bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social support and symptoms of postpartum depression among new mothers in Eastern Turkey
Authors: Ege Emel , Timur Sermin , Zincir Handan , Geçkil Emine , Sunar‐Reeder Bulbin 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAim:  The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between symptoms of postpartum depression and social support in new mothers in a semi‐rural province (Malatya) of Eastern Turkey.Methods:  This is a descriptive, cross‐sectional study. The study was conducted with a 12‐item Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) questionnaire, a 10‐item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire, and a 16‐item demographic/obstetric questionnaire designed by the authors. 364 women who were between 6 to 48 weeks postpartum were included in the study.Results:  Symptoms of postpartum depression were negatively correlated with social support (−0.39, P = 0.000). The frequency of the prevalence of symptoms of postpartum depression was 33.2%. The study showed that EPDS mean score was related to several factors, including age, woman's education, woman's occupation, socioeconomic status of family, spouse's education, number of years married, parity, planned pregnancy, method of delivery, knowledge of infant care, sharing of problems with a close person, past psychiatric history and family support during the postnatal period in an Eastern province of Turkey.Conclusion:  Symptoms of postpartum depression were negatively correlated among Turkish women living in the Malatya province of Eastern Turkey and were associated with the level of social support. The prevalence of postpartum depression was higher than in the published reports regarding most regions of Turkey, with the exception of Northeastern Turkey.
Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH)‐I regulation of interleukin (IL)‐1b and IL‐1 receptor antagonist expression in cultured human endometrial stromal cells
Authors: Raga Francisco , Casañ Eva M. , Bonilla‐Musoles Fernando 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAim:  Human endometrium is an active site of cytokine production and action. Among these cytokines, the interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) system seems to be relevant to the embryonic implantation process. We have previously reported the production of GnRH‐I by human blastocyst, as well as the presence of GnRH‐I receptor in human endometrium. This suggests a close interaction between the immune and endocrine systems through these cytokine mediators in embryonic implantation.Methods:  To test the relevance of this interaction during embryonic implantation, we investigated GnRH‐I regulation of IL‐1b and IL‐1ra mRNA and protein expression in human endometrial stromal cells using quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction and ELISA.Results:  IL‐1b mRNA and protein expression in cultured human endometrial stromal cells was significantly enhanced by GnRH‐agonist in comparison to control groups. IL‐1ra mRNA and protein was significantly decreased by GnRH‐agonist in comparison to control groups. In contrast, the GnRH‐antagonist ablated the regulatory effects of GnRH agonist in 1b and IL‐1ra mRNA and protein levels in a dose‐dependent manner.Conclusions:  In conclusion, these results suggest a possible close interaction between the immune and endocrine systems in human embryonic implantation through the classical neuropeptide hormone GnRH and its receptor.
Anxiety and prevalence of psychiatric disorders among patients awaiting surgery for suspected ovarian cancer
Authors: Sukegawa Akiko , Miyagi Etsuko , Asai‐Sato Mikiko , Saji Haruya , Sugiura Ken , Matsumura Takehiko , Kamijyo Atsushi , Hirayasu Yoshio , Okamoto Naoyuki , Hirahara Fumiki 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAim:  The goal of the current study was to determine the anxiety level and prevalence of psychiatric disorders among patients awaiting surgery for ovarian tumors. Also analyzed were the predictive factors for psychiatric disorders and changes after surgical diagnosis.Methods:  Patients who underwent surgery for ovarian tumors were examined before and after surgery with the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, the Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Mausley Personality Inventory (MPI). Participants diagnosed with cancer were examined a third time after being given an explanation about whether or not adjuvant chemotherapy was required.Results:  Twenty‐seven participants completed the study and were analyzed. Nine (33.3%) of these 27 participants were diagnosed as having adjustment disorder. There were no differences in the demographic data, STAI trait anxiety score and MPI score between the participants with or without adjustment disorder. At the pre‐surgical interview, the STAI state anxiety score of the participants was high (49.5 ± 10.30). After pathological examination of the tumors, it was found that 12 patients had cancer (malignant group) and 15 patients had a benign tumor (benign group). At pre‐surgery, the prevalence of adjustment disorder and the level of anxiety in the benign group were similar to those in the malignant group. There was a second surge of anxiety in patients who needed chemotherapy.Conclusion:  The above findings demonstrate that patients with suspected ovarian cancer experience a high level of anxiety. Physicians should be aware of the risk of adjustment disorder in these patients. Additionally, ovarian cancer patients need psychological assessment during the course of treatment.
