bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation into biofilms in a local drinking water distribution system
Authors: Hu J. Y. , Yu B. , Feng Y. Y. , Tan X. L. , Ong S. L. , Ng W. J. , Hoe W. C. 
Published: May 2005

Biofilm growth within a water distribution system could lead to operational problems such as pipe corrosion, water quality deterioration and other undesirable impacts in water distribution systems. With the high ambient temperatures experienced in Singapore, the operating environment in water distribution systems is expected to be more conducive to biofilm development. We have recently conducted a survey on biofilms potentially present in a local water distribution system.The survey results indicated that residual chlorine (±standard deviation) decreased from 1.49±0.61 mg/l (water plant outlets) to 0.82±0.21 mg/l (block pipes) or 0.18±0.06 mg/l (unit pipes), respectively. Consumed chlorine, instead of residual chlorine, was found to be correlated with biofilm bacterial population. Assimilable organic carbon (AOC) level was 160±66 μg acetate C/l, and AOC:PO4-P:NO3-N was about 8:13:1. Carbon source seemed to be the limiting nutrient for bacterial growth. The concentration of iron increased from <0.04 mg/l (water plant outlets) to 0.22±0.10 mg/l (all sites). All samples showed negative results in a coliform test. The average heterotrophic plate count (HPC) for the suspended bacteria was 20 colony-forming units (c.f.u.)/ml (2 days, 35 °C) or 290 c.f.u./ml (8 days, 35 °C). The average HPC for the biofilm bacteria was 6500 c.f.u./cm2 (2 days, 35 °C) or 29000 c.f.u./cm2 (8 days, 35 °C). High HPC values in samples B2a, B2b and B3a (representing biofilm samples at site 2 from block/unit pipes and biofilm samples at site 3 from block pipes, respectively) illustrated that the relevant sample sites had a higher probaboility of biofilm growth.
Increased Intensity of Anticoagulation May Reduce Risk of Thrombus During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Procedures in Patients with Spontaneous Echo Contrast
Authors: REN JIAN‐FANG , MARCHLINSKI FRANCIS E. , CALLANS DAVID J. , GERSTENFELD EDWARD P. , DIXIT SANJAY , LIN DAVID , NAYAK HEMAL M. , HSIA HENRY H. 
Published: May 2005

Introducton:A 10% incidence of left atrial (LA) thrombus formation has been detected using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) imaging monitoring during LA ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to determine if the intensity of anticoagulation reduces LA thrombus formation during pulmonary vein isolation procedure in patients with AF and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC). Methods and Results:We studied 511 patients (age 56 ± 10 years) undergoing pulmonary vein ostial isolation/ablation using radiofrequency energy. SEC was detected in 179 of 511 patients with ICE imaging before dual transseptal catheterization. All patients were anticoagulated with heparin to achieve activated clotting time (ACT) 250–300 seconds (group I) or >300 seconds (group II) confirmed at 30‐minute intervals. SEC was detected in 49/294 (16.7%) patients in group I versus 130/217 (59.9%) in group II (P < 0.0001). LA thrombus was observed in 33/294 (11.2%) patients in group I versus 6/217 (2.8%) in group II (P < 0.05). For those patients with SEC, LA thrombus was observed in 22/49 (44.9%) in group I versus 2/61 (4.6%) in group II (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in age, number of unsuccessful drugs, persistent AF, left ventricular ejection fraction, and LA diameter between the two groups. No clinical embolic event was observed with withdrawal of LA thrombus to the RA. Conclusion:ICE‐diagnosed SEC before transseptal catheterization identifies an increased risk of LA thrombus. Increased intensity of heparin anticoagulation (ACT >300 seconds) during LA ablation for AF may prevent LA thrombus formation especially in patients with SEC.
