bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced MJO-like Variability at High SST
Authors: Arnold Nathan P. , Kuang Zhiming , Tziperman Eli 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The authors report a significant increase in Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO)–like variability in a superparameterized version of the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model run with high sea surface temperatures (SSTs). A series of aquaplanet simulations exhibit a tripling of intraseasonal outgoing longwave radiation variance as equatorial SST is increased from 26° to 35°C. The simulated intraseasonal variability also transitions from an episodic phenomenon to one with a semiregular period of 25 days. Moist static energy (MSE) budgets of composite MJO events are used to diagnose the physical processes responsible for the relationship with SST. This analysis points to an increasingly positive contribution from vertical advection, associated in part with a steepening of the mean vertical MSE profile in the lower troposphere. The change in MSE profile is a natural consequence of increasing SST while maintaining a moist adiabat with a fixed profile of relative humidity. This work has implications for tropical variability in past warm climates as well as anthropogenic global warming scenarios.
Continuity of care for carers of people with severe mental illness: Results of a longitudinal study
Authors: Burns Tom , Catty Jocelyn , Harvey Kate , White Sarah , Jones Ian Rees , McLaren Susan , Wykes Til ,   for the ECHO Group, Burns Tom , Catty Jocelyn , Clement Sarah , Harvey Kate , White Sarah , Anderson Tamara , Cowan Naomi , Ellis Gemma , Eracleous Helen , Geyer Connie , Lissouba Pascale , Poole Zoe , Jones Ian Rees , Ahmed Nilufar , Rose Diana , Wykes Til , Sweeney Angela , McLaren Susan , Belling Ruth , Davies Jonathon , Lemma Ferew , Whittock Margaret 
Published: August 2012

Introduction: Continuity of care has been demonstrated to be important for service users and carer groups have voiced major concerns over disruptions of care. We aimed to assess the experienced continuity of care in carers of patients with both psychotic and non-psychotic disorders and explore its association with carer characteristics and psychological well-being. Methods: Friends and relatives caring for two groups of service users in the care of community mental health teams (CMHTs), 69 with psychotic and 38 with non-psychotic disorders, were assessed annually at three and two time points, respectively. CONTINUES, a measure specifically designed to assess continuity of care for carers themselves, was utilized along with assessments of psychological well-being and caregiving. Results: One hundred and seven carers participated. They reported moderately low continuity of care. Only 22 had had a carer’s assessment and just under a third recorded psychological distress on the GHQ. For those caring for people with psychotic disorders, reported continuity was higher if the carer was male, employed, lived with the user and had had a carer’s assessment; for those caring for people with non-psychotic disorders, it was higher if the carer was from the service user’s immediate family, lived with them and had had a carer’s assessment. Conclusion: The vast majority of the carers had not had a carer’s assessment provided by the CMHT despite this being a clear national priority and being an intervention with obvious potential to increase carers’ reported low levels of continuity of care. Improving continuity of contact with carers may have an important part to play in the overall improvement of care in this patient group and deserves greater attention.
Active exercise for individuals with cervical dystonia: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Boyce Melani J , Canning Colleen G , Mahant Neil , Morris John , Latimer Jane , Fung Victor SC 
Published: August 2012

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of an active exercise program for cervical dystonia. Design: Pilot randomized controlled, single-blind trial of a 12-week intervention followed by a four-week follow-up period. Setting: Supervised physiotherapy and outcome measurement sessions were conducted in a hospital outpatient physiotherapy setting. Participants also performed exercises at home. Subjects: Twenty participants with idiopathic cervical dystonia were randomized into an experimental ( n = 9) or control ( n = 11) group. Two participants from the experimental group and one from the control group dropped out. Interventions: The experimental group undertook a semi-supervised active exercise program aimed at correcting the dystonic head position, plus relaxation. The control group performed relaxation only. Main outcome measures: Feasibility of the intervention was assessed by recording adherence, muscle soreness, and adverse events. The primary outcome measure was blinded analysis of the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) score. Results: The active exercise program was feasible and safe, with participants in the experimental group completing 84% of prescribed training sessions in the 12-week intervention period. There were no adverse events in either group, while mild muscle soreness was reported by 66% of the experimental group. There was no significant difference between groups at post-test or follow-up. The difference between groups of −1.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) –9.0–5.2) on the TWSTRS demonstrates a trend towards greater improvement for the experimental group. Conclusion: Active exercise for people with cervical dystonia is feasible and can be completed with good adherence and no adverse effects.
Functional Results and Outcomes After Repair of Proximal Hamstring Avulsions
Authors: Cohen Steven B. , Rangavajjula Ashwin , Vyas Dharmesh , Bradley James P. 
Published: August 2012

