bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infrared spectroscopic studies of sodium dodecyl sulphate permeation and interaction with stratum corneum lipids in skin
Authors: Saad P. , Flach C. R. , Walters R. M. , Mendelsohn R. 
Published: August 2011

SynopsisThe barrier function of skin is primarily provided by the lamellar lipid matrix of the stratum corneum (SC), which has been shown in previous infrared (IR) and related studies to consist predominantly of ordered lipids packed in orthorhombic and hexagonal domains. In the current work, we investigate the effects of the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), on SC lipid packing and phase behaviour, using FT‐IR spectroscopy. The use of acyl chain perdeuterated SDS allows unequivocal spectroscopic detection of both endogenous lipid and exogenous material in intact tissue. IR spectra were acquired as a function of temperature from isolated human SC exposed to SDS for various incubation periods at 34°C. SDS is found to enter the SC and is observed to be in a more ordered state in the SC than in solution, indicating that the SDS interacts with the ordered SC lipids. The results reveal that SDS reduces the amount of orthorhombic phase in the SC and increases the amount of hexagonally packed lipid at physiologically relevant temperatures. In addition, a small decrease in the lipid Tm (acyl chain melting temperature) is observed. Furthermore, these SDS‐induced changes were found to be strongly dependent on the time of exposure.
Predicting the efficacy of sunscreens in vivo veritas
Authors: Pissavini M. , Diffey B. , Marguerie S. , Carayol T. , Doucet O. 
Published: August 2011

SynopsisA novel in vitro technique for measuring the efficacy of sunscreens over the skin surface is described. It is demonstrated that those products that spread easily are associated with both a low variance in delivered SPF and a subjective assessment of a product that is pleasing to use, which in turn results in a higher application thicknesses and greater delivered photoprotection leading to improved health benefits of sunscreen use.
Sustained clinical effectiveness and favorable safety profile of topical sirolimus for tuberous sclerosis – associated facial angiofibroma
Authors: Salido R. , Garnacho‐Saucedo G. , Cuevas‐Asencio I. , Ruano J. , Galán‐Gutierrez M. , Vélez A. , Moreno‐Giménez J.C. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground  Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disorder characterized by the development of multisystem hamartomatous tumours. Facial angiofibroma appears in up to 80% of patients and has a considerable psychological impact. Various invasive procedures have been used, although they show limited effectiveness and potential adverse effects.Objectives  To evaluate the sustained clinical benefits and safety profile of topical sirolimus applied to treat facial angiofibromas.Methods  This study was a non‐blinded, uncontrolled case‐series comprising 10 patients with TSC‐associated facial angiofibroma that was treated with 0.4% sirolimus ointment 3 times a week for 9 months. Patients were clinically evaluated at baseline and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 weeks. Plasma levels of sirolimus were determined.Results  A sustained improvement was observed in erythema and in the size and extension of the lesions as early as the first weeks of treatment. Sirolimus plasma levels remained below detection limits (0.3 ng/mL) in all cases. The formula was well‐tolerated with no local or systemic adverse effects.Conclusions  Topical sirolimus seems to be an effective and safe medical alternative to surgery or laser‐based treatments in patients with TSC‐associated facial angiofibromas.
Development of MGUS in psoriatic patients: a possible undiagnosed event during anti‐TNF‐α‐treatment
Authors: Prignano F. , Pescitelli L. , Ricceri F. , Ermini A. , Lotti T. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground  Monoclonal gammopathies are haematological conditions characterized by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells which produce a monoclonal immunoglobulin that accumulates in the blood. They have already been reported during treatment with a range of drugs but never before during treatment with the anti‐TNF‐α treatments: adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab currently used in the therapy of moderate‐severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.Objective  This is a case series describing the development of MGUS in psoriatic patients treated with anti‐TNF‐α.Methods  Three hundred patients receiving an anti‐TNF‐α treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis in a clinical setting in Italy, These patients were screened through serum protein electrophoresis to investigate the possible development of MGUS.Results  Eight patients were found to have developed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. The median treatment duration for the eight patients was 1 year with excessive IgG present in five patients, IgM accumulation in one patient and a double monoclonal component in two patients.Conclusion  Our data suggest that there may be an association between anti‐TNF‐α therapy and development of MGUS.
Antiplatelet function variability in clopidogrel‐treated patients: need for new antiplatelet agents
Authors: Höchtl Thomas , Tentzeris Iannis , Schrör Karsten , Huber Kurt 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAntiplatelet therapy is obligatory in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) both in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and in secondary prevention. Aspirin in combination with clopidogrel has been recommended as the main therapeutic regimen for many years. However, the high inter‐individual variability of platelet aggregation seen with clopidogrel, caused by the underlying disease (more pronounced in diabetic patients and patients with ACS), drug interactions as well as by genetic variants leading to a reduced formation of the active metabolite of the prodrug clopidogrel, has confronted clinical practice with increasing numbers of adverse clinical events in patients following an ACS. Therefore, new antiplatelet agents have been investigated showing a more favorable efficacy/safety profile. Prasugrel as well as ticagrelor are meanwhile part of the recently published revascularization guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology based on their favorable results with respect to reducing a combined ischemic efficacy endpoint in patients with ACS in the TRITON‐TIMI‐38 (prasugrel) and PLATO (ticagrelor) trials. Different to clopidogrel, their effects are independent of genetic variants and also drug interactions seem neglectable. This article discusses the reasons for antiplatelet function variability of clopidogrel and presents clinical data of the new ADP‐receptor inhibitors by reviewing the recently published trials and prespecified post hoc analyses of these trials as well as the potential use of the new antiplatelet agents in the near future.
Digestion of fruit of invasive alien plants by three southern African avian frugivores
Authors: JORDAAN LORINDA A. , JOHNSON STEVEN D. , DOWNS COLLEEN T. 
Published: August 2011

