bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cultural definitions of quality of care: Perspectives of Jordanian patients
Authors: Al-Zaru Ibtisam M. , Oweis Arwa , Gharaibeh Huda F. 
Published: June 2011

A descriptive qualitative approach was used to develop a cultural definition of quality of care in clinical settings, and understand the phenomena of quality of care from Jordanian patients’ perspectives. The study was conducted in two major teaching hospitals located in the north of Jordan during the period of May–August 2008. The sample consisted of 26 patients who agreed to participate in the study. Understanding the phenomena of quality of care from a cultural perspective will help health care providers, locally and internationally, provide care to Jordanian and Arab immigrants in Western countries. Four main themes emerged from the data to reflect on patients’ perspectives of the quality of care. These themes were: (a) quality as excellence; (b) being caring and concerned; (c) the demonstration of ethical and professional conduct by health care providers; and (d) reflecting on negative experiences during hospitalisation. Findings from this study reflect what is important for Jordanian patients regarding quality of care, and added new dimensions to the definitions of quality of care, including the role of religion in shaping the ethical and professional aspects of quality of care. These new dimensions open the door for further research that focuses on incorporating social, cultural and spiritual aspects in the measurement of quality of care for the purpose of improving quality of care as determined by patients.
Ferroportin1 deficiency in mouse macrophages impairs iron homeostasis and inflammatory responses
Authors: Zhang Zhuzhen , Zhang Fan , An Peng , Guo Xin , Shen Yuanyuan , Tao Yunlong , Wu Qian , Zhang Yuchao , Yu Yu , Ning Bo , Nie Guangjun , Knutson Mitchell D. , Anderson Gregory J. , Wang Fudi 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Systemic iron requirements are met predominantly through the recycling of iron from senescent erythrocytes by macrophages, a process in which the iron exporter ferroportin (Fpn1) is considered to be essential. Yet the role of Fpn1 in macrophage iron recycling and whether it influences innate immune responses are poorly understood in vivo. We inactivated Fpn1 in macrophages by crossing Fpn1-floxed animals with macrophage-targeted LysM-Cre or F4/80-Cre transgenic mice. Macrophage Fpn1 deletion mice were overtly normal; however, they displayed a mild anemia and iron accumulation in splenic, hepatic, and bone marrow macrophages when fed a standard diet. Iron loading was exacerbated after the administration of iron dextran or phenylhydrazine. When Fpn1LysM/LysM mice were challenged with an iron-deficient diet, they developed a more severe anemia and strikingly higher splenic iron levels than control mice, indicating significantly impaired iron mobilization from macrophages. Because immune responses can be altered by modulating iron status, we also examined the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. We found that expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly enhanced in Fpn1LysM/LysM macrophages lacking Fpn1. These studies demonstrate that Fpn1 plays important roles in macrophage iron release in vivo and in modulating innate immune responses.
Chromatin structure characteristics of pre-miRNA genomic sequences
Authors: Zhu Shijia , Jiang Qinghua , Wang Guohua , Liu Bo , Teng Mingxiang , Wang Yadong 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with important roles in regulating gene expression. Recent studies indicate that transcription and cleavage of miRNA are coupled, and that chromatin structure may influence miRNA transcription. However, little is known about the relationship between the chromatin structure and cleavage of pre-miRNA from pri-miRNA.

Results
By analysis of genome-wide nucleosome positioning data sets from human and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), we found an enrichment of positioned nucleosome on pre-miRNA genomic sequences, which is highly correlated with GC content within pre-miRNA. In addition, obvious enrichments of three histone modifications (H2BK5me1, H3K36me3 and H4K20me1) as well as RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) were observed on pre-miRNA genomic sequences corresponding to the active-promoter miRNAs and expressed miRNAs.

