bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disability support workers’ knowledge and education needs about psychotropic medication
Authors: Donley Mandy , Chan Jeffrey , Webber Lynne 
Published: November 2011

Accessible summary
The staff who are paid to support people with an intellectual disability in Australia are called disability support workers.
As part of their job, disability support workers give out medications when the doctor says to. Some of these medications are used to help people with disability to calm down when they are angry. Often, these medications are not for treating any illness. These medications can sometimes make people feel very ill. In the past, the staff who used to give out these medications were nurses, but nurses do not do this job anymore.
This study asked disability support workers what they think they need to know about the medications they give out.
Most of the disability support workers said they needed to know more about these medications if they were to keep people safe, and it would also help them to talk to the doctors about what these medications are for when they go to appointments with people with a disability.
SummaryDisability support workers are the predominant workforce employed to support people with an intellectual disability in Australia. Many support workers are required to assist people they support to take psychotropic medications in the form of chemical restraint. Support workers in Australia receive limited education and training in this area and as a result may miss important information about effects of medication on the people they support. In this study, we asked support workers about their education and training needs around chemical restraint. Our results showed that while the majority of support workers feel they are provided with good support from their co‐workers and supervisors, they feel they need more specific information regarding the side effects of psychotropic medication and its alternatives. Finding ways to support the support workers is crucial if we are to minimise the use of chemical restraint and provide best support possible to people with disabilities.
Red wolf natal dispersal characteristics: comparing periods of population increase and stability
Authors: Karlin M. , Chadwick J. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWe analyzed natal dispersal characteristics for 79 red wolves in the first long‐term dispersal analysis for this species. Variables analyzed included straight‐line dispersal distance, duration, timing, age, direction, and evidence of natal habitat preference induction of dispersers. We compared these values during a time when the population was increasing (1990–1998) to a period when the numbers had leveled off (1999–2007) and stabilized. We found no difference in average dispersal distance, duration or age between the two periods, and no gender bias in these characteristics. Yearlings/adults dispersed shorter distances (29.5 km) than pups (42.5 km) from 1999 to 2007 and decreased their dispersal distances during this period. After 1999, dispersals occurred 11 months of the year (compared with 7 months in 1990–1998), and the peak in pup dispersal timing shifted from December to January. The peak in dispersal timing was also significantly later for pups than yearlings/adults in 1999–2007. Dispersal direction was not random and there was a preference for a westward dispersal direction, attributed to the avoidance of water and a preference for agriculture. Natal habitat preference induction was also evident in dispersers during both time periods.
General and Cancer Mortality in a Large Cohort of Italian Alcoholics
Authors: Saieva Calogero , Bardazzi Gabriele , Masala Giovanna , Quartini Andrea , Ceroti Marco , Iozzi Adriana , Gelain Elena , Querci Andrea , Allamani Allaman , Palli Domenico 
Published: November 2011

