bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathogen inactivation of platelets with a photochemical treatment with amotosalen HCl and ultraviolet light: process used in the SPRINT trial
Authors: Pineda Alvaro , McCullough Jeffrey , Benjamin Richard J. , Cable Ritchard , Strauss Ronald G. , Burgstaler Edwin , Porter Seth , Lin Lily , Metzel Peyton , Conlan Maureen G. ,   SPRINT Study Group
Published: February 2006

BACKGROUND:  A photochemical treatment (PCT) system has been developed to inactivate a broad spectrum of pathogens and white blood cells in platelet (PLT) products. The system comprises PLT additive solution (PAS III), amotosalen HCl, a compound adsorption device (CAD), a microprocessor‐controlled ultraviolet A light source, and a commercially assembled system of interconnected plastic containers.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A clinical prototype of the PCT system was used in a large, randomized, controlled, double‐blind, Phase III clinical trial (SPRINT) that compared the efficacy and safety of PCT apheresis PLTs to untreated apheresis PLTs. The ability of multiple users was assessed in a blood center setting to perform the PCT and meet target process specifications.RESULTS:  Each parameter was evaluated for 2237 to 2855 PCT PLT products. PCT requirements with respect to mean PLT dose, volume, and plasma content were met. Transfused PCT PLT products contained a mean of 3.6 × 1011 ± 0.7 × 1011 PLTs. The clinical process, which included trial‐specific samples, resulted in a mean PLT loss of 0.8 × 1011 ± 0.6 × 1011 PLTs per product. CAD treatment effectively reduced the amotosalen concentration from a mean of 31.9 ± 5.3 µmol per L after illumination to a mean of 0.41 ± 0.56 µmol per L after CAD. In general, there was little variation between sites for any parameter.CONCLUSIONS:  The PCT process was successfully implemented by 12 blood centers in the United States to produce PCT PLTs used in a prospective, randomized trial where therapeutic efficacy of PCT PLTs was demonstrated. Process control was achieved under blood bank operating conditions.
Genomics, Nutrition, Obesity, and Diabetes
Authors: Johnson Rolanda L. , Williams Scott M. , Spruill Ida J. 
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To present evidence of genetic and environmental interactions as they relate to nutrition, diabetes, and obesity.
Methods: A review of seminal literature related to genetics, obesity, and diabetes.
Findings: Multifactorial interactions are important in the development of nutrition‐related disorders, but the challenge remains to explain how these interactions are expressed. Treating subpopulations of people might be important and useful to some extent at present, but in the future treating people of given genetic predispositions and other personal and environmental factors will have greater effects on quality‐of‐life indicators and life expectancies.
Conclusions: Individualization coupled with multifactorial interactions will lead to new and more effective preventive and treatment modalities of nutrition‐related disorders. With obesity and diabetes, genomics will bridge the traditional use of diet, exercise, and weight reduction with other environmental factors, ultimately leading to healthier lives.
Factor V Leiden as a Common Genetic Risk Factor for Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Horne McDonald K. , McCloskey Donna Jo 
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To increase nurses' knowledge of the Factor V Leiden (FVL) genetic trait for venous thromboembolism.
Organizing Framework: An overview of the history, prevalence, and predisposition of the FVL genetic mutation, including who should be tested and how and in what circumstances people with FVL should be treated.
Findings: FVL is the most commonly recognized genetic trait associated with venous thrombosis. It is found predominantly in Caucasian populations. Biochemically it causes “activated protein C resistance (APCR).” The decision to test for FVL depends on whether the information gained will potentially improve the health care of the person or family. For people who have had deep venous thrombosis, testing for FVL will likely not alter treatment approaches. Currently the advantage for testing is primarily limited to asymptomatic family members who carry FVL and who have had deep vein thrombosis. Close relatives who also carry the mutated gene might benefit from prophylactic anticoagulation when their risk of thrombosis is increased by temporary factors such as surgery.
