bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New Technique for Rectal Division in Laparoscopic Anterior Resection—with Video
Authors: Fukunaga Yosuke , Higashino Masayuki , Tanimura Shinya , Takemura Masashi , Fujiwara Yushi , Osugi Harushi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundA new technique for performing laparoscopic anterior resection is described. Main differences from the standard technique are (1) pneumoperitoneum to improve exposure of the rectum, even in a narrow pelvis; (2) rectal division performed using a conventional linear stapler inserted via a 4.5 cm suprapubic incision; and (3) eversion of the rectum for tumors close to the anal verge, with transection performed under direct vision.MethodsResults in 78 patients who underwent transabdominal transection and in 7 patients requiring rectal eversion were compared retrospectively with those in 61 consecutive patients who had undergone standard laparoscopic resection.ResultsThe duration of the operation and estimated blood loss were greater with rectal eversion, and more staple cartridges were used for the conventional technique; however, the incidence of complications was similar for all three groups. Five patients in the conventional group required conversion to an open procedure.ConclusionThe new technique should improve the safety of resection.
Racial Differences in Beliefs About the Effectiveness and Necessity of Mental Health Treatment
Authors: Anglin Deidre M. , Alberti Philip M. , Link Bruce G. , Phelan Jo C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMembers of racial/ethnic minority groups are less likely than Caucasians to access mental health services despite recent evidence of more favorable attitudes regarding treatment effectiveness. The present study explored this discrepancy by examining racial differences in beliefs about how the natural course and seriousness of mental illnesses relate to perceived treatment effectiveness. The analysis is based on a nationally representative sample of 583 Caucasian and 82 African American participants in a vignette experiment about people living with mental illness. While African Americans were more likely than Caucasians to believe that mental health professionals could help individuals with schizophrenia and major depression, they were also more likely to believe mental health problems would improve on their own. This belief was unrelated to beliefs about treatment effectiveness. These findings suggest that a belief in treatment effectiveness may not increase service utilization among African Americans who are more likely to believe treatment is unnecessary.
Identification methods and deterministic factors of owl roadkill hotspot locations in Mediterranean landscapes
Authors: Gomes Luís , Grilo Clara , Silva Clara , Mira António 
Published: July 2008

AbstractRoad fatalities are among the major causes of mortality for Strigiformes species and may affect the population's survival. The use of mitigation strategies must be considered to overcome this problem. However, because mitigation along the total length of all roads is not financially feasible, the locations where Strigiformes roadkills are more frequent (i.e., road fatality hotspots) must be identified. In addition to hotspot identification, factors that influence the occurrence of such fatalities should be recognized to allow mitigation measures to be delineated. We used road fatality data collected from 311 km of southern Portugal roads over a 2‐year period to compare the performance of five hotspot identification methods: binary logistic regression (BLR), ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA), Kernel density estimation, nearest neighbor hierarchical clustering (NNHC), and Malo's method. BLR and ENFA modelling were also used for recognizing roadkill deterministic factors. Our results suggest that Malo's method should be preferred for hotspot identification. The main factors driving owl roadkillings are those associated with good habitat conditions for species occurrence and specific conditions that promote hunting behavior near roads. Based on these factors, several mitigation measures are recommended.
Interannual NPP variation and trend of Picea schrenkiana forests under changing climate conditions in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China
Authors: Sang Weiguo , Su Hongxin 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe interannual net primary production variation and trends of a Picea schrenkiana forest were investigated in the context of historical changes in climate and increased atmospheric CO2 concentration at four sites in the Tianshan Mountain range, China. Historical changes in climate and atmospheric CO2 concentration were used as Biome–BGC model drivers to evaluate the spatial patterns and temporal trends of net primary production (NPP). The temporal dynamics of NPP of P. schrenkiana forests were different in the western, middle and eastern sites of Tianshan, which showed substantial interannual variation. Climate changes would result in increased NPP at all study sites, but only the change in NPP in the western forest (3.186 gC m−2 year−1, P < 0.05) was statistically significant. Our study also showed a higher increase in the air temperature, precipitation and NPP during 1987–2000 than 1961–1986. Statistical analysis indicates that changes in NPP are positively correlated with annual precipitation (R = 0.77–0.92) but that NPP was less sensitive to changes in air temperature. According to the simulation, increases in atmospheric CO2 increased NPP by improving the water use efficiency. The results of this study show that the Tianshan Mount boreal forest ecosystem is sensitive to historical changes in climate and increasing atmospheric CO2. The relative impacts of these variations on NPP interact in complex ways and are spatially variable, depending on local conditions and climate gradients.
