bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cigarette smoking as a target for potentiating outcomes for methamphetamine abuse treatment
Authors: BRENSILVER MATTHEW , HEINZERLING KEITH G. , SWANSON AIMEE‐NOELLE , TELESCA DONATELLO , FURST BENJAMIN A. , SHOPTAW STEVEN J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Cigarette smoking occurs frequently among individuals with methamphetamine (MA) dependence. Preclinical and clinical evidence has suggested that the common co‐abuse of MA and cigarettes represents a pharmacologically meaningful pattern.Methods. The present study is a secondary analysis of a randomised, placebo‐controlled trial of bupropion treatment for MA dependence (bupropion n = 36; placebo n = 37). A hierarchical logistic modelling approach assessed the efficacy of bupropion for reducing MA use separately among smokers and non‐smokers. Among smokers, relations between cigarettes smoked and MA use were assessed.Results. Smoking status did not affect treatment responsiveness in either the bupropion condition or the placebo condition. In the placebo condition, increased cigarette use was associated with an increased probability of MA use during the same time period. This effect was not observed in the bupropion condition.Discussion and Conclusions. Initial smoking status did not impact treatment outcomes. Among smokers, results suggest that bupropion may dissociate cigarette and MA use. The effect was modest and a precise pharmacological mechanism remains elusive. Cholinergic systems may be relevant for MA use outcomes. Future studies should continue to assess the role of smoking in MA treatment outcomes.[Brensilver M, Heinzerling KG, Swanson A‐N, Telesca D, Furst BA, Shoptaw SJ. Cigarette smoking as a target for potentiating outcomes for methamphetamine abuse treatment. Drug Alcohol Rev 2013;32:96–99]
Socio‐economic disadvantage at the area level poses few direct barriers to smoking cessation for Australian smokers: Findings from the International Tobacco Control Australian cohort survey
Authors: PARTOS TIMEA R. , BORLAND RON , SIAHPUSH MOHAMMAD 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIntroduction. Area‐level indicators of socio‐economic variation are frequently included in models of individual health outcomes. Area disadvantage is linearly related to smoking prevalence, but its relation to cessation outcomes is less well understood.Aims. To explore the relationship between area‐level disadvantage and prospective data on smoking cessation.Design and Methods. The Australian cohort of the International Tobacco Control Four‐Country Survey (N = 3503) was used to prospectively examine the contribution of area‐level socio‐economic disadvantage to predicting three important smoking‐cessation outcomes: making a quit attempt, achieving 1 month abstinence and achieving 6 month abstinence from smoking, while controlling for individual‐level socio‐economic indicators and other individual‐level covariates related to smoking cessation.Results. Only two independent associations were observed between socio‐economic disadvantage and cessation outcomes. Area‐level disadvantage was related to 1 month abstinence in a non‐linear fashion, and the individual experience of smoking‐induced deprivation was associated with a lower likelihood of making quit attempts.Discussion. Despite the documented higher prevalence of smoking among the more disadvantaged and in more disadvantaged areas, socio‐economic disadvantage was not consistently related to making quit attempts, nor to medium‐term success. Nevertheless, indirect effects of disadvantage, like its impact on psychological distress, cannot be ruled out, and considering smokers' individual psychosocial circumstances is likely to aid cessation efforts.Conclusion. Socio‐economic disadvantage, particularly at the area level, poses few direct barriers to smoking cessation.[Partos TR, Borland R, Siahpush M. Socio‐economic disadvantage at the area level poses few direct barriers to smoking cessation for Australian smokers: Findings from the International Tobacco Control Australian cohort survey. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:653–663]
A PROOF OF THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF COMPLETING INFINITELY MANY TASKS
Authors: GWIAZDA JEREMY 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn this article, I argue that it is impossible to complete infinitely many tasks in a finite time. A key premise in my argument is that the only way to get to 0 tasks remaining is from 1 task remaining, when tasks are done 1‐by‐1. I suggest that the only way to deny this premise is by begging the question, that is, by assuming that supertasks are possible. I go on to present one reason why this conclusion (that supertasks are impossible) is important, namely that it implies a new verdict on a decision puzzle propounded by Jeffrey Barrett and Frank Arntzenius.
ROBUST VIRTUE EPISTEMOLOGY AND EPISTEMIC ANTI‐INDIVIDUALISM
Authors: KALLESTRUP JESPER , PRITCHARD DUNCAN 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAccording to robust virtue epistemology, knowledge is a cognitive achievement, where this means that the agent's cognitive success is because of her cognitive ability. One type of objection to robust virtue epistemology that has been put forward in the contemporary literature is that this view has problems dealing with certain kinds of testimonial knowledge, and thus that it is in tension with standard views in the epistemology of testimony. We build on this critique to argue that insofar as agents epistemically depend on third‐party members of their epistemic community as many social epistemologists contend, then there will be cases where two agents differ epistemically despite being virtue‐theoretic duplicates. This means that robust virtue epistemology, at least insofar as it is understood along standard lines such that it endorses epistemic individualism, is also in tension with a central commitment of contemporary social epistemology.
KNOW YOUR CLIENT! INVESTOR PROFILE AND TAILOR‐MADE ASSET ALLOCATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Authors: Cavezzali Elisa , Rigoni Ugo 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe study how the investor profile influences the asset allocation recommendations of professional advisors. We find the investor's perceived risk attitude influences more the mix of risky assets, whereas the socioeconomic variables influence more the cash percentage. The recommendations are consistent with a diversification behavior driven by actual asset correlations. These findings support the utility of investor advisory that may help enhance the risk and return trade‐off. The main drawback of the recommendations may consist in the degree of customization that is limited by the small number of investor characteristics actually influencing the asset allocation.
Blocking the Pulmonary Vein to Left Atrium Conduction in Addition to the Entrance Block Enhances Clinical Efficacy in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: CHEN SONGWEN , MENG WEIDONG , SHENG HE DING , CHEN GANG , ZHANG FENG , YAN YIWEN , ZHU‐GE YING , LIU SHAOWEN 
Published: March 2012

