bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reconsidering the Specified Tetrad Test
Authors: Garcia Karen , Ennis John M. , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAdditional noise from additional stimuli has been shown to result in a loss of operational power in sensory difference tests. Because the Specified Tetrad test requires the evaluation of four stimuli and has only a slight theoretical power advantage over the two‐alternative forced choice (2‐AFC), Ennis and Jesionka have argued that the Specified Tetrad test should not be used. But this theoretical assertion had not been confirmed experimentally. In this article, we refute this argument using results from a large‐scale comparison of the 2‐AFC with the Specified Tetrad test. Using Thurstonian analysis, we quantified the sensory effect size as measured by both tests and found that the Specified Tetrad test is significantly more sensitive than the 2‐AFC in this setting. In fact, if the sample values from our experiment could be taken as population values, the results of this experiment predict that the Specified Tetrad test is operationally more powerful than a double‐replicated 2‐AFC. While further investigation of the Specified Tetrad test is needed before such a strong statement can be confirmed, these results indicate that the Specified Tetrad test is worthy of such investigation.Practical ApplicationsAmong the many tools in the sensory scientist's tool box are the specified difference testing methods. These methods can be used when the attribute that defines the difference between the samples is known. Historically, the 2‐AFC has been considered the operationally most powerful method of specified testing, but the 2‐AFC has never been compared with the Specified Tetrad test. In this article, we provide such a comparison, and show that the Specified Tetrad test deserves attention as a specified testing method.
Positive influence of l‐carnitine on the different muscle fibres types of racing pigeons
Authors: Chang M. H. , Tsai F. H. , Chou S. J. , Wang J. H. , Lo D. Y. , Zheng Z. Z. , Chan K. W. , Lai J. M. 
Published: October 2013

SummarySuccinate dehydrogenase (SDH), Ca2+ ATPase, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), are involved in energy metabolism. These enzymes can be used as indicators of the energy capacity of aerobic cells. The study investigated the effects of l‐carnitine supplementation on M. pectoralis superficialis, M. pectoralis profundus, M. extensor carpi radialis muscle and M. flexor carpi ulnaris. Twenty‐eight racing pigeons hatched at the same time were divided randomly into three groups. Eight pigeons, which were used as the control group, were sacrificed at 92‐day old. The remaining twenty pigeons continued training until they reached 157‐day old, with half the pigeons getting 25 mg/head/day of l‐carnitine, while the other half given the same amount of water. The pigeons were assessed by histochemical methods and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). To assess influence of l‐carnitine on muscle fibre composition and the performance of three genes' mRNA, this study applied SDH localization, SDH, Ca2+ ATPase and LDH mRNA expression to examine the results after oral administration of l‐carnitine in vivo in racing pigeons. The results showed that l‐carnitine significantly elevated the amount of white muscle fibre type IIa (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression quantities of SDH and LDH gene was higher via RT‐PCR method. However, the expression of Ca2+ ATPase remains similar. In conclusion, appropriate oral administration of l‐carnitine of 25 mg/pigeon/day will result in an improvement of muscles related to flying.
Revisiting Chinese‐speaking children's understanding of argument structure
Authors: Jiang Lu , Haryu Etsuko 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA causative verb is likely to appear in a sentence with two noun arguments, whereas a noncausative verb tends to appear in a sentence with a single argument. The present research investigates from what point children learning Chinese begin to show this knowledge of argument structure. Two‐, 3‐, 4‐, and 5‐year‐old children were tested using a forced‐choice pointing task. The results showed that Chinese‐speaking children aged 2 years could associate a transitive construction with a causative event, whereas they were not able to map an intransitive construction to a noncausative event even after reaching 5 years of age. The reason why Chinese children have such difficulty in learning knowledge of intransitive construction is discussed, focusing on (a) the semantic properties of certain intransitive verbs, which have been found not only in Chinese but also in other languages, and (b) the ellipsis of arguments, which is characteristic of Chinese.
