bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isentropic Compressibility Studies of Some Salts in Acetonitrile + N,N-dimethylacetamide Mixtures at 298 K
Authors: Rana Dilbag Singh , Gill Dip Singh , Chauhan Mohinder Singh , Gupta Rahul 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Ultrasonic velocities and densities of some copper(I) and silver(I) salts have been measured in the concentration range 0.002–0.28 mol kg−1 in binary mixtures of acetonitrile (AN) + N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) containing 100, 80, 60, 40, 20 and 0 mol % AN at 298 K. The isentropic compressibility (K
s) and apparent molal isentropic compressibility in various solvent systems have been calculated by using ultrasonic velocity (u) and partial molal volume (V

φ
) respectively. Limiting apparent molal isentropic compressibilities (K
s,φ

0) for various salts have been evaluated from vs.
m
1/2 plots and split into the contributions of individual ions (K
s,φ

0)±. The (K
s,φ

0)± values for copper(I) and silver(I) ions are found to be negative over the entire composition range which indicate strong solvation of these complex ions. The (K
s,φ

0)± values for these ions increase with increase in DMA composition shows that the extent of solvation increases with increase in DMA composition.
What Patients Value When Oncologists Give News of Cancer Recurrence: Commentary on Specific Moments in Audio-Recorded Conversations
Authors: Back Anthony L. , Trinidad Susan B. , Hopley Elizabeth K. , Arnold Robert M. , Baile Walter F. , Edwards Kelly A. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Incorporate the three themes identified in this study to refine discussion with patients of their cancer recurrence.Manage discussion with patients of cancer recurrence with recognition of the impact of the news on the patient and guidance as to next steps.
This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Purpose.
Recommendations for communicating bad or serious news are based on limited evidence. This study was designed to understand patient perspectives on what patients value when oncologists communicate news of cancer recurrence.

Study Design and Methods.
Participants were 23 patients treated for a gastrointestinal cancer at a tertiary U.S. cancer center within the past 2 years, who had semistructured qualitative interviews in which they listened to audio recordings of an oncology fellow discussing news of cancer recurrence with a standardized patient. Participants paused the audio recording to comment on what they liked or disliked about the oncologist's communication.

Results.
Three themes were identified that refine existing approaches to discussing serious news. The first theme, recognition, described how the oncologist responded to the gravity of the news of cancer recurrence for the patient. Participants saw the need for recognition throughout the encounter and not just after the news was given. The second theme, guiding, describes what participants wanted after hearing the news, which was for the oncologist to draw on her biomedical expertise to frame the news and plan next steps. The third theme, responsiveness, referred to the oncologist's ability to sense the need for recognition or guidance and to move fluidly between them.

Conclusion.
This study suggests that oncologists giving news of cancer recurrence could think of the communication as going back and forth between recognition and guidance and could ask themselves: “Have I demonstrated that I recognize the patient's experience hearing the news?” and “Have I provided guidance to the next steps?”
Circulating Follistatin in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Miyamoto Tetsu , Carrero Juan Jesús , Rashid Qureshi Abdul , Anderstam Björn , Heimbürger Olof , Bárány Peter , Lindholm Bengt , Stenvinkel Peter 
Published: February 2011

Summary

Background and objectives
Follistatin mediates muscle growth and bone mineralization. At present, it is unknown whether circulating follistatin levels are altered in chronic kidney disease (CKD) or links to CKD risk factors and outcomes.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
Plasma follistatin levels were cross-sectionally analyzed in relation to protein-energy wasting (PEW), handgrip strength (HGS), bone mineral density (BMD), and inflammatory markers in 280 CKD stage 5 patients, 32 CKD stage 4 patients, 16 CKD stage 3 patients, and 32 control subjects. In CKD stage 5 patients survival was prospectively investigated during a follow-up period of up to 5 years.

