bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generic concepts in the Platycrinitidae Austin and Austin, 1842 (class Crinoidea)
Authors: Ausich William I. , Kammer Thomas W. 
Published: August 2009

Platycrinitesis traditionally one of the more recognizable crinoids, a camerate crinoid with very few if any fixed brachials or interradials and a helically twisted column. Accordingly, many taxa have been assigned to this genus. With a better understanding of the Platycrinitidae, these characters actually unite the family Platycrinitidae rather than the genus. Further, use of different genus-diagnostic characters in Western Europe versus North America has resulted in a confused systematics for this important late Paleozoic family. Here, we objectively define genera within the Platycrinitidae and assign all species to either newly defined or newly named genera. A phylogenetic hypothesis, incorporating both parsimony-based character analysis and stratigraphic ranges, of the genera within the Platycrinitidae is presented.With consideration of the type species,Platycrinites laevisMiller, 1821,Platycrinitessensu stricto is distinguished fromPlatycrinitessensu lato, which is used for species that cannot be assigned with confidence to any objectively defined genus. New genera areArtaocrinusn. gen.,Collicrinusn. gen.,Elegantocrinusn. gen., andLaticrinusn. gen.; andExsulacrinusBowsher and Strimple, 1986 is designated a junior synonym ofPlatycrinitess.s.Collicrinus shumardin. gen. and sp.,Laticrinus owenin. gen. and sp., andLaticrinus wachsmuthin. gen. and sp. are described; andPlatycrinites formosus approximatus(Miller and Gurley, 1896a) is designated a junior synonym ofPlatycrinites formosus(Miller and Gurley, 1895a), which is reassigned here toCollicrinusn. gen.Platycrinitess.s. now includes 14 species and species-level taxa, and 76 species are assigned toPlatycrinitess.l. Ten species are designated nomina dubia, as are taxa based solely on columnals or pluricolumnals. Two species are designated nomina nuda, and two are transferred to genera outside of the Platycrinitidae. In addition, twenty-seven species and four open-nomenclature taxa are each reassigned to a different genus.
Anti‐Tumor Necrosis Factor‐Alpha Therapy and Periodontal Parameters in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Mayer Yaniv , Balbir‐Gurman Alexandra , Machtei Eli E. 
Published: September 2009

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) therapy on the clinical and immunologic parameters of the periodontium.Methods: Ten patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who routinely received infusions of infliximab, 200 mg (RA+), 10 patients with RA without anti‐TNF‐α therapy (RA−), and 10 healthy controls (C) were included. Clinical parameters, including the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (AL), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were assessed, and total gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) TNF‐α level was determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Analysis of variance with Scheffe modification and the Pearson correlation test were used for statistical analysis.Results: The ages of the patients ranged from 22 to 76 years (mean, 50.73 ± 9.1 years). The mean PI was similar among the groups. However, mean inflammatory parameters in the three groups varied significantly; GI was greater in the RA− group compared to RA+ and C groups (P = 0.0042). The RA+ group exhibited less BOP than RA− and C groups (21.1% ± 3.0%, 45.9% ± 6.2%, and 39.1% ± 7.2%, respectively; P = 0.0146). The mean PD in the RA+ group was shallower than in RA− and C groups (3.22 ± 0.13 mm, 3.85 ± 0.22 mm, and 3.77 ± 0.20 mm, respectively; P = 0.055). Clinical AL in the RA+ group was lower than in RA− and C groups (3.68 ± 0.11 mm, 4.52 ± 0.26 mm, and 4.35 ± 0.24 mm, respectively; P = 0.0273). TNF‐α levels in the GCF of the RA+ group were the lowest compared to RA− and C groups (0.663, 1.23, and 0.949 ng/site, respectively; P = 0.0401). A significant positive correlation was found between TNF‐α levels in the GCF and clinical AL (r = 0.448; P = 0.0283).Conclusions: Patients with RA receiving anti‐TNF‐α medication had lower periodontal indices and GCF TNF‐α levels. Thus, suppression of proinflammatory cytokines might prove beneficial in suppressing periodontal diseases.
One‐Stage Full‐Mouth Versus Partial‐Mouth Scaling and Root Planing During the Effective Half‐Life of Systemically Administered Azithromycin
Authors: Yashima Akihiro , Gomi Kazuhiro , Maeda Nobuko , Arai Takashi 
Published: September 2009