Safety of Trans Vaginal Mesh procedure: Retrospective study of 684 patients
Authors: Caquant Fréderic , Collinet Pierre , Debodinance Philippe , Berrocal Juan , Garbin Olivier , Rosenthal Claude , Clave Henri , Villet Richard , Jacquetin Bernard , Cosson Michel 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAim:  To study peri‐surgical complications after cure of genital prolapse by vaginal route using interposition of synthetic prostheses Gynemesh Prolene Soft (Gynecare) following the Trans Vaginal Mesh (TVM) technique.Methods:  The present retrospective multicentered study comprised 684 patients who underwent surgery at seven French centers between October 2002 and December 2004. All patients had a genital prolapse ≥3 (C3/H3/E3/R3) according to International continence society (ICS) classification. According to each case, prosthetic interposition was total, or anterior only or posterior only. Patients were systematically seen 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery. Multivaried statistical analysis followed a model of logistic regression applied to each post‐surgical complication.Results:  The mean age of patients was 63.5 years (30–94). The mean follow‐up period was 3.6 months. 84.3% of patients were post‐menopause, 24.3% had hysterectomy, 16.7% previous cure of prolapse, and 11.1% cure of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). During the procedure, hysterectomy was combined in 50.3% of cases, cervix amputation in 1.5%, and cure of SUI in 40.9%. 15.8% were treated for a cystocele only. 14.8% had only a rectocele +/− elytrocele and 69.4% had a prolapse touching both compartments, anterior and posterior. In peri‐surgical complications, (2%) were five bladder wounds (0.7%), one rectal wound (0.15%) and seven hemorrhages greater that 200 mL (1%). Among early post‐surgical complications (during the first month after surgery) (2.8%) were two pelvic abscesses (0.29%), 13 pelvic hematomas (1.9%), one pelvic cellulitis (0.15%), two vesicovaginal fistulas and one rectovaginal fistula (0.15%). Among late post‐surgical complications (33.6%) there were 77 granulomas or prosthetic expositions (11.3% [6.7% in the vaginal anterior wall, 2.1% in the vaginal posterior wall and 4.8% in the fornix]), 80 prosthetic retractions (11.7%), 36 relapse of prolapse (6.9%) and 37 SUI de novo (5.4%). Multivaried analysis shows that previous history of hysterectomy or placing of an isolated anterior prosthesis increase the risk of peri‐surgical complication; preserved uterus and isolated posterior prosthesis lessen the risk of granulomas and prosthetic retractions; and association of a Richter's intervention increases the rate of prosthetic retractions.Conclusion:  Cure of genital prolapse with synthetic prostheses interposed by vaginal route is now reliable and can be reproduced with a low rate of peri‐ and early post‐surgical complications. However, our study shows a certain number of late post‐surgical complications after insertion of strengthening synthetic vaginal implants (prosthetic expositions and prosthetic retractions). These retrospective results will soon be compared to a prospective study.
Chromium supplementation enhances insulin signalling in skeletal muscle of obese KK/HlJ diabetic mice
Authors: Chen W.‐Y. , Chen C.‐J. , Liu C.‐H. , Mao F. C. 
