bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exclusion of the uniform tetraploid cells significantly improves specificity of the urine fish assay
Authors: Moatamed Neda A. , Apple Sophia K. , Bennett Carol J. , Aronson William J. , Klisak Ivana , Shirley Bobbi‐Jo , Moatamed Farhad
Published: October 2011

The urine fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay (UroVysion™), with the current scoring criteria, has a higher sensitivity than routine cytopathology but a lower specificity. Among 215 urine FISH tests we performed, 45 had associated histopathology and clinical follow up. In this study, a cell with four signals for each probe was classified as a uniform tetraploid cell (UTC); a presumed reparative cell which is currently classified as an abnormal cell in the FDA approved assay. By using the existing criteria, the tests were scored as positive or negative before and after exclusion of the UTCs. Before the exclusion, 24 positive, 13 negative, seven false positive, and one false negative result were obtained with 96% sensitivity and 65% specificity. After the exclusion, the results changed to 22 positive, 19 negative, one false positive, and three false negatives resulting in a 88% sensitivity of 88% and a 95% specificity; a significant improvement in the specificity. We conclude that exclusion of the UTCs as abnormal cells would result in a more solid performance of the FISH assay. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
N‐Heterocyclic‐Carbene‐Induced Monomerization of Sterically Encumbered Dialkylmagnesium and Dialkylmanganese Polymers (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 30/2011)
Authors: Kennedy Alan R. , Klett Jan , Mulvey Robert E. , Robertson Stuart D.
Published: October 2011

The cover picture shows a figurative representation of the game of chance involved in attempting to synthesise novel monomeric derivatives of the sterically encumbered polymeric bis(alkyl) complexes [M(CH2SiMe3)2]∞ [M = Mg, MnII). A winning hand was achieved by utilising the potent two‐electron σ‐donor 1,3‐bis‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene (IPr), an N‐heterocyclic carbene, to yield the first such examples of monomeric three‐coordinate [M(CH2SiMe3)2]·donor complexes (M = Mg, Mn). Likewise, monomeric three‐coordinate species were obtained for the bulkier disilyl‐substituted alkyl [CH2SiMe3)2] congeners yielding M[CH(SiMe3)2]2·IPr (M = Mg, Mn) by displacement of an ether ligand from M[CH(SiMe3)2]2·ether by IPr. Determined by X‐ray crystallography, the structures of the four new monomers are shown on the faces of the individual playing cards. The diamagnetic magnesium compounds were also characterized in arene solution by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Details are discussed in the article by R. E. Mulvey, S. D. Robertson et al. on p. 4675 ff. The cover art was composed by one of the authors of the paper, Dr. Jan Klett.
Using ergonomic digital human modeling in evaluation of workplace design and prevention of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders aboard small fishing vessels
Authors: Álvarez‐Casado Enrique , Zhang Bing , Sandoval Sonia Tello , Pedro Mondelo
Published: October 2011

This article seeks to present methods for preventing work‐related musculoskeletal disorders of Spanish fishermen and for redesigning the workplace aboard small fishing vessels. To achieve its objective, the research project was designed in four steps. First, the equipment and procedures for catching, handling, and storing fish were studied. Second, the work postures of all the fishermen were simulated and assessed by using an ergonomic digital human modeling system (ManneQuin Pro). Third, the work environment design aboard vessels was modified on the basis of acceptable simulated work postures to prevent repetitive movements, awkward working postures, and lower back biomechanical stresses. In the fourth step, ergonomic design parameters were provided to vessel designers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Examining protective factors and risk factors in urban and rural head start Preschoolers
Authors: Bender Stacy L. , Fedor Megan C. , Carlson John S.
Published: October 2011

This study examined a comprehensive screening model within children attending Head Start programs from urban (n =232) and rural (n= 231) communities. The Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA; LeBuffe & Naglieri,1999) was used to measure social‐emotional protective factors (i.e., Total Protective Factors [TPF]) and risk factors (i.e., Behavior Concerns [BC]) within children that resided in two different community settings. Children from low‐income rural programs received higher scores on a subscale measuring children's relationship to adults (i.e., Attachment subscale). Additionally, children from low‐income urban programs received higher scores on children's ability to self‐regulate (i.e., Self‐Control subscale). Significant differences between children from rural and urban settings were not found on the primary scales (BC or TPF) of the DECA. Statistically significant gender differences by community‐type were not found. Findings contribute to the literature by illustrating that community characteristics might influence the development of different social‐emotional behaviors in preschool children. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The mediating influence of organizational characteristics in the relationship between organizational type and relational power: an extension of psychological empowerment research
Authors: Wilke Lindsay A. , Speer Paul W.
Published: October 2011

