bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decrease in urethral pressure following repeated cough efforts: A new concept for pathophysiology of stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Deffieux Xavier , Hubeaux Katelyne , Porcher Raphaël , Ismael Samer Sheikh , Raibaut Patrick , Amarenco Gérard 
Published: September 2007

Aims:  To describe the decrease in maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) following repeated coughs in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).Methods:  MUCP was recorded at rest and after seven cough efforts in 70 women under age 40 referred for urodynamic investigation (47 women with SUI and 23 women without SUI).Results:  The intraclass correlation coefficient for repeatability was very good at 400 mL filling volume: 0.94 (95%CI: 0.85–0.98), as compared to the mean and standard‐deviations of the MUCP measurements. A decrease in MUCP >20% after seven cough efforts was observed in 18(38%) patients in the SUI group and in just 1(4%) woman in the non‐SUI group (P = 0.0069).Conclusions:  Many women with SUI exhibit a sharp decrease in MUCP after repeated coughs. Many hypotheses may explain this phenomenon, including increased fatigue of the periurethral muscles.
Influence of sling material on inflammation and collagen deposit in an animal model
Authors: de Almeida Sílvio Henrique Maia , Rodrigues Marco Aurélio Freitas , Gregório Émerson , Crespígio Jéferson , Moreira Horácio Alvarenga 
Published: September 2007

Aim:  Compare inflammation and collagen production induced by four sling materials in female rats.Methods:  Adult female rats (n=144) were submitted to a urinary incontinence model and neutering. After four weeks they were randomized in 5 groups: Sham; autologous sling; Marlex; swine intestinal submucosa (SIS), and polypropylene mesh (TVT). Animals were killed at 7, 30 and 90 days. The inflammatory infiltrated area was rated from 0 to 3 (0=area smaller than 25%, 1=between 25% and 50%, 2 between 50% and 75%, and 3 for areas greater than 75%). The presence of granuloma and necrosis was noted. Penetration in the vesical wall was evaluated employing a system of scores from 0 to 3. The amount of collagen I and III, and the total was assessed using the Picro‐Sirius staining technique.Results:  The Sham group presented lower inflammatory parameters at 7 days. On the 30th day, the autologous fascia presented inflammatory reactions similar to the Sham group, and lower than the remaining groups. The synthetic materials demonstrated greater inflammatory reactions at 60 days. No differences between groups were observed other than those concerning collagen production, except at 60 days, when TVT and SIS differed from Fascia and Sham in the production of collagen III.Conclusion:  Autologous fascia produced less inflammatory reaction and collagen. TVT and Marlex caused more intense and longer‐lasting inflammatory reaction with greater visceral penetration. When TVT was used, this process resulted in a higher quantity of collagen III. The presence of SIS, although presenting a less intense inflammatory reaction than the synthetics, also caused greater collagen III production at 60 days.
Residential energy demand: a case study of Kuwait
Authors: Eltony M. Nagy , Al‐Awadhi Mohammad A. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis paper models and estimates energy demand by the household sector using the top‐down or the two‐level approach. The discussion has been developed to include a breakdown of household consumption by fuel type. It also simulates the developed model under three scenarios and presents analyses of the results.The empirical results indicate that short and long run energy consumption and the level of economic activity are interrelated. The model simulation shows that energy consumption varies directly with economic growth. It also illustrates that an increase of 200 per cent in all nominal energy prices will lead to a reduction in household energy demand of 29 per cent by the year 2015. The simulation results clearly demonstrate that the potential for energy conservation exists in Kuwait in the household sector and particularly in the consumption of electricity. Moreover, inter‐fuel substitution will be in favour of electricity when energy prices increase.