Background:

The unidirectional pulmonary vein (PV) to left atrium (LA) conduction after achieving PV entrance block has not been evaluated.
Methods:

Circumferential PV isolation was performed in 573 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The unidirectional PV to LA conduction and its influence on clinical outcomes were evaluated.
Results:

A total of 341 ipsilateral PVs (29.7%) with spontaneous activities (SAs) were documented in 231 patients (40.3%). The unidirectional PV to LA conduction was confirmed in 11 ipsilateral PVs (3.2%) of 11 patients (4.8%). Patients were classified to three groups: Group A (had unidirectional PV to LA conduction during SAs), Group B (with SAs but without PV to LA conduction), and Group C (without SAs). During a 30‐minute observation, the reconnection incidence was higher in Group A (45.4%) than in Group B (13.9%, P = 0.042) and Group C (11.5%, P = 0.018). The reconnection time was shorter in Group A (10.8 ± 9.8 minutes) than that in Group B (20.7 ± 8.0 minutes, P = 0.037) and Group C (21.2 ± 8.2 minutes, P = 0.022). All 11 PVs were successfully isolated and bidirectional block was achieved.
Conclusion:

Unidirectional entrance block with SAs in PVs may not be a good indication of complete PV isolation. Bidirectional block of the PV‐LA junction can reduce the acute PV reconnection and may reduce the chronic AF recurrence in patients undergoing circumferential PV isolation.(PACE 2012; 1–8)
Effects of LI4 Acupressure on Labor Pain in the First Stage of Labor
Authors: Hamidzadeh Azam , Shahpourian Farangis , Orak Roohangiz Jamshidi , Montazeri Akram Sadat , Khosravi Ahmad 
Published: March 2012

