bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Pain Catastrophizing in the Prediction of Acute and Chronic Postoperative Pain
Authors: Kremer Ran , Granot Michal , Yarnitsky David , Crispel Yonathan , Fadel Shiri , Anson Best Lael , Nir Rony-Reuven
Published: July 2013

Background and Objectives:

Despite the established association between greater pain catastrophizing and enhanced postoperative pain, it is still unclear: (i) what is the relative contribution of each of the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) dimensions in the prediction of acute and chronic postoperative pain; and (ii) whether PCS scores mediate the association between acute and chronic postoperative pain intensity.

Methods:

The current prospective, observational study was conducted at Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel. PCS was obtained in 48 pain-free patients a day before an elective thoracotomy in response to tonic heat pain. Acute postthoracotomy pain (APTP) was assessed during rest, including general pain (Restgeneral), and incision-related pain (Restincision), and in response to provoked physical activity, including hand elevation (Provokedhand) and cough (Provokedcough).
Chronic postthoracotomy pain (CPTP) was assessed after 4.5±2.3 months.

Results:

Of the PCS subscales, only rumination: (i) was correlated with Restgeneral scores (r=0.337, P=0.027); and (ii) predicted chronic postthoracotomy pain in a regression analysis (P=0.001). General PCS and its subscales mediated the correlation between Restgeneral and chronic postthoracotomy pain intensity (Ps<0.006).

Conclusions:

Findings may elucidate the unique role of the rumination subscale in reflecting an individual's postopertive acute and chronic pain responsiveness. The transition from acute to chronic postoperative pain seems to be facilitated by enhanced pain catastrophizing.
Greater Frequency of Depression Associated with Chronic Primary Headaches Than Chronic Post-Traumatic Headaches
Authors: McMurtray Aaron M. , Saito Erin K. , Diaz Natalie , Mehta Bijal , Nakamoto Beau
Published: July 2013

Objective:

To compare the prevalence of co-morbid depression between patients with chronic primary headache syndromes and chronic posttraumatic headaches.

Method:

A prospective cross-sectional analysis of all patients presenting sequentially to a community-based general neurology clinic during a 2-year period for evaluation of chronic headache pain was conducted. Headache diagnosis was determined according to the International Headache Society's Headache Classification criteria. Depression was determined through a combination of scores on the clinician administered Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and patients' self-report. An additional group of patients who suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBI) but did not develop post-traumatic headaches was included for comparison.

Results:

A total of 83 patients were included in the study: 45 with chronic primary headaches (24 with chronic migraine headaches, 21 with chronic tension headaches), 24 with chronic post-traumatic headaches, and 14 with TBI but no headaches. Depression occurred less frequently among those with chronic post-traumatic headaches (33.3%) compared to those with chronic migraine (66.7%) and chronic tension (52.4%) headaches (Chi-Square = 7.68; df = 3; p = 0.053), and did not significantly differ from TBI patients without headaches. A multivariate logistic regression model using depression as the outcome variable and including headache diagnosis, gender, ethnicity, and alcohol and illicit substance use was statistically significant (Chi-Square = 27.201; df = 10; p < 0.01) and identified primary headache (migraine and tension) diagnoses (Score = 7.349; df = 1; p = 0.04) and female gender (Score = 15.281; df = 1; p < 0.01) as significant predictor variables. The overall model accurately predicted presence of co-morbid depression in 74.7% of the cases.

Conclusions:

Co-morbid depression occurs less frequently among patients with chronic post-traumatic headaches and TBI without headaches than among those with chronic primary headaches.
Drug Therapy versus Electroconvulsive Therapy for Refractory Schizophrenia: Report of a Case with 14 Years of Follow-up
Authors: Dang Wei-Min , Kong Qing-Mei , Zhou Tian-Hang , Gao Lian-Sheng , Zhou Mo , Yao Hong-Ping , Luo Han-Zhi , Pang Jin , Huang Wen-Sheng
Published: July 2013

The long-term efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for refractory schizophrenia is rarely reported. We report the case of a 38-year-old female patient with refractory schizophrenia who was treated with ECT for 14 years (from 24 years of age). Case records of clinical treatment and laboratory tests are described and analyzed. During the first 11 years, the patient was treated with ECT as an adjunct to antipsychotic drugs, but the effectiveness was unstable. For the remaining 3 years she was treated with antipsychotic drugs as an adjunct to ECT and her condition stabilized as she gradually recovered social function. We summarize the clinical characteristics, therapy regimen, long-term effectiveness, and safety of this interesting case.
Evaluation of the Relationship between the Znf804A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Rs1344706 a/c Variant and Schizophrenia Subtype in Han Chinese Patients
Authors: Yang Yongfeng , Li Wenqiang , Yang Ge , Xiao Bo , Wang Xiujuan , Ding Minli , Zhao Jingyuan , Song Xueqing , Yue Weihua , Zhang Dai , Zhang Hongxing , Lv Luxian
Published: July 2013

Objective:

Recent genome wide association studies (GWASs) assessing the relationship between schizophrenia (SZ) and the ZNF804A gene, particularly the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1344706, have yielded conflicting results. Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder, so it is possible that an association may be restricted to specific SZ subtypes and that population heterogeneity may obscure a contribution of ZNF804A allelic variation to SZ risk. We thus evaluated the association between rs1344706 and different clinical SZ subtypes in a large Han Chinese patient population.

