bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The development of a side effect risk assessment tool (ASyMS©-SERAT) for use in patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Maguire Roma , Cowie Julie , Leadbetter Clare , McCall Kathryn , Swingler Kevin , McCann Lisa , Kearney Nora 
Published: January 2009

Abstract Patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy are at risk of developing toxicities which can be severe or life threatening. The aim of this study was to develop and test a side effect risk modeling tool (ASyMS©-SERAT) for use in patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 entailed the development of the ASyMS©-SERAT tool using a secondary data set and in collaboration with an expert group of clinicians and an advisory group of patients. In phase 2, the predictive accuracy of the tool was measured using a prospective data set of 24 patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. A high level of accuracy was reported for four of the six symptoms measured (>70%) supporting the future development and application of ASyMS©-SERAT in the prediction of chemotherapy-related toxicity. For patients, such information can be used to target information on side effects that they are likely to experience thereby facilitating the provision of tailored information based on their individual needs. For clinicians, knowing the likelihood of potential side effects can assist them in identifying patients who are at greater risk of developing certain toxicities, facilitating more targeted and cost-effective interventions.
An exploration of the internet as a self-management resource
Authors: Foster Claire , Roffe Liz 
Published: January 2009

Abstract In this paper, we explore the role of the internet as a resource for self-managing problems experienced by people affected by cancer. To do this, we draw on our observations of a UK online discussion forum used by people affected by cancer. We explored online contributions to the online discussion forum to identify examples of how people used the internet to seek and share information and support in the context of cancer to support their self-management of problems. Our findings show that of those registering on an online discussion forum only a minority (18%) contributed posts. Few people contributed to the online discussion forum more than five times although a minority of contributors participated numerous times. Examples of emotional and informational support exchanged in the online discussions are described. Benefits of contributing to the online discussions were noted. In conclusion, the online discussion forum can provide a useful resource for people to seek and share experiences, information and support with others in similar situations.
Surveying the experience of living with metastatic breast cancer: comparing face-to-face and online recruitment
Authors: Reed Elizabeth , Simmonds Peter , Corner Jessica 
Published: January 2009

Abstract With its growing use, the Internet offers researchers a novel approach in reaching those they seek to study locally, nationally or globally. The purpose of this paper is to describe our experience of using the Internet as one means of recruiting to a research study exploring the experience of women with metastatic breast cancer and to compare the methodological issues of using face-to-face and online approaches to survey recruitment. The survey incorporated the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) quality of life measure, a patient experience with care measure and open ended text questions about respondents’ physical, emotional and practical needs. Recruitment was done face-to-face in two cancer centres and on the Breast Cancer Care (it is the UK’s leading provider of information, practical assistance and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer) Website, recruiting 110 people in the cancer centres and 125 from the Website. The age range was 25–84. Website respondents were significantly younger than cancer centre respondents (<0.000). They also had significantly lower social well-being on the FACT-B scale and were less satisfied with information and advice (<0.000) and their personal experience of care (<0.010). Finally, we consider the role of the Internet in research and the methodological and ethical challenges this presents both now and in the future.
Expression of the oncofetal ED-B–containing fibronectin isoform in hematologic tumors enables ED-B–targeted 131I-L19SIP radioimmunotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma patients
Authors: Sauer Stefanie , Erba Paola A. , Petrini Mario , Menrad Andreas , Giovannoni Leonardo , Grana Chiara , Hirsch Burkhard , Zardi Luciano , Paganelli Giovanni , Mariani Giuliano , Neri Dario , Dürkop Horst , Menssen Hans D. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractCurrent treatment of hematologic malignancies involves rather unspecific chemotherapy, frequently resulting in severe adverse events. Thus, modern clinical research focuses on compounds able to discriminate malignant from normal tissues. Being expressed in newly formed blood vessels of solid cancers but not in normal mature tissues, the extradomain B of fibronectin (ED-B FN) is a promising target for selective cancer therapies. Using immunohistology with a new epitope retrieval technique for paraffin-embedded tissues, ED-B FN expression was found in biopsies from more than 200 Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients of nearly all entities, and in patients with myeloproliferative diseases. ED-B FN expression was nearly absent in normal lymph nodes (n = 10) and bone marrow biopsies (n = 9). The extent of vascular ED-B FN expression in lymphoma tissues was positively correlated with grade of malignancy. ED-B FN expression was enhanced in lymph nodes with severe lymphadenopathy and in some hyperplastic tonsils. The in vivo accessibility of ED-B FN was confirmed in 3 lymphoma patients, in whom the lymphoma lesions were visualized on scintigraphy with 131I-labeled L19 small immunoprotein (131I-L19SIP). In 2 relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma patients131I-L19SIP radioimmunotherapy induced a sustained partial response, qualifying ED-B FN as a promising target for antibody-based lymphoma therapies.
Human Rad51 mediated DNA unwinding is facilitated by conditions that favour Rad51-dsDNA aggregation
Authors: Balakrishnan Kamakshi , Krishnan Neeraja M , Kulkarni Anagha , Rao Basuthkar J 
Published: January 2009