Published: August 2008

Aim:  Chromium is an essential nutrient required for glucose and lipid metabolism. Laboratory and clinical evidences indicate that chromium supplementation may improve insulin sensitivity by enhancing intracellular signalling. Considerable evidence suggests that serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) at 307 residue (IRS1‐Ser307) inhibits insulin signalling and results in peripheral insulin resistance. Therefore, we investigated whether chromium‐associated insulin action was mediated by modulation of IRS1‐Ser307 phosphorylation.Methods:  Male KK/HlJ mice (genetically obese and insulin resistant) were supplemented daily with chromium‐containing milk powder or placebo for 7 weeks. In analysing functionally characterized insulin resistance, the changes of blood biochemicals, inflammatory factors and insulin signalling molecules in skeletal muscle were analysed.Results:  Using KK mice model, we demonstrated that daily supplementation of trivalent chromium‐containing milk powder reduced serum levels of glucose, insulin and triglycerides, and improved glucose and insulin tolerance. Mechanistic study showed that chromium supplementation activated postreceptor insulin signalling such as increasing IRS1, IRS1 tyrosine phosphorylation, p85α regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase and glucose transporter 4 expression, stimulating Akt activity, downregulating c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activity and decreasing IRS1 ubiquitinization and insulin resistance‐associated IRS1 phosphorylation (IRS1‐Ser307) in skeletal muscle. In addition, chromium supplementation attenuated pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression in both blood circulation and skeletal muscle.Conclusion:  Our data suggest that chromium‐containing milk powder supplementation can provide a beneficial effect in diabetic subjects by enhancing insulin signalling in skeletal muscle. The improvement in insulin signalling by chromium was associated with the decreased IRS1‐Ser307 phosphorylation, JNK activity and pro‐inflammatory cytokine production.
Cementless total ankle arthroplasty in diabetic neuropathic arthropathy
Authors: Lee K.‐B. , Cho S.‐G. , Seon J.‐K. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground  Neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) is a progressive degenerative disease of a joint that may lead to severe deformity and dysfunction and it is now recognized that diabetes is the leading cause of Charcot joint. When the ankle is involved and conservative treatment fails arthrodesis has commonly been performed, whereas arthroplasty has previously been considered to be contraindicated. A total ankle arthroplasty in Charcot ankle has not been previously reported.Case report  We report the case of a 45‐year old, diabetic woman with unilateral Charcot ankle.Conclusions  The woman successfully completed a rehabilitation programme and, 2 years after total ankle arthroplasty, achieved independence.
TWO CONCEPTIONS OF LIBERALISM: Theology, Creation, and Politics in the Thought of Immanuel Kant and Edmund Burke1
Authors: Insole Christopher J. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTConstitutional liberal practices are capable of being normatively grounded by a number of different metaphysical positions. Kant provides one such grounding, in terms of the autonomously derived moral law. I argue that the work of Edmund Burke provides a resource for an alternative construal of constitutional liberalism, compatible with, and illumined by, a broadly Thomistic natural law worldview. I contrast Burke's treatment of the relationship between truth and cognition, prudence and rights, with that of his contemporary, Kant. We find that in each case where Kant's system is constructed from the first principle of autonomy, Burke's thought is oriented toward an end that is not of our making. Readings of Burke as a natural law thinker are currently out of fashion among Burke commentators; without relying, for the main thesis, on historical claims about Burke's “Thomism,” I nonetheless explore and challenge some of the assumptions that underlie the current orthodoxy.
KIERKEGAARD ON PATIENCE AND THE TEMPORALITY OF THE SELF: The Virtues of a Being in Time
Authors: Rudd Anthony 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper examines Kierkegaard's discussion of patience in some of hisUpbuilding Discourses, and its connection with his understanding of the nature of selfhood as it appears both in theDiscoursesand inThe Sickness unto Death. That understanding stresses that selfhood is not simply given, but is a task to be achieved—although a task that can only be achieved by the self that is formed in the process of undertaking it. For Kierkegaard, an account of the self that recognizes its essential temporality must give a crucial role to patience as a virtue necessary for the formation and maintenance of personal identity. However, although the self is essentially temporal for Kierkegaard, it is also essentially such as to participate in eternity, and this complexity and tension in his concept of the self gives his understanding of patience a particular character—one that presents an important challenge to some of the dominant assumptions of recent and contemporary philosophy in both the analytic and the continental traditions.