Compliance with momentary pain measurement using electronic diaries: A systematic review
Authors: Morren Mattijn , van Dulmen Sandra , Ouwerkerk Jessika , Bensing Jozien 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTElectronic diaries are increasingly used to assess daily pain in many different forms and populations. This systematic review aims to survey the characteristics of studies using electronic pain diaries and to examine how these characteristics affect compliance. A literature search of 11 electronic databases was conducted. Studies were evaluated on the basis of predetermined inclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. Study characteristics were grouped into four categories: general, population, electronic diary, and sampling procedure (i.e., response, attrition, and compliance rates) including strategies to enhance compliance. The 62 included publications reported from 43 different datasets. Papers were usually written in English and published as from 2000. Samples mostly consisted of female chronic pain patients aged 19–65 years from western countries. Most diaries held less than 20 items and were completed up to 6 times daily at fixed or prompted times for 1 month at most. Less than 25% of the studies reported both response and attrition rates; however, a majority reported compliance. Compliance was generally high, and positively associated with shorter diaries, age, having a user's manual, financial compensation and using an alarm. It is important that the various study characteristics are catalogued carefully, especially response and attrition rates, because they can affect compliance. Measures of momentary pain are often developed for the purpose of a certain study; standardisation and validation of these measures is recommended. Finally, authors should mention whether they report on data that has also been used in previous studies.
Comparison of dorsal root ganglion gene expression in rat models of traumatic and HIV‐associated neuropathic pain
Authors: Maratou Klio , Wallace Victoria C.J. , Hasnie Fauzia S. , Okuse Kenji , Hosseini Ramine , Jina Nipurna , Blackbeard Julie , Pheby Timothy , Orengo Christine , Dickenson Anthony H. , McMahon Stephen B. , Rice Andrew S.C. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTTo elucidate the mechanisms underlying peripheral neuropathic pain in the context of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy, we measured gene expression in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of rats subjected to systemic treatment with the anti‐retroviral agent, ddC (Zalcitabine) and concomitant delivery of HIV‐gp120 to the rat sciatic nerve. L4 and L5 DRGs were collected at day 14 (time of peak behavioural change) and changes in gene expression were measured using Affymetrix whole genome rat arrays. Conventional analysis of this data set and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to discover biological processes altered in this model. Transcripts associated with G protein coupled receptor signalling and cell adhesion were enriched in the treated animals, while ribosomal proteins and proteasome pathways were associated with gene down‐regulation. To identify genes that are directly relevant to neuropathic mechanical hypersensitivity, as opposed to epiphenomena associated with other aspects of the response to a sciatic nerve lesion, we compared the gp120+ddC‐evoked gene expression with that observed in a model of traumatic neuropathic pain (L5 spinal nerve transection), where hypersensitivity to a static mechanical stimulus is also observed. We identified 39 genes/expressed sequence tags that are differentially expressed in the same direction in both models. Most of these have not previously been implicated in mechanical hypersensitivity and may represent novel targets for therapeutic intervention. As an external control, the RNA expression of three genes was examined by RT‐PCR, while the protein levels of two were studied using western blot analysis.
