bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of irradiation using a radioisotope-filled balloon on tissue hyperplasia caused by stent placement in a canine urethral model
Authors: Shin Ji Hoon , Song Ho-Young , Moon Dae Hyuk , Oh Seung-Jun , Kim Jung-Sun , Kim Eun-Hee , Kim Tae-Hyung , Woo Chul-Woong , Kim Eun-Young , Park Seong Ho 
Published: May 2006

Purpose: To evaluate 20 Gy and 40 Gy of intraluminal beta-irradiation using a 188Re-7mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3)-filled balloon catheter to reduce tissue hyperplasia caused by covered stent placement for 12 weeks of follow-up in a canine urethral model. Material and Methods: Ten dogs underwent 188Re-MAG3-filled balloon dilatation immediately after stent placement; 20 Gy at 1-mm tissue depth in group I ( n = 5) and 40 Gy in group II ( n = 5), whereas 5 dogs (group III) underwent conventional balloon dilatation only. Results: There were no significant differences among the three groups for percentage diameter of stenosis, although this was highest in group III. There was a tendency toward lower mean thickness of the epithelial layer and the papillary projection for out-stent area, and thickness of the papillary projection and degree of inflammatory cells for in-stent area in groups I and II compared with group III. Thickness of the papillary projection in out-stent area was significantly different among the three groups ( P = 0.031). It was significantly less thick in group I than in group III ( P<0.05), whereas group II was not significantly different from group III. Conclusion:188Re-MAG3-filled balloon dilatation has the potential to reduce tissue hyperplasia after 12 weeks of follow-up in a canine urethral model. The use of 20 Gy compared to 40 Gy did not show significant differences.
Determining the level of the dural sac tip: magnetic resonance imaging in an adult population
Authors: Binokay F. , Akgul E. , Bicakci K. , Soyupak S. , Aksungur E. , Sertdemir Y. 
Published: May 2006

Purpose: To determine the variation in the location of the dural sac (DS) in a living adult population and to correlate this position with age and sex. Material and Methods: T2-weighted, midline, sagittal, spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of 743 patients were assessed to identify the tip of the DS. This location was recorded in relation to the upper, middle, or lower third of the adjacent vertebral body or the adjacent intervertebral disk. Results: Frequency distribution for levels of termination of the DS on MRI demonstrated that the end of the DS was usually located at the upper one-third of S2 (25.2%). The mean level in females was also the upper one-third of S2 (26.5%) and in males the lower one-third of S2 (24.1%). The overall mean DS position was mostly at the upper one-third of S2. No significant differences in DS position were seen between male and female patients or with increasing age. Conclusion: It is important to know the possible range for the termination level of the DS when performing caudal anesthesia and craniospinal irradiation in some clinical situations. The distribution of DS location in a large adult population was shown to range from the L5-S1 intervertebral disk to the upper third of S3 vertebrae.
Genetic diversity in European pigs utilizing amplified fragment length polymorphism markers
Authors: SanCristobal M. , Chevalet C. , Peleman J. , Heuven H. , Brugmans B. , Van Schriek M. , Joosten R. , Rattink A. P. , Harlizius B. , Groenen M. A. M. , Amigues Y. , Boscher M.‐Y. , Russell G. , Law A. , Davoli R. , Russo V. , Dèsautés C. , Alderson L. , Fimland E. , Bagga M. , Delgado J. V. , Vega‐Pla J. L. , Martinez A. M. , Ramos M. , Glodek P. , Meyer J. N. , Gandini G. , Matassino D. , Siggens K. , Laval G. , Archibald A. , Milan D. , Hammond K. , Cardellino R. , Haley C. , Plastow G. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe use of DNA markers to evaluate genetic diversity is an important component of the management of animal genetic resources. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has published a list of recommended microsatellite markers for such studies; however, other markers are potential alternatives. This paper describes results obtained with a set of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers as part of a genetic diversity study of European pig breeds that also utilized microsatellite markers. Data from 148 AFLP markers genotyped across samples from 58 European and one Chinese breed were analysed. The results were compared with previous analyses of data from 50 microsatellite markers genotyped on the same animals. The AFLP markers had an average within‐breed heterozygosity of 0.124 but there was wide variation, with individual markers being monomorphic in 3–98% of the populations. The biallelic and dominant nature of AFLP markers creates a challenge for their use in genetic diversity studies as each individual marker contains limited information and AFLPs only provide indirect estimates of the allelic frequencies that are needed to estimate genetic distances. Nonetheless, AFLP marker‐based characterization of genetic distances was consistent with expectations based on breed and regional distributions and produced a similar pattern to that obtained with microsatellites. Thus, data from AFLP markers can be combined with microsatellite data for measuring genetic diversity.
