bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tunable solid‐state fluorescence emission and red upconversion luminescence of novel anthracene‐based fluorophores
Authors: Sun Yi‐Feng , Chen Zhi‐Yong , Zhu Li , Xu Shu‐Hong , Wu Ren‐Tao , Cui Yi‐Ping 
Published: February 2013

Novel, tunable solid‐state emitters based on anthracene groups were synthesised and characterised by spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Their solid‐state photoluminescence properties were studied. These fluorophores display interesting solid‐state emission properties with an emission at wavelengths ranging from 550 to 650 nm when excited by a 325 nm helium–cadmium laser at room temperature. In particular, among them, 1,6‐di(9‐anthryl)hexa‐1,5‐diene‐3,4‐dione, 2‐[4‐(2‐benzoxazolyl)phenyl]‐4,5‐bis[2‐(9‐anthryl)vinyl]‐1H‐imidazole and 2,3‐bis[2‐(9‐anthryl)vinyl]quinoxaline show red, yellow and green emission, respectively, at 650, 584 and 550 nm. The results demonstrated that the luminescent colours can be tuned from red to yellow and green by simply varying molecular structure. Besides, 1,6‐di(9‐anthryl)hexa‐1,5‐diene‐3,4‐dione also exhibited an upconverted red fluorescent emission peak at around 675 nm under femtosecond excitation at 800 nm.
Chronic nicotine effects on left ventricular function in healthy middle‐aged people: an echocardiographic study
Authors: Sundström D. , Waldenborg M. , Magnuson A. , Emilsson K. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryAimsCigarettes and Swedish snuff influence the cardiovascular system in many ways. Cigarette and snuff usage have been linked with an acute impairment in several diastolic cardiac parameters during intake. The aim of this study is to investigate whether long‐term usage of Swedish snuff or cigarettes also causes a more permanent impairment of systolic and/or diastolic cardiac parameters in the left ventricle in otherwise healthy middle‐aged snuffers and smokers.Methods and resultsEighty‐seven age‐matched volunteers were included and examined with echocardiography. The volunteers were divided into three subgroups; one group with non‐tobacco users, one group with long‐term smokers and finally one group with long‐term snuffers. The smokers and snuffers were instructed not to use these products for at least 5 h before the examination. The systolic and diastolic cardiac parameters were collected at one time. Most of the systolic parameters measured were unaltered between the tobacco subgroups and non‐tobacco users, and therefore, no alteration of significance was found in systolic parameters. Also, almost all of the diastolic parameters measured were not significantly impaired in the tobacco subgroups compared with non‐tobacco users. However, the deceleration time (DT) was slightly prolonged (P<0·05) and thus statistically significant in the tobacco subgroups. This finding is somewhat difficult to interpret but may be seen as random.ConclusionsThis study reveals that most systolic‐ and diastolic cardiac parameters are not chronically significantly altered in middle‐aged long‐term tobacco users compared with age‐matched non‐tobacco users.
Histology of saphenous veins after treatment with the ClariVein® device – an ex‐vivo experiment
Authors: Kendler Michael , Averbeck Marco , Simon Jan C. , Ziemer Mirjana 
Published: February 2013

SummaryBackgroundEndovenous treatment modalities are used increasingly to treat varicose veins. The ClariVein® catheter is a new endoluminal mechanico‐chemical obliteration technique which can be used without tumescent anesthesia. It is still unclear what changes the mechanical tip of the catheter has on the walls of the vein.Patients and methodsFive great saphenous vein specimens were obtained atraumatically by crossectomy. Then the veins were treated ex vivo with the ClariVein® catheter without sclerotherapy. The activated catheter rotating tip (3 500 U/min) was steadily withdrawn at 1–2 mm per second. Subsequently, histological and immunohistochemical investigations of treated (cv) and untreated specimens (plain) were performed. A 4‐point score was calculated to compare the results.ResultsThe mechanical part of the catheter caused a subtle incomplete destruction of the endothelium (endothelium cv: 2.2 vs. plain: 1, p = 0.04). Changes in the media or adventitia were not seen. Immunohistochemical presentation of the endothelium of the intima was demonstrated with antibodies against CD31 (cv: 3.4 vs. plain: 2.8), CD34 (cv: 3.8 vs. plain: 3.2) and factor VIII (cv: 2.2 vs. plain: 1, p = 0,004).ConclusionsThe mechanical part of the ClariVein® catheter caused a subtle incomplete destruction of endothelium, which was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically. The reduced expression of factor VIII in the treated vein could be caused by the release of preformed factor VIII granules due to the minimal mechanical irritation.
