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Selected AbstractsOrthodontic extrusion of subgingivally fractured incisor before restoration.DENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2005A case report: 3-years follow-up Abstract,,, Orthodontic forced eruption may be a suitable approach without risking the esthetic appearance in tooth fracture below the gingival attachment or alveolar bone crest. Extrusion of such teeth allows elevating the fracture line above the epithelial attachment and so the proper finishing margins can be prepared. Restoration after orthodontic eruption may present a more conservative treatment choice in young patients compared with the prosthetic restoration after extraction. This case describes a multidisciplinary approach using the orthodontic forced eruption facilitating the composite restoration of a fractured upper permanent central incisor. [source] Chronological gene expression of ADAMs during testicular development: Prespermatogonia (gonocytes) express fertilin , (ADAM2)DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 3 2003Carolina Rosselot Abstract Immediately after birth, primordial germinal cell-derived prespermatogonia (PSG), located in the center of the testicular cords, migrate between adjacent Sertoli cells to establish contact with the cord basal lamina. PSG migration suggests continued assembly and disassembly of cell,cell contacts by a molecular mechanism that may involve integrins and their ligands, the disintegrin domain of spermatogenic cell-specific plasma membrane proteins called ADAMs. We have analyzed the temporal gene expression of selected ADAMs in intact fetal, early postnatal, and pubertal rat testis and Sertoli,spermatogenic cell cocultures by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunocytochemistry. We report that several ADAM transcripts are expressed in fetal, neonatal, and prepubertal testes. Cyritestin (ADAM3), ADAM5, ADAM6, and ADAM15 are expressed in day 17 fetal testes. In contrast, no expression of fertilin , (ADAM1) and fertilin , (ADAM 2) was detected in fetal testes. Fertilin , gene expression starts after postnatal day 2, subsequent to the expression of fertilin ,, which occurs on postnatal day 1. After postnatal day 2, all the indicated ADAMs, including the fertilin , and fertilin ,, continue to be expressed. Transcripts of spermatogenic cell-specific fertilin ,, fertilin ,, ADAM3, and ADAM5 were detected during the coculture of PSG with Sertoli cells for up to 72 hr after plating. The presence of fertilin , mRNA and protein in cocultured PSG was visualized by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, respectively. These observations indicate that PSG in coculture with Sertoli cells provide a suitable approach for analyzing cell,cell adhesive responses involving spermatogenic cell-specific ADAMs. Development Dynamics 458,467, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] System identification of instrumented bridge systemsEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 7 2003Yalin Arici Abstract Several recorded motions for seven bridge systems in California during recent earthquakes were analysed using parametric and non-parametric system identification (SI) methods. The bridges were selected considering the availability of an adequate array of accelerometers and accounting for different structural systems, materials, geometry and soil types. The results of the application of SI methods included identification of modal frequencies and damping ratios. Excellent fits of the recorded motion in the time domain were obtained using parametric methods. The multi-input/single-output SI method was a suitable approach considering the instrumentation layout for these bridges. Use of the constructed linear filters for prediction purposes was also demonstrated for three bridge systems. Reasonable prediction results were obtained considering the various limitations of the procedure. Finally, the study was concluded by identifying the change of the modal frequencies and damping of a particular bridge system in time using recursive filters. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Uncertain inheritance and recognition as probabilistic default reasoningINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 6 2001T. H. Cao This paper proposes probabilistic default reasoning as a suitable approach to uncertain inheritance and recognition for fuzzy and uncertain object-oriented models. The uncertainty is due to the uncertain membership of an object to a class and/or the uncertain applicability of a property, i.e., an attribute or a method, to a class. First, we introduce a logic-based uncertain object-oriented model where uncertain membership and applicability are measured by support pairs, which are lower and upper bounds on probability. The probability for a property being applicable to a class is interpreted as the conditional probability of the property being applicable to an object given that the object is a member of the class. Each uncertainty applicable property is then a default probabilistic logic rule, which is defeasible. In order to reduce the computational complexity of general probabilistic default reasoning, we propose to use Jeffrey's rule for a weaker notion of consistency and for local inference, then apply them to uncertain inheritance of attributes and methods. Using the same approach but with inverse Jeffrey's rule, uncertain recognition as probabilistic default reasoning is also presented. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Safety of supracostal punctures for percutaneous renal surgeryINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 10 2006RAJIV YADAV Aim: Supracostal superior calyceal access has been shown to be the most suitable approach for staghorn calculi, calculi in the upper ureter and complex inferior calyceal calculi, as well as for antegrade endopyelotomy. However, many urologists hesitate in using this approach because of the potential for chest complications. The aim of this study was to analyze one institution's data regarding the safety and efficacy of this approach for percutaneous renal surgery. Methods: A total of 890 renal units (762 patients) were treated with percutaneous renal surgery (849 percutaneous nephrolithotomy, 41 antegrade endopyelotomy) from July 1998 to July 2004. Supracostal access was obtained in 332 (37.3%) patients. The indications for a supracostal approach were ureteropelvic junction obstruction, staghorn and complex inferior calyceal calculi, and stones in the upper calyx or the upper ureter. All punctures were made by the urologist under C-arm fluoroscopic guidance in the prone position. Results: The interspace between 11th and 12th rib was used in all except four patients in whom the puncture was made above the 11th rib. Eleven patients (3.31%) had a pleural breach presenting with fluid in the chest. Insertion of a chest tube was required in seven patients, while other four were managed conservatively. No patient had injury to the lung or other viscera. Hospital stay was not significantly prolonged as a result of the pleural breach in any patient. Except for staghorn calculi where multiple tracts were a necessity for maximal clearance, a single supracostal superior or middle posterior calyceal access served the purpose in 86% (177/205) of patients who underwent percutaneous surgery for renal or upper ureteric calculi. Conclusions: The supracostal superior calyceal approach was found to be effective as well as safe, with an acceptably low risk of chest complications. [source] RNA interference in pain researchJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2006Thomas Röhl Abstract Within the course of only the last few years, RNA interference (RNAi) has been established as a standard technology for investigation of protein function and target validation. The present review summarizes recent progress made in the application of RNAi in neurosciences with special emphasis on pain research. RNAi is a straightforward method to generate loss-of-function phenotypes for any gene of interest. In mammals, silencing is induced by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which have been shown to surpass traditional antisense molecules. Due to its high specificity, RNAi has the potential for subtype selective silencing of even closely related genes. One of the major challenges for in vivo investigations of RNAi remains efficient delivery of siRNA molecules to the relevant tissues and cells, particularly to the central nervous system. Various examples will be given to demonstrate that intrathecal application of siRNAs is a suitable approach to analyse the function of receptors or other proteins that are hypothesized to play an important role in pain signalling. Intensive efforts are currently ongoing to solve remaining problems such as the risk of off-target effects, the stability of siRNA molecules and their efficient delivery to the CNS. RNAi has thus demonstrated that it is an extremely valuable tool for the development of new analgesic drugs. [source] Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Polymer Translocations,MACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 5 2004Richard Randel Abstract Summary: Molecular dynamics simulation studies of the translocation of charged homopolymers of length, N, driven by an electric potential gradient through a channel have been performed. We find that the translocation time, ,, displays an inverse power dependence on the temperature of the simulation ,,,,(T,,,T0),7/4, which is in very good agreement with experimental results. In addition, the dependence of , on the driving field strength and the velocity of translocation on the polymer length N have also been obtained. The results suggest that such minimalist models are useful in modelling biological processes and that the molecular dynamics method is a suitable approach for carrying out these simulations. Snapshot of the polymer during the simulation. [source] Elevated IRT levels in African-American infants: Implications for newborn screening in an ethnically diverse populationPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 7 2008Robert Giusti MD Abstract During the first 4 years of newborn screening (NBS) for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in New York there was a statistically significant, twofold greater relative risk of an Immunoreactive Trypsinogen (IRT) level greater than 95% in African-American infants. The reason for this previously reported increase in IRT level in African-American infants is unclear. The positive predictive value of a screen positive result in this population was only 0.3%. The bulk of screen-positive African-American infants were in the top 0.2% (IRT) group, with no CF mutations isolated. Repeat IRT testing at 2,3 weeks of age may represent a suitable approach to decrease the false-positive rate in this population. