bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective study on the behaviour of the metalloprotease ADAMTS13 and of von Willebrand factor after bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Peyvandi F. , Siboni S. M. , Lambertenghi Deliliers D. , Lavoretano S. , De Fazio N. , Moroni B. , Lambertenghi Deliliers G. , Mannuccio Mannucci P. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are rare but serious complications of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Clinical manifestations are similar to those of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), but prognosis is generally poorer despite plasma exchange. The enzymatic activity of the plasma metalloprotease ADAMTS13, which cleaves ultralarge thrombogenic multimers of von Willebrand factor (VWF) derived from activated endothelial cells, is very low or undetectable in patients with classic TTP, and protease deficiency is thought to play a mechanistic role in the formation of platelet thrombi in the microcirculation. This is the first prospective study to evaluate the incidence of TMA in 46 consecutively recruited patients undergoing autologous or allogeneic BMT and explore in parallel the behaviour of ADAMTS13, VWF antigen and VWF multimer size. The incidence of post‐BMT TMA was 6% (three of 46); all cases occurred after allogeneic BMT. Compared with baseline values plasma ADAMTS13 activity was significantly reduced in patients undergoing BMT, particularly after the conditioning regimen (mean values: 50 ± 22 vs. 77 ± 32%; P < 0·0001). In the three patients who developed TMA, ADAMTS13 decreased after conditioning, but was very low in one case only (8%). VWF antigen levels progressively increased after the conditioning regimen (228 ± 75 vs. 178 ± 76% at baseline, P = 0·002). The mean proportion of high‐molecular weight VWF multimers did not change in the various stages of BMT, even though ultralarge multimers were transiently found in same cases with and without TMA. Hence, the measurements evaluated in this study are not clinically useful to predict the occurrence of post‐BMT TMA.
Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation from alternative donors with a conditioning regimen of low‐dose irradiation, fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in Fanconi anaemia
Authors: Yabe Hiromasa , Inoue Hiroyasu , Matsumoto Masae , Hamanoue Satoshi , Koike Takashi , Ishiguro Hiroyuki , Koike Hideki , Suzuki Kazuo , Kato Shunichi , Kojima Seiji , Tsuchida Masahiro , Mori Tetsuya , Adachi Souichi , Tsuji Koichiro , Koike Kenichi , Morimoto Akira , Sako Masahiro , Yabe Miharu 
Published: May 2006

SummaryA pilot study was undertaken using a fludarabine‐based conditioning regimen to improve haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from alternative donors in 27 Fanconi anaemia (FA) patients. Patients were conditioned with 150–180 mg/m2 of fludarabine, 40 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide, 5–10 mg/kg of antithymocyte globulin, and 300–450 cGy of thoracoabdominal/total body irradiation. One patient who received unrelated cord blood transplantation failed to engraft, another patient died of sepsis. The 1‐year overall survival was 96·3% (95% CI, 89–100). This conditioning regimen exerted an immunosuppressive effect that enabled durable engraftment in alternative donor HCT without severe toxicity.
Effects of HRT on liver enzyme levels in women with type 2 diabetes: a randomized placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: McKenzie Joyce , Fisher B Miles , Jaap Alan J. , Stanley Adrian , Paterson Kenneth , Sattar Naveed 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackground  Increasingly strong links are being recognized between diabetes, insulin resistance and liver fat accumulation [e.g. nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)]. Recent data indicating that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may lessen diabetes risk is intriguing but explanatory mechanisms are unclear.Objective  Post hoc investigation of the possibility that HRT may favourably influence liver enzyme levels commonly elevated in patients with diabetes. We examined liver function test data from a 6‐month trial of a low‐dose continuous combined HRT (1 mg 17β oestradiol and 0·5 mg norethisterone acetate).Design  Double‐blind, randomized placebo‐controlled.Patients  Fifty women with type 2 diabetes.Measurements  Liver enzyme levels (AST, ALT, gamma‐glutamylytransferase [GGT], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]).Results  Forty‐five women completed the study with 19/22 in the active group demonstrating compliance as measured by sex hormone changes. Relative to placebo recipients (n = 23), women randomized and compliant to HRT demonstrated significant reductions in ALT [−14 (−23 to −6) U/l, P = 0·002], AST [−9·2 (−14 to −5) U/l, P < 0·001] and ALP [−60·8 (−80 to −42) U/l, P < 0·001]. Circulating concentrations in GGT were also significantly reduced (P = 0·035). All changes were significant using an intention‐to‐treat analysis.Conclusion  HRT containing low‐dose oestradiol and norethisterone reduces serum concentrations of liver function enzymes, potentially due to a lowering of liver fat accumulation. Better understanding of mechanisms by which this HRT improves liver function tests could help the design of new therapies to treat individuals with NAFLD.
