bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF STEVIA LEAF (STEVIA REBAUDIANA BERTON), METHI SEEDS (TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM) AND GLIMEPIRIDE IN STREPTPZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETEIC RATS
Authors: Mostofa M , Rafiq Kazi , Nishiyama Akira , Barman BC , Sherajee Shamshad J 
Published: November 2011

Medicinal plants are becoming very popular for the treatment of different diseases all over the world. The present study was conducted during January 2009 to June 2009 and investigated the effects of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) leaves, methi (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds in terms of their hypoglycemic activity compared to Glimepiride (Amaryl®, Aventies Pharmaceuticals). Diabetes was induced experimentally in the rats with Streptozotocin (STZ; 55 mg/kg, i.p.). Stevia, methi, combination of stevia-methi extracts and Amaryl® tablet were orally administered daily at the rate of 100mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 800μg/kg respectively after 15 days of STZ injection for a period of 60 days. Changes in the blood glucose levels and body weights were measured and the results were compared statistically. The combined stevia-methi extract showed potent hypoglycemic effect than stevia and methi alone. STZ-induced body weight loss was improved in all groups except stevia treatment group. DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v8i1.8351 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2010). 8(1): 57-61
Effects of frequent oil treatment on the performance of native growing rams under intensive management system
Authors: Sultana N , Hossain SMJ , Hassan MR 
Published: November 2011

The effects of oral administration of seven mL soybeen oil/kg live weight (LW) on the performance and carcass characteristics of native ram. In a 162 days feeding trial, 18 growing native rams (9.4 ± 1.2 kg BW and 176 ± 5.6 d of age) were randomly allocated to three treatments (T0, control, T1, monthly infusion of oil and T2, fortnightly oil infusion group) with six replicates in each. All animals were fed roughage (Ad lib urea molasses straw, UMS) and concentrate (1.5% of body weight). After feeding and digestion trial, five animals in each group were slaughtered for carcass characteristics. During the trial, growth rate was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the treatments (T0, T1 and T2 were 69.5, 83.8 and 69.8 g/d). On average, T1 group showed 20.7% higher growth over the control and T1. The protozoa populations were reduced by 74% and 84% in T1 and T2 than that of control group. Consequently, the ammonia concentration in the rumen fluid of T1 group was significantly (P<0.05) lower (177 mg/L) than that of T2 (208.0 mg/L) and control (245.0 mg/L) group, respectively. Consequently, Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better (8.0) belonged to T1 than that of control (8.6) and T2 (9.3). Interestingly, fat deposition was inclined significantly (P<0.05) in T2 group than that of T1 and control, which is unacceptable to the customers. Meanwhile, fortnightly oil treatment (T2) is not recommended, but further study is required with different intervals. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bvet.v28i1.8810 Bangl. vet. 2011. Vol. 28, No. 1, 19-30
La fonction cryptique du langage
Authors: Decrosse Anne 
Published: November 2011

On s'interroge principalement dans ce papier de travail sur les actions possibles au niveau des modèles linguistique et sémiotiques, et sur leur zone d'interférence.
En définissant la langue, à partir des apports récents de la sociolinguistique et de la pragmatique, comme un système où l'invariant est la variation, et, où le sens est un acte en situation, on souhaite développer un domaine d'étude sur les relations entre le travail du signe et la sémiose langue/ langage /monde. Dans cette perspective le concept de Fonction Cryptique du Langage permet de formaliser comme un dispositif socio-historique les opérations énonciatives (de l'appareil formel de l' énonciation, mais aussi des autres niveaux linguistiques) organisant sens et référence.
Racisme et démographie
Authors: Achard Pierre 
Published: November 2011

Achard Pierre, "Racism and Demography".

