bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nephrotoxicity of sodium valproate and protective role of L-cysteine in rats at biochemical and histological levels
Authors: El-Shenawy Nahla S. , Hamza Reham Z. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

Background:
This study investigated whether the combination of sodium valproate (SV) with L-cysteine (LC) can decrease the SV toxicity of kidneys. SV caused alternation in oxidative/antioxidant balance.

Methods:
Biochemical estimations included the determination of oxidative stress markers like thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in kidney tissue, and enzymatic antioxidant activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase as well as total antioxidant capacity were evaluated in renal tissues. Creatinine and uric acid levels in the serum were also determined to assess kidney function. Pathological examination of the kidney was also performed.

Results:
Increasing the levels of lipid peroxidation and decreasing the enzymatic activity (SOD, CAT, and GPx) as well as total antioxidant capacity of rats was shown with different doses of SV. Impairment in renal function tests suggests a decreased glomerular filtration rate, as serum creatinine was elevated. Histopathological changes of kidney tissue treated with SV reveal the proximal and the distal convoluted tubules that show hydropic changes (small white vacuoles within the cytoplasm and the glomeruli show hypercellularity).

Conclusions:
The concurrent administration of LC with SV significantly had beneficial effects on the kidney and all the above parameters have been improved.
The safety of progestogen in the prevention of preterm birth: meta-analysis of neonatal mortality
Authors: Ahn Ki Hoon , Bae Na-Young , Hong Soon-Cheol , Lee Ji-Sung , Lee Eun Hee , Jee Hee-Jung , Cho Geum-Joon , Oh Min-Jeong , Kim Hai-Joong 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

Background:
The safety of preventive progestogen therapy for preterm birth remains to be established. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of preventive progestogen therapy on neonatal mortality.

Methods:
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the preventive use of progestogen therapy, published between October 1971 and November 2015, were identified by searching MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Library databases, CINAHL, POPLINE, and LILACS using “progesterone” and “preterm birth” as key terms. We conducted separate analyses according to the type of progestogen administered and plurality of the pregnancy.

Results:
Twenty-two RCTs provided data on 11,188 neonates. Preventive progestogen treatment in women with a history of preterm birth or short cervical length was not associated with increased risk of neonatal death compared to placebo in all analyzed progestogen types and pregnancy conditions. The pooled relative risks (95% confidence interval) of neonatal mortality were 0.69 (0.31–1.54) for vaginal progestogen in singleton pregnancies, 0.6 (0.33–1.09) for intramuscular progestogen in singleton pregnancies, 0.96 (0.51–1.8) for vaginal progestogen in multiple pregnancies, and 0.96 (0.49–1.9) for intramuscular progestogen in multiple pregnancies.

Conclusions:
The results of this meta-analysis suggest that administration of preventive progestogen treatment to women at risk for preterm birth does not appear to negatively affect neonatal mortality in single or multiple pregnancies regardless of the route of administration.
Differential immunophenotype of macrophages in acute and chronic chorioamnionitis
Authors: Bae Go-Eun , Hong Joon-Seok , Kim Jung-Sun , Park Ha Young , Jang Ja Yun , Kim Yi Seul , Choi Suk-Joo , Oh Soo-young , Roh Cheong-Rae 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

Aim:
The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement and immunophenotype of macrophages in acute chorioamnionitis (ACA) and chronic chorioamnionitis (CCA), marking amniotic fluid infection and anti-fetal rejection, respectively.

Methods:
Chorioamniotic membranes from (1) gestational age-matched cases without chorioamnionitis, (2) cases with ACA, and (3) cases with CCA were studied after immunohistochemical staining using antibodies against CD14, CD68, CD163, and DC-SIGN.

Results:
Macrophages increased prominently in the chorionic trophoblastic layer of both ACA and CCA cases in contrast to non-inflammatory cases. Macrophages in the decidua and the chorioamniotic membranes of ACA cases expressed CD14. Macrophages in the chorionic trophoblastic layer of CCA cases were characterized by CD68 positivity. DC-SIGN-positive cells were increased in the chorioamniotic mesodermal layer of CCA cases.

