bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Light‐independent thermoluminescence from thylakoids of greening barley leaves. Evidence for involvement of oxygen radicals and free chlorophyll
Authors: Marder Jonathan B. , Droppa Magdolna , Casp Varda , Raskin Victor I. , Horváth Gábor 
Published: March 2003

A study was conducted to identify biophysical markers which change in response to changing chlorophyll organization during plant development. When heated to around 70°C in the dark, barley thylakoids emit red thermoluminescence (TL). This is a pure chemiluminescence signal and distinct from the lower‐temperature TL bands of thylakoids that are seen only with preillumination. The development of the light‐independent, 70°C TL band was investigated following transfer of dark‐grown barley leaves to the light. Because of the rapidly increasing chlorophyll content of the plastid membrane, the TL signal was normalized against either chlorophyll or tissue mass of the starting material. In either case, the extent of the TL signal reached a maximum in the early hours of greening and then declined. The drop in signal over 20 h was approximately 50% for TL per unit tissue mass, and well over 90% for TL per unit chlorophyll. Exposure of plastid membrane samples to hydrogen peroxide for several minutes caused a large increase in light‐independent TL, while addition of ascorbate caused substantial quenching.The fluorescence profiles of dark‐grown barley leaves were recorded following transfer to the light. Basal fluorescence (F0) reaches a substantial level after just seconds of illumination. Over the next few hours, F0 increases only slightly and then starts to decline. The decline in F0 is correlated with an increase in variable fluorescence (Fv) which indicates the appearance of active photosystem II. It is concluded that the early peak in F0 reflects a state in which the leaves contain a maximum amount of disorganized chlorophyll.Considering the TL and fluorescence data together, we propose the following: When chlorophyll first appears in the system, it is not properly assembled into the complexes that offer photochemical or non‐photochemical quenching of the excited state. Thus, fluorescence and parallel chlorophyll triplet formation are prevalent. The triplets cause generation of active oxygen resulting in lipid peroxidation and/or other radical‐generating processes. When the membranes are heated, increased interaction of the radicals with chlorophyll generates chemiluminescence. We thus conclude that light‐independent thermoluminescence is a marker for actual damage arising from poor chlorophyll organization and propose that this parameter might be usefully applied for assessing stress effects.
Cryptococcal meningitis in renal transplant patients associated with environmental exposure
Authors: Kapoor A. , Flechner S.M. , O’Malley K. , Paolone D. , File, Jr. T.M. , Cutrona A.F. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract:Fungal infections in renal transplant recipients are less common than bacterial infections; however, the morbidity from fungal infections is high. There is limited information in the literature concerning post‐transplantation cryptococcal infection due to environmental exposure of patients living in high‐risk areas. We report three patients who were diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis after kidney transplantation. Cryptococcal titers prior to transplant surgery were negative in all three patients. These patients all lived in rural areas and demonstrated evidence of environmental exposure leading to subsequent cryptococcal meningitis. All patients had exposure to pigeon and chicken excreta and, after treatment, two patients are alive and well with excellent allograft function. The third patient has marginal renal function but is currently not on dialysis. Early diagnosis is essential for salvage from these potentially lethal infections. Intense headache was a prominent feature in the clinical presentation of our patients, and should signal the need for early sampling and culture of spinal fluid. Meningismus was not present in any of our patients, even when other systemic symptoms were identified. We recommend a high index of suspicion post‐transplantation for all patients who may have environmental or occupational exposure to cryptococcus. If infection is detected quickly and treatment instituted promptly, patient recovery and allograft survival are possible. Long‐term therapy with fluconazole, a non‐nephrotoxic agent, should permit eradication of the infection with preservation of kidney function.
Mesiodistal size of deciduous teeth in subjects with unilateral cleft lip and palate
Authors: Jaksˇić N , Sˇćepan I , Glisˇić B , Stamenic E , Stamenković Z 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate whether there was an association between presence of a cleft and reduced size of deciduous tooth on the cleft side. In this investigation, 58 study models of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate with deciduous dentition were analyzed. The largest mesiodistal dimension of deciduous teeth was measured by a sliding caliper. The size of the same teeth on the side of the cleft and on the non‐cleft side was compared. The results of the investigation were statistically analyzed. A difference between the genders was found. In the sample of boys the lateral deciduous incisor and the second deciduous molars on the cleft side were smaller than those on the non‐cleft side, while in girls the central and lateral deciduous incisors were smaller on the cleft side than on the non‐cleft side. It was concluded that the presence of a unilateral cleft lip and palate was associated with smaller tooth size.
