bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thrombin generation as objective parameter of treatment response in patients with severe haemophilia A and high‐titre inhibitors
Authors: Luna‐Záizar H. , Beltrán‐Miranda C. P. , Esparza‐Flores M. A. , Soto‐Padilla J. , Bergés‐García A. , Rodríguez‐Zepeda M. D. C. , Pompa‐Garza M. T. , Jaloma‐Cruz A. R. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryIn Mexico, 15% of haemophilia A (HA) patients develop inhibitory alloantibodies in response to replacement therapy with factor VIII (FVIII), requiring bypass therapy such as activated prothrombin complex concentrate (APCC). Because bypass therapy has not been broadly available in Mexico even in recent years, this study aimed to evaluate the thrombin generation assay (TGA) in assessing the response to FVIII or APCC treatment in patients with severe HA positive to inhibitors. We studied 189 patients with severe HA. Clinical severity was verified by one‐stage APTT‐based clotting assay. Inhibitors to FVIII were investigated by the Nijmegen–Bethesda (N–B) method, and type of inhibition was assessed through serial plasma dilutions. Thrombin generation was measured with the calibrated automated thrombogram in inhibitor‐positive plasmas previously spiked and incubated with FVIII or APCC. Data were analysed using anova, Student or Fisher's exact tests. We detected 47 (24.9%) subjects with high‐titre (5–1700 N–B U mL−1) and 25 (13.2%) subjects with low‐titre inhibitor antibodies (0.6–4.7 N–B U mL−1). We found an association between kinetic behaviour and clinical response to FVIII (P = 0.0049) or vs. FVIII response evaluated with TGA (P = 0.0007). Global concordance between clinical and in vitro response was 70%. By evaluating the capacity of thrombin formation in a plasma sample, TGA predicts the response to FVIII or APCC therapy and allows individual optimization of resources in patients with severe HA and high‐titre inhibitors. The inhibition pattern of the antibodies to FVIII:C correlated with the TGA parameters and showed an association with the clinical response to FVIII.
Production of functional coagulation factor VIII from iPSCs using a lentiviral vector
Authors: Kashiwakura Y. , Ohmori T. , Mimuro J. , Madoiwa S. , Inoue M. , Hasegawa M. , Ozawa K. , Sakata Y. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as an autologous cell source has shed new light on cell replacement therapy with respect to the treatment of numerous hereditary disorders. We focused on the use of iPSCs for cell‐based therapy of haemophilia. We generated iPSCs from mesenchymal stem cells that had been isolated from C57BL/6 mice. The mouse iPSCs were generated through the induction of four transcription factor genes Oct3/4, Klf‐4, Sox‐2 and c‐Myc. The derived iPSCs released functional coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) following transduction with a simian immunodeficiency virus vector. The subcutaneous transplantation of iPSCs expressing FVIII into nude mice resulted in teratoma formation, and significantly increased plasma levels of FVIII. The plasma concentration of FVIII was at levels appropriate for human therapy at 2–4 weeks post transplantation. Our data suggest that iPSCs could be an attractive and prospective autologous cell source for the production of coagulation factor, and that engineered iPSCs expressing coagulation factor might provide a cell‐based therapeutic strategy appropriate for haemophilia.
Physical and mental quality of life in adult patients with haemophilia in Belgium: the impact of financial issues
Authors: Carvalhosa A. M. , Henrard S. , Lambert C. , Hermans C. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryIn Belgium, where haemophilia affects approximately 1:7000 people (2011), data on patients' quality of life (QoL) is scarce. This project aims to assess physical and mental QoL (P‐QoL and M‐QoL) simultaneously, and to analyse the influence of different variables on these two aspects of QoL. After Ethics Committee approval, we contacted 84 adult haemophilia A (HA) and haemophilia B (HB) patients, without current inhibitors, on replacement therapy (on‐demand or secondary prophylaxis), regularly followed up at our comprehensive treatment centre. Seventy‐one (n = 59 HA, n = 12 HB) replied to our questionnaire, which included the SF36v2 QoL assessment forms. We analysed two groups of variables: one including variables previously associated with decreased QoL, and another including variables with unclear impact on QoL (e.g. patients' understanding of haemophilia‐related issues, economical concerns). In our population (mean ± SD age: 45.2 ± 14.7 years old), P‐QoL appeared more reduced than M‐QoL. P‐QoL was strongly influenced by the number of arthropathies while M‐QoL was primarily affected by patients' concern of personal costs due to haemophilia. Among this latter group, having knowledge of insurance coverage had a positive impact on M‐QoL. Scores did not depend on haemophilia type. QoL was impaired in our haemophilia patients. A simultaneous assessment of P‐QoL and M‐QoL confirmed the benefit of primary prophylaxis in P‐QoL, while originally pointing out the major burden of patients' concerns and poor understanding of haemophilia‐related economical issues on their M‐QoL. This might become a particularly challenging issue in times of financial crisis.
