bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Content and Design of Patient-Targeted Websites in Orthopaedic Surgery: The Example of Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Moran M , Oliver CW 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION The Internet is frequently used as a source of medical information by patients. There is no shortage of quantity of information on the Internet. Most studies have concentrated on the content of information provided by orthopaedic websites. This study aims to assess all aspects of website construction, using total hip replacement (THR) as an example. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the search term ‘total hip replacement’, we evaluated the top 50 results from 4 popular search engines. A detailed evaluation of these sites was carried out and data recorded on authorship, readability (Flesch score), authority, currency, information status, information value, information quality, graphics and design, navigation, speed and access. These were individually scored using the University of Michigan Consumer Health WebSite Checklist. RESULTS From the 200 web pages, 167 unique Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) were recorded. Of these, 55 provided patient information about THR and were evaluated fully. Of websites, 62% originated in the US. The authorship of the majority of websites was described as commercial (28%) or academic/physician (49%). Website evaluation showed that content, navigation, graphics and speed were good. However, authority, currency, information status, information quality and ease of reading scored poorly. DISCUSSION Most of the sites visited presented adequate information about THR. However, the manner in which this information was presented is poor.
Blood and Body Fluid Splashes During Surgery – The Need for Eye Protection and Masks
Authors: Davies CG , Khan MN , Ghauri ASK , Ranaboldo CJ 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION While most surgeons make an effort to avoid needlestick injury, some can pay little attention to reduce the potential route of infection occurring when body fluids splash into the eye. It has been shown that transmission of HIV, hepatitis B or C can occur across any mucous membrane. This study aims to quantify how frequently body fluids splash the mask and lens of wrap around protective glasses thus potentially exposing the surgeon to infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective study was carried out by a single surgeon on all cases performed over a 1-year period. Protective mask and glasses were examined before and after operations. RESULTS A total of 384 operations were performed with 174 (45%) showing blood or body fluid splash on the lens. A high incidence of splashes was found in vascular surgical procedures (79%). All amputations showed splash on the protective lens. Interestingly, 50% of laparoscopic cases resulted in blood or body fluid splash on the protective lens. CONCLUSIONS This study has shown a high incidence (45%) of blood and body fluid splashes found on protective glasses and masks. There was a very high incidence (79%) during vascular surgical procedures. With the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis increasing, it seems prudent to protect oneself against possible routes of transmission.
‘To have … or not to have’. Should Computed Tomography and Ultrasonography be Implemented as a Routine Work-Up for Patients with Suspected Acute Appendicitis in a Regional Hospital?
Authors: Chiang David T , Tan Elaine I , Birks David 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION Appendicitis is a common diagnosis, but is by no means a simple one to establish. This retrospective study investigated the value of medical imaging (ultrasonography and/or computed tomography [CT]) for patients with suspected appendicitis. Negative appendicectomy rate and appendiceal perforation with or without medical imaging were used as end points for this investigation. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study retrospectively reviewed all patients admitted in one district general hospital with suspected acute appendicitis. The patient cohort was identified from the Unit Registry and an International Classification of Diseases-based Review of medical records. The medical records were analysed, and the outcome of patients were followed up. RESULTS Between 12 January 2004 to 27 May 2005, 168 patients' medical records were audited. The negative appendicitis rate was 6.7% and appendiceal perforation rate was 3.2%. Among them, only 20 in-patients (12%) had medical imaging (ultrasonography and/or CT scan) after clinical assessment for suspected acute appendicitis. Medical imaging had a 70% prediction rate for acute appendicitis, 20% false-negative rate, and 10% false-positive rate. Overall, the prediction rate for appendicitis by clinical assessment supplemented by laboratory tests and medical imaging at clinician's discretion was 93.2%. CONCLUSIONS Despite studies advocating routine use of medical imaging for patients with suspected acute appendicitis, this study showed that the clinical evaluation is still paramount to the management of patients with suspected acute appendicitis before considering medical imaging.
Trend towards Primary Closure Following Laparoscopic Exploration of the Common Bile Duct
Authors: Jameel M , Darmas B , Baker AL 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was the assessment of patient outcome, peri-operative complications, length of stay and duration of operation after laparoscopic primary closure of the common bile duct (CBD) compared with choledochotomy with T-tube drainage and trans-cystic exploration. PATIENTS AND METHODS Analysis of prospectively collected data on 71 explorations of the common bile duct between July 2001 and March 2006. RESULTS A total of 71 patients had exploration of the CBD. Within this group, 12 were referred after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The methods of exploration included trans-cystic (9 cases), choledochotomy with Ttube (12), and choledochotomy with primary closure (50). CBD stones were found in 66 patients. In the remaining cases, we found a stricture in 1, debris in 2, and dilatation of the CBD without a stone in 2. There were 5 conversions to open technique and 3 patients required postoperative ERCP (1 with permanent stenting). Peri-operative complications included T-tube (3), primary closure group (9), and trans-cystic (0). There was no statistical significant difference (Chi-square test, P = 0.296) between the groups. There was a trend towards a shorter length of stay in the primary closure group as compared with the trans-cystic and T-tube groups of 4.16, 4.44, and 6.33 days, respectively. However, it did not reach statistical significance (one-way analysis of variance with Boneferroni correction, mean difference between groups 1.89, 0.28, 2,17, statistical significance at P < 0.05). The shortest operating time was in the primary closure group (95.92 min) which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). We did not use a biliary drain in the last 48 patients. CONCLUSIONS Primary laparoscopic closure of the CBD is safe and results in a reduction in operating time. Choledochoscopy ensures clearance of the CBD and eliminates the need for T-tube.
Comparison of the Short-Form Survey 12 and the MacNew Heart Disease Health-Related Quality of Life Survey Among Patients with Cardiac Disease
Authors: Sansgiry Sujit S , Chien Chloe , Jayawant Sujata S , Raju Aditya 
Published: January 2008

