bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Examination of the Medical Aspects of Cremation Certification: Are the Medical Certificates Required under the Cremation Act Effective or Necessary?
Authors: James D.S. 
Published: October 2011

Assisted suicide is a topical issue which has been brought to public attention recently through international cases and legislation. In particular, a recent case in the Netherlands concerning the assisted suicide of a depressed patient, and the pro assisted suicide legislation in Oregon, raise disturbing issues especially for advocates representing people with mental or terminal illness. The justifications for assisted suicide for both groups appear similar since both are vulnerable. Their vulnerability stems either from physical and emotional exhaustion caused by disease or mental distress and depression (J. Griffiths, 1994), which is often concomitant with physical disease (J. Billings, S. Block, 1994). Therefore, it is valuable to analyse the issues raised by assisted suicide for people with depression in either group. The arguments for assisted suicide are manifold, but the way in which society responds highlights inherent assumptions regarding the quality of life of people with depression. The limited rights and protections for people with mental disabilities in Britain emphasise the necessity for ethical inquiry and advocacy on behalf of these individuals. However, a conflict may arise for the advocate who opposes the ultimate outcome, death, yet values legal representation of the stated desires of the client.
Disability Discrimination and Higher Education in England and Wales and Australia Compared
Authors: Marshall Kim 
Published: October 2011

In its original form the provisions of the UK Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) contained little of practical help to students with disabilities. This situation was rectified when the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Act (SENDA) was passed in 2001 becoming the new Part 4 of the DDA. From 2002 legal duties not to discriminate against students with disabilities came into effect. In the Commonwealth of Australia a very different attitude towards disability discrimination has been demonstrated by having legislation to combat disability discrimination in place since 1992, which included specific provisions on education from the outset. The purpose of this article is to examine the approach taken in both jurisdictions towards the use of the anti-discrimination statutes and consider the effectiveness of the legislation in preventing discrimination on the ground of disability in higher education. The paper will examine points of similarity and divergence in the respective systems regarding the application of anti-disability discrimination laws to higher education as well as look to the longer established jurisprudence of the Australian courts for potential guidance that may be helpful to the nascent Part 4 of the DDA and the types of issues that may arise.
Sexual Harassment Law in France
Authors: Hannelais Joëlle , Gillot Thierry 
Published: October 2011

The first laws concerning sexual harassment were passed by the French Parliament in 1992 following the recommendations of the Commission of 27 November 1991 on the protection of the dignity of men and women in the workplace. The law also obliges employers to take all necessary measures to prevent acts of harassment. Sexual harassment is also a crime in France. This article describes the operation and application of those laws, noting the narrow definition of sexual harassment when compared to European Community law. Relatively few sexual harassment complaints have been filed in France, but this may equally be the result of confidential conciliation of complaints as of the restrictive application of the law.
Exploitation of Child Domestic Labourers: The Limits of the Current Law
Authors: Zia Mansoor Farkhanda 
Published: October 2011

In spite of the superfluity of international laws prohibiting child labour there is irrefutable evidence of an increase in the problem, especially in the informal sector, which is easier to conceal. The extensive use of children as domestic labourers is one of the most hidden forms of child labour, which leaves vulnerable children at risk of psychological and sexual abuse and economic exploitation. This article undertakes an examination of the situation of the child domestic labourer. It tries to explore the legal framework for the protection of child domestic labourers and analyses shortcomings in child labour legislation. Further, the article highlights crucial issues relating to the impact of legislation on the situation of child domestic labourers who are working in the homes of their employers. It also examines the policy and response of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in combating child domestic labour. It argues for the necessity of extending the scope of existing laws and advocates a comprehensive legal framework for their proper enforcement. These policies would strengthen the legal safeguards for the protection of the rights of child domestic labourers.
Does clozapine cause or worsen obsessive compulsive symptoms? An analysis and literature review
Authors: Bleakley Stephen , Brown David , Taylor David 
Published: October 2011

