bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between an inflammation-based prognostic score (Glasgow Prognostic Score) and changes in serum biochemical variables in patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Brown D J F , Milroy R , Preston T , McMillan D C 
Published: April 2006

Background:The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), an inflammation-based prognostic score formed from standard thresholds of C reactive protein (CRP) and albumin, has prognostic value in patients with advanced cancer. Little is known about the general biochemical disturbance associated with the systemic inflammatory response in cancer.Aim:To examine the relationship between the GPS and blood biochemistry in patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancer.Methods:The GPS (albumin <35 g/l = 1 and CRP >10 mg/l = 1 combined to form a prognostic score of 0 (normal) and 1 or 2 (abnormal)) and a variety of biochemical variables were examined in patients (n = 50) with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer and in a healthy control group (n = 13).Results:The GPS was normal in all the controls, but abnormal in 78% of the cancer group. Serum levels of sodium, chloride, creatine kinase, zinc and vitamin D were lower in the cancer group (all p<0.01), whereas levels of calcium, copper (both p<0.05), alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase (both p<0.001) and lactate dehydrogenase (p<0.10) were raised. In the patient group, with increasing GPS, there was a median reduction in Karnofsky Performance Status (25%), haemoglobin (22%), sodium (3%), zinc (15%) and survival (93%, all p<0.05) and a median increase in white cell count (129%), alkaline phosphatase (217%), γ-glutamyl transferase (371%) and lactate dehydrogenase (130%, all p<0.05). CRP levels were strongly and similarly correlated with alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transferase, accounting for more than 25% of the variation in their activities.Conclusion:Several correlations were seen between biochemical variables and increasing GPS. In particular, chronic activation of the systemic inflammatory response in cancer was associated with increase in γ-glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase activity in patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancer.
Informed choice of pregnant women in prenatal screening tests for Down’s syndrome
Authors: Chiang H-H , Chao Y-M (Yu) , Yuh Y-S 
Published: April 2006

Background:Although maternal serum screening (MSS) for Down’s syndrome has become routinely available in most obstetric clinics in many countries, few studies have addressed the reasons why women agree to undergo the MSS test.Objectives:The aims of this study were to describe the circumstances in which MSS was offered to pregnant women and their reasons for undertaking it.Methods:Participant observation and in depth interviews were used in this study; specifically, the experiences of women who had a positive result for MSS and who then followed this up with amniocentesis were examined. The interviewees were twenty six mothers aged between 22 and 35 years. The interviews were audio taped and transcribed for analysis. The results were analysed by the constant comparative method.Results:This study identified the reasons on which pregnant women appeared to base their decisions when undergoing MSS. The reasons were first, the recognition that the procedure was a prenatal routine procedure; second, the need to avoid the risk of giving birth to a baby with Down’s syndrome, and third, a trust in modern technology and in the professional authorities.Conclusions:This study offers insights into the informed choice made by women with a positive MSS result. The reasons for undergoing MSS might help health professionals and policy makers to reflect on their practice and this may, in turn, improve the quality of prenatal care during MSS.
Occupational trichloroethylene exposure and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a meta-analysis and review
Authors: Mandel J H , Kelsh M A , Mink P J , Alexander D D , Kalmes R M , Weingart M , Yost L , Goodman M 
Published: April 2006

