bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Callers’ perceptions of receiving advice via a medical care help line
Authors: Ström Mayvor , Marklund Bertil , Hildingh Cathrine 
Published: October 2009

Background:  Telephone consultations with specially trained nurses are becoming an increasingly common form of care.Aim:  To describe patients’ perceptions of receiving advice via a medical care help line.Results:  The patients perceived the help line as a professional, reliable and easily accessible asset in everyday life, that self‐care is promoted through personal advice and that the help line is a partner with whom one can discuss reflections and feelings. It is also a kind of ‘back up’. The advice service is perceived as satisfactory when the nurse is calm, friendly, confirming and shows respect. Compliance and acceptance are enhanced when patients feel involved in the decision‐making process. The fact that the service is easily accessible is perceived as simple and time saving.Conclusions:  Seen from the patient’s perspective, the telephone contact with the help line is a simple, easily accessible and secure alternative that is appreciated and used. Caring encounters gave rise to feelings, influenced by the agreement between one’s own needs and expectations, the encounter between human beings and the care provided. More in‐depth studies is needed focusing on the patient’s perspective and characterizes of the caring encounter over the telephone.Relevance to clinical nursing:  Improved understanding of the patient’s perspective on the care provided leads to increased staff satisfaction and motivation. Care encounters over the phone are common today for nurses and their well‐being at work is beneficial for both themselves and the care they provide and thereby for the patients.
The Financial Crisis, Systemic Risk, and the Future of Insurance Regulation
Authors: Harrington Scott E. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis article considers the role of American International Group (AIG) and the insurance sector in the 2007–2009 financial crisis and the implications for insurance regulation. Following an overview of the causes of the crisis, I explore the events and policies that contributed to federal government intervention to prevent bankruptcy of AIG and the scope of federal assistance to AIG. I discuss the extent to which insurance in general poses systemic risk and whether a systemic risk regulator is desirable for insurers or other nonbank financial institutions. The last two sections of the article address the financial crisis's implications for proposed optional and/or mandatory federal chartering and regulation of insurers and for insurance regulation in general.
A Citation Analysis of Risk, Insurance, and Actuarial Research: 2001 Through 2005
Authors: Colquitt L. Lee , Sommer David W. , Ferguson William L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe bibliographies of 17 risk journals were evaluated to determine the relative influence of these risk journals on risk, insurance, and actuarial research published during the years 2001 through 2005. Tables are provided that show the frequency with which each of these journals cites itself and the other sample journals. The journals are ranked, within two groups (risk and insurance group and actuarial group), based on their total influence (total citations including and excluding self‐citations) and their per article influence (per article citations including and excluding self‐citations). Finally, the most frequently cited articles from each risk journal are reported.
Applied psychometrics in clinical psychiatry: the pharmacopsychometric triangle
Authors: Bech P. 
Published: October 2009

Objective:  To consider applied psychometrics in psychiatry as a discipline focusing on pharmacopsychology rather than psychopharmacology as illustrated by the pharmacopsychometric triangle.Method:  The pharmacopsychological dimensions of clinically valid effects of drugs (antianxiety, antidepressive, antimanic, and antipsychotic), of clinically unwanted effects of these drugs, and the patients’ own subjective perception of the balance between wanted and unwanted effects are analysed using rating scales assessed by modern psychometric tests (item response theory models)Results:  Symptom rating scales fulfilling the item response theory models have been shown to be psychometrically valid outcome scales as their total scores are sufficient statistics for demonstrating dose–response relationship within the various classes of antianxiety, antidepressive, antimanic or antipsychotic drugs. The total scores of side‐effect rating scales are, however, not sufficient statistics, implying that each symptom has to be analysed individually. Self‐rating scales with very few items appear to be sufficient statistics when measuring the patients’ own perception of quality of life.Conclusion:  Applied psychometrics in psychiatry have been found to cover a pharmacopsychometric triangle illustrating the measurements of wanted and unwanted effects of pharmacotherapeutic drugs as well as health‐related quality of life.
Schizophrenia; from structure to function with special focus on the mediodorsal thalamic prefrontal loop
Authors: Pakkenberg B. , Scheel‐Krüger J. , Kristiansen L. V. 
Published: October 2009

