bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of fertility results after vaginal insemination using different thawing procedures and packages for frozen ram semen
Authors: Paulenz Heiko , Ådnøy Tormod , Söderquist Lennart 
Published: September 2007

Abstract

Background
The effect of different thawing procedures for ram semen frozen in minitubes and mini straws on the fertility of sheep was tested in a field trial.

Methods
Altogether, 719 Norwegian Crossbred ewes, aged between six months and six-and-a-half years from 8 farms, were inseminated vaginally in natural oestrus with frozen-thawed semen. Minitubes were thawed at 70°C for 8 sec (T70) and mini straws either at 50°C for 9 sec (S50) or at 35°C for 12 sec (S35).

Results
Vaginal insemination with 200 × 106 spermatozoa resulted in 25-days non-return rates of 63.2, 59.6, and 62.5% (overall 61.8%), respectively, and lambing rates of 56.8, 55.0, and 59.2% (overall 57.0%), respectively. No significant effect on fertility (as 25-days non-return- or lambing rate) was seen for straw type/thawing temperature (P = 0.5/0.5), but semen filled in mini straws and thawed at 35°C resulted numerically in the highest lambing rate (59.2%). A significant effect was, however, seen for farmer (P = >0.0001/>0.0001) and ram (P = 0.009/0.002). Moreover, age of the ewes had a significant effect on the NR rate (0.007), but not on lambing rate (P = 0.2).

Conclusion
A vaginal deposition of frozen ram semen containing approximately 200 × 106 spermatozoa, filled in mini straws and thawed at 35°C is a simplified technique that under field conditions and used on a do-it-yourself regime gives acceptable lambing rates in Norway.
Effectiveness of Changing Minds campaign factsheets in reducing stigmatised attitudes towards mental illness
Authors: Luty Jason , Umoh Okon , Sessay Mohammed , Sarkhel Arghya 
Published: September 2007

Aims and MethodTo assess the effect of factsheets from the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Changing Minds campaign on stigmatised attitudes of members of the general public towards those with mental illness. Participants were recruited at random from a panel of over 1200 members of the general population and presented with questionnaires containing single-page factsheets adapted from the Changing Minds campaign describing schizophrenia or substance use disorders. The Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ) was used to measure the effect on stigmatised attitudes.ResultsIn total 200 questionnaires were distributed; 158 completed questionnaires were received (response rate 79%). The AMIQ scores for the alcoholism and schizophrenia vignettes did not differ between experimental and control groups. Fidelity questions included in the questionnaire indicated that participants had read and understood the factsheets.Clinical ImplicationsDidactic factsheets produced for the Changing Minds campaign were largely ineffective at changing stigmatised attitudes towards schizophrenia and alcoholism.
Psychotherapy requirements as recommended by the College: awareness and achievement by senior house officers
Authors: Agarwal Shruti , Singh Yolisha , Palanisamy Vikram , Basker Rajasekar , Van Der Speck Rohan 
Published: September 2007

