bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms of human vascular endothelial growth factor gene in high‐altitude pulmonary oedema susceptible subjects
Authors: HANAOKA Masayuki , DROMA Yunden , OTA Masao , ITO Michiko , KATSUYAMA Yoshihiko , KUBO Keishi 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Based on the reported biological properties and function of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hypoxic conditions, many investigations have studied the hypothesis that VEGF has an important role in the pathogenesis of high altitude sicknesses, including high‐altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE). Unfortunately, the results are inconsistent. Therefore, the association of VEGF gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with being susceptible to HAPE was investigated.Methods:  The study included 53 HAPE‐susceptible subjects (HAPE‐s) and 69 HAPE‐resistant mountaineer controls (HAPE‐r). Subjects were Japanese and the two groups were comparable in terms of age and gender. The SNP of the VEGF gene, namely C‐2578A, G‐1154A and T‐460C in the promoter, G + 405C in the 5′‐untranslated region and C936T in the 3′‐untranslated region, were examined by allele discrimination experiments. In addition, arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) and pulmonary haemodynamic data were available for 21 of the HAPE‐s subjects.Results:  There were no statistically significant differences in the allele frequencies, genotype distributions or haplotype frequencies of VEGF SNP between the HAPE‐s and HAPE‐r groups. Furthermore, neither PaO2 nor pulmonary haemodynamic parameters were associated with the VEGF SNP in the 21 HAPE‐s subjects.Conclusions:  This genetic study did not provide evidence that functional SNP of the VEGF gene are associated with susceptibility to HAPE in a Japanese population.
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis with pulmonary involvement: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: RUAN Sheng‐Yuan , CHEN Kuan‐Yu , YANG Pan‐Chyr 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTRecurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a viral infection that usually affects the upper airways. Although it can spread throughout the respiratory tract, involvement of the lung parenchyma is quite rare. Radiographic images of RRP with lung involvement have been mainly presented in case reports of paediatric patients. We present the case of an adult patient with RRP and lung involvement, and detail the serial radiographic manifestations. CT and reconstructed images were obtained. The literature was also reviewed and radiographic features of RRP with lung involvement are summarized.
Neurological disorders in a rural Western Australian population
Authors: Panegyres P. K. , Gray V. , Barrett L. , Perceval S. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground: There is limited information on the causes of neurological disorders in an Australian rural setting.Methods: This study reports on a prospective cohort of 160 patients (95 women and 65 men) with a mean age of 55.1 years (standard deviation 19.78 years, range 12–92 years) receiving a neurological work‐up from one neurologist attending the Geraldton and Midwest region of Western Australia over a 12‐month period.Results: Patients were divided into 15 diagnostic classifications. Movement disorders were the most common diagnostic classification (38 of 160 or 23.75%) and Parkinson's disease was the most common movement disorder (30 of 38 or 78.95%) with an estimated period of prevalence of 187.5 persons per 1000. Of the other neurological disorder diagnosis classifications the following number of patients per group was observed: epilepsy (27 or 16.87%); neuromuscular disorders (22 or 13.75%); multiple sclerosis (12 or 7.5%); cerebrovascular disease (10 or 6.25%); headaches (7 or 4.37%); neurodegenerative (7 or 4.37%); dementias (6 or 3.75%); memory dysfunction (6 or 3.75%); gait disorders (4 or 2.5%); vestibular syndrome (3 or 1.87%); pain syndrome (3 or 1.87%); sensory syndrome (2 or 1.25%); brain injury (1 or 0.62%) and miscellaneous (12 or 7.5%). A high number of persons having Parkinson's disease was found.Conclusion: Possible risk factors for Parkinson's disease for individuals living in Geraldton and Midwest region need to be investigated. This study raises issues pertaining to the provision of services and allocation of resources in rural areas, especially for patients with Parkinson's disease.
Effects of stroke‐induced damage to swallow‐related areas in the brain on swallowing mechanics of elderly patients
Authors: Warabi Tateo , Ito Takuya , Kato Masamichi , Takei Hidetoshi , Kobayashi Nobuyoshi , Chiba Susumu 
Published: November 2008

