bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local expression of lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein in human gingival tissues
Authors: Ren Lei , Jin Lijian , Leung W. Keung 
Published: June 2004

Background:  Lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) functions as a crucial molecule in innate host defense responses to bacterial challenge through neutralization of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and activation of cellular responses.Objectives:  This study was to investigate the expression profile and levels of LBP in gingival tissues and their associations with periodontal health and disease.Methods:  Gingival biopsies were collected from 44 chronic periodontitis patients, including periodontal pocket tissues (PoTs) and the adjacent healthy gingival tissues (HT‐Ps), as well as from 15 periodontally healthy subjects as controls (HT‐Cs). The peptide and mRNA of LBP were detected by semi‐quantitative immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), respectively.Results:  LBP peptide was detected in 90.9% of PoTs (20/22), 84.6% of HT‐Ps (11/13) and all HT‐Cs (7/7). The expression of LBP was mainly confined to the cytoplasm of granular and keratinized layers of gingival epithelium, spreading from the oral sulcular epithelium to oral epithelium with the expression density decreasing gradually from coronal to apical portion. LBP peptide was also found on endothelial surfaces and/or inside the lumens of blood vessels in connective tissues. The mean LBP expression levels in HT‐Cs were significantly higher than those in HT‐Ps and PoTs. LBP mRNA was detected in 55% of PoTs (11/20), 55% of HT‐Ps (11/20) and 75% of HT‐Cs (6/8).Conclusions:  We for the first time found the expression of LBP peptide and mRNA in human gingival tissues. Local expression of LBP in gingival tissues might contribute to periodontal homeostasis.
Effect of heat treatment on bioactivities of enamel matrix derivatives in human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells
Authors: Nagano Takatoshi , Iwata Takanori , Ogata Yorimasa , Tanabe Takako , Gomi Kazuhiro , Fukae Makoto , Arai Takashi , Oida Shinichiro 
Published: June 2004

Objectives:  It has been shown that Emdogain® (EMD) containing enamel matrix derivative has cementum‐ and osteo‐promotive activities in vivo and in vitro. Nevertheless, the commercial sale of EMD was halted because it has some possible risk for infectiosity. At present, Emdogain® Gel (Emd‐Gel) containing the EMD heated to avoid the infectiosity is commercially available. The purpose of this study was to compare the in vitro bioactivities of Emd‐Gel and EMD.Material and methods:  Healthy human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells were used to study the effect of Emd‐Gel and EMD on cell differentiation. The HPDL cells exposed to Emd‐Gel and EMD were evaluated for the following effects: (i) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity; (ii) mitogenic (MTT) assay; (iii) biomineralization activity; (iv) gene expressions using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The effect of EMD with or without heat treatment was examined for ALP activity on the cell differentiation.Results:  The effect of Emd‐Gel on ALP activity was greater than that of EMD. It was confirmed from the effect of EMD with heat treatment at 60°C, 80°C and 100°C on the ALP activity. The effect of Emd‐Gel on the biomineralization activity was also greater than that of the EMD. The Emd‐Gel has a stronger effect for the expression of osteoblast‐like phenotype than the EMD.Conclusion:  The results indicate that the Emd‐Gel has greater bioactivities than the EMD in vitro.
Effects of long‐term cyclosporin therapy on the periodontium of rats
Authors: Spolidorio L. C. , Spolidorio D. M. , Holzhausen M. 
Published: June 2004

