bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Humour in health‐care interactions: a risk worth taking
Authors: McCreaddie May , Payne Sheila 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Humour is a complex, dynamic phenomenon that mainly occurs in social situations between two or more people. Most humour research reviews rehearsed as opposed to spontaneous humour and rarely review the patients’ perspective.Aim  We explore patients’ perspectives on the use of humour in health care. We discuss the asymmetrical and divergent humour use between patients and clinical nurse specialists and posit nurses’ approaches to risk as a contributing factor.Design  A constructivist grounded theory collated researcher‐provoked (interviews, observation, field notes, pre‐and post‐interaction audio diaries) and non‐researcher‐provoked data (naturally occurring interactions) over 18 months. This paper is based upon four patient focus groups. A constant comparison approach to data collection and analyses was applied using interpretative and illustrative frameworks that balanced what was ‘known’ and ‘unknown’ about humour.Setting and participants  Patients were recruited from four patient–peer groups. Three audio‐taped (n = 20) and one observed focus group interactions (n = 12) were undertaken at the groups’ regular meeting places.Results  Patients hold a broad appreciation of humour and recognize it as being evident in subtle and nuanced forms. Patients wish health‐care staff to initiate and reciprocate humour.Conclusion  A chasm exists between what patients apparently want with regard to humour use in health‐care interactions and what actually transpires. Initiating humour involves risk, and risk‐taking requires a degree of self‐esteem and confidence. Nurses are, arguably, risk‐averse and have low self‐esteem. Future research could review confidence and self‐esteem markers with observed humour use in nurses and their interactions across a range of specialities.
Structural social support predicts functional social support in an online weight loss programme
Authors: Hwang Kevin O. , Etchegaray Jason M. , Sciamanna Christopher N. , Bernstam Elmer V. , Thomas Eric J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Online weight loss programmes allow members to use social media tools to give and receive social support for weight loss. However, little is known about the relationship between the use of social media tools and the perception of specific types of support.Objective  To test the hypothesis that the frequency of using social media tools (structural support) is directly related to perceptions of Encouragement, Information and Shared Experiences support (functional support).Design  Online survey.Participants  Members of an online weight loss programme.Methods  The outcome was the perception of Encouragement (motivation, congratulations), Information (advice, tips) and Shared Experiences (belonging to a group) social support. The predictor was a social media scale based on the frequency of using forums and blogs within the online weight loss programme (alpha = 0.91). The relationship between predictor and outcomes was evaluated with structural equation modelling (SEM) and logistic regression, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, BMI and duration of website membership.Results  The 187 participants were mostly female (95%) and white (91%), with mean (SD) age 37 (12) years and mean (SD) BMI 31 (8). SEM produced a model in which social media use predicted Encouragement support, but not Information or Shared Experiences support. Participants who used the social media tools at least weekly were almost five times as likely to experience Encouragement support compared to those who used the features less frequently [adjusted OR 4.8 (95% CI 1.8–12.8)].Conclusions  Using the social media tools of an online weight loss programme at least once per week is strongly associated with receiving Encouragement for weight loss behaviours.
