bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Never‐ending making sense: towards a substantive theory of the information‐seeking behaviour of newly diagnosed cancer patients
Authors: McCaughan Eilis , McKenna Hugh 
Published: March 2007

Aim.  The aim of this paper was to report a study which explored the information‐seeking behaviour of patients newly diagnosed with cancer in the immediate postdiagnosis period.Background.  Information is an important tool for cancer patients. There is evidence that patients’ information needs are not being adequately met and, in many cases, patients often do not recall much information at the time of diagnosis.Method.  Using a grounded theory approach, a theoretical sample of 27 newly diagnosed patients was interviewed in their own homes. Data were analysed using grounded theory analysis procedures.Results.  A substantive theory describing the transitions from ‘being traumatized’ by the diagnosis, through a phase of trying to ‘take it on’, through to ‘taking control’ is tentatively offered. It provides a theoretical framework to understand newly diagnosed cancer patients’ changing, varied and continuing needs and their efforts to regain some control over their lives. Their information‐seeking behaviour seemed a journey of ‘never‐ending making sense’ with ongoing discovery and new information needs as they struggled with the effects of the disease and treatments.Conclusions.  The processes and stages identified in this study provide nurses with a framework to assess the readiness of patients to receive information and to assist them in their efforts to regain some control over their disease and their lives.Relevance to clinical practice.  Health professionals need to be aware of these stages, to be equipped to assess the need of individuals for information and support.
Factors predicting perceived improved health after emergency room visits
Authors: Wong Frances KY , Liu Jiexin , Chang Katherine , Chow Susan K Yee 
Published: March 2007

Aim.  This study examines the key factors contributing to perceived improved health after emergency room (ER) visits.Background.  Perceived health is a subjective measure of health status. It is an important and useful concept in nursing and assessment of health services because it reflects the clients’ own assessment of his/her health, which may have led to their subsequent health‐seeking behaviour.Methods.  Secondary analysis of a main study which aimed at examining the effects of nurse follow‐up on ER revisits using randomized‐controlled trial. In this study, binary logistic regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with the dependent variable, perceived improved health 30 days after the index ER visit. Data were collected from 795 subjects and the sources of data were from medical records and telephone interviews.Results.  Gender, income, usual practice in managing minor illness, what to do other than attending the ER, nurse follow‐up, general self‐rated health, triage, considered other doctors on the day of index ER visit, times of attending general outpatient clinic and times of attending general practitioner were found to be significantly associated with perceived improved health 30 days after the index ER visit.Conclusion.  Many of the variables identified in this study that predicted perceived improved health concurred with previous findings. What is of interest is that nurse follow‐up but not multiple medical consultations helped enhance perceived improved health. We speculate that there was no continuity of care in the multiple medical consultations. Where as in the nurse follow‐up, the nurse was able to follow through the care of individuals, monitor their progress and make appropriate referrals. This study shows that the nurse is an appropriate person to mediate the health needs of individuals and the healthcare system and to enhance health maintenance for individuals in the community without excessively using medical services.Relevance to clinical practice.  The nurses providing care during the transitional phase should not only include the traditional clinical or hospital system variables, but should also take into account the general health perception of patients, because these are the predictors of health services utilization and morbidity.
Differentiation of Human Tumour‐associated Dendritic Cells into Endothelial‐like Cells: An Alternative Pathway of Tumour Angiogenesis
Authors: Gottfried E. , Kreutz M. , Haffner S. , Holler E. , Iacobelli M. , Andreesen R. , Eissner G. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractUntil recently, the only accepted mechanism of tumour vascularization was the sprouting of endothelial cells (EC) from pre‐existing vessels, while recent studies suggest the contribution of stem cell‐derived endothelial progenitors as well as cells from the myeloid lineage. Here, we show a new way of endothelial differentiation that involves the specific modulation of monocytes by the tumour environment. The tumour milieu is characterized by the presence of cytokines and lactate which induce the differentiation of tumour‐invading monocytes into tumour‐associated dendritic cells (DC). Additional incubation of tumour‐associated DC with pro‐angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and oncostatin M, led to transdifferentiation into endothelial‐like cells. The cells showed strong expression of von Willebrand factor and VE‐Cadherin, both classical EC markers, while leukocytic markers were reduced. In addition, they were able to form network‐like structures on matrigel, which could be blocked by the DNA‐based drug Defibrotide. This finding may be of great therapeutic relevance for tumour therapy.
