bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patients’ lived experiences of a reduced intake of food and drinks during illness: a literature review
Authors: Larsen Laura Krone , Uhrenfeldt Lisbeth 
Published: March 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 184–194

Patients’ lived experiences of a reduced intake of food and drinks during illness: a literature review
Aim:  This study aims to identify patients’ lived experiences of having a reduced intake of food and drink during illness, through a literature review.Methods:  Scientific studies were selected through a systematic search of CINAHL, PubMed, SweMed, British Nursing Index, Psycinfo and EMBASE. A deductive thematic analysis was performed on the studies included. The analysis provided three main themes: (i) serving of food and drink – patient experiences. (ii) Modifications related to illness – patient experiences. (iii) Nutritional care provided by healthcare professionals nutritional care – patient experiences.Findings:  Generally speaking, the findings showed high satisfaction with the food served at hospitals. However, patients’ individual tastes and preferences as to when and where to eat were found to affect their intake of food and drink. Physical changes because of illness were stated as the main reason for the patients’ lived experiences of a reduced intake of food and drink. These experiences seemed to be related to negative feelings, such as anxiety and shame during meals. Furthermore, the literature review revealed a lack of professional assistance during meals and insufficient guidance on how to handle specific nutritional problems.Conclusions:  Patients expect committed nursing care in regard to nutritional advice during illness and assistance in meal‐related situations. Nurses need to refocus on fundamental caring.
The Effectiveness of Chronic Care Management for Heart Failure: Meta‐Regression Analyses to Explain the Heterogeneity in Outcomes
Authors: Drewes Hanneke W. , Steuten Lotte M. G. , Lemmens Lidwien C. , Baan Caroline A. , Boshuizen Hendriek C. , Elissen Arianne M. J. , Lemmens Karin M. M. , Meeuwissen Jolanda A. C. , Vrijhoef Hubertus J. M. 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveTo support decision making on how to best redesign chronic care by studying the heterogeneity in effectiveness across chronic care management evaluations for heart failure.Data SourcesReviews and primary studies that evaluated chronic care management interventions.Study DesignA systematic review including meta‐regression analyses to investigate three potential sources of heterogeneity in effectiveness: study quality, length of follow‐up, and number of chronic care model components.Principal FindingsOur meta‐analysis showed that chronic care management reduces mortality by a mean of 18 percent (95 percent CI: 0.72–0.94) and hospitalization by a mean of 18 percent (95 percent CI: 0.76–0.93) and improves quality of life by 7.14 points (95 percent CI: −9.55 to −4.72) on the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire. We could not explain the considerable differences in hospitalization and quality of life across the studies.ConclusionChronic care management significantly reduces mortality. Positive effects on hospitalization and quality of life were shown, however, with substantial heterogeneity in effectiveness. This heterogeneity is not explained by study quality, length of follow‐up, or the number of chronic care model components. More attention to the development and implementation of chronic care management is needed to support informed decision making on how to best redesign chronic care.
Impacts of Rising Health Care Costs on Families with Employment‐Based Private Insurance: A National Analysis with State Fixed Effects
Authors: Yu Hao , Dick Andrew W. 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundGiven the rapid growth of health care costs, some experts were concerned with erosion of employment‐based private insurance (EBPI). This empirical analysis aims to quantify the concern.MethodsUsing the National Health Account, we generated a cost index to represent state‐level annual cost growth. We merged it with the 1996–2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The unit of analysis is the family. We conducted both bivariate and multivariate logistic analyses.ResultsThe bivariate analysis found a significant inverse association between the cost index and the proportion of families receiving an offer of EBPI. The multivariate analysis showed that the cost index was significantly negatively associated with the likelihood of receiving an EBPI offer for the entire sample and for families in the first, second, and third quartiles of income distribution.The cost index was also significantly negatively associated with the proportion of families with EBPI for the entire year for each family member (EBPI‐EYEM). The multivariate analysis confirmed significance of the relationship for the entire sample, and for families in the second and third quartiles of income distribution.Among the families with EBPI‐EYEM, there was a positive relationship between the cost index and this group's likelihood of having out‐of‐pocket expenditures exceeding 10 percent of family income. The multivariate analysis confirmed significance of the relationship for the entire group and for families in the second and third quartiles of income distribution.ConclusionsRising health costs reduce EBPI availability and enrollment, and the financial protection provided by it, especially for middle‐class families.