Conclusions:
Macrophages participate in the inflammatory response in ACA and CCA. The differential immunophenotypes of macrophages in the decidua and chorioamniotic membranes of ACA and CCA cases suggest their disease-specific and region-specific roles at the feto-maternal interface.
Preliminary comparison of three processes of AlN oxidation: dry, wet and mixed ones
Authors: Korbutowicz R. , Zakrzewski A. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Three methods of AlN layers oxidation: dry, wet and mixed (wet with oxygen) were compared. Some physical parameters of oxidized thin films of aluminum nitride (AlN) layers grown on silicon Si(1 1 1) were investigated by means Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE). Three series of the thermal oxidations processes were carried out at 1012 °C in pure nitrogen as carrying gas and various gas ambients: (a) dry oxidation with oxygen, (b) wet oxidation with water steam and (c) mixed atmosphere with various process times. All the research methods have shown that along with the rising of the oxidation time, AlN layer across the aluminum oxide nitride transforms to aluminum oxide. The mixed oxidation was a faster method than the dry or wet ones.
Structural and optoelectronic properties of glucose capped Al and Cu doped ZnO nanostructures
Authors: Patwari Gunjan , Kalita Pradip Kumar , Singha Ranjit 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAl and Cu doped ZnO nanoparticles are considered as appropriate for modulation of structural and optoelectronic properties. Al atoms are found to substitute the host Zn whereas Cu dopants mainly segregate in grain boundaries and thereby determine the optical properties. The undoped as well as Al and Cu doped ZnO exhibit spherical well defined particles. The spherical nanoparticles change to rod type structures on co-doping. The average particle size decreases on doping what consequently results in an increment in band gap. Blue shift in UV absorption is governed by the functional group of glucose; further blue shift occurring on metal doping may be attributed to Burstein-Moss effect. PL spectra of doped and undoped ZnO show a dominant near band gap UV emission along with visible emission owing to the defects. The PL peak intensity increases on doping with Cu and Al. The linear I-V characteristics indicate the ohmic behavior of ZnO nanostructures.
Optical Frequency Comb Generation based on Erbium Fiber Lasers
Authors: Droste Stefan , Ycas Gabriel , Washburn Brian R. , Coddington Ian , Newbury Nathan R. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Optical frequency combs have revolutionized optical frequency metrology and are being actively investigated in a number of applications outside of pure optical frequency metrology. For reasons of cost, robustness, performance, and flexibility, the erbium fiber laser frequency comb has emerged as the most commonly used frequency comb system and many different designs of erbium fiber frequency combs have been demonstrated. We review the different approaches taken in the design of erbium fiber frequency combs, including the major building blocks of the underlying mode-locked laser, amplifier, supercontinuum generation and actuators for stabilization of the frequency comb.
Cationic modified gold nanoparticles show enhanced gene delivery in vitro
Authors: Lazarus Geraldine Genevive , Singh Moganavelli 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be suitably engineered for applications in gene delivery, and as carriers of peptides and proteins. They present innovative strategies in gene therapy for the treatment of genetic as well as acquired diseases. Optimisation of AuNPs in binding and the eventual release of the therapeutic agent in a controlled manner are crucial steps in the pathway to effective drug or gene therapy. In this study, we propose the formulation of cationic polymer [chitosan (Chit) and poly-l-lysine (PLL)] and cysteine (Cys)-coated AuNPs. These cationic AuNPs displayed good stability and resistance to aggregation under physiological conditions. All functionalised formulations remained in the size