bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coefficient of friction: tribological studies in man – an overview
Authors: Sivamani Raja K. , Goodman Jack , Gitis Norm V. , Maibach Howard I. 
Published: July 2003

Background/purpose: Compared to other studies of skin, relatively few studies have focused on the friction of skin. This work reviews existing skin friction, emphasizing test apparatuses and parameters that have added to information regarding the friction coefficient. This review also outlines what factors are important to consider in future friction studies.Methods: Past studies have utilized numerous designs for a test apparatus, including probe geometry and material, as well as various probe motions (rotational vs. linear). Most tests were performed in vivo; a few were performed in vitro and on porcine skin.Results: Differences in probe material, geometry and smoothness affect friction coefficient measurements. An increase in skin hydration, either through water or through moisturizer application, increases its friction coefficient; a decrease in skin hydration, either through clinical dermatitis or through alcohol addition, decreases the coefficient. Differences are present between anatomical sites. Conflicting results are found regarding age and no differences are apparent as a result of gender or race.Conclusion: Skin friction appears to be dependent on several factors – such as age, anatomical site and skin hydration. The choice of the probe and the test apparatus also influence the measurement.
Friction coefficient of skin in real‐time
Authors: Sivamani Raja K. , Goodman Jack , Gitis Norm V. , Maibach Howard I. 
Published: July 2003

Background/purpose: Friction studies are useful in quantitatively investigating the skin surface. Previous studies utilized different apparatuses and materials for these investigations but there was no real‐time test parameter control or monitoring. Our studies incorporated the commercially available UMT Series Micro‐Tribometer, a tribology instrument that permits real‐time monitoring and calculation of the important parameters in friction studies, increasing the accuracy over previous tribology and friction measurement devices used on skin.Methods: Our friction tests were performed on four healthy volunteers and on abdominal skin samples. A stainless steel ball was pressed on to the skin with at a pre‐set load and then moved across the skin at a constant velocity of 5 mm/min. The UMT continuously monitored the friction force of the skin and the normal force of the ball to calculate the friction coefficient in real‐time. Tests investigated the applicability of Amonton's law, the impact of increased and decreased hydration, and the effect of the application of moisturizers.Results: The friction coefficient depends on the normal load applied, and Amonton's law does not provide an accurate description for the skin surface. Application of water to the skin increased the friction coefficient and application of isopropyl alcohol decreased it. Fast acting moisturizers immediately increased the friction coefficient, but did not have the prolonged effect of the slow, long lasting moisturizers.Conclusion: The UMT is capable of making real‐time measurements on the skin and can be used as an effective tool to study friction properties. Results from the UMT measurements agree closely with theory regarding the skin surface.
Biofeedback-based interventions in somatoform disorders: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nanke Alexandra , Rief Winfried 
Published: July 2003

Background and aim:The aim of the controlled therapy study was to evaluate the effect of a 6 session biofeedback intervention program on cognitive aspects of patients with somatoform disorders. The treatment consisted of psycho-physiological demonstrations how mental processes can influence biological functions. We expected this treatment to be of high credibility, to change maladaptive cognitions, to enhance acceptance of psychosocial causal attribution and to improve coping.Methods:Patients were assessed using a structured interview to diagnose somatization syndrome (SSI-8) and comorbidity according to DSM-IV criteria. Fifty patients were recruited and randomly assigned to biofeedback treatment or control relaxation group. Participants completed a questionnaire battery assessing cognitive characteristics, causal attributions and controllability before and after intervention as well as evaluation protocols for each session.Results:The results suggest that biofeedback modified the patients' cognitive schemata: Patients with somatization syndrome of the biofeedback group showed a greater reduction of catastrophizing of somatic sensations and higher acceptance of psychosocial causal attributions than the control group. Both groups improved significantly in the conviction of self-efficacy.
Psychopharmacotherapy of somatoform disorders: effects of opipramol on symptoms of somatization, anxiety, and depression
Authors: Möller Hans-Jürgen , Volz Hans-Peter , Stoll Klaus-Dieter 
Published: July 2003

