bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic condition self-management support: proposed competencies for medical students
Authors: Pols Rene G. , Battersby Malcolm W. , Regan-Smith Martha , Markwick Mignon J. , Lawrence John , Auret Kirsten , Carter Jan , Cole Andrew , Disler Peter , Hassed Craig , McGuiness Clare , Nguyen Hung 
Published: March 2009

Objective: Governments and the medical profession are concerned that there continues to be less than optimal health outcomes despite escalating expenditure on health services from the effect of the ageing population with chronic illnesses. In this context, doctors will need to have knowledge and skills in effective chronic condition management (CCM) and chronic condition self-management (CCSM). Method: A national workshop of representatives of eight medical schools from the CCSM special interest group (SIG) of the Australian and New Zealand Association on Medical Education met in September 2004, to consider curriculum content in CCM and CCSM. Results: The workshop recommended that the Committee of Deans of Australian Medical Schools and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing consider the identification and possible development of a specific curriculum for CCM and CCSM within the curricula of Australian Medical Schools. Discussion: Consideration needs to be given to the changing nature of medical practice and that as part of this; doctors of the future will need skills in team participation, continuity of care, self-management support and patient-centered collaborative care planning. Doctors will also need skills to assist patients to better adhere to medical management, lifestyle behaviour change and risk factor reduction, if optimal health outcomes are to be achieved and costs are to be contained.
Chronically ill mothers experiencing pain: relational coping strategies used while parenting young children
Authors: White Carmel Parker , Mendoza Jaymi , White Mark B. , Bond Christy 
Published: March 2009

Objective: There has been little research on women who are parenting while they experience pain and none of this research has focused on mothers with young children. The purpose of this study was to consider relational coping strategies generated by mothers that they used when parenting young children and experiencing pain. Methods: Two-hundred sixty-two mothers participated in this survey research; 171 who have either multiple sclerosis (MS) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and a comparison group of 91well mothers. Mothers completed questionnaires inquiring about (a) their coping strategies, (b) levels of pain, fatigue and physical functioning, and (c) if they were currently experiencing an exacerbation of their chronic illness. Results: Well mothers reported using more self-care when parenting while experiencing pain. Mothers with RA were more likely to set boundaries around their behaviour. Women with MS who were experiencing an exacerbation changed their coping strategies to include more child activities and encourage more mature child behaviour when compared to women with RA who were experiencing an exacerbation. Discussion: From the perspective of relational coping theory, mothers consider their own pain while simultaneously attending to their responsibilities as a parent. Previous research has suggested that women may withdraw or reduce their parenting activities when they are in pain and this study supported the previous research, especially for women with RA.
UK self-care support initiatives for older patients with long-term conditions: a review
Authors: Berzins K. , Reilly S. , Abell J. , Hughes J. , Challis D. 
Published: March 2009

Objectives: Supporting self-care for people with long-term conditions is an aim of UK health policy. As many with long-term conditions are older it is of interest to explore which self-care support interventions have positive impacts for this group. This review explores what types of intervention have been reported in the UK and their impact upon older people.Methods: Studies were identified using existing reviews, electronic databases and through hand searching journals. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied data were extracted from 18 studies. These were summarized in a narrative synthesis supported by summary tables.Results: All studies described interventions to support self-care, many targeted at people with arthritis. All used patient education, usually delivered to groups by a range of professionals. The majority of studies reported some significant positive outcomes, most frequently changes in physical functioning, illness knowledge and increased self-efficacy. The average age of participants was 60.Discussion: This review shows that self-care interventions have had positive effects for older participants but it remains unknown how best to support self-care in participants over 75, a group of people with long-term conditions who may have different needs.
Priorities for mental health promotion during pregnancy and infancy in primary health care
Authors: Loureiro Maria Isabel , Goes Ana Rita , Paim da Câmara Gisele , Gonçalves-Pereira Manuel , Maia Teresa , Saboga Nunes Luís 
Published: March 2009

