bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The health‐related quality of life of patients with prostate cancer and their spouses before treatment compared with the general population
Authors: Harju Eeva , Rantanen Anja , Kaunonen Marja , Helminen Mika , Isotalo Taina , Åstedt‐Kurki Päivi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimsTo describe the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with prostate cancer and their spouses in comparison with the Finnish general population, using the RAND 36‐Item Health Survey. An additional purpose was to describe the associations between the background variables of the participants and their HRQOL.BackgroundThe HRQOL of patients with prostate cancer and especially their spouses at the time of diagnosis is not well known.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodsResponses were received from 232 patients and 229 spouses at 5 central hospitals in Finland between October 2013 and January 2016.ResultsCompared to the Finnish general population mean, the HRQOL of the patients and their spouses was, on average, better for all dimensions. Patients' age, the presence of disease, and the treatment method were associated with the dimensions of HRQOL. The dimensions of HRQOL were also associated with spouses' age, basic and vocational education, and the presence of disease.ConclusionThe patients and their spouses experienced their HRQOL as very similar; however, on average, it is better than the general population mean. However, the evidence suggests that support from the nurses should focus on emotional well‐being, the dimension that received the lowest scores in both groups.
Efficacy of an unwaxed dental floss impregnated with 2% chlorhexidine on control of supragingival biofilm: A randomized, clinical trial
Authors: Muniz Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes , da Silva Lima Heitor , Rösing Cassiano Kuchenbecker , Martins Ricardo Souza , Moreira Maria Mônica Studart Mendes , Carvalho Rosimary de Sousa 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimIn the present study, we evaluated the antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of a dental floss impregnated with 2% chlorhexidine digluconate.MethodsThirty dental students were randomly divided into three groups (n=10): (a) negative control (NC) group, in which no interproximal cleaning was performed; (b) the positive control (PC) group, which used a standard unwaxed dental floss twice daily; and (c) and the test group, which used a unwaxed dental floss impregnated with 2% chlorhexidine twice daily. Six surfaces per tooth were evaluated by the Quigley‐Hein plaque index (Turesky modification) at the last appointment (day 15), and testing for the presence of marginal bleeding was performed using the marginal bleeding index (MBI) at both the baseline and last appointments.ResultsAt day 15, the test group had the lowest mean plaque index (1.04±0.67), showing a statistically‐significant difference compared to the NC group (1.40±0.65, P<.001) and PC group (2.30±0.73, P<.001). The PC and test groups showed a mean reduction of 70.2% and 87.26%, respectively, with significant reduction compared to baseline (P<.05) for the MBI. No statistically‐significant difference was found between the PC and test groups (P=.126).ConclusionUnwaxed dental floss impregnated with 2% chlorhexidine showed additional reductions in supragingival interproximal biofilm compared with a conventional unwaxed dental floss, without additional improvement in marginal bleeding.
Hyperphosphatasemia in leiomyosarcoma of the uterus: Two case reports and a literature review
Authors: Jitsumori Mariko , Umeda Anna , Hosoi Ayako , Miyanishi Kazuya , Munakata Satoru , Yamamoto Toshiya 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSome tumors are known to produce alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Seven cases of uterine leiomyosarcoma were identified from the clinical records of Sakai City Medical Center from January 2006 to December 2014. Patients' ages ranged from 47 to 75 years (median: 58). Clinical stages were IB, IIB, IIIA, and IVB in four, one, one, and one cases, respectively. Of these, two were found to have hyperphosphatasemia before surgery, and the elevated ALP level decreased after surgery, and increased with disease recurrence. In the cases of hyperphosphatasemia, leiomyosarcoma cells showed positive staining for ALP. There was no correlation between serum ALP and lactate dehydrogenase, or ALP and cancer antigen 125. The combination of ALP, lactate dehydrogenase, and cancer antigen 125 may be more useful for diagnosis and follow‐up of leiomyosarcoma.
