bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prototype system for enhancement of frontal chest radiographs using eigenimage processing
Authors: Butler A , Bones P , Hurrell M 
Published: May 2008

SummaryA prototype system is described for enhancement of radiographic images in the eigen domain. The images chosen to enhance are frontal chest radiographs. This class of images has been chosen because it is both a clinically important examination and an example of the high‐resolution images used within radiology. The enhancement method is based on principal components analysis, a multivariate statistical technique first used within image processing for face recognition. The method requires a training set of normal images to identify normal patterns of variance. The enhancement process then removes these normal patterns of variance, often increasing the relative intensity of pathologies. Enhanced images presented in this paper include a range of common pathologies found on chest radiographs. Details of implementation, computing expense and possible applications within radiology are discussed.
Clinical influence of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography on the management of primary tumours of the thymus
Authors: Lee JW‐Y , Mac Manus M , Hogg A , Hicks R , Ball D 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of PET on the management of primary tumours of the thymus. Patients with a primary tumour of the thymus who underwent PET were identified from a prospective database. Forty‐three PET scans were carried out on 26 patients with primary thymic tumours. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 79, 100 and 85%, respectively. Conventional imaging and PET findings were discordant in 10 cases (23%). PET appropriately changed patient management in three (7.0%) cases based on accurate results that differed from pre‐PET imaging. Most PET scans carried out (88%) did not influence clinical management. Patient comorbidities, limited treatment options and already planned surgery are factors that may hinder the effect of PET in the setting of thymic tumours. The potential for false‐negative results, probably because of a combination of low‐fluorodeoxyglucose avidity and small volume residual disease, needs to be considered in management planning. However, the positive predictive value of PET is high and enables appropriate modification of management in a small, but potentially important subset of patients.
The important role of radiotherapy in patients with non‐melanoma skin cancer and other cutaneous entities
Authors: Veness MJ 
Published: May 2008

SummaryNon‐melanoma skin cancer is the commonest malignancy worldwide and a significant public health issue. Although most non‐melanoma skin cancers are small and easily excised or ablated, a recommendation of definitive radiotherapy is often made in patients where the outcome (cosmetic and/or functional) will probably be better with radiotherapy compared to surgery. The aim of adjuvant radiotherapy is to reduce the risk of loco‐regional recurrence and the role of palliative radiotherapy is important in improving the quality of life in patients with advanced and/or incurable disease. The aim of this review article is to broadly discuss the various clinical settings in which a recommendation of radiotherapy may be made and also includes a discussion on less frequently encountered cutaneous entities (e.g. in situ squamous cell carcinoma, keratocanthoma, lentigo maligna, cutaneous lymphomas and malignant fibrous tumours).
Low‐dose palliative splenic irradiation in haematolymphoid malignancy
Authors: Shrimali RK , Correa PD , O’Rourke N 
Published: May 2008

SummaryPatients are treated with palliative splenic irradiation (SI) to relieve pain, volume effects and the clinical consequences of hypersplenism. The case records of 19 patients treated with palliative SI at our centre, from April 2003 to November 2004, were reviewed. Twenty‐two courses of SI were identified. The radiation doses delivered ranged from 150 to 800 cGy (median 450 cGy). The fraction sizes ranged from 25 to 100 cGy. Parallel–opposed anteroposterior–posteroanterior portals were the most common field arrangement. The target volume was reduced in 18 out of 22 courses. The percentage of field reduction ranged from 0 to 59.57% (mean 24.82%). Twelve of 14 courses were successful in achieving symptom palliation. Of the six patients who received SI for a combination of splenic symptoms and abnormal blood tests, five had symptomatic palliation but only one patient responded haematologically. Of two patients who were started on palliative SI for abnormal haematology alone, only one responded. In summary, 17 of 20 (85%) courses of SI initiated for symptom control resulted in effective palliation. Only two of eight (25%) courses of SI started for abnormal blood counts produced a desired response. To conclude, SI offers an effective and well‐tolerated palliative treatment option.
The career paths of a group of Romanian nurses in Italy: a 3‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Palese A. , Barba M. , Mesaglio M. 
Published: May 2008

