bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amniotic fluid urocortin‐1 concentrations for the prediction of preterm delivery
Authors: Karaer Abdullah , Celik Ebru , Celik Onder , Simsek Omer Yavuz , Ozerol İbrahim Halil , Yılmaz Ercan , Turkcuoglu Ilgın , Duz Senem Arda 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to analyze whether urocortin‐1 concentration in midtrimester amniotic fluid could serve as an indicative marker of preterm labor.Material and MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted. Urocortin‐1 concentrations in midtrimester amniotic fluid were measured in 22 pregnant women with preterm deliveries and 45 women who delivered at term using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe median amniotic fluid urocortin‐1 concentration was significantly lower in the women with preterm birth (40.06 pg/mL; range, 13.77–67.58 pg/mL) than in the women who gave birth at term (49.56 pg/mL; range, 26.25–175.9 pg/mL; P = 0.022). The result of receiver–operator curve analysis indicates that an amniotic fluid urocortin‐1 concentration ≤ 57.88 pg/mL had an area under the curve of 0.673 (95% confidence interval, 0.55–0.78; P = 0.01) with a sensitivity of 81.8%, specificity of 40.0%, positive predictive value of 40%, and a negative predictive value of 82% in identifying which of the patients subsequently delivered prematurely.ConclusionsThese results suggest that low urocortin‐1 concentration in midtrimester amniotic fluid could be used as an indicative marker of preterm birth.
Health‐related quality of life and congenital heart disease in Australia
Authors: Eagleson Karen J , Justo Robert N , Ware Robert S , Johnson Susan G , Boyle Frances M 
Published: June 2013

AimTo determine whether, in children with congenital heart disease (CHD), disease severity is associated with health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and impact on the family.MethodsCross‐sectional, single‐centre study comparing HRQOL outcomes of age and sex matched children with hypoplasia of the left ventricle (HLV) (n = 31) and tetralogy of Fallot (n = 29) was performed in Queensland, Australia. HRQOL was assessed using generic and disease‐specific components of the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory Measurement Model (PedsQL). Intra‐diagnostic age group comparisons of HRQOL were examined. Impact of CHD on families and parental HRQOL was assessed using the PedsQL Family Impact Scale.ResultsChild and parent‐proxy reporting indicate children with HLV have significantly lower overall HRQOL than children with tetralogy of Fallot across generic domains of HRQOL (P < 0.0001), with significantly lower scores in physical (P < 0.0001) and psychosocial (P < 0.0001) health domains. No significant difference in child reporting across domains of the Cardiac Module is evident. Parent‐proxy reporting indicates significantly lower scores on the symptom scales for children with HLV (P < 0.001), with greater cognitive problems (P < 0.02) and perceived treatment anxiety (P < 0.01). No significant differences in HRQOL were identified between age groups. HLV has a greater overall family impact, with significantly lower parental HRQOL (P = 0.0001) and family functioning (P < 0.0001) summary scores.ConclusionsThe more severe condition of HLV is associated with poorer HRQOL in some domains and has greater impact on parental HRQOL and family functioning.
Body mass index and waist circumference: Relationship to cardiometabolic risk factors in children – Busselton Health Study 2005–2007
Authors: Bell Lana , Hung Joseph , Knuiman Matthew , Divitini Mark , Beilby John , Hunter Michael , Mollison Lindsay , Thompson Peter , McQuillan Brendan , Davis Elizabeth 
Published: June 2013