Method:

The rs1344706 genotype was determined in 1,025 SZ patients and 977 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLPs). The clinical SZ subtypes included paranoid, catatonic, disintegrated, and undifferentiated, diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition IV (DSM-IV).

Results:

No significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies were found between controls and either the total SZ population (A > C, χ2 = 4.339, 2.994; p = 0.227, 0.087, respectively) or paranoid SZ patients (χ2 = 2.053, 0.002; p = 0.562, 0.973, respectively). However, there was a significant association between genotype frequency and SZ subtype (χ2 = 12.632, p = 0.049).

Conclusions:

We found no evidence that the ZNF804A SNP rs1344706 is a susceptibility locus for SZ. However, conflicting results from previous association studies may be due to genetic heterogeneity between different patient SZ subtypes.
The State of Technical Communication in the Former Ussr: A Review of Literature
Authors: Zemliansky Pavel , St. Amant Kirk
Published: July 2013

Over the last 2 decades, the nations that once comprised the Soviet Union have begun to play an increasingly important role in the global economy. As a result, today's technical and professional communicators could find themselves interacting with co-workers, colleagues, and clients in these nations. Being successful in such contexts, however, requires an understanding of the cultural, historic, educational, and economic factors that have affected and continue to shape technical and professional communication practices in these countries. This article provides an overview of the literature that has been published on technical and professional communication practices in the former USSR as well as reviews educational factors that have contributed to such practices. Through such an examination, the article provides readers with a foundation they can use to engage in future research relating to technical and professional communication practices in post-Soviet states.
Online Social Networking across Cultures: An Exploration of Divergent and Common Practices
Authors: Salmona Michelle , Melton James , Miller Robert
Published: July 2013

Building on the authors' prior studies that investigate uses and perceptions of online social networks, this study critically explores the emerging social networking culture. In doing so, the research seeks to identify possible constructs that can be used to predict social networking behavior that may then be tested in a future study. The study relies on multiple user perspectives, drawing its participants from international students at two universities, one in Australia and one in the United States. Throughout this process, the utility of using the lens of national culture versus using other lenses is also examined. While the qualitative data suggests somewhat divergent approaches to social networking in different countries, a number of common themes were also identified. Two themes which appeared across national boundaries were changes in use over time and privacy and trust.
Time Talk: On Small Changes That Enact Infrastructural Mentoring for Undergraduate Women in Technical Fields
Authors: Sullivan Patricia , Moore Kristen
Published: July 2013

This article brings together the communication needs and positioning of women in technical areas, and asks “how can technical communication classes contribute to the mentoring of young women engineers at a time when many of those women want to be identified as engineers instead of being spotlighted as women in engineering?” Incorporating research into mentoring for women in engineering, and feminist approaches to mentoring in general, we adopt Heath and Heath's strategy in Switch, instituting small changes in technical communication classes (and sometimes their infrastructures) that target a mentoring problem—i.e., talk about time—with the hope of flipping a switch toward larger changes. Thus, the article demonstrates two tactics that we can use to deliver improvement in managing the discourse surrounding time and its deadlines. Our approach both mentors undergraduate women in more actively and effectively discussing and scheduling their work without singling them out as women and also integrates good mentoring practice into the infrastructure of technical communication service classes.
DFT study and microbiology of some coumarin-based compounds containing a chalcone moiety
Authors: Spirtovic-Halilovic Selma , Salihovic Mirsada , Dzudzevic-Cancar Hurija , Trifunovic Snezana , Roca Suncica , Softic Dzenita , Zavrsnik Davorka
Published: July 2013

In the present investigation, a series of coumarin-based compounds containing
a chalcone moiety were studied for their in vitro and in silico properties.
DFT global chemical reactivity descriptors (chemical hardness, total energy,
electronic chemical potential and electrophilicity) are calculated for four
synthesized compounds and used to predict their relative stability and
reactivity. The antibacterial activities of all compounds have been screened
against Bacillus subtilis (ATCC No. 6633) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC No.
11778). Quantum-chemical calculations indicate that antibacterial activity
correlates well with chemical reactivity descriptors of molecules.
Student Preference for Residential or Online Project Work in Psychology
Authors: Kaye Helen , Barrett Jane P. , Knightley Wendy M.
Published: July 2013

Psychology students at the Open University (OU) can choose whether to complete their project work at residential school or by participating in an online equivalent. This study identifies different factors governing module choice and student experience: When choosing residential school, social aspects are important, whereas for online, students are more concerned with ensuring the work fits into their lives. Students valued the opportunities to meet and make friends with peers at residential school and both residential school and online students rated working in groups highly. However group dynamics were mentioned as the worst aspect of the online experience. This report considers reasons for this and possible solutions.
Revisiting the Make-or-Buy Decision: Conveying Information by Outsourcing to Rivals
Authors: Arya Anil , Mittendorf Brian , Yoon Dae-Hee
Published: July 2013