Purpose:  The objective of this study was to describe for how long a homogeneous group of 17 Romanian nurses who first arrived at the ‘Teaching Hospital’ in Italy in 2003, stayed in the same hospital/ward of the host country, why and when they decided to move from one hospital to another, and their levels of competence in core skills, after either 6 months or 3 years.Methods:  A longitudinal study design was adopted. The first phase was carried out in 2004, the second in 2006. We used an anonymous questionnaire.Results:  Only ten of the 17 nurses, who had started working in Italy 3 years before, remained in the same Hospital where they first started working. In spite of being given the opportunity to stay, some decided to move to hospitals where it is possible to earn more money or where they could save more by living in less expensive towns. The first nurse left the hospital in the first year, five in the second and one in the third year. Levels of perceived professional independence after 3 years are very good: the permanent group had improved their skills in all areas even though they felt a lack of confidence during the first 6 months.Conclusions:  This study, within the limits of the sample and the methods, shows that foreign nurses are highly mobile in the host country and this revolves around the opportunity to earn more. With increasing recruitment of nurses from within the European continent, it is necessary to continue studying the factors that sustain foreign nurses, to find out how they can be helped, how to value their imported professional skills, how to reduce the initial lack of faith in their own abilities and to discover which strategies would encourage them to stay in the hospital where they arrived.
Cooperation between Finnish primary school nurses and pupils' parents
Authors: Mäenpää T. , Åstedt‐Kurki P. 
Published: May 2008

Aim:  To generate information on how school nurses in Finnish primary schools describe cooperation with the school‐aged (7–12 years) children's parents.Background:  Cooperation between the school nurse and parents is essential for health promotion with primary school children. The topic has not been widely investigated in international research.Methods:  The data consist of descriptions written by 20 Finnish primary school nurses in 2003 and 2005. The data were analysed by the method of grounded theory.Findings:  Cooperation with parents aims at outlining the child's life situation, ascertaining the family's health situation and helping when the child has difficulties. The school nurses described meetings with parents, providing health information and bolstering parental resources as the forms of cooperation. Cooperation is professionally rewarding and school nurse‐centred. Confidentiality and familiarity are perceived as facilitating factors while difficulties in communication, factors connected with family and structural factors of work were perceived as barriers.Conclusions:  It is necessary to develop cooperation between school nurses and parents in primary schools. Cooperation and communication skills should be emphasized more in school nurses' training. The findings enable an understanding of the phenomenon of cooperation in school health services and they add valuable point of views to the discussion and the development of children's health services.
Working together; a nursing development project in Tajikistan
Authors: Parfitt B. , Mughal M. , Thomas H. 
Published: May 2008

Background:  This paper describes a Nursing Development Programme in Tajikistan where four organizations worked together to develop some innovative changes in nursing practice and education. Within the context of Health Care Reform the Government of Tajikistan provided a climate for Nursing Development. The joint efforts of the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland, and the Aga Khan Health Service in Tajikistan, have led to major changes in education and practice.Methods:  The project focused on the development of new standards for practice in Gorno Badakhshan and a new Family Health Nurse curriculum for all students entering nursing programmes. A Nursing Centre was opened to provide leadership in education and practice and a co‐ordinating Council was established to develop professional standards.Results:  The project has demonstrated that nurses in Tajikistan have embraced the developments in both education and practice with the aim of improving the care they give to their communities and the support they provide for the teams within which they work.Conclusions:  The project also illustrates how different organizations can work effectively together. Key principles identified from this project for effective collaborative working include: communication, common goals, shared expertise, pooled funding and close alignment with Government strategies for Health Reform.
Building competencies for nurse administrators in the Republic of Georgia
Authors: Nishiyama M. , Wold J.L. , Partskhladze N. 
Published: May 2008

