bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The maternal self in pregnant women undergoing maternal serum screening
Authors: Chiang Hsien‐Hsien , Chao Yuh‐Mei Y , Yuh Yeong‐Seng 
Published: May 2007

Background. Much has been written about the anxiety of pregnant women undergoing maternal serum screening, but little has focused on the maternal self.Aims. The purpose of this study was to explore how the maternal self was affected by abnormal results of prenatal screening.Design. A qualitative design was used, based upon a grounded theory method.Methods. Twenty‐seven women undergoing maternal serum screening engaged in qualitative interviews about how abnormal results affected them and their family life.Results. This study identified three forms of maternal self in women who had been informed of abnormal results of maternal serum screening. The three forms of maternal self could be described as self‐stigmatizing, self‐conflicting and self‐knowledgeable.Conclusion. The self‐stigmatizing and self‐conflicting resulted from painful body image. The pregnant women responded to this vulnerability by reflecting on their experiences and constituting self‐knowledgeable.Relevance to clinical practice. This study demonstrated that ethical issues were implicit in prenatal counselling in terms of various forms of maternal self. Understanding the self‐perceptions of pregnant women coping with an increased risk of Down Syndrome could be very significant in delivering prenatal genetic counselling.
A nurse short message service by cellular phone in type‐2 diabetic patients for six months
Authors: Kim Hee‐Seung , Jeong Hye‐Sun 
Published: May 2007

Aim.  To investigate the effectiveness of a nurse short message service (SMS) by cellular phone and wire Internet on plasma glucose levels in people with diabetes for six months.Background.  Blood glucose management system using telemedicine approaches may maintain the appropriate blood glucose levels in type‐2 diabetic patients.Design.  A control group pre‐test–post‐test design was used to assess the effectiveness of nurse's education.Methods.  Twenty‐five patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group and 26 to a control group. The intervention was applied for six months. The goal of the intervention was to keep blood glucose concentrations close to the normal range. Participants were requested to input their blood glucose level, diet and exercise diary everyday in the website by cellular phone or wire Internet. The researcher sends optimal recommendations to each patient using SMS by cellular phone and wire Internet weekly.Results.  Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased 1·15% points at three months and 1·05% points at six months compared with baseline in the intervention group. Patients in the intervention group had a decrease of two hours post meal glucose (2HPMG) of 85·1 mg/dl at three months and 63·1 mg/dl at six months compared with baseline.Conclusion.  This web‐based intervention using SMS of cellular phone improved HbA1c and 2HPMG for six months in type‐2 diabetic patients.Relevance to clinical practice.  An SMS of cellular phone intervention by a nurse can reduce HbA1c and 2HPMG for six months in type‐2 diabetic patients.
Appropriate utilization of hospital beds in internal medicine: evaluation in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Dizdar Ömer , Karadağ Ömer , Kalyoncu Umut , Kurt Mevlüt , Ülger Zekeriya , Şardan Yeşm Çetinkaya , Ünal Serhat 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  To assess the appropriateness of utilization of beds in the internal medicine department of a university hospital.Methods  The appropriateness of hospital stay was evaluated using the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol. A random sample of 402 days of stay was assessed.Results  One hundred and thirty‐nine days of stay (34.6%) were classified as inappropriate. The inappropriate stays were mostly secondary to hospital‐related factors. The two major factors for inappropriate stays were ‘inappropriate timing/delay in diagnostic procedures/consultations’ (27%) and ‘delay in obtaining test results’ (27%). None of the factors including age, gender, residence and inpatient period was significantly related to inappropriate stay in univariate analysis.Conclusion  This study indicated that a significant portion of stays were inappropriate. Efforts to decrease particularly hospital‐related factors associated with inappropriate stay are needed.
