bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Exurban Development and Temperature on Bird Species in the Southern Appalachians
Authors: LUMPKIN HEATHER A. , PEARSON SCOTT M.
Published: June 2013

Land‐use dynamics and climatic gradients have large effects on many terrestrial systems. Exurban development, one of the fastest growing forms of land use in the United States, may affect wildlife through habitat fragmentation and building presence may alter habitat quality. We studied the effects of residential development and temperature gradients on bird species occurrence at 140 study sites in the southern Appalachian Mountains (North Carolina, U.S.A.) that varied with respect to building density and elevation. We used occupancy models to determine 36 bird species’ associations with building density, forest canopy cover, average daily mean temperature, and an interaction between building density and mean temperature. Responses varied with habitat requirement, breeding range, and migration distance. Building density and mean temperature were both included in the top occupancy models for 19 of 36 species and a building density by temperature interaction was included in models for 8 bird species. As exurban development expands in the southern Appalachians, interior forest species and Neotropical migrants are likely to decline, but shrubland or edge species are not likely to benefit. Overall, effects of building density were greater than those of forest canopy cover. Exurban development had a greater effect on birds at high elevations due to a greater abundance of sensitive forest‐interior species and Neotropical migrants. A warming climate may exacerbate these negative effects.

Efectos del Desarrollo Exurbano y de la Temperatura sobre Especies de Aves en las Apalaches del Sur
Climate Change, Multiple Stressors, and the Decline of Ectotherms
Authors: ROHR JASON R. , PALMER BRENT D.
Published: June 2013

Climate change is believed to be causing declines of ectothermic vertebrates, but there is little evidence that climatic conditions associated with declines have exceeded critical (i.e., acutely lethal) maxima or minima, and most relevant studies are correlative, anecdotal, or short‐term (hours). We conducted an 11‐week factorial experiment to examine the effects of temperature (22 °C or 27 °C), moisture (wet or dry), and atrazine (an herbicide; 0, 4, 40, 400 μg/L exposure as embryos and larvae) on the survival, growth, behavior, and foraging rates of postmetamorphic streamside salamanders (Ambystoma barbouri), a species of conservation concern. The tested climatic conditions were between the critical maxima and minima of streamside salamanders; thus, this experiment quantified the long‐term effects of climate change within the noncritical range of this species. Despite a suite of behavioral adaptations to warm and dry conditions (e.g., burrowing, refuge use, huddling with conspecifics, and a reduction in activity), streamside salamanders exhibited significant loss of mass and significant mortality in all but the cool and moist conditions, which were closest to the climatic conditions in which they are most active in nature. A temperature of 27 °C represented a greater mortality risk than dry conditions; death occurred rapidly at this temperature and more gradually under cool and dry conditions. Foraging decreased under dry conditions, which suggests there were opportunity costs to water conservation. Exposure to the herbicide atrazine additively decreased water‐conserving behaviors, foraging efficiency, mass, and time to death. Hence, the hypothesis that moderate climate change can cause population declines is even more plausible under scenarios with multiple stressors. These results suggest that climate change within the noncritical range of species and pollution may reduce individual performance by altering metabolic demands, hydration, and foraging effort and may facilitate population declines of amphibians and perhaps other ectothermic vertebrates.

Cambio Climático, Estresantes Múltiples y la Declinación de Ectotermos
All Together Now: Concurrent Learning of Multiple Structures in an Artificial Language
Authors: Romberg Alexa R. , Saffran Jenny R.
Published: June 2013

Natural languages contain many layers of sequential structure, from the distribution of phonemes within words to the distribution of phrases within utterances. However, most research modeling language acquisition using artificial languages has focused on only one type of distributional structure at a time. In two experiments, we investigated adult learning of an artificial language that contains dependencies between both adjacent and non‐adjacent words. We found that learners rapidly acquired both types of regularities and that the strength of the adjacent statistics influenced learning of both adjacent and non‐adjacent dependencies. Additionally, though accuracy was similar for both types of structure, participants’ knowledge of the deterministic non‐adjacent dependencies was more explicit than their knowledge of the probabilistic adjacent dependencies. The results are discussed in the context of current theories of statistical learning and language acquisition.
Pioneers of exfoliative cytology in the 19th century: the predecessors of George Papanicolaou
Authors: Diamantis A. , Magiorkinis E.
Published: June 2013

The purpose of our study was to summarize the knowledge on exfoliative cytology during the 19th century and to track down Papanicolaou's predecessors. A thorough study of texts, medical books and reports, together with a review of the available literature in PubMed, was undertaken. The study of cytological preparations as a diagnostic procedure can be traced back to the work of the famous French microscopist Alfred François Donné. However, the systematic study and the criteria for the diagnosis of malignant cells should be attributed to Johannes Müller. The increasing interest in the cytological examination of various fluids of the human body can be confirmed by a plethora of studies published during this period. By the end of the 19th century, the invention of new techniques in pathology, such as the introduction of cell block techniques, tissue sections and new staining methods which provided the opportunity to study surgical specimens in three dimensions, led to a decrease in the interest in exfoliative cytology, which was re‐discovered by George Papanicolaou almost three decades later.
Dorsomedial and dorsolateral striatum exhibit distinct phasic neuronal activity during alcohol self‐administration in rats
Authors: Fanelli Rebecca R. , Klein Jeffrey T. , Reese Rebecca M. , Robinson Donita L.
Published: June 2013

