bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Receptor assay guided structure‐activity studies of helicokinin insect neuropeptides and peptidomimetic analogues
Authors: Scherkenbeck Jürgen , Antonicek Horst‐Peter , Vogelsang Kathrin , Zdobinsky Tino , Brücher Karin , Rehländer Denise , Chen Heru 
Published: September 2009

AbstractNeuropeptides control numerous physiological processes in insects. The regulation of water balance is a crucial aspect of homeostasis in terrestrial insects and has been shown to be under endocrine control, primarily by corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF)‐related peptides and kinins. For helicokinin I, a diuretic neuropeptide from the economically important insect pest Heliothis virescens, detailed structure‐activity relationships have been established based on truncated structures, diverse amino acid scans and peptidomimetic analogues. The activities of selected compounds on functional expressed helicokinin receptors are compared with the results of a Malphigian tubule assay. Implications for further peptidomimetic variations are provided. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Observation of entrainment at the interface between monsoon flow and the Saharan Air Layer
Authors: Canut G. , Lothon M. , Saïd F. , Lohou F. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractDuring the AMMA experiment, the French ATR aircraft flew in the lower troposphere in south Niger, with instruments that allow fast measurement of wind, temperature and humidity. Stacked legs flown between early June and mid‐August into the moist southwesterly monsoon flow and the dry northeasterly flow of the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) above, enable us to study the interaction between the two flows at the turbulence scale and the role of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) in the transfers between them. We describe the fluctuations observed at the top of the PBL and their evolution during the season. Dry tongues approximately 600 m wide and a few kilometres apart, intruding from the overlying SAL down into the PBL, are characteristic of the Sahelian region at that time of year. They are fully part of the entrainment process at the PBL top and responsible for large moisture fluxes in the upper PBL. They also skew the water vapour distribution which in turn impacts the water vapour scales. We evaluate the impact of the entrainment by use of a conditional analysis on combined fluctuations. The dry tongues play the largest role down to two thirds of the PBL depth. We find larger entrainment during early monsoon than during its active phase, and a large variability of the ratio of entrainment buoyancy flux over surface flux. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
A critical comparison of stratosphere–troposphere coupling indices
Authors: Baldwin Mark P. , Thompson David W.J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAssessing stratosphere–troposphere coupling in observational data or model output requires a multi‐level index with high time resolution. Ideally, such an index would (1) represent spatial patterns in the troposphere that are most strongly coupled with stratospheric variability and (2) be robust and computationally feasible in both observations and standard model output.Several of the indices used to diagnose extratropical stratosphere–troposphere coupling are based on the Northern and Southern Hemisphere annular modes. The annular mode indices are commonly defined as the leading empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of monthly‐mean, hemispheric geopotential height. In the lowermost troposphere, the structure of the annular modes is defined as the leading EOF of the near‐surface geopotential height field, and these patterns correspond well to the patterns of variability induced by stratospheric circulation changes. At pressure levels above the surface, the structure of the annular modes is typically found by either calculating the local EOF or regressing geopotential height data onto the leading principal component time series of near‐surface geopotential height.Here we make a critical comparison of the existing methodologies used to diagnose stratosphere–troposphere coupling, including EOF‐based indices as well as measures based on zonal‐mean wind at a fixed latitude and geopotential height over the polar cap. We argue in favour of an alternative methodology based on EOFs of daily zonally‐averaged geopotential. We find that (1) the daily evolution of stratosphere–troposphere coupling events is seen most clearly with this methodology, and (2) the methodology is robust and requires few subjective choices, making it readily applicable to climate model output available only in zonal‐mean form. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
The benefits of meditation vis‐à‐vis emotional intelligence, perceived stress and negative mental health
