bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture at local and distant points for tinnitus: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shi Guang-Xia , Han Li-Li , Liu Li-Ying , Li Qian-Qian , Liu Cun-Zhi , Wang Lin-Peng 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Tinnitus is the perception of a sound in the absence of an objective physical source. Up to now, there is no generally accepted view how these phantom sounds come about, and also no efficient treatment. Patients are turning to complementary or alternative medical therapies, such as acupuncture. Based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, acupoints located on both the adjacent and distal area of the disease can be needled to treat disease. Furthermore, the way of combining acupoints is for strengthening the curative effect. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture at local points in combination with distal points in subjective tinnitus patients.

Method
This trial is a randomized, single-blind, controlled study. A total of 112 participants will be randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups receiving acupuncture treatment for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure is subjective tinnitus loudness and annoyance perception, which is graded using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The assessment is at baseline (before treatment initiation), 4 weeks after the first acupuncture session, and 8 weeks after the first acupuncture session.

Discussion
Completion of this trial will help to identify whether acupuncture at local acupoints in combination with distal acupoints may be more effective than needling points separately.

Trial registration
International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register: ISRCTN29230777
Dosimetric comparison of intensity modulated radiotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in patients with gynecologic malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Baojuan , Zhu Lin , Cheng Haiyan , Li Qi , Zhang Yunyan , Zhao Yashuang 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
To quantitatively evaluate the safety and related-toxicities of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) dose–volume histograms (DVHs), as compared to the conventional three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), in gynecologic malignancy patients by systematic review of the related publications and meta-analysis.

Methods
Relevant articles were retrieved from the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to August 2011. Two independent reviewers assessed the included studies and extracted data. Pooled average percent irradiated volumes of adjacent non-cancerous tissues were calculated and compared between IMRT and 3D-CRT for a range of common radiation doses (5-45Gy).

Results
In total, 13 articles comprised of 222 IMRT-treated and 233 3D-CRT-treated patients were included. For rectum receiving doses ≥30 Gy, the IMRT pooled average irradiated volumes were less than those from 3D-CRT by 26.40% (30 Gy, p = 0.004), 27.00% (35 Gy, p = 0.040), 37.30% (40 Gy, p = 0.006), and 39.50% (45 Gy, p = 0.002). Reduction in irradiated small bowel was also observed for IMRT-delivered 40 Gy and 45 Gy (by 17.80% (p = 0.043) and 17.30% (p = 0.012), respectively), as compared with 3D-CRT. However, there were no significant differences in the IMRT and 3D-CRT pooled average percent volumes of irradiated small bowel or rectum from lower doses, or in the bladder or bone marrow from any of the doses. IMRT-treated patients did not experience more severe acute or chronic toxicities than 3D-CRT-treated patients.

Conclusions
IMRT-delivered high radiation dose produced significantly less average percent volumes of irradiated rectum and small bowel than 3D-CRT, but did not differentially affect the average percent volumes in the bladder and bone marrow.
Genetic basis of penicillin resistance of S. aureus isolated in bovine mastitis
Authors: Bagcigil Arzu Funda , Taponen Suvi , Koort Joanna , Bengtsson Björn , Myllyniemi Anna-Liisa , Pyörälä Satu 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
The blaZ gene encoding penicillin resistance can be located either chromosomally or on plasmids. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic relationships and to determine the location of the blaZ gene in S. aureus isolated in bovine mastitis in Finland and Sweden.

Methods
Seventy-eight β-lactamase positive S. aureus isolates from bovine mastitis (34 from Finland and 44 from Sweden) were included in the study. The localization of blaZ gene was determined by Southern blotting. The blaZ genes of the isolates were sequenced and the sequences were translated to beta-lactamase proteins and further grouped as different protein signatures. The isolates and, as control, 33 Swedish and 36 Finnish beta-lactamase negative isolates were typed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Results
In 26 out of 34 Finnish isolates (76.5%) and in 25 out of 44 Swedish isolates (56.8%) the blaZ gene was localized on a plasmid. Six different protein signatures were found. One signature was found only in four Swedish isolates, but all other signatures were found both in Finnish and Swedish isolates. The PFGE results revealed a diversity of S. aureus clones. The protein signatures were not clearly associated with certain pulsotypes.

