bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The reliability of the clinical examination for detecting Baker's cyst in asymptomatic fossa
Authors: Akgul Ozgur , Guldeste Zuhal , Ozgocmen Salih 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo compare physical examination and ultrasonographic (US) examination for detecting Baker's cyst (BC) in asymptomatic popliteal fossa.MethodsPopliteal fossa was examined in a total of 220 knees in 110 patients with knee pain/osteoarthritis (OA) and non‐OA individuals. Clinical examination was performed by two independent physicians and US examination was performed by a third blinded physician.ResultsExaminer A found 25 BC, examiner B found 30 BC in 220 knees examined (κ = 0.35; 95% CI; 0.14–0.56) and inter‐observer reliability was moderate. When US examination taken as the reference, receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.58 (95% CI; 0.51–0.65) for examiner A and 0.57 (95% CI; 0.50–0.64) for examiner B, showing a weak agreement between physical examination and US assessment.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that many patients may have BCs without any symptoms at the popliteal fossa and clinical examination of the popliteal fossa could not accurately detect BC. US examination of the popliteal fossa should be performed to detect BCs and this may recover the diagnosis.
Concurrent use of khat and tobacco is associated with verbal learning and delayed recall deficits
Authors: Hoffman Richard , al'Absi Mustafa 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimsThe present study assessed whether cigarette smokers who are also regular khat users would demonstrate greater impairments in verbal learning and recall compared to both non‐smokers who are khat users and control subjects.DesignAn independent‐measures, between‐subjects design with two covariates.SettingAn out‐patient, university research center in Taiz, Yemen.ParticipantsSubjects were 175 Yemeni college students (90 men, 85 women) ranging in age from 18 to 38 years. Seventy‐five subjects were self‐reported chronic cigarette smokers and khat users, 48 non‐smoking subjects were self‐reported to be chronic khat users and 52 non‐smoking subjects reported no current use or history of khat use.MeasurementsVerbal learning and verbal memory recall was assessed by subject performance on the Arabic version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT).FindingsStatistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in RAVLT acquisition learning trials 2–5 and on delayed recall measures between concurrent khat and cigarette users compared to both the khat‐only group and the control group of non‐users of khat and cigarettes. On each of these trials, concurrent users recalled fewer words, demonstrating a slowed rate of verbal learning. This same pattern of performance was also seen on delayed recall measures. Khat use alone did not affect immediate or delayed recall of previously learned words.ConclusionsKhat users who smoke cigarettes have a lower rate of verbal learning and delayed recall of previously learned verbal material than khat users who do not smoke cigarettes. This may be due to pre‐existing differences between these groups of subjects.
Collagen crosslinking of porcine sclera using genipin
Authors: Liu Tai‐Xiang , Wang Zheng 
Published: May 2013

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the effect of collagen cross‐linking induced by genipin in porcine sclera.Methods:  Porcine cadaver eyes were treated with genipin at concentrations (by w/v) of 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.1%, 0.3%, 1.0% for 15 and 30 min. Riboflavin/ultraviolet A(UVA)‐treated and untreated samples were used as controls. After treatment, scleral strips of 4.0 × 10.0 mm were cut. Twenty‐four hours later, the stress‐strain parameters of the strips were measured using a biomaterial microtester. The stress and Young’s modulus at 8% strain were evaluated.Results:  Compared with untreated groups, after treatment with genipin for 15 min, the stress was increased by 66–246%, depending on the concentration of genipin. As for the 30‐min groups, the stress was 171–444% higher than that of the control. The difference of the Young’s modulus between genipin 15‐min groups, except the 0.01% groups (p = 0.095), also had statistical significance (p < 0.05). The Young’s modulus had significant difference between the untreated group and the genipin 30‐min groups (all p < 0.05). Of 0.3% genipin for 15 min or 0.01% genipin for 30 min had a similar stress‐strain curve with those of eyes treated with the riboflavin/UVA group. The sclera exhibited a bluish colour which became deeper with increase concentration and cross‐linking time.Conclusions:  Collagen cross‐linking induced by genipin could increase the biomechanical strength in porcine sclera. The effect depends on the concentration and treatment time of genipin.
