bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognosis of patients with multifocal glioblastoma: a case-control study
Authors: Patil Chirag G. , Yi Anthony , Elramsisy Adam , Hu Jethro , Mukherjee Debraj , Irvin Dwain K. , Yu John S. , Bannykh Serguei I. , Black Keith L. , Nuño Miriam 
Published: August 2012

Object
The prognosis of patients with glioblastoma who present with multifocal disease is not well documented. The objective of this study was to determine whether multifocal disease on initial presentation is associated with worse survival.

Methods
The authors retrospectively reviewed records of 368 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma and identified 47 patients with multifocal tumors. Each patient with a multifocal tumor was then matched with a patient with a solitary glioblastoma on the basis of age, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, and extent of resection, using a propensity score matching methodology. Radiation and temozolomide treatments were also well matched between the 2 cohorts. Kaplan-Meier estimates and log-rank tests were used to compare patient survival.

Results
The incidence of multifocal tumors was 12.8% (47/368). The median age of patients with multifocal tumors was 61 years, 76.6% had KPS scores ≥ 70, and 87.2% underwent either a biopsy or partial resection of their tumors. The 47 patients with multifocal tumors were almost perfectly matched on the basis of age (p = 0.97), extent of resection (p = 1.0), and KPS score (p = 0.80) compared with 47 patients with a solitary glioblastoma. Age (>65 years), partial resection or biopsy, and low KPS score (<70) were associated with worse median survival within the multifocal group. In the multifocal group, 19 patients experienced tumor progression on postradiation therapy MRI, compared with 11 patients (26.8%) with tumor progression in the unifocal group (p = 0.08). Patients with multifocal tumors experienced a significantly shorter median overall survival of 6 months (95% CI 4–10 months), compared with the 11-month median survival (95% CI 10–19 months) of the matched solitary glioblastoma group (p = 0.02, log-rank test). Two-year survival rates were 4.3% for patients with multifocal tumors and 29.0% for the unifocal cohort. Patients with newly diagnosed multifocal tumors were found to have an almost 2-fold increase in the hazard of death compared with patients with solitary glioblastoma (hazard ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–3.1; p = 0.02). Tumor samples were analyzed for expression of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphatase and tensin homolog, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, laminin β1 and β2, as well as epidermal growth factor receptor amplification, and no significant differences in expression profile between the multifocal and solitary glioblastoma groups was found.

Conclusions
Patients with newly diagnosed multifocal glioblastoma on presentation experience significantly worse survival than patients with solitary glioblastoma. Patients with multifocal tumors continue to pose a therapeutic challenge in the temozolomide era and magnify the challenges faced while treating patients with malignant gliomas.
Primary chordomas of the cervical spine: a consecutive series of 14 surgically managed cases
Authors: Wang Yu , Xiao Jianru , Wu Zhipeng , Huang Quan , Huang Wending , Zhu Qing , Lin Zaijun , Wang Liangzhe 
Published: August 2012

Object
Cervical chordomas are rare lesions and usually bring about challenges in treatment planning because of their wide extension and complicated adjacent anatomy. There are few large published series at present focusing on cervical chordomas. The authors studied a consecutive series of 14 patients with primary cervical chordomas who underwent surgical treatment and were observed between 1989 and 2008. By reviewing the clinical patterns and follow-up data, they sought to investigate the clinical characters, tailor the appropriate surgical techniques, and establish prognosis factors for cervical chordomas.

Methods
Hospitalization and follow-up data in the 14 patients were collected. All patients underwent piecemeal tumor excision and reconstruction for stability; total spondylectomy was achieved in 5 cases. Postoperative radiotherapy was administered in all patients. Kaplan-Meier plots were used to represent tumor recurrence and patient survival, and log-rank testing was used to determine the risk factors of local recurrence.

Results
Follow-up ranged from 8 to 120 months (mean 58.6 months). Symptom and neural status in most patients improved after surgery. The 1- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 78.6% and 50%, respectively, and the 1- and 5-year survival rates were 92.9% and 85.7%, respectively. Log-rank tests revealed that the following variables were significantly associated with a high rate of tumor recurrence: age less than 40 years or greater than 70 years (p = 0.006) and an upper cervical tumor location (p = 0.019).

