bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum pleiotrophin levels are elevated in multiple myeloma patients and correlate with disease status
Authors: Yeh Howard S. , Chen Haiming , Manyak Steven J. , Swift Regina A. , Campbell Richard A. , Wang Cathy , Li Mingjie , Lee Hee Jin , Waterman Gabriel , Gordon Melinda S. , Ma Jonathan , Bonavida Benjamin , Berenson James R. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryPleiotrophin (PTN), a tightly regulated angiogenic and mitogenic heparin‐binding protein, is markedly elevated in a variety of aggressive solid tumours. The role of PTN in haematological malignancies, however, has not been previously evaluated. This study demonstrated that PTN serum levels were elevated in multiple myeloma (MM) patients when compared with healthy subjects (P < 0·0001). Serum levels of this protein significantly increased during progression of disease, and decreased during response to anti‐MM therapy (P < 0·001). These results suggest that serum PTN may be a new biomarker for monitoring the disease status and therapeutic response of MM patients.
Mutations of the myeloid transcription factor CEBPA are not associated with the blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Pabst Thomas , Stillner Erica , Neuberg Donna , Nimer Stephen , Willman Cheryl L. , List Alan F. , Melo Junia V. , Tenen Daniel G. , Mueller Beatrice U. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe transcription factor CEBPA is crucial for normal myeloid differentiation. CEBPA gene mutations have been reported in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. The inevitable evolution of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in chronic phase (CP) to a fatal blast crisis (BC) is assumed to result from the acquisition of additional genetic changes in the leukaemic clone. Gain of CEBPA mutations might represent a key event causing the differentiation block observed in myeloid CML‐BC, but not in CML‐CP. Here, no CEBPA mutation in 95 CML‐BC patients was found, suggesting a limited role, if any, of CEBPA mutations in this disorder.
Recombinant human activated protein C upregulates the release of soluble fractalkine from human endothelial cells
Authors: Brueckmann Martina , Nahrup Adriane Schulze , Lang Siegfried , Bertsch Thomas , Fukudome Kenji , Liebe Volker , Kaden Jens J. , Hoffmann Ursula , Borggrefe Martin , Huhle Guenter 
Published: March 2006

SummaryFractalkine is a unique endothelial cell‐derived chemokine that functions both as a chemoattractant and as an adhesion molecule. Recent findings suggest that fractalkine plays an important role in inflammatory diseases by modulating leucocyte endothelial cell interactions. A modulating effect on the immune system in severe sepsis has been suggested for recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC). However, a little is known about the effect of rhAPC on the endothelial release of soluble fractalkine. The effect of rhAPC (50 ng/ml to 10 μg/ml) and protein C (in equimolar concentrations) on the synthesis of fraktalkine‐mRNA and release of soluble protein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was determined by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. rhAPC at supra‐pharmacological concentrations (1–10 μg/ml) stimulated fractalkine‐messenger RNA‐gene transcription and release of soluble fractalkine in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, whereas the zymogen protein C was ineffective. As shown by experiments using monoclonal antibodies against the thrombin receptor, protease‐activated receptor‐1 (PAR‐1), PAR‐2 and against the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), the effect of rhAPC on fractalkine upregulation was mediated by binding to the EPCR‐receptor and signalling via PAR‐1. These in vitro data demonstrate that induction of fractalkine release is an important response of HUVEC to stimulation with rhAPC and may lead to a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in the mode of action of rhAPC. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the in vivo relevance of these data.