Aim:  Our objective was to determine the relationship between defective swallowing mechanics and the location of brain lesions in stroke patients.Methods:  We evaluated swallowing mechanics in 37 stroke patients and 10 age‐matched control subjects by videofluoroscopy. Subjects were asked to swallow 10 successive 1.0‐mL and three successive 2.5‐mL boluses of barium suspension at intervals of approximately 15–30 s. We measured oral transit time, pharyngeal delay time and pharyngeal transit time.Results:  Patients could be divided into two groups based on the pharyngeal delay time for a 1.0‐mL bolus swallow. One group showed little variation during successive swallowing tests, similar to the control group. In the other group pharyngeal delay times varied during successive trials often tending to increase with successive swallows. Magnetic resonance imaging studies of the brain revealed infarcts or hemorrhages in swallow‐related areas in the latter group, while in the former group lesions were localized to areas unrelated to swallowing.Conclusion:  Damage to swallow‐related areas may reduce their sensitivity to incoming signals from the oral cavity thereby impairing preparations to generate motor command signals and compromising their ability to send sufficient voluntary descending command signals to activate the swallowing central pattern generator located in the medulla. This deficiency becomes more evident with successive swallows and manifests as impaired swallowing mechanics.
Switch to oral hypoglycemic agent therapy from insulin injection in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Okamoto Takashi , Okamoto Lisa , Lisanti Michael P , Akishita Masahiro 
Published: November 2008

Aim:  We aimed to determine the feasibility of substituting thiazolidinedione‐based therapy for insulin injection therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:  Thirty‐six subjects (17 men and 19 women) aged 67.8 ± 11.3 years with an average insulin dose of 0.46 ± 0.17 U/kg bodyweight, a duration of insulin therapy of 6.1 ± 8.2 years and an average hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 6.8 ± 1.3% were switched from insulin injection therapy to pioglitazone, glimepiride and voglibose combination therapy.Results:  The number of subjects achieving HbA1c levels of less than 7% at 4 months was 30. The success rate of switch therapy was 83% (30/36). HbA1c was significantly reduced from 6.7 ± 1.3% to 5.9 ± 0.7% at 4 months after the switch (P < 0.01) in 32 patients who completed the planned 4‐month study. No adverse effects including heart failure, liver dysfunction or severe hypoglycemia were observed. The insulin dose and the maximum blood glucose on the switch day were significantly lower and the age was significantly higher in the subjects who achieved HbA1c less than 7% at 4 months compared to those who did not (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Thiazolidinedione‐based oral combination therapy may efficiently and safely substitute relatively high‐dose insulin injection therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Measuring grandparenthood stress and reward: Developing a scale based on perceptions by grandparents with adolescent grandchildren in Hong Kong
Authors: Wei‐Qun Lou Vivian , Chi Iris 
Published: November 2008