Conclusions
Chordomas in the cervical spine are usually neoplasms that exhibit insidious growth and a wide extension by the time of diagnosis. Radical intralesional debulking surgery and postoperative radiotherapy have been effective treatment. A limited application of en bloc tumor resection and the highly likely intraoperative intralesional tumor seeding may partially explain the high local recurrence rate, whereas the chance of distant metastases, fortunately, is very low. Most recurrence were documented within 3 years. Some specific surgical techniques should be emphasized to minimize tumor seeding. Patients with upper cervical chordomas, younger adults, and elderly adults have worse prognosis. For patients with chordoma extending to both the anterior and posterior spinal columns, total spondylectomy combined with piecemeal excision is recommended for a better prognosis.
The function of intercellular spaces along the ray parenchyma in sapwood, intermediate wood, and heartwood of Cryptomeria japonica (Cupressaceae)
Authors: Nagai Satoshi , Utsumi Yasuhiro 
Published: August 2012

• Premise of the study: Intercellular spaces along ray parenchyma (ISRP) are common in many conifer xylems, but their function is uncertain because the in‐situ structural network among ISRP, ray parenchyma, and tracheids has not been evaluated. Analysis of water distribution in ISRP from sapwood to heartwood is needed to elucidate the function of ISRP in sapwood, intermediate wood, and heartwood.• Methods: We used cryo‐scanning electron microscopy, x‐ray photography, and water content measurement in xylem to analyze the presence of liquids in ISRP, ray parenchyma, and tracheids from sapwood to heartwood in Cryptomeria japonica (Cupressaceae).• Key results: In sapwood, almost all ISRP were empty. “Cingulate‐cavitated regions”, which lose water along the tangential direction within one annual ring, formed in the earlywood tracheids, and their frequency increased toward the inner annual rings, whereas ray parenchyma cells were alive and not involved in the partial cavitation. In intermediate wood, almost all ISRP and earlywood tracheids and many of the ray cells were empty, and only some latewood tracheids retained liquid in their lumina. The ISRP were connected with tracheids via gas‐filled ray parenchyma cells.• Conclusions: The ISRP work as a pathway of gas for aspiration of ray parenchyma cells in sapwood. On the other hand, the occurrence of a gas network between ISRP, ray parenchyma, and tracheids facilitates cavitation of tracheids, resulting in the generation of low‐moisture, intermediate wood.
Safety of Tenofovir Gel, a Vaginal Microbicide, in South African Women: Results of the Caprisa 004 Trial
Authors: Sokal David C , Karim Quarraisha Abdool , Sibeko Sengeziwe , Yende-Zuma Nonhlanhla , Mansoor Leila E , Baxter Cheryl , Grobler Anneke , Frolich Janet , Kharsany Ayesha BM , Miya Nomsa , Mlisana Koleka , Maarshalk Silvia , Karim Salim S Abdool 
Published: August 2012

