bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonmalignant pleural lesions due to environmental exposure to asbestos: a field-based, cross-sectional study
Authors: Metintas M. , Metintas S. , Hillerdal G. , Ucgun I. , Erginel S. , Alatas F. , Yildirim H. 
Published: November 2005

The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequencies of asbestos-related benign pleural diseases in villagers environmentally exposed to asbestos and the factors affecting these frequencies.A field-based, cross-sectional study was designed. In total, 991 villagers from 10 villages, randomly chosen from 67 villages with known use of asbestos-containing white soil in central Anatolia (Turkey), were investigated. The type of asbestos in the white soil was determined for each village, as well as air-borne fibre concentrations. The villagers were investigated with small-size chest roentgenograms and epidemiological features were recorded.The air-borne fibre levels were generally low. Despite this, pleural plaques were found in 14.4% of the villagers, 10.4% had diffuse pleural fibrosis and 0.4% asbestosis. The significant variables for plaques were age, sex, type of asbestos fibre,e.g.actinolite and tremolite, and exposure duration, while there was a negative relationship with cumulative exposure. The variables affecting diffuse pleural fibrosis were age, exposure duration and cumulative exposure.In conclusion, villagers exposed to environmental asbestos have high frequencies of pleural plaques and diffuse pleural fibrosis, similar to occupationally exposed asbestos cohorts. Different types of asbestos appear to result in different frequencies of pleural lesions.
Autistic-spectrum disorders: lessons from neuroimaging
Authors: Toal Fiona , Murphy Declan G. M. , Murphy Kieran C. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryAutistic-spectrum disorder is approximately half as common as schizophrenia but its cause remains unknown. Recent studies have begun to clarify the underlying neuroanatomical abnormalities and brain-behaviour relationships in autism. In the past decade, great advances have been made in our understanding of the neurobiological basis of autism.
IQ and mental disorder in young men
Authors: Mortensen Erik Lykke , Sørensen Holger Jelling , Jensen Hans Henrik , Reinisch June Machover , Mednick Sarnoff A. 
Published: November 2005

BackgroundMost research investigating the relationship between IQ and risk of mental disorder has focused on schizophrenia.AimsTo illuminate the relationship between IQ test scores in early adulthood and various mental disorders.MethodFor 3289 men from the Copenhagen Perinatal Cohort, military IQ test scores and information on psychiatric hospitalisation were available. We identified 350 men in the Danish Psychiatric Central Register, and compared the mean IQ test scores of nine diagnostic categories with the mean scores of 2939 unregistered cohort controls.ResultsSchizophrenia and related disorders, other psychotic disorders, adjustment, personality, alcohol and substance-use-related disorders were significantly associated with low IQ scores, but this association remained significant for the four non-psychotic disorders only when adjusting for comorbid diagnoses. For most diagnostic categories, test scores were positively associated with the length of the interval between testing and first admission. ICD mood disorders as well as neuroses and related disorders were not significantly associated with low IQ scores.ConclusionsLow IQ may be a consequence of mental disease or a causal factor in psychotic and non-psychotic disorders.
Cognitive style in bipolar disorder
Authors: Jones Lisa , Scott Jan , Haque Sayeed , Gordon-Smith Katherine , Heron Jessica , Caesar Sian , Cooper Caroline , Forty Liz , Hyde Sally , Lyon Louisa , Greening Jayne , Sham Pak , Farmer Anne , McGuffin Peter , Jones Ian , Craddock Nick 
Published: November 2005

BackgroundAbnormalities of cognitive style in bipolar disorder are of both clinical and theoretical importance.AimsTo compare cognitive style in people with affective disorders and in healthy controls.MethodSelf-rated questionnaires were administered to 118 individuals with bipolar I disorder, 265 with unipolar major recurrent depression and 268 healthy controls. Those with affective disorder were also interviewed using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and case notes were reviewed.ResultsThose with bipolar disorder and those with unipolar depression demonstrated different patterns of cognitive style from controls; negative self-esteem best discriminated between those with affective disorders and controls; measures of cognitive style were substantially affected by current levels of depressive symptomatology; patterns of cognitive style were similar in bipolar and unipolar disorder when current mental state was taken into account.ConclusionsThose with affective disorder significantly differed from controls on measures of cognitive style but there were no differences between unipolar and bipolar disorders when current mental state was taken into account.
Reality orientation therapy combined with cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Onder Graziano , Zanetti Orazio , Giacobini Ezio , Frisoni Giovanni B. , Bartorelli Luisa , Carbone Gabriele , Lambertucci Paola , Silveri Maria Caterina , Bernabei Roberto 
Published: November 2005