AimThis study aims to analyse the continuous relationship of each cardiometabolic risk factor with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference percentiles in a population‐based sample of children.MethodsA cross‐sectional sample of 996 school children aged 6–16.9 years in Busselton, Western Australia, (2005–2007) had anthropometry and fasting blood tests for total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein, liver function tests and adiponectin. Age‐ and menarche (for girls)‐adjusted means of each risk factor were related to BMI and waist circumference centiles across the full normal–overweight–obese range.ResultsThe correlations between BMI and waist circumference (boys 0.91 and girls 0.91) and between BMI z‐score and waist z‐score (boys 0.80 and girls 0.82) were high. An increase in insulin across all centile groups (for BMI and waist circumference) was found in both sexes. An increase was found for diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure z‐score, high density lipoprotein, high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein, alanine transaminase and gamma‐glutamyltransferase in only the centile groups >85% for BMI and waist circumference for both sexes. Mixed and sex‐discordant results were found for triglycerides, adiponectin and glucose.ConclusionThere are important differences in the relationships between increasing BMI/adiposity, and each comorbidity and these relationships can differ between boys and girls. This information has implications for screening and management of adiposity‐related cardiometabolic risk factors in children and for public health initiatives to reduce future burden of cardiovascular disease.
Poractant alfa versus beractant for respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Paul Saritha , Rao Shripada , Kohan Rolland , McMichael Judy , French Noel , Zhang Guicheng , Simmer Karen 
Published: June 2013

AimPoractant alfa and beractant are the commonly used animal derived surfactants in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Between 2005 and 2007, poractant alfa and beractant were alternated every month in our neonatal intensive care unit for 27 months. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of preterm infants who received poractant alfa versus beractant.MethodSingle‐centre, retrospective cohort study of inborn preterm infants <32 weeks gestation (23–31+6).Results Six hundred sixty‐four preterm infants (<32 weeks) were born during the study period, of which 415 received surfactant (poractant alfa: 214; beractant: 201). Infants in the poractant alfa group were 2.8 days younger than beractant (27.0 ± 2.3 vs. 27.4 ± 2.3 weeks; P = 0.03). All other baseline characters including Clinical Risk Index for Babies II scores were similar for both groups. No significant differences were found for the following outcomes: death or chronic lung disease (78/212 vs. 59/200; P = 0.28); death (24/214 vs. 15/201, P = 0.24); moderate to severe chronic lung disease (63/212 vs. 46/200; P = 0.45) and moderate to severe disability (20/163 vs. 19/151, P = 0.98) between poractant alfa and beractant, respectively.ConclusionsThe results of our study do not support the need for preferential use of poractant alfa or beractant.
Report of Drepanophycus Göppert (Lycopsida) from the Middle Devonian of Xinjiang, China
Authors: Xu Hong‐He , Feng Jing , Jiang Qing , Wang Yi 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe herbaceous lycopsid Drepanophycus minor sp. nov. is described from the late Mid Devonian Hujiersite Formation of Xinjiang, Northwest China. The new species is characterized by minor sized, falcate microphylls, and kidney‐shaped sporangia, with rhizome, K‐shaped branching, and developed lateral buds. Stomatal apparatuses are observed from the axis surface of the new species. The habit and the rhizome structure of D. minor are discussed.
Restoration of Virginity: Women's Demand and Health Care Providers' Response in Switzerland
Authors: Tschudin Sibil , Schuster Sylvie , dos Santos Denise Dumont , Huang Dorothy , Bitzer Johannes , Leeners Brigitte 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
As a result of transnational migration, health institutions are faced with growing demand for “restoration” of virginity. The practice of hymen reconstruction constitutes a challenge for health care providers in medical, ethical, judicial, social, and cultural dimensions, for which they are not well prepared.

Aim
The aim of the presented nationwide survey was to investigate the experience of Swiss gynecologists with women requesting hymen reconstruction.

Methods
A questionnaire specifically designed for this purpose was sent to 100 public hospitals.

Main Outcome Measures
Main outcome measures included demands for (number of requests, origin of women) and attitudes toward hymen reconstruction (requests granted, decision-making for or against intervention, surgical technique applied, problems associated with the requests for hymen repair, cost coverage, need for further information) in Switzerland.