The development of alcoholism may involve a shift from goal‐directed to habitual drinking. These action control systems are distinct in the dorsal striatum, with the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) important for goal‐directed behavior and the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) required for habit formation. Goal‐directed behavior can be modeled in rats with a fixed ratio (FR) reinforcement schedule, while a variable interval (VI) schedule promotes habitual behavior (e.g. insensitivity to contingency degradation). Using extracellular recordings from chronically implanted electrodes, we investigated how DMS and DLS neurons encoded lever‐press responses and conditioned cues during operant alcohol self‐administration in these two models. In rats self‐administering 10% alcohol on an FR schedule, the DMS neuronal population showed increased firing at the onset of start‐of‐session stimuli. During self‐administration, the most prominent phasic firing patterns in the DMS occurred at the time of reinforcement and reinforcement‐associated cues, while the most prominent phasic activity in the DLS surrounded the lever response. Neural recordings from an additional cohort of rats trained on a VI schedule revealed a similar pattern of results; however, phasic changes in firing were smaller and differences between the medial and lateral dorsal striatum were less marked. In summary, the DMS and DLS exhibited overlapping but specialized phasic firing patterns: DMS excitations were typically time‐locked to reinforcement, while DLS excitations were generally associated with lever responses. Furthermore, the regional specificities and magnitudes of phasic firing differed between reinforcement schedules, which may reflect differences in behavioral flexibility, reward expectancy and the action sequences required to procure reinforcement.
A testimony of Carolingian rule? The Codex epistolaris carolinus, its historical context, and the meaning of imperium
Authors: van Espelo Dorine
Published: June 2013

In the preface to the Carolingian collection of papal letters, known as the Codex epistolaris carolinus, the word imperium is used in the context of describing what is in the collection. In this article, I shall argue that a reinterpretation of the preface's statement about what imperium refers to will shed a different light on the CC as a collection in its entirety. What imperium refers to exactly can be debated, yet studying the Codex carolinus as a Carolingian product of its time, in combination with a reappraisal of its preface, may help to understand the source's historical context and its value to the Carolingian court. As I hope to demonstrate, the CC was an essentially purposeful collection, which underlined the shared history of the Carolingian family and the papacy in Rome.
Henry I of Germany's 929 military campaign in archaeological perspective
Authors: Bachrach David S.
Published: June 2013

In 929, King Henry I of Germany (919–36) launched an exceptionally successful offensive against the Slav polities along the length of his eastern frontier. This campaign, which is recorded in contemporary written accounts, has long been known to historians, and its importance in the political history of the German kingdom is undisputed. However, to date, there is no book‐length or article‐length study devoted to Henry's military successes in 929. This article fills that striking lacuna by drawing on the vast body of information provided through excavations, which sheds considerable new light on the scale and sophistication of Henry I's undertaking.
Pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability of phenobarbital in neonates and young infants, a population pharmacokinetic modelling approach
Authors: Marsot Amélie , Brevaut‐Malaty Véronique , Vialet Renaud , Boulamery Audrey , Bruguerolle Bernard , Simon Nicolas
Published: June 2013

Phenobarbital is widely used for treatment of neonatal seizures. Its optimal use in neonates and young infants requires information regarding pharmacokinetics. The objective of this study is to characterize the absolute bioavailability of phenobarbital in neonates and young infants, a pharmacokinetic parameter which has not yet been investigated. Routine clinical pharmacokinetic data were retrospectively collected from 48 neonates and infants (weight: 0.7–10 kg; patient's postnatal age: 0–206 days; GA: 27–42 weeks) treated with phenobarbital, who were administered as intravenous or suspension by oral routes and hospitalized in a paediatric intensive care unit. Total mean dose of 4.6 mg/kg (3.1–10.6 mg/kg) per day was administered by 30‐min infusion or by oral route. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a nonlinear mixed‐effect population model software). Data were modelled with an allometric pharmacokinetic model, using three‐fourths scaling exponent for clearance (CL). The population typical mean [per cent relative standard error (%RSE)] values for CL, apparent volume of distribution (Vd) and bioavailability (F) were 0.0054 L/H/kg (7%), 0.64 L/kg (15%) and 48.9% (22%), respectively. The interindividual variability of CL, Vd, F (%RSE) and residual variability (%RSE) was 17% (31%), 50% (27%), 39% (27%) and 7.2 mg/L (29%), respectively. The absolute bioavailability of phenobarbital in neonates and infants was estimated. The dose should be increased when switching from intravenous to oral administration.
Tissue‐resident mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells in skeletal muscle: collaborators or saboteurs?
Authors: Judson Robert N. , Zhang Regan‐Heng , Rossi Fabio M. A.
Published: June 2013

