bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The “Haptic Finger”– a new device for monitoring skin condition
Authors: Tanaka Mami , Lévêque Jean Luc , Tagami Hachiro , Kikuchi Katsuko , Chonan Seifi 
Published: November 2004

Background/aims: Touching the skin is of great importance for the Clinician for assessing roughness, softness, firmness, etc. This type of clinical assessment is very subjective and therefore non‐reproducible from one Clinician to another one or even from time to time for the same Clinician. In order to objectively monitor skin texture, we developed a new sensor, placed directly on the Clinician's finger, which generate some electric signal when slid over the skin surface.Material and methods: The base of this Haptic Finger sensor is a thin stainless steel plate on which sponge rubber, PVDF foil, acetate film and gauze are layered. The signal generated by the sensor was filtered and digitally stored before processing. In a first in vitro experiment, the sensor was moved over different skin models (sponge rubber covered by silicon rubber) of varying hardness and roughness. These experiments allowed the definition of two parameters characterizing textures. The first parameter is variance of the signal processed using wavelet analysis, representing an index of roughness. The second parameter is dispersion of the power spectrum density in the frequency domain, corresponding to hardness. To validate these parameters, the Haptic Finger was used to scan skin surfaces of 30 people, 14 of whom displayed a skin disorder: xerosis (n = 5), atopic dermatitis (n = 7), and psoriasis (n = 2).Results and conclusion: The results obtained by means of the sensor were compared with subjective, clinical evaluations by a Clinician who scored both roughness and hardness of the skin. Good agreement was observed between clinical assessment of the skin and the two parameters generated using the Haptic Finger. Use of this sensor could prove extremely valuable in cosmetic research where skin surface texture (in terms of tactile properties) is difficult to measure.
A quantitative electromyographic analysis of masticatory muscle activity in usual daily life
Authors: Saifuddin Md , Miyamoto K , Ueda HM , Shikata N , Tanne K 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate whether a quantitative electromyographic (EMG) analysis with a special reference to the EMG amplitude at 98N bite force could reduce the influence of electrode relocation and to examine the reproducibility of masticatory muscle activity in usual daily life within individuals.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In the first experiment, two sessions of surface EMG recording for masseter and anterior temporal muscles during tapping, and chewing gum and marshmallow were performed for 10 subjects with an interval of at least 1 week with electrode relocation. In the second experiment, two sessions of EMG recording during daytime (142 min, including mealtime) and sleep (142 min) were carried out for 10 subjects with an interval of at least 1 week. The average rectified EMG values were normalised with a special reference to the EMG amplitude induced by a 98N bite force.RESULTS: In the first experiment, high correlation coefficients and no significant differences in the mean normalised values of muscle activity were found between two sessions. Although the average rectified values showed high correlation coefficients, the mean masseter muscle activity while chewing gum was significantly different between two sessions. In addition, the variation in temporal muscle activity between two sessions while chewing gum was significantly smaller in the normalised values than in the average rectified ones. In the second experiment, less intra‐individual variation in the normalised values of masticatory muscle activity between two sessions indicated the reproducibility. Normalised masticatory muscle activity showed less variation during mealtimes than during usual daytime and sleep.CONCLUSIONS: This quantitative EMG analysis could estimate the masticatory muscle activity by reducing the influences of electrode relocation, demonstrating an availability of this analysis for the evaluation of masticatory muscle activity in usual daily life.