Abstract

Background
Human Rad51 (RAD51), analogous to its bacterial homolog, RecA, binds and unwinds double stranded DNA (dsDNA) in the presence of certain nucleotide cofactors. ATP hydrolysis is not required for this process, because even ATP non hydrolysable analogs like AMP-PNP and ATPγS, support DNA unwinding. Even ADP, the product of ATP hydrolysis, feebly supports DNA unwinding.

Results
We find that human Rad52 (RAD52) stimulates RAD51 mediated DNA unwinding in the presence of all Adenine nucleotide cofactors, (except in AMP and no nucleotide conditions that intrinsically fail to support unwinding reaction) while enhancing aggregation of RAD51-dsDNA complexes in parallel. Interestingly, salt at low concentration can substitute the role of RAD52, in facilitating aggregation of RAD51-dsDNA complexes, that concomitantly also leads to better unwinding.

Conclusion
RAD52 itself being a highly aggregated protein perhaps acts as scaffold to bring together RAD51 and DNA molecules into large co-aggregates of RAD52-RAD51-DNA complexes to promote RAD51 mediated DNA unwinding reaction, when appropriate nucleotide cofactors are available, presumably through macromolecular crowding effects. Our work highlights the functional link between aggregation of protein-DNA complexes and DNA unwinding in RAD51 system.
Phone and e-mail counselling are effective for weight management in an overweight working population: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: van Wier Marieke F , Ariëns Geertje AM , Dekkers J Caroline , Hendriksen Ingrid JM , Smid Tjabe , van Mechelen Willem 
Published: January 2009

Abstract

Background
The work setting provides an opportunity to introduce overweight (i.e., Body Mass Index ≥ 25 kg/m2) adults to a weight management programme, but new approaches are needed in this setting. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle counselling by phone or e-mail on body weight, in an overweight working population. Secondary purposes were to establish effects on waist circumference and lifestyle behaviours, and to assess which communication method is the most effective.

Methods
A randomized controlled trial with three treatments: intervention materials with phone counselling (phone group); a web-based intervention with e-mail counselling (internet group); and usual care, i.e. lifestyle brochures (control group). The interventions used lifestyle modification and lasted a maximum of six months. Subjects were 1386 employees, recruited from seven companies (67% male; mean age 43 (SD 8.6) y; mean BMI 29.6 (SD 3.5) kg/m2). Body weight was measured by research personnel and by questionnaire. Secondary outcomes fat, fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity and waist circumference were assessed by questionnaire. Measurements were done at baseline and after six months. Missing body weight was multiply imputed.

