bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adefovir dipivoxil added to ongoing lamivudine therapy in patients with lamivudine‐resistant hepatitis B e antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Vassiliadis T. , Nikolaidis N. , Giouleme O. , Tziomalos K. , Grammatikos N. , Patsiaoura K. , Zezos P. , Gkisakis D. , Theodoropoulos K. , Katsinelos P. , Orfanou‐Koumerkeridou E. , Eugenidis N. 
Published: March 2005

SummaryBackground : Long‐term treatment with lamivudine is required to control viral replication in patients with hepatitis B e antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B, but is associated with a high rate of viral resistance. The role of adefovir dipivoxil in these patients has not been definitively evaluated.Aim : To address the role of adefovir in the management of patients with lamivudine‐resistant hepatitis B e antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B.Methods : Patients were assigned to receive adefovir 10 mg once daily plus ongoing lamivudine 100 mg once daily for 52 weeks. The primary end point was reduction in serum hepatitis B virus DNA level (hepatitis B virus DNA response). Secondary end points included the proportion of patients with undetectable hepatitis B virus DNA at week 52 (complete virological response) and the percentage of patients with normalization of alanine transferase level at week 52 (biochemical response).Results : A total of 49 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. After 52 weeks of treatment, all patients had an hepatitis B virus DNA response and 57.1% had complete virological response. Biochemical response occurred in 75.6% of patients.Conclusions : Administration of adefovir in patients with lamivudine‐resistant chronic hepatitis B results in significant suppression of viral replication. Nevertheless, continuous therapy will probably be needed in order to maintain remission in these patients.
The Asian Tsunami disaster, December 2004
Authors: Waltham Tony 
Published: March 2005