Conclusions
The plasmid location of the blaZ gene was not statistically significantly more common in Finland than in Sweden, and hence does not explain the higher proportion of penicillin-resistant isolates of S. aureus causing bovine mastitis in Finland compared to Sweden.
Development and experimental test of support vector machines virtual screening method for searching Src inhibitors from large compound libraries
Authors: Han Bucong , Ma Xiaohua , Zhao Ruiying , Zhang Jingxian , Wei Xiaona , Liu Xianghui , Liu Xin , Zhang Cunlong , Tan Chunyan , Jiang Yuyang , Chen Yuzong 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Src plays various roles in tumour progression, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis and survival. It is one of the multiple targets of multi-target kinase inhibitors in clinical uses and trials for the treatment of leukemia and other cancers. These successes and appearances of drug resistance in some patients have raised significant interest and efforts in discovering new Src inhibitors. Various in-silico methods have been used in some of these efforts. It is desirable to explore additional in-silico methods, particularly those capable of searching large compound libraries at high yields and reduced false-hit rates.

Results
We evaluated support vector machines (SVM) as virtual screening tools for searching Src inhibitors from large compound libraries. SVM trained and tested by 1,703 inhibitors and 63,318 putative non-inhibitors correctly identified 93.53%~ 95.01% inhibitors and 99.81%~ 99.90% non-inhibitors in 5-fold cross validation studies. SVM trained by 1,703 inhibitors reported before 2011 and 63,318 putative non-inhibitors correctly identified 70.45% of the 44 inhibitors reported since 2011, and predicted as inhibitors 44,843 (0.33%) of 13.56M PubChem, 1,496 (0.89%) of 168 K MDDR, and 719 (7.73%) of 9,305 MDDR compounds similar to the known inhibitors.

Conclusions
SVM showed comparable yield and reduced false hit rates in searching large compound libraries compared to the similarity-based and other machine-learning VS methods developed from the same set of training compounds and molecular descriptors. We tested three virtual hits of the same novel scaffold from in-house chemical libraries not reported as Src inhibitor, one of which showed moderate activity. SVM may be potentially explored for searching Src inhibitors from large compound libraries at low false-hit rates.
Myometrial cavernous hemangioma with pulmonary thromboembolism in a post-partum woman: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Bhavsar Tapan , Wurzel John , Duker Nahum 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Introduction
Cavernous hemangiomas of the uterus are rare benign vascular lesions. Nine cases of diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the gravid uterus have been reported, most of which diffusely involved the myometrium. These vascular malformations are clinically significant, and may cause pronounced bleeding resulting in maternal or fetal demise. Thrombosis of cavernous hemangiomas of the uterus has been previously reported. We here report the first case in which a thrombosed cavernous hemangioma of the myometrium resulted in a fatal pulmonary embolism in a post-partum woman.

Case presentation
A 25-year-old obese African-American woman who had one pregnancy and was delivered of twins by cesarean section was admitted 1 week after the successful delivery. The 12-day clinical course included ventilator-dependent respiratory failure, systemic hypertension, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the sputum, leukocytosis and asystole. A transabdominal ultrasound examination showed heterogeneous thickened and irregular products in the endometrial canal. The laboratory values were relevant for an increased prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, ferritin and a decrease in hemoglobin. The clinical cause of death was cited as acute respiratory distress syndrome. At autopsy, a 400g spongy, hemorrhagic uterus with multiple cystic spaces measuring approximately 0.5 × 0.4cm filled with thrombi within the myometrium was identified. Immunohistological examination with a CD31 stain for vascular endothelium associated antigen confirmed several endothelium-lined vessels, some of which contained thrombi. These histological features were consistent with cavernous hemangioma of the myometrium. A histological examination of the lungs revealed multiple fresh thromboemboli in small- and medium-sized pulmonary arteries in the right upper and lower lobes without organization, but with adjacent areas of fresh hemorrhagic infarction.