Results
Body weight reduced 1.5 kg (95% CI -2.2;-0.8, p < 0.001) in the phone group and 0.6 kg (95% CI -1.3; -0.01, p = 0.045) in the internet group, compared with controls. In completers analyses, weight and waist circumference in the phone group were reduced with 1.6 kg (95% CI -2.2;-1.0, p < 0.001) and 1.9 cm (95% CI -2.7;-1.0, p < 0.001) respectively, fat intake decreased with 1 fatpoint (1 to 4 grams)/day (95% CI -1.7;-0.2, p = 0.01) and physical activity increased with 866 METminutes/week (95% CI 203;1530, p = 0.01), compared with controls. The internet intervention resulted in a weight loss of 1.1 kg (95% CI -1.7;-0.5, p < 0.001) and a reduction in waist circumference of 1.2 cm (95% CI -2.1;-0.4, p = 0.01), in comparison with usual care. The phone group appeared to have more and larger changes than the internet group, but comparisons revealed no significant differences.

Conclusion
Lifestyle counselling by phone and e-mail is effective for weight management in overweight employees and shows potential for use in the work setting.

Trial registration
ISCRTN04265725.
The prevalence of chronic diseases and major disease risk factors at different ages among 150 000 men and women living in Mexico City: cross-sectional analyses of a prospective study
Authors: Kuri-Morales Pablo , Emberson Jonathan , Alegre-Díaz Jesús , Tapia-Conyer Roberto , Collins Rory , Peto Richard , Whitlock Gary 
Published: January 2009

Abstract

Background
While most of the global burden from chronic diseases, and especially vascular diseases, is now borne by low and middle-income countries, few large-scale epidemiological studies of chronic diseases in such countries have been performed.

Methods
From 1998–2004, 52 584 men and 106 962 women aged ≥35 years were visited in their homes in Mexico City. Self reported diagnoses of chronic diseases and major disease risk factors were ascertained and physical measurements taken. Age- and sex-specific prevalences and means were analysed.

Results
After about age 50 years, diabetes was extremely common – for example, 23.8% of men and 26.9% of women aged 65–74 reported a diagnosis. By comparison, ischaemic heart disease was reported by 4.8% of men and 3.0% of women aged 65–74, a history of stroke by 2.8% and 2.3%, respectively, and a history of cancer by 1.3% and 2.1%. Cancer history was generally more common among women than men – the excess being largest in middle-age, due to breast and cervical cancer. At older ages, the gap narrowed because of an increasing prevalence of prostate cancer. 51% of men and 25% of women aged 35–54 smoked cigarettes, while 29% of men and 41% of women aged 35–54 were obese (i.e. BMI ≥30 kg/m2). The prevalence of treated hypertension or measured blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg increased about 50% more steeply with age among women than men, to 66% of women and 58% of men aged 65–74. Physical inactivity was highly prevalent but daily alcohol drinking was relatively uncommon.

Conclusion
Diabetes, obesity and tobacco smoking are highly prevalent among adults living in Mexico City. Long-term follow-up of this and other cohorts will establish the relevance of such factors to the major causes of death and disability in Mexico.
Use of task-shifting to rapidly scale-up HIV treatment services: experiences from Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Morris Mary B , Chapula Bushimbwa Tambatamba , Chi Benjamin H , Mwango Albert , Chi Harmony F , Mwanza Joyce , Manda Handson , Bolton Carolyn , Pankratz Debra S , Stringer Jeffrey SA , Reid Stewart E 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
The World Health Organization advocates task-shifting, the process of delegating clinical care functions from more specialized to less specialized health workers, as a strategy to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. However, there is a dearth of literature describing task shifting in sub-Saharan Africa, where services for antiretroviral therapy (ART) have scaled up rapidly in the face of generalized human resource crises. As part of ART services expansion in Lusaka, Zambia, we implemented a comprehensive task-shifting program among existing health providers and community-based workers. Training begins with didactic sessions targeting specialized skill sets. This is followed by an intensive period of practical mentorship, where providers are paired with trainers before working independently. We provide on-going quality assessment using key indicators of clinical care quality at each site. Program performance is reviewed with clinic-based staff quarterly. When problems are identified, clinic staff members design and implement specific interventions to address targeted areas. From 2005 to 2007, we trained 516 health providers in adult HIV treatment; 270 in pediatric HIV treatment; 341 in adherence counseling; 91 in a specialty nurse "triage" course, and 93 in an intensive clinical mentorship program. On-going quality assessment demonstrated improvement across clinical care quality indicators, despite rapidly growing patient volumes. Our task-shifting strategy was designed to address current health care worker needs and to sustain ART scale-up activities. While this approach has been successful, long-term solutions to the human resource crisis are also urgently needed to expand the number of providers and to slow staff migration out of the region.
Seasonal prevalence of malaria in West Sumba district, Indonesia
Authors: Syafruddin Din , Krisin  , Asih Puji , Sekartuti  , Dewi Rita M , Coutrier Farah , Rozy Ismail E , Susanti Augustina I , Elyazar Iqbal RF , Sutamihardja Awalludin , Rahmat Agus , Kinzer Michael , Rogers William O 
Published: January 2009

