bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inevitable problems of older people: presurgery information effect on anxiety levels in patients undergoing cataract surgery
Authors: Karaman Özlü Zeynep , Tuğ Özgür , Çay Yayla Ayşegül 
Published: March 2016

Aims and objectivesThis study was to determine the effect of preoperative patient training on the concern level of patients who would be undergoing cataract surgery.BackgroundCataract is one of the main causes of blindness in the world. Cataract surgery is located among the quite frequently performed surgeries today.DesignThis study was an experimental study.MethodsThe subject pool for this research consisted of patients admitted to the Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty Hospital Ophthalmology Department for cataract surgery. The sampling consisted of volunteers who were able to communicate and were deemed suitable patients within the limitations of this study (a total of 100 patients; control group = 50, experimental group = 50). Patient identification forms and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory I‐II scale were used as data collection tools.ResultsThe mean State Trait Anxiety Inventory pretest score for the experimental group was significantly higher than the mean final test score (53·30 ± 7·02 and 27·54 ± 3·25, respectively, p < 0·05). The mean State Trait Anxiety Inventory pretest score of the control group was 53·82 ± 7·42 and the mean final test score was 49·22 ± 13·17; there was no significant difference between these average scores (p > 0·05). However, the mean final test scores of the experimental and control groups were significantly different (p < 0·05).ConclusionsIn the experimental group in this study, informative, educational and planned nursing care had a significant impact on anxiety levels in patients who had cataract surgery.Relevance to clinical practiceAlthough it is not implemented in most hospitals, and implementation in some hospitals is unplanned, systematically planned preoperative education should take place as part of standard nursing practices.
Identification of metformin poor responders, requiring supplemental insulin, during randomization of metformin versus insulin for the control of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ashoush Sherif , El‐Said Mourrad , Fathi Hisham , Abdelnaby Mohamed 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimTo evaluate glycemic control among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) under insulin versus metformin (with or without insulin supplementation), and to identify metformin poor responders requiring supplemental insulin.MethodsIn Ain Shams University Hospital, mothers with 26–32‐week GDM pregnancies, failing diet control, were randomized to receive metformin (n = 47) or insulin (n = 48). The primary outcome was glycemic control. Secondary outcomes included maternal weight, parameters predicting successful metformin monotherapy, neonatal hypoglycemia, and birthweight.ResultsWomen using metformin (23.4% needing supplemental insulin) gained less weight (P < 0.001), and had lower fasting glucose during the first and last 2 weeks of treatment (P = 0.014 and 0.008, respectively) when compared with insulin monotherapy. Insulin supplementation in the metformin group was related to initial body mass index, HbA1c, oral glucose tolerance test (GTT), and first week mean glucose level. The 1‐h glucose level during initial GTT (Hr1‐GTT) and the mean fasting glucose level during the first week of therapy (Wk1‐mFG) were the two independent parameters associated with requiring supplemental insulin. Women with Hr1‐GTT >212 mg/dL and Wk1‐mFG >95 mg/dL had a risk ratio of 58.6 (95%CI: 3.68–933.35, P = 0.004) and 11.5 (95%CI: 2.77–47.34,= 0.0008), respectively for needing supplemental insulin during the course of the study compared with women without.ConclusionMetformin is an effective and safe alternative to insulin in GDM. Women using metformin (± supplemental insulin) had similar glycemic control, less weight gain, and similar rates of side‐effects as those on insulin monotherapy. Insulin supplementation to metformin therapy was more likely with elevated Hr1‐GTT and Wk1‐mFG.