Background:  The consumption of alcohol is an underappreciated risk factor for a wide range of conditions. Overall, it is associated with high mortality rates and causes approximately 4% of all deaths worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the general and cancer mortality in a cohort of subjects with alcohol addiction residing in Tuscany (Central Italy).
Methods:  Overall, 2,272 alcoholics (1,467 men and 805 women; mean age at first examination 43.8 years ± 13.0), treated at the Alcohol Centre of Florence in the period April 1985 to September 2001, were followed until the end of the study period (median follow‐up: 9.6 years). A total of 21,855 person‐years were available for analyses. Expected deaths were estimated by using age, sex, and calendar‐specific regional mortality rates. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
Results:  Six hundred and thirty‐six of the 2,272 patients (28.0%) died, yielding an SMR of 5.0 (95% CI: 4.6 to 5.4). The alcoholics had significantly elevated mortality risk from all malignant cancers (SMR = 3.8, 95% CI: 3.3 to 4.4) and a series of specific diseases (infections: SMR = 10.1, 95% CI: 4.8 to 21.1; diabetes: SMR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.9 to 6.7; immunological system, including AIDS: SMR = 8.1, 95% CI: 4.1 to 16.2; nervous system: SMR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.9 to 6.4; cardiovascular system: SMR = 2.4, 95% CI: 2.0 to 2.9; respiratory system: SMR = 5.8, 95% CI: 4.2 to 8.0; digestive system: SMR = 26.4, 95% CI: 22.6 to 30.8, including liver cirrhosis (SMR = 40.0, 95% CI: 33.9 to 47.1); violent causes: SMR = 6.6, 95% CI: 5.0 to 8.6). Among malignant cancers, the highest SMRs were found for cancers of the pharynx (SMR = 22.8, 95% CI: 9.5 to 54.8), oral cavity (SMR = 22.2, 95% CI: 13.2 to 37.6), liver (SMR = 13.5, 95% CI: 9.2 to 19.8), and larynx (SMR = 10.7, 95% CI: 5.8 to 19.9). Although women showed higher SMR in comparison with the general population of the area, their overall survival estimates during the follow‐up were higher than those for male alcoholics.
Conclusions:  This large series of Italian alcoholics showed a significant increase in total and cancer mortality in comparison with the general population, with female alcoholics reporting higher survival rates.
Modeling Oxidation Kinetics of SiC‐Containing Refractory Diborides
Authors: Parthasarathy T. A. , Rapp R. A. , Opeka M. , Cinibulk M. K. 
Published: November 2011

Experimental data on the oxidation kinetics of SiC‐containing diborides of Zr and Hf in the temperature regime of 1473–2273 K are interpreted using a mechanistic model. The model encompasses counter‐current gas diffusion in the internal SiC depleted zone, oxygen permeation through borosilicate glass channels in the oxide scale, and boundary layer evaporation at the surface. The model uses available viscosity, thermodynamic and kinetic data for boria, silica, and borosilicate glasses, and a logarithmic mean approximation for compositional variations. The internal depletion region of SiC is modeled with CO/CO2 counter diffusion as the oxygen transport mechanism. Data reported for pure SiC in air/oxygen, for ZrB2 containing varying volume fractions of SiC, and for SiC–HfB2 ultra‐high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) by different investigations were compared with quantitative predictions of the model. The model is found to provide good correspondence with laboratory‐furnace‐based experimental data for weight gain, scale thicknesses, and depletion layer thicknesses. Experimental data obtained from arc‐jet tests at high enthalpies are found to fall well outside the model predictions, whereas lower enthalpy data were closer to model predictions, suggesting a transition in mechanism in the arc‐jet environment.
BIRC6/Apollon gene expression in childhood acute leukemia: impact on therapeutic response and prognosis
Authors: Ismail Eman Abdel Rahman , Mahmoud Hanan Mohamed , Tawfik Lamis Mohamed , Habashy Deena Mohamed , Adly Amira Abdel Moneam , El‐Sherif Nayera Hazaa , Abdelwahab Mahmoud Ahmed 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjective:  Although BIRC6/Apollon seems to play a critical role as an antiapoptotic regulator, its clinical relevance in acute leukemia remains largely elusive. Therefore, we aimed to investigate BIRC6 gene expression in childhood acute leukemia in relation to clinicopathological characteristics at presentation, therapeutic response, and prognosis.Methods:  BIRC6 expression level was assessed in 75 children with acute leukemia; 30 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) and 45 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction.Results:  The median level of BIRC6 expression did not differ significantly between AML and ALL patients. BIRC6 expression level was higher in patients with AML and ALL with extramedullary involvement, white blood cell (WBC) count ≥10 × 109/L, and unfavorable cytogenetics at diagnosis. BIRC6 gene expression was higher in patients with unfavorable response to therapy at day 14, those who developed relapse or died in both leukemic groups. The best cutoff value of BIRC6 to predict therapeutic response and disease outcome was determined. AML and ALL patients with BIRC6 overexpression had significantly shorter overall and disease free survivals.Conclusions:  This is the first report to study BIRC6 gene in pediatric ALL. Our results suggested that BIRC6 gene expression could be considered as an adverse risk factor in childhood acute leukemia and, hence, could be used to guide therapeutic regimens.
Lenalidomide in multiple myeloma: current experimental and clinical data
Authors: Cives Mauro , Milano Annalisa , Dammacco Franco , Silvestris Franco 
Published: November 2011