Processes of psychological empowerment for members of community‐based organizations may be strongly influenced by organizational factors. Using survey data from a random sample of urban residents (n = 974), the present study examines how individual perceptions of empowering features of organizations (group‐based belief system, role opportunity, leadership, and social support) and sense of community relate to participants' psychological empowerment. Relational power, a hypothesized component of interactional empowerment, is examined as the dependent variable. Structural equation modeling highlights a mediating relationship in the development of an understanding of relational power. The study extends prior research on the predictors of psychological empowerment and discusses the relationship between the development of individual member and organizational empowerment. By determining specific features of organizations that are associated with member empowerment, community psychology may be able to better aid organizations in building capacity to enact transformational community change. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Substituent effects in the ring‐chain tautomerism of 4‐alkyl‐2‐aryl substituted oxazolidines and tetrahydro‐1,3‐oxazines
Authors: Juhász Márta , Lázár László , Fülöp Ferenc
Published: October 2011

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The condensation products of 2‐aminoethanol or 3‐aminopropanol (bearing an alkyl substituent on the carbon adjacent to the nitrogen) with substituted benzaldehydes proved to exist in CDCl3 at 300 K as threecomponent tautomeric mixtures of the diastereomeric five‐ or six‐membered 1,3‐O,N‐heterocyclic ring forms and the corresponding imines. For each equilibrium, the electronic effects of the 2‐aryl substituents were characterized by the Hammett equation. The steric effects of the alkyl groups could be described by Hansch‐type equations for the equilibria involving oxazolidine ring forms. While the alkyl substituents did not cause any significant effect on the ring cis‐chain and the ring trans‐chain equilibria for tetrahydro‐1,3‐oxazines, increasing bulk of the 4‐alkyl group increased the stability of the cyclic tautomers for the analogous oxazolidines.
Free‐breathing imaging of the heart using 2D cine‐GRICS (generalized reconstruction by inversion of coupled systems) with assessment of ventricular volumes and function
Authors: Vuissoz Pierre‐André , Odille Freddy , Fernandez Brice , Lohezic Maelene , Benhadid Adnane , Mandry Damien , Felblinger Jacques
Published: October 2011

Purpose:

To assess cardiac function by means of a novel free‐breathing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) strategy.

Materials and Methods:

A stack of ungated 2D steady‐state free precession (SSFP) slices was acquired during free breathing and reconstructed as cardiac cine imaging based on the generalized reconstruction by inversion of coupled systems (GRICS). A motion‐compensated sliding window approach allows reconstructing cine movies with most motion artifacts cancelled. The proposed reconstruction uses prior knowledge from respiratory belts and electrocardiogram recordings and features a piecewise linear model that relates the electrocardiogram signal to cardiac displacements. The free‐breathing protocol was validated in six subjects against a standard breath‐held protocol.

Results:

Image sharpness, as assessed by the image gradient entropy, was comparable to that of breath‐held images and significantly better than in uncorrected images. Volumetric parameters of cardiac function in the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) were similar, including end‐systolic volumes, end‐diastolic volumes and mass, stroke volumes, and ejection fractions (with differences of 3% ± 2.4 in the LV and 2.9% ± 4.4 in the RV). The duration of the free‐breathing protocol was nearly the same as the breath‐held protocol.

Conclusion:

Free‐breathing cine‐GRICS enables accurate assessment of volumetric parameters of cardiac function with efficient correction of motion. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;340‐351. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comprehensive brain analysis with automated high‐resolution magnetization transfer measurements
Authors: Wu Ying , Du Hongyan , Storey Pippa , Glielmi Christopher , Malone Fiona , Sidharthan Shawn , Ragin Ann , Tofts Paul S. , Edelman Robert R.
Published: October 2011

Purpose:

To enhance the reliability and spatial resolution of magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) measurements for interrogation of subcortical brain regions with an automated volume of interest (VOI) approach.

Materials and Methods:

A 3D magnetization transfer (MT) sequence was acquired using a scan‐rescan imaging protocol in nine healthy volunteers. VOI definition masks for the MTR measurements were generated using FreeSurfer and compared to a manual region of interest (ROI) approach. (The longitudinal stability of MTR was monitored using agar gel phantom over a 5‐month period.) Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficients of variation (CVs), and instrumental standard deviation (ISD) were determined.

Results:

CVs ranged from 1.29%–2.64% (automated) vs. 1.30%–3.40% (manual). ISDs ranged from 0.62–1.10 pu (automated) vs. 0.68–1.67 pu (manual). The SD of the running difference was 1.70% for the phantom scans. The Bland–Altman method indicated interchangeability of the automated VOI and manual ROI measurements.

Conclusion:

The automated VOI approach for MTR measurement yielded higher ICCs, lower CVs, and lower ISDs compared to the manual method, supporting the utility of this strategy. These results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining reliable MTR measurements in hippocampus and other critical subcortical regions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;309‐317. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pseudo‐random arterial modulation (PRAM): A novel arterial spin labeling approach to measure flow and blood transit times
Authors: Taei‐Tehrani Mohammad‐Reza , Van Osch Matthias J.P. , Brown Truman R.
Published: October 2011

Purpose:

To investigate blood flow and transit time measurement, using the pseudo‐random arterial modulation (PRAM).

Materials and Methods:

PRAM is based on a pseudo‐random sequence of inversions and noninversions of the arterial blood at a labeling plane inferior to the imaging plane. To accomplish this, a pseudo‐continuous tagging is used to create inversion or noninversion prepulses before a gradient echo sequence and tested on phantoms and human volunteers.