Arabic version of Skindex‐16: Translation and cultural adaptation, with assessment of reliability and validity
Authors: AlGhamdi Khalid M. , AlShammari Sulaiman A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground  Quality‐of‐life is increasingly recognized as an important measure in dermatology; however, most currently available dermatologic quality‐of‐life measures were originally created for the English language. Skindex‐16 being one, is a self‐administered questionnaire covering the symptoms, emotions and functioning aspects.Objectives  Our aim was to translate into Arabic and culturally adapt Skindex‐16 following the international guidelines for cross‐cultural adaptation of health‐related quality‐of‐life measures. Moreover, its validity and reliability would be assessed.Methods  Translation and transcultural adaptation of Skindex‐16 were performed. Subsequently, a cross‐sectional study was conducted where 678 persons (338 patients and 340 healthy people) responded to the Arabic version of Skindex‐16. Evaluations of the semantic equivalence of back‐translated items, reliability, construct validity, and content validity of the Arabic version were the main outcome measures.Results  Two problematic items as well as the introductory (header) statement required a second translation and back‐translation to achieve satisfactory agreement with the original instrument. The final Arabic version of Skindex‐16 was internally reliable (Cronbach's α‐range for the scales 0.81–0.92). The instrument demonstrated both construct and content validity. As hypothesized, the scores for dermatologic patients were higher than those for healthy persons (mean 31.5 vs. 21.1, P < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, scores for patients with inflammatory dermatosis were higher than those for patients with isolated skin lesions (mean 32.99 vs. 25.3, P < 0.05), indicating a poorer quality‐of‐life. However, greater than 63% of the patients’ responses to an open‐ended question about their skin disease were addressed by items in the instrument.Conclusion  We have developed a semantically equivalent translation with cultural adaptation of Skindex‐16 into Arabic. The assessment of its measurement properties shows that it is quite reliable and a valid measure of the effects of skin diseases on the quality‐of‐life in Saudi patients.
Second‐generation nanofiltered plasma‐derived mannan‐binding lectin product: process and characteristics
Authors: Laursen I. , Houen G. , Højrup P. , Brouwer N. , Krogsøe L. B. , Blou L. , Hansen P. R. 
Published: March 2007

Background and Objectives  Mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) is an important component of the innate immune defence; it binds to carbohydrate structures on pathogenic micro‐organisms resulting in complement activation and opsonization. Individuals with low MBL levels are at risk of recurrent and severe infections. Substitution therapy with plasma‐derived MBL is a promising treatment of diseases associated with MBL deficiency. A first‐generation MBL product has been shown to be safe and well tolerated, and patients have benefited from MBL treatment. Following is a description of the development of a nanofiltered second‐generation MBL product from Cohn fraction III, with the use of a new affinity matrix for MBL purification and the characteristics of this improved product.Materials and Methods  Carbohydrate‐based gels were comparatively screened as affinity matrices. MBL was extracted from fraction III, and affinity purified on a Superdex 200 pg column. The eluted material underwent two virus reduction steps: filtration through Planova 20N and solvent/detergent treatment. It was further purified by anion‐exchange and gel‐filtration chromatography. The affinity eluate and the final MBL fraction were characterized by protein chemical, immunological, and functional assays.Results  In production scale, Superdex 200 pg was found to be superior to other carbohydrate‐based matrices, and MBL was affinity purified from fraction III with a yield of 70%. The viral safety was increased by performing a nanofiltration of the affinity eluate through Planova 20N with a minimal loss of MBL. The purity of the final MBL fraction was 53% excluding the MBL‐associated serine proteases (MASP). The product consisted of high‐oligomeric MBL, with two dominating forms, and with MASP‐1, ‐2, ‐3 and 19 kDa MBL‐associated protein (MAp19). Only a few protein impurities were present, the major being α2‐macroglobulin. MBL formed complexes with α2‐macroglobulin bridged by MASP‐1 covalently attached to the latter. The functional activity, assessed by mannan‐binding activity and opsonic function, was intact, whereas half of the C4 activating capacity was lost during the production process.Conclusion  A second‐generation MBL process was developed with an average yield of 50%. It was possible to nanofilter the MBL‐MASP complexes through Planova 20N with only a minor loss resulting in an increased safety profile of this MBL product.