Downstream drift of round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris) in their non‐native area
Authors: Janáč Michal , Šlapanský Luděk , Valová Zdenka , Jurajda Pavel 
Published: February 2013

AbstractSeveral Ponto‐Caspian gobiid species have recently expanded their ranges in Europe and North America. This is the first study to demonstrate passive downstream dispersal (drift) of the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris) in newly colonised areas (River Dyje, Danube basin), a factor that could play an important role in their dispersal. Drift duration (i.e. number of dates on which the species was caught) in round goby was longer than that of both native species and tubenose goby, providing a possible advantage. Size of drifting fish was restricted to a narrow range of 6–8 mm and 5–8 mm for round and tubenose goby, respectively. Drift in both species occurred almost completely during hours of darkness (<1 lux) and fish size did not vary throughout the night. In both species, drift density increased significantly during the first hour after dusk. Round goby density gradually decreased up to dawn, while tubenose goby density varied throughout the night with no clear pattern. Drift of early life stages appears to be an important phenomenon that has not received adequate attention in studies of round and tubenose goby ecology and dispersal.
The effect of lake morphometry on thermal habitat use and growth in Arctic charr populations: implications for understanding climate‐change impacts
Authors: Murdoch A. , Power M. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractOxygen stable isotope temperature reconstruction methods were used to estimate mean experienced summer temperatures from growth zones within individual Arctic charr otoliths sampled from lakes with contrasting morphologies but proximate locations. For either lake, otolith‐estimated temperatures were not significantly related to back‐calculated growth. Fish in the smaller lake evidenced an increase in growth with age related to increasing use of cooler thermal habitats, with the use of thermal habitat possibly governed by predation risks. No relationships between age, growth or temperature were observed in the larger lake. Significant negative effects on back‐calculated growth were observed due to increasing air temperatures in the smaller and shallower lake, possibly owing to warmer surface and littoral waters and a limited amount of preferred cool‐water habitat. A similar relationship was not observed in the larger and deeper lake and indicated that resident Arctic charr were not as vulnerable to the impacts of temperature warming, possibly because of better behavioural thermoregulation opportunities in the cooler, deeper lake. Results provide evidence for differing climate‐influenced growth outcomes among proximately located populations, with outcomes likely to depend on the differences among habitats, including lake size and morphometry which may act to influence fish densities in available preferred thermal habitats.
Adjuvanted influenza a (H1N1) 2009 vaccine in patients with hematological diseases: good safety and immunogenicity even in chemotherapy‐treated patients
Authors: Cherif Honar , Höglund Martin , Pauksens Karlis 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundPatients with hematological malignancies are more susceptible to viral infections including influenza. In 2009, the World Health Organization classified the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus as pandemic. The potential impact of this pandemic for patients with hematological disorders was unknown. Institutional guidelines recommended two doses of AS03‐adjuvanted influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic vaccine for these patients.ObjectivesWe aimed to determine the safety, immunogenicity, and clinical efficacy of this vaccine in patients with hematological diseases. Furthermore, we compared the immunological responses to that obtained by the non‐adjuvanted trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (TIV).MethodsAll included patients received adjuvanted pandemic vaccine and the majority received TIV. Serum for antibody analyses was collected at five time points.ResultsThirty‐one patients with different hematological diseases were included. After the second vaccine dose, a total of 25 (81%) reached both protective levels of antibodies and seroconversion response. Antibody titers ≥ 1 : 40 persisted for 50% of responding patients at 1 yr. Seroconversion was observed in 69% of 14 patients who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and in all (9/9) patients with myeloma (five with ongoing treatment including high‐dose corticosteroids). After vaccination with TIV, seroconversions against the three included strains were detected in 28%, 40%, and 20%. Response to the adjuvanted pandemic vaccine was superior (P < 0.009).ConclusionsA substantial proportion of patients with hematological malignancies including patients undergoing chemotherapy mounted a good response to the adjuvanted pandemic vaccine. This vaccine had superior immunogenicity as compared to the non‐adjuvanted TIV.
