bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A split axilla comparison study of axillary hair removal with low fluence high repetition rate 810 nm diode laser vs. high fluence low repetition rate 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Wanitphakdeedecha R. , Thanomkitti K. , Sethabutra P. , Eimpunth S. , Manuskiatti W. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground  A low fluence, high repetition rate 810 nm diode laser using constant motion technique has been recently introduced with advantages of less treatment discomfort and fewer side effects compared with traditional laser hair removal.Objective  To compare hair reduction and side effects of low fluence high repetition rate 810 nm diode with high fluence low repetition rate 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers.Methods  Forty‐nine subjects were randomly received five monthly treatments with diode laser on one side of their axilla and long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser on the other side. Hair count was recorded at baseline, 1‐ and 6‐month follow‐up visits.Results  Percentage of axillary hair reduction at 1‐month follow‐up visit after receiving diode and Nd:YAG laser treatment were 71.0% and 82.3%, respectively, and at 6‐month follow‐up were 35.7% and 54.2%, respectively. There were significant differences in hair reduction between both laser systems at 1‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Patients reported lower pain on the diode laser side (P < 0.001). Side effects of both laser systems were mild and transient erythema and swelling.Conclusions  High fluence low repetition rate Nd:YAG laser was superior in hair reduction and provided higher patient satisfaction. However, low fluence high repetition rate diode laser was less painful.
Epigenetics and psoriasis
Authors: Zhang P. , Su Y. , Lu Q. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIncreasing evidence indicates that epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The pathogenesis of the organ‐specific autoimmune disease psoriasis, however, remains poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that aberrant epigenetic patterns are present in patients with psoriasis, suggesting that epigenetic mechanisms may also be involved in this disease. Herein, we review relevant epigenetic findings associated with psoriasis, and provide clues and directions for further studies in this field.
Task confusion after switching revealed by reductions of error‐related ERP components
Authors: Ikeda Koki , Hasegawa Toshikazu 
Published: September 2011

AbstractWhile response delays after task switching have been widely used as an index to investigate the limits of cognitive flexibility, little is known about their counterpart in error rates. It has been hypothesized that at least some postswitching errors are not caused by simple response errors but by task confusion, which refers to the establishment and execution of an incorrect task set. The aim of the current study is to provide evidence for this hypothesis. Using a multitrial paradigm, we firstly dissociated task confusion from simple cue encoding failure, and then measured the error‐related negativity (ERN) and the following error positivity (Pe) as indices of the brain's error processing. We predicted that task confusion, if it exists, would cause ambiguity to the criteria of correct response, and therefore attenuate error processing. Results confirmed our prediction, suggesting that task confusion actually occurs after switching.
The association between work stress and inflammatory biomarkers in Jordanian male workers
Authors: Almadi Tawfiq , Cathers Ian , Hamdan Mansour Ayman M. , Chow Chin Moi 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe study aimed to establish the association of work stress, expressed as effort‐reward imbalance (ERI), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) in 152 healthy Jordanian male employees. Self‐report work stress, anthropometric data, and blood for CRP analysis were collected. A significant correlation between ERI and CRP (r = 0.29, p < .01), and between waist circumference with CRP (r = 0.44, p < .01) was found. Central obesity explained most of the variance in CRP after controlling for various covariates, and ERI was not a significant predictor of CRP (ΔR2 = 0.02; β = 0.15, p = .052). However, when only the centrally obese group was considered, ERI accounted for 5.0% of the variability in the CRP (β = 0.24, p < .05). Results of this study confirm previous findings that obesity is significantly associated with CRP, and support the notion that higher ERI amongst obese workers is one small but significant predictor of increased levels of CRP.