Abstract

Background
Accurate information about the burden of malaria infection at the district or provincial level is required both to plan and assess local malaria control efforts. Although many studies of malaria epidemiology, immunology, and drug resistance have been conducted at many sites in Indonesia, there is little published literature describing malaria prevalence at the district, provincial, or national level.

Methods
Two stage cluster sampling malaria prevalence surveys were conducted in the wet season and dry season across West Sumba, Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.

Results
Eight thousand eight hundred seventy samples were collected from 45 sub-villages in the surveys. The overall prevalence of malaria infection in the West Sumba District was 6.83% (95% CI, 4.40, 9.26) in the wet season and 4.95% (95% CI, 3.01, 6.90) in the dry. In the wet season Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 70% of infections; in the dry season P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax were present in equal proportion. Malaria prevalence varied substantially across the district; prevalences in individual sub-villages ranged from 0–34%. The greatest malaria prevalence was in children and teenagers; the geometric mean parasitaemia in infected individuals decreased with age. Malaria infection was clearly associated with decreased haemoglobin concentration in children under 10 years of age, but it is not clear whether this association is causal.

Conclusion
Malaria is hypoendemic to mesoendemic in West Sumba, Indonesia. The age distribution of parasitaemia suggests that transmission has been stable enough to induce some clinical immunity. These prevalence data will aid the design of future malaria control efforts and will serve as a baseline against which the results of current and future control efforts can be assessed.
GnRH-Regulated Expression of Jun and JUN Target Genes in Gonadotropes Requires a Functional Interaction between TCF/LEF Family Members and β-Catenin
Authors: Salisbury Travis B. , Binder April K. , Grammer Jean C. , Nilson John H. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractGnRH regulates gonadotrope function through a complex transcriptional network that includes three members of the immediate early gene family: Egr1, Jun, and Atf3. These DNA-binding proteins act alone or in pairs to confer hormonal responsiveness to Cga, Lhb, Fshb, and Gnrhr. Herein we suggest that the transcriptional response of Jun requires a functional interaction between the T-cell factor (TCF)/lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF) family of DNA-binding proteins and β-catenin (officially CTNNB1), a coactivator of TCF/LEF. Supporting data include demonstration that GnRH increases activity of TOPflash, a TCF/LEF-dependent luciferase reporter, in LβT2 cells, a gonadotrope-derived cell line. Additional cotransfection experiments indicate that a dominant-negative form of TCF7L2 (TCFDN) that binds DNA, but not β-catenin, blocks GnRH induction of TOPflash. Overexpression of AXIN, an inhibitor of β-catenin, also reduces GnRH stimulation of TOPflash. Transduction of LβT2 cells with TCFDN adenoviruses diminishes GnRH stimulation of Jun mRNA without altering expression of Egr1 and Atf3, two other immediate early genes that confer GnRH responsiveness. Reduction of β-catenin in LβT2 cells, through stable expression of short hairpin RNA, also selectively compromises GnRH regulation of Jun expression and levels of JUN protein. Finally, overexpression of TCFDN attenuates GnRH regulation of Cga promoter activity, a known downstream target of JUN. Together, these results indicate that GnRH regulation of Jun transcription requires a functional interaction between TCF/LEF and β-catenin and that alteration of either impacts expression of JUN downstream targets such as Cga.
Multimarker Circulating DNA Assay for Assessing Blood of Prostate Cancer Patients
