bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postcementation hypersensitivity: Scientific data versus dentists’ perceptions
Authors: Rosenstiel Stephen F. , Rashid Robert G. 
Published: June 2003

Purpose The purpose of this article was to obtain dentists’ opinions via an Internet survey as to the prevalence, causes, and prevention of postcementation sensitivity and compare their responses with published data on the problem.Materials and Methods Information as to respondents opinions of postcementation sensitivity was obtained from an Internet survey asking about their experience and for a ranking of the importance of each of 15 factors.Results A total of 466 valid responses were received. The incidence of postcementation sensitivity was estimated to be less than 2% by more than 2/3 of the dentists. The factors considered “very important” in reducing sensitivity by more than 50% of the respondents were desiccation, luting agent, occlusion, provisional, and water spray.Conclusions Comparing respondents’ opinions with published clinical studies, the incidence of postcementation sensitivity appears to be underestimated. There is little published evidence to support the importance of antimicrobials, desensitizing, or bonding agents, although these are considered effective by some dentists. Many respondents consider luting agent to be an important variable.
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and Na+ channel subunits mRNA transcripts, and Cl− efflux, show a different distribution in rat duodenum and colon
Authors: Odes H. S. , Smirnoff P. , Guberman R. , Pollak‐Charcon S. , Sperber A. D. , Fich A. , Fraser G. M. , Schwartz B. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractAim:  We compared the distribution and putative association of Cl– channel transport, CFTR mRNA transcripts, and Na+ channel (ENaC)α‐ and β‐subunit mRNA transcripts in villus and crypt epithelial cells of duodenum, with corresponding surface and crypt cells of colon from sodium‐depleted rats.Methods:  Cells were loaded with 36Cl– and forskolin‐stimulated efflux was determined. RT‐PCR was performed for CFTR mRNA transcripts and ENaC α‐ and β‐subunit mRNA. Duodenal epithelial cell response to VIP was assessed by measuring intracellular cAMP.Results:  Forskolin‐stimulated Cl− efflux occurred with decreasing magnitude in duodenal crypt, duodenal villus, colonic crypt and colonic surface cells in Na+‐depleted animals. CFTR expression was correlated directly with Cl− efflux (r = 0.91, P < 0.01). Na+ channel α‐subunit was expressed in colon and duodenum in animals fed diets with a high or low sodium content. While the β‐subunit mRNA was detected in the colon of sodium‐restricted rats, it was absent in the duodenum under control conditions and after Na+ restriction. There was an inverse correlation between mRNA transcripts for CFTR and the ENaC α‐subunit (r = −0.93, P < 0.003) and β‐subunit (r = −0.91, P < 0.004) in colon. VIP‐stimulated cAMP in duodenal epithelial cells was greater in crypt than villus (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Cl− efflux, CFTR transcription and forskolin‐stimulated cAMP activity occur in both crypt and villus epithelial cells in duodenum. Possible interaction between CFTR and Na+ channels is apparently limited to parts of the colonic crypt. Lack of duodenal β‐subunit expression makes ENaC activity unlikely.
Behaviour of vastus lateralis muscle–tendon during high intensity SSC exercises in vivo
Authors: Ishikawa M. , Finni T. , Komi P. V. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractAims:  The interaction between fascicle and tendinous tissue of human vastus lateralis muscle was investigated during varying intensity stretch–shortening cycle (SSC) jumps performed on a sledge apparatus.Methods:  Eight subjects performed single leg squat (SJ) and drop jumps (DJ) from a constant dropping height but to different rebound heights. The fascicle length of the vastus lateralis muscle (VL) was determined from real‐time ultrasonography during the movement. Tendon length changes were calculated by subtracting the horizontal part of the fascicle length from the muscle–tendon unit (MTU) length. Simultaneously, kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic data were recorded from leg muscles. In addition, the in vivo patella tendon force was measured from one subject during the trials.Results:  In all DJs, where MTU was stretched prior to shortening, the fascicle and tendinous tissue of the VL also underwent a SSC. The fascicle lengths decreased and the recoil of tendinous tissue increased with increased rebound intensities (P < 0.05). The force–velocity curves obtained from the MTU showed the expected force–velocity relationship for SSC activities, demonstrating performance enhancement. However, the increased MTU power during the shortening phase of the movement was due primarily to the enhancement of the tendon compartment.Conclusion:  The results of this study show that, at higher rebound intensities, the fascicle is controlled during the braking phase in a distinct manner so that the effective recoil of the tendon is possible during the final push‐off phase. In addition, the results suggest that the behaviour of fascicle length change depends on the muscle in question in addition to the movement intensity.