Oligodontia is associated with extra‐oral ectodermal symptoms and low whole salivary flow rates
Authors: Nordgarden H , Jensen JL , Storhaug K 
Published: November 2004

INTRODUCTION: Ectodermal dysplasias (EDs) involve abnormal development of hair, teeth, nails, and sweat glands.OBJECTIVES: (1) To investigate the frequency of extra‐oral ectodermal symptoms in persons with oligodontia (>6 congenitally missing teeth). (2) To examine whole salivary flow rates in oligodontia patients, with special emphasis on persons with EDs.SURVEY GROUP AND METHODS: Sixty‐eight persons with oligodontia and 39 healthy control persons were included. All participants underwent an interview, general and oral examinations, and whole salivary secretory tests.RESULTS: Thirty‐nine (57%) of the oligodontia patients had disturbances in either hair, nails and/or sweat production in addition to teeth and were classified as the ED group. The remaining 29 oligodontia patients had no obvious signs of EDs (non‐ED group). The prevalences of dry skin, asthma and eczema were higher, and whole salivary secretory rates lower, in the ED group as compared to the control group. Intermediate values were observed in the non‐ED group. Incisors, canines and molars were more frequently missing in the ED group than in the non‐ED group, whereas no differences were observed in the frequency of missing premolars. Negative correlations between the number of missing teeth and unstimulated and chewing stimulated whole salivary secretory rates were found.
Mast cell degranulation and the role of T cell RANTES in oral lichen planus
Authors: Zhao ZZ , Sugerman PB , Zhou XJ , Walsh LJ , Savage NW 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated mast cell degranulation in oral lichen planus (OLP) and the effect of OLP lesional T cell supernatants on mast cell degranulation.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to identify mast cell degranulation in both OLP (n= 22) and normal control (n= 14) tissues. OLP lesional T cell lines (n= 5) and HMC‐1 (a human leukemia mast cell line) were used to examine the effects of OLP T cell supernatants on mast cell degranulation in vitro.RESULTS: Approximately 60% of mast cells were degranulated in OLP. OLP lesional T cells expressed mRNA for RANTES, and TNF‐α stimulation upregulated OLP lesional T cell RANTES secretion. OLP lesional T cell supernatants induced degranulation of HMC‐1 with release of TNF‐α and histamine. Human recombinant RANTES similarly induced mast cell degranulation. Anti‐RANTES antibody blocked OLP lesional T cell supernatant‐ induced mast cell degranulation.CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to show that OLP lesional T cells produce and secrete RANTES which triggers human mast cell degranulation. Degranulating mast cells release TNF‐α which upregulates OLP lesional T cell RANTES secretion. Such a cyclical mechanism may underlie disease chronicity and future therapies may include blocking RANTES or TNF‐α activity in OLP.
Implantation of octacalcium phosphate nucleates isolated bone formation in rat skull defects
Authors: Kamakura S , Sasano Y , Homma H , Suzuki O , Kagayama M , Motegi1 K 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE: Our previous radiographic examinations have indicated that the synthetic octacalcium phosphate (OCP) may provide the core for nucleating multiple osteogenic sites in the experimentally created cranial defect.DESIGN: The present study was designed to confirm the possibility that the implanted OCP causes the osteoinduction as well as the osteoconduction in the rat cranial defect.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standardized defects were created in male Wistar rat calvaria, and the OCP granules were implanted into the defect. The sham operated rats were processed in the same way except that nothing was implanted. The rats were fixed at 4 weeks after implantation of OCP or the sham operation. We examined bone formed on the implanted OCP, analyzing serial sections histologically combined with immunohis‐tochemistry for the bone specific protein, osteocalcin.RESULTS: In the defects treated with OCP, the radiopacity was scattered throughout the defect besides being observed along the defect margin of the parietal bone. Examination of the serial sections showed that some of new bones on the implanted OCP were formed away from the defect margin of the parietal bone with regard to both histological identification and specific molecular marker.CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that the implanted OCP can serve as a core for initiating bone formation and cause the osteoinduction as well as the osteoconduction in the defect.
Post‐harvest fungal quality of selected chewing sticks
Authors: Etebu E , Tasie AA , Daniel‐Kalio LA 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE:  To study post‐harvest fungal overgrowth on chewing sticks used for oral hygiene measures and role of disinfection. METHODS:
The post‐harvest fungal spoilage of chewing sticks (

Garcinia kola
,
Glyphea brevis
and
Azadirachta indica ) was investigated by subjecting the chewing sticks to different preparatory methods (some disinfected in 0.7% sodium hypochlorite before storage), storage conditions (unsealed or sealed in clear polythene) and different storage periods (2, 3 and 4 weeks). RESULTS:
Significant differences (
P
= 0.05) in mean percentage fungal colonization were dependent on plant type and storage period, but not on preparative methods and storage conditions. There were, however, significant interactions between chewing sticks and preparative methods, storage conditions and storage periods, respectively.