Although the regenerative potential of adult skeletal muscle is maintained by satellite cells, other stem/progenitor cell populations also reside in skeletal muscle. These heterogeneous cellular pools with mesenchymal lineage potentially play important roles in tissue homeostasis, with reciprocal collaborations between these cells and satellite cells appearing critical for effective regeneration. However, in disease settings, these mesenchymal stem/progenitors adopt a more sinister role – likely providing a major source of fibrosis, fatty tissue and extracellular matrix protein deposition in dystrophic tissue. Development of therapies for muscle degeneration therefore requires complete understanding of the multiple cell types involved and their complex interactions.
Structural and functional importance of local and global conformational fluctuations in the RNase A superfamily
Authors: Gagné Donald , Doucet Nicolas
Published: June 2013

Understanding the relationship between protein structure and flexibility is of utmost importance for deciphering the tremendous rates of reactions catalyzed by enzyme biocatalysts. It has been postulated that protein homologs have evolved similar dynamic fluctuations to promote catalytic function, a property that would presumably be encoded in their structural fold. Using one of the best‐characterized enzyme systems of the past century, we explore this hypothesis by comparing the numerous and diverse flexibility reports available for a number of structural and functional homologs of the pancreatic‐like RNase A superfamily. Using examples from the literature and from our own work, we cover recent and historical evidence pertaining to the highly dynamic nature of this important structural fold, as well as the presumed importance of local and global concerted motions on the ribonucleolytic function. This minireview does not pretend to cover the overwhelming RNase A literature in a comprehensive manner; rather, efforts have been made to focus on the characterization of multiple timescale motions observed in the free and/or ligand‐bound structural homologs as they proceed along the reaction coordinates. Although each characterized enzyme of this architectural fold shows unique motional features on a local scale, accumulating evidence from X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations suggests that global dynamic fluctuations, such as the functionally relevant hinge‐bending motion observed in the prototypical RNase A, are shared between homologs of the pancreatic‐like RNase superfamily. These observations support the hypothesis that analogous dynamic residue clusters are evolutionarily conserved among structural and functional homologs catalyzing similar enzymatic reactions.
Ductile fracture simulation of 304 stainless steel pipes with two circumferential surface cracks
Authors: Kim J‐H. , Kim N‐H. , Kim Y‐J. , Hasegawa K. , Miyazaki K.
Published: June 2013

In this paper, ductile fracture behaviours of 304 stainless steel pipes with two circumferential surface cracks under pure bending are simulated using finite element damage analyses. Simulations are based on the stress‐modified fracture strain model with the concept that the critical accumulated damage for progressive cracking is assumed to be dependent on an element size. The proposed method can predict not only maximum loads but also complex ductile fracture patterns observed in experiments.
Assessment of four different methods in subcutaneous heparin applications with regard to causing bruise and pain
Authors: Avşar Gülçin , Kaşikçi Mağfiret
Published: June 2013

Subcutaneous administration of the anticoagulant heparin sodium is a frequently performed nursing intervention. Subcutaneous heparin injection often causes problems such as bruise, pain, induration, and hematoma at the injection site. Bruising that result from heparin injections may lead to anxiety, disruption of body image, the rejection of the treatment in patients, and the reduction of the reliance of patient to nurse. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the effects of four different injection technique pain and on bruising associated with subcutaneous heparin. The research involved ninety‐five patients. Each subject received four injections by the same investigator using four different techniques. Site bruising was measured at forty‐eight and seventy‐two after each injection. The bruising size was measured using milimetric transparent palyethylene wrap and the verbal pain scale. There was significant difference in the incidence or size of bruises and pain perception the subject among techniques. Results of the study show that use of air lock technique without aspiration and two‐minute cold application to the area of injection with methods reduce bruise and pain.
Factors influencing quality of chest compression depth in nursing students
Authors: Roh Young Sook , Lim Eun Ju
Published: June 2013

The purpose of the study was to identify factors influencing quality of chest compression depth in nursing students. A convenience sample of 102 female nursing students enrolled in a cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills training session. Each student performed 3 min of chest compression skills on a Resusci Anne SkillReporter manikin for measurements of both depth and rate. Nursing students with correct compression depth (50–60 mm) had higher body weight (t = −2.02, P = 0.046) and body mass index (t = −2.19, P = 0.031) compared with students in the incorrect depth group. Mean chest compression depth was shallower in underweight nursing students compared with normal weight or overweight students (F = 8.89, P < 0.001). Body weight was a significant factor influencing quality of chest compression depth (F = 4.25, P = 0.003). Educational intervention targeting underweight nursing students might need to enhance the quality of chest compression skills.
Knowledge and attitudes of emergency nurses towards Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever in endemic regions of Turkey
Authors: Kiliç Akça Nazan , Başer Mürüvvet , Gül Kuzucu Emine
Published: June 2013