Background:  The treatment of cyclosporin A triggers an early bone loss and gingival overgrowth. There is a lack of studies exploring the effects of long‐term cyclosporin A therapy on alveolar bone homeostasis and gingival tissue.Objective:  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of long‐term therapy with cyclosporin A on the gingival tissue and on the alveolar bone metabolism in rats.Materials and methods:  Rats were treated for 60, 120, 180 and 240 days with a daily subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/kg body weight of cyclosporin A. At the end of experimental periods, animals were killed and the serum calcium (Ca2+) and alkaline phosphatase levels were measured in all groups. After histological processing, the oral epithelium and the connective tissue, as well as volume densities of alveolar bone (Vb) and multinucleated osteoclasts (Vo), were assessed at the region of the lower first molars.Results:  Significant increases in the serum alkaline phosphatase were observed in those groups that received cyclosporin A therapy. After 60 and 120 days of the treatment with cyclosporin A, evident gingival overgrowth associated with a significant increase of epithelium and connective tissue was observed, as well as a decrease of the densities of bone and an increase of densities of osteoclasts. After 180 and 240 days of the treatment, there was a reduction of the gingival overgrowth associated with significant decreases of epithelium and connective tissue, as well as an increase of bone densities and a decrease of osteoclasts.Conclusion:  Within the limits of this experimental study, it can be concluded that the deleterious periodontal effects of cyclosporin A administration may be time‐related side‐effects.
Antibody reactive with Porphyromonas gingivalis hemagglutinin in chronic and generalized aggressive periodontitis
Authors: Califano Joseph V. , Chou Debra , Lewis Janina P. , Rogers Jeffrey D. , Best Al M. , Schenkein Harvey A. 
Published: June 2004

Background:  Porphyromonas gingivalis, a black‐pigmented, gram‐negative anaerobe, is found in periodontitis lesions and its presence in subgingival plaque significantly increases the risk for periodontitis. We have previously shown that patients with aggressive forms of periodontitis that are seropositive for P. gingivalis have less attachment loss than those that are seronegative. This suggests that antibody reactive with antigens of P. gingivalis may be protective and decrease disease severity and extent. Recent studies in the murine abscess model and in the host antibody response in chronic periodontitis patients suggest that antibody reactive with P. gingivalis hemagglutinin may be an important protective antibody response.Objectives:  In this study, we tested the hypothesis that there was a significant relationship between antibody reactive with P. gingivalis hemagglutinin and measures of periodontal attachment loss.Methods:  We determined the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody concentration reactive with recombinant P. gingivalis hemagglutinin in 117 chronic periodontitis and 90 generalized aggressive periodontitis patients. We also determined the IgG subclass distribution for antibody reactive with P. gingivalis hemagglutinin.Results and Conclusions:  We found IgG reactive with P. gingivalis hemagglutinin in both chronic periodontitis and generalized aggressive periodontitis patients. Most of this IgG antibody was of the IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses. Antibody reactive with P. gingivalis hemagglutinin, however, did not have a significant relationship with measures of periodontal attachment loss.
Potential applications of Erbium:YAG laser in periodontics
Authors: Ishikawa Isao , Aoki Akira , Takasaki Aristeo Atsushi 
Published: June 2004

Objectives:  Since lasers were introduced for the treatment of oral diseases, there has been considerable advancement in technology. As a result, numerous laser systems are currently available for oral use. Neodymium:Yttrium–Aluminum:Garnet (Nd:YAG), carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and the semiconductor Diode lasers have already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for soft tissue treatment in oral cavity. The Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser was approved in 1997 for hard tissue treatment in dentistry and recent studies have reported positive results. This suggests that the Er:YAG laser system is a promising apparatus, which will be able to revolutionize and improve dental practice, in particular periodontal treatment. In this mini‐review, we would like to describe the positive characteristics of the Er:YAG laser which indicate its potential as a new treatment modality in periodontics.Materials and methods:  Recent findings are summarized briefly to evaluate the potential of the Er:YAG laser for clinical application in periodontics.Results:  The Er:YAG laser possesses suitable characteristics for oral soft and hard tissue ablation. Recently, it has been applied for effective elimination of granulation tissue, gingival melanin pigmentation and gingival discoloration. Contouring and cutting of bone with minimal damage and even or faster healing can also be performed with this laser. In addition, irradiation with the Er:YAG laser has a bactericidal effect with reduction of lipopolysaccharide, high ability of plaque and calculus removal, with the effect limited to a very thin layer of the surface and is effective for implant maintenance.Conclusion:  The Er:YAG laser seems to be an effective tool for periodontal therapy, however, further clinical and basic investigations are required to confirm its clinical application.
Influence of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor batimastat (BB‐94) on periodontal bone destruction in Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Björnsson Magnús Jón , Havemose‐Poulsen Anne , Stoltze Kaj , Holmstrup Palle 
Published: June 2004