Background:The psychopharmacotherapy of somatoform disorders (SD; ICD-10: F45) has been less frequently investigated and is not as well established as in other (neurotic) disorders of ICD-10 section F4, i.e. generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; ICD-10: F41.1). The atypical compound opipramol is very often used to treat SD and GAD in clinical practice in Germany. However, state-of-the-art controlled clinical trials have not yet been performed.Objectives:Two clinical trials were performed with the aim of confirming the efficacy and tolerability of opipramol in SD and GAD.Methods:Both trials were performed as randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies. While the GAD trial was a three-arm study with opipramol (200 mg/day) vs. placebo and alprazolam (2 mg/day) for 28 days, the SD trial was a placebo-controlled two-arm study with a treatment duration of 42 days. Each group consisted of about 100 patients.Results:Significant differences (alpha = 0.05) were found for the primary efficacy criteria (HAMA total score in GAD, HAMA somatic subscore in SD) and most of the secondary criteria in favor of the active drug therapies. Considerable differences between the psychopathology of SD and GAD were detected.Conclusion:The well-tolerated anxiolytic opipramol is the first psychotropic drug with proven efficacy in somatoform disorders with effects on symptoms of somatization, anxiety, and depression. The compound is also effective and safe in GAD.
Enhanced glucocorticoid sensitivity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Gaab Jens , Rohleder Nicolas , Heitz Vera , Schad Tanja , Engert Veronika , Schürmeyer Thomas H , Ehlert Ulrike 
Published: July 2003

Objective:Alterations of the immune–neuroendocrine interplay have been described in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Employing a recently developed method, the study set out to investigate whether patients with CFS have an altered sensitivity to glucocorticoids (GCs) when under stress.Methods:A total of 21 CFS patients and 20 healthy age- and gender-matched controls underwent a standardized psychosocial stress test (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST). Salivary and plasma cortisol levels were measured repeatedly following exposure to the stressor. GC sensitivity was assessedin vitroby dexamethasone inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNC-α).Results:Cortisol responses following the TSST did not differ significantly between CFS patients and healthy controls. GC sensitivity differed significantly between CFS patients and healthy controls, with CFS patients showing a greater sensitivity towards GCs (TNF-α:F1/39= 7.32,P= 0.01; IL-6:F1/39= 9.73,P= 0.004).Conclusion:Consistent with recent evidence, CFS patients are characterized by an enhanced sensitivity to glucocorticoids. The implications for secondary processes, such as the regulatory influence of glucocorticoids on immune processes, are discussed.
Cognitive behavior therapy for functional gastrointestinal disorders: is group treatment effective?
Authors: Leibbrand Rolf , Hiller Wolfgang 
Published: July 2003

Objective:The intention of this study was to evaluate therapy outcome of a cognitive-behavioral group treatment program for functional gastrointestinal disorders. As a particular characteristic, gastrointestinal symptoms were investigated independently from diagnostic categories on a dimensional basis, considering the persistence of symptoms as well as the aspect of severity.Methods:A total of 64 subjects participated in the 10-week treatment program, and 49 completed the study. Subjects underwent four assessments (baseline, pre-, post-treatment, 12-month follow-up), each comprising several self-rated questionnaires on gastrointestinal, somatoform, depressive, hypochondriacal and anxious symptoms, and health locus of control, as well as a diagnostic interview of functional gastrointestinal and mental disorders at the baseline assessment. Treatment effects were controlled by subjects' waiting list period before treatment.Results:Gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as comorbid psychopathology scores, decreased significantly during treatment and remained unchanged during the follow-up period, whereas no relevant changes were found in health locus of control. Largest effect sizes were found for gastrointestinal symptoms, which decreased by 30–50% of their initial number.Conclusions:The group treatment investigated was effective and particularly successful with respect to functional gastrointestinal symptoms. However, the mechanisms of treatment outcome remain indistinct. Further studies comparing different setting conditions directly are required to clarify the question of whether group treatment is significantly superior or inferior to individual therapy.
Somatoform disorders in patients with musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases in comparison to the general population
Authors: Baumeister Harald , Härter Martin 
Published: July 2003