Pulmonary thromboembolism as a result of ovarian vein thrombosis after laparoscopic‐assisted vaginal hysterectomy for uterine myoma
Authors: Takeda A. , Yamase Y. , Koike W. , Hayashi S. , Imoto S. , Nakamura H. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPulmonary thromboembolism is a potentially life‐threatening disorder, which can occur secondary to deep vein thrombosis. Ovarian vein thrombosis has classically been considered to be a postpartum complication and is less frequently associated with other disease processes, such as recent pelvic surgery. Herein, we report a case of pulmonary thromboembolism as a result of ovarian vein thrombosis in a 39‐year‐old woman after an uneventful laparoscopic‐assisted vaginal hysterectomy for uterine myoma. On postoperative day 3, the patient experienced fever of unknown origin, followed by lower abdominal pain, chest discomfort and shortness of breath. A hematological examination revealed an elevated D‐dimer level. Computerized tomography revealed pulmonary thromboembolism caused by left ovarian vein thrombosis. The administration of anticoagulants resolved the symptoms. In order to avoid significant morbidities and potential mortality, attention should be paid to the possibility of pulmonary thromboembolism resulting from ovarian vein thrombosis, even after minimally invasive gynecologic surgery for benign conditions.
Pulmonary vein triggers, focal sources, rotors and atrial cardiomyopathy: implications for the choice of the most effective ablation therapy
Authors: Pison L. , Tilz R. , Jalife J. , Haïssaguerre M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractUnderstanding of the pathophysiological mechanism(s) underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) is the foundation on which current ablation strategies are built. In the vast majority of patients with paroxysmal AF, the ablation procedure should target the pulmonary veins. In patients with nonparoxysmal AF, however, pulmonary vein isolation alone seems to be insufficient to prevent the arrhythmia. Several recent clinical trials have investigated the concept that rotors (re‐entry based on a meandering central core from which spiral waves emanate) might be the mechanism responsible for sustaining AF. Ablation of these localized AF sources is an important step towards substrate‐driven procedures in persistent AF. Hybrid AF ablation procedures, based on the integration of endocardial transcatheter and epicardial off‐pump surgical techniques, have been introduced to overcome their mutual shortcomings. The long‐term results are encouraging, especially in currently challenging settings such as nonparoxysmal AF and failed endocardial catheter ablation procedures.
Romantic Relationship Commitment Behavior Among Emerging Adult African American Men
Authors: Kogan Steven M. , Yu Tianyi , Brown Geoffrey L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractContextual and intrapersonal factors affecting the development of African American men's romantic relationship commitment‐related behavior were investigated. Socioeconomic disadvantage during early adolescence was hypothesized to predict harsh, unsupportive parenting practices. Harsh parenting was hypothesized to result in youths' emotion‐regulation difficulties, indicated by elevated levels of anger during mid‐adolescence, particularly when men were exposed to racial discrimination. Young African American men's anger during mid‐adolescence, a consequence of harsh, unsupportive parenting and racial discrimination, was expected to predict commitment‐related behavior. Hypotheses were tested with a sample of rural African American men participating in a panel study from the ages of 11 through 21. Data from teachers, parents, and youths were integrated into a multi‐reporter measurement plan. Results confirmed the hypothesized associations. Study findings indicate that the combination of harsh parenting and racial discrimination is a powerful antecedent of young men's commitment‐related behavior. Anger across mid‐adolescence mediated this interaction effect.
The Combined Effect of Women's Neighborhood Resources and Collective Efficacy on IPV
Authors: Jackson Aubrey L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis study integrates gender stratification and social disorganization theories to examine neighborhood effects on intimate partner violence (IPV). Using data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, multilevel models assessed the influences of women's neighborhood‐level socioeconomic resources relative to men's and collective efficacy on a woman's risk of IPV victimization by her spouse or cohabiting partner. The findings indicate that women's relative neighborhood resources protect against IPV victimization only in neighborhoods with sufficiently high collective efficacy. Likewise, the results show that collective efficacy protects against IPV victimization only when women have at least a modicum of control over neighborhood resources compared to men. The findings emphasize the importance of considering group resources along with neighborhood social organization to better understand IPV. More broadly, this study demonstrates how a group's position in a neighborhood social hierarchy helps determine the extent to which its members benefit from neighborhood social control.
