bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can the Northwick Park Care Needs Assessment be used to estimate nursing staff requirements in an inpatient rehabilitation setting?
Authors: Williams Heather , Harris Ruth , Turner-Stokes Lynne 
Published: July 2007

Aim : To determine whether the Northwick Park Care Needs Assessment (NPCNA) could be used to estimate nursing staff requirements in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Design : Retrospective analysis of NPCNA data in comparison with nursing staff provision over a six-month period from 1 April 2003 to 30 September 2003. Setting : A specialist neurorehabilitation unit. Methods : Daily care requirements for the ward were calculated at two-week intervals by summing the NPCNA care-hour estimates for all inpatients. Nursing staff hours provided were identified from the unit's duty rota and agency records for each corresponding period. Results : In total, 271 care-hour recordings were extracted from 59 patients. There was a poor relationship between the calculated total ward care-hour requirements and nursing staff hours provided (Pearson's r = 0.31, P = 0.29); but staff hours provided fell significantly short of estimated daily care requirements (mean shortfall 6.2 hours/day, SD 8.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73, 11.1), P = 0.03)). The shortfall was most obvious during peak care periods in the morning and at bedtime, which resonates with experience reported by nursing staff that they are overstretched at these times. A marked discrepancy between qualified nursing staff hours provided and NPCNA-estimated `special nursing' care requirements highlights a failure to address important facets of the rehabilitation nursing role. Conclusions : The NPCNA, which was designed to assess only direct care needs in a community setting, requires the further development of a new algorithm before it could be used to estimate nursing staff requirements in a rehabilitation ward setting.
Frailty modifies effectiveness of psychosocial intervention in recovery from stroke
Authors: Ertel K.A. , Glymour M.M. , Glass T.A. , Berkman L.F. 
Published: July 2007

Objective : To evaluate the impact of a psychosocial intervention on instrumental activities of daily living, physical performance, cognition and mortality after stroke. Design : A randomized clinical trial. Setting : Patients were recruited from hospitals and rehabilitation centres; the intervention took place in subjects' homes. Subjects : Two-hundred and ninety-one stroke survivors over age 45. One-hundred and forty-six subjects were assigned to the intervention and 145 subjects were assigned to usual care. Intervention : Up to 16 meetings conducted over six months in the patient's home (approximately weekly for 12 weeks, followed by tri-weekly sessions for another 12 weeks). Sessions lasted approximately 1 hour and included, when possible, the entire support system (stroke survivor, primary caregiver, additional family and friends, and professional caregivers). Main outcome measures : Instrumental activities of daily living, physical performance, and cognition were assessed six months post stroke; mortality was assessed at an average of 47 months post stroke. Results : No significant differences in outcomes were observed between the intervention and usual care groups when analysing the total study population. Among non-frail participants (n = 156), subjects randomized to treatment had better scores on instrumental activities of daily living (mean score among treated = 12.4 (standard deviation (SD) = 2.1), mean score among usual care subjects = 11.3 (SD = 2.9), P-value for difference in means = 0.01) and reduced risk of mortality (P = 0.03) than subjects randomized to usual care. Conclusion : While there is evidence that the treatment benefited healthier subgroups, results also show evidence that the treatment was not effective, and possibly harmful, in frail subgroups.
The Yersinia enterocolitica type three secretion chaperone SycO is integrated into the Yop regulatory network and binds to the Yop secretion protein YscM1
Authors: Dittmann Svea , Schmid Annika , Richter Susanna , Trülzsch Konrad , Heesemann Jürgen , Wilharm Gottfried 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Pathogenic yersiniae (Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Y. enterocolitica) share a virulence plasmid encoding a type three secretion system (T3SS). This T3SS comprises more than 40 constituents. Among these are the transport substrates called Yops (Yersinia outer proteins), the specific Yop chaperones (Sycs), and the Ysc (Yop secretion) proteins which form the transport machinery. The effectors YopO and YopP are encoded on an operon together with SycO, the chaperone of YopO. The characterization of SycO is the focus of this study.

Results
We have established the large-scale production of recombinant SycO in its outright form. We confirm that Y. enterocolitica SycO forms homodimers which is typical for Syc chaperones. SycO overproduction in Y. enterocolitica decreases secretion of Yops into the culture supernatant suggesting a regulatory role of SycO in type III secretion. We demonstrate that in vitro SycO interacts with YscM1, a negative regulator of Yop expression in Y. enterocolitica. However, the SycO overproduction phenotype was not mediated by YscM1, YscM2, YopO or YopP as revealed by analysis of isogenic deletion mutants.

