bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the efficacy of subcutaneous carbon dioxide insufflations for treating acute non specific neck pain in general practice: A sham controlled randomized trial
Authors: Brockow Thomas , Heißner Thomas , Franke Annegret , Resch Karl‐Ludwig 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground: Subcutaneous carbon dioxide insufflations are a safe and inexpensive treatment modality in complementary medicine and are used mainly in musculoskeletal pain and vascular conditions. However, no rigorous trial exists on their efficacy.Aims: To evaluate whether patients with acute non specific neck pain get pain free sooner, if treated with subcutaneous carbon dioxide insufflations compared to sham ultrasound.Methods: One hundred and twenty‐six persons from one German general practice with acute non specific neck pain less than 7 days and a current pain intensity ≥40mm on a 100mm visual analogue scale were included into the trial. Participants received either a maximum number of nine subcutaneous carbon dioxide insufflations or a maximum number of nine sham ultrasound administered by four therapists in a randomized order, thrice weekly. Main outcome measure was time to neck pain relief during a 28 days follow‐up period from baseline analyzed by intention to treat.Results: Twenty‐seven of 63 patients (43%) got neck pain free in the subcutaneous carbon dioxide insufflations group compared to 29 of 63 (46%) in the sham ultrasound group. Median time to neck pain relief was 28 days in both groups (p=.77; logrank test). Secondary analyses yielded similar results.Conclusions: The study indicates that subcutaneous carbon dioxide insufflations are not superior to sham ultrasound for treating patients with acute non specific neck pain. Because course of pain did not differ from the one expected from self limitation, it is likely that non specific effects played only a minor role, if any, in both interventions.
Animal models of neonatal stroke and response to erythropoietin and cardiotrophin‐1
Authors: Sola Augusto , Peng Hui , Rogido Marta , Wen Tong‐Chun 
Published: September 2007

AbstractNeonatal stroke is increasingly recognized in preterm and term infants, and the rate of arterial ischemic infarction occurring around the time of birth is as high as the annual incidence of large‐vessel ischemic stroke in adults. Thus, neonatal stroke is a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality, and a considerable number of these children will develop long‐term neurodevelopmental disabilities. Our ability to investigate this situation has been limited by the technical challenges in developing suitable animal models. Our objective is to describe recent evidence in relation to animal models of neonatal stroke. In addition, we review and report potential neuroprotective strategies specific to neonatal stroke, with a focus on erythropoietin and cardiotrophin‐1 because of their potential role in protection as well as repair.
Gender as a determinant of some nigerian adolescents' self‐concepts
Authors: Olowu A.A. 
Published: September 2007

A review of some theories of sex identification in relation to self‐concept was attempted.A self‐concept scale (Semantic differential) was administered on 264 boys and 108 girls. The ages range between 15·5 and 17·0 years with a mean of 16·7 years. The subjects were all Nigerians.It was found that the boys had significantly (P<0·001) more positive self‐concepts than the girls on all the six self‐concept areas. The results were discussed in the light of psychological, physiological and social differences of the two groups. The socio‐cultural environment of the sample was taken into consideration in discussing the results.
Carbon isotope stratigraphy of the upper Telychian and lower Sheinwoodian (Llandovery–Wenlock, Silurian) of the Banwy River section, Wales
Authors: LOYDELL D. K. , FRÝDA J. 
Published: September 2007

Abstractδ13Corg and TOC data are presented from the upper spiralis Biozone (Telychian, Llandovery, Silurian) through to the upper Sheinwoodian (Wenlock, Silurian) of the Banwy River section, Wales. In laminated hemipelagites from the Telychian, δ13Corg values rise through the upper lapworthi Biozone to a maximum in the lower insectus Biozone after which they decline slightly. The most conspicuous feature of the δ13Corg curve is the prolonged positive excursion in the Sheinwoodian, commencing in the upper murchisoni Biozone and ending in strata yielding Monograptus flexilis. This Sheinwoodian positive δ13C excursion in the Banwy River section correlates precisely with that recognized in the East Baltic. The interval with the highest δ13Corg values also records the highest TOC values, suggesting that for the Sheinwoodian at least burial of carbon may have contributed to the positive δ13C excursion. Bioturbated strata yield very low TOC values; whether the δ13Corg values from these beds reflect a primary signal or the result of biostratinomic or diagenetic modification is uncertain.