Results:

We have shown here that the PRAM technique can measure the velocity profile and the transit time accurately and efficiently both in a phantom and in vivo in a human brain.

Conclusion:

PRAM does not require separate control and label acquisition as is common in arterial spin labeling (ASL) but rather measures the distribution of transit times to a voxel within one integrated scan. The PRAM method is a model‐free approach in measuring transit time distributions, and therefore ultimately should provide more accurate perfusion measurements. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:223‐228. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The combined use of two RapidRhino packs instead of anteroposterior packing for the control of severe epistaxis
Authors: Kousoulis Panagiotis , Hajiioannou Jiannis , Konstandinidis Georgios
Published: October 2011

Epistaxis is a common ear, nose, and throat emergency, and severe cases are traditionally controlled by the placement of anteroposterior nasal packing. In this article, a way of controlling severe epistaxis with the combination of two RapidRhino packs is described. Although not always successful, it is a technique that in the majority of patients can control severe bleeding faster, easier, with decreased pain, and increased patient comfort, compared to the traditional anteroposterior nasal packing.
Einfluss von Losbrechkräften auf das dynamische Verhalten von O‐Ring‐Dichtungen
Authors: Nepp Ringo , Kröger Matthias
Published: October 2011

Unterschiede zwischen Haft‐ und Gleitreibkräften führen zu dynamischen Anregungen. Insbesondere Losbrechkräfte von Dichtungen in Stoßdämpfern, Kupplungen, Lenk‐ und Bremssystemen verursachen Probleme wie Schwingungen und Geräusche. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Modellierung, Simulation und experimentelle Untersuchung der Systemdynamik mit einem Schwerpunkt auf der Kontaktbeschreibung. Dabei spielt die Abhängigkeit der Losbrechkräfte von der Haftzeit, der Geschwindigkeit und der Beschleunigung eine besondere Rolle. Diese Abhängigkeiten werden durch einen neuen Dichtungsprüfstand untersucht, der besonders darauf ausgelegt ist, schnelle Geschwindigkeitsänderungen durch eine hohe Beschleunigung zu realisieren. (© 2010 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Interfacial model for crash resistant adhesives of ductile‐modified epoxy resins
Authors: Matzenmiller A. , Burbulla F.
Published: October 2011

Debonding in adhesive joints is modelled and analyzed with the concept of interfacial mechanics. Material equations are presented for the inelastic behaviour of ductile‐modified epoxy resins. A two surface function for the onset of yielding is advantageously expressed in terms of the stress vector on the interface. The theory may be extended to material softening due to damage and to rate dependency. This simple constitutive model is not stable in the sense of Drucker's postulate. Therefore, the non‐associated flow rule is modified with a quadratic stress‐dependent plastic potential. The material parameters are identified by means of the finite‐element simulation of the experimental setup for a bluntly glued double steel tube sample. The numerical performance of this modified model is tested at an adhesively bonded joint in the form of a T‐intersection. (© 2010 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Steady state fluorescence to study nanocomposites based on silica nanoparticles and thermoplastic polymer matrices
Authors: Barroso I. , González‐Benito J.
Published: October 2011

Steady state fluorescence was used to study the interfaces of composites formed by silica nanoparticles and three polymers: poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), and low density polyethylene (LDPE). The fluorescent response from the pyrene‐1‐sulfonamide (PSA) was used to study changes appearing in its immediate surroundings. Molecular dynamics of the polymers was studied monitoring the fluorescent response from the PSA as a function of temperature. When the fluorophore was dispersed within the polymers, information from their bulk was obtained while, attaching the fluorophore to the surface of the silica nanoparticles, information from the interface was collected. In the case of the amorphous polymer matrices (PMMA and PS), the presence of silica nanoparticles exerts a small constrain effect by reducing the chain mobility. In the case of the semicrystalline thermoplastic polymer (LDPE) when nanoparticles are not present, only one clear relaxation assigned to the typical diffusion‐like motion of chain segments in the crystallites has been observed. However, when nanoparticles are within the polymer, three relaxations are clearly observed: one in the interlamellar amorphous phase and two due to diffusion‐like motion of chain segments in the crystallites under or without the influence of the nanoparticles, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of glucose‐lowering drugs on body weight in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Haslam David , Sinclair Alan , Krentz Andrew
Published: October 2011

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is greatly increased in patients who are overweight, and weight gain is an unwanted adverse effect of the older glucose‐lowering drugs. The authors examine the beneficial effects on bodyweight associated with the use of newer agents in type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd
Laser‐induced damage and destruction of HiPCO nanotubes in different gas environments
Authors: Mases Mattias , Noël Maxime , Dossot Manuel , McRae Edward , Soldatov Alexander V.
Published: October 2011