range 15.7–186 nm with narrow particle distributions and low polydispersity index (<0.9). Band shift and ethidium bromide intercalation assays determined the complexation of pDNA to the functionalised AuNP (FAuNP). Au-Chit/pDNA exhibited a significant 126% (p<0.01) cell viability in HepG2 cells, followed by Au-PLL/pDNA at 104% in HeLa cells and Au-cysteine/pDNA at 91.8% (p<0.001) in Caco-2 cells. Significant transgene activities in all cell lines were noted with enhanced gene expression for the FAuNP complexes over the cationic complexes on their own. The results of this study suggest that the low cytotoxicity and promising transgene activity of these FAuNPs, coupled with the ability to parametrically control particle size and surface properties, make these formulations suitable nanocarriers for drugs and genes.
Profilowe zróżnicowanie form żelaza i glinu w glebach pod świerczyn górnoreglową Plagiothecio-Piccetum tatricum w Gorcach jako wskaźnik aktualnych procesów glebotwórczych / Distribution of Iron and Aluminum Forms as an Indicator of Present-Day Soil-Forming Processes in Soil Profiles under Wooded Spruce Plagiothecio-Piccetum Tatricum in the Gorce Mts. (Southern Poland)
Authors: Miechówka Anna , Zaleski Tomasz , Kowalczyk Elżbieta 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe aim of the study was to determine soil-forming processes in soils formed from the Magura sandstones (Carpathian flysch) under wooded spruce Plagiothecio-Piccetum tatricum in the Gorce Mts., southern Poland. The research focused on distribution of non-silicate forms of iron and aluminum in soil profiles. The content of pyrophosphate, oxalate, and dithionite phases of iron and aluminum in the genetic horizons of four soil profiles was measured and selected pedogenic factors were calculated. Based on the obtained results podzolization and brunification are dominant soil-forming processes in the studied soils. The brunification effect was more common in the soils under the large share of Athyrium distentifolium, whereas podzolization predominates in the soils where Vaccinium myrtillus prevails in forest floor. Studied soils were classified as Dystric Endoskeletic Cambisol (Loamic, Humic), Dystric Cambisol (Siltic, Humic) and Skeletic Folic Albic Podzol (Arenic).
Enzymatic Activity and Enchytraeids Abundance in Agricultural Mountain Soils / Aktywność enzymatyczna i liczebność wazonkowców w glebach górskich użytkowanych rolniczo
Authors: Józefowska Agnieszka , Miechówka Anna 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe number of soil mesofauna and enzymatic activity of soils are good indicators of changes in soil influenced by cultivation. The aim of this study was to compare density of enchytraeids and the activity of dehydrogenases (ADh), urease (AU), and invertase (AI) in the soils of grassland and arable land. Relationships that exist between those biological parameters and the basic soil properties (the content of total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen (TN), pH, texture, and total porosity) were defined. In the research, soil material from humus horizon of 12 soils which were located in the Mały Beskid and Silesian Foothills (S Poland) was used. The main density of enchytraeids in grassland soils (12 982 ind⋅m-2) was twice higher than in arable land soils (6099 ind⋅m-2), and the differences were statistically significant. Grassland soils were characterised by higher enzymatic activity than arable land soils. However, only ADh, which were almost three times higher in grassland than in arable soils (2024 and 742 μmol TPFkg-1h-1, respectively), showed significant differences. In grassland soils more favourable edaphic conditions for the development of soil organisms occurred in comparison with arable land.
Potential value of EUS in pancreatic surveillance of VHL patients
Authors: van Asselt Sophie J , Brouwers Adrienne H , van Dullemen Hendrik M , van der Jagt Eric J , Bongaerts Alfons H , Koopmans Klaas P , Kema Ido P , Zonnenberg Bernard A , Timmers Henri J , de Herder Wouter W , Sluiter Wim J , de Vries Elisabeth G , Links Thera P 
Published: April 2016

