bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of the rural health security schemes on health utilization and household impoverishment in rural China: data from a household survey of western and central China
Authors: Shi Wuxiang , Chongsuvivatwong Virasakdi , Geater Alan , Zhang Junhua , Zhang Hong , Brombal Daniele 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Background
The New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NRCMS, voluntary health insurance) and the Medical Financial Assistance (MFA, financial relief program) were established in 2003 for rural China. The aim of this study was to document their coverage, assess their effectiveness on access to in-patient care and protection against financial catastrophe and household impoverishment due to health spending, and identify the factors predicting impoverishment with and without these schemes.

Methods
A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in 2008 in Hebei and Shaanxi provinces and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region using a multi-stage sampling technique. Information on personal demographic characteristics, chronic illness status, health care use, household expenditure, and household health spending were collected by interview.

Results
NRCMS covered 90.8% of the studied individuals and among the designated poor, 7.6% had their premiums paid by MFA. Of those referred for hospitalization in the year prior to the interview, 34.3% failed to comply, mostly (80.2%) owing to financial constraints. There was no significant difference in the unmet need for admission between the insured with NRCMS and the uninsured. Before reimbursement, the incidence of catastrophic health payment (household health spending more than 40% of household's capacity to pay) and medical impoverishment (household per capita income falling below the poverty line due to medical expense) was 14.3% and 8.2%, respectively. NRCMS prevented 9.9% of the households from financial catastrophe and 7.7% from impoverishment, whereas MFA kept just one household from impoverishment and had no effect on financial catastrophe. Household per capita expenditure and household chronic disease proportion (proportion of members of a household with chronic illness) were the most important determinants of the unmet need for admission, risk of being impoverished and the chance of not being saved from impoverishment.

Conclusion
The coverage of NRCMS among the rural population was high but not adequate to improve access to in-patient care and protect against financial catastrophe and household impoverishment due to health payment, especially for the poor and the chronically ill. Furthermore, MFA played almost no such role; therefore, the current schemes need to be improved.
A potential tocopherol acetate loaded palm oil esters-in-water nanoemulsions for nanocosmeceuticals
Authors: Teo Brian Sheng Xian , Basri Mahiran , Zakaria Mohd Rezuwan Shah , Salleh Abu Bakar , Rahman Raja Noor Zaliha Raja Abdul , Rahman Mohd Basyaruddin Abdul 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Background
Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic-pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance health and beauty of the skin. Nanocosmeceuticals use nano-sized system for the delivery of active ingredients to the targeted cells for better penetration. In this work, nanoemulsion from palm oil esters was developed as a delivery system to produce nanocosmeceuticals. The stability of the resulting formulation was tested using various methods. In addition, the effect of components i.e. Vitamin E and Pluronic F-68 on the formulation was also studied.

Results
Both vitamin E and Pluronic F-68 were found to co-emulsify and co-stabilized the formulations. The best formulation was found to be the one having the composition of 10% Palm Oil Esters (POEs), 10% vitamin E, 24% Tween 80, 2.4% Pluronic F-68 and 53.6% deionised water. Those compositions are considered to be the best as a nanocosmeceutical product due to the small particle size (94.21 nm), low occurrence of Ostwald ripening and stable at different storing temperatures (5, 25 and 45°C) for four weeks.

Conclusions
Palm oil esters-in-water nanoemulsions loaded with vitamin E was successfully formulated and has the potential for the use as nanocosmeceuticals.
Coupling of receptor interference and a host-dependent post-binding entry deficiency in a gammaretroviral envelope protein
Authors: Bahrami Shervin , Ejegod Ditte , Sørensen Karina Dalsgaard , Pedersen Finn Skou 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Background
SL3-2 is a unique polytropic murine gammaretroviral isolate that is only able to infect murine cells. We have previously shown that two mutations R212G and T213I located on the surface of the receptor binding domain in a region designated the VR3 loop can alter the species tropism of this envelope protein. This location suggests that the VR3 loop composition has an influence on receptor interaction and thereby affects binding as well as superinfection resistance. In order to investigate this further, we have studied the binding and interference patterns of the SL3-2 envelope and its mutants.

