bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Side‐by‐side comparison of an open‐chamber (TM 300) and a closed‐chamber (Vapometer™) transepidermal water loss meter
Authors: Steiner Markus , Aikman‐Green Sylvie , Prescott Gordon J. , Dick Finlay D. 
Published: April 2011

Background: The measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is used to monitor changes in the stratum corneum's permeability to water vapor. This measurement is widely used in the cosmetics industry and in dermatology research. However, only limited work has been undertaken to assess the comparability of results from different TEWL meters over an extended range of measurements.Methods: This study compared the results of TEWL measurements between two commonly used open‐chamber and closed‐chamber TEWL devices. Five hundred and forty measurements were taken in 17 participants on the dorsum and palm of both hands on two different days and the order of the devices was randomized.Results: The results showed that the open TEWL meter's capacity for measuring high values of TEWL was restricted, and that the closed‐chamber TEWL meter was less sensitive to differences in the lower range of measurements.Conclusion: Both devices have their strengths for different applications, but their results cannot be directly compared. We were unable to find a statistical model that would allow us to transform the measurements made on one device for a comparison with the results generated by the other device.
Preliminary evaluation of particle systems visualization on the skin surface by scanning electron microscopy and transparency profilometry
Authors: Perugini Paola , Vettor M. , Bleve M. , Bruni G. , Mondelli A. , Secchi G. F. , Pavanetto F. 
Published: April 2011

Background: There is a rising debate concerning the possible side effects arising from the use of particles at nanosize since the production of nanomaterials is increasing worldwide. Nanoparticles are able to enter the body through the skin, lungs or intestinal tract, depositing in several organs, and the risk associated with exposure to them, the routes of entry and the molecular mechanisms of any cytotoxicity need to be well understood. The aim of this work was to evaluate the suitability of skin replica as a method to study the colloidal systems visualization and distribution on skin surface.
Methods: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were used as carrier systems. Skin replicas on healthy volunteers, before and after SLN application, were prepared and visualized using profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Results: The results obtained in our study show that skin replica represents a suitable method to study the colloidal systems and their interaction with the skin surface.
Conclusion: Profilometry enabled us to observe the systems distribution on a cutaneous texture. In addition, SEM, thanks to its high magnifications and field depth, allowed us to evaluate particles' distribution on the skin texture and the interaction between particles of different compositions and replica silicone.
Jesenice—A new meteorite fall from Slovenia
Authors: BISCHOFF Addi , JERSEK Miha , GRAU Thomas , MIRTIC Breda , OTT Ulrich , KUČERA Jan , HORSTMANN Marian , LAUBENSTEIN Matthias , HERRMANN Siegfried , ŘANDA Zdeněk , WEBER Marc , HEUSSER Gerd 
Published: April 2011

Abstract–On April 9, 2009, at 3:00 CEST, a very bright fireball appeared over Carinthia and the Karavanke Mountains. The meteoroid entered the atmosphere at a very steep angle and disintegrated into a large number of objects. Two main objects were seen as separate fireballs up to an altitude of approximately 5 km, and witnesses reported loud explosions. Three stones were found with a total weight of approximately 3.611 kg. The measured activity of short‐lived cosmogenic radionuclides clearly indicates that two specimens result from a very recent meteorite fall. All cosmogenic radionuclide concentrations suggest a rather small preatmospheric radius of <20 cm; a nominal cosmic‐ray exposure age based on21Ne is approximately 4 Ma, but the noble gas and radionuclide results in combination indicate a complex irradiation. Jesenice is a highly recrystallized rock with only a few relic chondrules visible in hand specimen and thin section. The texture, the large grain size of plagioclase, and the homogeneous compositions of olivines and pyroxenes clearly indicate that Jesenice is a L6 chondrite. The bulk composition of Jesenice is very close to the published average element concentration for L ordinary chondrites. The chondrite is weakly shocked (S3) as indicated by the undulatory extinction in olivine and plagioclase and the presence of planar fractures in olivine. Being weakly shocked and with gas retention ages of >1.7 Ga (4He) and approximately 4.3 Ga (40Ar), Jesenice seems not to have been strongly affected by the catastrophic disruption of the L‐chondrite parent body approximately 500 Ma ago.
A qualitative comparison of psychotic‐like phenomena in clinical and non‐clinical populations
Authors: Heriot‐Maitland Charles , Knight Matthew , Peters Emmanuelle 
Published: April 2011

