bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation of nano‐ZnO using sonication method and its antibacterial characteristics
Authors: Shi Lu‐E , Fang Xiu‐Juan , Zhang Zhi‐Liang , Zhou Ting , Jiang Dan , Wu Huan‐Huan , Tang Zhen‐Xing 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared by sonication method was evaluated in this paper. Effect of calcination conditions on the size and antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles was investigated. Zinc oxide nanoparticles were characterised for purity (Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer), crystallinity and crystal size (XRD), particle size and morphology (TEM), etc. Results showed that the smallest size 8 nm could be obtained. The lethal experiments of nanocrystalline zinc oxide were evaluated on Lactobacillus plantarum. All L. Plantarum were killed after 24‐h exposure at 1000 ppm. With the increase in calcination time, the lethal effect of ZnO nanoparticles was increased after 6‐h exposure at 100 or 1000 ppm.
The effects of extrusion conditions and the addition of volatile compounds and flavour enhancers to corn grits on the retention of the volatile compounds and texture of the extrudates
Authors: Conti‐Silva Ana C. , Bastos Deborah H. M. , Arêas José A. G. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryCorn grits that were supplemented with isovaleraldehyde, ethyl butyrate, butyric acid and flavour enhancers were extruded under different processing conditions. Volatile compounds retained in the extrudates were isolated by dynamic headspace and analysed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The expansion ratio, density and cut force to break down the extrudates were evaluated and aroma intensity was assessed using a multisample difference test. Butyric acid showed the greatest retention (96.4%), regardless of the extrusion conditions. All compounds were better retained when samples were extruded at 20% feed moisture and 90 °C processing temperature (2.9–81.0%), conditions that also resulted in greater aromatic intensity (moderate to moderate‐strong intensity). The addition of volatile compounds reduced the expansion ratio and cut force, whereas the addition of flavour enhancers increased the expansion ratio but reduced ethyl butyrate and butyric acid retention.
Directed self‐regulated learning versus instructor‐regulated learning in simulation training
Authors: Brydges Ryan , Nair Parvathy , Ma Irene , Shanks David , Hatala Rose 
Published: June 2012

Medical Education 2012:46:648–656Objectives Simulation training offers opportunities for unsupervised, self‐regulated learning, yet little evidence is available to indicate the efficacy of this approach in the learning of procedural skills. We evaluated the effectiveness of directed self‐regulated learning (DSRL) and instructor‐regulated learning (IRL), respectively, for teaching lumbar puncture (LP) using simulation.Methods We randomly assigned internal medicine residents in postgraduate year 1 to either DSRL (‘directed’ to progress from easy to difficult LP simulators during self‐regulated learning) or IRL (in groups of four led by an instructor). All participants practised for up to 50 minutes and completed a pre‐test, post‐test and delayed (by 3 months) retention test on the simulator. Pairs of blinded trained experts independently rated all videotaped performances using a validated global rating scale and a modified version of a validated checklist. Participants provided measures of LP experience and self‐reported confidence. We analysed the pre–post (n = 42) and pre–post–retention performance scores (n = 23) using two separate repeated‐measures analyses of variance (anovas) and computed Pearson correlation coefficients between participants’ confidence and performance scores.Results Inter‐rater agreement was strong for both performance measures (intra‐class correlation coefficient > 0.81). The groups achieved similar pre‐test and post‐test scores (p > 0.05) and scores in both groups improved significantly from the pre‐ to the post‐test (p < 0.05). On retention, a significant interaction (F2,42 = 3.92, p = 0.03) suggests the DSRL group maintained its post‐test performance, whereas that in the IRL group dropped significantly (p < 0.05). Correlations between self‐reported confidence and post‐test performance were positive and significant for the DSRL group, and negative and non‐significant for the IRL group.Conclusions Both IRL and DSRL led to improved LP performance immediately after practice. Whereas the IRL group’s skills declined after 3 months, the DSRL group’s performance was maintained, suggesting a potential long‐term benefit of this training. Participants in the DSRL group also developed a more accurate relationship between confidence and competence following practice. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of self‐regulated learning and its role in simulation contexts.
