bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased numbers of immature plasma cells in peripheral blood specifically overexpress chemokine receptor CXCR3 and CXCR4 in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Hosomi S , Oshitani N , Kamata N , Sogawa M , Okazaki H , Tanigawa T , Yamagami H , Watanabe K , Tominaga K , Watanabe T , Fujiwara Y , Maeda K , Hirakawa K , Arakawa T 
Published: November 2010

SummaryUlcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease featuring infiltration by plasma cells producing immunoglobulins. We have reported previously the specific and significant proliferation of immature plasma cells in the inflamed colonic and pouch mucosa of UC patients. The aim of this study was to characterize peripheral blood immature plasma cells and the migration mechanisms of such immature plasma cells to inflamed sites in UC. The characteristics of peripheral blood immature plasma cells and chemokine receptor expression were examined by flow cytometry. Expression of mucosal chemokine was quantified using real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The number of peripheral blood immature plasma cells was significantly higher in patients with active UC and active Crohn's disease (CD) than in healthy controls. The proportion of immature plasma cells was correlated positively with clinical activities of UC and CD. Many peripheral blood immature plasma cells were positive for CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR9 and CCR10. Expression of CXCR3 and CXCR4 in UC patients was significantly higher than in controls. CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 mRNA levels in colonic mucosa of inflamed IBD were higher than in controls. Immunofluorescence study also showed abundant CXCR3-positive immature plasma cells in the inflamed colonic mucosa of UC. Increased numbers of immature plasma cells may migrate towards inflammatory sites of UC via the CXCR3 axis, and may participate in UC pathogenesis.
ICT‐supported pedagogical policies and practices in South Africa and Chile: emerging economies and realities
Authors: Howie S.J. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractSouth Africa participated in all three of the Second International Technology in Education Study (SITES). In the first international study, South Africa was the only developing country, and therefore, stark contrasts were found in the international study between South Africa and the other participating countries. Chile participated in the SITES 2006 as one of a few developing countries making the comparison with South Africa possible. Despite similarities in their contexts and economies, their approach to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in education appears to differ. This difference raised questions about differences in policies and their implementation at school level.This research conducted in South Africa found that the Chilean strategy for developing and implementing their ICT in education appear to be very different with regard to its design, the organization, the strategies adopted, the resources used and, most importantly, their approach to teacher development for implementing ICT. A number of lessons are revealed for the South African policymakers and others from similar developing contexts.
Management of tinnitus in English NHS audiology departments: an evaluation of current practice
Authors: Hoare Derek J. , Gander Phillip E. , Collins Luke , Smith Sandra , Hall Deborah A. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractRationale, aim and objective  In 2009, the UK Department of Health formalized recommended National Health Service practices for the management of tinnitus from primary care onwards. It is timely therefore to evaluate the perceived practicality, utility and impact of those guidelines in the context of current practice.Methods  We surveyed current practice by posting a 36‐item questionnaire to all audiology and hearing therapy staff that we were able to identify as being involved in tinnitus patient care in England.Results  In total, 138 out of 351 clinicians responded (39% response rate). The findings indicate a consensus opinion that management should be tailored to individual symptom profiles but that there is little standardization of assessment procedures or tools in use.Conclusions  While the lack of standardized practice might provide flexibility to meet local demand, it has drawbacks. It makes it difficult to ascertain key standards of best practice, it complicates the process of clinical audit, it implies unequal patient access to care, and it limits the implementation of translational research outcomes. We recommend that core elements of practice should be standardized, including use of a validated tinnitus questionnaires and an agreed pathway for decision making to better understand the rationale for management strategies offered.
Patientsmate©: the implementation and evaluation of an online prospective audit system
Authors: McHugh Seamus Mark , Loh Kah Poh , Corrigan Mark Anthony , Sheikh Athar , Lehane Elaine , Hill Arnold David Konrad 
Published: November 2010