Authors: Chu Li‐Chuan 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis paper evaluates the benefits of meditation in regard to emotional intelligence (EI), perceived stress and negative mental health with cross‐sectional and experimental studies. It first studied 351 full‐time working adults with different amounts of experience in meditation for these factors in order to test the hypothesis that their differences in them were based on differences in meditation experience, and found that those participants with greater meditation experience exhibited higher EI, and less perceived stress and negative mental health than those who had less or none. It then randomly divided 20 graduate students with no previous experience of meditation into a mindfulness meditation group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10), and measured them for the same variable pre‐treatment and post‐treatment to test the hypothesis that meditation training improves people's state, and found that those who completed the mindfulness meditation training demonstrated significant improvements compared to the control group. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cross‐functional team selection concerning members' cooperative effects and capabilities overlap
Authors: Hsieh Ping Jung 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe capabilities that are embodied in the members of the cross‐functional team represent a significant project resource. The extent to which there is a good fit among these resources and the project can impact on the effectiveness of operations. While cross‐functional project organizations have become common, many enterprises are not able to recognize the capabilities of individual project members or the teams as a whole. In this study, an integrated approach has been proposed. The assessment criteria of the proposed approach take into account interpersonal characteristics such as the non‐additive team members' cooperative effects and capability overlap, which have rarely been investigated and evaluated in previous studies. Specifically, instead of selecting candidate team members to form a team, this approach involves selecting a proper team from competitive project teams, which is a kind of team selection problem usually confronted in project‐based organizations. Several sound mathematical methods, including fuzzy measure, similarity analysis, and fuzzy programming, are used in the approach. An illustration from a real‐world six sigma project team selection demonstrates the implementation of the approach. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Characterization of Di‐ and Tricarbonylhydridomanganese(I) Complexes
Authors: Bolaño Sandra , Bravo Jorge , Castro Jesús , García‐Fontán Soledad , Lamas Elvira , Rodríguez Seoane Pilar 
Published: September 2009

AbstractHydrido complexes [MnH(CO)3L1–3] [L1 = 1,2‐bis‐(diphenylphosphanoxy)‐ethane (1); L2 = 1,2‐bis‐(diisopropylphosphanoxy)ethane (2); L3 = 1,3‐bis‐(diphenylphosphanoxy)‐propane (3)] were prepared by treating [MnH(CO)5] with the appropriate bidentate ligand by heating to reflux. Photoirradiation of a toluene solution of complexes 1 and 2 in the presence of PPhn(OR)3–n (n = 0, 1; R = Me, Et) leads to the replacement of a CO ligand by the corresponding monodentate phosphite or phosphonite ligand to give new hydrido compounds of formula [MnH(CO)2(L1–2)(L)] [L = P(OMe)3 (1a–2a); P(OEt)3 (1b–2b); PPh(OMe)2 (1c–2c); PPh(OEt)2 (1d–2d)]. All complexes were characterized by IR, 1H, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy. In case of compounds 2 and 3, suitable crystals for X‐ray diffraction studies were isolated.
Effects of intra‐basolateral amygdala administration of rimonabant on nociceptive behaviour and neuronal activity in the presence or absence of contextual fear
Authors: Roche Michelle , Johnston Patrick , Mhuircheartaigh Orla Ní , Olango Weredeselam M. , Mackie Kenneth , Finn David P. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe basolateral amygdala (BLA) contains a high density of cannabinoid CB1 receptors and is critically involved in pain and fear‐related behaviour. We investigated the effects of bilateral intra‐BLA administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, rimonabant, on formalin‐evoked nociceptive behaviour, fear‐conditioned behaviour including analgesia, and associated brain regional alterations in Fos expression in rats. Intra‐BLA administration of rimonabant significantly reduced formalin‐evoked nociceptive behaviour in the absence, but not presence, of conditioned fear. Rimonabant attenuated a formalin‐evoked reduction in freezing while emitting 22 kHz ultrasonic vocalisation in the early part of the fear expression trial. Formalin‐evoked nociceptive behaviour was associated with increased Fos immunoreactivity (FI) in the CA2/3 region of the hippocampus and rostral ventromedial medulla, effects attenuated by intra‐BLA rimonabant. Formalin also decreased FI in the cingulate cortex, an effect which was not observed in fear‐conditioned rats. Contextually‐induced fear was associated with increased FI in the dorsal caudal periaqueductal grey in the absence, but not presence, of formalin‐evoked nociceptive tone. In conclusion, bilateral intra‐BLA administration of rimonabant reduces nociceptive behaviour in a model of tonic, persistent inflammatory pain, an effect associated with reduced activation of neurons in the CA2/3 hippocampus and rostral ventromedial medulla. The data also provide evidence for differential pain‐ and fear‐related brain regional activity in the presence or absence of contextually‐induced aversion and nociceptive tone.
