bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
e‐Learning and transfusion medicine
Authors: Peterson D. , Robinson K. , Verrall T. , Quested B. , Saxon B. 
Published: October 2007

Audits of clinical transfusion practice have consistently demonstrated deficiencies in knowledge and practice that impact on patient safety and in some cases result in death. These deficiencies include transfusion being prescribed inappropriately, administration of blood components using poor processes, documentation deficiencies and inadequate identification of potential transfusion recipients.Improvement needs to be driven by a multifaceted approach that includes robust systems and mechanisms to ensure compliance combined with education of staff. However, education of medical, nursing and other staff involved in the transfusion chain can be difficult. Large numbers of staff, shiftwork, varying levels of background knowledge and limited resources create significant challenges. Consideration of these problems and informal needs analysis defined a web‐based or on‐line learning tool (e‐learning) as being a suitable mechanism to assist hospitals to increase knowledge of staff.An effective e‐learning tool must be engaging, replicate an authentic learning environment, cater for various learning styles and engage the learner in the learning process. This requires knowledge of on‐line learning best‐practice, learner profiles, learning styles and the learning environment, as well as consideration of interface design, motivational tools and knowledge retention strategies.Funding was provided by the South Australian Department of Health, under the BloodSafe programme, to develop an e‐learning tool. This has resulted in a multimedia‐rich programme utilizing video, audio, animations, and case studies and didactic instruction in order to create an authentic learning environment. Learning content includes expert and peer education, case studies, interactive games and puzzles and modelling of best‐practice processes. A flexible learning pathway gives learners control over learning sequence, content viewed and assessment. Learner demographics, progress and assessment tools and records are stored in an SQL database.This tool is available for use by hospitals and healthcare institutions and professionals. Initial use has demonstrated a high degree of acceptance with participants providing strong feedback on the content, learning pathway and ease of use. Further development is being undertaken to add additional modules offering advanced content and/or a broader audience base.The initial implementation of this e‐learning tool is directed at an Australian audience, however, the content is relevant to the wider transfusion scene in the Asia‐Pacific region (and beyond) as a mechanism for educating staff involved in all steps of the transfusion chain.
Hospital transfusion committee
Authors: Ouellet P. 
Published: October 2007

Transfusion is a complex science with evidence‐based guidelines that need improvement and constant research. A lot of physicians can prescribe transfusion products and some physicians will not be frequent users.Because of these uncertainties and because of transfusion past history, a central forum is needed in the hospital to set forward discussions, consensus and to create links between the transfusion centre, the blood bank and the clinical staff.Description of the membership, mandate, and responsibilities are described and commented.
The recipient side of TRALI – the role of patient neutrophils
Authors: Fung L. 
Published: October 2007

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious and potentially fatal complication of blood transfusions. The fact that TRALI has been the top cause of transfusion‐related mortalities in the USA over the last 3 years (2004–06) [1] provides irrefutable evidence of the clinical significance of this syndrome. From this perspective, its importance in transfusion complications surpasses that of blood‐borne viruses and bacterial infections. Despite this, we still do not clearly understand the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of TRALI. This paper presents a TRALI patient or recipient perspective by discussing how thorough serological investigations can be utilized to provide evidence that patient neutrophils are the target cell and to identify the implicated donation/s when there are multiple associated donations.
Direct antiglobulin test reactive with complement only in warm type autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Authors: SHVIDEL L. , SHTALRID M. , DUEK A. , HARAN M. , BERREBI A. , SIGLER E. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryDirect antiglobulin test (DAT) with only complement detected on red blood cells is a rare laboratory finding, and its significance in the setting of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is controversial. During 2 years (2003–2004) 277 patients with positive DAT were recorded in the blood bank registries, 17 of them had DAT reactive with C3 alone with no cold agglutinin or other nonimmune causes for hemolysis diagnosed. Red cell eluate disclosed small amounts of IgG in two patients. In nine patients no signs of clinical hemolysis were found, however, all these patients had underlying conditions that are known to be associated with red cells autoantibodies (autoimmune disorder or malignancy). Eight patients developed AIHA, seven of them with severe hemolysis. Three patients had idiopathic AIHA, and the others have been diagnosed with infectious, lymphoproliferative and autoimmune disorders. In two patients with acute infection the hemolytic process spontaneously resolved, three responded to corticosteroid therapy, while three patients were refractory to two lines of drug therapy and underwent splenectomy. Reticulocytopenia was found in four patients. Our results emphasize that AIHA with DAT reactive with complement alone is a rare disorder and might be accompanied by severe, refractory to conventional treatment and life‐threatening hemolysis.
Networks of Meaning: Intergroup Relations, Cultural Worldviews, and Knowledge Activation Principles
Authors: Mendoza‐Denton Rodolfo , Hansen Nina 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn this article, we bring advances in the fields of social cognition, personality, and culture to bear on the topic of intergroup relations. Specifically, principles of knowledge activation (Higgins, 1996), and of the architecture of knowledge networks (Cervone, 2005; Mischel & Shoda, 1995) are applied to understanding how cultural groups develop divergent worldviews. We discuss these principles within a recently proposed model of culture and person dynamics, the Cultural Cognitive‐Affective Processing System (Mendoza‐Denton & Mischel, 2007). It is argued that the underlying psychological principles that govern knowledge acquisition and activation may be universal, but that the manifestations of these processes are culture specific. More precisely, culture impacts the availability, applicability, and accessibility of knowledge, as well as the organizational relationships among constructs. Together, these processes give rise to complex networks of meaning that, despite diverging across cultures, can nevertheless be communicated and understood by non‐natives of that culture.
Social Psychology and Multiculturalism
Authors: Verkuyten Maykel 
Published: October 2007