The perinatal period (shortly before and after birth) is a particularly significant stage, providing a sound base for healthy development. Primary health care should accompany the individual through the entire life cycle, and mental health problems constitute a public health threat that calls for the development of mental health promotion initiatives in primary health care. Responding, in 2004 our team initiated an action research project with the aim of reorganising primary health care during pregnancy and the first year of life. The aim is to enable health professionals to support families in the transition to parenthood, thereby promoting children's mental health. In order to plan this reorganisation, we developed a two-step decision-making process: 1. assessment of antenatal health care; 2. joint reflection concerning the priorities for change. The study goal was to assess the particular characteristics and needs of families during the perinatal period as well as the kind of care they were actually receiving. We designed a cross-sectional quantitative—qualitative study that collected data from users and health professionals using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The reflection step took place during a workshop that aimed to analyse the results and discuss priorities. The study confirmed the need to search for mental health problems during pregnancy, particularly to prevent a disturbed mother/child bonding process, and the importance of emphasising issues such as communication, information provision and the adequate availability of health professionals for antenatal care. The findings led to the following conclusions: 1. risk and needs assessment regarding mental health and options for family support should be included in the protocols of antenatal care; 2. primary health care professionals should be enabled to undertake diagnostic work and problem solving related to mental health; 3. collaboration between different levels of health care and between health sector and community resources should be increased. The highly participative decision-making process used led to a selection of priorities and strategies that was meaningful to users and health professionals and should contribute to the implementation and sustainability of changes for mental health promotion. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 1 (1): pp. 29—38)
Health promotion, environmental psychology and sustainable development — a successful “ménage-à-trois”
Authors: Annerstedt Matilda 
Published: March 2009

Our society is facing a crisis with escalating mental health disorders, long-term sick leaves and a health care system not provided with the appropriate healing tools. Combined with the global environmental degradation this could be a very depressive scenario. I suggest a new and dynamic thinking in order to create a more positive atmosphere, both literally and conceptually, into which diverse disciplines work together to reach a mutual goal — global health and environmental justice. It is time to accept that science cannot be dispensed from the dynamics of living, culture and nature, but on the contrary those belong together. Only by working with this premise as a point of departure, can former criteria and old traditions in science be challenged and subsequently ameliorated. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16 (1): pp. 49—52)
The struggle for abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in Egypt
Authors: Molleman Gerard , Franse Lilian 
Published: March 2009

This commentary describes a visit to the Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting project in Cairo. FGM/C is a very serious problem in Egypt and other countries in the North of Africa. Among girls between the age of 15—17, 77% have been cut, with very serious health consequences. In Egypt, there is a comprehensive strategy led by very enthusiastic employees of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood with support of UNICEF. At a national level a broad coalition is being built that tries to mobilise the legal, medical and media communities to overcome the practice of FGM/C and realising adequate laws that criminalise FGM/C. At a local level two community projects were started in 160 villages in Upper and Lower Egypt for raising community awareness and dialogue on FGM/C. That is the only way to create a growing social movement that can collectively abandon the practice of FGM/C. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; 16 (1): pp. 57—60)
Sonic hedgehog negatively regulates pre-TCR–induced differentiation by a Gli2-dependent mechanism
Authors: Rowbotham Nicola J. , Hager-Theodorides Ariadne L. , Furmanski Anna L. , Ross Susan E. , Outram Susan V. , Dessens Johannes T. , Crompton Tessa 
Published: March 2009

