bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decoding of Emotional Components in Complex Communicative Situations (Irony) and Its Relation to Empathic Abilities in Male Chronic Alcoholics: An Issue for Treatment
Authors: Amenta Simona , Noël Xavier , Verbanck Paul , Campanella Salvatore 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that deficits in the domain of emotions strongly characterize alcoholism. Patients diagnosed with alcoholism show impairments in emotional mimic recognition, as well as in the domain of emotional prosody. These data suggest that male alcoholics might suffer from a generalized emotional impairment associated with dysfunctions in empathy. Taken altogether, those deficits might influence alcoholics' relational domain and their performance in complex communicative situations such as ironic interactions. The present study investigates the ability of chronic male alcoholics to recognize the emotional component of ironic contexts and its relation to the comprehension of ironic meaning as a function of their empathic abilities.MethodsForty‐four male subjects participated in a story comprehension task. They were asked to read stories with either an ironic or a nonironic ending. Participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire about communicative intentions and the emotional states of the stories' characters. Moreover, the correct comprehension of the ironic meaning was assessed through a self‐reported questionnaire and related to the empathy quotient (EQ) which was measured in a preexperimental phase.ResultsAlcoholic subjects showed a lower EQ in comparison to healthy subjects and recognized significant fewer ironic endings. Social skills results were particularly impaired. The correlation between EQ and ironic endings recognition was significant. Moreover, alcoholics showed a tendency to attribute positive emotions to both ironic and nonironic contexts, showing an opposite pattern in comparison with control subjects who tended to associate negative emotions to ironic contexts.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that emotional recognition deficits that have been previously observed in chronic alcoholics extend to complex interactive contexts. This deficit is associated with a more general impairment of empathy, especially in its social skill component. Clinical implications of the present results are discussed.
On the Use of Information in Oligopolistic Insurance Markets
Authors: Kesternich Iris , Schumacher Heiner 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe analyze the use of information in an oligopolistic insurance market with costly market entry. For intermediate values of entry costs, an equilibrium exists that is profit maximizing for incumbents and in which companies do not discriminate between high and low risks. The model therefore provides an explanation for the existence of “unused observables,” that is, information that (1) insurance companies collect or could collect, (2) is correlated with risk, but (3) is not used to set premiums.
Microwave Absorbing Performances of Silica Matrix Composites Reinforced by Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Fiber
Authors: Kou Huamin , Zhu Yong , Chen Mingxia , Zeng Yanping , Pan Yubai , Guo Jingkun 
Published: November 2012

Multilayered composites consisting of silica, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and continuous carbon fibers (Cf) were prepared by hot‐pressing technique. Microstructures of different layer presented few pores of the composites. The thermal stability of the composites was analyzed by TG/DTA measurement. After being heat treated at 400°C for 10 h, the composites retained the equivalent shielding property compared to room temperature, and the impedance matching property at material/wave interface was improved slightly. The multilayer CNTs/Cf/silica composites have not only the excellent absorbing properties but also the outstanding thermal stability, and it can be a promising candidate for high‐temperature electromagnetic interference shielding applications.
Immunoreactivity of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) Isoforms in the Central Nervous System of the Barn Spider, Araneus cavaticus
Authors: Moon Myung‐Jin , Tillinghast Edward K. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) has long been considered as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) of both vertebrates and arthropods. Since the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has a restricted tissue distribution and catalyzes the conversion of L‐glutamate to GABA, immunoreactivity of GAD isoforms can reveal distribution of GABAergic neurons in the CNS. In the CNS of the spider Araneus cavaticus, immunoreactivity of GAD isoforms can be detected in the optic lobes including neurons and neuropiles of the supraesophageal ganglia. Strong GAD‐like immunoreactive cell bodies are concentrated in two bilaterally symmetric cell clusters of the protocerebrum. Some intrinsic cell bodies near the central body also show strong immunoreactivity. However, the intrinsic nerve masses and some of the longitudinal and transverse tracts within the supraesophageal ganglion are only lightly labelled, and the fibers transverse the hemisphere and the central fibrous masses are not labelled. Among the three basic types of cell bodies surrounding the central body, several clusters of the Type‐C cells show strong GAD‐like immunoreactivity, however both of the Type‐A and Type‐B cells are not labelled at all.
