bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Haematological Perturbations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Positive Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Edo State, Nigeria
Authors: Chikezie K. , Uche C. L. , Ekeleme N. C. , Okite U. P. , Abali I. O. , Jibiro P. , Airaodion A. I. 
Published: January 2024

Aim: This study sought to investigate the haematological perturbations in HIV-positive patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Edo State, Nigeria.
Methodology: This cross-sectional case-controlled study was conducted at the HIV clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The research enrolled 150 HIV-positive patients and an equal number of sex and age-matched HIV-negative control subjects. Inclusion criteria encompassed individuals aged 18 years and older, confirmed HIV-positive, and receiving ART for at least six months. Exclusion criteria excluded those with sickle cell disorder, recent transfusions, or ongoing sepsis/malaria. Data collection involved self-administered questionnaires, HIV diagnosis via WHO-approved Nigerian National testing algorithms, and comprehensive haematological assessments. The obtained data were analysed using SPSS software, employing descriptive statistics and t-tests with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Results revealed significant differences in demographic variables, duration of HIV infection, smoking history, and alcohol consumption between HIV-positive patients and control subjects. Furthermore, CD4+ T lymphocyte counts showed substantial variations, indicating immunological differences. Haematological parameters such as haemoglobin levels, packed cell volume, white blood cell, platelet counts, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate exhibited statistically significant differences between the two groups. Additionally, a sub-analysis of HIV-positive patients based on CD4+ T lymphocyte counts highlighted specific haematological changes associated with varying immunological statuses.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the impact of HIV and ART on haematological parameters, emphasizing the need for comprehensive monitoring and management strategies. This research contributes valuable insights into the context of HIV management in Nigeria, aiding healthcare professionals in optimizing patient care.
Efficacy and Safety of Unani Formulation in Loss of Appetite
Authors: Huma  , Habib Arif , Iqbal Arsheed , Zahoor  , Arjumand  , Sabia  
Published: January 2024

Aims and Objectives: Loss of appetite (LOA) impacts individual well-being and quality of life. It can contribute to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies, and associated poor healthcare outcomes, including increased mortality. This study presents the efficacy and safety of Unani pharmacopeia formulation. Habb-e-TurshMushtahi in loss of appetite (Anorexia).
Study Design: Open-labelled, single arm, clinical trial.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 100 patients having the complaint of loss of appetite; Patients of either sex in the age group of 18 to 65years and decreased appetite with SNAC ≤14 were included in the study. The treatment was given for two weeks and safety assessment was done before and after end of treatment. P-value 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Females were almost double than men who were suffered with the disease. The considered parameters show a good response p < 0.05 after the intervention of Unani pharmacopoeial formulation in both genders. In case of safety parameters, no significance p>0.05 has been seen for pathological and biochemical investigations.
Conclusion: The management for the loss of appetite can be easily treated with the unani drug which is effective for the rapid relief without any adverse effect.
Economic costs of post-natal depression in a high-risk British cohort
Authors: Petrou Stavros , Cooper Peter , Murray Lynne , Davidson Leslie L. 
Published: November 2002

BackgroundPost-natal depression is a common condition that can result in distress for the mother and deleterious effects on the development of the infant.AimsTo estimate the economic costs of post-natal depression in a geographically defined cohort of women at high risk of developing the condition.MethodUnit costs were applied to estimates of health and social care resource use made by 206 women recruited from antenatal clinics and their infants. Net costs per mother–infant dyad over the first 18 months post-partum were estimated.ResultsMean mother–infant dyad costs were estimated at £2419.00 for women with post-natal depression and £2026.90 for women without post-natal depression, a mean cost difference of £392.10 (P=0.17). The mean cost differences between women with and without post-natal depression reached statistical significance for community care services (P=0.01), but not for other categories of service. Economic costs were higher for women with extended experiences of the condition.ConclusionsThe results of this study should be used to facilitate the effective planning of services by different agencies.
Stigma and expressed emotion: a study of people with schizophrenia and their family members in China
Authors: Phillips Michael R. , Pearson Veronica , Li Feifei , Xu Minjie , Yang Lawrence 
Published: November 2002

