bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring the unmeasurable: the role and importance of quality of life measurement in economic evaluations of sleep disorder treatment
Authors: der Schulenburg JM Graf von 
Published: July 2002

SummarySleep disorder is a widespread chronic disease. Its treatment and the disease itself causes losses to society, eg treatment cost and cost of sick leaves. On the other hand an appropriate treatment increases patients' quality of life and work productivity. The basic methods for evaluating the costs and benefits of treating sleep disorders are described.
Internal validation of a French version of the Dutch eating behaviour questionnaire
Authors: Lluch A , Kahn JP , Stricker-Krongrad A , Ziegler O , Drouin P , Méjean L 
Published: July 2002

SummaryThis study is the first part of the validation of a French version of the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), among a population of obese and normal-weight patients. The questionnaire was administered to 166 subjects. Construct validity was assessed by orthogonal factor analysis with a varimax procedure and reliability was measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results showed the presence of three major factors (“emotional”, “restrained” and “external eating”) with loadings similar to those of the original questionnaire. A high internal consistency was found in the different scales. This study clearly demonstrates the factorial validity and the reliability of a French version of the DEQB.
Sociobiological variables and pregnancy outcome
Authors: Tambyrajia R.L. , Mongelli M. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractRecent advances are beginning to shed light on the mechanisms whereby adverse psychosocial factors can influence pregnancy outcome. High levels of maternal stress have been linked to endocrine disturbances, which in turn increases the risk of preterm labor considerably. These observations have been supported by experimental animal models. Birth weight is subject to considerable ethnic variation, and on its own is a nonspecific indicator of pregnancy outcome. The benefits of social and psychological intervention have been best documented in the intrapartum situation, whereas antenatal intervention is most likely to be of benefit when focused on improving socioeconomic conditions and access to healthcare providers.
Perinatal outcome and the type and number of maneuvers in shoulder dystocia
Authors: McFarland M.B. , Langer O. , Piper J.M. , Berkus M.D. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractObjectives: To ascertain the type and order of maneuvers that should be used for the treatment of shoulder dystocia; and to attempt to quantify the severity of shoulder dystocia, and to determine its correlation with perinatal outcome. Methods: We reviewed all consecutive cases of shoulder dystocia from January 1986 to August 1994 in our institution to obtain the type, order and number of maneuvers used for delivery. Patients were stratified by the number of maneuvers required for delivery. Outcome parameters included cord pH, Apgar score, neonatal trauma (Erb's palsy and fracture), and maternal trauma. Results: The incidence of shoulder dystocia was 0.7% (39 280 total vaginal deliveries). Use of only two maneuvers, McRoberts and suprapubic pressure, resulted in resolution in 58% of cases. The addition of the Woods screw maneuver and/or delivery of the posterior arm was sufficient in all remaining cases. The rates of neonatal palsy and fracture, and maternal fourth‐degree laceration, increased with the number of maneuvers. Conclusions: The McRoberts maneuver and suprapubic pressure should be first‐line treatment for shoulder dystocia. More difficult and damaging maneuvers such as Woods screw and delivery of the posterior arm may be reserved for refractory cases. Additional maneuvers are rarely necessary for delivery. The number of maneuvers may serve as a measure of the severity of the shoulder dystocia.
Low‐dose oral contraceptives and 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure
Authors: Cardoso F , Polónia J , Santos A , Silva‐Carvalho J , Ferreira‐de‐Almeida J 
Published: July 2002

AbstractObjective: To evaluate in normotensive women the influence of low‐dose oral contraceptives (OC, monophasic formulations containing 30 μg of estrogen) on 24‐h blood pressure. Methods: We evaluated prospectively in 15 normotensive healthy women (three smokers) the influence of OC on 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). ABPM was performed (SpaceLabs 90207) before and after 6–9 months of use of OC. We also evaluated ABPM in eight women (two smokers) before and after 6–8 months on an intrauterine device (IUD) as contraceptive method — these were used as control subjects. Results: OC produced a significant increase in 24‐h ABPM values (from 120±3/75±2 to 128±4/81±2 mmHg, P<0.04) which was particularly evident for night‐time values (from 108±2/64±2 to 120±4/73±2 mmHg, P<0.02). After OC, two normotensive women developed ‘hypertensive values’. In OC users there was a slight but significant increase in body weight which did not correlate with the increase of blood pressure. In contrast, in the control group (IUD) neither ABPM values nor weight were modified by the contraceptive maneuver. Conclusions: In normotensive women, low‐dose OC may increase blood pressure to an extent that, at least in some women, may affect blood pressure control towards ‘hypertensive values’. This stresses the importance of monitoring blood pressure values during OC treatment.
Efficacy, tolerability, and rare side effects of tibolone treatment in postmenopausal women
Authors: Egarter C , Sator M , Berghammer P , Huber J 
Published: July 2002