Azadirachta indica
was observed to be more susceptible to post‐harvest spoilage organisms than other test plants. Generally, percentage fungal colonization increased with increase in storage period. Four genera,
Penicillium
spp.,
Aspergillus
spp.,
Mucor
spp. and
Botryodiplodia spp., were implicated with post‐harvest colonization of chewing sticks after 4 weeks of storage. CONCLUSION:  The use of harvested chewing sticks after prolonged storage period is therefore not advisable for oral hygiene measures.
Parotid gland involvement in advanced AIDS
Authors: Vargas PA , Mauad T , Böhm GM , Saldiva PHN , Almeida OP 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE:  This study describes the involvement and the histological alterations found in the parotid glands of 100 patients who died with AIDS. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Sex, age, CD4 cell count and clinical history were obtained from the files of 100 patients who died with AIDS. Histological analysis of the parotid glands was performed using H&E, Gomori–Grocott, Ziehl–Neelsen and Mucicarmine. Histological findings were grouped in reactive, infectious, cystic, neoplastic and concomitant lesions. RESULTS:
None of the patients presented complaints or symptoms related to salivary gland alterations prior to death. The mean age of the patients and CD4 cell count were 36.4 years and 76.07 cells μl
−1 , respectively. Histological alterations of the parotid glands were found in 51% of the patients. The most common alteration was non‐specific chronic sialadenitis (29 cases), followed by infectious conditions (22 cases). Mycobacteriosis was the most common infectious disease (10 cases), followed by cytomegalovirus (nine cases), cryptococcosis (three cases) and histoplasmosis (two cases). Lymphoepithelial cysts occurred in six cases, Warthin's tumor and non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma in one case each. CONCLUSIONS:  These results indicate that infection and other lesions in the parotid glands are more frequent than hitherto described in the specialized literature in AIDS patients. Clinicians should consider parotid gland involvement, when evaluating disease extension in advanced AIDS patients.
Differential distribution of glycosaminoglycans in human cementifying fibroma and fibro‐osseous lesions
Authors: Endo Y , Uzawa K , Mochida Y , Nakatsuru M , Shiiba M , Yokoe H , Yamauchi M , Tanzawa H 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE:  Differential diagnosis of cementifying fibroma, ossifying fibroma and fibrous dysplasia by histological evaluation is often difficult. The aim of this study was to examine the immunoreactivities for keratan sulfate (KS) and chondroitin‐4‐sulfate (C4S) glycosaminoglycans of the histological samples obtained from mandibles of patients with these diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  The samples were collected from three patients with cementifying fibroma, two with ossifying fibroma and three with fibrous dysplasia and were subjected to immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS:  The results demonstrated that a significant immunoreactivity for KS was found in lacunae housing cells in the cementum‐particles of cementifying fibromas, while both ossifying fibromas and fibrous dysplasias showed no significant immunoreactivity for KS. For C4S, while the former showed little immunoreactivity, the latter two cases exhibited intensive immunostaining in the pre‐ and poorly mineralized matrices. CONCLUSIONS:  These results suggest that cementifying fibromas could be distinguished from these fibro‐osseous tumors by using immunohistochemical analysis for KS and C4S.
