bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CYP2C19 pharmacogenetics in the clinical use of proton‐pump inhibitors for gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease: variant alleles predict gastric acid suppression, but not oesophageal acid exposure or reflux symptoms
Authors: Egan L. J. , Myhre G. M. , Mays D. C. , Dierkhising R. A. , Kammer P. P. , Murray J. A. 
Published: June 2003

SummaryBackground:  The rate of metabolic inactivation of proton‐pump inhibitors is determined by polymorphisms of CYP2C19. It is not known if CYP2C19 variant alleles affect responses to proton‐pump inhibitor therapy in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Aim:  To determine if the CYP2C19 genotype is associated with clinical effectiveness of proton‐pump inhibitors during GERD therapy.Methods:  GERD patients undergoing ambulatory gastric and oesophageal pH monitoring were genotyped for CYP2C19 polymorphisms.Results:  Sixty subjects were enrolled. Forty‐four subjects had two wild‐type alleles, 15 had one variant, and one had two variant CYP2C19 alleles. The presence of a variant allele was significantly associated with a lower odds of gastric acid breakthrough during proton‐pump inhibitor therapy [odds ratio 5.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–22.61]. The presence of a variant allele was not associated with a lower odds of significant oesophageal acid exposure (odds ratio 2.50, 95% CI 0.60–10.52), or the occurrence of symptoms (incidence rate ratio 1.06, 95% CI 0.54–2.06).Conclusions:  These results indicate that factors other than gastric acid secretion are important determinants of reflux in GERD patients. This suggests that CYP2C19 genotype testing will not be useful in proton‐pump inhibitor therapy of GERD, except perhaps in identifying patients at risk for hypochlorhydria and consequent hypergastrinemia.
The prevalence of clinically significant endoscopic findings in primary care patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia: the Canadian Adult Dyspepsia Empiric Treatment – Prompt Endoscopy (CADET–PE) study
Authors: Thomson A. B. R. , Barkun A. N. , Armstrong D. , Chiba N. , White R. J. , Daniels S. , Escobedo S. , Chakraborty B. , Sinclair P. , Veldhuyzen Van Zanten S. J. O. 
Published: June 2003

SummaryBackground: Uninvestigated dyspepsia is common in family practice. The prevalence of clinically significant upper gastrointestinal findings (CSFs) in adult uninvestigated dyspepsia patients, and their predictability based on history, is unknown.Methods: Prompt endoscopy was performed within 10 days of referral, in 1040 adult patients presenting with uninvestigated dyspepsia at 49 Canadian family practitioner centres. Subsequent management strategies during a 6‐month follow‐up period were determined by the individual family practitioners.Results: CSFs were identified in 58% (603/1040) of patients. Erosive oesophagitis was most common (43%; N = 451); peptic ulcer was uncommon (5.3%; N = 55). Alarm symptoms were uncommon (2.8%; N = 29). Most patients had at least three dyspepsia symptoms, more than 80% had at least six, and approximately half had eight or more. Based on the dominant symptom, 463 (45%) patients had ulcer‐like, 393 (38%) had reflux‐like and 184 (18%) had dysmotility‐like dyspepsia. The patients' dominant symptom was not predictive of endoscopic findings. Oesophagitis was more common in those with dominant reflux‐like symptoms and was the most common finding in all subgroups. The prevalence of gastroduodenal findings was similar in all symptom subgroups. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection (30%; 301/1013) was associated with gastroduodenal findings.Conclusions: Dyspepsia subclassifications, based on dominant symptom, are of limited value in predicting the presence and nature of CSFs. Oesophagitis was by far the most common diagnosis (43% of patients). CSFs were common in uninvestigated dyspepsia patients and their nature suggests patients could be initially treated effectively, without endoscopy, using empirical acid suppressive therapy.