Methods:Meta-analysis and review of 14 occupational cohort and four case-control studies of workers exposed to trichloroethylene (TCE) to investigate the relation between TCE exposure and the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Studies were selected and categorised based on a priori criteria, and results from random effects meta-analyses are presented.Results:The summary relative risk estimates (SRRE) for the group of cohort studies that had more detailed information on TCE exposure was 1.29 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.66) for the total cohort and 1.59 (95% CI 1.21 to 2.08) for the seven studies that identified a specific TCE exposed sub-cohort. SRREs for three studies with cumulative exposure information were 1.8 (95% CI 0.62 to 5.26) for the lowest exposure category and 1.41 (95% CI 0.61 to 3.23) for the highest category. Comparison of SRREs by levels of TCE exposure did not indicate exposure-response trends. The remaining cohort studies that identified TCE exposure but lacked detailed exposure information had an SRRE of 0.843 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.98). Case-control studies had an SRRE of 1.39 (95% CI 0.62 to 3.10). Statistically significant findings for the Group 1 studies were driven by the results from the subgroup of multiple industry cohort studies (conducted in Europe) (SRRE = 1.86; 95% CI 1.27 to 2.71). The SRRE for single industry cohort studies was not significantly elevated (SRRE = 1.25; 95% CI 0.87 to 1.79).Conclusions:Interpretation of overall findings is hampered by variability in results across the Group 1 studies, limited exposure assessments, lack of evidence of exposure response trends, lack of supportive information from toxicological and mechanistic data, and absence of consistent findings in epidemiologic studies of exposure and NHL. Although a modest positive association was found in the TCE sub-cohort analysis, a finding attributable to studies that included workers from multiple industries, there is insufficient evidence to suggest a causal link between TCE exposure and NHL.
The characterization of amphibian nucleoplasmins yields new insight into their role in sperm chromatin remodeling
Authors: Frehlick Lindsay J , Eirín-López José María , Jeffery Erin D , Hunt Donald F , Ausió Juan 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
Nucleoplasmin is a nuclear chaperone protein that has been shown to participate in the remodeling of sperm chromatin immediately after fertilization by displacing highly specialized sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs), such as protamine (P type) and protamine-like (PL type) proteins, from the sperm chromatin and by the transfer of histone H2A-H2B. The presence of SNBPs of the histone type (H type) in some organisms (very similar to the histones found in somatic tissues) raises uncertainty about the need for a nucleoplasmin-mediated removal process in such cases and poses a very interesting question regarding the appearance and further differentiation of the sperm chromatin remodeling function of nucleoplasmin and the implicit relationship with SNBP diversity The amphibians represent an unique opportunity to address this issue as they contain genera with SNBPs representative of each of the three main types: Rana (H type); Xenopus (PL type) and Bufo (P type).

Results
In this work, the presence of nucleoplasmin in oocyte extracts from these three organisms has been assessed using Western Blotting. We have used mass spectrometry and cloning techniques to characterize the full-length cDNA sequences of Rana catesbeiana and Bufo marinus nucleoplasmin. Northern dot blot analysis shows that nucleoplasmin is mainly transcribed in the egg of the former species. Phylogenetic analysis of nucleoplasmin family members from various metazoans suggests that amphibian nucleoplasmins group closely with mammalian NPM2 proteins.

Conclusion
We have shown that these organisms, in striking contrast to their SNBPs, all contain nucleoplasmins with very similar primary structures. This result has important implications as it suggests that nucleoplasmin's role in chromatin assembly during early zygote development could have been complemented by the acquisition of a new function of non-specifically removing SNBPs in sperm chromatin remodeling. This acquired function would have been strongly determined by the constraints imposed by the appearance and differentiation of SNBPs in the sperm.
Quality of life of people with dementia in residential care homes
Authors: Hoe J. , Hancock G. , Livingston G. , Orrell M. 
Published: April 2006

BackgroundMany people with dementia live in residential homes, but little is known about their quality of life.AimsTo compare the views of residents with dementia with the views of staff as to their quality of life, and to look at factors associated with these ratings.MethodThe Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD) scale was used to rate residents' and staff's perceptions of the quality of life of 238 residents of 24 residential homes in the UK.ResultsThere were 119 QoL-AD scales completed by both residents and staff. For the residents, high QoL-AD scores strongly correlated with lower scores for depression (ρ=–0.53, P < 0.0001) and anxiety (ρ= –0.50, P < 0.001). In contrast, better quality of life as rated by staff correlated most strongly with increased dependency (ρ=–0.53, P < 0.001) and behaviour problems (ρ=–0.40, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe QoL-AD could be used as an effective measure of the quality of life of people with dementia in residential homes. Whereas mood was the main predictor of residents' own assessment of their quality of life, staff ratings were strongly linked with dependency. Staff should be aware that mood rather than level of dependency has agreater impacton residents' quality of life.
Pharmacological treatment for unipolar psychotic depression
Authors: Wijkstra Jaap , Lijmer Jeroen , Balk Ferdi J. , Geddes John R. , Nolen Willem A. 
Published: April 2006