Probiotics intake from proximal or distal gastrointestinal tract: The investigation on intestinal morphology and performance of Japanese quail
Authors: Seifi K. , Karimi‐Torshizi M. A. , Deldar H. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of early single‐dose probiotics administered from proximal or distal gastrointestinal tract on quails’ performance and small intestinal morphology. A total of 120 Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) 1‐d‐old chicks were divided into the following experimental groups before being transferred to the raising room: (i) control (no probiotic administered); (ii) oral group (received probiotics via oesophageal gavage); and (iii) vent lip group (received probiotics directly into vent). Four replicates of 10 chicks per cage were considered for each treatment and birds were raised up to 35 days in the same conditions with ad libitum access to feed and water. A commercial probiotics (Protexin, Somerset, UK) used in this study contained 2 × 109 cfu/g of nine different micro‐organisms. On day 35, all birds were weighed and then three birds in every pen were killed via cervical dislocation. Two cm of mid‐point of duodenum and ileum were cut for histomorphology assays. Both probiotics‐treated groups had higher body weight and body weight gain than control (p < .01). Ileum was longer in probiotics‐treated groups than in the control (p < .01). Orally treated birds had the highest duodenum villus height and crypt depth (p < .01). In the cloacally treated quails, ileum villus length was higher than the both other groups, and crypts’ depth was deeper than the control (p < .01). The numbers of both types of goblet cells (acidic mucin producer and neutral mucin producer) were higher in the birds receiving probiotics than control birds (p < .01). Although there were no statistical differences in performance values between the different ways of probiotics entrance into gut, some intestinal histomorphometric parameters were improved in ileum of the birds receiving probiotics through distal gut that is cloaca (p < .01).
Effect of steam explosion on solid‐state fermentation of maize stalk by Penicillium decumbens and Phanerochaete chrysosporium for animal feed production
Authors: Sun Z. , Li X. , Liu L. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryPre‐treated maize stalk could be used for animal feed due to the improved digestibility. Steam explosion (SE) and solid‐state fermentation (SSF) are two methods in maize stalk pre‐treatment. To evaluate the effect of combination of SE and SSF on the maize stalk pre‐treatment, the maize stalk was treated with steam explosion and microbial fermentation with Penicillium decumbens and Phanerochate chrysporium in this study. The steam explosion severity (logR0) affected component of the corn stover and then affected the SSF. The highest weight loss of substrate (23.20%), protein (12.71%) and cellulase filter paper activity (FPA) (7.42IU/g) could be obtained at logR0 = 3.64 and the IVDMD of SE‐SSF‐treated straw could reach 75.8%. The SE‐SSF pre‐treatment method could improve the utilization of straw as animal feed and overcome the shortage of feed source in animal husbandry.
Petrography, classification, oxygen isotopes, noble gases, and cosmogenic records of Kamargaon (L6) meteorite: The latest fall in India
Authors: Ray D. , Mahajan R. R. , Shukla A. D. , Goswami T. K. , Chakraborty S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA single piece of meteorite fell on Kamargaon village in the state of Assam in India on November 13, 2015. Based on mineralogical, chemical, and oxygen isotope data, Kamargaon is classified as an L‐chondrite. Homogeneous olivine (Fa: 25 ± 0.7) and low‐Ca pyroxene (Fs: 21 ± 0.4) compositions with percent mean deviation of <2, further suggest that Kamargaon is a coarsely equilibrated, petrologic type 6 chondrite. Kamargaon is thermally metamorphosed with an estimated peak metamorphic temperature of ~800 °C as determined by two‐pyroxene thermometry. Shock metamorphism studies suggest that this meteorite include portions of different shock stages, e.g., S3 and S4 (Stöffler et al. ); however, local presence of quenched metal‐sulfide melt within shock veins/pockets suggest disequilibrium melting and relatively higher shock stage of up to S5 (Bennett and McSween ). Based on noble gas isotopes, the cosmic‐ray exposure age is estimated as 7.03 ± 1.60 Ma and nitrogen isotope composition (δ15N = 18‰) also correspond well with the L‐chondrite group. The He‐U, Th, and K‐Ar yield younger ages (170 ± 25 Ma 684 ± 93, respectively) and are discordant. A loss of He during the resetting event is implied by the lower He‐U and Th age. Elemental ratios of trapped Ar, Kr, and Xe can be explained through the presence of a normal Q noble gas component. Relatively low activity of 26Al (39 dpm/kg) and the absence of 60Co activity suggest a likely low shielding depth and envisage a small preatmospheric size of the meteoroid (<10 cm in radius). The Kr isotopic ratios (82Kr/84Kr) further argue that the meteorite was derived from a shallow depth.
Decreasing Improper Payments in a Complex Federal Program
Authors: Greer Robert A. , Bullock Justin B. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSince the early 2000s, the U.S. federal government has placed increasing focus on combating improper payments. Implementing policies to control improper payments is no easy task. Federal programs are often large, complex, riddled with moral hazard concerns, and jointly implemented. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor adopted a national strategy to combat improper payments in the Unemployment Insurance program. This article examines the effect that the Department of Labor's strategic initiative had on lowering states’ improper payments. Findings show that two of its tools—mandatory cross matching of employment records between the National Directory of New Hires and State Directories of New Hires and a communication strategy known as messaging—played a statistically significant role in halting the rise of improperly paid unemployment insurance claims. These results suggest that information technology tools and increased communication among stakeholders can be effective in lowering improper payments and improving government performance.