Sulforaphane protects SK‐N‐SH cells against antipsychotic‐induced oxidative stress
Authors: Mas Sergi , Gassó Patricia , Trias Gemma , Bernardo Miquel , Lafuente Amalia 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAdverse reactions to antipsychotic drugs (APs) have been attributed to oxidative stress. Sulforaphane (SF) is a potent antioxidant that protects against dopaminergic cell death. We examined the protective properties of SF against AP‐induced oxidative stress in dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells. Human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH cells were treated with SF (0.5–5 μm), and 24 h later, haloperidol, risperidone or paliperidone (100 μm) was administered, either alone or in combination with dopamine (100 μm). To determine the antioxidant properties of SF, quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) activity, glutathione S‐transferase activity, and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined. Oxidative stress was measured by the increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and in protein‐bound quinones. Cell viability was also assessed. SF treatment increased GSH levels and induced NQO1 activity in SK‐N‐SH cells. Haloperidol was the only AP that increased TBARS when administered alone. When cells were cocultured with a drug in combination with dopamine, all three APs increased TBARS and protein‐bound quinones and also induced neurotoxicity. In all the experimental conditions, 5 μm SF attenuated the accumulation of TBARS and protein‐bound quinones and increased cell survival rates. Our results indicate that SF increases GSH levels and induces NQO1 activity and the removal of electrophilic quinones and radical oxygen species. Furthermore, SF could provide protective effects against AP‐induced toxicity in dopaminergic cells.
Five years of treatment with adefovir dipivoxil in Chinese patients with HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Minde Zeng , Yimin Mao , Guangbi Yao , JinLin Hou , Hao Wang , Hong Ren , Yuming Wang , Xiaqiu Zhou , Daozhen Xu , Yagang Chen , Junqi Niu , Youming Chen , Yaozong Wang , Dixon Jonathan , Barker Keith 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundAdefovir dipivoxil (ADV) is a nucleotide analogue with proven efficacy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB).AimsThis study investigated long‐term ADV treatment in HBeAg‐positive patients.MethodsA total of 480 Chinese subjects with HBeAg‐positive CHB who participated in a 1‐year, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of ADV 10 mg daily were offered open‐label continuation for a further 208 weeks.ResultsA total of 390 subjects completed 5 years of treatment. Baseline median hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was 8.8 log10 copies/ml and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 2.6 × upper limit of normal. Treatment with ADV resulted in sustained suppression of median HBV DNA by 4.8, 5.0, 5.1, 5.4 and 5.5 log10 copies/ml after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years respectively. Continuous treatment with ADV led to a progressive increase in the proportion of subjects achieving undetectable HBV DNA, from 28% after 1 year to 58% after 5 years. HBeAg seroconversion rates increased cumulatively from 11% after 1 year to 29% after 5 years. HBsAg seroconversion was achieved by 1.0% of patients. ADV resulted in ALT normalization that was maintained throughout this study in 75–79% of subjects. Virological breakthrough associated with ADV resistant mutations (rtN236T and rtA181V) occurred in 14.6% of subjects. ADV was well tolerated.ConclusionFive years of ADV treatment in Chinese subjects with HBeAg‐positive CHB resulted in increasing virological and serological responses and sustained biochemical responses over time. Virological resistance was identified in 14.6% of patients. Urgent switch or add‐on therapy with a nucleoside analogue is necessary if ADV resistant mutations are detected, particularly rtN236T. Treatment was well tolerated.