The textbook make-or-buy decision is typically described as choosing the cheaper of the two sourcing options. However, research in accounting has consistently demonstrated that strategic and informational considerations often complicate such seemingly straightforward criteria. In a similar vein, this paper shows that when a firm becomes privy to accounting information pertaining to its profitability, its sourcing choice has powerful informational reverberations. This is because input procurement from an outsider serves to convey both profitability information and strategic positioning. Conveying profitability information refers to the fact that the size of the input order provides the supplier a credible signal of the firm's internal accounting information and, thus, its relative ability to compete in the marketplace. Conveying strategic positioning refers to the fact that the upfront placement of the input order also informs the supplier about the firm's chosen strategic choices in the marketplace. We demonstrate that both sources of information conveyance together can point to a firm preferring to buy inputs from a retail rival even when it can make them internally at a lower cost. This penchant for outsourcing to a rival is more pronounced the more accurate the firm's accounting system.
Minimally Invasive Adenocarcinoma of the Lung in a Young Patient Treated for Osteosarcoma
Authors: Del Carlo Bernardi Fabíola , Garcia Júlia Lopes , de Almeida Maria Tereza Assis , Zamperlini Gustavo , Soares Ibere Cauduro , Filho Vicente Odone , Dolhnikoff Marisa , Mauad Thais
Published: July 2013

Although children with osteosarcoma have a higher incidence of a 2nd malignancy than the general population, its development in the lung is rare. The few reported cases belong to examples of carcinomas. Here we present the case of a 13-year-old boy with a primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma diagnosed 3 years after the osteosarcoma diagnosis and present a review of the literature.
Recurrent Massive Perivillous Fibrin Deposition in the Placenta Associated with Fetal Renal Tubular Dysgenesis: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Linn Rebecca L. , Kiley Jessica , Minturn Lucy , Fritsch Michael K. , DeJulio Todd , Rostlund Emily , Ernst Linda M.
Published: July 2013

Massive perivillous fibrin deposition (MPVFD) of the placenta and renal tubular dysgenesis (RTD) are relatively rare diseases with potential recurrent risks that have not previously associated in the literature. Herein, we report the clinical course, autopsy findings, and placental pathologic features from 3 consecutive pregnancies delivered in 1 woman, all showing recurrent MPVFD in the placenta and RTD in the bilateral fetal kidneys.
Finnish–Hungarian Cooperation in Bryology; Memories from Excursions, Congresses and Research with Professor Tamás Pócs
Authors: Koponen Timo
Published: July 2013

The paper describes Professor Tamás Pócs’ cooperation with Finnish bryologists and other cryptogam taxonomists. Cooperation began with exchange of reprints in 1966 and identification of African bryophyte specimens in 1973. In 1976, Timo Koponen visited Budapest and Eger, and joint work continued during a University of Helsinki Department of Botany student excursion to Tanzania in 1988. Tamás Pócs, then a professor at Sokoine Agricultural University, arranged the logistics for the preparatory visit of four teachers as well as for the excursion itself. Later, Pócs participated in the Congress of Eastern Asiatic Bryology, the EU-funded ‘Advanced instruction in bryology and lichenology’ (Large Scale Facility) program and the ‘Bryophyte Flora of the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea’ project organized in Helsinki. He was elected a corresponding member of the Finnish Bryological Society in 2009.
Pleurozia Pocsii Sp. Nov. (Pleuroziaceae) from New Caledonia
Authors: Müller Frank
Published: July 2013

A new species, Pleurozia pocsii (Pleuroziaceae) from New Caledonia, is described and illustrated. The species belongs in subgenus Diversifolia B. M. Thiers. Pleurozia pocsii is easily distinguished from the other species of the genus by the laciniate dorsal and ventral leaf lobe apices of the explanate-lobuled leaves, the laciniate bracts of the sterile gynoecia, and the strongly bulging cells at the apex of the dorsal lobules of the saccate-lobuled leaves.
A New Species of Mesoptychia (Lindb.) A. Evans from California
Authors: Crandall-Stotler Barbara , Stotler Raymond E. , Bakalin Vadim A. , Doyle William T.
Published: July 2013

A small, endemic leafy liverwort found in the coastal redwood forests of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties of California is described as a new species of Mesoptychia (Lindb.) A. Evans, i.e., Mesoptychia polymorpha Stotler, Crand.-Stotl. & Bakalin, sp. nov. This new taxon is morphologically related to the suite of small-leafed species of the genus, including M. badensis (Gottsche ex Rabenh.) L. Söderstr. & Váňa and M. morrisoncola (Horik.) L. Söderstr. & Váňa, but is unique within the genus in having mature vegetative leaves and bracts that are undivided and apically rounded to emarginate, with bilobed to retuse leaves of restricted occurrence. Although this polymorphic species is paroicous, perianths expand without fertilization and sporophytes are unknown.
A New Species of Isopterygium (Pylaisiadelphaceae) from Central America
Authors: Buck William R. , Allen Bruce
Published: July 2013

Isopterygium zunilense (Pylaisiadelphaceae) is described from a montane cloud forest in Guatemala. It is distinguished by its large stature with leaves rounded to the insertions.
New Taxa of Solenostoma and Plectocolea and Other Taxonomic Novelties Based on Study of Collections in the New York Botanical Garden Herbarium
Authors: Bakalin Vadim A.
Published: July 2013