Objective:  To describe structural and biochemical evidence from postmortem brains that implicates the reciprocal connections between the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus and the prefrontal cortex in cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia.Method:  The estimation of the regional volumes and cell numbers was obtained using stereological methods. The biochemical analyses of molecular expression in postmortem brain involve quantitative measurement of transcripts and proteins by in‐situ (RNA) or Western blot/autoradiography in brains from patients with schizophrenia and comparison subjects.Results:  Stereological studies in postmortem brain from patients with schizophrenia have reported divergent and often opposing findings in the total number of neurons and volume of the mediodorsal (MD) thalamic nucleus, and to a lesser degree in its reciprocally associated areas of the prefrontal cortex. Similarly, quantitative molecular postmortem studies have found large inter‐subject and between‐study variance at both the transcript and protein levels for receptors and their interacting molecules of several neurotransmitter systems in these interconnected anatomical regions. Combined, large variation in stereological and molecular studies indicates a complex and heterogeneous involvement of the MD thalamic‐prefrontal loop in schizophrenia.Conclusion:  Based on a considerable heterogeneity in patients suffering from schizophrenia, large variation in postmortem studies, including stereological and molecular postmortem studies of the MD thalamus and frontal cortex, might be expected and may in fact partly help to explain the variable endophenotypic traits associated with this severe psychiatric illness.
‘Salience syndrome’ replaces ‘schizophrenia’ in DSM‐V and ICD‐11: psychiatry’s evidence‐based entry into the 21st century?
Authors: Van Os J. 
Published: October 2009

Objective:  Japan was the first country to abandon the 19th century term of ‘mind‐splitting disease’ (schizophrenia). Revisions of DSM and ICD are forthcoming. Should the rest of the world follow Japan’s example?Method:  A comprehensive literature search was carried out in order to review the scientific evidence for the validity, usefulness and acceptability of current concepts of psychotic disorder.Results:  The discussion about re‐classifying and renaming schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders is clouded by conceptual confusion. First, it is often misunderstood as a misguided attempt to change societal stigma instead of an attempt to change iatrogenic stigma occasioned by the use of misleading and mystifying terminology. Second, the debate is misunderstood as purely semantic, whereas in actual fact it is about the core concepts underlying psychiatric nosology. Third, it has been suggested that the debate is political. However, solid scientific evidence pointing to the absence of nosological validity of diagnostic categories lies at the heart of the argument. Fourth, there is confusion about what constitutes a syndrome (a group of symptom dimensions that cluster in different combinations in different people and for which one or more underlying diseases may or may not be found) and a disease (a nosologically valid entity with specific causes, symptoms, treatment and course).Conclusion:  Scientific evidence favours a syndromal system of classification combining categorical and dimensional representations of psychosis. The concept of ‘salience’ has the potential to make the public recognize psychosis as relating to an aspect of human mentation and experience that is universal. It is proposed to introduce, analogous to the functional‐descriptive term ‘Metabolic syndrome’, the diagnosis of ‘Salience syndrome’ to replace all current diagnostic categories of psychotic disorders. Within Salience syndrome, three subcategories may be identified, based on scientific evidence of relatively valid and specific contrasts, named Salience syndrome with affective expression, Salience syndrome with developmental expression and Salience syndrome not otherwise specified.
Patterns of bone loss around teeth restored with endodontic posts
Authors: Katsamakis Sokratis , Timmerman Mark , Van der Velden Ubele , De Cleen Michiel , Van der Weijden Fridus 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjectives: This retrospective study described the pattern of bone loss around teeth with endodontic posts in periodontitis patients, and compared it with contra‐lateral teeth without posts.Material and Methods: From full‐mouth radiographic surveys of 146 periodontitis patients (35 years), 194 roots with endodontic posts and contra‐laterals without posts were selected. Upper molars, pre‐molars with two posts and roots of lower molars with two posts were excluded. Technical parameters of the post space preparation, endodontic and restorative status were evaluated. The level of alveolar bone measured in millimetre from the cemento‐enamel junction (CEJ)/restoration margin and the pattern of bone loss (angular/horizontal) were evaluated on both mesial and distal aspects of roots with posts and contra‐laterals, but not on the furcal areas of lower molars.Results: The distance from the bone level to the CEJ/restoration margin was similar for teeth with posts and contra‐laterals. However, teeth with posts had more angular defects mesially (18.8%versus 7.3%) as compared with their contra‐laterals without posts. The defects around teeth with posts appeared to be typical in the sense that their apical level approximated the tip of the endodontic post.Conclusion: In periodontitis patients, teeth restored by an endodontic post had angular bony defects on the mesial aspect more frequently in comparison with their contra‐laterals.
Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of depigmented lesions in lupus erythematosus
Authors: França Andrea Fernandes Eloy da Costa , De Souza Elemir Macedo 
Published: October 2009