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess postsurgical outcomes in active patients after primary repair of acute and chronic proximal hamstring tears. Hypothesis: Surgical treatment of both acute and chronic proximal hamstring avulsion injuries would result in improved patient outcomes using validated outcome scores and a hamstring-specific questionnaire, and operative repair of these injuries results in excellent outcomes with a high level of patient satisfaction, pain relief, and return to function. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Fifty-two patients who underwent proximal hamstring repair (26 male and 26 female; average age, 47.7 years) completed the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), a custom LEFS, the Marx Activity Scale, a custom Marx scale, a proximal hamstring score (which combines the sum of the custom LEFS and Marx), and a proximal hamstring questionnaire with subjective questions. Forty patients were characterized as having acute repairs, and 12 patients had chronic repairs. All patients underwent surgical repair with 5 suture anchors on the ischial tuberosity through a transverse incision. The rehabilitation protocol was also similar with the use of a hip orthosis for 6 to 8 weeks, allowing progressive weightbearing and range of motion. Results: The mean follow-up in our study was 33 months (range, 12-76 months). The mechanism of injury in 28 patients was eccentric hip flexion and knee extension in the ipsilateral knee typically caused by a slip and fall accident. One patient’s injury was caused by trauma to the proximal hamstring. In 23 patients, hamstring injuries were sports related. Overall, 51 (98%) were satisfied with their outcome after surgery. The LEFS, Marx, custom LEFS, custom Marx, and proximal hamstring scores for patients with acute injuries were 76.2, 10.0, 71.4, 20, and 91.7, respectively. For those with chronic injury, the scores were 71.5, 10.4, 70.8, 18.7, and 89.8, respectively. The scores were not statistically different for LEFS, Marx, custom LEFS, and proximal hamstring scores ( P = .22, P = .6, P = .72, and P = .6, respectively). Patients with acute injury did have a greater custom Marx score ( P = .001). Postoperatively, 5 patients (9.6%) had burning pain or numbness in the posterior thigh or foot, and 25 (48%) had at least some discomfort sitting. Thirty-five patients (67%) reported they could participate in strenuous activities at their latest follow-up. All patients estimated their strength recovery at ≥75%. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate successful outcomes for both acute and chronic repairs, although patients with the acute repairs had higher functional and hamstring scores, and estimated hamstring strength.
Atrazine-induced changes in the myocardial structure of peripubertal rats
Authors: Rajkovic Vesna , Kovac Renata , Koledin Ivana , Matavulj Milica 
Published: August 2012

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of atrazine (6-chloro-N2-ethyl-N4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) on the left ventricle myocardium in juvenile/peripubertal male Wistar rats. Atrazine was administered orally at 50 or 200 mg/kg of body weight dose for 28 consecutive days. In order to assess possible structural alterations, tissue sections were examined histologically and then subjected to quantification analysis using stereological methods. The tissue specimens were routinely processed and stained with Mallory trichrome method in order to clearly distinguish muscle cells from the connective tissue components. A toluidine blue staining method was additionally used for the demonstration of mast cells. Statistically significant increase in length density and numerical density of capillaries were found at both the investigated doses of atrazine compared with the control. The increase in surface density and volume density of capillaries found at lower dosage of atrazine was significant in comparison with the control. The extensive mast cell degranulation was noted on the histological examination at both doses of the applied chemical. No significant changes were demonstrated for the stereological parameters of cardiomyocytes. Based on the available published data and the present results, it can be concluded that atrazine promoted angiogenesis in the rat myocardium, which might be partially mediated by mast cells.
Genotoxic and antigenotoxic assessment of four newly synthesized dihydropyridine derivatives
Authors: Turhan Kadir , Ozturkcan S Arda , Turgut Zuhal , Karadayi Mehmet , Aslan Ali , Gulluce Medine 
Published: August 2012