The enonciative and argumentative analysis of an article by A. Sauvy on racism evinces certain forms of racist-inclined expressions in the discourse on demography.
Demographical reasonings make sense only the standpoint of a nationalistic position where the right of citizenship is always essentialized. Of which grammatical relationships in the text (we-they) are the most direct expression. The use of demography by the media tends to accentuate tendencies which are already present in the field-subject itself.
Health-related Quality of Life Outcomes of Adalimumab for Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results from a Randomized Multicenter Study
Authors: STRAND VIBEKE , RENTZ ANNE M. , CIFALDI MARY A. , CHEN NAIJUN , ROY SANJOY , REVICKI DENNIS 
Published: November 2011

Objective.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with significant impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We evaluated patient-reported outcomes including HRQOL outcomes following adalimumab plus methotrexate (MTX) therapy in patients with early RA.Methods.PREMIER was a phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-comparator clinical trial in early RA. Patients aged ≥ 18 years were randomly assigned to receive adalimumab 40 mg every other week (eow) plus weekly MTX, weekly MTX, or adalimumab 40 mg eow for 104 weeks. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were used to evaluate clinical efficacy and response. Outcomes were assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), Short-Form 6 Dimension (SF-6D), visual analog scale (VAS) assessments of global disease activity (patient’s global assessment; PtGA) and pain, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F), and Health Utility Index Mark 3 (HUI-3).Results.Of 799 patients enrolled, 268 received adalimumab plus MTX, 257 received MTX monotherapy, and 274 received adalimumab monotherapy. Patients treated with adalimumab plus MTX demonstrated significant baseline to Week 104 improvements in HAQ-DI (p < 0.0001), SF-36 Physical Component Summary (p < 0.0001), 4 SF-36 domains [physical function (p < 0.0001), bodily pain (p <0.0001), vitality (p = 0.0139), role limitations-physical (p = 0.0005)], SF-6D (p = 0.0152), VAS-PtGA (p < 0.0001), VAS-pain (p < 0.0001), FACIT-F (p < 0.0001), and HUI-3 (p = 0.0034) scores versus patients treated with MTX monotherapy. Both SF-6D and HUI-3 were found to be sensitive preference-based measures for assessing the effects of treatment on multidimensional function. No clinically meaningful differences between adalimumab and MTX monotherapy groups were observed for most measures. For each measure, there was significant association between HRQOL improvement and ACR clinical response.Conclusion.Adalimumab plus MTX significantly improved physical functioning and HRQOL in patients with early RA over 2 years of treatment. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00195663).
Biological Drug Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthritis: Effects on QT Interval and QT Dispersion
Authors: DI FRANCO MANUELA , PARADISO MICHELE , CECCARELLI FULVIA , SCRIVO ROSSANA , SPINELLI FRANCESCA ROMANA , IANNUCCELLI CRISTINA , VALESINI GUIDO 
Published: November 2011

Objective.Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) antagonists bring about significant improvement in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA). There is some evidence that they can also have negative myocardial effects, but to date this issue has not been clarified. We evaluated changes in electrocardiographic measures [QT interval, corrected, dispersion, and dispersion corrected (QT, QTc, QTd, QTdc, respectively)] in patients with RA or SpA treated with anti-TNF agents (infliximab and etanercept), those treated with other biological agents (rituximab), and with methotrexate.Methods.We studied 38 consecutive patients with RA (21 patients) or SpA (19 patients) being treated with TNF-α antagonists, 8 patients with RA being treated with rituximab, and 13 patients (8 with RA and 5 with SpA) taking methotrexate. Electrocardiographs (ECG) were performed on all participants at baseline and 12 months after initiation of treatment, and the QT, QTc, and QTd were calculated with standard procedures.Results.After 12 months of treatment, significant increases over baseline values were observed in the mean QT (p < 0.009), QTd (p < 0.0001), and QTdc (p < 0.0001) of the anti-TNF group, but no significant changes were observed in those taking rituximab. QT changes in the anti-TNF group were unrelated to the disease (RA vs SpA) or drug (infliximab vs etanercept), and none were associated with clinical manifestations of cardiac disease.Conclusion.In patients with RA and SpA, TNF-α antagonists seem to increase the QT and QTd measures. Although these changes were completely asymptomatic, ECG may be indicated in patients being considered for anti-TNF therapy to identify those at risk for cardiac complications.
Treatment of Osteoarthritis with Continuous Versus Intermittent Celecoxib
Authors: STRAND VIBEKE , SIMON LEE S. , DOUGADOS MAXIME , SANDS GEORGE H. , BHADRA PRITHA , BREAZNA AURORA , IMMITT JEFF 
Published: November 2011

