bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The clinical response and systemic effects of non‐surgical periodontal therapy in end‐stage renal disease patients: a 6‐month randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Fang Fuchun , Wu Buling , Qu Qian , Gao Jie , Yan Wenjuan , Huang Xin , Ma Dandan , Yue Jin , Chen Ting , Liu Fei , Liu Ying 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimsScientific evidence on the effects of chronic periodontitis on end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) remains inadequate and inconclusive. This intervention study was designed to evaluate the effects of non‐surgical periodontal therapy on the clinical response and systemic status of ESRD patients.Materials and MethodsPatients in the intervention group (n = 48) received non‐surgical periodontal therapy and then a supragingival prophylaxis at the 3‐month follow up, and those in the control group (n = 49) received no intervention throughout the study. At 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after therapy, clinical periodontal examinations were conducted and blood samples were taken to evaluate inflammatory, nutritional and lipid profiles.ResultsThe results showed a significant improvement in clinical periodontal parameters (p < 0.05) in the intervention group. Compared to the control group, the intervention group had significantly lower high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein at 3 months and 6 months. Significant improvements were found (p < 0.05) in interleukin‐6, ferritin, albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and transferrin after therapy.ConclusionsNon‐surgical periodontal therapy can effectively improve periodontal, circulating inflammatory and nutritional status in ESRD patients. Non‐surgical periodontal therapy, as a relatively simple intervention, has beneficial systemic effects in ESRD patients.
Participation and factors associated with late or non‐response to an online survey in primary care
Authors: Aerny‐Perreten Nicole , Domínguez‐Berjón Ma. Felicitas , Esteban‐Vasallo María D. , García‐Riolobos Carmen 
Published: April 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesOnline surveys have several advantages, but a low response rate is common and it is uncertain how results are affected. Response inducement techniques can be used to overcome this problem. The objectives of this study were to describe the percentage of change in the response rate after reminders and to analyse the characteristics associated with non‐response and late response based on the survey results, as well as by applying archival and extrapolation techniques.MethodIn the Autonomous Community of Madrid, an online questionnaire about cancer prevention was sent to a random sample of primary care health professionals (3586 physicians and nurses). Two reminders were sent later. The percentage of change in response rates after reminders, global and by demographic and health care characteristics of participants; and factors associated with non‐response and late response were analysed using response rates and odds ratios (ORs).ResultsAfter the reminders, the response rate increased from 22.6% to 32.9% and to 39.4%. Non‐response was associated with age [OR: 3.14; confidence interval (CI) 95%: 2.23–4.42 for aged >60 years], gender and functional area. Further, a higher response rate after reminders was observed in professionals with heavier workloads (OR: 1.46; CI 95%: 1.08–1.97) and in those who stated a lower relevance of cancer prevention in primary care.ConclusionsAfter electronic reminders, the response rate increased, especially among professionals with the highest workloads and a minor interest in the survey topic. However, possible bias associated with non‐response remains and the factors behind this should be examined in future research.
Diseases, patients and the epistemology of practice: mapping the borders of health, medicine and care
Authors: Loughlin Michael , Bluhm Robyn , Fuller Jonathan , Buetow Stephen , Borgerson Kirstin , Lewis Benjamin R. , Kious Brent M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractLast year saw the 20th anniversary edition ofJECP, and in the introduction to the philosophy section of that landmark edition, we posed the question: apart from ethics, what is the role of philosophy ‘at the bedside'? The purpose of this question was not to downplay the significance of ethics to clinical practice. Rather, we raised it as part of a broader argument to the effect that ethical questions – about what we should do in any given situation – are embedded within whole understandings of the situation, inseparable from our beliefs about what is the case (metaphysics), what it is that we feel we can claim to know (epistemology), as well as the meaning we ascribe to different aspects of the situation or to our perception of it. Philosophy concerns fundamental questions: it is a discipline requiring us to examine the underlying assumptions we bring with us to our thinking about practical problems. Traditional academic philosophers divide their discipline into distinct areas that typically include logic: questions about meaning, truth and validity; ontology: questions about the nature of reality, what exists; epistemology: concerning knowledge; and ethics: how we should live and practice, the nature of value. Any credible attempt to analyse clinical reasoning will require us to think carefully about these types of question and the relationships between them, as they influence our thinking about specific situations and problems. So, the answers to the question we posed, about the role of philosophy at the bedside, are numerous and diverse, and that diversity is illustrated in the contributions to this thematic edition.