Conclusion
Our results revealed the chromatin structure characteristics of pre-miRNA genomic sequences, and implied potential mechanisms that can recognize these characteristics, thus improving pre-miRNA cleavage.
The comparison of grey-scale ultrasonic and clinical features of hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in children: a retrospective study for ten years
Authors: Zhuang Hua , Peng Yu-lan , Chen Tian-wu , Jiang Yong , Luo Yan , Zhang Qiong , Yang Zhi-gang 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Hepatoblastoma (HBL) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are respectively the first and the second most common pediatric malignant liver tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combined use of the ultrasound examination and the assessment of the patients' clinical features for differentiating HBL from HCC in children.

Methods
Thirty cases of the confirmed HBL and 12 cases of the confirmed HCC in children under the age of 15 years were enrolled into our study. They were divided into the HBL group and the HCC group according to the histological types of the tumors. The ultrasonic features and the clinical manifestations of the two groups were retrospectively analyzed, with an emphasis on the following parameters: onset age, gender (male/female) ratio, positive epatitis-B-surface-antigen (HBV), alpha-fetoprotein increase, and echo features including septa, calcification and liquefaction within the tumors.

Results
Compared with the children with HCC, the children with HBL had a significantly younger onset age (8.2 years vs. 3.9 years, P < 0.001) and a significantly smaller frequency of positive HBV (66.7% vs. 13.3%, P < 0.001). The septa and liquefaction were more frequently found in HBL than in HCC (25/30, 83.3% vs. 2/12, 16.7%, P < 0.001; 17/30, 56.7% vs. 3/12, 25%, P = 0.02). When a combination of the liquefaction, septa, negative HBV and onset age smaller than 5 years was used in the evaluation, the sensitivity was raised to 90%, the accuracy was raised to 88%, and the negative predictive value was raised to 73%.

Conclusion
Ultrasonic features combined with clinical manifestations are valuable for differentiating HBL from HCC in children.
Classical risk factors of cardiovascular disease among Chinese male steel workers: a prospective cohort study for 20 years
Authors: Ji Jingfeng , Pan Enchun , Li Jianxin , Chen Jichun , Cao Jie , Sun Dongling , Lu Xiangfeng , Chen Shufeng , Gu Dongfeng , Duan Xiufang , Wu Xigui , Huang Jianfeng 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) constitutes a major public health problem in China and worldwide. We aimed to examine classical risk factors and their magnitudes for CVD in a Chinese cohort with over 20 years follow-up.

Methods
A cohort of 5092 male steelworkers recruited from 1974 to 1980 in Beijing of China was followed up for an average of 20.84 years. Cox proportional-hazards regression model were used to evaluate the risk of developing a first CVD event in the study participants who were free of CVD at the baseline.

Results
The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) associated with every 20 mmHg rise in systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 1.63 in this Chinese male population, which was higher than in Caucasians. Compared to non-smokers, men who smoked not less than one-pack-a-day had a HR of 2.43 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-3.38). The HR (95% CI) for every 20 mg/dl increase in total serum cholesterol (TC) and for every point rise in body mass index (BMI) was 1.13 (1.04-1.23) and 1.06 (1.02-1.09), respectively.

