bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influential factors of prognosis in lamivudine treatment for patients with acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis B liver failure
Authors: Sun Li‐Jie , Yu Jian‐Wu , Zhao Yong‐Hua , Kang Peng , Li Shu‐Chen 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health issue, and the prognosis of patients with HBV‐associated acute‐on‐chronic hepatic failure (ACLF) is extremely poor. In this study, the efficacy of lamivudine was investigated in patients with ACLF. The effects of HBV DNA load and its related factors on the prognosis were also further explored.Methods:  A matched retrospective cohort study using data on ACLF patients derived from our hospital database was conducted. One hundred and thirty patients receiving lamivudine were selected into the lamivudine treatment group with another 130 without lamivudine treatment studied as control. They were matched for sex, age and imaging finding with the lamivudine treatment group. All the patients were followed up for 3 months and the survival rates were compared. The influential factors on the mortality were studied by the Cox proportional hazards model.Results:  The cumulative survival rates of patients in the lamivudine group were higher than those of the control group (χ2 = 9.50, P = 0.0021). The mortality of patients in the high virus load group (71/95, 74.7%) was higher than that of those in the low virus load group (15/29, 51.7%) (χ2 = 5.536, P = 0.019). For patients with a Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 20–30 by week 4, the mortality of those with HBV DNA that was undetectable or declined for more than 2 log10 (2/12, 16.7%; 18/40, 45.0%) was lower than that of those with a less than 2 log10 decline (18/23, 78.3%) (χ2 = 10.106, P = 0.001). In the Cox proportional hazards model, for patients with a MELD score of 20–30, treatment method (P = 0.002), pretreatment HBV DNA load (P = 0.007) and decline of HBV DNA load during therapy (P = 0.003) were independent predictors; for those with a MELD score of above 30, MELD score (P = 0.008) was the only independent predictor.Conclusion:  Lamivudine can significantly decrease the 3‐month mortality of patients with a MELD score of 20–30, and a low pretreatment viral load and rapid decline of HBV DNA load are good predictors for the outcome of the treatment.
Confocal laser endomicroscopy for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective study
Authors: Ji Rui , Li Yan‐Qing , Gu Xiao‐meng , Yu Tao , Zuo Xiu‐Li , Zhou Cheng‐jun 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a new endoscopy technique for subsurface analysis of the gastric mucosa and in vivo histology examination during endoscopy. We aimed to compare the clinical applicability and predictive power of CLE with the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.Methods:  A total of 103 consecutive patients scheduled to undergo endoscopy were enrolled. CLE image criteria for H. pylori infection were established in a pilot study of 20 patients, then images for 83 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated, and data were correlated with the final diagnosis of H. pylori infection in a blinded manner.Results:  We found good association between histopathology and CLE findings. H. pylori infection was identified by CLE with any of the following three features: white spots, neutrophils and microabscesses. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of CLE diagnosis of H. pylori infection were 92.8%, 89.2% and 95.7%, respectively. The mean κ‐value for interobserver agreement in the prediction of H. pylori infection was 0.78. Neutrophils were the best diagnostic feature and had good sensitivity (83.8%) and specificity (97.8%). H. pylori‐associated changes were more common in the antrum than in the corpus among infected patients (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  H. pylori infection can be identified by specific cellular and subcellular changes of the surface gastric mucosa with CLE. CLE is a novel, useful method for predicting H. pylori infection in vivo during endoscopy.