Impact of oil price volatility on Gulf Cooperation Council stock markets' return
Authors: Onour Ibrahim A. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis paper investigates the short and long‐term determinants of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stock markets' volatility. Since GCC countries are major suppliers of oil in world energy markets, their stock markets are likely to be susceptible to change in oil prices. Given that change in oil prices influence observable factors in GCC economies, we show in this paper that unobservable speculative factors drive short term stock market returns. The influence of oil price change on GCC stock markets returns is evidenced in the long‐term.1Long term is defined here as the period of time required for the effect of oil price changes to work out its way to influence major macroeconomic indicators that influence profitability of firms traded in GCC stock markets.
Impact of higher oil prices on the Chinese economy
Authors: Zaouali Sana 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe demand for oil in China has dramatically increased in the last years. Today, China is the second largest consumer of oil in the world behind the United States. This growing demand in oil comes in a context of steep international price hikes for oil. With its increasing oil consumption, China today plays a major role on the international oil markets, and a change in its consumption could seriously destabilise these markets. Moreover, today China occupies a preponderant place on the international scene, and a large drop in its economic activity could significantly affect world growth. It, therefore, is important for us to ask what the impact of the current increase in oil prices on the Chinese economy might be. The aim of this article is to conduct a quantitative analysis on the potential impact of the rise in oil prices on the Chinese economy. The macroeconomic and sectoral effects are evaluated with the help of a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model. Two scenarios were formulated: the first assuming a US $10 increase in international oil prices; the second, a $25 increase.
Quartz solubility in salt‐bearing solutions at pressures to 1 GPa and temperatures to 900°C
Authors: EVANS KATY 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAn expression that describes the solubility of quartz in alkali‐chloride‐bearing solutions is derived and applied to literature data on quartz solubility. The model is based on a physically realistic conceptual model that involves salt dissociation as a function of pressure, temperature and salt concentration, and the presence of hydrated monomer, dimers and hydrated alkali‐silica species. A simplified version of the model that neglects dimerization and water in the alkali‐silica species provides excellent fits to the experimental data with two calibration parameters at each pressure and temperature. The calibration parameters represent the relative stabilities of the alkali‐silica and hydrated‐silica solute complexes, and the degree of salt dissociation. The success of the model provides support for the existence of an alkali‐silica species in salt solutions at low fluid densities. The model can be interpolated successfully for NaCl‐bearing solutions between 0.1 and 1 GPa and from 400 to 900°C, with standard deviations of the predicted from the experimental data of less than 10% relative for most conditions. Quartz solubility within this range is described by
image

where Xi,app refers to the apparent mole fraction of i, which is the mole fraction calculated if NaCl is assumed to be totally associated, and X(SiO2,ref) is the mole fraction of SiO2 in the salt‐free solution.
image

image

where d is a calibration parameter that depends on pressure and density as shown below.
image

T is temperature in Kelvin, P is pressure in GPa and ρ is the density in g cm−3. Extrapolation of the expression beyond the calibration range is not recommended. Quartz solubility is additive for mixtures, so silica concentrations in solutions more complex than those covered by the literature data can also be predicted. Fits to the data also enabled regression of thermodynamic data for the proposed SiO2.(NaCl)0.5 species. H298 is −1040.2 ± 7.6 kJ mol−1, S298 is 0.169 ± 0.01 kJ mol−1 K−1 and V298 is 31 ± 4 kJ GPa−1 mol−1. The model is semi‐empirical because the fit parameters are correlated with one of the set parameters, and the use of a simplified mathematical description of salt dissociation. Nevertheless, the model provides an improved method for the calculation of quartz solubility in geological solutions.
