bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phoneme manipulation not onset‐rime manipulation ability is a unique predictor of early reading
Authors: Savage Robert , Carless Sue 
Published: November 2005

Background:  Phonological awareness is known to be an excellent predictor of later reading acquisition. It remains unclear, however, whether phoneme manipulation alone best explains this association or whether an additional direct contribution of onset‐rime awareness is predictive. This issue is explored here.Method:  A longitudinal study is reported predicting national test and teacher‐assessed performance of 351 children aged 7 from phonological awareness measures, pupil baseline attainment and background measures at age 5.Results:  Explicit phoneme manipulation skills at age 5 correlated most strongly with literacy skills at age 5. Phoneme manipulation at age 5 predicted all four reading measures taken at age 7 after pupil background, baseline data and onset‐rime awareness were controlled in regression analyses. Onset‐rime manipulation did not predict reading at 7 in parallel analyses. After controlling for initial reading at age 5, phoneme manipulation still predicted reading comprehension, and teacher‐assessed reading and writing at age 7.Conclusions:  Results support the existence of a route from phoneme manipulation, but not an additional direct route from explicit onset‐rime manipulation at 5, to reading at 7. Practically, findings show that professionals can augment baseline and pupil background data with phoneme manipulation screening in the early identification of learning needs.
Care of elderly lower limb amputees, as described in medical and nursing records
Authors: Bäck‐Pettersson Siv , Björkelund Cecilia 
Published: November 2005

The aim of this study was to characterize elderly lower limb amputees and explore problems/requirements inherent in their care. A retrospective study of medical and nursing records of patients who had undergone lower limb amputation (LLA) at Uddevalla General Hospital in 1997 was conducted. Demographic data were compared with those from a comparable regional health care district. Hospitalization, rehabilitation and nursing‐related data related to subjects alive after 6 months were compared with data concerning those deceased during hospital stay and within 6 months after amputation. During the defined period, the study population consisted of 45 patients aged 60 and above. Fifty‐six percent were men, with a mean age of 81.6. Eight patients died in the hospital post‐amputation and five died within 6 months of surgery. The aetiology of the diagnosis leading to the LLA was cardiovascular disease in the majority of cases. The most common amputation level was below the knee. LLA patients were reported to have major problems maintaining physical and mental functions, markedly deteriorated general health status and severe pain problems.LLA patients require well functioning and qualified care and rehabilitation. The patients surviving after 6 months had permanent problems in the area of nutrition, elimination, skin ulceration, sleep, pain and pain alleviation. The patients who died during the hospital stay had problems in all these areas. With increasing shorter stays in hospital and decreasing resources in primary and municipal care, there is a risk that these patients’ needs and requirements for professional care might be underestimated and thus remain unfulfilled.
Early‐onset autoimmune hemolytic anemia after cladribine therapy for Waldenström's macroglobulinemia
Authors: Aslan Deniz L. , Peterson Bruce A. , Long‐Tsai Michaela , Eastlund Ted 
Published: November 2005

BACKGROUND: Purine nucleoside analogs are a class of antineoplastic drugs with potent lymphotoxicity against T and B lymphocytes, causing prolonged lymphopenia and linked to delayed immune complications such as opportunistic infections and more recently autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), seen mostly in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). A characteristic temporal relation between fludarabine therapy and the appearance of a warm‐reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG)‐mediated AIHA in patients with CLL has been observed and, in some, the AIHA has been fatal. Whether both fludarabine and cladribine cause AIHA is uncertain because AIHA is commonly seen in patients with CLL without the use of these drugs. In contrast, AIHA is encountered in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) much less frequently, and the autoantibody is usually cold‐reactive and IgM‐mediated. In a few reported cases of AIHA arising in patients with WM after cladribine therapy, there was a latency of 24 to 60 months between therapy and the onset of AIHA, three of which were warm‐reactive and IgG‐mediated.CASE REPORT: A warm‐reacting IgG red cell autoantibody and evidence of hemolysis detected 1 month after completing cladribine therapy for WM, with warm antibody AIHA developing 4 months later, are described.CONCLUSIONS: Cladribine, like fludarabine, is possibly able to produce this complication during or early after therapy. Because the use of purine analogs is becoming increasingly common, it is important to have an awareness of the complications that can arise during and after treatment. Further observations of warm AIHA during cladribine therapy are needed to establish it as a distinct complication.
