bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probiotics and inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Bai A-P , Ouyang Q 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Enteric microflora profiles vary considerably between active inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and healthy conditions. Intestinal microflora may partake in the pathogenesis of IBD by one or some ways: specific pathogenic infection induces abnormal intestinal mucosal inflammation; aberrant microflora components trigger the onset of IBD; abnormal host immune response loses normal immune tolerance to luminal components; luminal antigens permeate through the defective mucosal barrier into mucosal lamina propria and induce abnormal inflammatory response. Preliminary studies suggest that administration of probiotics may be benefit for experimental colitis and clinical trials for IBD. Researches have been studying the function of probiotics. Introduction of probiotics can balance the aberrant enteric microflora in IBD patients, and reinforce the various lines of intestinal defence by inhibiting microbial pathogens growth, increasing intestinal epithelial tight junction and permeability, modulating immune response of intestinal epithelia and mucosal immune cells, secreting antimicrobial products, decomposing luminal pathogenic antigens.
A 30 year perspective of the quality of evidence published in 25 clinical journals: Signs of change?
Authors: Gnanalingham M G , Robinson S G , Hawley D P , Gnanalingham K K 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Methods
The quality of clinical studies published in five different specialties, over three decades was evaluated. Computerised search of the Medline database was undertaken to evaluate the articles published in 25 clinical journals in 1983, 1993, and 2003 from five different specialties (medicine, surgery, paediatrics, anaesthesia, and psychiatry). The number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and other clinical trials (non-RCT) were noted.

Results
From the 27 030 articles evaluated, there were 2283 (8.4%) RCTs, 166 (0.6%) meta-analyses, and 4153 (15.4%) other clinical trials. For the proportion of RCTs, the rank order of the specialties was; anaesthesia (503; 18%), psychiatry (294; 9.6%), medicine (899; 8.1%), paediatrics (326; 6.4%), and surgery (261; 5.3%) (p&lt;0.001). For the proportion of meta-analysis, the rank order of the specialties was; psychiatry (36; 1.2%), medicine (105; 0.9%), paediatrics (15; 0.3%), anaesthesia (6; 0.2%), and surgery (4; 0.1%) (p&lt;0.001). Overall, from 1983 to 2003, there were increases in the proportion of RCTs (449, 5.9% to 1027, 9.6%), meta-analysis (0, 0% to 127, 1.2%), and other clinical trials (897, 12% to 1983, 19%) (p&lt;0.001). This trend was apparent in each clinical specialty (p&lt;0.001).

Conclusions
Over the three decades evaluated, clinical trials, notably RCTs and meta-analysis form only a small proportion of articles published in prominent journals from five clinical specialties. This is notwithstanding the modest increases in the proportions of RCTs and meta-analysis over the same period.
Why do primary care doctors undertake postgraduate diploma studies in a mixed private/public Asian setting?
Authors: Lam T P , Lam K F , Tse E Y Y 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to examine the reasons why primary care doctors undertake postgraduate diploma studies in a mixed private/public Asian setting.

Methods
Twenty four past or current postgraduate diploma students of the family medicine unit (FMU) of the University of Hong Kong participated in three focus group interviews. A structured questionnaire was constructed based on the qualitative data collected and was sent to 328 former applicants of postgraduate diploma studies at FMU.

Results
“Upgrading medical knowledge and skills” and “improving quality of practice” were two of the factors that most of the respondents considered to be significant in motivating them to undertake postgraduate diploma studies. “Time constraint” and “workload in practice” were however the most significant demotivating factors. Financial issues were more seriously considered by the junior than the senior doctors. To be able to “expand patient base and/or number” was considered to be a significant factor by the private doctors who were also keen to “improve communication and relationship with patients”.