This study was carried out in order to determine knowledge and attitudes of emergency nurses about Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic Fever. This descriptive research was carried out where the disease is frequent, in six cities in Turkey. One hundred forty‐three nurses who worked in the emergency room were recruited to the study. Data were collected with a questionnaire form and were analysed by chi‐squared test. The mean age of the nurses was 31.0 ± 5.7 years. It was determined that 68.8% of the nurses claimed to have sufficient knowledge about the disease, 99.3% said that it was a virus that caused the disease, and 94.3% said that health‐care personnel exposed to it were under great risk. It was concluded that most of the nurses had relatively good knowledge about the disease and that they did not want to run the high risk of infection and mortality by treating patients who had the disease.
Orthopaedic inpatient rehabilitation conducted by nursing staff in acute orthopaedic wards in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Pi‐Chu , Wang Ching‐Hui , Liu Yo‐Yi , Chen Chyang‐Shiong
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this study was to understand the postoperative rehabilitation patterns of orthopaedic patients and to explore factors which affected the patients' functional recovery. A descriptive study with convenience sampling was performed. Study participants included orthopaedic inpatients from two hospitals in Taipei. In total, 100 patients were selected with an average age of 60.88 ± 17.61 years, of which the most common type of surgery was a total knee replacement (49.0%). Among these participants, 79.0% received rehabilitation guided by nursing staff, while only 6.0% were instructed by a physical therapist. The predictive factor for the time to first ambulation was the intensity of pain experienced on the second day after the operation, which accounted for 4.5% of the total variance. As for the functional status prior to discharge, predictive factors included the time to first ambulation and whether nursing staff provided instructions on rehabilitation, which accounted for 11.2% of the total variance. We recommend that professional staff should promote patient guidance toward postoperative rehabilitation, assistance in achieving the first ambulation and a resolution of obstacles to rehabilitation.
The effect of non‐pharmacological staged interventions on fatigue and dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Deng Guo‐jin , Liu Fan‐rong , Zhong Qing‐ling , Chen Jing , Yang Mei‐fang , He Hong‐Gu
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of non‐pharmacological staged interventions on fatigue and dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 64 patients in a tertiary hospital in China from 2010 to 2011. Patients were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 32), who received routine care, and the intervention group (n = 32), who received additional non‐pharmacological staged interventions. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and the five‐grade Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale were used to collect data at baseline and after 6 weeks. Compared with the control group, patients in the intervention group had significantly lower scores on general fatigue (P < 0.001), physical fatigue (P < 0.001), reduced activity (P < 0.001) and reduced motivation (P = 0.03) and had better relief of dyspnoea (P = 0.02). Our study showed that non‐pharmacological staged interventions were effective in relieving fatigue and dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Alfred Loisy's Developmental Approach to Scripture: Reading the ‘Firmin’ Articles in the Context of Nineteenth‐ and Twentieth‐Century Historical Biblical Criticism
Authors: Morrow Jeffrey L.
Published: June 2013

Alfred Loisy's ‘Firmin’ articles applied John Henry Newman's concept of development of doctrine within church history to the Bible. In doing this, Loisy was attempting to convince his Catholic audience to appropriate the historical critical method within Catholic biblical interpretation. Loisy attempted to explain the notion of development within the Bible, which had become commonplace among the Protestant historical critical scholarship of the time, in light of Newman's concept of the development of doctrine within history.
Empowered Wives and Frustrated Husbands: Nursing, Gender and Migrant Nepali in the UK
Authors: Adhikari Radha
Published: June 2013

Since 2000, increasing numbers of Nepali nurses have crossed national borders to participate in the global healthcare market. The most common destination countries are the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand. In particular, educated middle‐class women are attracted to nursing with the full support of their families. There have been profound changes in women's position in Nepali society. As a female only profession in Nepal, nursing provides an excellent focus on how and why these changes have occurred.

Based on a multi‐sited ethnography, including in‐depth interviews with nurses and their families, conducted in Nepal and the UK from 2006–2008, this article discusses the changing nursing profession within the broader context of gender dynamics. Between 2000 and 2008, around 1000 Nepali nurses migrated to the UK. International nurse migration hugely affects nurses' immediate family dynamics. This article illustrates how migrant nurses' husbands have to accept a compromised social position, from being family bread‐winners in Nepal to dependent husbands in the UK.

Policy Implications

Since the late 1990s, a new women‐migration phenomenon has emerged in Nepal. The Nepal government's current women migration policy has created a serious controversy, which requires urgent policy attention.

Because of British work permit regulations, Nepali nurses migrate to the UK on their own. Typically the UK government gives little consideration to how its international nurse recruitment practices and work permit policy affects migrants' family life. There is a need for a family‐friendly immigration policy.