Fluid channeling along thrust zones: the Lagonegro case history, southern Apennines, Italy
Authors: Gabellone T. , Gasparrini M. , Iannace A. , Invernizzi C. , Mazzoli S. , D'Antonio M. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA regional study on late burial, syntectonic dolomites and syntectonic calcite and quartz veins occurring in the hemipelagic Triassic–Jurassic succession of the Lagonegro Basin (southern Apennines) was carried out by integrating fieldwork with structural, fluid inclusion, and geochemical investigations on both surface and subsurface samples. The main goal was to characterize the different parent fluids, channeled along a major, out of sequence thrust zone. We also investigated calcite veins from the deeper tectonic mélange zone. The results point out that the fluids at peak burial conditions, during the first deformation stage, were characterized by temperatures of 120–140°C and salinities averaging 2 wt% NaCl eq. Fluids channeled along the late, out of sequence thrust zone and responsible for partial dolomitization of the succession had lower temperatures (Th = 95 ± 10°C) and salinities in the range of slightly modified to normal marine seawater (mean at 3.7 wt% NaCl eq). Similar low salinities are encountered in late dolomites from other fold‐and‐thrust belts of Italy. The most probable source for the fluids channeled along the investigated out of sequence thrust zone is represented by Miocene marine pore waters expelled from the tectonic mélange zone. A comparison of the Lagonegro dolomites with similar late stages carbonates formed in other fold‐and‐thrust belts suggests that fluid salinities appear to be controlled by the different lithologies of the fold‐and‐thrust belts décollement surfaces.
Predictors of viral pneumonia: The need for viral testing in all patients hospitalized for nursing home‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Ma Hon Ming , Lee Kin Ping , Woo Jean 
Published: February 2013

AimCommunity‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is presumed to be bacterial in origin and empirical antibiotics are almost always given on admission. However, early detection of viral infection is also very important for hospital infection control and timely use of antiviral agents. The present study aimed to compare patients with viral and bacterial pneumonia, and identify independent predictors of viral pneumonia.MethodsA prospective cohort study was carried out in a tertiary teaching hospital in a 1‐year period. Older patients (aged ≥65 years) were recruited if they were admitted for CAP confirmed by chest radiographs.ResultsA cohort of 488 patients was analyzed. Infective causes were found in 137 (28.1%) patients. Bacterial, viral and mixed infections were detected in 86 (17.6%), 41 (8.4%) and 10 (2.0%) patients, respectively. Bacteriology was established mostly by sputum culture and virology by nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) viral culture. The commonest bacterial isolates were Haemophilus influenzae (31), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (14), Klebsiella spp. (9) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (6). Influenza A virus (28, 8 were pandemic 2009 A/H1N1 subtype) and respiratory syncytial virus (16) were the most frequent viral causes. Independent predictors of viral pneumonia included nursing home residence (RR 3.056, P = 0.009) and absence of leukocytosis (RR 0.425, P = 0.026).ConclusionsAll nursing home residents hospitalized for CAP should undergo NPA viral testing because of infection control, early antiviral treatment and discharge planning. We suggest that empirical antiviral agents might be considered for nursing home residents hospitalized for CAP if outbreaks of influenza‐like illness are reported in nursing homes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 949–957.
