bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exclusive versus everyday forms of professional knowledge: legitimacy claims in conventional and alternative medicine
Authors: Hirschkorn Kristine A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractIn this paper I present a model of professional knowledge forms that accounts for the different, and sometimes contradictory, ways in which medical doctors (MDs) and various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners define their competencies and make legitimacy claims. The first section provides a schema for problematising knowledge and its relationship to legitimacy by distinguishing between the context, form and content of professional knowledge. I draw particularly upon Jamous and Peloille's (1970) distinction between the technical or indeterminate forms of professional knowledge. I argue that their characterisation might be enriched by attending to dimensions of ‘exclusive’ versus ‘everyday’ knowledge forms. In particular, I point out that both technical and indeterminate forms are amenable to exclusion, or conversely can be made accessible as everyday knowledge. Both forms can thus be employed in attempts to legitimate professional practice. In the final section, I map the current context of CAM and biomedicine onto this expanded professional knowledge map.
Prospective effect of community distress and subcultural orientation on mortality following life‐threatening diseases in later life
Authors: Wen Ming , Christakis Nicholas A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractWe conducted a prospective and contextual study to examine the effects of community social‐economic‐physical distress and subcultural orientation on mortality following onset of 13 life‐threatening diseases in later life. We also examined the inter‐relationship between the effects of community social, economic and physical distress (i.e. poverty, physical disorder and low collective efficacy) and subcultural orientation (i.e. anomie and tolerance of risk behaviour) on the survival chances of seriously ill older patients. Three data sources were combined to construct the working sample: 1990 Census data, the 1994–95 PHDCN‐CS, and the COSI data. Fifty‐one ZIP code areas in Chicago and 12,672 elderly patients were studied. Community distress (HR = 1.04; 95% CI = (1.01, 1.07)) and anomie (HR = 1.26; 95% CI = (1.02, 1.54)) are found to be significantly and positively associated with a higher hazard of death. Moreover, community anomie contributes to the effect of community distress on post‐hospitalisation mortality. The social, economic, physical and cultural environment in which people live appears to exert a significant impact on whether older people facing life‐threatening illness live or die.
Wimbledon 2010: A Fifth Set Cliff‐hanger in the Murray vs. Federer Final?
Authors: Glaister Elizabeth M. , Glaister Paul 
Published: August 2006

SummaryImagine the scene. The year is 2010 and Andy Murray and Roger Federer are playing each other for the first time in the Wimbledon Championships final. Will it be a straight sets victory or a nail‐biting five‐set match?
A profile of invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma in Malta: 1993–2002
Authors: Aquilina S , Dalmas M , Calleja N , Gatt P , Scerri L 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  The incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin has risen in every part of the world where reliable cancer registration data are found.Objective  Our study aims to describe the changing incidence of and survival from invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma in Malta, by analysing the data from the 211 cases that were registered at the Malta National Cancer Registry between 1993 and 2002.Results  The age standardized incidence rates for invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma rose from 3.7 per 100 000 population per year for males and 5.1 for females in the first 5‐year period, to 8.0 per 100 000 population per year for males and 5.9 for females in the second 5‐year period. In both sexes, numbers of thin (≤ 1.0 mm) invasive melanomas increased significantly between 1993 and 2002; males also registered a significant increase in intermediate‐thickness (1.01–4.0 mm) melanomas. The increase in numbers of thin and intermediate‐thickness melanomas between the two 5‐year periods was greatest in patients aged 60 years and over. The overall absolute 5‐year survival rate for the first period was 74% and for the second period 92%.Conclusion  Numbers of reported cases of invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma in Malta have more than doubled during the 10‐year study period. This is mostly due to a marked rise in the diagnosis of thin melanomas in both sexes, occurring mainly in patients aged 60 years and over. As thin melanomas are of low metastasizing potential, this has resulted in an increase in survival between the two 5‐year study periods.
Cutaneous mastocytosis: demographic aspects and clinical features of 55 patients
Authors: Akoglu G , Erkin G , Cakir B , Boztepe G , Sahin S , Karaduman A , Atakan N , Akan T , Kolemen F 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  Mastocytosis is a rare, heterogeneous group of disorder with abnormal increase of mast cells in one or more organ systems.Objective  To evaluate the demographic and clinical features of cutaneous mastocytosis (CM).Methods  Records of 55 patients with cutaneous mastocytosis were retrospectively analysed.Results  Of the 22 females and 33 males, 80% had urticaria pigmentosa/maculopapular CM and 20% had mastocytoma. Of all cases, 81.8% had first lesions in childhood. The most common presentation was involvement of trunk together with extremities. Thirteen (23.6%) patients had history of bulla; Darier's sign was positive in 34 of 38 patients. Itching was the most common complaint, provocated by hot weather/bath.Conclusion  Clinical presentations of urticaria pigmentosa/maculopapular CM and mastocytoma are similar regarding gender, age of onset, age of diagnosis, and presence of Darier's sign and history of bulla. In contrast to mastocytoma, urticaria pigmentosa/maculopapular CM lesions were frequently located on trunk together with extremities.