BackgroundReality orientation therapy combined with cholinesterase inhibitors has not been evaluated in patients with Alzheimer's disease.AimsTo perform such an evaluation.MethodWe randomly assigned 79 of 156 patients treated with donepezil to receive a reality orientation programme. Caregivers of the treatment group were trained to offer the programme at home 3 days a week, 30 min/day for 25 consecutive weeks, and were invited to stimulate and involve patients in reality-based communication.ResultsThe treatment group showed a slight improvement in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (mean change + 0.2, s.e. = 0.4) compared with a decline in the control group (mean change −1.1, s.e. =0.4; P=0.02). Similarly for the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale – Cognition (treatment group mean change +0.4, s.e.=0.8; control group –2.5, s.e.=0.8; P = 0.01). The intervention had an equal effect on cognition in those with mild (MMSE score ⩾20) and moderate (score < 20) dementia. No significant effect was observed for behavioural and functional outcomes.ConclusionsReality orientation enhances the effects of donepezil on cognition in Alzheimer's disease.
Internet-based self-help for depression: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Andersson Gerhard , Bergström Jan , Holländare Fredrik , Carlbring Per , Kaldo Viktor , Ekselius Lisa 
Published: November 2005

BackgroundMajor depression can be treated by means of cognitive–behavioural therapy but as skilled therapists are in short supply there is a need for self-help approaches. Many individuals with depression use the internet for discussion of symptoms and to share their experience.AimsTo investigate the effects of an internet-administered self-help programme including participation in a monitored, web-based discussion group, compared with participation in web-based discussion group only.MethodA randomised controlled trial was conducted to compare the effects of internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy with minimal therapist contact (plus participation in a discussion group) with the effects of participation in a discussion group only.ResultsInternet-based therapy with minimal therapist contact, combined with activity in a discussion group, resulted in greater reductions of depressive symptoms compared with activity in a discussion group only (waiting-list control group). At 6 months' follow-up, improvement was maintained to a large extent.ConclusionsInternet-delivered cognitive–behavioural therapy should be pursued further as a complement or treatment alternative for mild-to-moderate depression.
Clustering of suicides among people with mental illness
Authors: McKenzie Nigel , Landau Sabine , Kapur Navneet , Meehan Janet , Robinson Jo , Bickley Harriet , Parsons Rebecca , Appleby Louis 
Published: November 2005

BackgroundMost previous investigations of imitative suicide have reported suicide clustering in the general population, either temporal clustering following media reporting of suicide or case studies of geographically localised clusters.AimsTo determine whether space–time and space–time–method clustering occur in a national case register of those who had recent contact with mental health services and had died by suicide and to estimate the suicide imitation rate in this population.MethodKnox tests were used for space–time and space–time–method clustering. Model simulations were used to estimate effect size.ResultsHighly significant space–time and space–time–method clustering was found in a sample of 2741 people who died by suicide over 4 years who had had recent contact with one of 105 mental health trusts. Model simulations with an imitation rate of 10.1% (CI 4-17) reproduced the observed space–time–method clustering.ConclusionsThis study provides indirect evidence that imitative suicide occurs among people with mental illnesses and may account for about 10% of suicides by current and recent patients.
Survey of specialised UK traumatic stress services
Authors: Gavrilovic Jelena Jankovic , D'Ardenne Patricia , Bogic Maria , Capuzzo Nicoletta , Priebe Stefan 
Published: November 2005