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading most macromolecules of the extracellular matrix. It has been assumed that an association exists between MMP activity and periodontal disease progression, but the precise role of MMPs in disease progression is still not fully clarified. Batimastat, or BB‐94, is a synthetic broad‐spectrum MMP inhibitor not previously examined in periodontal research. If there is an association between MMP activity and periodontal disease progression, then batimastat might be expected to reduce the progression of experimental periodontal disease in rats.Objectives: The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of batimastat on periodontal status in healthy Sprague‐Dawley (SPRD) rats as well as in rats with ligature‐induced experimental periodontal disease.Methods and Results: Periodontal bone destruction was used as a means of evaluating periodontal destruction by measuring periodontal bone loss on defleshed rat jaws and periodontal bone support on radiographs of the jaws. There was significantly more periodontal bone destruction in the groups treated with batimastat than in the placebo and control groups. This accounted for both ligated and non‐ligated groups, irrespective of whether periodontal bone loss (p < 0.05) or periodontal bone support (p < 0.05) were measured.Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study did not support the hypothesis that the MMP inhibitor batimastat could reduce the progression of experimental periodontal disease in rats. Instead, significantly increased bone destruction was found in rats treated with batimastat.
Mifepristone (Ru486) Antagonizes Monocyte Chemotactic Protein‐3 Down‐Regulation at Early Mouse Pregnancy Revealing Immunomodulatory Events in Ru486 Induced Abortion
Authors: Nautiyal Jaya , Kumar Pradeep G. , Laloraya Malini 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  The survival of an embryo bearing the paternal antigens within the immunocompetent environment of the maternal uterus renders ‘pregnancy’ to be a state of immunological paradox. The ratio of Th1/Th2 responses is crucial for pregnancy maintenance. Monocyte Chemotactic Protein‐3 (MCP3) is a pro‐inflammatory, CC chemokine and a Th1 effector which is capable of eliciting significant anti‐tumoral immune responses.Method of study:  MCP3 expression was investigated in the murine uterine tissue at different days of initial pregnancy and the effect of RU 486 in immature and delayed implantation model studied using Western blotting and Immunocytochemical techniques.Results and conclusion:  Our results show very high uterine MCP3 expression during pre‐implantation followed by a significant MCP3 down‐regulation at peri‐implantation and low levels of MCP3 during post‐implantation period. At the peri‐implantation stage, embryos exhibited lowered MCP3 expression when compared with the pre‐implantation stage. Ru486, a progesterone antagonist when given in a competitive mode with progesterone resulted in a massive surge in MCP3 expression in both immature mice and delayed implantation models. We hypothesize that it is imperative for MCP3 expression to be down‐regulated for the success of pregnancy. The cross‐talk between Ru486 and amplified MCP3 expression may be one of the mechanisms by way of which RU486 performs its abortificient and anti tumor role.
Increased Expression of Pro‐Inflammatory Cytokines in Placentas of Women Undergoing Spontaneous Preterm Delivery or Premature Rupture of Membranes
Authors: El‐Shazly Sherief , Makhseed Ma'asoumah , Azizieh Fawaz , Raghupathy Raj 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  The objective of this study was to determine the levels of cytokines in the placentas of women undergoing preterm delivery (PTD) or premature rupture of membranes (PROM) as compared with women undergoing normal delivery at term.Method of study:  Placentas were obtained from 30 subjects with spontaneous PTD, 30 women with PROM and 30 women with a history of normal delivery at term. Levels of interleukin (IL)‐2, interferon (IFN)‐γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, TNF‐β, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6 and IL‐10 and IL‐12 were estimated by ELISA in detergent lysates of placentas from the subjects.Results:  We found significantly increased levels of the Th1 cytokines IL‐2 and IFNγ and of the Th1‐inducing cytokine IL‐12 in placentas from the PTD and PROM groups as compared with those delivering at term. In contrast, the levels of the Th2 cytokines IL‐4, IL‐6 and IL‐10 were significantly higher in placentas from term pregnancy.Conclusions:  These data support our observation of a pro‐inflammatory cytokine bias in women with PTD and PROM.
Occupational magnetic field exposure among women in Stockholm County, Sweden
Authors: Forssén U M , Mezei G , Nise G , Feychting M 
Published: June 2004