Conclusions
Our study documents that hypertension, smoking, overweight and hypercholesterolemia are major conventional risk factors of CVD in Chinese male adults. Continued strengthening programs for prevention and intervention on these risk factors are needed to reduce the incidence of CVD in China.
Indoor solid fuel use and tuberculosis in China: a matched case-control study
Authors: Kan Xiaohong , Chiang Chen-Yuan , Enarson Donald A , Chen Wenhua , Yang Jianan , Chen Genwang 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackgroundChina ranks second among the 22 high burden countries for tuberculosis. A modeling exercise showed that reduction of indoor air pollution could help advance tuberculosis control in China. However, the association between indoor air pollution and tuberculosis is not yet well established. A case control study was conducted in Anhui, China to investigate whether use of solid fuel is associated with tuberculosis.MethodsCases were new sputum smear positive tuberculosis patients. Two controls were selected from the neighborhood of each case matched by age and sex using a pre-determined procedure. A questionnaire containing demographic information, smoking habits and use of solid fuel for cooking or heating was used for interview. Solid fuel (coal and biomass) included coal/lignite, charcoal, wood, straw/shrubs/grass, animal dung, and agricultural crop residue. A household that used solid fuel either for cooking and (/or) heating was classified as exposure to combustion of solid fuel (indoor air pollution). Odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence limits for categorical variables were determined by Mantel-Haenszel estimate and multivariate conditional logistic regression.ResultsThere were 202 new smear positive tuberculosis cases and 404 neighborhood controls enrolled in this study. The proportion of participants who used solid fuels for cooking was high (73.8% among cases and 72.5% among controls). The majority reported using a griddle stove (85.2% among cases and 86.7% among controls), had smoke removed by a hood or chimney (92.0% among cases and 92.8% among controls), and cooked in a separate room (24.8% among cases and 28.0% among controls) or a separate building (67.8% among cases and 67.6% among controls). Neither using solid fuel for cooking (odds ratio (OR) 1.08, 95% CI 0.62-1.87) nor using solid fuel for heating (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.54-2.02) was significantly associated with tuberculosis. Determinants significantly associated with tuberculosis were household tuberculosis contact (adjusted OR, 27.23, 95% CI 8.19-90.58) and ever smoking tobacco (adjusted OR 1.64, 96% CI 1.01-2.66).ConclusionIn a population where the majority had proper ventilation in cooking places, the association between use of solid fuel for cooking or for heating and tuberculosis was not statistically significant.
Protein kinase CK2α is overexpressed in colorectal cancer and modulates cell proliferation and invasion via regulating EMT-related genes
Authors: Zou Jinjin , Luo Hesan , Zeng Qin , Dong Zhongyi , Wu Dehua , Liu Li 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Protein kinase CK2 is a highly conserved, ubiquitous protein serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates many substrates and has a global role in numerous biological and pathological processes. Overexpression of the protein kinase CK2α subunit (CK2α) has been associated with the malignant transformation of several tissues, with not nearly as much focus on the role of CK2α in colorectal cancer (CRC). The aims of this study are to investigate the function and regulatory mechanism of CK2α in CRC development.

Methods
Expression levels of CK2α were analyzed in 144 patients (104 with CRC and 40 with colorectal adenoma) by immunohistochemistry. Proliferation, senescence, motility and invasion assays as well as immunofluorescence staining and western blots were performed to assess the effect of CK2α in CRC.

Results
The immunohistochemical expression of nuclear CK2α was stronger in tumor tissues than in adenomas and normal colorectal tissues. Suppression of CK2α by small-interfering RNA or the CK2α activity inhibitor emodin inhibited proliferation of CRC cells, caused G0/G1 phase arrest, induced cell senescence, elevated the expression of p53/p21 and decreased the expression of C-myc. We also found that knockdown of CK2α suppressed cell motility and invasion. Significantly, CK2α inhibition resulted in β-catenin transactivation, decreased the expression levels of vimentin and the transcription factors snail1 and smad2/3, and increased the expression of E-cadherin, suggesting that CK2α regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in cancer cells.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that CK2α plays an essential role in the development of CRC, and inhibition of CK2α may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for human CRC.
The HIV-1 Rev/RRE system is required for HIV-1 5' UTR cis elements to augment encapsidation of heterologous RNA into HIV-1 viral particles
Authors: Cockrell Adam S , van Praag Henriette , Santistevan Nicholas , Ma Hong , Kafri Tal 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
The process of HIV-1 genomic RNA (gRNA) encapsidation is governed by a number of viral encoded components, most notably the Gag protein and gRNA cis elements in the canonical packaging signal (ψ). Also implicated in encapsidation are cis determinants in the R, U5, and PBS (primer binding site) from the 5' untranslated region (UTR). Although conventionally associated with nuclear export of HIV-1 RNA, there is a burgeoning role for the Rev/RRE in the encapsidation process. Pleiotropic effects exhibited by these cis and trans viral components may confound the ability to examine their independent, and combined, impact on encapsidation of RNA into HIV-1 viral particles in their innate viral context. We systematically reconstructed the HIV-1 packaging system in the context of a heterologous murine leukemia virus (MLV) vector RNA to elucidate a mechanism in which the Rev/RRE system is central to achieving efficient and specific encapsidation into HIV-1 viral particles.