An analysis of factors influencing short‐term and sustained response to infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease
Authors: Arnott I. D. R. , McNeill G. , Satsangi J. 
Published: June 2003

SummaryBackground: 59–81% of patients given infliximab for Crohn's disease will respond. Although now in widespread use, little consensus exists regarding the optimal place in patient care. Recently developed guidelines have identified need for markers that predict response.Aims: We aimed to identify markers of response to infliximab given for Crohn's disease.Methods: Markers of response (defined at 4 weeks) were prospectively assessed in 74 infliximab‐treated patients with Crohn's disease. Patients were followed‐up to 1 year.Results: Fifty‐four of 74 (73%) patients responded. Univariate analysis identified that smokers were less likely to respond than non‐smokers [P = 0.005, odds ratio (OR) 0.22]. Patients established on immunosuppression (P = 0.034, OR 7.31) and with isolated colonic disease (P = 0.042, OR 3.83) were more likely to respond. Multiple logistic regression confirmed smoking (P = 0.035, OR 0.24) and colonic disease (P = 0.035, OR 4.87) as independent markers of response. One‐year relapse rates differed significantly between smokers and non‐smokers (100% vs. 39.6%, P = 0.0026, relative risk 3.2) and between patients established on immunomodulators or not (58.0% vs. 92.8%, P = 0.0054, relative risk 2.6).Conclusions: Smoking has a strong adverse effect on the response rates and maintenance of response to infliximab. Patients on immunomodulators have a more favourable short‐ and long‐term response. These results have important implications for clinical practice.
The expanding role of biological agents in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease – focus on selective adhesion molecule inhibition
Authors: Rutgeerts P. , Van Deventer S. , Schreiber S. 
Published: June 2003

SummaryInflammatory bowel disease presents in various forms. Its increasing incidence indicates that modern lifestyle triggers disease in genetically susceptible individuals. We present a model for inflammatory bowel disease pathophysiology and review the new biological therapies available. These biological agents have been developed to antagonise the processes of pathogenic inflammation, such as the reduction in T‐lymphocyte apoptosis, increase in T‐lymphocyte proliferation and increase in T‐lymphocyte trafficking into the intestinal mucosa. Inhibitors of various inflammatory cytokines, including some antagonists to tumour necrosis factor, are effective therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. However, this class is associated with the risk of rare, but serious, side‐effects, such as opportunistic infections and demyelinating diseases. The administration of anti‐inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin‐10 and interleukin‐11, may theoretically be effective in reducing inflammation, although the clinical development of some of these therapies has been terminated. The selective inhibition of the adhesion molecules involved in T‐lymphocyte trafficking can be effective in reducing gut inflammation. Of the selective adhesion molecule inhibitors under investigation, natalizumab has demonstrated efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease. The future of biological therapy for inflammatory bowel disease shows promise.
Bacteria recovered from teeth with apical periodontitis after antimicrobial endodontic treatment
Authors: Chávez de Paz L. E. , Dahlén G. , Molander A. , Möller Å. , Bergenholtz G. 