Conclusion
These findings suggest that there are mixed reasons for primary care doctors to undertake postgraduate diploma studies. Course organisers should take into consideration these various reasons in planning their programmes.
Dysphagia in stroke patients
Authors: Singh S , Hamdy S 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Swallowing musculature is asymmetrically represented in both motor cortices. Stroke affecting the hemisphere with the dominant swallowing projection results in dysphagia and clinical recovery has been correlated with compensatory changes in the previously non-dominant, unaffected hemisphere. This asymmetric bilaterality may explain why up to half of stroke patients are dysphagic and why many will regain a safe swallow over a comparatively short period. Despite this propensity for recovery, dysphagia carries a sevenfold increased risk of aspiration pneumonia and is an independent predictor of mortality. The identification, clinical course, pathophysiology, and treatment of dysphagia after stroke are discussed in this review.
Platelet inhibition with prasugrel (CS-747) compared with clopidogrel in patients undergoing coronary stenting: the subset from the JUMBO study
Authors: Serebruany V L , Midei M G , Meilman H , Malinin A I , Lowry D R 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Based on the preclinical and phase 1 studies, prasugrel, a novel platelet ADP P2Y12 receptor blocker, may be a more potent platelet inhibitor than clopidogrel. This study compared the antiplatelet properties of prasugrel in a small subset of patients enrolled in the JUMBO trial, and compared with historic clopidogrel treated controls.

Methods and results
Nine patients undergoing coronary stenting were randomised to one of three arms of prasugrel (40 mg loading, and 7.5 mg maintenance, n = 1; 60/10 mg, n = 4; or 60/15 mg, n = 2), or clopidogrel (300/75 mg, n = 2). Aspirin and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors were permitted. Platelet activity was assessed at baseline, at 4, and 24 hours, and at 30 days after stent implantation in substudy participants, and compared with 124 historic controls who received clopidogrel. Independent of the loading, or maintenance dose, patients treated with prasugrel exhibited significantly more potent platelet inhibition as determined by ADP, and collagen induced aggregation, Ultegra Analyser, and surface expression of PECAM-1, GPIIb/IIIa antigen, and activity with PAC-1 antibody, GPIb, P-selectin, CD40-ligand, GP37, and thrombospondin receptor expression when compared with those treated with clopidogrel. There were no differences between antiplatelet agents with regard to vitronectin, LAMP-1, PAR-1 (intact and cleaved epitopes) thrombin receptor expression, or formation of platelet-monocyte microparticles. Expression of GPIIb antigen, vitronectin, and LAMP-3 receptor were not affected by both agents. Two patients treated with prasugrel 10 mg/daily exhibited complete inhibition of collagen induced aggregation at 30 days.

Conclusion
At the dosing regimens chosen in the JUMBO trial, it seems that prasugrel is a more potent antiplatelet agent than clopidogrel. Two episodes of profound platelet inhibition, which are not seen with clopidogrel, raise the possibility of higher bleeding risks especially during long term prasugrel use. Whether stronger platelet inhibition will yield better clinical outcomes and/or increased bleeding remains to be determined in an ongoing comparative phase 3 superiority trial (TRITON).
Socioeconomic variations in nicotine dependence, self-efficacy, and intention to quit across four countries: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey
Authors: Siahpush M , McNeill A , Borland R , Fong G T 
Published: June 2006

Objective:To examine the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on nicotine dependence, self-efficacy, and intention to quit.Design setting and participants:Data were from the first wave (2002) of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey (ITC-4), a panel study of over 2000 adult smokers from each of four countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Data were collected via telephone interviews.Main outcome measures:Nicotine dependence, intention to quit, and self-efficacy to quit smoking were the main outcome measures used in this study.Results:Lower levels of education were associated with higher nicotine dependence. The effect of lower income on higher heaviness of smoking index (HIS) scores was significant in Canada, the UK, and Australia. Respondents with low education had 35% larger odds of low self-efficacy than those with high education. Respondents with low education had 40% larger odds of having no intention to quit than those with high education. Respondents with low income had 23% larger odds of having no intention to quit than those with high income. Country was not a moderator of the association of SES with self-efficacy and intention to quit.Conclusion:To the extent that lower SES smokers are more addicted, they are likely to need more intensive support if they are to be successful in their attempts to quit. Given their lower incomes, this places a special responsibility on government to provide or subsidise such services. This should include access to the widest possible range of effective pharmacotherapies complemented with evidence based counselling and support.
Cigarette purchase patterns in four countries and the relationship with cessation: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey
Authors: Hyland A , Laux F L , Higbee C , Hastings G , Ross H , Chaloupka F J , Fong G T , Cummings K M 
Published: June 2006