Effect of Gelatin Addition on Properties of Pullulan Films
Authors: Zhang Chao , Gao Dandan , Ma Yue , Zhao Xiaoyan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe gelatin was added into pullulan films to improve their performances and lower their cost. The gelatin addition raised the tensile strength of the gelatin–pullulan composite films, and reduced the oxygen permeability. The cost of composite films was reduced comparing to that of the pullulan films. Moreover, the molecular interaction of the composite film was evaluated. The interactions of gelatin and pullulan in the composite films were detected, such as (1) formation of 2 glycosylated proteins; (2) improvement of β‐sheet content; (3) formation of the interchain hydrogen bond and a semicrystalline region. Therefore, the molecular interaction was the main reason for the performance improvement of the composite films.
The associations between dietary intakes from 36 to 60 months of age and primary dentition non‐cavitated caries and cavitated caries
Authors: Chankanka Oitip , Levy Steven M. , Marshall Teresa A. , Cavanaugh Joseph E. , Warren John J. , Broffitt Barbara , Kolker Justine L. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo examine risk factors for non‐cavitated caries, as well as cavitated caries.MethodsSubjects were participants in the Iowa Fluoride Study cohort. Dietary data were collected at 36, 48, and 60 months old using 3‐day dietary diaries, and a dental examination was conducted at about age 5. We compared the frequencies of dietary intakes of three groups: a) children having only d1caries (n = 41); b) children having only cavitated (d2+f) caries (n = 46); and c) children having both d1 and d2+f caries (n = 49) with a forth group; d) those of caries‐free children (n = 257).ResultsMultinomial and binomial logistic regression was used, where the categorical outcome was based on the 4 caries groups, and the caries‐free group was designated as the reference. In the final model, sevenvariables were associated with the caries outcome. Lower milk consumption frequency at meals and greater presweetened cereal consumption frequency at meals were significantly associated with a greater likelihood of being in the d1 group. Greater regular soda pop consumption frequency and greater added sugar consumption frequency at snacks were significantly associated with being in the cavitated caries (d2+f and/or d1d2+f) groups. Lower socioeconomic status and less frequent toothbrushing increased the likelihood of being in the d1 group.ConclusionsThe results suggest that different food and beverage categories are associated with being in the d1 group compared with the cavitated caries groups. More frequent toothbrushing, greater milk consumption at meals, and avoiding presweetened cereal consumption at meals might reduce the risk of developing non‐cavitated caries.
Left Septal Atrial Tachycardias: Electrocardiographic and Electrophysiologic Characterization of a Paraseptal Focus
Authors: WONG MICHAEL C.G. , KALMAN JONATHAN M. , LING LIANG‐HAN , MEDI CAROLINE , TEH ANDREW , LEE GEOFFREY , KUMAR SAURABH , MORTON JOSEPH B. , KISTLER PETER M. 