Pressures generated in vitro during Stabident intraosseous injections
Authors: Whitworth J. M. , Ramlee R. A. M. , Meechan J. G. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractAim  To test the hypothesis that the Stabident intraosseous injection is a potentially high‐pressure technique, which carries serious risks of anaesthetic cartridge failure.Methodology  A standard Astra dental syringe was modified to measure the internal pressure of local anaesthetic cartridges during injection. Intra‐cartridge pressures were measured at 1 s intervals during slow (approximately 15 s) and rapid (<10 s) injections of 2% Xylocaine with 1 : 80 000 adrenaline (0.25 cartridge volumes) into air (no tissue resistance), or into freshly prepared Stabident perforation sites in the anterior mandible of freshly culled young and old sheep (against tissue resistance). Each injection was repeated 10 times over 3 days. Absolute maximum pressures generated by each category of injection, mean pressures at 1 s intervals in each series of injections, and standard deviations were calculated. Curves of mean maximum intra‐cartridge pressure development with time were plotted for slow and rapid injections, and one‐way anova (P < 0.05) conducted to determine significant differences between categories of injection.Results  Pressures created when injecting into air were less than those needed to inject into tissue (P < 0.001). Fast injection produced greater intra‐cartridge pressures than slow delivery (P < 0.05). Injection pressures rose more quickly and to higher levels in small, young sheep mandibles than in larger, old sheep mandibles. The absolute maximum intra‐cartridge pressure developed during the study was 3.31 MPa which is less than that needed to fracture glass cartridges.Conclusions  Stabident intraosseous injection conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions does not present a serious risk of dangerous pressure build‐up in local anaesthetic cartridges.
Collagenase‐3 (MMP‐13) is expressed in periapical lesions: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Leonardi R. , Caltabiano R. , Loreto C. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractAim  To determine whether or not matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP‐13) is present in periapical granulomas with and without epithelium.Methodology  Seventeen open periapical granulomas of pulpal origin (seven lesions without epithelium and 10 with proliferating epithelium) were fixed in formalin and then embedded in paraffin prior to being processed for immunohistochemical analysis. A monoclonal antibody against human MMP‐13 was used to evaluate MMP‐13 expression. Immunocomplexes were subsequently treated with the secondary antibody and then detected by means of streptavidin peroxidase. Immunoreactivity was visualized by development with 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine.Results  An immunopositive cytoplasmatic reaction for MMP‐13 was observed in all the specimens, although the immunostaining by anti‐MMP‐13 antibody was heterogeneous and its levels varied according to histopathological findings. In periapical lesions without epithelium MMP‐13 immunolabelling was detected in a few fibroblast‐like cells, and in some plasma cells within the granulomatous tissue. A clear upregulation of MMP‐13 expression was detected in periapical lesions with epithelium, especially in small island and thin strands of epithelium.Conclusions  The expression pattern of MMP‐13 demonstrates that it is involved in the conversion of a periapical granuloma with epithelium into a radicular cyst. This property is related to the ability of MMP‐13 to influence not only the migration of epithelial cell but also the invasion of granulomatous tissue.
The sealing ability of an epoxy resin root canal sealer after Nd:YAG laser irradiation of the root canal
Authors: Depraet F. J. H. W. , De Bruyne M. A. A. , De Moor R. J. G. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractAim  To evaluate ex vivo the effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation with and without black ink on instrumented root canal walls, and the degree of both coronal and apical microleakage of filled root canals.Methodology  Seventy‐two single‐rooted teeth were instrumented up to a size 40 K‐file, and then divided into six groups of 10 teeth: groups 1 and 4 remained unlased and acted as control groups, groups 2 and 5 were treated with a Nd:YAG laser (Fidelis Plus, Herzele, Belgium), groups 3 and 6 were treated with a laser and black ink; the remaining 12 teeth served as positive and negative controls. The laser was operated at 1.5 W, 15 Hz, four times for 5 s with a 20‐s interval. Groups 4–6 were filled using cold lateral condensation of gutta‐percha and AH26. After storage in water for 48 h at 37 °C, through‐and‐through leakage (L in μL day−1) was measured for 48 h under a pressure of 1.2 atm using a fluid transport model and recorded as L = 0 (L1), 0 < L ≤ 10 (L2), L > 10 (L3). After the assessment of leakage with the fluid transport model, the teeth were immersed in rhodamine B solution for 48 h at 37 °C. Apical and coronal dye leakage was scored after longitudinal splitting of these teeth. All teeth of groups 1–3 were split longitudinally and observed under SEM for evaluation of remaining smear layer.Results  Through‐and‐through leakage was only observed in the group lased with black ink (two samples – L2). Apical and coronal dye leakage was observed in all groups; there were no statistically significant differences amongst the three experimental groups. The through‐and‐through leakage, measured with the fluid transport model in two teeth of group 6, was confirmed in the dye leakage test (rhodamine B dye was observed along the total length of the root filling). There was evidence of melted and ablated root canal dentine in the laser‐treated groups. These findings were more obvious in root canals lased in association with black ink. All apical foramina in the lased group remained patent.Conclusions  Nd:YAG laser irradiation with black ink increased the amount of melted and ablated dentine areas compared with that without black ink. Nd:YAG lasing in association with black ink did not result in a reduction of either coronal or apical microleakage in root filled teeth.
