bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized Controlled Trial of a Prompt List to Help Advanced Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers to Ask Questions About Prognosis and End-of-Life Care
Authors: Clayton Josephine M. , Butow Phyllis N. , Tattersall Martin H.N. , Devine Rhonda J. , Simpson Judy M. , Aggarwal Ghauri , Clark Katherine J. , Currow David C. , Elliott Louise M. , Lacey Judith , Lee Philip G. , Noel Michael A. 
Published: February 2007

Purpose To determine whether provision of a question prompt list (QPL) influences advanced cancer patients’/caregivers’ questions and discussion of topics relevant to end-of-life care during consultations with a palliative care (PC) physician. Patients and Methods This randomized controlled trial included patients randomly assigned to standard consultation or provision of QPL before consultation, with endorsement of the QPL by the physician during the consultation. Consecutive eligible patients with advanced cancer referred to 15 PC physicians from nine Australian PC services were invited to participate. Consultations were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed by blinded coders; patients completed questionnaires before, within 24 hours, and 3 weeks after the consultation. Results A total of 174 patients participated (92 QPL, 82 control). Compared with controls, QPL patients and caregivers asked twice as many questions (for patients, ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.7 to 3.2; P < .0001), and patients discussed 23% more issues covered by the QPL (95% CI, 11% to 37%; P < .0001). QPL patients asked more prognostic questions (ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.0; P = .004) and discussed more prognostic (ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.8, P = .003) and end-of-life issues (30% v 10%; P = .001). Fewer QPL patients had unmet information needs about the future (χ21 = 4.14; P = .04), which was the area of greatest unmet information need. QPL consultations (average, 38 minutes) were longer (P = .002) than controls (average, 31 minutes). No differences between groups were observed in anxiety or patient/physician satisfaction. Conclusion Providing a QPL and physician endorsement of its use assists terminally ill cancer patients and their caregivers to ask questions and promotes discussion about prognosis and end-of-life issues, without creating patient anxiety or impairing satisfaction.
Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of Malignant Transformation of Low-Grade Glioma in Children
Authors: Broniscer Alberto , Baker Suzanne J. , West Alina N. , Fraser Melissa M. , Proko Erika , Kocak Mehmet , Dalton James , Zambetti Gerard P. , Ellison David W. , Kun Larry E. , Gajjar Amar , Gilbertson Richard J. , Fuller Christine E. 
Published: February 2007

Purpose To analyze the clinical and molecular characteristics of malignant transformation (MT) of low-grade glioma (LGG) in children. Patients and Methods The clinical, radiologic, and histologic characteristics of children treated at our institution who experienced MT of LGG were reviewed. Molecular alterations in these tumors were analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and TP53 sequencing. Cumulative incidence estimate and risk factors for MT were determined for 65 patients with grade 2 astrocytoma treated at our institution during the study interval. Results Eleven patients who experienced MT were identified (median age at diagnosis of LGG, 13.3 years). Initial diagnoses were grade 2 astrocytoma (n = 6) and other grade 1/2 gliomas (n = 5). The median latency of MT was 5.1 years. Histologic diagnoses after MT were glioblastoma (n = 7) and other high-grade gliomas (n = 4). The 15-year cumulative incidence estimate of MT among 65 patients with grade 2 astrocytoma was 6.7% ± 3.9%; no risk factor analyzed, including radiotherapy, was associated with MT. Tissue was available for molecular analysis in all patients, including nine with samples obtained before and after MT. TP53 overexpression was more common after MT. Deletions of RB1 and/or CDKN2A were observed in 71% of LGGs and in 90% of tumors after MT. PTEN pathway abnormalities occurred in 76% of patients. One of five oncogenes analyzed (PDGFRA) was amplified in one patient. Conclusion The molecular abnormalities that occur during MT of LGG in children are similar to those observed in primary and secondary glioblastoma in adults.
Cyclin D1 Guanine/Adenine 870 Polymorphism With Altered Protein Expression Is Associated With Genomic Instability and Aggressive Clinical Biology of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Izzo Julie G. , Wu Tsung-Teh , Wu Xifeng , Ensor Joe , Luthra Rajyalakshmi , Pan Jennifer , Correa Arlene , Swisher Stephen G. , Chao Clifford K.S. , Hittelman Walter N. , Ajani Jaffer A. 
Published: February 2007