Background Tenofovir gel, used vaginally before and after coitus, reduced women's acquisition of HIV by 39%. This is a safety assessment of tenofovir gel, including renal, bone, gastrointestinal, genital and haematological parameters. Methods In the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) 004, a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial, 445 of the 889 eligibly enrolled women were assigned to tenofovir gel. All participants were advised to use the gel vaginally only, with one dose of gel within 12 h before and a second dose as soon as possible after sex, with no more than two doses in 24 h. Clinical and laboratory safety data were collected at monthly and quarterly visits, respectively. Genital assessments were undertaken at enrolment and quarterly thereafter, or as indicated. Results Women assigned to tenofovir gel were exposed to an average monthly vaginal dose of 240 mg of tenofovir (six applications). In total, six women, three in each group, had mild creatinine elevations, all of which occurred in July/ August 2008. The incidence of anaemia was 3.5 and 3.8 per 100 women-years in tenofovir and placebo groups, respectively ( P=0.80). Of the six women (four tenofovir and two placebo) experiencing bone fractures, none were associated with abnormal phosphate or calcium values. The proportion of women with diarrhoea was higher in the tenofovir gel group (17% versus 11%; P=0.026). There was no significant increase of any genital adverse event in the tenofovir group. Conclusions No significant renal, haematological, genital or bone effects were associated with the use of tenofovir gel. Aside from a puzzling increase in diarrhoea, tenofovir gel has an excellent safety profile.
The IL-1–Dependent Sterile Inflammatory Response Has a Substantial Caspase-1–Independent Component That Requires Cathepsin C
Authors: Kono Hajime , Orlowski Gregory M. , Patel Zubin , Rock Kenneth L. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The sterile inflammatory response to cell death and irritant crystals is medically important because it causes disease. Although these stimuli are structurally distinct, they cause inflammation through a common pathway that requires the cytokine IL-1. In vitro, the inflammasome, and in particular its generation of active caspase-1, is absolutely required to produce bioactive IL-1β. However, in this study, we report that caspase-1 is not required in vivo for much of the IL-1β–dependent sterile inflammatory response. Furthermore, we find that cathepsin C, which controls the activity of a number of leukocyte serine proteases capable of processing IL-1β, plays a major role in this caspase-1–independent pathway. Mice that are deficient in cathepsin C have reduced inflammatory responses to dying cells and silica crystals. In the absence of cathepsin C, caspase-1 becomes rate limiting such that mice doubly deficient in both of these proteases make little IL-1β in vivo and have markedly attenuated inflammatory responses to the sterile stimuli. In contrast, these mutant mice generate normal inflammation in response to exogenous IL-1β, indicating that cathepsin C and caspase-1 function upstream of IL-1β, and, in their absence, all components of the pathway downstream of mature IL-1β are intact.
Opposing Roles for Complement Component C5a in Tumor Progression and the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Gunn Lacey , Ding Chuanlin , Liu Min , Ma Yunfeng , Qi Chunjian , Cai Yihua , Hu Xiaoling , Aggarwal Deep , Zhang Huang-ge , Yan Jun 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Promoting complement (C) activation may enhance immunological mechanisms of anti-tumor Abs for tumor destruction. However, C activation components, such as C5a, trigger inflammation, which can promote tumor growth. We addressed the role of C5a on tumor growth by transfecting both human carcinoma and murine lymphoma with mouse C5a. In vitro growth kinetics of C5a, control vector, or parental cells revealed no significant differences. Tumor-bearing mice with C5a-transfected xenografted tumor cells had significantly less tumor burden as compared with control vector tumors. NK cells and macrophages infiltrated C5a-expressing tumors with significantly greater frequency, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor, arginase, and TNF-α production were significantly less. Tumor-bearing mice with high C5a-producing syngeneic lymphoma cells had significantly accelerated tumor progression with more Gr-1+CD11b+ myeloid cells in the spleen and overall decreased CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the tumor, tumor-draining lymph nodes, and the spleen. In contrast, tumor-bearing mice with low C5a-producing lymphoma cells had a significantly reduced tumor burden with increased IFN-γ–producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen and tumor-draining lymph nodes. These studies suggest concentration of local C5a within the tumor microenvironment is critical in determining its role in tumor progression.
Vaccine-Induced Effector-Memory CD8+ T Cell Responses Predict Therapeutic Efficacy against Tumors
Authors: van Duikeren Suzanne , Fransen Marieke F. , Redeker Anke , Wieles Brigitte , Platenburg Gerard , Krebber Willem-Jan , Ossendorp Ferry , Melief Cornelis J. M. , Arens Ramon 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
CD8+ T cells have the potential to attack and eradicate cancer cells. The efficacy of therapeutic vaccines against cancer, however, lacks defined immune correlates of tumor eradication after (therapeutic) vaccination based on features of Ag-specific T cell responses. In this study, we examined CD8+ T cell responses elicited by various peptide and TLR agonist-based vaccine formulations in nontumor settings and show that the formation of CD62L−KLRG1+ effector-memory CD8+ T cells producing the effector cytokines IFN-γ and TNF predicts the degree of therapeutic efficacy of these vaccines against established s.c. tumors. Thus, characteristics of vaccine-induced CD8+ T cell responses instill a predictive determinant for the efficacy of vaccines during tumor therapy.
The role played by recruitment agencies in the emigration of South African nurses
Authors: Oosthuizen M J , Ehlers V J , Jooste K 
Published: August 2012

Active recruitment of foreign nurses might offer solutions to many countries’ nursing shortages.

Opsomming
Die aktiewe werwing van buitelandse verpleegkundiges kan oplossings bied vir baie lande se tekorte aan verpleegkundiges.