An acetylase with relaxed specificity catalyses protein N‐terminal acetylation in Sulfolobus solfataricus
Authors: Mackay Dale T. , Botting Catherine H. , Taylor Garry L. , White Malcolm F. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryN‐terminal protein acetylation is common in eukaryotes and halophilic archaea, but very rare in bacteria. We demonstrate that some of the most abundant proteins present in the crenarchaeote Sulfolobus solfataricus, including subunits of the thermosome, proteosome and ribosome, are acetylated at the N‐terminus. Modification was observed at the N‐terminal residues serine, alanine, threonine and methionine‐glutamate. A conserved archaeal protein, ssArd1, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and shown to acetylate the same N‐terminal sequences in vitro. The specific activity of ssArd1 is sensitive to protein structure in addition to sequence context. The crenarchaeota and euryarchaeota apparently differ in respect of the frequency of acetylation of Met–Glu termini, which appears much more common in S. solfataricus. This sequence is acetylated by the related Nat3 acetylase in eukarya. ssArd1 thus has a relaxed sequence specificity compared with the eukaryotic N‐acetyl transferases, and may represent an ancestral form of the enzyme. This represents another example where archaeal molecular biology resembles that in eukaryotes rather than bacteria.
Invasive fungal infections in allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplant recipients: a single‐center study of 166 transplanted patients
Authors: Post M.J. , Lass‐Floerl C. , Gastl G. , Nachbaur D. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract: Objectives. Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain a major cause of infection‐related morbidity and mortality following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).Patients and methods. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of IFIs in 166 patients undergoing either allogeneic or autologous HSCT at our institution between January 2000 and December 2003.Results. Incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) and invasive candidiasis among allogeneic HSCT recipients was 23% (16–32%, 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 3% (1–9%, 95% CI), respectively. Duration of neutropenia and reduced‐intensity conditioning were the only risk factors for IA in the multivariate model. Patients with IA had significantly reduced overall survival (8% versus 56%, P=0.01) due to higher transplant‐related mortality (63% versus 31%, P=0.03). Following autologous HSCT, incidence of IA and invasive candidiasis was 8% (4–19%, 95% CI) and 2% (0.2–11%, 95% CI), respectively. Duration of neutropenia was the only risk factor for the development of IA following autologous HSCT. Overall survival of autologous HSCT recipients with IA was similar to that of patients without IA. Seventeen percent of autologous HSCT recipients were colonized with Candida species. Compared with non‐colonized patients these patients had significantly reduced overall survival (72% versus 23%, P=0.004), due to increased treatment‐related mortality (23% versus 9%, P=0.02).Conclusion. Diagnosis of IA following allogeneic HSCT and Candida colonization in the setting of autologous HSCT defines patient populations with poor outcome but primarily not as a result of the fungal pathogen. Regarding the incidence of IA, duration of neutropenia is the main risk factor, and dose‐reduced conditioning is an additional risk factor for the development of IA following allogeneic HSCT, probably owing to increased recipient age in this patient cohort, requiring further studies in this transplantation setting.
Predictors for persistent cytomegalovirus reactivation after T‐cell‐depleted allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Almyroudis N.G. , Jakubowski A. , Jaffe D. , Sepkowitz K. , Pamer E. , O'Reilly R.J. , Papanicolaou G.A. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation occurs in up to 60% of CMV‐seropositive recipients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The incidence of CMV disease among T‐cell‐depleted HSCT patients has been reported from 5–15%. The incidence of reactivation refractory to antivirals in this population is not well studied.Methods. In this retrospective study we characterized the outcome of CMV reactivation in a cohort of 255 adult and pediatric patients who underwent T‐cell‐depleted HSCT at Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center from September 1999 through August 2004. CMV infection was monitored by the pp65 antigenemia assay (CMV Ag). Persistent reactivation was defined as antigenemia positivity >21 days on antiviral therapy.Results. Of 118 CMV‐seropositive recipients, 69 (58.4%) had reactivated CMV. Twenty of 69 (29%) developed persistent reactivation at first episode of reactivation, and 7 (10%) in subsequent episode. All patients with persistent reactivation received ≥2 antivirals and CMV hyperimmune globulin; 45% received combination antiviral therapy. The median duration of persistent reactivation was 98 days, range 31–256 days. In multivariate analysis, maximum CMV Ag >25 cells/slide was associated with persistent reactivation (odds ratio 16.2%, 95% confidence interval 4–64, P<0.0001). CMV disease occurred in 6/27 (22%) patients with persistent reactivation. Patients with persistent reactivation had lower CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte counts compared with those with non‐persistent reactivation at day +90 post HSCT (P=0.01 and 0.02, respectively).Conclusions. Persistent reactivation occurred in 39% of T‐cell‐depleted HSCT despite treatment with currently available antivirals. Maximum CMV Ag >25 cells/slide was associated with persistent CMV reactivation. More effective treatment modalities are needed for this high‐risk population to reduce CMV‐associated morbidity and mortality.