Hypopituitarism and mortality in pituitary adenoma
Authors: Lindholm J. , Nielsen E. Husted , Bjerre P. , Christiansen J. Sandahl , Hagen C. , Juul S. , Jørgensen J. , Kruse A. , Laurberg P. , Stochholm K. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackground and objective  Previous studies on hypopituitarism and mortality have concluded that insufficient pituitary function is associated with decreased survival. For several reasons the results are difficult to compare – particularly because definitions and treatment of hypopituitarism have varied and various underlying disorders have been included. The purpose was to assess the relationship between mortality and pituitary function.Patients and design  One hundred and sixty consecutive patients (99 men and 61 women) with functionless, suprasellar pituitary adenoma. All were operated on transsphenoidally during the period 1985–1996. Additional radiotherapy was given to 29 patients. Mortality was calculated 12·4 years (median, range 8·1–19·9) after operation. Postoperative hormonal deficits were treated in most, though GH substitution was given only to a minority of patients.Results  Postoperatively 30% of the patients had normal pituitary function (normal adrenocortical, thyroid and gonadal function), 26% were panhypopituitary and 36% had partial pituitary insufficiency. Forty‐one patients had died (34·7 expected) yielding a standard mortality ratio (SMR) of 1·18 (95% confidence limits (CI) 0·87–1·60). SMR was significantly increased in women (1·97, CI 1·20–3·21) but not in men (0·83, CI 0·55–1·26). SMR in patients with normal pituitary function, panhypopituitarism and partial insufficiency were not different from that in the general population. SMR in hypopituitary women was substantially higher than in men with pituitary insufficiency. Treatment with growth hormone in GH‐deficient patients did not influence survival.Conclusion  Pituitary surgery for nonfunctioning adenoma and subsequent pituitary insufficiency had no effect on mortality in men, but was associated with significantly increased mortality in women. Suboptimal hormonal substitution in women may play a role.
The analysis of volatiles from thermally oxidized virgin olive oil using dynamic sorption–thermal desorption and solid phase micro‐extraction techniques
Authors: Kanavouras Antonis , Hernandez Ruben J. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryVirgin olive oil was thermally oxidized by heating in a conventional oven. Volatiles produced during this process were isolated either by dynamic headspace‐thermal desorption (DHS‐TD) with Tenax‐TA trapping material, or solid phase micro‐extraction (SPME) with nonpolar polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) and polydimethysiloxane‐divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fibres. Volatiles collected in the former case were isolated by using gas chromatography (GC) and characterized by an ion trap mass spectrometer, while those extracted by SPME were isolated by GC and characterized by the use of a time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometer (TOFMS). More compounds were isolated by DHS‐TD compared to SPME which is, however, a quick process that can be even faster when combined with the high speed chromatography equipment of TOFMS. Fifty‐eight compounds were isolated from olive oil samples using the PDMS/DVB bi‐polar fibres and 39 using the nonpolar PDMS. A quick descriptive analysis of oxidized olive oil is best obtained by using the SPME technique with a PDMS/DVB bi‐polar fibre.