Introduction: Complementary and alternative medicines have been used to decrease labor pain for many years. Despite reports that some of these methods reduce pain, increase maternal satisfaction, and improve other obstetric outcomes, they have received limited attention in the US medical literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LI4 acupressure on labor pain in the first stage of labor, on labor duration, and on patient satisfaction.Methods: A single, blind, randomized clinical trial was performed with eligible women (N = 100) who were at the beginning of the active phase of labor (3–4 cm dilatation of cervix with regular uterine contractions). The women in the acupressure group (n = 50) received LI4 acupressure at the onset of the active phase for the duration of each uterine contraction over a period of 20 minutes, and the women in the control group (n = 50) received a touch on this point without massage. Labor pain was measured using a structured questionnaire of a subjective labor pain scale (visual analogue scale) before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, 20 and 60 minutes after the intervention, and then every hour.Results: There were significant differences between the groups in subjective labor pain scores immediately and 20, 60, and 120 minutes after intervention (P≤ .001). Active phase duration (3–4 cm dilatation to full dilatation) and second stage duration (full dilatation to birth) were shorter in the acupressure group. The women in the acupressure group reported greater satisfaction.Discussion: LI4 acupressure was effective at decreasing pain and duration of labor. The participants were satisfied, and no adverse effects were noted.
Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3–MgO Ceramic Powders with Uniform Microstructures Prepared by Aqueous Gelcasting‐Assisted Solid‐State Method
Authors: Wu Jia‐Min , Lei Wen , Wang Xiao‐Hong , Xu Min , Lu Wen‐Zhong 
Published: March 2012

A novel forming method–aqueous gelcasting was used to assist conventional solid‐state method to prepare 45 wt% Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3–55 wt% MgO (BSTM) ceramic powders. For comparison purpose, conventional solid‐state method was also used to synthesize the same powders. It is found that the BSTM ceramic powders prepared by our method are more uniform with smaller and more sphere‐like particles than those prepared by the conventional method, whereas the phase compositions are completely the same no matter what powder preparation method is adopted. In addition, the BSTM green samples and ceramics from powders prepared by our method are more uniform than those from powders prepared by the conventional method. Moreover, it is found that using this novel method to prepare BSTM ceramic powders could not only improve the dielectric properties of the BSTM ceramics, but also decrease their sintering temperature. Aqueous gelcasting–assisted solid‐state method could be a novel promising method to prepare high performance ceramic powders in the future.
Core dysfunction in schizophrenia: electrophysiology trait biomarkers
Authors: Koychev I. , El‐Deredy W. , Mukherjee T. , Haenschel C. , Deakin J. F. W. 
Published: March 2012

