bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors contributing to evaluation of a good death from the bereaved family member's perspective
Authors: Miyashita Mitsunori , Morita Tatsuya , Sato Kazuki , Hirai Kei , Shima Yasuo , Uchitomi Yosuke 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: Although it is important to achieve a good death in Japan, there have been no studies to explore factors associated with a good death. The aim of this study was to explore factors contributing to a good death from the bereaved family members' perspectives, including patient and family demographics and medical variables.Methods: A cross‐sectional anonymous questionnaire survey for bereaved family members of cancer patients who had died in a regional cancer center and a medical chart review were conducted. We measured the results from the Good Death Inventory and family demographics. In addition, we extracted patient demographics, medical variables, and medical interventions in the last 48 h before death from a medical chart review.Results: Of the 344 questionnaires sent to bereaved family members, 165 responses were analyzed (48%). We found, first, that death in the palliative care unit was more likely to be described as a good death compared with death on a general ward. Some significant characteristics were ‘environmental comfort,’ ‘physical and psychological comfort,’ ‘being respected as an individual,’ and ‘natural death.’ Second, we found that a patient's and family member's age and other demographic factors significantly correlated with an evaluation of a good death. In addition, life prolongation treatment and aggressive treatment such as chemotherapy in the last 2 weeks of life were barriers to attainment of a good death. Moreover, appropriate opioid medication contributed to a good death.Conclusion: Withholding aggressive treatment and life‐prolonging treatment for dying patients and appropriate opioid use may be associated with achievement of a good death in Japan. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychiatric morbidity and its screening in Turkish women with breast cancer: a comparison between the HADS and SCID tests
Authors: Özalp Elvan , Soygür Haldun , Cankurtaran Eylem , Turhan Levent , Akbıyık Derya , Geyik Pınar 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjective: Adjustment disorders (ADs) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are often the most prevalent psychiatric disorders among cancer patients. This study's objective was to determine the overall performance of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as a screening instrument in identifying cases of psychiatric morbidity such as ADs and MDD.Methods: Two hundred and four consecutive patients completed a questionnaire including a demographic and clinical data form, HADS, and were examined with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID). The screening performance of HADS was investigated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC), rates of specificity, and sensitivity.Results: For MDD; the AUC was 0.77 on the HADS total, the AUC was 0.79 on the HADS depression subscale, and was 0.72 on the anxiety subscale. For ADs; the results were 0.74, 0.74, and 0.70 respectively. Findings indicated that a HADS total cut‐off score of ⩾17 to be optimal in identifying cases of MDD. This cut‐off score offered a sensitivity of 0.70 and a specificity of 0.80. Findings suggested that a HADS total cut‐off score of 10 was the optimal combination of sensitivity (0.84) and specificity (0.55) for ADs. When compared with SCID, the percentage of cases identified by HADS was 28% for MDD and 22% for ADs.Conclusions: Compared with SCID, HADS was found to have acceptable levels of sensitivity and specificity in detecting psychiatric morbidity especially for MDD and HADS can be recommended with reservations as a screening tool for breast cancer patients. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation and art therapy treatment of the burnout syndrome in oncology units
Authors: Italia Simona , Favara‐Scacco Cinzia , Di Cataldo Andrea , Russo Giovanna 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe undertook a pilot study to evaluate and potentially reduce the level of burnout in the operators of two oncology centers. The study included 65 doctors and nurses of an adult (Group A) and a pediatric oncology unit (Group B). We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory to estimate the level of burnout obtained in three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, distancing (cognitive and emotional) and reduced personal achievement. Data showed a medium–high level of burnout in Group A and a medium–low level in Group B. In the second part of the study, Group B underwent a program of art therapy interventions with the aim of reducing the level of burnout. Comparing the responses from Group B participants before and after the intervention indicated a statistically significant decreased level of burnout. In conclusion, burnout syndrome exists among oncology unit personnel and can be effectively treated with art therapies. Attention devoted to this aspect is required in order to improve the workers' well‐being, thus enhancing attention and dedication to patients. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymer‐Supported Copper(I) Catalysts for the Experimentally Simplified Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition
Authors: Chan Timothy R. , Fokin Valery V. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTris‐(benzyltriazolylmethyl)amine (TBTA), a widely used ligand for the copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition, has been immobilized on a TentaGel resin. Once loaded with copper(I), the resulting air‐stable complex acts as an efficient catalyst for the azide‐alkyne cycloaddition reaction and prevents contamination of products by copper salts. The immobilized TBTA ligand should find immediate use in the parallel synthesis of compounds for direct screening.