Background: One‐stage full‐mouth scaling and root planing (FM‐SRP) in combination with systemically administered azithromycin was shown to be clinically and bacteriologically effective in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. However, FM‐SRP requires 2 hours for completion. Azithromycin has a long half‐life. Therefore, if SRP of the full mouth is performed within 7 days while an effective concentration of azithromycin remains in the gingiva, the effects may be the same as FM‐SRP. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and bacteriologic effects of FM‐SRP and partial‐mouth scaling and root planing (PM‐SRP) in patients with chronic periodontitis, which was performed in three sessions within 7 days, during the effective half‐life of systemically administrated azithromycin.Methods: Thirty adult subjects with chronic periodontitis were randomly divided into three groups (FM‐SRP, PM‐SRP, and control). A clinical examination was conducted to record the probing depth, clinical attachment level gain, bleeding on probing, gingival index, and volume of gingival crevicular fluid; bacterial samples were obtained before treatment and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months thereafter. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed using the polymerase chain reaction‐Invader method.Results: All clinical parameters showed better improvement in FM‐SRP and PM‐SRP groups compared to the control group, with no significant differences between the two test groups. Periodontal bacteria were well controlled in the two test groups, but they tended to increase gradually 3 months after treatment in the control group.Conclusion: PM‐ and FM‐SRP demonstrated comparable clinical and bacteriologic results.
Don't Get Skewed Over by Journal Rankings
Authors: Wall Howard J 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Nearly all journal rankings in economics use some weighted average of citations to calculate a journal's impact. These rankings are often used, formally or informally, to help assess the publication success of individual economists or institutions. Although ranking methods and opinions are legion, scant attention has been paid to the usefulness of any ranking as representative of the many articles published in a journal. First, because the distributions of citations across articles within a journal are seriously skewed, and the skewness differs across journals, the appropriate measure of central tendency is the median rather than the mean. Second, large shares of articles in the highest-ranked journals are cited less frequently than typical articles in much-lower-ranked journals.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists Protect Pancreatic β-Cells From Lipotoxic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Through Upregulation of BiP and JunB
Authors: Cunha Daniel A. , Ladrière Laurence , Ortis Fernanda , Igoillo-Esteve Mariana , Gurzov Esteban N. , Lupi Roberto , Marchetti Piero , Eizirik Décio L. , Cnop Miriam 
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE
Chronic exposure of pancreatic β-cells to saturated free fatty acids (FFAs) causes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis and may contribute to β-cell loss in type 2 diabetes. Here, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms involved in the protection of β-cells from lipotoxic ER stress by glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 agonists utilized in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
INS-1E or fluorescence-activated cell sorter–purified primary rat β-cells were exposed to oleate or palmitate with or without the GLP-1 agonist exendin-4 or forskolin. Cyclopiazonic acid was used as a synthetic ER stressor, while the activating transcription factor 4–C/EBP homologous protein branch was selectively activated with salubrinal. The ER stress signaling pathways modulated by GLP-1 agonists were studied by real-time PCR and Western blot. Knockdown by RNA interference was used to identify mediators of the antiapoptotic GLP-1 effects in the ER stress response and downstream mitochondrial cell death mechanisms.