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
The South African traditional belief scale as an instrument to aid culture-congruent health care
Authors: Beuster Johann , Schwär Gerhard 
Published: August 2012

Medical and psychological health care professionals are becoming increasingly aware that effective treatment in culturally diverse societies requires sensitivity to the patient’s cultural beliefs and customs (Davidhizar & Giger, 2001:2; Foley & Wurmser, 2004:2; Hickson & Christie, 1989:162; Mkize, 2003:4; Narayanasamy, 2003:1).

Opsomming
Mediese en sielkundige gesondheidsorgberoepslui word toenemend daarvan bewus dat doeltreffende behandeling in kultureel diverse gemeenskappe sensitiwiteit teenoor die pasiënt se kulturele oortuigings en gebruike vereis (Davidhizar & Giger, 2001:2; Foley & Wurmser, 2004:2; Hickson & Christie, 1989:162; Mkize, 2003:4; Narayanasamy,
2003:1).

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
An investigation into the perceived sanitation challenges in the Eastern Cape rural communities
Authors: Phaswana-Mafuya Nancy 
Published: August 2012

There is a dearth of information on studies that have sought to examine qualitatively the sanitation challenges that rural communities experience.

Opsomming
Kwalitatiewe navorsing is gedoen om die strukturele, ekonomiese, opvoedkundige, sosiale en tegnologiese uitdagings wat landelike gemeenskappe van die Oos-Kaap met betrekking tot sanitasie in die gesig staar, te ondersoek.

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
Contraceptive challenges experienced by women who requested termination of pregnancy services in the Mpumalanga Province
Authors: Mbokane A N , Ehlers V J 
Published: August 2012

Although contraceptives are available free of charge throughout South Africa, the number of requests for termination of pregnancy (TOP) services continues to increase.

Opsomming
Alhoewel voorbehoedmiddels gratis dwarsdeur Suid-Afrika beskikbaar is, word die aanvraag vir dienste vir die beeïndiging van swangerskap al groter.

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
Factors influencing adolescent mothers’ non-utilisation of contraceptives in the Mkhondo Area
Authors: Mbambo D E , Ehlers V J , Monareng L V 
Published: August 2012

This study investigated factors influencing adolescent mothers’ non-utilisation of contraceptives in the Mkhondo (previously known as the Piet Retief) area.

Opsomming
Hierdie studie het faktore ondersoek wat bydra tot adolessente moeders se versuim om voorbehoedmiddels te gebruik in die Mkhondo-(voorheen bekend as Piet Retief) area.

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
Adolescents’ experience of a parental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Harris D , Stuart A D 
Published: August 2012

This study explores the experiences of four adolescents, each living with a parent who has sustained a traumatic brain injury, against the theoretical backdrop of existential-phenomenological psychology.

Opsomming
Hierdie navorsing verken die belewenisse van vier adolessente wat saam met ‘n ouer wat ‘n traumatiese breinbesering opgedoen het, leef.

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
The effect of developmentally supportive positioning (DSP) on preterm infants’ stress levels
Authors: Hennessy Angie , Maree Carin , Becker Piet 
Published: August 2012

Research has proven that developmentally supportive care (DSC) improves the developmental outcomes for preterm infants.

ABSTRAK
Navorsing het bewys dat ontwikkeling-ondersteunende sorg (OOS) die ontwikkelingsuitkomste van premature babas verbeter.
The youths’ perceptions of sexuality in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
Authors: Maluleke Thelmah X 
Published: August 2012

This study was a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, conducted in the Vhembe District Municipality of the Limpopo Province in four selected villages.

Opsomming
Hierdie studie was ‘n kwalitatiewe, verkennende en beskrywende studie, onderneem in die Vhembe Distrik Munisipaliteit van die Limpopo Provinsie, in vier uitgesoekte dorpies.

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
Sexual and menstrual practices: risks for cervix cancer
Authors: Maree Johanna E , Wright Susan CD 
Published: August 2012

Cervix cancer is the cancer that causes most female deaths in South Africa. Little is known about the sexual and menstrual practices in high-risk communities in South Africa.

Opsomming
Servikskarsinoom is verantwoordelik vir die meeste kankersterftes in vroue in Suid Afrika. Min is bekend aangaande die seksuele- en menstruasiepraktyke in hoë risiko gemeenskappe in Suid-Afrika.