Cannabinoid‐induced effects on the nociceptive system: A neurophysiological study in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Conte Antonella , Bettolo Chiara Marini , Onesti Emanuela , Frasca Vittorio , Iacovelli Elisa , Gilio Francesca , Giacomelli Elena , Gabriele Maria , Aragona Massimiliano , Tomassini Valentina , Pantano Patrizia , Pozzilli Carlo , Inghilleri Maurizio 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTAlthough clinical studies show that cannabinoids improve central pain in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) neurophysiological studies are lacking to investigate whether they also suppress these patients’ electrophysiological responses to noxious stimulation. The flexion reflex (FR) in humans is a widely used technique for assessing the pain threshold and for studying spinal and supraspinal pain pathways and the neurotransmitter system involved in pain control.In a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study we investigated cannabinoid‐induced changes in RIII reflex variables (threshold, latency and area) in a group of 18 patients with secondary progressive MS. To investigate whether cannabinoids act indirectly on the nociceptive reflex by modulating lower motoneuron excitability we also evaluated the H‐reflex size after tibial nerve stimulation and calculated the H wave/M wave (H/M) ratio. Of the 18 patients recruited and randomized 17 completed the study. After patients used a commercial delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol mixture as an oromucosal spray the RIII reflex threshold increased and RIII reflex area decreased. The visual analogue scale score for pain also decreased, though not significantly. Conversely, the H/M ratio measured before patients received cannabinoids remained unchanged after therapy.In conclusion, the cannabinoid‐induced changes in the RIII reflex threshold and area in patients with MS provide objective neurophysiological evidence that cannabinoids modulate the nociceptive system in patients with MS.
Efficacy and tolerance of metronidazole and miconazole nitrate in treatment of vaginitis
Authors: Peixoto Fabio , Camargos Aroldo , Duarte Geraldo , Linhares Iara , Bahamondes Luis , Petracco Alvaro 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a vaginal pessary containing 750 mg of metronidazole and 200 mg of miconazole nitrate used daily for 7 days in the treatment of vaginitis.MethodsNinety‐two women with vaginitis participated in this phase 3 study using one vaginal pessary daily for 7 days. Gynecological and microbiological evaluations were carried out prior to and following treatment.ResultsReductions occurred in symptoms and signs of vaginitis. Clinical cure rate was 87.7%, while the cure rates according to microscopy and Candida albicans culture were 81.8% and 73.9%, respectively. The cure rate for bacterial vaginosis was 75% and culture of Gardnerella vaginalis turned negative in 63.6% of cases following treatment. The medication was well tolerated.ConclusionUse of a combination of 750 mg of metronidazole and 200 mg of miconazole in a single daily application was found to be effective in the treatment of the most common causes of vaginitis.
Evaluating progress of labor in nulliparas and multiparas using the modified WHO partograph
Authors: Orji Ernest 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the progress of labor in nulliparas and multiparas using the modified World Health Organization (WHO) partograph.MethodIn a prospective study 259 nulliparas and 204 multiparas were compared for rates of normal labor progression in the active phase; of cervical dilatation plots crossing the alert line of the partograph; and of plots reaching or crossing the action line. Outcome measures were total duration of labor, mode of delivery, incidence of labor augmentation, and number of vaginal examinations.ResultsLabor duration was similar in the 2 groups and cervical dilatation remained normal for most women. In both groups, the incidence of spontaneous vaginal delivery was highest among women with normal labor progress and the incidence of both labor augmentation and operative intervention increased when labor progress was delayed.ConclusionLabor progress and duration were found similar for nulliparas and multiparas when monitored with the modified WHO partograph. Delay in labor progress increased the need for operative intervention and adversely affected fetal outcome.