Rapid characterization of polyalcohols by silylation and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Adeuya Anthony , Price Neil 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry method for rapidly enumerating hydroxyl groups in analytes is described, and applied to some common polyalcohols (erythritol, mannitol and xylitol). Polyalcohols were derivatized with trimethylsilylimidazole (TMSI) either separately or as mixtures, and were analyzed, without chromatographic separation or purification. The mass spectra revealed consecutive peaks that are separated by 72 m/z units as a consequence of displacement of one hydroxyl hydrogen atom by one TMS group. The number of observed peaks was used to confirm the number of hydroxyl groups in each analyte. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
System of systems lead system integrators: Where Do they spend their time and what makes them more or less efficient?
Authors: Lane Jo Ann , Boehm Barry 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAs organizations strive to expand system capabilities through the development of system‐of‐systems (SoS) architectures, they want to know “how much effort” and “how long.” In order to answer these questions, it is important to first understand the types of activities performed in SoS architecture development and integration and how these vary across different SoS implementations. This paper provides preliminary results of research conducted to determine types of SoS Lead System Integrator (LSI) activities and how these differ from the more traditional system engineering activities described in EIA 632 (Processes for Engineering a System). It also looks at concepts in organizational theory, complex adaptive systems, and chaos theory and how these might be applied to SoS LSI activities to improve success rates and efficiency in the development of these “very large” complex systems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
Depression in adults with Fabry disease: A common and under‐diagnosed problem
Authors: Cole A. L. , Lee P. J. , Hughes D. A. , Deegan P. B. , Waldek S. , Lachmann R. H. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryBackgroundAnderson–Fabry disease (AFD), an X‐linked lysosomal storage disorder, leads to multi‐organ dysfunction and premature mortality. Depression in adults with AFD has been reported, but no large study has been done. We have examined the adult Fabry population in the United Kingdom to describe the prevalence, associated factors and frequency of diagnosis of depression.MethodsPostal questionnaires were sent from four adult clinics to 296 AFD patients. A response rate of 62% (n=184; 74 male, 110 female) formed the data set. Questionnaires collected demographic and Fabry‐specific information. Depression status was assessed using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies depression scale (CES‐D).ResultsResponders were aged between 18 and 76 years (mean 44). The prevalence of depression was 46%, of which 28% were consistent with ‘severe clinical depression’ Unlike the normal population, males with AFD report a higher prevalence of severe depression than females (36% males; 22% females). Interference of AFD symptoms with individuals‐lives (particularly acroparaesthesiae or anhidrosis) showed the largest odds of association with depression. Relationship and financial status proved strong predictors of depression: 88% of those with mild‐moderate depression and 72% with severe depression were undiagnosed.ConclusionDepression is common and under‐diagnosed in AFD. Proper assessment of and treatment for depression could improve the quality of life of these patients.
Molecular screening of Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome in pregnant women from the Czech Republic
Authors: Blahakova I. , Makaturova E. , Kotrbova L. , Soukupova M. , Lastuvkova J. , Kozak L. 