Road Network Extraction in Suburban Areas
Authors: Grote Anne , Heipke Christian , Rottensteiner Franz 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn this paper, an algorithm for the extraction of road networks in suburban areas is presented. The algorithm is region‐based and uses high‐resolution colour infrared images as well as, optionally, a digital surface model (DSM). The road extraction starts with a segmentation using the normalised cuts algorithm; afterwards the segments are grouped. Road sections are extracted from the grouped segments. Road sections that are likely to belong to the same road are connected to subgraphs in the next step. To eliminate false connections in the subgraphs, context objects such as vehicles, buildings and trees are employed. The remaining road strings, represented by their centre lines, are connected to a road network. The process employs combinations of radiometric and geometric features, derived from knowledge about the appearance of roads in suburban areas. Results are presented for two test data‐sets, acquired by different sensors. A quantitative analysis is performed for the quality of the road extraction as well as the topological quality of the extracted network.
Close Range Stereophotogrammetry and Video Imagery Analyses in Soil Ecohydrology Modelling
Authors: Rossi María J. , Ares Jorge O. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractEcohydrology is an emerging discipline in the environmental sciences. Soil micro‐relief is of relevance to various ecohydrological processes such as rainwater redistribution, seed displacement through water runoff, water erosion and plant competition for water. Mechanical–optical methods to characterise the soil surface and its incidence in these processes are time consuming and can produce modifications of soil relief. This research explores a methodology combining non‐contact techniques (close range stereophotogrammetry and geostatistical modelling) for microtopographic description with video imagery analysis to formulate quantitative determination of surface water movement and infiltration in undisturbed field plots. The numerical quality of the results obtained was tested with ad hoc laboratory models representing various elementary landforms (basin, hill and ridge), as well as with infiltration runoff experiments in undisturbed field plots. The requirements to define a minimum set of properly oriented digital images to attain target precision thresholds in modelling soil microtopography for ecohydrological applications are shown as well as the conditions and experimental arrangement to obtain adequate video imagery of water movement on the soil surface. The use of geostatistical algorithms to analyse ecohydrological processes occurring at the soil surface is illustrated with results obtained from field plots. The methodology presented serves to characterise and quantify water‐related ecological processes occurring at the soil surface while preserving undisturbed soil conditions. Potential applications are in ecohydrology, soil erosion science and environmental material transport studies.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas in cirrhosis are hypervascular in comparison with those in normal livers
Authors: Xu Jing , Igarashi Saya , Sasaki Motoko , Matsubara Takashi , Yoneda Norihide , Kozaka Kazuto , Ikeda Hiroko , Kim Jihun , Yu Eunsil , Matsui Osamu , Nakanuma Yasuni 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground and AimsIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICCs) are usually adenocarcinomas with fibrotic and hypovascular stroma. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas in cirrhosis and precirrhotic liver (ICC‐cirrhosis) are increasingly being diagnosed, and can display hypervascluar enhancement resembling a hepatocellular carcinoma on dynamic imaging.MethodsIn this study using ICC‐cirrhosis (71 cases), ICC with non‐specific reactive changes (ICC‐reactive) (72 cases) and the cholangiocarcinoma component of combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma (HCC‐ICC) (30 cases), we tried to compare the tumour vasculature.ResultsIt was found that ICC‐cirrhosis and the cholangiocarcinoma component of HCC‐ICC showed a higher density of arteries and microvessels (1.59 ± 0.58/mm2 (mean ± SD) and 140 ± 43/mm2 in ICC‐cirrhosis and 1.74 ± 0.67/mm2 and 131 ± 46/mm2 in the cholangiocarcinoma component of HCC‐ICC) than in ICC‐reactive (1.26 ± 0.61/mm2 and 103 ± 45/mm2). Dynamic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that a majority of ICC‐cirrhosis displayed strong hypervascular enhancement, whereas one‐third of ICC‐reactive each showed strong, weak and no or minimal enhancement respectively. The increased vascular density was positively correlated with enhanced arterial phase of dynamic CT and MRI.ConclusionThe density of arteries and microvessels of ICC‐cirrhosis was higher than that in ICC‐reactive and comparable to that in the cholangiocarcinoma component of HCC‐ICC, and the higher density of arteries and microvessels in ICC may be responsible for the hypervascular enhancement of ICC‐cirrhosis.
