bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of the Parental Self‐Efficacy Scale for Child Autonomy toward Minor Surgery (PSESCAMS): Based on results of questionnaire surveys of parents raising children between 3 and 6 years old
Authors: Ono Satomi , Manabe Yukiko 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study is to prepare the Parental Self‐Efficacy Scale for Child Autonomy toward Minor Surgery (PSESCAMS) and verify its reliability and validity.MethodsThe PSESCAMS was developed based on the findings of previous qualitative studies on preschool children aged 3–6 years who were undergoing day surgery and their parents. The Generalized Self‐Efficacy Scale, Maternal Self‐Accomplishment Scale (MSAS), and Japanese‐language version of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory A‐trait subscale (STAI: A‐trait) were used to examine the criterion‐related validity of the PSESCAMS. In addition, the test–retest method was utilized for the PSESCAMS.ResultsThe number of valid responses was 586. A principle component analysis of the PSESCAMS was conducted of 18 items, extracting two factors. As a result of factor analysis that assumed two factors, the two factors were named “self‐efficacy for support related to child's emotional control for minor surgery” and “self‐efficacy for support related to child's understanding of minor surgery”. A structural equation model having high goodness of fit for the PSESCAMS was shown by a covariance structure analysis. The correlations between GSES, MSAS, STAI: A‐trait and the PSESCAMS were r = 0.323 (P < 0.001), r = 0.370 (P < 0.001), and r = −0.248 (P < 0.001), respectively. Cronbach's alpha of both the initial test and the test–retest for the PSESCAMS were 0.9 and the correlation between both was significant.ConclusionThe PSESCAMS consists of two categories and includes 18 items. The reliability and validity of the PSESCAMS were proved.
Angiographic findings after vaginal gauze packing: New insight into an old technique
Authors: Koyama Shinsuke , Maeda Munehiro , Kobayashi Masaki , Tanaka Yusuke , Kubota Satoshi , Nakamura Ryo , Isobe Masanori , Shiki Yasuhiko 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe had a transferred case of cervical ectopic pregnancy with hemorrhagic shock at 6 weeks of gestation. Upon arrival at hospital, we performed tight and full vaginal gauze packing to push the uterus upward to control the patient's hemorrhage. Following stabilization of her general condition, she was treated with uterine artery embolization. Using angiography, the effectiveness of vaginal gauze packing for emergency hemostasis by the presumed mechanism of impairing blood flow through the uterine artery was demonstrated. To our knowledge, there are no reports that have previously demonstrated angiographic findings similar to ours after vaginal gauze packing. Vaginal gauze packing is an effective, rapid, and convenient hemostatic procedure able to be carried out in a time‐sensitive and challenging situation. As a result, this procedure gives clinicians more time to improve the patients' general status and arrange for transfusion and further definitive treatment.
Women with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis: Sexual Satisfaction, Desire, Orgasm, and Pelvic Problem Interference with Sex
Authors: Montanari Giulia , Di Donato Nadine , Benfenati Arianna , Giovanardi Giulia , Zannoni Letizia , Vicenzi Claudia , Solfrini Serena , Mignemi Giuseppe , Villa Gioia , Mabrouk Mohamed , Schioppa Claudio , Venturoli Stefano , Seracchioli Renato 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Endometriosis is a chronic and progressive condition of women of reproductive age. It is strongly associated with a significant reduction of quality of life (QOL) and sexual function.

Aims
This study aims to objectively evaluate sexual function in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and to study the impact of endometriosis symptoms and type of lesion on patient's sexual function.

Methods
This is a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care university hospital. It included 182 patients with preoperative clinical and ultrasound diagnosis of DIE who were referred to our center from 2008 to 2011.

Main Outcome Measures
A sexual activity questionnaire, the Sexual Health Outcomes in Women Questionnaire (SHOW-Q) was used to collect data pertaining to satisfaction, orgasm, desire, and pelvic problem interference with sex. Short Form 36 (SF-36) was used to evaluate QOL. Demographic and clinical characteristics were assessed: age, body mass index, parity, ethnicity, postsecondary education, employment, smoking, history of surgical treatment, and hormonal contraception. Patients were asked about pain symptoms (dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia, chronic pelvic pain, and dysuria) using a visual analog scale.

