bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
5 Ocular Changes in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Pavlović D , Vatavuk Z , Vrabec R , Čala S , Sesar A , Ratković‐Gusić I , Mandić Z 
Published: February 2005

Chronic renal failure is characterized by numerous disorders that involve many organs. In dialysis patients, some disorders could be the consequence of the dialysis treatment per se. The aim of our study was to evaluate the ocular changes in hemodialysis patients.In 64 patients undergoing hemodialysis (30 female and 34 male), aged 24–83 years (mean 58 years) and on hemodialysis 1–213 months (mean 47 months), complete ocular examination was performed: visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), biomicroscopic examination, and fundoscopy. All patients were on hemodialysis 3 times a week, for 4 hours; bicarbonate dialysate was used with 1.5 mmol/L Ca concentration. Most of the patients were on calcitriol therapy and calcium carbonate were used as phosphate binders. Heparin was used during hemodialysis in all patients in a dose up to 4000 i.u. Visual acuity was impaired in 84% of patients; mean IOP was 15 mmHg (right eye) and 14 mmHg (left eye) (normal vale 11–20 mmHg). Thirty‐nine patients (60%) have cataracts, 6 of them were operated. Hypertensive vascular changes were seen in 44 (68%) patients and in 6 patients age related macular degeneration was observed. Diabetic nonprolipherative or prolipherative changes were seen in 5 of 7 diabetic patients. In 3 patients, argon laser coagulopathy was performed. Ocular calcifications were found in 14 patients. No correlation of ocular calcification and parathyroid hormone PTH level or calcium–phosphate product was observed.Patients with CRF or who are receiving dialysis represent a unique group of patients. Pathologic changes could be found in many organs; therefore, we suggest more frequent complete ocular examination in dialysis patients.
8 Mixed Uremic Osteodystrophy – a Predominant Form of Renal Bone Disease in Slovenia
Authors: Legan M , Benedik M , Kovač D , Cör A 
Published: February 2005

Objectives   To find out which form of renal osteodistrophy is predominant in our population of patients with end‐stage renal failure. To elucidate the reasons of abnormal mineralization in mixed uremic osteodystrophy and low‐turnover osteodystrophy.Design and methods  Ninety‐three consecutive patients (58 males and 35 females, mean age 50.6 ± 12.2 years) with end‐stage renal failure underwent iliac bone biopsy (after double tetracycline labeling). Histomorphologic as well as histomorphometric analyses were performed in bone tissue sections stained by Goldner, toluidin, Pearls’ blue, tiophlavin, Alumininon, and fluorescence.Results   Thirty‐eight (40.9%) of our patients had mixed renal bone disease, predominant hyperparathyroid bone disease was found in 31 (33.3%) patients, and low‐turnover osteodystrophy in 24 patients (25.8%). The deposits of aluminum on mineralization front were found in 10.8%, amyloid in 35.9%, and iron in 6.5%. The defective mineralization in patients with mixed and low‐turnover forms of the disease was present in 22 patients due to amyloid, in 7 patients due to aluminum deposits, in 1 to iron deposits, whereas in 6 patients the reason was the combination of 2 factors: amyloid and iron (3 patients), aluminum and iron (1 patient), amyloid and aluminum (2 patients). In 26 patients, defective mineralization was unknown (the bone sections were free of aluminum, iron and amyloid).Conclusions In the Slovenian population of end‐stage renal failure patients, the predominant form of renal bone disease is mixed renal osteodystrophy. The most important reason for defective mineralization is amyloid deposits on the mineralization front.
Predoctoral Implant Education in U.S. Dental Schools
Authors: Lim Marie Valentine C. , Afsharzand Zahra , Rashedi Behnoush , Petropoulos Vicki C. 
Published: February 2005

