bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lower Efficacy in the Utilization of Dietary ALA as Compared to Preformed EPA + DHA on Long Chain n‐3 PUFA Levels in Rats
Authors: Talahalli Ramaprasad R. , Vallikannan Baskaran , Sambaiah Kari , Lokesh Belur R. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractWe made a comparative analysis of the uptake, tissue deposition and conversion of dietary α‐linolenic acid (ALA) to its long chain metabolites eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with preformed EPA + DHA. Diets containing linseed oil [with ALA at ~2.5 (4 g/kg diet), 5 (8 g/kg diet), 10 (16 g/kg diet), 25% (40 g/kg diet)] or fish oil [with EPA + DHA at ~1 (1.65 g/kg diet), 2.5 (4.12 g/kg diet), 5% (8.25 g/kg diet)] or groundnut oil without n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) were fed to rats for 60 days. ALA and EPA + DHA in serum, liver, heart and brain increased with increments in the dietary ALA level. When preformed EPA + DHA were fed, the tissue EPA + DHA increased significantly compared to those given ALA. Normalized values from dietary n‐3 PUFA to tissue EPA + DHA indicated that 100 mg of dietary ALA lead to accumulation of EPA + DHA at 2.04, 0.70, 1.91 and 1.64% of total fatty acids respectively in liver, heart, brain and serum. Similarly 100 mg of preformed dietary EPA + DHA resulted in 25.4, 23.8, 15.9 and 14.9% of total fatty acids in liver, heart, brain and serum respectively. To maintain a given level of EPA + DHA, the dietary ALA required is 12.5, 33.5, 8.3 and 9.1 times higher than the dietary EPA + DHA for liver, heart, brain and serum respectively. Hence the efficacy of precursor ALA is lower compared to preformed EPA + DHA in elevating serum and tissue long chain n‐3 PUFA levels.
Capturing the friendship context with a collective property: Friendship group engagement vs. disaffection
Authors: Furrer Carrie J. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to introduce a motivational property of the group, friendship group engagement vs. disaffection, and to examine different composition models for combining individual reports into an indicator of a group‐level property. Data were collected from 312 ninth grade students and their teachers. Self‐reported friendship group (FG) engagement and disaffection were related to self‐reported classroom engagement, aggression, and peer problem behavior, but not to teacher‐reported classroom engagement. Group‐reported FG engagement and disaffection were related to self‐reported FG engagement and disaffection, classroom engagement, aggression, and peer problem behavior, but these relationships were moderated by within‐group agreement on the group property. Findings underscore the importance of a priori conceptualization of group‐level properties that are theoretically linked to adolescent adjustment, and the need to consider composition models when aggregating individual reports to create profiles of the group. Implications for future work on capturing properties of friendship groups are discussed.
Pressure to drink but not to smoke: Disentangling selection and socialization in adolescent peer networks and peer groups
Authors: Kiuru Noona , Burk William J. , Laursen Brett , Salmela‐Aro Katariina , Nurmi Jari‐Erik 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper examined the relative influence of selection and socialization on alcohol and tobacco use in adolescent peer networks and peer groups. The sample included 1419 Finnish secondary education students (690 males and 729 females, mean age 16 years at the outset) from nine schools. Participants identified three school friends and described their alcohol and tobacco use on two occasions one year apart. Actor‐based models simultaneously examined changes in peer network ties and changes in individual behaviors for all participants within each school. Multi‐level analyses examined changes in individual behaviors for adolescents entering new peer groups and adolescents in stable peer groups, both of which were embedded within the school‐based peer networks. Similar results emerged from both analytic methods: Selection and socialization contributed to similarity of alcohol use, but only selection was a factor in tobacco use.