Published: November 2007

SummarySmith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder. SLOS is caused by the mutations in the gene for 3β‐hydroxysterol Δ7 reductase (DHCR7; EC 1.3.1.21), which maps to chromosome 11q12‐13. DHCR7 catalyses the final step in cholesterol biosynthesis—the reduction of 7‐dehydrocholesterol to cholesterol. Clinical severity ranges from mild dysmorphism to severe congenital malformation and intrauterine lethality. Pregnant women are offered a biochemical screening test for Down syndrome in the second trimester, where the suspicion for SLOS could be registered, when the unconjugated estriol (uE3) level appears low. A group of 456 fetuses with a high risk for SLOS were examined by DNA analysis. We confirmed SLOS in 5 fetuses and 11 fetuses were carriers. One novel mutation (p.G30A) was detected. The most frequently found mutations, c.964‐1> C and p.W151X, are also the most severe ones. At least one of these mutations was detected in each fetus with SLOS. This suggests that the biochemical screening of pregnant women probably uncovers mainly more severely affected fetuses. We confirmed SLOS also in two patients whose prenatal screening was negative. Both of them had nonsense mutation on one allele. It stands to reason that some modifying factors may play a role in the reduction of the uE3 level in the mother's serum.
Epileptische Enzephalopathie und Zahnschmelzdefekt (Kohlschütter-Tönz-Syndrom)
Authors: Schossig A. , Wolf N. , Koch M.J. , Bast T. , Hoffmann G.F. , Zschocke J. , Kohlschütter A. 
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung
Das Kohlschütter-Tönz-Syndrom ist eine seltene genetische Erkrankung, die mit neurologischen Symptomen – Epilepsie und schwere globale Entwicklungsstörung – sowie einer gestörten Zahnschmelzbildung einhergeht. Erstmals wurde 1974 eine Familie beschrieben, in der mehrere Jungen betroffen waren. Inzwischen sind auch Familien mit sowohl betroffenen Jungen als auch Mädchen bekannt. Dies macht eine autosomal-rezessive Vererbung des Syndroms wahrscheinlich, wobei eine genetische Heterogenität möglich bleibt. Verlauf und Ausprägung sind innerhalb der einzelnen Familien unterschiedlich. Ein verantwortlicher Gendefekt ist noch nicht bekannt, die Diagnose muss klinisch gestellt werden. Wir berichten über 3 neue Patienten im Vergleich zu bisher 21 mitgeteilten Fällen.
Painful traumatic peripheral partial nerve injury‐sensory dysfunction profiles comparing outcomes of bedside examination and quantitative sensory testing
Authors: Leffler Ann‐Sofie , Hansson Per 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe primary aim of this retrospective study was to focusing on the relationship between individual outcomes of bedside examination (BE) and quantitative testing of somatosensory functions (QST) in 32 patients with painful traumatic partial nerve injury. In addition, the potential presence of common sensory dysfunction denominators has been probed. Patients with a history of traumatic partial nerve injury and ongoing pain were included if pain was confined to the entire or part of the innervation territory of the severed nerve and a bedside titration of the neuronanatomical borders confirmed sensory aberrations. An in‐depth BE and QST was then performed in the most painful area. Categorization of normal and pathological outcome for both BE and QST was based on time honoured clinical decision‐making using the healthy contralateral corresponding area as control. In patients with normal outcome or quantitative aberrations (i.e. hypo‐ or hyperesthesia) at BE and QST, the same individual outcome of touch sensation was reported by 48% of the patients, for cold in 54% and for warmth in 58%. The most common dysfunction found at both BE and QST was hypoesthesia, however with no common denominators in somatosensory dysfunction. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that not infrequently the individual outcome of BE and the corresponding QST measure differed, most frequently for touch sensibility. This finding is of outmost importance when QST outcomes are used to corroborate results from BE in the diagnostic situation.