Purpose Altered cyclin D1 (CD1), a cell cycle regulator, may play an important role in imparting aggressive nature to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). CD1 gene single nucleotide polymorphism G/A870 results in two alternatively spliced transcripts, CD1a and CD1b. CD1b, preferentially encoded by the A870 allele, is putatively oncogenic. We hypothesized that CD1 A870 allele would be associated with higher CD1 protein expression, and increased genomic instability during EAC evolution, leading to more aggressive phenotype. Patients and Methods One hundred twenty-four archival specimens of EAC, and 39 associated Barrett's esophagus (BE) specimens were examined for CD1 genotype, CD1 protein expression, and chromosome 9 polysomy (representing genomic instability). We correlated CD1 genotypes with CD1 protein expression, genomic instability, age at diagnosis of EAC, and overall survival (OS). Results The A870 allele was associated with higher levels of CD1 protein expression in EAC (P = .032); in BE (P = .01) where it was associated with concomitant increased chromosome 9 polysomy (P = .002); and with a younger age at diagnosis (P < .001) and poor OS (P = .0003) of EAC patients. Conclusion Our data suggest that CD1 A870 background may be imparting aggressive phenotype to EAC. It provides a molecular basis to explain the clinical biology associated with CD1 polymorphism whereas aberrant nuclear accumulation of CD1 protein enhances the acquisition of genomic instability (ie, clonal diversity), thus leading to early age of EAC diagnosis and poor OS. CD1 genotyping with other biomarkers may help create a biomarker-based prognostic model for EAC and CD1 may also serve as a therapeutic target.
Protein Expression Patterns Associated with Progression of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Smokers
Authors: Plymoth Amelie , Löfdahl Claes-Göran , Ekberg-Jansson Ann , Dahlbäck Magnus , Broberg Per , Foster Martyn , Fehniger Thomas E , Marko-Varga György 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Background: We modeled the expression of proteins in baseline bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from asymptomatic 60-year-old lifelong current smokers or healthy never-smokers, who were reevaluated after 6 to 7 years to record clinical outcome.
Methods: Applying a technology toolbox consisting of replicate 2-dimensional gel separations, image annotation, and mass spectrometry identification, we catalogued a global set of proteins that were differentially expressed in individuals by presence, absence, and intensity scores.
Results: By use of multivariate analysis, we selected a subset of proteins that accurately separated smokers from never-smokers based on composite scoring. Follow-up after 6 to 7 years identified a group of individuals who had progressed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage 2. The baseline BAL samples of these eventual COPD patients shared a distinct protein expression profile that could be identified using partial least-squares discriminant analysis. This pattern was not observed in BAL samples of asymptomatic smokers free of COPD at 6- to 7-year follow-up.
Conclusions: Our model suggests that certain patterns of protein expression occurring in the airways of long-term smokers may be detected in smokers susceptible to a progression of COPD disease, before disease is clinically evident.
Hyperhomocysteinemia and Myocardial Expression of Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Rats
Authors: Herrmann Markus , Taban-Shoma Omid , Hübner Ulrich , Pexa Anette , Kilter Heiko , Umanskaya Natalia , Hans Straub Rainer , Böhm Michael , Herrmann Wolfgang 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) has been linked to impaired left ventricular function and clinical class in patients with chronic heart failure. We hypothesized that HHcy stimulates myocardial brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) expression and induces adverse left ventricular remodeling.
Methods: We randomized 50 rats into 5 groups. Groups Co1 and Co2 (controls) received a typical diet. Groups Meth, Hcy1, and Hcy2 were fed the same diet supplemented with 2.4% methionine, 1% homocystine, and 2% homocystine, respectively. After 12 weeks, we measured total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and BNP in plasma and tissue, and we performed histomorphometric analyses.
Results: All animals had comparable baseline body weight [mean (SD) 234 (26) g] and total circulating Hcy [4.7 (1.7) μmol/L]. After 12 weeks of treatment, total circulating Hcy increased in Meth, Hcy1, and Hcy2 [27.3 (8.8), 40.6 (7.0), and 54.0 (46.0) μmol/L, respectively] and remained unchanged in Co1 and Co2. Serum BNP significantly increased in 1 of 10 animals in Meth, 3 of 10 animals in Hcy1, and 3 of 10 animals in Hcy2. Median (25th–75th percentile) BNP tissue concentrations in Hcy1 and Hcy2 were 55% higher than in the corresponding controls [Co1 vs Hcy1, 225 (186–263) vs 338 (262–410) pg/mg protein, P = 0.05; Co2 vs Hcy2, 179 (107–261) vs 308 (192–429) pg/mg protein, P = 0.12]. In the Meth group, BNP expression was comparable to that of controls [200 (159–235) vs 225 (186–263) pg/mg protein, P = 0.32]. The percentage of perivascular and interstitial collagen and mast cell infiltration were comparable in all groups, indicating no adverse cardiac remodeling.
Conclusion: Three months of intermediate HHcy stimulated increased cardiac BNP expression that was not accompanied by adverse cardiac remodeling.
Protein Profiling of Microdissected Pancreas Carcinoma and Identification of HSP27 as a Potential Serum Marker