Aim:  To assess the level of competency among nurse administrators in the Republic of Georgia (Georgia) and to recommend interventions to implement effective nursing management practices in a resource constrained setting.Background:  The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in deterioration of the healthcare system in Georgia. Even though the 1995 healthcare reformers recognized that baccalaureate educated nurses were essential resources for quality health care, limited resources delayed further steps. Hence, Georgia has struggled to raise nursing education levels and to establish nursing as a professional occupation.Study design and methods:  Using an exploratory descriptive research technique, surveys of nurse managers were conducted in 2004 and in 2005. This study assessed the level of practice among Georgian nurse administrators compared with the international competencies of the International Council of Nurses.Findings:  There were no organized procedures to evaluate competencies of nurses on a regular basis. While minimal clinical nursing practice guidelines exist, nurse managers did not fully utilize them for either mentoring the staff nurses or assuring an adequate quality of nursing care. Many nurse managers viewed financial constraints as an obstacle to delivering better nursing care.Conclusions:  Recommendations include: (1) establishing effective protocols to evaluate the competencies of nurses, (2) mandating the use of existing nursing guidelines, (3) establishing effective resource inventory systems, and (4) mandating safety education and ensuring a safe work environment.
Flower‐specific expression of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens isopentenyltransferase gene results in radial expansion of floral organs in Petunia hybrida
Authors: Verdonk Julian C. , Shibuya Kenichi , Loucas Holly M. , Colquhoun Thomas A. , Underwood Beverly A. , Clark David G. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryBiotechnology has the potential to modify commercially important traits of crops, such as fruit size and stress tolerance. To date, the floricultural industry has not profited significantly from these possibilities to manipulate, for example, flower size. Cytokinins are known to be involved in many aspects of plant development, including cell division. Increasing the amount of cytokinins has the potential to increase the size of an organ, such as the flower or the fruit. The Agrobacterium tumefaciens cytokinin biosynthesis gene isopentenyltransferase (ipt) has been shown to increase cytokinin levels when introduced into plants. Moreover, it has a dramatic effect on the vegetative development of plants. The expression of the ipt gene under the control of the flower‐specific Arabidopsis APETALA3 promoter in petunia (Petunia hybrida) increases the flower size dramatically, but with no effect on vegetative development. The resulting transgenic plants produced flowers with larger corolla diameter and greater total floral fresh weight. This strategy has the potential for use in the production of ornamental crops with large flowers and crop species with larger fruit.
COMPARATIVE ETHICS, IDEOLOGIES, AND CRITICAL THOUGHT1
Authors: Hindery Roderick 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTAfter the publication of my book and various articles about comparative religious ethics, obstacles in the field's further development seemed to mount as swiftly as practical issues seemed to trumpet the need for global ethics more loudly. Driven by impatience, I wondered if I were fiddling in unending discussion while the planet burned. As others persevered and evolved productively in addressing developmental issues in the field directly, I began to work through the lens of a less direct, but complementary, perspective: ideologies and critical thought. The following essay seeks to connect my parallel approach to ongoing obstacles and solutions within the prolific development of comparative religious ethics, especially its urgent pursuit of common moral grounds sufficient to support peaceful coexistence and living.