Objectives. To explore the nature and context of psychotic‐like phenomena in clinical (C) and non‐clinical (NC) participants, and to investigate whether the factors involved with triggering a psychotic‐like ‘out‐of‐the‐ordinary’ experience (OOE) can be distinguished from those determining its clinical consequences.Design and methods. Qualitative data were collected by semi‐structured interviews, and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Twelve participants, who reported OOEs starting in the last 5 years, were split into C and NC groups depending on whether they were involved with mental‐health services as a result of their experiences. Inter‐group comparisons of emergent themes were made.Results. Inter‐group similarities were found in the triggers and subjective nature of experiences, with clearer group differences in the inter‐personal and background personal contexts, and how the experiences were incorporated into their lives. In particular, the inter‐personal theme of validation was identified as important in distinguishing the clinical consequences of OOEs.Conclusions. It is not the OOE itself that determines the development of a clinical condition, but rather the wider personal and interpersonal contexts that influence how this experience is subsequently integrated. Theoretical implications for the refinement of psychosis models are outlined, and clinical implications for the validation and normalization of psychotic‐like phenomena are proposed.
Negotiating exceptions to clients’ problem discourse in consultative dialogue
Authors: Strong Tom , Pyle Nathan R. 
Published: April 2011

Objective. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how consultants negotiated exceptions to clients problem or aspiration discourse in lifestyle consultations held for research purposes.Design. Participants from a university campus (students and employees) were recruited for 1‐hr lifestyle consultations with therapist consultants having graduate training and supervision in narrative and solution‐focused therapy. The consultations were held with the expectation that consultants would, at least once, invite discussions of exceptions in client's problem or aspiration discourse. We wanted to understand how such discussions were initiated and brought to conclusion by examining client and consultants use of conversational practices.Method. Twelve volunteer ‘clients’ participated in consultations with our six volunteering consultants. These consultations were videotaped then passages were selected where consultants initiated exception discussions with the clients involved. The 18 selected passages were discursively analyzed for general rhetorical features evident in those passages, and three passages were transcribed and analyzed using conversation analysis to make evident more specific rhetorical features of exception discussions, as they were engaged in by consultants and clients.Results. Ten general features of exception discussions were highlighted and the more specific conversational analyses revealed a ‘messiness’ that was related to how exception discussions were introduced and negotiated as a novel discourse in the consultations.Conclusions. We discuss our findings in the context of therapists’ use of exception questions and discussions in therapy and highlight particular conversational practices and sensitivities relevant to engaging clients in such exception discussions.
Contraception use and unplanned pregnancies among injection drug-using women in St Petersburg, Russia: Table 1
Authors: Abdala Nadia , Kershaw Trace , Krasnoselskikh Tatiana V , Kozlov Andrei P 
Published: April 2011