Six new taxa are described based on study of Jungermannia s.l. collections in herbarium NY. Solenostoma costaricanum Bakalin, sp. nov. is related to S. crassulum (Nees & Mont.) Steph., from which it differs in plant size, the presence of ventral stolons, perianth shape, spore and elater size. Plectocolea subbalfourii Bakalin, sp. nov. is related to Solenostoma (Plectocolea) balfourii (Váňa) Váňa, Hentschel & J. Heinrichs, from which it differs in rhizoid features and size of perigynium and midleaf cells. Solenostoma rubrum var. underwoodii Bakalin, var. nov., based on Nardia macounii Underwood, nom. nud., differs from var. rubrum in coloration and leaf structure features. Plectocolea yunnanensis Bakalin, sp. nov., belonging to the ‘Plectocolea truncata’ group, differs from related species in leaf structure and rhizoid features. Solenostoma gracillimum subsp. camiguinense Bakalin, subsp. nov. differs from the typical variety in perianth and leaf structure features. Solenostoma inundatum var. grandirete Bakalin, var. nov. differs from the typical variety in leaf structure. Additionally, it was found that the type specimen of Plectocolea micrantha Mitt. is paroicous, not dioicous. Critical study of type specimens of Jungermannia marcescens Mitt. and J. sanguinolentha Griff. showed that these taxa are not conspecific, and the new combination Solenostoma marcescens (Mitt.) Bakalin, comb. nov. is proposed.
Diplasiolejeunea Mayaykuensis (Lejeuneaceae, Marchantiophyta), a New Liverwort Species from Southern Ecuador
Authors: Schäfer-Verwimp Alfons , Nebel Martin , Heinrichs Jochen
Published: July 2013

A new epiphytic species of Diplasiolejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn. from the Amazonian region of southern Ecuador is described and illustrated. Diplasiolejeunea mayaykuensis Schäf.-Verw. & Heinrichs, sp. nov. is characterized by ascending to squarrose leaves, narrowly ovate(-lanceolate) underleaf lobes with acute to subobtuse apices, well developed lobule teeth and lobules with strongly involute free margins. Morphologically, D. mayaykuensis closely resembles D. brunnea Steph. and D. cavifolia Steph. The locality is situated in the western escarpment of the Cordillera del Condor.
Afro-American Hepatics Revisited
Authors: Gradstein S. Robbert
Published: July 2013

In 1983, Gradstein, Pócs and Váňa discussed the disjunct Afro-American ranges of 41 liverwort species and 8 genera. Since the appearance of this paper much progress has been made in the study of tropical liverworts and knowledge of the neotropical and African floras has improved considerably. The new investigations have raised the number of Afro-American hepatics to 74 species, 13 genera and one family (Oxymitraceae). Afro-American species constitute about 5% of the neotropical liverwort flora and 8% of the flora of Africa. The percentages of species shared by the two continents are doubled when pantropical species are added. Five Afro-American species are newly recognized in this paper: Calypogeia peruviana Nees & Mont. (= C. afrocaerulea E. W. Jones, syn. nov.), Ceratolejeunea coarina (Gottsche) Steph. (= C. diversicornua Steph., syn. nov.), C. ornithocephala Herzog (= C. kilimanjarica Pócs & Ast, syn. nov.), Odontoschisma variabile (Lindenb. & Gottsche) Trevis. (= O. africanum Steph., syn. nov.) and Syzygiella manca (Mont.) Steph. [= S. geminifolia (Mitt.) Steph., syn. nov.]. Spore dispersal experiments and molecular-phylogenetic studies have shown that the intercontinental ranges of liverwort species, and of the majority of genera, should have resulted from long-distance dispersal events, not from vicariance.
Bryophyte Flora of Hunan Province, China. 16. Complex Thalloids (Marchantiopsida, Hepaticae)
Authors: Piippo Sinikka , Koponen Timo
Published: July 2013

The occurrence of 13 species belonging to eight complex thalloid genera and six families are reported for Hunan. Conocephalum japonicum (Thunb.) Grolle, C. salebrosum Szweykowski et al. and Dumortiera hirsuta (Sw.) Nees are moderately common in Hunan, Conocephalum conicum (L.) Dumort., Marchantia palaecea Bertol. and M. emarginata Reinw. et al. subsp. tosana (Steph.) Bischler are rather rare, M. polymorpha L., Plagiochasma pterospermum Mass., Reboulia hemisphaerica (L.) Raddi, and Wiesnerella denutata (Mitt.) Steph. are rare and Asterella khasyana (Griff.) Pandé et al., Plagiochasma appendiculatum Lehm. & Lindenb. and Riccia fluitans L. are very rare. Of them the following are new to Hunan: Genus Plagiochasma with two species, P. appendiculatum, P. pterospermum, Riccia fluitans, Marchantia paleacea and Conocephalum salebrosum. The altitudinal ranges of taxa in Hunan are mapped. The distribution, ecology and the classification of taxa into distributional elements, as well as the characters are discussed. Some thalloid hepatic genera, i.e. Conocephalum and Dumortiera include cryptic taxa that pose unsolved taxonomic problems that await further future research.
The Guaraní Land – Checklist of Hornworts (Anthocerotophyta) and Liverworts (Marchantiophyta) of Paraguay
Authors: Söderström Lars , Hagborg Anders , Konrat Matt von , Séneca Ana
Published: July 2013

