bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo efficacy of topical formulations containing vitamin C and its derivatives studied by non‐invasive methods
Authors: Maia Campos Patrícia M. B. G. , Gonçalves Gisele M. S. , Gaspar Lorena R. 
Published: April 2008

Background/purpose: Vitamins C and its derivatives, mainly due to their antioxidant properties, are being used in cosmetic products to protect and to reduce the signs of ageing. However, there are no studies comparing the effects of vitamin C [ascorbic acid (AA)] and its derivatives, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) and ascorbyl tetra‐isopalmitate (ATIP), when vehiculated in topical formulations, mainly using objective measurements, which are an important tool in clinical efficacy studies. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of AA and its derivatives, MAP and ATIP, as well as their in vivo efficacy on human skin, when vehiculated in topical formulations.Methods: The study of antioxidant activity in vitro was performed with an aqueous and a lipid system. The in vivo methodology consisted of the application of these formulations on human volunteers' forearm skin and the analysis of the skin conditions after 4‐week period daily applications in terms of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum moisture content and viscoelasticity using a Tewameter®, Corneometer® and Cutometer®, respectively.Results: In vitro experiments demonstrated that in an aqueous system, AA had the best antioxidant potential, and MAP was more effective than ATIP, whereas in the lipid system ATIP was more effective than MAP. In in vivo studies, all formulations enhanced stratum corneum moisture content after a 4‐week period daily applications when compared with baseline values; however, only the formulation containing AA caused alterations in TEWL values. The formulations containing MAP caused alterations in the viscoelastic‐to‐elastic ratio, which suggested its action in the deeper layers of the skin.Conclusion: AA and its derivates presented an in vitro antioxidant activity but AA had the best antioxidant effect. In in vivo efficacy studies, only the formulation containing AA caused alterations in TEWL values and the formulation containing MAP caused alterations in the viscoelastic‐to‐elastic ratio. This way, vitamin C derivatives did not present the same effects of AA on human skin; however, MAP showed other significant effect‐improving skin hydration, which is very important for the normal cutaneous metabolism and also to prevent skin alterations and early ageing.
Self‐reported oral health perceptions of Somali adults in Minnesota: a pilot study
Authors: Okunseri C , Hodges JS , Born DO 
Published: April 2008

Abstract:  Objective:  To assess self‐reported oral health perceptions and associated factors in an adult Somali population living in Minnesota, USA.Methods:  We analysed data from a cross‐sectional study of Somali adults aged 18 to 65+ years attending a dental school clinic for care. A comprehensive oral examination was performed by the dental school outreach team on all patients who attended a 2‐week designated Somali dental clinic. Adults who consented were given an oral health questionnaire to collect information on sociodemographics, marital status, language preference and self‐rated oral and general health. We performed summary statistics and differences between proportions using Fisher’s exact test and a comparison of means using one‐way anova or a two‐sample t‐test.Results:  The sample consisted of 53 adults, 75% of whom were females. About 49% of subjects reported poor/fair oral health and 38% reported poor/fair general health. Seventy‐four percent rated their access to dental care as poor/fair and 83% reported that they did not have a regular source of dental care. Self‐rated oral health was significantly associated with marital status (P < 0.05) and self‐rated general health (P < 0.01) using Fisher’s exact test.Conclusion:  A substantial proportion of Somali adults rated their oral health and access to dental care as poor/fair. These findings suggest that this population would benefit from improved access to oral health care and culturally appropriate oral health education and promotion programs.
Review article: Non‐invasive assessment of cardiac output with portable continuous‐wave Doppler ultrasound
Authors: Meyer Sascha , Todd David , Wright Ian , Gortner Ludwig , Reynolds Graham 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCardiac output is considered an important parameter when assessing the cardiovascular status of a critically ill patient. Both non‐invasive (e.g. bioimpedance, echocardiography) and invasive methods (Swan Ganz catheter) have been used to measure cardiac output. The ultrasonic cardiac output monitoring device provides a new method of non‐invasively assessing cardiac output in various clinical settings. The ultrasonic cardiac output monitoring device was introduced clinically in 2001, and appears to be a promising adjunct in the assessment of the cardiovascular state in a variety of patient cohorts. In this short review article, we will introduce this new technique, discuss the required skills and compare it with methods already in use. In particular, a critical comparison with the ‘gold standard’, the invasive measurement of cardiac output with the pulmonary artery catheter, will be given.
Socioeconomic Status, Not Race/Ethnicity, Contributes to Variation in the Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction: Results from the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey
Authors: Kupelian Varant , Link Carol L. , Rosen Raymond C. , McKinlay John B. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Introduction
Few population-based studies have assessed variations in the burden of erectile dysfunction (ED) by race/ethnicity.