AbstractIntroduction Inaccuracy in Hospital Inpatient Enquiry (HIPE)/Casemix‐based data has been reported as high as 26%. This results in financial waste and makes effective audit impossible. We aimed to develop a novel web‐based outcome audit system.Methods A web‐based online audit system, Patientsmate©, was developed using an integrated database system written in the programme language PHP. Data were inputted by the surgical team responsible for the patients care. A prospective comparison study of the new Patientsmate© and the standard HIPE systems, was performed over a 1‐month period and involving two general surgical teams in April 2010. In addition, a Likert‐scale based questionnaire was designed and hosted within the Patientsmate© system. A focus group of those clinicians directly involved in data accessing and input were then invited to complete the questionnaire in order to assess usability of the system.Results During the study period there were a total of 108 patients and 88 procedures. Our study confirms the accuracy of clinician derived data, with the Patientsmate© system more accurately recording number of patients (83% vs. 80.6%), number of procedures (85.2% vs. 68.1%) and hospital day case rate (52% vs. 47.1%). Inputting data using Patientsmate© for a single patient took 6–7 minutes. Of those using the system, 75% reported feeling comfortable after using it once only and 100% were satisfied with the layout of the online interface.Conclusion The Patientsmate© system allows for increased accuracy in outcome‐based data as compared with the HIPE system, facilitating audit, financial savings and the appropriate allocation of services.
Person‐centred integrative care
Authors: Cloninger C. Robert 
Published: November 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives The essential ingredients of effective person‐centred integrative care are described and its benefits are documented in terms of influence on compliance with care, drop‐out rates, enhancement of well‐being and reduction in ill‐being.Method Prior literature on efficacy of person‐centred treatment in medicine and psychology is reviewed and related to definitions of health and well‐being.Results The general characteristics of person‐centred care involve multiple elements. First, the doctor must be aware of the personality of the individual in order to enter into a humanistic dialogue with the person. Second, for a therapeutic alliance, there must be agreement that doctor and patient are working toward common goals. Third, calm reassurance, hope, and respect need to be communicated. Fourth, the doctor and patient need to be empathic and reflective. Fifth, they must identify and implement practical means of promoting health with available resources and a realistic understanding of facts.Conclusion Awareness of who the person is in a therapeutic encounter allows cultivation of a humanistic dialogue, which in turn accounts for most of the variation in clinical outcomes.
Long‐term effectiveness and safety of didanosine combined with lamivudine and efavirenz or nevirapine in antiretroviral‐naive patients: a 9‐year cohort study in Senegal
Authors: Laurent Christian , Tchatchueng Mbougua Jules Brice , Ngom Guèye Ndèye Fatou , Etard Jean‐François , Diouf Assane , Landman Roland , Molinari Nicolas , Girard Pierre‐Marie , Sow Papa Salif , Ndoye Ibra , Delaporte Eric ,   for the ANRS 1215/1290 Study Group
Published: November 2010

SummaryObjective  The use of didanosine (ddI) in first‐line antiretroviral therapy has been recently promoted for resource‐limited settings. We therefore compared the long‐term effectiveness and safety of the regimen combining ddI, lamivudine, and efavirenz or nevirapine with that of the WHO‐recommended regimen of zidovudine (ZDV), lamivudine, and efavirenz or nevirapine in antiretroviral‐naïve patients in Senegal.Methods  Observational cohort study of patients enrolled between January 2000 and April 2002 in the Senegalese antiretroviral drug access initiative. Multivariate analyses were performed to compare, between the ddI and ZDV groups, the proportion of patients with a viral load <500 copies/ml during follow‐up; the increase in the CD4 cell count; survival; treatment changes and severe adverse events.Results  Of 151 patients, 71 received the ddI‐based treatment and 80 received the ZDV‐based treatment. Throughout follow‐up, 80–95% of patients had a viral load below 500 copies/ml in both the ddI and ZDV groups (P = 0.5). The CD4 cell count increased after treatment initiation from 176 to 497 cells/mm3 in the ddI group and from 176 to 567 cells/mm3 in the ZDV group (P > 0.3). The rate of death tended to be higher in the ddI group (P = 0.06). ddI was less commonly discontinued than ZDV (P = 0.03).Conclusion  The combination of ddI, lamivudine, and efavirenz or nevirapine resulted in sustained viral suppression and immunological recovery.
Direct PCR‐based method for detecting Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the pine wood nematode in wood tissue of Pinus massoniana
Authors: Hu Y. Q. , Kong X. C. , Wang X. R. , Zhong T. K. , Zhu X. W. , Mota M. M. , Ren L. L. , Liu S. , Ma C. 
Published: November 2010