Effect of bromocriptine on antipsychotic drug‐induced hyperprolactinemia: Eight‐week randomized, single‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter study
Authors: Lee Moon‐Soo , Song Hyun‐Cheol , An Hyonggin , Yang Jaewon , Ko Young‐Hoon , Jung In‐Kwa , Joe Sook‐Haeng 
Published: November 2009

Aim:  The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of bromocriptine treatment for patients with antipsychotic‐drug‐induced hyperprolactinemia in clinical practice.Methods:  This was an 8‐week randomized, single‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter study. Sixty female schizophrenia patients were enrolled and were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: bromocriptine 2.5 mg/day, 5 mg/day, 10 mg/day, and placebo. Serum levels of prolactin, estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) were evaluated on three occasions (baseline, and 4 and 8 weeks after commencement of the treatment paradigm). Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and clinical symptoms were assessed using the Simpson–Angus scale and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), respectively.Results:  Of the 60 subjects who were enrolled, 48 completed the study (n = 14, 13, 11, and 10 in the bromocriptine 2.5 mg/day, 5 mg/day, and 10 mg/day, and placebo groups, respectively). Four patients in the 10‐mg/day group, two in the 5‐mg/day group, and one in the placebo group resumed menses during the study. The mean level of prolactin significantly decreased from baseline to week 4, and then plateaued, showing no significant change for the remaining 4 weeks of the study. No significant changes in LH, FSH, or E2 levels were observed throughout the 8‐week study period, either within or between groups.Conclusion:  Administration of bromocriptine is a safe method for treating antipsychotic‐drug‐induced hyperprolactinemia without exacerbating either psychotic symptoms or EPS.
Relationship of psychopathological symptoms and cognitive function to subjective quality of life in patients with chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Tomida Kenji , Takahashi Nagahide , Saito Shinichi , Maeno Nobuhisa , Iwamoto Kunihiro , Yoshida Keizo , Kimura Hiroyuki , Iidaka Tetsuya , Ozaki Norio 
Published: November 2009

Aims:  The purpose of the present study was to examine the extent of the effects of psychopathological symptoms and cognitive function on quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic schizophrenia.Methods:  Data were obtained using the Japanese Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (JSQLS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Wisconsin Card‐Sorting Test (WCST) Keio version, and Continuous Performance Test (CPT) for 52 schizophrenia patients.Results:  Stepwise regression analysis showed that PANSS depression/anxiety factors predicted JSQLS psychosocial conditions and motivation/energy, and that WCST Categories Achieved predicted JSQLS symptoms/side‐effects.Conclusions:  Psychopathological symptoms and cognitive function affect subjective QOL in patients with schizophrenia. If the final goal is treatment that improves QOL in a manner that patients themselves are aware of, clinicians probably need to consider a treatment strategy that improves depression/anxiety symptom.
Deterioration of intelligence in methamphetamine‐induced psychosis: Comparison with alcohol dependence on WAIS‐III
Authors: Lin Shih‐Ku , Huang Ming‐Chy , Lin Hui‐Che , Pan Chun‐Hong 
Published: November 2009

Aims: Long‐term use of methamphetamine could induce psychosis, but consequences with regards to intelligence have seldom been investigated. Long‐term use of alcohol could also result in intellectual deterioration.Methods: The IQ of 34 methamphetamine‐induced psychosis (MIP) patients (age, 28.7 ± 6.1 years) and 34 alcohol‐dependent (AD) patients (age, 40.7 ± 7.3 years) was compared using the Chinese version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Third Edition (WAIS‐III).Results: The average full‐scale IQ, verbal IQ, performance IQ, verbal comprehension index, working memory index, perceptual organization index, and processing speed index was 82.3 ± 10.8, 84.3 ± 11.9, 81.9 ± 12.1, 85.5 ± 11.9, 84.7 ± 12.5, 85.4 ± 13.6, and 78.5 ± 12.7 in MIP patients and 90.5 ± 12.0, 95.2 ± 11.3, 86.0 ± 13.7, 95.5 ± 11.0, 87.1 ± 14.5, 96.2 ± 13.1, and 84.5 ± 15.0 in AD patients, respectively. There were six MIP patients (17.6%) whose full‐scale IQ was <70 and 13 (38.2%) whose full‐scale IQ was <85 and >70, while one AD patient had a full‐scale IQ <70 (2.9%) and 10 (22%) had full‐scale IQ <85 and >70.Conclusions: Long‐term use of methamphetamine can result not only in psychosis, but also in mentality deterioration. Intelligence deterioration is more severe in clinical MIP patients than AD patients. Assessment of the mentality of MIP patients is suggested to help with the implementation of rehabilitative programs for these patients.
