bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cancer in Other Words? The Role of Metaphor in Emotion Disclosure in Cancer Patients
Authors: Lanceley Anne , Clark Jill Macleod 
Published: April 2013

Despite evidence that nurses may play a crucial part in the wellbeing and recovery of cancer patients by facilitating their expression of feelings, research is lacking into the emotional content of nurse–patient talk and patients' use of language in emotion disclosure. In this study, 23 participating nurses in a variety of cancer care settings were asked to tape‐record their conversations with patients during daily care. A data set of 60 nurse–patient conversations was collected. Individual expression of emotion by patients was identified through interpretive literary analysis within a framework of psychodynamic theory. Overall the picture of emotion disclosure was intense. In particular, patients' use of metaphor and figurative language to express their distress was powerful and pervasive. Participating nurses demonstrated responsive skills but their responses to figurative expression were often problematic.The study provides evidence of unconscious processes in nurses' work and advocates career‐long psychoanalytically informed supervision for nurses to better support them in challenging dialogue with cancer patients. Research is needed to evaluate the impact of supervision on communications with cancer patients to ensure patients have access to appropriate emotional supportive and care.
Regulation of eotaxin-3/CC chemokine ligand 26 expression by T helper type 2 cytokines in human colonic myofibroblasts
Authors: Takahashi K , Imaeda H , Fujimoto T , Ban H , Bamba S , Tsujikawa T , Sasaki M , Fujiyama Y , Andoh A 
Published: April 2013

Summary
Eotaxins induce the trafficking of eosinophils to the sites of inflammation via CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3). In this study, we investigated eotaxin-3/CC chemokine ligand 26 (CCL26) expression in the inflamed mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and characterized the molecular mechanisms responsible for eotaxin-3 expression in human colonic myofibroblasts. Eotaxin-3 mRNA and protein expression was evaluated by real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Eotaxin-3 mRNA expression was elevated significantly in the active lesions of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Significant elevations were also observed in the active lesions of Crohn's disease (CD) patients, but this was significantly lower than that detected in the active UC lesions. There were no significant increases in the inactive lesions of UC or CD patients. Colonic myofibroblasts were identified as a major source of eotaxin-3 in the colonic mucosa, and interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 enhanced eotaxin-3 mRNA and protein expression significantly in these cells. There was a significant positive correlation between mucosal eotaxin-3 and IL-4 mRNA expression in the active lesions of IBD patients. The IL-4- and IL-13-induced eotaxin-3 mRNA expression was regulated by the signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT-6) and suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)1-mediated pathways. Interferon (IFN)-γ acts as a negative regulator on the IL-4- and IL-13-induced eotaxin-3 expression via STAT-1 activation. Eotaxin-3 expression was elevated specifically in the active lesions of IBD, in particular UC. Eotaxin-3 derived from colonic myofibroblasts may play an important role in the pathophysiology of UC.