Adoption of a sedation scoring system and sedation guideline in an intensive care unit
Authors: Elliott Rosalind , McKinley Sharon , Aitken Leanne 
Published: March 2006

Aim.  The paper presents a study assessing the rate of adoption of a sedation scoring system and sedation guideline.Background.  Clinical practice guidelines including sedation guidelines have been shown to improve patient outcomes by standardizing care. In particular sedation guidelines have been shown to be beneficial for intensive care patients by reducing the duration of ventilation. Despite the acceptance that clinical practice guidelines are beneficial, adoption rates are rarely measured. Adoption data may reveal other factors which contribute to improved outcomes. Therefore, the usefulness of the guideline may be more appropriately assessed by collecting adoption data.Method.  A quasi‐experimental pre‐intervention and postintervention quality improvement design was used. Adoption was operationalized as documentation of sedation score every 4 hours and use of the sedation and analgesic medications suggested in the guideline. Adoption data were collected from patients’ charts on a random day of the month; all patients in the intensive care unit on that day were assigned an adoption category. Sedation scoring system adoption data were collected before implementation of a sedation guideline, which was implemented using an intensive information‐giving strategy, and guideline adoption data were fed back to bedside nurses. After implementation of the guideline, adoption data were collected for both the sedation scoring system and the guideline. The data were collected in the years 2002–2004.Findings.  The sedation scoring system was not used extensively in the pre‐intervention phase of the study; however, this improved in the postintervention phase. The findings suggest that the sedation guideline was gradually adopted following implementation in the postintervention phase of the study. Field notes taken during the implementation of the sedation scoring system and the guideline reveal widespread acceptance of both.Conclusion.  Measurement of adoption is a complex process. Appropriate operationalization contributes to greater accuracy. Further investigation is warranted to establish the intensity and extent of implementation required to positively affect patient outcomes.
Perceived barriers and effective strategies to diabetes self‐management
Authors: Nagelkerk Jean , Reick Kay , Meengs Leona 
Published: March 2006

Aim.  This paper reports the perceived barriers to and effective strategies for self‐management of adults with type 2 diabetes in a rural setting.Background.  Worldwide, diabetes is a major public health concern and financial burden. Research shows that, for people with diabetes, adhering to programs of self‐care is often problematic. Despite the potential for improved metabolic control and quality of life, little is published on the barriers and effective strategies that people with diabetes successfully use to incorporate plans of care into their lifestyles.Methods.  Twenty‐four adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were recruited from a rural primary care practice to participate in one of three audiotaped focus groups. Content analysis was conducted on the focus group transcripts and validity was strengthened through independent rankings of barriers and strategies by an expert panel and by the nurse researchers. The data were collected 2002.Findings.  The most frequently reported barriers were lack of knowledge of a specific diet plan, lack of understanding of the plan of care and helplessness and frustration from lack of glycaemic control and continued disease progression despite adherence. Effective strategies identified were developing a collaborative relationship with a provider, maintaining a positive attitude that prompts proactive learning and having a support person who provides encouragement and promotes accountability.Conclusions.  These data highlight the importance of barrier and strategy identification in developing and implementing realistic self‐management plans and the significance of collaborative alliances between patients and practitioners. Awareness of barriers, identification of strategies to overcome obstacles and the opportunity to problem solve with practitioners assists patients in managing a chronic illness that requires numerous daily decisions.
Reliability of the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification system
Authors: Defloor Tom , Schoonhoven Lisette , Katrien Vanderwee , Weststrate Jan , Myny Dries 
Published: March 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study examining the interrater and intrarater reliability of classifying pressure ulcers according to the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification system when using photographs of pressure ulcers and incontinence lesions.Background.  Pressure ulcer classification is an essential tool for assessing ulcers and their severity and determining which preventive or therapeutic action is needed. Many classification systems are described in the literature. There are only a limited number of studies that evaluate the interrater reliability of pressure ulcer grading scales. The intrarater reliability is seldom studied.Methods.  The study consisted of two phases. In the first phase 56 photographs, together with a random selection of nine photographs from the same set, were presented to 473 nurses. In the second phase, the 56 photographs were presented twice to 86 other nurses with an interval of one month and in a different order. All the nurses were familiar with the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification. They did not receive any additional training on classification, and were asked to classify the lesions as normal skin, blanchable erythema, pressure ulcers (four grades, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification) or incontinence lesions.Results.  In the first phase, the multirater‐Kappa for the 473 participating nurses was 0·37 (P < 0·001). Non‐blanchable erythema was often confused with blanchable erythema and incontinence lesions. Also incontinence lesions were frequently not correctly classified. The intrarater agreement was low (κ = 0·38). In the second phase, the interrater agreement was not significantly different in both sessions. The intrarater agreement was 0·52.Conclusion.  Both the interrater and intrarater reliability of the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification of lesion photographs by nurses was very low. Differentiation between pressure ulcers and incontinence lesions seems to be difficult.