Published: November 2012

Left Septal Atrial Tachycardias. Objective: The objective was to characterize the electrocardiographic and electrophysiological features of focal atrial tachycardia (FAT) originating from the left septum (LS).Background: FAT is recognized to occur at predefined anatomic locations rather than randomly throughout the atria. We describe the ECG and EP features of ATs originating from the LS as an important site for apparent perinodal tachycardias.Methods: Nine patients presenting with LS FAT from a consecutive series of 384 underwent EP/RFA for symptomatic FAT.Results: The mean age was 56 ± 12 years; 7 female with symptoms for 36 ± 28 months. P wave morphology (PWM) was negative/positive in lead V1 and across the precordial leads and negative or negative/positive in inferior leads in all patients. Tachycardia was incessant in 6 out of 9 patients with a mean tachycardia cycle length 421 ± 56 milliseconds. His A was ahead of P wave in all patients (mean −15 ± 5 milliseconds) and earlier than CS proximal (mean 4 ± 9 milliseconds). Successful acute focal ablation achieved at a mean of 31 ± 12 milliseconds ahead of P wave with no recurrences at a mean follow‐up of 30 ± 28 months.Conclusion: Although the left septum is an uncommon site for focal AT an awareness of this location for harboring foci is particularly important when mapping apparently right‐sided septal tachycardias. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 413‐418, April 2013)
A Single Amino‐Acid Substitution at Lysine 40 of an Arabidopsis thalianaα‐tubulin Causes Extensive Cell Proliferation and Expansion Defects
Authors: Xiong Xue , Xu Deyang , Yang Zhongnan , Huang Hai , Cui Xiaofeng 
Published: November 2012

AbstractMicrotubules are highly dynamic cytoskeletal polymers of α/β‐tubulin heterodimers that undergo multiple post‐translational modifications essential for various cellular functions in eukaryotes. The lysine 40 (K40) is largely conserved in α‐tubulins in many eukaryote species, and the post‐translational modification by acetylation at K40 is critical for neuronal development in vertebrates. However, the biological function of K40 of α‐tubulins in plants remains unexplored. In this study, we show in Arabidopsis thaliana that constitutive expression of mutated forms of α‐tubulin6 (TUA6) at K40 (TUA6K40A or TUA6K40Q), in which K40 is replaced by alanine or glutamine, result in severely reduced plant size. Phenotypic characterization of the 35S:TUA6K40A transgenic plants revealed that both cell proliferation and cell expansion were affected. Cytological and biochemical analyses showed that the accumulation of α‐ and β‐tubulin proteins was significantly reduced in the transgenic plants, and the cortical microtubule arrays were severely disrupted, indicating that K40 of the plant α‐tubulin is critical in maintaining microtubule stability. We also constructed 35S:TUA6K40R transgenic plants in which K40 of the engineered TUA6 protein is replaced by an arginine, and found that the 35S:TUA6K40R plants were phenotypically indistinguishable from the wild‐type. Since lysine and arginine are similar in biochemical nature but arginine cannot be acetylated, these results suggest a structural importance for K40 of α‐tubulins in cell division and expansion.
Effects of music therapy and guided visual imagery on chemotherapy‐induced anxiety and nausea–vomiting
Authors: Karagozoglu Serife , Tekyasar Filiz , Yilmaz Figen Alp 
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectivesTo reveal the effects of music therapy and visual imagery on chemotherapy‐induced anxiety and nausea–vomiting.BackgroundBehavioural techniques such as music therapy and visual imagery are becoming increasingly important in dealing with chemotherapy‐induced anxiety, nausea and vomiting.DesignThe study is an experimental and cross‐sectional one and performed on a single sample group with the pre–post‐test design consisting of 40 individuals. The individuals in the sample group comprised both the control and the case group of the study.MethodsTo obtain the study data, the following forms were used: the Personal Information Form, Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, The Visual Analogue Scale and Individual Evaluation Form for Nausea and Vomiting adapted from The Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Vomiting.ResultsIn the study, the participants' state and trait anxiety levels decreased significantly (p < 0·05). Music therapy and visual imagery reduced the severity and duration of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting significantly (p < 0·05). In our research, 40% of the patients did not have anticipatory nausea and 55% of the patients did not have anticipatory vomiting during the third chemotherapy cycle during which music therapy and guided visual imagery were implemented.ConclusionsIt was determined that complementary approaches comprising music therapy and visual imagery had positive effects on chemotherapy‐induced anxiety, nausea and vomiting, which are suffered too often and affect the patients' whole lives adversely.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study is worthy of interest as it has revealed that music therapy and visual imagery which have been proven to be effective in many health problems in different areas are also important, and practical complementary approaches that are effective in getting chemotherapy‐induced anxiety, nausea and vomiting under control.