Conceptions of pain among Somali women
Authors: Finnström Berit , Söderhamn Olle 
Published: May 2006

Aim. This paper reports a study of a group of Somali mothers' views on pain, the causes of pain, pain behaviour and pain treatment concerning themselves and their family members.Background. Both the meaning of pain and pain behaviour are associated with values in a patient's social and cultural context. Culture also provides models for how to treat and relieve pain. Several studies report a lack of cultural sensitivity and competence among healthcare professionals, resulting in lower quality of and less access to health care and pain treatment for minority groups. However, the majority of the scientific literature on pain and culture concerns adults in the United States of America.Method. Focused conversational interviews were carried out with a convenience sample of nine Somalia women living in Sweden in order to describe and explore their conceptions of pain. Qualitative content analysis was conducted through meaning condensation. The data were collected in 2002–2003.Findings. The women expressed a number of different ideas about definitions and causes of pain. Somalis, especially men, are expected to be stoic about pain. The women had different strategies for communicating about and relieving pain. Children from the ages of 6–8 years upwards were expected to control their pain expression. Respondents used both formal and informal care to relieve pain. For some of the women, consulting a psychologist was not a culturally acceptable way of seeking pain relief.Conclusions. Nurses must strive for increased cultural competence and explore ways to make healthcare services sensitive to culturally diverse groups. Nurses have an educational role in educating parents and children about pain and the importance of sufficient pain relief. All healthcare providers should be aware of their own cultural values and the risk of stereotyping people.
Functioning and subjective health among stroke survivors after discharge from hospital
Authors: Pajalic Zada , Karlsson Siv , Westergren Albert 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study exploring functioning (functions, activities and participation) and subjective health among stroke survivors 6 months after discharge from hospital. A further aim was to investigate patterns of functions and activities, and associations between functioning and subjective health.Background.  Nurses tend to emphasize functional and activity outcomes and rarely look to people's participation in their social world. By integrating individual and social contextual factors in their assessments, nurses will have a powerful tool to broaden their outlook. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health can be used as a framework for understanding the consequences of stroke. Studies are needed, however to make the International Classification of Functioning operational for practical use.Methods.  A cross‐sectional and explorative design was used using structured interviews and assessments with a number of scales with 89 stroke survivors 6 months after their hospital stay. The measures used were Personal Activities of Daily Living, including cognitive ability, transfer, dressing, bathing, energy to eat, ingestion, swallowing, going to the toilet, faecal continence, and urinary continence; and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, including washing clothes, cooking, cleaning, transport and shopping. Factor analysis was performed for functions and activities and the final solution had an explained variance of 70%. The data were collected during autumn 2003 and spring 2004.Findings.  Close associations (rs > 0·5) were found between Activities of Daily Living in relation to participation and subjective physical health.Conclusion.  Existing Activities of Daily Living scales were expanded and found to relate to a participation scale and a subjective health scale. Using these scales in nursing care has the potential to correct current bias towards functions and activities by broadening the focus to include the social as well as the physical.
Is the humanistic view of the nurse role still alive – in spite of an academic education?
Authors: Björkström Monica E. , Johansson Inger S. , Athlin Elsy E. 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study exploring what ‘being a good nurse’ means by following nursing students during their pre‐registration education and for some years after graduation.Background.  There have been few studies focusing on the nurse role in the transition from student to experienced nurse. Studies with a qualitative design, in particular, are limited in number.Methods.  A longitudinal survey design was adopted, using an open‐ended questionnaire at the beginning of education (n = 164), just before graduation (n = 123), and 3–5 years after graduation (n = 77). The participants were students in the nursing programme at a Swedish university. The data were collected during the period 1993–2002. Latent and manifest content analyses were used.Findings.  Four categories were identified in the data. ‘To do good for others’, with the sub‐category ‘to care for others’, was most frequent over time and quite stable. The category ‘to be competent and skilled’ was frequent and increased over time. ‘To have professional courage and pride’ and ‘to seek professional development’ were mentioned to lesser extent and showed a slight increase over time. The meaning of being a good nurse grew in complexity over time and informants’ professional awareness seemed to increase, especially concerning ‘to be competent and skilled’.Conclusion.  Attention needs to be paid both to nursing education and practice. Clinical supervision given by nurses with Master's degrees is suggested in order to convey positive attitudes towards nursing development and research into practice. Further studies are needed to compare what ‘a good nurse’ means to graduate nurses and how they actually behave when performing good nursing care.