Effects of UVB radiation on marine and freshwater organisms: a synthesis through meta‐analysis
Authors: Bancroft Betsy A. , Baker Nick J. , Blaustein Andrew R. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractUltraviolet‐B (UVB) radiation is a global stressor with potentially far‐reaching ecological impacts. In the first quantitative analysis of the effects of UVB on aquatic organisms, we used meta‐analytic techniques to explore the effects of UVB on survival and growth in freshwater and marine systems. Based on the large body of literature on the effects of UVB in aquatic systems, we predicted that UVB would have different effects in different habitats, experimental venues, trophic groups and life history stages. Contrary to our predictions, we found an overall negative effect of UVB on both survival and growth that crossed life histories, trophic groups, habitats and experimental venues. UVB had larger negative effects on growth in embryos compared with later life history stages. Despite the overall negative effect of UVB, effect sizes varied widely. In the survival analyses, no relationship between mean effect size and taxonomic groups or levels of exposure to UVB was detected. In the growth analyses, a larger negative effect on protozoans was observed. Our analyses suggest that the effects of UVB in aquatic systems are large and negative but highly variable between organisms. Variation in susceptibility may have important implications for population and community structure.
Treatment of anovaginal or rectovaginal fistulas with modified Martius graft
Authors: Songne K. , Scotté M. , Lubrano J. , Huet E. , Lefébure B. , Surlemont Y. , Leroy S. , Michot F. , Ténière P. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjective  The treatment of ano‐ or rectovaginal fistula is still difficult. The use of the Martius flap is well described as an adjunctive technique in their repair. We report our experience of a modified Martius flap in the management of ano‐ or rectovaginal fistula.Method  This is a retrospective study of 14 women presenting with an anovaginal (n = 9) or rectovaginal fistula (n = 5). All were treated by a modified Martius graft. The aetiology included Crohn's disease (n = 7), ulcerative colitis (n = 4), radio‐induced (n = 1), obstetric (n = 1) and villous tumour (n = 1).Results  All 14 fistulas healed within the 3 months after surgery. Subsequently, two patients with Crohn's disease required an abdominoperineal resection owing to progressive anal lesions. Two other patients experienced faecal incontinence which improved with functional rehabilitation treatment.Conclusion  A modified Martius flap is a valuable option in the treatment of ano‐ or rectovaginal fistula. In the case of Crohn's disease, however, the prognosis depends primarily on subsequent clinical evolution of the condition.
Inequality and Politics in the Creative City‐Region: Questions of Livability and State Strategy
Authors: McCANN EUGENE J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractCity‐regionalism and livability are concepts that feature prominently in recent writings on urban politics and policy. Policy discussions have seen the two concepts fused together in such a way that regional competitiveness is generally understood to entail high levels of ‘livability’ while urban livability is increasingly discussed, measured and advocated at a city‐regional scale. It is, then, important to understand how these concepts work in tandem and to delineate the often‐elided politics of reproduction through which they operate. This paper begins by elaborating on the politically powerful fusion of city‐regionalist and urban livability discourses, using the example of Richard Florida’s creative city argument. It then discusses the politics of city‐regionalism and livability through the case of Austin, Texas, a city that has framed its policy in terms of regionalism and livability but which is also characterized by marked income inequality and a neighborhood‐based political struggle over the city’s future. The paper concludes by drawing lessons from the discussion and suggesting that the city‐regional livability agenda can best be understood as a geographically selective, strategic, and highly political project.