SummaryPine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, leads to serious losses to pine forestry around the world. Pinus massoniana, which is vulnerable to be attacked by the PWN, is the dominant species used in pine forestry in China. The objective of this study is to develop a direct PCR‐based method for detecting B. xylophilus in the wood of P. massoniana without a separate nematode extraction step. A simple procedure was first developed for isolating B. xylophilus DNA in 5 mg pine wood tissue samples harbouring PWN for detection by PCR amplification. A B. xylophilus‐specific amplicon of 403 bp (DQ855275) was generated by PCR from the infested wood tissue. The entire procedure can be completed within 5 h with one pair of primers. This assay can serve as a rapid, cheap and environmentally friendly method to detect B. xylophilus in samples of P. massoniana.
Development of the Indigenous Child‐Initiated Pretend Play Assessment: Selection of play materials and administration
Authors: Dender Alma , Stagnitti Karen 
Published: November 2010

Background:  There is a need for culturally appropriate assessments for Australian Indigenous children. This article reports the selection of culturally appropriate and gender‐neutral play materials, and changes in administration identified to develop further the Indigenous Child‐Initiated Pretend Play Assessment (I‐ChIPPA).Method:  Twenty‐three typically developing children aged four to six years from the Pilbara region in Western Australia participated in the study. Children were presented with four sets of play materials and frequency counts were recorded for each time the child used one of the play materials in a pretend play action. Twelve of the 23 children came to play in pairs.Results:  Both boys and girls used the Pilbara toy set including the dark coloured dolls and Pilbara region animals, more frequently than the standardised play materials from the Child‐Initiated Pretend Play Assessment (ChIPPA).Conclusion:  This study reports the first steps in the development of the I‐ChIPPA. Future development will include the refinement of the administration and scoring with pairs of children, and then validity testing the assessment.
Unusual double pituitary adenoma: A case report
Authors: Rotondo Fabio , Khatun Nasima , Scheithauer Bernd W. , Horvath Eva , Marotta Thomas R. , Cusimano Michael , Kovacs Kalman 
Published: November 2010

We report the case of a 60‐year‐old woman with Cushing disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large sellar and suprasellar mass involving the right cavernous sinus, consistent with pituitary macroadenoma. It was resected by transsphenoidal surgery. Light microscopy revealed two separate pituitary adenomas with different histologic and immunohistochemical features. One was amphophilic and strongly Periodic Acid‐Schiff (PAS) positive, the other chromophobic and PAS negative. The former tumor was immunopositive for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH); approximately 30% tumor cells were immunopositive for MGMT (O6‐Methylguanine‐DNA Methyl‐Transferase). The second tumor was a PAS negative, luteinizing hormone (LH) and alpha subunit immunopositive gonadotroph adenoma. In this tumor, about 90% of the cells were immunopositive for MGMT. The Ki‐67 nuclear indices of the two tumors were 6% and 2%.Our case represents a rare combination of two morphologically different pituitary adenomas, one producing ACTH and the other LH and alpha subunit. The two tumors differed not only in Ki‐67 labeling indices but in MGMT immunoexpression as well.
Workplace violence against Iranian nurses working in emergency departments
Authors: Esmaeilpour M. , Salsali M. , Ahmadi F. 
Published: November 2010