Background
Patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease are prone to develop pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). However, the best imaging technique for early detection of pNETs in VHL is currently unknown. In a head-to-head comparison, we evaluated endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and 11C-5-hydroxytryptophan positron emission tomography (11C-5-HTP PET) compared with conventional screening techniques for early detection of pancreatic solid lesions in VHL patients.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional, prospective study in 22 patients at a tertiary care university medical center. Patients with VHL mutation or with one VHL manifestation and a mutation carrier as first-degree family member, with recent screening by abdominal computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS), were eligible. Patients underwent EUS by linear Pentax echoendoscope and Hitachi EUB-525, and 11C-5-HTP PET. Patient-based and lesion-based positivity for pancreatic solid lesions were calculated for all imaging techniques with a composite reference standard.

Results
In 10 of the 22 patients, 20 pancreatic solid lesions were detected: 17 with EUS (P < 0.05 vs CT/MRI+ SRS), 3 with 11C-5-HTP PET, 3 with SRS, 9 with CT/MRI, and 9 with CT/MRI + SRS. EUS evaluations showed solid lesions with a median size of 9.7 mm (range 2.9–55 mm) and most of them were homogeneous, hypoechoic, isoelastic, and hypervascular. Moreover, EUS detected multiple pancreatic cysts in 18 patients with a median of 4 cysts (range 1–30).

Conclusions
EUS is superior to CT/MRI + SRS for detecting pancreatic solid lesions in VHL disease.11C-5-HTP PET has no value as a screening method in this setting. EUS performs well in early detection of pNETs, but its role in VHL surveillance is unclear.
Metformin or Oral Contraceptives for Adolescents With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Al Khalifah Reem A. , Florez Ivan D. , Dennis Brittany , Thabane Lehana , Bassilious Ereny 
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common disease. There is limited evidence to support various treatment choices. This leads to variable treatment practices.

OBJECTIVES:
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the use of metformin versus oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) for the treatment of PCOS in adolescents aged 11 to 19 years.

DATA SOURCES:
We performed literature searches through Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and gray literature resources, up to January 29, 2015.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:
Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts of identified citations, assessed full text eligibility, and extracted information from eligible trials.

RESULTS:
Four RCTs met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The reviewed evidence came from 170 patients. Overall, OCP treatment resulted in modest improvement in menstrual cycle frequency (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 0.27, P &lt; .01, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.33 to −0.21) and mild reduction of acne scores (WMD = 0.3, P = .02, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.55). While metformin resulted in greater BMI reduction (WMD = −4.02, P &lt; .01, 95% CI −5.23 to −2.81) it was associated with decreased dysglycemia prevalence (risk ratio: 0.41, P = .02, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.86) and improved total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels. Metformin and OCPs were similar in terms of impact on hirsutism.

CONCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS:
Current evidence is derived from very low to low quality evidence. Therefore, treatment choice should be guided by patient values and preferences while balancing potential side effects. Future high quality RCTs are needed to address several questions for the treatment of adolescents with PCOS.
Study of some properties of cyanopyridine derivatives in solutions
Authors: Baluja Shipra , Movalia Jagdish 
Published: April 2016

<p>Some new cyanopyridine derivatives have been synthesized and their characterization was done by IR, 1H NMR and mass spectral data. Further, some physicochemical properties such as density, refractive index, conductance etc. have been studied for these synthesized compounds, in different solvents at 308.15 K.</p>
Análisis comparativo de la cinética de liberación de diclofenaco sódico a partir de matrices hidrofílicas en medios de disolución convencionales y biorrelevantes
Authors: Sandoval Plinio A. , Rajabi-Siahboomi Ali , Ponce D’León Luisa Fernanda 
Published: April 2016

<p>Se utilizaron dos polímeros hidrofílicos comúnmente empleados en la formulación de matrices de liberación extendida, hidroxipropil-metil-celulosa (HPMC, hipromelosa) y óxido de polietileno (PEO), junto con celulosa microcristalina y lactosa, con el objetivo de estudiar la cinética de liberación del diclofenaco sódico en los aparatos II y III de la USP, en un medio de disolución compendial y en medios biorrelevantes. La cinética de liberación predominante en el aparato II fue uno y en el aparato III, cero. El valor de las constantes n y k aplicando la ley del exponente, indicaron tanto para el aparato II como para el III, que no se presenta el efecto “burst” y que el mecanismo predominante en la liberación del fármaco, es la relajación y la erosión del polímero. Los resultados sugieren que la metodología de disolución en un medio biorrelevante es apropiada para discriminar entre formulaciones y para predecir el desempeño in vivo de tabletas de liberación extendida de diclofenaco sódico.</p>
Obesity and lifestyle risk factors among an adult population in Legal Amazon, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: Spanhol Rita De Cássia , Ferrari Carlos Kusano Bucalen 
Published: April 2016