Satyriasis: The Antiquity Term for Vulvodynia?
Authors: McElhiney Janice , Kelly Sarah , Rosen Raymond , Bachmann Gloria 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACT
From ancient times, through the Middle Ages, and well into the 19th century, physicians concentrated on catastrophic medical conditions and illnesses rather than on quality of life issues. Wars, plagues, and pestilence left little time, energy, or concern for “discomfort” problems. Therefore, it is not surprising that women's conditions that caused distressing symptoms but fell short of major morbidity and mortality were not given a prominent position in medicine until relatively recently. This is especially the case with vulvodynia, a condition that has been reported to affect approximately 15% (and in some studies up to 27%) of the female population at some point in their lives. Despite its high prevalence, this condition was not discussed or reported in traditional medical textbooks until the end of the 1800s. Now, we propose another viewpoint on when the first description of vulvodynia appeared; that is, that vulvodynia was described as far back as the 1st century CE. From our review of the ancient medical literature, we believe that the condition described by Soranus as “satyriasis in females” was actually vulvodynia.
From evidence to practice: Audit of adjuvant chemotherapy after complete resection of non‐small cell lung cancer in an Australian lung cancer center
Authors: DANIELS Marissa , NEWNHAM Genni M , WRIGHT Gavin M 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjective:  To investigate patterns in the rate of referral and uptake of platinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy following resection of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after recent landmark evidence‐based publications.Design and setting:  An audit of all patients who underwent complete resection of NSCLC by a specialist thoracic surgeon between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2004. Results of several randomised trials of adjuvant therapy (including the largest ever multicentre trial) were reported during this period and confirmed an overall and disease‐free survival benefit.Patients:  One hundred and twenty‐six adult patients who underwent complete resection of histologically confirmed NSCLC between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2004.Main outcome measure:  Percentage of patients referred, commencing and completing platinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy between January and June 2002, July and December 2002, January and June 2003, July and December 2003, January and June 2004, and July and December 2004.Results:  Of patients who underwent complete resection of NSCLC in each of the 6‐month intervals, 0.0%, 3.4%, 30.8%, 52.2%, 58.8% and 68.3% were referred for adjuvant chemotherapy, respectively. Treatment delivery rates were 0.0%, 3.4%, 7.7%, 30.4%, 29.4% and 36.8%, respectively. The most common reason for failing to receive adjuvant chemotherapy after referral was excessive risks compared with benefits of treatment as perceived by the medical oncologist and/or patient.Conclusion:  Both rate of referral and utilization of platinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy have increased with successive publications of evidence of survival benefit. Further improvements may be possible by routine referral policy, earlier timing and choice of regimen.
Outpatient 5‐fluorouracil +α‐interferon + interleukin‐2 chemoimmunotherapy in metastatic renal cell cancer patients
Authors: ER Ozlem , OZKAN Metin , ALTINBAS Mustafa , COSKUN Hasan Senol , ESER Bulent , ALTUNTAS Fevzi , CETIN Mustafa , UNAL Ali 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground:  Renal cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the kidney in adults. The treatment of metastatic disease remains a particularly difficult problem given the resistance of this disease to most treatment options and usually requires hospitalization. This prospective study aimed to determine the efficacy and systemic toxicity of outpatient Chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) in metastatic renal cell cancer (MRCC) patients.Methods:  The patients with MRCC received a combination of 5‐fluorouracil 400 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 once a week, interferon‐α 10 MU on days 1,3,5 during weeks 1 and 3, interleukin‐2 18 MU on days 1,3,5 during weeks 2 and 4 subcutaneously.Results:  Twenty‐three MRCC patients were enrolled into the study. The performance status was ECOG 0–2. The median age was 60 years. Twenty patients were evaluable. Chemoimmunotherapy was administered for a median of 10 weeks (range 2–32). Partial remission was obtained in two patients, stable disease in five and no complete response was detected. Median overall survival (OAS) was 10.0 months (95% CI 5.5–14.5 months), progression‐free survival (PFS) 7.0 months (95% CI 5.1–8.9 months). The 1‐year OAS and PFS rate was 27% and 7%, respectively. Median OAS for patients with and without nephrectomy was 10.0 months (95%CI 7.2–12.8 months) and 6.0 months (95%CI 1.4–10.5 months), median PFS 7.0 months (95% CI 4.1–9.9 months) and 5.0 months (95% CI 3.7–6.2 months), respectively, and there was no statistical significant difference (P = 0.27 and P = 0.20). Most common complaints were fatigue, fever and nausea. Grade 3–4 side‐effects were not observed.Conclusion:  This CIT scheme showed a low objective response rate, but when combined with stable disease, clinical benefit is favorable. Outpatient administration with mild toxicity is advantageous.