Quantitative effect of anodal current in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis by direct electrical current
Authors: Aydemir Ertuğrul H. , Kalkan M. Tunaya , Karakoç Yunus 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim  To determine the quantitative effect and technique of use of the anodal current for the treatment of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis on local areas of the palms and soles.Methods  Twelve patients (four males and eight females) with idiopathic palmoplantar hyperhidrosis were enrolled in this study. Having determined the initial sweat intensities of both hands using the pad glove method, direct electrical current (d.c.) treatment was applied to the palms of the patients using a complete regulated d.c. unit for which the current and potential ranges were 0–30 mA and 0–90 V, respectively. Electrodes were placed into two separate water plates, and covered with pad made from gauze and cotton material. The pads were moisturized with tap water for current conduction. The anodal current was applied to the right hands of six patients (group I) and to the left hands of the remainder (group II). After seven treatments had been completed for the palms, the final sweat intensities of the hands were measured.Results  In both groups, the final sweat intensities of the hands subjected to the anodal current were significantly decreased in comparison with the initial values, regardless of whether the anodal current was applied to the right or left hand (P < 0.05). In contrast, the final sweat intensities of the other hands subjected to the cathodal current were not significantly decreased (P > 0.05).Conclusions  It can be concluded that the anodal current is more effective in reducing sweating on the palms when applied either to the right or left hand. In the treatment of palmoplantar or localized hyperhidrosis, the anodal current should be referenced first to treat the sweatier hand or foot, or a local hyperhidrotic area of the skin. The selection of the anodal current for one hand for the first five or seven sessions appears to be more effective than the use of polarity changes for each session.
Value of direct immunofluorescence in predicting remission in pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Balighi Kamran , Taheri Arash , Mansoori Parisa , Chams Cheida 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground  Pemphigus vulgaris is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies to desmogleins. Multiple relapses and remission may occur during the course of the disease. The goal of this study was to determine whether direct immunofluorescence study has any value in detecting immunological remission of pemphigus vulgaris.Methods  Fifty‐seven patients with pemphigus vulgaris who were in clinical remission for at least 3 months, while taking prednisolone 5–7.5 mg/day, were recruited retrospectively for the study. Direct immunofluorescence study had been performed in all patients after a period of at least 3 months in clinical remission. Treatment had been discontinued in all patients with negative results of direct immunofluorescence.Results  Of 57 patients who were in clinical remission, 24 patients (42%) had negative and 33 patients (58%) had positive results of direct immunofluorescence. Eleven patients (46%) with negative results of direct immunofluorescence relapsed within the first year of the follow‐up period. Nine patients with negative direct immunofluorescence had a history of more than 6 months of clinical remission before direct immunofluorescence study. Among them, two patients (22%) relapsed. None of four patients with history of more than 12 months of clinical remission before a negative direct immunofluorescence study relapsed.Conclusions  Negative direct immunofluorescence is an indicator of immunological remission in patients with pemphigus vulgaris after 6–12 months in clinical remission.