Background: Heallh-relaled quality or lire (HRQL) is an important outcome, especially for chronic diseases with no cure such as cardiovascular diseases. Objective: To investigate the comparability of 2 HRQL instalments, the Short Form-12 (SF-12) survey and the MacNew Heart Disease HRQL survey (MacNew) in patients with cardiac diseases. Methods: A nonexperimental cross-sectional study was conducted in a lipid clinic in the Houston metropolitan area. Patients with a prior cardiac disease were requested to complete the SF-12 and the MacNew scales while waiting to see the physician during their regular clinic visit, Cronbach's u values were estimated to evaluate internal consistency. Spearman's correlation was performed to examine the correlation between the SF-12 and the MacNew scale domains, Results: A total of 118 patients were enrolled in this study. High Cronbach's a (from 0.89 to 0.94) were observed from all component scores in the MacNew scales. Physical component scores from the SF-12 and from the MacNew were highly correlated (r = 0.74; p < 0.001), as were the mental component score from the SF-12 and the emotional component score from the MacNew (r = 0.68; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The SF-12 and the MacNew appeared to be strongfy correlated to each other for predicting a patient's HRQL in patients with a cardiac disease.
Amantadine Enhancement of Arousal and Cognition After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Sawyer Elizabeth , Maura Laurie S , Ohlinger Martin J 
Published: January 2008

Objective: To determine the role of amantadine therapy tor early arousal and improved cognition in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Data Sources: Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1950–August 2007) using the MeSH terms amantadine, brain injuries, cognition, and arousal. PubMed (through August 2007) terms included amantadine, traumatic brain injury, and cerebral injury. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All studies ol amantadine (used <6 mo after injury) for enhancement of arousal or cognition in patients with TBI were reviewed. Data Synthesis: Many cases of TBI are associated with frontal lobe injury. As a dopamine agonist, amantadine is thought to be involved in frontal lobe stimulation. Two case reports, 3 retrospective studies, and 2 randomized, double-blind, controlled trials of amantadine therapy for early arousal in TBI were identified and reviewed. Limitations of the available studies include open design, retrospective design, and heterogeneous brain injury types. Results have been inconsistent between studies, largely due to variability in designs, heterogeneity in patient populations, time following injury, and use of numerous different outcome measures. Despite these limitations, improvements in arousal and cognition, as documented by the Glasgow Coma Scale and olher measures, have been observed in patients with TBI when amantadine has been initiated 3 days to 5 months after injury. Conclusions: At doses of 200–400 mg/day, amantadine appears to safely improve arousal and cognition in patients with TBI. Additional prospective controlled studies with homogeneous patient populations will better define the role of amantadine for early arousal.
Treatment Options in Imatinib-Resistant Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Authors: Marshall Helen M , Hammond Julia M 
Published: January 2008

Objective: To discuss new therapeutic options available in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in patients who (ailed or were intolerant to imatinib therapy. Data Sources: Literature was accessed via MEDLINE (1966–May 2007). EMBASE (199l–3rd quarter 2007). the Proceedings of the American Society of Hematology (2000–2006), and the Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (2000–2007). Search terms included imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib. and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Meeting abstracts and studies that reported preclinical and Phase 1, 2, and 3 trials published in English are included. Data Synthesis: Imatinib is the standard of care for CML; however, some patients develop resistance or are intolerant to the drug. Phase 1 and 2 clinical data for the more potent tyrosine kinase inhibitors, dasatinib and nilotinib, are promising. Hematologic and cytogenetic responses are reported with both. There does not appear to be cross-resistance between the drugs, although neither is effective against all mutations ol the hallmark molecular marker, the Philadelphia chromosome. Novel agents are also being examined for the treatment of patients with CML, including aurora kinase and farnesyl transferase inhibitors, as well as combination therapies. Conclusions: Dasatinib and nilotinib are second-tine options for patients who have CML and are resistant or intolerant to imatinib. Toxicity profiles between agents may differ. Clinical trials with these drugs and others are ongoing.
Developing narrative interpretation: Structural and content analyses
Authors: Genereux Randy. , McKeough Anne. 
Published: January 2008

