bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of ultrasonic irrigation to remove artificially placed dentine debris from different‐sized simulated plastic root canals
Authors: Lee S.‐J. , Wu M.‐K , Wesselink P. R. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAim  To investigate the influence of diameter and taper of root canals on the effectiveness of ultrasonic irrigation to remove artificially placed dentine debris from simulated uninstrumented extensions in simulated root canals.Method  Three groups of standard canals were cut in resin blocks using either size 20, .04 taper ProFile instruments, size 20, .06 Greater Taper (GT) rotary instruments or size 20, .08 GT instruments, respectively. Each resin block was then split longitudinally through the canal, forming two halves. In one canal wall, a standard groove 4 mm in length was cut 2–6 mm from the apical end of the canal, to simulate uninstrumented canal extensions. Each groove was filled with dentine debris mixed with 2% NaOCl to simulate a situation when dentine debris accumulates in the uninstrumented canal extensions. Each canal was reassembled by joining the two halves of the resin block by means of wires and sticky wax. In each canal ultrasonic irrigation was performed for 3 min using 2% NaOCl as irrigant. Before and after irrigation, images of each half of the canal with a groove were taken using a microscope and a digital camera, after which they were scanned into a PC as TIFF images. The quantity of dentine debris in the groove was evaluated using a scoring system: the higher the score, the larger the amount of debris remaining. The score data were analysed by means of Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U‐tests.Results  After ultrasonic irrigation, the debris score for the size 20, .04 taper group was significantly higher than that for the size 20, .06 group (P = 0.040) and the size 20, .08 group (P = 0.006) groups. However, no significant difference was found between the size 20, .06 and the size 20, .08 groups (P = 0.320).Conclusion  In simulated plastic root canals, the diameter and taper of root canal influenced the effectiveness of ultrasonic irrigation to remove artificially placed dentine debris.
Shaping ability of ProTaper nickel‐titanium files in simulated resin root canals
Authors: Calberson F. L. G. , Deroose C. A. J. G. , Hommez G. M. G. , De Moor R. J. G. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAim  To determine the shaping ability of ProTaper instruments in simulated root canals.Methodology  Forty canals with four different shapes in terms of angle (20° and 40°) and position of curvature (straight section before curve: 8 and 12 mm) were enlarged according to the recommendations of the manufacturer with the finishing files F1, F2 and F3 to full working length. Preoperative and postoperative pictures, recorded using a digital camera, were superimposed and aberrations recorded. Measurements were carried out at five different points: at the canal orifice (O); half‐way to the orifice in the straight section (HO); beginning of the curve (BC); apex of the curve (AC); end‐point (EP).Results  Ten instruments deformed (nine F3 and one S1, all in canals with straight section of 8 mm), one instrument fractured. There were significant differences between the various canal shapes for the amount of resin removed from the inner curve at all points (O: P < 0.05; HO: P = 0.001; BC, AC and EP: P < 0.001); and for the resin removed on the outer curve at points HO, AC and EP (P < 0.001). Mean transportation was towards the inner aspect of the curve in all canal types at points BC, towards the outer aspect at the end‐point of preparation (EP) in all canals with 12 mm straight section. In 8 mm straight section canals, four danger zones were found; in 12 mm straight section canals three zips were present. The canal aberrations were produced following the use of the F2 and F3 instruments. There were no aberrations following the use of the F1 instrument.Conclusions  Under the conditions of this study, ProTaper instruments performed acceptable tapered preparations in all canal types. When using F2 and F3 in curved canals, care should be taken to avoid excessive removal at the inner curve, leading to danger zones. In addition, care should also be taken to avoid deformation of the F3 instrument.