A Case Study of Mediators of Treatment Effectiveness
Authors: Karno Mitchell P. 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Recent research has observed that the use of confrontation in psychosocial treatment for alcohol abuse or dependence has a negative effect on posttreatment alcohol use among patients at average or above average levels of trait anger. It is not known what mediates that negative effect. The current study examines the role of session attendance as a mediator of the effect of confrontation on patients’ subsequent alcohol use. In doing so, the study demonstrates the process of testing for mediation as well as planning analyses to meet additional conditions that can lend support to a causal mechanism of change.Methods:  Multiple regression analyses were used to test for session attendance as a mediator among 107 individuals with alcohol abuse or dependence who received either cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (n = 39), motivational enhancement therapy (MET) (n = 34), or twelve‐step facilitation therapy (TSF) (n = 34). Emphasis was placed on achieving the desired temporal sequence of the therapy intervention, the mediator, and the outcome variable.Results:  The data supported the role of session attendance as a partial mediator of the effect of confrontation on future alcohol use among patients who received CBT, but not among patients who received MET or TSF. In CBT, other potential mediators (e.g., therapeutic alliance and in‐session resistance) were not supported and did not change the support for session attendance in the model. Beyond mediation, some but not all criteria for a causal mechanism of change were also met.Conclusions:  This study suggests that in CBT the negative impact of confrontation early in treatment is partially explained by a reduction in the number of sessions patients attended. Different processes appear to be occurring in MET and TSF. By carefully constructing analytic models, results can speak both to issues of mediation and to causal mechanisms of change.
Lessons Learned From Psychotherapy Research
Authors: McKay James R. 
Published: September 2007

Background:  In addictions treatment research, there has been a relative paucity of work on mechanisms of action that account for observed treatment effects. In studies that have been done, there is little evidence that the purported active ingredients of behavioral interventions such as cognitive‐behavioral treatment or motivational interviewing actually mediate treatment effects. This suggests that new approaches are needed to study the process of change in behavioral treatments for addiction.Method:  This article reviews several approaches that have been taken by psychotherapy researchers to identify mechanisms of change, including studies of critical sessions, change across sessions, and the relative importance of general vs. specific therapeutic factors.Results:  These approaches all involve careful assessment of both therapist and patient behaviors during treatment sessions and study the relation of these factors to improvements or deteriorations in symptoms over the following weeks.Conclusions:  Suggestions are offered for how these methods could be used in addiction treatment research to generate hypotheses regarding mechanisms of change that could subsequently be tested in controlled studies.
12‐Step Approaches for the Dually Diagnosed: Mechanisms of Change
Authors: Bogenschutz Michael P. 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Existing data indicate that 12‐step program involvement is associated with improved outcomes in the dually diagnosed, but there are questions concerning the magnitude and mechanisms of this effect in various dually diagnosed populations.Methods:  Publications identified in a comprehensive review of the literature pertaining to 12‐step programs and patients with addictions and co‐occurring psychiatric disorders were reviewed for any content relevant to understanding the process of change involving dually diagnosed patients involved with 12‐step programs.Results:  Dually diagnosed individuals attend 12‐step programs at rates comparable to the nondually diagnosed, although specific diagnoses may have some effect on attendance. The benefits of 12‐step attendance do not appear to be markedly different for those with psychiatric disorders. Specialized 12‐step programs could have benefits for the dually diagnosed over and above those of traditional 12‐step programs. Existing data suggest that nonspecific change mechanisms (self‐efficacy, social support) are similar to those found in the general AA literature.Conclusions:  Based on existing data, the change mechanisms are broadly similar to those found in the general 12‐step literature, but additional factors related to mental illness may also play a significant role. Further work is necessary to test the components of this model and to achieve a firm empirical foundation for understanding the processes of 12‐step recovery in the dually diagnosed.