BackgroundThe most damaging effect of stigma is the internalisation of others' negative valuations.AimsTo explore the factors that mediate patients' emotional and cognitive responses to stigma.MethodBased on responses to 10 open-ended questions about stigma appended to the Chinese version of the Camberwell Family Interview, trained coders rated the effect of stigma on both patients and family members in 1491 interviews conducted with 952 family members of 608 patients with schizophrenia at 5 sites around China from 1990 to 2000.ResultsFamily members reported that stigma had had a moderate to severe effect on the lives of patients over the previous 3 months in 60% of the interviews, and on the lives of other family members in 26% of the interviews. The effect of stigma on patients and family members was significantly greater if the respondent had a high level of expressed emotion, if the patient had more severe positive symptoms, if the respondent was highly educated and if the family lived in a highly urbanised area.ConclusionsClinicians should assess the effect of stigma as part of the standard work-up for patients with mental illness, and help patients and family members reduce the effect of stigma on their lives.
Focus on psychiatry in Italy
Authors: Piccinelli Marco , Politi Pierluigi , Barale Francesco 
Published: November 2002

Italy has experienced a significant change in its mental health sector, with a radical shift from old mental institutions to new community-based psychiatric services. The Italian experience attracted international attention and, in some instances, led to similar changes occurring abroad. Recently, economic considerations are imposing additional challenges on the health care system in general, with psychiatry facing distinct and peculiar problems due to its unique organisation and objectives. This paper aims:(a) to provide a historical overview of the changes in mental health provision in Italy over the past century;(b) to describe the present organisation of mental health services;(c) to show the impact of financing on the mental health sector;(d) to acknowledge the education and training programmes in mental health;(e) to outline research directions and activities.
Long-term hospital attendance of children and adults who have undergone removal of normal or inflamed appendices
Authors: Dummett Nicola J. , Maughan Nicola J. , Worrall-Davies Anne 
Published: November 2002

BackgroundEarly studies suggested that presentations with unexplained acute abdominal pain were associated with increased long-term rates of hospital attendance and self-harm, especially in women, but few studies were large enough for definitive findings.AimsTo test the hypothesis that such presentations are followed by higher long-term utilisation rates of secondary health care even excluding further abdominal symptoms, and particularly for self-harm, than presentations with acute appendicitis.MethodNew hospital attendance rates, liaison psychiatry attendances and self-harm attendances of patients with normal appendices at emergency appendicectomy were compared with those of appendicitis patients.ResultsAttendance rates of all kinds were significantly higher for normal appendix patients than for appendicitis patients, with equal strengths of finding for males and females.ConclusionsPeople with normal appendices at emergency appendicectomy show higher long-term rates of hospital attendance. This has implications for how these patients are best managed by health care systems.
Geographical variations in substance misuse services waiting
times and methadone treatment of opiate dependence in England and
Wales
Authors: Luty Jason 
Published: November 2002

AIMS AND METHODSA postal and telephone survey of 140 community drug teams was undertaken
to determine geographical variations in waiting times and methadone
prescribing policies.ResultsThe average waiting time was 7.2 weeks for assessment and 10.6 weeks from
referral to receiving methadone. ‘Methadone maintenance’ was not
available in 25 units, although it was commonly provided in 41 units.
In-patient detoxification for illicit drug dependence was available in
108 units, of which 59 units had access to beds in dedicated
drug-dependency units, while the remaining 49 units referred in-patients
to general psychiatry wards.Clinical ImplicationsDespite government guidelines, it was clear that methadone was readily
available to opiate users in some units whereas prescribing was very
limited in others. The great variation in prescribing policies and
waiting lists between community drug teams will make it extremely
difficult to compare their effectiveness. Waiting lists are an explicit
target for the National Treatment Agency involved in commissioning
substance misuse services.
Ethnic differences in prisoners
Authors: Coid Jeremy , Petruckevitch Ann , Bebbington Paul , Brugha Traolach , Bhugra Dinesh , Jenkins Rachel , Farrell Mike , Lewis Glyn , Singleton Nicola 
Published: November 2002