The first ever liverwort and hornwort checklist is provided for Paraguay. Despite the high level of biological diversity in Paraguay, there remain very few intensive collecting efforts for liverworts and hornworts in the region since the late 1800’s. We report 2 hornwort taxa and 71 liverwort taxa. The list is based on almost 100 literature references, including monographs, regional studies, and molecular investigations. Given the dramatic loss of habitats in Paraguay coupled with high species diversity in other organisms, further collecting of liverworts and hornworts is critical. There is also the potential to use historical records with contemporary collections to investigate the impact of habitat loss in the area.
Contribution to the Bryophyte Flora of Bjelasica Mts (Montenegro)
Authors: Papp Beáta , Erzberger Peter , Dragićević Snežana
Published: July 2013

During field trips made in 2007 and 2008 to the Bjelasica Mts, 318 bryophyte taxa (84 liverworts and 234 mosses) were collected. Twenty three taxa are reported here for the first time for Montenegro. Eight of the species recorded are redlisted in Europe.
Four New Species of Adeneleuterophora (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae) from Colombia
Authors: Szlachetko Dariusz L. , Kolanowska Marta
Published: July 2013

Four new species of the orchid genus Adeneleuterophora Barb. Rodr. are described and illustrated, based on Colombian material: A. orozcoi Szlach. & Kolan., A. magnipetala Szlach. & Kolan., A. luteyni Szlach. & Kolan. and A. Szlach. & Kolan. emberana. Their taxonomic affinities are briefly discussed. All new entities are placed within a key to identification of the Colombian species of Adeneleuterophora.
Four New Species of the Genus Pterichis (Orchidaceae) from Colombia
Authors: Kolanowska Marta , Szlachetko Dariusz L.
Published: July 2013

Four new species of the orchid genus Pterichis Lindl. are described and illustrated based on the Colombian material: P. andreii Kolan. & Szlach., P. lehmanniana Kolan. & Szlach., P. sagittata Kolan. & Szlach. and P. Triangularilabia Kolan. & Szlach. Their taxonomic affinities are briefly discussed. All new entities are placed within a key to identification of the Colombian species of Pterichis.
Imported leishmaniasis in the Netherlands from 2005 to 2012: epidemiology, diagnostic techniques and sequence-based species typing from 195 patients
Authors: Bart A , van Thiel P PAM , de Vries H JC , Hodiamont C J , Van Gool T
Published: July 2013

Leishmaniasis is an imported disease in the Netherlands. We report data for the period between 2005 and 2012, on clinical presentation, country where leishmaniasis was acquired, and causative species, for 195 civilian and military patients who had travelled abroad. Most patients were affected by cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) (n=185 patients), while visceral leishmaniasis (VL) (n=8 patients) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (n=2 patients) were less frequently observed. All VL patients had been infected in Europe. CL was mainly acquired in Afghanistan, Surinam, Morocco and Spain. The majority of CL patients consisted of military personnel (55%, 102/185), 78 of whom had been infected during an outbreak in Afghanistan. Parasitological diagnosis was made by a combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), microscopy and culture. Compared to a standard of parasitological proof by any method other than the one under consideration, sensitivities of the individual methods ranged from 73% to 98%. Microscopy was least sensitive, but is fast and cheap. Mini-exon repeat PCR combines high sensitivity and specificity, and allows differentiation between species by sequencing of the PCR product. Eight different species or species complexes were identified, allowing species-specific therapy. Four patients proved infected with Leishmania naiffi, a hitherto rarely described cause of leishmaniasis. In comparison to previous decennia, an increase in cutaneous leishmaniasis was observed in our hospital, both in civilian and military patients who had travelled abroad. This calls for increased awareness among clinicians, availability of diagnostic tests and species-specific treatment guidelines in non-endemic countries.
Synthesis and Structure Analysis of 4-Benzyl-1-[(2E)-3-(3-Bromo-4-Hydroxy-5-Methoxyphenyl)Prop-2-Enoyl]Piperazine Hydrochloride
Authors: Lin Aibin , Tu Bing , Cai Zhongqi , Pan Ying
Published: July 2013

4-Benzyl-1-[(2 E)-3-(3-bromo-4-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]piperazine hydrochloride was prepared from 3-(3-bromo-4-acetyloxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid and benzylpiperazine. Its piperazine ring exhibits a chair conformation.
Regioselective Alkylation of Saccharin with Alcohols under Mitsunobu Conditions
Authors: Wang Xiaolong , Ma Yanying , Ju Tingting
Published: July 2013

The regioselective Mitsunobu alkylation of saccharin with various alcohols has been examined. The N/O-alkylation is dependent on the steric hindrance of the alcohols, that is, less sterically hindered alcohol preferentially afford N-alkylated saccharin and vice versa.
An Improved Synthesis of 2,6-Diamino-3,5-Dinitropyrazine-1-Oxide
Authors: Zhao Xiaofeng , Liu Zuliang
Published: July 2013

An improved synthesis of 2,6-diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine-1-oxide (LLM-105) is described, using N-nitroso-bis-(cyanomethyl)amine as the starting material in four steps including cyclisation, acidification; nitration and N-oxidation with a total yield of 54%. The factors influencing the reaction steps are discussed.
Solid-Phase Organic Synthesis of 1-(E)-Phenylethenyl-4-Substituted-1,2,3-Triazoles from Polystyrene-Supported (2-Azido-1-Phenyl)Ethyl Selenide
Authors: Wei Mei-Hong , Wu Dan , Sun Rui , Sheng Shou-Ri
Published: July 2013