Preservice teachers' perceptions about using mobile phones and laptops in education as mobile learning tools
Authors: Şad Süleyman Nihat , Göktaş Özlem 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe purpose of this research was to investigate preservice teachers' perceptions about using m‐phones and laptops in education as mobile learning tools. A total of 1087 preservice teachers participated in the study. The results indicated that preservice teachers perceived laptops potentially stronger than m‐phones as m‐learning tools. In terms of limitations the situation was balanced for laptops and m‐phones. Generally, the attitudes towards using laptops in education were not exceedingly positive but significantly more positive than m‐phones. It was also found that such variables as program/department, grade, gender and possessing a laptop are neutral in causing a practically significant difference in preservice teachers' views. The results imply an urgent need to grow awareness among participating student teachers towards the concept of m‐learning, especially m‐learning through m‐phones.
A positive allosteric modulator of α7 nAChRs augments neuroprotective effects of endogenous nicotinic agonists in cerebral ischaemia
Authors: Kalappa Bopanna I , Sun Fen , Johnson Stephen R , Jin Kunlin , Uteshev Victor V 
Published: May 2013

Background and PurposeActivation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) can be neuroprotective. However, endogenous choline and ACh have not been regarded as potent neuroprotective agents because physiological levels of choline/ACh do not produce neuroprotective levels of α7 activation. This limitation may be overcome by the use of type‐II positive allosteric modulators (PAMs‐II) of α7 nAChRs, such as 1‐(5‐chloro‐2,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐3‐(5‐methylisoxazol‐3‐yl)‐urea (PNU‐120596). This proof‐of‐concept study presents a novel neuroprotective paradigm that converts endogenous choline/ACh into potent neuroprotective agents in cerebral ischaemia by inhibiting α7 nAChR desensitization using PNU‐120596.Experimental ApproachAn electrophysiological ex vivo cell injury assay (to quantify the susceptibility of hippocampal neurons to acute injury by complete oxygen and glucose deprivation; COGD) and an in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion model of ischaemia were used in rats.Key ResultsCholine (20–200 μM) in the presence, but not absence of 1 μM PNU‐120596 significantly delayed anoxic depolarization/injury of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, but not CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons, subjected to COGD in acute hippocampal slices and these effects were blocked by 20 nM methyllycaconitine, a selective α7 antagonist, thus, activation of α7 nAChRs was required. PNU‐120596 alone was ineffective ex vivo. In in vivo experiments, both pre‐ and post‐ischaemia treatments with PNU‐120596 (30 mg·kg−1, s.c. and 1 mg·kg−1, i.v., respectively) significantly reduced the cortical/subcortical infarct volume caused by transient focal cerebral ischaemia. PNU‐120596 (1 mg·kg−1, i.v., 30 min post‐ischaemia) remained neuroprotective in rats subjected to a choline‐deficient diet for 14 days prior to experiments.Conclusions and ImplicationsPNU‐120596 and possibly other PAMs‐II significantly improved neuronal survival in cerebral ischaemia by augmenting neuroprotective effects of endogenous choline/ACh.
