bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Symptom Score for Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Ologe Foluwasayo Emmanuel , Adebola Stephen Oluwatosin , Dunmade Adekunle David , Adeniji Kayode Adebamiji , Oyejola Benjamin Agboola 
Published: February 2013

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in our study population and the correlation between the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) and nasal smear eosinophil count.Study DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingEar, nose, and throat clinic, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria; a 450‐bed tertiary health facility.SubjectsTwo hundred seventy‐five consecutive, consenting patients who presented with nasal symptoms.MethodsInformation on the 8‐parameter symptom score was collected using a semistructured questionnaire by interview. Nasal smear slides were air dried, fixed with 95% alcohol, stained using May‐Grünwald‐Giemsa stain, and examined under a light microscope.ResultsOf the 275 participants seen during the 1‐year study, 116 (42.2%) were males. The mean ± SD age was 38.5 ± 16.3 (range, 14‐75) years. Eighty‐one (29.5%) were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis using a nasal smear eosinophil count. The most common symptom was excessive sneezing, involving 93% of patients with allergic rhinitis (P <. 001). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis using SFAR was 31.6%. The SFAR cutoff was set at >8 (P <. 001). The sensitivity and specificity for SFAR were 94.8% (confidence interval [CI], 90.5%‐97.4%) and 95.1% (CI, 87.2%‐98.4%), respectively. A high Spearman's correlation (0.88) was obtained for SFAR when correlated with nasal smear eosinophil count.ConclusionThe prevalence of allergic rhinitis using SFAR was 31.6%. The study shows that SFAR can be used as a simple, valid diagnostic tool in allergic rhinitis. This is important in rural settings where access to laboratory investigations might not be readily available.
Psychotropic drug initiation or increased dosage and the acute risk of falls: a prospective cohort study of nursing home residents
Authors: Echt Murray A , Samelson Elizabeth J , Hannan Marian T , Dufour Alyssa B , Berry Sarah D 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Previous studies suggest that psychotropic drug changes may signal an acute period of time whereby a person is highly vulnerable to fall. It is unknown whether certain classes of psychotropic agents are less safe with respect to the acute risk of falls. Our purpose was to compare fall rates in the 7 days following a change of an antidepressant, antipsychotic, or benzodiazepine. We also identified specific times when residents are at high risk for falls with respect to a psychotropic drug change.

Methods
Residents in our one-year study included 851 long term care residents from two nursing home facilities in Boston, MA, U.S.A. (May 2010 - May 2011). Drug changes (i.e., new prescriptions or increased dose of a previously used drug) were ascertained using the computerized provider order entry system, whereas falls were ascertained by incident reports. Negative binomial regression was used to compare the rate of falls following a drug change between medication classes. Further, we calculated the rate of falls for each of the 7 days before and 7 days after a psychotropic drug change.

Results
Forty-eight percent of residents were prescribed a new prescription or increased dose of a psychotropic drug during the study. The rate of falls was similar in the 7 days following a change to a SSRI versus non-SSRI antidepressant (11.9 versus 14.4 falls/1,000 person years; p = 0.58), a typical versus an atypical antipsychotic (25.4 versus 17.1 falls/1,000 person years; p = 0.10), or a short versus long acting benzodiazepine (15.2 versus 13.9 falls/1,000 person years; p = 0.23). Fall risk was highest on day 4 before the drug change (19.0 falls/1,000 person days), on the day of the drug change through 2 days after the drug change (17.6-20.3 falls/1,000 person days), and 5-6 days after the drug change (17.6-19.0 falls/1,000 person days).

Conclusions
In the nursing home, risk of falls was similar following a psychotropic drug change of any class. We observed higher fall risk in the days before, but mostly after the drug change. We recommend that nursing home residents be closely monitored following a psychotropic drug change in an effort to reduce falls.
Why should I prepare? a mixed method study exploring the motives of medical undergraduate students to prepare for clinical skills training sessions
Authors: Aalbers Marlien W , Hommes Juliette , Rethans Jan-Joost , Imbos Tjaart , Muijtjens Arno MM , Verwijnen Maarten G M 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Although preparation for educational activities is considered beneficial for student learning, many students do not perform preparatory assignments. This phenomenon has received little attention in the literature although it might provide medical educators with the opportunity to enhance student learning. Therefore, we explored why students prepare or not prepare.

