bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
White blood cell count is positively associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Fujita Kazutoshi , Hosomi Masahiro , Nakagawa Masahiro , Tanigawa Go , Imamura Ryoichi , Uemura Motohide , Nakai Yasutomo , Takayama Hitoshi , Yamaguchi Seiji , Nonomura Norio 
Published: August 2013

ObjectivesTo determine whether low‐grade systemic inflammation is associated with prostatic enlargement/benign prostatic hyperplasia.MethodsProstate volume was measured by transrectal ultrasonography in 576 Japanese men. The association between prostate volume and routine clinical inflammatory markers (C‐reactive protein level, white blood cell count, or the differential white cell count [neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes]) were analyzed. Contributors to prostate volume were identified in univariate and multivariable linear regression models.ResultsProstate volume was found to have a positive association with serum prostate‐specific antigen level (P < 0.001), white blood cell count (P = 0.027) and absolute neutrophil count (P = 0.010). In univariate linear regression models, a large prostate volume was associated with older age, higher prostate‐specific antigen, and higher white blood cell and neutrophil counts. A multivariable model adjusted for age, prostate‐specific antigen, and C‐reactive protein showed that the white blood cell count and the neutrophil count were independently associated with prostate volume. An increased white blood cell count was also associated with higher total International Prostatic Symptom Scores (P < 0.001).ConclusionsWhite blood cell count seems to be associated with the degree of prostate enlargement and lower urinary tract symptoms. Chronic low‐grade systemic inflammation might be involved in the etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
No place to turn: Nursing students' experiences of moral distress in mental health settings
Authors: Wojtowicz Bernadine , Hagen Brad , Van Daalen‐Smith Cheryl 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWhile researchers have documented the significant issue of moral distress among nurses, few have explored moral distress among mental health nurses. In addition, no research to date has explored nursing students' experiences of moral distress during mental health clinical rotations, despite nursing students typically reporting negative attitudes towards mental health nursing. This manuscript reports on a qualitative study involving seven Canadian baccalaureate nursing students, who reported on their experiences of moral distress during a 13‐week clinical rotation on inpatient psychiatric units. Overall, nursing students reported significant moral distress related to the perceived lack of nurses talking meaningfully to patients on the unit, a hierarchical power structure for physicians, a lack of information given to patients about their psychiatric medications, and an inability of their nursing instructors to advocate for ethical change on the units. Several students made a specific connection between their moral distress and not wanting to pursue a career in mental health nursing.
Impact of H1N1 on socially disadvantaged populations: summary of a systematic review
Authors: Tricco Andrea C. , Lillie Erin , Soobiah Charlene , Perrier Laure , Straus Sharon E. 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundPrevious reviews found that the H1N1 pandemic was associated with a large proportion of hospitalizations, severe illness, workplace absenteeism, and high costs. However, the burden among socially disadvantaged groups of the population is unclear. This is a summary of a previously published systematic review commissioned by the World Health Organization on the burden of H1N1 pandemic (influenza A/Mexico/2009 (H1N1)) among socially disadvantaged populations.MethodsMEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to identify studies reporting hospitalization, severe illness, and mortality attributable to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic among socially disadvantaged populations, including ethnic minorities and low‐income or lower‐middle‐income economy countries (LIC/LMIC). SAS and Review Manager were used to conduct random effects meta‐analysis.ResultsForty‐eight cohort studies and 14 companion reports including 44 777 patients were included after screening 787 citations and 164 full‐text articles. Twelve of the included studies provided data on LIC/LMIC, including one study from Guatemala, two from Morocco, one from Pakistan, and eight from India, plus four companion reports. The rest provided data on ethnic minorities living in high‐income economy countries (HIC). Significantly more hospitalizations were observed among ethnic minorities versus nonethnic minorities in two North American studies [1313 patients, odds ratio (OR) 2·26 (95% confidence interval: 1·53–3·32)]. Among hospitalized patients in HIC, statistically significant differences in intensive care unit admissions (n = 8 studies, 15 352 patients, OR 0·84 [0·69–1·02]) and deaths (n = 6 studies, 14 757 patients, OR 0·85 [95% CI: 0·73–1·01]) were not observed.ConclusionWe found significantly more hospitalizations among ethnic minorities versus nonethnic minorities in North America, yet no differences in intensive care unit admissions or deaths among H1N1‐infected hospitalized patients were observed in North America and Australia. Our results suggest a similar burden of H1N1 between ethnic minorities and nonethnic minorities living in HIC.