A mathematical model of the colon crypt capturing compositional dynamic interactions between cell types
Authors: Smallbone Kieran , Corfe Bernard M. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryModels of the development and early progression of colorectal cancer are based upon understanding the cycle of stem cell turnover, proliferation, differentiation and death. Existing crypt compartmental models feature a linear pathway of cell types, with little regulatory mechanism. Previous work has shown that there are perturbations in the enteroendocrine cell population of macroscopically normal crypts, a compartment not included in existing models. We show that existing models do not adequately recapitulate the dynamics of cell fate pathways in the crypt. We report the progressive development, iterative testing and fitting of a developed compartmental model with additional cell types, and which includes feedback mechanisms and cross‐regulatory mechanisms between cell types. The fitting of the model to existing data sets suggests a need to invoke cross‐talk between cell types as a feature of colon crypt cycle models.
Un modèle d'analyse du travail informel dans les économies en transition: le cas de l'Ukraine
Authors: COMMANDER Simon , ISACHENKOVA Natalia , RODIONOVA Yulia 
Published: December 2013

Résumé.Les économies en transition de l'ex‐Union soviétique connaissent une explosion de l'emploi informel depuis les années 1990. Selon les auteurs, ce phénomène s'explique par la structure de la rémunération du travail héritée de la planification centralisée. Leur modèle théorique est centré sur les choix entre travail à plein temps ou à temps partiel et entre activité formelle, informelle ou mixte. Considérant la probabilité d'être sanctionné en cas d'évasion fiscale et les avantages non monétaires associés au travail dans les entreprises publiques ou privatisées, ils concluent que ces avantages incitent les travailleurs à combiner emploi formel et informel; hypothèse confirmée par l'analyse des données de l'Enquête longitudinale de suivi en Ukraine.
Sous‐traitance et évitement de la relation d'emploi: les comportements de substitution des entreprises industrielles en France entre 1984 et 2003
Authors: PERRAUDIN Corinne , THÈVENOT Nadine , VALENTIN Julie 
Published: December 2013

Résumé.A partir d'une base de données exhaustive des entreprises de 20 salariés et plus de l'industrie française, les auteurs quantifient le recours à la sous‐traitance et mettent en lumière sa généralisation depuis le milieu des années 1980, ainsi que la substitution du travail externe au travail interne à l'entreprise qui en découle. L'analyse empirique des motifs du recours à la sous‐traitance permet de conclure à des comportements de contournement des effets de la relation d'emploi et d'évitement des obligations de l'employeur en droit du travail.
Intégration des travailleurs pour compte propre au système de prévoyance sociale du Brésil
Authors: NAGAMINE COSTANZI Rogério , DUARTE BARBOSA Edvaldo , DA SILVA BICHARA Julimar 
Published: December 2013

Résumé.Au Brésil, les travailleurs pour compte propre sont largement exclus du système de prévoyance sociale. Les auteurs présentent deux programmes, lancés dans les années 2000, qui ont donné de bons résultats quant à l'intégration de ces travailleurs au secteur formel et quant à leur protection. Ces programmes comprennent des procédures simplifiées de déclarations des avantages commerciaux, comme l'accès au crédit et l'émission de factures, et un niveau de cotisation adapté à la capacité contributive des petits entrepreneurs et des travailleurs indépendants. Des données chiffrées attestent de leur efficacité et de la possibilité de les adapter à d'autres contextes.