Methods
An explorative mixed methods study was performed. In a qualitative study, 24 short group interviews with medical undergraduate students (n=209) were conducted on why they prepared for skills training sessions. In a subsequent quantitative study the resulting themes were used to construct a questionnaire. The questionnaire was presented to all undergraduate medical students at Maastricht University and 847 students completed it. Scales were constructed by a combination of exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and content analysis. Between-class differences in the scale scores were investigated using ANOVA.

Results
The qualitative study showed that students’ opinions on preparation are influenced by both personal factors, categorized as ‘personal learning style’, ‘attitudes and beliefs’, and ‘planning and organization’, as well as external factors, including ‘preparatory advice’, ‘pressure, consequence, and checking of preparation’, ‘teacher-related motivations’, and ‘contents and schedule of the training sessions’. The quantitative study showed that ‘the objective structured clinical examination’ and ‘facilitation of both understanding and memorizing the learning material’, were the two most motivating items. The two most demotivating aspects were ‘other students saying that preparation was not useful’ and ‘indistinct preparatory advices’. Factor analyses yielded three scales: ‘urge to learn’, ‘expected difficulties’, and ‘lack of motivation‘. Between group differences were found between the three classes on the first two scales.

Conclusions
Students make an active and complex choice whether to prepare or not, based on multiple factors. Practical implications for educational practice are discussed.
Analysis of androgen receptor and anti-Müllerian hormone pathways in human granulosa cells under luteinizing hormone treatment
Authors: Lan Kuo-Chung , Chang Shiuh Young , Huang Fu-Jen , Lin Hsin-Jung , Lin Ching-Yuang , Huang Ko-En , Kang Hong-Yo 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
The objective of this study was to determine the gene expression profiles of the androgen/androgen receptor (AR) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)/ Sry-related high-mobility group box 9 (SOX9) pathways in granulosa-luteal cells from patients undergoing standard in vitro fertilization (IVF) with or without recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) therapy.

Methods
Levels of reproductive hormones in the pre-ovulatory follicular fluid and the expression levels of LHR (luteinizing hormone receptor), AR, SOX9, AMH, AR-associated protein 54(ARA54)and ARA70 were determined in granulosa-luteal cells by real-time reverse-transcription PCR. The effects of androgen and rLH treatments on AR and AMH expression levels were also tested in vitro using HO23 cells.

Results
We collected 35 an 70 granulosa cell samples from patients cycled with and without rLH supplementation, respectively. The clinical outcomes were similar in patients who received rLH therapy and those who did not, though the pre-ovulatory follicular fluid levels of androstenedione, testosterone, and estradiol were significantly higher and progesterone was lower in the rLH supplementation group. Moreover, granulosa-luteal cell mRNA levels of LHR, AR, AMH, and SOX9 were significantly higher in the rLH supplementation group relative to the group that did not receive rLH supplementation. In addition, we observed significant correlations between LHR and AR mRNA expression and among AR, AMH, and SOX9 mRNA expression in granulosa-luteal cells from patients undergoing standard IVF treatment.

Conclusions
Increased expression of LHR, AR, AMH, and SOX9 is characteristic of granulosa-luteal cells from IVF/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) patients receiving rLH supplementation.
Optical imaging correlates with magnetic resonance imaging breast density and revealscomposition changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: O'Sullivan Thomas D , Leproux Anaïs , Chen Jeon-Hor , Bahri Shadfar , Matlock Alex , Roblyer Darren , McLaren Christine E , Chen Wen-Pin , Cerussi Albert E , Su Min-Ying , Tromberg Bruce J 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Introduction
In addition to being a risk factor for breast cancer, breast density has beenhypothesized to be a surrogate biomarker for predicting response toendocrine-based chemotherapies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whethera noninvasive bedside scanner based on diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging(DOSI) provides quantitative metrics to measure and track changes in breast tissuecomposition and density. To access a broad range of densities in a limited patientpopulation, we performed optical measurements on the contralateral normal breastof patients before and during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). In this work, DOSIparameters, including tissue hemoglobin, water, and lipid concentrations, wereobtained and correlated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-measuredfibroglandular tissue density. We evaluated how DOSI could be used to assessbreast density while gaining new insight into the impact of chemotherapy on breasttissue.