Objective:The present epidemiological study investigates sex- and age-adjusted 4-week, 12-month, and lifetime prevalence rates of somatoform disorders in in-patients with musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases in comparison with prevalence rates of these disorders in the general population in Germany.Methods:Prevalence rates were calculated from two samples, one from rehabilitation in-patients with musculoskeletal (n = 187) or cardiovascular (n = 116) diseases, and one from a large sample of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey – Mental Health Supplement (GHS-MHS; n = 3889). The prevalence rates were based on the M-CIDI, an interview for the assessment of mental disorders.Results:The adjusted prevalence rates of any mental disorder in both clinical samples are higher compared with rates of the general population (e.g. lifetime musculoskeletal, 59.3%; cardiovascular, 56.2%; general population, 47.9%). Prevalence rates of patients with cardiovascular (e.g. 12.2%) and musculoskeletal (21.5%) diseases do not indicate an increased prevalence of somatoform disorders compared with the general population (18.2%).Conclusions:The results confirm that patients with chronic somatic diseases have increased prevalence rates of mental disorders. However, these increased prevalence rates go primarily back to affective and anxiety disorders and not to somatoform disorders. The diagnostic criteria for somatoform disorders and the question algorithm of the M-CIDI are probably responsible for potential underestimation of somatoform disorders in patients with chronic somatic diseases.
Negative priming for threatening vs. non-threatening information in body dysmorphic disorder
Authors: Wilhelm Sabine , Buhlmann Ulrike , McNally Richard J 
Published: July 2003

Background:Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) suffer from unpleasant, repetitive thoughts about imagined defects in appearance which are difficult to control.Objective:The purpose of this study was to test for deficits in cognitive inhibition in BDD.Methods:To test for deficits in cognitive inhibition in BDD, we applied a negative priming paradigm. Specifically, we explored whether BDD patients exhibit greater deficits in cognitive inhibition when lexical targets are threatening than when they are non-threatening.Results:Surprisingly, BDD patients exhibited deficits in cognitive inhibition only for non-threatening but not for threatening information.Conclusions:Although BDD patients often describe their negative thoughts about their appearance as distressing, they may experience them as valid and thus may not try to control them.
Bladder leiomyoma: Rare presentation as a pelvic mass
Authors: Banerjee Kaberi , Mittal Suneeta , Mishra Renu , Singh Gulati Manpreet , Gupta Siddhartha Datta 
Published: July 2003

AbstractBladder leiomyomas are rare tumors. They very rarely present as a pelvic mass. We present an interesting case where a giant bladder leiomyoma was mistaken to be an ovarian mass. A bladder preserving surgery was performed. The literature is reviewed and the management is discussed.
Study of serum levels of superoxide dismutase in preeclampsia and eclampsia: role of the test as a predictive tool
Authors: Mahadik Kalpana Vijay , Ali Sina Seyed 
Published: July 2003