Infection of swine ex vivo tissues with avian viruses including H7N9 and correlation with glycomic analysis
Authors: Chan Renee W. Y. , Karamanska Rositsa , Van Poucke Sjouke , Van Reeth Kristien , Chan Icarus W. W. , Chan Michael C. W. , Dell Anne , Peiris Joseph S. M. , Haslam Stuart M. , Guan Yi , Nicholls John M. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectivesSwine have been regarded as intermediate hosts in the spread of influenza from birds to humans but studies of the sialylated glycans that comprise their respiratory tract have not been extensively studied in the past. This study analyzed the sialylated N‐glycan and O‐glycan profile of swine trachea and lung and correlated this with ex‐vivo infection of swine explants with avian influenza viruses.SampleLungs and tracheal samples were obtained from normal farm and laboratory raised swine and used for ex vivo infection as well as mass spectrometric analysis. Infection of the ex vivo tissues used high pathogenic and low pathogenic avian viruses including the novel H7N9 virus that emerged in China in early 2013.Main outcome measuresAssessment of successful replication was determined by TCID50 as well as virus immunohistochemistry. The N‐glycan and O‐glycan profiles were measured by MALDI‐TOF and sialylated linkages were determined by sialidase treatment. Lectin binding histochemistry was also performed on formalin fixed tissue samples with positive binding detected by chromogen staining.ResultsThe swine respiratory tract glycans differed from the human respiratory tact glycans in two main areas. There was a greater abundance of Gal‐α‐Gal linkages resulting in a relative decrease in sialylated glycans. The swine respiratory tract also had a greater proportion of glycans containing Neu5Gc and Siaα2‐6 glycans than the human respiratory tract. Infection with avian viruses was confined primarily to lung bronchioles rather than trachea and parenchyma.ConclusionsIn contrast to previous studies we found that there was not as much expression of Siaα2‐3 glycans on the surface of the trachea. Infection of Siaα2‐3 binding avian viruses was restricted to the lower respiratory tract bronchioles. This finding may diminish the ability of the swine to act as an intermediary in the transmission of avian viruses to humans.
Surface Energetics of Nanoscale LaMnO3+δ Perovskite
Authors: Vradman Leonid , Navrotsky Alexandra 
Published: August 2013

Perovskite type LaMnO3 and related materials are important compounds with many useful and unique physical and chemical properties. There is a lack of experimental thermochemical data on the energetics of LaMnO3 nanoparticles. In this work, a series of LaMnO3+δ samples were synthesized via the citrate method and calcined at 700°C–1050°C. All samples displayed rhombohedral structure (X‐ray diffraction) with similar oxygen stoichiometry 3+δ = 3.16–3.18 (iodometric titration coupled with gravimetric analysis). The BET surface area varied from null for bulk sample to 6.88 ± 0.08 × 103 m2/mol for the sample calcined at 700°C. The water content varied linearly with the surface area with the highest value being 2.34 wt%. The chemisorbed water adsorption enthalpy was −63.0 ± 4.1 kJ/mol with the chemisorbed water coverage of 8 H2O/nm2. High‐temperature oxide melt drop solution calorimetry, performed in sodium molybdate at 702°C, yielded enthalpy of formation from La2O3, Mn2O3, and O2 of bulk LaMnO3.16 of −77.85 ± 1.94 kJ/mol. After correction of drop solution enthalpies of nanometric samples for water content, the calorimetric data were used to calculate the surface energy of LaMnO3+δ. The energy of the anhydrous surface was 2.27 ± 0.29 J/m2, and that of the hydrous surface was 2.02 ± 0.27 J/m2. These values are higher than the surface energies of LaMnO3.00 predicted elsewhere by theoretical methods, probably due to the different oxygen content and possibly more complex surface structure and exposed surface planes. The measured surface energy of LaMnO3+δ lies between the values reported recently for BaTiO3 and PbTiO3 and close to the reported values for MnO2. This suggests that LaMnO3+δ surface is predominantly MnO2‐terminated, in line with the trends predicted by theoretical calculations.