We have studied the thermal and chemical stability of HiPCO‐produced single‐walled carbon nanotube bundles to high laser power in air and argon. The samples were exposed to 110 kW/cm2 during 8 h with a 1.96 eV laser and the temperature was monitored via downshift of G+‐Raman peak. The structural changes in the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) caused by laser heating were monitored by recording their Raman spectra at ambient T (reference conditions) to ensure unaltered resonance conditions. The initial temperature was estimated to be 550 °C and 870 °C in air and argon, respectively. The Raman signal intensity from the CNTs radial breathing mode (RBM) increased rapidly at the beginning of the laser heating both under air and argon due to desorption of impurities for all but the smallest diameter CNTs. The temperature dropped by 30% under argon and 60% under air due to destruction of the absorbers – CNTs in resonance with incident radiation. The final RBM spectra exhibited intensity loss only for the smallest diameter CNTs in argon atmosphere and for all but the largest diameter CNTs in air. Our results demonstrate the importance of (i) impurity desorption from exterior and interior of CNTs; (ii) different temperature thresholds for the CNT destruction due to oxidation and overheating; (iii) the role of photon absorbers on the thermal stability of the sample. The small diameter CNTs are more easily destroyed than large diameter ones. The metallic nanotubes also tend to have lower thermal stability.
Large‐area fabrication of equidistant free‐standing Si crystals on nanoimprinted glass
Authors: Sontheimer Tobias , Rudigier‐Voigt Eveline , Bockmeyer Matthias , Klimm Carola , Schubert‐Bischoff Peter , Becker Christiane , Rech Bernd
Published: October 2011

By combining nanoimprint lithography with the emerging high‐rate deposition technique electron‐beam evaporation of amorphous Si, we developed a low‐cost fabrication process for the design of periodic arrays of Si crystals on large areas of 50 cm2 in a solid phase crystallization and subsequent selective etch process. The method allows for precise control over the feature size of the crystals. The promising absorption properties of the features and the versatility and simplicity of the preparation process inspire the development of three‐dimensional solar cell architectures and tailored large‐area photonic crystals.

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Cross‐sectional SEM image of periodic arrays of Si crystals on nanoimprinted glass

(© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A knowledge cards classification method with conversion loss correction for incomplete translation dictionary
Authors: Cai Li , Wang Zuoqi , Akiyoshi Masanori , Komoda Norihisa
Published: October 2011

This paper discusses a classification method on knowledge cards including Japanese and Chinese description in offshore software development company. On the basis of the existing classification system of Japanese questionnaire cards for market analysis, our proposed method extends its architecture with two parameters in addition to a terminology dictionary for translating Chinese words to Japanese ones as to Chinese knowledge cards. These two parameters are intended to compensate conversion error when using incomplete Chinese–Japanese translation dictionary. Two experimental results show that our method achieved better classification than that of hand‐translated Japanese cards of Chinese cards. We also discuss the causes of wrong classification. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A simple soft linear detection for coded multi‐input multi‐output systems
Authors: Kim Youngmin , Shang Pingping , Kim Sooyoung , Choi Kwonhue
Published: October 2011

We propose a very simple and efficient soft linear multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) detection scheme. The detection process is divided into two separate problems. The proposed scheme first detects MIMO symbols using conventional linear detection methods and produces soft bit information using a simple soft demapping method. Next, we refine the soft information by accounting for uneven post‐detection noise variance across MIMO layers. From the simulation result investigated in this paper, we first emphasize that powerful channel coding may suppress the differences of diversity gains among various MIMO detection schemes. This implies that the channel decoding operation may not be transparent to performance gain that resulted from MIMO detection process. The proposed scheme concentrates on accurate estimation of soft post‐MIMO detected information in a very simple manner, rather than concentrating on a complex MIMO detection scheme prior to decoding process. In combination with turbo codes, the proposed scheme produces comparable performance to maximum likelihood detection, even with the simplest scheme such as zero forcing detection, with drastically reduced complexity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thyroid Incidentaloma Detected by Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography: Practical Management Algorithm
Authors: Nilsson Inga‐Lena , Arnberg Fabian , Zedenius Jan , Sundin Anders
Published: October 2011

Background

Our aim was to design a practical algorithm for management of an increasing number of incidental findings of thyroid lesions identified by 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT).

Methods

The reports of 3641 patients examined by FDG‐PET/CT for evaluation of nonthyroid cancer were reviewed. The anatomic locations and standardized uptake values (SUV) of any focally increased thyroid FDG uptake were reanalyzed and related to surrounding normal thyroid (TSUVmax/thySUVmean ratio) and liver (TSUVmax/liverSUVmean).