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study was to assess the tolerability and side effects of tibolone (Livial®, Organon), a synthetic steroid analogue for the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms, in a large population of patients. Method: 1189 postmenopausal patients were included in this study. The patients' blood pressure, body weight, general complaints, and the severity of their climacteric complaints were documented at baseline and after 4 months of tibolone treatment. Results: Tibolone significantly relieved all of the classical menopausal complaints. The proportion of patients with bleeding problems dropped significantly from 15.9% to 6.8%. Other complaints, such as headache, vertigo, nervousness, breast tenderness, and hirsutism were also significantly less frequent than before treatment. Only few women reported other rare side effects, and only 14.4% of women discontinued treatment prematurely. Conclusion: Tibolone provides an efficient and safe means of treating the postmenopausal syndrome in every‐day practice.
Epidemiologic aspects of endometrial cancer in Thrace, Greece
Authors: Anastasiadis P.G. , Skaphida P.G. , Koutlaki N.G. , Galazios G.Ch. , Tsikouras N. , Liberis P.N. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractTo describe the epidemiologic characteristics of endometrial cancer in relation with certain risk factors affecting the two major ethnic groups (Christian Orthodox and Muslims) in the area of Thrace, Greece. We performed a cross‐sectional study of 166 consecutive patients, aged between 29 and 87 years, with documented endometrial cancer who were referred to our clinic for treatment from January 1986 to June 1998. Epidemiologic characteristics of the patients were abstracted from medical charts. To evaluate our results we used the direct standardization method (1995 Eur. Population) and χ2 test. The endometrial cancer incidence for the two study populations (Christian Orthodox and Muslims) was 16.96 and 3.16/100 000, respectively. We observed statistically significant differences in most epidemiologic characteristics between the two major ethnic groups in Thrace (Christian Orthodox and Muslims) regarding endometrial cancer. Our results confirm the increasing trend of endometrial cancer incidence as established in previous investigations.
Characterization of cultured human ligamentum flavum cells in lumbar spine stenosis
Authors: Specchia Nicola , Pagnotta A. , Gigante A. , Logroscino G. , Toesca A. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractTo investigate the pathogenesis of the degenerative changes of the ligamentum flavum occurring in lumbar spine stenosis, yellow ligament cells from patients with lumbar spine stenosis were cultured for the first time and subjected to biochemical, histochemical and immunohistochemical study. Stenotic ligamentum flavum (SLF) cells were seen to express high levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and to produce a matrix rich in type I and III collagen, fibronectin and osteonectin. The matrix mineralized only following β‐glycerophosphate (βGP) and ascorbic acid supplementation. Stimulation with human parathyroid hormone (PTH) increased intracellular cAMP concentration. These findings indicate that there was significant evidence of osteoblast‐like activity in these cells. SLF cells also stained for S100 protein, type II and type X collagen, and co‐localized type II collagen and ALP labelling, reflecting the presence of hypertrophic chondrocyte‐like cells. Cultures from control patients showed neither osteoblastic nor chondrocytic features: they expressed type I and type III collagen and fibronectin, but did not stain for osteonectin, nor were bone‐like calcifications observed in presence or absence of βGP. Normal ligamentum flavum (NLF) cells did not synthesized S100 protein or type II or type X collagen, and showed a weaker response to PTH stimulation. Our data demonstrated the presence of hypertrophic chondrocytes with an osteoblast‐like activity in the ligamentum flavum of patients with spinal stenosis suggesting that they could have a role in the pathophysiology of the heterotopic ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) in lumbar spine stenosis. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Neonatal handling in eae‐susceptible rats altersNGFlevels and mast cell distribution in the brain
Authors: Manni Luigi , Micera Alessandra , Pistillo Luana , Aloe Luigi 
Published: July 2002