Aim
To estimate prevalence rates of ED by race/ethnicity and determine the contribution of behavioral risk factors, chronic illnesses, and socioeconomic factors to potential race/ethnic differences in ED.

Methods
The Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey is a study of urologic symptoms in a racially and ethnically diverse population. BACH used a multistage stratified random sample to recruit 2,301 men aged 30–79 years from the city of Boston. Self-reported race/ethnicity was defined as Black, Hispanic, and White. Socioeconomic status (SES) was defined as a combination of education and household income.

Main Outcome Measures
ED assessed using the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). IIEF-5 scores were used both as a continuous variable and dichotomized as ≤16 vs. ≥17.

Results
Overall prevalence of ED (defined as an IIEF-5 score ≤16) was 20.7% with higher prevalence observed among both Black men (24.9%) and Hispanic men (25.3%) compared to White men (18.1%). Increased odds of ED were observed for both Black and Hispanic men after adjusting for age, comorbid conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression), and behavioral risk factors (smoking, physical activity, alcohol use). After controlling for the effect of SES, the association between race/ethnicity and ED disappeared. In contrast, men in the low SES category had an over two-fold increase in risk of ED (adjusted odds ratio of 2.26, 95% confidence interval 1.39, 3.66).

Conclusions
The increased risk of ED in Black and Hispanic men is associated with differences in SES rather than differences in known risk factors of ED.
INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE OF COTTON APHID IN NORTH CHINA
Authors: Sun Yunqin , Feng Guolei , Yuan Jiagui , Gong Kunyuan 
Published: April 2008

Abstract  The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) is one of the most important pests infesting cotton in the cotton areas of North China. Since 1953 organophosphorus insecticides such as parathion and systox have been used to control the aphids for keeping up good yield of cotton. After several years. the concentration and the amount of spray were increasing in the field. In the early 1980's highly effective pyrethroid insecticides such as decis and sumicidin were largely imported into China. When first used 2. 5% decis emulsion was diluted in the ratio from 1:10000 to 1: 12000. However in 1985 the resistance of cotton aphid to pyrethroids increased by 171 times in general, 3230 times in some cotton fields. Thus it has prompted us to investigate the mechanism of resistance to insecticides and to search for the strategy to control the resistant aphids.Experiments showed that the use of synergists including SV1 (O, O‐diethyl, O‐phenyl phos‐phorothionate) and PB has given evidence indicating mixed function oxidases (MFO). α‐NA esterases and α‐NA carboxylesterase are involved in the formation of resistance. The results also showed that the sensitivity of AChE to paraoxon in resistant aphids was lower than that in susceptible aphids.Experiments showed that SV1 was particularly synergistic to organophosphorus or pyrethroid insecticides and had played an excellent role in overcoming the resistance of cotton aphids to insecticides.
JURASSIC PALAEONTINJDS FROM KARAMAI, XINJIANG, WlTH A DISCUSSION OF PALAEONTINIDAE (HOMOPTERA:PALAEON‐TINIDAE) IN CHINA*
Authors: Zhang Haichun 
Published: April 2008