Objective.To determine whether “continuous” celecoxib is more efficacious than “intermittent” use in preventing osteoarthritis (OA) flares of the knee and/or hip.Methods.A double-blind, randomized, multicenter international study comparing efficacy and safety of continuous (daily) versus intermittent (as required during predefined OA flare) celecoxib 200 mg/day in 858 subjects, aged 18–80 years. The study consisted of 3 periods: (I) screening/washout visit; (II) open-label run-in with celecoxib; and (III) 22-week blinded treatment. Only subjects whose OA flares resolved in Period 2 (without subsequent flare) were randomized. The primary endpoint, number of flares per time of exposure during Period III (number of flares per month), was compared using analysis of variance with treatment as the independent variable. Acetaminophen was available as rescue medication.Results.Of 875 subjects randomized to treatment, 858 subjects received treatment. At randomization > 70% were female; mean age 58.6 years; mean disease duration 6.5 years; total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index mean score 25.8; ∼45% had hypertension; and ∼20% were using aspirin (for cardiovascular prophylaxis). Subjects receiving continuous treatment reported 42% fewer OA flares/month than intermittent users (p < 0.0001) or 2.0 fewer OA flares over 22 weeks. Statistical and clinically meaningful benefits in secondary outcomes were also evident with continuous treatment. There were no differences in adverse events (AE) or new-onset/aggravated hypertension.Conclusion.Continuous treatment with celecoxib 200 mg/day was significantly more efficacious than intermittent use in preventing OA flares of the hip and knee, without an increase in overall AE, including gastrointestinal disorders and hypertension, during 22 weeks of treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00139776.
Visual Evaluation of Different Multifocal Corneal Models for the Correction of Presbyopia by Laser Ablation
Authors: Alarcón Aixa , Anera Rosario G. , Soler Margarita , del Barco Luis Jiménez 
Published: November 2011

Purpose:
To evaluate the visual quality of two theoretical multifocal corneal models designed to correct presbyopia by corneal photoablation.

Methods:
Two theoretical multifocal corneal surfaces were analyzed by ray tracing: a central model (with a central zone for near vision and a peripheral zone for distance vision), and a peripheral model (with a central zone for distance vision and a peripheral zone for near vision). For both models, the effect of the size of the central zone and transition zone as well as the size of the pupil was evaluated.

Results:
Our results show that a smaller transition zone favors total visual quality in both models. The optimal size of the central zone depends both on the size of the transition zone used as well as the model. However, both models responded similarly with respect to the variations in pupil size, providing the same visual quality although in an opposite way.

Conclusions:
This work shows that the optimal diameter of the central zone is smaller for the central model than for the peripheral model. Also, pupil size plays a fundamental role in achieving multifocality, showing that patient’s pupil size should be thoroughly evaluated prior to multifocal refractive surgery.
Validity of Scaling Zernike Coefficients to a Larger Diameter for Refractive Surgery
Authors: Dai Guang-ming 
Published: November 2011

Purpose:
To investigate the validity of a Zernike rescaling algorithm to a larger wavefront diameter.

Methods:
Using 4256 preoperative wavefront examinations, the variability of inter-examination wavefront root-mean-square (RMS) was compared to the error induced due to scaling Zernike coefficients to a larger diameter. The validity of scaling Zernike coefficients was set when the error due to the scaling was the same as the variability of the inter-examination wavefronts. The inter-examination variability was calculated from eyes having at least 3 same-day, preoperative examinations over the same diameters. Error from scaling Zernike coefficients to a larger diameter was calculated by comparing the wavefront for a (scaled-up) set of Zernike coefficients to the wavefront of the average of Zernike coefficient sets at a larger diameter for the same eye. Wavefront diameters of 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, and 7 mm were considered.

Results:
No significant difference was found for the variability for different pupil sizes. The error due to scaling Zernike coefficients to a larger pupil size was generally smaller than the inter-examination variability when the new diameter was 0.25 mm larger than the original diameter. The error was comparable to the inter-examination variability when the new diameter was 0.5 mm larger. The error became larger when the new diameter was >0.75 mm larger than the original diameter.

