bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Income‐Related Differences in the Use of Evidence‐Based Therapies in Older Persons with Diabetes Mellitus in For‐Profit Managed Care
Authors: Brown Arleen F. , Gross Amy G. , Gutierrez Peter R. , Jiang Luohua , Shapiro Martin F. , Mangione Carol M. 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether income influences evidence‐based medication use by older persons with diabetes mellitus in managed care who have the same prescription drug benefit.DESIGN: Observational cohort design with telephone interviews and clinical examinations.SETTING: Managed care provider groups that contract with one large network‐model health plan in Los Angeles County.PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of community‐dwelling Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes mellitus aged 65 and older covered by the same pharmacy benefit.MEASUREMENTS: Patients reported their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Annual household income (≥$20,000 or <$20,000) was the primary predictor. The outcome variable was use of evidence‐based therapies determined by a review of all current medications brought to the clinical examination. The medications studied included use of any cholesterol‐lowering medications, use of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) for cholesterol lowering, aspirin for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in those with diabetic nephropathy. The influence of income on evidence‐based medication use was adjusted for other patient characteristics.RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 301 persons with diabetes mellitus, of whom 53% had annual household income under $20,000. In unadjusted analyses, there were lower rates of use of all evidence‐based therapies and lower rates of statin use for persons with annual income under $20,000 than for higher‐income persons. In multivariate models, statin use was observed in 57% of higher‐income versus 30% of lower‐income respondents with a history of hyperlipidemia (P = .01) and 66% of higher‐income versus 29% of lower‐income respondents with a history of myocardial infarction (P = .03). There were no differences by income in the rates of aspirin or ACE inhibitor use.CONCLUSION: Among these Medicare managed care beneficiaries with diabetes mellitus, all of whom had the same pharmacy benefit, there were low rates of use of evidence‐based therapies overall and substantially lower use of statins by poorer persons.
Effects of CO2 and light on tree phytochemistry and insect performance
Authors: Agrell Jep , McDonald Evan P. , Lindroth Richard L. 
Published: December 2004

Direct and interactive effects of CO2 and light on tree phytochemistry and insect fitness parameters were examined through experimental manipulations of plant growth conditions and performance of insect bioassays. Three species of deciduous trees (quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides; paper birch, Betula papyrifera; sugar maple, Acer saccharum) were grown under ambient (387±8 μL/L) and elevated (696±2 μL/L) levels of atmospheric CO2, with low and high light availability (375 and 855 μmol×m−2×s−1 at solar noon). Effects on the population and individual performance of a generalist phytophagous insect, the white‐marked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma) were evaluated. Caterpillars were reared on experimental trees for the duration of the larval stage, and complementary short‐term (fourth instar) feeding trials were conducted with insects fed detached leaves.

Phytochemical analyses demonstrated strong effects of both CO2 and light on all foliar nutritional variables (water, starch and nitrogen). For all species, enriched CO2 decreased water content and increased starch content, especially under high light conditions. High CO2 availability reduced levels of foliar nitrogen, but effects were species specific and most pronounced for high light aspen and birch. Analyses of secondary plant compounds revealed that levels of phenolic glycosides (salicortin and tremulacin) in aspen and condensed tannins in birch and maple were positively influenced by levels of both CO2 and light. In contrast, levels of condensed tannins in aspen were primarily affected by light, whereas levels of ellagitannins and gallotannins in maple responded to light and CO2, respectively.

The long‐term bioassays showed strong treatment effects on survival, development time, and pupal mass. In general, CO2 effects were pronounced in high light and decreased along the gradient aspen birch maple. For larvae reared on high light aspen, enriched CO2 resulted in 62% fewer survivors, with increased development time, and reduced pupal mass. For maple‐fed insects, elevated CO2 levels had negative effects on survival and pupal mass in low light. For birch, the only negative CO2 effects were observed in high light, where female larvae showed prolonged development. Fourth instar feeding trials demonstrated that low food conversion efficiency reduced insect performance. Elevated levels of CO2 significantly reduced total consumption, especially by insects on high light aspen and low light maple.

This research demonstrates that effects of CO2 on phytochemistry and insect performance can be strongly light‐dependent, and that plant responses to these two environmental variables differ among species. Overall, increased CO2 availability appeared to increase the defensive capacity of early‐successional species primarily under high light conditions, and of late‐successional species under low light conditions. Due to the interactive effects of tree species, light, CO2, and herbivory, community composition of forests may change in the future.
Does interspecific competition affect territorial distribution of birds? A long‐term study on Siberian Phylloscopus warblers
Authors: Bourski Oleg V. , Forstmeier Wolfgang 
Published: December 2004

Seven species of Phylloscopus warblers breed in the middle taiga subzone of Central Siberia. We studied their territorial distribution over 18 breeding seasons between 1978 and 1996.