Conclusions: Nurses are in a unique position to provide accurate information and counseling when patients and their family members are presented with the results of thrombophilia testing.
Postpartum Smoking Relapse and Becoming a Mother
Authors: Gaffney Kathleen F. 
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To propose an innovative, theoretically‐derived conceptual framework for studies of postpartum smoking relapse including concepts of smoking abstinence self‐efficacy and becoming a mother.
Methods: Presentation of an existing research paradigm followed by evidence from intervention research and studies of factors associated with postpartum smoking behavior, leading to a new approach to postpartum smoking relapse.
Findings: Effectiveness of current interventions to prevent relapse is limited. Variables associated with becoming a mother are missing from studies of postpartum smoking relapse.
Conclusions: Context‐specific variables that influence a woman's progression through the stages of becoming a mother might include protective or risk factors that should be incorporated into the design of postpartum smoking relapse studies.
Integrative Review of Parenting in Nursing Research
Authors: Gage Jeffrey D. , Everett Kevin D. , Bullock Linda 
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To synthesize and critically analyze parenting research in nursing.
Design: Qualitative, integrative review of nursing research studies about parenting 1993‐2004.
Methods: Studies published by nurse researchers in peer‐reviewed journals were systematically searched using CINAHL and Medline databases. Data were organized and analyzed with a sample of 17 nursing research studies from core nursing journals.
Findings: The majority of parenting research has been focused on mothers, primarily about parenting children with physical or developmental disabilities. Research about fathers as parents is sparse. Parenting across cultures, parenting in the context of family, and theoretical frameworks for parenting research are not well developed.
Conclusions: The scope of nursing research on parenting is limited. The roles, functions, and contexts of parenting are not well defined. Further research is required to describe parenting and how parenting affects the health of individuals and families.
Use of Computer Technology to Enhance Immigrant Families' Adaptation
Authors: Tsai Jenny Hsin‐Chun 
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To summarize how computer technology influenced immigrant families' adaptation to life in the United States.
Design: Critical ethnography.
Methods: Data were collected from 1998 to 2000 from 13 parents and 16 children from nine Taiwanese immigrant families using semi‐structured interviews and a questionnaire. Narrative analysis was used with interview data.
Findings: Participants faced the demands of language proficiency, economic survival, loss of social networks, and social disconnection during resettlement. Computer technology provided participants with new occupational opportunities and strategies to overcome the barriers and stress created by resettlement. Internet and E‐mail access greatly facilitated these participant families' adaptation.
Conclusions: Study findings warrant further exploration to assess how new computer technology promotes immigrant families' adaptation and alleviates stress associated with resettlement, including information about their health and health care.
Nurse Dose as a Concept
Authors: Brooten Dorothy , Youngblut JoAnne M. 
Published: February 2006

Purpose: To describe the concept of Nurse Dose.
Methods: The concept of nurse dose has been identified from decades of clinical research as a concept essential in the delivery of safe and high quality health care. The components of nurse dose were conceptualized through review of the literature from nursing, medicine, and health services research.
Findings: Nurse dose is conceptualized as having three equally essential components: dose, nurse, and host and host response. Dose in the macro view includes the number of nurses per patient or per population in cities, states, regions, or countries. Dose in a micro view includes the amount of nurse time and the number of contacts. The nurse component consists of the education, expertise, and experience of the nurse. Host is represented by an organization and its characteristics (culture, autonomy, practice control) in a macro view and by the patient and characteristics (beliefs, values, culture) in a micro view. Host response includes response to the autonomy and acceptability of the nurse.
Conclusions: Greater nurse dose has been associated with decreases in patient mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs.