Purpose:
In 2002, a survey of American dental schools was conducted to determine the curricular structure, teaching philosophies, and materials used in predoctoral implant dentistry courses.
Materials and Methods:
The questionnaire was mailed to the predoctoral implant dentistry director/chairperson of 54 U.S. dental schools. Of these, 38 schools returned the completed survey resulting in a response rate of 70%.
Results:
Eighty‐four percent of the respondents indicated that an implant dentistry course is part of their school's requirements. Seventy percent indicated that this course is offered by either the Restorative or Prosthodontics Department in the third year of the predoctoral dental curriculum. For 75% of the schools, the duration of the course ranged from 3 to 6 months (mean of 5.5 months), 57% reported offering between 11 and 20 lecture hours (mean of 20.4 hours), and less than half of the schools (41%) have prosthodontists teaching the predoctoral implant dentistry course. In 78% of the schools, a laboratory course is offered in conjunction with the implant course. The majority of the schools (88%) allow predoctoral students to restore implant cases clinically. Seventy‐three percent require some of the implant‐related laboratory work to be completed by the students and the single‐tooth implant restoration is the most popular type of implant restoration for 78% of the schools.
Conclusions:
Predoctoral implant dentistry educational programs vary from school to school, yet a large percentage of schools agree on certain topics.
Flexural Strengths of Denture Base Resin Repaired with Autopolymerizing Resin and Reinforcements After Thermocycle Stressing
Authors: Minami Hiroyuki , Suzuki Shiro , Kurashige Hisanori , Minesaki Yoshito , Tanaka Takuo 
Published: February 2005

Purpose: Fracture of an acrylic denture base is a common problem in prosthodontic practice. Although various reinforcement methods have been used, when a fractured denture base is repaired with autopolymerizing resin recurrent fractures frequently occur at the repairing interface or adjacent areas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the maximum flexural load of denture base resin repaired with autopolymerizing resin and several reinforcement systems after thermocycle stressing.
Materials and Methods:
Rectangular (10 × 70 × 3 mm) flexural specimens were fabricated by repairing a pair of heat‐cured denture base resin specimens using autopolymerizing resin and a series of reinforcement materials. The materials included 4 metal wires and a woven glass fiber. Each reinforcement was embedded in the center of the specimens. Flexural specimens repaired without reinforcement were prepared as controls. Specimens were subjected to 50,000 thermocycles (4∼60°C, 1‐minute dwell time). A 3‐point flexural test was carried out by loading the center of the repaired site at 5 mm/minute crosshead speed with 50 mm span jig supports. The load necessary to cause fracture was recorded for each specimen. All data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and the Bonferroni/Dunn test (α < 0.05).
Results: The average load to fracture of specimens repaired with nonreinforced autopolymerizing resin was 68.4 N after 50,000 thermocycles. Specimens reinforced with 1.2 mm diameter stainless steel wire exhibited the highest value (89.8 N). The value for specimens reinforced with 1.2 mm diameter Co–Cr–Ni wire was 86.6 N. These fracture loads were significantly higher than those for specimens without reinforcement (p < 0.05). Low elasticity reinforcement, such as pure titanium wires, woven metal wire, and woven glass fiber were not effective in increasing the load to fracture values of flexural specimens.
Conclusions: Specimens reinforced with 1.2 mm diameter stainless steel wires or Co–Cr–Ni wires resulted in significantly higher loads to fracture as compared to specimens without reinforcement. The use of pure titanium wire, woven metal wire, and woven glass fiber did not improve the fracture loads.
Modulation of extracellular matrix synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity of periodontal ligament cells by mechanical stress
Authors: Ozaki S. , Kaneko S. , Podyma‐Inoue K. A. , Yanagishita M. , Soma K. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Loss of occlusal function has been reported to induce atrophic changes in the periodontal ligament. It is likely that mechanical stress triggers the biological response of periodontal ligament. However, there have been few reports studying the correlation between mechanical stress of varying magnitude and periodontal ligament cell activities such as extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis.Objective:  The objective of this study is to clarify the influence of the mechanical stress on changes in mRNA expression levels of type I collagen and decorin genes, as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in response to mechanical stress of varying magnitude.Methods:  Bovine periodontal ligament cells were cultured on flexible‐bottomed culture plates and placed on the BioFlex Loading Stations™. Cells were elongated at 6 cycles/min (5 s on and 5 s off) at each of six levels of stretch (0.2, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 10, 18% increase in the surface area of the bottom) for 48 h. We measured mRNA expression levels of type I collagen and decorin genes using quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), and ALP activity in periodontal ligament cell culture under cyclic mechanical stretching.Results:  Mechanical tensional stress of low magnitude induced the increase of both type I collagen and decorin mRNA expression without changing ALP activity in periodontal ligament cells. Mechanical tensional stress of high magnitude induced the increase of type I collagen and decorin mRNA expression while decreasing ALP activity.Conclusion:  These results suggest that different magnitude of tensional force induces different responses from periodontal ligament cells, and that mechanical stress plays an important role in remodeling and functional regulation of periodontal ligament.
Stimulation of growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis by cell extracts from Tannerella forsythia
Authors: Yoneda Masahiro , Yoshikane Toru , Motooka Noriko , Yamada Kazuhiko , Hisama Kazuhiro , Naito Toru , Okada Ichizo , Yoshinaga Masaharu , Hidaka Keitaro , Imaizumi Koichi , Maeda Katsumasa , Hirofuji Takao 
Published: February 2005