AbstractQuestions of multiculturalism give rise to lively and important debates in many countries and in many spheres of life. Diversity is considered desirable and necessary for the development of secure ethnic identities and positive intergroup relations, but is also challenged for being inequitable and a threat to social cohesion. After considering conceptions of multiculturalism and relevant country differences, the paper discusses social psychological research on multicultural attitudes and the effect of multiculturalism on intergroup relations. Subsequently, three issues are addressed that are central in debates about multiculturalism and that present additional topics for social psychological research. The first concerns the importance of intragroup processes, the second the nature of religious identity and Islam in particular, and the third issue relates to tolerance and civil liberties.
Social Constraints on Disclosure and Adjustment to Cancer
Authors: Lepore Stephen J. , Revenson Tracey A. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis article introduces the concept of social constraints on disclosure, puts it in a theoretical framework, and examines how it can affect adjustment to major life stressors using the exemplar of cancer. Cancer is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. It is often life threatening, disfiguring, and unpredictable; hence, it can undermine people's basic and often positive beliefs and expectations about themselves, their future, and social relationships. For many people with cancer, it is important to come to terms psychologically with the illness – to make sense of or somehow accept the reality of it. People often do this by thinking about different aspects of the disease and its implications for their life, but also through socially processing, or talking about, their cancer‐related thoughts, feelings, and concerns with others. When people experience social constraints on their disclosure of cancer‐related thoughts and feelings, it can adversely affect how they think and talk about their illness, their coping behaviors, and psychological adjustment. In addition to discussing mechanisms and consequences of social constraints on disclosure, we discuss some of its determinants and future research directions.
Personality, Affective Processing, and Self‐Regulation: Toward Process‐Based Views of Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Agreeableness
Authors: Robinson Michael D. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPersonality psychology seeks to be explanatory rather than merely descriptive, and the purpose of this review is to examine the viability of a cognitive processing approach to personality traits. In support of this goal, a multistage cognitive processing model is introduced. The review then seeks to link extraversion, neuroticism, and agreeableness to distinct processing operations. It is suggested that extraversion and neuroticism are systematically related to affective memory structures favoring positive and negative affect, respectively. On the other hand, it is suggested that agreeableness appears to be less closely linked to accessibility processes and more closely linked to affect and emotion control following activated hostile thoughts. Finally, recent data support developmental suggestions that individual differences in executive function appear to play an important role in moderating the neuroticism‐distress relationship. In total, the review documents recent developments in understanding the processing basis of extraversion, neuroticism, and agreeableness.
Smoking reduction and cessation reduce chronic cough in a general population: the Inter99 study
Authors: Pisinger Charlotta , Godtfredsen Nina S. , Jørgensen Torben 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground:  Chronic cough can be the first sign of chronic obstructive disease. A few, and mostly selected, studies exploring the effect of reduced daily tobacco consumption have shown a small effect on pulmonary symptoms.Aim:  The aim of this study was to examine if smoking reduction (SR) (≥50% of daily tobacco consumption) or smoking cessation (SC) had an effect on chronic cough and phlegm.Methods:  A total of 2408 daily smokers were included in a Danish population‐based intervention study, Inter99. In the analyses, we included smokers with self‐reported chronic cough or phlegm at baseline who also attended the 1‐year follow‐up. We investigated if SR or SC had improved the self‐reported pulmonary symptoms, using logistic regression analyses.Results:  Almost 34% of the smokers had chronic cough at baseline and 24.5% had chronic phlegm. Thirty‐seven persons with cough at baseline and 24 with phlegm at baseline achieved substantial SR at 1‐year follow‐up. The corresponding numbers for SC were 63 and 39, respectively. In adjusted analyses, quitting or reducing smoking was associated with less reporting of cough [odds ratio (OR): 14.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.9–34.4] and (OR: 3.7; 95% CI: 1.7–8.0), respectively, compared with unchanged smoking habits. It was also significantly more likely not to report phlegm at 1‐year follow‐up for those who had quit (OR: 7.1; 95% CI: 2.8–18.0), whereas SR was not significantly associated with termination of phlegm (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 0.9–6.4) when compared with continuous smoking.Conclusion:  SC significantly improved self‐reported chronic cough and phlegm as expected. Substantial SR was achieved by few smokers but had a significantly positive effect on chronic cough.Please cite this paper as: Pisinger C, Godtfredsen NS and Jørgensen T. Smoking reduction and cessation reduce chronic cough in a general population: the Inter99 study. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 41–46.
‘You have to learn to live with it’: a qualitative and quantitative study of older people with asthma
Authors: Goeman Dianne P. , O'Hehir Robyn E. , Jenkins Christine , Scharf Simon L. , Douglass Jo A. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIntroduction:  Asthma mortality has declined overall because of a range of public health initiatives. In western countries, the majority of asthma deaths now occur in people over the age of 50. The reasons for the poorer response of older age groups to public health asthma initiatives are not known.Objectives:  We undertook a study to investigate the disease perspectives of older people with asthma and barriers which may exist and prevent optimal asthma care.Methods:  Fifty‐five participants (16 male and 39 female) aged over 50 from an inner city, suburban area and a rural region were recruited. Lung function was measured, and questionnaire data on asthma symptoms, knowledge and control, medication use and respiratory health were collected. Participants were also interviewed in‐depth, and the quantitative and qualitative data were triangulated.Results:  Participants with a duration of asthma for >30 years reported significantly fewer symptoms and better quality of life irrespective of asthma severity, indicating less appreciation of symptoms in those with a long asthma duration. Interviews revealed this was related to previous asthma management strategies when treatment options were limited. Participants with a recent diagnosis sought understanding of asthma and the reason for their illness. Initiatives to improve asthma care in older people need to reflect these findings.Conclusions:  Self‐management strategies for older people need to be tailored according to the time of disease onset and the duration of disease.Please cite this paper as: Goeman DP, O’Hehir RE, Jenkins C, Scharf SL and Douglass JA. ‘You have to learn to live with it’: a qualitative and quantitative study of older people with asthma. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2007; 1:99–105.
Diagnosis of small hepatic nodules detected by surveillance ultrasound in patients with cirrhosis: Comparison between contrast‐enhanced ultrasound and contrast‐enhanced helical computed tomography
Authors: Dai Ying , Chen Min Hua , Fan Zhi Hui , Yan Kun , Yin Shan Shan , Zhang Xiao Peng 
Published: October 2007