Aims and MethodThe aim of the survey was to establish the organisational structure and practice of specialised services for post-traumatic stress in the UK. Questionnaires were collected from 17 specialised trauma services across the UK.ResultsSpecialised trauma services use similar therapeutic programmes, but differ with respect to the characteristics of the treated clientele and organisational features. Although almost all services routinely measure outcome, some of the instruments used vary. There is no clear association between staff resources and number of patients treated.Clinical ImplicationsSpecialised traumatic stress services in the UK employ evidence-based treatment methods. A uniform protocol to measure outcome may help to establish a common UK-wide database on outcome of specialised treatment, and facilitate a reliable comparison between different service organisations and programmes. Organisational features should be considered to increase the efficiency of services.
Disease-Free Survival Versus Overall Survival As a Primary End Point for Adjuvant Colon Cancer Studies: Individual Patient Data From 20,898 Patients on 18 Randomized Trials
Authors: Sargent Daniel J. , Wieand Harry S. , Haller Daniel G. , Gray Richard , Benedetti Jacqueline K. , Buyse Marc , Labianca Roberto , Seitz Jean Francois , O'Callaghan Christopher J. , Francini Guido , Grothey Axel , O'Connell Michael , Catalano Paul J. , Blanke Charles D. , Kerr David , Green Erin , Wolmark Norman , Andre Thierry , Goldberg Richard M. , De Gramont Aimery 
Published: November 2005

Purpose A traditional end point for colon adjuvant clinical trials is overall survival (OS), with 5 years demonstrating adequate follow-up. A shorter-term end point providing convincing evidence to allow treatment comparisons could significantly speed the translation of advances into practice. Methods Individual patient data were pooled from 18 randomized phase III colon cancer adjuvant clinical trials. Trials included 43 arms, with a pooled sample size of 20,898 patients. The primary hypothesis was that disease-free survival (DFS), with 3 years of follow-up, is an appropriate primary end point to replace OS with 5 years of follow-up. Results The recurrence rates for years 1 through 5 were 12%, 14%, 8%, 5%, and 3%, respectively. Median time from recurrence to death was 12 months. Eighty percent of recurrences were in the first 3 years; 91% of patients with recurrence by 3 years died before 5 years. Correlation between 3-year DFS and 5-year OS was 0.89. Comparing control versus experimental arms within each trial, the correlation between hazard ratios for DFS and OS was 0.92. Within-trial log-rank testing using both DFS and OS provided the same conclusion in 23 (92%) of 25 cases. Formal measures of surrogacy were satisfied. Conclusion In patients treated on phase III adjuvant colon clinical trials, DFS and OS are highly correlated, both within patients and across trials. These results suggest that DFS after 3 years of median follow-up is an appropriate end point for adjuvant colon cancer clinical trials of fluorouracil-based regimens, although marginally significant DFS improvements may not translate into significant OS benefits.
Immunogenicity, Including Vitiligo, and Feasibility of Vaccination With AutologousGM-CSF–Transduced Tumor Cells in Metastatic Melanoma Patients
Authors: Luiten Rosalie M. , Kueter Esther W.M. , Mooi Wolter , Gallee Maarten P.W. , Rankin Elaine M. , Gerritsen Winald R. , Clift Shirley M. , Nooijen Willem J. , Weder Pauline , van de Kasteele Willeke F. , Sein Johan , van den Berk Paul C.M. , Nieweg Omgo E. , Berns Anton M. , Spits Hergen , de Gast Gijsbert C. 
Published: November 2005