Aim:  To develop a Grandparent Stress and Reward Scale (GSRS) for grandparents with adolescent grandchildren in a Chinese context.Methods:  Twenty‐three grandparents with adolescent grandchildren were given in‐depth interviews on perceived grandparenthood stress and reward to develop the GSRS. The GSRS was then tested on 107 older adults (mean age, 75.8 years) whose youngest grandchildren were aged 12 or older, living in the community, and were recruited from elderly service agencies. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with a standardized questionnaire which included the GSRS, Life Satisfaction Scale for Chinese Elders (LSS‐C), a single‐item measure on grandparenthood stress, and demographic measures.Results:  The GSRS has satisfactory structure validity. It measures three aspects of reward (self‐esteem and life satisfaction, life‐long learning opportunity, and grandchildren support), and two aspects of stress (relationship‐oriented stress and grandchildren‐oriented stress). GSRS was correlated with LSS‐C and perceived grandparenthood stress as theoretically expected, which supported its criteria‐related validity. It also had satisfactory reliability based on the internal consistency coefficient.Conclusions:  The GSRS was a valid and reliable measure that assesses meaning given to grandparents' perception on reward and stress in relations with adolescent grandchildren in a Chinese context. The underlying construct of the scale suggested that the meaning given to grandparenthood in the Chinese context was still influenced by the Confucian tradition.
Dynamic heterogeneity in life histories
Authors: Tuljapurkar Shripad , Steiner Ulrich K. , Orzack Steven Hecht 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLongitudinal data on natural populations have been analysed using multistage models in which survival depends on reproductive stage, and individuals change stages according to a Markov chain. These models are special cases of stage‐structured population models. We show that stage‐structured models generate dynamic heterogeneity: life‐history differences produced by stochastic stratum dynamics. We characterize dynamic heterogeneity in a range of species across taxa by properties of the Markov chain: the entropy, which describes the extent of heterogeneity, and the subdominant eigenvalue, which describes the persistence of reproductive success during the life of an individual. Trajectories of reproductive stage determine survivorship, and we analyse the variance in lifespan within and between trajectories of reproductive stage. We show how stage‐structured models can be used to predict realized distributions of lifetime reproductive success. Dynamic heterogeneity contrasts with fixed heterogeneity: unobserved differences that generate variation between life histories. We show by an example that observed distributions of lifetime reproductive success are often consistent with the claim that little or no fixed heterogeneity influences this trait. We propose that dynamic heterogeneity provides a ‘neutral’ model for assessing the possible role of unobserved ‘quality’ differences between individuals. We discuss fitness for dynamic life histories, and the implications of dynamic heterogeneity for the evolution of life histories and senescence.
Electron donor‐dependent radionuclide reduction and nanoparticle formation by Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP‐C
Authors: Marshall Matthew J. , Dohnalkova Alice C. , Kennedy David W. , Plymale Andrew E. , Thomas Sara H. , Löffler Frank E. , Sanford Robert A. , Zachara John M. , Fredrickson James K. , Beliaev Alexander S. 
Published: November 2008

Summary Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP‐C reduces U(VI) and Tc(VII) to U(IV)O2(s) (uraninite) and Tc(IV)O2(S) respectively. Kinetic studies with resting cells revealed that U(VI) or Tc(VII) reduction rates using H2 as electron donor exceeded those observed in acetate‐amended incubations. The reduction of U(VI) by A. dehalogenans 2CP‐C resulted in extracellular accumulation of ∼5 nm uraninite nanoparticles in association with a lectin‐binding extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). The electron donor did not affect UO2(S) nanoparticle size or association with EPS, but the utilization of acetate as the source of reducing equivalents resulted in distinct UO2(S) nanoparticle aggregates that were ∼50 nm in diameter. In contrast, reduction of Tc(VII) by A. dehalogenans 2CP‐C cell suspensions produced dense clusters of TcO2 particles, which were localized within the cell periplasm and on the outside of the outer membrane. In addition to direct reduction, A. dehalogenans 2CP‐C cell suspensions reduced Tc(VII) indirectly via an Fe(II)‐mediated mechanism. Fe(II) produced by strain 2CP‐C from either ferrihydrite or Hanford Site sediment rapidly removed 99Tc(VII)O4– from solution. These findings expand our knowledge of the radionuclide reduction processes catalysed by Anaeromyxobacter spp. that may influence the fate and transport of radionuclide contaminants in the subsurface.
Participant recruitment from minority religious groups: the case of the Islamic population in South Australia
Authors: Mohammadi N. , Jones T. , Evans D. 
Published: November 2008

