bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and CD44 variant 6 protein in the diagnosis and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Wu Gang , Zhou Yuanhang , Li Tianyi , Guo Jingjing , Zhou Zhongwen 
Published: May 2013

Objectives To investigate the ability of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and CD44 variant 6 (CD44v6) protein levels to diagnose papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), compared with routine diagnostic methods using tissue sections; to explore the relationship between MMP-2 and CD44v6 protein levels and lymph node metastases (LNM) in PTC. Methods Archival PTC specimens from patients with PTC, with or without lateral cervical LNM, were included in this retrospective immunohistochemical study. MMP-2 and CD44v6 protein levels were analysed immunohistochemically using routinely prepared tissue sections. Results Specimens from 66 patients with PTC were reviewed retrospectively (35 patients with lateral cervical LNM; 31 patients without LNM). The percentages of samples with cells that demonstrated positive protein staining differed significantly between PTC specimens, benign thyroid nodules and adjacent normal follicular epithelium (MMP-2: 86.4%, 60.0%, and 25.7%, respectively; CD44v6: 80.3%, 37.1% and 22.9%, respectively). The level of CD44v6 protein staining was found to be significantly and positively correlated with the level of MMP-2 protein staining in PTC specimens. Conclusions Both MMP-2 and CD44v6 might be useful tumour markers for predicting risk of lateral cervical LNM in patients with PTC.
Osteoporosis and related factors in older females with skeletal pain or numbness: A retrospective study in East China
Authors: Zhao Yongsheng , Liu Yuxin , Zheng Yanping 
Published: May 2013

Objective To analyse relationships between incidence of osteoporosis, age and clinical symptoms in older female patients in East China. Methods Data from females aged ≥30 years, admitted to QiLu Hospital between January 1999 and December 2011 were retrospectively assessed for osteoporosis. Correlations between osteoporosis diagnosis, age and clinical symptoms were analysed. Factors associated with osteoporosis were assessed using logistic regression. Results Out of 4212 patients enrolled, 1673 were assigned to the osteoporosis group and 2539 to the nonosteoporosis group. Neck, shoulder and arm pain negatively correlated with osteoporosis diagnosis. Lumbar and back pain had no correlation with osteoporosis diagnosis. In patients with osteoporosis there was no relationship between bone density and site of clinical symptoms. Bone density decreased, as age increased, in patients aged >50 years in the osteoporosis group. Conclusion The present study revealed a relationship between epidemiological distribution of osteoporosis and associated factors in adult females suffering from pain or numbness, in East China.
Thermal degradation analysis of short-time heated polymers
Authors: Bayerl Thomas , Brzeski Markus , Martínez-Tafalla Manuel , Schledjewski Ralf , Mitschang Peter 
Published: May 2013

The thermal degradation of short-time heated carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK, CF/PEEK) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), in the range of 10 ms up to 3 min, was investigated by various detection methods such as differential scanning calorimetry, gravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Therefore, the polymers were heated by extrinsic and intrinsic heating methods, including induction heating, infrared heating, and laser heating, which provides the highest heat flux. The short-time heated polymers revealed thermal degradation after several milliseconds of laser irradiation as well as after several seconds of induction heating. CF/PEEK exhibited a decrease in crystallinity and melting extrapolated onset temperature with an increase in irradiation time and power. The FTIR results indicated that random chain scissoring started at the phenyl ring bonding, the ether bonding, and the aromatic hydrogen bonding, whether some new nonaromatic hydrogen bonding occurred. HDPE showed a decrease in melting peak temperature and some changes in the methylene stretching bonding.
Studies of properties and characteristics of low-density polyethylene/thermoplastic sago starch-reinforced kenaf core fiber composites
Authors: Sarifuddin Norshahida , Ismail Hanafi , Ahmad Zuraida 
Published: May 2013

