bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Religiousness, mental health, and quality of life in Brazilian dialysis patients
Authors: Lucchetti Giancarlo , de Almeida Luiz Guilherme Camargo , Lucchetti Alessandra Lamas Granero 
Published: October 2011

AbstractPatients with chronic kidney disease often use religion as a coping strategy to relieve suffering and serve as a source of strength. The aim of this study was to identify religious aspects associated with mental health and quality of life in Brazilian dialysis patients. A cross‐sectional study was performed involving two dialysis centers in Brazil. Patients were selected consecutively over three typical dialysis treatment days. The questionnaire was self‐administered and covered the following aspects: socio‐demographic aspects, religiousness (using the Portuguese version of the Private and Social Religious Practice Scale), quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life brief Scale Brief Version), depression and anxiety (Beck Inventory), and pain grade. For statistical analysis, the hypothesis that different religious variables are associated (positively or negatively) with depressive/anxiety symptoms and quality of life in these patients was tested using linear regression, controlling for confounding variables. A total of 205 patients were invited to participate and 133 (64.8%) agreed to fill out the questionnaire. On the adjusted model, reading religious literature was found to be inversely associated with depressive symptoms (P < 0.001). In addition, the psychological domain of quality of life was positively associated with an increase in patient religiosity (P = 0.030) and greater religious importance for recovery from their dialysis condition (P = 0.016), whereas the environmental domain was positively associated with greater religious importance for recovery (P = 0.032). No religious aspects were associated with anxiety symptoms. Religiousness is associated with less depressive symptoms and better quality of life in Brazilian dialysis patients. Nephrologists should evaluate the patient's spirituality and religion in order to provide more integrative care.
Lead‐Free Ferroelectric Potassium Sodium Niobate Thin Films from Solution: Composition and Structure
Authors: Kupec Alja , Malic Barbara , Tellier Jenny , Tchernychova Elena , Glinsek Sebastjan , Kosec Marija 
Published: October 2011

Lead‐free potassium sodium niobate (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 thin films on Pt(111)/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates have been prepared from the acetate–alkoxide‐based precursor solutions with the stoichiometric composition and with 5 or 10 mol% excess of sodium or potassium acetate. Upon heating to 750°C, the films crystallize in pure perovskite phase. The increasing amount of alkali excess in solutions increases the degree of {100} orientation and it influences the nucleation and growth processes in the films. The microstructure of about 250 nm thick films prepared from the stoichiometric and 5 mol% excess solutions consists of equiaxed grains of about 50 nm across, whereas the grain size in the about 220 nm thick films prepared from the 10 mol% excess solutions is about 200 nm. The energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy revealed that the alkali excess in precursor solutions contributed to a higher level of chemical homogeneity of the films on the micrometer scale. The chemical composition of the films prepared from the 5% potassium‐excess solution was closest to the (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 composition among all the samples as a result of more pronounced potassium losses upon heating. These films had the room temperature values of dielectric permittivity, dielectric losses, remnant polarization, and coercive field measured at 1 kHz 610, 0.015, 8 μC/cm2, and 80 kV/cm, respectively.
Engineering Nanostructured Bi2WO6–TiO2 Toward Effective Utilization of Natural Light in Photocatalysis
Authors: Zhang Yupeng , Fei Linfeng , Jiang Xudong , Pan Chunxu , Wang Yu 
Published: October 2011

Being expected as one of the most promising solutions in water and air purification as photocatalyst, TiO2 is attracting intensive and extensive research interests globally despite its wide band gap (~3.2 eV for anatase structure) which limits it only to be activated under UV irradiation. In pursuit of extending the active region of TiO2 toward visible light, considerable attention was devoted to develop TiO2‐based photocatalyst. We report herein, for the first time, novel “bud‐on‐branch” Bi2WO6–TiO2 nanofibers fabricated via a facile and large‐scale electrospinning technique from a biphased precursor. Formed by surface‐decorating continuous TiO2 nanofibers (mixed anatase–rutile system with an average diameter of about 100 nm) with ~13 nm well‐crystallized Bi2WO6 nanoparticles, the as‐synthesized Bi2WO6–TiO2 nanofibers achieved an evidently increased specific surface area. Furthermore, corresponding photocatalytic experiments revealed that the optimal photodegradation rate from our designed heterostructure was as high as three times to that of pure TiO2 nanofibers; this increase in optimal photodegradation rate is attributed to the relatively well‐matched energy band between TiO2 and Bi2WO6 and hence an excellent separation efficiency of photogenerated electron–hole pairs in both ultraviolet and visible light regions, suggesting that the designed heterostructures can give better rise to practise photocatalysis under natural light.
Therapeutic potential of in utero mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) transplantation in rat foetuses with spina bifida aperta
Authors: Li Hui , Gao Fei , Ma Lili , Jiang Junhong , Miao Jianing , Jiang Mingyu , Fan Yang , Wang Lili , Wu Di , Liu Bo , Wang Weilin , Lui Vincent Chi Hang , Yuan Zhengwei 
Published: October 2011