Authors: Melle Christian , Ernst Günther , Escher Niko , Hartmann Daniel , Schimmel Bettina , Bleul Annett , Thieme Heike , Kaufmann Roland , Felix Klaus , Friess Helmut M , Settmacher Utz , Hommann Merten , Richter Konrad K , Daffner Wolfgang , Täubig Horst , Manger Thomas , Claussen Uwe , von Eggeling Ferdinand 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Background: Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinomas have a poor prognosis because of late clinical manifestation and the tumor’s aggressive nature. We used proteomic techniques to search for markers of pancreatic carcinoma.
Methods: We performed protein profiling of microdissected cryostat sections of 9 pancreatic adenocarcinomas and 10 healthy pancreatic tissue samples using ProteinChip technology (surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization). We identified proteins by use of 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, peptide fingerprint mapping, and immunodepletion and used immunohistochemistry for in situ localization of the proteins found. We used ELISA to quantify these proteins in preoperative serum samples from 35 patients with pancreatic cancer and 37 healthy individuals.
Results: From among the differentially expressed signals that were detected by ProteinChip technology, we identified 2 proteins, DJ-1 and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27). We then detected HSP27 in sera of patients by use of ELISA, indicating a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 84% for the recognition of pancreatic cancer.
Conclusions: The detection of DJ-1 and HSP27 in pure defined tissue and the retrieval of HSP27 in serum by antibody-based methods identifies a potential marker for pancreatic cancer.
Preanalytic Influence of Sample Handling on SELDI-TOF Serum Protein Profiles
Authors: Timms John F , Arslan-Low Elif , Gentry-Maharaj Aleksandra , Luo Zhiyuan , T’Jampens Davy , Podust Vladimir N , Ford Jeremy , Fung Eric T , Gammerman Alex , Jacobs Ian , Menon Usha 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground: High-throughput proteomic methods for disease biomarker discovery in human serum are promising, but concerns exist regarding reproducibility of results and variability introduced by sample handling. This study investigated the influence of different preanalytic handling methods on surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) protein profiles of prefractionated serum. We investigated whether older collections with longer sample transit times yield useful protein profiles, and sought to establish the most feasible collection methods for future clinical proteomic studies.Methods: To examine the effect of tube type, clotting time, transport/incubation time, temperature, and storage method on protein profiles, we used 6 different handling methods to collect sera from 25 healthy volunteers. We used a high-throughput, prefractionation strategy to generate anion-exchange fractions and examined their protein profiles on CM10, IMAC30-Cu, and H50 arrays by using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.Results: Prolonged transport and incubation at room temperature generated low mass peaks, resulting in distinctions among the protocols. The most and least stringent methods gave the lowest overall peak variances, indicating that proteolysis in the latter may have been nearly complete. For samples transported on ice there was little effect of clotting time, storage method, or transit time. Certain proteins (TTR, ApoCI, and transferrin) were unaffected by handling, but others (ITIH4 and hemoglobin β) displayed significant variability.Conclusions: Changes in preanalytical handling variables affect profiles of serum proteins, including proposed disease biomarkers. Proteomic analysis of samples from serum banks collected using less stringent protocols is applicable if all samples are handled identically.
Creating Successful Rehabilitation Partnerships Between Health Professionals and Employers
Authors: Muenchberger Heidi , Kendall Elizabeth , Mills Eileen 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSuccessful rehabilitation outcomes rest on the quality of the links among multiple stakeholders. However, the literature has increasingly recognised the challenges in creating effective partnerships between stakeholders such as external health professionals, employers and injured workers. This study presents findings from an industry-directed project aimed at investigating the links between external health professionals and the employer in relation to return-to-work rehabilitation. Semistructured interviews were conducted with general practitioners (GPs), psychologists, and organisation-based rehabilitation personnel. Findings indicated several major points of consideration to facilitate health professional and employer partnerships, including educating stakeholders about organisational rehabilitation services and key contact personnel within the organisation, establishing standard communication protocols, understanding organisational culture and providing explicit organisational support for the rehabilitation process. To ensure appropriate and timely outcomes for injured workers, the current findings highlight the proactive and educative role that employers must assume when acting in partnership for rehabilitation.
Economic Incentives for Return to Work in Sweden: In Theory and in Practice
Authors: Selander John 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA significant problem in Sweden is the large number of people on long-term sickness absence and disability pension. To prevent long-term absenteeism, increased focus has been put on employers and disability management (DM). Effective DM, however, also requires a motivated employee. One way to motivate employees to return to work (RTW), is to provide economic incentives. The aim of the current study was to investigate the occurrence of economic incentives for people in Sweden to RTW after long-term sickness absence. The study is based on three fictitious cases. The results show that only marginal economic incentives presently exist in the Swedish RTW system. The necessity for economic incentives in the RTW process can, of course, be usefully debated. Research suggests, however, that such incentives play a part in the RTW process. With stronger economic incentives for the employee, the effectiveness of DM and prospects of job return would, arguably, be enhanced.