Detection and identification of mycobacteria in fixed stained smears and formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissues using PCR
Authors: Reppas G. , Fyfe J. , Foster S. , Smits B. , Martin P. , Jardine J. , Lam A. , O'Brien C. , Malik R. 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo determine the feasibility of using polymerase chain reaction to amplify DNA from methanol‐fixed, Romanowsky‐stained and Ziehl‐Neelsen‐stained smears to confirm the presence of mycobacteria.Materials and MethodsTissue was obtained from 10 archival slides and 27 slides from a prospective series of consecutive cases. Phosphate buffered saline (500 μL) was pipetted onto a stained smear (on a glass slide) using a disposable filtered pipette tip. The material adherent to the slide was scraped from its surface and drawn up into the saline. Routine DNA extraction and purification was carried out before nested polymerase chain reaction testing targeting the 16S‐23S internal transcribed spacer region or a TaqMan real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The real‐time polymerase chain reaction was also used on thick sections cut from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue blocks from 24 canine leproid granulomas.ResultsMycobacterial DNA was detected in 34 of 37 slides. Polymerase chain reaction products could not be amplified from three archived smears stained using the Ziehl‐Neelsen acid‐fast method, probably because its harsher fixation damaged the DNA. With the nested polymerase chain reaction, species identification using internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis was achieved in all instances, diagnosing a wide range of mycobacteria. The real‐time polymerase chain reaction detected Mycobacterium sp. CLG DNA within all 24 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded specimens tested.Clinical SignificanceThis technique should provide a non‐invasive and cost‐effective means of diagnosing mycobacterial infections.
Effects of Different Steps in Gender Reassignment Therapy on Psychopathology: A Prospective Study of Persons with a Gender Identity Disorder
Authors: Heylens Gunter , Verroken Charlotte , De Cock Sanne , T'Sjoen Guy , De Cuypere Griet 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Introduction
At the start of gender reassignment therapy, persons with a gender identity disorder (GID) may deal with various forms of psychopathology. Until now, a limited number of publications focus on the effect of the different phases of treatment on this comorbidity and other psychosocial factors.

Aims
The aim of this study was to investigate how gender reassignment therapy affects psychopathology and other psychosocial factors.

Methods
This is a prospective study that assessed 57 individuals with GID by using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) at three different points of time: at presentation, after the start of hormonal treatment, and after sex reassignment surgery (SRS). Questionnaires on psychosocial variables were used to evaluate the evolution between the presentation and the postoperative period. The data were statistically analyzed by using SPSS 19.0, with significance levels set at P &lt; 0.05.

Main Outcome Measures
The psychopathological parameters include overall psychoneurotic distress, anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, somatization, paranoid ideation/psychoticism, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, and sleeping problems. The psychosocial parameters consist of relationship, living situation, employment, sexual contacts, social contacts, substance abuse, and suicide attempt.

Results
A difference in SCL-90 overall psychoneurotic distress was observed at the different points of assessments (P = 0.003), with the most prominent decrease occurring after the initiation of hormone therapy (P &lt; 0.001). Significant decreases were found in the subscales such as anxiety, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, and hostility. Furthermore, the SCL-90 scores resembled those of a general population after hormone therapy was initiated. Analysis of the psychosocial variables showed no significant differences between pre- and postoperative assessments.

Conclusions
A marked reduction in psychopathology occurs during the process of sex reassignment therapy, especially after the initiation of hormone therapy.
Urinary Incontinence in Premenopausal Women: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Impact on Quality of Life
Authors: ÜNLÜ Mehmet , ÜSTÜNER Işık , GÜVEN Emine Seda G. , ŞENTÜRK Şenol , ŞAHIN Figen K. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI), and assess its impact on the quality of life (QOL) in premenopausal women.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, 690 women aged from 18 to 53 were interviewed using a demographic questionnaire and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form.ResultsThe overall prevalence of any UI was 27.2%. Of the 188 women reporting UI the types were: stress 36.7%, urgency 32.4% and mixed 30.9%. The mean value of the age and body mass index (BMI) of the cases with UI was statistically significantly higher than the group without UI (P < 0.01). In the premenopausal women of similar age and BMI the incontinence rate was significantly higher in those who had a normal vaginal delivery than those who had a Cesarean section (P < 0.01). In the logistic regression analysis it was determined that the effect on the occurrence of incontinence was as follows in terms of age, education and number of pregnancies; age > 35 years had an odds ratio of 1.896 (95% confidence interval [CI]:1.29–2.80); the effect of the status of not attending a school or only attending primary school had an odds ratio 1.839 (95% CI: 1.23–2.75) and the number of pregnancies > 2 had an odds ratio 1.495 (95% CI:1.00–2.26).ConclusionBeing older than 35, having a low educational level and a gravida greater than two are the independent risk factors in terms of the occurrence of UI in premenopausal women.