AbstractNeural tube defects (NTDs) are complex congenital malformations resulting from incomplete neurulation in embryo. Despite surgical repair of the defect, most of the patients who survive with NTDs have a multiple system handicap due to neuron deficiency of the defective spinal cord. In this study, we successfully devised a prenatal surgical approach and transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to foetal rat spinal column to treat retinoic acid induced NTDs in rat. Transplanted MSCs survived, grew and expressed markers of neurons, glia and myoblasts in the defective spinal cord. MSCs expressed and perhaps induced the surrounding spinal tissue to express neurotrophic factors. In addition, MSC reduced spinal tissue apoptosis in NTD. Our results suggested that prenatal MSC transplantation could treat spinal neuron deficiency in NTDs by the regeneration of neurons and reduced spinal neuron death in the defective spinal cord.
A novel regulation of VEGF expression by HIF‐1α and STAT3 in HDM2 transfected prostate cancer cells
Authors: Rathinavelu Appu , Narasimhan Madhusudhanan , Muthumani Praneetha 
Published: October 2011

AbstractOn the basis of increasing roles for HDM2 oncoprotein in cancer growth and progression, we speculated that HDM2 might play a major role in hypoxia‐induced metastatic process. For verification of this hypothesis, wild‐type LNCaP prostate cancer cells and HDM2 transfected LNCaP‐MST (HDM2 stably transfected) cells were studied. The data obtained from our experiments revealed that the HDM2 transfected LNCaP‐MST cells possessed an ability to multiply rapidly and show distinct morphological features compared to non‐transfected LNCaP cells. During exposures to hypoxia HDM2 expression in the LNCaP and LNCaP‐MST cells was significantly higher compared to the normoxic levels. The LNCaP‐MST cells also expressed higher levels of HIF‐1α (hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α) and p‐STAT3 even under the normoxic conditions compared to the non‐transfected cells. The HIF‐1α and p‐STAT3 expressions were increased several fold when the cells were subjected to hypoxic conditions. The HIF‐1α and p‐STAT3 protein expressions observed in HDM2 transfected LNCaP‐MST cells were 20 and 15 folds higher, respectively, compared to the non‐transfected wild‐type LNCaP cells. These results demonstrate that HDM2 may have an important regulatory role in mediating the HIF‐1α and p‐STAT3 protein expression during both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression that is typically regulated by HIF‐1α and p‐STAT3 was also increased significantly by 136% (P < 0.01) after HDM2 transfection. The overall results point towards a novel ability of HDM2 in regulating HIF‐1α and p‐STAT3 levels even in normoxic conditions that eventually lead to an up‐regulation of VEGF expression.
Coagulopathy associated with dilation and evacuation for second‐trimester abortion
Authors: BEN‐AMI IDO , WEIZMAN NOGA FUCHS , SCHNEIDER DAVID , PANSKY MOTY , HALPERIN REUVIT 
Published: October 2011