<p>To evaluate the frequency of obesity and lifestyle risk factors in the population of Barra do Garças, Legal Amazon.</p><p><strong>Methodology </strong>A randomized, transversal study with 305 adults of both genders was performed. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, food dietary habits, frequency of smoking and alcoholic consumption, practice of physical activity, and the physical activity level were evaluated. </p><p><strong>Results </strong>Smoking and alcoholic consumption was higher among men compared to women. Almost 60 % of men engaged in leisure-time physical activities, whereas only 42.4 % of women practiced physical activity. Women were engaged in mostly sedentary behavior activities, such as watching television and using the computer use than men. Dietary daily intake of fruits and vegetables were higher among women compared to men (65.9 % and 51.5 %, respectively). Men were more prone to drink soft drinks than women. However, 39.4 % of men and only 3.4 % of women drank soft drinks three or more days <em>per</em> week. The prevalence of overweight and obesity according to body mass index (BMI) was higher in this study. 34.4 % of men and 33.7 % of women were overweight and 15.10 % and 17.50% of men and women, respectively, were classifyied as obese. Elevated values of waist circumference were found in 35.35 % of men and 70.73 % of women.</p><p><strong>Conclusión</strong> Women were more sedentary than men and had higher prevalence of abnormal waist circumference values.</p>
Defusing practices as mitigation in speech and language intervention
Authors: Samuelsson Christina , Plejert Charlotta , Anward Jan 
Published: April 2016

In the present paper, speech and language intervention was investigated in order to explore the use and function of defusing practices. Defusing practices may be viewed as a special form of mitigation. In previous research, including studies on clinical interaction, mitigation has been described mainly as devices used in order to reduce the unwelcome effects of an utterance, or reduce the discomfort of bad news. Defusing practices, however, appear to serve somewhat different functions, which are examined here. Data comprises video and audio recordings of eight intervention sessions with children with language impairment (LI), and six intervention sessions with adults with aphasia, The analysis revealed the following kinds of defusing practices: circumscriptions/figurative language, diminutive words, words like ‘try’ or ‘test’, placing the problem outside of the patient, collective pronouns, diminishing the speech and language pathologist's own competence, encouragement, and references to well-known phenomena. If speech and language therapists (SLPs) are made aware of the practice and function of defusing, they may make conscious use of these practices in order to reduce face-threatening situations in intervention
Editorial
Authors: Rautenbach Christa 
Published: April 2016

This edition of PER consists of eight contributions; six articles and two notes. In the first article, Angelo Dubeanalyses the interaction amongst African States that eventually led to the development of universal jurisdiction regulations within their individual legal systems to determine if one can say that there is indeed an African signature in those legal rules. Anél Ferreira-Snyman deals with the rapid development of space technology and space flight which has rendered article IV of the Outer Space Treaty dealing with the military use of outer space outdated and in dire need of change. Moses Phooko's article investigates whether the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal has jurisdiction to deal with cases involving allegations of human rights violations. Analogous to the situation of Chinese people in South Africa who chose to be defined as "Black People" in terms of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 as well as the Broad Based Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003, Enyinna Nwauche examines the possibility that people living under a system of customary law may change their legal system by choosing another one. The last two articles, written in two parts by Andre Louw, deals with theEmployment Equity Act 55 of 1998. In the first part, he critically examines the organising principle of the affirmative provisions of this Act and assesses if it is in line with the constitutional requirements for a legitimate affirmative action programme or measure. In the second part, he critically evaluates the Constitutional Court judgment inSouth African Police Service v Solidarity obo Barnard 2014 6 SA 123 (CC), and highlights what he thinks the biggest areas of disappointment of this judgment are within the context of South Africa’s equality jurisprudence.In the first of two notes, Zsa-Zsa Boggenpoel analyses the Constitutional Court's use of the common law remedy ofmandament van spolie in Ngqukumba v Minister of Safety and Security 2014 5 SA 112 (CC). In the second note and last contribution of this edition, Petronell Kruger discusses the case of Western Cape Forum for Intellectual Disability v Government of the Republic of South Africa 2011 5 SA 87 (WCC), which dealt with the challenges faced by persons with disabilities relating to access to education in South Africa.