Female / nurse migration has a profound impact on nurses' families' lives in the UK. This area requires further enquiry.
Associations among Pain, Non‐Medical Prescription Opioid Use, and Drug Overdose History
Authors: Bonar Erin E. , Ilgen Mark A. , Walton Maureen , Bohnert Amy S.B.
Published: June 2013

Background and Objective

Recently, use of prescription opioids (POs) has increased; non‐medical PO (NMPO) use is linked to overdose. NMPO use is common among individuals prescribed opioids for pain, and those in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment with pain could be at increased risk for unintentional overdose due to NMPO use. We examined associations between pain, NMPO use, and overdose among SUD treatment patients.

Methods

Among 342 patients at a residential SUD treatment center, logistic regression examined the association of overdose with pain, adjusting for substance use, suicide attempts, and demographics.

Results

Pain was positively related to NMPO use. Heroin use, suicide attempts, pain, and NMPO use were positively associated with overdose; but NMPO use attenuated the pain‐overdose relationship.

Conclusions

The relationship between pain and overdose among substance users may be, in part, explained by the association between pain and heavy NMPO use. (Am J Addict 2014;23:41–47)
One Man's Dreams, Another Man's Cosmology
Authors: Nichter Mark
Published: June 2013

In this article, I examine a series of conversations that I had with a South Indian Ayurvedic practitioner (vaidya) about a dream I had while in the field. The dream provided him an opportunity to engage me as cultural broker and creatively reconstruct his own cosmology. The article at once details the reasoning, diagnosis, explanation, and treatment of traditional Ayurvedic practitioners at large, and one vaidya's idiosyncratic project that has legitimacy within the larger discursive field provided by the register of Ayurveda. Further, the article also provides an example of how ongoing conversations with an anthropologist shape the knowledge produced by informants in context. In this article, I make use of a Boasian model of the elite informant as a creator of ethnographic texts that are inventive and idiosyncratic in the cultural milieu. These texts constitute a form of intellectual creativity (lila) that leads the vaidya to feel renewed in his commitment to his cosmology. As Durkheim pointed out long ago, ecstatic emotions are what generate a conviction of the presence of the transcendent. Durkheim focused on collective rituals. In this article, I provide a case in which such emotions are generated by the thrill of insight.
Demographical, laboratory and associated findings in patients with perniosis
Authors: Külcü Çakmak S. , Gönül M. , Oğuz I.D. , Yayla D. , Gül Ü. , Köse K.
Published: June 2013

Background

Perniosis is a cold‐induced inflammatory disorder of the acral areas. The objective of this study was to investigate the demographic characteristics, associated factors, clinical and laboratory findings in patients with perniosis and to compare those findings between patients who had recurrent and acute disease.

Methods

Thirty‐four patients with perniosis were investigated retrospectively for age, gender, occupation, smoking and diet histories, associated diseases, family history of perniosis, precipitating factors, the month of onset and the duration of perniosis, the distribution of the lesions and the results of laboratory investigations.

Results

Fifteen patients were male and 19 were female. The ages of the patients ranged from 15 to 57 years. Thirteen patients were working as sales people, which was the most common occupation. Sixteen patients were smokers. While 25 of the patients had encountered perniosis for the first time, in 9 of the patients, there were recurrent lesions. Diseases other than perniosis were recorded in 6 of the patients. The laboratory tests revealed mild leukopenia in 2, antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity in 3, mild rise in albumin level in serum protein electrophoresis in 1 patient. ANA positivity was significantly higher in patients with recurrent disease.

Conclusion

Perniosis was more common in women and below 40 years. We found no significant laboratory findings except ANA positivity in patients with recurrent perniosis.
Current practice in relation to nutritional assessment and dietary management of enteral nutrition in adults with Crohn's disease
Authors: Lomer M. C. E. , Gourgey R. , Whelan K.
Published: June 2013

Background

Nutritional assessment and dietary intervention, particularly enteral nutrition, are important in the management of Crohn's disease (CD). National audits have reported that dietetic resourcing in gastroenterology is inadequate. The present study aimed to identify current practice in the nutritional assessment and dietary management of enteral nutrition in CD, as well as investigate the factors that influenced it.

Methods

A nationwide questionnaire survey adopting complete population sampling of all 296 UK acute hospitals was undertaken aiming to determine dietetic resourcing for gastroenterology. In addition, the case‐note review method was used to investigate approaches to nutritional assessment and dietary management of enteral nutrition as treatment for active CD.

Results

Data were returned from 149 (56%) hospitals, providing assessment and management information on 190 patients. The median number of dietetic sessions dedicated to gastroenterology was 2 per week (interquartile range 4). Hospitals with five or more sessions per week dedicated to gastroenterology used a greater number of components in their nutritional assessment [mean (SD) 21.5 ( 5.0)] than those with fewer sessions [mean (SD) 19.6 (SD) 6.1, P = 0.05]. Enteral nutrition was perceived to be effective in 100 (55%) of 182 patients. The major reasons for limited success were poor compliance and inadequate volumes consumed, as well as insufficient treatment duration.