Authors: Sunami Eiji , Shinozaki Masaru , Higano Celestia S , Wollman Robert , Dorff Tanya B , Tucker Steven J , Martinez Steve R , Singer Frederick R , Hoon Dave S B 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground: Prostate cancer (PCa) detection using serum-based prostate specific antigen (PSA) is limited by frequent false-positive and -negative results. Genetic aberrations such as allelic imbalance (AI) and epigenetic changes such as promoter hypermethylation have been detected in circulating DNA of cancer patients. We hypothesized that circulating multimarker DNA assays detecting both genetic and epigenetic markers in serum would be useful in assessing PCa patients.Methods: We assayed blood from healthy male donors (n = 40) and 83 patients with American Joint Cancer Committee (AJCC) stage I–IV PCa. DNA was assayed for AI of 6 genome microsatellites. We assessed methylation of RASSF1, RARB2, and GSTP1 using a methylation-specific PCR assay and analyzed the sensitivity of each assay for the detection of genetic or epigenetic changes in circulating DNA. The relation between circulating tumor-related DNA detection and prognostic factors was investigated.Results: The proportion of patients demonstrating AI for ≥1 marker was 47% (38 of 81 patients). Methylation biomarkers were detected in 24 of 83 patients (28%). By combining 2 DNA assays, the number of PCa patients positive for ≥1 methylated or LOH marker increased (52 of 83; 63%). The combined assays detected PCa in 15 of 24 patients (63%) with normal PSA concentrations. The combination of the DNA assays detected the presence of PCa regardless of AJCC stage or PSA concentration. Combination of the DNA and PSA assays gave 89% sensitivity.Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates that the combined circulating DNA multimarker assay identifies patients with PCa and may yield information independent of AJCC stage or PSA concentration.
A New Ring Shear Device to Measure the Large Displacement Shearing Behavior of Sands
Authors: Sadrekarimi Abouzar , Olson Scott M. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAmong devices commonly used to measure the shearing behavior of sands, only the ring shear device can shear a soil to virtually unlimited displacements without creating substantial nonuniformities in stress and strain distributions. However, some limitations have precluded its widespread use. A new ring shear device was constructed at the University of Illinois that has large specimen dimensions to reduce stress and strain nonuniformities, has auxiliary load and torque cells to measure any wall friction that develops along the confining rings, and utilizes quad-rings along the confining rings to prevent soil extrusion. Sample ring shear tests on a dry fine-grained, silty sand specimen demonstrate that the new ring shear device operates properly in both constant volume and drained conditions, providing identical effective stress friction angles at large displacements when shear and effective normal stresses on the shear plane are considered. Parallel drained and undrained triaxial compression tests on saturated specimens illustrate that the new ring shear device provides reasonable values of effective stress friction angle and show that the triaxial test does not shear specimens to sufficient displacement to reach critical state shear strengths for this sand, which was reached at displacements ranging from about 1 to 10 m.
Ethnicity, Conflict, and History in Burma: The Myths of Panglong
Authors: Walton Matthew J. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
The effects of the 1947 Panglong Agreement on Burma's ethnic minority groups can still be seen today in calls for a return to the spirit of Panglong, but there are conflicting versions of this event and its legacy. In order to grasp the prospects for ethnic unity in Burma, it is necessary to deconstruct the various “myths” of Panglong.
Re-Wiring Baltimore: The Emotive Power of Systemics, Seriality, and the City
Authors: Kinder Marsha 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
The Wire is distinguished by the depth of its systemic analysis of Baltimore's urban corruption and by the emotional power it elicits. By presenting so many vibrant characters with enormous potential and showing how our culture is wired to destroy them, it creates serial tragedy with a systemic form of suture.