Effect of Er:YAG laser and EDTAC on the adhesiveness to dentine of different sealers containing calcium hydroxide
Authors: Picoli F. , Brugnera‐Junior A. , Saquy P. C. , Guerisoli D. M. Z. , Pecora J. D. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractAim  To evaluate the effect of 15% EDTAC solution and Er:YAG laser irradiation on the adhesiveness to dentine of root canal sealers containing calcium hydroxide.Methodology  The crowns of 60 maxillary human molars were ground until dentine was exposed. The teeth were divided into three groups of 20 teeth: group I, the dentine surface received no treatment; group II, 15% EDTAC solution was applied to the dentine; group III, the dentine received Er:YAG laser application (11 mm focal distance with perpendicular incidence to dentine surface; 4 Hz frequency; 200 mJ energy; 2.25 W potency; 62 J total energy; 1 min application time). Aluminium cylinders filled with the sealers, Sealer 26, Apexit, Sealapex and CRCS, were then applied to the treated surfaces. Adhesiveness was measured with a universal testing machine, with traction results given in MegaPascals (MPa). These results were submitted to anova tests.Results  Statistical analysis showed significant differences (P < 0.01) amongst adhesiveness values of the sealers and treatments tested. Thus, sealers could be ranked in decreasing adhesiveness values: Sealer 26, CRCS, Apexit, Sealapex. Er:YAG laser irradiation and EDTAC solution application increased adhesiveness values only for Sealer 26 and Apexit. Laser irradiation was superior to EDTAC application only for Sealer 26 adhesiveness values.Conclusions  Er:YAG laser is as efficient as EDTAC solution in increasing adhesiveness of root canal sealers containing calcium hydroxide to human dentine.
Investigation of the marginal adaptation of root‐end filling materials in root‐end cavities prepared with ultrasonic tips
Authors: Gondim E. , Zaia A. A. , Gomes B. P. F. A. , Ferraz C. C. R. , Teixeira F. B. , Souza‐Filho F. J. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractAim  To compare the surface topography of root apices following ultrasonic root‐end preparation, and again after root‐end fillings submitted to three different finishing techniques.Methodology  Eighty‐one root‐end cavities prepared ultrasonically in human canines, were divided at random into three test groups of 27 each. The cavities were filled with Super‐EBA, IRM, or ProRoot‐MTA and finished by ball burnishing. Eighteen roots from each group received a final finish with either a 30‐fluted tungsten carbide finishing bur, or a Zekrya carbide 28 mm bur after storage in water at 37 °C for 24 h. The root‐end surface topographies were reproduced by means of polyvinylsiloxane impressions and epoxy resin replicas. Scanning electron micrography (SEM) images of each replica were taken prior to and after root‐end filling. An image analysis system was used to compare the alteration of the marginal chipping areas and to calculate the gaps located in the dentine/root‐end filling interface.Results  When a bur was used to finish the set materials, a significant (P < 0.05) area of marginal chipping was eliminated. The finishing technique did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect the incidence of gaps in groups root‐end filled with MTA or IRM. Super‐EBA and IRM retrofillings finished with a ball burnisher or a Zekrya bur displayed a significantly (P < 0.05) larger calculated gap area than roots filled with MTA.Conclusion  Under this in vitro study, the marginal adaptation of MTA was good with or without finishing procedures. Applying a finishing bur over the condensed and set IRM and Super‐EBA created better marginal adaptation.
Values‐led conservation
Authors: Jepson Paul , Canney Susan 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTIn international nature conservation policy, value‐arguments based on science and economic rationalism increasingly overshadow the aesthetic and ethical arguments that originally inspired the conservation movement. We argue that this trend risks removing conservation from the public realm, in part because it facilitates the adoption by nongovernment conservation bodies of corporate values and/or their integration with government bureaucracies. By contrast, the explicit recognition of aesthetic and ethical values would complement arguments based on science and economic utility. We subscribe to a reformist view of globalization that accepts the inevitability of a globalizing world but argues that the process needs humanizing by incorporating quality of life values in the policy process. We argue that re‐emphasis of aesthetic and ethical arguments in international conservation policy would contribute to this goal by reasserting links between conservation bodies and the public, thereby leading to more effective action on the ground.