Many highly invasive plants are fleshy‐fruited and owe their invasiveness largely to mutualisms formed with local dispersers. The energetic benefits gained by frugivores from ingestion of fruits of invasive alien plants remain poorly documented. We assess whether avian frugivores process fruits of invasive alien plants effectively to meet their daily energetic requirements. Four fleshy‐fruited plant species that are invasive in southern Africa were considered –Solanum mauritianum, Cinnamomum camphora, Lantana camara and Psidium guajava. Their fruits were fed to three common generalist frugivores – Red‐winged Starling Onychognathus morio, Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus and Dark‐capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor– to determine the efficiency of digestion. Energetic parameters calculated for all fruit diets varied significantly between frugivore species. Speckled Mousebirds and Dark‐capped Bulbuls maintained body mass and efficiently processed all four fruit types, whereas Red‐winged Starlings only did so on C. camphora and S. mauritianum diets. These results explain why these fruits are attractive to local avian frugivores. Furthermore, these avian frugivores processed large quantities of invasive fruits, thereby serving as potentially efficient dispersers.
Fertilizer value of nitrogen in hen and broiler manure after application to spring barley using different application timing
Authors: Delin S. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe nitrogen (N) fertilizer effect of layer hen and broiler manure applied at different times on spring barley yield was studied in seven Swedish field experiments during 2005–2008. Two experiments had parallel field incubations to study N release after fertilizer application. The effect of total N in manure on N offtake was 30–40% that of mineral N, except in a dry year, when the effect was very low. Although the relative proportions of ammonium N, uric acid N and other N differed between the hen and broiler manure, the effect of total N was similar for both. In field incubations, mineral N decreased from 75 to 60% of total N applied in hen manure, whereas it increased from 20 to 50% in broiler manure, because of net immobilization and release, respectively. The limited fertilizer nitrogen replacement value, corresponding to only 30–40% of total N, could be as a result of ammonia volatilization after rather shallow incorporation with harrow. Net N release from broiler manure lasted for 6–8 weeks after application, after which it generally ceased. In some cases, manure application in early spring gave better yield effects than application at sowing, probably because of better synchronization of the N release with crop N requirements. The residual N effect on the N offtake in crop in the year after manure application was on average 3% of the total N applied, equivalent to a fertilizer replacement value of about 6%.
Examining Multiple Sources of Differential Item Functioning on the Clinician & Group CAHPS® Survey
Authors: Rodriguez Hector P. , Crane Paul K. 
Published: August 2011