Background: Depigmented lesions (DL) have been described in areas previously damaged by inflammation in lupus erythematosus (LE). In the absence of typical lesions, distinction with other achromic diseases might be challenging. We studied the histological features and the behavior of melanocytes in these lesions. Methods: Tissue sections of 12 patients with lupus and DL were stained with hematoxylin‐eosin, periodic acid‐Schiff and Fontana‐Masson. Melanocytes were counted by immunohistochemistry methods using Melan A and HMB‐45. Ten biopsies of normal skin were used as controls. Results: The most common histological findings were: cellular infiltration (75%); hyperkeratosis (66.7%); thickening of basement membrane (66.7%); thinning and flattening of the epidermis (58.3%) and degenerative changes in collagen fibers (50%). Epidermal melanin and melanocytes were found in 41.7%. The melanocyte counts by HMB‐45 and Melan A were significantly lower than in normal skin. Conclusions: The DL still fulfill histological criteria for lupus. In the absence of a precise histological diagnosis, thickening of basement membrane, hyperkeratosis, cellular infiltration, epidermal atrophy and elastosis are the most common features. Loss of melanocytes and the dermal fibrosis suggests that DL in cutaneous LE behave as post‐inflammatory scars.França AFEC, de Souza EM. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of depigmented lesions in lupus erythematosus.
The Kinesin Motor Protein Cut7 Regulates Biogenesis and Function of Ago1‐Complexes
Authors: Stoica Cezar , Park Jungsook , Pare Justin M. , Willows Steven , Hobman Tom C. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract Argonaute proteins are the effectors of small RNA‐dependent gene‐silencing pathways. In the cytoplasm, they are incorporated into large mobile ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes that travel along microtubules. We used a genetic screen to identify the microtubule‐associated motor that interacts with Ago1‐containing RNPs. Here, we report that activity of the kinesin family member Cut7 is important for biogenesis and/or stability of Ago1‐containing RNPs in the cytoplasm. Results from pulldown and coimmunoprecipitation assays indicate that Cut7 interacts with Ago1 as well as its two cognate binding proteins, Dcr1 and Rdp1. Loss of Cut7 activity was associated with increased levels of reverse centromeric transcripts, presumably because of a defect in post‐transcriptional gene silencing. Overexpression of the Ago1‐binding region of Cut7 resulted in loss of microscopic Ago1‐containing RNPs. Together, these results suggest that microtubule motor proteins function in the biogenesis and function of gene‐silencing machinery in the cytoplasm.
The Textual Criticism of Middle English Manuscript Traditions: A Survey of Critical Issues in the Interpretation of Textual Data
Authors: Cole Gavin 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis essay is intended to survey two broad issues which determine the use of textual data. The first is the underlying orientation towards the use of textual data and how this relates to critical evaluations of agency, authority and materiality. This essay surveys two broad orientations: (i) an essentially retrospective genetic orientation and, (ii) an orientation which focuses on the phenomenon of change. Both approaches are dependent on the ability to distinguish original readings from scribal readings, identify genetic relationships and account for acts of horizontal transmission. With this in mind, the second issue with which this essay is concerned is the importance of critical interpretation in the categorisation of textual data. This essay argues that textual criticism is a practical demonstration of the difficulties of interpretation and that no textual data ‘has any real evidential value until it has been interpreted’ (Patterson 90).
The Relationship Between Self-Reported Sexual Satisfaction and General Well-Being in Women
Authors: Davison Sonia Louise , Bell Robin Jean , LaChina Maria , Holden Samantha Lee , Davis Susan Ruth 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The extent to which low sexual function or sexual dissatisfaction in women impacts on well-being remains uncertain, yet this is a critical issue in the controversy as to the benefits of pharmacotherapy for women seeking treatment for female sexual dysfunction.

