bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How Chinese psychiatrists see and manage stigmatisation of psychiatric patients: a qualitative study in Hong Kong
Authors: Sun Kai Sing , Lam Tai Pong , Lo Tak Lam , Wu Dan 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundHealth professionals including psychiatrists were reported to have stigmatising opinions on psychiatric patients. Their views may be affected by clinical, social and cultural factors.ObjectiveThis study explored the views of Chinese psychiatrists on stigmatisation of psychiatric patients.MethodsFocus group discussions with psychiatrists were conducted in Hong Kong. Their views towards stigmatisation of psychiatric patients and strategies to reduce stigmatisation were discussed.FindingsThe psychiatrists perceived the clinical needs to classify the patients according to the diagnoses and they did not see it as stigmatisation. They believed that some mental illnesses are characterised with violence or deviance, and were not completely curable. Instead of trying to eliminate stigma, they managed in ways that took social expectations into consideration. They might offer a relative vague diagnostic label to save the ‘face’ of the patients and secure greater acceptance for the illness from the public. They tended to accept family members to make decisions on behalf of the patients. Reconciling public interest and patients’ autonomy, they encouraged stable psychotic patients to live in the community but agreed to institutionalise those patients with violent behaviours.ConclusionWhile the psychiatrists argued that the diagnosis was not a form of stigma, they were sensitive enough and framed responses to patients in ways to minimise stigma. They tended to believe that stigma was inevitable given the nature of some psychotic disorders. Disguising the stigma appeared to be the common approach to deal with stigma in a Chinese context.Clinical ImplicationsThe psychiatrists, especially those practicing in a Chinese context, may consider a wider perspective of community mental health rehabilitation which is not limited to social stability but also social life.
Could a residential wood ash recycling programme be part of the solution to calcium decline in lakes and forests in Muskoka (Ontario, Canada)?
Authors: Azan Shakira S.E. , Yan Norman D. , Celis-Salgado Martha P. , Arnott Shelley E. , Rusak James A. , Sutey Peter 
Published: March 2019

One possible solution to the recent decline of calcium (Ca) concentrations in Canadian Shield forests and lakes in eastern North America is the addition of Ca-rich wood ash to watersheds. We investigated the feasibility of using small, mainly residential sources of non-industrial wood ash (NIWA) for this purpose by quantifying concentrations of its major nutrients and metals, its toxicity to Daphnia in aqueous extracts, and estimating the amount of NIWA available in the District of Muskoka in central Ontario. Locally collected NIWA averaged 30% Ca, and also contained smaller but significant amounts of K, Mg, Na, and P. Of these, K was so soluble that it was toxic to Daphnia over 48 h in the concentrate and 10-fold dilution; however, sedimented ash was not toxic over 15 d. Most metal levels in NIWA were below targets permitting unrestricted land application. However, Cu and Zn were just above these targets, but well below those for conditional use. Muskoka residents generate about 235 000 kg of NIWA annually, not enough to treat all central Ontario areas affected; however, a NIWA recycling programme implemented across southern Ontario could generate enough ash to solve the Ca decline problem in Muskoka’s forests and lakes.