Results
The response rate was 68%. Of the 43 clinics (63.2%) confronted with requests for hymen reconstruction, 38 (90.5%) claimed to see up to five patients per year. The predominantly mentioned countries of origin were Turkey in the German-speaking part and Arab countries in the French-speaking part. More than half of the clinics (27/64.3%) reported that they always (12/28.6%) or mostly (15/35.7%) granted the request. Decision for surgery was made after intensive counseling in 44.2% and on demand of the patient after brief counseling in 32.7%. The so-called approximation method was the most frequently applied surgical technique. A third of the participants (19/35.2%) reported problems with confidentiality. More than half of the clinics expressed their need for further information on this topic.

Conclusions
Hymen reconstruction is rarely performed in Switzerland, even though two-thirds of the responding hospitals are confronted with this issue several times per year. No guidelines exist on how health professionals should deal with these requests. Interdisciplinary research on how to meet the needs of women and health care providers in such cross-cultural encounters is needed.
Childhood Sexual Abuse Moderates the Relationship Between Sexual Functioning and Eating Disorder Psychopathology in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Castellini Giovanni , Lo Sauro Carolina , Lelli Lorenzo , Godini Lucia , Vignozzi Linda , Rellini Alessandra H. , Faravelli Carlo , Maggi Mario , Ricca Valdo 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Sexual dysfunctions that affect all aspects of sexuality are common in patients with eating disorders. However, only few studies have provided longitudinal information on sexual functioning in patients with eating disorders.

Aim
To evaluate the longitudinal course of sexual functioning, and how changes in psychopathology and history of childhood abuse interact with sexual functioning in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN).

Methods
A total of 27 patients with AN and 31 with BN were assessed at baseline and at 1-year follow-up after a standard individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Main Outcome Measures
Subjects were studied by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberg's State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, Symptom Checklist-90, and Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire.

Results
After treatment, both patients with AN and BN showed a significant improvement in the FSFI total score (P &lt;0.01 for both AN and BN) and all FSFI subscales, without significant between groups differences. Patients reporting childhood sexual abuse did not show a significant improvement in sexual functioning (β=0.05; P =0.58). Reduction in eating disorder severity was directly associated with FSFI improvement, but only in those subjects with no history of sexual abuse (β=0.28; P =0.01).

Conclusions
Eating disorder-specific psychopathology could be considered as a specific maintaining factor for sexual dysfunction in eating disorders subjects. Subjects reporting a history of childhood sexual abuse represent a subpopulation of patients with a profound uneasiness, involving body perception, as well as sexual functioning, which appeared not to be adequately challenged during standard CBT intervention. The results, though original, should be considered as preliminary, given the relatively small sample size.
The endocannabinoid system in advanced liver cirrhosis: pathophysiological implication and future perspectives
Authors: Baldassarre Maurizio , Giannone Ferdinando A. , Napoli Lucia , Tovoli Alessandra , Ricci Carmen S. , Tufoni Manuel , Caraceni Paolo 
Published: June 2013