Results
We find unexpectedly that wild type SL3-2 envelope binds equally well to both permissive and non-permissive cells, indicating a post binding defect when interacting with the human Xpr1. Using replication competent viruses containing envelopes from SL3-2 or its mutants we find that the same amino acid mutations can dramatically alter the interference profile of this polytropic ENV, suggesting that the same amino acid changes that cause the post binding defect also influence interaction with the receptor.

Conclusions
The envelope protein of SL3-2 MLV shows an entry defect on non-murine cells. This is coupled to a dramatically reduced ability to interfere with entry of other polytropic viruses. Two point mutations in the VR3 loop of the receptor binding domain of this envelope result both in a much increased interference ability and in removing the post-binding defect on non-murine cells, suggesting that both of these phenotypes are a consequence of insufficient interaction between the envelope and the receptor
A real-time RT-PCR for detection of clade 1 and 2 H5N1 Influenza A virus using Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) TaqMan probes
Authors: Tran Tan Thanh , Pawestri Hana Apsari , My Ngoc Nghiem , Minh Hien Vo , Syahrial Harun , Vu Trung Nguyen , van Doorn H Rogier , Wertheim Heiman FL , Van Vinh Chau Nguyen , Quang Ha Do , Farrar Jeremy J , Tinh Hien Tran , Sedyaningsih Endang R , de Jong Menno D 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Background
The emergence and co-circulation of two different clades (clade 1 and 2) of H5N1 influenza viruses in Vietnam necessitates the availability of a diagnostic assay that can detect both variants.

Results
We developed a single real-time RT-PCR assay for detection of both clades of H5N1 viruses, directly from clinical specimens, using locked nucleic acid TaqMan probes. Primers and probe used in this assay were designed based on a highly conserved region in the HA gene of H5N1 viruses. The analytical sensitivity of the assay was < 0.5 PFU and 10 - 100 ssDNA plasmid copies. A total of 106 clinical samples (58 from patients infected with clade 1, 2.1 or 2.3 H5N1 viruses and 48 from uninfected or seasonal influenza A virus-infected individuals) were tested by the assay. The assay showed 97% concordance with initial diagnostics for H5 influenza virus infection with a specificity of 100%.

Conclusions
This assay is a useful tool for diagnosis of H5N1 virus infections in regions where different genetic clades are co-circulating.
Impact of HIV‐1 viral subtype on disease progression and response to antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Easterbrook Philippa J , Smith Mel , Mullen Jane , O'Shea Siobhan , Chrystie Ian , de Ruiter Annemiek , Tatt Iain D , Geretti Anna Maria , Zuckerman Mark 
Published: February 2010