Native and alien plant species richness in relation to spatial heterogeneity on a regional scale in Germany
Authors: Deutschewitz Kirstin , Lausch Angela , Kühn Ingolf , Klotz Stefan 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTAim The aim of our study was to reveal relationships between richness patterns of native vs. alien plant species and spatial heterogeneity across varying landscape patterns at a regional scale.Location The study was carried out in the administrative district of Dessau (Germany), covering around 4000 km2.Methods Data on plant distribution of the German vascular flora available in grid cells covering 5′ longitude and 3′ latitude (c. 32 km2) were divided into three status groups: native plants, archaeophytes (pre 1500 AD aliens) and neophytes (post 1500 AD aliens). Land use and abiotic data layers were intersected with 125 grid cells comprising the selected area. Using novel landscape ecological methods, we calculated 38 indices of landscape composition and configuration for each grid cell. Principal components analysis (PCA) with a set of 29 selected, low correlated landscape indices was followed by multiple linear regression analysis.Results PCA reduced 29 indices to eight principal components (PCs) that explained 80% cumulative variance. Multiple linear regression analysis was highly significant and explained 41% to 60% variance in plant species distribution (adjusted R2) with three significant PCs (tested for spatial autocorrelation) expressing moderate to high disturbance levels and high spatial heterogeneity. Comparing the significance of the PCs for the species groups, native plant species richness is most strongly associated with riverine ecosystems, followed by urban ecosystems, and then small‐scale rural ecosystems. Archaeophyte and neophyte richness are most strongly associated with urban ecosystems, followed by small‐scale rural ecosystems and riverine ecosystems for archaeophytes, and riverine ecosystems and small‐scale rural ecosystems for neophytes.Main conclusions Our overall results suggest that species richness of native and alien plants increases with moderate levels of natural and/or anthropogenic disturbances, coupled with high levels of habitat and structural heterogeneity in urban, riverine, and small‐scale rural ecosystems. Despite differences in the order of relevance of PCs for the three plant groups, we conclude that at the regional scale species richness patterns of native plants as well as alien plants are promoted by similar factors.
Beyond value: biodiversity and the freedom of the mind
Authors: Collar N. J. 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTCircumstances have conspired to render the conservation movement curiously diffident in the expression of the fundamental beliefs that underpin it. ‘Oppositional’ activists assume their case as proven, while ‘institutional’ tacticians tend to adopt the point of view of those they oppose, deploying utilitarian/economic arguments. The latter arguments represent an unstable long‐term option because they are an inadequate defence against compelling forces of corrosion and corruption. On present evidence, in a few hundred years the planet will be devoid of major natural areas, and the quality of human life will have been utterly compromised. A more honest admission that the natural world is an inalienable component of the human capacity to experience freedom (which is also a mental circumstance) would transform the way we treat the natural environment and hence the prospects for the long‐term survival of biological diversity.
Hemodynamic and Volume Changes during Hemodialysis
Authors: Lindsay Robert M. , Shulman Tanya , Prakash Suma , Nesrallah Gihad , Kiaii Mercedeh 
Published: June 2003

Background: Volume overload is a factor in the hypertension of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Fluid removal is therefore integral to the hemodialysis treatment. Fluid removal by hemodialysis ultrafiltration (UF) may cause intradialytic hypotension and leg cramps. Understanding blood pressure (BP) and volume changes during UF may eliminate intradialytic hypotension and cramps. Studies (S1, S2, and S3) were carried out to determine the amount and direction of changes in body fluid compartments following UF and to determine the relationships between BP, changes in blood volume (ΔBV), central blood volume (CBV), cardiac output (CO), peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) plus total body water (TBW), and intra‐ and extracellular fluid volumes (ICF, ECF) in both the whole body and body segments (arms, legs, trunk). Methods: Indicator dilution technology (Transonic) was used for CBV, CO, and PVR; hematocrit monitoring (Crit‐Line) was used for ΔBV segmental bioimpedance (Xitron) for TBW, ICF, and ECF. Results: S1 (n = 21) showed UF sufficient to cause ΔBV of −7% and lead to minor changes (same direction) in CBV and CO, and with cessation of UF, vascular refilling was preferential to CBV. S2 (n = 20) showed that predialysis HD patients are ECF‐expanded (ECF/ICF ratio = 0.96, controls = 0.74 [P < 0.0001]) and BP correlates with ECF (r = 0.47, P = 0.35). UF to cause ΔBV of −7% was associated with a decrease in ECF (P < 0.0001) and BP directly (r = 0.46, P = 0.04) plus ΔBV indirectly (r = −0.5, P = 0.024) correlated with PVR, while CBV and CO were maintained. S3 (n = 11) showed that following UF, total‐body ECF changes were correlated with leg ECF (r = 0.94) and arm ECF (r = 0.72) but not trunk ECF. Absolute ECF reduction was greatest from the legs. Conclusions: Predialysis ECF influences BP and UF reduces ΔBV and ECF, but CBV and BP are conserved by increasing PVR. ECF reduction is mainly from the legs, hence may cause cramps. Intradialytic hypotension is caused by failure of PVR response.
