bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of beta‐keratin mRNAs and proline uptake in epidermal cells of growing scales and pad lamellae of gecko lizards
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo , Toni Mattia , Valle Luisa Dalla 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBeta‐keratins form a large part of the proteins contained in the hard beta layer of reptilian scales. The expression of genes encoding glycine–proline‐rich beta‐keratins in normal and regenerating epidermis of two species of gecko lizards has been studied by in situ hybridization. The probes localize mRNAs in differentiating oberhautchen and beta cells of growing scales and in modified scales, termed pad lamellae, on the digits of gecko lizards. In situ localization at the ultrastructural level shows clusters of gold particles in the cytoplasm among beta‐keratin filaments of oberhautchen and beta cells. They are also present in the differentiating elongation or setae of oberhautchen cells present in pad lamellae. Setae allow geckos to adhere and climb vertical surfaces. Oberhautchen and beta cells also incorporate tritiated proline. The fine localization of the beta‐keratin mRNAs and the uptake of proline confirms the biomolecular data that identified glycine–proline‐rich beta‐keratin in differentiating beta cells of gecko epidermis. The present study also shows the presence of differentiating and metabolically active cells in both inner and outer oberhautchen/beta cells at the base of the outer setae localized at the tip of pad lamellae. The addition of new beta and alpha cells to the corneous layer near the tip of the outer setae explains the anterior movement of the setae along the apical free‐margin of pad lamellae. The rapid replacement of setae ensures the continuous usage of the gecko's adhesive devices, the pad lamellae, during most of their active life.
Self‐assessed occupational health and working environment of female nurses, cabin crew and teachers
Authors: Sveinsdóttir Herdis , Gunnarsdóttir Hólmfríður , Friðriksdóttir Hildur 
Published: June 2007

Aim:  The aim of this study was to describe and compare the self‐assessed occupational health among female nurses, cabin crew and teachers, in relation to their working environment.Background:  Similarities between the three occupations, i.e. predominantly female and service‐oriented, render them interesting in comparison with respect to health and working environment.Methods:  The participants were female Icelandic cabin crew, nurses and elementary school teachers. A questionnaire including items on socio‐demographics, working environment (addressing work pace, job security, monotonous work, assistance, physically strenuous work and physical environmental factors) and a symptom list was used for data collection. Factor analyses on the symptom list resulted in five symptom scales: Musculoskeletal, Stress and exhaustion, Common cold, Gastrointestinal and Sound perception scale. A total of 1571 questionnaires were distributed. The response rate was 65.7–69%, depending on occupation. Data were collected in 2002.Results:  Cabin crew reported worse gastrointestinal, sound perception and common cold symptoms than nurses and teachers. Cabin crew and teachers reported worse symptoms of stress and exhaustion than nurses (p < 0.05). When compared with teachers and nurses cabin crew reported less job security and more physically strenuous and monotonous work. Nurses were likelier to seek assistance from co‐workers or patients as well as to take care of an older relative than teachers and cabin crew. Regression analysis found that within each occupation distress from environmental factors resulted in higher score on all the symptom scales.Conclusions:  Nurses experience less stress and exhaustion than teachers and cabin crew. In comparison with one or both of the other occupations nurses are more likely to assist each other with their work, experience job security, reporting physically complex work and take care of older relatives. This should be highlighted as positive aspects of nurses’ work praised as displaying responsibility and interconnectedness of nurses’.
Characterization of microsatellite loci for a barrenwort species (Epimedium diphyllum, Berberidaceae)
Authors: HORIE SACHIKO , SUZUKI KAZUO , MAKI MASAYUKI 
Published: June 2007

AbstractMicrosatellites were identified and characterized from Epimedium diphyllum, a species of barrenworts, both attractive garden plants and valuable medicinal plants. Some Japanese species of Epimedium are threatened with extinction, and are listed in the Red Data Book of plants in Japan. Natural hybrid zones also have been reported among some taxa of Japanese Epimedium. We developed eight polymorphic microsatellite primers for population genetic analyses of E. diphyllum. The numbers of alleles per locus ranged from 10 to 20, with observed levels of heterozygosity between 0.85 and 1.00. These primer sets yielded amplification in the other three Japanese Epimedium. These markers will be valuable for conservation genetics, evolutionary biology, pharmacognostic study, and horticultural study of Epimedium.