Conclusion
We present evidence that SycO is integrated into the regulatory network of the Yersinia T3SS. Our picture of the Yersinia T3SS interactome is supplemented by identification of the SycO/YscM1 interaction. Further, our results suggest that at least one additional interaction partner of SycO has to be identified.
Polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 genes CYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, CYP19A1and colorectal cancer risk
Authors: Bethke Lara , Webb Emily , Sellick Gabrielle , Rudd Matthew , Penegar Stephen , Withey Laura , Qureshi Mobshra , Houlston Richard 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackgroundCytochromeP450 (CYP) enzymes have the potential to affect colorectal cancer (CRC) risk by determining the genotoxic impact of exogenous carcinogens and levels of sex hormones.MethodsTo investigate if common variants ofCYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP11A1, CYP17A1andCYP19A1influence CRC risk we genotyped 2,575 CRC cases and 2,707 controls for 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that have not previously been shown to have functional consequence within these genes.ResultsThere was a suggestion of increased risk, albeit insignificant after correction for multiple testing, of CRC for individuals homozygous forCYP1B1rs162558 and heterozygous forCYP1A2rs2069522 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.80 and OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.00–1.79 respectively).ConclusionThis study provides some support for polymorphic variation inCYP1A2andCYP1B1playing a role in CRC susceptibility.
Aims, methods and preliminary findings of the Physical Activity, Nutrition and Allergies in Children Examined in Athens (PANACEA) epidemiological study
Authors: Priftis Kostas N , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B , Anthracopoulos Michael B , Papadimitriou Anastasios , Nicolaidou Polyxeni 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
To determine the prevalence of asthma symptoms in a sample of Greek children aged 10–12 years, and to evaluate these rates in relation to anthropometric, lifestyle characteristics and dietary habits.

Methods
During 2006, 700 schoolchildren (323 male and 377 female), aged 10–12 years (4th to 6th school grade), were selected from 18 schools located in the greater Athens area. The schools were randomly selected from a list provided by the regional educational offices. To achieve a representative sample the schools enrolled were selected from various region of the Athens area. For each child a questionnaire was completed that was developed for the purposes of the study to retrieve information on: age, sex, school class, other socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, dietary habits (through a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire) and physical activity status; the presence of asthma and allergies was assessed by the standard ISAAC questionnaire.

Results
The prevalence of wheezing in the past was 25% in boys and 19% in girls, while the prevalence of current wheezing was 9.0% in boys and 5.8% in girls. The prevalence of any asthma symptoms was 27.6% in boys and 20.4% in girls. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that increased body weight and sedentary lifestyle is associated with asthma symptoms only in boys.

Conclusion
The present cross-sectional study cannot establish causal relationships between asthma and increased body weight of schoolchildren; however, our findings underline the associations between asthma, increased body weight, and physical activity at population level, and urge for actions that should be taken by public health policy makers in order to prevent these conditions among children.
Record linked retrospective cohort study of 4.6 million people exploring ethnic variations in disease: myocardial infarction in South Asians
Authors: Fischbacher CM , Bhopal R , Povey C , Steiner M , Chalmers J , Mueller G , Jamieson J , Knowles D 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Law and policy in several countries require health services to demonstrate that they are promoting racial/ethnic equality. However, suitable and accurate data are usually not available. We demonstrated, using acute myocardial infarction, that linkage techniques can be ethical and potentially useful for this purpose.

Methods
The linkage was based on probability matching. Encryption of a unique national health identifier (the Community Health Index (CHI)) ensured that information about health status and census-based ethnicity could not be ascribed to an identified individual. We linked information on individual ethnic group from the 2001 Census to Scottish hospital discharge and mortality data.

Results
Overall, 94% of the 4.9 million census records were matched to a CHI record with an estimated false positive rate of less than 0.1 %, with 84.9 – 87.6% of South Asians being successfully linked. Between April 2001 and December 2003 there were 126 first episodes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among South Asians and 30,978 among non-South Asians. The incidence rate ratio was 1.45 (95% CI 1.17, 1.78) for South Asian compared to non-South Asian men and 1.80 (95% CI 1.31, 2.48) for South Asian women. After adjustment for age, sex and any previous admission for diabetes the hazard ratio for death following AMI was 0.59 (95% CI 0.43, 0.81), reflecting better survival among South Asians.