Results

Focal FDG uptakes in the thyroid were reported in 37 cases (1%; 26 women). Neoplastic thyroid lesions were diagnosed in 16 patients: papillary thyroid cancer in 9, follicular neoplasia in 5, and metastatic lesions (lung cancer and squamous cell carcinoma) in 2. Benign lesions were diagnosed in 11 patients. Ten patients with malignancy elsewhere did not undergo thyroid examination. In all, 11 patients underwent thyroid surgery (8 with papillary cancer, 3 with follicular adenoma); the median tumor size was 12 mm (8–40 mm). The TSUVmax/thySUVmean ratio was higher for the malignant lesions [median 5.53 (2.75–30.81) vs. 3.70 (1.82–31.70); P < 0.05], albeit with a considerable overlap between individual patients. The TSUVmax and TSUVmax/liverSUVmean did not differ between groups. The TSUVmax/thySUVmean and / thySUVmean ratios correlated with the tumor size (r = 0.64 and r = 0.66; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

An incidental finding of focal uptake of FDG in the thyroid is associated with a significant risk of thyroid cancer. If the patient would benefit from thyroidectomy if a malignancy were identified, further diagnostic workup with ultrasonography‐guided fine‐needle aspiration and cytology is recommended.
Severe Hepatic Trauma: Nonoperative Management, Definitive Repair, or Damage Control Surgery?
Authors: Leppäniemi Ari K. , Mentula Panu J. , Streng Mari H. , Koivikko Mika P. , Handolin Lauri E.
Published: October 2011

Background

Management of severe liver injuries has evolved to include the options for nonoperative management and damage control surgery. The present study analyzes the criteria for choosing between nonoperative management and early surgery, and definitive repair versus damage control strategy during early surgery.

Methods

In a retrospective analysis of 144 patients with severe (AAST grade III–V) liver injuries (94% blunt trauma), early laparotomy was performed in 50 patients. Initial management was nonoperative in 94 blunt trauma patients with 8 failures. Uni‐ and multivariate analyses were used to calculate predictor odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Factors associated with early laparotomy in blunt trauma included shock on admission, associated grade IV–V splenic injury, grade IV–V head injury, and grade V liver injury. Only shock was an independent predictor (OR, 26.1; 95% CI, 8.9–77.1; P < 0.001). The presence of a grade IV–V splenic injury predicted damage control strategy (OR infinite; P = 0.021). Failed nonoperative management was associated with grade IV–V splenic injury (OR, 14.00; 95% CI, 1.67–117.55), and shock (OR, 6.82; 95% CI, 1.49–31.29). The hospital mortality rate was 15%; 8 of 21 deaths were liver‐related. Shock (OR, 9.3; 95% CI, 2.4–35.8; P = 0.001) and severe head injury (OR, 9.25; 95% CI, 3.0–28.9; P = 0.000) were independent predictors for mortality.

Conclusions

In patients with severe liver injury, associated severe splenic injury favors early laparotomy and damage control strategy. Patients who arrive in shock or have an associated severe splenic injury should not be managed nonoperatively. In addition to severe head injury, uncontrollable bleeding from the liver injury is still a major cause of early death.
Bupivacaine Injection Leads to Muscle Force Reduction and Histologic Changes in a Murine Model
Authors: McNeill Ingham Sheila Jean , Pochini Alberto de Castro , de Oliveira Daniel Antonio , Garcia Lisboa Bianca Cristina , Beutel Abram , Valero‐Lapchik Valderez Bastos , Ferreira Ana Maria , Abdalla Rene Jorge , Cohen Moisés , Han Sang Won
Published: October 2011

Objective

To evaluate the effect of bupivacaine on muscle force and histology. We hypothesize that bupivacaine will worsen the muscle's physiological activity.

Setting

Controlled laboratory experiment.

Methods

Bupivacaine (0.5 mL, 0.5%) was injected into the mid belly and distal portions of the right gastrocnemius in 32 Wistar male rats (the left gastrocnemius was used as a control). After 5, 14, 21, and 28 days, in groups of 4, muscle force was evaluated and the animals were euthanized by an overdose of anesthetic for histologic evaluation. One‐way analysis of variance was used to analyze data from force and weight measurements. Only the values of P < .05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Bupivacaine causes a process of degeneration‐regeneration of the muscle fibers and it also causes a reduction in muscle force, which is significant at 2 and 3 weeks and does not normalize at 4 weeks. The muscle injury is obvious after 5 days, and the degenerative process is predominant at 2 and 3 weeks. We found an increase in muscle mass in the acute phase and a decrease in muscle force.

Conclusion

Although our results do not allow a direct clinical application, we believe that caution should be warranted when intramuscular bupivacaine is used.
Filamentation of laser beam and suppression of stimulated Raman scattering due to localization of electron plasma wave
Authors: PUROHIT GUNJAN , SHARMA PRERANA , SHARMA R. P.
Published: October 2011