Fish Gills Alterations as Potential Biomarkers of Environmental Quality in a Eutrophized Tropical River in South‐Eastern Brazil
Authors: Nascimento A. A. , Araújo F. G. , Gomes I. D. , Mendes R. M. M. , Sales A. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryGill anomalies in three common fish species of different taxonomic order, habitat dwelling and feeding habits (one Characiformes, Oligosarcus hepsetus; one Siluriformes, Hypostomus auroguttatus; and one Perciformes, Geophagus brasiliensis) from a eutrophized tropical river in south‐eastern in Brazil were compared. The aim of this study was to search for sentinel species that could be used as potential biomarkers of environmental quality. Most fish had gills with histological changes, namely epithelial lifting, interstitial oedema, leucocyte infiltration, hyperplasia of the epithelial cells, lamellar fusion, vasodilatation and necrosis. On the other hand, lamellar blood congestion and lamellar aneurysm, which are more serious and often irreversible changes, were recorded for the water column carnivorous O. hepsetus and, to a lesser extent, for the bottom‐dwelling detritivorous H. auroguttatus. A histopathological alteration index (HAI) based on the occurrence and severity of gills anomalies indicated that O. hepsetus (mean score = 11.4) had significantly higher values (Kruskall–Wallis H2,41 = 15.95, P = 0.0003) compared with G. brasiliensis (mean score = 7.0). Overall, the omnivorous G. brasiliensis had comparatively lesser occurrence of most gill anomalies compared with other two species, being less suitable as biomarker of environmental quality. In contrast, the water column–dweller O. hepsetus (water column) and the bottom‐dweller H. auroguttatus had gills most susceptible to changes, making them more suitable for using as histological biomarkers of the environmental quality in entrophized tropical rivers.
Beneficial effect of adenosine on myocardial perfusion in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Yun‐Dai , Zhi Guang , Xu Yong , Chen Lian , Liu Hong‐Bin , Zhou Xiao , Tian Feng 
Published: January 2012

Summary
The present study investigated the effects of intravenous adenosine on myocardial perfusion and segmental contractile function when used as an adjunct of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
&#129;Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous adenosine (n = 35) or saline (n = 34) within 12 h of STEMI. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and velocity vector imaging (VVI) were performed 7 days after primary PCI. Serial echocardiography was performed on Days 7 and 30.
Capillary blood volume (A; 6.34 ± 1.98 vs 5.64 ± 1.84 dB; P = 0.03) and myocardial blood velocity (β; 0.13 ± 0.04 vs 0.1 ± 0.04/s; P = 0.01) were higher in the adenosine group than in control patients. Myocardial blood flow (A × β) was 0.82 ± 0.37 dB/s with adenosine compared with 0.57 ± 0.4 dB/s in control patients (P < 0.01).
Improvements were seen in the adenosine compared with the control group in terms of myocardial wall strain(–13.52 ± 5.61% vs –11.47 ± 5.25%, respectively; P = 0.03), strain rate (–1.08 ± 0.52 vs –0.90 ± 0.44/s, respectively; P = 0.03) and segmental ejection fraction (53.66 ± 12.04% vs 48.40 ± 14.99%, respectively; P = 0.03).
There was a correlation between myocardial perfusion in apical anterior segments, peak systolic strain (P = 0.001), strain rate (P = 0.001) and segmental ejection (P < 0.001).
Global contractile function was better in the adenosine‐treated than control group. At the 1 month follow up, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of the incidence of recurrent angina or heart failure.
The results of the present study suggest that periprocedural intravenous adenosine contributes to improvements in myocardial perfusion, segmental wall motion and global contractile function in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary PCI.
Genome modifications in plant cells by custom‐made restriction enzymes
Authors: Tzfira Tzvi , Weinthal Dan , Marton Ira , Zeevi Vardit , Zuker Amir , Vainstein Alexander 
Published: January 2012

SummaryGenome editing, i.e. the ability to mutagenize, insert, delete and replace sequences, in living cells is a powerful and highly desirable method that could potentially revolutionize plant basic research and applied biotechnology. Indeed, various research groups from academia and industry are in a race to devise methods and develop tools that will enable not only site‐specific mutagenesis but also controlled foreign DNA integration and replacement of native and transgene sequences by foreign DNA, in living plant cells. In recent years, much of the progress seen in gene targeting in plant cells has been attributed to the development of zinc finger nucleases and other novel restriction enzymes for use as molecular DNA scissors. The induction of double‐strand breaks at specific genomic locations by zinc finger nucleases and other novel restriction enzymes results in a wide variety of genetic changes, which range from gene addition to the replacement, deletion and site‐specific mutagenesis of endogenous and heterologous genes in living plant cells. In this review, we discuss the principles and tools for restriction enzyme‐mediated gene targeting in plant cells, as well as their current and prospective use for gene targeting in model and crop plants.