Conclusion
The technique met ethical, professional and legal concerns about the linkage of census and health data and is transferable internationally wherever the census (or population register) contains ethnic group or race data. The outcome is a retrospective cohort study. Our results point to increased incidence rather than increased case fatality in explaining high CHD mortality rate. The findings open up new methods for researchers and health planners.
50 years experience with Dupuytren's contracture in the Erlangen University Hospital – A retrospective analysis of 2919 operated hands from 1956 to 2006
Authors: Loos Bernd , Puschkin Valerij , Horch Raymund E 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackgroundDupuytren's disease (DD) is a hand disorder mainly among the northern population. In contrast it is rare in the mediterranean population. Therefore typical habits and dietetic influences have been discussed as well as genetic predisposition. Still, since the first description by Dupuytren in 1834 only little is known about the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease. Some hints were found for a higher prevalence among people with diabetes, alcohol abuse or smoking. Also, intensive manual work or hand injuries have been discussed to have an influence on DD. To our knowledge this is the largest retrospectively evaluated series of symptomatic patients published to date. The study includes patients from the last 50 years. It was performed to show possible correlations between DD and typical risk factors such as diabetes, alcohol consumption, and smoking.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed all patient records with DD documented between 1956 and 2006 in the Surgical University Hospital in Erlangen. Data acquisition was conducted by reviewing the medical records from 1956 to 2006 including data from all patients who were surgically treated because of DD.ResultsWe reviewed 2579 male and 340 female surgically treated patients with DD. More than 80% of the patients were between 40 and 70 years old. In 28.9% only the right hand was effected by DD, in 25.3% only the left hand and in 45.8% both hands. In 10.3% of all Patients suffered from Diabetes mellitus. Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between diabetes, alcoholism or smoking on the degree of DD in our patients.ConclusionMost data are consistent with previously published results from smaller, comparable retrospective studies with regard to right- or left handedness. We could not confirm a statistically significant correlation of DD with diabetes mellitus, severe alcohol consumption, heavy smoking or epilepsy and the stage of the disease as described in other studies. However, in the whole cohort of our operated patients during the last 50 years the prevalence of the above mentioned risk factors is slightly higher than in the normal population.
The propensity to adopt evidence-based practice among physical therapists
Authors: Bridges Patricia H , Bierema Laura L , Valentine Thomas 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Background
Many authors, as well as the American Physical Therapy Association, advocate that physical therapists adopt practice patterns based on research evidence, known as evidence-based practice (EBP). At the same time, physical therapists should be capable of integrating EBP within the day-to-day practice of physical therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which personal characteristics and the characteristics of the social system in the workplace influence the propensity of physical therapists to adopt EBP.

Methods
The study used a 69 item mailed self-completion questionnaire. The questionnaire had four major sections. The first three sections were each drawn from a different theoretical framework and from different authors' work. The instrument was developed to capture the propensity of physical therapists to adopt EBP, characteristics of the social system in the workplace of physical therapists, personal characteristics of physical therapists, and selected demographic variables of physical therapists. The eligible population consisted of 3,897 physical therapists licensed by the state of Georgia in the United States of America. A random sample of 1320 potential participants was drawn.

Results
939 questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 73%. 831 of the participants' questionnaires were useable and became the basis for the study. There was a moderate association between desire for learning (r = .36, r2 = .13), highest degree held (r = .29, r2 = .08), practicality (r = .27, r2 = .07) and nonconformity (r = .24, r2 = .06) and the propensity to adopt EBP. A negative correlation was found between age, years licensed and percentage of time in direct patient care. The findings demonstrated that the best three variables for predicting the propensity to adopt EBP in physical therapy were: desire for learning, highest degree held, and practicality.

Conclusion
The study confirms there is no single factor to facilitate research evidence into day-to-day practice. Multiple practice change strategies will be needed to facilitate change in practice.
Metastatic disease to the breast: the Washington University experience
Authors: Vaughan Aislinn , Dietz Jill R , Moley Jeffrey F , DeBenedetti Mary K , Aft Rebecca L , Gillanders William E , Eberlein Timothy J , Ritter Jon , Margenthaler Julie A 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Metastases to the breast occur rarely, but may be increasing in incidence as patients live longer with malignant diseases. The aim of this study is to characterize metastatic disease to the breast and to describe the management and prognosis of patients who present with this diagnosis.

Methods
A retrospective review of our institution's pathology and breast cancer databases was performed in order to identify patients with breast malignancies that were not of primary breast origin. Chart review provided additional information about the patients' primary malignancies and course of illness.

Results
Between 1991 and 2006, eighteen patients with metastatic disease to the breast of non-hematologic origin were identified and all had charts available for review. Among the 18 patients with disease metastatic to the breast, tissues of origin included 3 ovarian, 6 melanoma, 3 medullary thyroid, 3 pulmonary neuroendocrine, 1 pulmonary small cell, 1 oral squamous cell, and 1 renal cell. Overall mean survival after diagnosis of metastatic disease to the breast was 22.4 months. Treatment of metastases varied and included combinations of observation, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Five patients (27.8%) required a change in management of their breast disease for local control.