ABORTION INDEX AND MORTALITY OF OFFSPRING AMONG WOMEN OF DIFFERENT AGE, CASTE AND POPULATION GROUPS OF NORTH INDIAN MUSLIMS
Authors: ARA GULSHAN , SIDDIQUE YASIR HASAN , BEG TANVEER , AFZAL MOHAMMAD 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThe Muslims of Aligarh city are predominantly Sunnis, although there are also a considerable number of Shias. Among the Sunnis, approximately a quarter belong to Syed, Sheikh, Moghal and Pathan groups, and three-quarters belong to various lower biradaris. In the present study, 304 women attending the Primary Health Centre of the J. N. Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh, were surveyed and the following recorded among Muslim women of high-rank (Ashraf) and low-rank (Ajlaf) castes: incidence of marriage, age of the mother at the time of marriage, present age of the mother, abortions, still births, pre-reproductive mortality and overall mortality. The Ashraf are comprised of the Sheikh, Syed and Pathan, whereas the Ajlafs have Qureshi, Saifi and Ansari biradaris. Maternal age was scored as above and below 45 years in each biradari. Significant effects of maternal age were seen on mortality of offspring, whereas populations did not show consistent differences, except when Ashrafs and Ajlafs were considered separately. The results show higher mortality and abortions for various groups. This may be due to various biological and socio-cultural factors, including hidden inbreeding in the remote past.
Modelling control measures to reduce the impact of pandemic influenza among schoolchildren
Authors: CHEN S.-C. , LIAO C.-M. 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARYWe coupled the Wells–Riley equation and the susceptible–exposed–infected–recovery (SEIR) model to quantify the impact of the combination of indoor air-based control measures of enhanced ventilation and respiratory masking in containing pandemic influenza within an elementary school. We integrated indoor environmental factors of a real elementary school and aetiological characteristics of influenza to estimate the age-specific risk of infection (P) and basic reproduction number (R0). We combined the enhanced ventilation rates of 0·5, 1, 1·5, and 2/h and respiratory masking with 60%, 70%, 80%, and 95% efficacies, respectively, to predict the reducing level ofR0. We also took into account the critical vaccination coverage rate among schoolchildren. Age-specificPandR0were estimated respectively to be 0·29 and 16·90; 0·56 and 16·11; 0·59 and 12·88; 0·64 and 16·09; and 0·07 and 2·80 for five age groups 4–6, 7–8, 9–10, 11–12, and 25–45 years, indicating pre-schoolchildren have the highest transmission potential. We conclude that our integrated approach, employing the mechanism of transmission of indoor respiratory infection, population-dynamic transmission model, and the impact of infectious control programmes, is a powerful tool for risk profiling prediction of pandemic influenza among schoolchildren.
Epidemiological features of Mediterranean spotted fever, murine typhus, and Q fever in Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia), 1982–2002
Authors: PUNDA-POLIĆ V. , LUKŠIĆ B. , ČAPKUN V. 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARYWe determined the epidemiological features of three zoonoses in hospitalized patients in southern Croatia. Patients were diagnosed by serological testing. Clinical and epidemiological data were also collected. Between 1982 and 2002, Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) was diagnosed in 126 (incidence rate 1·27/100 000 per year), murine typhus (MT), in 57 (incidence rate 0·57/100 000 per year), and Q fever in 170 (incidence rate 1·7/100 000 per year) patients. MSF and Q fever were characterized by a marked seasonality. Incidences of Q fever and of MSF were higher for males than for females (P<0·0001 andP=0·0024, respectively). The most frequent of the three zoonoses in children was MSF. Q fever and MT cases were mostly seen in the 21–50 years age group. We found no statistically significant differences between season- and gender-specific incidence rates of MT. Whereas infections due to rickettsiae decreased, the incidence of Q fever increased over the last 12 years of the study.