AbstractAim:  To report serum levels of superoxide dismutase in women with preeclampsia and eclampsia. To document the use of the value as a predictive tool for deciding the time of onset of subsequent convulsions with fulminating eclampsia and use of the value as a marker for obstetric intervention in clinical severe preeclampsia and eclampsia.Methods:  Superoxide dismutase concentration was measured in a consecutive study in sera of women admitted in obstetric ward for preeclampsia and eclampsia, and compared with sera of normotensive, healthy pregnant women in third trimester. Three mL venous blood was subjected to superoxide dismutase estimation by pyrogallol autoxidation method.Results:  We found statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in mean superoxide dismutase levels of normotensive pregnant women; and preeclamptic and eclamptic subjects, no statistically significant difference was found in between value of enzyme in preeclampsia and eclampsia (P > 0.05). Superoxide dismutase levels in two pregnancy outcomes; live births and still births, shows significant difference (P < 0.05), being 1.03 U/mL and 0.52 U/mL, respectively. The comparison of values before delivery and after delivery showed highly statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) in both groups separately. The cut‐off value of serum superoxide dismutase 0.52 U/mL has sensitivity 68.5%, specificity 59.5% and negative predictive value of 78.6%, for predicting the fetal death as outcome of pregnancy with severe grade of disease.Conclusion:  We found low levels of serum superoxide dismutase, less than 0.52 U/mL, being the predecessor of fulminating eclampsia. Our results support this predictive value of serum superoxide dismutase level as important in deciding the time of intervention as termination of pregnancy.
Pregnancy following renal transplantation
Authors: Davison John M. , Bailey David J. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractPregnancy is not contraindicated in renal transplant recipients with stable renal function, and a successful and healthy obstetric outcome can be expected in 95% of such cases. The incidence of both maternal and fetal complications is related to the degree of graft dysfunction and/or hypertension prior to pregnancy. Poorer prognosis is associated with poorer renal function. If complications (usually hypertension, renal deterioration, and/or rejection) occur before 28 weeks, then successful obstetric outcome is reduced by 20%. More information is needed about the intrauterine effects and neonatal consequences of maternal immunosuppression, which appears harmless at maintenance levels. From the data available it seems that pregnancy does not compromise long‐term transplant prognosis. In the absence of prospective controlled studies transplant pregnancy registries are the only viable means of providing clinicians with timely and relevant information on pregnancy outcomes on which to base management guidelines.
Early medical termination pregnancy with methotrexate and misoprostol in lower segment cesarean section cases
Authors: Gautam Roli , Agrawal Veena 
Published: July 2003

AbstractAim:  The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of methotrexate and misoprostol for the medical termination of early pregnancy with previous cesarean section.Methods:  Sixty‐six pregnant women of 60 days or less in duration with previous one or two cesarean sections were selected. Each woman received intramuscularly a dose of methotrexate (50 mg). Two to 3 days later, 800 µg of misoprostol was administered intravaginally. Repeat doses were used if there was no significant bleeding. An ultrasonography was done in each case after seven days. Subjects with continuing pregnancies or excessive bleeding had a surgical abortion. A successful medical abortion was defined by vaginal bleeding without surgical intervention and a negative transvaginal ultrasound. Side‐effects were noted.Results:  Complete abortion occurred in 87.9% cases after first dose of misoprostol, and 6.1% cases had complete abortion after second dose, so out of 66 cases 62 (94%) had a successful medical abortion. Four (6%) subjects required surgical intervention; one for continued pregnancies, one for missed abortion, and two for excessive bleeding.The complete abortion rate was higher for early gestations: 30/30 (100%) at ≤ 45 days gestation, 28/30 (93.3%) at 46–50 days gestation, and 2/6 (33.3%) from 50 to 63 days gestation. Vaginal bleeding lasted 15 ± 7 days. Gastrointestinal side‐effects were uncommon, mild, and brief. There was no case of uterine rupture.Conclusion:  Medical abortion using methotrexate with misoprostol is safe, cheap, and effective for early pregnancy termination through 8 weeks’ gestation even with previous cesarean section.
Non‐puerperal incomplete lateral uterine inversion with submucous leiomyoma: A case report
Authors: Mayadeo Niranjan M. , Tank Parikshit D. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractA perimenopausal, multiparous woman presented with prolapse. Clinically, there was a doubt between prolapsed submucous leiomyoma and uterine inversion. Laparoscopy showed an unusual pattern of uterine inversion restricted to the left cornual region with a submucous leiomyoma. A vaginal hysterectomy with due considerations for alterations of anatomical relationships minimized operative morbidity.
Effect of ovarian cysts detected on the beginning day of ovulation induction to the success rates in ART cycles
Authors: Levi Rafael , Tayfun Özçakir Hasan , Adakan Saban , Göker Ege Nazan Tavmergen , Tavmergen Erol 
Published: July 2003