Community nurses’ health promotion work with older people
Authors: Runciman Phyllis , Watson Hazel , McIntosh Jean , Tolson Debbie 
Published: May 2006

Aims.  This paper reports a study describing community nurses’ health promotion work with older people aged 50 years and above, and exploring particular health promotion initiatives for older people that would have transferability potential.Background.  With the ageing of populations worldwide, community nurses in primary healthcare settings have a key contribution to make to the health improvement agenda for older people, yet little is known of the extent of this aspect of their work.Methods.  Questionnaires were sent to 1062 community nurses in six Scottish National Health Service Boards – public health nurses/health visitors, district nurses, general practice nurses, community psychiatric and learning disability nurses and combined duty nurses; 373 (35%) responded, 30 of whom were interviewed by telephone. The data were collected in 2003–2004.Findings.  Findings confirmed the wide scope of health promotion, much of which may be embedded and unrecognized. Creative group work showed promise in achieving heath gain for older people, and a range of partnership approaches – interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and interagency – was evident. Theoretical input and project opportunities within educational programmes had been a catalyst for health promotion initiatives in practice. However, evidence of audit, evaluation, and active involvement of older people in planning health promotion was limited. Funding of health promotion initiatives was vital to sustainability.Conclusion.  There is merit in making the health promotion work of community nurses more visible through audit and systematic evaluation; promoting the active involvement of older people; strengthening partnership working; and further raising the profile of health in later life within undergraduate and postgraduate community nursing programmes.
Men with learning disabilities who have sex with men in public places: mapping the needs of services and users in South East London
Authors: Cambridge P. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis survey investigated the prevalence of men with learning disabilities who have sex with men in public places in three south east London boroughs. The work was administered through contact with providers of services for people with leaming disabilities and was commissioned by the local health authority. It represents the first example of needs assessment work on this theme. Service responses to risk assessment and risk management in relation to HIV and the sexual behaviour of male service users were explored. The survey identified 13 services where this was a management or practice issue, and 16 and 18 men for whom this behaviour definitely or possibly applied. This paper reports the findings of the survey and identifies issues relevant to commissioning and providing services for people with learning disabilities.
Time‐based lag sequential analysis and the functional assessment of challenging behavior
Authors: Emerson E. , Reeves D. , Thompson S. , Henderson D. , Robertson J. , Howard D. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis paper describes the application of time–based lag sequential analysis to the functional assessment of challenging behaviours shown by people with severe learning disabilities. The potential uses of the approach are illustrated with regards to identifying: (1) aspects of the stimulus control of challenging behaviour; (2) antecedents to the occurrence of challenging behaviour; and (3) the environmental consequences of challenging behaviour. The uses and limitations of the approach are discussed.
Maturity and adherence in adolescent and young adult heart recipients
Authors: Stilley Carol S. , Lawrence Kathy , Bender Ann , Olshansky Ellen , Webber Steven A. , Dew Mary Amanda 
Published: May 2006

Abstract: Background: Pediatric transplant (txp) teams note high rates of non‐adherence and risky behaviors linked to morbidity and mortality among adolescent and young adult recipients. Clinicians and parents alike report symptoms of social immaturity and failure to appreciate consequences of risky behavior; relationships between the two have not been studied in this population.Method: This two‐phase mixed method study examined adherence, high‐risk behaviors, and maturity in a sample of 27 heart recipients, aged 15–31, who underwent transplantation in childhood or adolescence at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. All subjects completed a projective ego development measure and a questionnaire about adherence to the post‐txp regimen. Nine recipients, purposely selected for good or poor adherence according to criteria determined by the transplant team and matched on age, participated in phase 2 qualitative interviews and mood assessments.Results: Sixty‐three percent of the phase 1 sample missed medications, 67% missed appointments, 11% smoked, 37% had difficulty with diet, 89% exercised infrequently, 33% had tattoos, 26% had more than two body piercings, and 11% used street drugs. Six themes and a core construct of maturity were identified with qualitative methodology. Poor adherers were less mature on every theme and consistently scored at a less mature level on the projective measure of ego development. Chronological age was not related to the level of maturity in qualitative or projective data. Most interview subjects reported high levels of anxiety, and two reported clinically significant levels of depression and anger; mood was not related to adherence.Conclusions: Non‐adherence and high‐risk behaviors are prevalent among adolescent and young adult heart recipients. Level of maturity appears to be associated with ability to adhere to the treatment regimen and avoid high‐risk behaviors.