Leukoreduced buffy coat–derived platelet concentrates photochemically treated with amotosalen HCl and ultraviolet A light stored up to 7 days: assessment of hemostatic function under flow conditions
Authors: Lozano Miguel , Galan Ana , Mazzara Roberto , Corash Laurence , Escolar Ginés 
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND: Amotosalen plus ultraviolet A light photochemical treatment (PCT) inactivates high titers of bacteria, and other pathogens, in platelet concentrates (PCs) potentially allowing the storage of platelets (PLTs) for up to 7 days. Adhesion and aggregation of PLTs to injured vascular surfaces are critical aspects of PLT hemostatic function.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two ABO‐identical leukoreduced buffy coat–derived PCs in additive solution were mixed and divided: one‐half underwent PCT (PCT‐PCs) and the other was kept as a control (C‐PCs); both were stored under standard conditions. The total number of paired PCs studied was nine. Samples were taken on Day 1 (before PCT) and after 5 and 7 days of storage. The adhesion and aggregation capacities were evaluated under flow conditions in a ex vivo perfusion model.RESULTS: Compared to control, PCT resulted in a decrease in PLT count of 6.5 percent (p = 0.004) and 10.2 percent (p = 0.008) after 5 and 7 days' storage, respectively (n = 9). PLT interaction with subendothelium was mainly in form of adhesion. The surface covered by PCT PLTs on Day 1 was 26.0 ± 4.2 percent (mean ± SEM). On Day 5, PCT‐PCs showed a covered surface of 20.9 ± 2.2 percent, and the C‐PCs, 20.6 ± 1.6 percent. After 7 days, PCT‐PCs produced a nonsignificant higher PLT deposition compared to control (27.1 ± 2.9% vs. 21.2 ± 2.8%, p = 0.06).CONCLUSION: PCT of PCs and storage up to 7 days was associated with a 10.2 percent decrease in PLT count due to processing losses compared to C‐PC. PLT adhesive and aggregating capacities under flow conditions of PCT‐PCs were similar to C‐PCs and remained well preserved for up to 7 days of storage.
Wound‐healing properties of trehalose‐stabilized freeze‐dried outdated platelets
Authors: Sum Ruth , Hager Sarah , Pietramaggiori Giorgio , Orgill Dennis P. , Dee Josh , Rudolph Alan , Orser Cindy , Fitzpatrick G. Michael , Ho David 
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND: The wound‐healing applications of platelet (PLT)‐derived cytokines, proteins, and membranes is accepted but continues to be investigated. In this study, it is demonstrated that stabilized freeze‐dried PLTs prepared from outdated PLTs (FDPOs) accelerate wound healing and form tube structures as well as stabilized indated freeze‐dried PLTs (FDPIs) and room‐temperature fresh PLTs (RT‐PLTs).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Experiments were designed to compare in vitro and in vivo wound‐healing properties of FDPI, FDPO, and RT‐PLT preparations. The concentration of PLT‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐ββ and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 was determined, and the abilities of FDPIs, FDPOs and RT‐PLTs to induce endothelial cell proliferation and promote endothelial cell tube formation (cells formed solid spouts connecting neighboring cells to form tube structures) were observed. Wound‐healing characteristics were measured by surgically inducing 1‐cm2, full‐thickness wounds on db/db mice (n = 10 per group). The wounds were treated with single or multiple doses of FDPIs and FDPOs. Wound closure rate was determined, and histology samples were evaluated for cellular makeup.RESULTS: FDPOs retained the same levels of PDGF‐ββ and TGF‐β1 and were able to promote endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation in vitro as well as FDPIs or RT‐PLTs. Multiple applications of FDPO accelerated wound closure and enhanced reepithelialization when compared to untreated wounds in db/db mice.CONCLUSION: FDPOs enhanced wound healing in db/db mice as well as FDPIs and RT‐PLTs. Wound closure was obtained 6 days earlier than untreated wounds and histologic examination revealed reduced granulation and increased cellular angiogenesis.