Objective:  In order to examine if Tannerella forsythia stimulates the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis, an in vitro study was performed.Background:  P. gingivalis and T. forsythia are often isolated simultaneously from active periodontitis sites, indicating that these bacteria somewhat interact in the periodontal environment. We reported previously that mixed infection of P. gingivalis and T. forsythia synergistically induced lesion formation in a murine abscess model, and gingipains of P. gingivalis played an important role in this synergism. One of the possible mechanisms of this synergism is growth promotion by coinfection of the two bacteria.Methods:  Cell extracts of T. forsythia were added to the nutrition‐decreased medium and the promotion of growth of P. gingivalis was examined.Results:  Sonicated extract of T. forsythia stimulated growth of P. gingivalis in nutrition‐decreased medium in a dose‐dependent manner. Proteins appeared to be the nature of growth‐promoting factor, and the cell extract of T. forsythia had no stimulating effect on the growth of P. gingivalis strain devoid of gingipain activities.Conclusion:  A product or a component of T. forsythia seemed to stimulate growth of P. gingivalis under nutrition‐limited conditions. Gingipains are considered to play an important role in digestion or uptake of this growth‐promoting factor. The interaction between T. forsythia and P. gingivalis in growth may be in part related with the synergistic virulence in a murine model.
Parotid secretory protein is expressed and inducible in human gingival keratinocytes
Authors: Shiba Hideki , Venkatesh S. G. , Gorr Sven‐Ulrik , Barbieri Germán , Kurihara Hidemi , Kinane Denis F. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Parotid secretory protein (PSP) is a major salivary protein that is thought to possess both antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory activity. A major question is whether PSP expression can be regulated by humoral factors and bacteria. Periodontitis is an inflammatory lesion initiated by interaction between gingival keratinocytes and periodontopathogenic microorganisms such as the Gram‐negative anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis. Cytokines and sex hormones have been implicated in the progression of various forms of periodontal diseases.Materials and methods:  We investigated the expression of PSP and its regulation in primary cultures of human gingival keratinocytes (HGK). HGK at the third or fourth passage were exposed to heat‐killed P. gingivalis, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and 17β‐estradiol. The PSP mRNA levels were examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The protein expression of PSP was confirmed by immunofluorescence.Results:  Heat‐killed P. gingivalis, TNF‐α and 17β‐estradiol all resulted in increased HGK levels of mRNA for PSP as determined by real‐time PCR analysis. Immunofluorescence demonstrated increased PSP localized within the cytoplasm of HGK following exposure to killed P. gingivalis.Conclusion:  The present study has demonstrated for the first time that PSP is expressed in keratinocytes and that it can be up‐regulated by bacteria and humoral factors. Thus PSP may have a role in the innate defense system at the gingival epithelial surface.
Effectiveness of scaling and root planing versus modified Widman flap on nitric oxide synthase and arginase activity in patients with chronic periodontitis
Authors: Güllü Cigdem , Ozmeric Nurdan , Tokman Benay , Elgün Serenay , Balos Köksal 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from the conversion of l‐arginine to l‐citrulline by NO synthase (NOS). Arginase, which is an arginine‐depleting enzyme, can compete with NOS for the common substrate l‐arginine and thus inhibit NO production.Objectives:  In the present study, we aimed to examine the correlation between the arginase and NOS activity in patients with chronic periodontitis and to compare the effects of scaling and root planing and modified Widman flap procedures on enzyme activity.Material and methods:  The study included 13 patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. Using a split‐mouth design, the defects showing ≥ 7 mm of attachment loss were treated either with scaling and root planing or with modified Widman flap. Gingival biopsies from both sites were obtained at baseline and 2 months after periodontal treatment. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for evaluating NOS expression and specific arginase activity was determined spectrophotometrically.Results:  Although inflamed periodontal tissues demonstrated a strong inducible NOS (iNOS) expression at baseline, immunostaining decreased after periodontal treatment. iNOS expression intensity and the number of inflammatory cells showing iNOS expression were found to be higher in the scaling and root planing group compared to the modified Widman flap group. The specific activity of arginase was measured as 0.18 ± 0.07 IU/mg protein in the modified Widman flap group and 0.25 ± 0.11 IU/mg protein in the scaling and root planing group at baseline. After periodontal therapy, the enzyme level was increased to 0.68 ± 0.14 IU/mg protein in the modified Widman flap and to 1.10 ± 0.23 IU/mg protein in the scaling and root planing group.Conclusion:  This study was the first report of evaluating the involvement of the arginine–NO pathway in chronic periodontitis and this might be considered to be of value in understanding the periodontal disease mechanisms.
Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α in the Placenta is not Elevated in Pre‐eclamptic Patients Despite its Elevation in Peripheral Blood
Authors: Hayashi Masatoshi , Ueda Yoshihiko , Yamaguchi Takehiko , Sohma Ryoichi , Shibazaki Mitsuei , Ohkura Takeyoshi , Inaba Noriyuki 
Published: February 2005