ObjectiveTo evaluate psychometric properties of a widely used patient experience survey.Data SourcesEnglish‐language responses to the Clinician & Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG‐CAHPS®) survey (n = 12,244) from a 2008 quality improvement initiative involving eight southern California medical groups.MethodsWe used an iterative hybrid ordinal logistic regression/item response theory differential item functioning (DIF) algorithm to identify items with DIF related to patient sociodemographic characteristics, duration of the physician–patient relationship, number of physician visits, and self‐rated physical and mental health. We accounted for all sources of DIF and determined its cumulative impact.Principal FindingsThe upper end of the CG‐CAHPS® performance range is measured with low precision. With sensitive settings, some items were found to have DIF. However, overall DIF impact was negligible, as 0.14 percent of participants had salient DIF impact. Latinos who spoke predominantly English at home had the highest prevalence of salient DIF impact at 0.26 percent.ConclusionsThe CG‐CAHPS® functions similarly across commercially insured respondents from diverse backgrounds. Consequently, previously documented racial and ethnic group differences likely reflect true differences rather than measurement bias. The impact of low precision at the upper end of the scale should be clarified.
An Assessment of Patient‐Based and Practice Infrastructure–Based Measures of the Patient‐Centered Medical Home: Do We Need to Ask the Patient?
Authors: Gray Bradley Michael , Weng Weifeng , Holmboe Eric S. 
Published: August 2011

ObjectiveTo examine the importance of patient‐based measures and practice infrastructure measures of the patient‐centered medical home (PCMH).Data SourcesA total of 3,671 patient surveys of 202 physicians completing the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) 2006 Comprehensive Care Practice Improvement Module and 14,457 patient chart reviews from 592 physicians completing ABIM's 2007 Diabetes and Hypertension Practice Improvement Module.MethodologyWe estimated the association of patient‐centered care and practice infrastructure measures with patient rating of physician quality. We then estimated the association of practice infrastructure and patient rating of care quality with blood pressure (BP) control.ResultsPatient‐centered care measures dominated practice infrastructure as predictors of patient rating of physician quality. Having all patient‐centered care measures in place versus none was associated with an absolute 75.2 percent increase in the likelihood of receiving a top rating. Both patient rating of care quality and practice infrastructure predicted BP control. Receiving a rating of excellent on care quality from all patients was associated with an absolute 4.2 percent improvement in BP control. For reaching the maximum practice‐infrastructure score, this figure was 4.5 percent.ConclusionAssessment of physician practices for PCMH qualification should consider both patient based patient‐centered care measures and practice infrastructure measures.
Acute Sleep Deprivation Is Associated with Increased Atrial Electromechanical Delay in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: ESEN ÖZLEM , AKÇAKOYUN MUSTAFA , AÇAR GÖKSEL , BULUT MUSTAFA , ALİZADE ELNUR , KARGIN RAMAZAN , EMİROĞLU MEHMET Y. , YAZICIOĞLU MEHMET V. , GEMİCİ KANI , ESEN ALI M. 
Published: August 2011