PurposeTo determine the feasibility, toxicity, and immunologic effects of vaccination with autologous tumor cells retrovirally transduced with the GM-CSF gene, we performed a phase I/II vaccination study in stage IV metastatic melanoma patients.Patients and MethodsSixty-four patients were randomly assigned to receive three vaccinations of high-dose or low-dose tumor cells at 3-week intervals. Tumor cell vaccine preparation succeeded for 56 patients (88%), but because of progressive disease, the well-tolerated vaccination was completed in only 28 patients. We analyzed the priming of T cells against melanoma antigens, MART-1, tyrosinase, gp100, MAGE-A1, and MAGE-A3 using human leukocyte antigen/peptide tetramers and functional assays.ResultsThe high-dose vaccination induced the infiltration of T cells into the tumor tissue. Three of 14 patients receiving the high-dose vaccine showed an increase in MART-1– or gp100-specific T cells in the peripheral blood during vaccination. Six patients experienced disease-free survival for more than 5 years, and two of these patients developed vitiligo at multiple sites after vaccination. MART-1– and gp100-specific T cells were found infiltrating in vitiligo skin. Upon vaccination, the T cells acquired an effector phenotype and produced interferon-γ on specific antigenic stimulation.ConclusionWe conclude that vaccination with GM-CSF–transduced autologous tumor cells has limited toxicity and can enhance T-cell activation against melanocyte differentiation antigens, which can lead to vitiligo. Whether the induction of autoimmune vitiligo may prolong disease-free survival of metastatic melanoma patients who are surgically rendered as having no evidence of disease before vaccination is worthy of further investigation.
Use of Statins and Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Seven Randomized Clinical Trials and Nine Observational Studies
Authors: Bonovas Stefanos , Filioussi Kalitsa , Tsavaris Nikolaos , Sitaras Nikolaos M. 
Published: November 2005

Purpose A growing body of evidence suggests that statins may have chemopreventive potential against breast cancer. Laboratory studies demonstrate that statins induce apoptosis and reduce cell invasiveness in various cell lines, including breast carcinoma cells. However, the clinical relevance of these data remains unclear. The nonconclusive nature of the epidemiologic data prompted us to conduct a detailed meta-analysis of the studies published on the subject in peer-reviewed literature. Patients and Methods A comprehensive search for articles published up until 2005 was performed; reviews of each study were conducted; and data were abstracted. Before meta-analysis, the studies were evaluated for publication bias and heterogeneity. Pooled relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% CIs were calculated using the random and the fixed-effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Results Seven large randomized trials and nine observational studies (five case-control and four cohort studies) contributed to the analysis. We found no evidence of publication bias or heterogeneity among the studies. Statin use did not significantly affect breast cancer risk (fixed effects model: RR = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.14; random effects model: RR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.18). When the analyses were stratified into subgroups, there was no evidence that study design substantially influenced the estimate of effects. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of our results. Conclusion Our meta-analysis findings do not support a protective effect of statins against breast cancer. However, this conclusion is limited by the relatively short follow-up times of the studies analyzed. Further studies are required to investigate the potential decrease in breast cancer risk among long-term statin users.
Spectrochemical Analysis with the Rotating Electrode
Authors: Pagliassoti J. P. 
Published: November 2005

Spectrochemical analysis of solutions has conventionally required drying or ashing the sample to convert it to a solid form. New procedures that continuously feed fresh solution directly into the excitation zone are free of many variables associated with the analysis of dried salts and ashes. Solid materials can usually be put into solution and analyzed with comparative ease. The often-difficult problem of preparing and verifying standards is particularly simplified. Most convenient of these procedures is the use of the rotating electrode. Sensitivity and precision with the rotating electrode are usually excellent. In oil solution, 2 ppm of phosphorus, 0.2 ppm of vanadium, and 0.05 ppm of silver can be detected. In routine analysis of additives in lubricating oils, precision is 2 to 3% of the amount present of each element being determined. Comparable precision applies to the analysis of catalysts, steels, and other solids in solution.
Quantitative Determination of Metals in Polyvinyl Chloride
Authors: Rouir E. V. , Merkeman M. J. 
Published: November 2005

The quantitative determination of metals in organic substances is performed usually by ashing the material, followed by the spectrographic analysis of the ash. Because of the long duration of the chemical process employed for preparing samples, we have endeavored to find an easier method for the direct analysis of plastic materials. The procedure consists in dissolving the solid matter in an appropriate solvent in the presence of a reference element. The spectrum of the mixture is then directly recorded by the method of the rotating graphite disk. In this study, we have compiled the results obtained with a Geon compound.
Statistical Evaluation of Spectrographic Methods
Authors: Nelson Benjamin N. 
Published: November 2005