Fluralaner as a single dose oral treatment for Caparinia tripilis in a pygmy African hedgehog
Authors: Romero Camilo , Sheinberg Waisburd Galia , Pineda Jocelyn , Heredia Rafael , Yarto Enrique , Cordero Alberto M. 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundAfrican pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are popular pets belonging to the Erinaceidae family of spined mammals. Amongst the most common skin diseases occurring in this species is infestation caused by the mite Caparinia spp. Due to their skin anatomy and spiny coat, detection of skin lesions in these hedgehogs can be difficult. This may result in delays in seeking medical care, which may lead to secondary bacterial infection and self‐inflicted trauma. Multiple therapies have been used in the treatment of this skin condition including ivermectin, amitraz, fipronil and selamectin. A drug which could be administered as a single oral dose would be advantageous to these pets and their owners.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of a single oral dose (15 mg/kg) of fluralaner on Caparinia tripilis infestation in the African pygmy hedgehog.AnimalsA 10‐month‐old African pygmy hedgehog weighing 184 g.MethodsResponse to treatment was monitored by dermatological examination and superficial skin scrapings repeated at 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days following fluralaner administration.ResultsOn Day 7 after treatment, adult mites were observed exhibiting normal movement. On Day 14, only dead mites were observed. No life stages of the mites were found after Day 21.Conclusion and clinical importanceA single oral dose at 15 mg/kg of fluralaner was effective within 21 days after treatment for capariniasis in this case. Further studies are required to evaluate the drug's safety and toxicology in hedgehogs, and to confirm efficacy.
Influence of face-down and face-up bonding on the degree of polarization of superluminescent diode
Authors: Zhou Shuai 
Published: July 2017

Face-down and face-up bonded polarization-insensitive buried heterojunction superluminescent diode has been studied in terms of thermal behavior and degree of polarization. Our studies have shown that the thermal rollover of current–power characteristic for face-down bonding was about 1.16 times higher than face-up configurations, and face-down bonding can offer higher heat transfer than face-up one. However, face-down bonding will cause more physical stress to the device, and the average value of degree of polarization for face-down bonding devices (35.3%) was much higher than face-up ones (−2.1%). After 48 h high temperature storage at 85[Formula: see text]C, the stress of face-down devices obtained a better relaxation due to the more stress accumulation.
The Mutilation of Agamemnon (A. Ch. 439 and S. El. 445)
Authors: Dunn Francis M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAt two places in Greek tragedy a rare and obscure word, ἐµασχαλίσθη, is used to describe an obscure practice. Most commentators take the word to denote a ritual in which a victim’s body parts are strung underneath his armpits, hence the term ἐµασχαλίσθη, ‘was arm-pitted’. This paper argues that the term denotes a simpler practice and one more suited to the dramatic context, and closes by considering why the word has been misunderstood.
On Determining Stationary Periods within Time Series
Authors: Pan Ying , Patton Edward G. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA novel approach is constructed for determining both the occurrence and the duration of stationary periods within time series. After reviewing four statistical techniques that provide stationarity measures invariant to applying a constant offset to the variable of interest, the reverse arrangement test is selected as the basic statistical operation to construct the approach. The probability distributions of the starting and ending points of stationary intervals are used to determine the nonstationary location at which a period should be split into two subperiods and nonstationary samples that should be discarded from analysis of time-averaged statistics. The approach provides efficient analysis of long-term datasets and is capable of relating data sampled at multiple locations. Applying the approach to data obtained within a walnut orchard canopy during the defoliated phase of the Canopy Horizontal Array Turbulence Study (CHATS) yields periods with stationary within-canopy velocities required by analysis of the bulk drag–wind relationship. The uncertainties in empirical estimates of the bulk drag–wind relationship associated with nonstationarity and finite duration of time series are evaluated. An integral view of various stationarity measures is presented, with a highlight of their links to physical processes.