COMPOSITION AS A SECONDARY QUALITY
Authors: KRIEGEL URIAH 
Published: August 2008

Abstract: The ‘special composition question’ is this: given objects O1, . . . , On, under what conditions is there an object O, such that O1, . . . , On compose O? This paper explores a heterodox answer to this question, one that casts composition as a secondary quality. According to the approach I want to consider, there is an O that O1, . . . , On compose (roughly) just in case a normal intuiter would, under normal conditions, intuit that there is.
A study on plucked hair as a substrate for direct immunofluorescence in pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Daneshpazhooh M , Asgari M , Naraghi ZS , Barzgar MR , Akhyani M , Balighi K , Chams‐Davatchi C 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground  It has recently been demonstrated in a study on 15 patients that plucked hair can be used as a substrate for direct immunofluorescence (DIF) in pemphigus.Objective  Our aim was to assess the sensitivity of DIF on plucked hairs in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients with positive DIF of oral mucosa.Methods  One hundred and ten new PV patients were enrolled in the study. They all showed the typical clinical and histological findings as well as positive DIF of the oral mucosa, diagnostic for PV. Approximately 30 hairs were obtained in the same way as for the trichogram. The hairs with their outer root sheaths (ORS) were processed for DIF in order to detect immunoglobulin G and C3.Results  Immunodeposits favouring PV were demonstrated in the ORS of 100 cases showing a sensitivity of 91%.Conclusion  Regarding the relatively high sensitivity of DIF on plucked hair in PV patients with positive oral mucosal DIF in our study, it seems that hair plucking is a suitable alternative to the more invasive techniques of skin or mucosal biopsy for obtaining specimens for DIF in PV.Conflicts of interestNone declared
Aging and electrocortical response to error feedback during a spatial learning task
Authors: Mathewson Karen J. , Dywan Jane , Snyder Peter J. , Tays William J. , Segalowitz Sidney J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractEvent‐related potentials were collected as older and younger adults responded to error feedback in an adaptation of the Groton Maze Learning Test, an age‐sensitive measure of spatial learning and executive skills expected to maximally involve anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Older adults made more errors and produced smaller feedback‐related negativities (FRNs) than young controls. LORETA source localization revealed that, for young adults, neural activation associated with the FRN was focused in ACC and was stronger to negative feedback. Older adults responded with less intense and less differentiated ACC activation, but FRN amplitudes did relate to error rate for the most difficult mazes. The feedback P3 was sensitive to negative feedback but played no role in the prediction of error for either group. These data reflect the selective age‐related decline of ACC response but also its continued contribution to performance monitoring in aging.
Modelling the benefits of American Mink Mustela vison management options for terns in west Scotland
Authors: RATCLIFFE NORMAN , CRAIK CLIVE , HELYAR ALICE , ROY SUGOTO , SCOTT MARTIN 
Published: August 2008

American Mink Mustela vison is a semi‐aquatic predator that has invaded the west coast of Scotland and many of its associated islands. We developed a GIS model of their potential range based on their dispersal abilities and habitat use, which revealed that most islands in west Scotland are accessible to Mink, and that these host a large proportion of the region's Common Sterna hirundo and Arctic Terns S. paradisaea. Mink are predators on tern eggs and chicks, and statistical modelling of long‐term productivity data demonstrated that unprotected sites within their range have an average productivity of 0.33 chicks per pair, whereas that at sites where Mink were trapped was 253% higher. We assessed the benefits of current Mink control projects for terns in the Western Isles and the remainder of west Scotland using a population modelling approach. This showed that both projects delivered considerable benefits for Common Terns, because a large proportion of their numbers were within the area of the control programmes and in sites that would be accessible to Mink if no control were in operation. For Arctic Terns, the benefits were less clear, as a larger proportion of their numbers were outside the control areas, and many of these were in sites isolated from, or unsuitable for, Mink. We discuss the implications of these findings for future strategic planning of Mink management in west Scotland.
Using inter‐colony variation in demographic parameters to assess the impact of skua predation on seabird populations
Authors: VOTIER STEPHEN C. , HEUBECK MARTIN , FURNESS ROBERT W. 