Quantitation of RHD by real‐time polymerase chain reaction for determination of RHD zygosity and RHD mosaicism/chimerism: an evaluation of four quantitative methods
Authors: Krog Grethe Risum , Clausen Frederik Banch , Dziegiel Morten Hanefeld 
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND: Determination of RHD zygosity of the spouse is crucial in preconception counseling of families with history of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn caused by anti‐D. RHD zygosity can be determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) basically by determining RHD dosage, and this feature is relevant in investigating RHD mosaicism and chimerism.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Monoplex and duplex real‐time PCRs, uncalibrated and calibrated, were tested. RHD zygosity was determined for 72 samples and compared with serology‐based prediction of RHD zygosity. Additionally, a range of constructed RHD dosages were compared with determined RHD dosages. Finally three samples, Days 1, 90, and 120, from a patient with loss of D were included.RESULTS: All setups enabled differentiation between hemi‐ and homozygous samples. Results from calibrated methods had the smallest variation and enabled differentiation at the mean ± 3SD. Incongruity between determined and predicted RHD zygosity was found in three samples. PCR–sequence‐specific priming specific for the hybrid downstream Rhesus box was performed on those samples confirming the real‐time PCR results. Determined RHD dosage equaled constructed RHD dosage in both calibrated real‐time PCRs. Patient samples showed RHD with a mean of 1, 5, and 8 percent relative to GAPDH in all samples.CONCLUSION: Duplex calibrated real‐time PCR was a robust and exact method for determination of RHD zygosity and applicable in evaluation of RHD mosaicism and chimerism. This was illustrated with patient samples, where this assay revealed for the first time signs of mosaicism in both expression of D antigens and in RHD dosage.
Bovine hemoglobin (glutamer‐250, Hemopure)‐specific immunoglobulin G antibody cross‐reacts with human hemoglobin but does not lyse red blood cells in vitro
Authors: Hamilton Robert G. , Kickler Thomas S. 
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND: Bovine hemoglobin (Hb)‐based oxygen carrier (HbOC‐201; Hb glutamer‐250, Hemopure, Biopure Corp.) is a blood replacement and augmentation drug that increases oxygen‐carrying capacity of circulating blood in patients with anemia and acute blood loss. The objective of this study was to assess the biologic significance (cross‐reactivity, hemolysis) of humoral immune responses in humans receiving repetitive HbOC‐201 administrations.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples containing immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti‐HbOC‐201 (n = 146) or no antibody (n = 16) were collected from subjects receiving HbOC‐201 in clinical studies. IgG anti‐HbOC‐201 levels were quantified and the extent of cross‐reactivity to human hemoglobin (HuHb) was assessed in direct‐binding and competitive‐inhibition immunoassays. Serum samples containing the highest levels of IgG anti‐HbOC‐201 were studied in a complement‐mediated hemolysis assay for their ability to lyse human red cells (RBCs).RESULTS: The IgG anti‐HbOC‐201 levels in the antibody‐positive serum samples ranged from 0.7 to 86.8 μg per mL. Of the 146 IgG anti‐HbOC‐201–positive serum samples, 88.4 percent contained IgG antibodies whose binding to solid‐phase HbOC‐201 was competitively inhibited by incubation with soluble HuHb (11.6% [<20% inhibition]; 63% [20%‐80% inhibition]; and 25.4% [>81% inhibition]). Direct‐binding analysis to solid‐phase HuHb confirmed that 74 percent contained IgG antibodies reactive with HuHb. Dichotomous competitive inhibition and direct‐binding IgG anti‐HuHb data correlated significantly (r2 = 0.77, p < 0.001). Serum samples with the highest levels of IgG anti‐HuHb, as identified from clinical studies, did not lyse human RBCs in the presence of exogenous complement or induce the direct sensitization of RBCs with human IgG or complement.CONCLUSION: These analyses indicate that HbOC‐201 administration elicits IgG antibodies in humans that react with bovine and HuHb, but do not cause hemolysis in vitro.