Effectiveness of electrochemically activated water as an irrigant in an infected tooth model
Authors: Gulabivala K. , Stock C. J. R. , Lewsey J. D. , Ghori S. , Ng Y.‐L. , Spratt D. A. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAim  To test the effectiveness of electrochemically activated aqueous solutions in the debridement of Enterococcus faecalis biofilms in root canals of extracted teeth.Methodology  Extracted, human, single‐rooted teeth (198) assembled into 11 sets (n = 18) with matching anatomical characteristics were randomly assigned to eight experimental groups. After decoronation, the root canals were prepared to a standard size. Enterococcus faecalis biofilms were grown in the root canals of autoclaved, individually mounted teeth over 48 h. Electrolysed saline collected as anolyte at the anode and catholyte at the cathode were the test agents. The four ultrasonication and four without ultrasonication irrigant groups included: neutral anolyte (NA) (pH 6.5), acidic anolyte (AA) (pH 3.0), catholyte (C) (pH 11.5) and C alternated with neutral anolyte (C/NA). Phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) with and without ultrasonication formed negative and NaOCl (3%) positive control groups. After irrigation, root canal samples were serially diluted, cultured and enumerated. The data were analysed as ratios of residual colony‐forming units (CFUs) in PBS versus the test irrigants and using multivariate regression.Results  The NA and NA (ultrasonicated, U), C/NA and AA (U) groups had significantly (α = 0.05) less and C (U) and C/NA (U) significantly (α = 0.05) more bacteria (CFUs mL−1) compared with their respective PBS controls. Ultrasonicated C/NA had significantly (α = 0.05) higher CFU counts than the nonultrasonicated solution. Other comparisons between ultrasonic and nonultrasonic groups were not significant. Of the nonultrasonicated groups, C/NA and NA were most effective, whilst of the ultrasonicated groups, AA and NA were most effective. None of these was as effective as 3% NaOCl.Conclusions  All but two groups (AA and C) were significantly different from their PBS controls. There was a significant difference between the C/NA groups with and without ultrasonication but not between other combinations. NA (U) and AA (U) were the most effective test solutions but NaOCl (3%) gave by far the highest bacterial kills.
Scandinavian research in anaesthesiology 1981–2000: visibility and impact in EU and world context
Authors: Skram U. , Larsen B. , Ingwersen P. , Viby‐Mogensen J. 
Published: August 2004

Background:  We wished to assess the development in number and impact of publications in anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine from 1981 to 2000 in the four Scandinavian countries: Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. For comparison, we also analyzed data from the UK and the Netherlands.Methods:  Publication and citation data from 1981 to 2000 were gathered from National Science Indicators (2001), covering 33 journals indexed in Current Contents. Data were analyzed in running 5‐year periods. The following informetric indicators were used: absolute number of publications; absolute number of citations; absolute citation impact (average number of citations per publication per 5‐year period); citation impact relative to the European Union and the world; and the percentage of cited papers from each country.Results:  The annual number of publications from Denmark was stable over the 20‐year period. Sweden increased its production by 35%, while the remaining four countries showed increases from 100% to 146%. Thus, Sweden and Denmark lost visibility within the European Union (EU) and in world context. The EU and world citation shares of Finland and Norway increased slightly, whereas those of Sweden, Denmark, the UK, and the Netherlands all declined significantly. The absolute citation impact (ACI) increased for all the four Scandinavian countries. The ACI of the Netherlands did not change and was surpassed by all the Scandinavian countries by 1994–98, while the UK finished below the other five countries.Conclusions:  (1) The annual number of publications from Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, and the Netherlands increased after the late eighties, whereas the net publication output from Denmark was stagnant over the 20‐year period investigated; (2) the international publication and citation visibility of Finland and Norway increased slightly, as opposed to the significant decrease seen by the other four countries; (3) judging from the increase in absolute and relative citation impact and in the percentage of cited papers, the recognition of publications from the four Scandinavian countries increased over the past 20 years.
NF‐κB involvement in the induction of high affinity CAT‐2 in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated rat lungs
Authors: Huang C.‐J. , Tsai P.‐S. , Lu Y.‐T. , Cheng C.‐R. , Stevens B. R. , Skimming J. W. , Pan W. H. T. 