Follicular lymphoma in Taiwan: a low frequency of t(14;18), with grade 3A tumours more closely related to grade 3B than to low‐grade tumours
Authors: Chang Sheng‐Tsung , Lu Yi‐Hsuan , Lu Chin‐Li , Kuo Szu‐Yin , Liu Hongxiang , Lin Shu‐Hui , Win Khin Than , Hsieh Yen‐Chuan , Chuang Shih‐Sung 
Published: February 2013

AimsTo investigate t(14;18)/IGH–BCL2 in follicular lymphoma (FL) cases from Taiwan.Methods and resultsWe retrospectively studied 93 consecutive cases, using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH). Fifty‐nine (63%) tumours were low‐grade (LG) and 34 (37%) were high‐grade (HG; 24% FL3A and 13% FL3B). FISH showed IGH, BCL2 and BCL6 rearrangements in 59%, 47% and 11% of cases, respectively, and MYC rearrangement in 5% of FL3A tumours and 25% of FL3B tumours. The translocation partner of all BCL2 rearrangements was IGH, with IGH–BCL2 fusion in 63% of LG tumours and 18% of HG tumours. LG tumours were enriched with a CD10+/bcl‐2+/MUM1‐ phenotype, and were frequently associated with BCL2 rearrangement but less commonly with BCL6 rearrangement. FL3A tumours were more closely related to FL3B tumours than to LG tumours in immunophenotype and genetic aberrations. There was no statistically significant difference between grade 1 and two tumours, between FL3A and FL3B tumours or between nodal and extranodal tumours in immunophenotypic or FISH findings. The cumulative survival rate was higher in LG FL patients with IGH–BCL2 translocation than in those without rearrangement.ConclusionsIn Taiwan, FL3A tumours were more closely related to FL3B tumours than to LG tumours, and a literature review showed that the frequency of t(14;18)/IGH–BCL2 in FL in Taiwan is among the lowest in the world.
Training caregivers: disabilities and dental hygiene
Authors: Gonzalez EE , Nathe CN , Logothetis DD , Pizanis VG , Sanchez‐Dils E 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to measure the effectiveness of oral health education and training among caregivers.MethodsControlled study design. Participants were randomized from the sample n = 30. n = 14 participants in the experimental group and n = 10 in the control group. The experimental group received a lecture and hands‐on training in oral hygiene procedures. The control group received a facilitated group discussion. Both groups received a pre–post test.ResultsConsidering the two groups independently, using a paired t‐test, the experimental group, n = 14 had a score difference of 0.0607 (P‐value = 0.01) and the control group n = 10, had a score difference of 0.035 (P‐value = 0.14).ConclusionThis study found that knowledge was improved among caregivers following the implementation of formal oral hygiene training. Although the control group also showed some improvements with the facilitated discussion, the results are not significant to say that both the formal training and the facilitated discussion are equally important in training caregivers effectively.
Somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations in Chinese patients with osteosarcoma
Authors: Yu Man , Wan Yanfang , Zou Qinghua 
Published: February 2013

SummarySomatic mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been long proposed to drive the pathogenesis and progression of human malignancies. Previous investigations have revealed a high frequency of somatic mutations in the D‐loop control region of mtDNA in osteosarcoma. However, little is known with regard to whether or not somatic mutations also occur in the coding regions of mtDNA in osteosarcoma. To test this possibility, in the present study we screened somatic mutations over the full‐length mitochondrial genome of 31 osteosarcoma tumour tissue samples, and corresponding peripheral blood samples from the same cohort of patients. We detected a sum of 11 somatic mutations in the mtDNA coding regions in our series. Nine of them were missense or frameshift mutations that have the potential to hamper mitochondrial respiratory function. In combination with our earlier observations on the D‐loop fragment, 71.0% (22/31) of patients with osteosarcoma carried at least one somatic mtDNA mutation, and a total of 40 somatic mutations were identified. Amongst them, 29 (72.5%) were located in the D‐loop region, two (5%) were in the sequences of the tRNA genes, two (5%) were in the mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit 6 gene and seven (17.5%) occurred in genes encoding components of the mitochondrial respiratory complexes. In addition, somatic mtDNA mutation was not closely associated with the clinicopathological characteristics of osteosarcoma. Together, these findings suggest that somatic mutations are highly prevalent events in both coding and non‐coding regions of mtDNA in osteosarcoma. Some missense and frameshift mutations are putatively harmful to proper mitochondrial activity and might play vital roles in osteosarcoma carcinogenesis.