FXR agonist GW4064 improves liver and intestinal pathology and alters bile acid metabolism in rats undergoing small intestinal resection
Authors: Cao Yi , Xiao Yongtao , Zhou KeJun , Yan Junkai , Wang Panliang , Yan Weihui , Cai Wei 
Published: March 2019

Mortality associated with liver disease has been observed in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS); however, its mechanism remains unclear, but bile acid (BA) dysmetabolism has been proposed as a possible cause. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is the key regulator of BA synthesis. Here, we showed that, in a rat model of short bowel resection associated with liver disease (SBR-ALD), the BA composition of hepatic tissues reflected a larger proportion of primary and secondary unconjugated BAs, whereas that of the colon contents and serum showed an increased ratio of secondary unconjugated BAs. Both hepatic and intestinal regulation of BA synthesis was characterized by a blunted hepatic FXR activation response. The mRNA expression levels of cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase ( CYP7A1), sterol 12a-hydroxylase ( CYP8B1), and sterol 27 hydroxylase ( CYP27A1), the key enzymes in BA synthesis, were upregulated. After intervention with the FXR agonist GW4064, both the liver histology and serum transaminase activity were improved, which demonstrated the attenuation of SBR-ALD. The BA compositions of hepatic tissue, the colon contents, and serum recovered and were closer to those of the sham group. The expression levels of hepatic FXR increased, and its target genes were activated. Consistent with this, the expression levels of CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 were downregulated. Ileum tissue FXR and its target genes were slightly elevated. This study showed that the FXR agonist GW4064 could correct BA dysmetabolism to alleviate hepatotoxicity in SBR animals. GW4064 intervention resulted in a decrease in fecal bile excretion and elevated plasma/hepatic conjugated BA levels. GW4064 increased the reabsorption of conjugated BAs by inducing apical sodium-dependent bile salt transporter expression in the ileum. Concomitantly, FXR activation in the presence of GW4064 decreased BA production by repressing the expression of key synthetases, including CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1. These findings provide a clinical research direction for the prevention of liver disease in patients with SBS. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study assessed the impact of treatment with GW4064, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, on the development of short bowel resection (SBR) associated with liver disease in a rat model of SBR. GW4064 was able to correct bile acid dysmetabolism and alleviate hepatotoxicity in SBR animals.
Differential action of TGR5 agonists on GLP-2 secretion and promotion of intestinal adaptation in a piglet short bowel model
Authors: Lin Sen , Stoll Barbara , Robinson Jason , Pastor Jose J. , Marini Juan C. , Ipharraguerre Ignacio R. , Hartmann Bolette , Holst Jens J. , Cruz Stephanie , Lau Patricio , Olutoye Oluyinka , Fang Zhengfeng , Burrin Douglas G. 
Published: March 2019

Enteroendocrine L cells and glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) secretion are activated in the intestinal adaptation process following bowel resection in patients with short bowel syndrome. We hypothesized that enteral activation of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), expressed in enteroendocrine L cells, could augment endogenous GLP-2 secretion and the intestinal adaptation response. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of different TGR5 agonists to stimulate GLP-2 secretion and intestinal adaptation in a piglet short-bowel model. In study 1, parenterally fed neonatal pigs ( n = 6/group) were gavaged with vehicle, olive extract (OE; 10 or 50 mg/kg), or ursolic acid (UA; 10 mg/kg), and plasma GLP-2 was measured for 6 h. In study 2, neonatal pigs ( n = 6–8/group) were subjected to transection or 80% mid-small intestine resection and, after 2 days, assigned to treatments for 10 days as follows: 1) transection + vehicle (sham), 2) resection + vehicle (SBS), 3) resection + 30 mg UA (SBS + UA), and 4) resection + 180 mg/kg OE (SBS + OE). We measured plasma GLP-2, intestinal histology, cell proliferation, and gene expression, as well as whole body citrulline-arginine kinetics and bile acid profiles. In study 1, GLP-2 secretion was increased by UA and tended to be increased by OE. In study 2, SBS alone, but not additional treatment with either TGR5 agonist, resulted in increased mucosal thickness and crypt cell proliferation in remnant jejunum and ileum sections. SBS increased biliary and ileal concentration of bile acids and expression of inflammatory and farnesoid X receptor target genes, but these measures were suppressed by UA treatment. In conclusion, UA is an effective oral GLP-2 secretagogue in parenterally fed pigs but is not capable of augmenting GLP-2 secretion or the intestinal adaptation response after massive small bowel resection. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Therapeutic activation of endogenous glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) secretion is a promising strategy to improve intestinal adaptation in patients with short bowel syndrome. This study in neonatal pigs showed that oral supplementation with a selective Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) agonist is an effective approach to increase GLP-2 secretion. The results warrant further study to establish a more potent oral TGR5 agonist that can effectively improve intestinal adaptation in pediatric patients with SBS.
Intestinal serine protease inhibition increases FGF21 and improves metabolism in obese mice
Authors: Albarazanji Kamal , Jennis Matthew , Cavanaugh Cassandre R. , Lang Wensheng , Singh Bhanu , Lanter James C. , Lenhard James M. , Hornby Pamela J. 
