bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mobile phone radiation during pubertal development has no effect on testicular histology in rats
Authors: Tumkaya Levent , Kalkan Yildiray , Bas Orhan , Yilmaz Adnan 
Published: October 2013

Mobile phones are extensively used throughout the world. There is a growing concern about the possible public health hazards posed by electromagnetic radiation emitted from mobile phones. Potential health risk applies particularly to the most intensive mobile phone users—typically, young people. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mobile phone exposure to the testes, by assessing the histopathological and biochemical changes in the testicular germ cells of rats during pubertal development. A total of 12 male Sprague Dawley rats were used. The study group ( n = 6) was exposed to a mobile phone for 1 h a day for 45 days, while the control group ( n = 6) remained unexposed. The testes were processed with routine paraffin histology and sectioned. They were stained with hematoxylin–eosin, caspase 3, and Ki-67 and then photographed. No changes were observed between the groups ( p > 0.05). The interstitial connective tissue and cells of the exposed group were of normal morphology. No abnormalities in the histological appearance of the seminiferous tubules, including the spermatogenic cycle stage, were observed. Our study demonstrated that mobile phones with a low specific absorption rate have no harmful effects on pubertal rat testicles.
Vanadium inhalation induces actin changes in mice testicular cells
Authors: Rodríguez-Lara Vianey , Morales-Rivero Alonso , Rivera-Cambas Angelica Muñiz , Fortoul Teresa I 
Published: October 2013

Infertility is becoming a health problem, which has increased mainly in megacities, and several studies have shown its association with environmental pollution. Air pollution has been linked to alterations in sperm parameters, both in humans and animal models. In male humans, it has been associated with reduced semen quality and DNA alterations. Vanadium is a transition element that has increased in recent decades as a component of air suspended matter and has been associated with reprotoxic effects in animal models. Few are the mechanisms described by which the vanadium produces these effects, and cytoskeleton interaction is a possibility. We reported immunohistochemical changes in actin testicular cytoskeleton in a vanadium inhalation experimental mice model. Our findings show that exposure to vanadium pentoxide (0.02 M) results in actin decrease in testicular cells from 3–12 weeks exposure time; this effect was statistically significant and exposure time dependent. Actin cytoskeleton damage is a mechanism that could explain vanadium reprotoxic effects and its association with impaired fertility.
Interstitial inflammation and long-term renal outcomes in lupus nephritis
Authors: Alsuwaida AO 
Published: October 2013

Introduction The International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) pathological classification criteria of lupus nephritis are limited to glomerular injury. Although the tubulointerstitium is commonly involved, the importance of such involvement is not well defined. The major objective of this study was to evaluate the association of interstitial inflammation with the long-term outcomes of patients with lupus nephritis. Patients and methods A total of 73 patients who were diagnosed with lupus nephritis between 1996 and 2012 were analyzed. The follow-up data were obtained, and the analysis was conducted to determine the effect of interstitial inflammation on the rate of the doubling of serum creatinine or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with lupus nephritis. Of the patients included in the cohort, 63 underwent a second biopsy. Results The degree of interstitial inflammation was positively correlated with the serum creatinine level at the time of biopsy ( p = 0.005) but not at the end of the follow-up period ( p = 0.9). The complements level, anti-dsDNA, ANA, and proteinuria were not related to the degree of interstitial inflammation. There was no relationship between the probability of remission and the severity of interstitial infiltrate. The rate of no remission was 40% among those without interstitial infiltrate, 34.6% in those with mild infiltrate and 23.5% among those with moderate-to-severe infiltrate ( p = 0.6). There was no relationship between interstitial inflammation at the baseline biopsy and worsening of renal function ( p = 0.17). There was a strong relationship between interstitial inflammation at the repeat biopsy and renal survival ( p = 0.005). The recovery of interstitial inflammation in lupus nephritis correlated with a favorable outcome in the patients with interstitial inflammation at baseline that had resolved at the repeated biopsy ( p = 0.047). Conclusion The persistence of interstitial inflammation is associated with poor renal outcome among patients with lupus nephritis. A comprehensive histological assessment of inflammation in lupus nephritis including interstitial inflammation may provide better prognostic information.
Examining the Effect of the Case Management Model on Patient Results in the Palliative Care of Patients With Cancer
Authors: Ozcelik Hanife , Fadiloglu Cicek , Karabulut Bulent , Uyar Meltem 
Published: October 2013