Antiparasitical chemotherapy in Chagas’ disease cardiomyopathy: current evidence
Authors: Matta Guedes Paulo Marcos , Gutierrez Fredy Roberto Salazar , Nascimento Manuela Sales Lima , Do‐Valle‐Matta Maria Adelaide , Silva João Santana 
Published: June 2012

AbstractChronic chagasic cardiomyopathy affects 20% of Chagas’ disease patients. At present, Chagas’ disease chemotherapy uses nitrofurans, benznidazole (Rochagan®, Rodanil®, Roche) or nifurtimox (Lampit®, Bayer). Treatment during acute and recent chronic phases in childhood effects 71.5% and 57.6%, respectively, of parasitological cure. However, in clinical trials during the late chronic phase, only 5.9% of parasitological cure were achieved. This review focuses on the benefit from aetiological treatment to avoid, stop or revert myocarditis. Divergent data gathered from clinical practice are not convincing to support prescription of aetiological treatment as routine for indeterminate and cardiac chronic patients.
Suppression of adrenomedullin contributes to vascular leakage and altered epithelial repair during asthma
Authors: Hagner S. , Welz H. , Kicic A. , Alrifai M. , Marsh L. M. , Sutanto E. N. , Ling K.‐M. , Stick S. M. , Müller B. , Weissmann N. , Renz H. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe anti‐inflammatory peptide, adrenomedullin (AM), and its cognate receptor are expressed in lung tissue, but its pathophysiological significance in airway inflammation is unknown.ObjectivesThis study investigated whether allergen‐induced airway inflammation involves an impaired local AM response.MethodsAirway AM expression was measured in acute and chronically sensitized mice following allergen inhalation and in airway epithelial cells of asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients. The effects of AM on experimental allergen‐induced airway inflammation and of AM on lung epithelial repair in vitro were investigated.ResultsAdrenomedullin mRNA levels were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in acute ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized mice after OVA challenge, by over 60% at 24 h and for up to 6 days. Similarly, reduced AM expression was observed in two models of chronic allergen‐induced inflammation, OVA‐ and house dust mite–sensitized mice. The reduced AM expression was restricted to airway epithelial and endothelial cells, while AM expression in alveolar macrophages was unaltered. Intranasal AM completely attenuated the OVA‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness and mucosal plasma leakage but had no effect on inflammatory cells or cytokines. The effects of inhaled AM were reversed by pre‐inhalation of the putative AM receptor antagonist, AM
(22‐52). AM mRNA levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in human asthmatic airway epithelial samples than in nonasthmatic controls. In vitro, AM dose‐dependently (10−11–10−7 M) accelerated experimental wound healing in human and mouse lung epithelial cell monolayers and stimulated epithelial cell migration.ConclusionAdrenomedullin suppression in TH
2‐related inflammation is of pathophysiological significance and represents loss of a factor that maintains tissue integrity during inflammation.
The antagonism of histamine H1 and H4 receptors ameliorates chronic allergic dermatitis via anti‐pruritic and anti‐inflammatory effects in NC/Nga mice
Authors: Ohsawa Y. , Hirasawa N. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundAlthough histamine H1 receptor (H1R) antagonists are commonly used to treat atopic dermatitis, the treatment is not always effective. The histamine H4 receptor (H4R) was recently described as important to the pruritus in dermatitis. Here, we investigated whether the combination of a H1R antagonist plus a H4R antagonist attenuates chronic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.MethodsChronic dermatitis was developed by repeated challenges with picryl chloride on the dorsal back and ear lobes. The therapeutic effects of the H1R antagonist olopatadine and H4R antagonist JNJ7777120 on scratching and the severity of dermatitis were evaluated. In addition, the mechanisms responsible for the anti‐allergic effects of H1R and/or H4R antagonism were examined using bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMC) and keratinocytes.ResultsJNJ7777120 attenuated scratching behavior after a single administration and improved dermatitis, as assessed with clinical scores, pathology, and cytokine levels in skin lesions when administered repeatedly. These effects were augmented by combined treatment with olopatadine, having a similar therapeutic efficacy to prednisolone. JNJ7777120 inhibited dose‐dependently the production of thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine/CCL17 and macrophage‐derived chemokine/CCL22 from antigen‐stimulated BMMC. In addition, olopatadine reversed the histamine‐induced reduction of semaphorin 3A mRNA in keratinocytes.ConclusionCombined treatment with H1R and H4R antagonists may have a significant therapeutic effect on chronic dermatitis through the synergistic inhibition of pruritus and skin inflammation.