Background: Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic in treatment-resistant schizophrenia but its use portends with a high burden of adverse reactions. One adverse event reported both in case reports and cross-sectional surveys is the emergence or worsening of obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS). Objectives: This study presents a retrospective review of a UK cohort of clozapine-treated individuals with the aim to further investigate the complex relationship between clozapine and OCS. Methods: An extensive review of the medical records of 49 patients receiving clozapine in the Southampton area was undertaken. We searched for a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder, signs or symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder or the prescribing of selected antidepressants the year before clozapine initiation and the year after. Results: Fifteen patients (31%) had reports of OCS during the 2-year data collection period. Twelve patients (24%) had OCS before clozapine initiation while only 7 (14%) had symptoms after clozapine was initiated. De novo OCS were reported in three (6%) cases after 5–9 months of clozapine treatment. Conclusions: As with previous studies it was not possible to establish a definitive link between clozapine and OCS. Clinicians should be mindful of the common comorbidity of OCS and schizophrenia and the possible increased risk incurred when starting clozapine.
Metabolic, endocrinologic and cardiac effects of amisulpride: a 24-week follow-up study
Authors: Kotan Zeynep , Ertepe Berrin , Akkaya Cengiz , Sarandol Emre , Ozkaya Güven , Kirli Selçuk 
Published: October 2011

Background: Amisulpride is a second-generation antipsychotic which has been proved to be effective in the control of both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In this study we aimed to determine metabolic, endocrinologic and cardiac effects of amisulpride commonly used in our clinical practice. Methods: A total of 18 patients (11 males, 7 females) diagnosed with schizophrenia received amisulpride at the dosage of 800 mg/day and were followed up for 24 weeks. Positive and negative psychotic symptoms, extrapyramidal and sexual side effects, metabolic, endocrinologic and cardiac parameters were evaluated at regular intervals. Results: Significant improvement in both positive and negative symptoms was observed in patients starting from the second week of treatment. Prolactin levels increased significantly both in men and women starting from the measurement on day 4. Prolactin elevation was significantly higher in women than in men. Increase in total cholesterol level became significant at week 24. No other significant difference was observed between weeks 1 and 24 regarding the other parameters. Conclusions: The clinical data from the present study supports the fact that amisulpride is an effective and safe antipsychotic drug, but elevates prolactin levels in both sexes.
Trends in the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis in Italy between 1991 and 2010
Authors: de Marco R. , Cappa V. , Accordini S. , Rava M. , Antonicelli L. , Bortolami O. , Braggion M. , Bugiani M. , Casali L. , Cazzoletti L. , Cerveri I. , Fois A.G. , Girardi P. , Locatelli F. , Marcon A. , Marinoni A. , Panico M.G. , Pirina P. , Villani S. , Zanolin M.E. , Verlato G. 
Published: October 2011

The prevalence of asthma increased worldwide until the 1990s, but since then there has been no clear temporal pattern.The present study aimed to assess time trends in the prevalence of current asthma, asthma-like symptoms and allergic rhinitis in Italian adults from 1990 to 2010.The same screening questionnaire was administered by mail or phone to random samples of the general population (age 20–44 yrs) in Italy, in the frame of three multicentre studies: the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) (1991–1993; n=6,031); the Italian Study on Asthma in Young Adults (ISAYA) (1998–2000; n=18,873); and the Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases (GEIRD) study (2007–2010; n=10,494). Time trends in prevalence were estimated using Poisson regression models in the centres that repeated the survey at different points in time.From 1991 to 2010, the median prevalence of current asthma, wheezing and allergic rhinitis increased from 4.1% to 6.6%, from 10.1% to 13.9% and from 16.8% to 25.8%, respectively. The prevalence of current asthma was stable during the 1990s and increased (relative risk 1.38, 95% CI 1.19–1.59) from 1998–2000 to 2007–2010, mainly in subjects who did not report allergic rhinitis. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis has increased continuously since 1991.The asthma epidemic is not over in Italy. During the past 20 yrs, asthma prevalence has increased by 38%, in parallel with a similar increase in asthma-like symptoms and allergic rhinitis.
Quantitative assessment of chronic lung disease of infancy using computed tomography
Authors: Sarria E.E. , Mattiello R. , Rao L. , Tiller C.J. , Poindexter B. , Applegate K.E. , Granroth-Cook J. , Denski C. , Nguyen J. , Yu Z. , Hoffman E. , Tepper R.S. 
Published: October 2011