Pain in arthritis
Authors: Caporali Roberto , Cavagna Lorenzo , Montecucco Carlomaurizio 
Published: September 2009

AbstractUnder the term arthritis are grouped a large number of diseases characterized by the occurrence of an inflammatory process within the joints; between the different types of chronic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the prototypical example. With the increasing importance of early diagnosis and treatment, in the last years several subsets of chronic arthritis have been described, starting from the early arthritis (EAs), term that include all the arthritis of recent onset; within the EAs we recognize the undifferentiated polyarthritis (UPA), that does not fulfill the classification criteria for an established chronic arthritis but that can turn into an established form of chronic arthritis overtime, and the early RA (ERAs), e.g., the arthritis of less than one year of duration fulfilling the ACR classification criteria for RA. Independently to the diagnosis, pain is a very common finding in this setting, deeply affecting patients' quality of life and generally representing the first symptom of the disease and the reason of medical referral. Moreover, pain expression in chronic arthritis is not univocal, being influenced by several factors; in this paper we analyze the different aspects and the role of pain in chronic arthritis like (E)RA and UPA.
Systemic opioid and chronic pain
Authors: Varrassi Giustino , Angeletti Chiara , Guetti Cristiana , Marinangeli Franco , Paladini Antonella 
Published: September 2009

AbstractOpioid analgesic drugs currently represent the most powerful choice in pain therapy. They elicit their effects by mimicking endogenous substances — opioid peptides — the natural ligands of the opioid receptors. These analgesic drugs interact with specific receptors physiologically present in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the periphery, where they serve different functions. The opioid receptors modulate well‐known functions related to nociceptive transmission, but this system is also involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal, endocrine, and autonomic functions. Opioids are being prescribed more frequently for treating pain, and physicians should be able to control pain before it becomes intractable. Recent research on new endogenous opioid pathways, the development of several administration routes, and the development of new drugs with reduced ability for abuse, will allow a deeper scientific understanding, better targeted therapy, and safer use of opiate drugs for the pharmacological control of pain. The goals in this field of research are important and future knowledge will help physicians to use all analgesic drugs correctly and effectively in the treatment of pain.
Efficacy of drugs in regional anesthesia: A review
Authors: Allegri Massimo , Delazzo Marco G. , Grossi Paolo , Borghi Battista 
Published: September 2009

AbstractLocal anesthetics and opioids are the most commonly used drugs in regional anesthesia. Several other drugs are used as adjuvants in addition to local anesthetics.We will review the drugs currently used in regional anesthesia. In April 2009 we searched the PubMed database and found 143 articles related to the clinical use of drugs in regional anesthesia; we divided them into 3 major chapters: local anesthetics, opioids and adjuvants.Among local anesthetics, ropivacaine and levobupivacaine can be considered the drugs of choice in neuraxial and peripheral techniques because their toxicity is low even in large volume administration; mepivacaine can be considered the drug of choice in peripheral techniques when a shorter blockade is needed.Sufentanil is the opioid of choice in both neuraxial and peripheral techniques because it appears to improve the quality of anesthesia and to prolong sensory blockade in the postoperative period.Among the adjuvants to local anesthetics, clonidine is by far the most used drug in regional anesthesia; its yield in improving and prolonging the effects of local anesthetics is apparent in neuraxial techniques. Other drugs have been studied as adjuvants to local anesthetics but clinical evidence of their benefit is controversial in many cases and further trials are unquestionably warranted.In conclusion, since many different drugs are available for regional anesthesia, we must choose wisely the one that exhibits the best safety‐efficacy profile and that suits the chosen technique and type of anesthesia/analgesia best.