Background:Higher cigarette prices result in decreased cigarette consumption, but some smokers may seek lower-taxed cigarette sources. This price avoidance behaviour likely dampens the health impact of higher cigarette prices although it has not been thoroughly studied.Objective:To describe the characteristics of smokers who purchase low/untaxed cigarettes and to examine how this behaviour is associated with subsequent changes in smoking behaviours.Methods:Telephone survey data from 8930 smokers from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey (ITC-4) were used to assess cigarette purchase patterns and smoking behaviours in Wave 1 conducted from October to December 2002 and subsequently followed seven months later in Wave 2. Respondents’ smoking status, attempts to quit, amount smoked, and cigarette purchase patterns were assessed in both waves.Results:Rates of purchase from a low/untaxed source at the respondents’ last cigarette purchase differed notably between countries at Wave 1, from less than 1% in Australia to 15% in the United Kingdom. In the UK, but not the other countries, this increased significantly to 20% at Wave 2. Smokers who were older, white/English speakers, had higher incomes, and had higher levels of education were more likely to report purchasing cigarettes from a low/untaxed source on their last purchase. Those who reported purchasing from a low/untaxed source on their last purchase at Wave 1 were less likely to have tried to quit smoking quit smoking by Wave 2 (relative risk 0.70, p < 0.01), while no overall significant association with smoking cessation was observed.Conclusion:Data from this study indicate that there are lower levels of making a quit attempt among purchasers of low/untaxed cigarettes compared to purchasers of full-priced cigarettes. The availability of low/untaxed cigarettes may mitigate the influence of increases in cigarette prices.
Socioeconomic and country variations in knowledge of health risks of tobacco smoking and toxic constituents of smoke: results from the 2002 International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey
Authors: Siahpush M , McNeill A , Hammond D , Fong G T 
Published: June 2006

Background:Socioeconomic status is strongly associated with smoking prevalence and social class differences contribute substantially to social inequalities in mortality. This research investigated socioeconomic and country variations in smokers’ knowledge that smoking causes heart disease, stroke, impotence and lung cancer, that smoke contains cyanide, mercury, arsenic and carbon monoxide, and whether nicotine causes most of the cancer.Methods:Data were from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey, a cohort survey of over suppl_ adult smokers from four countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Data were collected via telephone interviews in 2002.Results:Higher education and income were associated with higher awareness. For example, the odds of knowing that smoking causes heart disease, stroke and lung cancer were respectively 71%, 34% and 83% larger for respondents with high versus low income. The odds of knowing that smoke contains cyanide, mercury, arsenic and carbon monoxide were respectively 66%, 26%, 44% and 108% larger for respondents with a university degree than those with a high school diploma or lower level of education. Results also revealed that awareness of harms of smoking was generally the highest in Canada and the lowest in the UK.Conclusions:Lower socioeconomic status was associated with lower awareness of the harms of smoking and misunderstanding around nicotine. There is a need to improve knowledge of the dangers of smoking among the disadvantaged segments of the population.
Reductions in tobacco smoke pollution and increases in support for smoke-free public places following the implementation of comprehensive smoke-free workplace legislation in the Republic of Ireland: findings from the ITC Ireland/UK Survey
Authors: Fong G T , Hyland A , Borland R , Hammond D , Hastings G , McNeill A , Anderson S , Cummings K M , Allwright S , Mulcahy M , Howell F , Clancy L , Thompson M E , Connolly G , Driezen P 
Published: June 2006