Published: June 2003

Abstract Chávez de Paz LE, Dahlén G, Molander A, Möller Å, Bergenholtz G. Bacteria recovered from teeth with apical periodontitis after antimicrobial endodontic treatment. International Endodontic Journal, 36, 500–508, 2003.Aim  To determine whether there is a pattern for certain bacteria to remain after chemo‐mechanical treatment of root canals in teeth with apical periodontitis.Methodology  Consecutive root‐canal samples of 200 teeth receiving root‐canal treatment, referred from general practitioners and endodontic specialists for analyses of cultivable microbes, were studied prospectively. To be included, samples had to be taken at a treatment session subsequent to the one at which endodontic therapy was initiated. All samples were from teeth that either presented with clinical or radiographic evidence of apical periodontitis or both. Bacteriological findings were linked to clinical and radiographic parameters including status of the root canal prior to treatment, namely, vital pulp, necrotic pulp or root filled.Results  A total of 248 strains were isolated from 107 teeth giving bacterial growth. Gram‐positives predominated (85%). Lactobacillus spp. (22%), nonmutans streptococci (18%), and Enterococcus spp. (12%) were the most common isolates. Gram‐negative anaerobes were relatively sporadic. Large radiographic bone lesions, persistent pain and use of intracanal calcium hydroxide dressing correlated with bacterial presence (P < 0.05).Conclusions  Once established, nonmutans streptococci, enterococci and lactobacilli appear to survive commonly following root‐canal treatment of teeth with clinical and radiographical signs of apical periodontitis.
Large‐scale environmental correlates of forest tree distributions in Catalonia (NE Spain)
Authors: Thuiller Wilfried , Vayreda Jordi , Pino Joan , Sabate Santi , Lavorel Sandra , Gracia Carles 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTAim To explore the environmental correlates of tree species distributions in Catalonia according to the chorological status of the species.Location The study area is the region of Catalonia, in north‐eastern Spain.Methods We used presence‐absence data for 24 species, sampled in random plots distributed throughout forests of Catalonia. A climate model for the Catalonia region provided environmental variables. We used classification tree analysis to explore the environmental correlates of the realized niches of tree species. The predictive accuracy of the models was assessed using the ROC curve approach. Potential distribution maps of tree species were generated for the whole Catalonia region.Results Models were ranked from low to high accuracy for the 24 species. Differences in accuracy among species were related to the chorological status of species. Zonal species, or species at the core of their range (Mediterranean and Sub‐Mediterranean species), were generally well predicted, while extrazonal species, or species at the edge of their range, were predicted only moderately well. Mediterranean species distributions showed good correlations with extreme temperatures and annual precipitation.Main conclusions The above trends confirmed the difficulty of identifying the realized niche of species at the edges of their ranges. In contrast, Mediterranean and Sub‐Mediterranean species, which were at the core of their range, were well‐predicted, confirming the importance of extremes of temperature and annual precipitation as effective surrogates for variables having more direct physiological roles in limiting the ability of plants to survive and grow. Maps of potential tree distributions allowed us to define suitable habitats and to highlight areas where species have been planted outside their natural distribution.
Probability of anti‐D development in D− patients receiving D+ RBCs
Authors: Frohn Christoph , Dümbgen Lutz , Brand Jörg‐Matthias , Görg Siegfried , Luhm Jürgen , Kirchner Holger 
Published: June 2003

BACKGROUND:In some situations, the administration of D+ RBCs to D– patients is necessary. The probability of a subsequent anti‐D formation is assumed to be around 80 percent, a figure based primarily on studies in healthy volunteers. It was hypothesized that patients requiring blood transfusion have a much lower probability of developing antibodies.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed whereby 78 D– patients were evaluated for the development of RBC antibodies after administration of D+ RBCs. For the analysis of the cross‐sectional observations, parametric models were used for interval‐censored data.RESULTS:Anti‐D was detected in 16 of 78 patients. Considering the individual patient's inspection times, the calculated probability of developing antibody following D+ RBC supply was shown to be below 41.7 percent (upper 95% confidence bound) and estimated as 30.4 percent. The data hinted toward an inverse correlation between the number of transfused units and the probability of antibody formation. Interestingly, 6 of these 16 patients developed additional IgG autoantibody. In 3 of those cases, evidence for prolonged hemolysis was found.CONCLUSION:The actual frequency of antibody formation in our patients is much lower than assumed. On the other hand, prolonged hemolysis probably induced by additional autoreactive antibodies might occur. This possible complication has not yet been addressed. Further studies might reveal whether a less restricted transfusion policy with respect to D matching is justified in selected patients.