Money Growth and Inflation in the Euro Area: A Time‐Frequency View
Authors: Rua António 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis article provides new insights on the relationship between money growth and inflation in the euro area over the last 40 years. This highly relevant link for the European Central Bank monetary policy strategy is assessed using wavelet analysis. The findings indicate a stronger link between inflation and money growth at low frequencies over the whole sample period. At the typical business cycle frequency range the link is only present until the beginning of the 1980s. Moreover, there seems to be a recent deterioration of the leading properties of money growth with respect to inflation in the euro area.
Assessing the Transmission of Monetary Policy Using Time‐varying Parameter Dynamic Factor Models*
Authors: Korobilis Dimitris 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis article extends the current literature which questions the stability of the monetary transmission mechanism, by proposing a factor‐augmented vector autoregressive (VAR) model with time‐varying coefficients and stochastic volatility. The VAR coefficients and error covariances may change gradually in every period or be subject to abrupt breaks. The model is applied to 143 post‐World War II quarterly variables fully describing the US economy. I show that both endogenous and exogenous shocks to the US economy resulted in the high inflation volatility during the 1970s and early 1980s. The time‐varying factor augmented VAR produces impulse responses of inflation which significantly reduce the price puzzle. Impulse responses of other indicators of the economy show that the most notable changes in the transmission of unanticipated monetary policy shocks occurred for gross domestic product, investment, exchange rates and money.
A Tale of Two Cities: Climate Change Policies in Vancouver and Melbourne — Barometers of Cooperative Federalism?
Authors: JONES STEPHEN 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe failure of the United Nations negotiations on climate change in Copenhagen presents governments with an opportunity to consider new approaches to implementing climate change policy. Developed nations like Canada and Australia continue to fall short of their commitments to Kyoto targets and predict that their greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise. The planning and development of metropolitan areas continues to promote high levels of consumption and increased dependence on fossil fuel‐based energy. City governments in Vancouver and Melbourne have strong commitments to both mitigation and adaptation policy action against the impact of global warming. Both argue they are constrained in their efforts by federal institutional arrangements and require improved cooperation from other levels of government. This article uses the conceptual framework developed by the OECD to support greater levels of cooperation between governments in multilevel systems when implementing climate change policies. The article examines the contextual factors inherent in the institutional arrangements and uses the experiences of Vancouver and Melbourne to explore the factors that encourage or discourage cooperation in climate change policy.RésuméL'échec de la conférence des Nations Unies à Copenhague sur les changements climatiques offre aux gouvernements l'occasion d'envisager de nouvelles approches de politiques publiques dans ce domaine. Les nations développées telles que le Canada et l'Australie ne tiennent toujours pas leurs engagements sur les objectifs de Kyoto et annoncent que leurs émissions de gaz à effet de serre vont encore croître. L'aménagement et le développement des zones métropolitaines continuent de stimuler la consommation des énergies fossiles, donc la dépendance à leur égard. Les municipalités de Vancouver et de Melbourne se sont fortement impliquées dans des actions publiques visant à atténuer l'impact du réchauffement climatique, ou à s'y adapter. Selon elles, leurs tentatives sont gênées par les dispositifs institutionnels fédéraux, et il faudrait une meilleure coopération avec les autres niveaux de gouvernement. À l'aide du cadre conceptuel élaboré par l'OCDE, cet article défend une coopération accrue entre les gouvernements des systèmes à plusieurs niveaux lorsque sont mises en place des politiques liées à l'évolution du climat. Il étudie les facteurs contextuels inhérents aux dispositifs institutionnels et s'appuie sur les expériences de Vancouver et Melbourne pour examiner les facteurs qui encouragent ou découragent la coopération dans ce domaine d'action publique.
Development and application of a HPLC method for eight sunscreen agents in suncare products
Authors: Peruchi L. M. , Rath S. 