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the improvement in symptoms, quality of life, patient and family satisfaction with care, and direct costs resulting from a palliative care program based case management model. Methods: The research was implemented at the Medical Oncology Clinic hospital of a University between September 2009 and September 2011. The research sample consisted of a total of 44 patients (22 control and 22 intervention group). The research tools were the Edmonton Symptom Diagnosis System, the Karnofsky Performance Scale, the EORTCQLQ-C30 Quality of Life Scale, a patient and family satisfaction form, and a patient cost record form. Results: The difference between total symptom mean scores and the sub-dimension symptoms of pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, anxiety, lack of appetite, lethargy, well-being, dyspnea, and constipation post-hospitalization and post-discharge of patients in the control and experimental groups were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The level of decrease in symptom severity in the experimental group patients was more than in the control group (p < 0.000). The satisfaction level of patients and family in the palliative care based case management service was higher than that for conventional service in the control group (p < 0.05). No statistical difference was detected between the experimental and control groups regarding health costs and duration of hospitalization (p > 0.05). Conclusion: We provided a better symptom control, improved the patient s quality of life (excluding physical and congnitive functions), and patient and family satisfaction levels were higher in the palliative care based case management intervention group, but direct health costs were not affected.
Characteristics of suicide notes of children and young adolescents: An examination of the notes from suicide victims 15 years and younger
Authors: Freuchen Anne , Grøholt Berit 
Published: October 2013

Objective: By analysing the suicide notes from suicide victims 15 years and younger, we attempt to gain insight into the process leading to youth suicide and explore the characteristics of the note writers. Method: During a psychological autopsy on 42 youths, we were entrusted with 23 suicide notes in which we explored the themes and compared the note writers to the non-note writers. Results: The key messages were as follows: explain the reason for suicide, declare love and give instructions. The note writers had showed suicidal behaviour more frequently than non-note writers. Conclusion: In the notes from youth suicide victims they present themselves as fully responsible and without confusion or overwhelming despair. The notes are likely equally informative as the notes of older victims.
Network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials: Reporting the proper summaries
Authors: Zhang Jing , Carlin Bradley P , Neaton James D , Soon Guoxing G , Nie Lei , Kane Robert , Virnig Beth A , Chu Haitao 
Published: October 2013

Background In the absence of sufficient data directly comparing multiple treatments, indirect comparisons using network meta-analyses (NMAs) can provide useful information. Under current contrast-based (CB) methods for binary outcomes, the patient-centered measures including the treatment-specific event rates and risk differences (RDs) are not provided, which may create some unnecessary obstacles for patients to comprehensively trade-off efficacy and safety measures. Purpose We aim to develop NMA to accurately estimate the treatment-specific event rates. Methods A Bayesian hierarchical model is developed to illustrate how treatment-specific event rates, RDs, and risk ratios (RRs) can be estimated. We first compare our approach to alternative methods using two hypothetical NMAs assuming a fixed RR or RD, and then use two published NMAs to illustrate the improved reporting. Results In the hypothetical NMAs, our approach outperforms current CB NMA methods in terms of bias. In the two published NMAs, noticeable differences are observed in the magnitude of relative treatment effects and several pairwise statistical significance tests from previous report. Limitations First, to facilitate the estimation, each study is assumed to hypothetically compare all treatments, with unstudied arms being missing at random. It is plausible that investigators may have selected treatment arms on purpose based on the results of previous trials, which may lead to ‘nonignorable missingness’ and potentially bias our estimates. Second, we have not considered methods to identify and account for potential inconsistency between direct and indirect comparisons. Conclusions The proposed NMA method can accurately estimate treatment-specific event rates, RDs, and RRs and is recommended.
Beyond intention to treat: What is the right question?
Authors: Shrier Ian , Steele Russell J , Verhagen Evert , Herbert Rob , Riddell Corinne A , Kaufman Jay S 
Published: October 2013