BackgroundThis cross-sectional study estimated the prevalence of contraceptive methods and investigated whether abortion rates influence contraceptive behaviour among injection drug-using (IDU) women in St Petersburg, Russia.MethodologyA self-administered questionnaire of behaviour in the last 3 months was applied to a convenient sample of IDU women.ResultsOf 80 sexually active participants, 67% had had an abortion. No participant reported using hormonal contraceptives or intrauterine devices (IUDs). The only valid method of contraception used was condoms, which was reported by half of the participants. Consistent condom use was reported by 22% of participants and was no more likely among those who had an abortion. Condom use was significantly associated with having multiple or casual sex partners [prevalence ratio (PR) 1.75, 95% (confidence interval) CI 1.11–2.78,p= 0.01], having an IDU sex partner (PR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36–0.85,p= 0.029) and with a negative attitude toward condoms (PR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33–0.84,p= 0.01). Abortions were less likely among those who had multiple or casual sex partners (PR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49–0.97,p= 0.03).ConclusionsDespite the high prevalence of abortions among IDU women, none reported the use of hormonal contraception or IUDs. Having had an abortion was not associated with greater likelihood of using condoms. Participants mostly used condoms with casual or multiple sex partners, suggesting that condoms were used mainly to prevent HIV/sexually transmitted infection transmission and not to prevent pregnancy. Programmes to prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce abortion-related health risks among this understudied vulnerable group are needed.
Clinical and angiographic outcome in patients with completely occluded intracranial aneurysms by endovascular coiling: our experience
Authors: Xavier Andrew R , Abdelbaky Abdelaal , Rayes Mahmoud , Tiwari Ambooj , Narayanan Sandra 
Published: April 2011

ObjectiveThere are limited data about the rate of recanalization following complete coil occlusion. Long term clinical and angiographic outcome of completely occluded intracranial aneurysms (IAs) by the endovascular approach are presented.MethodsOver the course of 4 years, patients with IAs which were completely occluded by coiling at our institution were reviewed. Clinical and angiographic data were analyzed. The patients were clinically assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Follow-up angiographic findings were categorized as: stable aneurysm with no recanalization, recanalization with a neck remnant and recanalization with a body remnant.Results83 aneurysms were identified in 74 patients (15 men and 59 women, average age 52.4 years) with complete occlusion post intervention. Treatment by coiling only was used in 73 aneurysms while stent assisted coiling was used in 10 cases. At the last angiographic follow-up (mean 16.3 months), 20 of the 83 aneurysms demonstrated various degrees of recanalization of which five had neck remnants and 15 had body remnants. The recanalization rate was significantly higher in large aneurysms (57%) compared with small aneurysms (14%). Clinically, 65 of the 74 patients showed good recovery (GOS score 5), eight had moderate disability (GOS score 4) and one was severely disabled (GOS score 3).ConclusionComplete endovascular occlusion of IA is certainly effective in preventing aneurysmal bleeding. However, recanalization rate, despite being lower when compared with subtotal occlusion, remains an issue. Longer follow-up is required.
A cross-sectional study of exposures, lung function and respiratory symptoms among aluminium cast-house workers
Authors: van Rooy F G B G J , Houba R , Stigter H , Zaat V A C , Zengeni M M , Rooyackers J M , Boers H E , Heederik D J J 
Published: April 2011

ObjectivesTo investigate exposures, respiratory symptoms, lung function and exposure–response relationships among aluminium cast-house workers.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 182 workers. Exposure data were used to model exposure to irritants. Lung function and questionnaire data on respiratory symptoms were compared to a general population sample and an internal reference group. Blood samples were taken from 156 workers to examine total IgE, eosinophils and sensitisation to common allergens.ResultsAverage daily mean exposure to inhalable dust, metals, hydrogen fluoride, fluoride salts and sulphur dioxide was relatively low compared to reference values. Airflow patterns in the hall were disturbed regularly and resulted in pot emissions with high concentrations of fluorides. Peak exposures to chlorine gas occurred intermittently due to production process disturbances. Workers reported significantly more respiratory symptoms (continuous trouble with breathing (prevalence ratio (PR) 2.5; 95% CI 1.2 to 5.3), repeated trouble with breathing (PR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1 to 3.0), wheezing (PR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8), asthma attack (ever) (PR 2.8; 95% CI 1.7 to 4.6) and doctor diagnosed asthma (PR 2.6; 95% CI 1.5 to 4.4). Regression analysis showed significantly lower FEV1values (−195 ml) and FVC values (−142 ml) compared to a general population sample. Lung function did not differ between groups.ConclusionThis epidemiological study suggests cast-house workers in the aluminium industry are exposed to respiratory hazards. Exposure–response relationships could not be demonstrated but this study supports preventive measures in the work environment with a focus on (peak) exposures to irritants.
A MULTI-DOMAIN HYBRID METHOD FOR HEAD-ON COLLISION OF BLACK HOLES IN PARTICLE LIMIT
Authors: CHAKRABORTY DEBANANDA , JUNG JAE-HUN , KHANNA GAURAV 
Published: April 2011