AbstractHedgehog signaling regulates differentiation, survival, and proliferation of the earliest double-negative (DN) thymocytes, but its importance at later stages of T-cell development is controversial. Here we use loss- and gain-of-function mouse models to show that Shh, by signaling directly to the developing thymocyte, is a negative regulator of pre-TCR–induced differentiation from DN to double-positive (DP) cell. When hedgehog signaling was reduced, in the Shh−/− and Gli2−/− thymus, or by T lineage–specific transgenic expression of a transcriptional-repressor form of Gli2 (Gli2ΔC2), differentiation to DP cell after pre-TCR signal transduction was increased. In contrast, when Hh signaling was constitutively activated in thymocytes, by transgenic expression of a constitutive transcriptional-activator form of Gli2 (Gli2ΔN2), the production of DP cells was decreased. Gene expression profiling showed that physiologic Hh signaling in thymocytes maintains expression of the transcription factor FoxA2 on pre-TCR signal transduction.
Equine Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies maps to a 4.9 megabase interval on horse chromosome 6
Authors: Andersson Lisa S , Juras Rytis , Ramsey David T , Eason-Butler Jessica , Ewart Susan , Cothran Gus , Lindgren Gabriella 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackgroundEquine Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies (MCOA) syndrome consists of a diverse set of abnormalities predominantly localized to the frontal part of the eye. The disease is in agreement with a codominant mode of inheritance in our horse material. Animals presumed to be heterozygous for the mutant allele have cysts originating from the temporal ciliary body, peripheral retina and/or iris. In contrast, animals predicted to be homozygous for the disease-causing allele possess a wide range of multiple abnormalities, including iridociliary and/or peripheral retinal cysts, iridocorneal angle abnormalities, cornea globosa, iris hypoplasia and congenital cataracts. MCOA is most common in the Rocky Mountain horse breed where it occurs at a high frequency among Silver colored horses. The Silver coat color is associated with mutations inPMEL17that resides on ECA6q23. To map theMCOAlocus we analyzed 11 genetic markers on ECA6q and herein describe a chromosome interval for theMCOAlocus.ResultsWe performed linkage analysis within 17 paternal half-sib families of the Rocky Mountain horse breed. More than half of the 131 offspring had the Cyst phenotype and about one third had MCOA. Segregation data were obtained by genotyping 10 microsatellite markers most of which are positioned on ECA6q22-23, as well as the missense mutation for the Silver phenotype inPMEL17. Significant linkage was found between theMCOAlocus and eight of the genetic markers, where markerUPP5(Theta = 0, z = 12.3),PMEL17ex11(Theta = 0, z = 19.0) andUPP6(Theta = 0, z = 17.5) showed complete linkage with theMCOAlocus. DNA sequencing ofPMEL17in affected and healthy control individuals did not reveal any additional mutations than the two mutations associated with the Silver coat color.ConclusionTheMCOAlocus can with high confidence be positioned within a 4.9 megabase (Mb) interval on ECA6q. The genotype data onUPP5,PMEL17ex11andUPP6strongly support the hypothesis that horses with the Cyst phenotype are heterozygous for the mutant allele and that horses with the MCOA phenotype are homozygous for the mutant allele.
Performance of the Genotype® MTBDRPlus resistance patternSamara, Russian Federation
Authors: Nikolayevskyy Vladyslav , Balabanova Yanina , Simak Tatyana , Malomanova Nadezhda , Fedorin Ivan , Drobniewski Francis 
Published: March 2009

Abstract

Background
Russia is a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country with a high prevalence of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB). Molecular assays for detection of MDRTB on clinical specimens are not widely available in Russia.

Results
We performed an evaluation of the GenoType® MTBDRplus assay (HAIN Lifescience GmbH, Germany) on a total of 168 sputum specimens from individual patients at a public health laboratory in Central Russia, as a model of a middle income site in a region with high levels of drug resistance. Phenotypic drug resistance tests (DST) were performed on cultures derived from the same sputum specimens using the BACTEC 960 liquid media system.
Interpretable GenoType® MTBDRplus results were obtained for 154(91.7%) specimens with readability rates significantly higher in sputum specimens graded 2+ and 3+ compared to 1+ (RR = 1.17 95%CI 1.04–1.32). The sensitivity and specificity of the assay for the detection of rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistance and MDR was 96.2%, 97.4%, 97.1% and 90.7%, 83.3%, 88.9% respectively. Mutations in codon 531 of the rpoB gene and codon 315 of the katG gene dominated in RIF and INH resistant strains respectively. Disagreements between phenotypical and molecular tests results (12 samples) could be explained by the presence of rare mutations in strains circulating in Russia and simultaneous presence of resistant and sensitive bacilli in sputum specimens (heteroresistance).