Japanese pediatric guidelines for the treatment and management of bronchial asthma 2008
Authors: Kondo Naomi , Nishimuta Toshiyuki , Nishima Sankei , Morikawa Akihiro , Aihara Yukoh , Akasaka Toru , Akasawa Akira , Adachi Yuichi , Arakawa Hirokazu , Ikarashi Takao , Ikebe Toshiichi , Inoue Toshishige , Iwata Tsutomu , Urisu Atsuo , Ebisawa Motohiro , Ohya Yukihiro , Okada Kenji , Odajima Hiroshi , Katsunuma Toshio , Kameda Makoto , Kurihara Kazuyuki , Kohno Yoichi , Sakamoto Tatsuo , Shimojo Naoki , Suehiro Yutaka , Tokuyama Kenichi , Nambu Mitsuhiko , Hamasaki Yuhei , Fujisawa Takao , Matsui Takehiko , Matsubara Tomoyo , Mayumi Mitsufumi , Mukoyama Tokuko , Mochizuki Hiroyuki , Yamaguchi Koichi , Yoshihara Shigemi 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe fourth version of the Japanese Pediatric Guidelines for the Treatment and Management of Bronchial Asthma 2008 (JPGL 2008) was published by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology in December 2008. In JPGL 2008, the recommendations were revised on the basis of the JPGL 2005. The JPGL 2008 is different to the Global Initiative for Asthma guideline in that it contains the following items: a classification system of asthma severity; recommendations for long‐term management organized by age; a special mention of infantile asthma; and an emphasis on prevention and early intervention. Here we show a summary of the JPGL 2008 revising our previous report concerning JPGL 2005.
Regional invariance among microbial communities
Authors: Östman Örjan , Drakare Stina , Kritzberg Emma S. , Langenheder Silke , Logue Jürg B. , Lindström Eva S. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractMicrobial ecology has focused much on causes of between‐site variation in community composition. By analysing five data‐sets each of aquatic bacteria and phytoplankton, we demonstrated that microbial communities show a large degree of similarity in community composition and that abundant taxa were widespread, a typical pattern for many metazoan metacommunities. The regional abundance of taxa explained on average 85 and 41% of variation in detection frequency and 58 and 31% of variation in local abundances for bacteria and phytoplankton, respectively. However, regional abundance explained less variation in local abundances with increasing environmental variation between sites within data‐sets. These findings indicate that the studies of microbial assemblages need to consider similarities between communities to better understand the processes underlying the assembly of microbial communities. Finally, we propose that the degree of regional invariance can be linked to the evolution of microbes and the variation in ecosystem functions performed by microbial communities. Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 118–127
The use of mobile technology for work‐based assessment: the student experience
Authors: Coulby Ceridwen , Hennessey Scott , Davies Nancy , Fuller Richard 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis paper outlines a research project conducted at Leeds University School of Medicine with Assessment & Learning in Practice Settings Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, collaboration between the Universities of Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, Leeds Metropolitan University and the University of York St John.The research conducted is a proof of concept, examining the impact of delivering competency based assessment via personal digital assistants (PDAs) amongst a group of final year undergraduate medical students. This evaluation reports the student experience of mobile technology for assessment with positive effects; concluding that overall the students found completing assessments using a PDA straight forward and that the structured format of the assessment resulted in an increased, improved level of feedback, allowing students to improve their skills during the placement. A relationship between using the PDA for learning and setting goals for achievement was clearly demonstrated.
Evolution of striatal degeneration in McLeod syndrome
Authors: Valko P. O. , Hänggi J. , Meyer M. , Jung H. H. 