BackgroundOur intention was to compare the rate of immunological progression prior to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the virological response to ART in patients infected with subtype B and four non‐B HIV‐1 subtypes (A, C, D and the circulating recombinant form, CRF02‐AG) in an ethnically diverse population of HIV‐1‐infected patients in south London.MethodsA random sample of 861 HIV‐1‐infected patients attending HIV clinics at King's and St Thomas' hospitals' were subtyped using an in‐house enzyme‐linked immunoassay and env sequencing. Subtypes were compared on the rate of CD4 cell decline using a multi‐level random effects model. Virological response to ART was compared using the time to virological suppression (< 400 copies/ml) and rate of virological rebound (> 400 copies/ml) following initial suppression.ResultsComplete subtype and epidemiological data were available for 679 patients, of whom 357 (52.6%) were white and 230 (33.9%) were black African. Subtype B (n = 394) accounted for the majority of infections, followed by subtypes C (n = 125), A (n = 84), D (n = 51) and CRF02‐AG (n = 25). There were no significant differences in rate of CD4 cell decline, initial response to highly active antiretroviral therapy and subsequent rate of virological rebound for subtypes B, A, C and CRF02‐AG. However, a statistically significant four‐fold faster rate of CD4 decline (after adjustment for gender, ethnicity and baseline CD4 count) was observed for subtype D. In addition, subtype D infections showed a higher rate of virological rebound at six months (70%) compared with subtypes B (45%, p = 0.02), A (35%, p = 0.004) and C (34%, p = 0.01)ConclusionsThis is the first study from an industrialized country to show a faster CD4 cell decline and higher rate of subsequent virological failure with subtype D infection. Further studies are needed to identify the molecular mechanisms responsible for the greater virulence of subtype D.
Renin-angiotensin system activation correlates with microvascular dysfunction in a prospective cohort study of clinical sepsis
Authors: Doerschug Kevin C , Delsing Angela S , Schmidt Gregory A , Ashare Alix 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Introduction
Microvascular dysregulation characterized by hyporesponsive vessels and heterogeneous bloodflow is implicated in the pathogenesis of organ failure in sepsis. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) affects the microvasculature, yet the relationships between RAS and organ injury in clinical sepsis remain unclear. We tested our hypothesis that systemic RAS mediators are associated with dysregulation of the microvasculature and with organ failure in clinical severe sepsis.

Methods
We studied 30 subjects with severe sepsis, and 10 healthy control subjects. Plasma was analyzed for plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin II concentration (Ang II). Using near-infrared spectroscopy, we measured the rate of increase in the oxygen saturation of thenar microvascular hemoglobin after five minutes of induced forearm ischemia. In so doing, we assessed bulk microvascular hemoglobin influx to the tissue during reactive hyperemia. We studied all subjects 24 hours after the development of organ failure. We studied a subset of 12 subjects at an additional timepoint, eight hours after recognition of organ failure (early sepsis).

Results
After 24 hours of resuscitation to clinically-defined endpoints of preload and arterial pressure, Ang II and PRA were elevated in septic subjects and the degree of elevation correlated negatively with the rate of microvascular reoxygenation during reactive hyperemia. Early RAS mediators correlated with microvascular dysfunction. Early Ang II also correlated with the extent of organ failure realized during the first day of sepsis.

Conclusions
RAS is activated in clinical severe sepsis. Systemic RAS mediators correlate with measures of microvascular dysregulation and with organ failure.
First-Line Trastuzumab Plus Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide Therapy in Patients With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: Cardiac Safety and Efficacy Data From the Herceptin, Cyclophosphamide, and Epirubicin (HERCULES) Trial
Authors: Untch Michael , Muscholl Michael , Tjulandin Sergei , Jonat Walter , Meerpohl Hans-Gerd , Lichinitser Mikhail , Manikhas Alexey G. , Coumbos Alexandra , Kreienberg Rolf , du Bois Andreas , Harbeck Nadia , Jackisch Christian , Müller Volkmar , Pauschinger Matthias , Thomssen Christoph , Lehle Michaela , Catalani Olivier , Lück Hans-Joachim 
Published: February 2010