Objective:To evaluate the psychosocial and behavioural impact of the first ever national level comprehensive workplace smoke-free law, implemented in Ireland in March 2004.Design:Quasi-experimental prospective cohort survey: parallel cohort telephone surveys of national representative samples of adult smokers in Ireland (n  =  769) and the UK (n  =  416), surveyed before the law (December 2003 to January 2004) and 8–9 months after the law (December 2004 to January 2005).Main outcome measures:Respondents’ reports of smoking in key public venues, support for total bans in those key venues, and behavioural changes due to the law.Results:The Irish law led to dramatic declines in reported smoking in all venues, including workplaces (62% to 14%), restaurants (85% to 3%), and bars/pubs (98% to 5%). Support for total bans among Irish smokers increased in all venues, including workplaces (43% to 67%), restaurants (45% to 77%), and bars/pubs (13% to 46%). Overall, 83% of Irish smokers reported that the smoke-free law was a “good” or “very good” thing. The proportion of Irish homes with smoking bans also increased. Approximately 46% of Irish smokers reported that the law had made them more likely to quit. Among Irish smokers who had quit at post-legislation, 80% reported that the law had helped them quit and 88% reported that the law helped them stay quit.Conclusion:The Ireland smoke-free law stands as a positive example of how a population-level policy intervention can achieve its public health goals while achieving a high level of acceptance among smokers. These findings support initiatives in many countries toward implementing smoke-free legislation, particularly those who have ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which calls for legislation to reduce tobacco smoke pollution.
Protecting Freedom of and from Religion: Questioning the Law's Ability to Protect Against Unethical Conversions in Sri Lanka
Authors: Owens Alexandra 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn recent years, the issue of improper and unethical conversions has attracted much attention in Sri Lanka. The issue is a highly emotive one, with members of the majority Buddhist population calling for measures to protect their religion from 'threats' from other minority religions, and members of these other religious groups expressing growing feelings of discrimination and unequal treatment. This article examines recent case law in the field of unethical conversions in Sri Lanka. An analysis of the decisions of Sri Lanka's Supreme Court relating to the incorporation of Christian organizations suggests that the legal system in Sri Lanka has struggled in its attempt to secure the right to freedom of religion and the right to manifest a religion for all people. Moreover, it is argued that the law has ultimately fuelled the growing religious tensions across the island. This article questions the law's ability to protect against unethical conversions in Sri Lanka, and therefore seeks to add weight to the calls for a non-legislative approach to the issue in order to allow for respect for the human rights of all concerned.
Nascent Internal-State Distribution of Product OH(A2Σ) Observed in a Crossed Beam Reaction of Hot H Atom with N2O
Authors: Tsuboi Shinji , Sawai Toshihiro , Ohoyama Hiroshi , Kasai Toshio 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The chemiluminescence spectrum of product OH(A2Σ) in a crossed beam reaction of the hot H atom with N2O was observed for the first time. The nascent internal-state distribution of OH(A2Σ) was identified by spectral simulation. The rotational distribution was found to be characterized by a Boltzmann temperature of 750 ± 100 K, and the vibrational distribution is non-Boltzmann with the populations of v = 0, 1, and 2 being 1 : 0.75 : 0.15, respectively. These results indicate that the product rotation is poorly excited while vibration is highly excited to the contrary.
Markaracter Tables and Q-Conjugacy Character Tables for Cyclic Groups. An Application to Combinatorial Enumeration
Authors: Fujita Shinsaku 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Q-Conjugacy character tables for cyclic groups are obtained by starting from character tables. Thus, irreducible representations for a cyclic group are classified into primitive and non-primitive ones. They are collected to form a matrix corresponding to each subgroup. Such a matrix is shown to be a representation (called Q-conjugacy representation) for characterizing Q-conjugacy and dominant classes. The traces of the Q-conjugacy representation are collected to form a Q-conjugacy character table, which is shown to be a square matrix. The elements of such a Q-conjugacy character table for a cyclic group are shown to be integers, which are related to the values of the corresponding character tables. They are also correlated to the markaracter tables for the cyclic group. Characteristic monomial tables for cyclic groups are obtained by starting from the Q-conjugacy character tables and dominant unit-subduced-cycle-index tables. They are applied to combinatorial enumeration of isomers derived from a skeleton belonging to a cyclic group.