Inhibitory effect of titanium particles on osteoclast formation generated by treatment of mouse bone marrow cells with PGE2
Authors: Nakano M , Tsuboi T , Kato M , Kurita K , Togari A 
Published: November 2004

OBJECTIVE:  The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of titanium (Ti) particles with no endotoxin on osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast activity in in vitro experiments.METHODS:  Osteoclast formation as well as osteoclastic bone resorbing activity were examined using the mouse bone marrow culture system and purified rabbit osteoclasts treated with Ti particles (2.5–20 μg cm−2).RESULTS:  Ti particles, with no adherent endotoxin, inhibited osteoclastogenesis and receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) expression in bone marrow cells treated with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (100 nM). The inhibitory effect of Ti particles was concentration‐dependent (5–20 μg cm−2), and was observed only on the generation of osteoclasts by PGE2, but not by 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 or soluble RANKL. This suggests that Ti particles did not act uniformly on a common process in the generation of osteoclasts, but specifically on signal transduction for PGE2 in generating osteoclasts. In highly purified osteoclasts, Ti particles showed no effect on survival and bone resorbing activity.CONCLUSION:  Ti particles inhibited osteoclast differentiation and RANKL expression in mouse bone marrow cells treated with PGE2, without affecting mature osteoclast survival or activity. Thus, Ti particles may alter the osteoclastogenetic action of PGE2, which is one of the regulatory factors of bone remodeling.
Delivery of nutrition services in health systems in sub-Saharan Africa: opportunities in Burkina Faso, Mozambique and Niger
Authors: Hampshire Rachel D , Aguayo Victor M , Harouna Hamani , Roley Julie A , Tarini Ann , Baker Shawn K 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBackground:In sub-Saharan Africa, underweight and micronutrient deficiencies account for an estimated 25% of the burden of disease. As the coverage of national health systems expands, increased opportunities exist to address the needs of children and women, the most vulnerable to these deficiencies, through high-quality nutrition services.Objectives:To assess health providers' knowledge and practice with regard to essential nutrition services for women and children in Burkina Faso, Mozambique and Niger, in order to assist the development of a standard guide and tools to assess and monitor the quality of the nutrition services delivered through national health systems.Findings:The three surveys reveal the extent of missed opportunities to deliver nutrition services during routine prenatal, postnatal and child-care consultations for the prevention and treatment of highly prevalent nutritional deficiencies.Conclusion:A commitment to improving the quality of facility-based nutrition services is necessary to impact on the health outcomes of women and children ‘covered’ by national health systems. Rigorous assessment and monitoring of the quality of nutrition services should inform health programme and policy development. Building on the lessons learned in these three assessments, Helen Keller International has developed a standard Guide and Tools to assess the quality of the nutrition services delivered through national health systems. These tools can be adapted to assess ongoing nutrition services in health facilities, provide a framework for nutrition programming, inform the development of pre-service as well as in-service nutrition training curricula for providers, and evaluate the impact of nutrition training on providers' practices.
Food store access and household fruit and vegetable use among participants in the US Food Stamp Program
Authors: Rose Donald , Richards Rickelle 
Published: November 2004

AbstractObjective:Recent research on access to food among low-income populations in industrialised countries has begun to focus on neighbourhood food availability as a key determinant of dietary behaviour. This study examined the relationship between various measures of food store access and household fruit and vegetable use among participants in the Food Stamp Program, America's largest domestic food assistance programme.Design:A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 1996–97 National Food Stamp Program Survey. The survey employed a 1-week food inventory method, including two at-home interviews, to determine household food use. Separate linear regression models were developed to analyse fruit and vegetable use. Independent variables included distance to store, travel time to store, ownership of a car and difficulty of supermarket access. All models controlled for a full set of socio-economic variables.Subjects:A nationally representative sample of participants (n = 963) in the Food Stamp Program.Results:After controlling for confounding variables, easy access to supermarket shopping was associated with increased household use of fruits (84 grams per adult equivalent per day; 95% confidence interval 5, 162). Distance from home to food store was inversely associated with fruit use by households. Similar patterns were seen with vegetable use, though associations were not significant.Conclusions:Environmental factors are importantly related to dietary choice in a nationally representative sample of low-income households, reinforcing the importance of including such factors in interventions that seek to effect dietary improvements.
Magnetic resonance evaluation of the presence of an extensive intraductal component in breast cancer
Authors: Ikeda O. , Nishimura R. , Miyayama H. , Yasunaga T. , Ozaki Y. , Tsuji A. , Yamashita Y. 