AbstractLenalidomide (LEN) is a structural analogue of Thalidomide and is currently considered a promising compound among immunomodulatory drugs. Following the demonstration of its potent anti‐angiogenic, anti‐inflammatory, and antineoplastic effects in preclinical models, LEN has emerged as an interesting option for the management of selective hematologic malignancies and may also have a possible role in certain solid tumors as well. It is currently approved in the second‐line therapy of multiple myeloma (MM) as well as in myelodysplastic syndrome characterized by 5q minus abnormalities. LEN has been found to be effective in the treatment of both of these conditions and to possess a manageable toxicity profile. In MM, a number of ongoing clinical trials are defining its role in the treatment of newly diagnosed disease as well as in maintenance therapy. Combination approaches pretransplant have shown great promise. Its role in the management of relapsed and refractory disease is now well established. Its long‐term tolerability profile appears favorable although an increased risk in new malignancies in patients receiving LEN as maintenance post‐stem cell transplant warrants some caution, with follow‐up studies being important in determining the long‐term implications of this observation.
Dysfunction of melanocytes in photoleukomelanoderma following photosensitivity caused by hydrochlorothiazide
Authors: Masuoka Eriko , Bito Toshinori , Shimizu Hideki , Nishigori Chikako 
Published: November 2011

SummaryWe report a 68‐year‐old Japanese man who developed photoleukomelanoderma following prolonged photosensitivity caused by hydrochlorothiazide. He showed complete recovery from the leukomelanoderma with the discontinuation of the responsive drug and with topical application of tacrolimus hydrate and corticosteroid. Histological and immunohistochemical examination revealed that there were no melanin‐positive cells in the hypopigmented area, despite the presence of melanocytes. These results and the clinical course indicate that leukomelanoderma is postulated temporary dysfunction of melanocytes. We also conducted a review of previous case reports regarding drug‐induced photoleukomelanoderma.
Effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure on FOXP3+ infiltration in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Ling , Shen Zhu , Wu Jinjin 
Published: November 2011

SummaryPurposeTo analyze the prevalence and significance of FOXP3+ infiltration into (pre)malignant skin carcinomas following ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. The possible pathways that UVR impacts on FOXP3 are to be discussed.BackgroundFOXP3+ regulatory T cells (FOXP3+ Tregs) are correlated to cutaneous squamous tumor progression. However, there is no information describing the prevalence of FOXP3+ infiltration in cutaneous premalignant and malignant squamous carcinomas with UVR exposure.MethodsWe investigated the prevalence of FOXP3+ infiltration in 14 patients with Bowen's disease, 40 squamous cell carcinoma SCC patients and 21 patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) by immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe percentages of FOXP3+ vs. total peri‐neoplasm infiltration cells (FOXP3+ PCT) were significantly higher in Bowen's disease and well‐differentiated SCC that were exposed to UVR than these diseases not exposed to UVR (t = 3.5776, P = 0.0038; t’ = 5.9214, P < 0.01, respectively). FOXP3+ PCT was also higher in less pigmented than pigmented sites in BCC (t = 3.369, P = 0.0032).ConclusionsThis study shed some light on the effect of UVR on FOXP3+ infiltration in skin (pre)malignant carcinomas. Our data suggested that FOXP3+ infiltration was positively related to UVR exposure. The mechanisms merit further investigation.
The discovery of a debris disc around the DAV white dwarf PG 1541+651
Authors: Kilic Mukremin , Patterson Adam J. , Barber Sara , Leggett S. K. , Dufour P. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
To search for circumstellar discs around evolved stars, we targeted roughly 100 DA white dwarfs from the Palomar Green survey with the Peters Automated Infrared Imaging Telescope (PAIRITEL). Here we report the discovery of a debris disc around one of these targets, the pulsating white dwarf PG 1541+651 (KX Draconis, hereafter PG1541). We detect a significant flux excess around PG1541 in the K band. Follow-up near-infrared spectroscopic observations obtained at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and photometric observations with the warm Spitzer Space Telescope confirm the presence of a warm debris disc within 0.13–0.36 R⊙ (11–32 × the stellar radius) at an inclination angle of 60°. At Teff = 11 880 K, PG1541 is almost a twin of the DAV white dwarf G29-38, which also hosts a debris disc. All previously known dusty white dwarfs are of the DAZ/DBZ spectral type due to accretion of metals from the disc. High-resolution optical spectroscopy is needed to search for metal absorption lines in PG1541 and to constrain the accretion rate from the disc. PG1541 is only 55 pc away from the Sun and the discovery of its disc in our survey demonstrates that our knowledge of the nearby dusty white dwarf population is far from complete.
Refractory Hypertension: Definition, Prevalence, and Patient Characteristics
Authors: Acelajado Maria Czarina , Pisoni Roberto , Dudenbostel Tanja , Dell’Italia Louis J. , Cartmill Falynn , Zhang Bin , Cofield Stacey S. , Oparil Suzanne , Calhoun David A. 
Published: November 2011