Conclusion
This case underscores the importance of a high index of suspicion in a pregnant or post-partum woman presenting with respiratory symptoms. Thrombosis of the cavernous hemangiomas of the gravid or post-partum uterus is a rare entity. This case is of interest because it indicates that this condition can be fatally complicated by embolization of the thrombi in the cavernous myometrial hemangiomas. Although delivery by conservative methods, as well as cesarean section, is possible without resorting to hysterectomy, occasionally, the consequences could be fatal as in this case.
Ovarian dysgerminoma and synchronic contralateral tubal pregnancy followed by normal intra-uterine gestation: a case report
Authors: Montesinos Lourdes , Acién Pedro , Martínez-Beltrán Monserrat , Mayol María-José 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Introduction
We report that the coincidence of ovarian tumor and pregnancy poses significant challenges that are more pronounced if the pregnancy is ectopic.

Case presentation
Here, we report a rare and interesting case of a 24-year-old nulliparous Spanish woman who experienced the coincidental occurrence of left tubal pregnancy and dysgerminoma in the right ovary. The corpus luteum settled in the right ovary. A right adnexectomy and left linear salpingostomy were performed. Remarkably, our patient became pregnant spontaneously after surgery. The pregnancy occurred prior to starting chemotherapy, and the intra-uterine pregnancy was carried to term; later, she also had another normal pregnancy. Our patient has done well without chemotherapy.

Conclusions
Our report on the challenges of diagnosis and treatment faced in this case can help clinicians better understand and manage these pathologies. We have not found any similar cases in the literature.
Religion, spirituality and mental health: results from a national study of English households
Authors: King Michael , Marston Louise , McManus Sally , Brugha Terry , Meltzer Howard , Bebbington Paul 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundReligious participation or belief may predict better mental health but most research is American and measures of spirituality are often conflated with well-being.AimsTo examine associations between a spiritual or religious understanding of life and psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses.MethodWe analysed data collected from interviews with 7403 people who participated in the third National Psychiatric Morbidity Study in England.ResultsOf the participants 35% had a religious understanding of life, 19% were spiritual but not religious and 46% were neither religious nor spiritual. Religious people were similar to those who were neither religious nor spiritual with regard to the prevalence of mental disorders, except that the former wereless likely to have ever used drugs (odds ratio (OR)=0.73, 95% CI 0.60-0.88) or be a hazardous drinker (OR=0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.96). Spiritual people were more likely than those who were neither religious nor spiritual to have ever used (OR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.02-1.49) or be dependent on drugs (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.20-2.61), and to have abnormal eating attitudes (OR = 1.46, 95% Cl 1.10-1.94), generalised anxiety disorder (OR =1.50, 95% Cl 1.09-2.06), any phobia (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.07-2.77) or any neurotic disorder (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.12-1.68). They were also more likely to be taking psychotropic medication (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.05-1.86).ConclusionsPeople who have a spiritual understanding of life in the absence of a religious framework are vulnerable to mental disorder.
Drop out from out-patient mental healthcare in the World Health Organization's World Menta Health Survey initiative
Authors: Wells J. Elisabeth , Browne Mark Oakley , Aguilar-Gaxiola Sergio , Al-Hamzawi Ali , Alonso Jordi , Angermeyer Matthias C. , Bouzan Colleen , Bruffaerts Ronny , Bunting Brendan , Caldas-de-Almeida José Miguel , De Girolamo Giovanni , De Graaf Ron , Florescu Silvia , Fukao Akira , Gureje Oye , Hinkov Hristo Ruskov , Hu Chiyi , Hwang Irving , Karam Elie G. , Kostyuchenko Stanislav , Kovess-Masfety Viviane , Levinson Daphna , Liu Zhaorui , Medina-Mora Maria Elena , Nizamie S. Haque , Posada-Villa José , Sampson Nancy A. , Stein Dan J. , Viana Maria Carmen , Kessler Ronald C. 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundPrevious community surveys of the drop out from mental health treatment have been carried out only in the USA and Canada.AimsTo explore mental health treatment drop out in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys.MethodRepresentative face-to-face household surveys were conducted among adults in 24 countries. People who reported mental health treatment in the 12 months before interview (n = 8482) were asked about drop out, defined as stopping treatment before the provider wanted.ResultsOverall, drop out was 31.7%: 26.3% in high-income countries, 45.1% in upper-middle-income countries, and 37.6% in low/ lower/middle-income countries. Drop out from psychiatrists was 21.3% overall and similar across country income groups (high 20.3%, upper-middle 23.6%, low/lower-middle 23.8%) but the pattern of drop out across other sectors differed by country income group. Drop out was more likely early in treatment, particularly after the second visit.ConclusionsDrop out needs to be reduced to ensure effective treatment.
Metformin in Obese Children and Adolescents: The MOCA Trial
Authors: Kendall D. , Vail A. , Amin R. , Barrett T. , Dimitri P. , Ivison F. , Kibirige M. , Mathew V. , Matyka K. , McGovern A. , Stirling H. , Tetlow L. , Wales J. , Wright N. , Clayton P. , Hall C. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Context:
Childhood obesity is increasingly associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Metformin reduces the risk for T2D in adult obese nondiabetic patients, but the evidence in obese children and young people is inconclusive.