Pain and physical medicine
Authors: Toffola Elena Dalla , Bejor Maurizio 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe first stage of any physical medicine intervention for a patient with pain is an accurate diagnosis. This allows a decision on the proposed therapy to be made according to the clinical picture. Recent classifications of pain allow us to divide pain management treatment into three specific groups, aimed at: (1) cancer pain, (2) pain (acute, sub‐acute or chronic) as a symptom of a specific pathology, and (3) chronic non‐malignant pain. In this article, we offer a summary of our clinical experience regarding the drafting of rehabilitation plans for patients with pain who have been referred to us.
Prevalence and awareness of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study in a low cardiovascular disease risk geographical area
Authors: Bernardo M. , Cañas F. , Banegas J.R. , Casademont J. , Riesgo Y. , Varela C. ,   On behalf of the RICAVA Study Group
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjectivePrevalence of cardiovascular disease is high in schizophrenia. Our aim is to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) among schizophrenia patients.MethodNational cross-sectional study in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia under treatment with second generation antipsychotics and admitted to short-stay hospitalisation units.ResultsA sample of 733 consecutively admitted patients was enrolled; the most prevalent CVRFs were smoking 71% (95% CI: 67–74%) and hypercholesterolemia 66% (61–70%) followed by hypertriglyceridemia 26% (26–32%), hypertension 18% (15–21%) and diabetes 5% (4–7%). Metabolic syndrome showed 19% (95% CI: 16–23%) prevalence or, according to updated definitions (Clin Cornerstone 7 [2005] 36–45), 24% (95% CI: 20–28%). The rate of patients within the high-risk range of a 10-year fatal cardiovascular event was 6.5%. CVRFs under routine management were diabetes (60%), hypertension (28%) and, to a lesser extent, dyslipemia (14%). Treatment for CVRFs was associated to gender, men for hypertension OR = 25.34, p < 0.03 and women for diabetes OR = 0.02, p < 0.03.ConclusionWe found that CVRFs in schizophrenia were prevalent and under-diagnosed, and thus with insufficient therapeutic management.
Factors associated with pathologic colposcopic and cytologic changes in 500 clinically asymptomatic women
Authors: Paçarada Myrvete , Lulaj Shefqet , Kongjeli Gyltene , Kongjeli Niltene , Qavdarbasha Hana 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the role of cytologic and colposcopic diagnosis in the early detection of pathologic cervical changes and the effect of the number of births, a history of abortion, the number of sexual partners, and contraceptive use on pathologic colposcopic and cytologic changes.MethodThe 500 study participants were seen at the Obstetric‐Gynecologic Clinic of Prishtina, Kosovo, in 2006 and 2007. They were assigned to 5 groups of 100 according to number of births, a history of abortion (whether spontaneous or induced), and total number of sexual partners, but the use of contraceptives was also analyzed. All participants underwent cytologic and colposcopic evaluations.ResultsColposcopic atypia was observed in 70 participants (14%) and 77 (15.4%) had other findings. The degree of colposcopic atypia increased with the number of sexual partners, as did the frequency of infections. Most (91.2%) of the women with positive cytologic results were from groups 1 and 2, and the remaining 8.8% of these women were from groups 3, 4, and 5. From 44 patients with positive pathology results, 29 (65.9%) had chronic cervicitis, 13 (29. 5%) had hyperplasia, and 2 (4.5%) had carcinoma in situ.ConclusionNumber of births, a history of abortion, number of sexual partners, and contraceptive use directly affected pathologic colposcopic and cytologic changes.