Nocturia, nocturia indices and variables from frequency‐volume charts are significantly different in Asian and Caucasian men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a prospective comparison study
Authors: Mariappan Paramananthan , Turner Kevin J. , Sothilingam Selvalingam , Rajan Prabhakar , Sundram Murali , Stewart Laurence H. 
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVETo describe and compare the patterns of nocturia in Asian and Caucasian men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and to identify associations or correlations between LUTS and variables from a frequency‐volume chart (FVC), as nocturia is common among men with LUTS, and analysis of FVCs shows nocturnal polyuria and reduced nocturnal bladder capacity (NBC) as the predominant causes in Western patients, but there are few comparisons with other ethnic groups.PATIENTS AND METHODSConsecutive men aged ≥ 40 years, presenting with LUTS and nocturia to an Asian and a Caucasian tertiary centre, were recruited prospectively. The men completed the International Prostate Symptom Score and a 3‐day FVC. Men having had bladder outlet surgery and/or receiving anticholinergics were excluded. We computed the nocturia ratio, i.e. the nocturnal urine volume/ 24‐h urine volume, nocturia index, predicted nocturnal voids and NBC index (NBCI), and analysed comparisons and correlations.RESULTSIn all, 93 Asian and 200 Caucasian men were recruited prospectively, with a similar age and overall severity of LUTS. The nocturia ratio was larger in the Caucasian men, whereas the NBCI was larger in the Asians (P < 0.001). The prevalence of nocturnal polyuria in men aged ≥60 years (nocturia ratio ≥0.3) was significantly higher in the Caucasian population. Conversely, the prevalence of reduced NBC appeared to be higher in the Asians (based on a NBCI of >2; P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSThe patterns of nocturia and FVC variables differed significantly in age‐matched Asian and Caucasian groups. There are also possible ethnic differences in the causes of nocturia, with nocturnal polyuria being more prevalent in Caucasians.
Persistent expression of Aurora‐A after neoadjuvant hormonal therapy as a predictor of a poor clinical outcome in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer
Authors: Furukawa Junya , Miyake Hideaki , Takenaka Atsushi , Hara Isao , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVESTo characterize the changes in the expression of Aurora‐A protein in prostate cancer before and after androgen‐withdrawal therapy, and to assess the prognostic significance of the Aurora‐A expression in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) after neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT).PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 97 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer who received NHT followed by RP. Paired needle biopsy and corresponding RP specimens obtained from these patients were analysed for the expression of Aurora‐A protein by immunohistochemical staining. These findings were then evaluated in relation to several clinicopathological factors.RESULTSThere were various levels of Aurora‐A protein expression in most prostate cancer tissues before NHT; however, the Aurora‐A expression in RP specimens after NHT was significantly down‐regulated compared with that in corresponding needle‐biopsy specimens. The expression level of Aurora‐A in biopsy specimens was significantly associated with the biopsy Gleason score, but not with other factors available before RP. The Aurora‐A expression in the RP specimens correlated significantly with the preoperative value of the serum prostate specific antigen and pathological stage, but not with any other clinicopathological factors examined. Furthermore, cell proliferative activity in the RP specimens, measured by Ki‐67 immunostaining, was proportional to the expression of Aurora‐A. The biochemical recurrence‐free survival in patients with a persistent Aurora‐A expression in RP specimens was significantly lower than that in those with a weak Aurora‐A expression, but the expression level of Aurora‐A was not an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence.CONCLUSIONSDespite the lack of any independent significance, the expression level of Aurora‐A in prostate cancer tissue after NHT, which might inversely reflect the therapeutic effect of NHT, could therefore be a useful variable for predicting biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing RP.