2D‐ and 3D‐Photoluminescence Imaging of Eu(III) Embedded in CeO2 Nanomatrix
Authors: Sohn Youngku 
Published: August 2013

2D‐ and 3D‐photoluminescence characteristics of Eu(III) doped in CeO2 nanoparticles were fully imaged for the first time. Their fundamental natures were also examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) crystallography, and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. The magnetic dipole 5D0 → 7F1 transition was dominated by an indirect transition associated with a O2−–Ce4+ charge‐transfer band of CeO2. The electric dipole 5D0 → 7F2 transition was dominated by a direct transition of Eu(III), indicating that Eu(III) replaces Ce(IV) at octahedral sites (Oh and O) with and without an inversion center. Upon annealing, the photoluminescence intensity caused by direct transition was dramatically decreased, whereas that induced by indirect transition was greatly enhanced. These findings indicate that charge transfer to the Eu(III) at the octahedral (Oh) site with the inversion center is more efficient than that to the Eu(III) site without an inversion center. The absolute quantum yield for the 10 mol% Eu(III)–CeO2 was found to be ϕ = 0.007 at an excitation wavelength of 350 nm. The photoluminescence of Tb‐doped CeO2 was briefly discussed for comparison.
Programming Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators in Patients with Primary Prevention Indication to Prolong Time to First Shock: Results from the PROVIDE Study
Authors: SAEED MOHAMMAD , HANNA IBRAHIM , ROBOTIS DIONYSSIOS , STYPEREK ROBERT , POLOSAJIAN LEO , KHAN AHMED , ALONSO JOSEPH , NABUTOVSKY YELENA , NEASON CURTIS 
Published: August 2013

ICD Programming for Shock ReductionBackgroundShock therapy delivery by implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICD) can be painful and may have adverse consequences. Reducing shock burden for patients with ICDs would be beneficial.MethodsPROVIDE was a prospective, randomized study of primary prevention ICD patients. Patients in the experimental group received a combination of programmed parameters with higher detection rates, longer detection intervals, empiric antitachycardia pacing (ATP), and optimized supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) discriminators, while those in the control group were programmed with conventional parameters. Shock therapy and arrhythmic syncope were compared.ResultsOf 1,670 patients enrolled (846 in the experimental group, 824 in the control group) and monitored over a follow‐up of 530 ± 241 days, 202 patients received shock therapy for any cause (82 in the experimental group and 120 in the control group). The median time to first shock was significantly prolonged (13.1 vs 7.8 months, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47 to 0.82, P = 0.0005) and the 2‐year shock rate significantly reduced (12.4% vs 19.4%, P < 0.001) in the experimental group compared to the control group. There was no increase in arrhythmic syncope (HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 0.69 to 3.90, P = 0.26), while the overall mortality was reduced (HR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.50 to 0.98, P = 0.036) in the experimental group compared to the control group.ConclusionA combination of programmed parameters utilizing higher detection rate, longer detection intervals, empiric ATP, and optimized SVT discriminators reduced ICD therapies without increasing arrhythmic syncope and was associated with reduction in all‐cause mortality among ICD patients.
Irritable bowel syndrome in patients with chronic pruritus of undetermined origin
Authors: Ekiz Ö. , Balta İ. , Özuğuz P. , Şen B.B. , Rifaioğlu E.N. , Ekiz F. , Yüksel İ. , Çoban Ş. , Başar Ö. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundChronic pruritus is an important distressing condition that is often refractory to treatment. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that occurs without an organic cause.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the relationship between chronic pruritus of undetermined origin (CPUO) and IBS.MethodsEighty patients with chronic pruritus (CP) of undetermined origin and fifty healthy control subjects without pruritus were included into the study. All of the participants were examined by a gastroenterologist for concomitant IBS.ResultsThe frequency of IBS was found higher in patients with CP of undetermined origin (P: 0.02), but we did not observe any significant association between pruritus intensity and either presence of IBS (P: 0.08) or the subtypes of the syndrome (P: 0.40). Furthermore, patients with CP of undetermined origin between 40 and 60 years, female gender and longer duration of the disease were found to be significantly associated with the presence of IBS (P: 0.02, P: 0.01 and P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe found that the frequency of IBS was higher in patients with CP than in healthy controls. Our study is the first report about the relation between CP of undetermined origin and IBS. Further studies with larger numbers of the patients are needed to show association between IBS and CPUO using laboratory tests to define underlying diseases such as lactose intolerance, functional dyspepsia and emotional diseases.