RESULTS
Exendin-4 and forskolin protected β-cells against FFAs via the induction of the ER chaperone BiP and the antiapoptotic protein JunB that mediate β-cell survival under lipotoxic conditions. On the other hand, exendin-4 and forskolin protected against synthetic ER stressors by inactivating caspase 12 and upregulating Bcl-2 and X-chromosome–linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein that inhibit mitochondrial apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS
These observations suggest that GLP-1 agonists increase in a context-dependent way the β-cell defense mechanisms against different pathways involved in ER stress–induced apoptosis. The identification of the pathways modulated by GLP-1 agonists allows for targeted approaches to alleviate β-cell ER stress in diabetes.
Influence of Pattern Void on Hydroplaning and Related Target Conflicts
Authors: Wies B. , Roeger B. , Mundl R. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Performance prediction of hydroplaning via coupling of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and FE modeling has delivered a detailed insight into the local mechanisms and root causes of hydroplaning but is still very time consuming and extensive.
The goal of the present work is the development of simple rules of thumb and easy to understand models to give the tire designer a quick approach to optimize the hydroplaning performance of his design concepts including the target conflicting trade-offs.
Based on the DOE study covering basic winter and summer tread patterns and tread compounds taking into account interactions, total void, longitudinal, and lateral void distributions have been varied. Experimental designs have been tested concerning longitudinal hydroplaning behavior on front and rear driven cars and lateral hydroplaning. Most important target conflicting performance criteria such as wet and dry braking, noise, rolling resistance, winter traction, and force and moment characteristics among others have been tested additionally.
The existing models using hydrodynamic pressure influences have been reviewed and extended. A simple to use development tool has been programed to quantify pattern design to get a quick prediction of tire performance changes (“Void Slider”).
Efficacy of a combination viral vaccine for protection of cattle against experimental infection with field isolates of bovine herpesvirus-1
Authors: Ellis John A. , Gow Sheryl P. , Goji Noriko , Jones Clinton , Workman Aspen , Henderson Gail , Rhodes Carrie , Alaniz Glenn , Meinert Todd R. , Tucker Cassius M. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Objective—To determine whether a combination viral vaccine containing a modified-live bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) would protect calves from infection with virulent field strains of BHV-1 for weeks or months after vaccination.
Design—Randomized controlled trial, performed in 2 replicates.
Animals—63 weaned 4- to 6-month-old crossbred beef calves seronegative for antibody against BHV-1.
Procedures—Calves were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups. Control calves (n = 10/replicate) received a combination modified-live mixed viral vaccine without BHV-1, and treatment calves (20 and 23/replicate) received a combination modified-live mixed viral vaccine containing BHV-1. Each group was challenged via aerosol with 1 of 2 field strains of BHV-1, 30 days after vaccination in replicate 1 and 97 days after vaccination in replicate 2. After challenge, calves were commingled in 1 drylot pen. Clinical signs, immune responses, and nasal shedding of virus were monitored for 10 days after challenge, after which the calves were euthanatized and tracheal lesions were assessed.
Results—Vaccination stimulated production of BHV-1–specific IgG antibody that cross-neutralized several field and laboratory strains of BHV-1. Challenge with both field strains of BHV-1 resulted in moderate to severe respiratory tract disease in control calves. Treatment calves had significantly fewer signs of clinical disease, shed less BHV-1, had less or no weight loss after challenge, and had fewer tracheal lesions than control calves for at least 97 days after vaccination.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Administration of the combination modified-live BHV-1 vaccine yielded significant disease-sparing effects in calves experimentally infected with virulent field strains of BHV-1.
Effectiveness of Essential Health Care Services Delivery in Nepal
Authors: Devkota B 
Published: August 2009

Background: Ensuring delivery of quality health services in a sustainable and equitable manner is a challenge in Nepal. A host of factors may have impeded the access, quality and utilization of the health services particularly by the marginalized and disadvantaged sections of the population. Review essential health care services (EHCS) provided by the public health facilities, level of progress, effectiveness, sustainability, equity and efficiency, quality of care and inclusion of marginalized and disadvantaged populations in health care servicesMethods: A total of 40 VDCs from 10 districts representing five regions and three eco-zones were covered. Altogether 800 mothers with under two year children, 40 health service providers, 145 key informants and 40 exit clients were interviewed. Forty focused group discussions were also conducted. From each district, health records of one hospital, PHCC, HP, SHP and Ayurvedic health facility each were collected.Results: More than two-third (68.2%) of the mothers received antenatal checks, highest in hills (85%) followed by terai (64.5%) and mountain districts (52.8%).Tetanus vaccine coverage (80.7%) seems higher compared to Nepal Demographic Health Survey 2001 (45%). FP use rate in mountain, hill and terai are 57.6%, 54.1% and 49.7%, higher than in DoHS 2003/2004 statistics, which were 26.8%, 36.4% and 45.3% respectively. Nine out of ten patients visiting the health facilities were outpatients. The coverage of DPT 3, Polio 3, BCG and measles are 92.8%, 93.4%, 95.2% and 90.7% respectively. From the service utilization perspective, disparities in terms of gender, ecological regions, season of the year and health facility were revealed.Conclusion: Health sector services are yet to be made responsive to the ecological and district specific health problems, and be made more inclusive linking with doable safety nets. Key words: Essential health care services; Effectiveness; Sustainability; Equity and efficiency; Quality of care and inclusion doi: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i2.2188Journal of Nepal Health Research Council Vol. 6 No. 2 Issue 13 Oct 2008 Page: 74-83
Impact of Educational Intervention on Knowledge Regarding HIV/AIDS among Adults
Authors: Sharma Muna 
Published: August 2009