BackgroundThe optimal pharmacological treatment of unipolar psychotic depression is uncertain.AimsTo compare the clinical effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for patients with unipolar psychotic depression.MethodSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.ResultsTen trials were included in the review. We found no evidence that the combination of an antidepressant with an antipsychotic is more effective than an antidepressant alone. This combination was statistically more effective than an antipsychotic alone.ConclusionsAntidepressant mono-therapy and adding an antipsychotic if the patient does not respond, or starting with the combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic, both appear to be appropriate options for patients with unipolar psychotic depression. However, clinically the balance between risks and benefits may suggest the first option should be preferred for many patients. Starting with an antipsychotic alone appears to be inadequate.
Agoraphobia in adults: Incidence and longitudinal relationship with panic
Authors: Bienvenu O. Joseph , Onyike Chiadi U. , Stein Murray B. , Chen Li-Shiun , Samuels Jack , Nestadt Gerald , Eaton William W. 
Published: April 2006

BackgroundTheories regarding how spontaneous panic and agoraphobia relate are based mostly on cross-sectional and/or clinic data.AimsTo determine how spontaneous panic and agoraphobia relate longitudinally, and to estimate the incidence rate of and other possible risk factors for first-onset agoraphobia, using a general population cohort.MethodA sample of 1920 adults in east Baltimore were assessed in 1981 -1982 and the mid-1990s with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). Psychiatristdiagnoses were made in a subset of the sample at follow-up (n=816).ResultsForty-one new cases of DIS/DSM–III–R agoraphobia were identified (about 2 per 1000 person-years at risk). As expected, baseline DIS/DSM-III panic disorder predicted first incidence of agoraphobia (OR=12, 95% CI 3.2-45), as did younger age, female gender and other phobias. Importantly, baseline agoraphobia without spontaneous panic attacks also predicted first incidence of panic disorder (OR=3.9, 95% CI 1.8-8.4). Longitudinal relationships between panic disorder and psychiatrist-confirmed agoraphobia were strong (panic before agoraphobia OR=20, 95% CI 2.3–180; agoraphobia before panic OR=16, 95% CI 3.2–78).ConclusionsThe implied one-way causal relationship between spontaneous panic attacks and agoraphobia in DSM–IV appears incorrect.
Evaluation of a mental health website for teenagers
Authors: Ercan Sukru , Kevern Andrew , Kroll Leo 
Published: April 2006

Aim and MethodRu-ok.com is a recently developed website that includes a self-assessment questionnaire. The aim of this study was to evaluate the website and compare the self-assessment questionnaire with established screening questionnaires. A total of 105 teenagers from schools completed three paper-based questionnaires and the online ru-ok.com questionnaire.ResultsThe website receives 730 visits a week. Visits to the advice section and stories about mental health and relationships account for 35% of activity. Of the returned questionnaires, 80% were positive about the website. There were modest and expected correlations between the website questionnaire (RU–OK) and the Mood and Feelings (MFQ) and Strength and Difficulties (SDQ) questionnaires.Clinical ImplicationsInternet-based self-assessment is feasible and acceptable to teenagers. Self-assessment of perceived need by teenagers may be a useful tool for tier one professionals, including teachers, general practitioners, school nurses, social workers and learning mentors.
Mortality After Major Surgery for Urologic Cancers in Specialized Urology Hospitals: Are They Any Better?
Authors: Konety Badrinath R. , Allareddy Veerasathpurush , Modak Sanjukta , Smith Brian 
Published: April 2006

Purpose Specialty-specific hospitals and hospitals with a high volume of complex procedures have been shown to have better outcomes. We sought to determine whether a high volume of unrelated complex procedures or procedures in the same specialty area (urology) could translate into better outcomes after major urologic cancer surgery. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of administrative discharge abstract data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Health Care Utilization Project for years 1998 to 2002. Comparison of outcome after three major urologic cancer–related surgical procedures (radical cystectomy [RC], radical nephrectomy [RN], and radical prostatectomy [RP]) at hospitals by procedure-specific volume, specialized urology status, and Leapfrog criteria was obtained to determine in-hospital mortality after the procedure. All patients in the database with a diagnosis of bladder, kidney, or prostate cancer being admitted for RC, RN, or RP between 1998 and 2002 were included. Results Neither specialized urology status nor meeting Leapfrog volume criteria for unrelated procedures was associated with lower odds of in-hospital mortality after any of the procedures examined. High-volume hospitals (for RC and RP) and moderate-volume hospitals (for RP) were associated with lower odds of mortality. None of the examined hospital volume–related factors was associated with lower odds of mortality after RN. Conclusion In-hospital mortality after two of three major urologic cancer procedures is affected only by procedure-specific volumes. Generalized process measures existing in hospitals performing a high volume of general urologic procedures or unrelated complex procedures may be less important determinants of procedure-specific outcomes in patients.
Conceptual Integration Networks
Authors: Fauconnier Gilles , Turner Mark 
Published: April 2006