Methods
This was a retrospective study of 28 volunteers undergoing NAC treatment forbreast cancer. Both 3.0-T MRI and broadband DOSI (650 to 1,000 nm) were obtainedfrom the contralateral normal breast before and during NAC. Longitudinal DOSImeasurements were used to calculate breast tissue concentrations of oxygenated anddeoxygenated hemoglobin, water, and lipid. These values were compared withMRI-measured fibroglandular density before and during therapy.

Results
Water (r = 0.843; P < 0.001), deoxyhemoglobin (r =0.785; P = 0.003), and lipid (r = -0.707; P = 0.010)concentration measured with DOSI correlated strongly with MRI-measured densitybefore therapy. Mean DOSI parameters differed significantly between pre- andpostmenopausal subjects at baseline (water, P < 0.001;deoxyhemoglobin, P = 0.024; lipid, P = 0.006). During NACtreatment measured at about 90 days, significant reductions were observed inoxyhemoglobin for pre- (-20.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI), -32.7 to -7.4) andpostmenopausal subjects (-20.1%; 95% CI, -31.4 to -8.8), and water concentrationfor premenopausal subjects (-11.9%; 95% CI, -17.1 to -6.7) compared with baseline.Lipid increased slightly in premenopausal subjects (3.8%; 95% CI, 1.1 to 6.5), andwater increased slightly in postmenopausal subjects (4.4%; 95% CI, 0.1 to 8.6).Percentage change in water at the end of therapy compared with baseline correlatedstrongly with percentage change in MRI-measured density (r = 0.864; P = 0.012).

Conclusions
DOSI functional measurements correlate with MRI fibroglandular density, bothbefore therapy and during NAC. Although from a limited patient dataset, theseresults suggest that DOSI may provide new functional indices of density based onhemoglobin and water that could be used at the bedside to assess response totherapy and evaluate disease risk.
Association of Age and CKD with Prognosis of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Choi Joon Seok , Kim Min Jee , Kang Yong Un , Kim Chang Seong , Bae Eun Hui , Ma Seong Kwon , Ahn Young-Keun , Jeong Myung Ho , Kim Young Jo , Cho Myeong Chan , Kim Chong Jin , Kim Soo Wan 
Published: February 2013

Summary

Background and objectives
CKD is a well known poor prognostic factor in myocardial infarction (MI). This study evaluated the prognostic significance of CKD, particularly in association with increasing age, in MI patients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
This study was based on a retrospective cohort, the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry. Patients with a discharge diagnosis of MI were analyzed to investigate the association of CKD with mortality risk according to age. A total of 11,268 patients (mean age 63.0±12.6 years) were included and followed for 1 year.

Results
In the full cohort, 26% of patients had CKD (n=2929). The prevalence of CKD was higher with advancing age. Eight hundred sixty-one patients (7.6%) died and the interaction for 1-year mortality between age strata and estimated GFR (eGFR) strata was significant (P<0.001). Within each age category, the absolute 1-year mortality was higher in patients with a low eGFR. However, the adjusted relative mortality risk for a low eGFR was lower with increasing age (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] for 1-year mortality at eGFR <30 ml/min per 1.73 m2: 4.84 [1.93−12.15], 4.53 [2.42−8.47], 3.51 [2.42−5.09], and 3.30 [2.41−4.52] for patients aged <55, 55−64, 65−74, and ≥75 years compared with those with eGFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively).