AbstractObjective. To characterize the clinical and laboratory features of coagulopathy following second‐trimester surgical abortions. Design. Retrospective study. Setting. Gynecologic unit of a university‐affiliated medical center. Population. 1249 consecutive women underwent late second‐trimester (16–24 weeks) surgical abortions between January 2002 and June 2010. Of those, 20 women (1.6%) were diagnosed with excessive bleeding accompanied by coagulopathy. Methods. Women were divided into two groups based on whether the abortion was performed for fetal demise (n=14) or pregnancy termination (n=6). Main outcome measures. Gestational age, indication for abortion, blood clotting tests, number of blood products and coagulation factors administered. Results. Women who had pregnancy termination began to bleed significantly earlier than those with fetal demise (p<0.05). A significantly higher number of women with fetal demise had a gradual deterioration of the clotting test, compared with women who had pregnancy termination (p<0.05). In women with fetal demise, early bleeding was associated with a more severe clinical presentation. Conclusions. Coagulopathy following surgical abortion manifests differentially in women who have fetal demise and those who have pregnancy termination, implying a different pathophysiology. Women with fetal demise suffering from excessive bleeding following surgical abortion accompanied with mild clotting test abnormalities should be carefully monitored to diagnose and treat an impending disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Skin surface hydration decreases rapidly during long distance flights
Authors: Guéhenneux Sabine , Gardinier Sophie , Morizot Frederique , Le Fur Isabelle , Tschachler Erwin 
Published: October 2011

IntroductionDehydration of the stratum corneum leads to sensations and symptoms of ‘dry skin’ such as skin tightness and itchiness. As these complaints are frequently experienced by airline travellers, the aim of this study was to investigate the changes in skin surface hydration during long distance flights.MethodsThe study was performed on four healthy Caucasian, and on four Japanese women aged 29–39 years, travelling on long distance flights. They had stopped using skin care products at least 12 h before, and did not apply them during the flights. The air temperature and relative humidity inside the cabin, as well as skin capacitance of the face and forearm of participants, were registered at several time points before and during the flights.ResultsRelative humidity of the aircraft cabin dropped to levels below 10% within 2 h after take‐off and stayed at this value throughout the flight. Skin capacitance decreased rapidly on both the face and forearms with most pronounced changes on the cheeks where it decreased by up to 37%.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that during long distance flights, the aircraft cabin environment leads to a rapid decrease in stratum corneum hydration, an alteration, which probably accounts for the discomfort experienced by long distance aircraft travellers.
Decidual NK Cell‐Derived Conditioned Medium (dNK‐CM) Mediates VEGF‐C Secretion in Extravillous Cytotrophoblasts
Authors: Eastabrook Genevieve D. M. , Hu Yuxiang , Tan Rusung , Dutz Jan P. , MacCalman Colin D. , von Dadelszen Peter 
Published: October 2011

Citation Eastabrook GDM, Hu Y, Tan R, Dutz JP, MacCalman CD, von Dadelszen P. Decidual NK cell‐derived conditioned medium (dNK‐CM) mediates VEGF‐C secretion in extravillous cytotrophoblasts. Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 67: 101–111Problem  The regulatory mechanisms involved in VEGF‐C secretion by trophoblasts during placentation are poorly understood. We investigated whether or not decidual natural killer cell conditioned medium (dNK‐CM) stimulated VEGF‐C secretion in the extravillous cytotrophoblast (EVT) cell line HTR8/SVneo.Method of Study  The effects of dNK‐CM and recombinant IFN‐γ on VEGF‐C induction by HTR8/SVneo were studied in the absence or presence of IFN‐γ or its receptor blocking antibodies, p38 inhibitor (SB202190), JAK inhibitor (JAK inhibitor‐1, JI‐1), and on STAT1 knockdown HTR8/SVneo. VEGF‐C was quantified by ELISA. FACS was used to investigate the phosphorylations of Tyr701 or Ser727 of STAT1 on stimulated HTR8/SVneo.Results  dNK‐CM facilitated VEGF‐C secretion by HTR8/SVneo. IFN‐γ and IFN‐γR1 or IFN‐γR2 blocking antibodies reduced both dNK‐CM‐ and IFN‐γ‐induced VEGF‐C secretion. Phosphorylations on Tyr701 or Ser727 of STAT1 were elevated upon stimulation. Secretion of VEGF‐C was reduced by treatment with SB202190, JI‐1, or STAT1 knockdown by siRNA.Conclusion  VEGF‐C production by trophoblasts is regulated by soluble factors secreted by dNK through p38 and JAK‐STAT1 pathways.
Memory deficits and depression in patients with chronic epilepsy
Authors: Rösche Johannes , Kundt Günther , Weber Raimund , Fröscher Walter , Uhlmann Carmen 
Published: October 2011

