bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of vitiligo with special emphasis on the antioxidant action of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy
Authors: Karsli Neslihan , Akcali Cenk , Ozgoztasi Orhan , Kirtak Necmettin , Inaloz Serhat 
Published: April 2014

Objectives To evaluate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and the effect of narrowband (NB) ultraviolet (UV) B phototherapy on oxidative stress markers. Methods Patients with vitiligo and healthy control subjects were included in the study. Patients in the vitiligo group were treated with an NB-UVB regimen (3 × weekly for 6 months). Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), erythrocyte malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px) levels were assessed in all participants at baseline, and after NB-UVB phototherapy in patients with vitiligo. Results A total of 24 patients with vitiligo and 27 control subjects were included in the study. Before treatment, erythrocyte MDA levels were significantly higher, and SOD and GSH-Px levels were significantly lower, in patients with vitiligo compared with controls. NB-UVB phototherapy was associated with a significant reduction in MDA levels and a significant increase in GSH-Px levels, compared with baseline, in patients with vitiligo. Conclusion NB-UVB phototherapy may relieve oxidative stress in patients with vitiligo by reversing the oxidant–antioxidant imbalance that is considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.
A chin-lift mask produces a patent airway more effectively than an oropharyngeal airway using the EC-clamp technique in obese patients
Authors: Li Li , Feng Jie , Xie Shu Hua , Geng Li Cheng 
Published: April 2014

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of ventilation using a novel chin-lift mask compared with an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) with EC-clamp technique in obese patients. Methods Obese patients scheduled for cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia were divided into two groups: the OPA group, in which a standard mask and OPA with the EC-clamp technique were used; the CL group, in which the chin-lift mask was used. Respiratory data were compared. Results One hundred patients were recruited and assigned to the OPA ( n = 50) and CL ( n = 50) groups. Compared with the OPA group, expired tidal volume, peripheral oxygen saturation ( SpO2), tidal volume/peak inspiratory pressure ratio and end-tidal carbon dioxide were higher, and the peak and mean inspiratory pressures were lower, in the CL group. In the CL group, no patient had an SpO2 ≤95% and the lowest SpO2 was 99%, whereas in the OPA group, 23 patients had an SpO2 ≤95% and the lowest SpO2 was 92%. Difficult mask ventilation occurred in eight patients in the OPA group but in none in the CL group. Conclusion The chin-lift mask provided a patent airway and better quality mask ventilation than an OPA with EC-clamp technique in obese patients.
Unique combination of hyperintense vessel sign on initial FLAIR and delayed vasoconstriction on MRA in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: A case report
Authors: Kameda Tomoaki , Namekawa Michito , Shimazaki Haruo , Minakata Daisuke , Matsuura Tohru , Nakano Imaharu 
Published: April 2014

Background Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is characterized by thunderclap headache and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction on angiographic findings. It can be difficult to diagnose when initial angiography is normal. Case results A 30-year-old woman was admitted because of sudden-onset thunderclap headache and seizure on postpartum day 7. Brain MRI on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) showed hyperintense vessel sign (HVS), which usually means slow flow due to severe proximal arterial stenosis. However, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) indicated that proximal arteries was normal. After nicardipine treatment, her symptoms improved dramatically. Follow-up FLAIR on day 7 showed complete resolution of HVS, while a series of MRAs revealed reversible multifocal segmental vasoconstriction. Conclusions HVS on initial FLAIR is useful for an early diagnosis of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. As the delayed vasoconstriction on MRA can be observed, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome may progress from distal small to proximal larger arteries.
Brookfield powder flow tester – Results of round robin tests with CRM-116 limestone powder
Authors: Berry RJ , Bradley MSA , McGregor RG 
Published: April 2014