Problem:  Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) is present in human placental and uterine cells at the early and late stages of gestation and promotes the regulation of trophoblast growth and invasion. We evaluated whether TNF‐α levels in the placenta and blood of pre‐eclamptic women differed from those with normal pregnancies.Method of study:  The subjects were 39 pregnant women carrying single fetuses (21 normal‐pregnant and 18 pre‐eclamptic patients). Their average gestational age at entry was 38–39 weeks. Peripheral blood was collected before the onset of labor and separated serum was stored at −20°C. A tissue segment of the placenta was cut and frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately after delivery at −80°C. The frozen placental tissue was added to phosphate‐buffered saline. The tissue was fully homogenized and centrifuged. Separated supernatant was stored at −80°C. TNF‐α levels in separated serum and TNF‐α and total protein (TP) levels in separated supernatant were measured. The presence of TNF‐α in the placenta was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in five pre‐eclamptic and five normal‐pregnant patients.Results:  Serum TNF‐α levels were higher in pre‐eclampsia than in normal pregnancies. However, TNF‐α/TP levels in the placenta did not differ significantly between the two groups. As for TNF‐α immunostaining of trophoblastic cells in the placenta, it was weak in three and moderate in two of the normal pregnancies, while it was absent in two, weak in one, and moderate in two in the pre‐eclampsia group.Conclusions:  We demonstrated no significant increase in TNF‐α/TP levels in the placenta in pre‐eclampsia despite a significant increase in serum TNF‐α levels. There was no strong immunostaining for TNF‐α detected by immunohistochemistry in the pre‐eclampsia group. These findings suggest that TNF‐α in the placenta is not a key cytokine to interfere with normal trophoblast invasion into the myometrium in pre‐eclampsia, and that sources other than the placenta may contribute to the elevated levels of TNF‐α found in the circulation of pre‐eclamptic patients.
Increase of Activated Mast Cells in Human Endometriosis
Authors: Sugamata Masao , Ihara Tomomi , Uchiide Ichiro 
Published: February 2005

Problem:  The proliferation of stromal cells in endometriosis promotes extensive adhesion; therefore, the morphological analysis of stromal lesions is important in the investigation of the pathogenesis of endometriosis.Method of Study:  In this study, the morphological and numeric comparisons of degranulated mast cells were performed between endometriotic lesions and comparative regions (eutopic endometrium and normal uterine serosa) of patients with and without endometriosis.Results:  In cases of endometriosis, diffuse infiltration of numerous mast cells was observed throughout the stromal lesions. These mast cells exhibited degranulation, and scattered granules were also observed. In the eutopic endometrium and normal uterine serosa of both the endometriosis patients and the controls, mast cells were rarely detected.Conclusions:  These results suggest that an abnormal immune response, specifically a hypersensitivity reaction, is strongly related to endometriosis; our findings will be helpful in the development of methods for the treatment of endometriosis.
Preconception Peripheral Natural Killer Cell Activity as a Predictor of Pregnancy Outcome in Patients with Unexplained Infertility
Authors: Matsubayashi Hidehiko , Shida Masako , Kondo Akane , Suzuki Takahiro , Sugi Toshitaka , Izumi Shun‐Ichiro , Hosaka Takashi , Makino Tsunehisa 
Published: February 2005