Effect of topical neuromodulatory medications on oral and skin keratinocytes
Authors: Al‐Musawi Mustafa , Durham Justin , Whitworth John M. , Stone Simon J. , Nixdorf Donald R. , Valentine Ruth A. 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundNeuromodulatory medications (NMs), such as amitriptyline, carbamazepine and gabapentin, are used as topical preparations for the management of neuropathic orofacial pain (NOP) and have produced promising preliminary results. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three aforementioned NMs on cell lines relevant to the orofacial tissues in vitro as no published studies have examined the effect of these topical NMs.MethodsCellular viability was measured using alamarBlue®, testing cumulative and specific time point effects of NMs on human skin keratinocytes and oral keratinocytes. Effects of the NMs on cell counts were investigated by CCK‐8 assay. Drug concentrations released from NM orabase pastes after 30‐min incubation were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Using these clinical concentrations, morphological changes and cytokine expression were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and human inflammatory antibody array (AAH), respectively.ResultsCumulative and specific time point viability and cell count methods revealed that amitriptyline caused a significant decrease in cellular viability and counts in both cell lines. Carbamazepine also had significant effects after long‐term exposure and at higher concentrations, whilst gabapentin had little demonstrable effect. SEM confirmed the cytotoxicity of amitriptyline, whilst AAH revealed no significant changes in cytokine expression following amitriptyline, carbamazepine or gabapentin exposure compared with control.ConclusionsThe results raise concerns about the safety of topical amitriptyline as it was cytotoxic to skin and oral keratinocytes in both exposure times and concentrations, whilst carbamazepine was cytotoxic only at high concentrations and after longer exposure times and gabapentin had no demonstrable effects.
Optimal Growth Strategy under Dynamic Threshold
Authors: VAN CUONG LE , SAĞLAM ÇAĞRı , TURAN AGAH 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe consider an economy in which the technology exhibits nonconvexities due to fixed costs associated with production. Taking into account the incentives for investment to decrease fixed costs, we characterize the circumstances under which an underdeveloped economy can catch up with the developing ones. We show that it is optimal to get rid of the fixed costs inherent in production in finite time provided that the initial level of fixed costs are not too high and the technology for reducing fixed costs is sufficiently efficient. Indeed, we obtain that even though the income disparities may be very persistent and can be perceived as poverty traps, economies with not very high initial fixed costs and sufficiently efficient technology for reducing fixed costs would ultimately converge to the same steady state level of per capita income.
Melatonin promotes development of haploid germ cells from early developing spermatogenic cells of Suffolk sheep under in vitro condition
Authors: Deng Shou‐Long , Chen Su‐Ren , Wang Zhi‐Peng , Zhang Yan , Tang Ji‐Xin , Li Jian , Wang Xiu‐Xia , Cheng Jin‐Mei , Jin Cheng , Li Xiao‐Yu , Zhang Bao‐Lu , Yu Kun , Lian Zheng‐Xing , Liu Guo‐Shi , Liu Yi‐Xun 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPromotion of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) differentiation into functional sperms under in vitro conditions is a great challenge for reproductive physiologists. In this study, we observed that melatonin (10−7 m) supplementation significantly enhanced the cultured SSCs differentiation into haploid germ cells. This was confirmed by the expression of sperm special protein, acrosin. The rate of SSCs differentiation into sperm with melatonin supplementation was 11.85 ± 0.93% which was twofold higher than that in the control. The level of testosterone, the transcriptions of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) were upregulated with melatonin treatment. At the early stage of SSCs culture, melatonin suppressed the level of cAMP, while at the later stage, it promoted cAMP production. The similar pattern was observed in testosterone content. Expressions for marker genes of meiosis anaphase, Dnmt3a, and Bcl‐2 were upregulated by melatonin. In contrast, Bax expression was downregulated. Importantly, the in vitro‐generated sperms were functional and they were capable to fertilize oocytes. These fertilized oocytes have successfully developed to the blastula stage.