High sodium intake is associated with increased glucocorticoid production, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Baudrand R. , Campino C. , Carvajal C.A. , Olivieri O. , Guidi G. , Faccini G. , Vöhringer P.A. , Cerda J. , Owen G. , Kalergis A.M. , Fardella C.E. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectiveHigh sodium (HS) diet is associated with hypertension (HT) and insulin resistance (IR). We evaluated whether HS diet was associated with a dysregulation of cortisol production and metabolic syndrome (MetS).Patients and measurementsWe recruited 370 adults (18–85 years, BMI 29·3 ± 4·4 kg/m2, 70% women, 72% HT, 61% MetS). HS diet (urinary sodium >150 mEq/day) was observed in 70% of subjects. We measured plasma hormones, lipid profile, urinary free cortisol (UFC) and cortisol tetrahydrometabolites (THM).ResultsUrinary sodium was correlated with UFC (r = +0·45, P < 0·001), cortisol THM (r = +0·41, P < 0·001) and inversely with adiponectin, HDL and aldosterone, after adjusting by age, gender and BMI. Subjects with high, compared with adequate sodium intake (50–149 mEq/day) had higher UFC (P < 0·001), THM (P < 0·001), HOMA‐IR (P = 0·04), HT (81% vs 50%, P < 0·001), MetS (69% vs 41%, P < 0·001) and lower adiponectin (P = 0·003). A multivariate predictive model adjusted by confounders showed a high discriminative capacity for MetS (ROC curve 0·878) using four clinical variables: HS intake [OR = 5·6 (CI 2·3–15·3)], HOMA‐IR [OR 1·7 (1·3–2·2)] cortisol THM [OR 1·2 (1·1–1·4)] and adiponectin [OR = 0·9 (0·8–0·9)], the latter had a protective effect.ConclusionsHigh sodium diet was associated with increased urinary cortisol and its metabolites. Also, HS diet was associated with HT, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and hypoadiponectinaemia, even when adjusting by confounding variables. Further, we observed that high salt intake, IR and higher cortisol metabolites, alone or combined in a clinical simple model, accurately predicted MetS status, suggesting an additive mechanism in obesity‐related metabolic disorders.
A role of intracellular mono‐ADP‐ribosylation in cancer biology
Authors: Scarpa Emanuele S. , Fabrizio Gaia , Di Girolamo Maria 
Published: April 2013

During the development, progression and dissemination of neoplastic lesions, cancer cells can hijack normal pathways and mechanisms. This includes the control of the function of cellular proteins through reversible post‐translational modifications, such as ADP‐ribosylation, phosphorylation, and acetylation. In the case of mono‐ADP‐ribosylation and poly‐ADP‐ribosylation, the addition of one or several units of ADP‐ribose to target proteins occurs via two families of enzymes that can generate ADP‐ribosylated proteins: the diphtheria toxin‐like ADP‐ribosyltransferase (ARTD) family, comprising 17 different proteins that are either poly‐ADP‐ribosyltransferases or mono‐ADP‐ribosyltransferases or inactive enzymes; and the clostridial toxin‐like ADP‐ribosyltransferase family, with four human members, two of which are active mono‐ADP‐ribosyltransferases, and two of which are enzymatically inactive. In line with a central role for poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerase 1 in response to DNA damage, specific inhibitors of this enzyme have been developed as anticancer therapeutics and evaluated in several clinical trials. Recently, in combination with the discovery of a large number of enzymes that can catalyse mono‐ADP‐ribosylation, the role of this modification has been linked to human diseases, such as inflammation, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer, thus revealing the need for the development of specific ARTD inhibitors. This will provide a better understanding of the roles of these enzymes in human physiology and pathology, so that they can be targeted in the future to generate new and efficacious drugs. This review summarizes our present knowledge of the ARTD enzymes that are involved in mono‐ADP‐ribosylation reactions and that have roles in cancer biology. In particular, the well‐documented role of macro‐containing ARTD8 in lymphoma and the putative role of ARTD15 in cancer are discussed.
Identification of a novel HLA‐B*27 allele, B*27:79 and the B*27 subtype polymorphism in the Hunan ethnic Han population of China
Authors: Xie Y. , Wang S. , Zuo Z. , Zhang G. , Cao L. , Li T. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThis article describes a novel HLA‐B*27 allele, HLA‐B*27:79, which was identified in a Hunan Han ethnic individual of China by a PCR sequence‐based typing method. The new sequence has one nucleotide mutation at position 437(A→T) compared with the allele B*27:04:01. This nucleotide change causes an amino acid substitution from Aspartate (Asp) to Valine (Val) at codon 122. This is the first report of mutation at this position in the HLA‐B locus. Then, we investigated the HLA‐B*27 subtype polymorphism of the Hunan Han population, and the results showed that B*27:04, B*27:05 and B*27:06 are the predominant subtypes with the allele frequencies 0.97%, 0.26% and 0.10% respectively.