Long‐term follow‐up of submucosal tunnel and serosa‐lined extramural tunnel ureter implantation in ileocaecal continent cutaneous urinary diversion (Mainz pouch I)
Authors: Wiesner Christoph , Pahernik Sascha , Stein Raimund , Hähn Katja , Franzaring Ludger , Melchior Sebastian W. , Thüroff Joachim W. 
Published: May 2007

Authors from Mainz, Germany present the long‐term follow‐up of submucosal tunnel and serosa‐lined extramural tunnel ureter implantation in the ileocaecal continent cutaneous urinary diversion first described in that department, called the Mainz‐Pouch I.OBJECTIVETo assess upper urinary tract complications and renal function in patients with a submucosal tunnel and serosa‐lined extramural tunnel ureter implantation during the long‐term follow‐up of ileocaecal continent cutaneous urinary diversion (Mainz pouch I).PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 458 patients who had diversion with the ileocaecal pouch were analysed in a retrospective follow‐up study. Uretero‐intestinal implantation was done using a submucosal tunnel (ST) in 809 reno‐ureteric units (RUs) and by the serosa‐lined extramural tunnel (ET) technique in 74 RUs. The median age of the patients at the time of surgery was 47.1 years, and the median follow‐up was 89.0 months.RESULTSFor the ST, there was anastomotic obstruction in 59 RUs (7.3%) at a median of 16.8 months after diversion; the obstruction‐free intervals at 1, 5 and 10 years were 97%, 93% and 91%, respectively. Obstruction rates were 13.9% for previously dilated upper tracts and 17.1% in patients with a neurogenic bladder. Serum creatinine levels were ≤1.6 mg/dL in 97% of the patients at the latest follow‐up. For ET, there was anastomotic obstruction in three RUs (4.1%) at a median of 17.2 months after diversion. Obstruction‐free intervals at 1, 5 and 10 years were 100%, 96% and 96%. Preoperative dilation of the upper tracts did not reduce the obstruction rate (3.1%), but it was 7.1% in patients with a neurogenic bladder. Serum creatinine levels were ≤1.6 mg/dL in 98% of the patients at the latest follow‐up.CONCLUSIONSThe ET gives lower obstruction rates than the ST, especially when upper tracts are dilated and in patients with a neurogenic bladder. Renal function remained stable with both techniques in the long term.
The global trend in plant twining direction
Authors: Edwards Will , Moles Angela T. , Franks Peter 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTAim  To examine, at a global scale, patterns in the direction in which climbing plants twine. We tested three hypotheses: (1) that twining direction is determined randomly; (2) that twining direction is determined by apices following the apparent movement of the sun across the sky; and (3) that twining direction is determined by the Coriolis effect.Location  Seventeen sites spanning nine countries, both hemispheres and 65° of latitude.Methods  Twining direction was recorded for the first c. 100 stems encountered along transects through natural vegetation at each site.Results  Ninety‐two per cent of the 1485 twining stems we recorded grew in right‐handed helices, i.e. they twined in an anticlockwise direction. This is significantly (P < 0.001) different from random. The proportion of stems twining right‐handedly (anticlockwise) was independent of both latitude (P= 0.33) and hemisphere (P= 0.63). These data are inconsistent with the idea that twining direction is determined by either the relative passage of the sun through the celestial sphere or by the Coriolis effect. Thus, we reject all three of our hypotheses.Main conclusions  The predominance of right‐handed helical growth in climbing plants cannot be explained by hypotheses attempting to link plant growth behaviour and global location. One alternative hypothesis for our findings is that the widespread phenomenon of anticlockwise twining arises as a function of microtubule orientation operating at a subcellular level.
Studies of perfume solubilisation
Authors: BLAKEWAY J. M. , BOURDON P. , SEU M. 
Published: May 2007

SynopsisThe solubilisation of three perfumes has been studied in monoethanolamine lauryl sulphate and sodium lauryl ether sulphate solutions. The effect of the addition of nonionic surfactants have also been followed. A method is described for the olfactive examination of the solutions and results are given for its application to certain of the systems.