Influence of age on tooth autotransplantation with complete root formation
Authors: Yoshino K. , Kariya N. , Namura D. , Noji I. , Mitsuhashi K. , Kimura H. , Fukuda A. , Kikukawa I. , Hayashi T. , Yamazaki N. , Kimura M. , Tsukiyama K. , Yamamoto K. , Fukuyama A. , Hidaka D. , Shinoda J. , Mibu H. , Shimakura Y. , Saito A. , Ikumi S. , Umehara K. , Kamei F. , Fukuda H. , Toake T. , Takahashi Y. , Miyata Y. , Shioji S. , Toyoda M. , Hattori N. , Nishihara H. , Matsushima R. , Nishibori M. , Hokkedo O. , Nojima M. , Kimura T. , Fujiseki M. , Okudaira S. , Tanabe K. , Nakano M. , Ito K. , Kuroda M. , Takiguchi T. , Fukai K. , Matsukubo T. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate risk factors with age in the long‐term prognosis of autotransplantation of teeth with complete root formation at dental clinics. Participating dentists were asked to provide information on transplantations they had undertaken from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2010. Data on a total of 708 teeth from 637 patients were collected. The data were screened to exclude patients who were under 25 or 70 years of age and over, those who were smokers or whose smoking habits were unknown, those whose transplanted teeth had incomplete root formation or multiple roots and those with fewer than 25 present teeth post‐operation. The participants in this study were 71 men (74 teeth) and 100 women (107 teeth) ranging from 25 to 69 years of age. Third molars were used as donor teeth in 89·0% of the cases. The participants were divided into three age groups of 25–39, 40–54 and 55–69. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method, and a log‐rank test revealed that there were no significant differences in age groups for men or women. Cox regression analysis indicated that the survival of transplanted teeth was not influenced by age. However, although not statistically significant, the clinical success rate was lower in the 55–69‐year‐old group than that in the younger groups. These results indicate that if suitable donor teeth are available and the conditions are right, autotransplantation is a viable treatment for missing teeth regardless of the age of the patient.
Global hemostasis tests in patients with cirrhosis before and after prophylactic platelet transfusion
Authors: Tripodi Armando , Primignani Massimo , Chantarangkul Veena , Lemma Laura , Jovani Manol , Rebulla Paolo , Mannucci Pier M. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground/AimsCirrhosis presents with variable degrees of thrombocytopenia that might cause bleeding during invasive procedures. Transfusion of one standard adult platelet dose is often employed to prevent bleeding in thrombocytopenia, but the threshold platelet count that is clinically effective is not well established because clinical studies and laboratory tools to judge on efficacy are insufficient. However, in vitro studies showed that patients with cirrhosis generate as much thrombin as healthy individuals provided that their platelet count is at least 100 × 109/L.MethodsTo assess the in vivo relevance of these in vitro studies, we investigated 26 thrombocytopenic patients with cirrhosis, undergoing 36 variceal ligations, to see whether transfusion of one standard adult platelet dose was able to attain the above platelet count. We also evaluated the effect of platelet transfusion on such global hemostasis tests as thrombin generation and thromboelastometry.ResultsTransfusion did slightly increase platelet count [pre‐ vs. post‐infusion: 39 × 109/L(16‐64) vs. 52 × 109/L(19‐91), P < 0.001], without significant effect on thrombin generation, probably because post‐transfusion platelet count was less than the target of 100 × 109/L in all patients. In addition, the percentage of patients with abnormal thrombin generation (i.e. below the lower limit of normal range) was scarcely affected by transfusion (pre‐ vs. post‐infusion: 36% vs. 42%). The small post‐transfusion increase in platelet count was paralleled by some degree of improvement of thromboelastometry, but none of the patients reached normal values after transfusion.ConclusionsInfusing one standard adult platelet dose secures only a small increase in platelet count without normalizing thrombin generation and thromboelastometry tests. To obtain greater increases in platelet count and normalization of laboratory tests more intensive platelet transfusions or treatment with non‐transfusional drugs are probably needed.