Conclusions

The components included in a nutritional assessment of CD patients are significantly lower in hospitals with fewer dietetic gastroenterology sessions. Focus on improving compliance and duration of enteral nutrition is urgently required to maximise the success of enteral nutrition in the treatment of CD.
Comparative efficacy of a self‐report scale and physiological measures in dental anxiety of children
Authors: Manepalli Swapna , Nuvvula Sivakumar , Kamatham Rekhalakshmi , Nirmala Sunkara
Published: June 2013

Aim

To determine and correlate dental anxiety in children, using psychometric and physiological measures.

Methods

On hundred children (51 boys and 49 girls) were selected and anxiety was assessed using psychometric (Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale) and physiological measures (pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels), for local anesthetic administration. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS software version 11.0. Metric continuous data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Analysis between groups was carried out by using one way anova. Categorical variables were analyzed with “Fisher's exact test”. For statistical significance, the probability value of < 0.05 was considered. The correlation among psychometric and physiological measures was assessed using the Spearman rank correlation.

Results

A very weak negative correlation between pulse rate and MCDAS(f) values was observed. The oxygen saturation level did not show significant variations and was not a reliable indicator of anxiety.

Conclusion

Both psychometric and physiological measures have their own merits and are important clinically. Even behavioral measures, although having observer bias, can be used as an adjuvant along with these measures. It is essential to take two or more measures into consideration rather than just one to assess dental anxiety.
Association of bone mineral density with periodontal status in postmenopausal women
Authors: Singh Anuradha , Sharma Rajinder K. , Siwach Ram C. , Tewari Shikha , Narula Satish C.
Published: June 2013

Aim

Menopausal changes expose an individual towards risk of various pathologies during midlife transition. This study aimed to investigate the possible association of bone mineral density (BMD) with periodontal parameters in early postmenopausal Indian women.

Methods

In 78 dentate postmenopausal female patients periodontal examination was performed including clinical attachment loss, pocket depth, plaque index and sulcular bleeding index. Alveolar crestal height was measured on proximal surfaces of all posterior teeth except third molars with the help of bitewing radiographs. Patient's BMD was assessed with dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlation between BMD and periodontal parameters.

Results

Pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and alveolar crestal height were found to have negative and statistically significant (P = −0.000 each) correlation with T‐score, with the value of Pearson's correlation coefficient being −0.474, −0.426, and −0.419 respectively. Number of teeth lost due to periodontitis was not significantly correlated with T‐score (P > 0.05). Results of anova and the post‐hoc Tukey test revealed a statistically significant difference of mean clinical attachment loss, pocket depth and alveolar crestal height for the osteoporotic versus osteopenic group and the osteoporotic versus normal group. However, between the osteopenic and normal group, the differences of mean were statistically nonsignificant (P > 0.05). Body mass index was found to have a weakly positive (r = 0.376) and statistically significant (P = 0.001) correlation with T‐score.

Conclusions

Bone mineral density is an important risk indicator for periodontitis in postmenopausal women. Number of teeth lost due to periodontitis is not significantly affected by the BMD of the early postmenopausal phase.
Secretory products of Escherichia coli biofilm modulate Candida biofilm formation and hyphal development
Authors: Bandara H. M. H. N. , Cheung Becky P. K. , Watt Rory M. , Jin Li Jian , Samaranayake Lakshman P.
Published: June 2013

Aim

To investigate the time‐ and concentration‐dependent effects of Escherichia coli biofilm supernatant on Candida biofilm development, and to assess the effect of E. coli supernatant on Candida albicans hypha‐specific genes (HSGs) expression.

Methods

The effect of E. coli biofilm supernatant on six Candida spp. was assessed by tetrazolium salt (XTT) reduction assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The effect of biofilm supernatant on the expression of C. albicans HSGs (ECE1, HWP1, HYR1, RBT1, RBT4, ALS3, and ALS8) and transcription factors (CPH1, CPH2, EFG1, TEC1, RAS1, TUP1, NRG1 and RFG1) was evaluated with real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

Escherichia coli biofilm secretory products significantly inhibited C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. krusei biofilms at 24 h and all Candida spp. at 48 h (P < 0.05), and SEM and CLSM confirmed these data. HSGs RBT1 and RBT4 were mostly up‐regulated and ECE1, HWP1 and HYR1 were mostly down‐regulated. ALS3 was totally suppressed. All HSGs were down‐regulated at 48 h (P < 0.05). NRG1, RFG1 and EFG1, CPH1 and TEC1, and TUP1 and CPH2 showed similar expression trends and all were down‐regulated at 48 h (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Escherichia coli secretory elements significantly impair Candida biofilm development possibly by modulating HSGs and its transcriptional regulation.
Evaluation of the antigingivitis effect of a chlorhexidine mouthwash with or without an antidiscoloration system compared to placebo during experimental gingivitis
Authors: Li Wen , Wang Ren E. , Finger Martin , Lang Niklaus P.
Published: June 2013

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorhexidine (CHX) with an antidiscoloration system (ADS) on stain, plaque accumulation, and gingivitis.