Reducing Past Harm Appraisals During Treatment Predicts Worse Substance Use Outcome
Authors: Muench Frederick , Morgenstern Jon 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Appraisals of the past harm from substance use have been associated with increased motivation and treatment seeking behaviors. Harm appraisals are subjective evaluations of the harm caused by substance use and differ from traditional consequences measures which assess the occurrence of adverse events related to substance use. Although influencing these appraisals is a central component to most treatments, no studies have examined how changes in these appraisals during treatment influence outcome. The present study examined how changes in appraisals of the past harm from substance use over the course of treatment influence short‐ and long‐term substance use outcomes.Methods:  Participants were 252 individuals seeking outpatient treatment for a substance use problem. Participants were assessed at treatment entry, end of treatment (13 weeks), and 9 months postbaseline. All participants were given a battery of measures that assessed substance use, consequences, self‐efficacy, motivation, treatment intensity, 12‐step affiliation, and appraisals of harm. Past harm change scores from baseline to end of treatment recoded into 3 groups: increased, remained the same, and decreased (reduced their perception of the harm from substance use).Results:  Reductions in appraisals of past harm from baseline to end of treatment predicted lower PDA and higher objective consequences at end of treatment and 9‐month follow‐up. There were no significant differences in outcome between those who increased versus maintained harm appraisals from baseline to end of treatment. Higher treatment intensity and 12‐step affiliation were associated with fewer reductions in past harm appraisals.Conclusions:  Results of the present study suggest subjective appraisals of the past harm from substance use wane for some people during treatment and that helping clients maintain or increase their perceptions of the past harm from substance use over the course of treatment is associated with better short‐ and long‐term outcomes.
Treatment Completion in a Brief Motivational Intervention in the Emergency Department: The Effect of Multiple Interventions and Therapists' Behavior
Authors: Baird Janette , Longabaugh Richard , Lee Christina S. , Nirenberg Ted D. , Woolard Robert , Mello Michael J. , Becker Bruce , Carty Kathleen , Allison Minugh P. , Stein Lynda , Clifford Patrick R. , Gogineni Aruna 
Published: September 2007

Background:  The aim of this study was to identify therapist behaviors during a brief motivational intervention (BMI) given to injured emergency department patients that predicted participant return for a second BMI session and 12‐month alcohol‐related outcomes.Method:  This was a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial (n = 539) previously demonstrating that random assignment to a BMI and booster session resulted in a significant reduction of 12‐month postintervention alcohol‐related injuries and negative consequences relative to standard care.Results:  Participants who actually received 2 BMI sessions had significantly less alcohol‐related negative consequences than those who received only 1 BMI session. Therapists who reported a higher focus on emotional support and low focus on participant drinking behaviors during the initial BMI session were more likely to have assigned participants return for the second BMI session.Conclusion:  The results of these secondary analyses show that compliance with a 2‐session therapeutic intervention (BIB) predicted fewer negative alcohol‐related consequences, and that therapists’ supportive emotional emphasis during the first BMI session was important in predicting participants returning for the second MI session.
Perspectives and Future Directions
Authors: Morgenstern Jon 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Mechanisms of behavior change (MOBC) in treating drinking problems is a topic of growing importance.Methods:  This article identifies salient themes presented in talks during the first Annual RSA Satellite on Mechanisms of Behavior Change in Alcoholism Treatment.Results:  Themes focused on the need to move beyond a passive approach to identifying MOBC in alcoholism treatment and a number of conceptual and methodological advances were proposed.Conclusions:  While a consensus has emerged that more attention should be paid to MOBC in alcoholism treatment research, a subgroup of experts are calling for MOBC to be the primary focus in future efforts.
Clinical characteristics and microbiota of progressing slight chronic periodontitis in adults
Authors: Tanner Anne C. R. , Kent Ralph , Kanasi Eleni , Lu Shulin C. , Paster Bruce J. , Sonis Steven T. , Murray Lora A. , Van Dyke Thomas E. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim: This study sought clinical and microbial risk indicators for progressing slight periodontitis.Material and Methods: One hundred and seventeen periodontally healthy or slight periodontitis adults (20–40 years) were monitored clinically at 6‐month intervals followed by supragingival cleaning. Inter‐proximal sites with >1.5 mm increase in clinical attachment over 18 months were considered disease active. Subgingival plaque was analysed by 78 16S rDNA and 38 whole‐genomic DNA probes and by PCR to Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia. Characteristics were compared between active and inactive subjects.Results: Twenty‐two subjects showed disease activity principally at molars. Mean baseline gingival and plaque indices, bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level (CAL) were higher in active subjects. DNA probes detected species and not‐yet‐cultivated phylotypes from chronic periodontitis, although few species were associated with active subjects. By PCR P. gingivalis (p=0.007) and T. forsythia (p=0.075) were detected more frequently during monitoring in active subjects. Stepwise logistic analysis associated baseline levels of gingival index, clinical attachment and bleeding with subsequent clinical attachment loss.Conclusions: Gingivitis and CAL were significantly associated with progressing slight periodontitis in 20–40‐year‐old adults. Species associated with moderate and advanced chronic periodontitis were detected in slight periodontitis.