BackgroundIn England and Wales, persons of African–Caribbean origin are more likely to be both imprisoned and admitted to secure hospitals.AimsTo estimate population-based rates of imprisonment in different ethnic groups, and compare criminal behaviour and psychiatric morbidity.MethodWe examined Home Office data on all persons in prison, and carried out a two-stage cross-sectional survey of 3142 remanded and sentenced, male and female, prisoners in all penal establishments in England and Wales in 1997.ResultsWe confirmed high rates of imprisonment for Black people and lower rates for South Asians. Different patterns of offending and lower prevalence of psychiatric morbidity were observed in Black prisoners.ConclusionsDespite increased risks of imprisonment, African–Caribbeans show less psychiatric morbidity than White prisoners. This contrasts with the excess of African–Caribbeans in secure hospitals, an inconsistency possibly in part due to the effects of ethnic groups on admission procedures.
A novel way of enhancing the electrical and thermal stability of conductive epoxy resin–carbon black composites via the Joule heating effect for heating‐element applications
Authors: El‐Tantawy Farid , Kamada K. , Ohnabe H. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractThe influence of Joule heating treatments and carbon black (CB) on the electrical and thermal behavior of epoxy resin composites is well described in this article. The effect of CB and Joule heating on network structure characteristics, such as shrinkability, interparticle distance between conductive particles, crosslinking density, hardness, thermoelectric power, thermal conductivity, the thermal expansion coefficient, and scanning electron microscopy, of epoxy composites was investigated. The electrical conductivity (σ) of epoxy resin correlated with the volume fraction of CB and Joule heating treatment. σ increased continuously with increasing CB content, and Joule heating increased the level of σ, which makes it attractive for electronic utilization. The σ for fresh and Joule heating samples was recorded during heating–cooling cycles. The conduction mechanism of σ for epoxy composites was identified. The activation energy and hopping energy for two batches of epoxy as a function of CB content were estimated. The hopping distance, the state density at the Fermi level, and the radius of localized wave function versus CB content were evaluated. The current–voltage–temperature characteristics of fresh and Joule heating samples of epoxy composites were demonstrated. The thermal reliability was tested by means of temperature–time characteristics when certain applied power was on and off for several cycles. The specific heat and amount of heat transfer by radiation and convection were calculated based on the energy balance model for two batches. The results indicate that the Joule heating effect is a very effective and prospective way of enhancing the electrical and thermal stability of epoxy–CB composites for consumer use as heaters and in other electronic areas such as electromagnetic shielding effectiveness. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 97–109, 2003
1H nuclear magnetic resonance study of polyurethane prepolymers from toluene diisocyanate and polypropylene glycol
Authors: Pegoraro Mario , Galbiati Alessandro , Ricca Giuliana 
Published: November 2002

AbstractPolyurethane prepolymers prepared from toluene 2,4‐diisocyanate, toluene 2,6‐diisocyanate, and polypropylene glycol with a ratio between the isocyanate and hydroxyl groups equal to 2 were analyzed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in acetone‐d6. Different temperatures and concentrations were used. Toluene 2,4‐dimethylurethane and toluene 2,6‐dimethylurethane were synthesized and used as model compounds to assign prepolymers signals. Measurements of spin–lattice relaxation time T1 by “inversion recovery” experiments were carried out on toluene 2,4‐diisocyanate, toluene 2,6‐diisocyanate, toluene 2,4‐dimethylurethane, toluene 2,6‐dimethylurethane, and polyurethane prepolymers. Differences in T1 times were used to interpret prepolymers spectra, by means of the strong observed effect on protons due to the presence of adjacent isocyanate groups. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 347–357, 2003
Mahua‐oil‐based resins for the high‐temperature curing of fly ash coatings
Authors: Tiwari Sangeeta , Saxena Mohini , Tiwari Sandeep Kumar 
Published: November 2002

