bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary supplementation of Zingiber officinale and Zingiber zerumbet to heat‐stressed broiler chickens and its effect on heat shock protein 70 expression, blood parameters and body temperature
Authors: Hasheimi S. R. , Zulkifli I. , Somchit M. N. , Zunita Z. , Loh T. C. , Soleimani A. F. , Tang S. C. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe present study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of Zingiber officinale and Zingiber zerumbet and to heat‐stressed broiler chickens on heat shock protein (HSP) 70 density, plasma corticosterone concentration (CORT), heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (HLR) and body temperature. Beginning from day 28, chicks were divided into five dietary groups: (i) basal diet (control), (ii) basal diet +1%Z. zerumbet powder (ZZ1%), (iii) basal diet +2%Z. zerumbet powder (ZZ2%), (iv) basal diet +1%Z. officinale powder (ZO1%) and (v) basal diet +2%Z. officinale powder (ZO2%). From day 35–42, heat stress was induced by exposing birds to 38 ± 1 °C and 80% RH for 2 h/day. Irrespective of diet, heat challenge elevated HSP70 expression, CORT and HLR on day 42. On day 42, following heat challenge, the ZZ1% birds showed lower body temperatures than those of control, ZO1% and ZO2%. Neither CORT nor HLR was significantly affected by diet. The ZO2% and ZZ2% diets enhanced HSP70 expression when compared to the control groups. We concluded that dietary supplementation of Z. officinale and Z. zerumbet powder may induce HSP70 reaction in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress.
TEMPORARY PLACEMENT OF COVERED SELF‐EXPANDABLE METALLIC STENTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BENIGN BILIARY STRICTURES
Authors: YASUDA ICHIRO , MUKAI TSUYOSHI , DOI SHINPEI , TOMITA EIICHI , MORIWAKI HISATAKA 
Published: April 2012