Results
We show for the first time that the Rev/RRE system can augment RNA encapsidation independent of all cis elements from the 5' UTR (R, U5, PBS, and ψ). Incorporation of all the 5' UTR cis elements did not enhance RNA encapsidation in the absence of the Rev/RRE system. In fact, we demonstrate that the Rev/RRE system is required for specific and efficient encapsidation commonly associated with the canonical packaging signal. The mechanism of Rev/RRE-mediated encapsidation is not a general phenomenon, since the combination of the Rev/RRE system and 5' UTR cis elements did not enhance encapsidation into MLV-derived viral particles. Lastly, we show that heterologous MLV RNAs conform to transduction properties commonly associated with HIV-1 viral particles, including in vivo transduction of non-dividing cells (i.e. mouse neurons); however, the cDNA forms are episomes predominantly in the 1-LTR circle form.

Conclusions
Premised on encapsidation of a heterologous RNA into HIV-1 viral particles, our findings define a functional HIV-1 packaging system as comprising the 5' UTR cis elements, Gag, and the Rev/RRE system, in which the Rev/RRE system is required to make the RNA amenable to the ensuing interaction between Gag and the canonical packaging signal for subsequent encapsidation.
Neuronal and glial markers are differently associated with computed tomography findings and outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a case control study
Authors: Mondello Stefania , Papa Linda , Buki Andras , Bullock M Ross , Czeiter Endre , Tortella Frank C , Wang Kevin K , Hayes Ronald L 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Authors of several studies have studied biomarkers and computed tomography (CT) findings in the acute phase after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the correlation between structural damage as assessed by neuroimaging and biomarkers has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among neuronal (Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 [UCH-L1]) and glial (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]) biomarker levels in serum, neuroradiological findings and outcomes after severe TBI.

Methods
The study recruited patients from four neurotrauma centers. Serum samples for UCH-L1 and GFAP were obtained at the time of hospital admission and every 6 hours thereafter. CT scans of the brain were obtained within 24hrs of injury. Outcome was assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge and at 6 months.

Results
81 severe TBI patients and 167 controls were enrolled. The mean serum levels of UCH-L1 and GFAP were higher (p < 0.001) in TBI patients compared to controls. UCH-L1 and GFAP serum levels correlated significantly with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and CT findings. GFAP levels were higher in patients with mass lesions than in those with diffuse injury (2.95 ± 0.48 ng/ml versus 0.74 ± 0.11 ng/ml) while UCH-L1 levels were higher in patients with diffuse injury (1.55 ± 0.18 ng/ml versus 1.21 ± 0.15 ng/ml, p = 0.0031 and 0.0103, respectively). A multivariate logistic regression showed that UCH-L1 was the only independent predictor of death at discharge [adjusted odds ratios 2.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.46-5.97], but both UCH-L1 and GFAP levels strongly predicted death 6 months post-injury.

Conclusions
Relationships between structural changes detected by neuroimaging and biomarkers indicate each biomarker may reflect a different injury pathway. These results suggest that protein biomarkers could provide better characterization of subjects at risk for specific types of cellular damage than that obtained with neuroimaging alone, as well as provide valuable information about injury severity and outcome after severe TBI.
Can foam sclerotherapy be used to safely treat bilateral varicose veins?
Authors: Bhogal R H , Moffat C E , Coney P , Nyamekye I K 
Published: June 2011