Intranasal administration of opioids/fentanyl—Physiological and pharmacological aspects
Authors: Dale Ola 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIntranasal opioid formulations have been investigated as a new route of administration that may offer a rapid onset and short duration of analgesic effect. These characteristics are required for the optimal treatment of certain types of pain, e.g., breakthrough cancer pain, such that the temporal characteristics of the analgesic effect mirror those of the pain episode itself.The nasal cavity is highly perfused with permeable capillaries and is well suited for rapid drug uptake, however, challenges to intranasal administration are the small drug volume required to avoid run‐off into the pharynx, and the short time window for absorption before the drug is removed from the nose via mucociliary clearance. Potent opioids, such as fentanyl, have the possibility of low administration volumes and are the best candidates for intranasal administration. Intranasal fentanyl spray (INFS) showed promising pharmacokinetic characteristics (such as a Tmax of 13 min) compared with other fentanyl formulations, and has a short duration of effect. These findings are supported by clinical evidence indicating that INFS is an effective treatment of breakthrough cancer pain, providing a rapid onset of analgesia, with a convenient method of administration.
Breakthrough cancer pain and current treatment options
Authors: Porta‐Sales Josep 
Published: August 2010

AbstractCancer patients with relatively stable chronic background pain may experience transient episodes of pain, known as breakthrough cancer pain (BTP). There is no universally accepted definition for BTP, although recent efforts have been made by the Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland to refine existing definitions and diagnostic criteria. Common clinical features of a typical BTP episode include a rapid onset peaking within minutes, a severe intensity and a short duration. BTP affects patients' quality of life through functional impairment and affective disturbances, and may also impact on healthcare resources through increased visits to physicians, hospitalisations due to pain, etc. As such, effective treatment is critical. Oral opioids are the mainstay of treatment for BTP. However, these are slow‐acting with characteristics that do not match those of a typical BTP episode, and have the potential for over‐medication and side effects. More favourable options would include treatments with a rapid onset, such as recently developed formulations of fentanyl, e.g., oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC), buccal fentanyl citrate (FBT), and sublingual fentanyl citrate (SLF). However, these all require saliva/moisture to dissolve, potentially causing administration problems for cancer patients who commonly suffer from a dry mouth. The recently developed intranasal formulation of fentanyl (intranasal fentanyl spray) has a rapid onset and overcomes oral difficulties. It is a promising new option for the treatment of BTP.
Social capital configuration, legal bonds and performance in buyer–supplier relationships
Authors: Carey Sinéad , Lawson Benn , Krause Daniel R. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAcademics have increasingly recognized the benefits derived from social networks embedded within companies’ buyer–supplier relationships. However, prior research has only examined the influence of social capital elements on performance, either individually or in part. We propose an integrative model examining the relationships among relational, structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital, and between these dimensions and the cost and innovation performance of the firm. A sample of 163 buyer–supplier relationships is used to test the model. Regression results indicate that the relational dimension of social capital fully or partially mediates the effect of the cognitive dimension on performance, and partially mediates the link between the structural dimension, operationalized as social interaction ties, and innovation performance. Further, high levels of legal bonds were found to moderate the relationship between the relational dimension of social capital and performance outcomes. Implications for theory and managers are discussed.
The foreshortened malleus: Anatomic variant, not pathologic sign
Authors: Arviso Lindsey Clemson , Todd Norman Wendell 
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVETo quantitatively study the appearance of the malleus as viewed through the external ear canal clinically to determine whether its shortened appearance in some ears is associated with otitis media.STUDY DESIGNPostmortem material analysis.SETTINGUniversity temporal bone laboratory.SUBJECTS AND METHODSA total of 41 adult crania without clinical otitis. The mastoid size indicator of previous childhood otitis media was quantified radiographically. On digitized photographs of the tympanic membranes (64 ears useable), two sets of measurements were performed: 1) the distance from the malleus' lateral process to the umbo and to the annulus; and 2) angles formed anteriorly and posteriorly at the umbo.RESULTSThe two metrics of malleus foreshortening did not correlate with one another, that is, the ratio manubrium‐length/ tympanic diameter did not correlate with the ratio posterior/anterior umbo angles (for right ears, r = —0.34; for left, r = 0.30). Mastoid size did not correlate with either metric of malleus foreshortening. As to right‐left symmetry, the size of mastoid pneumatization had good correlation (r = 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.82); but, r = 0.21 for lengths, r = 0.34 for angles, each confidence interval included zero.CONCLUSIONBecause the data showed no correlation of the physical appearance of the malleus with the mastoid size indicator of otitis media, and right‐left symmetry was only hinted, we contend that a foreshortened malleus lacks clinical relevance. Foreshortened malleus is an anatomic variant, not a sign of pathology.