Development of compound microsatellite markers in the harmful red tide species Chattonella ovata (Raphidophyceae)
Authors: NISHITANI G. , NAGAI S. , LIAN C. L. , YAMAGUCHI H. , SAKAMOTO S. , YOSHIMATSU S. , OYAMA K. , ITAKURA S. , YAMAGUCHI M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe isolated 12 polymorphic microsatellites from the noxious red‐tide‐causing alga Chattonella ovata. These loci provide a class of highly variable genetic markers, as the number of alleles ranged from four to 12, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.238 to 0.850 and from 0.310 to 0.889, respectively. These loci are useful for revealing the genetic structure of and gene flow among C. ovata populations.
A surgical model of fulminant hepatic failure in rabbits
Authors: Hung Kuo‐Chen , Yong Chee‐Chien , Chen Yaw‐Sen , Eng Hock‐Liew , Kuo Fang‐Ying , Lin Chi‐Chang , Young Tai‐Horng , Kobayashi Eiji , Chen Chao‐Long , Wang Chih‐Chi 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAim: Animal models of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) have been developed for characterization of disease progression and to evaluate the effectiveness of liver‐assist devices, some by treatment with hepatotoxic drugs, viral hepatitis or surgical procedures. We have developed a model in the rabbit by combining resection of the three anterior lobes with ligation of the pedicle of the right lateral lobes, resulting in liver necrosis; the remnant quadrate lobes are left intact.Materials and methods: Adult male New Zealand white rabbits (n=16) were used. Six animals were killed to measure the weight of the separate liver lobes. The others (n=10) underwent left neck central line placement to monitor continuous blood pressure and collect blood for laboratory analysis, and a burr hole on the right parietal bone to monitor the intracranial pressure (ICP). Blood laboratory analysis, clinical hepatic encephalopathy and ICP levels were measured in FHF animals (n=6). Animals (n=4) undergoing a sham operation served as controls.Results: All FHF animals died between 12 and 26 h after liver surgery from FHF characterized by a progressive increase in liver enzymes, ammonia, total bilirubin, coagulopathy, hepatic encephalopathy and intracranial hypertension. Histological features of the ischaemic lobes showed coagulative necrosis of hepatocytes with absence of nuclei and collapse of cell plates. Brain histology revealed hypoxic cell damage.Conclusion: We have developed a simple, reproducible model of FHF in rabbits that has a number of features comparable with clinical FHF patients and is well suited for testing experimental bioartificial liver systems and investigating the pathogenesis of FHF.
A randomised control trial examining the effect of an antioxidant (Menevit) on pregnancy outcome during IVF‐ICSI treatment
Authors: TREMELLEN Kelton , MIARI George , FROILAND David , THOMPSON Jeremy 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground:  Evidence has accumulated supporting the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of sperm dysfunction among men with infertility. Damage to sperm DNA by ROS can lead to failure of conception, miscarriage or potentially even childhood cancer. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of male antioxidant treatment on embryo quality and pregnancy outcome during in vitro fertilisation‐intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF‐ICSI) treatment.Methods:  Sixty couples with severe male factor infertility were enrolled in a prospective randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. Male participants were randomly assigned to take either one capsule per day of the Menevit antioxidant or an identical in appearance placebo for three months prior to their partner's IVF cycle. The primary outcome was cleavage stage embryo quality and the secondary outcomes were oocyte fertilisation rate, pregnancy rates and treatment side‐effects. Approval by the local Human Research Ethics Committee was obtained prior to the commencement of this study.Results:  The antioxidant group recorded a statistically significant improvement in viable pregnancy rate (38.5% of transferred embryos resulting in a viable fetus at 13 weeks gestation) compared to the control group (16% viable pregnancy). No significant changes in oocyte fertilisation rate or embryo quality were detected between the antioxidant and the placebo groups. Side‐effects on the Menevit antioxidant were rare (8%) and mild in nature.Conclusions:  The Menevit antioxidant appears to be a useful ancillary treatment that significantly improves pregnancy rates in couples undergoing IVF‐ICSI treatment for severe male factor infertility.