The tragic scenes of human suffering in the wake of the Asian tsunami in late December 2004 have thrown into sharp relief the Earth's destructive power (Fig. 1). Caused by a tectonic event off the coast of Sumatra, it could be described as a very large earthquake, an unusual tsunami and a massive disaster. Or, with a longer view, it could be considered a normal feature of a convergent plate boundary. Both views are correct.Mass destruction after the tsunami hit the village on the sand bar at Phi Phi Island, Thailand, with unscathed limestone hills behind (Rex Features).image
Difference in root canal length between Asians and Caucasians
Authors: Kim E. , Fallahrastegar A. , Hur Y.‐Y. , Jung I.‐Y. , Kim S. , Lee S.‐J. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAim  To investigate whether there is a racial difference in canal length between the Asians and Caucasians.Methodology  Five hundred and fifteen Asian patients who had received root canal treatment at the Yonsei University Hospital, Korea between 1995 and May 2001 and 324 Caucasoid patients who had received root canal treatment at the Graduate Endodontic Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania, US were selected. The clinical endodontic procedures at both clinics were similar. An electronic apex locator (Root‐ZXTM; J. Morita Co., Kyoto, Japan) was used to measure the initial working lengths and this was verified by conventional radiography. The measurements from both Asian and Caucasian teeth were compared using a Student's t‐test and a Mann–Whitney test.Results  The mean difference in canal length of pooled teeth between the Asian and Caucasian teeth was 1.2 mm, with a range from 0 to 2.5 mm. The greatest difference was in the distobuccal canal (2.5 mm) of maxillary first molar teeth followed by the mesiolingual canal (2.3 mm) of mandibular second molar, the buccal canal (2.1 mm) of the maxillary second premolar, the maxillary first molar and the mandibular second molar.Conclusion  Tooth lengths in Asians were shorter than Caucasians.
Influence of the pulpal components on human dentine permeability in vitro
Authors: Puapichartdumrong P. , Ikeda H. , Suda H. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAim  To examine the influence of the retained pulpal components on permeability of human dentine by monitoring drug diffusion.Methodology  Twelve intact dentine discs were prepared from freshly extracted human third molars. The dentine surface on the enamel side was etched with 10% polyacrylic acid for 30 s. The drug diffusion test was carried out before and after removal of the retained pulpal components. Each dentine disc was inserted between two plastic chambers; enamel‐ and pulpal‐side chambers, which were filled with 0.05 mol L−1 naproxen sodium (NA) and phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), respectively. After 10 min, the solution on the pulpal‐side chamber was collected to determine the concentration of NA using a spectrophotometer. To remove the retained pulpal components and residual NA, the pulp chamber of each disc was washed out with PBS and placed in an ultrasonic cleaner. After removal of these components and the residual NA, the drug diffusion test was repeated. The inner surface of the pulp chamber was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after the removal of the retained pulpal components.Results  The amount of NA that diffused through dentine into the pulp was significantly higher after the pulp chamber was washed out with PBS (paired t‐test, P < 0.05). SEM observation demonstrated the presence of the retained pulpal components, odontoblastic layer and some parts of subodontoblastic zone, covering the surface of predentine. These components were removed after the pulp chamber was washed out with PBS followed by cleaning in an ultrasonic cleaner.Conclusions  The presence of retained pulpal components had a significant influence on drug diffusion through dentine discs.
Frequency and type of canal isthmuses in first molars detected by endoscopic inspection during periradicular surgery
Authors: Von Arx T. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAim  To analyse the occurrence of canal isthmuses in molars following root‐end resection.Methodology  The material consisted of 56 mandibular and 32 maxillary first molars subjected to periradicular surgery. Based on radiographic, clinical, as well as intraoperative status, only roots with associated pathological lesions were treated. In total, 124 roots were resected (80 mandibular and 44 maxillary molar roots). The cut root faces were inspected with a rigid endoscope following apical root‐end resection. The number of canals as well as the presence and type of canal isthmuses were recorded.Results  In maxillary first molars, 76% of resected mesio‐buccal roots had two canals and an isthmus, 10% had two canals but no isthmus, and 14% had a single canal. All disto‐buccal and palatal roots had one canal. In mandibular first molars, 83% of mesial roots had two canals with an isthmus. In 11%, two canals but no isthmus were present, and 6% demonstrated a single canal. Sixty‐four per cent of distal roots had a single canal and 36% had two canals with an isthmus.Conclusions  This clinical study during periradicular surgery and intraoperative endoscopic examination of first permanent molars found a high frequency of canal isthmuses at the resection level. Endoscopic inspection also demonstrated that none of the isthmuses were filled, emphasizing the difficulty of orthograde instrumentation and root filling of canal isthmuses.
Prevalence of persistent pain after endodontic treatment and factors affecting its occurrence in cases with complete radiographic healing
Authors: Polycarpou N. , Ng Y.‐L. , Canavan D. , Moles D. R. , Gulabivala K. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAims  To (i) determine the prevalence of persistent dento‐alveolar pain following nonsurgical and/or surgical endodontic treatment conducted in a teaching dental hospital and (ii) identify the risk factors associated with persistent pain after apparently successful root canal treatment.Study design  A total of 175 patients/teeth were reviewed 12–59 months following treatment. The patients were examined clinically and radiographically and a detailed pain history obtained. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between potential risk factors and persistent pain after successful endodontic treatment.Results  The prevalence of persistent pain after successful root canal treatment was 12% (21/175). Treatment success was determined by the absence of clinical and radiographic signs of dental disease. The factors that were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with persistent pain following endodontic treatment were: ‘duration of preoperative pain’ [odds ratio (OR) = 8.6], ‘preoperative pain from the tooth’ (OR = 7.8), ‘preoperative tenderness to percussion’ (OR = 7.8), ‘previous chronic pain problems’ (OR = 4.5), ‘gender’ (OR = 4.5) and ‘history of painful treatment in the orofacial region’ (OR = 3.8). ‘Type of treatment received (surgical or nonsurgical treatment)’ showed borderline significance at the 10% level.Conclusions  The presence and duration of preoperative pain from the tooth site, lasting at least 3 months, a positive history of previous chronic pain experience or painful treatment in the orofacial region, and female gender were important risk factors associated with persistent pain after successful endodontic treatment.
Outcome of root canal treatment using Thermafil and cold lateral condensation filling techniques
Authors: Chu C. H. , Lo E. C. M. , Cheung G. S. P. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAim  To evaluate the outcome of root canal treatment (RCT) using either Thermafil (TF) or lateral condensation (LC) as filling technique, and to compare the time required for the treatment when either filling technique was used.Methodology  This study involved all patients attending the dental clinic of a university in Hong Kong who required primary, nonsurgical RCT. It was a prospective clinical trial involving 85 teeth in 79 patients aged 15–69 years (mean 48 ± 12 years), which required root treatment and finally filling with either TF or LC by one of four dentists following a standard treatment protocol. The time used for the entire course of treatment was recorded. The treated teeth were examined both clinically and radiographically 3 years after the treatment by a single examiner who did not know their group assignment.Results  A total of 85 teeth from 79 patients were included in this study and 71 teeth from 64 patients were examined after 3 years. Thirty‐four teeth were root filled with LC and 37 with TF. The overall attrition rate was 16% (14/85). There were 22 incisors and canines, 21 premolars and 28 molars for evaluation. Post‐treatment disease with clinical symptoms and/or radiographic radiolucency was observed in seven teeth (21%) of the LC group and in seven teeth (19%) in the TF group. There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) for the presence of disease between the two groups. It was found that irrespective of the filling method used, teeth later restored with extracoronal restorations had a lower association with disease than those receiving intracoronal restorations (7% vs. 30%; P = 0.037). RCT took, on average, 20 min less when TF was used for filling compared with LC (98 min vs. 78 min, P = 0.003).Conclusions  Using TF or LC in the filling of root canals did not result in significant difference in the clinical treatment outcome. TF consumed significantly less time than LC. The type of postendodontic restoration had a significant association with the presence of post‐treatment disease.
CSF iron, ferritin and transferrin levels in restless legs syndrome
Authors: MIZUNO SOICHI , MIHARA TAKUMI , MIYAOKA TSUYOSHI , INAGAKI TAKUZI , HORIGUCHI JUN 
Published: March 2005