Aim:  To investigate the diagnostic value for the diagnosis of small (1–2 cm) hepatic nodules detected by surveillance ultrasound in patients with cirrhosis using contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) compared with that of contrast‐enhanced helical computed tomography (CECT).Methods:  Seventy‐two liver cirrhosis patients with 103 small hepatic nodules (1–2 cm) detected by surveillance ultrasound were enrolled in the present study. All patients underwent CEUS with SonoVue as well as CECT. Nodules which appeared by contrast enhancement during the arterial phase and contrast wash‐out during the late phase on CEUS or CECT were diagnosed as malignant (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]). Histopathology obtained from biopsy or surgery served as the gold standard.Results:  According to the above diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity (i.e. rate of correct diagnosis of HCC) was 91.1% (51/56 HCC) for CEUS and the specificity (i.e. the rate of correct exclusion of HCC) was 87.2% (41/47 regenerative nodules [RN]).Therefore, the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS was 89.3% (92/103 all nodules). Using the same diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CECT were 80.4% (45/56 HCC), 97.9% (46/47 RN), and 88.4% (91/103 all nodules). Overall, there was no significant difference between CEUS and CECT in the diagnostic confidence of small hepatic nodules. Eighty‐six nodules (45 HCC and 41 RN) were correctly diagnosed by both modalities and six (five HCC and one RN) were misdiagnosed by both.Conclusion:  The ability of CEUS in the characterization of small nodules (1–2 cm) detected by surveillance US in patients with liver cirrhosis is similar to that of CECT.
Significance of chymase‐dependent angiotensin II formation in the progression of human liver fibrosis
Authors: Komeda Koji , Jin Denan , Takai Shinji , Hayashi Michihiro , Takeshita Atsushi , Shibayama Yuro , Tanigawa Nobuhiko , Miyazaki Mizuo 
Published: October 2007