Background:Most epidemiological studies on adverse health effects among women in relation to occupational magnetic field exposure have been based on information about men’s exposure.Aims:To create a job-exposure matrix for occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields among women.Methods and Results:Measurements were performed using personal magnetic field meters (Emdex Lite) carried by the subjects for 24 hours on a normal workday. Subjects were volunteer women working in the occupations identified as common among women in Stockholm County based on the 1980 census. A total of 471 measurements were made in 49 different occupations, with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 24 measurements in each occupation. The included occupations cover about 85% of the female population gainfully employed in 1980. Parameters representing average and peak magnetic field exposures, temporal change in the exposure, and proportion of time spent above certain exposure levels were calculated both for the workday and for the total 24 hour period grouped by occupational titles. The occupations with higher than average exposure were cashiers, working proprietors in retail trade, air stewardesses, dental nurses, cooks, post-office clerks and kitchen maids.Conclusions:This new job-exposure matrix substantially increases the knowledge about magnetic field exposure among women and can be used for exposure assessment in future studies.
Hepatitis E,Helicobacter pylori, and gastrointestinal symptoms in workers exposed to waste water
Authors: Jeggli S , Steiner D , Joller H , Tschopp A , Steffen R , Hotz P 
Published: June 2004

Background:Workers exposed to sewage may have an increased risk of infection byHelicobacter pyloriand hepatitis E virus (HEV).Aims:To assess the prevalence of clinical hepatitis E (HE) and peptic ulcer disease as well as the seroprevalence of antibodies toH pyloriand HEV in workers with and without sewage exposure and to look for symptoms due to exposure to endotoxin.Methods:In the first year of a prospective cohort study 349 sewage exposed workers and 429 municipal manual workers (participation: 61%) underwent a complete medical examination. Travelling to endemic areas, socioeconomic level, age, country in which childhood was spent, and number of siblings were considered as the main confounding factors.Results:Peptic ulcer disease and clinical HE did not occur more often in workers exposed to sewage. Prevalence of antibodies to HEV was 3.3% and overall prevalence of IgG antibodies toH pyloriwas 42% with large differences between subgroups. Logistic regression did not show an increased risk of seropositivity or antibodies to parietal cells in sewage exposed workers, but disentangling the effect of exposure from that of confounders was extremely difficult. No increase of symptoms due to exposure to endotoxin was found in sewage workers, with the exception of diarrhoea.Conclusions:No clear increased risk of infection byH pylorior by HEV in workers exposed to sewage was found in this cross-sectional study, but these results need to be confirmed by follow up.
Predictors of re-employment and quality of life in NHS staff one year after early retirement because of ill health; a national prospective study
Authors: Pattani S , Constantinovici N , Williams S 
Published: June 2004

