role in adrenergic mediated contraction in the bovine tail artery.
The rate of fibrosis progression is an independent predictor of the response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Myers R. P. , Patel K. , Pianko S. , Poynard T. , McHutchison J. G. 
Published: March 2003

summary. The response to antiviral therapy and the rate of fibrosis progression in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are related to common factors, including age and gender. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the rate of fibrosis progression and the sustained virologic response (SVR) to interferon (IFN)‐based treatment. A total of 332 patients treated for chronic HCV infection were evaluated. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, the impact of the rate of fibrosis progression (defined as the stage of liver fibrosis according to the Metavir system/duration of infection) on the rate of SVR (negative HCV RNA at least 6 months following the end of treatment), was determined. The median age of the patients was 44 (range 25–77) years, 64% were male, and 66% were infected with genotypes 1, 4, 5 or 6. The median rate of fibrosis progression was 0.083 (range 0–2) Metavir units/year; 158 patients (48%) had F2–F4 fibrosis. After a median of 48 (range 2–126) weeks of therapy (IFN, n=190; IFN and ribavirin, n=96; pegylated IFN, n=20; pegylated IFN and ribavirin, n=26), 93 patients (28%) achieved an SVR. In univariate analysis, the rate of SVR was higher in slow [< 0.083 Metavir units/year (n=162)] than rapid progressors [≥ 0.083 Metavir units/year (n=170)] (35%vs 22%, P=0.01). After controlling for age, gender, genotype, viral load, and treatment regimen and duration, the rate of fibrosis progression remained an independent predictor of SVR (slow vs rapid progressors, OR 2.74; 95% CI 1.27–5.92; P=0.01). Hence the rate of fibrosis progression is an independent predictor of SVR to IFN‐based therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. This additional factor should be considered in economic models evaluating this condition.
A review of the status and decline in abundance of the Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) in Northern Ireland
Authors: Dingerkus S. K. , Montgomery W. I. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe Northern Ireland Hare Survey documented the distribution of the Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus). Historical game bag records and other, more contemporary,

records of hare distribution were examined. These data indicate how numbers of L.

t. hibernicus may have changed over the last 140 years. The results of the Northern

Ireland Hare Survey suggested that L. t. hibernicus was widespread throughout

Northern Ireland. Current average densities are no more than 0.65 hares/km2.

Game bag records indicate that hare densities may have been much higher in the past,

with a maximum of 138 hares/km2 recorded on Crom Estate, Co. Fermanagh,

in 1864. Evidence from hare distribution recorded during the Northern Ireland Rabbit

Survey indicates that hare numbers declined between 1984 and 1994. Evidence from

all sources suggests that L. t. hibernicus has declined in abundance substantially,

with present total population estimates for Northern Ireland ranging from 8250 to

21 000 individuals. Flushing data indicate that rushes and hedgerows are important

diurnal resting areas for hares. While the principal reason for the decline in numbers

of L. t. hibernicus in Northern Ireland is not clear, more species‐rich pasture and provision of areas of cover, such as rushes, may arrest further declines, or indeed promote numbers of hares, particularly in lowland areas.
Associations of Phlebotomus orientalis and other sandflies with vegetation types in the eastern Sudan focus of kala‐azar
Authors: Elnaiem D. A. , Hassan H. K. , Ward R. D. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryAbundances of Phlebotomus orientalis, P. papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) and other sandflies were investigated in relation to different types of vegetation associated with endemic foci of visceral leishmaniasis (kala‐azar) in eastern Sudan. Sandfly collection sites were in Umsalala Village (Galabat Province) and Dinder National Park (Dinder Province). Sandfly species found in the area were P. orientalis, P. papatasi, Sergentomyia africana, S. antennata, S. clydei, S. schwetzi and S. squamipleuris. Among the types of trees in the Dinder area, P. orientalis was more abundant in forests dominated by Acacia seyal than where Combretum kordofanum, Balanites aegyptiaca, Hyphaena thaibaica or Ziziphus spinachristi were the dominant trees. At Umsalala, P. papatasi was more abundant in the village than at any site with dense vegetation, but P. orientalis was uncommon. Sergentomyia spp. were distributed fairly evenly amongst most types of vegetation investigated at both localities. The ecological distribution of sandflies and epidemiology of kala‐azar in Sudan are discussed with emphasis on the association of P. orientalis with A. seyal woodlands.
Evolution and structural organisation of mitochondrial DNA control region of myiasis‐causing flies
Authors: Lessinger A. C. , Azeredo‐Espin A. M. L. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThis study reports the molecular characterization of the mtDNA control region (called the A + T‐rich region in insects) of five dipteran species which cause myiasis: Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel, Cochliomyia macellaria Fabricius, Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius, Lucilia eximia Wiedemann (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Dermatobia hominis Linnaeus Jr (Diptera: Oestridae). The control region in these species varies in length from 1000 to 1600 bp. Two structural domains with specific evolutionary patterns were identified. These were (1) conserved sequence blocks containing primary sequence motifs, including dinucleotide pyrimidine‐purine series and long T‐stretches, located at the 5′ end adjacent to the tRNAIle gene and (2) a hypervariable domain at the 3′ end characterized by increased nucleotide divergence and size variation. A high frequency of A↔T transversions at nucleotide substitution level indicated directional mutation pressure. The phylogenetic usefulness of the insect control region is discussed.
Peridomestic distribution of Triatoma garciabesi and Triatoma guasayana in north‐west Argentina
Authors: Canale D. M. , Cecere M. C. , Chuit R. , Gürtler R. E. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe Reduviid bugs Triatoma garciabesi Carcavallo et al. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae), previously known as T. sordida Ståhl in the semi‐arid chaco region, and T. guasayana Wygodzinsky & Abalos, vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), were found to occupy wide but different ranges of ecotopes in the peridomestic environment. At Amamá and nearby rural villages in north‐western Argentina, a combined total of 1233 specimens were collected from 325/2314 (14%) sites surveyed at 6‐monthly intervals from November 1994 to November 1996. Triatoma garciabesi and T. guasayana displayed a significantly different distribution among peridomestic ecotopes. Triatoma garciabesi predominated over T. guasayana in the prevalence of infested sites, the number of colonies and the number of bugs collected. For T. garciabesi, the predominant ecotopes most likely to yield T. garciabesi repeatedly were the rugged bark of Prosopis alba or P. nigra (Fabaceae) trees, where chickens roosted, and chicken coops. For T. guasayana the main ecotopes were goat or sheep corrals, piled materials and orchard fences. Triatoma garciabesi and T. guasayana were collected concurrently from the same site on 9/2314 (0.4%) occasions, and on different dates at the same site on 12 (0.5%) occasions. The observed low frequency of mixed populations (< 1%) was not significantly different from that expected from a hypothesis of independence. Triatoma garciabesi clearly outnumbered T. guasayana in four of the nine mixed populations, none of which persisted as such. Neither T. garciabesi nor T. guasayana colonized human habitations, even in the absence of T. infestans (formerly the predominant domestic vector of T. cruzi in this area), a situation that apparently has not changed in the last 50 years in northern Argentina.