A facile method for solid-phase organic synthesis of 1-( E)-phenylethenyl-4-substituted-1,2,3-triazoles from polystyrene-supported (2-azido-1-phenyl)ethyl selenide and substituted ethynes has been developed. The advantages of this method include straightforward operation, high yield and purity of the products, as well as lack of odour and good stability of the polymeric reagent.
A Facile One Pot Synthesis of Substituted Pyrazole Derivatives
Authors: Haouas Amel , Hamadi Naoufel Ben , Nsira Asma , Msadek Moncef
Published: July 2013

Diazo compounds derived from aromatic aldehydes were reacted with derivatives of ( Z)-2-arylidene-2 H-benzofuran-3-ones to give new highly substituted heterocyclic pyrazoles. The structures of the synthesised compounds were determined on the basis of their elemental analyses and spectroscopic data.
Economics of healthcare financing in WHO South East Asia Region
Authors: Majumder Md Anwarul Azim
Published: July 2013

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i2.15936 South East Asia J Public Health | Jul-Dec 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 2 | 3-4
Anthropometric correlates of blood pressure in hypertensive subjects in Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Sharif Saima , Cheema Abdul Majeed , Khan Muhammad Naeem
Published: July 2013

The aim of this study is to determine correlations among anthropometric parameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive subjects in Lahore, Pakistan. A total number of 510 subjects (204 males and 306 females) of age between 25-87y were included in the study. The subjects were divided into pre (n=139), stage 1 (n=193) and stage 2 of hypertension (n=178) following JNC VII criteria (2003). Following the World Health Organization (WHO) cutoffs for Asians, about 13.7% of our sample population was found to be overweight and 76.7% was obese, 54.1% had waist to hip ratio (WHR) greater than 1. It was found that females develop hypertension in earlier age than males. Body Mass Index (BMI) was greater in females while WHR in males. No significant difference was observed in BMI and WHR among the prehypertension (preHTN), stage 1 and stage 2 subjects. A significant asso-ciation was found between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and WHR in pre-hypertensive subjects (r=0.168). A posi-tive significant correlation of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was found with WHR (r=0.212) and BMI (r=0.17) in prehypertensive stage. In multiple regression analysis when SBP was a dependent variable, age and BMI was deter-minant in preHTN, while only age was in stage 2. When DBP was a dependent variable, WHR was predictor in preHTN and age in stage 2. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i2.15939 South East Asia J Public Health | Jul-Dec 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 2 | 22-27
Prevalence of depression and its risk factors among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a tertiary level hospital in West Bengal, India
Authors: Bhowmik Kalyan , . Moniruzzaman , Adhikari Anjan , Choudhury Shahnaz , Ahmed MSA Mansur
Published: July 2013

In recent years, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has increased several folds in the developing coun-tries and the disease is accompanied with several co-morbidities among which depression is a major one. Still now there is a lack of data regarding the prevalence and risk factors of depression among the patients with COPD in In-dia. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of depression and associated risk factors in patients with COPD in Kolkata, India. In this cross-sectional study, 214 COPD patients were selected by purposive sampling at OPD of Pulmonary Medicine, RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata, India. The patients were diagnosed and grouped into dif-ferent stages of COPD by clinical examination and spirometry. A questionnaire was administered among the respon-dents to collect the data regarding their socio-demographic conditions followed by Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) to measure the level of depression. The mean age of the respondents was 59.37±11.37 years and 99% were male. The proportion of depression among patients with COPD was 86%. Among the respondents, 36.9% had mod-erately severe depression, 32.2% had moderate depression and 6.1% had severe depression. The risk factors of de-pression among COPD patients were urban residence (OR=4.79, p=0.02), income group of 5000-9999 Rupees per month (OR=18, p=0.38), teetotalers (OR=8.36, p=0.02), Stage 2 COPD (OR= 83, p=0.001) and onset of COPD ?70 years of age (OR=20, p=0.02). The study showed that more than 8 out of 10 COPD patients and it can be considered very high proportion. The study highlight the importance of routine screening for depression of all COPD patients in all healthcare settings and implementation of effective strategies for proper prevention and management of depres-sion in those patients. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i2.15942 South East Asia J Public Health | Jul-Dec 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 2 | 34-40
Risk factors of acute poisoning among children: A study at a poisoning unit of a university hospital in Egypt
Authors: Alazab Raed M , Elmougy Mahmoud T , Fayad Ramadan A , Abdelsalam Hoda F , Mohamed Amr S
Published: July 2013