Results
The plasma follistatin concentration was not higher in CKD stage 5 patients than in other CKD stages or controls. In CKD stage 5 patients, circulating follistatin positively correlated with age, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and IL-6; negatively correlated with HGS, serum creatinine, and BMD; and was increased in patients with PEW. In a multivariate logistic regression model, lower HGS, lower BMD, and higher hsCRP independently correlated with higher follistatin levels. In a Cox regression model, follistatin levels were not associated with all-cause mortality.

Conclusions
Circulating follistatin levels were neither elevated nor predicted outcome in patients with CKD. However, increased follistatin levels occurred together with increased inflammation, reduced muscle strength, and low BMD, suggesting an involvement of a mechanism including follistatin in the uremic wasting process.
SGLT2 Deletion Improves Glucose Homeostasis and Preserves Pancreatic β-Cell Function
Authors: Jurczak Michael J. , Lee Hui-Young , Birkenfeld Andreas L. , Jornayvaz Francois R. , Frederick David W. , Pongratz Rebecca L. , Zhao Xiaoxian , Moeckel Gilbert W. , Samuel Varman T. , Whaley Jean M. , Shulman Gerald I. , Kibbey Richard G. 
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE
Inhibition of the Na+-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2) is currently being pursued as an insulin-independent treatment for diabetes; however, the behavioral and metabolic consequences of SGLT2 deletion are unknown. Here, we used a SGLT2 knockout mouse to investigate the effect of increased renal glucose excretion on glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and pancreatic β-cell function.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
SGLT2 knockout mice were fed regular chow or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks, or backcrossed onto the db/db background. The analysis used metabolic cages, glucose tolerance tests, euglycemic and hyperglycemic clamps, as well as isolated islet and perifusion studies.

RESULTS
SGLT2 deletion resulted in a threefold increase in urine output and a 500-fold increase in glucosuria, as well as compensatory increases in feeding, drinking, and activity. SGLT2 knockout mice were protected from HFD-induced hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance and had reduced plasma insulin concentrations compared with controls. On the db/db background, SGLT2 deletion prevented fasting hyperglycemia, and plasma insulin levels were also dramatically improved. Strikingly, prevention of hyperglycemia by SGLT2 knockout in db/db mice preserved pancreatic β-cell function in vivo, which was associated with a 60% increase in β-cell mass and reduced incidence of β-cell death.

CONCLUSIONS
Prevention of renal glucose reabsorption by SGLT2 deletion reduced HFD- and obesity-associated hyperglycemia, improved glucose intolerance, and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vivo. Taken together, these data support SGLT2 inhibition as a viable insulin-independent treatment of type 2 diabetes.
A decomposition theorem for compact groups with an application to supercompactness
Authors: Kubiś Wiesław , Turek Sławomir 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
We show that every compact connected group is the limit of a continuous inverse sequence, in the category of compact groups, where each successor bonding map is either an epimorphism with finite kernel or the projection from a product by a simple compact Lie group.
As an application, we present a proof of an unpublished result of Charles Mills from 1978: every compact group is supercompact.
Trace elements in aerial parts and rhizosphere of Thymus pannonicus All.
Authors: Arsenijević Jelena , Ražić Slavica , Maksimović Zoran , Đogo Svetlana 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
This paper brings out the results of the study on the levels of selected trace elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cr) in aerial parts of Thymus pannonicus All. (Lamiaceae) and rhizosphere soil from twelve locations in Serbia. Prior to assays by flame and flameless atomic absorption spectrometry, samples were subjected to microwave-assisted acid digestion. Real and potential acidity of soil samples were also measured. Obtained results for soil samples, although slightly higher for some elements (Cu: 12.38–45.18 mg/kg; Fe: 22102–46193 mg/kg; Mn: 776.95–4901.27 mg/kg; Zn: 62.27–214.02 mg/kg; Cr: 48.86–69.13 mg/kg), were found to fit into biogeochemical background. Element contents in plant samples differed depending on collecting site (Cu: 5.26–14.07 mg/kg; Fe: 25.92–1454.07 mg/kg; Mn: 89.29–278.25 mg/kg; Zn: 1.81–10.64 mg/kg; Cr: 1.11–3.51 mg/kg), which can be partly explainable by different nutrient availability influenced by soil acidity. Zinc levels in T. pannonicus were below expected and seem to be strongly influenced by plant physiological properties.
Correlates of Antidepressant and Anxiolytic, Hypnotic or Sedative Medication Use in an Australian Community Sample
Authors: Harris Meredith G. , Burgess Philip M. , Pirkis Jane , Siskind Dan , Slade Tim , Whiteford Harvey A. 
Published: February 2011