Mechanisms underlying the anti‐inflammatory activity and gastric safety of acemetacin
Authors: Chávez‐Piña A E , McKnight W , Dicay M , Castañeda‐Hernández G , Wallace J L 
Published: September 2007

Background and purpose:Acemetacin is regarded as a pro‐drug of indomethacin and induces significantly less gastric damage but the reasons for this greater gastric safety of acemetacin are unclear. The anti‐inflammatory effects of acemetacin have been attributed, at least in part, to its hepatic biotransformation to indomethacin. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of acemetacin and indomethacin in an in vivo model of acute inflammation and to examine the importance of biotransformation of acemetacin (to indomethacin) to its anti‐inflammatory actions.Experimental approach:The zymosan airpouch model was used in rats. Indomethacin or acemetacin (2.7–83.8 μmol kg−1) were administered orally or directly into the pouch. Leukocyte infiltration, prostaglandin (PG) E2 and leukotriene (LT) B4 levels in exudates, and whole blood thromboxane (TX) B2 synthesis were measured.Key results:Acemetacin was rapidly converted to indomethacin after its administration. Both acemetacin and indomethacin elicited comparable, dose‐dependent reductions of leukocyte infiltration and of PGE2 and TXB2 synthesis. However, indomethacin induced more gastric damage than acemetacin and elevated LTB4 production in the airpouch.Conclusions and implications:The similar effects of acemetacin and indomethacin on leukocyte infiltration and PG synthesis are consistent with rapid biotransformation of acemetacin to indomethacin. Some of this biotransformation may occur extra‐hepatically, for instance in inflammatory exudates. Acemetacin probably exerts actions independent of conversion to indomethacin, given the different effects of these two drugs on LTB4 production. Such differences may contribute to the relative gastric safety of acemetacin compared to indomethacin.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 152, 930–938; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707451; published online 17 September 2007
The classroom in your pocket?1
Authors: Power Tom , Thomas Rhodri 
Published: September 2007

Research exploring the ways in which information communication technologies (ICTs) could improve access to, and the quality of, teacher education in the global south (Leach et al., 2006) showed that when teachers were given sustained training, support and access to laptop and handheld computers, they found the handheld and laptop computers equally useful, both as tools for their own professional development and as tools for supporting classroom practices. Those who expressed a preference for one device over the other identified the handheld computer as the best tool for supporting teacher professional development and practice, particularly in rural communities.This article reports the findings of a recent one‐year project which built on the previous research, but which focused solely on the potential of handheld computers for teacher professional development. Many studies have investigated the use of handheld computers in classroom settings but most of these focus on pupil learning (e.g. Fung et al., 1998; Yarnall et al., 2003). There is not yet a substantial body of literature on the potential of handhelds for teacher education, although Soloway (2002) argues that handhelds provide an opportunity for making major changes in educational settings.In this study, the teachers themselves used the analytical framework for teacher professional knowledge developed by Banks et al. (1999) to consider their own experiences with the handheld computers. This study finds that handheld digital tools offer a number of pedagogic and pragmatic advantages over laptop or desktop computers for teachers, especially in rural communities. However, further technical development is required fully to orient the devices to classroom practices (as opposed to the ‘office’ or ‘business’ orientation).
Managing Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization for Improved Bread Wheat Quality in Humid Environments
Authors: Thomason W. E. , Phillips S. B. , Pridgen T. H. , Kenner J. C. , Griffey C. A. , Beahm B. R. , Seabourn B. W. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTA large proportion of the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) milled and utilized by bakeries in the eastern United States is hard red winter wheat (HRWW). Potential for producing this higher value commodity in the eastern United States is dependent on availability of adapted HRWW cultivars that are competitive with soft red winter wheat (SRWW) cultivars and implementation of management systems to enhance end‐use quality. The effects of late‐season nitrogen (N) (0–45 kg of N/ha) applied at two growth stages (GS 45 and 54) and sulfur (S) (0–34 kg of S/ha) applied at GS 30 on grain, flour, and milling and breadbaking quality were evaluated. Three diverse wheat cultivars (Soissons, Heyne, and Renwood 3260) were studied in two to five environments. Application of S and late‐season N had little effect on grain yield. But N consistently increased grain and flour protein as well as bread loaf volume. The magnitude and significance of response to N and S varied by location and cultivar. While S alone did not have a significant effect on grain protein, S availability was critical in obtaining increased grain protein. Breadbaking quality of HRWW cultivars produced in the eastern United States can be improved through implementation of nutrient management approaches that include late‐season application of 34–45 kg of N/ha and addition of S, particularly on sandy soils where S availability in the subsoil is low.
