bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
METABOLIC AND THYROIDAL RESPONSES TO MILD COLD ARE ABNORMAL IN OBESE DIABETIC WOMEN
Authors: LEAN M. E. J. , MURGATROYD P. R. , ROTHNIE I. , REID I. W. , HARVEY R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYMild cold exposure (22°C, with reference to 28°C, thermoneutral) was studied by overnight whole‐body indirect calorimetry in euthyroid women. Basal, sleeping, energy expenditure (EE) was significantly increased (+ 3.8%, P < 0.05) in six normal weight women but reduced (−3.5%, P < 0.05) in five obese type II diabetic women. Mixed responses were found in five women with simple obesity. Biochemical measurements were made on fasting blood samples taken at 0900 h after 12 h exposure to the two temperatures. Serum T4, free T3 and TSH were within the normal reference range in all subjects. Serum T4 did not show any differences between the groups, nor any effect from temperature. There was a significant increase in free T3 (P < 0.05) at 22°C in the control subjects, but no differences in the obese diabetic women. Serum thyroglobulin fell significantly in the diabetic group. Both TSH and free T3 responses to mild cold were significantly different between the groups, but both correlated positively (P<0.05) with the changes in sleeping energy expenditure at 22°C with reference to 28°C. Changes in TSH and free T3 were themselves significantly correlated within individuals (P<0.01). The normal physiological non‐shivering thermogenesis of adult humans on exposure to a cool environment may thus be mediated by a pituitary‐thyroid mechanism. The abnormal response of obese diabetic women was associated with impaired TSH and thyroid hormone responses, and may be a factor contributing to weight gain.
Randomized controlled GH trial: effects on anthropometry, body composition and body proportions in a large group of children with Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Festen Dederieke A. M. , De Lind van Wijngaarden Roderick , Van Eekelen Marielle , Otten Barto J. , Wit Jan M. , Duivenvoorden Hugo J. , Hokken‐Koelega Anita C. S. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBackground  Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) children have impaired growth, and abnormal body composition. Previous 1‐year controlled studies showed improvement of height and body composition during GH‐treatment.Objective  To evaluate growth, body composition and body proportions during GH‐treatment in a large group of PWS children.Design/patients  We performed a randomized controlled GH trial in 91 prepubertal PWS children (42 infants, 49 children, aged 3–14 years). After stratification for age, infants were randomized to GH‐treatment (GH‐group; 1 mg/m2/day; n = 20), or no treatment (control group; n = 22) for 1 year. In the second year all infants were treated with GH. After stratification for BMI, children > 3 years of age were randomized to GH‐treatment (GH‐group; 1 mg/m2/day; n = 27) or no treatment (control group; n = 22) for 2 years. Anthropometric parameters were assessed once in every 3 months. Body composition was measured by Dual Energy X‐ray Absorptiometry.Results  Median (interquartile range, iqr) height SDS increased during 2 years of GH in infants from –2·3 (–2·8 to –0·7) to –0·4 (–1·1–0·0) and in prepubertal children from –2·0 (–3·1 to –1·7) to –0·6 (–1·1 to –0·1). In non‐GH‐treated children height SDS did not increase. Head circumference completely normalized during 1 and 2 years of GH in infants and children, respectively. Body fat percentage and body proportions improved in GH‐treated children, but did not completely normalize. Lean body mass SDS improved compared to the control group. Serum IGF‐I increased to levels above the normal range in most GH‐treated children.Conclusions  Our randomized study shows that GH‐treatment in PWS children significantly improves height, BMI, head circumference, body composition and body proportions. PWS children are highly sensitive to GH, suggesting that monitoring of serum IGF‐I is indicated.
Sequential exhaustive extraction of a Mollisol soil, and characterizations of humic components, including humin, by solid and solution state NMR
Authors: Song G. , Novotny E. H. , Simpson A. J. , Clapp C. E. , Hayes M. H. B. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryA comprehensive sequential extraction procedure was applied to isolate soil organic components using aqueous solvents at different pH values, base plus urea (base‐urea), and finally dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) plus concentrated H2SO4 (DMSO‐acid) for the humin‐enriched clay separates. The extracts from base‐urea and DMSO‐acid would be regarded as ‘humin’ in the classical definitions. The fractions isolated from aqueous base, base‐urea and DMSO‐acid were characterized by solid and solution state NMR spectroscopy. The base‐urea solvent system isolated ca. 10% (by mass) additional humic substances. The combined base‐urea and DMSO‐acid solvents isolated ca. 93% of total organic carbon from the humin‐enriched fine clay fraction (<2 μm). Characterization of the humic fractions by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy showed that oxidized char materials were concentrated in humic acids isolated at pH 7, and in the base‐urea extract. Lignin‐derived materials were in considerable abundance in the humic acids isolated at pH 12.6. Only very small amounts of char‐derived structures were contained in the fulvic acids and fulvic acids‐like material isolated from the base‐urea solvent. After extraction with base‐urea, the 0.5 m NaOH extract from the humin‐enriched clay was predominantly composed of aliphatic hydrocarbon groups, and with lesser amounts of aromatic carbon (probably including some char material), and carbohydrates and peptides. From the combination of solid and solution‐state NMR spectroscopy, it is clear that the major components of humin materials, from the DMSO‐acid solvent, after the exhaustive extraction sequence, were composed of microbial and plant derived components, mainly long‐chain aliphatic species (including fatty acids/ester, waxes, lipids and cuticular material), carbohydrate, peptides/proteins, lignin derivatives, lipoprotein and peptidoglycan (major structural components in bacteria cell walls). Black carbon or char materials were enriched in humic acids isolated at pH 7 and humic acids‐like material isolated in the base‐urea medium, indicating that urea can liberate char‐derived material hydrogen bonded or trapped within the humin matrix.