Objective: To explore the rates and correlates of antidepressant (AD) and anxiolytic, hypnotic or sedative (AHS) medication use in Australia, and describe possible reasons for their use. Method: Analysis of data from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, a nationally representative household survey of 8841 Australians aged 16 to 85 years. Two primary outcome variables: (i) use of any AD medication; and (ii) use of any AHS medication, in the past 2 weeks. Results: Rates of AD and AHS medication use were 6.8% and 4.7% respectively. AD and AHS medication use were each associated with 12-month affective or anxiety disorder, age, chronic physical illness, sleep difficulties, and impaired role functioning. Psychological distress and lifetime affective or anxiety disorder or 12-month symptoms were associated with AD use; being previously married was associated with AHS use. Potential reasons for use are complex. Almost one third (30.6%) of AD users and half (49.2%) of AHS users did not report symptoms consistent with a 12-month or lifetime affective or anxiety disorder. Chronic physical illness was reported by 68.8% of AD users and 73.5% of AHS users, around half of whom had a 12-month mental disorder. People with mental-physical comorbidity had especially high rates of AD and AHS use. People with musculoskeletal and other conditions that may involve chronic pain had elevated rates of AD and AHS use, even in the absence of a mental disorder. Conclusions: Low rates of medication use in younger adults and high rates of AHS use in older people warrant further investigation. Many AD and AHS users were not assessed as having an affective or anxiety disorder, suggesting that these medications are frequently used for other indications. Findings call for further research to explore the relationship between mental disorders, physical conditions and medication use.
Is Self Disturbance the Core of Borderline Personality Disorder? An Outcome Study of Borderline Personality Factors
Authors: Meares Russell , Gerull Friederike , Stevenson Janine , Korner Anthony 
Published: February 2011

Object: To determine which constellation of clinical features constitutes the core of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Method: The criterion of endurance was used to identify the constellation of features which are most basic, or core, in borderline personality disorder. Two sets of constellations of DSM-III features were tested, each consisting of three groupings. The first set of constellations was constructed according to Clarkin's factor analysis; the second was theoretically derived. Broadly speaking, the three groupings concerned ‘self’, ‘emotional regulation’, and ‘impulse’. Changes of these constellations were charted over one year in a comparison of the effect of treatment by the Conversational Model (n = 29) with treatment as usual (n = 31). In addition, measures of typical depression (Zung) were scored before and after the treatment period. The changes in the constellations were considered in relation to authoritative opinion. Results: The changes in the two sets of constellations were similar. In the treatment as usual (TAU) group, ‘self’ endured unchanged, while ‘emotional regulation’ and ‘impulse’ improved. In the Conversational Model cohort, ‘self’ improved, ‘emotional regulation’ improved more greatly than the TAU group, while ‘impulse’ improved but not more than the treatment as usual group. Depression scores were not particularly associated with any grouping. Conclusions: A group of features including self/identity disturbance, emptiness and fear of abandonment may be at the core of BPD. Correlations between the three groupings and Zung scores favoured the view that the core affect is not typical depression. Rather, the central state may be ‘painful incoherence’. It is suggested that the findings have implications for the refinement and elaboration of treatment methods in borderline personality disorder.
Does Supported Accommodation Improve the Clinical and Social Outcomes for People with Severe Psychiatric Disability? The Project 300 Experience
Authors: Meehan Tom , Stedman Terry , Robertson Samantha , Drake Suzanne , King Robert 
Published: February 2011