Addressing Psychological Injury and Its Consequences in the Workplace: The Intensive Case Management Trial
Authors: Muenchberger Heidi , Kendall Elizabeth , Domalewski Debra , Anderson Colin , Murphy Patricia 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis study documents the findings of a qualitative investigation of the structure, process, and outcomes of an Intensive Case Management (ICM) program that was implemented in several government departments to improve the management of psychological injury and to reduce costs. The study demonstrated that the ICM model was effective in meeting its intended outcomes. Specifically, the model facilitated the delivery of timely and coordinated services to the workplace, and consequently, reduced the incidence of claim lodgment, assisted with accommodated return to work and minimised time away from work. Issues for future consideration included how the model could be integrated more firmly into the organisational culture and how to incorporate systematic follow-up and the capacity to address longer-term issues for injured workers.
Employer-Based Facilitators of Return to Work Following Disabling Injury
Authors: Murphy Gregory C. , Young Amanda E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPostinjury vocational achievement is an important index of successful vocational rehabilitation. This study involved the identification of factors reported to facilitate labour-force participation of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) who, even though lacking the personal characteristics found to correlate with labour-force participation, were actually members of the labour force. The empirically identified subjects comprised the 20 most extreme prediction errors from the application of discriminant function analysis, which was conducted with the aim of predicting vocational achievement (in the labour force vs. not in the labour force) following SCI. Subjects were interviewed to gain an understanding of their explanations for their erroneously predicted labour-force status. Principal factors nominated as most influencing the postinjury labour-force achievements were the assistance of family, friends and representatives of preinjury employers. Implications of these findings for the delivery of rehabilitation services are presented, including the need for more community-based and employer-related services.
Stress, Absence and Reintegration: Perceptions and Practice of Professionals in Six European Jurisdictions
Authors: McAnaney Donal , Wynne Richard 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAs part of a larger study into stress, absence and reintegration (Stress Impact 2003–2005), semistructured interviews were carried out with a range of professionals including general practitioners, occupational health physicians, health and safety officers, human resource professionals, general managers, mental health professionals and return-to-work coordinators. The aim of the study was to explore professional perceptions of stress recognition/diagnosis, experiences, stress factors, interventions, referrals, the return-to-work process and disability management in six European Union jurisdictions (Austria, Finland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom). The most striking characteristic of the responses was the lack of congruence in views and beliefs within the same professional group across jurisdictional boundaries and between professionals within the same jurisdiction. There was little evidence that any clear message is getting across to professionals. Professionals need to respond more flexibly to stress-related absence, particularly in the use of psychosocial and work-based disability management supports or interventions.
The Role of Organisational Culture in Sickness Absence
Authors: Reijenga Femke A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn the Dutch literature on occupational health and sickness absence many references can be found on organisational factors that influence the sickness absence. Many of those factors are related to the culture of an organisation. To classify and analyse those factors we used a well-known management model — the seven S model. After identifying the cultural aspects that might influence sickness absence, we developed a simple management tool consisting of 30 questions. The goal of the tool is to explain the organisational culture in relation to sickness absence. This explanation enables the organisation to choose interventions to change organisational aspects in order to prevent or to reduce the sickness absence in the organisation. We tested the tool with seven human resource (HR) managers in the governmental sector. They completed the checklist and the results were discussed with them in a face-to-face interview. To date, the checklist appears to be helpful in analysing the organisational culture in relation to sickness absence, but it still needs to be tested with a larger population.
On multiple blocking sets in Galois planes
Authors: Blokhuis A , Lovász L , Storme L , Szőnyi T 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
This article continues the study of multiple blocking sets in PG(2, q). In [A. Blokhuis, L. Storme, T. Szőnyi, Lacunary polynomials, multiple blocking sets and Baer
subplanes. J. London Math. Soc. (2) 60 (1999), 321–332. MR1724814 (2000j:05025) Zbl 0940.51007], using lacunary polynomials, it was proven that t-fold blocking sets of PG(2, q), q square, t < q
¼/2, of size smaller than t(q + 1) + c