AbstractWe attempted to prepare medium‐oil‐length glycerol alkyds based on Mahua oil. Fatty acids were isolated from the oil and used in the preparation of alkyds by the fusion method. The resins were characterized by IR spectroscopic analysis. The physicochemical and film properties of these resins were also studied. IR analysis of the resins revealed the formation of phthalate esters showing characteristic peaks at 1720 cm−1. The resin was modified with melamine formaldehyde, which cured at high temperatures. Alternatively, the resin was made to air dry with ester gum, and the curing behavior was studied. The suitability of these resins for high‐temperature curing fly ash coating applications was established. Coatings were formulated with these resins and with 40% fly ash as an extender. The coatings were characterized by standard techniques, particularly for their anticorrosive and antiabrasive properties. Resistance to corrosion was evaluated in humidity and in salt‐spray conditions. We conducted a high‐stress (two‐body) abrasion test to test the abrasive wear resistance of the coatings. The Mahua‐oil‐resin‐based fly ash coatings were suitable for application in moderately corrosive and abrasive environments. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 110–120, 2003
Some new operational modes and parameters of stress relaxation for the viscoelastic characterization of solid polymers. I. The “virtual modulus” mode
Authors: Kytopoulos V. N. , Bourkas G. D. , Sideridis E. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractA new operational (functional) parameter, the so‐called virtual modulus, Ē(t), is introduced. By this, an attempt was made for the approximation of the function of the real modulus E(t), which, as known, is valid only for instantaneous loading, namely, for zero loading times. Thus, through a simple theoretical modeling and an algorithmic approach, the determination of E(t), from Ē(t), sets sail, at the end, to the solution of a Volterra integral equation of the second type, which, in turn, sets sail to the solution of a differential equation. By the aid of numerical integration and also of some experimental evidence, it seems that this solution is valid only for loading times approximately above 0.2 s, thus obtaining, in fact, a “pseudomodulus” of relaxation. To assess the validity of this pseudomodulus, the well‐known Kohlrausch–Williams–Watt (KWW) and the power‐law models were used as some crude “criteria.” By means of best fit, it appeared, at the first instance, that the so‐calculated pseudomodulus better obeys the power‐law model than it does the KWW model. This is a certain contradiction with the so‐called apparent modulus, which was obtained from experiment with a finite loading time superior to 1 s. Two other criteria that were used have shown a satisfactory proof of the validity of this modeling. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 121–137, 2003
Some new operational modes and parameters of stress relaxation for the viscoelastic characterization of solid polymers. II. The “vertical‐shift” mode and intrinsic “time–strain clock”
Authors: Kytopoulos V. N. , Bourkas G. D. , Sideridis E. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractAs in part I of this study, in the same manner in the present part II as well, by the same modus operandi way, an attempt was made to introduce, by means of a given operational mode, some further practical parameters for a “by‐eye” but well‐proven experimental viscoelastic characterization of a polymeric solid. Thus, through consideration of the peculiar vertical shift behavior of the apparent modulus (Ẽ) of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and based on the KWW model, it is shown that, in an empirical and a formalistic sense, a relevant effective or equivalent (single) characteristic relaxation time can be introduced which can give some new interpretations for the linear and nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of a polymeric material, as that of a “time–strain clock,” which, as an intrinsic function, is responsable for a functional time–strain shift of the relaxation time and, at the same time, for a shift toward to a more linear or to a more nonlinear behavior. In the above context of attempts, another functional relationship was shown, the so‐called spectral shift function and its corresponding parameter of nonlinearity strength, through which some further interpretations and characterizations connected with the existence of the permanent internal stress could be made. Finally, the introduction of the so‐called spectral isostrains and their corresponding “spectral inversion point” complete the “set” of the operative parameters proposed for the above‐mentioned purpose. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 138–148, 2003
Some new operational modes and parameters of stress relaxation for the viscoelastic characterization of solid polymers. III. The area ratio mode and the intrinsic “strain–clock” function
Authors: Kytopoulos V. N. , Bourkas G. D. , Sideridis E. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractThe introduced area ratio mode of operation with its corresponding parameters seems to have a fairly high sensitivity to the viscoelastic response of the solid polymer. This appeared from the fact that a good distinction among the linear viscoelastic, the nonlinear viscoelastic, and the viscoplastic ranges of behavior can be made. By using a relevant rheological modeling and its corresponding algorithmical approach, in the case of isotactic polypropylene, this material can be characterized as a morphological three‐phase material consisting of an intraspherulitic crystalline, an amorphous phase, and a interspherulitic para‐crystalline phase. In this sense, the material was simulated using two models: the Poynting–Thomson and the Maxwell–Wierchert, from where a good response of the material to the first model appeared. The so‐called intrinsic “strain–clock” function and its corresponding coefficient of strength of nonlinear viscoelastic behavior, which were relieved by the experimental data, seem to be some powerful and very practical “tools” that can give a proven suplementary characterization of the material. Finally, by this intrinsic function, the existence of permanent internal stresses, was confirmed, in an indirect way, which was mentioned in part II of this study. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 149–158, 2003
The influence of the nature of organoaluminum compound on kinetic heterogeneity of active sites in lanthanide‐based diene polymerization
Authors: Sigaeva N. N. , Usmanov T. S. , Budtov V. P. , Spivak S. I. , Zaikov G. E. , Monakov Yu. B. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractThe influence of organoaluminum compound on kinetic heterogeneity of active sites in lanthanide‐based diene polymerization was investigated. It was shown that heterogeneity of investigated catalytic systems was displayed in the existence of four types of active centers. They are formed at the beginning of the polymerization process and produce macromolecules with lengths that are definite for each type of active centers. The organoaluminum compound's nature greatly influences the kinetic activity of polymerization centers. The method of analysis of the curves' maximum distribution on kinetic activity and the change of kinetic activity of every active centers' type were proposed, which permits the calculation of values of concentration for each type of active center separately. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 358–368, 2003
Studies on self‐assembly and characterization of polyelectrolytes and organic dyes
Authors: Lin Xianjun , Zhong Anyong , Chen Deben , Zhou Zonghua , He Bobing 
Published: November 2002