By using some of the excellent background material available from the literature, the tool of the statistically designed experiment is applied in the development and evaluation of spectrographic methods A preliminary design is carried through to determine the major factors affecting a method's total variability Further designs then study these gross variables in greater detail Eventually a reliable method, of known precision and bias, is developed, and the method is ready for routine use During the routine use, a quality control program is carried on to maintain a check on the results and yield a realistic estimate of variability over a period of time The paper gives a bibliography of books and articles that the author has found particularly useful
The Determination of Uranium in Solution by X-Ray Spectrometry
Authors: Wilson Harry M. , Wheeler G. V. 
Published: November 2005

A rapid, precise method for the determination of uranium in nitric acid solution is presented. The uranium in solution is excited by a primary x-ray beam from a molybdenum tube. The intensity of the uranium La, emission line is measured by means of a crystal spectrometer employing a scintillation counter and pulse height analyzer. This intensity is converted to concentration by relating to standard solutions The modification of commercial equipment that simplified the solution analysis are described, as are comparisons of various instrument components.
Oscillographic Mass Spectrometric Monitoring of Gas Chromatography
Authors: Holmes J. C. , Morrell F. A. 
Published: November 2005

A means of continuously monitoring the effluent from a gas chromatography column with a mass spectrometer and an oscilloscope is described. Any sixteen-mass-unit portion of a spectrum can be displayed and the smallest change in the pattern seen immediately. The scan rate can be altered so as to decrease the time required for the sixteen-mass-unit display, or to present a larger portion of the spectrum. The method can be adapted to the study of such events as pyrolysis, reaction rate, thermal cracking, etc. The presence of intermediate compounds formed during a reaction can be detected quickly. These are only a few of the many uses to which a commercially available mass spectrometer may be adapted by means of this easily made modification which make it a more valuable tool where investigations of volatile materials are being made.
A Method of Monitoring Spectroscopic Sources
Authors: Bryan F. R. , Runge E. F. 
Published: November 2005

A means of controlling spark excitation has been devised for the purpose of improving the accuracy of spectrochemical analysis. The system applies to currently popular air-interrupted sources regardless of the type of analysis being performed. The control procedure consists of resolving and counting individual spark discharges to determine an exact discharge rate Previous control methods have depended on an ammeter and oscilloscope which neither indicate discharge rate accurately, nor resolve random irregularities in rate Reproducibility of the discharge rate can provide an improved means of repeating spectral line intensities as required for quantitative analysis. The control system consists of a phototube pickup triggering an electronic scaling circuit Illumination from the spark discharge produces the phototube signal Individual discharges are counted to provide an indication of the exact spark discharge rate per unit time is used to determine the number of interruptions per half-cycle, and the ammeter reading assists in establishing proper primary input voltage in relation to breakdown potential of the air-gap.
A Study of Preliminary Curves for SA-I Emulsions
Authors: Green Milton 
Published: November 2005

In some previous work we have found that for SA-II and 103F emulsions on film the logarithm of the density (log D) prelimininary curves are essentially straight lines. This experimental result leads to a rather simple and convenient expression for the equation of the characteristic curve. For SA-I emulsion on film, we found that the linearty of the log D preliminary curve depends considerable on the wave length region for which the measurements were made and the magnitude of the calibration intensity ratio employed, e.g. the step filter ratio. A more careful analysis of preliminary curves of SA-I emulsions shows the reasons for such a behavior. Actually, the log D preliminary curves are always curved and the degree of curvature varies roughly in proportion to the product of the step ratio of the filter and the gamma at the wavelength at which the measurements are made Probably this same condition exists for SA-II and 103F emulsions, but because their gammas are low, the curvature is not readily observable with a step-filter of moderate ratio. In spite of the curvature of the logD preliminary curve of SA-I emulsions, a straight line fits the data well for the useful range of density measurements for spectrochemical purposes, that is, for a range of densities corresponding to a range of transmittance values between 75% and 1%, the fit is nearly perfect. In attempting to fit various analytical functions, theoretically derived by other investigators, to the erperimental data for SA-I emulsion for the wavelength range 4000A-4200A, it was found that the error function gives the best fit.