Lateral semicircular canal fenestration for congenital conductive hearing loss: Solution for a dilemma
Authors: Ashtiani Mohammadtaghi Khorsandi , Yazdani Nasrin , Satri Sasan Dabiri , Mokhtari Zahra , Kouhi Ali 
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVETo determine functional results after lateral semicircular canal fenestration on congenital conductive hearing loss.STUDY DESIGNCase series with chart review.SETTINGAmir‐Alam otolaryngology tertiary referral center.SUBJECTS AND METHODSTwenty patients with congenital oval window malformations who were not candidates for ossicular reconstruction underwent lateral semicircular canal fenestration. A skin graft was placed over the perforated fascial graft on the fenestrated area.RESULTSThe median preoperative mean air conduction (MAC) was 56.9 dB (50.0 dB median air‐bone). Postoperative median MAC gain of 34.3 dB (P < 0.001) and the median air‐bone gap of 18.8 dB were observed. The mean bone conduction (MBC) did not show any significant changes postoperatively (P = 0.12). No sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, or imbalance was observed.CONCLUSIONWe demonstrated hearing improvement after lateral semicircular canal fenestration. This technique can be considered as an alternative for patients with middle ear anomalies who are not candidates for ossicular reconstruction.
Comparison of safety and efficacy of foam‐based versus solution‐based ciprofloxacin for acute otitis externa
Authors: Marom Tal , Yelin Rodrigo , Goldfarb Abraham , Rakover Yoseph , Shlizerman Lev , Eilat Eran , Roth Yehudah 
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVETo compare and evaluate the efficacy and safety of a foam‐based antibiotic formulation in the treatment of acute otitis externa (AOE) with the more conventional solution‐based formulation.STUDY DESIGNPhase 2, open‐label, randomized controlled trial.SETTINGMulticenter.SUBJECTS AND METHODSSixty‐three eligible adult patients with unilateral AOE were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: an experimental 0.3 percent foam‐based ciprofloxacin, (FoamOtic Cipro) or 0.3 percent solution‐based ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan). All patients received the same dose regime (twice daily for 7 days). The primary efficacy variable was response to therapy (cure) in the test‐of‐cure visit. Secondary variables included improvement of the disease symptoms otalgia, tenderness, edema, and otorrhea.RESULTSSixty‐four patients were enrolled in the study. Seven patients were excluded from the per‐protocol analysis due to major deviations from the protocol. Per‐protocol analysis (n = 57) showed that cure was achieved in all the patients (P = 1.000). No significant differences were found between groups for symptomatic relief, resolution of otic discharge, or onset of pain reduction. Both treatments were found to be highly efficacious and safe, demonstrating the noninferiority of the experimental drug.CONCLUSIONFoam‐based ciprofloxacin is a safe and an effective new treatment for AOE.
The effect of a fibre supplement compared to a healthy diet on body composition, lipids, glucose, insulin and other metabolic syndrome risk factors in overweight and obese individuals
Authors: Pal Sebely , Khossousi Alireza , Binns Colin , Dhaliwal Satvinder , Ellis Vanessa 
Published: August 2010

Optimum levels and types of dietary fibre that provide the greatest beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome risk factors in overweight and obese individuals have yet to be determined in clinical trials. The present parallel design study compared the effects of fibre intake from a healthy dietv. a fibre supplement (psyllium) or a healthy diet plus fibre supplement on fasting lipids, glucose, insulin and body composition. Overweight/obese adults were randomised to either control (with placebo), fibre supplement (FIB), healthy eating plus placebo (HLT) or healthy eating plus fibre supplement (HLT–FIB). There was a significant increase in fibre intake in HLT–FIB, HLT and FIB groups up to 59, 31 and 55 g, respectively, at 12 weeks when compared to control (20 g). Weight, BMI and % total body fat were significantly reduced in FIB and HLT–FIB groups, with weight and BMI significantly reduced in the HLT group compared with control at 12 weeks. HLT–FIB and HLT groups had significant reductions in TAG and insulin compared with control at 6 and 12 weeks, and in insulin compared with the FIB group at 12 weeks. The HLT–FIB, HLT and FIB groups all had significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol compared with control after 6 and 12 weeks. The present study demonstrated that simply adding psyllium fibre supplementation to a normal diet was sufficient to obtain beneficial effects in risk factors. However, a high-fibre diet consisting of a psyllium supplement plus fibre from a healthy diet provided the greatest improvements in metabolic syndrome risk factors.