A survey on the awareness and attitude of pharmacists and doctors towards the application of pharmacogenomics and its challenges in Qatar
Authors: Elewa Hazem , Alkhiyami Dania , Alsahan Dima , Abdel‐Aziz Ahmed 
Published: April 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesPharmacists are expected to play an important role in applying pharmacogenomics discoveries to patient care. Despite the increased attention to genetic research in Qatar, clinicians' attitudes towards the application of pharmacogenomics are not yet explored. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness and attitude of pharmacists compared with doctors towards pharmacogenomics and its implications by submitting an electronic‐based survey to all pharmacists and doctors currently working in a large medical corporation in Qatar.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey instrument was developed based on literature review. Eligible participants were pharmacists and doctors currently practicing in Hamad Medical Corporation hospitals in Qatar. The survey comprised questions on demographic and professional characteristics. It also evaluated the awareness, attitudes and challenges towards pharmacogenomics and its application.ResultsWe collected 202 surveys, 108 (53.2%) of which were pharmacists and the remaining 94 (46.5%) were doctors. The overall participants' mean total awareness score percentage was low (39% ± 22) and there were no difference between the mean score achieved by pharmacists and doctors. Pharmacists had significantly more positive attitudes than doctors towards: (i) taking the responsibility of applying pharmacogenomics to drug therapy selection, dosing and monitoring; (ii) perceiving a positive role of pharmacogenomics testing on the control of drug expenditure; and (iii) their willingness to participate in pharmacogenomics‐related training sessions. Both pharmacists and doctors perceived lack of knowledge and guidelines as major challenges towards the application of pharmacogenomics in Qatar.ConclusionDespite doctors' and pharmacists' low level of awareness towards pharmacogenomics, they both have positive attitudes towards the clinical implications of pharmacogenomics. Pharmacists are more motivated to learn about pharmacogenomics and are more willing to take initiatives in its clinical application and patient education.
Study on Flammulina Velutipes Ready‐to‐Eat Snacks Prepared by Microwave Vacuum Osmotic Dehydration Combined with Hot‐Air Drying
Authors: Liu Su‐Wen , Chang Xue‐Dong , Song Zi‐Zi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractFlammulina velutipes ready‐to‐eat snacks are not commonly known. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the process parameters in making ready‐to‐eat snacks. The optimum dehydration condition was found at a sucrose concentration of 30%, a vacuum pressure of −40 ± 1.5 kPa, an osmotic time of 165 s and a microwave intensity of 65 W/g. These parameters resulted in water loss, solid gain and sensory evaluation values of 39.15%, 6.96% and 7.87, respectively. The water diffusion rate and solid gain diffusion rate were 1.55 × 10−9 and 1.29 × 10−9 m2/s, respectively, when employing the optimum microwave vacuum osmotic dehydration (MVOD) parameters. When F. velutipes mushrooms were dried for 180 min by hot‐air drying, the water content of the ready‐to‐eat snack was 9.8 ± 0.5% and the water diffusion rate was 1.14 × 10−11 m2/s. Both the MVOD and the hot‐air drying stages were consistent with the Page model.Practical ApplicationsOsmotic dehydration technology combined with other drying technologies, such as hot air, can improve the use value and economic benefits of fruits and vegetables. The two correlations developed by modifying second‐order polynomial equations were adequate to predict the responses for the Flammulina velutipes samples. The water and solid effective diffusion rates were calculated at different microwave vacuum osmotic dehydration times and different hot‐air drying times for F. velutipes mushrooms. The Page model could be used to illustrate the water loss and solid gain for these two drying stages. The F. velutipes mushroom snacks made using these conditions had good color, high gloss and a moderately soft texture, with a sweet and sour flavor. The developed mathematical models can be considered precise for the prediction and optimization of process parameters in experimental and industrial applications.
