bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The value of cognitive interviewing techniques in palliative care research
Authors: Murtagh Fliss E M , Addington-Hall Julia M , Higginson Irene J 
Published: March 2007

Background: In answering questionnaires, research participants undertake complex cognitive processes, including understanding/interpreting questions, retrieval of information from memory, decision processes to estimate answers and response formulation. Cognitive interviewing techniques are widely used in large surveys, to improve questionnaires by understanding these processes, but their use is less familiar in other areas of palliative research. Aim: This study applied cognitive interviewing techniques, alongside standard piloting, to refine a questionnaire for survey of symptoms in end-stage renal disease patients. Methods: Ten consecutive renal patients were invited to undertake a cognitive interview, while completing a questionnaire comprised of the Memorial Symptom Assessment, Geriatric Depression and Palliative Care Outcomes Scales. Interviews were conducted using ‘think-aloud’ and concurrent probing techniques, and recorded, transcribed and analysed using content analysis. Results: Nine interviews were completed. A variety of cognitive problems were identified, including legibility/format, comprehension of specific words/phrases, inapplicability of some questions, response estimation and difficulties caused by combining instruments. These were categorized, using Tourangeau’s information processing model, and used to refine the symptom questionnaire. Conclusion: Cognitive interviewing was able to helpfully identify the range and depth of difficulties with questions, to a greater degree than with standard piloting. It may be of particular benefit when instruments are used in different combinations, or applied to new study populations. Wider use of these techniques in palliative research is recommended.
Fighting a losing battle: eating-related distress of men with advanced cancer and their female partners. A mixed-methods study
Authors: Strasser F , Binswanger J , Cerny T , Kesselring A 
Published: March 2007

Background: Anorexia/cachexia is a frequent complication of advanced cancer with poorly understood psychosocial impact or eating-related distress (ERD) on both patients and family members. To assist palliative care practitioners manage this important psychosocial aspect of care, we aimed to discover and describe elements of ERD, focusing on male patients with advanced cancer and their female partners. Methods: Nineteen male patients and their partners were systematically investigated by (1) focus group interviews and data analysis inspired by Grounded Theory, and (2) a comparative survey with categorical questions. Results: For patients, eating-related distress was characterised by obstruction to eating, poor and capricious appetite, a disconnection of oral intake and ability to gain weight, and continuous efforts to eat. Partners expressed feelings of deep concern, frustration, and insufficiency in their loving and innovative efforts to prepare appealing food. Partners were more concerned about patients’ weight loss than patients themselves (P =0.002). Patients felt more pressure to eat from partners than they estimated (P =0.007). Conclusion: Anorexia/cachexia of male cancer patients affects the cooking at home, a couple’s daily eating routines, and their spousal relationship. Identification of ERD may trigger targeted psychosocial interventions.
Respiratory function during parenteral opioid titration for cancer pain
Authors: Estfan Bassam , Mahmoud Fade , Shaheen Philip , Davis Mellar P , Lasheen Wael , Rivera Nilo , LeGrand Susan B , Lagman Ruth L , Walsh Declan , Rybicki Lisa 
Published: March 2007

Background: Respiratory depression is the most feared opioid-related side-effect yet research on the topic is sparse. We evaluated changes in respiratory parameters during parenteral opioid titration for cancer pain to determine if opioid titration was associated with evidence of hypoventilation. The primary outcome measure was to measure changes in end-tidal CO2 (ET-CO2) during opioid titration to pain control. Methods: Subjects with severe cancer pain admitted for parenteral opioid titration for poorly controlled pain were eligible. Those who were oxygen dependent were excluded. ET-CO2, O2 saturation, respiratory rate (RR), and vital signs were monitored daily until pain control was achieved. Results: 30 patients completed the study of which 29 are reported. The mean ET-CO2 at initial evaluation was 33.39 ∓ 5.0 and 34.79 ∓ 5.7 mmHg at pain control (P =0.14, 95% CI -0.5 to 3.3). None had an ET-CO2 ≥50 mmHg. All maintained O2 saturation ≥92%. RR dropped transiently below 10/minute in two subjects. Conclusions: Parenteral opioid titration for relief of cancer pain was not associated with respiratory depression as demonstrated by significant changes in ET-CO2 or oxygen saturation in non-oxygen dependent cancer patients.
The Prophet as Mentor: A Crucial Facet of the Biblical Presentations of Moses, Elijah, and Isaiah
Authors: Moore Rickie 
Published: March 2007