Koychev I, El‐Deredy W, Mukherjee T, Haenschel C, Deakin JFW. Core dysfunction in schizophrenia: electrophysiology trait biomarkers.Objective:  Core symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly in the cognitive domain are hypothesized to be due to an abnormality in neural connectivity. Biomarkers of connectivity may therefore be a promising tool in exploring the aetiology of schizophrenia. We used electrophysiological methods to demonstrate abnormal visual information processing during in patients performing a simple cognitive task.Method:  Electrophysiological recordings were acquired from 20 chronically ill, medicated patients diagnosed with either schizophrenia or schizo‐affective disorder and 20 healthy volunteers while they conducted a working memory (WM) task.Results:  The patient group had significantly lower accuracy on the WM task and a trend for slower responses. An early visual evoked response potential was reduced in patients. Analysis of the electroencephalographic oscillations showed a decreased phase‐locking factor (in the theta, beta and gamma bands) and signal power (theta frequency band). The beta and gamma oscillatory abnormalities were confined to two sets of correlated fronto and occipital electrodes.Conclusion:  The findings of event‐related potential and oscillatory abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia confirm the sensitivity of early visual information processing measurements for identification of schizophrenia phenotype. The fronto‐occipital distribution of the oscillatory abnormalities replicates our findings from a schizotypal sample and implicates a possible top‐down dysfunction as a vulnerability trait.
Comparable outcomes between unrelated and related donors after reduced‐intensity conditioning allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with high‐risk multiple myeloma
Authors: El‐Cheikh Jean , Crocchiolo Roberto , Boher Jean‐Marie , Furst Sabine , Stoppa Anne‐Marie , Ladaique Patrick , Faucher Catherine , Calmels Boris , Castagna Luca , Lemarie Claude , De Colella Jean‐Marc Schiano , Coso Diane , Bouabdallah Reda , Chabannon Christian , Blaise Didier 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to assess the results of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) after reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) from matched related donors (MRD) and unrelated donors (URD) in 40 patients with high‐risk multiple myeloma (MM) in a single centre. Seventeen (43%) (Group 1) and 23 patients (57%) (Group 2) had URD and MRD, respectively. Thirty‐nine patients (98%) received one or more autologous transplantation. The median follow‐up was 22 months (1–49). None of our patient experienced a graft rejection. The cumulative incidence of grade II–IV acute GVHD was higher (47%) for the URD vs. (17%) for the MRD (P = 0.092). The cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was no different between the two groups (24% vs. 30%, respectively). At 2 yr, the TRM probabilities were lower in the unrelated group 12% vs. 22% in the related group (P = 0.4). Also at 2 yrs, for patients receiving unrelated transplantation overall and progression‐free survivals, 59% and 42%, respectively compared to patients with related donor transplantation, 66% and 44% (P = 0.241). In conclusion, these results suggest that URD in MM is feasible. The small number of patients with URD emphasizes the need to delineate indications and perform prospective protocols.
Homeobox C5 expression is associated with the progression of 4‐nitroquinoline 1‐oxide‐induced rat tongue carcinogenesis
Authors: Moon Sung‐Min , Ahn Mee‐Young , Kwon Seong‐Min , Kim Soo‐A , Ahn Sang‐Gun , Yoon Jung‐Hoon 
Published: March 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 470–476Background:  Aberrant expression of homeobox genes (HOX), normally required for the differentiation of a particular tissue, has been reported in several types of cancer, but poorly addressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present study investigated the expression of HOXC5 in OSCC and identified molecular biomarker whose expression is associated with the multistep oral carcinogenesis.Methods:  The expression of HOXC5, proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and Bcl‐2 was examined by RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis and confirmed by immunohistochemistry and transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) assay in a 4‐nitroquinoline 1‐oxide (4NQO)‐induced rat tongue carcinogenesis model.Results:  Homeobox genes C5 was overexpressed in SCC tissues, but not in normal tissues by RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis. Along with the progress of multistep carcinogenesis, the levels of HOXC5 expression of mRNA and protein significantly increased during the dysplasia (moderate to severe dysplasia) when compared with normal and hyperplasia. The levels of PCNA and Bcl‐2 were sequentially increased from hyperplasia to dysplasia and SCC. By immunohistochemistry, HOXC5 expression was significantly increased in dysplasia, whereas PCNA expression was gradually increased during tongue carcinogenesis. TUNEL‐positive cells were increased until dysplasia, but reduced in SCC.Conclusions:  These results indicate that overexpression of HOXC5 is correlated with oral carcinogenesis and strongly contributed to the development of OSCC. HOXC5 may be a useful biomarker and has an emerging therapeutic target of OSCC.
Atypical antipsychotics – effects of amisulpride on salivary secretion and on clozapine‐induced sialorrhea
Authors: Godoy T , Riva A , Ekström J 
Published: March 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 680–691Objective: Amisulpride is suggested for treatment of clozapine‐induced sialorrhea. However, objective measurements of its effectiveness are lacking and, preclinically, amisulpride has no effect. We currently hypothesise that amisulpride acts by reducing the nervous‐ rather than the clozapine‐driven salivary secretion.Material and Methods: Effects of intravenous amisulpride (as well as of clozapine and raclopride, a dopamine D2/D3 antagonist) were investigated in rats, including those subjected to chronic preganglionic parasympathetic denervation (submandibular glands) or combined postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic denervation (parotid glands). In duct‐cannulated glands, secretion was evoked reflexly, at low and maximum flow rates, and by electrical stimulation of the parasympathetic and sympathetic innervations, and administration of autonomimetics (including substance P).Results: Unlike clozapine, amisulpride had no effect on the reflexly evoked secretion at maximum rate. With respect to reflex secretion at low rate and to the secretion evoked by muscarinic, α‐adrenergic, β‐adrenergic and substance P receptors, amisulpride (in contrast to raclopride) dose dependently potentiated the responses. Amisulpride had no effect on gland blood flow.Conclusions: No support for any inhibitory influence of amisulpride was found. Conversely, amisulpride universally enhanced secretion, suggesting that amisulpride is a potential drug for dry‐mouth treatment. The mechanism behind the potentiation is currently unknown.
The effect of growth hormone on sleep‐related cardio‐respiratory control in Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Katz‐Salamon M , Lindgren AC , Cohen G 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the effects of growth hormone (GH) treatment on control of breathing, heart rate and blood pressure during sleep in Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS).Study design:  in a prospective clinical case series study, sixteen consecutive PWS patients (median age 16 months at enrolment) were followed‐up 6 months (2–32 months) after commencing GH treatment. We compared heart rate (HR), Pulse Transit Time (PTT; an index of blood pressure, BP) and ventilatory responses to standard chemostimuli (4% CO2 and 100% O2) during quiet sleep prior to and after commencing GH treatment.Results:  Growth hormone treatment increased arterial oxygenation during sleep but did not significantly improve breathing stability (apnoea‐hypopnoea index remained unchanged). GH treatment did not alter ventilatory, HR and PTT chemoreceptor‐mediated responsiveness (p = 0.23–0.97) but did significantly improve the coupling between and HR and PTT, indicating that HR and BP rose (or fell) in parallel after but not before GH therapy (p = 0.01).Conclusion:  Growth hormone treatment improves arterial oxygenation and cardiovascular function during sleep; these changes are not owing to improved (stronger) chemoreflex‐mediated autonomic drive.
Inhibition of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase and Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Prevents Depression‐Like Behaviour in Rats Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress
Authors: Yazir Yusufhan , Utkan Tijen , Aricioglu Feyza 
Published: March 2012