Turkish German
Authors: Kern Friederike 
Published: April 2015

AbstractToday, long‐term effects of migration into Germany are shown most notably in the emergence of linguistic practices of young people, many of them second or third generation migrants, in urban areas. Turkish German describes a way of speaking that first emerged in young people's speech in multi‐ethnic urban areas and was first associated with Turkish adolescents. Later, it became widely known through its appearance in films, comedies and rap songs. In contrast to earlier studies on immigrants' language in Germany (see section ), Turkish German is not associated with imperfect acquisition but with the manner in which speakers actively construct and perform ethnic identities and other social meanings via language. Turkish German is conceptualised either as an ethnolect, or an ethnic style, implying different research traditions with focus on different aspects of linguistic descriptions. Other studies choose the term ‘Kiezdeutsch’ over Turkish German to emphasise the ways of speaking multiethnolectal dimension.It is the aim of this article to present different linguistic approaches to Turkish German, with a critical discussion of some of the key concepts, and to give an overview over its linguistic features and functions on the basis of relevant empirical studies on the linguistic practices among Turkish–German bilinguals.
On some hypotheses of diversity of animal life at great depths on the sea floor
Authors: McClain Craig R. , Schlacher Thomas A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMultiple hypotheses have emerged to explain the apparent paradox of high diversity of the deep‐sea benthos when the environmental conditions are often predicted to inhibit rather than promote diversity. Many fundamental facets of these paradigms remain incompletely understood despite being central to understanding how deep‐sea ecosystems, and more generally all ecosystems, function. Here, we examine nine major paradigms of deep‐sea diversity that deserve, in our opinion, a fresh research impetus. We purposely challenge many of these ideas to generate dialogue and encourage further research. Some of the axiomatic predictions of these paradigms are: (i) the deep sea is highly diverse; (ii) stable environments reduce competition; (iii) species have finely partitioned niches; (iv) biological cropping promotes diversity; (v) disturbance controls diversity; (vi) patch mosaics structure assemblages; (vii) productivity controls diversity; (viii) recovery from disturbance is slow; and (ix) the deep sea is notoriously under‐sampled. We critically examine the evidence for each of these predictions and highlight areas where knowledge gaps exist and linkages to general ecological theory should occur. We conclude each section with ideas about questions and hypotheses that may fruitfully be tackled in future projects.
Changes in nitrergic and tachykininergic pathways in rat proximal colon in response to chronic treatment with otilonium bromide
Authors: Cipriani G. , Gibbons S. J. , Saravanaperumal S. A. , Malysz J. , Sha L. , Szurszewski J. H. , Linden D. R. , Evangelista S. , Faussone‐Pellegrini M. S. , Vannucchi M. G. , Farrugia G. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundOtilonium bromide (OB) is used as a spasmolytic drug in the treatment of the functional bowel disorder irritable bowel syndrome. Although its acute effects on colonic relaxation are well‐characterized, little is known about the effects of chronic administration of OB on enteric neurons, neuromuscular transmission, and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), key regulators of the gut function.MethodsAdult Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with OB in drinking water at a dose of 2 mg/kg for 30 days. The colons of OB‐treated and age‐matched control rats were studied by confocal immunohistochemistry to detect immunoreactivity (IR) in myenteric plexus neurons for nitrergic and tachykininergic markers, and also by microelectrode electrophysiology.Key ResultsUsing immunohistochemistry, chronic OB administration did not change total neuron number, assessed by anti‐Hu IR, but resulted in a significant increase in NK1 receptor positive neurons, a decrease in neuronal nitric oxide synthase expressing neurons, and a reduction in volume of substance P in nerve fibers in the myenteric plexus. Chronic OB administration potentiated inhibitory and excitatory junction potentials evoked by repetitive electrical field stimulation. The various types of colonic ICC, detected by Kit IR, were not altered nor were slow waves or smooth muscle membrane potential.Conclusions & InferencesChronic treatment with OB caused significant changes in the nitrergic and tachykinergic components of the myenteric plexus and in both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission in the rat colon.