The current study aims to determine the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of four newly synthesized dihydropyridine derivatives using Escherichia coli WP2 and Ames/ Salmonella bacterial reversion assay systems. The bacterial mutant tester strains, E. coli WP2 uvrA with a point mutation and Salmonella typhimurium TA1537 with a frameshift mutation, were used to determine genotoxic potentials of the test compounds. To determine antigenotoxic potentials of the test compounds, the same strains were also used together with positive mutagens N-methyl- N′-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) for E. coli WP2 uvrA and 9-aminoacridine (9-AA) for S. typhimurium TA1537. According to the results, neither of the test compounds showed significant genotoxic activity on both tester strains at the tested concentrations. However, except compound 4, all the test compounds showed significant antigenotoxic activity on MNNG- or/and 9-AA-induced mutations. The inhibition rates of mutagenesis ranged from 27.0% (compound 2: 2.5 mM/plate) to 65.0% (compound 2: 0.5 mM/plate) for MNNG and from 30.6% (compound 2: 2 mM/plate) to 58.5% (compound 1: 1 mM/plate) for 9-AA genotoxicity. According to these results, it is concluded that all the test compounds do not have a mutagenic potential on the bacterial strains at the tested concentrations, and some of them have antigenotoxic potentials against MNNG- and 9-AA-induced mutagenesis.
Protective effect of curcumin on cyclosporin A-induced endothelial dysfunction, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative damage
Authors: Sagiroglu Tamer , Kanter Mehmet , Yagci Mehmet Ali , Sezer Atakan , Erboga Mustafa 
Published: August 2012

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is the most widely used immunosuppressive drug for preventing graft rejection and autoimmune disease. However, the therapeutic treatment induces several side effects such as nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, hypertension, and hepatotoxicity. Curcumin has been successfully used as a potent antioxidant against many pathophysiological states. This experimental study was performed to test, during CsA treatment, the alterations of curcumin antioxidant properties against CsA-induced endothelial dysfunction. Rats were divided into four groups: control, curcumin alone, CsA, and CsA + curcumin; each group containing eight animals. The animals in the CsA + curcumin group were treated with CsA (10 days, 25 mg/kg, orally) and curcumin (15 days, 200 mg/kg, orally, starting 5 days before CsA administration). At the end of the treatments, the animals were killed; serum and aorta tissue were treated for biochemical and morphological analyses. The results indicate that CsA-induced aortic endothelial dysfunction was characterized by morphological and ultrastructural alterations in tissue architecture, changes in malondialdehyde and ferric reducing/antioxidant power levels, and increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) expression. In conclusion, our data suggest that the imbalance between production of free oxygen radicals and antioxidant defence systems, due to CsA administration, is a mechanism responsible for oxidative stress. Moreover, we show that curcumin plays a protective action against CsA-induced endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, as supported by biochemical, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and TUNEL results.
Protective effect of lutein against benzo(a)pyrene-induced oxidative stress in human erythrocytes
Authors: VijayaPadma Viswanadha , Ramyaa Periasamy , Pavithra Dhayalan , Krishnasamy Rajashree 
Published: August 2012