AbstractEndogenous cannabinoids (EC) are ubiquitous lipid signalling molecules providing different central and peripheral effects that are mediated mostly by the specific receptors CB1 and CB2. The EC system is highly upregulated during chronic liver disease and consistent experimental and clinical findings indicate that it plays a role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and fatty liver disease associated with obesity, alcohol abuse and hepatitis C. Furthermore, a considerable number of studies have shown that EC and their receptors contribute to the pathogenesis of the cardio‐circulatory disturbances occurring in advanced cirrhosis, such as portal hypertension, hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. More recently, the EC system has been implicated in the development of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and the inflammatory response related to bacterial infection. Rimonabant, a selective CB1 antagonist, was the first drug acting on the EC system approved for the treatment of obesity. Unfortunately, it has been withdrawn from the market because of its neuropsychiatric side effects. Compounds able to target selectively the peripheral CB1 receptors are under evaluation. In addition, molecules stimulating CB2 receptor or modulating the activity of enzymes implicated in EC metabolism are promising areas of pharmacological research. Liver cirrhosis and the related complications represent an important target for the clinical application of these compounds.
Outcomes of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for inherited metabolic disorders: A report from the Australian and New Zealand Children's Haematology Oncology Group and the Australasian Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient Registry
Authors: Mitchell R. , Nivison‐Smith I. , Anazodo A. , Tiedemann K. , Shaw P. J. , Teague L. , Fraser C. J. , Carter T. L. , Tapp H. , Alvaro F. , O'Brien T. A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe report a retrospective analysis of 53 haematopoietic stem cell transplants for inherited metabolic disorders performed at ANZCHOG transplant centres between 1992 and 2008. Indications for transplant included Hurler syndrome, ALD, and MLD. The majority of transplants utilized unrelated donor stem cells (66%) with 65% of those being unrelated cord blood. Conditioning therapy was largely myeloablative, with Bu plus another cytotoxic agent used in 89% of recipients. Primary graft failure was rare, occurring in three patients, all of whom remain long‐term survivors following the second transplant. The CI of grade II‐IV and grade III‐IV acute GVHD at day +100 was 39% and 14%, respectively. Chronic GVHD occurred in 17% of recipients. TRM was 12% at day +100 and 19% at one yr post‐transplant. OS at five yr was 78% for the cohort, 73% for patients with ALD and 83% for patients with Hurler syndrome. There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between unrelated marrow and unrelated cord blood donor groups. The development of interstitial pneumonitis was an independent variable shown to significantly impact on TRM and OS. In summary, we report a large cohort of patients with inherited metabolic disorders with excellent survival post‐allogeneic transplant.
The category‐sensitive and orientation‐sensitive N170 adaptation in faces revealed by comparison with Chinese characters
Authors: Feng Chunliang , Luo Yuejia , Fu Shimin 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBy comparing faces with Chinese characters, the category‐sensitive and orientation‐sensitive N170 adaptation effects were examined when the stimuli were adapted by category (within vs. between) and orientation (same vs. different). The category‐sensitive N170 adaptation was present for both faces and characters, supporting the assertion that the perception of faces and characters recruits domain‐specific processing rather than general processing of visual expertise. In addition, the orientation‐sensitive N170 adaptation was present only for faces but not for characters, suggesting that only faces recruit orientation‐specific processing. More importantly, the orientation‐sensitive N170 adaptation was not only present for inverted faces but also for upright faces, indicating that there are distinct neuron populations respectively sensitive to upright and inverted faces.
Augmented limb blood flow during neurovascular stress in physically fit women
Authors: Dishman Rod K. , Jackson Erica M. , Nakamura Yoshio , Ray Chester A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe study examined whether cardiorespiratory fitness modifies cardiovascular responses by normotensive men and women during the Stroop color‐word interference test. Independent of age and an estimate of body fatness, fitness level was positively related (R2 = .39 and .51) to increases in limb blood flow and vascular conductance, coherent with cardiac‐vagal withdrawal and a decrease in heart period, among women but not men. Fitness was unrelated to changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressures and muscle sympathetic nerve activity. The augmented hemodynamic responses among fitter women were not consistent with passive vasodilation via withdrawal of sympathetic neural tone. The results encourage further gender comparisons testing whether fitness augments limb blood flow during mental stress by neurohumoral and flow‐mediated vasodilatory mechanisms or by increased cardiac output.