SEM analysis of the integrity of resected root apices of cadaver and extracted teeth after ultrasonic root‐end preparation at different intensities
Authors: De Bruyne M. A. A. , De Moor R. J. G. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractAim  To compare the integrity of root apices of cadaver and extracted teeth after resection, ultrasonic root‐end cavity preparation at medium and low ultrasonic power settings and retrieval.Methodology  Root canal treatment, perpendicular root‐end resection and root‐end preparation were performed on single‐rooted anterior and premolar teeth (49 teeth in situ in maxillary and mandibular jaws from cadavers and 45 extracted teeth). Apical root‐end cavities were prepared with the S12/90°D tip and the Suni‐Max ultrasonic unit (Satelec, Merignac, France) at the intensity prescribed by the manufacturer (power 7 at power mode S) (34 cadaver teeth, 30 extracted teeth) and at a lower intensity (power 4 at power mode S) (15 cadaver teeth, 15 extracted teeth). After ultrasonic preparation the cadaver teeth were retrieved from the jaws. Exaflex impressions (GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) were made of the root apices after resection, root‐end preparation and retrieval. These impressions were processed for SEM analysis, and the recordings evaluated for cracks and marginal chipping.Results  In general, extracted teeth showed significantly more cracks and chipping than cadaver teeth. Lowering the ultrasonic power from medium to low intensity resulted in equal scores for cracks on extracted teeth and for chipping on cadaver teeth, in higher scores for cracks on cadavers and in lower scores for chipping on extracted teeth. Complete cracks and cracks originating from the root surface occurred only in extracted teeth.Conclusions  The number of cracks and degree of chipping caused by ultrasonic root‐end preparation was higher on extracted teeth than on cadaver teeth. Lowering the ultrasonic power from medium to low intensity cannot be recommended as it resulted in more cracks and equal chipping on cadaver teeth. Investigation of techniques and materials should be conducted in situ and not on extracted teeth.
Work stress and physical assault of nursing aides in rural nursing homes with and without dementia special care units
Authors: MORGAN D. G. , STEWART N. J. , D’ARCY C. , FORBES D. , LAWSON J. 
Published: May 2005

Purpose:  This study compared nursing aides (NAs) employed in rural nursing homes with and without dementia special care units (SCUs) on (1) exposure to and distress from disruptive behaviours exhibited by residents, (2) job strain and (3) physical assault.Design and methods:  The data were drawn from a larger study conducted in Saskatchewan, Canada, in which all rural nursing homes of ≤ 100 beds that had an SCU were matched to same‐sized rural facilities with no SCU. Nursing aides (n = 355) completed a mailed survey questionnaire.Results:  Nursing aides employed in nursing homes with an SCU reported significantly less frequent exposure to disruptive behaviours (including aggressive and aversive behaviours) than NAs in non‐SCU facilities, less distress when these behaviours were directed toward them, less exposure to aggressive behaviour during caregiving, lower job demands and lower job strain. There was a trend toward increased risk of being assaulted in the last year associated with being in a non‐SCU facility. Having a permanent position, increased job strain, and feeling inadequately prepared for dementia care were significantly associated with higher risk of being assaulted. In the SCU facilities, NAs who worked more time on the SCU reported more assaults but less distress from disruptive behaviour, lower psychological job demands, lower job strain and greater work autonomy.Implications:  Providing more dementia care training and reducing job demands and job strain may help to reduce work‐related stress and physical assault of nursing aides employed in nursing homes.
Increased Expression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19 kDa Lipoprotein Obliterates the Protective Efficacy of BCG by Polarizing Host Immune Responses to the Th2 Subtype
Authors: Rao V. , Dhar N. , Shakila H. , Singh R. , Khera A. , Jain R. , Naseema M. , Paramasivan C. N. , Narayanan P. R. , Ramanathan V. D. , Tyagi A. K. 