A hybrid method is developed based on the spectral and finite-difference methods for solving the inhomogeneous Zerilli equation in time-domain. The developed hybrid method decomposes the domain into the spectral and finite-difference domains. The singular source term is located in the spectral domain while the solution in the region without the singular term is approximated by the higher-order finite-difference method. The spectral domain is also split into multi-domains and the finite-difference domain is placed as the boundary domain. Due to the global nature of the spectral method, a multi-domain method composed of the spectral domain only does not yield the proper power-law decay unless the range of the computational domain is large. The finite-difference domain helps reduce boundary effects due to the truncation of the computational domain. The multi-domain approach with the finite-difference boundary domain method reduces the computational cost significantly and also yields the proper power-law decay. Stable and accurate interface conditions between the finite-difference and spectral domains and the spectral and spectral domains are derived. For the singular source term, we use both the Gaussian model with various values of full width at half-maximum and a localized discrete δ-function. The discrete δ-function was generalized to adopt the Gauss–Lobatto collocation points of the spectral domain. The gravitational waveforms are measured. Numerical results show that the developed hybrid method accurately yields the quasi-normal modes and the power-law decay profile. The numerical results also show that the power-law decay profile is less sensitive to the shape of the regularized δ-function for the Gaussian model than expected. The Gaussian model also yields better results than the localized discrete δ-function.
Histone Methyltransferase KMT1A Restrains Entry of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells into a Myogenic Differentiated State
Authors: Lee Min-Hyung , Jothi Mathivanan , Gudkov Andrei V. , Mal Asoke K. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is an aggressive pediatric muscle cancer, which arrested during the process of skeletal muscle differentiation. In muscle myoblast cells, ectopic expression of the histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methytransferase KMT1A blocks differentiation by repressing a myogenic gene expression program. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that activation of a KMT1A-mediated program of transcriptional repression prevents ARMS cells from differentiating. We investigated whether KMT1A represses the expression of differentiation-associated genes in ARMS cells, thereby blocking muscle differentiation. Our results show that expression of KMT1A is induced in human ARMS cancer cell lines when cultured under differentiation-permissible conditions. shRNA-mediated knockdown of KMT1A decreased anchorage dependent and independent cell proliferation and tumor xenograft growth, increased expression of differentiation-associated genes, and promoted the appearance of a terminally differentiated-like phenotype. Finally, shRNA-directed KMT1A knockdown restored the impaired transcriptional activity of the myogenic regulator MyoD. Together, our results suggested that high levels of KMT1A in ARMS cells under differentiation conditions impairs MyoD function, thereby arresting myogenic differentiation in these tumor cells. Thus, targeting KMT1A may be a novel strategy for the treatment of this disease. Cancer Res; 71(11); 3921–31. ©2011 AACR.
Characterization of Gap Junction Remodeling in Epicardial Border Zone of Healing Canine Infarcts and Electrophysiological Effects of Partial Reversal by Rotigaptide
Authors: Macia Ester , Dolmatova Elena , Cabo Candido , Sosinsky Alexandra Z. , Dun Wen , Coromilas James , Ciaccio Edward J. , Boyden Penelope A. , Wit Andrew L. , Duffy Heather S. 
Published: April 2011

Background—
The border zone of healing myocardial infarcts is an arrhythmogenic substrate, partly the result of structural and functional remodeling of the ventricular gap junction protein, Connexin43 (Cx43). Cx43 in arrhythmogenic substrates is a potential target for antiarrhythmic therapy.