WBC‐containing allogeneic blood transfusion and mortality: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Vamvakas Eleftherios C. 
Published: June 2003

BACKGROUND: An association between allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) and mortality was reported by one team of investigators from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing recipients of non‐WBC‐reduced versus WBC‐reduced RBCs in open‐heart surgery. A meta‐analysis was undertaken to examine whether this finding can be generalized across clinical settings and/or transfused RBC components.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RCTs reporting on adverse immunomodulatory effects of ABT between January 1992 and August 2002 were retrieved. Fourteen studies had recorded mortality as a primary or secondary outcome and met all other criteria for meta‐analysis. Summary ORs of mortality in a treatment arm receiving WBC‐containing allogeneic RBCs versus a control arm receiving autologous or WBC‐reduced allogeneic RBCs were calculated across studies, for groups of studies in which the hypothesis of homogeneity was not rejected.RESULTS: There was no association between ABT and mortality across 14 RCTs reporting on short‐term mortality (summary OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.87–1.65) or across 3 RCTs reporting on long‐term mortality (summary OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.64–1.19). In subgroup analyses, RCTs using autologous blood or conducted in abdominal or vascular surgery showed no difference in mortality, but short‐term mortality differed across 3 RCTs conducted in open‐heart surgery (summary OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.31–3.90; p < 0.05) and 7 RCTs comparing recipients of non‐WBC‐reduced versus WBC‐reduced allogeneic RBCs filtered before storage (summary OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.00–2.11; p ≥ 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: An association between ABT and either short‐term or long‐term mortality was not detected across clinical settings and transfused RBC components, but subgroup analyses suggest that an association between WBC‐containing ABT and short‐term mortality may exist in open‐heart surgery and in settings where WBC‐reduced allogeneic RBCs filtered before storage are administered.
WBC reduction of RBC transfusions is associated with a decreased incidence of RBC alloimmunization
Authors: Blumberg Neil , Heal Joanna M. , Gettings Kelly F. 
Published: June 2003

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic transfusion stimulates Th2 (humoral) immunity. A hypothesis was developed that WBC reduction, by reducing the Th2 stimulus associated with transfusions, might reduce RBC alloimmunization.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The first retrospective cohort study involved determining the prevalence of newly detected alloimmunization in transfused patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in our hospital in the period before WBC reduction and after its introduction for this particular group of patients. The second study involved determining the incidence of newly detected RBC alloimmunization in all transfused hospital patients during three annual periods with WBC‐reduction prevalences ranging from 0 to 100 percent.RESULTS: The alloimmunization prevalence rate in AML patients was 8.2 percent in those receiving non‐WBC‐reduced RBCs and platelets (n=195) and 2.8 percent in those receiving only WBC‐reduced components (n=215) (p=0.016). In all patients, the alloimmunization incidence rate decreased from 3.47 per 1000 antibody screens in 1987 (no WBC reduction) to 2.97 per 1000 in 1999 (40% of transfusions WBC‐reduced) to 2.38 per 1000 in 2001 (100% of transfusions WBC‐reduced) (p=0.0298). A decrease in alloimmunization was observed in both males and females, with the decrease more clearly evident in males.CONCLUSION: These preliminary data support the hypothesis that WBC reduction may be associated with a reduced frequency of RBC alloimmunization. These findings require confirmation and further investigation.
Effect of Varidase (Streptodornase) on Biofilm Formed by <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>
Authors: Nemoto Ken , Hirota Katsuhiko , Murakami Keiji , Taniguti Kazuko , Murata Hiromi , Viducic Darija , Miyake Yoichiro 
Published: June 2003

The biofilm of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> could be removed by Varidase (streptodornase) that was used as defibrinating drug. After cultivating the biofilm on a silicone chip in a modified alginate-producing medium in vitro, it was treated with Varidase or DNase I. In both treatments, the biofilm was removed depending on the concentration of the reagents. Varidase was apparently effective under the condition that the biofilm was exposed to more than 625 U/ml (a quarter of the concentration of the medical use) for 3 h, twice, at 37°C. The result of this experiment indicates that (a) the DNases, DNase I and Varidase, were effective in destroying the biofilm of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> in vitro, and (b) in a clinical field, Varidase could be useful for <i>P. aeruginosa</i> focal infection, such as urinary tract infection, by removing the biofilm.