The disposal problems associated with the conventional plastic have imposed a long-standing quest of developing the degradable material. Indeed, blending of conventional plastic with renewable resources as the base materials is an attempt of imparting some level of biodegradability on the resulting composites. Thus, for this study, the effect of plasticized sago starch (plasticized) incorporation on the properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-reinforced with kenaf core fiber (KCF) was evaluated. The ratio of LDPE/KCF was fixed at 80/20 and blended with the thermoplastic sago starch (TPSS) content ranging from 10 to 40 wt%. The blended samples were characterized by means of mechanical performance, Fourier transform infrared analysis, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry behavior, water uptake, and morphological properties. The experimental result shows that there is a gradual decrease in tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break with an increase in TPSS loading. The degree of dispersion and adhesion of TPSS in LDPE/KCF composites revealed by scanning electron micrograph supports the findings of tensile properties. The thermal stability of the composite was clearly improved with the addition of TPSS. However, water uptake and hydrophilic character of the composite system tended to augment as the TPSS imparted to the composites.
Effects of tert-butyl substitutes of fluorinated diamine on the properties of polyimides
Authors: Lu Yunhua , Xiao Guoyong , Chi Haijun , Dong Yan , Hu Zhizhi 
Published: May 2013

To investigate the effect of tert-butyl substitutes on the properties of fluorinated polyimides (PIs), 1,4-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene (1), 1,4-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2- tert-butylbenzene (2), and 1,4-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2,5-di- tert-butylbenzene (3), which were synthesized in this study. Three series of organosoluble and light-colored PIs were synthesized from 1, 2, and 3 with four dianhydrides 1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (CBDA), pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride and prepared through a typical two-step polymerization method. These obtained PIs with tert-butyl substituents were soluble in amide polar solvents and even in less polar solvents. The glass transition temperatures ( Tg) of PIs with two tert-butyl substitutes can be reached at 327.7°C, and the 5% weight loss temperatures of PI derived from CBDA were lowest at 439.7°C. These PI films had cutoff wavelengths between 301.2 and 400.0 nm and the transparency at 450 nm between 43.0 and 86.2%. Compared with diamine 1, we found that the introduction of tert-butyl side group of the diamine improved the solubility and Tg of PIs, but decreased the optical transmittance and thermal stability of PIs.
Fatal poisonings in Finland during the years 2004–2009
Authors: Lapatto-Reiniluoto O , Vuori E , Hoppu K , Ojanperä I 
Published: May 2013

Fatal alcohol and drug poisonings in Finland during the years 2004–2009 were studied. Cases were divided into those that occurred outside the hospitals (the majority of cases) and those that occurred within the hospitals (the minority of cases). Differences and similarities between the two groups were analysed. The postmortem toxicological investigation of all sudden and unexpected deaths in Finland is centralised at the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki. We examined each fatal poisoning separately and verified the cause and place of death as well as the age and sex of the deceased. Fatal poisonings, including suicides, have remained unchanged for many years from the same high level, that is, about 1200 cases annually (22/100,000 inhabitants). The number of patients dying in hospitals due to poisoning has also remained stable (55–70 patients/year). However, the toxic agents involved in such poisonings have changed and deaths due to opioids are now being more numerous. The number of fatal unintentional drug poisonings rose significantly from 191 to 341 (3–6/100,000 inhabitants, p < 0.001) during the study years, and the difference between poisonings caused by drugs or alcohol also changed significantly ( p < 0.001). Diminishing substantially, the number of all fatal poisonings will be challenging because of the high percentage of suicides. However, a reduction in unintentional drug overdoses, which are presently on the rise, should be possible.
Clinical presentations and outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with infection admitted to the intensive care unit
Authors: Han BK , Bhatia R , Traisak P , Hunter K , Milcarek B , Schorr C , Eid H , Feinstein D , Cronin P , Kolasinski SL 
Published: May 2013

