bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life in patients with dual diagnosis: clinical correlates
Authors: Benaiges Irina , Prat Gemma , Adan Ana 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Although the studies published so far have found an affectation in the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in both psychiatric and substance use dependence disorders, very few studies have applied HRQOL as an assessment measure in patients suffering both comorbid conditions, or Dual Diagnosis. The aim of the current study was to assess HRQOL in a group of patients with Dual Diagnosis compared to two other non-comorbid groups and to determine what clinical factors are related to HRQOL.

Methods
Cross-sectional assessment of three experimental groups was made through the Short Form – 36 Item Health Survey (SF-36). The sample consisted of a group with Dual Diagnosis (DD; N = 35), one with Severe Mental Illness alone (SMI; N = 35) and another one with Substance Use Dependence alone (SUD; N = 35). The sample was composed only by males. To assess the clinical correlates of SF-36 HRQOL, lineal regression analyses were carried out.

Results
The DD group showed lower scores in most of the subscales, and in the mental health domain. The group with SUD showed in general a better state in the HRQOL while the group with SMI held an intermediate position with respect to the other two groups. Daily medication, suicidal attempts and daily number of coffees were significantly associated to HRQOL, especially in the DD group.

Conclusions
The DD group showed lower self-reported mental health quality of life. Assessment of HRQOL in dual patients allows to identify specific needs in this population, and may help to establish therapeutic goals to improve interventions.
Vitrification of immature bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes: effects of cryoprotectants, the vitrification procedure and warming time on cleavage and embryo development
Authors: Prentice-Biensch Jennifer R , Singh Jaswant , Mapletoft Reuben J , Anzar Muhammad 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
The present studies evaluated the effects of cryoprotectants, the vitrification procedure and time in the warming solution containing sucrose on cleavage and embryo development of immature (GV stage) bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs).

Methods
Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, COCs (n = 420) were randomly assigned to four groups: 1) Control group: no treatment; 2) VS1 group: COCs were exposed to vitrification solution 1 (VS1) containing 7.5% ethylene glycol [EG] + 7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] + 20% calf serum [CS] in TCM-199 at 37 C for 5 min; 3) VS1 + VS2 group: COCs were exposed to VS1 for 5 min followed by VS2 (15% EG + 15% DMSO + 17.1% sucrose + 20% CS) at 37 C for 45–60 sec; and 4) Vitrified group: COCs were exposed to VS1 and VS2, loaded on cryotops, vitrified in liquid nitrogen and then warmed in TCM-199 + 17.1% sucrose + 20% CS at 37 C for 1 min. In Experiment 2, COCs (n = 581) were assigned to the same groups, but those in VS1, VS1 + VS2 and Vitrified groups were sub-divided and exposed to the warming solution for either 1 or 5 min. After treatment and/or warming, all COCs in both experiments underwent in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and in vitro culture.

Results
Cleavage and blastocyst rates did not differ among Control, VS1 and VS1 + VS2 groups in either experiment. In Experiment 2, there was no effect of time in the warming solution.
However, both cleavage and blastocyst rates were lower (P < 0.001) in the Vitrified group than in the Control, VS1 and VS1 + VS2 groups (40.9 and 1.6% vs 92.2 and 34.4%, 79.4 and 25.2%, and 80.2 and 20.8%, respectively in Experiment 1, and 25.0 and 1.7% vs 75.3 and 27.2%, 67.9 and 19.5%, and 62.7 and 22.5%, respectively in Experiment 2).

Conclusions
The permeating cryoprotectants (EG and DMSO) present in VS1 and VS2 solutions and the time in the warming solution containing sucrose had no adverse effects on cleavage and blastocyst rates of immature bovine COCs. However, cleavage rate and early embryo development were reduced following the vitrification and warming.
Prevalence of Hepatitis ‘B’ and Hepatitis ‘C’ among preoperative cataract patients in Karachi
Authors: Naeem Syed Saad , Siddiqui Efaza Umar , Kazi Abdul Nafey , Khan SumaiyaTauseeq , Abdullah Farhan E , Adhi Idrees 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
To report the findings of preoperative screening regarding prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in patients presenting for cataract surgery.