Diagnostic testing for α‐globin gene disorders in a heterogeneous North American population
Authors: Waye J. S. , Eng B. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryAdult hemoglobin is a heterotetramer composed of two α‐globin chains and two β‐globin chains (α2β2), each of which contains a heme molecule capable of binding oxygen and facilitating oxygen transport. The α‐globin chains are expressed from duplicated genes within a tandem gene cluster located on chromosome region 16p13.3. High‐level expression of the α‐globin genes commences early in fetal development and continues throughout life. The α‐thalassemia syndromes are among the most single‐gene disorders, resulting from decreased synthesis of α‐globin chains or synthesis of functionally abnormal α‐globin chains. These disorders are most common in South East Asia, but also occur in many other populations. The most common cause of α‐thalassemia is gene deletions, of which more than seventy have been reported. In addition, a small but significant proportion of cases involve point mutations of the α‐globin genes. Ideally, the diagnostic strategy should include allele‐specific assays for commonly occurring deletions, as well as methods for detection of rare or novel deletions and point mutations. Here we provide an overview of the diagnostic methods available and our experience using these assays in a reference laboratory serving a heterogeneous at‐risk population.
Variability and diagnostic utility of antiphospholipid antibodies including lupus anticoagulants
Authors: Favaloro E. J. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryAntiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) comprise a heterogeneous group of antibodies directed against phospholipids and/or protein‐complexed phospholipids. aPL are associated with the serious autoimmune condition ‘antiphosholipid (antibody) syndrome’ (APS) and can be defined by either ‘solid‐phase’ assays that identify anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti‐β2‐glycoprotein I antibodies (aB2GPI) or ‘liquid‐phase’ assays that identify lupus anticoagulants (LAs). There is a lack of standardization associated with all forms of aPL testing; however, intermethod and interlaboratory variation using aCL and aB2GPI assays is generally higher than that for LA testing by dRVVT (dilute russell viper venom time) procedures. Compared with either aCL or aB2GPI, LA is also more strongly associated with clinically adverse findings of APS, including thrombosis and obstetric morbidity. This review explores the potential reasons for the above findings and concludes that ultimately a more holistic approach to aPL/APS investigations is needed.
The role of polyphosphates in the sequestration of matrix metalloproteinases
Authors: McCarty Sara M , Percival Steven L , Clegg Peter D , Cochrane Christine A 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis study outlines the potential of a novel therapeutic dressing for the management of chronic wounds. The dressing incorporates polyphosphate, a non toxic compound with a number of beneficial characteristics in terms of wound healing, in a foam matrix. The aim of this study was to identify the potential of polyphosphate incorporated in the foam dressing to sequester the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and proteases derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods used included gelatin zymography and milk‐casein agar plate analysis. Results have shown that this dressing is effectively capable of reducing the levels of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in both their active and latent forms using an in vitro model. The dressing also demonstrated the compound's potential in the regulation of P. aeruginosa derived proteases.
Infrastructure Development and the Repositioning of Power in Three Mekong Region Capital Cities
Authors: Walsh John , Amponstira Fuengfa 
Published: April 2013

AbstractInfrastructure — broadly defined to include road and rail networks, telecommunications, electricity and other utilities — offers both direct and indirect benefits to economic growth. The direct effects include employment and contracts for local firms, while its role as an enabling technology means that a multiplier effect is provided for the economy as a whole. Infrastructure also has a role to play in promoting the efficiency of governance and social cohesion. The relative importance of these factors varies according to the specific conditions applying within a geographical location. The Burmese capital, Naypyidaw, for example, has a symbolic status as the seat of postcolonial Burmese power, while also offering a strategic location from which to govern the country. The role of infrastructure in this case is to promote efficiency of rule and create a network in which the city can form a node connected with economically important locations. In Phnom Penh and Vientiane, by contrast, infrastructure is being used to both promote economic activities and link up with cross‐border markets. In all cases, albeit in different ways, capital cities are being repositioned within actual and emerging power networks in order to control and take advantage of processes of international capital accumulation.