Case studies in Bayesian segmentation applied to CD control
Authors: Taylor A.R. , Duncan S.R. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractIdentifying step changes in historical process and controller output variables can lead to improved process understanding and fault resolution in control system performance analysis. This paper describes an application of Bayesian methods in the search for statistically significant temporal segmentations in the data collected by a cross directional (CD) control system in an industrial web forming process. CD control systems give rise to vector observations which are often transformed through orthogonal bases for control and performance analysis. In this paper two models which exploit basis function representations of vector times series data are segmented. The first of these is a power spectrum model based on the asymptotic Chi‐squared approximation which allows large data sets to be processed. The second approach, more capable of detecting small changes, but as a result is more computationally demanding, is a special case of the multivariate linear model. Given the statistical model of the data, inference regarding the number and location of the change‐points is based on numerical Bayesian methods known as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). The methods are applied to real data and the resulting segmentation relates to real process events. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly(2‐) and (3‐aminobenzoic acids) and their copolymers with aniline: Synthesis, characterization, and properties
Authors: Rivas B. L. , Sánchez C. O. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractPoly(2‐aminobenzoic acid) and poly(3‐aminobenzoic acid) were synthesized by chemical polymerization of the respective monomers with aqueous 1M hydrochloric acid and 0.49M sodium hydroxide, using ammonium persulfate as an oxidizing agent. In addition, polymerization in an acid medium was carried out in the presence of metal ions, such as Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II). Poly(2‐aminobenzoic acid‐co‐aniline) and poly(3‐aminobenzoic acid‐co‐aniline) were synthesized by chemical copolymerization of aniline with 2‐ and 3‐aminobenzoic acids, respectively, in aqueous 1M hydrochloric acid. The copolymers were synthesized at several mole fractions of aniline in the feed and characterized by UV–visible and FTIR spectroscopy, the thermal stability, and the electrical conductivity. Metal ions, such as Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II), were incorporated into homo‐ and copolymers by the batch method. The percentage of metal ions in the polymers was higher in the copolymers than in the homopolymers. The thermal stability of the copolymers increased as the feed mole fraction of aniline decreased and varied with the incorporation of metal ions in the polymers. The electrical conductivity of the homo‐ and copolymers was measured, which ranged between 10−3 and 10−10 S cm−1. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2641–2648, 2003
Physical and mechanical behavior of single‐walled carbon nanotube/polypropylene/ethylene–propylene–diene rubber nanocomposites
Authors: Valentini L. , Biagiotti J. , Kenny J. M. , López Manchado M. A. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractThe effects of the incorporation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on the physical and mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomers based on blends of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and ethylene–propylene–diene rubber (EPDM) are described. A marked decrease of the half‐time of PP–EPDM crystallization and a sensible increase of the overall crystallization rate were observed in the presence of SWNTs. These results confirmed the expected nucleant effect of nanotubes on the crystallization of polypropylene. This effect was not linearly dependent on the SWNTs' content, showing a saturation of the nucleant effect at high nanotube concentrations. Dynamic mechanical analysis results showed a significant and controversial change of the mechanical behavior of the PP–EPDM/SWNT composites depending on the nanotube content. In particular, the storage modulus increased at the lowest incorporation of SWNTs, whereas a further increase of nanotubes led to a reduction of the storage modulus with respect to the pristine polymer matrix. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were successfully applied to demonstrate that in the composite films, the changes in the crystallization kinetics and mechanical properties could be explained in terms of the changes of the distance between nanotubes in bundles after a different intercalation of the polymer matrix. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2657–2663, 2003