Migration patterns of Neolithic settlements on the abandoned Yellow and Yangtze River deltas of China
Authors: Chen Zhongyuan , Zong Yongqiang , Wang Zhanghua , Wang Hui , Chen Jing 
Published: July 2008

AbstractArchaeological records of the Neolithic settlements on the eastern China coast between 35°N and 30°N, an area covering the abandoned Yellow River and the Yangtze River delta plains, reveal that Neolithic people moved from the Yellow River basin onto the northern coast for fishing, hunting and dry-land agriculture ~ 7000 yr ago. Marine transgression interrupted their activities on the low-lying (2–5 m in elevation) coastal wetlands between 6000 and 5000 yr ago, after which they reclaimed their land near the river mouths. Their migration routes on the southern Yangtze delta plain indicate another scenario: early Neolithic communities moved onto the plain for wet-rice cultivation. Despite relative sea-level rise from 7000 to 4000 yr ago, a large number of settlements were established on the lowlands between the eastern Chenier Ridges and the western Taihu Lake depression. The Chenier Ridges, with ~ 1.0 m higher topography than the adjacent coastal area, played a role in sheltering the Neolithic people. Subsequently, settlements waned considerably, possibly due to further marine inundation combined with cold climate. The present study shows that migration patterns of the Neolithic settlements are closely associated with a gradually rising sea level between 7000 and 4000 yr ago.
Associations between added sugars and micronutrient intakes and status: further analysis of data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of Young People aged 4 to 18 years
Authors: Gibson Sigrid , Boyd Alison 
Published: July 2008

Added sugars are often viewed as ‘empty calories’, negatively impacting micronutrient intakes, yet reviews consider the evidence inconclusive. This study aimed to quantify associations between dietary added sugars (as a percentage of energy) and micronutrient intake and biochemical status in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Using data from 1688 British children aged 4–18 years who completed 7 d weighed dietary records in 1997, micronutrient intakes were examined across quintiles of added sugars. After excluding low energy reporters, mean dietary intakes of most nutrients exceeded the reference nutrient intake, except for zinc. Compared with quintile 1 (9 % added sugars), high consumers in quintile 5 (23 % added sugars) had micronutrient intakes ranging from 24 % lower to 6 % higher (mean 14 % lower). Zinc intakes in quintile 1 v. quintile 5 averaged 93 % v. 78 % of reference nutrient intake; magnesium 114 % v. 94 %; iron 115 % v. 100 %; and vitamin A 111 % v. 92 %, respectively. Plasma levels of magnesium, zinc and carotenoids did not vary across quintiles, but weak negative correlations were observed with serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. Plasma selenium was inversely correlated with added sugars (r − 0·17; P < 0·0001) but there was no association with glutathione peroxidase. The impact of added sugars on micronutrient intakes appears modest overall but may have relevance for children consuming inadequate amounts of nutrient-rich foods coupled with a diet high in added sugars (approximately 23 %). Further work is needed to explore the impact of different sources of added sugars and to refine assessments of inadequate intakes and status.
Disturbances in the spontaneous attribution of social meaning in schizophrenia
Authors: Horan W. P. , Nuechterlein K. H. , Wynn J. K. , Lee J. , Castelli F. , Green M. F. 
Published: July 2008

BackgroundSchizophrenia patients show disturbances on a range of tasks that assess mentalizing or ‘Theory of Mind’ (ToM). However, these tasks are often developmentally inappropriate, make large demands on verbal abilities and explicit problem-solving skills, and involve after-the-fact reflection as opposed to spontaneous mentalizing.MethodTo address these limitations, 55 clinically stable schizophrenia out-patients and 44 healthy controls completed a validated Animations Task designed to assess spontaneous attributions of social meaning to ambiguous abstract visual stimuli. In this paradigm, 12 animations depict two geometric shapes ‘interacting’ with each other in three conditions: (1) ToM interactions that elicit attributions of mental states to the agents, (2) Goal-Directed (GD) interactions that elicit attributions of simple actions, and (3) Random scenes in which no interaction occurs. Verbal descriptions of each animation are rated for the degree of Intentionality attributed to the agents and for accuracy.ResultsPatients had lower Intentionality ratings than controls for ToM and GD scenes but the groups did not significantly differ for Random scenes. The descriptions of the patients less closely matched the situations intended by the developers of the task. Within the schizophrenia group, performance on the Animations Task showed minimal associations with clinical symptoms.ConclusionsPatients demonstrated disturbances in the spontaneous attribution of mental states to abstract visual stimuli that normally evoke such attributions. Hence, in addition to previously established impairment on mentalizing tasks that require logical inferences about others' mental states, individuals with schizophrenia show disturbances in implicit aspects of mentalizing.