Activities of modified Cry3A‐type toxins on the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)
Authors: Mostafa M. A. M. , Vlasák J. , Sehnal F. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a commonly used bioagent in insect pest control. Its toxicity is largely due to the crystalline (Cry) proteins that act selectively on insects and/or nematodes. Some insects, such as the stored product pest Tribolium castaneum, are relatively resistant to any natural Cry toxin. In attempt to find a Cry protein sufficiently toxic to this beetle, we prepared 18 recombinant modifications of Cry3A protoxins and tested them on the penultimate instar larvae of T. castaneum. Larvae were transferred to diet containing 0, 14, 28, 56 or 112 ppm of a Cry protein and their body growth and mortality were evaluated after 10 days. Cumulative mortality reached 25%, and the growth was nearly halted with 112 ppm of the natural Cry3Aa. The mortality was lower and the body weight increased by 15% of the control value in larvae receiving the recombinant Cry3Aa. Several structural derivatives of Cry3A also caused significant growth reduction and enhanced mortality. As both the natural and the recombinant Cry3Aa were more active than any of the tested Cry3A derivatives, we conclude that structural modifications of Cry3Aa are unlikely to increase toxicity to T. castaneum.
Developmental changes in the connective tissues of the porcine recurrent laryngeal nerve
Authors: Campbell Ellen O. , Samlan Robin A. , McMullen Nathaniel T. , Cook Sarah , Smiley‐Jewell Suzette , Barkmeier‐Kraemer Julie 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) branches from the vagus cranial nerve to innervate structures important for voicing and swallowing. Damage to this nerve, commonly associated with surgery or idiopathic etiologies that largely occur with aging, results in impaired voicing and swallowing (Myssiorek, 2004). Sunderland proposed a model of peripheral nerve damage whereby a nerve's ability to resist damage from stretch and compression is determined by the quantity and composition of its epineurial connective tissues (Sunderland, 1951). Thus, it would be expected that epineurium differs depending upon the forces imposed on a nerve within its anatomical setting. The purpose of this study was to investigate RLN epineurium quantity and composition with development. A porcine model (piglet vs. juvenile) was used because of the similarity between porcine and human laryngeal innervation, anatomy and function. The entire RLN was excised bilaterally, and stereological methods were used to quantify the composition of epineurial connective tissues. Compared with the piglet, the juvenile pig RLN was double the diameter. While the piglet had no differences in the percentage of epineurial collagen and adipose between proximal and distal segments of both sides of the RLN, the juvenile pig had a greater percentage of collagen in the proximal segment of both sides of the RLN and a greater percentage of adipose in the distal segment of the left RLN compared with the proximal segment. In addition, unlike the piglet, the juvenile pig had a greater number of fascicles in the proximal than distal segment of the RLN, regardless of nerve side. These findings are consistent with predicted patterns associated with the different anatomical settings of the left and right RLN, show that the RLN changes with age, and support Sunderland's model.
An investigation of duration of untreated psychosis and the affecting factors
Authors: Sadeghieh Ahari S. , Nikpou H. , Molavi P. , Abdi R. , Amani F. , Shirinzadeh B. 
Published: April 2013

Accessible summary
The mean duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) were 261.3 ± 110.8 and 212.5 ± 143.5 days for patients referring to Razi and Fatemi hospital.
The DUP mean here was found to be higher as compared with that of the developed countries.
Lower education, implausible beliefs and culturally rooted social stigma status of visiting a psychiatrist were found to be playing a role in making DUP longer.