Aim
To explore the relationship between well-being and self-perceived satisfaction with sexual function in women and to determine if there is an independent effect of menopausal status or age.

Design
A community-based cross-sectional study.

Patients
A total of 421 women, aged 18 to 65 years were recruited from the community. Women were required to self-identify at study outset as being either satisfied or dissatisfied with their sexual life and be premenopausal or postmenopausal.

Main Outcome Measures
Scores from the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB), the Beck Depression Index (BDI) and a daily diary of sexual function.

Results
A group of 349 women were included in the analysis. Total PGWB and domain scores of positive well-being and vitality were lower in dissatisfied women compared to satisfied women. PGWB total and domain scores of depressed mood, positive well-being and vitality were higher in older women. Menopause did not have an independent effect on well-being.

Conclusions
Women who self-identify as having sexual dissatisfaction have lower psychological general well-being. These findings reinforce the importance of addressing sexual health and well-being in women as an essential component of their health care.
Sildenafil Citrate 100 mg Starting Dose in Men with Erectile Dysfunction in an International, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study: Effect on the Sexual Experience and Reducing Feelings of Anxiety About the Next Intercourse Attempt
Authors: Loran Oleg B. , Ströberg Peter , Lee Sung Won , Park Nam Cheol , Kim Soo-Woong , Tseng Li-Jung , Collins Suzanne , Stecher Vera J. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Sildenafil citrate 50 mg is the recommended starting dose for men with erectile dysfunction (ED); however, most men are later titrated to sildenafil 100 mg for improved efficacy.

Aim
Assess the tolerability and efficacy of sildenafil initiated at the 100-mg dose in men with ED.

Methods
Men with ED (score ≤25 on the Erectile Function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function) who had received ≤6 total doses of a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor and none within 4 weeks were randomized to 8 weeks of double-blind, placebo-controlled (DBPC), fixed-dose treatment (50 or 100 mg sildenafil or placebo) followed by 4 weeks of open-label flexible-dose sildenafil (50 or 100 mg).

Main Outcome Measures
Efficacy, tolerability, treatment satisfaction, and other end points were measured at baseline and/or the end of the double-blind and open-label phases and compared between placebo and sildenafil initiated at doses of 50 and 100 mg.

Results
Improvements in DBPC patient-reported outcomes from baseline were statistically significant for both sildenafil 50 and 100 mg compared with placebo. At the end of DBPC treatment, 56% of men on the 100-mg dose felt no anxiety about the next intercourse attempt compared with 39% in the 50-mg group (odds ratio 2.03; P = 0.0197). Changes in functional scores from baseline were not statistically significant with the 100-mg dose compared with the 50-mg dose in the DBPC. Measures of treatment satisfaction and sexual experience significantly favored the 100-mg dose compared with the 50-mg dose in the DBPC. There was no increase in adverse events with the higher dose.