The influence of temperature on the development, hatching and survival ofNematodirus battuslarvae
Authors: van DIJK J. , MORGAN E. R. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYAlthoughNematodirus battus(Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) is an economically important and highly pathogenic parasite of sheep in the temperate regions, very little is known about the population dynamics of its free-living stages and their relationship with ambient temperature. Here we describe the temperature-related vital rates and thresholds of egg development, hatching and larval survival for the first time.N. battuseggs were able to develop between 11·5 and 27°C, but development at the lower end of this range was more successful. Embryonated eggs did not hatch below 11°C or above 17°C. This is the first description of an upper threshold for hatching in trichostrongyloids. In contrast with most previous studies, although some eggs hatched only after being chilled, substantial proportions of eggs were also found to hatch without the need for chilling. These proportions were lower with increasing, within-hatching range, temperatures. Larval death rates significantly increased at temperatures towards and above the upper hatching threshold. The peculiar hatching behaviour ofN. battusmay therefore be explained in terms of optimization of larval survival. We argue that our findings confirm the likelihood of an arctic origin of the parasite. Probable changes and adaptations of parasite behaviour in the temperate regions, and the driving forces behind them, are discussed, as well as factors affecting persistence and geographical spread against a background of climate change.
Transgenesis of schistosomes: approaches employing mobile genetic elements
Authors: MANN V. H. , MORALES M. E. , KINES K. J. , BRINDLEY P. J. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYDraft genome sequences forSchistosoma mansoniandSchistosoma japonicumare now available. However, the identity and importance of most schistosome genes have yet to be determined. Recently, progress has been made towards the genetic manipulation and transgenesis of schistosomes. Both loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches appear to be feasible in schistosomes based on findings described in the past 5 years. This review focuses on reports of schistosome transgenesis, specifically those dealing with the transformation of schistosomes with exogenous mobile genetic elements and/or their endogenous relatives for the genetic manipulation of schistosomes. Transgenesis mediated by mobile genetic elements offers a potentially tractable route to introduce foreign genes to schistosomes, a means to determine the importance of schistosome genes, including those that could be targeted in novel interventions and the potential to undertake large-scale forward genetics by insertional mutagenesis.
Rates of development in male and female Wood Frogs and patterns of parasitism by lung nematodes
Authors: DARE O. K. , FORBES M. R. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYResearchers are becoming interested in testing whether investment in growth and/or development trades off against investment in parasite defence. We tested this idea by examining relations between development of Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica) and susceptibility to lung nematodes (Rhabdias ranae). Male and female frogs reared in outdoor mesocosms were the same length and mass at metamorphosis. However, males metamorphosed sooner than females. Lung nematodes were no more likely to penetrate male versus female metamorphs following controlled exposures, but males had higher intensities of adult female worms and the largest worms per host were, on average, of larger size in male metamorphs. Males that took longer to metamorphose carried higher numbers of worms in their lungs than males that metamorphosed early. In comparison, females that developed faster harboured more worms in their lungs than females that took longer to reach metamorphosis. Our results suggest that variation in susceptibility to lung nematodes is influenced by host sex and possibly also by sex-specific relations with developmental rate. Further, male hosts might prove to be a more important source of infective stages of worms than female hosts.
Evaluation of immune responses raised againstTc13 antigens ofTrypanosoma cruziin the outcome of murine experimental infection
Authors: GARCÍA G. A. , ARNAIZ M. R. , ESTEVA M. I. , LAUCELLA S. A. , GARAVAGLIA P. A. , IBARRA S. E. , RUIZ A. M. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYWe have previously reported that genetic immunization withTc13Tul antigen ofTrypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas' disease, triggers harmful effects and non-protective immune responses. In order to confirm the role ofTc13 antigens duringT. cruziinfection, herein we studied the humoral and cellular immune responses to theTc13Tul molecule and its EPKSA C-terminal portion in BALB/cT. cruzi-infected mice or mice immunized with recombinantTc13Tul. Analysis of the antibody response showed that B-cell epitopes that stimulate a sustained IgM production along the infection and high levels of IgG in the acute phase are mainly located at theTc13 N- and C-terminal domains, respectively. DTH assays showed that T-cell epitopes are mainly at theTc13 N-terminal segment and that they do not elicit an efficient memory response. RecombinantTc13Tul did not induce IFN-γ secretion in either infected or immunized mice. However, a putative CD8+Tc13Tul-derived peptide was found to elicit IFN-γ production in chronically infected animals. Immunization with recombinantTc13Tul did not induce pathology in tissues and neither did it protect against the infection. Our results show that in the outcome ofT. cruziinfection theTc13 family protein mainly triggers non-protective immune responses.