Abstract Three new species of fossil insects described here were collected from the Lower Jurassic Badaowan Formation of Tuzigou, Karamai, Xinjiang of northwestern China and are respectively referred to three genera of Palaeontinidae. They are Fletcheriana jurassica sp. nov., Plachutella exculpta sp. nov., and Pseudocossus strenus sp. nov.Some insects of Palaeontinidae have been in discovered succession in northern China. But it should be pointed out that in classification of some of these insects, there exist many questions, which are discussed here. The geological and geographical distributions of Palaeontinidae in China are reviewed in this paper.
THE ROLES OF DETOXIFYING ENZYMES AND AChE INSENSITIVITY IN METHAMIDOPHOS RESISTANCE DEVELOPMENT AND DECLINE IN NILAPARVATA LUGENS
Authors: Liu Ze‐wen , Han Zhao‐jun , Zhang Ling‐chun 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMethamidophos resistance of brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål, BPH) was selected in laboratory. After successive selection for 9 generations, the selection was ceased by rearing BPH without contact with any insecticide for 9 generations. In the full course, the successive changes of esterase activity, MFO activity, GSTs activity and AChE insensitivity were analyzed. The results showed that the change of esterase activity was high correlated with that of methamidophos in the full course, which indicated that esterase played very important role both in the resistance development and in the resistance decline. However, the change of AChE insensitivity only significantly correlated with that of resistance in the development stage, and the change of MFO activity or GSTs activity only significantly correlated with that of the resistance in the decline stage, which indicated the changes of AChE insensitivity, MFO activity or GSTs activity only played some roles in different stages of the resistance change.
A Prognosis for the Rural Hospital Part I: What is the Role of the Rural Hospital?
Authors: Moscovice Ira , Rosenblatt Roger A. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThe rural hospital is a vital component of the rural health care delivery system and an important institution in rural communities. In recent years, considerable concern has been expressed over the future of these institutions, many of which have experienced serious difficulties in maintaining financial viability. The problems facing many rural hospitals today result from a number of interrelated factors, both internal and external, that determine the environment within which the rural hospital operates and affect its performance. This is the first of a two‐part series that: (1) provides an objective review and critical analysis of what is known and what is not known from the existing body of research on the performance of rural hospitals; (2) identifies and examines the influence of the major external factors which affect viability; and (3) outlines potential options and strategies for strengthening the viability of these institutions. Part I addresses the issues of scope of services and quality of care in rural hospitals.
A Practical Guide for Avoiding Disaster When Computerizing the Small Rural Health Clinic
Authors: Crafford J. Carter 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTWith the advent of the small, personal and affordable microcomputer, the opportunity for purchasing and operating automated data processing equipment in the rural health clinic for medical, administrative and financial functions has become both pragmatic and increasingly popular. Some practical guidelines for clinic administrators seriously considering introducing the computer revolution into their clinic's current methods of operating are discussed. Suggestions are offered for priorities in clinic functional automation, equipment purchasing strategies, and how to evaluate prospective vendors and their products. Some of the potential impacts of computerization on clinic personnel and operation are identified.
Implementing Swing‐Bed Services in Small Rural Hospitals*
Authors: Richardson Hila , Kovner Anthony R. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTSince 1983, twenty‐six small rural hospitals in five states have been developing models of the “swing‐bed” concept as part of a coordinated national demonstration project. Based on the experiences of these hospitals, swing‐bed programs use excess hospital capacity to provide short‐term, post‐acute care in rural communities where there are nursing home shortages, and, thus, help avoid the need for new nursing home construction. The availability of swing‐bed services in rural hospitals has allowed the elderly patient to receive a full‐range of long‐term care services within the community to avoid transfer to a nursing home outside the community. Introduction of services also has improved patient care for all hospitalized elderly. Finally, the revenue from the swing‐bed services has helped to stabilize small, rural hospitals faced with declining utilization. The demonstration has provided evidence that the swing‐bed program has the potential to deliver a needed service to the rural elderly while contributing to the preservation of the small, rural hospital as a valuable community resource.
The Influence of Rural Physicians' Perceptions on Referral Patterns to a University Hospital*
Authors: Cooper James K. , Johnson Timothy P. , Heller Leonard E. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThe patient referral process is based on a complex set of social rewards and costs for the referring physician. For the physician or institution potentially receiving referrals, a key question is, why is one institution selected over other available choices? Factor analysis of a survey of rural physicians revealed five factors of reward and cost associated with the choice of where to refer patients. Further analysis of these factors suggested that the ability to have patients admitted and treated when necessary is central to the satisfaction of the referring physician and their willingness to continue the consultant relationship. Adequate information about the consultants was also important to satisfaction. Other factors have less influence. Further, “admissions when necessary” was the only reward/cost factor which predicted physicians who referred more to the university hospital than to other hospitals. If a university hospital wants to develop strategies to encourage referrals from rural physicians, it must be cognizant of these social reward‐cost factors.
Faculty Time Allocation in Rural Primary Care Training Sites*
Authors: Crandall Lee A. , Walczak Alexandra A. , Duncan R. Paul 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThis investigation examined the allocation of time by medical school faculty who served as attending physicians on a rotating basis in rural primary care centers where medical students and house staff were trained. Two quite different methods of studying faculty time allocation produced relatively consistent results. Travel and direct care of patients (with no medical students present) accounted for the largest share of faculty time. Much of the teaching time was spent in direct student contact with no patient present. Simultaneous care of patients by an attending faculty member and a medical student accounted for less than ten percent of faculty effort. It appears that in a busy rural primary care center, faculty whose mission is intended to emphasize teaching may often be thrust into the role of care providers. Despite this problem, faculty‐student contact appears to be greater than that which typically occurs in the tertiary care teaching hospital environment.