AbstractContrary to the common stereotype of the ancient Israelite prophet as a ‘lone ranger’, the Old Testament yields a significant amount of evidence that prophets nurtured and were nurtured by supportive social groups within which attention is given particularly to mentoring relationships. This is brought to special focus and emphasis in the Elijah-Elisha materials, but it can also be found in the biblical presentations of other leading prophetic figures, especially Moses and Isaiah. This paper examines these materials for the insights they yield on the matter of the role of the Hebrew prophet as mentor. Some concluding reflections are offered as to how these insights can inform prophetic ministry in the church today.
The role of γδ T cells in airway epithelial injury and bronchial responsiveness after chlorine gas exposure in mice
Authors: Koohsari Hossein , Tamaoka Meiyo , Campbell Holly R , Martin James G 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackgroundAcute exposure to chlorine (Cl2) gas causes epithelial injury and airway dysfunction. γδ T cells are present in the mucosal surface of the airways and may contribute to the injury/repair response of the epithelium.MethodsC57Bl/6J (wild type) and TCR-δ-/-mice exposed to Cl2(400 ppm) for 5 minutes underwent measurements of airway responses to i.v. methacholine (MCh) at 1, 3, and 5 days after exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed to determine epithelial and leukocyte counts, and protein content. Tissue repair was assessed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactivity and by expression of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) mRNA by real-time PCR.ResultsWild type mice developed a greater degree of airway hyperresponsiveness to MCh at 1 day post exposure to Cl2compared with TCR-δ-/-mice. Epithelial cell counts in BAL after Cl2exposure were greater in TCR-δ-/-mice, but macrophages showed a later peak and granulocyte numbers were lower in TCR-δ-/-than in wild type mice. Both groups had increased levels of total protein content in BAL after Cl2exposure that resolved after 3 and 5 days, respectively. Epithelial proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining was increased at 1 and 3 days post exposure and was similar in the two groups. KGF mRNA was constitutively expressed in both groups and did not increase significantly after Cl2but expression was lower in TCR-δ-/-mice.ConclusionThe severity of airway epithelial injury after Cl2is greater in TCR-δ-/-mice but the inflammatory response and the change in airway responsiveness to methacholine are reduced. The rates of epithelial regeneration are comparable in both groups.
Leucine-rich diet alters the eukaryotic translation initiation factors expression in skeletal muscle of tumour-bearing rats
Authors: Ventrucci Gislaine , Mello Maria Alice R , Gomes-Marcondes Maria Cristina C 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackgroundCancer-cachexia induces a variety of metabolic disorders on protein turnorver, decreasing protein synthesis and increasing protein degradation. Controversly, insulin, other hormones, and branched-chain amino acids, especially leucine, stimulate protein synthesis and modulate the activity of translation initiation factors involved in protein synthesis. Since the tumour effects are more pronounced when associated with pregnancy, ehancing muscle-wasting proteolysis, in this study, the influence of a leucine-rich diet on the protein synthesis caused by cancer were investigated.MethodsPregnant rats with or without Walker 256 tumour were distributed into six groups. During 20 days of experiment, three groups were fed with a control diet: C – pregnant control, W – tumour-bearing, and P – pair-fed, which received the same amount of food as ingested by the W group; three other groups of pregnant rats were fed a leucine-rich diet: L – pregnant leucine, WL – tumour-bearing, and PL – pair-fed, which received the same amount of food as ingested by the WL group.ResultsThe gastrocnemius muscle of WL rats showed increased incorporation of leucine in protein compared to W rats; the leucine-rich diet also prevented the decrease in plasma insulin normally seen in W. The expression of translation initiation factors increased when tumour-bearing rats fed leucine-rich diet, with increase of ~35% for eIF2α and eIF5, ~17% for eIF4E and 20% for eIF4G; the expression of protein kinase S6K1 and protein kinase C was also highly enhanced.ConclusionThe results suggest that a leucine-rich diet increased the protein synthesis in skeletal muscle in tumour-bearing rats possibly through the activation of eIF factors and/or the S6kinase pathway.
Modelling the spatial distribution of five natural hazards in the context of the WHO/EMRO Atlas of Disaster Risk as a step towards the reduction of the health impact related to disasters
Authors: El Morjani Zine El Abidine , Ebener Steeve , Boos John , Abdel Ghaffar Eman , Musani Altaf 
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Background
Reducing the potential for large scale loss of life, large numbers of casualties, and widespread displacement of populations that can result from natural disasters is a difficult challenge for the individuals, communities and governments that need to respond to such events.
While it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to predict the occurrence of most natural hazards; it is possible to take action before emergency events happen to plan for their occurrence when possible and to mitigate their potential effects.
In this context, an Atlas of Disaster Risk is under development for the 21 Member States that constitute the World Health Organization's (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean (EM) Region and the West Bank and Gaza Strip territory.