Background: Sleep deprivation (SD) is known to be associated with an increased incidence of adverse cardiovascular outcome. Atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) calculated from tissue Doppler imaging has been shown to detect atrial impairment in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The aim of the study was to investigate whether AEMD would increase in otherwise healthy young adults with acute SD.
Methods: Twenty‐seven healthy volunteers were included into the study (mean age: 26 ± 3 years). The participants underwent an echocardiographic examination after a night with SD. AEMD defined as the interval from the onset of P wave to the onset of late diastolic Am wave (PA) was calculated from the lateral and septal mitral annulus, and lateral tricuspid annulus (PA lateral, PA septum, and PA tricuspid, respectively).
Results: Subjects had similar values of PA tricuspid duration in milliseconds after the night of sleep debt when compared after regular sleep, whereas they had significantly higher values of PA lateral and PA septal durations (69.05 ± 10.64 ms vs 51.31 ± 11.32 ms, P < 0.001 and 51.75 ± 7.15 ms vs 41.37 ± 8.52 ms, P < 0.001; respectively). Moreover, participants had higher inter‐AEMD and intra‐AEMD values after the night of sleep debt when compared after regular sleep [30.19 ± 9.84 ms vs 14.72 ± 6.81 ms, P < 0.001 and 12.82 ± 7.09 ms vs 4.41 ± 3.60 ms, P < 0.001; respectively]. Pearson's correlation analyses suggest that inter‐AEMD and intra‐AEMD were inversely correlated with sleep time (r =−0.628, r =−0.499, r =−0.696, and r =−0.572, respectively [all P < 0.001]).
Conclusion: In conclusion, in this cross‐sectional study, we clearly found that even one night of SD is associated with higher values of inter‐AEMD and intra‐AEMD in healthy young adults. (PACE 2011; 34:1645–1651)
Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization on Gradient Reduction in Patients with Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Preliminary Study
Authors: LENARCZYK RADOSŁAW , WOŹNIAK ALEKSANDRA , KOWALSKI OSKAR , SOKAL ADAM , PRUSZKOWSKA‐SKRZEP PATRYCJA , SREDNIAWA BEATA , SZULIK MARIOLA , ZIELIŃSKA TERESA , KUKULSKI TOMASZ , STABRYŁA JOANNA , MAZUREK MICHAŁ , BIAŁKOWSKI JACEK , KALARUS ZBIGNIEW 
Published: August 2011

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in terms of outflow tract gradient reduction and functional improvement in symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) requiring implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) implantation.
Methods: Eleven consecutive symptomatic HOCM patients with a significant (≥40 mmHg) gradient and indications for ICD, but without indications for resynchronization, underwent CRT‐D implantation. Nine of them (four female, median age of 50 years) in whom the procedure succeeded were screened for New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, outflow gradient, mechanical dyssynchrony, QRS‐width change, and 6‐minute walking distance (6MWD) and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) improvement after 6 months and remotely.
Results: After 6 months of pacing, NYHA class decreased (median 1 vs 2, respectively); peak (33 vs 84 mmHg) and mean (13 vs 38 mmHg) outflow tract gradients were reduced; and QRS width (143 vs 105 ms), intraventricular dyssynchrony (35 vs 55 ms), and VO2peak (19.5 vs 14.2 mL/kg/min) increased significantly (all P < 0.05) compared to baseline. In six of nine patients (67%), the peak gradient was reduced >50% and reached <40 mmHg. After a median of 36 months, the outflow gradient decreased even more (8 mmHg) and was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than after 6 months of CRT.
Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that CRT seems to be an effective method of reducing the outflow tract gradient and improving the functional status of symptomatic HOCM patients requiring ICD implantation. Our findings need to be confirmed by more extensive studies. (PACE 2011; 34:1544–1552)
Effect of Temperature Gradient on Industrial Gasifier Coal Slag Infiltration into Alumina Refractory
Authors: Kaneko Tetsuya Kenneth , Bennett James P. , Sridhar Seetharaman 
Published: August 2011

Infiltration characteristics of industrial coal slag into alumina (Al2O3) refractory material with a temperature gradient induced along the slag's penetration direction are compared to those obtained under near‐isothermal conditions. Experiments were conducted with a hot‐face temperature of 1450°C and a CO/CO2 ratio of 1.8, which corresponds to an oxygen partial pressure of ~10−8 atm. The refractory under the near‐isothermal temperature profile, with higher average temperatures, demonstrated a greater penetration depth than its counterpart that was under the steeper temperature gradient. Slag that did not infiltrate into the refractory due to the induced temperature gradient, pooled and solidified on the top of the sample. Within the pool, a conglomerated mass of troilite (FeS) formed separately from the surrounding slag. Microscopy of the cross‐sectioned infiltrated refractories revealed that the slag preferentially corroded the matrix regions closer to the top surface. Furthermore, the formation of a thick layer of hercynite (FeAl2O4) at the top of refractory/slag interface significantly depleted the slag of its iron‐oxide content with respect to its virgin composition. A qualitative description of the penetration process is provided in this article.
Change in hepatocyte growth factor concentration promote mesenchymal stem cell‐mediated osteogenic regeneration
Authors: Wen Qian , Zhou Liang , Zhou Chaoying , Zhou Mingqian , Luo Wei , Ma Li 
Published: August 2011