Published: March 2019

Trypsin is the major serine protease responsible for intestinal protein digestion. An inhibitor, camostat (CS), reduced weight gain, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia in obese rats; however, the mechanisms for these are largely unknown. We reasoned that CS creates an apparent dietary protein restriction, which is known to increase hepatic fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Therefore, metabolic responses to CS and a gut-restricted CS metabolite, FOY-251, were measured in mice. Food intake, body weight, blood glucose, branched-chain amino acids (LC/MS), hormone levels (ELISA), liver pathology (histology), and transcriptional changes (qRT-PCR) were measured in ob/ob, lean and diet-induced obese (DIO) C57BL/6 mice. In ob/ob mice, CS in chow (9–69 mg/kg) or FOY-251 (46 mg/kg) reduced food intake and body weight gain to a similar extent as pair-fed mice. CS decreased blood glucose, liver weight, and lipidosis and increased FGF21 gene transcription and plasma levels. In lean mice, CS increased liver FGF21 mRNA and plasma levels. Relative to pair feeding, FOY-251 also increased plasma FGF21 and induced liver FGF21 and integrated stress response (ISR) transcription. In DIO mice, FOY-251 (100 mg/kg po) did not alter peak glucose levels but reduced the AUC of the glucose excursion in response to an oral glucose challenge. FOY-251 increased plasma FGF21 levels. In addition to previously reported satiety-dependent (cholecystokinin-mediated) actions, intestinal trypsin inhibition engages non-satiety-related pathways in both leptin-deficient and DIO mice. This novel mechanism improves metabolism by a liver-integrated stress response and increased FGF21 expression levels in mice. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Trypsin inhibitors, including plant-based consumer products, have long been associated with metabolic improvements. Studies in the 1980s and 1990s suggested this was due to satiety hormones and caloric wasting by loss of protein and fatty acids in feces. This work suggests an entirely new mechanism based on the lower amounts of digested protein available in the gut. This apparent protein reduction may cause beneficial metabolic adaptation by the intestinal-liver axis to perceived nutrient stress.
Sound-evoked vestibular projections to the splenius capitis in humans: comparison with the sternocleidomastoid muscle
Authors: Rosengren Sally M. , Weber Konrad P. , Govender Sendhil , Welgampola Miriam S. , Dennis Danielle L. , Colebatch James G. 
Published: March 2019

The short-latency vestibulo-collic reflex in humans is well defined for only the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) neck muscle. However, other neck muscles also receive input from the balance organs and participate in neck stabilization. We therefore investigated the sound-evoked vestibular projection to the splenius capitis (SC) muscles by comparing surface and single motor unit responses in the SC and SCM muscles in 10 normal volunteers. We also recorded surface responses in patients with unilateral vestibular loss but preserved hearing and hearing loss but preserved vestibular function. The single motor unit responses were predominantly inhibitory, and the strongest responses were recorded in the contralateral SC and ipsilateral SCM. In both cases there was a significant decrease or gap in single motor unit activity, in SC at 11.7 ms for 46/66 units and in SCM at 12.7 ms for 51/58 motor units. There were fewer significant responses in the ipsilateral SC and contralateral SCM muscles, and they consisted primarily of weak increases in activity. Surface responses recorded over the contralateral SC were positive-negative during neck rotation, similar to the ipsilateral cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential in SCM. Responses in SC were present in the patients with hearing loss and absent in the patient with vestibular loss, confirming their vestibular origin. The results describe a pattern of inhibition consistent with the synergistic relationship between these muscles for axial head rotation, with the crossed vestibular projection to the contralateral SC being weaker than the ipsilateral projection to the SCM. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We used acoustic vestibular stimulation to investigate the saccular projections to the splenius capitis (SC) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles in humans. Single motor unit recordings from within the muscles demonstrated strong inhibitory projections to the contralateral SC and ipsilateral SCM muscles and weak excitatory projections to the opposite muscle pair. This synergistic pattern of activation is consistent with a role for the reflex in axial rotation of the head.