Published: August 2004

Background:  Endotoxemia stimulates nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis through induction of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). Cellular uptake of l‐arginine, the sole substrate for iNOS, is an important mechanism regulating NO biosynthesis by iNOS. The isozymes of type‐2 cationic amino acid transporters, including CAT‐2, CAT‐2A, and CAT‐2B, constitute the most important pathways responsible for trans‐membrane l‐arginine transportation. Therefore, regulation of CAT‐2 isozymes expression may constitute one of the downstream regulatory pathways that control iNOS activity. We investigated the time course of enzyme induction and the role of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) in CAT‐2 isozymes expression in lipopolysaccharide‐(LPS) treated rat lungs.Methods:  Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly given intravenous injections of normal saline (N/S), LPS, LPS plus NF‐κB inhibitor pre‐treatment (PDTC, dexamethasone, or salicylate), or an NF‐κB inhibitor alone. The rats were sacrificed at different times after injection and enzyme expression and lung injury were examined. Pulmonary and systemic NO production were also measured.Results:  LPS co‐induced iNOS, CAT‐2, and CAT‐2B but not CAT‐2A expression in the lungs. Furthermore, NF‐κB actively participated in LPS‐induction of iNOS, CAT‐2, and CAT‐2B. LPS induced pulmonary and systemic NO overproduction and resulted in lung injuries. Attenuation of LPS‐induced iNOS, CAT‐2, and CAT‐2B induction significantly inhibited NO biosynthesis and lessened lung injury.Conclusion:  NF‐κB actively participates in the induction of CAT‐2 and CAT‐2B in intact animals. Our data further support the idea that CAT‐2 and CAT‐2B are crucial in regulating iNOS activity.
Analgesic effects of preincisional administration of dextromethorphan and tenoxicam following laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Yeh C‐C. , Wu C‐T. , Lee M‐S. , Yu J‐C. , Yang C‐P. , Lu C‐H. , Wong C‐S. 
Published: August 2004

Background:  Pre‐incisional treatment with either N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists or non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) improves postoperative pain relief. This study examines the effect on postlaparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) pain of a combination of dextromethorphan (DM), a NMDA‐receptor antagonist, and tenoxicam, a NSAID, given preoperatively.Methods:  Eighty‐eight ASA I or II patients scheduled for LC were entered into a randomized, double‐blind study and randomly allocated to one of four groups. Controls received 20 mg (4 ml) of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) IM and 4 ml of normal saline (N/S) IV. Group DM received 40 mg of DM (containing 20 mg of CPM) IM and 4 ml of N/S IV. Group T were given CPM 20 mg IM, and tenoxicam 40 mg (4 ml) IV. Group DM + T were given DM 40 mg (containing 20 mg of CPM) IM, and tenoxicam 40 mg IV. All treatments were given 30 min before skin incision. Analgesic effects were evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and during coughing, at 1, 2, 4, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery. The time to the first request for meperidine for pain relief, and total meperidine consumption, were recorded for 48 h after surgery.Results:  Compared to controls, patients given DM and DM + T first requested meperidine significantly later, had lower meperidine consumption, made fewer requests for meperidine, and had lower pain scores. There were significant differences between the DM + T and T groups at 2 and 4 h in both resting and incident VAS pain scores, the incidence of meperidine requests and the time to first meperidine injection. There were significant differences between groups DM and T at 1 h for resting pain and at 2 and 4 h for incident pain. Except for a significant difference in the incident pain score 1 h after surgery, there were no other differences in pain scores between the DM and DM + T groups. Neither synergistic nor antagonistic interaction was observed between DM and tenoxicam.Conclusions:  The results suggest that pretreatment with DM, but not tenoxicam, provides significant pre‐emptive analgesia for postoperative pain management in patients after LC surgery. Combining DM and tenoxicam also gives good pain relief.
The Association between Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, Endocrine and Behavioural Pain Measures in Horses Suffering from Laminitis*
Authors: Rietmann T. R. , Stauffacher M. , Bernasconi P. , Auer J. A. , Weishaupt M. A. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryThe objective of this study was to compare the stress response of horses suffering from laminitis after short‐ and long‐term treatment with the intent to evaluate power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) for pain monitoring. Data were collected from 19 horses with acute or chronic exacerbating laminitis without known primary disease before and after treatment with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Recordings were carried out the day after admission to the equine hospital. Measurements were repeated on day 7 of the treatment. The recorded parameters included a clinical orthopaedic index (OLPI: Obel‐grade plus hoof tester score), frequency of weight‐shifting between contralateral limbs, mean beat‐to‐beat interval (R‐R) duration, standard deviation of continuous R‐R intervals, low‐ (LF) and high‐frequency (HF) components of HRV, sympatho‐vagal balance (LF/HF), and plasma concentration of cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin. The LF represents mainly sympathetic influences on the heart whereas HF is mediated by the parasympathetic tone. Weight‐shifting and OLPI decreased significantly with treatment. The LF normalized units (n.u.) decreased after NSAID from 60.41 ± 21.42 to 51.12 ± 19.81 and was 49.33 ± 22.64 on day 7, whereas HF n.u. increased from 35.07 ± 20.02 to 43.14 ± 18.30 and was 45.98 ± 23.00 on day 7. Hormone levels showed no tendency to change with treatment. The OLPI was only correlated with LF/HF, LF and HF (R = 0.57, 0.55 and −0.54 respectively). Significant negative correlations existed between HFn.u. and weight‐shifting frequency (R = −0.37), HFn.u. and adrenalin (R = −0.47), and HFn.u. and noradrenalin (R = 0.33). The LFn.u. only correlated positively with adrenalin. Cortisol levels were poorly associated with the other parameters. Determination of the sympatho‐vagal influences on cardiac function may offer complementary information for reliable assessment of pain and may represent a valuable alternative method to catecholamine measurements.