Published: May 2005

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis can not only neutralize immune effector functions, but also has the ability to modulate host‐signalling cascades involved in the development of these responses. The 19 kDa antigen (Rv3763), a lipoprotein of M. tuberculosis, elicits high levels of interleukin (IL)‐12 from macrophages in addition to its powerful immunomodulatory properties, leading to suppression of antigen‐presentation signalling cascades. The present study was aimed at analysing the effect of overexpression of this antigen on the immunostimulatory properties of M. bovis Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG). We have constructed a recombinant BCG strain (rBCG19N) producing higher levels of the 19 kDa antigen in both the cytoplasmic (approximately eightfold) and extracellular (approximately fivefold) fractions as compared to the wildtype BCG. Immunization of mice with rBCG19N elicited high levels of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and relatively low levels of IL‐10 against the purified 19 kDa antigen. However, in response to total BCG sonicate, mice immunized with rBCG19N produced significantly high levels of IL‐10 with relatively very low levels of IFN‐γ. This polarization of the host immune responses towards T‐helper 2 subtype resulted in complete abrogation of the protective efficacy of BCG, when rBCG19N was used as a live vaccine against M. tuberculosis challenge in guinea pigs.
Quantification of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases 2 in Plasma from Healthy Donors and Cancer Patients
Authors: Larsen M. B. , Stephens R. W. , Brünner N. , Nielsen H. J. , Engelholm L. H. , Christensen I. J. , Stetler‐Stevenson W. G. , Høyer‐Hansen G. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractTissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)‐2 is a highly conserved molecule, which binds both active and latent matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2. TIMP‐2 is also involved in the activation of MMP‐2 on the cell surface. A quantitative enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established and optimized for measurement of TIMP‐2 in plasma. The capturing antibody in the ELISA was a monoclonal, while the detecting antibody was a chicken polyclonal antibody recognizing the native form of human TIMP‐2. The levels of TIMP‐2 were measured in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citrate plasma from healthy donors. The median values were determined as 163 ng/ml (n = 186) with a range of 109–253 ng/ml for EDTA plasma and 139 ng/ml (n = 77) with a range of 95–223 ng/ml for citrate plasma. The TIMP‐2 concentration in citrate plasma from 15 patients with advanced, stage IV breast cancer had a median value of 160 ng/ml, only slightly higher but statistically distinguishable from the level found in citrate plasma from the healthy donors. In addition, the TIMP‐2 concentration in EDTA plasma from colorectal cancer patients revealed a significantly higher level in plasma from patients with Dukes stage A (P = 0.01) compared with patients with more advanced Dukes stages.
Inhibitory Effects of Anti‐Oxidants on Apoptosis of a Human Polyclonal T‐Cell Line, MT‐2, Induced by an Asbestos, Chrysotile‐A
Authors: Hyodoh F. , Takata‐Tomokuni A. , Miura Y. , Sakaguchi H. , Hatayama T. , Hatada S. , Katsuyama H. , Matsuo Y. , Otsuki T. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractTo clarify the effects of silica and silicates on cellular features of lymphocytes, a human T‐lymphotropic virus type‐1‐immortalized polyclonal T‐cell line, MT‐2, was exposed to various concentrations of chrysotile‐A, an asbestos classified as silicate. MT‐2 cells underwent apoptosis in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The mitochondrial apoptotic pathway was activated during chrysotile‐A‐induced apoptosis of MT‐2 cells, because of the phosphorylation of JNK and p38, increase of BAX and release of cytochrome‐c from mitochondria to cytoplasma. In addition, anti‐oxidants such as hydroxyl‐radical excluders and capturers of superoxide and inhibitors of superoxide production effectively reduced the size of the apoptotic fraction in MT‐2 cells cultured with chrysotile‐A. These results indicate that the activation of reactive oxygen species may play a central role in asbestos‐induced T‐cell apoptosis, and anti‐oxidants may help to prevent complications of pneumoconiosis.
Identification and Molecular Characterization of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus Isolated from Camels (Camelus dromedarius) and Camel Milk in Kenya and Somalia
Authors: Younan M. , Estoepangestie A. T. S. , Cengiz M. , Alber J. , El‐Sayed A. , Lämmler C. 