Hypertensive patients' experience with adherence therapy for enhancing medication compliance: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Alhalaiqa Fadwa , Deane Katherine HO , Gray Richard 
Published: February 2013

Aims and objectivesTo investigate the experience of non‐compliant hypertensive patients who had received seven sessions of adherence therapy (AT) as part of a randomised controlled trial.BackgroundAT is a patient‐centred approach used to explore patient attitudes, beliefs and discrepancy toward medications that aimed to enhance patients' medication‐taking behaviour.DesignQualitative analysis of semi‐structured interviews with patients who had completed an AT intervention.MethodsA convenience sample of 10 hypertensive patients who received AT as part of an exploratory randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN99494659) were included. Thematic analysis of semi‐structured interviews exploring patient's views and experiences of AT was used.ResultsFive major themes of AT emerged; modifying attitudes and beliefs, positive impact on self efficacy, therapist motivation, positive impact on well‐being and a well‐designed intervention.Conclusionspatients' views about the benefit of AT were entirely consistent with our proposed mechanism of action for this intervention; that is by improving patient's beliefs and attitudes regarding taking drugs, and finding solutions to barriers that prevent adherence, patients become more complaint with their medication which in turn has a positive impact on clinical outcomes [i.e. blood pressure, hypertension complication (stroke, myocardial infarction, and recurrent hospitalisation)].Relevance to clinical practiceExploring patients' experience with AT and recognising these five elements help in tailoring a new effective strategy according to individual needs for enhancing adherence to prescribed drugs.
A concept analysis of oral hygiene care in dependent older adults
Authors: Coker Esther , Ploeg Jenny , Kaasalainen Sharon , Fisher Anita 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimTo report a concept analysis of oral hygiene care.BackgroundOral hygiene care, as it is provided to older patients in hospital and long‐term care settings by nurses and their delegates, has the potential to contribute to the oral health of patients while preventing aspiration pneumonia as well as periodontitis, which itself has been associated with several systemic diseases. However, the state of oral cleanliness in such patients tends to be poor and despite the existence of guidelines, nursing care practices may be inadequate and not reflective of recent advances in knowledge.DesignConcept analysis.Data sourcesA search of electronic databases (2002–2012), use of internet search engines, and hand searching yielded an international data set of 66 research studies, reviews, and practice guidelines.Review methodsThe concept analysis method of Walker and Avant was used to explore the concept of oral hygiene care in the context of frail older patients.ResultsOral hygiene care involves approaches informed by knowing the patient, inspecting the oral cavity, removing plaque, cleansing the oral tissues, decontaminating the oral cavity, using fluoride products and maintaining oral tissue moisture. Those attributes, along with their antecedents and consequences, form a conceptual framework from which a middle‐range theory of nurse‐administered oral hygiene care is derived that could be tested, evaluated, modified, and translated into practice.ConclusionsClarity around the concept of oral hygiene care as a nursing intervention could enable nurses to impact oral health outcomes and possibly prevent systemic diseases in older patients.
The relationship between limb reduction, body elongation and geographical range in lizards (Lerista,Scincidae)
Authors: Lee Michael S. Y. , Skinner Adam , Camacho Agustín 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimThe relationship between changes in body form (limb reduction and body elongation) and geographical range size was investigated across 68 species ofLerista, a species‐rich clade of Australian scincid lizards that exhibits extensive interspecific variability in both body form and range size.LocationLeristaoccurs across the entire Australian mainland, with diversity concentrated in arid and semi‐arid regions.MethodsGeographical range size was estimated directly fromc. 14,000 museum specimens using bioclimatic modelling inMaxEnt. Body form was quantified using principal components analysis of morphometric variables. Comparative analyses testing for a correlation between these two variables used a full Bayesian approach that accounts for uncertainties in trait optimization as well as in tree topology and branch lengths.ResultsA serpentine body form (elongated with reduced limbs) was significantly associated with smaller geographical range size, in both phylogenetically corrected and uncorrected analyses – but only if species from single localities (whose ranges could not be modelled using the above methods) were excluded.Main conclusionsThese results suggest a general predictive relationship between body form and geographical range size in lizards: elongate, limb‐reduced lizards tend to exhibit more restricted geographical ranges that may reflect reduced dispersal ability and may also predispose them to greater vulnerability of extinction.