Multimodal exercise intervention improves frontal cognitive functions and gait in Alzheimer's disease: A controlled trial
Authors: Coelho Flávia Gomes de Melo , Andrade Larissa Pires , Pedroso Renata Valle , Santos‐Galduroz Ruth Ferreira , Gobbi Sebastião , Costa José Luiz Riani , Gobbi Lilian Teresa Bucken 
Published: June 2012

Aim:  The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of a multimodal exercise intervention on frontal cognitive functions and kinematic gait parameters in patients with Alzheimer's disease.Methods:  A sample of elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (n = 27) were assigned to a training group (n = 14; aged 78.0 ± 7.3 years) and a control group (n = 13; aged 77.1 ± 7.4 years). Multimodal exercise intervention includes motor activities and cognitive tasks simultaneously. The participants attended a 1‐h session three times a week for 16 weeks, and the control participants maintained their regular daily activities during the same period. The frontal cognitive functions were evaluated using the Frontal Assessment Battery, the Clock Drawing Test and the Symbol Search Subtest. The kinematic parameters of gait‐cadence, stride length and stride speed were analyzed under two conditions: (i) free gait (single task); and (ii) gait with frontal cognitive task (walking and counting down from 20 – dual task).Results and discussion:  The patients in the intervention group significantly increased the scores in frontal cognitive variables, Frontal Assessment Battery (P < 0.001) and Symbol Search Subtest (P < 0.001) after the 16‐week period. The control group decreased the scores in the Clock Drawing Test (P = 0.001) and increased the number of counting errors during the dual task (P = 0.008) after the same period.Conclusion:  The multimodal exercise intervention improved the frontal cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 198–203.
Technical efficiency of business administration courses: a simultaneous analysis using DEA and SFA
Authors: Miranda Rodrigo , Gramani Maria Cristina , Andrade Eduardo 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study is to contribute to the existing literature on the efficiency of higher education institutions. The technical efficiency of higher education has been mostly studied using methods such as data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis. Many researchers compare either the efficiency among public education institutions or among departments in a university by using variables that give equal importance to teaching and research. In this paper, both these methodologies are applied to measure the efficiency of higher education courses, especially the business administration courses offered by private for‐profit institutions that focus just on education and are located in the same geographical region. The variables selected covered the specific aspects of these courses and the results showed the complementarities of these two approaches.
Finding a better drug for epilepsy: Antiinflammatory targets
Authors: Dedeurwaerdere Stefanie , Friedman Alon , Fabene Paolo F. , Mazarati Andrèy , Murashima Yoshiya L. , Vezzani Annamaria , Baram Tallie Z. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThis monograph summarizes one of the sessions of the XI Workshop on Neurobiology of Epilepsy (WONOEP), and provides a critical review of the current state of the field. Speakers and discussants focused on several broad topics: (1) the coexistence of inflammatory processes encompassing several distinct signal‐transduction pathways with the epileptogenic process; (2) evidence for the contribution of specific inflammatory molecules and processes to the onset and progression of epilepsy, as well as to epilepsy‐related morbidities including depression; (3) the complexity and intricate cross‐talk of the pathways involved in inflammation, and the discrete, often opposite roles of a given mediator in neurons versus other cell types. These complexities highlight the challenges confronting the field as it aims to define inflammatory molecules as promising targets for epilepsy prevention and treatment.