Published: January 2012

SynopsisThis work describes the development, validation and application of a simple and fast high‐performance liquid chromatography‐with diode array dectection (HPLC‐DAD) method for the determination of eight sunscreen agents: benzophenone‐3, octocrylene, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate (used in two isomeric forms), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, 4‐methylbenzylidene camphor and ethylhexyl dimethyl PABA in sunscreen formulations. The separation of the eight sunscreen compounds was achieved using an ACE C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), with a column temperature 20°C, and a mobile phase of 88 : 12 (v/v) methanol‐water with isocratic elution. Column temperature strongly influences the retention time and resolution of the compounds. The flow rate was 1.0 mL min−1 and quantitation was performed by external calibration at the maximum wavelength of each compound. The sample preparation was simple and consisted basically of sample dilution with methanol, centrifugation and filtration in syringe filters before quantitation. Total run time was 18 min. The method was validated according to the parameters: linear range, linearity, selectivity, intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy. Ten samples of sunscreen emulsions commercially available in Brazil (SPF 30) from different manufacturers were analysed using the proposed method. The number of the sunscreen agents varied between one and five in a single sample. The concentrations of all compounds were in the range of 0.9–10% (w/w) and were in accordance with the current Brazilian legislation.
Guidelines on the safety of light‐based home‐use hair removal devices from the European Society for Laser Dermatology
Authors: Town G. , Ash C. , Dierickx C. , Fritz K. , Bjerring P. , Haedersdal M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn the past 5 years since their US introduction, there has been a rapid proliferation of light‐based hair removal devices intended for home‐use. In the last 2 years in Europe, sales already run into many tens of thousands of units with well‐known multi‐national companies entering the market. These guidelines provide a definition of light‐based home‐use technology, to inform healthcare professionals about home‐use light‐based technology and encourage manufacturers wishing to sell in Europe to adopt ‘best practice’. The review presents the current status on standards and regulation issues and considers home‐use safety issues, encompassing human, device and electrical safety, given risks to the eyes and skin from optical radiation both to the consumer and persons in the vicinity. Proposed technical measurement methodology is considered with focus on recognized critical parameters for the safe use of light‐based hair removal technology including recording the technical performance and safety claims of a range of home‐use hair removal devices. The literature review emphasizes potential adverse incidents and safety aspects of treating cosmetic conditions, such as unwanted hair growth. Although some regulations exist, they differ from region to region and there is a specific need for international common principles and guidelines relating to the manufacture, marketing and use of intense pulsed light and laser devices, including manufacturing standards for home‐use products intended, amongst others, for cosmetic hair removal and photo‐rejuvenation procedures. In these guidelines, the European Society for Laser Dermatology (ESLD) provides a professional view of what ‘best practice’ may imply for manufacturers and consumers alike.
Frequency of non‐histologically diagnosed basal cell carcinomas in daily Dutch practice
Authors: Flohil S.C. , van Tiel S. , Koljenović S. , Jaanen‐van der Sanden G. , Overbeek L.I.H. , de Vries E. , Nijsten T. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Population‐based basal cell carcinoma (BCC) incidences are based on cancer registry data; however, these only include histologically diagnosed tumours.Objectives  First, to investigate the number of subsequent non‐histologically diagnosed BCC(s) in patients with a first histologically diagnosed BCC in 2004. Secondly, to observe differences in tumour characteristics between subsequent histologically and subsequent non‐histologically diagnosed BCC(s).Methods  All patients, from four hospitals located in the serving area of the Eindhoven Cancer Registry, with a first histologically diagnosed BCC in 2004 (n = 1290) were selected. A linkage was made with PALGA, the nationwide network and registry of histo‐ and cytopathology, to obtain pathology reports of subsequent histologically diagnosed BCC(s) up to 1 November 2010. Patient records were extracted from the participating dermatology departments and reviewed up to 1 November 2010 to identify non‐histologically diagnosed BCC(s).Results  Overall, 33.2% of the 1089 followed up patients developed subsequent histologically and/or non‐histologically diagnosed BCCs. In total, 1974 BCCs were observed of which 1833 were histologically and 141 were non‐histologically diagnosed BCCs. The distribution of tumour site and subtype differed significantly between subsequent histologically and subsequent non‐histologically diagnosed BCCs.Conclusions  The total burden of BCC is underestimated by the absence of data on the occurrence of non‐histologically diagnosed BCCs in daily dermatological practice. It is pivotal for Dutch healthcare policy makers to acknowledge this to make accurate BCC‐related cost estimates.
Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections: review of the epidemiology, microbiology, aetiopathogenesis and treatment
Authors: Tognetti L. , Martinelli C. , Berti S. , Hercogova J. , Lotti T. , Leoncini F. , Moretti S. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBacterial skin and soft tissues infections (SSTI) often determine acute disease and frequent emergency recovering, and they are one of the most common causes of infection among groups of different ages. Given the variable presentation of SSTI, a thorough assessment of their incidence and prevalence is difficult. The presence of patient‐related (local or systemic) or environmental risk factors, along with the emergence of multi‐drug resistant pathogens, can promote SSTI. These infections may present with a wide spectrum of clinical features and different severity, and can be classified according to various criteria. Many bacterial species can cause SSTI, but Gram‐positive bacteria are the most frequently isolated, with a predominance of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The diagnosis of SSTI requires an extended clinical history, a thorough physical examination and a high index of suspicion. Early diagnosis is particularly important in complicated infections, which often require laboratory studies, diagnostic imaging and surgical exploration. SSTI management should conform to the epidemiology, the aetiology, the severity and the depth of the infection. Topical, oral or systemic antimicrobial therapy and drainage or debridement could be necessary, along with treatment of a significant underlying disease. This review discusses the epidemiology, the pathogenesis and the classification of bacterial SSTI, describes their associated risk factors and their clinical presentations. The authors provide a rational diagnostic and therapeutic approach to SSTI in respect of antibiotic resistance and currently available antimicrobial agents.
A patch testing and cross‐sensitivity study of carbamazepine‐induced severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions
Authors: Lin Y.‐T. , Chang Y.‐C. , Hui R.C.‐Y. , Yang C.‐H. , Ho H.‐C. , Hung S.‐I. , Chung W.‐H. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground The usefulness of the drug patch testing for Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) is still controversial. Recent studies have shown that HLA‐B*1502 is strongly associated with CBZ‐SJS/TEN in Chinese and Southeast Asian populations.Objective To evaluate the usefulness of patch tests for patients with carbamazepine (CBZ)‐induced SJS, TEN and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and the cross‐reactivity in patch tests among the aromatic antiepileptic drugs.Methods We measure the frequency of positive patch test reactions and cross‐sensitivity to structure‐related aromatic anti‐epileptic drugs (AEDs) for patients after SJS/TEN or DRESS episodes caused by CBZ. CBZ and other structure‐related AEDs used for patch testing were prepared in 10% and 30% petrolatum. Secondary measures included the association of HLA‐B*1502 genotype and frequency of possible side effects from the patch tests.Results Positive patch test reactions to 30% CBZ in the CBZ‐SJS/TEN were 62.5% (10/16), and 70% (7/10) in the CBZ‐DRESS. None of the 10 healthy controls displayed a positive reaction to tested agents. Cross‐sensitivity to other aromatic AEDs was observed in both the CBZ‐SJS/TEN and the CBZ‐DRESS. Only the HLA‐B*1502 genotype was present and strongly associated with the CBZ‐SJS/TEN, but not with the CBZ‐DRESS.Conclusion Drug patch testing is a safe and useful method for the identification of CBZ as the culprit drug of SJS/TEN as well as DRESS. Testing of chemically or pharmacologically related AEDs may provide information on cross‐reactivity for these patients.