A low cost powder flowability tester for industry has been developed at The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology, University of Greenwich in collaboration with Brookfield Engineering and four food manufacturers: Cadbury, Kerry Ingredients, GSK and United Biscuits. Anticipated uses of the tester are primarily for quality control and new product development, but it can also be used for storage vessel design. This paper presents the preliminary results from ‘round robin’ trials undertaken with the powder flow tester using the BCR limestone (CRM-116) standard test material. The mean flow properties have been compared to published data found in the literature for the other shear testers.
Financial Intermediation and Growth: Bank-Based versus Market-Based Systems
Authors: Sahoo Satyananda 
Published: April 2014

The article empirically evaluates the role of financial intermediation in India’s economic development. An assessment of various indicators of financial development reveals that both the bank-based and market-based intermediation processes have undergone remarkable improvements in the last six decades. While credit disbursement by Indian banks has increased sharply in the past decades, it is still below the world average level and even below the level of its emerging market and developing economies (EDEs) peers. However, in recent years, the market capitalisation of the Indian stock market has increased indicating greater reliance on market-based sources of funding. One-way Granger causality from private sector credit to real GDP confirms the supply-leading process of bank intermediation, while no causality was found between stock market capitalisation and real GDP. The ARDL co-integration test suggests that both the bank-based and market-based financial deepening have positive roles in driving India’s economic development, while the former has a stronger role in driving India’s economic growth. The findings indicate that in a relatively bank-centric financial sector, Indian banks have the potential of further channelisation of credit to productive sectors of the economy. JEL Classification: G2, O16, C32
A Partial Equilibrium Model for Future Outlooks on Major Cereals in India
Authors: Parappurathu Shinoj , Kumar Anjani , Kumar Shiv , Jain Rajni 
Published: April 2014

A far-sighted food policy is essential to facilitate efficient functioning of food production and management systems, especially for a country like India where household level food security still remains elusive. In this context, reliable mechanisms for generating outlooks on key variables such as demand, supply, trade, prices, etc., of important food commodities forms an essential basis for planning. This paper explores the theoretical underpinnings as well as practical applications of the Cereal Outlook Model, a dynamic, partial-equilibrium model, developed by the authors with the specific purpose of generating future outlooks on major cereals in India. Based on this, projections as well as policy simulations on main demand and supply side variables of rice, wheat and maize were carried out for the period spanning 2011–2025. The model results indicate fast-growing trends in demand and supply of the three cereals considered. Though growth in demand would be sufficiently high due to growing per capita income, population and urbanisation; supply would keep pace owing to the emergence of new areas contributing towards incremental production. Consequently, the net trade of all three commodities would remain positive, though some signs of tapering off in net trade are expected in case of wheat and maize. JEL Classification: Q18, Q11, C5
Limits of Stability and Adaptation to Wearing Rocker Bottom Shoes
Authors: Vieira Edgar Ramos , Guerrero Gerardo , Holt Daniel , Arreaza Monica , Veroes Valentina , Brunt Denis 
Published: April 2014

Background: Stability and balance are fundamental during static and dynamic activities. The effects of wearing rocker bottom sole (RBS) shoes on the limits of stability (LOS) and adaptation to wearing RBS shoes need to be investigated. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the LOS when wearing RBS shoes, and to evaluate if people improve their stability while wearing RBS shoes over time. Methods: Eleven female subjects with no lower extremity impairments participated in the study. The LOS were tested at baseline and weeks 3 and 6 using a Neurocom SMART EquiTest equipment. Center of pressure (CoP) was determined using force plates, and the center of gravity (CoG) position was estimated from the CoP measures and subjects’ anthropometry. Subjects performed a series of tasks that involved leaning in different directions so as to move the vertical projection of their CoG. End-point excursions of the CoG floor projection were calculated as a percentage of the distance between the starting position and the target. Considering the body as an inverted pendulum, we recorded the average angular velocity of the inverted pendulum during the movements and quantified directional control as a percentage of movement toward versus away from the target. Shoe types were compared using paired t tests, and sessions were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The angular velocities of the inverted pendulum (ie, CoG velocity) were not significantly different between shoe conditions in the front and back directions at baseline (4 ± 3 with RBS vs 5 ± 2 deg/sec with regular shoes, and 4 ± 1 vs 6 ± 4 deg/sec). Front directional control of the CoG was significantly worse with RBS shoes at weeks 3 and 6 ( P < .015). Front end-point excursions were also lower with RBS shoes both at baseline and week 6 ( P < .014). There were no significant changes over time. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the LOS were negatively affected by wearing RBS shoes and that people do not improve their stability while wearing these shoes even after a 6-week period of use. Clinical Relevance: This study shows that wearing RBS shoes increase instability and the instability remains even after wearing these shoes for six weeks.
Tibial Stress Fracture Secondary to Half-Pins in Circular Ring External Fixation for Charcot Foot
Authors: Jones Carroll P. , Youngblood CDR Scot A. , Waldrop Norman , Davis W. Hodges , Pinzur Michael S. 
Published: April 2014