Time course of the colour of young red wines from Vitis vinifera L. during ageing in bottle
Authors: Monagas María , Martín‐Álvarez Pedro J. , Gómez‐Cordovés Carmen , Bartolomé Begoña 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe colour characteristics of red wines from Vitis vinifera L. cv Tempranillo, Graciano and Cabernet Sauvignon (vintage 2000) from Navarra (Spain), was studied during 26 months of ageing in bottle through the evaluation of the wine visible spectrum and of several colorimetric indices (colour intensity, %red, %yellow, %blue, %dA and tint) and CIELAB variables (L*, C*, h, a* and b*). During ageing in bottle, the spectrum of Tempranillo wine (pH 4.3) mainly changed in the absorbance range between 420 and 500 nm, whereas Graciano (pH 3.5) and Cabernet Sauvignon (pH 3.6) wines registered a decrease in absorbance in the interval between 500 and 560 nm. The time course of the different wine colour parameters was found to fit either a second‐order polynomium or a linear model, depending on the grape variety employed. CIELAB variables could be described in terms of their colorimetric index counterparts, showing b* and h relative greater errors. Although the wine total chromatic changes in CIELAB units registered after 26 months of ageing in bottle indicated changes perceivable by the human eye (ΔE* ≥ 2.7) for the three varieties studied, Graciano and Cabernet Sauvignon wines showed a more balanced colour evolution than Tempranillo wine.
Oxidative stability in fried‐salted peanuts elaborated with high‐oleic and regular peanuts from Argentina
Authors: Nepote Valeria , Mestrallet Marta G. , Grosso Nelson R. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe purpose of this work was to determine the chemical and sensory stability of fried‐salted peanuts prepared with a high‐oleic cultivar, Granoleico (GO‐FP) in comparison with a regular cultivar, Tegua (T‐FP) of peanut from Argentina. General and fatty acids composition were determined in high‐oleic peanuts, cultivar ‘Granoleico’ (GO) and regular peanuts, cultivar ‘Tegua’ (T). Consumer test of fresh products, oxidative stability chemical indicators (peroxide and p‐anisidine values, and conjugated dienes) and descriptive analyses during storage were performed on fried‐salted peanuts prepared with GO and T. GO showed a higher Oleic/Linoleic (O/L) ratio (17.1 in raw GO and 10.1 in GO‐FP) than T (1.4 in raw T and 1.3 in T‐FP). GO‐FP did not differ in consumer acceptance in comparison with T‐FP. Chemical indicators in GO‐FP had a lower increase than T‐FP across the storage time. Peroxide value reached 20 meqO2 kg−1 after 125 days in GO‐FP and after 19 days in T‐FP. Sensory attributes did not show significant differences between GO‐FP and T‐FP along the storage. Fried‐salted peanuts prepared with kernels of high‐oleic peanuts had better oxidative stability.
The influence of a (1→3)(1→4)‐β‐d‐glucan rich fraction from barley on the physico‐chemical properties and in vitro reducing sugars release of durum wheat pasta
Authors: Cleary Louise , Brennan Charles 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe effect of the addition of a β‐glucan fibre fraction from barley to durum wheat pasta was evaluated in terms of cooking characteristics, structure, texture and in vitro starch digestibility. Barley β‐glucan (BBG) fibre fraction was incorporated into pasta at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% inclusion rates. Incorporation of the BBG fibre fraction to pasta attenuated reducing sugar release during in vitro digestion, the magnitude of reduction being related to the level of BBG fibre fraction inclusion. Changes to pasta cooking quality and texture were observed with BBG fibre fraction addition, including greater solid loss during cooking, increased pasta swelling and loss of hardness compared with the control pasta. Investigation of pasta microstructure and characterisation of starch gelatinisation events indicated that a combination of changes to the starch–protein matrix and the high water binding capacity of β‐glucan alters the physico‐chemical properties and digestibility of the pastas.
Physico‐chemical characteristics and total quality of five date varieties grown in the United Arab Emirates†
Authors: Ismail Baraem , Haffar Imad , Baalbaki Riad , Mechref Yehia , Henry Jeya 
Published: May 2006

SummaryFive date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties, commonly grown in the UAE, were studied for their chemical composition, physical, mechanical and rheological properties. All measurements were made at the ‘tamr’ stage, the final stage of fruit ripeness. Samples were analysed for sugar, moisture, protein, ash and mineral element contents. Physical measurements as well as mechanical and rheological measurements of the fruit including pitting pressure, shear pressure, and modulus of elasticity were also carried out. Significant differences were observed in the characteristics that were studied, allowing for distinguishable grades among the five varieties. Chemical and physical characteristics of the fruits influenced their mechanical and rheological properties, which in turn can be indicators of firmness and ultimately of quality. Results from this work revealed new and essential information for better understanding of the date fruit that helps to enhance industrialisation and propagation of the best date varieties that satisfy producers’ as well as consumers’ demands.