Conclusions
For all age categories, the overall mortality was significantly higher as eGFR declined. The association of a lower eGFR with mortality was weaker with increasing age, indicating that the prognostic significance of CKD in MI patients is age dependent.
Pregradual Preparation of Teachers in Slovakia / Etapy Przygotowania Nauczycieli Do Zawodu Na Słowacji
Authors: Karolčík Štefan , Čipková Elena 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The contribution deals with the quality of pregradual preparation of teachers in the Slovak Republic. It analysis the causes of continuously decreasing number of secondary school graduates interested in teaching profession. The contribution evaluates present situation in pregradual preparation of teachers regarding the proportion of professional, pedagogical and psychological and didactic part. As far as the didactic part is concerned, the contribution points out the need for new approaches to be applied supporting digital technologies.
Re-Assembling the City in Ivan Vladislavić’s Novels
Authors: Caraivan Luiza 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The paper analyses the various aspects of the city as described by the South African writer Ivan Vladislavić in the novel Portrait with Keys. Hunters, gatherers and urban poachers are the inhabitants of the South African city bordering the veld, a city whose economic centre has been moved to the suburbs due to high rates of crime.
Sask method for testing hydraulic conductivity of soils by flat dilatometer (dmt)
Authors: Garbulewski Kazimierz , Żakowicz Stanisław , Rabarijoely Simon , Łada Anna 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
DMT is one of the most popular methods of determining soil parameters needed to design a safe construction. Apart from the basic outcome parameter obtained from DMT measurements hydraulic conductivity (k) can be determined, previously proposed DMTA and DMTC methods were modified. The basic idea of the method is that the return of the deformed membrane is due to soil and water pressure. In the proposed SASK method the hydraulic conductivity of the soil is determined by measuring time-varying pressures A and C. Research has been performed at the experimental site of the Department of Geotechnical Engineering, WULS. In the paper, the assumptions of the new method for determining the hydraulic conductivity k are presented. The proposed method allows us to determine a reliable value for the hydraulic conductivity of clay soils. Using this method, the value of hydraulic conductivity (k = 5,47*10-11) is similar to the results of BAT, DMTA and laboratory measurements.
Orobanche bohemica Čelak. (Orobanchaceae) at the eastern limit of its geographical range: new data on its distribution in Poland
Authors: Piwowarczyk Renata 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
A new locality of Orobanche bohemica Čelak., one of the rarest representatives of the family Orobanchaceae in Central and South-Western Europe, is reported from Poland. This is the first confirmed record of the species in Poland. It is the easternmost site known for the species, so it extends its distribution range. The species was recorded in Zawiercie-Bzów in the Czȩstochowa Upland (Wyżyna Czȩstochowska) in July 2010. Its host, abundance, and habitat preferences at the new locality are described, and a supplemented map of its distribution in Europe and Poland is given. Its taxonomic position as well as some diagnostic features that distinguish O.bohemica from O.purpurea are also discussed.
Revised distribution and phytosociological data of Orobanche coerulescens Stephan in Willd. (Orobanchaceae): Poland in relation to Central Europe
Authors: Piwowarczyk Renata 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Orobanche coerulescens has a Eurasian distribution. The species is classified as extinct at most of its localities at the western limit of its range. Its populations are very scarce and critically endangered in Central Europe. This work presents the current distribution of O.coerulescens in Poland, based on a critical revision of herbarium and literature data as well as results of original field research, and reviews its distribution in Central Europe (partly in Eastern Europe). Habitats, plant communities, and migration routes of O.coerulescens in Central Europe are discussed. The species was initially known in Poland from now historical localities in Pomerania and the valley of the lower Vistula. In 2000-2011 it was recorded at 9 localities in Podlasie, the Małopolska Upland (Wyżyna Małopolska), and the Łódź Hills (Wzniesienia Łódzkie). Its abundance at the localities ranged from a few to over 1000 shoots. These are the largest populations of O.coerulescens at its western and north-western range limits.
Heat balance in modern automotive engines
Authors: Páv Karel , Rychtář Václav , Vorel Václav 
Published: February 2013