Methods and Results
This paper describes the Geographic Information System (GIS) based methods that have been used in order to create the first volume of the Atlas which looks at the spatial distribution of 5 natural hazards (flood, landslide, wind speed, heat and seismic hazard).
It also presents the results obtained through the application of these methods on a set of countries part of the EM Region before illustrating how this type of information can be aggregated for decision making.

Discussion and Conclusion
The methods presented in this paper aim at providing a new set of tools for GIS practitioners to refine their analytical capabilities when examining natural hazards, and at the same time allowing users to create more specific and meaningful local analyses.
The maps resulting from the application of these methods provides decision makers with information to strengthen their disaster management capacity. It also represents the basis for the reflection that needs to take place regarding populations' vulnerability towards natural hazards from a health perspective.
Mechanisms of osteopontin and CD44 as metastatic principles in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Desai Bhavik , Rogers Michael J , Chellaiah Meenakshi A 
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Background
The expression level of osteopontin correlates with the metastatic potential of several tumors. Osteopontin is a well-characterized ligand for the αvβ3 integrin. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the possible role of osteopontin/αvβ3 signaling in prostate cancer cell migration.

Results
We generated stable prostate cancer cell (PC3) lines that over-express osteopontin (PC3/OPN), mutant OPN in the integrin binding-site (PC3/RGDΔRGA), and null for OPN (PC3/SiRNA). The following observations were made in PC3/OPN cells as compared with PC3 cells: 1) an increase in multinucleated giant cells and RANKL expression; 2) an increase in CD44 surface expression, interaction of CD44/MMP-9 on the cell surface, MMP-9 activity in the conditioned medium, and cell migration; 3) western blot analysis of concentrated conditioned medium exhibited equal levels of MMP-9 protein in all PC3 cells. However, zymography analysis demonstrated that the levels of MMP-9 activity in the conditioned media reflect the CD44 surface expression pattern of the PC3 cell lines; 4) although MMP-9 and MMP-2 are secreted by PC3 cells, only the secretion of MMP-9 is regulated by OPN expression. A strong down regulation of the above-mentioned processes was observed in PC3/OPN (RGA) and PC3/SiRNA cells. PC3/OPN cells treated with bisphosphonate (BP) reproduce the down-regulation observed in PC3/OPN (RGA) and PC3/SiRNA cells.