Validating Migraine‐Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire v2.1 in Episodic and Chronic Migraine
Authors: Bagley Christine L. , Rendas‐Baum Regina , Maglinte Gregory A. , Yang Min , Varon Sepideh F. , Lee Jeff , Kosinski Mark 
Published: September 2011

Objective.— To provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the Migraine‐Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire Version 2.1 (MSQ) for use in chronic migraine (CM) in adults.Background.— MSQ is one of the most frequently utilized disease‐specific tools assessing impact of migraine on health‐related quality of life (HRQL). However, evidence for its reliability and validity are based on studies in episodic migraine (EM) populations. Additional studies assessing the reliability and validity of the MSQ in patients with CM are needed.Methods.— Cross‐sectional data were collected via web‐based survey in 9 countries/regions. Participants were classified as having CM (≥15 headache days/month) or EM (<15 headache days/month). Three MSQ domains – Role Function‐Preventive (RP), Role Function‐Restrictive (RR), and Emotional Function (EF) – were rescaled to 0‐100, where higher scores indicate better HRQL, and analyzed for internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α), construct validity (correlations between MSQ scales and measures of depression/anxiety [Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ‐4], disability [Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire; MIDAS], and functional impact [Headache Impact Test; HIT‐6], where lower scores indicate better HRQL for each measure), as well as discriminant validity across migraine groups.Results.— A total of 8726 eligible respondents were classified: 5.7% CM (n = 499) and 94.3% EM (n = 8227). Subjects were mostly female (83.5%) with a mean (±SD) age of 40.3 ± 11.4, and were similar between the 2 groups. MSQ domain scores for CM and EM groups, respectively, were: RP = 61.4 ± 26.1 and 71.7 ± 24.0; RR = 44.4 ± 22.1 and 56.5 ± 24.1; EF = 48.3 ± 28.1 and 67.2 ± 26.7. Internal consistency of the overall sample for RP, RR, and EF was 0.90, 0.96, and 0.87, respectively. Similar values were observed for CM and EM. MSQ scores for the overall sample correlated moderately to highly with scores from the PHQ‐4 (r = −0.21 to −0.42), MIDAS (r = −0.38 to −0.39), and HIT‐6 (r = −0.60 to −0.71). Similar values were observed for CM and EM. Known‐groups validity indicated significant differences (P < .0001) in the hypothesized direction between CM and EM for RP (F = 86.19), RR (F = 119.24), and EF (F = 235.90).Conclusion.— The MSQ is a reliable and valid questionnaire in the CM population that can differentiate the functional impact between CM and EM. The MSQ can assist researchers in evaluating treatment effectiveness by obtaining input directly from the patients on multidimensional aspects other than frequency of headache days.(Headache 2012;52:409‐421)
Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Primary Headaches Among School Children in South Korea: A Nationwide Survey
Authors: Rho Young‐Il , Chung Hee‐Jung , Lee Kon‐Hee , Eun Baik‐Lin , Eun So‐Hee , Nam Sang‐Ook , Kim Won‐Seop , Kim Young‐Ok , Park Ho‐Jin , Kim Hyeon‐Sook 
Published: September 2011

Objectives.— To determine the 1‐year prevalence of headache and clinical characteristics of primary headaches among school children in South Korea.Background.— Many population‐based studies have estimated the 1‐year prevalence of headache, migraine, and tension‐type headache (TTH). The results of those studies vary in terms of race and region. There have been few epidemiological population‐based studies of headache in children and adolescents in Korea.Methods.— We conducted a cross‐sectional school‐based study of a randomized and proportional sample of 5360 boys and girls. All 180 sampled schools participated in this study. The questionnaires collected demographic data in addition to specific questions about headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorder criteria, 2nd Edition. Valid questionnaires were returned by 94.1% of the sample population. Modified criteria changed the “duration” of migraine (>1 hour instead of 4 hours).Results.— The prevalence of headache among school children was 29.1% (1465/5039) in South Korea. The prevalence of headache in girls (33.4%) was significantly higher than in boys (24.4%) (P < .001). The mean age of students with headaches (14.02 ± 3.03) was significantly higher than students without headaches (12.73 ± 3.36) (P < .001). The prevalence of headache according to region was 30.7% among students in urban, 31.2% in suburban, and 21.6% in rural areas. The prevalence of headache according to age was 20.8% among students ∼6‐12 years, 32.0% ∼13‐15 years, and 38.2% ∼16‐18 years. The prevalence according to headache types was 8.7% (boys 7.0%, girls 10.3%) in migraine, 13.7% (boys 10.7%, girls 16.3%) in TTH, and 6.7% in others. The mean frequency, severity of headache, and duration of symptoms were significantly higher in girls than in boys (P < .001).Conclusions.— Recurrent primary headaches are quite prevalent among school‐aged children and adolescents in South Korea, and the prevalence rates are similar to those reported elsewhere. TTH was more common than migraine. The prevalence of migraine headache increased with age. The prevalence rate of headache in students in urban and suburban areas was significantly higher than the rate of students in rural areas.