Soil air compression in clays during flood irrigation
Authors: Navarro V. , Yustres A. , Candel M. , García B. 
Published: March 2008

SummarySoil air is compressed ahead of the wetting front in flood irrigation when the water table is close to the ground surface and the soil is clayey. The general perception is that a two‐dimensional two‐phase flow model should be used to take into account the effects of air compression on infiltration. In this paper, we apply a model of this kind to validate this perception. The results show that the behaviour of the system is controlled by lateral air flow towards the contours of the ponded area. Even in cases where the width of the ponded area is reduced, in the clayey soils analysed, the soil air pressure is 22% greater than the atmospheric pressure, with a water intake rate amounting to only 19% of the values that would have been obtained if air compression (free air escape) had not been considered. Therefore, the suitability of use of a two‐dimensional two‐phase flow model is demonstrated quantitatively.
Two‐dimensional joint inversion of radiomagnetotelluric and direct current resistivity data
Authors: Candansayar M. Emin , Tezkan Bülent 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAn algorithm for the two‐dimensional (2D) joint inversion of radiomagnetotelluric and direct current resistivity data was developed. This algorithm can be used for the 2D inversion of apparent resistivity data sets collected by multi‐electrode direct current resistivity systems for various classical electrode arrays (Wenner, Schlumberger, dipole‐diplole, pole‐dipole) and radiomagnetotelluric measurements jointly. We use a finite difference technique to solve the Helmoltz and Poisson equations for radiomagnetotelluric and direct current resistivity methods respectively. A regularized inversion with a smoothness constrained stabilizer was employed to invert both data sets. The radiomagnetotelluric method is not particularly sensitive when attempting to resolve near‐surface resistivity blocks because it uses a limited range of frequencies. On the other hand, the direct current resistivity method can resolve these near‐surface blocks with relatively greater accuracy. Initially, individual and joint inversions of synthetic radiomagnetotelluric and direct current resistivity data were compared and we demonstrated that the joint inversion result based on this synthetic data simulates the real model more accurately than the inversion results of each individual method. The developed 2D joint inversion algorithm was also applied on a field data set observed across an active fault located close to the city of Kerpen in Germany. The location and depth of this fault were successfully determined by the 2D joint inversion of the radiomagnetotelluric and direct current resistivity data. This inversion result from the field data further validated the synthetic data inversion results.
Potential distribution of the invasive tree Triadica sebifera (Euphorbiaceae) in the United States: evaluating climex predictions with field trials
Authors: PATTISON ROBERT R. , MACK RICHARD N. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractModels that project introduced species distributions based on the climates in native and potential introduced ranges can provide valuable insights on the extent of a species' future spread. Yet, the lack of direct field evaluation of these range projections remains a major limitation. We evaluated results from the climex model in conjunction with results from seed and plant field trials in assessing environmental constraints to spread of the invasive tree Triadica sebifera (Chinese tallow tree) in the southeastern USA. climex incorporates key climatic parameters to generate large‐scale projections of potential distributions based on the climate across the species' current distribution. By employing field trials within microhabitats within and beyond the tree's current range, we were able to determine seed and young plants' response to the heterogeneity of the environment at regional scales. Based on projections of the climex model, T. sebifera has the potential to spread 500 km northward beyond its current distribution in the southeastern USA; minimum temperature and limited precipitation are the key climatic constraints in the eastern and western USA, respectively. climex results correlate strongly with seed germination across sites in the southeastern USA. These results do not however correlate with plant growth rates, which were often higher in sites with low projected climatic suitability. Competition and herbivory were not constraints on the growth of T. sebifera in our field trials and were therefore not responsible for the lack of correlation between model results and plant growth rates. If the minimum and maximum temperatures were to rise by 2 °C, the range of T. sebifera could extend northward 700 km beyond its current distribution. While both climex and the field trials indicate that T. sebifera is capable of extensive northward spread in the eastern USA, results of field trials indicate that the patterns of invasion within the region are likely to vary substantially with local site conditions.