ESMAEILPOUR M., SALSALI M. & AHMADI F. (2011) Workplace violence against Iranian nurses working in emergency departments. International Nursing Review58, 130–137Background:  Nurses working in emergency departments (EDs) are in the most danger of workplace violence (WPV) because of the critical nature of the wards.Aims:  This study aimed to find the frequency and nature of physical and verbal WPV against Iranian nurses working in EDs.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was carried out using consensus sampling of 196 bachelor's degree nurses working in 11 EDs of teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The data were collected through the adapted version of a self‐administered questionnaire developed by the International Labor Office/International Council of Nurses/World Health Organization/Public Services International on WPV in the health sector. The gathered data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results:  The participants were mostly (89.1%) female and their work experiences (63.2%) in nursing were between 1 and 5 years; 19.7% of the nurses had faced physical violence. All of the physical violence incidents were without‐weapon; 91.6% of the participants experienced verbal abuse during the past year. Patients' relatives were the most common source of violence. Dissatisfaction was reported on the way the incidents were handled.Conclusion:  It is believed that finding the pattern and nature of WPV is the first step to develop suitable strategies to deal with the issue. Establishing WPV management teams and enacting appropriate laws can improve workplace safety for nurses and patients' care quality.
Perceptions of nursing students' parents regarding the profession and their college
Authors: Baykal U. , Altuntas S. 
Published: November 2010

BAYKAL U. & ALTUNTAS S. (2011) Perceptions of nursing students' parents regarding the profession and their college. International Nursing Review58, 211–217Background:  To ensure client satisfaction, it is important for all educational institutions to identify the characteristics of their clients and to consider their expectations and demands through quality studies.Aim:  The study aims to identify the perceptions of parents of nursing students regarding the nursing profession and the related educational institution.Methods:  The parents of all students attending the nursing school of a public Turkish university were included in the study. Following permission from the university management, questionnaires developed by the researchers in light of the related literature were sent to 474 parents via mail, and 133 completed questionnaires (28% response rate) were analysed statistically.Findings:  Mothers of nursing students were mostly ≤45 years of age, primary school graduates and housewives, while fathers were ≥46 years of age, at least secondary school graduates, old‐age pensioners or had an independent business. In general, the responding fathers and mothers preferred not to get involved in their children's choice of profession, perceiving nursing as a helpful and sacred profession. Therefore, they also recommended nursing to others and had no problems with the idea of male nurses.Conclusion:  Study findings demonstrated that the parents had positive attitudes towards the nursing profession and were satisfied with the nursing college.
Constructing Indigenous Subjectivities: Economic Collectivism and Identity in the Ecuadorian Amazon
Authors: Erazo Juliet 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTThis article uses a governmentality analytic to understand the efforts of indigenous leaders from the Ecuadorian Amazon to shape their organizations’ members over the past four decades, particularly efforts to promote collective engagement in market‐oriented activities. A close examination of one organization's history reveals that leaders’ subjectivity‐shaping efforts have been strongly influenced by collaborations with the state, NGOs and others. They have also been shaped by historical understandings of status and leadership. However, collaborative economic projects are also used by leaders as a tool for producing new kinds of indigenous citizens, ones that are actively engaged with larger communities of indigenous people beyond their kinship groups. Leaders see these new senses of citizenship as empowering, and as a critical precursor to planning land use and livelihoods. Thus, indigenous leaders are not simply conduits for the subjectivity‐shaping projects of the state and international development groups; nor are they simply acting in their own interest. Rather, they constitute and regulate new types of citizens to ensure the future viability of their organizations and political projects.
The ‘Politics of the Queue’: The Politicization of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania
Authors: Beckmann Nadine , Bujra Janet 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTStarting from a body of literature on movements around ‘biological citizenship’, this article analyses the political significance of HIV‐positive people's collective action in Tanzania. We explore reasons for the limited impact of Tanzanian AIDS activism on the wider political scene, concluding that the formation of a ‘movement’ is still in its infancy and faces many constraints, though some breakthroughs have been made. Participation in PLHA groups in Tanzania encourages politicizing struggles over representation, democratic forms and gender that can lead to a process of political socialization in which members learn to recognize and confront abuses of power. It is in such low‐level, less visible social transformations that the greatest potential of participation in collective action around HIV/AIDS in Tanzania lies.
Idiosyncratic use of credit facilities by consumers in an emerging economy
Authors: Erasmus Alet C , Mathunjwa Gugu Q 
Published: November 2010