Vibration Assisted Self‐Assembly Processing of Ceramic‐Based Composites with Modular Meta‐Structure
Authors: Götz Michael , Fey Tobias , Greil Peter 
Published: September 2011

Modular structures of space‐filling building blocks having dimension orders of magnitude larger (≈1000 μm) than the particle size (0.1–10 μm) may offer a high potential for near net shape manufacturing as well as toughening of brittle ceramic materials. We demonstrate vibration assisted periodic pattern formation of alumina cubes with an edge lengths of 1.3 mm. Two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional modular assembly structures of different unit cell symmetry were prepared. Unlike colloidal crystallization which suffers from a high degree of packing defects, vibration assisted gravitational assembly of space‐filling building blocks offers a high potential for achieving periodic assembly structures with quasi‐crystalline order, high packing densities and low defect content.
Review of fortified food and beverage products for pregnant and lactating women and their impact on nutritional status
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Huffman Sandra L. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractFortified beverages and supplementary foods, when given during pregnancy, have been shown to have positive effects on preventing maternal anaemia and iron deficiency. Studies show that use of micronutrient fortified supplementary foods, especially those containing milk and/or essential fatty acids during pregnancy, increase mean birthweight by around 60–73 g. A few studies have also shown that fortified supplementary foods have impacts on increasing birth length and reducing preterm delivery. Fortification levels have ranged generally from 50% to 100% of the recommended nutrient intake (RNI). Iron, zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, vitamins A, D, E, C, B1, B2, B6, and B12, folic acid, niacin and pantothenic acid are important nutrients that have been included in fortified beverages and supplemental foods for pregnant and lactating women. While calcium has been shown to reduce the risk of pre‐eclampsia and maternal mortality, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and manganese can have negative impacts on organoleptic properties, so many products tested have not included these nutrients or have done so in a limited way. Fortified food supplements containing milk and essential fatty acids offer benefits to improving maternal status and pregnancy outcome. Fortified beverages containing only multiple micronutrients have been shown to reduce micronutrient deficiencies such as anaemia and iron deficiency.
Outcomes and Challenges in Implementing Hourly Rounds to Reduce Falls in Orthopedic Units
Authors: Tucker Sharon J. , Bieber Patti L. , Attlesey‐Pries Jacqueline M. , Olson Marianne E. , Dierkhising Ross A. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTBackground: Patient falls remain a common adverse event in acute care facilities. Findings from research into structured nursing rounds interventions (SNRIs) indicate promise as a fall prevention practice. Translating, adapting, and sustaining SNRI in real world clinical practices is an important next step.Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of adapting and translating a SNRI to reduce the risk and incidence of patient falls on two orthopedic inpatient units. It was hypothesized that SNRI would reduce fall rates up to 1‐year postintervention and that patient risk factors and documented SNRI activities would predict falls.Methods: Using a repeated measures design, fall rates and risk assessment data were collected at baseline, during the 12‐week SNRI implementation, and 1‐year following implementation. The adapted SNRI included hourly prescribed rounding activities documented on a study specific form. Medical records of patient falls were reviewed for each period. Focus groups were conducted with nurses' postintervention.Results: Observed (probability) fall rates were 1.8%, 0.8%, and 1.1% for the three periods, respectively. Numbers of falls per 1,000 hospital days (incidence) were 4.5, 1.6, and 3.2 for the three periods. Mean fall risk assessment scores were 2.7 ± 1.1, 2.7 ± 1.1, and 2.5 ± 1.1 for the three periods. Fall rates declined during SNRI (borderline trend), yet 1‐year follow‐up rates drifted back toward baseline. SNRI dosage and fall risk scores did not predict fall rates. Patients who fell during the three periods were not at greatest risk. Nurses interpreted SNRI as an imposition and the documentation a burden.Conclusions: Findings illuminate the multiple challenges in translational research. SNRI appeared to reduce fall rates initially, but fidelity to the SNRI implementation and documentation was variable and fall reduction gains appeared lost 1 year later. Nurses expressed the importance of balancing intervention fidelity and individualizing patient interventions.