Detection of an early HIV‐1 infection by HIV RNA testing in an Italian blood donor during the preseroconversion window period
Authors: Aprili Giuseppe , Gandini Giorgio , Piccoli Pierluigi , Bressan Fausto , Gironcoli Marzia De , Mazzi Romualdo , Parisi Saverio G. , Gessoni Gianluca , Marchiori Giorgio , Franchini Massimo 
Published: June 2003

BACKGROUND: The implementation of NAT technologies for HIV screening has further reduced the diagnostic window in recent HIV infection. There is still a debate regarding the cost effectiveness of genomic screening of blood donations for transfusion‐transmitted viruses (HBV, HCV, HIV).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Since October 2001, at the Transfusion Service of Verona, single‐donation NAT testing for HCV and HIV‐1 (Procleix TMA HIV‐1/HCV Assay) of all blood donations has been performed.CASE REPORT: A case of acute HIV‐1 infection detected by HIV NAT in a repeat blood donor who donated during the preseroconversion window period is reported. All blood components donated were discarded, and the donor started antiretroviral therapy 2 weeks after blood donation. HIV‐1 p24 antigen was still negative 10 days after the HIV‐1 RNA‐positive blood donation. Seroconversion was documented by Day 41 after donation.CONCLUSION: This case report testifies that HIV NAT screening of blood donation is effective in preventing the transmission of HIV infection through blood components.
Vitamin K‐dependent coagulation factors and fibrinogen levels in FFP remain stable upon repeated freezing and thawing
Authors: Ben‐Tal Ofira , Zwang Ety , Eichel Roza , Badalbev Tanya , Hareuveni Mara 
Published: June 2003

BACKGROUND: FFP is considered adequate for transfusion up to 24 hours after thawing and is currently used most often to replace deficient clotting factors, such as in warfarin overdose. We set to examine the levels of vitamin K‐dependent factors (i.e., prothrombin, FVII, F IX, FX), as well as fibrinogen, upon twice freezing and thawing of FFP. If factor levels in refrozen FFP remain within normal limits, this component can possibly be transfused, thus avoiding wastage of precious blood components.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty units of FFP, five units of each blood group A, B, AB, and O, were thawed, and aliquots were taken for measurement of coagulation factors. The plasma units were then kept for 24 hours at 4°C, at which point a second aliquot was taken, The remaining FFP units were refrozen and kept at –80°C for 1 week. The above procedure was then repeated. Coagulation‐factor activity and fibrinogen level were measured by the coagulation analyzer.RESULTS: The mean levels of prothrombin, FVII, F IX, FX, and fibrinogen of each blood group (A, B, AB, and O) were calculated for each of four time points and found not statistically different (p > 0.05). Therefore, the rest of the analysis was done for all 20 FFP units as one group. The mean ± SD levels of each coagulation factor at each time point demonstrated that all levels were within normal limits of all factors measured and that for none of the factors was there a significant decay of activity.CONCLUSIONS: The levels of prothrombin, FVII, F IX, FX, and fibrinogen remain stable and adequate for transfusion in twice‐thawed‐and‐refrozen FFP. This component can be safely used for transfusion as a source of vitamin K‐dependent clotting factors and fibrinogen.