Aims:To measure changes in health related quality of life and employment status of NHS staff one year after early retirement because of ill health, and to identify predictors of re-employment.Methods:A national cohort of 1317 NHS staff taking early retirement because of ill health in 1998 was recruited. Postal questionnaires were used to assess their quality of life (SF-36) and employment status 12 months after retirement.Results:A total of 1143 (87%) ill health retirees responded; 152 (13%) retirees were working at one year, mostly part-time, and 22% of them were re-employed by the NHS. Independent predictors of re-employment were: living in England rather than Wales and occupation of doctor. There was an increased likelihood of re-employment with reducing age and increasing quality of life at baseline. Retirees’ quality of life improved from baseline to one year after ill health retirement, but at one year still remained lower than the general population. Improvements in physical and mental component scores were greater in those working at one year compared with those not working.Conclusion:Reducing ill health retirement is likely to be of benefit to the individual, the NHS, and the economy. Results suggest that such a reduction may be possible and the identified predictors of re-employment may help in this process.
Mortality of employees of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, 1946–97
Authors: Atkinson W D , Law D V , Bromley K J , Inskip H M 
Published: June 2004

Background:The workforce of the UK Atomic Energy Authority has been the subject of several previous epidemiological investigations.Aims:To detect and investigate associations between mortality rates and employment in a substantially increased cohort size and follow up extended to 1997.Methods and Results:The new cohort included 51 367 employees, of whom 10 249 were dead. Mortality rates for all workers were low compared to national rates, as were rates in radiation workers and for workers monitored for internal contamination. For radiation workers all cause mortality and all cancer mortality were significantly lower than for non-radiation workers. There was no overall trend of increasing mortality with radiation dose. There was little evidence of raised mortality from leukaemia. The association of prostatic cancer with radiation dose was much less significant than in previous reports. However, the relatively high mortality from uterine cancers among radiation workers remained, though the numbers were very small. The association was with endometrial rather than cervical cancer. Mortality from cancer of the pleura was high among radiation workers, but was not correlated with dose.Conclusion:Overall, radiation workers at UKAEA showed no excess mortality. The previously detected association of prostate cancer with high radiation dose may have been a statistical artefact or a risk associated with discontinued activities. Endometrial cancer occurred at higher rates in female radiation workers, but, because there was no correlation with dose, may well be due to something other than their radiation exposure. Cancer of the pleura in radiation workers was almost certainly related to past asbestos exposure.
The Effectiveness of Auriculoacupoint Treatment for Artificially Induced Acute Hepatic Injury in Dogs
Authors: Lee Sang-Eun , Song Kun-Ho , Liu Jianzhu , Kwon Hyun-Ju , Youn Sang-Bo , Lee Young-Won , Cho Sung-Hwan , Kim Duck-Hwan 
Published: June 2004

This study was to investigate effects of auriculoacupoint (AAP) treatment on carbon tetrachloride ( CCl 4)-induced acute hepatic injury in ten dogs (four females and six males). Dogs have been divided into two groups: the control group (four dogs), not stimulated after induction of hepatic injury and the experimental group (six dogs), stimulated with AAP and massaged at the affected liver region of internal ear after induction of hepatic injury. Serum enzyme activities and histopathological findings were examined after the application of AAP. Compared to the control group, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in the experimental group were significantly decreased at the 4th day ( p <0.05) and at the 5th day ( p <0.05), respectively. Histopathological findings of the experimental group showed decrease of necrotic region and size of lipid droplets compared to the control group. In conclusion, AAP treatment had a therapeutic effect on the recovery of liver injury induced by CCl 4 in dogs.
A FOURIER TRANSFORM APPROACH FOR TWO-CENTER OVERLAP-LIKE QUANTUM SIMILARITY INTEGRALS OVER SLATER TYPE ORBITALS
Authors: BERLU LILIAN 
Published: June 2004

In previous work,1 we presented a one center two range expansion method for the evaluation of the two-center overlap-like quantum similarity integrals over Slater type orbitals which are four orbitals overlap integrals. In this work, to improve the accuracy and to reduce the calculation times, the above integrals are developed using the Fourier transform approach and the so-called B functions. With the help of angular momentum selection rules, two-center overlap-like quantum similarity integrals are expressed as combinations of usual overlap integrals (e.g. two-orbitals) which could be evaluated very accurately using the Fourier transform method combinated with B functions.