Resumption of sexual activity and regular menses after childbirth among women infected with HIV in Malawi
Authors: Makanani Bonus , Kumwenda Johnstone , Kumwenda Newton , Chen Shu , Tsui Amy , Taha Taha E. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the factors associated with resumption of sexual activity and regular menses after childbirth among women infected with HIV‐1.MethodsInformation on sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors was obtained from 2 HIV perinatal studies (NVAZ and PEPI trials) conducted in Malawi, 2000–2009. Factors associated with resumption of sexual activity and menses were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsA total of 1838 women from the NVAZ study and 2982 women from the PEPI study were included in the analysis. Resumption of sexual activity was primarily associated with sociodemographic factors (e.g. in the PEPI study, marital status [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.56, P < 0.001], use of contraceptive method [aHR 8.0, P < 0.001], and breastfeeding [aHR 0.52, P < 0.001]), whereas resumption of regular menses in the PEPI study was primarily associated with biological factors (e.g. plasma viral load [aHR 0.89, P < 0.006], and breastfeeding [aHR 0.23, P < 0.001).ConclusionHIV‐infected women need adequate counseling to take into account their HIV infection status before resuming sexual activity after childbirth.
Inequalities in cesarean delivery rates by ethnicity and hospital accessibility in Brazil
Authors: Freitas Paulo Fontoura , Drachler Maria de Lourdes , Leite José Carlos de Carvalho , Marshall Tom 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate inequalities in cesarean delivery rates in Brazil according to ethnic group and level of access to hospital delivery.MethodsCross‐sectional analysis of data for primiparous women with singleton deliveries between 2003 and 2004 from the National Information System of Live‐Births (6 064 799 live births). Robust Poisson regression modeling was applied to estimate prevalence ratios of cesarean deliveries for ethnic group and level of access to hospital delivery according to residence.ResultsThere were 2 438 180 primiparous deliveries and the cesarean rate was 45.8%. Ethnic inequalities in cesarean delivery rates showed lower rates for all ethnic groups compared with white women, with the lowest rates recorded for indigenous women. The association between ethnicity and cesarean delivery was higher in states with lower access to hospital (P < 0.001). Multiple regression models showed that this association was, in part, explained by older maternal age and higher levels of education and prenatal care.ConclusionsOveruse of cesarean delivery and strong evidence of ethnic inequalities in cesarean rates exist in Brazil. The inequalities are greater in states with lower access to hospital and were partially explained by socioeconomic factors and prenatal care, suggesting a misuse of medical technology at birth.
Preterm delivery and ultrasound measurement of cervical length in Gran Canaria, Spain
Authors: Barber Miguel A. , Eguiluz Idoya , Plasencia Walter , Medina Margarita , Valle Leonor , Garcia Jose A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo study the relationship between cervical length measured by ultrasound and risk of preterm delivery.MethodsWe measured cervical length in 2351 women between the 18th and 22nd week of pregnancy. Preterm delivery was categorized as before 37 weeks, before 34 weeks, and before 30 weeks.ResultsBefore the 37th week, the odds ratios (ORs) of spontaneous delivery for cervical lengths in the 3rd, 5th, and 10th percentiles were, respectively, 25.47 (95% confidence intervals [CI], 15.5–41.73); 16.98 (95% CI, 11.51–25.05); and 7.55 (95% CI, 5.44–10.5). Before the 34th week the ORs were 28.7 (95% CI, 14.54–41.73); 20.5 (95% CI, 11.51‐25.05); and 10.3 (95% CI, 5.44–10.5). And before the 30th week they were 29.8 (95% CI, 15.54–41.73); 23.1 (95% CI, 11.51–25.05); and 19.1 (95% CI, 7.44–31.5). In predicting premature delivery, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of cervical length were 26%, 98%, 63.6%, and 93.57% for the 3rd percentile; 34%, 97%, 51%, and 94% for the 5th percentile; and 39%, 92%, 31%, and 94% for the 10th percentile.ConclusionTransvaginal measurement of cervical length during routine fetal morphological examination between the 18th and 22nd week of pregnancy helps identify asymptomatic women at risk for preterm delivery.