The present study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant properties and protective effect of lutein in human erythrocyte against benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P). It is a well-known environmental carcinogen that produces free radicals under normal metabolic circumstances. B(a)P reacts with cellular macromolecules and produces oxidation of protein, lipid and DNA. Lutein is a carotenoid possessing antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present investigation, the protective effect of lutein was assessed in vitro against B(a)P-induced oxidative stress by monitoring antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl content, total sulfhydryl (SH) and nonprotein SH groups and methemoglobin in five groups of erythrocytes that include (i) control group, (ii) vehicle control group, (iii) B(a)P-exposed group, (iv) lutein-exposed group and (v) B(a)P coincubation with lutein group. It was observed that the activities of antioxidant enzymes and SH groups were significantly decreased in B(a)P-treated group when compared with control group. LPO level and protein carbonyl and methemoglobin contents were increased in B(a)P-treated group when compared with control group. The erythrocyte that was coincubated with B(a)P and lutein showed significant increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities and a significant reduction in the level of LPO, methemoglobin and protein carbonyl contents when compared with B(a)P-treated group. The results of the present investigation suggest that lutein possess protective effect against B(a)P-induced oxidative stress, possibly by combating oxidative stress by its free radical scavenging activity.
Effects of tributyltin on metamorphosis and gonadal differentiation of Xenopus laevis at environmentally relevant concentrations
Authors: Shi Huahong , Zhu Pan , Guo Suzhen 
Published: August 2012

Tributyltin (TBT), a well known endocrine disruptor, has high teratogenicity to embryos of amphibian ( Xenopus tropicalis). An amphibian metamorphosis assay (AMA) and a complete AMA (CAMA) were conducted for TBT. In AMA, the body weight, the snout-to-vent length and the hind limb length of X. laevis tadpoles were decreased in tributyltin chloride (TBTCl; 12.5–200 ng/L) treatment groups after 7 days exposure. TBT greatly retarded the development of tadpoles, decreased the number of follicle and induced thyroid follicle cell hyperplasia after 19 days exposure. In CAMA, 10 and 100 ng/L TBTCl led to various malformations of gonad, including intersex, segmental aplasia and multiple ovary cavities of X. laevis following exposure from stages 46 to stage 66. The sex ratio was male-biased in TBT treatment groups. These results suggest that TBT delayed the metamorphosis, inhibited the growth of tadpoles and disrupted the gonadal differentiation of X. laevis at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Genotoxic effects of sulfur dioxide in human lymphocytes
Authors: Uren Nihal , Yuksel Sengul , Onal Yunus 
Published: August 2012

Sulfur dioxide (SO2), which is used as food preservative in apricot sulfurization and several fabricated foods, is a common air pollutant. The aim of this study was to reveal the possible genotoxic effects of SO2 using in vitro human lymphocytes. The different endpoints of genotoxicity: sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronuclei (MN) tests and cell growth kinetics such as mitotic index (MI) and replication index (RI) were studied. The cells were treated with 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 ppm concentrations of SO2. It was shown that SO2 caused significant increases in the frequency of SCE and MN in the middle and high dosage groups and also induced mitotic delays and decreased MI and RI. In conclusion, the results have confirmed that SO2 has potent mutagenicity and it can cause genetic damage leading to a malignancy.
Fungi species and red flour beetle in stored wheat flour under Jazan region conditions
Authors: Bosly Hanan AbuAlQasem , Kawanna Maha Adel 
Published: August 2012

Infection of stored wheat flour with insects and toxic fungi can be an extremely serious problem. This study was conducted to isolate and identify the fungal species and insects in different stages, which infested and contaminated the stored flour under Jazan region conditions and changed its color and flavor. The obtained results revealed that the isolated insect was the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Live adult, larvae and cast skin were isolated. Four Aspergillus species were isolated from stored wheat flour; the isolated species prevalence being A. flavus > A. niveus > A. terreus > A. niger by rate 44.5%, 37.8%, 10.9% and 6.7%, respectively. The same fungal species isolated from flour were also isolated from different insect stages. A. flavus was the most common fungus and A. niger was isolated with a lower rate. The results about the isolated fungi either from the suspension of adult insects, larvae or cast skins may confirm the role of T. castaneum to carry and distribute fungi in different parts of the stored flour.
Analysis of heavy-duty turbocharged diesel engine response under cold transient operation with a pre-turbo aftertreatment exhaust manifold configuration
Authors: Bermúdez Vicente , Serrano José Ramón , Piqueras Pedro , García-Afonso Óscar 
Published: August 2012