Gross and Cytological Characteristics of Normal Canine Anal‐Sac Secretions
Authors: Lake A. M. , Scott D. W. , Miller W. H. , Erb H. N. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryA study was conducted to characterize the gross and cytological characteristics of secretions from normal canine anal sacs. Fifty dogs with no recent history of anal‐sac disease were selected consecutively and their anal sacs manually expressed. Of the 47 dogs with known or estimated ages, 27 were <1 year olds. However, these youngest dogs were not significantly different from the rest in cell counts, viscosity, or presence of dark or light solid portions of the secretions. For all dogs combined, the secretions typically contained 41 (median) corneocytes per 400× magnification microscopic field, lots of basophilic background debris, and a mixture of Gram‐positive cocci (173 per field; median), Gram‐positive rods (29 per field; median), and Gram‐negative rods (two per field; median). Although median counts across 10 400× fields per sac indicated no leucocytes or yeasts, many of the normal dogs had an occasional 400× field with non‐degenerate neutrophils and yeasts. Erythrocytes were not a feature of these anal‐sac secretions, and mononuclear leucocytes were found only rarely. Extreme heterogeneity existed in gross colour, consistency and the amount of solid material. Thus, these latter parameters probably would not be valid indicators of anal‐sac disease.
Vertebral Mineral Density Measured by Dual‐energy X‐ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) in a Group of Healthy Italian Boxer Dogs
Authors: Zotti A. , Isola M. , Sturaro E. , Menegazzo L. , Piccinini P. , Bernardini D. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryWe studied the feasibility of using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to obtain reference bone density values in relation to age, gender and body weight in growing and young adult Italian boxer dogs. The study was performed on eight animals (three males and five females) at 7, 12 and 18 months of age. Animals were carefully examined and blood samples were collected from each dog to detect any sign of metabolic and/or endocrine disease. Each subject underwent radiographs to evaluate growth of the spine and hip. One female was not considered in the statistical model because of the development of grade 4 spondylosis deformans during the study period. All animals were serially scanned using DEXA; the region of interest was the whole spine T12‐L2, while the subregions of interest were the four vertebrae (T12‐T13‐L1‐L2) within the scanned spine. Statistical analysis was performed separately for each region of interest. Age had the strongest relationship with bone density (P < 0.001). Gender effect on spinal mineral density was not significant while vertebral site effect was highly significant. Average bone mineral density (BMD) ± SD for the whole spine trait was 0.862 ± 0.108g/cm2 while average BMD ± SD for subregions of interest ranged from 0.836 ± 0.141 g/cm2 for T12 to 0.928 ± 0.119g/cm2 for L2. Estimated reference BMD values at 7, 12 and 18 months of age for each vertebral site in males and females are provided.
