Significant Lower (significant + lower)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Promoter hypomethylation of protease-activated receptor 2 associated with carcinogenesis in the stomach

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
Tomiyasu Arisawa
Abstract Background and Aim:, Trypsin acting at protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) contributes to a progression of malignant tumors. An abnormal DNA methylation has been recognized as an important molecular mechanism for the genesis of various types of cancers. We attempted to clarify the relationship between the promoter methylation of PAR2 and gastric cancer. Method:, We estimated the methylation of the PAR2 promoter in both antral non-cancerous mucosa and cancer lesions in 94 patients with gastric cancer. We employed a methylation-specific PCR method. Results:, Regarding the methylation ratio (MR) of antral-non-cancerous mucosa, no significant difference was despite among gender, age and Helicobacter pylori infection status, whereas MR increased rising inflammation scores. The MR of cancer lesions was significantly lower than that of antral non-cancerous mucosa. This finding was not dependent on tumor staging, but also histological classification. In venous invasion, lymph node metastasis, or peritoneal dissemination negative cases, this significant lower MR was also seen. Conclusion:, The promoter methylation of PAR2 seems to be increased with a progression of chronic inflammation and has an inhibitory effect on carcinogenesis of the stomach. [source]


Atraumatic Restorative Treatment and Dental Anxiety in Outpatients Attending Public Oral Health Clinics in South Africa

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2007
Steffen Mickenautsch BDS
Abstract Objectives: This study was undertaken to test the hypotheses that using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach results in lower patient anxiety and that lower anxiety leads to higher restoration/extraction ratios. Methods: The test group of dental operators (n=9) was trained in ART. The control group (n=11) was not, and did not apply ART. The Short Form of the Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-SF) and Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) were used to assess patient anxiety after ART (test group) and after traditional restorations (control group). The restoration/extraction ratio calculated for primary (children) and permanent dentitions (adults) per operator was based on 12-month treatment statistics. Dental anxiety assessments were analysed using ANOVA. Differences were compared using the t -test and corrected for confounding factors (ANCOVA). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure the correlation between dental anxiety levels and restoration/extraction ratios. Results: The mean CFSS-SF score for test-group children was statistically significantly lower than for the control-group children. The mean DAS score for test-group adults was statistically significant lower than the control. No significant correlation was observed between dental anxiety level and restoration/extraction ratio per operator for both dentitions in both groups. Conclusion: The first hypothesis was accepted; the second, rejected. Although dental anxiety scores were lower both in child and in adult patients treated by ART than in those who received traditional restorative treatments, this positive effect had not resulted in higher restoration/extraction ratios. [source]


Parental anxiety before and after food challenges in children with suspected peanut and hazelnut allergy

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2p2 2010
Wieneke T. Zijlstra
Zijlstra WT, Flinterman AE, Soeters L, Knulst AC, Sinnema G, L'Hoir MP, Pasmans SG. Parental anxiety before and after food challenges in children with suspected peanut and hazelnut allergy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e439,e445. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S As ingestion of peanut and hazelnut by allergic children is potentially life threatening, parents of these children need to be vigilant about their child's dietary intake. This may cause high levels of anxiety. To assess parental anxiety about food-allergic reaction in their child (state anxiety) and their personal disposition to anxiety (trait anxiety). Parental anxiety was investigated again after food challenges. Fifty-seven children (3,16 yr, mean age 7.2) with suspected peanut or hazelnut allergy (mean specific IgE 20.9) were evaluated by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). Thirty-two children (56%) developed an allergic reaction. All parents completed the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) prior to DBPCFC and 2 wk, 3 months and 1 yr thereafter. The mean anxiety scores on these moments were compared with each other and with general Dutch norms. The STAI was also investigated in a group that refused DBPCFC. Prior to DBPCFC, parents had high levels of state anxiety in contrast to a lower trait anxiety compared to the norm group. After DBPCFC, the state anxiety was significantly lower, regardless of a positive or negative outcome (p , 0.05). The state anxiety was still significant lower after 1 yr (p , 0.03). The trait anxiety remained unchanged in mothers and slightly decreased in fathers. The state anxiety in the group that refused DBPCFC was comparable to the challenge group, but the trait anxiety was significantly higher (p = 0.038). Parents of children with suspected peanut or hazelnut allergy show high levels of anxiety about a food-allergic reaction. After DBPCFC, the anxiety was significantly lower, even in the group with a positive outcome. [source]


The effect of frequent milk feeding on abomasal curd formation of Holstein calves

ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010
Keiji OKADA
ABSTRACT In order to understand the effects of the automatic milk replacer feeding system on calf health, we examined the effect of frequent milk feeding on curd formation in the abomasum using ultrasonographic imaging. Eight male Holstein calves were divided into a milk-replacer group and a fresh milk group. Calves were fed twice a day to 12 days after birth (Period A). From 13 days, calves were fed six times a day (Period B). The abomasal fluid was taken by paracentesis. In both periods A and B, the fresh milk group formed bigger curds faster than the milk replacer group. The curd score of the milk replacer group in period B at 2 h was significant lower than those of both groups in period A. The pH in the abomasum was lower in period B than in period A. We could not identify the location of the abomasum in the milk replacer group during period B at almost time points. Our experiment suggests the possibility that frequent feeding of milk replacer causes incomplete hydrolysis of ,-casein as well as curd formation, thus reducing the digestibility compared to the feeding of the milk replacer twice per day or frequent feeding of fresh milk. [source]


Effect of feeding rate on fatty acid composition of sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo)

AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 5 2004
M. Rondán
Abstract The effects of different feeding rates on the lipids fatty acid profile of sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) tissues were studied. During a 15-day period, four fish groups were allowed to feed to satiation, at two-thirds and one-third of satiety, and starved, respectively. Reducing food intake progressively increased the n-3:n-6 relationship by increase of n-3 (mainly Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids) and decrease of n-6 fatty acid percentages. In perivisceral fat, this n-3:n-6 value was already statistically significant lower for the group fed to satiety (1.29 versus 1.71, 1.80 and 1.65 for the two-third-fed, one-third-fed and fasted groups, respectively), whereas in the white muscle (1.69 versus 2.13 and 2.12) and liver (0.83 versus 1.40 and 2.66) the differences were statistically significant only for the one-third-fed and fasted groups. Linoleic acid was the main contributor to the n-6 drop, whereas the n-3 fatty acids preferentially preserved were for the most part essential fatty acids. Fat quality indices (thrombogenic and atherogenic) were not affected by food restriction except for liver, being the former significantly lower in the one-third-fed and fasted groups. Food intake restriction to one-third of satiety levels was enough to trigger the mechanisms that preserve essential fatty acids. [source]


Intraocular pressure control over 24 hours using travoprost and timolol fixed combination administered in the morning or evening in primary open-angle and exfoliative glaucoma

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009
Anastasios G. P. Konstas
Abstract. Purpose:, To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) control over 24 hours using travoprost and timolol fixed combination (TTFC) administered in the morning or evening in primary open-angle and exfoliative glaucoma. Methods:, Patients were randomized to TTFC administered in either the morning or evening for 8 weeks. Previously treated patients underwent an untreated washout period of 4,6 weeks, after which baseline IOP was required to be > 25 mm Hg and < 38 mmHg (in two readings taken at 10.00 ± 1 hours). During the treatment period, IOP was measured at 10.00, 14.00, 18.00, 22.00, 02.00 and 06.00 hours. Patients were then treated with the opposite dosing regimen for 8 weeks and IOP measurements were repeated. Results:, In 32 subjects who completed the study, the untreated baseline IOP following washout was 27.7 ± 3.5 mmHg. Both dosing regimens reduced IOP from baseline at each time-point and throughout the 24-hour diurnal curve (p < 0.0001). When treatments were compared directly, evening dosing (18.4 ± 3.3 mmHg) provided a statistically significant lower 24-hour curve than morning dosing (19.2 ± 3.5 mmHg; p = 0.001). Evening dosing also resulted in a lower 24-hour IOP fluctuation (3.8 ± 1.6 mmHg) than morning dosing (5.1 ± 1.6 mmHg; p = 0.0002) and lower peak IOP (p = 0.0003). Conclusions:, Both morning and evening administration of TTFC provide effective 24-hour IOP reduction, but evening dosing demonstrates better 24-hour pressure control. [source]


Development and growth in very preterm infants in relation to NIDCAP in a Dutch NICU: two years of follow-up

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2009
JM Wielenga
Abstract Aim: To study development and growth in relation to newborn individualized developmental and assessment program (NIDCAP®) for infants born with a gestational age of less than 30 weeks. Methods: Developmental outcome of surviving infants, 25 in the NIDCAP group and 24 in the conventional care group, in a prospective phase-lag cohort study performed in a Dutch level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was compared. Main outcome measure was the Bayley scales of infant development-II (BSID-II) at 24 months corrected age. Secondary outcomes were neurobehavioral and developmental outcome and growth at term, 6, 12 and 24 months. Results: Accounting for group differences and known outcome predictors no significant differences were seen between both care groups in BSID-II at 24 months. At term age NIDCAP infants scored statistically significant lower on neurobehavioral competence; motor system (median [IQR] 4.8 [2.9,5.0] vs. 5.2 [4.3,5.7], p = 0.021) and autonomic stability (median [IQR] 5.7 [4.8,6.7] vs. 7.0 [6.0,7.7], p = 0.001). No differences were seen in other developmental outcomes. After adjustment for background differences, growth parameters were comparable between groups during the first 24 months of life. Conclusion: At present, the strength of conclusions to be drawn about the effect of NIDCAP on developmental outcome or growth at 24 months of age is restricted. Further studies employing standardized assessment approaches including choice of measurement instruments and time points are needed. [source]