Findings
A descriptive study was conducted among 377 patients presenting for cataract surgery to Department of Ophthalmology Unit I, CHK from April 2010 to May 2011. Convenience sampling was done to recruit the participants aged 18 years and above. The patients were screened for Hepatitis B and C infections and findings were recorded on a structured compilation sheet.
The total prevalence of both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in preoperative Cataract patients was found to be 49 out of 377(12.99%). Overall, 8 out of 377 (2.1%) patients were HBsAg positive and 42 out of 377 (11.1%) were Anti-HCV positive. Only 1 patient was found with a co-infection with both HBsAg and Anti-HCV positive.

Conclusions
High proportions of Hepatitis B and C are reported among preoperative cataract patients of Karachi. Routine serological screening prior to surgery should be made mandatory so that asymptomatic patients would no longer pose a threat to its spread.
Cell type-specific binding patterns reveal that TCF7L2 can be tethered to the genome by association with GATA3
Authors: Frietze Seth , Wang Rui , Yao Lijing , Tak Yu Gyoung , Ye Zhenqing , Gaddis Malaina , Witt Heather , Farnham Peggy J , Jin Victor X 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Background
The TCF7L2 transcription factor is linked to a variety of human diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cancer. One mechanism by which TCF7L2 could influence expression of genes involved in diverse diseases is by binding to distinct regulatory regions in different tissues. To test this hypothesis, we performed ChIP-seq for TCF7L2 in six human cell lines.

Results
We identified 116,000 non-redundant TCF7L2 binding sites, with only 1,864 sites common to the six cell lines. Using ChIP-seq, we showed that many genomic regions that are marked by both H3K4me1 and H3K27Ac are also bound by TCF7L2, suggesting that TCF7L2 plays a critical role in enhancer activity. Bioinformatic analysis of the cell type-specific TCF7L2 binding sites revealed enrichment for multiple transcription factors, including HNF4alpha and FOXA2 motifs in HepG2 cells and the GATA3 motif in MCF7 cells. ChIP-seq analysis revealed that TCF7L2 co-localizes with HNF4alpha and FOXA2 in HepG2 cells and with GATA3 in MCF7 cells. Interestingly, in MCF7 cells the TCF7L2 motif is enriched in most TCF7L2 sites but is not enriched in the sites bound by both GATA3 and TCF7L2. This analysis suggested that GATA3 might tether TCF7L2 to the genome at these sites. To test this hypothesis, we depleted GATA3 in MCF7 cells and showed that TCF7L2 binding was lost at a subset of sites. RNA-seq analysis suggested that TCF7L2 represses transcription when tethered to the genome via GATA3.

Conclusions
Our studies demonstrate a novel relationship between GATA3 and TCF7L2, and reveal important insights into TCF7L2-mediated gene regulation.
Modeling gene expression using chromatin features in various cellular contexts
Authors: Dong Xianjun , Greven Melissa C , Kundaje Anshul , Djebali Sarah , Brown James B , Cheng Chao , Gingeras Thomas R , Gerstein Mark , Guigó Roderic , Birney Ewan , Weng Zhiping 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Background
Previous work has demonstrated that chromatin feature levels correlate with gene expression. The ENCODE project enables us to further explore this relationship using an unprecedented volume of data. Expression levels from more than 100,000 promoters were measured using a variety of high-throughput techniques applied to RNA extracted by different protocols from different cellular compartments of several human cell lines. ENCODE also generated the genome-wide mapping of eleven histone marks, one histone variant, and DNase I hypersensitivity sites in seven cell lines.

Results
We built a novel quantitative model to study the relationship between chromatin features and expression levels. Our study not only confirms that the general relationships found in previous studies hold across various cell lines, but also makes new suggestions about the relationship between chromatin features and gene expression levels. We found that expression status and expression levels can be predicted by different groups of chromatin features, both with high accuracy. We also found that expression levels measured by CAGE are better predicted than by RNA-PET or RNA-Seq, and different categories of chromatin features are the most predictive of expression for different RNA measurement methods. Additionally, PolyA+ RNA is overall more predictable than PolyA- RNA among different cell compartments, and PolyA+ cytosolic RNA measured with RNA-Seq is more predictable than PolyA+ nuclear RNA, while the opposite is true for PolyA- RNA.