Selective Contribution of Regional Adiposity, Skeletal Muscle, and Adipokines to Glucose Disposal in Older Adults
Authors: Ramachandran Ramona , Gravenstein Kristofer S. , Metter E. Jeffrey , Egan Josephine M. , Ferrucci Luigi , Chia Chee W. 
Published: March 2012

ObjectivesTo study the relationships between muscle mass, regional adiposity, and adipokines and glucose disposal in an older population.DesignCross‐sectional analysis.SettingCommunity‐dwelling volunteers from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.ParticipantsTwo hundred eighty men and 259 women with a mean age of 71.1 ± 0.4 (range 55–96) and complete data on fasting plasma adiponectin and leptin, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (plasma glucose available at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 minutes), thigh computed tomography (CT), physical activity levels, and anthropometric measures.MeasurementsParticipants were classified into eight groups according to the presence of global adiposity (body mass index > 27 kg/m2), central adiposity (waist circumference > 88 cm for women and > 102 cm for men), and low muscle mass (CT thigh, lowest sex‐specific tertile (93.8 cm2 in women and 110.7 cm2 in men) of adjusted thigh muscle area). Linear regression models were used to estimate the contribution of these eight groups to early glucose area under the curve (AUC) (t = 0–40 minutes), late glucose AUC (t = 60–120 minutes), and total glucose AUC (t = 0–120 minutes) from the OGTT.ResultsRegardless of muscle mass, individuals with a combination of central and global adiposity were more likely to have delayed glucose disposal rates (P < .05). A strong negative association was also found between circulating adiponectin levels and glucose disposal rates (early AUC, β = −0.14; late AUC, β = −0.20; and total AUC, β = −0.20; P < .05 for all three AUCs) after adjusting for regional adiposity, muscle mass, circulating leptin levels, physical activity, age, and sex.ConclusionOlder individuals with global and central adiposity may be at risk of glucose intolerance unrelated to low muscle mass.
Regional variation in the modeling of donation frequency: the case of Héma‐Québec, Canada
Authors: Cloutier Marie‐Soleil , Apparicio Philippe , Dubé Jean , Charbonneau Johanne , Delage Gilles 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: Many studies on factors that can affect the frequency of blood donation have shown the influence of several individual characteristics. However, few studies have analyzed regional variations in blood donation frequency. The objective of this article is to verify to what extent individual and geographic variables influence blood donation in the Province of Québec, Canada.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This article used a database provided by Héma‐Québec (the organization in charge of blood collection in Québec), which included 426,247 donors, who made 1.4 million donations over a period of 5 years. Using the donors' residential postal codes and those of the blood collection sites, we created two geographic variables: the distance between the donor's place of residence and his or her collection site and each donor's region of residence. We subsequently modeled the frequency of blood donation and the different donor categories (based on the number of blood donations) using both a negative binomial regression model and an ordinal logistic regression model.RESULTS: The results indicate that, once the individual characteristics have been taken into account, the geographic variables, including proximity to the collection site, have a significant impact on the frequency of blood donation. Likewise, according to the results of the negative binomial model, among the 17 regions in the Province of Québec, there are five regions where blood donation incidence rate ratios (IRRs) are very high, that is, Abitibi‐Témiscamingue (IRR, 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61‐1.95); Bas‐Saint‐Laurent (IRR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.59‐1.93); Saguenay‐Lac‐Saint‐Jean (IRR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.53‐1.84); Centre‐du‐Québec (IRR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.51‐1.83); and Chaudière‐Appalaches (IRR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.48‐1.78).CONCLUSION: Such knowledge of the geography of blood donations makes it possible to better target certain regions when planning new blood drives, to ensure a constant blood supply.