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a crucial role in tissue repair by secretion of tissue nutrient factors such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). However, studies examining the effects of HGF on the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs used different concentrations of HGF and reported conflicting conclusions. This study aimed to determine the mechanisms by which different concentrations of HGF regulate MSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, and validate the mechanism in an animal model of early stage avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH). Our results demonstrate that a low concentration of HGF (20 ng/ml) preferentially promotes MSC osteogenic differentiation through increased c‐Met expression and phosphorylation, Akt pathway activation, and increased expression of p27, Runx2 and Osterix. In contrast, a high concentration of HGF (100 ng/ml) strongly induced proliferation by inducing strong activation of the ERK1/2 signalling pathway. As validated by animal experiments, high localized expression of HGF achieved by transplantation of HGF transgenic MSCs into ANFH rabbits increased the number of MSCs. Subsequently, 2 weeks after transplantation, HGF levels decreased and MSCs differentiated into osteoblasts and resulted in efficient tissue repair. Our results demonstrate that sequential concentration changes in HGF control the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs in vivo. This phenomenon can be exploited therapeutically to induce bone regeneration and, in turn, improve the efficacy of pharmacological intervention for ANFH treatment.
Acceptability of behaviour therapy for dental phobia
Authors: Forbes M.D.L. , Boyle C.A. , Newton T. 
Published: August 2011

Forbes MDL, Boyle CA, Newton T. Acceptability of behaviour therapy for dental phobia. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012; 40: 1–7. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/SAbstract –  Objective:  To determine how people with dental phobia rate the acceptability of behavioural therapy.Methods:  One hundred and twenty individuals with dental phobia participated in a three‐factor experimental vignette‐based design. The three factors examined were dental treatment history, nature of intervention (intravenous sedation or behavioural therapy) and treatment outcome. There were eight different vignettes representing all combinations of the three experimental variables, and 15 participants completed each vignette.Results:  Treatment outcome had a strong effect on rated acceptability (F = 115.76, P < 0.001). There was a weaker effect of treatment type (F = 5.49, P < 0.05) with behavioural therapy rated as more acceptable than intravenous sedation. Previous history of intravenous sedation was associated with a decreased perception that it is possible to overcome dental fear.Conclusions:  The perceptions of individuals with dental phobia of the acceptability of behavioural approaches to management are influenced by the perceived outcome of the treatment.
Field Measurements of Wave Characteristics on a Near‐Horizontal Shore Platform, Mahia Peninsula, North Island, New Zealand
Authors: OGAWA HIROKI , KENCH PAUL , DICKSON MARK 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWaves are an important process responsible for the initiation and subsequent development of intertidal shore platforms. However, few field studies to date have described wave processes on shore platforms. A field experiment was conducted using an across‐shore array of wave gauges, including a directional sensor, on a near‐horizontal platform at Mahia Peninsula, North Island, New Zealand. Results show that the platform is very efficient in filtering wave energy at gravity wave frequencies (>0.05 Hz), with 40–80% reduction in wave height measured across the 140 m wide platform. By contrast, infragravity waves are present on the platform and increase in magnitude towards the cliff toe. Directional wave analysis indicates that wave reflection is mainly restricted to infragravity wave frequencies, demonstrating the differences in gravity and infragravity wave behaviour on the platform studied. Results indicate that, under fair weather conditions, the role of waves as an agent of cliff toe erosion is likely to be limited at present, although they are probably important for removing sediments accumulated at the cliff toe. The observed increase in infragravity wave energy towards the cliff toe implies that these long‐period waves may be important geomorphic agents on shore platforms.