Childhood poisoning is a major cause of morbidity in both developing and developed countries. In spite of the suc-cess of some interventions to prevent accidental poisoning in the pediatric population, toxic ingestions continue to be a common occurrence. This aim of this study was to identify the incidence rate and determinants of acute poison-ing among children (1-60 months old) who were admitted to the Poisoning Unit of a university hospital in Egypt. A study was conducted in the period from July 2011 until May 2012 at the poisoning unit of a university hospital. The studied children were from both rural and urban areas, were a mix of boys and girls, did not suffer from any mental disabilities, were aged between 1 month old to 60 months old, and were of Egyptian nationality. Data was collected by using a clinical examination form and a questionnaire. All parents/carers of the studied children were interviewed as well. Clinical assessment of the children included: general health conditions; AVPU (alert, respond to verbal stim-uli, respond to painful stimuli, unconsciousness); and clinical examinations. The findings of the study demonstrated that 18.5% of total admissions were children (1-60 months old), 62.5% were males, 83.3% did not attend nursery, 79.9% were from urban areas, 33% of mothers were illiterate, and 60.2% of poisonings were due to household prod-ucts. Kerosene alone was implicated in 24.3% of all cases; 37.4% of cases took place in the kitchen; 47.4% of cases were poisoned during the period between 8am and 4pm, and 65.4% reached the poisoning unit within 2 to 4 hours of accidental poisoning. Risk factors among the studied children were ordered by stepwise regression analysis as the following: non employed mothers; children who did not attend nursery; children of the male gender; and the educa-tion and literacy level of their mothers. Effective health promotion programs for parents and carers regarding poi-soning hazards are needed to increase awareness and reduce the incidence of poisoning among children. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i2.15943 South East Asia J Public Health | Jul-Dec 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 2 | 41-47
The need for quality improvement in diagnosing pregnancy induced hypertension in Sri Lanka
Authors: Prathapan S , Fonseka P , Lindmark G , Prathapan R , Lokubalasooriya A
Published: July 2013

Sri Lanka has shown relatively good maternal outcome indicators for a developing country. However, high maternal deaths from pregnancy induced hypertension and pre-eclamptic toxemia raise questions about the quality of detection and treatment at field antenatal clinics, which is the primary care setting for pregnant women. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of facilities and services provided at the field antenatal clinics to di-agnose pregnancy induced hypertension or pre-eclamptic toxemia. It was a cross-sectional study. This study was set in field antenatal clinics and was conducted in two stages based on the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling method. In the first stage 55 antenatal clinics were selected from 11 Medical officers of Health areas, and in the second stage 275 pregnant women were recruited from these 55 clinics. Quality of services and quality of facilities were assessed using observation checklists. The quality of facilities was better than the quality of services in the Colombo district. The quality of facilities was acceptable in all areas other than for the presence of the Medical Officer. The quality of services was unacceptable in all areas for history taking and examination. Investigation for urine albumin was also unacceptable in all the areas. The sensitivity for measuring the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure were 57% (95% CI: 47.4%66.8%) and 16.7% (95% CI: 9.4%24%) respectively. Urgent steps should be taken to improve the quality of care in the substandard areas to reduce the leading cause of maternal mortality in Sri Lanka. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i2.15952 South East Asia J Public Health | Jul-Dec 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 2 | 55-60
Factors associated with use of antenatal care services in a rural area of Bangladesh
Authors: Shahjahan Md , Chowdhury Hasina Akhter , Akter Jesmin , Afroz Afsana , Rahman M Mizanur , Hafez MA
Published: July 2013

Antenatal care (ANC) includes care during pregnancy, should begin from the early stages of pregnancy. ANC al-lows management of pregnancy, detection and treatment of complications, and promotion of better maternal and child health. This study assessed the factors relating to maternal healthcare practices in rural Bangladesh and exam-ined the association between use of antenatal care services and socio-demographic variables of rural women. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Madhupur upazila of Tangail district. Postnatal mothers who visited the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) centers constituted as sampling frame and selected. The sample size was determined based available information on the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2007. In total 360 randomly selected postnatal mothers were interviewed using structured questionnaire for collecting information on demographic characteristics, knowledge on ANC and practices. The mean (±SD) age of the respondents was 24(±4.4) years. Most (95.6%) of them were housewives. Twenty-two percent of the respon-dents were from the poorest socioeconomic class. Mothers who had one living child had the highest percentage of adequate ANC use compared to those who had two or more living children. Access to mass media (newspapers and TV) had a positive significant (p<0.001) effect on the use of ANC services. The results of logistic regression analy-sis showed that, after adjusting other factors, respondents who had secondary-level education were 4.5 times more likely to use ANC adequately compared to those who had no education. The findings suggested that education of the mothers is an important determinant of ANC visits during pregnancy. Therefore, information, education and communication on ANC must be intensified in order to reach the rural mothers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i2.15956 South East Asia J Public Health | Jul-Dec 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 2 | 61-66
Reproductive tract infections associated with vaginal discharge and their socio-demographic and reproductive determinants among clinic attendees in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Saifur , Currie Marian J , Breiman Robert F , Reza Masud , Rahman Motiur , Nessa Khairun
Published: July 2013

Abnormal vaginal discharge is frequently associated with common sexually and non-sexually transmitted reproduc-tive tract infections (RTIs) and the resultant poor reproductive health outcomes. However, there is scarce informa-tion concerning the prevalence and etiologies of these infections in women in Bangladesh. The aim of study was to determine the rates of, and socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics associated with, common RTIs in urban public health clinics in Dhaka, Bangladesh. An urban clinic-based sample of 1309 currently married women of reproductive age presenting with abnormal vaginal discharge was recruited. Consenting women were interviewed and tested for Candida, bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia tra-chomatis during a speculum examination. Approximately 53% (673/1309) of the participants had laboratory evi-dence of RTIs. The prevalence of Candida, bacterial vaginosis, T. vaginalis, N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis were 32.4%, 22.4%, 3.1%, 2.1 %, 1.9% respectively. Age, education, living in a slum, working outside the home, polygamous marriage and suspecting infidelity were independently associated with vaginal and cervical infections. Candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis were the most common infections in this population. Paying attention to the socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics found to be associated with RTIs can assist clinicians in identi-fying women at risk of these infections. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i2.15958 South East Asia J Public Health | Jul-Dec 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 2 | 67-72
Sweetened areca-nut chewing habit: A public health issue among school children of Indore, India
Authors: Khandelwal Vishal , Nayak Ullal Anand , Nayak Prathibha Anand , Khandelwal Sushma
Published: July 2013