Left atrial volume index as a predictor of ventricle repolarization abnormalities in adult dialyzed patients
Authors: Zapolski Tomasz , Jaroszyński Andrzej , Drelich‐Zbroja Anna , Furmaga Jacek , Wysokiński Andrzej , Książek Andrzej , Szczerbo‐Trojanowska Małgorzata , Rudzki Sławomir 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis study was performed to investigate the relationship between left atrium (LA) volume index (LAVI) and left ventricle electrical activity presumably repolarization in end‐stage renal disease patients. Study group was consisted of 120 dialyzed patients divided into two subgroups: 57 (age 50.7 ± 7.1) were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and 73 (age 51.6 ± 7.6) were hemodialyzed (HD). All patients were undergoing three‐dimensional vectorcardiographic (VCG) monitoring to assess parameters concerning T vector: QRS‐T angle, Tel, and Taz. Standard echocardiography was performed to assess: LAmax, LAshort, LAlong. LAVI was calculated due to formula: LAVI = (π/6X [LAmax × LAshort × LAlong])/m2. LAVI in HD as well as in CAPD patients was significantly higher compared with controls (respectively: 36.29 ± 10.92; 36.41 ± 11.06; 20.64 ± 6.77 mL/m2). The calculated cutoff value of LAVI was 36.32 mL/m2. In HD patients, the strong correlations between LAVI and QRS‐T angle and Tel were determined (respectively: r = 0.407, P < 0.001 and r = 0.359, P = 0.006). Similarly in CAPD group were significant associations between LAVI and QRS‐T angle and Tel (respectively: r = 0.423, P < 0.001 and r = 0.374, P = 0.004). The QRS‐T angle, Tel and Taz are independently and markedly associated with LAVI in both HD and CAPD patients. LAVI and VCG indices are higher in both HD and CAPD patients. Correlation between QRS‐T angle and LAVI may reflect unfavorable influence on the electrical activity of the heart in dialyzed patients with left ventricle diastolic dysfunction. LAVI cutoff value is useful biomarker for stratification of ventricle repolarization disturbances in those patients.
Offline Improvement in Learning to Read a Novel Orthography Depends on Direct Letter Instruction
Authors: Bitan Tali , Booth James R. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractImprovement in performance after the end of the training session, termed “Offline improvement,” has been shown in procedural learning tasks. We examined whether Offline improvement in learning a novel orthography depends on the type of reading instruction. Forty‐eight adults received multisession training in reading nonsense words, written in an artificial script. Participants were trained in one of three conditions: alphabetical words preceded by direct letter instruction (Letter‐Alph); alphabetical words with whole‐word instruction (Word‐Alph); and nonalphabetical (arbitrary) words with whole‐word instruction (Word‐Arb). Offline improvement was found only for the Letter‐Alph group. Moreover, correlation with a standardized measure of word reading ability showed that good readers trained in the Letter‐Alph group exhibit greater Offline improvement, whereas good readers trained in the Word‐Arb group showed greater Within‐session improvement during training. These results suggest that different consolidation processes and learning mechanisms were involved in each group. We argue that providing a short block of direct letter instruction prior to training resulted in increased involvement of procedural learning mechanisms during training.
Successful use of cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone to treat a case of relapsed POEMS
Authors: Warsame Rahma , Kohut Ingrid E. , Dispenzieri Angela 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPOEMS syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic condition related to myeloma. Because it is rare, there is very little known about treatment options. The use of potentially neurotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs is of concern in a disease whose major manifestation is neuropathy. Herein, we describe an extraordinary response to the combination of cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) in a patient with relapsed, life‐threatening POEMS syndrome.