Conclusions
Our study provides new insights into transcriptional regulation by analyzing chromatin features in different cellular contexts.
Influence of Synthesis Conditions on the Formation of a Kaolinitemethanol Complex and Simulation of its Vibrational Spectra
Authors: Matusik Jakub , Scholtzová Eva , Tunega Daniel , Rueda Elsa H. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractKaolinite is often used as a base for the synthesis of new organo-mineral nanomaterials designed for applications in industry and in environmental protection. To make the mineral structure more likely to interact with organic molecules, a kaolinite-methanol complex (KM) can be used. In the present study, different experimental procedures were tested to investigate the formation of the KM. The kaolinitedimethyl sulfoxide intercalation compound (KDS), either wet or dried, was used as a pre-intercalate. The samples obtained were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, CHNS elemental analysis, 13C CP-magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR), and 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR techniques. The method of density functional theory with dispersion corrections (DFT-D2) was used to explain the structure and to simulate the vibrational spectra of KM. Theoretical results were compared with experimental data. The most effective formation of the KM (d001 = 11.1 Å — wet; d001 = 8.7 Å — dried) was observed when the dried KDS precursor was used. In such conditions the degree of intercalation reached ~98% after 24 h of reaction time. As indicated by the CHNS elemental analysis, ~1/6 of the inner-surface OH groups were grafted by OCH3 groups. The esterification reaction was less efficient at higher temperatures or when wet KDS was used. In the latter case, the excess of very polar dimethyl sulfoxide molecules prevented intercalation of methanol and further grafting. Detailed analysis of the results of theoretical simulations revealed that the reaction of the KDS with methanol led to the formation of kaolinite with both grafted methoxy groups and intercalated methanol, and water molecules in the interlayer space. The spectra calculated revealed the contribution of individual vibrational modes into the complex bands, i.e. the energy of C-H vibrations was in the order: νasCHmet > νasCHmtx > νsCHmet > νsCHmtx.
Comparison of left ventricular cardiac dimensions between small and appropriate for gestational age preterm infants below 30 weeks of gestation
Authors: Czernik Christoph , Rhode Stefanie , Metze Boris , Bührer Christoph , Schmitz Lothar 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Objective: The development of the left cardiac structures in the early life of small for gestational age (SGA) preterm infants has been inadequately studied. The aim of the study was to compare the left ventricular cardiac dimensions between SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) preterm infants.

Methods: Echocardiography was performed on day 2 (T1) and at age 1 month (T2) in 19 SGA preterm infants (birthweight <3rd percentile) and 21 AGA controls (P25-50) matched for gestational age (<30 weeks).

Results: The left ventricular cardiac dimensions did not differ significantly between SGA and AGA infants at either T1 or T2 after correction for body length. The left ventricular mass was similar for SGA and AGA infants at T1 and T2 after correction for body weight or body length. The left ventricular output increased significantly from T1 to T2 in both SGA and AGA infants [SGA: 350 (T1)–640 (T2) mL/kg/min, P<0.05; AGA: 300 (T1)–510 (T2) mL/kg/min, P<0.05].

Conclusions: The left cardiac structures related to body length are comparable between SGA and AGA preterm infants in the first month of life and show similar development.
Kontaktlose Durchflussmessung in Metallschmelzen
Authors: Buchenau Dominique , Gerbeth Gunter , Priede Janis 
Published: September 2012