Sulfatides facilitate apolipoprotein E‐mediated amyloid‐β peptide clearance through an endocytotic pathway
Authors: Zeng Youchun , Han Xianlin 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAmyloid‐β (Aβ) accumulation and fibril formation are key pathologic characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We have previously found that sulfatide depletion occurs at the earliest stages of AD. To further identify the role of sulfatides in the pathogenesis of AD as well as the interactions between apolipoprotein E (apoE), sulfatides, and Aβ peptides, we examined alterations in the clearance of apoE‐mediated Aβ peptides after sulfatide supplementation to cell culture systems. We demonstrated that sulfatides markedly facilitate apoE‐mediated clearance of Aβ peptides endogenously generated from H4‐APPwt cells through an endocytotic pathway. Moreover, we found that the uptake of Aβ42 mediated by sulfatides was selective in comparison to that of Aβ40. We excluded the possibility that the supplementation of sulfatides and/or apoE altered the production of Aβ peptides from H4‐APPwt cells through determination of the clearance of Aβ peptides from conditioned H4‐APPwt cell media by neuroblastoma cells which do not appreciably generate Aβ peptides. Finally, we demonstrated that the sulfate galactose moiety of sulfatides is essential for the sulfatide‐facilitated clearance of Aβ peptides. Collectively, the current study provides insight into a molecular mechanism leading to Aβ clearance/deposition, highlights the significance of sulfatide deficiency at the earliest clinically recognizable stage of AD, and identifies a potential new direction for therapeutic intervention for the disease.
Nuclear translocation of X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) determines cell fate after hypoxia ischemia in neonatal brain
Authors: Russell Juliet C. , Whiting Heather , Szuflita Nicholas , Hossain Mir Ahamed 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) are emerging as key proteins in the control of cell death. In this study, we evaluated the expression and subcellular distribution of the antiapoptotic protein X‐linked IAP (XIAP), and its interactions with the XIAP‐associated factor 1 (XAF1) in neonatal rat brain following hypoxia‐ischemia (HI). HI triggered the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c, Smac/DIABLO, and caspase 3 activation. Confocal microscopy detected XIAP‐specific immunofluorescence in the cytoplasm under normal condition, which exhibited a diffuse distribution at 6 h post‐HI and by 12 h the majority of XIAP was redistributed into the nucleus. XIAP nuclear translocation was confirmed by subcellular fractionations and by expressing FLAG‐tagged XIAP in primary cortical neurons. Over‐expression of XIAP significantly reduced, whereas XIAP gene silencing further enhanced cell death, demonstrating a specific requirement of cytoplasmic XIAP for cell survival. An elevated level of cytosolic XIAP was also evident under the conditions of neuroprotection by fibroblast growth factor‐1. XAF1 expression was increased temporally and there was increased nuclear co‐localization with XIAP in hypoxic‐ischemic cells. XIAP co‐immunoprecipitated > 9‐fold XAF1 protein concurrent with decreased association with caspases 9 and 3. This is evidenced by the enhanced caspase 3 activity and neuronal death. Our findings implicate XIAP nuclear translocation in neuronal death and point to a novel mechanism in the regulation of hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury.
Granulomatous tattoo reaction and erythema nodosum in a young woman: common cause or coincidence?
Authors: Wollina Uwe , Gruner Monika , Schönlebe Jaqueline 
Published: May 2008