Background: HIV/AIDS is the genuine public health problem; in which prevention is the mainstay of the response where adult can play principle role in the society. The study aimed at finding out the effectiveness of the education intervention in improving knowledge among adults regarding the HIV/AIDS.Methods: A pre- experimental semi structured interview was conducted to measure research variables among a group of 67 adults, who were the members of Local Community Organizations (LCOs) of Bagashori VDC of Bhaktapur in pre- test and post test. The obtained data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The findings revealed that after intervention respondents had significantly higher (p= 0.001) mean knowledge about HIV/AIDS.Conclusion: The test confirmed that the education program on HIV/AIDS was able to considerably improve people's knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Key words: Adults; Educational intervention; Knowledge; HIV/AIDSdoi: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i2.2213Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2008, October. Page: 102-106
Socio-Demographic Profile of HIV Patients at Seti Zonal Hospital
Authors: Paudel Bidhan Nidhi , Sharma S , Singh G. B. , Dhungana G. B. , Paudel P. 
Published: August 2009

Background: To tackle with powerful strategies aimed at controlling AIDS epidemic, the virus is finding its new way for devastating human lives through bridge population. At present, migrant laborers are the major carriers of HIV from high risk population to the low risk population. The objective is to study the socio-demographic status of HIV patient visiting Seti Zonal Hospital, Dhangadi.Methods: A descriptive study was carried out from December 2006 to May 2008 in 1099 HIV patients visiting HIV clinic, Seti Zonal Hospital, Dhangadi After taking informed consents, information regarding age, sex, educational status and socio economic status ware recorded in standard register. All the information were entered in to SPSS 11.5 system and analyzed to obtain socio-demographic profiles of the patients.Results: Among 1099 Patients, 54.2% were females. Majority patients were in the age group 31-45 years (54.1%). As high as 86.07% of the patients were from Far Western Region and 14.2% were from Mid Western Region. Regarding occupation, almost 50% of the HIV patients were housewives (42.1%of whom were window) followed by migrant laborers (38.8). As high as 77.0% of the patients were found to be illiterate.Conclusion: It can be concluded that low socio-economic status along with high migration rate of the Far Western Region was found to be the major predisposing factor for increasing vulnerability to HIV infection. Key words: Dhangadhi; HIV/AIDS; Housewives; Migrants; Socio-economic status.doi: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i2.2215Journal of Nepal Health Research Council Vol. 6, No. 2, 2008 Page: 107-110
Integration of Knowledge and Practice of Nurses’ Primary Health Care Roles in Hospital
Authors: Tamang (Thanju) Shakuntala 
Published: August 2009

Background: PHC concept was incorporated in nursing curricula (1987) to equip nurses with necessary knowledge and skills to perform their PHC roles. The aim was to investigate the integration of knowledge and practice of nurses' PHC roles as perceived by the nurse and patient and the relationship with its influencing variables.Methods: A descriptive study involved nurses and patients from government and non-government hospitals using a structured questionnaire. Nonparametric statistics, known for their appropriateness for small samples, were used to examine the research questions.Results: Integration of knowledge and practice of nurses' PHC role was positively reflected in hospitals even though most roles practices were in moderate extent and the significant difference in nurses' role practices were experienced by the patients (P <0.001). The nurses' PHC role practice was influenced by supervision (P <0.001) of work and role of motivator, but were not influenced by other variables.Conclusion: Based on the study findings, an increased in knowledge resulted in an increased in PHC role practice. Therefore, good nursing education program is very important for the nurses to practice PHC roles efficiently and effectively in hospital. There is need for nurses to understand and deliver nursing care congruent with patient's perception of quality nursing care. With the regular and facilitative supervision, the nurses will have guidance encouragement, and resources to perform well. Key words: PHC; Clinician; Developmental; Facilitative; Supportive. doi: 10.3126/jnhrc.v6i2.2216Journal of Nepal Health Research Council Vol. 6, No. 2, 2008, October Page: 111-116
Cosmetic approach of atrial septal defect repair through right anterolateral thoracotomy
Authors: Adhikary Asit Baran , Kamal Sarwar , Saha Sanjoy Kumar , Hossain Aslam , Quader Sayed Abdul , Badruzzaman - , Chanda Prasanta Kumar 
Published: August 2009