Structure of RbFeO2, refined from a reticular pseudomerohedrally twinned crystal with six domains
Authors: Nuss Jürgen , Ali Naveed Zafar , Jansen Martin 
Published: September 2007

RbFeO2, rubidium oxoferrate, crystallizes as an orthorhombic structure. The crystals under investigation were composed of six individuals representing reticular pseudomerohedral twins with a pseudocubic twin lattice of index 4 because of the approximate equations a(8)1/2 = b(2)1/2 = c. The compound is isostructural with KFeO2 (KGaO2 type of structure) and is composed of [FeO4/2]– corner-sharing tetrahedra, forming a three-dimensional cristobalite-like network, with Rb+ ions occupying its interstices.
Effect of growth hormone deficiency and recombinant hGH (rhGH) replacement on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in children with idiopathic isolated GH deficiency
Authors: Giavoli Claudia , Bergamaschi Silvia , Ferrante Emanuele , Ronchi Cristina L. , Lania Andrea G. , Rusconi Roberto , Spada Anna , Beck‐Peccoz Paolo 
Published: September 2007

SummaryObjective  Recombinant hGH (rhGH) therapy may unmask central hypoadrenalism in adults with organic GH deficiency (GHD), likely by normalizing 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 isoenzyme (11βHSD1) activity and reducing cortisone to cortisol conversion. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in children with idiopathic isolated GHD and normal pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) both before and during rhGH therapy.Design and patients  This was a single‐centre study of 10 consecutive children [five males and five females, mean age: 12·2 ± 1·0 year]. Evaluation was performed at baseline and on rhGH (mean duration: 10·9 ± 2·9 months, mean dose: 0·030 ± 0·002 mg/kg bw/day).Measurements  HPA function was assessed by serum cortisol levels before and after appropriate provocative stimuli, that is, 1 µg ACTH test (N = 5 patients) or insulin tolerance test (ITT, N = 5 patients), evaluating all children with the same stimulation test both before and during rhGH therapy. Central hypoadrenalism was excluded by the presence of either a peak of > 500 nmol/l or a rise in cortisol levels of > 200 nmol/l, after both tests.Results  On rhGH therapy, serum IGF‐I levels normalized, while serum cortisol and ACTH levels did not significantly differ from those recorded at baseline. The mean serum cortisol peak after both provocative tests was not significantly different on rhGH therapy and at baseline (498 ± 41 vs. 580 ± 35 nmol/l, respectively, P = 0·06), the mean cortisol rise being 280 ± 45 and 270 ± 36 nmol/l on rhGH and at baseline, respectively.Conclusions  According to the diagnostic criteria, no child became hypoadrenal on rhGH, contrary to what observed in patients with organic GHD, further supporting the view that only in patients with organic multiple pituitary hormone deficiency GHD masks the presence of a hidden central hypoadrenalism.
Effects of ultraviolet radiation on litter decomposition depend on precipitation and litter chemistry in a shortgrass steppe ecosystem
Authors: BRANDT LESLIE A. , KING JENNIFER Y. , MILCHUNAS DANIEL G. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWe examined the effect of altered levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation (280–400 nm) and different amounts of precipitation on the decomposition rates of litter of contrasting carbon to nitrogen ratio (C : N) in a 3‐year field experiment in a shortgrass steppe (SGS) ecosystem. UV radiation was either blocked or passed under clear plastic tents where precipitation was applied to simulate a very dry or very wet year. These treatments minimized or maximized the abiotic component (UV) or the biotic component (biological activity of decomposer organisms) of decomposition to assess potential interactions between the two. Initial litter chemistry varied in response to having been grown under ambient or elevated atmospheric CO2concentrations. While precipitation and litter chemistry were the most important drivers in decomposition in this system, UV radiation increased decomposition rates under dry conditions in litter with higher C : N ratios. Exposure to UV radiation slightly increased the amount of holocellulose that was lost from the litter. UV exposure did not affect the decomposition of the lignin fraction. Increased decomposition with UV radiation was accompanied by a decrease in N immobilization over the summer months. These results suggest that the effects of UV radiation on decomposition rates may be primarily abiotic, caused by direct photochemical degradation of the litter. Our results demonstrate that the role of UV radiation in litter decomposition in semiarid systems depends on the aridity of the system and the chemistry of the litter.