Objective We assessed the use of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) to treat bilateral varicose veins either as synchronous or interval procedures. We specifically assessed total foam volume usage and its influence on early outcome and complications. Methods We reviewed our prospectively compiled computerised database of patients with bilateral varicose veins who have undergone UGFS. Duplex findings, foam volumes used and clinical outcome were assessed. Results One hundred and twelve patients had undergone UGFS for bilateral varicose veins. Sixty-one had bilateral UGFS (122 legs) and 51 had interval UGFS (102 legs). Seventy-eight percent bilateral and 60% interval procedures were for single trunk disease. Median foam volumes per treatment episode were: 17.5 mls bilateral, and 10 mls interval FS. At two weeks 81% of legs had complete occlusion after bilateral UGFS compared to 70% after interval UGFS. One patient in the bilateral UGFS developed transient visual disturbance. There was no systemic complications in the interval UGFS. Conclusions Bilateral foam sclerotherapy treatment did not adversly affect vein occlusion rates and there was no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups. Bilateral UGFS can be safely performed in selected patient presenting with bilateral varicose veins.
Superficial vein ablation for the treatment of primary chronic venous ulcers
Authors: Sufian S , Lakhanpal S , Marquez J 
Published: June 2011

Objective This retrospective study was undertaken to review our experience with ablation of superficial veins with significant reflux, using VNUS ClosureFAST RF (radiofrequency) or laser 980 nm, in patients with primary chronic venous ulcers, and also determine its effects in ulcer healing and ulcer recurrence. Method Included were 25 limbs (18 patients with chronic primary venous ulcers (clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological elements [CEAP] classification C6), who underwent endovenous ablation with RF for the axial veins or laser for the perforating veins during a two-year period. Results Of the 18 patients, there were eight men and 10 women. The median age of the group was 68 (range 37–89) years. The number of ablations done in each leg with an ulcer varied from one to eight, with a median of three. During a follow-up period of 6–12 months, one patient failed ulcer healing despite sequential ablations of refluxing veins. There was one case that developed recurrence of a small ulcer after six months and was successfully treated with a perforator ablation. Conclusion Endovenous ablation of incompetent superficial veins improves the healing of chronic primary venous ulcers and decreases the recurrence rates.
A Global Equilibrium Asset Pricing Model with Home Preference
Authors: Solnik Bruno , Zuo Luo 
Published: June 2011

We develop a global equilibrium asset pricing model assuming that investors suffer from foreign aversion, a preference for home assets based on familiarity. Using a utility formulation inspired by regret theory, we derive closed-form solutions. When the degree of foreign aversion is high in a given country, investors place a high valuation on domestic equity, which results in a low expected return. Thus, the model generates the simple prediction that a country's degree of home bias and the expected return of its domestic assets should be inversely related. Our predicted relation between the degree of home bias and a country's expected return has the opposite sign predicted by models that assume some form of market segmentation. Using International Monetary Fund portfolio data, we find that expected returns are negatively related to home bias. This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, Teck Ho, and Terrance Odean, special issue editors.
The final diagnosis in patients with a suspected primary malignancy of bone
Authors: Malhas A. M. , Grimer R. J. , Abudu A. , Carter S. R. , Tillman R. M. , Jeys L. 
Published: June 2011

We investigated the eventual diagnosis in patients referred to a tertiary centre with a possible diagnosis of a primary bone malignancy. We reviewed our database from between 1986 and 2010, during which time 5922 patients referred with a suspicious bone lesion had a confirmed diagnosis. This included bone sarcoma in 2205 patients (37%), benign bone tumour in 1309 (22%), orthopaedic conditions in 992 (17%), metastatic disease in 533 (9%), infection in 289 (5%) and haematological disease in 303 (5%). There was a similar frequency of all diagnoses at different ages except for metastatic disease. Only 0.6% of patients (17 of 2913) under the age of 35 years had metastatic disease compared with 17.1% (516 of 3009) of those over 35 years (p < 0.0001). Of the 17 patients under 35 years with metastatic disease, only four presented with an isolated lesion, had no past history of cancer and were systematically well. Patients under the age of 35 years should have suitable focal imaging (plain radiography, CT or MRI) and simple systemic studies (blood tests and chest radiography). Reduction of the time to biopsy can be achieved by avoiding an unnecessary investigation for a primary tumour to rule out metastatic disease.