Conclusion
Rho signaling plays a crucial role in CD44 surface expression. BPs inhibits the mevalonate pathway, which in turn, prevents the prenylation of a number of small GTPases. Attenuation of Rho GTPase activation by BPs may have contributed to the down regulation of cell surface CD44/MMP-9 interaction, MMP-9 activation/secretion, and cell migration. Taken together, these observations suggest that CD44 surface expression is an important event in the activation of MMP-9 and migration of prostate cancer cells. The various steps involved in the above mentioned signaling pathway and/or the molecules regulating the activation of MMP-9 are potential therapeutic target.
Antagonistic interaction of HIV-1 Vpr with Hsf-mediated cellular heat shock response and Hsp16 in fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe)
Authors: Benko Zsigmond , Liang Dong , Agbottah Emmanuel , Hou Jason , Taricani Lorena , Young Paul G , Bukrinsky Michael , Zhao Richard Y 
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Background
Expression of the HIV-1 vpr gene in human and fission yeast cells displays multiple highly conserved activities, which include induction of cell cycle G2 arrest and cell death. We have previously characterized a yeast heat shock protein 16 (Hsp16) that suppresses the Vpr activities when it is overproduced in fission yeast. Similar suppressive effects were observed when the fission yeast hsp16 gene was overexpressed in human cells or in the context of viral infection. In this study, we further characterized molecular actions underlying the suppressive effect of Hsp16 on the Vpr activities.

Results
We show that the suppressive effect of Hsp16 on Vpr-dependent viral replication in proliferating T-lymphocytes is mediated through its C-terminal end. In addition, we show that Hsp16 inhibits viral infection in macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, Hsp16 suppresses Vpr activities in a way that resembles the cellular heat shock response. In particular, Hsp16 activation is mediated by a heat shock factor (Hsf)-dependent mechanism. Interestingly, vpr gene expression elicits a moderate increase of endogenous Hsp16 but prevents its elevation when cells are grown under heat shock conditions that normally stimulate Hsp16 production. Similar responsive to Vpr elevation of Hsp and counteraction of this elevation by Vpr were also observed in our parallel mammalian studies. Since Hsf-mediated elevation of small Hsps occurs in all eukaryotes, this finding suggests that the anti-Vpr activity of Hsps is a conserved feature of these proteins.

Conclusion
These data suggest that fission yeast could be used as a model to further delineate the potential dynamic and antagonistic interactions between HIV-1 Vpr and cellular heat shock responses involving Hsps.
Different rates of (non-)synonymous mutations in astrovirus genes; correlation with gene function
Authors: van Hemert Formijn J , Lukashov Vladimir V , Berkhout Ben 
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Background
Complete genome sequences of the Astroviridae include human, non-human mammalian and avian species. A consensus topology of astroviruses has been derived from nucleotide substitutions in the full-length genomes and from non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions in each of the three ORFs. Analyses of synonymous substitutions displayed a loss of tree structure, suggesting either saturation of the substitution model or a deviant pattern of synonymous substitutions in certain virus species.

Results
We analyzed the complete Astroviridae family for the inference of adaptive molecular evolution at sites and in branches. High rates of synonymous mutations are observed among the non-human virus species. Deviant patterns of synonymous substitutions are found in the capsid structural genes. Purifying selection is a dominant force among all astrovirus genes and only few codon sites showed values for the dN/dS ratio that may indicate site-specific molecular adaptation during virus evolution. One of these sites is the glycine residue of a RGD motif in ORF2 of human astrovirus serotype 1. RGD or similar integrin recognition motifs are present in nearly all astrovirus species.