Shrnutí
Tento příspěvek obsahuje informace o přerozdělení tepla v současných vozidlových spalovacích motorech. Vycházelo se z různých konstrukcí především zážehových motorů s rozdílnými zdvihovými objemy, vznětové motory jsou však také zmíněny. Je zde uveden postup výpočtu tepelné bilance motoru, stejně tak, jako obtíže spojené se získáním vstupních dat měřením. Byl navržen a ověřen empirický vztah pro výpočet tepelného toku do chladící kapaliny, který umožňuje snadné nalezení nekorektně změřených pracovních bodů motoru už v počáteční fázi automatického měřícího cyklu. Naměřené hodnoty byly srovnány s výpočtem pomocí programu GT-Power. Na závěr je uvedeno srovnání různých typů motorů s ohledem na velikost tepelného toku do chladící kapaliny
Optimization of a two-phase transverse flux switched reluctance motor with an outer rotor
Authors: Łukaniszyn Marian , Kowol Marcin , Kołodziej Janusz 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
This paper presents optimization results for a two-phase, modular transverse flux switched reluctance motor (TFSRM) with an outer rotor. In particular, the main disadvantage of the considered motor structure, that is the zero starting torque in some rotor positions, is eliminated by construction optimization. A numerical model of the motor developed in the Flux3D program is coupled with a Matlab-based evolutionary algorithm for optimization of construction parameters of the magnetic circuit. The elaborated algorithm is also connected with a database to limit the computation costs. Three objective functions are taken into account for the motor integral parameter improvement. The fundamental role of a type of an optimization criterion function is comparatively analyzed and a new effective criterion function is introduced.
Morphometric Comparative Study of the Striatum and Globus Pallidus of the Common Shrew, Bank Vole, Rabbit, and Fox
Authors: Wasilewska Barbara , Najdzion Janusz , Równiak Maciej , Bogus-Nowakowska Krystyna , Nowakowski Jacek J. , Robak Anna 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The morphology of the striatum (St, caudoputamen complex) and globus pallidus (GP) was studied by stereological methods in representatives of four mammalian orders (Insectivora, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Carnivora). The aim of our study was to give the first detailed morphometric characteristics of the St and GP in the animals. The paraffin-embedded brain tissue blocks were cut in the coronal plane into 50 μm sections, which were stained for Nissl substance. The morphometric analysis of the St and GP has included such parameters as the volume, numerical density, and total number of neurons. The increase in the volume of the St and GP was accompanied by an increase in the total number of neurons and a decrease in their numerical density. The percentage contribution of the GP volume in the corpus striatum shows progressive traits in the common shrew and fox.
Last Survey of Mycoplasma Bovis Prevalence in Polish Cattle Affected with Respiratory Syndrome
Authors: Dudek Katarzyna , Bednarek Dariusz 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis infection in clinical cases of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in 2011. There were examined 841 serum samples and 41 nasal swabs and lungs of cattle from different farms of six regions of Poland (13 provinces). The obtained results indicated that the mean prevalence of M. bovis infection in Polish cattle population suffering from BRD was 64.3% and among them 8.4% of the animals were highly positive. On the other hand, in particular regions, it altered - 72.0% in east region, 52.7% in central region, 66.4% in south region, 64.1% in north-west region, 56.5% in north region, and 58.8% in south-west region. It should be added that within the presented regions, the highest values (82.4%) were reported in south region (Malopolskie province), whereas the lowest ones (42.9%) were in east region (Lubelskie province). However, field strains of M. bovis were isolated from the lungs of affected cattle only in the north-west region of Poland (Zachodniopomorskie province).
Cytotoxicity of Some Nitroimidazole Derivatives - Comparative Studies on Human and Rat Hepatoma Cell Lines
Authors: Radko Lidia , Minta Maria 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The cytototoxic potential of metronidazole, tinidazole, ronidazole, and ornidazole, using human and rat hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and FaO) in culture was assessed. The cells were treated with drugs for 24, 48 and 72 h at 37 °C in 5% CO2 at concentrations of 0.1 to 200 μg/mL. Following the treatment period, the cells were assayed by four independent assays: MTT reduction, neutral red uptake (NRU), total protein content (TPC), and LDH leakage. The results suggest that nitroimidazoles are of low cytotoxic potential (EC50 >200μg/mL). The exception was ronidazole, which demonstrated a distinct endpoint sensitivity related to the species. EC50 (μg/mL) in human cells were: in MTT assay - 196±5.5 and 122±9.3 at 24 and 48 h, respectively, and in NRU assay - 150±1.25 at 72 h. Based on minimal toxic concentrations (EC20) for ronidazole, determined by all methods used in HepG2 cells, it could be concluded that their sensitivity was as follows: MTT>NRU>LDH>TPC.