The Hipparcos Catalogue: 10th anniversary and its legacy
Authors: Turon C. , Arenou F. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe European Space Agency decision to include the Hipparcos satellite into its Science Programme is placed in the context of the years 1965-1980 and in the historical perspective of the progress of astrometry. The motivation and ideas which lead to the Hipparcos design are reviewed as well as its characteristics and performance. The amount and variety of applications represent an impressive evolution from the original science case and opened the way to much more ambitious further space missions, especially Gaia, based on the same basic principles. A giant step in technology led to a giant step in science. Next steps are presented at this Symposium.
Astrometric detection and characterization of brown dwarfs
Authors: Scholz R.-D. , McCaughrean M. J. , Röser S. , Schilbach E. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAs a result of failed star formation, brown dwarfs (BDs) do not reach the critical mass to ignite the fusion of hydrogen in their cores. Different from their low-mass stellar brothers, the red dwarfs, BDs cool down with their lifetime to very faint magnitudes. Therefore, it was only about 10 to 20 years ago that such ultracool objects began to be detected. Accurate astrometry can be used to detect them indirectly as companions to stars by the signature of the so-called astrometric wobble. Resolved faint BD companions of nearby stars can be identified by their common proper motion (CPM). A direct astrometric detection of the hidden isolated BDs in the Solar neighborhood is possible with deep high proper motion (HPM) surveys. This technique led to the discovery of the first free-floating BD, Kelu 1, and of the nearest BD, ε Indi B. Both were meanwhile found to be binary BDs. The astrometric orbital monitoring of ε Indi Ba+Bb, for which we know an accurate distance from the Hipparcos measurement of its primary, ε Indi A, will allow the determination of individual masses of two low-mass BDs. Hundreds of BDs have been identified for the last decade. Deep optical sky survey (SDSS) and near-infrared sky surveys (DENIS, 2MASS), played a major role in the search mainly based on colours, since BDs emit most of their light at longer wavelengths. However, alternative deep optical HPM surveys based on archival photographic data are not only sensitive enough to detect some of the nearest representatives, they do also uncover many of the rare class of ultracool halo objects crossing the Solar neighborhood at large velocities. SSSPM 1444, with the extremely large proper motion of 3.5 arcsec/yr, is one of the nearest among these subdwarfs with masses at the substellar boundary. We present preliminary parallax results for this and two other ultracool subdwarfs (USDs) from the Calar Alto Omega 2000 parallax program.
Micro-arcsecond relative astrometry by ground-based and single-aperture observations
Authors: Röll T. , Seifahrt A. , Neuhäuser R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe present an observation method to obtain a relative astrometric precision of about 100 . . . 150 μas with ground-based and single-aperture observations. By measuring the separation of double or triple stars we want to determine the astrometric signal of an unseen substellar companion as a periodic change in the separation between the stellar components. Using an adaptive optics system we correct for atmospheric turbulences and furthermore by using a narrow band filter in the near infrared we can suppress differential chromatic refraction effects. To reach a high precision we use a statistical approach. Using the new observation mode “cube-mode” (where the frames were directly saved in cubes with nearly no loss of time during the readout), we obtain several thousand frames within half an hour. After the verification of the Gaussian distributed behaviour of our measurements (done with a Kolmogorov-Smirnov-Test) the measurement precision can be calculated as the standard deviation of our measurements divided by the square root of the number of frames.To monitor the stability of the pixel scale between our observations, we use the old globular cluster 47 Tuc as a calibration system.