This paper presents the effect of laser beam filamentation on the localization of electron plasma wave (EPW) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in unmagnetized plasma when relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearities are operative. The splitted profile of the laser beam is obtained due to uneven focusing of the off-axial rays. The semi-analytical solution of the nonlinearly coupled EPW equation in the presence of laser beam filaments has been found. It is observed that due to this nonlinear coupling between these two waves, localization of EPW takes place. Stimulated Raman scattering of this EPW is studied and back reflectivity has been calculated. Further, the localization of EPW affects the eigenfrequency and damping of plasma wave. The new enhanced damping of the plasma wave has been calculated and it is found that the SRS process gets suppressed due to the localization of plasma wave in laser beam filamentary structures.
Expression analysis of regulatory microRNAs in bovine cumulus oocyte complex and preimplantation embryos
Authors: Abd El Naby W.S. , Hagos T.H. , Hossain M.M. , Salilew-Wondim D. , Gad A.Y. , Rings F. , Cinar M.U. , Tholen E. , Looft C. , Schellander K. , Hoelker M. , Tesfaye D.
Published: October 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous molecules that are involved in a diverse of cellular process. However, little is known about their abundance in bovine oocytes and their surrounding cumulus cells during oocyte development. To elucidate this situation, we investigated the relative expression pattern of sets of miRNAs between bovine oocyte and the surrounding cumulus cells duringin vitromaturation using miRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array. Results revealed that a total of 47 and 51 miRNAs were highly abundant in immature and matured oocytes, respectively, compared with their surrounding cumulus cells. Furthermore, expression analysis of six miRNAs enriched in oocyte miR-205, miR-150, miR-122, miR-96, miR-146a and miR-146b-5p at different maturation times showed a dramatic decrease in abundance from 0 h to 22 h of maturation. The expression of the same miRNAs in preimplantation stage embryos was found to be highly abundant in early stages of embryo development and decreased after the 8-cell stage to the blastocyst stage following a typical maternal transcript profile. Similar results were obtained by localization of miR-205 in preimplantation stage embryos, in which signals were higher up to the 4-cell stage and reduced thereafter. miR-205 and miR-210 were localizedin situin ovarian follicles and revealed a spatio-temporal expression during follicular development. Interestingly, the presence or absence of oocytes or cumulus cells during maturation was found to affect the expression of miRNAs in each of the two cell types. Hence, our results showed the presence of distinct sets of miRNAs in oocytes or cumulus cells and the presence of their dynamic degradation during bovine oocyte maturation.
Current panic symptoms among primary care physician's patients
Authors: Bellini Maurizio , Galaverni Elisabetta
Published: October 2011

Objective – On a basis of a large study on anxiety disorders and after a relevant literature review (no Italian survey being present in the last ten yrs on the specific topic), our present purpose is to estimate the one-month point-prevalence of panic symptoms in the primary care setting; to evaluate differences existing between patients with and without panic symptomatology. Methods – The sampling involves all consecutive patients visited by a primary care physician every day over four weeks during the recruitment period. Setting Primary care physician's (PCP) waiting-room, with immediate administration of inventories in the waiting room, under direct supervision of one Author (EG). Main outcome measures – Self-administered inventories as GHQ-12, STAI-Y1-Y2, Panic Attack and Anticipatory Scale. Results – Out of 409 subjects attending PCP's office during the recruitment period, 327 gave their oral consensus and 305 completed their assignments, constituting our sample. The 21.3% (65 cases) of our sample has shown panic symptoms in the last month. This subgroup with panic is significantly younger and more educated than the subgroup without panic. Moreover the female to male ratio is 2.6:1. Significant differences had been found in the health perception, which is negatively affected by the presence of panic attacks and by GHQ-12 and STAI-Y1-Y2 total scores. These scores are significantly higher than those from panicless patients. Conclusion – Our survey highlights that at least one of five patients visited by the PCP is on average suffering from panic symptoms. This might be related to the well-known physical components of panic symptomatology, but also to the increasing importance of the involved sub-threshold elements.

Declaration of Interest: no forms of support from any companies. One of the Authors (EG) had one-month fellowship at the University of Murcia relating to present research involvement.
Social economic inequalities and mental health. I. Concepts, theories and interpretations
Authors: Bonizzato Paola , Tello Juan Eduardo
Published: October 2011

Aims– Reconstructing the models used for approaching the inequalities issues in health, idenfiying the most relevant theoretical and conceptual contributions.Method– Literature electronic-search on Medline, Psyclit, Econlit, Social Science Index and SocioSearch using the key-wordsinequalities, deprivation, poverty, socio-economic status, social class, occupational class, mental healthfor the period 1965-2002; integrated with manual search. The material was classified according to the conceptual and theoretical interpretative models or to the analyses of the association 'inequalities-health' where health was expressed as mortality, morbidity or services utilisation.Results– Four different interpretative models about the genesis of inequalities were identified. Further theoretical developments overcome the distinction among conceptuals contrapositionsselection versus causation, statistic artefactual versus real differences, individual behaviours versus material context. Since the 80's the concept of material deprivation has been enlarged to include social deprivation to explain health inequalities. Thesocial exclusionis related to material deprivation and to social fragility enlarging the traditional aspects of poverty. The theories that better adapt to the psychiatric field are the social selection and social causation.Conclusions– The social exclusion and the new methodologies for measuring the inequalities seems to be an effective way for understanding of the inexplored aspects of the mental health inequalities.