Aims and MethodWe questioned 141 senior house officers (SHOs) across three training schemes in order to ascertain the awareness and achievement of psychotherapy requirements as recommended by the College. A structured questionnaire was used and administered either in person or over the telephone to all SHOs. Of all the trainees surveyed, 32 were eligible for MRCPsych part II.ResultsOnly 9% of the SHOs eligible for MRCPsych part II were able to meet the requirements. Less than a third of all trainees were aware of the College guidelines.Clinical ImplicationsTrainees face a number of practical problems in meeting the College guidelines. Psychotherapy training for basic specialist trainees is in need of urgent review and steps need to be taken to ensure that SHOs are gaining basic psychotherapeutic skills.
Prognostic Significance of Overexpression and Phosphorylation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and the Presence of Truncated EGFRvIII in Locoregionally Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Nieto Yago , Nawaz Fatima , Jones Roy B. , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Nawaz Samia 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe prognostic value of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in breast cancer and more specifically, in patients with locoregionally advanced disease, is still undefined. We hypothesized that EGFR status plays a major prognostic role in this setting, through expression, activation, or the presence of its mutated variant EGFRvIII.Patients and MethodsWe reviewed tumor samples of 225 patients treated uniformly in prospective trials of high-dose chemotherapy for four to nine positive axillary nodes, ≥ 10 positive nodes, or inflammatory carcinoma, and observed for a median of 9 years (range, 3 to 13 years). We analyzed the effect on outcome of expression of EGFR, phosphorylated EGFR (phospho-EGFR), and EGFRvIII, as studied by immunohistochemistry.ResultsEGFR expression, phospho-EGFR, and mutated EGFRvIII were detected in 43%, 54%, and 4% of the patients, respectively. EGFR expression correlated with negative hormone receptor status, and was associated with significantly worse relapse-free survival (59% v 79%; P < .001) and overall survival (61% v 81%; P = .001) than no expression. There was no association of phospho-EGFR or EGFRvIII with outcome. Multivariate models confirmed the prognostic effect of EGFR independent of other known prognostic variables in this population. The prognostic value of EGFR was most prominent in the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) –positive and the estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor–negative subgroups.ConclusionEGFR expression, but not phospho-EGFR or EGFRvIII expression, is an independent adverse prognostic factor in patients with high-risk primary breast cancer, particularly when it is coexpressed with HER-2. Our results suggest the potential benefit of dual EGFR/HER-2 receptor targeting in this setting.
Place and Provision of Palliative Care for Children With Progressive Cancer: A Study by the Paediatric Oncology Nurses’ Forum/United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group Palliative Care Working Group
Authors: Vickers Jan , Thompson Anne , Collins Gary S. , Childs Margaret , Hain Richard 
Published: September 2007

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe and show effectiveness of the outreach team model of palliative care (PC) in allowing home death for children with incurable cancer. Patients and Methods Over 7 months, 185 children from 22 United Kingdom oncology centers were recruited to a prospective questionnaire survey. Results One hundred sixty-four children from 22 centers died (median age, 8.7 years; 88 boys, 76 girls). One hundred twenty-six families completed two or more questionnaires. One hundred twenty (77%) of 155 with complete data died at home. Preference for home death was recorded in 90 (68%) of 164 and 132 (80%) 164 at study entry and last month of life, respectively. Death occurred in preferred place for 84 (80%) of 105 with recorded preference at entry. Forty-one (25%) of 164 and 68 (41.5%) of 164 needed no outpatient or inpatient hospital visits, respectively. A named individual provided on-call PC advice by phone or home visit in 22 (100%) and 18 (82%) of 22 oncology centers, respectively. As PC progressed, involvement of oncologist and social worker appeared less, whereas pediatric oncology outreach nurse specialists (POONSs) remained prominent. Conclusion Preference for home death expressed by families in our study is similar to others, but the proportion of children actually able to die there is higher. Home death is facilitated by this model. Key components are POONSs, pediatric palliative and/or oncology specialist, and general practitioner. Professional roles change during PC and after death. An ongoing role for the oncology team in bereavement support is highlighted.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (FGFR1) Tyrosine Phosphorylation Regulates Binding of FGFR Substrate 2α (FRS2α) But Not FRS2β to the Receptor
Authors: Zhang Yongyou , McKeehan Kerstin , Lin Yongshun , Zhang Jue , Wang Fen 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBinding of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to the FGF receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase leads to receptor tyrosine autophosphorylation as well as phosphorylation of multiple downstream signaling molecules that are recruited to the receptor either by direct binding or through adaptor proteins. The FGFR substrate 2 (FRS2) family consists of two members, FRS2α and FRS2β, and has been shown to recruit multiple signaling molecules, including Grb2 and Shp2, to FGFR1. To better understand how FRS2 interacted with FGFR1, in vivo binding assays with coexpressed FGFR1 and FRS2 recombinant proteins in mammalian cells were carried out. The results showed that the interaction of full-length FRS2α, but not FRS2β, with FGFR1 was enhanced by activation of the receptor kinase. The truncated FRS2α mutant that was comprised only of the phosphotyrosine-binding domain (PTB) bound FGFR1 constitutively, suggesting that the C-terminal sequence downstream the PTB domain inhibited the PTB-FGFR1 binding. Inactivation of the FGFR1 kinase and substitutions of tyrosine phosphorylation sites of FGFR1, but not FRS2α, reduced binding of FGFR1 with FRS2α. The results suggest that although the tyrosine autophosphorylation sites of FGFR1 did not constitute the binding sites for FRS2α, phosphorylation of these residues was essential for optimal interaction with FRS2α. In addition, it was demonstrated that the Grb2-binding sites of FRS2α are essential for mediating signals of FGFR1 to activate the FiRE enhancer of the mouse syndecan 1 gene. The results, for the first time, demonstrate the specific signals mediated by the Grb2-binding sites and further our understanding of FGF signal transmission at the adaptor level.
Prediction of human pharmacokinetics — improving microsome-based predictions of hepatic metabolic clearance
Authors: Fagerholm Urban 
Published: September 2007