Travail pour compte propre et régime de contribution unique en Uruguay
Authors: AMARANTE Verónica , PERAZZO Ivone 
Published: December 2013

Résumé.L'intégration des travailleurs pour compte propre au système de protection sociale est un défi de première grandeur en Amérique latine. En 2007, l'Uruguay a réformé son régime spécifique de contribution unique à l'intention de ces travailleurs, permettant à une proportion significative d'entre eux d'y adhérer. Les auteures analysent les caractéristiques et les conditions de travail de cette catégorie en Uruguay, entre 2000 et 2010, ainsi que l'évolution du niveau de cotisation à la sécurité sociale associée à la réforme du régime de contribution unique, de même que le potentiel d'intégration de ce dernier.
Insulin sensitivity and brain reward activation in overweight Hispanic girls: a pilot study
Authors: Adam T. C. , Tsao S. , Page K. A. , Hu H. , Hasson R. E. , Goran M. I. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryBackgroundInsulin resistance is a link between obesity and the associated disease risk. In addition to its role as an energy regulatory signal to the hypothalamus, insulin also modulates food reward.ObjectiveTo examine the relationship of insulin sensitivity (SI) and fasting insulin with cerebral activation in response to food and non‐food cues in children.MethodsTwelve overweight Hispanic girls (age: 8–11) participated in two study visits, a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test and a functional neuroimaging session (GE HDxt 3.0Tesla) with visual stimulation tasks. Blocks of images (high calorie [HC], low calorie [LC] and non‐food [NF]) were presented in randomized order.ResultsComparing HC with NF, SI was inversely associated with activation in the anterior cingulate (r2 = 0.65; P < 0.05), the insula (r2 = 0.69; P < 0.05), the orbitofrontal cortex (r2 = 0.74; P < 0.05), and the frontal and rolandic operculum (r2 = 0.76; P < 0.001). Associations remained significant after adjustment for body mass index. Association of fasting insulin and cerebral activation disappeared after adjustment for waist circumference.ConclusionIn addition to weight loss, insulin sensitivity may pose an important target to regulate neural responses to food cues in the prevention of excessive weight gain.
Weight discrimination in the workplace: a meta‐analytic examination of the relationship between weight and work‐related outcomes
Authors: Vanhove Adam , Gordon Randall A. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis study provides a meta‐analytic review of correlational research examining the relationship between job incumbent/applicant weight and work‐related outcomes. Given the differences between correlational and experimental research, our findings show an understandably weaker relationship between weight and work‐related outcomes than has been found in past meta‐analyses of the experimental research. However, our findings do support the directionality of (a) the overall effect of weight on work‐related outcomes, and (b) the moderating role of job incumbent/applicant sex and the type of work‐related outcome found in past meta‐analyses of experimental research. In addition, this review provides initial meta‐analytic evidence for the roles of race, the sex–race interaction, and age as moderators of the relationship between weight and work‐related outcomes.
Assessment of buccal aerosolized midazolam for pediatric conscious sedation
Authors: Chopra Radhika , Marwaha Mohita 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimTo assess the acceptance and efficacy of aerosolized midazolam through buccal mucosa for conscious sedation.MethodsThirty‐five children aged 2–6 years with Grade I and II Frankl behavior rating scale were selected for various dental procedures under local anesthesia. Initially behavior‐shaping procedures were used and Houpt behavior scoring was recorded. Thereafter, midazolam was administered using a spray through buccal mucosa and scores for acceptance of drug and behavior after sedation were recorded. The data were compiled and a Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to assess the difference in behavior before and after the sedation.ResultsEighty‐three percent of the patients accepted the drug without any complaint. A statistically significant improvement was seen in the Houpt scores before and after drug administration (P < 0.001).ConclusionsBuccal aerosolized midazolam can be used successfully for pediatric conscious sedation.