Replicating viral vectors for cancer therapy: strategies to synergize with host immune responses
Authors: Altomonte Jennifer , Ebert Oliver 
Published: September 2011

SummaryTumour‐specific replicating (oncolytic) viruses are novel anticancer agents, currently under intense investigation in preclinical studies and phase I–III clinical trials. Until recently, most studies have focused on the direct antitumour properties of these viruses. There is now an increasing body of evidence indicating that host immune responses may be critical to the efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy. Although the immune response to oncolytic viruses can rapidly restrict viral replication, thereby limiting the efficacy of therapy, oncolytic virotherapy also has the potential to induce potent antitumoural immune effectors that destroy those cancer cells, which are not directly lysed by virus. In this review, we discuss the role of the immune system in terms of antiviral and antitumoural responses, as well as strategies to evade or promote these responses in favour of improved therapeutic potentials.
LONG‐RUN DETERMINANTS OF SAVINGS RATES IN WAEMU COUNTRIES: AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT FROM ARDL BOUNDS TESTING APPROACH
Authors: KEHO YAYA 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we examine the long‐run determinants of savings rates for seven member countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union over the period 1970–2006. We use the bounds testing approach to cointegration developed by Pesaran et al. This methodology has several advantages with respect to other cointegration tests. The long‐run determinants of savings rate vary across countries. Results reveal that the financial liberalization process undertaken at the end of 1989 and the existing monetary policy have not been effective to increase the domestic savings rates within the area.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN ZIMBABWE: THE ROLE OF INSTITUTIONAL AND MACROECONOMIC FACTORS
Authors: GWENHAMO FARAYI 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe purpose of our research is to examine the impact of property rights on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Zimbabwe for the period 1964‐2005. While the macroeconomic determinants of FDI have been analysed to a considerable extent in past empirical work, the role of institutional factors such as the protection of property rights and the efficiency of the legal system has been underexplored. Using a multivariate cointegration framework, we use a newly constructed de jure property rights index for Zimbabwe to determine the impact of property rights on FDI. The empirical evidence shows that property rights are consistently an important explanatory variable of FDI in Zimbabwe, even after controlling for periods when there are no significant new foreign capital inflows. Other significant explanatory variables of FDI in Zimbabwe are the real gross domestic product (GDP), capital intensity, the external debt to GDP ratio, political instability as well as the educational levels.
DYNAMIC EFFECTS OF MONETARY POLICY SHOCKS IN MALAWI
Authors: NGALAWA HAROLD , VIEGI NICOLA 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThis paper sets out to investigate the process through which monetary policy affects economic activity in Malawi. Using innovation accounting in a structural vector autoregressive model, it is established that monetary authorities in Malawi employ hybrid operating procedures and pursue both price stability and high growth and employment objectives. Two operating targets of monetary policy are identified, viz., bank rate and reserve money, and it is demonstrated that the former is a more effective measure of monetary policy than the latter. The study also illustrates that bank lending, exchange rates and aggregate money supply contain important additional information in the transmission process of monetary policy shocks in Malawi. Furthermore, it is shown that the floatation of the Malawi Kwacha in February 1994 had considerable effects on the country's monetary transmission process. In the post‐1994 period, the role of exchange rates became more conspicuous than before although its impact was weakened, and the importance of aggregate money supply and bank lending in transmitting monetary policy impulses was enhanced. Overall, the monetary transmission process evolved from a weak, blurred process to a somewhat strong, less ambiguous mechanism.
Practical feeding and condition scoring for donkeys and mules
Authors: Burden F. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryDonkeys have evolved to thrive on highly fibrous, poor quality foodstuffs and have evolved as browsers as well as grazers. As such, they have different nutrient requirements with significantly lower energy and protein needs when compared with horses. Dietary management of donkeys is essential when kept in a temperate climate as they are prone to obesity and related disorders. A diet based on fibrous forages and limited grazing is usually sufficient for the majority of donkeys and mules. Specialist feeding is discussed in this article.