Published: November 2004

Purpose: To determine whether the presence of extensive intraductal components (EIC) in breast carcinomas can be accurately evaluated on magnetic resonance (MR) images. Material and Methods: Ninety-three women with breast cancer, aged between 32 and 79 years (mean 54 years), underwent three-dimensional dynamic MR imaging (dyMRI) with fat suppression and magnetization transfer contrast before breast-conserving surgery. The tumors were classified on dyMRI as circumscribed, microlobulated, and/or speculated, and their size was measured. Spotty or linear continuous enhancement (SLE) from the main tumor to the nipple and segmental enhancement surrounding the main tumor (SE) were considered indicative of intraductal tumor spread. The correlation between preoperative MRI and macroscopic and microscopic findings was examined. Results: On MR images, the tumor sizes ranged from 0.8 to 3.4 cm. These measurements coincided with histologic measurements in circumscribed tumors. However, in tumors with microlobulated or spiculated borders, tumor size tended to be underestimated on MR images. Of 93 patients, 59 (63.4%) had histologically confirmed EIC; 42 of the 59 cancers (71.2%) manifested SLE or SE on MR images. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MR imaging in detecting EIC were 71%, 85%, and 76%, respectively. Conclusion: MR imaging facilitates the detection of EIC in breast masses. This information is valuable for the planning of breast-conserving surgery.
DC-SIGN–mediated Infectious Synapse Formation Enhances X4 HIV-1 Transmission from Dendritic Cells to T Cells
Authors: Arrighi Jean-François , Pion Marjorie , Garcia Eduardo , Escola Jean-Michel , van Kooyk Yvette , Geijtenbeek Teunis B. , Piguet Vincent 
Published: November 2004

Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential for the early events of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Model systems of HIV sexual transmission have shown that DCs expressing the DC-specific C-type lectin DC-SIGN capture and internalize HIV at mucosal surfaces and efficiently transfer HIV to CD4+ T cells in lymph nodes, where viral replication occurs. Upon DC–T cell clustering, internalized HIV accumulates on the DC side at the contact zone (infectious synapse), between DCs and T cells, whereas HIV receptors and coreceptors are enriched on the T cell side. Viral concentration at the infectious synapse may explain, at least in part, why DC transmission of HIV to T cells is so efficient.
Here, we have investigated the role of DC-SIGN on primary DCs in X4 HIV-1 capture and transmission using small interfering RNA–expressing lentiviral vectors to specifically knockdown DC-SIGN. We demonstrate that DC-SIGN− DCs internalize X4 HIV-1 as well as DC-SIGN+ DCs, although binding of virions is reduced. Strikingly, DC-SIGN knockdown in DCs selectively impairs infectious synapse formation between DCs and resting CD4+ T cells, but does not prevent the formation of DC–T cells conjugates.
Our results demonstrate that DC-SIGN is required downstream from viral capture for the formation of the infectious synapse between DCs and T cells. These findings provide a novel explanation for the role of DC-SIGN in the transfer and enhancement of HIV infection from DCs to T cells, a crucial step for HIV transmission and pathogenesis.
Polarization, Political Instability and Active Learning*
Authors: Ossokina Ioulia V. , Swank Otto H. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractIn a multiperiod setting, decision‐makers can learn about the consequences of their decisions through experimentation. We examine how polarization and political instability affect learning through experimentation. We distinguish two cases: (i) the decision to be made is not salient and does not affect the outcome of subsequent elections (exogenous elections) and (ii) the decision is salient and the election outcome depends on it (endogenous elections). It is shown that while the possibility of learning increases activism, the existence of political instability distorts learning. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, when elections are exogenous, polarization between political parties does not always decrease active learning.
The Location of Firms in Unionized Countries*
Authors: Munch Jakob Roland 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThis paper develops a two‐country economic geography model with Cournot competition, where the labor markets are unionized so that trade unions bargain efficiently with each firm over wages and employment. Agglomeration forces are present due to wage premia obtained by the trade unions. It is shown that if the bargaining power of unions differs across countries then, as trade costs are reduced, the country with relatively weak unions gradually acquires all firms. However, for a range of trade costs, it is also a locally stable equilibrium for all firms to locate in the country with strong unions.