AbstractPhysiologically based methods generally perform poorly in predicting in-vivo hepatic CL (CLH) from intrinsic clearance (CLint) in microsomes in-vitro and unbound fraction in blood (fu,bl). Various strategies to improve the predictability have been developed, and inclusion of an empirical scaling factor (SF) seems to give the best results. This investigation was undertaken to evaluate this methodology and to find ways to improve it further. The work was based on a diverse data set taken from Ito and Houston (2005). Another objective was to evaluate whether rationalization of CLH predictions can be made by replacing blood/plasma-concentration ratio (Cbl/Cpl) measurements with SFs. There were apparently no or weak correlations between prediction errors and lipophilicity, permeability (compounds with low permeability missing in the data set) and main metabolizing CYP450s. The use of CLint class (high/low) and drug class (acid/base/neutral) SFs (the CD-SF method) gives improved and reasonable predictions: 1.3-fold median error (an accurate prediction has a 1-fold error), 76% within 2-fold-error, and a median absolute rank ordering error of 2 for CLH (n = 29). This approach is better than the method with a single SF. Mean (P &lt; 0.05) and median errors, fraction within certain error ranges, higher percentage with most accurate predictions, and ranking were all better, and 76% of predictions were more accurate with this new method. Results are particularly good for bases, which generally have higher CLH and the potential to be incorrectly selected/rejected as candidate drugs. Reasonable predictions of fu,bl can be made from plasma fu (fu,pl) and empirical blood cell binding SFs (B-SFs; 1 for low fu,pl acids; 0.62 for other substances). Mean and median fu,bl prediction errors are negligible. The use of the CD-SF method with predicted fu,bl (the BCD-SF method) also gives improved and reasonable results (1.4-fold median error; 66% within 2-fold-error; median absolute rank ordering error = 1). This new empirical approach seems sufficiently good for use during the early screening; it gives reasonable estimates of CLH and good ranking, which allows replacement of Cbl/Cpl measurements by a simple equation.
Hydrocarbon Development in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Petroleum Sector
Authors: Dargin Justin 
Published: September 2007

This paper examines the challenges that Post-Saddam Iraqi Kurdistan faces in developing a sustainable petroleum sector. The newly established national constitution was a significant step that left as many petroleum questions unanswered, as answered. The constitution, not only separated branches of government, but established Federalism as its lodestar. Still, due to unresolved issues over regional and national control over petroleum resources, oil companies function in a hazy legal environment. The first part of the paper discusses the past and current state of the Kurdish region's oil development, and notes future prospects for development. The second part draws on constitutional and legal sources to analyze the division of responsibilities among the regions and the national government. This paper shows that firm guidelines are essential to encourage investment and expeditiously rebuild Iraq's shattered Petroleum sector.
Early results for treatment of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus using the PHILOS plate system
Authors: Moonot P. , Ashwood N. , Hamlet M. 
Published: September 2007