Diffuse granulomatous necrotizing scleritis
Authors: Pecorella Irene , La Cava Maurizio , Mannino Giuseppe , Pinca Marco , Pezzi Paola Pivetti 
Published: February 2006

Abstract.Case report:  A 34‐year‐old man presented with anterior scleral thinning in the right eye (RE) and a painful nodular scleritis in the left eye (LE). Fundus examination showed a healed vasculitis and an inferior epiretinal neovascular membrane in the LE. Topical and systemic oral steroids and antiviral medication were prescribed. One year later, optic disc hyperaemia and swelling and macular oedema became apparent in the LE. Pulsed intravenous steroids were administered for 1 year, when a nasal septum perforation and vitreous haemorrhage in the LE were diagnosed. The eye was enucleated 3.5 years after the initial complaint. Necrotizing granulomatous tissue replacing the sclera and subconjunctival granulomatous tissue were observed. Six months later, oedema and neovascularization of the right optic disc were observed and cyclophosphamide was started, with regression of the clinical signs. No systemic abnormalities have so far become apparent. Discussion:  Posterior scleritis is most often observed in patients with no signs of associated systemic autoimmune disease. The diagnosis in this case is most probably one of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). In WG, the diagnosis is based on necrotizing granulomas of the respiratory tract, generalized focal necrotizing vasculitis and focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis. Eye involvement with WG has been reported in up to 58% of cases. Evaluation of the scleritis patient should include a detailed medical history, chest X‐rays, blood tests, autoantibody serology and analysis of urinary sediment. Cyclophosphamide is the treatment of choice for patients with ocular manifestations of WG, polyarteritis nodosa or rheumatoid arthritis, either alone or in combination with systemic steroids. Visual loss is expected in 85% of individuals with severe necrotizing posterior scleritis.
Optical coherence tomography in the detection of retinal break and management of retinal detachment in morning glory syndrome
Authors: Ho Tzyy‐Chang , Tsai Po‐Chung , Chen Muh‐Shy , Lin Luke L. K. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine the efficacy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the management of retinal detachment in morning glory syndrome (MGS). Design:  Prospective, interventional case series. Methods:  Five eyes of five consecutive MGS patients who developed retinal detachment between August 2000 and June 2004 were enrolled and examined by OCT at presentation of retinal detachment. Four eyes were found to have a slit‐like break at the margin of the excavation by careful OCT scanning 360 degrees around the excavation. All four eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy, gas injection and postoperative laser photocoagulation. Postoperative OCT was performed to confirm the closure of the retinal break and reattachment of the retina. Results:  Optical coherence tomography detected a slit‐like break at the margin of excavation in four of five patients. The retina reattached in all five eyes over the subsequent 3−50‐months (average 28 months) follow‐up period. Postoperative OCT showed retinal break closure at the margin of the excavation. In the one eye in which no retinal break could be detected by OCT, the retina was reattached after pars plana vitrectomy and removal of gel‐like tissue. Conclusions:  Optical coherence tomography is beneficial in the detection of subtle slit‐like breaks at the margin of excavation in retinal detachment in MGS. It provides good guidance in subsequent surgery and is very helpful in confirming the closure of the retinal break.
Widespread occurrence of antibodies against circumsporozoite protein and against blood forms of Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum and P. malariae in Brazilian wild monkeys
Authors: Duarte Ana Maria R. de C. , Porto Maura A.L. , Curado Izilda , Malafronte Rosely S. , Hoffmann Erika H.E. , de Oliveira Salma G. , da Silva Adriana M.J. , Kloetzel Judith K. , Gomes Almério de C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground  A survey of malaria antibodies was carried out over 7 years and a total of 777 serum samples from wild monkeys were collected in three distinct ecological areas of Brazil where autochthonous malaria has been reported: the ‘Cerrado’ (similar to savanna), the Atlantic Forest and the Atlantic Semideciduous Forest.Methods  We carried out enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to investigate the presence of IgG antibodies against peptides of the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) repeat region of ‘classic’Plasmodium vivax, P. vivax VK247, human P. vivax‐like/P. simiovale, P. brasilianum/P. malariae and P. falciparum. We also carried out immunofluorescence assay with asexual forms of P. vivax, P. malariae and P. falciparum.Results  The high prevalence of antibodies against CSP in all areas indicates that the monkeys had intense contact with sporozoites from infected anophelines. The immune response against asexual forms of Plasmodium in the monkeys from the Atlantic Forest indicates the development of the infection.Conclusions  We discuss the possibility of monkeys being malaria reservoirs in non‐endemic areas.