Conceptual integration—“blending”—is a general cognitive operation on a par with analogy, recursion, mental modeling, conceptual categorization, and framing. It serves a variety of cognitive purposes. It is dynamic, supple, and active in the moment of thinking. It yields products that frequently become entrenched in conceptual structure and grammar, and it often performs new work on its previously entrenched products as inputs. Blending is easy to detect in spectacular cases but it is for the most part a routine, workaday process that escapes detection except on technical analysis. It is not reserved for special purposes, and is not costly.In blending, structure from input mental spaces is projected to a separate, “blended” mental space. The projection is selective. Through completion and elaboration, the blend develops structure not provided by the inputs. Inferences, arguments, and ideas developed in the blend can have effect in cognition, leading us to modify the initial inputs and to change our view of the corresponding situations.Blending operates according to a set of uniform structural and dynamic principles. It additionally observes a set of optimality principles.
Dependence of Electrical Activity and Calcium Influx-Controlled Prolactin Release on Adenylyl Cyclase Signaling Pathway in Pituitary Lactotrophs
Authors: Gonzalez-Iglesias Arturo E. , Jiang Yonghua , Tomić Melanija , Kretschmannova Karla , Andric Silvana A. , Zemkova Hana , Stojilkovic Stanko S. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPituitary lactotrophs in vitro fire extracellular Ca2+-dependent action potentials spontaneously through still unidentified pacemaking channels, and the associated voltage-gated Ca2+ influx (VGCI) is sufficient to maintain basal prolactin (PRL) secretion high and steady. Numerous plasma membrane channels have been characterized in these cells, but the mechanism underlying their pacemaking activity is still not known. Here we studied the relevance of cyclic nucleotide signaling pathways in control of pacemaking, VGCI, and PRL release. In mixed anterior pituitary cells, both VGCI-inhibitable and -insensitive adenylyl cyclase (AC) subtypes contributed to the basal cAMP production, and soluble guanylyl cyclase was exclusively responsible for basal cGMP production. Inhibition of basal AC activity, but not soluble guanylyl cyclase activity, reduced PRL release. In contrast, forskolin stimulated cAMP and cGMP production as well as pacemaking, VGCI, and PRL secretion. Elevation in cAMP and cGMP levels by inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity was also accompanied with increased PRL release. The AC inhibitors attenuated forskolin-stimulated cyclic nucleotide production, VGCI, and PRL release. The cell-permeable 8-bromo-cAMP stimulated firing of action potentials and PRL release and rescued hormone secretion in cells with inhibited ACs in an extracellular Ca2+-dependent manner, whereas 8-bromo-cGMP and 8-(4-chlorophenyltio)-2′-O-methyl-cAMP were ineffective. Protein kinase A inhibitors did not stop spontaneous and forskolin-stimulated pacemaking, VGCI, and PRL release. These results indicate that cAMP facilitates pacemaking, VGCI, and PRL release in lactotrophs predominantly in a protein kinase A- and Epac cAMP receptor-independent manner.
Stereospecific Synthesis of Tricyclo[5.3.1.01,5]undec-9-ene-8,11-diones by Means of Electrochemical Methodology and Their Base-Catalyzed Fragmentation Reaction
Authors: Maki Shojiro , Toyoda Kunihiro , Kosemura Seiji , Yamamura Shosuke 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Several tricyclo[5.3.1.01,5]undec-9-ene-8,11-diones have been synthesized in stereospecific manner, by using electrochemical oxidation of the corresponding phenols with trans or cis para-halo substituted styryl group. Two of the products were subjected to base-catalyzed fragmentation reaction to afford two different types of bicyclic compounds selectively, one of which has been readily converted into a triquinane-type compound.
Thermoelectric Properties of Sintered FeSi2 with Microstructural Modification