SummaryTattooing has become quite popular in Western countries. With the increasing prevalence, there is also an increased risk of adverse effects. We describe a 17‐year‐old female patient with a black and red–colored tattoo, who developed immediately after red tattooing general malaise with fever, nausea, and vomiting. A bullous reaction was temporarily seen within the red part of her tattoo. The reaction later shifted to a subacute dermatitis with bacterial superinfection. Two months later, she felt ill again. She developed painful tender nodules on the anterior aspect of both lower legs identified as erythema nodosum without sarcoidosis. Is this is a unique case of adverse reaction to tattoo pigments with a type I and a type IV reaction, or is this a coincidence? The treatment was initiated with systemic and topical corticosteroids and topical antibiotics combined with compression bandages for the legs. After 3 weeks of treatment, the erythema nodosum completely resolved and did not reappear during a 1‐year follow‐up. The treatment of the local reactions, however, was unsatisfactory without complete response. There is an indispensable need for regulation of tattoo pigments and tattooing to improve consumer safety.
In vitro evaluation of the effect of electrotreatment on skin permeability
Authors: Marra Fabio , Levy Jean‐Luc , Santi Patrizia , Kalia Yogeshvar N 
Published: May 2008

SummaryBackground  Stratum corneum composition and structure limit cutaneous bioavailability of pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical agents. Electrically assisted transport can increase the rate and extent of delivery; moreover, it also enables the administration of polar and charged molecules into the skin.Aims  The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of electrotreatment on skin permeability by measuring the cumulative delivery of caffeine and sodium ascorbyl phosphate. Furthermore, confocal microscopy was used to visualize the effect of electrotreatment on the penetration of calcein.Methods  Porcine ear skin was used for the in vitro permeation studies, which involved application of either the caffeine or sodium ascorbyl phosphate (NAP) containing gels using the roll‐on supplied with the electrotreatment device.Results  Electrotreatment increased the amount of caffeine and NAP in the skin. Enhancement factors (EF) for NAP of 7.2 and 14.9 were observed following 20 min of electrotreatment and either immediate sampling or a further 60 min of passive diffusion compared with passive diffusion for either 20 or 80 min. The effect on caffeine permeation was less significant (EF = 2.1 for 20 min electrotreatment compared with passive diffusion for 20 min). The confocal microscopy images showed that electrotreatment significantly increased calcein permeation; fluorescence was observed deep into the viable epidermis – reaching depths of up to 60 to 80 microns.Conclusions  We have shown that electrotreatment increases skin permeability and the cumulative delivery of cosmeceuticals into the skin.
The stratum corneum: a double paradox
Authors: Pouillot Anne , Dayan Nava , Polla Ada S , Polla Luigi L , Polla Barbara S 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe stratum corneum (SC) (i.e., the outermost layer of human skin) is a complex and paradoxical tissue composed of corneocytes and a matrix of intercellular lipids playing an essential role as the skin's protective barrier. The first paradox of SC is its dual nature. It is composed of nondividing (dead) cells embedded in a metabolically active (live) environment whose function is to protect the epidermis and to maintain its integrity. In order to do so, the SC uses various strategies, including enzymatic reactions, colonization by bacterial flora, immune signaling, antimicrobial lipids and peptides, low pH, antioxidants, and natural moisturizing factor(s). The second paradox is that although its biological function is essentially that of a physicochemical barrier, cosmetologists and pharmacists are actively exploring paths for penetration through the SC to allow passage of active molecules and their penetration into the skin. Various pathways of penetration and physicochemical factors facilitating this penetration into the dermis and/or the epidermis have been defined, but the exact mechanisms of penetration of cosmetic ingredients remain elusive. For cosmetologists and pharmacists, the SC represents a major focus of interest whether for basic research or the development of novel topical approaches taking into account the fascinating properties of this complex tissue.
Visual attention to variation in female facial skin color distribution
Authors: Fink Bernhard , Matts Paul J , Klingenberg Heiner , Kuntze Sebastian , Weege Bettina , Grammer Karl 
Published: May 2008

SummaryObjectives  Visible skin condition of women is argued to influence human physical attraction. Recent research has shown that people are sensitive to variation in skin color distribution, and such variation affects visual perception of female facial attractiveness, healthiness, and age.Methods  The eye gaze of 39 males and females, aged 13 to 45 years, was tracked while they viewed images of shape‐ and topography‐standardized stimulus faces that varied only in terms of skin color distribution.Results  The number of fixations and dwell time were significantly higher when viewing stimulus faces with the homogeneous skin color distribution of young people, compared with those of more elderly people. In accordance with recent research, facial stimuli with even skin tones were also judged to be younger and received higher attractiveness ratings. Finally, visual attention measures were negatively correlated with perceived age, but positively associated with attractiveness judgments.Conclusions  Variation in visible skin color distribution (independent of facial form and skin surface topography) is able to selectively attract people's attention toward female faces, and this higher attention results in more positive statements about a woman's face.