Laser and light‐based treatment of Keloids – a review
Authors: Mamalis A.D. , Lev‐Tov H. , Nguyen D.‐H. , Jagdeo J.R. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundKeloids are an overgrowth of fibrotic tissue outside the original boundaries of an injury and occur secondary to defective wound healing. Keloids often have a functional, aesthetic, or psychosocial impact on patients as highlighted by quality‐of‐life studies.ObjectivesOur goal is to provide clinicians and scientists an overview of the data available on laser and light‐based therapies for treatment of keloids, and highlight emerging light‐based therapeutic technologies and the evidence available to support their use.MethodsWe employed the following search strategy to identify the clinical evidence reported in the biomedical literature: in November 2012, we searched PubMed.gov, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Reviews (1980‐present) for published randomized clinical trials, clinical studies, case series and case reports related to the treatment of keloids. The search terms we utilized were ‘keloid(s)’ AND ‘laser’ OR ‘light‐emitting diode’ (LED) OR ‘photodynamic therapy’ (PDT) OR ‘intense pulsed light’ OR ‘low level light’ OR ‘phototherapy.’ResultsOur search yielded 347 unique articles. Of these, 33 articles met our inclusion and exclusion criteria.ConclusionWe qualitatively conclude that laser and light‐based treatment modalities may achieve favourable patient outcomes. Clinical studies using CO2 laser are more prevalent in current literature and a combination regimen may be an adequate ablative approach. Adding light‐based treatments, such as LED phototherapy or PDT, to laser treatment regimens may enhance patient outcomes. Lasers and other light‐based technology have introduced new ways to manage keloids that may result in improved aesthetic and symptomatic outcomes and decreased keloid recurrence.
Early Transcriptomic Adaptation to Na2CO3 Stress Altered the Expression of a Quarter of the Total Genes in the Maize Genome and Exhibited Shared and Distinctive Profiles with NaCl and High pH Stresses
Authors: Zhang Li‐Min , Liu Xiang‐Guo , Qu Xin‐Ning , Yu Ying , Han Si‐Ping , Dou Yao , Xu Yao‐Yao , Jing Hai‐Chun , Hao Dong‐Yun 
Published: August 2013

AbstractSodium carbonate (Na2CO3) presents a huge challenge to plants by the combined damaging effects of Na+, high pH, and CO32‐. Little is known about the cellular responses to Na2CO3 stress. In this study, the transcriptome of maize (Zea mays L. cv. B73) roots exposed to Na2CO3 stress for 5 h was compared with those of NaCl and NaOH stresses. The expression of 8,319 genes, representing over a quarter of the total number of genes in the maize genome, was altered by Na2CO3 stress, and the downregulated genes (5,232) outnumbered the upregulated genes (3,087). The effects of Na2CO3 differed from those of NaCl and NaOH, primarily by downregulating different categories of genes. Pathways commonly altered by Na2CO3, NaCl, and NaOH were enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters, as well as the metabolism of secondary metabolites. Genes for brassinosteroid biosynthesis were specifically upregulated by Na2CO3, while genes involved in ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and by N‐glycosylation, fatty acid biosynthesis, and the circadian rhythm were downregulated. This work provides the first holistic picture of early transcriptomic adaptation to Na2CO3 stress, and highlights potential molecular pathways that could be manipulated to improve tolerance in maize.