Prospective Randomized Study of MiniArc and Ajust Single Incision Sling Procedures
Authors: MARTAN Alois , KRHUT Jan , MAŠATA Jaromír , ŠVABÍK Kamil , HALAŠKA Michael , HORČIČKA Lukáš , ZACHOVAL Roman 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Ajust and MiniArc system mini‐sling anti‐incontinence procedures for female stress urinary incontinence, at a minimum of 24 months after surgery.MethodsThis prospective, randomized, multicenter study included 66 women with previously untreated stress urinary incontinence, and 63 patients completed the study. These women were randomly divided into two groups; the first group of patients underwent operations using the Ajust (n = 33) technique, while the second group were treated with the MiniArc (n = 33) technique. The efficacy of the Ajust and MiniArc procedures (n = 31/32) was evaluated at an average of 28/29 months (minimum24 months) after the procedures. Subjective assessment of the cure rate and the leakage of urine was based on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire ‐ Short Form (ICIQ‐UI SF) and five‐point Likert scale. Objective assessment of leakage of urine was assessed by the cough test.ResultsSubjective assessment by the ICIQ‐UI SF questionnaire showed that 93.5–96.9% of patients were dry or improved 28/29 months after the Ajust/MiniArc operations. Based on evaluation by means of the Likert scale, 83.9/81.3% of patients in the Ajust/MiniArc group were dry or improved. Objective assessment by cough test showed that 93.5/81.3% of patients had negative results for this test 28/29 months after the Ajust/MiniArc procedures.ConclusionsThe cure rates of the Ajust and MiniArc procedures are very good with the follow‐up of 24 months.
Association between Chronic Periodontal Disease and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Both Sexes
Authors: MATSUMOTO Seiji , MATSUDA Mitsuyoshi , TAKEKAWA Masanori , OKADA Masuhiko , HASHIZUME Kazumi , WADA Naoki , HORI Jun‐ichi , KITA Masafumi , IWATA Tatsuya , KAKIZAKI Hidehiro 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between chronic periodontal disease (CPD) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in both sexes.MethodsThe interview sheet of the CPD self‐checklist and LUTS was distributed to 600 adult men and women (300 each) who visited the first dental examination at dental clinics. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire/Quality Of Life (IPSS/QOL) and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) were used to assess LUTS. The relationship between the CPD score and LUTS or OAB was examined.ResultsThe interview sheet was collected from 88 men (50.9 ± 16.6 years old) and 97 women (51.1 ± 15.5 years old). There was no statistically significant correlation between the CPD score and age, or between the CPD score and the presence of LUTS in either men or women. However, urgency and weak stream score of IPSS were significantly correlated with the severity of CPD in both sexes. Significant correlation between the severity of CPD and the presence of OAB was only noted in men but not in women.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated for the first time that some storage and voiding symptoms were significantly associated with CPD in both sexes. Thus, although CPD and LUTS seem to have common pathophysiological factors, the interrelationship between CPD and LUTS is slightly different between men and women.