Gold kiwifruit consumed with an iron-fortified breakfast cereal meal improves iron status in women with low iron stores: a 16-week randomised controlled trial
Authors: Beck Kathryn , Conlon Cathryn A. , Kruger Rozanne , Coad Jane , Stonehouse Welma 
Published: August 2010

Ascorbic acid, and more recently, the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to enhance Fe absorption. However, it is not clear whether Fe status improves when foods high in ascorbic acid and carotenoids are consumed with Fe-fortified meals. The present study aimed to investigate whether consuming highv.low ascorbic acid-, lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich fruit (gold kiwifruitv.banana) with Fe-fortified breakfast cereal and milk improved Fe status in women with low Fe stores. Healthy women aged 18–44 years (n89) with low Fe stores (serum ferritin ≤ 25 μg/l and Hb ≥ 115 g/l) were randomly stratified to receive Fe-fortified breakfast cereal (16 mg Fe as ferrous sulfate), milk and either two gold kiwifruit or one banana (164 mgv.not detectable ascorbic acid; 526v.22·90 μg lutein and zeaxanthin, respectively) at breakfast every day for 16 weeks. Biomarkers of Fe status and dietary intake were assessed at baseline and end in the final sample (n69). Median serum ferritin increased significantly in the kiwifruit group (n33) compared with the banana group (n36), with 10·0 (25th, 75th percentiles 3·0, 17·5)v.1·0 (25th, 75th percentiles − 2·8, 6·5) μg/l (P < 0·001). Median soluble transferrin receptor concentrations decreased significantly in the kiwifruit group compared with the banana group, with − 0·5 (25th, 75th percentiles − 0·7, − 0·1)v.0·0 (25th, 75th percentiles − 0·3, 0·4) mg/l (P = 0·001). Consumption of an Fe-fortified breakfast cereal with kiwifruit compared with banana improved Fe status. Addition of an ascorbic acid-, lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich fruit to a breakfast cereal fortified with ferrous sulfate is a feasible approach to improve Fe status in women with low Fe stores.
Long-term histological examination of inferior concha after radiofrequency thermal ablation
Authors: Cukurova I , Cetinkaya E A , Demirhan E , Avci A 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective:To examine the histological effects of radiofrequency thermal ablation on the inferior concha epithelium and subepithelium, over five years post-treatment.Method:Inferior nasal concha epithelial biopsy specimens were examined histologically before and four, 30, 48 and 60 months after radiofrequency treatment, in six patients with inferior nasal concha hypertrophy.Results:At four months post-treatment, there was proliferation of blood vessels, increased inflammatory cells and a slightly decreased number of glands. At 30 months post-treatment, the number of inflammatory cells and glands had decreased, but signs of increased vascular proliferation, fibrosis and granulation were seen. At 48 and 60 months post-treatment, the number of inflammatory cells and blood vessels had decreased significantly, the number of glands had increased, and lobulation was observed.Conclusion:Radiofrequency thermal ablation does not cause carbonisation or osteitis in the inferior concha. The resultant fibrosis causes contraction of the concha and only minor tissue destruction (as shown by the persistence of submucosal glands).
Generating efficient rigid biped running gaits with calculated take-off velocities
Authors: Guo Q. , Macnab C. J. B. , Pieper J. K. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYIn this paper, an offline algorithm generates gaits for robotic biped running motion. A minimization procedure on a novel objective function produces initial joint velocities for the flight phase given the initial joint angles. These computed initial velocities ensure a reasonable starting point for the constrained dynamic optimization procedure to try and formulate a gait that minimizes energy consumption. The simulated robot runs even on ground and up stairs. Results demonstrate the rigid robot solution has a intuitively satisfying human-like motion with an energy consumption that appears reasonable for a rigid robot.