Widespread epileptic networks in focal epilepsies: EEG‐fMRI study
Authors: Fahoum Firas , Lopes Renaud , Pittau Francesca , Dubeau François , Gotman Jean 
Published: June 2012

SummaryPurpose:  To assess the extent of brain involvement during focal epileptic activity, we studied patterns of cortical and subcortical metabolic changes coinciding with interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) using group analysis of simultaneous electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG‐fMRI) scans in patients with focal epilepsy.Methods:  We selected patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE, n = 32), frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE, n = 14), and posterior quadrant epilepsy (PQE, n = 20) from our 3 Tesla EEG‐fMRI database. We applied group analysis upon the blood oxygen–level dependent (BOLD) response associated with focal IEDs.Key Findings:  Patients with TLE and FLE showed activations and deactivations, whereas in PQE only deactivations occurred. In TLE and FLE, the largest activation was in the mid–cingulate gyri bilaterally. In FLE, activations were also found in the ipsilateral frontal operculum, thalamus, and internal capsule, and in the contralateral cerebellum, whereas in TLE, we found additional activations in the ipsilateral mesial and neocortical temporal regions, insula, and cerebellar cortex. All three groups showed deactivations in default mode network regions, the most widespread being in the TLE group, and less in PQE and FLE.Significance:  These results indicate that different epileptic syndromes result in unique and widespread networks related to focal IEDs. Default mode regions are deactivated in response to focal discharges in all three groups with syndrome specific pattern. We conclude that focal IEDs are associated with specific networks of widespread metabolic changes that may cause more substantial disturbance to brain function than might be appreciated from the focal nature of the scalp EEG discharges.
Simultaneous BOLD fMRI and local field potential measurements during kainic acid–induced seizures
Authors: Airaksinen Antti M. , Hekmatyar Shahryar K. , Jerome Neil , Niskanen Juha‐Pekka , Huttunen Joanna K. , Pitkänen Asla , Kauppinen Risto A. , Gröhn Olli H. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryPurpose:  To investigate how kainic acid–induced epileptiform activity is related to hemodynamic changes probed by blood oxygenation level–dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI).Methods:  Epileptiform activity was induced with kainic acid (KA) (10 mg/kg, i.p.), and simultaneous fMRI at 7 Tesla, and deep electrode local field potential (LFP) recordings were performed from the right hippocampus in awake and medetomidine‐sedated adult Wistar rats.Key Findings:  Recurrent seizure activity induced by KA was detected in LFP both in medetomidine‐sedated and awake rats, even though medetomidine sedation reduced the mean duration of individual seizures as compared to awake rats (33 ± 24 and 46 ± 34 s, respectively, mean ± SD p < 0.01). KA administration also triggered robust positive BOLD responses bilaterally in the hippocampus both in awake and medetomidine‐sedated rats; however, in both animal groups some of the seizures detected in LFP recording did not cause detectable BOLD signal change.Significance:  Our data suggest that medetomidine sedation can be used for simultaneous fMRI and electrophysiologic studies of normal and epileptic brain function, even though seizure duration after medetomidine administration was shorter than that in awake animals. The results also indicate that neuronal activity and BOLD response can become decoupled during recurrent kainic acid–induced seizures, which may have implications to interpretation of fMRI data obtained during prolonged epileptiform activity.
Predicting Alzheimer's Disease: Neuropsychological Tests, Self‐Reports, and Informant Reports of Cognitive Difficulties
Authors: Rabin Laura A. , Wang Cuiling , Katz Mindy J. , Derby Carol A. , Buschke Herman , Lipton Richard B. 
Published: June 2012

ObjectivesTo investigate the independent and combined contributions to the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) of three important domains of cognitive assessment: neuropsychological measurement, self‐reports, and informant reports.DesignLongitudinal, community‐based sample.SettingEinstein Aging Study.ParticipantsSix hundred twenty‐seven individuals without dementia aged 70 and older systematically recruited from the Bronx, New York.MeasurementsComprehensive assessment included neurological examination, behavioral questions, and neuropsychological testing. AD diagnoses were based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria assigned at a multidisciplinary consensus case conference. The major statistical analyses used Cox proportional hazards models (with age as the time scale) adjusted for sex, education, and depressive symptoms.ResultsForty‐eight participants developed incident AD during a median of 3.3 years of follow‐up. Self‐ and informant reports of cognitive status and baseline scores on tests of episodic memory and psychomotor speed predicted the onset of AD, but in models examining all the variables simultaneously, only the episodic memory tests and informant reports were associated with risk of AD. A likelihood ratio test confirmed the incremental effect of informant reports in addition to the neuropsychological test scores (P = .03).ConclusionInformant ratings improved the prediction of AD conversion in addition to objective memory impairment in older adults without dementia. Combining these cognitive measures may provide a useful, empirical method for identifying individuals at high risk of future AD.