Genetic evidence for landscape effects on dispersal in the army ant Eciton burchellii
Authors: Soare Thomas W. , Kumar Anjali , Naish Kerry A. , O'Donnell Sean 
Published: October 2013

AbstractInhibited dispersal, leading to reduced gene flow, threatens populations with inbreeding depression and local extinction. Fragmentation may be especially detrimental to social insects because inhibited gene flow has important consequences for cooperation and competition within and among colonies. Army ants have winged males and permanently wingless queens; these traits imply male‐biased dispersal. However, army ant colonies are obligately nomadic and have the potential to traverse landscapes. Eciton burchellii, the most regularly nomadic army ant, is a forest interior species: colony raiding activities are limited in the absence of forest cover. To examine whether nomadism and landscape (forest clearing and elevation) affect population genetic structure in a montane E. burchellii population, we reconstructed queen and male genotypes from 25 colonies at seven polymorphic microsatellite loci. Pairwise genetic distances among individuals were compared to pairwise geographical and resistance distances using regressions with permutations, partial Mantel tests and random forests analyses. Although there was no significant spatial genetic structure in queens or males in montane forest, dispersal may be male‐biased. We found significant isolation by landscape resistance for queens based on land cover (forest clearing), but not on elevation. Summed colony emigrations over the lifetime of the queen may contribute to gene flow in this species and forest clearing impedes these movements and subsequent gene dispersal. Further forest cover removal may increasingly inhibit Eciton burchellii colony dispersal. We recommend maintaining habitat connectivity in tropical forests to promote population persistence for this keystone species.
Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) Oral Absorption and Clinical Influences
Authors: Raffa Robert B. , Pergolizzi Joseph V. , Taylor Robert , Decker John F. , Patrick Jeffrey T. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAcetaminophen (paracetamol) is a widely used nonopioid, non‐NSAIDanalgesic that is effective against a variety of pain types, but the consequences of overdose can be severe. Because acetaminophen is so widely available as a single agent and is increasingly being formulated in fixed‐ratio combination analgesic products for the potential additive or synergistic analgesic effect and/or reduced adverse effects, accidental cumulative overdose is an emergent concern. This has rekindled interest in the sites, processes, and pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen oral absorption and the clinical factors that can influence these. The absorption of oral acetaminophen occurs primarily along the small intestine by passive diffusion. Therefore, the rate‐limiting step is the rate of gastric emptying into the intestines. Several clinical factors can affect absorptionper seor the rate of gastric emptying, such as diet, concomitant medication, surgery, pregnancy, and others. Although acetaminophen does not have the abuse potential of opioids or the gastrointestinal bleeding or organ adverse effects ofNSAIDs, excess amounts can produce serious hepatic injury. Thus, an understanding of the sites and features of acetaminophen absorption—and how they might be influenced by factors encountered in clinical practice—is important for pain management using this agent. It can also provide insight for design of formulations that would be less susceptible to clinical variables.
Delirious behavior or mild reduction of consciousness mimicking influenza‐associated encephalopathy
Authors: Azumagawa Kohji , Kashiwagi Mitsuru , Shimakawa Shuichi , Tanabe Takuya , Tamai Hiroshi 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundDuring the A/H1N1 pandemic, patients suffered from impaired consciousness. They were suspected of or diagnosed as having influenza‐associated encephalopathy (IAE) in an emergency situation. Their symptoms resembled those of a recently described ‘unique clinical group’, which were reported to have a favorable prognosis.MethodsWe retrospectively examined 46 patients and divided them into two groups. Group IC contained the 26 patients with persisting impaired consciousness. The remainder of the patients were categorized into group R, consisting of patients with only neurological symptoms without impaired consciousness.ResultsMale predominance (22 male/four female) was noted in group IC. Patient age ranged from 5 to 12 years old (mean ± SD, 7.7 ± 2.3 years). Impaired consciousness such as delirious behavior or mild reduction of consciousness lasted continuously or intermittently from 5 min to 2.5 days. On electroencephalogram, semi‐rhythmic high‐voltage slow waves in the parieto‐occipital regions and diffuse high‐voltage slow waves were observed in eight and in two patients, respectively. In group R, there was no gender predominance. Patient age ranged from 1 to 9 years old (mean ± SD, 4.1 ± 2.5 years). All group R patients were clinically diagnosed with febrile seizure.ConclusionsSome of the characteristics in group IC resembled those of the unique clinical group, and are part of a continuous clinical spectrum. Some patients may have favorable outcome without specific treatment.