Published: November 2009

Background and purpose:  McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome (MLS) is an X‐linked multisystem disorder with CNS manifestations resembling Huntington disease. Neuroimaging studies revealed striatal atrophy with predominance of the caudate nucleus. Our previous cross‐sectional MRI study showed an association of volume loss in the caudate nucleus and putamen with the disease duration.Methods:  In the present study, we examined three brothers with genetically confirmed diagnosis of MLS using an observer‐independent and fully automated subcortical segmentation procedure to measure striatal volumes.Results:  In a cross‐sectional comparison with 20 healthy age‐matched control men, the volumes of the caudate nucleus of the three patients were significantly smaller as confirmed by z‐score transformations. On an individual basis, volumes in the two more severely affected and older patients were smaller than in the less affected younger brother. Longitudinal MRI‐based measurements over 7 years demonstrated a statistical trend towards significant decreased caudate volumes in McLeod patients.Conclusions:  Our findings indicate that structural MRI combined with fully automated computational morphometric analyses represents an objective and observer‐independent imaging tool for the representation of progressive striatal degeneration in MLS and might be a valuable methodology for cross‐sectional as well as longitudinally volumetric studies in other rare neurodegenerative diseases, even on individual patients.
Predictive value of ankle brachial index in patients with acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Purroy F. , Coll B. , Oró M. , Setó E. , Piñol‐Ripoll G. , Plana A. , Quílez A. , Sanahuja J. , Brieva L. , Vega L. , Fernández E. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a known measure of lower‐limb peripheral artery disease (PAD), as well as a marker for other cardiovascular disease events.Objective:  Our goal was to compare the prevalence of abnormal ABI scores (ABI ≤ 0.9) between: consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke (IS), primary care patients with refractory hypertension (rHT), and patients at intermediate cardiovascular risk (ICVR). Also, to determine the prognostic value of abnormal ABI for stroke recurrence in patients with IS.Methods:  We compared 116 consecutive patients with IS with 190 rHT and 150 ICVR patients. Clinical data and ultrasonographic findings were recorded. Stroke recurrence and risk of new vascular events were assessed after 18 months of follow‐up.Results:  Low ABI was more frequent in rHT (35.8%) than in the IS (24.1%) and ICVR (24.7%) groups (P = 0.031). Amongst patients with IS, ABI ≤ 0.9 was associated with vascular risk factors (VRF) ≥3 (33.8% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.001) and large‐artery atherosclerosis (LAA) (43.5% vs. 19.4%, P = 0.015). Multivariate analyses (logistic regression) only identified VRF > 3 as independently associated with low ABI (OR: 6.46; 1.81‐23.02; P = 0.004). Abnormal ABI was associated with stroke recurrence (32.1% vs. 13.6%, P = 0.027) and the appearance of any major vascular event (50.0% vs. 17.0%, P < 0.001). In the logistic regression analysis, adjusted for VRF, age, and LAA, ABI remained as an independent predictor of vascular events (HR 3.99; 1.90–8.41 P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Abnormal ABI was associated with classical risk factors, especially hypertension. The measurement of ABI amongst patients with IS appeared to be useful to identify high‐risk patients and plan adequate prevention therapies.
Assessing NGO Empowerment in Housing Development Frameworks: Discourse and Practice in the Philippines
Authors: Takahashi Kaoko 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAmid the rise of democratization movements since the 1980s, many governments in developing countries have proactively introduced the ideas of decentralization and devolution into the policy arena. In the pursuit of democratic planning processes where civil society is encouraged to be a part of the formal decision‐making system, articles advocating the empowerment of non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) have been included into a series of legislations. This shift was soon reflected in housing development frameworks for the poor, leading to the formulation of a new approach called “enablement.” The Philippines' experience for the last two decades follows this line of development. Filipino NGOs are now prescribed as a catalyst to add further dynamism to the improvement of substandard living environments. Empirical findings of this study exemplify that NGO empowerment has been increasingly accelerated by the combination of NGOs' self‐endeavors and governments' initiatives. By utilizing the paradigm shift under the enablement approach, NGOs are engaged in the attempt of alliance‐formation and network‐building to expand their influence. Contrary to ideals, however, NGO empowerment may reveal some adverse effects such as excessive dependency on NGOs and distorted representation by NGOs. Moreover, the professionalization of NGOs is an additional factor which generates hierarchization at the grass‐roots level. This study suggests that further research analyze the depth and width to which NGO empowerment has been penetrated in order to precisely capture the processes and consequences resulting in disempowerment.