Phylloscopus inornatus, the most abundant breeding bird species in the study area, breeds in dense clusters of territories. In some habitats, these clusters are very unstable from year to year, providing an excellent opportunity to study the influence of P. inornatus on the territorial distribution of other species. We present a method for quantifying decreases in a species’ breeding density caused by the presence of a competing congener. Analysing all possible combinations of species, we found reciprocal territorial avoidance between P. inornatus and P. proregulus as well as between P. inornatus and P. collybita. This is consistent with the hypothesis that territorial avoidance occurs between the species of greatest morphological similarity. The occurrence of territorial avoidance is not explained by habitat characteristics such as vegetation cover and productivity. However low productivity may be necessary for territorial avoidance to occur.

An alternative explanation for the observed territorial separation of some species, derived from the Fretwell‐Lucas model of habitat occupancy, is examined and rejected. Causes and implications of clustering behaviour of P. inornatus are also discussed.
Patch type influences on regeneration in a western Pennsylvania, USA, catastrophic windthrow
Authors: Peterson Chris J. , Pickett Steward T. A. 
Published: December 2004

We investigated the influence of differing patch types on the germination, growth, and survival of two species of tree seedlings in a catastrophic, old‐growth forest windthrow. We documented environmental conditions, and experimentally introduced seeds, transplanted seedlings, and manipulated litter and herbivore access to determine the effects of patch types during initial forest regrowth.  Among patch types defined by substrate condition and exposure, we found significant differential influence of patch type on germination of seeds of a common colonizer, Betulaalleghaniensis. Patch types
that provided exposed mineral soil allowed greater germination than other
patch types, regardless of light availability. Germination of Acerrubrum varied among patch types in a fashion similar to that of
B. alleghaniensis, although differences among patch types were
not significant.
Litter can also be the basis of patch classification. Both type and
amount of litter significantly influenced emergence of seedlings, with
broad‐leaf litter (in amounts typical of intact forest) producing greater
inhibition of emergence than amounts of conifer needles typical of intact
forest. Survival and performance of fenced and unfenced Acerrubrum seedlings transplanted into different patch types reflected
influences of both herbivory and competition with existing
vegetation.
Survival was lowest where the Acer seedlings were most apparent to
mammalian herbivores. Growth of Acer seedlings was greater when they were protected from herbivory and free of competition from surrounding vegetation.  These findings demonstrate that patch types offer different suitability as regeneration microsites during early tree life history stages. Because these patch types are common and easy to recognize, the differences in species’ responses may be sufficiently general to apply in other disturbances of this type. If general species responses to patch types can be combined with knowledge of propagule abundance and patch abundance, it could provide a basis for improved understanding of post‐disturbance regeneration, via patch influences.
Dung beetle movements at two spatial scales
Authors: Roslin Tomas 
Published: December 2004

To understand the dynamics of spatially structured populations, we need to know the level of movements at different spatial scales. This paper reports on Aphodius dung beetle movements at two scales: movements between dung pats within pastures, and movements between pastures.

First, I test an assumption common to many recent models of spatially structured populations – that the probability of an individual moving between habitat patches decreases exponentially with distance. For dung beetles, I find sufficient evidence to reject this assumption. The distribution of dispersal distances was clearly leptokurtic, with more individuals moving short and long distances than expected on the basis of an exponential function. In contrast, the data were well described by a power function. I conclude that dung beetle movements include an element of non‐randomness not captured by the simplistic exponential model. The power function offers a promising alternative, but the actual mechanisms behind the pattern need to be clarified.

Second, I compare several species of Aphodius to each other. Although these species occur in the same network of habitat patches, their movement patterns are different enough to result in a mixture of different spatial population structures. Movements between pastures were more frequent the larger the species, the more specific its occurrence in relation to pat age, and the more specialized it is on cow dung and open pasture habitats. Within pastures, all species form “patchy” populations, with much movement among individual pats.
Onset of reproduction in Rhododendron lapponicum shoots: the effect of shoot size, age, and nutrient status at two subarctic sites
Authors: Karlsson P. Staffan , Jacobson Anders 
Published: December 2004

Potential factors that trigger the onset of reproduction in shoot modules were studied in the dwarf shrub Rhododendron lapponicum in subarctic Swedish Lapland. The following questions were addressed: (1) Can the large size effect that commonly is found on onset of reproduction be explained as an effect of the amount of nitrogen and/or phosphorus accumulated? (2) Is there an effect of age when controlling for size and amount of nutrient reserves? (3) Does the relationship between size or nutrient reserves and onset of reproduction vary between high‐ and low‐altitude sites?