Background: There is an increasing trend for surgical correction of the deformity associated with Charcot neuroarthropathy of the foot and ankle (Charcot foot) in order to allow ambulation with commercially available therapeutic footwear. The significant rate of surgical and medical morbidity associated with extensive conventional operative correction has led many surgeons to use limited surgical dissection and stabilization with circular ring external fixation. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 254 patients at 2 academic medical centers who underwent surgical correction for diabetes-associated Charcot foot deformity with limited soft tissue dissection and stabilization accomplished with a statically applied circular external fixator. Tibial stress fractures developed in 10 of the patients. Results: Seven of the fractures developed in the 42 patients in whom tibial block fixation was accomplished with half-pins (16.7%), and 3 fractures developed in the 202 patients in whom tibial block fixation was accomplished with tensioned fine wires (1.5%). Three of the tibial stress fractures were successfully treated with extension of the circular frame above the level of the stress fracture. Four fractures were successfully treated with closed intramedullary nailing and 3 with weight-bearing total contact casts. Two tibial fractures occurred through pin sites (all half-pins) in 120 nonneuropathic patients who underwent application of circular ring external fixators during the same 6-year period. Conclusion: Tibial stress fracture is an unusual complication associated with the use of circular ring external fixation. This investigation highlights the significantly greater risk for the development of this complication in diabetic patients undergoing surgical correction for Charcot foot deformity when half-pins are used for tibial block stabilization, compared with tensioned fine wires. We now recommend the universal use of tensioned fine wires for tibial block fixation when circular ring fixation is performed in patients with Charcot foot arthropathy. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Osteochondral Lesions in Surgically Treated Hallux Valgus
Authors: Jastifer James R. , Coughlin Michael J. , Doty Jesse F. , Stevens Faustin R. , Hirose Christopher , Kemp Travis J. 
Published: April 2014

Background: Patient dissatisfaction following surgical correction of hallux valgus remains a clinical problem. The aim of this study was to investigate articular erosion patterns of the first metatarsal head in patients with hallux valgus, to evaluate if the cartilage damage was associated with the degree of hallux valgus deformity, and to prospectively evaluate the effect on patient outcomes. Methods: Fifty-six consecutive feet undergoing surgical correction for hallux valgus were prospectively enrolled and followed for 24 months postoperatively. In addition to clinical and radiographic examinations, intraoperative measurements were obtained to quantify osteochondral lesion location, size, and grade of the first metatarsal head cartilage. Results: Fifty-one of 56 feet (91%) had osteochondral lesions. The mean number of zones affected was 2.9, and the mean maximum International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) scale lesion grade was 2.9 out of 4. A total of 44/56 (79%) completed a minimum of 24 months of follow-up. The grade of the lesion and the extent of the lesion did not have a strong correlation with the radiographic measures or clinical outcome scores. Conclusions: This study showed a high prevalence of osteochondral lesions in patients undergoing operative correction of hallux valgus. Since the grade and the extent of the lesions did not have a strong correlation with the severity of the deformity or the clinical outcome, the significance of these lesions remains unknown. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative series.