Effects of alendronate and hormone replacement therapy, alone and in combination, on saliva, periodontal conditions and gingival crevicular fluid matrix metalloproteinase‐8 levels in women with osteoporosis
Authors: Eviö S , Tarkkila L , Sorsa T , Furuholm J , Välimäki MJ , Ylikorkala O , Tiitinen A , Meurman JH 
Published: February 2006

Objective:  To compare the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), alendronate and their combination on oral health of elderly postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.Materials and methods:  Sixty patients, aged 65–80 years (mean 71 years), with a T‐score of bone mineral density of −2.5 s.d. or less at either the lumbar spine or the femoral neck, were randomized to receive 2 mg of estradiol plus 1 mg norethisterone acetate (HRT) (n = 20), 10 mg of alendronate (n = 18), or their combination (n = 22) for 2 years. Periodontal and oral status and mouth symptoms were recorded, and salivary analyses made at the beginning and at the end of the study. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) matrix metalloproteinase (MMP‐8) levels were determined to address destructive events in periodontal tissue.Results:  Resting salivary flow rate decreased by 19% (P < 0.05), and GCF MMP‐8 tended to increase in the alendronate group. None of the regimens affected subjective feelings of dry or burning mouth. There were no significant changes in dental or periodontal status, stimulated flow rate or composition of saliva during the study.Conclusions:  Alendronate decreased resting salivary flow rate but otherwise HRT or alendronate separately or in combination had no effect on oral health in elderly women with osteoporosis.
Numerical Simulations to Assess the Monitoring Zone Achieved during Low‐Flow Purging and Sampling
Authors: Varljen Mark D. , Barcelona Michael J. , Obereiner James , Kaminski David 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA detailed three‐dimensional numerical simulation of ground water flow into the screen of a monitoring well during “low‐flow” purging and sampling provides a means to investigate the actual monitoring zone (i.e., “where the water comes from”) achieved during these sampling operations. Such a simulation allows for examination of the influence of several variables such as pump placement, well screen and sand‐pack configuration, and aquifer heterogeneities on the actual part of the aquifer that is interrogated. In these simulations, ground water was sampled from the entire length of the well screen, although as could be expected, flux was higher into the well screen from zones of higher permeability, if present. Furthermore, at low flow rates, pump position within the screen had little influence on the vertical distribution of flux into the well, and in all cases where a monitoring well partially penetrates an aquifer, the zone monitored extended above and below the well screen. At the low flow rates examined (250 and 500 mL/min), there was no increase in flux (from the aquifer into the well screen) adjacent to the pump intake. The major implications of these findings are that a detection monitoring approach predicated on sampling from the entire well screen is valid when purging at low flow rates (i.e., contaminants are not “missed”), or conversely, that discrete vertical sampling may only be accomplished with very short well screens due to potential concentration averaging that would occur along the entire length of a screen. Finally, the simulation results emphasize that aquifer heterogeneities must always be recognized and considered in ground water monitoring design. Aquifer heterogeneities have the most significant influence on the actual monitoring zone (and therefore the potential to “hit” or “miss” contaminants in a detection program). Pump placement and purging rate have little influence on the vertical interval that is sampled (as compared to screen length and placement) and therefore should be selected only so as to minimize sampling artifacts and promote sampling efficiency.