Objective:In this retrospective study, we tested the hypothesis that patients with epilepsy (PWE) with moderate to major depression have more severe memory deficits than PWE with mild depression or no depression.Methods:Hundred and thirty-nine patients with chronic epilepsy were studied with the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and a neuropsychological-screening battery the day after admission on a specialised ward for PWE. For this study the data from the Memo-test for verbal memory and from the Benton-test for non-verbal memory were taken into account. For testing of the hypothesis of independence of memory deficits and grade of depression we performed a statistical analysis.Results:Eighty-three patients (59.7%) had a pathological score in the SDS, but only 36 (25.9%) scored in the range of a moderate to major depression. When all 83 patients with a pathological score in the SDS were taken into account, these patients did not differ on any cognitive measure from those without pathological score in SDS. The only significant association in our study was found between pathological results in immediate verbal recall and a score in the SDS for moderate to major depression (p= 0.038).Conclusion:Minor depressive symptoms may be a response to chronic illness without any impact on cognitive functioning. Nevertheless, a verbal memory deficit associated with major depression was observed in our study even in the presence of many confounding factors. This may be a hint for an association of severe depressive symptoms with left temporal dysfunction in PWE.
Rorschach assessment of personality functioning in patients with polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Ilonen Tuula , Hakola Panu , Vanhanen Matti , Tiihonen Jari 
Published: October 2011

Objective: To date no studies have investigated the personality functioning underlying patients diagnosed with polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy (PLOSL) using the performance-based Rorschach test.Methods: We scored and interpreted the Rorschach protocols of eight carefully diagnosed PLOSL patients according to Exner's Comprehensive System. The structural variables in the Rorschach are organised around the seven dimensions of personality functioning that they assess: coping style and resources, organising information, perceiving events, forming concepts and ideas, handling of emotions, self-perception and interpersonal perception.Results: As a group PLOSL patients had many personality liabilities when contrasted with typical avoidant non-patient adults. A majority of patients showed an avoidant coping style (Lambda > 0.99), low productivity and poor verbal output in the low number of responses and few Blends. Also, they showed limited available resources to cope with problem-solving test. Problems in organising information efficiently, and perceiving events realistically as well as signs of disturbed thinking and concept formation were observed in many patients. Handling of emotions was characterised by avoidance of emotional stimuli but at the same time poor affect modulation. Capacities to view themselves and others were thoroughly limited.Conclusions: PLOSL tends to have repercussions throughout the personality functioning. In line with clinical findings and later neuroradiological and neuropathological examinations the Rorschach revealed personality features typical for frontal type of dementia.
Non‐interventional study to investigate the efficacy and safety of Tegaderm™ Matrix in the treatment of patients with therapy‐refractory chronic wounds
Authors: Weindorf Maren , Körber Andreas , Klode Joachim , Dissemond Joachim 
Published: October 2011