Immunosuppression in infants with short bowel syndrome undergoing isolated liver transplantation
Authors: Olio Dominic Dell , Gupte Girish , Sharif Khalid , Murphy M. S. , Lloyd Carla , McKiernan Patrick J. , Kelly Deirdre A. , Beath Susan V. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract: Background: Little data exist on immunosuppressive drug absorption in children with short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure associated liver disease (SBS‐IFALD).Aim: To evaluate the absorption of immunosuppressive medications in children with SBS‐IFALD undergoing isolated liver transplantation (iLTx).Methods: A retrospective review was performed in children with SBS‐IFALD undergoing LTx and comparison made with weight, age‐matched children undergoing iLTX (extra‐hepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) and normal intestinal length and function).Results: Seven children with SBS‐IFALD undergoing iLTx (median residual bowel length, 60 cm, range 40–80) were compared with 15 children undergoing LTx for EHBA. SBS‐IFALD children had significantly lower trough tacrolimus levels at three months (5.8 vs. 7.9 ng/mL, p<0.05) and six months (5.0 vs. 8.0 ng/mL, p<0.05), but equivalent levels at 12 months after iLTx. The median calculated dose‐normalized concentrations indicated that systemic availability of tacrolimus was comparable in two groups at 3, 6, 12 months (33.1 vs. 23.3; 42.4 vs. 36; 51 vs. 52.9) despite the differences in enteral function. The incidence of acute rejection was 1/7 (SBS‐IFALD) and 10/15 (EHBA) group (p = 0.06).Conclusion: Children with SBS‐IFALD demonstrated adequate absorption of oral tacrolimus without significant acute rejection rate after iLTx suggesting that modification of immunosuppression is not necessary.
External beam radiotherapy to treat intra‐ and extra‐hepatic dissemination of hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency thermal ablation
Authors: Yamashita Hideomi , Nakagawa Keiichi , Shiraishi Kenshiro , Tago Masao , Igaki Hiroshi , Nakamura Naoki , Sasano Nakashi , Shiina Shuichiro , Omata Masao , Ohtomo Kuni 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an alternative to percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) for single non‐surgical hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the risk of seeding along the needle track has been reported.Methods:  Seven patients presenting with neoplastic seeding after RFA or PEIT were treated with external beam radiotherapy using conventional fractionation. All patients underwent irradiation with a total dose in the range of 44–61 Gy (median and mode value: 50 Gy).Results:  An objective response to treatment was achieved in six of seven patients (86%). A complete response was obtained in two patients (29%). The median survival time was 14.7 months and the actuarial 1‐ and 2‐year survivals were 67% and 50%, respectively.Conclusions:  The response to treatment was relatively good without serious complications. Seeding from hepatocellular carcinoma is sensitive to external beam radiotherapy. It is useful in the treatment of these patients with 50 Gy in 25 fractions.
Role of the endothelium on vasoactive agents in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Battaglia Samuel , Angus Peter , Chin‐Dusting Jaye PF 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Patients with liver cirrhosis exhibit peripheral vasodilatation and decreased vasoconstrictor responsiveness. We investigated the role of the endothelium in these patients.Methods:  Nine patients with cirrhosis and seven controls were recruited. Responses to acetylcholine, bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside were obtained using forearm plethysmography. Responses to norepinephrine (100 ng/min) were obtained in the absence and combined presence of the cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, and the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, NG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine.Results:  Responses to acetylcholine (area under curve: controls vs cirrhotic, 10326 ± 1400 vs 18490 ± 2787 units; P = 0.036), but not to bradykinin (15619 ± 3557 vs 12415 ± 3823 units) or sodium nitroprusside, were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis. Responses to norepinephrine were significantly dampened in cirrhotics (percentage increase in forearm blood flow; controls vs cirrhotics, −50.50 ± 2.69 vs−26.39 ± 5.44; P = 0.036) but this blunted response was no longer apparent following the administration of both blockers.Conclusions:  We conclude that: (i) there is an increased response to acetylcholine but not to bradykinin; and (ii) that an enhanced production of prostacyclin and/or NO is responsible for the dampened response to norepinephrine.
A FLAVOPROTEIN FROM ARUM SPADIX
Authors: JAMES W. O. , ELLIOTT DAPHNE C. 
Published: May 2006

summaryA flavoprotein has been extracted from the mitochondria ofArum spadix. The prosthetic group is flavine‐adenine‐dinucleotide and the enzyme behaves as a DPN‐specific cytochrome c reductase. It is also autoxidizable. Its respiratory function is discussed.The existence of an autoxidizable flavoprotein in extracts from Arum spadices was observed by James and Beevers (1950) and its possible respiratory significance recognized. Extraction from the tissue in a form suitable for further investigation was not found possible; but its extraction and partial purification from separated mitochondria has now been achieved. In the following paper the method of extraction and the examination of the product are described. The enzyme proves to be a fairly stable flavoprotein with a flavine‐adenine‐dinucleotide (FAD) prosthetic group, a high degree of specificity for DPN (coenzyme I) and the ability to reduce cytochrome c rapidly. It is also autoxidizable and the reductase and terminal oxidase functions have not yet been separated.