Shoots from two different sites, a subalpine heath (345 m altitude) and an alpine heath (900 m), were compared. The reproductive status of the shoots (non‐reproductive or with an inflorescence bud) was related to shoot age, size (shoot leaf area), and nitrogen and phosphorus concentration by means of logistic regression analysis.

The analysis indicates that an index of shoot nitrogen pool size was the most important factor; however, we could not strictly differentiate between the effect of this index and that of shoot leaf area and nitrogen concentration. A large shoot leaf area and nitrogen concentration (i.e. a large nitrogen pool index) increases the likelihood of turning reproductive. When controlling for shoot leaf area and nitrogen concentration a negative effect of increasing age was found. We suggest that this age effect may be related to a declining shoot resource economy with increasing age. Triggering of reproduction in R. lapponicum is thus complex and all factors included in our analysis appear to be involved. Shoots at the high‐altitude site were more likely to enter the reproductive phase than shoots with a similar leaf area at low altitude. The only factor for which we found support for the hypothesis about decreasing importance of nutrients with increasing altitude was for phosphorus concentration. The mean age at onset of reproduction did not differ between altitudes.
Tobacco usage in relation to the anatomical site of oral leukoplakia
Authors: Schepman KP , Bezemer PD , Van Der Meij EH , Smeele LE , Van Der Waal I 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVE: Tobacco usage is the most important known aetiological factor in the development of oral leukoplakia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relation of tobacco usage to the anatomical site of the leukoplakia.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Clinical data regarding tobacco usage and localisation of leukoplakia obtained from 166 patients with oral leukoplakia.RESULTS: Leukoplakias in the floor of mouth appeared to be statistically significantly more often present in smokers than in non‐smokers, compared to all other oral sites (P < 0.001; OR = 8.47 and 18.13 for men and women, respectively). On the contrary, leukoplakias on the borders of the tongue were statistically significantly more common among non‐smokers, than smokers, compared to all other oral sites (P < 0.001; OR = 0.22 and 0.12 for men and women, respectively).CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the influence of tobacco on the development of leukoplakia varies by anatomical site.
A comparison of salivary gland hypofunction in primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Dawson LJ , Holt DJ , Higham SM , Longman LP , Field EA 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVE: A commonly held view by clinicians is that the salivary gland hypofunction associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS‐1) is more severe than that associated with secondary Sjögren's syndrome (SS‐2). This study aimed to determine if this view could be substantiated, when applied to a large sample group.METHOD: Unstimulated and paraffin wax‐stimulated whole salivary flow rates were retrospectively compared for age and gender matched, patients diagnosed with SS‐1 or SS‐2 according to the preliminary European criteria. The patients had attended the Xerostomia Clinic, in the Oral Medicine Department, at the Liverpool University Dental Hospital.RESULTS: Sixty‐seven patients with SS‐1 (average age 57.1 years) were matched with 67 patients with SS‐2 (average age 57.6 years), according to gender and age, within 5 years. The mean unstimulated whole salivary flow rates (±s.d.) for patients with SS‐1 and SS‐2 were 0.11 (±0.15) and 0.12 (±0.18) mL min−1 respectively. The mean paraffin wax stimulated, whole salivary flow rates (±s.d.) for patients with SS‐1 and SS‐22 were 0.45 (±0.02) and 0.47 (±0.49) mL/min−1 respectively. No significant differences, in either stimulated (P= 0.54) or unstimulated (P= 0.60) whole salivary flow rates were found between individuals with SS‐1 or SS‐2.CONCLUSION: The severity of salivary gland hypofunction does not appear to be related to the clinical variant of Sjögren's syndrome.
Oral paracoccidioidomycosis: a retrospective study of 62 Brazilian patients
Authors: Bicalho RN , Do Espírito Santo MF , Ferreira de Aguiar MC , Santos VR 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the profile of patients with oral paracoccidioidomycosis referred to two Dental Schools in Belo Horizonte (MG, Brazil) between 1955 and 1998. Despite the importance of the oral manifestations of this disease, few papers in the English literature have provided epidemiological data.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 62 patients presenting oral paracoccidioidomycosis were reviewed in detail. Patient age, gender, race, occupation, site of lesion and type of clinical manifestation of the disease were tabulated.RESULTS: There was a predominance of male patients (97%), with a male:female ratio of 30:1. The mean age was 40 years. Most of the patients were farm workers (53%). Some patients presented multiple oral lesions (19 cases, 30%). The fungal lesions were found principally in the alveolar process and gingiva, but were also seen on the palate, lip and buccal mucosa. All patients had chronic proliferative mulberry‐like ulcerated oral lesions and the diagnosis was confirmed histologically. The clinical records did not contain notes about pulmonary involvement by the lesions.CONCLUSION: The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of a specific population with the diagnosis of oral paracoccidioidomycois. The major goal is to establish a scientific basis for initiating educational programs for prevention and early diagnosis of oral paracoccidioidomycosis.