Methods

A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 26 students. After a preparatory period, the students were randomly assigned to either group P (placebo), group T1 (0.12% CHX without an ADS), or group T2 (0.12% CHX with an ADS). During the 3‐week experimental period, all mechanical oral hygiene was abolished. Rinsing with 10 mL mouthwash or placebo was performed twice daily under supervision. The parameters assessed on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 included the Discoloration Index (DI), Plaque Index (PII), and Gingival Index (GI).

Results

There were no significant mean differences in the DI, PII, or GI between groups T2 and P. Significant mean differences existed in the DI between groups T2 and T1 on days 14 and 21. Significant mean differences existed in the PI between groups T2 and T1 on days 7, 14, and 21. Likewise, significant mean differences existed in the GI between groups T2 and T1 on days 14 and 21.

Conclusions

CHX with an ADS did not prevent plaque or gingivitis development. In fact, the CHX mouthwash with an ADS showed no superior effect over placebo on oral hygiene or the prevention of gingivitis.
Navigating Pituitary Structure and Function ‐ Defining a Roadmap for Hormone Secretion
Authors: Hodson David J , Mollard Patrice
Published: June 2013

The human pituitary gland may be the size of a pea, but it punches well above its weight due to secretion of hormones that regulate essential homeostatic processes ranging from growth to stress. Recent advances in imaging and genetics have allowed large‐scale interrogation of pituitary structure and function, and in doing so, have revealed that output relies on its organisation into highly plastic networks.
Nonclassical Progesterone Signalling Molecules in the Nervous System
Authors: Petersen S. L. , Intlekofer K. A. , Moura‐Conlon P. J. , Brewer D. N. , del Pino Sans J. , Lopez J. A.
Published: June 2013

Progesterone (P4) regulates a wide range of cognitive, neuroendocrine, neuroimmune and neuroprotective functions. Therefore, it is not surprising that this ovarian hormone acts through multiple receptors. Ever since the 1980s, studies investigating the neural effects of P4 have focused mainly on genomic and nongenomic actions of the classical progestin receptor (PGR). More recently, two groups of nonclassical P4 signalling molecules have been identified: (i) the class II progestin and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) family, which includes PAQR 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, also called membrane progestin receptor α (mPRα; PAQR7), mPRβ (PAQR8), mPRγ (PAQR5), mPRδ (PAQR6) and mPRε (PAQR9), and (ii) the b5‐like haeme/steroid‐binding protein family, which includes progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (Pgrmc1), Pgrmc2, neudesin and neuferricin. In this review, we describe the structures, neuroanatomical localisation and signalling mechanisms of these molecules. We also discuss gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone regulation as an example of a physiological function regulated by multiple progesterone receptors but through different mechanisms.
Effect of temporal aggregation on multiple time series in the frequency domain
Authors: Hassler Uwe
Published: June 2013

The effect of temporal aggregation on bivariate spectral measures is investigated. First, the low‐frequency regression coefficient turns out to be invariant under aggregation irrespective of differencing, with the exception of when the aggregation of flow and stock variables is combined. Second, the long‐run squared coherency is invariant with respect to aggregation irrespective of differencing. Third, for frequencies different from zero, limiting results for a growing aggregation levelmare obtained equal to those at frequency 0 of the underlying basic series. Hence, all frequency domain information is distorted by aggregation apart from the long‐run one. This also holds true for the phase angle that always approaches zero with growing aggregation levelm. The sole exception to these findings is the case of the skip sampling stationary series. Moreover, for finite aggregation level, one may exactly quantify the aggregational effect on each cycle of interest. Numerical examples illustrate our results.
Validity and Reliability of the Persian (Farsi) Version of the DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions) Questionnaire for Differential Diagnosis of Neuropathic from Non‐Neuropathic Pains
Authors: Madani Seyed Pezhman , Fateh Hamid R. , Forogh Bijan , Fereshtehnejad Seyed‐Mohammad , Ahadi Tannaz , Ghaboussi Pouya , Bouhassira Didier , Raissi Gholam Reza
Published: June 2013