Declaration of Interest: This work was partly funded by the Department of the Public Health Sciences “G. Sanarelli” of the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and the Department of Medicine and Public Health of the University of Verona.
Eating psychopathology and personality in eating disorders
Authors: Fassino Secondo , Abbate-Daga Giovanni , Amianto Federico , Facchini Federico , Giacomo Rovera Giovanni
Published: October 2011

Objective - The question of how many psychopathologic factors are involved in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) has no definite answer. The combination of psychopathology and personality research may shed a light upon the determinants of eating pathology. Methods - The study consists inthe administration of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Eating Disorder Inventory 2 (EDI-2) to 95 outpatient anorectic women (50 restrictive and 45 binge-purging) and to 92 bulimic outpatientwomen (78 with and 14 without purging behaviours). The respective scores of each DCA subgroup are compared. Results - Restricter anorectics are characterised by lower novelty seeking on respect to all the other groups and by a higher self-directedness on respect to bingeing-purging anorectics and purging bulimics. Alsopsychopathologic differences between restricter anorectics and the other groups are extensive. Bingeing-purging anorexia shares many traits with bulimia. Conclusions - In their complex, data suggest and in-deep study aimed to a possible re-classification of EDs which would take impulsiveness in greater consideration. The differences in temperament and character traits may partially be responsible of the repression or discontrol of impulsive eating behaviours in different ED subtypes.

Declaration of Interest

Authors received grants and research support from Regione Piemonte (Project no. 19701/27001).
Executive function remediation in schizophrenia: possible strategies and methods
Authors: Stratta Paolo , Rossi Alessandro
Published: October 2011

Aim and Method – The paper is a selective review of the literature on strategies and methods of cognitive remediation in schizophrenic disorders. It has been focused on the remediation of executive functions and the present hypotheses about the possibility of an improvement of the neurocognitive deficit through specific interventions. Results and Conclusions –People with Schizophrenic Disorders have some degree of cognitive deficit that often precede the clinical onset not secondary to the pathology characteristics persisting even when the positive symptoms have been resolved. The possibility that the neurocognitive deficits could be modified by psychological remediation with effects not exclusively confined to the cognitive domain has been nowadays accepted and numerous studies demonstrate that these interventions are effective and durable with a positive impact on social and working abilities, symptomatology and self-esteem.

Declaration of Interest

the authors declare that no economical support was obtained for this paper and no other kind of conflict of interest is present.
Surveying patients' and family members' satisfaction: the experience of the mental health department in Savona
Authors: Buscaglia Giacinto , Carolei Adriana , Baldazzi Francesca , Marinoni Alessandra , Ferro Antonio Maria
Published: October 2011

Aim — To point out the degree of satisfaction of psychotic patients and their family members in relation to the assistance given by the four Outpatient Mental Health Services in the Savona Department. Methods — patients with a diagnosis of psychosis were selected among those visited during the period from the 1st of January to the 30th of April 2002. VSSS—54 item, was utilized. Results — The analysis, conducted on 301 patients and 149 family members, highlighted: 1) a substantially positive assessment of the Services 2) the patients and their family members quite agreed on the evaluation of the different areas of satisfaction 3) Strong points: all the operators' human and professional skills 4) request of a better knowledge of the Service's programmes and more information to the public opinion 5) request of more collaboration with family doctors and other specialists 6) The worst criticism: the Service's response to night and holiday emergency. Conclusions — The patients and their family members reacted positively to the survey, that created more resistance on the part of the operators. The survey is not to be considered the final objective, but the point of departure for a new form of collaboration between the users and the operators.

Declaration of Interest

none
Psychiatric information system of Liguria Region: preliminary results. The case register of Liguria Region
Authors: Bonizzoni Paolo , Marinoni Alessandra , Mogliati Alessandra , Pistorio Angela , Brusotti Roberta , Buscaglia Giacinto , Schiaffino Sergio
Published: October 2011

Riassunto

Sono descritte con la stessa metodologia impiegata in altre quattro aree italiane sedi di Registro psichiatrico dei casi, le caratteristiche del bacino di utenza, la tipologia e l'organizzazione dei Servizi della Regione Liguria. Il sistema informativo psichiatrico ligure nasce ufficialmente nel marzo 1987 con una deliberazione della Giunta Regionale che conferisce l'incarico di organizzazione del sistema informativo all'lstituto di Scienze Sanitarie Applicate dell'Università di Pavia. La fonte dei dati è rappresentata dai Servizi psichiatrici della Liguria, comprendenti 20 Servizi Territoriali di Salute Mentale (SSM), 9 Servizi Psichiatrici di Diagnosi e Cura (SPDC) e 2 Presidi Socio Sanitari (PSS). Il Registro psichiatrico è gestito a livello cartaceo in tutti i Servizi della Regione; tuttavia in 12 dei Servizi di Salute Mentale, in 2 dei Servizi Psichiatrici di Diagnosi e Cura e nei Presidi Socio Sanitari si è già passati ad una gestione informatizzata del Registro. La rilevazione dei dati è iniziata dal 1988 è nel 1989 è stata fatta la prima verifica regionale sulla funzionalità del sistema. I risultati relativi all'utenza dei servizi territoriali evidenziano tassi di prevalenza annua che vanno dal 200 al 500 per 100.000 abitanti. Per quanto concerne gli interventi residenziali, SPDC e PSS sono stati analizzati separatamente confermando peraltro il dato della letteratura cioè di una eccedenza di diagnosi di psicosi soprattutto tra i maschi ricove- rati in SPDC e tra le femmine ricoverate nei PSS. La struttura per eta evidenzia che si tratta di persone di età avanzata in particolare tra le donne.
Some thoughts on the care needs of demented patients. Part I
Authors: Spagnoli Alberto , Cocco Ennio
Published: October 2011