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the clinical and social outcomes for a group of individuals (n = 181) discharged into supported accommodation from three long-stay facilities in Queensland. Method: Data were collected prospectively using a battery of standardized measures and individual interviews at 6 weeks pre-discharge and again at 6, 18, 36, and 84 months post-discharge. Results: While there was little functional gain at follow up, the clients, as a group, did not deteriorate. Sixty per cent of the clients were engaged in some form of structured community activity and the need for hospitalization decreased significantly in the follow-up period. The ongoing costs of the programme, while remaining high, were significantly less than inpatient alternatives. Conclusion: The provision of community accommodation with adequate clinical and non-clinical support is a suitable option for a large proportion of individuals with serious mental illness.
Psychiatrists' Knowledge and Practices in Screening and Assessment of Hepatitis C for Inpatients with Severe Mental Illness
Authors: Lagios Katerina , Deane Frank 
Published: February 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess psychiatrists' Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related knowledge and behaviour practices. Method: A self-report survey was completed by doctors working at an urban psychiatric hospital in Australia. Results: Doctors working in psychiatry underestimated the prevalence of HCV infection for their patients and less than one-third felt well informed about HCV. Overall, there was good knowledge regarding HCV acquisition epidemiology but knowledge of management was poor. Conclusion: Improving knowledge about HCV, especially current management, may facilitate better health care for patients with severe mental illness.
Pedicle screw insertion angle and pullout strength: comparison of 2 proposed strategies
Authors: İnceoğlu Serkan , Montgomery William H. , Clair Selvon St. , McLain Robert F. 
Published: February 2011

Object
Minimally invasive pedicle screws inserted vertically (that is, dorsoventrally) through the pedicle, as opposed to the more common coaxial technique, offer potential advantages by minimizing soft-tissue stripping during screw placement. The screws are designed for insertion through a medial starting point with vertical trajectory through the pedicle and into the vertebral body. As such, no lateral dissection beyond the insertion point is necessary. However, the effects of this insertion technique on the screw biomechanical performance over a short- and long-term are unknown. The authors investigated the pullout strength and stiffness of these screws, with or without fatigue cycling, compared with comparably sized, traditional screws placed by coaxial technique.

Methods
Twenty-one lumbar vertebrae (L-3, L-4, and L-5) were tested. Each pedicle of each vertebra was instrumented with either a traditional, coaxial pedicle screw (Group A), placed through a standard starting point, or a vertically oriented, alternative-design screw (Group B), with a medial starting point and vertical trajectory. The specimens were divided into 2 groups for testing. One group was tested for direct pullout (10 specimens) while the other was subject to pullout after tangential (toggle) cyclic loading (11 specimens). The screws were cycled in displacement control (± 5 mm producing ~ 4-Nm moment) at a rate of 3 Hz for 5000 cycles. Pullout tests were performed at a rate of 1 mm/minute.

Results
Two-way ANOVA showed that Group B screws with a medial starting point (2541 ± 1090 N for cycled vs 2135 ± 1323 N for noncycled) had significantly higher pullout loads than Group A screws with a standard entry point (1585 ± 766 N for cycled vs 1417 ± 812 N noncycled) (p = 0.001). There was no significant effect of cycling or screw insertion type on pullout stiffness. Tangential stiffness of the Group B screws was significantly less than that of the Group A screws (p = 0.001). The stiffness of both screws in the toe region was significantly affected by cycling (p = 0.001).