Expression of carbonic anhydrases I/II and the correlation to clinical aspects of oral squamous cell carcinoma analyzed using tissue microarray
Authors: Liu Chia‐Ming , Lin Yueh‐Min , Yeh Kun‐Tu , Chen Mu‐Kuan , Chang Jer‐Hwa , Chen Chih‐Jung , Chou Ming‐Yung , Yang Shun‐Fa , Chien Ming‐Hsien 
Published: March 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 533–539Background:  Carbonic anhydrases (CA), a family of metalloenzymes, play an important role in catalyzing the equilibration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbonic acid (H2CO3). The role of CAs in tumorigenesis is controversial, especially regarding the expression of CA isoenzymes between various tumor types. This study explores the correlation between the expressions of CA I and CA II and the characteristic features of oral cancer.Methods:  We immunohistochemically examined the expressions of CA I and CA II in 279 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using tissue microarrays. Additionally, the oral cancer cell line SCC‐9 was used to confirm the relationship between CA I and CA II expression and cell growth.Results:  We found a significant correlation between positive CA I and CA II stains and OSCC for more advanced clinical stage (P = 0.014 or 0.012) and larger tumor size (P = 0.008 or 0.038), but not for positive lymph node metastasis, distal metastasis, and recurrence. In vitro analysis also showed that treatment with a CA inhibitor, acetazolamide, inhibited the growth of SCC‐9 cells.Conclusion:  We conclude that expressions of CA I and CA II in OSCC samples can be used to predict local tumor growth in OSCC patients.
Epidermal growth factor receptor copy number in potentially malignant oral disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma: a short communication and preliminary study
Authors: Bagan Jose V. , Mata‐Roig Manuel , Cortio‐Gimeno Julio , Murillo‐Cortes Judith , Hens‐Aumente Elena , Poveda‐Roda Rafael , Bagan Leticia 
Published: March 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 662–666Introduction:  This preliminary study compared the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) copy number in patients with potentially malignant oral disorders (PMODs) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).Material and methods:  Group 1 comprised 20 patients with oral leukoplakia and group 2 comprised 19 cases of OSCC. We estimated the EGFR copy number in both groups using real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. We used laser microdissection (LMD) for EGFR amplification, and overexpression was performed.Results:  The EGFR copy number was higher in group 2 (9.1 ± 6.2) than in group 1 (3.8 ± 1.5). The greatest copy number was found in the non‐homogeneous leukoplakias, but the difference in homogeneous cases was not significant (Mann–Whitney test, P > 0.05). In group 2, the EGFR copy number was higher in advanced stages than in early stages, but again lacked statistical significance.Conclusions:  The EGFR copy number may be a useful biomolecular marker to differentiate PMODs from OSCC. The EGFR was higher in non‐homogeneous leukoplakias and in the advanced stages of OSCC.
Comparison of effects of clodronate and zoledronic acid on the repair of maxilla surgical wounds – histomorphometric, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kB ligand, osteoprotegerin, von Willebrand factor, and caspase‐3 evaluation
Authors: Vasconcelos Ana C. U. , Berti‐Couto Soraya A. , Azambuja Alan A. , Salum Fernanda G. , Figueiredo Maria A. , da Silva Vinícius D. , Cherubini Karen 
Published: March 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 702–712Background:  The aim of this study was to compare clodronate and zoledronic acid regarding their influence on the repair of surgical wounds in maxillae (soft tissue wound and tooth extraction) and their relation to osteonecrosis.Material and methods:  Thirty‐four Wistar rats were allocated into three groups according to the treatment received: (i) 12 animals treated with zoledronic acid, (ii) 12 animals treated with clodronate and (iii) 10 animals that were given saline solution. All animals were subjected to tooth extractions and surgically induced soft tissue injury. Histological analysis of the wound sites was performed by means of hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemical staining for receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), von Willebrand factor, and caspase‐3.Results:  The zoledronic acid group showed higher incidence of non‐vital bone than did the clodronate group at the tooth extraction site. At the soft tissue wound site, there were no significant differences in non‐vital bone between the test groups. RANKL, OPG, von Willebrand factor, and caspase‐3 did not show significant differences between the groups for both sites of surgical procedures.Conclusion:  Both of the bisphosphonates zoledronic acid and clodronate are capable of inducing maxillary osteonecrosis. Immunohistochemical analysis suggests that the involvement of soft tissues as the initiator of osteonecrosis development is less probable than has been pointed out.