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:638,641. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,WOMEN'S SEXUAL HEALTH: Biofeedback, Electrical Stimulation, Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises, and Vaginal Cones: A Combined Rehabilitative Approach for Sexual Dysfunction Associated with Urinary IncontinenceTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009Massimo Rivalta MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Urinary incontinence (UI) is often associated with sexual dysfunction. We present our preliminary experience with a combined rehabilitative approach consisting of biofeedback, functional electrical stimulation, pelvic floor muscle exercises, and vaginal cones. Aim., The potential impact of such practice on UI and sexual function was analyzed in our case series and discussed. Main Outcome Measures and Methods., We evaluated three women affected by UI and sexual dysfunction. The patients underwent combined pelvic floor rehabilitation (PFR), kept voiding diaries, and filled out the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI questionnaire) before and after the completion of PFR. We evaluated each domain score, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Results., After the combined rehabilitation program, none of them had UI requiring pad use or referred urine leakage during sexual activity, including intercourse. Before PFR, FSFI score ranged from 16 to 21; after treatment, the FSFI score ranged from 22.1 to 29.3. There was an improvement in patients regarding desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Conclusions., A complete rehabilitation can provide a beneficial effect on sexual function. A larger trial, on a more extended female population, is currently in progress, in order to confirm our findings. The effectiveness of a complete PFR scheme, together with the lack of side effects, makes it a suitable approach to sexual dysfunction that is associated with UI. Rivalta M, Sighinolfi MC, De Stefani S, Micali S, Mofferdin A, Grande M, and Bianchi G. Biofeedback, electrical stimulation, pelvic floor muscle exercises, and vaginal cones: A combined rehabilitative approach for sexual dysfunction associated with urinary incontinence. J Sex Med 2009;6:1674,1677. [source] Prescribed fire and conservation of a threatened mountain grassland specialist: a capture,recapture study on the Orsini's viper in the French alpsANIMAL CONSERVATION, Issue 3 2009A. Lyet Abstract Burning has traditionally been used in the southern French Alps to maintain open lands for grazing. In the context of land use abandonment, prescribed burning may be the only realistic practical tool available to oppose encroachment by woody plants in numerous mountainous landscapes. Although only recently developed as a modern tool for wildfire prevention and management of pastoral grasslands, this practice is now becoming widespread, which raises the issue of its impact on the fauna in general, and on endangered species in particular. We studied the impact of a prescribed fire on the survival and small-scale movements of one of the rarest snakes in Europe, the Orsini's viper Vipera ursinii, in order to evaluate its potential threat to population sustainability. We evaluated the body condition of snakes and the quality of their habitat, more precisely the abundance of grasshoppers as the main food resource, and the vegetation cover as shelter. About 3.6 ha of a 8.8 ha study site was burnt in autumn 2003. Snake population parameters were estimated using multi-state capture,mark,recapture methods. We demonstrate that burning reduced the survival of the vipers by more than half during the first year following the fire. Contrary to what was expected, there was no evidence of emigration from the burned to the unburned area immediately after the fire. Despite the decrease in grasshopper density and vegetation cover in the burned area, there was no evidence of mid-term mortality in snakes that could result from an increased predation rate or from the reduced body condition of snakes. As such high mortality, mainly or entirely due to the direct effect of fire, is likely to have large repercussions on population sustainability, we suggest several improvements of prescribed fire protocols to minimize their impact and strongly emphasize the need for a prescribed fire policy that takes into account specific recommendations for threatened species like Orsini's viper. The case of the Orsini's viper is very typical of conservation problems in open mountain lands, and we believe that our research will help determine the most suitable approach for long-term conservation of biodiversity in such semi-natural ecosystems. [source] Taxonomic identification of Amazonian tree crowns from aerial photographyAPPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 4 2010Carlos E. González-Orozco Abstract Question: To what extent can aerial photography be used for taxonomic identification of Amazonian tree crowns? Objective: To investigate whether a combination of dichotomous keys and a web-based interface is a suitable approach to identify tree crowns. Location: The fieldwork was conducted at Tiputini Biodiversity Station located in the Amazon, eastern Ecuador. Methods: High-resolution imagery was taken from an airplane flying at a low altitude (600 m) above the ground. Imagery of the observable upper layer of the tree crowns was used for the analysis. Dichotomous identification keys for different types of crowns were produced and tested. The identification keys were designed to be web-based interactive, using Google Earth as the main online platform. The taxa analysed were Iriartea, Astrocaryum, Inga, Parkia, Cecropia, Pourouma, Guarea, Otoba, Lauraceae and Pouteria. Results: This paper demonstrates that a combination of photo-imagery, dichotomous keys and a web-based interface can be useful for the taxonomic identification of Amazonian trees based on their crown characteristics. The keys tested with an overall identification accuracy of over 50% for five of the ten taxa with three of them showing accuracy greater than 70% (Iriartea, Astrocaryum and Cecropia). Conclusions: The application of dichotomous keys and a web-based interface provides a new methodological approach for taxonomic identification of various Amazonian tree crowns. Overall, the study showed that crowns with a medium-rough texture are less reliably identified than crowns with smoother or well-defined surfaces. [source] Tissue Engineering of Urethra Using Human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene-Modified Bladder Urothelial CellsARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 2 2008Yong Guan Abstract:, Acquired or congenital abnormalities may lead to urethral damage or loss, often requiring surgical reconstruction. Urethrocutaneous fistula and strictures are common complications, due to inadequate blood supply. Thus, adequate blood supply is a key factor for successful urethral tissue reconstruction. In this study, urethral grafts were prepared by seeding rabbit bladder urothelial cells (UCs) modified with human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165) gene in the decellularized artery matrix. A retroviral pMSCV-VEGF165 -GFP vector was cloned by insertion of VEGF open reading frame into the vector pMSCV-GFP (murine stem cell virus [MSCV]; green fluorescent protein [GFP]). Retrovirus was generated using package cell line 293T. Rabbit UCs were expanded ex vivo and modified with either MSCV-VEGF165 -GFP or control MSCV-GFP retrovirus. Transduction efficiency was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The expression of VEGF165 was examined by immunofluorescence, reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Decellularized rabbit artery matrix was seeded with genetically modified UCs and was subsequently cultured for 1 week prior to subcutaneous implantation into nude mice. Four weeks after implantation, the implants were harvested and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, and by histologic and immunohistochemical staining. Ex vivo transduction efficiency of UCs was greater than 50% when concentrated retrovirus was used. The modified cells expressed both VEGF and GFP protein. Furthermore, the VEGF-modified UCs secreted VEGF in a time-dependent manner. Scanning electron microscopy and histochemical analysis of cross sections of the cultured urethral grafts showed that the seeded cells were attached and proliferated on the luminal surface of the decellularized artery matrix. In the subcutaneously implanted vessels, VEGF-modified cells significantly enhanced neovascularization and the formation of a urethral layer compared to GFP-modified cells. These results indicate that VEGF gene therapy may be a suitable approach to increase the blood supply in tissue engineering for treatment of urethral damage or loss. [source] New strategies for the control of arthropod vectors of disease in dogs and catsMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2008D. OTRANTO Abstract Arthropod-borne diseases (ABDs) in cats and dogs have a major impact on animal health and welfare and, in many cases, also on human health. Many ABDs are expected to increase in prevalence as a result of changing social habits, habitat modifications, introductions of exotic vectors and climate change. Control has, historically, focused on the use of insecticides and chemotherapy. We review alternative, emerging approaches to ABDs that currently offer promise, particularly modelling and molecular techniques and the development of novel vaccines that target molecules produced by arthropods during the bloodmeal. We argue that there is an urgent need to establish effective surveillance systems for most ABDs across various countries in order to facilitate a detailed risk analysis, which should include evaluation of potential spread to new areas and the possible introduction of new exotic species or disease agents. This will require clear and exhaustive knowledge on the distribution of ABDs in different areas, understanding of the diagnostic limitations pertaining to ABDs and standardization of techniques among reference laboratories in different countries. Continuous monitoring of insecticide resistance and the development of management strategies to minimize its onset are also essential. Ultimately, it is probable that approaches which attempt to reduce vector abundance or treat hosts with chemotherapy alone are unlikely to be effective in the long term. More suitable approaches may include greater use of a range of mutually compatible options in integrated management programmes. [source] |