Serum‐derived exosomes from antigen‐fed mice prevent allergic sensitization in a model of allergic asthma
Authors: Almqvist Nina , Lönnqvist Anna , Hultkrantz Susanne , Rask Carola , Telemo Esbjörn 
Published: March 2008

SummaryOral tolerance is an active process that starts with sampling of luminal antigens by the intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), followed by processing and assembly with major histocompatibility complex class II and subsequently a release of tolerogenic exosomes (tolerosomes) from the IEC. We have previously shown that tolerosomes can be isolated from serum shortly after an antigen feed, and will potently transfer antigen‐specific tolerance to naive recipients. Here we study the capacity of the tolerosomes to protect against allergic sensitization in a mouse model of allergic asthma. Serum or isolated serum exosomes from tolerized BALB/c donor mice were transferred to syngeneic recipients followed by sensitization and intranasal exposure to ovalbumin (OVA). Blood, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lymph nodes were sampled 24 hr after the final exposure. The number of eosinophils was counted in BAL fluid and the levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and OVA‐specific IgE were measured in serum. Mediastinal and coeliac lymph nodes were analysed by flow cytometry. The animals receiving serum from OVA‐fed mice displayed significantly lower numbers of airway eosinophils and lower serum levels of total IgE as well as of OVA‐specific IgE compared with controls. Moreover, the tolerant animals showed a significantly higher frequency of activated T cells with a regulatory phenotype in both mediastinal and coeliac lymph nodes. The results show that serum or isolated serum exosomes obtained from OVA‐fed mice and administered intraperitoneally to naive recipient mice abrogated allergic sensitization in the recipients.
The modulatory effects of lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated B cells on differential T‐cell polarization
Authors: Xu Hui , Liew Lip Nyin , Kuo I Chun , Huang Chiung Hui , Goh Denise Li‐Meng , Chua Kaw Yan 
Published: March 2008

SummaryLipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major component of environmental microbial products. Studies have defined the LPS dose as a critical determining factor in driving differential T‐cell polarization but the direct effects of LPS on individual antigen‐presenting cells is unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of LPS doses on naive B cells and the subsequent modulatory effects of these LPS‐activated B cells on T‐cell polarization. The LPS was able to induce a proliferative response starting at a dose of 100 ng/ml and was capable of enhancing antigen internalization at a dose of 1 μg/ml in naive B cells. Following LPS stimulation, up‐regulation of the surface markers CD40, CD86, I‐Ad, immunoglobulin M, CD54 and interleukin‐10 production, accompanied by down‐regulation of CD5 and CD184 (CXCR4) were observed in a LPS dose‐dependent manner. Low doses (< 10 ng/ml) of LPS‐activated B cells drove T helper type 2 polarization whereas high doses (> 0·1 μg/ml) of LPS‐activated B cells resulted in T regulatory type 1 cell polarization. In conclusion, LPS‐activated B cells acquire differential modulatory effects on T‐cell polarization. Such modulatory effects of B cells are dependent on the stimulation with LPS in a dose‐dependent manner. These observations may provide one of the mechanistic explanations for the influence of environmental microbes on the development of allergic diseases.
Radicular peroxide penetration from carbamide peroxide gels during intracoronal bleaching
Authors: Gökay O. , Zıraman F. , Çalı Asal A. , Saka O. M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAim  To evaluate and compare radicular peroxide diffusion from different concentrations of carbamide peroxide bleaching gels.Methodology  Fifty maxillary premolar teeth were separated into five groups (n = 10). Standardized endodontic access cavities were prepared in the occlusal surfaces, and the root canals were prepared using a step back technique and filled using the lateral compaction technique. The gutta‐percha filling was removed 4 mm short of the cemento‐enamel junction (CEJ) and a 2‐mm‐thick glass–ionomer cement base was placed. Outer root surfaces were sealed with wax and nail polish, leaving the coronal third of the tooth and the CEJ exposed. All teeth were immersed in a plastic tube containing 2 mL of distilled water, and the experimental groups were treated with a bleaching agent of either 10%, 17% or 37% carbamide peroxide (CP) or a mixture of 30% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and sodium perborate (SP) placed into the coronal pulp chamber of teeth and left for 24 h. Peroxide penetration was measured using the ferrothiocyanate method. Statistical analysis of data was conducted by using the Kruskal–Wallis Analysis of Variance and Mann–Whitney U test.Results  Higher peroxide penetration occurred with the 30% HP‐SP mixture than with the CP bleaching gels, and the 37% CP group also promoted greater peroxide penetration than the other CP groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between 10% and 17% CP groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion  Peroxide penetration of CP gels was significantly lower than that of a HP‐SP mixture.