Published: May 2005

SummarySeventeen Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus strains isolated from camels and camel milk in Kenya and Somalia were identified by their cultural characteristics, by biochemical and serological reactions with the help of commercial identification systems and by molecular studies using a multiplex PCR. The isolates were further characterized by a PCR‐mediated detection of size polymorphisms in the 16S–23S rDNA intergenic spacer region and the virulence gene szp and by amplification of the virulence gene cne. These molecular analysis are potentially useful in identifying and characterizing S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus strains of this origin and could possibly be valuable in epidemiological investigations.
Molecular Typing of Mycobacterium bovis Isolates from South‐east Brazil by Spoligotyping and RFLP
Authors: Zanini M. S. , Moreira E. C. , Salas C. E. , Lopes M. T. P. , Barouni A. S. , Roxo E. , Telles M. A. , Zumarraga M. J. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryThe identification of 163 strains of Mycobacterium bovis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microbiological tests was carried out on 252 tuberculous‐like lesions (TLLs) collected from slaughtered cattle in south‐east Brazil. This study compared the usefulness of three genotyping techniques, IS6110‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), polymorphic guanine‐cytosine‐rich sequence (PGRS)‐RFLP and direct repeat (DR)‐spoligotyping, as applied to M. bovis isolates. Based on IS6110‐RFLP genotyping we selected a group of 23 isolates containing more than one IS6110 copy, along with 16 samples containing one IS6110 copy from different geographical areas, evenly distributed among dairy (eight) and beef cattle (eight). These selected isolates were analysed by PGRS‐RFLP and DR‐spoligotyping genotyping. Dairy cattle (17%) display a higher frequency of multiple IS6110 copies than beef cattle (10%). A comparison between the genotype data obtained fails to show a correlation between the main clusters found by the three techniques. However, the clustering of each genotyping procedure revealed that the majority of strains are closely related. The RFLP‐PGRS patterns showed a sizable group (20.5%) containing a 5.5 kb fragment and the predominant spoligotype is similar to that from the BCG vaccine strain. Unexpectedly, four strains (2.4%) showed drug resistance to 0.2 μg/ml isoniazid and 20 μg/ml ethionamide, but none of them was resistant to rifampicin or other antibiotics tested.
Higher rate and earlier peritonitis in Aboriginal patients compared to non‐Aboriginal patients with end‐stage renal failure maintained on peritoneal dialysis in Australia: Analysis of ANZDATA
Authors: LIM WAI H , JOHNSON DAVID W , MCDONALD STEPHEN P 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARYBackground:  Aboriginal patients maintained on peritoneal dialysis (PD) have a higher rate of technique failure than any other racial group in Australia. Peritonitis accounts for the bulk of these technique  failures,  but  it  is  uncertain  whether  the  increased  risk  of  peritonitis  in  Aboriginal  patients was independent of associated comorbid conditions, such as diabetes mellitus.Methods:  Using data collected by the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA), peritonitis rates and time to first peritonitis were compared between Aboriginal (n = 238) and non‐Aboriginal patients (n = 2924) commencing PD in Australia between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2003.Results:  Aboriginal PD patients were younger, and had a higher incidence of diabetes than their non‐Aboriginal counterparts. Mean peritonitis rates were significantly higher among Aboriginal (1.15 episodes/year; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.28) than non‐Aboriginal patients (0.60 episodes/year; 95% CI: 0.57–0.62, P < 0.05). Using multivariate negative binomial regression, independent predictors of higher peritonitis rates include Aboriginal racial origin (adjusted odds ratio 1.78; 95% CI: 1.45–2.19), obesity, age and absence of a recorded dialysate : plasma creatinine ratio (D/P creatinine) measurement. Aboriginal racial origin was also associated with a shorter median time to first peritonitis (9.9 vs 19.3 months, P < 0.05), which remained statistically significant in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model (adjusted hazard ratio 1.76; 95% CI: 1.47–2.11, P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Aboriginal and obese PD patients have a higher rate of peritonitis and a shorter time to first peritonitis, independent of demographic and comorbid factors. Further investigation of the causes of increased peritonitis risk in Aboriginal patients is needed.