Conclusions:
Rescaling Zernike coefficients from a smaller diameter to a larger one has practical applications in optical zone extension for wavefront-guided refractive surgery.
Spherical Aberrations of Human Astigmatic Corneas
Authors: Zhao Huawei , Dai Guang-ming , Chen Li , Weeber Henk A. , Piers Patricia A. 
Published: November 2011

Purpose:
To evaluate whether the average spherical aberration of human astigmatic corneas is statistically equivalent to human nonastigmatic corneas.

Methods:

Spherical aberrations of 445 astigmatic corneas prior to laser vision correction were retrospectively investigated to determine Zernike coefficients for central corneal areas 6 mm in diameter using CTView (Sarver and Associates). Data were divided into groups according to cylinder power (0.01 to 0.25 diopters [D], 0.26 to 0.75 D, 0.76 to 1.06 D, 1.07 to 1.53 D, 1.54 to 2.00 D, and >2.00 D) and according to age by decade. Spherical aberrations were correlated with age and astigmatic power among groups and the entire population. Statistical analyses were conducted, and
P
<.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Mean patient age was 42.6±11 years. Astigmatic corneas had an average astigmatic power of 0.78±0.58 D and mean spherical aberration was 0.25±0.13 μm for the entire population and approximately the same (0.27 μm) for individual groups, ranging from 0.23 to 0.29 μm (
P
>.05 for all tested groups).

Conclusions:

Mean spherical aberration of astigmatic corneas was not correlated significantly with cylinder power or age (
P
>.05). Spherical aberrations are similar to those of nonastigmatic corneas, permitting the use of these additional data in the design of aspheric toric intra-ocular lenses.
Caregiving for Patients With Heart Failure: Impact on Patients’ Families
Authors: Hwang Boyoung , Fleischmann Kirsten E. , Howie-Esquivel Jill , Stotts Nancy A. , Dracup Kathleen 
Published: November 2011

Background
Factors that affect the impact of caregiving on patients’ family members who provide care to patients with heart failure have not been adequately addressed. In addition, social support and positive aspects of caregiving have received little attention.

Objective
To identify factors associated with the impact of caregiving.

Methods
Self-report data were collected from 76 dyads of patients with heart failure and their family caregivers. Clinical data were obtained from medical records.

Results
A sense of less family support for caregiving was associated with a higher New York Heart Association class of heart failure, being a nonspousal caregiver, lower caregivers’ perceived control, and less social support. More disruption of caregivers’ schedules was associated with higher class of heart failure, more care tasks, and less social support. Greater impact of caregiving on caregivers’ health was related to more recent patient hospitalization, lower caregivers’ perceived control, and less social support. Nonwhite caregivers and caregivers whose family member had fewer emergency department visits felt more positive about caregiving than did other caregivers. Social support had a moderating effect on the relationship between patients’ comorbid conditions and positive aspects of caregiving.

Conclusions
Caregiving has both positive and negative effects on family caregivers of patients with heart failure. The findings suggest the need for interventions to increase caregivers’ sense of control and social support. Family caregivers may need additional support immediately after patient hospitalizations to minimize the negative impact of caregiving.
Communication Difficulties and Psychoemotional Distress in Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Khalaila Rabia , Zbidat Wajdi , Anwar Kabaha , Bayya Abed , Linton David M. , Sviri Sigal 
Published: November 2011

Background
Difficulties in communication in intensive care patients receiving mechanical ventilation are a source of stressful experiences and psychoemotional distress.

Objectives
To examine the association between communication characteristics and psychoemotional distress among patients treated with mechanical ventilation in a medical intensive care unit and to identify factors that may be predictive of psychological outcomes.

Methods
A total of 65 critically ill patients, extubated within the preceding 72 hours, were included in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected by using a structured interview. Separate regression analysis of data on 3 psychoemotional outcomes (psychological distress, fear, and anger) were used for baseline variables, communication characteristics, and stressful experiences.