Results
The mean values obtained on the different scales of the SHOW-Q showed poor sexual function (mean SHOW-Q total score 56.38 ± 22.74). Satisfaction was the dimension most affected (mean satisfaction score 55.66 ± 34.55), followed by orgasm (mean orgasm score 56.90 ± 33.77). We found a significant correlation between the SF-36 scores and the SHOW-Q scores (P &lt; 0.0001). Sexual dysfunction and deterioration of QOL seem to be correlated. Analyzing the impact of symptoms and lesions on sexual function, we found that dyspareunia and vaginal DIE nodules significantly affect sexual activity (P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion
The results of this study demonstrated that women with DIE have a sexual function impairment, correlated with the overall well-being decrease. Moreover, the presence of dyspareunia and vaginal endometriotic lesions seems to be involved in sexual dysfunction.
Effects of Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, on Channel Catfish, Ictalurus puncatatus, Production Ponds
Authors: Mischke Charles C. , Griffin Matt J. , Greenway Terrence E. , Wise David 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMosquitofish, Gambusia sp., have been spread throughout the world to biologically control mosquitoes. However, the fish has gained a reputation as an invasive species and has been implicated in displacing native aquatic species. Gambusia affinis are native to the southeastern United States and commonly occur in commercial channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, production ponds. We investigated effects of mosquitofish presence on zooplankton populations, water quality, disease occurrence, and fish production in experimental ponds. There were no differences between ponds with or without mosquitofish in numbers of calanoid copepods, cyclopoid copepods, total copepods, Bosmina sp., Ceriodaphnia sp., Moina sp., Daphnia sp., or total cladocerans. There were also no differences in copepod and cladoceran sizes. Copepod nauplii were more numerous during the summer months in ponds with mosquitofish. There were no differences in water quality variables (soluble reactive phosphorus, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, pH) or phytoplankton density between ponds stocked with and without mosquitofish. Catfish production and disease occurrence were also similar between ponds with and without mosquitofish. Although mosquitofish may cause problems when stocked outside their native range, there does not appear to be any adverse effects of mosquitofish presence in catfish production ponds.
Use of Corn Germ Meal in Diets for Pond‐Raised Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
Authors: Li Menghe H. , Robinson Edwin H. , Oberle Daniel F. , Lucas Penelope M. , Bosworth Brian G. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCorn germ meal (CGM) is a by‐product of corn milling. On the basis of its nutrient composition and digestibility values, it appears to be a suitable ingredient for use in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, diets. A study was conducted to examine the use of various levels of CGM in diets for pond‐raised channel catfish. Four 28% protein diets containing 0, 15, 25, and 35% CGM were evaluated. Fingerling channel catfish (mean initial weight: 71 g/fish) were stocked into 24, 0.04‐ha ponds at a rate of 14,826 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for a 167‐d growing season. No significant differences were observed in total amount of diet fed, diet consumption per fish, net yield, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, survival, fillet yield, and fillet protein, fat, and moisture concentrations among fish fed diets containing various levels of CGM. Carcass yield decreased linearly as dietary CGM levels increased. Depending on prices, CGM can be used interchangeably with corn gluten feed in channel catfish diets as replacements for corn, wheat middlings, and soybean meal to reduce feed cost.
Density and Organic Matter Influence on Egg‐laying and Hatching of Branchiura sowerbyi (Oligochaeta)
Authors: Rech Karine Cristiane , Guereschi Renata Maria , de Oliveira Nuñer Alex Pires , Sticca Sarah Carvalho 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the combined effects of density of adults of Branchiura sowerbyi and the source of organic matter on the production of eggs and young species. The experimental units used were 250‐mL beakers with 100 mL of fine sand (0.074–0.210 mm) and 150 mL of chlorine‐free water with constant aeration at the temperature 25 C. The experiment was conducted based on a two‐factor model with six treatments and three repetitions, applied in a completely random design. The densities 5 individuals/38.5cm2 (D5; 1298/m2) and 8 individuals/38.5cm2 (D8; 2078/m2) were assessed with commercial fish feed (FF), commercial poultry feed (PF), and turkey manure (TM) as sources of organic matter. A total of 1223 cocoons and 2138 eggs were produced, with average hatching of 40.0 ± 15.1%. The highest number of cocoons and eggs was found with the use of PF, D8 having produced the highest number of cocoons and eggs. The hatching rate was not influenced by the source of organic matter or density and no influence was registered from the density of adults on the survival. The PF provided the highest growth of adults, and generally the use of TM provided the worst performance.