AbstractMaternal separation in neonatal rodents causes a wide range of behaviouralandmetabolic alterations, affecting the physiological response of theneuro‐immune‐endocrinesystem. For example, interference with the normal mother‐infantinteractions leads to anincreased susceptibility to experimentally‐induced allergicencephalomyelitis (EAE) in adult life.Since it has been reported that mast cells (MCs) participatein the pathophysiology of theautoimmune inflammatory disease multiple sclerosis (MS) and alsoEAE and that brain nervegrowth factor (NGF) levels are altered in EAE, we studied whethermaternal separation andgentle manipulation (gentling) of neonatal Lewis rats perturb NGF levelsor MC distribution inthe brain. EAE‐induction susceptibility in adult life was also evaluated andNGF levels and mastcell distribution within the hippocampus and thalamus were measured at 0,10, 20 and 60postnatal days. Our results show an exacerbation of clinical signs in rats separatedfrom motherswhere EAE was induced, a general decrease in NGF protein levels and MC numberin thehippocampus during the first developmental period and a significant increase in the numberofMC in the hippocampus and the thalamus at young‐adulthood (60 days of age). Theseresultsindicate that disruption of the maternal bond during early infancy may producelong‐lastingalterations in the brain cellular and molecular environment, leading to increasedsusceptibility toEAE in adult life.
Treatment of the agitation of late-life psychosis and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Salzman C. 
Published: July 2002

SummaryIn older as well as younger people, antipsychotic medication is commonly used to treat psychoses. In clinical practice, antipsychotic medication is also used to control severe behavioral disturbances such as agitation, wandering, self-mutilation, as well as assaultiveness. Neuroleptic and non-neuroleptic drug treatments are used to control severe agitation and disruptive behavior.Among typical neuroleptics, very low doses (e.g., 0.25 mg of haloperidol 1–4 times per day) may be effective and limit the development of severe extrapyramidal reactions.Recent experience suggests that the atypical neuroleptics, olanzaine, risperidone, and quetiapine, are also useful for controlling severe agitation in elderly demented nursing home residents.The benzamides are also known for the treatment of behavioral disturbances in Europe, but there is little experience in the U.S.A.Although research studies in this area are virtually nonexistent, growing clinical experience sugests that the following may be quite useful: 1) trazodone; 2) buspirone (Buspar®); 3) anticonvulsants (e.g., valproate); and 4) β-blockers.
Unawareness of illness and its relationship with depression and self-deception in schizophrenia
Authors: Moore O. , Cassidy E. , Carr A. , O'Callaghan E. 
Published: July 2002

SummaryBoth poor insight and depressive symptomatology are common features of schizophrenia that may be independent of positive and negative symptoms. Forty-six patients with DSM-III-R schizophrenia were evaluated for level of insight (schedule for unawareness of mental disorder), depression (Calgary depression scale for schizophrenia, Beck depression inventory), and self-deception or denial (balanced inventory of desirable responding). Patients with a greater unawareness of their illness had relatively less depressive symptomatology and relatively greater self-deception. This relationship was particularly strong for unawareness of the social consequences of having a mental disorder. These results suggest that the presence of depressive symptomatology in schizophrenia is related to the level of insight, and contingent at least in part on the absence of self-deception as a denial defense.
Ambulatory heart failure management in private practice in France
Authors: M. Komajda , J.B. Bouhour , P. Amouyel , F. Delahaye , E. Vicaut , I. Croce , E. Rougemond , F. Vuittenez , E. Leutenegger 
Published: July 2002