High Complexation Ability of Thiacalixarene with Transition Metal Ions. The Effects of Replacing Methylene Bridges of Tetra(p-t-butyl)calix[4]arenetetrol by Epithio Groups
Authors: Iki Nobuhiko , Morohashi Naoya , Narumi Fumitaka , Miyano Sotaro 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The ability of tetra(p-t-butyl)tetrathiacalix[4]arenetetrol (TCA, H4L), a cyclic tetramer of p-(t-butyl)phenol bridged with four epithio groups, to bind metal ions was investigated via a solvent extraction study. Although tetra(p-t-butyl)calix[4]arenetetrol (CA) has very poor affinity for transition metal ions (M2+), TCA is an excellent extractant of these metal ions. The chemical formulae of the extracted TCA metal complexes were found by slope analysis to be neutral 1 : 1 complexes [MH2L]. The origin of the high affinity of TCA for transition metal ions is discussed, in which it is suggested that ligation of the epithio group is important as evidenced by an NMR study of the [ZnH2L] complex.
Formation of Stable Carbocations or Zwitterions by a Specific Interaction with Alkali Metal or Alkaline-Earth Metal Ions in Acetonitrile
Authors: Hojo Masashi , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Tsurui Hitoshi , Kawamura Kazushi , Minami Sei-ichiro , Mizobe Atsuko 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
In an acetonitrile solution, the extents of ionization of trityl halides (Ph3CX: X = Cl, Br) in the presence of various concentrations of alkali metal (M+ = Li+, Na+) and alkaline-earth metal (M2+ = Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+) perchlorates were examined by spectrophotometry. The promoted formation of the trityl ion (Ph3C+) in the presence of metal ions was attributed to “chemical” interactions, such as coordination or covalent bonding between the halide ions and M+ or M2+ ions, and not merely the electrostatic interaction. The salt effects increased with methoxy-substituents on trityl chloride as non-substituted &lt; 4-methoxy &lt; 4,4′-dimethoxy &lt; 4,4′,4″-trimethoxytrityl. At higher RX (or X−) concentrations, not only “coordination”, but also precipitation reactions between X− and M+ or M2+ (except for Li+ and Mg2+) seemed to promote the ionization of RX. In the co-presence of a small amount of CH3SO3H, trityl benzoate gave the Ph3C+ ion upon the addition of LiClO4 or Mg(ClO4)2. A red color with strong fluorescence due to the zwitterion (R+–COO−) of Rhodamine (Rhodamine B base) was observed upon the addition of M+ and M2+, which should have been caused by an interaction between the metal ions and the intramolecule carboxylate (from the γ-lactone) of Rhodamine in the solution. The γ-lactone ring of Crystal Violet lactone in acetonitrile was cleaved by the addition of Mg(ClO4)2 to give a strong violet color, whereas, LiClO4, NaClO4, or Ba(ClO4)2 had no (or very small) effects in the solution. It was found that the interactions between X− or RCOO− and M+ or M2+ in acetonitrile were strong enough to promote the ionization of partly ionized covalent bonds.
Reactions of Bis(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)methanol in Common Organic Solvents in the Presence of an Acid
Authors: Wada Masanori , Konishi Hideki , Kai Takanori , Takeuchi Hiroshi , Natsume Satoko , Erabi Tatsuo 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The title compound, Φ2CHOH [Φ = 2,6-(MeO)2C6H3] (1), reacted in acetone under mild conditions in the presence of acid to give a new ketone, Φ2CHCH2COMe. Analogous reactions were observed in some other alkyl ketones and aldehydes, such as diethyl ketone, methyl phenyl ketone, 2,4-pentanedione, propanal, and butanal. In ethyl methyl ketone, an 80 : 20 mixture of Φ2CHCHMeCOMe and Φ2CHCH2COEt was obtained in agreement with the pKE values of two enols derived from ethyl methyl ketone. Compound 1 reacted in primary and secondary alcohols to give the reduced compound, Φ2CH2 (6), and the corresponding aldehyde and ketone derived from the alcohols, respectively. The reactivity of the alcohols was in the order, 1-propanol ≈ 1-butanol &lt; ethanol &lt; 2-butanol &lt; 2-propanol. Compound 1 also reacted in ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran and diethyl ether, to give 6. It was either recovered unreacted from 2-methyl-2-propanol and from dimethyl sulfoxide, or it reacted under more forcing conditions to give products derived by Φ–C bond cleavage, followed by reactions of 1 with ΦH.