The cost of urogynaecological treatments: Which are more cost‐effective?
Authors: FOOTE A. J. , MOORE K. H. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAims:  To determine the cost‐effectiveness of four urogynaecological treatments.Materials:  Two prospective trials were performed in which 205 women with urinary incontinence underwent urogynaecological treatments. The cost incurred and the improvement in quality of life (QOL) as a result of treatment was calculated as cost/quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) and then ranked in order of cost‐effectiveness.Results:  The Nurse Continence Advisor (NCA) group (N = 73) and the Urogynaecologist (UG) group (N = 72) both had significant improvements in leaks per week and incontinence score. QOL improvement was also similar (1.5% vs 1.2%). The economic data found a similar improvement in pad usage costs ($A2.90 vs $A3.52). The clinician costs were significantly lower for the NCA group ($A60.00 vs $A105.00) (P < 0.0001). The cost per QALY was significantly lower for the NCA group ($A28,009 vs $A35,312) (P = 0.03). Both groups had significant improvements in pad testing and leaks per week. The cure/improvement rates were also similar at three months (100% vs 89%). There was no significant difference in the improvement in QOL between the laparoscopic colposuspension (LC) and open colposuspension (OC) groups (2.09% vs 1.54%). The economic data found a similar improvement in pad usage costs ($A11.74 vs $A16.17). The theatre costs were significantly higher for the LC group ($A403.45 vs $A266.94) (P < 0.0001), however the overall costs were significantly lower ($A4,668 vs $A6,124) (P < 0.0001). The cost/QALY was lower for the LC group ($A63,980 vs $A134,069), however this did not reach significance.Conclusions:  Overall, on comparison of the cost/QALY's, conservative treatment of urinary incontinence by a NCA was the most cost‐effective.
Evaluating the Social and Economic Impact of Community‐Based Prenatal Care
Authors: Cramer Mary E. , Chen Li‐Wu , Roberts Sara , Clute Dorothea 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT
Objective: This article describes the evaluation and findings of a community‐based prenatal care program, Omaha Healthy Start (OHS), designed to reduce local racial disparities in birth outcomes.Design: This evaluative study used a comparative descriptive design, and Targeting Outcomes of Programs® was the conceptual framework for evaluation.Sample: The evaluation followed 3 groups for 2 years: OHS birth mothers (N=79; N=157); non‐OHS participant birth mothers (N=746; N=774); and Douglas County birth mothers (N=7,962; N=7,987).Measurement: OHS provided case management, home visits, screening, referral, transportation, and health education to participants. Program outcome measures included low birth weight, infant mortality, adequacy of care, trimester of care, and costs of care.Results: OHS birth outcomes improved during year 2, and there was a 31% cost saving in the average hospital expenditure compared with the nonparticipant groups. Preliminary evaluative analysis indicates that prenatal case management and community outreach can improve birth outcomes for minority women, while producing cost savings.Conclusions: Further prospective study is needed to document trends over a longer period of time regarding the relationship between community‐based case management programs for minority populations, birth outcomes, and costs of care.
Administrator Self‐Ratings of Organization Capacity and Performance of Healthy Community Development Projects in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Ching‐Min , Hong Mei‐Chu , Hsu Yu‐Hsien 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT
Objective: To examine the relationship between the capacities of various community organizations and their performance scores for healthy community development.Design: This cross‐sectional study was conducted by examining all community organizations involved in the Taiwan national healthy community development project.Sample: Of 213 administrators contacted, 195 (a return rate of 91.6%) completed a self‐administered questionnaire between October and November 2003. The research instrument was self‐developed and based on the Donabedian model. It examined the capacity of the community organizations and their performance in developing a healthy community.Results: The average overall healthy community development performance score was 5.0 on a 7‐point semantic differential scale, with the structure variable rated as the lowest among the 3 subscales. Community organization capacities in the areas of funding, resources committed, citizen participation, and certain aspects of organizational leadership were found to be significantly related to healthy community development performance. Each of the regression models showed a different set of capacities for the community organization domains and explained between 25% and 33% of the variance in performance.Conclusions: The study validates the theoretical relationships among the concepts identified in the Donabedian model. Nursing interventions tailored to enhance resident citizen participation in order to promote community coalitions are strongly supported.
Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding the Role of Interventional Pain Management at the End‐of‐Life Among Caregivers: A 4‐Year Perspective
Authors: Cahana Alex , Arigoni Flavia , Robert Laurent 
Published: June 2007

Abstract:  Intrathecal and epidural opioid analgesia represents a major advance in the management of cancer pain, adding a new dimension to opioid therapy by allowing prolonged analgesia through the use of significantly lower doses than those required for systemic administration. However, myths, misconceptions, and apprehension continue to serve as major barriers to effective cancer pain management, and concerns regarding safety, efficacy, and relative ease of utilization still prevail. This, in turn, results in unnecessary suffering, depression, diminished cognitive function, sleep disturbance, functional disability, and compromised quality of life. We conducted a survey to systematically explore medical and paramedical attitudes prior to and 4 years after the introduction an interventional pain program and attempted to qualitatively analyze what appeared as main facilities or difficulties following end‐of‐life clinical experiences.In general we found that all caregivers were satisfied from using interventional pain relief techniques at the end‐of‐life; more so among caregivers directly involved in patient care. Although nearly half of the responders initially found “technical manipulations” moderately difficult to difficult, after a simple hands‐on instruction all found these techniques to be “helpful, simple and feasible.”“When all went well,” caregivers found implantable devices as a useful tool to relieve pain, to increase the ability of patients to complete personal endeavors, notably mobilization, but also noted an increased patient anxiety at the end‐of‐life. “When all went wrong,” caregivers evoked the paradoxical attitude of patients to having a “high‐tech” treatment at the end‐of‐life, causing them eventually to have “false hope,” as well as the phenomenon of “interdisciplinary hyperactivity,” creating what was referred to as therapeutic futility. In summary, this study suggests the importance on insisting to introduce novel techniques into practice despite initial apprehension, however, quality improvement by detecting and overcoming attitudinal barriers remain primordial and requires narrative research.
Treatment of Refractory Ischemic Pain from Chemotherapy‐Induced Raynaud’s Syndrome With Spinal Cord Stimulation
Authors: Ting Joseph C. , Fukshansky Mikhail , Burton Allen W. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract:  We report the successful treatment of refractory ischemic pain from cisplatin‐induced Raynaud’s syndrome with spinal cord stimulation after failed pharmacologic management and surgical sympathectomy.Case Report: A 48‐year‐old man developed ischemic pain of the hands while undergoing cisplatin and gemcitabine chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic carcinoma. After extensive pharmacologic management and surgical sympathectomy failed to provide adequate analgesia, the patient underwent a percutaneous spinal cord stimulation trial followed by permanent implantation and received significant pain relief prior to succumbing to his illness. Spinal cord stimulation provided effective therapy for refractory ischemic pain, even after failed sympathectomy.
The residual risk of sepsis: modeling the effect of concentration on bacterial detection in two‐bottle culture systems and an estimation of false‐negative culture rates
Authors: Benjamin Richard J. , Wagner Stephen J. 
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND: Septic reactions continue to be reported with culture‐tested platelet (PLT) products, probably due to false‐negative results associated with inadequate sampling of low‐concentration bacteria. The mechanism of test failure was modeled and false‐negative rates were estimated utilizing published data.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The effect of concentration on the probability of sampling one or more viable bacteria in an 8‐mL sample of a 300‐mL product was determined. The ratio of single‐ versus dual‐bottle‐positive tests in repeated cultures utilizing two‐bottle systems was used to assess mean bacterial concentrations and to predict false‐negative tests.RESULTS: Published reports reveal a mean residual risk of sepsis of 2.3 per 105 products tested. Modeling the effect of concentration predicts that 50 and 95 percent of samples are detected at 0.09 and 0.36 CFU per mL for organisms that grow under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and suggest a 50 and 5 percent false‐negative culture rate at these concentrations. Reanalysis of published studies documenting single‐bottle growth of nonfastidious organisms indicate that low bacterial concentrations are frequently encountered and predict false‐negative cultures in products contaminated with common bacteria at rates that varied from 4 to more than 75 percent. The model highlights the weakness of the AABB definition of false‐positive culture results at low bacterial concentrations, especially for organisms that grow poorly in aerobic storage conditions.CONCLUSION: Continuing reports of septic reactions after transfusion of culture‐tested apheresis PLTs, and frequent single‐bottle‐positive results when testing with two‐bottle systems, suggest appreciable levels of false‐negative results with a commercially available bacterial detection system (BacT/ALERT, bioMéreiux) as implemented.