Systolic and diastolic dysfunction in cirrhosis: a tissue‐Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography study
Authors: Sampaio Francisco , Pimenta Joana , Bettencourt Nuno , Fontes‐Carvalho Ricardo , Silva Ana P. , Valente João , Bettencourt Paulo , Fraga José , Gama Vasco 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsCardiac dysfunction has been described in patients with cirrhosis. Conventional echocardiographic methods are frequently unable to detect abnormalities at rest and have limitations. We aimed to evaluate cardiac function in cirrhosis patients assessing: (i) left ventricular systolic function using speckle‐tracking imaging; (ii) diastolic function using a tissue‐Doppler based algorithm and comparing it with previously proposed definition of diastolic dysfunction (DD).MethodsWe included 109 hospitalized and ambulatory patients with cirrhosis and 18 healthy controls. Detailed echocardiographic evaluation was performed including tissue‐Doppler and speckle‐tracking analysis.ResultsPeak systolic longitudinal strain (PLS) was lower in patients [−19.99% (−21.88 to −18.71) vs −22.02% (−23.10 to −21.18), P = 0.003]. Ejection fraction was similar in patients and controls [64% (59–67) vs 61% (60–65), P = 0.42)]. Based on mitral‐flow pattern, DD was present in 44 patients (40.4%). Patients without DD had higher cardiac output compared with those with DD [6.4 L/min (5.4–7.2) vs 5.6 L/min (4.6–6.8), P = 0.02]. Using a tissue‐Doppler based definition, the prevalence of DD was 16.5%. No differences in haemodynamic variables were found in patients with and without this definition of DD. The agreement between the two definitions of DD was weak (kappa = 0.24, P = 0.003). Echocardiographic abnormalities in systolic and diastolic function were not different in compensated vs decompensated patients in different Child‐Pugh classes or cirrhosis aetiologies.ConclusionsPatients with cirrhosis have systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction at rest. Newer echocardiographic techniques may identify patients with functional impairment more accurately than conventional methods, which are more influenced by flow conditions.
RADseq underestimates diversity and introduces genealogical biases due to nonrandom haplotype sampling
Authors: Arnold B. , Corbett‐Detig R. B. , Hartl D. , Bomblies K. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractReduced representation genome‐sequencing approaches based on restriction digestion are enabling large‐scale marker generation and facilitating genomic studies in a wide range of model and nonmodel systems. However, sampling chromosomes based on restriction digestion may introduce a bias in allele frequency estimation due to polymorphisms in restriction sites. To explore the effects of this nonrandom sampling and its sensitivity to different evolutionary parameters, we developed a coalescent‐simulation framework to mimic the biased recovery of chromosomes in restriction‐based short‐read sequencing experiments (RADseq). We analysed simulated DNA sequence datasets and compared known values from simulations with those that would be estimated using a RADseq approach from the same samples. We compare these ‘true’ and ‘estimated’ values of commonly used summary statistics, π, θw, Tajima's D and FST. We show that loci with missing haplotypes have estimated summary statistic values that can deviate dramatically from true values and are also enriched for particular genealogical histories. These biases are sensitive to nonequilibrium demography, such as bottlenecks and population expansion. In silico digests with 102 completely sequenced Drosophila melanogaster genomes yielded results similar to our findings from coalescent simulations. Though the potential of RADseq for marker discovery and trait mapping in nonmodel systems remains undisputed, our results urge caution when applying this technique to make population genetic inferences.
Whither Philosophy?
Authors: Stern Robert 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis article considers possible future directions of philosophy, based around the experience of the author as editor of the European Journal of Philosophy for about a decade. After some discussion of the original impetus for the journal, and of how the philosophy scene has changed since it was founded in 1993, the article focuses particularly on the themes of transcendentalism and naturalism as likely to shape the philosophical debates of the future, as they have done in the past.
A meta‐analysis of experimental warming effects on terrestrial nitrogen pools and dynamics
Authors: Bai Edith , Li Shanlong , Xu Wenhua , Li Wei , Dai Weiwei , Jiang Ping 
Published: April 2013