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich).Among patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN), there are those whose blood pressure (BP) remains uncontrolled in spite of maximal medical therapy. This retrospective analysis aims to characterize these patients with refractory hypertension. Refractory hypertension was defined as BP that remained uncontrolled after ≥3 visits to a hypertension clinic within a minimum 6‐month follow‐up period. Of the 304 patients referred for RHTN, 29 (9.5%) remained refractory to treatment. Patients with refractory hypertension and those with controlled RHTN had similar aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity (PRA). Patients with refractory hypertension had higher baseline BP (175±23/97±15 mm Hg vs 158±25/89±15 mm Hg; P=.001/.005) and heart rate, and higher rates of prior stroke and congestive heart failure. During follow‐up, the BP of patients with refractory hypertension remained uncontrolled (168.4±14.8/93.8±17.7 mm Hg) in spite of use of an average of 6 antihypertensive medications, while those of patients with controlled RHTN decreased to 129.3±11.2/77.6±10.8 mm Hg. Spironolactone reduced the BP by 12.9±17.8/6.6±13.7 mm Hg in patients with refractory hypertension and by 24.1±16.7/9.2±12.0 mm Hg in patients with controlled RHTN. In patients with RHTN, approximately 10% remain refractory to treatment. Similar aldosterone and PRA levels and a diminished response to spironolactone suggest that aldosterone excess does not explain the treatment failure.
Genomic gains and losses in malignant mesothelioma demonstrated by FISH analysis of paraffin-embedded tissues
Authors: Takeda Maiko , Kasai Takahiko , Enomoto Yasunori , Takano Masato , Morita Kouhei , Kadota Eiji , IIzuka Norishige , Maruyama Hiroshi , Nonomura Akitaka 
Published: November 2011

AimsMalignant mesothelioma (MM) results from the accumulation of a number of acquired genetic events at the onset. In MM, the most frequent changes were losses in 9p21, 1p36, 14q32 and 22q12, and gains in 5p, 7p and 8q24 by comparative genomic hybridisation analysis. Although the diagnostic utility of 9p21 homozygous deletion by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis in MM has been reported recently, alterations of other genes have not been examined to any great extent. This study analysed the frequency of various genomic gains and losses in MM using FISH analysis.Materials and methodsThe authors performed a FISH analysis using paraffin-embedded tissues from 42 cases of MM.ResultsChromosomal losses in MM were found at 9p21 (83%), 1p36 (43%), 14q32 (43%) and 22q12 (38%), whereas gains were found at 5p15 (48%), 7p12 (38%) and 8q24 (45%). There were no cases of adenomatoid tumour, benign mesothelial multicystic tumour, reactive mesothelial hyperplasia or pleuritis showing any gains or losses. At least one genomic abnormality was identified in all cases of MM. Among various histological subtypes, the chromosomal abnormality tended to be more common in cases showing sarcomatous elements (biphasic or pure sarcomatoid) than in cases showing an epithelioid histology.ConclusionsThe authors found various genomic gains and losses in MM by FISH analysis. The frequency of each genomic gain or loss examined in MM by FISH analysis almost agreed with the comparative genomic hybridisation technique in previous studies. This study suggests that genomic evaluation by FISH analysis might be helpful in distinguishing MM from benign mesothelial proliferation.
Variability in small bowel histopathology reporting between different pathology practice settings: impact on the diagnosis of coeliac disease
Authors: Arguelles-Grande Carolina , Tennyson Christina A , Lewis Suzanne K , Green Peter H R , Bhagat Govind 
Published: November 2011