SummaryBackground: Despite a variety of therapeutic approaches, many patients with chronic wounds remain refractory to treatment. Products such as Tegaderm™ Matrix were developed especially for such patients to alter the wound environment and reactivate the stagnant wound healing process.Patients and Methods: In this prospective post‐authorization observational product study, a total of 314 patients with therapy‐refractory chronic wounds of various origins were evaluated. Beside to the wound area reduction and healing rate, the occurrence of adverse events was documented.Results: On average the wounds were 10 months old. The average wound size was 17.3 cm2 (median 6.3 cm2) at the initial visit. In the course of treatment the wound size decreased to 13.0 cm2 (median 3.5 cm2) and was finally reduced to 9.3 cm2 (median 0.9 cm2) at end of the study. Taking the criteria of the European Wound Management Association for improving the quality of clinical studies into consideration, a wound size reduction of at least 50 % is the parameter for successful treatment of chronic wounds. This study demonstrated a wound size reduction of at least 50 % for 72.9 % of the patients with therapy‐refractory chronic wounds when treated with Tegaderm™ Matrix. The safety profile was evaluated; only 4.7 % of the patients experienced a treatment‐related adverse event such as a burning sensation.Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrate that Tegaderm™ Matrix along with treatment of underlying causes is a well tolerated wound dressing promoting wound size reduction up to healing for the majority of patients with previously therapy‐refractory chronic wounds.
Reconstruction of Severely Atrophied Alveolar Ridges with Calvarial Onlay Bone Grafts and Dental Implants
Authors: Mertens Christian , Steveling Helmut G. , Seeberger Robin , Hoffmann Jürgen , Freier Kolja 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTObjective: Severely atrophied alveolar ridges are most commonly reconstructed with free autologous bone grafts from the iliac crest. The use of these grafts, however, is frequently associated with bone resorption as possible late complication after implant surgery and prosthetic loading. Other donor sites, especially intraoral donor sites, show limited availability. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographical outcome of alveolar ridge reconstruction with bone from the calvarium and subsequent implant rehabilitation.Patients and Methods: Reconstruction was performed by using calvarial split grafts in case of severe and complex alveolar ridge defects induced by trauma or bone atrophy. Fifteen patients were treated at 19 different intraoral recipient sites (15 sites in the maxilla, four in the mandible). Autologous block grafts were used for combined vertical and horizontal grafting. After a 3‐month healing period, patients received dental implants. A total of 99 dental implants (OsseoSpeed™, Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden) were inserted and left to heal in a submerged position for 3 months before the prosthetic implant‐based rehabilitation was performed.Results: No donor site complications occurred during or after surgery. At the intraoral recipient sites two infections occurred, leading to partial loss of the grafts. Implant placement, however, was possible in all cases. Two of 99 implants were lost in two patients prior to prosthetic loading. Patients were followed up clinically and radiographically for an average observation period of 28 months. Implant survival rate and success rates were 97.85 and 95.7%, respectively, and a minimal marginal bone loss was documented.Discussion: The low morbidity at the donor sites and the good marginal bone stability in the reconstructed regions indicate that calvarial bone grafts represent a viable treatment alternative to grafts from the iliac crest.
Exploring polymorphisms and their effects on reproductive traits of the INHA and INHβA genes in three goat breeds
Authors: HOU Jinxing , AN Xiaopeng , LI Guang , WANG Yana , SONG Yuxuan , CAO Binyun 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTIn this study, we report the analysis of INHA and INHβA gene polymorphisms in 786 goats of three breeds: Xinong Saanen (SN), Guanzhong (GZ) and Boer (BG). We identified three new allelic variants: P1–C80G and/126G (GenBank accession no. HQ202573) in the three goat breeds and P2–C936T (GenBank accession no. HQ202572) in SN and GZ goat breeds. At P1 locus, AA, AB and BB genotypes were found in the three goat breeds. At P2 locus, CC and CT genotypes were found in SN and GZ goat breeds. After comparing genotype distribution within the three goat breeds, BG had conspicuous differences from SN and GZ (P < 0.001) at P2 locus. The SNP locus was in Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium at P1 locus in the three goat breeds (P < 0.05). At P2 locus, the SNP locus was in Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium in SN and GZ goat breeds (P < 0.05). Association of polymorphisms with litter size was done at P1 locus in the three goat breeds. The result showed that AA genotype had remarkable litter size at P1 locus in the three goat breeds (P < 0.05). Therefore, these results suggest that INHA gene is a strong candidate gene that affects litter size in goats.
Clinically acceptable restorations may be a hotbed for cariogenic microbes
Authors: Ogawa Taiji , Ikebe Kazunori , Murai Shunsuke , Enoki Kaori , Maeda Yoshinobu , Imazato Satoshi , Ebisu Shigeyuki 
Published: October 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00571.xClinically acceptable restorations may be a hotbed for cariogenic microbesObjective:  The aim of this study was to investigate the cross‐sectional association of dental restorations with salivary cariogenic pathogens among the elderly to establish effective parameters of caries risk for this population.Materials and methods:  Stimulated whole saliva was collected from 289 community‐dwelling older adults (66.2 ± 3.9 years old) who had 20 or more teeth. Salivary levels of three cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and lactobacilli) were estimated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real‐time PCR) method.Results:  The mean number of residual teeth was 26.4, and restored teeth with crowns, inlays and composite resin were 7.35, 3.88 and 0.68, respectively. The number of crowns correlated positively with salivary S. mutans, S. sobrinus and lactobacilli. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the number of restored teeth with crowns was independently associated with salivary S. mutans, S. sobrinus and lactobacilli after controlling for age, gender, number of residual teeth and salivary flow rate. Salivary flow rate was independently associated with salivary S. mutans and lactobacilli.Conclusion:  The number of crowns had an association with salivary levels of cariogenic bacteria, suggesting that this parameter may be a caries risk indicator for the elderly population.