Performance of DNAPL Source Depletion Technologies at 59 Chlorinated Solvent‐Impacted Sites
Authors: McGuire Travis M. , McDade James M. , Newell Charles J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractPerformance and rebound of intensive source depletion technologies were evaluated at 59 chlorinated solvent sites where remediation targeted dense non–aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) source zones. The four technologies included in the study are chemical oxidation, enhanced bioremediation, thermal treatment, and surfactant/cosolvent flushing. Performance was evaluated by examining temporal ground water concentration data before and after source remediation was performed. Results indicated that all four technologies have median concentration reductions of 88% or greater for the parent chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOC). Approximately 75% of the source depletion projects were able to achieve a 70% reduction in parent compound concentrations. A median reduction in total CVOC concentrations (parent plus daughter compounds) of 72% was observed at 12 chemical oxidation sites and 62% at 21 enhanced bioremediation sites. Rebound was assessed at sites having at least 1 year of posttreatment data. Rebound occurrence was most prevalent at sites implementing chemical oxidation. At chemical oxidation sites where rebound was evaluated (n= 7), the median parent CVOC concentration reduction was 90% immediately following treatment compared to 78% at the end of posttreatment monitoring (i.e., 1 to 5 years after treatment). For enhanced bioremediation sites where rebound was evaluated (n= 10), median parent CVOC concentration reduction changed from 77% to 96% over the posttreatment monitoring period. Minimal concentration change was observed over the posttreatment monitoring period at surfactant/cosolvent sites (n= 2) and thermal treatment sites (n= 1) evaluated for rebound. Based on current data, none of the 59 source depletion projects was able to meet maximum contaminant levels throughout the treatment zone for all CVOCs.
Low‐Temperature MTBE Biodegradation in Aquifer Sediments with a History of Low, Seasonal Ground Water Temperatures
Authors: Bradley P.M. , Landmeyer J.E. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractSediments from two shallow, methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE)–contaminated aquifers, with mean ground water temperatures ∼10°C, demonstrated significant mineralization of [U‐14C] MTBE to 14CO2 at incubation temperatures as low as 4°C. These results indicate that microbial degradation can continue to contribute to the attenuation of MTBE in ground water under wintertime, low‐temperature conditions.
A pilot plant evaluation of the Magnetic Ion EXchange® process for the removal of dissolved organic carbon at Draycote water treatment works
Authors: Shorrock Katie , Drage Brian 
Published: February 2006

AbstractNatural organic matter (NOM) in water sources is undesirable for customers because it reacts with chlorine to form trihalomethanes (THMs), which can be harmful to health, and other organochlorine compounds that can cause taste complaints. A new Magnetic Ion EXchange process (MIEX® DOC) has been reported as being successful in removing NOM from raw water. The aim of this research was (a) to evaluate the performance of the MIEX® process in removing NOM from hard, lowland water on a pilot plant scale and (b) to compare the performance of the MIEX® process with low pH coagulation DAF, in particular, with respect to reducing THM levels. A 45 and 40% reduction in the amount of NOM and in the levels of THMs, respectively, in chlorine‐dosed water was achieved when the MIEX® process was used with dissolved air flotation (DAF).
Experimental investigations of air and liquid injection by venturi tubes
Authors: Ozkan Fahri , Ozturk Mualla , Baylar Ahmet 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe venturi system creates a pressure differential that forms a vacuum. As water flows through the tapered venturi orifice, a rapid change in velocity occurs. This velocity change creates a reduced pressure (vacuum), which draws air and liquid to be injected into the system. The air and liquid injection rates vary with the pressure differential across the venturi. Typical applications of venturi tubes are for injecting fertilizers, chemicals, ozone gas, air or oxygen into pressurized water systems. In this paper, experimental studies were conducted to investigate the effects of inlet and throat diameters of the venturi tube, pipe length downstream of the venturi tube, diameter of the suction pipe at the throat portion of the venturi tube, angle of the pipe downstream of the venturi tube, flow velocity at the inlet portion of the venturi tube and density and viscosity of the liquid injected into the venturi tube on air and liquid injection rate. It was observed from the results that venturi tubes had high air and liquid injection efficiencies.