Seasonal variation of acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis in South Africans
Authors: Arendorf TM , Bredekamp B , Cloete C‐A , Joshipura K 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVES: To examine seasonal variations in the presentation of acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) in a previously unstudied population in Cape Town, South Africa.DESIGN: A descriptive study of all presenting cases of ANUG at a health center over 6 years; patients were examined at one point in time.SETTING: A clinic‐based cross‐sectional study was carried out among patients presenting routinely to the oral medicine clinic at the University of the Western Cape. Patients at this clinic were mostly colored and black people, and were of low socioeconomic status.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All patients presenting to the periodontal clinic were examined during the period from 15 March 1992 to 15 March 1998 and interviews were conducted. A comprehensive clinical intra‐oral and peri‐oral examination was carried out using a dental mirror and blunt probe by three trained calibrated dental examiners. The minimum criteria for inclusion as an ANUG patient were painful, bleeding gums with irreversible destruction of the interdental papillae (cratering)and marginal gingiva. Patients with multiple small ulcerations not restricted to the gingiva, but including other oral sites such as the tongue and buccal mucosa were diagnosed as herpetic stomatitis. Other distinguishing characteristics of ANUG included presence of a pseudomembrane, odor, a strange taste in the mouth, and hypersalivation. Swabs and biopsies taken to verify the diagnosis when necessary. If there was any doubt as to the diagnosis of the lesion it was not included among the ANUG casesMAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Presence of ANUG.RESULTS: Among the 19944 patients presenting for periodontal treatment, 684 were found to have ANUG. The ANUG patients consisted of 58% males; 73% of the ANUG patients were between the ages of 5 to 12 years. The majority of ANUG patients presented during the summer (55.4%), 27.7% in autumn and 8.4% during both winter and spring. Significant differences were evident between the numbers seen during the different seasons.CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a significant seasonal variation in the occurence of ANUG in Cape Town, South Africa.
Craniofacial tissues including tooth buds in fetal hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia
Authors: Nordgarden H , Reintoft I , Nolting D , Fischer‐Hansen B , Kjæ I 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVE: Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) comprises defects in hair, teeth, and sweat glands. Disturbances in other ectodermal tissues have been associated with the condition. Our objective was to examine ectodermal craniofacial structures histologically in a fetus with HED and to compare the findings to similar structures in normal control fetuses.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A male fetus diagnosed with HED was therapeutically aborted in the 15th week of gestation. One male and two female healthy fetuses were used as normal controls. All fetuses were examined with parental consent, and had comparable sizes. Their bone maturation stage in the hand was identical. Tissue blocks from the craniofacial region were excised from all fetuses and prepared for histological analysis (formalin fixed, stained with toluidine blue or Alcian blue). The tissues examined were: tooth buds, skin and skin appendages, oral mucosa including minor salivary glands, major salivary glands, lacrimal glands, and adenohypophysis.RESULTS: Fewer tooth buds, minor salivary glands, and hair follicles were observed in the HED fetus as compared to controls. The structures of the epidermal components in the developing HED organs were loose and disorganised. The adhesion between the ectodermal and mesenchymal organ components in the HED fetus seemed to be disturbed.
A model for internal derangement and osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint with experimental traction of the mandibular ramus in rabbit
Authors: Imai H , Sakamoto I , Yoda T , Yamashita Y 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to make a model of internal derangement (ID) and osteoarthritis (OA) by postero‐superior displacement of the mandible in the rabbit temporomandibular joint (TMJ).MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen Japanese white rabbits (8 months old) were subjected to traction of the mandibular ramus in the postero‐superior direction unilaterally using elastic force and five rabbits were used as the control. The operations were performed without surgical invasion of the TMJ capsule. Temporomandibular joint tissue was removed after 4 weeks and Technovit and paraffin sections with or without decalcification were observed histologically.RESULTS: In contrast to the control group, it showed anterior disc displacement, disc deformity, resorption of subchondral bone and osteophyte formation in the drawing side of the experimental group. Intra‐articular fibrous adhesions were observed in both sides.CONCLUSION: It is concluded that posterosuperior displacement of the mandible caused ID and OA in the rabbit TMJ. This model may contribute to the understanding of the etiology of human temporomadibular disorders (TMD).