Riassunto

Scopo - Data la mancanza di una tradizione e di studi o riflessioni sistematiche sul problema dell'assistenza ai pazienti dementi, ed in considerazione delle numerose esperienze avviate anche in Italia per esplorare modi innovativi di assistenza agli anziani affetti da demenza, abbiamo ritenuto interessante formulare alcune riflessioni sull'argomento. Il vero obiettivo di queste riflessioni è in realtà quello di iniziare, e sollecitare, un discorso sulla valutazione dei servizi psicogeriatrici. Metodo - È stata condotta una ricerca su MEDLINE a partire dal 1980, utilizzando le parole chiave qui riportate. Data la necessità di affrontare (o, se non altro, elencare) un ampio spettro di argomenti, che va dal ruolo giocato dalla distribuzione degli spazi interni nelle istituzioni, agli aspetti relazionali o agli psicofarmaci, abbiamo integrato la ricerca bibliografica attingendo da altre fonti molto diversificate. Risultati e conclusioni - La riflessione sui bisogni assistenziali degli anziani dementi suggerisce prima di tutto la necessità di impiegare il metodo epidemiologico anche per la descrizione e la valutazione dei servizi, e degli «stili assistenziali», dove il termine assistenza è da intendersi nell'accezione più comprensiva di health care. In secondo luogo, emerge l'importanza degli aspetti relazionali, di accoglimento e, per i pazienti istituzionalizzati, della distribuzione degli spazi interni e, ancora, la necessità che argomenti tanto (apparentemente) disparati trovino sintesi ed ospitalita in riviste lette da chi si occupa di assistenza. Infine, è evidente che la preziosa cultura anti-istituzionale prodotta dalla psichiatria sociale richiede, in psicogeriatria, una revisione che individui i punti di adesione e di distanza da strategic fondate sull'affermazione dell'autonomia del paziente (vs la dignità della disabilita), sul suo coinvolgimento in una vita più attiva (vs il «rispetto dell'apatia») e sul suo recupero alia vita sociale (vs nuove forme di equilibrio tra stimolazione e protezione).
Perspectives for psychiatric epidemiology: are we measuring the right things?
Authors: Munk-Jørgensen Povl
Published: October 2011

RIASSUNTO

Scopo - In questi ultimi anni l'epidemiologia è al centro dell'attenzione. La psichiatria è stata all'avanguardia nello sviluppo dei metodi epidemiologici e nella loro applicazione alia ricerca è alia pianificazione. La psichiatria epidemiologica si è occupata prevalentemente del servizi sanitari di secondo livello, cioè dei servizi ospedalieri. Scopo del presente lavoro è discutere quali sistemi di monitoraggio e quali tipi di dati saranno necessari in futuro. Metodo - La discussione e basata sull'esperienza e sui risultati ottenuti dai registri psichiatrici esistenti, principalmente dal Registro Psichiatrico dei Casi danese, presso il Dipartimento di Psichiatria demografica di Aarhus. Risultati - Alcuni Paesi hanno sviluppato sistemi di monitoraggio per la registrazione routinaria dei dati riguardanti il settore ospedaliero, la qualcosa comporta rilevanti benefici per garantire la qualita, per la ricercà e per la pianificazione. Peraltro, dopo l'introduzione della psichiatria decentratà, si deve riconoscere l'urgente necessita di spostare il punto focale affinche l'impiego dell'epidemiologia possa giovare anche alle attivita nel campo della psichiatria territoriale e della salute mentale fornita dai servizi di primo livello. Sebbene cio comporti grandi difficolta, devono essere sviluppati sistemi di monitoraggio per raccogliere informazioni valide e attendibili relative a tali mezzi di cura. E inoltre necessario sviluppare metodi epidemiologici da impiegare nella ricerca e nella garanzia di qualita in questo campo. Tali metodi di ricerca dovrebbero essere utilizzati non solo nell'indagine sull'eziologia. il decorso ed i risultati clinici dei disturbi mentali, ma anche, per esempio, nell'osservazione del funzionamento sociale e della disabilita dei pazienti psichiatrici, del bisogno di cura, della soddisfazione dei bisogni, dell'economia sanitaria e del flusso dei pazienti tra i differenti livelli del sistema di trattamento. Cio provoca numerose domande relative alia sicurezza dei dati, alia legislazione ed a problemi etici legati alia raccolta e all'impiego di dati nei modelli epidemiologici. Conclusioni - Si raccomanda di dare priorità ad un ampia utilizzazione dei dati dei registri esistenti; all'introduzione di registri relativi alia salute mentale fornita dai servizi di secondo livello nei Paesi che ne sono privi; all'introduzione di registri relativi alia salute mentale fornita dai servizi di primo livello; all'introduzione di sistemi di monitoraggio della disabilità; all'introduzione di sistemi per monitorare le risorse dei pazienti; ad una larga collaborazione in questo lavoro tra epidemiologi in campo psichiatrico, amministratori, economisti e tecnici.