Summary

Global warming may have profound effects on terrestrial ecosystems. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of warming on ecosystem nitrogen (N) pools and dynamics is not available.

Here, we compiled data of 528 observations from 51 papers and carried out a meta‐analysis of experimental warming effects on 13 variables related to terrestrial N pools and dynamics.

We found that, on average, net N mineralization and net nitrification rate were increased by 52.2 and 32.2%, respectively, under experimental warming treatment. N pools were also increased by warming, although the magnitude of this increase was less than that of N fluxes. Soil microbial N and N immobilization were not changed by warming, probably because microbes are limited by carbon sources. Grassland and shrubland/heathland were less responsive to warming than forest, probably because the reduction of soil moisture by warming offset the temperature effect in these areas. Soil heating cable and all‐day treatment appeared to be the most effective method on N cycling among all treatment methods.

Results of this meta‐analysis are useful for better understanding the response of N cycling to global warming and the underlying mechanism of warming effects on plants and ecosystem functions.
Removal of half the sympathetic innervation does not reduce vasoconstrictor responses in rat tail artery
Authors: Tripovic Diana , McLachlan Elspeth M. , Brock James A. 
Published: April 2013

Key points
To test whether the responses of the normal rat tail artery to supramaximal nerve stimulation depend on activating all of its innervation, half the sympathetic innervation was surgically removed (partial denervation, PD).
After PD, the amplitude of excitatory junction potentials was halved but the amplitudes of contractions of isolated segments of PD arteries were of normal amplitude.
The effects of α2‐adrenoceptor mediated auto‐inhibition of noradrenaline release and prejunctional re‐uptake of released noradrenaline were not reduced after PD.
The normal contraction amplitude could not be explained by upregulation of junctional or extra‐junctional adrenoceptors after PD, although slightly increased α2‐adrenoceptor sensitivity prolonged contraction duration, amplifying responses during continuous stimulation.
A surprising conclusion is that post‐receptor mechanisms activated by noradrenaline released from sympathetic nerves are normally saturated. If this applies to other arteries, it significantly changes understanding of their control by sympathetic nerves.
Abstract  Following reinnervation of denervated rat tail arteries, nerve‐evoked contractions are at least as large as those evoked in normally innervated arteries despite a much lower nerve terminal density. Here nerve‐evoked contractions have been investigated after transection of half the sympathetic innervation of normal tail arteries. After 1 week, the noradrenergic plexus 50–70 mm along the tail was about half as dense as control. Excitatory junction potentials recorded in smooth muscle cells of arterial segments isolated in vitro were half their normal amplitude. Surprisingly, nerve‐evoked contractions of isometrically mounted segments were not reduced in amplitude, as was also the case after only 3 days. After 1 week, enhancement of nerve‐evoked contractions by blocking either neuronal re‐uptake of noradrenaline with desmethylimipramine or prejunctional α2‐adrenoceptors with idazoxan was similar to control, suggesting that these mechanisms are matched to the number of innervating axons. The relative contribution of postjunctional α2‐adrenoceptors to contractions evoked by long trains of stimuli was enhanced but that of α1‐adrenoceptors was unchanged. Transiently, sensitivity to the α1‐adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine was slightly increased. After 7 weeks, amplitudes of nerve‐evoked contractions remained similar to control, and sensitivity to phenylephrine had recovered but that to the α2‐adrenoceptor agonist clonidine was slightly raised. The normal amplitude of nerve‐evoked contractions after partial denervation is only partly explained by the greater contribution of α2‐adrenoceptors. While the post‐receptor mechanisms activated by nerve‐released transmitter may be modified to amplify the contractions after partial denervation, our findings suggest that these mechanisms are normally saturated, at least in this artery.
Effects of leucine and its metabolite β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate on human skeletal muscle protein metabolism
Authors: Wilkinson D. J. , Hossain T. , Hill D. S. , Phillips B. E. , Crossland H. , Williams J. , Loughna P. , Churchward‐Venne T. A. , Breen L. , Phillips S. M. , Etheridge T. , Rathmacher J. A. , Smith K. , Szewczyk N. J. , Atherton P. J. 
Published: April 2013