Authors: Ohtaki Michitaka , Ogura Daisuke , Eguchi Koichi , Arai Hiromichi 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Partial substitution of Cu, Zn, Nb, Ag, Sb, and In for Fe in FeSi2 significantly varied the structure of the sintered samples. The thermoelectric power increased with decreasing relative density of the samples, while the electrical conductivity decreased at the same time. However, microstructural modification by increasing the size of the particles composing the samples improved the thermoelectric figure of merit through increase in the thermoelectric power and decrease in the thermal conductivity without affecting the electrical conductivity.
Energy-Transfer Luminescence of Lanthanide Ions Complexed with Water-Soluble Calix[n]arenes
Authors: Sato Nariaki , Yoshida Isao , Shinkai Seiji 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
It was shown that Tb3+ ion complexed with water-soluble calix[n]arenes becomes strongly fluorescent on the basis of energy-transfer luminescence (Φ = 0.02–0.20).
Ruthenium Complex-catalyzed Novel and Facile Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from 2-Aminopyridines and vicinal-Diols
Authors: Kondo Teruyuki , Kotachi Shinji , Ogino Shin-ichi , Watanabe Yoshihisa 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Ruthenium complex-catalyzed N-heterocyclization of 2-aminopyridines with vicinal-diols offers a novel synthetic method for various imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. For example, the reaction of 2-amino-4-methylpyridine with 1,2-cyclohexanediol in the presence of a catalytic amount of RuCl2(PPh3)3 under reflux in diglyme for 24 h afforded 2-methyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole in 74% yield.
2,5-Bis(1′,3′-dithiol-2′-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene and Its Related Unsymmetrical Donors
Authors: Misaki Yohji , Matsui Toshitaka , Kawakami Kazuya , Nishikawa Hiroyuki , Yamabe Tokio , Shiro Motoo 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The title compound (1a) and its related unsymmetrical derivatives were prepared as new donors for organic conductors, and electrochemical properties and crystal structure of 1a were investigated. Several charge-transfer complexes and cation radical salts using them showed metallic temperature dependence of conductivity down to ca. 100 K.
Reactions of 1,1′-Dialkynylferrocene with Octacarbonyldicobalt
Authors: Onitsuka Kiyotaka , Tao Xin-Qung , Otsuka Yasuhiro , Sonogashira Kenkichi 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The reaction of 1,1′-dialkynylferrocene (η5-C5H4C≡CR)2Fe (1) (R = Ph, SiMe3, Me, Fc; Fc = ferrocenyl) with excess octacarbonyldicobalt (2) results in the formation of dark green complexes (η5-C5H4C≡CR)2Fe{Co2(CO)6}2 (3) (R = Ph, SiMe3, Me, Fc), in which a Co2(CO)6 group coordinates to each of the two C≡C bonds of 1. When 1,1′-di(phenylethynyl)ferrocene (1a) was treated with an equimolar amount of 2, (η5-C5H4C≡CPh)2Fe{Co2(CO)6}, as well as 3a, was obtained.
Catalytic Stereoselective Synthesis of α- or β-Glucosides Using a Single Glycosyl Donor, 1-O-2′-(2′-Methoxyethoxy)acetyl-Glucopyranose Derivative
Authors: Matsubara Koki , Sasaki Takenori , Mukaiyama Teruaki 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
In the presence of a catalytic amount of active acidic species generated from SnCl4 and AgClO4, various α-glucosides are stereoselectively synthesized in excellent yields from 1-O-2′-(2′-methoxyethoxy)acetyl-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranose and alkyl trimethylsilyl ethers. β-Glucosides are also selectively prepared by using a catalyst, generated from SiCl4 and AgClO4 in the above reaction.
Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of the p-N-Methypyridinium Nitronyl Nitroxide Cation Radical Salts, p-MPYNN·I and p-MPYNN·ClO4
Authors: Yamaguchi Akira , Awaga Kunio , Inabe Tamotsu , Nakamura Takayoshi , Matsumoto Mutsuyoshi , Maruyama Yusei 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
X-Ray crystal analyses and magnetic measurements have been carried out on the p-N-methylpyridinium α-nitronyl nitroxide (p-MPYNN) cation radical salts, p-MPYNN·I and p-MPYNN·ClO4. The p-MPYNN molecules are connected by short intermolecular contacts between the NO groups in the crystal of p-MPYNN·I, while the radical molecules are separated from each other by the ClO4− anions in p-MPYNN·ClO4. The magnetic properties of p-MPYNN·I and p-MPYNN·ClO4 are found to be consistent with their crystal structures.