A reproducible, clinically relevant, intensively managed, pig model of acute liver failure for testing of therapies aimed to prolong survival
Authors: Lee Karla C. L. , Palacios Jimenez Carolina , Alibhai Hatim , Chang Yu‐Mei , Leckie Pamela J. , Baker Luisa A. , Stanzani Giacomo , L. Priestnall Simon , Mookerjee Rajeshwar P. , Jalan Rajiv , Davies Nathan A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundA clinically relevant, translational large animal model of acute liver failure (ALF) is required for testing of novel therapies to prolong survival in acute liver failure, to permit spontaneous liver recovery or to act as a bridge to transplantation.AimsThe aim was to establish a pig model of acetaminophen‐induced ALF that mimics the human clinical syndrome, is managed as in a human intensive care unit and has a predictable survival time.MethodsNine female pigs were anaesthetised and instrumented for continuous intensive care monitoring and management using: target‐driven protocols for treatment of cardiovascular collapse, metabolic acidosis and electrolyte abnormalities; intermittent positive pressure ventilation; and continuous renal replacement therapy. Six animals were induced to ALF with acetaminophen (paracetamol). Three animals acted as controls.ResultsIrreversible acute liver failure, defined as rise in prothrombin time >3 times normal, occurred 19.3 ± 1.8 h after the onset of acetaminophen administration. Death occurred predictably 12.6 ± 2.7 h thereafter, with acute hepatocellular necrosis in all animals. Clinical progression of liver failure mimicked the human condition including development of coagulopathy, intracranial hypertension, hyperammonaemia, cardiovascular collapse, elevation in creatinine, metabolic acidosis and hyperlactataemia. In addition, cardiovascular monitoring clearly demonstrated progressive cardiac dysfunction in ALF.ConclusionsA reproducible, clinically relevant, intensively managed, large animal model of acute liver failure, with death as a result of multi‐organ failure, has been successfully validated for translational studies of disease progression and therapies designed to prolong survival in man.
Short‐term soft‐ and hard‐tissue changes following Class III treatment using a removable mandibular retractor: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Saleh M. , Hajeer M. Y. , Al‐Jundi A. 
Published: November 2012

Structured AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of a Class III functional appliance [the removable mandibular retractor (RMR)] in the early treatment of skeletal Class III deformities.Set‐upRandomized controlled trial.SettingOrthodontic Department, University of Al‐Baath Dental School, Hamah, Syria.Material and MethodsSixty‐seven skeletal Class III patients were recruited, distributed randomly into two groups: 1) treatment group (T) with the RMR: 33 patients (17 males and 16 females) with a mean age of 7.5 ± 1.33 years, 2) control group (C): 34 patients (15 males and 19 females) with a mean age of 7.3 ± 1.58 years. Lateral cephalograms were taken at the start of treatment (T1‐T) or at the start of the observation period (T1‐C) and after 14.5 ± 0.1 months (both groups). Soft‐ and hard‐tissue changes in both groups were evaluated.ResultsThe main significant findings in the treatment group were 1) anterior morphogenetic rotation of the mandible as a result of upward and forward condylar growth; 2) significant increase in maxillary length; 3) significant increase in maxillary dentoalveolar protrusion; 4) significant decrease in mandibular dentoalveolar protrusion; 5) significant protrusion of the upper lip; 6) significant retrusion of the lower lip; and 7) significant reduction in nasolabial angle.ConclusionThe RMR is an effective appliance in the treatment of skeletal Class III patients in the early mixed dentition in the short term.
Adaptive functioning and its correlates after intestine and liver transplantation
Authors: Shellmer Diana A. , DeVito Dabbs Annette , Dew Mary Amanda , Terhorst Lauren , Noll Robert B. , Kosmach‐Park Beverly , Mazariegos George 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIn this cross‐sectional study, we compared levels of adaptive functioning and examined potential correlates of adaptive functioning in 18 pediatric intestine (ITX) and 22 liver (LTX) recipients transplanted between June 2003 and March 2009. Family caregivers completed the ABAS‐II scale and provided socio‐demographic information regarding recipients' age at transplantation, gender, ethnicity, time since transplantation, and caregivers' role, ethnicity, education, and family income. Overall adaptive functioning and all three adaptive functioning subdomain scores were significantly lower in ITX patients compared with LTX patients (p ≤ 0.04) and compared with the general population normative mean (p ≤ 0.003). Significant correlates of adaptive functioning after abdominal transplant included type of transplant procedure (r = −0.4, p = 0.02), gender (r = 0.4, p = 0.01), and educational level of caregiver (r = 0.5, p = 0.003) and together explained 45% of the variance in overall adaptive functioning. Findings provide new information regarding everyday functioning outcomes of ITX patients, add to existing data regarding non‐medical outcomes for LTX patients, and highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and intervention following transplantation to enhance outcomes.