Background and Aim:  Currently, endoscopic intervention is widely attempted as the first‐line treatment of benign biliary strictures because of its convenience and low morbidity. Plastic tube stents (PS) are usually used for such treatment; however, covered self‐expandable metallic stents (C‐SEMS) are becoming more commonly used at some institutions. The temporary placement of C‐SEMS may lead to better outcomes because of their larger diameter and, therefore, better dilation of the stricture, especially in refractory cases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the temporary placement of C‐SEMS in the management of benign biliary strictures.Methods:  We retrospectively reviewed our endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) database (May 1996 to December 2010), and extracted the data of patients who underwent endoscopic treatment for benign biliary strictures. Then, the follow‐up data from patient charts were reviewed to determine the long‐term outcomes of those procedures.Results:  All patients (n = 56) initially had a PS placed, with or without balloon dilation. However, C‐SEMS placement was later attempted in 12 patients because the stricture was refractory to placement of the PS. During their follow‐up periods, two patients died of unrelated diseases after 15 and 17 months, and another two still had the C‐SEMS in place after 9 and 50 months. In the remaining eight patients, the C‐SEMS was removed after a median placement period of 6 months (range, 2–15). Seven patients in this group have not experienced a recurrence at a median follow‐up time of 48 months. However, in one patient, stenosis did recur 8 months after the C‐SEMS was removed.Conclusions:  Temporary placement of C‐SEMS can be a treatment option for benign biliary strictures, especially in refractory cases.
Meeting the physical health‐care needs of people with substance misuse problems: Evaluation of a nurse‐led blood‐borne virus programme
Authors: Callaghan Patrick , Phillips Peter , Khalil Elizabeth , Carter Tim 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTPeople who inject substances are at high risk of many physical health problems. The Blood‐Borne Virus Programme (BBVP) is a nurse‐led health screening programme for blood‐borne conditions in substance misusers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the service delivery, organization, and outcomes of the BBVP. The researchers used a case study with three units of analysis: BBVP clinical activities during 1 year using a prospective audit; service users' (n = 20) and professional stakeholders' (n = 10) experiences of the BBVP using semistructured interviews; and service users' (n = 132) satisfaction with the BBVP using a satisfaction measure. The BBVP conducted 4450 consultations with 1940 service users; 847 of whom were new, and presented with many health problems compromising their physical health. The BBVP provided a range of interventions meeting its users' physical health needs. Users and other stakeholders were very satisfied with the service, and suggested ways in which the service might improve. The BBVP appeared to meet the physical health‐care needs of people dependent on drugs. Nurse‐led services, such as the BBVP, offer a solution that, in the view of users and professional stakeholders, is impacting significantly on the physical health and well‐being of people dependent on drugs.
HEDONIC PRICE INDEXES FOR RESIDENTIAL HOUSING: A SURVEY, EVALUATION AND TAXONOMY
Authors: Hill Robert J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractEvery house is different. It is important that house price indexes take account of these quality differences. Hedonic methods which express house prices as a function of a vector of characteristics (such as number of bedrooms and bathrooms, land area and location) are particularly useful for this purpose. I consider here some developments in the hedonic methodology, as it is applied in a housing context, that have occurred in the last three decades. A number of hedonic house price indexes are now available. However, it is often difficult to see how these indexes relate to each other. For this reason I attempt to impose some structure on the literature by developing a taxonomy of hedonic indexes, and then show how existing indexes fit into this taxonomy. Also discussed are some promising areas for future research in the hedonic field. In particular, greater use needs to be made of spatial econometric and nonparametric methods to exploit the increased availability of geospatial data. The main criticisms of the hedonic approach are evaluated and compared with those of the repeat‐sales and stratified median methods. The overall conclusion is that the advantages of the hedonic approach outweigh its disadvantages.
Fibroblast growth factor 2 regulates dopaminergic neuron development in vivo
Authors: Ratzka Andreas , Baron Olga , Stachowiak Michal K. , Grothe Claudia 
Published: April 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 94–105.AbstractFibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2) is a neurotrophic factor participating in regulation of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and neuroprotection in the central nervous system. With regard to dopaminergic (DA) neurons of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), which degenerate in Parkinson’s disease, FGF‐2 improves survival of mature DA neurons in vivo and regulates expansion of DA progenitors in vitro. To address the physiological role of FGF‐2 in SNpc development, embryonic (E14.5), newborn (P0) and juvenile (P28) FGF‐2‐deficient mice were investigated. Stereological quantification of DA neurons identified normal numbers in the ventral tegmental area, whereas the SNpc of FGF‐2‐deficient mice displayed a 35% increase of DA neurons at P0 and P28, but not at earlier stage E14.5. Examination of DA marker gene expression by quantitative RT‐PCR and in situ hybridization revealed a normal patterning of embryonic ventral mesencephalon. However, an increase of proliferating Lmx1a DA progenitors in the subventricular zone of the ventral mesencephalon of FGF‐2‐deficient embryos indicated altered cell cycle progression of neuronal progenitors. Increased levels of nuclear FgfR1 in E14.5 FGF‐2‐deficient mice suggest alterations of integrative nuclear FgfR1 signaling (INFS). In summary, FGF‐2 restricts SNpc DA neurogenesis in vivo during late stages of embryonic development.
The neuroprotective and neurogenic effects of neuropeptide Y administration in an animal model of hippocampal neurodegeneration and temporal lobe epilepsy induced by trimethyltin
Authors: Corvino Valentina , Marchese Elisa , Giannetti Stefano , Lattanzi Wanda , Bonvissuto Davide , Biamonte Filippo , Mongiovì Adriana Maria , Michetti Fabrizio , Geloso Maria Concetta 
Published: April 2012

J. Neurochem.(2012)122, 415–426.AbstractThe effects of intracerebroventricular administration of neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is believed to play an important role in neuroprotection against excitotoxicity and in the modulation of adult neurogenesis, were evaluated in an animal model of hippocampal neurodegeneration and temporal lobe epilepsy represented by trimethyltin (TMT) intoxication. A single TMT injection (8 mg/kg) causes, in the rat brain, massive neuronal death, selectively involving pyramidal neurons, accompanied by glial activation and enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis. Our data indicate that intracerebroventricular administration of exogenous NPY (at the dose of 2 μg/2 μL, 4 days after TMT‐administration), in adult rats, exerts a protective role in regard to TMT‐induced hippocampal damage and a proliferative effect on the hippocampal neurogenic niche through the up‐regulation of Bcl‐2, Bcl2l1, Bdnf, Sox‐2, NeuroD1, Noggin and Doublecortin genes, contributing to delineate more clearly the role of NPY inin vivoneurodegenerative processes.
Work experiences among nurses and physicians in the beginning of their professional careers – analyses using the effort–reward imbalance model
Authors: Birgit Enberg , Gunnevi Sundelin , Ann Öhman 
Published: April 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 36–43