SummaryThe aim of this study is evaluating iron, ferritin, and transferrin in both serum and CSF in patients of restless legs syndrome (RLS), based on the hypothesis that iron deficiency in the central nervous system (CNS) causes the symptoms as a result of the dysfunction of dopaminergic systems. These parameters, polysomnographic sleep measures, and subjective evaluation of the sleep quality were compared in 10 patients of idiopathic RLS (RLS group) and 10 age‐matched patients of psychophysiological insomnia without RLS symptoms (non‐RLS group). With sleep patterns, sleep latency was longer and sleep efficiency was lower in the RLS group than those in the non‐RLS group. Periodic leg movement index in the RLS group was higher than that of the non‐RLS group. With serum examination, there were no significant differences for the iron, ferritin, and transferrin values between the both groups. With CSF examination, the iron and ferritin values were lower and the transferrin values were higher in the RLS group than those in the non‐RLS group. There was positive correlation between the serum and CSF ferritin levels in the both groups, but the slope of the regression lines for the RLS group was lower than that for the non‐RLS group. These results indicate low brain iron concentration caused by the dysfunction of iron transportation from serum to CNS in patients with idiopathic RLS.
Chronic insomnia and performance in a 24‐h constant routine study
Authors: VARKEVISSER MICHAEL , KERKHOF GERARD A. 
Published: March 2005