Anaesthesia with Midazolam/Medetomidine/Fentanyl in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) Compared to Anaesthesia with Xylazine/Ketamine and Medetomidine/Ketamine
Authors: Henke J. , Baumgartner C. , Röltgen I. , Eberspächer E. , Erhardt W. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryWe studied four different drug regimes for anaesthetic management in chinchillas and evaluated and compared their cardiovascular and respiratory effects. In this randomized, cross‐over experimental study, seven adult chinchillas, five females, two males [515 ± 70 (SD) g] were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: group 1 [midazolam, medetomidine and fentanyl (MMF), flumazenil, atipamezole and naloxone (FAN); MMF–FAN] received 1.0 mg/kg midazolam, 0.05 mg/kg medetomidine and 0.02 mg/kg fentanyl i.m., and for reversal 0.1 mg/kg flumazenil, 0.5 mg/kg atipamezole and 0.05 mg/kg naloxone s.c. after 45 min; group 2 (MMF) 1.0 mg/kg midazolam, 0.05 mg/kg medetomidine and 0.02 mg/kg fentanyl i.m.; group 3 [xylazine/ketamine (X/K)] 2.0 mg/kg xylazine and 40.0 mg/kg ketamine i.m.; and group 4 [medetomidine/ketamine (M/K)] 0.06 mg/kg medetomidine and 5.0 mg/kg ketamine i.m. Reflexes were judged to determine anaesthetic stages and planes. Anaesthesia with X/K and M/K was associated with a prolonged surgical tolerance and recovery period. By reversing MMF, recovery period was significantly shortened (5 ± 1.3 min versus 40 ± 10.3 min in MMF without FAN, 73 ± 15.0 min in X/K, and 31 ± 8.5 min in M/K). Without reversal, MMF produced anaesthesia lasting 109 ± 16.3 min. All combinations decreased respiratory and heart rate but compared with X/K and M/K, respiratory and cardiovascular complications were less in the MMF groups. Focussing on the clinical relevance of the tested combinations, completely reversible anaesthesia showed two major advantages: anaesthesia can be antagonized in case of emergency and routinely shortens recovery. In small animals particularly these advantages lead to less complications and discomfort and thus often can be lifesaving. As all analgesic components (medetomidine and fentanyl) are reversed, postoperative analgesia should be provided before reversal of anaesthesia.
Diagnostic Correlation of CT–MRI and Histopathology in 10 Dogs with Brain Neoplasms
Authors: Polizopoulou Z. S. , Koutinas A. F. , Souftas V. D. , Kaldrymidou E. , Kazakos G. , Papadopoulos G. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryTen dogs with primary (n = 8) and metastatic (n = 2) brain tumours were studied in an attempt to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Of the clinical signs noticed, seizures (seven of 10), behavioural abnormalities and cognition dysfunction (seven of 10), compulsive walking and circling (six of 10), sensorimotor (five of 10) and neuro‐opthalmological (two of 10) dysfunction were the most common. In all 10 animals that finally died of the disease or were killed, the histopathological diagnosis that followed necropsy was taken as a golden standard in the CT or MRI prediction of the histological type of brain neoplasms. In every instance, tumour detection, morphology and histological differentiation were possible with the aid of either CT (seven of 10) or MRI (three of 10) imaging especially after contrast enhancement. Only one CT‐evaluated dog, diagnosed as meningioma, was found to be astrocytoma on histopathology. Interestingly, a rare case of cerebellar medulloblastoma was correctly identified in MRI scans.
Spontaneous Extraskeletal Osteosarcomas of the Subcutis in Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus): Report of two cases
Authors: Madarame H. , Itoh A. , Hirose M. , Ogihara K. 
Published: August 2004

SummarySpontaneous subcutaneous extraskeletal osteosarcoma was diagnosed in the subcutaneous tissue of two Djungarian hamsters. Histologically, the tumour was characterized by multiple nests of osseous and cartilaginous components within a proliferation of pleomorphic cells. No abnormality was observed in any skeletal bones and no change suggesting tumorous growth was observed in any other sites. This is the first report of extraskeletal osteosarcomas in Djungarian hamsters.
Improving the Recognition of Qualifications in the Framework of the Bologna Process
Authors: RAUHVARGERS ANDREJS 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWhereas supra‐national higher education policies in the past decade have been criticised for their possible harm to the national governments’ autonomy, the Bologna process — as an international agreement — has received much more positive reactions from national governments, at least in the rhetoric sense. Nevertheless, a variety of approaches of governments can be noted to do justice to the agreements made in the Bologna Declaration (1999). In this article, we shall try to explain the (gradual) change from Euroscepticism to acceptance of harmonisation attempts in higher education. We shall furthermore exemplify this change process by looking at developments in a number of European countries: UK, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Austria and Germany.