Diesel particulate filters are the most useful technology to reduce particulate matter from the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines. Although these devices have suffered an intense development in terms of the management of filtration and regeneration, the effect of the system location on the engine performance is still a key issue that needs to be properly addressed. The present work is focused on a computational study regarding the effects of a pre-turbo aftertreatment placement under full and partial load transient operation at constant engine speed and low wall temperature along the exhaust line. The aim of the paper is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the engine response to define the guidelines of a control strategy that is able to get the standards of engine driveability during sudden accelerations under restraining thermal transient conditions governed by the aftertreatment thermal inertia. The proposed strategy overcomes the lack of temperature at the inlet of the turbine caused by the thermal transient by means of the boost and EGR control. It leads to a proper management of the power in the exhaust gas for the expansion in the turbine.
Psychological effects of poetry workshops with people with early stage dementia: An exploratory study
Authors: Petrescu Ioana , MacFarlane Kit , Ranzijn Robert 
Published: August 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of writing poetry on psychological functioning in people with early stage dementia. Method: A series of poetry writing workshops was conducted with four women, at the end of which a one-on-one short structured interview was conducted. Results: All of the women said that they benefited from the workshops, but their experiences differed greatly. Themes included competence and self-efficacy, personal growth, wanting to contribute and poetry writing as a way of coping with the progression of the condition. Conclusion: Creative activities such as writing poetry hold promise for enhancing the quality of life of people with dementia.
Gene–Environment Interaction in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Singh Neeraj Kumar , Chhillar Neelam , Banerjee B. D. , Bala Kiran , Mukherjee Ajit Kumar , Mustafa M. D. , Mitrabasu  
Published: August 2012

Objectives: The aim was to examine the gene environment (GxE) interaction with reference to APO E genotypes, serum lipids and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) as one of the factors in the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: A case control study was used to examine, APOE HhaI polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/PCRrestriction fragment length polymorphism method, serum lipids by autoanalyser and OCPs by gas chromatography (GC). Results: APOE ∊4 allele frequency was significantly high (p=0.000, OR=5.73, CI=2.68-12.50) in AD as compared to controls. The serum cholesterol, β- hexachlorocyclohexane and dieldrin are risk factors for AD independent of the APOE ∊4 risk allele, recording an odds ratio of 1.16, 11.38 and 10.45 respectively. Conclusion: GxE interactions exist with APOE ∊4 allele status that need to be considered for the study design and analysis of such data in future studies of AD.
A New Measure of Caregiver Burden in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Erder M. Haim , Wilcox Teresa K. , Chen Wen-Hung , O’Quinn Sean , Setyawan Juliana , Saxton Judith 
Published: August 2012

Objective: To validate the Caregiver-Perceived Burden Questionnaire (CPBQ) and report its psychometric properties. Methods: The CPBQ was administered to caregivers of patients with moderate-to-severe AD in a double-blind randomized trial comparing extended-release memantine to placebo (n = 676). Measurement properties were analyzed using factor analysis, classical test theory, and Rasch analysis. Results: Two subscales were identified: the Caregivers’ Assessment of the Patient (CAP) and the Caregivers’ Assessment of Themselves (CAT). The reliability was .89 (CAP) and .83 (CAT). The CAP scores were significantly correlated ( r > .3) with scores from the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). The CAT scores were significantly correlated with NPI scores. The CAT discriminated among patients by clinician-rated severity and significantly differentiated between responders and nonresponders. Conclusion: The CPBQ appears to be a reliable, valid, and responsive measure that enables linking caregiver’s perceptions about burden and patient function in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.