Efficient variable elimination for semi-structured simple temporal networks with continuous domains
Authors: Yorke-Smith Neil , Bui Hung H. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe Simple Temporal Network (STN) is a widely used framework for reasoning about quantitative temporal constraints over variables with continuous or discrete domains. The inference tasks of determining consistency and deriving the minimal network are traditionally achieved by graph algorithms (e.g. Floyd-Warshall, Johnson) or by iteration of narrowing operators (e.g. ΔSTP). None of these methods exploits effectively the tree-decomposition structure of the constraint graph of an STN. Methods based on variable elimination (e.g. adaptive consistency) can exploit this structure, but have not been applied to STNs as far as they could, in part because it is unclear how to efficiently pass the ‘messages’ over continuous domains. We show that for an STN, these messages can be represented compactly as sub-STNs. We then present an efficient message-passing scheme for computing the minimal constraints of an STN. Analysis of this algorithm,Prop-STP, brings formal explanation of the performance of the existing STN solvers ΔSTP and SR-PC. Empirical results validate the efficiency of Prop-STP, demonstrating performance comparable to ΔSTP, in cases where the constraint graph is known to have small tree width, such as those that arise during Hierarchical Task Network planning.
A novel mutation (S227T) in domain II of the envelope gene of Japanese encephalitis virus circulating in North India
Authors: PUJHARI S. K. , PRABHAKAR S. , RATHO R. K. , MODI M. , SHARMA M. , MISHRA B. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYJapanese encephalitis (JE) is an important arboviral infection of public health concern. There is a significant variation in mortality (10–30%) in JE viral infection. Epidemics of JE have become regular features in the northen states of India. The recent resurgence of the A226V mutation leading to a widespread Chikungunya epidemic motivated the investigators to search for any such mutational occurrence with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) isolated from this region. This study looked for mutation of clinical strains at amino-acid positions 176, 177, 227, 244, 264 and 279. A novel mutation S227T was detected corresponding to the loop region of domain II, E gene of JEV in comparison to Indian and other isolates from different parts of the world. Genotype III was found to be circulating in this geographical area. Further studies are required to ascertain its role in JE pathogenesis and vector competency.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in combat support hospitals in three regions of Iraq
Authors: HUANG X.-Z. , CASH D. M. , CHAHINE M. A. , VAN HORN G. T. , ERWIN D. P. , McKAY J. T. , HAMILTON L. R. , JERKE K. H. , CO E.-M. A. , ALDOUS W. K. , LESHO E. P. , LINDLER L. E. , BOWDEN R. A. , NIKOLICH M. P. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYStaphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of infections in deployed service members. Based on a molecular epidemiological study of 182 MRSA isolates from patients in three U.S. Army combat support hospitals in separate regions in Iraq, USA300 clone was the most predominant (80%) pulsotype. This finding suggested that strain carriage from the home country by military personnel is epidemiologically more important than local acquisition.
A recipe for disaster: outbreaks of campylobacteriosis associated with poultry liver pâté in England and Wales
Authors: LITTLE C. L. , GORMLEY F. J. , RAWAL N. , RICHARDSON J. F. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYDespite the frequency of Campylobacter as the principal cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in the UK, outbreaks attributed to this pathogen are rare. One hundred and fourteen general foodborne outbreaks of campylobacteriosis were reported to the Health Protection Agency from 1992 to 2009 with most occurring in food service establishments (64%, 73/114). Poultry meat (38%, 43/114) was the most commonly reported vehicle of infection, of which poultry liver pâté, and undercooking, were strongly associated with this pathogen. Notably, the number of outbreaks of campylobacteriosis linked to consumption of poultry liver pâté in England and Wales increased significantly from 2007 (74% as opposed to 12%, P<0·00001) with a preponderance of these occurring in December. These outbreaks highlight the hazards associated with inappropriate culinary practices leading to undercooking of poultry liver pâté and suggest that improving catering practice is an important last line of defence in reducing exposure to Campylobacter-contaminated products.