Background:  Participant recruitment is a fundamental component of the research process and the methods employed to attract individuals will depend on the nature of the study. Recruitment may be more challenging when the study involves people from a minority religious group. However, this issue has not been well addressed in the literature.Aim:  To discuss the challenges of recruiting participants from a minority religious group (the Islamic population) to participate in an interpretive, hermeneutic study concerning the experience of hospitalization. The challenges of recruitment encountered during this study are used as the basis for a broader discussion of this important issue. To ensure the success of this phase of the study, a pre‐planned recruitment strategy was essential.Methods:  Multiple recruitment strategies were used, including hospital‐based recruitment, snowball sampling, advertising and contact with key people. Despite the use of multiple strategies, recruitment of participants was difficult and required an extended period of time to achieve sufficiently rich data. Thirteen participants shared their lived experience to provide an in‐depth understanding of the phenomenon. Recruiting participants from minority religious group involves potentially sensitive issues. There is an increased need for the researchers to carefully consider potential participants' rights and ensure that sound ethical principles underpin the study, as failure to do this may hinder the recruitment process.Findings:  The two most effective strategies of recruitment were snowball sampling and contact with key Islamic people, with the least effective being advertising. This paper highlights the importance of anticipating potential difficulties and pre‐planning strategies to overcome barriers to recruitment. Implementation of multiple strategies is recommended to ensure successful research recruitment.
The empowerment process in people with diabetes: an Iranian perspective
Authors: Abdoli S. , Ashktorab T. , Ahmadi F. , Parvizi S. , Dunning T. 
Published: November 2008

Background:  Empowerment and power are well‐researched concepts concerning people with chronic diseases. However, few researchers have focused specifically on the process of empowerment in Iranian people with diabetes. Understanding the empowerment process could help health professionals facilitate empowerment.Aim:  To explore the empowerment process in Iranian people with diabetes.Method:  A grounded theory research design was used incorporating in‐depth interviews to collect the data from men and women aged 21–73 years (n = 16). Data were collected between February and July 2007. Constant comparative analysis was undertaken to identify key categories.Findings:  Participants indicated being embarrassed by the diagnosis, thirsting to learn, living in the shadow of fear, accepting diabetes as reality, managing diabetes and feeling empowered were distinct but interconnected phases in the empowerment process. The empowerment process was influenced by cultural and religious beliefs including the concept of the doctor as holy man, accepting diabetes as God's will, caring for the body because it was God's gift, paying attention to symptomatic disease, and support from peers and family, especially daughters.Conclusion:  The empowerment process consists of several distinct but interconnected phases. The findings will help health professionals develop a deeper understanding of how Iranian people with diabetes become empowered.
Beliefs about health and illness: a comparison between Ugandan men and women living with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Hjelm K. , Nambozi G. 
Published: November 2008

Background:  The diabetes mellitus (DM) pandemic greatly affects developing countries. Self‐care is an important part of management, guided by beliefs about health and illness. Dissimilarities in health‐related behaviour in men and women have been described but not comparisons of their beliefs about health and illness.Aim:  To explore beliefs about health and illness that might affect self‐care practice and healthcare‐seeking behaviour in men and women with DM in Uganda.Methods:  This was an exploratory study with a consecutive sample from an outpatient diabetes clinic at a university hospital. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 15 women and 10 men aged 21–70 years. Data analysis was conducted by qualitative content analysis.Findings:  Men's and women's beliefs about health and illness indicated limited knowledge about the body and DM. Dissimilar were men's focus on socio‐economic factors, particularly affordability of drugs, sexual function and lifestyle, while women valued well‐being, support in daily life and household activities and had a higher risk‐awareness of DM. Irrespective of gender, limited self‐care measures were used, and health professionals were consulted about health problems.Conclusion:  Similarities and dissimilarities were found between men and women in beliefs about health and illness that affect self‐care practice and healthcare seeking. Underlying living conditions, with different gender roles, appear to determine the beliefs about health and illness, which are based on individual knowledge. Measures to increase knowledge about DM are urgently needed in Uganda. In diabetes care, it is important to search for individual beliefs and consider gender and living conditions.
Research development in a university nursing school in Southern Ireland
Authors: McCarthy G. , Fitzpatrick J.J. 
Published: November 2008