Aim:  Angiotensin II may contribute to liver fibrogenesis. In addition to angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), chymase, which is expressed by mast cells, is also known to be an angiotensin II‐forming enzyme. However, it is unclear which of these two angiotensin II‐forming enzymes plays a more important role in liver cirrhosis progression. In the present study, the role of angiotensin II‐forming enzymes in the progression of liver cirrhosis was clarified.Methods:  A total of 77 patients (16 in F0 stage, 10 in F1 stage, 22 in F2 stage, 12 in F3 stage, and 17 in F4 stage) were classified according to the new Inuyama classification into a non‐cirrhosis (F0) group, an early cirrhosis (F1 + F2) group, and a chronic cirrhosis (F3 + F4) group.Results:  Both chymase and total angiotensin II‐forming activities were significantly higher in chronic cirrhosis patients than in the other two groups. However, there was nodifference among the three groups in ACE activity. On immunohistology, the number of chymase‐ and angiotensin II‐positive cells was significantly higher in the chronic cirrhosis group than in the non‐cirrhosis and early cirrhosis groups. There were significant correlations between the number of chymase‐positive cells and the number of angiotensin II‐positive cells, between the number of chymase‐positive cells and the degree of fibrosis, and between the number of angiotensin II‐positive cells and the degree of fibrosis.Conclusion:  These results suggest that chymase‐dependent angiotensin II formation may play an important role in hepatic fibrosis of patients with cirrhosis.
Program of active aging in a rural Mexican community: a qualitative approach
Authors: de la Luz Martínez-Maldonado María , Correa-Muñoz Elsa , Mendoza-Núñez Víctor Manuel 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
Education is one of the key elements in the promotion of a thorough paradigm for active aging. The aim of this study is to analyze factors that contribute the empowerment of older adults in a rural Mexican community and, thus, promote active aging.

Methods
The study was conducted in a rural Mexican community (Valle del Mezquital), based on an action-research paradigm. One hundred and fifty-five elderly subjects with elementary school education participated in a formal training program promoting gerontological development and health education. Participants in turn became coordinators of mutual-help groups (gerontological nucleus) in Mexico. In-depth interviews were carried out to assess the empowerment after training for active aging.

Results
It was found that there was an increasing feeling of empowerment, creativity and self-fulfillment among participants. Among the main factors that positively influenced training of the elderly toward active aging were the teaching of gerontology topics themselves; besides, their motivation, the self-esteem, the increased undertaking of responsibility, the feeling of belonging to the group, and the sharing of information based on personal experience and on gerontological knowledge.

Conclusion
The main factors that contribute to empowerment of older adults in a rural Mexican community for participate in active aging programs are the training and teaching of gerontology topics themselves; besides, their interest, experience and involvement.
A study of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of MRSA screening and monitoring on surgical wards using a new, rapid molecular test (EMMS)
Authors: Hardy Katherine J , Szczepura Ala , Davies Ruth , Bradbury Andrew , Stallard Nigel , Gossain Savita , Walley Paul , Hawkey Peter M 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Background
MRSA is a significant contributor to prolonged hospital stay, poor clinical outcome and increased healthcare costs amongst surgical patients. A PCR test has been developed for rapid detection of MRSA in nasal swabs. The aims of this study are (1) to estimate the effectiveness of screening using this rapid PCR tests vs culture in reducing MRSA cross-infection rates; (2) to compare the cost of each testing strategy, including subsequent health care costs; and (3) to model different policies for the early identification and control of MRSA infection in surgical patients.

Methods/Design
The study is a prospective two-period cross-over study set in 7 surgical wards covering different surgical specialities. A total of 10,000 patients > 18 years will be tested over 16 months. The only difference between the two study periods is the method used for the detection of MRSA in each ward (rapid v conventional culture), with all other infection control practices remaining consistent between the arms. The study has been designed to complement routine practice in the NHS. Outcomes are MRSA cross-infection rates (primary outcome) and need for antibiotic therapy and MRSA-related morbidity. Parallel economic and modelling studies are being conducted to aid in the interpretation of the results and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the rapid PCR screening strategy.

Discussion
This paper highlights the design, methods and operational aspects of a study evaluating rapid MRSA screening in the surgical ward setting.