Key points
The branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) leucine acts as both a ‘trigger’ for the initiation of protein synthesis, and as a substrate for newly synthesized protein.
As a BCAA, leucine can be metabolized within skeletal muscle, leaving open the possibility that leucine metabolites might possess anabolic properties.
One metabolite in particular, β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB), has shown positive effects on lean body mass and strength following exercise, and in disease‐related muscle wasting, yet its impact on acute human muscle protein turnover is undefined.
We report here that HMB stimulates muscle protein synthesis to a similar extent to leucine. HMB was also found to decrease muscle protein breakdown.
Our observation that HMB enhances muscle protein anabolism may partly (or wholly) underlie its pre‐defined anabolic/anti‐catabolic supplemental efficacy in humans.
Abstract  Maintenance of skeletal muscle mass is contingent upon the dynamic equilibrium (fasted losses–fed gains) in protein turnover. Of all nutrients, the single amino acid leucine (Leu) possesses the most marked anabolic characteristics in acting as a trigger element for the initiation of protein synthesis. While the mechanisms by which Leu is ‘sensed’ have been the subject of great scrutiny, as a branched‐chain amino acid, Leu can be catabolized within muscle, thus posing the possibility that metabolites of Leu could be involved in mediating the anabolic effect(s) of Leu. Our objective was to measure muscle protein anabolism in response to Leu and its metabolite HMB. Using [1,2‐13C2]Leu and [2H5]phenylalanine tracers, and GC‐MS/GC‐C‐IRMS we studied the effect of HMB or Leu alone on MPS (by tracer incorporation into myofibrils), and for HMB we also measured muscle proteolysis (by arteriovenous (A–V) dilution). Orally consumed 3.42 g free‐acid (FA‐HMB) HMB (providing 2.42 g of pure HMB) exhibited rapid bioavailability in plasma and muscle and, similarly to 3.42 g Leu, stimulated muscle protein synthesis (MPS; HMB +70%vs. Leu +110%). While HMB and Leu both increased anabolic signalling (mechanistic target of rapamycin; mTOR), this was more pronounced with Leu (i.e. p70S6K1 signalling ≤90 min vs. ≤30 min for HMB). HMB consumption also attenuated muscle protein breakdown (MPB; −57%) in an insulin‐independent manner. We conclude that exogenous HMB induces acute muscle anabolism (increased MPS and reduced MPB) albeit perhaps via distinct, and/or additional mechanism(s) to Leu.
High Incidence of Tuberculosis Infection in Rheumatic Diseases and Impact for Chemoprophylactic Prevention of Tuberculosis Activation during Biologics Therapy
Authors: He Dongyi , Bai Fengmin , Zhang Shu , Jiang Ting , Shen Jie , Zhu Qi , Yue Tao , Shao Lingyun , Gao Yan , Feng Yun , Weng Xinhua , Zou Hejian , Zhang Ying , Zhang Wenhong 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

We conducted a long-term follow-up study in patients with rheumatic diseases who were candidates for biologics treatment to evaluate the effects of biologic agents on the risk of tuberculosis infection and the effect of prophylactic treatment on tuberculosis activation. One hundred one patients with rheumatic diseases who were candidates for biologics treatment were recruited, and 57 healthy subjects were recruited as controls. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and the T-SPOT.TB test were performed for all subjects at baseline. Follow-up testing by the T-SPOT.TB assay was performed every 6 months in patients with rheumatic diseases and at 2 years of recruitment in the healthy controls. In patients with rheumatic diseases and healthy controls, the TST-positive (induration, ≥10 mm) rates were 37.6% (38/101) and 34.0% (18/53), respectively (
P
> 0.05), while the T-SPOT.TB-positive rates were 46.5% (47/101) and 21.1 (12/57), respectively (
P
= 0.0019). Fifty-two patients were followed up at month 6 with a T-SPOT.TB-positive rate of 40.4%, and 49 were followed up for ≥12 months with a T-SPOT.TB-positive rate of 36.7%, with no significant difference in the positive rate at different time points including baseline (
P
> 0.05). Long-term follow-up revealed that conversion to T-SPOT.TB positivity occurred only in the biologics treatment group, with a positive conversion rate of 11.2% (4/38). Most importantly, no latent tuberculosis developed into active tuberculosis during follow-up with T-SPOT.TB screening and preemptive treatment with isoniazid. Biologics treatment appears to increase the risk of tuberculosis infection. However, tuberculosis activation could be prevented by preemptive isoniazid treatment in patients with latent tuberculosis infection while receiving biologics therapy.