Hilbert's Inferno: Time Travel for the Damned
Authors: Richmond Alasdair M. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractCombining time travel with certain kinds of supertask, this paper proposes a novel model for Hell. Temporally‐closed spacetimes allow otherwise impossible opportunities for material kinds of damnation and reveal surprising limitations on metaphysical objections to Hell. Prima facie, eternal damnation requires either infinite amounts of time or time for the damned to speed‐up arbitrarily. However, spatiotemporally finite ‘time travel’ universes can host unending personal torment for infinitely many physical beings, while keeping fixed finite limits on rates of temporal passage. Such ‘Hilbert's Inferno’ spacetimes suggest neither materialism nor the finitude of time and space need forbid Hell. A material Hell can be spatiotemporally finite yet eternal for its inhabitants. Hilbert's Inferno also sheds light on Hell's location and accessibility, and shows that some spacetimes are intrinsically better suited to punishment than reward.
Against Pogge's ‘Cosmopolitanism’
Authors: Steinhoff Uwe 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThomas Pogge labels the idea that each person owes each other person equal respect and concern ‘ethical cosmopolitanism’ and correctly states that it is a ‘non‐starter’. He offers as an allegedly more convincing cosmopolitan alternative his ‘social justice cosmopolitanism’. I shall argue that this alternative fails for pretty much the same reasons that ‘ethical cosmopolitanism’ fails. In addition, I will show that Pogge's definition of cosmopolitanism is misleading, since it actually applies to ethical cosmopolitanism and not to social justice cosmopolitanism. This means that cosmopolitanism as defined by Pogge is wrong in the light of his own arguments and that Pogge is not even a cosmopolitan in the sense of his own definition. I will further show that he is also not a cosmopolitan if cosmopolitanism is defined as a philosophical position involving the claim that state borders have no fundamental moral significance.
Effects of Top‐Soil Preparation and Broad‐Leaved Tree Mixture on Carabid Beetles in Afforested Fallow Plots
Authors: Skłodowski Jarosław J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractA 2‐year study to evaluate the effect of four soil preparation techniques and four species compositions in a pine plantation with an admixture of broad‐leaved trees on the species diversity and structure of ground beetle assemblages (Carabidae) was conducted. The soil preparation techniques were full shallow agricultural plowing (25 cm deep with three variants—plowing, plowing with ridge formation, and plowing with subsoiling) and full deep plowing (50 cm deep). The plantation species compositions were pine 7000/hectare, pine 5500/hectare + broad‐leaved species 1500/hectare, pine 4000/hectare + broad‐leaved species 3000/hectare, and pine 2000/hectare + broad‐leaved species 5000/hectare. Carabidae were sampled monthly with pitfall traps in the plantation from May to November in 2003 and 2004—the fourth and fifth years after afforestation. Only the soil preparation technique affected species diversity. The mean number of carabid species and the Shannon–Wiener index were higher in the case of the full agriculture plowing with subsoiling treatment and the full agriculture plowing with ridge formation than in the full shallow agriculture plowing. The structure of the assemblages was dependent on the soil preparation technique, but not on tree species composition. In general, deep plowing and shallow plowing with subsoiling were conducive to an increase in the proportion of individuals representing late succession species, whereas shallow plowing favored early succession species. The results suggest that for effective plantation of a managed stand, deep plowing or shallow plowing with subsoiling is more beneficial for afforestation of fallow fields than typical shallow agricultural plowing.
Rehabilitating Seagrass by Facilitating Recruitment: Improving Chances for Success
Authors: Irving Andrew D. , Tanner Jason E. , Collings Greg J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAttempts to arrest seagrass loss through numerous rehabilitation methods have traditionally produced inconsistent results. On Australia's southern coast, hessian bags made from biodegradable jute fibers show promise for rehabilitating Amphibolis antarctica by facilitating recruitment of seedlings in situ. Testing ways to improve the performance of bags (i.e. increasing seagrass recruitment and establishment) showed that bags with a coarse outer weave of hessian facilitated greater seedling densities (approximately 1700 individuals/m2) than bags with a fine outer weave, but the content of bags (sand vs. sand and rubble mixture) had little effect. Isolated bags facilitated greater longer term densities than bags grouped together, while similar densities were sampled up to 80 m away from a natural meadow. Lastly, bags that had spent less time in situ initially facilitated more recruits than older bags, but longer term (21–32 months) retention was similar among bag ages. Collectively, the results suggest hessian bags can be a relatively simple, cost‐effective, and environmentally friendly method for rehabilitating Amphibolis seagrass, with few considerations in their use other than their physical architecture and arrangement (e.g. isolated coarse‐weave bags).