Background.Narrative thought is a primary mode of human cognition that underpins key human capabilities such as meaning‐making and social‐psychological understanding.Aims.We sought to further our understanding of the development of narrative thought during adolescence, particularly in terms of the structure and content of narrative interpretations.Sample.Participants were 151 grade 4 to grade 12 students from six schools in a major urban centre in Western Canada. They included average and high‐average students.Method.A cross‐sectional design was used with four age groups: 10, 12, 14 and 17 years. Participants read a short story incorporating two substories and multiple layers of meaning. They then summarized it, described the two main characters, generated story morals and answered multiple choice interpretation questions. Responses were scored for both structural complexity and social‐psychological content of narrative thought. Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance were conducted to identify developmental trends.Results.A clear developmental pattern in structural complexity was discerned in which students were increasingly able to understand complex multiple layers of meaning within a story. A striking shift in social‐psychological thought was also identified as students demonstrated understanding that moved from an intentional focus on immediate and specific mental states to an increasingly interpretive focus on enduring states, character traits and second‐order psychological interpretations.Conclusion.Significant transformation occurs during adolescence in the structure and content of narrative thought as well as in capacity for the fundamental human endeavour of meaning‐making.
Predictors of the therapeutic alliance in group therapy for individuals with treatment‐resistant auditory hallucinations
Authors: Johnson David P. , Penn David L. , Bauer Daniel J. , Meyer Piper. , Evans Elizabeth. 
Published: January 2008

ObjectivesThis study hypothesized that several baseline client characteristics (i.e. age, symptoms, insight, social functioning) would significantly predict client‐rated group alliance in out‐patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.DesignHierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to evaluate the contributions of selected baseline individual client characteristics and group level characteristics to client‐rated group alliance at the sixth session of group therapy. The effect of treatment type (CBT vs. ST) on group alliance and interaction with predictor variables were also analysed. Finally, correlations were computed to explore the relationship between group alliance, attendance, and treatment engagement.MethodsSixty‐three out‐patients who had treatment‐resistant auditory hallucinations were randomly assigned to either group CBT, which targeted reduction of distress associated with hallucinations, or group ST, which focused on improving social integration.ResultsResults indicate that a stronger group alliance at the mid‐point of treatment was associated with overall higher levels of group insight, and lower individual autistic preoccupation and social functioning at the baseline assessment. In addition, stronger group alliance was significantly correlated with higher attendance rates and therapists' ratings of treatment compliance.ConclusionsThese findings have implications for determining group composition and identifying clients low in therapeutic engagement. Suggestions for future research on group alliance are also discussed.
Empathy, systemizing, and autistic traits in anorexia nervosa: A pilot study
Authors: Hambrook David , Tchanturia Kate , Schmidt Ulrike , Russell Tamara , Treasure Janet 
Published: January 2008

ObjectivesThis pilot study examined whether patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) would display an empathizing–systemizing psychometric profile similar to that found in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and whether people with AN would score highly on a measure of autistic traits.MethodSelf‐report measures of empathy, systemizing, and autistic traits were administered to 22 female AN patients and 45 female healthy controls (HC).ResultsAN patients and HCs did not differ significantly in their self‐reported empathy and systemizing. AN patients scored significantly higher than HCs on the autism‐spectrum quotient.ConclusionsReplication of these findings is required with larger samples and more sensitive measures.
Real‐world problem solving and quality of life in older people
Authors: Gilhooly M. L. , Gilhooly K. J. , Phillips L. H. , Harvey D. , Brady A. , Hanlon P. 
Published: January 2008

Objectives. This study examined relationships between quality of life (QoL) in older people and cognitive functioning in both abstract and real‐world problem solving.Design. Contributions of levels of mental, physical and social activities, self‐rated and objective health status, self‐rated cognitive functioning, socio‐economic status, gender, real‐world and abstract problem solving were examined in a regression study of factors related to QoL in older people.Method. Participants (N = 145) were 70–91 years of age. The current cognitive functioning was assessed by psychometric tests and real‐world problem‐solving tasks. Prior functioning was indexed by crystallized ability measures. QoL was assessed using the Leiden‐Padua questionnaire (LEIPAD), Faces scales and Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale. A single QoL factor was derived.Results. Simultaneous multiple regressions indicated that QoL was related to real‐world but not to abstract problem‐solving ability. Separate contributions to QoL were also found for health and self‐rated cognitive functioning.Conclusions. The present study replicates previous findings that abstract problem‐solving ability is not related to QoL and supports the hypothesis that real‐world or everyday problem‐solving ability is associated with QoL in older people.
Post‐traumatic growth in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care
Authors: Mystakidou Kyriaki , Tsilika Eleni , Parpa Efi , Galanos Antonis , Vlahos Lambros 
Published: January 2008