Conclusion
High sensitivity, short turnaround times and the potential for screening large numbers of specimens rapidly, make the GenoType® MTBDRplus assay suitable as a first-line screening assay for drug resistant TB.
Verification of the ProPneumo-1 assay for the simultaneous detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in clinical respiratory specimens
Authors: Higgins Rachel R , Lombos Ernesto , Tang Patrick , Rohoman Karl , Maki Anne , Brown Shirley , Jamieson Frances , Drews Steven J 
Published: March 2009

Abstract

Background

Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae are major causes of lower and upper respiratory infections that are difficult to diagnose using conventional methods such as culture. The ProPneumo-1 (Prodesse, Waukesha, WI) assay is a commercial multiplex real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of M. pneumoniae and/or C. pneumoniae DNA in clinical respiratory samples.

Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the ProPneumo-1, a newly developed commercial multiplex real-time PCR assay.

Methods
A total of 146 clinical respiratory specimens, collected from 1997 to 2007, suspected of C. pneumoniae or M. pneumoniae infections were tested retrospectively. Nucleic acid was extracted using an automated NucliSense easyMag (bioMerieux, Netherlands). We used a "Home-brew" monoplex real-time assay as the reference method for the analysis of C. pneumoniae and culture as the reference method for the analysis of M. pneumoniae. For discordant analysis specimens were re-tested using another commercial multiplex PCR, the PneumoBacter-1 assay (Seegene, Korea).

Results
Following discordant analysis, the sensitivity of the ProPneumo-1 assay for pathogens, C. pneumoniae or M. pneumoniae, was 100%. The specificity of the ProPneumo-1 assay, however, was 100% for C. pneumoniae and 98% for M. pneumoniae. The limits of detection were 1 genome equivalent (Geq) per reaction for pathogens, M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae. Due to the multipex format of the ProPneumo-1 assay, we identified 5 additional positive specimens, 2 C. pneumoniae in the M. pneumoniae-negative pool and 3 M. pneumoniae in the C. pneumoniae-negative pool.

Conclusion
The ProPneumo-1 assay is a rapid, sensitive and effective method for the simultaneous detection of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae directly in respiratory specimens.
Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase pathway induces apoptosis and prevents Epstein Barr virus reactivation in Raji cells exposed to lytic cycle inducing compounds
Authors: Matusali Giulia , Arena Giuseppe , De Leo Alessandra , Di Renzo Livia , Mattia Elena 
Published: March 2009

Abstract

Background
EBV lytic cycle activators, such as phorbol esters, anti-immunoglobulin, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), sodium butyrate, induce apoptosis in EBV-negative but not in EBV-positive Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cells. To investigate the molecular mechanisms allowing EBV-infected cells to be protected, we examined the expression of viral and cellular antiapoptotic proteins as well as the activation of signal transduction pathways in BL-derived Raji cells exposed to lytic cycle inducing agents.

Results
Our data show that, following EBV activation, the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and the cellular anti-apoptotic proteins MCL-1 and BCL-2 were quickly up-regulated and that Raji cells remained viable even when exposed simultaneously to P(BU)2, sodium butyrate and TGFβ. We report here that inhibition of p38 pathway, during EBV activation, led to a three fold increment of apoptosis and largely prevented lytic gene expression.

Conclusion
These findings indicate that, during the switch from the latent to the lytic phase of EBV infection, p38 MAPK phosphorylation plays a key role both for protecting the host cells from apoptosis as well as for inducing viral reactivation. Because Raji cells are defective for late antigens expression, we hypothesize that the increment of LMP1 gene expression in the early phases of EBV lytic cycle might contribute to the survival of the EBV-positive cells.
Anti-inflammatory effects of the gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae collected at the Islands of Providencia and San Andrés (SW Caribbean)
Authors: Correa Hebelin , Valenzuela Alba Lucia , Ospina Luis Fernando , Duque Carmenza 
Published: March 2009

Abstract

Background
We are reporting for the first time the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and fractions, and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of pure compounds, all isolated from Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae collected at the Providencia (chemotype 1) and San Andrés (chemotype 2) Islands (SW Caribbean).