Comparison of weekly and daily incremental protocols of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for psoriasis
Authors: Altiner DD , Ilknur T , Fetil E , Günes AT , Özkan S 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  Different protocols have been used for narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) therapy, commonly used in the treatment of psoriasis; however, more effective and reliable protocols are still required.Objective  The aim of this study was to compare the weekly and daily dose increment protocols of narrowband UVB phototherapy in psoriasis patients.Methods  Thirty patients with plaque psoriasis underwent narrowband UVB treatment three times a week and 15 patients selected consecutively among these patients underwent a weekly (once in three treatments) dose increment whereas the remaining 15 patients underwent a daily dose increment. Patients were monitored for 10 weeks and evaluated by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI).Results  When the two groups were evaluated according to median PASI scores prior to the treatment and during 10 weeks of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). During the treatment lasting for 10 weeks, four patients in the group with a weekly dose increment and three patients in the group with a daily dose increment recovered and no statistically significant difference was detected between the groups (P > 0.05). The groups were also evaluated according to the median cumulative dose. The median cumulative dose was higher in the group with a daily dose increment and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P = 0.002).Conclusion  The application of daily dose increments was no better than that of weekly dose increments in narrowband UVB treatment for psoriasis. Therefore, although our results may need to be supported by large‐series studies, we conclude that application of weekly dose increments with a lower cumulative dose having the same efficacy is preferred in narrowband UVB treatment of psoriasis.
Intensity of livestock grazing in relation to habitat use by brown hares (Lepus europaeus)
Authors: Karmiris I. E. , Nastis A. S. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThere is very limited information concerning livestock (sheep and goats) and brown hare Lepus europaeus interaction when both coexist. The effect of the intensity of livestock grazing on seasonal habitat use by hares, in a typical Mediterranean rangeland, was evaluated using the pellet‐count method. Lightly grazed pastures were less preferred by hares compared with moderately grazed ones, whereas ungrazed pastures were used less intensively than grazed ones. Because livestock grazing reduces the quantity of standing biomass proportionally to its grazing intensity, forage resource was not the driving force for pasture selection. The increased use of moderately grazed pastures by hares in relation to lightly and ungrazed ones, where vegetation was more abundant, could be attributed to their reduced herbage height and density. This behaviour is probably a tactic that hares follow for predator avoidance, because they are more likely to detect visually approaching predators when feeding in a biotope with a limited herbaceous layer. The conclusion of this research is that livestock and brown hare coexistence may be compatible and beneficial rather than competitive when stocking rates do not exceed grazing capacity, leading to the conclusion that proper livestock grazing and hare population management can be feasible in practice.
Responses of juvenile terrestrial salamanders to introduced (Lithobius forficatus) and native centipedes (Scolopocryptops sexspinosus)
Authors: Anthony C. D. , Hickerson C. A. M. , Venesky M. D. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractWhen introduced species invade ecosystems, alterations in community structure can emerge from the competitive and predatory interactions that occur between introduced and native guild members. Because a number of recent studies have shown that large predatory invertebrates can both compete with and prey on small vertebrates and because introductions of non‐native species may play a role in amphibian declines, the effects of introduced centipedes Lithobius forficatus and native centipedes Scolopocryptops sexspinosus on juveniles of the red‐backed salamander Plethodon cinereus were examined. In laboratory arenas, juvenile salamanders exhibited submissive behaviour in response to the odours of both species of centipede. There were no significant differences in salamander response to the two centipede odour treatments, but compared to controls, juveniles of P. cinereus spent significantly more time in escape and in a flattened submissive posture when presented with native centipede odours. Despite significant size differences between centipedes and juvenile salamanders, no predation of salamanders by either species of centipede occurred in any pairings. Juveniles exhibited more chemosensory behaviour towards native centipedes and towards their odours and exhibited marked reductions in aggressive posturing when centipedes were present. Field and laboratory data suggest that juveniles of P. cinereus and centipedes were negatively associated. In laboratory trials, the native centipede excluded juvenile salamanders from cover objects and we found fewer instances of co‐occurrence in the field than expected. These studies are the first to examine the behavioural interactions between juveniles of P. cinereus and invertebrate predators, one introduced and one native, of eastern deciduous forest‐floor food webs.