Deciduous tooth crown size and asymmetry in strabismic children
Authors: Heikkinen T , Alvesalo L , Tienari J 
Published: March 2003

Structured Abstract
Authors –
Heikkinen T, Alvesalo L, Tienari J
Objectives –
To explore deciduous tooth crown dimensions in strabismic children and the relationship between the type of strabismus and tooth crown mesio‐distal (M‐D) and labio‐lingual (L‐L) size asymmetries.
Material –
Dental casts at mixed dentition of 2159 Collaborative Perinatal Study black and white children were measured, 123 of them strabismic at 1 year of age, age ranging from 6 to 12 years.
Methods– Directional and fluctuating asymmetries in antimeric teeth were explored in various types of strabismus having unilateral, bilateral or alternating expression. ANOVA and T‐square test were used for size comparisons and calculated asymmetries were explored by comparing the variances and Pearson correlations.
Results –
Strabismus was associated with significant M‐D size increase of deciduous maxillary canines in black boys and white girls, black girls had size reduction in their mandibular canine, but white boys were unaffected. Right side size dominance was found in the strabismic children in the lower second deciduous molar M‐D dimensions and in the children with alternating strabismus in their upper deciduous canine M‐D dimensions. Children with unilateral strabismus had random fluctuating dental asymmetry in their upper deciduous second molar L‐L dimensions when compared with healthy normals. Higher left‐right correlations were found in lower second deciduous molar dimensions in strabismic girls when compared with that in controls and in strabismic boys, suggesting better developmental canalization in female.
Conclusions –
Asymmetries in the head area, such as promoted here in strabismic children, may have associations with asymmetries in the dentition, focusing the embryonal origins and timing of developmental processes.
The potential use of saliva to detect recurrence of disease in women with breast carcinoma
Authors: Bigler Lenora R. , Streckfus Charles F. , Copeland Lynn , Burns Rebecca , Dai Xiaoli , Kuhn Melinda , Martin Patricia , Bigler Steven A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:  Approximately 1 woman in every 10 will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. It has been shown that screening for breast cancer can reduce breast cancer mortality. The use of a saliva‐based test could prove to be very useful in post‐operative and/or adjunctive therapy management of breast cancer patients.Methods:  The following study was undertaken to establish the possible usefulness of the salivary protein product of the oncogene c‐erbB‐2 in following patients diagnosed with carcinoma of the breast. Included in this study were 25 patients with a mean age of 54 years with varying histological diagnoses and stages of carcinoma of the breast. ELISA assays for c‐erbB‐2 and CA 15–3 were performed on serum and stimulated whole saliva samples collected on all patients prior to any adjunct therapy or surgery and sequentially during therapy.Results:  The results of the GLM analyses using marker concentration as the dependent variable and treatment regimen and the serial assessments as independent variables yielded a significant overall model for both the serum (P < 0.007) and salivary (P < 0.017) c‐erbB‐2 markers. The model for serum c‐erbB‐2, however, exhibited a significant difference for treatment regimen (P < 0.001) with the chemotherapy and radiation treatment regimen being significantly different (P < 0.001) from the other treatment therapies. Time (serial assessments) was not significant. The model for the salivary c‐erbB‐2 marker was reversed. Treatment regimen was not significant for this model; however, time (serial assessments) was significant (P < 0.002). The serum and salivary CA 15–3 marker models yielded no significant results. Paired t‐test analyses indicated that only the salivary c‐erbB‐2 concentrations exhibited a significant difference between the pre‐ and post‐therapy values (t = 4.245, P < 0.0001). Additionally, salivary c‐erbB‐2 displayed greater percent reductions across all therapies as compared to the other markers.Conclusions:  This preliminary study appears to indicate that c‐erbB‐2 protein expression in saliva may be a very useful diagnostic tool for measuring patient response to chemotherapy and/or surgical treatment of their disease.