Conclusion
Due to the variable course of patients with metastatic disease, a multi-disciplinary approach is necessary for each patient with disease metastatic to the breast to determine optimal treatment. Based on our review, many patients survive for long periods of time and local treatment of metastases to the breast may be beneficial in these patients to prevent local complications.
Why Nonlinear Biomedical Physics?
Authors: Czernicki Zbigniew , Klonowski Wlodzimierz , Liebovitch Larry 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
The two goals of
Nonlinear Biomedical Physics
are: firstly to show how nonlinear methods can shed new light on biological phenomena and medical applications and secondly to bridge the technical, mathematical, and cultural divides between the physical disciplines where these methods are being developed and the audience for their use in the biological and medical sciences.
The ITGAVrs3738919-C allele is associated with rheumatoid arthritis in the European Caucasian population: a family-based study
Authors: Jacq Laurent , Garnier Sophie , Dieudé Philippe , Michou Laëtitia , Pierlot Céline , Migliorini Paola , Balsa Alejandro , Westhovens René , Barrera Pilar , Alves Helena , Vaz Carlos , Fernandes Manuela , Pascual-Salcedo Dora , Bombardieri Stefano , Dequeker Jan , Radstake Timothy R , Van Riel Piet , van de Putte Leo , Lopes-Vaz Antonio , Glikmans Elodie , Barbet Sandra , Lasbleiz Sandra , Lemaire Isabelle , Quillet Patrick , Hilliquin Pascal , Teixeira Vitor Hugo , Petit-Teixeira Elisabeth , Mbarek Hamdi , Prum Bernard , Bardin Thomas , Cornélis François ,   the European Consortium on Rheumatoid Arthritis Families
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe integrin αvβ3, whose αv subunit is encoded by the ITGAV gene, plays a key role in angiogenesis. Hyperangiogenesis is involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the ITGAV gene is located in 2q31, one of the suggested RA susceptibility loci. Our aim was to test the ITGAV gene for association and linkage to RA in a family-based study from the European Caucasian population.Two single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 100 French Caucasian RA trio families (one RA patient and both parents), 100 other French families and 265 European families available for replication. The genetic analyses for association and linkage were performed using the comparison of allelic frequencies (affected family-based controls), the transmission disequilibrium test, and the genotype relative risk.We observed a significant RA association for the C allele of rs3738919 in the first sample (affected family-based controls, RA index cases 66.5% versus controls 56.7%; P = 0.04). The second sample showed the same trend, and the third sample again showed a significant RA association. When all sets were combined, the association was confirmed (affected family-based controls, RA index cases 64.6% versus controls 58.1%; P = 0.005). The rs3738919-C allele was also linked to RA (transmission disequilibrium test, 56.5% versus50% of transmission; P = 0.009) and the C-allele-containing genotype was more frequent in RA index cases than in controls (RA index cases 372 versus controls 339; P = 0.002, odds ratio = 1.94, 95% confidence interval = 1.3–2.9).The rs3738919-C allele of the ITGAV gene is associated with RA in the European Caucasian population, suggesting ITGAV as a new minor RA susceptibility gene.
Reduction of urate crystal-induced inflammation by root extracts from traditional oriental medicinal plants: elevation of prostaglandin D2levels
Authors: Jung Sung Mun , Schumacher H Ralph , Kim Hocheol , Kim Miyeon , Lee Seoung Hoon , Pessler Frank 
Published: July 2007

AbstractDried roots of the plants Acanthopanax senticosus, Angelica sinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis are used in traditional oriental medicine and reportedly possess anti-inflammatory properties. Using the murine air pouch model of inflammation, we investigated the efficacy and mode of action of an extract from these three plants in crystal-induced inflammation. Air pouches were raised on the backs of 8-week-old BALB/c mice. Mice were fed 100 mg/kg body weight of root extracts (A. senticosus:A. sinensis:S. baicalensis mixed in a ratio of 5:4:1 by weight) or vehicle only on days 3–6. Inflammation was elicited on day 6 by injecting 2 mg of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals into the pouch. Neutrophil density and IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels were determined in the pouch membrane, and the leukocyte count and IL-6, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) levels were determined in the pouch exudate. Treatment with the root extracts led to a reduction in all inflammatory parameters: the leukocyte count in the pouch exudate decreased by 82%; the neutrophil density in the pouch membrane decreased by 68%; IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels in the pouch membrane decreased by 100%; the IL-6 concentration in the pouch fluid decreased by 50%; and the PGE2 concentration in the pouch fluid decreased by 69%. Remarkably, the concentration of the potentially anti-inflammatory PGD2 rose 5.2-fold in the pouch exudate (p < 0.005), which led to a normalization of the PGD2:PGE2 ratio. A 3.7-fold rise in hematopoietic PGD synthase (h-PGDS) mRNA paralleled this rise in PGD2 (p = 0.01).Thus, the root extracts diminished MSU crystal-induced inflammation by reducing neutrophil recruitment and expression of pro-inflammatory factors and increasing the level of the potentially anti-inflammatory PGD2. These results support a need for further studies of the efficacy of these extracts in the treatment of inflammatory arthropathies and suggest elevation of PGD2 levels as a novel mechanism for an anti-inflammatory agent.