Course of low back pain among nurses: a longitudinal study across eight years
Authors: Maul I , Läubli T , Klipstein A , Krueger H 
Published: June 2003

Aims:To describe the course of low back pain (LBP) among nurses across eight years.Methods:A longitudinal study was performed with a follow up at 1 and 8 years among nurses employed by a large university hospital in Switzerland. A modified version of the Nordic Questionnaire was distributed to obtain information about demographic data, occupational activities, and various aspects of LBP. A clinical examination and several functional tests were used to overcome the problems associated with subjective pain reporting. Nurses having answered the questionnaire on all three occasions (n = 269) were classified into subgroups according to their pain intensity. For each subgroup the course of LBP was recorded.Results:LBP was highly prevalent with an annual prevalence varying from 73% to 76%. A large percentage (38%) indicated the same intensity of LBP on all three occasions. The proportion of nurses reporting repeated increase of LBP (19%) was approximately as large as the proportion who complained about repeated decrease of LBP (17%).Conclusion:It became evident that LBP poses a persistent problem among nurses. Over an eight year period almost half of the nurses indicated the same intensity of LBP, thus supporting a recurrent rather than a progressive nature of LBP.
Why Two Renormalization Groups are Better Than One
Authors: Stephens C. R. 
Published: June 2003

The advantages of using more than one renormalization group (RG) in problems with more than one important length scale are discussed. It is shown that: i) using different RG's can lead to complementary information, i.e. what is very difficult to calculate with an RG based on one flow parameter may be much more accesible using another; ii) using more than one RG requires less physical input in order to describe via RG methods the theory as a function of its parameters; iii) using more than one RG allows one to describe problems with more than one diverging length scale. The above points are illustrated concretely in the context of both particle physics and statistical physics using the techniques of environmentally friendly renormalization. Specifically, finite temperature λφ4 theory, an Ising-type system in a film geometry, an Ising-type system in a transverse magnetic field, the QCD coupling constant at finite temperature and the crossover between bulk and surface critical behavior in a semi-infinite system are considered.
The CERES S'COOL Project
Authors: Chambers Lin H. , Young David F. , Costulis P. Kay , Detweiler Pauline T. , Fischer Joyce D. , Sepulveda Roberto , Stoddard Douglas B. , Falcone Amanda 
Published: June 2003

In recent years, an education plan has been a required part of most proposals for new scientific research funding from NASA. Likewise, the National Science Foundation considers “integration of research and education” as one of its principal strategies. As a result, many scientists are seeking effective ways to incorporate education into their work. This article shares important lessons learned by one group of scientists embarking on outreach efforts. Experience with the Students' Cloud Observations On-line (S'COOL) Project, the educational outreach portion of the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) investigation, yields lessons that may help other scientists to develop useful outreach efforts.
CERES scientists developed S'COOL over a 15-month period, with direct involvement and feedback from teachers. S'COOL has continued to evolve, thanks to ongoing feedback from participants. As a result, the project has been quite successful, currently involving over 1400 registered participants in 61 countries around the world. Student reports of cloud conditions help scientists verify their cloud property retrieval algorithms and allow students to obtain and analyze real scientific data. A number of educational materials, including an extensive multilingual Web site, have been developed to help teachers and students understand the research questions and the challenges of working with global remote-sensing datasets.
Changes in the interfacial properties of PC/SAN blends with compatibilizer
Authors: Kim J. H. , Kim C. K. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractBlock copolymers of polycarbonate‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PC‐b‐PMMA) and tetramethyl poly(carbonate)‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (TMPC‐b‐PMMA) were examined as compatibilizers for blends of polycarbonate (PC) with styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer. To explore the effects of block copolymers on the compatibility of PC/SAN blends, the average diameter of the dispersed particles in the blend was measured with an image analyzer, and the interfacial properties of the blends were analyzed with an imbedded fiber retraction (IFR) technique and an asymmetric double cantilever beam fracture test. The average diameter of dispersed particles and interfacial tension of the PC/SAN blends were reduced by adding compatibilizer to the PC/SAN blends. Fracture toughness of the blends was also improved by enhancing interfacial adhesion with compatibilizer. TMPC‐b‐PMMA copolymer was more effective than PC‐b‐PMMA copolymer as a compatibilizer for the PC/SAN blends. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2649–2656, 2003