HER‐2 gene polymorphism at codon 655 in familial prostate cancer in a Japanese population
Authors: SEKINE Yoshitaka , HASUMI Masaru , OHTAKE Nobuaki , NAKATA Seiji , NAKAZATO Haruki , KOIKE Hidekazu , SUZUKI Kazuhiro 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground:  The Ile to Val polymorphism at codon 655 of HER‐2 was reported to be associated with a risk of sporadic prostate cancer and breast cancer. In this study, we examined the association of the HER‐2 polymorphism with familial prostate cancer in a Japanese population.Materials and methods:  We performed a case‐control study consisting of 144 familial prostate cancer cases and 119 normal control subjects. The genetic polymorphism was analyzed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.Results:  There was no significant difference between the case group and the control group for the allele or genotype distribution.Conclusion:  In the present study, we could not confirm any significant association between the HER‐2 polymorphism with familial prostate cancer risk in a Japanese population. Further large‐scale studies are warranted to confirm the association of the HER‐2 polymorphism with the risk of development of prostate cancer.
Importance of a dental approach in head and neck cancer therapy
Authors: GÜNERI Pelin , ÇANKAYA Hülya 
Published: November 2005

AbstractRecent developments in molecular and genetic science have led to the early diagnosis of malignant cellular alterations of oral tissues, and escalated the number of new oral cancer cases detected each year. However, the treatment methods of cancer have not changed too much over the years, and the complications of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have continued to cause severe oral problems. Due to the increased frequency of this type of cancer in the population, dental practitioners have more opportunity to treat these patients. Therefore, dental health‐care providers should continuously up‐date their knowledge, not only about the oral cancer therapy and its oral complications, but also about its prevention and management options.
Prevalence of abnormal Papanicolaou smears and cytohistological correlation: A study from Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan
Authors: HAQ NAWAZ Fauzia , AZIZ Aliya B , PERVEZ Shahid , RIZVI Javed H 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjectives: To determine the prevalence of abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears in patients visiting the gynecologic outpatient department at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi (AKUH) and their cytohistologic correlation. This data was also compared with other international institutions.Methods: A database search of all abnormal cervical cytological cases diagnosed in the gynecologic outpatient department at Aga Khan University Hospital in the last 10 years (i.e. from 1994 to 2004), as well as their follow‐up biopsies, was carried out. The data was then analyzed.Results: Of the 66 617 Pap smears reviewed, 95% of cases had a diagnosis of ‘negative’, 2% of smears were labeled as ‘inadequate’, 0.54% Pap smears showed dysplastic changes, and 0.14% were labeled as ‘malignant’. These numbers are less than figures in Western countires, but are comparable with Asian figures. The pick‐up rate for abnormal Pap smears was 8/1000, while the overall concordance rate was 74%; positive predictive values for high‐grade cervical lesions and for carcinomas was high 92–100%, respectively; while for ASCUS and low‐grade cervical lesion was 35% and 67%, respectively. A total number of 8 cases were identified where there was a discrepancy between cytological and histological diagnosis, they were reviewed critically.Conclusion: In most of the developing countries effective Pap screening faces certain barriers. This includes limited or poor quality of cytology services. In a low‐resource country like Pakistan there is a subset of patients (those with atypical cellular abnormalities) who may benefit from repeat smears instead of early cervical biopsies. In order to improve the efficacy of our cytology services, we need to develop specific clinical protocols for subsequent management of abnormal smears.