Central nervous system signatures of affect in asthma: associations with emotion-induced bronchoconstriction, airway inflammation, and asthma control
Authors: Ritz Thomas , Kroll Juliet L. , Patel Sheenal V. , Chen Justin R. , Yezhuvath Uma S. , Aslan Sina , Khan David A. , Pinkham Amy E. , Rosenfield David , Brown E. Sherwood 
Published: March 2019

The effects of asthma on affect have been noted for some time, but little is known about associated brain processes. We therefore examined whether emotion-induced bronchoconstriction, airway inflammation, and asthma control are related to specific patterns of brain activity during processing negative affective stimuli. Fifteen adults with asthma viewed alternating blocks of distressing film clips (negative condition), affectively neutral film clips (neutral condition), and a crosshair image (baseline condition) while undergoing blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI). Block-design fMRI analysis evaluated the BOLD response to “negative-baseline” and “neutral-baseline” contrasts. Airway response to these film clips was also assessed with impulse oscillometry in a separate session. Measures of airway inflammation [fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)] and asthma control [Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ)] were additionally obtained. A whole brain voxel-based regression analysis of contrast maps was performed against respiratory resistance increase during negative and neutral films, FENO, and ACQ. Peak airway obstruction to negative affective stimulation was associated with stronger activation of the anterior and middle cingulate gyrus, including the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Stronger airway inflammation and lower asthma control were associated with reduced activation to negative stimuli in the superior frontal gyrus, middle cingulate gyrus, and supplementary motor area. Activation of the dACC in negative-affect-induced airway obstruction could be part of an integrated defensive response to critical environmental change. In addition, reduced frontal and limbic activation during processing of negative affect may reflect consequences of pathophysiological processes for CNS functioning.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This functional magnetic resonance imaging study shows, for the first time, that the degree of airway constriction due to negative affective stimuli in asthma is associated with stronger response to these stimuli in the dorsal anterior and middle cingulate cortex. Asthma patients with stronger airway inflammation and reduced asthma control also show reduced activation in a number of cortical and subcortical areas relevant for affective processing and breathing control.
A New Microemission X-Ray Spectrograph. Design and Operation of the Direct Emission Curved Crystal Instrument
Authors: Buschmann Erwin C. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe Microemission X-ray Spectrograph is the result of the consolidation of the fine focus electron optics employed in the X-ray microscope, and the spectrograph goniometer used in fluorescent X-ray analysis.The electron beam, 5 microns in diameter, directly bombards the sample under study. The beam is focused using a three element electrostatic lens system.Provisions are made for continuous sample viewing with light optics. Sample manipulation, provides for complete coverage of a sample one-half inch in diameter.The characteristic X-rays generated at the sample are allowed to pass through a beryllium window and fall on the analyzing crystal.The curved crystal diffracts the characteristic X-ray wavelengths and refocuses them at the bilateral slit ahead of the detector. The goniometer may either be hand operated or motor driven through the various 2 θ angles. Electron beam currents are regulated by controlling filament power oscillator output. Signals are fed through a preamplifier into a rate me ter and recorder or into a high speed sealer which may be set to count for accurate preset periods of time. Samples may be investigated either by complete spectrum analysis of a single point on the sample or by determining concentration changes of a particular element by moving the sample across the electron beam.