Severe periodontitis is associated with systemic inflammation and a dysmetabolic status: a case–control study
Authors: Nibali Luigi , D'Aiuto Francesco , Griffiths Gareth , Patel Kalpesh , Suvan Jean , Tonetti Maurizio S. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim: A cluster of metabolic factors defines a syndrome that predisposes to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Chronic infections such as periodontitis might alter these individual metabolic factors and the systemic inflammatory burden. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between severe periodontitis and increase in inflammatory and metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease.Materials and Methods: We examined 302 patients with severe periodontitis and 183 healthy controls, and we collected a blood sample from each subject in order to investigate differences in inflammatory (leukocyte numbers and differential counts) and metabolic markers (lipids and glucose).Results: After correcting for differences in age, gender, smoking and ethnicity, periodontitis subjects exhibited a low‐grade systemic inflammation (increased white cell counts, 1.10±1.02 × 109/l, 95%CI 1.05–1.15, p=0.0001), dyslipidemia [lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, 1.14±1.03 mmol/l, 95%CI 1.08–1.20, p<0.0001 and higher low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, 1.12±1.03, 95%CI 1.05–1.19, p<0.0001) and increased non‐fasting serum glucose levels (1.04±1.01 mmol/l, 95%CI 1.02–1.06, p=0.01) when compared with controls. The associations were confirmed in a subpopulation of Caucasian non‐smokers. A trend for a dose dependent effect of the number of periodontal pockets on the tested inflammatory and metabolic markers was observed.Conclusions: These data suggest a possible link between severe generalized periodontitis, systemic inflammation and a dysmetabolic state in otherwise healthy individuals.
Hyper‐reactive PMNs in FcγRIIa 131 H/H genotype periodontitis patients
Authors: Nicu E. A. , Van der Velden U. , Everts V. , Van Winkelhoff A. J. , Roos D. , Loos B. G. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground: Receptors for the Fc part of IgG (FcγRIIa) on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) mediate phagocytosis and cell activation. Previous results show that one of the genetic variants of the FcγRIIa, the 131 H/H, is associated with more periodontal breakdown than the R/R. This may be due to hyper‐reactivity of the H/H‐PMNs upon interaction with bacteria.Aim: To study whether the FcγRIIa genotype modifies the PMN reactivity in periodontitis patients.Material and Methods: A cohort of 98 periodontitis patients was genotyped. From these, 10 H/H and 10 R/R consented to participate. PMNs were incubated with immune serum‐opsonized Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.). Phagocytosis, degranulation (CD63 and CD66b expression), respiratory burst and elastase release were assessed.Results: Patients of the H/H genotype showed more bone loss than those with the H/R or R/R genotype (p=0.038). H/H‐PMNs phagocytosed more opsonized A.a. than did R/R‐PMNs (p=0.019). The H/H‐PMNs also expressed more CD63 and CD66b than did the R/R‐PMNs (p=0.004 and 0.002, respectively) and released more elastase (p=0.001).Conclusions: The genotyping results confirm previous reports that more periodontal destruction occurs in the H/H genotype than in the H/R or R/R genotype. The functional studies indicate a hyper‐reactivity of the H/H‐PMN in response to bacteria, which may be one of several pathways leading to more periodontal breakdown.