q

q
⅔, with c

q
= 2−⅓ when q is a power of 2 or 3 and c

q
= 1 otherwise, contain the union of t pairwise disjoint Baer subplanes when t ≥ 2, or a line or a Baer subplane when t = 1. We now combine the method of lacunary polynomials with the use of algebraic curves to improve the known characterization results on multiple blocking sets and to prove a t (mod p) result on small t-fold blocking sets of PG(2, q = p

n
), p prime, n ≥ 1.
On twisted tensor product group embeddings and the spin representation of symplectic groups
Authors: Cossidente Antonio , King Oliver H 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
We describe an alternative perspective for at least some of the subgroups in Aschbacher's class C
9. Then we show that under the twisted tensor product embedding of the groups PSp2(q

t
) and PSp4(q

t
) in orthogonal groups over GF(q), t ≥ 3, q ≥ 4 even, an intermediate embedding of type C
3 occurs.
Projective ovoids and generalized quadrangles
Authors: Brown Matthew R 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
We consider a simple condition defining a
tetradic
set of ovoids in a projective three-space over a finite field. By elementary counting and geometrical methods we establish the properties of a tetradic set and are able to give a purely synthetic construction of the class of generalized quadrangles of order (s, s
2) satisfying Property (G) at a flag. This includes the class of dual flock generalized quadrangles due to Kantor and Payne in the 1980's. We also show that the dual flock generalized quadrangles are characterised by Property (G) at a line.