Annealing Texture in a Rolled and Artificially Nucleated Aluminum Single Crystal
Authors: Kohara S. , Parthasarathi M. N. , Beck Paul A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIt has been suggested that the experimentally observed orientation dependence of the mobility of grain boundaries in f.c.c. metals may be related to the dependence of the rate of self diffusion in grain boundaries on the disorientation across the boundary. Later, this relative orientation effect on the rate of boundary diffusion and self diffusion was experimentally observed. It was shown by Hoffman and Turnbull that in bicrystals of silver misoricnted around (100) by 9° to 28°, self diffusion along the boundary (parallel to the common (100)) may be described in terms of a coefficient of self diffusion in individual grain boundary edge dislocation pipes, orders of magnitude larger than the coefficient of lattice self diffusion. It is significant that the coefficient of self diffusion in grain boundary dislocation pipes was found to be independent of the misorientation (i.e., of the density of edge dislocations in the boundary) at least up to 28°, suggesting that even a boundary of such a great misorientation may be considered as a network of dislocations, as far as self diffusion is concerned.In recent experiments the relative mobilities of boundaries in various orientations between a deformed (99.98% pure) aluminum single crystal and recrystallized grains growing in it in fairly well defined, lattice orientation relationships were compared. The matrix crystal was rolled to 80% R.A. on a (110) plane in a [112] direction, after which the strip still retained its initial orientation and the texture was very sharp. Recrystallized grains quite accurately oriented so as to have highest overall boundary mobility, i.e., corresponding to 40° rotations around the two 111 axes of the matrix grain lying in the rolling plane, were produced in large numbers by random nucleation on one side of the strip (rubbing one side with sandpaper and annealing). The re crystallized grains, that were at first growing in very large numbers and quite randomly but only in the thin surface layer highly deformed by abrasion (nucleation side), on annealing for 600 sec at 350°C grew across the whole thickness (0,010″) of the rolled single crystal. As a result of very selective growth, the recrystallized grains reaching the other side of the strip (growth side) showed a very sharp texture consisting of four components with the orientations described.
Further Application of the Intermediate X-Ray Probe
Authors: Adler Isidore , Axelrod Joseph , Branco Jaime J. R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe electron probe is an extremely valuable tool for chemical analysis on a microscopic scale. There are many situations, however, that require analyses in the millimeter rather than micron range, where in fact, the use of the electron probe causes concern about sample homogeneity. The X-ray probe consisting of a small X-ray beam and focusing monochromator is very useful for this intermediate region. This X-ray probe is equally useful for electrically non-conducting as well as conducting specimens. Analysis need not be performed in vacuum and can be done with great rapidity.For example by traversing a polished section of a combination of opaque minerals, it was possible to determine the distribution of copper, silver, arsenic, iron, and mercury and to show that an unidentified mineral was a copper arsenic mineral rather than an arsenoargentite as had been supposed.
The Evaluation of the PXQ for the Analysis of Cements and Related Materials
Authors: Andermann George , Jones J. L. , Davidson E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe analysis of cements and ores has been studied using the Applied Research Laboratories, Inc. Production Control X-ray Quantometer (PXQ), Elements included in the program were magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, calcium and iron. The PXQ, utilizing the polychromator concept, allows the simultaneous determination of the listed elements.Focusing ADP, EDT, quartz and LiF crystals were used with flow Geigers or Multitrons. Helium paths were used as required. The choice of crystals, detectors, and slit widths was determined to give optimum results for each element.The effects of briquetting and ratioing to scattered background on accuracy were studied. Various instrumental factors such as helium flow rate, detector gas flow rate, short and long term stability were also investigated.
Quantitative Analysis of Trace Amounts of Tin in Steel by Means of X-Ray Fluorescence
Authors: Whitehouse T. S. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractX-ray fluorescence as a method of chemical analysis has been receiving considerable attention due to its inherent advantages of being non-destructive and generally less time consuming than conventional methods. A method of analysis is described using a pulse height analyzer in conjunction with the X-ray fluorescent unit which further extends the range of analysis.This combination was used to measure tin in steel as low as .01% to an accuracy of .003%. Other similar analyses are suggested.
Metallurgical Applications of Electron Probe Microanalysis
Authors: Wittry David B. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe electron probe microanalyzer has found numerous applications in physical metallurgy. Some recent problems which have been studied with the microanalyzer constructed by the author at the California Institute of Technology include (1) determination of the penetration of chromium in chromized iron, (2) determinations of the concentration of nickel in taenite bands occurring in a fragment of meteorite from Canyon Diablo, (3) identification of intermediate phases in the as-cast structure of an alloy of titanium and copper, (4) identification of phases in the titanium—silver binary system, (5) determination of concentration fluctuations in a gold—copper alloy resulting from slow solidification, and (6) determination of the diffusion profile of nickel in single crystal sapphire.