Structural and Ultrastructural Study of the Intracranial Portion of the Oculomotor, Trochlear and Abducent Nerves in Dog
Authors: Vivo J. , Morales J. L. , Díz A. , Galisteo A. M. , Monterde J. G. , Agüera E. , Miró F. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe right intracranial portion of the oculomotor, trochlear and abducent nerves were removed from six adult German shepherd dogs and analysed by light and electron microscopy. In all cases the nerve sectional area was calculated. Unmyelinated and myelinated fibres were analysed and number, diameter and cross‐sectional area were calculated. In myelinated fibres, also calculated were the corresponding axon area and diameter, and myelin sheath thickness. The mean number of myelinated fibres was 8543.50 ± 1231.85 being the unmyelinated 1402 ± 241.58 in the oculomotor nerve; 1509 ± 223.17 and 287.67 ± 72.28 in the trochlear nerve and 2473.00 ± 211.41 and 231.25 ± 92.67 respectively in the abducent. The mean diameter was 10.23 ± 0.68 μm in myelinated and 0.43 ± 0.21 for unmyelinated in oculomotor nerve, 10.53 ± 0.55 μm and 0.33 ± 0.04 for the trochlear, and 10.45 ± 1.27 μm and 0.47 ± 0.09 in the abducent nerve respectively. This study reveals that oculomotor, trochlear and abducent nerves of the dog show structural and ultra‐structural features similar to the same nerves in other species.
Absence of Hyaline Cartilage in the Tongue of ‘Caspian Miniature Horse’
Authors: Rezaian M. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryHistology of the tongue, including apex, root and body, in four adult Caspian miniature horses was examined. Serial sections with 6 μm thickness were stained with haematoxylin–eosin and Masson trichrome and studied under light microscope. The tongue was covered by stratified squamous epithelium. It was thick and keratinized bearing numerous lingual papillae on the dorsum, mostly filiform with a very fine keratinized thread projecting above the surface and bending backward. The fungiform papillae were sparsely scattered among the filiform papillae and covered with keratinized squamous epithelium. Few taste buds were detected on it. The two very large vallate papillae were detected on the dorsum, just rostral to the root, which were covered with stratified squamous epithelium with relatively high amounts of taste buds in the epithelium of the surrounding grooves. The foliate papillae were present near the palatoglossal arch and had a few taste buds. The epithelium covering the ventral surface of the tongue was thin and keratinized. The lingual muscle core consisted of transverse, longitudinal and perpendicular bundles of skeletal muscle fibres. Clusters of minor salivary glands were present between the muscle fibres and lamia propria. Most of the lingual glands were mucous and most of the gustatory ones were serous type. The mid‐dorsal special structure of the tongue (dorsal lingual cartilage) contained sparse skeletal muscle fibres and was rich in white adipose tissue. Hyaline cartilage, routinely observed in this structure in the horses, was not detected in Caspian miniature horse.
Computerized Three‐Dimensional Reconstruction of Cartilage Canals in Chick Tibial Chondroepiphysis
Authors: Eslaminejad M. R. B. , Valojerdi M. R. , Yazdi P. E. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryCartilage canals have been extensively investigated, in particular as to their mode of formation, morphologic distribution, function and fate. We studied the morphological pattern of the cartilage canals of the right upper chondroepiphysis of the tibia of chick embryos, Hamburger–Hamilton stages 35–42, in serial sagittal wax sections and in reconstructions made with AutoCAD software. The spatial arrangement of the canals is presented in a series of drawings made according to computerized images. The canals were penetrated from three distinct surfaces: the anterior and superior surfaces of the tubercle and the posterior surfaces of the medial and lateral condyles. Immediately after entering, nearly all the canals were extended toward the medial or lateral aspects of the chondroepiphysis, from which no canals took their origin. All of the cartilage canals connected with the perichondrium, and their branching did not follow a specific pattern. The condylar canals did not unite with the tubercular ones.