Use of pejibaye flour (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) in the production of food pastas
Authors: De Oliveira Maria K. S. , Martinez‐Flores Hector E. , De Andrade Jerusa S. , Garnica‐Romo Ma G. , Chang Yoon K. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryPejibaye flour (Bactris gasipaes Kunth, also known as peach palm) produced in Nova California and Extrema in Rondonia, Brazil, was tested for farinographic characteristics. It was also studied for its possible use in producing food pastas, using a mixture containing 15% pejibaye flour (PF) and 85% wheat flour (WF). In terms of the farinogram characteristics of the mixed flour, when compared with WF, there was an increase in values for water absorption, arrival and development times, as well as the tolerance index; on the other hand, there was a decrease in stability and departure times. In the cooking test for spaghetti and twist noodles, it was found that adding PF to the pasta did not significantly alter its characteristics of quality and texture.
Feasibility assessment of vacuum cooling of cooked pork ham with water compared to that without water and with air blast cooling
Authors: Cheng Qiaofen , Sun Da‐Wen 
Published: May 2006

SummaryTo optimise vacuum cooling for application in the meat industry, an improved cooling method, i.e. vacuum cooling with water (or immersion vacuum cooling), was designed to cool cooked pork ham (2.2 ± 0.2 kg). It was found that the cooling time of vacuum cooling with water was significantly shorter than that of traditional air blast cooling (P < 0.05). For the cooling loss, vacuum cooling with water was significantly lower (6.99%) than that of vacuum cooling without water (13.71%) (P < 0.05). Significant differences in physical and chemical attributes were also observed for ham processed by vacuum cooling with and without water (P < 0.05). Therefore, for a certain size of pork ham, vacuum cooling with water could be an effective method to meet safety guidelines and obtain compatible quality attributes with air blast cooling.
Influence of crude olive leaf juice on rat liver and kidney functions
Authors: Farag Radwan S. , Mahmoud Ebtesam A. , Basuny Amany M. , Ali Rehab F. M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryCrude juice of olive leaves (Kronakii cultivar) was obtained by hydraulic press. The level of polyphenlic compounds in the juice was 215 ppm. An aliquots of the concentrated olive leaf juice, represent 600, 1200 and 2400 ppm as polyphenols and butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT; 200 ppm) were administered to rats daily for 6 weeks by stomach tube. The liver (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities) and kidney (bilirubin, uric acid, creatinine and urea) function tests and serum contents (total lipids, total cholesterol and low and high‐density lipoproteins) were measured to assess the safety limits of the polyphenolic compounds in the olive leaf juice. The data of the aforementioned measurements indicated that the administration of olive leaf juice did not cause any changes in liver and kidney functions. On the contrary, BHT at 200 ppm induced significant increases in the enzyme activities and the serum levels of total lipids, uric acid, urea and creatinine. Microscopical examinations of kidney and liver tissues of rats administered with the phenolic compounds of olive leaf juice had the histological character as that of control rats whilst, the administration of BHT at 200 ppm altered the features of rat liver tissues and severely damaged the rat kidney tissues.