Secure fixation of displaced proximal fractures of the humerus is a challenging problem. A total of 32 patients with acutely displaced three- or four-part proximal fractures of the humerus were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using the proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) plate. There were 23 women and nine men with a mean age of 59.9 years (18 to 87). Data were collected prospectively and the outcomes were assessed using the Constant score. The mean follow-up was for 11 months (3 to 24). In 31 patients (97%) the fracture united clinically and radiologically at a mean of 10 weeks (8 to 24). The mean Constant score at final review was 66.5 (30 to 92). There was no significant difference in outcome when comparing patients aged more than 60 years (18 patients) with those aged less than 60 years (14 patients) (t-test, p = 0.8443). There was one case each of nonunion, malunion and a broken screw in the elderly population. This plate provides an alternative method of fixation for fractures of the proximal humerus. It provides a stable fixation in young patients with good-quality bone sufficient to permit early mobilisation. Failure of the screws to maintain fixation in the elderly remains a problem.
A prospective, randomised study comparing the percutaneous compression plate and the compression hip screw for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the hip
Authors: Peyser A. , Weil Y. A. , Brocke L. , Sela Y. , Mosheiff R. , Mattan Y. , Manor O. , Liebergall M. 
Published: September 2007

Limited access surgery is thought to reduce post-operative morbidity and provide faster recovery of function. The percutaneous compression plate (PCCP) is a recently introduced device for the fixation of intertrochanteric fractures with minimal exposure. It has several potential mechanical advantages over the conventional compression hip screw (CHS). Our aim in this prospective, randomised, controlled study was to compare the outcome of patients operated on using these two devices. We randomised 104 patients with intertrochanteric fractures (AO/OTA 31.A1–A2) to surgical treatment with either the PCCP or CHS and followed them for one year postoperatively. The mean operating blood loss was 161.0 ml (8 to 450) in the PCCP group and 374.0 ml (11 to 980) in the CHS group (Student’s t-test, p < 0.0001). The pain score and ability to bear weight were significantly better in the PCCP group at six weeks post-operatively. Analysis of the radiographs in a proportion of the patients revealed a reduced amount of medial displacement in the PCCP group (two patients, 4%) compared with the CHS group (10 patients, 18.9%); Fisher’s exact test, p < 0.02. The PCCP device was associated with reduced intra-operative blood loss, less postoperative pain and a reduced incidence of collapse of the fracture.
Circumferential osteotomy of the medial acetabular wall in total hip replacement for the late sequelae of childhood septic arthritis of the hip
Authors: Lian Y.-Y. , Yoo M.-C. , Pei F.-X. , Cho Y.-J. , Cheng J.-Q. , Chun S.-W. 
Published: September 2007

We performed 52 total hip replacements in 52 patients using a cementless acetabular component combined with a circumferential osteotomy of the medial acetabular wall for the late sequelae of childhood septic arthritis of the hip. The mean age of the patients at operation was 44.5 years (22 to 66) and the mean follow-up was 7.8 years (5 to 11.8). The mean improvement in the Harris Hip Score was 29.6 points (19 to 51) at final follow-up. The mean cover of the acetabular component was 98.5% (87.8% to 100%). The medial acetabular wall was preserved with a mean thickness of 8.3 mm (1.7 to 17.4) and the mean length of abductor lever arm increased from 43.4 mm (19.1 to 62) to 54.2 mm (36.5 to 68.6). One acetabular component was revised for loosening and osteolysis 4.5 years postoperatively, and one had radiolucent lines in all acetabular zones at final review. Kaplan-Meier survival was 94.2% (95% confidence interval 85.8% to 100%) at 7.3 years, with revision or radiological loosening as an end-point when two hips were at risk.A cementless acetabular component combined with circumferential medial acetabular wall osteotomy provides favourable results for acetabular reconstruction in patients who present with late sequelae of childhood septic hip arthritis.
The effects of the short-term administration of low therapeutic doses of anti-COX-2 agents on the healing of fractures
Authors: Karachalios T. , Boursinos L. , Poultsides L. , Khaldi L. , Malizos K. N. 
Published: September 2007