No developmental failure of cultured tooth germs from osteopetrotic (op/op) mice
Authors: Ida‐Yonemochi Hiroko , Saku Takashi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:  Incisor tooth germs of osteopetrotic (op/op) mice are known to fail to erupt, but form odontomas in their root apices instead, due to invasion of alveolar bone trabeculae into the tooth germs. The purpose of this study is to determine if the tooth developmental failures in op/op mice are intrinsic or secondarily arise as a result of the defective bone metabolism due to lack of macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF).Methods:  We isolated mandibular first molar tooth germs from normal and op/op mice and cultured them under conditions with or without bone tissues which had been formed around tooth germs.Results:  Tooth germs from normal mice, cultured for a week, showed almost the same developmental features as those of mice with the corresponding age. They were surrounded with dental follicular tissues and were never invaded by bone trabeculae. On the other hand, op/op tooth germs cultured in the presence of bone components were invaded by alveolar bone trabeculae around tooth germs in the same manner as shown in vivo. When cultured without bone, they developed without any interruptions.Conclusions:  These findings indicated that op/op tooth germs had potential for normal development and that their abnormal development was a secondary phenomenon caused by lack of bone remodeling in the early phase of odontogenesis.
Uncommon dermoid cyst presented in the mandible possibly originating from embryonic epithelial remnants
Authors: Komiyama Kazuo , Miki Yukako , Oda Yasuyuki , Tachibana Tshihito , Okaue Masahiro , Tanaka Hiroshi , Moro Itaru 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA case of an intraosseous dermoid cyst that had developed in the mandible of a 29‐year‐old‐male is reported. The patient was admitted to our dental clinic complaining of pain in the right molar area of the mandible. The patient had no particular history of the present illness. A radiographic examination revealed diffuse bone absorption in the right molar area. A biopsy showed the lesion to be an intraosseous dermoid cyst which was surgically enucleated. Microscopic examination of the excised tissue showed it to be well circumscribed with fibrous tissues, and the cystic space lined by keratinized epithelium. In addition, sweat glands and hair follicle‐like skin appendages were identified in the cystic wall, where a daughter cyst was also found. We suggested that this uncommon cyst had developed in the mandible, as a result of embryonic epithelium migration. The patient remained in good health during the three year follow‐up.
The retinoic acid receptor‐β (RAR‐β) mRNA expression in the oral squamous cell carcinoma associated with betel quid use
Authors: Kao Shou‐Yen , Tu Hsi‐Feng , Chang Kuo‐Wei , Chang Che‐Shoa , Yang Cheng‐Chei , Lin Shu‐Chun 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:  Within the abundant retinoids nuclear receptors, abnormally low expression of the RAR‐β has been shown to contribute to neoplastic progression in oral epithelium in western countries. Distinctly different risk factors contributing to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in epidemiologically different societies denote the value of exploring the role of RAR‐β expression in OSCC associated with betel quid (BQ) use in our society.Methods:  We examined the cellular expression of RAR‐β using in situ hybridization (ISH) analysis on 38 pairs of surgical specimens of primary OSCC and non‐cancerous matched tissues (NCMT) to correlate with their clinico‐pathological features including age, sites of tumor, habit of BQ use, stage, size of primary tumor, lymph node metastasis, differentiation.Results:  Of all cases analyzed, BQ users were significantly younger than non‐BQ users (51.2 ± 2.1 vs. 60.2 ± 2.6, P= 0.01). 52% OSCC of BQ users (13/25) and 23% OSCC of non‐BQ users (3/13) exhibited the absence of RAR‐β expression. In 17 paired‐samples from buccal mucosa (BM), most NCMT and less than half of OSCC exhibited RAR‐β expression (16/17, 94% vs. 8/17, 47%, P= 0.003). The RAR‐β expression was seen in the vast majority of the well‐differentiated OSCC and in less than half of the moderately differentiated OSCC only (15/20, 75% vs. 7/18, 39%, P= 0.03).Conclusion:  A correlation between the loss of RAR‐β expression and more advanced histopathological grade tumors was observed. This study also suggests that the loss of RAR‐β expression is significant in BM OSCC, which preferentially occurs in BQ users.