The Economic Costs and Benefits of Adding Medical Manpower to Rural and Urban Communities: A Human Capital Perspective*
Authors: Miller Michael K. , Dixon Bruce L. , Fendley Kim 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTFor health planners to be able to me scarce resources efficiently and effectively to improve health, it is necessary for them to have reliable information on the productivity of the major categories of health producing expenditures. The present study utilizes a human capital perspective to evaluate the economic costs and benefits of medical manpower to communities in the West South Central United States. The results of the study suggest that beyond problems of maldistribution of physicians and nurses, the larger problem from an economic effectiveness perspective may be significant excesses of medical manpower, although some rural communities could justify, economically, adding physicians and/or nurses to reduce lost human capital. The findings indicate a need to further rationalize the allocation of health care resources as well as the need to consider means other than increased spending on curative medicine (e.g., health promotion and health education) as a strategy for efficiently meeting the objective of improving public health.
Acquisition of Small Rural Hospitals by Multihospital Systems*
Authors: Lewis Bonnie L. , Parent F. Dale 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThe occurrence of multihospital systems, two or more hospitals owned, leased, or managed by a separate organization, represents a noteworthy change in the way health care is organized today. The impact of this for small rural hospitals, however, has only been studied indirectly or anecdotally. This investigation, using data from national surveys, systematically documents and analyzes this trend and discusses its potential impact. By 1983 almost one quarter of all small rural hosptals were affiliated with multihospital systems. This growth occurred primarily over the last few years, and was accompanied by a rapid surge in the involvement of for‐profit systems. This contrasts sharply with traditional rural hospital care which had been provided primarily by nonprofit or religious institutions. There also were differences in the form of affiliation the hospitals had with their parent organizations, with the most recent movement toward management contracts. Differential changes also occurred in the patterns of affiliation by geographic region.
The Effect of Malpractice Liability on the Delivery of Rural Obstetrical Care*
Authors: Gordon Rena J. , McMullen Gail , Weiss Barry D. , Nichols Andrew W. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTA telephone survey of all non‐governmental obstetricians, family physicians, general practitioners, and osteopathic physicians in rural Arizona was undertaken to determine the effect of medical liability issues on the availability of rural obstetrical services. One hundred ninety‐one (88.8%) responded, and after exclusion of those who had never provided obstetrical care, 126 physicians remained for evaluation. These included 32 obstetricians, 55 family physicians, 25 general practitioners, and 14 osteopaths.During the past three years, 26 (20.6%) had discontinued providing obstetrical services, citing liability issues as the reason. An additional 12 physicians (9–5%) planned to discontinue obstetrics upon expiration of their 1986 malpractice insurance policy. By the end of 1986, the number of obstetrical providers in rural Arizona will have decreased by 30.1 percent.Women in many rural areas already have pregnancy outcomes that are inferior to their urban counterparts. A further decrease in the availability of obstetrical providers may have additional adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes.
Stressful life Events Among Women: A Rural‐Urban Comparison*
Authors: Bigbee Jeri L. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThis retrospective comparative study assessed the levels and types of stressful life events among rural versus urban women in Wyoming (n = 157). No significant difference in total life events scores, negative life events scores, positive life events scores, or total number of life events reported was found between the rural and urban samples. Rural women tended to report environmentally related stressors more frequently than urban women, while urban women reported more financially related stressors. The findings suggest that the levels of stress among rural and urban women are comparable, but the types of stressors experienced may vary.
A Comparison of the Rural‐Urban Mortality Differential for Deaths From All Causes, Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer*
Authors: Miller Michael K. , Stokes C. Shannon , Clifford William B. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTUsing a nine category continuum of residence ranging from major metropolitan counties of one million or more to isolated rural counties with las than 2,500 residents, the data presented indicate that although ruralurban differentials in mortality narrowed over the decade of the 1970s, by 1980 non‐metropolitan counties continuedto have crude death rates that were significantly higher than metropolitan counties for deaths from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. A detailed examination of directly standardized rates reveals that virtually all of the rural‐urban mortality differential is due not to residence per se, but to differences in demographic structure, particularly age composition. Rural areas have an age distribution more heavily skewed toward the older ages where the probability of death is higher. The implications of the findings for broad‐based rural health care policy are discussed with an emphasis on the need to consider the special health and service needs ofan aging population.
Efficacy of System Management or Ownership as Options for Distressed Small Rural Hospitals*
Authors: Berry David E. , Tucker Thomas , Seavey John 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTSystems linkages through signing a management contract or selling to a multihospital system have been advocated as strategies for addressing the distress of small rural hospitals through increased management capacity. This national study compares 311 independent self‐managed hospitals, 194 independent systems‐managed and 235 systems‐owned and managed hospitals in relation to occupancy levels and secondary measures of performance. Almost no differences were found in performance among the three groups. Distress was found to be highly associated with hospitals under 50 beds and less supportive environments. The data presented suggests that many of the advantages of systems linkage may be obtained in other ways and that a management contract or sale to a multi‐hospital system may not solve the problems of a rural hospital.