Work experiences among nurses and physicians in the beginning of their professional careers – analyses using the effort–reward imbalance model
The aim of the study was to scrutinise how nurses and physicians, employed by the county councils in Sweden, assess their work environment in terms of effort and reward at the start of their career. The aim was also to estimate associations between work satisfaction and the potential outcomes from the effort–reward imbalance (ERI) questionnaire. The study group, 198 nurses and 242 physicians who graduated in 1999, is a subsample drawn from a national cross‐sectional survey. Data were collected in the third year after graduation among the nurses and in the fourth year after graduation among registered physicians. The effort–reward imbalance questionnaire, together with a question on work satisfaction, was used to evaluate psychosocial factors at work. The results reveal that nurses scored higher on effort, lower on reward and experienced higher effort–reward imbalance, compared with physicians. Women scored higher on work‐related overcommitment (WOC) compared with men. Among the physicians, logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between WOC and ERI, sex, effort and reward. Logistic regression analysis also revealed a statistically significant association between WOC and ERI and between WOC and effort among the nurses. Dissatisfaction with work was significantly higher among those who scored worst on all three ERI subscales (effort, reward and WOC) and also among those with the highest ERI ratios compared with the other respondents. In conclusion, to prevent future work‐related health problems and work dissatisfaction among nurses and physicians in the beginning of their professional careers, signs of poor psychosocial working conditions have to been taken seriously. In future work‐related stress research among healthcare personnel, gender‐specific aspects of working conditions must be further highlighted to develop more gender‐sensitive analyses.
The use and accuracy of manual and electronic gestational age calculators
Authors: Smout Elizabeth M. , Seed Paul T. , Shennan Andrew H. 
Published: April 2012

ObjectivesThe accuracy of gestational age (GA) wheels has been shown to be poor, yet they remain commonly used. We surveyed their use within our institution and determined the inter‐observer and inter‐device variability of a range of devices. We have devised a procedure for validating device accuracy.MethodsAll clinicians within our maternity unit were asked their most recent method of calculating GA and whether they felt this was accurate to within one day. Ten clinicians assessed 16 devices: 14 manual, 2 electronic. Five dates represented the last menstrual period (LMP) and were used to calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD) of the 5 dates for each device compared to a 280 day control. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.Results73% last used a manual device to calculate GA. Seventy‐two per cent believed their method was accurate. There was a significant bias (difference in the mean) between device‐calculated and control EDD for all manual devices except one, with individual differences of up to 4 days. Variability altered throughout the year. Electronic devices consistently had no error. Inter‐observer variability was insignificant.ConclusionsClinicians should be aware of the inaccuracy of manual devices. Electronic devices are recommended. Manual devices should be validated before use by comparing the device‐calculated EDD with a 280 day control at five points throughout the year.
Reinforcing cerclage in the prevention of preterm birth in women at high risk: a retrospective case–controlled study
Authors: Simcox Rachael , Shennan Andrew 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundTransvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length is useful after suture insertion in predicting preterm delivery. However, there is little evidence to guide practice in the clinical scenario when fetal membranes are seen on ultrasound to be prolapsing distal to a cervical suture.AimTo determine whether a reinforcing cerclage reduced preterm delivery in those women with ultrasound evidence of fetal membranes prolapsing distal to the first suture.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on women with a cervical suture in situ plus ultrasound evidence of fetal membranes prolapsing through the first suture. Exposed patients were those managed with a reinforcing cerclage. The unexposed group were women who were managed expectantly, without a reinforcing cerclage.ResultsThose women with a reinforcing cerclage were significantly more likely to deliver at an earlier gestation compared with those managed expectantly: 26+0 (±5+1) compared with 31+1 (±7+0) weeks, P = 0.047. More women in the reinforcing cerclage group delivered at <32 completed weeks' gestation: 12/13 (92%) versus 5/12 (42%), P = 0.01. There was no significant difference in the rate of second‐trimester miscarriages between the expectant management group and those with a reinforcing cerclage: 2/12 (17%) versus 5/13 (38%), P = 0.38.ConclusionOur study found that a reinforcing cerclage following primary cerclage failure hastened preterm delivery. The role of transvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length postsuture is debatable if the possible intervention is not beneficial and may be detrimental.
A Two‐Piece Sectional Interim Obturator. A Clinical Report
Authors: Popli Sachet , Parkash Hari , Bhargava Akshay , Gupta Sharad , Bablani Deepika , Kumar Kar Aswini 
Published: April 2012