AbstractDepression is the most common psychiatric disorder. It is well established that endogenous nitric oxide (NO) contributes to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)‐induced depression. The aim of this study was to investigate brain‐derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) expression in CUMS‐induced depression‐like behaviour in rats. Rats were exposed to CUMS for 5 weeks. A specific and selective nNOS inhibitor, 3‐bromo‐7‐nitroindazole (3‐Br‐7‐NI; 20 mg/kg/day, i.p.), and a specific soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor, 1H‐(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3‐a)quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ; 10 mg/kg/day, i.p.), were administered during CUMS. The forced swimming test (FST) was used to assess despair and sucrose consumption, and sucrose preference test was used to assess anhedonia that are the main symptoms of the depression. We show that both 3‐Br‐7‐NI and ODQ administration during CUMS suppressed CUMS‐induced, depression‐like behavioural changes, including reduced sucrose preference, body‐weight and locomotor activity as well as increased immobility time in the FST. CUMS also significantly decreased BDNF protein levels in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus, which was reversed by 3‐Br‐7‐NI and ODQ administration. Our findings suggest a novel role for nNOS and sGC‐cGMP in the development of the CUMS model of depression.
Correlation of Coronary Artery Calcification With Pre‐Hemodialysis Bicarbonate Levels in Patients on Hemodialysis
Authors: Oka Machiko , Ohtake Takayasu , Mochida Yasuhiro , Ishioka Kunihiro , Maesato Kyoko , Moriya Hidekazu , Hidaka Sumi , Kobayashi Shuzo 
Published: March 2012

AbstractCoronary artery calcification (CAC) leads to a significant increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Metabolic acidosis, which is common in HD patients, promotes bone resorption in human and animals as a result of buffer function of bone, and calcium and phosphate elute from bone into blood stream. However, the effect of acidosis on CAC in HD patients has never been precisely investigated. This is a cross‐sectional observational study performed in a single center. One hundred and seven prevalent HD patients (35 women and 72 men) underwent electron‐beam computed tomography (EBCT) to evaluate CAC score (CACS), and then we evaluated associated factors of CACS with clinical and laboratory parameters including pre‐HD pH and bicarbonate levels. Pre‐HD pH and bicarbonate levels were 7.35 ± 0.04, and 17.6 ± 1.8mmol/L, respectively. The pre‐HD pH had no significant correlation to CACS (r = −0.025, P = 0.81). CACS was significantly negatively correlated with pre‐HD bicarbonate levels (r = −0.329, P = 0.0009) and serum albumin levels (r = −0.298, P = 0.0467), while it was positively correlated with age (r = 0.319, P = 0.0008) and HD duration (r = 0.385, P = 0.0004). Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, and use of phosphorus binders were not related to CACS. Multivariate analysis indicated that plasma pre‐HD bicarbonate level was independently associated with CACS. The present study showed that blood levels of pre‐HD bicarbonate were significantly associated with CAC in HD patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to determine whether correction of metabolic acidosis prevents the development of CAC, one of the features of accelerated atherosclerosis in HD patients.