Variation in the δ13C of foliage of Pinus sylvestris L. in relation to climate and additions of nitrogen: analysis of a 32‐year chronology
Authors: BETSON NICHOLAS R. , JOHANNISSON CHRISTIAN , LÖFVENIUS MIKAELL OTTOSSON , GRIP HARALD , GRANSTRÖM ANDERS , HÖGBERG PETER 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWe report an analysis of both the long‐ and short‐term drivers of the carbon (C) isotope composition (δ13C) values of current year needles of Pinus sylvestris L. linked to changing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations (ca) and climate using data from a uniquely long‐term nitrogen (N) fertilization experiment in the north of Sweden (consisting of three N dosage levels and a control treatment) from 1970 until 2002. N loading produced trees with less negative δ13C of foliage, by around 0.45‰ on average, with the difference in δ13C between control and N treatments not dependant upon N dosage. The average δ13C values decreased at a rate of around 0.03‰ yr−1, even after accounting for the Suess effect (the decrease in the atmospheric CO2δ13C due to anthropogenic emissions of isotopically light CO2). This decrease is large enough to cause a significant, progressive change in the δ13C down through a soil profile. Modelled values of plant intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) and the ratio of leaf internal to external [CO2] (ci/ca) showed that this was the result of ci increasing in parallel with ca (while ci/ca increased), thus causing little change in WUEi over the 32 years of study. The residuals from the relationships between year and δ13C were used to examine the impact of climate on the interannual variation of C isotope composition of needles. This included the use of a fire hazard index (FHI) model, which integrates climatic factors known to influence plant stomatal conductance and hence δ13C. The FHI produced the best fit with δ13C values when climate data were averaged over the whole growth season (for control plots) and for July for all the N treatments, explaining ca. 60% of the total interannual variation in δ13C. Further, trees from the N treatments appeared more susceptible to air‐humidity‐based climate parameters, as seen from higher correlation coefficients, than were control trees. Thus, our data suggest the possibility of increased susceptibility to drought conditions in ecosystems with moderate to high N deposition rates. Also, there is the possibility that, because there was no apparent change in WUEi of P. sylvestris in this ecosystem over the last 32 years, the rate of sequestration of C into boreal ecosystems may not increase with ca, as has been predicted.
Nurses’ views on the use, quality and user satisfaction with electronic medical records: questionnaire development
Authors: Otieno Ochieng George , Toyama Hinako , Asonuma Motohiro , Kanai‐Pak Masako , Naitoh Keiko 
Published: September 2007

Abstract Title. Nurses’ views on the use, quality and user satisfaction with electronic medical records: questionnaire development Aim.  This paper is a report of the development of an instrument to measure nurses’ views on the use, quality and user satisfaction with electronic medical records systems.Background.  Use of electronic medical records systems in hospitals is steadily increasing, yet no validated instruments have assessed the effectiveness of these systems from the viewpoint of nurses.Method.  Items were designed following a literature review based on three main constructs: use, quality and user satisfaction with electronic medical records. Reliability and validity were examined based on responses from 1666 nurses from 42 hospitals in Japan in February 2006. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the degree to which each item within a construct was associated. The reliability of each resultant factor was computed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Content validity was addressed by basing the items on previous surveys and review of the instrument by a panel of nurses experienced in nursing informatics. Construct validity was examined through factor analysis and correlational analyses.Findings.  Extent of ‘use’ of electronic medical records resulted into three factors with good factor loadings, but only two had acceptable reliability. ‘Quality’ of electronic medical records had two factors with good factor loadings and reliability. ‘User satisfaction’ with electronic medical records had three factors, but only one had acceptable reliability. ‘Use’ and ‘quality’ constructs were positively correlated with ‘user satisfaction’.Conclusion.  The final instrument incorporates 34 items from the original 44‐item pool. Initial validity results were positive and therefore the instrument can be used in evaluating electronic medical records in hospitals.