Cytokine profile in the gingival crevicular fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients with chronic periodontitis
Authors: Javed Fawad , Ahmed Hameeda B. , Mikami Toshinari , Almas Khalid , Romanos Georgios E. , Al‐Hezaimi Khalid 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe aim was to assess the cytokine profile in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). Databases were searched from 1991 to August 2013 using a combination of various keywords. Eight studies were included. The GCF concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐10, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8, MMP‐13 and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) were reported to be higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls (HC) without CP. In one study, TNF‐α levels in GCF were significantly higher in HC than in RA patients receiving anti‐TNF‐α therapy. One study reported no significant difference in GCF TNF‐α levels among RA patients and HC regardless of anti‐TNF‐α therapy. One study reported no difference in IL‐1β and prostaglandin E2 levels among RA patients and HC with CP. Raised levels of proinflammatory cytokines are exhibited in the GCF of RA patients with CP.
Knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS: a survey among dental students in Ajman, UAE
Authors: Premadasa Gamini , Sadek Maha , Ellepola Arjuna , Sreedharan Jayadevan , Muttappallymyalil Jayakumary 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimEncounters between dentists and patients with HIV/AIDS are bound to rise due to increased prevalence and emerging new treatments. This study assessed dental students' knowledge about transmission and oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS, and their attitudes towards patients regarding obligations to treat.MethodsOut of 109 students in 4 years of a 6‐year dental undergraduate program, 106 responded to a questionnaire on knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Knowledge and attitude scores were analyzed with Kruskal–Wallis one‐way anova and the gender differences with the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.ResultsThe median score for students' overall knowledge was 39.5 (67%; maximum possible 59). The median knowledge scores for males and females were 38 and 40 respectively, although the difference was not statistically significant. The knowledge levels in Year 4 (42.5 ± 4.7), Year 3 (44 ± 6.5), and Year 2 (42 ± 5.8), were similar but significantly higher than in Year 1 (33 ± 7.9; P < 0.01). The median attitude score was 14 out of 24, with no significant differences within genders and years of study. Although the level of knowledge of the senior students was higher than that of the first years, the negative attitudes remained largely unchanged.ConclusionsAppropriate educational programs may alter the misconceptions and the negative attitudes.
Physiological traits contributed to the recent increase in yield potential of winter wheat from Henan Province, China
Authors: Zhou Bangwei , Sanz‐Sáez Álvaro , Elazab Abdelhalim , Shen Tianmin , Sánchez‐Bragado Rut , Bort Jordi , Serret Maria Dolors , Araus José Luis 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis experiment aims to test the traits responsible for the increase in yield potential of winter wheat released in Henan Province, China. Seven established cultivars released in the last 20 years and three advanced lines were assayed. The results showed that grain yield was positively correlated with harvest index (HI), kernel number per square meter, and aboveground biomass. In addition, the HI and aboveground biomass showed an increasing trend with the year of release. Therefore, we can conclude that bread wheat breeding advances during recent decades in Henan Province, China, have been achieved through an increase in HI, kernel number per square meter, and aboveground biomass. A higher δ13C seems also to be involved in these advances, which suggests a progressive improvement in constitutive water use efficiency not associated with a trend towards lower stomatal conductance in the most recent genotypes. However, genetic advance does not appear related to changes in photosynthesis rates on area basis when measured in the flag leaf or the spike, but only to a higher, whole‐spike photosynthesis. Results also indirectly support the concept that under potential yield conditions, the spike contributed more than the flag leaf to kernel formation.
Community‐based interventions to promote management for older people: an integrative review
Authors: Anuruang Sakuntala , Hickman Louise D , Jackson Debra , Dharmendra Tessa , Van Balen Jane , Davidson Patricia M 
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivesTo review community programmes promoting self‐care or self‐management for older people with chronic disease in Thailand.BackgroundIdentifying successful elements of culturally appropriate and effective community‐based interventions to promote self‐care with chronic illness is increasingly important.DesignIntegrative review.Data sourcesCINAHL, Medline, Health Source Nursing Academic databases.MethodsIntegrative review of peer‐reviewed articles written between 1946–2012. Articles were included if they described self‐care, self‐management, chronic disease and community care interventions targeting older people in Thailand.ResultsOf the 58 articles retrieved, only 13 articles met the eligibility criteria. Elements of effective interventions included: (1) providing culturally sensitive information, (2) including approaches of shared decision‐making and mutual goal setting and (3) flexibility within the intervention to adapt to participant needs.ConclusionsShared decision‐making and mutual goal setting between interventionists and patients improved health behaviours and outcomes. Moreover, the flexibility to adopt the intervention to local characteristics demonstrated positive results.Relevance to clinical practicePromoting effective self‐care and self‐management behaviours is critical to improving outcomes for chronic conditions. The tailoring and targeting of interventions appropriate to individuals and communities are likely to be most effective in leveraging behaviour change. This review has identified that mutual goal setting improved health behaviours. The flexibility to adopt self‐care interventions to community‐based settings showed improved patient outcomes.