Zusammenfassung
Bis zum heutigen Zeitpunkt gibt es bezogen auf die Strömungs- und Durchflussmessung elektrisch leitfähiger Metallströmungen nahezu keine kommerziell verfügbare Lösungen. Eines der wichtigsten Einsatz- oder Aktionsfelder ist die metallverarbeitende Industrie. Eisen- und Nichteisenmetalle werden durch den technologisch anspruchsvollen Prozess des Gießens in die Form von weiterverarbeitbaren Halbzeugen oder in aufwendige Endformen gebracht. Wichtige Automationsparameter sind dabei Durchflussrate und Geschwindigkeit, ohne deren Kenntnis und Kontrolle keine Prozessführung möglich ist. Zwei weitere, wichtige Anwendungsfelder für kontaktlos operierende Durchfluss- und Strömungssensoren ergeben sich aus der Notwendigkeit des Verständnisses der thermohydraulischen Vorgänge bezüglich des Energie- und Massentransportes in metallgekühlten Reaktorsystemen sowie in künftig geplanten Transmutationssystemen. Abgesehen von der auf dem Markt etablierten, kontaktbehafteten Durchflussmesstechnik stehen derzeit kaum Alternativen der Durchflussbestimmung in flüssigen Metallen zur Verfügung. Der folgende Beitrag stellt zwei innovative, kontaktlose Messverfahren vor, die in zahlreichen Tests untersucht wurden. Ein Verfahren wird in Kürze auf dem Markt kommerziell verfügbar sein.
The Audit Reporting Model: Current Research Synthesis and Implications
Authors: Mock Theodore J. , Bédard Jean , Coram Paul J. , Davis Shawn M. , Espahbodi Reza , Warne Rick C. 
Published: September 2012

SUMMARY
This research synthesis evaluates relevant research concerning the audit report. For too long, there has been a significant “expectations gap” between what financial statement users expect an audit is delivering and what the audit profession believes it is providing. This gap becomes particularly problematic for auditors when there is a “business crisis” and attention is directed to the role of the auditor. Two related gaps are considered in this synthesis, a communications gap, and an information gap. All of these gaps relate to the demand for, understanding of, and use of auditor communications, which is the focus of this synthesis.
Our synthesis is driven by two primary research questions: What do financial statement users perceive as information that should be communicated, and what does research show to be the effects on users of existing and other auditor communications currently being considered?
As we discuss in detail, prior research does address many aspects of these two questions, but many of the findings are mixed and some important aspects have not been studied. Further research, particularly in areas regarding changes to the audit reporting model currently being considered, could lead to the improvement of the value relevance of auditor services, disclosures, and assurances. The clear interest by regulators and standard setters in such applied research should serve as a strong incentive for academics to conduct such research and for the practicing profession to support it.
Charities in Competition: Effects of Accounting Information on Donating Adjustments
Authors: van der Heijden Hans 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT:
Following the emergence of high-profile charity comparison websites, donors are increasingly able to evaluate accounting information of several competing charities before they make a donation. Previous literature has primarily examined the effects of accounting information on donations to single charities. This study looks at the giving intentions of individual donors in settings with several charities, where charities directly compete with each other for the individual donation. The study presents an experiment (n = 226) where individuals adjust their donations after studying the program-spending ratios of the charities. The results indicate a flight to extremes—accounting information affects donations to charities at the extreme ends of the shortlist, but charities that are in the middle do not benefit. Threshold information (i.e., information whether each charity meets generally accepted guidelines for program-spending ratios) affects donation adjustments only if this information influences the positions of the charities at the top and bottom of the shortlist.
Evidence on the Cost Hierarchy: The Association between Resource Consumption and Production Activities
Authors: Anderson Shannon W. , Sedatole Karen L. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT
Modern cost accounting posits that manufacturing overhead costs vary with production unit volume, batches of production, and with the variety of products produced. However, many studies fail to find an association between manufacturing overhead costs and activities associated with production batches and product variety; rather, the traditional fixed and (unit) variable cost structure is validated. One explanation is that flexible manufacturing methods and optimized production scheduling restore the relevance of the traditional cost model. Another explanation is that the relation holds, but is not detectable because of limitations of the data used in these studies. We explore the separate and joint impacts of these data limitations using data from a modern float glass manufacturing plant and a new time-driven activity-based costing model suggested by Kaplan and Anderson (2004, 2007). We find that: (1) batch and product-variety-related activities are significantly associated with resource consumption, (2) crude measures of activity promote incorrect conclusions about the strength of the relation between activities and resource consumption, and (3) monthly aggregation of data obscures important aspects of the relation between daily production activities and resource consumption. In sum, even in a highly automated setting that is biased against finding evidence of the cost hierarchy because production scheduling is optimized to minimize batch and product-variety-related resource consumption, the cost hierarchy is an apt description of the association between resource consumption and production activity. However, improved measurement and cost model specification are necessary to reveal this association.
Data Availability: Data are the property of the firm and may not be redistributed by the authors.
Existence and uniqueness of solution for a class of nonlinear sequential differential equations of fractional order
Authors: Klimek Małgorzata , Błasik Marek 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Two-term semi-linear and two-term nonlinear fractional differential equations (FDEs) with sequential Caputo derivatives are considered. A unique continuous solution is derived using the equivalent norms/metrics method and the Banach theorem on a fixed point. Both, the unique general solution connected to the stationary function of the highest order derivative and the unique particular solution generated by the initial value problem, are explicitly constructed and proven to exist in an arbitrary interval, provided the nonlinear terms fulfil the corresponding Lipschitz condition. The existence-uniqueness results are given for an arbitrary order of the FDE and an arbitrary partition of orders between the components of sequential derivatives.
Sensitivity of MUC5AC to Topical Corticosteroid is Negatively Associated with Interleukin-17A in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Tang Haocheng , Wang Hongtian , Bai Jing , Ding Minghong , Liu Wenlong , Xia Wentong , Luo Qing , Xu Geng , Li Huabin , Fang Jugao 
Published: September 2012