SummaryInsomniacs report daytime functioning problems, but studies of neurobehavioral functioning in insomniacs have shown little objective evidence of impairment. In addition, very little is known about the influence of the circadian clock on performance in chronic insomniacs. In the present study, we investigated whether chronic insomnia is associated with an overall performance deficit, and what the effect is of circadian rhythmicity, under strictly controlled laboratory conditions. A 24‐h experiment was carried out under constant routine conditions. Psychomotor performance, body temperature, and subjective functioning of 11 insomniacs and 13 healthy subjects were assessed. The insomniacs showed significant overall performance impairments in vigilance, working memory, and motor control. In addition, body temperature, performance and subjective functioning showed a circadian pattern similar to healthy subjects, with trough values in the late night/early morning and peak values in the early evening. Self‐reported functioning among the insomniacs indicated mood disturbances, concentration problems, elevated fatigue and elevated sleepiness. The results indicated that chronic insomnia is associated with a substantial lowering of the 24‐h level of performance and subjective functioning, irrespective of the type of task and/or the particular parameter, and without differential effects of circadian rhythmicity. Apparently, chronic insomnia has a negative impact upon performance as measured under strictly controlled, unmasked conditions.
The scoring of arousals in healthy term infants (between the ages of 1 and 6 months)
Authors:   THE INTERNATIONAL PAEDIATRIC WORK GROUP ON AROUSALS
Published: March 2005

SummaryVarious definitions of arousals have been used in infants. An international group of experts has worked on a consensus for the scoring of arousals in healthy infants, aged between 1 and 6 months. This opinion paper summarizes the consensus statement on the scoring of arousal. The paper reviews recommended techniques for the recording of arousal in infants. Scoring includes the differentiation between subcortical activation, with no visible change n the electroencephalograph (EEG) recording, and cortical arousals associated with EEG changes. The arousals are further scored as spontaneous or induced, according to environmental conditions. Potential limitations to the method are discussed, with the hope that this document could contribute to promote further progresses in the scoring of infants arousals from sleep.
Endocrinological and catecholaminergic alterations during sleep deprivation and recovery in male rats
Authors: ANDERSEN MONICA L. , MARTINS PAULO J. F. , D'ALMEIDA VÂNIA , BIGNOTTO MAGDA , TUFIK SERGIO 
Published: March 2005

SummarySince previous data of our group showed increased concentrations in HPA axis hormones in sleep deprived rats, we hypothesized that this augmentation could produce effects in other hormonal systems, particularly in the sexual system. Considering that little is known about how the hormonal system changes during the recovery period after sleep deprivation (SD), our objective was to examine from what point SD alters sexual and stress‐related hormones along with plasma catecholamine concentrations during 4 days. We also sought to verify the time course of their recovery after an equivalent period of recovery sleep. Rats were deprived of sleep by the platform technique for 1–4 days and were allowed to recover for the same period. Plasma catecholamines [dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NOR)], testosterone, estrone, progesterone, prolactin, corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations were measured. Comparisons between groups showed that the SD procedure used in the present study produced marked alterations in almost all studied hormones from 24 h of SD, except for estrone and prolactin (which required 96 h of SD to become altered). Testosterone and estrone decreased, whereas progesterone, prolactin, corticosterone, ACTH, DA and NOR increased. During recovery period, progesterone, prolactin and corticosterone concentrations returned to control levels, whereas testosterone, estrone, NOR and DA did not. In addition, after 48 h of recovery ACTH and NOR decreased below control concentrations, remaining low until 96 h of sleep recovery. Thus, SD showed long lasting, differential effects upon these neurochemicals suggesting that each has its own pattern of responses to SD as well as variable periods of recovery.
Circadian activity rhythm in demented and non‐demented nursing‐home residents measured by telemetric actigraphy
Authors: PAAVILAINEN PAULA , KORHONEN ILKKA , LÖTJÖNEN JYRKI , CLUITMANS LUC , JYLHÄ MARJA , SÄRELÄ ANTTI , PARTINEN MARKKU 
Published: March 2005