Three new high‐prevalence antigens in the Cromer blood group system
Authors: Hue‐Roye Kim , Lomas‐Francis Christine , Belaygorod Larisa , Lublin Douglas M. , Barnes Janet , Chung Amy , Fung‐Kee‐Fung Karen , Kinney Jeff , Goldman‐Lavi Ronit , Yahalom Vered , Poole Joyce , Ivankovic Zdravko , Alcantara Denden , Bekavac Marija , Cepulic Branka Golubic , Velliquette Randall W. , Mason Richard , Reid Marion E. 
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND: The Cromer blood group system consists of nine high‐prevalence and three low‐prevalence antigens carried on decay‐accelerating factor (DAF). This report describes three new Cromer high‐prevalence antigens, named ZENA, CROV, and CRAM.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sequence analyses were performed on DNA from three probands whose serum samples each contained an alloantibody to a high‐prevalence antigen in the Cromer blood group system. Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to detect the mutation encoding the CROV– phenotype was performed on 100 Croatian donors. To map the respective epitopes, DAF deletion mutants were tested by immunoblotting with eluates containing the antibodies.RESULTS: In each proband, sequence analysis revealed a single‐nucleotide substitution in DAF: ZENA, 726T>G mutation, predicted change His242Gln; CROV, 466G>A mutation, predicted change Glu156Lys; and CRAM, 740A>G mutation, predicted change Gln247Arg. By analysis of DAF deletion mutants, the CROV antigenic determinant mapped to the complement control protein (CCP) domain 2, which is encoded by exon 3, whereas ZENA and CRAM mapped to CCP4, which is encoded by exon 6.CONCLUSION: This study describes three novel high‐prevalence antigens in the Cromer blood group system each characterized by a predicted single‐amino‐acid substitution. The antigens have been assigned the following International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) numbers: ZENA is CROM13, CROV is CROM14, and CRAM is CROM15.
Intracardiac Impedance Monitors Hemodynamic Deterioration in a Chronic Heart Failure Pig Model
Authors: STAHL CARSTEN , BEIERLEIN WOLFRAM , WALKER TOBIAS , STRAUB ANDREAS , NAGY ZOLT , KNUBBEN KAROLIN , GREINER TIM O. , LIPPERT MICHAEL , CZYGAN GERALD , PAULE STEFAN , SCHWEIKA OLIVER , KÜHLKAMP VOLKER 
Published: June 2007

Introduction: A large number of heart failure (HF) patients benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy. Measurements of intrathoracic impedance (ITZ) by implantable devices correlate with intrathoracic fluid content and are used for monitoring lung edema formation in HF patients. However, intrathoracic fluid is only an indirect parameter of cardiac function. We hypothesized that changes in intracardiac impedance correlate with left ventricular (LV) volume changes. Therefore, measurements of intracardiac impedance between a right ventricular lead and a LV lead may be used to monitor long‐term changes of LV function. Methods and Results: HF was successfully induced in nine mini‐pigs by continuous high‐rate pacing. Hemodynamic parameters as well as intracardiac impedance and ITZ were measured before HF induction and after 20 ± 5 days of high‐rate pacing. After the pacing period, we found a significant deterioration of hemodynamics, reflected by a reduction of ejection fraction from 71±11% to 48±7% and an increase of LV end diastolic pressure (EDP) from 12 ± 4 mmHg to 26 ± 8 mmHg. Worsening of cardiac function correlated with a significant >30% decrease of end diastolic intracardiac impedance, in accordance with a >20% increase of end diastolic volume (EDV). ITZ decreased by more than 8%. We observed a significant inverse correlation between end diastolic intracardiac impedance and EDP (r =−0.81, P < 0.001). Conclusions: In this animal model, changes of intracardiac impedance revealed hemodynamic deterioration as reflected by EDV and EDP pressure. Thus, intracardiac impedance is a promising new application to monitor heart failure status within implantable devices.