AbstractManagement of ambulatory heart failure was assessed in a group of 600 patients, mean age 73, 64% males, NYHA I: 9%; II: 52%; III: 33%; IV: 6%; followed up by a representative sample of private cardiologists. Fifty‐two percent of patients had been previously hospitalised for worsening heart failure with a mean duration of stay of 13.1 days, for those hospitalised in the year preceding the survey (26%). First diagnosis of heart failure had been performed by a cardiologist (57%), a general practitioner (37%) or another category of physician (6%). Seventy percent of patients received three or more different classes of heart failure medications. Diuretics were prescribed to 71%, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to 54% and digitalis to 35% of the population. Beta‐blockers were given to only 14% of the patients. In patients aged over 80 years, only 45% received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.Conclusion:This survey of ambulatory heart failure patients confirms that the disease is predominantly observed in elderly patients, and associated with prolonged and recurrent hospitalisations. The underuse of recommended therapeutic classes including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta‐blockers deserves further investigation.
Against the Odds: Breastfeeding Experiences of Low Income Mothers
Authors: Raisler Jeanne 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTThis qualitative study asked low income mothers about their experiences of breastfeeding care in the health system and about integrating breastfeeding into their daily lives. Focus group interviews were conducted with urban and rural nursing mothers who participated in the WIC Program and were supported by breastfeeding peer counselors. Mothers said that helpful breastfeeding care providers knew correct information, established supportive personal relationships, referred women to breastfeeding specialists for problems, showed enthusiasm for nursing, and facilitated breastfeeding through concrete actions during the prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. Unhelpful providers missed opportunities to discuss breastfeeding, gave misinformation, encouraged formula supplementation, provided perfunctory or routine breastfeeding care, and were hard to contact when problems arose. Women valued their breastfeeding peer counselors for responding promptly to distress calls, making home visits, being knowledgeable about breastfeeding, providing hands‐on assistance, and acting personal and caring. Incorporating breastfeeding into daily activities was a challenge for many mothers. Ambivalence about the physical bond of nursing, personal modesty, and getting on with life at home, work, or school were identified as important issues. Listening to the thoughts and experiences of low income nursing mothers can help health workers to provide more culturally sensitive, effective breastfeeding care to this population.
2D van der Waals Heterojunction Nanophotonic Devices: From Fabrication to Performance
Authors: Yu Xiantong , Wang Xin , Zhou Feifan , Qu Junle , Song Jun 
Published: July 2021

Abstract2D van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWhs) are a novel type of metamaterial that are flexible, adjustable, and easy to assemble. Using weak van der Waals forces (vdWfs), layered 2D materials can stack freely to form vdWhs with atomic level flat interfaces. By using different 2D materials and specific stacking methods, their unique properties can be organically combined, to exhibit more abundant optical properties. In fact, nanophotonic devices based on 2D vdWhs have developed rapidly and made significant progress. Therefore, the main progress of 2D vdWhs nanophotonic devices in recent years, including the preparation methods of 2D vdWhs and the performance improvements of various nanophotonic devices, is reviewed. Lastly, the prospects of 2D vdWhs nanophotonic devices are discussed.
Progress in Light‐Responsive Lanthanide Nanoparticles toward Deep Tumor Theranostics
Authors: Yan Jie , Li Bei , Yang Piaoping , Lin Jun , Dai Yunlu 
Published: July 2021