Crystallization kinetics during regional metamorphism of porphyroblastic rocks
Authors: Kelly E. D. , Carlson W. D. , Ketcham R. A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractNumerical simulations of diffusion‐controlled nucleation and growth of garnet porphyroblasts in regionally metamorphosed rocks constrain interfacial energy and rates of nucleation and Al intergranular diffusion. The 13 rocks analysed in this study were collected from seven localities exhibiting a diverse range of crystallization conditions. Kinetic parameters governing nucleation and intergranular diffusion were adjusted iteratively to achieve fits between simulated and natural porphyroblastic textures. Model fits were assessed primarily from textural characteristics precisely measured by high‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography. Interfacial energy for heterogeneous nucleation ranges from 0.007 to 0.255 J m−2 for the sample suite, assuming shape factors in the range 0.01–1.0. Nucleation rates change through space and time due to growth and impingement of Al depletion zones surrounding porphyroblasts. In some models, the overall rock‐wide nucleation rate rises steeply, achieves a steady state, and then falls rapidly as reactants are consumed; in others, the steady state is not achieved, but instead the rate simply peaks before falling. Maximum rock‐wide nucleation rates range from 10−14.7 to 10−10.7 nuclei cm−3 s−1, and maximum local rates range from 10−13.7 to 10−9.7 nuclei∙cm−3 s−1 depending on Al supersaturation. Diffusive fluxes of Al are well constrained by the simulated textures, but rates of intergranular diffusion are subject to uncertainties in Al solubility and interconnected porosity. Best estimates of Al diffusivities at 600 °C span 10−12.3 to 10−10.5 m2 s−1 for the sample suite, a narrow range considering natural variability and the uncertainties in solubility and porosity. Eliminating some models suspected of higher uncertainty for these quantities yields diffusivities at 600 °C near 10−11.0 m2 s−1, with dispersion of less than half an order of magnitude. These simulations, which are among the first attempted for regionally metamorphosed rocks, emphasize that: (i) nucleation rates vary markedly in time and space during crystallization; (ii) nucleation extends well beyond equilibrium conditions; (iii) Al diffusivity likely varies over only a narrow range across common metamorphic circumstances; and (iv) better determinations of both Al solubility and interconnected porosity are needed to constrain rates of Al intergranular diffusion more precisely.
Alveolar bone regeneration potential of a traditional Chinese medicine, Bu‐Shen‐Gu‐Chi‐Wan, in experimental periodontitis
Authors: Yang H. , Wen Q. , Xue J. , Ding Y. 
Published: August 2013

Background and ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a traditional Chinese medicine, Bu‐Shen‐Gu‐Chi‐Wan, on experimental periodontitis and bone regeneration in rat.Material and MethodsSixty female Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided equally into three groups: a healthy control group (Group N); a periodontitis group (Group P); and the Bu‐Shen‐Gu‐Chi‐Wan treatment group (Group T). A 0.2‐mm wire was placed around the maxillary first molar and Porphyromonas gingivalis was injected into the gingival sulcus. Rats in different groups were administered 0.9% normal saline or Bu‐Shen‐Gu‐Chi‐Wan solution (4 g/kg of body weight, for three alternate days), and the animals were killed after 4 wk. Morphological analysis of alveolar bone rebuilding was performed using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) and stereomicroscopy, and the variation of inflammation in the periodontium was determined histologically. The serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and of the bone‐turnover biomarkers pyridinoline cross‐linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and osteocalcin (OC) were determined using radioimmunoassays.ResultsAfter treatment with Bu‐Shen‐Gu‐Chi‐Wan, there were significant decreases in the levels of IL‐1β, TNF‐α, ICTP and OC and decreased inflammatory infiltration in the periodontal tissues of Group T. significant changes in alveolar bone volume and density were detected by micro‐CT, but stereomicroscopy did not detect a significant improvement of alveolar bone height.ConclusionThe data of the present study suggest that the traditional Chinese medicine, Bu‐Shen‐Gu‐Chi‐Wan, has anti‐inflammatory function in experimental periodontitis and may simultaneously improve alveolar bone remodeling.
Greater Self, Lesser Self: Dimensions of Self‐Interest in Chinese Filial Piety
Authors: Barbalet Jack 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWhile self‐interest is depreciated in Confucian ethics the processes of family relations in traditional China are animated by the self‐interested actions of family members. The paper outlines the Confucian ideology of filial piety which is commensurate with the governance of family life organized hierarchically and through the senior male's management of the joint‐family's collective property. The structure, operations and principles of membership in traditional Chinese families are indicated, highlighting the tensions within them between consanguinity and conjugality and their material bases. The differential operation of self‐interested actions by husbands and wives is also presented. A non‐Confucian model of the relational‐self is outlined in which both the collective context of Chinese families and the self‐interested actions of individual family members within them is explicated.