AbstractProsthetic rehabilitation of acquired maxillary defects can be achieved satisfactorily if all facets of treatment planning and design considerations are taken into account before the rehabilitation process. Complications associated with maxillary defects limit treatment protocols to a great extent. The prosthodontist has to identify these problem areas and suitably devise feasible options and incorporate them in the design. In this report, an acquired maxillary defect with unfavorable undercuts in the defect was successfully treated by making a two‐piece sectional obturator. The two pieces were connected by the use of double‐die pin system. The methodology greatly reduced chairside time and number of visits, and effective obturation was satisfactorily achieved.
Supply Chain Inventory Replenishment: The Debiasing Effect of Declarative Knowledge
Authors: Tokar Travis , Aloysius John A. , Waller Matthew A. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTPrevious experimental research demonstrates that inefficient replenishment decision making in the supply chain can be caused by specific judgment and decision biases. Based on the literature we use controlled experiments involving both student subjects and supply chain managers to test debiasing interventions that provide declarative knowledge, which is theorized to enhance the acquisition of procedural knowledge. We first investigate the effects of three debiasing components in a single‐echelon setting: knowledge of bullwhip, inventory position (IP), and use of a target order‐up‐to quantity. Experiment 1 (N = 1,608 decisions by 67 student subjects) using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design for the three components finds that the conceptual understanding of IP is salient for efficient replenishment decisions. We next examine the effects of the components in a simulated, multi‐echelon, serial supply chain, which introduces the additional complexity of coordination risk. Experiment 2 (N = 3,072 decisions by 128 student subjects) using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design finds that although subjects benefit from training components, there is evidence of cognitive overload with an increased quantity of information. Finally we test whether these debiasing components may be an effective training program for practicing supply chain managers who can be expected to have higher levels of procedural knowledge through experience gained in the field. Experiment 3 (N = 864 decisions by 36 supply chain managers) using a 2 × 1 design investigates the effects of an instructional training intervention which includes all three debiasing components and finds the intervention to reduce costs by 14%. We provide avenues for future research and successful practice.
The Main Determinant of Hypotension in Nitroglycerine Tilt‐Induced Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: NIGRO GERARDO , RUSSO VINCENZO , RAGO ANNA , IOVINO MASSIMO , ARENA GIULIA , GOLINO PAOLO , RUSSO MARIA GIOVANNA , CALABRÒ RAFFAELE 
Published: April 2012

Background:

The aim of the study was to assess the main determinant of the fall in blood pressure (BP) responsible for the head‐up tilt testing‐induced syncope.
Methods and results:

The study involved 200 patients (mean age 42 ± 3; 81 male) with syncope of unknown origin after the first evaluation. According to the response to the diagnostic tilt test, the population study was divided into four groups: Group I with mixed vasovagal syncope; Group II with cardioinhibitory syncope; Group III with vasodepressive syncope; Group IV: 40 patients with clinical syncope but no tilt‐induced syncope. Finger arterial BP (Portapres, TNO, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) was recorded during tilt testing. Left ventricular stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were computed from the pressure pulsations (Modelflow, TNO, Amsterdam, the Netherlands). During syncopal phase, the TPR decreased significantly in Group III, and increased in Group I and in Group II. CO decreased in Group I and in Group II and did not change significantly in Group III. SV decreased significantly in all groups.
Conclusions:

Our data showed that the arterial system appears to be the main determinant of the BP fall in vasodepressive vasovagal syncope; while the impaired constrictive response of the venous system, leading to reduced venous return to the heart, appears to be the main determinant of BP fall in mixed and cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope. (PACE 2012; 35:739–748)
Clinical Characteristics and Mutational Analysis of the RyR2 Gene in Seven Czech Families with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: ANDRSOVA IRENA , VALASKOVA IVETA , KUBUS PETER , VIT PAVEL , GAILLYOVA RENATA , KADLECOVA JITKA , MANOUSKOVA LENKA , NOVOTNY TOMAS 
Published: April 2012

Background:

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare hereditary arrhythmia. The onset of clinical symptoms usually occurs during childhood, and is typically related to exercise. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical characteristics of seven Czech families with CPVT and the results of mutational analysis of the RyR2 gene in these families.
Methods:

The subjects and their relatives were investigated at the participating departments. They underwent basic clinical investigation, and history was focused on possible CPVT symptoms, that is, syncopes during exercise. Bicycle ergometry was performed to obtain electrocardiogram recording during adrenergic stimulation. In all the investigated individuals, blood samples were taken for mutation analysis of the RyR2 gene.
Results:

To date, seven families have been investigated, comprising 11 adults and 13 children. In seven CPVT patients, the indication for examination was syncope during exercise. Diagnosis was confirmed by bicycle ergometry‐induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. In one relative, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia was also induced. All eight affected individuals were treated with β‐blockers and in two, a cardioverter‐defibrillator was implanted due to recurrent syncopi. Coding variants of the RyR2 gene were found in four probands.
Conclusions:

This is a systematic description of CPVT families in the Czech Republic. Our data support the importance of exercise testing for the diagnosis of CPVT. In addition, RyR2 gene coding variants were found in 50% of affected individuals. (PACE 2012;1–5)
Percutaneous Extraction of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) in Octogenarians
Authors: WILLIAMS STEVEN E. , ARUJUNA ARUNA , WHITAKER JOHN , SOHAL MANAV , SHETTY ANOOP K. , ROY DEBASHIS , BOSTOCK JULIAN , COOKLIN MICHAEL , GILL JASWINDER , O’NEILL MARK , WRIGHT MATTHEW , PATEL NIKHIL , BUCKNALL CLIFF , HAMID SHOAIB , RINALDI C. ALDO 
Published: April 2012

Background:

As the population receiving cardiac device therapy ages, the number of extraction procedures performed in octogenarians is increasing. This group has more comorbidities and may be at higher risk of such procedures.
Objectives:

Document the safety and success of percutaneous lead extraction in octogenarians.
Methods:

All extraction cases performed between January 2001 and April 2011 entered into a computer database were analyzed for patient characteristics and indications, extraction technique, procedural success, and complications. Success and complications were classified according to the Heart Rhythm Society consensus statement. Outcomes in octogenarians were compared to younger patients undergoing extraction during the same period.
Results:

Four hundred and six cases were performed: 72 procedures in octogenarians (mean age 84, range 80–95) and 334 in younger adults (mean age 62, range 20–79). Octogenarians had a greater number of comorbidities per case. Infection was the commonest indication for extraction in both groups. One hundred forty‐one leads were extracted in octogenarians and 657 in younger patients. Laser assistance was required in 51.4% of octogenarians versus 49.7% of younger patients. Procedural success was achieved in 71/72 (98.6%) octogenarians versus 329/334 (98.5%) younger patients. No procedural mortality occurred in either group. Overall, complications were more frequent in octogenarians with major and minor complications occurring in 2.8 and 8.3% of octogenarians versus 0.6 and 3.0% of younger patients (P = 0.014).
Conclusions:

Procedural success was equally high in octogenarians and younger patients. Percutaneous lead extraction can be performed effectively and safely in octogenarians and is associated with a higher complication rate but no increased mortality. (PACE 2012;00:1–9)