Keywords: Atrial septal defect; Cosmetic approach; ThoracotomyOnline: 27 August 2009DOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v35i2.2766Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2009; 35: 75-76
Circulating lipid peroxidation, plasma and erythrocyte antioxidant status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Pasupathi Palanisamy , Deepa Mathiyalagan , Rani P. , Sankar R. Ramesh 
Published: August 2009

The aim of the study was to investigate the levels of lipid peroxidation, and both plasma and erythrocyte antioxidant states in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The population consisted of 60 subjects divided into two groups, 30 subjects had evidence of rheumatoid arthritis and age and sex matched healthy subjects were studied as controls. The level of plasma and erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was markedly increased in both the rheumatoid arthritis patients when compared to control subjects. The activities of plasma and erythrocyte antioxidants were significantly decreased in rheumatoid arthritis. C reactive protein, rheumatoid factor and antistreptolysin-O were significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients than in healthy subjects. In conclusion, on the basis of enhanced lipid peroxidation in rheumatoid arthritis patients with concomitant failure of both the plasma, and erythrocyte antioxidants defense mechanism. These results are consistent with the underlying hypothesis that there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and the antioxidant defense system in inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis disease.Keywords: Antioxidant; Lipid peroxidation; Rheumatoid arthritisOnline: 13 August 2009DOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v35i2.2798Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2009; 35: 57-62
Effect of enalapril and losartan on proteinuria in type 2 diabetic nephropathy patients
Authors: Hoque Rozina , Rahman Md. Sayedur , Iqbal Masud 
Published: August 2009

A prospective, open label, parallel group and randomized study was conducted to see the effect of enalapril and losartan on proteinuria in type 2 diabetic nephropathy patients. 18 patients (proteinuria ³ 0.5 gm/day and serum creatinine ≤3 mg/dL) were selected and then randomly grouped to receive enalapril (5-40 mg/day, n=10) and losartan (25-200 mg/day, n=8) in increasing dose for 16 weeks. No statistically significant alteration in the urinary total protein, protein creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, serum potassium and blood pressure was observed in any group. After attaining maximum dose (40 mg and 200 mg respectively), enalapril group showed significant (p<0.04) reduction of protein creatinine ratio in comparison to losartan group. It may be concluded that 40 mg enalapril or 200 mg losartan are not sufficient to reduce proteinuria and blood pressure significantly in type 2 proteinuric diabetics with renal dysfunction although both drugs were well tolerated at high doses.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Enalapril; Losartan; Nephropathy; ProteinuriaOnline: 11 August 2009DOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v35i2.2885Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2009; 35: 44-48
Study on ascitic fluid protein level in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Authors: Mustafa M. Golam , Mamun M. Ayub Al , Alam A.K.M. Khorshed 
Published: August 2009

Complement 3 is an important component of ascitic fluid total protein, which offers local defence against infection of the ascitic fluid. Hepatic synthesis of complement 3 as well as other proteins and their concentrations in ascitic fluid is significantly reduced in patients with advanced cirrhosis. The level of protein in ascitic fluid in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was compared with that in patients without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Ascitic fluid protein level in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (n=15) was 1.1 ± 0.3 g/dL whereas it was 1.5 ± 0.5 g/dL in patients without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (n=15). In conclusion, this study suggests that, ascitic fluid protein level is significantly (p=0.008) reduced in cirrhotic patients who develop spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.Keywords: Ascitic fluid; Bacteria; Cirrhosis; PeritonitisOnline: 11 August 2009DOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v35i2.3023Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2009; 35: 41-43