Published: August 2008

Large skuas and gulls are top predators in marine ecosystems, feeding on shoaling fish, fishery discards and facultatively on smaller seabirds. As generalist predators they may have deleterious impacts on prey populations of seabirds, particularly when alternative foods are scarce. Declines in discards and lipid‐rich shoaling fish may result in these large scavenging birds turning to prey on seabirds to meet their nutritional needs, yet we know relatively little about seabird predator–prey dynamics. Declines in Black‐legged Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla in the UK are attributed to reductions in Sandeel Ammodytes marinus availability, but may also be due to predation by Great Skuas Stercorarius skua in some parts of their range. We investigate whether variation in two demographic parameters (breeding success and population growth rate) of Kittiwake colonies across Shetland are explained by skua population density at increasing spatial scales (rings with radii of 0–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–20, 20–25 and 25–30 km) and Kittiwake population density. These explanatory variables do not explain a significant amount of the variation in annual population growth rate (lambda), but our estimate of population change is highly conservative and we cannot exclude the possibility of type II errors. Kittiwake breeding success is positively correlated with Sandeel availability and negatively correlated with the number of Kittiwakes at the focal colony. Having controlled for these effects the number of Great Skuas also has an influence on breeding success, being negatively correlated at the scale of 5–10 and 20–25 km, but positively correlated at the scale of 10–15 km. In addition, analysis of Kittiwake populations subdivided into exposed or protected cliffs reveals that exposed sub‐colonies declined more steeply than protected ones – presumably as a function of differences in susceptibility to Skua predation. We propose that comparing differences in demographic rates may be useful in unravelling seabird predator–prey dynamics, but only where there is a comprehensive demographic dataset, where it is possible to correct for confounding factors such as food availability, and information on habitat–predation interactions.
A peptide inhibitor of c‐Jun promotes wound healing in a mouse full‐thickness burn model
Authors: Giles Natalie , Rea Suzanne , Beer Trevor , Wood Fiona M. , Fear Mark W. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTSignificant damage to tissue surrounding burn injuries occurs after the removal of the thermal source. This damage is caused by a combination of both necrotic and apoptotic cell death in the zone of stasis. Preserving the zone of stasis can reduce the wound size and thereby improve wound healing. We tested whether a peptide previously identified to inhibit necrotic and apoptotic cell death in neurons through c‐Jun inhibition could enhance wound healing. We first tested the effects of this peptide on a keratinocyte and fibroblast cell line in culture. The peptide promoted proliferation of keratinocytes but had no effect on fibroblast proliferation, while the peptide also inhibited ultraviolet‐induced apoptosis of keratinocytes. We finally tested the peptide in vivo, using a mouse model of burn injury. Wounds that were treated with the peptide reepithelialized faster than controls, while cell death surrounding the wound site was markedly reduced 24 hours postinjury, suggesting that the prevention of apoptosis as well as the proliferative effects of this peptide contribute to the wound healing process. Our data implicate c‐Jun in multiple processes during wound repair and demonstrate that treatment of burn injuries using inhibitors of c‐Jun dimerization at the time of injury can promote wound healing.
Deciding to Opt Out of Childhood Vaccination Mandates
Authors: Gullion Jessica Smartt , Henry Lisa , Gullion Greg 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT
Objectives: We explore the attitudes and beliefs of parents who consciously choose not to vaccinate their children and the ways in which these parents process information on the pros and cons of vaccines.Design: In‐depth, semistructured interviews were conducted.Sample: The study population consisted of 25 parents who do not vaccinate their children, identified through snowball and targeted sampling.Methods: Participants were asked about their processes and actions when choosing not to vaccinate their children. Interviews were taped and transcribed, and the content was analyzed for emergent themes.Results: Two predominant themes emerged in our data: a desire to collect information on vaccines and trust issues with the medical community. Evidence of sophisticated data collection and information processing was a repeated theme in the interview data. Simultaneously, while participants placed a high value on scientific knowledge, they also expressed high levels of distrust of the medical community.Conclusions: The challenge for public health is to balance scientific data with popular epidemiology and to maintain legitimacy. Understanding the differences in lay versus expert knowledge has implications for crafting health messages. How experts frame knowledge for consumption has an important impact on this group and their decision‐making processes.