Cancer curriculum in the Asia–Pacific: Opportunities and challenges in the age of globalization
Authors: KOCZWARA Bogda , BARTON Michael , COVENTRY Brendon , MILLAR Jeremy , OLVER Ian , SABESAN Sabe , SCHWARZ Max 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWith the rising incidence and prevalence of cancer in Asia–Pacific, the need for adequate cancer education of medical graduates in the region has become particularly urgent. There are 769 medical schools across the Asia–Pacific region in 33 countries serving over 60% of the world population in very diverse socioeconomic environments. This paper discusses some of the challenges for medical education in the Asia–Pacific in light of increasing globalization of health care, including the need to develop global standards in the area of diverse resources and health care priorities. It also points out emerging opportunities including online learning, telemedicine and collaborative educational initiatives across the region.
Internet access, awareness and utilization of web‐based evidence: A survey of Australian, New Zealand and Singaporean radiation oncology registrars*
Authors: WONG Karen , VENESS Michael J 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground:  Awareness of up‐to‐date published evidence is important in order to optimize patient care and outcome. We report on the utilization and awareness of pre‐appraised web‐based evidence amongst accredited radiation oncology registrars in Australia, New Zealand (ANZ) and Singapore.Methods:  In 2003, a postal survey was sent to all accredited radiation oncology registrars in ANZ and Singapore. The aims of this study were to ascertain: the extent of previous training in literature searching and critical appraisal, the extent of Internet access, and the current awareness and utilization of medical databases, including pre‐appraised web‐based evidence available at the Cochrane Library and the related Cancer Library.Results:  Sixty‐nine of 90 registrars responded (77% response rate). Fifty‐four percent of respondents had previously undertaken some form of training related to literature searching or critical appraisal. The majority (67%) felt confident in performing a literature search, although 81% indicated interest in obtaining further training. Most (68%) reported accessing web‐based evidence for literature searching in the previous week and 91% did so in the previous month. Nearly all respondents (90%) accessed web‐based evidence at work. Almost all (94%) were aware of the Cochrane Library with 49% of respondents having used it. Sixty‐seven percent were aware of the Cancer Library. In 2000, a survey of radiation oncologists and registrars on evidence‐based medicine revealed only 68% of registrars were aware of, and only 30% had used, the Cochrane Library.Conclusion:  The findings from this survey reveal almost universal access to the Internet and use of web‐based evidence amongst radiation oncology registrars in ANZ and Singapore. Since 2000, there has been a marked increase in awareness and utilization of the Cochrane Library with a majority also aware of the Cancer Library.
Biphenylsulfonacetic Acid Inhibitors of the Human Papillomavirus Type 6 E1 Helicase Inhibit ATP Hydrolysis by an Allosteric Mechanism Involving Tyrosine 486
Authors: White Peter W. , Faucher Anne-Marie , Massariol Marie-Josée , Welchner Ewald , Rancourt Jean , Cartier Mireille , Archambault Jacques 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTHuman papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the causative agents of benign and malignant lesions of the epithelium. Despite their high prevalence, there is currently no antiviral drug for the treatment of HPV-induced lesions. The ATPase and helicase activities of the highly conserved E1 protein of HPV are essential for viral DNA replication and pathogenesis and hence are considered valid antiviral targets. We recently described novel biphenylsulfonacetic acid inhibitors of the ATPase activity of E1 from HPV type 6 (HPV6). Based on kinetics and mutagenesis studies, we now report that these compounds act by an allosteric mechanism. They are hyperbolic competitive inhibitors of the ATPase activity of HPV6 E1 and also inhibit its helicase activity. Compounds in this series can also inhibit the ATPase activity of the closely related enzyme from HPV11; however, the most potent inhibitors of HPV6 E1 are significantly less active against the type 11 protein. We identified a single critical residue in HPV6 E1, Tyr-486, substituted by a cysteine in HPV11, which is primarily responsible for this difference in inhibitor potency. Interestingly, HPV18 E1, which also has a tyrosine at this position, could be inhibited by biphenylsulfonacetic acid derivatives, thereby raising the possibility that this class of inhibitors could be optimized as antiviral agents against multiple HPV types. These studies implicate Tyr-486 as a key residue for inhibitor binding and define an allosteric pocket on HPV E1 that can be exploited for future drug discovery efforts.