AbstractFour polyelectrolyte complexes were formed through self‐assembly of poly‐N‐ethyl‐N,N‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (PEDEM) and poly‐N‐ethyl‐4‐vinylpyridinium (PEVP) cations with methyl orange (MO) and metanil yellow (MY) anions in water. The FTIR spectra showed that the assembly was formed chiefly through electrostatic force and hydrophobic interaction between polyelectrolytes and organic dyes without new bonds emerging. The fluorescence spectra revealed that the emission waves of the complexes of PEDEM–MY and PEDEM–MO in alcohol were blue‐shifted in comparison with that of dyes in alcohol, and the emission waves of the PEVP–MY and PEVP–MO_ complexes in alcohol were red‐shifted in comparison with that of dyes in alcohol. The structure of the complexes in the solid state were also investigated by DTA and X‐ray diffraction experiments. It could be proved that the complexes were new materials formed through weak interactions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 369–374, 2003
The study of surface segregation and the formation of gradient domain structure at the blend of poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(dimethyl siloxane) graft copolymers and acrylate adhesive copolymers
Authors: Lee Yongjun , Akiba Isamu , Akiyama Saburo 
Published: November 2002

AbstractThe effect of siloxane chain length on surface segregation of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐grafted poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PMMA‐g‐PDMS)/poly(2‐ethylhexyl acrylate‐co‐acrylic acid‐co‐vinyl acetate) [P(2EHA‐AA‐VAc)] blends was investigated. The blends of PMMA‐g‐PDMS with P(2EHA‐AA‐VAc) showed surface segregations of PDMS components. The surface enrichments of PDMS in the blends depended significantly on the PDMS chain length. Also, this blend showed the gradient domain structure. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 375–380, 2003