Conclusion
Phylogenetic analysis directed by maximum likelihood approximation allows the inclusion of significantly more evolutionary history and thereby, improves the estimation of dN and dS. Sites with enhanced values for dN/dS are prominent at domains in charge of environmental communication (f.i. VP27 and domain 4 in ORF1a) more than at domains dedicated to intrinsic virus functions (f.i. VP34 and ORF1b (the virus polymerase)). Integrin recognition may play a key role in astrovirus to target cell attachment.
Confirmation of double-peaked time distribution of mortality among Asian breast cancer patients in a population-based study
Authors: Gao Fei , Tan Say Beng , Machin David , Wong Nan Soon 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Introduction
Double-peaked time distributions of the mortality hazard function have been reported for breast cancer patients from Western populations treated with mastectomy alone. These are thought to reflect accelerated tumour growth at micrometastatic sites mediated by angiogenesis after primary tumour removal as well as tumor dormancy. Similar data are not available for Asian populations. We sought to investigate whether differences exist in the pattern of mortality hazard function between Western breast cancer patients and their Asian counterparts in Singapore, which may suggest underlying differences in tumor biology between the two populations.

Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort study of female unilateral breast cancer patients diagnosed in Singapore between October 1994 and June 1999. Data regarding patient demographics, tumour characteristics and death were available. Overall survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The hazard rate was calculated as the conditional probability of dying in a time interval, given that the patient was alive at the beginning of the interval. The life table method was used to calculate the yearly hazard rates.

Results
In the 2,105 women identified, 956 patients (45.4%) had mastectomy alone. Demographic characteristics were as follows: 86.5% were Chinese, 45.2% were postmenopausal, 38.9% were hormone receptor positive, 54.6% were node negative and 44.1% had high histological grade. We observed a double-peaked mortality hazard pattern, with a first peak in mortality achieving its maximum between years 2 and 4 after mastectomy, and a second large peak in mortality during year 9. Analyses by subgroups revealed a similar pattern regardless of T stage, or node or menopausal status. This pattern was also noted in high-grade tumors but not in those that were well to moderately differentiated. The double-peaked pattern observed in Singaporean women was quantitatively and qualitatively similar to those reported in Western series.

Conclusion
Our study confirms the existence of a double-peaked process in Asian patients, and it gives further support to the tumour dormancy hypothesis after mastectomy.
Vitamin D Status Predicts Physical Performance and Its Decline in Older Persons
Authors: Wicherts Ilse S. , van Schoor Natasja M. , Boeke A. Joan P. , Visser Marjolein , Deeg Dorly J. H. , Smit Jan , Knol Dirk L. , Lips Paul 
Published: March 2007

AbstractContext: Vitamin D deficiency is common among older people and can cause mineralization defects, bone loss, and muscle weakness.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentration with current physical performance and its decline over 3 yr among elderly.Design: The study consisted of a cross-sectional and longitudinal design (3-yr follow-up) within the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam.Setting: An age- and sex-stratified random sample of the Dutch older population was used.Other Participants: Subjects included 1234 men and women (aged 65 yr and older) for cross-sectional analysis and 979 (79%) persons for longitudinal analysis.Main Outcome Measure(s): Physical performance (sum score of the walking test, chair stands, and tandem stand) and decline in physical performance were measured.Results: Serum 25-OHD was associated with physical performance after adjustment for age, gender, chronic diseases, degree of urbanization, body mass index, and alcohol consumption. Compared with individuals with serum 25-OHD levels above 30 ng/ml, physical performance was poorer in participants with serum 25-OHD less than 10 ng/ml [regression coefficient (B) = −1.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −2.28; −1.10], and with serum 25-OHD of 10–20 ng/ml (B = −0.46; 95% CI = −0.90; −0.03). After adjustment for confounding variables, participants with 25-OHD less than 10 ng/ml and 25-OHD between 10 and 20 ng/ml had significantly higher odds ratios (OR) for 3-yr decline in physical performance (OR = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.00–4.87; and OR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.06–3.81), compared with participants with 25-OHD of at least 30 ng/ml. The results were consistent for each individual performance test.Conclusions: Serum 25-OHD concentrations below 20 ng/ml are associated with poorer physical performance and a greater decline in physical performance in older men and women. Because almost 50% of the population had serum 25-OHD below 20 ng/ml, public health strategies should be aimed at this group.