Influence of core material on fracture resistance and marginal adaptation of restored root filled teeth
Authors: Reill M. I. , Rosentritt M. , Naumann M. , Handel G. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAim  To investigate ex vivo the influence of direct placement core materials on the fracture strength and marginal adaptation of root filled maxillary central incisors restored with glass fibre‐reinforced posts, various core materials and all‐ceramic crowns.Methodology  Forty‐eight human maxillary incisors were root filled. Posts were placed and teeth restored with composite cores and crowns (n = 8). Six core materials were examined after thermal cyclic and mechanical loading (TCML). Fracture force was determined under static loading. The marginal adaptation at the interfaces between cement‐tooth and cement‐crown were categorized as ‘intact margin’ or ‘marginal gap’ using scanning electron microscopy. Statistical analysis was undertaken with the Mann–Whitney U‐test (α = P ≤ 0.05).Results  Median fracture strength varied between 204 N (low viscous experimental core) and 1094 N (Multicore). No difference in fracture resistance was found with varying viscosity of the core material. The layering technique improved the fracture performance (P = 0.059) to a minor degree. Crowns with dedicated core materials (Rebilda 1063 N; Multicore 1094 N) had a significantly higher fracture resistance than crowns with a conventional restorative material (Tetric Ceram 509 N). Significantly poorer marginal adaptation before TCML was found for the layering technique at the tooth–cement interface and for all experimental cores after TCML. At the crown–cement interface significant differences in marginal adaptation could be determined between Multicore‐layered core (P = 0.002) and Multicore‐Rebilda (P = 0.001) after TCML.Conclusions  The fracture strength of post and core restorations was dependent on the core material and bonding system. Marginal adaptation was influenced by the method of application of the core material and by TCML.
Health literacy, complication awareness, and diabetic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tang Ying Ho , Pang Samantha M.C. , Chan Moon Fai , Yeung Grace S.P. , Yeung Vincent T.F. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTitle.  Health literacy, complication awareness, and diabetic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to examine the relationship between health literacy, complication awareness and diabetic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to validate a Chinese version of the Short‐form Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults.Background.  There is a rapidly increasing trend in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Asian countries. Alongside the considerable progress in recent decades of health education in the field of diabetes care, the effects of health literacy and complication awareness have received increasing attention over the past 10 years.Method.  This study was conducted from September 2005 to February 2006 with 149 Chinese patients (mean = 59·8 years, range: 27–90 years) who were undergoing/had undergone diabetic complication assessment. Survey data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating demographics; assessment of complication awareness in two sections: a self‐developed 10‐item patient awareness score and a modified Chinese version of the Summary of Diabetes Self‐Care Activities measure; and health literacy as measured by the Chinese version of the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Diabetic control was assessed by the most recent HbA1c level.Findings.  Health literacy (P < 0·001) and patient awareness scores were negatively correlated to diabetic control (P = 0·035), but management of treatment in the Summary of Diabetes Self‐Care Activities measure (P = 0·030), gender (P = 0·023) and duration of diabetes (P < 0·001) were positively correlated to HbA1c.Conclusion.  To develop effective patient education and improve patients’ diabetic control and own complications, educational strategies need to consider patients’ health literacy levels and self‐care skills.
Family care of Taiwanese patients who had attempted suicide: a grounded theory study
Authors: Sun Fan‐Ko , Long Ann , Huang Xuan‐Yi , Huang Hui‐Man 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTitle.  Family care of Taiwanese patients who had attempted suicide: a grounded theory study Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore family carers’ and suicidal ex‐patients’ perceptions of the home environment and the provision of care in the home.Background.  Worldwide, in 2000 approximately one million people died from suicide, which is among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15–44 years. Internationally, epidemiological trends show that there has been a rapid increase in suicide rates in many countries, including Taiwan. Families have an important role in caring for a member who is at risk of suicide.Methods.  Using a grounded theory approach, data were collected in 2006–2007 in two Taiwanese hospitals. Interviews were conducted with suicidal patients who had just been discharged (n = 15) and family members (n = 15). Data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding.Findings.  For the purpose of a larger study a substantive theory was formulated, which families could use to guide them in the care of a member who is at risk of suicide. Here we report the findings related to the ‘context’ and ‘intervening conditions’ of the grounded theory. Two categories emerged in the ‘context’ element, namely ‘the family environment’ and ‘the Chinese culture’. One category surfaced in the ‘intervening condition’ namely, ‘The provision of care in the home’. This category included three sub‐categories: support systems; coping mechanisms and helping skills.Conclusion.  Family carers experienced difficulties when caring for a member who had previously attempted suicide. Before patients are discharged from hospital, nurses should educate families on the preventive and caring approaches that they could use in their homes.