Effectiveness of an e‐learning tool for education on pressure ulcer evaluation
Authors: Morente Laura , Morales‐Asencio José M , Veredas Francisco J 
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of information and communication technologies in the undergraduate students' pressure ulcer training as a learning tool, compared with traditional teaching methods.BackgroundPressure ulcers constitute one of the great challenges faced by nursing professionals. Currently, pressure ulcer training is based on traditional on‐campus teaching, involving lecture‐style classes with frequent use of photographs of the wounds. This traditional training has some important weaknesses that can put the efficacy of the training at risk.DesignA randomised controlled trial was developed including undergraduate nursing students.MethodsThe intervention group used an adaptive self‐learning e‐learning tool developed by the research team (ePULab) for pressure ulcer assessment and treatment. The control group received a traditional on‐campus class on the same topic. Pretest and post‐test questionnaires were designed to assess the students' ability in pressure ulcer diagnosis and treatment.ResultsThe educational intervention based on the use of the ePULab tool produced significantly better learning acquisition results than those obtained by traditional lecture‐style classes: the total score improved in the control group from 8·23 (SD 1·23)–11·6 (SD 2·52) after the lecture, whereas in the intervention group, the knowledge score changed from 8·27 (SD 1·39)–15·83 (SD 2·52) (p = 0·01) with the use of ePULab.ConclusionsThe results show a higher effectiveness of the devised e‐learning approach for education on management of pressure ulcers.Relevance to clinical practiceOur results reveal the suitability of the ePULab e‐learning tool as an effective instrument for training on assessment of and treatment for pressure ulcers and its potential impact on clinical decision‐making.
Changes in decisional conflict and decisional regret in patients with localised prostate cancer
Authors: Chien Ching‐Hui , Chuang Cheng‐Keng , Liu Kuan‐Lin , Li Chia‐Lin , Liu Hsueh‐Erh 
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectivesTo identify the changes and associated factors in decisional conflict and regret in patients with localised prostate cancer up to six months postprimary treatment.BackgroundVarious treatments of differing qualities can be used for patients with localised prostate cancer; these treatments may cause conflicts in treatment decision‐making and post‐treatment regret.DesignA quantitative longitudinal study.MethodsA total of 48 patients were recruited from a 3700‐bed medical centre in northern Taiwan and assessed at pretreatment and one and six months post‐treatment. Demographic characteristics, clinical information and results from the psychosocial adjustment to illness scale, decisional conflict scale and decision regret scale were collected. Data were analysed based on the generalised estimating equations models.ResultsThe overall decisional conflict substantially improved over time. However, the feeling of being less informed was high and did not improve considerably during the study period. Education level, decision preferences and psychosocial adjustment were associated with decisional conflict and influenced decision‐making. The feeling of ineffective decision‐making and decisional regret was low, post‐treatment. Psychosocial adjustment was associated with effective decision‐making and decisional regret.ConclusionIn patients with localised prostate cancer, decisional conflict reduced considerably up to six months post‐treatment. Moreover, the patients were satisfied with their treatment decision‐making and believed that they had made the correct choice up to six months post‐treatment. However, patients may have experienced feelings of being less informed pre‐ and post‐treatment, particularly those with lower education levels, a preference for passive roles, or inferior psychosocial adjustment. Consequently, health professionals must provide adequate medical information and psychosocial intervention to help patients in the decision‐making process.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses and healthcare providers must provide localised prostate cancer patients with adequate information and psychosocial intervention to reduce decisional conflict.