AbstractRecently, lanthanide nanoparticles have aroused widespread interest in cancer theranostics by virtue of their excellent photoresponsive performance in deep‐seated tumors. The abundant ladder‐like energy levels, controllable emission profiles, and unique photoluminescence properties make lanthanide nanoparticles highly efficient for deep skin‐penetration of near‐infrared (NIR) light, concentrating light energy in tumors with negligible scattering and minimal autofluorescence from biological tissues. High‐Z radio‐sensitization of lanthanide elements endows lanthanide nanoparticles with a high X‐ray attenuation coefficient, making them effective nanoprobes for X‐ray‐excited bioimaging and synchronous radiotherapy‐related treatments. In this review, comprehensive progressions including the synthesis, structural characteristics of lanthanide nanoparticles, and distinct optical excitation mechanisms with NIR and X‐ray triggers, are summarized. Advances in NIR‐excited and X‐ray‐triggered cancer imaging methods and therapies are described in detail, wherein NIR‐induced luminescence from upconversion nanoparticles and downconversion nanoparticles are introduced separately based on some typical sensitization. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of lanthanide nanoparticles as light‐triggered cancer theranostic candidates are discussed, whose translation from bench to bedside still has a long journey to go.
Elastic Janus film for Wound Dressings: Unidirectional Biofluid Transport and Effectively Promoting Wound Healing
Authors: Xu Bing , Li Ang , Wang Rui , Zhang Juan , Ding Yinlong , Pan Deng , Shen Zuojun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe intrinsic hydrophilicity of conventional dressings cannot achieve effective management of excessive biofluid around the wound bed, which inevitably causes infection and hinders wound healing. In addition, present dressings such as medical gauze or band aids have a limited stretching capability, which does not comply well with the skin deformation during muscle movement, thus impacting patient comfort. Herein, a Janus wound dressing is reported by assembling an external hydrophobic (HP) adhesive tape, a filter paper, and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Janus film. The PDMS Janus film as the primary dressing can unidirectionally remove biofluid away from the wound bed. The mechanism of the unidirectional biofluid transport is investigated, demonstrating that the stretching or bending of the Janus dressing is beneficial for unidirectional biofluid draining. It indicates that the Janus PDMS film has potential for practical applications on stretched or bended skin surface. In addition, in order to prevent bacterial infection, amoxicillin powder is uniformly encapsulated on the HP layer of Janus film, resulting in faster wound healing. This study is valuable for designing and fabricating next‐generation dressings with high performance for clinical applications.
In Situ (Operando) Electrochemical Dilatometry as a Method to Distinguish Charge Storage Mechanisms and Metal Plating Processes for Sodium and Lithium Ions in Hard Carbon Battery Electrodes
Authors: Escher Ines , A. Ferrero Guillermo , Goktas Mustafa , Adelhelm Philipp 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn situ (operando) electrochemical dilatometry (ECD) provides information on the expansion/shrinkage of an electrode during cell cycling. It is shown that the ECD signal can be used as descriptor to characterize the charge storage behavior of lithium and sodium ions in hard carbon electrodes. It is found that sodium storage in hard carbons occurs by a three‐step mechanism, namely I) insertion, II) pore filling, and III) plating. Step III can be seen from a sudden increase in electrode thickness for potentials below around 36 mV versus Na+/Na and is assigned to plating on the hard carbon surface. Interestingly, this last step is absent in the case of lithium which demonstrates that the storage behavior between both alkali metals is different. The plating mechanism is also supported by reference experiments in which bulk plating is enforced. Bulk plating on hard carbon electrodes can be detected more easily for sodium compared to lithium. It is also found that the type of binder strongly influences the dilatometry results. A comparison between the binders sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose and poly(vinylidene difluoride) shows that the use of the former leads to notably smaller first electrode expansion as well as a higher initial Coulomb efficiency.
Universal Current Losses in Perovskite Solar Cells Due to Mobile Ions
Authors: Thiesbrummel Jarla , Le Corre Vincent M. , Peña‐Camargo Francisco , Perdigón‐Toro Lorena , Lang Felix , Yang Fengjiu , Grischek Max , Gutierrez‐Partida Emilio , Warby Jonathan , Farrar Michael D. , Mahesh Suhas , Caprioglio Pietro , Albrecht Steve , Neher Dieter , Snaith Henry J. , Stolterfoht Martin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEfficient mixed metal lead‐tin halide perovskites are essential for the development of all‐perovskite tandem solar cells, however they are currently limited by significant short‐circuit current losses despite their near optimal bandgap (≈1.25 eV). Herein, the origin of these losses is investigated, using a combination of voltage dependent photoluminescence (PL) timeseries and various charge extraction measurements. It is demonstrated that the Pb/Sn‐perovskite devices suffer from a reduction in the charge extraction efficiency within the first few seconds of operation, which leads to a loss in current and lower maximum power output. In addition, the emitted PL from the device rises on the exact same timescales due to the accumulation of electronic charges in the active layer. Using transient charge extraction measurements, it is shown that these observations cannot be explained by doping‐induced electronic charges but by the movement of mobile ions toward the perovskite/transport layer interfaces, which inhibits charge extraction due to band flattening. Finally, these findings are generalized to lead‐based perovskites, showing that the loss mechanism is universal. This elucidates the negative role mobile ions play in perovskite solar cells and paves a path toward understanding and mitigating a key loss mechanism.