Objective The objective of this article is to investigate clinical presentations and outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with infection admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods SLE patients with infection, SLE patients with noninfectious causes, and non-SLE patients with infection were identified from the Cooper University Hospital Project IMPACT database between 2002 and 2010. We examined demographic data, APACHE II scores, physiologic data, laboratory data, length of stay in the ICU and hospital, and mortality of the three groups. Results Twenty-five SLE patients with infection, 45 SLE patients with noninfectious causes, and 1466 non-SLE patients with infection were included in the study. SLE patients with infection had higher APACHE II scores, higher maximum temperature, higher minimum and maximum heart rate (HR), lower minimum and maximum systolic blood pressure (SBP), and longer ICU length of stay in comparison to SLE patients with noninfectious causes. There were no statistical differences in white blood cell (WBC) count. SLE patients with infection had a higher mortality compared to SLE patients with noninfectious causes. There was no difference in mortality between SLE patients with infection and non-SLE patients with infection. Conclusion SLE patients with infection in the ICU had a higher mortality and a higher APACHE II score compared to SLE patients with noninfectious causes in the ICU. Their physiologic signs including temperature, HR, and SBP were more reflective of infection than their WBC count.
Effective Single-Parent Training Group Program
Authors: Briggs Harold E. , Miller Keva M. , Orellana E. Roberto , Briggs Adam C. , Cox Wendell H. 
Published: May 2013

Objective: This study highlights Dr. Elsie Pinkston and colleagues’ research on the effectiveness of behavior parent training and examines the application of single-parent training group (SPG) programs to three parent–child dyads exposed to distressed family circumstances. Methods: Single-system evaluation designs were conducted with two single birth parents, one single foster parent, and each parent’s three respective children, in an effort to appraise the results of a SPG program. Results: Two of the three parent–child dyads benefited from the SPG. Results suggested that there were changes in parent reinforcement and attention behaviors and children’s noncompliant behaviors. Conclusion: Behavioral improvements in single parent and child dyads lend support for the effectiveness of the parent training group for single parents. Implications for practice and future research on SPG programs are discussed.
What Bereavement Follow-Up Does Family Members Request in Japanese Palliative Care Units?
Authors: Muta Rieko , Sanjo Makiko , Miyashita Mitsunori , Wakabayashi Rieko , Ando Etsuko , Morita Tatsuya , Tsuneto Satoru , Shima Yasuo 
Published: May 2013

Background: There is no standardized method by which bereavement care is offered by hospice/palliative care units (PCUs) in Japan. Aim: To evaluate bereavement services provided by hospice/PCUs and clarify demands for bereavement care. Design: Qualitative design based on semistructured interviews and content analysis. Setting/participants: Forty-four bereaved family members of patients with cancer who died in 9 PCUs in 4 regions. Results: Memorial services were positively evaluated for the following variables: reunion and interaction with staff; the service’s relaxed atmosphere; staff attentiveness; suitable location; suitable timing; program content; and interaction with other bereaved families. Memorial cards were positively evaluated regarding the level of concern shown by the staff and the personalized card. Respondents indicated their desire for a care system, a bereaved family care program, and information services.
Palliative Care Knowledge and Attitudes Among Oncology Nurses in Qatar
Authors: Al-Kindi Sadeer G. , Zeinah Ghaith F. Abu , Hassan Azza Adel 
Published: May 2013

Objectives: Formal palliative care (PC) education is lacking in the middle eastern state of Qatar. This study was done to assess the need for PC education among oncology nurses in Qatar. Methods: In March 2012, a self-constructed questionnaire was distributed to 115 nurses at the Qatar National Center for Cancer Care and Research. Results: A total of 115 nurses responded to the questionnaire. The majority (87.8%) were female. Although 60% had more than 10 years of work experience, only 31% had received formal training in PC, with only 6.1% having completed postgraduate training. The majority (63%) of responders attributed this issue to unavailability of PC courses rather than lack of time, interest, or financial issues. Currently, only 16.7% did not express interest in the field, with 56% showing some kind of interest. In terms of knowledge, 54% of the responders were familiar with the World Health Organization ladder for pain relief. Only 43.6% know about Palliative Performance Scale, and half of the nurses know the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System. Overall, 56% of the nurses indicated a need for training in more than 1 aspect. These aspects included training in care of the dying patients (14.6%), communication strategies (22%), caregiver support (10.6%), psychosocial care (15%), pain management (10.2%), other symptom management (13%), and other ethical/spiritual issues (14.2%). Conclusions: There is a clear deficiency in formal PC education among the nurses at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research, in Qatar. This is reflected by their lack of experience and exposure to PC and their mediocre knowledge in the field. This could be attributed to the fact that formal PC service was established only recently in Qatar (2008). Formal training courses in PC nursing are required.
Results of Proximal Medial Gastrocnemius Release for Achilles Tendinopathy
Authors: Gurdezi Sabahat , Kohls-Gatzoulis Julie , Solan Matthew C. 
Published: May 2013