The antipsychotic‐like effects of positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate mGlu4 receptors in rodents
Authors: Sławińska Anna , Wierońska Joanna M , Stachowicz Katarzyna , Marciniak Marcin , Łasoń‐Tyburkiewicz Magdalena , Gruca Piotr , Papp Mariusz , Kusek Magdalena , Tokarski Krzysztof , Doller Darío , Pilc Andrzej 
Published: May 2013

Background and PurposeBecause agonists at metabotropic glutamate receptors exert beneficial effects in schizophrenia, we have assessed the actions of Lu AF21934 and Lu AF32615, two chemically distinct, selective and brain‐penetrant positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the mGlu4 receptor, in several tests reflecting positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia in rodents.Experimental ApproachHyperactivity induced by MK‐801 or amphetamine and head twitches induced by 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐iodoamphetamine (DOI) in mice were used as models for positive symptoms. Disruption of social interaction and spatial delayed alternation tests induced by MK‐801 in rats were used as models for negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, respectively.Key ResultsLu AF21934 (0.1–5 mg·kg−1) and Lu AF32615 (2–10 mg·kg−1) dose‐dependently inhibited hyperactivity induced by MK‐801 or amphetamine. They also antagonized head twitches and increased frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in brain slices, induced by DOI. In mice lacking the mGlu4 receptor (mGlu4−/−) mice, Lu AF21934 did not antagonize DOI‐induced head twitches. MK‐801‐induced disruption in the social interaction test was decreased by Lu AF21934 at 0.5 mg·kg−1 and by Lu AF32615 at 10 mg·kg−1. In the delayed spatial alternation test, Lu AF21934 was active at 1 and 2 mg·kg−1, while Lu AF32615 was active at 10 mg·kg−1.Conclusions and ImplicationsWe propose that activation by PAMs of the mGlu4 receptor is a promising approach to the discovery of novel antipsychotic drugs.
A prospective randomised single‐blinded clinical trial comparing the efficacy and tolerability of the nasal douching products Sterimar™ and Sinus Rinse™ following functional endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Salib R.J. , Talpallikar S. , Uppal S. , Nair S.B. 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy and tolerability of two commonly used nasal douching products, low‐volume high‐pressure Sterimar™ and high‐volume low‐pressure Sinus Rinse™ following functional endoscopic sinus surgery.DesignProspective randomised single‐blinded study.SettingTertiary referral centre.ParticipantsThirty‐one patients, undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with and without polyps, were recruited for the study. The patients acted as their own comparators self‐administering each douche three times daily into one randomly allocated nostril for a period of 12 weeks following the surgery.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was a blinded objective endoscopic assessment of each operated side using a modified Lund‐Kennedy endoscopic assessment tool undertaken at 2, 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively. As secondary outcome measures, the patients were asked to express a preference between the two products based on perceived effectiveness and ease of use.ResultsCompared with the preoperative scores, there was a statistically significant improvement in the SNOT‐22 score at all three postoperative time points (P < 0.001). Compared with week 2, there was a statistically significant reduction in the modified Lund‐Kennedy endoscopic scores (P < 0.05) for both Sterimar™ and Sinus Rinse™ at weeks 4 and 12. When comparing Sterimar™ with SinuRinse™, there was a statistically significant lower modified Lund‐Kennedy score at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively for the side treated with Sinus Rinse™ (P ≤ 0.05), indicating a more favourable outcome. However, this difference was not apparent at 12 weeks postoperatively (P = 0.66). At all time points, patients perceived Sinus Rinse™ to be more effective than Sterimar™ (P < 0.0001), but there was no significant difference in the patients' preference for either product (P > 0.05).ConclusionHigh‐volume low‐pressure saline irrigation is recommended as an efficacious, easy to use and well‐tolerated adjunct to endoscopic sinonasal toilet in the early postoperative period following functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
Incidence and management of anastomotic bleeding after ileocolic anastomosis
Authors: Golda T. , Zerpa C. , Kreisler E. , Trenti L. , Biondo S. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimIleocolic anastomosis is performed using a stapled or manual technique, but with either there is a risk of bleeding from the suture line. The aim of this study was to analyse, retrospectively, bleeding after different anastomotic techniques.MethodPatients having elective right colectomy were divided, according to the type of ileocolic anastomosis, into Group 1 (circular, double‐stapled, end‐to‐side), Group 2 (linear‐stapled, side‐to‐side) and Group 3 (handsewn, side‐to‐side). Postoperative lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) was studied in the three groups. Uni‐ and multivariate analysis was performed to study risk factors for LGIB and the need for postoperative allogeneic blood transfusion.ResultsThree‐hundred and fifty patients were included: 174 in Group 1, 59 in Group 2 and 117 in Group 3. The postoperative LGIB rate was 4.9% and occurred exclusively in Group 1. Five patients had severe anastomotic bleeding. Postoperative blood transfusion was indicated in Groups 1, 2 and 3 in 19.0%, 5.1% and 13.7% of patients. In the five patients with severe bleeding, four attempts of colonoscopic arrest were made, achieving bleeding control in one. Angiographic embolization was successful in one patient. There were no procedure‐specific complications.ConclusionEnd‐to‐side, circular, double‐stapling ileocolic anastomosis seems to be related to an increased incidence of anastomotic bleeding and of postoperative blood transfusion compared with patients having other techniques of ileocolic anastomosis.