Conclusions
The use of Group B screws inserted through a medial starting point showed greater pullout load than a Group A screw inserted through a standard starting point. The greater pullout strength in Group B screws may be due to screw thread design and increased cortical bone purchase at the medial starting point. Nevertheless, anatomical considerations of the medial starting point, that is, pedicle or lateral vertebral body cortex breach, may limit its application. The medial starting point of the Group B screw was frequently in the facet at the L-3 and L-4 pedicle entry points, which may have clinical importance.
Double fascicular nerve transfer to the biceps and brachialis muscles after brachial plexus injury: clinical outcomes in a series of 29 cases
Authors: Ray Wilson Z. , Pet Mitchell A. , Yee Andrew , Mackinnon Susan E. 
Published: February 2011

Object
The clinical outcomes of patients with brachial plexus injuries who underwent double fascicular transfer (DFT) using fascicles from the median and ulnar nerves to reinnervate the biceps and brachialis muscles were evaluated.

Methods
The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of 29 patients with brachial plexus injuries that were treated with DFT for restoration of elbow flexion. All patients underwent pre- and postoperative clinical evaluation using the Medical Research Council grading system.

Results
The mean patient age was 37 years (range 17–68 years), and there was a mean follow-up of 19 ± 12 months (range 8–68 months). At the most recent follow-up, all but 1 patient (97%) had regained elbow flexion. Eight patients recovered Grade M5, 15 patients recovered Grade M4, and 4 patients recovered Grade M3 elbow flexion strength. There was no evidence of functional deficit in the donor nerve distributions.

Conclusions
Study results demonstrated the reliable restoration of M4–M5 elbow flexion following double fascicular transfer in patients with brachial plexus injuries.
Prediction of adverse outcomes by blood glucose level after endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Natarajan Sabareesh K. , Dandona Paresh , Karmon Yuval , Yoo Albert J. , Kalia Junaid S. , Hao Qing , Hsu Daniel P. , Hopkins L. Nelson , Fiorella David J. , Bendok Bernard R. , Nguyen Thanh N. , Rymer Marilyn M. , Nanda Ashish , Liebeskind David S. , Zaidat Osama O. , Nogueira Raul G. , Siddiqui Adnan H. , Levy Elad I. 
Published: February 2011

Object
The authors evaluated the prognostic significance of blood glucose level at admission (BGA) and change in blood glucose at 48 hours from the baseline value (CG48) in nondiabetic and diabetic patients before and after endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods
The BGA and CG48 data were analyzed in 614 patients with AIS who received endovascular therapy at 7 US centers between 2006 and 2009. Data reviewed included demographics, stroke risk factors, diabetic status, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at presentation, recanalization grade, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) rate, and 90-day outcomes (mortality rate and modified Rankin Scale score of 3–6 [defined as poor outcome]). Variables with p values < 0.2 in univariate analysis were included in a binary logistic regression model for independent predictors of 90-day outcomes.

Results
The mean patient age was 67.3 years, the median NIHSS score was 16, and 27% of patients had diabetes. In nondiabetic patients, BGA ≥ 116 mg/dl (≥ 6.4 mmol/L) and failure of glucose level to drop > 30 mg/dl (> 1.7 mmol/L) from the admission value were both significant predictors of 90-day poor outcome and death (p < 0.001). In patients with diabetes, BGA ≥ 116 mg/dl (≥ 6.4 mmol/L) was an independent predictor of poor outcome (p = 0.001). The CG48 was not a predictor of outcome in diabetic patients. A simplified 6-point scale including BGA, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Grade 2–3 Reperfusion, Age, presentation NIHSS score, CG48, and symptomatic ICH (BRANCH) corresponded with poor outcomes at 90 days; the area under the curve value was > 0.79.

Conclusions
Failure of blood glucose values to decrease in the first 48 hours after AIS intervention correlated with poor 90-day outcomes in nondiabetic patients. The BRANCH scale shows promise as a simple prognostication tool after endovascular therapy for AIS, and it merits prospective validation.