Background: Most patients with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) are treated successfully with physiotherapy involving eccentric calf training. In some patients, gastrocnemius contracture persists and there are reports of improvement following gastrocnemius release. We present the first series of patients to have proximal medial gastrocnemius release (PMGR) for AT. Method: 16 PMGRs (12 patients) were performed at our institution over a 2-year period. Nine patients (10 PMGRs) were available for follow-up. The mean age of patients was 45 years (range, 25-63 years), with 5 female and 4 male subjects. The average follow-up period was 2.5 years (range, 1.7-3.3 years). The sample was divided into noninsertional and insertional tendinopathy, with 5 PMGRs per group. Outcome measures were visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) scores, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, and overall satisfaction. Complications and further procedures were also recorded. Results: At an average of 2.5 years of follow-up, 6 out of 9 patients were highly satisfied. The noninsertional tendinopathy group enjoyed better results than the insertional group: mean VISA-A scores improved by 59% (noninsertional) versus 22% (insertional); mean AOFAS scores improved by 29% (noninsertional) versus 15% (insertional). The improvement in the noninsertional group was statistically significant ( P < .05) for all 3 outcome measures. Conclusion: PMGR was an outpatient procedure that was well tolerated without wound healing concerns due to the proximally based incision. Patients with noninsertional tendinopathy who have failed conservative treatment can expect notable improvement, with VISA-A scores possibly normalizing after the procedure. We recommend PMGR for patients suffering recalcitrant noninsertional AT in whom gastrocnemius contracture persists despite an eccentric stretching program. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Creating Civil and Respectful Organizations Through the Scholar-Practitioner Bridge
Authors: Gedro Julie , Wang Jia 
Published: May 2013

The Problem Incivility, also referred to as bullying, emotional abuse, and mobbing, has increasingly become an issue in today’s workplace. It is widely recognized that workplace incivility has significant negative impact on both individuals and organizations. Nevertheless, there is a lack of general research attention to this topic within the human resource development (HRD) community. Such lack of essential understanding may hinder HRD practitioners’ capability of recognizing uncivil behaviors at work and designing effective HRD interventions to address them. Further, within the HRD practitioner community, there is a dearth of knowledge of how to use findings of research on workplace incivility to inform practice and help creating a civil work environment. The Solution This study presents a real-life case in which scholarship has informed and enhanced practice. It demonstrates how Estes and Wang’s (2008) research on workplace incivility has been used to assist one college in the United States to address issues related to civility. This scholarly informed initiative resulted in the inclusion of workplace civility in the College’s strategic plan, as well as development and delivery of workplace civility training workshops to over 800 employees across the College. Due to the success of the initial program, more efforts are being made to develop additional trainings. The Stakeholders Findings of this case study will benefit multiple stakeholders. This case of success provides valuable lessons which can be helpful to organizational leaders, policy makers, and human resource developers in their own endeavor to identify/address incivility related issues and foster a civil and healthy work environment for employees. In addition, this case study demonstrates how research can be applied to enhance practice, therefore showing both scholars and practitioners one way to bridge the gap between research and practice.
An Open-Label, Nonplacebo-Controlled Study on Cistanche tubulosa Glycoside Capsules (Memoregain®) for Treating Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Guo Qihao , Zhou Yan , Wang Chao-Jih , Huang Young-Ming , Lee Yi-Ta , Su Muh-Hwan , Lu Jiahong 
Published: May 2013