The aims of this study were to determine whether infants and toddlers with chronic lung disease of infancy (CLDI) have smaller airways and lower lung density compared with full-term healthy controls.Multi-slice computed tomography (CT) chest scans were obtained at elevated lung volumes during a brief respiratory pause in sedated infants and toddlers; 38 CLDI were compared with 39 full-term controls. For CLDI subjects, gestational age at birth ranged from 25 to 29 weeks. Airway size was measured for the trachea and the next three to four generations into the right lower lobe; lung volumes and tissue density were also measured.The relationship between airway size and airway generation differed between the CLDI and full-term groups; the sizes of the first and second airway generations were larger in the shorter CLDI than in the shorter full-term subjects. The increased size in the airways in the CLDI subjects was associated with increasing mechanical ventilation time in the neonatal period. CLDI subjects had a greater heterogeneity of lung density compared with full-term subjects.Our results indicate that quantitative analysis of multi-slice CT scans at elevated volumes provides important insights into the pulmonary pathology of infants and toddlers with CLDI.
Long-term follow-up after bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in patients with emphysema
Authors: Venuta Federico , Anile Marco , Diso Daniele , Carillo Carolina , De Giacomo Tiziano , D'Andrilli Antonio , Fraioli Francesco , Rendina Erino A. , Coloni Giorgio F. 
Published: October 2011

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) is a novel emphysema therapy. We evaluated long-term outcome in patients with heterogeneous emphysema undergoing BLVR with one-way valves.40 patients undergoing unilateral BLVR entered our study. Pre-operative mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 0.88 L·s−1(23%), total lung capacity was 7.45 L (121%), intrathoracic gas volume was 6 L (174%), residual volume (RV) was 5.2 L (232%), and the 6-min walk test (6MWT) was 286 m. All patients required supplemental oxygen; the Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea score was 3.9. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) results were reviewed to assess the presence of interlobar fissures.33 patients had a follow-up of >12 months (median 32 months). 37.5% of the patients had visible interlobar fissures. 40% of the patients died during follow-up. Three patients were transplanted and one underwent lung volume reduction surgery. Supplemental oxygen, FEV1, RV, 6MWT and MRC score showed a statistically significant improvement (p≤0.0001, p=0.004, p=0.03, p=0.003 and p<0.0001, respectively). Patients with visible fissures had a functional advantage.BLVR is feasible and safe. Long-term sustained improvements can be achieved. HRCT-visible interlobar fissures are a favourable prognostic factor.
Resolution of acute lung injury and inflammation: a translational mouse model
Authors: Patel Brijesh V. , Wilson Michael R. , Takata Masao 
Published: October 2011