AbstractAim:  In the present study, we examined the outcome of assisted reproductive technology cycles in patients with or without baseline ovarian cysts following gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone analogs administration.Materials and Methods:  Three‐hundred and fifty‐six patients who had undergone assisted reproductive technology treatment were enrolled in the study. The patients, all of who had undergone cyst aspiration prior to ovarian stimulation, were grouped into two groups according to the absence or presence of ovarian cysts. These two groups were compared on the basis of the clinical pregnancy rates, the baseline E2 levels, the total follicle stimulating hormone ampules used, the total number of days of induction, the maximum E2 levels, the number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rates and the number of embryos available for transfer per controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycle.Results:  The number of ampules used for induction was significantly higher in the cyst group 37.2 ± 13.0, 32.1 ± 11.7, respectively, (P= 0.001). The number of total induction days was also longer in the cyst group 9.7 ± 2.2, 8.9 ± 1.6, respectively, (P= 0.001). There was no difference between the mean E2 levels measured on the human chorionic gonadotropin administration days (P= 0.339). There was also no difference in terms of the number of oocyte retrieved (P= 0.846). The number of embryos transferred did not differ statistically between the groups (P= 0.233). Finally, there was no significant difference between the groups according to the clinical pregnancy rates 25.3%, 30.7%, respectively, (P= 0.218).Conclusion:  Baseline ovarian cysts have a negative impact on the quality of ovarian hyperstimulation procedure; however, they have no negative effect on the pregnancy rates in IVF cycles.
Genetic diversity and widespread haplotypes in a migratory dragonfly, the common green darner Anax junius
Authors: Freeland Joanna R. , May Michael , Lodge Rebecca , Conrad Kelvin F. 
Published: July 2003

Abstract.  1. Species that undertake regular two‐way migration may be expected, through population connectivity, to exhibit some level of genetic similarity over broad spatial scales. Although seldom following two‐way migration, highly mobile insect species tend to exhibit either low haplotype diversity and no phylogeographic structuring, or relatively high haplotype diversity and pronounced phylogeographic structuring.2. This study reveals the first wide‐scale genetic characterisation of a migratory dragonfly, the common green darner Anax junius Drury. Unusually for insects, north‐south two‐way migration is common in this species, although not obligatory. In at least part of its range, some individuals follow an extended developmental period and overwinter in a state of diapause.3. Mitochondrial sequence data were obtained from 92 A. junius individuals collected from 35 sites across Canada, U.S.A., and Mexico. These revealed 38 haplotypes, some of which were extremely widespread, although the majority (27 haplotypes) was found in only one individual. In contrast to previous studies on mobile insects, the overall pattern was of relatively high haplotype diversity in the absence of phylogeographic structuring.4. Migrants and non‐migrants, which sometimes shared haplotypes, were distributed across multiple genetic lineages. This suggests that, contrary to some earlier assertions, developmental pathways in this species may be plastic. Such plasticity would allow highly mobile species to adapt to a range of environmental conditions, and may be key to the widespread distribution of multiple haplotypes.
Responses of great tits Parus major to small tortoiseshells Aglais urticae in feeding trials; evidence of aposematism
Authors: Hagen Snorre B. , Leinaas Hans Petter , Lampe Helene M. 
Published: July 2003

Abstract.  1. The small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) is one of several red‐coloured butterflies and moths that are active in early spring in Norway. It has been suggested that tortoiseshells may be warningly coloured and unpalatable to birds, however no experiments have been carried out to test this hypothesis.2. The reactions of wild‐caught great tits Parus major (Paridae) when offered dead specimens of the tortoiseshell and four palatable control species were studied. Two experiments were carried out. In expt 1, only intact prey was presented to the birds. In expt 2, the birds were offered only experimentally de‐winged prey. Hence, in expt 2, it was possible to explore to what extent the birds' reaction to the prey offered to them in expt 1 could be explained as a reaction to visual stimuli from the wings of the prey.3. In both experiments, tortoiseshells were attacked hesitantly, eaten slowly, and rejected often compared with controls, providing evidence that tortoiseshells are mildly distasteful to great tits. Moreover, all birds were more hesitant to attack intact than de‐winged tortoiseshells, while there was no such effect for control prey, indicating a warning effect associated with the butterfly wings. There were also indications of avoidance learning in the birds to the presented tortoiseshells. These results are consistent with the idea of aposematism.