Background Although Interleukin (IL)-17A has been suggested to play a role in corticosteroid hyporesponsiveness, whether IL-17A is able to affect the sensitivity of MUC5AC to intranasal corticosteroid treatment in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) is unclear. Methods Twenty patients with moderate to severe AR were enrolled in this study and the expression of MUC5AC, IL-17A, and glucocorticoid receptor beta (GR beta) was detected using immunochemical staining and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) before and after treatment with fluticasone propionate (FP) nasal spray for 4 weeks, respectively. In addition, the effects of FP on IL-13– and IL-17A–induced MUC5AC and GR beta were also evaluated in the primarily cultured human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) in vitro. Results The increased MUC5AC expression was associated with IL-17A levels in AR, and IL-17A was found to affect the inhibition of MUC5AC by corticosteroid treatment. Both IL-13 and IL-17A significantly promoted MUC5AC mRNA expression in HNECs, and FP treatment was able to significantly inhibit MUC5AC mRNA expression in HNECs induced by IL-13 but not for that induced by IL-17A. Also, IL-17A but not IL-13 promoted GR beta mRNA expression in HNECs, which was not affected by administration of corticosteroid. Conclusion Our results suggest that the sensitivity of MUC5AC to topical corticosteroid is negatively associated with IL-17A in AR patients. This might help us to gain more insight into the pathophysiology and the pharmacotherapeutic mechanisms on AR treatment.
Silastic Splints Reduce Middle Meatal Adhesions after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Baguley Campbell J. , Stow Nicholas W. , Weitzel Erik K. , Douglas Richard G. 
Published: September 2012

Background Adhesions frequently form between the middle turbinate and lateral nasal wall after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and are a possible cause for surgical failure. Many absorbable and nonabsorbable spacers have been tried to improve healing. This study was designed to ascertain whether placement of a thin silastic splint into the middle meatus after sinus surgery for 2 weeks reduces adhesion formation and whether a reduction in the adhesion rate improves patient outcomes in the early postoperative phase. Methods Forty-two patients who were scheduled to undergo ESS for chronic rhinosinusitis were randomized to have a silastic splint placed into the middle meatus on one side of the nose but not the other at the completion of surgery. Splints were removed 2 weeks postoperatively. Symptom scores were recorded for each side of the nose up to 12 weeks after surgery and ethmoid cavities were graded at the 6- and 12-week visits along with assessment of adhesions. Patients were blinded to which side was splinted as was the surgeon assessing ethmoid cavities at 6 and 12 weeks. Results Thirty-three patients completed 12 weeks of follow-up. Nasal obstruction and facial pain/discomfort were significantly higher on splinted sides for the first 2 weeks. More interventions were performed to debride adhesions in nonsplinted sides. Endoscopy revealed no adhesions at 12 weeks for sides treated with a splint whereas 9 of 33 nonsplinted sides had persistent adhesions. There were no significant differences in symptom or ethmoid cavity scores at 6 or 12 weeks between sides treated with splints versus sides treated without splints or between sides with adhesions versus without adhesions. Conclusion Middle meatal silastic splints reduce adhesions after ESS but increase early nasal obstruction and discomfort. Their use did not significantly change symptom or ethmoid cavity scores at 12 weeks.