Background and AimsCoeliac disease (CD) diagnosis requires the detection of characteristic histological alterations of small bowel mucosa, which are prone to interobserver variability. This study evaluated the agreement in biopsy interpretation between different pathology practice types.MethodsBiopsies from community hospitals (n=46), university hospitals (n=18) and commercial laboratories (n=38) were blindly assessed by a pathologist at our institution for differences in histopathology reporting and agreement in diagnosis of CD and degree of villous atrophy (VA) by κ analysis.ResultsAgreement for primary diagnosis was very good between this institution and university hospitals (κ=0.888), but moderate compared with community hospitals (κ=0.465) or commercial laboratories (κ=0.419). Diagnosis differed in 26 (25%) cases, leading to a 20% increase in CD diagnosis after review. Among those diagnosed with CD by both institutions (n=49), agreement in degree of VA was fair (κ=0.292), with moderate agreement between the authors and commercial laboratories (κ=0.500) and fair with university hospitals (κ=0.290) or community hospitals (κ=0.211). The degree of VA was upgraded in 27% and downgraded in 2%. Within different Marsh score categories, agreement was poor (κ<0.0316) for scores 1 and 2, both missed at other centres, and fair or moderate for scores 3a and 3b. Information regarding degree of VA and intraepithelial lymphocytosis was lacking in 26% and 86% of reports and non-quantifiable descriptors, eg, ‘blunting’ or ‘marked atrophy’ were prevalent.ConclusionsCD-related histological changes are underdiagnosed in community-based hospitals and commercial pathology laboratories. Because incorrect biopsy interpretation can cause underdiagnosis of CD, greater CD awareness and uniformity in small bowel biopsy reporting is required among pathologists.
Associations of Rsf-1 overexpression with poor therapeutic response and worse survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Tai Hui-Chun , Huang Hsuan-Ying , Lee Sung-Wei , Lin Ching-Yih , Sheu Ming-Jen , Chang Shih-Lun , Wu Li-Ching , Shiue Yow-Ling , Wu Wen-Ren , Lin Chun-Mao , Li Chien-Feng 
Published: November 2011

AimsDeregulated chromatin remodelling often leads to aberrant gene expression in cells, thereby implicating tumour development and progression. As a subunit of remodelling and spacing factor complex, Rsf-1 (HBXAP), a novel nuclear protein with histone chaperon function, mediates ATPase-dependent chromatin remodelling and confers tumour aggressiveness in common carcinomas. However, the expression of Rsf-1 has never been reported in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aimed at evaluating the expression status, associations with clincopathological variables and prognostic implications of Rsf-1 in a well-defined cohort of NPC.MethodsRsf-1 immunoexpression was retrospectively assessed in biopsies of 108 consecutive NPC patients without initial distant metastasis and treated with consistent guidelines. The results were correlated with the clinicopathological features, therapeutic response, local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).ResultsPresent in 49 cases (45%), Rsf-1 overexpression was associated with N2,3status (p=0.016), American Joint Committee on Cancer stage 3, 4 (p=0.004), and incomplete therapeutic response (p=0.041). In multivariate analyses, Rsf-1 overexpression not only emerged as the sole independent adverse prognosticator for LRFS (p=0.0002, RR 5.287) but also independently predicted worse DMFS (p=0.0011, RR 3.185) and DSS (p<0.0001, RR 4.442), along with T3,4(p=0.0454) and N2,3(p=0.0319), respectively.ConclusionRsf-1 overexpression is common and is associated with adverse prognosticators and therapeutic response, which confers tumour aggressiveness through chromatin remodelling, and represents a potential prognostic biomarker in NPC.