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
Factors determining the vulnerability of women to sexually transmitted HIV: a literature review
Authors: Macleod-Downes Leslie , Albertyn Ruth M , Mayer Pat 
Published: August 2012

Gender-related vulnerability is described as a crucial factor contributing to increased susceptibility of women to HIV, accounting for more women than men being infected. At the same time, empowerment interventions are being promoted as effective strategies for increasing the ability of women to adopt protective behaviours. The aim of the review was to identify, collate and categorise the factors determining the gender-related vulnerability of women to sexually transmitted HIV. A review of literature from theoretical and empirical studies using diverse methodologies was undertaken. Reports included those identified through electronic and manual searching. Twenty factors, forming five clusters, were identified as influencing the ability of women to adopt protective behaviours. Each factor was analysed to describe its component parts and the relationship between a factor, gender-related vulnerability, HIV risk level and empowerment status. Further analysis provided a description of markers named predictors and indicators. The literature portrays markers that can be identified and used to describe gender equality status, HIV risk level and related empowerment. This provides the potential to identify factors in gender equality status and HIV risk level to address in programmes designed to empower women in order to lower their risk to sexually transmitted HIV.

Opsomming
Geslagsverwante kwesbaarheid word beskryf as ‘n kritieke faktor wat tot verhoogde vatbaarheid van vroue vir MIV bydra, wat die verhoogde besmetting van vroue teenoor mans verklaar. Terselfdertyd word bemagtigings-intervensies aangemoedig as geskikte strategieë om vroue se vermoë om beskermende gedragspatrone aan te neem, te verhoog. Die doel van hierdie oorsig was om die faktore wat geslagsverwante vatbaarheid van vroue vir seksueel oordraagbare MIV bepaal, te identifiseer, vergelyk en kategoriseer. ‘n Literatuurstudie van teoretiese en empiriese studies wat ‘n verskeidenheid metodologieë gebruik het, is onderneem. Verslae bekom deur elektroniese en handsoektogte is ingesluit. Twintig faktore, wat in vyf groepe verdeel is, is geïdentifiseer as dié wat die vermoë van vroue om beskermende gedragspatrone aan te neem, beïnvloed. Elke faktor is ontleed om die samestellende dele en die verband tussen ‘n faktor, geslagsverwante kwesbaarheid, MIV-risikovlak en bemagtigingstatus te beskryf. Verdere analise het ‘n beskrywing van merkers, genoem voorspellers en aanwysers, opgelewer. Die literatuur beskryf merkers wat geïdentifiseer en gebruik kan word om geslagsgelykheidstatus, MIV-risikostatus en verwante bemagtiging te beskryf. Dit bied die moontlik- heid om faktore in geslagsgelykheidstatus en MIV-risikostatus te identifiseer wat aandag moet geniet in programme wat ontwerp is om vroue te bemagtig om hul risiko van seksueel oordraagbare MIV te verlaag.
The victim's experience of hijacking: an exploratory study
Authors: Macgregor J , Schoeman WJ , Stuart AD 
Published: August 2012

This paper summarises a phenomenological study that was designed to explore the victim's lived experience of
undergoing a motor vehicle hijacking. OpsommingHierdie artikel verskaf 'n oorsig oor 'n fenomenologiese studio wat ontwerp is om die slagofferse geleefde ervaring van 'n motorkaping te ondersoek.

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
Editorial Comments/ Redaksionele Kommentaar
Authors: Ehlers Valerie 
Published: August 2012

The future of any country resides in its youth. South Africa’s young people, aged 15 to 24, are particularly important for its immediate future.

Opsomming
Enige land se toekoms lê in sy jeug. Suid-Afrika se jeug, tussen die ouderdomme van 15 en 24 jaar, is van besondere belang vir die land se onmiddellike toekoms.

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
Primary care as a means of decreasing health care costs
Authors: Van Deventer Martie M , Hattingh Susan P , Bezuidenhout Marthie C 
Published: August 2012

The study was focussed at furthering the health objectives of the Government’s Reconstruction and Development Programme in the area of primary care.

Opsomming
Die studie was gemik op die bevordering van die gesondheidsdoelwitte van die regering se Herkonstruksie enOntwikkelingsprogram (“Reconstruction and Development Programme”) op die gebied van primêre sorg.

*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.