AbstractOne of the main goals in treatment planning of psychiatric disorders is early diagnosis of patients in the early psychosis period so that duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is decreased and the treatment response and outcome is improved. The aim of this study was to investigate the DUP of psychosis and factors affecting it. In this cross‐sectional study, 80 patients from the psychiatric clinic of Fatemi hospital in Ardabil and Razi hospital in Tabriz who were in the first episode of psychosis completed a questionnaire. The data were analysed by SPSS statistical software. In this study, the mean DUP measured from the appearance of the first symptoms of psychosis were 261.3 ± 110.8 and 212.5 ± 143.5 days for patients referring to Razi and Fatemi hospital, respectively. About 65% of the patients in Fatemi hospital and 32.5% of them in Razi hospital considered visiting a psychiatrist as hard and very hard. The DUP mean here was found to be higher as compared with that of the developed countries. The following factors were found to be playing a role in making DUP longer: lower education, implausible beliefs and culturally rooted social stigma status of visiting a psychiatrist.
Psychological factors associated with successful outcomes in home haemodialysis
Authors: Nearhos Jane , Van Eps Carolyn , Connor Jason 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimPerforming haemodialysis therapy at home has been associated with improved survival for end‐stage kidney disease patients and can generally be delivered at a lower cost to the healthcare system when compared with centre and satellite unit dialysis. However, only a minority of dialysis dependent end‐stage kidney disease patients successfully sustain haemodialysis at home. Current practice for determining dialysis treatment modality and location takes into account medical suitability and social situation, but infrequently formally examines the contribution of psychological factors. This study explores demographic, health, and psychological factors that may predict patients' ability to sustain home haemodialysis.MethodsOne hundred and thirteen successful and unsuccessful home haemodialysis users were recruited to the study, and 55 responded to self‐report measures. Demographic (age, gender, education level, carer support), health (comorbidities, diabetes, psychiatric condition) and psychological (locus of control beliefs, coping styles) information was used as predictor variables for the participants' time maintaining home therapy (Home Time).ResultsIn a three‐step regression, the model explained 32% of variance in Home Time. Coping styles significantly contributed 16% of the variance in Home Time after accounting for other variables. Adaptive Coping was significantly correlated with the length of time sustaining home therapy.ConclusionAdaptive coping strategies are associated with improved ability to sustain home haemodialysis therapy. Evidence‐based psychological approaches can help patients develop more adaptive coping strategies. More research is needed to assess whether instituting these psychological interventions will assist patients to adopt and sustain dialysis therapies which require increased patient self‐management.
Clinical outcome of elderly peritoneal dialysis patients with assisted care in a single medical centre: A 25 year experience
Authors: Cheng Chi‐Hung , Shu Kuo‐Hsiung , Chuang Ya‐Wen , Huang Shih‐Ting , Chou Ming‐Chih , Chang Horng‐Rong 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimPeritoneal dialysis (PD) is an alternative treatment for elderly patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). In Taiwan, non‐professional personnel are employed to provide assisted care for elderly patients. Whether assisted care is appropriate for elderly patients is unknown. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the outcomes of assisted care in a single centre.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study in a single medical centre. The outcomes were derived from the assessment of patient survival, technique survival and peritonitis incidence between self‐care patients and assisted‐care patients.ResultsFrom 1984 to 2010, there were 138 elderly PD patients at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, of which 70% were assisted‐care patients and 30% self‐care patients. The mean duration of PD survival was 49.2 months in self‐care patients, which was significantly longer than the 17.0 months of assisted‐care patients (P < 0.05). Using the multivariate Cox proportion regression model to adjust for risk factors, it was found that self‐care patients had a lower risk in both patient survival (Hazard Ratio 0.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2–0.94, P < 0.05) and technique survival (Hazard ratio; 0.11, 95% CI 0.1–0.9, P < 0.05). Fluid overloading was the major cause of technique failure in assisted‐care patients. Type of assistance was not a risk factor for PD‐related peritonitis.ConclusionOur elderly assisted care had patients had a poorer survival and technique survival rates than those of the self‐care patients. We argue that this is because early recognition of medical deterioration and early medical intervention are necessary for a better outcome for elderly PD patients.