Activities of Acyclic Nucleoside Phosphonates against Orf Virus in Human and Ovine Cell Monolayers and Organotypic Ovine Raft Cultures
Authors: Dal Pozzo F. , Andrei G. , Holý A. , Van Den Oord J. , Scagliarini A. , De Clercq E. , Snoeck R. 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTOrf virus, a member of theParapoxvirusgenus, causes a contagious pustular dermatitis in sheep, goats, and humans. Previous studies have demonstrated the activity of (S)-1-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]cytosine (HPMPC; cidofovir; Vistide) against orf virus in cell culture and humans. We have evaluated a broad range of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) against several orf virus strains in primary lamb keratinocytes (PLKs) and human embryonic lung (HEL) monolayers. HPMPC, (S)-9-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-2,6- diaminopurine (HPMPDAP), and (R)-9-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propoxy]-2,4-diaminopyrimidine (HPMPO-DAPy) were three of the most active compounds that were subsequently tested in a virus yield assay with PLK and HEL cells by virus titration and DNA quantification. HPMPC, HPMPDAP, and HPMPO-DAPy were evaluated for their activities against orf virus replication in organotypic epithelial raft cultures from differentiated PLK cells. At the highest concentrations (50 and 20 μg/ml), full protection was provided by the three drugs, while at 5 μg/ml, only HPMPDAP and HPMPC offered partial protection. The activities of the three compounds in the raft culture system were confirmed by quantification of infectious virus and viral DNA. These findings provide a rationale for the use of HPMPC and other ANPs in the treatment of orf (contagious ecthyma) in humans and animals.
Comparative Efficacies of Conventional Amphotericin B, Liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome), Caspofungin, Micafungin, and Voriconazole Alone and in Combination against Experimental Murine Central Nervous System Aspergillosis
Authors: Clemons Karl V. , Espiritu Marife , Parmar Rachana , Stevens David A. 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTCentral nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis is a severe disease that responds poorly to current therapies. The current studies examined the efficacies of several antifungal agents alone or in combination with a murine model of CNS aspergillosis. Immunosuppressed mice were infected intracerebrally withAspergillus fumigatusand treated with an amphotericin B preparation, an echinocandin, or voriconazole (VCZ) given alone or in combination. Monotherapy studies showed that micafungin (MICA), caspofungin (CAS), VCZ, conventional amphotericin B (AMB), Abelcet (ABLC) (a lipid-carried AMB formulation; Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), and AmBisome (AmBi) (liposomal AMB; Gilead Sciences, Inc.) were efficacious. However, doses of AmBi above 15 mg/kg of body weight showed reduced efficacy. Neither MICA nor CAS showed dose responsiveness at the doses tested (1, 5, or 10 mg/kg). Only the 40-mg/kg dose of VCZ was effective. AmBi and ABLC showed dose responsiveness, with 10-mg/kg doses causing a significant reduction in fungal burden; they had equivalent activities at the 10-mg/kg dose. Suboptimal dosages of AmBi in combination with MICA, CAS, or VCZ were effective in prolonging survival. However, significantly enhanced activity was demonstrated only with AmBi and VCZ in combination. AmBi in combination with MICA or CAS showed a trend toward enhanced activity, but the combination was not significantly superior to monotherapy. The use of AmBi with CAS or VCZ at optimal doses did not improve efficacy. Cure was not attained with any dosage combinations. These results indicate that AmBi in combination with VCZ may be superior for treatment of CNS aspergillosis; combinations of AmBi and MICA or CAS were not antagonistic and may have a slight benefit.