The Experience of Planned Home Birth: Views of the First 500 Women
Authors: Janssen Patricia A. , Henderson Angela D. , Vedam Saraswathi 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT: Background:
Home birth remains a contentious issue in North America. Professional regulatory bodies are in conflict about the safety of home birth as an option for healthy women. The voices of women have largely been ignored in this debate. The purpose of this study is to report on the experiences of 559 women who had a planned home birth over a 2‐year period in British Columbia, Canada.
Methods:
We asked all women in the Province of British Columbia who had planned for their birth to be at home with a regulated midwife in attendance to answer an open‐ended question about positive and negative aspects of their birth. The qualitative method of interpretive description was used to understand what women believed to be the essence of their experience.
Results:
Women felt strongly positive about their trust in their midwife's skill and knowledge, a sense of emotional support and empowerment attained through their relationship with the midwife, perceptions of relaxation in their own home, being informed and included in the planning of their care, and the amount of time the midwife spent with their family. They believed that the confidence arising from their intense preparation and partnership with their midwives permitted them to choreograph their birth experience to a degree that would not be possible in a formal setting.
Conclusions:
Women who planned a home birth with a registered midwife in British Columbia were overwhelmingly positive about their experience. Our qualitative report underscores the value women place on having the choice to give birth at home.
Men's Psychological Transition to Fatherhood: An Analysis of the Literature, 1989–2008
Authors: Genesoni Lucia , Tallandini Maria Anna 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT:Background:The most recent review on men's transition to fatherhood was published in 1986. The present paper reports on how the literature has portrayed fatherhood over the past 20 years. The aim was to investigate men's psychological transition to fatherhood from pregnancy of the partner through the infant's first year of life.Methods:The PsycINFO, PubMed, MEDLINE, Ingenta, Ovid, EMBASE, and WoS databases were accessed to conduct a literature search on the topic. The concepts of self‐image transformation, triadic relationship development, and social environment influence were used to examine the complexity of the fatherhood transition process. Specific focus was placed on men's intrapsychic relational and social dimensions.Results:Our analysis of the yielded results revealed three specific fatherhood stages: prenatal, labor and birth, and postnatal periods. Partner pregnancy was found to be the most demanding period in terms of psychological reorganization of the self. Labor and birth were the most intensely emotional moments, and the postnatal period was most influenced by environmental factors. The latter was also experienced as being the most interpersonally and intrapersonally challenging in terms of coping with the new reality of being a father.Conclusions:Men's transition to fatherhood is guided by the social context in which they live and work and by personal characteristics in interplay with the quality of the partner relationship. Men struggle to reconcile their personal and work‐related needs with those of their new families.
Oxytocin as a “High Alert Medication”: A Multilayered Challenge to the Status Quo
Authors: Rooks Judith P. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT: Oxytocin is the drug most commonly associated with preventable adverse perinatal outcomes. In 2007 it was added to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices short list of medications “bearing a heightened risk of harm,” which may “require special safeguards to reduce the risk of error.” In January 2009 the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published a Clinical Opinion paper about oxytocin's inclusion on the list and how the obstetrics profession in the United States should respond. The authors call for the development of specific evidence‐based guidelines to reduce the likelihood of patient harm by limiting elective use of oxytocin, decreasing the need for indicated use, reducing dosages during necessary use, giving more responsibility and authority for the patient's safety to the professional who is “at the bedside administering and monitoring the oxytocin infusion” (i.e., the nurse), and accepting that “more time rather than more oxytocin is generally preferable” once adequate uterine activity has been achieved. It is unfortunate that this important paper discounted the risk of harm from cesarean sections and did not mention the strong linkage between epidural analgesia and use of oxytocin. Physicians, midwives, nurses, and others should examine and discuss these issues further in view of increased alertness to the risk of harm from unsafe use of oxytocin.