The novel CGRP receptor antagonist BIBN4096BS alleviates a postoperative intestinal inflammation and prevents postoperative ileus
Authors: Glowka T. R. , Steinebach A. , Stein K. , Schwandt T. , Lysson M. , Holzmann B. , Tsujikawa K. , de Jonge W. J. , Kalff J. C. , Wehner S. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundAbdominal surgery results in neuronal mediator release and subsequent acute intestinal hypomotility. This phase is followed by a longer lasting inflammatory phase resulting in postoperative ileus (POI). Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) has been shown to induce motility disturbances and in addition may be a candidate mediator to elicit neurogenic inflammation. We hypothesized that CGRP contributes to intestinal inflammation and POI.MethodsThe effect of CGRP in POI was tested in mice treated with the highly specific CGRP receptor antagonist BIBN4096BS and in CGRP receptor‐deficient (RAMP‐1−/−) mice. POI severity was analyzed by cytokine expression, muscular inflammation and gastrointestinal (GI) transit. Peritoneal and muscularis macrophages and mast cells were analyzed for CGRP receptor expression and functional response to CGRP stimulation.Key ResultsIntestinal manipulation (IM) resulted in CGRP release from myenteric nerves, and a concurrent increased interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β transcription and leukocyte infiltration in the muscularis externa and increased GI transit time. CGRP potentiates IM‐induced cytokine transcription within the muscularis externa and peritoneal macrophages. BIBN4096BS reduced cytokine levels and leukocyte infiltration and normalized GI transit. RAMP1−/− mice showed a significantly reduced leukocyte influx. CGRP receptor was expressed in muscularis and peritoneal macrophages but not mast cells. CGRP mediated macrophage activation but failed to induce mast cell degranulation and cytokine expression.Conclusions & InferencesCGRP is immediately released during abdominal surgery and induces a neurogenic inflammation via activation of abdominal macrophages. BIBN4096BS prevented IM‐induced inflammation and restored GI motility. These findings suggest that CGRP receptor antagonism could be instrumental in the prevention of POI.
Bayesian estimation on diagnostic performance of Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability and Neonatal Infant Pain Scale for infant pain assessment in the absence of a gold standard
Authors: Ge Xiaoli , Tao Jing‐Ru , Wang Jing , Pan Shu‐Ming , Wang Ying‐Wei 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundNonverbal pediatric patients such as infants are unable to describe their pain, which leads to the lack of a gold standard scale for their pain assessment. The aim of this study was to estimate the diagnostic performance of Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale and Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) for infants' pain in the absence of a gold standard.MethodsThis prospective observational study recruited 202 postoperative infants, aged <12 months. Postoperative pain intensity was evaluated using FLACC and NIPS scales. The diagnostic performance of these two scales was to estimate using a Bayesian latent class model with conditional dependence. McNemar's test was applied to test whether NIPS and FLACC tests differ from each other.ResultsUnder a combined model with conditional dependence, the median posterior sensitivity and specificity of the FLACC were 89.94% (95% CI: 78.48–96.83%) and 87.82% (95% CI: 78.6–95.23%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the NIPS were 85.94% (95% CI: 72.15–95.6%) and 92.61% (84.05–97.52%), respectively. McNemar's test demonstrated no significant difference between FLACC and NIPS in either sensitivity or specificity.ConclusionBoth the FLACC and NIPS have excellent sensitivity and specificity for pain assessment in infants. The comparison test showed that the FLACC scale was no different to the NIPS scale in sensitivity and specificity.