SummaryThere is a need to develop unobtrusive methods for long‐term monitoring of sleep/wake and circadian activity patterns in the elderly both in nursing homes and at home settings as sleep is important for health and well‐being. The IST Vivago® WristCare is an active social alarm system, which provides continuous telemetric monitoring of the user's activity. We examined how the activity signal measured by IST Vivago differed between demented and non‐demented subjects living in a nursing home, and how it correlated with the subjective assessment of sleep quality and daytime alertness. The activity signal data together with subjective assessments of sleep quality and daytime vigilance were collected from 42 volunteers (aged 56–97 years; 23 demented and 19 non‐demented) for at least 10 days. The demented subjects had lower daytime activity and higher nocturnal activity than the non‐demented subjects. Correlations between the activity parameters and self‐assessments were weak but statistically significant. We also found correlation between functional ability and diurnal activity. The results are in line with previous studies with demented and non‐demented elderly subjects and suggest that the IST Vivago system provides a valid instrument for unobtrusive continuous long‐term monitoring of the circadian rhythm and sleep/wake patterns in the elderly.
Sleep apnea‐related cognitive deficits and intelligence: an implication of cognitive reserve theory
Authors: ALCHANATIS MANOS , ZIAS NIKOLAOS , DELIGIORGIS NIKOLAOS , AMFILOCHIOU ANASTASIA , DIONELLIS GIORGOS , ORPHANIDOU DORA 
Published: March 2005

SummaryCognitive deficits in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are well demonstrated, but the pathophysiology of these deficits is still controversial, as the relationship between OSA severity and cognitive deficits is usually weak. Our study considers the possible relationship between OSA‐related cognitive deficits and the overall intellectual function of OSA patients. Forty‐seven OSA patients and 36 normal individuals underwent a neuropsychological battery test assessing attention and alertness. According to the resulting IQ score, patients and controls were divided into a high‐intelligence group (IQ ≥ 90th percentile) and a normal‐intelligence group (50 ≤ IQ < 90%ile). Between the two patient groups there were no significant differences noticed, regarding OSA severity or sleepiness. High‐intelligence patients showed the same attention/alertness performance compared with the high‐intelligence controls. On the contrary, patients with normal‐intelligence showed attention/alertness decline compared with the normal‐intelligence control group. The two patient groups were re‐examined with the same battery test after at least 1 year of CPAP treatment. At re‐examination neither patient group showed any differences regarding attention and alertness compared with the control groups. We assume that high‐intelligence may have a protective effect against OSA‐related cognitive decline, perhaps due to increased cognitive reserve.
Fatigue‐related impairment in the speed, accuracy and variability of psychomotor performance: comparison with blood alcohol levels
Authors: MARUFF PAUL , FALLETI MARINA G. , COLLIE ALEX , DARBY DAVID , MCSTEPHEN MICHAEL 
Published: March 2005

SummaryCognitive performance is impaired by fatigue arising from sustained wakefulness and alcohol. Three recent papers directly compared the effects of increasing fatigue and blood alcohol concentration (%BAC) to provide a framework for understanding fatigue‐related cognitive impairment. While the expression of fatigue‐related cognitive impairments in terms of %BAC equivalents is sound, the methodology in each study was flawed in that the statistics used to compare the effects of %BAC and fatigue on cognition did not account for variation between or within each condition. The point estimates of the difference between a baseline and any level of fatigue or %BAC provided no indication of the size of difference that could reasonably be expected by chance. Importantly, all studies showed that variation increased as cognitive performance declined because of both increasing fatigue and %BAC. The current study compared the effect of increasing levels of %BAC and fatigue on the simple reaction task from the CogState test battery on 40 healthy adults using statistical methods that account for intra‐individual and within‐group variability in performance. After 24 h of sustained wakefulness and with 0.08%BAC, individuals showed maximal cognitive impairment; however, the magnitude of impairment found for fatigue was equivalent only to that observed for 0.05%BAC. Re‐analysis of the data using percentage change scores indicated that the magnitude of fatigue‐related cognitive impairment was much greater than that detected for 0.08%BAC. This suggests that previous studies that have not accounted for variability in the performance data have overestimated the effect of fatigue on cognitive performance.