Objective:
The objective of the study was to assess the effect of metformin on body mass index sd score (BMI-SDS), metabolic risk factors, and adipokines.

Design:
This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting:
The study was conducted at six pediatric endocrine centers in the United Kingdom.

Participants:
One hundred fifty-one obese children and young people with hyperinsulinemia and/or impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance (metformin: 74, placebo: 77). The study was comprised of 67.5% females, 65.6% postpubertal individuals, and 23.8% British Asian or Afro-Caribbean participants. The age range was 8–18 yr, the mean age was 13.7 (sd 2.3) yr, and the mean BMI-SDS was +3.4 (sd 0.5).

Interventions:
The intervention included metformin 1 g in the morning and 500 mg in the evening vs. placebo for 6 months.

Main Outcome Measure:
The main outcome measure was a reduction in BMI-SDS at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included insulin and glucose levels from oral glucose tolerance tests, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and adiponectin to leptin ratio (ALR) at 3 and 6 months.

Results:
Metformin was associated with a significant reduction in BMI-SDS compared with placebo at 6 months [mean difference −0.1 sd (95% confidence interval −0.18 to −0.02), P = 0.02]. Significant improvements at 3 months were found in the metformin group: fasting glucose, −0.16 mmol/liter (−0.31 to −0.00), P = 0.047; ALT, 19% (5–36%), P = 0.008; and ALR, 32% (4–67%), P = 0.02.