Previous animal models of acute lung injury (ALI) are limited as they only reproduce part of the complex pathobiology of clinical ALI. Here we develop a translational mouse model of ALI, which not only reflects the major clinical and pathological features but also enables investigation into ALI resolution.Anaesthetised mice underwent orotracheal instillation of hydrochloric acid. During the immediate period after instillation, mice were carefully maintained with supplemental oxygen to avoid mortality. At specified time-points, lung injury was assessed by analysis of blood gases, respiratory mechanics, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, alveolar fluid clearance and lung histology.Animals exhibited significant weight loss, decreased oxygenation, increased respiratory elastance and pulmonary inflammation (intra-alveolar leukocyte influx/cytokine levels and histological injury scores). Moreover, mice displayed alveolar–capillary barrier dysfunction/epithelial injury as reflected by increased alveolar protein, lung wet/dry weight ratio and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products, as well as reduced alveolar fluid clearance. These injury parameters peaked between days 1 and 3, followed by almost complete recovery over days 5–10. Histology showed evidence of fibrosis on day 10.The results indicate that this resolving model of acid aspiration represents a powerful experimental tool to investigate the injurious, inflammatory, fibrotic, and resolving and reparative processes of ALI.
Unmasking tuberculosis in the era of antiretroviral treatment
Authors: Lapadula Giuseppe , Soria Alessandro , Bandera Alessandra , Squillace Nicola , Sabbatini Francesca , Franzetti Fabio , Migliori Giovanni Battista , Gori Andrea 
Published: October 2011

Tuberculosis (TB) can develop soon after antiretroviral treatment initiation, as the result of restoration of the anti-TB specific immune response. This form of the disease is often defined as “unmasked TB”, and it represents a major challenge for severely immune-suppressed HIV-infected subjects initiating treatment. Emergence of previously unrecognised TB disease occurs frequently in countries where TB/HIV co-infection is common, and where antiretroviral treatment has become increasingly accessible. The challenges posed by unmasked TB, such as its high incidence, the lack of reliable diagnostic tools and the uncertainties on its optimal management, may hamper our ability to face the TB/HIV epidemic. Therefore, unmasked TB appears a major threat to global health and poses additional barriers to successful HIV/AIDS care and treatment programmes.This review focuses on the epidemiology, immunopathogenesis and clinical manifestations of unmasked TB, and provides evidence-based recommendations for management and care of the disease.
Scenario driven data modelling: a method for integrating diverse sources of data and data streams
Authors: Griffith Shelton D , Quest Daniel J , Brettin Thomas S , Cottingham Robert W 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
Biology is rapidly becoming a data intensive, data-driven science. It is essential that data is represented and connected in ways that best represent its full conceptual content and allows both automated integration and data driven decision-making. Recent advancements in distributed multi-relational directed graphs, implemented in the form of the Semantic Web make it possible to deal with complicated heterogeneous data in new and interesting ways.

Results
This paper presents a new approach, scenario driven data modelling (SDDM), that integrates multi-relational directed graphs with data streams. SDDM can be applied to virtually any data integration challenge with widely divergent types of data and data streams. In this work, we explored integrating genetics data with reports from traditional media. SDDM was applied to the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase gene (NDM-1), an emerging global health threat. The SDDM process constructed a scenario, created a RDF multi-relational directed graph that linked diverse types of data to the Semantic Web, implemented RDF conversion tools (RDFizers) to bring content into the Sematic Web, identified data streams and analytical routines to analyse those streams, and identified user requirements and graph traversals to meet end-user requirements.

Conclusions
We provided an example where SDDM was applied to a complex data integration challenge. The process created a model of the emerging NDM-1 health threat, identified and filled gaps in that model, and constructed reliable software that monitored data streams based on the scenario derived multi-relational directed graph. The SDDM process significantly reduced the software requirements phase by letting the scenario and resulting multi-relational directed graph define what is possible and then set the scope of the user requirements. Approaches like SDDM will be critical to the future of data intensive, data-driven science because they automate the process of converting massive data streams into usable knowledge.
Evaluation of the coverage and depth of transcriptome by RNA-Seq in chickens
Authors: Wang Ying , Ghaffari Noushin , Johnson Charles D , Braga-Neto Ulisses M , Wang Hui , Chen Rui , Zhou Huaijun 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
RNA-Seq is the recently developed high-throughput sequencing technology for profiling the entire transcriptome in any organism. It has several major advantages over current hybridization-based approach such as microarrays. However, the cost per sample by RNA-Seq is still prohibitive for most laboratories. With continued improvement in sequence output, it would be cost-effective if multiple samples are multiplexed and sequenced in a single lane with sufficient transcriptome coverage. The objective of this analysis is to evaluate what sequencing depth might be sufficient to interrogate gene expression profiling in the chicken by RNA-Seq.