Factors affecting the abundance of introduced hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) to the Hebridean island of South Uist in the absence of natural predators and implications for nesting birds
Authors: Jackson D. B. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractIntroduced hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus are a known threat to ground‐nesting birds on many islands. Spring hedgehog density and sex ratio were measured over a 5‐year period at four plots on the 315 km2 Hebridean island of South Uist. The mean instantaneous density on the sandy‐soiled machair plots (31.8 hedgehogs km−2, se 2.95) was over twice that on the peaty‐soiled blackland plots (15.4 hedgehogs km−2, se 3.46), a difference reflecting the amount of preferred foraging habitat (mainly pasture). Plot population densities fluctuated approximately in unison. Year‐to‐year density changes were strongly correlated with temperature in the preceding winter and previous year's spring/summer, indicating that warmer conditions promote both survival and breeding success. The mean spring sex ratio of sub‐adults (animals born in the previous calendar year) was not significantly different from 1M:1F. However, the 1.8M:1F ratio observed for adults was significantly male biased, probably a result of female mortality associated with rearing young. The study estimates that in an average year the South Uist hedgehog population numbers c. 2750 (95% confidence limit±800) adults and sub‐adults and these produce around 3000 young. Compared with the native range, hedgehog densities on South Uist are shown to be unusually high, probably because their natural predators are absent. High hedgehog densities have led directly to high rates of egg predation of ground‐nesting shorebirds and subsequent declines in bird populations. The results suggest that over the past 20 years egg losses have become more severe and control of hedgehogs more difficult because climate warming has resulted in generally more favourable conditions for hedgehogs on the islands.
Intrahepatic activation of caspases in human fulminant hepatic failure
Authors: Leifeld Ludger , Nattermann Jacob , Fielenbach Magdalene , Schmitz Volker , Sauerbruch Tilman , Spengler Ulrich 
Published: August 2006

Abstract: Background/Aims: Apoptosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) potentially involving caspases. Thus far, apoptosis in FHF has mainly been studied in animal models while human data are sparse.Methods: Caspases‐3, ‐8 and ‐9 activities and Fas expression were analyzed in correlation to TdT‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) positive apoptotic cells in livers of patients with FHF (n=26), chronic liver disease (CLD) (n=60) and normal controls (NC) (n=10).Results: Numbers of TUNEL‐positive cells were higher in FHF than in CLD and NC (P<0.001) correlating to the intrahepatic activities of caspase‐3. The highest caspase‐3 activities were found in fulminant hepatitis B, significantly surpassing those in FHF of any other etiology. In fulminant hepatitis B, caspase‐9 activity was also higher than in controls, while caspase‐8 activation was not higher than in NC. Unlike caspase‐3, caspases ‐8 and ‐9 activities were not correlated to the numbers of TUNEL positive cells. Fas expression was also the highest in FHF but did not differ between hepatitis B virus‐FHF and other FHF.Conclusions: Our data indicate differential activation of intrahepatic caspases in FHF depending on the underlying etiology. Massive activation of caspases in fulminant hepatitis B confirms a pivotal role of apoptotic pathways in the pathogenesis of human fulminant hepatitis B.
The AST/ALT ratio as an indicator of cirrhosis in patients with PBC
Authors: Nyblom Helena , Björnsson Einar , Simrén Magnus , Aldenborg Frank , Almer Sven , Olsson Rolf 
Published: August 2006

Abstract: Objectives: A non‐invasive, simple and non‐expensive test to predict cirrhosis would be highly desirable. The aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio has been proven to be such an indicator of cirrhosis in alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis C.Aim: To test whether the AST/ALT ratio is a marker of cirrhosis also in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).Methods: The study consisted of 160 patients. In 126 patients, we had clinical and laboratory data at the time of diagnosis and follow‐up with outcome: liver‐related death, liver transplantation and survival. In 121 patients, we had laboratory data and liver histology.Results: We found that the AST/ALT ratio was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in non‐cirrhotic patients. A high AST/ALT ratio was significantly associated with esophageal varices and ascites. In a multivariate analysis, bilirubin and ALP were predictors of poor prognosis.Conclusion: The AST/ALT ratio seems to be of clinical value as a hint to the diagnosis of cirrhosis in patients with PBC but not as a prognostic factor.
Influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on iron accumulation in hepatitis C
Authors: Sumida Yoshio , Kanemasa Kazuyuki , Yamaoka Yoshio , Imamura Shigeyoshi , Katoh Naho , Nakashima Toshiaki , Tachibana Shunji , Mitsuyoshi Hironori , Itoh Yoshito , Okanoue Takeshi 
Published: August 2006

Abstract: Goal: Iron may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection was recently associated with iron‐deficiency anemia. We examined the influence of Hp infection on hepatic iron accumulation in hepatitis C.Methods: Ninety‐five hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐RNA‐positive patients, including 60 chronic hepatitis, 17 cirrhosis and 18 hepatocellular carcinoma as well as 95 age‐ and sex‐matched normal subjects without HCV infection as control, were studied. Liver biopsies were also obtained from 44 HCV‐infected patients. Serum Hp antibodies were measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and clinical data, including iron parameters and histological findings, were compared between Hp‐positive and ‐negative HCV‐infected patients.Results: The percentage of serum Hp antibodies was lower in HCV‐infected patients than in controls (52/95 (54.7%) vs. 68/95 (71.6%); P<0.05). HCV‐infected patients had higher serum ferritin levels than controls (120 [2.8–1700] vs. 58 [2.2–420] ng/ml; P<0.0001). In HCV‐infected patients, the serum ferritin levels (medians and [ranges]) in Hp‐positive patients were significantly lower than those of Hp‐negative patients (99 [8.5–770] vs. 150 [2.8–1700] ng/ml; P<0.05). The grades of hepatic iron deposit in Hp‐positive patients were significantly lower than those in Hp‐negative patients (P<0.01).Conclusions: Hp infection may at least partly affect hepatic iron accumulation in HCV‐related liver diseases.
Do young hepatocellular carcinoma patients have worse prognosis? The paradox of age as a prognostic factor in the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Chen Chien‐Hung , Chang Ting‐Tsung , Cheng Ken‐Sheng , Su Wei‐Wen , Yang Sheng‐Shun , Lin Hans Hsienhong , Wu Shun‐Sheng , Lee Chuan‐Mo , Changchien Chi‐Sin , Chen Chien‐Jen , Sheu Jin‐Chuan , Chen Ding‐Shinn , Lu Sheng‐Nan 
Published: August 2006

Abstract: Background/Aims: Our previous study showed that male hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients below 40 years of age had the worst survival in the initial several years, but had the best prognosis thereafter. Thus, it seems that age has a paradoxical influence on the prognosis. To further clarify the issue of age on HCC prognosis, we initiated this study.Methods: A total of 11 312 HCC cases from seven medical centers from 1986 to 2002 were included. We analyzed the 1‐year survival and survival after 1 year.Results: Male gender, age younger than 40 years old and hepatitis B virus (HBV) were associated with worse 1‐year survival. In contrast, male gender, age younger than 40 years old and HBV were associated with better survival after 1 year. Higher percentage of the young HCC patients had a tumor size larger than 3 cm. 83.7% of HCC patients below 40 years of age were male and 89.8% of them were HBV carriers.Conclusions: If we encountered a young HCC patient, the patient will probably be a male HBV carrier. He would probably have larger tumor and is more likely to expire within 1 year than the older HCC patients. However, if the young HCC patient can survive for more than 1 year, he would probably have better survival in the following years than the older patients.
Prevalence of primary non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in a population‐based study and its association with biochemical and anthropometric measures
Authors: Zelber‐Sagi Shira , Nitzan‐Kaluski Dorit , Halpern Zamir , Oren Ran 
Published: August 2006

Abstract: Background/Aims: Only a few studies have assessed the epidemiology of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of primary NAFLD in a population‐based study in Israel and to determine independent risk factors.Methods: A cross‐sectional study of a subsample of the Israeli national health survey (n=352). Individuals with a known etiology for secondary NAFLD were excluded. Each participant underwent an abdominal ultrasound, biochemical tests and an anthropometric evaluation.Results: Three hundred and twenty‐six subjects (53.4% male, mean age 50.5±10.3 standard deviaton [SD]) met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of primary NAFLD was 30% (25–35% 95% confidence intervals [CI]). NAFLD was more prevalent in men than women (38% vs. 21%; P=0.001). Compared with ultrasonography, the sensitivity of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) for the diagnosis of primary NAFLD was 8.2%. Risk factors independently associated with NAFLD included male gender (odds ratios (OR)=2.8, 95% CI 1.5–5.3), abdominal obesity (OR=2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.4), homeostasis model assessment (OR=5.8, 95% CI 2.0–17.2), hyperinsulinemia (OR=2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.3, P=0.01) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR=2.4, 95% CI 1.3–4.5).Conclusions: NAFLD is prevalent in the general Israeli population and closely related to the metabolic syndrome. The use of ALT as a marker for NAFLD seriously underestimates its prevalence.