A dimensional structure of nurse–patient interactions from a caring perspective: refinement of the Caring Nurse–Patient Interaction Scale (CNPI‐Short Scale)
Authors: Cossette Sylvie , Cote Jose K. , Pepin Jacinthe , Ricard Nicole , D'Aoust Louis‐Xavier 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper reports the development of a short version of the Caring Nurse–Patient Interaction Scale.Background.  Since the 1980s several instruments have been developed to assess external aspects of caring. They involve using an inductive process of knowledge development to investigate the underlying structure of caring, and few reflect an explicit underlying caring theory. We developed the Caring Nurse–Patient Interactions Scale (CNPI‐Long Scale) based on both inductive and deductive processes to assess attitudes and behaviours associated with Watson's 10 carative factors. Two issues led us to abridge our original 70‐item scale into a more concise Short Scale (CNPI‐Short Scale). First, many of our subscales were moderately to highly correlated, which is an empirical reflection of the theoretical non‐independence of the carative factors. Secondly, a 70‐item questionnaire was difficult to be deal with in the clinical research setting with severely ill patients because of its length.Method.  Items selected were determined by factor analysis, with specific theoretical and empirical requirements. Data were collected in September 2003 from 377 nursing students beginning their first, second or third year of a nursing programme.Results.  The Short Scale comprises 23 items, reflecting four caring domains: Humanistic Care (four items), Relational Care (seven), Clinical Care (nine) and Comforting Care (three). All items are related to their theoretical domain alone (i.e. factor loading ≥0·40). Alpha coefficients for the four domains were adequate (0·63–0·74, 0·90–0·92, 0·80–0·94 and 0·61–0·76 respectively).Conclusions.  The CNPI‐Short Scale, has potential for use in clinical research settings, particularly when questionnaire length is an issue. It is a useful tool for research aimed at demonstrating that caring is indeed fundamental to nursing.
Life story work in health and social care: systematic literature review
Authors: McKeown Jane , Clarke Amanda , Repper Julie 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to review the literature on life story work in health and social care practice.Background.  Life story work as an intervention has been used with a number of health and social care clients, such as children people with learning disabilities, older people on medical wards and with older people who have dementia. It may help challenge ageist attitudes and assumptions, be used as a basis for individualized care, improve assessment, assist in transitions between different care environments, and help to develop improved relationships between care staff and family carers. However, to date there has been no attempt to collate the findings from published accounts.Methods.  A systematic search of the literature on life story work was conducted in February 2004, using nursing, medical and social science databases and a combination of thesaurus and free text search terms. This revealed over 1000 publications; the use of carefully constructed inclusion and exclusion criteria identified 51 relevant items. Fourteen were subsequently selected and reviewed using a set of reflective critical appraisal questions.Findings.  A range of methodological approaches has been adopted to explore the use of life story work with no one specific methodology prevailing. The work has been most frequently used with older people and people with a learning disability and life story books are the most common approach. Staff perceptions of life story work have been explored, but patient and carer views are less frequently reported. The findings of the studies are discussed in broad themes, offering some tentative recommendations for using life story work in practice.Conclusion.  Evidence on the use of life story work is immature, leading to the recommendation for more research. Although appraising literature from a range of approaches is complex, there are some potentially far‐reaching benefits of life story work in health and social care practice.
Medical emergency teams: a strategy for improving patient care and nursing work environments
Authors: Galhotra Sanjay , Scholle Carol C. , Dew Mary Amanda , Mininni Nicolette C. , Clermont Gilles , DeVita Michael A. 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study of nurses’ perceptions about medical emergency teams and their impact on patient care and the nursing work environment.Background.  In many acute care hospitals, nurses can summon emergency help by calling a medical emergency team, which is a team of expert critical care professionals adept at handling patient crisis scenarios. Critical care nurses form the core of such teams. In addition, of all the healthcare professionals, nurses are the ones who most often need and call for medical emergency team assistance.Methods.  A simple anonymous questionnaire distributed amongst 300 staff nurses at two sites of an acute care teaching hospital in the United States of America in mid‐January of 2005.Results.  A total of 248 nurses responded to the survey (response rate = 82·7%). Ninety‐three per cent of the nurses reported that medical emergency teams improved patient care and 84% felt that they improved the nursing work environment. Veteran nurses (with at least 10 years of experience) and new nurses (<1 year's experience) were more likely to perceive an improvement in patient care than other nurses (P = 0·025). Nurses who had called a medical emergency team on more than one occasion were more likely to value their ability to call a team (P = 0·002). Nearly sixty‐five per cent of respondents said they would consider institutional medical emergency team response as a factor when seeking a new job in the future. Only 7% suggested a change in the team response process, and 4% suggested a change in activation criteria.Conclusions.  Most nurses surveyed had a favourable opinion of the medical emergency team. Our findings suggest that other institutions should consider implementing a medical emergency team programme as a strategy to improve patient care and nurse working environment.