Endemic dwarf birchBetula apoiensis(Betulaceae) is a hybrid that originated fromBetula ermaniiandBetula ovalifolia
Authors: NAGAMITSU TERUYOSHI , KAWAHARA TAKAYUKI , KANAZASHI AYAKO 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBetula apoiensis(Betulaceae), a tetraploid endemic to Mount Apoi in Hokkaido, is endangered in Japan. To reveal the origin of this species, the internal transcribed spacers and 5.8S gene of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS + 5.8S) and a microsatellite with its flanking region of nuclear DNA (Bp09) were sequenced and their haplotypes were determined for 12Betulaspecies in the Sakhalin, Hokkaido and Honshu Islands. The most parsimonious trees of ITS + 5.8S and Bp09 haplotypes had different topologies and no clades were consistent between the two trees. In both ITS + 5.8S and Bp09,B. apoiensisshared identical haplotypes withBetula ermaniiandBetula ovalifolia, and had haplotypes that appeared to have been derived from each of the two species. This result suggests thatB. apoiensisoriginated from hybridization betweenB. ermaniiandB. ovalifolia.
Effect of a multi‐stemmed growth form on matter production of an understory shrub, Stephanandra incisa
Authors: AIKAWA SHIN‐ICHI , HORI YOSHIMICHI 
Published: March 2006

AbstractDevelopmental processes and biomass allocation of a multi‐stemmed shrub, Stephanandra incisa, were measured to reveal the advantages of a multi‐stemmed growth form on matter production. Stephanandra incisa is a low shrub species that mainly grows in the forest understory. The current‐year shoots become shorter by yearly branching that effectively increases the allocation ratio to photosynthetic organs. The frequency distribution of relative current‐year shoot length (the ratio of current‐year shoot length to stem length) in each ramet (a stem and its crown) of a clump (genet) were skewed to larger length classes in younger ramets and gradually skewed to shorter length classes in older ramets. The biomass allocation ratio of non‐photosynthetic organs to photosynthetic organs in ramets changed from a declining trend to a rising trend as the age of the ramets increased. The biomass allocation ratios of ramets and clumps increased with their size, but the ratio of clumps showed lower values than that of ramets of the same size. The age and size structures of ramets in clumps contributed to the narrow variability of the biomass allocation ratio. Stephanandra incisa showed a high biomass allocation ratio to leaves and maintained the ratio with a multi‐stemmed growth form.
The Italian economia aziendale and chambers’ CoCoA
Authors: Capalbo Francesco , Clarke Frank 
Published: March 2006

At first glance the Italian accounting tradition of Economia Aziendale and Chambers’ system of Continuously Contemporary Accounting (CoCoA) appear extreme opposites. The ex ante financial calculation of distributable income drawing on the net present values of the aggregative net assets in the former, and in the latter a system of accounting for an all‐inclusive income with the separable assets measured in terms of their current cash equivalents, appear irreconcilable, unlikely bedfellows. But the International Financial Reporting Standards present a system using separable and aggregative assets’ fair values and calculations of their net present values in assessing asset impairment. Whether Economia Aziendale and CoCoA are indeed so opposed deserves renewed examination.Anglo‐American accounting, of which expositions of CoCoA are part, is said to lack a business economics tradition of the kind said to justify Economia Aziendale. This stands in stark contrast with European traditions manifested in the Dutch Bedrijfseconomie, the German Betriebswirtschaft, and the Italian Economia Aziendale.This article seeks to understand that absence by contrasting—the Economia Aziendale framework and accounting theory developed in the Anglo‐American tradition. The primary elements of space and time coordination—the lynchpins of the pure theory of the azienda (the core of Economia Aziendale)—are generally regarded as missing in the Anglo‐American tradition. But the original construction of Economia Aziendale leads to the generalization that any attempt to determine a firm's value or to measure and analyse its performance during its lifetime would result in an unacceptable interruption of the space and time coordination, and yield unreliable results.Curiously, the analysis here exposes an unexpected complementarity of Chambers’ CoCoA and some postulates of the pure theory of Economia Aziendale. The theory that has been only partially acceptable to the Anglo‐American profession (namely its use of market [fair] values) emerges as highly compatible with the most theoretically extreme in the Italian tradition.