Aim:  The aim of this paper is to present the strategies used in one newly established university School of Nursing and Midwifery in Southern Ireland to develop research capacity.Background:  The case study was guided by an agreed strategic plan which included changing the research culture; providing focused and appropriate research training; mentoring of junior staff, employment of an external consultant; provision of funding for PhD progression; and institutional support at all levels.Conclusion:  Success is profiled in relation to establishment of research themes, publications, research funding awarded, and numbers of students registered for PhDs. Challenges in further improving research productivity are also discussed.
Some Varieties of Linguistic Argumentation
Authors: SMITH CAREL E. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe maxim to understand the law literally (Montesquieu, Voltaire) resembles Holmes' Plain Meaning Approach. But these approaches should not be considered as the expression of a naïve legal epistemology. They rather stress that the law ought to be interpreted as it is understood by the prudent citizen. In this way, the ideal of the rule of law is best guaranteed.
Locke on Toleration and Inclusion
Authors: WARD LEE 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAs the product of liberalism's first encounter with the theoretical problems posed by legal discrimination and unequal treatment of minority groups, Locke's argument for religious toleration foreshadowed contemporary democratic theory's emphasis on non‐coercive discussion of diverse rights claims and broadly inclusive public deliberations. This study tries to illuminate the democratic dimension of Locke's toleration theory by focusing on his crucial account of the church as a voluntary association. Here Locke presented discursive possibilities for the articulation of diverse beliefs and interests that he believed would not only benefit both society as a whole and the minority religious groups contained in it, but also weave principles of contestation and deliberation into the very fabric of the liberal polity.
Parents' concerns about children with specific learning difficulties: insights gained from an online message centre
Authors: KIRBY AMANDA , EDWARDS LISA , HUGHES ANGELA 
Published: November 2008

Major developments in the use of the internet have enabled easy and widespread access to information and the ability to form virtual social networks. For parents of children with developmental disorders, who may at times feel isolated, having a forum to discuss their fears and concerns with other parents who are sharing similar experiences may provide a source of support and advice. Waiting lists for assessments, including for children with developmental co‐ordination disorder (DCD), remain in many areas; a professionally supported message centre could also add an additional level of service and empowerment for these parents. This could potentially reduce the need for unnecessary assessment in some cases and help to bridge the information gap between health and education.The Dyscovery Centre message board has been established for over four years and has seen increasing usage during that time. This paper aims to explore the range, frequency and types of concerns that parents of children with specific learning difficulties express when accessing the message board. The impact of this type of support is discussed. The paper then explores how this approach and other online strategies can effectively run alongside more traditional services in both health and education.
FORGIVING ENEMIES IN IRELAND
Authors: Biggar Nigel 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe Peace Process in Northern Ireland is about to reach another milestone: the Consultative Group on the Past is due to publish a report in the autumn of 2008 on “the best way to deal with the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland” and to support the building of “a shared future.” It is timely therefore to think again—and further—about what political expression forgiveness might find, using the concrete case of Northern Ireland today as grist for our conceptual mill. This essay opens with two preliminaries: an account of what forgiveness is and how it relates to resentment, punishment, repentance, and reconciliation; and a brief summary of the “Troubles.” It then proceeds to caution that reconciliation will have to be realized in the midst of persistent enmity; to explore what a Truth Commission might achieve, and the limits of it; to consider whether the discovery of fresh truth should issue in further judicial proceedings, and how far these will disturb the Peace Process; and to suggest that the British Government could erect public memorials to the dead on all sides. It concludes that in addition to Government action, there is need for the popular exercise of certain virtues—including grateful, hopeful patience, forgiveness‐as‐compassion, and public penitence.