Scholastic achievement at age 16 and risk of schizophrenia and other psychoses: a national cohort study
Authors: MacCabe J. H. , Lambe M. P. , Cnattingius S. , Torrång A. , Björk C. , Sham P. C. , David A. S , Murray R. M. , Hultman C. M. 
Published: November 2007

BackgroundThere is abundant evidence that schizophrenia is associated with cognitive deficits in childhood. However, previous studies investigating school performance have been inconclusive. Furthermore, there are several biological and social factors that could confound the association. We investigated whether school performance at age 16 is associated with risk of adult schizophrenia and other psychoses in a large national cohort, while controlling for multiple confounders.MethodUsing a national sample of 907 011 individuals born in Sweden between 1973 and 1983, we used Cox regression to assess whether scholastic achievement at age 15–16 predicted hospital admission for psychosis between ages 17 and 31, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsPoor school performance was associated with increased rates of schizophrenia [hazard ratio (HR) 3.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8–5.3], schizo-affective disorder (HR 4.2, 95% CI 1.9–9.1) and other psychoses (HR 3.0, 95% CI 2.3–4.0). Receiving the lowest (E) grade was significantly associated with risk for schizophrenia and other psychoses in every school subject. There was no evidence of confounding by migrant status, low birthweight, hypoxia, parental education level or socio-economic group.ConclusionsPoor school performance across all domains is strongly associated with risk for schizophrenia and other psychoses.
Depression and anxiety as predictors of heart rate variability after myocardial infarction
Authors: Martens E. J. , Nyklíček I. , Szabó B. M. , Kupper N. 
Published: November 2007

BackgroundReduced heart rate variability (HRV) is a prognostic factor for cardiac mortality. Both depression and anxiety have been associated with increased risk for mortality in cardiac patients. Low HRV may act as an intermediary in this association. The present study examined to what extent depression and anxiety differently predict 24-h HRV indices recorded post-myocardial infarction (MI).MethodNinety-three patients were recruited during hospitalization for MI and assessed on self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Two months post-MI, patients were assessed on clinical diagnoses of lifetime depressive and anxiety disorder. Adequate 24-h ambulatory electrocardiography data were obtained from 82 patients on average 78 days post-MI.ResultsIn unadjusted analyses, lifetime diagnoses of major depressive disorder was predictive of lower SDNN [standard deviation of all normal-to-normal (NN) intervals; β=−0.26, p=0.022] and SDANN (standard deviation of all 5-min mean NN intervals; β=0.25, p=0.023), and lifetime anxiety disorder of lower RMSSD (root mean square of successive differences; β=−0.23, p=0.039). Depression and anxiety symptoms did not significantly predict HRV. After adjustment for age, sex, cardiac history and multi-vessel disease, lifetime depressive disorder was no longer predictive of HRV. Lifetime anxiety disorder predicted reduced high-frequency spectral power (β=−0.22, p=0.039) and RMSSD (β=−0.25, p=0.019), even after additional adjustment of anxiety symptoms.ConclusionsClinical anxiety, but not depression, negatively influenced parasympathetic modulation of heart rate in post-MI patients. These findings elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying anxiety as a risk factor for adverse outcomes, but also raise questions about the potential role of HRV as an intermediary between depression and post-MI prognosis.