Proliferation and differentation markers in snuff‐induced oral mucosal lesions
Authors: Merne Marina , Heinaro Ilkka , Lähteenoja Hannu , Syrjänen Stina 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background: Regular use of snuff is known to cause whitish oral mucosal lesions of variable severity at the usual quid placement site. The main aim of this study was to elucidate cellular mechanisms involved in snuff‐induced epithelial changes. Methods: Expression patterns for markers of cell proliferation (PCNA, Ki‐67), cell cycle regulation (p53, p21), keratin changes (pankeratin, CK18, CK19), cell stress (HSP 70) and collagen type IV in 14 snuff‐induced oral mucosal lesions and 12 control samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: On light microscopy, all snuff‐induced lesions were characterized by a hyperkeratinized and thickened epithelium. Some vacuolized cells, markers of cell degeneration, were frequently seen (in 9/14 of the samples) in the superficial layers in epithelia. Expression of PCNA and Ki‐67 was found in a statistically significantly fewer cells in snuff‐induced lesions (P < 0.001) than in the controls. This indicates that epithelia in snuff‐induced lesions are not thickened as a result of increased cellular proliferation, but by protracted turnover of differentiating cells. Of cell cycle markers, p21 was found be up‐regulated in 4/14 snuff‐induced lesions, probably by p53‐independent pathways. Only two snuff‐induced lesions showed p53 positivity. However, the number of stained cells with p53 and p21 was not statistically different from that in controls. Expression of CK18, but not any alterations in CK19 expression, was seen in 5 of 14 snuff‐induced lesions. Snuff also seems to stimulate the expression of collagen type IV, possibly by basal cells, as indicated by the thickened staining of the basal lamina. Conclusions: The findings of this study showing suppressed cellular proliferation and infrequent p53 dysfunction in snuff lesions may partly explain why dysplastic changes are seldom seen in mucosal lesions induced by the Scandinavian type of snuff.
The increase in the frequency of MICA gene A6 allele in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chung‐Ji Liu , Yann‐Jinn Lee , Hsin‐Fu Liu , Ching‐Wen Dang , Che‐Shoa Chang , Yi‐Shing Leu , Kuo‐Wei Chang 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was reported to be associated with immune function. The MICA (MHC class I chain‐related gene A) is expressed by keratinocytes and other epithelial cells, and its encoded protein interacts with γ/δ T cells localized in submucosa. The MICA also influences the heat shock protein function. We speculated that the alterations of MICA might influence the pathogenesis of OSCC through the aberration in presenting tumor antigens or heat shock protein. MICA gene has a triplet repeat (GCT) polymorphism in the transmembrane domain, resulting in five distinctive allelic patterns. Methods: We analysed this MICA polymorphism in 67 OSCC patients and 351 randomly selected unrelated controls. By using the ABI Prism 377–18 DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) to analyse the sample DNA PCR products. The number of micro‐satellite repeats was estimated with Genescan 672 software (Applied Biosystems) with a standard size marker of GS‐350 TAMRA (N,N,N,N‐tetramethyl‐6‐carbohydroxyl rhodamine; Applied Biosystems). Results: The phenotype frequency of allele A6 of MICA in subjects with OSCC was significantly higher than that in controls (RR = 3.46, 95% CI = 1.73–6.94, P = 0.0002), as was the frequency of allele (RR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.39–5.02, P = 0.002). Conclusion: The results suggest that allele A6 in MICA might confer the risk of OSCC.
Testing high SPF sunscreens: a demonstration of the accuracy and reproducibility of the results of testing high SPF formulations by two methods and at different testing sites
Authors: Agin Patricia Poh , Edmonds Susan H. 