Musical self‐fashioning and the ‘theatre of death’ in late Elizabethan and Jacobean England
Authors: Murphy Emilie K. M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe spectacle of the scaffold and theatre of punishment has received a great deal of attention and revision in recent scholarship. This article adds to the existing body of work on the actions of the condemned and argues that sites of execution were performative spaces, which were adapted and appropriated by English Catholics. This article reveals how martyrs subverted the authority of the state through musical performance and transformed persecution space. Scaffold singing was part of a tradition of martyrological fashioning and emphasizes how the martyrs' legacy was directed by the martyrs themselves as much as their martyrologists. The influence of musical self‐fashioning is visible in multiple performance spaces: in exile, at arraignments, in prisons, and within the households of the English Catholic community. Finally, English Catholics performed the music of martyrs in their households to enhance their devotion, as the scaffold scene was recreated through music in the domestic setting. In this way, the beleaguered Catholic laity memorialized their martyrs with a politically subversive performance, and framed martyrs' final moments with song.
Governing the Economic Transition: HowTaiwan Transformed its Industrial System to Attain Virtuous Cycle Development
Authors: Wong Chan‐Yuan , Hu Mei‐Chih , Shiu Jyh‐Wen 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis study explores the transitional processes of Taiwan's innovation system over the past half century, evolving from being rooted in traditional industries to attaining development in a virtuous cycle of development. Our approach is inspired by the Arena of Development theory and acknowledges the system of transformation failures, in which we highlighted the types of failures that might impede economic progress and how they were overcome in the evolutionary targeting of Taiwan's industrial development. Our findings demonstrate that the success of Taiwan's economic transition is targeted on, and evolves with, a series of macrolevel policies in the early phase of development; mesolevel institutional mechanisms to attain the industrial emergence settings; and, in pursuit of the virtuous cycle of development, the microlevel collaboration platform. We attribute the success of Taiwan's industrial system to this series of systematic government interventions. This study provides novel and salient normative principles that guide transformational policymakers in governing transitional processes of innovation system.
University Technology Transfer and Manufacturing Innovation: The Case of Italy
Authors: Cardamone Paola , Pupo Valeria , Ricotta Fernanda 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis article analyzes the influence of universities on Italian firms' probability to innovate. Using firm‐level data, we focus on institutionalized technology transfer (TT) activities in universities, namely spin‐offs, patents, and research contracts. Results show that TT activities play a significant role in the probability to innovate by Italian manufacturing firms located in the same province as the university. Nevertheless, the effect is not uniform: the contribution of university TT activities to the probability of firms' innovating is concentrated in certain territorial areas (North‐East and Center) and sectors (science based and scale intensive) and among firms that are large.
State Renewable Energy Governance: Policy Instruments, Markets, or Citizens
Authors: Park Sunjoo 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSince the 1990s, state governments in the United States have diversified policy instruments to encourage the electric power industry to deploy renewable sources for electricity generation. This study identifies the trends and variations in renewable energy (RE) policy governance among states and examines the effectiveness of policy instruments in the deployment of RE sources for electricity production. This study explores 18 state legislative, RE‐related regulations, programs, or financial incentives existing between 2001 and 2010 in 48 states in the United States. Renewable energy policies were classified into three types of policy approaches: command‐and‐control, market‐based, and information instruments. Results suggest that authoritative approaches are more likely to be effective in the governmental intervention toward a pre‐existing market, and information instruments and citizen participation became important in the power industry in the 2000s. In addition, it gives us some evidence that federal assistance under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 influenced the overall growth of the renewable electricity industry, in addition to state government–led policy designs.