Problem:  Preconception high peripheral natural killer (NK) cell activity in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion can predict subsequent miscarriages. We have examined prospectively, for the first time, the pregnancy rate in patients with unexplained infertility by measuring the peripheral NK activity.Method of study:  We tested the peripheral NK activity of 94 infertile women who despite treatment were unable to conceive for 6 or more months (mean; 2.4 years). Peripheral NK activity was measured by a chromium‐51 release cytotoxicity assay. Women were followed for 2 years and assessed.Results:  In 77 patients who were followed for 2 years, 28 had conceived but 49 did not. The peripheral NK activity of the group that became pregnant (mean ± S.D.; 34.5 ± 13.8%) was significantly lower than that of non‐conception group (42.3 ± 13.3%, P = 0.017).Conclusions:  Our finding suggests that elevated peripheral NK activity in patients with unexplained infertility is a risk factor for attaining pregnancy success.
Antiproliferative Actions of Ovine Uterine Serpin
Authors: Tekin Şaban , Padua Maria B. , Brad Amber M. , Hansen Peter J. 
Published: February 2005

Problem:  Ovine uterine serpin (OvUS) is a member of the serine proteinase inhibitor superfamily and is the major protein produced by luminal and glandular epithelium of the sheep endometrium during mid to late pregnancy. The protein does not have prototypical proteinase inhibitory activity but can inhibit a wide variety of lymphocyte functions such as mitogen‐induced proliferation and natural killer cell cytotoxicity.Method of study:  The antiproliferative actions of OvUS were studied.Results:  It was demonstrated that, in addition to inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation, OvUS inhibits growth of two tumor cell lines (D17 and PC‐3). The protein also interrupts development of pre‐implantation embryos. Inhibition of cell proliferation is not universal, however, as OvUS did not inhibit growth of two non‐tumorigenic cell lines (MDBK and BEND). The mechanism of action of inhibitory effects of OvUS is not known although experiments with inhibitors of protein kinase A indicate that the protein does not inhibit lymphocyte proliferation through this pathway. Moreover, the protein does not induce apoptosis.Conclusions:  The finding that OvUS has antiproliferative activity is demonstrative of the wide range of functions exerted by members of the serpin superfamily. The antiproliferative property of OvUS may reflect the role of the protein during pregnancy and may be exploitable for design of new antiproliferative drugs.
QUALITY, SENSORY AND COST COMPARISON FOR pH REDUCTION OF SYRAH WINE USING ION EXCHANGE OR TARTARIC ACID1
Authors: WALKER TERESA , MORRIS JUSTIN , THRELFALL RENEE , MAIN GARY 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT The pH reduction treatments (nonadjusted control, two resins in column systems, three membranes in a prototype electrochemical ion‐exchange unit, and tartaric acid addition) were evaluated on Syrah (Vitis vinifera) wine. Wine was analyzed after 6 months at 21C. Treatments lowered wine pH from 4.24 to 3.48, improved color attributes and raised titratable acidity, but lowered total phenolics and potassium levels. A descriptive sensory panel identified and evaluated purple color, aroma (berry, grape kool‐aid, dried fruit, spicy, barnyard/leather and smoky) and flavor (dried fruit, earthy, sourness/acidity and astringency) attributes of Syrah wine. The panel noticed more differences between the nonadjusted control and the pH reduction treatments rather than within the pH reduction treatments. A costing model of the treatments showed that tartaric acid addition for adjusting pH was more economical than ion‐exchange systems. Tartaric acid adjustment did not enhance the wine's color attributes as well as the ion‐exchange treatments. Although use of ion‐exchange systems are more costly than tartaric acid addition, ion exchange could be used to maintain or improve premium wine quality.