Conclusions
Sildenafil at 50 mg or 100 mg significantly improved erection quality, treatment satisfaction, anxiety levels, and the sexual experience compared with placebo during DBPC. Sildenafil 100 mg improved the sexual experience and treatment satisfaction, and reduced feelings of anxiety compared with the 50-mg dose.
Creating an Ontology‐Based Human Phenotyping System: The Rockefeller University Bleeding History Experience
Authors: Mauer Andreas C. , Barbour Edward M. , Khazanov Nickolay A. , Levenkova Natasha , Mollah Shamim A. , Coller Barry S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe lack of standardized methods for human phenotyping is a major obstacle in translational science. We have developed a bleeding history phenotyping system comprising an ontology, a questionnaire, a Web‐based phenotype recording instrument (PRI), and a database. The ontology facilitates transparency, collaboration, aggregation of data, and data analysis. The integrated system allows investigators worldwide to use the PRI, add their de‐identified data to the database, and query the aggregated data. Thus, this system can increase the power to detect genotype–phenotype–environment relationships and help new investigators begin their studies. We anticipate that this approach may be applicable to other disorders.
Neutrophil Elastase Increases Airway Epithelial Nonheme Iron Levels
Authors: Fischer Bernard M. , Domowicz Denise A. Lopez , Zheng Shuo , Carter Jamie L. , McElvaney N. Gerry , Taggart Clifford , Lehmann James R. , Voynow Judith A. , Ghio Andrew J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAlpha‐1‐antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency is characterized by increased neutrophil elastase (NE) activity and oxidative stress in the lung. We hypothesized that NE exposure generates reactive oxygen species by increasing lung nonheme iron. To test this hypothesis, we measured bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) iron and ferritin levels, using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectroscopy and an ELISA, respectively, in A1AT‐deficient patients and healthy subjects. To confirm the role of NE in regulating lung iron homeostasis, we administered intratracheally NE or control buffer to rats and measured BAL and lung iron and ferritin. Our results demonstrated that A1AT‐deficient patients and rats postelastase exposure have elevated levels of iron and ferritin in the BAL. To investigate the mechanism of NE‐induced increased iron levels, we exposed normal human airway epithelial cells to either NE or control vehicle in the presence or absence of ferritin, and quantified intracellular iron uptake using calcein fluorescence and ICP mass spectroscopy. We also tested whether NE degraded ferritin in vitro using ELISA and western analysis. We demonstrated in vitro that NE increased intracellular nonheme iron levels and degraded ferritin. Our results suggest that NE digests ferritin increasing the extracellular iron pool available for cellular uptake.
Correlation between Vancomycin MIC Values and Those of Other Agents against Gram-Positive Bacteria among Patients with Bloodstream Infections Caused by Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Patel N. , Lubanski P. , Ferro S. , Bonafede M. , Harrington S. , Evans A. , Stellrecht K. , Lodise T. P. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

An increase in the distribution of vancomycin MIC values among methicillin (meticillin)-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) isolates has been noted. It is postulated that the shift in vancomycin MIC values may be associated with a concurrent rise in the MIC values of other anti-MRSA agents. Scant data are available on the correlation between vancomycin MIC values and the MIC values of other anti-MRSA agents. This study examined the correlation between vancomycin MIC values and the MIC values of daptomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, and teicoplanin among 120 patients with bloodstream infections caused by MRSA at a tertiary care hospital between January 2005 and May 2007. For each included patient, the MIC values of the antibiotics under study were determined by the Etest method and were separated into the following two categories: day 1 (index) and post-day 1 (subsequent). For subsequent isolates, the MIC values for each antibiotic from the post-day 1 terminal isolate were used. Among the index isolates, there was a significant correlation (
P
value, <0.01) between the MIC values for vancomycin and daptomycin and between the MIC values for vancomycin and teicoplanin. The MIC values for daptomycin were significantly correlated with linezolid, tigecycline, and teicoplanin MIC values. Among the 48 patients with subsequent isolates, vancomycin MIC values were significantly correlated with MIC values for daptomycin, linezolid, and teicoplanin (ρ value of ≥0.38 for all comparisons). This study documented an association between vancomycin MIC values and the MIC values of other anti-MRSA antibiotics among patients with bloodstream infections caused by MRSA primarily treated with vancomycin.