Conclusions:
Metformin therapy has a beneficial treatment effect over placebo for BMI-SDS, fasting glucose, ALT, and ALR ratio at 3 months, with changes in BMI-SDS sustained at 6 months.
Hexamethoxytribenzocoronene, a Janus Double Concave Molecule to Selectively Assemble with Fullerene C60
Authors: Li Zhongtao , Hu Zhengpeng , Chen Xing , Zhang Yinping , Zhang Jianmin 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Hexamethoxytribenzocoronene, which has an asymmetric “double-concave” structure, is prepared. Assisted by toluene, the molecule selectively interacts with fullerenes through one of two specific faces, leading to a well-defined 3D structure in the solid state.
A Coumarin-based Fluorescence Sensor for the Reversible Detection of Thiols
Authors: Cho A Young , Choi Kihang 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
A coumarin derivative with a cyanoacrylamide electrophile was prepared and used for fluorescence sensing of thiols. Thiol addition to the electrophile proceeded in a reversible manner so that the compound displayed fluorescence emission depending on thiol concentrations. Dissociation constants of the thiol addition products are in the mM ranges, which are similar to cellular thiol concentrations.
Organic Sensitizers Including π-Conjugated Fluorene–Benzothiadiazole Bridge for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Kimura Mutsumi , Karasawa Masayoshi , Sasagawa Naoki , Takemoto Keisuke , Goto Ryota , Mori Shogo 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
A series of novel amphiphilic fluorene–benzothiadiazole-bridged organic sensitizers (coded as MR dyes) were designed for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The DSSCs based on MR-2 and MR-3 exhibited power conversion efficiencies of 3.7 and 4.0% under one-sun condition.
Study of a protected catchment basin: analyses of anthropogenic radionuclides
Authors: Leclercq Amélie , Philippini Violaine , Michel Hervé , Lavonen Tiina-Leena , Ansoborlo Eric , Den Auwer Christophe , Barci Vittorio , Solari Pier Lorenzo , Barci-Funel Geneviève 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTNatural samples of soil, sediment and natural water were collected in the “Parc National du Mercantour” in France. Soil and sediment samples were studied to better understand the behaviors of radionuclides (RNs) in different natural compartments. Considering 137Cs and 241Am activities in depth (measured by α- and γ-spectrometries), two types of sediment profiles can be distinguished depending on the origin (Chernobyl accident or atmospheric nuclear weapon tests). Due to difficulties in modeling the dispersion of those RNs in natural samples, even in a protected area, semi-synthetic studies were conducted. Eu(III) was used as an analogue of Am(III). Eu behavior in water was studied by EXAFS and compared to speciation diagrams drawn in similar chemical conditions. Eu is mainly complexed by carbonate and phosphate ions. The mean Eu-O distance (2.46 Å) obtained by EXAFS is in agreement with predominant solid species determined by speciation diagrams and previous published studies.
Scanning Probe Microscopy of Bacterial Red Light Photoreceptors
Authors: Tobias Fernando G. , Gawedzka Anna , Goldmeier Max S. , Sakols Alexandra C. , Stojković Emina A. , Tsonchev Stefan , Nicholson Kenneth T. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTBacteriophytochromes (Bphs) are red-light photoreceptors found in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria that have been engineered into infrared fluorescent protein markers. Bphs are composed of a photosensory module that is covalently linked to an effector/regulatory module, usually a histidine kinase (HK) domain. Light-induced, global structural changes are proposed to originate within the covalently attached biliverdin chromophore, a linear tetrapyrrole, and propagate through the protein. Bphs undergo reversible photoconversion between two distinct red and far-red light absorbing states, denoted Pr and Pfr respectively. For most Bphs, Pr is the dark-adapted state. The energy dissipated during Pr/Pfr photoconversion is proposed to directly impact the infrared fluorescence quantum yield. At this time, only structures of three different Bphs have been published, all of truncated proteins in their respective dark-adapted states. We have utilized scanning probe microscopy (SPM) to investigate the structure of intact Bphs in the light-adapted state in order to gain new insight into the mechanism of photoconversion and fluorescence. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) analysis of a pair of Bphs from photosynthetic bacterium R. palustris, RpBphP2 (P2) and RpBphP3 (P3) in their light-adapted states is presented in these proceedings. The concentration of the depositing protein has a key role in the molecular arrangements observed on the highly-ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface. For example, at a high protein concentration, a hexagonal lattice of Bphs is observed by STM on a HOPG surface. Upon dilution, the photoreceptors self-organize into fiber-like structures on the surface. In these fibers, the dimer interface and the individual domains of the Bphs can be assigned and directly compared to a structural model of the intact, full-length proteins. In summary, SPM has potential to be an effective method for gaining new insight into Bph structure and dynamics.
Distributed Multiscale Simulations of Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Suter James , Groen Derek , Kabalan Lara , Coveney Peter V. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe mechanical enhancement of polymers when clay nanoparticles are dispersed within it depends on factors over various length scales; for example, the orientation of the clay platelets in the polymer matrix will affect the mechanical resistance of the composite, while at the shortest scale the molecular arrangement and the adhesion energy of the polymer molecules in the galleries and the vicinity of the clay-polymer interface will also affect the overall mechanical properties.In this paper, we address the challenge of creating a hierarchal multiscale modelling scheme to traverse a sufficiently wide range of time and length scales to simulate clay-polymer nanocomposites effectively. This scheme varies from the electronic structure (to capture the polymer – clay interactions, especially those of the reactive clay edges) through classical atomistic molecular dynamics to coarse-grained models (to capture the long length scale structure).Such a scenario is well suited to distributed computing with each level of the scheme allocated to a suitable computational resource. We describe how the e-infrastructure and tools developed by the MAPPER (Multiscale Applications on European e-Infrastructures) project facilitates our multiscale scheme. Using this new technology, we have simulated clay-polymer systems containing up to several million atoms/particles. This system size is firmly within the mesoscopic regime, containing several clay platelets with the edges of the platelets explicitly resolved. We show preliminary results of a “bottom-up” multiscale simulation of a clay platelet dispersion in poly(ethylene) glycol.