Aim: Efficacy and safety of Cistanche tubulosa glycoside capsules (CTG capsule, Memoregain®) for treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were studied. Methods: A total of 18 patients with AD administered with Memoregain® for 48 weeks were assessed for drug efficacy by Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Blessed Behavioral Scale, and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scales. Results: The MMSE score was 14.78 ± 2.51 at baseline and 14.06 ± 4.26 at study completion. While changes in ADAS-cog score before and after 48 weeks of treatment were statistically insignificant, the score improved, deteriorated, and remained unchanged in 10, 7, and 1 patients, respectively. The ADL and CGI scores showed no significant difference from baseline. All adverse reactions were mild. Conclusion: After Memoregain® treatment, patients with AD showed no obvious aggravation of cognitive function, independent living ability, and overall conditions but were stable throughout the study. Comparison with other long-term medications with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors suggests that Memoregain® has a potential to be a possible treatment option for mild to moderate AD. Large trials with bigger population are required to confirm.
Sensitivity and Specificity of Diagnostic Accuracy in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Gaugler Joseph E. , Kane Robert L. , Johnston Joseph A. , Sarsour Khaled 
Published: May 2013

Purpose of the Study: This report synthesizes existing evidence to compare the accuracy of various Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnostic approaches. Design and Methods: Meta-analyses and reviews of diagnostic accuracy of AD were identified through a search of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases using the keyword combinations of “sensitivity specificity Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis” and “accuracy of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.” Results: From 507 abstracts initially identified, 41 systematic reviews or meta-analyses were selected. Cerebrospinal fluid-tau demonstrated variable sensitivity (range 73.3%-100%) and specificity (range 70.0%-92.4%) in diagnosing AD when compared to neuropathological verification of clinical criteria for AD. Various positron emission tomography approaches showed a similar range of sensitivity (range 80.0%-100%) and specificity (range 62.0%-90%) as diagnostic protocols. Implications: Issues that remain in the study of AD diagnosis include the need to determine the comparative effectiveness of diagnostic approaches. Variations in study quality make empirically derived conclusions about the diagnostic accuracy of existing approaches tenuous.
The Clinical and Economic Burden of Newly Diagnosed Alzheimer’s Disease in a Medicare Advantage Population
Authors: Suehs Brandon T. , Davis Cralen D. , Alvir Jose , van Amerongen Derek , PharmD Nick C. Patel , Joshi Ashish V. , Faison Warachal E. , Shah Sonali N. 
Published: May 2013

Background/Rationale: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents a serious public health issue affecting approximately 5.4 million individuals in the United States and is projected to affect up to 16 million by 2050. This study examined health care resource utilization (HCRU), costs, and comorbidity burden immediately preceding new diagnosis of AD and 2 years after diagnosis. Methods: This study utilized a claims-based, retrospective cohort design. Medicare Advantage members newly diagnosed with AD (n = 3374) were compared to matched non-AD controls (n = 6748). All patients with AD were required to have 12 months of continuous enrollment prior to AD diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification [ICD-9] 331.0), during which time no diagnosis of AD, a related dementia, or an AD medication was observed. Non-AD controls demonstrated no diagnosis of AD, a related dementia, or a prescription claim for an AD medication treatment during their health plan enrollment. Medical and pharmacy claims data were used to measure HCRU, costs, and comorbidity burden over a period of 36 months (12 months pre-diagnosis and 24 months post-diagnosis). Results: The HCRU and costs were greater for AD members during the year prior to diagnosis and during postdiagnosis years 1 and 2 compared to controls. The AD members also displayed greater comorbidity than their non-AD counterparts during postdiagnosis years 1 and 2, as measured by 2 different comorbidity indices. Conclusions: Members newly diagnosed with AD demonstrated greater HCRU, health care costs, and comorbidity burden compared to matched non-AD controls.