Published: March 2003

Background/Purpose: The goals of this study were (i) to demonstrate that existing and widely used sun protection factor (SPF) test methodologies can produce accurate and reproducible results for high SPF formulations and (ii) to provide data on the number of test‐subjects needed, the variability of the data, and the appropriate exposure increments needed for testing high SPF formulations.Methods: Three high SPF formulations were tested, according to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) 1993 tentative final monograph (TFM) ‘very water resistant’ test method and/or the 1978 proposed monograph ‘waterproof’ test method, within one laboratory. A fourth high SPF formulation was tested at four independent SPF testing laboratories, using the 1978 waterproof SPF test method. All laboratories utilized xenon arc solar simulators.Results: The data illustrate that the testing conducted within one laboratory, following either the 1978 proposed or the 1993 TFM SPF test method, was able to reproducibly determine the SPFs of the formulations tested, using either the statistical analysis method in the proposed monograph or the statistical method described in the TFM. When one formulation was tested at four different laboratories, the anticipated variation in the data owing to the equipment and other operational differences was minimized through the use of the statistical method described in the 1993 monograph.Conclusions: The data illustrate that either the 1978 proposed monograph SPF test method or the 1993 TFM SPF test method can provide accurate and reproducible results for high SPF formulations. Further, these results can be achieved with panels of 20–25 subjects with an acceptable level of variability. Utilization of the statistical controls from the 1993 sunscreen monograph can help to minimize lab‐to‐lab variability for well‐formulated products.
021 UVB emitting fiber optic hair brush for the treatment of scalp psoriasis
Authors: Taneja A. , Trehan M. , Gupta S. , Racette A. , Regan S. , Gourgouliatos Z. , Taylor C.R. 
Published: March 2003

This work‐in‐progress evaluates the efficacy of a unique UVB fiber optic comb device for treating scalp psoriasis. Informed consent was obtained on 11 enrolled patients. One scalp psoriasis plaque was left as a control, while another was selected for treatment. An MED was performed on the lower back or gluteal skin to determine the subject's baseline sensitivity to the comb device. On the selected sit, mineral oil was first applied with a soaked gauze to enhance UV delivery and the first treatment was at 1 MED. Subsequent treatments were thrice weekly at 72 h intervals with maximum increments of 20% per treatment. Treatments ended after 12 weeks or when clearing occurred, whichever came first. Clinical evaluation and standardized photographs were taken at baseline and every 2 weeks thereafter.Results  On average, patients have received 24 treatments (range: 2–36). At baseline, PASI scores for the treated and control sides did not differ significantly (mean difference: 0.4, P= 0.1106). Improvement scores, calculated by subtracting the most recent PASI score from the baseline value, were higher for the treated sides (3.9 vs. 0.3, P = 0.0002).Three patients showed worsening in the control area. Ten of the 11 patients showed improvement in the treated area; none experienced worsening of symptoms.Conclusions  The fiber optic brush offers an exciting potential for treating scalp psoriasis.
Melatonin suppresses osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities in the scales of goldfish
Authors: Suzuki Nobuo , Hattori Atsuhiko 
Published: March 2003

Abstract: The effects of melatonin on osteoclastic and osteoblastic cells were examined using a culture system of the goldfish scale. Tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were used as markers of osteoclastic and osteoblastic cells, respectively. In Earle's minimum essential medium containing melatonin (10−9 to 10−5 m), activities of both enzymes in scales were significantly suppressed at 6 hr after incubation (TRACP: 10−8, 10−6, 10−5 m; ALP: 10−7 to 10−5 m), but at 18 hr only ALP activity was significantly lowered (10−8, 10−7 m). Estradiol‐17ß (E2) enhanced both activities, which were significantly inhibited and brought down to the level of the controls when co‐incubated with E2 and melatonin (TRACP at 6 hr: 10−9 to 10−5 m; ALP at 6 hr: 10−7 m; ALP at 18 hr: 10−8 m). Moreover, using reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction, the mRNA expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) and insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1, which are related to osteoblastic growth and differentiation, was decreased in the melatonin‐treated scales. These results suggest that melatonin acts directly on the scale osteoclastic and osteoblastic cells where it suppresses the ALP activity via down‐regulation of ER and IGF‐1 mRNAs expression. This is the first report on the function of melatonin in osteoclasts and on the suppressive effect of melatonin in osteoblasts among vertebrates.