Effect of Patient Perceptions on Dementia Screening in Primary Care
Authors: Fowler Nicole R. , Boustani Malaz A. , Frame Amie , Perkins Anthony J. , Monahan Patrick , Gao Sujuan , Sachs Greg A. , Hendrie Hugh C. 
Published: June 2012

ObjectivesTo determine individuals’ perceptions concerning dementia screening and to evaluate the possibility of an association between their perceptions and their willingness to undergo screening.DesignCross‐sectional study of primary care patients aged 65 and older.SettingUrban primary care clinics in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2008 to 2009.ParticipantsFive hundred fifty‐four primary care patients without a documented diagnosis of dementia.MeasurementsThe Perceptions Regarding Investigational Screening for Memory in Primary Care Questionnaire (PRISM‐PC) and agreement or refusal to undergo dementia screening.ResultsOf the 554 study participants who completed the PRISM‐PC, 65.5% were aged 70 and older, 70.0% were female, and 56.5% were African American; 57 (10.3%) refused screening for dementia. Of the 497 (89.7%) who agreed to screening, 63 (12.7%) screened positive. After adjusting for age, perception of depression screening, perception of colon cancer screening, and belief that no treatment is currently available for Alzheimer's disease, the odds of refusing screening were significantly lower in participants who had higher PRISM‐PC domain scores for benefits of dementia screening (odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.75–0.97; P = .02). In the same regression model, the odds of refusing screening were significantly higher in participants aged 70 to 74 (OR = 5.65, 95% CI = 2.27–14.09; P < .001) and those aged 75 to 79 (OR = 3.63, 95% CI = 1.32–9.99; P = .01) than in the reference group of patients aged 65 to 69.ConclusionAge and perceived benefit of screening are associated with acceptance of dementia screening in primary care.
Staged Discovery and the Politics of Maya Hieroglyphic Things
Authors: Watson Matthew C. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT Anthropologists of science conventionally examine the cultural politics of natural sciences. However, historical and social sciences also have cultural contexts and consequences. This article extends science studies to public engagement with Maya hieroglyphic decipherment. In the 1970s several scholars claimed to discover Maya hieroglyphs’ grammatical structure. Linda Schele popularized decipherment through sites including the Maya Meetings, public workshops at the University of Texas–Austin. As archaeologists and competing camps of hieroglyph experts challenged Schele and her colleagues’ interpretations, the Maya Meetings established a public of witnesses committed to these experts’ claims. The Maya Meetings cultivated assent through highly regulated practices enabling participants to imagine that they independently confirmed decipherments. Public engagement bolstered experts’ problematic claims to have imparted “voice” and “history” to the ancient Maya by transforming this complex medium into writing. I show how such public engagement did not simply democratize knowledge production and intensified hierarchies within Maya studies. [public science, Maya hieroglyphs, witnessing, anthropology of science]RESUMEN Los antropólogos de la ciencia examinan la política cultural de las ciencias naturales. Sin embargo, las ciencias históricas y sociales también tienen contextos culturales. Este ensayo amplia los estudios culturales de la ciencia a la participación del público en el desciframiento de los jeroglíficos mayas. Durante la década de 1970, unos expertos pretendieron haber descubierto la estructura gramatical de los jeroglíficos. Linda Schele popularizó las técnicas de desciframiento a través de talleres públicos en la Universidad de Texas–Austin. Mientras unos arqueólogos y campos de epigrafistas dasafiaron el desciframiento, los talleres establecieron un público de testigos comprometidos con estos expertos. Los talleres permitieron a los participantes que imaginaran que habían confirmado los desciframientos. La participación pública reforzó los reclamos problemáticos de expertos que habian impartado “voz” e “historia” a los antiguos mayas. Muestro cómo la participación pública no democratizó la producción de conocimiento y intensificó jerarquías en los estudios mayas.