A study of the association with blood pressure difference causing body temperature ≥37·5°C and hypertension in department of primary care
Authors: Shinji Maeda 
Published: May 2013

SummaryPrevious studies reported the relationship between significant blood pressure difference (ΔBP) and early atherosclerotic markers. Although it is known that body temperature is associated with BP and blood flow, as measured on Korotkoff sound graph (KSG), as well as heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity, it remains unclear whether moderate fever (≥37·5°C) can be caused by significant ΔBP. ΔBP was calculated by subtracting the BP of the left arm from that of the right arm. The aim of our study was to investigate whether an association exists among ΔBP, body temperature, hypertension and KSG area ratio in 1802 new outpatients examined in a seated position in routine clinical practice. Our study documented that absolute systolic blood pressure difference (|ΔSBP|) ≥ 10 mmHg (observed in 14·6% of the patients) was associated with a significantly higher heart rate, moderate fever, tachycardia and hypertension. In multivariate analysis, the odds ratios (ORs) of |ΔSBP| ≥ 10 mmHg showed significant associated markers of body temperature and hypertension, while the ORs of KSG area ratio ≥ 170% showed significant associated markers of sex, age, body temperature, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prior vascular event and smoking. In conclusion, our study of new outpatients in the department of primary care demonstrated that |ΔSBP| ≥ 10 mmHg and KSG area ratio ≥ 170% were associated with moderate fever and hypertension. Furthermore, our study suggests that the association of moderate fever with |ΔSBP| ≥ 10 mmHg and KSG area ratio ≥ 170% is physiologic as well as pathologic.
Pretreatment of epidermal growth factor promotes primary hair recovery via the dystrophic anagen pathway after chemotherapy‐induced alopecia
Authors: Paik Seung Hwan , Yoon Ji‐Seon , Ryu Hyeong Ho , Lee Ji Yeon , Shin Chang Yup , Min Kyung Hyun , Jo Seong Jin , Kim Kyu Han , Kwon Ohsang 
Published: May 2013

AbstractEpidermal growth factor (EGF) is not only a cell growth stimulant but also has a catagen‐inducing effect. Because chemotherapeutic agents primarily damage anagen hair follicles, it would be important to investigate whether catagen inducers have beneficial effects in chemotherapy‐induced alopecia (CIA). We pretreated hair follicles with topical EGF‐liposomal solution in the C57BL/6 mouse model of cyclophosphamide‐induced alopecia and observed the catagen‐inducing property and damage response pathway after CIA. We confirmed that topical EGF application induced a catagen‐like stage and found that these catagen‐like hairs were protected from chemotherapy‐mediated damage. Moreover, our results showed that EGF treatment favoured primary hair recovery via the dystrophic anagen pathway after CIA. Given that hair follicles subjected to less severe chemotherapeutic insult enter the dystrophic anagen pathway followed by primary recovery, the results of this study suggest that catagen inducers could be useful as a new alopecia‐protection strategy, especially in the context of CIA.