Background Most methodologists recommend intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis in order to minimize bias. Although ITT analysis provides an unbiased estimate for the effect of treatment assignment on the outcome, the estimate is biased for the actual effect of receiving treatment (active treatment) compared to some comparison group (control). Other common analyses include measuring effects in (1) participants who follow their assigned treatment (Per Protocol), (2) participants according to treatment received (As Treated), and (3) those who would comply with recommended treatment (Complier Average Causal Effect (CACE) as estimated by Principal Stratification or Instrumental Variable Analyses). As each of these analyses compares different study subpopulations, they address different research questions. Purpose For each type of analysis, we review and explain (1) the terminology being used, (2) the main underlying concepts, (3) the questions that are answered and whether the method provides valid causal estimates, and (4) the situations when the analysis should be conducted. Methods We first review the major concepts in relation to four nuances of the clinical question, ‘Does treatment improve health?’ After reviewing these concepts, we compare the results of the different analyses using data from two published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Each analysis has particular underlying assumptions and all require dichotomizing adherence into Yes or No. We apply sensitivity analyses so that intermediate adherence is considered (1) as adherence and (2) as non-adherence. Results The ITT approach provides an unbiased estimate for how active treatment will improve (1) health in the population if a policy or program is enacted or (2) health of patients if a clinician changes treatment practice. The CACE approach generally provides an unbiased estimate of the effect of active treatment on health of patients who would follow the clinician’s advice to take active treatment. Unfortunately, there is no current analysis for clinicians and patients who want to know whether active treatment will improve the patient’s health if taken, which is different from the effect in patients who would follow the clinician’s advice to take active treatment. Sensitivity analysis for the CACE using two published data sets suggests that the underlying assumptions appeared to be violated. Limitations There are several methods within each analytical approach we describe. Our analyses are based on a subset of these approaches. Conclusions Although adherence-based analyses may provide meaningful information, the analytical method should match the clinical question, and investigators should clearly outline why they believe assumptions hold and should provide empirical tests of the assumptions where possible.
Echocardiographic changes and treatment goal rates after a 6-month combined treatment with amlodipine and losartan: a validation study in Andean countries (METAL study)
Authors: Pérez Carreño Juan Guillermo , Romero Juan Diego , Villar Centeno Juan Carlos ,   for the METAL Study Investigators
Published: October 2013

Background: The extent to which treatment with amlodipine/losartan may help patients and their doctors from Andean countries to reach their treatment goals remains unknown. Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental, validation study in which patients with primary, uncomplicated hypertension received open-label, fixed combination therapy with amlodipine/losartan 5/50 mg or 5/100 mg according to their baseline blood pressure (BP). The primary outcome was echocardiographic reduction of left ventricular mass (LMV) after 6 months of treatment. Secondary outcomes were changes in BP, uricemia and albuminuria from baseline. We defined patients with adequately controlled hypertension as those with decreases in at least three out of these four variables. Results: From 109 eligible patients with hypertension, 99 started the protocol (70 under the low-dose combination). Echocardiography indices had mutual correlation and contributed independently to the primary outcome (Cronbach’s α index = 0.66). Intention-to-treat analysis showed that 60 patients [60.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 50.3–70.3] had reduced LVM. Echocardiographic changes were not associated with dose levels. Favorable changes in BP, uricemia and microabuminuria were seen in 77, 64 and 76 patients respectively. After 6 months there were 64 (95% CI 54–74%) patients with adequately controlled hypertension. Conclusion: Every two of three patients of this sample of Andean countries reached adequate control after 6 months of combined antihypertensive treatment with amlodipine/losartan.
Prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections by intravesical administration of heparin: a pilot study
Authors: Ablove Tova , Patankar Manish , Seo Songwon 
Published: October 2013