We have evaluated the effect of the short-term administration of low therapeutic doses of modern COX-2 inhibitors on the healing of fractures.A total of 40 adult male New Zealand rabbits were divided into five groups. A mid-diaphyseal osteotomy of the right ulna was performed and either normal saline, prednisolone, indometacin, meloxicam or rofecoxib was administered for five days. Radiological, biomechanical and histomorphometric evaluation was performed at six weeks.In the group in which the highly selective anti-COX-2 agent, rofecoxib, was used the incidence of radiologically-incomplete union was similar to that in the control group. All the biomechanical parameters were statistically significantly lower in both the prednisolone and indometacin (p = 0.01) and in the meloxicam (p = 0.04) groups compared with the control group. Only the fracture load values were found to be statistically significantly lower (p = 0.05) in the rofecoxib group. Histomorphometric parameters were adversely affected in all groups with the specimens of the rofecoxib group showing the least negative effect.Our findings indicated that the short-term administration of low therapeutic doses of a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor had a minor negative effect on bone healing.
One- or two-stage bilateral metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty
Authors: McBryde C. W. , Dehne K. , Pearson A. M. , Treacy R. B. C. , Pynsent P. B. 
Published: September 2007

Patients considered suitable for total hip resurfacing arthroplasty often have bilateral disease. The peri-operative complications, transfusion requirements, hospital stay, outcome and costs in patients undergoing one-stage bilateral total hip resurfacing were compared with a group of patients undergoing a two-stage procedure. A total of 92 patients were included in the study, of which 37 (40%) had a one-stage and 55 (60%) had a two-stage resurfacing. There were no significant differences in age, gender, or American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade between the groups (p = 0.31, p = 0.23, p = 0.13, respectively). There were three systemic complications in the one-stage group (8.1%) and one in the two-stage group (1.8% of patients; 0.9% of procedures). There was no significant difference in the complication rate (p = 0.72) or the transfusion requirements (p = 0.32) between the two groups. The one-stage group had a reduced total hospital stay of five days (95% confidence interval 4.0 to 6.9; p < 0.001), reduced length of time to completion of all surgery of five months (95% confidence interval 2.6 to 8.3; p < 0.001), and the reduced cost was 35% less than that of a two-stage procedure. However, the total anaesthetic time was significantly longer for the one-stage group (p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval 31 to 52). This study demonstrates that consideration should be given to one-stage surgery for patients with bilateral symptomatic disease suitable for metal-on-metal hip resurfacing. A one-stage procedure appears to have benefits for both the patient and the hospital without additional complications.
The Move from Government to Governance: Irish development policy’s paradigm shift
Authors: Adshead Maura , Quinn Brid 
Published: September 2007

English
This article examines the evolution of Irish development policy, suggesting that it illustrates significant changes in government at both national and sub-national level. It is argued that pressures for change have arisen both beyond and below the national level of administration, as a result of reforms to Structural Funding at the European Union level and the growth of community initiatives at sub-national level. The chief consequence has been a redefinition of development policy which has impacted upon the structure of government, as well as the substance and style of policy delivery. Irish development policy now embraces social as well as economic policy objectives, and its implementation relies on the cooption into the policy arena of new actors and agencies, representing different interests in the development process. As a consequence, the design and direction of development policy now places greater emphasis on increased negotiation, partnership and subsidiarity. The extent of the change is characterised as a move towards governance in Ireland, and by doing so, the work seeks to develop the use of this term in a comparative context.
Employment Equity Policies in Canada and the Netherlands: enhancing minority employment between public controversy and market initiative
Authors: Glastra Folke , Schedler Petra , Kats Erik 
Published: September 2007

English
Time and again employment statistics document the marginal position of (ethnic) minority groups within the labour force in Western multicultural nation states. There seems to be a broad, if differently motivated, consensus among politicians, employers and pressure groups that this situation cannot be prolonged with impunity. However, where it comes down to indicating the underlying causes and defining adequate solutions and policies, shared concern quickly dissolves into controversy. Legal measures to stimulate or ensure proportional representation of minority groups in the labour process are, more often than not, the focal points of such social disputes. A reconstruction of the historical development of equity policies in Canada, and more specifically in Ontario, and The Netherlands may clarify the nature of resistance against this controversial approach. It also sheds some light on the possibilities and limitations of alternative strategies impinging on the history of employment equity, such as voluntary efforts by employers’ organisations and labour unions, or the more decentralised and business-based practices of ‘managing diversity’.