Purpose A high incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) has been observed in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) receiving doxorubicin-based chemotherapy and trastuzumab. The Herceptin, Cyclophosphamide, and Epirubicin (HERCULES) trial evaluated trastuzumab plus cyclophosphamide and the less cardiotoxic anthracycline epirubicin. Patients and Methods This prospective trial combined a phase I dose-finding stage with a phase II randomized stage. In total, 120 patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –positive MBC and adequate cardiac function received first-line trastuzumab (4 mg/kg intravenous loading dose, then 2 mg/kg every week) plus cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) and either epirubicin 60 mg/m2 (HEC-60) or 90 mg/m2 (HEC-90) for six cycles, followed by trastuzumab monotherapy until progression. Sixty patients with HER2-negative disease received epirubicin (90 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (EC-90) alone. The primary end point was dose-limiting cardiotoxicity (DLC). Results Incidence of DLC was 5.0%, 1.7%, and 0% in the HEC-90, HEC-60, and EC-90 arms, respectively. All DLC events were manageable. There were no cardiac-related deaths. Other adverse-event profiles were comparable across the three arms, except febrile neutropenia, which was reported in 10% of the HEC-90 arm compared with 3% of the other arms. Tumor response rates were 57%, 60%, and 25% in the HEC-60, HEC-90, and EC-90 arms, respectively; median time to progression was 12.5, 10.1, and 7.6 months, respectively. Conclusion The HEC regimen is a promising treatment option for patients with HER2-positive MBC. The lower incidence of DLC with HEC, compared with the historic incidence associated with trastuzumab plus doxorubicin, supports further evaluation of the regimen, especially in adjuvant or neoadjuvant settings.
Thymidylate Synthase But Not Excision Repair Cross-Complementation Group 1 Tumor Expression Predicts Outcome in Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Treated With Pemetrexed-Based Chemotherapy
Authors: Righi Luisella , Papotti Mauro G. , Ceppi Paolo , Billè Andrea , Bacillo Elisa , Molinaro Luca , Ruffini Enrico , Scagliotti Giorgio V. , Selvaggi Giovanni 
Published: February 2010

Purpose The relationship between thymidylate synthase (TS) expression and outcome in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) treated with pemetrexed (P) was retrospectively evaluated. Patients and Methods Sixty histologically confirmed patients with MPM previously treated with P and platinum (45 of 60) or as single agent (15 of 60) were retrospectively considered. Eighty-one control patients with MPM not P-treated were also evaluated. TS and excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) gene expression levels were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and by immunohistochemistry using the H-score. Results Median TS H-score value was 90 (range, 5 to 240). A significant correlation between low TS protein expression and longer time to progression (TTP; 17.9 v 7.9 months; hazard ratio [HR], 2.05, 95% CI, 1.19 to 3.77; P = .02) or overall survival (OS; 30 v 16.7 months; HR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.15 to 4.91; P = .019) was found when patients were divided according to median H-score. Conversely, TS mRNA levels were not significantly correlated with outcome. In platinum-treated patients (n = 45), no correlation was found with survival according to ERCC1 median H-score, but patients in the lower tertile had a significantly shorter survival (HR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.08 to 8.69; P = .035). In control MPMs, TS had no prognostic role. At multivariate analysis, TS protein levels were the only independent prognostic factor for both TTP (HR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.13 to 6.49; P = .02) and OS (HR, 6.91; 95% CI, 1.90 to 25.07; P = .003). Conclusion In patients with MPM treated with P-based chemotherapy, low TS protein levels are predictive of improved TTP and OS. The role of TS assessment is worth of prospective validation in future studies on MPM.
A rational model for maximizing the effects of therapeutic relationship regulation in personality disorders with poor metacognition and over‐regulation of affects
Authors: Dimaggio Giancarlo , Carcione Antonino , Salvatore Giampaolo , Semerari Antonio , Nicolò Giuseppe 
Published: February 2010