Buying time: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to lung transplantation in pediatric patients
Authors: Casswell Georgina K. , Pilcher David V. , Martin Rani S. , Pellegrino Vincent A. , Marasco Silvana F. , Robertson Colin , Butt Warwick , Buckland Mark , Gooi Julian , Snell Gregory I. , Westall Glen P. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractTo describe our experience to date of four children with end‐stage lung disease who have been bridged with ECMO to successful lung transplantation in our institution. Between March 2006 and June 2012, a total of 21 pediatric patients successfully underwent lung transplantation within The Alfred's lung transplantation program. This included four children who were bridged on ECMO prior to transplantation according to the “ECMO bridge to transplant” protocol and whose clinical notes and outcomes were reviewed. Lung transplantation is an established life‐saving treatment for patients with severe lung disease, but remains limited due to scarcity of suitable donor organs. This is a particular issue in the pediatric setting, where the smaller child waits disproportionately longer compared with adult patients for size‐matched donor lungs. As ECMO has become more widely accepted, its use as a bridge to lung transplantation in pediatric patients with severe acute lung injury or end‐stage chronic lung disease has been considered. The medical notes from the four pediatric patients were retrospectively reviewed. Our report describes excellent short‐ and medium‐term outcomes in a small number of children who have been bridged to transplant on ECMO.
Intra‐operative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use in pediatric lung transplantation – The Zurich experience
Authors: Zuercher Alice J. , Inci Ilhan , Benden Christian , Fretz Gregory , Béchir Markus , Boehler Annette , Weder Walter 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThere is a lack of data regarding use of ECMO in children undergoing lung transplantation. We evaluated our experience of ECMO in pediatric lung transplant recipients. All patients (<18 yr) who underwent lung transplants between 1997 and 2011 were included (17 children; nine males; median age 16 yr), and the use of intra‐operative ECMO evaluated. Transplant procedures were carried out with intra‐operative ECMO in seven children (all bilateral lung transplants). Demographics of ECMO and non‐ECMO patients were comparable. One child was already on ECMO pre‐operative. Lung graft size reduction was undertaken in five ECMO and four non‐ECMO cases, respectively. Five patients were taken off ECMO intra‐operatively; the other patients were weaned off ECMO within 48 h post‐operatively. Three‐months survival was 100%. By 12 months post‐transplantation, one patient each died in the ECMO and in the non‐ECMO group. At the end of the study, six of seven ECMO cases were still alive (median survival 48.5 months); one patient required a retransplant at 53 months. Our small case series suggests that lung transplant procedures can be safely carried out in selected children on intra‐operative ECMO support; however, our pediatric experience regarding this scenario is very limited but probably almost unique.
Peripheral blood biomarkers for the characterization of alloimmune reactivity after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Briem‐Richter Andrea , Leuschner Alexander , Krieger Thorsten , Grabhorn Enke , Fischer Lutz , Nashan Bjoern , Haag Friedrich , Ganschow Rainer 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIndividualization of immunosuppressive medications is an important objective in transplantation medicine. Reliable biomarkers to distinguish between patients dependent from intensive immunosuppressive therapy and those where therapy can be minimized among pediatric transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive medications are still not established. We evaluated the potential of cross‐sectional quantification of regulatory T cells, lymphocyte subsets, and cytokine concentrations as biomarkers in 60 pediatric liver transplant recipients with AR, CR, or normal graft function and in 11 non‐transplanted patients. Transplant recipients presenting with AR had significantly higher CD8+ T‐cell counts, significantly higher concentrations of IL‐2, and increased levels of IFN‐γ compared with asymptomatic patients or controls. Regulatory T‐cell numbers did not differ between children with rejection and children with good graft function. A tendency toward increased concentrations of IL‐4 and TGF‐β was detected in transplant recipients with good graft function. Cross‐sectional parameters of peripheral regulatory T cells in pediatric liver transplant recipients do not seem to be valuable biomarkers for individualizing immunosuppressive therapy prior to the weaning process. Lymphocyte subsets, IL‐2, IFN‐γ, IL‐4, and TGF‐β serum concentrations may be helpful to identify children in whom immunosuppression can be reduced or discontinued.