More durable make‐up based on pigmented water‐in‐solvent emulsions
Authors: ELLIOTT T. J. 
Published: May 2007

SynopsisThe ideal make‐up would be applied in the morning, stay on for the whole day with no noticeable deterioration in spite of heat, moisture and abrasion, and be removed easily at night with normal cleansers. Make‐up items based upon pigmented oil‐in‐water emulsions have poor durability on the skin because the residual oil film is sensitive to body heat and abrasion, and the hydrophilic emulsifier system is sensitive to moisture. The use of volatile solvents in the oil phase together with the adoption of a water‐in‐oil emulsion system enables much more durable colour effects to be produced on the skin. Stability of the emulsion system is critical and depends on correct choice of emulsifiers, ratio of water to volatile solvent and pigment level. A significant improvement in emulsion stability and durability on the skin was obtained by the inclusion of a new type of aluminium acylate gel. Examples of this emulsion system which have been successfully developed include cream eyeshadow, and tinted foundation.
Performance characteristics and solution properties of surfactants in shampoos
Authors: DONALDSON B. R. , MESSENGER E. T. 
Published: May 2007

SynopsisA brief analysis is made of the main types of surfactants used in shampoos and bubble baths. The requirements of a modern shampoo are discussed as are the means by which these can be achieved by the use of a number of selected additives such as the traditional alkanolamides, and the newer amine oxides, amido amine betaines and alkyl amine betaines. In particular, such aspects as the achievement of viscosity control, foam generation, shelf life stability and safety are examined. The physical chemistry of the behaviour in solution of several selected non‐ionic and amphoteric nitrogen containing surfactants is discussed and how these affect viscosity modification and foam generation. Mention is also made of the chemistry of the new highly concentrated anionic surfactants and the benefits that they give the formulator. Finally, the attributes of imidazoline derived surfactants are outlined with special reference to their mildness and foaming ability. Propriété et solubilités des tensio‐actifs dans les shampooings
Esters of para‐aminobenzoic acid in cosmetics. Identification and dosage within sun‐creams
Authors: SCHMITZ‐MASSE M.‐O. , HERPOL‐BORREMANS M. , PARMENTIER F. 
Published: May 2007

SynopsisA method is presented for the identification and determination by T.L.C. and G.L.C. of esters of para‐aminobenzoic acid with a free amine function and of local anaesthetics, prohibited in cosmetic products, in accordance with the cosmetic directive 76/768/EEC.In a commercial product, nominally supplied as para‐aminobenzoic monoglyceryl ester (authorised in sun‐creams in accordance with the EEC directive) other phenyl groups with para substitution were identified by means of T.L.C. and N.M.R. spectroscopy; among them, the para‐aminobenzoic ethyl ester.G.L.C. enables a quantitative determination of these substances. Les esters de l'acide para‐amino benzoique dans les produits cosmétiques. Identification et dosage dans les crémes solaires
Studies on the cosmetic criteria of the hair after shampoo
Authors: SCANDEL J. , REINSTEIN J. A. , BRUDNEY N. 
Published: May 2007

SynopsisAn objectivised sensorial method for evaluating the effects of shampoos on the appearance and manageability of the hair is described. Two different shampoos for greasy hair were applied twice weekly for a period of 4 weeks to the right and left sides (split‐head tests) of six subjects having greasy hair, the same shampoo being applied to the same side. A trained observer used a continuous rating scale to assess nine cosmetic parameters; overall assessments by observer and subjects were noted. Evaluations were made immediately after and at various intervals following shampoo. The data were presented in ‘profile graphs’ and evaluated statistically. Shampoo A was found to be significantly better (P < 0.05) than shampoo B for all parameters immediately after shampoo and for six parameters after 1 day. The differences between A and B were no longer significant after 2 days, and only marginal differences were noted after 3 and 4 days. Analysis of the results of forty additional split‐head tests carried out with ten different shampoos revealed interdependence (P < 0.01) between some parameters. Our results show the elective action of shampoos on the cosmetic parameters, the duration and limits of this action, and the interdependence between certain parameters. Etudes sur les critères cosmétiques de la chevelure après shampooing