Results
Difficulty in communication was a positive predictor of patients’ psychological distress, and length of anesthesia was a negative predictor. Fear and anger were also positively related to difficulty in communication. In addition, the number of communication methods was negatively associated with feelings of fear and anger. Finally, the stressful experiences associated with the endotracheal tube were positively related to feelings of anger.

Conclusions
Patients treated with mechanical ventilation experience a moderate to extreme level of psychoemotional distress because they cannot speak and communicate their needs. Nurses should be aware of the patients’ need to communicate. Decreasing stressful experiences associated with the endotracheal tube and implementing more appropriate communication methods may reduce patients’ distress.
Selective Upregulation of microRNA Expression in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes in IL-10−/− Mice Precedes Expression in the Colon
Authors: Schaefer Jeremy S. , Montufar-Solis Dina , Vigneswaran Nadarajah , Klein John R. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
IL-10−/− mice, an animal model of Th1-mediated inflammatory bowel disease, were screened for the expression of 600 microRNAs (miRNAs) using colonic tissues and PBLs from animals having either mild inflammation or severe intestinal inflammation. The development of colonic inflammation in IL-10−/− mice was accompanied by upregulation in the expression of 10 miRNAs (miR-19a, miR-21, miR-31, miR-101, miR-223, miR-326, miR-142-3p, miR-142-5p, miR-146a, and miR-155). Notably, the expression of all of these miRNAs plus miR-375 was elevated in PBLs of IL-10−/− mice at a time when colonic inflammation was minimal, suggesting that changes in specific miRNAs in circulating leukocytes may be harbingers of ensuing colonic pathology. In vitro exposure of colonic intraepithelial lymphocytes to IL-10 resulted in downregulation of miR-19a, miR-21, miR-31, miR-101, miR-223, and miR-155. Interestingly, unlike IL-10−/− mice, changes in miRNAs in PBL of dextran sulfate sodium-treated mice were minimal but selectively elevated in the colon after pathology was severe. We further show that miR-223 is a negative regulator of the Roquin ubiquitin ligase, Roquin curtails IL-17A synthesis, and the 3′ untranslated region of Roquin is a target for miR-223, thus defining a molecular pathway by which IL-10 modulates IL-17–mediated inflammation. To identify additional miRNAs that may be involved in the regulation of Roquin, transcriptome analysis was done using cDNAs from HeLa cells transfected with 90 miRNA mimics. Twenty-six miRNAs were identified as potential negative regulators of Roquin, thus demonstrating functional complexity in gene expression regulation by miRNAs.
Negative Selection by IgM Superantigen Defines a B Cell Central Tolerance Compartment and Reveals Mutations Allowing Escape
Authors: Duong Bao Hoa , Ota Takayuki , Aoki-Ota Miyo , Cooper Anthony Byron , Ait-Azzouzene Djemel , Vela José Luis , Gavin Amanda Lee , Nemazee David 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTo analyze B lymphocyte central tolerance in a polyclonal immune system, mice were engineered to express a superantigen reactive to IgM of allotype b (IgMb). IgMb/b mice carrying superantigen were severely B cell lymphopenic, but small numbers of B cells matured. Their sera contained low levels of IgG and occasionally high levels of IgA. In bone marrow, immature B cells were normal in number, but internalized IgM and had a unique gene expression profile, compared with those expressing high levels of surface IgM, including elevated recombinase activator gene expression. A comparable B cell population was defined in wild-type bone marrows, with an abundance suggesting that at steady state ∼20% of normal developing B cells are constantly encountering autoantigens in situ. In superantigen-expressing mice, as well as in mice carrying the 3H9 anti-DNA IgH transgene, or 3H9 H along with mutation in the murine κ-deleting element RS, IgM internalization was correlated with CD19 downmodulation. CD19low bone marrow cells from 3H9;RS−/− mice were enriched in L chains that promote DNA binding. Our results suggest that central tolerance and attendant L chain receptor editing affect a large fraction of normal developing B cells. IgHa/b mice carrying the superantigen had a ∼50% loss in follicular B cell numbers, suggesting that escape from central tolerance by receptor editing from one IgH allele to another was not a major mechanism. IgMb superantigen hosts reconstituted with experimental bone marrow were demonstrated to be useful in revealing pathways involved in central tolerance.