Subcutaneously Administered Efalizumab (Anti-CD 11a) Improves Signs and Symptoms of Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Gottlieb Alice B. , Miller Bruce , Lowe Nicholas , Shapiro William , Hudson Charles , Bright Ross , Ling Mark , Magee Anna , McCall Calvin O. , Rist Toivo , Dummer Wolfgang , Walicke Patricia , Bauer Robert J. , White Mark , Garovoy Marvin 
Published: July 2017

Background: Phase I and Phase II studies in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis demonstrated that intravenous (TV) efalizumab improved clinical signs and symptoms and was well tolerated. Objective: To determine if subcutaneous (SC) delivery of efalizumab improves chronic plaque psoriasis and demonstrates an acceptable safety profile. Methods: This was a Phase I, open-label, single- and multiple-dose, escalating-dose study. Subjects received a single dose of efalizumab (0.3 mg/kg/wk SC) or escalating multiple doses of efalizumab (0.50–2.0 mg/kg/wk SC). Effectiveness was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), target lesion assessment, and Physician's Global Assessment (PGA). Safety was assessed by evaluating adverse events, clinical laboratory test results, physical examination results, immunologic responses, and vital signs. Results: PASI score, target lesion assessment, and PGA showed improvement of approximately 40%–60% in signs and symptoms of plaque psoriasis by day 56. Mean PASI scores were still declining at the end of the eight-week dosing period, suggesting that longer duration of treatment would be more effective. By day 91, mean PASI scores were 16.2 vs. 14.6 at day 56 in the 0.5–1.0-mg/kg/wk group and 11.7 vs. 10.1 in the 1.0–2.0-mg/kg/wk group. This demonstrates that, on average, patients maintained their treatment benefit during the 42-day followup period. Overall, there were considerably fewer adverse events than in previous IV studies. These consisted principally of mild to moderate headache, pain, and rhinitis. No allergic reactions were observed. Antibodies to efalizumab were observed in only one subject (2%) and did not have any clinical relevance. Conclusion: The SC administration of eight weekly doses of efalizumab improves signs and symptoms of psoriasis. The treatment was safe and very well tolerated. In comparison to previously published results with IV efalizumab, SC administration of efalizumab improves overall safety and tolerability, with the additional advantage of greater convenience.
The Utility of Digital Clinical Photographs in Dermatopathology
Authors: Fogelberg Anneli , Ioffreda Michael , Helm Klaus F. 
Published: July 2017

Background and Objective: Technological improvements have helped digital cameras become widely available and inexpensive. Dermatopathologic diagnosis is often aided by clinical information. The purpose of this study was to determine whether submitting a digital image along with a skin biopsy provides additional helpful information to the dermatopathologist. Methods: Digital pictures were taken of the lesion being biopsied and were submitted along with routine paper work to the dermatopathologists. The dermatopathologists interpreted the skin biopsy as usual without viewing the digital image, and then later viewed the submitted picture. The dermatopathologists evaluated the help provided by the image. Results: A clinical digital image was helpful in confirming the initial diagnosis and narrowing down the differential diagnosis ( p < 0.001). Including pictures did not change the diagnosis, result in an increase in the differential diagnosis, or result in fewer or additional step sections being performed. Digital imaging of inflammatory disorders was felt to be good help in 43 % of the biopsies and narrowed down the differential diagnosis in 31%. Conclusion: In certain cases the inclusion of a digital image may help a dermatopathologist. Digital imaging was found to be most helpful in evaluation of inflammatory disorders.
Systemic Steroids Suppress Antimelanocyte Antibodies in Vitiligo
Authors: Hann Seung-Kyung , Chen Dunlu , Bystryn Jean-Claude 
Published: July 2017

Background: Vitiligo is associated with autoantibodies to melanocytes. The role of these antibodies in the pathogenesis of the disease is still unknown. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of vitiligo antibodies in the pathogenesis of the disease by studying whether or not there is a correlation between changes in their level and response to therapy with systemic steroid. Methods: Antibodies to the 40 to 45 kD, 75 kD, and 90 kD vitiligo antigens were measured prior to and following systemic steroid therapy in 10 patients with active vitiligo. Results: Four months following initiation of therapy, seven (78%) of nine patients with good clinical response to steroid treatment had a significant decrease in the level of vitiligo antibodies. By contrast, one patient who had no response to treatment had a slight increase in antibody levels. Conclusion: These findings suggest that one mechanism by which corticosteroids can cause repigmentation in vitiligo is by decreasing the level of vitiligo antibodies, and support the notion that vitiligo antibodies are involved in the pathogenesis of this disease.
WNT ligands contribute to the immune response during septic shock and amplify endotoxemia-driven inflammation in mice
Authors: Gatica-Andrades Marcela , Vagenas Dimitrios , Kling Jessica , Nguyen Tam T. K. , Benham Helen , Thomas Ranjeny , Körner Heinrich , Venkatesh Bala , Cohen Jeremy , Blumenthal Antje 
Published: July 2017

Key Points
Differential expression of WNT ligands in patients with septic shock and a mouse model of endotoxemia correlates with inflammatory cytokines. WNT ligands and WNT/β-catenin signaling positively regulate lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines without impairing IL-10.