AbstractA worldwide increase in household debt since the turn of the century has created considerable concern about the indebtedness of households, especially those in emerging economies that have been hit particularly hard by the global economic slump. In this study, the credit consumption of consumers in Swaziland (N = 264) was investigated by means of a survey that aimed to identify and describe factors that encouraged consumers' use of credit, the influence of credit on their buying behaviour when choosing major household appliances or furniture as well as consumers' knowledge of the conditions of credit facilities that were available for their use in retail. Findings revealed that consumers unequivocally appreciate the convenience that is associated with credit, specifically to cope with unexpected purchases, to benefit from special offers and opportunity to afford expensive goods. These advantages apparently negate the negative consequences such as high interest rates and strain on household budgets. Mean scores that were obtained in the knowledge test that only reflected upon credit agreements that respondents have actually entered into in the past, confirmed their ignorance pertaining to their contractual obligations and their consequent vulnerability. Consumers' age and gender seem to have noteworthy consequences for efforts to enhance informed consumer decision‐making. Younger females were significantly better informed that their older counterpart while the reverse was true for males, although differences were not significant. The significant inverse relationship between income and the LS‐means for the credit knowledge test differ from findings in developed countries and provide valuable opportunity for further investigation.
An Open‐Label Comparison of Nabilone and Gabapentin as Adjuvant Therapy or Monotherapy in the Management of Neuropathic Pain in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Bestard Jennifer A. , Toth Cory C. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractNeuropathic pain (NeP) is prevalent in patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN), regardless of etiology. We sought to compare the efficacy of the cannabinoid nabilone as either monotherapy or adjuvant therapy with a first‐line medication for NeP, gabapentin, in a patient population with PN‐NeP. Patients diagnosed with PN‐NeP were permitted to initiate monotherapy (nabilone or gabapentin) or add one of these two medications (adjuvant therapy) to their existing NeP treatment regimen in a non‐randomized open‐label nature. Baseline data collected included a primary outcome (visual analog scores [VAS] of pain) and secondary outcomes (quality of life [EuroQol 5 Domains and Short‐Form 36] assessments and assessments of sleep [Medical Outcomes Sleep Study Scale {MOSSS}], anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale], and pain [Brief Pain Inventory]). Reassessment and modulation of dosing and/or medications occurred at 3‐ and 6‐month intervals. Medication adverse effects and drug efficacy, as well as questionnaires, were assessed at 6 months. Matched analysis of variance testing was performed to compare 3‐ and 6‐month scores with baseline, as well as to compare therapies at equal time points. Significant improvements in pain VAS were seen in all treatment groups at 6 months. Numerous sleep parameters within MOSSS, Brief Pain Inventory, and Short‐Form 36 improved in patients receiving nabilone or gabapentin either as monotherapy or adjuvant treatment. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale‐A scores were significantly improved in all treatment groups. Sleep adequacy and the sleep problems index within the MOSSS improved in nabilone monotherapy patients in particular. The benefits of monotherapy or adjuvant therapy with nabilone appear comparable to gabapentin for management of NeP. We advocate for head‐to‐head randomized, double‐blind studies for current therapies for NeP in order to determine potential advantages beneficial in this patient population.