Differential survival of two minnow species under experimental sunfish predation: implications for re‐invasion of a species into its native range
Authors: Marsh‐Matthews Edie , Thompson Jacob , Matthews William J. , Geheber Aaron , Franssen Nathan R. , Barkstedt Judith 
Published: May 2013

SummaryPredators have long been recognised as important drivers of community structure, and there is a growing literature that suggests predation can affect invasion success by limiting survival or recruitment of potential invaders. Effects of apex predators are well known, but there is increasing evidence that mesopredators may also affect invasion success.In southern Oklahoma (USA), red shiners (Cyprinella lutrensis, which are considered highly invasive outside their native range) disappeared from several streams in which they had historically been the most abundant species. Subsequent to a major flood, red shiners reappeared repeatedly in one stream (Brier Creek) but have not become re‐established, and several lines of evidence suggest that native predators, including sunfish mesopredators, may be inhibiting the re‐invasion of their native range. Over this same time course, another midwater minnow, the bigeye shiner (Notropis boops), has remained common in Brier Creek.In a mesocosm experiment conducted in 2009, red shiners and bigeye shiners exhibited differential survival, and the results of that experiment suggested differential predation by sunfish as the underlying cause.To test specifically for differential predation, we conducted another mesocosm experiment in 2010 in which we exposed equal numbers (n = 15 per mesocosm) of red shiners and bigeye shiners to two sunfish species: green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus;n = 2 per mesocosm) and longear sunfish (L. megalotis;n = 1 per mesocosm).There was no differential survival of the two minnow species in units without predators in 2010, but significantly more bigeye shiners than red shiners survived in predation units. Survival rates in mesocosms with predators ranged from 80 to 100% (mean of 93.3%) for bigeye shiners and from 33.3 to 93.3% (mean of 74.1%) for red shiners.Feeding trials in aquaria showed that both predator species could consume both prey species, suggesting that the differential survival was not the result of inability of the predators to eat either prey species.Although red shiners historically occurred in natural streams along with sunfish, they have failed to become re‐established following their abrupt decline, despite their occasional occurrence in these creeks in recent years. Increased abundance of mesopredators in conjunction with differential survival of red and bigeye shiners in the presence of sunfish predators may underlie the seemingly paradoxical situation in which red shiners fail to re‐invade their native habitat, but bigeye shiners persist in the same system.
Impacts of elevatedCO2concentration on the productivity and surface energy budget of the soybean and maize agroecosystem in the MidwestUSA
Authors: Twine Tracy E. , Bryant Jarod J. , T. Richter Katherine , Bernacchi Carl J. , McConnaughay Kelly D. , Morris Sherri J. , Leakey Andrew D. B. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe physiological response of vegetation to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) modifies productivity and surface energy and water fluxes. Quantifying this response is required for assessments of future climate change. Many global climate models account for this response; however, significant uncertainty remains in model simulations of this vegetation response and its impacts. Data fromin situfield experiments provide evidence that previous modeling studies may have overestimated the increase in productivity at elevated [CO2], and the impact on large‐scale water cycling is largely unknown. We parameterized the Agro‐IBISdynamic global vegetation model with observations from the SoyFACEexperiment to simulate the response of soybean and maize to an increase in [CO2] from 375 ppm to 550 ppm. The two key model parameters that were found to vary with [CO2] were the maximum carboxylation rate of photosynthesis and specific leaf area. Tests of the model that used SoyFACEparameter values showed a good fit to site‐level data for all variables except latent heat flux over soybean and sensible heat flux over both crops. Simulations driven with historic climate data over the central USA showed that increased [CO2] resulted in decreased latent heat flux and increased sensible heat flux from both crops when averaged over 30 years. Thirty‐year average soybean yield increased everywhere (ca. 10%); however, there was no increase in maize yield except during dry years. Without accounting forCO2effects on the maximum carboxylation rate of photosynthesis and specific leaf area, soybean simulations at 550 ppm overestimated leaf area and yield. Our results highlight important model parameter values that, if not modified in other models, could result in biases when projecting future crop–climate–water relationships.