P and Ca requirements for Japanese quail
Authors: Mariz C. B. L. , Silva J. H. V. , Filho J. J. , Lima M. R. , Costa F. G. P. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryFour experiments were conducted to estimate the phosphorus and calcium requirements for weight maintenance and weight gain in Japanese quails during their growth phase from 16 to 36 days. Japanese quails aged 16 days were used for estimating the phosphorous and calcium requirements for weight maintenance or weight gain, with these quails composing each reference slaughter group and the others distributed in a completely randomized design, housed in cages of galvanized wire (33 × 33 × 16 cm) that were stored in acclimatized chambers with specific environmental temperatures. The light programme used during the 20‐day experimental period was 24 h of artificial light. Analysis of the data showed that the prediction equations for estimating the phosphorus and calcium requirements for weight maintenance and weight gain of Japanese quails between 16 and 36 days of age were P (g/quail/day) = P0.75*(9.3695 + 7.7397*T) + 9.70*WG, in which P is the phosphorus requirement, and Ca (g/quail/day) = P0.75*(363.99 – 8.0262*T) + 28.15*WG, in which Ca is the calcium requirement, P is BW (kg), T is temperature (°C) and WG (g/quail/day).
Model‐based assessment of ecological community classifications
Authors: Lyons Mitchell B. , Keith David A. , Warton David I. , Somerville Michael , Kingsford Richard T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimA ‘good’ classification should provide information about the composition and abundance of the species within communities, if it serves as an informative surrogate for biodiversity. A natural way to formalize this is with a predictive model, where group membership (clusters) is the predictor, and multivariate species data (site by species matrix) is the response. In this study, we aimed to develop a predictive model‐based framework for evaluating the predictive performance of alternative classifications of vegetation communities, and apply it to make objective and automated decisions about classification structure.MethodsWe used GLMs fit to multivariate species data to predict occurrence of individual species with site groupings. We used AIC to estimate predictive performance of alternative models to: (1) identify optimal partitioning of sites among multiple competing flexible‐β clustering solutions; (2) identify species that contribute most to compositional differences between clusters (i.e. characteristic species); and (3) automatically merge clusters to maximize expected predictive performance using an iterative pruning approach. Using field data from southeastern Australia, and simulated data, we demonstrate our approach for common ecological data types (presence/absence, counts, cover–abundance scores, percentage cover). We supply all code and data required for these analyses.ResultsAIC was a useful metric for assessing competing classification solutions. Our method produced outputs that were simple to interpret and required few subjective choices to be made by the user, while performing similarly to the popular OptimClass assessment methodology. Characteristic species defined by predictive performance were consistent between data types, and had good general agreement with existing methods for defining characteristic species. Using model performance to iteratively refine clustering produced classifications with better than expected predictive performance compared to the dendrogram hierarchy, although the flexible‐β hierarchy did a reasonable job of improving predictive performance.ConclusionsAppropriately specified models are a natural way to maximize the predictive performance of a classification and its associated diagnostics. We show that a model‐based assessment provides a clear decision framework based on data type, offering an objective pathway to make classification assessment decisions, as well as evaluate methodological choice and performance.
Response of tree species diversity to disturbance in humid tropical forests of Borneo
Authors: Imai Nobuo , Samejima Hiromitsu , Demies Malcom , Tanaka Atsushi , Sugau John Baptist , Pereira Joan T. , Kitayama Kanehiro 
Published: March 2016

AbstractQuestionsThe intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) predicts that the highest species diversity occurs at an intermediate level of disturbance. The validity of the IDH remains contentious in tropical forests because the IDH has been supported in tropical dry forests but often not in humid tropical forests. We addressed the following questions: (1) is the IDH valid in humid tropical forests of Borneo; (2) how does the disturbance index (DI) influence conformity to the IDH; and (3) does the rainfall regime influence conformity to the IDH within the tropical biome?LocationHumid tropical forests of northern Borneo.MethodsWe established approximately 50 20‐m radius circular plots across primary to highly degraded forests in each of three logging concessions. Species richness was regressed against the following four DIs: above‐ground biomass (AGB), relative number (RNO) of pioneer trees, average wood density, and the principal component analysis (PCA) axis 1 score for the three DIs. For studies that examined the IDH in tropical forests, the relationship between total and dry season precipitation and the percentage reduction in species diversity from a unimodal maximum to the lowest disturbance level was examined.ResultsSpecies richness peaked at intermediate disturbance levels when average wood density and PCA 1 score, but not AGB and pioneer RNO, were used as DIs. The peaks were relatively flat, with 8–11% reduction in species richness from a unimodal maximum to the lowest disturbance level. The percentage reduction in species richness from a unimodal maximum to the lowest disturbance level increased with decreasing total and dry season precipitation within the tropical biome.ConclusionSpecies richness showed a unimodal response to disturbance, but conformity to the IDH varied with DI because different DIs may have different biological meanings. Species richness changed little from a moderately disturbed to the least disturbed stand in humid tropical forests compared with tropical dry forests, indicating that IDH is dependent on rainfall regime.