Results
Two cDNA libraries from chicken lungs were sequenced initially, and 4.9 million (M) and 1.6 M (60 bp) reads were generated, respectively. With significant improvements in sequencing technology, two technical replicate cDNA libraries were re-sequenced. Totals of 29.6 M and 28.7 M (75 bp) reads were obtained with the two samples. More than 90% of annotated genes were detected in the data sets with 28.7-29.6 M reads, while only 68% of genes were detected in the data set with 1.6 M reads. The correlation coefficients of gene expression between technical replicates within the same sample were 0.9458 and 0.8442. To evaluate the appropriate depth needed for mRNA profiling, a random sampling method was used to generate different number of reads from each sample. There was a significant increase in correlation coefficients from a sequencing depth of 1.6 M to 10 M for all genes except highly abundant genes. No significant improvement was observed from the depth of 10 M to 20 M (75 bp) reads.

Conclusion
The analysis from the current study demonstrated that 30 M (75 bp) reads is sufficient to detect all annotated genes in chicken lungs. Ten million (75 bp) reads could detect about 80% of annotated chicken genes, and RNA-Seq at this depth can serve as a replacement of microarray technology. Furthermore, the depth of sequencing had a significant impact on measuring gene expression of low abundant genes. Finally, the combination of experimental and simulation approaches is a powerful approach to address the relationship between the depth of sequencing and transcriptome coverage.
Overall and worst gleason scores are equally good predictors of prostate cancer progression
Authors: Tolonen Teemu T , Kujala Paula M , Tammela Teuvo LJ , Tuominen Vilppu J , Isola Jorma J , Visakorpi Tapio 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
Gleason scoring has experienced several modifications during the past decade. So far, only one study has compared the prognostic abilities of worst (WGS) and overall (OGS) modified Gleason scores after the ISUP 2005 conference. Prostatic needle biopsies are individually paraffin-embedded in 57% of European pathology laboratories, whereas the rest of laboratories embed multiple (2 - 6) biopsies per one paraffin-block. Differences in the processing method can have a far-reaching effect, because reporting of the Gleason score (GS) is different for individually embedded and pooled biopsies, and GS is one of the most important factors when selecting treatment for patients.

Methods
The study material consisted of needle biopsies from 236 prostate cancer patients that were endocrine-treated in 1999-2003. Biopsies from left side and right side were embedded separately. Haematoxylin-eosin-stained slides were scanned and analyzed on web-based virtual microscopy. Worst and overall Gleason scores were assessed according to the modified Gleason score schema after analyzing each biopsy separately. The compound Gleason scores (CGS) were obtained from the original pathology reports. Two different grade groupings were used: GS 6 or less vs. 7 vs. 8 or above; and GS 7(3 + 4) or less vs. 7(4 + 3) and 8 vs. 9-10. The prognostic ability of the three scoring methods to predict biochemical progression was compared with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

Results
The median follow-up time of the patients was 64.5 months (range 0-118). The modified GS criteria led to upgrading of the Gleason sums compared to the original CGS from the pathology reports 1999-2003 (mean 7.0 for CGS, 7.5 for OGS, 7.6 for WGS). In 43 cases WGS was > OGS. In a univariate analysis the relative risks were 2.1 (95%-confidence interval 1.8-2.4) for CGS, 2.5 (2.1-2.8) for OGS, and 2.6 (2.2-2.9) for WGS. In a multivariate analysis, OGS was the only independent prognostic factor.

Conclusions
All of the three Gleason scoring methods are strong predictors of biochemical recurrence. The use of modified Gleason scoring leads to upgrading of GS, but also improves the prognostic value of the scoring. No significant prognostic differences between OGS and WGS could be shown, which may relate to the apparent narrowing of the GS scale from 2-10 to 5-10 due to the recent modifications.