Background.The therapeutic relationship plays a key role in personality disorder (PD) psychotherapy. Some aspects of therapeutic relationship regulation appear important for treatment of PD clients, including those with constricted relational schemas, poor metacognition, and over‐regulation of affects described here.Aim.To propose a rational model for how and when to work on the therapeutic relationship by treating the underlying personality pathology.Method.Formalize a step‐by‐step procedure for performing operations such as validation of clients' experiences, creating a sense of sharedness, assessing the quality of the therapeutic relationship in order to prevent and repair ruptures in the alliance, self‐disclosing by the therapist, and metacommunication on the basis of clients' responses to treatment.Conclusion.We discuss the implications of this model for further research into the PD therapy process.
Nitriti come segni profetici: cavalli fatidici a Bisanzio (XI–XIV sec.)
Authors: Costanza Salvatore 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
In the later Byzantine age, historical sources mention many examples of prophecies concerning Chremetismomancy, the divination by horses' neighs. As far as we know, however, we have no earlier documents about this practice from ancient or from medieval Greece. Under the Komnenoi and Palaiologoi, to the contrary, important prophetic neighs are quoted by Anna Komnene, by Niketas Choniates and Nikephoros Gregoras. Wonders which were worked by neighing horses are of very great political consequence, relating to crucial moments such as an emperor's military victories, a prince's succession to the imperial throne or the deposition of a ruler. In Gregoras' Roman History, it is not a living animal responsable for the nocturnal neighs, but a painted one at a chapel in the palace. It is very interesting to examine these narrative plots and historical accounts, as they convey many informations about Byzantine society. In particular, the strong disposition for magic, even at top-level of the society, should be emphasized. The philomantic emperors par excellence are Manuel I Komnenos and Andronikos II Palaiologos, the author of a themation, an astrological interpretation of horses' neighs, together with his faithful Logo the tes Theodoros Metochites, an expert at astrology and hemerology. The advance of such divinatory practices in the late Byzantine centuries should be related to home instability and enemies' threats on the boundaries. Chremetismomantic omina clearly focus on this particular climate of terror and uncertainty which forms the ideal ground for any attempt to foretell the future. Therefore, these practices were no laughing matter for Byzantine writers and their readers: only Nicetas Choniates' shy irony may argue us out of believing this.
The perception of icons in the late Byzantine world: some evidence in a treasury inventory of Hagia Sophia
Authors: Hetherington Paul 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
In 1396 an inventory of the treasury of Hagia Sophia was commissioned. It was written by three educated laymen who all had experience of court culture, and they listed some 180 items. Their descriptions of the few icons that they listed is of interest for several reasons: they do not mention the date or period of the icons, nor their style, condition, size, donors or any inscriptions that they displayed. Their only way of describing them was by the title of the subject of each icon. This suggests that, at any rate for laymen, the subject of an icon was of overwhelming importance, and this factor alone was thought to be sufficient to identify an icon in an inventory of this kind.
Das Συναξάριον τιμημένου γαδάρου: Analyse, Ausgabe, Wörterverzeichnis
Authors: Moennig Ulrich 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The 14th century Συναξάριον τοῦ τιμημένου Γαδάρου (in English: the Tale of the heroic donkey) could be described as an aitiological story. In medieval Greek there was a synonymous word, νικóν (nikón), which alternatively to the more common word γάδαρος (ghádharos) meant donkey. The word νικóν recalls the verb (nikó) and even reminds us of the homophonous participe derived from the same verb. The tale explains how the word νικóν came into being.
Due to a fatal error in the editio princeps by W. Wagner (Carmina Graeca medii aevi, 1874) the pointe of the Tale is not intellegible in the printed text. K. Tsantsanoglu in 1971 realised the problems of Wagner's edition, but his article did not lead to a re-evaluation of this fine piece of late-Byzantine literature.
The present article offers: a new edition of the Tale of the heroic donkey, based on a completely new reading of the single manuscripts that preserves it; a new reading of the texts, focussing on questions of rhetorics and literary genre; a full glossary, based on the new edition.
Methods for Determining the Solubility Parameter of Bitumen
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhang Yuzhen 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
A method of computing a one-dimensional solubility parameter (Hildebrand solubility parameter) was used by expressing the molar attraction constants and molar volumes on a “per carbon atom” basis. Besides, two experimental methods of testing three-dimensional solubility parameters (Hansen solubility parameters) of bitumen were used, namely, three-dimensional turbidimetric titration method and dissolution method. By comparing the solubility parameters of six bitumens determined by three different methods, the results show that the solubility parameters of six bitumens determined by the three-dimensional turbidimetric titration method have a wider range than solubility parameters determined by the other two methods. By comparing the solubility parameters determined by three different methods with compatibility evaluation results, the results show that the solubility parameters determined by the three-dimensional turbidimetric titration have the best accordance with compatibility evaluation results. The three-dimensional turbidimetric titration has satisfactory precision and accuracy to determine Hansen three-dimensional solubility parameters.