The aim of our study was translation and assessment of validity and reliability of the Persian version of DN4 questionnaire. The goal was to fill the gap caused by the absence of a validated instrument in Persian to facilitate discrimination of neuropathic pain. In this study, the adaptation and validation of the questionnaire was carried out in 4 steps, including translation, retranslation, semantic, and literal assessments, and a pilot study for practicability and potential perception difficulties of the final Persian version on 45 patient samples. The questionnaire validation performed on 175 patients, 112 (64%) females with the mean age of 52.53 (SD = 14.98) ranging from 22 to 87 years of age with neuropathic (N = 86) and non‐neuropathic pain (NNP) (N = 89). Sensitivity, specificity, and Youden Index in cut‐off point ≥ 4 were 90%, 95%, and 0.85, respectively, which are noteworthy findings among other validation studies. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the whole questionnaire was 0.852. Inter‐rater agreement and test–retest reliability were significant intraclass coefficient (ICC = 0.957 and ICC = 0.918, respectively). The Persian version of DN4 questionnaire is a reliable, valid, feasible, and easily administered tool for precise discrimination neuropathic pain from NNP in Farsi. The characteristics of this test can assist practitioner to diagnose neuropathic pain accurately for both clinical and research purposes.
Cognitive outcome of very‐low‐birthweight infants at 6 years of age
Authors: Takayanagi Toshimitsu , Egashira Masanori , Yamaguchi Tomona , Murata Noriko , Yokota Goro , Matsuo Koji , Ogata Tsutomu , Egashira Tomoko , Iwanaga Manabu , Mizukami Tomoko
Published: June 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of the cognitive function in very‐low‐birth‐weight infants (VLBWI) at 6 years of age and investigate significant factors during neonatal intensive care unit admission that affect cognitive outcomes.

Methods

One hundred and eighty‐nineVLBWI(28.4 weeks, 1024 g), including 93 extremely low‐birthweight (EL) infants whose birthweight was <1000 g (26.8 weeks, 759 g) and 96 very low‐birthweight (VL) infants whose birthweight was 1000–1499 g (30.0 weeks, 1281 g), were enrolled. The cognitive function was measured using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children version 3, threeIQtests, four factor indices and 13 subtest scores. Regression analyses were performed to analyze the cognitive indices and clinical variables during neonatal intensive care unit admission.

Results

The full‐scale IQ (FIQ) in theELinfants was 85.3 ± 13.4, which was significantly lower than the 91.8 ± 9.7 observed in theVLinfants. The verbal IQ and performance IQ in theELinfants were also lower than those observed in theVLinfants. The rate of difference between verbal IQ and performance IQ >14 was 20% in theELinfants and 22% in theVLinfants. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant relation betweenFIQandHC(P= 0.002) andFIQand dexamethasone (P= 0.012).

Conclusion

In comparison with that observed in theVLinfants, the intelligence quotient of theELinfants was inferior and exhibited more inter‐individual variation. Intra‐individual imbalances of the cognitive function were highly observed irrespective of theELorVLstatus. Restriction of intrauterine brain growth and greater doses of dexamethasone may be harmful for subsequent cognitive outcomes.
Perceptions of illness, lifestyle and support after an acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Junehag Lena , Asplund Kenneth , Svedlund Marianne
Published: June 2013

After an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), people are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle. But they are not always motivated to maintain the necessary lifestyle changes and need the right support to do it. In sparsely populated areas, people afflicted by an AMI have difficulty in finding standard rehabilitation programmes near their homes during the recovery, so they need alternative forms of support. The aim was to describe individual perceptions of their lifestyle and support, 1 year after an AMI, with or without mentorship. This study has a qualitative, descriptive design with data collected in individual interviews. Twenty men and women were interviewed 1 year after their first AMI, and 11 had been offered contact with mentors who had had an AMI. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. Those with and without mentors had similarities and tendencies to variation in their perceptions, with both a positive and negative view of life. The participants were aware of the necessity of living a healthy lifestyle but some resisted doing so. They wished to live as before, and all saw the future positively. Having a mentor with the same experience could be valuable for some people, but more research is needed to understand the lack of motivation to make beneficial lifestyle changes after a serious health event as AMI.
Diabetes mellitus, hypertension and albuminuria in rural Zambia: a hospital‐based survey
Authors: Rasmussen Jon B. , Thomsen Jakúp A. , Rossing Peter , Parkinson Shelagh , Christensen Dirk L. , Bygbjerg Ib C.
Published: June 2013

Objective

To assess albuminuria in rural Zambia among patients with diabetes mellitus only (DM group), hypertension only (HTN group) and patients with combined DM and HTN (DM/HTN group).

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted at St. Francis Hospital in the Eastern province of Zambia. Albumin–creatinine ratio in one urine sample was used to assess albuminuria. Other information obtained included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), random capillary glucose, time since diagnosis, medication and family history of DM or HTN.

Results

A total of 193 participants were included (DM group: n = 33; HTN group: n = 92; DM/HTN group: n = 68). The participants in the DM group used insulin more frequently as diabetes medication than the DM/HTN group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the DM group was younger and had lower BMI, WC and BP than the two other groups. In the DM group, HTN group and DM/HTN group, microalbuminuria was found in 12.1%, 19.6% and 29.4% (P = 0.11), and macroalbuminuria was found in 0.0%, 3.3% and 13.2% (P = 0.014), respectively. The urine albumin (P = 0.014) and albumin–creatinine ratio (P = 0.0006) differed between the three groups.

Conclusion

This hospital‐based survey in rural Zambia found a lower frequency of albuminuria among the participants than in previous studies of patients with DM or HTN in urban sub‐Saharan Africa.