The interaction between elevational gradient and substratum reveals how bryophytes respond to the climate
Authors: Spitale Daniel 
Published: March 2016

AbstractQuestionsWhy does bryophyte richness increase along the elevational gradient? Even though a number of studies have documented the peculiar positive (or hump‐shaped) relationship between species richness and elevation in bryophytes, it is still unclear which underlying mechanisms cause the pattern.LocationNorway spruce forests, Italian Alps, South Tyrol.MethodsEight gradients from 900 to 1900 m a.s.l. and three different substrata (forest floor, deadwood, tree trunks) were examined. Three responses from the bryophyte communities were analysed: species richness of mosses and liverworts, functional diversity (considering the morphological characteristics of species) and β‐diversity (separating the two components: richness difference and species turnover).ResultsOn deadwood and tree trunks a quadratic relationship was found between bryophyte richness and elevation, but not on the forest floor. On all three substrata, the moss assemblages along the elevational gradient were dominated by the turnover process and not by the richness component of β‐diversity. In liverworts, the two components of β‐diversity were equally important. Temperature was the most important predictor of bryophyte richness, whereas model selection suggested that temperature, solar radiation and rainfall had equal effects on functional diversity.ConclusionsThe substrata affect the response of bryophytes to the elevational gradient. The bryophyte assemblages inhabiting the forest floor, being less subject to climatic variability than deadwood and tree trunks, could be less affected by the temperature increase where climate change is occurring.
The modified iron avidity index: a promising phenotypic predictor in HFE‐related haemochromatosis
Authors: Verhaegh Pauline L. M. , Moris Wenke , Koek Ger H. , van Deursen Cees Th. B. M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectivePhenotypes of the HFE‐related haemochromatosis vary considerably, making it hard to predict the course of iron accumulation. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine if the Iron Avidity Index (IAI) is a good phenotypic predictor of the number of phlebotomies needed per year during maintenance treatment (NPDMT) in patients with homozygous p.C282Y hereditary haemochromatosis (HH).MethodsPatients with HH homozygous for p.C282Y, on maintenance treatment for at least 1 year were included. The IAI (ferritin level at diagnosis/age at diagnosis) was calculated.ResultsNinety‐five patients were included in the analysis. Linear regression analysis showed the confounding effect of sex on the relationship between IAI and NPDMT. A modified IAI, adjusted for sex, was calculated. As proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was independently associated with NPDMT, the group was split in PPI‐ and non‐PPI‐users. A positive correlation between the modified IAI and the NPDMT was shown in both groups (PPI r = 0.367, P = 0.023; non‐PPI r = 0.453, P < 0.001). An ROC was computed to measure the accuracy of the modified IAI to predict who needed 0–2 vs. ≥3 maintenance treatments per year. The AUROC in the PPI and non‐PPI group were respectively 0.576 (0.368–0.784) and 0.752 (0.606–0.899).ConclusionThe modified IAI is a fairly good predictor in non‐PPI‐using homozygous C282Y HH patients, to differentiate who needs ≥3 maintenance phlebotomies per year. Therefore, this index might help to select patients that benefit from an alternative less frequent therapy, e.g. erythrocytapheresis.