Goals of work To develop the Greek version of the Post‐traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI‐Gr), and assess its psychometric properties in a palliative care patient sample.Patients and methods The scale was translated with the forward–backward procedure to Greek. It was administered twice, with a 3‐day interval, to 131 eligible patients with advanced cancer. Together with the PTGI, the patients also completed the Greek version of the Impact of Events Scale‐Revised scale (IES‐R‐Gr). The reliability was assessed by the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficients), test/retest (Spearman's r value), and inter‐item correlations. Validity was demonstrated by factor analysis, inter‐scale correlations, construct validity with the IES‐R‐Gr, and combined with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status.Main results The PTGI‐Gr yielded a five‐factor structure, explaining 73.5% of the variance. Cronbach's alphas for the five factors ranged from .66 to .87, respectively. Overall test–retest reliability was satisfactory with a range between .85 and .92 (p<.0005), and inter‐item correlations ranged between .47 and .63. Inter‐scale correlations were found satisfactory (p<.0005, p<.005, and p<.05). Validity as performed using combined validity analysis showed good results. Satisfactory construct validity was supported by the correlation analysis between the PTGI‐Gr and the IES‐R‐Gr scales.Conclusions PTGI‐Gr is an instrument with satisfactory psychometric properties, and is a valid research tool for the post‐traumatic growth of advanced cancer patients.
Comparing solutions to the expectancy‐value muddle in the theory of planned behaviour
Authors: O' Sullivan B. , McGee H. , Keegan O. 
Published: January 2008

Objectives The authors of the Theories of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Planned Behaviour (TPB) recommended a method for statistically analysing the relationship between the indirect belief‐based measures and the direct measures of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control (PBC). However, there is a growing awareness that this yields statistically uninterpretable results. This study's objective was to compare two solutions to what has been called the ‘expectancy‐value muddle’. These solutions were (i) optimal scoring of modal beliefs and (ii) individual beliefs without multiplicative composites.Design Cross‐sectional data were collected by telephone interview.Methods Participants were 110 first‐degree relatives (FDRs) of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC), who were offered CRC screening in the study hospital (83% response rate). Participants were asked to rate the TPB constructs in relation to attending for CRC screening.Results There was no significant difference in the correlation between behavioural beliefs and attitude for rescaled modal and individual beliefs. This was also the case for control beliefs and PBC. By contrast, there was a large correlation between rescaled modal normative beliefs and subjective norm, whereas individual normative beliefs did not correlate with subjective norm.Conclusions Using individual beliefs without multiplicative composites allows for a fairly unproblematic interpretation of the relationship between the indirect and direct TPB constructs (French & Hankins, 2003). Therefore, it is recommended that future studies consider using individual measures of behavioural and control beliefs without multiplicative composites and examine a different way of measuring individual normative beliefs without multiplicative composites to that used in this study.
Self construction in schizophrenia: A discourse analysis
Authors: Meehan Trudy , MacLachlan Malcolm 
Published: January 2008

Objectives. Lysaker and Lysaker (Theory and Psychology, 12 (2), 207–220, 2002) employ a dialogical theory of self in their writings on self disruption in schizophrenia. It is argued here that this theory could be enriched by incorporating a discursive and social constructionist model of self. Harré's model enables researchers to use subject positions to identify self construction in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia that the dialogical model, using analysis of narrative, does not as easily recognize.Methods. The paper presents a discourse analysis of self construction in eight participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Transcripts from semi‐structured interviews are analysed, wherein focus falls on how participants construct self in talk through the use of subject positioning.Results. The findings indicate that Harré's theory of self and the implied method of discourse analysis enables more subtle and nuanced constructions of self to be identified than those highlighted by Lysaker and Lysaker (Theory and Psychology, 12 (2), 207–220, 2002). The analysis of subject positions revealed that participants constructed self in the form of Harré's (The singular self: An introduction to the psychology of personhood, 1998, London: Sage) self1, self2, and self3. The findings suggest that there may be constructions of self used by people diagnosed with schizophrenia that are not recognized by the current research methods focusing on narrative. The paper argues for the recognition of these constructions and by implication a model of self that takes into account different levels of visibility of self construction in talk.