Objective: To assess the effect of bladder instillations using heparin on the rate of urinary tract infections in women resistant to standard therapy. Patients and methods: The medical records of all women who received bladder instillations between May 2009 and January of 2010 at the University of Wisconsin urogynecology clinic were reviewed. Eighteen women (mean age 67 years) with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections received intravesical instillations (heparin 40,000 U, 2% lidocaine 8 ml, sodium bicarbonate 4 ml) once weekly for 6 weeks. Patients were considered resistant to standard therapy if their condition failed to respond to chronic suppression antibiotic therapy; they had chronic infections and for this reason could not be placed on chronic suppression; or they were not candidates for chronic suppression due to drug allergies. The number of urinary tract infections was monitored during treatment and for 6 months after therapy. The urinary tract infection rates were compared with the rates of urinary tract infection in the 6 months before treatment. Results: Seventy-eight percent of patients responded to therapy. Subjects were thought to have responded to therapy if there was a greater than 50% reduction in the rate of urinary tract infection. Other variables reviewed included evidence of chronic infection, hormonal status, glomerular filtration rate, age, body mass index, antibiotic allergies, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic antibiotic therapy during bladder instillations. None of these variables were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Bladder instillations decreased the rate of urinary tract infection in this pilot study; this effect persisted into the post-treatment period. More research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
On the mechanism of exfoliation of ‘Vermiculite’
Authors: Hillier S. , Marwa E. M. M. , Rice C. M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractSix samples of ‘Vermiculite’ have been studied to investigate the mechanism of its well known but poorly understood property to exfoliate. The samples were analysed quantitatively by XRD to determine their precise mineralogical composition. Electron microprobe methods, including elemental mapping of native potassium and of caesium (introduced by cation exchange) were used to examine variation in the chemical composition of the particles. Most of the samples examined show heterogeneous mineralogical compositions which occur as distinct zones within the volume of individual particles, presenting a mosaic texture. Exfoliation is related to this mosaic distribution of the different mineral phases within the particles. Lateral phase boundaries between vermiculite and mica layers, or vermiculite and chlorite layers are postulated to prevent or impede the escape of gas from a particle, resulting in exfoliation when the pressure exceeds the interlayer bonding forces that hold the layers together. This mechanism provides a common explanation for the exfoliation of ‘Vermiculite’ by thermal methods or by treatment with H2O2. Paradoxically, one sample which consists of pure vermiculite, in the mineralogical sense of the term, demonstrates that pure vermiculite does not and should not exhibit the property of exfoliation. Our explanation of the mechanism of exfoliation explains the commonly observed particle size dependence of exfoliation and the tendency for obviously poly-phase ‘Vermiculite’ samples to show the largest coefficients of expansion.
Adsorption of enrofloxacin from aqueous solution by bentonite
Authors: Zhang J. X. , Zhou Q. X. , Li W. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe removal of enrofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, from aqueous solution by adsorption onto bentonite was investigated in this study. The effects of initial concentrations, contact time and temperature on the adsorption of enrofloxacin were studied via batch experiments. The adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 60 min for all studied concentrations. The adsorption capacity increased with the increase of initial concentration within a concentration range. Higher temperatures were favourable for the adsorption. The change of Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), change of enthalpy (ΔH°) and change of entropy (ΔS°) were evaluated and the results indicate that the adsorption should be an endothermic and spontaneous process. The Langmuir isotherm model fitted to the experimental data better than the Freundlich model. The adsorption follows the pseudo-second order kinetic model.
Montmorillonite mitigates the toxic effect of heavy oil on hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial growth: implications for marine oil spill bioremediation
Authors: Chaerun S. K. , Tazaki K. , Okuno M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe ability of montmorillonite to mitigate the toxic effect of heavy oil from theNakhodkaoil spill, by growth of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and enable bioremediation was studied. Montmorillonite enhanced the bacterial growth significantly (P< 0.05) in the main treatment containing heavy oil+bacteria+montmorillonite (OBM), because the specific growth rate (μ) was greater than that in the biotic control treatment containing heavy oil+bacteria (OB). Significant amounts of Si and Al (major constituents of montmorillonite) were not released in the aqueous phase over the ∽24-day experiment (P> 0.05). Transmission electron microscopic observation showed that the hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial cells were covered and encrusted with montmorillonite particles. Scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS) also showed that the surrounding of the bacterial cells was frequently rich in Si but not in Al. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that the heavy oil-bacterial cell-montmorillonite particle complex retained the composition of both water and heavy oil. X-ray powder diffractrometery (XRD) analysis revealed that heavy oil and heavy oil-bacteria did not change the basal spacing of montmorillonite over a period of 24 days. The enhancement of hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial growth is attributed to montmorillonite likely serving as both bacterial growth-supporting carrier and protective outer layer against high concentrations of heavy oil that inhibit growth. These results shed light on the interactions in oil-bacteria-clay complexes and could potentially be used in marine oil spill bioremediation.
Characterization of clay deposits of Nanga-Eboko (central Cameroon): suitability for the production of building materials
Authors: Nzeukou Nzeugang A. , Medjo Eko R. , Fagel N. , Kamgang Kabeyene V. , Njoya A. , Balo Madi A. , Mache J. R. , Melo Chinje U. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractClayey deposits of Nanga-Eboko (central Cameroon) were studied to assess their potential as building materials. Characterization was performed using XRD, FTIR, XRF, DTA/DTG and firing testing. Clays appear as discontinuous pockets with the same textural characteristics in three villages located on both sides of the Sanaga River. The average thickness of the exploitable layer is about 3m. The estimated tonnage ∼7–17×105m3can supply a brick industry of great importance. SiO2(∼70%), Al2O3(∼15%) and Fe2O3(∼4%) are the predominant oxides of the natural clays. Quartz (∼55%), kaolinite (∼33%), illite (∼5%) and K-feldspar (∼4%) are major minerals. Clays are not suitable for building construction due to their fine-grained size and high plasticity properties. Firing properties of bricks (950 and 1050°C) are good despite the high shrinkage values. Therefore the addition of “degreasers” is recommended to control shaping and drying.