Chewing of the areca-nut usually starts early in life leading to a multitude of problems in adulthood. The areca-nut can be correlated with an increased incidence of cancer. Like tobacco, chewing the areca-nut also leads to oral and oro-pharyngeal cancers. The areca-nut is usually marketed in the form of a sweetened areca-nut (locally known as sweet supari) to target young children. A high proportion of school children use areca-nut daily in some form. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sweetened areca-nut use and assess the awareness of health risks among school students of Indore, India. Till date none of the studies have pointed out the prevalence of sweet-ened areca use. Population based studies on the habit of areca-nut chewing among children from the district of Indore, Central India have not been reported earlier in the studies. In our study we found 81% of the children used the sweetened form of the areca-nut. Fifty five percent of areca-nut users reported that they learnt the habit from their friends or siblings. The majority of the users (70.4%) were unaware of the harmful effects of areca-nut use, and only a few were aware that it may cause cancer or oral submucous fibrosis. Government school children are more involved in areca-nut chewing habit. Boys were more indulged than girls. Actively communicating the areca-nuts health risks to the public, and creating strategies involving parents, teachers and local communities could be initiated to discourage areca-nut use. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i2.15959 South East Asia J Public Health | Jul-Dec 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 2 | 73-76
Managing clinical trials in Asia: Issues, threats, opportunities and approaches
Authors: Rahman Sayeeda , Majumder Md Anwarul Azim
Published: July 2013

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i2.15961 South East Asia J Public Health | Jul-Dec 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 2 | 80-84
Developmental Neurotoxicity of Alcohol and Anesthetic Drugs Is Augmented by Co-Exposure to Caffeine
Authors: Yuede Carla , Olney John , Creeley Catherine
Published: July 2013

Anesthetic and anti-epileptic drugs used in pediatric and obstetric medicine and several drugs, including alcohol, that are abused by pregnant women, trigger widespread neuroapoptosis in the developing brain of several animal species, including non-human primates. Caffeine (CAF) is often administered to premature infants to stimulate respiration, and these infants are also exposed simultaneously to anesthetic drugs for procedural sedation and/or surgical procedures. Pregnant women who abuse alcohol or other apoptogenic drugs also may heavily consume CAF. We administered CAF to infant mice alone or in combination with alcohol, phencyclidine, diazepam, midazolam, ketamine, or isoflurane, which are drugs of abuse and/or drugs frequently used in pediatric medicine, and found that CAF weakly triggers neuroapoptosis by itself and markedly potentiates the neuroapoptogenic action of each of these other drugs. Exposure of infant mice to CAF + phencyclidine resulted in long-term impairment in behavioral domains relevant to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, whereas exposure to CAF + diazepam resulted in long-term learning/memory impairment. At doses used in these experiments, these behavioral impairments either did not occur or were substantially less pronounced in mice exposed to CAF alone or to phencyclidine or diazepam alone. CAF currently enjoys the reputation of being highly beneficial and safe for use in neonatal medicine. Our data suggest the need to consider whether CAF may have harmful as well as beneficial effects on the developing brain, and the need for research aimed at understanding the full advantage of its beneficial effects while avoiding its potentially harmful effects.
Highly Sensitive Automated Method for DNA Damage Assessment: Gamma-H2AX Foci Counting and Cell Cycle Sorting
Authors: Hernández Laia , Terradas Mariona , Martín Marta , Tusell Laura , Genescà Anna
Published: July 2013

Phosphorylation of the H2AX protein is an early step in the double strand break (DSB) repair pathway; therefore, phosphorylated histone (γH2AX) foci scoring is widely used as a measure for DSBs. Foci scoring is performed either manually or semi-automatically using hand-operated capturing and image analysis software. In general, both techniques are laborious and prone to artifacts associated with manual scoring. While a few fully automated methods have been described in the literature, none of them have been used to quantify γH2AX foci in combination with a cell cycle phase analysis. Adding this feature to a rapid automated γH2AX foci quantification method would reduce the scoring uncertainty that arises from the variations in the background level of the γH2AX signal throughout the cell cycle. The method was set up to measure DNA damage induced in human mammary epithelial cells by irradiation under a mammogram device. We adapted a FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) Spot-counting system, which has a slide loader with automatic scanning and cell capture system throughout the thickness of each cell (z-stack), to meet our assay requirements. While scanning the sample, the system classifies the selected nuclei according to the signal patterns previously described by the user. For our purposes, a double staining immunofluorescence was carried out with antibodies to detect γH2AX and pericentrin, an integral component of the centrosome. We could thus distinguish both the number of γH2AX foci per cell and the cell cycle phase. Furthermore, restrictive settings of the program classifier reduced the “touching nuclei” problem described in other image analysis software. The automated scoring was faster than and as sensitive as its manually performed counterpart. This system is a reliable tool for γH2AX radio-induced foci counting and provides essential information about the cell cycle stage. It thus offers a more complete and rapid assessment of DNA damage.