Methods
Extracts from P. elisabethae were fractionated on silica gel to yield fractions: F-1 (pseudopterosins PsQ, PsS and PsU) and F-2 (amphilectosins A and B, PsG, PsK, PsP and PsT and seco-pseudopterosins seco-PsJ and seco-PsK) from chemotype 1, and F-3 (elisabethatrienol, 10-acetoxy-9-hydroxy- and 9-acetoxy-10-hydroxy-amphilecta-8,10,12,14-tetraenes (interconverting mixture) and amphilecta-8(13),11,14-triene-9,10-dione) from chemotype 2. By using preparative RP-HPLC and spectroscopic means, we obtained the pure PsG, PsK, PsP, PsQ, PsS, PsT, PsU, seco-PsK and the interconverting mixture of non-glycosylated diterpenes (IMNGD). The anti-inflammatory properties of extracts and fractions were evaluated using in vivo model "12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear oedema". The activities of pure compounds and of the IMNGD were evaluated using in vitro assays myeloperoxidase (MPO) release (by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs)), nitric oxide release (by J-774 cells) and scavenger activity on NO.

Results
In the in vivo anti-inflammatory assay, extracts and F-3 showed low inhibition levels of inflammation compared to indomethacin, F-1 and F-2. Additionally, we evaluated the MPO release to the inflammation site, and found a marked inhibition of MPO levels by all extracts and fractions, even superior to the inhibition shown by indomethacin.
Furthermore, in the MPO in vitro assay, IMNGD, PsQ, PsS, PsT and PsU, exhibited higher inhibition levels compared to dexamethasone and indomethacin. In the NO release in vitro, IMNGD, PsP and PsT were the most potent treatments. Finally, because the PsG, PsP and seco-PsK did not exhibit any NO scavenger activity, they should inhibit the inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) or other routes that influence this enzyme. Alternatively, PsQ, PsS, and PsU did show scavenger activity.

Conclusion
All results presented contribute to demonstrate that the compounds isolated in this work from P. elisabethae are promising molecules with an interesting anti-inflammatory activity profile. Additionally, the results obtained could provide preliminary insights towards their structure-activity relationship.
Outcomes of resection and non-resection strategies in management of patients with advanced colorectal cancer
Authors: Evans Martyn D , Escofet Xavier , Karandikar Sharad S , Stamatakis Jeffrey D 
Published: March 2009

Abstract

Background
The management of patients with surgically incurable bowel cancer at presentation is controversial. The aims of treatment are to optimise quality of life and prolong survival. It has been believed that the most effective palliation is achieved by resection of the primary cancer in order to pre-empt future complications. This study reviews and compares the outcomes of patients with incurable bowel cancer managed by resection and non-resection strategies over a 7-year period in a single District General Hospital.

Patients and methods
All patients with surgically incurable bowel cancer at presentation were identified from the prospectively collected local ACPGBI database. Survival, using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, was compared between patients managed by resection of the primary, non-resectional intervention (surgery, stent & oncological treatments) and those managed with supportive care only. The primary endpoint of the study was survival on an intention to treat basis, compared using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests.

Results
Of 646 consecutive newly diagnosed bowel cancer patients over a 7 year period 154 cases (24%) were deemed surgically incurable at presentation. Of these surgical resection was carried out in 45 patients (29%), non-resectional intervention was followed in 52 patients (34%) and supportive treatment alone in 57 patients (37%). Median survival of each group was as follows: resected patients 11 months (I.Q range 3–18 months), non-resectional intervention 7 months (I.Q range 2–15 months) and supportive care alone 2 months (I.Q range 1–8 months). Only one patient (2%) managed by non-resectional intervention required later surgery to treat primary tumour related complications. Survival was not significantly different between resection and non-resection treatments. The overall operative mortality for the resection group was 16% (7/45 cases), with an elective mortality of 14% (4/28 cases) and emergency mortality 18% (3/17 cases).

Conclusion
In an unselected bowel cancer population surgical resection of the primary tumour in patients presenting with incurable disease does not improve survival and is associated with a high risk of post-operative mortality.