Methods and Results—
We characterized Cx43 remodeling in the epicardial border zone (EBZ) of healing canine infarcts 5 days after coronary occlusion and examined whether the gap junction–specific agent rotigaptide could reverse it. Cx43 remodeling in the EBZ was characterized by a decrease in Cx43 protein, lateralization, and increased Cx43 phosphorylation at serine (S) 368. Rotigaptide partially reversed the loss of Cx43 but did not affect the increase in S368 phosphorylation, nor did it reverse Cx43 lateralization. Rotigaptide did not prevent conduction slowing in the EBZ, nor did it decrease the induction of sustained ventricular tachycardia by programmed stimulation, although it did decrease the EBZ effective refractory period.

Conclusions—
We conclude that partial reversal of Cx43 remodeling in healing infarct border zone may not be sufficient to restore normal conduction or prevent arrhythmias.
The Extent of Left Ventricular Scar Quantified by Late Gadolinium Enhancement MRI Is Associated With Spontaneous Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators
Authors: Scott Paul A. , Morgan John M. , Carroll Nicola , Murday David C. , Roberts Paul R. , Peebles Charles R. , Harden Stephen P. , Curzen Nick P. 
Published: April 2011

Background—
Characterization of sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk remains a challenge in the application of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy. Late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI (LGE-CMR) can accurately identify myocardial scar. We performed a retrospective, single-center observational study to evaluate the association between the extent and distribution of left ventricular scar, quantified using LGE-CMR, and the burden of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with coronary artery disease and ICDs.

Methods and Results—

All patients included (2006 to 2009) had undergone LGE-CMR before ICD implantation. Scar (defined as myocardium with a signal intensity ≥50% of the maximum in scar tissue) was characterized in terms of percent scar, scar surface area, and number of transmural left ventricular scar segments. The end point was appropriate ICD therapy. Sixty-four patients (mean age, 66±11 years; male sex, 51) were included. During 19±10 months follow-up, appropriate ICD therapy occurred in 19 (30%) patients. In Cox regression analyses, both percent scar (hazard ratio per 10%, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.81;
P
=0.02) and number of transmural scar segments (hazard ratio per segment, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.70;
P
=0.001) were significantly associated with the occurrence of appropriate ICD therapy.

Conclusions—
In this pilot study, the extent of myocardial scar characterized by LGE-CMR was significantly associated with the occurrence of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias. We hypothesize that scar quantification by LGE-CMR may prove a valuable risk stratification tool for the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias, which may have implications for patient selection for ICD therapy.
Utility of the Ventricular Fibrillation Waveform to Predict a Return of Spontaneous Circulation and Distinguish Acute From Post Myocardial Infarction or Normal Swine in Ventricular Fibrillation Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Indik Julia H. , Allen Daniel , Gura Michael , Dameff Christian , Hilwig Ronald W. , Kern Karl B. 
Published: April 2011

Background—
In cardiac arrest, the ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveform, particularly amplitude spectral area (AMSA) and slope, predicts the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), but it is unknown whether the predictive utility differs in an acute myocardial infarction (MI), prior MI, or normal myocardium and if the waveform can distinguish the underlying myocardial state. We hypothesized that in a swine model of VF cardiac arrest, AMSA and slope predict ROSC after a shock independent of substrate and distinguish an acute from nonacute MI state.

Methods and Results—

MI was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. Post MI swine recovered for a 2-week period before induction of VF. VF was untreated for 8 minutes in 10 acute MI, 10 post MI, and 10 control swine. AMSA and slope predicted ROSC after a shock independent of myocardial state. For AMSA >31 mV-Hz, the odds ratio was 62 (
P
≤0.001) compared with AMSA <19 mV-Hz. For slope >3.1 mV/s, odds ratio was 52 (
P
≤0.001) compared with slope <1.8 mV/s. With chest compressions, AMSA and slope were significantly lower for acute MI swine compared with control swine, whereas in post MI swine the waveform characteristics were similar to control swine. In particular, for an AMSA >33.5 mV-Hz, the sensitivity to identify an acute from nonacute (control or post MI) state was 83%.

Conclusions—
In a swine model of VF cardiac arrest, AMSA and slope predict ROSC independent of myocardial substrate. Furthermore, with chest compressions, the VF waveform evolves differently and may offer a means to distinguish an acute MI.